Rocky Mountain Match (5 page)

“I’d be glad to do that,” Katie offered, noticing, too, how Ellie appeared nearly spent. Her face was flushed and her brow beaded with perspiration. “Really. It’s no trouble at all.”

“Are you sure? I just want to make sure he’s all right.” Aaron glanced around the churchyard. “I thought Ben would be out here by now.”

Katie gave Ellie a quick hug, then turned to Aaron. “Just get Ellie home. I’ll check in with Joseph.”

“Good enough.” Aaron nodded.

“We’ll have you out for supper some night this week,” Ellie offered as her husband swept her up in his arms. She hooked her arms around her Aaron’s neck, her laughter resounding like a bird’s joyous spring song as he carried her toward their wagon.

Smiling, Katie waved. “I’ll look forward to that.”

Walking toward Joseph, she stared through a shimmer of tears, wishing that she, too, could know that kind of love.

But who would ever want her the way she was…used?

That horrifying reality never seemed to lose its sharp sting. Her heart clenched with overwhelming sadness, but she couldn’t give in to it.

Ignoring the old familiar dirge, she glanced up to see Joseph sitting on the steps, his hands clasped in a tight ball between his knees. He was probably trying not to be noticed, but there was nothing inconspicuous about him. Like honey to a bee, he drew every bit of her attention with his commanding, masculine build encased in a stark white shirt and dark bronze britches, and his chestnut hair hanging loosely about his head. She barely took notice of the air of discontent tainting his features.

“Good morning, Joseph.” She slowed to a stop in front of him. “It’s a splendid morning, isn’t it?”

“Miss Ellickson?” He stood and clung to the railing.

“Thought you could get rid of me for the weekend, did you?”

His face relaxed ever so slightly as he slid his hands off the rail and tucked them in his pockets. “Well, not exactly. I just didn’t know you were here this morning, that’s all.”

“I was sitting in the back with Ellie, Aaron and my aunt and uncle.”

“Oh.” Was that a tinge of disappointment she heard in his voice? “I—I was sitting with Ben.”

“Yes. I noticed. Are you still waiting for him?” She briefly scanned the yard for Ben.

“Actually I was hoping to find Aaron. Ben’s inside meeting with Mrs. Duncan about the upcoming celebration. He said it might be a while, so I told him I’d get Aaron to walk me home. Or Zach if I can round him up.”

Katie hugged her arms to her chest. “Ellie wasn’t feeling well, so Aaron took her home. But if you don’t mind, I could walk with you.”

He shook his head. “No, that’s all right. You don’t need to do that on your day off.”

“It’s no problem at all. I’d be glad to walk with you. Besides, it’s such a beautiful day.” Holding her elbow out in front of him, she offered, “Here’s my arm. You just set the pace.” When he reached out and found her arm, his touch sent stirring warmth through her.

He started forward at a leisurely pace. “It galls me how tired I am from just this one outing.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It takes a great deal of mental energy to do what you’ve done today.”

“Well, I can tell you one thing, Tuesday of next week can’t come fast enough. When I get these bandages off and can see again, I doubt I’ll close my eyes for a week straight.”

She hoped that he was right. That he would see again.

Noticing the curious stares of a few of the church folks who still lingered on the grounds, she asked, “You don’t think people will talk, do you?” She stepped around a bed of fragrant lavender. “I mean, with me walking you home?”

He came to a stop and tilted his head down at her. “I’m sure that by now they’re aware that you’re my instructor. Word gets around fast here. But if it’s uncomfortable for you, I could just wait for Ben.”

“Oh, no,” she said, a little too eagerly. “I mean, of course it’s not uncomfortable.”

With a smile tipping the corners of his mouth, he nodded, then continued an even stroll toward his home.

“Joseph. Katie, wait up!” a voice called from behind them.

Katie turned to see Ben jogging toward them.

“Sorry about leaving you stranded.” Ben clapped Joseph on the arm and pulled in a long breath. “I got tied up with Mrs. Duncan and you know how that can go. Pastor Winters almost paid a hefty ransom to free me. At the rate she’s going, you’d think she was planning a presidential inauguration.”

