by Rue Allyn
“I’m told the gold they get out of the mines, the Homestake and the Old Abe, produce some of the purest gold ever found in this country. There are saloons and gambling houses, a newspaper, all manner of businesses and believe it or not they even have an opera house.”
“Opera?”
“From what I hear, they actually have professional performers come from San Francisco. We aren’t completely cast to purgatory after all.”
“They also have a dance hall, a Chinese laundry, and a bank … oh, and street lights.” A feminine voice piped in.
Both men turned to see Kara standing in the doorway of the barn, her shoulder propped against the opening.
The men shuffled their feet, not unlike little boys caught at some mischief. “Most of the ranchers around here don’t do too much business in White Oaks,” she continued. “It’s not that the people aren’t nice.” She stepped into the barn. “It’s more because of the gold, and the distance from a railhead, which means prices for goods are higher there than any of the other towns nearby. If we need something immediately, we’ll buy from White Oaks, but most of us go to Carrizozo for our regular supplies. We do attend church on Sundays, when we have the time, and it is where most of the children from the ranches attend school. Oh, and this might interest you gentlemen.” She stepped over to Alec’s bay and began stroking his soft muzzle. “They hold match races on Sundays. You might want to take that big gray of yours down and see if you can make any money on him.” Nodding towards Hawke, “Or better yet,” she purred. “Why don’t you move into town? I’m sure Mr. Hoyle would consider selling you his house. He built it for a bride who never showed up. A perfect residence for two gentlemen of your refined tastes.”
Hawke walked up to her; standing so close she had to bend her head all the way back to make eye contact. She refused to step back or give ground in any way, daring him to act. He lifted his hand slowly and let his finger lightly caress the smooth line of her jaw. A shiver danced across her skin at his touch.
“And forego the gracious hospitality you’ve shown us, lass?” His voice was a velvet growl. He rubbed his thumb softly over her lower lip.
The world around them disappeared into a slow burn of aching need. Tendrils of sensual heat slithered along Kara’s spine and she leaned into the caress, wanting more. Looking into his eyes, she felt herself pulled in to the molten silver depths.
He was going to kiss her and she wanted him to. Her gaze flickered from his eyes to his lips and back to his eyes, desire pounded through her body. His thumb continued its slow assault on her already sensitized lip. She wanted more; needed to know what else there was. Her lips parted under the slow stroke of his thumb.
• • •
Hawke was drowning in the depths of her sapphire eyes, all thoughts of teasing flown. His thumb stroked where his mouth longed to be. Would she taste as sweet as he had imagined? He bent his head closer, his vision narrowed to her softly parted lips, desire spurring him to capture her mouth and taste her passion.
“Should I leave?”
He jerked his head up, the droll tone reminding him where they were, and that they weren’t alone. Looking at Alec’s too perceptive smile, he wished his friend to perdition.
He felt Kara stiffen at the sound of the other man’s voice, dread and embarrassment visible on her face. She pushed past him to leave the barn. He tried to reach out and stop her, but Alec’s next comment stopped him cold.
“Ah, so that’s how it is … hmm?”
Hawke jerked around, seeing his friend grinning broadly at him, and cursed at the unwanted discussion. Trying to divert Alec from goading him or questioning him further, he said, “What did you find out? Anything useful, or did you just spend your day in the saloons?”
“Och, no, no, no laddie, you’re not avoiding this. What the hell was that demonstration of seduction I just witnessed? And don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ I don’t think … no.” Alec wagged a finger at him, all traces of humor gone from his voice. “You were seducing her — in front of me, no less. This is yesterday in her father’s study all over again. She makes you forget everything and everyone else around you.” His eyes narrowed. “In all our dealings with the fairer sex, I know of no woman who has ever caused you to behave the way I just witnessed. Where is the iron control? Are you falling in love with our Miss Kara?”
