Page 11 of Redeeming the Outlaw
She gave a delicate snort. “Hardly ever. You seem to know many people here. Do you know everyone in town?”
“Almost everyone. I don’t know you as much as I’d like. It’s important to be aware of who is surrounding you.”
The small bell above the door drew Esther’s attention as it rang, signifying new customers. She longed to talk to Whit, but the couple who entered caught her eye.
They were both wearing thin, summery clothes, despite the freezing weather outside. The woman’s shivering figure stood out in contrast to her partner’s calm demeanor. Her pale hands shook as she tightly clutched a thin shawl around her body, trying to ward off the cold. Her long, red hair was tangled and wild from the wind, and her dress was frayed at the edges. As she stood there, heads turned in admiration of her radiant beauty which seemed to outshine any imperfections.
Esther felt plain and unremarkable as she noticed the way the men were gazing at the young woman. She couldn’t help but feel envious as she watched Whit stand to interact with the young lady. A strange, bitter heat flooded through her body, causing her to squirm in her seat and clench her hands. These emotions were new and uncomfortable for Esther, making her wonder what was happening to her.
Esther listened long enough to find out their names were Youngerman, and they were traveling from town to town looking for a lost relative. Whit had offered the woman his arm andescorted her to the bench next to the fire before taking a seat between Esther and Miss Youngerman.
Esther gripped the bench for fear she would throw her arms around Whit and make a scene. Her heart churned with frustration and longing as she watched Whit and this woman interact.
Shifting uncomfortably on the bench before clearing her throat, she allowed herself a minute to compose herself before asking, “I hope you aren’t staying long, Miss Youngerman.” A hint of disapproval tinged her voice, along with something else.
It took only a minute for Esther to realize what the feeling was.
Jealousy!
She was jealous of the attention Whit was paying to this stranger.
Her heart constricted at the thought. Envy was a sin, but she couldn’t stop. It was as if she were a puppet and someone else was controlling her mouth.
She knew exactly who the someone was.
Dear Lord, please make the devil stop,she prayed. But He didn’t.
The woman reached out her gloved hands toward the fire. “We won’t overstay our welcome.”
Esther opened her mouth to say something else, but Whit put his hand on her back. She could feel each individual finger as his hand splayed across her spine.
“Esther,” Whit growled in low warning close to her ear.
Esther still couldn’t stop.
“What?” Esther said, adjusting her skirt so it wasn’t close to the stove. “It isn’t like there is any place for them to stay. Unlessyou want to stick them in the room at the livery?” She sounded hopeful for a minute.
His calloused fingers pressed into her back as he leaned in, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You need to watch your mouth, young lady, or I’m going to kiss you so hard all thoughts will go right out of your head.” His fingers tightened on her back before releasing her and settling back on the bench.
Her body tensed as she imagined his lips on hers, and a rosy hue spread across her cheeks. She gasped for air, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to regain control of her thoughts.
Realizing she had made a fool of herself, she needed to escape. She awkwardly stood, bumping the bench, and spilling her coffee on the floor. Without a word, she hurried past Whit and out the door, nearly colliding with Annamae and her husband, Sawyer, as she rushed down the creaky wooden stairs and onto the bustling street. Her heart raced as she made her way to the livery, embarrassed tears streaming down her face.
She needed to compose herself before she got home and faced Mama’s questioning. The last thing she wanted was to have to explain what had happened.
She hurriedly made her way across the street and slipped into the narrow alleyway behind the doctor’s office. Jogging to the end, where the alley opened to a field filled with discarded pumpkins, she paused for a moment to catch her breath. Leaning against the side of the medical building, she allowed herself to cry.
Why did Papa have to arrange a marriage for her? Couldn’t she find a suitable husband in town? Why did Whit suddenly ask about getting to know her after Papa brought up the idea of corresponding through letters? What caused her to transform from a polite preacher’s daughter to a jealous and bitter personat the thought of Whit being interested in another woman?
She was not usually so improper, and after all, she knew she would never marry him.
Noticing movement at the entrance of the alley, near the road, she quickly pushed herself away from the wall and began walking toward the church. Using the heel of her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes, she had passed three buildings when she realized she forgot to get Mama’s order.
Ruth and Naomi could walk back to the store and pick it up. Groaning, Esther realized she didn’t have her basket with her either. She must have left it on the bench when she hurried out. Patting her paletot, she gave a half smile. At least the book Mrs. Alden let her borrow was still there.
Esther hurried the rest of the way through the back alleys of town, her skirts swishing around her ankles as she made her way home. She needed time to process what had just happened with Whit at the mercantile. She hadn’t expected to feel such fiery jealousy course through her when he smiled at the woman. His whispered words still echoed in her mind, making her cheeks flush.
She paused in the alley behind the church to catch her breath. She leaned against the rough wooden slats and looked up at the gray winter sky.
