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“Time to find a seat.” He leaped into the bed and, after pointing Isabel to the sturdy footstool that had been provided, offered her a hand up.
The Smith sisters debated what to do. Ultimately, they trudged off. Their dejection wasn’t lost on Isabel, who shot him an arch look. She’d accused him of disregarding others’ feelings. Could she be right? He hated to think he might’ve inflicted emotional wounds, especially considering how he’d suffered at the hands of his former fiancée. Maybe his stated vow to remain a bachelor wasn’t enough. Maybe his single female acquaintances considered it his way of throwing down the gauntlet.
Ben led her to a spot behind Ollie. The seats around them filled up quickly. Carmen and her friends reached the wagon too late to sit close. She mouthed her regrets. Isabel shrugged and offered a false smile.
Crushed as they were, their shoulders wedged together, Ben didn’t have to tilt his head very far to whisper in her ear. “I know you’re putting on a brave face for your sisters’ sakes. Are you sorry you agreed to come? Or sorry you got stuck with me?”
She twisted slightly to meet his gaze. “I should be sitting with them. You and me together like this gives everyone the wrong idea.”
“A single man and woman can’t talk in this town as friends?”
“You’re not just any man,” she retorted in a stilted voice. “You’re the Debonair Deputy.”
“I’m a confirmed bachelor,” he countered.
“Didn’t you notice the way Lynette was ogling you? As if you’d accomplished great feats worthy of being recorded in history books?”
“Who says I haven’t?” he teased.
Her mouth tightened. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Smile and twinkle your eyes at me.”
He gave a disbelieving laugh. “I’m not allowed to smile at you?”
“Not in public,” she said. “I’m a dedicated spinster. Everyone will think you’ve charmed me off my farm and are even now filling my head with thoughts of wedding bells.”
“Why does it matter what anyone else thinks?”
“You know why.” She turned her head. “Oh, but look, there’s another of your crestfallen admirers.”
Ben spotted Veronica Patton right away. The last to embark, she stared at him and Isabel with obvious disdain. His wave was met with a halfhearted response. He hid a frown. The sense that he’d made a grave error assailed him. His interactions with the elegant blonde weren’t like those with the Smith sisters. He’d spent time alone with her, apart from her family. A couple of meals at the Plum. One stroll about town. And while he’d been a perfect gentleman, he was beginning to suspect Veronica viewed their association in a very different light.
He could thank Isabel Flores for this new, disturbing sensitivity regarding the women he occasionally spent time with.
“Everyone ready?” Ollie hollered over his shoulder. “Hold on to your hats, gents. Your sweethearts, too.”
Laughter rumbled through the wagon as they lurched into motion. Ben pushed the troubling thoughts aside. This was likely his one and only shot at seeing that Isabel enjoyed herself. He wouldn’t get another chance. With any other woman, Ben would’ve been able to find a way to make her relax. Isabel wasn’t just any woman, however. The fact that she disliked him made his task that much harder.
“What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?” When she hesitated, he murmured, “Is talking to you forbidden, as well?”
Her focus was on her gloved hands, folded tightly together in her lap. “I like many things about this time of year. One of them is the renewed spirit of charity. People tend to treat each other better.”
Her statement was a telling one. While he understood how it felt to live under the weight of a town’s critical scrutiny, it had been for a brief time and in another state. He hadn’t grown up with a scandalous father.
“Anything else?”
“I enjoy baking. This time of year has plenty of opportunities for that. My sisters and I spend extra time in the kitchen, making treats for their friends.”
“What about your friends?”
Her chin jutted. “My sisters are my friends.”
“Someday your sisters will marry and move away,” he said gently. “What happens then, Isabel?”
* * *
Isabel didn’t wish to contemplate the future. Too soon, her sisters would marry and move on, leaving her alone. Honor wasn’t too far from that reality, in fact. She wouldn’t begrudge them their happiness. When the time came, she’d celebrate their blessings.
