Honor and Desire (Gold Sky #3) - Rebel Carter Page 0,45

you know that.”

She nodded. “I do.”

Will nodded again and then stepped back. “I’ll be back after lunch. Tell your mama I’ll be late on account of, well,” he patted the gun at his hip and when she looked as though she might protest he held up a hand, “I’m not going to shoot ‘em. Just talk.”

August frowned and then said, “I’ll go with you. Just in case they prove hard of hearing.”

“Sounds good, son. Meet you out front.” He walked to the door, but paused in the doorway, looking back at Seylah. “I love you, sweetheart. Don’t forget that.”

She gave him a watery smile. “Love you too, Daddy.” Then her father was gone and out the door and she was left alone with August, an awkward silence settling between them in the wake of her father’s departure.

“You know he’s just concerned for your safety,” he told her.

“I know but that doesn’t mean I have to like it,” she replied.

August hummed and rocked back on his heels. “True. You don’t have to like a thing, but so long as that means you’re safe I think we’re all willing to risk you being upset at us.”

Seylah crossed her arms and sighed. “I’m well aware of what the lot of you are willing to put up with to get your way. And what were those looks the pair of you were giving each other?”

He grinned at that and tucked the notebook he still carried in his back pocket. “That’s about us knowing there’s something we care enough about to put our foot down,” he told her as he pulled on his duster and took a belt of ammunition with him. He slung the belt over his shoulder and looked at her. “That’s you in case you don’t know you infuriating woman.”

She cracked a smile and leaned back in her chair. “I wish the pair of you would care a little less about me so that I could be free to do as I pleased.”

“There’s not a chance of that, and this doesn’t mean it’s forever, just for now.” August hesitated, looking at the door. “I’ll have my list for you by tomorrow. Can I take you to Mrs. Lily’s for dinner then?”

The question wasn’t a new one as the pair had frequented Mrs. Lily’s cafe since they were children, but this felt different, was different, and the invitation to dinner cheered her some after being banned from performing any duty more strenuous than office duties.

“Yes, I’d like that.”

He smiled at her, the expression serving to lift her spirits, considerably. “Till then, Seylah,” he tipped his hat in a move that Seylah considered particularly debonair and exited the office in short order, which was a blessing because a woman, whether or not she was barred from upholding the law with her own two hands, needed peace and quiet to swoon. And that is exactly what she aimed to do, and do so in spectacular fashion, in the solitude of the office.

Chapter 8

“What are you working on?” Rose asked, coming into the dining room and giving the sheet of paper Seylah was staring at a curious look.

“I have no idea,” Seylah confessed, glaring at the half written list of rules for her courtship.

“What do you mean? Is it like a riddle?” Rose asked, sitting down with a carafe of coffee.

“I suppose you could call it a riddle. A very stupid, idiotic riddle that an imbecile is responsible for.”

“You know how much Delilah loves a good puzzle. The more idiotic the better.”

“Well, I mean, it’s not actually a puzzle.”

Rose gave her sister a confused look. “A riddle that isn’t a puzzle?” She poured herself a cup of coffee and then snapped her fingers. “It’s one of those puzzle problems that twists in on itself, like a two-in-one isn’t it? Oh, we simply must tell Delilah. I bet even Florence is home to help!”

Seylah yanked the paper close when Rose tried to get a look at it. “No!” She nearly yelled and then continued on in a slightly calmer voice when her sister looked at her in shock. “I mean, no, that’s all right, I can solve this on my own.”

“Don’t be silly. We can all solve it in no time and what a fun activity with the rain driving us all crazy!” Rose turned in her seat and yelled, “Del! Flo! Are you home? We have a puzzle to do!”

Seylah winced and sank lower in her seat, paper clutched to her chest. “No, that isn’t necessary,