by Griggs, Winnie; Pleiter, Allie; Hale, Deborah; Nelson, Jessica
She’d been drawn in by those eyes for too long. Could she forget how he’d sold the ranch beneath her feet? Even though he’d arranged for her to stay, his action had felt like a betrayal of sorts. No, she could not trust that sparkle as much as she longed to.
It was a longing she must deny herself.
Ordering was brief. The waiter took their menus, and then quiet followed. Lou folded a napkin across his lap and leaned back in his seat, hands lightly clasped on the starched tablecloth.
“I finished some work at the office today,” he finally said.
She sipped her water. “Have they caught the man who shot you?”
“No, but we will. I’m on his trail. After supper today, I’m going to drop you at the train station, where a special agent will meet you and escort you home.” At her look, he grinned. “You really think I’m going to let you traipse off all by yourself? I wouldn’t let any woman do that.”
“The point is that you’re not in charge.”
“Once you’re safe,” he continued without missing a breath, “I’m hunting this fellow down. I didn’t see his face, but there was another man I caught a good look at. Talked to, even. A few visits to some unsavory places, and I’m thinking I’ll find my shooter and maybe even a crime to tie him to.”
“Besides shooting you?” Mary asked drily.
“Exactly.” Lou gave her a slow wink, obviously pleased with all his plans.
The cad. He both infuriated her and made her smile. This back-and-forth was exhausting, though.
“Tell me,” she said, aligning her knife with the edge of her napkin. “What will you do when I’m not at the ranch when you return?”
His ego appeared to trip along with his grin. “Why wouldn’t you be there?”
“I can think of a few reasons.”
“I’m not gone yet. The buyers have agreed to keep you on as housekeeper. This sale… It’s an offer, but that doesn’t mean it’s final. I wired Trevor the information yesterday, and he and Gracie are going to talk things through. He never needed the home he sold you, but Gracie’s partial to the ranch. In fact, they’ll be meeting me here tomorrow or the day after to talk things through.”
The fact that he was trying to look out for her should have comforted her, but it didn’t.
She let out an exasperated breath. “Do you not hear yourself? Why are you selling if Gracie and Trevor don’t want to? Why bother? Can you not travel as you’ve always done? And things may remain the same.”
The grin slid from his face. He leaned forward and pulled her hands toward him in a heated grip. His grasp was decidedly larger than hers, and she had to tear her eyes from their entwined palms to focus on his next words.
“Is that really what you want? To live out your days on secluded property?” His gaze probed her. The way his hands enveloped hers felt so right…. Her tongue tied within her mouth, and she could only look at him.
“I know you want more. You’re made for more, Mary.” He hesitated and then said quietly, “God has given you talents. Don’t hide them on a ranch. Don’t waste them on people who aren’t around to appreciate what you have to offer.”
He spoke of God. She blinked and pulled her hands free from his.
“I have never considered myself wasting away there. The meals I made, the clothes I darned and ironed, the prayers I prayed… It was healing. Not one second of my time there has been a waste.” She had to work hard to keep her voice from shaking. “I am sorry your perspective is so very different than mine.”
He started to speak and she held up a hand.
“Either way, what I do with my life is not up to you. Your plans for tomorrow are all well and good, but you have given no consideration to what I want. Did you plan to ask? Or do you plan to do whatever you want and then expect me to be there?”
His eyes widened. “I’m sorry—”
“Excuse me, miss. There’s a telephone call for you.” The waiter pointed to the lobby’s desk, visible through the restaurant’s entrance.
Lou’s gaze narrowed. Mary ignored him, though a trembling had taken up residence in her stomach. “Thank you. I shall be there in a moment.”
“Is there something you need to tell me?” Lou stood and walked around the table to her. “What did Langdon say to you?”
Sitting left her at a disadvantage and so she also stood, though it did little good with her small stature. Nevertheless, it must do for now. Lou and his authoritative ways must stop. She placed a hand on his chest and gave him a little nudge.
“This is a telephone call for me.”
“Mary.” His voice sharpened. “You’re playing with a criminal. If there’s something you need to say, say so now, because I’m not having my employee involved with the likes of him.”
“Don’t you think I know what he is?” She nudged him harder, but he refused to move. Well, she’d just go around him, then. But as she stepped to the side, he mirrored her. She hissed and glared up at him.
“Kindly move.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on.” His eyes were blue steel.
Very well. A surprising burst of anger popped through her. She threw her head up and gave him the sternest look she could muster.
“I know criminals, Lou Riley. You forget, I spent a week with them. It might’ve been twelve years ago, but I haven’t lost my senses. My mind works just fine and I know exactly what I’m doing.” Maybe not exactly, but at this moment she thought things were quite clear. “Move yourself before I make a scene.”
The threat sent hotness to the back of her neck. She prayed he did not force her to do such a dreadful thing. His jaw worked, and his hands went to his narrow hips. He studied her, and she was torn between the irresistible urge to allow him to kiss her again or to scurry past and pick up the telephone.
He seemed to come to some internal decision. His jaw hardened. “Nope. No employee of mine is carousing with criminal types. I’ve said my piece. Now sit back down.”
