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“Oh, stop it, you two. We’re family.” Hanna reached out and gave Kristin a hug. “We’re always glad to see you.”
“And just so you won’t have to ask,” Kristin said. “Webb hasn’t gone away. We’re friends. But I’m not giving him any encouragement. My hopes are that he’ll get tired of waiting and give up on me. Meanwhile, maybe it’s time the two of you shook hands like grown-ups and ended your fight.”
“That’s what Logan Hunter told me, too,” Blake said. “But you can’t shake hands with a rattlesnake. As for Logan, he’s been fair with me, but he’s got Calder blood, too. I know better than to trust either one of them.”
At the mention of Logan’s name, Kristin’s pulse quickened. But her expression betrayed nothing. “Blake, I need to talk to you about our brother,” she said.
“If it’s about Mason and Gerda, we already know,” Hanna said. “Britta found out and told me. I’ve tried to talk sense into the girl, but she won’t listen, not even to me. She says he’s changed and that she loves him.”
“Then you and I need to talk to Mason, Blake,” Kristin said. “I’m hoping he’ll show up here today. If he does, are you with me?”
“Of course,” Blake said. “But we won’t be here tonight. The girls will be tired, and we don’t care about the dancing. If Mason doesn’t show up before then, you’re on your own.”
“I understand,” Kristin said. “If I see him, I’m prepared to tear a strip out of his hide.”
The children had begun singing “America the Beautiful,” ending the buzz of conversation as the short patriotic program began. Once the songs and readings had ended, people collected their children and, along with latecomers, flocked to enjoy the luncheon buffet of donated casseroles, sliced ham, rolls, salads, and desserts. There were a few tables, but most families ate in their buggies or on blankets spread on the dry grass.
Kristin glanced around for Webb. Last week he’d told her that he was busy at the ranch but might come for the food and the dance. It was a relief not to see him here. She wasn’t looking forward to his clashing with Blake. She didn’t see Mason either. If past history was any indication, he would show up to dazzle the ladies at the dance, but otherwise he wasn’t much for mingling with the townspeople.
Gerda, in a blue dress that matched her eyes, was here with her parents and sister. Her gaze searched the crowd, her expression first anxious, then disappointed.
The line for the buffet table was thinning. Kristin was about to fill her plate and join Blake’s family when a well-remembered figure caught her eye. Her pulse skipped.
Logan was standing at the fringe of the crowd, his Stetson tilted to shade his eyes from the sun. His face was in shadow, but she could tell he was watching her.
The surge of yearning was so powerful that her knees weakened beneath her. How long had he been here? Did she dare go to him, or should they do as they’d agreed and pretend to ignore each other in public?
But her feet had already answered that question. She was weaving her way through the crowd, her heart pounding as she neared him. She’d told herself that she could keep him out of sight and out of mind. But she’d been wrong.
He remained where he was, letting her come to him, his expression revealing nothing. Only his eyes showed emotion as she stopped within a pace of him, close enough to speak but not to touch.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said, making a show of conversation.
“I got talked into buying a ticket to support the new school, so I thought I might as well use it. At least the food looks good.” He bent slightly closer, lowering his voice. “Damn it, Kristin, I don’t know how much longer I can stand this.”
“I feel the same,” she whispered. “But Webb could do you a lot of damage if he thought you’d stolen his woman—even though that wouldn’t be true. I know him. He can be generous, but he can also be vindictive. Trust me, you don’t want him as an enemy.”
“I’m almost past caring about that. Is he here?”
“I haven’t seen him. But even if he were to show up and see us, we’re only talking.”
“Talking isn’t what I’ve had on my mind, lady.”
“You’re not helping.” She gave him a smile and a slight shake of her head. “I’d invite you to share lunch with my family, but Blake just declared that he doesn’t trust any man with Calder blood.”
“I understand.” He exhaled. “But it’s so damned childish, this whole blood feud. You and I have been through a real war, Kristin. We know what it’s like to face a real enemy. This . . .” He shook his head. “It’s like some kind of game with two teams.”
“I hate to tell you this,” Kristin said. “But if water gets much scarcer this summer, it won’t be a game anymore. It’ll be a real war. Tempers will be hair-trigger; and if anybody gets hurt—or killed, God forbid—things will get serious fast. It’s happened before. It could happen again. And it’s not just over water. An accident, a legal dispute, or even a fight over a woman—anything can touch off violence, like a spark to tinder.”
“And that’s why you’re worried about Webb?”
“Exactly.”
“You know I’m not afraid of him. I’m only keeping my distance for your sake.”
“Maybe you should be more worried about yourself. Webb wouldn’t just challenge you to a fistfight. That’s not his style. He’s got hired men who would burn your ranch, kill your stock, and do whatever else he ordered.”
Logan glanced around as if to see whether anyone might be listening. Then he leaned closer. “Let’s get out of here,” he said. “Come with me. Not for long. Just a few minutes to be by ourselves. My horse is tied behind the hardware store.”
