“What’s so funny?” Sadie demanded, noticing his grin.
“My little sister. She’s not a very good cook. I was grinning because I don’t think she’d appreciate me giving her pointers.”
“Sisters are like that,” Noah said, earning a narrowed glare from Sadie across the table. “They can be kind of cranky, too.”
Lars had to swallow hard to keep from spewing a gulp of milk out of his mouth.
Coughing a few times, he wisely refrained from making any comments.
“Mind if I ask how old you are, Miss Sadie?” Lars raised a questioning eyebrow at the little girl.
“I do mind, but I reckon since you made us breakfast, I’ll tell you. I’m eight and Noah is six and beyond that, you can durn well mind your own business.” Sadie looked him in the eye as she spoke then dropped her gaze to her plate, taking a bite of her toast.
The girl was even younger than Lars thought. How did a little girl like that get so wizened and tough? When he was eight, his biggest concern was if he could talk Aundy into taking his turn at washing dishes or if he could sneak in an extra few minutes of playtime when he was supposed to be studying.
“Noah said your mother passed away a few years back. I’m sorry,” Lars said, noticing the warning look Sadie gave her brother.
“Nothing for you to be sorry about. She died trying to have a baby that just couldn’t be borned. Me and Noah done just fine. We still got our Pa.” Sadie ate the last of her eggs and finished her toast.
“Where is your Pa? Looks like you two have been here on your own for a while,” Lars observed, trying to sound casual.
“He’ll be back any time. He went to see a man about a job, but he’ll most likely be home this evening.” Sadie rose and carried her empty plate to the sink. She pulled her chair over and prepared to wash the dishes.
“What’s your Pa’s name? Maybe I know him.”
“Chad Webster,” Noah blurted before Sadie could silence him with another glare.
Noah didn’t realize it, but he’d just provided the confirmation Lars needed that he’d found the outlaw’s house.
“How about I do the dishes for you?” Lars moved beside the girl. She gave him a look that said he needed to step away from her sink and be fast about it or she’d start threatening him with her rifle again.
“Can I at least chop some wood for you before I leave?” Lars asked, setting his plate and glass in the sink.
“I don’t s’pose that would hurt nothing,” Sadie said, slicing a sliver of soap into the water she pumped into the sink before adding hot water from the kettle.
Lars walked outside, removed his vest and hung it on his saddle horn, then rolled up his shirtsleeves. Finding the ax buried in a stump, he noticed a few logs someone had dragged in but hadn’t taken the time to chop. Locating a saw in the barn, he managed to cut off several pieces then set about splitting them into small chunks Sadie could carry. When he had a sizeable pile, he stacked the wood by the door and carried an armload inside, setting it in the wood box by the stove.
Wiping his sweaty forehead on his shoulder, he accepted the glass of water Sadie handed him and drained it.
“Are you two sure you’re going to be okay? I could take you into Pendleton with me if you don’t want to wait here for your pa to come back. We could leave him a note.”
“Pa can’t read, and like I said, he’ll most likely be home today or tomorrow anyway.” Sadie handed Lars his hat and jacket that he’d discarded earlier and left on pegs by the door.
The two youngsters followed him outside and Lars settled his hat on his head then pulled on his vest and draped his jacket in front of his saddle.
Before he could mount Viking, he felt little arms squeezing his leg and looked down into Noah’s smiling face. “Thanks for fixing my hand, Mr. Lars.”
Picking up the boy and giving him a warm hug, Lars patted his back then set him on his feet, ruffling his hair. He put a hand on the child’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “You remember to keep that hand clean.”
“I will.” Noah stepped back and smiled at his hero.
Sadie put her arm around Noah, even though she wasn’t much taller than he was. “Thank you for breakfast and chopping the wood for us, mister. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Sadie. Take care of yourself and your brother. If you need me, just ask for Mr. Thorsen in Pendleton.” Lars mounted Viking and started back down the road. He hated to leave those two kids alone, but if they thought their father would be back soon, he’d keep an eye on their cabin to see if Webster put in an appearance.
