The Romantic Ruse (Historical Christian Romance)

by Barbara Goss

  “No lies,” he said, and he looked straight into her eyes with his cold, steel-colored ones. “I've wanted to know you since the day I met you—not make love to you, but to really know you. There is a difference, you know. I’m seriously not out to seduce you.”

  Lily smirked at him in disbelief.

  “Listen, Lily: most men sow their wild oats until they meet the right person, the woman who could be more than simply a bed partner, the one that makes a man want to settle down. That’s what I feel for you.”

  Lily looked into his eyes and saw that he seemed serious and sincere. Harley was good at seducing, she'd concede to that. He was so good, in fact, she could almost believe him.

  Lily broke eye contact with him. “I hope you find her,” she said.

  “I have found her—it's you!”

  Lily smiled a smile that she hoped said, nice try, and she continued to walk.

  “All right," he said. "I understand your hesitation because of my past. What can I do to convince you I’m telling the truth?” His eyes seemed to be begging her for an answer.

  Lily had no desire to be attached to this man, yet she wondered what harm a single kiss would do. She'd had one kiss from Owen and it had turned her stomach, but when Gus had kissed her, she’d felt something pure and good, and desired more. Gus’s kisses made her whole body come alive. She needed to find out if any handsome man could make her feel the way Gus had.

  Lily needed to kiss another man. She needed to be sure that Gus was the only one who could make her glow. If that were the case, she vowed to find him, no matter what it took.

  “Kiss me,” she said to him, and Harley’s cold, blue-gray eyes practically popped out of his head.

  “Are you teasing me?” he asked.

  “No. I just think I'll be able to tell from your kiss if you’re being truthful or not.”

  Harley grabbed her, leaned her back, and kissed her passionately. When he broke the kiss he growled, and then attacked her neck with kisses. When he was done, he asked, “Did I pass your test?”

  Chapter 8

  Lily had to admit the kiss with Harley felt pleasant enough, but it didn't compare to Gus’s tender kisses. Her body did not awaken to mysterious urgings as it had with Gus. She knew now, without a doubt, she had to find Gus. For now, she had another dilemma to solve—what would she tell Harley about his kiss?

  “I could do it again, if that would help,” Harley said, and he pulled her closer.

  “Harley,” Lily bit her lower lip, sorting out what she wanted to say. “I can feel your passion, and believe you truly like me, but it's not because you think I’m the one. I think it's because you have a need to conquer the one woman you know you can’t have.” She pulled away from him. “But I have to admit, you do have your technique down pat.”

  Harley's eyebrows rose in surprise. “You got all that from a kiss?” he asked. “You're wrong; I won’t give up on you, you know.” He turned her to face him. “I won’t stop hounding you. I promise that no matter how heated you make me, I’ll never attempt to seduce you. You are the type of woman who saves herself for her wedding night; I know that now. I also know you don’t believe me when I say I think you're different from any woman I’ve ever met. Winning you will take time, but I’m not in a hurry. I don't know how, but I'll find a way to prove you're wrong about me.”

  “You may have a long wait, Harley.”

  Harley reached over, caressed her dark brown hair, and kissed her on the forehead. “I knew the second night you stood by me while I played poker. I didn’t win a single hand, but you won my heart.”

  Despite her better judgment, Lily felt herself slightly swayed by Harley's confession. She wanted to believe him. She hoped he wasn’t such a bad man after all, and that he really did regret his past.

  “Let’s get to know each other better, then,” Lily suggested. She allowed him to hold her hand as they resumed their walk.

  “They say you’ve been in gun fights and once shot a man in the back, is that true?” Lily asked as they slowly ambled along the riverside path.

  Harley stopped walking and spun her around until he looked her square in the eyes. “That’s partly true. I have been in several gunfights, that's how it is out here—you protect what is yours, and you help your neighbors protect what is theirs. Every gunfight I’ve been involved in has been on the defensive. The man who got shot in the back was robbing the bank. Mac, Sheriff Smith, Pete Slocum, and I were chasing the robber on foot and we all shot at him. My bullet just happened to be the one that stopped him.” He pulled her a little closer. “And that’s the God's honest truth.”

