by Diane Darcy
“If you’re feeling badly over the fact that you can’t shoot, well you are the mayor. I’m sure it’s not expected of you. After all, not every man is meant to be a man of action. But it is adorable the way you’re trying to teach me even though you don’t quite know how yourself. It’s rather endearing.”
He continued his advance as she babbled and backed away. “Endearing, is it? Are you inferring that I don’t know how to shoot a gun?”
She was smiling and he was relieved to note the shadows were gone from her eyes.
“It does seem to be a difficult skill to learn.” Her tone was placating now.
“Really? Well, here’s what I’m thinking. I’m thinking that maybe there’s something else I could show you. Something that I’m really, really good at.”
She was grinning now, her expression openly mocking him. “I’m just not sure. I mean I wouldn’t want you to strain yourself especially after the way you couldn’t shoot that gun. I wouldn’t want you to try something else that you might not have any skill at and embarrass yourself.”
The little minx had been teasing him all along, hadn’t she? “Come here, you.” He advanced on her. “I know a way to shut that smart mouth of yours.”
She was still laughing when he dragged her into his arms and kissed her.
Chapter 21
Grace looked through the bolts of fabric lined against the wall at the back of the dress shop, surprised at the variety of colors. She planned to order a new dress for the Fourth of July picnic. She thought something fashionable with a tight bodice and a skirt gathered at the waist. She wanted the sleeves to have a bit of fullness in the shoulder and maybe a few frills as well.
It was fun to choose fashionable clothes for herself for a change, instead of those in her charge. The Carmichaels had been appreciative and generous when they’d sent her here.
She kept intercepting glances from the lady turning the pages of the latest Jenness Miller Magazine, and Grace thought she knew why.
Grace had no doubt her eyes were shining. She couldn’t stop thinking about Luke. The way he teased her, kissed her, the way he wanted to arm her with a gun to keep her safe and protected.
She stifled a giggle. Giddiness wasn’t an easy feeling to hide.
She’d seen this before. The girls in her care in New York would be all giggles, sighs, and fluttering of eyelashes. Yes, she had all of the symptoms that she used to frown upon. In spades.
How the mighty had fallen. Or rather, how the judgmental had fallen.
Wouldn’t Penny and her sister just laugh their silly little heads off to see her now. Acting in exactly the same manner she’d once condemned so heartily. Silly, guilty, excited. Now that it was her, she had to admit it was just too much fun to stifle.
Luke was so much fun.
She was still daydreaming when Elijah came running in the dress shop. “Miss Carmichael! I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you. Minnie told me that I might find you over here.”
“What’s happened?”
“Mr. Goggins sent me over here with a telegram. Gave me an Indian cent and everything.”
At the mention of a telegram, Grace’s heart sank. Mere moments before, she’d been feeling giddy, and now she was nervous for an entirely different reason. When Elijah held up the telegram, a hopeful look in his eyes, she fished out another penny and handed it to him. She reluctantly took the telegram.
“Thank you, Elijah.”
“You bet!” He flashed her a quick grin before running off again.
She watched the boy go with troubled eyes. The last thing she wanted was to open this telegram, but she forced herself to do so as the two ladies in the dress shop watched her surreptitiously.
She quickly scanned the message.
The package is safe. You are free to come home. Solid information that you were followed to Orchard City.
Her breath caught in her throat. So it was him? The man who’d attacked her had been the same as the one who attacked Penny in New York? It did seem likely. But she still couldn’t reconcile that it could be true, because she didn’t remember him looking like that.
You are free to come home.
Her heart clenched at the words and sudden and unexpected tears sprang to her eyes.
She wasn’t ready to do that yet! But because the message came from her employer, Mr. Carmichael, it felt like an order. As in, come home now!
But she wasn’t ready to do it!
She didn’t want to leave Luke!
What if they were wrong? They didn’t need her back home. Penny, her sister, and mother were in London.
Besides, with the gambling tournament proceeding, the widow needed her! Grace couldn’t just desert her after she’d been so kind.
She should stay here and help the widow. At least until after the tournament.
Mrs. Braxton was relying on her. If Grace left, the woman would definitely feel deserted. The widow never implied Grace should ever go home. In fact, quite the opposite, so she couldn’t disappoint her.
Panic pressed against her chest.
And all right, she was going to flat out admit it to it herself—she was hopeful she might be able to marry Luke.
Her stomach clenched. And when he found out she wasn’t Penny? Would he still want her?
And speaking of Penny, if Grace returned home now, they might just send her to London. She could eventually be a governess to Penny’s children.
At one time, that was exactly what she’d expected to do. She didn’t want to do it anymore! She wanted children of her own! She thought about the way Luke had kissed her. Multiple times, in fact. Multiple kisses. She thought about the way she’d felt when he pressed his lips to hers.
Somehow, she had to let him know that she wasn’t Penny. She was Grace West.
Even if Luke didn’t want her, there were others who had shown an interest. She could still marry, have children.
