“Let’s not worry about it,” Faith replied. They were nearing Mr. Cook’s Feed and Grain store. The man knew what time school was dismissed and that Faith often walked home with her sisters. As they neared the store Faith moved to the outside hoping Mr. Cook would not notice she was with Lydia and Elizabeth. She spied the man standing at the front window staring out. Groaning Faith dodged for the side road. Her chin tucked so Mr. Cook could not see her face.
The man was getting to be impossible!
“Faith,” Elizabeth called trying to catch up to her hurrying sister. “What is the matter,” she asked. Faith stopped and gave her sister a withering look. “Oh,” Elizabeth replied. “It is Mr. Cook. He is at his front window waiting for you. You can’t keep avoiding him, you know.”
“I can try,” Faith declared heatedly.
The side road led to the back lot of the Feed and Grain. Holding pens stood empty of cattle and horses. The yellowing fields beyond were vacant except for haystacks set in neat rows. Doors were open on the huge hay barn and a team of horses stood in the doorway while a wagon was being loaded. The sisters had stopped next to the wooden platform attached to the side of the business. Sacks of grain were stacked on the platform with a ranch wagon pulled along side. Faith hastily turned her back when she heard voices coming through the open door.
“Miss Gaines,” a deep timbered male voice greeted her and her sisters. Startled Faith turned and had to look a long ways up to meet the brown eyes of Sheriff Walden. “Is something wrong,” Sheriff Walden asked, the fingers on his left hand tipped his hat over his eyes. Amos Walden was too rugged looking to be considered handsome. His firm jaws were square cut and clean shaven. His mouth was wide with a thin upper lip that spoke of a stubborn nature. His nose was long and straight which was amazing given the type of work he did. His eyebrows were black as was the long sideburns on the sides of his face.
“No,” Faith croaked before flashing a fiery red.
“The west side of town is not . . .,” Walden paused in his speech not sure what word to use when talking to proper young women. The west side of Junction City housed less desirable businesses.
“Unsuitable,” Faith suggested. She watched one of Sheriff Walden’s dark eyebrows arch in acknowledgment. Faith squared her shoulders and tilted up her chin. “I am quite aware of what goes on in the back streets,” she declared. Amusement lighted the sheriff’s eyes. “I am a Minister’s daughter,” she finished.
“Maybe you know in theory,” Amos Walden replied. “But I do believe you and your sisters would be shocked at what you found.”
Faith lifted her shoulders as she drew in a deep breath. “Yes,” she replied acknowledging the truth of Sheriff Walden’s statement. The west side of Junction City was not a place to take her sisters. Sighing before giving up Faith admitted her dilemma. “Mr. Cook has been pestering me,” she stated in a rush of words before she could change her mind. “When I saw him standing near the front window I panicked.” Faith felt heat burning her cheeks. Gripping her fingers together she stared at the third button on Sheriff Walden’s shirt. From the movements of his chest Faith was sure the sheriff was laughing at her. When she hazarded a glance at his face his eyes were sparkling with amusement. “You see how it is,” she pleaded before shrugging off her anger. Her situation must be amusing to a man like Sheriff Walden.
“May I walk you home,” Sheriff Walden asked. His amusement was still pronounced when he offered Faith his arm.
“Yes thank you,” Faith replied and placed one hand on the sheriff’s arm. The top of her head barely reached the man’s shoulder. She felt small and protected as she walked beside Sheriff Walden.
Mr. Cook was standing near his front window when Amos Walden escorted Faith pass his store. The man hurried towards the front door before stopping with one hand on the handle. He gave Faith a furious look before turning away. At the end of the road and across the way stood the Baptist Church newly painted white. Here Sheriff Walden halted, “I think you can make it the rest of the way home safely. May I suggest you take Second Street home tomorrow. I might not be available to rescue you from Mr. Cook.” His brown eyes twinkled with a friendly light. The east side of Junction City was the residential area of town. Many fine homes were located along Second and Third streets.
“Yes, thank you,” Faith replied. Her two sisters thanked him also before they turned towards home.
“Mr. Cook is becoming more than a pest,” Faith stormed once they were out of Sheriff Walden’s hearing.
“You don’t think Sheriff Walden is interested in you,” Lydia asked out of the blue.
Faith stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes were wide with shock when she turned towards Lydia. “Merciful Heavens! I certainly hope not,” Faith declared. “Wouldn’t that be the frosting on the cake!”
Lydia looked at her sister with concern in her eyes. “You mustn’t swear,” Lydia reminded.
“I know,” Faith said as her emotions deflated. “With Mr. Cook seeking me out at every opportunity all I need is for another man to become interested. I have about decided no man is worthy of my affections.”
Elizabeth and Lydia decided not to comment. Whatever they said was sure to inflame Faith’s temper all the more. “I am going to cut strawflowers and cockscombs and hang them up to dry,” Elizabeth said taking off her bonnet in front the oval mirror. She fluffed her pale gold hair with her fingertips.
“I want to press roses inside a book,” Lydia said. Lydia loved her mother’s sweet smelling red
