Chapter Four

After breakfast, Daniella excused herself. "Bitsy and I need to read a book in the kitchen where Ellie's working. Mr. Youngblood, it was a pleasure."

He nodded and smiled. "Likewise, ma'am."

Max asked the young man to meet him in the parlor.

"I'll just take a minute of your time, Youngblood. The thing is, I'm to meet with the sheriff this morning. He summoned me a couple of weeks ago with a note that said he had a proposition for me. Could it have anything to do with this prisoner?"

"You can call me Hank, if you want. U.S. Marshal Henry Youngblood."

Max grinned and held out his hand. "Captain Max Garrison, recently retired U.S. Marshal."

Hank grinned back. "Now, that's a much better introduction. Makes me feel at home. I've worked the northwestern part of Texas, mostly, so I guess I haven't run across you. I was told, though, a marshal would be retiring down here, settling down at his ranch. I pictured an old man. I wondered at the time if he might have something to do with this mysterious mission."

Max propped his boot on an andiron next to the fireplace, and leaned on the mantel with one thumb hooked in his pocket. "So, you don't know what this is all about, either?"

"Damn sure don't. They won't tell you anything you don't need to know. All I knew was to deliver the letter, since Boulder City is on the way home. I have a two-week furlough, and I sure need it."

Max chuckled as he moved away from the fireplace. "I know the feeling. Well, if that's all, I won't keep you."

"Nice to meet you. I'll settle up with Mrs. Tolbert, deliver this letter, and hit the trail. I wish there was a railroad closer to home, but there's not. Sure would be nice, though."

They shook hands and Max returned to the dining room. He peeked into the kitchen and saw Daniella playing patty-cake with the child. He stepped in.

"Miss Sommers? May I walk you home? That is, if you're ready to go?"

With her eyes shining, she nodded as she lowered the girl to the floor and kissed her on the cheek. "That's all the playing for today, Bitsy. Ellie, the breakfast was wonderful. I'm walking back with Mr. Garrison."

Ellie finished drying the dishpan, wiped her hands on her apron, and smiled at both of them. "That's fine. Dani, will you have reading circle tomorrow afternoon? Sunday at three?"

"I will, and I'll have the teapot on. I hope May can come, but she often has to work at the laundry, even on Sundays. There's a special tea I want to serve you girls. I have a picture book and a tea set Bitsy can play with, and she can bring her doll. See you then."

* * * * *

Even though the sun shone brightly, the cold air made her shiver. Daniella wrapped up as she had before, and Max took her elbow as they walked down the steps of the house. As they moved along, he took her hand and curved it through his arm. He brought her close to his side so they walked in step, moving along the street at a leisurely pace. She looked into his eyes, and he gazed down at her and winked.

Joy lifted Daniella's spirits, and she wondered how she and Max appeared to others. Did she complement him, having a pleasing countenance that matched his? Did her dark looks meld with his dark hair and tanned skin? Why doesn't he see that I'm different, with my darker skin and black eyes? He seems oblivious to my appearance.

Honestly, though, few people had actually said anything over the years. Many of the women of the town acted kind, but standoffish. Very few ever came into the shop, now that her parents were gone. The last two years had been excruciating, not only lonely, but little by little, the females almost shunned her.

Were they afraid she'd attract one of their sons? Had she become so different, now that she ran the shop alone?

One older woman who had known Daniella since she was small never came to town anymore. When Daniella was little, the woman sat on the porch with her and told stories, showed her how to braid ribbons into necklaces and bracelets, and often brought her a candy stick. Daniella wondered about her. Maybe if she could find the woman, she might learn something about her life before the Sommers adopted her. The topic had always been taboo with her parents. They always said she was theirs, and that was all she needed to know.

Daniella simply didn't fit in anymore. She guessed the townspeople ignored her when she was little, and her youth and innocence during her growing up years kept her insulated from very much ridicule or resentment. Since she was grown and owned the bookshop, they became wary, as if they didn't know how to treat her.

A bigger problem was her financial situation. She barely hung on with the small amount of cash she earned each week. Fortunately, the building was debt-free, but to buy wood for her stove, food, and necessary clothing had become a huge struggle.

As it was, she wore the same clothing as long as the pieces didn't look frumpy and out of style. She'd constructed dresses and underthings from her mother's better garments, as well, creating outfits she could use. She liked looking her best since she worked with the public.

Her parents held a nice bank account, but the burial expenses took a good piece of it. She'd divided the remaining balance into two accounts: savings and living expenses. The small living expenses fund disappeared rather quickly. She prayed daily to manage one day at a time, so she could protect the savings account.

