Hudson drew her toward the woman. “Aunt Maude, this is the new teacher, Elizabeth Campbell.”
“I reckon I know she’s the new teacher come to town. Ain’t no other female body staying at Lucille Ledbetter’s place.” The woman’s steely regard stabbed into her. Maude’s tone held a hostile bite. “Folks around these parts know everybody’s business soon enough.”
Elizabeth bristled and fought down the urge to snap a reply. The animosity might be a two-way thing, but she—at least—had better manners than the older woman. She acknowledged the introduction with a nod and a forced smile. “Pleased to meet you.” Elizabeth wouldn’t be asking this woman about the past. She’d present the happenings with a slanted view somehow tinged with dislike.
Uncertain and a tad uncomfortable, Elizabeth was saved from further speech by a cowboy asking her to dance.
The man presented a rather plain countenance above a tall, lanky form, but she couldn’t resist his smile and the merry twinkle in his bright, blue eyes. He maneuvered her out onto the floor between the other swaying couples. She couldn’t truly call his movements dancing, but rather a romp to the fiddle. Her toes smarted from being trod upon as he gaily circled the floor. He begged her pardon with each mishap, and she bit back a chuckle as she watched his Adam’s apple bob at her eye level. Thankful when the frolic to music ended, she paused to fan herself and catch her breath. She shook her head when another eager, young cowpoke approached.
“Aw, you gals promised to dance us fellas into the ground ’til we was tuckered out.” He grinned with raised brows. “You wouldn’t wanna let the side down.”
Elizabeth laughed and placed her hand on her throat. “I admit defeat. You kind gentlemen have worn me to a frazzle. Sorry.”
Another partner caught his eye and he chased after her. Elizabeth watched his antics for a moment before a movement to the left grabbed her attention. A couple of feet away, Franklin leaned against the side wall. He appeared disgruntled and a little sullen as she made her way over to his side. “Is something bothering you?”
“No,” he snapped, his alcohol-laden breath wafted over her, sharp, acrid, and eye-watering. He’d been drinking hard liquor, but he wasn’t the only male drinking tonight. Several of the ranch hands had indulged, but none seemed as surly as Franklin.
He glared at the couples on the dance floor. “Mrs. Ledbetter objects if I dance more than a couple of dances with Betty. I haven’t danced with her daughter even once, but she doesn’t mind if one of the Honeycutt twins dances with her a dozen times.” His tone turned bitter.
“Being brothers to the Honeycutt, rich and respected makes it acceptable. The whole lot can go hang for all I care.” Without another word, he stomped off.
Taken aback, she stared after him. A rough-looking man in buckskins stopped Franklin—the same man who’d stared at her at the train station the day she arrived. An argument seemed to ensue with Franklin balking, his visage grim. The other man disappeared into the darkness leaving Franklin glaring after him.
She shuddered and hastily retreated into the doorway. There were deep currents in this town. She’d better watch her step until she knew the folks a little better. Perhaps she should postpone her questions about the past for a spell.
Rupert halted at her side. “Would you honor me with this dance?”
Allowing a smile to curve her lips, she accepted. There was a flirtatious gleam in his regard.
“I can’t remember when I was so taken by a lovely lady.”
“Flattery, Mr. Landow?” She arched her brows.
He laughed and danced her out on the floor. “Rupert, please. None of that Mr. Landow formality. Not after we dined together, more than once.” He twirled her around. “There’s no call for last names between . . . friends. And I do admire you. You’re lovely. Your mind is quick as well.”
She had noticed a slight hitch in his gait before, but it didn’t obstruct his movement on the dance floor.
“Ah, my bum leg,” he said. “You never asked, but I’ll tell you anyway. I was thrown from my horse as a child and my leg snapped. Needless to say, I don’t ride. Still, I never allow it to hinder me in anything I truly want to do.”
She warmed to him and smiled. “And why should you?”
He danced quite well, not always exactly on the beat of the music, but enjoyable all the same. His extravagant charm, his compliments, and his undivided attention boosted her confidence tonight.
They danced a few rounds in silence before he said, “The hands will be setting up the tables for the meal shortly. Everyone finds a seat. I’d be delighted to fill a plate for you.”
She bit back an offer to fill a plate for him instead. Men were prideful creatures. “Since you know your way around, I’d appreciate it.”
Not long after, JP motioned for the fiddler to halt. Some of the women went to help with the food while the men set up several long tables and benches. JP not only directed the men but lent a hand as well.
Rupert stood aside with Elizabeth and watched. “I’ll be close to the head of the line if I go now. Save a place for me.”
“I will.” Mothers around her took charge of the younger children instructing the older ones to move out of harm’s way. Elizabeth scanned the room taking in the bustle. Her gaze locked with JP’s.
He nodded and sent her a satisfied smile. Motioning to a table with long benches on each side, he said, “Sit at this table. It’s closest to the food.”
Leave it to a man to think of second helpings even before consuming the first. She grinned and settled on one of the benches at the appointed table. The appetizing smell of barbecue wafted in the door, appealing, making her hungry.
