Bertie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 6) Read online

  Bertie glanced around Aundy’s kitchen, fighting down the urge to cry. They’d spent the past two days preserving apples. Two of the ranch hands picked them so Bertie and Aundy could focus their attention on turning them into pie filling, applesauce, apple butter, and pies. Bertie had never baked so many pies in all her life. A dozen of them would go to Caterina’s restaurant, half a dozen to Lars and Marnie’s home, two to Ilsa and Tony, and the list went on.

  Aundy showed her how to cut paper-thin slices of the apples and spread them on frames covered with tightly meshed window screen. They set them outside on makeshift tables to dry.

  As soon as the last batch of pies came out of the oven, Aundy wanted to head into town to deliver them. Together they worked to clean up the piles of apple peels and cores, scrub the counters and sweep the floor.

  “Why don’t you go take a bath, Bertie, while I watch these pies?” Aundy gave her a nudge in the direction of the hall. “It’ll take your hair longer to dry than mine.”

  Tired and more than ready for a break, Bertie shuffled down the hall to the bathroom. She allowed herself to linger in the tub with her scented soap for a few minutes before getting out and wrapping both herself and her hair in fresh towels that smelled like sunshine.

  A glance in the mirror confirmed she’d spent time in the sun over the summer months. Thankfully, freckles hadn’t popped out on her nose or cheeks, although a mole near her mouth appeared more prominent.

  She rubbed cream over her face and neck, recalling her mother telling her a lady was never too young to protect her delicate skin.

  Mindful of not spending too much time in the bathroom, Bertie squeezed the excess water from her hair and patted her unruly curls with the towel before hurrying to slip into a clean chemise and drawers. She wrapped her robe around her and rushed down the hall to her room.

  It didn’t take her long to dress, slipping on one of her favorite gowns. She slid her feet into leather shoes and left her hair down to finish drying.

  Aundy spoke on the telephone when she returned to the kitchen. She pulled on a clean apron and listened to the one-sided conversation.

  “I’m sure, Lars, but we’ll be there as soon as we can,” Aundy said, glancing at Bertie and rolling her eyes. Bertie giggled as Aundy continued to speak to her brother. “Yes, call Doc Reed and get his opinion, but I’m sure it’s fine. No, Lars. Don’t do that. Just make her comfortable and for goodness sakes, keep that pack of wild hooligans out of the room.”

  Aundy hung up the phone and released a sigh as she turned to Bertie. “That was Lars. He thinks Marnie has gone into labor, but she’s three weeks early. I think it’s probably false labor or perhaps something she ate not setting well, but I told him we’d stop there on our way into town.” Aundy motioned to the pies covering every counter surface and the kitchen table. “If you can start putting the pies into the boxes Garrett set on the back porch, I’ll get dressed. The last two pies should be ready to come out of the oven in a minute. Oh, and you might see if you can get one of the men to hitch up the wagon for us. We won’t be able to get all these pies in the buggy or surrey.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Bertie said, turning to open the stove door. The last of the pies looked done to perfection with a golden brown crust and bubbling juice. A sweet cinnamon-laden aroma filled the air. Although she didn’t care if she ever peeled another apple in her life, Bertie breathed deeply of the delicious scent.

  She set the pies on towels on the only empty space of counter available to cool then hurried outside toward the barn.

  As luck would have it, Riley stepped out of the building leading one of the horses he used when Garrett asked him to ride for the day. Garrett kept a string of horses for his men to ride so they didn’t have to use their own mounts every day, unless they wanted to. Riley used Mud at home for work in both the mornings and late evenings, and appreciated the opportunity to give him a rest during the day.

  Since the night she’d assaulted Riley with the bouquet of flowers several weeks ago, Bertie had stayed away from him.

  He’d been right. She was acting childish about Bobby’s marriage.

  In fact, Bobby and Ellen came out to Nash’s Folly the evening after she discovered their secret to apologize for hurting her feelings. Bobby even tried to pay her for her half of the house, but Bertie refused. She told him there were a few things of her mother’s she’d like to have, like her china and wedding dress, but the rest of the things now belonged to Bobby and Ellen.