Chapter Seven
Marnie sat in her chair reading, completely absorbed in the story of a handsome cowboy riding to the rescue of his true love. Popping a chocolate into her mouth, she savored the sweet confection and turned the page, lost in the exciting tale.
A knock sounded on her door, startling her. Hurrying to swallow the candy, she placed her lacy bookmarker between the pages of her book and stepped across the room to the door.
“Hello, Lewis. What can I do for you?” Marnie smiled at the boy who worked for Miss Clementine running errands and doing jobs around the business. The young orphan had nowhere else to go and slept in a little storage area near the kitchen. Although she wasn’t sure of his age, Marnie thought Lewis was probably around seven or eight.
“Howdy, Miss Marnie. A man outside asked me to give you this,” Lewis said, handing her an envelope.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Marnie gave the boy a penny and ruffled his hair before he raced back down the hall.
Closing her door, Marnie slit open the envelope and felt a sense of elation settle over her as she read a note from Lars.
Rushing to her window, she pushed it open and stuck her head outside, grinning down at the handsome cowboy as she batted the lace curtains out of her way.
“It’s your day off, isn’t it?” Lars leaned against the railing below her window with his hat tipped back on his head and a piece of straw dangling from his full lower lip.
The sight of Lars, looking so boyishly charming, created an almost irresistible urge in her to kiss him. The direction of her thoughts troubled her.
Despite her means of employment, Marnie tried to ignore men for the most part. She’d learned early on not to trust them, that they’d hurt her if she gave them the opportunity.
Attempting to ignore Lars was impossible, though, and she didn’t even want to try. For the first time in her life, she felt a swarm of butterflies take flight in her stomach as she gazed at the good-looking man grinning up at her.
“As a matter of fact, it is. I’m surprised you remembered.” Marnie rested her elbows on the edge of her windowsill as she leaned out, enjoying the feel of the warm spring sunshine on her face and the attention of the marshal.
“I don’t forget important details.” Lars lifted his boot-clad foot and rested it between two of the rails leading down to the card room. “If you aren’t otherwise occupied, I wondered if you’d like to go for a ride.”
“Aren’t you busy working?”
“Yep. Nevertheless, I thought you might like to go along with me for the afternoon. I’ll even provide a picnic lunch.” His delightful smile, combined with a pleading look, wasn’t wasted on Marnie.
He planned to go check on the Webster kids and take them some supplies, but the more he thought about Marnie, the more he wanted her to go along. Not just to meet the plucky Sadie and fun-loving Noah, but also because he wanted to spend time with her.
Well aware of what Marnie did for a living, he’d tried to talk himself into leaving her alone, not seeing her again. As a church-going man with strong morals, he struggled to accept what she was, and just couldn’t quite do it.
Then he’d recall how she looked dressed like any other respectable woman, so wholesome and pretty, and he couldn’t keep his thoughts from circling back around to her. Sensing the tender heart and gentle spirit she tried to keep hidden from the world, there was much to learn
about the fascinating woman, much more to her than what first met the eye.
Besides, it wasn’t like he planned to fall in love with her. That notion was utterly preposterous. They were just friends.
“Are you making the lunch?”
“No. Mrs. Rawlings was kind enough to pack a basket for me.” Lars was glad Caterina insisted on making the food once he told her of his plans. She assured him no woman in her right mind would refuse to go on a picnic with him. It remained to be seen if Marnie was in her right mind or not, since she had yet to agree to accompany him.
“In that case, I can’t refuse. When do you want to go?” Marnie asked, not seeing Lars’ horse anywhere on the street.
“As soon as you come down here.” Lars grinned broadly and waggled his fingers at her, motioning for her to join him.
“I’ll be right there. Don’t run off.” Marnie slammed her window shut and yanked on a pair of sturdy shoes. Slapping a hat on her head, she secured it with a few well-placed pins, grabbed a shawl and her pocketbook, then raced out the door.
