Chapter Five
THE PARKERS’ PARLORwas small yet cozy. Norah’s mother had let Ruthann in before apologizing that she had to run to meet a friend for tea. But the blessing of being longtime friends meant it was nothing at all for Ruthann to simply wait in the parlor for Norah’s return, which Mrs. Parker had said shouldn’t be too long.
It was all quite fine by Ruthann, who basked in the quiet of the Parkers’ home with no one else around. Her own house had been busy and loud by comparison this morning, with both her parents and Stuart at home. And the day before, Mama had invited several ladies from church over for sewing. There had hardly been a moment for Ruthann to reflect on the events that had happened two days ago.
But here in the quiet of Norah’s home, Ruthann’s thoughts wandered immediately to where they’d left off as she’d laid in bed the night before. Nate Harper was even more handsome than he’d been six years ago with that dark hair, the ghost of a beard gracing his chin, and the hard work of a soldier evident in the broadness of his shoulders.
It was hopeless mooning over him like some lovesick girl, and yet that’s exactly what Ruthann found herself doing. Despite the fact that the carefree boy she’d known had been replaced by a much more serious man, her heart still beat uncontrollably at the thought of him, and she couldn’t stop running every word he’d said to her through her head, over and over.
And then, of course, she relived that one single kiss for approximately the millionth time in her life.
Ruthann stood and walked around Norah’s parlor. A handful of photographs graced the mantel over the fireplace. Noticeably gone were the single photo of Jeremy and the family photo that had held the images of all five members of the Parker family. Ruthann ran a finger over the image of Norah, which had been taken upon her sixteenth birthday.
Norah was the only person who knew of that fleeting moment between Ruthann and Nate. It had happened so quickly, and then he’d departed for the Dakota Territory the very next day. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since—until two days ago.
He was so stoic, so very composed. It was almost as if he were keeping something inside that he didn’t dare let out. But it lingered in his eyes. She’d caught it more than once during the photography session. Ruthann suspected it had something to do with his time in the cavalry, and she yearned to know what it was. But it wasn’t her place to ask, and she doubted Nate would tell her if she did. In fact, the simple act of asking might cause him to withdraw from her altogether.
And she didn’t know if she could withstand that sort of rejection.
She did, at least, have an excuse to visit him again if she wanted to see the photographs he’d taken. She hadn’t mentioned the test session to Stuart. It was entirely innocent, and something one would do to help a friend . . . and yet, she didn’t imagine her brother seeing it that way at all. Besides, it felt nice to keep that time she’d passed amiably with Nate to herself. She didn’t necessarily want to share it with anyone.
Although, Ruthann surmised, she doubted Nate would keep it secret, and so she might as well speak of it. But for now, in the comfort of her friend’s parlor, she would relive the moments alone one last time.
A few minutes passed before Ruthann heard footsteps on the front steps. She hurried to the front door to meet Norah, who was burdened down with a large package.
Ruthann held out her arms to take it, and Norah gratefully handed it over.
“It’s a cake,” Norah said as she peeled off her gloves. “I went to visit Mrs. Bonner to see how she was getting on since losing her husband, and it seems she’s been filling her time with baking.”
“Well, I suppose that’s good.” Ruthann preferred to be busy herself. She’d likely be doing something similar in Mrs. Bonner’s position.
She handed the cake back to Norah and followed her to the Parkers’ kitchen. The cake turned out to be a lovely sponge cake with a shiny glaze. Norah cut them each a slice and put on some tea. As her friend chatted on and on about Mrs. Bonner, Ruthann had the distinct feeling that Norah was anxious about something.
Even after she poured the tea and sat slices of cake on the table, Norah stood nearby, clutching her hands in front of her.
Ruthann waited a moment for Norah to sit, and when she didn’t, Ruthann nodded at the empty chair. Norah perched on the edge of it, ignoring her cake and tea.
“Norah.” Ruthann sat back, her own cake forgotten. “Something is clearly troubling you. What is it?”
Her friend shot her a worried look, and Ruthann’s mind went ten different places at once. Was it Stuart? A friend? One of Norah’s brothers? Ruthann stood and moved to the chair closer to Norah. “Please, what’s worrying you so?”
Norah pressed her lips together before speaking, tension edging the face that Ruthann knew so well. “It’s Mr. Harper. Nate.”
“Is he all right? I saw him only two days ago.”
Norah raised her eyebrows, but didn’t ask Ruthann’s meaning. Instead, to Ruthann’s relief, she plunged ahead.
“It’s gossip, but while I disbelieve the cause, I fear the result may be true.” Norah paused, frowning. “From what I heard, Sissy Flagler paid a visit to Nate’s photography studio and requested a sitting for photos of herself.”
Ruthann swallowed. To say that Sissy had been aggressively hunting for a husband would be a kind way of putting it. Still, she couldn’t imagine Nate finding an interest in Sissy Flagler. She was far too consumed with the trappings of wealth, and Nate . . . well, Nate simply seemed too humble for the likes of Sissy.
“She’s saying that Nate sent her chaperone away—some woman her father apparently pays to accompany her about town. And that Nate took advantage of that opportunity, and . . . compromised her.” The distaste with which Norah spoke the words was evident.
