Just as he neared the store, Rory, his deputy, rushed to catch up with him. “Rather mean lookin’ fellas. They were in the saloon last night. Didn’t cause any trouble though.”
A man stood outside the mercantile. Tall and lanky with a long strangly beard and grungy clothing, he spit out tobacco juice when they approached, but otherwise ignored them.
“I hear you’re keeping people from entering the premises.” Emerson met the man’s yellowing eyes straight on. “Is that true?”
With a type of reptilian slowness, the man looked at Emerson, focused on the star on his chest and then looked to Rory. “I ain’t keeping nobody from doin’ nothin’.”
Not taking his eyes off the man, Emerson spoke to Rory. “I’m going inside to check on Porterfield.”
“Suit yourself,” the stranger replied, although Emerson had not meant the comment for him.
The mercantile was eerily silent. Standing behind the counter, Mr. Porterfield heaved a sigh of relief at spotting Emerson. A stranger stood with a gun in his hand. Although it pointed to the ground, Emerson drew his own. “What’s going on here?”
“Clyde Palmer. That’s my name,” the man said as if it explained everything. This one was much younger than the one outside, looked to be in his early twenties. He wore his hat low over his brow atop shoulder-length sandy brown hair. Stocky of build, and of average height, he didn’t seem at all menacing until meeting his flat eyes.
“Is there a reason why you’ve drawn your gun, Mister?” Emerson looked to Porterfield, who remained pale faced, but silent.
“Here to pick up some money owed me is all.” Palmer narrowed his eyes. “And ain’t no small town sheriff gonna stop me neither.”
Emerson moved closer to the counter where Porterfield stood. “Tom, you owe this gentleman some money?”
“I—I paid him, I swear,” Porterfield began then wrung his hands. “We played cards over at Ben’s Crossing. I lost, but paid him. It could be he counted wrong.”
Palmer grunted and pointed his gun at Porterfield, which prompted Emerson to point his at Palmer. “You callin’ me a liar?”
“Put the gun down, Palmer,” Emerson told the man and took a step closer. “You can’t get your money from a dead man.”
Porterfield ducked behind the large cash register. “I’ll pay you, but I don’t have that amount of money right now. Don’t kill me, I have a wife…”
“Shut up.” Palmer eyed Emerson and lowered his gun. “I’ll leave well enough alone for now. But I ain’t leavin’ town ’til I get my money.” He holstered his weapon and turned toward the entryway.
“It’s best you keep from threatening people in my town. I won’t ask you twice.” Emerson watched the man’s shoulders rise and lower. “You and your partner should keep moving on.”
After a last look at Mr. Porterfield, who’d begun to reclaim some of his coloring, Emerson followed Palmer outside.
At the emergence of Palmer and Emerson, Rory straightened to his full height, dwarfing the two newcomers. Palmer didn’t spare him a glance, but Emerson knew he’d taken note of the huge Irishman. The newcomer looked to his partner. “I’m hankerin’ for some food. Let’s get somethin’ to eat.”
“I’m keeping an eye on you two. It’s best if you leave my townspeople in peace,” Emerson told the retreating men.
Palmer looked over his shoulder not quite meeting his gaze. “I hear ya, Marshal.”
The men strolled at a leisurely pace toward the hotel while Emerson and Rory watched.
Then the Connor sisters walked from their house and stopped on the corner across from the hotel. Although the women were more bedraggled than presentable, the strangers took notice. Palmer said something to the older man and both laughed. Emerson tensed. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Rory doing the same.
“I don’t believe they aim to leave soon enough,” Rory said, his eyes pinned on the men. “Not without causing more trouble.”
Emerson nodded. “I’m going back inside to talk to Porterfield. If he owes them money, he should pay. Palmer doesn’t seem the type to forgive a debt.”
The way the men watched the sisters, it was best to get the troublemakers to leave as soon as possible.
