6 American Frontier - Chapter 3

Missy was surprised when Parker tightened his arms around her instead of letting her go. She was even more surprised when he growled and let go. Instead of leaving, he pushed her behind him and faced the edge of the clearing that Thomas was approaching.

"Parker," she said softly, grabbing his arm. He turned to look at her with a fierce look.

"What?" he asked harshly. When she flinched, he softened his tone. "I'm not about to leave you alone with another man." His voice changed to a growl on the words 'another man' and Missy blinked. Was Parker. . . jealous? Of Thomas?

The idea of anyone being jealous over her, but especially being jealous of her and Thomas, was so ludicrous that she burst out in laughter. Parker spun so fast that her hand fell from his arm. He glared at her and she tried to stop laughing.

Just as she was regaining control, Thomas stepped into the clearing and froze, a look of confusion and surprise lighting his green eyes. He brushed back his long, dark hair and frowned.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Partly hysterical at this point, probably, Missy began laughing again. The whole scene was like a bad comedy.

Parker growled again and turned to face Thomas, glancing at him briefly before fixing his eyes again on Missy.

"Thomas McFarland?" he asked in a bitter voice.

"Yes, that's me," Thomas answered. His smile fell as he noted the anger radiating from Parker's tense form. "What are you even doing here, Eddington?"

"I want to ask you the same question." Parker turned his glare on Thomas, who just frowned again.

"I'm here to see her, of course. This is where we always meet."

"Where you always meet?" Parker ground out.

Missy was slowly realizing that he really, truly thought she and Thomas were having a clandestine, romantic rendezvous in the woods. Before she could do something to intervene, Thomas spoke again.

"Certainly. We couldn't let her father know we've been meeting, of course. And the infernal busybodies in town would surely tell him if we met in public. This seemed like the best answer. Very nice and private, you know."

At this point, Missy was beginning to think that Thomas was either intentionally baiting Parker (though to what end she could not imagine) or he was remarkably dense, a quality she had never noticed in him.

If he was baiting Parker, his plan worked too well. Instead of a verbal answer, Parker strode forward and caught Thomas in the gut with a fist.

Missy shrieked and ran forward, grabbing Parker's arm before he could land another blow. Thomas fell to the ground, wheezing, but he didn't seem to be grievously injured. Missy hung onto Parker's arm, even when he tried to shake her off.

"You have it all wrong," she cried. "We're not romantically involved!"

This time Parker froze. He looked down at Thomas for a minute, then turned to Missy.

"You're not?" he asked. She could hear the relief in his voice and feel his tension draining away.

"No. We're just friends."

His dark blond brows furrowed. "Then why would you have to meet somewhere private and secluded?"

Missy sighed. "My father is very overprotective and is not a fan of Thomas. Besides, we don't want anyone spreading rumors that we are in love. We are really just good friends. More like brother and sister than anything."

Thomas stood, rubbing his stomach. "Yes. I assure you, I've never thought of Missy in that way."

"Your comments just now," Parker growled, then trailed off, waiting for an explanation.

"Were obviously out of line. I was really just teasing you. If I had known that you would take them so amiss, or that you had such a powerful fist, I assure you I would not have spoken."

Parker growled again. "You really should be more careful. Her reputation could easily be damaged by such careless words."

Thomas shook his head. "Right. Because everyone in Landerville pays so much attention to Missy."

"Missy." She felt a thrill at hearing Parker say her name. He turned to look at her as he spoke again. "That's your name?" She nodded. "How long have you lived in Landerville, then?"

"I was born here," she answered.

His expression of shock almost made her laugh again. "But how have we never met before? Are you a recluse? How did you know my name when I don't recall ever seeing you before?"

Missy had to fight the prick of tears in her eyes at his thoughtless words. Of course he hadn't seen her before. Very few people did.

"I attend the same church as you do. We have passed each other countless times since you moved in. I just. . . am not very noticeable." Missy's voice was quiet. She tried not to sound as sad as she felt admitting that she was so easily overlooked.

"No." Parker's response was firm and immediate.

Missy looked up in surprise. "What?"

"No. You are incredibly noticeable. The fact that I didn't notice you until today. . . is to my shame, not yours."

She just continued looking at him, unsure how to respond.

He continued. "You are beautiful! Easily the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I don't know you well enough to know more, but you seem incredibly well-mannered, soft-spoken, gentle, kind." He trailed off. "I don't know how Thomas could be your friend all these years and not be romantically interested in you."

Missy and Parker both turned to Thomas, who was standing quietly, observing them with an amused smile.

"You know, it's quite easy not to fall in love with one's sister. Missy has been like a sister to me for so long, I never even considered her romantically. Besides, I don't think we would suit at all."

"No, we really wouldn't," Missy agreed. Thomas was far too mild. She knew well enough that she preferred a man with a stronger personality, someone to balance out her own timid nature, someone. . . well, much like Parker had proven to be here. She stopped herself. Certainly they had shared an earth-shattering kiss, and certainly he seemed taken with her. But she couldn't allow herself to expect more. He had only just really seen her, after all.

"The real question here is," Thomas broke through her thoughts, "What have you two been doing here together?"