Читать книгу The Proper Wife - Winnie Griggs - Страница 9

Sadie felt quite pleased with herself—for all of about five seconds. Putting him on the spot that way had been a petty move on her part. No matter what his demeanor, she was convinced his intentions were good and he didn’t deserve such treatment. But the man really did have a way of getting her back up. Did he even know how to have fun?

Poor Penny. What would that little girl’s life be like once she moved out of the boardinghouse and had only her brother for company?

Shaking off that thought, Sadie pushed open the kitchen door and immediately forgot the Reynolds siblings.

“Goodness, Cora Beth, what do you think you’re doing? You’re supposed to be resting.” Sadie had come here a week ago to lend a hand while her brother’s sister-in-law recuperated. Though she’d only met Cora Beth twice before, she’d jumped at the opportunity to do this. Not because she’d felt charitable, but because she’d been feeling restless and purposeless of late. Coming here and pitching in was supposed to make her feel useful, but so far things hadn’t exactly worked out as planned.

Cora Beth was too polite to say anything, but Sadie knew her domestic skills had not lived up to the challenge of running a boardinghouse. Rather than trying to lend a hand herself, she would have done better to have hired some competent help. In fact, Sadie was beginning to wonder if she’d ever find a place where she served a real purpose.

Cora Beth smiled over her shoulder. “I’m tired of resting. Thought I’d check on the stew.”

Sadie pushed her much-too-maudlin thoughts aside and marched across the room, glad Eli Reynolds wasn’t here to see that his fears were well-founded. “Dr. Whitman said you weren’t to use that hand any more than you had to for another week.”

“It only takes one hand to stir a pot.”

“Still, that’s my job for the time being. I may not be able to cook as well as you, but I can make do. And I didn’t travel eighty miles just to watch you defy doctor’s orders.” Sadie held her hand out for the spoon. When Cora Beth hesitated, she added “We may not know each other well, but you should’ve learned enough about me by now to understand I can be downright stubborn when I’ve a mind to have my way.” Having been raised on a cattle ranch in a mainly masculine household, Sadie had spent most of her life surrounded by folks who tended to either underestimate her abilities or treat her as if she were still a child.

One thing this trip had accomplished was to give her an opportunity to show her mettle among these relative strangers and she aimed to take full advantage of that.

Cora Beth held onto the spoon a moment longer but Sadie stood firm.

“Oh, very well.” Cora Beth surrendered the spoon and moved away from the stove. She gave Sadie an exasperated look. “And there’s nothing wrong with your cooking.”

Sadie gave her an unconcerned smile, deciding to be gracious in victory. “There’s no need for you to sugarcoat things—I know my shortcomings as well as my talents. Out at Hawk’s Creek the kitchen has always been Inez’s domain and I’m happy to leave her to it. About the best you can say for my cooking is that it’s edible. But we’ll all muddle through for the next few days while you take care of yourself.”

Heavenly Father, please let me do well enough not to embarrass Cora Beth in front of her boarders again. I’m asking not for myself, You understand, but for the folks who have to eat my cooking. Sadie struggled with her conscience a moment, then added a postscript to her silent prayer. All right, it would also save me a bit of embarrassment, as well.

“A commendable attitude.”

It took Sadie a moment to realize Cora Beth was responding to her comment—not her silent prayer.

“Did I hear Mr. Reynolds come in?” Cora Beth added.

Sadie tried to keep her tone light. “Yep. Walked smack-dab into the middle of our blindman’s bluff game.” Funny, though, that even when she was irritated with the man she could notice how the rain had darkened his pecan-brown hair a couple of shades and caused it to curl up slightly at the ends.

“Oh dear.” Cora Beth gave a rueful smile. “I take it he didn’t approve.”

An understatement. Sadie sighed. “I don’t know what I did to curdle that man’s cream but it’s plain to see he doesn’t think much of me.” It was a shame, really. Her first impression of him had been positive, and it wasn’t just because she liked the lean, broad-shouldered look of him. He was a bit too somber, perhaps, but he had a certain air of quiet confidence mixed with respect for others that she admired. What had really drawn her to him, though, was the hint of suppressed sadness she thought she’d sensed in him.

Of course, she’d been known to be wrong before.

“I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that.” Cora Beth’s words drew her back to the present. “He just needs to get to know you a little better is all. He’s really a very nice man.”

Nice, yes—he just didn’t approve of her. Which was a new experience for Sadie. She might still be treated as something of a child at home, but folks tended to like her. And as one of the Lassiter siblings and part owner of the Hawk’s Creek Ranch, Sadie was used to her name, at least, commanding a certain degree of respect.

