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“Had to finish my job.”
“That’s what he said.” Her gaze went deep into Brand’s heart, demanding more than an excuse.
Oh, how he wished he could offer more. But nothing had changed. Except he was still here. Even though it must be temporary, he might as well make the most of it. “Want to help me walk Dawg this afternoon?” It was the weakest invite any woman ever had, but it was the best he could do.
“I would like that. If you think he’s up to it.”
“I figure he’s up to a few steps.” Half a dozen, likely, but he might be persuaded to make it as far as the trees overhanging the river, where Brand and Sybil could enjoy a few moments of privacy.
And what, you crazy man, do you intend to do with such?
He realized he was grinning like a crazy man, and forced his mouth into a more moderate smile.
She ducked her head. “I’ll come back later, shall I?”
Her shyness made him feel ten feet tall. “I’ll meet you at the barn.” He forced his attention back to the task at hand.
When he deemed the sun was in the right position, he hustled to the barn to duck his head in the water trough, and clean his hands and face well. Then he trotted inside and pulled out a clean shirt. Nothing fancy. Just a brown striped cotton shirt that could have used a woman’s touch to iron out the wrinkles. Lacking that, he smoothed the fabric as best he could before he pulled it over his head and buttoned it.
He scrubbed a spot in the window over the workbench and tried to see his reflection. He’d have done better to stare in the water trough, but someone might notice him.
Straightening, he warned himself, as he had done all day, this was only a small treat he was stealing, to carry with him the rest of his life.
A warning thunder filled his thoughts. He was taking an awful chance, with his pa so close. But one afternoon. Only one. Was it too much to ask of life? If he was the praying man his ma had hoped to raise, he would ask God to give him this afternoon, to bless it with sunshine and kisses and make it last forever.
Knowing Sybil would soon join him, Brand stepped outside to wait. Just in time. She sauntered down the hill, her golden curls beneath a bonnet of blue. He strode from the pen and went toward her. As they drew closer, her eyes seemed to gather up the blue of her bonnet and the sky and hold it. His eyes watered at how striking she was.
He reached her side. “You look like a sunny sky.”
Pink stained her cheeks. “Thank you...you do mean it as a compliment?”
He’d spoken without thinking, but replied, “Yes, it’s a compliment.”
She smiled. “It’s a fine afternoon, isn’t it?”
Finer by the moment, but all he said was, “Very nice.”
He whistled for Dawg and they waited as the animal limped toward them. The way his tail tipped to the side in a wag, Brand knew Dawg was eager for this outing.
Not half as eager as his owner.
He turned toward the river, his eyes on the goal of that little copse of trees. Their progress was slow as Dawg limped along, encouraged by both Sybil and Brand.
Finally, they reached the river, and stepped into the shelter of the gold-dappled branches.
Dawg lapped up the cool water and lay down on the leafy carpet.
Brand had waited for this moment all day, but now his tongue lay motionless in his mouth. What could he say? “Trees are pretty.” Yeah, that was brilliant.
She nodded. “Mercy, Jayne and I walked along the river yesterday and saw a wonderful display of color.”
A bronze leaf fluttered from the tree and landed on her shoulder.
He plucked it off. Felt her start at his touch, and he jerked back, crushing the leaf in his palm. He would never have the right to touch her.
“Shall we sit?” She waved toward a tree and they sat side by side, their backs against the trunk. “Eddie’s anxious to get the cows rounded up and moved to lower pastures.”
Brand didn’t care about Eddie’s cows. Not with Sybil at his side. If only he could stop time and stay right here. Build a cabin next to the water. Forget he was a Duggan.
Except he couldn’t forget, not with news of the gang nearby. Every day made discovery more possible. Not only possible but impending. If he had any guts he would leave this minute. But he sat in the shade beside a pretty woman and discussed the weather, determinedly ignoring the increasingly loud warning bells.
