Ribbons of Steel (30 page)

She was a fine looking woman, any man’s dream. She was
his
dream, and he hoped his dreams were about to come true. He didn’t want to ruin things by acting too eager.

Anna Louise’s eyes looked at him in expectation. His heart skipped a beat, heat started at the base of his neck and work its way up.

“Have you come to apologize, Seth?” Anna Louise asked, looking even more hopeful.

What?
Seth froze. What was he supposed to apologize for? What had he done?

Before he could think of anything he had done wrong recently, Anna Louise put him out of his misery.

“I do recall you taking the liberty of kissing me several times over the past month.”

Her demure smile and tilted head melted his heart further.

“And if I’m not mistaken,” she said, “you haven’t contacted me once since our last encounter at the Spinning Wheel. I don’t mean to be forward, Seth, but if we’re courting, I need to know.”

Seth swallowed, his momentum halted before he could utter a word. Why, Anna Louise was acting just as sassy as Cassandra Strang.
Oh, my!

“What about Mr. Linsky?” Seth was sorry he mentioned the man’s name the minute the words flew out of his mouth.

“Mr. Linsky is just a friend, Seth,” Anna Louise said, her tone matter-of-fact. She waved her hand in a dismissive swing.

“My dear, Anna Louise. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me I can court you. Do you mean to say you’re… yes?”

Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what he had done right in courting Anna Louise, but it didn’t matter. Anna Louise was his. She had just said so.

“Are you saying you’re agreeing to marry me?” he tried again.

Anna Louise tugged her hands from Seth’s and stepped back.

“Oh, Seth. You do understand I can’t marry you right away. I have my teaching responsibilities, as you know. I can’t change my plans now.”

“I propose, then, we become engaged while you do your studies. We can court right properly and get married when you’ve finished.” Catherine’s words flew out of his mouth.

Several more emotions played across Anna Louise’s petite, rosy face while Seth waited for an answer. He stepped closer, took her into his arms. She fit just right. He didn’t give either of them a second to think about anything else. Before she could turn away from him again, he kissed her. Long and slow, and he didn’t care if they were standing outside on her front porch where everyone could see. When he released her, her body sagged into his. His body reeled with the impact.

“Yes, Seth. You may come courting,” Anna Louse pulled back and whispered, looking deep into his eyes.

Seth’s jubilation knew no bounds. He grinned from ear to ear, took a couple of deep breaths, and then placed his hands on her shoulders and stepped away so he could look deep into her heavenly blue eyes. He gathered her up against his body again.

“That’s all I can ask for now, Anna love,” he whispered in her ear. “I will make a formal plea to your father for your hand. Perhaps at Christmastime we can make more serious arrangements for when you finish your studies in the spring. We can set a date.” Seth wanted to run his hands through her hair. Instead, he cradled her head into his chest trying hard not to mess up her hair. He kissed the top of her forehead and then released her.

“Let’s just keep this to ourselves for now, Seth,” Anna Louise implored, her eyes looked no farther than his shirt buttons.

Her hand massaged his chest.

Seth gulped.

“Wait until Christmas before you talk to father. Maybe once he sees you visiting more often, he’ll get the notion we’re interested in each other all on his own. I’m sure he’ll agree and not take it upon him to give you such a hard time when you do ask for my hand.”

Seth hadn’t anticipated her father giving him a hard time. Of course, she knew her father’s way of thinking better than he did. He would concede to her wishes for now, and wait until after the Christmas season to approach him.

“Anything you say. Come, let’s sit down over here. You’ve made me the happiest man in town.”

He led her to the wicker bench instead of the chairs. Anna Louise patted her hair as if a single strand had dared to pop out of place. Dang. He’d been so careful, too. He took a closer look. Nope. Not a single lock was misplaced. His insides smiled. He couldn’t wait for the day her messed up hair would be splayed all over their bed pillows. Then he could run his fingers through her blonde hair without having to worry about messing a single lock.

“Oh, my, Seth, you shouldn’t have kissed me out here in the open,” Anna Louise said, looking around to see if they’d been caught. “Why, anyone could have seen us out here in broad daylight. What would they think?”

