Page 17 of His Unforgettable Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages #4)

Seventeen

Politeness is very essential to the right transaction of that great business of a woman’s life, shopping.

H ow dare Ruby blackmail Juliet? Ever since the upstart had left the lawn at dawn, Gray had thought of little else while laboring in the tearoom.

He slammed his hammer against a nail, driving the little piece of iron into the floor. Then he leaned back on his haunches and reached for another. When his fingers found nothing, he turned for a closer examination, wiping his brow with his sleeve. “Are we out of nails?”

From the top of a ten-foot ladder, Icala examined the new ceiling. “You’ll have to ask Cy.”

“Where is he?”

Icala twisted around, a wrench poking out of his shirt pocket. “It is three o’clock. Therefore, he is in the library for mid-afternoon tea with the sisters.” Icala wriggled his brows and grinned. “My hunch is he’s sweet on Livy.”

What? Not in a dozen years would Gray pair the two. Perhaps their waltz had sparked a romantic interest in one another. Dancing with Juliet had nearly started a wildfire inside him. But Livy and Cy? “Some claim opposites attract.”

With his eyes on the ceiling, Icala said, “Are you referring to Cy and Livy—or you and Juliet?”

Gray smiled at the good-natured jesting but refused to admit or deny anything. As much as his attraction to Juliet had grown recently, he continued to rein it back as much as possible—which truthfully grew more challenging with every passing day. Not even reminding himself of his ready-made life somewhere awaiting his return helped to contain his feelings for her.

Was he to live in limbo forever? Merciful heavens, he hoped not. But if his memories never returned, when was the right time to move on and build a new life? And what would such an endeavor resemble? Would it include Juliet? Had she meant what she told Ruby this morning, stating he was no one ? Or was she merely trying to protect him from the wily thief?

He stood and dusted down his trousers, then scrounged for nails, lifting a tarp and digging through a barrel. After searching the entire room without success, he paused to assess their progress with the conversion. The place was transformed a little more with each passing day.

The walls were in place, a new floor was nearly complete, and Icala hoped to finish the lower ceiling by tomorrow. They had designated a location for the new stove, attached a sideboard to the far wall, and added a door to the back storage area. Next, they’d paint the walls. But only if the sisters finally agreed on the color.

The satisfaction of working with his hands and building something out of nothing had seeped into Gray’s bones. Whether Alex Sherwood or not, he had discovered a profession to love and a direction to follow. But would he change careers if a different livelihood awaited his return one day?

Icala descended the ladder and set it against a bare wall. “Find what you seek?”

“Not even a broken one. I shall ask the boss, though I hesitate to interrupt his tête-à-tête.”

Icala laughed, squatted, and riffled through the box’s assortment of tools. “Better you than me, my friend.”

Chuckling, Gray left the tearoom and followed the cobblestone path to the house as the sun rolled toward the western horizon.

Ahead, Juliet placed a saucer of milk on the back step and waved at him. “How is it going in there?”

“Making headway. How is your day?” As much as he wanted to discuss Ruby’s early morning visit, specifically the part where Juliet needed to inform the constable, he had to ease into the conversation.

“Fair to middling.” She rose and glanced around the yard scattered with dried and dead leaves. “Have you seen Bells?”

“Who?”

“The stray cat.”

“Not since she sat in your lap this morning.” He glanced at Juliet’s fingers, so small compared to his, and recalled kissing the back of her hand hours earlier. Was he a fool for doing such a thing? If so, he could tolerate the moniker. What he had hoped to do was offer comfort and help her feel less alone.

Thoughts of her tragic childhood still consumed him. How had she not fractured under the strain? And now Ruby lobbed another threat to the life Juliet had painstakingly established. One way or another, he had to protect his friend.

“No doubt Bells is scared and hungry.” Juliet reached for the door handle. “Hopefully by the time I return from the emporium, she’ll have lapped up every drop.”

“What draws you to the shop?”

“I’m fetching a teapot the sisters ordered all the way from China.”

He held open the door and waited for her to proceed before him. “I am on my way to consult with Cy regarding the lack of nails. I understand he converses with Livy in the library.”

Juliet grinned. “I’m starting to think something brews between them.”

“You sound like Icala.” He followed her inside and down the hallway, the sway of her hips a little too mesmerizing. When he reached the library, he almost continued to follow Juliet to the foyer, where she was gathering her coat and hat. But he stepped into the inviting library of bookshelves and green plants, including a row of bluish African violets on a stand before a corner window.

Livy and Cy conversed on the sofa, their backs to him. No sign of Tabitha.

Gray cleared his throat, and they turned in his direction, nearly bumping noses. Livy hopped to her feet, her teacup clattering as she set it on the table. Her cheeks had pinkened. “Tabitha just left to fetch her reading glasses from her room. She’ll be back any minute.”

Had the couple developed tender feelings for one another? Everyone deserved happiness. “Pardon me, but I believe we are out of nails.”

Cy placed his delicate floral teacup on the saucer in his hand, biscuit crumbs on his chin. “Give me a minute or two, and I’ll head out and fetch more from Haney’s Hardware.”