Chapter Three
“Despite what Marshal Gentry said, I don’t believe the men in this town are to be trusted one bit.” Maddie dried her hair by the open hotel room window, allowing the breeze to assist. “Those two men who watched us outside earlier made me extremely nervous.”
Jane stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “I agree with you, something about them didn’t seem quite right. They seemed the type that move through towns looking for trouble, hopefully they’ll be gone soon.” Once again Jane yawned. “I’m so tired, but hungry, too. Do you suppose we can get meals delivered within an hour?”
“No, they will take much longer. I’ll go and fetch something for us.” Maddie twisted her hair up and pinned it in place with proficient fingers. “I don’t think I can wait that long, it’s been hours since we ate last.”
Downstairs the dining room was almost empty, only two of the five tables with diners. Maddie hesitated at the entryway upon spotting the men she’d seen outside earlier at one of them. Thankfully neither took notice of her, too engrossed in their meal.
With luck she’d get the serving woman’s attention and be able to remain out of sight until the meals were ready.
“May I ask, Miss Connor?” The marshal’s voice made her jump and she turned to find him studying her, his face without expression. “Are you dining alone?”
“Actually I came to get some food to take back up to our room. My sister and I are too tired to be presentable enough to dine in public.” Emboldened by his presence, she took a step into the room with him.
“May I accompany you while you wait?” Her heart thudded at his close scrutiny. He was more attractive than any man she’d ever seen. Being so close to someone she found attractive could be a mistake.
She started to protest, but then noticed he regarded the strangers who in turn studied them with interest now. “I would appreciate it. Thank you.”
They sat at the nearest table. Immediately a woman neared, her attention fully on the Emerson. “Having a late supper today, Marshal Gentry.” The woman stated the obvious, totally ignoring Maddie, who cleared her throat.
“Please, two meals for Miss Connor. She’ll be taking her food to the rooms she and her sister share,” the marshal told the woman who barely looked in her direction. “I’ll take my supper here.”
The woman dragged her eyes from the marshal and glanced at her. “Of course. If you wish to return to your rooms, I will bring the food up.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
Maddie lifted her chin. “Thank you for the sweet offer. But I’ll wait.”
After a stiff nod, the woman walked away.
Awkward under the marshal’s gaze, Maddie looked to the strangers, who’d resumed eating. “Are they from here?”
His gaze lifted from her face for a moment and he glanced over his shoulder. “No. Passing through.”
“So it seems you know everyone in this town. That is a good thing since you’re a lawman and all. How long have you been marshal?”
A couple entered the dining room. Immediately the woman’s gaze landed on the marshal. Maddie had to admit he did demand attention, especially from the fairer sex. He was almost too attractive, if not for the close cut beard and moustache, he’d be almost angelic in features. His skin was olive in tone from the sun, his black hair thick and cut short. It was the intensity of his dark brown eyes that kept people at a distance. They held a story, one of much loss and tragedy. Not a trace of warmth in them.
She wondered how much he’d experienced in his life that would bring such a continence of maturity to a man who she couldn’t quite place an age on. He had to be only a few years older than her at twenty-five.
“Eight years.” his reply was curt, almost as if he were not comfortable discuss
ing his life.
Maddie did not let his aloofness discourage her. “How old were you then when you became marshal? Was it your choice?”
The corner of his lips lifted at her not letting up and for some reason she knew he rarely smiled. “Twenty-eight when I was appointed. They wanted someone young, a good shot and of even temperance.” His gaze fell to her lips and warmth filled her. How could just one look from this man affect her so? Five years with her ex-husband and he’d not awakened this type of heat unless they were in bed. “And you, why are you here with your sister? You’re married, aren’t you?”
She looked to her left hand. The tell-tale sign, the lighter skin tone remained in a different type of ring on her finger.
She’d only just removed her wedding ring right before arriving in Rutgers Ridge. Throughout the ordeal after being left by her husband for another woman, the ugly divorce that ruined any chance of normalcy in Virginia, she’d not considered removing it. So much else took her attention. On the stagecoach, Maddie tore it off her finger. She’d come close to flinging it out the window, but common sense prevailed. One day she’d sell the diamond or have it remounted in another setting.
