8

Miss McKinney hadn’t eaten much of her lunch. Frederick regretted bringing her to the small diner, and for sauerkraut, no less. Nothing was more of an offense to the senses than fermented cabbage. What would her uncle think of his choice? Frederick had the feeling Miss McKinney might have been flirting. It was imperative he not give her a reason to think he was interested. But gazing at the gorgeous, blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty proved difficult. Frederick made small talk while they ate. “I’m sorry I don’t know very much about cattle drives…or cattle, for that matter. I wish there were more I could do to help. What exactly had you planned to discuss with your uncle?”

Miss McKinney looked up to the ceiling as though the answer to his question might be found there. “Oh, well I, uh…a trail boss. I need to hire a trail boss.”

Frederick raised his brows. “A trail boss…I see. And how does one go about acquiring a trail boss?”

“Yes, that’s the question of the hour, isn’t it? I was hoping Uncle Jeremiah would help me with an answer, but I suppose that won’t be happening.”

“Oh, yes, well I’m quite sorry. I’m afraid I’ve been no help at all.”

Miss McKinney’s eyes fluttered, and her hand moved toward Frederick.

He wanted to fold his hands in his lap, but that would have been entirely too rude. Having no other choice, he allowed her to touch his hand. It was all he could do to suppress the feeling marching up and down his spine.

“Don’t worry, Frederick. I’ll figure this out on my own. I can be very resourceful when the need arises.” She patted his hand. “And thank you so much for treating me to lunch.”

Frederick wiped his hands on his napkin. “You’re very welcome. Your company was my pleasure.” He tossed the napkin on his half-eaten meal. “Are you ready to go, then?”

Her head jerked back, and her shoulders slumped. “All right, we can go.”

“Very good.” Frederick bounded from his seat and moved to help with her chair. “Here we go.” He left coins on the table and rushed her out the door. He hated to be rude, but he needed to distance himself from the vexing vixen before his mind wrote a check that his heart couldn’t cash.

~*~

Sarah considered herself somewhat perceptive, but she couldn’t understand what was going on inside this man’s head. He obviously couldn’t tell when a young lady was interested in him. And why did he rush her out of the diner so quickly? And if he didn’t slow his pace she would have to run to keep up. “Frederick, Frederick, can we please slow down?”

Frederick stopped and turned. “I do apologize, Miss McKinney. I sometimes forget how briskly I walk. Must be a carryover from my days on the Harvard track and field team.”

Sarah caught up. “If that’s your walk I’d hate to see you in a hurry!”

Frederick chuckled. “The office is just up ahead.” He pointed up Strand Street.

Sarah offered her arm. He acted as though he didn’t know what to do. OK, Mr. Frederick Chessher. This is your last chance. Take it or leave it.

With what appeared to be trepidation, Frederick hooked arms with Sarah, and they walked much slower down the street. Upon reaching her uncle’s law office, he opened the door and ushered her to the group of overstuffed chairs in the lobby. Sarah sat in the cozy loveseat and folded her hands in her lap.

Tension melted from Frederick’s shoulders when Mrs. Gilley stepped out and walked toward her desk holding a cup of steaming liquid. “Oh, Mrs. Gilley, thank goodness you’re here.”

“But I’ve been here all day, Mr. Chessher. Is there something you need?” She set the cup on her desk, her expression puzzled.

“Um…yes, would you mind pulling the um, the um…the Garner file? Yes, that’s it.” He snapped his fingers as if he’d just remembered.

Mrs. Gilley’s brow furrowed. “The Garner case was closed over a year ago. Has something come up?”

Frederick looked befuddled. He spoke curtly to the woman. “Not yet, but I’m certain it will. Now please retrieve the file for me.”

“Yes, sir.” Mrs. Gilley huffed out a breath and left the room.

“Won’t you come sit?” Sarah patted the chair.

“Um, yes, of course.” Frederick sat next to her, but didn’t make eye contact. He fidgeted with a button on his coat.

Sarah reached over and held his hand still. “What on earth is the matter with you, Frederick?”

He slumped back and pulled his hand away. “I must be honest with you, Miss McKinney. I have a lady friend in Beaumont, Texas and I beg your pardon, but she would interpret our hand holding as entirely inappropriate.” Frederick averted his gaze and straightened his tie. “And…in all honesty, you have become quite the distraction to me.”

A flood of heat rose up Sarah’s neck. Had she been at home, a statement like that would have brought about a flurry of condemnation. Sarah rose from her chair. “Excuse me, Mr. Chessher, I’ll be going now. I, I need to find out what’s happened to my…”

Frederick leaped from his seat nearly knocking Sarah off her feet. “Please, Miss McKinney, don’t be offended by what I said. What I meant is that…”

The bell tinkled, and Grace pushed open the office door.

“Oh, look, Grace has found her way back.” Sarah grabbed her sister in a bear hug. “I’m so glad to see you. I was worried something terrible had happened to you.”

Grace squinted at Sarah as if a complete stranger had embraced her. “Um, no, I’m fine, except for feeling addle minded for forgetting my reticule.” She held up the small bag. “But I have it now. Shall we sit?”

Sarah quickly cut her off. “Oh, Grace, you aren’t addled, you’re just confused.”

Frederick’s scrutiny landed on Grace. “What is it you’re confused about, Miss Winnie?”

Grace, in turn, tented her eyebrows and looked directly at Sarah. “Why I’m not exactly sure, Mr. Chessher. Sister, can you apprise the rest of us about what it is exactly that I’m confused about?”

Sarah patted Grace’s arm. “Now, sister, you said yourself that we have a lot to do to get ready for your wedding. We can’t stay here all day dilly-dallying.”

Sarah took Grace’s elbow and gently nudged her. “Come on now, let’s go.”

Grace yanked her arm from Sarah’s grip. “But I just got here!”

Sarah‘s chin quivered. “And now we’re going.”

Grace’s eyes held empathy, and she gave a sympathetic nod. “Yes, Sarah’s right. We really should be going.” She turned to Frederick and offered her hand. “Thank you for your hospitality to sister and I, Mr. Chessher.”

Frederick accepted Grace’s dainty hand. “Uh, you’re…uh, welcome, Miss Winnie.”

Sarah didn’t say anything for fear she might burst into tears.

Frederick squinted and rubbed his chin.

“Ta-ta!” Grace said as they went out the door.