She looked around the room to make certain she hadn’t forgotten anything. Her sketchpad and pencils were lying on the bed where she’d left them when she drifted off to sleep early this morning.
She started to put her sketches away where they wouldn’t be found by her inquisitive sisters but had a second thought. Perhaps she could find time during her lunch to sit in a quiet spot somewhere and sketch.
“Ouch.” She pricked her finger on the pair of sewing scissors she had somehow accidently put into her satchel. She reached in to pull them out.
“Faith!”
She grabbed her satchel and stuffed her pad and pencils inside.
“I’m coming. I’m coming.” She left the scissors at the bottom of the satchel and stuffed her pad and pencils inside.
Faith swung open the door to see her two sisters standing side by side. Last night they were choking the daylights out of each other. Now they acted as if they were the best of friends.
“What took you so long? You are usually the first one up.” Hope and Charity sandwiched her between them, linking arms and marching her down the hall toward the staircase.
“I’m a little tired from my first day working at the law office, I suppose. That and the fact that my two sisters kept the house up until all hours, arguing about what exactly?” She turned to each sister in turn, hoping to see some sign of the truth.
Charity gave Hope a look that said she had better keep her mouth shut. Hope obliged. “Nothing. We were just talking, that’s all.”
Faith rolled her eyes heavenward then led the way down the winding staircase.
“Good morning, ladies. How did you sleep?” Aggie met them in the hallway between the parlor and the dining room.
Hope and Charity greeted their hostess with a kiss on each cheek. “We couldn’t have slept better, Mrs. Hanover. Your beds are so much better than the ones we had down the hall from the whores—” Hope punched Charity in the side.
“See, you are always saying stuff you shouldn’t.” Hope scolded her sister and made her way into the dining room for breakfast.
Faith could hear her sisters squabbling as usual.
Aggie turned to her and spoke. “And how are you this morning, my dear?”
“I’m...fine.” Faith had hoped to escape the observant matriarch of the household.
“Of course, you are. Now run and get yourself something to eat. Hiram will be down in a minute to walk you to the office.”
“I’m not really hungry this morning. I think I’ll walk to work by myself if you don’t think Mr. Hanover will mind.”
“Well, of course he won’t mind, dear, but are you sure that’s a good idea, considering yesterday’s unfortunate incident?”
“I’ll be fine. I’m used to incidents like that. I’ve learned how to fade into the shadows. Most people don’t even see me when I pass by. Yesterday’s incident was just bad timing, that’s all.”
“All right, dear. Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” Aggie implored. “I can have Sarah pack you something for later?”
Faith shook her head. “I’m fine.” She wasn’t. At least her stomach wasn’t. It fluttered and lurched like a basket full of puppies. She was certain eating anything at all would have dire consequences.
She pulled her shawl tight around her shoulders and headed out the door. The office was only a few streets over and the route was well-traveled. A lot of people were out this morning so she shouldn’t be nervous. And yet, she was. Just a bit.
“Good morning, ma’am. Aren’t you staying with the Hanovers? You and your sisters?”
A male voice came from behind her. She did her best not to shrink against the building. Rosie always said to never show fear.
She stiffened her spine to appear unafraid and turned toward the man’s voice. She nearly bumped into a cowboy dressed in dusty jeans and boots, a leather vest, and a pistol resting in his holster.
Fear rocketed through Faith. Adrenalin catapulted through vein and artery. A little breathless, she stepped back and nearly collided with a horse and its rider.
“Whoa, there, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety, nodding to the man on the horse.
Faith resisted his pull but, not wanting to make another scene after yesterday’s attention-grabbing fiasco, she accompanied him out of the street.
Thankfully he let her go when he got to the boardwalk and took off his hat and dipped his head in her direction. “I’m real sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m John Malone’s best friend. And you are his wife’s sister, if I’m not mistaken.”
Faith relaxed a bit and took a really good look at the cowboy. He did look familiar.
