Destiny's Embrace (16 page)

Her eyes went wide as plates. This was decidedly not what she’d expected to hear. She grabbed hold of herself. “It was the wine. I hope you didn’t take me seriously.”

“Sometimes, spirits allow you to say things you wouldn’t say under normal circumstances.”

“I agree, because I would never have said such a thing had I been in my right mind.”

“I’m talking about truthful things.”

“You aren’t in my destiny and we both know why, so let’s discuss something else.”

“No sense being angry. You asked me what you said and I told you.”

“And I thank you. Now, would it be possible for me to have my bath this evening before we go to your goddaughter’s dance?”

“Sure.”

She could tell he was amused by her reaction to his revelations, but she was not.

“You want breakfast? I’m on my way over to Lupe’s to get eggs.”

“Yes. Thank you,” she said stiffly.

“I’ll see you when I get back.”

Once alone, she let out an audible sigh and decided she wouldn’t think about last night or anything connected to it. She’d told him to keep his kisses to himself and now she needed to put some distance between them to make certain he knew she was serious. For the past three days, she’d been reacting to him like a silly moonstruck young girl. She hadn’t come all the way to California for this. She was his housekeeper; nothing more, and the sooner she began acting like it, the sooner he’d move on to someone else. The scenario was bothersome, but she reminded herself it didn’t matter because he wasn’t for her.

He returned accompanied by his brother Andrew and Eli Braden. That pleased her in the sense that she wouldn’t be his whole focus and he wouldn’t be hers. Once the food was ready, she took her plate. “Thank you. I’ll eat inside and let you three visit.”

“Not necessary,” he told her. “We won’t be discussing anything you can’t be a party to.”

“I understand and I appreciate that, but my place is inside. Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me,” and she walked to the door that led into her room and went in.

Logan watched the door close and turned back to his brother and Eli with confusion on his face.

“What’d you do?” Andrew asked. “I was looking forward to breakfast with your beauty.”

Eli raised his fork. “So was I.”

“I didn’t do anything that I’m aware of.”

Andrew countered, “You must’ve done something. She acted as if she’d never met us before, let alone you.”

Logan’s confusion continued and for a moment, he replayed their earlier encounter but that held no answers for him either. He certainly wasn’t going to go to her door and beg for her company, but for the life of him he couldn’t come up with a reason for her cool exit. Deciding to let her have her way, he sat and ate. His plan for the day centered around replacing the roof on the henhouse, so after breakfast, while Drew and Eli went to the mill to get the lumber for the bunkhouse and the shingles needed for the henhouse roof, he went inside.

He found her eyeing his windows.

She turned. “Do you have any butcher paper on the ranch?”

That was also confusing. “Why butcher paper?”

“I need it to make patterns for your curtains. I’ll also be needing them for your goddaughter’s dresses. I suppose I can use newsprint if I must.”

“Um. I’m sure there’s probably butcher paper over at the smokehouse. May I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

“What’s wrong?”

“With what?”

“With you, Mariah.”

She went back to eyeing the windows. “I don’t have my tapes, so I’m attempting to do the measurements by eye.”

“That isn’t what I meant.”

“What did you mean?”

“Why’d you leave? We were looking forward to you having breakfast with us.”

“I’m your housekeeper, Logan, and it’s better if I conduct myself as such.”

“Better for whom?”

“Me.”

He understood now. “So, you’re punishing me for not offering you marriage.”

As if amused, she shook her head. “No, Logan, I’m not. I’m simply here to do a job and that’s all. My place is not to have breakfast with you.”

“So are you still going to attend the dance tonight?”

“Yes, but as your employee—not as the woman on your arm.”

His lips tightened. He wanted to argue but had no position from which to do so. She’d already confessed to wanting his kisses, yet seemed determined to deny it and give what he desired to another man.

“Anything else?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then I’ll go on with my day and let you get on with yours. I’ll ask Bonnie about the paper.”

“Fine.” Not happy with being dismissed, he turned on his heel and walked out.

Hearing the door slam, she shook her head and went back to what she’d been doing.

