He wanted to kiss her?

She looked out at the river, unable to meet his gaze any longer. She swallowed.

The man was a flirt, and no doubt about it. Did this usually work for him? Did he have a string of women he flirted with, or was this something new?

She had no way of knowing. She certainly couldn’t ask Mrs. Collier as she seemed to have something against the man.

“Here, take this.”

She realized he’d cast the line in the water, and she grasped the pole as if it was a lifeline.

She hadn’t expected this, any of this, when she’d come to Montana. She’d expected to make friends with the ladies in town, not the most attractive man she’d ever seen. It was like fate was trying to play a joke on her or something.

The moment she’d announced she was done with men, temptation reared its head in the form of Mr. Boone Newby.

Perhaps she simply needed to stick to her original plan and befriend the local ladies. Perhaps she’d find out something horrible about the man that would squelch these irrational feelings and convince her to shun all men, once and for all.

She glanced at Boone again, met his smiling gaze, and immediately felt her heart weaken.

If she was going to do something, she’d better do it fast.

* * *

After a few more days spent in Boone’s company, Saturday went slowly for Lucy, and she found herself missing Boone when he didn’t show up to tease, harass, or otherwise cause any complications to her heart.

The time spent away from him was filled with organizing her room and taking a long walk about the town.

She almost expected him to show up at any moment, and when he didn’t, eventually admitted to herself that what she was feeling was disappointment.

Well, she’d been warned about the man, hadn’t she?

Perhaps he really was off imbibing alcoholic beverages in the sordid section of town.

Or perhaps, he was flirting with another girl?

Or perhaps, he was living his life and she needed to mind her own business. She barely knew the man.

Determined to enjoy herself, and to stop thinking about Boone, she acquainted herself with the town, the local Mercantile, the two dress shops, and ran into several of the children in her class.

Not liking the ache in her heart, she tried to get back to her original goals and plans for herself when she’d arrived in town.

No men, whatsoever.

And that would suit her just fine, wouldn’t it?

Still, it was almost a relief when Saturday rolled into Sunday so that she could attend church, and get to know more people.

She walked with Mrs. Collier to the local church, and as they walked up the stairs of the gorgeous stone church house, she felt relief at getting back to normal.

“The church has had a lot of money poured into it by the local mine owners,” Mrs. Collier told her. “They are not a stingy lot. And don’t you worry for even a moment because the Reverend McMurray is a good man, and he gives a rousing sermon every week. You won’t be falling asleep in this chapel, no matter how hot it gets.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

They stopped at the top of the stairs and waited in a short line as the women in front of them shot her curious looks.

Mrs. Collier, looking pretty in her Sunday best, and her flower-trimmed bonnet, seemed very happy to have Lucy at her side. When it was their turn to shake the reverend’s hand, Mrs. Collier was practically beaming. “Reverend McMurray, may I introduce you to miss Lucy Rickman, lately of New York City.”

The reverend, a huge, affable-looking man, looked like he might be more at home wrestling bears than teaching scripture.

“Well then, it’s nice to meet you, isn’t it, Miss Rickman. Welcome to our humble church. You are most welcome here.” He eyed her from head to toe. “And all the way from New York City, is it? That’s quite a journey. What brings you to our mountain town?”

“An advertisement in the local newspaper, actually. My grandmother happened to know Superintendent White’s family. She encouraged me to come here to teach school.”

“That’s right. The Whites are originally from New York. How interesting. And you’re a schoolteacher?” He chuckled. “We’ve had several of those of late, and haven’t been able to keep even one of them, have we now?” he and Mrs. Collier shared a smile.

“And I must say, Miss Rickman, I’d hate to jump to any snap judgments in the matter, but I suspect you’ll not last long either in this town.”

She knew he was referring to marriage. “As I just recently broke an engagement, I’m sure your fears are quite groundless, Reverend.” Especially now that Boone had deserted her without so much as a word.

He laughed. “Oh, you’ll be a lively one here, that’s for sure. Which means that you’ll fit right in, isn’t that right, Mrs. Collier?”

To her astonishment, the older woman blushed to the roots of her hair. “Oh, go on with you, Reverend.”

Lucy noted the admiration in the man’s gaze as he looked at her landlady, and glanced to her right to look at a couple of lilac bushes, giving Mrs. Collier the time to compose herself.

A moment later she was being rushed inside and seated between Mrs. Collier, and an elderly lady wearing a mauve-colored dress, and matching hat with white daisies.

“Who might this be?” The woman asked in a booming voice.

