The Brides of Chance Collection Part 95

Chapter 17.

Let's have a quick review. Hold out your left arm. Good. Right? Excellent." Bryce patted Jamie on the back. "Now you say it."

" 'Eft, rite," Jamie recited, holding out the named arm.

"We're up." Bryce set Jamie down in the wheelbarrow, facing forward. "Are you ready to win?"

"Yeah!" Jamie gripped the sides of the wheelbarrow and leaned forward to have a better view of the gra.s.s.

"On yore marks. Get set..." Rooster roared, "Go!"

Bryce, tensed and ready, took off like a shot.

" 'Eft!" Jamie shouted, and Bryce quickly maneuvered around the block of wood.

"Rite!" Jamie directed. "Rite ag'n!"

Bryce kept pushing, running hard and angling the wheelbarrow tightly. He spotted the Trevor twins out of the corner of his eye, gaining.

" 'Eft, Byce!" Jamie screeched. "No mor! Go!"

Bryce saw Daisy waiting at the finish line, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. He managed a final burst of speed. For Daisy and Jamie! He sailed over the finish line.

"We win!" Jamie yelled, flailing his arms joyfully as his mama ran over.

"I saw, Jamie!" Daisy scooped him up and swung him in the air. "You were so fast to see those blocks! I'm proud of you!"

Bryce felt as though he'd grown about ten inches taller, seeing Jamie flushed with victory and Daisy beaming with pride. He drank in the sight of them.

After Rooster and Asa presented Jamie with his peppermint stick prize, the whole holler walked by to congratulate him on his sharp eyes. To Bryce's way of thinking, the day was complete.

But it seemed that Daisy had other plans. When Logan grabbed Bryce for the three-legged race, she and Hattie followed over to the racing field.

"What do you think you're doing?" Logan demanded as Hattie tied herself and Daisy together at the ankle.

"We're joinin' the race. What's it look like?" Daisy calmly slipped her arm around Hattie's waist to steady herself.

"Oh-ho," Logan guffawed. "Well, if you wanted a close view of me and Bryce winning, you could've waited at the finish line."

Bryce tried to elbow Logan in the ribs to get him to shut his mouth, but he just b.u.mped Logan's arm.

"We'll see about that," Hattie shot back, her eyes alight with challenge as everybody lined up.

On "Go!" Bryce took off for the second time that day. He and Logan loped across the field, but Logan's shorter legs made Bryce abbreviate his stride. "Come on! They're gettin' ahead!" he whispered, doggedly dragging Logan along with him.

"It's not my fault we're lopsided!" Logan huffed.

Hattie and Daisy thumped across the field right past Bryce and Logan. How can they be so graceful? Look at them go! Bryce watched with a mixture of admiration and disbelief as the women half-walked, half-hopped to victory.

After he disentangled himself from Logan, he went to congratulate them. Seeing Daisy, face flushed from exertion, eyes sparkling with laughter, made Bryce grin. I'd gladly lose this race if I can win her in the long run.

"Bryce?" Logan's voice carried across the barn.

"Up here!" Bryce used the worn ribbon to mark the pa.s.sage he'd barely finished reading, then closed the Bible. He heard Logan's heavy boots on the loft's ladder before he saw his brother.

"Did I interrupt your devotions?" Logan looked at the Bible at his brother's side.

"It's a good place to stop."

"Good. Listen, I've got to go to Louisville in about two weeks and deliver a big shipment before the weather turns bad." Logan jerked a thumb toward the covered window, where very little sunlight strained through. "Train leaves on a Monday afternoon, and I was wondering whether you wanted to come with me."

Hmm. If I stay, I'll see Daisy more often before the snow comes. If I go, I can take care of a few things. I don't like how Daisy wears Hattie's old cloak. She's sewing Jamie a new winter coat, but he should have some warm gloves, too. Besides, I need runners for a sled. That way Jamie won't have to scooch around in the snow and catch cold.

"Sounds good. There's some stuff I need to pick up. You think this is the last trip you'll make this year?" Bryce wondered whether he'd have a chance to buy everyone Christmas gifts.

"I don't know." Logan scratched his jaw. "I know snowstorms up here make winter traveling difficult, to say the least. All the same, I'd like to get back once more before Christmas. It'd give Daisy time to make more lace, Otis could turn out a few more checker sets, and Asa could carve more nativity sets-Jack says they're sure to be in demand for Christmas. It's a good time of year for selling, and I want to see everybody make the best of it."

"So long as you don't put yourself at risk to make a few more dollars," Bryce warned. "I don't want to see you set out with a full load of merchandise when you can't see ten feet in front of you."

"I wouldn't do that." Logan instinctively looked toward the cabin, although all he could see was the walls of the barn. Bryce knew he was thinking about Hattie. "I don't want to be stuck away from my wife."

"She's good for you," Bryce stated. "You've made a fine choice, Logan."

"Don't I know it!" Logan shot him a grin. "Seems like you're following in my footsteps. I heard tell that Daisy's glad you're staying."

