Rocky Mountain Match (8 page)

“Well, I’ll be a dad-burned donkey if it ain’t Sam Garnett!” Mr. Heath, the mercantile owner proclaimed. “How have you been?”

The shopkeeper’s jubilant greeting perked Katie’s curiosity. She cocked an ear toward the door without turning away from the elegant hair combs she’d been inspecting. She was trying to decide which one to buy with some of the pay she’d received yesterday, at the end of her second week of work.

Honestly, she hadn’t wanted to take one dime from Joseph, feeling more than ever that her time with him was not a job at all, rather a privilege, a pleasure. He’d gotten visibly irritated when she’d balked at taking the envelope. Said he wasn’t interested in charity. Insisted she take the money.

“Mr. Heath, you’re a sight for sore eyes. It’s good to see you,” the stranger called, his deep voice echoing in the room.

“You, too, Sam. You, too. It’s not often we get a city-slick lawyer in these parts.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw the two men
shaking hands across the long glass-front counter. Even from her vantage point she noticed that the man wore a crisp three-piece suit, professionally tailored.

“What brings you to these parts?” Mr. Heath inquired.

“I need to tie up some loose ends on my folks’ land since they passed away.”

“We sure are sorry about their passing. They were good people.” Mr. Heath’s voice went unusually quiet.

“Thank you.” After a short pause, Sam added, “That wave of influenza hit hard last winter, didn’t it?”

“Yes, sirree. But thank goodness it didn’t last long. Since Ben Drake came back from his schoolin’ and started practicin’ his medicine here it seems like we’ve been fairin’ better through things like this.”

“Ben’s a good doctor. I’ve no doubt about that.” Sam took his rounded top hat from his head, tapping it into perfect form.

“So, will you be headin’ back to the big city right away? Or can you stay a spell?”

Katie held up a comb as though examining it, but her attention kept getting pulled to the man named Sam. She didn’t feel the same unnerving wariness she normally had around strange men, and that surprised her. Maybe it was because he was a native to the area. Or maybe it was the way he’d been received by Mr. Heath like a richly decorated hero come home from war.

“I thought it’d do me good to take in some fresh mountain air to clear my head.” His voice swelled with satisfaction. “I decided to take a month’s leave from the law firm and mix a little business with pleasure.”

“If that ain’t a fine how-do-you-do!” Mr. Heath slapped Sam on the shoulder. “Me and the missus—why
we’ll be lookin’ forward to havin’ you over to our place for supper. Bet you don’ get cookin’ like the wife’s back in the big city.”

“Probably not. I’m looking forward to that already. Thank you for the invitation.” Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here I came in to say hello and get these few things, and I end up with a dinner invitation. I believe I’m getting the better end of the deal.”

“Ya say ya need a few things, do you? Well, what can I do you for?”

Katie briefly glanced toward the exchange and listened to the conversation, all the while peering at the same comb she’d held for the past several moments. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop but couldn’t help it. The wood floors and high ceilings only aided in carrying the sound of their voices.

The tall stranger, whose dark hair accentuated his almost Romanesque features, handed the list to Mr. Heath. “I’ll be staying at Mrs. Royer’s boarding house, so I won’t need much.”

“Don’t think there’s a selfish bone in that woman’s body. She’ll take good care of you. Mother you till you wish you were eight again.” Mr. Heath quickly perused the list. “I’ll get these things. You just make yourself at home.” He turned to start filling the order and called over his shoulder, “You might notice some changes we’ve made since you were last here.”

When Sam turned and leaned against the counter, his arms folded across his chest, Katie snapped her attention back to the combs. She stared down at them, wondering why she was so curious about this man.

“It’s good being back in your store,” Sam called out.
“I can’t count how many times Joseph and I would stop by and try to finagle you out of a licorice whip or a peppermint stick in return for a good hour’s labor.”

Katie’s pulse skittered. Was he talking about Joseph Drake? Were the two of them friends?

“You were good help, too,” came Mr. Heath’s response from the far side of the room. “That is, when you weren’t tryin’ to impress some lil’ lady. Couldn’t get an honest
minute
of labor outta ya then.”

