“I can help until you’re ready to leave.”
“Not necessary. I’ll be here quite a bit longer. You go on, Madeleine.”
Twisting her mouth into a grimace, she nodded. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
It didn’t take long for Maddy to gather her belongings. Stepping out the back door, she drew the shawl around her. Even in late summer, nights could be cool, sending a chill through her.
She could see Suzette’s house from the back stoop of the restaurant. Sam and Jinny, Fletcher’s sister, lived in the house next door, August’s house to their right, and Bay’s home at the end of the block. Maddy couldn’t remember a time she lived in what some would consider a respectable neighborhood. Resting a hand on her stomach, she rubbed slow circles, a small smile tilting one corner of her mouth. Her life was far from perfect, but as close as it’d been in a long time.
Taking the three steps to the street, her head whipped to the right at the sound of a horse’s whinny. A hand flew to her throat, breath hitching. The silhouette of the cowboy atop the horse looked exactly like Fletcher. And he was staring straight at her.
Fletcher’s mouth went dry. A hundred yards away, a woman stood outside the hotel and restaurant, a shawl drawn around her shoulders. He watched her head swivel toward him, a hand fly to her throat. If the clouds hadn’t parted, allowing a sliver of moonlight to illuminate the street, he might not have seen her.
He hadn’t been certain when he’d first seen her profile. When she turned toward him, Fletcher knew with certainty who stared at him.
Maddy.
Raising a hand, it stalled midair when she turned and hurried away. Surprised, he didn’t move for several seconds, frozen in place, watching her disappear between two houses. He knew one belonged to his sister, Jinny, and her husband, Sam. August lived on this side, but Fletcher didn’t know who lived in the house on the other side.
Gently kicking Domino, he followed her, determined not to let her get away. Reining up next to Jinny’s place, he looked down the open space between the two houses, certain of the path Maddy had taken.
Fletcher had no doubt she recognized him, the knowledge bringing a wave of frustration. He didn’t know why she fled, almost as if she feared him. Not once had he ever threatened her, raised a hand in anger. He’d never hurt a woman—not ever.
Their many nights together had consisted of frequent rounds of lovemaking, talking, and lighthearted teasing. From the start, they’d been comfortable, as if they’d been intimate for years. Then he’d left, losing so much more than he imagined.
The sound of a door slamming brought his attention to the back of the house next to Jinny’s. He expected to see the soft glow of a lantern inside. After a few minutes, seeing nothing, he reined Domino to the other side of the house. Still nothing.
Sliding to the ground, he tossed the reins over a rail. Fletcher’s gut told him Maddy had disappeared inside this house. He walked up the steps, his nerve faltering when he stopped at the front door. Inhaling a deep breath, he lifted a hand and knocked.
Chapter Nine
Maddy stood in the parlor, arms wrapped around her waist. The knock reverberated through the quiet space, the sound causing her to shudder. Or perhaps it was the man on the other side of the door who made her body tremble and heart pound.
She knew Fletcher stood on the other side, could almost see the anger and confusion on his face. When the pounding stopped, Maddy thought he’d left. To her surprise, she didn’t feel the anticipated relief. After a few more moments, he knocked again, louder this time.
Resigned to the inevitable, she forced herself forward, taking slow steps to the door. A knot formed in her stomach. Looking down, Maddy once again pulled the shawl around her, doing what she could to hide the obvious. Stretching out her hand, she gripped the doorknob, took a deep breath, and pulled the door open.
For several long moments, they stared at each other, neither saying a word. She trembled at the way his hard gaze moved over her, slowing briefly on her stomach before raising to her face. To her surprise, his expression didn’t change, even if his gray eyes darkened to a color she hadn’t seen before. The continued silence did nothing to calm the growing knot in her stomach. She just wanted him to say something…anything. Licking her lips, the corners of her mouth slid into a shaky smile.
“Hello, Fletcher.” She winced, feeling her face pale at the tremor in her voice.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step forward, sliding his hand behind her neck, lowering his head to kiss her.
