Millie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 7) Page 16

  “Why don’t you want a husband and children?” Gideon slid his hand along the back of the sofa until it rested on Millie’s shoulder. Gently, he gave it a squeeze. “You can tell me.”

  Millie wouldn’t tell him the story of her past. As far as she was concerned, it had been buried on a horrific night when she was fifteen and that’s where it would stay. Regardless of that, she had a feeling Gideon would keep asking until she gave him some sort of answer. She wouldn’t lie, but neither could she share the whole truth.

  “I promised myself a long time ago I’d never allow a man to control my life and the only way to keep that promise is to remain single. I have no intention, now or ever, of giving any man the opportunity to rule over me.”

  “Who hurt you, Millie?” Sympathy and tenderness shone in his eyes as he held her gaze.

  In that moment, Millie wanted to blurt out the truth and let him help shoulder the burden of it, but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

  “It’s not important.” She sipped her lemonade.

  “I think it is.” Gideon moved closer to her and slipped his arm around her shoulders, holding her against his chest. “I think it’s much more important than you’re willing to admit.”

  “No.”

  Irritated he wouldn’t let things alone, she was going to pull away from him and move to a different seat. Only it felt so good, so right, to be tucked against his side and rest her head against his strong chest. The steady beat of his heart in her ear gave her a sense of peace unlike anything she’d ever known.

  Soothingly, he rubbed his hand up and down her arm then kissed the top of her head. “Keep your secrets for now, Tootsie Wootsie, but I’ll find out sometime.”

  “Perhaps,” she said, closing her eyes and relaxing against him.

  For a while, they sat quietly, neither of them feeling a need to talk as they enjoyed being together.

  Finally, Gideon broke the silence. “Millie?”

  “Hmm?” Her eyes looked heavy-lidded when she tipped back her head to look at him.

  “How old are you?”

  A laugh bubbled out of her and she pushed against him until she sat upright. “Gideon McBride! Don’t you know it’s highly impolite to ask a lady her age?”

  “Of course, but I’d still like to know. At times you seem so young and carefree that I’d think you’re barely out of short skirts and braids. Other times, you seem so wise and efficient that I assume you have to be older than you appear.”

  Her gaze narrowed and she studied him with scrutiny. Concluding he was merely curious, she released a sigh. “I’m twenty-six, if you must know. My birthday is in October.”

  “Twenty-six, huh?” Gideon gave her a long, thorough perusal. “For an old woman getting long in the tooth, you look pretty good.”

  “Oh, you’re in for it now!” Millie snatched up one of the throw pillows from the sofa and whacked him across the chest. She managed to hit him twice on the head before he pulled her onto his lap and pinned her arms at her sides.

  Chest heaving and hair tumbling out of its confines, she stared up at him with such a playful, loving look, his heart turned to syrup.

  “Millie.” That one word held the depths of his emotion, the breadth of his love for her. Deliberately, he lowered his head to hers and kissed her with such tenderness it brought tears to her eyes.

  His hold loosened and she lost no time in sliding her hands behind his neck, burying her fingers into the thick hair neatly trimmed above his shirt collar.

  With her wrapped in his arms, Gideon plundered her mouth with passionate kisses, drawing out her equally ardent responses. When he eventually came up for air, Millie directed his mouth back toward hers. “Don’t stop, Gideon. Please? Not yet.”

  “Anything you say, Toots.” He grinned against her lips before claiming them as his own again and again.

  Finally snagging the last few threads of his sense together, he sat back and flashed his dimples at Millie. “I don’t know what sort of boy you think I am, Miss Matlock. If you continue working your wiles on me, I’ll be utterly helpless to fend you off before long.”

  A blush colored Millie’s cheeks and she jumped to her feet, taking a step away from him. The fog of yearning in her eyes cleared and embarrassment over her brazen behavior set in. Ill at ease, she turned her back to him and jabbed in loosened hairpins.

