“Though it was sure sprung on me, I have to say, it’s a good idea. I’m hungry, but I wouldn’t tell you that because I wanted to see Amelia.”
“Darn. I was hoping it was because you wanted to be with me.”
It was, but she didn’t tell him.
He moved to what looked like the perfect spot to her and spread the blanket on a grassy area under the shade of a tree. “I’m hungry too, so how about you getting everything out of this basket while I move the horses to an area where they can graze while we eat?”
She bowed to him. “I’d be happy to, sir.”
There was a variety of food items sitting on the blanket when he rejoined her. “Looks like Effie didn’t want us to go hungry.”
“I think I’ve told you before that she always wants to keep her sheriff well fed.”
He reached over and picked up a chicken leg. “I’m glad about that.”
Grace laughed. “You must be hungry. Couldn’t even wait for me to hand you a plate.”
He took the plate and napkin she held out to him. “Sorry about that, but I’ve been too long without food and it was tempting.”
They laughed and talked about inconsequential topics until the meal was consumed. Afterward, Lance leaned back against the tree they were under. “That was delicious. Now while you do your woman thing and clean up the mess, I think I’ll rest.”
Grace put her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so, Mr. Lance Gentry. I put the meal out and you ate like a pig. The least you can do is help pack up the spoils.”
“Oh, my word. I can see it now.”
“What can you see?”
“When you get married, your man is not going to get away with very much.”
“You’re right about that. If I ever have a man in my life, he’ll be considerate enough to help out. I sometimes get tired of waiting on all the messy mouthy men who come into the hotel to eat. Sometimes I just want to smack them.”
He became serious. “Do any of them ever give you a hard time, Grace?”
“Not often. Frank takes care of the ones who get out of line.”
Lance nodded and closed the basket with the leftovers all inside. “I don’t doubt it. Frank is protective of the women in his life.”
“That he is. Now, if you’ll stand up, I’ll shake the blanket and fold it.”
He sat the basket aside. “Let’s sit here and let our dinner digest a little before we move on. I never like to rush after a meal.”
She gave him a shy smile. “I usually have to start cleaning as soon as someone finishes the meal, but resting does sound nice for a change.
“It would be much nicer if you’d come and sit beside me instead of all the way over there.”
She blushed, but did move near him. “Better?”
He slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against his side. “Much better.”
Grace couldn’t help wondering why he was acting so romantic with her. Or maybe he wasn’t. He could just be acting friendly. The way he would act if his sister were here. That prompted her to ask, “Have you heard from Nelda lately?”
“A few weeks ago. I thought I told you about it. Spencer had been on some kind of maneuvers for a few weeks, and she was getting ready for some kind of shindig at the Fort.”
“You did tell me. I thought you may have heard from her again.”
“Nope.”
When he didn’t elaborate she changed the subject. “Lance, may I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“Something happened the day of Mr. Brown’s funeral and I can’t get it out of my mind.”
He grew serious. “What happened, Grace?”
She told him about the lone wildflower on her mother’s grave.
“Do you think Clay is in town?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. The flower was wilted, so it could have been there a few days.”
“In this heat they can wilt in a short time.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I was hoping maybe you’d seen or heard from him.”
“No, I haven’t.”
She sighed again. “I guess if he wanted to see me, he would get in touch.”
“Maybe it wasn’t him. The flower could have blown onto the grave.”
“True, but if that happened, how did the grave get cleaned off?”
“I don’t know, but now that you’ve told me, I’ll keep an eye out for Clay.” He gave her a squeeze. “When did you hear from him last?”
“I haven’t heard from him since he ran away. I was only about twelve at the time.”
“I see.”
When he said nothing else she said, “Let’s not talk about it anymore. Tell me what really happened with Juliette last night.”
“She got mad at her parents and went to hide out at Mrs. Witherspoon’s Boarding House.” He shook his head. “I went looking for her because she’s a citizen of this town. I would have done it for anyone.”
“I told her that.”
“I know. I heard you.”
She pulled away and looked at him. “About that. I’m still not sure I forgive you for not coming into the dining room and helping me get rid of her.”
He reached out and pulled her back into his arms. “Here we are sitting on this comfortable blanket in this beautiful spot. We’ve had a nice picnic and it’s a beautiful day. Let’s not spoil it by talking about Juliette Cramer.”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“We could talk about us.”
Her heart skipped a beat. What was he trying to tell her? That they were only friends and she was letting her dreams get ahead of reality? No. That couldn’t be. He had no idea she dreamed of him almost every night.
“What is there about us, Lance?” She finally managed to ask.
He took hold of her chin and pulled her head upward so their eyes would meet. “I’m not sure what it is, Grace. But there’s something. I can feel it every time I’m around you. Something I’ve never felt around any other woman.”
“I sometimes feel something, too,” she whispered.
He didn’t reply. Instead he lowered his head and covered her lips with his. Grace felt everything inside her body start tingling. The deeper the kiss became, the more she felt herself go limp in his arms.
