A heartbeat passed, then two, before Joshua stretched his hand across the table. His calloused fingers found Faith’s, entwining them with a gentleness that belied his strength.
Her heart thundered against her ribs. This simple gesture, so public and yet so intimate, sent a thrill through her entire being. She glanced around, keenly aware of the other patrons’ curious looks.
Faye Byrne leaned over to whisper something in her husband’s ear, her eyes never leaving Joshua and Faith’s joined hands. At a nearby table, the town barber, Elmer Moss, nudged his wife, pointing in their direction.
“Josh,” Faith whispered, her cheeks flushing. “Everyone’s staring.”
His thumb traced a soothing pattern on the back of her hand. “Let them. I want everyone to know how I feel about you. No more hiding, no more wondering. You’re the woman I love, and I’m proud to show it.”
“But what will they say? The town gossips will spread the word about us being here together.”
“They can say what they like. We’ve known each other since we were kids, Faith. They’ve probably been expecting this for years.”
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. “I suppose you’re right. It’s all so new. Wonderful, but new.”
“I know. But I want to do this right. No sneaking around, no secrets. You deserve to be courted properly.”
As if on cue, Aggie appeared at their table, a knowing grin on her face. “Well, now, what can I get for Mystic’s newest couple?”
Faith felt her face flush, but Joshua’s presence grounded her. He squeezed her hand gently before addressing Aggie. “Two of your finest steaks, please. We’re celebrating tonight.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Celebrating, eh? About time, if you ask me. I’ll have those right out for you.”
After she bustled away, Faith leaned in closer to Joshua. “You really meant it when you said you wanted everyone to know, didn’t you?”
He nodded, his expression earnest. “I did. I’ve loved you for so long. Now that I can finally show it, I don’t want to waste another moment.”
“I love you, too, Josh,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “And I’m grateful for your courage.”
Sitting there, hands joined across the table, Faith felt a sense of rightness settle over her. The whispers and stares faded into the background, insignificant in the face of the love she shared with Joshua.
As the evening progressed, the initial flurry of whispers and glances from the other patrons subsided, replaced by the comfortable hum of conversation.
Faith and Joshua found themselves settling into an easy rhythm, their words flowing as freely as the Moon River running through their beloved Mystic Valley.
“Do you remember,” he began, his eyes twinkling with mirth, “the time we snuck into old man Morris’s orchard?”
Her laughter rang out, clear and melodious. “How could I forget? You got stuck in one of his apple trees, and I had to talk Mr. Morris out of hauling you to the jail.”
“I still maintain those were the best apples I’ve ever tasted.”
“Only because they were forbidden,” she teased.
Continuing to share stories and laughter, Faith marveled at how natural it felt. This was Joshua, her childhood friend, the man who’d always been there. Yet now, there was a new undercurrent to their interactions, a spark she’d never felt before.
“You know,” Joshua said. “I’ve always admired how you took over the Gazette after your father passed. Not many women would’ve had the courage to tackle something so significant.”
Her expression softened. “It wasn’t easy. There were plenty of folks who thought a woman had no business running a newspaper.”
His hand found hers again. “You proved them wrong. You’re making your mark on this town. It’s one of the things I love most about you.”
The warmth of his words wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. As they finished their meals, Faith felt the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment, their shared history intertwining with the promise of a shared future.
When they finally stepped out of the Golden Griddle, the night air greeted them with a crisp embrace. He offered his arm, and Faith took it without hesitation. Walking toward her home, she felt a sense of belonging missing since her father died.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she murmured, her gaze drawn to the star-studded sky above.
“It is. On nights like these, I’m reminded of why I love Mystic so much. The vastness of the sky, the quiet of the town. It’s as if the entire world is laid out before us.”
A small smile curved her mouth. “I know what you mean. I’ve always believed there was something special about this place.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Joshua said. “Grayson has been talking about expanding the ranch’s operations. Maybe branching out into horse breeding. He asked me if I’d be willing to take it on. Working as a wrangler does appeal to me.”
Her eyes lit up. “What a wonderful idea. You’ve always been good at breaking and training horses.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. Your opinion means a lot to me, Faith.”
As they continued toward her house, Faith found herself filled with a sense of contentment and anticipation. The future stretched out before them, full of possibilities.
The soft crunch of gravel beneath his boots slowed as they approached her doorstep. The familiar, white-painted porch, illuminated by the warm glow of the lantern Faith had left burning, seemed different tonight. More significant.
Joshua paused at the front door, his gaze meeting hers with such intensity her breath caught.
“Faith,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tonight has meant a great deal to me.”
“It’s meant a lot to me, too, Josh.”
Joshua took a step closer, his hands resting on her shoulders. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for so long,” he admitted, his gaze never leaving hers. “About us.”
Faith felt the world around them fade away.
The chirping of crickets, the distant laughter from the Starlight Saloon, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze disappeared into the background.
All she could focus on was Joshua, the man she’d known since childhood, now standing before her as something more.
“Josh, I—” she began, but words failed her. How could she express the tumult of emotions surging through her? The excitement, the fear, the overwhelming sense of rightness?
Joshua seemed to understand. Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, he raised his hand to cup her cheek. His touch was gentle, calloused fingers rough against her skin, yet infinitely tender.
“May I kiss you?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.
“Yes, please,” she breathed, barely audible.
