Whirlwind Reunion (11 page)

As prickly as that made him, Matt thought there was only friendship between her and the newspaper man, and hoped he wasn't wrong.

When she'd informed him that she knew about his arrangement with the other man, Matt had expected anger. Indignation at the very least. Instead, she'd been understanding, which not only surprised him, but also encouraged him. Enough that he was going to push his luck today and invite her to lunch.

He spent the morning putting new shoes on Dove and helping his brother fix a problem with the gas lighting at the Fontaine. He caught sight of Annalise a couple of times. Once while she was visiting with Andrew Donnelly as he swept her stoop before school and the second time when she came out of Haskell's.

Just before noon, he left the Fontaine and walked toward her clinic on the opposite end of town. He happened upon Quentin Prescott along the way and stopped to speak. During their brief conversation, Matt saw his pa and Cora come out of the clinic.

He had thought they might want to stay at the ranch alone for another couple of days before making their first appearance in town. Seeing them now reminded Matt that he had also seen Pa coming from Annalise's clinic the day before the wedding.

His father and stepmother made their way across the street and into the Pearl restaurant. Matt decided to talk to them later. After lunch.

The day was sunny and clear with puffy white clouds floating in the blue sky. Matt knocked on the door of the clinic. When Annalise answered, he braced one arm above his head, his gaze sliding over the gray-and-white checked bodice that molded to her breasts and waist. Her skirt was of the same serviceable gray. There was nothing provocative about her practical daydress yet Matt's pulse thudded hard.

Her hair hung over one shoulder in a loose braid, the sun bringing out the dark rich color. “Matt?”

The sharpness of her voice pulled his attention to her face. And the deep green of her eyes.

Eyes that stared warily into his. “What are you doing?”

He grinned. “I came by to check on my patient.”

A half smile tugged at her lips.

“How's your head?” he asked.

“Much better.”

“And your shoulder?”

“Bruised.”

“I'm glad you're not worse.”

“So am I.” Curiosity streaked across her features.

“I saw Pa and Cora leaving your clinic.” He thumbed back his hat. “Is anything wrong? Is Cora okay?”

Something flickered in Annalise's eyes then disap
peared. “She's fine. The two of them stopped by for a visit. Why are you in town again so soon?”

“Never left. I stayed at the Fontaine last night. Thought the newlyweds might like a little more time alone, seeing as they're…newlyweds.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks flushed a becoming pink. “Is that the only reason?”

Her raised brow indicated she suspected he had stayed because of her. She wouldn't be wrong. Instead of answering, he shrugged.

Matt shifted, catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye of the flowers he had brought yesterday. The bluebonnets were in a small tin pitcher sitting in the front window.

She hadn't thrown them away. He took that as a good sign. His gaze hiked over her again, lingering on her mouth. He wanted to kiss her, thought maybe he should have last night. “Have lunch with me.”

This close he couldn't miss the slight stiffening of her shoulders. Even so, he didn't expect her next words.

“I don't know if that's a good idea.”

He deliberately misunderstood her. “It's always a good idea to eat.”

“You know what I mean.”

Yes, dammit, he did. And he didn't fancy it. His chest tightened. He had caught the hungry way she had looked at him last night, but he knew better than to remind her of that.

“I thought we were starting to put the past behind us.”

“It's not that easy.”

“Doesn't mean we can't try, does it? That
I
can't try?”

“No.”

“What's the problem?” He grinned. “Afraid you'll like it too much?”

“I don't want to like it.”

That hurt, but he managed to keep his voice light. “I can see where that would be bothersome. I hate enjoying things.”

She rolled her eyes. “It can't be like it was before.”

“I'm not asking for that.” Yet. That would be like dancing two steps back for every one forward.

Before he could coax her into sharing a meal with him, he caught sight of Davis Lee coming from the alley between the mercantile and the law office next door to the clinic. The lawman headed toward them.

Matt tilted his head in the man's direction. “Davis Lee looks like he has something on his mind.”

“Josie,” Annalise breathed. She stepped outside, her skirts swirling around his trousers.

Matt shifted just enough to give her some room, but he didn't move away. His gaze caught on a wisp of her hair blowing against the graceful curve of her neck.

“Annalise!” The sheriff cleared the steps in one stride.

“Is Josie all right?” she asked.

“Yes. I mean no.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I think so. There's no emergency.”

“Oh, good.”

Matt felt the tension ease out of her, but before Davis Lee could tell her the problem, a masculine voice boomed, “Sheriff!”