At first, she didn’t respond, surprised at the action. The feel of his warm lips broke through her resistance. Maddy lifted her hands, resting them on his shoulders as he deepened the kiss. She didn’t know how much time passed before he raised his mouth from hers.
“Hello, Maddy.” He touched her lips with his once more before dropping his hold. “May I come inside?”
The haze lifted enough for her to take a quick glimpse behind him, realizing if anyone was on the street, they’d see them. She stepped aside.
“Of course.”
Closing the door after he entered, she clasped her hands together, confused and scared. Maddy needed to tell him about the baby, let him know she didn’t expect him to marry her, even if it was exactly what she wanted.
Removing his hat, Fletcher continued into the parlor, his gaze taking in the beautiful furniture, before turning back toward her. “Is this yours?”
Her brows drew together before his meaning became clear. “The house belongs to Suzette Gasnier. She’s my boss at the restaurant.”
He cocked his head. “The restaurant in the Feather River Hotel?”
Biting her lip, she nodded. “Yes. I work five or six evenings a week. If needed, I also work afternoons.” He continued to stare at her, not replying. “If you want, I can make coffee...” Maddy’s voice trailed off, her chest squeezing.
He shook his head. “I don’t need coffee, lass. Do you have time to talk? I’ve things I need to say to you.”
Her heart stalled, courage slipping. She wondered if he planned to tell her he’d met someone and was marrying. Or maybe he was leaving for Settlers Valley again. Maddy gave herself a mental shake. Neither of those made sense. The way he’d searched for her, kissed her, refuted both.
She indicated chairs a few feet away. “All right. I have something to tell you, too.”
They sat across from each other, Fletcher leaning forward, resting his arms on his thighs. He locked intent eyes on hers. “You go first, lass.”
Her heart tripped. She’d always loved the way he called her lass, sometimes lassie. “Are you sure? Because—”
He held up his hand to stop her. “I am, lass.” Fletcher sat back, stretching out his long legs, setting his hat aside. “What I have to say can wait.”
Looking at the hands clasped tightly in her lap, her courage began to wane. She hadn’t expected to see him tonight or this week or even this month. When he didn’t appear as Mrs. Baker had mentioned, Maddy decided he didn’t care enough to ride into town to see her. Yet here he was, his expectant gaze locked on hers.
When she didn’t talk, he tilted his head, an encouraging grin on his face. “Well, lass?”
Mouth going dry, a lump in her throat, Maddy fought the urge to rest a hand on her stomach. Glancing down, she adjusted her shawl. In a few minutes, she wouldn’t need the disguise—at least not in front of Fletcher.
“I, um…I…” She couldn’t get the words out, her throat tight, the same as her chest. Sucking in a shaky breath, she looked away.
Standing, Fletcher moved to the chair beside her, reaching out and resting a hand on top of hers. A frown deepened the lines on his face. He squeezed her hand.
“What is it, lass?” Lifting his other hand, he gripped her chin, tipping it toward him. His eyes widened at the tears he saw. His voice thickened. “Tell me.”
She pushed away her fear, blinking several times. “You remember how many times we slept t
ogether?”
“I remember everything, lass.” He dropped his grip on her chin.
Biting her lip, she nodded. “Well, one of those times, we, um…” She pulled away the shawl, displaying the swell of her stomach.
Fletcher’s jaw dropped, the color draining from his face. He worked to breathe as his mind strained to comprehend the sight before him. After a couple minutes, he shifted in the chair, his attention still on her stomach.
“You’re having a wee bairn.”
Her throat tightened. “We’re having a baby, Fletcher.”
Jumping up, he strode away, scrubbing a hand down his face. Setting fisted hands on his hips, he lowered his head, staring at the floor. A minute passed, then another as he absorbed what he thought she meant. Whipping around, his hard glare leveled on her, voice inflexible.
“So you’re saying the bairn is mine?”