“Stay and enjoy your tea while I collect them myself.” Was it not a perfect excuse to speak privately with Juliet as they traveled in the same direction?

He excused himself, hurried to the foyer, and claimed a bowler from the coat tree, perching it on his head. Tabitha had cited having accounts at businesses downtown, eliminating the need for cash transactions—an ideal scenario since he had no coin to toss in the air.

Outside, he chased after Juliet in a gentlemanly yet hurried clip down the long hill leading to Main Street. A panoramic view sat before him—the city, the river, and primarily trees on the uninhabited other side. Near the wharf a half dozen men unloaded goods from a paddle wheeler. Trees overhung the riverbanks, and fringes of green sedge skimmed the edges. The town’s new sawmill buzzed in the distance, the heavy scent of pulp floating in the air.

Quickly, he closed the gap between Juliet and himself, matched his stride to hers, and tipped his bowler. “Greetings, miss.”

A large maroon hat with a wide brim covered her head, most likely a cast-aside from one of the sisters. Yet it was too plain for Livy’s taste and too large for Tabitha’s.

“A cautious lady would think you followed her.”

“Goodness, no. I am merely on an errand for nails. You are a happy coincidence.” Was she really, though? Of course not.

She laughed, the sound soft and warm.

Lately, he’d been finding one excuse after another to seek her out. There was no sense denying it, at least to himself.

“I’m suspicious of your motives.”

“I cannot imagine why.” He reached for her elbow to guide her around a divot in the road, then released her arm.

“What’s on your mind, Gray? You have that look about you.”

What look? Could she read him that well? “I believe telling the legal authorities about Ruby’s threat is in your best interest. The constable should hear the truth from you before she fills his head with lies.”

Halfway down the hill, she halted, her brows furrowed. “Dealing with constables is tricky. Plus, who has had more run-ins with the law? You or me?”

As far as he knew, she only had one encounter. “Me, perhaps.”

She patted his sleeve. “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me. But at least I have the note Ruby wrote me.”

“Aah. Evidence.”

“Maybe.” They resumed walking. “I’m thinking about telling the sisters tomorrow.”

“Why not today?”

“Usually, I rush forward willy-nilly, and it’s time to stop behaving rashly.” She paused, then heaved a sigh. “The truth is, I’m afraid I’ll lose my job over this.”

“Tabitha and Livy adore you. They would never fire you over something that is not your fault.”

She nodded, though not convincingly. “Either way, I don’t want to put them in danger. And that’s exactly what my presence in their home will do.”

“We do not know that for certain.” Yes, Ruby had made threats, but surely they could find a way to stop her if they worked together. “When you speak with the sisters, I shall gladly accompany you.”

They had reached the bottom of the hill, and she softly smiled. “Thank you. This is where we part, and I will see you later.”

He tipped his hat and watched her approach the emporium, a stand-alone structure across the street. The white two-story building featured black trim and three empty benches beneath the same number of windows on the front porch. Huckleberry Emporium was written across the upper level in bold print.

A wide, weed-filled footpath to the shop’s right led to the Fraser River. The words Haney’s Hardware scribbled on a board leaned against the outside wall of a square log-built building next door.

After entering, Gray requested the nails from a friendly shopkeeper on duty. They conversed about the mild weather and the price of hammers before he reentered the sunshine with his purchase in tow. When he glanced at the emporium, he discovered Juliet sitting on a front wooden bench, her shoulders slumped with apparent dejection.

His muscles tightened with the need to comfort her and make everything better. Suddenly, a new memory flashed through his thoughts of a girl crying. No, she was sobbing, and he was ignoring her. Another fellow knelt beside the girl, trying to ease her pain while shouting angry words at Gray.

His heart raced at the vividness of the memory, even if the faces were blurry. The same strange despair he had felt previously pulsed to the surface. Who was the sobbing girl of his past that he had ignored? Had she been a sister? A friend? And the fellow? A brother? Or another friend?

He did not know, nor could he place them. But one thing was quite evident—that he had been a selfish and insensitive cad in his former life. Although he had sensed this possibility before, he could no longer deny the truth.

Nor could he ignore Juliet, who required his full attention now as she wept. He would have to ponder the new revelation about himself later.

* * *

Juliet stood and tried to drag in a breath that would chase away her insecurities, but with the fancy new teapot in the basket at her side, she could only think about Ruby’s threat to torch the tearoom.

It was one thing to face danger herself. She’d confronted it often enough throughout her life that it was no stranger. But she couldn’t bear to bring harm to the sisters. Should she move on before she did so?

Yet the thought of leaving this place and the ladies wrenched Juliet’s heart, bringing a sharp pain to her chest. She had already lost so much that she’d loved in her life. How could she bear to lose more?

“Juliet?” Gray’s call drew her attention. Concern etched his handsome face. “Is something amiss?”

Gray. The pain in her chest radiated, and she nearly wobbled. She couldn’t leave him, either. Absolutely couldn’t. Her heart wouldn’t survive losing his friendship, at least not easily.

