Hunter's Prize (25 page)

Awed by the display, Addie ran her fingers down the page. “They’re a perfect match.” She paused. “Except for this one.” She pointed at the rough white stone at the end of the second row and laughed. “You could never mistake this old thing for a diamond.”

Leaning to peer where Addie pointed, Delilah snorted. “Lordy, I s’pose not. Looks like it come off a crick bottom.”

Ceddy sat up and swiped his arm across the picture, raking his handiwork into a jumbled pile. Patiently, one by one, he picked them up and started over making the rows.

“What on earth?” Addie said.

Delilah glanced at her. “Don’t that beat all? Left to it, he gon’ do that over and over all day long.”

As she watched him, sadness nearly brought Addie to tears. “Why do you suppose he does it?”

“Why Little Man do anything he do, Miss Addie? In six years working for the Whitfields, I never saw no rhyme or reason to the boy.” She lifted the handle of the bucket and crossed to the door. “I finally decided to accept him like he be.”

Once she’d gone, Addie returned her attention to Ceddy, still drawn into his obsessive game. Wasn’t acceptance what all living souls craved?

In her initial interview, Priscilla said Ceddy’s mother made the decision to stop chasing miracles and accept her son as he was. She shared how the boy relaxed and flourished in an atmosphere of love and approval.

Chewing her thumbnail, Addie pondered this truth in comparison to the ways in which she felt led to help him through mental stimulation and dietary changes. In doing so, was she going against the express wishes of his mother?

Ceddy took a long, lazy glance from the Bible to his pile of stones, his lowered lashes and the dreamy look in his eyes signaling the onset of a morning nap. Giving in, he folded his arm beneath his head and released a sleepy sigh.

His innocence and beauty stirred powerful emotions in Addie’s heart. Couldn’t she be a source of unconditional love
and
a teacher and guide devoted to a better life for him?

With gentle fingers, she smoothed the silky hair off his forehead and prayed for wisdom. More than anything else in the world, she longed to see him soar.

A
fter two irksome weeks of hammering, loud men’s voices, wagons rumbling past the windows, and a hectic breakfast table, the servants’ quarters rose from the rubble and ascended to their former glory—at least according to Priscilla.

Amid the chaos of construction, Addie and Pearson waged a war of sorts, he bent on childish taunting and she pretending to pay him no mind, but ignoring him became harder every day.

In the years since she’d first noticed an attraction to the opposite gender, Pearson Foster—an impossible candidate for suitor—attracted her the most. It seemed a terrible injustice.

Avoiding him had been the only help for Addie’s frustrating affliction. Once he moved his belongings into the little house outside her bedroom window, an event scheduled to happen any minute, she’d have to scramble for another solution.

As if on cue, a rig rolled around the side of the house and pulled up to the refurbished dwellings. Addie tried to look away, struggled to move from the window. Instead, she stepped aside and peeked from behind the curtain.

Pearson lowered his long-legged body to the ground, stretched like a bear emerging from its winter lair, and yawned indelicately.

Theo spoke from the driver’s seat, drawing his attention.

Lit by the morning sun, Pearson’s upraised face was, without question, the most glorious sight she’d ever seen.

She imagined her mother’s voice, the way it sounded when she scolded.
“Adelina Viola McRae! What are you thinking?”

She stiffened her spine. “Mother, I do not know!” Clenching her fists, she whirled and stalked from the room.

Priscilla met her on the stairs. “There you are. Don’t fret about being late. Ceddy’s already washed and fed. Delilah’s with him in his grandfather’s den.” She smiled. “He has her scaling that monstrous ladder bringing down books.” Her smile became a chuckle. “Last I saw of her was the ruffled hem of her bloomers.”

Sidling past, Addie laughed, too. “I’ll go and rescue her.”

Priscilla caught her sleeve. “They’re fine for now. Breakfast is waiting.”

Blast
, Addie thought. She’d nearly made good her escape.

“Pearson and Theo are here,” Priscilla continued. “They’re unloading their belongings out back, and then they’ll be joining us.”