He flushed, and an angry denial came to his lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Once again he tried to change the subject. He didn’t want to examine his actions any closer. “What did you find out? I need to know if we’re any closer to Tompkins.”
“All right, I’ll hold my tongue — for now,” Alec relented. “But I fully intend to get my answers. We are in luck, there was a message from the detectives, and it appears our friend is indeed in White Oaks. The remittance checks from his father are being deposited in the Exchange Bank.”
“Wonderful. We just have to wait for the bastard to go to the bank, and we’ve got him.”
For the first time since the attack on Bethany, Hawke felt like there might be an end to the nightmare. He could finally get his hands on the coward and teach him a lesson he would never forget.
He tried to imagine Bethany’s reaction when he told her. Would it be enough to bring her out of her depression? Would she become his loving sister once more?
“We don’t need to wait, I found out where he works and lives.” Alec’s quiet words snapped him from his thoughts.
“How did you … . ” A slow knowing grin spread across his face. “You must have charmed some hapless female out of the information.”
“You know me too well, my friend,” Alec chuckled. “A charming young woman, Miss Daisy Babours, was very eager to assist me.” Alec’s grin widened.
“Enough of your conquest, what information did she give to you?”
“It appears Tompkins has been quite busy since his arrival in White Oaks.” Alec paused. “He has gained employment at the mine.”
Hawke’s eyebrow arched up in surprise. In England Tompkins was infamous for his ability to shirk work of any kind. He had always been a wastrel and a gambler, preferring to greet the dawn on his way to bed rather than do an honest day’s labor on his father’s land. It was one of the reasons Hawke and his father had considered him unsuitable for Bethany.
“Surprised me as well.” Alec nodded. “I fully expected him to be in the saloons gambling, or living at the bottom of a bottle like so many of the remittance men. Apparently he showed up in town about ten months ago, took a room in Mrs. Gallacher’s boarding house, got the job at the mine, and has set out to make himself a model resident of the community.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about Geoffrey Tompkins?” Hawke couldn’t reconcile the portrait Alec was painting with the immature, selfish young man of his memory.
“Quite sure. Miss Babours lives in the Gallacher boarding house, and was impressed by what a serious-minded young man he was, and willing to tell me all about his transformation from ‘dude’ to a real working man. I also learned the best time to find him is on Sunday afternoons,” he said, a smug look on his face. “He hasn’t reformed completely, it appears. He likes to bet on the match races Kara mentioned. From what I hear, unlike back in England, his losses are not great. Never did know how to pick a winner, though,” he said derisively. “He also visits the casinos in town regularly.”
“We need to decide on a plan and confront him.” Hawke slammed his fist into the palm of his hand.
Looking outside and realizing they would be late to supper, they finished bedding down their horses and headed to the house to change.
Stepping through the front door they were stopped by Case.
“Hawke,” he said, pointing to his study. “If I might have a moment of your time.”
Alec gave him a sympathetic look, turned, and with a low whistle, headed for his room.
Entering the study, Case indicated the chair in front of his desk.
Knowing the convers
ation would be about his actions at the pens earlier, Hawke felt more than a little apprehensive. Sitting, he looked at Case, trying to gauge the mood of his partner, but was unsuccessful. It wasn’t good.
Case sat behind his desk, expressionless, watching, but not speaking. If he were an employee, Hawke knew he was about to be sacked. As it was, he looked Case straight in the eye, bluffing like a gambler in a high stakes game, holding a hand full of nothing.
Case leaned forward slowly, resting his forearms on the desk. “I’ve heard some disturbing reports about your conduct towards my daughter.” Hawke saw his eyes narrow. “Care to tell me exactly what you think you are doing?”
It reminded Hawke of a dressing down he received from his commander in India; he suppressed an urge to snap to attention and salute.
“Well?”
“Sir.”
