Rancher's Refuge (Whisper Falls) (12 page)

“So I was thinking,” he went on as if she hadn’t commented, “maybe we should go together. Just to be on the safe side.”

He held his breath, expecting her to refuse. After all, she already had plans with friends.

She studied him for one beat and then said, “Okay.”

Surprised, Austin rested his fork atop his syrup-saturated pancake while his gaze met hers. She smiled. An answering grin spread across his face. Warmth came with it, a warmth that invaded his chest and curled right around his heart.

“Well,” he said, “all right, then.” He jabbed a bit of pancake. “All right.”

* * *

Police Chief JoEtta Farnsworth sailed up and down Easy Street on her scooter, siren wailing as she cleared the parade route. Annalisa thought the stocky fiftysomething chief was a comical sight in her Amelia Earhart helmet and goggles and shiny black leather pants, but she handled the town’s security without a flinch.

Annalisa had seriously considered telling the chief about James, but a part of her didn’t want to believe he’d follow through with his threats. Another part of her wondered if James might have discovered her whereabouts through the police chief. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d used his contacts and charm to gain information. But California was far, far away. Surely he wouldn’t come so far because of anger and revenge.

As far as the eye could see, pumpkins lined every empty spot up and down the main drag of Whisper Falls. Displays by schoolchildren and art groups, churches and businesses perched on tables and makeshift benches created from a board and concrete blocks. A pumpkin tower, at least three stories high, rose next to the train station. The valleys and farms around Whisper Falls produced a lot of pumpkin!

She chanced a look at Austin. He’d been clear that their “date” was nothing more than guard duty, but she was happy to be with him anyway. As he walked alongside her down the narrow sidewalk, she felt safe and...connected.

“Listen to that,” she said.

A montage of music filled the air—bluegrass, gospel, country—along with the redolent smells of vendors firing up their specialties. Everything from turkey legs to funnel cakes mingled with the overriding fragrance of pumpkin. Local cooks had outdone themselves to create a variety of pumpkin-flavored recipes. Pumpkin candy, pies, casseroles, even pumpkin lasagna.

“I have to try pumpkin candy at some point,” she said, intrigued that such a thing existed.

“It’s actually good.”

“You’ve had it?”

“Pumpkin praline fudge. Cassie forced it on me once. Instant fan.” He patted his flat belly. “I’ll buy you some at Sweets and Eats. Edie makes the best in town.”

Annalisa arched a teasing eyebrow. “You’re a pumpkin candy connoisseur?”

“Shucks, no, ma’am,” he teased in return. “I’m just a lowly cowpoke whose sister feeds him nothing but junk food. The fudge was her idea of supper.”

With a chortle, she pushed at his shoulder. He caught her fingers. “That hand is getting out of control. I’d better hold on to it for you.”

His was the smoothest method of holding a girl’s hand that she’d ever witnessed. And Annalisa hadn’t a single objection. As Austin wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her away from the crowd, happiness bubbled inside.

They found an open place from which to view the parade, although more people crowded in every second. Cassie had warned her that the population swelled into the thousands during Pumpkin Fest. Annalisa found herself searching the faces for a burly man with golden hair. As much as she wanted to forget the danger, James was never far from her thoughts. The cowboy at her side was a strength she was coming to depend on, but she doubted even he was a match for James’s devious schemes.

They were swathed in an ocean of people gathered outside the diner when someone called her name. Her body jerked.

Austin tugged her closer. “You okay?”

She nodded, feeling foolish as she waved to Davis Turner and his children coming in their direction. Apparently, little Nathan had spotted them first. He hopped up and down, waving and calling their names.

“Look, Dad, it’s Austin.” Nathan shook loose from his dad’s hand. “Austin, Austin.”

Austin released his hold on Annalisa. Instantly, she missed him.

“How ya doin’, Nathan? Ready for another ride?” Austin offered a fist bump which the boy eagerly returned.

“I sure am. When can I come?”

“Not so fast, Nathan,” Davis said, shaking hands with Austin. “Sorry about that. He gets carried away at the mention of a horse.”

“No problem. I invited him.” Austin crouched down to eye level with the boy. “Anytime your dad can bring you, you’re welcome.”

Nathan’s face glowed with happiness. “All right! How is Tinker? Can I ride him again?”

The affable old gelding had a lot of miles on him and was the perfect horse for a beginner.

“I think old Tinker’s been missing you.”

“He has?” Fists raised, Nathan waved his arms up and down. “Did you hear that, Dad? Tinker misses me.”