“Mrs. Duncan isn’t a woman to miss details,” Joseph said, leaning slightly toward Katie.

“That’s very diplomatic of you, Joseph. Personally, I’d rather strain at gnats all day than iron out details with that woman.” Ben gave a wide-eyed look. “I hope you’re in for a fast walk, Joseph, because I’ve got to hightail it out to the Randalls’ place. Jeb laid an ill-aimed ax to his leg yesterday and I just got word that it’s not looking too good.”

Katie winced. “That sounds bad.”

“When I left him late last night I said I’d be back later this afternoon, but I’d feel better if I got out there as soon as I can. Besides that, I’ve just acquired a couple of stray kittens that showed up in my barn yesterday.”

“Your newest four-legged patients?” Joseph asked.

“Yep. And they’re in need of round-the-clock attention right now. I have them bedded down in a crate beside my bed.”

Joseph smiled and focused down at her. “Ben’s always taking in strays and doctoring them back to health.”

“Aww…”

“I can’t help it. They just show up.”

“That’s so sweet of you,” Katie said, her throat going tight with instant emotion. She loved animals.

“Yeah, well, what else is a fella to do?” Ben remarked as if he were trying to step out of the focus.

“Go on ahead. Katie said she’d walk with me.” The sideways grin Joseph gave her set her pulse skittering. “That is, if you still don’t mind?”

She shook her head. “Not at all.”

“Good, it’s settled.” Ben clapped his hands, then came forward and gave Joseph’s arm a quick squeeze. “Thanks again for coming with me today.”

Joseph nodded. “By the way, you sent the wire for my appointment in Denver Tuesday, right?”

Ben passed a wary glance to Katie and her heart instantly squeezed with compassion for Joseph.

“Nine o’clock Tuesday morning,” Ben confirmed.

A tightness strained Joseph’s features. Over the course of the week, she’d discovered from the few times he’d spoken of the appointment or his vision, he’d become instantly irritable.

Ben glanced at his pocket watch and snapped it shut again. “By the way, Katie, you’ve made quite an impression on Aaron and Ellie. She can’t say enough good things about you.” On a wink, he turned and jogged away from them.

Katie felt a warm blush color her cheeks as they walked in silence for several moments.

“He’s right, you know…”

“Right about what?”

“Ellie has really taken to you.” His voice was as low and soothing as a cool breeze on a hot day. “Last night when the two of them stopped by, she couldn’t stop talking about you. Said you were beautiful, inside and out.”

Embarrassment flamed hot now. Her knees went weak and her mouth grew dry. She couldn’t seem to be around him without noticing every little thing about him and being affected in ways she’d never experienced.

But she was Joseph’s teacher. Nothing else. She had to keep telling herself that.

“Sorry if I embarrassed you.” His deep, mellow voice had countless other effects on her besides soothing her. His voice incited a warm quiver in her stomach and a slow, steady tremble up her spine. “When Ellie said that, it blew the very first image I had of you when Ben called you up from the street.”

She slowed to a stop. “There’s a step here. Gauge its height with your foot, then move ahead.” When he continued without incident, she went on to ask, “What image did you have?”

He puffed out his cheeks on a big sigh. “Oh, just that you were a prune-faced old woman with a sharp nose and even sharper tongue. Good thing I didn’t ride away into the sunset with that impression all week.”

She smiled at his description, recalling how sour and gruff he’d been when she’d first met him. “Likewise, it’s a good thing I didn’t hold you to my first impression, either.”

Wincing, he pulled at his collar as though it was suddenly too tight for comfort.

“For a while there, I thought my uncle’s high opinion of you was overrated.” She came to a stop and stared up at him. “But now, I think that it might just be underrated.”

“I
f there’s one thing I cannot abide, it is an overbearing woman!” Julia proclaimed with a flourish. “Mrs. Duncan…why, the way that woman prattles on, you’d think she owned half the town. The woman is overbearing, I tell you. Overbearing!”

