“Jared,” she breathed, before his invading tongue prohibited speech. He kissed her frantically, like a man who had been doomed to die and then had been granted a reprieve. Thirstily he drank of her mouth. Finally they drew apart, regretfully.
“Why don’t you take off your hat and stay awhile?” she asked shakily. She reached up and pulled the hat from his head, clutching it quickly and tightly to her bosom before handing it back to him. “Would you like something drink?”
“N-no, thank you, Lauren. I’m not… not thirsty.”
“Would you like t
o hear me play something? Maybe you don’t think my talents warrant such a magnificent piano.”
“I heard you from outside. It was… You play very well.”
“Sit down and relax,” she invited gently as she returned to the piano.
He sat on the edge of the sofa, aware of his dusty clothes. He felt gauche and awkward. What the hell was the matter with him? She played several selections, and he stared in fascination at her hands as they flitted over the ivory keys. Her back was straight, her head tilted, tendrils of black curls had escaped the confines of her chignon during their kiss and were resting on her cheeks and neck.
For just a moment, Jared felt a hard lump forming in his throat. He was going to make a damn fool of himself if he didn’t get out of here. He stood abruptly and said, “It’s beautiful, Lauren. You play better than anyone I’ve ever heard. I’ve got to go upstairs now. Clean up and all.” He fled the room.
Lauren’s fingers were poised over the keys where they had halted when he took his hasty exit. Thoughtfully she began to play again. The music followed Jared upstairs and into his room.
* * *
One adage Lauren had heard often since she had come to Texas was that if there was anything predictable about Texas weather, it was that it was unpredictable. No one would have bet that a December day in Coronado would have dawned clear and crisp, perfect for the activities planned for that auspicious day. For Carson Wells’s sake, Lauren was glad this was so. He had worried, worked, and planned until she thought he would explode before the day of the groundbreaking ceremonies finally arrived.
The Locketts and Carson gathered in the dining room to share an enormous breakfast before they left for the site of the new depot. Jared looked dashing in black britches tucked into his high, black boots, black coat over a white shirt, and butter-colored leather vest. His black hat had been brushed and hung on the hall tree. Olivia murmured that she wished he had worn dress clothes. He ignored her.
Lauren wore a wool suit of deep burgundy with a cream lace blouse underneath. The skirt had a high waistband that came to a point in the center just under her breasts. Jared found it hard to keep from staring at the spot and wished she could leave off the jacket to the suit.
Carson was nervous and kept clattering his china and cutlery until Olivia berated him and said that he was driving her to distraction. He humbly apologized and settled down somewhat.
Lauren pinned on her veiled hat. There was a flurry of gathering up gloves, extra coats in case a Norther should blow in, blankets, flasks, and, at Rosa’s insistence, a basket of sandwiches. At last, they departed.
Jared handed Lauren and his mother up into the buggy while Carson climbed in with them. Jared mounted Charger, whose golden coat gleamed from the brisk brushing Pepe had given him that morning at Jared’s instructions.
“Why don’t you ride with us, Jared?”
“And let Charger miss all the fun today? No, thank you, Mother.”
Lauren looked at him and he met her gaze. She understood his purpose. He was showing everyone that despite the new business undertaking, Jared Lockett, like his father, was first and foremost a rancher.
Pepe guided their buggy through the traffic. There was already a large gathering of people at the groundbreaking site but they moved aside and deferentially made room for the prominent family who had made the dream of a railroad a reality.
Lauren was aware of curious stares. She felt self-conscious as Jared came around to her side of the buggy and lifted her down, taking her hand lightly as he led her to where Carson and Olivia had joined the other dignitaries. The mayor of Coronado was there, a county judge, the state representative from the district, several clergymen, and the Vandivers.
Jared held Lauren’s hand throughout the mayor’s speech, and released it only when it was his turn to spade a shovelful of dirt.
Lauren was proud to be standing next to him. He was playing his part well, she thought ruefully. If she was aware that the townsfolk watched every move of their favorite son and his new wife, she was certain that he was cognizant of it, too. He treated her with respectful politeness, but there was new warmth in the amber eyes that glanced at her with embarrassing frequency. She stifled a soft gasp when his elbow pressed against her breast as he held her hand under his arm. He looked down at her quickly, but he made no effort to remove his arm.
Moving en masse to the park, they filed onto the platform that had been erected in the center of it for the official proceedings. The state representative introduced Parker Vandiver, who stepped forward to deliver a flowery speech which extolled the advantages of a community committed to growth and expansion. Coronado, he proclaimed, was such a community.
“This railroad will pave the way for more commerce, more opportunity, more profits for all the citizens of this great city. We are proud to have a small part in bringing this about. We will watch with eager interest to see the progress you make. We want each one of you to realize the potential this offers you, your business, your family. We will be even more pleased when we can return to announce the completion of the track.” There was a smattering of applause and a chuckle or two.
“There is a man not with us today who I’m sure would have shared in this celebration. Mr. Ben Lockett made strides for years to bring this railroad to his community.”
Lauren risked a quick glance at Jared, whose face had turned as hard as stone. She prayed he could restrain himself.
“Ben Lockett would have been proud to have stood here today and seen the fruits of all his labors. We grieve his passing and are grateful to his widow and son, who endorse this venture wholeheartedly.”
There was a burst of applause and cheers from the crowd for Ben Lockett and his family.