River Song (28 page)

"Uh, yes, it is," Sunny stumbled, unused to such bold flattery.

"Well, it looks a damn sight better on you, darlin'."

Uneasy, wondering how she should respond to Buck's compliments, Sunny took a backward step. "Ah, thank you. Did I hear you say you had a message?"

But he didn't answer immediately. Instead he popped a toothpick in the corner of his mouth and regarded her through his small, muddy brown eyes. When she'd first met him, she thought the color was unusual, a striking blend of brown and gold. Now, as he stared at her,
through
her, they began to look predatory, mean and hungry like the eyes of a coyote. Sunny shivered, tensed as she realized his thick bull-like frame filled and blocked the doorway. Was she trapped like a frightened rabbit in the confines of her room, or was her imagination running wild?

Amused by her wide round eyes and sudden spasm, Buck laughed and said, "Relax, darlin'. The message ain't
gonna
hurt you none. Cole is waitin' for you downstairs in the library." He backed away, flipping the toothpick to the floor, and added, "Some of the highfalutin guests have already arrived. I reckon he's anxious to show off his little prize." Buck winked at her,
then
strolled off, chuckling and shaking his head.

For a long, soul-searching minute, Sunny stood rooted to the spot. Buck's attitude, while disrespectful and rude, really wasn't so unexpected, and would most likely be exhibited by others once she joined the party. Was she a fool for thinking she might fit in? Was she asking too much of herself?
Of Cole?
It would be so simple to strip off Nellie's dress and tear the miserable corset from her body. She could plead sudden illness, take to her bed, and remain there until the last guest had gone home, even if it took three days. Sunny glanced back at the bed, then down the hallway.

Her father's encouraging voice echoed in her mind, assured her she had as much right to enjoy this festive occasion as anyone. But she wasn't able to move until a sudden dose of her mother's pride practically shoved her through the doorway.

Downstairs, Cole passed through the living room on his way from the library to the front door of his home. He paused at the foot of the long curving stairway and lit a cigarette. Where was Sunflower? He'd sent Bucky upstairs with a message for her fifteen minutes ago, and now he couldn't wait any longer. Down the road puffs of dust rose like storm clouds, announcing the impending arrival of more guests. His chances of finding a few moments alone with Sunny would be practically nonexistent from here on out, and now it didn't look as if it would be possible at all.

In frustration, he blew several smoke rings to the ceiling,
then
took a final hopeless glance at the top of the stairs just as Sunny stepped into view. The cigarette dangled from the corner of his open mouth as she cautiously began her descent. Too involved with keeping her skirts away from her feet to notice his presence, Cole was able to study her, undetected, as she drew closer to him.

She was a vision, a frothy pink model of femininity. She was impeccably groomed from the top of her carefully coiffed head to her white silk stockings and pointed-toe shoes. She was a woman to do any man proud. But she wasn't Cole's woman. She wasn't the Sunflower Callahan who had managed to get a hold on his heart.

Flipping his cigarette into a milk pail filled with sand for just that purpose, Cole made his presence known. "May I escort you outside, you gorgeous stranger?" He'd kept his voice soft and low to avoid startling her, but she lurched at the sound anyway. Cole offered a gentle hand, steadying her as she negotiated the last step.

"Oh, thank you." Sunny gladly accepted the crook of his elbow and worked at appearing nonplussed in spite of her discomfort. How would a fine lady excuse this sudden clumsiness? "I think my feet are not used to these shoes just yet. Perhaps a stroll outside would ease their grip on my toes."

She looked at him expectantly, and suddenly, Cole Fremont had no idea what to do. She was talking like a proper lady from back East, presenting herself to him as if she were indeed a stranger. If she were, he would have had no problem with his next move. He would escort her outside. And leave her there.

His smile grew lazy, crooked, as he thought of pulling the ribbons from her hair and dragging his hands through it until all the tight little curls had relaxed. His cool green eyes warmed, turned potent with the promise of spring as his memory returned to their playful pursuit through the tall meadow only a few days ago. And then his mind forced his thoughts to the present, told him he had to stop daydreaming about what had been, what could be, and get on with the present. But it didn't stop him from sliding his hand around her waist, or pulling her close and whispering the words he knew she wanted to hear.

"You look beautiful, Sunshine." Cole slipped his finger under her chin and tilted her head to receive his kiss, but she resisted, stiffened her entire body to match the rigidity he felt surrounding her waist.

"Please, I cannot." Sunny wasn't sure if it was the excitement of the party or just the damnable corset squeezing the breath out of her, but she was certain of one thing. If she stayed in Cole's arms or allowed him to kiss her, she would faint dead away, and most likely ruin her chances of fitting in with the other ladies in the bargain. She tensed her spine and he released her.

"Sorry." Cole's apology was awkward and uncertain. How should he behave around this new version of Sunflower Callahan?
Contrite and remorseful?
Or playful and honey-tongued?
Working at blending all those sentiments, he tipped his hat and bowed at the waist. "Please forgive me, Miss Callahan. I know this isn't the time or place to show you how I feel, but you just look so doggone beautiful, I couldn't help myself."

