An Unconventional Lady Page 12

  “Good luck.” Annie stood and smoothed her skirts. “It’s been a long day. I need to get some sleep. Are you feeling all right? Ribs don’t hurt too much?”

  “I’m fine.” He set Hero on the ground. “Thanks for your help last night.”

  She turned her face away. “I wish I could’ve done more. But you’re fine, and Billy will grow to be an old man, God willing. Will you be returning to Texas soon?”

  “Why would you ask that?” Dallas faced her. “Because Ma is visiting? She’s only checking on me, not taking me back with her.” He grasped Annie’s arm. “Would you mind if I were to go back?”

  Still not looking at him, she tried to pull free. “Of course I would. We’re friends.”

  “Friends?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. The fact she wouldn’t look at him gave him hope that she cared more for him than she wanted to admit. “Is that all?”

  “That’s the best thing to be, isn’t it?” She yanked her hands from his and scooped up Hero, hiding her face behind his furry neck. “You have dreams for your life, I have mine.”

  “To go to the canyon floor.” Yes, he’d heard it before.

  “Not just that.” Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Now she looked at him. “I’m thinking of renewing my contract with the Harvey Company and traveling. I’m not really marriage material, and this will give me a chance to see the nation. Mother and Mr. Harris won’t feel obligated to make sure I’m cared for.”

  “What about the boardinghouse?”

  She shrugged. “I’ll sell it. While I’m perfectly capable of running it successfully, maybe even competing with the El Tovar in some way, it’s not what I want to spend the rest of my life doing, and I’ve realized I don’t have the proper skills to lead tours into the canyon.” She blinked rapidly. “I’ve never even been down there.”

  Dallas’s heart ripped in two, and he prayed he had nothing to do with her believing she wasn’t marriage material. How could she be anything else?

  Chapter 18

  Annie gave Miss Cartwright a hug, not caring about the Harvey policy against public displays of affection. “I promise I’ll let you know as soon as I return.”

  “No hurry.” Miss Cartwright held her at arm’s length. “Guests will be fewer once the snows hit. Go have that experience you’ve been craving.”

  “Thank you.” Annie dashed from the hotel. She’d spent months tiptoeing around Dallas and watching Mother and Mr. Harris move closer to a wedding date, and today was the last tour Dallas would lead into the canyon until springtime. She had to be part of that tour. She might not have another chance.

  She glanced at the barn, where he and three men gathered around the mules. Mother was tying a bedroll behind a saddle. Mother? Mr. Harris? Oh, Annie needed to hurry. There was one riding mule left.

  The day before, she’d packed warm clothes and enough food for several days. She grabbed the bedroll and saddlebags from under her bed now and raced back outside, grateful for the slimmer split skirt that afforded her ease of movement.

  “Wait! I’m coming.” Out of breath, she dropped her bags and darted into the barn.

  “What are you doing?” Dallas stepped behind her.

  “Getting the mule ready.” Annie slipped the bridle over the animal’s head. “What does it look like?”

  He sighed. “I’ll do it. It’ll be faster. Good thing there isn’t a large group, since the entire family decided to come.”

  “Oh, I need to put a sign on the door saying we’re closed for business.” She whirled, only to have Dallas stop her.

  “Your mother is taking care of it.” He laughed. “You’re like a child at Christmas. Are you tagging along because McMurray is coming again?”

  “What? No.” Gracious. She might have thought twice had she known. No help for it now. Nothing was going to keep her from finally fulfilling her dream. “I want to do this while I decide whether to renew my contract with the Harvey Company.”

  “That’s right. It expired yesterday.” Mule ready, Dallas led the beast outside.

  “You’ve kept track?” Warmth spread through her.

  “It’s all you’ve talked about for days.” His gaze lit on her with humor. He patted her head. “Glad to have you along.”

  She froze, mouth falling open. Did he just pat her like a dog? She clamped her lips closed and glared. He’d acted as if he was patronizing a younger sister. Well, she’d show him. She’d fend for herself on the trip, asking nothing of him.

