For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides (Rose Hill) 1)

Cole wasn’t as disciplined, or as sensitive to his sister’s feelings. He burst into laughter. “He was only pretending to be a gentleman. He’s just like the rest of us, Mary Rose.”

“He may be like Adam, but he certainly isn’t like you or Douglas or Travis.”

“What’s wrong with us?” Douglas wanted to know.

She ignored his question. She turned to Harrison. He was still standing at the end of the table.

“I think you should stay away from Cole from now on. He’s rubbing off on you, Harrison. You’ve picked up some bad habits.”

“Such as?” Harrison asked.

“Such as rudeness,” she answered.

“Come here, Mary Rose.”

She let out a sigh. The look in his eyes told her it would be pointless to argue. She put her napkin down, got up from her chair, and walked over to him.

She put her hand on his arm. “It was rude of you to pull Travis out of his chair.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “It was rude.”

She was pleased he realized it. “And you’re sorry,” she said, thinking to help him with his apology.

“No, I’m not sorry at all.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Harrison. I wish you’d stop having these spells. They’re very unsettling.”

“He’s only acting like a normal man, Mary Rose,” Douglas said. “I think it’s kind of refreshing.”

“I’m helping him get rid of his citified ways,” Cole added. “You should thank me, sister.”

“About Corrie,” Harrison began, ignoring all the talk about his temper.

She squeezed his arm. “I wish you would follow my advice, Harrison. It will serve you well around here.”

“This ought to be good,” Travis whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Mind your own business, Travis,” Mary Rose said.

“You can give me your advice after we talk about Corrie,” Harrison insisted.

She let out a sigh. “I know what you want. You’d like me to apologize for going up those stairs, wouldn’t you?”

“I would like you to use the mind God gave you. Don’t take chances like that again.”

She didn’t argue with him. “I’ll be careful.”

The tension went out of his shoulders. “Thank you.”

He leaned down and kissed her. It was a sweet, tender, undemanding kiss that was finished before she had time to react.

“Stop kissing our sister,” Douglas ordered, though his voice lacked any real bite.

Harrison responded to the command by kissing Mary Rose again. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and hauled her up against his side. He was deliberately showing his possessiveness.

He turned his attention to Travis. “If I can’t trust you to protect her . . .”

“If you can’t trust me? If that isn’t the kettle . . .”

“Let it rest, Travis,” Adam suggested. “Harrison, sit down. Mary Rose, go back to your chair.”

She walked back to her seat in a trance of disbelief. Whatever had come over Harrison? He had never shown such blatant affection in front of her brothers before.

“Who made these biscuits?” Travis asked.

“I did,” Eleanor replied. “Why? Don’t you like them?”

“I like them just fine. They’re good.”

She smiled with pleasure. “I’m pleased you like them. I’ll make more tomorrow if you want me to. I could even bake a cake. I’m quite handy to have around. Aren’t I, Mary Rose?”

“Yes, you are,” she answered.

“You’re sure being accommodating,” Douglas said.

“I do try to be,” Eleanor replied.

“What was the advice you were going to give Harrison?” Cole asked his sister.

“What did you ask . . . ? Advice? Oh, yes, I remember now.”

She was still rattled by Harrison’s kiss and was trying to regain her composure. “I was going to suggest Harrison follow my advice.”

“Well, what the hell is it?” Cole asked.

“Watch your language, Cole,” Mary Rose told him. “First with his mind, then with his heart. He should think things through before he acts.”

Cole turned to Harrison. “Where have I heard that before?”

Harrison looked like he wanted to hit his head against something hard.

“Probably from your sister,” he said dryly. “Mary Rose?”

“Yes?”

“You make me crazy.”

Adam started laughing. “Don’t get angry, sister. Harrison didn’t meant to offend you. He was just having one of his spells again.”

Eleanor patted Mary Rose’s hand. “He’s still rude, isn’t he?”

