by Caroline Lee
Max turned to Dmitri’s pretty companion. “Hello, Zelle. Out for a stroll in this lovely weather? Your father let you out of your tower, did he?” Dmitri had to clench his jaw when he recognized the feeling in his chest for what it was; jealousy at the ease with which the other man’s teasing could make Zelle smile. Why should he feel jealous over her?
But she chuckled again, and gave a little mock curtsey. “Papa and Mother said that I might be allowed out into the big scary world, as long as Briar accompanied me.” She jerked her thumb towards the mercantile, where both men could see the shorter woman through the window, trying on bonnets.
Max laughed outright. “And she’s doing a bang-up job of it, eh?”
When she began to laugh too, Dmitri couldn’t help joining in; it was impossible not to like the gregarious cowboy, and Zelle’s laugh was just too chert infectious. But it was interesting to note that—judging from Max’s comments and her agreement—Zelle’s parents did keep her sheltered. No wonder Dmitri hadn’t seen her over the last few days, despite how much he’d looked for her.
“So, Dmitri.” Max lounged against one of the roofposts, looking completely at ease in his rough clothing and rougher manners. Dmitri’s fists clenched unconsciously. The other man’s casual manner reminded Dmitri of how far from home he really was. Here, peasants could become kings, and he was on a ridiculous hunt with no solution. “Have you found the men you were looking for?”
He was about to answer, when Zelle did for him. “He was about to tell me who he was looking for. Maybe I can help.”
“No offense, Zelle,” Max’s grin was charming, but she just narrowed her eyes, “But Doc Carpenter keeps you so cloistered, it’s doubtful that you know anyone.”
“Oh, whereas you’re the town gossip, right?”
Max gave a grin and a mock bow, she stuck her tongue out at him, and Dmitri felt the tension across his shoulders ease a bit. They were teasing each other like siblings, and he knew that he didn’t have a rival in Max.
Wait. A rival? A rival for what? Zelle’s affections? He was only in town a few more days; just because he’d shared an amazing kiss with her didn’t mean he intended to start courting her. So how come he couldn’t take his eyes off her smile when she watched the rain?
Max cleared his throat, and Dmitri realized with a start that he was waiting on an answer. “No, no luck finding them.” When Zelle looked interested, he mentally shrugged and explained his quest. “I’m looking for two men who would’ve come to Everland around fifteen years ago.”
She frowned thoughtfully, and he was disturbed to find that expression as charming as her smile. “Have you asked Mr. and Mrs. Matthews? They were some of the first people to settle here.”
Nodding, he said, “And Max suggested I talk to Mr. Miller. None of them remember anyone named Witcher or Gothel living around these parts.” Or a baby girl without a family.
“Hmm.” She tapped one slim finger against her lips while she thought, and he had to tamp down the urge to grab her and kiss her again. “Have you talked to Papa?”
Papa? “Your father?” Dmitri turned to Max, who slowly straightened from his slouch.
“Doc Carpenter was around that long ago?”
“Sure. He and Mother were some of the first people who lived here, from his stories. Mother’s first patients came from as far away as Fort Bridger, regularly, because there weren’t any other local doctors.”
Max shrugged, and then grinned at Dmitri. “Well, I guess the town gossip didn’t really know everything. Sounds like Zelle’s parents might just be the people to ask.”
Dmitri managed not to groan, but his expression must’ve looked a bit sickly when he agreed. Just his luck; the last lead he could find, and it was the man whose daughter he’d kissed in front of everyone just a few days ago.
Maybe Zelle had seen his discomfort, because she’d placed a hand on his forearm, and he could feel her warmth through the layers of his jacket. “Papa can be a little intimidating, but I’ve never seen him turn away someone who needs help.”
“Even someone who kissed his daughter?”
Her blush and Max’s “Wait, what?” came at the exact same time, and Dmitri flinched. He shouldn’t have mentioned that; both he and Zelle were doing a good job pretending it hadn’t happened.
