A Walk in Heaven (25 page)

Natalie’s parents were tall and thin. Her father still had a full head of hair, but all white. Her mother’s auburn hair wound tight in a bun and held streaks of gray. They both wore wide smiles when they greeted him.

“It’s good to finally meet you, Mr. Grayson,” Mr. Jones greeted. “I’ve heard so much about your family I feel I practically know you.”

Joshua glanced at Natalie and arched his eyebrow. She didn’t know him, so how could Mr. Jones have received this information?

Natalie laughed and hooked her hand around Joshua’s arm, staring into his face. “You’re probably not aware, but Pa’s brother, Wilbur, used to be in business with your father many years ago.”

Wilbur Jones
. Recognition hit, and Joshua nodded. “Yes, I do remember.” He looked back at her father. “So Wilbur was your brother, eh? He was such a good man, and was terribly missed when he died.”

Natalie’s father nodded. “He was a good man, indeed. I wish we’d been closer, though.”

Joshua’s heart clenched. He knew Mr. Jones’ pain, for those same thoughts plagued Joshua since Matthew’s death.

“I’d heard,” Mr. Jones continued, “that your brother died not long ago as well.”

“Yes,” Joshua said. “It is very hard to lose a loved one.”

“It definitely is.” The older man patted his daughter’s cheek. “But forgive me for turning the conversation solemn. You two should be off now. Have a good time.”

Surprise registered in Joshua and he blinked with wide eyes. “Be off? Where are we going?” Natalie’s mischief smile made him wary.

“Yes. We are going to have a picnic lunch, just the two of us.”

Before he could argue the point, Natalie said her goodbyes to her parents and took Joshua’s arm, escorting him outside. “I’ve asked Anna Nelson at the restaurant to prepare our lunch. She is such a sweet woman, don’t you agree?”

A wave of unease swept through him. Natalie had tricked him? He should put a stop to her nonsense right here and now before was done. Yet, being a gentleman, he couldn’t create a scene. He’d reluctantly go on this picnic with her, but he’d clearly let her know this kind of deceit was not acceptable behavior.

“I’m sorry my father brought up the subject of your brother’s death,” Natalie said.

Joshua shook his head. “Don’t worry one bit about it. The pain is getting easier to handle.” He smiled. “But I find it a surprise to think you’re related to my father’s best friend, Wilbur. It’s such a small world, isn’t it?”

“Truly, it is. You know, Pa had always wished he could have owned Uncle Wilbur’s ranch, but that was before he went into business with your father.”

“It is a large chunk of land and so beautiful. It’s been very productive for the Grayson family.”

“That’s what I’ve heard.” She flashed him with a grin.

They stopped by the restaurant so Natalie could get the basket of food, then they walked to the meadow. Joshua laid out the blanket and they sat. Natalie proceeded to dish out the food the restaurant provided. They talked about the weather, and about his family and hers, but nothing very personal, which was all right with Joshua.

After a little while, silence grew between them. Of course, Joshua blamed it on the fact that they were still munching on their food. Finally, Natalie set her plate down and leaned back on her elbows, gazing into the clear blue sky. Spring’s air was still a little nippy, but with the sun shining on them, Joshua thought the temperature couldn’t be more perfect.

“Joshua? Could I ask you a rather personal question?”

Joshua gulped down the last bite of his sandwich. “Sure.”

“Forgive me for being nosey, but… What are you feelings for Laura?”

Perhaps it was a good thing he’d just swallowed the food in his mouth right now, or he would have spewed it across the blanket.
Women!
Why did they think they had to know everything about a man? “She’s nice enough. We’ve known each other since childhood.”

“So,” Natalie turned on her side, facing him, “you don’t think of her as more than a friend?”

“Of course not.”

“Would you ever want to court her?”

He took a deep breath and counted to ten, hoping his irritation would leave soon. He should have expected Natalie would act like this. Laura certainly would have, which is one of the reasons he never wanted to court the mayor’s daughter. “Natalie, I don’t think about Laura in that way.”

A cheesy grin stole across her mouth. “That’s good to know.”

“Is there a particular reason you asked me that?”

She shrugged. “Well, Laura has become a good friend to me since my family moved here, and by the way she talks and acts around you, I get the impression the two of you were practically engaged.”

He should have suspected this. Apparently, Laura hadn’t changed since school. “Please don’t believe everything you hear from Laura. She’s a nice woman, but she tends to over exaggerate at times. I assure you, I haven’t encouraged her in any way. We’re only friends.” He wiped his mouth with the linen napkin. “I also happen to think my brothers like her, so maybe they’ll come around and woo her.”

Natalie shook her head. “It didn’t appear to me like Peter is going to woo anyone but your sister-in-law.”

Joshua’s head throbbed with annoyance.
Again.
Good grief, he wished he’d stop feeling so…possessive. What bothered him more
was knowing
others had noticed Peter’s behavior.

