A Heart Renewed (36 page)

Julia’s smile floated across his vision.  Blue eyes.  Soft dark lashes.  Full pink lips.  It had been over six weeks since her birthday and he missed her so much it hurt.

Adam remembered his promise to God to be patient and wait for her let go of her past, but it was becoming difficult.  He loved Julia Colter.  If he had been unsure before her birthday, he was not after.  When she impulsively hugged him as a thank you for the gift, he wanted to kiss her and to hold her.  He could still smell the light vanilla fragrance he’d come to associate with her.  The way her eyes looked, so full of life again, it made him want her even more.  There were so many times that day he almost kissed her.  He doubted it would be any easier when he went to town tomorrow.

He really wanted to marry her.  He was as certain of that as he had been about moving west.  But, hearing his mama’s voice in his head, he knew Julia deserved to be courted.  Give her a chance to make up her mind.  See if she felt the same way about him.

Too bad Mama was so far away.  He could really use her advice.  She would probably be tickled that he’d fallen in love with Julia.  Mama always liked her.  Caroline—oh, if she had any idea she would be impossible!  She would probably try to meddle, but in the end, she’d be happy.  Perhaps he should write to his family, let them know what was on his heart.  Then again, maybe it was too soon.

Reining in the mare, Adam kept her twenty yards or so away from the herd.  He thought Annabel would make a good ranch horse, so trying her out near the herd would help him see if he was right.  Unlike the horses for the La Paz Express, where speed and endurance were important, a keen sharp mind and strength were more important in ranching.  His father once said that a good ranch horse was smart enough to keep its cowboy out of danger, but dumb enough to want to ride into a herd of longhorns.  Adam smiled at the thought.

Skirting the herd and keeping the same distance, he let the mare have her head, testing her.  Would she try to move away from the herd?  Towards the herd?  Or would she keep on the course he already set?  The answer would help him determine how much more training she required. 

Just as he started the exercise, he spotted a young calf ahead separated from the herd.  Annabel saw it too and veered to the outside of the calf.  Still allowing the mare to lead, Adam was pleased when she tried to nudge the calf back towards the herd.  Taking control again, he helped reinforce the lesson of how to do just that.  Still ten yards out from the herd, the calf turned back towards the herd.  Adam kept the mare at the now closer distance.

He smiled as he made the connection between the mare and Julia.  Like the mare, her working in town was allowing her to have head.  Just like with the mare, Adam was waiting to see what direction she would take.  Would she make a move in the right direction by letting go of her hurt and pain?  Or would she continue to be dragged down by the past?  She was strong, just like a good cattle horse, although she might not appreciate what a compliment that was in his eyes.

Hearing the supper bell, he turned the mare towards the ranch.  Soon enough he would see for himself how his sweet Julia was faring.

As he brushed Annabel down, the other cowboys came in from the field.  Owens seemed in a foul mood, judging by his tone.

“Boss, I don’t understand why Larson always gets to go to town,” he said.  “Ain’t fair.”

“Has nothing to do with being fair or not,” Will answered calmly.  “He has different responsibilities.  He needs to go in to deliver some horses to the La Paz Express.”

“Any one of us could do that,” Owens whined.

“But Adam is the only one who has the authority to act on my behalf.  He’s more than just an employee.  He’s the manager of the horse business.”

“Can’t I go in with Whitten?  Stay the night?  What’s the point of makin’ money if I can’t ever get to town for entertainment?”

A heavy sigh hinted at Will’s frustration.  “Fine.  You and Whitten will go with Adam.  Stay the night if you must.  But, I expect you back here the next day before dinner.”

Owens let out a
whoop
for joy before heading up to the bunkhouse for supper.

Staying the night might not be the worst that could happen, as Adam hoped to spend part of the evening with Julia.  Perhaps, she would at least be able to go to supper with him.