“Why you…you overbearing oaf.” An unbelievable heat swept through her body and pooled in her belly. Her hands clenched. She ignored his raised eyebrows and sputtered, “F-fine, then. If you choose to be this way. Then. I. Quit.”
His hands slid off his hips. She took advantage of his slack jaw to skirt around him, hustling to the telephone as fast as she could and hoping he didn’t beat her to it.
This was the moment her life would change forever.
Chapter Twenty
Mary couldn’t quit.
Lou was tempted to follow her, but her last words had punched a hole in his steady breathing. He opted to keep his distance and reassess the situation when she returned. Moments passed, filled with the sounds of conversation around him, clinking silverware, the aromas of food, and then she turned from the counter.
Her head was tilted down. Shoulders slumped. He frowned. Thoughts ricocheted through him, knotting his gut. He tapped his knuckles against the table.
The indecision twisting through him was unexpected. He didn’t like the feeling, but stopping it was another matter.
She’d actually had the audacity to quit.
That wasn’t like her. Did she mean her words? The look on her face… He’d never seen it there before. He’d wanted her to be independent, to be okay so he could leave this place for good, but now that she’d flung her independence in his face, well, what could a man make of that?
He rapped the table again, thinking. Plans were going well. Exactly how he’d thought he wanted months ago when he’d set things in motion. Even with the unforeseen shooting. It hadn’t changed his plans, but it had affected him personally. Somehow getting shot and being stuck at the ranch with Josie and Mary had changed him, but he wasn’t sure how, and even if he figured it out, he was pretty certain he wouldn’t like what he found.
His own father had been trapped at home raising two sons alone after his mother died. And his brother, Gracie’s dad, was held beneath the sway of his wife. He’d even cut off contact with
Lou for almost twenty years because his wife disapproved of Lou’s career choices.
No, he’d seen what a man leashed by hearth and home became. When he was young, he hadn’t worried too much on it, but losing Sarah and Abby had reinforced his instincts and for twelve years he’d been just fine, footloose and fancy-free.
Until now.
Mary’s independence threatened his own. That much he was sure about. After so long looking out for her, did he really want her gone from his life? No. But being hog-tied to one place gave him the urge to draw his gun and target practice.
At least he might get to do that soon. This morning a junior agent had shared some fascinating intelligence. He and another agent had linked Lou’s shooter to an international ring that was smuggling alcohol from Canada by way of Oregon ports. Given international waters were involved, the smuggling became a federal crime and he’d been given free rein to bring his shooter in. If he could just find a name…
Mary neared, cutting off his thoughts. A flush stained her cheekbones. He put his hands on his hips and battled the urge to apologize. And for what? Trying to protect her? It was an illogical, insensible reaction.
Scowling, he sat in his chair. She followed suit, sitting across from him and fiddling with her silverware again. Busy fingers meant nervousness. He eyed her, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“Your food, sir.” The waiter set their plates down.
“Thank you.” He ate, but the food was tasteless. Mary picked at her potatoes. “You might as well tell me what that call was about. I’m going to find out eventually.”
“I know. And that is what upsets me.” She lifted her eyes.
“So let the cat out of the bag.” He shrugged, though he felt anything but nonchalant. After all this time, it was as though she didn’t trust him. The thought rubbed him wrong.
“I’ve been offered a deal of sorts. Employment in exchange for something.” Her eyes dropped.
Lou’s throat clenched and for the second time that day, a red haze crept into his vision. Fingers curling into fists, he took deep, even breaths. When he thought he could speak without yelling, or worse, scaring her, he said, “What’s the exchange?”
She shook her head. “It’s between us. Regardless, I’m in need of employment, and though I’d like to open my own shop someday, I think this will work better for now. It is a good thing for me to quit now rather than later. My future is secure, and you need not worry about me or my mother.”
He scoffed, if only to let out the tension tightening every muscle in his body. “I’m not worried about her.”
Mary frowned. “Despite how you feel, my mother will be in my life. I suppose it’s also good you plan to leave.”
Fighting words. He should be alarmed, but they eased his tension a little. Whatever plan she’d agreed to couldn’t be permanent or she wouldn’t be talking about keeping her ma in her life.
“A good thing, huh?” He flashed a little teeth and leaned forward.
“Don’t try to charm me, Lou Riley. Your distaste for my mother is upsetting.” She pushed her dish to the side. “I wish you would try to see her side of things. Forgive her, even.”
“Sorry, but I have a hard time forgiving anyone who hurt you the way she did. That’s just the fact of the matter.”
“I see.”
“I don’t think you do.”
She glanced to the right, where a clock perched against the wall. “It is time for me to leave.”
Panic knotted the base of his neck. He had to fix things, and quick. “Look, I’m sorry for bossing you around earlier. What say you stay and give me the lowdown on the situation? Maybe I can help with this trade you’re doing?” He kept his smile in place.
She shook her head. “I’m the only one who can fulfill the terms of the agreement.”
“That so?” he drawled. His chest burned with the effort of staying calm.
