she could only shake her head at how naive she’d been at eighteen, fresh out of school and determined to marry her sweetheart. She hadn’t been able to imagine anything bad happening to them.
Looking out at the golden grasslands beyond the lush garden, she realized she no longer imagined anything very wonderful happening in her future.
My, how pessimistic she had grown, she chided. Expect the worst so as not to be surprised when it happened. That was her motto. She had to smile.
“I’m sorry, Miss Wheeling, the funds didn’t come through. We thought they had been promised, but someone misunderstood,” the assistant superintendent of schools explained.
It was Monday morning and Shelby had reported in for the teachers’ planning sessions at the high school, but had been referred to the superintendent’s office instead.
“So there’re no funds for a health teacher?” she repeated to make sure she understood. “What about the school nurse position in the afternoons?”
“We’re okay on that,” he assured her with a big smile. “Those funds come from a different pot.”
“I see.”
“I’m terribly sorry about all this,” he continued. “We always need substitutes. Perhaps I could put you on the list?”
“Uh, let me think about it. I’ll get back to you.” She rose when he did, obviously dismissed.
Her ears ringing with his apologies, she left the building and drove from the county seat, where the high school and administrative offices were located, to Lost Valley. Considering her savings, she had enough money to make it here for a year without working at all, but work gave her a ready cover for her covert activities.
Arriving in town, she parked in front of the Victorian that housed the doctor’s offices. She actually felt lighter as she walked up the steps and into the building. Now if the job with Beau was still open, all would be perfect.
He was at lunch, the receptionist told her. The office would be open at two. Disgruntled, Shelby retraced her steps and stood on the broad porch with its sweeping view of the three nearest peaks from which Seven Devils Mountains got its name.
He-Devil Mountain. She-Devil Mountain. The Devil’s Tooth. Odd names that came from a Native American legend of seven monsters who had terrorized the land until Coyote turned them into mountains.
The monsters must have been made from copper for that was the most common ore in the area. Gold had been discovered near there in 1860.
She whimsically wished she could have lived then. To be a pioneer and brave the elements and the rugged wilderness, to find copper and gold, to found a homestead the way the Dalton ancestors had…
She sighed and shook her head at the romantic musing. Life had never been that idealistic.
“Get lost, cousin,” Beau said.
Zack, startled, glanced toward the door of the restaurant. The Crow’s Nest was a log-and-plank structure with a view of the reservoir that provided water for the small town of Lost Valley. The restaurant was deliberately rustic, but the scenery saved it from coyness. The food made it a draw for locals as well as visiting fishermen.
“Ah, the nurse,” Zack said, spotting the lone female entering through the heavy plank door with its antler door handles. “Something going there, cuz?”
Beau grinned mysteriously. “I offered her a job last week. I think she may accept. The teaching job didn’t get funded, so she might need extra income.”
“Well, then, good luck. Time for me to return to the harrowing life of a lawman, running down stray dogs, saving cats from trees and all that excitement.”
Zack rose, gestured for Shelby to join them and held out a chair. “Hey, pretty lady,” he called. “You’re just in time. I’m Zack. We met at Amelia’s last week.”
“I remember. You and Honey,” she said.
When she was seated, he winked over her head at Beau, then ambled out to the sheriff’s department cruiser assigned to him as a deputy.
“Oh, did I interrupt?” she asked.
“Not at all,” Beau said, enjoying the flash of fire in her hair as she watched his cousin depart. She turned back to him.
Man, but she was beautiful. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a woman with so much natural beauty. Heavenly eyes. Gorgeous hair. Skin like the peaches and cream of song and poem.
His fingers actually tingled with the urge to reach out and touch…and get his face slapped in the process. That clear shell, like an enchanted glass bubble, surrounded her as fully as a suit of armor.
“Have you had lunch?” he asked.
She shook her head.
He signaled for a menu to the teenager who was waiting tables today. “Grilled chicken was the special. I can recommend it.”
For some reason it pleased him that she followed his suggestion. “The raspberry iced tea,” she finished.
“So, how was your morning?” he asked.
She visibly hesitated, then said, “Well, that depends on how you look at it.”
Her smile was unexpected, a gift that sent warmth scurrying around inside him. Another surprise. He didn’t know why she had such an effect on him. But there it was.
“Tell me how you look at it,” he invited.
When she explained about the teaching job, he nodded. “You knew?” she asked.
“I saw the high school principal over the weekend. He was angry at the budget cut and the loss of the classes. He thought the school administration had been unfair to you. Is that the way you feel?”
Impish dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth. “Not if the position in your office is still open.”
His gaze fastened on the dimples. He thought of kissing her there, then continuing on to the soft, pink mouth. A buzz of sexual interest hummed through his blood.
Her smile faltered.
He forced himself to lighten up. “Uh, yes, the position is still open. Does this mean you’ll take it?”
The dimples returned. “Tell me the hours and the pay first.”
“Hmm, going to drive a hard bargain, are you?” He raised one eyebrow in mock challenge. “You won’t get a better offer in town. Most women would snap it up.”
She laughed out loud. “How much?” she demanded. “How long?”
“From eight until noon on days you have to report to the elementary school. Eight to five on days you don’t. We’re closed on Wednesdays, open a half day on Saturday if it’s busy, which it probably won’t be in winter.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be at school every afternoon.”
