The look on Shirley’s face was priceless as she glanced back at him standing near the rear door of the shop.
“But--” she began.
“That’s very gracious of you, Mr. McCaide.” Melissa grinned at him.
“Where is Father?” Shirley was pouting as she turned back to Melissa.
“He’s resting. You know he sometimes naps during the afternoon.”
Stomping her foot, Shirley flounced out of the shop back up the stairs, looking for all the world like a scorned princess.
“You handled that well,” Marcus whispered, glancing up the steps after Shirley.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“Nah. She’ll learn. You might not be her favorite person for the next few weeks, but it really is for her own good.”
“Did you see the look on her face?” Unable to hold back any longer, Melissa giggled uncontrollably.
A wide grin spread out on Marcus’s face as he winked. He took a step toward her, but a customer entered the store at that moment, interrupting their light banter.
“Ah, Lissa! You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“Hello, Dr. Newcomb,” Melissa said. “Nice to see you.”
When he reached the back counter, Dr. Newcomb took her hand and kissed it, lingering longer than was proper. Pulling her hand out of his, she gave him a wary smile. He was an older man who sported a bushy mustache, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back on his head. Wearing a sharp brown suit complete with a gold watch in his breast pocket, there wasn’t a speck of dust on him.
“What can I do for you today?” she asked.
Looking around, Dr. Newcomb spotted Marcus by the sacks of oats and flour. His eyes seemed to narrow as he stared at him.
“Dr. Newcomb, this is Mr. McCaide. He’s helping my father around the store. You know how my father’s joints act up.”
“Of course. How do you do, Mr. McCaide?” Holding out his hand, the doctor clearly expected Marcus to cross the room to shake his hand.
Wiping his palm on his jeans, Marcus grabbed Dr. Newcomb’s hand, pumping it up and down brusquely. “How do you do, sir?”
“Fine, thank you.” Dr. Newcomb pulled away his hand and reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, wiping his fingers with a tepid smile.
Melissa looked back and forth between the two men, wondering just what was going on between them.
“Can I… help you find something today, Dr. Newcomb?”
“No, Lissa. I came to ask you something.”
“Oh?”
It became obvious that Marcus had no intension of leaving the conversation when he leaned his elbows on the countertop. Pursing his lips, Dr. Newcomb stood a little straighter and cleared his throat.
“Would you do me the honor of going with me to the Patricks’ barn dance?”
Melissa’s eyes widened. She knew her intake of breath could be heard by both men. Her gaze flew to Marcus and back to the doctor, not knowing exactly what to say. She did want to go, but this man was old enough to be her father! She knew she shouldn’t be picky when it came to men asking for the pleasure of her company, but she wanted someone closer to her own age. Someone more like…
“I’m sorry, Dr. Newcomb,” Marcus said. “But Miss Bloom has agreed to go to the dance with me.”
“She has?”
“I have?”
“Don’t you remember me asking you this morning, sugar?” Marcus’s eyes were smiling, and when she didn’t immediately answer, he gently stepped on her foot behind the counter.
“Oh yes! I do remember, Mr. McCaide. I… I’m sorry, Mr. Newcomb, but I’m afraid I’m attending with Mr. McCaide.”
Nodding in defeat, the doctor implored, “Surely Mr. McCaide won’t deny me the pleasure of one dance?”
“Of course not.” Marcus smiled.
“Good day, Mr. McCaide, Miss Bloom.” With that, Dr. Newcomb turned on his heel and swept out of the shop.
“Marcus!” Melissa gasped, smacking his shoulder. “How could you do that? You did no such thing!” When Marcus leaned in close, she could feel the heat from his body.
“I couldn’t very well let you go to the dance with that old man, now could I? Besides, by the look on your face at his inquiry, you were asking me to rescue you.”
They heard Shirley making her way down the stairs once again, this time in an old calico dress, and Melissa grumbled under her breath, “Seems to me you were the one who wanted to be rescued.”
