her knitting supplies and fabric on the pile Ridge had started and turned to go outside with Bodie. But as she walked toward the door, she spied exactly what she truly wanted—a pair of denim trousers like the ones Rebel had worn. They would be perfect for working in the garden or riding King.
Ridge lifted an eyebrow and grinned when Addie laid them on their pile of purchases. Warmth stole up her neck at his reaction, but instead of snatching them back, she gave him a stubborn tilt of her head and stood her ground.
He chuckled. “These too, Owen.”
“You know, folks are snapping up those new Levi’s right and left. I can’t keep ’em in stock,” Owen Vaughn said. “It’s impossible to wear them out.”
Addie wandered to the ladies’ boots as the men kept chatting. Part of her still worried about the cost, but the temptation to browse was too much. The boots looked to be very well made and the leather stitching quite remarkable. She glanced down at her ill-fitting shoes.
“Hold on a minute, Owen, we may not be through.” Ridge came over to her. “What size do you wear?”
Addie shook her head and tried to walk away, but Ridge would have none of it. “Oh no you don’t. What size?”
She shrugged.
“Sit down.”
When she did, he pulled off her shoe, studied it for a moment, then reached for one of the boots and placed them sole to sole. He put that boot back and got another and did the same. “I think this might fit. Clay makes these, and you’ll find none better in all of Texas.” He knelt, and with his warm hands around her foot, slipped it into the buttery soft boot. “Stand up please.”
She’d never worn anything so comfortable. The fine leather molded around her foot like it had been made especially for her. He pressed on the toe of the boot, and she wiggled her toes at him.
“I think it’s a perfect fit. Let’s put the other on.”
When he slipped the second one on, Addie sighed with delight. Her feet felt as though she walked on a cloud. She caught the question in Ridge’s eyes and nodded.
“We’ll take these boots, Owen, and the lady will wear them.” Ridge picked up her pitiful shoes and, with what seemed like sheer glee, threw them into the trash barrel. Guilt took hold in Addie’s gut. Ridge had spent far too much money on her, and all at once. Her father’s voice grated in her ear. You’re not worth a new pair of shoes. These old worn ones of your mother’s are plenty good enough. Complain and you’ll go barefoot. If you’d been a boy—
But she’d had the audacity to be a girl. She’d held her tongue and stuffed paper inside the toes of her mother’s old shoes. Over and over through the years, she’d held her tongue, itching to scream out how much she hated him. Held her tongue when he ordered her whipped. Chose to live in darkness to protect the child from him.
“Do you see something else you like?” Ridge asked, startling her from her thoughts.
She shook her head, guilt-wracked for even implying she might want more and hurried outside where Bodie waited. The kid rose from a bench and stuck the crutch under his arm.
A wagon pulled up with some chickens in the bed and a cow tied on behind. The driver called out, “What do you want me to do with these, Steele?”
“Can you follow me to my place? It’s not far.”
“Lead the way.”
Ridge helped Bodie into the back of the wagon and handed him their purchases, then handed Addie up into King’s saddle. Addie rode slowly around the cart, looking the cow over with a critical eye. It appeared to be a fine animal.
Her gaze swept to Bodie, her real-life Oliver Twist. Then she shifted attention to Ridge, and her heart had an odd reaction she couldn’t describe. Such a high price on his head. Her throat tightened. One day, the law would come for him.
How could he be bad when he did so much good? He rescued Bodie and gave him a place to live, made sure he had what he needed. And her. She glanced down at her shiny new boots and patted King’s neck. Then there was Ridge’s kiss at breakfast and going with her to Dr. Mary’s. He truly seemed to care that she regained her voice.
The words he’d cried out in his sleep crossed her mind. He hadn’t