“Have Marnie and Ilsa finished redecorating your mother’s room?” Lacy knew Grant needed to leave, but she wanted him to stay a little longer.
“They finished it yesterday. You should come see it.” His encouraging grin weakened her knees. “In fact, why don’t you come by after work tomorrow? If the weather is still nice, maybe we could go for a ride and have a picnic supper.”
“I’d like that,” Lacy said. The past few days had been unseasonably warm and full of glorious sunshine. “We should have time to go for a ride and be back to town before it turns completely dark for the night.”
“Perfect.” Grant stepped outside and settled his hat on his head, then reached back and lifted her hand to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to her fingertips then winked at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right after work.”
Chapter Eleven
“Oh, Grant. Your mother will adore it.” Lacy glanced around the finished bedroom, admiring the roses on the wallpaper to the plush rug on the floor. “I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t find it to be a lovely, welcoming room.”
Grant snorted, unsuccessfully hiding it behind a cough. He cleared his throat. “You haven’t met my mother.”
Lacy walked around the room, running her hand over the new dresser and along the beautiful covering Ilsa made for the bed. Before meeting Tony and Ilsa, and visiting their well-appointed home, she’d never imagined such luxuries existed as feather mattresses, fluffy blankets, and smooth cotton sheets.
Even to their standards, the room oozed lavishness and comfort.
“Honestly, it’s a room any woman in her right mind would love.”
Grant shot her a devilish smile. “Like I said, you haven’t met my mother.” He took her arm and escorted her out of the room and down the back stairs to the kitchen. A picnic basket sat on the counter. He grabbed the handles then walked Lacy out the door to where two horses waited by his barn, saddled and ready for a ride.
At noon, he’d stopped and told Lacy not to worry about saddling her horse. He asked her to go straight to his house after work. From there, he headed to Caterina’s and begged her to make a picnic supper for them. As an added incentive, he even offered to watch her boys for an hour so she could have some peace and quiet. He spent sixty long minutes entertaining Ben and Brett then returned them to Caterina before he went back to the bank.
An hour before closing, he told Loren he had some things to take care of and would see him the following morning.
After hurrying to Tony and Ilsa’s place, he saddled Star with little difficulty. The horse had become familiar with him during the past several weeks of his acquaintance with Lacy.
No, it was more than an acquaintance. Friendship didn’t sound right either. He and Lacy were definitely friends, but it was so much more than that.
She made him laugh and smile, dream and wish, think and plan. Her smile brightened his day like a dose of sunshine after a storm while her laughter cheered his soul.
If he cared to admit it, he loved Lacy. He liked her as a friend and loved her with Christian charity. But it was the fact that he was undeniably in love with her that gave him a moment of pause.
For the first time in his adult life, he had met someone interested in getting to know him not because of his bank balance or ties in the community — but for himself.
His thoughts lingered on how much he enjoyed being around Lacy as he led the horse to Caterina’s. Quickly looping the reins through the hitching ring out front, he hurried around to the back door and stepped inside.
The kitchen bustled with activity as Caterina and her staff prepared to serve dinner.
“Grant, there’s your basket.” Caterina waved a knife in the direction of the table where a lidded basket sat with a red-checked cloth folded beneath the handles. “Thank you for watching the twins earlier. I accomplished so much while you took them to play in the park.”
“Thanks for doing this for me, Caterina. I owe you one.” Grant picked up the basket and smiled at the lively Italian woman as she chopped vegetables so fast, he could barely see her hands move.
“Consider the debt paid, unless you want to take the boys again another day.”
Grant sighed dramatically then grinned. “I probably owe you for another day. Just give me a week or so to recover from today.”
Caterina smiled. “It’s a deal. Have fun, Grant. Don’t stay out too late. Kade said he heard we’re supposed to get another storm any day.”
