My Heart Will Find Yours (13 page)

Garrett balked at having to take a bath two nights in a row and went to bed in a pout. It was hard to keep a straight face as he scowled and stomped up the stairs to bed. He looked so much like his daddy.

She sat at the kitchen table with a sketchpad and drew a diagram of Austin Avenue, Fourth Street, and the buildings on each corner. Her memory was good, and she felt she’d remembered the correct placement of windows and doors. All the buildings, except the bank and hotel, were one story.

Now, where was the best place to station herself? Pearl said Royce was shot in the back, which didn’t make sense. The jail was up a block and on the opposite side of the street from the bank. From the description in the history book, the gunshot came from the corner of the hotel.

She chewed on the end of her pencil, thinking. Then horror overwhelmed her. Oh God. It wasn’t the bank robbers who killed him. It was someone close to him, someone he knew and trusted, or someone with a grudge. Or worse yet, one of his own men. Her mind catalogued the people she’d met today. Would one of them prove to be a murderer?

Chapter Nine

Royce had washed, and with a towel around his middle, walked upstairs. He stepped softly down the hall to look in on Garrett. The boy was sprawled across the bed on his stomach, his nightshirt up around his knees. He was so beautiful, this child of his. His heart twisted when he saw Garrett and Texanna together. She was a natural at mothering, and Garrett was crazy about her. Their closeness made him long for her to treat him with the same affection. She could deny being his wife, but her fondness for Garrett was obvious.

He eased the door open to her room. As he placed the package he’d carried up under his arm on top of the bureau, a smile teased his lips. He couldn’t wait to see her response to his gift. The store had been just about to close when he’d dashed in to make his purchase.

Back in his bedroom, he tossed the towel into a corner, started for the bed, and then froze. Should he put on a pair of drawers in case he had to get up and check on Garrett? It wouldn’t do to shock Texanna. He reached into the chest to get a pair and touched Texanna’s silky underwear. So soft and delicate, they were indecent, yet he’d love to see them on her. His chest wasn’t the best hiding place. Tomorrow he’d find a better one.

He grinned and crawled into bed naked. Shocking her was so much fun. His humor vanished. Pearl had been modest and, before her disappearance, would have pretended to not notice his body, but not this woman. She’d most likely look at his bare ass and chew him out. The thought was arousing. He groaned and turned his head into the pillow. Lord, could his life get anymore complicated? His thoughts turned to the history book on top of the night table. He needed to face whatever was in it.

****

The sound of rustling next door woke Texanna.

Royce stuck his head in her door. “Get out of that bed, sleepy head. Today is Sunday, and church services start at ten o’clock.”

Oh drat. She didn’t want to go. Then she remembered her mission. Today she’d have an opportunity to watch people and see how they acted toward Royce. Maybe she’d spot whoever hated him enough to commit murder.

“There’s a parcel for you on the chifforobe.” He grinned and walked back into his room.

Curious, Texanna jumped out of bed and picked up the package. It was wrapped in brown paper tied up with string. Whatever was inside was soft.

She folded back the paper to reveal a blue dress, the color very close to her favorite, turquoise. It was the one she’d admired in the department store window while walking with Jason. “Oh, it’s beautiful. How did you know?”

From the other room, he answered. “Jason told me it caught your eye yesterday.”

His thoughtfulness touched her deeply. She slipped on a robe and walked next door. He stood at the mirror brushing his hair, the shirt pulling across his broad back as he raised his arms. She laid her cheek between his shoulder blades, wrapped her arms around his waist, and squeezed. “Thank you.”

He froze, then sat the brush down and covered her hands with his to stroke her forearms. Voice gruff, he said, “You’re welcome.”

She suddenly realized her breasts were flattened against his back and pulled away.

“Hurry and get dressed so we can have breakfast. Then you can try it on.”

Downstairs she stoked the fire and put on the coffee, using a little more than half the amount of coffee Royce had used. Royce brought milk and meat in from the springhouse. She sliced the sausage and started frying patties. By the time Royce and Garrett were finished with the outdoor chores, she had the table set and the eggs ready to scramble.

She could hear Royce’s deep voice as they walked from the barn, but not what he said. It sounded like laughter. As they neared the house, she heard Garrett’s voice.

