An Unexpected Valentine -

My encore story at the Free Reads is a Valentine story I wrote two years ago and posted on this site.

An Unexpected Valentine

By

Paty Jager

Spencerville, Oregon

1890

Someone pounded on the back door of his twin sister’s home as Willem Kerk stepped into the kitchen.

“Janna, I need to hide! Janna, please!”

Willem’s heart picked up speed. He knew that pleading voice well. It was the reason he hadn’t returned to Spencerville after becoming a doctor. He hadn’t wished to open wounds this woman had made. The desperation in her frantic plea and pounding fists tugged at his heart and his feet, drawing him crossed the room.

Willem opened the door.

The blustery January wind blew in snowflakes, chilling his hands and face. A thin woman dressed in a baggy cotton dress fell into him. The moment his hands gripped her cold, boney arms she glanced up into his face. He barely recognized the woman who’d stolen his heart and turned to another when he set out to make a life for them both. If not for her full head of red curls, he would have guessed her to be another woman.  

Her wide, frightened, green eyes narrowed and she shoved out of his hands. Her arms lifted as if protecting her head from blows. “Where’s Janna?” she asked, turning her back to him and side-stepping deeper into the kitchen.

Willem had worked with battered women at the hospital in Chicago. His heart sputtered almost to a stop to think the man Molly had chosen over him was hurting her. He counted to ten, inhaled deep, and slowly released his breath to tamp down the flaring rage this realization sparked.

“She went to the mercantile to get the powders our father needs.”

Shivers not of fear or revulsion snaked up Molly Lawrence’s backbone and warmed an empty space in her chest. When she’d realized she’d fallen into the arms of a man, she’d thought it was Janna’s husband Ronald. But the face she peered into and the soft voice with an accent just like Janna’s visited her dreams. There hadn’t been a night since marrying David Lawrence that she didn’t think of the man who left her for a profession as a doctor.  Had Janna told her brother about the beatings?

Before she made the decision to turn and let him see the damage David did this time, large hands gently grasped her arms. She started to struggle, knowing only hurt from a man’s hands the past five years.

“It’s all right, Molly. I won’t hurt you. It is I, Willem.” His hands remained, but the grip loosened.

 The calm, deep voice reassuring her took her back to the carefree days when she and Willem were inseparable. She peered up into his face.

His bluish-gray eyes studied her. His expression never changing, but the color of his eyes grew brighter. She remembered how they would darken when his mood changed. But mostly right before he kissed her. His grip tightened, and she sucked air, preparing to flee.

He released her arms but stood steadfastly in front of her.

“Who did this to you?” He motioned for her to sit at the kitchen table.

Molly’s legs shook from her run and the realization the one man she’d always wanted had just witnessed the mess she’d made of her life. She shuffled to the chair and plopped on the hard surface. The last few months her body had lost much of her padding and the wood smacked against her sitting bones. She grimaced at the slight pain and jarring.

Willem’s back was to her as she settled onto the chair and pulled her sleeves down to hide the bruises on her wrists and lower arms.

The only man she’d ever loved knelt beside her, holding a glass of water.

“Who did this?” His fingers skimmed over the older bruises on her face. The touch was soft, like a feather caressing her cheek. The complete opposite of her husband’s touch. How many nights had she lain in her bed, spilling tears down her cheeks, and wishing this man lay beside her?

He skimmed her face again, drawing her gaze back to his. “Who hurt you?”

“David. I didn’t have his dinner ready. I’d been helping old missus Crandall and lost track of time.”  She hated to admit to the mess she’d made of her life, but she couldn’t lie to Willem. Had never been able to hide her feelings, which was why it had hurt so bad when he chose doctoring over her. She choked back a sob as the last horrid half hour played in her mind.

Her arms trembled remembering the vibration of the skillet when it connected with David’s head. Fear shot her out of the chair. “I have to go. I need to borrow a coat from Janna.”

“No.” Willem gently settled her back down on the chair.

She didn’t hear the words coming out of Willem’s soft lips, only the calm, deep voice as terror clawed at her throat. She’d killed her husband!

“I can’t go to jail! I didn’t mean to…he was… I couldn’t take another beating.”

“Shhh…” He forced the glass of water into her hands. “Drink, then tell me what happened.”

She stared into his kind eyes. Eyes that as a young man had crinkled at the edges when he laughed at her silly comments. Her gaze dropped to his lips, now pressed together in a stern line. There was a time when those lips turned up at the corners and made her heart skip. The softness of them nuzzling her neck and kissing her cheek…

The swallow of water stuck in her throat and she coughed, spewing across Janna’s clean table cloth.  What have I done?

A large, warm hand leisurely rubbed circles on her back. She leaned back into the warm, gentle touch.

“Why are you set on running away? If your husband is beating you, you have grounds to divorce him.”

Willem’s calm demeanor helped to settle her rattled state.

Molly drew in a breath and peered into his eyes. “I may be a widow.”

His hand stalled, then resumed the circles. “How is that?”

“Janna has been badgering me to stand up to David. She said a man who beats a woman is a coward.” Molly shuddered as the vision of David roaring blasphemies and coming at her with his fists raised played in her mind. “When I told him I was going to leave him if he didn’t stop beating on me, he charged like a rank bull. I grabbed the closest thing…a skillet…and struck him alongside the head.” She turned to the man sitting on a chair beside her. When had he sat on the chair? Shaking her head she continued. “He went down to his knees then sunk to the floor, blood spilled over the floor by his head.” She grabbed his shirt. “I didn’t know what else to do, so I ran over here. Janna’s always been here for me.”

Willem cursed as the back door opened and shut. His sister returning couldn’t have been timed any better.

Janna crossed the room at a run. “Godverdomme, Molly, he’s been beating on you again.”

Willem stared at his sister. “I’ll speak with you later. Right now I want you to get a blanket to wrap around Molly. Give her a cup of tea and some broth. I have a patient to tend.”

Both women stared at him when he returned to the kitchen with his doctor’s bag in his hand and dressed to weather the cold. If Molly knocked her husband out, he’d patch him up and give him the same talking he did the husband’s of the women he’d patched up in Chicago. Give the wife a divorce and move on or he’d press charges. While there were still many men who believed a wife deserved a beating, the women were starting to get more voice in politics and with their husbands. Spencerville wouldn’t tolerate a wife beater, which brought up the question—How had Molly kept it a secret from everyone but Janna? If the man was dead…he’d find a way to keep her out of jail.

