Trevor plopped down on the red-checkered cloth beside Anna, and she jumped in response.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She waved him off. “It’s all right. My thoughts were elsewhere.”
Her voice trembled a little. She wasn’t comfortable. But why? He palmed their two tin cups of water in one hand and their lunch in the other as he assessed the secluded spot. The rear walls of one of the bunkhouses kept them hidden from view of the ranch, and the creek to the south afforded a natural barrier. None of the other cowboys would find them here. Maybe that’s what bothered her? How alone they were?
“See? What did I tell you?” Trevor announced with forced pride. “This is the perfect spot.”
Anna looked around them with a guarded expression. “It is out of the way. That’s for certain.” She hesitated a moment then nodded. “But it does appear to be a good choice. You were right when you said this ranch is amazing. It’s gorgeous!”
“Yes, it is.” He grinned. “Sure makes it hard to think of it as work when surrounded by all this.”
She looked around. “How did you find this place?”
“Oh, um, I was out walking one day and stumbled upon it. Seemed like it would be a good place for an impromptu picnic.”
Anna shifted her focus and regarded her skirts as if they held some special secret. “It does seem lovely.”
Her voice was so soft he had to strain to hear her above the gurgling of the creek. It was time for a change of subject. He opened the basket and pulled out fried chicken, apples, and bread. “We didn’t get a chance to discuss this earlier in the week. How has your work been going?”
Anna looked at him and smiled. “Quite well. And yours?”
He shrugged. “There haven’t been any surprises or problems.”
“I did have a situation a few days ago when Morning Fawn brought her latest wares to sell.”
Finally. A topic that seemed to excite her. “Oh? What happened?”
“Well, she had some new fringed deerskin shirts, only this time, she brought one of the braves from her camp with her to model them for me.”
Trevor raised one eyebrow. “Model? How did that go?”
She giggled. “It was clear he wasn’t used to being inside a shop, especially not one with so many tables and displays. He kept bumping into things and trying not to knock over anything.”
He could almost see where her story was headed, but he let her tell it.
“He was uncomfortable, but it wasn’t a problem until he tripped over one of the baskets on the floor and grabbed one of the tables to regain his balance.” Anna looked away as she recalled the details. “The only problem was, the table he grabbed held small pottery bowls filled with shells, beadwork pieces, and arrowheads, along with a selection of hand-carved flutes.”
“Oh, no!” Trevor closed his eyes, as if doing that would prevent what he knew had happened.
“I lunged for the table, trying to keep the items from falling, but I was too late.” A dimple showed in her left cheek when she pressed her lips together. “And not only that, but I also tripped. I ended up sitting in a heap on the floor with those pieces all around me and some of them clinging to my clothing.” She sniggered. “It was quite a sight.”
Trevor chuckled at the mental image he formed from her description. The ladies he normally found among his acquaintance would never have laughed about such a predicament. The mere idea of dirt usually sent them running off to change clothes. To imagine them enduring a debacle like that and taking it all in stride as Anna had done, well, it wouldn’t happen.
“Did you ever get to see those new shirts on display?”
“Not in the least,” she replied. “By the time we got everything cleaned up, Falcon Hunter couldn’t leave my shop soon enough.” She smiled and took a drink from her tin cup.
Trevor waggled his eyebrows. “Bet that brave will think twice before agreeing to anything Morning Fawn asks in the future.”
Her lips tightened, preventing the water she’d just drunk from escaping.
He laughed and placed his hands in his lap as he attempted to school his expression into one of nonchalance. It was no use. “I’m sorry,” he said through barely contained chuckles. “I do thank you, though, for sparing me the spray of your drink.”
With a swallow and dainty clearing of her throat, Anna once again regained her composure. “You are most welcome,” she replied, raising her cup again to her lips. “But I cannot guarantee that should a repeat occurrence take place, you will remain free from harm.”
It took Trevor a moment to process what she’d just said. He narrowed his eyes at the playful underlying threat laced in her words. She spoke with such calm, her expression devoid of any mischief. He couldn’t tell if she was flirting or serious. And she likely preferred it that way. Such a unique blend of sophistication and affability.
