Judith must have heard him enter the room, but she didn’t look up, continuing to examine something on the writing desk on her lap. He still wasn’t sure what to expect from the meeting. He wished Marshall had been willing to take it on, but he’d cried off saying he was a newly married man who had to spend time with his bride.
Luke headed to the table with a coffee pot on it and poured himself a cup. It was near the fireplace, so he turned to warm his backside. Judith still hadn’t acknowledged him. Was this her way of showing she didn’t approve of his being included?
“It’s no skin off my nose to not be part of your little committee,” he said, being sure to keep his tone mellow. “I’ve got a ranch to run and plenty of important things to do.”
Judith looked at him then, one brow arched. “And you don’t consider ourlittlecommittee’sunimportantefforts to be worth your time?”
Luke studied her for a second. If she’d been a man, he’d have guessed she was angling for a fight. Did women do that too? It wasn’t like he’d had a lot of experience with them in the last decade. Mrs. McDaniel didn’t count. She’d always bossed him around like one of her boys. She and his mother had been like opposite sides of a coin, one woman delicate and gracious. The other woman the salt of the earth, who wouldn’t let manners get in the way of something that needed to be said.
In spite of her obsession with proper manners and etiquette, he wondered if there was anything delicate about Judith Breckinridge. He put down his cup and sat on the couch beside her. She looked alarmed and shifted away from him.
“I’m not your enemy, Judith. Why do you treat me like one?”
Her face colored, and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. Luke raised his hand and gently covered hers with it. He liked the feel of her soft skin under his. Without a thought, he ran his thumb over the top of her hand. She gave a little gasp and looked up at him. It took him a second to remember what he’d meant to say.
“I understand it means a great deal to you to bring some of the culture you love to Lilac City. It’s a good thing too. We need more civilization, as Sheriff Vosburg is always saying. But if you only offer culture to people who already have it, you’re preaching to the choir.”
“Yes.” Her voice had an odd edge to it, and she stared down at their hands.
“I’m only here to help. I’ll do anything I can to make my sisters happy.”
Judith’s gaze shot up to meet his again. Her whole body had stiffened, and she pulled back her hand, like she was worried he had lice or something. What had he done now?
There was no understanding the woman.
* * *
Didhehaveto keep reminding Judith he only thought of her as a sister? Her hand still tingled where he’d touched it, and she clenched her fist. Inhaling deeply, she forced herself to speak calmly.
“I’m pleased to hear you wish to make us happy.”
Luke blinked as though her words confused him. She chose to ignore his expression.
“I understand your analogy about preaching to the choir. Believe it or not, I’ve given it a great deal of thought since the meeting.” Judith shifted uncomfortably. “I’m merely concerned bringing in a series of events which are obviouslynotcultured will confuse the people who need to be educated.”
Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He turned his head to look at her. “What gives you the right to decide what’s cultured and what’s not?”
It was Judith’s turn to blink, and she had to remind herself she was trying not to be cross with people. Especially Luke. She took a deep breath.
“My social status and education.” She wished she didn’t sound so much like one of her prim finishing school instructors.
“You forget I also come from your social status. I attended university until my mother’s death. I used to share your bias.”
“Bias?” Her voice came out higher than she’d intended.
“Yes, bias. We both were taught things had to be done a certain way, and it was the only right one.” Luke straightened and leaned back in the chair. “Marshall told me once about a Chinese woman who worked for your mother when she married.”
At the memory of the sweet old woman, Judith’s shoulders relaxed. “Yes, she did.”
“Did you try to force her to change her ways and thoughts?”
“Of course not.”
“Why?”
At first, Judith wasn’t going to respond, but there was something in his eyes that softened the confrontational edge to his question.
“Because she’d come from an ancient and dignified land which she loved. She learned how to be a good maid to my mother but never surrendered her culture when she was on her own.”
