Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (34 page)

A small, dark-haired boy darted around a woman’s wide skirt. Toby. Justin must be close behind, as he never allowed the boy far from his sight unless he was in the care of Martha or Uncle Joe. Justin’s tall, lean frame and smiling face appeared a few yards behind Toby, and Alex relaxed. He’d kept his word and stayed for the picnic. Now if he’d come share their meal as she’d asked. She watched him wend his way through the crowd and noted that more than one set of female eyes appraised his movements as he passed.

Martha raised a plump arm and waved. “To–by,” her high-pitched call rang out, carrying above the noise. “Over here, darlin’.”

Justin grasped Toby’s hand and steered him toward their blanket, releasing him when they arrived. The small boy scampered across the intervening space and launched himself into Martha’s arms. “Miz Marfa, I hungry!”

Martha picked the boy up and settled him on her hip. “When aren’t you hungry, little man?”

He wiped a lock of hair out of his eyes and peered into her face. “Never.”

The solemn reply brought a round of chuckles from the three adults and elicited a big grin from Toby. “Miz Marfa bring chicken and pie?”

She nodded and patted his back then let him slip to the ground. “Yes, we have chicken and pie. We’re just waiting for Uncle Joe and then we’ll eat.” She turned to Justin and motioned toward the box. “Won’t you get out plates and silverware and take a seat?”

Justin didn’t move. “How about the rest of your men? Aren’t they joining us?” He looked at Alex with raised brows. “You mentioned joining your ‘ranch’ family. I don’t think I should stay if the other men aren’t coming.”

She tucked her feet under her skirt and shook her head. “Davis, Will, and Frank are here somewhere. Martha packed them their own basket since they like to smoke with some of the hands from nearby properties. They’ll stop by when it’s time for pie.”

He scooped up Toby and took a step back. “Maybe I’d best find their group.”

Alex rose to her knees and held out her hand. “No need. Martha’s been looking forward to having Toby, and we wouldn’t want the two of you separated. You’re both welcome. Please stay.” She bit her lower lip to keep from proclaiming just how welcome they both were to her.

Justin sank onto the blanket a few feet from Alex. He’d been wandering the grounds for the last few minutes, gathering the nerve to approach. The last time they’d talked about their mutual decision to trust in God, he’d felt an intimacy he’d never experienced with a woman. Why hadn’t he declared his affection for her instead of asking her to be his friend? But maybe it was just as well—she’d eagerly accepted the proffered friendship and didn’t seem dismayed at not taking it further.

Then there was the added complication of Toby—his welfare must come first. Alex appeared to care for him, but would she want a stepson? Worse still, would she think the ranch drew his interest more than she did? A woman on her own with holdings the size of the Circle T had to be careful. Many men might court her in hopes of attaining control of her spread.

Toby plopped down in Justin’s lap, drawing his thoughts back to the present. “Papa, Toby wants pie.” The little boy reached up and patted Justin’s face.

“Not now, son. We’ll eat Martha’s other good food first.” He hugged the slim body against his chest and glanced at Alex. The expression on her face was unreadable.

Joe hobbled across the cleared area, stepping carefully over the large sugar pine cones in his path. “Save any vittles for me, Toby?” His weathered face lit with a smile and he sank down next to the boy.

“Uh-huh. Toby saved pie for Unca Joe.” Toby scooted off Justin’s lap and trotted over to Joe. “Papa says chicken first.”

Joe hooted with laughter. “That’s what Martha always says. I tell her you should eat pie first, case anythin’ happens and you don’t get a chance. It all ends up in the same place, anyhow.”

Martha wagged her head and shook her finger. “Don’t go givin’ that boy any ideas.”

Parson Moser raised his voice and called for attention. “Let’s ask the Lord’s blessing on this abundance so we can enjoy what our womenfolk have prepared.” Silence settled over the crowd, and the parson offered a short prayer.