  The couple seemed relieved Bertie didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward them. Ellen’s gentle eyes filled with tears as she hugged Bertie, saying how glad she was finally to have a sister since she grew up with two older brothers.

  Bertie returned her embrace then hugged Bobby. “I’m so happy for you, Bobby. Ellen is a wonderful girl,” she whispered in his ear as she let him go.

  Before they left, Bobby assured her she’d always have a place in their home.

  Although she knew Bobby and Ellen both would welcome her, she had no intention of living with them. They were young, in love, and newly married. The last thing they needed was a sister in the house.

  Content to continue working for Aundy and Garrett, Bertie decided to take one day at a time and see where the adventure led her.

  Right now, it led her directly to Riley. Several times, she’d almost sought him out to apologize for her behavior the night she’d walked the mule back to his house. Afraid of what he might say or think of her, she instead avoided him.

  Bertie straightened her spine and rolled back her shoulders. There was no time like the present to set things to rights. “Good afternoon, Riley. Aundy and I need to take a wagonload of pies into town. Would you hitch the wagon for us?”

  Riley frowned and looped the reins in his hand around a hitching post near the barn. “How many pies are you taking?”

  “Dozens.” Bertie’s blue eyes sparkled as she held her arms out to her sides in a broad gesture of space. “I imagine they’ll fill the whole wagon bed.”

  “What in the world are you doing with so many pies?”

  “We made pies to take to Caterina’s restaurant, for the orphanage, a few for Tony and Ilsa, some for the Tooley’s boarding house, a couple for Lacy and Grant. I think there’s even one for Mr. Johnson at the mercantile.”

  Riley grinned. “What about the hard-working men here at Nash’s Folly? Do they get any pie?”

  Bertie nodded her head. Riley’s teasing look weakened her knees and warmed her heart. “Most of the ranch hands will get a piece or two. At least the ones who’ve earned it.”

  His eyebrow arched upward. “Earned it? What must one do to earn a slice of pie?”

  “Hitch up the wagon for two busy women to start with,” Bertie said, drawing circles in the dirt with the toe of her shoe. She forced her gaze up to meet his. His eyes held interest and something else, something foreign she couldn’t define. “And perhaps forgive one of those busy women for behaving like a spoiled child.”

  Riley removed his gloves and shoved them into his pocket then stepped forward, placing his hands on Bertie’s, giving them a slight squeeze. “All is forgiven, Roberta Elizabeth. I hope things between you and Bobby are settled.”

  “Yes, they are. He and Ellen came out to visit and things have been fine since then.” Bertie wanted to fall in a heap at Riley’s feet and beg him to love her, or at the very least kiss her. The feel of his hands on hers created a flame that licked from the point of contact throughout her entire being.

  Even though she hadn’t spoken more than a few words to him in the last few weeks, she’d thought of little else than Riley. She dreamed of his smile, the sound of his laughter, the look in his eyes when they went from cool blue to heated pools as he gazed at her.

  Thoughts of the way his shirt stretched across his muscled back and arms kept her awake at night every bit as much as the hint of his masculine scent.

  Bertie wouldn’t use the word obsessed to describe her feel
ing for Riley, but she didn’t know what else to call it. She thought of him constantly, wanted to be with him, but he didn’t welcome or want her affections.

  If he did, he would have kissed her long before now, would have said something to hint at his feelings for her.

  Her gaze fell to where his thumbs brushed over the backs of her hands. She took in his ragged nails, cracked skin, and the scars across his knuckles. They were the hands of a man who worked hard and gave his best to his efforts each day.

  Riley Walsh wasn’t just a good-looking, hard-working man. He was also a kind one with a tender heart, even if he kept it hidden from most people.

  Suddenly realizing how much she’d missed his company, his friendship, Bertie resolved to make do with it rather than depriving herself of the joy of being around him.

  “I appreciate you forgiving me, Riley. I truly am sorry and hope we can be friends again.”

  A cocky smile crossed his face and he stepped back. “Who said we ever stopped being friends? Go on back to the house before you get that pretty dress dirty and I’ll bring the wagon around by the kitchen door. You might even want to do something with your hair before you head into town, although it sure is a sight to see.” He reached out a finger and wrapped one of her curls around it.

