by Lisa Gregory
Dovie had watched him covertly as she'd walked up the block, and she had been fully aware when he stood up and began to follow her. There was a funny little catch of excitement in her stomach when he drew close; and she couldn't stop herself from glancing at him, even though she knew that she shouldn't give a stranger, a drifter, even a look. He was handsome; the gossips hadn't been wrong about that. His features were strong, his face wide, and his cheekbones high. His eyes were pure black, without the least trace of brown, and his skin had a copper tint to its darkness. There was something different about him, something almost foreign, and that made him intriguing.
But Dovie Mitchell was not about to be intrigued by a drifter.
"Nice day," Micah went on when she didn't respond to his greeting.
Dovie kept her mouth shut and her eyes firmly ahead. She wasn't the type to be picked up by a masher on Ninth Street. If the man hadn't been a stranger, he would have known it.
But then, if Dovie had known Micah, she would have known that he wasn't easily put off. He strolled along beside her, watching her elegant profile and wondering if her icy manner would melt in bed. He would like to find out. "My name's Micah Harrison. I work at the Turner place."
The fact that he had a job didn't change Dovie's opinion of him. He was still a drifter, just working for a week or two until he had the money to go on. She turned and gave him her coolest, blankest stare. He smiled back. She could feel the charm of his smile all the way down to her toes. She doubted that he usually had any trouble finding a woman.
"I hear there be dancin' at Opal's Saturdays. Maybe we—"
"No." Dovie stopped and faced him. "We could not. I have tried to let you know that I am not interested in talking, walking, or doing anything else with you. But apparently I have to tell you flat out. I do not wish to go dancing with you tonight. Nor do I have any desire to speak to you. So, please, stop following me and trying to strike up a conversation."
Micah's smile broadened. "Girl, you sure can talk. I never heard so many fancy words come out of a mouth at one time in my life."
"I hope you understood their meaning, too."
"Oh yes, ma'am." He continued to look at her. He liked looking at her. And he liked her voice, crisp, clean, and educated. "Where you learn to talk that way?"
Dovie's mouth twisted in exasperation. "Leave me alone." She enunciated each word separately and distinctly. "I walk right past the sheriff's office on my way home."
Amusement lit his eyes, and that irritated her further. "And you so important, he gonna run out to protect you?"
Her eyes flashed. "He knows me. He knows that what I say is the truth. Now, if you'd like to put it to the test, we can go see him right now..."
He grinned. "Oh, no, ma'am, you done put the fear of God into me." He tipped his hat with exaggerated politeness. "Good day, ma'am." He started off, but couldn't resist throwing back over his shoulder, "I be seein' you."
Dovie grimaced. "Not if I see you first," she muttered. She started once again for home, walking even faster now in her irritation. She didn't have time for lowlifes like that. She didn't have any interest in them, either. Not even if he did have a good-looking face. Not even if there was something about him that pulled at her.
Behind her Micah sauntered back in the direction from which he had come. It looked like he would have to find someone else to dance with, at least for tonight. He smiled, remembering the fine flash of her eyes. There'd be other nights.
❧
If Julia had been amazed by the way Luke had been accepted at church last Sunday, she was doubly so in town today. He was greeted at the seed store like a valued customer. No one turned away from him; no one called him "Digger"; no one looked at him warily, as if wondering what he might do next. They called him "Mr. Turner" or "Luke," and they nodded or shook his hand. She even heard one of the men asking Luke's advice about purchasing some cattle.
After they left the seed store, they strolled through town, looking in the shop windows and enjoying the day. Eventually they wound up in Harper's store, where the children rushed immediately to the candy jars. Stu Harper, standing behind the counter, laughed, and leaned over the counter to talk to them. "Why, hey there, Emily, who are your friends?"
"Cousins," Emily informed him proudly.
"Cousins?" Stu straightened and looked at Sarah. "Hello, Sarah. Luke."
"Stu." Luke nodded.
