Breathless(57)

“I understand. Sarah and the maids will be here, so if you need anything just ask. They’ll bring you meals, too.”

Sylvia said, “Thank you. Ruth still wants to go though. Can she ride over with you?”

Portia took in the girl’s face and reminded herself to be kind. “Do you need a mount or would you prefer we take the buggy?”

“I don’t ride.”

Portia kept her disappointment hidden. She preferred to travel by horseback. “Then we’ll take the buggy.”



Leaving the Randolphs behind, Portia and Ruth set out on the hour ride to the Lanes’ ranch. It would have been a much shorter journey riding Arizona, but Portia swallowed her pique and kept the horses at an even pace. “Where are you from originally, Ruth?”

“Chicago so I’m not accustomed to all this heat.”

“Definitely different than what you’re used to.”

“It really is. Can I say something?”

Portia looked over. “Sure.”

“I want to apologize for last night. Mr. Randolph gave me the impression that his son would be receptive to me as a potential intended but obviously hadn’t talked to his son beforehand.”

“No apologies needed.”

“Thank you for being so kind. Can we start over—you and I?”

Portia decided she liked Ruth Adams after all. “Certainly.”

“Good,” she said, sounding relieved. “Kent wouldn’t happen to have a brother, would he?”

Portia saw the humor twinkling in Ruth’s eyes. They laughed, and Portia looked forward to the rest of the day.

The Lanes’ reputation of putting on a great event was so well earned, travelers came from as far away as California, Texas, and the northernmost provinces of Mexico to compete, eat, and have a good time. As a result, the closer Portia and Ruth drew to the ranch, the more congested the road became with buggies, wagons, and riders. Portia waved at the people she knew and when they called out greetings, she responded in kind.

“I wasn’t expecting all this,” Ruth exclaimed, taking in all the traffic and riders.

“We’ll probably have to park a good distance away. Hope you don’t mind walking.”

“I don’t. This is exciting. I’ll bet a girl could find a husband here.”

Portia grinned. “Are you truly looking for one?”

“I am. I have a good job and a wonderful life back in Chicago, but I’m ready to get married and have some babies before I’m too old.”

“Then how about I introduce you around?”

“I’d like that.”

And Portia knew exactly who she wanted Ruth to meet. They found a place to park the buggy and joined the crowd for the walk to the event. Entering the main area was like stepping into an outdoor fair. There were large rings set up for the various horse races, a corral for the bull and bronco riders, and everywhere you looked were legions of people of all races and ages. Making their way through the crowd, they heard conversations in both English and Spanish along with laughter and music. In the air were the mouthwatering smells of roasting pigs and beef. Women were frying tortillas and grilling chilies next to fragrant pots of beans.

“This is amazing,” Ruth said happily. “I’ve read about rodeos a few times in the Chicago papers but seeing it with my own eyes takes my breath away.”

Portia was glad she was enjoying herself. “It’s come down to us from Mexico, and celebrations like this one are held all over this part of the country.”

“What do we do first?”

Truthfully, Portia was hoping to spot Kent but knew finding him in the large crowd was going to be difficult. But the fates were with her. “I see Kent and Matt. Let’s find out if they’ve signed up for any of the contests.”

“Lead the way.”

It took a few minutes to make their way through the crowd to his side but when he saw her, his smile brought out her own.

“Good morning. Was hoping to find you,” he said.

“Same here. Morning, Matt.”

“Morning, Miss Portia. Morning, Miss Adams.”

Portia asked, “Have you two signed up for any of the competitions?”

Kent replied, “I’m on my way to the registration table now. Matt’s decided he’s not entering.”

“I’ve been at these things enough times to know that I’d only be laughed at. Think I’ll spend my time eating and looking at pretty girls.”

Portia saw him staring longingly at Bonnie Neal, a pretty young brunette holding a frilly green parasol to protect her from the sun. She was speaking with an older woman and when the woman moved on, she turned and looked over at Matt.

Kent seemed to have noticed his young ranch hand’s interest, too, because he asked, “Do you know her?”

Matt nodded. “Her daddy is one of the big ranchers. Her name’s Bonnie Neal, but she doesn’t even know I’m alive.”

Portia asked, “Then who’s she smiling at?”

Matt went still.

Even with the thick crowd passing in front of her like a river current, it was easy to see that Matt had her attention. “You should go over and say hello,” Kent said.

Looking terrified, Matt shook his head.

“Go say hello, Matt.”