Brides of Arizona by Farrier Nancy J.;

Author:Farrier, Nancy J.; [Farrier, Nancy J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4858633
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2002-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The last leg of chicken sat like a rock in the pit of Quinn’s stomach. He glanced at the sweets Luisa popped into her mouth with great abandon and almost groaned. With maturity, Luisa would make some man a wonderful wife. Right now, she couldn’t seem to think beyond the next meal to fix or the next dress to purchase.

“I just adore pink. Don’t you, Deputy Kirby?” Luisa batted her impossible eyelashes and gave him a coquettish smile. “I believe I’ll have Kathleen make me a gown of bright pink for next summer. With winter approaching, I prefer darker colors. Perhaps a red or even a burgundy. One with plenty of those fashionable satin ruffles. What do you think, Deputy?”

“I’m sure the young men will enjoy them. You’ll be the belle at the next fandango for sure.”

Luisa moved closer, careful not to leave the shade of the huge mesquite tree they rested under. “But what about you, Deputy? Will you enjoy seeing me in those dresses?”

Quinn tugged on the collar of his shirt. Glancing at the sun, he saw they hadn’t been here nearly as long as it felt like. “I’m sure you’ll be beautiful in any color, Miss Espinosa.” He began to gather the food. “I hate to end the fun we’re having, but I need to meet the evening stage.”

Luisa laughed, a high-pitched giggle that grated like Patty McGregor’s nails on the blackboard. “We have plenty of time, Quinn. You don’t mind if I call you by your given name, do you?” He stared, speechless, and she continued. “The stage won’t be in town for another two hours. That gives us the chance for a little stroll along the river.” She simpered, “We have to do something after that delicious meal, don’t we?”

Quinn rose and gave Luisa a helping hand up, trying to keep his disgust from showing. Kathleen would hear about this. He thought his plan to pretend to be a Christian was foolproof and she would fall for him in a minute. There must be some other obstacle to deal with before she would succumb. Gritting his teeth as Luisa sidled close and clung to his arm, he determined to discover the problem between him and Kathleen. He would let her know in no uncertain terms he wasn’t looking for anyone else.

For another thirty minutes, he endured Luisa’s chatter about clothing, styles, and colors. She talked about the fandango, how many boys she’d danced with, and how she would rather dance with him than any of them. Once she even knocked his hat into the river with her parasol. He had to clamber down the bank, soaking his best pair of boots in the process. All in all, his mood was foul and getting worse by the minute.

A steady drum of hoofbeats thundered on the road. Quinn peered toward town and saw a rider racing for them. Ed Fish pulled his big roan to a stop, scattering sand over Quinn’s damp boots.

“Quinn, you got to hurry.

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