Every Little Thing About You
Page 19
more to Duffy's actions the day before than his concern
about his wife's grief. He felt a jolt of concern shoot
through him. Griffin had once mentioned all the babies his
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mother had been forced to bid goodbye, and he found
himself hoping and praying that this one would not be
added to the list
"Tell her I'm praying for her, will you, Libby?"
"I'll do that"
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Liberty felt it again--that warm feeling spiraling
through her over this man. He was so gentle and kind.
Griffin and Duffy were that way as well, but this was different.
Slater looked at her as if he couldn't pull his eyes
away. Knowing that did strange things to Liberty's heart.
"Are you shopping for something?" Liberty asked, also
happening to notice several pairs of eyes on them. She
dropped her own and added, "I'm afraid we're drawing a
crowd."
Slater glanced around, causing eyes to look away, but
he still didn't move.
"I have a little time off after lunch/7 he said quietly.
"Would you be free to go for a walk?"
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Liberty nodded.
"I'll see you then," he assured her, his eyes warm and
direct until he was forced to turn away.
Liberty watched him leave and then made herself go
back to her list. She was still looking at the buttons when
she felt a large presence beside her. Certain that Slater had
returned, she looked up with a smile. Price Hathaway
stood beside her, his brow showing determination.
"There are some goods in the back you need to see,
Libby," he said. "Come this way."
Liberty was given no chance to argue. Her upper arm
was taken in his huge fist, and she was urged along toward
the rear of the store, and not just out of sight: Price walked
her until they were at the far corner of the storeroom--cans
of lima beans to Liberty's back and sacks of flour at her
heels.
"Are you going to marry Slater?" Price wasted no time
in asking.
"Of all things!" Liberty exclaimed. "Price Hathaway,
what's come over you?"
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Price bent until his face was close. "Slater Rawlings is
the reason Amy and I are together again. He told me she
still cared. Now if he's in love with you and wants to marry
you, I want that for him."
Every Little Thing About You 181
Liberty blinked. There were so many things she could
say to fliat, but all she could manage was "You want that
for him? What about me?"
"He's a good man, Lib. I've never known a man like
him. He works hard, and he's fair. You can't believe what
he put up with with Pa and never said a word. He even
invited me to church. Not since I've been grown has
anyone ever done that."
"Are you going to go?"
"I don't know yet. Amy and I are still talking about it.
Marry him, Libby. If he asks you, marry him."
Liberty saw the earnestness in his eyes.
"For the record, and just between the two of us, he
hasn't asked me, but we are going for a walk today. And I
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do care, Price; I care very much."
Price stood to full height and smiled. "I knew he was
the one for you. I just knew it. He believes like you do, and
he's a lawman. He probably can't outshoot you, but you
can still make it work."
Liberty had a good laugh over that, and Price continued
to smile as though he'd won a ticket to the fair.
"I think I'd better get back to my list."
"Did you talk?" Miss Amy's anxious voice came
toward them as she nearly ran into the storeroom.
"Yes," Price told her.
Miss Amy came right up to Liberty. "He told Price I still
wanted to see him, Libby. I was never so glad in all my
life."
Liberty smiled up at her. She was the perfect size for a
huge man like Price, but Liberty had always found her so
reserved. Not now, however. Her eyes were lit up with
pleasure and love for Price, and all because Slater had gone
between them.
"So when is your date?" Liberty felt free to demand of
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the two before her.
They both smiled, and Liberty's eyes grew.
"You didn't!"
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"We did. Just before Christmas."
"When are you going to announce it?"
"Mama's planning a big party on January 14. Youll be
invited."
Liberty hugged Price, who squeezed her in return. Miss
Amy surprised Liberty by hugging her next, but Liberty
returned the embrace just the same.
"Congratulations!" Liberty told them warmly, but then
her eyes grew serious. "I hope you do come to church. I
play die piano, so I sit down on the left-hand side. Just look
for me and sit with me. You don't know how welcome you
would be." This said, Liberty smiled and turned away. She
gave a wave but didn't turn back when Miss Amy thanked
her.
Not since I've been groom has anyone ever done that
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Liberty could not get the words from her mind. How
many people do I see every day? I've been keeping my eye on the
behavior in this town and missing the lost souls. Liberty finished
her list--fabric, buttons, and all--but the subject
stayed at the front of her mind for the next several hours.
Indeed, she and Kate were still speaking of it when Slater
arrived for their walk.
5r -3r -Jr
"His name is Desmond Curtis. He's been a Ranger'forever.
