Witemeyer - Worth the wait: Ladies of Harpers Station Series, Book 1.5

O CTOBER 1894H ARPER S S TATION
B AYLOR C OUNTY , T EXAS

Are you sure its safe? Victoria Adams stared down at her exposed right leg as her friend Grace Mallory fit the Remington Model 95 over-under double-barreled derringer into the small holster affixed to her garter. Id hate to hit a rut in the road and shoot off my foot.

Grace peered up at her with a reassuring smile. You could carry it in your handbag, if you prefer, but after all that trouble we had with Angus Johnson a few months back, I decided Id rather have mine secured in a place more readily accessible.

Grace adjusted the stocking gun a final time, then reached for the bunched-up skirts Tori held against her thigh and arranged them smoothly over her handiwork, erasing all evidence that a weapon lurked beneath the layers of cotton and muslin. A handbag can be out of reach in a critical moment or torn away from your grip before you can avail yourself of whats inside. Grace straightened to her full height, which put her light brown topknot below Toris chin. Better to have it close at hand at all times, and in a place no one knows about. She lifted her own skirts to reveal an identical pocket pistol strapped above her knee. Ive been carrying mine like this since July, and I havent shot my foot off yet. Graces eyes sparkled with teasing humor, and Tori couldnt help but relax.

You probably think Im foolish, taking such precautions with a man whos been nothing but kind to all of us. Tori dropped her gaze as her insides clenched. She knew she was overreacting, but she just couldnt help herself. She hadnt been alone in a mans company for over five yearsnot since... No, she wouldnt think about it.

Tori fisted her hands at her sides, willing her mind to slam the door closed on those memories. The past would not control her. She had a future to create, a son who depended on her provision. The livelihoods of the women of Harpers Station depended on her ability to sell their goods.

Benjamin Porter was a good man. An honorable man. Hed been delivering goods to her store for over a year, since Emma Chandler first established the womens colony at Harpers Station. For months, Mr. Porter had been the only male allowed into their sanctuary, and never once had he betrayed that trust.

The freighter charged fair prices, and when her regular market in the neighboring town of Seymour dried up, he went the extra mile to find new places for her to sell the eggs, canned goods, and quilts the ladies of Harpers Station manufactured. And when Angus Johnson attacked their community, Mr. Porter stood beside them. Fought for them.

Warmth spread across Toris face as she remembered the freighter standing guard day after day in front of her store. He hadnt been protecting the community at large. Hed been protecting her . Hed made no effort to hide his growing interest in her, and that, perhaps more than anything, was what had driven her to seek Graces counsel regarding concealed weapons.

The gentle touch of Graces hand upon Toris arm cleared away the conflicting thoughts fogging Toris brain. The young telegraph operator met her gaze with an intensity that spoke of secrets the normally shy woman took great pains to hide.

Taking precautions is never foolish. Better to have a way to defend yourself and not need it than to need it and not have it. The quiet statement rang with the truth of experience, making Tori question, not for the first time, what had led Grace Mallory to Harpers Station.

Youre right, of course. And she was. If Ben Porter remained a gentleman during todays excursion, thered be no reason for anyone to know about the miniature gun hidden beneath her petticoats. She prayed that would be the case, that Mr. Porters character proved to be as impeccable as it appeared and wasnt just a sham to convince her to drop her guard.

Surely no man would invest a year of his life charming a woman whod made it clear on several occasions that shed not welcome courtship of any kind. No dalliance was worth that kind of effort. She wasnt worth that kind of effort.

Forcing that pathetic, self-pitying thought back into the dark region of her heart where it belonged, Tori placed her hand atop Graces, where it rested on her arm, and squeezed. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise. I never would have found the courage to embark on this particular business venture without your help.

Graces lips curved up at one corner. Emmas always saying that we ladies can do anything we put our minds to, as long as we stick together. I guess after nine months of living here, Im finally becoming a believer.

Tori smiled and allowed a soft chuckle to escape. Its about time.

Grace joined in the laughter only to immediately attempt to stifle the sound when the curtain separating the back storage room from the area behind the general stores counter floated sideways.

There you are! Emma ChandlerEmma Shaw, now, since she and Malachi married two weeks agoswept into the back room, her eyes alight with teasing. I told Lewis you hadnt locked yourself in your room, but he didnt believe me. Begged me to fetch you before you changed your mind.

That boy. Tori shook her head even as her heart warmed. Her son might be only four, but he knew his mama well. Too well sometimes. He picked up on her moods faster than a flapjack soaked up syrup. It was one of the reasons she tried so hard to keep her emotions under firm control. She wanted his childhood to be happy and free, not fraught with suspicion and mistrust inherited from his mother. Hes been talking about this trip nonstop since I agreed to it last week. Youd think we were embarking on an expedition to discover unknown lands instead of making rounds to drum up new customers. I couldnt back out now if I wanted to.

Emma came forward and clasped Toris hand. Do you want to back out?

Tori kept her face serene as she shook her head. Of course not. I made a promise, and I never go back on my word. You know that.

Of course Emma knew that. The two of them had been friends, confidants, and business associates for the past three years. Which was why Emma also knew how much Tori dreaded being alone in a mans company. Especially a large man. One built like the pair of giant Shires he had pulling his freight wagon. One who could overpower her with a flick of his wrist.