“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” He removed her broken shoe and ran his hands over her foot and up her calf. Matt held up the destroyed shoe and her heart sank.
She sighed. “And we were having such a nice time. I guess we’re done dancing.”
“Nonsense,” Matt said. “Let me get you some refreshments and then I’ll go home and get you another pair of shoes. They might not be the prettiest, but you can still dance and we’ll enjoy the rest of the night.”
“Oh, Matt. Would you really do that?”
“I promised to take care of you, didn’t I?”
* * *
Minnie’s opinion of buffaloes changed dramatically when a herd stood on the train tracks and made it impossible for them to move, delaying their arrival in Juniper Junction by several hours.
At least she knew Mr. Pendleton wouldn’t get to town any faster than she and Roy would, but still, she was anxious to get off the train.
The train barely came to a stop on the platform when she was at the stairwell ready to hop off.
“Minnie,” Roy called after her. “Be careful. You’re acting like a madwoman.”
“I’ve come all this way, I have to get to her before her father,” Minnie called over her shoulder as she hit the train platform and took off at a trot.
A firm hand on her arm stopped her momentum. Roy had both their bags tucked under one arm and gave her a stern look. “We need to have a talk about personal safety and running off into the dark in a strange town.”
“Fine,” she said, exasperated. “But can we have that talk later? I need to find Elizabeth right away.” She looked up into his face and her heart flipped. They’d arrived in Juniper Junction. Maybe he didn’t want to have anything to do with her anymore. “Um, I’ll take my bag. Thank you. I suppose you have a place to stay and you’ll want to find the sheriff and talk to him about your job. Now that I know you, I trust you with my bracelet. I’m sure you’ll be honest. Thank you for helping me get here.”
She held out her hand for her luggage. Instead, he took hold of it and pulled her against his hard body. “Oh, I’m far from being done with you, little Minnie.” His mouth covered hers in a tender kiss that left her head reeling.
“Wow!” she said when it was over, working to think clearly. “I’d like to do that some more, but we really have to find Elizabeth.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Mr. Pendleton. A shiver of fear ran up her spine but having Roy with her gave her courage.
He saw Mr. Pendleton too and grabbed her hand. “Come on!” The two of them hurried away from the train station.
“Where does she live?”
Minnie halted in her tracks. “Um. That’s a good question. Wait.” She thought for a minute. “Windy River Ranch. Yes, that’s it.”
“Good. Now, do you have any idea where that is?”
Ugh. When he put it like that, she felt like a fool. She’d expected to arrive during daylight and then ask around town. From the letters Matt had written it was clear Juniper Junction wasn’t too large and the ranch was the largest in the area.
A buggy approached and stopped. The driver held up a lantern that illuminated his face. “Can I be of assistance to you folks?”
He had a pretty girl with him and based on the way they were dressed, it seemed like they were going to a party.
“Thank you. We’re looking for Windy River Ranch. Would you be kind enough to point us in the right direction?” Matt asked.
“We’re headed there ourselves,” the man said. “Be glad to give you a ride.”
“We’d appreciate that.” Matt helped Minnie into the buggy then tossed in their bags before hopping in himself.
Minnie didn’t want to be rude, but she sure wished they’d get on their way. Thank goodness these nice people stopped for them. She’d lost track of Mr. Pendleton and had no idea if he was ahead or behind them.
“Thank you for the ride. I hope we aren’t imposing,” Matt said.
“No trouble at all. You folks new to town? Let me be the first to welcome you. I’m Cal Watson, sheriff. And this is my wife, Tassie.”
The sheriff!
“Well, I’m glad to meet you both,” Roy said. “I’m Roy Gantry, your new deputy. And this is Minnie.”
“I didn’t know you were married,” Cal said.
Minnie felt her face flush and she stammered a bit.
“Miss Minnie and I met at the train station. We’re not married.”
Though the words were all true, it still hurt when he said it like that.
* * *
Matt rushed inside the house, not wishing to leave Lizzie alone any longer than necessary. It wasn’t as though she was alone, the whole town was out at Windy River enjoying themselves. But, he was eager to get back and enjoy his wife’s company.
A feeling of satisfaction filled him. Since the incident with the dishes, it seemed like he and Lizzie had dropped the last barrier between them and he felt closer to her every day.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he found a pair of her shoes and turned to leave, but paused for a moment. No doubt she’d appreciate some clean stockings after being at the dance in her stocking feet.
He didn’t know where she kept her frilly things, but he opened the top drawer of her bureau and found just the items he needed. He reached in for a pair of stockings and pulled them out, but they were heavy. Confused, he stepped closer to the window to examine the stocking in the moonlight.
What the hell?
Several wadded up bills fell out and a diamond earring glinted in the moonlight. He dumped the contents on the floor and gasped. He’d never seen that much money before. And though he didn’t know much of anything about jewelry, he knew enough
