Page 40 of Calder Country

Chase led the way out of the dining room, opening the front door to let Lucy pass through ahead of him. Joseph followed them across the graveled yard to the nearest stable, one of several on the property. This stable housed the most prized horses among the Calders’ vast remuda.

The stable had recently been wired with electricity. Chase opened a door and switched on the light. Horses were drowsing in their roomy box stalls, shifting and blowing. The air smelled of hay and fresh manure.

If Joseph hadn’t had his eyes on Lucy, he would have taken more time to admire the splendid animals. In the largest stall, he recognized Cougar, the majestic, claybank stallion that Webb Calder rode on the range. Several other mares and geldings here were Cougar’s offspring. There were even two fine quarter horses, raised and trained by Logan Hunter, the rancher who was married to Joseph’s aunt Kristin.

Chase had moved ahead with Lucy to a stall at the far end of the stable. Joseph lengthened his stride to catch up with them. Looking over the gate, he could see a bay mare nursing her leggy four-month-old filly—a yellow claybank, probably another of Cougar’s babies. The mare and her young one made a charming pair.

Petite Lucy stood on tiptoes, stretching in an effort to look over the gate.

“I can’t see them,” she complained. “Could somebody give me a boost?”

“Sure,” Joseph said, thinking that he and Chase could lift her together. But when he looked around for Chase, there was no sign of him.

Lucy gave him a flirtatious smile. “Chase had someplace to go. So I guess you’ll have to be the one to help me.”

The truth struck home, triggering giddy flutters in Joseph’s chest. All this had been a plot to get him alone with Lucy. And Lucy had been one of the plotters.

This was a dream come true.

Bending, he scooped her up, lifting her high enough to see over the stall gate. She was featherlight, her curves settling nicely into his arms. A moment passed before he realized that she wasn’t looking at the horses. She was looking at him, her gaze softly mischievous, her mouth barely a fingerbreadth from his own.

Joseph had intended for the meeting of their lips to be brief, almost chaste. To kiss Lucy the way he’d kissed Annabeth would have been way out of line. Lucy was a lady, and he couldn’t afford to be hasty with her. But as her baby-soft lips met his, and he felt her response, a shock of arousal passed through his body. With a whimper of pleasure, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers twined in his hair. He could feel her heat as the kiss deepened. His pulse hammered. His breath was as harsh as a runner’s.

Flushed and panting, they separated. As he lowered her feet to the straw floor, the promise of that kiss and all it held left him dizzy with hope. Beautiful Lucy held the key to his dream. If he played his cards right, with no mistakes, she could be his. And his father wouldn’t have anything to say about it.

But his future could depend on her father’s goodwill. It would be wise to tread carefully. “I think I’d better see you back to the house, Lucy,” he said, offering his arm. “I’d like to see you again if your father would allow it. He should know that I come from a good family. We have a ranch, a sawmill, and plenty of money, if that’s a concern to him.”

“I know about your family.” She took his arm and let him walk her out of the barn. “So does my father. He’d probably allow you to call on me. But he’s working with Webb Calder, and Webb doesn’t like Blake Dollarhide—or his son.”

“I’m not my father. I’m nothing like him.”

“I’m sure that’s true.” Her clasp tightened on his arm as they crossed the yard. “This isn’t a good time to speak to my father. He wants to stay in Webb’s good graces. But meanwhile, we can find ways to be together. The harvest festival will be coming soon. There’ll be a dance in town. I could meet you there. And maybe we’ll get other chances. I want to be with you, Joseph. I’ve been thinking about you ever since we danced together.”

They were nearing the house. Joseph burned to take her in his arms and kiss her one more time. But they were standing in full moonlight, and now Chase was walking across the yard toward them.

“I’ll take over from here,” he said, offering his arm to Lucy. “I hope you two had a good time.”

Lucy giggled and accepted Chase’s arm.

“I’ll be on my way,” Joseph said. “But I owe you a favor, Chase.”

“I’ll remember that when the time comes.” Chase’s grin flashed in the moonlight as he turned to escort Lucy back to the house.

Joseph watched them disappear through the front door. He could have sworn there was air under his feet as he walked back to the car. He’d viewed lovely Lucy as a lady. But she was more than that. She was a warm, passionate woman.

He could hardly wait to see her again. But he couldn’t allow his eagerness to make him reckless. Lucy was too important for that. And her father’s goodwill was equally important.

He started the old Model T and drove out toward the gate. Damn Webb Calder for dashing his hopes at dinner tonight and making him look like a fool in front of Lucy. But he would show all the people who tried to stomp on his dream of becoming a pilot. Webb, his father . . . Someday he would show them all.

* * *

Marissa lay slumbering in her bed, her cherubic face lit by a shaft of moonlight that fell through the window. She had made a full recovery from the fever. Once more, she’d become her lively, small self, playing, laughing, singing, and jumping into her father’s arms to give him kisses.

Britta stood in the doorway, next to Jake, watching the little girl sleep. To thank her for her help, he’d invited her over for a roast beef supper, delivered by the restaurant. It was a nice gesture, but now, as they stood together, looking in on the little girl she was coming to love, Britta was reminded again of what she would never have.

Jake was grateful to her, that was all. When he chose a new wife, it would be someone young and gay and pretty. Not a shy, bumbling moose of a woman who was only at ease with her students. Even when he’d shown some interest, Britta knew he hadn’t loved her. If he had, he would have made more of an effort to win her. He would have waited.

She turned away from the bedroom door. “Thank you for the meal, Jake,” she said. “I’ll repay you by clearing the table and washing the dishes.”

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