The next morning, he put long leads on the two horses for the Express.  With leads in hand, he mounted his horse.  Whitten took the front and Owens brought up the rear as they started up the road to Prescott.

As soon as they topped the first hill, Owens started shooting off his mouth.

“Larson, you gonna join us for some real entertainment this evening or are you too good for us.”

Adam ignored the comment.  He had no doubt that the entertainment Owens referred to could only be found at the saloon.  Not something he was interested in.  He’d much rather spend the time with Julia.

Owens continued, “Maybe your pretty lady friend would want to join us.  Bet she ain’t too good for us.”

Clenching his jaw, he remained silent.

“You kiss her yet, Larson?” Owens taunted.

Adam took a deep breath, trying to keep from showing his rising anger.

“Maybe she’ll invite you to that hotel room of hers and you can have yourself a good time—that is if you know how to handle a filly with spirit.”

That was it.  Adam stopped abruptly, his blood boiling.  Turning his horse back toward Owens, he allowed his anger to show.  It was one thing to taunt him, it was quite another to suggest Julia’s reputation was anything less than virtuous.

Looping the leads around the horn of his saddle, he pulled up directly next to Owens.  He grabbed him by his shirt pulling his face to within inches of his own.

“What are you implying?” Adam said between gritted teeth.

By now, Whitten tried unsuccessfully to jockey his horse between the two of theirs.  “Come on, Owens, leave him alone,” Whitten said.  “What you said about the boss’s sister ain’t right.”

Adam, picking up on the connection, used it to his advantage.  “Just what do you think Will would do to you if he heard you suggested his sister was the dallying kind?”

Owens glared at him then gave him a shove.  Adam released his grip on the man’s shirt, but kept eye contact.

“No need to get all riled up, Larson.  I was just having a bit of fun with ya.”

Adam grunted in disgust.  He would rather knock the cocky crass cowboy from his horse than ride the rest of the way to town with him.  He had a lot of nerve saying those things about Julia.  She was the most respectable, decent woman he knew.

Owens said something else that Adam did not catch before kicking his horse into motion.  The rest of the trip passed in tense silence.

Once they arrived, Adam headed straight for the livery.  He tied his horse and the two for the Express to the hitching post as Whitten and Owens ambled toward the saloon.  It was before noon, but the two would likely gamble and drink the day away.

As Adam walked into the livery, Craig Roundtree greeted him.  “Adam, I trust the trip in was uneventful.”

Stifling a snort, he said, “I have the two horses we discussed, if you would like to look them over?”

Craig walked out front, with Adam following close behind.  Stopping in front of the two geldings, Craig thoroughly inspected both before responding, “Very fine animals.  Let’s finalize the arrangements.”

Adam nodded and followed Craig back inside.  Just a few short minutes later, the transaction was complete.  Thanking Craig for his business, he left.

Excited by the prospect of having most of the day with Julia, he wasted no time going to the hotel.  Entering the hotel, he saw Julia at the front desk, surrounded by a group of four gentlemen.  Her hair curled tightly in ringlets, dusting her shoulders as she looked down at the register.  Without looking up she called out an impersonal greeting to him and kept her attention on the four guests.

“Mr. Brighton, I have your reservation right here.  Here is your key.  Mr. Hobbs, here is yours.  Mr. Franklin.  Mr. Hardy.  Will you be dining with us for dinner or supper?” she asked.

“Thank you, Miss Colter,” the one named Mr. Hobbs replied.  “Would you make us reservations for supper this evening?”

“Certainly.  Right this way, gentlemen,” she said. Pausing near where Adam stood, she said to him, “I’ll be with you in… Oh, Adam!”

She came to an abrupt stop as she faced him.  Her smile grew brighter as did her eyes as she finished, “Good to see you.  I’ll be right back.”

Motioning for the four gentlemen to follow her, she showed them to their rooms.  Then she came back into the lobby and held up her index finger to indicate one more minute before scurrying off to the dining room.  When she returned to the lobby, Adam’s heart skipped a beat.  She looked lovely.

