Page 24 of A Steadfast Heart
She hesitated, then nodded.
He knelt in front of her and brought her foot toward him, a cloud of ruffles following his movement. The hem of her petticoat brushed his hand. He quickly undid the shoe fastenings, then slid it from her foot. His fingers brushed against her lace stockings, warm from contact with her skin. Her foot jerked in his hand. He released it.
Jo marched up to them. “Pa! Tillie’s touching all the candy.”
That was all he needed. Being forced to pay for damaged merchandise. “Tell her to keep her hands to herself. And go help David watch her.”
Drew reached for Kaitlyn’s other shoe and undid the buttons. This time he carefully kept his hands on leather as he slid it off. It didn’t keep his fingers from remembering the texture of lace.
“Mrs. Tyler’s cat had kittens.” Jo couldn’t have gone to the front of the store and returned so quickly. “Can we take one home?”
“We have kittens at home.” He glanced up in time to catch his daughter’s quick smirk. “Go help your brother. I mean it, Jo.”
His daughter muttered as she walked away.
He helped Kaitlyn into the new pair of boots. After he tied them, he backed away. “You can wear them in the store to check the fit.”
She nodded, then walked quickly toward the back of the store. He moved to the front, resisting the urge to rub his fingers against his pants. It probably wouldn’t wipe away the airy texture of lace anyway.
He needed a distraction.
He handed Mr. Thomas his list of supplies, then glanced around to locate his kids. Tillie and David still stood by the candy shelves. Could he afford three candy sticks? He shook his head. No, not unless the bull brought a great price.
Where was Jo? He finally spotted Kaitlyn and his older daughter looking at the horse tack. What had she said? That her horse’s bridle needed a repair? He scrubbed a hand across his face. No money for leather. And Kaitlyn’s boots weren’t cheap. He’d better skip the new pants for David.
But at least the kids weren’t making a mess.
Drew joined the men gathered around the wood stove. One of them looked up at him. “Heard you got news, McGraw.”
Drew forced a smile. Much as he needed to discuss his bull, he’d have to give the gossip mill a misdirection first. “It took a long time, but Kaitlyn finally got here. We got married this morning.”
“Congratulations.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Great news!”
After a flurry of back slaps and handshakes, Drew held his hands toward the warmth from the stove. “Hear about anyone looking for a bull this year?”
The men looked at each other, shaking their heads. Bob Phillips looked back to Drew. “You might talk to Quade. He’s about the only man buying right now.”
Quade was buying all right, but not from the McGraws. Unless it was their entire ranch for sale. Drew forced his hands to relax. Why could nothing be easy?
Kaitlyn came back to stand beside him, but with a good foot or more between them. One of the men’s eyes narrowed. Drew’s stomach dropped. He was going to have to do something if he didn’t want questions circulating about them. He offered her his arm, and she moved closer to rest her hand at his elbow. Her tiny hand. He shook his head.Focus, McGraw.
“Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce my wife, Kaitlyn McGraw.” He placed his other hand over hers. “Kaitlyn, these are some of your new neighbors: Tom Fisher, Bob Phillips, and Charles Hastings.”
Kaitlyn smiled at the men. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
The silence stretched for a beat too long before Bob managed a simple “Likewise, I’m sure.” The other two looked thunderstruck. Drew scowled at them. They acted as if they’d never seen a pretty woman.
Kaitlyn’s grip on his arm tightened. “I think the wagon is loaded,” she said softly.
He squeezed her hand gently. “Good to hear. It’s a long ride home.”
Home. He was taking his wife home.
He shook his head, trying to clear his mind.