“Yes, I am Faith, Grace’s sister. And your name is?”
“Sorry, ma’am. My name is Billy Buchanan. Like I said, I’m a friend of John’s.” He spun his hat in his hand for a bit as if he was nervous.
“I remember you now. You were the one who—” Faith stopped short. She was about to say he was the one who was responsible for the death of John’s first wife. Or at least had a part in it.
“You heard about what happened to John’s wife and my boneheaded involvement in it. Yeah, that wasn’t my best day, that’s for sure. But I tried to make up for it. You know, by getting John a new wife.”
Faith watched him flush with embarrassment. She was aware more than most how sometimes circumstances in life took you on an unexpected turn.
“Yes, Mr. Buchanan, you ordered a wife for John and she turned out to be my sister.”
“Life’s crazy that way, ain’t it? I still have a lot of makin’ up to do to my friend. Only time can take care of the hurt I caused him.”
“Well, I’m sure he’s forgiven you, now that he has Grace and Abbie Rose. The way I understand it, his wife’s death was an accident and you did everything you could to save her.”
“He says he has, but I still feel guilty about...you know, everything.” He touched her elbow and moved her to the edge of the boardwalk and out of the flow of the foot traffic.
“I didn’t catch your last name, Miss.”
Ah, her first opportunity to witness the shocked look at her new name. She was interested in how this cowboy would respond.
“O’Malley. Faith O’Malley.” She watched his face for any signs of shock or disbelief.
“Is that right? O’Malley, huh? Well, nice to meet ya, Miss O’Malley. I hope you are gonna feel right at home here in this little town of ours. I been here all my life. You can’t do better.”
Faith was surprised. The man never batted an eye when she told him her name was O’Malley. Now where was the fun in that?
“I hope so, Mr. Buchanan. I would love to find a place to call home.”
“Would you mind if I escorted you to wherever it is you was headed, ma’am? I wouldn’t mind at all.”
Faith looked into the man’s face. She saw he was earnest in his offer.
“Thank you, Mr. Buchanan. I would be most appreciative.”
Faith saw him smile, a big, wide grin, a dimple denting each cheek.
He held out his arm and she took it.
“Please, call me Billy, ma’am.”
Faith couldn’t help herself. She smiled back at the unassuming cowboy, taking his arm. “And you, Billy, may call me Faith.”
He put his hat back on his head and led her down the boardwalk toward the law office, nodding to every passerby.
His easygoing nature put Faith completely at ease. He had a swagger about him, but he wasn’t cocky in the least.
He regaled her with stories about the people they passed on the street. Some of his stories were somewhat inappropriate for a lady’s ears, but he didn’t seem to notice and she wasn’t going to scold him.
By the time they reached the front door of the law office, Billy Buchanan had her laughing so hard she had a stitch in her side. Before she had a chance to thank him for an enjoyable walk to work, the office door opened and standing j
ust inside was a very grumpy looking Irishman.
16
Liam had been sitting in his office watching the morning traffic pass by his window. He was tired. Exhausted, in fact. And very cranky.
He’d stayed too long at the Holy Moses last night, drinking and talking with the new barmaid until well after midnight. The woman was educated but had fallen on hard luck. The best part was she played a mean game of chess. Her name was Mary, Merry, Maria? He couldn’t remember.
Even after he went home exhausted from the long day, he couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t chase a certain young woman out of his thoughts. And those thoughts had a way of wandering toward forbidden places. Like that impulsive kiss he’d shared with her. The one that still made his nether region stand at attention.
He dozed sometime early this morning, only to be awakened by the milk cart’s glass bottles clanking against the wire crates holding them in place.
Now, at only a quarter to eight, he had already downed a full pot of coffee, perhaps a little stronger than usual.
He was working on the list of reasons to stay away from his new employee and former client when the sound of a woman’s laughter floated on the cool morning air.
It held a musical, lyrical sound. He knew it in an instant. He rose from his chair, stopping at the stove in the corner to refill his empty coffee cup, and walked into the sunny main office.