Stopping in the kitchen to let Gertie know where she was going, she ignored the woman’s raised eyebrows and pointing index finger. “I dun told ya, sweet pea, the right feller is out dere, not in here.”
“Oh, go on with you, Gertie. It’s just a picnic.” Marnie kissed the woman’s plump cheek then rushed out the door and down the back stairs.
Lars waited for her as she stepped out on the sidewalk, offering her his arm. Not accustomed to anyone treating her like a lady, she stared at him for a moment before dropping her gaze and gingerly placing her hand on his arm.
Walking her over to a buggy, he helped her in and waited while she settled her skirts before taking a seat beside her. His broad shoulder brushed against her, sending tingles spiraling up and down her arm.
“Thank you for coming along,” Lars said as he guided the horse down the street and turned east, heading out of town.
“Thank you for the invitation.” Marnie lacked the opportunity to get out and explore beyond what was within easy walking distance of town. She looked forward to being out in the countryside with Lars. It was a beautiful spring day, full of sunshine, fresh breezes, and blue sky. She planned to enjoy every moment of it.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important.” Lars cast a sideways glance her direction. He liked the way her hair fell in soft curls down her back with a few wispy tendrils floating around her face. A saucy pink hat perched at an angle on top of her head, matching the pale pink gown she wore that perfectly accented her fine figure and smooth skin.
“Not really. I was just reading.”
Lars chuckled and turned to study her face. He noticed a bit of chocolate at the corner of her mouth and wiped it away. The contact made his fingers itch and burn so he pulled back his hand, wiping the chocolate on the leg of his denims. “And indulging in some candy?”
“Guilty as charged.” Marnie pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her lips then rested against the back of the seat.
Lars wondered if she had any idea how alluring she looked with the sun shining around her and a happy smile on her face. Swallowing twice, he turned his focus to the road ahead before he surrendered to a completely inappropriate desire to kiss her until he lost the ability to think or reason.
“What is today’s adventure story about?”
Marnie looked at him, wondering what he’d say if she told him she’d pretended the hero in the story looked exactly like him. Deciding to keep her thoughts to herself, she gave him a brief description of the book.
“You know he saves the girl and they ride off into the sunset, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Why bother to read the book if you already know how it will end?”
Marnie sat forward and stared out at the passing landscape of wheat fields and pastures full of fat cattle. “Because it’s how they get to their happy ending that matters. It’s not like they meet, fall in love, and the story ends. There’s a lot of human struggle, heartache, and overcoming challenges that happens between ‘once upon a time’ and ‘the end.’”
He speculated what Marnie enjoyed most in the stories was the fact that good always triumphed over evil. He had a notion that Marnie had experienced far too little of the good and way too much of the evil in her life.
“What’s your full name?”
Lars looked at Marnie as she waited for him to answer. Wondering what prompted the question, he had no reason to hold back a reply. “Lars Aleksander Thorsen. What’s yours?”
“Marnie Marie Jones. And before you ask, I’m twenty-two.”
“Is that right, Marnie Marie Jones? How old do you think I am?”
She leisurely looked him over from the top of his hat-covered head to the toes of his boots. Her thorough perusal made Lars flush with a fever unlike any he’d ever experienced.
When she reached out and poked a finger into the muscle of his upper arm, he knew she was needling him. She slowly raked her gaze across his face, confirming her taunting, before smiling at him sweetly. “With those flabby muscles and that scraggly stubble, you’ve got to be at least fifty.”
Narrowing his gaze, Lars spit out the straw he’d been chewing. “Just for that, I won’t tell you.”
“Please, Lars.” She placed her hands on his arm, creating a jolt from the impact of the touch. “I’m just teasing.”
“I know, sweet thing.” Lars patted her hand and turned his attention back to the road.
She loved it when he called her sweet thing. He was the only person who ever had, and it made her feel special. Like someone important, someone who mattered.