“You have to agree, though,” Cora Beth said, “a man who takes such good care of a younger sister the way Mr. Reynolds does must have a lot to recommend him.”

Sadie refrained from comment. Was Cora Beth forming an interest in the newest resident of the boardinghouse? She wouldn’t blame her if she had—still, for some reason, that thought didn’t sit well.

Best to change the subject. “Now, get yourself on out of here. If you don’t want to lie down, why don’t you find a book to read or something quiet to do with the kids?”

“Don’t you want some company?”

Sadie knew if Cora Beth stayed she’d try to lend a hand. The woman just didn’t know how to take it easy. “That’s not—”

The door eased open just then, and Penny stood there, hesitating as if unsure of her welcome.

Sadie smiled at the young girl. “Hi there, princess, come on in.” Then she arched a brow Cora Beth’s way. “Seems I have someone to keep me company, after all. And since I intend to teach her all my kitchen secrets, you’ll just have to run along.”

Cora Beth looked from one to the other of them, then smiled. “Very well. I think I’ll see what Uncle Grover’s been up to today.”

As soon as she’d left, Penny looked up at Sadie. “Are you really going to teach me secrets?”

Sadie tapped the little girl on the nose. “Actually, my biggest secret is that I’m not very good in the kitchen. But if you’d like to help, maybe between the two of us we can pull off something acceptable. What do you say?”

Penny’s buckskin-colored pigtails danced as she nodded.

“Good. Now, let’s find you an apron.” Sadie hummed as she bustled around the kitchen, glad of the girl’s company. She’d taken a real liking to the quiet nine-year-old this past week. And it really warmed her heart to see that the feeling was returned. With Penny she never felt judged or that she had to prove herself. The little girl just seemed to enjoy being with her.

Once she’d tied the oversized apron on Penny, Sadie put a finger to her chin. “Now, let’s see. The stew is doing fine and the bread is already done.” She’d even managed not to overcook or undercook it this time. “I guess we’re ready to work on dessert.”

Penny smiled, luring forth the rare appearance of her dimple. “I like dessert.”

“So do I. Cora Beth helped me with a pound cake this morning, but I thought we might try to make a sauce to pour over it. Inez, the cook over at our ranch, makes a really scrumptious honey sauce that I think I can duplicate.” At least she hoped she could. “Why don’t you get the honey from the pantry while I get the butter and the cream?”

Penny nodded and headed off to do just that.

Sadie placed the butter and cream on the table then paused when she spied a neatly folded copy of this week’s Gazette on the counter. At least one thing had gone right since her trip here. Mr. Chalmers had agreed to run her story and it had met with gratifying success. She might not be a good cook, but it seemed she could spin a fine yarn. The thought of accomplishing something like this entirely on her own boosted her spirits again.

“Here’s the honey.”

Sadie glanced at the crock in the girl’s hands and gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, princess, that’s the wrong container.” Cora Beth had taken pains to explain to her that that particular jar contained a special honey that she used exclusively for her fruitcakes. Apparently it took on a special flavor because of the flowers that grew near the hard-to-find hive. “There’s a blue crock on the same shelf where you found that one—it has the store-bought honey.”

Penny nodded and turned back. But before she’d taken more than a step, she dropped the crock.

Sadie gazed down in horrified fascination at the sticky shards of crockery and gooey splatters. Cora Beth was not going to be happy.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Penny’s cracked-voice apology snapped Sadie out of her thoughts and she gave the girl a bright smile. “That’s okay, princess, it was an accident. Don’t you worry any more about it. Goodness knows I’ve had more than my fair share the past few days.”

“Is Mrs. Collins going to be very upset?”

Sadie flipped her hand dismissively. “Oh, not at all. I’ll just get her some fresh honey and she’ll be happy as a hog in a wallow.”

Penny wrinkled her nose as she smiled. “You say the funniest things.”

“That I do.” She gave the girl’s shoulder a pat. “Now, you fetch the mop while I get a pail of water to clean this up. And watch your step.”

Worried that the little girl might cut herself on the shards, Sadie fetched the other crock of honey and placed it on the table with the butter and cream. “Do you mind working on the honey sauce while I clean the floor? It would really be a big help.”

Penny’s shoulders drew back and her chest puffed out a bit, obviously proud of being given such a ‘big girl’ responsibility. “I can do that.”

Hiding a smile, Sadie got her started, pouring the ingredients into a large bowl in what looked to be the correct proportions. “Now you just stir that up until it’s all mixed together and the lumps are gone.” She gave the girl a challenging look. “It may take a while to get it just right. Think you’re up to it?”

