But there was something about Miss Scott that made staying away impossible. He just had to be careful not to let this turn into what he’d run away from so many times before. Last Chance couldn’t become another Riggs or Deadwood. He was determined to make this town the one where he stayed.
Yet here he was, escorting Miss Scott to her home and enjoying every second of it.
After confirming that Mr. Hardison hadn’t threatened her in any way, he’d asked her how the first day of her school had gone. Her face lit up, and she began regaling him with stories of the various children and how much she looked forward to seeing them again tomorrow.
Cole listened to her animated chatter with a grin. She was so full of life, and so happy to be doing something she’d wanted to for so long. It was impossible not to feel her joy, even as he tucked away the thought that he’d need to inquire about this Hardison fellow with the sheriff later on.
“I do worry about keeping a couple of the older boys engaged,” Miss Scott said. “There were two in particular whose attention kept wandering.” She looked up at him. “What kept you interested in school at that age?”
Cole wished he had an answer that she would like. “Well,” he said, and he knew he looked guiltier than the men currently residing in Sheriff Granger’s jail.
“Yes?” A smile teased at the edge of Miss Scott’s lips, and Cole had the feeling she knew precisely what she was doing.
“When I got older and decided to go to school instead of whiling away my time doing something else,” he began, trying not to cringe at his own words, “it was because of Elizabeth Williams.”
Miss Scott couldn’t hide her smile now. “I suppose if another student made you want to attend class, that’s better than nothing.”
“Elizabeth was the teacher.”
Miss Scott’s eyebrows raised and her lips formed a little “o.”
Now it was Cole’s turn to laugh. “Please don’t look so scandalized. She was barely two years older than me, and she was my friend’s sister. I’d known her since we were children.”
Miss Scott looked only somewhat ameliorated. “I oughtn’t be surprised that’s what made you want to go to school.”
“Now why is that?” He was enjoying this conversation far too much. They weren’t but another minute or two from Miss Scott’s home, and Cole wished he could slow their pace without her noticing.
“Because . . .”
When she paused, he glanced down at her. Her face had shaded a dark pink, and Cole grinned. Miss Scott embarrassed easily, and it was wonderfully refreshing.
“Yes?” he said, dying to hear her reasoning.
“You’re awfully single-minded about certain things.” She wouldn’t meet his eye.
“Such as?” he pressed.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Mr. Robertson!” She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to face him, her arm still linked in his. “How many times have you asked me to dinner? And you keep . . . showing up in unlikely places.” Her cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes were bright as she finally looked at him.
Cole let a moment pass as his lips curved up into a smile. “Deputy.”
Her brow furrowed. “Pardon me?”
“Deputy Robertson.”
Her puzzled expression turned to one of exasperation. “Oh, for—” She cut herself off and turned quickly. “Will you just take me home already?”
He couldn’t resist. “Iwasgoing to ask you to dinner, but . . .”
“You are incorrigible. I don’t know why you continue asking.” She kept her eyes focused straight ahead as they walked.
“Perhaps I think that eventually you’ll say yes.”
“Hmm.”
That wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. What didhmmmean? It would have made much more sense if she’d slapped him across the cheek and stalked away.
Or, of course, saidyes.