Maddy gasped, a hand going to her mouth. Breath coming in uneven gulps, she blinked away the sudden moisture in her eyes and stood. Legs wobbly, she couldn’t meet his gaze, the pain too great to respond right away.
Lifting her chin, Maddy straightened her back, walking straight to him. Steeling her voice, she met his gaze. “Yes.”
She didn’t wait for a response, walking to the stairs.
“Maddy, wait.”
She didn’t. Instead, she hurried upstairs, not looking back as he continued to call for her.
Blowing out a breath, Fletcher slammed a palm down on the bannister. Reining in his anger, he fought the doubt rolling through him. He lowered himself onto one of the stairs, resting his feet on the bottom stair, covering his face with his hands.
He’d always fought his growing attraction to Maddy, riding to Buckie’s every night to be with her. Fletcher had hated the thought she’d entertained other men when he wasn’t there. Hated he couldn’t do anything about it. He remembered telling himself picking the life of a saloon girl had been Maddy’s choice. It hadn’t been forced upon her. She’d wanted it, at least that was what she’d always told him when they’d spent time in bed talking. Maddy had never once mentioned not being with other men. Fletcher never thought to ask, knowing he wouldn’t want to hear the answer.
With all she’d told him, how could he take her word the baby was his? The only doubt came from what Frankie had told him.
“Hell, Fletch. I thought you knew. You’re the only man Maddy ever had up in her room.”
Groaning, he wondered if it could be true. Was he the only one?
So lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear the front door open and close.
“Fletcher?”
He lifted his head to see Suzette staring at him, eyes laced with confusion. Standing, he stepped to the floor. “Good evening, Miss Gasnier.”
“What are you doing here?” She glanced up the stairs. “Is Maddy all right?”
Fletcher shook his head. “I don’t know. The lass told me about the bairn, and I, well…I didn’t respond too well.”
She cocked her head, eyes sharp with concern. “Maddy talked to you about the baby? Why would she talk to you?”
It was Fletcher’s turn to look confused. “She says the bairn is mine.”
Sacramento
Dob Colbert paid for the ammunition and picked up the boxes. Stepping outside, he stuffed his purchase into saddlebags, looking back to the boardwalk to see Lew approach. “Anything?”
“We’ve been here a week, Colonel. There’s no sign of Maddy. We’ve searched every saloon, restaurant, and boardinghouse. The gal isn’t here.” Lew rubbed the back of his neck. “I think it’s time we moved on to Conviction.”
“Maybe.” Dob stepped onto the boardwalk, glancing around to confirm they were alone. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Who?”
“A man I met at the saloon last night. He’s riding with a group of men and they’re looking for a few others. I’m supposed to see him again tonight.”
Lew pursed his lips. “How do you know we can trust him? Could be he’s luring us into some kind of trap. Maybe he’s a lawman.”
“That’s why you and Ross are coming with me tonight. I want both of you there, ask questions. Afterward, we’ll make a decision.”
Lew crossed his arms, frowning. “What about Maddy?”
Dob snorted. “We aren’t giving up our search for her. She knows too much about our past and can identify us. Doesn’t stop us from talking about this other opportunity.”
Blowing out a ragged breath, Lew glanced around again, making certain no one could hear them. “What is it this man wants to talk about?”
Chuckling, Dob clasped him on the shoulder, a conspiratorial tilt on his lips. “He’s in the cattle business.”
Circle M
Fletcher worked to calm the wild mustang, the chore soothing him, giving his mind something else to think about. For two days, he couldn’t pull his thoughts from Maddy and what he’d learned. He needed to ride back to town and get her to speak with him. First, he had to be certain his control wouldn’t falter, scare her into running.
Suzette asked few questions when she’d found him in her home, and couldn’t hide her surprise at learning Maddy believed him to be the father. Fletcher had gotten the impression she had no idea of Maddy’s background before working at the hotel restaurant, and he wouldn’t be the one to tell her. How did you tell someone her friend once worked as a saloon girl, offering paid favors to whatever man could pay.
