Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Diamond

by Kit Morgan

  Ephraim shrugged. “I think they’re hoping you’re too busy protecting your fiancé to think of it that way.”

  He rolled his eyes. “My fiancé.”

  “I’m afraid Miss Haverdash and I had a similar conversation a little while ago. A lot of folks in town still think she is. They have no idea you didn’t send for her.”

  Jace sobered. “You’re right.”

  “You’re losing your touch, friend,” Ephraim said. “Maybe you ought to think about Miss Haverdash as more than someone you’re trying to protect. You have to admit, she’s lovely.”

  Jace sighed. “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not? It’s the reason she’s here, isn’t it?”

  “You don’t understand, I have … another offer.”

  “Really?” Ephraim said in surprise. “Who’s the lucky girl?”

  “No, from …” He joined him in leaning against the desk. “… another agency.”

  “Not the Rangers, I take it?”

  “No. This one is new, and pretty hush-hush.”

  “Oh.” Ephraim went around the desk and retook his chair.

  “Coming from a town full of secrets, I knew you’d understand,” Jace said.

  “What secrets?” Ephraim asked innocently.

  Jace gave him an oh, come on, look. “Every time I ask you about Clear Creek, you become very evasive. You think I haven’t heard the stories?”

  Ephraim just shrugged.

  “Well, never mind that – I have to think this through.” Jace looked at the door on the other side of the room. “Poor thing must be frightened to death.”

  “I would imagine so. She can stay here for a time, but eventually you’ll have to see her home.”

  “Pretty brazen of someone to take a shot at her with me at her side,” Jace said, his jaw tight.

  “Very. Whoever it is doesn’t know you very well.”

  “No, they don’t.” Jace went to the window. “But they’re about to.” He plucked his hat off the desk, put it on and headed out the door.

  Ephraim grinned wickedly. “I pity the man when Jace finds him.”

  Katie awoke to the smell of fresh coffee. She had no idea how long she’d slept, only that it was growing dark outside. She opened the door to the front office in time to see Jace pouring two cups of the hot brew. “Hello,” he greeted her. “Rest well?”

  She approached the desk. “What did you find out?”

  He handed her a cup. “Not much, I’m afraid.”

  She glanced around. “Where’s Dr. Stone?”

  “At the café getting us some dinner. We’ll eat, hole up here awhile longer, then I’ll take you home.”

  “In the dark?”

  “Hard to shoot at what you can’t see.”

  He had a point, but still … “You won’t be able to see them either.”

  “If I can’t see them, then they most likely can’t see me.”

  That didn’t make sense to her, so she didn’t dwell on it. She took a sip of coffee. It was hot, but despite the warm evening, she felt cold. “The Vanders must be wondering what’s happened to me.”

  “I had Doc swing by their house before he went to Gruber’s. They know what’s going on.”

  “Maybe they don’t want me back. Maybe … I should just leave town.”

  “No. I want you where I can keep you safe.”

  She caught his look that seemed to say I want you here, but did her best to forget she saw it. It would do no good to get her hopes up. “I understand, but …”

  Suddenly his hands were covering hers over the cup. “I want you here.”

  Katie looked into his eyes. “Why?”

  He drew closer. “So I can protect you.”

  She swallowed hard. The cup was hot, but she didn’t care. The feel of his hands was intoxicating. He was so close she could smell his scent: leather, musk and sweat. There was something so wonderfully masculine about it that she’d never paid attention to before. Jace Diamond was certainly a man.

  “Katie,” he said softly, “you’re my responsibility. I can’t let any harm come to you. If you leave town there are no guarantees.”

  “Because I’m no longer with you?”

  He nodded. “I can protect you better than anyone I know.”

  She smiled. “How many people are you acquainted with?”

  He smiled back. “Always the joker.”

  She shrug and moved closer. The only thing separating them was the coffee cup. “Jace …”

  He looked at her with obvious longing, his eyes roaming her face, coming to rest on her lips. “Katie …”

  Her heart began to pound in her chest as they drew closer still. Before she knew it, his lips brushed hers. Her entire body shuddered.