She bit back a smile at the thought of Joseph and this man, vying for some girl’s attention. And as she easily recalled the feelings she’d had when she’d held Joseph’s hand while doctoring his cut, she couldn’t imagine him ever having to work too hard for any girl’s affection.

After several more moments Sam said, “You
have
made some additions to the mercantile. Business must be good.”

“Had to add those two new rows of shelving to house the extra goods. Our customers expect an ample selection, you know.” Mr. Heath poked his head out from the back room. “And speaking of Joseph, take a look at that new counter he made. She’s a beauty. Ain’t another one like it.”

Katie glanced at the beautiful counter in front of her. Another tribute to Joseph’s expert craftsmanship. Another reason why she had to help him get his life back again.

When she spotted Sam approaching from out of the corner of her eye, she tried her best to appear fully trans-fixed on the items before her.

“Good afternoon, ma’am. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of making your acquaintance.” He stopped next to her and held out his hand. “My name is Samuel Garnett. And yours?”

She stared stupidly up at him, and with minimal grace shoved her hand toward him. “I’m Katie Ellickson.”

When he gently grasped her hand in his, her cheeks grew warm. Much to her chagrin, her embarrassment had never been easily hidden, not when her fair skin told an undisguised story.

She abruptly pulled her hand from his. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Garnett.”

“You must be new to town. I don’t believe I remember seeing you here the past few times I’ve made it back. I would
never
forget a face like yours.” He studied her face, his liquid brown gaze intent.

“New?” She gulped. “Yes, I moved here from Iowa a little over two weeks ago.”

“What brought you here?” When he glanced down at her finger as though looking for a ring, her hands trembled.

“I—I came to start a new life.” She immediately cringed at her ridiculous choice of words, no matter how true they were.

“The old life not so good, eh?” His eyebrows arched over his dark, penetrating eyes.

“Oh, no—I mean—it was fine. Well…more than fine.” She shook her head and laughed nervously. “I’m terribly sorry. I don’t know what has come over me.”

“Forgive me,” he said, offering an apologetic grin. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable nor did I mean to pry. I guess it’s just the lawyer coming out in me. You know, always wanting to know every little fact. Let me try again.”

Backing up a few paces, he started toward her. “Good afternoon. I don’t believe I’ve ever met you. My name is Samuel Garnett. And yours?” His eyes twinkled with delight.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should run from this very bold man, or stay put. That he was a longtime friend of Joseph made her relax a little. When she peered up at him, noticing the kindness in his strong features, she held her hand out to him and smiled. “I’m Katie Ellickson.”

“Well, Miss Ellickson, I hope we’ll be seeing each other again. Perhaps at church tomorrow?” Brows raised, he tilted his head toward her, as if waiting for a response.

“Yes, Mr. Garnett. I’ll see you at church.”

“I have your order together, Sam,” Mr. Heath called out.

Mr. Garnett slid his gaze to the counter and pointed to one of the combs. “My vote is this one,” he whispered, giving her a warm smile. “A sure compliment to your beauty.”

Katie felt her cheeks flush. Again. He was a charmer—that was for sure. But she didn’t know why in the world she was responding like some smitten schoolgirl.

“What do you keep yourself busy with besides lawyering?” Mr. Heath’s booming voice filled the room. “Is there a missus yet? Young ’uns?”

He started back over to Mr. Heath. “I’ve been so busy at the law office with all the movement west, I haven’t had time for much else.”

Katie felt his gaze directed her way and angled a glance to see him leaning casually against the counter on one elbow. Staring at her as though there was nothing else in the room.

“I actually might start thinking about settling down,” he continued with the hint of a smile. “Especially if I happen to find the right lady.”

“W
hy is it so unbelievable to think that Joseph has feelings for you?” Ellie prodded. She graced Katie with one of those cat-that-ate-the-canary kind of smiles, and rubbed a hand lightly across her protruding belly.

Exasperated, Katie gave her friend a wide-eyed look. “I’m his teacher. I seriously doubt he’s thinking beyond that.”

“Just because you’re his teacher doesn’t mean he couldn’t develop feelings for you.”

