With that, he steered the outlaw through the crowd, which dispersed quickly now that the show was over.
“Girls?” Miss Scott asked, reaching out her hands.
“We’re fine, Miss Scott,” the elder of the two said as they moved toward her.
“That was exciting!” the younger one chimed in, and Cole bit back a laugh.
“More exciting than I’m sure Miss Scott expected this afternoon,” he said, looking from the little girl to the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. “You heard the sheriff, Miss Scott. I’m duty-bound to take you home.” Not that he needed an excuse to spend more time with her.
“I must deliver the girls to their mother at the post and telegraph office,” she said, pushing herself away from the wall.
Cole nodded. “All right, then, if you’re feeling well enough?”
When she nodded, he turned to the eldest girl. “Miss . . . ?”
“Thomas,” the girl supplied in a shy voice.
“Miss Thomas. Will you take Miss Scott’s other arm?”
“This isn’t necessary,” Miss Scott said, but the girl did just as he asked and took her arm.
Cole took her opposite arm, relishing the feel of her delicate hand resting against his sleeve. A little hand slipped into his free one, and when he turned, the younger Miss Thomas beamed up at him.
An unexpected feeling of contentment surged through him as their unlikely party began to make its way toward the post and telegraph office. It was easy to imagine the girls as his daughters, and even easier to imagine Miss Scott as his wife.
His wife. Cole could have laughed out loud at the thought. Never had he paid much thought to marrying, much less starting a family. He’d vaguely thought it might happen someday, at some fuzzy, unspecified time in the future. Not now.
Yet here he was, losing himself in the contemplation of that very thing. How had that happened? With his background, he had no business thinking such things.
When they reached the office, the girls flung themselves at their mother as they talked over each other to tell her everything. After profuse thanks from Mrs. Thomas, who held a small baby in her arms, and a big hug from the littler Miss Thomas, Cole insisted upon taking Miss Scott home.
She didn’t even appear to consider protesting this time. He barely dared hope it wasn’t just because she needed assistance, but that perhaps she also enjoyed his company. Outside, she tucked her arm around his, and maybe it was his imagination, but it felt as if she walked closer to him.
“I see you’re continuing your trend of arriving justafterI need your assistance,” she said lightly.
“You must be feeling better,” he said, looking down to see her smile. “And for what it’s worth, the first time I appeared just as you needed me. You do seem to be making a habit of getting yourself thrown to the ground.”
Her laugh was clear and sweet, and Cole thought he’d do anything to hear it again and again. “That is a habit I wishnotto continue.”
Cole led her around a horse and wagon waiting to enter the livery. They passed a little restaurant he’d learned had just opened recently. He was just about to ask Miss Scott if she’d tried it, when she spoke first.
“I couldn’t eat right now, and besides, my mother expects me home for supper.”
This time it was Cole’s turn to laugh.
She raised her chin as a smile played across her face. “I knew what you were going to ask me before you said it.”
“That wasn’t what I was going to ask you at all.”
“It wasn’t?” She looked at him then, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she appeared to be somewhat disappointed.
“Be careful, Miss Scott. I might start to believe youwantto have dinner with me.” He kept his voice light even though his heart thumped louder than it had when he was running after Fenton Burgis. Miss Scott held his hopes in her hand, and he wasn’t entirely sure she realized it.
She looked away, not giving him an answer, but her cheeks went that telltale shade of pink again. He felt so giddy he could barely think straight. How did Miss Scott have this power over him?
Watch yourself, Robertson. He could enjoy visiting with Miss Scott, but he couldn’t fall for her. That would be crossing the line. It was too risky.
And he knew himself well enough to know what would happen if he did.