But once again, Zelle came to his rescue. “There was a fight at the Gingerbread House the other evening. And I accidentally kissed Knez Volkov.”
Max’s grin matched Dmitri’s incredulity. How had she managed to be so forthright about it, while still providing no details?
“Accidentally, huh? This sounds like one of your schemes again, Zelle.”
Schemes?
But the lovely girl shrugged. “I’m trusting you not to blab to everyone, Max.”
A wink. “Your secret tryst is safe with me, you two.”
Dmitri felt the need to defend himself. “There was no tryst.” There’d be no tryst, because he was leaving this town, and the more time he spent in her company, the more confused he got.
But Max just smiled, as if not believing his defense. “Then what exactly are your intentions towards Everland’s lovely best-kept-secret?”
“Towards whom?”
Zelle rolled her eyes. “He means me, since Papa is so over-protective. Max is just being silly. There’s no need to answer him.”
This conversation was getting away from him. Dmitri was desperate to steer the discussion back to his question. “I will make an appointment to speak with your parents before I leave.”
“You’re leaving so soon?” Was it his imagination, or was that disappointment lurking behind her eyes?
He hardened his jaw, and nodded. “I am just here to find the trail of these two men. If your father knows nothing of them, then my quest will end, and I will return to my homeland and my horses. If he remembers them, and can tell me where they went, then I will follow their trail.”
Her smile seemed a little brittle. “Of course. That makes perfect sense.”
“Horses? You keep horses?” Max’s smile had dropped, but for the first time since meeting him, Dmitri saw genuine excitement in the other man’s eyes. “I’m trying to start my own program, you know.”
“I didn’t. What kind of horses do you keep?”
“Right now it’s just mustangs. But I won a pair of matched thoroughbred mares off a man a year ago, and I’ve been keeping them special, in the hopes of finding a worthy mate.”
Dmitri smiled, surprised to find such evidence of civilization this far west. “My family has bred Karbardas for generations. They are beautiful creatures, known for their hardiness and grace in battle among the mountains of my homeland.”
The swarthy man’s eyes lit up. “How many do you have?” And the two of them quickly devolved into a complex discussion on numbers, area, and generational mating as the rain slowed. It wasn’t until Dmitri was explaining the complexities of separating the stallions from the rest of the herd that he noticed Zelle, her hands clasped behind her back, leaning forward slightly, and he snapped his mouth closed.
Mortified to discover a flush heating up his neck, he inclined his head in her direction. “Fo—forgive me, Miss Carpenter.” When had he last stammered like a school boy in front of a beautiful woman? For that matter, when had he last talked about mating habits in front of a woman? “This is not a topic for a lady.”
But she only shrugged, and looked a little disappointed that the conversation was over. “My parents are doctors, Dmitri. I know all sorts of things I probably shouldn’t. And horse breeding is interesting.”
“I’ll say!” Max was grinning again. “Will you come out and visit our—my father’s ranch?” The hesitation was so slight that Dmitri didn’t think he was supposed to notice it. “I’d like to show you around, and get your opinion on a few things.”
It was impossible not to like the man. “I would be honored, Max.” And Dmitri was surprised to discover that it was the truth; Max DeVille had gone from an Ever
land peasant to a begrudging equal, in the course of a conversation. The rain had tapered off, and as Dmitri looked out over Andersen Avenue, the hot summer sun already had steam riding from the muddy streets. “But I’ll need to speak with Doctor Carpenter, as well.”
“I’d be happy to set up a meeting.” Zelle was smiling sweetly up at him, and Dmitri forgot whatever objections he might’ve had at her arranging anything for him. She was so different from the women he’d known, so forward while looking so demure. Even the way she smiled at a stranger—chert, the way she kissed a stranger—told him that she was open for adventure.
So he clicked his heels, and gave a little bow, and said, “Thank you, moya ledi.” Somehow, the title seemed appropriate. “I’d appreciate any help you could give.” Especially since your father is the last person in this town I’d hoped to see again.
