The Timeless Love Romance Collection

by Dianne Christner

  Her blue eyes widened, and her delicate mouth gaped. “You will? I mean you pray? I didn’t expect that.”

  Wade chuckled. “There you go again, judging me.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “I’m a Christian, Edie. Praying is a vital part of who I am.”

  “I prayed last night,” she said with reverence. “For the first time since I was a child. I didn’t mean to judge you before; I just didn’t know grown men prayed.”

  “Prayer will help you get through this experience.”

  “My father didn’t countenance weakness, even in women.”

  “Did he think your mother was weak because she prayed?”

  “Why, I don’t know. We never spoke about it.”

  “I’m back,” Dinah called. “Sorry you had to wait.”

  “No problem at all.” Wade gave Edie a warm, personal glance. “The time passed quite quickly.”

  Dinah rolled her eyes. “I see. Do you two want me to leave again?”

  “Dinah!” Edie exclaimed, her face coloring. “Of course not!”

  Wade chuckled and tapped the sketch. “This renegade had no idea what a favor he did for me. I can’t remember an evening when I’ve had so much fun as I’m having with you two ladies.” He continued to mix pleasure and business as they finished the drawing. Afterward, he told them it was good. He would take it to headquarters and let them know if anyone recognized the man. In the past, he would have thanked his witness and moved on. This time, he told Edie, “I’ll be in touch.”

  Edie and Dinah returned to their room, and Edie noticed Dinah’s personality was subdued, compared to earlier in the evening. “Your sketch was really good.”

  “Oh, thanks. I enjoyed doing it.”

  “Is something else the matter, then?”

  Dinah sighed. “I’m just feeling selfish. I love having you for a roommate, but I saw the way Ranger Sloan looked at you. I suppose you’re going to get married and move on like all the others have.”

  Edie hardly knew how to respond. She was attracted to Wade, but she hadn’t had time to think about her feelings just yet. “Now you know better than that. Didn’t I tell you why I came to El Tovar?”

  Dinah smiled knowingly. “We’ll see. I’ll just have to make the most of it while I have you.”

  “Seriously, why would I want to marry a ranger? When men get married, they need to show responsibility, not ride around the countryside endangering their lives.”

  “Now where’s your sense of adventure?”

  “I was just thinking of papa. He was a daring sort of man. Once he got married, things changed for him. I was born. Mama died. Papa took a job that allowed him to raise me.”

  “What’s your point?”

  “My point is that if I married Wade—”

  “Wade, is it? You came to a first-name basis already?”

  “As I was saying, let’s imagine I married Wade. I’d want him to quit his lawman job and stay at home with me. After all, I am alone in the world. Otherwise I’d worry about him all the time. But that wouldn’t be fair to him. He’d probably grow to resent it. At the very least miss it like papa did.” She shook her head. “No, it wouldn’t work.” She was surprised to learn how she felt, but she was thankful Dinah had listened long enough for her to work it out in her mind.

  “Well, at least you have a choice,” Dinah said.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nobody’s ever interested in a plain woman like me.”

  “You are not a plain woman. You are kind and fun and the most talented woman I know.”

  “Thanks. I guess it doesn’t hurt to dream.”

  “No. It’s good to dream. Speaking of which, I think I’ll read a little before turning in.”

  “Sure, it’ll be lights-out soon enough.”

  Edie prepared for bed, crawled under the covers, and yawned. Pushing Wade’s image aside, she opened Armed and Dangerous.

  Señorita Lolita woke slowly as from a long deep slumber. She opened her eyes and saw blue sky peeking through the shade of a cactus; then she saw her torn clothing and remembered her abduction and how she had passed out when her head hit a rock. She didn’t even remember traveling. Her hands were painfully tied behind her back.

  “Come see. Our captive is awake!” yelled the youngest of the band, who was in charge of keeping watch.

  The other two lumbered over and snickered. “Sleeping Beauty awakes at last!”