No one bought the books anymore. To survive, she rented them out for a few pennies. Still, very few residents took advantage of her generosity. Finally, she just loaned them out, and if the patron had anything to trade, she'd take it.

Just last week, a woman who lived nearby on a small farm brought two jars of pickles in exchange for one borrowed book. Pickles. The last thing she needed. Another woman from a ranch brought a loaf of bread and two eggs. That had been such a treat.

Ellie insisted she come over to eat breakfast Saturdays and Sundays. In exchange, Ellie attended the Sunday afternoon reading circle, which only consisted of the two of them. One other woman attended a couple of times, but had not returned. . She served a special tea, and Ellie listened to Daniella read aloud. In addition, Daniella kept Bitsy on occasion to free Ellie for some chore.

The town seemed to come alive, now that the stores were open and families and ranchers rode into town. Saturdays were the best days. At least someone would come into the shop, usually a woman who only wanted to look around. Daniella didn't mind, because the visitor usually talked, at least a little.

"Here, we are, Miss Sommers."

Daniella reached into her coat pocket for the key. "Won't you come in?"

"Sure. I'll stoke up your stove."

"Oh, why thank you. I'll take you up on that. I need to run upstairs, but I'll only be a minute."

In her room, she removed her coat and scarf, glanced in the mirror, and smoothed her hair on the sides and top where the wool scarf caused crackling sounds and made strands stand on end. She grabbed a wool shawl for her shoulders until the store warmed a little.

As she walked down the stairs, Max stood at the bottom with his hand on the newel post. He gazed up at her, solemn and very still, his hat in his hand. A slow step at a time, she descended toward him.

When she stepped down to the floor, he took her left hand, holding it down to the side. He moved closer so their bodies almost touched. The aroma of something woodsy, or of leather and soap, drifted to her nostrils. She wanted to close her eyes and breathe deeply; inhaling the essence of this man, this rancher, this dream.

"Dani," he said, very low and softly. I… Will you have supper with me tonight at the café?"

With great effort, she spoke. "Max. No. It's not good."

Moving a fraction closer, he lifted his left hand to her cheek. She closed her eyes and swayed, almost colliding with his large body. But she caught herself, standing firm.

"Why? It sounds good to me. I want to know you. Everything. Don't deny me."

Disengaging herself from his hold, she took one step back and looked directly into his eyes. "Max, you don't know what you're doing. Look at me. I'm different. The town knows I'm different, not like any of them, except perhaps the young vaqueros who ride in from the neighboring ranches. Don't drag yourself down by stepping out with me."

Keeping his tone low and soft, he said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You will, if you insist on being seen in public with me. I know we had breakfast together, but that's not the same as stepping out together. You'll ruin yourself for every decent single woman in town. The residents will pair us together, and you'll have no chance with anyone else."

Max turned away, swiping his hand down his face. For a few moments, he kept his back to her with his head bowed. When he faced her again, he didn't touch her.

"Dani, let me set you straight, here. I left law enforcement to come home, settle down, and raise a family. To do that, well, dang it, I need a wife. Now, to tell the God's truth, I didn't come to town today thinking I'd find a wife on the street, waiting for me to swoop her up and propose. That's exactly what happened, though. You. I met you and I'll tell you right here and now, I want to marry you."

A tiny laugh escaped Daniella's throat. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked directly up at him. Shaking her head and lowering her hand, she said, "Mr. Garrison. That's absurd. Absolutely…"

She paused when she interpreted the look in his eyes and on his face. Anger. She'd made him mad. He stood there clenching his jaw, with thinned lips pressed together and narrowed eyes, blue eyes, usually the color of bluebonnets or a summer Texas sky, but now cold and dark. He was gorgeous, and oh, how she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss his mouth.

Max spoke, low and slow. "I do apologize, Miss Sommers. My manners and common sense must have gone out the window. It's from all those years alone on the trail, hunting some outlaw not worth spit, dealing and mingling with the scum of the earth. My brain has turned to mush with all that, thinking and planning and wishing about a pretty wife, one who was smart and good, and who might see me for something more than a worn-out lawman."

His statement struck her heart with regret. "Oh, no, you're not…"

"Shhh, Dani." His face relaxed, as did his taut body, and he rubbed his knuckles down her left cheek. "Don't. You've done nothing wrong. I should have waited." He straightened, standing tall, straight, and smiled gently. "Miss Sommers, I retract that marriage proposal, for now. So, let me begin again. Will you do me the honor of having supper with me tonight at the café? And ma'am, I damn sure won't take no for an answer."