“With that beautiful sunshine out there, I’ll warrant it won’t be today.” Grant tipped his hat and rushed out the door. One hand gripped the basket handles while Star’s reins rested in the other as he walked home. He set the picnic basket inside the house then took Star to his barn and saddled Drew. After leaving them both tied to his corral fence, he hurried back to the house.
Rushed to change his clothes, he’d just tamped on his boots when he heard the front door chimes resonate throughout the house. His mother insisted he have them installed, but most of the time he found them ostentatious. Except now, when he knew the person ringing the bell was one he couldn’t wait to see.
He raced down the stairs and opened the door, smiling at Lacy as she stood on the front step wearing a riding skirt and blouse with her moccasins and ornately beaded leggings.
After showing her the bedroom Ilsa and Marnie finished for his mother, he was eager to leave for their picnic. The spot he planned to take Lacy was a few miles out of town. He wanted to have plenty of time to enjoy the meal Caterina prepared for them.
Lacy smiled at Star and rubbed her neck as they walked up to the horses. Grant looped the handles of the picnic basket over Drew’s saddle horn then turned to help Lacy mount but she was already on Star, guiding her away from the corral fence.
“Which way are we headed?” she asked as Grant mounted and hurried to catch up to her. At the end of the street, instead of turning toward town he reined Drew to the right and further up the hill. They reached the edge of town and rode between rolling fields sprouting green shoots that would turn to golden acres of wheat before the end of summer.
Grant asked Lacy about work and her family as the horses plodded along. In turn, she asked about the bank and his sisters, knowing he’d prefer not to discuss his mother.
They reached a draw with a creek surrounded by trees. Grant reined in Drew and dismounted then started to offer his hand to Lacy. She’d already slid off Star’s back and looked around at the beauty of the location.
Secluded and quiet, it was the perfect spot for a picnic.
Quickly tying Drew’s reins to a nearby branch, Grant lifted the picnic basket and set it on a stump then removed the checked cloth. Lacy took it from him and draped it over a flat spot then sat down.
He sat next to her, inadvertently brushing her shoulder with his. They both jumped at the sizzling current the slight touch created.
Intent on setting out the meal, Grant opened the lid on the basket and removed thick sandwiches wrapped in paper, a small jar of olives, two paper-wrapped pickles, and a jar of grape juice. He looked inside to see if Caterina included cups, but she hadn’t. He rather liked the idea of sharing the jar with Lacy.
“This looks like a fine feast,” she said. Primly folding her hands on her lap, she waited while Grant asked a blessing on the meal.
When he finished, she accepted a sandwich from him and took a bite. “Mmm. What is this?” she asked.
“Caterina’s specialty,” Grant said with a grin. “Salami and cheese on seasoned Italian bread. The salami is shipped all the way from her parents’ store in New York.”
“I’ve never had anything quite like it.” Lacy took another bite, intrigued by the spicy meat and mellow cheese.
Grant finished his sandwich and opened the jar of juice. He held it out to Lacy and she took a drink then handed the jar back to him. He turned it around until his lips covered the spot where she’d touched the rim. As he took a drink, he locked gazes with her. Entranced, he watched her dark ey
es turn almost black as warmth and something he couldn’t define filled them.
While Lacy savored her meal, he unwrapped a second sandwich and went to work on it.
When she brushed the crumbs of her sandwich from her hands, he opened the jar of olives and dumped a few into her hand. “See if you like those.”
She sampled one and smiled in pleasure. “I could easily become Italian if they eat like this all the time.”
“I would have to agree. I’ve yet to eat anything Caterina made I didn’t like.” Grant popped a few olives into his mouth and chewed them while Lacy took another sip of grape juice.
Carefully wiping his hands on one of the napkins Caterina had included, he thought it strange she sent a tablecloth and napkins but somehow failed to put cups into the basket. If she did it on purpose, he didn’t mind. Every time he took a drink from the jar, it drew Lacy’s focus to his lips.