His bark of laughter rang out through the store. “Ah, Lissa. How well you think you know me.”
With that, he moved to the rear door of the shop and disappeared outside.
Five
“How could you do that to me?”
“Do what?” Melissa asked while she brushed her hair later that evening.
“Ask Marcus to the barn dance. You knew I was going to bring it up to him.”
“I didn’t ask him, Shirley. He asked me and I accepted.”
If stomping on my foot could be called asking, she thought to herself with a grin.
“Then why didn’t you refuse? You knew I was planning on going with him.”
“Why didn’t I refuse?” Melissa whirled on her sister, pointing the brush at her. “I’m tired of pampering you, Shirley. You are a spoiled rotten brat, and I wanted to teach you that you don’t always get what you want. It’s also why I made you sweep the floor today. Of course, whether or not you actually picked up any dust is another story.”
“Well, I never!”
“Exactly, Shirley. You never. We’re finally seeing eye to eye on something.”
Narrowing her eyes, Shirley glared at her sister through her lowered lashes. “Well, we’ll just see who Marcus chooses in the end. He probably only asked you because he was too intimidated to ask me.”
“Intimidated by what? Your perfume?
“By my beauty, of course.”
It was all Melissa could do not to laugh in her face.
“Shirley, the man is hardly intimidated by you. He wears guns, for Heaven’s sake. Don’t you think he knows how to use them? My guess is he’s not only pointed the barrel of a gun but has also looked down one pointed at him. After cheating death like that, I’m sure nothing is intimidating anymore.”
Shirley flounced to her bed, punching her pillow a few times before rolling over and facing the wall. After a few blessed moments of silence, she apparently decided to unleash her acidic tongue after all.
“So you think he wants you, Lissa? The woman who stinks of horses after working in the stables? The woman who has never once received a proposal of marriage? You think someone as handsome as Marcus would ever want someone as plain as you?”
Melissa gripped the edges of the vanity in fury. “You know what, Shirley? I never knew what a bitch you really were until this very moment.”
Slamming her brush down, Melissa flew out of the room, down the steps and out the back door of the shop.
~ * ~
The evening air was warm, yet a cool breeze played with tendrils of her hair as Melissa trudged away from the buildings of Gideon’s Gulch. She wanted to be alone, and the cover of trees near Jasper’s Creek was the perfect spot. She went there often when her troubles weighed down on her. Angrily, she wiped a few stray tears from her face.
She hated crying, hated ever showing a weakness. The last thing she needed was pity. The looks of approval today from the townsfolk when they’d thought Marcus was her suitor had made the bile rise up in her throat. She knew they hadn’t believed that Melissa Bloom could ever be so fortunate as to land a man while her beautiful sister was still single.
And Shirley had been right, after all. Marcus only wanted to go to the silly barn dance with her as an excuse not to go with her sister. What other reason could there possibly be? Men wanted flowing blonde hair, not long red waves. Blue eyes held them captivated, not dark green ones. When it came to curves, they liked rounded women, not skinny girls. And women were supposed to smell
of lilacs and lavender, not manure and sweat.
She shouldn’t let it bother her so much. She knew she should simply accept her lot in life, but it was a hard pill to swallow. She liked Marcus. She liked the way he’d made her feel when he’d talked to her today; she liked the way he’d saved her from going to the dance with old Dr. Newcomb. Everything about the man was perfect.
But he would never be hers.
He’d said himself that he wasn’t the marrying kind, that he’d killed men before. And Melissa knew nothing about him. Perhaps he really was hard and ruthless. Perhaps his friendly banter was just a ruse. No, she didn’t believe that, not for a moment.
She doubted very seriously that he preferred her to her sister though. However, it was also apparent that he thought Shirley was a pampered brat who needed to do some growing up. Perhaps that could work in Melissa’s favor. But who was she kidding? Even if he weren’t attracted to her sister, she’d be the last woman he’d call on. Shirley’s words echoed in her ears. A man like Marcus would simply never look at her with interest.
