Page 27 of A Secret Heart
Why did it matter to him? He’d never thought much of her stories in school.
“A rejection notice came in a nice envelope.” Rebekah straightened in the saddle. Her story hadn’t been good enough.
The thud of the horses’ hooves on the dirt road filled the space between them as they started up the drive toward the Quade home accompanied by a low, gentle laugh from Ed. Not the laugh from the schoolroom. A different one, more like the Ed she’d begun to know this morning.
“That’s their loss. They didn’t know what they were talking about. You were always at the top of the class. Your stories were good then.” He glanced at her with a knowing look. “And I’ve read your story in the paper. I say you’re a top-notch writer. You got this interview, didn’t you?”
A grin passed across his features as they approached the porch. She didn’t know what to do with his compliment. Good thing the house was in sight. She’d do better to focus on the interview.
As they approached the house, Rebekah could see movement inside through the wide glass windows. Mr. Quade’s daughter, Isabella, exited the house to stand with her hands folded in front of her. The last Rebekah had heard, Heath Quade’s two other daughters, born out of a second marriage, were in the East somewhere at a finishing school. All but Isabella, the eldest. Isabella wore a dress that was both expensive and practical. Her dark hair was pulled back in a bun with loose tendrils around her face highlighting her high cheekbones. Isabella had only grown more poised, even prettier, since their school days.
Rebekah dismounted as Ed tied off the horses to the hitching post.
“Good morning.” Isabella’s smile didn’t quite reach the depths of her eyes.
“Hello, Isabella,” Rebekah said.
“Morning.” Ed’s voice held none of the harshness she’d expected. For all his dislike of Heath Quade, it obviously didn’t extend to Isabella.
Isabella returned his greeting with a nod, then motioned to the house. “Father said you were coming.”
“Thank you, Isabella.” Rebekah followed her through the entryway. She couldn’t help an awareness of Ed’s presence close behind her.
The home was built from large stones, with strong beams supporting the ceiling. They passed a large space they must use for the family room. Lavish items filled the room. Pieces that might be found in an East Coast parlor, likely shipped out on the train. It must have cost a large sum. But Heath Quade had been running cattle in these parts for a while, and rumor had it his second wife had brought a lot of wealth to the marriage.
Isabella led them down a hall and then ushered them into the parlor. Rebekah paused near the door when she caught sight of a man emerging from what appeared to be the kitchen in the back. When she angled to study him, he pulled his hat low, as if not wanting to be seen. The motion gave her a quick glimpse of a dark mark where the base of his thumb met his wrist—a tattoo.
“I ran into Clarissa Nelson the other day in town. She tells me you made them the loveliest cradle.” Isabella’s light voice snapped Rebekah’s focus back to the parlor. She’d hesitated in the doorway, and Ed and Isabella were already inside the well-appointed room.
Ed lingered not far from Isabella, his face practically glowing at the praise for his workmanship. “I did make them a cradle. Not sure if it’s the loveliest.”
“She mentioned you might be starting a business.” Isabella was offering Ed a seat on the horsehair sofa.
Ed declined the offered seat with a shake of his head. “I’ve toyed with the idea. Calving go all right for your herds?”
Ed making friendly conversation caused Rebekah to blink. Was his smile a mite…flirtatious? It made Rebekah’s stomach do a funny twist.
The two of them standing there were both so attractive, so athletic. One might think they’d be well matched. If the McGraws weren’t at such odds with Quade.
And if it weren’t Ed.
Rebekah walked into the room, drawing Ed’s warm gaze. He motioned for her to take the seat he’d been offered. She took it and tried not to feel the awkward moment of silence her entrance seemed to have caused.
“That’s a pretty dress, Rebekah,” Isabella offered.
Rebekah caught the flicker of Ed’s gaze. She ducked her head and opened the notebook she’d brought with her, turning her concentration to the list of questions she intended to ask Mr. Quade.
A gentle laugh escaped Isabella, Ed smiling along at something he’d said. Rebekah smiled to cover for not having paid attention. Now that she and Ed were friends, things were different than before. He’d even ridden along with her today without mentioning the promise to Uncle Vess. But diddifferentmean her stomach cinching up like a too-tight belt when she watched Ed answer Isabella? She pressed her fingers to her temple. None of this made any sense.
“I’ll tell Nick you were asking about him. It’s been a long time since we all used to race horses after school.” Ed had fallen into reminiscing with Isabella.
“My apologies. I haven’t offered either of you anything to drink.” Isabella clasped her hands, the gentle smile back on her face. “Would you like coffee?”
“Yes, thank you.” Rebekah’s voice blended with Ed’s. She shot him a look out of habit, but half regretted it when he raised those brows at her.
The moment Isabella turned from the room, Ed paced the floor once, then stopped close to the sofa—so close his boot touched Rebekah’s. The clanging of cups on saucers echoed from the kitchen. Ed seemed to concentrate on the doorway, as if making sure no one entered.
When he leaned down close, his breath fell hot on her ear. “Don’t forget to see if Heath Quade has an alibi for the day of that bandit attack. I’d like to see what he says.”
