Lacy: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5) Read online

Lacy laughed. “I can only imagine.”

  A tap on Kade’s shoulder drew him to a halt. “Your assistance is needed outside, Deputy. Lars sent me in to get you. It seems some of the young men have imbibed in spirits behind the barn and are now trying to pound each other into the ground.” Imploringly, Arthur Meade stared at Kade.

  “Of course. I’ll be right there, Arthur.” Kade walked Lacy to the edge of the dance floor. “My apologies, Lacy.”

  “None needed, Kade. Go on.” She tipped her head in the direction of the door.

  He rushed off and Lacy took the opportunity to retrieve a cup of cold punch. She walked into the foyer where the tables of food from the buffet dinner had been cleared away and people stood around talking. Between the music from the band and the hum of conversation, noise echoed all around her.

  An empty settee seemed like a wonderful place to rest her feet. When she took a step that direction, a hand grasped her arm and jerked her around a corner, out of sight of the others.

  The scent of the man’s hair pomade caused her stomach to roil. Frightened, she glanced up at the sneering face of Richard Kent. Convinced the man had snuck into the party uninvited, she struggled to pull her arm away. He tightened his hold and bent down so his fetid breath blew across her face. She wanted to wrinkle her nose, but forced herself to keep her expression impassive.

  “Take a gander at you, Miss Williams. A dirty squaw like you parading around, pretending to be something she isn’t. You may be friends with some influential white folks, but it sure doesn’t make you one of them.” Kent yanked her closer. He trailed the fingers of his free hand across her cheek and down her jaw. “Wonder if the high and mighty Grant Hill would still want you if you suddenly lost some of that sweet innocence? Do you think he’d still follow you around like a dog on a leash? According to his mother, you’re after him for his money. Can’t say that I blame you, but you might as well turn your attentions elsewhere. Mrs. Hill won’t ever allow you to marry her son.”

  Lacy glowered at him. “Mr. Kent, if you do not release my arm immediately, there will be dire consequences.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, girl. In fact, why don’t I find us an empty room and I’ll show you just how little you scare me.” Kent laughed in a way that made the hair on Lacy’s neck stand up.

  Evil and unbalanced, the man would no doubt make good on his threats.

  “If you don’t do exactly as I tell you, and do it quietly, you will regret it. Mark my words.”

  “The only thing I’ll mark is a complaint against you at the sheriff’s office. Now, unhand me.” She tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold.

  “Are you deaf, injun girl?” Kent leaned back to better see her face.

  Lacy took advantage of the space between them by tossing the contents of her punch cup in his face then slamming the cup across the bridge of his nose. He yelped in pain and released her arm.

  Frantic to get away, she lifted her skirts and raced around the corner. She spied Grant speaking to Garrett and rushed over to the two of them.

  “Lacy? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Grant took her hands in his. “You’re trembling? Did something happen?”

  “Mr. Kent’s here. He tried to… he threatened to…” Lacy took a gulp of air. Garrett hurried around the corner followed by Grant and Lacy. The shards of the punch cup rested on the hallway floor, along with spilled punch and a puddle of blood, but Kent was gone. The doorway at the end of the hall leading out to the side yard stood open.

  “He got away. I didn’t think he’d show up here, considering the warnings Lars and Kade have issued against him.” Garrett glanced at the blood on the floor and back at Lacy. Other than appearing a little rattled, she didn’t seem injured. Her hair hadn’t even been mussed. “What’s the blood from?”

  “His nose. I tossed the punch in his face then smashed the cup into his nose. I’m sure it’s broken.”

  Garrett grinned. “The cup or his nose?”

  “Both.”

  Garrett walked down the hall and looked outside before closing the door, giving Grant a moment alone with Lacy.

  “I’m so sorry, Lacy. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.” Grant pulled her into a comforting embrace and kissed the top of her head. No one was there to see but Garrett and truthfully, Grant would have done the same if they’d been standing in the middle of the ballroom floor.

