period. “Do you wear this all winter?”
She shook her head. “Just when the weather is like it’s been for the past few days.”
He shrugged out of it and, glad to be free of the weight, handed it back. “Thanks for indulging my curiosity.”
“I’m stuck with you and your curiosity,” she quipped. “So I haven’t much choice.”
Although the words were pointed, her eyes held a hint of playfulness that added to his growing interest in her. “Is there a place in town where I can rent a room?”
“Yes. Regan owns a boardinghouse run by the town seamstress, Dovie Denby. Paradise doesn’t get a lot of visitors, so the place is never full.”
“Good to know.” He expected her to leave him after that, but she sat instead and that pleased him. “Have you ever lived anywhere else?”
“No. I’ve been here my whole life. Farthest I’ve been from Paradise is Laramie and Cheyenne.”
“Never been back East?”
She shook her head.
“Are you curious about what it might be like?”
“Not really. When Colt returned after his medical studies at Howard, he said it was full of people, streetcars, and the noise of both.”
Garrett thought about that. “I suppose he’s right, and it can be overwhelming.”
“I’ve no need for overwhelming. I like the quiet and the peace of waking up every day to the sun rising over the mountains.”
He’d yet to witness that but remembering the beauty of the sunrise over the water during his stint in the navy, he understood. There’d been breathtaking sunsets, as well.
“Besides,” she continued, “from what my brother said, none of the women wear denims or gun belts, and aren’t allowed in the saloons.”
Although parts of him were afraid to ask her to explain that last part, his curiosity refused to be denied. “Why would you want to go into a saloon?”
“For a drink.”
He stared again.
“I take it the women you keep company with don’t drink whiskey?”
“Not even a little bit.” She’d caught him so off guard, he wasn’t sure what to ask next. “Does your sister-in-law imbibe, too?”
“She’ll have an occasional shot of tequila, but not now. She’s nursing.”
“And her husband approves?”
“Why would she need his approval? Oh, I forgot. You’re from back East. Your menfolk get a say in those kinds of things there.”
“Here they don’t?”
“Some men do, or at least they try. My brother was that way until he married Regan. Now he minds his own business.”
“I see.” He didn’t really, but pretended to. “So you just waltz right into the saloon and order a shot of whiskey?”
“Maybe not waltz, but yes, McCray.”
“Is there a separate room for ladies?”
“I’ve never seen one.” She eyed him with a hint of a smile. “Why do you look as if I’ve grown another head?”
“I’m just surprised.” Still outdone, he asked, “And no one cares that you’re in the saloon?”
“The gossips do, of course.”
“Ah.” There was now challenge in her eyes, as if she was waiting for something. Judgment from him, maybe. That made him wonder if she continued to be the subject of gossip. If so, he couldn’t imagine her backing down. Lord, this woman was interesting.
She asked, “Anything else?”
“Maybe. I’m just not sure what.”
“While you figure that out, I’ll get some meat thawing for supper. Steaks or trout?”
He thought that over. “Steaks.”
“Good choice.”
Later, Spring pulled the skillet of cornbread out of the oven and left the kitchen to alert her houseguest. He was in his room, so she knocked on the closed door. “Dinner, McCray.”
“Be right there.”
She didn’t know how he’d been occupying his time all afternoon, but he hadn’t bothered her while she sorted seeds for her garden, so whatever he’d been doing was fine with her.
She’d just taken the plates down from the cupboard when he appeared in the kitchen.
“Anything I can do to help?” he asked.
“Grab that pot holder and put the cornbread on the table.”
She followed with the plates and tableware, then went back to retrieve the platter of steaks and the bowl of root vegetables.
“Steaks smell good,” he said, standing behind his chair.
She forked a steak from the platter and set it on her plate. Noticing him still standing, she asked, “You plan to eat standing?”
“Waiting for you to sit.”
“Why?”
“Being a gentleman again.”
She waved him off. “Not necessary.”
“It is for me.”
His soft tone did something to her insides. “Just sit, McCray.”
“I will, after you do.”
Spring growled quietly.
“It’s a show of respect, Spring.”
She blew out a breath. “Christ and three fishes. Fine.” She sat.
He followed.
“Happy?” she asked.
He simply smiled.
“I drink whiskey, remember. I’m not a lady.”
“Doesn’t make