“I’m surprised they are not moving out to the ranch.” His rich voice floated over her like a caress.
Jane cleared her throat. “From what I understand, Emerson wishes to wait a bit. Maybe a year or so then build a new house out there.”
“Makes sense.” He stood and paced. “I think it’s best I talk to Grant. I’ll leave before dawn and see about talking to him.”
“What if someone discovers you? Don’t you think it’s best to wait for Emerson to return?” This time she met his gaze. “Stay and wait. It’s not worth being caught.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “Have you considered what would happen if it’s discovered I’m here? You and I, both unmarried under the same roof alone.”
Her pulse quickened at his perusal. She lifted a shoulder with what she hoped was nonchalance. “It won’t happen.”
“I’m not so sure. The people of this town are very curious and nosy.” He shook his head. “Have you met Mrs. Higgenbottom and her posse yet?”
Jane smiled at the memory of the very same women coming to her with reports of Maddie’s unseemly behavior. Their actions precipitated her marriage to Emerson, since the marshal had lied and told them they were already married.
“I have had the pleasure of their company, yes. They mounted a protest against the saloon two weeks past. It was quite the talk of the town.”
Lincoln chuckled and she had to smile in return.
“What of you Miss Connor? Why are you here in Rutgers Ridge?” The question she’d avoided since arriving. And here the irresistible man asked it of her.
“I’ve always yearned for adventure I suppose. This has definitely been something most only read about in books.”
His gaze lowered to her hands and then back to her face. The action, although not meant to be anything, took her breath. Again his mouth lifted on one corner, which she now recognized as a Lincoln habit that gave a hint of what he thought. “You don’t have to tell me the truth. We all have our secrets.”
“Honestly Mr. Gentry that is not a very nice thing to say.”
He stood and paced the room, his hands behind his back. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. “You’re right, I apologize. I had no right to say that, especially after your offer to help me.” He looked to the front window, longing in his expression. “I’m tired of this.”
“You love the outdoors, don’t you?”
He lowered his head and his hair fell forward, covering his face. Jane’s hand curled at wanting to go to him and smooth it back. Whatever had come over her, all these feelings were best left contained. If Lincoln Gentry did not prove his innocence, he was going to hang for murder.
“Yes. My life is out there, working with the cattle. Farming and such.” His wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “The sooner I can get this over with and get on with my life, the better.”
He took his cup to the kitchen and rinsed it clean. She wondered at his not expecting her to do that for him, then remembered that he and his brothers had grown up without a mother. Used to doing for themselves. Not an unattractive trait in the least.
“I’m going to check on my horse.” He went out the back door.
Moments later as she too rinsed her cup before going to bed, she peered out the window.
Lincoln sat on one of the old chairs from the schoolhouse. He leaned back, his hands behind his head, studying the sky. Jane’s heart went out to him. A man who was used to roaming the land as free as the wind, this was probably just as hard for him as facing the hangman’s noose.
* * * *
The fresh air helped clear his mind. Linc had to get away from the beautiful woman before he said or did something irrational. It had been a long time since he’d lain with a woman, but that did not excuse the fact that the longer he was around her, the harder it became to keep from reaching to her.
Now he was about to spend two nights in the same space with her. Two days as well, but at least he could work in the schoolhouse during the day and keep from constantly being around her. The soft glow of lamplight in her bedroom relieved him. It meant he could avoid her until morning.
Her intelligent eyes told stories she didn’t want to share. The way they’d roamed over his body while he bathed had surprised him. From the corner of his eyes, he’d caught sight of her spying from the kitchen window. A chuckle escaped at the thought of how mortified she’d be if she knew he was aware. He’d purposely prolonged washing up, just to see how long Jane would watch.
A dangerous game they were playing. If anything were to happen between them, he could not only damage her reputation beyond repair, but it clouded his mind from what he needed to do. Prove his innocence.
He slipped from the courtyard and walked behind the buildings, his destination clear. Half an hour later, he stood behind a sizeable house. Light from a large window poured out and Linc made sure to stay in the shadows. Flattened against the wall, he inched closer and looked inside.
A man and a woman sat on opposite chairs, neither facing the window, both looking towards the fire in the hearth. The woman was stitching, while the man talked to her in loud tones. “It’s a grand time, Lucille. With all his land in my name, I can build houses and resell them to prospectors bringing their families out west.”
“It will be tacky. All those unsavory types so close to town,” the woman answered and gave an exaggerated shiver. “Couldn’t you buy land a bit further out?”
“The closer the better for business,” the man replied pointing his finger for emphasis. “Besides it’s not like you will be involved with them socially.”
“Since you purchased McKade’s land, I suppose it’s best to do something with it.”
The man seemed to ponder on his wife’s words. “The best thing to do is build on it, sell it out in parcels and triple my investment.”
Linc backed away from the window. He scanned the house once more, sizing up the best way to get in if he needed to and then made his way back to Jane’s house. On the way back, once again he stopped by his brother’s and knocked. If for some reason Emerson returned early, it would be good. For one thing, the sooner he got his brother on his side the better. Then there was the complication of his attraction to Jane Conner. It was going to be difficult to keep his distance. He would of course, but he’d not mind catching a glimpse of her, just as she’d done of him earlier.