  Lolita’s eyes snapped. “You’ll never get away with this.”

  The cruel one laughed. “You think you can stop us?”

  “When I tell my father …”

  The cruel one shrugged and lifted his pistol. “It is our practice not to leave anyone alive to tell anyone anything.”

  “Drop that gun. This time you have miscalculated,” said the ranger, his strong voice coming from behind a tall boulder.

  Instantly the outlaws abandoned Lolita, scrambling for cover. As the bullets ricocheted overhead, Lolita let her tears fall freely. Someone had come to save her.

  Edie let out a sigh of relief and placed Armed and Dangerous on her nightstand. But she couldn’t forget the line “It is our practice not to leave anyone alive to tell anyone anything.” Was that really what it was like here in the West? Could the sketch she and Dinah created help to civilize the territory?

  Chapter 4

  The Grand Canyon in the summertime was an exciting place to be, and Edie easily fell into the routine of her job at the El Tovar dining room. With her famous start, she now knew nearly all of the other employees and could call several her friends. Her favorite was Dinah. Ever since they had agreed to risk their lives to help the ranger with the wanted poster, they shared an undeniable bond.

  Edie wondered if their efforts had been in vain. As far as she knew, the robber hadn’t yet been apprehended. She hadn’t heard from the ranger, either, and it had been a whole month—just as it was for Lolita in Armed and Dangerous. Even though the writer of the dime novel had intimated romantic feelings between the two, after Lolita’s rescue, the ranger had bid his farewell and left her standing beside her father, waving and then watching until the last of his dust had settled. Only one chapter remained, but the last scene she’d read had disgusted her so much that she couldn’t even bear to read it. The entire story came too near to portraying her real-life experience.

  Even though she had told Dinah she could never marry the ranger, as if he ever intended to ask, she had secretly wished he would return and pursue her. Wouldn’t that have been the romantic climax to her whole train robbery adventure? If the author of her dime novel knew anything about the West, Edie’s ranger would not return. He would have gotten what he needed from her and would now be long gone, doing whatever lawmen did in the Arizona Territory. Supposedly the rangers left broken hearts wherever they went. It was humiliating to remember how she had believed him, truly thinking he’d be in touch. She imagined the last chapter of Armed and Dangerous to read something like “A ranger’s first and foremost duty is always to his job.”

  How silly to have been taken in by his flirtatious ways, thinking he might be sweet on her. The first two weeks she had looked for him every time she entered the dining room. Now she saw what a fool she’d been. Ha! If Wade Sloan ever did return, she certainly wouldn’t make more out of his congeniality than it was meant to be. She would not be duped again.

  If one could choke on one’s thoughts, Edie would have. For she wheeled just then to attend to her next table, and of all the unwelcome customers, hers was Wade Sloan, all six feet of him, including his shining badge and sheepish but extremely charming smile. His hands were clasped, and he leaned forward on his elbows, his fingers lightly tapping his well-groomed black mustache. He looked freshly shaved, and the Stetson on the table looked free of trail dust. She blushed, wondering how long he had been watching her. Like a warrior, she straightened her shoulders and approached his table.

  “Mr. Slo
an. How good to see you again. What may I get you to drink?”

  He lowered his hands to the table, his eyes dancing with amusement. “It is nice to see you again, Edie. I missed you.”

  She worked not to give in to his charming manner. “Well, now that you’re here, what may I bring you to drink?”

  “I fear you are falsely judging me again. Are you?”

  “It is not my place to judge our customers, sir, only to serve them according to their wishes.”

  “How delightful. Then I’ll have something cold. And if you really wish to please me, I’d like to see you tonight, if I may.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Nothing cold, then?”

  “You know very well what I meant,” Edie snapped.

  His face held a flash of regret. “I have news that might interest you.”

