Marlee and the others were still outside Flora’s. Carson intended to give Marlee a piece of his mind, even though he understood that she was new in town and didn’t know everything that was going on. A great deal was at stake for Harmony with the weaving mill he was trying to get built, and he didn’t need any more surprises where the investors’ visit was concerned.
This would be a business discussion, he told himself. Just business. Nothing more. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to end up kissing Marlee again.
“Afternoon, ladies,” Carson said. He touched the brim of his hat and managed a smile as he joined them on the boardwalk.
“We were just going inside Flora’s for a bit to eat,” Audrey said. “Would you care to join us?”
“No, thank you,” he said, then turned to Marlee. “I wonder if I might have a word with you, Miss Carrington?”
Audrey and Becky threw her a concerned look, but Marlee said, “I’ll be inside in just a minute.”
Carson grasped Marlee’s elbow and steered her to the corner of the building, then stepped off the boardwalk into the alley, bringing her with him.
She smelled delightful.
The thought slammed through Carson, chasing away the good intentions he’d had of educating Miss Marlee Carrington about the error of her ways, as well as life in Harmony, Texas.
He refocused his thoughts on the task at hand, and reminded himself again that, no matter what, he would not kiss her.
Marlee stared up at him, her eye wide, her lips pursed. Though she was covered up with that large cloak, he knew how shapely she was beneath it. He imagined what it would feel like if he slipped his hand—
“You wanted to talk about something?” Marlee asked.
Carson gave himself a little shake. “Yes, I do. You and the other ladies should have discussed the notion of bringing trainloads of strangers to Harmony for the Christmas festival with the sheriff before you went and did it.”
“And why is that?” she asked.
“Because all manner of thieves will probably come, too,” Carson said.
She drew herself up a little and looked him straight in the eyes.
“If you’re concerned about being a victim of a crime,” she said, “I’d like to point out that you do, after all, have my Derringer to defend yourself with.”
Carson’s resolve crumbled.
He pulled Marlee into his arms and kissed her on the mouth.
Chapter Six
He’d kissed her—again.
And she’d let him—again.
Marlee moved the small stool farther along the row of tall shelves in the Harmony General Store and stepped up on it. Around her, shoppers were busy making their selections, talking with Aunt Viola behind the counter. Marlee had gladly pitched in and offered to dust the merchandise because she wanted to help out, of course, but mostly because it was a mindless task that allowed her the opportunity to think about what had happened two days ago.
Carson had kissed her. He’d said he wanted to talk with her when he’d approached her and her cousins outside Flora’s Bake Shop, but after they stepped into the alley he’d hardly said anything at all. He’d just kissed her.
Then he’d walked away. He’d left her standing there alone, her heart racing, too stunned to figure out what had just happened.
And to make matters worse, she hadn’t seen him since.
Was it right that a man would maneuver her into an alley, steal a kiss then disappear? What did it mean?
Marlee brushed the feather duster over the tin coffeepots on the shelf. Maybe it didn’t mean anything—to him anyway. She’d never felt this way about a man before. Of course, her job with Mrs. Montgomery allowed few opportunities to meet anyone. Before she’d taken the job she’d been enrolled at the Claremont School for Young Ladies where all facets of her life were strictly controlled. There was talk among the girls and information was shared, but opportunities to mix with the opposite sex were limited.
If only there was someone she could talk to.
The vision of her mother floated into Marlee’s mind. They had shared so little time, but that didn’t mean they weren’t close. She wished her mother was here so they could talk.
For a moment, Marlee considered broaching the subject with Aunt Viola. She was a wonderful aunt, and Marlee could see how Audrey and Becky adored their mother, yet Marlee couldn’t bring herself to share her feelings.
Besides, she didn’t know exactly what her feelings were for Carson. His presence in her life had caused her nothing but confusion and upset. Did that mean she should avoid him at all costs? Or should she confront him and demand to know—well, she hadn’t any sort of idea what she would say to him.
Aunt Viola’s voice broke into her runaway thoughts.
“You’ve been dusting those same pots for fifteen minutes now. I think they’re clean enough,” Aunt Viola said.
“Oh, I have?” Marlee felt color rise in her cheeks.
She gave her a warm smile. “Go out for a little walk. Stop by Flora’s and talk to Lucy Hubbard. I think a chat with her will do you both good.”
The scent of apple pie wafting from Flora’s Bake Shop drew Marlee through the front door and out of the cold. She found Lucy sitting on a chair behind the counter, gazing out the window into the alley.
Her cousins had told her that everyone in town suspected Lucy had a secret past. Marlee thought she saw those memories in Lucy’s face now as she stared outside at nothing.
Lucy blinked a few times, then spotted Marlee. She hopped out of the chair and walked to the counter. “What can I get for you?”
“I just came by for a visit,” Marlee said.
Lucy looked a bit surprised, as if she didn’t get too many folks in the shop just to visit. She smiled and said, “That’d be nice. How about some coffee?”
Marlee circled behind the counter while Lucy poured coffee from the pot on the cookstove. She pulled up another chair and they sat down.
“So,” Lucy said, “are you enjoying your stay in Harmony?”
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Marlee said. “Most everyone.”
Lucy frowned. “Has someone been unkind to you?”
“Well, not, not exactly,” Marlee said, and felt color rise in her cheeks.
“Has someone been a little too welcoming?” Lucy asked softly. “Carson Tate, perhaps?”
Marlee gasped. She set her cup aside and plastered her palms against her cheeks. “How did you know?”
“I saw him kiss you in the alley,” she said, and nodded out the window.
Marlee’s face burned. She’d been seen? In the alley? Kissing Carson Tate? Had other townsfolk seem them? Was she the object of gossip?
“I only saw it because I was looking out the window,” Lucy said.
Marlee gazed into the alley. She noticed that the view also took in part of Main Street and, in the distance, the jailhouse.
Her embarrassment fled and sadness enveloped her heart.
“You’re in love with Ian Caldwell, aren’t you,” she said.
Lucy turned her head away. A moment or two passed before she faced Marlee again. “Yes,” she whispered. “And you’re in love with Carson Tate.”
Lucy’s