“I’m sorry I didn’t realize it was you,” she said, stopping a foot from him.  “What brings you to town today?”

You.

“I was delivering some horses to the Express.  Owens and Whitten rode in with me and wanted to stay the night.”

“I see.”

Adam shifted his weight to his other foot.  “I don’t suppose you could get away for a while?”

She half-smiled half-pouted before replying, “No.  I work until six tonight.  Normally, I would ask Mr. Hamilton, but with Mr. Barnard out traveling, Mr. Hamilton has extra duties this week.”

Hoping for more time, he tried to keep his disappointment from showing.  “Would you have supper with me this evening?  I could pick you up at six thirty.”

Julia smiled.  “I would be delighted to have supper with you.  Six-thirty it is.”

“I look forward to it,” Adam confirmed, as she took her place behind the front desk.  Flashing a huge grin, he turned to leave. 

“Adam,” she called after him.  “I’ve missed…  It’s good to see you.”

His heart soared.  She missed him.

Now, how was he going to entertain himself for the rest of the day?

Deciding on dinner at Lancaster’s, that is where his feet took him.  Following the meal, he made arrangements for him, Owens, and Whitten to bunk there for the night.  Then he stopped by the newspaper office to pick up the most recent addition of the
Miner
.  While the air was somewhat cool, the bright sun warmed him enough that he chanced finding a sunny spot in the square to sit and read the paper.

When he finished reading the paper, Adam had plenty of time to think.  Julia seemed genuinely pleased to see him.  Perhaps he would ask her tonight if she would be agreeable to courting.  It was risky.  She could say no.  She might not be ready.  She might be holding on to the past.  But, on her birthday and today, she seemed to be in much better spirits.  Perhaps she was letting go.  Then, if she said yes, he would ask Will’s permission.

Julia could hardly wait for six-thirty to come.  When she first realized Adam was there, her heart started racing.  Her happiness at seeing him had not diminished one bit throughout her busy day.  She only had another hour until Mr. Hamilton would take over.

I can’t believe he’s here.  I’ve missed him so much.
  Julia’s thoughts surprised her when she realized just how often she thought of him since her birthday six weeks ago.  Every evening when she returned to her small room, she picked up the horse carving.  Each time she turned it over in her hands, she noticed some new detail she hadn’t seen before.  He must have spent hours making it for her.

The next hour flew by in a flurry of requests from guests, with new ones checking in or others checking out or requests for supper reservations.  One gentleman even had a complaint about the size of the rooms, as if she could do anything about that.  She listened sympathetically and eventually the man accepted the room and went about his business. 

Glancing at the clock, she noticed it was nearly a quarter after six.  Where was Mr. Hamilton?

A few minutes later he finally appeared.  “I’m sorry I was delayed, Miss Colter.  Why don’t you go ahead and get supper and I’ll take over.”

She smiled and practically ran down the hall to her room.  She only had ten minutes before Adam arrived.  Changing out of her worn shirt and skirt, Julia donned her navy blue dress.  Checking her appearance in the mirror above her dresser, she snorted in disgust.  Her hair would never do—all frizzed from a busy day.  Brushing out the mass of light brown curls, she loosely twisted it into a chignon at the base of her neck.  Pinching her cheeks for some color, she closed the door behind her and ran down the hall.

Slowing her pace to a more ladylike walk, Julia scanned the lobby.  Adam stood, breaking into a broad toothy smile when their eyes met.  He covered the distance between them.  Taking her hand in his, he placed a gentle kiss on top, sending tingles up her arm.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered.

She felt heat rise to her cheeks as she took his offered arm. 

Adam led her from the hotel.  “I thought if you’d like, we could try the Osborn’s restaurant.”

Even in the fading light of day, he looked handsome with his golden hair parted to one side.

“That would be wonderful.”