Lydia offered Caleb a piece of candy, but he couldn’t look at anything except those pretty puckered lips. “No, thank you,” he finally managed. “In fact, I can’t stay. I just thought you might like a sweet.”
“Thank you.”
She took his hand to shake it, but he brought her fingers to his lips instead. An awkward moment passed between them until Caleb released his grasp.
She walked to the window and lifted the lace curtains. “A lovely evening for a stroll, don’t you think?”
Caleb rocked back on his heels. “Stroll?”
“Do I need to spell it out? I’m going for a walk, and I’d like you to accompany me.” She paused to let the curtain fall back into place, then turned to face Caleb. “That is, if you’d like to. I’m quite capable of going out alone.” Without waiting for his answer, Lydia reached for her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Hold on there, darlin’.” Caleb grabbed his hat and set it back on his head. “You don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
“I do if I don’t want to lose my nerve.”
“Your nerve?” The screen door slammed behind him, and Caleb hurried to catch up. “What’re you talking about?”
She pointed to the garden, the same place where he’d seen her crying what seemed ages ago. “I’ll be honest. I lured you out here to tell you my story without fear of being overheard.”
Caleb nodded. “I appreciate that you trust me enough to share it.”
Lydia stopped short and looked up into his eyes. “It’s not you I trust. It’s God.” She swallowed hard. “I need to tell you about me, Caleb. About why I’m here in Dime Box.”
He gave her a sideways look. “All right. Why’s that?”
She took a deep breath and prayed the right words would come. “I’m an only child and quite a disappointment to my parents. You see, I—”
“Who’s out there?”
Lydia saw Mrs. Sykes standing at the garden wall in her dressing gown. “It’s me—Lydia. I’m with the sheriff.”
Mrs. Sykes waved and disappeared inside the rooming house. Lydia stepped away from the wall, and Caleb followed. Somewhere between the garden and the street Caleb slipped his hand around hers.
She walked beside him in silence, allowing Caleb to lead the way. Before long they were strolling down the sidewalk toward the sheriff ’s office.
“We can keep walking or talk in here,” he said.
Lydia peered inside the office, then nodded. “Here’s fine.”
Caleb bustled around lighting lamps and putting on a pot of coffee while Lydia watched. Before she knew it, he sat across the desk from her with a pair of mugs in hand. He set one in front of her, then leaned back in his chair.
The time had come. Lydia watched the steam rise from the black coffee, then began. “As I said, I’m an only child.” She lifted her gaze to meet Caleb’s stare. “I’m sure my father expected more from his daughter. My mama, well, I know she did.”
To his credit, Caleb remained silent.
“Mama was from a distinguished family. Old money, I guess you could say. Papa, well, he is a preacher. He loves the Lord and my mama.” She paused to take a sip of the best coffee she’d tasted since leaving New Orleans. “He loves me, too, but I’m afraid I disappoint him regularly.”
Caleb looked concerned. “How so?”
“Silly things to you, I suppose, but to Mama my antics have been an embarrassment.”
“Antics?”
Lydia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Yes, you see I’ve been in boarding schools since I was ten. Mama felt it would be good for me to broaden my experiences, but all I wanted was to go home.” She sighed. “I soon learned that fine line between misbehaving and things that could get me sent home.”
Caleb leaned forward. “Like?”
She shrugged. “Like dipping my slippers in the punch bowl or dancing a jig in the town fountain.” Before he could speak, she held up her hand to silence him. “I was modest about it, I promise.”
His grin disappeared. “So how did you end up in Dime Box?”
“Well, actually, this was Mama’s doing. With Papa’s approval.” She blinked back tears. “She—or rather, they—felt it in my best interest to send me away to find a husband.”
“I see.” He steepled his hands and stared hard into her eyes. “And how do you feel about this?”
Lydia let out the breath she’d been holding. “I feel like God must’ve sent me to marry Cal Wilson, so that’s what I am supposed to do.”
Caleb rose abruptly and set his mug on the desk. He walked around to her and reached for her hand. Rising, Lydia found herself dangerously near to the sheriff.
“Is that what you want to do, Lydia?”
She looked up into eyes that glittered with emotion. They were gray, she noticed, the color of the New Orleans sky just before a storm.
Before she could answer, before she could manage to put together a thought as to how she felt, Caleb Wilson kissed her. Lydia stepped back, touching her lips.
No man had ever been so bold with her. No kiss had ever been so welcome. With all her heart, Lydia knew God had led her to this place, to this man. Fear slipped away, and peace took its place.
“This changes everything.” Had she spoken or merely thought this?
“Yes, it does.” Caleb stepped back and leaned against the desk. “I’m not who you think I am, Lydia. I believe it’s time you heard my story. You see, I’m not Sheriff Cal Wilson. I’m Caleb Wilson, outlaw. Well, reformed outlaw, that is.”
“This sounds like quite a story. Do you mind if I sit down?”
Lydia settled back on the chair while Caleb paced the room and told her of his life as part of the Wilson gang. When he finished, he had his back to her and his attention focused on the wall of wanted posters.
“I know personally more than half the men on this wall.” He turned to face her. “But I know one man who makes all this not matter anymore. See, I found Jesus behind the prison walls. I was locked up, but He set me free. I wanted to do something good for Him, but I haven’t gone about it the right way. I need to go talk to Ed and make this right.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
Caleb shook his head. “I need to do this alone.”