“But Pa, she made me take a bath two nights in a row. Ain’t that a waste of water?”

“No, it’s not, and it helps keep the sheets clean, so you mind her, you hear?”

“Yes, sir.” His answer wasn’t enthusiastic.

Royce’s eyes were twinkling when they entered the kitchen.

She grinned and shrugged. “Wash up. Breakfast is ready.”

They washed in the pan of hot soapy water at the sink.

“Everything looks good. Where’d you get the bread?”

“Jason and I stopped at the bakery yesterday, and I got a couple of loaves. I hope that’s all right.”

He took a bite and nodded. “Of course it is. I like toast, especially the way you fixed it.”

“Yeah Texanna, it’s good.” Garrett had jelly smeared across his face.

Their compliments touched her. It was a first for her when it came to cooking. “I’m glad you both approve.”

She watched as Royce sipped his coffee and looked from his cup to her. He raised an eyebrow.

“I made it weaker. Do you think it’s awful?” Tasted ten times better to her but...

“It’s good.”

When they finished eating, Royce stood and covered the leftover toast and sausage with a dishtowel. “Let’s get a move on.” He helped Garrett put the food scraps on one plate and poured the sausage drippings on top.

Texanna hurried to finish in the kitchen, and then ran upstairs to try on the new dress. Since she didn’t have a choice, she put on a chemise and bloomers. Lord they were ugly. She slipped on the skirt of the two-piece dress and found it a bit snug. It fell straight in front but the back was full, longer, and made of five panels, resembling un-gathered curtain valances. The bodice buttoned up to a v-neck with a wide collar and elbow-length puff sleeves.

She heard Royce coming upstairs so stepped out into the hall. “Look.” She tugged on the bodice trying to get it to lay flat. “This dress doesn’t fit me right.” It was too large in the bust, and, at the waist, the facing for the buttons gaped some.

“Turn around and let me see.” He looked her up and down, and then tugged on the bodice where it dipped low in the back. His eyes focused on the vicinity of her breasts. “You need a corset.” His lips twitched before he turned.

She snorted. “I’ll just wear something else.”

Before she reached the chifforobe, he blocked her way and put his hands on her waist. “Please, wear this for me today. The color is so pretty on you.”

Well, she didn’t have anything else to wear. And he had asked nicely. “Alright, I’ll put on the damned corset.”

His face flushed with anger. “Watch your mouth. Garrett doesn’t need to hear language like that coming from his mother.”

“I am not—”

He gripped her chin, and his eyes bored into hers. “I don’t want to hear it. Whether you are or not, he’s crazy about you and thinks you hung the moon.” His gaze dropped to her lips, and her tongue darted out to moisten them.

She pulled away and walked to the chifforobe. “You’re right, of course. I usually only swear when I’m angry or scared. And since you’re the only person to rouse those emotions in me...” But lately she’d been out of control. Shame coursed through her. She’d make a conscious effort to do better.

His hands caressed her shoulders, and he murmured into her hair. “I can understand the anger, but why on earth would you be afraid of me? I’d die before I hurt you.”

Should she lie or tell him the truth? She chewed her bottom lip, and then made up her mind. “For one thing, the fact I’m standing here in 1880 is almost more than I can comprehend. That’s scary as all get out.” She paused, trying to decide whether or not to be honest with him. “You stir feelings in me that are foreign, and I have no right to feel.”

“What feelings? Tell me.” He turned her to face him.

Her bottom lip trembled, and she bit it to keep it still. “Desire so strong I want to make love to you. Kiss every inch of your gorgeous body.” His blue eyes burned with a fire that caused Texanna’s stomach to lurch and her heart to pound. “A first for me. You see, in my time period I’m considered odd because I’m still a virgin at twenty-two. Many women have had several lovers by that age. My last
fiancé
broke up with me because I wouldn’t have sex with him.”

His expression was unreadable, yet she thought she saw uncertainty in his eyes. He dropped his forehead to hers.

“I never wanted to share my heart and body with anyone until I met you. But I don’t belong in this time period, and I’ll be leaving after the bank robbery. Plus, your feelings for me are confused with those you have for Pearl.”

