“I think you’re extremely friendly.” She opened the cookies. “These look delicious.”
Jesse studied her as they ate the oatmeal cookies. She hadn’t worn as much makeup as she had the night before at the saloon, and to him, it made her even more alluring. She had lovely skin, like peaches and cream.
Of course, it had been almost a year since he’d been with a woman. In his type of work, he rarely ran into single women. He’d met Ellen while tracking a man wanted dead or alive, and it had turned out to be her brother. The man resisted him when he tried to take him in, and he’d had to shoot him. Ellen spat at him and told him to go to the devil. Jesse felt bad. He paid for the outlaw’s funeral and gave the bounty to Ellen and her mother. After that, they’d become lovers. He had almost proposed, but the sheriff in town had informed him of a huge bounty, and he'd left. Jesse hadn’t promised to return, and Ellen knew he wouldn’t. The last he’d heard, she’d married a prosperous rancher in El Paso.
After Jesse and Delia had finished eating, Jesse packed up the remnants of the picnic while Delia stretched her legs out and leaned against the tree.
“It feels heavenly to be outdoors in the fresh air.”
Jesse leaned back against the tree beside her. “So, tell me, where you are from and what brought you to Sunset Creek.”
Delia hesitated so long, Jesse thought she hadn’t heard his question. Finally, she answered,
“I’m from Missouri, and I came here because my sister lives in the vicinity. She’s married, so I needed to start a life of my own, and since I have no skills to speak of, I applied at the Rusty Spur and got the job.”
“Was last night your first night?”
“Yes. It petrified me—could you tell?”
“Not at all. You looked calm and collected.”
Jesse wanted to ask her if she'd planned on taking men upstairs as some saloon women did, but he knew he couldn’t ask something that personal.
“What exactly are your required job duties?” When her head spun toward him, he quickly added, I’ve never known a saloon woman before.”
To his relief, Delia smiled.
“You haven’t? My, you really haven’t been social, have you?”
Jesse shrugged. “They have served me, but I’ve never spoken to one on a personal level.”
Delia folded her hands in her lap. “Horace pays us to serve drinks, keep the men company, and encourage them to drink more, as well as buy us drinks. That way, ol’ Horace makes a lot of money. And when a man buys a saloon woman a drink, the barman puts tea in the woman’s drink, thus the pink-tinted shot glasses. They want to be sure that the woman gets the right glass.”
“That’s all?” Jesse asked.
“That’s all. If you’re asking if the saloon women take men upstairs, it’s the woman’s choice. They aren’t paid to do so, so not all of them do. As far as I know, the women who do take men to their rooms are well-acquainted with them. They aren’t strangers, nor do they pay for... um... services provided.”
Jesse felt relieved.
He didn’t want Delia to take anyone up to her room. Jesse already knew he wanted her for himself. While he hadn’t been looking for a wife, since Judd had married, the idea had been in the back of his mind. Could it be Cordelia? If so, he had to play it right. He didn’t want to scare her away.
“I should go,” Delia said. “I want to take a nap before going to work tonight.”
Jesse and Delia both made a move for the picnic basket, and their noses touched, causing them to freeze. Jesse quickly but briefly kissed her soft lips. To his surprise, Delia didn’t pull away too quickly. She gave him a brief smile, stood, and brushed off her skirt.
He drove her back to town, and since Delia was so quiet, he wondered if his impulsive kiss had offended her, but she had smiled after it. Should he apologize? He hadn’t planned it, but he thought about kissing her each time he looked at her unpainted lips; he preferred them natural. Jesse hated that she worked at the saloon. For some reason, he wanted her all to himself.
When he reined-in near the general store, he turned to her. “I’m sorry if I offended you by kissing you. I didn’t plan it. It just happened.”
It surprised him when Delia patted his hand. “I rather enjoyed it myself, although it was quite unexpected.”
Her answer bolstered his courage. “May I see you again?”
“I hope so. Will you be coming to the saloon tonight?”
Jesse thought about his answer. He wanted to see her again and soon, but he didn’t want to sit and watch her flirt with men all evening. “No, I can’t make it tonight—how about lunch again tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’d love that. I enjoyed our picnic today—let me bring lunch tomorrow.”
Jesse jumped down from his perch and went around to assist Delia from the wagon. “That would be great. Tomorrow, same place and same time?”
Delia nodded and waved. “Bye, Jesse.”
Chapter Three
On Jesse’s way to meet Delia, a horse galloped from behind him to ride alongside him. “How’s it going, Sean?” Jesse said.
Sean smiled. “She’s here! My mail-order bride, Sophia, and Charlie, her chaperone.”
“And?” Jesse could tell Sean had more news by the grin on his face.
“I wondered if you’d be my best man tomorrow.”
His words took Jesse’s breath away for several seconds. “I’m honored. I thought you’d ask Roy or Mac since you’ve known them longer.”
“No. I don’t want to hear negative marriage stories on my wedding day. I also wondered if you could show Charlie