  Entranced by Riley’s smile and teasing tone, Bertie stared at him until he turned her around and gave her a little push forward. “Go on, Bertie. I’ll be there in a jiffy.”

  Convinced his eyes followed her as she walked to the house, Bertie had to keep her feet moving forward by force of will. A quick glimpse over her shoulder proved her right as Riley’s eyes seemed fixed on her.

  A giggle floated out of her as she hurried through the side gate and up the back steps to the kitchen. She should be ashamed for liking the idea of Riley watching her, but instead it made her feel incredibly warm and happy inside.

  Riley held his breath until Bertie took her sweet little self inside the house. He removed his hat and ran his hand over his head. A sigh that worked its way up from his toes filled the air. How much enticement could one man endure before he lost control?

  Roberta Elizabeth Hawkins was about more than he could handle, especially wearing a dress that accented her womanly figure and made roses blossom in her cheeks.

  Then there was that hair.

  It wasn’t right one woman could possess such a head of magnificent hair. Each curl had called to him, begging him to run his fingers over their silky coils.

  The breath he inhaled carried Bertie’s soft fragrance, making heat spiral through his core. Desire and something he refused to acknowledge flowed through him.

  He’d convinced himself it was best for Bertie if she stayed away from him. The last few weeks he’d gone out of his way to avoid her, but he’d watched her plenty.

  Consumed by his thoughts of the lovely girl, he’d walked out of the barn to see her hurrying toward him like an image from one of his dreams. A vision of those golden tresses spilling across crisp white sheets made Riley groan. He slammed the door on his thoughts, pulled up a memory of his son, and set about hitching the team to the wagon.

  By the time he parked the wagon by the side gate of the yard, he’d sufficiently cooled his fervent longing to cover Bertie with kisses. The remorse and regret that settled over him at thoughts of Joshua chased away all other feelings.

  He hurried up the back steps and tapped on the kitchen door before pushing it open. Boxes filled with pies sat everywhere. Aundy and Bertie looked up from where they each set pies into another box. “Do you ladies need help loading the wagon?”

  “Oh, please, Riley. It would be so appreciated,” Aundy said, motioning toward a box. “We need to load all of these.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Riley stacked two boxes and carried them outside.

  While Aundy boxed the last of the pies, Bertie disappeared from the kitchen and Riley carried the boxes out to the wagon.

  Bertie reappeared with her hair pinned up and a hat perched at the jaunty angle on her head that never failed to make him smile.

  “Do you want me to drive you into town? I’m sure Garrett wouldn’t mind if you need help,” Riley offered as he hefted the last two boxes. Aundy hurried to pin on a hat and grab her gloves as she and Bertie followed him out the door.

  “No, Riley, we’ll be fine, but I do thank you for the offer.” Aundy smiled as he set the last box in the back.

  He helped Aundy drape sheets over the pies to keep them clean. After giving her a hand up to the wagon seat, he turned to Bertie.

  A bit of the devil must have gotten into him at some point, or maybe the tantalizing scent of the pies combined with Bertie’s fragrance addled his brain. Whatever the reason, he settled his hands at her waist and bent down to whisper in her ear.

  “You look absolutely ravishing, Miss Hawkins, but I wouldn’t mind tugging that saucy little hat off and yanking out those hairpins. Your hair is quite a temptation, Roberta Elizabeth. Quite a temptation that I might be tempted to give in to.”

  As he swung her up onto the wagon seat and gave her a wink, she trembled beneath his hands.

  He touched the brim of his hat and stepped back. “You ladies have a good trip to town.”

  “We will, Riley. Thank you for your help.” Aundy smiled at him and flicked the reins then turned to Bertie.

  She continued to stare at Riley with an undecipherable look on her face.

  Already chastising himself for his teasing, flirtatious words, he walked back to the barn and the work waiting for him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “I tried to tell your thick-headed, stubborn, opinionated brother I’m fine, but he won’t listen.” Marnie glared at her husband as she tried to sit up in bed. Before she could, Lars stuffed a few pillows behind her back, propping her upright.