Joseph slid a hand across his mouth, masking his grin. He figured it took an overbearing person to know one, and Julia was close to an expert in the ways of overbearing women.

“Mrs. Duncan does—”

“She was nothing if not imperious,” she interrupted with a terse huff. “Out of the goodness of my heart, I offered my valuable expertise in helping to organize the box social and barn dance for the Glory Days celebration. And she refused! Flat-out refused, I tell you.”

“Maybe she already has things arranged,” he offered in a lame attempt to console her.

He couldn’t imagine why she’d come looking for consolation from him. Between the meal catastrophe when
she’d stormed off mad and the indifference he’d shown her at church yesterday, he sure didn’t expect her to try and cozy up to him again. But from the minute she’d barged into his solitude some fifteen minutes ago, she’d been as much as crawling into him, mining for sympathy.

He’d been sitting on his porch awaiting Katie’s arrival to start a second week of training when Julia’s taut, brisk steps brought her up the walk. Funny, the second he realized the footsteps weren’t Katie’s, disappointment crept over him like a dark cloud blocking out the sun’s warmth.

Training his ear to the street, he listened for Katie’s approach, feeling a strange sense of regret knowing he wouldn’t really need her after his appointment next week. When his vision returned, Katie wouldn’t have to. He had to admit, having her around every day had been nice. She’d gotten under his skin with her sweet but confident disposition, her sunny encouragement and the way she made him feel so at ease. So much like himself again.

“I just do not understand that woman!” Julia wailed, jerking him out of his thoughts. “Apparently she just doesn’t want the celebration to be a success. Here I was only trying to help, and I—” A loud sob broke her lamentation.

The sound of her sniffling gave the indifference in Joseph’s heart pause. Honestly, he felt sorry for Julia. She was an oddity out here in the west, away from her eastern friends and high-class ways. She was cultured. A large brilliant diamond in the midst of an earthy environment, and the startling radiance, which had caught his eye once, seemed almost offensive to him now. Like a shocking blast of light piercing a protective cocoon.

Unable to ignore her loud cries, he took a couple steps forward, reaching out to her. If there was one thing he
couldn’t bear, it was a woman upset and crying. His compassion always got the best of him.

“Aww, come here.” He found her shoulder and gently pulled her to his side, her stiff skirt bristling like crisp rice paper against his britches. “I’m sure Mrs. Duncan doesn’t really mean anything by it. She’s just been the one in charge of organizing this shindig every year. Don’t take it personally.”

Julia sniffed daintily, and he could almost feel her big, emerald-eyed gaze upon him. “Do you think? I mean, I only wanted to help and then she—” Her voice broke on another sob.

For several moments he held her, feeling as awkward and stiff as a gruff old hermit embracing the Queen of England. But the way her sobs were subsiding, he was glad that at least his pathetic try at sympathy was helping.

“Good morning,” came Katie’s voice from his walkway.

Joseph turned, slipping his arm off Julia’s shoulders.

“I—I’m sorry if I interrupted something.” Her voice seemed to lack the warmth he’d grown accustomed to. “I thought we were beginning at eight-thirty this morning.”

“It’s fine. No need to apologize,” he quickly responded, shoving his hands inside his pockets. “I was sitting out here waiting for you when Julia stopped by. We were just talking.”

Sensing Julia’s wilting spine stiffen, he silently groaned. He shifted his feet on the hard-packed earth, noting that the sizzling sparks she emitted could’ve started a wildfire.

“Come on up,” he offered, in an attempt to ease the awkwardness Katie must have felt.

“Miss Cranston, good morning.” Even though she’d
stopped mere feet from him, Katie sounded strangely distant.

He wished he could see her face, to gauge what kind of reaction registered there. Was she given to hiding her emotions? It dawned on him how little he knew of her, of what made her tick, what made her shudder in fear and of what made her heart leap.

And he determined to rectify that as soon as possible. If they were going to work side by side, even if it was for just another week, he wanted to know more about Katie Ellickson. Something about her drew him, compelling him to ignore common sense and step beyond a professional relationship to friendship.