  At this, Edie’s guard began to slip. If she led him to believe she was turning down a personal appeal, it would be humiliating, because he probably hadn’t even meant it that way, and if he had, she didn’t want to give him any satisfaction. However, she did wish to know what had happened to the train robber.

  She glanced around to see if anyone could overhear them, then whispered, “News about the train robber?”

  “Yes. But that is not the only reason I wished to see you.” His dark eyes softened, beckoned.

  She really wanted to see him, and if she could do so without losing face—“I am curious about your information. And the head waitress did warn me not to mention it in the dining room, so I suppose it would be better to meet you later so I don’t get in trouble. Just to talk about you know.”

  “Our regular meeting place?”

  Edie nodded. “That’s fine.” Then she gave him a departing, and what she hoped was an impersonal, smile. “I’ll be right back with your drink.” As she left his table, she indulged a self-satisfying thought. She wouldn’t be serving his meal as he expected since she was sharing his table with another Harvey Girl. Served him right. Anyway, his appearance had caught her off guard, and she needed time to mentally prepare herself for their meeting.

  Edie saw him first, seated at the same table they had used to sketch the wanted poster. When he saw her, he stood and removed his hat. His appreciative gaze swept over her slowly. He may not be interested in pursuing her, but it still felt good to know he found her attractive. Edie carefully seated herself. Normally she jumped right into a conversation, but she wanted to punish him for his desertion, so she deliberately waited for him to speak.

  “You’re looking as pretty as I remembered.”

  “After a month, my own memory began to wane. Frankly, Mr. Sloan, I hoped I had dreamed the whole situation.”

  “Should I begin by apologizing or giving the explanation for my absence?”

  She tried to ignore his earnest expression. “You owe me no explanations, except to report on our train robber. What is your news?”

  “No one at my headquarters, the Northern Detachment in Flagstaff, could identify our suspect, so my boss, Lieutenant Billy Old, sent me to Tucson. While I was there, I was asked to join a posse to chase some cattle rustlers—a different case entirely. That operation took three weeks, but it was successful. But regarding our train robber, the good news is that we now have a name. I couldn’t wait to tell you. Frankly, Miss Harris, I couldn’t wait to see you, either. I hope you can understand the delay. You will forgive me, won’t you?”

  “I really didn’t expect you to call unless it had to do with the incident.”

  “Why not? I told you I would. I thought you knew I hoped to get to know you better.”

  “Isn’t there a saying about rangers, something like ‘A ranger’s first and foremost duty is always to his job’? With that in mind, what purpose does it serve to pursue a love suit?” She saw his face pale.

  “Love suit?” He gestured with his hand. “Whoa, there. There is an oath I took, but I’m not asking you to marry me, Edie.”

  “Of course you aren’t.” She straightened her shoulders. “I wasn’t suggesting such a thing.”

  The color returned to his face, and he relaxed. He even gave her his charming smile. “Then what harm is there in enjoying the friendship of each other’s company?”

  “I suppose the harm would come if one of us should feel more than friendship toward the other.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you care for me?”

  Edie’s mouth fell open. She snapped it shut. “Of course not. Why do you keep making more out of this than there is?”

  “I’m just trying to have an honest conversation here. During my absence, I prayed about us plenty.”

  “Us?” Edie ventured.

  “I believe I’m supposed to follow my heart.”

  “Really?” Edie didn’t know when she’d been more astonished. He certainly seemed to be forthright and honest, not deceiving as she had imagined him. He wasn’t acting at all like the ranger in Armed and Dangerous. “And what exactly does your heart say?”

  “It says it’s going to break if you won’t allow me to be your friend.” He smiled again, and his eyes pleaded. “I know I can’t have a real girl with a job like mine, but I get to the El Tovar pretty regular right now. I’d be honored to have you as a friend. The trail gets lonely, especially now that my partner is recuperating from a wound.”

  Edie sighed. “So I wouldn’t be a real girl, but I’d be replacing your partner?”

