by Becky Lower
“I had no idea of her background when we met. She seemed to be in a peck of trouble, so I stepped in.” James lifted his shoulders. “Things kind of escalated from there.”
“She is a beauty.” The colonel toyed with his brandy snifter.
James raised an eyebrow. “That, she is. But so are a lot of women.”
The colonel steepled his hands together over his stomach. “So what makes this one special, then?”
James growled. “She stole my money. Grabbed it right out of my fingers before she jumped. I couldn’t let all my winnings get away.”
“I assume, then, the black eye happened when you tried to retrieve your money?” The colonel chuckled.
James glared at him and winced as he touched a finger to his eye. “In a manner of speaking.”
“If you’re set to follow her to her home, you’ll run into the that gang of her brothers, then. I don’t envy you.” He chuckled again. “I do miss being single.”
“How is your wife, Colonel?” James shifted in his seat and attempted to shift the conversation as well. He needed more information on these infamous brothers, but the colonel had become his friend over the years and he had enjoyed a few meals with the man’s family. He could wait to gather more intelligence on the Lafontaine half-breeds.
“War’s over, James. You can call me Calvin now. You're no longer Jack Diamond and while I’m still the colonel in charge at this fort, I’d prefer you refer to me by my given name. And Sally is fine. She’ll be here momentarily. We’ve got a new young one. A boy this time. Calvin Hatch, Jr.”
“Congratulations then, Calvin. I don’t suppose you have a cheroot in your desk drawer we can celebrate with?” James held his refilled brandy glass.
“As a matter of fact...” Calvin tugged open a drawer and drew out two cigars.
They lit their tobacco and leaned back in their respective chairs. James took a moment to appreciate the taste of the fine tobacco and even finer brandy.
Colonel Hatch’s wife, Sally, opened the office door and batted her way through the heavy cigar smoke. “Oh, dear Lord, Calvin. You’re not toasting your new son again, are you?”
Calvin and James shared an amused glance before the colonel rose to greet his wife. “Couldn’t resist, my dear. Especially with the company who just appeared at the fort. Say hello to James Garnett.” He twirled her around to see their guest.
“Jack!” Sally ran the couple of steps to get to James’s side, where she grabbed him in a hug. “How nice to see you! We had hoped you’d return before we got reassigned to another base in God knows where. What are you doing here now?”
The colonel laughed. “He may have retired from the spy business, but he’s still putting himself in a dangerous situation.” Sally took the seat recently occupied by Elise and the men settled back, smoking their respective cigars. “Do you recollect about a year ago when we got a load of horses?” Sally nodded, a bit confused by the question. “You commented at the time about the one woman in the group of wranglers. With her big, Indian brothers.”
Sally’s gaze whipped from Calvin to James and back again. “Is she the one taking a bath right now? The one I rustled up some clean clothes for?”
Calvin nodded.
Sally stared at James. “Oh, dear me. You’re traveling with her?”
James grinned. “Guilty as charged. Tell me about these brothers.”
Calvin and Sally shared a glance before Calvin addressed James. “Scared the you-know-what out of my men when they rode in here last year with the horses. They don’t need war paint to put the fear of God into you. Four big, strapping men, hard-muscled and no nonsense. They do have an innate knowledge of their horseflesh, though, and sold me good stock. The one who came by a day or two ago is the one who is most Indian in his ways. Name’s Raoul.”
“Raoul’s not a very Indian-sounding name.” James brushed his chin with his hand. “For that matter, neither is Elise.”
“Their father gave them all Frenchie names. What are they again, Sally? Do you recollect?” The colonel’s gaze landed gently on his wife.
Sally lifted her hands and began to tick off the names on her fingers. “Let’s see. There were Raoul, Joseph and Etienne, who all had the Indian appearance. The only one who looked French was named Gaston, I think. And, of course, the beautiful Elise.” She glanced at James. “I can understand why you’re with her.”
“Is this Raoul still close by?” James ran a finger around his collar, which became tight as he pondered coming face to face with an angry, protective brother.
“Probably not. He had a canoe and told me he and the rest of the clan were headed downriver, to New Orleans. My guess is if you’re heading back to St. Louis, you won’t run into any of them.” Calvin took a puff of his cigar, smoke billowing around his head.
“Maybe we should take a canoe and head to New Orleans ourselves,” James replied. “That way I could see to those two desperate men being put in jail, where they belong. If they are so bold as to steal from folks in St. Louis, they’ll try again unless they’re locked up.”
“My guess is, by now your lady has put a bridle on one of my horses and lit out of here.” Calvin took another puff as James jumped to his feet.
“Why the hell didn’t you say so? I want my money.” James grabbed for his hat as he doused his cigar in the remaining brandy. He glanced at Sally. “Forgive the rough language, ma’am. But the woman, beautiful or not, stole my money along with the document she’d come on board for, and I want my winnings back.”
“No, you don’t. You want the lady.” Calvin quipped and he and Sally both laughed. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
James growled again. “No, dammit, you aren’t wrong. I want the lady.”
