The Christmas Journey (23 page)

He laughed. “My dear, it would take a lifetime to explore the entire city. But we’ll see if we can show you the best parts.”

“That would be wonderful.” Josie couldn’t suppress the flutter of excitement. Aunt Pearl would be so proud of her.

“Since my grandson will be busy at the office tomorrow,” Mr. Wallace continued, “I would consider it an honor if you would allow an old gentleman like myself to show you around.”

Josie’s enthusiasm dimmed a bit. She’d expected Ry to be the one to show her around, to share in her discoveries. It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without him.

“That’s mighty kind of you, sir.” She turned to Ry. “But do you really need to get to work so soon? Couldn’t you join us for our first excursion?”

He shook his head regretfully. “Sorry, but I was away longer than expected. There’s work on my desk that’s already waited too long.”

Josie sat back. “If you’d like us to postpone—”

“Nonsense. No point wasting any of your time here.” Ry nodded toward the head of the table. “Besides, Grandfather knows more about Philadelphia than I do. I’ll join you another time.”

“That’s settled then.” Mr. Wallace cut into his steak. “There are some wonderful shops on Market Street. And there are museums and libraries we can visit, if you prefer. We can plan trips to Independence Hall and Washington Square for later in the week.”

Just listening to him name the places they would visit set Josie’s pulse racing again. It was too bad Ry wouldn’t be there to share it all.

Then she had another thought. Was he deliberately distancing himself? After all, it was one thing for him to spend time with her in Knotty Pine. But he was back in his world now. Did he see her as too countrified in these surroundings?

Maybe that was just as well. Didn’t she keep telling herself that she didn’t
want
his affections?

“How about you, young lady?” Mr. Wallace had turned to Viola. “Would you care to tour the city with Miss Wylie and me? I know a candy shop we can visit.”

Viola’s eyes widened. “Oh, yes, sir, that would be very nice.” Then she turned to Ry. “Won’t you be able to have any fun at all, Uncle Ry?”

Josie saw the concern on the child’s face. Amazing how close she and Ry had become in the short time they’d been together.

Before Ry could respond, his grandfather spoke up. “Of course he will. In fact, why don’t I purchase a pair of tickets to the theater for your Uncle Ry and Miss Wylie?” He glanced at Josie. “There’s a comedy playing at the Walnut Street Theater that I hear has been well received.”

“What about me?” Viola asked.

“Oh, I’m afraid it’ll be way past your bedtime.” Ry’s grandfather pointed with his fork. “But don’t worry. Brigit will keep you company.”

Viola turned to Ry. “Will you tuck me in when you get back?”

“I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t, Button.”

She nodded solemnly. “Me neither.”

That seemed to satisfy Viola, and the conversation moved on to small talk. Later, when the dessert course was brought out, Mr. Wallace studied it with a frown. “What’s this? I thought I requested a burnt custard for tonight.”

“It was my doing,” Ry explained. “Miss Wylie’s sister bakes fruitcakes that are absolutely superb.”

Mr. Wallace looked prepared to object, then seemed to think better of it. “Well then, let’s have a go at it.” With a smile, he took a large bite and his eyes widened in appreciation. “You weren’t exaggerating. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a fruitcake quite this delectable.” He raised a glass to Josie in salute. “My compliments to your sister.”

“Thank you. I’ll be certain to pass your compliment on to her.”

“You know, I’ll be hosting a small holiday gathering for the law firm’s staff. Do you think I could convince your sister to ship a few of these here? I’d pay her for them, of course.”

Josie waved a hand, dismissing his offer of payment. “I’m sure Cora Beth would be glad to oblige. But I can’t accept your money. Think of it as repayment for your hospitality.” It was a little thing, but it felt good to be on the giving rather than receiving end for a change.

The next afternoon, Ry headed straight to the nursery wing when he returned from the office. It had felt good to dive back into his work, but part of him had been distracted, wondering what Josie and Viola were doing.

“Uncle Ry!” Viola ran to greet him as soon as he entered the playroom. “We visited the most wonderful shops today.”

He stooped down to give her a quick hug. “Is that right?”

“Uh-huh. There was one that had nothing but candies. Shelves and shelves filled with chocolates and taffies and rock candies and, oh my goodness, everything!”

“Amazing.” He felt a little pang that he hadn’t been there to experience it with her.

“And the store next door had dolls and mechanical toys and music boxes.”