The wagons rolled into the first dwelling’s yard and, once at a full stop, the postmaster’s son led everyone in a heartfelt rendition of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” It was one of her favorites.
Trying to ignore Ben’s nearness and his pleasant tenor voice, she lifted her face to the sky and studied the patterns of twinkling lights in the black velvet expanse. She imagined God in all His glory, who’d crafted those stars and knew their exact number, listening to their voices. Was He pleased?
The words trailed off. Clapping startled her out of her reverie. The family, who’d come onto the porch, wore happy smiles. The youngest sons carried baskets of cookies and doled them out to the carolers.
“You have a delightful voice.” Ben’s warm breath teased the tendrils about her ear, and she shivered.
Amazing. Despite being fully aware of his reputation, she was still affected by him.
“You have an endless supply of false flattery, Deputy. Save it for someone gullible enough to believe you.”
“And you, Miss Flores, have a peculiar inability to accept praise.”
Their conveyance jerked into motion, knocking them into one another. Isabel gritted her teeth. The wagon’s occupants sneaked glances at them, no doubt cataloging their every exchange to dissect later. Ben had no inkling the amount of speculation they were drawing, because he was immune. He evidently didn’t care what others thought of him. For a brief instant, she envied him that.
They reached the next home within ten minutes. This time they sang “Silent Night,” a song that put Isabel in mind of Jesus’s earthly parents and the events leading up to His birth. If anyone knew how it felt to be talked about and judged, it had been Mary. How had she endured the speculation and accusations? Had she lived her life as usual while awaiting the Savior’s birth? Or had she perhaps sequestered herself, seeing only her family and Joseph?
When the song ended, they disembarked and gathered around a table with mugs of fragrant, spice-laced cider. Veronica swooped in with eagle-like accuracy.
“I apologize for arriving late.” Slipping her arm through Ben’s, she regarded Isabel with a brittle smile. “I would’ve gladly kept him entertained in your place. Everyone’s aware you detest having to associate with your peers.”
Veronica Patton actually thought she had something to fear from Isabel? A classic beauty, with long golden hair, crystal-blue eyes and creamy skin, she was popular, poised and perfect. And her family name didn’t have a single blemish.
Ben’s brows descended. “Veronica—”
“I’m the one who should apologize,” Isabel said with as much equanimity as she could muster. “I shouldn’t have monopolized the deputy’s attention. I’ll give you the privacy you crave.”
Before Ben could respond, Isabel pivoted on her heel and joined Carmen and her friends near the well. They huddled together to ward off the cold, their mugs cradled close, the welcome steam warming their faces.
“I’m glad you came, Isabel,” Rosa said kindly. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Sipping the liquid, she savored the apple flavor and tried to steady her nerves. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to sing Christmas carols.”
Sharp-eyed Samantha Rogers studied her over the rim of her cup. “I didn’t think you’d ever join Ben MacGregor’s gaggle of admirers, Isabel. What changed?”
Carmen elbowed the girl.
Isabel’s stomach knotted. “I’m afraid you’ve gotten the wrong impression.”
“Appears I’m not the only one.”
Glancing around, she noticed the pointed stares bouncing between her and Veronica. What did they expect? An actual altercation to break out? Oh, wouldn’t Ben love that, she fumed, two women fighting over him?
Ignoring her nudging conscience that protested she was being unfair, she bade the girls goodbye and pulled Carmen aside.
“I’m going home.”
“What? Why?”
“This was a mistake.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Carmen’s round face wrinkled with distress. “You don’t have to leave. Sit with me and the girls.”
“I’d rather be alone.” She snagged Carmen’s hand and gently squeezed. “Tell Honor I’ll see you both at home.”
“Shouldn’t we tell Ben?” She bit her lip. “It’s a long walk, and it’s dark. What if he’s right about that bank robber?”
“He’s preoccupied at the moment,” she said, wincing at the note of bitterness in her voice. She didn’t care that he and the gorgeous blonde were locked in a private conversation. She didn’t. “He’s making a bigger deal about the threat than he needs to.” Dragging her gaze away, she gave a brief wave. “Have fun, and I’ll see you later.”