When the first of the guests traipsed in with loaded plates, Rupert found his way to Elizabeth and sat down beside her. Valeria brought an extra platter for JP and settled on the bench opposite. Light from several lanterns overhead throughout the rafters spread over the table, leaving the surrounding areas nearby swallowed in a vague dimness. JP blocked the beam, his shadow crawling along the table only to retreat when he sat down. More than once, Elizabeth found herself caught by JP’s gaze and heat invariably climbed her cheeks.
Rupert captured her attention. “I own a spread a little beyond JP’s acres, not as big as the Rocking H, but very nice. I’d love to show you my place tomorrow afternoon. Valeria will be there, so no need to consider your reputation riding out with a lonely bachelor.”
Elizabeth swallowed. Rupert was attractive. Then she remembered Valeria’s claim that he and JP were always in competition in all matters. “Perhaps another time. School days, good old school days, I must work on my plans.”
He accepted her rejection with good grace. “Another time then. The offer is open at any time. Just say the word.”
Trying to keep the skepticism from her expression, she smiled. Nothing like a man bent on conquest to try and say exactly what he thinks a woman wants to hear. And women do like to be complimented. She was no different—and while Rupert made her feel lovely—no woman can turn every man’s head regardless of what he pretends.
After much back and forth banter, the meal ended and the tables cleared. Soon after, JP approached Elizabeth and smiled politely. “As host, I’m finished with all of my obligatory dances. Now, I can please myself. May I have this dance?”
She hesitated before stammering, “I think I promised this one to your brother.”
“Since you’re not certain, I’ll claim the privilege.” Without more ado, he waltzed her out onto the floor.
Chapter 15
The lantern light cast from above slipped across the contours of his face, light then shadowed. With one hand on his shoulder, the other held in his, she longed to trace his jawline with her fingers. She forced her mind away from such appalling, bold thoughts. “What about Valeria?”
He shrugged. “She’s perfectly happy dancing with Franklin.”
Breathing deeply, Elizabeth studied his features for a long minute noting the upward curve of his mouth. “Do you always have your way?”
“Invariably, when I set my mind to it. I’m not some backward country boy too shy to act, or an over-polite gentleman waiting to address a simpering miss.” With a charming smile, he added, “At the moment, I wish to pursue our acquaintance and explore this pull between us.”
She couldn’t deny the attraction had flamed at first sight, but that wasn’t love. What if she fell in love with him? Such a powerful, experienced man couldn’t possibly be affected to the same extent. This allure couldn’t last. She stiffened, moving slightly away.
With a careful smile and measuring look, he stared down at her. “What made you decide men would only hurt you?”
She gasped, slightly outraged at his assumption. “I don’t assume men will hurt me.”
He swung her around in the dance. “Then it’s only me.”
“I never said . . .”
“Your body is saying it for you. I promise, I won’t hurt you. I only want to help you. I want to know every little thing about you. Why are you a schoolteacher instead of a wife?”
Shrugging, she averted her eyes. She didn’t want him knowing her every thought or reaction. Therein lay danger for her peace of mind.
In a husky voice, he said, “You are such a darling. I understand loving children. We won’t argue about it now.”
With that, he drew her closer and her body swayed with his. His hand cupped hers, strong and tanned against her fingers. His arm around her waist sent warmth along her spine. The spicy scent of his shaving soap wafted around her, enclosing her in a private world where nothing intruded. This magic couldn’t last. She mustn’t be caught up in a dream. Heartache, remember heartache.
JP waltzed her outside into the star-studded night. Round and round they whirled, magic, the world forgotten in the distant background. He halted when the music could no longer be heard. The moon washed a soft glow over the packed earth away from the barn.
“Where are we going?”
His eyes were bright in the moonlight, revealing, tantalizing. “I aim to find a place to relax for a moment of quiet, to reflect, to discover, and to explore the attraction between us.” Raising his brows he added, “Don’t tell me you are unaware of my meaning. You know. I know.”
He led the way, sure-footed, into the stand of fruit trees adjacent to the back lawn. Opening the gate to the rose garden, he accompanied Elizabeth inside and chose a seat on a stone bench. The fragrance of the flowers mingled in the breeze with a lovely scent, romantic, and full-blown.
Cool to her touch in this early fall evening, Elizabeth rubbed the smooth surface of the seat with the pads of her fingers. Her stomach knotted with tension as she glanced up at JP. He casually sank beside her, close enough to brush against her arm. Shivers quaked through her and she swallowed, hard, wanting this warmth leaping from some inter furnace inside of him.
“I realize this is way too soon, and I’m too forward, but before another word is said, I want you to know my intentions are strictly honorable.”
Shocked by his declaration, she stared at him, her heart tripping at an enormous rate. She never expected these stolen moments with him to offer more than a few kisses. Now this. What should she think? What should she do? She wanted to believe him, to accept him, but doubt clambered through her. Nothing could be this simple, this wonderful.
“That’s a surprise. You say honorable, but what about the fact you are with Valeria?”