It didn’t take him long to traverse Main Street and find the path to the Lawrence house. Janna had pointed it out when he’d first arrived to help with their ailing father. His strides shortened and his gait slowed. How would he respond to the man if he was merely injured? He’d never liked David even when they were schoolmates together. He’d seen the brutal side to him then. But he hadn’t been here to talk Molly out of marrying the man. According to Janna she’d tried to explain her brother would be back and to wait for him, but Molly didn’t believe her best friend anymore than she believed him. It still ate at his pride that she didn’t believe he would come back and marry her.

He knocked on the wide open door. “Mr. Lawrence? David?” Willem called out before stepping across the threshold. The house was eerily quiet. The scent of blood hung in the air. It had taken him nearly a year to get used to the scent when repairing mangled bodies at the hospital. The factories and warehouses maimed many men…and boys.

“Mr. Lawrence?” He stepped into the kitchen. David didn’t lie in a heap on the floor, but the evidence of Molly’s fear congealed on the floor. A cast iron frying pan larger than he thought Molly could lift lay on the wood beside a fair-sized spot of glistening blood.

Where was David? Terror squeezed his chest. Looking for Molly!

His first instinct had been to clean up the mess so no one knew what had happened, but the knowledge the man could be searching for his wife and would be even angrier at her fighting back, sent him back out the front door and running to his sister’s house.

***

Molly huddled over the steam from the tea and the broth Janna had placed in front of her. Pulling the scratchy wool blanket tighter around her body, she moaned. Her life had turned out so different from what she’d planned. And now, she could be going to jail for killing a man who had beat on her since two weeks after their wedding five years ago.

The back door banged opened and she froze. Was David still alive? Fear started trembling at her toes and worked up her body until her head started shaking. She fought to keep her vision from blurring. What did death feel like? It had to be better than the past five years.

Willem hadn’t meant to bang the door open so hard. In his fear for Molly, he’d hit the door at a run, slamming it against the wall.

Janna jumped and scolded him, but his gaze was on the woman shaking like a wagon on a rutted road.  He closed the door quietly and walked over to the chair.

“Molly, you didn’t kill David. He wasn’t there.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she jerked away her body vibrating.

“Molly, sweetheart, liefje, I won’t let him touch you.” Willem scooped her shaking form up in his arms and carried her into the parlor where he sat on the settee with her on his lap and rubbed her arms and back, trying to bring her back to the present.

“Janna, bring tea with lots of sugar,” he called into the kitchen.

When his sister entered the room, he flashed her with a stern look. “Lock all the doors and only let your husband in.”

Janna nodded and scurried from the room.

“Liefje, look at me.” He tipped Molly’s chin up so her beautiful green eyes stared into his. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Placing her small hand on his chest over his heart, he said, “This heart still beats for you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get you away from that man.”

He saw a brief flicker in her eyes.

“Drink this.” Willem held the tea up to her lips. She sipped, her eyes steady on his. By the time the cup was empty, her body had stopped shaking. He continued to rub her arms and back. She was so bony. Even her adolescent body hadn’t been this thin. It would be hard to not take a cast iron skillet to David’s head himself when he saw him.

Molly squirmed and he realized he’d stopped rubbing and was squeezing her arm.

“Sorry. I’ll keep my thoughts only on getting you well and keeping you safe.” He kissed her forehead.

Tears trickled down her cheeks.

“Do you hurt somewhere I can’t see?” His hands felt her ribs, slid down her abdomen, and started to descend her legs.

She stayed his hands with hers. “No.” She sniffled. “I’m not hurt anywhere else. Why are you being so kind? You walked away from me.”

His neck cracked as he brought his gaze up to meet hers. “I never walked away from you. I told you I’d be back in four years and we’d marry. You’re the one who didn’t wait for me.”

Her eyes snapped with indignation. “When my parents died and I had nowhere to go, I sent you a letter, asking if you still wanted to marry me, could we do it then, so I wouldn’t be at the mercy of the only other man who was asking for my hand, David.”

An invisible hatchet split his heart in two. She’d reached out to him and he’d let her down.

“I never received a letter from you. Only the one from Janna saying you’d married David Lawrence.” He gathered her into his arms and held her close. “Liefje, I’m so sorry. I would have married you and figured out how to support you and get through my schooling.” His heart ached for all she’d endured.

She snuggled against his chest, and he thought he heard a sigh. He wasn’t going to let her get away again. He’d fight whoever he needed to get her out of her marriage and into his arms every night.

***

The next two weeks, Molly remained in the Kerk household. Willem had told the marshal what had happened between David and Molly. The man said he’d had his suspicions, but Molly hadn’t come out in public much, and when she did, she appeared happy.

Willem didn’t care what the town thought. He escorted Molly to dine at the hotel restaurant. Janna had loaned her a dress for the occasion. It fit Molly better now that she was eating well and not in fear all the time. She was blossoming into the young woman he’d dreamed about every night since he went away to medical school.

“You didn’t have to bring me out like this,” Molly whispered, scanning the room.

“You have nothing to worry about. Everyone in town knows what David did to you.” He wanted to reach across the table and smooth the worry lines from her brow, but she was still a married woman. He’d take care of that whenever that coward of a husband turned up.

“But I am still married to him. We shouldn’t be acting as if you’re courting me in public,” she whispered and sat back as the waiter set their meals in front of them.

“Everyone also knows my intentions and that you are living with my sister, her husband, and my father. You are worrying too much.” He smiled and nodded to her plate. “Eat.”

She grudgingly started eating. Halfway through their meal the marshal strolled into the restaurant followed by Janna and Ronald.

“Mr. Kerk, Mrs. Lawrence, I need to speak with you.” The marshal held his hat in his hands. A dour expression darkened his face.

Willem glanced at Janna. She nodded slightly, but her worried gaze rested on Molly.

“Of course.” Willem stood and held Molly’s chair as she rose. The color drained from her face, and Janna hurried to Molly’s other side. Willem and his sister escorted Molly out to an alcove in the lobby.

Willem turned to the marshal. “What did you wish to speak to us about?” He held Molly’s hand, squeezing it to show his support.