"Mm." Bryce shrugged, knowing his brother was fishing for answers.

"If you're going to clam up, I'm not taking you to Louisville," Logan prodded. "Especially after you slept practically the whole way to Salt Lick Holler when we left Chance Ranch!"

Bryce threw back his head and laughed. "I wondered how long it would be before your patience ran out, Logan. I have to say, it took longer than it used to."

"Stop trying to get my goat and spill it." Logan punched him on the arm.

"I'm staying to court Daisy. She knows it, and she's agreeable." Bryce folded his arms across his chest. "We're taking things slow, seeing how it works out. No pressure and no promises." Yet.

"Did we ferget anything?" Miz Willow fretted from the back of the buckboard a week later. The day's corn shucking would keep them all busy.

"Nope." Bryce turned from hoisting Jamie onto the buckboard and spanned his hands on Daisy's waist. "I've got everything I need."

Daisy could feel the heat spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears as he lifted her up beside her son. She expected him to go around and take the reins, but instead he jumped in the back and sat next to her. Logan lifted Hattie to sit with him on the seat. She caught Logan sending Bryce a wink, and Daisy knew Bryce and Logan had planned it this way.

They think they're so doggone clever. I see straight through it, but I'll play along. Hattie knows what they're up to, same as me. It's almost endearing.

What're folks gonna think when they see us like this? It's so strange having a man sitting this close, knowing we're courting. Takes me back to when I was a young gal out on hayrides. Bryce is offerin' me a fresh start, and I want to see where the road leads.

The trip to the Trevor place went by fast, and before Daisy knew it, they'd arrived at the corn shucking. Today they'd get through the Trevor harvest, and Asa Pleasant was bringing his over by the wagonload. With everybody in the holler showing up, the work should be done by the end of the day-leaving enough time for a nice lunch and a few friendly games.

"Everybody settle in!" Asa and Ed had already set up the working area. Piles of corn sat ready around every seat. Daisy sat Jamie with the other young children, where he could help, but stayed close. Bryce took the seat next to her, making her the recipient of several scowls from unwed young ladies.

"You all know the rules. Shuck fast and well, and we'll finish real quick. Find a red ear and you get to kiss anyone of yore choosin'." Ed whispered something in Asa's ear, and Asa held up his hands. "Wait a minute. It seems as though last time around we had a few folks not abidin' by the spirit of the rule. No kissin' yore kin anymore, lessen 'tis yore husband or wife. Now get shuckin'!"

No! Daisy briefly closed her eyes. Iff 'n I cain't give Jamie a kiss on the forehead, I'll be in a real fix. This here's whatcha call an impossible situation. Lord, please don't let me find a red ear!

She worked rapidly, tearing the green leaves off the cobs and pulling away the fine corn silk. People chitchatted back and forth as they worked, and Daisy was glad Bryce didn't require a lot of conversation. They kept shucking in companionable silence for a good hour or so before someone found the first red ear.

"I got one!" One of the Trevor twins waved a red cob in the air, and everyone stopped to watch.

"All right, son." Ed slapped him on the back. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Daisy watched Ted as he swaggered around the circle importantly before stopping. As the young man looked at Nessie, Daisy could've sworn she saw both of them flush. Nessie had already been married once. Her husband ran off on her, and after he'd been gone almost two years, she'd received word that he'd died.

Interesting. So one of the Trevor twins fancies Nessie. She's a good gal; she deserves to have a second husband after what she went through with the first. I wonder, since he'd run off so long ago, should Nessie have to observe a year's mourning? He'd already been missing longer'n that, after all.

Daisy kept her thoughts to herself. Truth to tell, it wasn't any of her business. She didn't like the idea of folks speculating about her and Bryce, though she knew it was unavoidable. Hopefully we cain keep it casual-like for a while yet.

Lost in her thoughts, Daisy hadn't realized how quiet it'd gotten. She looked down at the ear of corn she'd shucked out of pure habit. The contrary thing glowed red, and she was the last one to notice.

Oh no! What do I do? I ain't s'posed to kiss Jamie. I cain't kiss Bryce! He stared at her steadily, and Daisy felt like a fool. Why not? We're courtin' now. So what if folks jabber on about it?

She held the red ear up in the air before turning to Bryce. Daisy gave him a small smile and leaned in to kiss his cheek. Even though he'd shaved that morning, a slight shadow rasped against her lips, making them tingle at the contact. Up this close, she could smell the faintly spicy scent of his aftershave. She closed her eyes and breathed in his closeness before drawing away.

Bryce looked at her, smiling only enough to show that he was pleased. To everyone watching, he seemed glad to have been chosen but not ruffled by it. But Daisy saw a different story in his gaze. Those blue eyes gleamed with the grin he wouldn't show off, filling the moment with fire and promise.

A few catcalls and some applause sounded out as they always did, but Daisy didn't mind at all. Let them think what they will. I care for Bryce, and he cares for me. It wasn't a public spectacle, jist a show of affection.