The next few minutes passed in companionable silence as Martha heaped each plate with a variety of mouthwatering dishes. Justin’s stomach growled as he eyed the chicken, biscuits, beans, fresh greens from Martha’s garden, apples from the nearby community orchard, and warm pies nestled in their box. “This all looks so good that I don’t know where to start.” He grinned up at Martha with his fork poised above his plate.

A pleased flush covered her face and a sparkle lit her eyes. “Ah, go on with you. Just grab a drumstick and dig in. I know a hungry man when I see one.”

Alex bent over Toby, tucking a cloth into the neck of his button-up shirt and whispering something in his ear. The boy nodded, grinned, and drew a chicken wing to his mouth. She giggled and tousled his hair then turned her smile on Justin.

His heart stopped for a brief moment then rushed on, pounding an assault in his ears at the tenderness in her eyes. A rush of emotion nearly choked him. He pressed his napkin to his mouth to cover the sputter. How long had it been since he’d felt the desire that pounded through his veins? But this time it was different. Mixed with the physical attraction was a longing for a pure and holy relationship.

His parents had experienced that type of love—one that encouraged, protected, and sustained. Alex’s integrity and depth of character called to something within him, making him long to love and cherish her in a way that transcended mere physical desire. All this flitted through his thoughts as he watched her interact with his small son. He couldn’t completely grasp what he hoped might happen between them, but he yearned for so much more than what he had now.

He scraped his fork across his plate and lifted the last bite to his mouth then froze. Carter Foster wove his way around a nearby family, his gaze intent on Alex. Who had invited him? Did Alex know that Foster was coming? He frowned and reached for Toby. An urgency to hold and protect his son inexplicably drove him.

Alex’s laugh broke and stilled as Justin drew Toby from her arms and onto his lap. “Justin, Toby’s fine.”

He tipped his head toward Carter, who stood silently on the edge of the blanket behind her. “You have company.”

Alex’s head turned in the direction he indicated. “Carter. How nice of you to stop by.” Her voice expressed curiosity, but did it also hold a hint of warmth?

Carter swept his hat off his dark head and smiled, first at Alex then at Martha and Joe. “Ladies, you both look lovely. Joe, you appear in fine mettle.” Justin didn’t miss the man’s lack of acknowledgment for himself and Toby.

Martha’s brows rose, but she allowed a small smile to soften her lips. “Have you eaten?”

“I have, but I’d never turn down a piece of your pie.” He stepped forward and gazed at the box of pies sitting near Martha’s knees.

She reached for the box and drew out a pie tin. The golden crust was dotted with small chunks of apple juice that had oozed out the slits in the top. “Certainly. Take a seat. Alexia, would you pass Mr. Foster a plate?”

Carter knelt beside Alexia and smiled into her upturned face then reached across for a plate, his shoulder and upper arm brushing hers. She drew back slightly but didn’t appear perturbed.

Justin frowned and tightened his grip on his squirming son. Had Alex invited Foster just as she’d invited him? She’d made it clear she was asking Justin only as part of their group of wranglers, not as a special guest. Had Foster received a more personal invitation?

Carter settled in beside Alex. “I’d have come sooner, but pressing business kept me at the ranch longer than I’d planned.”

Joe leaned forward on the knuckles of his right hand. “Pressing business? Anythin’ wrong?”

“Just a small mystery I hope to clear up soon.” Carter accepted his slice of pie with a smile and a nod. “I’m finding a discrepancy in the tally of my cattle. Of course, they could easily have wandered into the deep timber or down in the breaks of a canyon. That doesn’t worry me, but the few head of missing horses does.”

Alex’s head snapped up. “You’ve lost horses? When did that start?”

Carter lifted a forkful of pie to his mouth then paused as his gaze turned toward Justin. “Not exactly sure, but I’d say about four to five weeks ago. About the time you arrived, Phillips.”

Justin dropped his fork and set his plate aside. “I don’t care for what you’re implying.”