“I just got word that Mr. David Lawrence is to be hung on February 14^th for the murder of a prostitute over in The Dalles.” The marshal kept his eyes on Molly. “From what I gather he showed up in town, got roaring drunk, found a red-haired woman, and killed her. Wasn’t no need to go to trial since there were witnesses to the attack.”  He ducked his head. “The witnesses say he was shoutin’ that it would be the last time she smacked him with a fryin’ pan.”

Molly teetered and Willem put an arm around her waist, easing her down onto the chair behind her.

“He killed that woman thinking she was me, didn’t he?”

Her whispered question froze Willem’s heart.

“Yes, ma’am I reckon he did. He was looking for a woman with hair the color of yours.”

Molly started shaking.

“Thank you for carrying out your duty, marshal.” Willem picked Molly up and headed for the door. Janna held it open, and he headed for his sister’s house.

Molly would be a widow on February 14^th.  It was a tragic end to Molly and David’s marriage, but an unexpected Valentine’s gift for him and Molly. They only had to wait a respectable time after that and they could marry.

In the meantime, he planned to prove to her she would be cherished for the rest of her life.

www.patyjager.net

Writing into the Sunset

Facebook Fan Page

Courting the Outlaw's Wife-Part Four - by Paty Jager

Courting the Outlaw's Wife - Part Four

 by 

Paty Jager

copyright 2014

Part Four

Sara Lynn knew the town was talking about her and the sheriff. When she’d walked into town leading his horse with his unconscious, bleeding body hung over the saddle, the tongues and rumors had started flying. It wouldn’t be long and they’d figure out who she was. She wanted to stay in Grass Valley. Wanted to see if the fluttery, warmth she felt when she looked at and touched Shaw was more than an infatuation like it had been with Chet.

If she married again it would be because she loved and respected the man, not just found him a means to escape a dull life.

When she’d expressed the notion of moving on, Shaw had asked her to stay. She hadn’t missed the flare of desire in his eyes. A man like him wouldn’t lead a woman on. If he had notions he wanted to spend time with a woman, he’d tell her straight out.

Sara Lynn nodded to Mr. Franks, her clerk, as she carried a tray with eggs and toast past the registration desk and down the hall to her quarters at the back of the hotel.

The proper thing would have been to put the sheriff in a room upstairs, however, the first couple of days he’d needed constant care, and it was easier for her to do with him sleeping in her bed. She’d had Betsy Watson, the young woman who cleaned the rooms, make a bed for her on the couch in her sitting room.

Sara Lynn opened the door to her rooms and entered.  Dr. Smith walked out of her bedroom.

“Mrs. Star, our patient is healing quite well. I think he’ll be ready to move back to his residence tomorrow.” 

“That’s wonderful news,” she said, with more enthusiasm than she felt. She’d miss their long conversations. Chet had never taken the time to listen about her childhood or her likes and dislikes. The past four days and nights, she and Shaw had learned everything there was to know about one another as they sat together talking.

“I’ll let the deputy know that Sheriff DeRai will be moving back in tomorrow.”

“Thank you. I’m sure he will appreciate that.” Sara Lynn set the tray down on a side table and walked Dr. Smith to her door.

“You should change the bandage on his shoulder tomorrow before he leaves. I don’t see any reason for me to check on him for a couple days.”

“Thank you, again. I’ll see to the bandage change and that he is moved tomorrow.” Her heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t want him to leave. Even in his incapacitated condition she felt safe with him sleeping in her bed.

“Good day.” Dr. Smith walked out.

She shut the door, leaning her back against it. If only there was a way to keep Shaw here…

“Do I smell breakfast?”

Sara Lynn jumped. Shaw stood in the bedroom doorway. His upper body was bare except for the strip of white sheet wrapped around his torso to hold the bandages in place. His pants weren’t completely buttoned and rode low on his hips.

Drool pooled in her mouth as she stared at the man. The last few days nursing him, he’d been shirtless with a sheet covering his lower limbs, but him standing and looking handsome with an unshaven face, had her heart prancing around like a filly in a field of clover.

“Sara? Sara Lynn? What’s wrong?” He strode toward her, bringing that tantalizing body closer.

Her gaze traveled up his lean stomach, over the bandage on his wide chest, and lingered at his mouth. She couldn’t stop her hands. Her fingers made contact with his bare torso and all good sense flew out of her head. Taking care of him she’d touched him, let her hands linger longer than necessary, but having him on his feet and oozing manliness, she wanted to feel his arms around her and his lips pressed to hers.

Shaw saw the desire in Sara Lynn’s beautiful blue eyes as her hands caressed his chest. He couldn’t have walked away if a gun was held to his head.

He pulled her into his arms and bent his head, capturing her full, pink mouth with his. The last few days, layin’ in her bed, catching whiffs of her scent, having her taking care of him, telling him about her childhood; he wanted her in his life every night and day.

She pressed against him as if she couldn’t get close enough. He wanted all she was willing to give. Deepening the kiss, he opened his mouth, tracing her lips, coaxing for an intimate taste. His hands roamed over her body, wishing she had as few clothes on as he did.

Her lips parted, and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting, savoring. She moaned and her hands gripped his shoulders.

Banging on the door, he pressed her against, broke through the haze of desire he was wrapped in. Shaw withdrew from the kiss and rested his forehead against Sara Lynn’s. He wanted her, but not because they had to marry from his carrying on.

“Mrs. Star! Mrs. Star,” Betsy’s hysterical voice called. “There’s a man out here insisting you come out.” She banged on the door. “Mr. Franks has a gun on him but I don’t like the looks of the man.”

Sara Lynn shoved out of his arms. “Quick! Get dressed and get out the back way. It has to be Boyd,” she hissed in a loud whisper, pushing him toward the bedroom.  

She turned to the door. “Betsy, tell him I’ll be right out,” Sara Lynn said loud enough to be heard through the door.

Shaw’s heart stopped at the thought of Sara Lynn standing up to the outlaw. He caught her wrist, keeping her from going out the door. “You said you wanted out of that life. That you were scared of him. Stay here. Let me deal with him.”

Her eyes were wide with fright, but the stubborn set to her jaw and mouth told him she wouldn’t listen to reason.

“No. He wants me. If I go out there, he won’t come storming in here and harm you. You’re in no shape to go up against Boyd and however many men he has with him.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “I’ll remember the days we’ve spent together with fondness.” She placed a hand on his cheek.

He closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her small hand. The next minute he heard the door shut and the lock click.

 Damn! He’d let his softness for the woman drop his guard. If she thought locking him in would keep him from going after her, she didn’t know him very well.