He was not some green boy, he reminded himself, he was a member of the peerage, and while this man was his partner, and he respected him, he would not be made to feel guilt for something. Admittedly, I might have fantasized about it, but nothing happened. I know he has a right to question me. Hell, I’d like to know myself. But he would not be put in this position. Any discussion should be between he and Kara.
“Case,” he began, drawing himself up straight in his chair. “I have done nothing to, or with, your daughter. And while I do not know what you have been told, I will admit she seems to react … strongly to my presence, and if I’m to be honest … .” He leaned back in his chair trying to convey a confidence he really wasn’t feeling. “I have the same reaction to her. Despite the apparent attraction, however, I believe her general animosity at my being here, being your partner, and my desire to conclude the search for Geoffrey Tompkins, will forestall anything advancing.”
“It’s not her animosity towards you I’m hearing about. No. What I want to know,” Case leaned forward, his hands palm down on the desk as if he meant to rise, “is exactly what your feelings are towards her? I know you come from a world where moral lassitude is prevalent.” The low menace of his voice, chilling in its intensity, was more effective than shouting. “Not here. If you think to lead my daughter on or take advantage of her feelings or her innocence in any way, you better think again.”
Case reached for a carved rosewood box on his desk removed a cigar, trimmed the end, lit it, and sat back in his chair.
“However,” he continued, “if you wish to court my daughter, properly, with the expectation of marrying her … .” The smile died on his lips. “Then that is another matter.”
Hawke was surprised when Case then propped his leg across the corner of the desk, smoke curled toward the ceiling.
Confounded by the change of direction, Hawke was speechless. Maybe Alec was right.
Staring at Case, he firmly believed the marriage minded mamas in London could take lessons from the man seated in front of him. He had been neatly cornered, just like the calves he saw in the corral earlier.
If he wanted to further explore the attraction he knew existed, he would be honor-bound to declare his suit, and if not, he knew sure as the sun rose in the east, his every movement would be watched, and he would be kept far away from Kara.
The thought of not seeing her made his blood boil. I will not allow it. Anger roared through him. She is mine.
Where had that come from? His temper cooled as his reaction shook him to the core. Am I ready to marry, to stay with one woman? And if so, why this woman? He felt completely off balance.
“Got you to thinking, didn’t I?” A low chuckle brought him out of the churning in his head. Looking up, he caught a twinkle in the older man’s eyes. Tilting his head in question, he could only stare at his partner, dumbfounded.
“I am deadly serious about what I said. You need to make a choice.”
Case removed his leg from the desk and leaned forward, the leather of his chair creaking. His elbows rested on the desk as he steepled his fingers.
“I will tell you, my Emma’s father put me in pretty much the same position many years ago.” A sad smile played across his mouth. “I was still in the cavalry, the war had just ended, and I met this amazing young woman.”
Hawke could hear the longing in his voice.
“We were wildly attracted to each other, flirted constantly, and had trouble keeping our hands off each other.” His piercing gaze held Hawke. “Her father took me aside, scared the life out of me, and made me realize she was not some casual flirtation, but that she was meant for me and I for her. The one thought running through my head as he talked of separating us was, ‘But she belongs to me,’ and it was then I knew I had to be with her, always.”
Hawke could see love and loss in the older man’s eyes.
“This is what I see when you look at my Kara. And why we are having this talk. What has been reported to me only reinforces my belief that you need to decide.” Case leaned back; puffing idly on his cigar, smoke twirled languidly from the glowing tip. “I’m not going to ask you to answer me right now. We will be going into White Oaks on Saturday. There’s a singer performing at the Starr Opera House, and we will attend church and the races on Sunday. I will wait until we return from town.” Case pointed the cigar at him. “But then, young man, I will have an answer.”
Speechless, Hawke stood, nodded, turned, and left the room.
• • •
Sitting in the chair by the open window, Hawke lit a cigar, puffing it while contemplating his conundrum.
Damn.
Was Case right?
Was Alec right?