He reached for a piece of chicken. Holding it up for her perusal, he raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Well? What do you think?”
“About your sense of humor or the choice piece of chicken you’ve selected?” She took a bite of her apple, the corners of her lips turning up as she chewed.
“My—” He paused. Wait a minute. Had she just teased him about his sense of humor? He clenched his jaw and raised his chin a fraction of an inch. “The chicken, of course.”
She swallowed and held the apple in front of her lips. “In that case, I approve.” Anna pointed to the two drumsticks that remained. “You left me my favorite piece.”
He leaned back on his elbows and regarded her through half-lidded eyes. “Well, you were the one to specifically ask for them. I enjoy them, too, but I wouldn’t dream of taking food from a lady.” Taking a bite of the much larger piece he held, he released an exaggerated groan. “Mmmm. It’s the best chicken I’ve ever had.”
Anna covered her mouth and giggled. “You’d better be careful about saying things like that. Wouldn’t want the cook here at the ranch to find out. He or she might get jealous.”
Trevor shook a finger in her direction. “That’s not true. The cook here has nothing to worry about. But I haven’t tasted his fried chicken yet.”
Anna daintily set about unfolding her napkin and setting it in her lap. When she looked up at him again, she grinned. “Then you might want to reserve your judgment until you’ve had the chance to sample his chicken, too.”
He reclined a bit and propped himself on one elbow. “I suppose you’re right.”
“What about you?” He took another bite of the chicken and swallowed. “How does this compare to your previous experiences?”
“Our cook didn’t often make meals like this. They were far more involved.” As soon as she answered, Anna gasped and covered her mouth.
He drew his eyebrows together. “Your cook?” But he thought she was part of the working class. Why would she have someone preparing meals for her?
She composed herself quickly and reached for one of the drumsticks. “The one at my former home,” she replied.
“And where is that home?”
“Umm, not too far from here, but far enough.”
There it was again. The evasive and nondescript answer. Perhaps there was something she didn’t want to tell him. Painful memories, maybe? Or she might be ashamed of where she’d lived? “How have your parents gotten along with you gone for more than a year?”
Anna polished off the drumstick and set the bone aside. “Well, they have my older brother to help.”
He pushed himself to a sitting position and leaned forward. Softening his voice, he tried to coax out a little more about her home life. Maybe it would give him more insight into her background. “But I get the feeling they don’t exactly approve of your choice to leave.”
A pained expression flitted across her face before she had the chance to hide it. “They would definitely prefer it if I had not traveled this far away, but they had no reason to make me stay, either.” She looked away and plucked a dandelion gone to seed. “Besides, my sister was more their favorite anyway. She kept them plenty busy with all her affairs.”
If only he could take away the hurt she was feeling and replace it with the carefree nonchalance she’d often shown. Then again, if he did that, he might not find out anything more about this young woman who’d suddenly become such an important part of his life.
“Have you told them you’ve settled quite nicely where you are?”
“Yes.” She inhaled and puffed out her cheeks then blew on the white seeds of the weed. “And I even told them how happy I am.”
Trevor reached out and covered the hand in her lap with his own, offering her a smile. “Well, if they care about you, as it seems they do, telling them you’re happier away from them might not reassure them in the way you had hoped.”
Anna looked down at the hand covering hers, his tanned skin a stark contrast to her pale peach shade. Working on the ranch had certainly changed him…for the better. She gave him a wary look. “Mother did mention her concerns about that, especially way out here away from Denver or even Colorado Springs.”
Actually, truth be told, Mother didn’t just “mention her concerns” the first time Anna had called to let them know where she’d settled. Father hadn’t been too pleased, either, but at least he had maintained a cool head about it all.
“And what about your father?” Trevor continued, as if he’d read her thoughts. “I’d think he’d want to keep his daughter safe, too.”
“Yes. But he was more willing to trust me when I told him there was no cause for concern.” She toyed with the idea of removing her hand from underneath his, but it felt so good to have his touch and reassurance.
“Any plans to ever return?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why do you ask?”
Trevor leaned away and rested his forearms on his knees. She immediately felt the loss of warmth from his withdrawn hand, but his nearness still offered a great deal of comfort in its place…in spite of his obvious probing.