“The truth. I’m in love with you. In fact, I wished they had.”

She had blushed beautifully before, but her complexion now glowed. Perhaps word would get back to her father soon, and he wouldn’t have to wait so long to approach him for Anna Louise’s hand in marriage. He wasn’t pleased about postponing things. But he was so happy Anna Louise had said yes, he refused to dwell on her request to wait.

Caught up in the moment, Seth had almost forgotten he had another purpose for his visit.

“Oh, Anna love. You do distract me so. I nearly forgot I had another reason for visiting you today.”

Seth was delighted when Anna Louise sat very close. In fact, her lace-trimmed petticoat skirts covered his left pant leg, her hand draped snuggly through his left arm. When he looked at her, she gazed into his eyes and he almost forgot once again why he was there.

He cleared his throat, ran his finger inside the too tight collar around his neck. Without hesitation, he took a deep breath and covered her hand with his. The lady was much too beautiful. Much too distracting. Waiting until the yuletide was asking a lot. Once harvest was in for the season, he’d have more time to court her proper.

“Now, Seth. What else did you want to discuss?”

Anna Louise batted her eyelashes. Seth tightened his grip. She reminded him of Cassandra Strang. He wondered if all girls batted their eyes at men in such a seductive manner.

“If it’s about Catherine, I was wondering if you would consider letting her stay with me this fall. She’d be such good company, and the two of us could walk to the Academy together.”

Seth couldn’t contain his smile. He simply beamed. He was so worried about asking Anna Louise this favor, and here she was posing the same question.

“Sounds like a solid arrangement, Anna, love. I’m so glad. Would you mind then if I stopped in to see Catherine while I’m in town? To see she doesn’t get homesick, of course.”

“Only if you make time to see me while you’re here.” She batted her eyes again and patted his hand. Seth squeezed her hand in return.

“Would you like some lemonade? Macey made a fresh gallon this morning. It’s better than anything they serve at the Spinning Wheel. It’ll keep your thirst down on your ride home later. You don’t have to rush off just yet, now, do you, Seth?”

“No Anna, love, for you I’ll always make time.”

“You wait right here, Seth. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Seth couldn’t help leaning over to plant a kiss on her lips. It was a short kiss, but meaningful. Anna Louise was his. He could stop worrying now and concentrate on the farm. He hoped the lemonade was cold enough to douse the heat coursing through his body; just looking at her did that to him.

Ahhh, all was well. His father and Mr. Flanagan would be coming home in a week’s time. His mother’s health was much improved, and it wouldn’t be long before she returned home and he’d be free to concentrate on farming and courting Anna Louise, openly. Catherine was all set for the fall semester. And Michael’s arm was out of his cast and healing nicely. The strike was over. Things would be back to normal before long.

Yep. Things were certainly looking up.

Seth left Anna Louise standing on her front porch after another long and heated kiss. He hated to leave her, and if Anna Louise’s reaction to his advances were anything to go by, she hadn’t wanted him to leave, either.

Seth waved to several of his acquaintances as he rode down through town. He met Jerome Little and Mr. White when he rounded Mill Street.

“The strike is officially over,” they yelled up at him, jumping up and down, waving to Seth and others who passed by. “The strike is finally over.”

Others shouted and waved back, as well, passing the news along. Thank the good Lord, their transportation worries were over. He rounded the corner and stepped out onto the turnpike. Seth decided to stop on over at Harvey Strang’s place, only a few miles out of his way over in Lovelyvale. Harvey would want to know the good news. He could swing up over the hill and still have plenty of time to do the evening chores when he got home. It didn’t matter if he was late for supper, Mrs. Flanagan would keep his dinner warm for him, as usual.

Harvey’s spread was easy to find. Their homestead was on the left side of the turn-off to Fairfield and occupied over three hundred acres either side of the road as far north to his own property. The road dissecting the property was the original drive to the farm, but over the years had given access to farms further up over the hillsides to the east. Harvey’s home was two miles up beyond the first crest in the road and sat at an angle overlooking the small valley and creek bed flowing through his property. The large log home was handsome, sprawling and well kept. Flowers were in full bloom and green shrubs bordered the length of the porch. A walkway ran clear down to the fence posts lining the drive. A large barn with several different size pens were also fenced off, some already filled with dairy herds ready to be milked. He spotted a corral to the left with Cassandra’s fine looking horses.