“You’re twenty-four.” Marnie gave him another endearing smile.
“Wait… how… who told you?”
“I could tell you I’m a really good guesser, but the truth is Ilsa mentioned it the other day.”
“So you and my sister were talking about me?” Lars raised an eyebrow at Marnie. Ilsa said Marnie stopped by for a visit a few days ago, but she didn’t confide what the two of them discussed. “What else did she say?”
“That she had no idea you’d grow up to be so handsome, tall, and strong.” Marnie gave Lars an impish grin, watching as his chest swelled with pride. “Or conceited, arrogant, and bossy. I’m pretty sure she mentioned that, too.”
The pouting look he turned on her made her heart feel as soft as melted butter. If he kept this up, she didn’t know that she’d be able to take any more outings with him. Not when she found herself so attracted to the lawman.
Leaning back against the seat again, Marnie asked Lars if he’d yet been through the Underground. What started as a way for respectable businesses to get deliveries via tunnels from the depot had turned into a rollicking city beneath the city full of saloons, card rooms, and working girls. Chinese laundries and a few other businesses could also be found there, but for the most part, it catered to businesses frowned upon by polite society.
“Kade took me on a tour right after I arrived in town.” Lars knew Marnie used to work in one of the saloons down there before Miss Clementine invited her to join her illustrious staff. “The ice cream shop makes a tasty malt.”
Surprised Lars visited the ice cream shop instead of one of the saloons, she should have known he wasn’t the drinking type. Everything about him hinted at an upright citizen. “You should try their chocolate ice cream. It’s my favorite.”
“Chocolate, huh?” Lars shook his head and grinned. “I’m beginning to think you have an obsession for romance stories and chocolate.”
“Perhaps I do, Mr. Thorsen. What of it?”
“Oh, nothing at all,” he said, driving the buggy off the road and stopping in a grove of trees next to a creek. “Are you ready for lunch?”
“Yes, I am.” Marnie realized the fresh air and being out on an adventure had given her an appetite. “May I help with something?”
“If you wouldn’t mind spreading the blanket, I’ll bring the basket
.” Lars helped Marnie out of the buggy and handed her a quilt. She stepped closer to the bank of the creek and spread the covering on a grassy area that appeared to be clear of any rocks or sticks.
Marnie gratefully accepted the hand he held out to her as she sat gracefully on the quilt, doing her best to behave with the utmost decorum. Eagerly watching as he removed food from the basket, she waited with her hands held primly on her lap.
Lars asked a brief but heartfelt blessing on the food then handed her a plate with a thick sandwich, canned peaches, and some odd-looking olives. Tasting an olive, Marnie’s eyes widened as she relished the briny flavor.
“These are very good,” she said, popping another one in her mouth.
“Caterina gets them from her parents’ store in New York. They can be addictive if you get started eating them.” Lars lost count of the number of olives he’d eaten since Caterina introduced him to the tasty little orbs.
They ate in silence, enjoying their companionship and the opportunity to be together away from prying eyes and judgmental glares.
When they finished their meal, Lars uncovered a piece of chocolate cake. Cutting it in two, he put half on her plate and began eating the rest.
Closing her eyes, Marnie couldn’t subdue a pleasurable moan as she savored the rich flavor and moist texture.
Lars stopped his fork halfway to his mouth, spellbound by the look on her face as much as the mellow sound of her voice.
“That may be the best thing I’ve ever experienced,” she said, taking another bite. “How does Mrs. Rawlings get her cake so moist?”
Lars realized Marnie was looking at him, expecting some sort of response. “I don’t know, but everything she makes is really good. Aundy’s a good cook, too. I’ve eaten out at the ranch a few times.”
“I bet you haven’t eaten much at Ilsa’s house.” Marnie’s eyes twinkled merrily as she ate her last bite of cake. “Ilsa doesn’t even pretend to enjoy cooking.”
“Tony isn’t a bad cook, although I think he prefers that knowledge remain hidden.”
Marnie: Page 7