"Hi, Stu." Sarah smiled, taking Julia by the arm. "This is Luke's sister, Julia Dobson, and her children, Bonnie and Vance. Julia, this is my brother-in-law, Stu Harper. He's married to my sister, Jennifer."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Dobson." Harper smiled at her.
Julia returned his smile shyly. "Mr. Harper."
Stu reached into one of the glass jars on the counter and pulled out three peppermint sticks. "Think you kids can eat these without getting sticky?"
"Oh yes!" they chorused. Bonnie gazed, wide-eyed, at the candy.
"Here you go, then." He handed them the sticks and came around the counter, ruffling Emily's hair as he passed. "Say, Luke, I got in that wire you've been wanting."
"Good." Luke followed him into the hardware section.
"I hear you've bought another twenty acres from the Widners," Stu commented as they walked away.
"Yeah, I'm going to run a few more cattle on it."
Sarah watched them go, a smile playing about her lips. Luke and Stu would never be real friends; but their relationship was a far cry from the day that Stu had accused Luke of marrying Sarah for her farm, and Luke had hit him. They had achieved a certain grudging respect for each other, and Sarah and Jennifer no longer had to smooth the waters between them at every family gathering.
Looking at the two men, Sarah found it hard to believe that she had once thought she was in love with Stu. He was a nice-looking man, handsome and broad-shouldered, but compared to Luke, he was bland. He had none of Luke's spark, none of his sense of fun or his smoldering sexuality. Sarah watched Luke bend and pick up a bucket of nails, his supple fingers curling around the handle, the muscles and tendons of his arm standing out. His hair, the color and texture of corn silk, fell down over his eyes, and he impatiently tossed it back from his face. He glanced up, and his eyes, startlingly blue in his tanned face, met Sarah's across the room. He smiled at her in a slow, sensual way that spoke of the nights they had spent together. A familiar heat curled in Sarah's abdomen. No, there was no comparing Luke with any man.
Luke winked at her, then turned back to his business.
Sarah tried to collect her thoughts. "Let's see now, where's my list? Oh yes, first of all, we need some material for clothes."
"What?" Julia looked horrified. "Oh, no, not for the children and me!"
"Yes, for the children and you. Bonnie and Vance need more everyday clothes and nice little Sunday outfits—a lacy white dress for Bonnie and a suit and shirt for Vance. You ought to have a few blouses and skirts, as well as something special for parties."
"Parties! I don't go to parties."
"You will this summer. In a couple of months it'll be time for the Fourth of July dance."
"I wouldn't be going to that."
"You will, too. I'll be big as a cow by then, and Luke will need someone to dance with. Who better than his sister? I won't have to feel jealous."
"Sarah, I can't accept such generosity."
To Julia's amazement, Sarah looked hurt. "But I want to. It's so much fun—I mean, I can't look good in anything nowadays. Whatever I make for myself will look like a bag, no matter what. I wanted to sew something pretty and have it look nice on you." She paused, gazing sad-eyed at Julia, and Julia was stabbed by guilt.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize. I hate for you to spend so much money on us, but if you want to... if it makes you happy..."
Sarah smiled. Three years of living with Luke had taught her how to handle the prickly Turner pride. "Yes, it will make me very happy. Come on, let's look at the material."
The
y sent the children outside to sit on the steps and eat their candy, and Sarah and Julia moved down to the cloth counter. They were soon engrossed in materials and colors, and they hardly noticed the other people who entered and left the store.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Turner." a male voice said behind them.
Julia froze. She knew that voice. Sarah turned.
"Dr. Banks! How nice to see you." Sarah's smile was stiff. Now, this was an awkward situation if ever there was one—Julia having to meet the man who had seduced and abandoned her years ago. Everything Sarah could think of to say seemed wrong.
"You look as if you're feeling well," James went on politely.
"Yes, I am, thank you."
His gaze flickered to Julia, half turned away from them, then back to Sarah. Almost immediately his eyes snapped back to Julia, and he stared. Sarah could have sworn that all the color left his face. "Julie!" The word was barely more than a whisper.