Muttering a curse, he stopped working with the horse, drawing in a shuddering breath. The thought of Maddy with other men set off a stream of unexpected emotions. Or perhaps not so unexpected.
“Are you finished with him, lad?” Bram moved toward Fletcher, a watchful eye on the horse.
Letting out a resigned breath, he held out the rope. “Aye. My mind isn’t on it today.”
Bram took the rope from him. “You’ve not said what happened with the lass.” He led the horse to a small corral, removed the halter, and let the animal loose. Shutting the gate, he turned back to Fletcher. "You’ve been surly and distant since returning from town. What happened after you found Maddy?”
Looking around, Fletcher nodded to the barn. “Not out here. Come on.”
Stalking to the barn, he scanned the interior, making certain no one still worked inside. Pacing back and forth in front of a stall, he rubbed his forehead, staring at the ground.
“She’s pregnant.”
Other than a murmured curse, Bram didn’t respond.
“The lass says it’s mine.”
“Sonofabitch,” Bram snarled. Seeing the confusion on Fletcher’s face, he took a step toward him. “Are you believing her?”
He closed his eyes. “I don’t know what to believe.”
“Where’s the lass living?”
“With Suzette Gasnier. She works at the restaurant in the Feather River Hotel.” A ghost of a smile appeared. “The lass looks good, Bram.”
“Ach. You’d say that if she had no hair and was covered in mud.” Bram choked out a laugh at Fletcher’s disgusted expression. “You’ve wanted the lass since the first night you saw her at Buckie’s. It’s been over eight months and you still can’t forget her.” Bram seemed to think as he rubbed his chin. “If the bairn’s yours, the lass would be about five months along.”
Leaning against a stall, he shrugged. “By the look of her, seems right.”
Bram’s voice rose. “She’s a saloon girl, Fletch. It could be anyone’s.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he nodded. “Aye.”
“I’ve been looking for you two.” Camden strolled into the barn, coming to an abrupt halt at the serious looks on his cousins’ faces. “What is it, lads?”
Bram’s mouth drew into a thin line and he shook his head.
Camden took a couple steps forward. “Fletch?”
Scrubbing both hands down his face, he let himself slide to the ground. Fletcher rested his arms on bent knees, his gaze meeting Camden’s.
“Ma
ddy’s with child.”
Camden’s jaw dropped, eyes almost bulging from their sockets. “Is it yours?”
“Hell if I know, Cam. It could be.” Fletcher stared into the distance, his eyes vacant. “The lass says it is.”
Camden walked over, sitting on the ground next to him. A moment later, Bram joined them. No one spoke for long minutes. When the silence grew too heavy, Camden picked up a clod of dirt, sending it across the barn.
“How would you even know, lad? The lass is a saloon girl.”
Fletcher glared at him. “I know what the lass is.”
“Ach, don’t be daft, lad. You know what I’m saying. Maddy is a bonny lass, and we all know she has feelings for you—at least she did before you left for Settlers Valley. It’s just, how would you be knowing for certain the bairn is yours?” Camden threw another clod of dirt across the barn, watching it disintegrate against the wall. “Where’d you find her?”
Fletcher explained how he’d found her, where she lived and worked. “Suzette returned to the house before I left. She knew of Maddy’s condition, but nothing about the father.”
Bram watched as Camden shot another hard ball of dirt across the barn. “You know she manages the hotel and restaurant and that our family is partners with August and Bay. Will she be saying anything?”
Fletcher shook his head. “Nae. She says it’s Maddy’s business, and mine, if I…” His voice faded on a groan.
“If you decide the bairn is yours?” Bram asked.
“Aye.”
Silence once again settled over the three, each searching for an answer, coming up with little. To their knowledge, this hadn’t happened in the family before. Maddy’s past profession didn’t help.
“If she’s the lass you want, your da and ma will accept her. They’ll not be judging her for carrying your bairn.” Bram glanced toward the entrance at the sound of voices.
“Ah hell,” Fletcher groaned, seeing Colin and Quinn walk inside. “Could this be getting any worse?”
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