Tossing the stub of the cheroot into the dirt, he looked at his two men, the only people he trusted besides Maria.
“Tomorrow, we ride to my sister’s, give her the money, and find a place to camp.” A feral smile broke across his face. “Then we wait for MacLaren and his men.”
Chapter Four
Bay shoved the covers away, cursing under his breath. He hadn’t had that much whiskey the night before, yet again, his head felt as if it would explode. Standing, he bent over, groaning at the intense stomach cramps.
Waiting until the pain faded, he straightened, staring at his hands. Both tingled. Not a lot, but enough so he noticed. Shaking them, he felt a wave of relief when the tingling sensations stopped. After all these years of enjoying whiskey, Bay didn’t understand why a couple drinks would send his body lurching.
Going to the dresser, he splashed water on his face and neck, then dressed, all the while thinking of Suzette. He hadn’t seen her since the night in the restaurant when she’d introduced herself as his wife.
At first, he’d been angry, furious at how she’d driven away the woman who’d traveled all the way from Sacramento to spend time with him. A woman he had no intention of bedding or seeing again.
Thinking about that night, a wry grin appeared, remembering how Suzette had turned things back on him. She’d stood up for herself, the same as she had when they’d argued, asserting she’d never betrayed him.
What bothered him was her true reason for speaking out. She’d done it to push him into finalizing their divorce. Even through her bravado, he’d seen the hurt on her face when he’d walked into the restaurant with another woman. The same pain he’d seen her try to conceal each time he’d appeared with a stunning beauty on his arm.
The satisfaction he used to experience at Suzette’s distressed reaction had changed to guilt over the last few weeks. Bay wondered why he continued to bring women to Conviction when they meant nothing to him. After everything, the only woman he wanted was his wife.
He strapped on his gunbelt and grabbed his hat. August would be back from Sacramento on the morning steamship and Bay planned to waylay him for a meeting. The time had come for his mentor to explain his real reason for bringing Suzette to Conviction.
As competent a manager as she was, he knew there had to be more behind August’s paying for her passage from St. Louis when someone from San Francisco could’ve been hired. Bay already suspected the reason, but needed August to confirm it.
Stopping for a quick breakfast at the Great West Café, he read the latest edition of the Guardian. He and Harold Ivers had a long, heated conversation after the editor ran the story of Bay’s past life, finally coming to an understanding.
On this week’s second page was a clarification of the original story, but not the full retraction Bay sought. For now, he’d let it go. If Ivers wrote any more about him, there would be hell to pay.
“Here you are.” Tricia set down a plate of eggs, bacon, and a crêpe with wild berry compote. “You’re the first customer to try this.”
Bay stared at the dessert-like concoction, tilting his head. “Well, I’m willing to give it a try if I can also get some of your bread.”
Laughing, Tricia headed back to the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with thick slices of sourdough slathered with butter. “Let me know if you need more.”
Bay tucked into his breakfast, meaning to make it a quick meal before walking to the docks to meet August. Hearing the chime over the door, he glanced up, his features stilling. Suzette stood in the doorway. He could see the indecision on her face when she spotted him.
“Don’t rush off because of me, Suzette. In fact, why don’t you join me? I’ll let you try some of this new concoction Tricia put on my plate.” He nodded at the crêpe.
Hesitating a moment, she walked to his table, her face guarded. Then she glanced down at the plate. “Oh, a berry crêpe. I wondered when she and Edgar would put them on the menu.”
Standing, Bay pulled out a chair. “Please sit down. I promise not to cause a scene.”
Biting her lower lip, Suzette studied his face. “Why? Did you bring the papers you want me to sign?”
“No, I didn’t.” Frustration tinged his words. “I’ll understand if you’d prefer to eat alone.”
Feeling a little foolish at making such a fuss over a simple request, she nodded. “All right.”
Once she sat down, he returned to his seat. Pushing the plate toward her, Bay pointed to the crêpe. “I’d appreciate it if you’d try this first.”
