Because of Rebecca

chapter Seven

Ancil Gordon found himself enthralled with the bewitching woman sitting across from him at the breakfast table. His first impression of Josephine Davis had not been favorable when he rushed to the Bakersfield hotel when they met. He’d found her prim and extremely tense. In fact, looking back, he’d have to say his behavior toward her had been downright rude. Yet, something he’d said must have made an impression to cause such a remarkable transformation in her.

He now saw a beguiling creature he couldn’t take his eyes off. The tension around her mouth was no longer evident and her harsh expressions had softened. She smiled and her violet eyes twinkled. She laughed and his weary heart beat with a new passion.

He found his reaction to her startling. Instead of putting distance between them, he wanted to draw her near. He wanted to learn what had made her frosty cocoon melt away.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying your service to the ladies’ auxiliary,” he said, lifting the coffee cup. He took a slow sip and watched her over the rim.

She poured cream and sugar in her cup. “A finer group of ladies I haven’t met. They’ve taken me in as one of their own. You don’t often find that kind of acceptance. It’s a true testament to southern hospitality.”

“I’m sure Constance would enjoy hearing your opinion. She’s devoted many years to the group.”

“I can tell the organization would fall apart without her instruction,” Josephine said.

He noted a forced smile on her lips as she spoke. He’d seen that smile before whenever he’d mentioned Constance to her. Could Josephine be jealous of Constance?

Ancil pondered the notion, reaching for another biscuit. Surely he was wrong.

“Sorry to have taken so long.” Jared stopped before his chair and shot the Paxton girls a look of disappointment. “You started without me?”

A peal of giggles rippled from them. Each sported a milk mustache above their upper lips. Their blond heads bobbed.

Ancil half-grinned. They were quite adorable. He’d missed out on the chance to have a family, devoting himself to his profession. Being a doctor didn’t give much time for a man to pursue a personal life. He’d learned that the hard way almost fifteen years ago. No woman wanted to play second fiddle to the sick. She wanted a man who’d be home every night, all night, to warm her bed. A man who wouldn’t miss their engagement party because he attended an ailing widow’s deathbed.

He looked back at Josephine, wondering if she’d tolerate the demands on a doctor’s life. She appeared too practical with her charity work to not understand the call of his profession, but could he take the chance to find out for himself?

He slowly breathed in the aroma of fresh coffee and lemon verbena. He’d noticed both Miss Davises favored the fragrance. Looking up, he admired how the color of Josephine’s dress complemented her beauty. His gaze locked with hers. He expected her to look away. Instead, her eyes twinkled over her cup, her mouth’s curve suggested a smile.

Unexpected heat crept up his neck and the collar of his shirt felt tight. Unsettled, he set his cup down rather hard, spilling the liquid on his hand and the tablecloth.

“Doctor Gordon, hold still and I’ll get that for you.” Mary pulled a dishtowel from her apron band as she brought in Jared’s hot plate of food.

“Did you burn yourself, Ancil?” Josephine asked, using his Christian name. Was it a slip? Or did she do it on purpose?

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” Annoyed at his clumsiness, he shooed Mary away and stood. “Thank you for breakfast, Jared. Ladies, I’ve enjoyed your company.” He looked at Josephine again and held her gaze longer than he should before speaking. “Perhaps I’ll see you at Midday service again, Josephine. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on Isabella and the babe before heading back to town.”

Nodding, Josephine watched the doctor leave, and silently exhaled. He’d called her by her Christian name. Never had she found the sound of her name more lyrical than when he spoke it.

“Would you like more coffee, Miss Davis?” Mary asked, drawing her attention away from her thoughts.

“No, thank you. I believe I’ve had enough.” Josephine sat back in her chair, clasped her hands in her lap and relaxed. She watched the young girls enjoy their breakfast. The oldest, Harmony, reminded her of Mariah at that age.

She sighed, and continued to watch the girls until Mary shooed them off to the kitchen to help make cookies, leaving the adults alone. Emptiness filled Josephine when they left and she realized she missed Mariah dearly. The poor girl had lost her life too young without learning the truth. A truth Josephine wasn’t certain she could ever confess.

Shaking her head, she turned her attention where Rebecca and Mr. Hollingsworth were exchanging quiet conversation on the other end of the table.

