She managed a weak smile in return and nodded.
“Look,” he said, “this is going to sound awfully forward, but please hear me out. My cousin and I need someone to help keep us two bachelors in line. Someone to cook and clean for us, that’s all. No farm chores or anything. We don’t live far from here. We’d be happy for you to come live with us, and I can bring you to and from town every day so you can still work in your shop. I’d sure feel better knowing you weren’t alone.”
The part of her still terrified over the ordeal wanted to sob yes! and throw herself into his arms. She’d never met his cousin but had seen him from a distance. Both men were handsome and single. It wouldn’t hurt her pride in the least to be a spinster housekeeper to them.
Then she caught sight of Paul’s picture sitting on the shelf by the mantle clock. She wanted to be independent, make him proud of her. How proud of her would he be if she caved in and let his father scare her like this?
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
“That’s a very fair offer, but may I have some time to consider it?”
He nodded. “Of course.” He hesitated. “My cousin, Joe, wants to come with me to the dinner tonight. Would you mind if he accompanies us? Then you could meet him and talk to him about it.”
She felt a little relief at that. While she’d love to be alone with Mason, on top of this fright, spending time alone with the handsome deputy was too much excitement for her nerves. Not to mention that two large men were better than one to help protect her after dark. “That would be fine. I would enjoy that very much.”
Katie insisted on making Mason breakfast while they waited for news from the posse, and he found her to be an excellent cook, raving about it.
“My cousin gets a taste of your cooking, I might find myself fighting him for your attention.” He winked.
She blushed. It’d been so long since she’d had anyone to cook for. Paul had loved her cooking. “It’s just scrambled eggs and ham, Mason. Nothing special.”
He shook his head. “You’re wrong. You are very special. Not many women would do what you did, stand up for themselves. That takes a lot of strength.”
She was saved a response by the return of Carl Daily and the posse. They hadn’t tracked the guy down. Carl pulled his pocket watch out and wound it. “I’ll stay here for a while this morning, just to make sure he doesn’t come back,” he assured Mason. Carl and his wife lived in town, only a few blocks away.
Despite Katie getting the distinct impression that Mason didn’t want to leave, he finally stood and nodded to her. “I’ll be checking on you throughout the day. You keep that gun loaded with buckshot, you hear?”
She finally laughed. “Don’t worry. It won’t leave my side, even when I go to the privy.” She blushed as she realized what she said, but the men laughed.
“Good girl,” Mason said. “That’s exactly what you should do.” He tipped his hat to her as he left.
Carl smiled. “I think he’s sweet on you, Katie.” His wife was one of the few people in town that she had more than a passing relationship with.
She blushed. “Oh, I doubt that.” But she certainly hoped it.
“I hear right that he’s taking you to the church dinner tonight?”
Her blush deepened, but she nodded.
His smile turned into a full grin. “Good! I was going to ask if you wanted me to come walk you over so you didn’t have to be alone, but if Mason’s taking care of it, I’m sure you’ll be safe.” He tipped his hat. “From intruders. Not so sure how safe you’ll be from Mason if he’s determined to make you his, though.” He laughed. “He strikes me as a right determined man. And only a fool would miss how sweet he is on you.”
On that amused note, he stepped out the back door to help supervise getting her screen replaced.
Huffing in frustration, she busied herself with opening her shop. As she expected, she practically overflowed with customers that morning, some with mending and some without, all wanting to hear her story and see her shotgun. Mason Carlisle stopped by several times, never setting foot inside but smiling every time he spotted her nearly full shop and caught her eye through the door. She supposed he figured if people kept her that busy, she must not be in any peril.
By the time she closed her shop at four o’clock, she felt bone weary and considered not going to the dinner after all. Ben Ainsley had fixed her screen door as well as nailed an additional piece of wood on the outside, over the center portion, to make it harder for someone to break in and unhook the latch. Despite the warm night, she’d also closed and secured her shutters for extra peace of mind.
Another thing that didn’t escape her notice—now that word had spread Mason Carlisle was taking her to the dinner, none of the eligible men who’d been by to help with repairs or check on her had made the slightest attempt to ask her out.
Highly unusual. Normally she would have to turn away at the very least two or three invites to a church dinner.
She pumped herself a large pot of water and heated it on the stove while she filled her small washtub with water. A warm bath would help soothe her nerves and make her feel better. She even unpinned her hair and washed it as well. She carefully dried her hair and pinned it up, even though it was still a little damp in back, and donned one of her best dresses. She couldn’t help but jump at the knock on her front door at six.
Both men stood there, freshly shaven and their own hair damp from washing. Mason made the introduction. “Miz Dorchester, this is my cousin, Joseph Lansing.”
He held out a hand. “Call me Joe.” If his playful blue eyes were any indication of his temperament, she suspected she might have a problem on her hands. His blond hair, lightened even further by working in the sun, stood in stark contrast to Mason’s dark hair. Approximately the same height, neither man was one she’d turn her nose up at.
She swallowed hard. “You can call me Katie. Just let me check the back locks and I’m ready to go.”
She fanned herself as she hurried to her room and checked the screen door, then the back door. Goodness, two handsome men! She chided herself for the next wicked thought that crossed her mind and sent pulses of need to her core. I am a widow. Who says I can’t let them both court me?
The men smiled at her return. They waited for her to lock her front door and place the key in her reticule, which she hung from her wrist. “All right, I’m ready.”
The men flanked her, both extending their arms. Laughing and feeling better than she had all day, she hooked her arms through theirs and allowed both of them to escort her across the street.
When they reached the Fellowship Hall, Joe released her arm and held the door for her and Mason to go first. She didn’t miss how her popularity had suddenly risen as people she barely knew seemed to line up to talk to her. Not to mention several of the single girls shot her dark looks for being on the eligible bachelor’s arm.
She also didn’t miss how Joe, despite drawing attention from several eager single women, made his way to a far corner and tried to keep to himself.
Once she and Mason had freed themselves from the crowd, they made their way over to where Joe sat. “Have you given thought to our offer?” Mason asked.
She licked her lips to wet them and buy her a moment. “I would hate to be a burden on you like that. Taking me into town every day.”
Joe’s eyes never left her face, but he didn’t speak. Mason said, “Ma’am, you might find us to be a burden on you.” He smiled. “We are in dire need of a woman to keep us on the straight and narrow.”
She wondered if Joe normally remained so silent. She addressed her next comment to him. “You’re rather quiet.”