Breathless(55)

Kent was indeed aware of Ruth’s interest. Every time he glanced up, their gazes met and hers would go racing away. He planned to get his father alone as soon as possible to find out what he’d told the young woman. He was also keenly aware of the muted fire in Portia’s eyes. He’d caught her shooting daggers at Ruth when she thought no one was looking. Had she noticed the young woman watching him and become jealous as a result? He’d chalked it up to his imagination, but as his father told Rhine about Virginia City’s annual baseball game between the Black and White members of the area’s Republican party, he saw a very distinct chill in her gaze. Portia jealous? Interesting.

His father’s question brought him back to the present, “So, where are you living, son?”

“Here, temporarily.” And he explained the circumstances that led to him living with the Fontaines.

Oliver turned to Ruth. “Now, had he gone ahead and finished his medical studies, he’d be in an established practice by now and not having to depend on the kindness of his friends.”

You could hear a pin drop. Kent picked up his wineglass and gave his father a salute. “I see nothing has changed with you.”

Sylvia said coolly, “Oliver, you promised me you wouldn’t badger him. He’s chosen his life, and you’ve chosen yours. Let him live his the way he wants, for God’s sake. He’s not a child.”

Kent saluted Sylvie, drained his glass, and got up and walked out.

Ruth made a move to go after him, but Portia, already on her feet, shot her a raised eyebrow. The young woman cleared her throat, settled back into her seat, and focused her gaze on her lap. Only then did Portia say “Excuse me” to the others and leave the table, much to Sylvia and Oliver’s surprise.

Outside, she found him seated at one of the tables. His features were tense and there was anger and muted pain in his eyes. “Thought you could use some company.” She didn’t like seeing him unhappy.

“Promised myself I’d not let him get to me, but I did.”

She sat. “He was rude, but now that’s he gotten that off his chest maybe the rest of the visit will be tolerable.”

“And Blue will learn to spell my name.”

She smiled.

He turned her way. “Apparently Ruth will make me a perfect wife.”

“What?”

He told her about the letter.

“Is that why she’s been watching you all evening?”

“Noticed that, did you?”

“She made it impossible not to.”

“Was that why you were looking at her the way you were?”

Portia played dumb. “What do you mean?”

“Like you wanted to throttle her.”

“No.”

“Fibbing again?”

She raised her chin and remained silent. Once again he’d been able to read her correctly.

“Just so you know, if a man spent all his time focused on you that way, I’d want to throttle him, too.”

Portia never dreamed she’d be moved by a man’s protective declaration. “Good to know.”

The silence that followed left them studying each other and feeling the attraction that neither could deny.

“Been a few days since we’ve had a chance to talk. How are you?” he whispered. The slow finger he ran down her cheek burned so sweetly her eyes slid closed. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

Wanting more than just that faint caress, she told him about the letters, the meeting, and what she and Regan had done earlier that day at the Lanes but left out the conversation she and Regan had shared on the ride home.

“I want to kiss you, but if I do, I won’t be able to stop, so tell me about the rodeo. Is it a big deal?”

And she wanted to be kissed, endlessly. “The biggest.”

“Prize money?”

“Quite a bit.”

“Might like to help myself to some of it.”

Her attention was focused on his lips and the smile that curved them as he watched her. Who knew wanting a man could make a woman hunger? “You’ve participated in rodeos before?”

“A few. Bull and bronc riding are my favorites.”

She was impressed and looked up to see him viewing her so seriously she went still.

“I’ve asked Rhine to let me lease the Blanchard place with hopes of buying it outright at some point in the future.”

She was both surprised and pleased. “This is about putting down those roots you spoke of.”

“It is. If he says yes, I’ll be starting a horse wrangling business so I can pay my bills and put food on the table.”

Once again, she wondered what a life with him would be like.

“Do you think a wife would mind if I’m gone say, two months out of the year in order to provide for her?”

Drowning in his eyes and the tone of his voice, Portia felt her heart pounding so loud, she was sure people could hear it inside. “Not if that wife shared her husband’s dreams and could spend his time away chasing her own.”

Portia felt like she’d stepped out on a precipice and knew without a doubt that if he asked her to be that wife, she would say yes. As a husband, he’d walk beside her through life, not make her trail behind just because society deemed he should, and he’d be one of those rare men like her uncle Rhine who took pride in their wife’s ambitions.