by Debra Cowan
“I wanted to.” He stared straight into her eyes and she knew he was remembering that he had brought bluebonnets the first time he had called on her.
The flowers set off a longing inside her. It was getting more difficult to stay on her guard around him. To remember to keep her distance.
Her gaze drifted to his mouth and she recalled the kisses they had shared the other night in her front room. How she had wanted more.
She’d told herself she had responded because he had taken her off guard, but it wasn’t true. She had responded because she had been just as swept away by him as she always had. There was no dodging that fact.
Fingering the blooms, she slanted him a look. “Quentin told me what you worked out with him.”
“He did, huh?” Matt’s gaze went soft on her face.
“There was no need.” Instead of sounding firm, she sounded breathless. “There wasn’t even a hint of trouble.”
“Maybe that’s why,” he said pointedly. “What were you doing in the cellar?”
“Looking for some of my medical books.”
He eased back down onto the edge of the mattress, close enough that she could feel the hard hot line of his thigh through her skirts. One of his large hands rested next to her hip, setting off a low vibration inside her.
“How’s your head?”
“Better.”
“Your shoulder getting sore?”
She nodded.
“Why didn’t you ask someone to help you?”
“If that crate hadn’t broken, I would’ve handled everything fine.”
“It was full of heavy books, Annalise.”
“Well, you can’t take your eyes off me for one second,” she quipped. “There’s no telling what I might get up to.”
“Evidently,” he murmured, heat flaring in his eyes.
She swallowed hard and redirected the conversation. “I’m not sure I like you getting someone to watch me while you were gone.”
“Not to watch you. To watch your back. There’s a difference, and if you think I’m going to apologize, you can think again.”
She couldn’t seem to stop looking at his mouth.
His gaze moved slowly over her, striking sparks under her skin. “Those outlaws were too close for comfort. Damn sure too close for my comfort and it didn’t inconvenience you one bit.”
“No, it didn’t.” She wasn’t vexed about it. Like other things that had happened in the past couple of days, it confused her.
“It made me feel a lot better knowing you had someone here,” he said gruffly.
Before she could tell him she understood, he said, “The only time I’ve ever seen Jericho Blue rattled was when his wife was taken by outlaws, and that isn’t going to happen to you if I can help it.”
Annalise melted inside. Oh, how could he slip under her guard so easily? He plainly felt a responsibility toward her because he hadn’t been there when she needed him all those years ago.
“It’s all right,” she said.
“I don’t care if you think I’m paranoid. I’m not apologizing for having your best interests at heart.”
It wasn’t the fierceness in his voice that had her pulse jumping. It was the frankly possessive look in his eyes.
“I don’t expect you to apologize, Matt.”
“You’re wastin’ your breath if you think—what?” He broke off, looking nonplused.
“I know you had my safety in mind.”
A frown gathered on his brow. “So, you’re not mad?”
“Mad? No.” But she was quickly being overcome by the desire to lean into him, rest against his chest the way she had a few minutes ago.
Their new tentative truce tempted her to believe things could be different for them, but they couldn’t. Could they?
She told herself she could stay away from him if she wanted. It wasn’t true. His apologies and thoughtful gestures didn’t make the past hurt any less, but because of them, she was afraid keeping her distance was going to be downright impossible.
Matt had thought a lot about Annalise last night. About her fall, about the way she kept looking at him, how she’d accepted the arrangement he had made with Quentin.
As aggravated as she’d been before he rode out to search for the Landis brothers, Matt hadn’t been sure what kind of welcome he would get when he returned. It was a good thing he’d gone to her clinic anyway. He didn’t want to think about what might have happened if he hadn’t been there after her fall.
He had stayed in town last night, in Russ’s old room at the Fontaine so that Pa and Cora could be alone a little longer. And because, after Annalise’s accident, he wanted to be close.
She kept insisting she was fine and she probably was. All Matt knew was that when he’d seen her on the floor like a broken doll, his gut had snarled into a big knot, and it had eased only after a few hours.
Once he was convinced she would be all right, he made sure she didn’t move while he carried the books from the cellar. Thick heavy volumes with headache-inducing titles like Ashhurst’s International Encyclopedia of Surgery and Leidy’s Anatomy. After he finished shelving the textbooks, he had asked her to dinner, but she had declined, saying she had accepted an invitation from Quentin.
As prickly as that made him, Matt thought there was only friendship between her and the newspaper man, and hoped he wasn’t wrong.
When she’d informed him that she knew about his arrangement with the other man, Matt had expected anger. Indignation at the very least. Instead, she’d been understanding, which not only surprised him, but also encouraged him. Enough that he was going to push his luck today and invite her to lunch.
He spent the morning putting new shoes on Dove and helping his brother fix a problem with the gas lighting at the Fontaine. He caught sight of Annalise a couple of times. Once while she was visiting with Andrew Donnelly as he swept her stoop before school and the second time when she came out of Haskell’s.
Just before noon, he left the Fontaine and walked toward her clinic on the opposite end of town. He happened upon Quentin Prescott along the way and stopped to speak. During their brief conversation, Matt saw his pa and Cora come out of the clinic.