  With a groan, he drew away. “I’m sorry. I …” He turned and headed for the door, then stopped and looked at her again. “I apologize for my ungentlemanly behavior. Please forgive me.” He left.

  Katie stood, her heart in her throat, the feel of his lips still on hers. “I’m not sorry.” She leaned against the desk, still holding her mug. Now what was she to think? She took a sip, and the coffee reminded her she was alive, thanks to Jace Diamond shielding her earlier with his own body. He was protecting her, no doubt, but what was the kiss about?

  She was tempted to go after him but knew it would be a mistake. He’d get upset with her for putting herself in the open, and she didn’t want him upset. She wanted him to … what, tell her he loved her? It was one little kiss, a slip. Men slipped all the time, according to her mother – and stole kisses if given half the chance. So what if he’d just stolen one from her? That didn’t make him in love with her.

  She went around the desk, sat in the doctor’s chair and closed her eyes. She couldn’t go on like this. She was falling too hard for the man. He was making it too hard not to. She’d even dreamed of him while napping, of a life full of family, children, love … it was all there with him, in this town, without the threat of a bullet taking her life or his. But a dream was all it was, unless he told her he felt the same. She didn’t want to be someplace where she saw him all the time and was reminded of unrequited love. Maybe protecting her was a source of pride for him.

  But then, that kiss …

  She left the chair and went to the window. There was no sign of Jace. She knew he was close by – he wouldn’t leave her unprotected. “What am I going to do?” she whispered.

  But she wasn’t stranded here. She had options. She could go to the telegraph office tomorrow, wire Beryl and have her send money. She could leave Independence and start over someplace else. She didn’t want to, but if it became necessary …

  Katie didn’t know which was worse, having someone want her maimed or dead, or the state her heart was in over Jace Diamond. And, she realized with a sense of dread, either could destroy her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jace paced to the side of Ephraim’s place. He’d done it now. Why did he have to go and kiss her? Not that it was a kiss, not the kind he was capable of. Still, it was enough to set his heart racing and his mind to envisioning things that would keep him from pursuing a career with the Knights. He took off his hat, ran his hand through his hair, put it back on again.

  “What the Sam Hill’s the matter with you?” Ephraim asked as he approached.

  Jace noticed him carrying a stack of plates covered with napkins. “Here, let me help.”

  The doctor let him remove two. “I got us each a fried chicken dinner. Mr. Gruber wants his plates back, of course. So will you tell me what’s wrong?”

  Jace frowned. “I kissed Katie.”

  “Oh. I thought there was a problem.” Ephraim made for the front door.

  “No, you don’t understand. I kissed her and …”

  “Liked it? You’re supposed to. If you didn’t, you’re doing it wrong.” Ephraim kept walking.

  “No, it’s … it’s …”

  Ephraim stopped and turned to face him. “Jace, I’ve never known you to
stammer.”

  “Me neither,” he admitted. He couldn’t put his finger on what made this woman so different or why he was so protective of her.

  “Did you want to kiss her?”

  “Of course not,” Jace snapped.

  Ephraim smiled. “You sure about that?”

  “I … might have been tempted a few times.”

  “Only a few.”

  Jace pointed at the door. “This is not the time and place for this discussion.”

  “You brought it up.”

  “You asked!”

  The door opened and Katie appeared. “What’s going on out here?”

  “Dinner.” Ephraim held up the plate in his hand. “I hope you like fried chicken.” He smiled at Jace and went inside.

  Jace glared at him and followed. He shouldn’t have told Ephraim. When it came to arguments, the doctor was in the wrong business - he should become the town lawyer when Fletcher became mayor and Horace retired. The man could argue acorns out of a squirrel.

  He arranged the plates on the desk as Ephraim emerged from his exam room with another chair. “Smells good,” Katie said as she sat.