Raising the dainty flowered teacup to her mouth, Katie breathed in the warm cinnamon scent, then took a sip. She remembered how agitated Joseph had been yesterday after he’d cut himself. And then when she’d suggested he could work in the shop without sight, he’d gotten downright belligerent.

No. She doubted very much that he felt anything but irritated by her.

“I’m sure he feels nothing of the sort,” Katie dismissed. “I’m more like a thorn in his flesh than a rose in his garden.”

But then she replayed, as she had countless times, the
softness with which Joseph had touched her, the gentleness and respect with which he’d treated her on their picnic. His words had been like warm caresses and his momentary touch had set her off-kilter. Even the memory incited the same skittering feeling all the way down her spine to her toes.

Surely she must be reading into all of that. How could he possibly have feelings for her when he had so much to deal with as it was? His lack of sight. His work. A general upheaval in his life. And there was always Julia, with her thoughtless, manipulative, even abrupt, ways. Julia, with her striking dark tresses, porcelain-white complexion and piercing emerald gaze. She was a beauty, probably pure as the wind-driven snow. Probably flawless in every way.

Except in the way she treated Joseph.

Vindictiveness rose within Katie like a sword unsheathed. She’d never felt so hostile toward another person, so hungry to dish back the same thoughtless handling.

She tried to rein in the errant emotion, chiding herself for being so hard on Julia. Maybe there was an understanding side of Miss Cranston that had drawn Joseph in the first place.

If so, Katie just couldn’t seem to look past the obvious manipulation she saw happening. The woman had conveniently been walking in the direction of Joseph’s home on more than one occasion this week and had stopped once, keeping his attention for a good hour with some drivel about getting nominated to cochair the Boulder Ladies’ Committee. Katie had gladly made herself scarce at the time, although she couldn’t help stealing glances of the two out on the porch, noticing how clingy Julia was with Joseph, like a barnacle hugging tight to a ship’s hull.

Shaking off the disturbing image, she folded her hands in her lap. “Joseph has so much to think about right now. I’m sure he has no thoughts of me other than as a teacher.”

“Whatever you say.” Ellie shrugged, tucking strands of strawberry blond hair into her loose braid. “But Aaron and I—even Ben—agree that he’s a different man since you’ve come. You’ve been good for him, Katie.” The mischievous smile she sent Katie faded fast when she stood from the table. She winced and set hands to the small of her back.

“Is something wrong?” Katie asked.

“No, no. I’m fine.” Ellie fixed a smile on her face. “You definitely have a way with Joseph. We
all
think so.”

“I’m sure you’re just noticing that Joseph is feeling more comfortable with himself and his surroundings. He’s been getting to know his world through touch,” she said, unable to ignore the ready memory of just that. The way his fingertips irrevocably branded her flesh with absolute tenderness.

Bowing her head, she blinked hard and glanced down at the handkerchief she twisted in her hands. “I do think he’s beginning to trust me, though. I’m glad of that.”

“Well, that’s something.” Setting a fist to her waistline, Ellie dabbed at the perspiration beading her upper lip with her white apron. “You’ve gotten a lot farther with him than the rest of us would’ve been able to.”

A sudden flush worked its way up Ellie’s cheeks, inciting another swell of concern in Katie. “Do you need to sit down?”

Ellie trailed her hands down her dress, plucking at the wide stretched pleats. “It seems like these days, with less than a month to go, and the baby being so low, I’m more comfortable on my feet.”

Standing, she moved over to grasp Ellie’s hand, unable to shake the concern she felt. “Can I do something for you?”

“Really, don’t worry.” Ellie smiled and squeezed Katie’s hand. “I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but I’d be elated if Joseph did have feelings for you. You’d be the perfect sister-in-law.”

“Ellie! How can you say that?”

“Because you’d be wonderful. Besides, I’m tired of being the only woman among the Drake brothers,” she added, swiping her brow and taking a deep breath as though she’d just run a mile. “Those brothers need to each find themselves a bride. And I’ve decided that you’d be the perfect start.”

Crossing her arms at her chest, Katie shook her head. “You’re picking the wrong flower in the field here.”