“I’ll be back to the house in a year or so. We shall meet again, I’m sure. Are you okay? You look…red.”
He felt it. Drawing a heavy breath, he said, “This agreement isn’t illicit, is it? Tell me it’s not, Mary. Tell me you haven’t sold yourself to protect that little girl.”
She gasped. Then her face darkened as she shot up from her seat. “How could you think such a thing?” Her mouth worked.
He stood, too, but she was already reaching for her luggage. She rushed past him, leaving the restaurant in a flurry of movement. He groaned and tossed money on the table to cover the food. He’d really bungled this.
Maybe she wasn’t planning a liaison, but he’d seen Langdon look at her. He’d seen her paleness. Didn’t take a genius to put two and two together. She might not plan to give in to Langdon’s advances, but Lou had met his type before.
If someone didn’t step in, Langdon would try to force himself on Mary, and she would never be the same.
Lou spun on his heel and stalked out of the restaurant. Yes, he had a shooter to catch and a ranch to sell and a new employment opportunity, but Mary meant more to him than material things. And so did Josie.
This so-called deal put them in danger, and he would do whatever it took to stop it.
*
The nerve of that man!
Mary strode the streets, brushing past people as she worked to clear the steam from her head. How could he think such a thing of her? Did he really believe she’d ever put herself in that position? Perhaps this plan could use some finessing and it might require a bit of dodging, but she hoped for the optimum.
To raise Josie as her own.
A breeze rustled up against her and waltzed with her skirt. She should have brought a sweater of some sort. Oregon’s personality was moody, and chill bumps rose on her arms in reaction to the cool wind.
Or maybe it was the thought of having a family. Though her heart ached for Josie, knowing the child’s mother might pass soon, Mr. Langdon had assured her that there were no living relatives, no one to claim Josie. Without him, she would be put into an orphanage. Mary couldn’t abide such a thought. Perhaps her own childhood had been unstable. Constantly moving, a father who was in and out of her life physically, a mother who was emotionally in and out, but there’d been many times of love. There’d been food and clean clothes.
She’d seen orphanages, but worse, she’d heard tales of them. Many of the prostitutes her mother worked with came from these places. Many had been more girl than woman.
A shudder swept through her.
No. Mr. Langdon and the orphanages wouldn’t get her sweet girl. His plans for Josie were vile enough to let her know that when Josie’s mother died, the girl would be in harm’s way. Mr. Langdon’s wicked plan had to be an answer to prayer. God could use evil and turn it to good. Perhaps that was His plan for her.
She stopped at the corner and waited for the coming streetcar. She wrapped her arms firmly around her ribs. A year or less. If she could make it through that, then both she and Josie would be okay.
She’d agreed to show up in the morning for the job, which meant she should find somewhere to sleep this evening.
“Mary!”
She whirled to see Lou sprinting toward her. His broad frame filled her with a restless longing, an unfair yearning. She closed her eyes, pressing them to block out his image.
He reached her, his breaths short and shallow. Perhaps his scar still ached.
“You shouldn’t be running,” she said, opening her eyes.
“I’m fine. Look—” he swiped a hand through his hair “—I really am sorry. I’ve got no business telling you what to do. The past few weeks have been crazy for me. Getting shot, seeing Josie, which brings back all sorts of memories… Let’s just say I’m trying to make things right and I feel like I’m failing.” The words sounded strained as he said them.
A streetcar rumbled to a stop in front of them. She stepped onto it, and Lou followed. They held the railings as it picked up speed. What could she answer him? Seconds turned into minutes. He let her think, for which s
he was grateful.
Finally, she turned to him. He still wore that pained, uncomfortable expression. It pulled at the creases of his eyes and made him quite attractive. Stifling a smile, she said softly, “I suppose you’re not used to apologies.”
His lips tilted. “I’m used to being in charge. Giving orders and having people obey.”
“Perhaps there was a time for that in my life, but being by myself so much at the ranch has taught me to make my own way.” She hesitated, then reached out and touched one of his hands. His skin was tanned and scarred, rough beneath her fingers. “Your desire to protect me is noble, but I must be free to make my own choices. To control someone is not loving.”
His throat worked. His eyes were such a clear blue, penetrating and serious. “The last thing I want is to hurt you or treat you less than what you deserve. I’m going to try to trust your judgment, but I need you to trust me, too.”
“When it comes to my life, I reserve trust for myself.”
“What about God?” he countered.
The jab stung a bit. “Perhaps my trust in Him is not perfect, but I’m working on it.”
“I guess that’s the most anyone can do.” The streetcar jolted to a stop. They shifted closer to allow a woman laden with bags to squeeze past. Lou’s cologne and minty scent enveloped Mary. She was so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her hair.
As soon as the woman passed, she shifted away, ignoring every impulse to stay near him. The car started up again.
“So…truce?” Lou asked.
She faced him, taking in his sober look. “I suppose so.”
“Great. Let me help you, then. What’s the plan? What can I do? I have resources you can only dream of.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
She reciprocated, thankful the tension between them had ebbed. “For now I must find a hotel to stay at. Tomorrow I will begin my new job.”
“Your ma know yet?”