Mary Rose didn’t answer her. She let the brothers have their laugh, then decided to change the subject.

“Do you want to hear about the rest of my visit with Corrie?” Mary Rose asked.

“I don’t think Harrison has enough stamina to hear any more,” Cole said.

“Go ahead, sister, tell the rest,” Adam encouraged.

“Corrie touched me. I was telling her all the news, rocking back and forth in her chair, and then I suddenly felt her hand on my shoulder. It was as light as a butterfly’s wings. She even patted me. She also pinched me, but just once.”

Douglas laughed. “Why’d she do that?”

“How could Mary Rose know?” Travis asked. “The woman still isn’t talking to her.”

“Oh, I believe I know why she pinched me, but I don’t want to bore you with the details. Eleanor, pass the biscuits, please. They look delicious.”

“They taste delicious too. Travis said so,” Eleanor said. She handed the plate to Mary Rose and added the suggestion that she take two.

“You won’t bore us,” Cole said. “Tell us why she pinched you.”

“Oh, all right,” she agreed. She knew her brother wouldn’t stop inquiring until she explained. “I was doing a spot of complaining, and I guess she got tired of listening. I stopped complaining as soon as she pinched me.”

“We should have started in pinching you years ago,” Adam teased. “Had we known how effective it would be.”

“You really shouldn’t complain, Mary Rose,” Eleanor instructed. “People don’t like it.”

“When did you figure that out?” she asked.

“Surely you’ve noticed I’ve stopped complaining.”

“Yes, indeed I have noticed,” Mary Rose assured her friend.

“I realized how tiring my behavior was when I was walking home from town. Don’t you remember the blisters I got on my toes? Well, being alone and all, I had time to think about my attitude.”

“I sure have enjoyed hearing you laugh, Eleanor. You’re nice to be around now, and you help out so much, I’m beginning to wonder how we ever got along without you.”

“Thank you, Adam.”

“When were you alone?” Mary Rose asked.

She happened to look at Cole and noticed he was trying hard not to smile.

“Did I say I was alone? I wasn’t,” Eleanor blurted out. “Forget I mentioned it, Mary Rose.”

She wasn’t going to do any such thing. Something had happened on the way back from Blue Belle, and she was determined to find out what it was.

“Eleanor, will you help me clear the table and bring in the coffee?”

“Certainly,” Eleanor replied. “I try to be helpful. I hope you’ll remember that.”

Mary Rose collected some of the dishes and went into the kitchen. Eleanor followed her a minute later with the leftovers. She put the plates down on the sideboard, then turned to collect the coffeepot.

Mary Rose wouldn’t let her leave the kitchen. She hurried over to block the doorway, then whirled around, folded her arms across her middle, and said, “Start talking, Eleanor. What happened on the way home from town? Something’s going on all right.”

“No, honestly,” Eleanor protested. “I was never alone. I’m being sincere. Please don’t do anything hast

y.”

“Like what?”

“Don’t make me leave. Please don’t vote against me.”

“What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”

Eleanor proceeded to tell her everything.

Mary Rose became furious. It was cruel and heartless of Harrison and Cole to frighten Eleanor. She spent a good ten minutes soothing her friend. Her anger simmered all the while. Eleanor was so pleased to have her friend’s sympathy and understanding, she recounted the horrible experience once again, embellishing the details as she went along. By the time she was finished, she’d gotten all worked up again.

Douglas was thankful his sister had left the dining room because he wanted to talk about Corrie without interference.

“I’ve had time to think about what Harrison said,” he announced in a low voice so Mary Rose wouldn’t hear. “Crazy Corrie could have hurt Mary Rose. You never should have let her go up on the porch, Travis.”

“She wasn’t in any danger. Corrie likes Mary Rose. She left the quilt in the cave for her, didn’t she?”

“How do you know it was Crazy Corrie’s quilt?” Douglas asked.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Douglas. If you want to start something with me, just do it. Don’t use stupid arguments.”

