A Cheyenne Christmas Homecoming by Caroline Lee

Author:Caroline Lee [Lee, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2014-11-27T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

December 21, 1883

Tonight had been even better than Wednesday evening. When Nate had arrived back at Mrs. Gardner’s that night, the older lady had taken one look at him and burst into laughter. “You look like a cat that’s got into the cream, young man. Can I assume she kissed you back tonight?”

“Nope.” But he’d smiled. “No kissing. But a nice time anyhow.” He’d retreated to his room before his grinning landlady could offer him any whiskey, and spent the night thinking about Wendy. And how stupid he’d been not to kiss her.

But the gamble had paid off, because she’d been much more at ease with him tonight when he’d picked her up. He’d marched right up to the front door—lavishly hung with garlands and red bows—and rang the bell. A stately silver-haired old man in a dark suit had opened the door, and stared at the visitor impassively. Nate bristled, and opened his mouth to tell him that he was there for Wendy… when she appeared. She must have been waiting for him in the parlor, and was already wearing her coat and bonnet. He would have liked to wait on her in the foyer, to help her get ready to go out… but he supposed that he’d take what he could get. For now.

“Thank you, Martin.” Her voice had been low as she slipped by the older man.

Nate was surprised to see a smile crease Martin’s face, as his gaze flicked from her to Nate. “Have a good time, Miss Murray.”

She slipped out onto the porch, and as Martin was shutting the door, Nate had heard Mrs. Blakely’s voice call out from inside “Who was that, Martin? Who was at the door?”

Wendy burst into giggles and fairly tripped down the steps to link her arm through his. “Come on! Let’s get out of here before she comes to check.” She started pulling him down Pratte, but Nate pretended to hang back out of concern.

“You forgot your glasses, Wendy. Wanna go back and ask Mrs. Blakely to help look for them?”

“Shhh!” She slapped his arm playfully, still dragging down Pratte Avenue. “I didn’t forget them, I left them at home. I wanted to look nice tonight, and I look more dignified without them.”

He couldn’t contain his laughter then. “Oh yeah! You look plenty dignified now.”

Realizing she’d been practically running away from the house, Wendy abruptly pulled to a stop, and dissolved into giggles as well. It took a few moments before, breathless, they were able to continue on their way.

It had been the start of a remarkably fun evening. How long had it been since he’d had real fun with a woman? Not since Wendy had left, definitely. He’d never really opened up with people outside of his family; they were the ones who knew and loved him… and Wendy was one of them. Tonight, they’d been like kids again; laughing and teasing and even throwing snowballs at each other again.

He’d taken her to Fairgrounds Park to show

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