Absently, he wondered if she wanted to kiss him even half as bad as he wanted to kiss her. The majority of the women he’d courted were too prudish and proper to show any interest in the amorous side of a relationship. No, most of them had been far more interested in how quickly they would gain access to his bank accounts if he were to succumb to their charms and ask them to wed.
Fortunately, his father had taught him more than balancing books and the banking business. He’d given him a firm foundation of common sense, the ability to read people for their true intent, and a strong moral compass.
If his mother had her way, he would have wed the first socialite to cast him a simpering glance. However, he followed the example his father had set before him and stayed the course of what he knew to be right.
In the warmth of the evening, out in the fresh spring air with a beautiful girl at his side, Grant experienced a profound sense of peace and contentment.
Sunlight made Lacy’s skin glow like polished bronze and picked highlights that appeared to be dark blue out of her black hair. She’d twined the thick mass into two long braids. Awestruck by the sight of her, he breathed deeply, inhaling her fragrance.
From the top of her head to the tips of her toes, he gave her a slow, thorough study. While her appearance was a blend of two cultures, he never stopped and thought about her being a member of the Cayuse tribe. Lacy was simply the lovely girl who had captured his interest and his heart.
In need of a distraction from his consuming desire to hold her close and kiss her repeatedly, he took a packet of cookies from the picnic basket.
“Want something a little sweet?” he asked as he handed one to Lacy. She accepted it and took a bite.
Grant nearly dropped the cookie he held when a bit of sugar dusted her lip and she ran out her tongue to lick it away.
Quickly stuffing the cookie into his mouth, he busied himself packing up the remnants of their meal and setting everything back into the basket. He held the juice jar out for her to take another drink. When she accepted it and held it to her mouth, her gaze caught his over the rim of the jar.
“This was so nice. Thank you for thinking of it.” Lacy handed him back the jar and looked around. “It’s good to get out of town and enjoy this mild weather.”
“I’ve heard we’re supposed to get a rain storm, but the clear sky overhead says otherwise.”
“You never know.” Lacy rose to her feet and stared at the sky, streaked with brilliant color. She and Grant needed to head back to town soon or they’d wind up riding home in the dark. Not that she minded, but she wasn’t familiar with the trail and that made her a little nervous.
Warmth from Grant’s presence settled around her. He rested a hand on her shoulder as he stood behind her. Long and slow, she breathed in his scent, letting it envelope her senses while her insides turned molten.
The next time she saw Ruth or Rose, she’d have to ask if this was how it felt to be in love. To possess a sensation of being light and airy while simultaneously feeling heavy-limbed and weak.
In all her years, Lacy had never experienced anything like it. Regardless of the foreignness of her feelings, she wanted to feel more, to experience more, to know more about the wonder of loving Grant.
Filled with longings, most of which she couldn’t name, she leaned back against him, into his strength. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest, resting his chin on her head. They stared at the vibrant pink, orange, and gold tones coloring the evening sky.
Time stood still as they remained close and quiet until Grant expelled a heavy sigh. “Blast it all to…”
He spun Lacy around and held her so close against him, their hearts pounded in harmony.
His head dropped to hers and his lips claimed her mouth in a fervent, eager exchange.
Half-expecting her to slap him for taking liberties, she instead wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his passion.
At that moment, Grant knew he’d found the woman meant to be in his arms, the one he wanted to hold for a lifetime. No one would ever fit him or fill him up so completely as Lacy. Enchanted, he lifted her off her feet and deepened the kiss.
The taste of sugar lingered on her lips. The finest nectar couldn’t be any sweeter than the flavor of her mouth pressed to his.
When he’d kissed her breathless, he rested his forehead against hers and held her for a moment before letting her slide down to the ground. Her legs trembled, so he kept his arms wrapped around her, pleased their interlude affected her as greatly as it did him.
“It’s probably a good idea for us to head home.”
