Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(13)

They packed the jars of food and several quilts into the back of the wagon and set off for Creede. KC rode Merlin. It seemed that every family in Creede had turned out for the party as buggies and wagons lined the empty field south of the church. Two girls ran up to the wagon before it stopped.

“May Kailin come with us?” the tallest girl asked Eliza.

“Sure. Stay together.”

Kailin jumped from the wagon, and they all ran off. Rayna began to cry.

“You can stay with us, little one.” KC picked up the girl and swung her onto his back. She clung on like a circus monkey as he helped Eliza carry their basket and blankets. They were still a few yards before the clearing where they would be setting up when Eliza stopped, and he had to spin the basket to the side to keep from ramming it into her. As far as he could tell, there was no one in her way, but then he saw her staring toward a couple. They stopped walking, and the man smirked in her direction.

“Lance,” Eliza whispered, making the word sound distasteful.

From the beginning, KC had known she’d broken an engagement. Was that the man? The girl hanging on his arm was wearing a gown more suited to a ballroom than this country field. Eliza turned around and looked as if she was going to run.

“Let’s put our things down. Where would you like to sit?” he asked. The man’s attention seemed to be on them.

Her round eyes relaxed a bit, and she nodded her head the other way.

“All right, sweetheart. Anything you want.” He raised his voice enough that the man gave him a puzzled look in response. He was sure Eliza wore the same one.

Eliza took tiny steps and seemed stiff. He wondered what caused that response. Would she tell him if he asked? He’d think on that.

As soon as they set things down, Ellis arrived with the woman from the church meeting on his arm. “There’s a shooting contest. You gonna join?” he asked KC.

“Yes,” Eliza answered at the same time as KC did.

“My pa says I’m a hooligan, and there’s a twenty-dollar prize. I’m joining,” Eliza said.

“Me too,” KC answered.

“The foot races are first,” the woman with Ellis added.

“Dorothy Moore, this is KC Murray.” Eliza gestured to him. “He’s working on the farm until our parents return.”

Knowing that his time with Eliza had an ending date caused sadness. He wanted to spend more time with Eliza, and he wanted solve this case soon. They were completely opposed. Several times in the past few days, he’d considered taking her into his arms. Each day brought a stronger desire to do just that. He knew he couldn’t. He would savor today. “Pleased to meet you.” KC nodded toward Miss Moore.

“Will you join the footraces?” she asked the group.

Lance walked by and began laughing. “Maybe they’ll have a race for the lame.” The girl on his arm forced a laugh too.

Eliza’s jaw clenched. She had a competitive spirit. She probably used to enjoy racing before whatever happened to her.

“No, thank you. I have delightful company to keep,” KC answered Dorothy, then smiled at Eliza. He stepped to the side and stood in front of Lance when he tried to join the group. The man shifted to the side and so did KC, determined not to make the man feel welcome.

“Come along, Penny. Let’s go find hospitable company.” Lance stormed off.

Before long, Kailin and her friends came by the Turleys’ quilt. Kailin was flipping a silver half-dollar into the air. “First place in the girls’ foot race. Mr. Anders himself gave me the prize money.”

KC noted that Eliza stiffened at that.

Kailin locked elbows with her friend. “We’re going to do the egg toss next. Come with us, Eliza.”

“I’ll need a partner.” She glanced at KC.

“I accept.” He asked the third girl, “Could you mind Rayna for me?” She nodded.

When they lined up facing their partners, KC and Eliza were beside Ellis and Dorothy, but Lance and Penny squeezed in with Lance between Eliza and Dorothy.

Penny’s hands wrapped around KC’s arm as she pretended to stumble. “Oh, thank you for catching me. I thought I was going to fall.” Her hands stayed there, and KC wasn’t sure how to get out of her clutches.

“I’m Penny Crowther. My parents own the dry goods store. I haven’t met you before. Are you new to Creede?” she asked.

At first, KC thought something was in the girl’s eye and then realized she was either winking or batting her eyes at him. The men handing out the eggs stepped up to them, and KC was grateful to turn his attention elsewhere. The young woman removed her gloves, holding them in one hand. She also took an egg. Good. Her hands were full.

The contest started with alternating tosses and then alternating steps taken away from their partners, increasing the gap. During each successive round, partners were disqualified as their eggs broke. KC tossed. Eliza caught the egg, letting her hands fall back with the momentum of the thrown egg.

The couples took another step away from each other. KC noticed that whenever they were taking steps backward, Lance said something to Eliza that soured her expression.

Soon after Eliza and Lance both threw their eggs, Lance made a remark, and Eliza slapped him. That was enough for KC. His concentration narrowed to a pinpoint on Lance’s face. He hurled the egg at him, hitting him on the cheek. A yellow glob dripped off his chin onto his shirt. Before Lance could take a step, a second egg hit him in the chest.