Hunter's Prize (27 page)

They pulled into the Whitfield driveway and slid off their horses. Pearson gathered his reins and handed them to Theo. “I’m not ready to send them on their way just yet.”

Theo wrinkled his brow. “Why? Those slackers are deadweight.”

“They’re more valuable than that, buddy. They’re men who’ve led a hard life.” A little embarrassed, he stared over Theo’s shoulder. “I’m planning to ask them to church. Introduce them to Reverend Stroud.”

“What for?”

“Have you ever seen a couple of fellows who could use a fresh start any worse than Den and Charlie?”

Properly chastened, Theo hung his head. “Yes. You and me—before we received one.” He patted Pearson’s shoulder. “You’re a good man.”

Pearson chuckled. “I’m a starving man. Go tend these animals. I’ll find our hostess and plead for food.”

Theo struck out for the barn.

Pearson made his way around to the back of the house. Stamping his feet in the yard to rid his cuffs of lumpy clods, he tiptoed onto the porch and knocked at the screen door.

Delilah appeared, her mouth dropping wide at the sight of him. Humming low in her throat, she studied his muck-covered feet, filthy clothes, and mud-plastered hair. “Land sakes, Mr. Foster. What you done fell off into?” She shook her head. “And where is it, so’s I don’t fall in, too.”

Pearson grinned. “Don’t worry. Our mud hole is hours from here. You’d have to ride out there and fall in on purpose.” He nodded behind her. “If we promise to bathe first, do you suppose we could have a bite to eat?”

“Of course you can,” a singsong voice announced behind her. “We’ll fix you a late supper. I won’t have it any other way.” Delilah moved aside, and Priscilla took her place at the door. She raised the glasses hanging from a chain around her neck, and her startled gaze raked him head to toe. “Oh, but you’ll have to clean up real nice, Pearson.”

He held his arms out to the sides and laughed. “Are you saying I’m welcome as long as I leave the bottom of Caddo Lake outside?”

A prim smile puckered her lips. “That is exactly what I’m saying, young man.”

“Then I’d better get started. It could take awhile.”

He moved to bound off the porch, but she held up her hand. “Wait, son. I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you.”

He frowned. “With me?” Dread pricked his heart. Had Addie said something? “Shouldn’t I wash up first, ma’am?”

She peered behind her into the darkened hallway. “I’d rather speak my piece while we’re out here alone.” Reaching into a pocket on her skirt, she pulled out an envelope and tapped it with her finger. “I suppose you know what this is?”

He gulped. “I–I’m afraid not.” He gave her a furtive glance. “Should I?”

Whether he should or not, she didn’t bother to say. “This is the answer to the inquiry you made to Addie’s mother.” Turning her head to the side, she narrowed her eyes. “You know … the
special
request.”

A dragline snagged Pearson’s heart and plunged. He’d waited weeks for the answer. Now, when it didn’t matter anymore, Priscilla held it in her hand. He stared at the letter, speechless.

“I want you to know,” she whispered, “the decision about you has been left in my hands.”

“The decision?”

“About whether you’re a fit suitor for Addie.”

After what he’d done to her, Pearson felt the most qualified to decide, and the answer was no.

“Given the unusual circumstances, Mrs. McRae asked me to get to know you better and report back with my opinion.”

Two days ago, such an arrangement would’ve been the best possible outcome. Despite her quirks, Priscilla Whitfield seemed to genuinely like and respect Pearson. He felt confident she’d deliver a positive report to Addie’s mother.

Now, it wouldn’t matter. The girl wanted nothing to do with him, and he couldn’t blame her.

Priscilla tucked away the letter and clasped her hands. “So … I wasted no time in penning a prompt response, telling the McRaes that I’ve come to know you quite well and wholeheartedly offer my endorsement.” Beaming, she watched his face, clearly waiting for his response.

“Have you already mailed the letter, ma’am?”

Her bright smile lit up the back porch. “I have indeed. I sent my driver to town this afternoon. By now it’s on a northbound train, wheeling its way to Mississippi.”

