At first she looked startled, and Caleb saw her eyes fill with tears. She cleared her throat and quickly said, “Morning, Preacher.” Then she scurried around him.
Caleb turned and looked after her with a worried frown; and when he turned around again, he nearly ran into Prudence Primrose and her daughter, Patience, who were standing right in front of him.
“Brother Caleb,” she said smartly, her face pinched tight with disapproval, “maybe you are not aware of this, but that woman you just spoke to is not someone the decent folks of this town associate with. A minister has to remember things such as that.”
Caleb, who usually just nodded and let her words go in one ear and out the other, became irritated. He was not in the mood to listen to anything Prudence Primrose had to say! “Mrs. Primrose, I only said hello. Jesus didn’t ignore people just because they weren’t acceptable to the ‘decent folks.’ We should follow His example.”
She quickly backed off. “Of course you are right, Brother Caleb. I wasn’t sure you knew whom you were talking to. I—”
“I knew, Mrs. Primrose. I hope you ladies have a fine day,” he said as he tried to move around them.
“Oh, there was something else I wanted to mention, if you don’t mind,” she said, stopping his escape.
He stifled a sigh. “And what is that, Mrs. Primrose?”
She thrust her chin up in the air, the way she always did when she had something that she thought was of great importance to tell. “It’s been brought to my attention that you’ve been seen at the mercantile quite a bit. I hope you are not becoming friendly with that Rachel Branigan. It didn’t set well with me that day you went running out after her. I just want to warn you—”
“Uh, Miss Patience? I heard that you can sing. Would you want to sing a special song this Sunday at church?” he interrupted, not wanting to get into the subject of Rachel again.
That shut Prudence right up. She actually smiled and clasped her hands together. “Of course she will! Tell him, dear, that you’d love to!”
Patience began batting her eyelashes at him (he’d noticed that, while she was being ignored, she hadn’t batted them even one time). “Why, of course I will, Brother Caleb! Sure is awful nice of you to think of me.”
Oh no, he thought as he watched her give him a flirtatious smile. Out of the pot and into the frying pan! He certainly didn’t want Patience to think he was giving her special attention.
“I’m just relying on what someone told me, Miss Patience. Let me know your selection so I can make an announcement.” He tipped his hat once more. “I’ll see you both Sunday.” He was quicker about going around them this time, and he succeeded.
All this was being observed (in a subtle way, of course) by Addie and Mattie Mae from the window of the mercantile, while Rachel listened to their chatter. She was sorting through the candy and taking the empty boxes to the storeroom.
“Wonder what that was all about?” Mattie Mae pondered aloud.
“Hmm. I don’t know, but Prudence’s mouth is hangin’ open like she wasn’t done talking,” Addie mused.
Mattie Mae sighed and backed away from the window. “Oh well. Show’s over. Let’s get these books dusted off.”
They headed off toward the back of the store to the bookshelves. They got together every week to dust the books and to share any news they’d heard that week. (They would never, of course, call it gossip!)
They each grabbed a dust rag and a book and sat down on a pair of stools.
“That Brother Caleb is something else, I’ll tell ya!” Addie commented. “Why, he don’t care a hoot or holler what folks think of his methods of doing things. The man’s been sittin’ outside the saloon every night, talkin’ to men as they go in and out. Says to me that most of those men wouldn’t set foot near his church doors, so he just goes to them instead! Why, it seems to be working, too. Saw old Dusty Ramsey sittin’ in the back pew Sunday morning. The old coot had shaved his whiskers and even combed his hair.” She looked thoughtful for a moment. “You know, I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever seen old Dusty sober!”
Mattie Mae nodded. “Yeah, he’s doing a right fine job!” she agreed.
Rachel grinned as she listened in on their conversation. She loved hearing about Caleb and everything he was doing in the town. She looked over at the last of the boxes and sighed. Work wasn’t going to get done by daydreaming and eavesdropping.