Mrs. Collier leaned forward to make the introduction. “This is Miss Lucy Rickman, lately of New York City.” Once again, the woman emphasized the name of her city.

The older woman’s eyebrows rose. “New York City? You don’t say.”

The woman leaned forward to push on the shoulder of a woman seated directly in front of her. “Charity, did you hear that? We’ve got a girl here from New York City.”

“She’s the new school teacher.” Mrs. Collier inserted.

The woman turned, and though older, it was obvious she’d been a beauty in her time and retained most of her good looks. When she took in Lucy’s appearance, her eyes widened and she turned more fully in her seat. “New York City? And you are living here now?”

“I am.”

“Where are my manners?” Mrs. Collier said. “Lucy, this is Mrs. Emma Patterson,” she gestured to the woman to Lucy’s left. “And this is Mrs. Charity Jackson.” She nodded at the woman in front of them.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Lucy nodded at both women.

Mrs. Jackson studied Lucy for a long moment and then smiled, her two slightly crooked teeth lending charm to an otherwise striking face. “Miss Rickman, are you single by any chance?”

Lucy could feel heat rising in her face. “I am.”

“But she’s recently broken off an engagement.”

Mrs. Patterson made a clicking sound of dismay with her teeth, and Mrs. Jackson gave her a look of sympathy. “Much better to find out that you won’t suit before the marriage, than after.”

Lucy nodded agreement, thinking of Boone, rather than Charles.

The reverend walked to the front to stand in front of the podium, and the meeting commenced.

Lucy could not help but note the many curious glances thrown her direction. While she’d had the opportunity to travel frequently throughout her life, and had often been the recipient of such stares, she couldn’t help but feel this was excessive, even for a small town.

She was brought back to attention when she heard her name spoken as the reverend was introducing her. “Miss Rickman, the newest member of our congregation, and a new school teacher at Adams. We are hoping she’ll last longer than the last three did.”

There were chuckles in the audience as she immediately became the focus of everyone in the room. “I know you’ll all make her feel very welcome.”

There were murmurs of agreement, and the sermon was finally started.

As casually as she could, Lucy glanced around the church, looking for Boone, but as far as she could tell he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

Yesterday, when she’d walked around the town, she’d noted there were many church buildings. He could certainly belong to a different congregation. But she couldn’t help feeling a little down, and realized once again, she had looked forward to seeing the man.

She needed to stop thinking of him altogether.

Yes, the man had flirted with her a bit.

But she wasn’t in the market for a husband, and after a two day, unexplained absence, it had become quite clear that he was not looking for a wife, either.

After the meeting was over it became apparent that there was to be a potluck out on the side lawn, and Lucy was soon at the center of a group of ladies, answering questions.

Yes, she was single. No, she had no interest in marriage at the moment. Yes, she had recently suffered a broken heart. No, she did not miss New York City in the least.

Mrs. Patterson, a plate of food in hand, stood at her side. “It sounds to me as if you’ve done a lot of traveling, Miss Rickman?”

“I have.”

“And as a schoolteacher, I’m sure you’ve a lot of experience with writing?”

The question set off in murmured conversation among the ladies.

“Yes, I do.”

Mrs. Patterson smiled. “My husband runs the newspaper in town, the Montana Gazette. I myself have been writing the ladies society column for a while, but I think it’s time we had some new blood, and perhaps some new information.”

“You’d like me to write for your newspaper?”

“Indeed, I would.”

“About what, exactly?”

Mrs. Patterson glanced at Lucy’s plumed hat, and her eyes ran down her green-striped gown, to her high-top button shoes. “I’m hoping that perhaps you could write a bit about fashion, or society life in New York City? Or perhaps even your impressions of Montana?”

Again, the ladies in the group murmured with excitement.

“Yes, that is a brilliant idea.” Mrs. Jackson approved. “In fact, I have a son who could show you the sights.”

The women shushed her and whispered about broken hearts as Lucy wondered why Mrs. Jackson didn’t write the column herself. Her gown was one of fashion’s finest, and if Lucy didn’t miss her guess, had been shipped over from Paris.

Lucy felt a flutter of nerves and excitement herself. She’d never considered writing for a newspaper before, and it would be something she could send home for her family to read. “I’d love to.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! I’ll let Mr. Patterson know to expect your first article Tuesday afternoon, if that would suit you.”

“Tuesday?” That was awfully quick, but she thought she could manage it. “Tuesday, it is.”

“Brilliant!”

As the ladies discussed possible articles Lucy could write, Mrs. Jackson tugged her off to one side to whisper, “I wasn’t sure whether or not you heard that I have a son.”