“You can’t stop me from hoping.”

Ellie was right. Katie couldn’t stop her from hoping. At times she could barely stop herself from hoping. Too often for her own comfort, she’d catch herself daydreaming about Joseph, fancying herself as his bride. Sharing a full, beautiful life with him.

But it seemed as if the more she dreamed of that, the more her shame overshadowed her like a threatening storm cloud.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she tried to remain levelheaded. “You’re right. I can’t stop you from hoping. But let me assure you that nothing like that could ever happen.”

“You two are perfect for one another. Besides…” Ellie added, resting her arms on her belly. The scrupulous perusal she gave had Katie squirming. “I’ve seen that
look
in your eyes when you speak of him—or when you spotted him at church.”

Katie pinned her gaze to the rag rug. “What
look
is that?”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ellie slowly twirl around like a belle at a ball. “That starry-eyed, soft look that happens when a woman…feels something for a man.”

Katie unsuccessfully bit back a smile. At times like this, she wished she was better at schooling her expressions. “I won’t dispute your observation,” she said simply.

“Ah ha! I knew it!” Ellie clasped her hands beneath her chin. “Just last night I was telling Aaron that—”

“But—” she interrupted, holding out her hand, “—that’s the extent of it.”

Katie crossed to the window. For several moments she stared out through clear glass at the protected valley, bathed in a late-afternoon August glow. Would there ever be beauty like that, all warm and promising in her life? Maybe she was selling Joseph short. Maybe he wouldn’t allow her past to define their future. Maybe he could look beyond her shame.

What was she thinking? She knew how upright men wanted their brides unstained. Fowler had told her as much. He’d hissed the reality in her ear, his words striking her like buckshot, piercing her in so many ways that she didn’t know how to begin putting herself back together.

Turning away from the window, she passed a wary glance to her friend. “There are things from my past that—” Katie stopped midsentence when Ellie grabbed her abdomen and bent over, drawing in a sharp breath.

“Ellie, what’s wrong?” She scurried over and set a hand of support at Ellie’s back. “What’s going on?”

A muffled cry came through clenched teeth. After several moments Ellie straightened, her hands clamped to her abdomen.

“Have you had pain like this before?”

“Not sh-sharp cramping like this.” She gasped for air. “But I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“That wasn’t nothing,” Katie argued. She helped Ellie to a chair, noticing how her friend’s whole body trembled. “I’m going to go get Ben and Aaron.”

Ellie snapped out her arm and grabbed for Katie. “No, I’ll be fine. Please don’t bother them.”

“Sorry,” Katie responded, patting her friend’s hand. “But I’m certain they’ll want to know.”

“Katie, really, Aaron can’t afford to be gone from the shop right now,” Ellie pleaded, her brow beaded with perspiration, her cheeks flushed. “There’s too much to do. I don’t want him worrying about me.”

Dipping a washcloth in cool water from the basin, she laid it on Ellie’s forehead. “I understand how urgent things are in the shop. But I know he’ll agree that you take precedence over anything there. Now, I’m going to help you to bed and then, if you’ll be all right for a short while—”

“I’ll be fine—I’m fine now. You don’t need to go.” Her hands drifted to her protruding stomach where she carefully caressed the life inside. “Please, I’m feeling better already.”

“I’m not taking any chances. This baby could be on the way and I’ll feel much better knowing that you’re well-cared for.”

After she got Ellie situated in bed, she ran the one-and-a-half-mile distance to Boulder, all the while praying that God would help Ellie and the little baby yet unborn.

Bounding up the boarded walk to Ben’s office, she flung the door open. “Ben, are you here?” she called between panting breaths. She peeked into the back room, then ran out of the office and to the mercantile. “Mr. Heath, do you have any idea where Ben Drake is?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, he was just here. Said he was gonna be stoppin’ by to pay Joseph a visit.”

She called her thanks on the way out the door and hurried over to Joseph’s home. Picking up her skirts, she leaped up the three steps to his porch and rapped on the door.

“Ben, are you here?” Katie called out.

The door swung open. “Katie, what’s wrong?” Ben’s face was etched with obvious concern.