She cocked a brow, her lips twitching. “Do you think it’s poisoned?”
He didn’t return her lightheartedness. “If I did, I wouldn’t be offering you any.”
Ignoring the strange tone in his voice, she let her fork hover over the crêpe. “I’d think that would be agreeable to you. After all, it would put an end to all the trouble between us.” Sliding a portion onto her fork, she placed it into her mouth, missing the flash of unease on Bay’s face. “Oh, this is wonderful. You must have some.”
“Do you think it’s too sweet for me?”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “No. It isn’t any sweeter than the berry pie you like so much. Really, I do believe you’d like it.”
Tricia walked up with another full plate of eggs, bacon, and another crêpe. “I decided to serve you the same as Bay. I hope it’s all right.”
Suzette looked up, grinning. “This is fine, Tricia. The crêpe is marvelous. Will you be putting it on the menu?”
“Edgar plans to. He wanted to get some comments before making a final decision. So, what do you think of it, Bay?”
He scooped up some on his fork, taking a quick glance at Suzette before placing it into his mouth. A moment later, he looked between the two women. “This is very good, Tricia. Excellent, in fact.”
Sending a knowing grin at Suzette, she smiled. “Wonderful. I’ll let Edgar know.” She headed for the kitchen, leaving them alone.
They ate in silence for several minutes before Bay set down his fork, picking up the cup of coffee. “I’ll be meeting August at the docks after breakfast. Would you care to accompany me?”
The offer came as such a surprise, she dropped her fork, feeling her face flush. “I, um…that would be lovely.”
“Good.” He continued eating, saying nothing more until they’d both cleaned their plates. When Tricia told them the price for each meal, he pulled out enough for both, then stood.
“I can pay for my own breakfast, Bay.”
“I’m certain you can, Suzette.” Holding out a hand, he assisted her up. “Don’t let the fact I paid for your meal ruin your day.” Although his expression stayed somber, his lips curved up enough for her to know his words were in jest.
Stepping outside, he took her hand, slipping it through his arm while ignoring the way her body tensed. They walked a short distance before Suzette glanced at him.
“What are you doing, Bay?”
“Escorting you to the docks to meet August.”
“What I mean is, why are you being so nice to me? You’ve not said a civil word to me since…” Her voice trailed off, not wanting to bring up the worst night of her life.
“Since you decided to choose Calvan over me?”
Stopping, she pulled her arm free. Looking around to make certain no one watched, she leaned toward him. “I never chose him over you, and I’m tired of enduring your scorn day after day.” She took a step closer, a finger poking him in the chest, her voice hard and unyielding. “I’ll be at your office this afternoon to end our marriage. I expect you to be there.” Turning away, she stopped to glance over her shoulder. “Don’t do what you always do, Bay.”
Controlling his anger, he glared at her. “And what is that?”
“Show your cowardice and run.”
An hour later, Bay still seethed as he sat across the desk from August in his partner’s office.
He’d met the steamboat, impatient when it took longer than expected
for the older man to disembark. Once on land, Bay took August aside. “We need to talk.”
As if he understood the need in Bay’s voice, he nodded, not asking any questions until they’d shut the door of his office and taken seats. Resting his arms on his desk, August studied the younger man who’d become as close as a son.
“What is it you want to discuss?”
“Suzette.”
Brow quirking up, a knowing grin lifted the corners of his mouth. “I wondered when you’d decide to ask about her.”
Bay tilted his head, gaze narrowing.
“It took you longer than I expected.” August chuckled, eliciting a surprised look from Bay. “So, what is it you want to know?”
A little disconcerted by August’s comments, Bay leaned back in his chair, so many questions rolling through his head. He decided to ask the most important one. “Why did you bring her here?”
“Because Suzette filled every requirement we had for the manager of our hotel and restaurant.”
“I know there’s more. Why else?”
