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  “If you’d load them in the truck, I’ll take them myself. I’ve got one more run,” Michelle continued, “then all finished, and I’m closing up for the night. I think my husband should take me out for pizza since my sister will be otherwise occupied,” she finished with a devilish grin.

  Kade looked away from where he had been feeding Kadence bits of his sandwich. “What’s up Mini-mar?” he asked, but Marissa was too busy glaring at her sister.

  “Marissa is going out to dinner with Trace,” she said smugly.

  Marissa picked up a small pink eraser and tossed it at Michelle, hitting her on the shoulder and making her laugh.

  “You’re setting a bad example for my son,” Michelle chided picking up the eraser and tossing it back.

  Kade shook his head, moving to the front desk to retrieve an iced tea for himself and a juice box for Kadence. “Don’t let her give you a hard time,” he said leaning close to Marissa as he walked back to his seat. “Trace is a nice guy, and I’m glad you’re making friends. We all need people in our life that will make time for us. Besides I’m sure you don’t want to spend the whole summer sitting around with some old married couple.”

  This time Michelle picked up a piece of crumpled paper throwing it at Kade. “Speak for yourself old man,” she laughed her dark eyes shining with love. Kade was the hero she never knew she needed.

  Chapter 9

  Marissa straightened her T-shirt and pulled her favorite sweater over it as she reminded herself for the fifth time that this was not a date.

  Still, it was nice to go out and since she didn’t usually get into Tipton when she was visiting, she felt she should at least look presentable. Shoving her feet into her sensible low-heeled boots, she smeared a bit of tinted lip-gloss on her lips and headed downstairs.

  “You look nice,” Michelle commented. “I hope you have a nice time. I don’t want you to feel like you have to stay here with us all the time this summer.”

  “I know,” Marissa said. “I’m sure you two will be glad to be on your own for a bit as well,” she said winking and making her sister roll her eyes.

  Heavy boots on the front porch made Marissa turn toward the door, just as someone knocked.

  “Hey,” Marissa said opening the front door and stepping outside. She had no desire to see her sister’s smirking face, so she closed the door behind her.

  “Ready?” Trace said looking up with a smile.

  “Sure,” Marissa said, “let’s go.”

  Trace walked back down the stairs of the Ballard homestead slowing his pace to let Marissa keep up.

  For several strides, they walked together toward the truck parked in the driveway, as Trace tried to catch glimpses of the young woman’s face. She had a soft curve to her cheek, and her heart-shaped face seemed relaxed.

  “So what’s this place like?” Marissa finally asked. “Traditional, contemporary, uptown?”

  Trace smiled. “In Tipton?” he asked with a grin. “It’s just a steak house. Pretty basic and decorated in a western theme.” He raised his hands indicating the surrounding area before opening the passenger door to let Marissa get in.

  Marissa shook her head at the quaint manners but stepped up into the old truck. It was surprisingly clean for something a ranch hand would drive, and she was pleased that she didn’t have to kick old salve bottles, broken bits of tack, or sandwich wrappers under the seat.

  Trace walked around to the other side of the truck, climbed in, and started the engine. He felt comfortable with Marissa after they had tag-teamed Megan the night before and hoped that they could continue to get along.

  It was only a matter of minutes until they reached the restaurant, and Trace noticed how quiet Marissa was. Tonight he wanted to take her away from her worries and have a normal dinner. He had prayed before ever leaving his house that she would see him as a friend and someone she could depend on.

  Ever since meeting her that morning near the fence he couldn’t shake the connection he felt with her. It was obvious she was troubled by her current condition, but the fact that she hadn’t made a decision gave him hope.

  Tonight, he wanted her to have a good time, to unwind and enjoy some time out on the town.

  Parking the truck, Trace hopped out and walked around to Marissa’s side, but she was already getting out by the time he reached the door.

  “Do you do that for everyone?” Marissa asked her boots hitting the hard pavement with a gentle click.

  “It’s how I was raised,” Trace admitted.

  “You know women can open doors for themselves right?” Marissa teased. Trace’s antiquated manners were out of date, but still sweet.

  “Women can do almost anything they want,” Trace agreed, “that just means I should treat them with respect.”

  “You mean that don’t you?” Marissa asked.

  “I do,” Trace said, hurrying to the door of the restaurant and opening it. “Doesn’t matter what others think of it. I live by what I believe.”

  Marissa shook her head but didn’t say anything as she stepped into a dim dining room on a wave of country music.

  “Something smells good,” Marissa finally said as they followed a young hostess to a table and placed drink orders.

  “The food is pretty good,” Trace said. “I brought my sister here a few weeks ago for her birthday,” he added smiling at the memory.

  “Is she your only family?” Marissa asked, surprising herself.