I was working with him, and he noticed how unsettled
I was. I'm not an angry person, but I tend to get antsy
and have to move around all the time. I just thought that
was the way I was, but he asked me what I was running
from. I didn't like that, just like Dakota didn't like it when
I challenged him, but it got me to thinking."
"So you did know about Christ?" Liberty asked. They
had planned to take a walk, but rain had threatened so they
sat alone in the Petersons' living room.
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"Yes. Both my grandmother and my oldest brother had
come to Christ and had talked with me on several occa-
Every
Little Thing About You 183
sions, but I was convinced there was nothing wrong with
my life." Slater shook his head. "I was blind for a long
time."
"What was the turning point?"
"I think God used the solitude of my job to make me
see. I was alone so much of the time and becoming lonely
in the bargain. I would be on the trail and thinking about
how insignificant I was. I found myself wanting to cry all
the time. I would look at the magnificent world around me
and think, If all this just happened, then whaf s the point?
Why go on? Why try at all?' One day when I was in the
midst of feeling that way, I realized someone was riding
toward me. It was Des. Here I'm sitting in the saddle, tears
pouring down my face, and Desmond Cu
rtis rides slowly
up.
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"I'll never forget it. He stopped his horse right next to
mine, looked me in the eye, and said, 'Would you like to
talk about it, Slate?' All I could do was nod. We never
moved or even got off our horses. He told me that Christ's
love was so huge that it had sent Him to the cross for my
sins. I was so hungry for that love. Des listened to me while
I prayed."
"Oh, Slater," Liberty said, breathless with emotion.
Slater smiled. "I wasn't saved a year when I knew God
wanted me to settle down someplace. I fought that one like
a madman, but in the end, I gave up the Rangers and ended
up here. I didn't know Shotgun existed, and I don't believe
that a man should just wander around looking for signs
from God, but I ended up here and felt I should stay."
Liberty couldn't take her eyes from him. "I'm so glad
you did."
"Are you, Libby? It means a lot to hear you say that."
Liberty's head tipped and she admitted, "You came so
suddenly. Sometimes I'm sure I'm going to wake up and
find you've gone."
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"I wouldn't do that, not to you or Griffin."
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Liberty nodded, her heart very full. She wanted to tell
this man she was falling for him but opted for a change in
subject.
"How will you like the job?"
"I like it already. Griffin is great to work for/'
Liberty nodded; she knew that very well. She was genuinely
glad that Slater had the job, but on occasion she felt
a twinge of regret. This worried her since it had been only
a few days.
Someone knocked on the front door right then, and
Laura, having been told to play in the kitchen, came running,
glad for an excuse to escape.
"Hi, Tess!" they heard her say. "Come on in."
"Thank you, Laura. Are your mother and Libby
home?"
"Yes. Mam is in the kitchen, and Libby is visiting with
Slater. I'm not allowed in there."
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Tess laughed.
"Hi, Tess." Kate had come around the corner. The two
women hugged.
"I have news," Tess told her future mother-in-law. "I'd
like to tell you all at the same time."
"Of course. Slater and Lib are right in here."
"We have a date!" Tess announced to the occupants of
the living room just moments later.
"When?"
"January 21. Three weeks from this Saturday. We know
it's short notice, but we didn't want anything too fancy."
"Will you be able to find a dress?" Liberty asked.
"I'm going to wear Mama's. She's so excited."
"When did you decide?"
"Just today."
"And I get to watch?"
"Yes, Laura, you do."
"Oh, I can't wait to tell Zach."
Kate happened to look over just then toward Slater.
That man was just starting to get glassy-eyed.
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Every Little Thing About You 185
"Did you want to ask what the dress looks like, Slater?"
Kate teased.
He gave a small laugh. "That was on my mind," he told
her and then shook his head and stood. "I hope I won't
offend anyone, but I think this might be a good time for me
to get back to work."
The women all laughed at his expense, but Liberty took
pity on him and walked him to the door.
"Thanks for the walk," she said.
Slater smiled. "We'll do it again very soon, Miss Drake,
and you can tell me your story."
Liberty nodded. Slater slipped out the door, and she
peeked out to watch him walk away. Her brother was getting
married in three weeks. For the first time in Liberty's
life, she wished the wedding was hers.
3-*3
Price and Amy Hathaway's party did not turn out to be
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overly crowded, but a good time was had by all, including
the smiling newlyweds, whose eyes were constantly
turned to each other in love. That they had managed to
keep their marriage a secret so long was nothing short of
amazing. It was also amazing when Hank Hathaway
approached Slater and offered him a room.
