Page 102 of Love’s Silver Bullet

“Watch your step, miss,” the conductor said as he helped a shapely woman with a green coat and matching velvet brimmed hat. Head down to watch her step while the conductor assisted, the feather on her hat snapped in the brisk breeze.

The woman’s head rose, and Jake caught his breath—what was left of it—when he recognized Sheridan, looking far older and far more sophisticated than he ever expected.

No longer a little girl, but a woman. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

The one who owned his heart.

Shaking the thought off, Jake strode forward to swoop her up in a mighty twirl, not giving a hoot about the curious looks of the handful of other passengers disembarking the train. He was so darn happy to see her again, he kicked all negative thoughts off the fence, relishing this moment for what it was.

The homecoming of a dear friend.

“Welcome home, Half-Pint!” he shouted over the hiss of the steam engine, laughing at her squeal when he spun her around and around. A gust of wind almost absconded with her hat while she tried to hold it on, skirt billowing wide before he put her back down. He grinned when she wobbled, quickly bracing her arms to hold her steady. “Almost didn’t recognize you under all those fancy duds.”

Giggling, she literally launched back into his arms to hug him all over again, turning the tables on his heart by making it dizzy. “Oh, Jake, I missed you so much!”

“Well, now, I doubt that with Grace and Gray”—his voice lowered to gruff as he dragged the name out—“occupying all your time, Sugar Lips.”

A pretty pink tinted her cheeks that he couldn’t blame on the cold, making him wish he hadn’t given in to the snide remark that clearly indicated jealousy. Quickly turning away to snatch up her suitcase that the conductor had set on the platform, he opted for tease to deflect the annoyance he felt. “So,” he said, hooking a casual arm over her shoulder while he ushered her to the rig, his smile way too broad and stiff, “did the dandy pop the question yet?”

She peeked up with an odd look, confusion framing her eyes along with a thick fringe of light brown lashes as her lips parted, as if to speak.

“Howdy, Miss Donovan, and welcome home!” Earl called, leaning out the door of the station. “Mayor McShane and the Mrs. wanted me to be sure and welcome you home since they couldn’t do it themselves, being they don’t arrive back from their trip to Carson City till the next train.”

Flashing the stationmaster a bright smile, Sheridan offered a wave. “Thanks, Earl, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!”

“You too, young lady, and same to you, Marshal.” He nodded toward the rig where Jake had several blankets piled on the front seat. “You best get that young woman home right quick, Jake, before she turns cold as ice.”

“Will do, Earl, and Merry Christmas.” Rushing Sheridan to the rig, he helped her up, then put her suitcase in the back before hopping up to take the reins. “I’d wrap up real good and tight in both of those blankets, Sher, to keep warm because it’s going to be a real cold ride.”

Cold as ice.

Yah!” he said with a snap of the reins, suddenly feeling the frigid temperatures for the first time all day. Because deep down he had a sick feeling that once he told Sheridan why he refused to marry, their friendship would be much the same.

And “cold as ice” would only be the tip of the iceberg.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

Something wasn’t right. Sheridan could feel it to the tips of her frozen toes, and the thought chilled her heart as much as the icy weather chilled her body to the bone. Yes, Jake tried to hide it with a bright smile and a joyous swing in the air, talking nonstop as they pulled out of the station. But Sheridan knew him better than he knew himself, sensing something brewing deep down inside, boding an ill wind as wicked as the weather.

“Jake?” Touching a hand to his arm, she stopped him mid-chatter with a gentle smile. “Can we stop by your house? I would love to see it, and I have a house-warming present for you.”

He paused several seconds, his hesitation more than clear.

“And the train was so cold,” she continued in a rush, shivering for good measure, “that I’d like a chance to warm up while we talk.”

“Sure.” Jake gave a nod and a stiff smile as they headed toward the edge of town, where Cyrus and Abigail Tanner had lived as far back as Sheridan could remember. He chattered all the way there, a hint of pride in his tone about all he had done to make the place his own.

She was still in shock—and more than a little grief—over the fact that Jake had left the Silver Lining Ranch to take the marshal job. But then a spark of hope had flickered in her heart that maybe—just maybe—he did so to settle down good and proper in his own house before he would take a wife.

Of course, she’d been more than a little alarmed when he’d written he was taking Marshal Tanner’s place in the first place given the poor marshal’s demise, but everyone knew Jake was the best shot in Nevada. So Sheridan just decided they would both put their trust in God if that’s where He wanted Jake to be.

And me?

Excitement suddenly bubbled within, merging with her newly strengthened faith that everything would work out in the end, and she felt her malaise slowly fade away. After all, she thought with a new swell of hope, she had an entire week for God to work his magic before she returned to school the day after Christmas.

Hopefully, engaged to the man of her dreams!

“Oh, Jake …” she whispered when he pulled the rig up in front of the white-picket fence, completely charmed by the pretty, little cottage where Abigail’s extensive garden was wintering till spring. “It’s beautiful!”