The bubbling creek flowed lazily past as she sat on the ground. Picking up a few stones, she threw them into the water one by one. Each one plunked into the creek, sending a small spray of droplets into the air. Crickets chirped in the night. Their trill, along with the gurgling water, calmed Melissa’s nerves.
Bringing up her knees, she smoothed her skirts and rested her head on them. It was all she could do to convince herself that it didn’t matter, that she shouldn’t be worried about the attentions of a man she’d only known for a short time. But her heart suddenly slammed to life when she heard Marcus’s deep voice in the darkness. She hadn’t even heard him behind her.
“Lissa, is that you? Are you all right?”
“Marcus?” She gasped. “Where are you?”
“Over here.”
Looking toward the sound of his voice, she could see an outline of a shadow leaning against a nearby tree.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked.
“I should be asking you the same question.” Melissa pushed herself off the ground and brushed the dirt from her skirts. She began to tremble. Had he been there the whole time?
He took a few steps toward her until she could clearly see his stern face. “At least I’m not a woman who’s obviously not concerned with her own safety.”
He sounded angry, but his tone only made her own temper rise.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, Lissa, that you shouldn’t be out here all alone at this time of night.”
“It’s hardly late.”
“That’s not the point.” Marcus shifted from foot to foot and sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re far enough from the buildings that no one would be able to hear you scream if something should happen. Did you ever think of that?”
Melissa blushed. She hadn’t thought of her safety. Marcus was right in that regard. “No, I didn’t. But the Gulch is a friendly town. I doubt there is anyone who would do me harm.”
“I’m not just talking about the people of the Gulch, Lissa.” His hand suddenly grasped her upper arm. “What about coyotes? Or snakes or cougars? Heck, what if you happened to fall into the creek? Do you know how cold that water is?”
“Of course I know how cold that water is!” She twisted out of his grasp. “I sometimes bathe in it!”
The silence of the night seemed to bear down on them. Even the crickets stopped their chirps. The only sound was the babbling of the water. As the quiet stretched on, something changed in Marcus’s gold eyes, making the hair on Melissa’s neck stand on end.
She had the uncanny urge to run from him. The images of herself naked in the creek were running through her mind, and she was sure they must be going through his as well. That horrifying thought was enough to make her turn and walk away briskly.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded, clamping a hand on her shoulder. He spun her around to face him once again.
“I’m going home.” She refused to look at him.
“Then let me walk you.”
“No.”
She heard him sigh as he gripped her chin in his hand, forcing her gaze up to his.
“I’m walking you home whether you like it or not, Lissa. I’m serious about the dangers out here. Why do you think I wear these guns?”
Glancing at his hips, she could see his gun belt around his waist. Melissa shuddered and realized he still held her chin in his fingers. His gaze roamed her face, lingering intently at her lips before returning to her eyes.
“I… I don’t know, Marcus. Why do you wear your guns?”
He stared hard and took a step closer, towering over her. “I already told you, sugar.” His breath scorched her face. “I’m not a nice man.”
The air itself seemed to crackle at his sudden intensity, and Melissa’s breathing came in short, labored gasps. Marcus let go of her chin only to move his hand along her cheek and up into her unbound hair. His other hand followed, and she found herself being pulled even closer, pressed against him with his heat singeing her through their layers of clothing. Her hands shook as she pressed against his chest in a measly effort to push him away.
“Marcus…”
“Lissa,” he growled, holding her fast. “It’s been a damned long time since I’ve kissed a woman.”
Then his mouth was on hers, and there was nothing gentle about it. His lips demanded a response as his tongue forced her mouth open. Melissa had to hold on to him for dear life or risk crumpling into a puddle at his feet. Clutching his shoulders, she mewled in the back of her throat but opened her mouth for him.
