Guide Me Home (9 page)

Devlin sent a glance over the assistant's clothes. He'd never seen such a ragtag getup. Reb could use the money to buy a new pair of trousers, a decent hat, or a jacket that fit. He found himself willing Reb to take the money.

But he backed away from the wagon, shaking his head. “Huh-uh. My daddy taught me not to take something I didn't earn.”

“Now, Reb—”

Another dust-stirring step in reverse brought Reb almost to the boardwalk. “You're the guide. You earn the tips. I don't want any of it. Not unless I've honestly earned it.”

Tolly stood. The wagon creaked, and the horses pranced in place, nickering. He planted his feet wide and glowered at the youth. “Reb, you gonna be this ornery fo'evuh? 'Cause if you is, I just might hafta find me a new 'sistant. You's tryin' my patience, fo' sure.”

Reb took one more backward step. The heel of his scuffed boot connected with the edge of the boardwalk. Devlin ducked out of the way as the man flailed his arms and then landed hard on his backside. His feet flew up, his head collided with the wooden walkway, and the battered hat popped free. Long, tangled waves of dark-brown hair spilled across the toes of Devlin's shoes.

He stared down in horror. This was no smooth-faced youth but a lovely young woman. And he'd been ungentlemanly enough to let her fall right at his feet. While he stared down at her, abashed and rueful, she looked up from her ungainly position and locked gazes with him. Her stunned expression changed to irritation.

Her brown eyes snapping, she stretched one hand toward him. “Well? Are you just going to stand there with your mouth hanging open, mister, or are you going to help me up?”

Rebekah

T
olly bounded to her side, coins flying in every direction, and gripped her hand between his. “Lawsy, Reb, is you all right?”

Truthfully, her head throbbed and her tailbone ached. But she'd never admit it. Not with the handsome gentleman with soft-looking curls the color of spun honey peeking from beneath the brim of his hat and eyes bluer than Daddy's gazing down at her. She struggled to sit, but the bulky jacket and the stabbing pain in her back hindered her. “I'm fine. Just get me up before anybody else sees me here like a turtle on its back.”

The gentleman bent down and gripped the shoulders of her jacket, lifting, while Tolly pulled her hand, and within seconds Rebekah stood on wobbly legs. She touched the knot forming on the back of her head and grimaced. Great-Granddaddy's hat hadn't provided much of a cushion.

“You sure you's all right?” Tolly looked as worried as a mother hen. “Mebbe I oughta take you to the estate doc, getcha some analgesic powduhs.”

Rebekah glanced at the guest, who hadn't budged from his spot near her left elbow. She wanted those analgesic powders, but she didn't want to seem like a crybaby to Tolly. Or to the handsome stranger. So she tossed her head, making her hair flow over her shoulders, and forced a dry laugh. “Nothing damaged but my pride.” She angled a look at the guest. “You can move on now. The performance is over.”

“Reb!” Tolly gawked at her.

Rebekah couldn't recall ever being so snide with someone. Especially someone she didn't even know. But this man's steady perusal was making her skin crawl. Or, more accurately, her flesh tingle. The reaction frightened her more than the unexpected tumble had.

A grin twitched at the corners of the man's lips, bringing a dimple into play on one smooth-shaven cheek. He stepped past Rebekah and held his hand to Tolly. “I believe I should introduce myself since you and I will be spending quite a bit of time together. I'm Devlin Bale from the University of Kentucky.”

Rebekah retrieved her hat and jammed it onto her head while Tolly gave Mr. Bale's hand a thorough pump. “Yessuh, yessuh, Mistuh Janin tol' me awhile back you'd be comin' an' that I was to take good care o' you when you got here. Glad to make yo' acquaintance, Mistuh Bale.”

“Call me Devlin, please.”

“All right, I will. An' you call me Tolly, same as ever'body else does.”

“Thank you, Tolly.”

Rebekah stood to the side and rubbed the base of her spine with both palms. She was probably going to be black and blue back there.

Tolly began gathering up his scattered coins. “ 'Course, Mistuh Janin, he done said you likely wouldn't be arrivin' 'til summuhtime. So I had end o' May or beginnin' o' June in my head to watch fo' you. But maybe the city colleges don't go as long as the schools in these here parts?”

Mr. Bale chuckled, a low rumble that sent butterflies dancing through Rebekah's stomach. “My professors allowed me early dismissal to begin my project. I apologize if my untimely arrival causes you any inconvenience.”

Tolly pocketed the last of the coins and stepped back onto the boardwalk, grinning. “No, suh, no inconvenience at all. I'll jus' let the othuh guides know they gots to pick up my tours 'til you finish yo' business. Me an' Reb”—he gestured her forward—“we'll take good care o' you, Devlin.”

Devlin turned his smile on Rebekah. Everything inside of her went fluttery. That bump on the head was affecting her more than she'd first realized. He removed his hat, bringing his thick, curly hair into full view. “Reb…Is that short for ‘Rebel'?”

Rebekah's face flamed. She ducked her head.

Tolly laughed, slapping his knee. “You's a card, Devlin, that be fo' sure. Rebel jus' might fit my 'sistant, seein' how she's decked out like a man an' bound to be stubborn headed. But no, this here is Rebekah Hardin. She only just hired on, finishin' up her first full month. She's done a right fine job, too, keepin' ever'body movin' along, even if she is jus' a slip of a girl.”