“Mr. Hollingsworth, I noticed you have a lovely flower garden. Would you mind terribly if I leave you and Rebecca to finish your breakfast and go for a walk?”

Jared looked up and smiled. “Please feel free to enjoy the garden to your heart’s content, Miss Davis. We’ll join you shortly.”

“Thank you.” Josephine stood and touched Rebecca on the shoulder before she left them.

Once her aunt was out of the room, Rebecca covered her sudden laugh with her hand.

“What’s so funny?” Jared asked.

“I think my aunt is smitten,” she said in a low voice.

“Smitten?” He frowned.

“With Doctor Gordon.”

“Ancil Gordon?”

“Yes.” Rebecca held in her exasperation. “Haven’t you noticed a difference in her since you first met her?”

He nodded. “Yes, but I thought it was because her headaches had gone away. I never would have imagined she fancied Doctor Gordon.”

“I know. Isn’t it miraculous?”

He furrowed his brows. “Do you think the feeling is mutual?”

Rebecca toyed with her napkin. “I’m not sure. Didn’t you see him watching her over his coffee cup?”

“You mean to say you were spying on them?” Jared’s warm smile was infectious and she returned it with one of her own.

“Of course,” she admitted. “She is my aunt. She’s lived a guarded life for far too long. I’d hate to see her feelings hurt the first time she’s ever allowed herself to show interest in a male companion that I know.”

“As would I.” He covered her hand with his own. The heat from his touch radiated up her arm and filled her chest with warmth. Their eyes met and he held her gaze with his own far longer than he should.

Rebecca felt her cheeks flush warm and she looked away lest he see the effect his touch, both physical and visual, had on her. She didn’t understand the perplexing effect he had on her either. Sometimes she felt as if she’d burn to an ember on the inside from an innocent touch or glance.

Jared pushed his chair away from the table. “Would you like to have a tour of the house?”

“Yes,” she said far too eagerly, but she...they...needed a distraction, if he felt anything like she did when they were alone.

She waited as he stood, pulled back her chair, and offered her his arm before leading her into the foyer. His golden hair still hung in wet curls around the collar of his crisp white shirt. Standing this close she could not help but inhale the clean, spiced soap scent and heat threatened to flame her cheeks once more as she imagined him in his bath.

“Let’s start upstairs. I’d like to show you the library. It was my mother’s favorite room in the house. She loved to read. The shelves are stocked with all her first editions of the classics.”

Rebecca smiled, her heart beating faster with each step. She naughtily thought about him bathing, water glistening on his rock hard body. Even though he was dressed, she couldn’t stop sneaking a look at him. She imagined his skin was just as tanned underneath his clothing as above. He no doubt removed his shirt when working in the hot fields, letting the sun bake him. Her desire to touch him was strong. Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat a little faster.

She missed her footing on the next step and stumbled forward, but he caught her, helping her right herself.

“Are you all right?” he asked when they reached the landing.

Embarrassed, she looked away and nodded. She didn’t understand what made her lose all propriety when she was around him. They’d just met, but she’d simply die if he didn’t feel anything for her. She felt like a silly goose allowing herself to hope that he did. She stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his chest.

He blinked and she saw the surprise in his eyes that she’d touched him.

“Do you like me, Jared?”

Her unexpected touch seared his flesh and he hesitated a moment trying to read her thoughts before he answered. “Yes. I like you. Why do you ask?”

He could feel the rise and fall of her breasts as she stood so close to him. Her emerald eyes were dark and her lips were pink, inviting him to taste them if he dared.

My God yes, I like you. Inwardly he groaned, but did he dare to confess his desire to her?

“Come with me.” He entwined his fingers with hers and led her quickly into the library past the many bookshelves of leather bound volumes. He walked over to an alcove for privacy. Turning around, he pulled her close until she was pressed against him. “I like you far more than I should for the time I’ve known you, Rebecca.”

She swallowed. “You do?”

With his free hand he cupped her cheek, caressing it gently. He rubbed the pad of his rough thumb over her lips. They trembled in response and he lowered his head, nibbling at her mouth with small kisses until she responded in kind. Without warning, he parted her lips with his tongue and captured her mouth, exploring its depths.

Her hand crept up his arm to his neck, holding his head so he couldn’t pull away. Her fingers speared through his damp hair, sending shivers down his spine.