Matt's gaze went past his friend to Theodore Julius and his ranch manager. The men dodged a wagon as they crossed the street from the jail.

Annalise looked up at Davis Lee. “Does Josie need me?”

“No. At least I don't think so.”

Huh? Matt glanced at Annalise, who looked confused, too.

Julius and Cosgrove stopped at the foot of the steps, both men tipping their hats to Annalise.

The older man turned to Davis Lee. “Sorry to interrupt, Sheriff, but some of my cattle were stolen last night. I thought you'd want to know as soon as possible.”

“You thought right.”

Matt listened as the men from the Eight of Hearts Ranch reported the theft of five cows and two calves.

Davis Lee nodded. “Were they branded?”

“Yes,” the owner confirmed.

“Did y'all find tracks?” Matt asked.

“Only those belonging to cattle.”

Matt could feel someone staring at them and looked over Davis Lee's shoulder to see May Haskell. Standing in front of the mercantile, the store owner's wife was glaring in their direction so hard, Matt could practically feel his skin burn. Who was she riled at?

Davis Lee half turned to follow Matt's gaze then shifted so that his back was to the woman. “No boot prints, no horse tracks?”

“No,” Cosgrove answered.

Matt growled in frustration. “How in the hell are they rustling without leaving any sign except that of the missing cattle?”

The sheriff shook his head. “I have no idea.”

Matt noticed Pearl Anderson stepping out of the telegraph office. Her eyes went straight to Davis Lee; she turned up her nose and went back inside. What the devil was going on? Matt wondered.

Davis Lee had seen it, too. His jaw tightened as he focused on Julius. “I want to take a look around your spread.”

“All right,” said the barrel-shaped man. “Although I don't think you'll find anything. Cosgrove and I didn't.”

After a few more questions, Davis Lee pinched the bridge of his nose. “I'll come out a little later.”

“Very good,” the rancher said.

As he and Cosgrove turned to leave, Annalise stopped the ranch owner. “Mr. Julius, how is Edward?”

“He's staying in bed, like you told him.”

“That's good. I'll be out to check on him in a couple of days.”

“I'll let him know.” Julius tipped his hat then walked away with Cosgrove.

She turned to Davis Lee. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Zoe Keeler appeared at the side of the clinic, seemingly coming from the sheriff's house. “Hello, Matt. Hello, Annalise.”

Her gaze lit on Davis Lee and she frowned, continuing across the street toward the telegraph office without speaking to him.

Matt looked from the usually cheery redhead to the lawman. “What did you do to Zoe?”

“Nothing,” Davis Lee muttered.

“What about May and Pearl? They're all put out with you for some reason.”

“That's why I came to see you, Annalise.” Davis Lee snatched off his hat, looking helplessly at her. “Josie cries all the time, no matter what I do.”

Squinting against the sun, Matt noted his friend's eyes were red-rimmed and his face haggard, as though he hadn't slept. His usually neat hair stuck up in places from his hands raking through it, which he did now.

“She's crying
all
the time?” Annalise asked. “Tell me what's happened.”

Davis Lee paced to the edge of the stoop then back, hitting his thigh with his hat. “She said she wanted lemonade and when I brought it to her, she started crying. She asked me to rub her back, so I did. Then she started crying. I couldn't find a pair of socks this morning and when I asked her if they were all dirty, she started crying.

“Hell, she asks for food she doesn't even like. Yesterday, she asked for grits. She hates grits!”

Davis Lee looked as though he was at the end of his rope. Matt could see why.

Annalise put a hand on the man's arm. “Josie isn't crying because of something you are or aren't doing.”

“Well, that isn't how it feels and every woman in this town disagrees with you. You saw 'em. I'd rather face a rattler. They want to string me up by my ball—er, hang me.”

“Pregnant women are very emotional sometimes.”

“She didn't do this the other two times. What should I do?”

“Would you like me to talk to her?”

Looking defeated, the big man's shoulders sagged. “I don't know.”

Matt frowned. “I can ride out and have a look around Julius's ranch, if you need to stay here.”

“No. It might be good for me to get away from my wife for a while, since all I do is make her cry.”

Annalise gave him a sympathetic smile. “I'm happy to check on her.”

“Thanks, I'd appreciate it.” The tight lines in his face eased somewhat.

Annalise looked relieved, too, Matt noted as she
pulled the clinic door shut. Why? Because she was anxious to get away from him?

He shifted his attention to Davis Lee. “Want me to ride out with you to the Eight of Hearts?”

“Yes, in a bit. Right now, there's something I need to do at my office.”

