Page 152 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

Mrs. Campbell dropped her hands from hers. “Miss Lasse, do me a favor and call me, Mary.”

“Thank you, Mary. In which case, please call me, Verity.” She smiled at the older woman who had shown her more kindness in the last few weeks than her own aunt had.

“Thank you. Now please listen to me, Verity. I want you to make quite certain that you make the right decision. It is not often a woman gets an opportunity which rescues her from a bad situation. A proposal from such a nice man is not to be overlooked.”

“You’re right, thank you, ma’am, I promise I am going to give the matter some very deep thought. Goodnight, Mrs. Campbell... I mean, Mary.”

It’s not quite as simple as you suppose, Mary. The real question being, do I risk marrying a man I believe to be a murderer?

Chapter Four

He called for her at noon, driving the buggy. Despite his protestation that he’d packed ample food, Mrs. Campbell insisted on handing him a basket full of picnic provisions.

The path Jake took was rough and the buggy lurched unsteadily on the uneven ground. Neither spoke above their initial greetings, yet the silence felt comfortable between them despite the lurching ride. Verity was grateful when he shucked an arm around her waist holding her secure at his side. The views of the surrounding mountains were quite lovely. Soon the press of dark firs gave way to more open woodland, with deciduous and pretty aspen trees.

Verity was still undecided how to answer Jake. Torn by her attraction to him as a man and the secret she held, that he might be a murderer. The question had kept her tossing and turning all night still echoed in her mind now. What if Jake had killed the man who’d murdered his wife? Didn’t mean he was no danger to her, or to society? He’d simply taken justice into his own hands. Yes, she acknowledged that was wrong and yet the Bible stated and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Her thoughts ricocheted inside her head in an endless cycle of indecision.

“What’d you think?”

She startled at the sound of his voice, drawing her from her turmoil. “I’m sorry?”

“Is this an adequate place to picnic?” He swept his arm out.

She looked about at the shaded area he’d selected. They’d stopped beside a small watering hole.

“It’s a delightful spot, Mr. Calhoun,” she said.

“The pool is little known hereabouts. It’s fed via an underground tributary from Grizzly Creek over yonder.” He pointed in the direction of the large creek.

His mouth stretched in a wide smile as he lifted her down from her seat. Setting her carefully onto her feet, he turned to fetch the picnic hampers. “Would you be so kind as to carry the rug?” he asked.

Fetching the folded blanket from the buggy seat, she followed him to a shady spot situated beneath the bough of a willow tree. Shaking out the rug, she waited for Jake to set down the two hampers before she settled. He sat beside her.

“I think we should eat before you give me my answer, because if you refuse me, I’ll have no appetite, an’ I’m mighty hungry right now.”

“Well, we certainly can’t have that!” She rummaged around Mrs. Campbell’s basket and pulled out a chequered napkin bundle which contained two chicken pies. Handing him one, she was startled by the look of hunger in his eyes.

“My word, but you look ravenous!” she exclaimed.

“You’ve no idea, Miss Lasse,” he replied dryly.

Verity was entranced by the buzz of brightly-colored humming birds which darted among the branches of the surrounding trees. The flutter of their tiny wings reverberated in the sultry air.

Casting surreptitious looks at him from under her lashes, Verity barely registered the taste of the food she ate. Every female part of her tingled, reacting to his close proximity. What should my answer be? She still had no idea.

“Miss Lasse… Miss Lasse?”

“Hmm?”

“Your thoughts are miles away. I asked if you’d had enough to eat.”

She smiled. “Yes, thank you.”

“I wonder, before you give me my answer, might I kiss you?” he asked.

She blinked in surprise. Did she want her thoughts to become more muddled than they were? His kiss the day before had left her senses in havoc. “Is that usual?” she said, hoping to stall him.

He winked. “Well, I’m no expert on betrothals, but I’d say under the circumstances it couldn’t hurt… After all, I’m courting you.”

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