His body hardened and he groaned, pulling away before he lost his head completely. He walked toward the French doors on the opposite side of the library afraid she might see what had started out as an innocent kiss had done to him. He didn’t want to frighten her, or make her think he was on the verge of losing control.

Startled by her reckless behavior, Rebecca calmed her breathing and admired Jared as he stood facing the French doors. She didn’t know what had gotten into her asking such a question. But she’d received her answer. It frightened—yet excited her—that he felt the same about her after only meeting a few days ago.

She smiled and wondered if it could finally be happening for her. Had she met the man with whom she’d spend the rest of her life?

Still staring at him, she noticed how nicely he filled out his clothes and her naughty mind went to wandering again. She recalled his kiss and her knees trembled. She never imagined a kiss could drain her of her strength. But then, she’d never kissed a man before, and not just any man, a man like Jared Hollingsworth.

You’re supposed to be a widow. A widow with a child who has had experience kissing a husband, sharing his bed, making love to him and bearing him a child.

Silently, she groaned at the thought of her lie to Jared and she worried that she’d revealed herself by her reaction to his kiss. Had that been the reason he’d pulled away? Had he suspected her inexperience?

As if sensing she stared at him, he turned and held out his hand to her. She walked toward him, moistening her bruised lips with the tip of her tongue. He pulled her close against his chest, lifting her hand to his mouth. He brushed his lips across her knuckles and shut his eyes.

Rebecca’s cheeks warmed. Was he as shaken by their kiss as she? Closing her eyes, she breathed in his manly scent. She wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of her life, but that was a dream. She couldn’t abandon Lucas.

What about Ruth? Have you forgotten about her?

Frustrated by the thought, she tensed. Why was getting this poor woman to her family becoming such a problem? Her attempts to complete the mission had been halted by one factor or another. He hadn’t even acknowledged her last missive. How much longer could she wait before pursuing the mission at hand?

She took a deep breath. “Jared?” Her voice cracked as she spoke his name.

“Yes?” He slowly opened his eyes. His warm smile of contentment nearly took her breath away.

“I think it’s time we started discussing our plans for Ruth. I must get her out of Jackson soon.”

His brows furrowed and he stepped away from her. “I’ll do anything for you, Rebecca, but I really don’t see how I can help you with this.”

“You don’t?”

He shook his head, opened the French doors and walked out onto the upper verandah. He glanced at her over his shoulder before he spoke again. “No.”

“B—but—” His words made no sense. How couldn’t he help her with the mission? He was her liaison after all, wasn’t he?

With the force of a bolt of lightning realization dawned and she felt a sickly churning form in her stomach. She thought back to the first missive from her liaison. He’d said he’d be in touch and he’d be wearing a yellow rose.

Jared had worn a yellow rose, so why had he never discussed the mission with her? She’d been the one to initiate talk of Ruth and it had led to nothing.

The churning in her stomach tightened and she couldn’t breathe. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come. The horror written on her face reflected in his eyes and she knew her knees would buckle underneath her.

Oh my God! He’s not Hollingsworth. He’s not my liaison. What have I done?

She’d wasted all this time, possibly putting Ruth and her real liaison in danger. Bile filled Rebecca’s mouth as the thought of what could happen if they were caught during the transition. Her temples throbbed and she took a few deep, steadying breaths, which made her feel that much more light-headed. She swayed.

“Rebecca! Are you all right?” Jared caught her before she collapsed.

She laid her head against his chest and breathed in the spicy scent of him until she regained as much of her composure as possible. Tears of frustration formed in her eyes and she couldn’t stop them from streaming down her face. The committee had put their trust in her to complete this mission and she’d failed.

“No, no!” she cried.

“Rebecca, what is wrong?” The urgency in his voice made matters worse because she knew she couldn’t tell him the truth.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Jared, I must return to town at once.” She stepped out of his arms to the railing and looked down into the garden until she spotted her aunt near the rose bushes. “Aunt Josephine! Aunt Josephine! We must leave now.”

“Rebecca, what the devil is going on?” he demanded, coming up behind her.

She tried to smile, but failed. “I’m sorry to frighten you. But, I must return to town and take care of a matter immediately.”

“Does this have anything to do with Ruth?”

She nodded, stepping away from him. “Please don’t ask. I can’t explain.”

Jared watched as she turned and rushed from the library, disappearing down the hall.

What the hell had just happened?