Annalisa witnessed the conversation, her heart swelling with tenderness, both for the boy and the cowboy who’d made the child’s day. Austin Blackwell was an easy man to love.

The notion brought her up short and formed a knot in her stomach. Given her track record and the threat of James coming to call, falling in love should be the last thing on her mind. It should be, but it wasn’t.

Troubled by the dilemma, she turned away from the conversation to watch a clown in a tiny car spin in circles.

After a second or two, she shut her eyes against the sight. But like the clown, her head spun and the kaleidoscope world seemed out of control.

Chapter Twelve

S
he was nervous. Austin had felt the tension through their entwined fingers.

He watched the thirty-minute parade with halfhearted interest, his main focus the crowd of faces, many of whom he didn’t recognize. If James was present, how would he know? He’d never even seen a photo of the creep.

All he could do was remain alert and ready.

The high school cheerleaders came by, chanting for the Whisper Falls Warriors. Last year, the high school team had gone to the state play-offs, although they’d not won. A football fanatic, Austin was tempted to check out a few games. He hadn’t, but he’d thought about it. He missed the noise and smell and excitement of high school football.

Perched on the bed of a bright blue pickup with crepe paper streamers flying from the windows, the perky cheerleaders tossed candy and gum into the crowd. Kids scrambled toward the goodies like startled mice.

“Aren’t you going to jockey for some candy?” Annalisa teased.

“I think I could take on those little guys,” he joked in return. “But look at Bubba out there. That kid would take out my knees for a Tootsie Roll pop.”

Annalisa laughed as the candy-tossing cheerleaders moved onward, pressed into action by the
rat-a-tat
of an advancing snare drum and a high-stepping majorette. Behind the band’s rousing “I Feel Good,” a handful of homemade floats from churches, clubs and the Girl Scouts rumbled past. Last of all, trotted the Round-Up Clubs in rows of four abreast, the horses decked out in fancy breast harnesses and bright saddle blankets.”

“Why don’t you belong to that?” Annalisa asked, taking note of the prancing color guard.

“Never thought about it.” Which wasn’t exactly true. What he meant was he didn’t want to share his reasons. “What time do you head over to the Iron Horse?”

As the last of the horses clopped by, the parade ended and people began crossing the littered street. Excited kids scoured for unclaimed candy. Elbows and shoulders jostled against him.

Annalisa glanced at the clock on the new cell phone. “Soon. The time is close to eleven now.”

Cassie had teased him about the expensive device. He didn’t care. He’d wanted Annalisa to have it.

“Let’s walk that direction. We can sample the booths and look at the exhibits along the way.”

“Isn’t there something you’d rather do than babysit me?”

“Not a thing.”

“You have to get bored sitting around a snack shop while I dole out nachos and sodas.”

“I eat. That’s not boring.” As long as Annalisa was in the shop, he wasn’t bored in the least.

She bumped him with her shoulder. “You know what I mean. If there are any particular exhibits you want to see, you can do that while I’m working.”

There were a few events that had caught his attention—chain saw carving, a hawg calling contest and the antique car show—but none were as important as her safety.

“Not happening, Annalisa.” His tone turned serious. “Not with this many people in town.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “You’re worried.”

“Aren’t you?”

“All the time.”

The reply twisted in his gut. No one should have to live with that kind of stress. But however he sliced the situation, he was anxious, too. An abusive ex-boyfriend who was also a cop could hurt them both.

He squeezed her fingers. “I’m hanging with you. Afterward, we’ll get our sugar rush at Sweets and Eats and then use up all that energy at the carnival. What do you say? Ferris wheel or roller coaster?”

“Roller coaster, definitely.”

“Ah, a daredevil. Roller coaster, it is. I just hope you aren’t disappointed.”

“Why would I be?”

“You haven’t seen the Whisper Falls carnival. But if you’re nice, I’ll use my famous fast ball to win you a teddy bear at the baseball throw.”

“I didn’t know you played baseball.”

There were a lot of things she didn’t know about him, some that mattered, most didn’t.

They strolled past a display of gourd art, everything from birdhouses to planters to lampstands. Annalisa paused and smoothed her fingers over a beautifully painted gourd vase.

Austin flipped the container upside down to read the price. Not bad if she liked it.

“I played a little ball in high school,” he said. “Baseball, football. You can’t be a male in Texas unless you like football.”

“I’ve heard that.” She lifted a bowl carved with colorful leaves, read the price and returned it. “Was Cassie a cheerleader? She’s the perky type.”