He pulled her close, his embrace so tight she could hardly breathe. But she didn’t care, just hung on savoring each moment.

Voice thick, he said, “We need to hurry and finish dressing.” He held her at arms’ length for a moment, and then dropped his hands to his side.

****

“Pa, how do I look?”

The boy was growing as fast as a weed and already his new pants were a minute away from being too short. “You look fine, Son. You think you could sit up here and hold the reins while I get Texanna?”

“Sure, Pa. Tell her to hurry or we’re gonna be late.”

“I’ll do that.”

Texanna was walking down the stairs when he entered the hall. “You look beautiful.” She flushed and smiled. “But, we need to find you a hat and a parasol.”

Royce found a box of hairpins, and Texanna pinned her hair back and sat the straw bonnet with flowers on her head.

He tilted it to a better angle and added pins to hold it in place.

“I feel stupid in this hat.”

“You look lovely, and it matches your dress.”

She examined herself in the hall mirror. “Maybe.”

He handed her a white parasol. “This will have to do. It’s the only color that matches. Next time you’re in town, pick up a new one.”

As they walked to the buckboard, he looked to see how the dress fit. The corset had pushed her breasts up to fill out the bodice and it fit like a glove down to her waist.

“Wow, Texanna. You look purty.”

She smiled at Garrett’s compliment and curtsied. “Thank you kind sir. You look mighty handsome yourself. And what a fine carriage you’re driving. I feel like Cinderella going to the ball.”

“Who’s Cinderella?”

“Oh, she’s just a girl in a storybook. I’ll tell you the story sometime.”

“Hop in the back, Son.”

“Aw, can’t I sit up here?”

Texanna raised her shoulders. “It’s fine with me.”

“Okay, but be still.”

She put her arm around Garrett and pulled him closer to her. “Give your father a little more room. He’s a big man.”

“You reckon I’ll be as big when I’m growed up?”

Royce’s lips twitched. “I expect so. Look how big Uncle Matthew is. You might take after him.”

His eyes got big. “Yeah.”

Royce looked up to see Texanna smiling at him, and his heart lurched. “You’re mighty quiet.”

“Because I’m doing good to breathe.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Would you like to try wearing it for awhile so you can know firsthand?”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said and laughed.

She snorted. “Chicken.”

He shook his head. She was something else. Her confession this morning had humbled him. That she desired him soothed many hurts, yet raised more questions.

Women in 2008 have sex without marriage? It happened in this time too, and Doc delivered an eight-pound premature baby on occasion. The women at the brothels exchanged sex for money but didn’t mingle with decent folks. He knew a couple of men who visited some of the widow ladies on a regular basis. Maybe their bodies plagued them for sex like a man’s did. He didn’t understand the physical needs of women that well. He knew before her disappearance Pearl had enjoyed the marriage bed, but he’d always felt she held back a part of herself.

His body flushed at the memory of Texanna’s words earlier. “I want to kiss every inch of you.” His body tightened, and he gritted his teeth to keep from groaning. The Pearl he knew would never have told him of her desire, much less act on it.

It was a puzzle. He didn’t know what to think anymore. No one could make him believe time-travel was possible. But, maybe he was a fool. One thing for sure, this woman beside him was under his skin. His desire for her was totally different from what he’d experienced with Pearl. He’d adored her and treated her like a fragile flower. With Texanna, if they ever made love, there would be nothing delicate about their coming together. He sensed their passion would ignite like a flame. Already he dreaded the day she’d leave.

****

Royce pulled the buckboard to a stop before a white frame church with a tall steeple situated above the front door. People in their Sunday best mingled on the lawn as they made their way inside.

“Are we late?”

“Not yet.” He lifted her from the buckboard.

Texanna smoothed the front of her dress and wished she could ease the flutters in her stomach the same way.

They hadn’t made it quite past the door when people turned to look, and the room began to buzz.

Texanna felt her face heat. Royce ignored the congregation and directed her to a pew half way down the aisle. Garret slid in before her, and Royce sat at the end of the row. He stretched his arm across the back of the pew, laid his hand on the back of her neck, and gently squeezed the tendons. She glanced at him and saw him try to control the twitching of his lips. It was all she could do to keep from reaching over to pinch him. He was enjoying the spectacle they were making.