Page 374 of Conveniently Wed
“I just wanted to introduce myself.”
“I know who you are, Mr. Richardson. Everyone knows who you are. You don’t go about being the richest man in the county and people not know your name.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And your name?”
“We’ve met.”
“So youarethat same girl?—”
“I’d rather not discuss it.”
“Seems I have a penchant for rescuing you. Katherine, isn’t it?”
“Seems you men can’t keep your hands to yourself, or a girl wouldn’t need rescuing. If I could’ve got to my gun first…” She gritted her teeth, and her tiny fists balled at her side.
“Ah, yes, you do know how to use your gun.”
“Doesn’t help much when a girl can’t even go about her work without being manhandled.”
“Were you working in the saloon?”
She raised her chin. “I was cleaning the place. It’s all the work I could find, and my family’s in a bad way?—”
He raised his brows at her. “Your pa let you work in an establishment like that?” Surely, her family couldn’t approve.
“I told my pa I got a cleaning job, just not where I was cleaning. Oh, never mind. You and all your money would never understand.”
Frustration stirred inside him. “But a girl like you cannot safely work in a place like that.”
“What do you mean, a girl like me?”
“Well, you don’t exactly blend into the background.”
“The curse of being born looking like this strikes again.” She swept a hand from tip to toe, and a sheen of tears filled her eyes. “I thought I could handle myself, but how can I when they attack from behind as soon as the owner steps out for a few minutes?”
A mixture of sensations warred inside him. He hated seeing a woman cry, but he also hated being lumped in with those hooligans in the saloon. “Not all men disrespect women.”
“I know. And I really am thankful for your help. Once again, I’ll ask that you don’t tell my pa.” A lone tear slipped down her cheek, and she brushed it away.
Without thinking he stepped forward and folded his arms around her. For a brief moment, she tucked her trembling body into the warmth of his hold. The smell of rain-washed roses and the softness of a woman’s body stirred long forgotten senses.
But then she wrenched free and took off running.
This time, he didn’t follow.
Whatever had possessed him to do that? He hadn’t held a woman since his beloved Georgina died, nor had he wanted to. But this beautiful enigma somehow reached in and touched his soul.
He took his hat and dusted it against the side of his leg, then plunked it back on his head and turned toward the store.
What would it be like to be so desperate one had to risk one’s life—one’s body—to work in a place like that? A surge of protectiveness rose from deep within. How could he help her?
Katie squinted into the afternoon sun. Dust billowed behind a lone rider. Was that who she thought it was? Of all the luck. She’d only just chosen to escape the stifling heat and sit on her aunt’s front porch and stitch up a frayed hem. Why did he have to appear when she could not stay hidden?
A tremor took to her hands. What did he want? The urge to dart inside welled up, but it was too late. His eyes were pinned upon her. She forced herself to stay put, but wove the needle into the fabric so she wouldn’t prick her finger. Thankfully, a slight breeze lifted the hair on the nape of her neck to cool the heated flush. She had to get over the past. Today was as good a day as any. She jutted her chin in the air. The only thing moving were her hands, which nervously thread material through her fingers.
Smile. Stay calm.A tiny bead of sweat trickled down her spine.
He swung from his horse and tethered the reins to the porch rail.