He groaned in response and crushed her even closer with his hand tangled in her hair. His other hand found its way around her waist, bringing her flush to his body. Melissa wasn’t sure what she should do. Never before had she been kissed by a man, but Marcus seemed determined to teach her the finer points of kissing as his tongue caressed hers, making her hold on even tighter.
Something warm and unfamiliar began to overtake her. Her nipples hardened painfully, and she felt an ache between her legs. A throbbing need filled her heart, although she didn’t know what it was that she wanted. Standing on her toes, she followed Marcus’s lead by moving her lips on his and running her fingers through his hair. It felt wonderfully soft. She wanted nothing more than to get closer to him, to feel his weight on top of her and his bare skin against hers, and that scared her more than anything. What was she doing--kissing Marcus like a wanton woman?
As if he’d heard that thought, he let her go so abruptly that she stumbled and fell onto her backside with a yelp.
“I’m sorry. God, Lissa. I’m so sorry.” After helping her up, he pushed her toward the buildings of the Gulch. “Go on home.”
Still shaking, she turned to him in confusion. “But, Marcus...”
“Go, damn it!” His eyes appeared on fire as he stood there practically panting.
Her lips tingled from his kiss as she ran her tongue over them. She wanted nothing more than to fall into his embrace, but he turned his back on her. Her eyes filled with tears. His rejection was clear enough.
With a shaky voice, she said, “I’m sorry, Marcus.”
Lifting her skirts, she ran the rest of the way back to the general store.
His voice drifted to her on the wind, foul curses that made her tears fall even faster. Marcus had just kissed her, and now he was regretting it.
Six
Marcus fell to his knees and watched Melissa run back to town. He rubbed his hands on his face, trying to calm his racing heart with deep, even breaths.
“Shit!”
Even from where he was near the creek, he could hear her sobs fading away, and each one of them slapped him in the face.
“Son of a bitch!”
His entire body shook with desire, and his erection strained to be set free from his jeans. What was wrong with him? He was a hardened, thirty-year-old man who’d bedd
ed more women than he’d care to admit. Why was this one getting under his skin? And in only one day?
He wanted her. He wanted her something fierce, and it was all he could do not to jump up and run after her. Melissa Bloom was a woman who was completely unaware of just how desirable she was. She worked hard, she smiled often, and she wasn’t afraid of standing up to him. That’s what impressed him the most.
Women in the past had shrunk away from him and his base talk, but not Melissa. She hadn’t even cringed when he’d told her he’d killed some men. And that impressed him so much that he’d wanted to kiss her senseless that afternoon by the water pump, but he’d stormed away instead. He knew he shouldn’t unleash his passions on her. He’d been serious in telling her he wasn’t the marrying kind, and he was sure Melissa wanted a family of her own some day. What woman would want a man as scarred as he was?
He didn’t enjoy taking the lives of others, but being a sheriff hadn’t always been easy. Even when a man pointed a gun at him first, killing him wasn’t what Marcus wanted to do. But sometimes he didn’t have a choice. The screams of the people he’d shot echoed loudly through his head even now, and that was what made him turn in his badge two years earlier.
He shouldn’t have let Melissa draw her own conclusions about his jaded past, but reliving those memories wasn’t something he ever intended to do. Burying them deep inside was better. At least that allowed him to wake up and look at his own reflection in the morning.
Marcus pushed up from the ground and squinted toward the Gulch. Melissa had made it safely back to the general store, even if her heart was bruised. He cursed himself for withdrawing from her so harshly, but he’d been a hair’s breadth away from dragging her to the ground and lifting her skirts in the air. And that couldn’t be allowed to happen. He would never take her innocence unless it was given freely to him, and he doubted she would ever do that. A woman’s virginity was a gift she gave to her husband.
But that didn’t stop his body from screaming for her. Unbuckling his gun belt and stripping off his clothes, he jumped into the creek without another thought. As his head went under the water, his body suddenly began crying out at the contact of the cold water. He had to erase all thoughts of Melissa Bloom from his mind.
In Your Arms Page 3