“Oh yes. You can count on me.”

Sadie gave her a big smile. “I know I can. You and I make a pretty good team.”

Rolling up her sleeves, Sadie stepped over to the splatter and got down on her knees. At least this chore was one she was confident she could accomplish well.

A few minutes later she dropped the last of the larger shards into the trash pail and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “How’s it coming?” she asked Penny.

“There’s still a few lumps, but I’m getting close.”

“Good. Guess I’d better check on the stew before I finish up here.” She certainly didn’t want to scorch supper the way she had last night. Who knew a roast could go from pink to charred so fast?

She put her hands on her thighs, prepared to stand. But her shoe caught on the hem of her skirt and she came down hard, landing on her backside with a jarring thud.

“Oh!” Penny’s exclamation rang with anxiety.

But before Sadie could tell her she was okay, the door pushed open and Eli Reynolds stepped through. Sadie groaned inwardly. Of all times for her biggest critic to show up.

“Have you seen—” Penny’s brother halted midsentence, his expression turning to a mix of surprise and something else she couldn’t quite identify from this distance.

Then he crossed the room, bearing down on her with long, quick strides that took her aback.

“Sadie fell,” Penny proclaimed worriedly. “I don’t know if she’s hurt.”

“I’m fine.” Even if she hadn’t been, Sadie would never have hinted otherwise. She ignored the urge to rub her now-tender backside. If only he would just go away and leave her to recover her wounded dignity in private.

She stared up from her less-than-dignified position as he knelt beside her, waiting for the inevitable censure. Instead, he met her gaze with a concern that took her completely by surprise. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

She blinked, not quite certain how to react to this softer side of the man. “Yes, I mean, there’s no need—”

Why in the world was she stammering? She took a deep breath then offered a self-mocking smile. “The only thing smarting at the moment is my pride.”

He studied her a moment longer, then offered a hand. “In that case, here, let me help you up.”

She allowed him to take her elbow, liking the feel of his strong, protective grip. When he placed his other hand at her back to steady her, she decided, that yes, she liked this very much indeed.

“You’re bleeding!”

Penny, her complexion ashen, was pointing to Sadie’s hand.

Sadie stared at the thin ribbon of blood running from her palm as if it belonged to someone else. Then she turned back to Penny. “It’s all right, princess. I must have put my hand on a bit of crockery when I fell. But it doesn’t hurt. Truly.”

Mr. Reynolds intervened. “Just to be certain, let’s clean it up and have a look.”

“Oh, that’s not necess—”

He caught her gaze and tilted his head ever so slightly toward Penny. “I think everyone will feel better if I do.”

Penny nodded. “You don’t have to worry, Aunt Sadie. Eli’s real good at making boo-boos feel better.”

She saw his brow go up at Penny’s use of ‘Aunt Sadie’ but he let it pass without comment. Warmed by the thought that he took time to address his sister’s ‘boo-boos’, she allowed him to steer her towards the sink.

Even as she followed docilely along, though, Sadie again tried to make light of her injury. “Truly, it’s just a little cut.”

“Best to be safe.” He carefully extended her hand over the sink, filled a dipper with water, then looked up. “Ready?”

Seeing reassurance instead of disapproval in those cool gray eyes of his was a new experience for Sadie, one she found she rather enjoyed. Then she realized he was waiting for her response. “Ready,” she answered.

He gave her an approving smile, then slowly poured the water over the cut. It was strange to feel him holding her hand like this. His own hand was smoother than those of the ranch hands she was used to, but not soft in a namby-pamby way. She sensed strength there and an unexpected protectiveness.

“Looks like there’s a sliver embedded in your palm.” He glanced up and met her gaze again. “This might hurt a bit. I’ll make it quick.”

She nodded. Staring at his bent head, she noticed the way his hair tended to curl around his ear, how his brow wrinkled slightly when he was concentrating. His expression shifted and she saw the flicker of concern as he caught hold of the offending sliver, then the small spurt of triumph mixed with relief as he pulled it free.

“Sorry.”

She blinked and it took her moment to realize he was apologizing for any discomfort his actions had caused her. “I hardly felt a thing.” Which was the absolute truth as far as the cut was concerned.

Penny held out a bit of cloth. Sadie had been so riveted by Eli that she hadn’t noticed Penny had crossed the room. “You can use this for a bandage,” she said to her brother.

“Of course.” He took the cloth from her and again his touch was gentle and sure as he wrapped her palm in the makeshift bandage.

“Thank you.” Was that soft voice hers?

He cradled her hand a moment longer as his gaze caught on hers.

And held.

For several long, breath-stealing moments.