Probably hide out from his pretty little wife, Matt thought.

As the man walked away, Matt saw Annalise fighting a smile before she turned to him. “I'd better get going.”

He thought about offering to walk with her to see Josie, but she was already as skittish as a colt. “Maybe I'll see you later.”

She hesitated. “Maybe.”

He watched her disappear around the side of her clinic. Recalling the frustration on Davis Lee's face, Matt shook his head. He felt sorry for his friend even though what he had shared was kind of funny. Not that Josie was crying all the time, but that she was asking for food she didn't like and refusing things which she did.

He wondered if Annalise had been that way when she had been expecting. He had missed out on everything. His smile faded. He knew nothing about those months except that she had lost the baby. Their baby.

He wanted to know, but now wasn't the time to ask. Hell, he couldn't even get her to agree to a meal. It didn't figure she would talk to him about that time in their lives.

Still, they had made some progress. She had accepted his flowers. And his arrangement with Quentin. She'd said no to lunch, but he wasn't giving up.

A half hour later, after seeing her return to the clinic,
he took the basket of food he'd bought from the Pearl and went over.

He walked inside and she came out of the back room, her steps slowing when she saw him.

“What are you doing?”

He held up the basket. “Since you won't join me for lunch, I brought it to you.”

Pleasure flared in her eyes before it was replaced by uncertainty.

Matt refused to give in to her hesitation. “It's just lunch, Angel. You have to eat. There's no reason you can't do it with me.”

After a long minute, she nodded. “All right. Thank you.”

He followed her down the short hall to the kitchen which shared the fireplace with the front room. His gaze went to her trim back and small waist, followed the gentle sway of her skirts. The fluid way the fabric swirled around her legs made him wonder if she was wearing more than one petticoat.

He'd had to pry his way in here, practically force her to eat with him. It was clear she didn't trust him not to hurt her again, but he aimed to change that. Somehow.

I
n the following days, Annalise learned keeping her distance from Matt wasn't the problem. It was getting him out of her thoughts.

The day after their impromptu picnic she received a note from him. He said he hoped her injuries were healing and told her how much he enjoyed having an inside picnic with her. He ended by asking if she would have dinner with him. She sent a note back saying no.

She might have been charmed by the picnic, but she wasn't sure about doing more than that with him.

The next day he sent a note with a cluster of purple prairie verbena telling her he would be at her clinic the following day to drive her out to the Eight of Hearts Ranch so she could check on her patient. Again, he asked if she would have dinner with him. She said no.

True to his word, he drove her out to Julius's ranch and on the return trip, he asked her to have dinner with him. She said no.

The day after that, a piece of butter cake was delivered
with a note. He knew the dessert was her favorite and the note said if she would have dinner with him, he would get her an entire cake. She said no. With difficulty.

The notes got to her. Matt hated writing anything, especially of a personal nature. His penmanship was terrible, but she could tell he had taken his time over the messages. The only thing he didn't hate writing was information about his livestock. He kept meticulous records regarding the number of animals and births, sickness, deaths.

The following day, Ef showed up at her clinic with newly banded wheels on her buggy, courtesy of Matt. Though moved by his thoughtfulness, she had protested. With a grin, the blacksmith said he had been warned Annalise would argue about the gift. He handed her a note in which Matt explained that he had noticed the worn bands on their trip to the Eight of Hearts Ranch. It wouldn't take more than hitting a hole to lose a wheel and possibly cause an accident.

He closed by asking if she would have dinner with him. This time, she said yes.

The next evening, he arrived at six and they walked down to the Fontaine for dinner. As she waited for him, she remembered how giddy she used to be when he would call for her. How she would dither about choosing what to wear. Just as she had tonight.

She had finally settled on a dinner dress in rose silk. The neckline was square and trimmed in the same white duchess lace as the elbow-length sleeves.

After they were seated at a quiet table in the corner and had given their order to Naomi Gerard, Ef's wife, Annalise and Matt admired the dark-paneled room. The dining tables were polished to a high sheen, set with
sparkling crystal and silver flatware. Both agreed that Russ and Lydia had outdone themselves.

In the soft white gaslight, Annalise glanced at him. “I appreciate everything you've done over the last several days.”

He grimaced. “You don't wanna talk about it, do you?”

She laughed. “Only to say thank you, especially for seeing to my buggy wheels. I never would've thought about checking them.”

“Because your pa always did it for you.”

She nodded, her throat tightening. “It was very sweet.”

He covered her hand with his, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. She went very still, but before she could pull away, he did.

