Lady Deception

by Bobbi Smith

  "Obliged for the information." The younger man tipped his hat as they finished their drinks and left the saloon.

  "It sounds like we might be closing in on him," the older man said.

  "Don't get your hopes up. We thought we were close before, and we weren't. It's late. Let's take a room at the hotel and see the sheriff in the morning."

  "But he might be-"

  "Tomorrow. One more night isn't going to change anything."

  The older man acquiesced and they headed for the hotel.

  Cody lay in bed in her room in Galveston, unable to sleep. She couldn't believe the way she and Luke had parted, and she'd been lying there for hours trying to figure out what had happened.

  He'd kissed her... It wasn't Sister Mary or Armita or anybody else this time. He had kissed her.

  She sighed as she remembered the passion of it. But just as quickly as he'd embraced her, he'd left her, and he hadn't looked back. It had seemed almost as if he had been pushing her away from him, and she didn't understand it.

  Cody had thought that they'd come to like and admire each other over these last days that they'd been working so closely together. But now she supposed she'd been wrong. When he'd left her to return to the jail, he had been cold. It had seemed, in an unspoken way, some kind of final parting.

  Cody had known she was falling in love with Luke. She'd known that since the beginning, but now there could be no denying it any longer. She did love him, and she had no idea what she was going to do about it.

  Tears burned in her eyes, and deny them though she might, the pain in her heart was too overwhelming. It was near dawn when she finally fell asleep. Even then, it wasn't restful, but was filled with dreams of Luke.

  "I appreciate all your help, Sheriff," Luke told him as he shook hands with him early the next morning.

  "Glad to be of service. Good luck getting back with her, but truth be told, it's hard to believe she's the one you been talking about."

  "That's why she's so dangerous," Luke explained, knowing it was a good thing he'd spent the night there. When he'd left Cody and come back, the sheriff had already been lured back near to the jail cell and was talking with Elizabeth. God only knew what she might have tried with him, if Luke hadn't shown up. "But she's not going to be doing much anymore except standing trial back in Del Fuego for murder and bank robbery."

  "Take care going back."

  "We will."

  Cody arrived at the office ready to travel. She'd already wired Nate Thompson in San Antonio that they would need his help that night, and she'd had their bags delivered to the train station and checked to make certain that Hadley's coffin was ready to be loaded. She'd come to the office to help Luke with Elizabeth.

  "Good morning," she greeted them as she came through the door.

  Luke was hungry for the sight of her, and it was all he could do not to cross the room and take her in his arms. "Ready to go?"

  "Everything's set. The train pulls out in less than an hour."

  She thanked the sheriff for his help, too, and then they cuffed Elizabeth again and led her from the jail.

  The trip to San Antonio seemed to take forever. Luke napped, while Cody kept a close eye on Elizabeth, never letting her out of her sight. Elizabeth did everything she could to make the trip more difficult, but Cody did not relax her vigilance, and she was thrilled when they reached San Antonio. The dangerous journey was almost over.

  Cody found things between herself and Luke to be oddly strained. She wanted to try to breach the wall that had suddenly been erected between them, but with Elizabeth there, there was no time for personal conversation. She hoped that evening when they were alone again, she could find out what was wrong.

  Sheriff Nate Thompson was ready and waiting for them when they came to the office.

  "Evening, Cody," he said, smiling when he saw her. "Looks like you're bringing in another one."

  "My father taught me well," she answered. "We appreciate your help."

  "Did you have any trouble?"

  She told him what had happened and how Hadley had been killed.

  "I'm just glad you're all right. Your aunt and the kids were in town a couple of days ago. I know they'll be glad to have you back home."

  "I'll be glad to be back home, too," she answered. "All we have to do is deliver her to Sheriff Halloway in Del Fuego and we're done. I'll be able to wash my hands of this one in about two more days. Then I can go home for real."

  "Sounds good. You two get some rest. We'll keep a real good watch on her tonight. She's not going anywhere."

  Cody knew he was a man of his word, so she had no qualms about leaving her with him and told Luke so after they'd left the office to go to the Menger. "We won't have to stay with Nate tonight. He'll be fine. He's one helluva lawman."

  "As good as your father?"

  Cody smiled at him. "Almost."

  They took their rooms and agreed to meet for dinner later. Cody bathed, and as she soaked in the hot water she wondered what she could do to get through to Luke. She had never considered herself a temptress or seductive in any way except when she was playing at it as Delilah or Armita. Right then, though, Cody Jameson was wishing she knew more about basic feminine wiles. All her life she'd been honest and forthright. It was all she could do not to blurt out to Luke that she loved him. She considered that maybe she should, but then she also ran the risk of driving him even farther from her. Trapped in her dilemma, she decided she would have a drink with dinner that night, and then decide what to do.

  Luke took his time getting ready for their dinner, too. He could feel the confusion in Cody, but did not want to talk about it with her. It was better if he just left her once they got to Del Fuego. In fact, he'd thought about disappearing that night back in Galveston, but he needed to make sure she made it back safely.

  As he dressed, he realized this would be the last time they would be having any private time together. He did not plan to tell her that he was leaving. He was just going to go once he saw her to Halloway's office.

