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“Well, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time, Ellie O’Brien.” His gaze traveled solemnly over her features. Without warning, he sank to one knee and stared up at her. “Will you marry me?”
Chapter Two
Ellie stared at Lawson, speechless. Her brain seemed to stop working. She had to repeat his words in her mind to make sure she’d understood them correctly. Finally, she gasped and punched him in the shoulder. “Get up before someone sees you!”
Her punch knocked him off balance and he put a hand on the ground to stabilize himself. He was laughing too hard to stand. She shook her head even as her lips curved. “You think you’re so funny. I can’t believe you did that!”
He staggered to his feet but continued laughing. “You should have seen your face.”
“I hope it looked as appalled as I felt.” She glanced around noting a few curious stares, including a few she recognized. “Don’t you know this town is match happy right now? You can’t pull a stunt like that. It’s dangerous. What if someone thought you were serious?”
That ought to put some real fear into him. Not that it was all that likely since everyone in town knew his taste in women tended to run toward beautiful, sophisticated women like Lorelei. Ellie was more likely to catch a fish than an eligible bachelor like Lawson. He didn’t seem concerned as he tried to hide a grin. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? I thought you were Peppin’s matchmaking queen.”
She pierced him with a glare. “I refuse to discuss it. In fact, I think I’d better walk away from you now.”
“Aw, don’t leave.” He easily kept time with her faster steps. “You promised to help me find my parents. Besides, it was funny. That’s why you’re trying so hard not to smile.”
She rolled her eyes. Of course Lawson would know she was trying not to smile. He’d practically grown up with her and Sean so he had her pegged. That didn’t mean she had to like it. “Oh, all right. I’ll help you find your parents.”
* * *
He’d almost forgotten how easy it was to read Ellie’s face. Her every thought was written right there for him to see...and what a beautiful face it was. Had he ever taken the time to appreciate the way her full lips were almost always lifted into a smile? Had he ever noticed the faint freckles that danced across her pert nose? Or the way her large green eyes sparkled as if she was laughing at some private joke?
No, he hadn’t and he sure as shooting shouldn’t be doing it now. Ellie was and always had been his surrogate little sister. Nothing more and nothing less would do. That’s the way it would stay. He wasn’t about to jeopardize his close relationship with her or the O’Briens by changing things now. No matter how appealing her willowy figure appeared in that green dress. He shook away his odd thoughts to search the crowd for some glimpse of his family.
Ellie stopped and waved a sweeping hand toward the left. He followed her gesture to find his ma standing nearby. He cleared away the emotion in his throat, prompting Ellie to send him a knowing look. As they neared, Lettie turned away to signal to someone. He followed her signal to see Doc wave back. Neither of them had seen him yet.
“Ms. Lettie,” Ellie’s soft voice called.
The woman turned toward the sound. Her gaze rested on Ellie for an instant before it traveled to him. Lettie’s eyes filled with tears even as a smile wreathed her face. He pulled her into a hug. “Hello, Ma.”
“You came.”
“Of course I did. I always do what you tell me, don’t I?” He stepped away and looked down to see her smile.
“You always were a good boy.”
Ellie snorted. “Let’s not get carried away.”
He shot her a glare over his mother’s shoulder then glanced past her to see Doc standing quietly to the side with a grin on his face. Lawson stepped forward and met the man with a hearty handshake. “Hello, Pa.”
“It’s good to have you home, Son.”
He stepped back and tried not to feel uncomfortable as everyone just stared at him like he might up and vanish on them. Ellie seemed to recover first. “I guess I’d better round up the rest of the O’Briens and Rutledges.”
He sent her a grateful grin. “Thanks. I’d like to see them.”
“Then turn around and look,” a familiar voice called from behind him.
He turned to find Sean standing behind him, a wide grin on his face. Lawson reached out to one of the few men he’d let close enough to hug. They pounded each other on the back then quickly stepped apart.
Lawson couldn’t stop smiling. “How are you, Sean?”
“Fine, just fine.” Sean shook his hand for good measure. “It sure is good to see you in Peppin again.”
“It’s just good to see you period. Where’s Lorelei? I heard you managed to get her down the aisle.” Lorelei stepped up beside Sean and offered him a hopeful smile, looking just as beautiful as always. She looked so happy—just further proof of how right she’d been to stop her marriage to him just before saying “I do.” Everything had turned out for the best, so there didn’t need to be any awkwardness between them now. This was home. This was the only family he had and now she was a part of it.
He didn’t question his instincts. He just pulled her into a quick brotherly hug then stepped away from her. “It looks like married life agrees with you.”
She smiled and slipped her hand into Sean’s. “It certainly does.”
Nathan and Kate Rutledge appeared with their children. There was more hugging and more talking. Finally, they all settled into a rather familiar group with Kate and Nathan talking to his parents and him with Sean, Ellie and Lorelei. He glanced around at the festive celebration surrounding them and smiled in relief. Just like that he knew he was back where he belonged and everything else seemed to fade into the past.