She picked up the empty boxes and carried them to where the older women were. “Addie, I’ll be in the storeroom,” Rachel told the storekeeper.
The little bell above the door tinkled as soon as she had spoken, signaling the arrival of a customer. Addie didn’t move. She just looked over at Mattie Mae and said, “See about the customer first, will ya, Rachel?”
“I wonder who it is?” Mattie Mae asked.
Addie lifted a brow and looked down at the watch pinned to her dress. “That’ll be the reverend,” she said.
Mattie Mae looked at her oddly and strained to see over the shelf they were sitting behind. “How in the world did you know he was coming here?”
“It’s eleven o’clock. Comes in here every day about this time.”
“What for?”
Addie shrugged, her eyes on her dusting. “Paper.”
“Paper?”
Addie looked at her with patience. “Preachers make notes for their sermons, don’t they? I reckon that’s what he needs paper for.”
“He buys paper every day?”
Addie nodded. “A tablet each day.”
Mattie Mae whistled softly. “That’s an awful lot of note taking!”
“I reckon.”
Rachel came from the back of the store, an excitement dancing around in her chest. It was the same every time Caleb came into the mercantile. She knew he came to see her, though they both pretended that wasn’t why he was there.
She found him looking through the tools in the store’s third aisle. He apparently was very interested in what he was examining, because he didn’t hear her as she came up behind him.
“Hello, Brother Caleb.”
Caleb whirled around when he heard her voice, not knowing she was so close to him. He reached out to steady her as she took a step back, but she bumped into a stack of cans and lost her balance. Before he knew it, she was falling; and because he was holding on to her, he fell right with her.
“Oomph!” they both grunted as they hit the floor. Caleb had made an attempt to help break her fall but instead ended up falling across her body.
Immediately he lifted his head and looked at her startled face. “Rachel! Are you hurt?”
She looked like she was having a hard time breathing, and she mumbled something that he couldn’t understand.
“What? I can’t understand you, Rachel? What’s wrong?”
“YOU’RE SQUASHING THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME! GET OFF!” she forced out in one breath.
“Oh!” Caleb mumbled, chagrined. He clumsily pushed away the cans and scrambled to his feet.
“I’m sorry, Rachel. Let me help you up,” he said, offering his hand.
She let him lift her up, and, after a quick check, realized that she was unhurt. She looked up to find Caleb watching her with concern. “I’m okay,” she assured him. “Really, I am.”
He reached for her hand and held it between both of his. “I hope so, Rachel, because I would never forgive myself if I’d harmed you in any way.”
He looked so upset. She was touched by his concern. “You didn’t. Now help me pick up these cans before Addie skins us both,” she said with a teasing smile.
He let go of her hand. “Oh no! We don’t want to make the old girl mad!” he said, laughing, and quickly went to work.
They restacked the cans in no time. “Okay!” Rachel exclaimed, dusting off her hands. She turned to Caleb. “Did you need more paper today?” she asked innocently.
He passed her a dry look. “No ma’am. I think I have enough paper to last quite awhile now.”
She laughed. “Well, what can I get you today? Do you need any tools?”
“No. I came by to ask you if you would meet me at Harold Ray’s stables. I’m meeting him around five to get a horse from him. Thought you might want to be there when I pick one out.”
Her smile fell. “I don’t think so, Caleb. Somebody might see me.”
He let out a frustrated breath. “Please, Rachel. I know you worry about that, but I really want you to come today. Nobody will notice if you come at, say, five-thirty, will they?”
She knew she should say no, but looking at him and knowing how much he wanted to be with her …
“Okay, Caleb. I’ll meet you at the stables,” she relented. “But please make sure nobody sees us, all right? I’m worried about you, not me.”
His smile was back. “Great. And I promise everything will be fine.” He picked up her hand and gave it a quick kiss. “I’ll see you this afternoon!” And with that he left the store.
Rachel was still staring at the closed door when she overheard the ladies talking.
