The only good thing about it was that he was in her corner. They’d signed contracts. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t allow someone to dig somewhere else in the gulley. Money was a powerful bargaining chip.
“Uh-oh. Heads up.” Zach shimmied his way down the rock wall. “Two riders coming this way.”
Anna turned. A frilly parasol. Great. “Oh boy. Well, I guess I better go meet them.” Not ready for another showdown with Mr. Oppenheim, she walked back over to her table and tucked all of her drawings away. After the man’s nerve to suggest that his son would be better than her at the sketches, she didn’t need any comments on her adequacy.
Why had she allowed these people to get under her skin?
No matter. It was her duty to deal with this.
Anna walked out and folded her hands in front of her. She could at least greet them with a smile. But then the male rider split away from Miss Oppenheim.
The clip-clop of the horse’s hooves on the ground was the only sound.
“Good day, Miss Oppenheim.” She really didtryto mean it.
“Good day to you, Miss Lakeman.” The lady hesitated and cleared her throat.
Zach was the closest and caught the hint. He hurried over and helped her dismount. Then, just as quickly, he headed back to his hammer and chisel.
Anna kept the corners of her mouth upturned even though it took work. “What can I do for you? We’re quite busy, as you can see.”
“I asked my brother to accompany me out here so that I might speak with you.”
“Oh? And where is your brother going?”
“He’s on an errand for my father.”
Curious. Exactly what kind of errand would take the man north on Julian’s property? Anna narrowed her eyes as she watched the man ride up the gulley. Scouting for bones no doubt. She wanted to growl but maintained her composure. Did people like that just think they could run over everyone else?
“I heard in town this morning that you and Mr. Ziegler are engaged.”
It was a small town, so that shouldn’t surprise her, but why would that bring frilly Miss Oppenheim out here? “Yes. Thank you.”
“You don’t deserve him, you know.” The woman stared off into the distance.
Whatdid she say? “I beg your pardon.”
Then the beautiful woman turned an icy glare toward her. “You don’t deserve it. Thereisno pardon for the way you’ve treated such a wonderful man.” She held Anna’s gaze. “And you know it.”
A wonderful man, was he? And how exactly did this woman knowherJosh so well? She lifted her chin and matched the woman’s glare. “You don’t know what you’re talking abou—”
Rosemary Oppenheim’s smug smile silenced Anna. “Oh, but I do. You see, Joshua and I have had many conversations. About you. Your fight. The fact that you didn’t write to himonce in three long years. Who do you think was a listening ear for him? Who do you think helped him to shoulder the grief he bore?” She angled a look at her, letting those long, perfect lashes half lower over her stunning—yet chilling—eyes. “Poor form, dear Anna. Did you honestly expect to keep a man like Joshua by treating him with such disdain?”
“I ... you...” Anna clamped her mouth shut. Was this woman—thisintruder—saying what she seemed to be saying? Had Joshua pursued this all-too-appealing, entirely feminine, beautiful socialite while at school? And then he marched back into Anna’s life?
Howdareh—
No. No. No. Joshua wouldn’t have done that. He’d also done his best to avoid the woman the other day. But was that only because Anna had been watching?
Oh, it was all too confusing.
“You might want to put on a hat, Miss Lakeman.” The sugar all but dripped from Rosemary Oppenheim’s perfect lips. “You look a bit ... peaked.”
She sashayed her way back to her horse. Instead of waiting for assistance, she mounted the large paint with ease. The smirk she sent Anna was like a challenge.
But how could she win any contest against the likes of Rosemary Oppenheim?
twenty-two
