to Polly. “Still, if Mary is unable to go, I’m happy to take her place. I would like to get to know some of the community better.”
That did the trick. Mary stepped in front of him, then stopped to turn to face him. “You are not needed to take Polly to the picnic. I said I’d go with her, and I’ll go with her. Now that we’ve safely arrived to the respectable part of Harrison Avenue, you can be about your business.”
Was she so mule-headed that she didn’t understand that she was his business? With the way her eyes sparked, he didn’t think so. Mary knew exactly what he wanted—to talk about Ben. Though he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t interested in the raven-haired beauty who could give as good as she got.
However, this time, as much as he’d like to further a more personal acquaintance with Mary, he would keep it all business. His heart was not going to get in the way of apprehending Ben.
“Like I told Polly, I would like to get more involved with the church community. It’ll be my pleasure to escort you both. Surely there’s room for one more.”
Mary’s shoulder’s sagged. She looked defeated—for now. But Mary wasn’t one to give up easily, and that was something he liked about her.
“If you insist.” The words sounded so forced, he almost felt bad for her. And if her feelings were the only thing on the line, he’d have relented.
“Oh, Mary, have a little fun for a change.” Polly took her friend by the arm and gave Will a smile. “Don’t mind her. She’s always too busy thinking about her responsibilities to remember that she’s young and supposed to enjoy life.”
Will regarded Mary carefully. Again, he was struck by the way her personality seemed to be in contrast with the sort of woman Ben carried on with. Ben Perry only concerned himself with the party and would have never wanted to be tied down by responsibilities.
He’d like to be able to accept what she said at face value, except something in the sensitive part of his gut, the part where he’d been shot, still said that Mary was hiding something. Only it didn’t keep him from wanting to bring a smile to her face.
They crossed over toward the church, and Polly deftly slipped her arm out of Mary’s and moved to the other side of him, leaving him between the two ladies. Despite Polly’s cheerful chatter, he could still feel Mary seething. Perhaps at the picnic, he could explain to Mary that he didn’t mean any harm. As long as he obeyed his aching gut and kept his mission close to his chest.
When they arrived at the church, a large wagon was already parked in front, and several young people milled about, laughing. A young woman spied their approach and waved.
“I’m so glad you came! You’ll never guess who’s here. Jasper Jackson!”
Will’s ears perked up at the name. He’d done some security work for Jasper’s father when they had a bank in Denver. When the Jacksons moved to Leadville, Will had opted to take a deputy position in Century City to be close to his parents. Though they’d parted on good terms, Will had to wonder if the reunion would be positive after Will’s disgrace. Surely word of his failure had gotten back to the Jacksons.
His musings had put him behind in the conversation, drawing him out at the mention of his name.
“And this is Will Lawson. He’s a...friend...of Mary’s.” Polly’s emphasis on friend, along with her wink, told Will exactly what Polly thought of his association with her.
He tipped his hat to the woman and murmured the most polite “How do you do?” he could muster.
“Quite well,” the woman said, then turned to Polly. “Can you help me with the food?”
As Polly and the young woman walked away, giggling, Will was painfully aware of being alone with Mary.
Despite the tightness in his throat, he looked over at her. “I’m sorry if I said or did anything to have given her the wrong impression. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
Her cheeks tinged pink, and the tightness in her jaw softened. His apology was enough to loosen the tension between them. Maybe the rough start they’d gotten off to could be redeemed.
“You can make it up to me by not coming to the picnic.” Her tone was all sweetness, but just like he knew her earlier acceptance of his presence was forced, there was nothing sweet about Mary’s demand.
Good thing he wasn’t very sweet, either.
“Then I guess we’re sworn to be enemies.” He took her hand, gave it a well-placed kiss, then turned to join the others.
Everyone had seen The Kiss. Mary’s ears still rang from Polly’s squeal about Will’s being her secret beau. Worse, she found herself seated next to him on the wagon, where he chatted amiably with everyone around them. And worst of all, Mary’s hand still tingled from the press of Will’s lips against her hand.
Mary finally caught his eye, but when she tried giving him her best “you’re in trouble” glare, he merely winked back.
How could any human being be so positively insufferable?
Will settled back against the seat and gave her what she imagined to be his best lady-killer smile. But Mary knew better than to fall for that ruse.
“What are you most looking forward to at the picnic?” Were not there so many eyes upon her, wondering about the secret romance that had been whispered about, she might have been tempted to give him yet another dismissal. But he wasn’t one for accepting them, and in present company, she was in no mood to argue with him.
Mary hesitated. She had been looking forward to visiting with some of the others. Other than Polly, she didn’t have friends her age, with being so busy caring for her siblings. How was she to make friends with others if Will monopolized her time?
Perhaps, if there was any compassion in the man, he would understand. “I was most looking forward to getting to know the other ladies. We haven’t been here long, and as much as I adore Polly, it would be nice to establish myself in the community.”
His warm smile almost made her think he could be among those she counted as friends. “Then we are of the same purpose. Perhaps we can conquer them together.”
Oh, to be able to trust that easy look. But his connection to Ben made it impossible. What had Ben told him of her? Was he of the same character as Ben?
“You are just as much a stranger to me as they are.” She cast a glance over at Polly, who was chatting with the young lady to her left. “I fear too close an association will only fuel the tale that you are a beau.”
The expression on his face finally seemed to register his understanding of her predicament. “I suppose I should apologize for kissing your hand. I sometimes go too far in my teasing.”
Though he looked chastised enough and possibly even regretful, she didn’t fully believe it. Perhaps it was because she kept too many secrets of her own to trust in the veracity of others. But mostly, it was because his eye still held the same twinkle it did when his lips burned a hole in her hand.
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” she told him with the same kind of severity she usually reserved for the children.
“And here you thought me a stranger.” His wide grin seemed to fill the entire wagon. “You seem to have me already sorted out.”
Being so familiar with this man was dangerous, to be sure, but Mary couldn’t resist teasing him right back. “As I’ve said, I have a great deal of experience with children.”
Her zinger broadened his smile, and before he could send another comment back, Polly interrupted.
“I will not have you ruining our perfectly nice time by speaking any more of the children, Mary Stone. You and I have barely had a break taking care