The dragline dipped lower, hauling his busted heart deeper than Caddo Lake. Now, not only would Addie despise him, but her kind-hearted mother would know him for the cad he was.

Pearson backed off the porch. “Theo will have water heating by now. I’d best get a start on all this dirt.”

Flustered, she reached a faltering hand. “But … aren’t you going to say something?”

He nodded. “Thank you, Miss Whitfield. I appreciate your faith in me.”
However misplaced
.

Brightening, she waved. “Think nothing of it. I wish you and Addie the best possible outcome.” She turned to go inside then paused. “Hurry, if you can. I’m sure Delilah’s already setting the table.”

His big feet hauled him to a stop. Gripping his forehead, he drew a ragged breath. “Um, on second thought, I’m not feeling so well. I’ll just send Theo over, if you don’t mind.”

The screen squeaked shut, and she hustled to the edge of the porch. “Are you all right, dear? Shall I call a doctor?”

“I’ll be fine.”

She clucked through thin lips. “Are you certain? Just minutes ago you were anxious to eat.”

“Too much sun, I suppose. Please don’t fret.”

She sighed. “Very well, if you’re sure. I’ll send something out with Theo, in case you change your mind.”

“Thank you.”

“If I don’t see you again, have a nice night.” She touched the back of her hand to her chin, and her blush seemed to glow in the dim light. “Considering the good news about courting Addie, I trust you’ll have pleasant dreams.”

Pearson scowled in the approaching darkness. By rights, his dreams should be agreeable, since his waking hours had turned to a nightmare.

I
n the three days following the arrival of Mother’s letter, Addie, Pearson, and Priscilla tiptoed about one another in a dance to rival Anna Pavlova’s dying swan, though not nearly as graceful. Addie and Pearson took great care to avoid being alone. Priscilla, blushing and smiling, seemed determined not to miss anything should the courting commence.

Shared meals in the dining room were intolerable. Addie abandoned the back porch swing, her favorite spot, in favor of a private haven on the opposite side of the house—a wicker chair tucked into a corner of the front porch. Seated there in the late morning hours, she watched the antics of a pair of mating squirrels racing along limbs and bounding off knobby pine trunks.

Addie could learn a few tips on the art of wooing a man from the feisty little female. The moment her pursuer’s interest in the chase seemed to wane, she’d rise high on her haunches and swish her bushy tail until she caught his eye again. Then off they’d go in their frantic chase, madly chattering.

Addie sighed. Why were matters of the heart so less complicated in the animal kingdom?

Dark-bellied clouds rolled in overhead, and lightning struck in the distance. Perhaps the approaching storm would postpone Pearson’s workday at the lake and bring him home. Questioning why she cared,she decided the time had come to find the answer.

The very first day she’d met Pearson, when his hand closed over hers on the handle of her luggage, a fierce attraction fired in her heart. From that point on, her emotions raced out of control. No matter how diligently she tried to resist, his rumbling voice and handsome face invaded her thoughts.

She’d heard of such things in whispered conversations with other girls, her closest friend, Hope Moony, for instance. When Hope’s beau began to court her, she burned Addie’s ears with tales of stolen kisses and tender glances.

Remembering how hard Pearson had tried to woo her, and how determined she’d been to misjudge his efforts, Addie’s conscience ached. No wonder he’d resorted to childish and rude behavior.

Far less experienced than the little female squirrel, Addie had bungled any chance of a beautiful romance. Instead of displaying her feminine wiles, she’d thrown acorns.

Sliding forward in her chair, she gripped the arms. Was it too late? Surely, despite the aloofness he displayed toward her lately, he had to feel a spark of his original interest. If Addie swished fast enough, could she fan the spark to a flame?

The steady clop of hooves drew her gaze. Just as she guessed, Theo and Pearson rode up the front drive and disappeared around the side of the house.

Addie stood, determination surging up her spine. The little squirrel had stretched high on her haunches until her mate found her. Addie didn’t know if Pearson could forgive her, but part of standing tall so he might see her again would start by offering an apology.