He stomped into the bedroom, donned the rest of his clothing, buckled on his holster, shoved his hat on his head, and opened the bedroom window. His shoulder twinged at the activity but there was no way in hell he’d allow the outlaw to ride out of town with the woman he loved.

~*~

Sara Lynn’s insides were squirming like she’d eaten a bad meal. She didn’t want to go with Boyd, but she loved Shaw and refused to have her past bring him harm. The only way she knew to do that was to go with Boyd and wait for a chance to get away.

She walked up the hall and saw her ex-brother-in-law glaring at Mr. Franks. She had to give the older man credit the rifle wasn’t wavering under the fierce glare of the notorious outlaw Boyd Star.

“Boyd, back on out and I’ll come with you.” She put a hand on Mr. Franks’ shoulder and lowered the rifle with her other hand. “Mr. Franks why don’t you and Betsy go on into the restaurant and make sure everyone stays put until we leave town. I don’t want anyone getting hurt on my account.”

Mr. Franks studied her a moment then nodded and grasped Betsy by the arm, hauling the girl over to the door leading into the restaurant.

“You always were soft, Sara Lynn,” Boyd said, taking a step toward her.

“No!” She raised her hands. “I told you to back on out and I’d join you. I want to make sure no one in this hotel is harmed. This is the closest I’ve come to having friends and a normal life, I won’t have my past taint any of it.”

The leering smile she loathed, curled Boyd’s lips and he backed to the door, holding it open for her.

Her legs moved like huge tree trunks, stiff and heavy. She didn’t want to leave her hotel, her life, especially now knowing what she felt for Sheriff Shaw DeRai was more than infatuation. It was pure and honest love. She’d realized that before he’d kissed her, but having tasted his kisses, she knew there would never be another stir her heart and soul like him.

“Come on. If you don’t get a move on I’ll have to haul you over my shoulder to the preacher.

She squeaked. “Preacher?”

He leered at her and grabbed her arm when she was within reach. “You and me are going to get married and then you can’t run away.”

Just watch me.

“Boyd, don’t you think this is a bit quick.” She scanned the street. As she’d feared, he’d brought the whole gang with him. That’s why it took him three days to get back here. Seeing the seven other men, she knew there was no way out of this marriage. Not if she didn’t want the townsfolk to die.

“Nope, I’ve wanted you for my wife since the day I laid eyes on you.” He wrapped his arm around her, digging his fingers into her waist.

She squirmed. “Ouch! If you want me to be a willing bride you shouldn’t hurt me.”

He loosened his grip but not much. She noted most of the townsfolk were staying inside. She hoped they all stayed there until the gang rode out of town.

She and Boyd walked down the street with the gang on horseback behind them.

“Where’s that sheriff I hear you been takin’ care of?”

He asked in a nonchalant way, but she knew he was fishing for information. “I don’t know. The Doctor moved him this morning.” 

“Billy, go check the hotel for the sheriff!” Boyd hollered over his shoulder.

“There’s no need. I said he was gone.” Sara Lynn dug her heels in and glared at Boyd.

He laughed. “By your actions I say he’s there and you’re hiding him.”

They stopped in front of the only church in town. Reverend Mann stepped out the door.

“How can I help you, Mrs. Star?” His gaze drifted over Boyd and the rest of the men.

“We want to get married,” Boyd said, drawing her forward.

“I see. Mrs. Star, is this true?” His faded blue eyes peered into hers.

She wanted to say no, but knew to disagree she’d unleash Boyd’s nastiness.

“Yes, please, Reverend Mann. The sooner we’re married the sooner we’ll leave.” She hoped he understood, she was trying to avoid trouble for the town.

The reverend nodded. “Very well. But I ask that all guns remain outside the house of the Lord.” His gaze landed on Boyd’s holstered gun.

“Pete, come get my holster.” Boyd unbuckled his holster. “The rest of you stand guard. Don’t let anyone in, you hear?”

They nodded and agreed.

At least he wouldn’t be armed. Maybe she and the reverend could render him helpless…

Shaw stood just inside the church door. He’d hustled to the church as soon as he heard Boyd’s marriage idea. He’d had just enough time to ask the reverend to make sure Boyd was weaponless before he came in the church before the outlaws arrived.

The reverend entered followed by Sara Lynn, looking scared and tense. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her everything would be fine, but first he had to take care of Boyd Star.

The man hesitated then walked through the door. Shaw gave him several steps before he walked up behind Boyd and slammed the butt of his pistol down on the outlaw’s head.

He dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Sara Lynn whirled around but covered her mouth, stifling a scream. When she registered who stood in the aisle, she leaped over the outlaw and landed in Shaw’s arms.

He hugged her tight.

“We need to do something with this man and the men outside waiting,” said the reverend.

Shaw released Sara Lynn. “Sit here while I tie up Boyd.” He eased her into a pew and followed the reverend to the back of the church to find rope.

“Is there a way out of here that his men won’t be watching?” Boyd asked as they dug a length of rope out of a broom closet.

“No.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to take him out through the front door.” Shaw hurried back to Boyd and Sara Lynn. The man might be knocked out, but he could wake up at any time. He dropped down beside the outlaw, tying his hands behind his back good and tight.

He sat down on the pew next to Sara Lynn. “I’m going to take him out the front door and hope the gang will not retaliate worrying they might hit Boyd.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Shh, I’ll be fine. But only if you stay here with Reverend Mann so I don’t have to worry about you.”

She ducked her head.

“Look at me.” He tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. “When I get Boyd locked up, and his gang has either left or been locked up, I’m coming back here and we’re going to get married.”

Her eyes widened, and she sniffed back tears. “Are you asking me to marry you, Sheriff DeRai?”

The love shining in her eyes told him all he needed to know. “Yes, I am. Sara Lynn will you make me a happy man and become my wife?”

She flung her arms around his neck. “Yes!”

He kissed her lips and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Shaw’s chest filled with love and pride that this woman wanted to be his wife. First he had to deal with the one person who could ruin everything for them.

Drawing out of the kiss, he eased away from Sara Lynn. “Stay here. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She clung to his hand as he stood. Her fear for him would make his decisions more calculated. He didn’t want to make her a widow again before they were even married.

“I’ll be careful.”

He grabbed Boyd by the collar lifting him to his feet.

“Reverend, open the door when I tell you.” Shaw stood the outlaw in front of the door and pressed his pistol to the man’s side. “Now.”

