Page 11 of Mail-Order Tess (A Mail-Order Mystery #2)

Eleven

S everal days later on a crisp morning, Wade adjusted his hat and slowed his steps to match Tess’s as they made their way down the boardwalk toward the mercantile. He noted she was walking a little slower than usual. “Something on your mind?” he asked, giving her a sidelong glance.

She offered a small smile. “I was just thinking on how, well, walking helps me think. Maybe we could go a little farther today?”

“Farther?” he lifted an eyebrow. “We’re almost to the mercantile.”

She shrugged. “I know. But that list of symbols you gave me, I’ve been puzzling over long and hard,” she said, lowering her voice.

Wade glanced around. The boardwalk was quiet with no one in earshot. “We could walk to the end of the street, cross it, come back up, then back down again if you’d like.”

She nodded. “I’d like that very much. Thank you.”

They strolled past the mercantile, and Wade fought the urge to rest his hand at the small of her back. A habit he’d picked up over the past few days. He was doing it without thinking now and caught himself more than once. He kept his hands to himself and asked, “Have you discovered anything?”

Tess kept walking, her chin lifted, a curious look on her face. “I think I have. And I also think Henry was definitely on the right side of the law. Poor man.”

Wade nodded. Henry Bonner had stumbled onto something dangerous.

And even though it had been quiet for over a week now, that danger hadn’t passed.

It was still aimed squarely at Tess. Nothing had happened walking her to and from work.

Fletcher had even joined them a few times, talking up a storm as usual.

Still... “Are you sure nothing’s bothering you? ”

Tess shook her head. “No. Not really. I just have a lot on my mind.”

He cleared his throat. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out. “You aren’t the only one, sweetheart.”

They passed the bakery, and the scent of fresh bread drifted around them.

Wade inhaled deeply, trying to distract himself—but it didn’t work.

“Tess, there’s something I should tell you.

Been meaning to for a few days now. And, well, I hate to use the word ‘chicken,’ but I reckon there’s no better one. ”

She stopped and looked up at him, amused. “What are you talking about?”

He exhaled, slow and steady. “I wasn’t exactly born into the life I have now.

What I do for a living…it wasn’t always who I was.

” He glanced around again. Good, there still was no one nearby.

“I used to run with a rough crew,” he said quietly.

“Outlaws. I was one of them and real good with a gun. Too good, maybe. I did things I’m not proud of.

Then one day, a federal man caught me. He could have seen that I spent a long time in prison, maybe even get a hanging sentence.

Instead, he gave me a choice. Prison or redemption. ”

She took a small step back, eyes wide.

He felt that step like a punch to the gut. “Don’t be afraid of me, honey. Please don’t.”

She met his gaze. “Are you afraid that telling me this will change how I see you?”

“Of course, I am. But I had to tell you.”

A long pause stretched between them.

“You should know,” he said softly. “Since the day you stepped off that train and into my life, I haven’t been the same. Tess, you make me want to keep changing for the better.”

She looked away, clearly flustered, and nodded toward the street. “We should go. I’m going to be late if we don’t finish our walk.”

He nodded. This had been a lot. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything. But the stakes were too high to keep secrets; not from her. He had to protect her. Provide for her. He couldn’t say the rest yet, not out loud. But he was falling for her. Hard.

They crossed the street, walked up the boardwalk to the end, crossed again, then made their way back toward the mercantile. When they reached the door, Tess turned to him. “Is there anything else you’d like to tell me, Wade?”

He met her gaze, fighting the urge to kiss her right there.

“Not right now,” he said. “I think that’s enough.

Unless you want details. I’ll share them.

But if not, that’s alright too. Just know that I never killed anyone while I was outlawing.

But I did steal. And I hurt people. I was sorry for it.

After that federal man pulled me out of the life I’d stepped into, I never went back. ”

She was quiet for a long moment. Then finally, she spoke. “I’m glad you told me. That was brave. And honest. And it lets me know who you are now .” She looked away again. “Do you like working for the government?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. It’s good, honest work. Brings me satisfaction. I know I’m righting wrongs I helped cause.”

“And when you feel those wrongs are righted?” she asked, looking back at him. “Will you quit? Start a farm or something? Or keep going as you are?”

