A Texan's Luck by Jodi Thomas Page A

It's easy to blame a noise on a cat when it might be an intruder. But I can work around that problem if they're important to you."
    She tilted her head and studied him as if she didn't know whether to believe him or not. She didn't seem the least bit grateful that he'd conceded, but he'd long ago become an expert at not allowing his frustrations to show.
    He offered his arm.
    She hesitated, then took it.
    They walked down the street until they were far enough from the crowd not to be overheard. "We can work this out," Walker said as if he believed his own words.
    "I don't take orders, and I don't follow schedules. You're not stepping into my life, my world, and changing everything just because of something you've been ordered to do. You're free to leave. I'm safe enough here in town. Zeb Whitaker probably forgot all about me years ago."
    He thought of arguing, but he wasn't sure what she'd say. The last thing he wanted to do was go back to the fort and explain to his commander why he couldn't stay around and protect his wife for one month. Or worse yet, leave Lacy unprotected. If Zeb Whitaker got to her, he'd never forgive himself for neglecting his duty.
    And that's all she was, he told himself. His duty. A duty he never asked for. But he was a man who'd never turned his back on what he knew he had to do. If he had to get along with her in order to stay and complete his mission, he would.
    "All right. No orders, but I stay until my time is over." He accepted her terms and wondered if she'd ever heard of the word compromise. "One rule for each of us is all I ask. You allow me to protect you, and I'll try not to interfere with your life."
    "Fair enough."
    He placed his hand over hers as they declared a silent truce. Then, without a word, they continued walking down the street. Lacy introduced him to almost everyone they passed. A few of the people said they remembered him as a kid, but most had moved to town in the years since he'd been gone.
    Lacy calmed as they moved along. She'd never had a handsome man to walk with. Not one day of her life. Captain Walker might be heartless, but one thing she couldn't deny: he was handsome in his blue wool uniform. She noticed people who'd never paid her any mind, like the ladies on the second floor of the saloon, were now looking her over. With Walker by her side, some of the men seemed more respectful, more formal, and a few of the women giggled at everything he said as if it were funny.
    Walker asked her advice about which fruits and vegetables to buy, then paid for them without really asking her if she wanted or needed them. Slowly, she became aware of what he was doing. He bought one thing, sometimes more, from each vendor. In a very simple way, he was meeting everyone, making friends, paying his respects.
    Only, she knew his plan would fail when he got to the church ladies' table. Lacy knew most of the women, but she was not one of their circle. She'd learned from experience that they weren't accepting of outsiders. They had always been polite but never friendly to her.
    With a smile, Walker changed all that. He bragged on their work, even buying one of the crocheted Bible covers he swore his sergeant's wife would love. He had them all beaming proudly that finally someone had noticed their efforts. When he suggested they make aprons for men, the ladies of the church circle laughed so hard, folks turned to look from half a block away.
    Lacy stood in awe, wondering who had taken over her husband's body. Could this be the same man who had issued one order after another since arriving? She'd seen men who were smooth talking, usually salesmen who passed through from time to time, but nothing like Walker. By the time he left the church ladies' table he could have run for mayor and won.
    She expected his bossy, rude manner to return when he talked with the men. It never did. He asked each man about his work or for facts related to the town. His plan seemed so simple. He paid each man