“She was. Mom and Dad followed us around half of Texas to watch. Like most parents, Dad thought I was good enough to play college. I wasn’t. I preferred working on the ranch anyway.”

They moved away from the gourd art to continue their trek down Easy Street, dodging humanity along the way.

“Cassie told me your parents are still in Texas, on the family ranch.”

“That’s right.”

Out in the center of the street, a clogging troupe danced into action to the beat of “Rocky Top.”

“You miss them?” Annalisa asked above the music.

“We drive down to see them pretty often. Never miss a holiday.” As much as he dreaded returning to his hometown, going home to the family ranch was the right thing to do. His parents weren’t getting any younger and the tragedies in the lives of their children had taken a toll. “Sometimes I feel guilty for leaving them alone.”

“I know what you mean. Once they’re gone from your lives—” She left the sentence dangling, but he understood where she was headed.

“Family’s a good thing,” he said. “It must be tough being alone in the world.” Really tough, considering the company she’d been keeping.

“Not all families are happy.”

True enough, even though his expectations had been high when he’d married Blair. He should have listened to his dad.

“Cassie and I were fortunate. Good parents, strong family values.” In his years of anger, he’d put aside the faith of his family. Suddenly, awareness swamped him. His good upbringing had been founded on the solid foundation of Christ. “Christian values.”

“I didn’t have that. I came to Jesus when a friend invited me to church. I’d never really gone to church until then.”

He couldn’t imagine. From the moment of memory, he’d been to church every Sunday. He’d fallen asleep under the pews, colored in Jesus coloring books, grown up in the bosom of a strong congregation.

“Your grandparents didn’t attend?”

“No. Grandpa was a Christian, but he had issues with his church. I never asked what happened. He stopped going long before I was born.”

“His values must have rubbed off,” he said, though her revelation explained some things about the choices she’d made.

“I hope so.”

They crossed the street, treading on an old brick pathway. On the corner, a dummy built of pumpkins and colorful gourds pointed toward the train station, a sign in his “hand” proclaiming all-day train rides and plenty of Miss Evelyn’s almost-famous pie.

“Is that some of Miss Evelyn’s handiwork?” he asked.

“Mine and hers. We worked on it last night.” She tugged his hand, hurrying him up the steps of the depot. “Wait until you see the inside decorations.”

At that moment, the train whistle blew, a blast that had them both flinching. With a
chug-chug
and a puff of smoke, Betsy the engine and Uncle Digger hauled slowly out of the depot loaded to the top with sun-kissed passengers.

When the noise subsided, Annalisa said, “Uncle Digger and Miss Evelyn are taking the train out tomorrow after church. They invited me to go along. Want to come?”

“He doesn’t run the train on Sunday.”

“It’s not an actual run. Miss Evelyn wants to snap new photos for the website while the foliage is ablaze.”

Austin shook his head. “Miss Evelyn and her website. She’s turned this town on its ear.”

“So I’ve heard. She’s also packing a picnic lunch. It’s a chance for me to see more of the famous Ozarks.”

She
had
been tied down since her arrival. No car, a broken arm and friends who never took her anywhere except work and church. Some friend.

The
chop-chop-chop
of a helicopter sounded overhead. They both glanced up as Creed flew above the trees and highlines, tourists on board.

“Sure you wouldn’t rather go up in Creed’s chopper?”

Her answer was a smile. “Evelyn says the view from the train is stunning this time of year.”

Probably even better from the chopper, but he didn’t say so. “I usually prefer a real horse to an iron one, but the Ozarks
are
pretty spectacular in the fall—a sight not to be missed.”

“Good. You’ll go, then. Can I talk you into church, as well?”

He pretended to frown. “You’re pushing your luck, lady.”

She made a face at him. “It was worth a shot.”

Hadn’t he just been thinking about the role faith had played in his upbringing? “I might surprise you one of these days.”

She smiled softly as she reached for the snack shop door. “Ready when you are.”

* * *

“I coulda won the big one.” Austin rotated his right arm like a windmill.

“You could have wasted another thirty dollars, too.” Annalisa was amused at the big cowboy’s chagrin. He’d spent far too much money to win the six-inch purple-and-white teddy bear. “I like this one.” She kissed it on the black pom-pom nose. “He’s perfect.”

The sun had set hours ago, but the lively, noisy carnival was bright as day. She was charmed, not disappointed, although the carnival was a pitiful thing in comparison to an amusement park. Of the dozen or so rides, less than half were thrill rides and only the Zipper had made her scream. Her feet ached and she was exhausted, but she’d had more fun today than in a long time. Years, if she told the truth.