Tolly's praise made her cheeks burn even hotter. She inched away from the men. “Tolly, I'm going to my cabin. I need to put my hair up again.” She must look a sight with her stringy locks straggling down from Great-Granddaddy's hat.

“Getcha some lunch, too, an' then meet me back here at one thuhty fo' the two o'clock tour.” He pointed at her with his thick, blunt-tipped finger. “An' aftuh that you catch some rest. Don't want you ovuhdoin' aftuh that thump you took on the noggin.”

“Yes, sir.” She limped in the direction of the staff cabins.

Behind her, Devlin Bale's smooth voice called, “It was good to meet you, Miss Rebel. I look forward to working with you.”

Another flock of butterflies broke free and flittered through her chest. Her back and head throbbed with every clop of her boots against the ground, but Rebekah broke into a trot anyway. Devlin Bale was too handsome, too sure of himself, and too rich for the likes of a squatter's granddaughter, and she needed some time alone to remind herself of those facts.

Devlin

Why had he poked fun at her name and laughed at her? Any fool—and Devlin had never been called a fool—could see she was hurting by the way she pressed her hand to her back and moved stiffly. He'd behaved worse than a grammar school boy who strove to gain attention from a girl by punching her on the arm or stealing her hair ribbon. The next time he saw Rebel—Rebekah—Hardin, he'd make a sincere apology and hope she accepted it.

He turned from observing Miss Hardin's departure and caught Tolly Sandford scowling at him. Distrust glimmered in the man's dark eyes.

Devlin cleared his throat. “I, er, was on my way to the dining room. I suppose I should hurry on before they close the buffet.”

“Reckon so.” He folded his arms over his thick chest. “Just so y'know, none of us on staff take our meals wit' the guests.”

“So…”

“So don't be lookin' to eat wit' Reb.”

Devlin feigned surprise. “Why would I look to eat with Miss Re—Miss Hardin?”

Tolly raised one eyebrow.

Devlin straightened his shoulders and adopted the authoritative pose his father used in front of his classroom. “When will you be ready to accompany me to the cave? If you need a day or two to make arrangements, I'm not averse to waiting.”

The man scratched his cheek. “Well, this bein' Friday an' tomorruh Satuhday, an' the day aftuh that Sunday, when nobody goes to the cave, mebbe we should plan to start our workin' togethuh on Monday. That be agreeable to you, Devlin?”

By Monday his equipment would be here, and he'd be able to enjoy a couple of days exploring the grounds surrounding the estate. He smiled, relieved the man had regained his friendly demeanor. “Perfectly agreeable.”

“Good, good. I'll settle things wit' the othuh guides this evenin', an' Monday mornin' we'll git started with yo' mappin'. Mistuh Janin tol' me you'd likely take up the whole summuh, so sooner we git to it, the bettuh fo' you.” He shrugged, grimacing. “Gonna hafta be mindful o' the othuh tours, though—can't be interferin' wit' the pleasure o' the payin' guests. Mistuh Janin, he be real firm wit' me about that. So we need to stay outta the way o' groups comin' through or set out afore the tours start an' then go in again in the early evenin' when the tours be done fo' the day.” He squinted one eye. “You opposed to risin' early, Devlin?”

“How early?”

“First tour goes in at nine o'clock. So to beat 'em in an' out I'd say…mebbe…seven'd be good.”

He'd have time to eat breakfast before entering the cave. He nodded. “Seven sounds fine.”

“All right. You see that buildin' right there?” Tolly pointed to a nearby two-story structure with a railed observation platform on the flat roof. “Me 'n' Reb'll meet ya at the no'theast cornuh at seven Monday mornin'. You evuh been in a cave befo'?”

Devlin shook his head.

“It's somethin', I'll tell ya that. Mysterious. Mesmerizin'.”

Excitement quivered through Devlin's limbs. Tolly's statement combined with everything he'd read about the underground world made him itch to catch the next tour and witness every detail for himself.

Tolly sent a look up and down Devlin's length. “Them clothes o' yours are mighty fine fo' goin' to dinnuh an' such, but you's gonna need traipsin' clothes—like what Reb an' me is wearin'—fo' down unduh the ground. You got traipsin' clothes?”

Devlin held back a groan. Why hadn't he thought about bringing something other than suits? Neither he nor Father had considered that the inside of the cave would be dirty. But his letter from the cave's trustee had indicated laundry services were available. He'd choose his oldest suit and make it his “traipsing outfit.” He nodded.

Tolly continued to stare at him with one eye squinted. “Sturdy walkin' boots? Warm jacket? Gloves? An' a hat other'n one meant for a dandy?”

Devlin's scalp prickled. He happened to like his homburg.

“Not tryin' to aggravate ya, Devlin. I'd be no sort o' guide if I di'n't tell you how to be prepared.”

His irritation melted. He should appreciate the older man's straightforwardness. “Thank you for the warning. Is there a place to purchase clothing on the estate?”

“Hunt's sto'. That's where most o' us git our supplies an' such.”

“Are guests allowed to shop there?”

“Don't reckon the sto' owner'd refuse yo' money.”

Devlin nodded. “Very well. I'll acquire a heavy jacket, gloves, and a suitable hat before Monday's excursion.”

Tolly's face broke into a smile, his teeth a slash of white between his full pink lips. “Good, good. Now you go fetch yo'self some o' that buffet food. Me an' Reb'll see you first thing Monday mornin'.”