“Does Luke have children I’m not aware of?”
Judith scowled at her brother.
“Unlike Doris’s situation where she inherited two children by marrying me,” Marshall said, humor touching his voice now, “you and Luke would start your family with a newborn and not four children. And they would beyours. I have two of my own—whom I manage quite well—andIcan’t handle Stephen Teague’s children.” Her brother shook his head. “I can see your New York finishing school didn’t prepare you to be a rancher’s wife, but they did teach you how to learn. Juicy, you’ll excel at it just as you do everything you put your mind to.”
Judith dared to let herself believe. “Have you seen Luke?”
“That’s my girl.” Marshall pointed to the back of the hall. “The last I saw he was heading outside. He won’t leave, not with some of his men performing. Be sure to wear your coat.” He gave her a gentle push in the direction of the door.
Assuring herself her brother wouldn’t lie, Judith gathered her coat and scarf to protect her ears and face. She didn’t have time for a hat. She had to find Luke and tell him she’d marry him.
As she walked to the door, Frances approached with narrowed eyes. She carried the rifle she’d used earlier to participate in the turkey shoot, her posture stiff.
“What are you playing at?” the young woman asked, planting herself in front of the door and looking very much like she wanted to use the rifle on Judith.
“I have no idea what you mean.” She tried to brush past Frances, but she shifted to block the way outside.
“We saw you kissing my brother, and now you won’t marry him?”
“Whoa, there, Frances.” Nick put himself between them. “You ought to know better than to buy into the local gossip. Even without meaning to, people manage to twist things they’ve heard.”
“That’s why I’m asking Judith to tell me what happened.” Frances moved next to Nick, her head tilted and one brow arched.
“This is not a discussion I wish to have withyou.” Judith tried to move past them.
“Not so quick,” Frances began.
“Fine.” Judith matched the young woman’s posture and met her gaze. “I’m trying to go outside to finish the conversation your brother and I were having when we were so rudely interrupted. Now, do you mind?”
“I told you so,” Nick muttered, and Frances glared at him. He said to Judith, “Go ahead.”
“I’ll let you go, but I’m standing right here by this door. If I’m not happy with how my brother looks ...” Frances shot Judith a warning glance.
The humor of the situation struck her, and she smiled. “I hope we’ll all be happy.”
14
Luke pulled up his collar. The trees near the back of the community hall provided a buffer for the wind that had kicked up. It had a bite to it, so it looked like they were likely to get more snow.
The year had turned out to be nothing like his previous ones. It had started out well. Last spring he’d been excited beyond comprehension to receive the first telegram saying his sisters would be coming to live with him. What a reunion that had been. Then Marshall had had one of his own with Judith joining him.
Luke started to pace to keep his feet from going numb. That woman. She hadn’t lacked confidence when she’d agreed to his suit. Had he been cocky that she’d returned his feelings? He had some experience with women, mostly before he’d come out West. He’d met a few society ladies to whom flirting was a way of life, but he’d never have guessed Judith might be one of them. When she’d responded to his kiss the way she had, he’d assumed it had meant something.
The sound of a twig cracking in the nearby brush startled him. He peered into the fading light, but shadows made it difficult to see if someone were standing there. The privy was on the other side of the building, and he’d seen people going in and out that door all day. He hoped one of the children hadn’t gotten confused after a visit to the outhouse and wandered off.
“Hello?” Luke called, listening for movement. Was that a whimper? With the wind he couldn’t tell.
He took a few careful steps in the direction of the trees. Another low sound came from the underbrush, almost like a muffled cry. A chill ran down Luke’s spine. Was it a premonition or only the wind?
“Is anyone there?”
A low growl made Luke’s skin crawl. He moved back, his hand automatically reaching for his gun. It wasn’t there, of course. He’d left it hanging with his gun belt back at the ranch. He shouldn’t have needed it at aculturalevent.
“Not so fast,” a deep, accented voice said.
A large, bear-shaped form seemed to appear out of the trees carrying something. On each side, two sets of eyes glowed in the light of the dying sun. As they walked forward, he recognized the creatures for what they were—huge dogs. One had a similar look to the beast Tom had killed.
Something in the man’s arms moved, and Luke recognized it: little Devon Teague. The child’s eyes were huge.