Mattie Mae spoke up. “Okay, Addie Hayes. What’s this all about? What is going on between those two?”
“They are friends and that’s all. Now stop trying to make mountains out of molehills, and let’s get back to work!”
“Humph!” Mattie Mae snorted. “Friends or not, no one is going to like them being seen together. It’ll cause nothing but trouble, Addie. Trouble!”
“I know, Mattie Mae. I know.”
Rachel closed her eyes tightly for a second, then went back to get the boxes.
Chapter 8
Harold Ray had a small corral behind his stables. As Caleb approached the three horses grazing there, he knew which one was his. The horse had a shiny black coat and stood tall—it obviously was the product of excellent bloodlines.
Caleb leaned on the fence beside Harold Ray. “See one you like?” Harold Ray asked. “They’re all three good riding horses, but they are also buggy trained, if you need them for that.”
Caleb nodded his head and studied the horses once more. “Let me have a look at the black one there.”
Harold Ray opened the gate and grinned at the preacher. “Figured that would be the one you liked! Go on in and look him over.” He motioned Caleb forward.
The horse eyed Caleb warily as he approached the animal. He reached out his hand, and the horse jerked his head away but didn’t back up.
“Whoa there, boy,” he called softly to the horse. “That’s right. Easy now …” This time the horse stood still and let Caleb’s hand stroke his nose and then his neck.
“He’s a beauty, ain’t he?” Harold Ray commented behind Caleb. “He was a little skittish when he first got here, but it seems like he has calmed down some. He’ll do good for you!”
Harold Ray brought the horse into the stable and they saddled him. They were still standing talking when Rachel and Caitlin walked in.
“Come on in, Rachel!” Caleb called out when she seemed hesitant about entering.
Rachel shut the door behind her and looked at both of them.
Caleb motioned for her to join them, aware of her nervousness. He felt so proud when she walked up and stood by him. He knelt down and picked up Caitlin so that she could get a better look at the horse.
“What do you think?” he asked them both, though his eyes were on Rachel.
Rachel looked at the horse and said the first thing that came to her mind. “He’s so big!”
The two men laughed. “Yes, he is that.” He directed his attention to Caitlin. “What do you think, darlin’? Do you want to touch him?”
Caitlin seemed to ponder this for a moment. “Horse spooky!” she said, but the next minute she had her chubby little hand on the horse’s mane, lightly touching the coarse hairs with her fingertips.
“Spooky, huh?” echoed Caleb. He threw both Harold Ray and Rachel a wry look. “Not spooky enough that she’s afraid of him, apparently.”
Rachel laughed and shook her head. “There’s not much that scares her, I’m afraid. She’s too curious to stay afraid for long.”
Harold Ray spoke, then excused himself, saying he had to go check on the two horses still in the corral.
Rachel’s nervousness returned the moment Harold Ray walked out the door. And Caleb knew it.
“Hey,” he called softly to her so that she’d look at him. “It’s okay. Harold Ray is not going to say anything about you being here.”
She shrugged. “I know. He’s really sweet. I’m just not used to any of this, Caleb.”
He put Caitlin down and then reached out to tuck a loose hair behind her ear. “I know. But I’m so glad that you came.”
She smiled. “Me, too.” She took Caitlin’s hand and looked toward the door. “But I guess we’d better go. It’s going to be dark soon.”
He nodded. “I’ll watch to make sure you get back all right.”
“Just make sure—”
He waved away her concern. “I won’t be seen, Rachel. I promise.”
When they got to the door, he stopped her before she could open it. “Rachel, I have an idea. Why don’t I meet you tomorrow for lunch, out by the stream. Nobody ever comes by there at that time of day, and I’ll even bring the food.”
She paused, and he had a sinking feeling that she was going to refuse. It was like there was a war going on in her head. Then she looked at him and blurted out, “Okay. We’ll be there.”