  "You look lovely again tonight," he complimented her as she met him in the hall.

  "Why, thank you. It feels nice to be able to relax a little." She had worn the emerald gown again, and her hair was down and brushed out, held back from her face by only a matching ribbon.

  Luke thought she looked innocent and sweet and completely irresistible, and the desire he felt for her heated within him. Cody thought he looked more handsome than ever in his suit.

  Her heart beat a little faster as Luke took her elbow to guide her through the restaurant when the waiter led them to their table. They were given a candlelit table for two in a secluded corner.

  "Would you care for any drinks tonight?" the waiter asked.

  "Do you have champagne?" Cody blurted out. She had never had any before, but she'd heard it was meant for celebrating. Tonight she wanted to celebrate their success.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Bring us a bottle, please," she directed.

  "Do you like champagne?" Luke asked, surprised by her request.

  She giggled nervously. "I don't know. I've never had it before, but I wanted us to celebrate tonight."

  He thought she was charming in her innocence. It was her innocence and purity that drew him to her, that had wrapped its spell around him and held him by his heart. Yet it was also that innocence and goodness that convinced him he could have no place in her life. He would not drag her down. As much as he loved her, he would not ruin her life by asking her to marry him. It was better this way. He was sure of it.

  When the waiter returned with a chilled bottle of the sparkling wine and two beautiful crystal glasses, Cody was excited. She forgot that it had been long hours since she'd eaten anything. She was just fascinated by the bubbling wine in the delicate crystal. The waiter did the honors on the first drink and Cody took her glass, holding it as if it were the most precious thing she'd ever held. Then she lifted her gaze to Luke's as she raised the glass in toast.


  "To you, Luke Majors. You are a kind, gentle, intelligent man, and I..." She stopped, unable to say the words she really wanted to say-that she loved him and didn't want to live without him. "I hope our association on this job is only the first of many."

  Luke touched the rim of his glass to hers. "And to you, Cody. May you always be happy."

  As they sipped from their glasses, their gazes met and held. It was a moment Cody had longed for, and she wished she could just reach across the table and kiss him. She didn't. Instead, she concentrated on drinking her champagne, marveling at how it tasted better and better with each additional sip.

  Cody was on her third glass by the time their dinner arrived, and she continued to partake of the champagne until the bottle was empty. She didn't notice right away that her lips had gone numb or that suddenly the night seemed brighter and the world seemed nicer. She felt good, and happy, and as if she didn't have a care in the world. She liked the feeling. Luke ordered dessert for them, a decadent chocolate concoction that was creamy and bittersweet and that Cody loved.

  "That was delicious." She sighed as she sat back, contented. She felt all warm inside.

  "Are you ready to call it a night?" Luke recognized that she'd had too much to drink, but then so had he. She was having such a wonderful time that he hated to say anything to her. They were enjoying themselves. That was all that was important. It had been a long, long time since he'd last been able to relax and just be himself this way.

  "I think I'd better. We've got a long couple of days coming up, but it's going to feel very good when we deliver Elizabeth to the sheriff's office."

  "It's going to feel wonderful."

  Luke helped her from her chair and kept his hand at her waist as they left the dining room and went back upstairs. They paused before her room and Luke took the key from her to unlock her door. She stepped inside and lifted her starry-eyed gaze to him.

  "Good night, Luke." Her voice was breathless with promise. Her eyes were luminous. Her lips were slightly parted as if begging him to kiss her.

  He told himself no. "Good night, Cody."

  He started to leave, needing to get away from the enchantment of her.

  "Luke?"

  He turned back.

  "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "For everything. For protecting me as Sister Mary. For taking me with you as Armita. For saving me from the snake. For helping me find El Diablo..."

  She'd taken two steps toward him, and it was his undoing. Luke returned to her and took her in his arms. He crushed her to him, his mouth swooping down to claim hers in a devouring kiss that spoke of passion unleashed.

  Everything seemed to swirl around him as he held her to his heart. Somehow the door was closed and locked, and, finally, they were alone. Clothes were strewn about the room in their haste to touch one another and to be close. When at last they fell together on the bed, the rest of the world did not exist. There was only feeling and need. Distantly, as if in a dream, Luke heard her softly call to him, "I love you, Luke."

  But then it was gone, and all that was left was their joining. Tender yet fierce. Fiery yet gentle. Consuming yet giving. They loved.

  It was long into the night before exhaustion claimed them and they fell asleep in each other's arms. Their limbs entwined, they clung to the joy that had been theirs for just that little while.

  Cody awoke an hour before sunrise. Luke slumbered peacefully beside her. She carefully extricated herself from the bed and went to stare out the hotel window.

  Tears traced a path down her cheeks, yet Cody did not bother to wipe them away. She loved Luke with all her heart, and he did not love her. She had hoped last night would break down the barrier he'd put between them. She'd hoped by telling him she loved him, she would touch his heart. But it hadn't happened.

  The pain was fierce. She had known he was a dangerous man, but she'd never known how dangerous. She had never known that he could break her heart this way.

