He lowered the shirt and saw Katie smiling at him. “Yes, I’d be happy to. I get my cast off next week, so it should be a lot easier and quicker.”
Glancing at the cast, he wondered if it pained her to work on his shirts. “There’s no rush. It can wait until you get the cast off.”
“Well, I’ll have to wait until you bring the fabric anyway.”
He gazed into her eyes and watched the amusement die away as he stared at her. She didn’t look away but licked her lips, making him want to yank her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot all about Ed Sloane and her late husband.
Her warm breath tickled his face, and he took a step closer. Kissing her would be a huge mistake, but it would be worth it. Her eyes widened as he leaned forward, but she didn’t move away.
Dusty closed his eyes.
A loud thud sounded at the front door, making him jump. Katie moved back as the door banged open.
Josh ran past the parlor entrance, skidded to a halt, and dashed back. “It’s Pa. He’s hurt!”
ten
“Stay here,” Dusty ordered Katie, as he charged out the door after Josh. He heard Katie sputter, but she didn’t argue or follow him.
“What happened?” Dusty asked as he ran beside Josh.
“Loading bales—in the loft. Some fell—on Pa.”
The frantic look in Josh’s eyes told Dusty the boy was scared. They raced to the barn and through the open doors. Dust and stems of hay still sprinkled down from where Mason and Josh had been stacking bales in the loft.
Close to a dozen bales lay haphazardly in a pile, and somewhere, Mason was buried beneath them. The horses in their stalls nickered and stamped their hooves. Dusty grabbed the first bale and slung it aside, ignoring how the binder twine bit into his hands.
Josh tossed him a pair of gloves. Dusty slipped them on and yanked another bale off the pile. Behind him, he heard someone running in their direction. Josh tugged and heaved a bale to the side, revealing a boot. Dusty heard a gasp behind him and looked over his shoulder. Rebekah watched with one hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with concern.
Dusty flung aside another of the heavy bales. He moved around to where Mason’s head should be and jerked off two more bundles. Rebekah set the lantern on a wooden crate and moved to Josh’s side to help him.
Dusty heard a groan and pulled off another bale, revealing Mason’s head and shoulders. Mason coughed but didn’t look up. Quickly, they removed the last few bales covering him.
Rebekah darted to his side and knelt in the hay. “Mason, honey, are you all right?”
Mason lifted his head, coughed, and grimaced.
Rebekah pulled little stems of hay from his dirty hair and brushed off his shoulders. “Tell me where you hurt.”
“My side. Broken rib, maybe.” Mason tried to push up but collapsed on the ground. “Got the wind knocked out.”
“Can you move your legs?” Dusty hoped his friend wasn’t seriously hurt, but he suspected Mason had more than one broken rib judging by the pain etched on his face.
Mason wiggled his feet, then moaned.
“We need to get him back to the house.” Rebekah glanced up at Dusty. “Do you think you and Josh can carry him?”
“No, I can walk.” Mason attempted to push up on his hands.
Dusty stooped and lifted Mason’s arm over his shoulder, knowing it must pain him, but the act would allow Mason to keep his dignity in front of his family. Josh hurried to the other side, and they slowly made their way toward the house.
“I can’t thank you enough for staying at the farm and helping us while Uncle Mason mends.” Katie lifted her head and peered out from beneath her sunbonnet, her sparkling blue eyes revealing her gratitude.
“I’m just glad things were quiet in town and Marshal White said he could do without me for a few days.” Dusty clicked his tongue in his cheek and urged the team of horses to pick up their pace. The outline of Guthrie appeared on the horizon as they topped the hill.
For the past week he’d helped around the Danfield farm while Mason recovered. Thankfully, Mason’s ribs had only been bruised and not busted, but he did have a concussion. Rebekah’s and Katie’s hands had been full trying to keep the restless farmer in bed so he could heal properly.
Dusty had been thrilled when Rebekah suggested he take Katie to Guthrie for the big fall festival.
