Millie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 7) Page 15

  “Grandmother said it will rain soon.” Lacy grinned at her friends. “You know she’s never wrong when it comes to the weather.”

  “That’s true,” Ilsa agreed as she encouraged Laila to go play outside with her cousins. “Rebecca is better than the farmer’s almanac at predicting the forecast.”

  Lacy leaned around Marnie to look at Aundy. “Did Garrett sell any cattle to that Mr. Cox who was planning to send some to Alaska?”

  Aundy nodded as she stirred sugar into the orange juice. “He did. He and J.B. sold forty-eight head to the man. Mr. Cox said he’ll be in touch the next time he’s in need of fat steers to export.”

  “Do the cattle go from here to Seattle and then on to the Alaskan frontier?” Millie asked, interested in the process.

  “They do. Mr. Cox said if this shipment goes well, he may be back for more steers this autumn.” Aundy dipped a little juice in a glass and held it out to Ilsa. “Taste that.”

  Ilsa took a drink and wrinkled her nose. “More sugar, if you please.”

  Aundy added more sugar to the orange mixture while Grant sliced a large ham and Lacy buttered the tops of a pan of rolls, hot from the oven.

  Millie picked up a bowl full of dilled pickles and took it outside. She’d just turned from setting it down on the table when she glanced across the yard and watched Gideon McBride stride toward her with a towel-wrapped bundle in his hands.

  He smiled at her as he approached the table. “If you aren’t careful, you’ll fill your mouth full of flies and I would wager there are much more appetizing things to eat today.”

  Unaware her mouth had dropped open at his unexpected appearance, Millie snapped it shut and stared at him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Grant and Lacy invited me to come.” Gideon removed the towel and set a large baking dish on the table. A golden brown crust made of breadcrumbs covered what appeared to be cheese-covered noodles. “Would you rather I leave?”

  Millie caught a hint of something in Gideon’s eyes that pinched her heart. She wrapped her hands around his arm and stepped closer to him. “I’d rather you stay and sit close to me. I’m very glad you’re here, Gideon. It just caught me by surprise to see you, that’s all.”

  He studied her face a moment then nodded. “I’m happy to be here, too. It looks like an energetic group.”

  “Indeed, it is,” she said, releasing his arm as Garrett, Tony, Kade and Lars ambled over to shake hands with him and exchange words of greeting.

  After carrying the last of the food outside, everyone gathered in a circle and Grant asked a blessing on the meal.

  The children had just started a line for food when Bertie and Riley Walsh arrived, along with her brother, Bobby, and his wife, Ellen.

  Carefully waddling across the yard, Ellen was only a month away from delivering their first child.

  The women flocked around her, settling her in a comfortable chair while Bobby lingered close to her side.

  “Go sit with the men, Bob, and leave your wife be,” Bertie said, shooing her brother away. “We’ll keep an eye on her this afternoon.”

  “Be sure you do, sis.” Bobby gave Ellen one more glance before joining the men. Gideon had hoped to remain by Millie’s side, but the men seemed determined to sit together in the shade of a big tree while the women hovered around Ellen Hawkins, keeping an eye on the smaller children.

  As Gideon observed Millie laughing at something one of her friends said, he pictured the vivacious light twinkling in her eyes and the smile on her berry-ripe lips.

  Memories of how entirely sweet those lips had tasted distracted Gideon so thoroughly, he missed a question Garrett asked him.

  As he sat lost in his musings, plotting ways to get Millie alone long enough to kiss her again, the men around him shared a knowing look.

  Finally, Tony nudged him with his elbow, drawing him back to the present. “You and I seem to be in a similar predicament, Gideon.”

  Slowly turning his gaze from Millie to the handsome Italian man seated beside him, Gideon gave him a puzzled look. “How’s that, Tony?”

  “We’re both enamored with women who can’t cook.” Tony grinned and lifted a fork full of the cheesy noodle casserole Gideon had brought. “It’s helpful you’re a good cook, though. At least you’ll never starve that way. The only person I know as pathetic in the kitchen as my little chickadee is your Millie. Between the two of them, they can’t boil water without burning the pan.”