  Bumping him roughly with her shoulder, she forced her way past him and took the lead to the mule. “Thank you for your help, but it isn’t needed.” She walked to the others and started tying on her supplies. Smiling, she patted one of the bags, where she’d stashed her father’s bowie knife and pistol. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

  “I’m surprised to see you, Mother.” Annie cinched the saddle.

  “The feeling is mutual.” Mother smiled. “Mr. Harris and I thought it would be a nice time together. Help us clear our heads while we decide what to do with the house. You don’t seem to want it.”

  “I haven’t decided.” Annie knew she wasn’t being fair. Not only was she leaving the Harvey Company without an answer, but her mother, as well. “I’ll let you know soon. I promise.”

  “As long as we know by spring.” Mother smiled across the mule’s back at her betrothed. “We’ve set the wedding date for then.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m—” Sean sidled up to her, halting the conversation.

  “What a pleasant surprise,” he said. “We can get to know each other better.” His gaze flicked to her outfit. “Is that a split leather skirt?” His eyes widened.

  “Yes, it is.” She lifted her chin. “Much more practical with sharp thorns than cotton.”

  “Hmm.” He shrugged. “Ride in front of me so I can keep an eye on you.”

  “How about you ride in front of me?” She crossed her arms.

  “McMurray has a point,” Dallas interjected. “I’d like you and Mrs. Rollins in the middle. I’m tour guide and my rules are nonnegotiable. Also, crowd the rock face as much as possible. Don’t worry about Hero, he’s been well-trained and the mules are used to him. If you feel your mount is having trouble negotiating the trail, give me a holler. Everyone in the saddle! We’re off to a late start.”

  Because of her, he might as well have added. Putting her left foot in the stirrup, Annie swung into the saddle. She could barely control her glee as they headed over the canyon edge and down the trail. Her heart skipped, and she wanted to laugh out loud. If she were alone, she would have. For now, she’d be content with a grin that hurt her cheeks.

  The scenery took her breath away. While stunning from the top, the beauty of the canyon only increased farther down. The line of mules appeared to be nothing more than ants in the great expanse.

  Annie wished she was a painter so she could capture the scene in an artistic form. A bird with a wingspan larger than the mules were long soared on an air current. “What is that?”

  “A condor,” Dallas called back. “That is a rare sight indeed.”

  The majestic bird, with its pink bald head and inky feathers, dipped and dived, until finally disappearing like a bullet from a gun. Annie craned her neck to try and see where it had gone.

  “They perch on the cliff face.” Dallas glanced over his shoulder, tossing her a smile. “You’ll see many beautiful sights today.”

  His hat cast his face in shadow. His white teeth flashed from his tanned face. Annie caught her breath, realizing she might not see anything in the canyon as magnificent as Dallas Baker.

  * * *

  The canyon was deep in shadow by the time they stopped and pitched their tents. Dallas hated heading out late. Now, he’d have to fix a simple meal of eggs and bacon for
supper. He supposed flapjacks would do for breakfast.

  “I’ll handle the food if you help my daughter pitch our tent.” Mrs. Rollins took the cast-iron skillet from him. “She isn’t as self-sufficient as she thinks she is.”

  Dallas glanced to where Annie fought to pitch a tent that seemed bent on collapsing on her head. “I’ll help her and gladly hand over cooking duties.”

  Before Dallas could get to Annie’s side, McMurray stepped in. Dallas sighed and chose instead to see if any of the others needed help. They didn’t, not being first-timers. For once, Dallas had little to do. He could take the dog and scout out a fishing spot for the next day, but since they always camped in the same place, that seemed like a waste of time.

  He grinned and shoved his hat farther back on his head. “Come on, Hero. Let’s walk.”

  The rush of river water, the rustle of brush as small rodents hid and the twinkling of stars as they blinked against a velvet sky made the evening perfect. Almost. Annie’s laugh drifted his way. He would’ve loved to be able to walk hand in hand with her and point out the things she’d never seen.

