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“Absolutely,” he said. “But minus the nagging this time.”
“Oh!” She slapped at his chest and got off his lap.
He grinned at her, sorry she was no longer cuddling on his lap, but grudgingly willing to make the sacrifice in order to focus on the more pressing matters at hand.
Like taking a nice midmorning nap before the rest of the town council burst in wanting to discuss things to death.
He pulled his hat down over his eyes. And that was as far into his nap as he got.
Martha bustled in not half a minute later with a smile and personality that was far too bright and bubbly for so early in the morning. Not that it was that early, but it was for him. But she came bearing pastries, so he’d forgive her.
“Mercy,” she said as she deposited a couple plates of goodies in front of Gray along with a steaming pot of coffee. “Mrs. DuVere and I were just about to have some tea if you’d like to come join us.”
Mercy glanced at Gray, her brow furrowed slightly. She obviously didn’t want to leave him, but whether it was because she wanted his protection or wanted to keep an eye on him in her own misguided attempt at protecting him, he wasn’t sure. He did know, however, that if she was underfoot watching every move he made for the rest of the day, he was going to lose his patience.
“Go along with Martha,” he said, giving her a half smile to take the sting from the dismissal. “I’ll just be sitting here nappin’. They’ll be much better company.”
Martha linked her arm through Mercy’s. “Come on. Mrs. DuVere’s got those tiny cakes that you love so much. And I saw Doc earlier. He was going to stop by this morning to see Gray, so that’ll give the menfolk some time to do their talking without us in the way.”
“Well, if they’re going to be talking about the current situation, I should be here—”
Gray came toward her and grasped her chin in his fingers. “I promise, we won’t say anything of consequence until you are here.”
She stared up at him, those blue eyes of hers crushing him under their weight. Finally, she sighed. “I’m holding you to that promise, Gray Woodson.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her lips pinched together but more in an effort not to smile, he thought, than in real disapproval. She let Martha tow her out the door, and he sank back into his chair with a sigh, savoring the instant quiet.
And damn it all to hell and back, he hoped the day stayed this way.
Chapter Twenty-two
Martha had Mercy ushered across the street and upstairs into Mrs. DuVere’s parlor with a hot cup of tea and a plate of cookies almost before she’d agreed to go.
“So, what happened last night?” Martha asked while Mercy was still catching her breath from being rushed over.
Mercy’s cheeks instantly warmed. She knew Martha wasn’t referring to what had happened when Gray got home. Or where it happened. Or how many times it happened. But that had been right where her mind had gone. Where her mind had been since the moment she’d woken up, if she were honest. And if Mrs. DuVere’s smile meant anything, she knew exactly what Mercy was thinking about, too.
“What happened when the sheriff went out to Josiah’s?” Mrs. DuVere added helpfully.
“Ah,” Mercy said, setting her cup down. “Not much, I don’t think.”
Both women looked disappointed, and Mercy filled them in as much as she could, telling them everything that Gray had told her.
Mrs. DuVere sat back, frowning slightly. “That’s about all Samuel said as well. I’d hoped maybe Gray had spilled a few more details.”
Mercy chewed her lip. “Gray said he threatened him, warned him to put a stop to it. Do you think…?”
Mrs. DuVere shook her head slowly. “No. And neither do you if the look on your face is any indication.”
Mercy gave her a faint smile. No one pulled anything over on Jade DuVere.
“Then more men will come?” Martha asked.
“Most likely,” Mrs. DuVere said. “So, we’ll need to keep vigil—”
A loud crash and shouts from downstairs had them all on their feet and running for the indoor stairs that led to the tavern below.