  “Gruber’s has great fried chicken,” Ephraim commented. He put his fingers to his lips and kissed them. “Molto bene!”

  “Why, Dr. Stone, I didn’t know you spoke Italian.”

  “Just a smattering. Back home we’ve had a few Italians move to town.”

  “Oh?”

  Jace sat. “Should one of us say a blessing?”

  Ephraim grinned. “Go right ahead.”

  Jace did his best not to glare at him. Ephraim was better at that sort of thing. “Dear Lord, bless this food …” He glanced at Katie. Her head was bowed, eyes closed, hands clasped before her. She looked like an angel. “… and see to it that Ka … Miss Haverdash is kept safe from harm.” He sighed. “Amen.”

  “Can’t make up your mind what to call her?” Ephraim teased.

  Jace whipped the napkin off his plate. “I thought we were being formal.”

  “The good Lord doesn’t mind if you call her Katie.”

  Katie giggled. “And you know I don’t mind either.”

  Jace couldn’t help smiling at her, even if he did just make himself sound foolish.

  Katie met his smile with her own, but her eyes said something else. She looked … conflicted. And why shouldn’t she? He should never have kissed her.

  He dug into his food, wondering what to do. Things were becoming complicated. He had to protect her, which meant he had to be with her. But being with her was beginning to drive him mad.

  Ephraim sat behind his desk watching them and smiling between mouthfuls, the fiend. Given half a chance he’d fan the flames until they were both consumed. Jace couldn’t let that happen, not if he wanted a shot with the Knights.

  And then he looked at her … and she was staring at him with those big blue eyes full of conflict, fear and … desire? He knew he was decent looking, but he wanted a woman to love him for his character. Did she? No, she couldn’t – she didn’t know him well enough. How could she have any strong feelings for him?

  He returned to his food, breaking the spell. He had to bring a stop to this, but how could he protect her if he wasn’t with her? He’d have to make sure she was in the company of others … yes, that was it. He could make it work. Besides, that would free up time for his investigation. He had to find out who was shooting at her, if they had any connection to Jasper’s murder – and expose the Mad Matchmaker.

  Jace smiled to himself as he ate. First thing tomorrow morning, he’d deputize Ephraim Stone and Fletcher Vander. About time they carried some of the weight.

  Katie woke early at the Vanders’. Jace had escorted her home after dark. Dr. Stone had come too, trailing behind them with a shotgun. She felt a little guilty having him along, but Jace asked and the man said yes.

  She’d slept soundly, which surprised her. Maybe it was because of the banter between Jace and Dr. Stone. Anyone could tell they were friends, perhaps even closer than Jace and Fletcher. Dr. Stone was a tease and kept prodding Jace with little remarks and looks. It was a private joke, though to a casual observer it probably looked like a man poking a tiger and hoping he didn’t get his face clawed off. Still, she enjoyed their exchanges. And Jace hadn’t clawed Doc’s face off … yet.

  She washed, dressed and went downstairs. She’d never felt so safe in her life. But that was yesterday, this was today, and she’d be surprised if Jace let her leave the house.

  “Good morning,” Sophie called when Katie entered the dining room. “You look like you slept well.”

  “I did.” She sat the table.

  Sophie was already enjoying a bowl of fruit. “What time is Jace coming for you today?”

  “The usual, I think. Provided I still have my job at the bookshop after yesterday.”

  Sophie nodded and ate her fruit. She and Fletcher had waited up for her, not going to bed until she was safe and sound in the house. Katie, after changing into her nightclothes, spied Jace standing near the front gate like a sentry. There was no sign of Dr. Stone; he must have returned home. The thought of Jace as her guardian angel gave her peace, but she’d bet he was crabby this morning if he didn’t get enough sleep.

  “I thought about calling on Priscilla again this morning,” Sophie said, “but I don’t think it wise for you to come.”

