Loving the Lawman (Roses of Ridgeway) (3 page)

Still, of it's own accord, his mind drifted back to his short little firebrand. He could easily see her on his arm, and thinking of her as his intended  dredged up both delight and shock within him. He'd thought no woman could capture his interest in such a way, but he'd been wrong all along. The headstrong Valerie Ridgeway had embedded herself in his mind...and quite possibly, in his heart.

Valerie tied the belt on her blue satin robe, making sure it was tight enough to keep her nightgown covered. The  morning sun shone through her white lace curtains, stippling the surface of her pink and red quilt with spots of light. Stifling a yawn, she left her room on the upper floor of the general store, and went into the kitchen.

There, her father sat at the table with an open copy of the Ridgeway Tribune in front of him, as was his routine.

At her entrance, his deep voice greeted her from behind the newspaper. "Morning, Val."

She walked over to him and placed a kiss atop his balding head. "Good Morning, Daddy." Then she turned toward the stove, where her mother was busy turning eggs in the skillet. Leaning again, she kissed her mother's cheek. "Good Morning, Mama."

Doris smiled. "Morning, cupcake. Breakfast'll be ready in a bit. Here, bring me a plate for these eggs."

She did as her mother asked, retrieving a china plate from the rack inside the cabinet. Setting it on the butcher block next to the stove, she sat down at the table across from her father. Three plates and sets of silverware had been set out at each of the chairs. In the center of the round mahogany table sat a pitcher of cool orange juice and a couple of tumblers. She poured herself some juice, and took a sip, enjoying the way the bright citrus flavor tingled against her tongue.

"Paper says bandits made off with Henry Carl's two best stallions
a few nights ago." Bernard grunted. "Damn shame."

Doris, scooping the fluffy yellow eggs from the skillet onto the plate, shook her head. "Don't that beat the Dutch. Well, here's hoping they won't be back."

"Who knows these days? My buddy Jack over in Oakland says horse thefts and break-ins are getting more common, and they aren't too far from us here in Ridgeway."

Listening to her parent's banter, she remembered the gunshots she'd heard the other night when she'd been giving Sheriff Rogers a piece of her mind, and how he'd run off to investigate. He hadn't come back, and if he had, she had already gone inside for the night. "Was Mr. Ray hurt during the robbery? I heard shots that night."

Bernard shook his head. "Paper says Carl fired on them just before they hot-footed it out of town. Says he might of clipped one of 'em, too."

She was glad to know the liveryman hadn't been hurt, but was sorry to hear he'd had his property stolen. It worried her to think bandits were invading her home, but she tried not to think too much of it. After all, there was a chance it would never happen again.

Doris drifted over to the table then with the eggs, and a pan holding biscuits. "Fresh out of bacon this morning. Ricardo Benigno should be delivering some before the day is out though." She served them each a portion, then doled out what was left onto her own plate.

Valerie looked across the table at her mother as she ate her breakfast. Doris Gates Ridgeway was about as selfless as a person could be. Here they were, one of the wealthiest families in Ridgeway, and Doris was always looking for ways to cater to her family and her neighbors. True, they had a maid, Ce-Ce, but she never worked weekends. Doris had declared she have the time off, so she could go home to her own children. They could have built a fancy home on a big plot of land outside town, but Doris insisted on staying in the apartment above the store, just so she could be close in case her customers needed something. Aside from that, Doris delivered free meals to the elderly residents of town every Sunday afternoon. It was her mother's altruism that had first inspired Valerie to start the Ridgeway Ladies Society. She wanted to be a catalyst for good in the community, just as her mother was.

Finishing her breakfast with a final sip of the tart juice, she excused herself from the table. "The Society is surprising Janice Smart with a birthday party today, so I've got to get ready."

"Alright, dear." Her mother smiled. "We'll see you later on."

With a wave, she disappeared back into her room to change and fix her hair and makeup. Within the hour, she was on her way downstairs, with her parents following her so they could open the store.