Addie shuffled her feet. “Um … I’m really not hungry this morning.”

As if she found the concept astounding, Priscilla drew back and stared. “Of course you’re hungry. Breakfast is very important, dear. How do you expect to chase after Ceddy all morning on an empty stomach?” Taking her by the shoulders, Priscilla nudged her gently into motion. “March into the dining room, young lady. We’ll have no more such talk.”

They reached the bottom of the stairs as the screen squealed open and footsteps sounded in the back hall. Addie’s stomach churned.

Rounding the corner, Theo smiled a greeting. “We came right in without knocking, just like you said, ma’am.”

Priscilla nodded. “You did exactly right. Come along; the table is spread.”

Pearson smirked at Addie over Priscilla’s head. “Good morning, Miss McRae. I trust you slept well.”

Addie held his mocking gaze. “A clear conscience brings peaceful rest, Mr. Foster.” She flounced in front of him and fell in behind Priscilla and Theo.

“What kind of rest does a judgmental spirit bring?” Pearson whispered, trailing close on her heels.

Gritting her teeth, she took her usual place at the table, praying he would sit anywhere but at her side.

Answering her prayer, Theo slid into the next chair, and Pearson sat across from her. She immediately regretted her rash request. Seated in a position where he could watch her every move was infinitely worse.

Priscilla asked the blessing then shook out her napkin. “How are you finding your accommodations, gentlemen? I trust you’ll be comfortable.”

Pearson shifted his intrusive gaze from Addie to her, his expression softening. “You’ve provided us all the comforts of home, ma’am. I’m not sure how we’ll ever thank you.” He lifted his brows, sincerity shining from his eyes. “I insist you allow us to pay something for room and board.”

She smiled. “Nonsense. The hard work you put into the reconstruction more than pays for your stay.”

Pearson opened his hands to take in the bountiful breakfast. “But all this …”

“It’s my pleasure, dear.” She handed him a platter of crispy bacon. “You can thank me by eating hearty. Since my brother passed, I’ve missed having a hungry man to feed.”

Theo leaned across the table and took the tray from Pearson. “Look no further for a big appetite, ma’am. I’ll be happy to oblige.”

Amused by his enthusiasm, Addie shot him a bright smile.

Grinning around stuffed cheeks, Theo winked. A muffled ruckus stirred under the table, and Theo’s eyes widened. He gulped his bite of food and frowned at Pearson. “Easy, paisan. Take care with those big clumsy feet.”

The picture of innocence, Pearson ducked his head. “My apologies, friend.”

Watching the scene unfold, Addie frowned. Unlike the last time Pearson reacted to her interest in Theo, it didn’t appear he disapproved of her as a possible match for his friend. If she didn’t know better, if it wasn’t an impossible conclusion, it would seem like Pearson was jealous of Theo. She shook her head to clear the unsettling thought.

“Are you all right, Addie?” Priscilla asked. “You’ve gone a bit pale.”

Addie blushed and dropped her gaze to her plate. “Yes, ma’am. I’m fine.” She stole a peek at Pearson.

He watched her with guarded eyes.

The rest of breakfast passed without incident. Pearson’s and Theo’s appetites didn’t disappoint. Between them, they ate enough for four men.

Priscilla and Theo launched into a discussion about the wallpaper pattern she had planned for his room. Before Addie could catch her breath, the two excused themselves and left the dining room, still chattering about the appropriateness of flowers for a gentleman’s boudoir.

Dabbing honey on a biscuit for which she had no appetite, Addie carefully avoided looking at Pearson—until the toe of his boot tapped her ankle. She tucked her legs beneath her chair then glanced up. “First Theo, now me? His comment on the size of your feet may be justified.”

Crossing his arms, he settled against the chair and shrugged. “It does take a lot of leather to cover them, I suppose.”

She squirmed to the side. “Since you’re aware of their considerable range, kindly confine them to your side of the table.”

“I’ll confine my feet if you’ll contain your icy disposition. I’m getting a chill over here.”

