AN: Thank you again for reading and reviewing!

Tanith

Chapter 2

Griff's return to the ranch was met by two curious men who greeted him outside the bunk house.

"Griff!" Candy called out. "So, how was it? How did your day go?"

Griff dismounted from his horse and shrugged his shoulders. "Was alright."

Candy and Ben exchanged a worried look then followed the young man into the stables.

"Only alright? Griff, did something happen?" Candy questioned.

"What makes you think anything happened? I said it was alright!" Griff said defensively, earning a frown from Ben and a stern glower from Candy.

"Griff, no-one is making any assumptions. We're just a little excited to hear how your day went," Ben said gently.

"Well, it didn't sound like it to me! You're all lookin' at me like trouble always has a way of findin' me. I'll tell ya how my day was. My day was fine. I know I'm a little late for chores but I'll get them done, don't you worry bout that," Griff said as he continued to unsaddle his horse.

"We're not worried about the chores. We know you'll get them done. We just..." Candy started but Ben placed a hand on his arm to stop him short.

"Hop Sing left you some stew up at the main house. You're welcome to it when you're ready," Ben said, changing the subject and prompting Candy to drop the matter with a nod in his direction. "We'll leave you to your chores." He gestured for the foreman to follow him and leave the young man be. Candy may be the only person who knew Griff best, but sometimes it was better to give the former convict room to breathe and to let him make the decisions that he felt was best. A man was his own man, after all and like any other, Griff deserved that respect if he was ever going to learn to trust people and make it on his own one day.

The next day, Griff woke up bright and early, completed his chores and left the ranch without so much as a goodbye to Candy or Ben Cartwright. It was obvious that the tight-lipped youth avoided conversation and wanted nothing more than to carry on his way.

When he arrived at the store he tethered his horse to the hitching post and walked inside. He had just removed his hat and was about to greet his employer when he noticed Mrs. Walters had company.

"Good morning Griff! I want you to meet my niece, Ella," Mrs. Walters introduced.

Griff's crystal blue gaze fell on the pretty young woman in front of him and he felt an odd burning sensation creep up his neck and face, making him feel rather self-conscious. "How do you do, M'am," he croaked as he stepped a few feet forward and extended his free hand.

"Please, Griff, call me Ella," the young woman said with a warm smile as she shook Griff's hand.

"Ella just arrived yesterday afternoon all the way from New York," Mrs. Walters explained.

Lost for words, Griff could only nod.

"Aunt Edith was just telling me about you!" Ella remarked.

"Me?"Griff gulped, pointing at himself nervously.

"Yes, she tells me you are an accomplished reader!" Ella beamed.

Griff shuffled his feet uncomfortably, mumbling under his breath and looking from one woman to the other. He was not accustomed to receiving flattery, especially from women, and did not know how to respond.

"Griff, dear, why don't you show Ella your favorite books? She has been asking me for some new reading material," Mrs. Walters suggested, trying to put the young man's nerves at ease and provide a welcoming distraction for Ella so she could open the store and prepare the day.

Griff showed Ella the volumes of novels he had either read or had wanted to read. Most of the books were filled with adventure and a few were poetry which he felt maybe more to a young lady's taste.

"A Tale of Two Cities!" Ella gasped excitedly as she skimmed through the shelf and pulled out a novel.

Griff couldn't hide his surprise that this young woman was familiar with the story. It didn't seem like something she would read.

"You look surprised?" Ella questioned when she caught the look on the young man's face.

Griff cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his wavy hair, trying to act casually. "Surprised? Well, no, I just didn't expect you know, a girl...a woman of...of..." drowning in his own words, Griff stopped and took a deep breath before plundering on, "I just didn't think you could get these books in New York. You, er, have books in New York?"

Ella chuckled and replied, "Yes, Griff, we have books in New York, even Dickens stories are highly praised there."

Before Griff even realized he was doing it, the corners if his mouth twitched and curled into the first genuine smile he gave anyone whom he had only just met.

Ella returned the smile and opened her mouth to say something more when the door bell tinkled.

"Ella, darling! I've been waiting for you at the Hotel," a man announced out loud as he entered the shop, dressed in immaculate attire and freshly polished shoes.

All eyes zeroed in on the visitor but each set formed their own view.

Owen!" Ella called out cheerfully.

Griff looked the stranger up and down and felt the same level of scrutiny given to him. The smile that had appeared so easily on his face moments before quickly disintegrated. He wasn't sure if it was because of the way the man had studied him or the way he looked at Ella but whatever it was, Griff decided he didn't much care about this Owen.

Ella stepped away from Griff and walked over to the gentleman, hooking an arm through his elbow. "Aunt Edith, Griff, allow me to introduce you to my husband, Owen Mortimer."

The room suddenly felt oddly cold all of a sudden for Griff but he ignored it and extended his hand to the new comer. "How do you do?"

"A little weary from the journey but otherwise I am very well, you, Mr. King," Owen replied politely, shaking the younger man's hand firmly.

"Ella's told me all about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mr. Mortimer," Mrs. Walters said kindly.

Owen stepped forward, took Edith's hand and kissed it softly. "My dear Ella has spoken fondly of her favorite aunt. I can certainly see why!"

The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent with Griff taking care of the store while Mrs. Walters joined her niece and the husband for a picnic not far from the outskirts town. He busied himself with getting through all the tasks Mrs. Walters set out for him and helping the few customers who ventured into the store. During the quiet lull in between, he found Ella's porcelain doll features floating in his mind and bringing a smile to his face. The day passed uneventfully until another surprise visitor entered the store.