  Lacy took a shuddering breath then stepped back from Grant. “Thank you.” She started to kneel to pick up the broken cup, but Grant pulled her back. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Grant turned her around and Garrett stepped up to her other side, looking down at her with a compassionate smile. “Marnie hired several of the younger girls in town to help this evening. I’ll ask one of them to come take care of the mess.”

  Lacy nodded, fearful if she spoke the tears stinging her eyes would spill over.

  “Do you want to go home?” Grant asked as they approached the ballroom. Garrett disappeared in the direction of the kitchen while she hesitated to return to the gaiety of the ball.

  “No, I want to stay.” Lacy said. The last thing she wanted to do was go home where she’d be alone. What if Mr. Kent tried to break into her apartment again? Clearly, threats from Lars and Kade did nothing to deter the man.

  “Don’t give Kent or what he said another thought, Lacy. Let’s find Lars or Kade and tell them what happened. I think they’ll be very interested to know Kent was here.”

  Grant caught Lars’ attention. The man joined them outside the ballroom where Lacy shared what happened and detailed the threats Kent made.

  “That’s it.” Angry and frustrated, Lars clenched his fists. “I’m going to speak to the sheriff about hauling him off to jail. It’s not just you, Lacy. He’s frightened several women, although I didn’t realize he’d snuck into the party tonight. My apologies that he threatened you in my home.”

  “You had no idea he was here, Lars. No apology is needed, but I would rest better knowing he wasn’t lurking in the shadows.” Lacy shuddered as she thought about the horrid man. The odor of his pomade lingered in her nose so she stepped closer to Grant and inhaled his familiar, welcome scent.

  “Why don’t you come back to the dance? Even if Grant can’t talk you into another trip around the dance floor, you can sit at our table and keep my wife company. She claims she can’t move another step, but I plan to claim her for the last dance.”

  Lars escorted them inside and over to the table where they rejoined their friends. They visited for a while, enjoying one another’s company.

  The band announced the final dance of the night would be a waltz. Grant bowed to Lacy and took her in his arms, wishing he never had to let her go.

  She smiled as Lars swept Marnie out on the dance floor. Garrett danced with Aundy while Tony reclaimed Ilsa from Doc Reed. Kade and Caterina joined the dancers.

  A sigh escaped Lacy as she watched her friends, all cheerful and in love.

  “What does that sigh mean?” Grant asked as he stepped forward and to the side, flawlessly guiding Lacy around the dance floor.

  “It means I’m very blessed to have such good friends and so pleased to see them like this.” She glanced over her shoulder at their mutual friends.

  “I agree. I’m thrilled to see them so happy and enjoying the evening.” Grant grinned at her as he twirled her around. “I’m especially happy to have you here with me, Lacy.”

  Her heart filled her eyes as she smiled at him and they finished the dance.

  When guests began to leave, Grant asked Lacy to wait with Caterina while he made sure his mother rode back to town with Mrs. Bradshaw and her husband.

  Grant returned carrying Lacy’s cape and his hat. He settled the covering over her shoulders, thanked their hosts for their hospitality, and escorted her out to the waiting buggy.

  Lacy dreamily stared up at the stars overhead on the ride back to town, quiet as she mulled over the evening. Other than Mr. Kent’s
detestable presence and unspeakable threats, the evening was one of the nicest she’d ever experienced. The pleasure she took in it was largely due to the efforts of the handsome man beside her.

  “I don’t suppose you know anything about the agent from the reservation dancing with me and asking numerous questions?” Lacy asked Grant.

  He lifted an eyebrow and offered her a feigned expression of innocence. “What type of questions?”

  “He asked how long I’d been working at the telephone office, if I enjoyed it, how I liked living in town. He also inquired about Walker’s plans to attend college.” Lacy gave Grant a probing look. “I don’t suppose you had anything to do with imparting that information either?”

  “Hmm. Walker?” Grant shifted the reins to one hand, wrapped the other behind Lacy, and pulled her against his side. After his conversation with the agent, he asked Tony and Ilsa, Lars and Marnie, Garrett and Aundy, Pastor Whitting, and anyone else who knew Lacy to speak to the agent on her behalf. They wasted no time in sharing their thoughts about her, completely putting his mother’s accusations at rest.