Chapter 16

M
ariah walked down to Alanza’s and got not only a large quantity of butcher paper from Bonnie, but the housekeeper also had a measuring tape and a pair of sharp scissors she could borrow. Alanza came in while they were talking and offered to drive Mariah home so she wouldn’t have to lug everything back on foot.

While they rode, Mariah told her of the decision she’d made concerning Logan. “I’m his housekeeper and that’s all.”

“And his reaction?”

“More pouting, I’m afraid.”

“He isn’t used to being denied, but he’ll get over it.”

“I certainly hope so.” She watched the expert way Alanza handled the reins for the team of horses pulling the wagon. “I’ve a favor to ask.”

“And it is?”

“Asking Logan to teach me to drive turned into a disaster, do you think you might be able to find the time to teach me?”

“Of course. How about now?”

She stopped the wagon, they switched places and Mariah began. It went reasonably well. Not being yelled at by the instructor went a long way in helping Mariah relax and an hour later she was actually able to guide the buggy to the house. The onlooking ranch hands applauded.

But again, her arms ached from the strain.

“You’ll get stronger,” Alanza promised.

A weary Mariah hoped so. “My arms feel like they’re made of lead.”

“Get you a nice long soak in the tub and you’ll be right as rain.”

“Soon as Logan returns. I don’t know how to heat the water.”

“That isn’t a problem. I can show you.”

When they walked around to the back of the house, Mariah could see the activity going on with a gang of men on the far side of the corrals. The air rang with the sounds of hammering.

“Looks like they’re finally starting on the bunkhouse,” Alanza noted.

They could hear someone yelling.

“Logan,” they said in unison.

“He’s not pleased about something,” Alanza added.

Mariah didn’t give his bellowing a second thought. All she wanted was a long soak in the tub.

Alanza showed her the boiler and how to put water in the short, squat metal receptacle and light the coals beneath so that the coils connected to it would transfer the heated water to the large storage tank.

“Give it an hour or so and you should have enough for your bath. And toss in a handful of bath salts. That always makes me feel better.”

“I don’t have any,” Mariah confessed while eyeing the contraption and willing the water to heat quickly. “We didn’t have a tub back home, and even if we had, mother wouldn’t have allowed me to spend money on something so frivolous.”

“Everyone is entitled to a little frivolity in their lives. So get some soon.”

Mariah liked that idea. “I’ll see if I can spare the coins.”

“If you can’t, have Logan buy them.”

“That wouldn’t be right.”

“Maybe, but have him make the purchase anyway.”

The look on Mariah’s face made her sigh with amused frustration. “You aren’t going to do it, are you?”

“No. Maybe once I am paid and have ample funds of my own.” She didn’t want to be beholden to Logan or anyone else for something as trivial as bath salts. As soon as she was paid she’d consider adding the frivolity Alanza thought everyone needed, but not until then.

“All right. I’ll not fuss.”

Alanza stayed for a few minutes longer to make sure Mariah knew the workings of her heater and that she planned to attend the Brush Dance that evening.

Mariah had a question. “Do I need to wear something fancy?”

“No. A nice blouse and skirt should do.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

And with that Alanza waved good-bye and drove home.

An hour later, holding a fresh bar of Cashmere Bouquet soap in her hand, Mariah stepped gingerly into the large tub. Immersing herself slowly, she smiled with pleasure. The warm water felt like liquid silk. It was immodest to be nude, so she had on her thinnest shift, which plastered itself to her body as soon as the water touched it. “Oh, this is wonderful,” she gushed aloud. She knew it was silly to be talking to herself, but it was so glorious, she didn’t care. Before coming to California, she’d only taken a few baths in her lifetime, but she made herself a promise to take one as regularly as her schedule allowed from then on.

Logan was in a sour mood most of the day. With the help of Eli, Andrew and the ranch hands, the roof of the henhouse was repaired and the beams laid out for the new bunkhouse, but not without a lot of fussing and cussing on his part. By the end of the day, everyone was so sick of him and his temper they hoped that whatever was going on between him and the housekeeper got fixed so that when they reconvened for work on Monday, they could do so without wanting to hit him over the head with a piece of lumber.