Perhaps for the time being it was best to allow the lawman to believe her married. It could help if this attraction she felt for him continued to grow. “I came to accompany my sister. The idea of her alone in this untamed part of the country was unsettling to my family.” In truth her mother had been beside herself with worry, begging Jane to reconsider. But like Maddie, Jane had her reasons for wanting to go as far as possible from Virginia. Maddie wondered at the decision they’d both made. Instead of facing circumstances head on, they’d taken the coward’s path and left.
“And your husband?” Emerson Gentry would not let the subject of her marriage circumstance go.
“He did not have a choice in my decision.” Her eyes fell to his chest. It was broad, the material of his shirt stretched to cover the muscular physique which no doubt would be hard under her hands. Maddie shook her head. Yes, if he thought her married, then perhaps one of them would not give in to the attraction they obviously felt to one another. This man was so different than the society men in her circles back east. He was abrupt and even a bit intimidating, but Maddie had to admit, it took a lot of willpower to not give him any indication that she found him appealing.
“Interesting.” Once again he looked to her hand and she slid it beneath the table. His dark eyes met hers. “I would not let you out of my sight if you were my wife.”
Her stomach pitched when his gaze met hers. Something about the man pulled at her, made her think of things best left unthought-of. “You barely know me, sir.” Thankfully the same woman headed toward them with her meals. Maddie jumped to her feet and he followed suit. The woman handed her a tray with two plates replete with meat and potatoes. Maddie took it and looked to Emerson. “Good night, Marshal. Thank you for accompanying me.”
“My pleasure.” His eyes locked with hers and slowly slid to her lips, which parted at the close perusal. Maddie inhaled sharply as heat rose from her neck.
She hurried up the stairs as fast as she could with the heavy tray. It would not do to be alone with Emerson Gentry again. Not do at all.
* * * *
The next day, Maddie went to the back of the teacher’s cottage to dump another bucket of dirty water. It was early afternoon and she considered taking a break.
Jane had returned to the hotel just minutes earlier to rest after Maddie insisted she didn’t look well at all. In truth her sister had been working too hard, something neither of them were used to. The front room was finally complete and Maddie decided to forge ahead for another couple hours. She’d go to the well to fetch water and tackle the bedroom next.
Footsteps sounded and she whirled to the stranger from the day before leaning on the wall. He blocked her way back to the front of the house. With a lecherous grin, his eyes raked down her body. “Alone, pretty lady?”
Maddie squared her shoulders, refusing to show the fear already tumbling in her belly. “Good day, sir. Allow me to pass, please.”
He did not move. “It is a good day.” The man emphasized the word good never taking his gaze from her. “How about we make it even better?”
She threw the bucket down and turned to run, but he was quick and grabbed her from behind. With one hand over her mouth, he dragged her into the house. Maddie kicked and bit at his palm as hard as she could, but he did not loosen his grip. “Little bitch. You’ll pay for that.”
The door slammed shut. He’d managed to kick it closed while still holding her. With her arms pinned to her sides, she couldn’t hit him, but she reached around to his legs and scratched. He planned to rape her. This horrible smelly man would probably kill her too. Maddie’s terror-filled heart threatened to burst from her chest.
The man dragged her into the back room and threw her onto the floor. Free to move, she scrambled away toward the wall, but he grabbed her feet and jerked her back. She dug in with her nails in a futile effort to keep from him.
Desperate to find something to defend herself with, Maddie reached around with frantic hands. Her fingers curled around something. Just as she grabbed the piece of wood, he swatted it away.
His laughter sunk through, making the blood in her veins freeze. He rolled Maddie to her back and she punched him in the side of the face and kicked as hard as she could until knocking him off.
“I am not an easy target, you bastard.”