As they followed other wagons into town, excitement coursed through Dusty at spending the day with Katie at the big gathering. He glanced at Joey, sleeping quietly in Katie’s lap. The baby sucked his thumb, and his eyelids moved as if he were dreaming.
Contented warmth oozed through Dusty. He had tried to fight his growing attraction to Katie, but being around her daily and eating meals with her made it nearly impossible. Dare he dream that she might one day return his affections? And was it being disloyal to Emily to hope Katie might?
Katie fidgeted on the seat beside him as he pulled the team under one of the last unoccupied trees. “I’m so excited. I’ve always loved coming to town for big celebrations like this.”
Her excitement was infectious, and he couldn’t help smiling. It had been a long time—years even—since he felt so lighthearted.
“Don’t let me forget to buy flannel before we leave. I need to make some more diapers for Joey. It seems like I’m doing laundry every day.”
“You want me to carry Joey for a while?”
Katie nodded and handed the baby to him; then he helped her alight from the wagon. “I’m so glad Doc cut off my cast when he came out to check on Uncle Mason. My wrist is still a bit stiff, so it’s a challenge to manage Joey and my long skirt.” She twisted her arm in front of him as if to prove her point.
The townsfolk cast curious stares in their direction as they walked down the boardwalk. Dusty could only imagine what they were thinking. Many had known Katie all her life, and most knew him from his job as deputy marshal. He ushered Katie toward the mercantile. “Ever had one of those new soda pops?”
“Oh yes!” Her eyes sparkled with delight. Katie loosened her bonnet and tugged it off. “Jarrod and I tried one in Claremont. It was delicious. And so bubbly.”
Dusty peered out the corner of his eye at Katie. Mentioning her deceased husband hadn’t seemed to dampen her enthusiasm. He breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t want anything to spoil this day.
After drinking a soda at the mercantile, they meandered around the booths and shops. The morning sped by as they watched the horse races and cheered on their favorite riders.
“Would you look at that!” Katie pointed at a trick roper and stared with her mouth open. “That’s amazing.”
The cowboy swung an eight-foot circle of lariat over his head. Then he lowered the loop and danced in and out of it, all the time keeping the rope spinning. Dusty nodded, impressed by the man’s expertise, too.
Joey squirmed in Dusty’s arms and started fussing. Katie studied the ground, a nice blush tinting her face. “I probably should change him and find somewhere to feed him.”
Dusty could tell she was uncomfortable discussing the subject with him. “Let’s go back to the wagon. It’s shady there and probably about as quiet as any place in town.”
Katie nodded and took his arm as he led her back to the wagon.
After fixing a blanket for Katie to rest on, Dusty moseyed through town. He’d seen signs of a rifle shoot at the far end of Guthrie and made his way over there, stopping at the marshal’s office long enough to pick up his favorite Winchester. He’d always been an expert marksman, and a shooting contest was just the thing to take his mind off Katie for a time.
“I still can’t believe you won that beautiful quilt in the rifle shoot. I’ve always admired Maude Wilson’s handiwork. Her quilts are the loveliest ones around these parts.” Katie glanced at the colorful coverlet lying in the back of the wagon, then smiled at Dusty. She couldn’t believe he’d given her something so nice. She probably shouldn’t accept the gift but didn’t want to hurt his fe
elings, and she desperately wanted the lovely Flying Geese quilt. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep it?”
“No, I want you to have it. Too fancy for me.” Dusty shook the reins and clicked his tongue to keep the team moving.
Katie tried to ignore the way her shoulder bumped against Dusty’s whenever the wagon traveled through a rut in the road. She glanced at Joey, who lay in her lap, looking around. He stuck a finger in his mouth and frowned, probably realizing it wasn’t his thumb. Love for her son bubbled up inside her.
With the sun behind her, she shed her bonnet and tossed it in the back of the wagon, allowing the light breeze to cool her. Though she hated leaving town before the evening festivities, they needed to get home before dark. She’d had a wonderful time and gotten the flannel she needed. She’d hoped to chat with the dressmaker; however, the woman’s shop was closed, and Katie never saw Miss Petit in town. At least Dusty had picked out material for two more shirts.
