Trailblazer

by Anna Schmidt

  She stared at the scene with a look of such serenity and joy that it took his breath away. She met his gaze. “It’s wonderful,” she said, her voice just above a whisper as if they had entered a church. “I could never have imagined anything so beautiful.”

  I could, Nick thought as, for the moment, everyone else seemed to fade away. Their eyes met and held.

  “Hey,” Jake Collier shouted from his position at the back of the line. “How about giving the rest of us a chance to see what all the fuss is about?”

  This has to stop, Nick warned himself. She had a contract to fulfill, and he had worked too hard saving for the day he could buy his own spread to have that undone by a pretty smile and a pair of sky-blue eyes that set his heart thundering like the roar of the water as it tumbled over the edge.

  Chapter 4

  By the time they’d dismounted and turned the horses loose in a roped-off area, Grace could smell the food the cowboys were preparing. The cook from the ranch had driven the chuck wagon to the site earlier, and now dinner was almost ready. Grace joined Emma, who was spreading a white linen tablecloth over a large, flat rock. “Nothing but the best for us Harvey folks,” she joked.

  Grace helped unpack the plates and flatware. No wonder the burros had moved so slowly. The weight of all this must have made climbing the steep trail daunting. At least with the food devoured, they’d have an easier time of it on the way back.

  “How do you plan to handle things today?” Emma asked in a low voice meant for Grace’s ears only. “Mr. Hopkins has—”

  “Mr. Hopkins has a job to do,” Grace said. “He has the responsibility for everyone on this expedition and certainly will not have time to concern himself with me. Besides, is there any reason he and I can’t be friends? We’re not breaking any rules.”

  “He’s coming over,” Emma said and, before Grace could stop her, moved away to help one of the other girls slice bread.

  Grace concentrated on unpacking the last of the plates and rolling flatware in napkins. She was aware of his proximity the way she might have felt the hint of a breeze had there been one.

  “Grace?”

  She turned to him with a bright smile—her Harvey Girl smile. “Quite a fancy picnic,” she commented.

  He grinned and shook his head. “Aidan Campbell has some strange ideas when it comes to these things. And yet it is kind of nice.”

  She concentrated on her task. He said nothing more, just watched her as she worked. The air between them felt heavy with words unspoken and thoughts unshared.

  “Was there something you needed, Mr.—”

  “Nick,” he corrected. “You’re off duty, Grace.”

  “I’m also being observed by others,” she replied softly, glancing at Polly and Miss Kaufmann, who stood under a tree not three feet away. “Still, I do wish—”

  “What do you wish, Grace?”

  She wished she could tell him what his friendship meant to her. “I wish I…we…” She shook off the attempt and smiled. “I wish you would help me unpack all these serving platters and trays.”

  “My pleasure.”

  They worked in companionable silence. When his hand accidentally brushed hers, she did not startle or pull away. “Now what?” she said, hands on hips as she surveyed the stack of large metal trays leaning against a boulder.

  “Smells like the food’s ready,” he said. “Hey, Slim, if you and Smokey are ready, Miss Rogers can bring you trays for the potatoes and corn.”

  Slim gave a sign, and Nick picked up the trays, handing them to Grace. This time when their fingers brushed, his lingered, and Grace ducked her head to hide the blush she felt rising to her cheeks as she hurried to deliver the trays to Slim.

  Behind her, she heard Nick clap his hands for attention before announcing, “Folks, we’re about ready to eat. Once we have, those who aren’t too full are welcome to join me to walk to a special point perfect for catching the last of the sunset on the falls.”

  Grace heard a general chatter of excitement and pleasure as she handed Slim the trays. He accepted them with a shy smile and began loading them with baked potatoes and ears of corn. “Thank you, miss.”

  She waved to Emma and Lily, who were already in line for food, and joined them.

  “Hey, no cuttin’ the line,” Jake teased.

  Grace blushed again and looked around to see if anyone truly minded. Of course, no one did, so she relaxed and prepared to enjoy the meal with her friends. This was their first true break since they’d arrived in Juniper and her first chance to have a good look at this wild country. It was so different from the farm fields of Missouri. She planned to eat quickly so she could take a walk on her own and really take it all in. She’d brought her journal along to make notes and some rough sketches, some to send home in her letters for her brothers and sisters to enjoy.

  The group sat on the flat rocks that formed a rough circle around the campfire. Slim and Smokey wove their way among the group offering second and third helpings. It was refreshing to be served rather than be the server. But anxious for an opportunity to explore the area and perhaps make some sketches to send her siblings, Grace ate hurriedly and refused seconds.

  “I’m going for a short walk,” she told Emma and Lily as she took their plates and stacked them on hers.

  “Not by yourself,” Jake protested as he leaped to his feet.

  She looked around, hoping perhaps Nick might agree to accompany her, but he had disappeared. “I’ll stay right in the area, I promise. I just want some time to—”

  “Our Gracie is one who needs her time alone,” Lily explained. “Emma and I have learned not to take it personally. She’ll be fine.” She patted Jake’s hand, and he was so startled and pleased that he sat down again.

  “No farther than hollerin’ distance,” he warned.

