“Oh, Judith, that’s wonderful.” Doris cried as she leaped to her feet, the book falling to the floor.
“But isn’t Uncle Luke your brother now?” Florence asked, her little brows furled in confusion.
“Isn’t it wrong to marry your brother?” Lydia added.
Judith laughed, finally free of her frustration at being called Luke’s sister. “Luke is only my brother-in-law. We share no blood connections.”
Doris pulled Judith into a hug. “I’m so happy for you. Now you’ll be my sister-in-law twice over.”
Judith’s stomach tightened. It seemed so presumptuous to speak of marriage.
“Please don’t mention that yet,” she said. “It’s too soon, and I don’t wish to scare him away.”
“Are you in love with him?” Doris asked.
“I am.”
“Then have no fear. My brother doesn’t frighten easily.” Doris gave her another quick hug and then turned to the girls. “You two need to get ready for bed.”
Judith found herself alone. What if he did propose marriage? She would leave the Circle B and become mistress of the Lucky L. How much would she have to learn? Luke served a different clientele from her brother’s. Would Luke resent her attempts to bring culture and refinement to the dude ranch experience? Worse yet, would the people who came there to experience ranch life not like it?
Nowshewas getting ahead of herself. Judith decided to review the items for the Christmas Fair she and Luke had discussed earlier. She collected her bag and pulled out the paperwork. As always, putting things in order calmed her nerves.
“I told you she’d be in here working,” Marshall said, opening the parlor. “Where’s Doris and the girls?”
“They’re preparing for bed,” Judith said, putting aside her papers and standing.
“Oh, I can’t miss that.” Marshall clapped a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “I’m giving you the same warning you gave me.” His tone was serious, but he softened the words with a grin before leaving.
After her thoughts, Judith found herself uncomfortable.Wouldthey suit? Luke seemed to sense her discomfort and extended a hand toward her, his brows raised expectantly. Was that worry in his gaze?
She took his hand, and he pulled her into his arms. “Oh, my,” she said with a gasp. Warmth flooded her along with a sense of being cared for and protected. This man would never be like her father and demean or ridicule her before his friends. Luke wasn’t like that, she was sure. Had it always been part of his mettle, or had being forced out of his home to make his own way in the world made him sensitive to others?
“What?” he asked, pressing his lips against her temple.
“I used to think it would be terrible to be held by a cowboy.” Judith met his gaze. All her doubts fled.
“Ilikeit when you look at me like that.” The heat in his eyes made her heart flutter in a delightfully uncomfortable way. Judith lifted her chin, but Luke shook his head, his expression regretful. “I promised your brother I would be a stellar suitor.”
“Will you never kiss me again then?” She brushed her lips against his chin.
“You are a mischievous woman, Judith Breckinridge.” Luke kissed the tip of her nose, released her, and stepped back. “But, tempting as you are, I gave my word.”
Judith’s heart swelled. Her affection for wealthy and sophisticated Teddy had never come close to the regard she had for this rancher.
“I’m glad to hear you’re a man of your word about women,” Marshall said.
Judith spun around to find him and Doris standing in the doorway.
“I’m especially a man of my word aboutthiswoman,” Luke said.
Marshall shot Judith a long-suffering glance. He would chastise her once her beau had departed. Her beau. She couldn’t keep from smiling. She hadn’t expected to have a beau again, much less Luke Hamblin. Happiness made her willing to accept the rebuke she knew her brother had planned.
“I’d like to take you on my afternoon rounds tomorrow,” Luke said to Judith. “There are some people I’d like you to meet.”
“Who will you bring along to chaperone?” Marshall asked, keeping his tone light.
“Junior, of course. He’s in the barn waiting for me now.” Luke offered his arm to Judith, and she gladly took it.
