The Timeless Love Romance Collection

by Dianne Christner

  Edie thrilled to handle Wade’s Colt .45. She’d always wanted to try one. She stared at the bottles lined up on a boulder about fifteen yards away. Thinking to take aim and try her first shot, she slowly raised her hands.

  “Whoa. Let me show you first.” Wade stepped behind her and placed a hand on each of her arms, loosely embracing her. He softly instructed, “Now straighten out your arms. That’s good.”

  She could hardly concentrate from his close proximity. What had she been thinking? She would never be able to hit the bottles with him breathing next to her ear. She swallowed hard and tried to concentrate. Her arms trembled slightly.

  “Relax a moment. When we try again, I want you to put your index finger on the trigger. Then we’ll discuss squeezing it.”

  Edie relaxed. Instead of pulling away, Wade wrapped his arms around her in a loose hug. He rested his chin on the top of her head while he continued to instruct. “I also want you to look through the guide and position the bottle of your choice in the guide. Ready?”

  His voice sounded as if he were courting her rather than instructing her in gunmanship. She nodded, and he gently supported her arms. “Okay, look through the guide. See it?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right, slowly now, index finger on the trigger.”

  Her arm began to tremble. “I didn’t realize I’d be so nervous.”

  “Relax again.”

  She dropped her arms. “I cannot believe I am so unsteady.”

  As if he sensed his effect on her, he released her, drew up alongside her. “It takes practice to have a steady hand. Next time concentrate on keeping the gun steady. Pretend you’re pouring a cup of coffee for one of your customers. When you believe you have it, I want you to squeeze the trigger.”

  “All right. I’ll try again.” He stood by her side, allowing her to lift her arms into position. Slowly she squeezed until the gun fired. “Did I hit it?”

  He chuckled, “No, but don’t lose heart. It takes practice.”

  “But my hand was steady, and I had the bottle in the guide.”

  “When you squeezed the trigger, you jerked. The bullet went over the top of the bottle. Next time concentrate on keeping your hands steady for a moment after you squeeze the trigger.”

  With understanding, Edie raised her hands, squeezed the trigger again, and sent the bullet racing.

  Wade jumped and let out a whoop. “You got it, Edie! You’re a quick learner!”

  She stomped her foot and frowned. “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t aiming for that one.”

  Wade slapped his leg. “You’re one honest woman. Now try again.”

  Edie kept practicing until she could hit the bottle she was aiming at about half of the time.

  When she stopped to reload, Wade touched her chin with tenderness. “I’m proud of you.”

  Edie felt a little giddy from her accomplishment and couldn’t resist the temptation to flirt back. “But I’m not sure I remember that part about keeping my arms straight and steady.”

  Wade quickly caught her drift. “Allow me to demonstrate again.”

  Stepping up behind her, he enveloped her in his embrace again. Only he quietly removed the pistol from her hand and slipped it into his holster. Then he placed one arm around her waist and turned her to face him. She looked into his eyes and saw that they were warming, from play or affection, she wasn’t sure. He pulled her close, and she closed her eyes. He tightened his embrace, and his lips softly met hers. He released her, his voice husky. “If we want to remain friends, I believe we had better end this lesson.”

  “Yes,” she breathed. “Thank you.”

  “The pleasure’s been mine.”

  When they parted at the El Tovar, he took her hand and told her he would see her the next time the train brought him to the Grand Canyon. Dreamily she made her way to her room, where she lay on her bed and relived her afternoon with Wade until Dinah returned.

  “How was your date?”

  “Perfect. Thanks for letting us borrow your Indian blanket for our picnic.”

  Dinah shook her head. “All I can say is he’d better treat you right.”

  Edie raised up on one elbow. “I judged him too harshly before. He really is the sweetest man.”

  Making a face, Dinah repeated, “The tall, dangerous-looking ranger is sweet?”

  “Yes, he is. I told you before that he was sent on that cattle-rustling job. He couldn’t help it that he couldn’t come calling.”