“She is crazy,” Cole interjected.

“How do you figure that?” Travis asked.

“Normal folks don’t greet visitors with a shotgun sticking out of their window. I’m siding with Douglas. He’s right . . .”

“No, I was wrong,” Harrison announced.

Everyone turned to him. He let out a sigh. “I overreacted. I still wouldn’t have let her go up on the porch, but I shouldn’t have blown up the way I did during supper.”

“Then why did you?”

Harrison shrugged. “I’ve been a little on edge lately.”

Adam leaned back in his chair. “I find it curious,” he remarked to no one in particular.

“What’s curious?” Cole asked.

“You boys can be quiet when you want to, yet Harrison knew you were in the bunkhouse searching through his things. He let you think he was sleeping.”

“So?” Cole prodded.

“I’m finding it curious Corrie could get inside the cave, cover Mary Rose, and then leave, while Harrison was sound asleep. Yes, sir,” he added with a smile. “I’m curious all right.”

Cole turned to Harrison. “You saw her, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I saw her.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Travis asked.

“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want Mary Rose to know. She was sleeping. Corrie wasn’t crazy that night. There was a look of tenderness in her eyes when she stood over Mary Rose and looked at her. I don’t know if her moods change with the winds, however, or if she could in fact turn dangerous. Since I only saw her for a couple of minutes, I wouldn’t be willing to put Mary Rose’s life in her hands just yet. I still believe your sister needs to remain cautious.”

“What did she look like?” Douglas asked.

“Like someone took a hatchet to her.”

Travis shuddered. “The poor thing,” he whispered.

“How come she doesn’t talk?” Cole asked.

“I’m not certain she can.”

“You mean her throat . . .” Travis couldn’t continue. He was rattled by the picture of the woman he was getting in his mind.

Cole was the only brother who seemed to take it all in stride. “Why didn’t you tell Mary Rose you saw Corrie?”

“I felt it would be intrusive. Corrie belongs to her. She should be the first to see her.”

“Do you think Corrie will ever let her?”

“I doubt it, but she might,” Harrison conceded.

“Mary Rose will probably faint, or scream,” Travis said. “Hell, I would.”

Harrison shook his head. “No, your sister will take it all in stride.”

Adam nodded. “You know her well, Harrison.”

“There’s a storm brewing,” Douglas remarked.

“Did you hear thunder?” Cole asked.

“Hell. MacHugh hates thunder.”

The brothers laughed. “He hates everything,” Travis said.

“He sure likes Adam,” Douglas remarked. “What’d you do to make him follow you around like a puppy after you rode him today?”

“I took Harrison’s advice and praised him. He likes hearing how fine he is. We’re kindred spirits, Douglas.”

“Will you take care of him for me when I leave?” Harrison asked Adam.

“You aren’t taking him with you?” Douglas asked.

“The journey across the ocean would be too much for him.”

“Let me guess,” Cole interjected. “MacHugh hates water, doesn’t he?”

Harrison’s expression turned serious. “Promise me something, Adam. No matter what, don’t sell him. If I can’t get back here, you keep him.”

Adam agreed. “Do you think you will come back?”

Before Harrison could answer, Travis asked him another question. “Are you still going to leave in another week?”

“No,” Harrison answered. “I’ve decided to leave the day after tomorrow.”

“Why’d you change your mind?” Cole asked.

“Mary Rose.”

He didn’t think he needed to say more, but Douglas wouldn’t let it go. He demanded details.

“Are you trying to rush us into telling her sooner? It’s our call, Harrison, not yours. Why can’t you wait longer?”

“I think he should leave soon,” Travis interjected. “I’m getting tired of chasing after Mary Rose. She’ll be safer once he’s gone.”

“Let him tell us why he moved the date up,” Douglas pestered.