He tried the door and it was locked. Then he remembered that Emerson never locked the jailhouse. Being sure to stay in the shadows, he rounded the building and slipped in. Once there, he retrieved the key to Emerson’s house from the top desk drawer and went back.
Emerson’s small place was just like he remembered. Tidy, everything in its place. Emerson had always been that way, kept everything neat, ensuring they didn’t have to search hard when looking for a specific item.
Linc smiled picking up a carved horse from a side table. His brother, more like a father figure than a brother at times, had carved a set of horses for both him and Grant. When Linc was about fifteen, he’d carved one and gifted it to Emerson for his birthday. His brother always kept it.
After using Emerson’s items and shaving, he decided to return to Jane’s house. Although he considered staying with Emerson, he didn’t want to chance them returning and after finding him there, reacting in the wrong way, especially with Emerson just being married and all.
There was a lantern in the front room when Linc entered the small teacher’s cottage. He lifted the lamp and walked toward the bedrooms. Jane’s door was cracked open. Not meaning to, he peered in.
She was asleep on her back, golden brown hair spread across the pillow, one hand up next to her cheek. Her skin was luminous lit by the moonlight that shown through the window. His gaze went to her chest which lifted and lowered in slow procession. When she let out a soft breath and turned to her side facing him, Linc stepped back and went to his own room.
Morning came too soon. Linc had not slept so well in such a long time, he actually lingered in be
d, stretching his arms over his head and letting out a wide yawn.
“Lincoln?” Jane stood at the doorway. Her gaze skimmed his bare chest and then she looked away. “I just wanted to make sure you are well. I am leaving to the mercantile and then to have tea with the ladies. Do you require anything?”
He sat, purposely letting the blankets slip. Once again she looked to his bare body before rapidly glancing away, her cheeks flushed a pretty pink. “I will be fine, thank you. I’ll be over at the schoolhouse shortly to get some work done.”
“Very well.” She turned on her heel, her footsteps fading as she walked away.
* * * *
Jane couldn’t believe what a hard time she had tearing her eyes away from the handsome man in the bed back in her cottage. He’d shaved and if she’d thought him breathtaking before, now she had a hard time coming up with a word for Lincoln Gentry. The light feathering of chest hair begged for a woman’s touch. She stumbled over an uneven sidewalk plank and it brought her to the present.
“Well hello there, Miss Conner.” The shopkeeper Mr. Porterfield looked up as she walked in. “What can I help you with today?”
She scanned the shelves. “Soap, coffee, flour and molasses,” Jane replied while studying a bright yellow fabric. “I think I’d like some of this too.”
After paying for her purchases, she carried them in her basket to meet with the mayor’s wife. Eunice Higgenbottom waited for her at a table inside the hotel. The plump woman’s hair was pulled back tight into a tight bun. She wore a dark blue dress with more lace than Jane had seen in a long time. Mrs. Higgenbottom waved her over, already pouring a cup of tea. “Jane, I have the most interesting adventure planned for us today.” Mrs. Higgenbottom hesitated and studied the contents of Jane’s basket before continuing. “We’re going to visit a new family. They’ve just arrived, moved here from Virginia and have three young children who are school age.” She leaned in with an excited gleam in her eyes. “The woman, Rose, is an accomplished seamstress, who owned a dress shop back east. I bet she makes the most amazing creations. Finally someone to make attractive dresses.”
In spite of Mrs. Higgenbottom’s overzealous views of religion and proper composure, Jane liked the woman. “I think we should find out then.”
They made their way to a wagon and soon headed out of town. Jane looked to her companion. “Mrs. Higgenbottom, what is your honest opinion of Lincoln Gentry?”
“Oh goodness, why do you ask that out of the blue?” The woman frowned.
“Now that my sister is married to the marshal, he is family. And well with him being labeled an outlaw. I’m curious.”
Mrs. Higgenbottom took in the surrounding countryside before replying. “Lincoln is the youngest, of course you know that. He is also quite the looker. A handsome young man, who is always polite and mild mannered. Of the three, I would say he always struck me as the most gentle. Grant had a temper at times, Emerson, well he has always been strong and determined. Now Lincoln, he was the one that spent more time in town growing up. As a little boy, sometimes he helped at the mercantile to earn money. Whenever I shopped, he would carry my parcels home for me. It’s a shame what happened.”
The description seemed to fit him. She’d only known him but a few hours and already she’d come to the conclusion that Lincoln was a well-bred man. “What exactly happened? Who died?”
“The specifics are different depending on who you talk to. But it seems that Lincoln got in trouble over a saloon girl, he was…well spending time with. A man by the name of Tobias McKade and he got into a fight in the woman’s room and Lincoln shot the man.”
“So the girl was a witness then?”
“Not exactly. I was told McKade knocked her unconscious. Even if Lincoln was defending the girl’s honor, what little there is of it, that doesn’t excuse murder.”
“What a mess.” Jane wondered how Lincoln could possibly prove his innocence. “Emerson believes Lincoln is innocent.”