Was he falling in love with Kara? Was she the one for him? He certainly had plenty of years, and plenty of dalliances with all types of women, and had never felt the way he did about her. It was almost primitive, the drive to possess her and mark her as his.
But was it love?
Surprisingly he didn’t feel any resentment he had been put in this position.
Why?
Letting the smoke drift slowly upwards, unaware of the passage of the early evening into the cool tendrils of the deepening night.
Chapter 15
Kara didn’t go downstairs for dinner. She couldn’t face anyone after what had happened in the barn. Her cheeks burned at the memory of his touch and her response. Maria had brought dinner up to her, and the two had spent hours talking.
Maria was convinced she really didn’t dislike Hawke, no; in fact, as far as Maria was concerned it was the complete opposite.
“It’s so obvious. Even the men have commented on it.” Maria told her as she idly picked at her dinner. “And you know if cowboys notice something that doesn’t have hooves or horns, then it must be really, really apparent.”
Kara’s stomach turned at the thought of everyone talking about her and Hawke … it was mortifying.
Sighing, feeling defeated, she looked at her friend. “All right, I will admit I no longer completely dislike the man, and yes, he is nice looking,”
Maria snorted.
“He’s very handsome, and yes.” Kara rolled her eyes, flopped back on her bed, and put her hands behind her head, staring at the ceiling, recalling the rush of heat his touch sent through her. “There is something about him I can’t seem to resist.”
Rolling her head to the side she looked at her friend. “But, Maria, it scares me, this feeling. What will happen if I let this continue? Will I find myself lonely and longing for someone who won’t be here?” She sat up, anxiety gnawing at her insides. “The ranch isn’t the only reason he’s here, and I’m afraid whatever those reasons are, once resolved, he will return to England. What will happen then? He doesn’t need to live here to be my father’s partner. What will happen to me?”
Drawing up her knees she wrapped her arms around them, fighting the urge to cry.
Maria sat on the bed and put her arm around her shoulder. “Why, if he loves you and you love him, would you not marry and return to England with him? This is what a wife does. Lives with her husband, verdad?”
Marri
age! Love? Leaving the ranch?
Kara’s head was spinning, her stomach queasy with unanswered questions.
“Love? Who said anything about love?” She felt like one of her dogies, confused and lost. “Love? I never said I was in love with him. I don’t know if what he makes me feel is love or just lust.”
Maria gasped. “Lust! What do you know of lust? Do you think you are the kind of person who could feel strongly as you do about this man, and not have your heart involved? I really don’t think so.”
Flopping back on her pillow once more, Kara sighed. “I don’t know what I feel, but I know if my life and his are destined to intertwine, then I have to face leaving the ranch and all I know and love. And that is what scares me the most.”
• • •
The house settled down for the night, but Kara, restless and unable to sleep, decided to take a walk in the walled garden. Pulling on a robe and slippers, she headed down the outside stairs to the area just beyond the patio.
The night air was soft and the light of the moon cast a glow on the plants and rocks around her. Still she was careful where she stepped. You could never know where a rattler might have curled up for the evening. At the end of the walkway was a small, open gazebo gleaming white in the moonlight. Her father had built for her mother. It was where she liked to go when she was upset or confused. It made her feel closer to her mother.
“Oh, Mama,” she sighed softly, sitting on the bench, the ache of loss strong, “how I miss you. I need your advice more than ever. I don’t know what to do. He frightens me, but at the same time I can’t seem to stay away. I want him.”
She gazed at the stars twinkling brightly in the velvet midnight sky, as tears rolled quietly down her cheeks.
“I love you, Mama,” she whispered, wiping the tears with the back of her hand, “how I wish you could help me now.” Drawing a deep ragged sigh, she said a prayer.
She knew only she could solve this dilemma. Lost in her thoughts, she did not hear the crunching on the stones. She started at the quiet cough. Afraid it might be Black, she drew back into the shadows, looking for something to defend herself with.