He had thought they might want to stay at the ranch alone for another couple of days before making their first appearance in town. Seeing them now reminded Matt that he had also seen Pa coming from Annalise’s clinic the day before the wedding.
His father and stepmother made their way across the street and into the Pearl restaurant. Matt decided to talk to them later. After lunch.
The day was sunny and clear with puffy white clouds floating in the blue sky. Matt knocked on the door of the clinic. When Annalise answered, he braced one arm above his head, his gaze sliding over the gray-and-white checked bodice that molded to her breasts and waist. Her skirt was of the same serviceable gray. There was nothing provocative about her practical daydress yet Matt’s pulse thudded hard.
Her hair hung over one shoulder in a loose braid, the sun bringing out the dark rich color. “Matt?”
The sharpness of her voice pulled his attention to her face. And the deep green of her eyes.
Eyes that stared warily into his. “What are you doing?”
He grinned. “I came by to check on my patient.”
A half smile tugged at her lips.
“How’s your head?” he asked.
“Much better.”
“And your shoulder?”
“Bruised.”
“I’m glad you’re not worse.”
“So am I.” Curiosity streaked across her features.
“I saw Pa and Cora leaving your clinic.” He thumbed back his hat. “Is anything wrong? Is Cora okay?”
Something flickered in Annalise’s eyes then disappeared. “She’s fine. The two of them stopped by for a visit. Why are you in town again so soon?”
“Never left. I stayed at the Fontaine last night. Thought the newlyweds might like a little more time alone, seeing as they’re…newlyweds.”
<
br /> “Oh.” Her cheeks flushed a becoming pink. “Is that the only reason?”
Her raised brow indicated she suspected he had stayed because of her. She wouldn’t be wrong. Instead of answering, he shrugged.
Matt shifted, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye of the flowers he had brought yesterday. The bluebonnets were in a small tin pitcher sitting in the front window.
She hadn’t thrown them away. He took that as a good sign. His gaze hiked over her again, lingering on her mouth. He wanted to kiss her, thought maybe he should have last night. “Have lunch with me.”
This close he couldn’t miss the slight stiffening of her shoulders. Even so, he didn’t expect her next words.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
He deliberately misunderstood her. “It’s always a good idea to eat.”
“You know what I mean.”
Yes, dammit, he did. And he didn’t fancy it. His chest tightened. He had caught the hungry way she had looked at him last night, but he knew better than to remind her of that.
“I thought we were starting to put the past behind us.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t try, does it? That I can’t try?”
“No.”
“What’s the problem?” He grinned. “Afraid you’ll like it too much?”
“I don’t want to like it.”
That hurt, but he managed to keep his voice light. “I can see where that would be bothersome. I hate enjoying things.”
She rolled her eyes. “It can’t be like it was before.”
“I’m not asking for that.” Yet. That would be like dancing two steps back for every one forward.
Before he could coax her into sharing a meal with him, he caught sight of Davis Lee coming from the alley between the mercantile and the law office next door to the clinic. The lawman headed toward them.
Matt tilted his head in the man’s direction. “Davis Lee looks like he has something on his mind.”
“Josie,” Annalise breathed. She stepped outside, her skirts swirling around his trousers.
Matt shifted just enough to give her some room, but he didn’t move away. His gaze caught on a wisp of her hair blowing against the graceful curve of her neck.
“Annalise!” The sheriff cleared the steps in one stride.
“Is Josie all right?” she asked.
“Yes. I mean no.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I think so. There’s no emergency.”
“Oh, good.”
Matt felt the tension ease out of her, but before Davis Lee could tell her the problem, a masculine voice boomed, “Sheriff!”
Matt’s gaze went past his friend to Theodore Julius and his ranch manager. The men dodged a wagon as they crossed the street from the jail.
Annalise looked up at Davis Lee. “Does Josie need me?”
“No. At least I don’t think so.”
Huh? Matt glanced at Annalise, who looked confused, too.
Julius and Cosgrove stopped at the foot of the steps, both men tipping their hats to Annalise.
The older man turned to Davis Lee. “Sorry to interrupt, Sheriff, but some of my cattle were stolen last night. I thought you’d want to know as soon as possible.”
“You thought right.”
Matt listened as the men from the Eight of Hearts Ranch reported the theft of five cows and two calves.
Davis Lee nodded. “Were they branded?”
“Yes,” the owner confirmed.
“Did y’all find tracks?” Matt asked.
“Only those belonging to cattle.”
Matt could feel someone staring at them and looked over Davis Lee’s shoulder to see May Haskell. Standing in front of the mercantile, the store owner’s wife was glaring in their direction so hard, Matt could practically feel his skin burn. Who was she riled at?
Davis Lee half turned to follow Matt’s gaze then shifted so that his back was to the woman. “No boot prints, no horse tracks?”
“No,” Cosgrove answered.
Matt growled in frustration. “How in the hell are they rustling without leaving any sign except that of the missing cattle?”
The sheriff shook his head. “I have no idea.”