* * *
Ellie glanced over her shoulder to give Lawson a parting smile as the caller had everyone switch partners. Sean spun her around as they danced across the grass together in time with the music. Her gaze traveled back to where it had rested many times since the dance started. Once again, Maddie and Jeff nearly ran into another couple because they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Ellie frowned.
Sean followed her gaze then glanced down at her. “I would have thought you’d be proud.”
“Proud of what? Proud that the tale of my desperate attempt to find a husband has been bandied across town like the joke of the century? Proud that not one of the men who approached me afterward wanted anything more than a point in the right direction? What am I supposed to be proud of, Sean? Tell me, because I’d sure like to know why everyone is patting me on the back. I am a joke, Sean, a household joke who can find love for everyone but herself.”
Sean’s arm tightened around her waist. “Stop saying that. You aren’t a joke, Ellie. As for love, don’t you know the Bible says ‘do not stir or awaken love until the time is right’? Did you ever think that just maybe the time wasn’t right?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Well, maybe that’s what it is. Maybe God knows you aren’t ready for that. Or maybe you aren’t the holdup at all. Maybe your future husband is the one who isn’t ready.”
She sighed. “I sure wish he’d hurry up. I’m tired of waiting.”
He laughed. “What has you in such an all-fired hurry all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “Sometimes I think something must be wrong with me since I’ve never had anything close to a beau.”
He stiffened. “There isn’t a thing wrong with you.”
She ignored his comment and narrowed her eyes. “You know what I think the problem is? All of the men in this town see me as a little sister.”
“Stop acting like one and they’ll stop treating you like one.”
She pursed her lips to the side. Now, that was an interesting statement. She wasn’t exactly sure how to do that but something had to change and it might need to be her behavior. She was plumb tired of being looked at merely as the town’s source of amusement. She wanted to prove that she was more than that. She wanted to prove that she was worthy of being wanted.
Sean finished the dance with her before leading her to the table where their families sat. He pulled out the empty chair that had been left between Lawson and Kate for her, then went to sit beside Lorelei. As he did, Nathan cleared his throat. “Since we’re all gathered here, I have an announcement to make. As you know, the horse ranch Kate and I started almost ten years ago has been doing very well lately. We’ve decided to expand.”
This certainly wasn’t news to Ellie, but she offered her congratulations, anyway. However, Nathan wasn’t finished. “As part of that expansion, I decided to hire a new foreman. I’m pleased to announce that Lawson has agreed to take the position.”
Happy gasps circled the table and Ellie’s was among them. Her gaze flew to Lawson just as he gave a bashful shrug. “Surprise! I hope y’all don’t mind that I’m going to stick around.”
“Mind?” Sean’s tone portrayed how completely ridiculous he found the question. “Why would we mind? This is great.”
Ms. Lettie seemed to be glowing. “Does this mean no more traveling? You’ll be settled in Peppin permanently?”
Lawson nodded. “The opportunity came at just the right time. I was ready to retire my badge.”
Doc’s approval shone in his eyes. “It will be good to have you home.”
“It’s perfect. Does this mean you’ll live at the ranch again?” Ellie glanced at Kate for confirmation. “Perhaps in the cabin? Or will we build something new?”
Lawson shook his head. “The cabin will do just fine for me. I don’t need anything fancy.”
“We’ll get that figured out soon,” Nathan said just as Maddie and Jeff passed the table.
Jeff paused to speak to Ellie. “Thanks again, Ellie. If it wasn’t for that list—”
“I know. You’re welcome.” She didn’t mean to be abrupt, but really! Enough was enough.
The couple stepped away from the table. Lawson’s voice drew her gaze as he regarded her. “What did Jeff say about a list?”
She leaned back in her chair as her family and closest friends launched into the story she was sick and tired of hearing. Sean caught her gaze and she returned his wry grin with a roll of her eyes. She took a sip of punch and managed to swallow her annoyance with a big gulp of the fruity concoction. Lawson sent her a measuring look once the story was through. “Looks like you’ve caused quite a stir.”
She lifted her chin. “What else is new?”
Lawson chuckled. “Ellie, I’m just curious. Who did you match up with me?”
“I don’t remember.” Ellie’s gaze swept toward Lettie and Kate before she settled on Lorelei’s face. Lorelei looked as baffled as she. Suddenly, Ellie’s confusion fled and she turned back to him. “You weren’t living here, so you weren’t on the list.”
“That’s too bad. It would have been nice to—”
“Oh.” She gasped the word as she realized what she’d just said. Her eyes widened. She stared into Lawson’s hazel eyes for a drawn-out moment, vaguely aware his voice stumbled to a halt. She watched his gaze trail down to her lips—which had formed a perfect circle of incredulous indignation.
She dragged her gaze from his until she found Ms. Lettie’s. The satisfaction on the woman’s face told her everything she needed to know. A quick glance at her laughing sister confirmed it. Ellie shook her head at both of them even as she leaned back in her chair and pinned them with a look. “Ridiculous. You two are completely ridiculous.”