  As the days passed, the women continued to help the customers enjoy themselves at the saloon. After his week of banishment, Harley sauntered back into the saloon. He immediately sought Lily out, grabbed her by the hand, and brought her to stand beside him while he played poker. Through the evening, he often put his arm loosely around her waist and winked at her.

  Lily knew, judging by the twinkle in his eyes, he wanted to do more, but he was trying his best to abide by her rules, as well as that of the saloon. When Lily wasn’t by his side, she could feel his eyes as they followed her around the saloon. When she flirted with other men she could almost feel the heat from his anger and displeasure. She had to admit, she did feel a bit flattered by his attention.

  Mandy and Lily tucked themselves into their beds after hours, and enjoyed another of their heartfelt talks.

  “I like Mac a lot, but I don’t think it’s love, at least not yet,” Mandy confessed.

  “Does he feel the same way?”

  “I’m not sure," Mandy answered quickly. "What about you and Harley?”

  Lily smiled. “Harley's Harley. I’m not falling for his act of undying love, but I’m humoring him by going along with it somewhat, in case he's being truthful, and in case I never mend things with Gus.”

  “It’s what we do best at work, after all.” Mandy laughed. “Seriously, Mac’s told me it’s different this time with Harley. He thinks Harley is finally in love. Maybe this time he really is smitten.”

  “Do you really think a man like Harley can change?” Lily asked.

  “I think anyone can.”

  Mandy bit her lip in hesitation. “Do you believe in God, Lily?”

  “Of course,” Lily replied.

  “Do you pray?”

  “Sometimes, but not regularly," Lily answered honestly. "My brother is the religious one in our family. He’s always trying to get me more involved, but I’ve never felt the need. I know God’s out there, but I suppose I don’t want to get close to Him for fear He’ll see all my faults.”

  Mandy laughed. “We all have faults and shortcomings, at least since Eve bit into that apple.”

  “Do you believe in God?” Lily said, returning the question.

  “Most definitely. I lost faith when my stepmother threw me out of the house, but I’ve been doing much thinking since then, and it’s like my father once told me: things happen for a reason. Maybe someday we’ll know why these bad things happened. He also told me sometimes bad things happen to good people to make them stronger.”

  “What made you start thinking about God after all this time?” Lily asked.

  “Mac's a preacher’s son, and he’s been talking to me. He’s a good man, and the fact that he's a friend of Harley’s speaks well for Harley. I'm beginning to wonder if the other girls lied about him because they couldn’t get him to return their feelings.”

  Lily sighed. “Talking about God has made me think of my brother, Charles, and now I feel homesick.”

  “Why did you leave home? You told me how you took Emma’s place, but never why you were so anxious to leave such a comfortable life.”

  “My father pushed a wealthy man at me who I found distasteful, and I felt the need to escape. That’s why I took the ticket that was meant for Emma…I told you the rest.” Lily paused to wipe a tear away. “Have you thought any more about accompanying me back to Hunter’s Gro
ve?”

  “Not really. I’m a bit afraid of the change, Lily.”

  “I think after this week’s pay I’ll have enough to go back to Hunter’s Grove and confess everything to Gus. I'll marry him, if he’ll have me. If not, I’ll go back home and ask Charles and Emma if I can live with them for while. I refuse to let Owen Matthews court me.”

  Mandy opened her eyes wide in the darkness of the bedroom. “Since you say he’s rich, maybe I’ll take him off your hands. I’ll travel to St. Joseph and pretend to be you.”

  After laughing, Lily said. “Seriously, Mandy. Think about coming with me to Hunter’s Grove.”

  The very next night, Lily dressed in a new outfit. Sadie had purchased new dresses for all the girls. Lily’s dress was silver, with glittery sequins that sparkled when she moved. Mandy wore a lilac dress, sporting ruffles from hip to the mid-calf that complimented her red hair. Wearing a new dress gave Lily a newfound confidence, and that night she flirted, and laughed, more than usual as she mingled with the customers.