Addie sat upright. “You are without question the most insufferable man I’ve ever known.”

“Oh really?” He cocked his head. “Then why do you find my company so pleasurable?”

She suppressed a shriek. “I don’t find your company pleasurable in the least.”

A smile twitched his lips. “Yes, you do.”

Addie shot to her feet. “How dare you?”

“What? Tell the truth? I’m an honest man, Miss McRae, with myself and others. It might be time you do the same.”

She gaped.

“I’m also a busy man. I don’t have time for deception.”

She gripped her napkin so tightly her knuckles ached. “You’re confusing our roles, Mr. Foster. I haven’t deceived anyone.”

Leaning forward in his chair, Pearson pinned her with solemn eyes. “If you believe that, you deceive yourself most of all. If you don’t enjoy my company, you’d have left the table the minute Miss Priscilla left the room.” He waved his arm. “Do you see anyone left to impress with your painstaking show of false manners?”

Chest heaving, she couldn’t speak.

His gaze intensified. “Tell me … if you dislike me so much, why are you still sitting here with me, playing with food you don’t intend to eat?”

Sick with fury, Addie stalked around the table, unsure until the last second whether she was going for his eyes with her nails or heading for the door.

He caught her in the hall, his big hand closing on her wrist. “Addie, wait….”

“Let go of me.”

“Not until you listen.”

“To more insults?” She struggled, but his grip held her fast. “You have nothing more I want to hear.”

“I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I didn’t intend to go that far.” He released a labored breath. “Your silence has driven me crazy for weeks. I only tapped you with my boot to get you talking.”

Fighting tears, Addie refused to look at him. “Only you did most of the talking, didn’t you?”

He shook his head. “That wasn’t me. No more than the proud show you put on is the real you. Addie, you like me. I know you do.”

She seared him with a glance. “Now who’s deceiving themselves? Nothing could be further from the truth.” Jerking free, she ran for the stairs.

Pearson’s stomach twisted into knots. He’d set out to tease Addie, draw her out, but the game got out of hand.

He watched her climb to the second floor, her face averted, white knuckles gripping the rail, and a lump swelled in his throat. He longed to run after her, make her hear him out, but it was improper to go upstairs uninvited, and morally questionable to follow a lady to her bedroom.

Concerned about morals, sonny boy? After what you’ve just done?

Clenching his fists, he spun away from the stairwell and stalked to the back door.

The best he could do for Addie McRae was to steer clear of her. Given his strong feelings for the lady, it would prove a daunting challenge—even if he didn’t live in her backyard.

S
omehow Addie survived the twenty-four hours since Pearson’s humiliating display. She’d managed by avoiding him like an infectious plague the day before. He made it easier by staying gone all afternoon and then declining Priscilla’s invitation to dinner.

Arising early, she wasted hours of dread and a well-practiced speech intended for Priscilla should she try to force her to breakfast again. She’d gladly brave hunger, thirst, and whatever else was required to avoid Pearson Foster for the rest of her days.

Luckily, Pearson had a speech of his own prepared and left for the lake without crossing the yard to eat. Remembering Theo’s dejected scowl and slumped shoulders as the wagon rumbled from the yard, Addie felt a twinge of guilt and wondered where they were taking their meals.

“Adelina!” Priscilla’s shrill, panicked voice echoed through the house from behind the study door.

Addie swiveled on the kitchen stool and gaped at Delilah. “Oh my, she sounds distraught.”

Delilah’s eyes bulged with dread. Hurrying over, she yanked the fork from Addie’s hand. “You’d best run on. Last time she squealed like a butchering hog, the smokehouse be on fire.”

Ceddy, who’d been squirming through lessons on dining etiquette, moaned and flapped his hands.

“Calm him, please,” Addie called as she rushed from the room. Crossing the hall, she burst inside the study.

Priscilla sat behind her desk, her eyes wide, peering through her reading glasses at a sheet of paper. The off-white stationery with the pretty scalloped edges was Addie’s mother’s.