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“Sounded like it.”
His face tugged into a shy, crooked grin. “Well, I’ll set this aside. Maybe I’ll drop it by the house for her if her aunt approves.”
“That’s a nice thought. Lizzy seems like a good kid, really. Just… energetic.”
“She knows what she wants out of life.” His grin deepened for an instant, then vanished. He shifted the box under his arm and looked away, watching the kids. “Uh… how’s your dad?”
The shift of topic sobered me. Mom had been gone for a while, and by now, most people had moved on. They’d stopped asking how we were holding up and maybe even forgotten all about her. But apparently, not Dusty. “Fine, I guess. It’s still hard.”
“Yeah,” he replied, the lines around his eyes softening. “It nearly killed my dad to lose Mom.”
I crossed my arms and blinked back the sheen threatening my own eyes. How could I have forgotten? I was just as bad as the people who forgot my mom because it hadn’t even occurred to me that Dusty knew exactly what that was like. Marci Walker had been a saint, but she hardly came to my mind after three years. I forced some air into my lungs so my voice would steady and made myself look him in the eye. “I’m sorry, Dusty.”
Dusty’s lips thinned to a tight smile. “Thanks. Dad’s starting to do better now. He keeps occupied, and that helps. We don’t even know where he is half the time.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I wish my dad would find a hobby or something to keep him busy. He has too much time on his hands.”
“Really?” Dusty looked thoughtful. “Hmm.”
I studied his face for a few seconds. He was watching Cody in the Santa outfit, the kids with their gifts, glancing down at his boots—anything but looking at me. He really was a good-looking cowboy. His blue eyes were so bright they almost looked like contacts, and he had a soft mouth that usually turned up just a little, unless he was lost in thought. He shared the Walker trait of that devastating lopsided smile and the hint of a dimple, but the resemblance to the others ended there.
His older brothers all boasted strong jaws and smoldering gazes, even when they weren’t trying. Dusty’s face was more refined, with high-set cheeks and a clear, direct gaze when he looked at someone. A pity he never looked at me, because he had the kind of eyes a girl could get lost in. And he was quiet. Thoughtful. I liked that about him.
If only he didn’t act like he was in pain every time I talked to him.
“Can I have some more hot chocolate?”
I snapped from my musings over Dusty Walker and stared down at the threesome of youngsters gathered at my feet. They each clutched a horse-themed Christmas present from the pile—a stuffed animal for one, a t-shirt for another, and a brand new grooming brush for the third. “Miss Morgan said we could have as much as we wanted,” the first kid reminded me.
“Right. I guess I’m on duty since Audrey left.” I blew out a breath and grabbed a cup to fill. “Nice seeing you, Dusty.”
He lifted his free hand and walked off. Half a minute later, he was swallowed in the crowd of parents coming to collect their kids, and I didn’t see him again.
Dusty
“Thanks for dropping this by. Lizzy will be excited—that is, after she finishes her chores.” Audrey leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms, glancing over her shoulder. “I told her she had to do the dishes after that scene at the Christmas party. Poor Dustin!”
“Aw, don’t go too hard on her. She just got excited.” I passed over the gift. “Dustin didn’t seem to be too bothered by it.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Ah, look, I’d invite you in for a minute, but Katherine’s sleeping, or trying to.”
I shook my head quickly. I didn’t want Audrey to get the idea that this was anything more than a gift delivery. “Oh, no, I have somewhere to be. I just thought I’d leave this on my way by.”
She stepped back, waving through the doorway. “Thank you, then. I…” A clatter from the kitchen made her jump. “Elizabeth Marie Tracy! What in heaven’s name?” She spun around, and the door slammed. I chuckled and walked out to my truck. Audrey had her hands full, caring for a sick sister and a boisterous child on her own.
But Audrey wasn’t the one I had come into town to see. Jess had given me an idea—another way to see more of her without actually stepping on Luke’s toes. And maybe I could also be a source of cheer to a man I’d always liked. I pulled out on the road and drove half a mile south, to an older white house on a modest five-acre farm.
Jed Thompkins was parking his tractor and lowering the bucket when I pulled up to the driveway. He squinted and walked over to the gate, still clearly uncertain who I was, until I stepped down from the truck. When he recognized me, his face broke into a pleased grin. “Well, Dusty. I just saw your dad in town this morning.”
“Really? He’s been disappearing every morning at about ten. We haven’t been able to put together what the old coot’s up to.”
Jed leaned on the gate and chuckled. “Imagine he’ll tell you when he feels like it.”
I laughed. “You’re no help at all.”
“‘Fraid not. Are you looking for Jess?”
My heart flipped, and I gulped. His casual assumption scared the spit out of me. How many guys still showed up at this man’s house looking for his daughter? “Uh, no. I… I was driving by and thought I’d stop in. Haven’t said hello for a while.”