“I wish Danny and the girls had been with us,” Josie added. “They would have loved it.”

Ry smiled. Was Josie missing her family? “And did Aunt Josie find anything to catch her interest?” His question was directed at Viola, but he kept his gaze on Josie.

“Oh, she looked at some clothes and hats.” Apparently fashion did not rate as high on Viola’s list as did sweets and toys.

Josie laughed selfconsciously. “Your grandfather was kind
enough to introduce me to a lady at a very fancy dress shop.” She smoothed her skirt. “Mrs. Richoux was very polite, but I got the impression this dress doesn’t quite match what ladies here consider stylish.”

Ry fought back a frown. Was his grandfather trying to be helpful or make her feel out of place?

Viola crossed the room and took her hand. “I think your dress is real pretty, Aunt Josie.”

“As do I,” he chimed in.

“Well, thank you both.” Josie curtsied. “But I decided to splurge and get one nice new gown.” She gave Ry a selfconscious look. “I didn’t want to embarrass you when we went to the theater tonight.”

He took both her hands in his. “I would never be embarrassed to have you on my arm, no matter what you wore.” To his surprise, her cheeks pinkened, and a smile teased at her lips.

Perhaps he should offer her compliments more often.

That evening Ry decided Josie had made excellent use of her shopping time. When she came down the stairs in her new gown she looked absolutely radiant. The dark green fabric matched her eyes perfectly, and the elegant lines lent her a sophisticated air. But her most flattering accessory was the sparkle in her eyes and the flush of excitement in her cheeks.

There’d be more than one man tonight who would cast envious glances his way.

Josie rested her hand on Ry’s as he helped her into the carriage outside the theater. Truth be told, she could have floated in without any asstance whatsoever. The play had been wonderful, the elegantly dressed ladies and gents impressive, and the theater marvelous. And Ry had been flatteringly attentive, introducing her to his acquaintances with a touch of pride in his voice.

There was nothing to match this in Knotty Pine.

Ry settled into the seat across from her, an indulgent smile on his face. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”

Josie nodded. “It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.” She lightly touched his knee. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. I know this is old hat to you but to me it was magical.”

“There’s no one I’d rather have with me.”

She felt the light wool of his trousers under her hand and her cheeks heated with awareness. She removed her hand quickly, but the warmth of him remained on her fingertips. She shivered slightly, as much from some too-uncomfortable-to-explore emotion as from the temperature, but his smile immediately changed to a look of concern.

“You’re cold. Here, allow me.” He moved across the space to sit beside her, unfolding a lap blanket and settling it over her skirt. “How’s that?”

“Just right. Thank you.”

The carriage hit a rut in the road, throwing her against him. His arm reached out, encircling her protectively. For a moment they were so close their noses nearly touched. Their breath mingled, weaving an invisible cord that bound them together. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw his eyes darken. He stared into her eyes as if she knew some secret he was driven to learn…as if he couldn’t look away. As if she truly mattered to him.

The cord tightened and his face drew closer. He was going to kiss her.

And she was going to let him.

T
he kiss was warm, surprisingly gentle and absolutely unlike anything Josie had ever experienced. Everything else melted away. For this one moment in time she knew she was cherished and safe and part of something truly wonderful. She felt his strength as well as his restraint, his willingness to keep her safe against all harm, and most of all a tenderness that in no way equaled weakness, all channeled through that one marvelous kiss. It was a heady sensation that turned her whole world topsy-turvy.

When he drew back she wanted to cry out in protest. But his gaze captured hers again, intense, searching.

Was he looking for signs of outrage or regret? If so, he wouldn’t find any. Instead, she stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. The firm, rugged feel of it brought an appreciative smile to her lips.

With a strangled sound that was part growl, part her name, he captured her hand with his own and brought it to his lips. Then he smiled like a man who’d just conquered the world, and pulled her to him, tucking her head against his shoulder.

It felt like coming home.

Later, Josie lay in bed, too fidgety to sleep.

After that turn-my-world-upside-down kiss, the rest of the carriage ride had passed in pleasantly charged silence, as if both of them were afraid that speaking would shatter the perfection of the moment.

He’d accompanied her to the nursery wing just long enough to check on Viola, then parted with a squeeze of her hand, a chaste kiss on her cheek and a softly uttered good-night.

Now she stared at the shadowy ceiling, reliving that carriage ride, trying to figure out what it meant, how it affected her dreams and her future.

