The Visions of Ransom Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

and closed his eyes for a moment before the intensity of their tempestuousness glared at her once more.
    “ Oh, dear,” Vaden heard Myra moan.
    Vaden knew Ransom Lake must be in awe of her clumsiness, as well as furious for the damage done him by it. But without a word, he simply bent, picked up the boots that had spilled from their box upon hitting the floor, and pulled them onto his stockinged feet.
    “ They’ll do,” he muttered, looking to Myra.
    “ Are ya sure, Ransom? I mean, I don’t want ya to feel obligated—” Myra explained.
    “ They’re fine. How much?”
    “ Well, after what just happened…I don’t feel I can accept—”
    “ How much?”
    Vaden dropped her humiliated gaze to the floor as Ransom glanced at her again. Every inch of the surface of her body was crimson. The blush was so thorough it was almost painful.
    Myra relented and accepted his payment for the boots. Then he picked up the overly well-worn boots he’d worn into the mercantile and tossed them in the trash barrel near the front door as he started to leave.
    “ Mr. Lake,” Vaden called out. He looked to her again. “I’m truly sorry. It was so terribly clumsy of me and—”
    “ Yes, Ransom. Accept my apologies as well,” Myra interrupted.
    The unnerving gaze of the man lingered for a moment on Vaden. He looked from her feet to her head quickly, and Vaden fancied she could almost discern something like a grin beneath his heavy mustache and beard.
    “ None needed, Myra.” With a nod in Yvonne’s direction and a finger at the brim of his hat, he left the store.
    “ Good gravy on the taters, girl!” Myra exclaimed in a lowered voice a moment later. “What on earth possessed ya to—”
    “ Vaden…when will you learn to think before you act so unconventionally?” Yvonne interrupted.
    “ I was only trying to help,” Vaden defended herself. “I’m sorry you both had to endure the humiliation of yet another of my thoughtless antics.” Vaden brushed an embarrassed tear from her cheek as another followed. “I’m not you, Yvonne! I don’t have your grace and beauty. And sometimes conventional propriety seems so ridiculous to me that I—”
    “ Now, girls,” Myra soothed, “what’s done is done. And besides…that’s the first hint of a grin I’ve ever seen on that man’s face.”
    Yvonne smiled at her sister and put a reassuring arm about her shoulders. “It was terribly funny, Vaden. And I’m sure Mr. Lake will think of it and smile to himself every time he sees you.”
    Vaden closed her eyes and sighed, further humiliated at the truth of Yvonne’s assurance. “Thank you for that, Yvonne. I feel much better,” she mumbled sarcastically.
    “ It’s hard for Vaden to be cooped up, Aunt Myra.” Yvonne smiled lovingly at her sister. She admired Vaden’s spirit and love of life. “Why don’t you take a little walk, Vaden? It always helps you to feel better.”
    “ Yes, sweet pea. You go on ahead. It’s almost lunch, and then Yvonne can take a little time for herself when you’re back.” Vaden sniffled, knowing full well she was simply irritating everyone and they were the ones in need of respite.
    Without a word, she walked toward the front door. She paused, however. Looking back to see Myra and Yvonne already occupied with something else and not looking in her direction, she reached into the barrel near the front door and retrieved the boots Ransom Lake had discarded there. Her daddy had always said you could tell a lot from a man by studying his boots. Quickly she turned and dashed down the hallway at the front of the store to her room. Bolting the door, she set the boots on the floor, sitting herself down in front of them.
    The leather had been good, strong leather at one time, she observed. Still was, in truth. She noticed the straps at the top of the boots used to help the wearer pull them on were nearly torn away from so many days of being tugged at. She took one boot and turned it over, studying