As he entered the house, he saw the folded white butcher paper on the dining-room table, but Mariah was nowhere to be found. Thinking about her raised his ire again. How dare she be immune to his charms. Did she not know his reputation with the ladies? He supposed she did, which was the reason she refused to surrender. Entering his bedroom, he rid himself of his dirty shirt, tossed it on the floor, and walked over to the door to the washing room. Snatching it open, he stepped in and heard her screech, “Get out!”

Stunned by the sight of her cringing in his tub, he ran his shocked eyes over her delectable form.

“Out!” she demanded, while trying to hide herself behind the washcloth and failing miserably, much to his delight. “Are you deaf!”

He thought he might be, but he was glad he hadn’t been struck blind. He turned his back, but the sight of her dark nipples against the wet shift was permanently imprinted on his memory. “Didn’t expect to find you in here.”

“Get out of here, Logan Yates.”

“Got my back turned.”

“Out!”

“I see you found some paper for your patterns.”

“I’m not discussing anything with you. Leave me.”

He quickly tried to come up with something to say that would allow him to stay. Even with his back turned, he could still see her. “Water hot enough?”

“This isn’t funny! Can you be a gentleman at least once?”

“If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have my back turned.”

He heard her angry sigh and that made him smile. “All right. I’m going. Nice seeing you.”

He closed the door just in time to block a flying hairbrush aimed at his head. Once on the other side, he called, “If you need someone to wash your back, just yell!”

A snarl was her only reply.

They drove to the dance in his buggy. She had nothing to say during the drive but Logan admired the nice white blouse and dark green skirt she was wearing. The blouse was high necked as usual with a bit more lace around the collar and wrists. Once again, he fantasized on slowly opening all the little pearl-sized buttons and his quickened desire weighed in with a silent amen. He could still see her in the tub though, which gave rise to another fantasy: one that involved her, him, and a tub of steamy hot water. Deciding he needed to send his thoughts elsewhere, he glanced her way and saw the tight set of her face and chin. “I didn’t know you were in the tub, Mariah.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

But he didn’t have to talk about it. The remembrance was as clear as the road ahead.

The air was filled with the sounds of drumming and voices when they arrived at Green Feather’s home a short time later. There were a number of buggies and wagons parked in the field near the home and a stream of people walking toward the festivities. Logan parked, then came around and handed her down. Her displeasure with him hadn’t lifted and he found her reaction amusing. He looked forward to whatever the evening had in store.

Mariah was first introduced to the guest of honor and her parents. “Thank you for the invitation,” she said to them. Walks was as large as the redwood tree the family had taken as their surname. His wife, Sweet Water, was a slim, gorgeous woman with beautiful dark hair and eyes. Their daughter Green Feather had her mother’s slim figure and the facial features of both handsome parents. “Congratulations on your accomplishment,” Mariah said to her.

The young woman smiled. “Thank you. I’m admiring your blouse. Did you make it yourself?”

“Feather!” her mother snapped. “Don’t be so rude.”

Mariah waved her off. “It’s okay. The answer is yes. Would you like one of your own?”

“I’d love one. Uncle Logan says you’re a great seamstress, and that you might make some things for me to take to school.”

“I’d love to help with your wardrobe.”

So for a moment, they talked about her and her mother coming out to the ranch to discuss the types of garments needed, and so Mariah could take Feather’s measurements. Her mother had tears in her eyes.

“Thank you, Mrs. Cooper.”

“You’re very welcome.”

The happy Feather gave her godfather a big hug. “Thank you for bringing her, Uncle Logan.”

“You’re welcome.”

Mariah was admittedly moved by the display. The affection bestowed on him seemed quite genuine and caused her to try and reconcile the Logan she thought she knew with the man Feather obviously cared about so deeply.

Feather’s father said, “I hope you enjoy the dance and our hospitality, Mrs. Cooper.”