Martha reached for Toby and shushed the whimpering boy. “Now, Justin, I’m sure Mr. Foster doesn’t mean anything. Do you, Carter? It’s just an unfortunate coincidence that you discovered some stock missing around that time.”

Foster gave a slow nod and a smile that didn’t come close to reaching the eyes still trained on Justin. “Certainly, Martha. My apologies if I implied anything else.” His smile grew as he turned toward Alex. “I expected your other men to be close by, seeing that your new hand is here with you. You don’t typically invite your wranglers to the church picnic, I’m sure.”

Alex started to answer, but Justin pushed to his feet. “Martha, I’ll take Toby for a walk and let Miss Travers enjoy her time with her guest.”

Martha’s eyes widened, and her gaze darted from Justin to Alex and back. “Don’t you go rushing off, young man. We invited you to eat with us, and you’ve only had one piece of my pie.”

“And a perfect piece it was, Martha.” He scooped Toby up in his arms and bowed toward Alex. “Miss Travers, I wish you a good afternoon.”

Justin sensed more than saw Alex stiffen and start to reach out a hand, but he didn’t pause. A deep sense of rage was building inside him, and he needed to escape before it ruptured. He’d beaten a man for less than what Foster threw at him, but his desire to honor the Lord had stayed his hand this time.

A rustle of skirts drew his attention. Had Alex decided to follow? He pivoted around, only feet from the Travers’ picnic area. Lacey Bradford, the little waitress from the hotel, stood shyly staring up at him. “Ma thought you and your son might want to try some of her blackberry cobbler, Mr. Phillips. That is, if you aren’t headin’ anywhere else.”

“No, ma’am, I’m not. And I’d be most pleased to try some of your ma’s cobbler. Thank you for asking.”

Alex watched Justin swing Toby onto his shoulders and start to walk away. Why hadn’t she repudiated Carter’s comments and urged Justin to stay? She’d seen the hurt in his face and heard the anger in his voice. He’d not gotten two steps when she’d pushed to her knees, determined to follow and set things right. But Lacey Bradford approached him, and her words carried sharp and clear to the silent listeners. As did Justin’s reply.

Justin kept one hand on Toby’s leg, balancing the boy on his shoulders, and offered the other arm to the blushing Lacey. Alex sank back onto the blanket and her breath escaped in a small groan. Justin hadn’t seemed a bit reticent about accepting the pretty girl’s invitation, and the smile that softened his face sank a shaft of jealousy into Alex’s heart. She was glad she’d not gone after him—but if she’d acted on her impulse and reached his side before Lacey, would he have returned? A slow anger built as she remembered Carter’s words. Unfair, hurtful words, with no justification.

Uncle Joe cleared his throat and used his cane to hobble to his feet. “Think I’ll go take a bit of a walk myself. Gettin’ stiff sittin’. Hope you won’t mind, Foster?”

Carter rose and shook the older man’s hand. “Not at all, and I appreciate your allowing me to join you, sir. Let me know if you ever need any help on the ranch. I’ll be glad to lend a hand.”

“It’s Alex’s ranch, not mine. Ask her.” Uncle Joe’s curt reply didn’t leave room for discussion. He swung around with surprising alacrity and stalked away with the aid of his cane then stopped and turned. “Martha, why don’t you leave Alex to her guest and walk with me a spell?”

“I think I will, old timer.” Martha ignored Carter’s proffered hand and stood on her own. She dusted off her skirt and shook it out. “I’ll help pack up when I get back, Alexia.”

Carter sank down a few inches closer this time with his lips drawn back in a satisfied smirk. Alex wanted to smack the gloating look off his face, but making a scene wouldn’t help her standing in Last Chance. The thought of her own missing horses rose in her mind, but she shook the thought away. There was no proof they’d disappeared at the same time Carter had lost his stock. And Justin wasn’t a thief, no matter what Carter implied.