  But they’d been nothing more than passing strangers, at best acquaintances, over the last few months. Several times Dallas had almost approached her, ready to spill his guts about his feelings toward her, but then she’d say something about renewing her Harvey contract. That wouldn’t work for Dallas. He’d already made up his mind to return to Texas in the spring.

  Being around Annie, hearing her laugh, seeing her face, were all too much for him. He’d broken things off with Dottie back in July, and she’d requested to be transferred. Since then, Dallas had kept his distance from women.

  He smiled. Annie and her split skirts, this new one leather, with fringe, tended to make him smile rather than frown nowadays. What would she come up with next? He had to admit he liked her in the new ensemble, with her hair falling down her back in a single, thick, golden braid, and a worn leather hat too big for her head. Her father’s, he’d guess. The trail was the perfect place for split skirts, and he was wise enough to see the reasoning.

  Ma was right. Dallas tended to judge folks for being themselves. Annie was every bit the lady when she needed to be, and strong enough to get her hands dirty when the need arose. He bent and searched the ground for a rock, then flicked his wrist, sending it skittering across the water. Too dark to count the skips, he took to throwing and listening to the plunks.

  Mrs. Rollins called out that supper was ready. Dallas whistled for Hero and stalked back to the camp. “Smells good.” He accepted the tin bowl she handed him, and glanced appreciatively at a rich stew. “Maybe we should hire you as permanent cook on these tours.”

  “No, I’ll soon be cooking for only one man.” She smiled at Mr. Harris. “We’ve decided to move to his home state.”

  “Where’s that?” Dallas sat and leaned against a boulder.

  “I’m from Dallas, Texas, son.” Mr. Harris sat across the fire from him. “Not too far from your folks, I reckon.”

  “Texas is a big state,” Annie insisted.

  He shook his head. “Everyone in Texas is a neighbor.”

  Dallas agreed. Texans knew no strangers. He wished he could see Annie’s face. What did she think of her mother, Dallas, all moving away without her? Maybe Mrs. Rollins could talk Annie into accepting a Harvey position at one of the stations in Texas. Then she’d be close to her family...and to him.

  “I’m not hungry.” Annie set her bowl on the rocks circling the fire. “I’m turning in.” She rushed to the tent.

  “I suppose I should’ve told her in private first.” Mrs. Rollins turned her head toward the tent. “But we only decided last night.”

  Mr. Harris patted her hand. “Give her time, then talk to her. In the morning, perhaps. She’ll understand.”

  “So, you’ll be selling the house?” Dallas ladled more stew into his bowl.

  “Most likely, if Annie doesn’t want it.” Mrs. Rollins sighed. “It was more my late husband’s house than mine. I wanted to stay back East, not provide room and board to strangers. But it did provide a living after his death. I won’t belittle him about the decision.”

  Dallas’s spirit fell. Without a house, Annie would surely leave Arizona. He couldn’t fault her. He had his own plans to return home. The problem was, he didn’t know how he could handle not knowing where she was. If she kept the house, even if he didn’t see her all the time, at least he’d know that.

  McMurray straightened his shoulders. “I may have a proposition for Annie that will solve everyone’s problems.” He looked around the circle. “Pastor Carson is moving to California. I’ve decided to take his place as pastor here.”

  Good for the townsfolk, but Dallas wasn’t so sure about Annie. Maybe she cared more about the young pastor than he knew. Well, if so, he wouldn’t stand in the way of her happiness. He’d keep his mouth shut and see how things played out. He had several months before spring. Months of cold winter to see exactly what Annie’s plans were.

  Maybe, if God was so inclined, Dallas could find a way to mend the rift between him and Annie. Anything could happen in six months.

  Chapter 19

  Annie banged the skillet against the rocks. She’d burned the biscuits. What had possessed her to believe she could cook over a campfire? This was nothing like the stove at home. With a groan, she tossed the toasty lumps of hard dough into the bushes.

  “You shouldn’t throw away food,” Dallas said, snapping his suspenders over a faded undershirt. “It attracts wild animals.”