Her stomach tightened, and she actually felt sick.
She didn’t want anybody but Luke. If she couldn’t have Luke, she might as well just go to London.
Her jaw firmed. She wasn’t going home. At least, not yet. She touched the telegram in her pocket. She hoped against hope, that when she finally told Luke she wasn’t Penny Carmichael, that he would understand.
Was he worth the risk to her livelihood? Was she willing to risk her job on the chance that Luke would want her?
She hoped he ended up being worth it in the end.
Luke shoved some paperwork aside as he eyed Gabe. “It has to be the same man. I sincerely doubt that one man murdered the prostitute, and another tried to kidnap Grace. I refuse to believe we have that many villains running around this town.”
“It could happen.” Gabe’s expression was earnest. “I admit, it would be a big coincidence, but it could still happen. Especially with the number of men flooding into this town. It’s created a volatile atmosphere. Vincent Frost had a loaf of bread stolen. One of those long thin ones he makes. When was the last time something like that happened? And Lyle Thomas says items have gone missing right off the shelves at the mercantile. And do you know how many fights I’ve had to break up?”
Luke ran a hand through his hair. “What is this man—a ghost? What are the chances he could commit murder without being seen? And no one was able to capture the man who tried to take Grace? I mean, how are these men remaining hidden?”
Gabe shook his head and shrugged.
Luke looked glumly out the window. “It getting ruined. If it wasn’t for the crimes, this would be a lot of fun.”
Gabe followed his gaze to looked out the window. “We have at least twice as many people in town now.”
They studied the people who milled outside, going to shops, riding horses in the street, walking around. Everybody looked busy, and like they had some place to be. It was exactly what he been hoping for. Bringing some interest to the small, stagnant town.
Gabe nodded. “If we can clear this situation up, if we can catch the
man or men responsible, then we should start having a lot of fun with this.”
Luke sighed. “At least there’s a lot of new money flowing into town.”
At that, Gabe chuckled. “Yes. As much as people in town are complaining about the new arrivals, they aren’t complaining too loudly about all the money filling their pockets.”
“I’ve had a few more men interested in buying land.” Luke flipped through some papers on his desk to show Gabe the list of men he’d been keeping track of. “Maybe moving their families out here. One man already looked into buying some lumber to build his house.”
Gabe eyed the small list of names. “Don’t forget to tell these folks we’ll have a new school going up soon.”
The door opened and Elmer stepped inside. He touched his hat. “Sheriff. Mayor.”
Luke raised a brow at his smug tone. “Elmer, good to see you.”
“I just thought I’d stop by and offer my condolences.” There was a not so nice gleam in Elmer’s eyes.
Luke’s own eyes narrowed. “Condolences?”
“Yes. And let you know I managed to get a telegram to Miss Carmichael all by myself this time.”
Luke slowly stood from behind his desk. “Telegram?”
“Yes. I figured you’d be saddened, what with your lady friend going back to New York City and all.”
“New York City?”
Elmer grinned, obviously enjoying being the bearer of bad news. “It seems Miss Carmichael’s father is calling her home. I don’t see how he could’ve heard about the attack on her as yet, but I certainly can’t blame him for wanting her home, safe and sound.”
Grace was leaving him? He snatched his hat from off the corner of his desk. “Where is she?”
“How could I know that?”
“Because you just dropped off the blasted telegram!”
Elmer made an almost feminine noise in the back of his throat when Luke grabbed him by the collar.
“She’s at the dress shop,” he jerked away and hurried outside.
The door shut behind him with a distinct snap.
As Grace exited the dress shop, she heard her name called.
She turned to see Luke coming toward her and felt …well, she wasn’t sure what she felt. Anticipation? Anger? Hope? Despair? She watched him come toward her and was surprised by the sudden thumping in her chest.
It was too soon. She thought she’d have more time before she had to talk to him.
She suddenly doubted the decision she’d just made to defy Mr. Carmichael.
Her brow creased. It wasn’t like her to do something of that nature and a bewildering mix of nerves and anticipation coursed through her.
And she was going to do it for this man? The man coming towards her with a face like thunder?
She didn’t want to talk to him just yet. She didn’t want to admit she wasn’t a Carmichael. She needed some time to get used to the whole idea and just wasn’t ready.
She turned and walked away.
“Grace! I know you saw me. Hold up!”
She hurried faster.
Luke grabbed hold of one shoulder and twisted her around. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re leaving?” It was an accusation.
“Leaving?”
“Leaving town. Going back to New York City.”
She searched his face. Her tongue came out to wet her suddenly dry lips. Did he want her to stay? How did he know about this anyway? She’d just barely found out the news herself. Still, wasn’t it a good sign that he was here? “News certainly travels fast in this town.” She said the words dryly, even as she felt hopeful.
“So it’s true? You’re leaving?” Challenge and betrayal shone in his dark gaze.
That was encouraging, wasn’t it?