The door opened and Shaw shoved Boyd’s body out the door in front of him. He had to look twice. All the outlaws had their hands in the air. Scanning the rows of horses, he noted his deputy and a dozen other men had rifles aimed at the outlaws.

“Good work, Hollister!” Shaw said, shoving Boyd ahead of him.

“I see you caught the leader,” Hollister said, coming forward and taking hold of Boyd.

“I had some help.” Shaw glanced over his shoulder and winked at Sara Lynn and Reverend Mann standing in the doorway.

~*~

Sara Lynn couldn’t stop smiling. They’d waited a day to get married at the request of the town. Everyone wanted to be at the wedding. And everyone wanted to tell her how they had all rallied around to make sure she wasn’t taken away by the outlaws.

“Mrs. DeRai, may I have this dance?” Shaw stood in front of her looking too handsome for any one man to look. Her heart spun in her chest. He was her husband. A good, honest man who loved her even knowing her past.

“I would love to dance with you Mr. DeRai, but,” she leaned forward to whisper in his ear, “I’d prefer dancing alone, in our bedroom.”

His chuckle in her ear and his hand grasping hers, told her he had the same idea.

“We are no longer needed here and it is our wedding night.” Shaw led her out of the hotel restaurant, down the hall, and into their living quarters.

The lock clicked, and she drifted into the arms of the man she loved. 

www.patyjager.net

www.patyjager.blogspot.com

Courting the Outlaw's Wife - Part Three- by Paty Jager

Courting the Outlaw's Wife

by 

Paty Jager

Copyright 2014

Part Three

Shaw’s head hurt like a herd of horses stampeded around inside his skull. The ache in his chest rivaled the ache in his head. The men who rode up on them and shot him were obviously outlaws. They’d known Sara Lynn, called her by her first name. He still held her arm, as much to help him stay awake as to show her he wanted answers.

“How do you know those men?” he asked, again, making his head pounded harder.

“The one you hit with your gun is my dead husband’s brother.”

Her arm quivered in his hand. He loosened his grip.

“Who was your husband?”

He had a pretty good idea what her answer would be. He’d not connected her last name to the notorious Star gang until just now.

“Chet Star. That was his brother, Boyd.”

Shaw released her arm, but remained on the ground.  His eyes closed, willing his roiling gut to ease up so he didn’t embarrass himself by vomiting.

Movement and whispers of a breeze made teased his eyes open. Sara Lynn sat beside him pulling on her stockings. Her silhouette was as pretty as he remembered from all the times he’d watched her from across the street. He’d spent too many nights standing in the shadows across from her hotel and the adjoining saloon, waiting for a fight to break out, just so he could break it up and get a glimpse of Mrs. Sara Lynn Star.

She finished buckling her shoe and peered straight into his eyes. The concern pooling in her emerald eyes eased the pain pounding in his head.

“I know your head and shoulder have to be hurting something awful, but we need to get to town. You need a doctor, and I need to pack.”

The sadness in her voice caused his mind to take longer to register the words.

“What do you mean pack?” He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to know more about her and see if they might have a chance to become better acquainted.

“I can’t stay here now that Boyd knows where I am. No one will be safe. He’ll hurt people to get to me.” She swallowed. “I don’t have any proof, but I think he shot Chet to make me a widow.”

Shaw studied the sorrow in her eyes. He pushed to a sitting position with his good arm. Squeezing his eyes shut, he fought off nausea and the pounding. He had something to say and couldn’t say it with the racket in his head.

Her hand on his arm steadied him and gave him the fortitude to open his eyes.

“What makes you think Boyd killed your husband?” He watched her as intently as his banging head would allow.

She shivered and her gaze held his. “I didn’t meet Boyd until after Chet and I ran off and married. But when I did, he scared me and I could see in his eyes he was jealous of Chet. I don’t think he wanted me, he wanted what Chet had.”

“You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure it was some of both.” Shaw reached out touching her cheek.

Her eyes glowed with renewed strength. “If Boyd came around when Chet was gone, I had to make sure I was never alone. He’d paw me and say things that he shouldn’t have said to his brother’s wife.” Her spine stiffened and anger glinted in her eyes. “I loved Chet with a young girl’s innocence. He was good to me and made sure I was provided for when he was gone. But after a few years, I realized the mistake I’d made.” She looked away. “The day they brought Chet home, a part of me hoped he’d die. Then I could be free of the gang and that way of life. But I did everything I could to save him.” Her gaze returned to him. “I would never intentionally wish ill of anyone.”

“I know. It’s not in you.” He saw her regret at her earlier thoughts mirrored in her eyes.

“Then when Chet died and Boyd started saying things, I had a feeling he was the one who shot Chet. And he would come to my home and try…” She bit her lip.

Anger surged through Shaw, causing his head to renew the throbbing.

“Did he hurt you?” He could barely say the words with his jaw locked in anger.

“He would have taken me one night. But a neighbor I’d confided in saw Boyd’s horse tied to a tree behind the house. She forced her husband to check on me.” Anger flared in her eyes. “That’s when I packed a valise and headed out looking for a place to stay and not be found. I thought Grass Valley was it.”

“It is.” Shaw cupped her cheek with his hand. “You don’t have to run if this is where you want to stay.” He wanted her to stay. His life had been empty until Sara Lynn arrived in his town. He wanted to court her proper and give her the life she deserved.

She nuzzled her cheek into his hand. The softness and warmth made his palm tingle. The trust in her eyes squeezed his heart.

He leaned forward and brushed a kiss across her lips. “We better get to Grass Valley.”

She nodded and stood, offering him a hand up.

He wanted to get patched up and on the mend when Boyd Star came after Sara Lynn. She was a woman worth fighting for and he planned to win.

www.patyjager.net

www.patyjager.blogspot.com

Courting the Outlaw's Wife - Part Two - by Paty Jager

Courting the Outlaw's Wife - Part Two

by Paty Jager

Copyright 2014

“No!” screamed Sara Lynn, dropping to her knees beside Shaw. Blood seeped from his left shoulder and a red gash appeared across his forehead at the hairline, trickling blood down his face. She ripped the hem of her shift and pressed it to the seeping shoulder wound.