  Silently she dressed and gathered her things. She sat down at the dressing table and wrote two short notes. Propping Luke's note up so he'd be sure to see it, she took one last look at him as he slept. She would never forget him. She would love him forever.

  Fighting the pain deep within her, Cody left the room, locking the door behind her. She got her horse from the stable, stopped by the jail to leave the other note for Nate, and then headed home. It was time.

  Luke awoke just after dawn and immediately reached for Cody. When he encountered an empty bed and cold sheets, his eyes flew open and he sat up looking around the room for her. It took him a minute to realize that she was gone. And then he saw the note.

  Getting up, he grabbed the missive and read it quickly.

  Dear Luke,

  I realize now that things will not work out between us. We're too different. Please take Elizabeth, and Hadley's body, on in to Del Fuego and claim the reward. Keep it all. I wish you much happiness.

  Cody

  He crushed the note in his hand, his knuckles whitening with the power of his grip. She was gone. Just like that and in the middle of the night. She must have realized that he couldn't give her the kind of life she wanted.

  Pain knifed at Luke, but he refused it. It was better this way. He had planned to leave her in Del Fuego, so this was just ending it early. He should be relieved. It was over.

  He threw the note in the trash can and began to dress. A few minutes later he was heading for the jail.

  Fred looked up as the two men came through the office door. "Can I help you?"

  "The bartender at the saloon down the street told us you might be able to," the young man began.

  "What is it?" Fred studied the two. They looked respectable enough, though a little travel-weay.

  "We were trying to locate someone, and from the reaction we got from the barkeep, we figured we might be getting close."

  "Who is it?"

  The two exchanged looks and then the older one said, "Luke Majors."

  Fred's expression grew serious as he regarded the pair. "The bounty is off Majors. So you can just go on your way. He's not a wanted man anymore."

  "Not by the law."

  "Not by anyone."

  "He is by us."

  "Why?"

  "He's my son," Charles Majors said.

  Luke retrieved Elizabeth and, after getting her settled next to him on the seat in the buckboard, they headed for Del Fuego. He didn't relish the trip. He was going to have to keep track of her every minute, and she was a challenge. He could never let his guard down or underestimate her. If he did, he'd end up dead. He had no doubt of that.

  Elizabeth was strangely quiet as they left San Antonio. Luke had expected the worst from her, and wasn't quite sure what this mood of hers meant. They were several hours' ride out of town when she finally spoke up.

  "Where's your partner?"

  "Cody wasn't my partner."

  "Your lady friend?"

  "No.'

  "Really? Then why were you two together?"

  "We were doing a favor for Jack."

  "Jack?" She glanced at him quickly.

  "You're not as good as you think you are. You didn't kill Jack, you didn't kill your husband, and you missed your chance with me."

  "We aren't in Del Fuego yet, Luke Majors. Are you certain you're man enough to bring me in alone?"

  Her words were meant to be taunting, but Luke didn't respond to them.

  "I've dealt with your kind before," he answered flatly. "They just never wore skirts."

  "I'll take that as a compliment," she cooed.

  "You can take it any way you like. You're a killer, and I don't like killers."

  "What a disappointment," Elizabeth said, her tone petulant. "And all this time I thought you were someone special."

  Luke shrugged. "You thought wrong."

  "Obviously."

  She fell silent again, and Luke was glad. They had a long way to go, and he didn't want to listen to her.
>
  They traveled on, not stopping for the night until it was almost dark. Luke roused her again before sunup, and they once more headed out. It was midafternoon when Del Fuego first came into view.

  Luke didn't want anything to do with the town, but he had to admit he was glad to see it today. He couldn't wait to get rid of Elizabeth and be on his way. Luke planned a trip out to the ranch to visit Jessy, and then he would head west, maybe to Arizona territory. He'd heard a man could lose himself there.

  As they entered town, word that he'd returned with Elizabeth traveled fast. By the time he'd tied the buckboard up in front of the sheriff's office, a crowd was gathering. Luke helped her down and turned to find Fred waiting for them in the office doorway.

  "I sent a deputy to find Jack. Bring her on in," Fred told him. "Where's Cody?"

  "She stayed behind in San Antonio."

  They ushered Elizabeth quickly into a cell and locked the door securely.

  "Hello, Fred," she said sweetly.

  He turned an icy glare on her and walked away.

  "Hadley in the pine box?"

  Luke nodded. "There was no other way."

  "Poster said `dead or alive.' ""He shrugged off the outlaw's death. Hadley was not a man to be mourned.

  Jack came through the door right then. He'd seen the coffin outside and spotted Elizabeth in the jail cell, and went straight to Luke to shake his hand.

  "You did it! Where's Cody?"

  "I just asked him the same thing," Fred put in.

  "She decided to stay on in San Antonio. I brought Elizabeth in alone from there."

  Jack glanced toward the jail cell again. "Wait here. I have a few things to say to her."

  He walked toward the cell area, while the other men discreetly moved away.

  "Hello, Elizabeth."

  "Why, Jack," she said coolly, "I can't say that I'm happy to see you up and about."

  "You really had me fooled."

  "That wasn't difficult. And you weren't the only one."

  "Obviously, but all good things do come to an end."