“He had no patience with the child, yet was surprised when she wanted to spend time with the boy who did?”
“I never did understand the man. It took a few times of her reaching for me instead of him before he cottoned on. That was when he decided I needed to go away to school.” Luke released Judith’s hand and accepted the mug of coffee from the waitress. He took a sip and closed his eyes, a slow smile curving his lips.
Judith found herself wishing she could feel the touch of them on her mouth. The room grew suddenly too warm. Luke opened his eyes then and met her gaze.
“What? They make good coffee here. Almost as good as Abe does.”
At that moment the door burst open, and the sheriff stepped into the room. As soon as he saw them, he strode toward their table.
“Well, young Teagues,” he said, “you have a new and healthy little sister.”
“That was fast,” Luke said, scooting over to make room for the sheriff.
“Is Mary well?” Judith asked.
“She’s fine. Edith arrived in time to deliver the baby.” Abe chuckled. “That Doris has a lot more guts than I ever gave her credit for. What a trooper. My sister said she jumped right in and did everything she was told. Said it was good training for when her own little one arrives.”
Both Judith and Luke glanced at each other in surprise.
“I didn’t know it was public knowledge,” she whispered.
“Itisa small town,” Luke said with a shrug.
Little Ruth’s head was starting to droop, so Judith pulled her onto her lap. The child struggled and slid off. She ran to Luke, who lifted her. The little girl put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Judith looked down at the now cooling chocolate. Luke appeared to be one of those men who would be a natural father, while children didn’t like her. He deserved a better woman than Judith.
13
Luke stepped into the Community Hall carrying two framed pictures. It’d taken some convincing to get Tom to agree to show his new watercolors, and even more to get Martha to let Luke bring them. She’d only agreed when he told her he’d have to bring them into town anyway to be framed. Ralph Jackson, the new woodworker was already getting quite a reputation for his craftsmanship, and Luke had been lucky to be one of the first ones on the waiting list.
He spotted Judith and hesitated. Things had been awkward between them since the day Mary Teague had given birth. He’d tried to talk to Judith about it, but she would change the subject to the fair. Luke was getting right tired of it.
Andrew Pulsifer, the cowboy poet she was talking to, worked at the Lucky L. When word had gotten out, there’d been a surprising number of applicants. A couple of men from Cody had even tried to get in, but she’d been adamant the Christmas Fair was for showcasing Lilac City residents. The other members of the Ladies’ Improvement Society had agreed.
The man was standing a mite too close to her. Did she not see it? Luke strode toward them.
“Your piece is quite touching, and your use of language beautiful,” Judith was saying. “Your topic will be the best suited to lead into the children’s nativity story.”
“Why, thank you ma’am.” Pulsifer glanced at Luke but continued, “I have some others you might like. I’d sure enjoy talking to you about them over dinner sometime.”
“Sorry, Pulsifer,” Luke said, stepping close to Judith. “I’m already courting Miss Breckinridge.”
“I might have known,” the cowboy said with a sheepish grin. He said to Judith, “It’s an honor to be on the program at all. My ma would be proud.” Pulsifer gave her a respectful nod and left.
“I’m surprised he hadn’t already heard you were courting me since we’re the talk of the town,” Judith said, giving him a flat look.
“Why?” Was a simple hug in public what was bothering her?
“It appears there were a lot of tongue-wagglers in the hotel dining room the other day.” Her cheeks turned a pink he found particularly attractive.
It wouldn’t matter once they were married. Luke had made the decision to ask her the day before but had wanted to wait until things settled down after the Christmas Fair.
“Let them waggle all they want. It’s—” Luke’s words broke off at the hint of hurt in her eyes. What else was going on in that beautiful head of hers? He leaned the picture frames against the raised platform that was serving as a stage and took her hands in his. “What’s wrong?”
Judith wouldn’t look at him as she said, “I’ve overheard more than one comment saying you could do better.”
“Old biddies.”
