Page 17 of May I Kiss the Bride
Wallace frowned and gestured about something.
Viola’s smile remained in place, but she shook her head again and folded her arms.
“Good evenin’, Wallace,” Rey said, arriving at his side. “Tried any of the pies yet?”
Wallace spun to face Rey, his expression going slack. “You sure seem to like pies as well, Sheriff.”
“I don’t think there’s a soul in Mayfair who doesn’t like a fine piece of pie,” Rey said.
Wallace blinked, then nodded, as if he were trying to figure out if this was just a friendly conversation or something more.
Rey looked over at Viola. “Hello, Miss Delany. Fine evening.”
Her mouth quirked, but she responded with a polite, “Hello, Sheriff. It is a fine evening.”
Wallace seemed to hover. Rey remained by the table, scanning the pies as if each and every one was fascinating.
Finally, with an exaggerated huff, Wallace walked off, placing his hat firmly upon his head.
“Would you like to try a piece?” Viola asked, picking up the pie spatula.
“I would,” Rey said. “But maybe in a few moments.”
She set down the spatula. “Any excitement on your recent journey?”
“You mean like stopping a train robbery?”
Her smile was soft. And there went Rey’s pulse leaping about again. “Something like that.”
“Nothing so exciting.” He nodded toward his daughter and her friends. “Unless you count Elsie spilling her ice cream on my hat.”
“Oh goodness.” Viola sounded like she was about to laugh. “That’s quite the disaster.”
“Quite.”
She did laugh then, and Rey found himself grinning. He really should move on. Speak to other townsfolk. Make sure that any rabble-rousing was kept at minimum.
“Tell me about your daughter. Her name is Elsie, right?”
“Right. She’s eight years old, going on about sixteen.”
“Ah.” Viola’s smile was back. “I heard that quite a lot from my parents. But look at me now. Twenty-seven and perfectly respectable.”
“You’re twenty-seven?” Rey couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Yep, I’m a spinster. A jaded spinster at that.”
“Jaded? Did a man do you wrong?”
“You could say that, Sheriff Rey.” Her gaze moved away from him. “Hello, Billy. Are you needing a slice of pie?”
Rey hid his scowl as he looked over at the man who’d interrupted.
Billy twisted a ratty hat in his hand as he held it against his heart. “I’d like to ask you to dance, miss.”
“Oh, you are sweet for asking,” Viola said. “I’m working the pie table this evening. Won’t be dancing at all. Now, I’m sure there’s several other ladies who’d be happy to dance with you. Bring her back here for a piece of pie after.”
Rey wanted to shout in triumph. Apparently, Viola was quite smooth at turning away the fellas.