  Although Gideon liked hearing the reference of Millie being his, he wasn’t convinced it was a good idea to think in those terms. After all, she planned to run him and every other saloon owner in town out of business. If he wanted, he could shut down the saloon tomorrow or sell it and he’d still have plenty of income from his other enterprises. But it was the principle behind the matter.

  Only, the more time he spent around Millie, the more she worked her way under his skin, and the less inclined he was to fight against her.

  Not when holding her close seemed like a much better idea.

  “What makes you think Millie is mine?” Gideon asked, popping a bite of a buttery roll into his mouth.

  The men all laughed and Tony good-naturedly thumped him on the back. “You’ve got the look of a man who has succumbed to a good woman’s considerable charms.”

  Heedful of his guest suffering from the merciless teasing of their friends, Grant asked Gideon about Carbonado and if he still planned to enter him in an upcoming race.

  Garrett and Riley seemed particularly interested in the horse. Gideon invited them to visit the ranch to see Carbonado and they eagerly accepted his offer.

  By the time the meal was over, Gideon felt at ease with the others and realized they only gave him a hard time as a way of including him in their group.

  He listened to Lars taunt Tony about the immaculate condition of his yard while Garrett heckled Kade about eating the last piece of custard pie. Riley and Bobby teased Grant about the upcoming arrival of his mother, an event no one seemed to be keenly anticipating.

  Gideon recalled seeing Grant with an older persimmon-faced woman a few years ago, and assumed that must be the legendary Imogene Hill.

  “So your mother is coming for the ball?” Gideon asked, directing the question to Grant.

  “Unfortunately, that is her plan.” Grant sighed and leaned back in his chair. “She decided she’d stay for a month before returning home.”

  Tony offered him a cocky smile. “That’s better than her staying for three months like she used to.”

  “True,” Grant agreed with a wry smile. He turned to look at Lars. “What do you need help with setting up for the ball? Same as last year?”

  Lars swallowed the bite of cake in his mouth and nodded his head. “Yes. We can use any and all available hands the day before, helping set up the area for the orchestra, moving the plants, setting out the tables and chairs.”

  “I can help,” Gideon heard himself volunteer. He had no intention of getting involved with preparations for the ball, but it was too late to rescind his offer now.

  “We’d appreciate it, Gideon.” Lars gave him an appreciative nod then he and Kade discussed hiring a few young men to keep guard inside and outside the house.

  The ball sounded like quite a production. Despite himself, Gideon was eager to witness it firsthand.

  After the food was carried back inside the house and the dishes were washed, some of the older children played croquet while the little ones settled down for naps.

  A few of the boys talked Garrett and Kade into playing horseshoes with them.

  Tony wandered out to his buggy and returned with a camera. He snapped a few photographs of the children playing then of the women sitting together.

  Gideon had seen some of Tony’s work. The photos he’d taken on the nearby Umatilla Indian Reservation where Lacy had grown up were gallery-worthy. When he wasn’t serving as a photographer, Tony also had an ice business.

  As he swirled ice around in a glas
s full of tasty orange juice, Gideon was glad Tony provided such a necessary service in town. He made frequent trips to the Second Chance Saloon with deliveries of ice in the summer months and once a week, Gideon had him haul ice out to the ranch for his crew.

  Something Bertie said made Millie laugh and Tony happened to snap a photo. In that moment, Gideon decided if the photograph turned out well, he’d pay whatever Tony wanted to have a copy of it.

  Before long, the children tired of their games. “Will you sing for us, please?” Sadie begged, tugging on her father’s hand and then Ilsa’s.

  “I’ll sing, but then you kids better be ready to pack up and head home without any griping.” Lars tweaked his daughter’s pert little nose. “Come on, Garrett, you know how this works.”

  Garrett joined Lars and Ilsa as they stood beneath the branches of a maple tree and the three of them harmonized, singing a variety of songs.

  Gideon moved to sit beside Millie on a bench, quietly slipping his arm behind her as they listened to the music.