Because it
had
changed things. She could no longer deny her attraction to Ry, could no longer pretend she wanted him to marry Cora Beth.

But was she really ready to settle down, to give him the kind of wife he wanted, the kind of mother Viola needed? If not, if she needed more time, would he give it to her? Could she ask him to? He already had so much turmoil in his life—torn between Hawk’s Creek and Philadelphia, at odds with his brother, trying to be a father to a five-year-old who still grieved the loss of her parents—how could she add to that?

Her hand stole to her lips, feeling again the sweetness of his kiss. Who would have guessed that the mere joining of lips could stir such a hornet’s nest of emotions?

He had put so much tenderness, so much of himself into the gesture. Perhaps there really was a chance for them to be happy together, a way to combine their needs and dreams and build something altogether beautiful.

Philadelphia was a wondrous place. And there were other amazing places to see within a day’s ride. A person could live here for a very long time and find something new to do or see
nearly every day. Ry must see that, as well. Surely, when it came down to it, he would choose Philadelphia over Hawk’s Creek.

Maybe she could reshape her dream. Maybe she didn’t need to be in a rush to see the whole world. Maybe she should take time to really savor this one exciting piece of it for now.

Josie snuggled down under the covers, thinking that she could be quite happy with that.

As long as she had the right person to share it with.

Ry shrugged out of his coat and sat down to remove his boots.

Heaven help him, holding her had felt so good, so
right
. He could have held her like that forever. When she looked at him with those shining, trusting eyes he would have happily slain a dozen dragons for her. When she’d smiled with wonder in her eyes and stroked his cheek, he’d wanted to howl at the moon in sheer exuberance.

If nothing else, tonight had proven—to both of them—that she felt the strong tug of attraction between them, too. Because he was ready to admit that this was no longer about finding the right mother for Viola. He loved Josie, had for quite some time.

He wouldn’t fool himself that the battle was won. She’d held on to her dream too long to let it go overnight. But it was a start. And a solid one at that.

He was determined that by the time they returned to Knotty Pine for Christmas, she’d realize she needed something deeper, something richer, than experience for its own sake.

Josie woke the next morning to a cold dose of reality. What had she been thinking last night?

She groaned and buried her face in her pillow. That was the problem—she hadn’t been thinking, she’d been feeling.

If the two of them stayed here in Philadelphia, who would see to the livery? If he’d married her sister, he would have taken responsibility for her kids as well. And Danny and Uncle Grover were an extension of that. But it wasn’t the same thing at all if she and Ry got hitched. She couldn’t expect him to take on the whole clan just because he married her.

Oh, she had no doubt he’d send money to her family if she asked him to, but that wasn’t the kind of arrangement she wanted. And without her there to keep the livery running, her family wouldn’t have the means to support themselves.

She sat up and hugged her knees. There was no getting around it. She’d have to go back. Alone.

Ry belonged here. She’d seen how much his lawyering meant to him, how eager he’d been to get back to work almost as soon as they’d arrived.

Heavenly Father, I truly do appreciate You giving me this little taste of what the world outside Knotty Pine holds for me. It’s all I dreamed of and more. And I know it’s plumb selfish of me to want this and a life with Ry and Viola, too. But I just got to believe You put them in my life for a reason. Please, if it be Your will, help me find a way to make things work out for us.

Feeling only slightly better, Josie threw off the covers and got dressed.

How was she going to face Ry this morning? What was he thinking after that kiss? Had it affected him as much as it had her? On top of everything else, what if she’d read too much into it? Here she was, wondering how to answer a proposal that might not even come her way. After all, he was a man of the world. He’d likely kissed lots of girls. It didn’t mean he was ready to ask her to marry him.

When Brigit informed her Ry had already eaten and headed
out, Josie didn’t know whether to be relieved or insulted. Was he avoiding her? Did he have second thoughts about last night?

Then the young maid handed her a note, accompanied by a red rose, and Josie’s emotions took another swing.

She opened the note and couldn’t stop a smile. The handwriting was as bold and firm as the man himself.

Sorry I won’t be joining you for breakfast, but I wanted to get to the office early so I’d be able to spend time with you and Viola this afternoon. I’ll be back by two o’clock to take you out for a carriage ride.

Ry.

So she had a reprieve until this afternoon. Josie inhaled the scent of the rose and slowly walked toward Viola’s bedchamber.