Anna dipped her head in an effort to hide a smile.
He gritted his teeth, already planning what he’d say to dear Russ the next time they were alone.
Will chuckled. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” His gaze shifted beyond Adam. “Please excuse me. It appears I’m being summoned. Thank you again for coming, Mr. Draper. If you have need of further information regarding the town, feel free to stop by my office. You could also speak to my friends, Daniel Gardner and Noah Burgess. Daniel owns the Gardner Stockyards and Noah owns a ranch outside town. They can give you different perspectives.”
Adam thanked the man. He was about to suggest they move on when Deborah spoke.
“I’ve told Adam about your work with war veterans, Russell. I had a cousin, James, who was injured and ultimately lost his right arm. He struggled for many years to support his family in the same manner as he’d done before the fighting. I’d like to believe if he’d had someone like you to help him, he wouldn’t have lost hope.”
Anna’s lips parted. “What happened to him?”
“He abandoned his wife and children. No one has seen or heard from him for over two years.” She winced. “I suppose that isn’t a subject fitting for a fund-raiser.”
Russell’s eyes were full of understanding. “We don’t fault you for speaking of the realities of war. I’m afraid I’m all too acquainted with the unpleasant ramifications.”
“What about you, Mr. Draper?” Russell inquired with faultless politeness. “Did you serve?”
Sensing Deborah’s keen interest, Adam was careful not to reveal his annoyance. What game was his brother playing?
A denial was forming on his lips when he glanced at Deborah and the vulnerable light in her eyes chased the air from his lungs. Just once, he wanted to tell her something real, something true about himself. “I joined the Union army when I was eighteen.”
A tiny pleat formed between her brows. “You were very young.”
“There were many who were far younger. We were boys masquerading as men, pretending we weren’t frightened out of our minds and longing for our mamas.”
* * *
Deborah forgot about Russell and Anna. The chatter and occasional trill of laughter filling the house faded to a hum. It was as if a veil had slipped from Adam’s face, and she was seeing him for the first time. Lingering anguish swirled in the brown depths of his eyes. She could only imagine what horrors he’d witnessed.
“Did you serve the entire length of the war?”
He nodded. “I’ve since questioned how I managed to survive when so many others weren’t so fortunate.”
“God preserved your life for a reason.”
“Did you suffer any injuries?” Anna’s voice jolted Deborah.
She blushed. They’d completely ignored the other couple.
Adam’s gaze clung to Deborah’s. “Nothing serious.”
Had she imagined the strange flicker in his eyes? Was he being forthcoming? Or perhaps glossing over what he might consider alarming to her and Anna?
The clink of metal against glass was followed by Daniel Gardner’s booming voice welcoming everyone to the fund-raiser. Most days, the stockyard owner favored cowboy gear, but for this occasion he’d donned a nutmeg-brown suit that enhanced his chestnut hair and green eyes. Since he had everyone’s attention, he motioned for Will and Noah to join him at his spot beside the upright piano.
Comfortable with the spotlight, Will joined him without hesitation. The more reclusive Noah had to be encouraged by his wife, Grace, who gave him a kiss on his scarred cheek and a playful shove. That earned them a spurt of laughter as Noah meekly took his position on the other side of Daniel, who promptly began his speech.
“When we set out to build a town in the Kansas prairie, none of us could’ve dreamed what the outcome would be. Thanks to God’s grace, and the wise direction of our mayor, Cowboy Creek has become a wonderful place to live. We’ve benefited from Will’s leadership, and now it’s time to share his time and talents with the nation.” Daniel clasped Will’s shoulder. “Please offer your prayers and support to him as he moves forward with his bid for Congress.”
The fervent applause spoke of the residents’ admiration for their mayor. He kept his speech brief and, after a tear-inducing homage to his wife, Tomasina, urged everyone to mingle and indulge in the refreshments.
Adam steered her away from Russell and Anna and toward the lone man in the nearby corner. Instead of parading him around the room, she would’ve preferred to go off alone and continue their conversation. She was hungry for details.
“Mr. Mitchell?”
The handsome owner of Mitchell Coal & Mining Company lowered his glass and regarded her with barely concealed disapproval. He’d been friendly, even flirtatious when she’d first arrived in Cowboy Creek. But as she’d continued to evade suitors, his manner had cooled toward her.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Miss Frazier?” he drawled.
Reminding herself that his opinion of her didn’t matter, she said, “I’d like for you to meet Aunt Mae’s newest boarder, Adam Draper. Adam, this is Jason Mitchell. He’s in the coal business.”
The men shook hands. “What brings you to Cowboy Creek?” Jason asked.
“I’m looking to buy land and set up a ranching operation.”
Jason snorted. “You’re a few months too late. Anything not owned by me is being snatched up by the Maroni brothers, land speculators from New York—whom I’ve yet to meet, by the way. Want my advice? Take the earliest train out of here.”
His pessimistic attitude grated. “Your attitude stinks, Mr. Mitchell,” she blurted. “Your negativity won’t make Adam’s decision any easier, and it certainly won’t help our community prosper.”
Jason arched a brow. “You’re entitled to your opinion, Miss Frazier, the same as I’m entitled to mine.”
His gaze slid to Adam, and she got the distinct impression he was wondering if things were romantic between them. Stung by his insinuated rebuke, she wished she’d held her tongue. Echoes of the past intruded.
Why can’t you learn to hold your tongue, young lady? No one cares to hear your opinion.
Humiliation zipped along her nerve endings. She’d not only embarrassed herself, but Adam, as well.
Her gaze on the gleaming floor, she mumbled, “Please excuse me. I’m in need of fresh air.”
Intent on escape, she ignored Adam’s soft bid for her to wait.
“Tea with a splash of milk.” A delicate china cup entered her line of vision, and the tantalizing aroma of Earl Grey tea teased her nose. “And we can’t forget dessert. Mark my word, you’ll be impressed. The two I had were equally satisfying.”
Shifting on the wrought-iron chair, she reluctantly met Adam’s gaze. He’d followed her to this isolated corner of the Gardners’ veranda. The shade bathed them in cool relief. Beyond the railing and roofline, a profusion of tall trees absorbed the unrelenting sun. It was a pleasing vista of varying shades of green and vivid blue, broken by patches of purplish blue wildflowers.
Adam smiled in a gentle, coaxing way, and his dark eyes were kind. She accepted the tea. “Two? Did you sneak another one without telling me?”
He set the dessert plate on the oval side table beside her. Sinking into the chair opposite, he stretched