Katie peeked sideways at him, noticing the pleasing way he filled out the denim shirt she’d made him. A shadow of dark stubble shaded his cheeks, and his hair hung just past his collar, giving him a wild, untamed look. No wonder the single women in town kept casting him shy glances. Dusty was a fine-looking man.
He’d spent the day with her, even though he could have his choice of women. That thought sent a shiver of delight surging through her.
Katie hid a yawn behind her hand. She’d had a nice time, but it was a long day for a woman who’d recently had a baby. She wanted to lay her head on Dusty’s shoulder but resisted the temptation. Riding home like this felt almost as if they were a family returning from a pleasant day in town.
Dusty laid the reins across his leg, lifted his hat, and rubbed his brow. He looked sideways and caught her staring. His gaze held hers, and she couldn’t look away. She stared into his searing black eyes, her heart stampeding.
Joey let out a squeal, and she broke the connection and glanced at her son.
What had just happened?
She lifted Joey onto her left shoulder, creating a barrier between her and Dusty.
Did Dusty feel what she did? And just exactly what did she feel?
Once she’d gotten over being angry with him, she realized what a kind, considerate man he was. She knew he only kept coming around because of his guilt over the fire and her injury, but she wished that he harbored an attraction to her like she felt for him.
Yet Dusty still loved his first wife. She could tell from the things he’d said to her. He held on to his anger over Emily’s tragic death, just as she’d clung to her anger about the fire and her ruined wedding. But she’d been wrong to do so, and he needed to see that it was bad for him. Holding on to anger only hurt the one doing the holding. It had turned her into a grumpy, bitter person. But no more.
That night, after they returned to the farm and Joey had nursed and was asleep, Katie knelt down beside her bed.
“Father God, forgive me for all the anger I’ve harbored against Dusty. I know now that he was only doing his job and that he saved me from marrying an outlaw and making a horrible mistake. I was angry about the fire and losing my possessions, but You saved my life and my sweet son’s. Thank You, Father. And please help Dusty to turn loose of his anger and make peace with You.”
“That Deputy McIntyre is a mighty handsome man.” Emmylou Tompkins batted her eyelashes in Dusty’s direction. “You’re fortunate to be keeping his company.”
Katie watched Dusty darting back and forth, trying to corral the twins. They’d brought the children to church so that Mason and Rebekah could enjoy the morning alone. Uncle Mason was finally getting around again, but he couldn’t do much yet. Aunt Rebekah feared the jarring of the wagon would set him back, so they’d stayed home from church.
Katie looked at Emmylou. “I’m not keeping company with Mr. McIntyre. He’s helping out on the farm because my uncle got injured.”
Emmylou flounced beside Katie. “Well, that’s just my point. Why him? Why is the deputy marshal doing menial labor on your farm?”
Katie sighed. “It’s a long story, and I don’t want to get into it now.”
Emmylou’s lips puckered and twisted to one side. “Well, any of the unmarried women in town would gladly trade places with you.”
The nosy woman didn’t like being kept in the dark. Katie could only imagine what Emmylou would do if she knew that Katie had nearly married an outlaw. She tightened her lips to keep from giggling at the aghast expression that surely would have been on the woman’s face.
Dusty strode toward her with a squirming, giggling twin under each arm. “Got these two hooligans corralled. Did you find Deborah?”
Katie peered across the churchyard to where her cousin stood holding Joey, surrounded by a group of chattering girls. Josh stood off to the side with two friends, feigning lack of interest, at the same time covertly watching the group of females. Katie sighed. Her cousins were growing up.
Dusty deposited the twins in the back of the wagon. “Now stay put until we get underway. I don’t want to have to go hunting you down again.”
Both wide-eyed boys sat down and stared at him. Katie wondered if they were surprised at this sterner version of Dusty. He’d used his lawman’s voice to get the spirited boys under control, and it seemed to be working.