Another laugh. He smiled to himself. The sound permeated his tiredness. He opened the front door of the office and there she stood. But not alone as he expected. Oh no. She was most definitely not alone.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?”
Her dark eyes widened and fear replaced her laughter. “I—”
He watched Faith stammer.
The man with Faith, the one making her laugh so pleasantly, introduced himself, but the introduction wasn’t necessary. Liam knew who he was.
“I don’t know if you remember me—” Billy started.
“Yeah, I know who you are. You’re John’s friend. Buchanan.”
The cowboy smiled an easygoing smile. “Yep, that’s right. John and I been friends since we were kids. I’ve been hauling freight for John the past year, so I have been in and out of town quite a bit.” Liam watched the man cut a glance toward Faith. “But now it looks like I’m back to stay.”
Liam looked at Billy’s hand on the small of Faith’s back. “I wasn’t aware the two of you knew each other.”
Liam stepped back inside the room so Faith could enter.
Billy started to follow, but Liam blocked his way ever so slightly. The scoundrel didn’t seem to take the hint because he barged right on in.
“Nice office, Liam. I heard you and Hiram were partners now. You must be making a lot of money. Next thing we all know, you’ll be takin’ a missus and having a mess of young’uns to fill that house of yours.”
“Hardly.” Liam glanced at Faith. Guilt pinched his conscious. She was trembling.
“Well, I better be going. I got work to do.” Billy turned to Faith and tipped his hat to her, a dimpled grin showed his pleasure. “Miss O’Malley, it has been a surefire treat to enjoy your company on this lovely morning. Maybe tomorrow I’ll happen on you about the same time and we can walk together again.”
He watched Faith nod her head toward Billy, acknowledging his words, but she didn’t smile back. He knew it was because of him. Damn it. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. He just wanted her to keep her distance.
But that was before he saw Faith enjoying Billy’s company. Now he didn’t know what the hell he wanted.
She was the one woman he’d vowed to keep at arm’s length. The one woman he should hate with every fiber of his being. And the one woman he wanted to kiss senseless. Again.
“See you around, Liam.” Billy grinned as if he had a secret no one else knew.
His attitude annoyed Liam. Why was the man so happy all the time?
Liam barely let Billy clear the doorway before he closed it behind him. He turned to Faith, still standing in the middle of the room, hat on head, reticule and satchel on her arm, and hand clutching at her shawl.
“How do you and Billy know each other?”
Faith kept her eyes to the floor. “We don’t know each other. Not really. I was walking to work this morning, and he stopped me and introduced himself.”
“I would think yesterday’s incident would have taught you not to talk to strange men.” Liam knew his comment was inaccurate and uncalled for, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.
It was apparent Faith agreed with his assessment. She nodded.
“I didn’t plan on talking to him. He caught up with me about a block from the Hanovers’ house. Mr. Buchanan saw me on the street and introduced himself. He is my sister’s husband’s best friend. He seems really nice. And he is funny. I don’t think he is like those other two men from yesterday.”
Liam raised his brows at her defense of a man she supposedly just met. Was there more to these two? The thought of Billy and Faith—
Hiram’s timing was impeccable, as always. He walked through the front door and greeted both of them with a cheery hello.
“There you are, Faith. I was going to walk you to work, but by the time I came downstairs for breakfast, Aggie said you had already gone. I hope your walk was pleasant.”
Faith unpinned her hat and unwrapped her shawl from her shoulders. “Yes, sir. I met John Malone’s friend, Billy. He walked me to work this morning.”
“Ah, Billy Buchanan. Now there’s an interesting character, wouldn’t you say, Liam?”
“Yeah, he’s a character, alright.”
He tried not to scowl and he might have managed to pull it off. At least, neither Faith nor Hiram seemed to notice his being out-of-sorts with the whole thing.
“Lovely dress, my dear.” Hiram nodded and headed to the stove to pour himself a cup of hot coffee.
