Free Rainy Day Dreams: 2 by Virginia Smith, Lori Copeland Page B

about first thing in the morning?”
    “What about our shifts down at the mill?” Red asked.
    Big Dog shook his head, his expression solemn. “Yesler won’t like us slacking off there, even if the reason’s important.”
    As one, the men turned toward Jason. Kathryn leaned slightly away from him so as not to get caught in the intensity of their stares. She could almost feel sorry for the poor man. He had not yet set foot inside the sawmill and already he was at the center of a potential controversy between his employer and the men he had been hired to lead.
    “We’ll have to work around our other responsibilities, of course,” David said smoothly. “With all of us pitching in during our free time, we’ll make good progress.” He aimed an assuring nod at Jason.
    Jason maintained his stoic expression for a long moment. Theroom grew quiet while he studied the man across from him. Finally, he dipped his head in a sign of agreement.
    “I’m in,” he announced. “If someone will tell me where Cherry Street is, I’ll be there when I leave the mill tomorrow.”
    A measure of tension evaporated from the room, and the men murmured approvingly to one another as they returned to their meals. Noah and David turned relieved smiles toward him, which let Kathryn know that they’d been concerned. Were they afraid he would oppose them?
    A companionable silence fell over the table as everyone returned to their meals. She picked up her teacup and sipped the now-cool liquid. By throwing his lot in with the men in this room, Jason had been accepted into their company. Beyond that, he had apparently joined the ranks of the acknowledged leaders, David and Noah. Though she sat at the table beside them, Kathryn felt like an outsider, and was surprised to realize the feeling stung.
    Nonsense. I don’t want to be a part of this town, especially when it is surrounded by savages.
    Still, she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy. These were good people, and their care for one another was fully apparent. It would be nice to be counted among their friends.

     
    The rain still fell in a steady drizzle by the time she tied the laces of her bonnet beneath her chin, ready to leave the restaurant. The sun had fully set, and the moon and stars were obscured behind a ceiling of clouds. Though she was not normally fearful of the dark, she couldn’t help but wonder if there might be hostile eyes watching her from within the black shadows that lined the opposite side of the muddy avenue. Dim lights shone in several windows of Faulkner House. Clutching the tray Evie had prepared for MissEverett, she paused in the doorway of the restaurant and peered in that direction, trying to gauge the distance between her and those flickering beacons.
    “Can I help you carry that, ma’am?”
    The question came from directly behind her. She turned to find a handful of men standing shoulder to shoulder in a semicircle, watching her. Big Dog stood in the center, his lumbering height drawing her attention to his eager face.
    “I can mana—” She closed her mouth on the automatic refusal. The tray wasn’t heavy, but the darkness outside would certainly be less frightening with a couple of strong men at her side. She arranged a smile on her face. “I hate to impose on your time…” She let the sentence trail into an inviting pause.
    Six voices instantly assured her that it was no imposition, and that they were happy to be of assistance. Red took the tray from her hands, and several muscular arms were offered for her to choose from. She awarded a smile all around before slipping her hand in the crook of Big Dog’s elbow. His chest puffed importantly while the others’ deflated.
    “Thank you, gentlemen. I do appreciate your kindness.”
    As she turned toward the door, her gaze snagged on a pair of eyes across the room. Having just shrugged on his overcoat, Jason stood behind his chair watching her. His lips tightened into a scornful line, and he shook his