Julia turned toward him slowly, as if it hurt to move. She couldn't bear to look at him, yet she had to. "Ji—that is, ah—" What had Sarah called him? Dr. Banks. Of course, he had been studying to be a doctor. "Dr. Banks."
James pulled his eyes away from Julia. He tried to recapture the thread of his conversation with Sarah. "Are you feeling well?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Sarah replied, forebearing to mention that he'd already covered that topic.
Julia and James both looked at Sarah, but their eyes kept sneaking back to each other. The boy in James was gone, Julia thought. His face was older and tired, stamped with lines of experience. His expression was grave; the sparkle that had once lit up his dark eyes had vanished, and his mouth was set in firm, tight lines. Jimmy had never been one to tease and joke and charm, as Luke had, but Julia had the feeling that now he was not one to smile, either.
She was still beautiful. James thought. Not with that fresh, heart-stopping loveliness he remembered, but still delicately lovely. She was a woman now, with a woman's fuller, more rounded body. Her pale gold hair was done up in a tight twist, its full glory hidden. Her eyes held shadows, and there were faint lines around them. How fragile she was—he'd forgotten over the years. He thought angrily that Dobson was not taking good care of her. Her hands were rough and reddened. She needed more color in her cheeks, and she was too thin. Had she been ill?
"My sister-in-law and her children are staying with us," Sarah said, to fill in the awkward silence. "Julia's husband passed away a few weeks ago."
"Oh? My condolences." That explained the wanness, the faint air of sadness. Her husband had died, and she mourned him. The son of a bitch.
"Thank you."
James glanced at Julia again, then at Sarah. He didn't know what to say. He had never expected to see her again. Certainly, he hadn't expected to feel this rush of fierce, clashing emotions. It had been years. He had gotten over the hurt long ago. Or, at least, he thought he had. "I, uh, it was nice to see you again, Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Dobson."
It was hard to say her name. He couldn't remember what he had come into the store for. He turned and walked out the door.
Julia watched him leave. Her chest was so tight she could hardly breathe. She hadn't thought about this happening, even though it was only natural that eventually they would run into each other in a town this size. Why hadn't she realized that? Why hadn't she prepared herself to face it?
She looked at Sarah, who was studying the bolts of material again. She wondered if Sarah knew about her and Jimmy. Luke had known it; he'd practically forced her to tell him. But had he told his wife?
"I think the pale pink and the blue," Sarah said.
"What? Yes, of course, if you want."
"They'll look pretty on you. So would the red."
"Oh, no. Not the red." It was too vibrant, too blatant. She would feel like a—well, she guessed she was a fallen woman, even if she had saved her reputation somewhat by getting married, but she wasn't that sort. Not the kind to wear red.
"I guess not," Sarah agreed regretfully. It was too bold for a nice woman their age. That was too bad, because it would brighten up Julia's looks nicely.
"So Jimmy is a doctor, too?" Julia asked with great casualness.
Sarah shot her a sharp glance. "Yes. Old Dr. Banks died not long after Emily was born, and James took over his practice."
"They call him James now?"
Sarah nodded. She knew Julia wanted information about him, though she was probably embarrassed to ask. "I'm going to see him. He's the only doctor around for mites."
"No doubt he's a good one."
"That's what I hear." Sarah paused. "He lives in the house behind his office. His mother is still alive. He never married."
"Really?" Julia stared. She would have thought some woman would have snapped him up long ago.
"Not for lack of trying, you understand. Half the mothers in Willow Springs have thrown their daughters in his path."
"How odd," Julia murmured.
"People say he's married to his work."
"Oh."