“So true.”
Joshua forced himself to laugh. “It did look that way, but even if Peter was interested in Matthew’s widow, he’d have to wait a year to make his intensions known.”

Natalie arched an eyebrow. “Does that upset you?”

“Of course not.”
Yet saying the words didn’t make the ache in his chest go away. He really wanted to get off this subject, too. “Natalie, I should have said this earlier, so forgive me if now is the wrong time, but –” he took a deep breath, “I don’t approve of the way you coerced me to your side for today’s picnic.”

Her eyes widened and color vanished from her face.

He quickly continued. “You’d asked me to your house for lunch today on behalf of your parents. Correct?”

The smile she’d had since they left the church dropped from her mouth. “Yes, you’re correct.”

“You shouldn’t have
lied
, Natalie. I don’t like being lied to.”

She pouted. “But how else was I going to have lunch with you? I waited for you to issue the invitation, but you never did.”

“Do you know why?”

“Because…you don’t like me?”

“I like you, Natalie, but only as a friend. I had no plans of courting you.”

Frowning, she quickly started packing up the picnic basket. Nothing else was said as they walked back to her parents’ store.

Just before reaching the Mercantile, Joshua said, “Although I’m upset at you for deceiving me, I still had a nice afternoon. You are pleasant company, and I’m glad to have gotten to know you better.”

“I also enjoyed myself.” She smiled and gave his arm a squeeze. “Please forgive me for being so underhanded. I hope this doesn’t ruin our friendship.”

He nearly laughed over the way her voice had softened and the color of her green eyes hinted of her interest. Most women were so predictable. He hated that.

They walked into the store and a few customers mulled about. Natalie’s pa politely excused himself from helping one and hurried to Joshua.

“Before you leave, I need to ask you something.” Mr. Jones wiped his hands down the front of his white apron.

Natalie smiled at Joshua. “Thank you again for a pleasant afternoon.”

Joshua nodded as she walked toward her mother, then he focused back at Mr. Jones. “What is it you need?”

“A man was just here asking about your brother, Matthew.”

Joshua frowned. “But everyone knows my brother is dead.”

“This man said he was from out of town.”

Panic seized Joshua, and his body stiffened. “Is he still here?”

Mr. Jones pointed toward the street. “He just left. Hopefully he’s still on the boardwalk. He’s wearing a tan duster and hat. He has a slight southern accent, as well.”

Fear gripped Joshua’s chest, making it hard to breathe. “Did he give a name?”

“No.”

“Thank you. With any luck, I’ll find him still wandering through town.” He spun around and rushed out of the store. His heart knocked against his ribs. Joshua prayed this man was not Careen’s cousin, yet something in the back of Joshua’s mind told him it was.

* * * *

Every day closer to the cattle drive, Careen’s health improved. Then again, she
made
herself recover quicker. She needed to leave the Grayson ranch, and she’d do it after the men left for the cattle drive. Then she was assured Elizabeth wouldn’t have one of her sons or her husband fetch Careen back.

Deep inside she knew Luther was close. He was a crafty, calculating man, and he
would
find her. She was certain he’d ask around and people would lead him right to the ranch.

She didn’t have a lot of money, but she and Betsy would leave here and go someplace Luther would never think to look. Careen would find employment somewhere – anywhere – just to make a living so she wouldn’t have to rely on her inheritance.

At dinner that night, the topic of conversation was Laura’s charity ball. Personally, Careen didn’t want to go, but she’d attend if Elizabeth wanted her to, only to keep up pretenses with the family.

“I think the boys should go to the ball,” William said, “but we need to stay home with Careen. The rules to a mourning period are very tedious, and we shouldn’t break them.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “William, get your head out of the dark ages. Every year there are changes to the rules. Pretty soon people won’t even wear black.”

William hitched a breath and scowled. “How can you say such a thing?”

“Because I’ve seen it, my dear.”
Elizabeth covered her husband’s hand with her own. “Ever so slightly, people are breaking the rules of mourning. I don’t see any harm in the whole family going to Miss
Checkett’s
charity ball.”

“But Ma,” Gage spoke up, “what will we tell people if they ask?”

“We’ll tell them the truth.” She lifted her stubborn chin a little higher.
“That the Lord will only bless us for participating in such a worthwhile charity.”

A giggle slipped through Careen’s lips, so she quickly placed her linen napkin to her mouth.

Elizabeth’s tender gaze met Careen’s. “In fact, I’m seriously thinking of putting away our black gowns. Although I miss my son dearly, and I’ll always love him, we have a life to live and we can’t live it wearing black for a year.”

All three brothers stared at their mother with a dropped jaw. Careen even felt like gasping, but she didn’t. Joshua’s hopeful gaze switched to her in silent communication. She didn’t know what to think of the excitement dancing in his eyes from the mere idea of such a short mourning period.

“Elizabeth,” she said softly, removing her attention from Joshua and placing it back on her mother-in-law. “As much as I admire you for your courage and conviction, I wouldn’t feel right about giving up my black gowns just yet. I hope you understand.”