“He is not the halfwit he pretends to be. I followed him last night on Get-a-long. He is no different than you or me. His pretense has served him well. No one gives the man a second look.”
Deep in thought Faith nodded her head in agreement. “It makes sense,” she admitted after giving what Royce told her consideration. “I won’t say a word.” Faith leaned over and kissed Royce on one cheek. When she stood she was so hot she thought she might flame to a crisp.
“Faith,” Royce said catching hold of her hand. “I . . . I have something to say once this thing is finished.”
Faith smiled shyly. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She leaned down and placed her lips over Royce’s mouth. “Now you will have to marry me,” she whispered her eyes bright with feelings.
“Faith,” Royce asked. Lifting his left hand he circled Faith’s waist and pulled her against his chest. His lips covered hers in an exploratory kiss. He felt the jab of pain in his shoulder and ignored the intrusion. He tasted her sweetness and groaned softly as desire sliced through him. Faith was trembling in his arms. He breathed deeply her scent and longed for more time with her in his arms.
Faith pulled away and placed one finger over his mouth. “Mother is coming,” she whispered against his lips. She gave him another quick kiss before standing and adjusting her shirtwaist. Color was blooming red on her cheeks. Her brown eyes were dreamy looking.
“Your mother is going to suspect something is up,” Royce warmed. “You look delicious enough to eat,” he added.
“Mr. Hargadon,” Faith sputtered flabbergasted by Royce’s impudence.
Royce laughed at her look of outrage. The dreamy look was gone from Faith’s eyes as he intended. To ensure Faith’s safety no one must suspect what had just taken place between them. Not even her family.
“Hello,” Mary Gaines greeted as she reached the top of the stairs. “How is our patient,” she asked coming into the room.
“I am much better,” Royce replied. Noting Faith was across the room placing firewood inside the stove.
“Hello Mother,” Faith greeted refusing to look in Royce’s direction. “Did Lydia and Elizabeth make it home alright?”
“Bobby and Johnny walked all the girls to their homes. It was kind of them,” Mary said softly. “You have a fever,” she continued, looking at Royce. His face was flushed and his green eyes looked overly bright.
Royce was always struck by the likeness of Faith to her mother. Mrs. Gaines was still a very beautiful woman. Not a hint of gray was in the woman’s light blond hair or a wrinkle on her attractive face. In appearance she could have been Faith’s older sister not her mother.
“The fever will soon pass,” Royce explained. “I am feeling better already. Ranching makes a man tougher than rawhide.”
“All the same,” Mary retorted. “A piece of lead no larger than the size of a pea has stopped many good men. We are not going to take any chances with losing you.” Having made her proclamation Mary tucked the covers around Royce’s shoulders. “Doctor Thomas says you can have clear broth if you are hungry.”
The thought of food brought a low rumbling to Royce’s stomach. He would have to be content with broth. Mary Gaines might look like an Angel but she had the spine of an Arkansas Razorback.
“Sheriff Walden is waiting downstairs to walk you home,” Mary said turning towards her daughter. “He walked me over saying until this shooter can be brought to justice it’s not safe for a woman on the streets after dark.”
“Good night,” Faith said holding her winter coat over one arm. She kissed her mother’s cheek.
“Don’t worry,” Mary said. “I will take good care of Mr. Hargadon. See that Lydia and Laurie get to bed on time. They were fretting when I left. Laurie wanted to come with me. The child has taken a liking to our schoolteacher.”
* * * * *
Still weak, Royce made his way downstairs the following morning and sat quietly behind his desk while Elizabeth taught classes. She was a gifted teacher. Royce closed his eyes, relaxed and listened. Elizabeth’s voice was soft as she challenged the rest of the class to answer her questions.
Royce was surprised when he looked up and found Faith standing in the open doorway. He ran his tongue over his lips and swore he could taste Faith’s kiss from the evening before. “We will have an early dinner break,” Royce said coming to his feet.
“I am sorry my presence has interrupted your teaching,” Faith told her sister. “You were doing splendidly.”
“I like teaching,” Elizabeth replied humbly. A flood of new feelings prevented her from saying more. Her eyes told Faith how much she appreciated her sister’s praise.
“What is all of this,” Faith asked looking with disapproval at the stack of food on top of Mr. Hargadon’s desk. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Royce. Sure he was over doing it. His color looked washed out.
“My students think I need fattening up,” Royce responded. “Either that or they heard Doctor Thomas has me on clear broth and took pity on me. Miss Randall’s cookies are good,” he added scooting a box of cookies across the desk. “Mrs. Dial’s fried meat pie does look a little heavy,” he added.
“Mrs. Dial’s fried pies are delicious,” Faith remarked and was rewarded by Royce’s wide smile. The man was being impossible as usual. He had probably already eaten several meat pies and knew they were delicious. Faith could feel Royce’s green eyes caressing her lips and marveled at the array of feeling heating her from the inside out. “Stop that,” she leaned over the desk and whispered.
“What,” Royce asked innocently.
“You know what,” Faith replied glancing towards Elizabeth. Hoping her sister could not over hear their conversation.
“My kissing you with my eyes,” Royce asked.
“Mr. Hargadon,” Faith began in shocked tones.
“Isn’t
