He bid the elderly gentleman farewell and left the shop, the bell hanging from the doorknob ringing behind him. The door on the mercantile directly across the street closed, with an answering chime. He recognized the striking woman walking to her horse tied out front immediately. Coralee was particularly fetching in the dark purple dress. It hugged her in all the right places.
She looked up, saw him, and smiled. As quickly as the smile had arrived, it faded, replaced by a firm set to her lips. He’d seen the same thing happen several times over the past few days. It was as though she was genuinely glad to see him but refused to admit it, even to herself. The fact that she was conflicted filled him with hope. Perhaps in time she would trust him enough to let him back into her life. Only then could he tell her why he’d left. For some reason, explaining himself to her had become extremely important.
He took his horse by the reins and strode over to her. “If I’d known you were coming to town, we could have ridden in together.”
“Perhaps.” She shoved the first of two brown paper parcels she carried into one of her saddlebags.
“I’m done, and it looks like you are, too. Care to ride back with me?”
“I suppose so.”
He responded in a light tone. “You don’t have to sound so excited about it. A feller might think you didn’t welcome his company.”
She walked around her horse, stowed the second package in her other saddlebag, and slid the strap through the buckle. She patted her mare’s neck and swung her gaze around to Houston. “Did my brother put you up to this? It’s rather convenient, you showing up in town when I’m here.”
“Of course not. I had business to tend to, and this was the best time to take care of it.”
“I see. Well, I’m ready. Are you?”
“Sure am.” He mounted his gelding.
They got underway. Coralee said little. He didn’t press her but enjoyed the surroundings instead. He’d missed this part of Texas, with its wooded canyons, brilliant blue skies, and stunning sunsets. The lowing of a cow in the nearby field drew his attention. She flicked her tail in an attempt to rid herself of the pesky flies that plagued the herd.
Something seemed to be bothering Coralee, too. If he had to guess, he’d say she was no closer to trusting him than before. So be it. He’d keep doing his best, and in time, both she and Pa might see that he was determined to do a good job.
“Are you glad to be back?”
Her question took him by surprise. “Yes. Why?”
“Being a rancher is quite different from running a hardware store. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? You told me you didn’t enjoy riding herd as much as your brothers, but you certainly seem to enjoy bookwork. You’ve done an awful lot of it for Calvin this past week.”
He’d confessed years ago that his heart wasn’t in tending cattle—once. He wasn’t sure she’d even heard him since she’d said nothing. He’d assumed she wasn’t too happy to find out that he didn’t share his family’s passion. “I’m a Hart. Ranching’s in my blood.”
“Even so, I can’t help but wondering if you’d be happier as a shop owner. I saw you come out of the hardware store. Did you know it’s for sale?”
“I do, but that doesn’t change anything.”
“Perhaps, but you could think about it, couldn’t you?”
“Why all the questions?” Hers had come as a surprise. Had he misinterpreted her silence? Was it possible Coralee could accept him for who he was, even if Pa couldn’t?
“I suppose I’m curious what your life was like after you left. From what I’ve heard, you did well for yourself.”
“It wasn’t always that way. There were lean times, but I found ways to generate income. I felled trees, cut them up, and delivered the firewood during the winter months when mining, building, and the need for supplies slowed.”
“Ah!” She nodded. “You like chopping wood. That’s why you’ve been clearing the north pasture. I wondered. When you’re done, we’ll be set for firewood for years to come.”
As much as he’d like to set her straight, he’d promised to keep Calvin’s perilous financial situation between them. “I’m helping in whatever ways I can, the same as you do.”
The rest of the ride passed quickly, with their conversation taking a lighter turn. Coralee relaxed at last, and they talked the way they had on the many rides they’d enjoyed in their youth. It was as though she’d opened the window to her former self, back when her life was her own and she wasn’t busy putting others’ needs ahead of her own. She worked hard and gave so much of herself. She’d deserved this time away from her duties.
They reached the Culpepper ranch, slipped from their saddles, and stood staring at one another. She was so close he could smell the fruity fragrance of her perfume. His gaze dropped to her lips. If he wasn’t mistaken, hers was focused on his mouth.
Expectancy hung in the air, but he wasn’t about to act until he knew Coralee would welcome his kiss. And that wouldn’t happen until she’d grown to trust him.
She stepped back, handed her reins to a ranch hand, and donned her businesslike manner. “I have to go. Daddy and Calvin need me, and I know you have work to do, as well.”
The curtains that had parted closed, shutting him out once again.
He could be waiting a very long time.
Chapter Eight