  “Yes, Walker.” Lacy released a contented sigh and leaned into Grant’s warmth and strength. She’d never felt so sheltered and safe as she did at that moment, tucked against his side. “He said he wanted to make sure I liked living in town and my work. He mentioned he’d heard from several of my friends, including two of the sheriff’s deputies, that I fit right into the community. Do they really think that, Grant? That I’m a part of the community.”

  “A very special part.” Grant turned his head. Lacy’s lips hovered perilously close as she stared at him with stars reflected in her eyes.

  “Lacy…” The husky sound of his voice caused her to shiver as he dropped his head and captured her mouth. Covered by the cloak of darkness, with only a sliver of moon overhead, Grant took advantage of the opportunity to meld his lips to hers once, twice, with a sweet, lingering kiss.

  Lacy’s hands pressed against his chest, searing his skin through the layers of his clothes and her gloves.

  A groan escaped him as he deepened the kiss and drew her closer. The jingle of a harness brought him back to reality. He glanced behind him to see a carriage rapidly approaching. Grant guided his horse over to allow them to pass and waved at a group of ball attendees, in a hurry to travel home.

  Lacy kept her head down, embarrassed that she’d allowed Grant to kiss her so completely and thoroughly where anyone could see. Not only was it improper, she knew some people frowned upon the esteemed banker taking up with a girl from the reservation. Although Imogene and her friends were the only ones unkind to her at the ball, Lacy was smart enough to realize people might appear to accept her, but some held strong opinions about her relationship with Grant.

  In truth, it wasn’t anyone’s concern, but she hated for her feelings for Grant to affect his business relationships.

  As she recalled Kent’s cruel words, she suddenly wondered when he’d spoken to Grant’s mother. Perhaps he’d overheard one of the many biting remarks the woman had made about her at the ball.

  Determined to enjoy the remainder of the evening with Grant, Lacy pushed aside her worries and reveled in the moment, with his arm wrapped around her every bit as much as his love.

  He hadn’t uttered the words, but Lacy knew, in the depths of her heart, Grant cared for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to acquire a gown for her to wear to the ball, to make her feel so special and beautiful.

  When they reached Ilsa’s shop, Grant set the brake, hurried out of the buggy, and lifted her down. Hands entwined, they strolled around to the back door. Grant unlocked it and pushed it open. Lacy held out her hand for the key and he dropped it onto her glove-covered palm with a grin.

  “If you think I’m going to let you go upstairs alone, you better think again, young lady.”

  Shocked by his words, Lacy stared at him. “Grant, I… that isn’t… I can’t…”

  Grant stepped inside and closed the door behind him, turning the lock. “I want to make sure Kent isn’t lurking around. I’ll go upstairs with you to make sure he’s not hiding in a closet then I’ll be on my way.”

  Lacy let out the breath she’d held and smiled. “Well, why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

  Grant chuckled as they turned on the lights in the workroom and made sure Kent wasn’t there. “Because it was much more fun to see the look on your face when I said what I did.” A check in the front of the store revealed nothing amiss. He returned to the workroom and took Lacy’s hand in his, walking her up the stairs. At the top, she flicked a switch that illuminated the sitting room with light.

  Together, they checked all the rooms. Grant even looked under the bed in the guest room and her room before he was satisfied Kent hadn’t broken inside with nefarious plans.

  Back in the sitting room, Grant slid the cape from her shoulders. Lacy removed her gloves and set them aside before turning back to the exceedingly charming man who held her heart in his hands. “Thank you for an unforgettable evening, Mr. Hill.”

  “Thank you, Miss Williams, for such a memorable experience,” Grant said. Instead of hustling down the stairs and out the door, like he needed to do, his hands reached out and clasped Lacy around the waist, drawing her to him again. “You were the most beautiful girl at the ball, Lacy. Thank you for accompanying me.”