Lacy had yet to regain her ability to speak, so she numbly nodded her head. With her limbs tingling, her heart racing, and her thoughts flying in every direction, she felt utterly helpless. She couldn’t have mounted Star without assistance any more than she could have run backwards and blindfolded all the way back to town.
Sensing her inability to move, Grant gently lifted her in his arms, setting her on the back of her horse.
He retrieved the picnic basket and tablecloth, hooking them over his saddle horn then mounted.
Although Lacy did little to guide Star, the horse kept pace with Drew as Grant directed him toward town.
Silent as they rode down the trail, Grant reached out and captured Lacy’s hand with his, rubbing his thumb enticingly across her palm.
By the time they reached town, she wanted to press her lips to his a hundred more times. Instead, he released her hand and accompanied her to Ilsa’s shop.
Before she could dismount, he lifted her from the saddle and gave her a quick kiss then set her down on the sidewalk.
Hand in hand, they walked to the back of the shop. Grant shared one more parting kiss that made her so languid, she thought she might collapse at his feet when he released his hold on her and took a step back.
“Good night, Lacy. Pleasant dreams to you.” Grant kissed her palm then backed away until he turned the corner.
Neither of them noticed the eyes that watched from the shadows of the nearby alley.
Chapter Twelve
Lacy took a breath and answered another call. The phone lines had been hopping all day. After a brief respite at noon, they’d picked up again and had gone strong all afternoon.
She’d had to chase Mrs. Olathe off the line twice for noisily eavesdropping. From the crunching sounds carried across the connection, it sounded as if she ate stale crackers. The old woman was no doubt lonely and bored, but listening to the conversations of her neighbors was still wrong.
As the clock neared quitting time, the phone calls came in with less frequency. Millie moved from the switchboard to her desk chair and worked on a stack of reports she needed to mail to the corporate office.
Bertie and Susan visited with Lacy between incoming calls.
“Lacy?” Millie’s voice sounded uncertain and a little afraid as she said her name. “Lacy, I think you’ve got a visitor.”
Bertie and Susan spun around in their chairs at the same time as Lacy.
The two other girls dropped their jaw
s and stared at the sight of Phillip Redhawk on his horse outside the office.
From his long black braids to the tips of his beaded moccasins, he exuded warrior strength. Despite the early spring weather, he wore an open buckskin vest with no shirt. A choker made of quills encircled his neck while a breastplate of hair pipe beads hung over his bare chest. His dark pants featured elaborate beading along both legs. He wore an eagle feather in his hair and the sun at his back made him look like a bronzed statue as he sat unmoving on his Appaloosa horse.
“Oh, my stars!” Bertie whispered, squeezing Lacy’s arm.
Lacy jumped to her feet and started across the room, but her head jerked back. The headset tethered her to the switchboard and almost tugged her off her feet. Quickly yanking it off, she rushed out the door.
“What are you doing here?” She turned her face up to meet Phillip’s stony gaze. At least he’d left his spear and battle gear at home.
Phillip took a long moment to study her from her carefully styled hair to the rose-colored gown Ilsa had helped her remake from some of the clothes her cousins gave her. “I wanted to see you.”
Lacy took a step forward, concerned. Phillip rarely ventured into town, saying it stunk of “the whites” and had nothing that he wanted or needed. To see him outside her place of employment made any number of thoughts race through her head, all of them involving some crisis.
“Is everything okay? Is someone hurt? Is Grandmother well?” Lacy assumed if someone in her family needed her, Walker or Tom would summon her.
“They are well, not that you care.” Phillip kept his face impassive, although his eyes narrowed as he spoke. They held scorn and disdain.
Lacy sighed, both relieved and irritated. “If nothing is wrong with my family, why are you here?”
“As I said, I came to see you.”
Lacy stared at Phillip, taking in his striking presence, his proud bearing. She tried to see him as he appeared to others — a formidable foe or a brave defender. “Why, Phillip? Why did you come to see me?”
Lacy: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5) Page 14