by Emma Ashwood
“A breath of fresh air?” Agnes stopped laughing but she couldn’t stop giggling. “That’s not how I would describe my brother. I’ve never heard him called a breath of fresh air before.”
“Well, he feels like it to me.” Why was Penny feeling defensive? “I don’t get that much back home. It’s refreshing to have someone who’s not afraid to pull punches.”
And Austin was. He gave her the solid, cold truth. Penny preferred that to dancing around issues.
“That’s Austin for you.” Agnes said warmly. “A bit of a lout but he does know how to look after someone.”
“That he does.” Penny murmured. Then she saw Agnes giving her a knowing look. What was she concocting now? “What?”
“Nothing.” Agnes did her best to look innocent and focused on her chicken. “Just my mind thinking over something.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Agnes giggled and flashed her a wink.
“Not telling.”
Her friend was up to something and Penny had a feeling it involved Austin. Why did that fill her with apprehension?
CHAPTER FOUR
Trouble is Coming
“Watch out, trouble’s coming.”
“Huh?”
Anton Black pointed towards the yard. Austin turned and pushed his Stetson out of his eyes, sneezing as the dust went up his nose. He needed to see the doctor about that. He saw Agnes in the yard talking to Chris Morgan and he frowned at Anton.
“Don’t be mean, Anton. She is our sister.”
“Well, she is trouble.” His older brother nodded at Agnes as she smiled sweetly up at Chris. “Look at her. She’s making our boss trip over himself.”
It looked that way. Chris had been heading towards the barn at the far side of the yard moments before. He must have sprinted over to talk to Agnes. Austin noticed how awkward he was, despite trying so hard. It was amusing to see the big man suddenly so shy around the petite young woman. From the glint in her eyes, Agnes really did find Chris attractive. The fact he was pushing thirty didn’t faze her as much as she declared.
“Agnes knows what she’s doing.”
“I hope so.” Anton grunted as he mounted his horse. “We can’t afford to have our jobs in jeopardy because she messes about with the boss’s emotions.”
Austin glowered at him. Anton loved Agnes but he was one to put cold hard logic over feelings. Austin did wonder how Anton managed to make Perdita fall in love with him in the first place, being that they were complete opposites.
Maybe opposites really did attract.
“Hello, you two.”
Agnes was walking over. Chris had his eyes on her as she walked away, before he saw Austin and Anton looking at him. Then he hurried towards the barn. Agnes gave Austin a grin.
“I’ve brought you two something to eat. Bread with meat toppings and apples.”
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver, Agnes.” Anton leaned over and relieved her of the food.
Agnes watched his horse trot off with him, and raised an eyebrow at Austin.
“I take it he wasn’t calling me that a moment ago.”
“Not really.” Austin took a bite of the apple. “He was actually calling you things that I wouldn’t be too impressed with.”
“As always.” Agnes grunted. She put her basket down and straightened up, brushing the flour off her hands onto her skirts. “By the way, I had lunch with Penny today. She’s looking a lot better.”
Penny. Austin always felt his pulse skip whenever he thought of her. Her smile was enough to stop him in his tracks. Beneath that cool exterior she had brought over from Philadelphia, Penny was actually warm and friendly. He enjoyed being around her and was pleased to see her blossoming in Eugene, where others would be flailing.
Coming out here had certainly been good for her.
“I’m glad.” He mumbled when he saw Agnes’s pointed look. “She seems to be enjoying her work.”
“Her parents never let her work, remember? I’m guessing mucking out the pigs would have been a dream.” Agnes smirked. “I must say, I approve of her, Austin.”
“What are you talking about?”
“She’s a pretty girl. Very pretty. Clever, quick-witted and tougher than she looks. I think she even surprised herself with all of those qualities. She’s perfect.”
“For what?”
Agnes raised her eyebrows and folded her arms, still smirking. Austin had a feeling he was missing something, but then the penny dropped and Austin realized what his sister was implying. He stared.
