Rusty spoke through gritted teeth. “That is precisely why I’m here. I need some help. Your sister is as stubborn as Old Man Weasly’s mule.”
They stared at each other like two gunslingers, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
Michael shrugged. “Fine. I’ll talk to Rachel, but I’m warning you, this better get resolved fast. I’m not against dragging her to the altar, but I think my sister deserves a better wedding. Hell, she deserves a better husband, but it looks like you’re what we’re stuck with.”
“Thanks. I guess.” Rusty spun on his heel and made his way out of the store just as a young woman with a baby on her hip entered. “Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and stepped onto the boardwalk.
***
Rachel slowly climbed the steps of Mrs. Beamer’s boardinghouse. Despite Ellie’s prodding, she wouldn’t tell her why she gave up her job. Having Michael involved in this mess was bad enough. She had told her sister it was time for a change. Of course, Ellie hadn’t believed her.
Since the Café closed for the day after lunch, her workday was over before supper, so she was able to spend time with Will, helping with homework and trying to adjust to her new life. Wearily, she made her way up the stairs and continued on down the hallway to her bedroom.
It hadn’t taken her long to realize she’d acted in haste, and this was probably not one of her better decisions. Not that she had any intention of forgiving Mr. McIntyre. His accusations still stung. But giving up a nice job, moving out of a comfortable home, and making her son unhappy had probably not been the right thing to do.
Her son. Now there was a problem in the making. Will had balked, stomped around, and eventually cried when she told him they were moving. She handled his temper quite well, but his tears tore her up.
He was now in full rebellion mode, dragging his feet each morning in getting ready for school, denying he had homework when she knew differently, and answering her with quick, one-word remarks. No matter. She needed to make the best of this. Hopefully, she could tuck a little bit away and maybe buy a small house one day.
She flopped on her bed, and cursed the man who had driven her to this. She should have stuck to her guns and kept him out of her life. She rolled to one side, and tucked her hands under her cheek. Without conscious thought, the good memories drifted into her mind. The looks Rusty had given her that burned through her clothes. The way he treated Will like his own son. His tender touches, warm embraces, and knee-weakening kisses.
A soft knock on her door drew her attention. She sat up as the door opened and Mrs. Beamer stuck her head in. “Your brother, Michael, is here. He’s waiting in the parlor.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Beamer. I’ll be right down.”
Rachel groaned, almost certain why Michael was visiting. She hadn’t forgotten his threat to invite Rusty to the altar with a shotgun. Now that she was the holdout, would he use the shotgun on her? Knowing Michael’s sense of honor and duty, she wouldn’t be surprised if he tried that tactic.
Well, there wasn’t any point in delaying. Will would be home from school soon, and she’d rather not have this conversation within her son’s hearing. She climbed to her feet and washed her hands and face with the tepid water from the bowl on her dresser. She ran a comb through her hair and re-braided it, flinging the braid over her shoulder to hang down her back.
Michael stood in the center of the parlor, fidgeting with the hat in his hand.
“What brings you here in the middle of the day?” Rachel asked.
“I think you know why I’m here. Miss Benson is minding the store. I don’t have much time, but I had hoped you and I could take a walk.”
Rachel’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed? You left the store in the middle of the afternoon in order to take a stroll with your sister? How quaint.”
“Not funny, Rachel. We have some serious business to discuss.”
She sighed and waved toward the front door. “Since there is apparently no way for me to avoid this, let’s proceed.”
Early fall weather had arrived, cooling things off quite a bit. Summer flowers were fading and the darkened leaves on the trees were starting to turn color. Her favorite time of the year, she took in a deep breath of the crisp air. She was only too glad to leave the heat of the summer behind.
“Rusty came to see me yesterday.”
“Oh? Rusty who?”
“This isn’t funny. We have a situation here. You are a respectable woman, the mother of an impressionable young boy.”
“And?”
“And it’s time to put aside your anger and hurt and think about the potential consequences of your behavior.”
“Michael, you’re stepping out of line.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, you are. I am well aware of my status, and my behavior, as you so nicely put it, is my own business. If there are consequences, I will deal with them.”