Matt noticed Pearl Anderson stepping out of the telegraph office. Her eyes went straight to Davis Lee; she turned up her nose and went back inside. What the devil was going on? Matt wondered.
Davis Lee had seen it, too. His jaw tightened as he focused on Julius. “I want to take a look around your spread.”
“All right,” said the barrel-shaped man. “Although I don’t think you’ll find anything. Cosgrove and I didn’t.”
After a few more questions, Davis Lee pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll come out a little later.”
“Very good,” the rancher said.
As he and Cosgrove turned to leave, Annalise stopped the ranch owner. “Mr. Julius, how is Edward?”
“He’s staying in bed, like you told him.”
“That’s good. I’ll be out to check on him in a couple of days.”
“I’ll let him know.” Julius tipped his hat then walked away with Cosgrove.
She turned to Davis Lee. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Zoe Keeler appeared at the side of the clinic, seemingly coming from the sheriff’s house. “Hello, Matt. Hello, Annalise.”
Her gaze lit on Davis Lee and she frowned, continuing across the street toward the telegraph office without speaking to him.
Matt looked from the usually cheery redhead to the lawman. “What did you do to Zoe?”
“Nothing,” Davis Lee muttered.
“What about May and Pearl? They’re all put out with you for some reason.”
“That’s why I came to see you, Annalise.” Davis Lee snatched off his hat, looking helplessly at her. “Josie cries all the time, no matter what I do.”
Squinting against the sun, Matt noted his friend’s eyes were red-rimmed and his face haggard, as though he hadn’t slept. His usually neat hair stuck up in places from his hands raking through it, which he did now.
“She’s crying all the time?” Annalise asked. “Tell me what’s happened.”
Davis Lee paced to the edge of the stoop then back, hitting his thigh with his hat. “She said she wanted lemonade and when I brought it to her, she started crying. She asked me to rub her back, so I did. Then she started crying. I couldn’t find a pair of socks this morning and when I asked her if they were all dirty, she started crying.
“Hell, she asks for food she doesn’t even like. Yesterday, she asked for grits. She hates grits!”
Davis Lee looked as though he was at the end of his rope. Matt could see why.
Annalise put a hand on the man’s arm. “Josie isn’t crying because of something you are or aren’t doing.”
“Well, that isn’t how it feels and every woman in this town disagrees with you. You saw ’em. I’d rather face a rattler. They want to string me up by my ball—er, hang me.”
“Pregnant women are very emotional sometimes.”
“She didn’t do this the other two times. What should I do?”
“Would you like me to talk to her?”
Looking defeated, the big man’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.”
Matt frowned. “I can ride out and have a look around Julius’s ranch, if you need to stay here.”
“No. It might be good for me to get away from my wife for a while, since all I do is make her cry.”
Annalise gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’m happy to check on her.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it.” The tight lines in his face eased somewhat.
Annalise looked relieved, too, Matt noted as she pulled the clinic door shut. Why? Because she was anxious to get away from him?
He shifted his attention to Davis Lee. “Want me to ride out with you to the Eight of Hearts?”
“Yes, in a bit. Right now, there’s something I need to do at my o
ffice.”
Probably hide out from his pretty little wife, Matt thought.
As the man walked away, Matt saw Annalise fighting a smile before she turned to him. “I’d better get going.”
He thought about offering to walk with her to see Josie, but she was already as skittish as a colt. “Maybe I’ll see you later.”
She hesitated. “Maybe.”
He watched her disappear around the side of her clinic. Recalling the frustration on Davis Lee’s face, Matt shook his head. He felt sorry for his friend even though what he had shared was kind of funny. Not that Josie was crying all the time, but that she was asking for food she didn’t like and refusing things which she did.
He wondered if Annalise had been that way when she had been expecting. He had missed out on everything. His smile faded. He knew nothing about those months except that she had lost the baby. Their baby.
He wanted to know, but now wasn’t the time to ask. Hell, he couldn’t even get her to agree to a meal. It didn’t figure she would talk to him about that time in their lives.
Still, they had made some progress. She had accepted his flowers. And his arrangement with Quentin. She’d said no to lunch, but he wasn’t giving up.
A half hour later, after seeing her return to the clinic, he took the basket of food he’d bought from the Pearl and went over.
He walked inside and she came out of the back room, her steps slowing when she saw him.
“What are you doing?”
He held up the basket. “Since you won’t join me for lunch, I brought it to you.”
Pleasure flared in her eyes before it was replaced by uncertainty.
Matt refused to give in to her hesitation. “It’s just lunch, Angel. You have to eat. There’s no reason you can’t do it with me.”
After a long minute, she nodded. “All right. Thank you.”
He followed her down the short hall to the kitchen which shared the fireplace with the front room. His gaze went to her trim back and small waist, followed the gentle sway of her skirts. The fluid way the fabric swirled around her legs made him wonder if she was wearing more than one petticoat.
He’d had to pry his way in here, practically force her to eat with him. It was clear she didn’t trust him not to hurt her again, but he aimed to change that. Somehow.
