Free Angel In The Saloon (Brides of Glory Gulch) by Jeanne Marie Leach Page B

face.” Amelia dropped her hands
to her lap and smiled. “What color are your eyes?”
    “They’re brown.”
    “And your hair?”
    “It’s dark brown.”
    They sat in silence for a few moments, and then he
suddenly reached out and gently glided his fingers along the contour of her
cheek down to her chin. He cupped both hands around her face and drew her
toward him, kissing her slowly and tenderly on her mouth.
    Amelia’s breathing nearly stopped and she believed she
might faint. She withdrew abruptly, stood to her feet, turned, and walked away
from him. She felt dizzy. Putting her hand to her forehead, she had to have a moment
to herself to catch her breath and to think. Her emotions were all muddled and
going wild. Until a short time ago, her major concern had been whether she
looked presentable for visiting a logging camp and Jeremiah Cowan. Now, it
seemed as if she would suffocate under the weight of having apparently won the
affections of two gentlemen at the same time.
    “Amelia! Amelia, please wait.” Paul followed her. “Please,
stop. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”
    “You didn’t offend me,” Amelia said as she continued
pacing forward.
    “Then what is it? Please, tell me.” He grabbed her by
the shoulders and drew her back to immobilize her.
    She turned around and pointed her head toward the
ground. “You took me by surprise. I’ve... never been kissed like that before. I
had no idea you felt that way about me.” She paused a moment before continuing
in a near whisper. “And you took my breath away.”
    Paul lifted her chin. “I’ve felt this way about you
from the moment you first entered the saloon with Mr. Johnston on Monday
afternoon.”
    “You were one of the two men who were there that day? You
carried my trunk up to my room?”
    “Yes. And you were wearing a pretty, pink skirt and a
white shirt with lace ruffles around your neck. I thought I was gazing into the
face of an angel.”
    Amelia breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind,
still wanting additional time to think about what had just happened.
    “Paul, what time were you supposed to meet Jeremiah?”
    “Four o’clock.”
    “And what time is it now?”
    She heard the click of his watch latch. “It’s four-ten.
It’s time to leave.”
    He escorted her back to the horse, helped her up,
mounted behind her, and they rode off in silence, Amelia secretly holding the
memories of the enchanting wildflower meadow in her wildly beating heart.
    › › ›
    Fifteen more minutes of steady riding carried them to
the Cowan Brother’s Logging Company. Paul dismounted, and then helped Amelia
off the horse. He guided her to the cookhouse and upon entering, they were
greeted by the delicious aromas of the evening meal being prepared.
    “Well, Miss Jackson, this certainly is an unexpected
pleasure,” Biscuit’s jovial voice cut through the silence as his heavy boots
clunked toward them across the wooden floor.
    “Thank you, Mr. Todd. And how are you today?”
    “I’m doing very well, ma’am.” Biscuit then turned his
attention to Paul. “The Boss wasn’t too happy about your being late,” he scolded
the mill owner. “Said he didn’t have time to waste like the idle city
businessmen do. Said he had real work to do and to let him know
if you finally showed up.”
    “Well then, Biscuit. Why don’t you tell him I’m here?”
    The cook snickered and headed outside. Paul escorted
her to a bench at a rough, wooden table. A minute later, a loud bell chimed three
solid strokes, then two. Biscuit returned and offered Amelia a cup of coffee.
    “No thank you. But I would like a glass of water, if
you don’t mind.”
    “Coming right up.” Within seconds, he returned and
placed a cool, tin cup into her hands.
    “Thank you.” Allowing its refreshing element to wash
through her like a tonic renewing her spirits, Amelia drank away her thirst.
    “I think a cup of water would be nice,” Paul hinted.
    “What do I look like, your