The Lady and the Lawman (29 page)

“
The
hell with him.” H
e
tightened his hand on her back.
“I liked it and I'd like to do it again. And then some.”

She
blushed furiously at his words. She'd liked it, too.

“
Don't
worry about Dalton. I won’t let him near you.”

She
lowered her eyes to his shirtfront as the song came to an end.

He
lifted her chin back up with his thumb. “You’re safe. I’ll
protect you with my life. Always.” He kept her on her toes through
two more songs, and she all but forgot about Dalton.

When
the song ended, he led her over to Tom, who watched them from the
periphery.

“
I
thought I might cut in.” Tom offered with a warm smile.

She
curtsied as Tom took her hand. “It would be my pleasure.”

***

Tom
led Margaret to the bustle around the refreshment table after their
dance. Grant was busy talking with a fellow rancher and waved to her
as he spoke. He was always watching out for her, protecting her, even
from a distance. And the look he gave...it made her heart jump. She
recognized the heat she saw.

Before
they reached their destination, she glimpsed a familiar face in the
crowd. “Can we visit with a friend?”

Before
he could reply, she led Tom by the hand through the throng of
dancers.

“
Rose!”
she shouted, excited at finding her friend from Croft’s at the
picnic.

The
woman looked around cautiously, but spun on her heels as her name was
called. Rose had been the only kind person she had met when she'd
been bought by Croft. One of Croft's girls, she'd been nice to her,
assuaging her fears a little before she'd been dressed in the red
ensemble and led to the card game. That was the last she'd seen of
her as Grant had whisked her away from Croft's soon after.

Rose
pulled her into a surprise hug. “Margaret! I'm so glad to see you.
I wondered what happened to you. Croft didn't say a thing after that
night about you, and I was worried so. I'm glad you're all right!”
The words streamed out in one breath.

She
wiggled out of Rose's tight grip.

“
Sorry!”
Rose continued, embarrassed and definitely flustered. Her hand went
to her ample bosom, as if to calm her galloping heart.

“
No,
I'm sorry.” She took the woman’s hands in hers. “I should have
sent you word about me, but I didn't think of it. It was selfish to
have you worry when you were so kind to me.”

The
two women had forgotten Tom entirely. He cleared his throat and both
women looked at him. “Hello, I'm Tom Masterson.” He held his
large hand out for Rose. For the first time, Rose looked up at Tom
and smiled.

“
I'm
such an idiot,” Margaret said, embarrassed. “Tom, this is Rose, a
friend of mine from Croft's. She was kind enough to help me when I
was...there. Rose, this is my brother-in-law, Tom.”

Rose
stared at Tom as if a spell was cast upon her. Tom seemed to be under
the same charm, for his gaze held hers, as if they were in their own
world. She observed the two, taking in their peculiar behavior. It
was as if their very breath was dependent on the other.

When
her words sunk in, Rose shook her head, the spell broken, and turned
to her. “Brother-in-law? Are you telling me you're married?”

She
laughed and nodded. “Rose, so many things have happened since I've
seen you. Would you come sit with us for the fireworks? Then I can
share with you my crazy life.”

“
I
don't think that would be a good idea,” Rose said quietly, head
lowered. Her gaze darted to Tom. “You shouldn't be seen with the
likes of me.”

Before
Margaret could make any kind of reply to the contrary, Tom spoke up.
“It would be my pleasure to have such a lovely companion for the
fireworks, if you’d be so kind?”

Rose
blushed at his generosity.

Tom
offered his arm, which Rose at first took hesitantly, but Tom
whispered something in her ear and she smiled. Margaret followed the
couple back to their blanket, where Grant was waiting. Introductions
were made and the two women went into their own little world,
chattering away about Margaret's escapades.

Grant
put his hand on Margaret’s thigh. “Maggie, shall we find some
refreshment before the fireworks?”

As
she was led away, she looked questioningly to Grant.

“
I
think Tom would like to get to know Rose, too.”

She
looked over her shoulder at Tom and Rose sitting comfortably on the
blanket, both a bit shy, but definitely content at being in each
other’s company. She finally recognized the implication behind his
comment, and gladly continued on toward the refreshment table with
him.

Not
one to try to lead friends to romance, she had to admit Tom and Rose
were a perfect match. From the little she knew of Rose, she too
desired a home, a family, and love. Like Tom, she had a kind heart
and a gentle spirit. Also like him, she was lonely. Margaret could
only imagine the kind of life Rose had at Croft's.

Tom
held a special spot in her heart. She understood his loneliness and
hoped he could find someone who would love him just as much as he
wanted to love.

***

The
last boom of the fireworks display had long since exploded. The women
finally had time to talk alone when the brothers excused themselves
to have a drink with a neighbor.