Shrugging, August’s features sobered. “She’s your wife, Bay. Not that you don’t already know your relationship with the lovely woman.”
“Our relationship isn’t important.”
“It’s all that’s important. I know you well enough to know you’d never have married Suzette if you didn’t love her. What I don’t understand is why you rode off, leaving her alone and unprotected. I had no idea of the relationship between the two of you until I mentioned your name as one of my business partners. It took long hours of convincing before she agreed to give up her job and travel to Conviction.” The disappointment in August’s voice drew a grimace from Bay. “Tell me why you left her.”
Swallowing the bile he always fought whenever he remembered the night he’d found her with Calvan, he pushed aside the pain to meet August’s hard gaze.
“I found her with another man.”
“Are you sure about that, Bay?” He held up a hand when Bay opened his mouth to reply. “Think carefully on this before you answer. Sometimes what we think we see isn’t reality. Over time, it becomes our reality, even when it’s false.”
Jumping up, Bay paced to the window, then whipped around to face August. His features hardened, voice accusing. “What do you know of what happened?”
Relaxing, he sat back in his chair, unmoved by Bay’s undisguised anger. “There’s a good deal you don’t know about what happened that night. Perhaps if you’d stayed in St. Louis after regaining consciousness, you’d be enjoying a much different life than the one you have now.”
Bay’s hand speared through his thick, dark hair as he took a step toward August. “What the hell are you trying to tell me?”
“I’m not the one you should be asking. You’re going to have to ask Suzette, and I hope you’ll listen with an open mind.”
Chest heaving in anger, Bay lowered himself back into the chair. “How do you know what she’d tell me will be the truth?”
“Because after I heard Suzette’s story, I spoke to the doctor who tended you, the sheriff, and one of the men who rode with Dave Calvan. If you’d been more interested in discovering the truth, you wouldn’t be asking what you should already know.” Standing, August walked around his desk, resting a hip against the edge and folding his arms over his chest. His gaze locked on Bay’s, waiting.
After a few long moments, Bay scrubbed a hand down his face. “Suzette is coming to the office this afternoon to end our marriage.”
“Good.”
Bay’s eyes widened. “Good?”
“Yes. It will give you the opportunity to ask the questions you should’ve asked years ago. Afterward, you can decide if you’re willing to do whatever is needed to convince her to give you another chance.”
His voice was incredulous. “Give her another chance? Suzette is the one who broke our vows.”
August lifted a brow. “Are you certain?”
Bay paused, admitting to himself he did have doubts. Intense ones which had vexed him for days. Meeting August’s gaze, he didn’t respond.
“I thought so.” Pushing away from the desk, August walked to his office door, opening it. “I’d suggest you start preparing for your meeting with Suzette and the questions you intend to ask.” He held the door wide as Bay stood, walking toward him. “You’re doing what’s right.”
Anger beginning to fade, he gave August a weary look. “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Five
Suzette stared into the mirror, building her courage before leaving for Bay’s office. Taking extra time to prepare herself had become a common routine whenever she expected to see him, which meant every day since he often took at least one meal at the Feather River Restaurant.
Today’s ritual felt different, giving Suzette hope the decision she’d made was right. Month after long month of tolerating his scorn and enduring the pain as he brought one woman after another into the restaurant had broken her spirit, forced her to fight each day for the tiniest scrap of dignity. She’d reached her limit.
Divorce was uncommon, seen as a blemish on both parties, but more so on the woman. In fact, Suzette hadn’t heard of a single one being submitted in Conviction.
Nevertheless, she no longer cared about societal restraints or what others might think of her. She felt confident her few friends, mainly the MacLarens, would understand. Dissolving her marriage to Bay would provide a clear future, a chance to find love a second time and start the family she’d dreamed about.
Breathing in a last, fortifying breath, she turned toward the door, knowing the time had come to meet with Bay. Securing a hat atop her head, she picked up her reticule and left.
