understand those sentiments completely, ma’am.”
“You, and everyone in town, are now privy to my skill with firearms. I can outshoot with rifle or pistol just about any man I’ve ever met, and have no qualms about exercising my God-given ability if forced to do so.”
“An admirable trait, ma’am, but not one I’m sure will help you in this particular instance.”
She turned and hit me with an icy stare. “I find your concern for my safety most comforting, Mr. Dodge, but I’ll not be rooted out of my home again. William and I came here on a wave of personal tragedy. We aim to stay in Salt Valley no matter what comes our way. Do you understand my feelings on this matter, sir?”
Moved to the lady’s side. Touched her forearm and detected no resistance. In fact, she moved ever so slightly my direction. Her shoulder brushed against my chest.
“Marshal Oakley and I are sworn to your protection, both personally and professionally, Mrs. Savage. We’ll do whatever is necessary in service of those oaths. But please be advised, Nate Coffin has placed a sizable bounty on both our heads. In his twisted, murderous mind we are responsible for his brother’s poor choices in life. The man means to have us dead, and killers are likely on their way as we now speak.”
The weight and smell of her became more powerful as she leaned closer and almost whispered, “Let them come, Mr. Dodge. Desperate men might be surprised by a woman determined to protect her son’s life, as well as her own, assisted by a valiant Texas Ranger and a stalwart town marshal.”
Thought dawned on me, at that exact moment, as how there was simply no more to be said on the subject. Realized she would likely not yield, no matter how keen my reasoning. Besides, my growing infatuation with that stunningly beautiful female simply would not allow me to force the issue.
Took her hand in mine, raised it toward my lips, kissed the back, then said, “Your obedient servant, Mrs. Savage.”
She placed her free hand on my arm, then fiddled with a button on my vest. Behind flushed cheeks, she brought her mouth so near my ear I could feel the moist warmth of scented breath. “Please don’t think me too bold, sir. But I must admit you are the first man to inspire an almost forgotten feeling of passionate confusion in my blood.” Then she quickly moved half a step back, and barely breathed, “Your most ardent admirer, Mr. Dodge.”
Surprise doesn’t come anywhere near a description of my feelings at that instant. Backed away in delighted bewilderment, mumbled my thanks for the meal, and hastily retreated for the door.
As I stepped onto her small but immaculate porch, she reached out, lightly touched my elbow, and said, “Do come back at your own convenience, Mr. Dodge.”
Kissed her hand again and hurried to the gate, but stopped before I reached the street, turned, and said, “I would stay on a bit longer, but fear I cannot trust my judgment as to proper conduct at the moment, Mrs. Savage.” Shoved my hat on my head, and damn near ran all the way back to my hotel room.
Spent a sleepless night of constantly raking through every word she had spoken to me, every blissful movement, each and every possibly suggestive gesture. Next morning as I took breakfast with Caleb in my favorite spot on the veranda, explained Dianna’s feelings about our combined desires for her safety.
Old marshal didn’t mince words. Poked a crisp piece of bacon into his mouth and, through grinding bites, grumbled, “You realize, of course, Coffin’s henchmen will come and kill us all, including the child.”
Felt convinced of the rightness of my thoughts on the matter. Said, “Oh, I think we’ll be reasonably safe, so long as we pay attention and don’t do anything stupid.”
“Could use a little more experienced help around here, Lucius. My two deputies aren’t much more than resident loafers who took the only jobs they could get. Both of ’em are the closest
“You, and everyone in town, are now privy to my skill with firearms. I can outshoot with rifle or pistol just about any man I’ve ever met, and have no qualms about exercising my God-given ability if forced to do so.”
“An admirable trait, ma’am, but not one I’m sure will help you in this particular instance.”
She turned and hit me with an icy stare. “I find your concern for my safety most comforting, Mr. Dodge, but I’ll not be rooted out of my home again. William and I came here on a wave of personal tragedy. We aim to stay in Salt Valley no matter what comes our way. Do you understand my feelings on this matter, sir?”
Moved to the lady’s side. Touched her forearm and detected no resistance. In fact, she moved ever so slightly my direction. Her shoulder brushed against my chest.
“Marshal Oakley and I are sworn to your protection, both personally and professionally, Mrs. Savage. We’ll do whatever is necessary in service of those oaths. But please be advised, Nate Coffin has placed a sizable bounty on both our heads. In his twisted, murderous mind we are responsible for his brother’s poor choices in life. The man means to have us dead, and killers are likely on their way as we now speak.”
The weight and smell of her became more powerful as she leaned closer and almost whispered, “Let them come, Mr. Dodge. Desperate men might be surprised by a woman determined to protect her son’s life, as well as her own, assisted by a valiant Texas Ranger and a stalwart town marshal.”
Thought dawned on me, at that exact moment, as how there was simply no more to be said on the subject. Realized she would likely not yield, no matter how keen my reasoning. Besides, my growing infatuation with that stunningly beautiful female simply would not allow me to force the issue.
Took her hand in mine, raised it toward my lips, kissed the back, then said, “Your obedient servant, Mrs. Savage.”
She placed her free hand on my arm, then fiddled with a button on my vest. Behind flushed cheeks, she brought her mouth so near my ear I could feel the moist warmth of scented breath. “Please don’t think me too bold, sir. But I must admit you are the first man to inspire an almost forgotten feeling of passionate confusion in my blood.” Then she quickly moved half a step back, and barely breathed, “Your most ardent admirer, Mr. Dodge.”
Surprise doesn’t come anywhere near a description of my feelings at that instant. Backed away in delighted bewilderment, mumbled my thanks for the meal, and hastily retreated for the door.
As I stepped onto her small but immaculate porch, she reached out, lightly touched my elbow, and said, “Do come back at your own convenience, Mr. Dodge.”
Kissed her hand again and hurried to the gate, but stopped before I reached the street, turned, and said, “I would stay on a bit longer, but fear I cannot trust my judgment as to proper conduct at the moment, Mrs. Savage.” Shoved my hat on my head, and damn near ran all the way back to my hotel room.
Spent a sleepless night of constantly raking through every word she had spoken to me, every blissful movement, each and every possibly suggestive gesture. Next morning as I took breakfast with Caleb in my favorite spot on the veranda, explained Dianna’s feelings about our combined desires for her safety.
Old marshal didn’t mince words. Poked a crisp piece of bacon into his mouth and, through grinding bites, grumbled, “You realize, of course, Coffin’s henchmen will come and kill us all, including the child.”
Felt convinced of the rightness of my thoughts on the matter. Said, “Oh, I think we’ll be reasonably safe, so long as we pay attention and don’t do anything stupid.”
“Could use a little more experienced help around here, Lucius. My two deputies aren’t much more than resident loafers who took the only jobs they could get. Both of ’em are the closest
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