Seth reined his wagon in next to the house. Cassandra swung the front screen door wide and stepped out onto the porch. She looked as if she’d been expecting him. She waved her fancy handkerchief like an unmentionable blowing in the breeze on a clothesline. He put the brake on the wagon wheel in place and slowly stepped down. He took his hat off and made his way up the walkway to the house.

Cassandra Strang met him on the bottom step.

“Good evening, Miss Cassandra. Is your father here abouts?”

“Why, hello, Seth. What a surprise. Have you come for supper?”

“I’m sorry, no. I came by to speak to your father about the strike. Is he available?”

“Daddy’s gone over to Mr. Yarrows’ farm for a bit. Don’t expect he’ll be back for another hour or so. Why don’t you just come on up here and sit for a spell while you wait. We can keep each other company. Ma is inside, so we will be properly chaperoned.”

Unless she had something in her eye, Cassandra looked as if she were batting her eyelashes at him. Again. He wasn’t about to get close enough to find out. And he certainly didn’t want to encourage her. Mother or no mother for a chaperone, he wasn’t about to spend time on Cassandra’s front step waiting for her father to show up. There was something about Cassandra that made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t ready to take the time to find out what.

“Sorry. Can’t today. It’s getting late, and I have to get home to do chores. Just wanted to let your father know the strike is over, so there won’t be a problem with any of us shipping our goods come harvest.”

“He’ll be pleased to know. I’m sorry you can’t stay longer, Seth. We could sit and chat, and find out more about each other. Daddy’s told me so much about you. Why, according to him, you’ve just done wonders on your farm since your family took over. Is it true you single-handedly turned the farm into a successful business overnight? How wonderful. Your family must be so proud.”

She sighed as if she’d just eaten a bowl full of freshly churned iced cream. He could almost picture her spooning a scoopful into her mouth. He could almost taste the thick heavy, frozen cream melting in his own mouth. He shook himself as if the iced cream had traveled down his throat. What in blazes was wrong with him? He’d never had these feelings before. Never. He had to do something about them, and fast. He had to let Cassandra know her actions were not proper. And that he didn’t return those feelings.

“The farm’s success is a natural growth of hard work and simple planning.” Seth found himself twisting his hat in his hands as he stood there talking. “I’m sorry. I, umm…I can’t stay for dinner. Thank you for the offer.”

“I’m disappointed you can’t stay longer.”

Cassandra batted her eyes again and stepped off the porch. She walked toward him. Seth stepped back. The closer she approached, the more Seth didn’t want her to come any closer. He didn’t know what else to do. He had to be honest with Cassandra and let her know her flirting was for naught.

“Excuse me for being so blunt, Miss Strang. I think you should know I’m engaged to Miss Anna Louise Mitchell. Fact is, I was just at her place, and she has accepted my proposal.”

“You mean you’ve announced your betrothal?”

“Why, no,” he hesitated. “We agreed to wait before I talked to her father and make an official announcement. Nevertheless, we are betrothed.”

“I see.”

Seth hoped she did.

She kept walking toward him in that sassy manner of hers, her hips swayed from side to side. He stepped back in an effort to put more distance between them. But Cassandra Strang just kept coming, batting her eyes and swaying her hips, her gingham dress rustling around her long legs.

“I suppose it means you can’t even look at another woman now,” she tsked. “What a shame. I had so hoped I would have a chance to get to know you. You know, just in a friendly way. What a darn shame.”

Cassandra shook her head, and her massive curls swirled in all directions around her face. She stopped just short of the tips of their shoes touching as if a line had been drawn between them. Heat sizzled around his collar. Sweat broke out on his forehead. If he didn’t leave soon, he was going to make a total fool of himself. This woman made him feel things even Anna Louise didn’t.

It wasn’t right.

“I guess there is no need to get to know each other, in any case, now is there?” he stuttered. “If you’ll excuse me, I do need to get home to do chores. Please, tell your father I stopped by.”