The sound of a creaking wagon rolling into the ranch yard turned both Jesse and the boy toward the window.
The half-pint hopped up with the quilt wrapped around his shoulders, ran across the room, and pressed his face to the glass. “It’s Kristy and her ma and pa.”
Jesse flew to the window, gawking at their visitors climbing down. Kristy carried a pie, and wrapped in her red scarf, she looked as cute as ever. Jesse’s gaze fell down over himself. His wrinkled nightshirt hung loose over his jeans, no stockings on his feet. He hadn’t even run his fingers through his bed hair.
“Here they come,” Nathanial, the brat, sang while nudging Jesse.
“Ouch. Stop it.” He quickly buttoned his shirt, leaving the collar open.
“She’s gonna see your ugly face.” The half-pint snickered.
“Shut up.” Sweat beads moistened Jesse’s skin. There was no hiding his swollen eye or the purple-blotted skin around it. Dark bruising marked his jawline, and his scabbed lips weren’t any more handsome. What a damn disgraceful sight he was, and the ornery brat was grinning as if this were all too funny.
Kate turned Nathanial toward the settee, swatting at his behind. “Behave yourself and don’t embarrass Jesse. And, Jesse, calm yourself.” With a mother’s touch, Kate gently cupped his face. “If Kristy loves you enough, she will look past all the imperfection.”
Jesse stood with his hands awkwardly at his sides, not knowing exactly what to do as Kate answered the door.
“Good afternoon. Come in please.” She nodded as each stepped inside.
Kristy’s eyes teared. Either she was disappointed or worried.
Her pa stepped forward. “Whoa. So you did fight Dutch.” Shorty wasn’t really asking. The ugly answer was all over Jesse’s face.
Mrs. Short took hold of his chin and proceeded to turn his face side to side. He had traded horses that he hadn’t looked over this well. “What did you use to keep his eye from swelling too badly?” Mrs. Short asked Kate as if he weren’t standing right in front of her.
“Excuse me.” Kate slipped between Jesse and the horse trader, who backed off. “Why don’t we go sit in the dining room?” She pointed the way. “I’ll serve coffee and tell you how I treated each cut and bruise, including his broken ribs.”
Jesse caught a wink from Kate. If Mrs. Short would let her out of arm’s reach, this was his chance to speak to Kristy privately. Most womenfolk didn’t look kindly on settling differences with fists, and he suspected Kristy was no different. She wasn’t frowning, which was good, but he expected to hear it.
Shorty broke into a chuckle. “Broken ribs ain’t funny, but I still can’t believe ya took on Dutch. I would’ve let the salesman slug it out over the ticket. The whole town’s talkin’ about the fight and how the sheriff’s deputy took one hell of a beatin’ but got his man jailed.”
Kate quickly cupped Nathanial’s ears. “Mr. Short, please watch your language.” Her reprimand was soft but no less stern.
Mrs. Short nodded in agreement, but judging by her harsh gaze, she wasn’t satisfied just yet. “Young man, I’m sure there was another way you could have settled the dispute besides brawling in the street.”
This was the same lecture he’d gotten last night while Mrs. Crosson tended to him. One mothering woman was enough. He just wanted to know if Kristy was mad at him. She hadn’t said a word.
“You women just don’t understand.” Shorty shook his head at both of them. “Jesse did what he had to as Sheriff Crosson’s deputy. The town’s glad to have him. He and the sheriff are a mighty strong pair. Riffraff will think twice before ridin’ into Gray Rock.” Shorty patted Jesse easy on the back. “I’m proud of you, son.”
Jesse wished everyone would quit calling him Sheriff Crosson’s deputy. He’d lost the respect of that title. Heat rose to his face. Kate seemed to overlook it or was sensitive enough not to correct Shorty.
She reclaimed Elizabeth off the floor. “Shall we head to the table now? Let me show you the fine place settings of Jesse’s mother. We could use them to eat some of that pumpkin pie. Here, let Nathanial carry it.” Finally Kristy’s folks were ushered into the other room for coffee and pleasantries.
Jesse bashfully looked at Kristy. “You mad?” His gut twisted up, waiting for the answer.
“No, I’ve been worried sick. Haven’t slept a wink. One of Pa’s men came racing back from town that day, ran straight to the house, told us every awful detail. I’m glad you’re not hurt worse. Maybe now I can eat.”
Kristy slipped an arm around his, and he stood a little straighter. They sat together on the settee in front of the fire. His eyes were on her, and she couldn’t stop mooning. She had the sweetest smile, and his heart hadn’t stopped thumping.
Kristy tucked a wild hair behind his ear. “I wouldn’t let Pa alone till he promised to bring me.”
There wasn’t one thing Jesse didn’t adore about the affection she showered him with. He was feeling better by the minute.
“Do your ribs hurt bad?” She sort of grimaced as though she could feel the pain.
“Yeah, that’s partly why the sheriff kept me home and went huntin’ for Tipsy himself.” Jesse played it up a little and groaned.
“Aw, you poor thing.” Kristy caressed his face. “When will you be able to return to your duties as deputy?”
Jesse shrugged, not wanting to lie. Warmth rose into his face again. Should he just tell her? He couldn’t have her thinking badly of him. He wanted that star back but not to save face and hide his drunkenness. If he had to, he would admit his guilt. But what Shorty had said earlier was true. Jesse and Sheriff Crosson were a mighty strong pair.
Kristy leaned close, and her warm breath tickled Jesse’s cheek. “I can’t stop thinking about our kiss.”
Jesse laid a hand over hers, and naturally, their fingers intertwined. “I been thinkin’ on you too.” He kept his voice low.
She batted those pretty eyes. “I’d like to kiss you right now.” Kristy’s freshness thoroughly surprised Jesse, stirring him at the same time. With her folks in the next room, which was open to where the two of them sat, there was no chance of their lips getting close enough to press together. Mrs. Short would likely blacken Jesse’s other eye.
The half-pint bounced into the room. “Mrs. Short said I should chaperone the two of you. She called you both starry-eyed and said it was too much for her liking.”
Jesse shook his head. “Partner, do you even know what chaperone means?”
The half-pint scratched his head, then squeezed himself to sit between them. “I’m to make sure the two of you don’t git smoochy.”
Jesse chuckled. “Boy, someday you’re gonna look at girls very differently. You might find one that makes you smile inside every time you think on her. Just to hear her name said will give you happiness.”
Jesse hadn’t thought of Kristy listening. All of a sudden, she was misty-eyed. A rosy glow painted her cheeks, and what a beautiful smile. She threw her arms around Jesse’s neck and hugged him tight. He grimaced, barely able to suck in air, but he wasn’t about to complain.
The half-pint squirmed between them. “Let me out! I can’t breathe!” Those twiggy little arms pushed and finally separated them. Jesse’s partner was frowning, and he smiled. The boy’s nose wrinkled. “I don’t believe you. Girls have bugs. Johnny told me so.”
Jesse glanced over at Kristy, whose eyes were fixed on him. “Well then, partner, I reckon I have a fondness for bugs. Why don’t you run along now?”
The half-pint wasn’t hearing too well and kept his bottom planted. “Jesse gave me a whole chest full of books.” Nathanial waved a hand between them. They did their best to ignore the boy’s chattering about the gift. “Hey, Kristy, do you wanna come to my room and see them all?”
Kristy patted the half-pint on the head. “Maybe next time. I wouldn’t want to get my bugs on your books.”
After a few more minutes of being overlooked, Nate returned to the dining room.