[Desert Roses 03] - Beneath A Harvest Sky by Tracie Peterson Page A

despised the theatre, so we never told him of our destinations.” He shrugged as if he’d said too much. “I suppose there was the thought to become something studious—you know, a lawyer or banker. I believe my father hoped I might follow in his footsteps and help with the family business.”
    “Which was?” Rainy asked, finally feeling she was getting somewhere.
    “He made tools,” Phillip murmured, as if ashamed. “Jennetta hated our life there and often spoke of moving from New York to California—Los Angeles, in particular. I thought it sounded marvelous.
    I knew it would allow me to be exposed to all that I would need to get me into movies. That’s where my real passion lies.”
    Movies . Rainy sighed. So they were back to that topic. How was she supposed to know him better? How was she supposed to know if this was the man God intended for her to marry if he wouldn’t discuss the truly important aspects of life? Still, he seemed so interested in being with her. He could have taken his pick of beautiful women, yet here he was with her.
    That had to mean something—didn’t it?
    They’d reached the hotel veranda, and Phillip stopped and pulled Rainy around to face him. “I have a surprise. I’ve arranged a carriage ride to take you home,” he said, his expression suggesting he was quite pleased with himself.
    Rainy thought the gesture very sweet. “How marvelous. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden in a carriage. With the Harveycars—well, I guess now that Major Clarkson has purchased the Detours they’re being called courier cars—but nevertheless, with the touring cars I’ve had plenty of non-equestrian transportation.”
    “I thought this would be rather . . . well . . . romantic,” he whispered.
    “Romantic?” Rainy asked, her voice squeaking a bit. Was this the sign she’d been waiting for? Was God finally going to show her the truth about Phillip Vance?
    Phillip laughed and led her toward the carriage. “I think you’re absolutely marvelous.”
    Rainy didn’t know what to make of his comment.
    Was he laughing at her? Did he think her naïve? Why did I have to make that comment? She moaned inwardly.
    He probably thinks me quite immature and completely unsophisticated .
    Rainy allowed Phillip to help her into the carriage.
    As a young girl, her family had used horse and carriage exclusively. Her father hadn’t the inclination toward nor the money to spend on an automobile. But the 1930s seemed to demand more and more attention toward change. Horses and carriages were giving way to the motorized car and quicker modes of transportation. Lindbergh had flown across the Atlantic, and air travel was rapidly becoming an acceptable alternative to the slower-paced trains. Automobiles were even more accessible with their makers desiring to produce a product that every American family could afford to buy.
    Still, there was something very romantic and lovely about an evening carriage ride. Rainy settled back against the leather upholstery and sighed.
    “I hope that was a sigh of contentment and not boredom,” Phillip whispered.
    His nearness made Rainy straighten a bit. “It was the happy kind,” she replied. “I always enjoy coming home to Albuquerque. My folks . . . our house . . . well . . . it’s just very nice to be around the things and people you love. I’ve cherished growing up here. My mother always made our house a home. She has the most marvelous gardens in the inner courtyard. You’ll have to see them sometime.” Rainy found that she never quite realized how much she loved it here until after she’d been gone for a time. “I’ve enjoyed working with the Detours, but I also like the idea of taking time away from my job. I’m going to greatly enjoy my two weeks off.”
    “But you will still consider postponing for just a few days, won’t you?” he asked so sweetly that Rainy couldn’t do anything but nod.
    “I suppose I can postpone my vacation by a day or so to