Chapter 6

Under the sun’s earliest rays, smearing muted russet and pastel violet across the horizon, a chilly dampness rose from the rain-soaked ground. As the mount’s hooves sucked free of the muddy track, Caleb slumped lower in the saddle. With a belly full of fresh biscuits and the most delightful gravy, plus two cups of steaming coffee, he should’ve been smiling.

But he wasn’t.

No, the energy from the previous evening at the Andrews homestead hadn’t reappeared, yet a nagging hint remained. Shafts of dim orange through the windows had given the sod home’s interior a soft glow. With more light and fresh air swirling in from the open door, Delilah had written a reply, then slid it into the same envelope. The message sat snug in the saddlebag behind him.

A little more color in her cheeks, Susan had been quiet, but kept smiling at him.

Had he commented on the slender pink ribbons holding back both well-brushed, shiny golden manes? Nope. Nor had he said anything about the hint of makeup and glossy, redder lips, or paid too much attention to dresses with necklines offering quite a pleasant view. A delightful perfume had also been floating in the air.

When the widow had caught his peek as she bent to retrieve a pot from the fire, a golden eyebrow had arched. Later, with her raising the curtains along the barn’s front, his attention had been on readying the horse ... mostly.

Although no words had left her, with them alone in the stalls, he’d become hyper-aware of the woman’s presence. Each bend as she’d unfastened the dangling rawhide panels had quickened his pulse.

At least once, she’d caught his glances. No expected admonition and angry glare, the lean beauty had only risen slower. Plus, a careful twist provided a better view of the delightful paleness swaying within the dress’s collar. While curves, enhanced by the thin dress, had stretched upward to fasten the rolled leather, again, seemed as if her motions had slowed.

Somehow, he’d ended up standing in the mud outside. Time had sorta fluttered away. When he climbed into the saddle, the older woman’s radiant smile had blessed him. That, plus the memories of delightful peeks, still helped dull the edge of the morning chill.

However, one other image gave him pause, and air hissed from clenched teeth. On the porch, as both she and Susie had waved goodbye, Delilah lost that wondrous smile. Also, her daughter’s face became the very picture of glumness.

In the growing sunlight, slender tendrils of mist rose from glittering blades. Beneath him, the mount shifted. Hooves sank and lifted.

Clop-slurp-clop-slurp.

Confusion reigned. His chest tightened as he whispered, “Strange.”

Upon his arrival, the widow had made things quite clear, both on her behalf and for her daughter. Yet ... he replayed every expression she’d worn, each motion of her impressive figure. Gussied up, but said nothing despite being alone with him in the barn.

Clop-slurp-clop-slurp.

While the horse plodded onward, his sloshing brain tossed memories of Susan into the mix. Both dainty hands, passing the gun belt to him as he’d tucked in his shirt. Locked onto his disappearing bare chest, her eyes had become brighter, bluer ... needier. Her chin had quivered when his fingers touched silken skin to retrieve the holster.

“Nope. Makes no damn sense.”

After a quick shake of his head, he chuckled. Pa’s sage words arrived: “Women are the most mysterious creatures on this here world, son.”

With a slow nod, he settled back in the saddle and sucked in a lungful of warmer, drier air. A smile grew on his face.

“Home, soon. Twenty-five dollars richer.” He glanced at the distant mountains, sharper in the morning crispness. “That much closer.” He sniffed. “Home?” After shaking his head, he laughed. “Nah, nothing meant by that.”

Several hours of riding under a brilliant sun in the cloudless sky left him dripping with sweat and saddle sore as the horse slowed before the livery. Soon after the mount was settled, he arrived at the assessor’s office. As its front door shut behind him, blocking the midday heat, the balding man, in a different suit but wearing the same visor, looked up from his desk.