Harrison decided to be blunt. “It’s simple, gentlemen. I’ve reached the end of my endurance. I can’t be in the same room with her and not . . .”

“You don’t have to go into details,” Cole hastily said. “We get the picture.”

“And it’s a disgusting one,” Travis muttered, for it involved his sister.

“There it is again,” Douglas said.

“What?” Travis asked.

“Thunder,” Douglas answered. “It’s coming from the kitchen.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Cole asked.

Douglas didn’t have to explain. Harrison was ordered to the kitchen. Mary Rose shouted his name. Eleanor bellowed Cole’s name.

The two men who had been summoned looked at each other.

“I guess maybe they talked things over,” Cole said.

“Maybe?” Harrison replied dryly.

Cole was reluctant to move. Harrison put his napkin down with a resigned look and stood up.

“Are you going to go in there?” Travis asked.

“Of course,” Harrison answered.

“What in blazes for?”

“To catch hell,” Harrison said. “Get up, Cole. You’re going with me.” Cole tossed his napkin at Travis and followed Harrison into the kitchen. Mary Rose started in first.

“How could you be so cruel? It was callous and mean of you to scare Eleanor the way you did. I cannot believe you dumped her out on the road in the middle of nowhere. What could you have been thinking?”

Harrison wasn’t given time to defend himself. Eleanor rushed over to stand next to Mary Rose. She imitated her military stance by folding her arms across her middle.

“I got blisters on my toes. They bled for God’s sake. Was Cole in on this? He was, wasn’t he?”

She turned to glare at Mary Rose’s brother. “I shall never, ever forgive you.”

“You two left her alone. Anything could have happened to her. There are wild animals living up there on the mountain. Did you forget about them? Eleanor could have . . . did you have your gun?” she asked her friend.

Eleanor shook her head. “No. I did not. If I’d had my gun, Mary Rose, I would have shot Harrison.”

“How would you have felt if som

ething terrible had happened to me?” Eleanor asked Cole.

He walked over to the kitchen table and leaned against it. “Nothing happened to you,” he said in a perfectly calm, reasonable tone of voice.

“There never was going to be a vote,” Eleanor cried out. “I’ve been nice for no good reason at all. I even made biscuits, damn it.”

Cole shrugged. “They were good biscuits,” he said. “It didn’t kill you to be nice, Eleanor, so quit acting like it did.”

“There was always someone watching over her,” Harrison interjected. He too sounded reasonable.

“Who was looking out for her?” Mary Rose asked.

“Dooley took a turn, then Ghost spelled him, and then Henry finished up,” Cole explained.

“Ghost? Dear Lord, not Ghost. Had he been drinking?”

“Yes, he had.” Eleanor answered. “The man was clearly sotted.”

“He was what?” Cole asked.

“Drunk,” she said. “He couldn’t have come to my rescue if I’d gotten into trouble.”

“You can’t know that,” Cole argued.

“He thought I was an angel, for God’s sake.”

“He was drunk.” Cole burst into daughter. Harrison had more discipline. He only cracked a smile.

Eleanor desperately wanted Cole to admit he’d have mourned her if she’d been killed. She knew she was being melodramatic; she didn’t care. He had kissed her, after all. He had to feel something for her, didn’t he? She thought it would be lovely if he’d admit it.

“What would you have done if I’d been killed?”

“That didn’t happen. You’re sure a sight when your cheeks get all flushed.”

“Answer my question,” Eleanor insisted.

“Fine, I’ll answer. I guess I’d bury you.”

“You’d bury me.”

She didn’t look too happy with him. He decided that wasn’t the answer she’d been looking for. “I’d pick a real nice spot.”

Harrison put his arms around Mary Rose. “I’d do the same for you,” he promised her.

She could see the laughter in his eyes. “How thoughtful of you,” she whispered.

Eleanor moved closer to Cole. “And then what would you do?”

“Do you have to raise your voice like that? You’re making my head pound.”