“So I owe this dinner to a set of buggy wheels?”

“Yes.”

“I'll have to keep that in mind.” His blue eyes were warm. “Did you talk to Josie about her crying spells?”

“Yes.”

“Did she cry during that?” Matt chuckled.

“Yes.”

His eyes widened. “I was just joshin'.”

“She felt as though she'd driven Davis Lee out of the house that day. I assured both of them, separately and together, that neither of them were to blame. This is just something they have to get through.”

It had made her think about how she'd handled everything on her own when she'd carried her and Matt's baby.

He stared at her as if he expected her to remind him that he had let her down, but she didn't. She really did want to put the anger and blame of their past behind
them. Still, she wasn't willing to look further ahead than tonight. Matt could have her throwing caution to the wind and she didn't want that.

As they ate, she chanced a few looks at him. She admired the square line of his clean-shaven jaw. A white shirt clung to his wide shoulders and made his skin a deep bronze. Dark trousers gloved his long, long legs. The passing years had made him more handsome. Maybe it was because there were now some hard-earned creases on his face, a new maturity in those blue eyes.

Lines of fatigue fanned out from his eyes, carved a groove around his mouth. She knew it was because he was working long hours, day and night, trying to catch the rustlers.

“I guess you're still alternating shifts with Riley and the Rosses.”

“Yes. It's worked out well. We ride in twos and this way everyone gets a break.”

As they waited for coffee and dessert, his gaze traced her features. “Is there anyone missing you back in Philadelphia? A man, I mean.”

She swept away a loose tendril of hair that had escaped from her loose upsweep. There had never been anyone for her except him and she was afraid it might always be that way. She didn't have to admit it to him though.

She thought about asking if he'd had anyone special since she'd left, but she didn't. There had been plenty of talk about him and a lot of women.

It wasn't as though he had cheated on her, but she couldn't help feeling a little hurt.

“No, no one special.” She took a bite of butter cake.

His gaze traveled slowly over her, paused on her breasts then rose to her lips. “You sure are a sight,” he
said for the second time since he'd called for her that evening. “I wanted to eat you up when I saw you.”

There was nothing daring about her dress. Only her neck and the flat plane of her chest were bared, but he looked at her as if he could see her in the altogether. The heat in his eyes gave her a shiver and sent a tingle to her toes.

He asked about her injuries and she told him they were much better.

He cut off a corner of her dessert. “Pa has been really distracted. At first, I thought it was because he's a newlywed, but he's been absent-minded and sometimes short with people.”

Annalise was afraid it was due to his condition. As far as she knew, J.T. was no closer to walking than before, which made her think the man would probably be coming to see her again soon.

Naomi brought more coffee, saying in her soft Southern voice, “Let me know if you need anything else.”

Matt smiled at her. “We will. Everything was more than fine tonight.”

“Yes, very good,” Annalise added.

“Thank you.”

As they finished their cake, Charlie and May Haskell stopped at their table to say hello. Both had pleased smiles on their faces as they walked away.

Matt watched her carefully. “By tomorrow, it's going to be all over town that you were out with me tonight.”

Sipping her coffee, Annalise nodded. The thought had occurred to her before she had accepted his invitation. “Some things don't change, I guess.”

Her gaze followed his as the Haskells made their way across the room. Just as the older couple stepped out of
the dining room, Charlie reached back and pinched May on the bottom.

Annalise choked on her coffee, quickly putting down her cup before she dropped it. Matt's chuckle said he'd seen the same thing.

“Do you remember—” They both began at the same time.

She laughed. “The night of the pecan harvest dance when we decided to stop in the Eishens' grove.”

“And not for picnickin',” he said in a low voice. “I was dyin' to kiss you proper.”

She'd wanted that, too. But when they reached the well-known, well-used spot, it had been taken. By the Haskells!

She had never looked at the mercantile owner and his wife the same way again and neither had Matt.

She smiled into his eyes. “You were appalled.”

“And you weren't.”

“I thought it was sweet.” She had also imagined her and Matt doing the same thing after spending many years together. Her smile faded a bit. “They still fancy each other.”

Her gaze locked with Matt's and a long pulsing moment drew out between them. The flickering gaslight made it easy to read the desire in his blue eyes. Her entire body vibrated with awareness. He stared at her mouth and she felt his hand curl into a fist, as though he was trying not to touch her.

Part of her wanted him to reach for her. She sat there in a daze until he broke the tension by winking.

“I bet May and Charlie are going home to fancy each other all night long.”