The man grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back to him. “I like them feisty.” When he slapped her across the face, star-filled blackness swam before her eyes. The metallic taste of her own blood flowed on her tongue. Maddie blinked refusing to faint.
He was breathing hard, had obviously not expected as much resistance. He climbed over her, using his body to keep her pinned. Maddie went limp and he lifted his head to look at her, in his eyes a gleam of triumph. It was then Maddie hit him on the side of the head with the wood.
The man’s mouth fell open and before he could react, she hit him again as hard as she could and bucked him off.
“Damn bitch,” he muttered. “I’ll kill you.” Maddie jumped to her feet, but before she could get away, he grabbed her skirts. Her heart pounded, thudding hard against her chest. Anger filled her and she fought to remain in control. The man rose to one knee, still gripping her dress.
“No!” Maddie screamed and lifted the wood over her head, bringing it down on his skull with a sickening thud. He fell face first onto the floor and moaned. Maddie ran to the door and straight into a hard chest.
She let out a scream and swung her weapon. A hand caught her wrist.
In the next instant, Emerson Gentry pushed her out of the way and dashed into the room. The stranger had gotten up to wobbly feet.
The marshal grabbed the front of her assailant’s shirt. His fist slammed into the man’s face several times until he sagged. When he released him, the stranger flopped onto the floor with a loud thump. Emerson grabbed a strap of rope from his belt and tied his hands together at the wrists.
Maddie remained by the doorway, still holding the wood while Emerson secured the man’s hands. If he somehow got loose, she was prepared to beat him again.
Emerson dragged the unconscious fool to the doorway. “I’ll take you to the doctor as soon as I lock him up.” He bent and studied Maddie’s face. “Will you be all right for a few moments?” He breathed heavily and studied her with brows drawn.
She nodded.
The marshal hesitated as if unsure what to do. “Don’t move. I won’t be long.”
It didn’t take him long to return. Maddie wondered if he’d barely tossed the man into the cell and ran back. Before she knew it, strong arms surrounded her and she fell against his broad chest. He pried the wood from her hand and dropped it to the floor. Her fingers curled around the fabric of his shirt. She buried her face into his shoulder.
Maddie was mortified when she began to cry and could not s
top. The entire time, the marshal held her without speaking, one of his hands rubbing her back.
“Remind me not to ever make you angry.” His voice was raw and for some reason it helped her tears stop. “I promise you, he won’t ever touch you again.” Emerson lifted her chin so she could look at him. His face was like a statue’s, hard with suppressed rage. “I will make sure of it.”
She reached up and touched her lip. “Is it bad? I don’t want my sister to know.”
Emerson frowned. “No, but there’s going to be bruising. Your cheek is slightly swollen, which means it will probably swell more.”
“Dang it. She’ll feel responsible for my accompanying her out here and this happening.” She closed her eyes unable to stop the tremor that shook her. “I need a minute to think.”
When she fell back against him, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m not sure what you plan to tell her. I suggest you don’t keep the attack a secret. Secrets always come out in the end. How did you learn to defend yourself so well?”
“My father is quite unconventional. He taught my sister and me to box.” Her head still on his shoulder, she suddenly realized the intimacy of the situation. Yes she felt so secure and comforted by his solid form. Maddie placed her palms on his chest, took a breath and pushed back. “Thank you for arriving just in time. I think it’s best that I go to the hotel now and find Jane before she hears of this.”
He walked her to the door and her legs wobbled, her knees like jelly. Immediately he swooped her off her feet lifting her in his arms. “I’ll take you.”
“I’m sure I can make it. For goodness sakes, I’ll attract enough attention with my bruised face.” Maddie looked up at him to find his expression impassive. In the end he put her down but hovered over her. She wondered if the light headiness was an aftereffect of the attack or being in Emerson Gentry’s arms. Both had unnerved her, although in very different ways.
Once they arrived at her sister’s door she turned to find the marshal studying her. “Will you tell her?”
“Yes. You’re right. It’s best I do. What will happen to…”
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