Charlene Sands Read Free Page B

celebration. He explained that his older brother Jeb thought it a good idea, since Patricia was the banker’s daughter and she’d taken a shine to Cole. Didn’t hurtnone getting friendly with Mr. Wesley, Jeb had said. He had influence in this town. He could help Cole get elected sheriff when the time came.
    Cole hadn’t looked her in the eye that day. She sensed he knew he’d disappointed her. But Cole was on the verge of manhood and wanted to be sheriff in the worst way. After all, Kate realized all too clearly, she was only the saloon gal’s daughter.
    Kate had cried useless tears for days and, shortly after, the saloon burned down. Cole had tried to console her. He’d done everything he knew to do to make her feel better, and when the time came for her to leave town, he’d taken her into his arms and hugged her tight, but never once had he asked her to stay.
    She’d understood then, Cole didn’t regard her as he did other women. He didn’t think her good enough. Oh, she was fine to race down the path with and play silly games and even hold her hand on more than one occasion, but that’s where it had all ended.
    The saloon gal’s daughter held no place with Crystal Creek’s would-be sheriff.
    Kate lifted herself off the rock, determined not to allow her one bad memory of this place to mar its own glorious perfection. When crackling leaves rustled from behind, she turned sharply around. Cole Bradshaw stood just a few feet away, his blue gaze burning directly into hers. “Hello, Kate.”

Chapter Two
    K ate stared into Cole’s eyes, an unwelcome jolt of awareness passing through her. She’d hoped seeing him again wouldn’t mean anything, that her feelings of wanting would have diminished, that Cole Bradshaw was only a young girl’s fancy. But seeing him tall and sure, a man now, and even more handsome than she’d recalled, played havoc with her resolve to forget him.
    “Cole,” she said, her head held high. Sunlight flickered on the badge pinned onto his tanned leather vest, drawing her attention there. He was the sheriff now, a painful reminder of secret dreams they’d once shared. Cole had attained his dream. Kate had dreams of her own, but Cole didn’t figure into them anymore. “Did you follow me here?”
    He lifted his face to the sun for a moment then met her eyes. “I come here sometimes.”
    She nodded but couldn’t respond. They stared at each other in silence.
    Cole took off his well-worn Stetson and scratched his head. “Well, I did see you heading this way and thought to follow you.”
    “Why?” she asked.
    “Do you have to ask? Lord above, Kate, you’ve been gone more than six years.”
    “So this is a welcome home?”
    Cole tossed his hat down then jammed his hands on his hips. “No, well…yes. Welcome back,” he said tersely. Then his voice softened. “I’m sorry about your mama, Kate. She was a special kind of woman.”
    Kate wondered what he meant by special. Different, an outcast, a woman who dared to do something outside what was considered proper and respectable? “Thank you.”
    “How did she die?” He stepped closer and Kate saw the compassion in his eyes.
    “Her heart gave out. Least, that’s what the doctor thinks. She just sort of slumped over in her chair and never woke up.”
    Cole nodded his understanding. “Must’ve been hard for you.”
    “It still is,” she admitted, unable to keep the sadness from her voice. “We had so many plans.”
    Cole cleared his throat. “Uh, that’s why I wanted to see you. To talk. Want to sit?” He pointed to the rock she’d just risen from, their rock.
    “No, I’m fine.” She turned her face to gaze out onto the creek waters. Absently she thought theremust’ve been heavy snows here this winter for the creek to be this close to overflowing.
    “Kate?” Cole’s voice was closer now. She felt his hand on her shoulder, felt his breath on the back of her neck. She squeezed her eyes closed for one brief moment,