Katie allowed him to help her onto the wagon seat. She tied her bonnet strings under her chin and adjusted her skirts, ready to get home and out of the warmth of the Indian summer that had settled over the land. The wagon tilted and creaked as Dusty climbed up beside her. He let out a shrill whistle that made both her and the horses jump.
She gave him a questioning stare, and he grinned, sending her heart into spasms. He nodded his head toward the girls, and Katie saw that Deborah was walking toward them. “Civilized folk would simply walk over and tell Deborah it was time to leave.”
He pushed back his western hat and looked at her, nudging his shoulder into hers. An ornery glint flashed in his eyes. “Who ever told you I was civilized?”
A delicious shiver snaked down Katie’s spine. Dusty might like to believe he was as wild as a mustang, but she knew better. The man had a heart of gold, even if he’d never admit it.
Deborah handed Joey up to Dusty, who passed the baby to Katie. She cuddled her son and watched the clusters of church members break up and head for their wagons. Deborah climbed into the back of the wagon with Josh’s assistance.
“I want to ride with Josh,” Nick shouted.
“Nuh-uh. I want to.” Nathan bounced to his feet and started to climb over the side.
Dusty turned around and stared at the boys, and they both sat back down. It amazed Katie how he could command the mischievous boys’ obedience without even a word, when they’d barely listen to her and she’d known them all their lives.
“I don’t mind if they take turns riding with me.” Josh pulled his mare to a stop beside Dusty. “That is, if it’s all right with you.”
Dusty nodded. “Pick a number between one and twenty.”
“Five.” Nick jumped to his feet again. “Ten.” Nathan looked hopefully at Dusty.
“Nate wins. The number was twelve.”
“Aw, no fair.” Nick flopped down and crossed his arms. “Nicholas David Danfield.” Katie shot him a stern glare for his unruly response.
He ducked his head. “Sorry.”
Nathan climbed on behind Josh and beamed his victory until Katie also gave him a look. Deborah pulled Nick against her side and started telling him a story as Dusty clucked to the horses.
“What did you think of the sermon?” Katie peered sideways at him.
“Good.” He stared ahead, guiding the team around the McPherson and Robinson families, who stood beside the road, visiting. The women smiled and waved as they passed by. Dusty touched the brim of his hat.
Katie waved and smiled back. “Just good. That’s all you have to say?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to church, and it felt g
ood.”
Katie stared at the dried prairie grass swaying in the warm breeze as the wagon rocked back and forth down the dirt road. Dusty’s comment made her realize how little she really knew about him.
She couldn’t deny her feelings had taken an unexpected turn. At some point, she’d grown to care for him. He was so kind it was hard not to care.
But she couldn’t expect Dusty to hang around forever. One of these days, he would feel that he’d done enough penance and move on.
What would she do then?
She’d miss him, for sure.
She shouldn’t be pondering on Dusty, but rather on how she was going to become independent again. She couldn’t live with her aunt and uncle forever, no matter how loving and gracious they were. But how could a woman with a young child find work?
And what should she do about her feelings for Dusty?
eleven
Katie crossed the small bedroom, jiggling Joey on her shoulder. The baby cried and cried. Aunt Rebekah thought he was colicky or possibly teething, though he was still a bit young for that. Katie had tried to nurse him, but Joey pushed away and fussed. He wasn’t one to refuse a meal, so her concern mounted. She even tried rubbing his stomach, but that didn’t work.
She cooed to her son, aching for him. After another ten minutes of Katie walking and humming church hymns to him, Joey finally drifted off into a restless sleep. Her arms and back ached from standing and holding him so long. Did she dare try to lay him down?
When her arms and shoulders burned so much she was afraid she might drop her son, she carefully eased him into his cradle and covered him with a small quilt. Breathing a sigh of relief, she tiptoed out of the room and into the upstairs hallway.
“Yahoo! I’m gonna get ya, you mangy outlaw.” Nathan barreled up the stairs, feet pounding on the wooden slats, right behind his brother, whose face was covered with a bandanna.
A Bounty Hunter and the Bride Page 9