Mrs. Higgenbottom shook her head. “Of course he does. I feel bad for him, it’s his brother after all, but I don’t see how they can say he didn’t do it.”
“Hmmm.” Jane became lost in thought. Although it was none of her business, she’d discuss it with Lincoln over supper. Perhaps there was a way she could help him. It sounded dire.
“If anything,” Mrs. Higgenbottom began. “I think it’s best he remain lost, gone, an outlaw. If he comes back to town, Lincoln Gentry will hang for murder.”
* * * *
When Lincoln came inside to join her for dinner, Jane barely looked toward him. She kept busy seeing to the chili in the pot. It was hard to keep from blurting out that he should leave, go back into hiding and stay away from town. Jane decided to talk him into it. He should leave before Emerson returned.
After ladling the chili, and placing cornbread on the table, she had no choice but to sit down and face him. Lincoln studied her for a beat. “Is something bothering you, Miss Conner?”
She met his eyes and lost her bravado. “No, just have a lot on my mind. I met a new family today. They’ve just arrived from Virginia. It reminded me of first coming here. A carpenter and his wife. She’s so nervous, just like Maddie and I when first arriving.”
“I imagine it’s quite a change,” he replied between bites. “You are a very good cook.” His gaze met hers and she felt the heat rise to her face.
“Thank you. It’s just chili.”
“After all the weeks out there, eating when I could, this is a feast.”
“About that,” she started and took a sip of her coffee, “what would you do if Emerson convinced you it was best to leave and not show yourself here?”
“I’ve thought a lot about it. I miss my home, my family. But I don’t want to hang for something I didn’t do.” Head bent and shoulders rounded, his dejection made her eyes mist. Jane reached and covered his hand with hers. Lincoln lifted and looked at her. “I’d leave, go to California or Alaska I suppose.”
“I’m sorry.”
He covered her hand with his other one, preventing her from pulling back. A lock of hair fell over his brow when he looked at her. “Why do you care so much? I’m a virtual stranger. If my presence saddens you, I will leave. I can go back to the schoolhouse…”
“No. Of course you will not sleep there. It’s freezing cold in there and besides, it should only be one more night at the most.”
Lincoln lifted her hand to his mouth, his eyes not leaving hers. When his lips pressed against her knuckles, she couldn’t help the gasp. “Thank you. You are a beautiful woman, Jane Conner. I can’t fathom why someone like you would come out here alone.”
They remained still, not moving. Finally Jane slipped her hand away from him and began to eat again.
After the dishes were washed, Jane could not think of anything else to keep her busy. Once again, he sat outside on the chair looking up at the sky. She’d peered out a couple of times, each time after a trickle of fear that he’d go somewhere and get caught.
Moments later, she took a deep breath and turned to find he’d entered the house and stood behind her.
If only she could lean against him, feel his thick arms around hers. It would be her undoing. Jane looked up into his dark eyes. “I was about to sit with a cup of tea, would you like some? I have honey.”
“I’d prefer something sweeter.” Lincoln took a step towards her and Jane hoped he would not try to kiss her. At the same time, she wanted it more than anything.
“I have molasses, I could make you some quick biscuits…” she stopped speaking when he closed the gap between them and reached to caress her cheek.
His lips curved. “You watched me through the window when I bathed.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry…I didn’t mean…”
“I don’t mind. You seemed to like what you saw.” He leaned closer. “Or did you not?”
“Yes…you are quite fetching.” What was she saying? He would laugh at her compliment. It was what men said to women
, not the other way around.
“Mmm, never been called that before.” His face was only mere inches from hers. “I find you captivating, Miss Conner.”
Finally his lips fell over hers, the heat of his mouth warming her throughout. His huge hand slid to behind her head, cupping her as he kissed her. Jane could not track what his other hand did as she was lost to the taste of him. Coffee and Lincoln, an intoxicating mix. Slipping her hands up, she held on to his broad shoulders, not wanting the kiss to end and fell against him.
The hardness of his body against hers made everything disappear. The only thing that existed in that moment was him. And he was perfect, large and firm as he held her gently, but at the same time fully molding against her.
Lincoln turned his head, moving his mouth over hers, his hands moving up and down her back, massaging her skin, testing the boundaries.
The hardness of his erection pressed against her stomach and immediately heat pooled between her legs. There was nothing she wanted more in the moment than to lay with him, to remove his clothing and touch him. Kiss the expanse of his muscular body and feel his large hands all over hers.
God could she? Would she?
Chapter Four
It had been so long since he’d dared to be with a woman. First he didn’t want to chance having a child out of wedlock and lately, being on the run, his mind was preoccupied with surviving day to day.
But now, with this woman in his arms, nothing else mattered. Unless she stopped him, he’d be in her bed tonight. The beauty would be beneath him as he pounded into her until bringing them both to release.
She moaned and dragged her fingers through his long hair. He was glad not to have cut it now, as she seemed to enjoy it. Jane pushed harder into him and he took a chance. From her slender back to her small waist, he moved with caution, not releasing her mouth, the kiss deepening when she parted her lips allowing him entrance. He probed her mouth with his tongue and cupped her bottom, pulling her against his hardness.
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