“Do you?”

Again, Lucy tried to gauge the woman’s age, and wasn’t sure. “He’ll be thirty next year, and he’s unmarried.”

Lucy could feel heat surge into her cheeks. “Is that right?”

Mrs. Jackson laughed. “I can see from your expression that I’m being too forward. But I just wanted to get my oar in the water, so to speak, before anyone else had a chance to talk to you. Might I facilitate an introduction?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. You are kind to think of me, but as I stated earlier, I’ve recently suffered a setback in matters of the heart, and I’m not in any hurry to jump into the water again, so to speak.”

The woman looked so disappointed that Lucy actually felt bad. “All right, but if and when you are, I have first dibs.”

Lucy grinned at her, unwillingly charmed. “I’ll remember that.”

“See that you do.”

As the ladies continued to serve food, eat, and talk, Lucy remembered her loneliness from the day before, and was quite encouraged by the difference one day could make.

So, Mr. Boone Newby did not want to pursue an interest in her?

Well, it looked like she could make friends just fine on her own.

She’d have to tell him so the next time she saw him.

* * *

Early Monday morning, when the train finally pulled into the station, Alford was waiting for him and Boone rushed the man to the waiting wagon, threw his possessions in back, and took control of the reins.

After two days away on business, Boone couldn’t wait to get back to Lucy. So much so, in fact, that he was laughing at himself. Whatever happened to the cool, calm, collected man who wasn’t concerned about women?

How his mother would laugh at him now.

Irritation over the fact that he’d had to travel unexpectedly to Helena to take care of some mining concerns surged through him once more.

What if someone else had caught Lucy’s eye in the meantime?

He should’ve left a note.

It was just that he wasn’t used to doing things in such a fashion, wasn’t used to answering to anyone, and it hadn’t occurred to him to do so until it was too late.

He’d considered sending a telegram but that had seemed ridiculous, or desperate, he still wasn’t sure which.

He went home to change his clothes and had Alford hold the horse’s reins. He couldn’t wait to see if Lucy truly held up to the vision he had of her in his mind.

A few minutes later he drove out to Mrs. Colliers boardinghouse and knocked on the door, convinced that in the time he’d been away, someone had surely outed him as Boone Jackson. Would he have to do a bit of groveling to get back into Lucy’s good graces?

A moment later, Mrs. Collier answered and gave him a questioning look. “Mr. Jackson?” she dried her hands on a dishtowel. “How can I help you this morning?”

So, she didn’t know.

“Good morning. I was headed out to the school this morning and Mr. Newby asked me if I’d stop by and pick up Miss Rickman.”

At that, Mrs. Collier’s eyes lit with speculation. “Really? Well, that’s awfully kind of you.”

He felt a kind of regret as he realized that his masquerade was most likely about to meet its conclusion. He quickly considered ways to extend the deception, but couldn’t think of any way that Mrs. Collier would keep her mouth shut. Bribery? Perhaps if he simply left?

“I’m sorry to say, Mr. Jackson, that Miss Rickman has already left for the day. She was quite put out when Mr. Newby did not show up at the appointed time, and I encouraged her to get a ride with the Beekman family.” She nodded. “They take their children to school every day, and I consider it a far better arrangement than having Mr. Newby drive all the way out here to get her,” her tone was disapproving.

She gave Boone another assessing glance. “But I’m sure she’ll be sorry when I tell her she missed the opportunity to meet you.”

“Alright, then. Good day, Mrs. Collier.” Boone tipped his hat, turned and walked down the stairs, cursing himself for all kinds of a fool. But at least it had answered one question. In the time he’d been away, Lucy had not discovered his identity.

He hadn’t expected that.

He’d been certain his little game would be up by now, that someone would have informed her that Mr. Newby was not appropriate company for her, and that she’d ask questions, and then everything would come out.

He looked nothing like the short, balding, red-nosed, Mr. Newby.

One conversation, one description, would have given her the information she needed, and that he dreaded. He wanted to tell her himself.

He jumped up on his wagon, and hurried toward the Beekman residence, hoping to catch them.

No such luck, they’d already left for school.

He considered barreling after them, but, with his little deception still in place, he didn’t really want to do that anyway, did he?

He’d meet up with her at the school again.

At that thought, a jolt of panic went through him.

He’d better get there fast, in case Mr. Newby had taken up his job once again.

He considered the direction Mr. Beekman would have taken, and then urged his horse toward the bumpier back road.

He received more than one shout of irritation as he barreled down the road, but didn’t let it bother him too much.

The game was still afoot!