“Leave him out of it. He knows nothing about why I’m in Kasota Springs.” His brows furrowed together in a frown. “I’m not a lawyer, and I’m not looking for ranchland to buy for me or anybody.”
“So far the rumor mill is one and you’re zero.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m a Pinkerton Agent on assignment. Alaine, I couldn’t put you in jeopardy by telling you what I was working on. You had to trust me.”
“A Pinkerton in Texas.” She almost laughed at the idea. “That’s about like a Texas Ranger in New York.”
“I’m a special agent trained in a new area of law enforcement they call corporate fraud.”
“Answer me one thing.” She looked into his eyes and thought of a million reasons not to trust him. However, she did. “A yes or no, Morgan. Are you here to make sure that our ranch gets in the hands of one of the syndicate operators?”
“Absolutely not. If I were, why would I have warned Teg about the rustling?”
“You brought Teg into it!”
Alaine listened as Morgan explained the rustling scheme. How Clayton Snyder and Gimpy hair branded Slippery Elm cattle before moving them over to the shoestring operation that Gimpy owned. Then they’d alter the brand, making them Rocking J cattle, and sell them, depositing the money in Gimpy’s account.
She tried to take in everything he said but was having a hard time of it.
“Gimpy and Snyder disappeared, taking the payroll and operating money for both operations. Got a wire about twenty minutes ago that they didn’t get far. A Texas Ranger captured them over around Mobeetie and they’re in jail up there.”
“And the money you deposited in the bank?”
“Operating funds.” He crossed his arms. “Hell, they had to get their hands paid some way. The owners asked my bosses if I could stick around a day or two to watch out after the Slippery Elm, so they could send new management down here.”
“That’s a logical explanation.”
“I have little choice. My bosses directed me to stay.”
“That was the wire you got last night?” Alaine asked.
“Damn, the gossipmongers in this town are really good.”
“So the Slippery Elm owners needed someone they could trust—”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m not sure how much solving of the case I did and how much Teg did, but we got it done.”
“So you’re going back to Philadelphia?”
“Not right now. Might be a spell even. Got some of their bookkeeping to work out. Snyder charged out the owners with fifty heifers for the rodeo, instead of ten or twelve. Stuff like that.”
“Morgan, I remember you telling me if I wanted a partner I had to trust you. You said you weren’t going to put your life on the line for someone who didn’t have confidence in themselves.”
“I remember that.”
“And you’ll probably believe I’m lying, but I honestly trusted you. Even when the facts looked differently, I knew deep down that you couldn’t change what is in your soul. Morgan, a Texan is known by his heart and it doesn’t make any difference where they are born if it’s there.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. And not nearly long enough.
“You’re my Texas love,” he whispered between kisses.
Alaine removed her lace hanky from the bag, and cleaned the shaving cream from first his face and then hers.
Pony Boy scrambled by hollering, “Better hurry. Shootin’ contest is ’bout to start,” before disappearing.
“Morgan, I can’t shoot in these clothes. I have to change.”
“You don’t have time.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Remember, it’s confidence in yourself that matters.”
They hurried off toward the middle of town where the crowd had regrouped, waiting on the final exhibition event of the festivities to begin.
“Next contestant after Ty Parker is Alaine LeDoux,” the announcer drawled, just about the time the couple reached the shooting area.
Morgan hugged her lightly, as Tuffy shoved her rifle in her hands.
“Good luck, Little Lady.” Morgan smiled, thinking how pretty she was.
Morgan melded into the crowd that lined Main Street. His gut hit rock bottom when he realized she was the only woman shooting against all men. He believed in her—she could do it.
He watched Alaine prepare for her turn by squaring her shoulders and focusing on her target. He hadn’t seen her do that before.
Sunlight flashed across the street like lightning on a dark night.
A gunman was on the rooftop of Slats and Fats Saloon.
Morgan raced across the street and up the saloon stairs. Making a mad dive for the rifle, he knocked the Winchester out of the gunman’s hands.
“Sonofabitch, Tegeler!” Morgan threw his hat on the ground. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I have to guarantee she makes her shot, Payne. She has to win.”
“No! For once, she has to do it on her own…without any help, or we all lose.”
Morgan picked up the Stetson and brushed it off. It was too late for him to get back to the woman who meant more to him than anything, win or lose.
From the rooftop, the two men watched as Alaine leveled her Parker at her mark.
Had Morgan taught her to be the best she could be? Could she do it on her own?
The roar of the crowd drowned out the shot…bull’s-eye!
Teg picked up his rifle from the floor and quirked a smile. “Go get her, Payne. You’re what she needs.”
Slapping the ol’ fool on the back, Morgan said, “Alaine has truly become the best she can be and did it with all the confidence in the world.”
Morgan took off to find Alaine. When he reached her, he swung her into arms and gave her a congratulatory kiss.
“I’m starving. Let’s go eat, Annie Oakley.”
“No, I’m Alaine Claire LeDoux and damn proud of it!”
