10

There was much work that needed to be done, but Frederick’s brain wasn’t performing as it should. He reclined in his desk chair and stared at nothing. His mind was feasting on long, blonde tresses, sun-kissed cheeks, and eyes so blue a man could get lost in them. Oh, how you distract me, Miss McKinney…

Sarah Jane infiltrated his mind, his heart, his very being. She was so strong and independent with her rugged Texas spirit. She could transform into a sophisticated gentlewoman in the blink of an eye. She was like a wild tiger wrapped inside a delicate rose. How could such an amazing creature be interested in the likes of me?

“Are you all right, Mr. Chessher?” Mrs. Gilley stood at the office door. Her entrance snapped Frederick back to reality. “You look as if you’re in a trance.”

Frederick bolted upright and fumbled with some papers. “Oh, uh, yes, of course I’m all right. I just have a lot on my mind and…and I suppose I’m tired. Yes, that’s it, I’m tired.” He sat back and rubbed his eyes.

“Here’s the Garner file.” She shoved it toward him. “It took me forever to find it.”

“Whatever are you giving me that for?” Frederick scowled. “That case has been closed for more than a year.”

Mrs. Gilley glared back. “That’s exactly what I said to you when you asked me to fetch it earlier.” She released the heavy ream of legal papers with a thud on Frederick’s desk. “And who is this Miss McKinney, and why does she have you in such a frenzy? I could hear your conversation from the other room.”

Frederick crossed his arms and looked down. He couldn’t stop the burning flush creeping up his neck. “I…”

Mrs. Gilley sucked in an audible gasp, and her eyebrows arched high. “Mr. Chessher! You have feelings for Miss McKinney!”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Frederick shook his head in denial as he fished for a reply. “Certainly, you are mistaken. Miss McKinney happens to be the niece of your boss, and if you had half a mind, you would have treated her and her sister a little more graciously.”

The young woman’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I’m mistaken one bit. And to think…you have a precious young lady friend waiting for you in Beaumont. You should be ashamed.” Mrs. Gilley charged out of the room.

Thank goodness, that’s over. Frederick shuffled through a stack of documents Mr. Logan had asked him to handle. The City of Galveston was thriving, and lawyers were in demand. He was grateful to have a position under one of the best. Frederick looked for the J. L. Rose file. Mr. Logan told him it was a priority. “Rose, Rose, Rose…where are you, Rose?” He froze. His thoughts betrayed him once again. What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. Shakespeare’s words resonated through his mind. Oh, Sarah…my beautiful rose in fullest of bloom. His eyes widened at his shameless desires. Why is this happening to me? “Mrs. Gilley! Come to my office at once!”

“What is it?” She came in with a flustered expression.

“I need you to send a telegram right away.”

“Let me get pencil and paper.” She went out and returned. “Go ahead, I’m ready.”

“Eliza, traveling to Beaumont on the weekend. Please be prepared to accept me. Sign it…” Frederick struggled with how to end the message. “Oh, just sign it, sincerely, Frederick.”

Mrs. Gilley dipped her chin. She stalked out of his office radiating disapproval.

~*~

Tired of hair slapping her face, Sarah turned into the wind. The ferryboat was slow, but a stiff Gulf breeze was blowing, making it hard to keep her eyes open. She gave up and let them close. Unwanted as they were, thoughts of Frederick came to the forefront of her mind.

His words taunted her. “I have a lady friend in Beaumont…she would interpret our hand holding as entirely inappropriate.”

Her emotions were all jumbled up. She was mad and confused that he had called her a distraction. Was she not as good as his Beaumont lady? Oh, Lord, it’s my time to start courting. Why is the only man I’ve ever been interested in already taken? Help me get him out of my mind. She felt so angry, rejected and…jealous. A tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped it away. Stupid man…you don’t even fear the Lord! You and your stupid emerald-green eyes and your stupid long, brown hair. Why do I even bother trying? And what a stupid name…Frederick Chessher. Sounds like that stupid cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Oh, Frederick…Fred-er-ick…Freedrick…Freddy…Fritz. Good morning, Fritz…

“Stop!” Sarah clamped her hand over her mouth.

“Stop what?” Grace swung her head toward her sister.

“Oh, sorry. I’m tired of the wind in my eyes.”

“So you thought you would tell it to stop.” Grace grinned.

“I know…stupid.”

Despite the breeze fluttering its pages, Grace went back to writing in her journal.

Sarah didn’t need to be thinking of such things when she had a trail drive to get ready for. Someone would have to travel with her. She wasn’t comfortable being alone with Mr. Reinhardt, and Mama wouldn’t allow it anyway. She glanced at her sister, contemplating if she could handle the trail drive. Closing her eyes, she chuckled.

Grace grimaced. “Now what’s the matter with you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just had a really funny thought go through my mind.”

“Would you like to share?”

“No. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Fine, suit yourself.”

Sarah squeezed her small handbag. She smoothed her fingers over the cool metal outline of her pistol. Mr. Reinhardt, you’d better think twice before messing with me.