When Clay walked up to Grace, the young woman strolled over and stood directly in front of Clay ignoring Grace. She lay her hand on Clays’ arm and batted her eyelashes. “I have missed you, sweetheart. Why haven’t you been to town to visit me? I believed what you told me. Don’t you feel the same any longer?”
Clay removed her hand and took a step back. “I never promised you anything, Lucinda. The last time I saw you, I believe I told you to leave me alone.”
“Darling,” Lucinda answered wiping a tear from her eye. “You did no such thing. We love each other. I know your grandfather doesn’t approve, but you said that won’t matter once he no longer runs the ranch. You’ll own it, and we can finally be together.”
Cora stormed over after hearing Lucinda’s statements along with most of the people standing in front of the church. “Young woman get away from my family. If you are here to attend services you’re more than welcome, if not, leave Clay and his wife alone.”
“Wife,” Lucinda screeched. “You married someone else?” In a blink of an eye, she reached up and slapped Clay firmly across his cheek, turned, lifted her skirts, and ran down the boardwalk.
Grace did her best to control her curiosity and growing anxiety but asked, “Who was that woman?”
“She works at the local saloon,” Clay said rubbing his cheek.
Grace gasped, “You offered marriage to a saloon girl and then sent for me. Do you love her?”
“What? No, oh no. I never said a word to her concerning anything personal. She’s trying to cause trouble. I don’t know why,” Clay responded and took a step closer to Grace as she backed away.
“But you…you visit her?”
“Me, no. Lucinda is Wade’s favorite girl. She’s why he spends so many nights in town,” Clay offered without thinking who might hear him. He regretted explaining things to Grace in public when he heard Elizabeth begin to cry.
Grace’s eyes flashed with anger, “You made Elizabeth cry. I don’t wish to speak about this any longer.” She slipped her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders.
Cora spoke, “It’s time we go inside. We have caused enough commotion for one morning and a Sunday morning no less.”
Grandpa said, “Come along ladies, Clay, Wade. Let’s go inside.”
“What?” Wade sputtered. “I’m not going in there after everyone listened to Clay. I need a drink. I’m going to the saloon and meet you after services.”
Elizabeth began to cry harder.
“Shut up, Elizabeth. You’re embarrassing the family,” Wade spat and headed for the saloon forgetting about his idea of wooing his wife. He needed a beer or maybe a whiskey.
Grandpa Hutch hurried up to Grace and Elizabeth, “Come along. Don’t give those grandsons of mine no mind. Things will work out, and we’ll discuss this on the way home. We don’t want to be late for services, and then we’ll have the finest lunch at the café. It’s Sunday, and they make chicken and dumplings that are even better than Cora’s” He laughed and guided his two new granddaughters to the front pew of the church.
Cora followed and settled next to Grace. Clay sat on the end feeling dejected and wondering why Lucinda would tell Grace such lies? It had to be Wade’s idea, but surely Grace wouldn’t believe Lucinda. Clay leaned forward to peek at Grace, but she sat straight with her eyes on the preacher. When he tried to reach across Cora to tap Grace’s arm, Cora slapped his hand. She gave him a look that would stop a raging bull and Clay sat back brooding.
The preacher’s sermon on love and faithfulness did nothing to ease Clay’s mind. He was sure Grace would think the preacher meant the words solely for him when it was Wade who ran off to the saloon. This was a fine mess, and he needed to get Grace alone and talk to her.
As soon as the service ended, Clay stood and offered his arm to Grace, but she looked right through him and slipped her arm into Grandpa Hutch’s and allowed him to escort her and Elizabeth outside to speak with the preacher and meet some of the townsfolk.
After introducing his new granddaughters to his fellow church members, Grandpa Hutch escorted them to the café for lunch. Along the short walk, they stopped, and he explained about the shops they passed or introduced them to folks he didn’t see after church.
The café was charming. Red checked tablecloths and curtains adorned the tables and windows. Painting of mountains and prairies hung on the wall. A cheerful waitress smiled at them as they made their way to a table near the side windows. Grandpa escorted his new granddaughters to the table and took a seat between them. Clay and Cora sat on the other side. No one spoke.
Grandpa cleared his throat, “Why is everyone so quiet? Elizabeth, what’s on your mind?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Isn’t Wade coming to lunch?”
“Might and might not. I never know what that boy’s gonna do. We’ll have a good lunch. I think he might wander back here when he gets hungry. If not, he knows the way home. What about you, Grace? What’s bothering you? I hope it isn’t Lucinda. She and Clay were never anything to one another. Somebody put her up to acting that way.”
Before Grace could ask who would do that, the waitress strolled up to their table. “Good afternoon, everyone. We have chicken and dumplings today, or the cook can cook you up a steak if you’d like.”
“Chicken and dumplings all around, Silvie and coffee or tea if the