  “But sweet?”

  “Well, he is. He is a godly man, and he’s very kind and considerate. Not to mention strong and dreamy.”

  “What about all that stuff you said about not wanting to marry a lawman? As I recall, the job is too dangerous, and if you asked him to quit, he would always resent it.”

  “You don’t understand. We’re just friends. We’re following our hearts.”

  “Come on. Surely you don’t think I believe that.” Dinah placed her sketch pad on her desk and suddenly turned back to Edie. “Did he say he just wanted to be friends?”

  “No. He said first he wanted to be friends, and then we’d see where our hearts led us.”

  Dinah crossed the room and sat on the edge of Edie’s bed. “Look. I don’t want to discourage you if you two are meant to be together. Only I don’t want him to hurt you or mislead you. I remember how he affected you before, when he said he’d call and then didn’t. Just be careful. Please.”

  Edie blinked back tears. “You’re right, of course. I do need to be careful. Thank you for pointing that out.” She swiped a hand across her eyes. “I don’t know why I find myself so weepy. Father would have hated that.”

  “My mother always told me there’s nothing wrong with a few tears. A woman is supposed to be soft. When you hold it in, you’ll turn hard. Women are meant to feel compassion. It’s God’s way.”

  “You sound like Wade. He’s always talking about God.” She suddenly remembered his gift to her. She pulled out the testament and showed Dinah. “Look. Wade gave me this today.”

  Dinah’s eyes lit. “He did? Maybe I was wrong about him.”

  “I told you he was sweet.” Then, feeling like it was two against one, ganging up on her with this talk about God, she giggled. “Heaven help me.”

  The girls embraced. Afterward, Dinah offered to show her a few of her favorite verses.

  Chapter 6

  Three days later Edie had the pleasure of waiting on Wade in the dining room. She winked at him. “Hello, favorite customer.”

  He flashed his winsome smile. “Hello, favorite Harvey Girl.”

  “How’s the chase going?”

  He leaned close and kept his voice low. “I happened to be on the right train this time.”

  Edie gasped. “You mean you caught him?”

  “Yes.” His brown eyes darkened. “But then the justice of the peace allowed him to escape. Seems Shady has plenty of accomplices.”

  She felt his keen disappointment and placed a hand on her hip. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

  “I wish I could. Two of his gang busted him loose when he was being moved from the jailhouse to the courthouse.”

  “I’m sorry, Wade. Oh bother. Miss Gibson is watching. I’d better take your order.”

  “All right, but can we meet later?”

  “Yes. How about the rooftop porch this time?”

  Wade hesitated briefly then nodded. “I’ll be there when you get off duty.”

  It seemed like eternity until Edie’s shift ended. She hastened up the staircase and stepped out onto the porch, searching for Wade in the twilight. He quickly made his presence known, offering her his hand.

  “You missed a beautiful sunset.”

  “I wish I could have shared it with you.”

  “Listen, Edie, I don’t want to scare you, but there’s something important you should know.”

  “What is it?” she asked, clutching his hand a bit tighter.

  “Shady Burt vowed he’d get eve
n with me. I’m not worried about myself. I hope he does come after me so I can take him in again. But I’m not sure if I should keep seeing you. He could see us together and remember you from the train. Even if he didn’t recognize you, if he thinks you’re my girl, there’s always the chance he might take out his vengeance on you to get even with me. Do you understand?”

  She slowly nodded. Although he made perfect sense, she wasn’t ready to end their friendship. She liked the way that sounded—his girl. “But I feel so safe when I’m with you.” She didn’t mention how often she worried about Shady Burt when she was alone. “I suppose it will always be this way with your dangerous job. If it isn’t Shady Burt, it’ll be someone else.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m afraid you’re right.”

  She looked up. The moon cast a romantic glow across his face. “What’s your heart telling you this time, Wade?”

  “It’s telling me to trust the Lord. What’s yours telling you?”