“Miss Ellington.” Julia’s icy response could have frozen a flower on the spot.

“Ellickson,” Joseph corrected with a shake of his head. Sliding a hand down his shirt, he checked for misaligned buttons. “I’m ready to start if you are, Katie.”

Katie lightly cleared her throat.

Then Julia’s parasol snapped open next to Joseph’s head, and he sidestepped, startled and irritated.

“I certainly thought you would be done after an entire week of working with him, Miss
Ellickson
.” Although Julia’s voice was as smooth as honey, it lacked any sweetness. He could almost see her red lips clipping off each word with sharp precision. “All day long even? Why, goodness, surely there can’t be
that
much information to cover. You must be new to this.”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “Actually, she’s not new to this at all.”

Ben had ticked off her qualifications on that first morning, and at the time Joseph hadn’t given a horse’s
behind about any of it. But he cared now. “Far as I can tell, the glowing recommendations accompanying her are too conservative.”

“Whatever could you possibly learn from her? I mean, you’re a grown man, fully capable—except for those silly bandages obstructing your vision. You’re used to life on your own. I cannot see what more you could need to learn.”

Joseph gave a frustrated sigh. “You’d be surprised.”

“All right, so perhaps you needed help eating at first. How well I remember
that
disaster. My dress…” she began with a whine. “Well, never mind that. But if you were to ask me, she’s just confusing things, complicating simple matters with all of her five o’clock, three o’clock, six o’clock, ten o’clock gibberish. In my humble opinion—”

“I don’t remember asking for your humble opinion,” Joseph ground out. If he hadn’t heard the brazenness of her sentiments for himself, he might not have believed she could be so thoughtless.

“I was just trying to help.” Syrupy innocence dripped like putrid tonic from her words. She sidled up next to him and perched a hand on his bicep, trailing her fingers down his forearm. “Of course you know that I just want the best for you. Our relationship means a great deal to me.”

Struggling to keep his composure, he picked up her hand from his arm as though it were a dead fish, dropping it back down to her side. “Julia,
I
need to get to work. And you—
you
need to leave.”

“Very well.” She took a couple steps away from him when he heard her pivot firmly. “Oh my, how could I be so remiss,” she breathed, coming to stand in front of him again. “I came to give you a message from Daddy. That large furniture order he entrusted you with…well he
hopes you understand how
very
important it is that it be completed—on time.”

Joseph clenched his fists, trying to remain calm. When her father had placed the order over four weeks ago, Joseph had agreed on the completion date, exactly three months from the time of the order. He’d agreed to front all expenses with the understanding that he’d find hearty compensation in the end. Normally he wouldn’t have put so much on the line, but the money he’d make from this one job would more than cover wages; it would pay for an extensive addition onto his shop, as well as some new tools.

Three months gave ample time to finish each piece to the standard he was known for. After all, he didn’t want to jeopardize his reputation, not to mention this job. Aaron had been at it alone now for four weeks and even though he hadn’t alluded to any problems, Joseph had a horrible feeling that they were losing precious time.

Thinking about everything that hinged on the return of his sight, a thick knot balled his stomach.

“It’ll be done,” he finally said. If it didn’t get completed, he wouldn’t have a livelihood left to resume.

“Wonderful! I’ll let Daddy know.” Without another word, Julia clattered back toward the heart of town.

When the sound of her brisk footsteps faded into the distance, he sighed and rested the pads of his fingers over his bandaged eyes. Frustration and irritation weighed heavy on him. But mostly he felt sick that Julia had been so unkind to Katie.

“Listen, Katie, I’m sorry about that.” He shook his head, shoving his hands on his hips. “I don’t know what came over her. I mean, I haven’t ever seen this side of her and I—”

“You don’t have to explain.” The understanding in her voice pierced his heart all the more.

“No, she shouldn’t have—”

“It’s fine. I don’t need an explanation.”