Sarah wondered what had happened between Julia and James, exactly. Luke had said that James had refused to marry Julia. But Sarah had seen the look on his face when he recognized Julia, as if the building had tumbled down around his ears. And in the little time Sarah had spent with him, he hadn't impressed her as a callous man who would spurn a woman carrying his baby. He'd never married. She hadn't thought about it before, but now that she did, she realized that it was unusual for a man in his early thirties, a wealthy, handsome doctor like James Banks, to be unmarried. She wished she knew how he and Julia had parted. But she couldn't very well ask Julia.
"Well," Sarah said brightly, gathering up the cloth. "It's j about time to go."
"Yes, of course." '
Sarah purchased the material and the rest of her supplies, and Luke loaded them onto the wagon. Numbly Julia followed Sarah outside and climbed up into the wagon with the rest of them. Luke clucked to the mules, and the wagon began to roll. They passed through the town and out into the country, but Julia didn't see any of the scenery. Luke and Sarah talked beside her, but she was deaf to what they said.
Her mind had traveled back eleven years.
Chapter 5
Harper's store was where Jimmy Banks had first spoken to Julia. It was the week after Christmas, and she was wearing the cherry red knitted cap that Luke had given her. Julia cherished that cap, and she thought it made her pretty. When she glanced across the store and saw Jimmy standing at another counter, she was doubly glad she'd worn it. He looked unbelievably handsome to her. She wished, achingly, that he would see her and smile, maybe even say "hello."
As she stood there, dreaming, Jimmy turned and looked at her. Julia realized that he'd caught her staring at him, and she blushed and fixed her gaze on the goods behind the counter. Old Mr. Harper handed her the flour and sugar she had asked for, and she counted out her coins.
She gathered up her purchases and started for the door. She heard footsteps hurrying across the wooden floor behind her, and Jimmy suddenly went past and opened the door for her. She looked up at him, startled, and smiled shyly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He followed her outside and fell in beside her. "You're Julia Turner, aren't you?"
"Why, yes."
Her surprise that he knew her name must have showed on her face because he grinned a little abashedly and said, "I asked Mr. Harper who you were. I'm sorry, but I didn't recognize you. The last time I saw you, you must have been only twelve."
Julia nodded. She wished she could say something clever— or even anything at all!—to keep him walking with her, but her mind was utterly blank.
"It's cold out today," he commented.
"Yes, it is.
"You aren't walking home, are you?"
"Yes."
"It's too cold for you to be out. Let me take you home. I'll get the buggy."
"Oh, no, that's too much trouble," she protested automatically, even as she prayed that he would insist. He did.
Julia returned to the store and waited for James to come back with the buggy. When he did, he politely helped her up into the vehicle, then took her to the little cafe on the square for a cup of hot chocolate. She was sure that everyone was staring at them. Imagine that she, Julia Turner, was sitting there bold as brass with Jimmy Banks! But Jimmy didn't seem to notice the other people.
Her hair was down, which wasn't really proper for a grown woman. She'd worn it that way because the weather was cold, and the fall of hair warmed her neck and shoulders. But no doubt people would say she was being brazen. Nervously her fingers went to her hair and pushed it back. She wished she could put it up or at least braid it, but she could hardly do her hair in public.
"Don't change it," Jimmy said quickly. "Your hair's beautiful."
She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to deal with a man like Jimmy Banks. It wasn't that she hadn't been around men. Zach Sloane had tried to kiss her a couple of times, and Bobby Ray Jenks kept asking her to walk out in the trees with him. Will Dobson had been courting her for months, but Will never said anything pretty. He was rough, hulking, and tongue-tied. Zach and Bobby Ray were too slick and practiced. None of them were like this handsome, well-dressed young man across the table from her, who gazed at her with admiration and gave her a compliment without a trace of a leer on his face.
Julia sat, as tongue-tied as Will Dobson ever was, her hands nervous in her lap, and simply looked at Jimmy. He asked her polite questions about herself and her family. She was sure she answered them clumsily. He chatted about the weather. Finally, Julia thought to ask him about his schooling, and he began to talk about college. New Orleans, and medical school. Julia listened with fascination, commenting or asking questions, unaware that her discomfort had vanished.