Outside, she used her hand to shield her eyes from the sun as she meandered down the walk, passing the post office. Slipping into the library, she saw Prissy gathering her purse. "Is everything set?"

Prissy nodded. "Yep. Mama's got a pink frosted cake, sandwiches, Saratoga chips, and lemonade waiting for us." She joined her, and they both stepped back out into the sunshine. "Now the hard part begins—getting Janice to the diner."

"I know. We may just have to drag her. " Valerie shook her head as she thought of the conscientious schoolmarm, who was no doubt spending Saturday the way she always did: cleaning the school house and writing lesson plans. Despite her and Prissy's frequent invitations to lunch and Society meetings, Janice spent most of her time at the school.

Prissy spoke up as they crossed Founder's Avenue and made their way toward the schoolhouse. "You know, Janice is a damn good teacher, but she's got to have fun sometimes."

Valerie chuckled. "She's going to be awfully mad at us for interrupting her work."

Prissy waved her off. "It's Saturday, for Pete's sake, and it's her birthday. Woman's gotta take a day off now and again."

They crossed behind Doc Wilkins' clinic to reach the schoolhouse, and just like any time she passed the small log structure, a chill went down Valerie's spine. She shook it off as best she could, keeping her face impartial so Prissy wouldn't see her discomfort.

At the schoolhouse, they found the door propped open. Janice was inside, moving between the rows of desks with a whisk-broom. Upon their entrance, she glanced up, but didn't cease her sweeping. "Hey Val, Prissy. What are y'all doing here?" She paused for a moment, brushing at the perspiration on her forehead with the back of her hand. "Don't tell me you came to help me clean the schoolhouse."

Valerie shook her head. "We've come to take you to brunch at Ruby's." She lingered outside the door, knowing how irritated Janice would get if they tracked dirt inside while she was cleaning.

With a shake of her head, Janice resumed her sweeping. "I can't. I've got to finish getting this place clean, then I have..."

Prissy interrupted her. "We know, we know, you have lesson plans. It's Saturday, and the students won't be back until Monday." Arms folded over her chest, Prissy leveled a hard gaze on Janice. "So come on to the diner before we drag you out."

Valerie watched in amusement as her two friends stared each other down, each waiting for the other to admit defeat. Finally, Janice sighed. "Fine. But I need to be back here before it gets late, so I can finish up before the sun goes down."

Prissy laced her arm through Janice's and led her outside. "Sure, sure. Now let's go."

The trio walked up the road until they entered Ruby's Diner. As soon as they swung the door open, Janice's students and friends jumped out and yelled, "Surprise!"

The look on Janice's face was one of true surprise, and that pleased Valerie. It hadn't been easy to coordinate the party, since children were notoriously bad at keeping secrets. Somehow, they'd gotten it done, and seeing Janice's watery smile made it worth every bit of trouble she'd gone to.

Janice reached into her skirt pocket for a handkerchief, and dabbed at her eyes. "Thank you all so much for doing this for me. When I moved here in the spring, I had no idea you folks would be so welcoming."

Adam, Janice's nephew, ran up to his aunt. He was clutching a handful of wildflowers, which he handed up to her. "Happy Birthday Auntie Janice."

As Valerie and the others looked on, Janice stooped to kiss the boy's chubby cheek, then took the flowers he offered. "Thank you very much, Adam. You're just as sweet as sugar."

Adam's wide smile touched Valerie's heart so much, she had to hold back tears. Adam was such a wonderful little child. If she could have a son, she'd want one just as darling. Looking at him now, however, only served as a cold, brittle reminder that she would never know the joys of motherhood.

Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. This day was about Janice, and she vowed not to spend it brooding in the corner.

With that in mind, she made her way over to the birthday girl to give her a tight hug. As she accepted Janice's thanks for her part in organizing the party, her eyes drifted toward the diner's door.

In stepped the handsome sheriff, and her heart fluttered in her chest like a butterfly in a jar. It seemed no matter where she went, there was no escape from his overwhelming, masculine presence.

**

Noah entered the diner and removed his Stetson, taking in the festive scene. Gregory Simmons, his deputy, followed close behind.