He stepped toward Katie, wanting to reach out to her, to encourage her the way she’d encouraged him so many times with words or with a simple touch. For a week she’d poured herself out for him, a stranger really. Enduring, encouraging and lending faith when his was flagging.

“I just want you to know—”

“Please. Not another word.” He could hear the light brush of her hand against her dress. “Now, then, if you’re ready, why don’t we begin for the day?” The suggestion she made was bolstered by levity that seemed forced. And he’d spent enough time with her to hear the difference.

“No,” he stated simply.

“No?” Her voice was almost a whisper.

“That’s right. No.” He offered her a sidewise grin. “I have another idea. A surprise.”

She gave an audible sigh. “What might your surprise be?”

“Well, it’ll still require your assistance—that is if that’s all right with you?”

“Of course. What can I do?”

Tucking his hands in his pockets, he felt a wave of sudden shyness. “I thought a picnic might be just the right thing today. What do you think?”

“A picnic? That would be lovely.” The smile in her voice gave Joseph all the encouragement he needed.

After he and Katie packed a picnic lunch of cold meat, cheese and bread, they set out with Boone at their side for a day by the stream, a place Joseph had loved for years.

“Boone knows his way better than any hound dog, but just in case he’s having an off day, let me know when you spot a big cottonwood edging the stream.” Joseph gently grasped Katie’s arm as they walked. “If my guess is right, we should be about there.”

“I think it’s right in front of us, about an acre ahead.”

He caught the faint gurgling sound of the mountain stream. “Is it the biggest tree out here?”

After a short pause, she answered, “Yes. There’s an old rope hanging from one of the branches. Is that the tree you’re looking for?”

Childhood memories with his brothers came rushing back. They’d scale the rope, hand over fist to sit on the thick branches that spread like sturdy arms from the tree’s broad trunk. “That’s the one.” Breathing a sigh of relief, he quickened his pace. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I didn’t know how much I missed this place.”

“I can see why. It’s beautiful.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Tilting his head back, he breathed deep, invigorated by the clear mountain air. Although he wished he could see it for himself, he could conjure up a clear mental picture of the landscape. Tall pines infusing the area with rich, dark green patches of color. Slate gray rocks positioned here and there in an order all their own. The quaint little valley nestled in between the mountains.

“It must be a beautiful day,” he said. “The sun’s already bearing down and it can’t be past ten o’clock. How ’bout if we find some shade so you don’t get too hot?”

“I don’t mind the sunshine if you don’t.”

Slowing his pace, he came to a stop, turning her toward him. Tenderly slipping his fingers down her slender arm,
lightly covered in soft cotton fabric, he grasped her hand—so petite in his, so smooth, so perfect. When he held her hand, his nerve endings hummed to an altogether different awareness. He could hear her breath catch in her throat, could almost feel her pulse pounding a rapid beat at her wrist. Threading his fingers through hers, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, thankful for her presence today.

“No…I don’t mind sunshine at all.” Joseph’s throat had gone thick and suddenly raw. “Sunshine.”

Every moment spent together made him desire her brightness in his life all the more. As much as he wanted to rein in his heart, he felt helpless to hold it back. He may as well have been trying to lasso the wind. Like warm embers glowing to life by a gentle breath, his feelings for Katie sparked brighter.

Was he playing with fire? What if he’d never see anything more than dim shadows for the rest of his life? He wouldn’t strap a woman with that—especially not Katie. Even though she was used to being around blind people, he wouldn’t think to saddle her with that until death do them part. She deserved a whole man, not half a man. No matter how seemingly normal she said his life could be without sight, he’d never be a whole man, able to see trouble before it came, able to protect the ones he loved, able to provide an adequate living.

No. He’d have to bat down his heart until he knew what his future held. If his vision was restored, there’d be nothing stopping him from pursuing Katie. But if his vision didn’t change, he’d have to settle for simple friendship with her.

Shrugging off the pain searing his heart at the thought,
he released her hand and reached down to ruffle the fur on Boone’s boxy head. “Come on, boy. I intend to enjoy the sunshine while I can.”