“I’m sure I will. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

Feather and her parents moved off to see to their other guests.

“They’re quite nice,” she said to Logan as they moved into the crowd of guests.

“They are. If I had a daughter I’d want her to be like Feather.”

Considering his stance on marriage, Mariah was surprised to hear him say anything related to children.

For the next little while, he introduced her around. She met so many people she was certain she’d never remember all the names, but they greeted her with smiles and kindness and that pleased her.

“Let’s find Alanza. I’ll leave you with her so that no one will think you’re here on my arm.”

She caught the sarcasm but chose to ignore it. “Thank you.”

They found his stepmother and Andrew a short while later, and with a bow, Logan faded into the crowd.

Andrew watched his brother’s departure and said to Mariah, “He’s never met a woman like you.”

To which his mother replied, “And may you meet one just like her.”

He laughed. “And on that note, I think I will join my brother in exile.”

After he departed, Alanza said to Mariah, “Come. I see some people I want you to meet.”

Mariah spent the rest of the evening under Alanza’s wing. As night rolled in and fires were lit to help illuminate the gathering, they stopped at the food tables. Mariah ate fish and chicken and fruit and vegetables and cake until her corset threatened to pop. They then drifted over to watch the tribal dancing and listen to the singers. The dancers were inside a circle lined with stones. Unlike the feathers and paint she was accustomed to seeing on the plains Indians like the Sioux and Cheyenne in the newspapers at home, they were plainly dressed. A few of the women were wearing long skirts made of grass, but most of the men were in plain everyday attire of denims and shirts. The songs were sung in the tribal tongue to the beat of the drums. The voices sounded very foreign to her ears at first, but the more she listened, the more familiar the intonation became, and she found it pleasing.

While she watched the dancers make their way around the circle in time to the drums’ slow cadence, some of the female guests came up and asked her about her sewing. The word had apparently gotten around about her needle skills and they, too, wanted fittings and garments made. Mariah had no idea how or where she’d be able to accommodate them but Alanza promised to find her a space on the ranch and encouraged her to take on the work, so she did.

She and Alanza were talking about where she might set up her sewing operation when Reverend Paul Dennis walked up.

“Good evening, Mrs. Cooper. Mrs. Yates.”

They both greeted him.

“Are you having a good time?” he asked Mariah.

“I am. We don’t have anything like this in Philadelphia, I assure you.”

She thought he had a nice smile.

Alanza said, “I see someone I need to speak with. Reverend, will you watch over her for a moment?”

“I’d be honored.”

She departed and he looked around. “How about we take a seat over there.”

By the light of the fires, Mariah saw the bench he indicated. It was set back from the crowd but not so much that people would talk. “I’d enjoy that.”

She found she liked him immensely. He was from Dayton, Ohio, and a graduate of Wilberforce College, which was affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal church. He had two younger sisters, and had been in California just under a year. He talked about his work with the local school, and his dreams of making his church a center of the community. He told her how proud he was of Feather and his hopes that she would enjoy Hampton and go far in life. He then stopped. “I’m sorry, I’ve been going on and on about me and my work. How about I keep quiet for a few moments and let you speak.”

Yes, she liked him very much.

“Tell me a bit about yourself.”

So, she told him about her life in Philadelphia, carefully skirting the uglier parts. She also told him about wanting to open her own seamstress shop.

“Did your late husband support your dream?”

Mariah went still, and lied, “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

“Because some men think a woman’s only work should be in the home.”

“And you?”

“I used to think that way, but coming here and meeting women like Mrs. Yates and Miss Pearl over at the diner made me question that stance.”

“May I ask why?” Mariah had no plans to be with someone who’d deny her a chance to make her own way in life, no matter how nice he seemed. If she’d wanted to do nothing but housework, she would’ve stayed in Philadelphia with her mother.

“They impressed me not only with their Christian outlooks but with their devotion to their life and the people around them. I doubt they’d be such forces of nature were they confined to the role of a wife as it’s presently defined.”

Mariah applauded his thinking.