“Matt Baldwin!” She couldn't keep a straight face and dissolved into laugher.

He laughed, too, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Annalise!”

She turned to see Davis Lee rushing toward their table. His dark hair was rumpled and his eyes wide. He held his hat tight, crumpling its brim. “It's time! Josie's having the baby!”

“Are you sure? How far apart are her contractions?”

“I know you told me what to do, but I can't remember a blamed thing. You said—” He broke off, his features pinched and anxious. “We've never gotten this far before. I don't know what to do!”

Placing her napkin on the table, she stood. “It's going to be all right. I need to get my bag.”

Matt touched her arm. “Go on with Davis Lee. I'll stop by and get it.”

“Are you sure? It's on the way.”

“I think Davis Lee would feel better if you went now. I'll be right behind you.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

He nodded. She gathered up her skirts and rushed out the door with Davis Lee. When the two of them angled behind the mercantile and toward his house, she saw Matt go past them and head for her clinic.

She realized she was still smiling. When was the last time she had done that while thinking of Matt Baldwin?

She couldn't remember.

 

After grabbing Annalise's bag and an apron, Matt rushed over to Davis Lee's house. His friend took the things in to Annalise, who was in the bedroom with Josie. Then the lawman stepped back out, frowning when the door closed behind him.

Matt rubbed the nape of his neck. Having never been in a situation like this, he wasn't sure what to do. Davis Lee walked to the center of the room and stopped.

He thumbed away a bead of sweat, his eyes dark with worry and confusion. “Josie kicked me out.”

Matt's eyes widened. “Why?”

“She said I looked like I was about to pass out and she couldn't worry about me, too.” His hat and knife sat on the corner of the dining table alongside a thick piece of pine. He picked up the knife and wood then propped himself against the wall beside the cupboard and began to whittle.

His friend looked disoriented, and Matt didn't feel right leaving him alone, but the man needed to keep his hands busy.

It made sense to him that Annalise and Josie would want to clean up at some point. They'd want to clean up the baby, too. He took a basin from the shelf above the sink and used the indoor pump to fill the bowl with water. After lighting the stove, he set the basin on it to heat.

The large front room was the center of the house. The stove behind Matt, and the sink and cupboard along the wall made the kitchen almost a separate room. The fireplace was beyond the stove and Josie and Davis Lee's bedroom was on the other side of that wall.

“I should be in there,” Davis Lee said hoarsely, pausing with his knife held over the rapidly dwindling piece of wood. If he didn't stop whittling soon, all that would be left was a toothpick. “But seeing her in that much pain makes me hate myself. What kind of man can't help his wife when she needs it?”

“You're doing what you're supposed to be doing.”

“What? Standing around like a lump?”

Matt hooked a foot under a chair leg and dragged it toward Davis Lee, sitting down. “I don't know any men who were with their wives for a birth. Do you?”

“No, but I know she wanted me to be there.” His eyes were hollow, haunted. “This scares the hell out of me. Josie did everything Annalise told her to. We both did, but what if I lose her? And the baby?”

“Everything will be fine.” He could hear Annalise's calm voice, the occasional pain-filled groan from Josie. “Annalise is with her and she knows what she's doing.”

Davis Lee nodded, but he didn't look convinced.

“I sent Miguel to the Rocking H for Riley and Susannah. They should be here soon.”

“Thanks. I've been so scatterbrained, I didn't even think about getting my family here.”

“You've got other things on your mind.”

The sheriff sliced another layer off the wood, then pushed away from the wall and paced to the door of his bedroom and back. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Matt shifted restlessly. “Have any chores I can help you with?”

“No.” His friend stopped next to the stove, his blade flashing as he viciously slid it down the length of pine.

Matt had always been amazed at how well his friend handled the knife, but his strokes were so fast that he half expected the thing to fly out of Davis Lee's hand or for his friend to cut himself. “Wanna play cards?”

“I couldn't concentrate.” Another forceful downstroke shaved off a curl of wood. The shavings littering the floor gave off the faint scent of pine.

“It might at least keep you from messing up Josie's clean floor.”

“Oh, I'll sweep up before—”

A scream sounded from the next room and Davis Lee jerked so hard he nearly sliced off his thumb. Matt leapt up and grabbed his friend's arm, taking the knife.

The other man rushed to his bedroom door. “Josie!”

“Don't-come-in-here,” she panted then moaned in pain.

Davis Lee turned away from the door and came back to his chair. He sank down, shoving a hand through his hair. “We've never gotten this far along with a baby and Annalise says that's a good sign.”