“I heard you received a telegram,” he barked. “Let me see it.”
Her spine snapped straight at his tone. “No. It’s none of your business.”
Luke made a grab for the little purse hanging from her wrist. He opened it up and looked inside.
She tugged it away. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Looking for the telegram. Hand it over.”
It wasn’t his business until she told him it was his business! Feigning a confused look, she glanced at the purse, then back at the dress shop.
He followed her gaze and headed into the shop.
She turned and went the other direction. She’d love to see the look on the ladies’ faces when he barged into the store. Who did he think he was, cornering her and demanding answers? She’d give them when she was ready to give them.
“Grace!” She heard him in the distance and hurried faster. She could hear his boots on the boardwalk as he ran after her. He wasn’t usually so loud, and that alone let her know he was irritated.
Well, she was irritated too! Maybe she’d tell him what he wanted to know if he declared his intentions. He was so happy-go-lucky all the time. Cavalier about where their relationship was headed even as he kissed her at will. Maybe he was simply stringing her along?
Out of nowhere, she was suddenly on the verge of tears.
And for what? For a man that she might marry? Or for a man that she might never see again?
Suddenly, she realized she didn’t want to let him know what the telegram said. She didn’t want to have to make a decision in front of him. What if he just said goodbye? Too bad, so sad? What if he didn’t even care, and she saw it in his face?
She reached into her pocket, pulled out the telegram, and ripped it into pieces.
As he arrived, he saw what she was doing. “What did you do that for? I wanted to read that!”
“It was my telegram, and so it was none of your business!”
“Well, for your information, I already know what it said.”
“How could you possibly know what it said?”
“Elmer stopped by.”
“The man who delivers the telegrams? He’s telling everybody in town what my telegram said?”
“Pretty much. That’s the way it works around here.”
“He should be dismissed from his post!”
“What for?”
“For telling everybody’s business to everybody else! Shouldn’t telegrams be confidential?”
Luke laughed. “They probably should be, but we all like knowing, so nobody does anything about it. When it’s our turn to have our secrets revealed, well that’s the price we pay for knowing everybody else’s business too.”
Grace made a scoffing noise. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I want to know what the telegram said.”
“I thought you already knew.”
“Is your father really calling you home? Are you going back to New York City?”
“What if I am?” She waited for him to ask her to stay. For that matter the man was bossy enough to order her to stay if that was what he wanted.
“Are you?”
She let out a breath. “Not at present.”
“Then what did the telegram say? Elmer said you were leaving town.”
She shrugged.
His brows drew together. “Grace. Tell me what I want to know.”
Tears pricked her eyes. If he cared about her, he would declare himself. He wasn’t, therefore … “I’m not telling you anything. It’s none of your business.”
She waited. Please, please just tell me you don’t want me to leave. That there’s something between us and you want me to stay.
“I’m the mayor of this town and everything in this town is my business.”
She turned away as tears filled her eyes. That certainly wasn’t what she’d wanted to hear.
She wanted to hear that he couldn’t live without her. She couldn’t leave him, because he loved her.
She rushed away before he could see her tears.
He was right behind her. “What are you not telling me? Is there another man back home? Is that why your father wants you to return? Does your father intend for y
ou to marry someone back east?”
Her emotions were running high. Why didn’t he just go away? If he couldn’t say the right thing, why did he have to follow her?
She finally reached Braxton house and hurried up the stairs. “As I said, it’s none of your business.”
She slammed the door behind her.
Maybe she should just go home.
Chapter 22
Later that day, Grace was helping Minnie roll out pie dough. The girl’s chatter was soothing, and she talked mostly about Sawyer, of course. The poor girl’s heart was taken, and Grace could certainly sympathize.
It had been hours since her conversation with Luke, and she’d gone from feeling rejected to feeling embarrassed. What had she been thinking?
She’d overreacted.
Still, was it her fault her emotions were running high?
She’d been attacked, told to go home, and assured a villain was on her trail. She was left wondering if the man had already found her, or if the man who tried to abduct her was another man entirely.
Yes, she was overly emotional.
Being cornered when she was in that state had not been the most fortuitous of circumstances.
She only hoped he hadn’t understood what she’d wanted from him.
She could feel heat scalding her cheeks as she thought about it. Did he know she’d been angling for a marriage proposal? Had she been obvious about it? Could she face him again?
If he’d proposed, what would she have done? Accepted on the spot? Then lived to regret that she’d finagled a proposal?
A couple of cowboys came in for pie, and she was relieved to see them. “Hello, boys!” They smiled at her enthusiastic greeting.
“Are you reading today?”
She glanced over at the books on her shelf. She found herself having to reread the same passages over and over again, as the men interested in the stories came in at different times. She really didn’t mind, and right now could use the distraction. “I’d be glad to read to you. Do you remember where we left off?”
She settled the boys with pie and coffee, retrieved Treasure Island from off the shelf, and quickly found the correct spot and started to read.