Taking her time, she lifted her face to the sun, loving the feel of the warm rays kissing her skin. Suzette didn’t rush the journey from one side of town to the other. With the decision made, she no longer felt the need to hurry. She was giving her husband what he wanted, allowing herself the ability to forget and move on.
Nodding at several people she recognized, Suzette made the last turn onto the main street. She glanced inside the mercantile, barber shop, gunsmith, and the Merchant Bank as she passed, slowing her pace, then stopping. Walking through the doorway would take her to Bay and the end of her current life.
A sharp pain clutched at her chest. Pressing a hand against it, she tried to breathe, finding it almost impossible.
“You can do this, Suzette.” She’d chanted the phrase several times before saying it out loud as she gripped the doorknob. “You must do this.”
Straightening, she lifted her chin and entered. Jasper’s greeting came before she’d closed the door.
“Good afternoon, Miss…I mean, Mrs. Donahue. Mr. Donahue said you might be coming in for a meeting.” He stood, walking to the bottom of the stairs, gesturing upward. “He’s waiting for you in his office.”
She nodded, offering a weak smile. “Thank you, Jasper.”
Memories of their life together flashed across her mind with each tread. Sharing their pasts, teasing each other, her laughing at Bay’s antics, him smiling just before he’d lean down to kiss her. Stopping at the landing, she pressed a hand to her chest once more. Suzette forced herself to recall the reasons their marriage had to end.
Taking the remaining stairs on laden feet, she took the final step, moving to his office. She jumped when the door opened, startling her. Bay stood a couple feet away, a broad grin enhancing his already handsome face. She briefly wondered about his bright smile before her spirits fell. He wanted this over as much as she did.
“Good afternoon, Suzette.”
She glanced at him, her face neutral. “Bay.”
“Please, come in.” After she entered, he closed the door and pulled out a chair at a small table. “It will be more comfortable to talk here rather than across my desk.” Grabbing papers and a fountain pen from his desk, he took a seat next to her, his thigh touching hers. Feeling her flinch away, he chuckled. “I won’t bite, you know
.” That was when he saw the deep sadness in her eyes, the pain she always tried to hide. He grimaced, recalling how his anger had pushed him to humiliate and ridicule her, often in front others.
“Can we please get this over with?”
Hearing the broken determination in her voice, he cringed. He dropped the papers and pen on the table, leaning back in his chair to study her face, settling on the emerald green eyes which had drawn him since the first day he’d spotted her in St. Louis. Letting his gaze wander over her porcelain skin, a slow grin tilted the corners of his mouth seeing the sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Then he allowed himself a moment to focus on her lips. Full and luscious. The kind which weakened any man.
“Bay?”
Her voice pulled him back to the reason for the meeting. This time when his gaze met hers, he saw the intense strain in her eyes, the new lines of worry, her pinched lips. Then he remembered August telling him to ask questions and listen to her answers without recriminations.
Shifting his attention to the papers, he touched them. “These are the papers that will end our marriage. Well, after the circuit judge comes through and approves them.”
“All right. Would you let me know where to sign?” She reached out, meaning to pick up the pen. Before she could, he swept the papers and pen to the far side of the table. Her brows drew together. “What are you doing?”
Glancing away, he let out a harsh breath, unsure of what drove him to stall her efforts to sign the documents ending their marriage. Resting his arms on the table, he cocked his head.
“I have questions, and I believe you have the answers, Suzette.” He saw her bottom lip tremble before she lifted her chin.
“Questions about what?”
“The night I found you with Calvan.”
Clasping her hands in her lap, she tilted her head. “Isn’t it a little late for you to ask?”
“It’s never too late to learn the truth.”
Pursing her lips, she wondered if it would be best to come back another time, knowing it was a foolish notion. She shrugged. “I doubt anything you hear from me will change your mind. What you saw is what you believe.”
Bay's Desire Page 4