The next thing she knew she was lying on the blanket and his body was covering hers. His hands were exploring her hair, her arms her face. She felt as if she was melting inside. She wanted him to stop before… No, she didn’t. She wanted him to hold her like this forever. If it never happened again, she would always have this time to remember. She knew at this moment she had no control over her body. She was his if that was what he wanted.
As abruptly as he’d kissed her, he pulled away and sat up, pulling her to a sitting position. “I’m sorry, Grace. I never meant to get so carried away.”
She blushed. “I should have stopped you.”
“No, honey. I’m the one to blame. It’s just that I’ve wanted to kiss you like that for a long time.”
She almost whispered when she said, “I wanted you to kiss me. Maybe you stopped because I didn’t do it right.”
“Oh, Grace, you did it perfectly. In fact, it made me want to make love to you right here and now no matter what else is going on in this world.”
“Then you realized we’re like brother and sister.”
“Not at all. Maybe you were like another sister when you were younger, but not anymore. You’re a woman and I want you, Grace.” When she only stared at him, he went on. “But don’t worry. When we make love it’s not going to be on a blanket on the ground. It’ll be in a nice soft bed, and it’ll be because we both want it. Not because nature is pushing my body in that direction.”
When she still continued to stare at him, he stood and reached down for her hand. “I think it’s time we headed to the Circle 2.”
She finally muttered as she took his hand, “I think you may be right.”
He brought the hor
ses up to where she stood, then took her by the waist to help her mount. Before he sat her on her horse, he whispered, “You’re very special to me, lady.”
“Oh, Lance, I’ve always thought you were special.”
He grinned. “I hope not in a brotherly way.”
Before she could stop herself, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Not at all.”
Lance looked shocked, but pleased at her words and before he sat her on her horse he kissed her again quickly. Without giving her time to react, he lifted her to her horse. He had a big grin on his face when he mounted his own horse. Without saying a word, he reached over and squeezed her hand as they rode away from the creek.
Chapter 15
“Grace, I’m so glad you came with Lance.” Amelia poured a glass of lemonade from the pitcher Delores brought out to the terrace where the two women sat.
“I’m so happy he asked me and it was nice of your mother to give us this time alone to have a chat.”
“Mother knows we don’t have a chance to get together often.”
“I appreciate her thoughtfulness.” Grace soothed her riding skirt. “I’ve always thought your mother was special.”
“You’re not the only one who thinks that, Grace.”
“I know how close you two have always been.”
“That’s true, but I wasn’t thinking of us. I was referring to Charles Fielding.”
“What about him?”
Amelia grinned. “I couldn’t believe he would be so thoughtful of me, but he came over the other day and talked with Jed and me. He wanted to know if I had any objections of him asking my mother to marry him.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him I only wanted my mother to be happy and if marrying him would make her happy, I had no objections at all. I expect him to propose to her at any time.”
“I think that’s wonderful. They’re both wonderful people.”
“Yes, they are. Now, tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Things are pretty much the same with me. I was glad to get the opportunity to come and see you and little Aaron today. He’s growing so fast.”
“I’m sorry he was so fussy. Mother assures me he’s cutting a tooth, but I haven’t been able to feel anything in his gums yet.”
“I could tell he was uncomfortable, and I’m glad he was able to go to sleep.”
“Now that we’ve discussed my baby and my mother, tell me, what’s going on with you and Lance?”
Grace blushed. “Nothing, really.”
“Don’t hand me that, my friend. I know you too well. I couldn’t help noticing how you kept sneaking looks at him before he and Jed went out on the range. He was sneaking looks at you, too.”
“I was never able to hide anything from you, was I, Amelia?”
“Of course not. I even remember the crush you had on Lance when we were just kids. I’m assuming that crush is still there though you don’t want to admit it.”
“And I thought I’d hidden my feelings so well.”
“Though I’ve known about your dream of being Lance’s girlfriend since we were young, I don’t think Nelda or Wilma ever knew. I didn’t tell them because I didn’t think you’d want me to.”
“I appreciate that. I would have been mortified if they’d known. Especially Nelda. She was always so proud of her big brother, and I know she would’ve made fun of me for liking him in that way.”
“How about now, Grace. How does Lance feel about you?”
“He likes me, but beyond that, I have no idea.”
“And you’re in love with him.”
Grace bit her lip and nodded. “You won’t tell anyone will you?”
“If you don’t want me to, you know I won’t, but I think Jed has already guessed.”
“How could he know anything?”
“He said something to me about it after his last talk with Lance.” Amelia chuckled. “Lance was evasive, but it made Jed suspect the sheriff is more interested in you than you think he is.”
“Amelia, he has Juliette Cramer trying to get his attention. Why do you think he’d want me when a beautiful woman like Juliette is after him?”
“Beautiful or not, going away to school sure has changed Juliette, and I know Lance well enough to know he’d never fall for her phony ways. I remember when she was so timid she wouldn’t speak until forced to do so.”
