Chapter 1 #2
“Who knows why? I doubt you even know the reason. All I can surmise is that you’re a brainless baboon.”
He tipped up the brim of his hat and lifted his brows to reveal the annoying humor that lit his expression. “Baboon? What’s that?”
She huffed. “It’s a big, ugly monkey.”
“Could I be a brainless bear instead?”
“No. Bears are majestic creatures. Which you are not.” The conversation was playing out like so many of their exchanges.
She could see Mr. Gray’s attention bouncing back and forth between them as he tried to keep up with their volley of words.
His brow was furrowed, probably because he was concerned about the immaturity she was displaying with Beckett.
Yes, she could admit that most of the interactions between her and Beckett were petty, the way two squabbling siblings would act. He was just so infuriating that she couldn’t help herself.
With a sniff at Beckett, she returned her attention to her caller, needing to put an end to the bickering before Mr. Gray decided she was too infantile to marry. He was probably already questioning their age difference, and she’d likely just made him all the more concerned.
She took hold of his arm and led him across the porch.
He followed docilely as she hurried him down the stairs and the flagstone path toward his classy phaeton with its top folded back.
The pair of horses pulling the buggy had been waiting patiently and munching on the blue grama grass that was just starting to sprout.
The Noble Ranch was the largest cattle ranch in Summit County and the Blue River Valley in the high country of Colorado. Even a city dweller like herself could tell it was a fine ranch. Sterling Noble, her sister Violet’s newlywed husband, ran the ranch and was doing an exceptional job.
Hyacinth glanced in the direction of the large two-story house painted white and trimmed in black.
Violet and Sterling had gone up to their bedroom earlier in the afternoon, claiming to be tired and needing a nap.
That was just an excuse. Hyacinth had no doubt they were locked in each other’s arms and kissing as they did so often.
Hyacinth sighed as she paused in front of Mr. Gray’s phaeton. She didn’t begrudge her sister the love and happiness she’d found with Sterling.
The trouble was, Hyacinth didn’t belong on the ranch any longer. She never had belonged there, and with the passing of time, it was only becoming more apparent that she needed to take matters into her own hands and make a new life for herself.
She couldn’t keep depending on Violet to take care of her.
Even if Violet claimed that she wanted her there and couldn’t imagine life without her, Hyacinth knew better.
Sterling was enough for Violet. The two were perfect for each other and madly in love and always would be.
Violet didn’t need a sister anymore. Not when she had such an adoring husband.
Violet was also expecting a baby. Maybe Violet hadn’t yet figured it out, but Hyacinth knew because her sister had always been regular with her monthly courses and had missed it over the past week. There was also something different about Violet—a glow, a softness, a flush that was maternal.
Whatever the case, Hyacinth was ready to move away from the ranch and start a life of her own.
In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Noble were coming home soon from a trip in the East. Sterling’s sister Scarlet and brother Coleman would be accompanying them.
Coleman had graduated from law school and was coming back to the high country to be a lawyer there.
Jo-Jo, their maid, had accompanied them during their travels, and she would be returning too.
Hyacinth would no longer be needed for household chores. Not with Mrs. Noble and Scarlet there as well as Jo-Jo. With so many people living in the house, it would be crowded, and Hyacinth would feel more out of place than she already did.
As a single young woman, her best chance of moving away was to get married. So she’d started seeking out wealthy men in the area and narrowing down her choices. The number-one qualification was that they needed to be the opposite of her father.
Currently, Mr. Gray was her top choice, even with his revelation today that he couldn’t have children.
“Thank you for coming to call on me, Mr. Gray.” She released his arm and took a step back.
“It’s my pleasure.” Mr. Gray began untying his pair of fine black mares from the hitching post. “I always enjoy our time together and would cherish a lifetime of getting to spend every day with you.”
“And I feel the same.” She wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth about looking forward to spending every day with Mr. Gray. While he was kind, he was a tad boring. But the truth was, she’d take a boring husband any day over a gambler like her father.
Mr. Gray paused in front of her.
She could feel Beckett’s gaze upon them. Why couldn’t he leave her alone when suitors came to court her?
Mr. Gray cast a glance at Beckett, obviously noticing his attention too. “The ranch foreman does seem enamored with you, Miss Berkley.”
“Enamored?” She scoffed. How could Mr. Gray deduce that, especially after witnessing their fighting? “No, we hate each other.”
Mr. Gray cleared his throat as he brushed a hand over one of his mares. “I keep hearing rumors that the two of you are engaged.”
“We’re absolutely not engaged and never will be.
” She’d had to pretend to be engaged to Beckett last year when her father’s debt collectors had come out to the ranch to force her and Violet to fulfill Father’s bargain for them to work at the dance hall.
Once the crisis had abated, she’d let everyone know she wasn’t really engaged to Beckett.
Beckett, in his effort to irk her, had continued to pretend they were a couple. She’d learned he’d been informing people—especially once she’d started entertaining suitors at the ranch—that he was excited about their upcoming nuptials.
It was nonsense, and she’d already assured Mr. Gray it wasn’t true. Besides, couldn’t he see just how much she despised Beckett?
She tossed Beckett a narrowed glare to assure Mr. Gray that her feelings toward the ranch foreman were filled with loathing.
Beckett was leaning casually against the porch railing, staring at her. He was a pain in the backside. That’s what he was.
Mr. Gray hesitated one last moment beside his phaeton, then he hefted himself up the step and inside. As he sat and gathered up the reins, he tipped his hat at her politely. “Have a good rest of the day, Miss Berkley. Next week shall not come fast enough for me.”
She lifted a hand in farewell. “Me either.”