  “She is,” Trace assured. “Our father passed a few years ago, and we have no idea where our mother is.”

  Marissa wondered for a moment what it would be like not to know one of your parents. She had plenty of students with only one parent in the mix, but had always been thankful that she had both of her parents. Somehow, they always seemed to balance each other when she was growing up. It was one of the reasons she was struggling so with the decision she had to make.

  Pushing the thoughts away, Marissa decided to focus on a night out. It felt so normal sitting across the table with the cowboy. She knew so little about him, but felt calm when she looked up into his face.

  “What would you like to eat?” Trace said handing Marissa a menu. “I’ve only been here a couple of times but everything was good.”

  “Steak?” Marissa asked still studying the menu.

  “You’re in Wyoming. You’re in a steakhouse. You’re with a real-life cowboy. I’d say odds are good that the steak is delicious,” Trace said with a chuckle his eyes sparkling when Marissa rewarded him with a smile.

  “Okay, steak it is.”

  By the time the waiter arrived with their drinks, they were both ready to order, and Trace had found that he could make Marissa laugh.

  Marissa settled back into her big booth bench and sipped her iced tea, imagining that this was a first date with Trace. It wasn’t that she wanted a new man in her life yet, but it felt nice to have someone pay attention to her. He hadn’t even once checked his phone since picking her up.

  For the first time in as long as she could remember Marissa felt like someone was giving her their full attention.

  “What are you smiling about?” Trace asked as their salads arrived.

  “Sorry, I was just thinking about attention,” Marissa said.

  “Attention?” Trace asked confused.

  “Yes,” Marissa shook her hair off of her shoulder with a sigh. “It’s nice just sitting here feeling like you’re interested in me. You’ve been paying attention. As a teacher, there is always a struggle between students wanting your attention, and you getting them to pay attention.”

  Trace smiled. “So sometimes it leaves you feeling like no one sees you.”

  Marissa nodded, surprised that he got it.

  “My sister Daisy used to get really mad because everyone saw her only as her handicap instead of as a regular person,” Trace said. “Sometimes as a kid, she would pick a fight with me just because she knew I’d fight back.”

  The rest of their meal was served an
d Marissa busied herself with the tender steak and perfectly baked potato. She was hungry and comfortable and determined to enjoy the night.

  “So where are you from anyway?” Trace asked. “Did you move for your teaching job?”

  “My whole family is from the Chicago area,” Marissa said. “I’ve been working in a small city in Illinois for the past two years.”

  “You like it?”

  “I love it. Some days it drives me completely crazy, but when the students are learning. Really learning. It gives my heart wings.”

  “I bet you’re their favorite teacher,” Trace said.

  “Not usually,” Marissa said cutting another small piece of steak. “I’m pretty strict about the classroom rules, so some times students feel they have to push back. So far it has been alright, but if you have to deal with a parent that doesn’t believe their child could ever do anything wrong…”

  Marissa let her words fade and dropped her gaze, shaking her head.

  Trace’s soft chuckle made her look up again and she had to grin. “Tell me you weren’t one of those kids who were in trouble all the time in school.”

  “I had a few moments I guess,” Trace admitted. “Dad didn’t tolerate it though, and no matter what I had to apologize to the teacher. I guess I just wanted to remember that I was a kid when I was in class. At home, dad worked long hours, and when I was home, I had to help look after Daisy.”

  Marissa squirmed in her chair not wanting to delve into that subject again, but she had seen students like that before. At school, they simply wanted to be a normal kid because at home they had the responsibilities of an adult.

  “You really love your sister don’t you?” she finally asked.

  “Yeah,” Trace admitted. “She’s kinda’ special.” He stopped as his phone rang in his pocket and he looked up apologetically. “That’s Daisy now,” he said. “I really need to take this.”

  Marissa gazed into his light blue eyes and nodded, somehow knowing that Trace was trying not to be rude.

  “Go ahead,” she said suddenly feeling like her special evening was coming to an end.

  Trace stood as he put his phone to his ear and headed for the exit. “What’s up,” he said his long legs carrying him around the crowds, “I’m with a friend.”

  Marissa smiled as his last words reached her ears. Did he consider her a friend? When she’d come to Wyoming to visit Michelle, she had assumed she would spend most of her days either with Kadence, or at the print-shop with her sister. It was nice that she could have a friend of her own out here.

  At first, she had been offended by the cowboy’s assumptions, but now that she was getting to know him a little better, she thought she could accept his ‘ride to the rescue’ attitude.

  Finishing off the rest of her meal, she looked up at the people around her. Several families sat at tables laughing and joking, while their children squabbled or tried to outdo each other with the coloring pages they had been given.

  In other booths couple sat enjoying a nice dinner as they chatted about their day. One couple, a beautiful redhead with bright green eyes and a lean blonde cowboy sat with their daughter, and she could see the couple holding hands under the table.

