Page 14 of May I Kiss the Bride

He knew he’d surprised her the day before, but she didn’t seem put-off by it. No, she was very agreeable and friendly. She’d hardly taken her eyes off of him, and he’d found that most gratifying.

Seeing her again had confirmed what he’d been feeling and what he could no longer deny.

He wanted to court Viola Delany. Well, he wanted to do more than court her, but courting would be the first step.

She had just started nursing school, and that needed to run its course.

Maybe she’d want to work in a bigger city versus a small town like Mayfair anyway.

But should that prevent him from visiting her every so often?

Taking her on walks? Going on rides? Sharing a meal or two?

He had hoped that this morning would be the start of their future … but if she didn’t even show up, maybe he’d been mistaken. About everything.

The closer it grew to 8:00, the more his hopes seeped out. Finally, he turned from the nursing establishment and began walking to the corral where he’d boarded his horse. The ride back to Mayfair would seem twice as long, that he was sure of.

“Rey!” someone called after him.

He thought he was imagining it at first, but when he heard his name a second time, he whirled around.

Viola was hurrying across the street, one hand on her hat, the other gripping a narrow book.

He stared as she closed the distance between them.

“You’re still here.”

Her gray eyes could have leveled him, but somehow he remained upright. “I’m still here.”

And then she smiled, making her eyes sparkle.

“Thanks for waiting. Sorry I’m so late. I live with a lot of nosy people.

” She looped her arm through his, about knocking him over with surprise, and tugged him along the boardwalk.

“The sooner we’re out of sight, the better. Donna is likely spying out the window.”

“Donna?”

“Miss Dickson.”

Ah. “She’s a spy?”

Viola laughed, but it was a nervous laugh. “She’s bored, is what I think. And nosy. But let’s not talk about Donna Dickson.”

“Let’s not,” he wholeheartedly agreed. He rather liked Viola’s initiative to take his arm, and he rather liked the feel of her body pressing close to his, even if they were walking faster than he would have liked.

“I brought a pamphlet under the pretense of finding a quiet place to study.” She held up said book. Nurturing the Sick and the Training of Nurses.

“Looks interesting.”

Viola nudged him. “Now, tell me why you really came to see me yesterday, Mr. Sheriff.”

They were near a garden that sat in front of a hotel. So Rey turned onto the garden path, which was a perfect place for some privacy and no prying eyes or ears of the likes of Donna Dickson.

“I wanted to see how you were faring,” Rey admitted as they strolled along a garden path lined with bushes and spots of blooming flowers.

The trees overhead offered enough shade that the flowers seemed to thrive.

“Your aunt told me of your strife with your parents and that the nursing school in San Francisco didn’t have any openings.

” He paused in his step and looked down at her. “Were your parents so very awful?”

Viola met his gaze, and in her eyes, he saw her distress. “My father was livid. My mother tried to give me money a few days ago, but I refused. I might be regretting that now.”

Rey took off his hat and reached into the slot of the lining where he kept money like any cowboy did. “Here, I have some money. Can bring you more, too.”

Viola took a step back. “I’m not taking your money, Rey. That’s not what I intended when I told you about my parents. I want to do this on my own. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, more than I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Are you sure?” Rey asked, even though he heard the conviction in her tone.

“I’m sure,” she said in a soft voice. “Thank you for your offer. You’re a good-hearted man.”

“It’s not a hard thing with a woman like you, Viola.” He kept his hat in his hands. It was time for some serious talk. “I’m proud of all that you’re doing. You’ll be an excellent nurse.”

He didn’t expect her eyes to well with tears. No, that wasn’t his plan at all. “What is it? Did I say something wrong? Did you change your mind about the money?”

“No.” Her voice came out shaky. “I don’t want your money. I just … It’s been a long few weeks. You and Aunt Beth have been my rock through everything. More than you can possibly know.”

Her words completely stole his breath. She considered him a rock in her life? His heart galloped miles ahead of his thoughts, and he took a few slow breaths, trying to get his pulse under control. “I’ll support you any way I can, Viola, I hope you know that.” His own voice had turned raspy.

