“That’d be up to you, but it seems a shame to waste that dress on the sheriff. Promise me you’ll make sure Call sees you in it before you go.”
Since Call was the one who hitched the buckboard for her, he had a long good look before he helped her up onto the bench. “Is that a new ribbon?” he asked, pointing to her hair.
Self-conscious, Laurel’s hand went immediately to the ribbon securing her heavy tail of dark hair. “Yes.”
“Pretty.”
Laurel said nothing because her throat was suddenly dry. Smiling weakly, she took the reins when he handed them to her and gave them a shake. The buckboard rattled off and she didn’t look back. If she had, she would have seen that Call had removed his hat and was pushing his hand through his hair.
***
Go bother someone else,” Mrs. Lancaster said, flicking flour at Call as he entered the kitchen by the back door. “I’m busy.”
Ignoring her, he asked, “What’s she up to?”
“I guess you’re talking about our Miss Morrison.”
“You know I am. Give.”
“Did you ask her?”
“No. I didn’t want her to lie to me.”
The cook’s mouth twisted disapprovingly. “Now you don’t know that she would have done that.”
“Oh, I think I do. Maybe she lied to you.”
“I’m sure she didn’t,” she said smugly. That slightly superior smile faded when she realized she had given Laurel up. “All right. She’s going into town.”
“Obviously. To do what?”
“She’s, um, she’s going to visit the sheriff.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “She’s not.”
Mrs. Lancaster did not take offense. It was obvious from Call’s tone that he believed her and didn’t want to.
“I told her not to do that,” said Call.
“I’m sure she took that into account.”
“And did as she damn well pleased.”
“Yes, well, taking it into account isn’t the same as doing what you wanted, now is it?” Mrs. Lancaster shaped her dough into a loaf and placed it in a pan. “Open the oven door for me, please.” When Call did, she slipped the pan inside and stood back. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders, Call. Look at all that she’s done here and continues to do. If you’re still worried, then maybe you should go after her. I don’t know why she wanted to speak to Sheriff Carter, but it seems to me that you do.”
“You’re right.” Call sighed. “She won’t thank me for it.”
“Then I reckon you have to decide how important that is.”
He nodded. “She looked real fine in that dress.”
“Uh-huh. Did you tell her?”
“I asked her about the hair ribbon. Told her it was pretty.”
Now it was the cook who sighed. “You’re a real sweet talker, aren’t you?”
Call smiled wanly. “Leaving now.”
