American Frontier - Chapter 4

Parker felt a blush rising on his neck. He hadn't blushed in years, but now he felt quite like a young boy caught filching from the cookie jar. He looked at Missy, who still held his arm, then turned his gaze back to Thomas.

Thomas' expression of humor was quickly changing to one of anger. "What did you do to her?" he demanded, gesturing to Missy.

"He didn't do anything to me," Missy said, letting go of Parker's arm and moving to stand between the two men. "We just ran into each other and started talking."

Parker watched Thomas's eyes as they took in Missy's disheveled appearance. Certainly it might have been due to the fight, but Parker knew that Thomas wasn't fooled. He knew her wayward curls and wrinkled dress were signs of more than her trying to stop a fight. And he was smart enough to realize that if they had really been talking, Parker would have already learned Missy's name.

Thomas snorted. "Right. Talking." He fixed his eyes on Parker again. "You really should be more careful. Her reputation could easily be damaged by such careless. . . words."

Parker felt a stab of shame as Thomas quoted his own words back at him. He was right. Parker knew better than to kiss an innocent young lady alone in the woods. But it wasn't as though he had done it with despicable intentions.

"I apologize," he said to Thomas. He looked at Missy to do the same and found her looking at him with sad eyes.

"Don't apologize to me unless you really regret what happened," she said softly.

Parker felt a reluctant smile form on his face. "Then I guess I cannot apologize." Returning his eyes to Thomas, he said, "My intentions are not dishonorable. I fully plan on courting her, and had planned so even before we were found out."

Thomas nodded with a satisfied smile. "I hoped as much."

Parker's confusion must have shown on his face, because Thomas continued. "You are a good man, Eddington. I know I can trust you to take care of Missy. But really, you should probably avoid 'talking' in such private locations until you are at least engaged." He softened his words with a wink, but Missy was blushing a very bright, surprisingly attractive shade of pink.

Parker stepped to Missy's side and placed a protective arm around her waist. "Drop it. What's done is done."

Thomas nodded, looking a little sheepish. "Right. So, Missy, I guess our chats are ruined now. I can't imagine your beau wanting us to meet in private anymore."

Missy sent Parker a pleading look that he couldn't deny. He sighed. "Of course you two can still meet to talk. Obviously I have no room to complain. But McFarland." He waited for Thomas to meet his eyes. "If you do anything to hurt her, you will regret it. That's a promise."

Thomas smiled. "Of course. Then if you two are finished with your little 'conversation', may I request a few minutes to talk with Missy alone?"

Parker had never imagined it could be so hard to walk away from someone. Leaving Missy and Thomas alone in the clearing was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. Somehow he managed it, after pulling Missy against him for a crushing hug and promising to come see her soon.

He almost left right then, before remembering that he didn't know where to find her. "Where do you live?" he asked, turning back right at the edge of the clearing.

"Oh! I live in the house next to the smithy," she answered.

"The blacksmith's house?" Parker's brows furrowed.

"Yes. He's my father," she explained, looking embarrassed.

Parker frowned. "Okay then. I will come see you tomorrow when I get off work. You'll be there?"

"Yes. I work at the bakery in the mornings, but I'm home by mid-afternoon every day."

"Then I will see you soon." He couldn't help walking quickly back to her side, grabbing her small, soft hand, and pressing a kiss to the back of it. She let out a little gasp of surprise and her fingers tightened around his for a moment.

"Until tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," she answered softly.

Parker walked back to the boarding house wrapped up in his own thoughts. He barely noticed Isabella's cheerful greeting and his answer was not even half-hearted.

"You seem to have something on your mind," she said, falling into step beside him.

"I certainly do," he answered.

"Would you like to talk about it?" She smiled and tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear.

Parker considered for a moment. Perhaps she could help him. He wasn't sure what women liked. Growing up with only his brother and rarely seeing his mother due to her many social obligations meant he had very little experience with women.

"I'm going courting tomorrow. I'm not really sure what to do. What do women look for in a beau?"

"Who's the lucky young lady?" Isabella asked.

"Her name is Missy."

"Missy Taylor?"

"Yes, that's her."

"Well, she doesn't get out much. I'm sure she would enjoy anything you invited her to do. A walk, a trip to the bakery, dinner at the hotel. Those are all fairly standard activities for most of the couples in town."

"Thank you." Parker smiled. Those were excellent places to start. He didn't know much about Missy, so he would begin with a walk to allow them to talk and get to know one another more privately. They could move to more public activities as they became more comfortable with each other.

He was caught up in thoughts of Missy again so they walked in silence. When they reached her home, he bid her a distracted farewell and hurried on.

He had completely forgotten how hungry he was until he walked in and smelled the delicious meal Mrs. Gardiner had prepared. He dug into ham, potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread with gusto before retiring to his room to make plans. Already he missed Missy's sweet presence and he'd only been in her company for a quarter hour or so.

Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.