With her free hand she picked up Shaw’s revolver and pointed it at the two outlaw’s standing over her dead husband’s brother, Boyd Star. “Take him away from here now or I’ll shoot the lot of you.” She kept her voice steely and low, like she’d learned from Chet. If you wanted people to do what you said, you had to say it like you meant it.

They picked Boyd up off the ground. He moaned.

Sara Lynn cringed. If he woke up before they were a good distance away, she knew he’d be right back as quick as the horse could run. He’d been after her since the day Chet was wounded in a failed robbery. He couldn’t wait for his brother’s body to grow cold before he started talking about bedding her.

She shook with disgust. Boyd had always made her skin crawl.

Chet on the other hand… She’d been infatuated with Chet Star the day he rode into her little town and smiled at her. The farmer’s sons in the area hadn’t sparked her attention like the young man riding tall and staring at her as if she was made of gold.

The two outlaws flung Boyd’s body over his horse and headed east at a trot.

She dropped the revolver and ripped another strip from her shift. Measuring enough to wrap and tie around Shaw’s head, she ripped the remainder off. The extra was folded and placed over the gash. She wrapped the long strip around his head and the folded piece, tying the ends.

Having a husband that got in scraps with the law frequently, she’d learned the first week of their marriage how to tend to bullet holes.

Her shift grew smaller and smaller as she ripped more strips for bandages. Easing Shaw’s head out of her lap, she walked behind the bush concealing her clothes and slipped out of the shift. She stood in just her drawers contemplating whether or not to don the corset. It would be uncomfortable against her skin without her shift underneath. She decided to leave it off and toed it under a bush to hopefully retrieve later.

When her petticoat, skirt, and blouse were all on and buttoned up, she carried her shoes, stockings, and shift back to where Shaw lay.

He murmured and stirred.

“Shh… Don’t move too much until I get your shoulder bandaged.” She ripped her shift up in two strips and the rest in squares.

“What? Where are they?” His blond lashes rose, revealing unfocused brown eyes.

“They’re gone.” At least until Boyd wakes up. She fumbled with the buttons on Shaw’s blue cotton shirt. This is no different than any other man I’ve doctored. 

Her gaze drifted over his strong chin, full lips, masculine nose, and his brown eyes, half hidden behind slightly lowered lids. Her breath hitched. What she felt for this man was ten-fold the feelings she’d felt for a man she married. And this man she’d talked to briefly and watched often.

Her fingers trembled as she worked the buttons free and revealed his broad, tan chest. A small patch of shimmery blond curls graced the center of his chest. She shoved the shirt back to reveal the bullet hole. The garish red hole and trickling blood, stilled her heart. If the bullet had hit more to the right, he wouldn’t have made it back to Grass Valley.

She pressed the cloth to the wound and leaned over him to run her hand behind his shoulder to see if the bullet went all the way through. Her fingers touched a sticky, warm spot and Shaw grimaced.

Peering into his eyes, she said, “The bullet went all the way through. That’s good. It means it didn’t damage any bone and will heal quicker because I don’t have to dig around in you and get the bullet out.”

She pulled her hand out from under him and started to straighten.

His other hand grabbed her arm. “How do you know so much about patching up someone whose been shot, and why did those men know you by your first name?”

Sara Lynn didn’t like the distrust glowing in his eyes. She had dreamed of seeing those eyes filled with love—for her.

Coming next Friday, Part Three

www.patyjager.net

Writing into the Sunset

Courting the Outlaw's Wife- Part One- by Paty Jager

Courting the Outlaw's Wife - Part One

by Paty Jager
copyright 2014

It had been years since Sara Lynn blushed.

Finding the one man she wanted and could never have standing next to the waterhole where she liked to cool off on hot days flared heat to her cheeks and stuck her tongue to the roof of her mouth.

She’d stepped out from behind the bushes in nothing but her shift and found the handsome sheriff of Wasco County standing at the water’s edge.

“What are you doing out here, Mrs. Star?” Sheriff Shaw DeRai asked, his gaze taking its time wandering down her scantily-clad body to her bare toes and back up to her face.

The only other times he’d spoken to her had been while busting up rowdies on Saturday night in the saloon attached to her hotel. The deep timbre and amusement in his voice tickled her insides.

“Taking a dip in this waterhole. It’s miserably hot today.” She scanned the area to make sure he was alone. “How come you’re so far from town?”

“My horse threw a shoe, and we stopped for a drink. It is a hot day.”

His dark green gaze raked over her, again, and she could have sworn his tanned faced took on a rosy hue under the gray Stetson and blond curls.

The sound of pounding hooves and shouts tore through the stillness.

Sheriff DeRai shoved Sara Lynn behind him and drew his six-shooter as three rough looking men barreled into sight.

She studied the three. Her chest squeezed.

No, not now, not when she was finally feeling free and making a good living.

If they recognized her, she’d have to pick up and leave, again. Sara Lynn clenched the back of the sheriff’s shirt and buried her head against his spine. She’d moved six times the last two years to avoid coming across her dead husband’s band of outlaws. And here they were nearly running she and the sheriff over.

Shaw DeRai shot his pistol in the air. Mrs. Star jerked his shirt at the sound. He liked the way she burrowed into his back hiding behind him. Her actions proved she trusted him. Ever since she bought the hotel and he’d got his first glimpse of her at a town meeting, he’d wanted to get to know her better. Her copper colored hair, deep green eyes, and porcelain skin filled many of his lonely evenings as he daydreamed about courting her.

The horses dropped onto their haunches ten feet from him and Mrs. Star, coating them with dust.

She coughed.

His instinct was to pat her on the back, but the looks of the men peering down at them, he felt inclined to keep his pistol handy and his attention on the three men.

“What’cha hidin’ behind your back?” the man closest to him asked, waving his already drawn pistol.

Mrs. Star clutched his shirt tighter.

Shaw reached up and tugged on the collar so he could talk without being strangled. “It doesn’t matter what’s behind me. You three best be mosin’ on along.”

One of the men, sporting a dark beard had been sitting back listening and watching under the brim of a cavalry hat that had seen better days. He urged his horse forward and spat tobacco juice on the ground barely missing Shaw’s boot.

“We don’t take orders from no lawman.” He drew his pistol and clicked the hammer. “I’m close enough I could blow your head off and find out what’s behind you.”

Mrs. Star squeaked and stepped out from behind him.

“Ma’am, you don’t—” He reached out to move her back behind him. Her state of undress wasn’t something he wanted the likes of these men seeing.