“For me? Agnes, are you trying to set me up with Penny Smythe?”
Agnes smirked.
“Well, she seems quite taken with you. And from the way you’ve been around her, I’d say the feeling is mutual.”
Penny found him attractive. Austin felt light-headed. He didn’t think the feelings were reciprocated though, not when Penny was still clearly thinking about Cody. He shook himself and scowled at his sister.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Agnes. She’s still mourning Cody. I can’t compete with him, even if he is dead.”
“So, you do think she’s attractive!” Agnes said triumphantly.
“What part of that said I found her attractive?” Austin huffed. “Anyway, even if I did, nothing’s going to happen. I’m allowed to look, aren’t I?”
“You can.” Agnes winked. “But I think she would prefer you did more than look.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t say no if you asked her out to dinner.” Agnes picked up her basket and threw him a smile as she turned away. “Think about it. It’s about time you had a bit of fun.”
Austin could only stare as she walked away. What was she up to now? Was she that bored she was trying to matchmake him with her friend? Austin swallowed and turned away, trying to put his mind back to work. But it didn’t work. All he could think about was that lovely face with a smile that lit up her blue eyes.
He was in trouble.
*****
Judith let out a sigh of relief as the final customer left.
“Thank God for that. It’s been a long day.”
“You can say that again.” Penny wiped her numb fingers across her forehead. They came away glistening with sweat. “I can barely feel my fingers.”
“Well, you did work hard.” Judith grinned. “I don’t think I’ve seen anyone be everywhere like you were.”
“I like to be kept busy.” Penny picked up a few empty crates and began to stack them. “I’ve had nearly twenty years of sitting around being bored.”
“You weren’t allowed to run around as a child?”
“We were told to occupy ourselves.” Penny made a face. “The only time we really had any structure to keep us busy was during our lessons. Those I loved. My parents were of the class that thought small children should be seen and not heard.”
And they were now of the class that thought daughters did whatever they were told. Their latest letter informed her that the police were mobilized to Eugene, to take her home whether she liked it or not.
Penny could only hope she could make the law see reason. She didn’t want to go back.
Judith chuckled as she began to roll the measuring tapes away into their box.
“It’s a good thing you’re a fast learner then, or you’d be struggling out here. You can head off now. I’ll lock up.”
“Don’t you need help with taking the money over to the bank?” Penny asked.
“No, I’ve got that. You get some sleep.”
Penny shrugged. Judith was very particular about her takings. She headed towards the door, opening her mouth to bid her employer goodnight when two men dressed in black wearing bandannas over their mouths charged into the shop. One pushed past Penny and the other pressed the muzzle of his pistol to her head, his eyes dark under his hat.
“Don’t scream or I’ll shoot.” He growled.
Penny froze. She couldn’t move. Were these the men who had shot Cody? Now they w
ere going after Judith?
Oh, God. Her legs felt weak. Her captor pushed her backwards into the store as his companion went up to the counter and pointed his own gun at Judith’s head.
“Give us your money.” He snapped. “All of it.”
Judith had also frozen. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. She didn’t move fast enough and the gun was jabbed into her face.
“Do it, lady.”
Judith gave Penny a panicked look. Penny had the compulsion to scream but the gun still pointed at her face stopped her. She gulped and gave Judith a nod.
“It’s fine, Judith. We’ll be fine.”
Judith’s expression said she disagreed, which motivated her to placing the bags of money on the counter. The man holding Penny captive chuckled.
“Good girl. You’ve got some sense.”
Penny didn’t know where it had come from, but she started to growl. How could he be so jovial about all this?
“More sense than whoever shot an innocent store owner in the head.” She snapped.
That confused her captor whose friend had stored the money in his saddle bag and was now striding over to them, glaring at Penny.
“You’re talking too much.” He snapped, his free hand balling into a fist. “I don’t like girls who talk too much.”
