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Colleen sobbed loudly, burying her face in her hands. No one moved to assist her. Justin jerked his head and Wyatt took Gene's arm to lead him away. Only then did Megan glance back at all the people standing by the rear of the church. They parted to let Wyatt and Gene pass through, then they stared at Colleen.
Megan told herself she should go to her sister, but she didn't have the strength. When Justin placed his arm around her, she leaned against him.
"Take me home," she whispered.
A soft rain fell over the garden, muting the colors of the spring flowers. Justin released the curtain and stepped back into the parlor. Megan looked up from the coffee she was serving and smiled.
"I can't believe how quiet it is," she said.
"Or that we're finally alone."
At his comment, she held out the cup toward him and blushed slightly. He moved toward her. There was enough
room on the settee for him, as well, so he settled next to her and took the cup.
"Did Colleen get off this morning?" he asked.
She nodded. "The stage was right on time. She'll take the train to St. Louis. I'm not sure what she'll do after that. With the money she inherited from our father, she's got enough to manage without Gene."
"Just as well. She'll never see him again."
Megan busied herself with her own coffee, then didn't pick up the cup. "Will you have to go to Topeka for the trial?"
"Probably, but I won't be gone long." He shifted on the settee so that he was facing her. His knee pressed against her thigh and his arm lay across the back. He reached up and placed his hand on her nape. "I'm sorry, Megan."
She glanced at him, her hazel eyes wide, her mouth trembling. "You have nothing to be sorry about. You should be very proud. You solved the crime and brought the criminal to justice."
"That's not why I'm apologizing."
A lamp hissed in the far corner of the parlor. The circle of light stopped short of Megan, so soft shadows blurred the edges of her perfect features. She sat with her back straight, her hands folded together in her lap. Only the slight tremor where his fingers stroked hers betrayed her nervousness.
"It's been five days," he said. "We can't avoid this conversation forever." He set his cup on the low table in front of them.
"I know." She drew in a deep breath. "I want to tell you that I love you, but I'm afraid you still won't believe me. I know you did, for a minute there in the church, but you've had time to think things over and, oh, it's silly, but... what if you've changed your mind?" She finished her sentence in a rush.
His fingers dipped under the collar of her dress until he felt the delicate gold chain there. It was warm from her skin. "I haven't changed my mind."
She looked at him. Her mouth parted slightly. "You're sure?"
He nodded.
"Oh, Justin." She flung herself at him.
He pulled her close to his chest, shifting so that their legs tangled and her arms slipped around his shoulders.
"I love you, Megan. For always." She pressed her cheek to his and he felt her tears. "Don't cry," he murmured.
"They're happy tears, my love. Very happy tears."
He touched her hair, smoothing his hand over her head, then lower, down her back. "I'm happy, too." He was. The unanswered questions could wait.
But as she had so many times in the past, Megan read his mind. "Now what happens?" she asked, raising her head to meet his gaze.
He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. "I still have several months on my contract."
"And after that?"
He saw the worry in her eyes, the fear. "I don't know," he said honestly. "Your business is here, and I know that's important to you. However, I'm not sure I want to stay."
The town adores you," she said. For once, the observation didn't upset him.
He smiled faintly. "That'll wear off quick enough."
"I'll go anywhere just to be with you. It doesn't matter about the store. I can sell it."
He pressed his mouth to hers. "Hush," he whispered against her sweet skin. "We don't have to decide all of this today."
"ButI-"
He nipped at her chin. "You're wasting time. Mrs. Dob-son is only keeping Bonnie until morning."