"Lots of people turned out," Gregory commented as he tucked his hat under his arm and ran a hand through his ruddy brown hair. Tall and tan with honest brown eyes, and bearing the European features of his ancestors, Greg always checked his appearance whenever he entered into the company of women.

"I'm not surprised. Miss Smart in an excellent teacher." Intending to offer his well wishes, Noah searched the gathering until he found the schoolmarm, She was easy to spot by the crisp white blouse and black skirt she favored. Standing next to her was none other than Valerie Ridgeway. She was draped in yet another of her fashionable ensembles, this one a rich shade of green. The traveling costume, with its jet buttons running diagonally down the bodice, and black piping around the gathered skirt, accentuated the feminine curve of her neck, the swell of her breasts, and the flare of her hips.

As if she could feel him watching her, she swung her gaze his way. Momentary surprise flashed across her face, but she composed herself, letting her expression become flat and impassive.

Gregory's voice cut into his thoughts. "I know you're not eying Miss Ridgeway, Noah. She's a shrew, and colored to boot."

Noah smiled. "I don't care that she's colored, she's a beauty. And even a shrew can be tamed by the right man—haven't you read any Shakespeare?"

Gregory chuckled, elbowing him in the ribs. "No. But if you think you're going to bust that bronco, be my guest. It's your funeral." His face reddened with mirth as more chuckles spilled out.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Noah met Gregory's eyes. He wasn't lacking motivation to go after Valerie, as he'd always found her her enchanting. Greg's prodding, however, gave him a convenient excuse to approach her at the present moment. "Don't worry. When I make her mine, I'll be sure to give you a few tips." That said, he strode away from his friend toward the spot where Janice and Valerie were standing.

At his approach, the schoolmarm offered a small, shy smile. "Thank you for coming, Sheriff."

Noah bowed. "It's my pleasure. You're a pillar of this community, and I just wanted to extend my well wishes. Happy birthday, Miss Smart." He grasped her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it briefly before releasing it.

In response to his gesture, Janice's caramel cheeks filled with bright red coloring. "I'm much obliged, Sheriff."

Valerie cleared her throat, as if she were put out by the attention he was paying to Janice. "Hello to you, too, Sheriff."

"Miss Valerie." He reached for her hand, and she snatched it away.

"A simple hello will suffice." Valerie's pursed lips conveyed annoyance, but her brown eyes conveyed something else altogether.

Noah enjoyed watching her squirm. "Whatever you say, my lady."

One of Janice's young charges rushed over. The small girl's exuberance was impossible to ignore as she bounced up and down on her toes. "Miss Smart! Miss Smart! Come see my present I brought for you!"

Janice smiled down at the child. "Alright, Agnes. Calm down." She looked to Noah and Valerie. "Excuse me. I must see this gift before she bursts." She grasped the child's hand and let herself be led away.

Valerie appeared to be scanning the room, possibly for an escape route. "Well, Sheriff, it's been lovely..."

Noah reached for her hand again, this time catching her off guard. The moment his flesh connected with hers, a sensation shot through him. Her small hand seemed fashioned to be cradled in his own. "It doesn't have to end so soon, Miss Valerie."

This time, she didn't pull away from him. Instead, she fixed those fiery brown eyes on him. "Sheriff, what are you about?"

He held her gaze, letting her know that he wouldn't be put off by her attitude. "Word is that no man besides your papa ever finds himself in your good graces."

She rolled her eyes. "Even if that's the case, what concern is it of yours?"

"It is true. I've seen it with my own eyes." He continued to hold her hand, but didn't draw her near. He didn't want the gossips talking about them, and if he swept her into his arms as he desired to do, word would be out before suppertime.

She let out a long sigh. "I still don't see what you are getting at. Get on with it."

"Fine." He leaned in, and said the next words for her ears only. "I intend
to be the man who captures your heart. I am going to court you, woo you, and win you." As he spoke, he could feel her hand trembling inside his. Enjoying the feeling of power, he continued. "Prepare yourself, Miss Valerie."