  Bertie smiled while Aundy laughed and sat down beside Marnie, squeezing her hand. “I can see how his hovering would get annoying after a while.”

  “There’s no need for insults. I’m just trying to take good care of my wife.” Lars placed a hand on Marnie’s cheek. She turned her face and kissed his palm then looked up at him with love in her eyes. “I know you’re trying to help, sugar, but I might die from all your dedicated attention.”

  Lars grinned and Aundy laughed. She looked from her sister-in-law to her brother. “What did Doc Reed say when you telephoned him?”

  “Same thing you did. That it was probably indigestion, have her rest, and keep the kids from bouncing all over her today.” Lars sighed and forked his fingers through his hair. “Even if we have a house full of children, we’ve never done this before.” He swept a hand over the bed, indicating Marnie’s rounded belly. “It’s all new to both of us.”

  “It’s not like I’m an expert, but a few weeks before Caterina had the boys, she kept thinking she was going into labor and it turned out to be all the onions she’d been eating.”

  Marnie giggled and rubbed her stomach. “We ate at the restaurant last night. I had sausage with onions and peppers for supper. I have a feeling that was the cause of the problem that set off Lars’ panic.”

  Bertie watched Marnie’s hand jump as the baby kicked. Her eyes widened and Marnie noticed her gaze fastened on her belly.

  Marnie waved a hand to her. “Come over here, Bertie. You can feel the baby.”

  With no idea what to expect, Bertie lightly placed her hand on Marnie’s stomach. It felt tight beneath her hand then she felt a bump against her palm. Her grin stretched from ear to ear and she looked with wonder from Aundy to Marnie as she felt another kick before removing her hand and taking a step back from the bed.

  Tears gathered in Aundy’s eyes but Marnie failed to notice. “I’m convinced it’s a boy from all the kicking that goes on. He’s trying to beat his way out of there.” Marnie smoothed a hand over her belly. “I bet Lars wasn’t a baby who was ever still.”

  Lars looked at Aundy and saw her quickly mask a look of pain with a forced smile. “Our mother always said Ilsa
was her quiet child. Aundy and I were the two that were in constant motion, although I used fists and feet first while she tended to use her head.”

  A commotion in the hallway drew their attention to the door. Loud voices carried into the room. Bertie couldn’t tell which one of the older girls was blocking the door, but she recognized Sadie’s voice.

  “I don’t care what anybody said, I want to see Mama and make sure she’s okay for myself. Now move your bossy britches out from in front of that door or I’ll make you move.”

  Lars rolled his eyes and walked across the room, yanking the door open in time to see Sadie draw back a fist.

  “Sadie! Don’t you dare hit Molly!” Lars’ voice boomed through the upstairs hallway and drifted through the house.

  Defeated and afraid, Sadie burst into tears and flung herself at Lars. Molly popped into the room, saw Marnie smiling in bed, waved, and disappeared down the stairs.

  Lars picked up Sadie and held her to his broad chest as he carried her into the room. He sat down on the edge of the bed and rocked her, stroking her hair and back as he murmured soft assurances.

  “Now, Miss Sadie, what is all this fuss about?” Lars set the child back in his arms and gave her a questioning look.

  “Molly and the others said Mama was sick and we couldn’t see her and I know it’s almost time for the baby to come.” Sadie sniffled and started to wipe her nose on her sleeve.

  At Marnie’s look of horror, she fished a handkerchief out of her pocket and rubbed it over her nose. “My first mother died having a baby and I was afraid… I didn’t want…” Sadie’s lip trembled and tears flooded her eyes. “I was scared Mama was going to…”

  “Come here, sweetheart.” Marnie held out her arms and Sadie scrambled into them. She kissed the child’s head and held her close. “It’ll be okay, Sadie. I’m perfectly fine, although I won’t be eating any more Italian food for a while.”

  Sadie snickered then hiccoughed. “I don’t want you to go away, Mama. I need you here.”

  Lars put a hand on Sadie’s back. “We all need her here, Sadie, but it’s not for us to decide what happens in the future. All we can do is trust that God knows what’s best and go along with His plans.”