“It’s Ellie. She needs you. Something’s wrong.”

“What happened?” He stepped out onto the porch.

“I—I’m not really sure. I just know she didn’t look good. She’s in pain. Cramping. I’m very worried about her.”

“Joseph, is Aaron still in the shop?” Ben called.

“Yes, he should be.” Joseph emerged from the front room. “You go ahead and get what you need at the office, Ben. We’ll have Aaron meet you down there.”

Ben called his agreement as he ran down the walk. After Katie rushed behind Joseph’s house to the shop and alerted Aaron, she jogged back to find Joseph waiting for her.

“I do hope Ellie will be all right,” Katie choked out, winded. Her strength bolstered just being in Joseph’s presence.

“She’s in good hands,” he assured her. “Ben will take good care of her—Aaron, too.”

Pulling in a deep breath, she walked alongside him to the front porch, grateful for his company. In a very unladylike fashion, she collapsed next to Joseph on the steps, resting her head in her hands in an effort to calm herself.

When she felt his gentle touch at the small of her back, her heart skipped a beat. A tingling sensation, thick as honey, spread through her entire body and her heart
threatened to beat right out of her chest at the reassuring warmth of his touch.

When she hauled herself to sit up straight, his hand remained settled, a warm claim at her back. A shiver worked down her spine, and she was certain he could feel her heart beating right through her rib cage. Her head swam with emotions, sensations that made her light-headed.

“It’s good you were there, Katie.” His caring tone made her all the more weak-kneed. “Ellie needed you.”

“Yes, but I should’ve been more attentive to her.” A wave of guilt assaulted her. “At first when I asked, she said she was fine. And then I was so busy telling her why it wasn’t possible that you and I—”

She clapped a hand over her mouth, downright mortified at her careless choice of words. Shoving herself up to standing, she established some much-needed space between herself and Joseph. His touch was way too disarming and threatened to break down her protective walls.

He stood, edging slightly closer. “Why it wasn’t possible that you and I what?” His voice was low and smooth.

Her knees began to tremble beneath her soft yellow day dress. The air grew stiflingly thick as she peered up at him, her stomach pulling taut at his all-consuming focus. Sliding her gaze over his form, her focus riveted on his shoulders. They were firm, thick with muscle and broad enough to support the biggest burden. In the short time she’d known him she’d seen him bear trials a lesser man would’ve buckled under.

Oh, that she could trust him with her troubles.

Moving her gaze down to his muscle-roped arms, she quivered. Katie could almost feel his sinewy arms, placed
protectively around her shoulders, shutting out her fears. She closed her eyes, indulging herself in the notion.

Emotions that rocked her deep inside, intensified.

She squeezed her eyes tight, willing the feelings not to surface. Not now. If she couldn’t control her emotions, she’d have to quit working with him. And he’d made so much progress. He’d been giving a grand effort in his training, and if his vision didn’t return, there was still so much more she could show him, so much more she could open up for him.

Besides, she was only making it harder on herself. There was sure to come a time when the sparks that arced between them would fade from brilliance, snuffed out by her past.

“Katie, are you there? You’re awfully quiet,” he breathed, easing her back to reality.

Her entire body trembled now, an uncontrollable shaking that stemmed from deep within. For months she’d run ragged, fighting to keep the walls she’d erected firmly in place. If someone breached that barrier, the secret she’d diligently hidden would be exposed.

But right here…right now, she ached to have a shoulder to lean on. An arm to support her.

She startled as Joseph settled his hands on her shoulders, then lightly slid them down her arms.

“You’re trembling,” he said, his voice husky.

She swallowed hard, staring up at him. Hugging her arms tight to her chest, she fought against her unruly emotions.

Every nerve ending sprang to life as he trailed his fingers, whisper-soft, to the nape of her neck. Cradling her head in his hand, he inched closer and drew her to his chest.

Katie stiffened, feeling his hard upper body beneath her cheek. Curling her arms snuggly at her chest, she
warred against the innate need to feel protected, cared for. She teetered on the edge. But as he lightly stroked her hair, trailing his fingers to her back, calm settled over her like a thick blanket.