“It’s not easy leaving everything you’ve ever known, especially when there’s a bit of turmoil connected to your departure. You’ll have to eventually make peace with it, somehow.” He gave her a rueful grin. “I should know.”
Anna ducked her chin. It was exactly what Morning Fawn had told her. “Oh. Yes. It has been bothering me lately.” She had hoped her teasing remarks and smiles might cover up the inner turmoil. Obviously it hadn’t. Trevor had seen right through her unsuccessful attempts. And now he wanted to know more.
She saw his hand before his fingers touched her chin and he raised her head to meet his gaze. “Hey,” he said softly “you can’t be expected to be blithe all the time. Life isn’t that perfect.”
He stroked the underside of her chin, and she quelled the shiver that started somewhere near the base of her spine. She got lost in the coffee-colored depths of his caring eyes.
“I have a feeling you won’t allow this turmoil to go on for too long,” he continued. “Your heart’s far too big to allow unrest to cloud those beautiful blue eyes for long. You will find a way to triumph.”
Anna wanted to pull away. She needed to put some distance between them, but his intent gaze held her captive. As his face came closer, her heart pounded faster. She’d dreamed of this moment for years, but nothing compared to experiencing the real thing.
As if of its own accord, her mouth parted and her eyes drifted closed. A second later, Trevor’s lips touched hers, and her breath caught in her throat. She felt him shift as both of his hands moved to frame her face. The tender way his mouth caressed hers was almost her undoing. His kiss was so genuine, so honest. And she hadn’t been either of those things with him. Anna couldn’t bear it any longer, and she pulled back.
Trevor didn’t move. She kept her eyes downcast, unable to meet his eyes and the questions she was sure she’d find there. He reached up and touched her cheek. It was then she felt the wetness under his thumb. When had she started crying?
“Anna.” Trevor’s raspy whisper cut straight to her heart. “Please let me in.”
“I can’t,” she breathed. “Not yet.” She braved a glance at his face.
The quick flash of pain at her initial response changed to one of hope. “I’ll wait,” he said. “Until then, we’ll keep things as they are.”
She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she merely nodded. Oh, how she wished he could become something more than that. His concern for her warmed her heart. And the softness in his eyes all but wore down her resolve to keep parts of her life a secret. No. She dared not risk it. She walked on thin ice as it was.
If she didn’t control the circumstances as much as possible, that thin layer would crack and she’d be pulled beneath the safe surface into the turbulent waters below. If the crashing jolt of reality coming face-to-face with the day-to-day world she’d created didn’t ruin her, the possible betrayal on Trevor’s face would.
“I best be getting you back to town.” Trevor stood and dusted off his pants then retrieved his hat and slapped it on his head. He held out a hand to assist her. “You ready?”
She placed her hand in his and forced a smile. She could at least attempt to bring things back to where they were before. “Not exactly, but what other choice do we have?” Standing, she fluffed out the folds of her skirts.
Trevor bent to pick up the basket then straightened and gave her a wink. “I think I’ll refrain from answering that, for now. Don’t want to say or do something I might regret.”
Wasn’t that the truth! “Me, either,” she mumbled.
“What was that?”
Anna cleared her throat. “Uh, nothing.” He started walking, and she fell into step beside him. The least she could do was show her appreciation for the enjoyable thirty minutes they’d shared. “Thank you for inviting me to lunch. And for finding this little spot.”
He stopped and turned toward her. “You’re welcome. We should do it again.”
He still wanted to spend time with her. That was a good sign. “Perhaps,” she answered.
“Well, off I go.” He touched two fingers to the brim of his hat and saluted. “Until next time.”
Anna rushed inside and pushed the door to the shop closed behind her. She’d had such a good time with Trevor today. In fact, every time they were together, he managed to lift her spirits and make her forget the deception that shrouded their entire relationship…even if only for a little while. And his kiss! She touched her fingers to her lips, reliving each and every breathtaking moment. It was everything she’d imagined and more. But that was where she had to watch out. If she wasn’t careful, the sincerity in those deep-brown eyes of his would be her undoing. She had to figure out a way to tell him the truth. They’d come too far for her to turn back now.