Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (20 page)

Elizabeth squeezed her shoulder. “You know how tongues wag, and inviting her out will give them more ammunition.” She dropped her voice to a whisper and nodded toward the back of the store. “I had no idea when I introduced you that Miss Grey worked at the saloon, but clearly Mabel and Clara did. Word spreads fast around here. Just keep that in mind.”

Alex sighed wearily. “So be it.”

Elizabeth smiled, walked back behind the counter, and sank onto the three-legged wooden stool. “What did you think of her?”

“Christy? She’s beautiful. But I think there’s more to her than she’s willing to show.”

Elizabeth nodded and tapped her fingers on the wood surface in front of her. “I agree. She expected you to reject her. I’m sure that’s happened to her a lot.”

“Which is why I didn’t. I know what it’s like.” Alex drew her eyebrows together thoughtfully. “I wonder how she knows Justin….”

“Does it worry you?”

Alex stared at Elizabeth’s upturned face. “Why should it?”

Elizabeth shrugged and smiled. “Oh, I don’t know. He’s single, handsome, and living on your ranch, and she’s single, beautiful, and asking after him.”

Alex crossed her arms over her chest. “And he’s newly widowed, still grieving his wife, and raising a small child. Although I must admit I am curious to know where she fits into the picture.”

“It’s a small town. I’m guessing it won’t be a secret for long.”

The sound of staccato footsteps heralded Mabel and Clara’s approach. “Is she gone yet?” Mabel stopped near the counter and peered around the front of the store.

Elizabeth smiled at the woman. “Yes, Mrs. Gurney, she’s gone.”

Mabel drew herself up and lifted her bony chin. “A word of advice, young lady. That one’s a scarlet woman. It’s not seemly to talk to someone like her.” She cast a disdainful glance at Alex. “Not that it bothers some people, I’m sure.” She sniffed and turned away. “I need a spool of thread.” She placed it on the counter and stood with her back to Alex.

Elizabeth glanced at Alex and back at Mabel. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with showing Christian charity to a stranger. Jesus taught that, you know. He sat with publicans, tax collectors, and sinners, and He willingly forgave them.”

Clara placed her plump hands on the counter and leaned forward. “I’ll bet we won’t see her darken the door of our church coming to ask forgiveness.”

A shocked look crossed Mabel’s face. “I certainly hope not. If she does, I’d expect Parson Moser to ask her to leave. People like her don’t belong in polite society.”

Alex stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists. “Well, if you two represent ‘polite society,’ I don’t blame her for staying out of it.”

Mabel glared and took a step back. “Well, I never.” She sputtered and spun toward Elizabeth. “I’ll get that thread later. Good day.” She seized Clara’s arm and dragged her from the store.

Alex sagged against the counter, shame engulfing her. “Oh, Elizabeth, I’m sorry my temper made you lose a sale.”

Elizabeth shrugged. “I don’t care.” Her face lit with a small grin. “It’s not like they have a choice. Michigan Bluff is too far to ride for a spool of thread.”

Alex smiled in spite of herself, and Elizabeth squeezed her arm. “I have an idea. How about we get a bite to eat?”

“You bet; I’m starved.”

Elizabeth’s elbow bumped Alex’s side and she leaned close to hiss in Alex’s ear. “Is that Carter Foster coming out of the hotel?”

Alex looked in the direction Elizabeth was gazing and saw the well-dressed, tall figure standing near the door. “Yes. He’s stopped by the ranch a couple of times recently and been quite nice.” She sensed Elizabeth’s curiosity bump up a notch, but she’d wait until they were alone to answer for that statement.

A smile lit Carter’s handsome face. He slipped his hat from his head and bowed as Alex stepped onto the boardwalk a few feet away. “Miss Travers, Miss Anders. You’re both looking lovely today.”

Elizabeth smiled and tipped her head. “Mr. Foster, what brings you to town? I heard you’ve taken on some new hands and expanded business out at your place.”

His eyes narrowed just a mite, but then a smile replaced the shadow of a frown that had started to form. Had Alex imagined it, or had Carter taken Elizabeth’s comments as a reprimand for hiring two of her wranglers?

“Just taking a break to eat some of Georgia’s cooking. How about you ladies?”

Alex laid her fingertips on Elizabeth’s arm and squeezed. “We’re stretching our legs. Elizabeth’s been cooped up in the store and needs fresh air. I wish you a good evening, Mr. Foster.”

“It’s Carter. We’re friends, remember?” A lazy grin creased his face. “In fact, I wonder if you’d mind my calling on you sometime in the next few days.”

Alex drew back a half step and furrowed her brows. “Call? On me?”

He chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest. “On the prettiest lady in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Present company excepted.” He nodded at Elizabeth and smiled.