"In your house?" Slater had to clarify.
"Well, Price won't be needin' it! And the sheriff is
gettin' himself hitched too."
Slater nodded slowly. "How about I come back on
Monday?"
"Suit yourself," the crotchety old man said as he turned
away. Slater looked to Liberty with raised brows.
"He's always a surprise, isn't he?"
"Yes, but Mrs. Hathaway is one of the best cooks in
town, so you might want to consider it"
"Did he talk to you?" Korina Hathaway came up as if
she'd heard her name.
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"He did, Mrs. Hathaway. Did you know he was going
to ask me?"
"It was my idea/' she beamed at them. "Hank has
talked about what a good worker you are, and I thought it
sounded just right. Hank always tries to please me."
Both Slater and Liberty managed to smile, but they
were stunned. It wouldn't seem that Hank tried to please
anyone. Clearly he was not the same man at home mat he
was in public.
"Everyone seems to be settled in with their cake and
coffee. Why don't I show the room to you right now?"
"All right," Slater agreed. He would not have suggested
it, but he saw no harm in agreeing.
"Would you like to come too, Libby?" their hostess
asked.
"Thank you," Liberty smiled and followed Korina up
the stairs, Slater bringing up the rear.
"Price is so big that we've always given him the large
room. We talked about switching, but we like where we
are."
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This didn't really make sense until they were upstairs,
but in truth, both rooms were spacious and separated by a
large closet that Mrs. Hathaway proudly showed them.
Nevertheless, Slater questioned Mrs. Hathaway about disturbing
them.
Brushing it off, she responded, "We both sleep like the
dead. Price has always come and gone, and we never hear
a thing. Lucky for us he's such a good boy because we
would never have stayed awake to catch him in his mischief."
The room was lovely--spacious and beautifully furnished.
The curtains even matched the bedspread. Slater
found himself agreeing to the rent they wanted--a buy
because it included meals--and asking when he could
move in. Griffin and Tess were to be married in one week's
time, and he thought the sooner he vacated, the better.
Every Little Thing About You 187
"Anytime," he was told, and looking at the immaculate
room, Slater could see that it was in fact ready for occupation.
"That was a nice surprise," Liberty said when they
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finally joined the party back downstairs, and their hostess
hurried away to see to the refreshments.
"Wasn't it? I would never have guessed."
"Do you have some reser
vations?"
"A few, but I'd already checked into the boarding
house. If this doesn't work out, I can still try there."
Liberty made a face.
"You're spoiled," Slater told her, watching that
adorable nose wrinkle.
"I'm sure you're right."
As had become normal for her in the last few weeks,
Liberty looked around the Hathaways' home and tried to
picture herself as wife and homemaker in a home of her
own. It wasn't hard to do with a certain tall blond standing
next to her.
Slater suddenly turned and looked at her, his eyes
searching her face. The act made her wonder if her
thoughts had shown, and she blushed at the very idea.
"I don't suppose you want to tell me why you're
blushing," Slater asked, his voice low as he bent toward
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her.
Liberty refused to look at him.
"I'll find out," he teased, but Liberty only smiled.
The temptation to ask him how he would learn her
thoughts was strong, but that might be stepping onto intimate
ground, something Liberty was struggling with
anyway. She made herself shift her thoughts and gladly
took the cake and fresh coffee she was offered. Slater did
the same, causing Liberty to wonder if he wasn't struggling
with the same thing. With a heart asking for an extra measure of patience, Liberty asked the Lord to strengthen them both.
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S-*3r
Griffin and Slater had not been back from the Hathways'
party an hour when Maddie Flowers came in. She
was obnoxious and shrill, but since Griffin's plan was to
keep a close eye on the Potters' dealings, the men mounted
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up and rode out.
Griffin filled Slater in as they rode, and by the time they
arrived, the new man felt prepared. He wasn't prepared,
however, to have shots fly at them when they were still a
ways off. Griffin wasn't either.
"That's enough, Ned!" Griffin bellowed at him from
behind an outcropping of rocks.
"I didn't know it was you," the man called back. "I
thought it was that Flowers woman."
"You and the boys come on out to the porch, Ned. Just
leave your guns inside."
The front door opened soon after, and all four men
trooped out.
"We weren't going to shoot the old bat, nly shut her
up a bit."
Griffin shook his head. "I oughta run you all in."
Ned was a mean one, but even the threat of jail time
made his face pale. He'd been locked up twice in his life.
Jail was a dry place.
"We won't shoot anymore," he told them in a petulant