* * *
Mason sighed as he gazed across the table at the vision who was polishing off a strawberry tart with the gusto of a lumberjack. Gerda Anderson. Lord help him. He should have guessed that she was Hanna’s sister. She had the same cornflower eyes and spun gold hair. But she was even prettier than Hanna had been at that age—pretty enough to be in the movies or on stage at the Ziegfeld Follies.
But Mason had learned some hard lessons in the dozen years since he’d seduced Hanna and fathered her baby. And those lessons had taught him the value of caution. Her smile, the tilt of her lovely head, and the not-quite-accidental nudge of her foot against his under the table assured him that the lass could be made willing. But she was too young for him—and worse, she was the daughter of big Lars Anderson, who would skin him alive if Mason were to lay a hand on her.
Did she know about the past? Probably not. She would have been a child when he was involved with her sister. But now that he was back in Blue Moon, other family members would likely tell her, and that could mean trouble. One more reason to give this tempting morsel a pass.
And there was another reason. The business he’d started at the ranch demanded his full attention. One slip-up could land him in jail. The last thing he needed right now was the distraction of a woman in his life. Still, she was so pretty, and so adorably naive. A little flirting, maybe even a few kisses wouldn’t do any harm—even if he had to draw the line at that.
She put down her dessert fork and dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin. “Thank you for the delicious lunch,” she said, a glint of invitation in her eyes.
“You’re very welcome.” He helped with her chair and offered an arm to escort her outside to the waiting auto. “And now, my angel, it’s time to drive you home,” he said.
* * *
Even on weeknights, the Roadhouse, run by a burly man named Jake Loman, was the busiest place in Blue Moon. The food was good, especially the choice cuts of beef, bought from local ranches. The booths and tables were usually full, and there was plenty of activity at the billiard tables in the back.
The place had become a gathering spot for the community, where families could dine together, neighbors could exchange gossip, couples could court, and men could discuss business. And after hours, a man able to pay could visit one of Jake’s so-called nieces who lived upstairs and helped in the kitchen.
No one was paying much attention when Kristin and Webb entered and followed Jake to the corner booth he’d reserved for them. Still, it was all Kristin could do to keep from ducking her head. Her efforts to dissuade Webb from taking her to this very public place had met with a wall of resistance. What was wrong with his wanting to show her off? he’d demanded. It was time the townspeople knew that they were a couple.
A couple? Was that what they were? But Kristin had known better than to challenge him and cast more discord on their evening together. In his own commanding way, Webb was making an effort to please her. She had resigned herself to a minor scandal. Let the chips fall where they may.
Webb was good company. She liked his intelligence, his determination, and his raw honesty. They’d enjoyed a few rides on his ranch and meals at his home, along with some pleasant conversations. But Webb Calder wasn’t a patient man. He was rushing her, seemingly unaware of her need to slow things down.
Did he love her?
Maybe he wanted to. Kristin understood that he was lonely and liked the idea of having an attractive, accomplished woman on his arm. But her instincts told her that Webb’s true heart had died with his wife. Any woman he chose would take second place to the portrait on the wall. Just as any man who chose her would have to respect her need to serve the community as a doctor.
Many successful relationships were built on compromise. Was it possible that this might be one of them?
Now, across the table, he smiled as he studied her in her simple yellow dress. “Every man in the room is jealous of me tonight,” he said. “If I didn’t know better, I’d have you stand up and take a bow, just to show you off.”
“Thank you for not doing that,” she said, smiling.
“And thank you for agreeing to come with me tonight. See, it’s not so bad, is it?”
People were starting to notice them now. As Jake took their order, a head turned in their direction, then another and another. A low buzz of conversation drifted through the room, like the hum of bees hovering over a blooming clover patch.
Fixing a polite smile on her face, Kristin willed herself to ignore the onlookers. She was managing all right—until she glanced across the room and saw Logan.
He was sitting alone at a small table, making a visible effort not to look at her. Kristin resisted the urge to shrink behind the table. Why did he have to be here? Why tonight?
But why should it matter? He’d seen the roses. He shouldn’t be surprised, seeing her with Webb. Should he?
* * *
After a long, frustrating day and with nothing worth cooking in the house, Logan had decided to treat himself to a steak dinner. He’d gone early and had almost finished his meal when Kristin walked in with Webb.
So that was how it was.
He’d suspected the truth when he’d seen the flowers on her table. But suspecting and knowing were two different things. Seeing her with Webb now, smiling as she leaned toward him in her pretty yellow dress, stirred dark emotions that an officer and a gentleman had no right to feel.
He gave himself a mental slap. Webb and Kristin were good people, and they were his friends. They deserved to find happiness. If they’d found it in each other, all he could do was wish them the best.
But a Calder and a Dollarhide together? That was going to cause some ripples.
What was left of his appetite had fled. Standing, he laid a bill on the table and stepped away. Now he had a choice. He could head straight for the door, pretending to ignore the happy couple, or he could take the high road.
He made the second choice.
Making his way among the tables, he walked up to their booth. “Well, this is a surprise,” he said. “Are congratulations in order?”
“Not quite yet.” Webb was beaming. “But I finally talked the lady into letting me show her off in public.”
“I was afraid we might cause a stir.” Kristin’s smile was strained. “It appears I was right.”
“Well, I wouldn’t let it bother me,” Logan said. “What happens between you two is nobody else’s business—including mine. I wish you both the best.”
“Thanks, friend.” Webb’s smile broadened. “When I get time, I plan to come out and see how the work on your ranch is coming along.”
“You’re welcome anytime. No invitation needed. You too, Kristin.” He gave her a nod. Her lips parted as if she were about to speak, then closed as if she’d changed her mind.
Trying not to show his limp, Logan went outside to his horse. He would take his time riding home, enjoying the peace of night and watching the stars come out. As for the woman who had saved his life, the woman who’d slept in his arms as he cradled her close to ease her nightmare, she had never been his to lose. He would lock away his fantasies and forget her.
* * *
After dinner at the Roadhouse, Webb drove Kristin home. The evening had been pleasant enough in spite of the curious stares and the inevitable talk. She could have managed fine if only Logan hadn’t been there. The discomfort between them as he congratulated her and Webb had thrown her off balance and lingered for the rest of the evening.