“You’re only saying that to make me feel less of a failure.”

Playfully, she whacked him with the teddy bear.

“Hey, that’s my throwing arm.” He rubbed the spot and frowned, but she knew he joked. He had been in fine form this afternoon. Maybe because there had been no sign of James, they’d both relaxed as the day wore on. He hadn’t forgotten, she was certain by the way he never let her out of his sight, but they didn’t talk about the threat.

Around them barkers hollered to attract customers, ride sirens screamed louder than the riders and the constant roar of generator motors kept up the steady glow of brightly colored lights and fueled the rides.

“Want to ride anything else?” she asked.

“I’ve been spun and whirled enough tonight to be a milk shake. I’m done.”

“Me, too,” she said, tugging on his elbow. “Let’s get some cotton candy to munch on during the fireworks display.”

“Sweet!” he said.

They both laughed at the intentional pun, and happiness spiraled up into Annalisa throat with the power of a Tilt-a-Whirl. In some ways, Austin reminded her of Grandpa Sims, the only decent male in her life. A man as strong as the land he ranched, steady and dependable, a good soul. Why had she ever been attracted to an egomaniac whose idea of manliness was a gym workout, bulky muscles and pushing others around?

“Boy or girl?”

“What?” When she saw him pointing at the blue-and-pink cotton candy, she understood. “Boy.”

But the image of babies swathed in blues and pinks danced around in her head. Had Austin and his wife wanted children?

“I figured you for the pink type,” he said. “Girly-girly.”

“A woman doesn’t want to be too predictable.”

“Well,
I’m
not getting pink.” He looked at the fluffy sugar with a horror that made her smile.

“Why did I know that?”

He held up two fingers to the vendor. “Two bags of blue cotton candy.”

Annalisa opened her wallet, but he pushed her hand away. “My treat.”

“But you’ve paid for everything,” she protested.

He shrugged her off. “Call me old-fashioned. A man pays for the date.”

Oh.
Annalisa went silent. He considered this bizarre situation a date rather than guard duty?

As they walked away, each toting a blue bag of spun sugar, she gathered her nerve. “Is this a date?”

He didn’t look at her. Instead, he kept a steady pace, hand on her elbow as they moved through the crowd gathering for the fireworks. “Do you want it to be?”

“I’m not sure. Do you?”

This time he stopped to look at her. She could see the wheels turning, the indecision. She understood because she felt the same. When he finally spoke, he didn’t help at all. “Let’s leave well enough alone, okay?”

What else could she say but “Okay.”

* * *

Austin stewed on Annalisa’s question the entire three blocks to the city park. Was this a date? Did he want it to be?

All right, so he did. Now what?

As they crossed the park in search of a good place to view the fireworks, a spectacle he’d never bothered to witness in Whisper Falls, they bumped into Cassie with the mayor. He didn’t know why, but the idea of his sister with the boyish mayor bugged him.

“Austin, Annalisa!” With an irritating enthusiasm, Cassie tugged Rusty Fairchild toward them. “Rusty, you know my brother, and this is Annalisa from the snack shop.”

Rusty offered a freckled grin. “Of course, I’ve met Annalisa, the pretty new seller of Miss Evelyn’s famous pie.”

“Almost famous,” Annalisa corrected with a smile.

“What do you think of your first Whisper Falls Pumpkin Fest?”

“Wonderful so far.”

“Heading for the fireworks?”

“We are.”

“We’d ask you to join us, but Cassie’s in charge of the music and I’m off to make sure the volunteer fire fighters showed up for duty. Can’t have pyrotechnics without someone to put out the fire!”

Rusty’s comment was a relief to Austin. For a minute there he’d thought the mayor would invite them to sit together. And he didn’t want to do that. His sister’s speculative glances were already getting under his skin. Besides, the date question still revolved in his brain with the same dizzying speed as something called the Zipper, a carnival attraction that had turned him every way but loose.

The wild ride consisted of individual metal cars made for two people. Nice that it turned out that way, now that he thought about it. Each unit was attached to an arm that spun. The car also tumbled and twisted, an action that made remaining in one spot on the inside next to impossible. He’d held on to the bar with an iron grip, but Annalisa had been thrown his direction over and over again, completely out of control, until he’d finally grabbed her and hung on for the thrill. She’d screamed so loud and laughed so hard, his ears still throbbed.