“I’ll probably keep working for the president, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“It is.” She said then hesitated. “Is it…always dangerous work?”

He smiled. “A lot of times it’s tracking folks down. Finding things. It’s not always like this.” Without thinking, he reached up and gently cupped her cheek. “I’ll keep you safe, Tess. I promise. Now go on inside before Martha has a heart attack watching us.”

Tess giggled. “She probably already is.” She glanced at the mercantile door, then grinned. “Maybe we should stay out here a moment longer and really make her wonder what’s happening.”

“ Is something happening?” he asked, hopeful.

“I… well, I…” Before she could answer, he bent and kissed her on the cheek.

“There,” he said with a mischievous glance at the door. “That should give Martha something to talk about today.” He opened the door for her with a smile.

Tess lingered a moment, eyes wide, before stepping inside. As the door closed behind her, Wade started down the boardwalk again. He shouldn’t have kissed her like that, but he couldn’t have stopped himself if he tried.

He wanted to kiss her on the mouth something awful. But he didn’t dare. Not yet. Not until she was ready.

Thank goodness the day passed in a blur of stocking shelves and helping customers. Unfortunately, Tess’s thoughts were still nowhere near cans of bean or bolts of calico. They were back on the boardwalk, with Wade.

Their morning walk had been much more than she’d planned on, and she still had to press a hand over her heart to quiet it.Goodness!A former outlaw. A gunman. A man who’d worked for the government and still did!

And yet, despite the past he shared with her, he’d looked at her with the quiet eyes of someone who didn’t expect forgiveness, only hoped for understanding.

Could she be that kind of woman? Yes, she could. But she had questions. So many questions.

The biggest one?Was he telling the truth?He said he hadn’t killed anyone while he was an outlaw—but maybe what he really meant was no one that he knew of. Had he shot anyone? Wounded them?Good heavens , who had he stolen from? Banks? Trains? People?

The more she thought about it, the more riled up she got, and had to stop for a time. Not only that, but she’d started mixing up customers’ supply lists, which wasn’t helping matters. Martha had already noticed she’d done it twice, and Tess counted four times!

By the time Tess was ready to leave for the day, she was more than a little rattled.

She waited patiently by the door for Wade.

He’d instructed her never to step outside without him.

Thankfully, he showed up within moments, walked into the mercantile, and gave her a bright smile. “Ready to go home?”

She nodded and glanced toward the counter where Martha was working alongside Mr. Tindle. “I’m leaving now, Martha,” she called.

Martha looked up, took one glance at the two of them, winked, and gave a little wave. “Enjoy your walk home,” she sang.

Wade rolled his eyes and, with a chuckle, placed a hand at the small of Tess’s back. He guided her out the door and onto the boardwalk, looking as calm as ever and offered his arm. “Did you have a good day?” he asked.

“Oh, yes. It was busy, but everything went well.” She swallowed hard, wondering if she should say anything. She looked up at him, trying to decide.

Wade made a face. “You look like you’re trying to read my mind or something. That tells me something’s on yours. What is it?”

Her cheeks heated. “Well...of course I’ve been thinking about what we talked about this morning.”

“Naturally,” he agreed.

“And I have questions. About some of the things you told me.”

He shoved his hat back from his forehead. “Figured you would.” He started walking, gently pulling her along beside him. “Go ahead. Ask whatever you want.”

She opened her mouth, then hesitated.

“Come on, Tess, it’s alright. Ask me anything.”

“Well...how did you...” She trailed off, the words sticking.

Wade looked down at her just as she glanced away. “Tess, honey, don’t do this.” He reached out and gently tucked a finger under her chin, bringing her face back to his.

Her breath caught at the look in his eyes.

“Sweetheart,” he said softly, “I’ll answer any question you have for me. But first...” He searched her gaze. “Tell me you’ll look past what I was...and see me for the man I am now.”

And then—he kissed her.

Tess thought she might faint, then realized this wasn’t a rushed or desperate kiss. It was steady. Sure. And said without words: I’m not perfect, but I’m yours...if you’ll have me.

Without thinking, she melted into him. And for the first time in a long, long while, she let herself hope.