“It is obvious that something troubles you.” He gestured toward a footpath running between the emporium and the hardware store. “Let us find a private place to talk, shall we?”

Even though sweeping and mopping the kitchen before supper still waited for her back at the house, she followed Gray down a well-trodden route to the water, a chilly breeze swaying the long weeds. Soon, they sat side-by-side in the dried and withered grass on the riverbank in the shade of a paint-peeled fish shanty. The basket with the new teapot, the nails, and the borrowed hats sat beside them on the ground.

A steamboat chugged past. Alongside and behind it, natives paddled two canoes. Had Ruby left town this morning on a vessel? Or did she still linger in Everly?

“Will you tell me what is discouraging you, though I assume the answer is Ruby?” Gray leaned back on his elbow, the breeze teasing his thick hair as he ran his splayed hand through the dried grass.

She’d lost people and homes before, and she’d survived. If she had to move on, she would survive again, wouldn’t she? She leaned back into the grass on her side next to him. The loamy earth filled the air as she propped her head with her hand.

“Tell me.” His voice was soft and pleading and much too hard to resist.

“Has anyone informed you that you are good at issuing orders?” She tried for a lighter tone.

“Has anyone ever told you that you excel at diverting the subject when it suits you?”

She smiled, already starting to feel better. “Has anyone informed you that you’re good at helping distract people from things they don’t want to think about?”

“I can be quite distracting, can I not?” He smiled in return, laying on all the charm she’d grown to love about him. “I think I am the king of distractions, if I may boast.”

“You may.”

Even though he was sprawled out beside her with his legs crossed casually, he still had an aura of power and authority that seemed inborn to him. She loved the way he carried himself with confidence and determination. Even now he watched her as though he had every right to look at her for however long he wanted.

“Would you like me to continue to distract you?” His gaze danced across her face and landed on her lips.

Was he insinuating that he would kiss her? Certainly not. He wouldn’t be so brazen, would he?

Her gaze fell upon his lips—his fine, fine lips that looked both impossibly hard and soft at the same time. How might they feel brushed against hers?

She was suddenly breathless. “What distraction do you have in mind?”

“What distraction would you like?” His lids lowered just a little, and he smirked as though he knew exactly what she’d just fantasized about.

Her heart tapped faster. “Perhaps you can sing me a song? Or tell me a story?”

“I could.” He rolled onto his side before leaning closer so their bodies were now parallel, not touching but close. “Or I could distract you with something I am more exceptionally skilled at.”

This game they were playing was sending sparks through her belly. “And what is this exceptional skill?”

“Let me show you.” His gaze landed upon her lips with a finality that nearly made her swoon. He leaned in even more until his mouth was only an inch from hers, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath. He waited, clearly allowing her to back away.

She closed her eyes and angled toward him.

In the next instant, his mouth surged against hers. Deliciousness swept through her. His kiss was just as powerful as she’d imagined, but gentle, too. She tasted the spiciness of cloves and the sweet taste of possibilities.

She suddenly wanted to explore his neck and cheek with her fingers, but they had to stop. It wasn’t proper. And after all her training on the topic, she couldn’t fail now.

She broke away, wanting to shove him playfully and bring their relationship back to what it had always been and where it belonged. But he held her arms and pressed his forehead against her brow, each of his breaths labored and filled with a desire that almost made her tremble.

Slowly, he dragged his hand down her sleeve before they sat up and straightened their clothing silently.

After a moment, he cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Juliet?—”

“Please, don’t be.” She scooted away from him, closer to her hat. What was more awkward—talking about their kiss or ignoring it altogether? Probably, even odds. “Let’s forget what happened.”

“Highly impossible. For all I know, that was my first kiss.”

She smiled. He had known precisely what to do with his lips a moment ago. “Highly unlikely, is what I’m thinking.”

Something told her he’d kissed his share of young women in ballroom shadows and on quiet moonlit strolls. But she liked the idea and the sweetness of being his first. Hers was forgettable and with a boy she never saw again afterward.

Juliet examined the river’s bend, where a fallen log trapped everything in its path, making it impossible for the wedged debris to change course and break free. As much as she hoped God would intervene in her life, would He?

She barely knew how to ask for help anymore. Without practice, a person turned rusty, even with prayers. Was it time to start praying again? Could God help her clear out all that was broken in her life so she could be free from the debris?

Whatever the case, she couldn’t linger on the riverbank with Gray. If someone had spotted the two of them kissing and the news reached the sisters, they would be mortified. In fact, she was mortified just thinking about how appalled they would be.

She stood and wiped the grass from her garments and shifted her messy skirts into place with a wiggle. When she glanced at Gray, he was grinning. “You look happy.”

“For good reason. Your state of disarray and your apparel adjustment method deserve a smile.”

Unsure how to reply and all fluttery inside, she collected the basket and hat from the ground, wheeled around, and worked her way back toward the road. Her poor heart was in trouble. Big, fat, unstoppable trouble. As much as she’d liked the kiss with Gray, it couldn’t happen again.