With the most nerve-racking challenge of the day behind her, Daisy relaxed. The trees wore shades of gold and auburn as the autumn sun shone down upon them. Jamie's movements, alongside those of the other young children, didn't appear too jerky. They all struggled to shuck a few ears of corn, uncovering more giggles than anything else.

"I done got one!" Lily Cleary waved a red ear in the air, chin lifted in triumph. Daisy watched with interest. Lily had been no more'n a child when Daisy moved to Hawk's Fall. Was there a young gentleman she had her eye on? As the girl purposely made her way around the circle, Daisy thought she knew who it was.

I wonder which twin Lily fancies. Sh.o.r.e hope it's the one as didn't kiss Nessie. It's always nice when things work out like- Daisy felt her jaw drop as Lily stopped in front of Bryce.

What?

Chapter 18.

N ot me. Not me. Not me. Please keep walking, Lily. Bryce resisted the urge to lean back and howl in frustration as Lily Cleary, no doubt egged on by her mother, put her hands on his shoulders, leaning close for a kiss-a kiss on the lips that lasted far, far too long in Bryce's estimation. When Lily let go, Bryce wiped the back of his neck, wishing he could wipe his mouth. Then he snuck a glance at Daisy.

He'd seen her eyes widen in shock when Lily stopped in front of him, but now her face was blank. Should I be relieved that she's not upset or disappointed? It would help things if Lily would go back to her mama, so I could think about how to fix this. Bryce looked at Daisy to see if her expression had changed. Nope. But wait. Something about the set of her jaw...

Daisy's clenching her teeth! She's not unaffected by Lily's ploy. Bryce bit back a grin. He'd rather ease a little pang of jealousy than try to create emotion where none resided. He remembered her tentative kiss, Daisy's soft lips lightly grazing his cheek. She kissed me, and she's not happy that Lily did, too.

Well, don't you worry, sweetheart. Bryce tried to send the message without speaking. He didn't want to embarra.s.s her. There's only one woman I'm staying in Salt Lick Holler for. Something in his face must've rea.s.sured her, because her jaw loosened, and she gave him a barely perceptible nod. Then we understand each other. It's a good start.

The day pa.s.sed, the piles of unshucked corn growing smaller while the corncribs strained to hold their bounty. Everybody took a leisurely lunch before getting back to the work at hand. A plentiful harvest this year meant that the fun and games would be postponed.

A short while later, Otis Nye stood up. "Got to stretch these ole legs of mine," he muttered. "Rheumatiz."

Bryce didn't pay him much mind until cheers erupted from the crowd. He looked up to find out what all the fuss was about.

Otis Nye straightened up from bussing Miz Willow's cheek. He wore a self-satisfied grin on his craggy face as he walked back to his seat and reached for another ear of corn.

Miz Willow blushed scarlet, eyes wide in surprise. She lifted her hand to touch her cheek before she realized everybody was watching. "What's so interestin'? Get back to work." She grabbed more corn and got to shucking. For the rest of the afternoon, everyone snuck glances at wily old Otis Nye, but he stayed put as the day wore on.

"I gots another one!" Lily Cleary crowed, looking straight at Bryce.

Oh, no you don't, Bryce glowered. Don't even think about trying that again. No matter how much your mama pushes you toward me, it won't do any good. I've already found a woman.

"Lily Cleary, you set back down this minute." Miz Willow's voice cracked through the circle with the force of a whip. "I done saw yore mama pa.s.s you that there corn. Shame on the both of you."

"Cain't get anything past Miz Willow!" someone called out.

"How cain you say such a thang, Willomena?" Bethilda Cleary puffed up like a riled peahen.

"I cain say it 'cuz I seen it." Miz Willow didn't give an inch, and Bryce's affection for the old woman grew. She's a fine woman, that Willomena Hendrick.

"Don't get all het up, Bethilda." Ed Trevor intervened with a jaunty step. "Fair's fair. It's yore corn, and you do the kissin'."

A sour look crossed Bethilda Cleary's face as she sought out her husband.

"Good to see you, darlin'!" Ed Cleary waggled his brows at his wife as she stood on tiptoe. He swiftly turned his head so her demure peck on the cheek became a full-blown buss on the lips.

"Ed!" Bethilda blushed scarlet and scurried back to her daughters, but she no longer wore a frown. It was obvious that she cared more for her husband than she liked to let on. Ed's mischief had relieved the tension in the air and gotten a chuckle at his wife's foibles.

Bryce laughed along with everyone else but started working double-time. The day was almost over, and he had a goal to reach. Come on, one of these things has to be red....

"I've decided not to go to Louisville, Logan," Bryce announced a week later.

"Why not, Bryce?"

"Bad timing. If I go to Louisville with you," Bryce reasoned, "I'll be missing the last days before snowfall."

"That's right." A knowing look pa.s.sed across Logan's face. "I should've guessed you'd want to be here with Daisy."