LITMIR.BIZ

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she promised, hearing the impatience in Snow’s voice. Willow wondered if Bear and his wife had had any hint of the fire. Had they been able to smell it? She asked Mr. Newcomb why he thought the blacksmith hadn’t already come out to check on the odor.

      “Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain what happened. He’ll get a whiff once the rain stops. You need to go on with your sisters and get home while you can.”

      Grateful she could be in better sorts when she apologized to the blacksmith, Willow thanked Newcomb and pointed to the soiled blanket lying next to his duster. “I’ll be glad to take those with me and wash them with this one. When I return the blankets, I’ll bring back your coat, too.”

      “No need. I’ll take care of them.” He picked up the items and grabbed the one she held as he headed to the door.

      He didn’t seem eager to have reason to visit her. She didn’t know whether to be appreciative for his kindness about taking the washing off her hands or insulted that he wanted to avoid further contact with her as much as possible.

      “We’ll have to connect later on, then,” she said, “after the wedding tomorrow. Unless you’re a friend of my sisters or Bass Parker, my future brother-in-law. If you’re invited to the wedding, we could visit a little at the reception. Maybe by then you’ll have a decision about working for me?”

      “I’m invited, but I’d rather talk you out of it. You’re better off finding someone else to help you.”

      Her hands clapped softly together, ignoring his attempt to dissuade her. “The reception will give us some time at least to talk further.”

      And make it easier for Snow not to fuss with her about spending time with the stranger once Daisy and Bass left for their honeymoon. If he was already a friend of the family, then Snow would consider him a proper enough acquaintance to allow him into Daisy’s home or to allow Willow to meet him in town.

      How she disliked those times when she became little sister again, treated as though she must have a protective mother hen to watch over her. Willow couldn’t wait until the day both Snow and Daisy saw her as grown and not the baby of the family. After all, she was relatively a spinster’s age.

      “Before you go, Willow—” Newcomb’s use of her name revealed he’d listened well “—I’ve got one more question before I’ll consider teaching you anything.”

      He’s truly considering it!

      Another fine trait to add to her characterization of Ketchum. Note #2: Texas men pay close attention. “And what question is that, Mr. Newcomb?”

      “We’re getting soaked out here,” barked Snow, “and it’s a long fifteen minutes home.”

      She and Snow loved each other but were as different as night and day. Being someone who preferred things calm, quiet and orderly, Snow had the hardest time putting up with Willow’s slower efforts.

      “I’ll answer you in just a minute. We forgot to turn out the lantern. I’ll be right there.” Just as she reached to grab it, Willow saw where the daddy longlegs had taken up a new home and nearly knocked the lamp over.

      “Owww, that’s hot.” She jerked her hand back but managed to keep from spilling the kerosene and setting another fire.

      “You need help?” Newcomb demanded and turned around, her baggage in his hands.

      “No! Everything’s just fine. I’m right behind you.” She used the edge of her petticoats for a pot holder and set the lantern on its base, turning off the key to the kerosene. For good measure, she blew at the wick just to make sure no flame remained.

      “I’m sorry, horses,” she whispered as she used the lightning flashes to help her see the way out to her sister’s wagon. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow after the wedding if you’re still here, okay? Don’t know about you, but I need to calm way, way down. I know you will when I’m out of here.”

      When she reached her sisters, she found them sitting side by side on the driver’s box. Snow shared a parasol with Daisy, but it did little to fight off the rain. Both started asking all kinds of questions.

      “Let me thank Mr. Newcomb for his help,” she told them. “Then I’ll answer everything along the way, okay?”

      “Of course,” Daisy replied, appearing unwilling to turn around and greet them face to face. “Thank you, Gage, for lending her a hand. That’s kind of you. Do forgive us for being so... Well, we took a chance on leaving our curlers in, hoping we’d be here so briefly that no one would actually see us except Willow, maybe Bear. He would understand, of course.”

      Gage. So that was his name. Willow filed it back in her memory for future reference.

      “You all right?” he asked, targeting his question to Willow instead of making any comment about her sisters’ embarrassment about their hair. He lifted her bags into the wagon, then offered Willow a hand up as she climbed in the back.

      When their fingers touched, she winced. “I will be. The lantern was hot when I turned it off.”

      “Too sore to lasso a stump?” His eyes studied her carefully.

      “No. I’m ready to learn from you. The quicker, the better.” If she hadn’t known any differently, she’d have suspected he was trying to help her ease how angry she was with herself. But he didn’t know her at all. Note #3: Texas men sense when to lend a hand.

      “Then, as I started to ask before, I need your word that nobody’s going to get hurt from me teaching you to shoot and everything else you’ve mentioned. That this involves nothing illegal.”

      Maybe he truly was a lawman of some kind.

      “All I can say is that’s my intention at the moment, but I’ll be honest with you, partner.” She gave her best nasal imitation of Texas twang. “My intentions get out of sorts more often than not. Will you just trust me on this?”

      He mulled it over hard. Too hard, in her opinion. Maybe she’d have to ask someone else, but he seemed the perfect teacher.

      “Trust is the key word here, Willow.” He took off his hat and put it on top of her head. “Don’t ever give me reason to doubt you.”

      She shuddered, either from the cool rain or the threat tempering the warning he’d just given her.

      She tried to return the hat but he backed away.

      “Next time it rains, bring a parasol with you. You’ll stay a lot drier,” he ordered, then headed toward Bear’s quarters without giving her a definite yes.

       Chapter Three

      The wagon seemed to speed up despite the rain. Willow reached up and pulled Gage’s hat down, making sure it didn’t blow off.

      “The horses are smelling home,” Daisy announced. “They want out of this as much as we do.”

      Willow’s heartbeat accelerated to match the team’s eager gait. She was anxious to be done with the long day’s travel. She hoped her sisters didn’t question her about why she’d been in the livery with Gage. After all, he’d simply taken refuge from the storm, just as she had.

      She wasn’t sure how much, if anything, she was ready to tell them about the other reason she’d come to High Plains. Saying anything about hiring Gage Newcomb and her reason for doing so could wait until she was certain he agreed. Besides, she hadn’t decided for sure she wouldn’t change her mind and use someone else.

      The team made a turn. A gust of wind whipped Gage’s hat off Willow’s head but she managed to grab it in time. Fearful that she’d lose it again, she tried to tuck it under one thigh, despite the rain. The wagon rocked and swayed hard, sending her sideways. Her hip crushed the hat crown.

      She sat upright

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