  Gideon rose and moved behind her, pressing a kiss to the tender skin of her neck. “Don’t, Millie. Don’t be ashamed. I enjoyed your kisses very much. Any man would feel honored to know the woman he cares for returns his affection.”

  When she continued staring at the floor, he moved in front of her and lifted her chin with his index finger. “It’s a pleasure and privilege to kiss you, Millie Matlock.”

  “I enjoyed your kisses, too,” she whispered, then took a step away from him, clasping his hand between both of hers. “But we both know this isn’t going anywhere. Due to that knowledge, I shouldn’t engage in such… fervent activities.”

  Gideon bit back a grin and swallowed a chuckle before he spoke. “Look, Millie, I understand that you don’t want to get married. I also have no plans to wed. In light of that, can’t the two of us just enjoy each other’s company, knowing nothing more will come of it?”

  “I’ll give it some consideration, but I do think we should perhaps curtail the extent of how zealously we exchange endearments.”

  He grinned and traced the tip of his finger across her swollen, just-kissed lips. “So you’re saying in the future I should try harder to resist your considerable and impressive attempts at seducing me. Is that it?”

  “My gracious, Gideon!” Her face went from pink to red. “I do believe it’s time for you to take your leave.”

  Like an errant child, he followed her down the hall into the kitchen. She unlocked the door and opened it. Gideon lingered, intently staring at her.

  Unable to stop himself, he pulled her to him, wrapping her in a warm embrace. “Before you make any more rash decisions, give me one little kiss to see me on my way.”

  “I’m not sure that…”

  Gideon’s lips moving on hers cut off her words and scattered her thoughts. Her hands slid up his muscled arms and across his shoulders as he drew her flush against him and kissed her deeply.

  He raised his head, gave her a wink and settled his hat on his head. “Enjoy your evening, Toots.”

  Before she could blink, he disappeared down the back steps and jogged across the alley.

  Millie opened the ice box and fanned the door in front of her hot cheeks, wondering how she’d ever keep Gideon an arm’s length away when holding him close was what she truly longed to do.

  Chapter Fourteen

  As soon as their shift ended Friday evening, Lacy and Millie hurried outside to the buggy Grant had waiting to take them to Dogwood Corners.

  “Great news, Princess,” Grant said as he swung his wife into the buggy and kissed her cheek.

  “What news might that be?” Lacy asked, bemused by Grant’s happy countenance.

  “Mother is ill and won’t be coming for the ball.” Grant’s glee in this announcement made both women smile.

  “I thought she was on her way days ago,” Millie said, staring at Grant.

  “She sent a message on Monday that she wasn’t feeling well and would take a train later this week. When I didn’t hear from her, I assumed she was on her way, but she sent a telegram this morning that she’s down in bed with a cold and won’t be able to join us.”

  Lacy appeared somewhat chagrined. “We probably shouldn’t be quite so excited by your mother’s illness.”

  “Why the heck not?” The expression on Grant’s face made Lacy and Millie both laugh. “Although Mother is better than she used to be, I want everyone to enjoy the ball and the presence of Imogene Hill puts a damper on most parties.”

  An animated conversation continued as they traveled out to Dogwood Corners. Millie sat back and admired the beautiful pink and white blooms of the dogwoo
d trees as Grant guided the horse up the drive to the massive three-story home surrounded by lush landscaping.

  They joined their friends in making final preparations for the ball. The women draped linens over the tables and set out the arrangements made from dogwood blossoms, peonies, and tulips. The men carried in chairs and set up long food tables in the foyer outside the ballroom.

  Millie looked up from draping a garland of dogwood blossoms across the front of the stage to see Gideon speaking with Grant and Lars.

  Light fell on his coppery head, making her long to run her fingers through the thick waves. When he threw back his head and laughed at something Lars said, she envisioned the spark of amusement in his vibrant green eyes.

  Bertie nudged her with her elbow and offered an infectious grin as Gideon helped the men with their work.

  When everything was finished, the couples strolled outside to a large table where the children served sandwiches, lemonade, potato salad, and individual fruit pies.

