Breathless(54)

Portia agreed.

“Speaking of feeling good, I’m being nosey but have you had the chance to use your sponges yet?”

“You are being nosey. But the answer is no. We haven’t had any time alone. He’s been over at the ranch house digging up all the charred wood from the fire and hauling it away. By the time he gets back here, he’s so exhausted from working in the heat, he’s been going straight to bed after dinner.”

“You should sneak him into your room some night soon or sneak into his.”

“With Rhine and Eddy just up the hall, I think not.”

“I forgot about that.”

“Good thing one of us is still thinking clearly.” Portia shook her head with amusement. She loved her sister and hoped life never parted them. She wouldn’t know what to do if it did. “Now, my turn to be nosey. What was it like—that first time and why didn’t you tell me about it?”

Regan hesitated. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you’d approve.”

Portia looked into her sister’s serious eyes. “Sadly, you’re probably right.” Portia didn’t know if other sisters shared such secrets but thought maybe not due to how personal it was.

Regan added, “And the first time was terrible. Neither one of us had any experience so we didn’t know what we were doing. It was kind of painful, too, but—”

Portia went still. “But?”

“The next time. Oh my word. I wanted to shout, ‘Hallelujah.’”

Portia laughed. “You know society says women shouldn’t be having conversations like this.”

“Society also thinks we’re not smart enough to vote, you shouldn’t love numbers, and I shouldn’t deliver the mail. Society can kiss my mare’s behind.”

Portia agreed, but Regan’s description of her first time was troubling. “Was it really painful?”

“It was, but you’re at an advantage.”

“Why?”

“Kent was a cat house king. He’ll know what he’s doing, which means you’ll be just fine.”

The next day, Kent rode with Rhine and Eddy to Tucson to meet his father, who was coming in on the evening train from Chicago. Kent wasn’t sure how the visit would go or how long his father would be staying, but he promised himself he’d keep an open mind with the hope everything would go well.

When the train arrived, Oliver Randolph, leaning on a cane, stepped off the train with his wife, Sylvia, and her great-niece, Ruth. Eddy and Sylvia, upon seeing each other, let loose squeals of joy and immediately embraced like the long-time friends they were. Kent, followed by Rhine, embraced Oliver as well, and Kent had to admit it was great to see him.

“You look good, son,” Oliver said, assessing him.

“You do, too,” Kent replied. Truthfully his father looked frail and seemed to be moving much slower than the last time they’d seen each other a few years ago. The cane was new, too, but he chalked that up to Oliver getting up in years. “How was the trip?”

“Long,” Sylvia said, giving Kent a hug and a peck on his cheek. “You’re as handsome as ever.”

He smiled around his embarrassment.

She then said, “Everyone, this is my great-niece, Ruth Adams.”

The young woman accepted their greetings shyly. She appeared to be in her early twenties, had a pretty heart-shaped face and warm brown skin, and her frame was tall and thin. She shot hesitant glances Kent’s way, making him wonder just what his father had told her and what her expectations of him might be. He figured he’d find out soon enough. Once their trunks were gathered and placed in the boot of the Fontaines’ buggy, Oliver’s party piled in. Kent mounted Blue and they struck out for home.

Portia and Regan, along with a small army of female volunteers spent the day over at the Lane ranch helping Julia with the setup for the rodeo. There were tables to wash down, lanterns to hang from the trees, chickens to pluck, and decorations to put in the barn for the dance. By the time they rode for home that evening, they were exhausted and ready for dinner. Portia knew that Kent and her aunt and uncle had ridden to Tucson to meet the train, so when she and Regan returned, seeing Oliver, and his wife, Sylvia, wasn’t a surprise.

However, the visitors were surprised. Sylvia said, “Oh my goodness. Look at how you two have grown up!”

Portia and Regan had been in their teens the last time the Randolphs visited the Fontaines.

Oliver added, “Beauties, too. Just like your aunt.”

Portia was pleased to see the smile on Kent’s face. She hoped it meant he and his father were enjoying each other’s company so far.

They were then introduced to Sylvie’s great-niece, Ruth. Portia thought she seemed pleasant enough. She was a teacher, which Portia always considered an honorable and valued profession until meeting the pompous Edward Salt. She realized she hadn’t seen him or his parents in some time. She hoped that meant they’d given up their quest to squirm their way into Rhine’s good graces and had left Tucson.

At dinner the conversation flowed around the table about the upcoming rodeo, how old friends were faring back in Virginia City, Geronimo’s escape, and more. Portia noticed that Ruth kept looking at Kent. The observations were discreet and short but he was definitely her main focus. He was so engrossed in the lively conversation that if he noticed Ruth’s interest he didn’t let on, and Portia had to wonder what it all meant. Had the woman developed an instant attraction to him in the way Elvenna Green had? And why did Portia feel the urge to shake her and demand that she stop looking at him? Lord, I’m jealous! That admission might have surprised her if she hadn’t suffered similar feelings with Elvenna. Previous to her, Portia had never had a reason to be jealous because she’d never been taken with a man before, nor had she ever had to compete with another female for her place at a man’s side. This was all new territory, so rather than behaving in a manner that would embarrass herself and everyone else at the table, she turned away from Ruth and concentrated on the meal and the conversation.