“I remember that, too, but that sure isn’t the case now. She doesn’t have a timid bone in her body. She bounces in and out of Lance’s office like she owns the place…and him, too.”
“As I said, if you think Lance would be interested in her, you’re not thinking straight. No man in his right mind would put up with her silliness.”
Grace sighed and changed the subject. “Do you have any idea what’s going on with Wilma and Stanley?”
“I’m pretty sure he’s going to take his mother to Chicago. She doesn’t want to stay in Settlers Ridge without her husband.”
“Wilma is so much in love with him that it’ll break her heart if he leaves. Or do you think she’ll go with them?”
Amelia shook her head. “I think she’s beginning to realize the feeling she had for Stanley was only infatuation not, love. She also knows it was one-sided. Stanley has never cared for her in any way except as a friend.”
“I know it’s selfish, but I’m glad she’s not leaving Settlers Ridge. I’d miss her.”
“So would I. I still miss Nelda something terrible. I wanted the four of us to live here forever and raise our children to be friends.” Again Amelia chuckled. “Of course, my Aaron will be in school before you three have babies if you don’t get busy.”
Grace let out a little nervous laugh. “I guess you’d better push Wilma to get busy and find a man, because I doubt I’ll ever get married.”
“Don’t be silly, Grace. I bet you’ll be married before winter.”
“Now, that is something to laugh about. Who in the world would want to marry a crippled woman like me?”
“For heaven’s sake, Grace. It’s not like you’re soft in the head or look like a freak or anything. You have a little limp. There’s nobody it bothers except you.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Juliette Cramer keeps bringing it up.”
A deep voice said, “I came out here so I wouldn’t have to hear that woman’s name today, and what do I find? You two are bringing her up.”
Grace jumped and Amelia giggled as Lance and Jed walked up to the porch. “We were so busy talking we didn’t hear you two coming, Lance.”
Jed reached down and kissed Amelia’s cheek. She smiled and turned her head to kiss his chin. “Can’t leave them alone and not expect them to refrain from gossiping, Lance,” Jed said when he straightened up.
“I see that.”
“Stop it, you two. I bet while you were riding around on those horses you did some gossiping yourself.”
“We did, dear. We did.” Jed patted her shoulder and moved to a chair. “Of course nobody will ever know what we said.”
Lance took the chair beside Grace, and it wasn’t long until the four of them were talking and laughing and enjoying the comradery. Delores came out and served them slices of a fresh chocolate cake, coffee, and tea, and the afternoon began to slip away.
* * * *
Juliette stared at Deputy Bryce Langston. “What do you mean you don’t know where Lance is? You’re his deputy. You’ve got to know.”
“He only said he had to go out of town to talk to some rancher, Miss Cramer.”
“Did he say who?”
He was beginning to see why this woman got on Lance’s nerves. Though he knew exactly where Lance had gone, he decided not to tell her, because he wouldn’t put it past her to follow. “All I can say is that it had something to do with a case he’s working on.”
“Oh, I bet it’s something he wants to surprise me with.”
Bryce knew better, but he only shrugged.
This irritated her and she glared
at him again. “Well, I’m sure I’m right. He tries to tell me he’s not interested in me, but I know better. He’s just fighting his feelings. He’ll eventually give in. I know it. My teacher said if you want something, keep it in the forefront of your mind and it’ll eventually be yours.”
When he still said nothing, she went on. “I bet he’s even told you that he wants me, but he doesn’t want to let me know yet. I know men talk about such things.” He lifted an eyebrow, but still said nothing. She added, “I can tell he has told you. If you were a gentleman like Lance you’d tell me what he said about me.”
Bryce couldn’t stand her snobbery any longer. He looked her directly in the eyes and said, “The only thing Lance has ever told me about you was that he wished you’d leave him to hell alone. And seeing how you act, I understand why he feels that way.”
“Why, you uncouth barbarian. How dare you say such a thing!”
“I dare because…”
The door opened and slammed back against the wall. A young boy yelled, “I just saw a man going in the bank with a gun and he pulled his bandana over his mouth.”
“You’re a rude—” Juliette ignored the boy, but didn’t finish because her speech because Bryce grabbed his hat and ran out the door behind the boy.
She took a big breath and shook her head. Didn’t anybody in this town have any manners? She didn’t like being treated as if she wasn’t important. Stalking out of the jail in a most unladylike manner, she headed toward Brown’s Mercantile. At least, she would get some attention in the store. Stanley Brown was always nice and polite, and he’d take care of her as those in service positions were supposed to do. Besides, there was a good chance he or Wilma would know where Lance had gone and she could convince them to tell her.
The bell jangled as Juliette opened the store’s door. She stepped inside with her head held high expecting everyone to greet her as a valued customer. Instead, Stanley and Wilma were gathered around Doctor Wagner’s wife. Juliette frowned. What could be so interesting about her? After all, she was only the widow of a dead outlaw who ended up marrying the town’s doctor. That sure didn’t make her important.
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