  She straightened. “Really? They’d come close? Oh, I’d love to see something.”

  He laughed. “There are certain animals up here you’d rather not see close up, believe me.” He took the pan from her. “I’ll mix up flapjacks. They’re easier. Want me to show you how?”

  “Sure.” She sighed and sat back on her haunches. First, he’d laughed at her attempts to set up a tent, now he thought her mishap at cooking hilarious and pitiful. If he laughed at her one more time...

  “Good morning.” Mother emerged from the tent, shoving a hairpin into her bun. “What a brisk morning.”

  “Another couple of weeks and it’ll be more than brisk,” Dallas said, pouring batter into a pan. “It’ll be downright cold.”

  Annie leaned forward to get a better look at the way the pancakes bubbled around the corners. Not so different from the stove. Why had she had trouble? Ah. She’d set the pan smack-dab in the middle of the fire, while Dallas had it off to one side and continuously moved it. What could she make for supper that would show him she wasn’t a complete idiot?

  “Sleep well?”

  “Fair.” She’d tossed and turned all night. Rocks poked her hips and back. She’d wondered what the attraction of camping was. So far, the experience left something to be desired.

  “There’s a great spot for fishing down the river, if anyone’s interested.” Dallas slid a flapjack onto a plate and handed it to Annie.

  “Thank you. Yes, that might be fun.” Although she’d never baited her own hook. Father had always taken care of that for her. She tossed Hero a small bite of her breakfast. How hard could it be to thread a worm onto a hook? She was starting to think she didn’t know as much about surviving in the outdoors as she’d let herself believe.

  No wonder Mother had hired a guide. She had more sense than her daughter. Annie could not in any way have led a tour into the canyon.

  Spending her childhood in the boardinghouse, and the occasional afternoon fishing, had not prepared her for the roughness of the wilderness. Well, she was smart and able. She could learn.

  She studied Dallas’s strong face. He had no trouble adapting to the great outdoors. Rather, he seemed to thrive. Always confident, he appeared completely at home hunkered over a fire, serving breakfast. As confident as he did brushin
g his horse or saving an endangered child. Did she have as many interesting aspects?

  If the way Sean’s gaze constantly fell on her was any indication, she did, but she certainly didn’t feel it. Rather boring was how she would describe herself. She cut another glance at Dallas and caught him watching her.

  He stared without turning away, capturing her gaze like a fish on a hook. Everyone else seemed to disappear. After an eternity, the corner of his mouth quirked and he lowered his eyes. “Food all right?”

  “Delicious.” She forced out the word, her voice hoarse.

  “You aren’t growing ill from the chill last night, are you?” Sean peered into her face. “You look flushed.”

  “I’m fine. The fire’s a bit warm, is all.” She set her plate on a boulder and got to her feet. Avoiding her mother’s gaze, she ducked out of sight into her tent, clasping a hand over her rapidly beating heart.

  What had she seen in Dallas’s eyes? Admiration? Affection? Dare she hope he had growing feelings for her? Feelings he managed to shutter whenever Sean was around?

  Foolish girl. Dallas wasn’t a man to hold back for anyone, much less a mild-mannered gentleman like Sean. No, most likely Dallas stared at her as if she were a species he’d never seen. She only imagined the soft look in his eyes.

  After shoving her feet into an old pair of boots she had used for mucking out the barn before Dallas arrived, she headed back to the others and collected the now empty dishes. She carried them to the riverbank and scoured them clean with a handful of coarse sand.

  An eagle screeched overhead, then dived to the water’s surface, rising again with a fish in its long claws. Annie could sit and watch the scenery for hours. There was so much more to see down there than from the top. If only it didn’t take a day to reach the bottom and another to get back to the top. She’d make sure to soak in as much of the experience as possible. Then, when she gazed at the canyon from the top, she could fill in the blank spots from memory.

  When she returned to the campsite, Dallas had already passed out fishing poles. “I saved one for you.”