  The sight was bittersweet as she watched the little girl excitedly receive a huge ice cream sundae. Marissa wondered if she would ever have what that couple had. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe she could make it on her own, but the idea of having someone there for her on her bad days. Someone who would step in and help whenever she needed it that had a great deal of appeal.

  “Sorry about that,” Trace said slipping back into the seat across from her. “A minor emergency at the center. If it isn’t a problem, do you mind stopping by there on the way back to the ranch? I can take you home first if you want. I just need to deliver some formula.”

  Trace’s eyes were so imploring that Marissa couldn’t say no so she smiled and nodded. “That will be fine,” she agreed, wondering exactly what she had just gotten herself into.

  Chapter 10

  Trace insisted on a dessert for the two of them as the meal came to an end and smiled when he saw how much Marissa enjoyed the treat.

  “I’m paying you ahead of time for being so patient and helping me out with Daisy,” he said as they finished the meal and paid the check. “I really can take you back to the Broken J first if you need me to,” he finished.

  “No, there’s no reason for you to make two trips,” Marissa said allowing him to open the door to the truck for her. She had loved the molten lava cake smothered in vanilla ice cream and sweet and spicy pralines, but she was almost too full to climb up into her seat.

  “Where is this place your sister has, anyway?” she asked as he started the engine and pulled out onto the main drag.

  “On the other side of Tipton,” Trace said. “I’ll just stop by the all-night pharmacy and pick up what she needs then head over there. I promise it won’t take too long.”

  Marissa didn’t reply. She wasn’t really worried about the time only that this run had made all of her doubts and worries spring to life once more.

  She didn’t want to think about her little problem tonight. She wanted to be out and enjoy a night with a handsome cowboy.

  Twenty minutes later, they were stopped under the bright red and white sign of the all-night shop, and Trace was telling her he’d be right back.

  Marissa gazed around her at the small Wyoming town. It was one of those places that although growing, maintained its connection to the past with old brick buildings and false-fronted stores. The main street was lined with parked cars, and on either end of the shopping area, she could see hitching posts for horses.

  In the distance, Marissa could hear the sound of a train whistle the source of the town’s creation in the first place. It wasn’t until the train had set up a depot in Tipton that ranches in the surrounding area could begin shipping their livestock without the long four or five-day drive to Casper.

  Leaning back against her headrest Marissa thought of the days when the town was new and cowboys like Trace were a dime a dozen. In her mind, it was a simpler time, a time when people stuck together and supported each other.

  She knew now how stupid she had been thinking that Ray was ready to settle down and start a family. Her love for him had been as old and dry as the history pages she read to her students.

  “All done,” Trace said, climbing into the cab and placing several bags behind the seat. “Just a little longer and I’ll take you home.”

  Marissa smiled trying to pluck up some interest in returning to the Broken J, but she knew that at the moment the dark thoughts of her future were simply too heavy for her to care.

  “You tired?” Trace asked shifting the truck into gear and turning down the darkened street.

  “A little,” Marissa admitted.

  “We won’t be long,” he promised, reaching over with one hand and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

  ***

  “Good you’re here,” a soft soprano voice drifted toward them as Trace opened the door to THE PREGNANCY COUNSELING COLLECTION.

  The sound of something clicking along the dark hall made Marissa peer harder into the darkness until a young woman with soft red-tinged blonde hair and bright blue eyes appeared, her two walking sticks creaking and clicking as she approached.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” the young woman said. “I didn’t know you were bringing your friend,” she said looking at Trace. “I’m Daisy,” she offered, extending her hand.

  “Marissa,” Marissa said taking the young woman’s hand and studying her crooked legs and misshaped feet.

  “I’m sorry I interrupted your outing,” Daisy said turning and heading down the hallway, “but I was desperate. I had just mixed-up the last of the formula, and my new order doesn’t come in until tomorrow. I’m afraid I always call Trace in a pinch.”

  Marissa followed the young woman down the hall while behind her Trace walked softly carrying the bags in his hand
.

  “Come on in the kitchen, and we’ll have a cup of tea,” Daisy continued. “I’m afraid it’s very quiet around here tonight,” she added looking up at a huge clock on the wall.

  “I’ll put the kettle on,” Trace said plopping the bags on the battered red and gray table that looked like it was straight from the 1950s. “I know where everything is.”

  “Have a seat,” Daisy said indicating a red vinyl chair. “I’m not going to argue with any man who offers to make me a cup of tea,” she finished with a laugh.

  Marissa slipped into the chair feeling awkward and out of place, but the other woman simply smiled brightly at her as she sat down and began taking cans of formula out of the bags.

  “Are you visiting the Broken J?” Daisy asked her soft voice rich and lilting.