Free Lacy Williams by Roping the Wrangler Page B

she might’ve been.
    “I thought I’d escort the girls home and it gave me an excuse to come in and see you.”
    Aware of the flush rising in her face, she shuffled a pile of papers on the corner of her desk into better order, then focused on lining up several small pieces of chalk in order of size. Anything was better than facing the man, who seemed to bring out the schoolgirl in her. Which was ridiculous, because she was nearly a spinster.
    “I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to make it into town to see about rustling up some clothes—” He looked over his shoulder as something banged in the vestibule. When he looked back at her, his brows were raised. “To talk to some of the ladies about the project we’d talked about?”
    Sarah’s heart swelled with his intuitiveness and compassion. He’d figured out that there were children listening at the door. Children who could be cruel if they found something—like a lack of appropriate clothing—to pick on in another child. And he’d found a way to communicate with her that the children wouldn’t understand.
    Sarah swallowed against the sudden thickness in her throat. “I’ve been buried under writing this new script for the play. I haven’t had time.”
    “Good.”
    She raised her brows at his satisfied answer.
    “I’ll escort you into town on Saturday. You can call on some of the ladies and we’ll have a chance to talk.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest and raised one brow. Did he realize how high-handed he sounded?
    “Plus, you agreed to help me with my mare.”
    “I did not.” Although she had intended to before Mr. Allen had burst in and ruined their camaraderie. “But I might consider accompanying you on Saturday if you should ask. ”
    His teeth flashed in a grin. “I’ll pick you up midmorning and you can instruct me on my deficiencies the whole way into town.”
    She narrowed her eyes, but couldn’t find it in her to be perturbed at his teasing. She’d known before now that he couldn’t be serious. “Fine.” She began gathering her books and notes strewn across the desk. “How are things going for you and Mr. Caldwell?”
    He glanced over his shoulder briefly and back at her meaningfully. “Things seem to be all right for now. We can talk more on Saturday.”
    Sarah stuffed things into her satchel and moved toward the door, allowing Oscar to escort her through and close the door behind. The children, mostly girls, scattered at their exit, murmuring and giggling. No doubt they would be sure to tell their parents this evening. Tongues would be wagging in every home in Lost Hollow.
    But would any of the gossips spare a thought for three little girls who needed help?
    * * *
    Saturday dawned bright and unseasonably warm. Although it had taken her several late nights of working by candlelight into the wee hours, Sarah had finished a new script for the pageant. She’d also been compiling a mental list of the children she would assign to each part and the mothers she could call on today.
    But those calls weren’t the reason she had taken extra care on her hair or chosen the one dress she had that most flattered her figure.
    No, the horseman was behind her increased pulse and the slight flush in her cheeks.
    And it was incredibly silly. He wasn’t courting her. He was helping her with a project. And she wouldn’t welcome him if he were courting her. She didn’t want a cowboy interested in her. Didn’t want someone reckless and careless.
    So why then was her heart pounding, knowing he was coming for her? He was probably on his way right now.
    She needed to get ahold of herself. Needed to be realistic. Sarah thumped the hairbrush she’d been holding onto the end of her mattress and forced herself to sit at the desk wedged into the corner of the room.
    With Barbara already out doing chores, Sarah was alone. Thank goodness for small favors. She didn’t want the curious girl telling her father what Sarah was up to.
    She opened the