Joshua leaned in, closing the distance between them. His lips met hers, soft and hesitant at first, then with growing confidence. Faith’s eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into the kiss, her hands coming to rest on his broad shoulders.
It was everything she’d imagined and more. Sweet, tender, and filled with promise. When he lifted his head, both slightly breathless, she found herself gazing into his eyes, seeing a reflection of her own joy and hope.
A smile tilted his lips. “I think this is the beginning of something wonderful.”
“I think you’re right. A new chapter for both of us.”
Standing there, hands intertwined, Faith felt a sense of peace settle over her.
Reaching for the doorknob, a sudden chill ran down her spine. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she froze, her hand hovering inches from the brass handle.
Joshua noticed her hesitation. “What’s wrong?”
She tried to dismiss the feeling. “I’m not sure. It’s probably nothing, but—”
Her words were cut short by the sound of shattering glass from inside her home. Her eyes widened in alarm, meeting Joshua’s now-alert gaze.
“Stay behind me,” he whispered as he gently nudged Faith aside.
Heart pounding, she whispered back, “We should get the sheriff.”
“You go. I don’t want whoever’s inside to get away.”
As he turned the handle, Faith hesitated. Who could be in her home? What did they want? The Mystic Gazette had been stirring up controversy lately with the formation of the Women’s Alliance. Could this be related?
The door creaked open, and Joshua stepped inside, then turned to Faith. “Get Brodie.”
The look on his face spurred her to action. Hurrying down the steps to the street, she ran toward the house behind the jail.
Joshua let out a relieved sigh as he took another step into the house. The interior was dark, save for a sliver of moonlight streaming through a window. As his eyes adjusted, he saw nothing amiss.
“Show yourself,” he called out.
A rustling sound came from the direction of Faith’s study. He moved toward it, his steps cautious.
A figure darted out from the shadows, knocking Joshua off balance. The intruder barreled past Joshua, shoving him roughly against the wall.
Recovering, he rushed out of the house, his longer strides eating up the distance between him and the fleeing figure. Bursting onto the moonlit street, Joshua caught a glimpse of the intruder’s face. His blood ran cold as recognition dawned.
Questions assailed him as he continued his chase. The figure disappeared around a corner, with Joshua close behind.
The sound of boots pounding the dirt echoed through the quiet side street as Joshua Beckett pursued the intruder. The familiar weight of his six-shooter nestled comfortably in his palm. He raised it, his gaze locked on the fleeing figure ahead.
“Hold it right there!” Joshua’s normally soft-spoken voice boomed with unexpected authority. “Stop now, or I’ll be forced to shoot!”
The intruder’s pace faltered for a moment, and Joshua seized the opportunity to close the distance between them. His finger rested lightly on the trigger, ready but restrained. Joshua had never relished violence, always preferring to be the peacemaker, but he knew when force was necessary.
As he drew nearer, Joshua’s mind whirled with questions. Who was this man? Why had he been in Faith’s house? The thought of her in danger stirred something fierce within him.
“I won’t ask again,” he called out. When the man continued running, he shouted a second time.
“Last chance,” Joshua warned, his voice carrying a hint of steel he knew would have surprised those who knew him as the quiet Beckett brother. “Stop now, or I’ll be forced to shoot.”
The weight of the moment pressed down on him. He’d always been the one to defuse tense situations, to find the peaceful solution. With the safety of Faith at stake, he found himself ready to embrace a different role.
The intruder stumbled, his body tensing as Joshua’s words registered. A moment of hesitation hung in the air, before the man moved toward his holster.
Joshua’s grip on his six-shooter tightened. “Throw the gun to the ground.”
With a grunt of frustration, the intruder pulled out his revolver and tossed it to the ground.
“Turn around,” Joshua commanded.
As the man pivoted, Joshua’s eyes flickered in recognition. It was the same fellow who’d been in the fight with Tom Hawkins hours earlier.
“What in tarnation were you doing in Faith’s house?”
The man’s eyes darted around, searching for an escape. “It’s none of your business.”
Joshua’s jaw clenched. “Oh, I’m making it my business.”
The tense standoff was interrupted by the sound of confident footsteps approaching. Sheriff Brodie Gaines strode onto the scene. He took in the situation with a practiced sweep.
“This the man Faith said was in her house?” Brodie asked.
Joshua kept his gun trained on the intruder but nodded respectfully to the sheriff. “He is. He’s also the man who was in the fight with Hawkins today.”
Brodie’s brows arched, the only indication of his surprise. He turned to the intruder, his tone brooking no argument. “Your name?”
The man shifted uneasily but didn’t answer.
Brodie stepped closer, his face inches from the man. “Your name, now.”
“Jim… Jim Rounder,” he muttered.
As Brodie opened his mouth to continue his questioning, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of Joshua’s vision. Faith walked toward them, her eyes intent on the scene before her.
“Is this the man who was in my house?” Faith asked, sensing the tension in the air.
Joshua felt a surge of protectiveness as Faith stopped beside him. He admired her courage, the way she didn’t shy away from tough situations. It was one of the many things he loved about her, though he’d never found the right words to tell her so.
“It is,” Joshua answered.
Brodie’s voice cut through the moment, sharp and focused. “Mr. Rounder, care to explain what business you had in Miss Goodell’s house?”
Rounder’s eyes darted between the three of them, clearly searching for a way out of his predicament.
Joshua stepped forward, his patience wearing thin. “Out with it, Rounder.”
The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the man’s response.