“Charlie runs the Little Boar Inn,” John explained, stepping a little closer so that the older man needed to edge away from Hettie. “Hettie is here to meet with James.”
Charlie raised his thick eyebrows and stood up straight, looking up at John. “Oh, I see!” He paused. “I take it this was an idea that came from Liz?”
John nodded.
Charlie looked back down at Hettie. “Well, young lady, let me tell you a few things about our Sheriff.” His voice had changed but not in an unfriendly way. “He is a good man. He’s taken good care of this little town, even after Annie was…killed, poor girl. It was a terrible tragedy and it hurt James greatly. But if he lets you in, you have a good chance of being with a good husband.” Charlie leaned back down and said in a low voice, “I do believe you are beautiful enough to catch his eye, I must say. If he doesn’t give you the chance, you will not have trouble finding a husband, should you want one.”
“All right there, Charlie.” John laughed. “Let’s go talk to Mary and Liz. You can quiz them about the social next month to see what plans they have made so far.”
The two men made off into the small crowd. Hettie watched them. Charlie seemed an amusing old man. As he and John walked off, he began talking excitedly about the social next month. Apparently, social gatherings were something this little town enjoyed frequently. With so few people populating the area, most knew each other. She had been greeted by each person at the party with open arms though she was a stranger and an outsider. She had the sneaking suspicion Liz had warned them all ahead of time that she would be there and had bolstered their opinion of her with her own opinion before they even met her.
She wondered if they had been told why she was here. John didn’t seem to have any trouble mentioning it. She had to assume they all knew what her purpose was. They were still kind and hospitable to her. She took that as a sign that they all cared about their sheriff as much as Charlie had implied.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she saw James come around the corner of the house. He was dressed in blue jeans, a well-fitting flannel shirt and had brushed his hair, from the looks of it. She pulled in a breath and held it for a moment. He was certainly a good-looking man. He stopped for a moment when he saw her. Before he could continue walking, Liz caught sight of him.
“James!” She called out. Everyone turned to look at him as he approached.
They all began to greet him. Hettie was amused to see the crowd gravitate toward James, wishing him well, almost hiding him from her sight. She caught his eyes straying to her while he responded to the people, smiling at them, removing his hat, shaking hands.
Hettie didn’t get up.
After a short time, the crowd dispersed somewhat, going back to what they had been doing. Liz and James stood to the side, talking in low voices for a few moments. Hettie tried not to watch them but was curious about their conversation. Neither seemed upset. Liz appeared to be apologizing, and James responded by nodding and pulling his sister into a hug. When they pulled away from each other, they smiled, and Liz moved off to find John, leaving James to gaze at Hettie.
She saw him looking and smiled at him, finally getting up.
“Hello,” Hettie said, approaching him. “I would have come over sooner, but you would think it was your birthday the way everyone gathered around you.”
At first, he didn’t say anything to her. Then he looked down at his hands, where he was clutching his hat firmly. “I must apologize for my behavior the other day, Hettie.”
“You must not worry about that.” Hettie shook her head. “I realize you were very surprised to see me. I hope that you aren’t upset with Liz about it. I am a grown woman and can take care of myself.”
“I am not upset with her.” James shook his head. “I am more upset with myself. I don’t generally treat strange, beautiful women that way.”
Hettie smiled at the compliment and looked down. “Thank you, James.”
“Shall we sit and talk?” He asked, holding out his hand to the chair she had been sitting in. She returned to it, and he pulled a similar chair nearby to sit close to her.
“How are you enjoying it here so far?” James asked, picking up a few of the same carrot sticks she had been eating from and taking a few bites.
“Actually, I find the atmosphere very refreshing. I know it is much warmer than my home in Virginia, but I like it. I would rather be warm than cold, wouldn’t you?”
He laughed. “I better. I live here.”
She laughed with him. “Yes, I suppose so. And now I do, so I better learn to like it if I don’t.”
“But you do?”
She nodded. “I do.”
He looked around at the crowd and then back at her. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
Hettie looked up at the darkening sky. “Do you think we will be caught in the dark?”
James glanced around them. “There’s a lantern. We’ll take it just in case.”