  “It was the dress, Grant, not me. Many of the women mentioned how pretty it is. I can’t thank you enough, or your sister, for allowing me to borrow it.” Lacy leaned against his chest, wishing he’d kiss her again, wondering why he didn’t.

  “The dress had nothing to do with it, Lacy. The dress simply made everyone else see you are no different from them. In my opinion, you could have worn a gunnysack and you’d still have been the loveliest girl there tonight.” Grant’s self-control dangled by a slim, quickly unraveling thread. If he surrendered to his need to kiss Lacy again, he wasn’t sure he could force himself to leave.

  He grasped for a distraction and pointed to the reticule she’d carried that evening. “Did you show Ilsa your bag?”

  Lacy’s eyes lit with a pleased smile. “I did. She showed it to a dozen women and they all want one. I can’t wait to tell Grandmother how popular it was with the ladies at the ball.”

  “I’m glad everyone liked it. Something so unique and beautiful deserves the notice and recognition.”

  Uncertain if Grant still referred to the bag or her, Lacy ran her fingers along his jaw and fell into the warmth of his eyes.

  Regardless of the consequences, Grant cupped her face with his hands and kissed her like he’d wanted to do all evening. Kissed her with longing, passion, and love until they both stood gasping for breath, filled with yearning.

  “I need to leave, Lacy, but before I go, I want to tell you something.” Grant took her hand and walked her down the stairs.

  “What is it, Grant? You look so serious.” Lacy studied him as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and wrapped his arms around her again. He splayed his hand across her back and drew her so close against him, his skin tingled from his head to his toes.

  This time, when his mouth touched hers, the kiss held tenderness and love mingled with true affection. “It is serious.” Grant kissed her gently once more then pulled back. “I’m sure, by now, you’ve surmised that I like you, Lacy. In fact, I want you to know how much I admire you. You’re witty and sweet, genuine and honest, and a woman I greatly respect.”

  “Thank you.” Although flattered by his words, the direction of the conversation left her confused.

  Grant sighed and ran a hand over his face before taking her hands in his and kissing the back of each one.

  “Lacy, I’m saying this badly, but it’s time you know that I’m in love with you.”

  She took a step back and gaped at him. In the moment it took for a smile to blossom on her face and in her eyes, Grant experienced a myriad of doubt and fear. When she looked at him with love clearly wr
itten on her face, he released a relieved breath.

  “You aren’t saying it badly, Grant. In fact, it’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard. I love you, too.”

  Despite the promise he’d made to himself not to engage her luscious mouth in any more delectable kisses before he left, Grant couldn’t stop from sharing one more. The sizzling encounter left him enraptured as he opened the door.

  “Good night, Lacy, my love. Sweet dreams, Princess.”

  “To you, too, Grant.”

  He waited until the lock clicked on the door to walk around to the front of the store and climb back into his buggy.

  Whistling a jaunty tune, he drove home happier than he could ever recall. Even with the looming threat of facing the wrath of his mother for thwarting her plans, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face or the joy from his heart.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The ball at Dogwood Corners remained a favorite topic of conversation the following week.

  A second topic that seemed to draw a variety of comments and speculations was the whereabouts of Richard Kent. He hadn’t shown up at work. His belongings had mysteriously disappeared from his room at the boarding house. No one had seen him since the night of the ball.

  Lacy still wondered how the man had connected with Imogene, but didn’t voice her concerns to Grant. Disturbed enough by any number of things his mother had said and done since her arrival, she didn’t want to add to his concerns.

  Steadfastly avoiding any mention of the vile man or Mrs. Hill, Lacy smiled across the table at Grant as they ate dessert at Caterina’s restaurant. Grant walked her home after work and invited her to join him for dinner.

  She started to question him about dining with his mother, thought better of it, and agreed to accompany him to Caterina’s.

  After lingering over slices of cream cake and cups of rich coffee, they strolled to Tony’s studio. Grant helped her clean it then they returned to Ilsa’s shop. While Lacy put away bolts of fabric, straightened stock on the shelves, and polished the display cases and windows, he emptied the trash and swept the floor.