“It’s all right, Sheriff. I don’t want you killed on my account.”

The bearded man in the cavalry hat hit the ground and strode forward. “Sara Lynn? We’ve been huntin’ all over this territory looking for you.”

Shaw moved to step back in front of her even as his mind was trying to figure out how these outlaws knew Mrs. Star, and by her first name.

The man shoved him to the side and picked her up in a big hug. “Damn woman, I thought I’d never lay eyes on you. When Chet died and you disappeared. I tore that town apart looking for you.”

“Put me down. There was a reason you couldn’t find me.” She beat on the man’s arms.

Shaw cocked his pistol and held it to the side of the man’s head. “The lady says she wants down.”

The man’s cold gaze raked over Sara Lynn in her chemise and then he shot a lethal glare at Shaw.

“You sparkin’ with this sheriff?” The man shook Sara Lynn like a rag doll.

That snapped Shaw’s limitations. He slammed the butt of his pistol into the man’s head.

Sara Lynn dropped and the man crumpled to the ground.

The click of two pistols rang in Shaw’s head seconds before he felt the bullets rip through him.

The last thing he remembered was Sara Lynn screeching before he passed out.

~*~

I'll post another section of this story every Friday during the month of March.

You can find more western stories, both short and novel length at my website: www.patyjager.net

Hometown Holiday by Paty Jager

Olivia Randle rushed into her favorite coffee shop, slipping into line beside her best friend.

“You’re late.” Amber stated the obvious. There was only one person ahead of them and not the usual six or eight when Olivia took cuts with Amber.

“I overslept. The Taylor party went on till midnight and then I had to finish washing the dishes before I could go to bed.” Olivia hated being late for anything, but she especially hated being late to the coffee shop. Over the last two weeks, there had been a newcomer who winked at her after he picked up his coffee and turned to leave. He had curly blond hair, long lashes, and deep blue eyes. Just the sight of him set her heart racing in her chest, but when he winked, her whole body shivered with delight.

Being late today meant she’d missed one of her cheerful moments in an otherwise dismal life.

“Cheer up. I heard the new pet store is looking for clerks for the holidays. You’re good with animals, go put in an application. It has to be better than washing dishes at your dad’s diner.” Amber stepped up to the counter. “Two hot chocolates with peppermint, please.”

Olivia, dug in her coat pocket for the three dollars for her cup.

“Put it away, this is on me.” Amber picked up the two cups and led Olivia to their favorite spot. The long, narrow counter looking out onto the main street of their hometown, Promise. 

“Here take my money. You can’t keep picking up the tab for me.” Olivia shoved the money in her best friend’s pocket. They became besties in first grade and even through family dysfunction, boyfriend jealousies, and scholarship competitions, they remained friends.

“I should have went to nursing school with you. Then I’d have a real job instead of filling in at Dad’s diner and taking odd jobs.” Olivia sipped her chocolate and watched old man Wheeler, the town grouch, wave the broom he swept leaves off the sidewalk with at the Mason boys.

“You would have been miserable in nursing school and you’d still be miserable.” Amber peered at Olivia over her cup as she blew on the steam. “But you really should have picked an occupation that you could use in Promise. You knew you would move back here after school.”

This wasn’t the first time she’d heard this. Her parents, uncles, aunts, and even the mailman repeated the same words to her every chance they had.

“But advertising is what I was, and still am, most interested in.” Olivia, pointed to the banner across the arts and crafts store across the street. “If Mable would listen to me, I know how to make that sign pop and get more attention. But she just shoos me away and says it’s worked for fifteen years.”

“I know. You tell me that every day.” Amber smiled and took a sip.

“It gets old doesn’t it? Just like everyone telling me I wasted my money on college.”  The problem? Olivia was starting to think the same thing. If I hadn’t received so many scholarships to help pay for school, I’d really be in a world of hurt.

“Go check out the pet store. Maybe they need help with advertising along with clerking?” Amber stood and swung her purse over her shoulder. “See you tonight at Big Al’s.”

Olivia watched her friend head off to a career she loved.

“Yeah, Big Al’s, where every drunk in the place will hit on me.” Olivia finished her hot chocolate wishing she had a decent job to head off to like Amber. She sauntered out of the coffee shop. The good thing about not having a regular job, she had free time to wander the streets of her hometown and conjure up childhood memories.

She turned right on Main Street. Might as well fill out an application at the pet store. Chances are they are new to the area and I could help them cozy up to the locals.

***

Zach Crenshaw heard the buzzer on his door echo through the building. Probably just one more local coming to tell me a high-falutin’ pet store won’t work in this town. He took his time flattening the cardboard box before he made his way to the front of the store. His steps faltered when a red, orange, and lime-green scarf came into view. He only knew one person who wore a scarf like that. The pretty brunette he winked at every day in the coffee shop.

What is she doing here?

She must have heard his approach because she spun around. Her eyes widened and her lips slipped into an inviting smiled.

“Hello! I’m Olivia Randle. My friend said you might be hiring for the holidays?”

At a loss for words, Zach stared at her twinkling eyes and warm smile.

She glanced down at her outstretched hand.

He gathered his senses.

“I’m Zach Crenshaw.” He held out his hand, but wasn’t prepared for the heat that sizzled up his arm at the feel of their clasped fingers.

“Zach.” She cleared her throat and drew her hand back slowly. “Are you hiring?”

“What are your credentials?” He leaned a hip against the front counter and studied her face. This close, he noticed a spattering of faint freckles across the bridge of her cute up-turned nose.

“I’m a local girl…”

“That’s a bonus,” he said, interrupting her.

Olivia smiled. “I went to college and majored in advertising…”

“Did you expect to come back here and get a job in that?” Even being new to the town, he didn’t see any business that could use her talents, except his.

She blushed. “Yeah, not a smooth move on my part. But I learned while in college I’m a country girl at heart. I can’t find a job in my occupation, so I’m looking for anything besides washing dishes at my dad’s diner…”

“Marv’s Place?”

“Yeah, that business has put my siblings and I through college. The only other opening is a cocktail waitress at Big Al’s.” She scrunched her cute nose. “Drunks and I don’t get along well.”

“You’re over qualified, but I really need a local presence in the store. There’s been two old ladies come in here every day and tell me I’ll never make it here.”

Olivia laughed. “That would be Thelma and Therese. Around here we call them 'the twins' even though they are closing in on ninety. They’re probably afraid you’re going to sell cats. They are the local breeders of barn cats.”