  “I believe it’s telling me to continue my shooting lessons. Maybe purchase a pistol.”

  Wade gave her a hug and chuckled. “I’ve not known a lot of women, but for sure I’ve never known one as feisty as you.”

  “Now you have my curiosity.”

  “You’re such an adventuress. I never thought I’d find someone who would date a lawman. Some of the rangers are married, but most are single.”

  “Are you always going to be a ranger? Is that your lifelong dream?”

  “I don’t give it much thought. I just concentrate on my job and do my best to outwit my opponents. I don’t think about the future.”

  She turned to face him. “Perhaps you should think about it now. I’m not sure I can pursue an association with someone who holds such a dangerous job. I wouldn’t ask a man to quit what he loves doing, but I can’t promise you I won’t turn and run before I get overly attached to you.”

  He cupped her cheek and gave her that charming smile. “Oh, that’s cruel. I thought you already were overly attached. I guess I have some more persuading to do. I definitely see more shooting lessons in our future.”

  “Look, Wade!” She turned her face away and pointed in the distance. “A shooting star. Did you wish on it, too?”

  He shook his head and chuckled. “No, I’ll let you do the wishing for both of us.”

  The breeze was sweet, rustling her skirt. “A real romantic, aren’t you? What would you have wished on?”

  His voice softened. “That you would be overly attached to me. Now before you object, I’d best get you back to your dormitory, as much as I hate to. It’s getting late, and we don’t want you to miss your curfew.”

  She nodded, and as they started toward the door, she marveled again at his kind, considerate behavior. Father would have liked his adventuresome spirit, but she liked his gentle side.

  Wade extinguished his campfire and slipped into his bedroll, thinking about his second shooting lesson with Edie. As usual, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. If only Shady hadn’t escaped. Edie made light of her fears, but he could tell she harbored them. He certainly had enough misgivings for the both of them. He wanted to see Edie as often as he could, but he also didn’t want to lead Shady her way. Torn as he was about it, even more crucial was the problem of where their friendship was headed. Was it even fair to hope a woman like Edie could love a man like him?

  Edie’s comments of late were forcing him to examine his lifestyle, something he’d never done before. He’d fallen into his ranger job, loving the freedom and challenges it afforded as well as the satisfaction he received when fighting for justice. Now he wondered if Edie would reject him because of his job if he pressed his suit.

  His only other interest was ranching. But that was foolish dreaming. His small stash was not enough to invest toward such an endeavor. As far as connections, a few weeks earlier the Tucson rancher had been so pleased when the rustlers were caught, he’d told Wade that if he ever needed a favor or got ready to settle down, he’d gladly help. He gazed at the night sky and sighed, remembering the shooting star they’d watched from the El Tovar’s rooftop porch. He should have asked Edie what she had wished. It might help him to know if he was setting himself up for a big letdown.

  Edie was a self-professed adventuress. What if she deemed their attraction merely a pleasant diversion? Maybe she was leading him on a merry chase. He took things seriously. Most likely he’d be the one with the broken heart. Still, his heart compelled him to pursue her. He hoped the urging was from God.

  The Bible verse he’d heard on the train came to mind: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” It was easy to think about God on nights like this, gazing up at His creation. Are You trying to tell me You’re going to protect me from a broken heart, too? The night was silent except for the sounds of nature. A coyote howled. I never minded the loneliness before now.

  A week later Edie hurried up the steps to the rooftop porch. Like the tourist couples, she and Wade planned to share lunch and then hike the hotel grounds around the canyon’s rim. Wade was waiting and rushed forward to greet her with a hug. “Mm, something smells good.”

  “Ham and cheese sandwiches, apple pie, and milk.” Edie placed a Hopi blanket on the floor in a private corner, kneeled, and set out their lunch, cheerfully chattering. “I’m excited to go on our hike today. Miss Gibson has warned me not to do much exploring on my own. When I go with Dinah, she prefers sketching over hiking.”

