Tags:
Fiction,
General,
Romance,
Historical,
Western,
Love Stories,
Texas,
Christian fiction,
Religious,
Christian,
INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE
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
90
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
91
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
92
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.
93
"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."
94
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
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