Every Little Thing About You (Yellow Rose Trilogy 1) by Lori Wick

question might take some time or turn
    out to be one he could never ask.
    "There's a church picnic this Sunday afternoon,"
    Griffin told him instead. His mother had let him know that
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    day. "We must have come in after it was announced."
    "Right after church?"
    "Yes, at the Millers', on the creek."
    "Do we bring something?"
    "My mother and Libby usually take pity on me and
    bring enough for a threshing crew. Unless you're in the
    mood to cook, don't worry about it."
    "My skills in the kitchen can't compare to your
    mother's. I wouldn't starve, but a home-cooked meal
    always tastes like a feast"
    Griffin laughed, but such words made him think of
    Tess. She was a great cook. With sudden clarity he realized
    something that had never been evident to him. In the last
    two months, when Tess' feelings and his own had become
    dear, he'd talked to Pastor Caron and Duffy. They had been
    very helpful, but he'd never spoken to his mother--the
    woman who had been widowed because she'd been married
    to the town's sheriff.
    Sitting across the room, Slater watched the emotions
    chase across Griffin's face but kept silent Clearly the man
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    had much on his mind. If memory served him correctly,
    this was the night the blonde woman had wanted him to
    come for dinner. Had Liberty called her Tess? Is that where
    he'd been when Slater found the house empty? Much as
    Slater wondered, he knew he would never ask.
    "I'm for bed," Slater said instead, wanting to give this
    man who had offered him a home even more privacy.
    "I'll bet you are. Waking up to have a gun pointed at
    you takes it out of a man."
    56 lori wick
    Slater laughed. "When I saw your sister today, I asked
    her why she didn't draw."
    "Did she blush or laugh?"
    "A little of both, I guess." Slater stood. "Good night,
    Griffin."
    "Good night, Slater."
    Griffin watched him walk from the room, reminding
    himself that it was way too early to take a full measure of
    this man, but the temptation to let his mind wander was
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    strong. Liberty needed someone special. The thought no
    more formed than Griffin's mouth quirked. What brother
    didn't feel that way? That Tess' brothers might not care
    suddenly came to mind. As Griffin was coming to expect,
    it didn't take much to make him think of that woman.
    $-*3r
    -5Do
    you have to work?" Laura asked Liberty the next day. Bible study had just ended.
    "Yes. Griffin and I have to check on something."
    "Can you give Griff a hug for me?"
    "I certainly can. Is there some special reason?"
    Laura only shook her head no, seeming in no hurry to
    leave her sister's lap. Their mother was sitting beside Liberty,
    and the younger woman decided to question her if she
    had a chance. The opportunity came a few minutes later.
    Their hostess, Mrs. Caron, offered cookies to the children,
    and Laura, looking only mildly interested, left her sister's
    lap.
    "Did you hear what she said?" Liberty asked quietly.
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    "About the hug? Yes. She's been so clingy, Lib. I think
    she's coming down with something. She cried this morning
    when she got juice on her hand."
    Liberty's eyes widened in surprise. Her little sister was
    a very plucky gal. Spilled juice would not normally get her
    down.
    Every tittle Thing About You * 57
    "You look tired, Mam." Liberty had just seen it
    "Maybe the two of you have a little bug going."
    "Maybe."
    "I think you should see the doctor," Liberty said, her
    eyes sparkling a little. "I hear he gives very personal
    service."
    Kate laughed and put a hand on her daughter's arm. If she was coming down with something, just talking to Liberty would make her feel better.
    "I'll think about your advice."
    "All right I'd better go. Griff and I have a case to check
    on. I won't stay any longer than I have to in case Laura gets
    worse."
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    Thank you, dear. Don't forget to eat lunch."
    Liberty thanked their hostess and went out front to
    where she had tethered Morton. Already dressed for work/
    she swung easily into the saddle. Mrs. Tobler's house