Theo rubbed his shoulder. “I told you rain was coming. If you’d listened to my stiff joints, we could’ve slept longer.”

Laughing, Pearson braced his foot in the stirrup and slid to the ground. “I thought only old men predicted the weather with aches and pains.”

Theo dismounted. “Old bones or old injuries, they work the same.” His head jerked up, his eyes wide as he stared over Pearson’s saddle.

Pearson’s fingers, loosening the strap on his saddlebag, stilled. “Is someone standing behind me?”

Theo nodded. “She will be in five, four, three, two … hello, Addie.”

The last person Pearson expected. He swiveled on his heel.

Addie stood with her hands behind her back, her pale features carved in flint. “May I speak with you for one minute, Pearson?”

Anger he thought had cooled flared in his belly. “One? I suppose I can spare that.”

Her slight wince shamed him.

“I mean, of course I can,” he said in a softer voice. “Just let me stable the horse.”

“I’ll take him,” Theo offered, reaching for the reins.

Pearson bowed to Addie and gestured toward the house. “In that case …”

Addie took the lead. Lifting her ruffled hem past her tiny shoes and stocking-covered ankles, she gracefully navigated the stone path to the porch.

Pearson followed her up the steps, surprised when she perched delicately on the swing and patted the seat beside her. He dutifully sat, trying hard in his confusion not to gawk at her.

She took a deep breath and faced him. “I’ll get right to it.” Her breath quickened, and her hands twisted in her lap. Despite her declaration, she couldn’t seem to get right to anything.

“Pearson …”

He shifted in the seat, bracing the dizzying motion of the swing with his feet. “Yes?”

Gently rocking, she nibbled on her bottom lip and stared with frightened eyes. “I owe you an apology. I misjudged you, insulted you, and accused you of unspeakable behavior, all without just cause. I based my suspicions on how things appeared, not how they really were. I made decisions about you without thinking them through.” Her pretty chin trembled. “From the second we met, I cast moral judgment based solely on your appearance instead of what was in your heart.” She shook her head. “I’ve behaved like a spoiled, willful child.”

Doubting his ears, Pearson stared.

Addie puckered her lips, working her mouth nervously. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

He sniffed. “What’s wrong with my appearance?”

Amusement shone from her eyes. She covered her mouth but couldn’t hide her smile. “After what I’ve done, that offends you the most?”

He cocked his head. “I suppose that seems vain.”

She chuckled. “Perhaps a touch.”

Pearson braced his arms on his knees and laced his fingers. “It’s just that”—he shot her a crooked grin—”my looks have never bothered a lady before.” He left off the part that, of all the ladies he’d ever known, her opinion mattered most. He couldn’t look at her pretty lips still twitching, glee tucking deep dimples in her cheeks, without laughing. “Addie, it’s easy to defend my honor, because I’ve never acted dishonorably with a married woman.” He lifted a strand of his hair. “Not so easy to defend this.”

Drawing in her shoulders, she shrank against the seat. “I never said I found your appearance unpleasant.” Her shy smile surprised him. “Quite the contrary.”

His spirits soared. “Really?”

She nodded.

They sat together, both blushing, both fighting silly grins.

Pearson broke the silence. “You heard from your mother, then.”

Her pink-tinged cheeks flamed red. “Yes.” She stared at her fingers, twisting in her lap. “And you were right.” She buried her face in her hands. “I’m very embarrassed.”

He longed to pat her shoulder. “Don’t be. I say we put the whole thing behind us. Forget it ever happened.”

She made fists in the folds of her skirt again and looked away. “Because we both live on the grounds, and we’re forced to take our meals together?” She nodded. “I suppose a truce would make life easier.”

Pearson gently touched Addie’s arm, and she lifted her chin. Uncertainty danced in her eyes. “No, Adelina Viola McRae. I want to forget because I still want to court you, and if you say yes, life won’t just be easier. It may never be the same.”