He couldn’t believe she’d agreed so quickly. He felt like throwing his head back and giving a victory yell, yet he did his best to appear calm. “Great!” He opened the stable door and lovingly ran his eyes down her pretty face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
She shyly nodded. “Good night.”
He stood at the door and watched as she made her way to the mercantile. “Good night,” he whispered, his voice floating out after her in the night.
When she arrived at the store and went inside, he closed the door and yelled, “Yee-haw!”
He felt a little foolish when he turned around and found Harold Ray staring at him like he’d lost his mind.
Rachel and Caitlin were the first to arrive at the pretty spot beneath the willow tree. Her hands shook as she tucked back a stray hair that had blown across her face. Not for the first time, she glanced down at her clothes to recheck her appearance. She wore a pink calico skirt with a white shirtwaist. Nothing fancy. Should she have dressed up more? Maybe she shouldn’t have come at all.
Caitlin found the water and ran toward the edge.
“No, Caity!” Rachel called out as she caught up with the enthusiastic two-year-old. “You mustn’t get so close to the water without me, lass. I wouldn’t want you to fall in!”
She pointed out a couple of minnows that were swimming by. Caitlin wanted to try to catch them, but Rachel talked her out of it.
They were still talking about the fish when they heard Caleb’s horse galloping up behind them.
Caitlin immediately forgot about the fish and fixed her attention on Caleb and his horse. “Spooky horsey! Spooky horsey!” she chanted, jumping up and down as Caleb dismounted.
Rachel’s heart was pounding in her chest as he walked toward them. He surely must be the most handsome man in all of Texas, she thought. His longish black hair was wind-tossed, his sun-bronzed skin was flushed from the ride, and his green eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
All of a sudden, she realized that she had fallen in love with him. It was like he’d been made just for her. Surely God would work something out, she prayed.
“Hello,” he said in a low voice. He was looking at her peculiarly; and after a moment, Rachel realized that he was looking at her just like she was looking at him!
“Hi,” she returned softly.
They stood there looking into each other’s eyes; and for a moment, nothing in the world mattered except for them and that moment.
“I missed you, you know,” he said.
She blushed and replied, “I mis
sed you, too.”
But Caitlin was being left out and was not happy about it.
“Caley! Caley! Pick up! Pick up!” she cried and held up her arms for him.
They both laughed. He scooped the little girl into his arms and hugged her. “Caley, huh? Never been called that before.”
“Caley,” she said with a nod, as if saying “and that settles the matter!”
Rachel smiled and shook her head. Then she pointed to the willow tree. “I have a blanket spread out over there; and if you’ll get the food, I’ll lay it all out.”
“All right. Come on, Caitlin! Let’s go get the food.” He hoisted her up onto his shoulders, and she squealed with delight.
Rachel watched them and felt a small ache in her heart. Caitlin had missed so much, not having a father. She realized that her little girl was becoming fond of Caleb. What if she got attached to him and he gave in to the dictates of the town and stopped coming around to see them?
Rachel was afraid that it would devastate them both.
But she wasn’t going to think about dismal and depressing thoughts today! She ran toward the blanket where Caleb and Caitlin were already heading and went to work putting out the food.
They had a wonderful picnic. Caleb had gotten plenty of food from the restaurant, and they listened to him tell stories about his life in Santa Fe and his surrogate parents, the Ellises. He also got Rachel to talk about herself. Mainly, about her life before her parents were killed.
After they finished their meal, Caleb took Caitlin riding around the meadow on the big black horse (which Caleb still hadn’t named). And he promised to bring Rachel back to this place, when Caitlin wasn’t with her, and give her a ride also.
They were packing up the food and the blanket when Caitlin went skipping off to pick flowers that were growing by an old stump.
Caleb fastened the basket to the saddle. “I can’t say when I’ve had a more pleasant day.” He turned and smiled at her. “Thanks for coming today, Rachel. You two are special to me, and I’m thankful for every moment that I have with you.”
Lone Star Romance Collection Page 6