With the rain over, the townspeople were picking their ways among the puddles, and soon Zelle’s short friend was hurrying towards them, waving and calling for her friend. Max grinned, slapped his hat on his head, and shook Dmitri’s hand once more. “I’ll expect you out at the ranch the day after tomorrow, then,” and he was gone before Zelle’s friend arrived.
When the shorter, plumper girl rocked to a stop beside Zelle, she peered up at him with narrowed eyes and then glanced between the two. Zelle blinked innocently, and the other girl broke into a grin that had Zelle giggling. After that, she tried to introduce him to her friend, but Dmitri had less interest in meeting this “Briar”. Instead, he wanted more time alone with this mysterious, intriguing beauty.
His luck had run out, though. Reminding Zelle of her promise to her father, Briar dragged them both away, and Dmitri plunked back down on the bench in front of the inn. He was heartened, however, to see that just before the two women turned the corner, Zelle glanced back over her shoulder at him. And her smile…? Well, it gave him plenty to think about, after she was gone.
Zelle Carpenter, eh? What was it about her that made him want to kiss her, and shake some sense into her? Why didn’t she act like all the other women he’d known? And why was that otherness so chert appealing? Maybe he was just interested in a short affair before returning home to his horses, but he suspected not. He suspected that there was more to her, and to his reaction to her, than he’d experienced before.
Zelle Carpenter? Dmitri sighed, and rested his head against the rough wood again. He had to forget about her. Her father was his only lead, his only hope, and she was… Well, she was a doctor’s protected daughter. No matter that she’d crawled into his lap and kissed him. No matter that she smiled up at him in a way that made him feel like the most important man on earth. No matter that she seemed equally fascinated by the rain and by horse breeding. No matter that she was the single most-intriguing woman he’d met.
He had to forget her.
“You’re quiet today, Princess.”
Zelle popped a bite of potatoes into her mouth to hide her smile at Papa’s old nickname for her. “Just listening.” With her parents’ frequent calls on patients, it was rare that all three of them were home together for dinner. Usually, unless Mother was at a birth, she’d cook for Papa, but at least once a week some—if not all—of them dined at Spratt’s Eatery. So it was nice for them all to be together, and Zelle had been enjoying listening to them talk about their cases and the outcomes. She’d always admired her parents’ partnership.
“Did you and Briar get caught in that rain?” Her mother took a sip of milk. “I thought about you when it rolled through.”
Zelle shrugged, and nodded. “Yes, but we stopped near the inn to stay dry.” She neglected to mention that Briar had gone into the mercantile, and that she’d been alone on the porch. She picked at the potatoes again. “I met the Russian duke Briar told me everyone has been talking about. He was quite…” Charming. Sexy. Unbelievably appealing. “Kind.”
The glance her parents sent each other told Zelle that they’d heard her unspoken words, and she sighed and stuffed a bite of roast into her mouth. How was it, that at almost eighteen years old, she was still being treated like a little girl?
“I thought you’d met him already?” Mother was glaring at Papa, who just shrugged and focused on his meal. “Didn’t you say he was fighting over her like a…a dog or something?”
Zelle chewed the meat, wishing she could swallow and defend herself—defend him—but also glad for the excuse not to. But her father surprised her, saying calmly, “He was fighting in front of her, that’s all I know.” He shrugged. “Zelle shouldn’t have been there, but I don’t think it was his fault.”
It wasn’t! She was the one who’d tripped and thrown herself at him. She was the one who’d set out to kiss one man, but gladly switched her sights to this one instead. She was the one who’d lain awake for nights, thinking of his taste, his touch. He’d been the adventure she’d wanted.
And talking to him today had been just as magical. He was everything a duke—a prince!—should be; well-dressed, devastatingly handsome, and unfailingly polite. He’d blushed when he thought he’d been too crude, and bowed over her hand like she was a real princess. When he spoke, she could tell that he was used to command, and she thought that she could listen to his unique accent—eastern European, but with a British flair—for-absolute-ever. His perfectly coiffed hair was a beautiful golden color, and she swore that she’d seen the sunlight ting! off of his perfect teeth, when he’d smiled after the rain stopped. Oh, yes, he was quite the looker, as Max might say.