He swung. Penny reacted on instinct. She ducked and lunged out, landing her fist square in the man’s stomach. The gun jerked and fired, the bullet missing Penny’s face by inches and burying itself in the wall behind her. Penny’s cheek was burning. She found herself on the floor, the gun pointed at her face as the robber stood over her.
“You’re going to regret that.” He snarled.
The sound of breaking glass had Penny look up to see the other man wrestling with someone in the doorway. The window behind them had shattered and the gun was on the ground. She saw Austin bring his arm back and punch his brawler in the face. Once, twice. Before he could hit a third time, the man went down. And he stayed down.
The man holding Penny down let out a howl and fired at him. Austin ducked under the first one, the window spraying glass all over him, but then his body jerked and he landed hard on the floor. Penny’s heart almost stopped.
“Austin!”
She tried to get up but was hit in the face, sending her sprawling again. When she was able to open her eyes and blink through the pain, she found both robbers were gone. Judith was also missing and Austin was lying in the broken glass, clutching at his shoulder.
“Austin!” Penny scrambled over, not caring as the glass cut into her hands and knees. She reached Austin and touched his pale jaw. “Austin?”
“I’m fine.” Austin managed a smile and sat up. “Really, I’m fine. I think.”
Then his eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped into Penny’s arms.
CHAPTER FIVE
Pain
Austin’s shoulder hurt like the blazes. This wasn’t what he had planned on doing, spending his evening in the doctor’s surgery having his shoulder sewn back up. Thankfully, the bullet hadn’t taken residence. But it still hurt.
He hadn’t planned on playing the hero. Austin had been on his way over to Judith’s shop to finally ask Penny to go out to dinner with him. After a month of dithering about, he had made up his mind to ask her. Austin had not expected to walk into a robbery in progress or find a gun pointed at Penny’s face.
He had just reacted on instinct. Austin didn’t even think before he charged at and tackled the nearest robber. The elation that he had taken one down disappeared when the other shot him.
Penny would think him an absolute fool.
“Austin?”
Austin looked up. As if conjured up by his thoughts, Penny was standing in the doorway to the surgery. She still looked pale, her eyes still carrying some fear, but she was alive.
Austin remembered that he wasn’t wearing his shirt. Penny’s eyes were now on the bandage wrapped around his shoulder and chest. Flushing, he snatched up the shirt and managed to shrug it on.
“Penny. I thought you were giving your statement.”
“Already done.” Penny entered the room and sat beside him. “The sheriff’s put them in the lockup and one’s rolled on the other for Cody’s murder.”
That was something. Judith had managed to slip out and fetch the sheriff while they were distracted with Austin’s attack. They had been caught on their way out of Eugene and had surrendered very quickly, according to the doctor as he happily stitched Austin’s shoulder.
It felt good knowing that someone had admitted to the murder, but it didn’t make Austin feel any better. It wasn’t going to bring Cody back.
“How’s the shoulder?”
“Huh?”
Penny indicated his wounds. Austin coughed.
“Very sore. The doctor said the bullet passed straight through. I’m going to be fine.” He grimaced as he rolled his shoulder. “Just.”
Penny was staring at him. She bit her lip as her hand slid onto his arm, giving his forearm a squeeze.
“You saved my life.” She whispered.
Austin wanted to take her into his arms. His hands itched to touch her. But he kept himself still, not trusting himself.
“And you saved Judith. I’m sure she’s going to be very grateful for that.”
Austin didn’t want to take the credit. He felt like a louse for accepting any of it. But Penny was there, staring at him with her blue eyes, and he felt himself leaning towards her. Penny’s lips parted and she sucked in a sharp breath. But she didn’t pull away.
“I…” She stuttered before swallowing. “Thank you.”
Austin couldn’t help himself. He reached out with his good hand and touched her jaw, his fingers brushing her soft skin.
“Anything for you, Penny.”
