Page 9 of Redeeming the Outlaw
Mr. Arden looked over the list. “We have everything in stock. Do you want to wait, or have it delivered?”
“I can wait for it.” She looked around the store and spied Whit sitting next to the potbelly stove.He was so handsome!
She tried to act casual as she made her way over to the stove, pretending to warm her hands while sneaking glances at Whit. He was leaning back in his chair, long legs stretched out, intently reading a newspaper. She noticed his furrowed brow and wondered what had captured his interest so fully.
Esther couldn’t help but admire his strong jawline and the way his shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. A fluttering feeling rose in her chest, and she quickly tamped it down. Such thoughts were improper for a preacher’s daughter.
Still, she wished he would look up and notice her. She imagined striking up a conversation, though she could hardly fathom what she might say. Whit was so different from the young men she normally interacted with. He was rough around the edges but appeared to have a good heart underneath.
She snorted.
Mama had warned her to stay away from the likes of him.Why, she didn’t even know his last name.
Today she would change it. She made it her mission to findout his last name and more about him.
Clearing her thoughts, she gathered up the courage to speak. “Good morning,” Esther said politely, with a slight curtsy.
Whit’s ice-blue eyes flickered up to meet hers. “Morning, Miss Billings,” he replied, his voice a low rumble. He folded the newspaper and set it aside. “Keeping warm this morning?”
“Yes, thank you.” Esther felt her cheeks flush, hoping it wasn’t noticeable. She didn’t expect him to know her name.
“Looks like some interesting news?” she added, nodding toward the paper.
“Oh, just more trouble around these parts.”
“Anything in particular?” She moved to lift the coffeepot and found it empty.
“Seems outlaws have made their way over here from Lincoln.”
Esther shook the pot, hoping for something to appear. “Outlaws?” she said with a hint of sarcasm, pretending to be uninterested. She nodded as she set down the empty coffeepot. “Oh yes, outlaws,” she said, keeping her tone light. “They seemed to stir up a fair bit of excitement around here.”
She saw Whit’s eyebrows raise slightly at her words. Proper young ladies weren’t supposed to ask about ruffians and criminals. Her cheeks grew warm, but she continued. “Of course, I don’t approve of their ways, but life around here can be so uneventful. A small-town preacher’s daughter doesn’t get many chances for adventure.”
She gave a small, shy smile, and Whit chuckled, a low rumbling sound which made her heart skip.
“No, I don’t suppose you do,” he said. He studied her thoughtfully for a moment. “Though something tells me you’ve got more spirit for adventure than you let on.”
Esther felt her cheeks redden at Whit’s words. He saw right through her proper exterior to the longing for excitement underneath. She cast her eyes downward, suddenly feeling exposed. “Forgive me if I spoke out of turn,” he said.
“Well, I, uh...” she trailed off, flustered.
Whit smiled kindly, seeming to take pity on her embarrassment. “No need to explain yourself to me. I understand wanting more from life than what’s expected. I’ve done my fair share of rambling trying to find where I belong.”
He stood up from his chair and moved closer. Esther was struck again by how tall and broad-shouldered he was. She had to tilt her chin up to meet his piercing blue gaze.
“Don’t let anyone else define you, Miss Billings. You follow your heart wherever it leads. Folks might not understand, but you must be true to yourself.”
“Would you like some coffee, Mr...”
He smiled. “Moore.”
She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, studying his face for any signs of deception. Crossing her arms, she tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for his response.
“Mr. Moore?”
“Yes, ma’am, but you should call me Whit.”
“Is Whit your cowboy name? Such as you have great wit, so you ended up stuck with it as a name, or is it short for something?”