  “They’re very good,” he whispered to Millie. The singers finished a hymn and launched into a rousing rendition of Bill Bailey.

  “They are,” Millie said, smiling at him before turning her attention back to the trio. “They often sing when they all get together. Occasionally, Pastor Whitting asks them to sing at church.”

  After a few more songs, Lars declared it time to head home. In spite of the protests from some of the children, they climbed into the wagon with little fuss. Riley carried Sophie, who clung to his neck until he set her inside the back, handing her to Molly.

  Lars swung Marnie up to the seat then handed her Alek before he climbed up and tipped his hat to Grant and Lacy. “Thanks for letting our bunch of rambunctious rowdies descend on your home today. We’ll see you all later.”

  As soon as they left, Caterina and Kade herded their boys toward their buggy. Rachel fussed at leaving Laila, but Kade swung his daughter into his brawny arms and blew on her cheek, making her giggle.

  Bobby and Ellen left soon after, along with Bertie and Riley.

  Gideon, Tony and Garrett assisted Grant in putting away tables and chairs while the women carried table linens inside the house.

  Millie held Emmalee, smiling and murmuring nonsense to her, making Gideon grin. A sudden vision of her holding a black-haired girl with his green eyes nearly brought him to his knees. Rather than examine the reasons why, he snuck up behind Millie and played peek-a-boo with the baby, making her flap her hands and chortle with glee.

  “She likes you,” Millie said, smiling at him as he continued to make the baby laugh.

  “Most females do.” Gideon offered Millie a devilish smile that made butterflies swarm in her stomach.

  “It’s a pity you’re so modest about it,” she teased, turning loose of Emmalee when the baby lunged for Gideon.

  He took her in his arms, albeit a bit uncertainly, and gave her a dimpled smile. “You’re just a sweet little doll, aren’t you, Emmalee?”

  She jabbed a finger into his dimple and babbled in her own language.

  “I think she said your dimples look like someone poked holes in your cheeks,” Millie teased.

  “Is that right, Emma?” Gideon asked the baby, making a funny face that drew an excited, happy squeal from her.

  Aundy looked their direction with an indulgent smile as she spoke with Lacy and Ilsa.

  Disturbed by the feelings the baby stirred in him, feelings almost as unsettling as those Millie continued to generate, Gideon felt the need to escape. Much to his relief, Garrett strode over and lifted his daughter in his arms. The baby sighed contentedly and settled her head against her father’s shoulder.

  “I think it’s past time to get this one home.” Garrett shook Gideon’s hand. “It was sure nice to have you join us today, Gideon. If you’re ever out our way, stop by. I have a few horses you might like to see. Riley and I’ll plan to be out on Thursday to see your thoroughbred.”

  “Sounds good, Garrett. I’ll see you then.” Gideon took Millie’s elbow in his hand and walked her over to where Lacy and Grant waved to their departing guests.

  “Thank you for inviting me today,” Gideon said, tipping his head to Lacy. “I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

  “We’re so glad you came, Gideon. Don’t be a stranger.” Lacy squeezed his hand then recalled the dish he’d brought earlier. “Oh, don’t forget your baking dish. Between Kade and the kids, there isn’t a spoonful of your noodles left. I might even have to beg for the recipe.” Lacy handed him the sparkling clean baking dish and the towel he’d wrapped it in.

  “No need to beg, I’m happy to share it.” Gideon shifted the dish so he could shake Grant’s hand. He turned to Millie and gave her a teasing smile. “If you think you could stand my company for a few more minutes, I’d be pleased to walk you home.”

  “I think I could endure the experience,” Millie said. She hugged Lacy and Grant pecked her cheek before she tugged on her gloves and pinned on a hat. With a smile, she accepted the arm Gideon held out to her.

  She waved to her friends as he walked her down the driveway and out onto the street in the upscale neighborhood where Grant and Lacy lived. His mother used to dream of living on the hill in one of the fancy homes.

  Eventually, his stepfather made her wish come true, but it hadn’t made their home life any better. His gaze drifted across Main Street to the imposing brick house he’d sold two weeks after his mother passed away.

