Page 11 of A Groom for Heather
“I’ll be sure to tell him. I guess you need to see Mr. Cairn?”
“How did you know that?”
“Only lawyer in town right now.”
“Can you tell me where I might find him?”
“One block that way,” she said pointing. “You can’t miss it. There is a placard outside.” She stood and gathered the plates. Picking up the coffee pot she gave Dalton a little smile. “You ready for that pie now?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Dalton turned to look out the window again and he spied the woman in blue, this time with two small children. The children broke free and ran towards the mercantile, disappearing behind the door. The woman slowly walked towards the door.
It gave Dalton a moment to admire her without being obvious. Her hat was still askew on top of her head and the one wayward curl was down her back now. She had a trim waist that Dalton could span with his hands. He wondered if she was married. If the women were trying to find husbands, he just might be in the market for a wife.
He watched as she turned, a man approaching her from behind. The suited man said something to her and he could see that whatever it was didn’t make her happy at all. Her face contorted and she raised her hands, gesturing as she spoke. Whatever it was, it was none of his business.
“Here you go,” Hollie said placing the pie on the table. “It will be fifty-five cents for everything.”
Dalton pulled a bill out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Keep the change.”
Hollie pocketed the money. “If you need more coffee just shout.” The door jingled and more people entered the diner.
Dalton took a bite of his pie, the apples and cinnamon exploding on his tongue. He turned to look across the road, but the people were gone.
Chapter Four
“Mrs. Barnes!”
Heather turned to see who was calling her. Relief coursed through her body when she realized it was Mr. Cairn calling and not Pastor Collins.
Heather managed to avoid the pastor since the outburst at Millie’s house. When Bea stopped by to ask why they weren’t at church, Heather fumbled through a few excuses, but Bea knew the truth. After three Sunday’s Bea didn’t stop by anymore. As much as Heather loved her friend, she was quite relieved when the visits stopped.
“Mr. Cairn! How are you today?” Heather asked. “Cecily and Arthur went into the store. Walk with me?”
“Of course.” Mr. Cairn kept pace with Heather as she slowly walked down the boardwalk. “You’ve been very difficult to reach, Mrs. Barnes.”
Heather shrugged her shoulders. “I admit I’ve been avoiding town. But I am always at home.”
“I’ve stopped by not twice, but three times.”
“Oh. I may have been out checking on my patients. You know several are due soon.”
“Don’t pay attention to such things, Mrs. Barnes.”
“Well, you have my attention now. What can I do for you?”
“We have some business to discuss; but not here on the street.”
Heather looked around to see who might be listening. There were several people outside the post office and down on the corner, near the ferry depot. No one appeared to be paying attention to anyone else.
“Have you heard anything about the advertisement, Mr. Cairn?”
“That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I finally got a letter from a man in New Mexico who is interested in buying the property.”
“That’s wonderful,” Heather said softly.
“What’s the matter, Mrs. Barnes? I thought that it was what you wanted.”