Chapter 14
A short and busy three days later, Morgan rode away from the Slippery Elm headquarters for the last time. He had been summoned to the Jacks Bluff for supper and a poker game. He wasn’t sure what was in store for him, but he couldn’t resist sticking around to see what in the heck the LeDoux women had up their pretty little sleeves.
He stood in the parlor sipping fine Kentucky bourbon with Smith and Tegeler while the women bustled around in the kitchen. Every now and then he’d hear one of them give an order to the cook who seemed to overrule them each time.
“Thought Pinks didn’t drink,” Teg groused.
“Ex ones do.” Morgan took a sip, enjoying the first drink he’d had in years.
Alaine and Tempest floated into the room dressed almost like twins in matching lilac and ivory dresses that highlighted their dark complexions and black hair.
To quote his mama, “The tree is known by its fruit.” Morgan wasn’t sure which lady looked happier or the prettiest, although his money was on Alaine.
Tempest accepted a glass of spirits from McKenna, smiled and turned to her guests, as if she was holding court.
“Alaine, McKenna and I have something to tell you.” She sidled up to Smith.
“I know, Mama, and I’m happy for you both.”
“Guess Edwinna couldn’t keep her trap shut. Should’ve planned your weddin’ in another county if you wanted to keep it quiet,” Teg grumbled.
McKenna put his arms around Tempest. “Figure someone in this town will win a bet. I did ask your mama to marry me.”
“And I accepted.” Tempest looked up at him as though she were sixteen and going to her first cotillion. “We’re getting married tomorrow and plan to split time between Montana and his ranch down in Austin.” She stepped out of his arms, walked to the mantel and picked up an envelope. “And, sweetheart, I want you to run the Jacks Bluff.”
“Mama, you trust me enough to do that?”
“Yes, darling.” She hugged her daughter, and stuffed the envelope in her han
d. “But I do have one request.”
Tempest turned to Morgan. “That you hire on Mr. Payne as your manager.”
Morgan was stunned, but probably no more than Alaine. Why him when Tegeler was the obvious choice?
Before he got the thought formulated enough to spit it out, Alaine piped up.
“Why him?” Then she smiled at Morgan. “Not that I’d mind working with Mr. Grouchy Trousers.”
Everyone shared a laugh. Morgan didn’t even mind the jab. He’d earned it.
Before Tempest could respond, Tegeler spoke up. “Because I’ve got too many fences to ride and don’t have time for all that pencil-type work. Got cowboys to keep on their toes.” He took a gulp of whiskey. “And Little Buckaroo, for your information, I’ve got women I ain’t even danced with.”
Tempest spoke up. “Plus, Mr. Payne has the finesse it takes to deal with the cattleman’s association, their reps, the bank and most folks in general.” She smiled at the foreman. “Something Teg is sorely lacking in.”
“The hell you say!” Teg barked. “I can handle those snot-nosed greenhorns that don’t know enough to not squat with their spurs on or spit downwind—”
Alaine interrupted. “Teg makes this place run, and I’d never want him behind a desk. We’d lose him in ten minutes.” She raised a questioning eyebrow.
“I’m mighty pleased to accept, Miss LeDoux.” Morgan took her hand and pulled her to his side.
“And you can stay in the main house,” Alaine said.
“Like hell he will!” Tegeler growled.
“I’ve been thinking about sticking around anyway,” Morgan said, looking into Alaine’s violet eyes. “Thought I’d trade in my train ticket for a weddin’ band.”
He figured nobody was shocked by his proposal, especially Alaine who threw her arms around his neck and kissed him boldly. “Only if that ring goes on my finger,” she whispered.
“Don’t know for sure.” He released her. “All depends if it’ll interfere with your dream to be another Annie Oakley and join the Wild West show.”
“Why would I do that when I can stay around here?”
Morgan tucked Alaine to his side.
“Being around you makes Wild Bill Hickok, Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane look flat-ass boring. I’d rather be your Little Lady and stay near you just to see what will happen next!” Lowering her voice, she spoke only to him, “You’ll always have a place to sleep in my house.”
Alaine heard the knock before anyone else. It was almost drowned out by the jubilance. She opened the door to find Pony Boy standing protectively holding a jar in his arms.
“These here are for Mister Tegeler, ma’am.” He handed over the jar and scrambled away.
“Nice present, Tegeler.” Morgan chuckled. “But I’d suggest you eat around the spices in those pickles.”
Morgan had no doubt that every day of the rest of his life would be no less than the Wild West show. With Alaine at his side, he’d always be ropin’ the wind.
ZEBRA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 2009 by Kensington Publishing Corp.
“Silent Partner” copyright © 2009 by Jodi Thomas
“Luck of the Draw” copyright © 2009 by DeWanna Pace
“Texas Tempest” copyright © 2009 by Linda Broday
“Roping the Wind” copyright © 2009 by Phyliss Miranda
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-1-4201-2585-6
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