Alex didn’t reply but simply stood, feeling glued to the boards under her feet. Call on her? Whatever for? She’d already told him she had no intention of entertaining his proposal of marriage. No matter what he’d said, she knew Carter well enough to understand that business was foremost in the man’s mind. A small shock shot through her arm and she jumped, realizing that Elizabeth had pinched her.

“Oh, I suppose so, Carter….” Her voice drifted off. Entertaining Carter wasn’t something she looked forward to, but hospitality demanded a certain degree of civility.

“Wonderful.” He placed his high-brimmed hat on his head, grinned, and nodded. “I’ll leave you to your stroll, ladies. Have a good day.” Without a backward glance, he stepped off the boardwalk, unwrapped his reins from the rail, and swung into the saddle.

Alex stared after him. Why hadn’t she said no? Because Papa would’ve expected her to be cordial. One visit wouldn’t obligate her, and her sense of duty would be fulfilled.

The wire cutters caught on the inside seam of his pocket and lodged there. The man cursed and pushed them in deeper then yanked hard. The sound of ripping fabric increased his venom. He’d ruined his last pair of decent trousers. The boss had better be willing to kick in some extra money for this job. The tightly stretched wire would be tricky to nip without springing back and wrapping him up in its treacherous spines. He’d best hurry—no telling if someone might come down the trail. He’d been warned not to get caught, but he didn’t need the reminder. They still considered horse theft a hanging offense in some parts of the country. He might not be stealing and selling ’em off, but a Travers wrangler might not see it that way.

Gripping one section of the wire with pliers and cutting the adjoining section, he moved it aside, careful to not let it whip out of control. With the last strand nipped, he pulled all three and wrapped them around the nearest post. His horse had wandered a few yards down the fence line, and he trudged over and caught up the reins. He hated fences, hated working, hated taking care of someone else’s nags. He deserved his own ranch.

Finding gold would be better—then he wouldn’t have to work. The horse snorted and sidestepped, earning a hard yank on the bridle. Time to go. He swung into the saddle and laid his spurs to his mount’s sides. His gelding lunged forward, covering the ground between the freshly cut fence and the small band of horses milling a hundred yards away. Good. Looked like they were rarin’ to run. A loud shout and a swing of his rope accomplished what he hoped. The horses took off through the opening and, seconds later, disappeared into the trees.

One more notch in his boss’s belt for pulling this off. He’d rather have kept the horses moving and taken them to a buyer. The sale of a few dozen of these horses would bring in quite a sum. He rubbed his chin and grinned. Maybe…

No. He’d seen what the boss did to those who double-crossed him. Better keep to the plan. No sense gettin’ himself killed—no amount of money was worth that.

Alex hurried down the staircase, intent on getting to the kitchen in time to help with supper preparations. Ranch chores had consumed most of the day, and she’d barely had time to clean up and slip into a dress.

She met Uncle Joe at the bottom of the stairs, where it opened onto the entry. Approval sparked his gaze as he took in her feminine garb. “I think your ma had the right idea when she insisted you be trained in the ways of a lady. You look mighty fine tonight.”

“Why, thank you, Uncle.” Alex stretched up and planted a light kiss on his cheek. “I guess it’s nice to be noticed once in a while.”

“Huh. Seems like you’ve been gettin’ plenty of noticin’ these past few days.”

Her eyebrows rose and she took a step back, inspecting his face. “Meaning?”

“That young man, Justin. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen him peekin’ at you whenever you wear a dress to the supper table.”

“No, I haven’t. And I think you’ve got quite an imagination.”

He shook his head and grunted a negative. “Figured you’d seen it your own self, or I’d not have mentioned it. But don’t let it go to yer head, Alex. He’s more’n likely passin’ through. Wouldn’t want you settin’ your sights on him and havin’ your heart broke.”

Alex grabbed his arm and pulled him into her office. “Uncle Joe! What if he’d heard you? I’m not setting my sights on him, and my heart is not in danger.”

“Humph.” The old gray head wagged, and Joe rapped his cane on the floor. “I’m not blind, lass. I’ve seen you lookin’ at him when you think no one’s watchin’. I’m just warnin’ you, that’s all. Hate to see you hurt.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a brief hug then left the room, his cane echoing off the wood floor.

Justin hung his lariat on his saddle and swung the saddle onto a rack on the wall of the barn. He’d rubbed his horse down and turned him out in the small pasture allotted to his stallion. From the sounds emanating from his stomach, it must be near suppertime. His mouth watered. No matter what the fare might be, it would be good. No doubt about it, Martha was the best cook he’d encountered. He’d made a point of telling her how much he appreciated her care of Toby the past few days along with her excellent meals.