The Outlaw's Second Chance by Angie Dicken

Author:Angie Dicken
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Aubrey looked around for Cort, but he and his horse were nowhere to be found. She should at least tell him about the chuck wagon dinner. Pushing fret aside, she tried to remember her place out here, and Cort’s. Especially since he obviously had avoided admitting his innocence. The thought of him being guilty of anything dishonorable soured her stomach. She couldn’t imagine it...but she had little sure reason to believe that he wasn’t.

Her effort to convince Ben to go with her was futile. She’d offered to borrow the Jessups’ cart, but his itchy cast made him irritable, and he didn’t want to see anyone.

The scorching heat still baked the air. A wall of clouds hid the sun’s glare, but fortunately a persistent breeze lapped through the plains. The Jessup family was ready to go when she arrived. For most of the walk over to the Pattersons’, Adelaide swung Aubrey’s hand to and fro. Aubrey tried to enjoy the moment, even though the evening ahead would be more of an attempt to promote herself as a dressmaker rather than participate in a social engagement.

“Looks like we’re tardy.” Mr. Jessup strode ahead and Adelaide abandoned Aubrey’s hand to run up with her pa. He scooped her up onto his waist.

“Come on, sugar. Let’s go see what’s cooking.” With an armful of giggles, Mr. Jessup disappeared into the socializing neighbors. A silver thread of smoke evaporated in the sky above a dozen or so hats and bonnets.

“Just like him.” Sarah hooked arms with her. The expectant mother shook her head and leaned in close. “He is more of a social creature than I am.” She smiled, a bit wearily for such light conversation. Aubrey steadied her arm. The woman seemed to need all the support she could get with her unbalanced midsection causing discomfort. “I appreciate you joining us, Aubrey.”

“Thank you for the invitation.” Her eye caught on nearly every woman in the group. Prospective customers chattering all around.

She led Sarah and her daughters to a couple of benches near the rear of the chuck wagon. A savory aroma coaxed a ferocious growl from her stomach. “My, it smells delicious. I haven’t eaten a full meal since—” Aubrey’s breath caught as she spied Cort Stanton with an iron skillet and a spatula, transferring biscuits to a basket held out by Mrs. Hicks. “I had no idea Cort was cooking,” she exclaimed under her breath.

While Sarah was busy with her girls, Aubrey slipped away, skirted around some barrels and approached the cookie. “Hello there, Mr. Stanton.” She pulled her shoulders back in confidence, yet the smile on her face would not be contained. “Full of surprises, I see.”

Cort cocked his head and a flash brightened his emerald eyes. “Surprises? Well, you’ve had a taste of my cooking. This won’t be much of a surprise to you. Except I have a few more items on this menu.” He winked.

Dear God, I must not fall for this man.

But her heart refused to ignore his playfulness.

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