Breathless(58)

“You think so?”

Kent pushed him gently. “Go. We’ll see you later.”

Portia watched him approach Bonnie and his shyness reminded her of James Cordell.

Kent said, “I probably shouldn’t yell at him to stop staring down at his boots and look her in the face, should I?”

Portia and Ruth grinned, and Portia said, “No. You’ll only embarrass him.”

“Then I need to stop watching.” Fitting actions to his words, he turned his back and Portia doubted she’d ever get over how silly he could be at times. “Did Oliver and Sylvia come with you?” he asked.

She shook her head. “He isn’t feeling well. The train ride took a lot more out him than he thought. Sarah and the staff will take good care of him though.”

He nodded.

She thought she saw a shadow cross his face and it made her wonder if the father and son were still at odds.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Ruth?” he asked.

“I am but I want to apologize for last night.”

“Not necessary.”

Portia put in, “I told her not to worry about it.”

“Portia’s right. Oliver misled you.”

“Apparently he did, so thank you for not holding it against me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Portia was pleased with his refusal to lay the blame at Ruth’s door. The young woman looked uncomfortable enough.

Kent eyed them and asked, “So, are either of you going to sign up for any of the contests? Steer tying? Bull riding maybe?”

Portia laughed, “No. Although growing up, Regan and I used to enter the youth events.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Target shooting and the horse racing relays. Three years running, we won both. The boys hated us.”

“Good for you!” Ruth crowed.

Portia explained to Kent why they were there. “I’m waiting to introduce Ruth to James Cordell.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing matchmaker, Miss Carmichael?”

“You did with Matt. I’m trying to keep up.”

Portia saw the humor in his eyes and when the contact lengthened, the desire. For her.

Ruth cleared her throat. “The woman trying to be matched up is waiting. Shall we go? I’d like to keep up as well.”

Her comical plea dragged them back to the present. Wading into the moving sea of people, they set out.

James was among the three men seated at the registration table writing down the names of the contestants and placing their entrance fees in the strongboxes at their feet.

“Which one is he?” Ruth asked from where she and Portia were standing.

Kent had left them to study the roster of events posted on a sign nearby.

Portia pointed him out. “James is a bookkeeper,” she added in case Ruth was curious about what he did for a living.

Ruth’s face gave nothing away, but she didn’t turn on her heel and walk off either, which gave Portia hope.

A few minutes later after discreetly observing James and his interactions with the men in line, Ruth said, “I’ll look forward to the introduction.”

And the introduction did go well. Portia told James that Ruth was a family friend visiting from Chicago. “I know you’re probably very busy here, James, but I was hoping you could show her around when you have the chance. I can’t because I’m supposed to be helping your mother and the other ladies, but I don’t want Ruth to miss all the fun.”

Seemingly mesmerized by the tall willowy Ruth, James nodded horselike. “I—I’d . . . Sure. I’ll be ending my shift in just a few minutes.”

“Thank you, James. Will you see that she gets something to eat as well, and maybe escort her to some of the competitions? She’s never been to a rodeo before.”

“I’d be honored.”

True to his word, he quickly finished the registration of the next man in line, said something in parting to the ticket taker in the next chair and came around the table to where Ruth and Portia stood waiting. Ever the gentleman, he extended his arm to Ruth. “Shall we?”

The pleased Ruth accepted and shot Portia a smile before they melted into the crowd.

Kent walked over to her. “Do you think they’ll hit it off?”

Portia shrugged. “It’s worth a try.” She liked James. He didn’t have a chance with her but he might with Ruth. “Did you decide what you’re going to enter? I like the fancy lariat event.”

“I do, too, but I’m not good enough with a rope for that. Saw an old vaquero at a rodeo who could use his rope to spell out the letters of his name.”

“I don’t think anyone here is that good.”

“I know I’m not, so I’m going to stick to the steer tying and the bull riding. Blue and I do pretty good with the racing so I might try one of those, too.”

Portia removed the red bandana from around her neck and tied it around his upper arm. “For luck.”

“Why thank you. I’d kiss you if I didn’t think it would start tongues wagging.”

She saw smiles on the faces of some of the people standing nearby who’d watched her tie on the bandana. “I think the wagging has begun, but I’ll take my kisses privately for now if you don’t mind.”