She had to laugh at that. “It’s sweet how you encourage me. My cooking is a dream, but it’s a pipe dream, Billy. I’ll never get help from Laura. Not any help I want, at any rate. I don’t even get why she’s here or for how long. ”
His gaze bored into her. “Something’s been nagging me. ”
“Uh-oh. ” She looked away. How had her intended seduction turned into this?
He took her chin and tilted her face up to his. “I need you around me more, Sorrow. ”
“I…you do?” She’d been ready to go on the defensive, and his bold statement had thrown her. Stolen her breath.
“I do. Why do you think I’ve been hanging around that lodge? It was for glimpses of you. ”
Her heart soared till she thought her smile might split her face in two. “Really?”
“Really. But you’re so busy, and there was Damon. ”
She giggled. “Damien. ”
“Whatever his name is. ” He shrugged playfully, barely concealing his smile. “All I’m saying is, I want to take you on a real date. You deserve the best. But you’re always running circles around that damned lodge. I hate the thought of you dealing with everything. Repairs, budget, food, staff, and the cleaning? It’s too much. We’re hiring you a cleaning service. ”
“A cleaning service?” It was the last thing she’d expected to hear. She shook her head doubtfully. “In Sierra Falls?”
“I’ll find one for you. You won’t even have to think about it. ”
The prospect tickled her. But she was a realist. “Not possible,” she said. “My dad would have a conniption. ”
“Your dad can deal with it. ” The steel in Billy’s tone gave her pause. “I’m serious,” he added. “If Bear gives you any trouble, tell him I’ll cite him for child endangerment. Forget that, I’ll tell him myself. ”
“I get it, I get it. ” She laughed. “I get your point. ”
“It’s time to demand more help from your family. What do you have to lose?”
“You’re right. ” She’d been accepting Damien’s sporadic favors for months, so why was she afraid to ask for help from the people she cared for most? She was thoughtful as she assembled their dinner on plates. “All right then. What the hell?”
Her next thought, one that remained unspoken, was why hadn’t Damien ever helped her get to that conclusion? How was it this new sheriff had come into her life, managing to turn it—and her—upside down in such a short time?
She raised a brow, feeling saucy. “If you help me, I’ll of course need to figure out a way to express my gratitude. ” For the first time, she felt in control, felt how powerful she was in her femininity. She decided she’d make Billy wait, until he was crazy with wanting. She wouldn’t spend the night. Not tonight. But she knew it’d be soon. Her skin pulled tight at the thought, the blood pounding hot, just beneath the surface. “I’ll try to make your efforts worth your while. ”
She looked up, expecting to see humor on his face, but Billy’s eyes were dark, pinned on her. She sucked in a breath, his intensity staggering. He was kind and thoughtful. But he was also a man’s man, desiring and demanding, and that was what she read in his gaze now.
Her pulse kicked as some essential part of her wakened to life. Billy Preston was a lawman, but he kissed like an outlaw. She was desperate to discover just how he went about other things, too.
Twenty-seven
Marlene assembled her guests in the sitting room. Facing west, it was the brightest and warmest spot in the house and had a comfortable seating area with antique occasional tables that made serving tea and finger sandwiches convenient.
It was also her mother’s favorite spot. And though the women had gathered to discuss historical society business, it was what to do about Ma that weighed most heavily on Marlene’s mind.
Emerald was having an off day, staring silently, and it worried Marlene. Usually, her mother looked more present, like she was in there somewhere, wearing an expression that was bland but pleasant. But not today. Today Ma just sat, blankly.
Marlene had made her mother’s favorite French toast, played her old music, and shepherded her into the TV room to watch one of her programs, but none of it had worked. Nothing engaged her.
Sorrow came to stand beside her, and Marlene remembered herself. She had guests who needed her attention. “Make yourselves at home,” she said.
“Thanks for having us. ” Sorrow took off her hat and fluffed her hair, and it crackled with static.
“I thought a change of scenery would do us all good,” Marlene said. Truth was, they had business to tend to, and she’d wanted to meet on neutral ground. Though with the tension that flared between the two Bailey girls, sometimes it seemed that not even Switzerland would be neutral enough.
Her eyes returned to her mother, sitting like a statue in the corner. Bailey family tension aside, she was happy not having to shoehorn three elderly ladies into that blasted pickup.