Isabel left the yard, passing the annoying Gallatin brothers on her way. Myron smirked at her and nudged Chester. If they hadn’t been engaged in obvious flirtation with a pair of young women, she was certain they would’ve made trouble.
Soon the lights and laughter faded. Darkness closed around her, the deserted lane lit by infrequent patches of moonlight. At first, her relief at escaping Ben’s frustrating presence and too many prying eyes bolstered her along, without a thought to her surroundings. Gradually, though, she became aware of her isolation. Every snap and rustle in the night forest startled her. The memory of being held captive by the unkempt thief resurfaced, along with Ben’s warnings.
Was he out there, hiding in the shadows, poised to strike?
Isabel increased her pace. By the time she arrived at her cabin, her heart threatened to beat right out of her chest. Her trepidation was compounded when she climbed the porch steps and noticed the door ajar.
Chilled to the bone, her exposed skin stinging, she stopped and stared. Had one of the girls failed to latch it? Or was someone inside awaiting her return?
Retrieving her dagger, she prayed for God’s protection as she forced her feet forward.
Chapter Four (#u0c2cd80e-4893-59c4-98d6-cdd58def5d37)
Where was Isabel?
Ben scanned the crowd, frustrated when he saw no sign of her.
“Ben?” Veronica pressed her palm against his cheek. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”
The gesture struck him as intimate. He shifted out of reach. “I’m afraid not. What were you saying?”
“I asked about your injury.”
“It wasn’t serious. A mere flesh wound.”
Her blue eyes bore evidence of real distress. “I was so very frightened when I heard the account of your ordeal. The thought of you facing that madman alone has tortured me ever since.” She shivered.
He hadn’t been alone, though. Burying that crucial information would help keep Isabel safe, but he felt as if he were cheating her somehow. She’d displayed true heroism that night.
Veronica gripped his arm. “I wish I’d been there while Doc stitched you up. I would’ve held your hand.”
Ben strangled on a cough. He doubted she’d be so swift to offer comfort if she knew who’d actually tended him. “A sweet sentiment, Veronica.”
“It must’ve been difficult to return home to your empty cabin after such an ordeal.”
Something in her tone set off a warning bell inside. “I’m used to living alone.”
She licked her lips. “Don’t you get lonely? P-perhaps you’ve underestimated the advantages of having a wife. A companion who’s always on hand to comfort and cheer you.”
Ben fell back a step. He was well acquainted with the advantages of a loving relationship. He’d seen the evidence in his own parents’ union, as well as his friends’ marriages. A fluke illness had robbed him of that chance. God had allowed it. He’d stopped asking why, because the obvious conclusion—that he was unfit to be a father—was too painful.
Why was Veronica suddenly venturing into these waters? She’d never dared before. Was it because he’d arrived with Isabel?
“My thoughts on marriage haven’t changed,” he told her in a gentle but firm voice. “My solitary path is set.”
“Of course, I didn’t intend to suggest otherwise,” she rushed out, her brows forming a deep V.
Ben’s attention wandered to the refreshment table, where Carmen and Honor were engaged in a heated discussion. He craned his neck and scanned the crowd, straining for a glimpse of raven hair and a proud profile.
“What do you say, Ben? Will you join us?”
Ben dragged his gaze back to Veronica, who was waiting for his answer. Not about to be caught woolgathering a second time in the space of five minutes, he nodded. “Um, sure. I’d like that.”
Her mouth curved into a bright smile. “Wonderful.”
He inwardly cringed. What had he agreed to?
“Excuse me.” Carmen rushed to their side. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Ben, can I steal you away for a moment?”
His thoughts leaping to Isabel, he made his excuses to Veronica.
“What’s happened?”
“Isabel left. I tried to convince her to stay, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Alone?”
Carmen winced and nodded.
Worry mingled with anger. She knew the danger, yet had forged ahead anyway. “How long ago was this?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll go right away.”
“Honor and I are coming with you.”