  Grace laughed. “You think you could hear me above this din?” She glanced around the circle where several lively conversations were in progress.

  “No more than where we can see you then,” Jake bargained.

  “I’ll be fine.” Grace carried the dirty dishes to the chuck wagon and handed them to the cook. “Lovely meal,” she said. “Thank you for all the trouble you took.”

  “No trouble at all, miss.”

  She pointed to a narrow path behind him. “Where does that go?”

  “The falls. That’s the trail the boss will take you folks on to see the sunset.”

  If she got an early start, she’d have the advantage of seeing it in silence, treasuring the moment before sharing it with the others. She’d have time to make a couple of sketches she could color in later. The cook had left his post to offer the guests more coffee, so Grace started up the well-worn trail, taking care to find secure footing with each step. And because she was so focused on her footing, she was almost upon Nick before she realized he was there.

  She looked up as a shadow darkened her path. There had been no storm or rain predicted, and yet they’d been told how suddenly bad weather could come over the mountains and strike without warning. Nick stood at the top of a rise, hands on his slim hips.

  “Grace?”

  “Oh, hello. I—”

  “You shouldn’t be roamin’ around out here on your own.” He had pushed his hat back, and she saw a slight frown crease his forehead.

  This was a new side to Nick Hopkins. She was used to the man who smiled and flirted so easily—the man who seemed unruffled by anything life might send his way. But this man looked worried. Lily might have tried charming him out of his mood, but Grace felt only annoyed. After all, there was such a thing as being overly protective.

  “I just came to see the falls,” she said.

  “I told everyone I would bring the group up together.”

  “I know, but I had hoped to enjoy some time alone before you and the others—” Taking a step forward withou
t testing her footing and setting off a small avalanche of loose dirt and rock, she pitched forward to keep herself from skidding backward and off the trail entirely.

  Nick was there in an instant, his hand gripping her upper arm to keep her from the mortification of falling face-first into the dust and dirt. Using both hands, he hauled her up and forward until her clenched fists rested on his chest. Their faces were no more than an inch apart, their breaths coming in syncopated huffs. She met his gaze, and in that moment, she knew something was about to change between them—something she hadn’t realized she’d been hoping for.

  “Are you hurt?” His voice was husky.

  She shook her head but made no other move. His eyes lingered on hers. Did she move half a step closer, or did he? Did she speak aloud the single word that would answer the question in that gaze?

  Yes.

  Before she could further analyze the moment, he closed the distance, settling his lips on hers as his grip on her arm softened. Her fists unfolded until her hands were flat against the pounding of his heart.

  His kiss was no assault but rather tasted of tenderness and frustration and the knowledge they both understood that this should not be happening. He pulled back.

  “You okay?” His voice shook, and he had trouble looking directly at her. Clearly, kissing her had not been planned. It just happened—out of the blue, like an unexpected storm.

  Unable to speak, she nodded. “You’re right. I should go back,” she finally managed. She turned to go.

  “Wait,” he said softly. He stepped to one side of the trail. “Just over that rise. Best view around.”

  She hesitated, but with a sweep of his hand, he invited her to see for herself. So she stepped around him and climbed the last few steps of the trail, emerging onto a flat area where the mesas and cliffs dropped deep into a canyon. In the distance, the falls plummeted from their apex to the river far below, the tumbling water sparkling like a thousand precious jewels in the light of the setting sun.

  “Oh, Nick, it’s so…” she whispered as she turned back to thank him.

  But he was gone.

  * * *

  Idiot.

  Nick berated himself, kicking up dust as he stomped back down the trail to gather the rest of the group for the hike up to see the sunset.

  You just had to kiss her, didn’t you?

  He touched his tongue to his lips. The taste of her was there—something sweet he couldn’t define, something that had brought him up short and stopped him from going further with the kiss.

  “Everybody’s ready to see the falls, boss,” Slim said as Nick stormed past. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Let’s go so we can get them back to town before it gets much darker and colder.” He paused for a moment, composing himself and pasting on the easy smile that was expected. “This way, folks. First the sunset, and then coffee and pie before we head back to town.”

  The others rushed forward, forming a single line as Slim led them up the trail. Emma Elliot stepped away from the group and said, “Did you happen to see Grace, Mr. Hopkins? She said she wanted to take a short walk, but I’m starting to worry.”

  Nick’s smile tightened. “She went ahead on her own. She’s up there at the falls waiting for you.”

  “I see,” Emma replied as she studied him more closely. “She’s all right?”

  Nick feigned nonchalance. “Last I saw of her, she was.” He turned away to herd the others along, and thankfully, Emma rejoined the line.

  The distance from the picnic site to the top of the ridge was short, and he could already hear gasps of wonder as those at the head of the line caught their first glimpses of the waterfall at sunset. As soon as Aidan Campbell started up the trail at the end of the line, Nick glanced around. Smokey and Cooky were already setting up the pie and coffee service. The men were as anxious as he was to finish their duties and get home.