  He stretched out his long legs and frowned. “I’m good with a gun, but not eloquent. Don’t twist my words, Edie.”

  “On the contrary, you’re very persuasive. I suppose I could use another friend.” She emphasized the last word.

  “And don’t forget that friends call each other by their first names. You’ve slipped out of the habit.”

  “Very well. Wade?”

  “Hm?”

  “Tell me about your suspect.”

  “His name is Shady Burt. The law calls him Shady. He’s a bad sort. Already wanted for murder. And there’s a bounty on his head, too.”

  “What happens now?”

  “There was another robbery while I was gone. I’m going to ride the trains. I’m not the only one. We have a team of rangers. The good thing about this assignment is I can stop in at El Tovar quite often.”

  “Well, I suppose if we’re to become friends, that is good news.”

  “I have even better news.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m free tomorrow. Since it’s Sunday, I thought you might like to attend the services with me.”

  She didn’t want to admit she didn’t relish a church service. “I have plans in the morning. Perhaps another time?” When she saw his disappointment, she suggested, “But I’ve got just the thing. After your service, we could take a picnic, and you can teach me to shoot.”

  Wade picked up his Stetson. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why not? I want to be able to take care of myself.”

  “Are you still worried about Shady coming after you?”

  She nodded. “I miss the simple things, like being able to take a walk by myself. And I detest the fear I feel. I really want to do this. And you’re the perfect person to help me. Please, Wade.” She saw him softening.

  “We would have to keep this a secret. Lieutenant Old doesn’t approve of such things. Maybe you hadn’t heard he’s banned guns altogether in Williams. I could lose my job.” She could feel the thrill of adventure and placed a persuasive hand on his arm. “What’s your heart telling you, Wade?”

  He studied her a moment and gave her that smile she so appreciated. “It’s telling me to give you a shooting lesson.”

  “Then it’s a date. As friends,” she quickly corrected.

  His brow shot up momentarily. “A date,” he repeated, an unreadable gleam in his eyes.

  Chapter 5

  The next day Wade lay on his side and feasted his eyes on Edie. After four long weeks apart, now only the picnic basket separated them. She lay on her
stomach, her elbows propped on the Hopi Indian blanket, her sweet face supported by her dainty hands. Her legs crossed at the ankle with just her shoes visible from beneath her skirt.

  Idly fingering the band on his hat, Wade felt content to watch her range of facial expressions and listen to her silky voice. It was dangerous to be getting so close to a woman, but he had always loved a good challenge. There was something exciting about Edie Harris. She wasn’t sissified like so many women, and he felt irresistibly drawn to her friendship. She was far more interesting than the campfire he usually kept for company. Could it be he had grown tired of his manner of life? Grown lonely? The thought had never crossed his mind until he met Edie. He always thought the Good Book was company enough. But hadn’t God made Eve for Adam? Her name was even similar.

  “Is your name Edith?”

  “Why yes, but no one ever calls me that.”

  Wade stored the information away.

  “Did you ever waver over which side of the law you’d use your gun for?” Edie asked.

  “No. Never did. My uncle raised me. He was a preacher. A good man, and I came to know the Lord at an early age. So no. That was not a temptation for me.”

  “It still seems strange to me that a man like you, who prays and reads his Bible and such, would be a lawman.”

  “I’m just fighting evil, simple as that.”

  Edie sat up. “How about teaching me a thing or two about fighting evil?”

  Wade reached out and touched her arm. “I’d hoped you would ask me something like that.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small testament. “I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to give you this.”

  “What is it? A Bible?”

  “Yes. Do you already own one?”

  “No.” She looked at him with a tender expression. “I think I know what this means to you. Thank you.”

  He placed it in her hand. “Will you read it?”

  “If you wish. But what I said about fighting evil—I was referring to my shooting lesson. You haven’t forgotten?”

  “No, ma’am.” Wade rose then reached down to help her to her feet. “Your first lesson is about to begin.”