  Millie sat among her friends, half-listening to their conversations as she kept an eye on Gideon. He got along so well with the men Millie thought of as her brothers. She’d never had a sibling, but the women and men in her circle of friends were as close to her heart as any brother or sister might have been.

  As the sun began to dip from the sky, everyone went home.

  “May I escort you back to town, Millie?” Gideon asked.

  In spite of her head telling her to climb in the buggy with Lacy and Grant, Millie agreed. “You may.”

  Rather than leave right away, Millie took a moment to hold Alek Thorsen and visit with the children at the orphanage. When she and Gideon finally walked out to where the buggies had been parked, she discovered he’d ridden one of his horses.

  Effortlessly swinging into the saddle, he held a hand down to her and waggled his fingers. “Are you ready to go?”

  Although Millie had worn an old calico dress with a full skirt knowing she’d get dirty helping decorate, it wasn’t meant to ride astride a horse.

  Despite her misgivings, she grasped Gideon’s hand and sucked in a gulp of surprise when he pulled her up across his lap instead of behind him.

  “Mr. McBride!” she spluttered. “This is most inappropriate.”

  “Surely not,” he said, clucking to the horse and guiding it down the dogwood-lined drive. In full blossom, the flowers looked like a canopy created by fairies as they draped over the path from the house to the road. “If I were to take your lips captive with mine and hold them there all the way to town… well, then you might be able to call it inappropriate. But I can’t find a thing wrong with riding into town this way. Not a thing. Unless you’d like me to try out my theory about the kisses. If so, I’d be happy to oblige.”

  Amused, intrigued, and feigning insult, Millie gave him a pointed glare. “There are times, Gideon McBride, when you behave with no more decorum than a wayward child.”

  He offered her a boyish smile and further addled her sense. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Tootsie Wootsie.”

  The hand around her waist tightened as he pulled her closer against his chest and his gaze swept over her from head to toe. “I haven’t seen this dress before, have I?”

  “No. It’s one I wear when I’m cleaning. It’s old and worn and I don’t worry about it getting ruined.”

  “It’s still a pretty frock,” Gideon said, admiring the sprigs of blue flowers that matched Millie’s eyes. “But not nearly as pretty as the girl wearing it.”

  Millie leaned her head back and shot him a disparaging glance. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

  He laughed and lightly squeezed her waist. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”

  “I suppose not,” she said, encouraged by his flirting. Filled with contentment, she relaxed against him, wondering how she’d lived so long without the pleasure of riding this way with Gideon. The strength of his thighs was as evident as the muscles in his arms and chest as he held her.

  It wasn’t until they reached town and a few people gave them curious glances that Millie realized how improper it was for her to be in such a position with Gideon.

  “You can set me down. I’ll walk the rest of the way.” She squirmed, considering what would happen if she pushed away from him and jumped to the ground.

  “You’ll do no such thing.” He wrapped his arm more firmly around her waist and his fingers pressed against her side as he held her. “Just enjoy the ride, Millie girl. There are some women in town that’d be more than happy to take your place, you know.”

  With a narrow gaze, she glared at him. “Mr. McBride, I do believe you’re a conceited, pompous brute.”

  “If you keep saying things like that, you’ll hurt my feelings.” Gideon’s full bottom lip puckered into a pout.

  The sight of the handsome man looking like a petulant child made Millie want to kiss him so badly, she could almost taste the rich, dark flavor of him.

  The weight of her gaze settled on his mouth and involuntarily, she drew herself upward, closer to his lips.

  “Millie,” he groaned in a raspy whisper, all too aware of her proximity and the determined look of longing in her eyes. He forced a playful grin to his face and tipped his head to a group of acquaintances as he rode past them. “Settle down, Toots, or you’ll give people more to talk about than the absence of Imogene Hill from the ball this year. I’m not adverse to what you’ve got in mind, but I think you might be upset with the consequences should the gossips catch wind of you trying to have your way with me right here in the middle of town.”

  Abruptly gathering her wits, Millie turned to look at the street in front of them while mortification turned her cheeks bright red.