He hoped her tears would abate, but he wasn’t sure of that fact because she suddenly closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms about his torso.

After he got over the initial shock, there was only one thing to do.

Hold the woman who needed his support right now.

Rey wrapped his arms about her and pulled her close.

She nestled her face against his neck, and he rested his chin atop her head.

She fit perfectly against him. He’d had a hint of that at the barn dance, but this … this was heavenly perfection.

“Thank you, Rey,” she whispered.

“Anytime, sweetheart.” He didn’t plan the endearment; it just slipped out. And it fit. Viola Delany was a sweetheart through and through.

She drew away from him—not out of his arms, but enough that she could look him in the eyes. Her tears had dried, but there were traces along her cheeks. He lifted a hand and wiped away the moisture.

She didn’t move, and her breaths came as rapid as his. Could she hear his heart thundering louder than a Wyoming storm?

“I have a confession, Viola Delany.” If he didn’t get it off his chest, it might well burst and keel him over here and now.

She was still in his arms, holding him close. “Then out with it, Mr. Sheriff.”

Normally, he’d laugh, but he was too nervous for that. He drew in a breath, one filled with the scent of her, which happened to be peaches, even if she hadn’t been baking a peach pie. The scent seemed to be her essence.

“I’d like to court you, ma’am.” Another breath. “If you’ll have me.”

Viola’s gray eyes stared into his own. He’d have given a right arm and possibly one of his legs to know what was going on in that brain of hers. “This is unexpected, Rey.”

“Is it? In a good way, or a bad way?”

She smiled then, and his heart soared with hope. “In a good way. I don’t know what you see in me, sir, but there’s no other man in the world I’d rather be courted by than you.”

Rey moved his hand to her face and ran his thumb along her jaw. “I see my future in you, dearest Viola.”

Her eyelashes fluttered as he moved his hand behind her neck. “It looks like we’re in agreement.” She ran her hands up his chest, then looped her arms behind his neck, pulling him down.

He obliged.

“I think we should shake on our agreement,” she whispered.

Their faces were only inches apart, and he could barely think beyond the words coming from her lips. “Shake hands? I have a much better idea.”

“What’s your idea?”

“This.”

Rey kissed her then, because how could he not? He was no greenhorn, and neither was Viola. He’d been married before, and she’d been engaged before. But none of that mattered now. The past slipped away, and only the present surrounded them.

Viola’s mouth was soft, warm, and welcoming. Her fingers moved into his hair as she tugged him even closer. He smiled against her mouth, grateful for the privacy of this garden because he planned to give her a thorough kissing. None of that quick or furtive stuff.

Viola seemed in no hurry either. She smiled as well, then kissed him some more. He lifted her against him and wished they could skip the months of courting and go straight to the married part. But she needed time. He knew that.

“Put me down, Rey,” she said with a laugh.

He chuckled and lowered her to the ground, then gathered her close, his mouth moving more slowly over hers this time. He settled his hands on her hips, the cotton of her dress warm and smooth beneath his fingers.

She sighed against his mouth, then drew back, her eyes a dreamy gray. “How long are you in Cheyenne?”

“I have to return this morning, but I can come back tonight or tomorrow. Whatever works for your schedule.”

Her smile appeared. “You’re going to wear your horse out.”

“I have more than one horse, and besides, exercise is good for them.”

Her fingers moved against his jaw, her thumb dragging against the stubble on his cheek. “Tomorrow morning, then. Same time, same place.” She rose up on her feet and kissed the edge of his mouth.

Before he let Viola Delany get too carried away, he had to clarify something. “Wait. Does the same time mean seven o’clock or eight o’clock?”

She puffed out a breath. “Seven is a little too early, but maybe some days I can get out that early.”

“Noted.” He moved his hands behind her lower back and drew her flush with him. “I’ll be here at seven o’clock tomorrow morning, and if I have to wait, I’ll wait.”

He loved the light in her eyes, the pink of her cheeks, and how her lips were swollen because of him. He didn’t know how much time he had with Viola this morning—or in future mornings—so he decided to make the most of it. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers again. He was in no hurry.