And at least that much was true, even if his other thoughts had been selfish and impulsive. His needs and his desires would have to wait. Sunny had to be nervous about meeting his neighbors, as well as excited about wearing these fine new clothes and having her hair arranged so fashionably. She'd informed him how limited her knowledge was of these things and expressed her curiosity about the fine ladies of Phoenix several times. How could he spoil her debut by showing anything less than respect and enthusiasm for her efforts and new look?

And she was beautiful, he had to admit. Breathtaking, even if she wasn't as he first knew her or what he wanted her to be. She could be very happy for the next couple of days as she stepped into a world that had always been denied to her, might even find it to her liking. Something deep inside told Cole to encourage her foray into the world of socially prominent white women. He owed her that much, even though it might turn her from
him
 
and
the woman he'd come to love might fade as this new lady emerged.

Love?
Cole's breath caught with the realization, and he reached out to the
bannister
to steady himself. When had
that
happened, he wondered with a start? Was that the thing, that nebulous feeling clouding his thinking since his return to the ranch? Was love, not his father's prejudice or his own ranching plans, the thing he'd been struggling with all along? Cole looked into Sunny's puzzled eyes and let his breath out in a long sigh. He could hear the rumble of wagons arriving in the yard. He would have to sort these feelings later. Now it was time to present Sunflower to his guests. And dammit, he would present her in grand style and encourage her entrance into Phoenix society. He would support and accept anything she wanted to do over the next few days, as long as she didn't pick up too many flirtatious habits or start batting her eyelashes at him the way Liz Scott always did.

Proud of his insight, of his decision, Cole turned, clicking his boot heels together, and held out his arm. "My dear Miss Callahan, I believe the guests have arrived. Would you care to join me in the yard?"

Sunny's smile was as enthusiastic as it was prim, and she gave him a proper little curtsy. "Thank you, sir. I would be delighted."

Then she accepted his offer wearing her most saucy expression, and batted her eyelashes as if they were on fire.

Daniel Hobbs pulled on the reins as the wagon rounded a curve and the rooftop of the majestic Fremont ranch house came into view. "Whoa, now," he shouted as the wheels slowly rolled to a stop. Swiveling on the narrow wooden seat, he barked an order. "Eileen.
Git
on up here and squeeze
yer
worthless behind twixt
yer
ma and me."

"Yes, Pa."
Careful not to catch her only decent wrapper on a splinter, Eileen picked her way past three of her five brothers, then scrambled to the side of the wagon and climbed over. Her legs wobbly from sitting on her knees for the past two hours, she limped to the front of the wagon and made an awkward climb up to the seat.

She was bent over, trying to wedge her slender body between her parents, when Daniel cracked the whip and sent the wagon lurching down the path again. The force snapped her backwards onto the hard seat, and sent a searing bolt of pain up her spine. But Eileen didn't cry out, wouldn't shed her reservoir of tears. She bit her lip until the taste of her own blood seeped into her mouth, but remained silent and uncomplaining.

Daniel turned to Eileen, scrutinizing her out of the corner of a hard, cold eye, and grumbled, "You know there be only one reason I
brung
you along to this here bar-bee-cue,
doncha
?"

"Yes, sir, I do." She kept her gaze on the road ahead and folded her hands in her lap.

"Don't get cute with me, gal," Daniel raised his hand, but lowered it when Eileen ducked, covering her head with her arms. "I axed you a question and I '
spect
a real answer."

"Yes, sir."
Her bottom lip trembling, she recited his instructions. "I'm to flirt with Cole Fremont and try to get his interest."

"Not try, gal. Make damn sure he takes up with you. It's high time you earned
yer
keep.
Ownin
' part a that Fremont ranch might ease the agony of raisin' a brat like you considerable.
Yessir
," he grinned, running his tongue along his thick cracked lips, "I believe I could
git
real used to
havin
' a Fremont in the family."

"But, Pa," Eileen cried in a soft whimper, "Cole already has a girl, and even if he hasn't spoken for her just yet, that Elizabeth Scott is lots prettier than me. I don't have a chance."

"Then make one." Daniel's whip cracked, leaving a vicious welt across the back of the roan mare. "Gals like you kin always find a way to snare a man," he spat. "This Fremont boy
cain't
be
any smarter than the rest of us."

He turned, curling his lip into an ugly snarl, and regarded his trembling daughter again. "Could be Fremont takes to
sportin
' women. He might sit up and take notice if that gaudy hair of yours shows.
Could be a good
idear
this one time to leave off
yer
bonnet.
What'd you think, Ma?"

Martha's tired eyes darted from her husband to Eileen and back to Daniel again. Shrugging her thin shoulders, she said, "I
s'pose
that'd be all right. We could comb it around our fingers and make a few curls. Would you like that, honey?"

But before Eileen could answer, Daniel snapped, "It don't matter what she likes. It's a done deal." He looked down the trail, gauging the distance.
"
Git
to it.
We're almost there."

Without another word, Martha loosened her daughter's bonnet and the two women set about working Eileen's wavy red tresses into a suitable, if not particularly fashionable, style. Lacking extra hairpins or ribbon to match the green checkered gingham of her wrapper, Eileen tucked the sides of her hair behind her ears and left the rest to flow freely down her back. Daniel grunted and gave her a grudging nod of approval as they pulled into the yard of their host.

"Now just remember what I said," he ordered as he slowed the wagon to a halt. "Mind
yer
manners, but make damn sure that Fremont colt sits up and takes notice."

"Yes, Pa."