  Betsy entered the dining room with a tray and set it on the table – two plates of ham and fried eggs. “If you ask me, which neither of you will, which is why I’m talking to begin with, you should both stay home. You wouldn’t catch me wandering around out there with bullets flying every which way. Eat up. Nothing helps nerves like a hot breakfast.” She left before either could comment.

  Katie stared at the ham and eggs. “She’s right. We should stay in. But does that make us cowards?”

  “No one’s restricting me,” Sophie said, taking one of the plates. “And if Sheriff Diamond comes to fetch you at lunch, then he must not think it’s so dangerous you can’t go to work.”

  “I’m beginning to think that’s a big ‘if’.”

  Sophie set down her fork. “Are you scared?”

  “Of course. But I don’t want this to cripple me. Whoever is out there pulling that trigger, I can’t let them control my life.”

  Sophie stared at her. “Goodness, what a brave thing to say. Bravo, Katie.”

  Katie smiled. “It’s something my friend Beryl would say. She’s not afraid of anything.” She shrugged. “I always wanted to be more like her.”

  “You sound like you admire her very much,” Sophie said.

  “I do. I wish she was here. You’d like her.”

  “I’m sure I would.” Sophie began cutting her eggs. “We’d better eat this while it’s hot or we’ll be hearing from Betsy.”

  “Speaking of control,” Katie said with a smile.

  Sophie laughed. “Yes, but we don’t mind Betsy bossing us around. She’s usually right.”

  Katie laughed too and began to eat.

  The meal done, they did some embroidery, went over yesterday’s progress of the cleanup and how much they wanted to accomplish that day, and helped Betsy bake cookies. Soon lunchtime rolled around and Katie hurried to eat, then stared at the kitchen door and sighed. “I was afraid of this. He’s not coming.”

  “Can’t say I blame him,” Betsy said. “Our sheriff’s no fool.”

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Mm-hmm. On second thought, he’s an idiot!” Betsy answered the door. “Oh – you’re not Sheriff Diamond.”

  Dr. Stone entered the kitchen and took off his hat. “No. I’m his deputy.” He tapped the silver star pinned to his vest pocket. “But let’s not spread it around just yet.”

  The women gaped at him. “Where’s Jace?” Katie asked.

  “Working. He said I’m to escort you to the bookshop, should you be so inclined.”

  She exchanged a look with Sophie who could only shrug. “Well, it
looks like it’s not so dangerous out there after all.”

  “Don’t be so sure. That’s why I’m here.” He patted his gun belt.

  “Doc Stone, can you use that?” Betsy asked.

  “I’m a passable shot.” He eyed the cookies. “You don’t mind parting with a few of those, do you?”

  “Help yourself,” Betsy said. “In fact, I’ll send some out the door with you. Poor bachelor like you with no one to cook for him – tsk, tsk.”

  Katie and Sophie smiled as Betsy busied herself packing cookies for the doctor. He happily munched on one while he waited. Soon enough they were off.

  When they reached the street, Katie had to ask. “He deputized you so you could watch me?”

  “Precisely. Besides, whoever took those shots at you will think twice if they notice you’re not with Jace yet still have an escort. He’s out there watching too, but the culprit doesn’t know from where. It’s brilliant, really – I should have thought of it.”

  “But … that means … I’m bait?”

  “No, not at all. It means that more than one person’s doing the job. Really, Miss Haverdash, do you honestly think Jace would put you in danger? Especially after what I saw last night …”

  Her eyes widened. “What did you see?”

  His eyebrows rose. “That he cares. Of course, it might take him a while to figure it out – he’s remarkably thick-headed about such things.”

  “And how would you know?” Her heart was hammering again. Did Jace have stronger feelings for her than she realized?

  “I haven’t known him long, a few years, but I know his type. We have a few of them back home.”

  “And what is his type?”

  He smiled. “The kind you want on your side in a fight. The kind that watches out for everyone. The kind that when the right woman comes along, they can’t see it because they can’t believe it.” He stopped when they reached the end of Cherry Lane. “Men like him have a strong sense of purpose, