Orchard Valley Brides

  “Have you heard from Rowdy?” Valerie asked while the three of them sat around the kitchen table assembling wedding favors. They filled plastic champagne glasses with foil-covered Belgian chocolates and wrapped each one in pastel-colored netting, then tied a silk apple blossom to the stem with pink ribbon.

  “No,” Norah said, resenting the question. She struggled to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “And I don’t expect to.” It was on the tip of her tongue to ask her sister the same question, but she didn’t. She assumed Valerie hadn’t made a decision about the job yet.

  “Knowing Rowdy, he’s probably waiting for you to get in touch with him,” Valerie said.

  “Me?” Norah asked, surprised by the suggestion. “What for?”

  “To tell him you’ve changed your mind and want to come and work for him. It’s the same game he played with me.”

  Norah bristled. Her sister was baiting her, questioning her resolve, and that angered Norah. “He knows better,” she said stiffly, “and so do you!”

  Valerie grinned, apparently pleased. “He’s got a well-deserved reputation for his ability to play a waiting game.”

  “There’s no point in trying that with me.” Norah twisted the netting around the plastic glass with unnecessary vigor and handed it to Steffie, who attached the ribbon.

  “Men don’t seem to learn stuff like that as quickly as women,” Steffie mused. “Rowdy Cassidy has a few things to figure out.”

  Norah didn’t respond to her comment, and the discussion soon returned to more general topics.

  The idea of calling Rowdy had never occurred to Norah. But suddenly it made sense that, as his nurse, she should inquire about his progress. Valerie had put the idea in her mind, and now Norah began to consider it.

  “I wonder how Rowdy’s doing,” she said conversationally to her father that same evening. She would have thought he’d be the first to suggest she ask Rowdy about his recovery, but he hadn’t.

  “We would’ve heard something if he wasn’t doing well, don’t you think?” he answered grumpily. “The way those newspeople reported every detail of his life, you can bet it’d be on national television if he suffered the least little setback.”

  So much for that. “Ray Folsom called this morning. I—I’m going to dinner with him tomorrow evening,” she told her father. Dredging up some enthusiasm for the date was going to require an effort. But after a week of moping around the house, pretending she didn’t miss Rowdy, Norah was determined to enjoy herself.

  Ray had seemed surprised when Norah accepted the invitation. Despite her previous refusal, she’d decided, not entirely on impulse, to go out with him. He was exactly what she needed, she told herself. Even Valerie approved when she learned that Norah was going out.

  “It’ll do you good,” Valerie assured her.

  But when the time came for Ray to pick her up, Norah was no longer so sure. He brought her flowers and she found his thoughtfulness endearing but wished he hadn’t. She instantly felt guilty; although she’d agreed to dinner with him, her mind was on Rowdy Cassidy, and that seemed unfair to Ray, who was gentle and considerate.

  “Oh, Ray,” she said, holding the small bouquet of pink carnations to her nose to breathe in their light scent. “How lovely.”

  He gave her a pleased smile. “I’ve been hoping we could get together, Norah.”

  She smiled back, biting her lip. Again she wondered if she’d made the right decision.

  The phone rang while she was looking for a vase. Steffie answered it on the second ring and poked her head into the kitchen where Norah was chatting with Ray and arranging the flowers.

  “It’s for you. Do you want me to take a message?”

  “Ah…” She glanced at Ray, who was leaning against the counter.

  “Go ahead,” Ray said, checking his watch. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

  Norah picked up the kitchen extension. “Hello,” she said distractedly.

  “Hello yourself, angel face.”

  Norah nearly slumped to her knees, she was so shocked. “Rowdy.” She was grateful her back was to Ray. She knew the color had drained from her face, and she felt weak and shaky.

  “Have you missed me?”

  “I—I’ve been busy.”

  “Me, too, but that hasn’t kept me from thinking about you.”

  Norah didn’t dare admit he’d been on her mind from the moment he was discharged from the hospital. Not with Ray standing right there. It wasn’t in her to be so heartless.

  “Listen, angel face,” Rowdy continued when she said nothing. “I’m in Portland.”

  “You are?” Her heart pounded with glad excitement. He was less than sixty miles away.

  “I’m working out some of the details on the expansion project with Robbins—I should be done in an hour or two. I was thinking I’d send a car for you now and by the time you arrive I’ll be finished and we could have dinner.”

  “Oh, Rowdy.”

  “It’ll be good to see you again. I’ve missed you, and I’m hoping you feel the same way.”

  Norah felt like crying; Rowdy’s timing couldn’t have been worse. “I can’t,” she told him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  “Why not?” he demanded impatiently. “Are you working?”

  “I’ve already got other plans.”

  “Break them,” he said with his usual confidence. “I probably won’t be in the area again soon.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m going to dinner with a friend and we’re leaving any minute.”

  A pause followed her announcement. “Male or female?”

  “Male.”

  Norah could almost feel his anger. Rowdy seemed to believe she should drop everything the moment he called her. He obviously assumed she’d spent the past week longing for him. True, she had, but she was determined to put those feelings behind her and get on with her life. The man was impossible, she fumed. He must have known he was going to be in the area; it would’ve been a simple matter to arrange their meeting in advance. Instead he’d waited until the very last minute. As far as Norah was concerned, if he was angry at having his plans thwarted, he had no one to blame but himself.

  She might have told him that if Ray hadn’t been there.

  “I see,” Rowdy said after a long silence. “Enjoy yourself, then.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “Goodbye, Norah.” Before she could say another word, the line was disconnected.

  She closed her eyes, needing to compose herself. When she turned around, she discovered Ray involved in conversation with Steffie. Her sister’s eyes sought hers. “That was Rowdy,” she said, hoping Steffie realized she would’ve appreciated some warning before she’d picked up the phone.

  “I wasn’t sure,” Steffie admitted wryly, “but I thought it might have been. Next time I’ll know.”

  “Are you ready?” Ray asked. He seemed unaware that anything was troubling her.

  Norah nodded.

  She enjoyed her dinner with Ray more than she’d expected to. He was genuinely charming and Norah couldn’t help responding to his carefree mood.

  “You’re in love with that cowboy, aren’t you?” Ray asked suddenly as he drove her home. When she didn’t respond immediately, he added, “I understand, Norah.”

  “I…don’t know what I feel anymore,” she told him in a troubled voice.

  “Love’s like that sometimes,” Ray said quietly. “I like you, Norah, and I was hoping there’d be a chance for us. But—” he shrugged and reached for her hand “—everything will work out in the end,” he said, squeezing her fingers. “It generally does. If you need proof of that, just look at what’s happened to your sisters over the past few months.”

  Norah smiled shakily. Ray was a wonderful man, considerate and gracious, and he’d make some woman very happy one day. But not her.

  Still holding her hand, he walked her to the porch. He kissed her cheek, then
whispered, “I wish it was me you were so crazy about.”

  “I’ve been rotten company, haven’t I?” Norah asked guiltily.

  He shook his head. “Not at all. I just hope that cowpoke realizes how lucky he is.”

  Norah sincerely doubted it. “Thank you for dinner, Ray. I had a wonderful time.”

  He kissed her once more on the cheek. “Good luck with your cowboy.”

  She opened the door and stood there while Ray walked down the porch steps and got into his car. She waved goodbye, staring down the driveway until he was out of sight before she stepped into the house.

  Steffie was waiting in the entry. “Thank goodness you’re back!” she burst out urgently.

  “Is it Dad? Did he—”

  “Rowdy Cassidy’s here,” her sister broke in, nodding toward the den.

  “Here? Now?”

  “Dad’s kept him occupied,” Steffie informed her, “but he’s been here the better part of an hour and getting more restless by the minute.”

  Norah’s heart was hammering wildly. She forced herself to calm down before walking into the den, even managing a smile.

  Her eyes immediately went to Rowdy, who stood, leaning heavily on his crutches, gazing out the window that overlooked the front porch. It was obvious that he’d witnessed Ray’s kiss. It was equally obvious that he wasn’t pleased. He looked tall and lean and so handsome that it was all Norah could do to stop herself from rushing into his arms.

  “Rowdy,” she said huskily. “This is…an unexpected surprise.”

  Her father got to his feet and winked at her. “I’ll bring both of you a cup of coffee,” he told them and conveniently exited the room, leaving Norah alone with Rowdy.

  Using his crutches, Rowdy levered himself around to face her, his right leg thrust out in front of him. “I trust you had an enjoyable dinner,” he said stiffly.

  “Very,” she returned, clasping her hands together.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Although he sounded anything but glad. He was frowning as he studied her, and Norah felt uncomfortable under his close scrutiny.

  “Please sit down,” she said, gesturing toward the chair. “I didn’t know you planned to stop by.”

  “Would it have mattered?”

  Norah winced at the undisguised anger in his voice. “I hope Dad’s been keeping you entertained,” she said, avoiding his question.

  “He has.” Rowdy sank into her father’s chair and Norah sat across from him, on the ottoman.

  “Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked.

  He nodded slowly. “You offered to give me the name of a reputable agency,” he said gruffly. “I’m still in the market for a private nurse. I assumed I could do without one. You seemed so sure I’d be fine on my own.” The last words came as an accusation.

  “And you’re not?”

  “No,” he told her angrily. “I’m having one hell of a time adjusting to these crutches.”

  “It’ll get easier with practice. A nurse can’t do that for you, Rowdy. You’ll have to learn to walk with them yourself.”

  He muttered something she couldn’t distinguish, which was just as well, judging by the disgruntled look on his face.

  “I’ll get the name and number of the agency for you,” she told him.

  “Fine.”

  She left the room and discovered Steffie and her father standing just outside the door. They looked startled, then glanced at her guiltily. Norah glared at them both, knowing they’d blatantly listened in on her conversation with Rowdy.

  Steffie cast her an apologetic smile, then hurried up the stairs; her father chuckled with wry amusement and wandered toward the kitchen, mumbling about coffee.

  Rowdy was massaging his right thigh when Norah returned with a slip of paper. “Your leg still aches?” she asked.

  “It really hurts,” he said in a blatant effort to gain her sympathy.

  “Are you taking the medication as prescribed?” She handed him the paper.

  “I forget,” he answered brusquely. “That’s another reason I need a good nurse.”

  “Nurse or nursemaid?” she inquired sweetly.

  “Nurse.”

  Norah knew exactly what Rowdy Cassidy was doing, and she wanted it understood right now that she refused to be manipulated. If he wanted something, he’d have to ask for it in plain English.

  “You honestly think this agency will have what I need?” he asked, eyeing her closely.

  “I’m sure of it.”

  “I prefer someone young,” he said, then added, “and blonde, if possible. Oh, and pretty.”

  Norah nearly laughed out loud. Since she hadn’t immediately volunteered for the position, he was hoping to make her jealous. “You might be wiser to request someone competent, Rowdy.”

  For a moment he said nothing. “It’s been one week,” he told her, his eyes steadily holding hers. “Seven days.”

  “It seems longer, doesn’t it?” she asked softly, looking away, not wanting him to see how miserable and lonely she’d been and how hard she’d worked at pretending otherwise.

  “Much longer,” he admitted grudgingly. “I didn’t expect to miss you this much.” He frowned at her, and it took Norah a second to realize he was waiting for her to change her mind, to accept the position.

  “I’ve missed you, too,” Norah told him, weakening. He’d played on her sympathies and that hadn’t worked. But her heart was vulnerable, and he knew it.

  “Ever been to Texas this time of year?” he asked, clambering to his feet. Using the crutches with surprising deftness, he worked his way closer to her until mere inches separated them. Until there was only a single step between them. One small step, and she could walk straight into his arms.

  Norah didn’t know where she found the strength to stand still, to resist him.

  “Have you?” he asked again.

  Norah shook her head.

  “It’s the most beautiful place on earth.”

  “As beautiful as Orchard Valley?”

  Rowdy chuckled. “You’ll have to make that judgment for yourself.” He was waiting. Waiting for her to come to him, to swallow her pride and sacrifice her own needs to his.

  Norah knew exactly what would happen if she took that step, if she agreed to leave with Rowdy. She’d fall so deeply in love with him that she’d give up her own hopes and plans, her own pleasures—all the things that made her Norah. She’d be unable to refuse him anything. Already she was halfway there.

  He’d made it perfectly clear that he had no intention of marrying. Nor was he interested in raising a family. Rowdy had admitted that even if Valerie had broken her engagement to Colby, he wouldn’t have married her.

  And if he hadn’t been willing to marry her sister, he wouldn’t want her, either. For that matter, Norah wasn’t sure she’d agree if he did propose. When she got married, she wanted a husband, a man who’d be a constant part of her life, a man who shared her need for a settled existence, with a home and family. Not a man like Rowdy…

  Norah was too sensible and pragmatic not to recognize they’d face these issues sooner or later, even if he hadn’t raised them now. And when it did happen, she wanted to be sure he knew where she stood. Because she’d be so head over heels in love with him that she wouldn’t be able to think.

  “If the agency here isn’t able to find you a nurse…”

  “Yes?” he asked eagerly.

  “There are bound to be a number in Texas with excellent reputations. I could ask around for you.”

  His face tightened. “You’re so stubborn.”

  “It runs in the family. As you’ve already pointed out. I’m surprised you didn’t butt heads with Valerie more often.”

  “I’m not,” he said, moving awkwardly away from her. “We were both working toward the same goals. You and I are working at cross-purposes.” He limped toward the phone and called for his car. “You want something I’m not willing to give you.”

  “What’s that?” she a
sked.

  His eyes darkened. “You want my pride.”

  He was wrong, but no amount of arguing was going to convince him and Norah didn’t have the strength to try.

  “Good seeing you again, Norah,” he said unemotionally.

  “You, too, Rowdy.”

  “If you go out with Ralph again—”

  “Ray,” she corrected.

  “Of course, Ray. I must have forgotten.”

  “There’s no need to be sarcastic.”

  “You’re right,” he said in a tone so cool that it seemed to frost the air between them. “In any event, I wish you the very best. I’m sure the two of you have a lot in common.”

  Norah said nothing.

  “I came the minute I heard.” Valerie’s concerned voice drifted into the kitchen from the front entry the next morning. “What did he say to her?”

  “I’m not sure,” Steffie said. “It seems he wanted her to reconsider and go to Texas with him as his nurse.”

  “Norah told him no, didn’t she?”

  “She must have.”

  Her sisters appeared in the kitchen, both wearing compassionate expressions.

  “I understand Rowdy stopped by last night,” Valerie said gently, as though she considered Norah emotionally fragile.

  “He was here, all right.” She continued to stir the batter for oatmeal-and-raisin muffins. Baking had always been a means of escape for her. Some women shopped when they felt depressed; some read or slept or went to exercise classes. Norah baked.

  “And?”

  “And he left.”

  “Do you think he’ll come here again?”

  Clutching the bowl against her stomach, Norah whipped the batter vigorously. “Who knows?” But she hadn’t expected to hear from him at all after his discharge; his visit had come as a complete surprise. However, Norah wasn’t foolish enough to believe it would happen again. Rejection was difficult for any man and harder for Rowdy than most, since he’d become so accustomed to getting his own way.

  He’d come to her twice, and she’d turned him down both times. He wasn’t likely to try for rejection number three.