“Well then, take one of my horses. Or one of my canoes. Whichever suits your purpose. But expect to have your skin stripped off you a bit at a time when you finally meet up with the brothers. They won’t care if you’ve helped her retrieve her valuable papers, you’re traveling alone with her and that’s enough to make them angry.” Calvin rose, as did Sally.
She wrapped her arms around James’s neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Safe travels, James. I hope you get what you want, but don’t get yourself killed, especially now since the war’s over. Your lady is lovely.”
Calvin left Sally in the office and led the way to the stables. “It’s about time you thought about settling down, James. Sally worried so about you all during the war, wondering if we’d ever see you again. And I have to admit your choice of woman is perfect for you. She seems reckless as well. And her racial mix makes for a beautiful package. You’re one lucky devil, I’d say.”
James found the neatly folded bills lying over the fence of an empty stall. They were still warm and his mind raced to where they'd been hiding on Elise’s body. He shook his head, angry with himself and the way his thoughts were headed. He latched onto the bills. “She hasn't been gone long.”
“Horse it is, then. Take whichever one you fancy. Here’s a pistol. You’ll probably need that more than a horse. And good luck, my friend.” Calvin clamped James on the shoulder and laughed as he retrieved the bills from James’s fingers and wandered off into the night. “You’re going to need it with that one.”
He had to be crazy, chasing after a beautiful half-Indian woman who had four ticked-off brothers searching for her. Yes, she had taken his money, but what were a few dollars when his hide could suffer major damage before Elise could utter a word? He’d be better off riding in the opposite direction from her tracks. Or staying here at the fort for a few days before hopping on another riverboat, as he’d originally planned. His mouth curved into a grin. What fun would that be? He found her trail easily enough, and spurred his mount forward.
CHAPTER TWELVE
He kicked himself as much as he did his horse. He dug his heels into his mount. How could he have been so stupid? Let his guard down for half-a-minute, enjoying the company of his friends, and she’d loped off with his money. She
probably sweet-talked that lieutenant into doing her bidding, and even managed to take a hot bath and changed into clean clothes, while all he had to show for the visit was the after taste of some good brandy and an even better cigar.
He scratched his side as he put some distance between himself and the fort. He could have used a hot bath himself. Instead of tarrying at the fort as he’d decided to do just hours ago, he followed her trail, like a bloodhound after a tasty morsel.
He found her tracks easily enough, but dusk settled in quickly. Once the light disappeared completely, he’d have to hunker down for the night. Without her. Elise would be on her own, facing the unknown. He wondered if she’d ever been in the open alone before. Not likely, with the passel of brothers she had. She had no idea what the night had in store. Wild animals and wilder men. He spurred his mount forward.
An hour later, he spied a small fire in the woods and cautiously guided his horse forward. She’d changed her shirt and now wore a deep blue blouse that matched her eyes. But she still had on the gauchos, for ease of movement while riding astride, which is what she’d planned from the start. The glow from the fire highlighted her dusky skin tone and for a moment, he stayed atop his horse and stared at the lovely picture. She, indeed, was a tasty morsel.
The immediate furrow between her eyebrows when she spied him spoke volumes. She’d actually thought he wouldn’t be able to find her. Wouldn’t leave the comfort of the fort and come after her, despite the fact she had the rest of his money. Despite now knowing her reluctance to follow through on her attraction to him.
She rose, whip in hand, and scowled at him. “Took you long enough to figure out I’d given you the slip.”
“Ah, but you didn’t give me the slip, since here I am.” James slid down off the back of the horse in a fluid motion. “You left a trail about a mile wide for me to follow.”
“Did not.” She shook her hair back from her face and ran her fingers through the strands before she started fashioning a braid.
“I thought you’d take a bit more time toying with the affections of your wet-behind-the-ears lieutenant, but I figured you’d run if you could.” James led his horse to the stream and let him drink before tying him to a tree branch.
“Did the lieutenant make you jealous? He happened to be a very sweet young man, who came all undone when he put it together I’d be naked while bathing. He wouldn’t stay in the room with me, even with the tub behind a screen, which afforded me a perfect opportunity.” She shrugged. “I really did hope to do the rest of the trip on my own.”
James took a seat by the fire. “Admit it, sweetheart. I noticed how your ears perked up when you discovered I’d been a spy. You’re intrigued.”
“And you’re delusional.” She crouched on her haunches in front of the fire.
He stretched his feet toward the flames, which were dancing merrily. “What’s for dinner?”
“Rabbit for me. I stunned one with my whip a bit earlier and then gutted it with the knife I always carry. Don’t have any idea what you’re having.” She tossed him a glance before sitting on the ground with a rabbit leg on a stick.
The scent of the meat frying about made his stomach spasm. He hadn’t eaten anything since morning, other than the brandy. Which, though fortifying, did little to slake his hunger. He glanced longingly at the meat, wondering if he could distract her long enough to grab a tasty mouthful. “How about a game of chance? You fell asleep last night before we could get to it. If I win, you share some of your rabbit.”
Her gaze locked on him, considering his proposal. “And if I win?”
He struggled to get comfortable on the log. “Not that you will, but if you win, you keep the meat and I’ll answer any of the several questions you’re dying to ask me.”