He didn’t know which of them moved first but they were now locked in a kiss. Penny whimpered but she didn’t pull away. Austin felt her hand slide up his chest and around his neck, her fingers sliding through the hairs at the nape of his neck. It was a soft gesture that had Austin growling and pulling her closer. He had held back from kissing her for a long time. Never had he thought Penny would kiss him back.
Reluctantly, he pulled away and opened his eyes to see Penny staring at him. Her mouth was swollen and her eyes bright. She looked stunned. Her mouth opened and closed, her cheeks flushing. She was lovely when she blushed.
Then Penny was standing up quickly, pulling away.
“I…I have to go.”
“Penny…”
But Penny was gone, hurrying out of the room. The door slammed behind her.
*****
“Penny?”
Penny looked up. She had been so deep in her thoughts she hadn’t noticed Agnes approaching, her arms laden with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She sat up.
“Agnes. I didn’t know you were here.”
“I was coming to lay flowers on Father’s grave. It’s the anniversary of his death.” Agnes’s smile faded and she looked across the cemetery. “You’re here to see Cody, aren’t you?”
Across from her was Cody’s gravestone, freshly turned. Whenever things got stressful and Penny felt like cracking, she came here to sit with Cody as if she was actually with him. His spirit seemed a comfort to her.
She had hurried here after seeing Austin. Austin, the man who had helped her, who made her blood feel like she was on fire.
The man who had a beautiful mouth and who knew how to kiss.
His kiss was still burning Penny’s mouth. She had wanted more but common sense had kicked in. They couldn’t. It felt like a betrayal.
Penny wished she wasn’t so fickle with her emotions.
“What’s going on, Penny?” Agnes settled beside her on the grass, smoothing out her skirts and laying the bouquet between them. “What’s troubling you?”
Penny sighed and looked at her hands. Could she tell Austin’s sister her troubles?
“I just wanted to sit by him and remember what we had. Bu
t it seems to be a distant memory now. That makes me feel awful.”
Agnes’s expression said she understood. She took Penny’s hand.
“You shouldn’t have to feel awful about it, Pen.”
“But I do. I came here to marry him and now he’s dead and I…” Penny gnawed at her lower lip. “I’m starting to fall for someone else. I think I already have fallen for him.”
“Austin?”
Penny started.
“How did you know that?”
Agnes grinned.
“I may be young but I see things. It doesn’t take much to know that you’ve fallen in love with my dolt of a brother.”
Penny grimaced. She hadn’t realized it had been that obvious. She gestured at Cody’s gravestone.
“But it feels like a betrayal of Cody’s memory. I shouldn’t be feeling like this so soon after he died.”
“What should you be feeling? Or should you not be feeling anything at all?” Agnes squeezed her hand. “You were merely engaged and, even then, tentatively. You weren’t his wife so you don’t have a mourning period. And you only knew him through your letters.”
“I still feel bad.” Penny let out a heavy sigh. “And guilty.”
“You don’t have to.” Agnes moved the bouquet out the way and shuffled closer putting an arm around Penny’s shoulders. “Listen, I knew Cody. I’ve known him since I was barely walking. He was a gentle person, saw the best in everyone. Even with the women queuing up to be his wife towards the end, despite the fact they drove him mad.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Seriously. He was very much sought after. But he picked you because he saw the best in you. He knew you were special. He wouldn’t want anyone to mourn him, merely carry on and make him smile from the heavens. He wouldn’t want you being upset over him and feeling guilty because what should’ve happened didn’t. Cody would have wanted you to live your life to the fullest.”
Penny had heard Agnes talk, but this was the first time she had heard her talk this much in one go. She stared at her friend, hope prickling at the edge of her mind.
“Really?” She whispered.
“Really. Cody would have approved of you and Austin. He really would.” Agnes hugged her. “Don’t think of it as a betrayal. Think of it as Cody still doing his job and helping people.”