Stands a Calder Man Read Online Free PDF Page A

nice to her that finally claimed his interest. There was no coyness in her actions; they were purely natural. Perhaps that’s what prompted Webb to want to put her at ease with him.
    When they left the dining room after a long, leisurelymeal, Webb allowed his parents to lead the way to the hotel stairs while he followed with Ruth. Nate and the boys were waiting for him to join them at a saloon down the street. With dinner over, he had a perfect excuse to take his leave of Ruth and let her retire to her room for the evening as his parents were doing, but he didn’t use it. He curved her hand along the inside of his arm and let his gaze slide down to study her profile.
    â€œWould you like to step outside and get some fresh air?” Webb was surprised by the invitation he voiced.
    Her startled glance revealed a similar reaction, but her eyes were brighter. He felt the slight tremor in her hand where her fingers touched his arm.
    â€œYes, I’d like that,” Ruth accepted and kept her eyes directed straight ahead.
    â€œIt will be chilly outside. You’ll need a wrap,” Webb advised.
    â€œI have one in my room. It will only take me a minute to fetch it.” She sounded anxious, as if afraid he might change his mind and withdraw the invitation.
    â€œI’ll wait here for you.” Webb paused beside the newel post at the base of the staircase to the rooms as she picked up the front of her skirts and rushed up the steps, trying not to appear unduly hurried. For Webb, it was a novelty to be with someone who demanded so little from him. She seemed to have no expectations for him to live up to. That was rare indeed. If it wasn’t his father, then it was some local cowboy wanting to test his skill with a rope. Even whores expected more from him because he was a Calder, whether it was money or sexual prowess.
    As he glanced up the staircase, wondering how long it would take her, Ruth appeared at the top of the steps. A drab-looking coat of brown wool covered the pink gown, nearly destroying the feminine illusion he’d formed, but the anxiety he briefly glimpsed in her face was wiped away by relief when Ruth saw him waiting for her. She came quickly down the stairs to his side, a little breathless.
    â€œThat didn’t take long.” His glance strayed to theincongrous brown coat, an un flattering choice for an evening wrap.
    â€œThis is the only warm thing I brought with me.” She offered the explanation almost apologetically, aware it wasn’t appropriate.
    A smile broke the hard line of his mouth. “At this time of year, you’ll need the warmth of that coat. I was just thinking it was a shame that anything has to cover that pretty pink dress.” He attempted to make her feel less self-conscious about her appearance and tucked her hand along the inside of his arm to escort her outside.
    Night shadows crowded close to the edges of the gaslit streets, lurking near the corners of buildings and spilling onto portions of the sidewalks. It was relatively quiet, most of the muted noise coming from saloons down the street. There was a sharp bite to the cold air that turned their breath into vaporous clouds.
    â€œWill you be returning to the ranch tomorrow?” Ruth inquired.
    â€œI expect so,” Webb responded absently.
    â€œYou’ll probably be glad to get back after being on the roundup for so long,” she murmured.
    â€œThat’s for sure.” His glance ran over her, noticing the way she had burrowed her chin so deeply into the collar of her coat to keep out the cold, “Are you warm enough?”
    â€œI’m fine.” But her teeth chattered a little.
    Their strolling pace had carried them a block from the hotel. Webb suspected Ruth wouldn’t complain even if she were freezing.
    â€œI think we’d better turn back anyway. It’s colder out here than I realized.” He guided her into a wide turn without increasing their