“At the moment, I’m with you. Valeria disappeared from my sight when you arrived in Bittersweep. I invited her as my partner before that. I couldn’t very well draw back on my word. She would have been ridiculed by many. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
“Of course not. But…”
His quiet strength surrounded her, his warmth, his scent—all male and completely his alone. Before she could utter another word, he took her into his arms and nipped at her mouth, soft, gentle, teasing. The warmth of his breath touched her lips, tingling all the way to her core.
She slid her arms around his neck and drew him closer until he kissed her fully, deepening the kiss. Unaware of anything but him, the embrace seemed everlasting, enchanting. Yes, she wanted it to go on and on.
He pulled back, his breathing heavy, ragged. “We must talk.”
She didn’t want the moment to end, but obviously, she had no choice. “Talk, right now at this moment? About what?”
“I intend to court you and I want the old-fashioned ending. Marriage.”
“But . . . I don’t know what to say. I haven’t thought about marriage.” Not since her fiancé dumped her for a wealthy widow. “Marriage is serious.”
“You’re darn tootin’. Marriage is serious. I’m serious.”
She raised her head in denial but swallowed instead. “But what if this attraction is only physical?”
“The best kind, I would say. Physical. But there is so much more about you that I want. I want your delightful laugh. Your desire to help children. Your independent streak. All of you, as a matter of fact.”
“And when the physical attraction fades, what then?”
He laughed down at her. “You truly think this won’t last?”
“Yes, I think this may not last. Marriage is forever. Are you talking about love?”
He stood up and paced in front of the bench, his hands in his pockets. “Love. What is love? Wanting, caring, staying true to one another. I want you. I care for you. That will last.”
She rose from the bench and took a step closer. “We have problems to overcome before we can consider the thought of marriage. Your aunt has taken an instant dislike to me. Strong and I’d say lasting. I don’t know why, but that would certainly complicate matters. It would chip away at the caring when you must stand between the two of us, your mother, so to speak, and your wife. Even the wanting would suffer with all of us living in the same household.”
He bowed his head, his hands still deep in his pockets, and let out a puff of breath. “I concede your point. But I’m not giving up. You may as well know that. I’ll find a way to make it work.”
He waltzed her back inside the barn and over his shoulder her gaze collided with Valeria’s. Daggers of warning flashed in the other woman’s eyes before her partner’s movements carried her off in a different direction. Elizabeth drew a shaky breath. Valeria would see to it that she suffered if she dared to tangle with one of the town’s leading lights. That message had been loud and clear, but she wasn’t certain she would heed the warning.
Chapter 16
Elizabeth’s annoyance with Valeria dissipated as an older man with a shiny badge pinned to his vest came hurling through the door. He wore a large, black leather belt around his thick middle matching his scuffed boots. He waved his arms and frowned at the crowd. The silence stretched as the fiddle twanged to a halt and the couples came to a standstill.
Almost too excited to go slowly, the deputy stuttered, “The bank. It’s been robbed. A bunch of owl-hoots rode into town and blew up the safe. Convenient-like, with the town mostly at the party. Let’s saddle up and chase after ’em.”
The sheriff stepped forward. “Hold on, Chester. All of us want a full account.”
“Well, like I said, robbers came riding into town quiet like, not making no noise ’til the safe blew. I was in the office eating my supper when boom—the whole sky lit up like it was the Fourth of July. Pert near knocked my chair out from under me.” He shook his head. “Course, I jumped up and ran outside, but it was too late. The varmints rode hell-for-leather out of town.” He threw up his hands. “I couldn’t stop ’em.”
“Nobody expected you to, Chester,” the sheriff said in a soot
hing tone.
Chester stared at the sheriff and nodded. He turned and sidled up to Rupert. “Another thing, that fancy bank guard you hired disappeared. Don’t know if he was in on the robbery or not, but he ain’t at the bank no more. Least, not that I could tell.”
With pleated brows, Rupert shook his head. “I hope he’s all right. He might have been hurt in the blast.”
The deputy shrugged. “No telling.”
The men circled around. Voices raised and lowered, ending on a swell of disagreement.
The sheriff held up his hands for quiet. “Take it easy, fellas.”
JP took a stance beside the sheriff. “We can’t all go riding after the thieves tonight. The horses will trample the trail and any clue we might follow will be rendered useless.”
The chatter died down and some of the men edged closer. JP motioned toward the sheriff. “Dusty is one of the best trackers around. He can set the path and see what’s what.”
The sheriff strode into the middle of the floor and yelled, “Everybody quiet!” He eyed the crowd with a grim expression of authority. “I expect JP here has the right of it. What in the tarnation can all of us do tonight?” He held up his hands. “I know you folks are worried about your money. I am, too, but it would be foolish to ride off half-cocked. I’ll go. Take the women folk and little ones home. Any of you interested in trailing along, follow in the morning at daylight. I’ll fill you in then. Goodnight.”
Elizabeth rested against the wall to support her trembling legs. Why had she weakened and deposited her money in the bank? Slightly sick, she covered her mouth with her hand. All her savings were gone with the outlaws. She squared her shoulders. No sense in crying over it now. It was certainly a harsh blow to lose her money, but by watching every penny, she would recover—more so than some of the others.
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