  Nick deliberately avoided looking for Grace when he reached the top of the trail. The way he was feeling, anyone with eyes would know at once what had happened. He didn’t want to cause her trouble, so he focused on the other girls, smiling at their attempts to fully express the beauty of the scene before them and giving a blushing Slim the credit for having discovered this view in the first place. “At least he was the one who showed me,” he said when Slim stuttered a protest.

  As the red-orange sun slipped below the horizon, everyone started back down the trail, anxious to wrap themselves in the coats and blankets they had brought along. Somehow despite his determination to keep his distance, Nick found himself walking behind Emma, Lily, and Grace. Lily chattered on, questioning how they were ever going to find their way back to town once dark set in, and suggesting maybe they should just skip pie and coffee and get on their way. She sure was a nervous little filly.

  Emma rested her hand on Lily’s waist. “We’ll be just fine, Lily. Mr. Hopkins and his men will see to that. Isn’t that right, sir?” She called this last over her shoulder in his direction.

  “Yes, miss.”

  “But it’s already getting colder and darker and—”

  “We have these things out here called stars,” Nick said, deliberately giving his words a teasing flair in order to lighten the mood before Lily’s nerves affected others. “I’d say between those and the full moon, there’s enough to show us the way.”

  “It is lovely,” she admitted. “No wonder Mr. Campbell chose you to lead this little expedition, Nick. You are quite gifted at setting the proper mood and alleviating the fears of silly females like me.”

  Nick ducked his head, embarrassed at such a compliment delivered within hearing of his men. He would have to endure their teasing later. He glanced at Grace. He sure hoped she shared Lily’s high opinion of him.

  The pie and coffee were a perfect end to a successful expedition, and Nick was finally starting to calm down when Grace sought him out.

  “That cannot happen again, Nick,” she said softly, her voice shaking a bit. “Anyone could have come by and—”

  “I assume you are speaking of the kiss—the one we shared?”

  “I did not… I simply…”

  “You’re really going to tell yourself you didn’t kiss me back?”

  By the light from the campfire, he realized her lip was trembling. “I most certainly…”

  “…did,” he finished for her. Then he relieved her of her coffee cup and took it back to the chuck wagon. “Time to mount up, folks,” he shouted.

  * * *

  I did not kiss that man, Grace fumed on the ride back to town.

  Oh, but you did, she thought, recalling her murmured assent. She was grateful for the darkness, the necessity to go single file down the trail, and most of all Lily’s constant jabbering that kept everyone else—including Nick—focused on reassuring her.

  “Not long now,” she heard him say as he led Lily’s mount at the head of the line. There was such patience and kindness in his tone. He’s such a decent man, she thought. On the other hand, could she afford to become distracted from her true purpose in coming to Juniper? And what of the future? Once her contract ended, she had always thought she would return to the farm. Surely it would be foolhardy to allow herself to become entangled in a romance with Nick when there was no future in it. Oh, but when he kissed you…

  Not that she’d never been kissed. Buford had started kissing her when they were twelve, but by the time they had stopped seeing each other, she had to admit the one thing she would not miss for a minute was his wet, slobbery mouth on hers.

  Nick’s kiss had been different. She struggled to put her finger on why it had been so special but failed. It had all happened in a moment—a moment so brief, it was hard to believe she hadn’t imagined it. But the reality was that he had kissed her—and she had savored that kiss.

  They rode into town, light spilling over the entire party from the s
treetlamps and saloons. She watched as Nick dismounted ahead of her and helped Lily from her horse. She studied the breadth of his shoulders, the ease with which he lifted Lily, and most of all the professionalism he continued to show the entire group while carrying out his duties as the leader of their expedition. Nick Hopkins was a mature man, confident enough in himself and his abilities that he could easily focus on the needs of others.

  Still, she couldn’t help being disappointed when Nick showed no sign of even nodding good night as she filed past him with the others. Indeed, he seemed to deliberately turn away to speak with one of his cowhands as she approached. Then just as she passed, his hand brushed hers, and she heard him say, “Good night, Grace.”

  “Good night, Nick,” she murmured and allowed their hands to remain in contact for a brief second more.

  When Nick did not come to the hotel, not the next day nor indeed all the next week, Grace told herself this was a good thing, that putting time between their kiss and seeing each other again would ease the awkwardness. Surely they both realized what a mistake it had been. But the more days that passed without him coming to the counter, the more Grace looked for him.

  “Are you unwell, Grace?”

  She had not seen Miss K approach. The morning train had just departed, and Grace had been lost in thought as she tended to her usual duties of wiping down countertops and polishing silver.

  “I am fine, Miss Kaufmann.” Admittedly, she was slower than usual in performing the chores. She doubled her efforts to put a shine on the coffee urn.

  “I thought perhaps after our delightful outing earlier this week…”

  Grace realized that Miss K’s concern was genuine. In the weeks she’d worked at the Palace, Grace had come to admire the head waitress. Miss Kaufmann had a good deal of responsibility and yet, in spite of her strictness, she took an interest in her “girls.”

  “It was lovely,” Grace agreed.

  Miss K cleared her throat, signaling she had business to discuss. “Grace, one of the girls in the dining room is leaving us. That leaves an opening for a beverage girl. Would you be interested?”