  At the telephone office, Gideon grasped her waist and set her on her feet. He tipped his hat to her and offered a teasing smile. “You hold those thoughts for tomorrow, Miss Millie Matlock, because I intend to claim more than one kiss and you can take that to the bank.”

  His promise accompanied her upstairs and settled around her with eager anticipation as she readied for bed.

  As soon as she closed her eyes, Gideon’s smile flit through her thoughts while his tantalizing masculine scent filled her nose. Dreams of him met her when she finally fell asleep.

  The following morning, ribbons of sunlight gleamed between the edges of the drapes in Millie’s bedroom. Relaxed, she rolled onto her back and stretched, indulging in a lazy start to her day. The girls would soon arrive to begin their shift at the telephone office, but all Millie needed to do was unlock the door.

  She had the entire day to get ready for the ball that evening at Dogwood Corners.

  Memories of the previous evening filled her mind and brought a smile to her lips. She closed her eyes and relived every moment of riding home in Gideon’s arms.

  Rising from bed, she slipped on an old dress then hastily pinned up her hair. In need of something to keep her mind off the ball and Gideon, she made toast and tea for her breakfast. After she washed her few dishes, she went downstairs and unlocked the office door then sat at her desk and caught up on all her paperwork. By then, Molly and Francine arrived, both of them talking excitedly about the ball.

  “You’ll be there, won’t you, Millie?” Molly asked as she took a seat at the switchboard and tugged on her headset.

  “I certainly will. Did I hear Lars say you have an escort to the ball?”

  Molly blushed. “Andrew Johnson asked Dad if he could accompany me.”

  “And he’s a dream,” Francine said, with a wistful look on her face. She turned to Molly with a look of admiration. “You’re so lucky you get to go. My mother forbade me from even thinking about going.”

  “But you know you’re welcome to come,” Molly said, looking at her friend. “Mama and Aunt Ilsa would find something for you to wear.”

  “I know, but my mother said it’s silly to go and I’m not to give it another thought.” Francine plopped onto her chair then turned to smile at Millie. “If a man as handso
me as Mr. McBride asked me, though, I’d be there with bells on.”

  Millie smiled at the young girls as they both giggled. “I won’t be wearing bells, but I am looking forward to attending.”

  “What are you wearing, Millie?”

  “The same dress as last year, but I changed out the sash and added silk roses along the neckline.” Millie had barely afforded a gown the first year of the ball. Ilsa had sold her the material at cost and given her pointers on how to make it. The first year, she wore it as a plain pale yellow gown with cream lace accents. Last year, she added a cream sash and more lace along the neckline and sleeves. This year, she changed the sash and made a dozen silk roses of varying sizes that lined the neck of the gown. Although it wasn’t new, the dress was more than serviceable.

  Now that Gideon had asked to escort her, she wished she could afford a new outfit, but it was such a frivolous thing on which to spend her limited funds. As the manager of the telephone office, she was paid well and furnished an apartment in which to live, but she had to be careful with her money. She had no one to rely on but herself.

  “You’ll look beautiful, Millie,” Molly said. Francine nodded in agreement as the girls hurried to answer the first calls of the day.

  When she finished her paperwork, Millie cleaned the office. The girls helped in between calls, both of them talking nonstop about boys, the ball, and people they all knew.

  Millie left the two young women to answer incoming calls and returned upstairs to her apartment. She opened every window, letting in the fresh spring air, and then set about cleaning the already neat and tidy space.

  After a lunch of cold boiled eggs and slices of cheese, she sat and stitched on a baby blanket she’d decided to make that could be given to either a boy or a girl.

  Every few minutes, her eyes glanced up and checked the time. She didn’t want to be rushed when she got ready for the ball and Gideon assured her he’d pick her up at five that afternoon. The ball was set to begin at six and it only took twenty minutes by buggy to reach Dogwood Corners, but Millie wanted to arrive early in case Ilsa and Marnie needed help with any last minute preparations.