“Merde. What if I don’t have any questions for your pompous ass?” She gazed into the fire instead of at him.
“Those are my terms. Unless you can come up with anything better. Maybe you’ll decide to have me kiss you again until you’re starry-eyed.” James chuckled as he recalled her reaction to their kiss on the deck of the riverboat. He then growled as he recollected the rest of that evening, when she’d followed his kiss up with one of her own, leaving him in a stupor long enough for her to steal his money and dive into the drink.
“As I said earlier, you are delusional. All right. I’ll admit I do have one question I’d like answered. Deal the cards from your lucky deck.” She bit into the crusty, juicy leg and smacked her lips as the juices ran down her chin. James’s stomach went into spasm again.
Soon enough, he’d have a side of rabbit in his belly. He tugged the cards out of his pocket and shuffled. This battle of wits they were playing would culminate with his favorite pastime–a game of cards. He was on solid ground here, and this was a game he would win. The deck had been stacked against her since she first set foot on the riverboat.
• ♥ •
“As you wish, sweetheart. Five-Card Draw coming up.” James shuffled the deck expertly, while Elise brushed a hand down her arm in a soothing motion. He got under her skin a little more each time he called her by that endearment.
James dealt one card face down to Elise and then one to himself. He repeated his actions four more times, until each had five cards face down in the dirt. The fire provided enough light for them to view their cards. “There’s no need to place a bet, since the stakes have already been predetermined. So, we’ll continue. Do you need me to teach you how to play the game, or can you figure it out?”
“I’m fine. Poker’s not that hard.” She glanced up at him. “And its consequences won’t be that difficult, either.” Elise quickly checked her cards, her heart thumping against her rib cage. James tossed the two of hearts and the ten of clubs to the center and waited to see what she would do. Elise threw only one card away and waited for James to deal her a new one.
She stole a glance at him, and caught how his eyes widened. And then the smirk reappeared on his face.
Either he’s of the opinion I have a bad hand or that I don’t have a clue how to play this foolish game. He’s wrong on both counts. Her gaze became razor-sharp as she honed in on the cards in her hand.
James dealt two cards to himself and one to her.
“Show your hand, Slick.” Elise grinned as she held her cards close. “Or should I say, Jack Diamond?”
James spread his cards on the ground, face up. “Three of a kind.”
Elise hooted before she laid her cards down. A flush! She could almost feel James’s stomach twisting as he stared at her cards.
Elise’s laughter rang out as she tossed her cards back to him. “And you thought I didn’t have a grasp of how to play. Poker is not just a white man’s game.”
James removed his hat and plowed his fingers through his hair. His thick, dark hair. The motion made a lock of his normally slicked-back hair fall over his forehead. Elise controlled her impulse to reach up and brush it back, but she allowed herself a moment to study him. She admitted once again he was a handsome man, and now that she understood what he’d done during the war, he’d also become an even more intriguing man. A man of principle. More of a puzzle than she’d first suspected. One she wanted to ply with questions. One she should avoid at all cost.
“Before I ask my question, I’ll give you some of my rabbit. No sense having you pass out before I have my answer.” Elise bestowed on him her sweetest smile, one that had always worked well when men were her target.
James might have an idea she was as wet-behind-the-ears as the lieutenant, but she'd been around men her entire life, and could play them like an Ojibwa flute. Like she’d toyed with that sweet, young lieutenant. As she’d done with this hand of poker. Men only thought they were the ones doing the playing. Soon enough, she’d bend James to her way of thinking. She’d never lost a battle of wills before, and had no intention of having James best her. She’d show him who held all the cards. Before she left him in the dust.
In spite of the fact he worked as
a spy during the war, or maybe because of it, the silver-tongued devil sharing her fire and her rabbit was still no better than Bailey Snodgrass had been. Once Eleanor finally accepted the fact Bailey would never return and that she’d caused her family’s misfortune, she’d become a broken soul. Elise would keep the picture of her friend in her mind during all future dealings with James.
As soon as she untangled her thoughts about him, got a bit more information concerning his background, satisfied her curiosity, she’d show him the door. She didn’t need him, or any other man, to prove her self-worth, as Eleanor had needed Bailey. But there was a huge difference between needing someone and wanting someone. And she wanted James. Which is why she needed to leave him sooner rather than later. She could accomplish that easily enough. Simply return his money, and he’d have no further reason to stay with her. She now had a horse and home couldn’t be more than three days’ ride away. So why did she hesitate?
Because he was right, damn him. His work during the war fascinated her. He had fascinated her even before she had a clue about his time in the service. She reminded herself he still cared deeply for the woman who rejected him. Elise wondered again if once this Madeline creature heard the truth about what James had done in the war, why he had chosen to align himself with the Confederacy, would it change her mind? Would she come running back to James’s side?
She’d be a fool not to. It’s what James counted on, by becoming a successful businessman. Word of his legendary war efforts and his subsequent business prowess would find its way to her sooner or later. He had no room in his world for Elise. His heart had belonged to another for years. Her best course of action would be to return his money and pat him on the rear before he rode off in the opposite direction.