Zach stared at her to see if she was telling the truth or trying to pull one over on him. “Breeders of barn cats?”

She burst out laughing. “They are two crazy ladies who feed dozens of cats and when the cats get to be a nuisance, Sheriff Timble, puts out a notice and the locals go to the twins’ house and buy cats to put in their barns, sheds, garages, wherever there’s been a sighting of a mouse. The local veterinarian neuters and spays them for free. Eventually, some of the cats and new ones end up back at the twins’, and we buy them all over again.”

Zach scratched his head. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Welcome to a small community.” Olivia’s smile threw a blanket of warmth over him.

“When can you start?” Not only was he anxious to get to know Olivia better but the sooner he integrated into the community, the sooner his business would take off.

“I can start right now, if you don’t mind casual attire. I thought I’d be heading back to the diner to wash more dishes.” Olivia unbuckled her coat.

He didn’t see anything wrong with the tight-fitting T-shirt and jeans.

“We’ll be dealing with animals, so you don’t want to wear good clothes, just start the day in clean clothes.” 

He halted his gaze from roaming over her like a man who’d been in prison. His social life was put on hold the day his grandfather gave him the contents of this pet store and said, “If you can make this work in a small town, I’ll leave my money to you and your mom.” Zach didn’t need the money for himself, but he couldn’t live and help pay his mother’s medical expenses. She had medical issues that insurance wasn’t covering and she couldn’t work.

“I’ll call my dad and tell him I won’t be in.” She pulled out a cell phone and tapped the screen twice.

Zach walked down an aisle, pretending to move merchandise to give her space, but he couldn’t help but hear her side of the conversation.

“Hey Dad, I won’t be in to work anymore.” Her nose scrunched. “No, I didn’t take the job at Big Al’s. I got a job at the new pet store.” She rolled her eyes. “Yes, pet store.”

She laughed and Zach’s lips tipped into a smile. Her laughter made him want to laugh right along with her.

“I don’t know if the owner would want any scraps. I’m pretty sure Charlie would be put out to know you offered his pig scraps to the pet store.”

Zach couldn’t stop the guffaw that burst from his belly.

Olivia’s eyes crinkled with merriment. “Dad, I have to go. First day on the job and all. Right. Yes, I’ll be by the diner for supper. Bye.”

Olivia slipped her phone in her back pocket. How it fit in pants that appeared painted on her long, lean legs was a mystery to Zach.

She scanned the interior of the store. Where do I put my things and what do you want me to do?”

“Put your coat in the back room, there’s hooks just inside the door. I’ll show you the departments and then you can help me finish stocking the shelves.” Zach followed her to the back of the store.

“Am I the only employee?” Olivia asked, hanging her coat on one of four hooks.

“So far.” Zach didn’t have the guts to tell her she’d be the only one, since he was going to have to skim into his savings to pay her until the store took off.

He gave her a quick tour of the fifteen-hundred-square-foot building.

“I don’t remember this building being this big when Mrs. Archer had a clothing store in here,” Olivia said, opening a box of dog chew toys and hanging them on pegs.

“That would explain the pins, buttons, and lace I found in here while cleaning it up.” Zach smiled. Yes, having Olivia in the store would definitely help business and make his days not nearly so dreary.

***

Olivia couldn’t wait to tell Amber she not only landed the job but her boss was the good-looking guy who winked at her in the coffee shop every morning. Olivia usually didn’t dress to entice the drunks at Big Al’s. She wasn’t interested in the locals and drunks who frequented the bar, but tonight she felt like celebrating and that meant pulling on her sassy, high-heeled boots over her russet-colored skinny jeans and topping that off with a swingy, sunset-colored top that was beaded around the low neckline.

Sure enough, as soon as she took off her coat, Amber’s brows raised and her boyfriend, Stan whistled.

“Look at you.” Stan said, loud enough that half-a-dozen heads turned and that many sets of eyes widened.

“What are you all dolled up for?” Amber’s eyes narrowed as she studied Olivia. “Oh! You got the job!” Amber jumped off her stool and hugged Olivia.

“Wow, I didn’t know me getting a job would make you this happy.” Olivia waved at Cheryl, the waitress.

Olivia stared at her friend. She’d witnessed that expression on her friend’s face before. “You didn’t hear the pet store was hiring—you found out Zach owned the store!”

   

Amber’s cheeks darkened in color. “Yes, I did a little digging and discovered the guy winking at you every day owned the pet store.”

“I don’t know whether to hug you or slug you. No wonder he looked dumbfounded when I walked in saying I heard he was hiring.” Olivia groaned. “I must have looked desperate. Or completely stupid.” Knowing this took some steam out of her excitement. Did he feel pity and that’s why he hired me?

“But he hired you. You have a job, and you have eye candy to look at every day.” Amber winked.

“Hey! I think I need to check this guy out.” Stan said, picking up his beer and taking a swig.

Cheryl arrived with Olivia’s standard diet drink.

“Thanks.” Olivia took a sip.

The waitress pointed to a booth. “That guy over there said he’s paying for your drink.”

Olivia groaned. She didn’t want to deal with telling some drunk she didn’t want his generosity. She turned to see who she had to deal with.

Her heart sped up and she smiled. Zach sat in a booth, a basket with a burger in front of him.

“Go talk to him,” Amber said.

“Thanks, Cheryl.” Olivia slid off the chair and sauntered over to the booth. “Is this bench taken?”

Zach had watched her walk over to the booth. The interest in his eyes had her heart fluttering like the courthouse flag on a windy day.

“I reserved it for you the minute you walked in the door.” His deep rich voice was easy on her ears.

“You saw me walk in? Were you watching the door for a reason?” She couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to watch who entered the dark, stinky establishment.

He nodded toward Amber and Stan. “Your friend said you’d be coming.” He took a sip of iced tea. “She the one that told you I was hiring?”

Olivia leaned across the table. “Yes! She just told me she made it up.”

Zach laughed. His rich baritone filled the booth and seeped into her.

“She stopped me this morning at the coffee shop and asked me what I was doing in town.” He winked.  “I think we’ve been set up.”

An inkling of fear stuttered through her heart. “Are you upset?”

His blue eyes gazed deep into hers. “No, I think I found exactly what I need.”

###

Copyright © 2013 Paty Jager

www.patyjager.net

www.patyjager.blogspot.com