  Determined not to surrender to his maudlin thoughts, he shook his head. Full of good food and the soul-deep warmth of true friendship, Gideon studied the lovely girl on his arm, wondering what he’d done to deserve such joy.

  Since he’d made the commitment to court Millie, he’d been happier than he could ever recall.

  Even if the saloon owners thought he spent time with her just to disrupt her temperance work, Gideon knew better. He wanted to be with her, to make her smile and tease a laugh out of her. He counted the moments until he could breathe in her fragrance and listen to her entrancing voice.

  The woman was frustrating and annoying, yet completely exhilarating.

  “I’m so glad you came today, Gideon.” Millie looked up at him with a soft light glowing in her eyes.

  It was all he could do not to stop right there on the street and take her in his arms. Instead, he offered her a dimpled smile. “I’m glad I went. You have very nice friends, Millie.”

  Intentionally, she bumped against him and gave him a coquettish smile. “They’re your friends, too. In fact, if you let Garrett ride Carbonado, he might knock Aundy off her pedestal and declare you his best friend.”

  Gideon chuckled and shook his head. “Even if I gave him Carbonado, I don’t see that happening. Those two are lovebirds if I’ve ever seen them, but the same could be said for the rest of your friends.”

  Millie nodded. “I agree. It makes my heart full to see all of them so happy.”

  “What about you?” Gideon asked as they crossed the bridge over the Umatilla River and neared the telephone office.

  “What about me?”

  “Don’t you have plans to wed and have a home of your own, raise a handful of children?”

  Moisture filled her eyes and Millie shook her head. “No, Gideon, I don’t have those kinds of plans. I think I’ll spend my life as the adored godmother who spoils everyone else’s babies.”

  Shocked, Gideon stared at her. “But, Millie, every woman wants to marry and have her own babies.”

  “Not this one.” She took a key from her purse and unlocked the telephone office door. Since it was Sunday, the office was closed, which meant no prying eyes or ears lingered around the switchboard.

  At her prompting, he stepped inside. She locked the door and turned to look at him. “Want to come up for a glass of lemonade?”

  “Sure,” he said, following her up the steps. She removed her hat and gloves and pushed open the windows in the sitting room before going to the kitchen.

&
nbsp; She returned carrying two glasses of lemonade. After handing one to Gideon, she took a seat on the sofa. He sat on the opposite end and noticed a bit of stitchery on the table in front of them.

  He set down his glass, wiped his damp hands on his pants, and picked up a baby dress with dainty rows of pink rosebuds stitched along the hem. A small hoop and a needle poked into the fabric indicated where Millie had stopped working on the project.

  “This is beautiful,” Gideon said, setting it back on the table. “Who’s it for?”

  “Bobby and Ellen’s baby. I’m hoping it’s a girl. Otherwise, I’ll have to put this away for someone else and hurry to make something more suited to a boy.”

  Gideon smiled and leaned back, draping one arm along the back of the sofa. “Bertie seems convinced it will be a girl.”

  “That’s just because she wants to dress it up like a doll. As much as she and Riley both love babies, I can’t wait for them to have their own.”

  “They do seem fond of children, especially the youngest Thorsen girl.”

  Millie took a sip from her lemonade then nodded. “Sophie latched onto Riley the first time she met him and he seems equally fond of her. Other than her daddy, Sophie’s second choice is most always Riley. I think her uncles feel rather slighted.”

  “Well, there are plenty of other youngsters to fill the gap.” Gideon mused over how many children were at the gathering today. Nearly a dozen of them belonged to Marnie and Lars. He knew they’d only been married about four years and wondered how they adjusted to having so many children in their care so quickly.

  For a long moment, he studied Millie. “Do you really not envision yourself with a husband and children? A home of your own?”

  “No, I don’t. Not ever.” Uncomfortable, Millie wanted to change the subject.

  However, Gideon couldn’t let it rest. Something in him needed to know the reasons behind her adamant refusal to consider a life that every other female he’d ever met wanted.

  “Why?”

  “Why what?” she asked, setting down her glass of lemonade and fussing with her hairpins, poking in a few that had started to slip.