“So what did Duke Volkov have to say, Zelle?”
She tried to pretend nonchalance when she answered her father’s question. “He’s here because he’s looking for someone who might’ve been here fifteen years ago. I told him that you might remember, since you were here when Everland was just started. He’d like to meet with you.”
Mother had finished the last of her carrots. “I don’t think that’s wise. He’s been hanging around town, and it’s pretty obvious that he’s spoiled and wealthy and looks down on the rest of us.” She began to clean up as Zelle watched incredulously. She’d never known her mother to judge a person so harshly.
“I don’t know, Meri…”
Mother threw her napkin over her plate. “You yourself said that he was arrogant and boastful.”
“I said he seemed that way.” Papa calmly took another bite as Zelle’s attention swung between her parents, surprised to see Mother so irritated.
“He doesn’t belong out here, Jack. It’s better if he just went back home where he belongs.” It was like Mother was speaking in some sort of code. “He’s not like us.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Papa put down his fork and knife and smiled at his wife. “He sure can punch. Jerrell Gruff has two black eyes, and the duke took a hit as well as any man I’ve seen.” He sounded admiring. Zelle didn’t know that her father could admire a fighter.
Mother was the same way. She scoffed, and narrowed her eyes. “So you’re going to meet with him, to let him ask his questions?”
Papa shrugged, and turned back to Zelle. “Do you know who he’s looking for?”
She bit her lip, trying to remember. Oh, what were their names? “Um… He mentioned two men. One had a funny name…the other was…Oh! Witcher. That was one of them.”
The icy silence across the table drew her attention from her memories of her time spent with Dmitri. Her parents were staring at each other, and Mother’s cheeks had paled. “A duke is looking for someone named Witcher, Jack.”
“I heard her.”
“Then you know who the other man is, don’t you?”
“I said I heard her, Meri.” Zelle flinched, not sure she’d ever heard her father’s voice raised in anger before.
“Jack, you can’t talk to him.”
Zelle swallowed, the roast suddenly sitting heavy in her stomach. “Papa, do you know these men? You know who Dmitri is looking for?”
Her father glanced once more at Mother, and then faced her. Schooling his express
ion, he stared right at her with those deep blue eyes she’d always loved, and for the first time ever, lied. “No.” She could tell he was lying, just by the way he was trying so hard to appear sincere. It was the same way he lied—“fibbing” he called it—to patients about how much something was going to hurt, or how long it would take to heal. When she was younger, and he’d try to explain the difference between lying and what he did, he’d told her that if it was for the patient’s own good, then God would forgive the lie.
So he was lying to her now, and he thought it was for her own good. But Papa had never lied to her before…
Had he?
Mother was pretending great interest in the painting hanging on the dining room wall, and Zelle wasn’t sure what to believe. For now, though, she forced a small smile and nod. “Oh. Well, he’ll be disappointed, I’m sure.”
“I’d be happy to meet with him and explain that I don’t know these men.”
She just nodded again, and gulped down a big sip of milk, hoping that she’d be able to escape the room soon. Normally she adored lingering with her parents over a dinner, but tonight it was just too awkward, too upsetting. Why would Papa lie like that? Lie about knowing someone named Witcher? And Mother obviously thought he knew who Witcher was; she’d even suggested he knew the other man too. What was going on?
“Well, Jack, what do you have on the agenda for tomorrow?”
Her father seemed ridiculously relieved to have a new topic of conversation—all three of them were—and launched into a discussion about the day’s plans with Mother. Zelle ignored them, instead picking at her carrots and wondering what her father would say to Dmitri, exactly.
But her attention was dragged back to the discussion when she heard her father say, “I thought I might take Zelle with me, as a treat.”
