have missed, if he hadn’t been so focused on her every movement. “Since I wore your ears out that day, I’m surprised you were able to recall anything I said.”
He remembered their conversation in detail. They’d started off talking about the lumber business but quickly moved on to more personal topics. They discovered that they’d both lost their parents during childhood.
Unlike other women, Callie was easy to talk to. She might wear fancy dresses on occasion and carry herself with the bearing befitting a society lady, but she didn’t put on airs.
“I’m headed to Shingle Springs, too. I have a job down that way. If you don’t mind riding in my wagon, you could go with me.”
To her credit, she showed no outward sign of surprise at his abrupt change of subject, other than a brief pause. “I’d like that.”
“Good. It’s parked behind Dr. Wright’s office. I’ve already filled my wagon with lumber, so we can set off right away.” He was tempted to offer Callie his arm, a gentlemanly courtesy he would normally think nothing of, but refrained.
Although he would enjoy having her hand wrapped around his elbow, he wasn’t in the habit of strolling with a lovely lady. Since he’d asked her to lunch during the last week of September the previous fall, showing a lapse of judgment on his part, she might get the impression he’d taken an interest in her. He would keep things nice and friendly-like this time so there would be no misunderstanding.
Chip swept an arm toward Coloma Street, opposite the hotel. “Shall we go?”
They arrived at his wagon minutes later. She accepted his help climbing aboard, rewarding him with a friendly smile and simple thank-you.
Perhaps his earlier concern was unfounded. She’d been pleasant company that day at the restaurant, but her reaction to seeing him today proved she hadn’t set her cap for him. The reception she’d given him the past July, when he’d taken second place in the horse race at Placerville’s Independence Day celebration, had indicated the same thing. The first-and third-place winners had each received a kiss from the ladies who presented their ribbons. All he’d gotten from Callie was a businesslike handshake.
The springs of his new buckboard creaked as he climbed aboard. He no longer needed to rent one, thanks to having achieved the first of his two yearly goals, the other being the completion of his kitchen. With the hefty load he was carrying under the tarpaulin today, his recently acquired team of workhorses would earn their oats.
He took his place on the bench seat, leaving a respectable distance between Callie and him, grabbed the reins and got underway. Her rigid posture and lips pressed firmly together gave him the impression she didn’t care for his company. “If you’re not comfortable riding with me, just say so.”
She sent him a parlor-perfect smile, stiff and insincere. “It’s fine.”
“Really? You look as relaxed as my thoroughbred before a race.”
“How is Dusty?”
“He’s doing well. I’d stop by my place and let you see for yourself, but we need to get underway. If you’re still willing to join me, that is.”
“I am. I appreciate your offer.” She raised a delicately arched eyebrow. “I’m just not sure why you made it.”
He chuckled. “Because we’re going to the same spot. Why else?”
“Yes. Of course.” She faced front once again, as tense as before.
His experience with his female customers had taught him that women didn’t always say what was on their minds. Perhaps if he helped out Callie, she’d give him a clue what she was thinking. “It’s not like you to be on edge. Is something wrong?”
She fidgeted with her fan. “Since you asked...I didn’t think you cared for my company.”
“What gave you that idea?” He enjoyed spending time with her, more than he should.
“You left town so abruptly. We’d dined together just two weeks before, and yet you didn’t even tell me you were going away until the day you rode off.”
A warning gong sounded inside his head. He hadn’t realized his departure would matter to her. The fact that it had proved his earlier decision not to offer his arm had been a wise one. Although Callie made a wonderful companion and possessed many of the qualities he would seek in a wife, he had three years to go before he would be ready to go courting. He wasn’t a cad, though. “I’m sorry. As my friend, you deserved to know. Can you forgive me?”
The momentary drooping of her lovely lips followed by a genuine smile told him his message had been received. He’d accomplished his goal, so why did his chest feel so hollow?
* * *
Friend? Callie hadn’t known where things stood between them. Now she did. Chip hadn’t asked her to lunch because he harbored feelings for her. He’d made that clear when he’d failed to let her know he was leaving town until the last minute. His standoffishness earlier that morning when he hadn’t offered her his arm reinforced the message.
A lady couldn’t help but hope a man as accomplished and attractive as Chip would take an interest in her, though, could she? She longed to marry and have a family. She’d wondered if the powerfully built carpenter with the broad brow, thick brown hair and adorable lopsided smile could be the answer to her prayers. The charming man was a bit too regimented for her liking, but he was hardworking, generous and oh, so handsome.
She drew in a calming breath in an attempt to slow her racing heart. Why it had taken to thumping so wildly was beyond her. It wasn’t as though there was anything between them.
Although Chip could be a mite exasperating at times, his engaging personality and ready laugh made him a delightful companion. Since she enjoyed his company and wasn’t likely to see much of him once she began her new job in Shingle Springs—provided she got it, of course—she would make the most of this unexpected opportunity to spend a few hours with him.
Conversation flowed freely, just as it had when they’d shared a lunch all those months ago. He urged the horses into a slow trot, and the miles flew by.
A familiar screech rent the air. Callie put a hand above her eyes to shield the sun and peered at the sky, where a large bird circled. “Just what I thought. It’s a red-tailed hawk.”
“I didn’t know you watch birds.”
“I don’t, but my brother does. Isaac can identify most species. It’s one of his many talents.”
“You don’t talk about any other brothers or sisters. Was it just the two of you?”
She nodded. “Mama and Papa wanted more children, but that wasn’t to be. What about you? Did you come from a big family?”
“Big enough. And noisy. There were four of us boys, although I’m the only one left. Alexander was the oldest. I was second in line. Jeremiah came next, and Montgomery was the caboose kid, as Pa used to say.” He gazed down the road, a sorrowful look in his eyes.
“I’m so sorry.” Although she wanted to find out what had happened to his brothers, she couldn’t come up with a question that suited her.
Chip