Ellie heard Lorelei catch her breath but Ms. Lettie’s knowing smile kept her from looking away. The woman lowered her chin and lifted one eyebrow as though to say “time will tell.” Lawson’s hand brushed her shoulder to gain her attention. She glanced up at him. He said something but all she could remember was earlier...the warmth of being in his arms and the sound of his voice in her ear. What had she felt the moment before she realized it was only Lawson? Attraction? Anticipation? She didn’t want to label it.
Lawson—of all the silly ideas, to think that we might make a good couple. They were just friends—only friends. Besides, a man as attractive, interesting and worldly wise as he would never be interested in a simple girl like her, especially after all those years of courting Lorelei, the most sophisticated girl in town. Why would he want Ellie? No one else ever had. Except Donovan, who she really didn’t want to count.
She realized Lawson was still talking and shook the cloud from her thoughts. “What did you say?”
“I said, let me in on the joke. I want to laugh, too.”
Her breath pulled from her lungs as if she’d been cut. Her gaze held his for a long moment then fell to her lap as she felt something within her snap. She slowly lifted her gaze to survey the faces of those around her. They were all waiting for her to say something. They wanted to laugh with her just like they’d done a thousand times before. But this time one thing was different.
She wasn’t laughing.
She eyed her friends and family. “There is no joke, Lawson—not anymore.”
* * *
Lawson eased his duffel bag from his shoulder to the floor of the cozy old cabin on the O’Brien property. This was the place where his life had truly begun nearly ten years ago when Kate and Nathan had taken him on as a farmhand and brought him into their family. In this cabin, he’d learned his first lesson about what it truly meant to belong somewhere. Only a few months after that, Doc and Lettie had become his legal guardians and his honorary parents.
It somehow felt right to begin again in this place—to once more forget the past that had been resurfacing in his thoughts so often. Glancing around the room, he took in a cleansing breath then quickly lost it when he spotted Ellie directly to his right. She stood on a stool she’d placed over a crate in an effort to reach a cobweb near the cabin’s high ceiling. Every time she moved, the stool she perched on wobbled beneath her. Lawson strode over and plucked her from her perch.
“Hey,” she protested as he set her on her feet. “I almost had it.”
He nodded. “You certainly did...if it was a broken bone.”
She wrinkled her nose at him then turned to gesture to the rest of the cabin. “Well, how do you like your new, old place?”
He surveyed the table with two chairs that had been placed by the window with a planter filled with cheery yellow flowers. A bed with a simple quilt, a large trunk and a small wardrobe stood on the opposite side of the room. A comfortable-looking chair sat next to the fireplace. He smiled. “It looks nice, clean, homey. Did you do all of this?”
“Guilty.” She removed the stool from the crate and set it near the door.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I know. I wanted to.” She tucked a loose tendril behind her ear. “I missed you, you know.”
“What was there to miss?” He knew he was fishing for compliments but he didn’t care. Mostly, he just wanted her to prove that her statement was true.
She kicked a large dark blue-and-green rag rug to unroll it over the middle of the wooden floor. “Oh, I don’t know. It just hasn’t been the same since you left and Sean got married. The three of us used to be as thick as thieves—you, Sean and I. Nothing felt right without you here.”
He believed her. He’d wanted to, anyway. It was a nice feeling—being missed by someone.
She surveyed the room then must have been satisfied because she allowed herself to collapse onto a kitchen chair. “I bet you didn’t miss me.”
“Of course I did.” He sat across from her.
She shook her head. “You didn’t but that’s fine. You were busy bringing outlaws to justice. I wouldn’t have missed me, either.”
“It wasn’t as exciting as you seem to think.”
“What was it like, then?”
“It was like everything I’ve tried to forget.”
That quieted her for a moment before she smiled sympathetically. “Well, you’re home now. You can forget as much as you want.”
Home. That one word sounded so sweet to his ear. He gave a solemn nod. “I was already planning on it.”
“I’ve been wondering—” she fiddled with one of the flowers “—why do the Rangers call you Lawless?”
Lawson stared at Ellie, then frowned. “Now, where did you hear that?”
“Nathan sold a few horses to the Rangers. While he was in Austin, he asked about you. They told him you were one of the best Rangers on the force. They also told him you’d picked up the moniker Lawless. Why?”
He averted his gaze from her questioning eyes. “They assigned me the worst criminals, Ellie. Sometimes that meant I had to take risks, be ruthless and do things I wouldn’t dream of in any other situation. I never broke protocol but I’ve certainly bent my fair share of rules.”
She frowned. “They called you that because you bent a few rules?”
He gave a slow nod. She narrowed her eyes. It was clear she knew he wasn’t letting her in on the whole truth. Well, that was too bad because he wasn’t about to tell her that almost the entire Ranger force thought he’d make a better outlaw than a Ranger, and loved to tease him about it. He didn’t find it particularly funny. Nor did he want his name to be associated with the term outlaw, especially if some of those foggy memories of his childhood were accurate. He figured it was time for a change of subject.