  It was a rule that when one of them noticed a stranger or a loner they had to quickly make them feel welcome. That night, as Lily stood by Harley's side as he played poker with his arm loosely around waist, she noticed a man, sitting at the next table, alone. She excused herself and went over to join him.

  “Hello, I’m Lily,” she said, touching his shoulder lightly. “Welcome to The Silver—”

  “Emma?” The man said. He stared at her for a moment, and then he said, “Or…should I say, Lily?”

  “Gus!” Lily felt the blood drain from her cheeks. She collapsed into a chair.

  Gus looked her up and down. The disgust he felt was plain on his face and in the tone of his voice. “So this is your life now?”

  Lily felt ashamed at first and focused on her hands, wringing in her lap. Then, she found her pride, looked up and said, “It is. I had little choice in the matter,” with her head held high.

  “A saloon woman?” he asked with distaste.

  “Yes. Maud dumped me outside of this town and with no money. What else was I to do?”

  “Find the sheriff and ask for his help. He could have wired me and I’d have come right away,” Gus said.

  “Maud threatened me against doing that.” Lily said, sneaking a glance at Harley, who glared back at her with a frown. “I’ve been saving to buy a ticket to Hunter’s Grove so I could return there and explain everything to you.”

  Gus stood. “It’s needless now. If this is the life you’ve chosen, then you aren’t who I thought…or who I loved for that matter.”

  “Gus, I never wanted to trick you. I planned to tell you that night, before I was yanked away.” Lily grabbed his arm as he turned to walk away. “Please don't go, Gus!”

  Harley rushed over, “Is there a problem here, Lily?” Fire seemed to nearly shoot from his eyes.

  “Is this your lady, then?” Gus asked Harley.

  “She’s my Lucky Lily,” Harley said. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Nope," Gus said. "She’s all yours.” Gus stormed out, banging the swinging doors against the wall as he did.

  Lily felt tears escaping her eyes, and she fought, unsuccessfully to hold them back.

  “Lily? What’s wrong?” Harley said.

  Lily turned and ran from the room.

  Chapter 9

  The telegraph office was closed for the day, so Gus registered at the Prince George Hotel on Main Street. There, he paced the room wondering how to word the telegram to Charles. How much should he tell him?

  He plopped into an armchair and held his head in his hands. He felt sick. He really had hoped for a future with Lily, despite her deception. After days of hope-filled searching, he felt let down. She was no longer the same woman he fell in love with.

  His heart felt like it had fallen from his chest when he saw her sashaying toward him in that slinky dress after having been with a man who’d had his arm around her waist. He’d hardly recognized her underneath all the makeup she wore. And to top it all off, her legs were showing! That wasn’t the same woman he’d kissed at the creek. He’d searched for weeks and finally found her, and this is what she’d become!

  Despite her dress and makeup, his heart still pounded when he recognized her. She’d tried to explain—should he have listened? He considered that perhaps his actions toward her at the saloon had been impulsive. Who knew what Maud and her gang had put her through? Yet the man who had his arm around her had challenged him and claimed her as his! How close was she to this other man if he acted as if he owned her? The thought became almost more than he could endure.

  He supposed Lily no longer wanted to marry him, and to be honest with himself, he wasn’t at all sure he wanted to be with her anymore, either.

  After a restless night, Gus telegraphed Lily’s family. He made his message brief more because he still didn’t know what he should say to them. The message read:

  LILY FOUND stop WORKING IN SALOON stop ABILENE stop SILVER SLIPPER stop WITH ANOTHER MAN stop I’M GOING BACK TO RANCH ALONE stop GUS stop

  After leaving the hotel, Gus walked past the Silver Slipper and wondered if he should go in to see Lily and give her a chance to explain. He paced in front of the building trying to decide. It felt strange to travel days to find her, only to leave her here in Abilene.

  “Aren’t you the one who upset my lady last night?” a man’s voice behind Gus startled him. “Who are you, anyway?”