“
Tell
me everything!” Rose said enthusiastically, her red curls bounced
as she spoke. “I’ve been dying to know what happened since you
left.”

“
I’m
sorry, Rose,” Margaret replied as she took the woman’s soft hand.
“I truly didn’t mean to make you worry. It happened so quickly.”

She
shared the events of her life after Grant rescued her from Croft,
sparing no detail. “It started when he won me. I didn’t know
anything about him then, and to me, he was like all the other men.
When he...well...you can imagine.” Margaret couldn’t help but
blush.

“
He’s
such a handsome man, I can only imagine what it had been like.”

“
We
didn’t...” It was difficult to speak the embarrassing words out
loud.

“
He
did try, though? A man such as he would have at least made an
attempt.”

“
He
did, so I held his gun to his head.”

“
Mercy!”
Rose placed a trembling hand on her bosom. “Then what?”

Margaret
fidgeted with the checked blanket they sat upon. “I told him about
the stage robbery, and he rescued me. Simple as that.”

“
Those
nasty men.”

Margaret
knew she wasn’t referring to Grant and Tom, and couldn’t have
agreed more.

“
I
didn’t see him, but heard he brought you in. Croft is such a
low-life to buy you like that.” Rose shook her head, her tone thick
with disgust.

“
Well,
I was out of there quickly enough, thanks to my husband.” Margaret
took Rose’s hand. “You could leave there too, if you wanted.”

Rose
shook her head. “No, it’s where I belong.”

“
No,
it isn't.” Margaret knew she was wasting her breath. “If you
change your mind, you're welcome to stay with us.”

“
That’s
mighty kind of you. Now, tell me about these evil men.”

Margaret
knew a change in topic when she heard one. She gave a description of
the man in detail and what he'd done to her, one hand running over
the neckline of her shirt.

“
I'm
glad they're dead, then.”

Grant
appeared and handed the ladies cups of lemonade, then left them once
again to themselves.

“
Your
husband is such a gentleman. Rescuing you from Croft like that, then
tracking you down and finding you when that awful man took you.”
Rose took a sip from her cup. “So romantic!”

Margaret
hadn’t thought it romantic, but when Rose spoke of it, she had to
admit it was a bit chivalrous. She savored the tart beverage as she
thought about Grant. No man had done so much for her before. Her
father hadn’t cared, and neither had William.

It
hadn’t been Grant’s fault she had stepped in for William’s
strike. He also wasn’t responsible for the stage robber kidnapping
her again. But every time she got herself into trouble, he was there
for her.

Maybe
it was romantic, after all.

“
That
kiss out on the dance floor, hoowee!”

Margaret
felt her cheeks burn red, yet she couldn’t help but smile over the
rim of her cup.

“
We
haven't yet...”

“
But
you're married!” Rose exclaimed. “You have a husband who looks
like that, who's a gentleman and you haven't...is there something
wrong with him?”

Rose
eyed Grant up and down, even from a distance.

“
Oh,
no! There's nothing wrong with him...that way. I told you about all
the things that have happened. There really hasn't been time and,
well, I'm scared.”

Rose
patted her hand. “With that man, there's nothing to be scared
about. Waiting until after you were married to touch you was I’m
sure no small feat on his part.”

“
He
did touch me...a little...before the wedding, but not to the extent
you’re talking about. I mean, he didn’t get his money’s worth
that night at Croft’s, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“
He’s
so handsome. It must have been difficult for you to resist.”

“
Yes
and no.” Margaret folded her hands together and rested them in her
lap. “I’ve been angry with him so many times, I can’t decide if
I should hate him or kiss him.”

Rose
raised one eyebrow. “And now, which one do you want?”

Margaret
blushed even more as she laughed. “Kiss him. Definitely kiss him.”

Both
women burst into laughter.

***

Saying
goodbye to Rose was difficult, knowing the woman was returning to
Croft's.

“
You're
sure you'll be all right?” Margaret asked, concerned.

“
I'll
be fine. Don't you worry about me.” Rose spoke brightly, but it was
obvious she wasn't eager to return home, if that was what the saloon
could be called.

“
May
I escort you to your door?” Tom offered.

Rose
blinked, then responded. “You do know where I live?”

“
Yes,
and it would be an honor to do so.”

“
Do
you...?”

Tom
looked abashed. “Ma’am, my intentions are strictly honorable.”

Smiling
warmly, she was clearly touched by Tom’s kindness. “Thank you,
yes.” She turned to Margaret. “I’ll see you soon, I hope.”

Margaret
nodded. “I’d like that.”

After
tipping his hat to Rose, Grant lifted Margaret onto his horse. He
climbed up behind her and put his arm around her, pulling her close
to his chest.

Tom
and Rose had already started toward town, leaving them alone.
Margaret tilted her head and looked up into Grant’s eyes.

“
Hello.”
He smiled down into her upturned face.