Liam was still fascinated by the view revealed to him when Faith removed her shawl, exposing a substantial amount of curves. So the woman was wearing a dress a little more fashionable than the one she wore yesterday. A little bit lower cut too. So she was on the hunt for a husband. I knew it!
Liam couldn’t keep his eyes from drifting south so he took a sip of coffee. Ow, that’s hot.
“Liam?”
He realized Hiram was speaking to him.
“I’m sorry. What were you saying?” Liam was usually well-spoken but today he was very distracted.
“I asked you if you were able to take care of your business last night.”
“I’m not certain what you are referring to, Hiram. What business?”
“You left so suddenly last night. Before dinner. Aggie said something came up.”
Liam choked on his coffee.
17
Faith did her best not to laugh at Hiram’s comment. Was he as oblivious as he seemed or was he putting on an act? She didn’t know him well enough to tell for certain, but she would swear the elderly lawyer had a tiny mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Liam spilled coffee over the sleeve of his white shirt.
“Faith, why don’t you help Liam with those coffee stains? I believe he has a court appearance today for Mr. Mitchell against Travis Markham, don’t you, my boy?”
“Yes, sir. I do. Just after ten this morning.”
Hiram grinned. Now Faith was certain the wily fox was up to something.
“Then you better get a move on. Faith, there are some clean cloths and soap in the closet by the back door. Help yourself.”
Then the robust little man with the gray carpet of hair disappeared into his office and closed the door.
“Damn it.” By the look on Liam’s face, he was as surprised by his outburst as she was.
Red-faced, he stammered to apologize. Sorry. I—“
Faith dismissed his apology with a shy smile. “I’m not offended by your language, Liam. After all, I lived in a saloon for eight years. I’ve heard worse. I’ll set the kettle of wat
er to heat on the stove in your office and I’ll be right back with a cloth and soap. Meet me in your office in ten minutes.”
She didn’t wait for him to respond. Mostly because she wasn’t sure he was going to agree.
Ten minutes later the kettle whistled and she was armed with soap and cloth.
“Ready?” She spoke from his office doorway.
“I suppose. You know, I could just wear my jacket over my shirt. No one would be the wiser.”
“That is true. But from the looks of the fabric in your shirt, it cost you a pretty penny. It is of such fine quality, it would be a shame to ruin it. But it is your shirt so it is your decision.”
Faith waited. She could tell he struggled to make the decision, and she wondered what caused his reluctance. It wasn’t as if she was going to hurt him. It was just some soap and water. Did he fear her? Was he afraid she would attack him? After all, she was a heathen, blood-thirsty Indian.
Somehow Faith didn’t think that was it. Perhaps at one time, he feared her kind, but the evidence of his willing kiss last night now told a different story. She wasn’t certain how that story would end. It was too soon to tell.
She tipped the kettle, pouring hot water into a small bowl. She turned and closed the gap between them. His eyes grew wide. Dipping the cleaning cloth into the bowl of water, Faith looked up at him in question. Blue eyes impaled her brown ones. For a moment, it was as if neither of them had the ability or the inclination to look away. She would swear some night fairy had cast a spell on her and stolen her breath. Finally Liam broke the spell. He nodded his agreement and looked out the office window while she went about her task.
She rubbed the wet cloth on the sliver of soap and began dabbing at the brown coffee stains dotting the white fabric of his shirt. His muscles flexed beneath her touch.
Faith kept her eyes on the job at hand. Not once did she look up. But she didn’t have to. She could feel his breath on the top of her head. Little puffs of warm air fanning her hair, creating a ripple of goosebumps while heating her skin little by little.
Aware of the change in his breathing, she moved a little closer under the guise of dabbing a spot just a little farther up his arm. It was all a ruse to get closer to the man standing next to her. She was so close now she could feel his warmth through her clothing. And when he turned his head toward her, his chin brushed against the top of her head. So close.
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