  Gus recognized him as the man who had his arm around Lily and had acted as if he'd owned her. Another man stood quietly behind him. With there being two of them, Gus thought it best to be cautious.

  “I’m her fiancé,” Gus said. “I came to bring her back home. Who are you?”

  “I’m Harley Ward, and Lily and I are together now. She never mentioned you, so I’m sure she isn’t your intended anymore.”

  “I would like to at least try to talk to her again to be sure,” Gus said, returning Harley’s glare.

  “Well that might be difficult. You see, we were up late last night, and we didn’t get to bed until…oops!” Harley covered his mouth.

  “You slept with her?” Gus asked suddenly feeling numb.

  “We didn’t actually get much sleep, if you know what I mean.”

  Gus had heard enough. He swung around and headed to the livery to pick up his horse. Those words finally convinced Gus to close the chapter of love with Lily. Maybe God wanted him to remain alone for some reason.

  After Lily’s confrontation with Gus, she fled to her room in tears. Sadie had sent Mandy to look after her, and she found her sobbing her heart out. She sat on the edge of the bed and patted Lily's back. “Whatever it is, Lily, we can fix it.

  "What happened? Please talk to me?”

  Lily wept so hard she could hardly speak.

  Mandy kept patting her back and telling her, “It’s going to be all right.”

  Finally, between hiccups and weeping, Lily sat up and hugged Mandy. “It’s Gus!" she said. "He was here! He saw me, and…and…" She broke down into tears again.

  “Gus? Here? Isn’t that a good thing?” Mandy asked.

  “N-no! He’s disgusted by my appearance and my job. T-then Harley came up and practically told him I belonged to him…Gus stormed out. I’ll n-never see him again!” She began weeping anew.

  “Then he isn’t worth having,” Mandy said. “If he really loved you, it wouldn’t have mattered. And you still have Harley.”

  “I want Gus!” Lily cried, and then fell back onto the bed in tears.

  When Lily awoke the next morning, she felt as if a black cloud hung over her. When it came back to her why, her heart skipped a beat.

  Mandy was dressed already, and brushing her long, red hair before the mirror. “Good morning!” Mandy greeted her. “Feeling better?”

  Lily shook her head.

  “Did you forget we’re supposed to go on another picnic today? Harley’s already asking for you downstairs, and he said—"

&nbs
p; “I’m not going,” Lily said.

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t feel well; my eyes are swollen, and I need to be alone.”

  “I think you’ll feel so much better if you get dressed and come along.”

  “No. I’m going to put cold compresses on my eyes so I can work tonight.”

  Mandy sighed. “All right. I’ll make excuses for you.”

  After Mandy had gone, Lily tried to stop crying and lay down with a cool cloth on her eyes. Being alone gave her time to think. She recalled Gus’s kisses behind the barn and at the creek. Remembering them made her flush all over and set her heart to pounding. This wouldn't do. She'd have to stop thinking about Gus, or she'd start crying again. She had to put the man out of her mind, at least for the time being. She prayed Gus would return to the saloon so she could explain.

  That night she continued to flirt with the customers and even joined Harley to be his lady luck at the card table, but when he tried to put his arm around her, she pulled away.

  “You know the rules, Harley,” she whispered. She worried that Gus would come back to find Harley’s arm around her again. Yet she couldn’t blatantly avoid him since it was her job to be amicable to the customers.

  “That’s why I wanted you to come to the picnic today, I just needed another kiss to get me through the day. Why didn’t you come?” he asked as he folded his poker hand.

  “I didn’t feel well.”

  “Did that rude cowboy upset you that much last night?”

  Lily felt like crying again. “He was my fiancé… at least for a short time.” She looked down at the floor so he wouldn’t see her eyes fill with tears, and tried to blink them away.

  “I saw him ride out of town this morning, so you need not fear he’ll bother you again.”

  Lily quickly looked up. “He did?”

  “Yep. Saw him with my own eyes. You can ask Mac. He saw him leaving, too.”