  “That reminds me,” Wade said, kneeling beside her and reaching into his tan vest pocket. “I brought you something.”

  Beaming, Edie gushed, “I love surprises. What is it?”

  He pulled out a small package wrapped in brown paper and handed it to her. “Open it carefully.”

  Edie disregarded his instructions and tore into the wrapping with excitement. “Oh, Wade! It’s beautiful!” She rolled the four-and-a-half-inch pistol from palm to palm. “So tiny. It’s perfect. What’s it called?”

  “It’s a Colt vest pocket pistol.”

  “She clutched the gun by its carved ivory grip, turning it this way and that. “I’ve no vest pocket like you. I wonder how I shall carry it?”

  “Begging your pardon, but I’ve heard some women wear it with a garter.” Edie blushed, and he quickly added, “Or you could keep it inside that beaded purse you carry.”

  “Well, I’m sure I’ll find the perfect place for it.”

  He pointed toward the handle. “Look there.”

  She tilted the silver-plated weapon. “It’s engraved.” She peered more closely. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. “How did you know—Oh! That day on the train?”

  He nodded. “I thought it was fitting. Let me show you how it works. It comes apart easily.”

  Heads together, they went over the pistol’s intricacies.

  Afterward, they dropped off the remains of their lunch at the dormitory and started their hike, Wade offering her his hand when needed. They fell into a pleasant camaraderie, occasionally talking but mostly enjoying each other’s presence. When they stopped to rest, Edie moved away from Wade and leaned over the railing, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. “Isn’t this the most amazing place? Even looking at the canyon like this, I can’t grasp how vast it is. Nor how beautiful.”

  “Edie, please be careful.”

  She cast him a defiant look. “Maybe I’ll just lean over a bit too far and see if a handsome ranger will rescue me.”

  “Don’t! Edith! Get back for the sake of life!”

  Edith? His scolding tone hurt Edie’s pride. “Why are you so edgy?”

  “I’m not. I just want you to be careful.”

  Giving him a frown, she noticed sweat beads breaking out on his forehead. Strange, she thought, moving toward him. “Are you feeling all right?”

  He reached out and snatched her arm, drawing her close. “I just don’t like your being so close to the edge.”
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br />   Squirming around to give him another glance, she was astonished to see he was quite serious. “Why are you treating me like a child?”

  “Can we just walk again?”

  She stared at him in confusion.

  “I’ll explain if we can just walk, over there.”

  Edie shrugged. She took the arm he offered and let him lead her along the trail that veered away from the guardrail. “I’m waiting,” she urged.

  “I know it’s foolish. I don’t like cliffs.”

  “But there was a railing, and I was perfectly safe. How else could I get the full benefit of the view?”

  “Accidents do happen.”

  “This doesn’t sound like you, Wade.”

  He took off his hat, punched it, and placed it on again. “It’s not something I can help or explain.”

  “Are you saying you’d be afraid to stand where I was?”

  “Not afraid. I just can’t breathe.”

  His confession amazed her. “Why?” she asked.

  “I’m sure it has something to do with my parents’ accident. I was just a kid when I saw their wagon go over a cliff. I was riding with my uncle. Anyway, I just can’t breathe when I get that close to a precipice.”

  She touched his arm with compassion. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Doesn’t that hinder your job?”

  He shrugged away. “It hasn’t yet, but I suppose it could.”

  She placed her hands on her waist. “My father always said one has to face up to his fears. That’s the only way to conquer them.”

  Wade’s voice sounded gruff. “I suppose that’s why you wanted to learn to shoot.”

  She nodded. “Look, Wade. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I’m not ashamed. Like I said, I’m not afraid.”

  “Of course not. But know what I think?”

  He gave her a wry smile. “No, but I think you’re going to tell me.”

  “You need to face this fear.”

  “It’s not a fear.”

  “Whatever it is, conquer it before you have to deal with it sometime when you’re chasing an outlaw. Sometime when it could really cost you your life.”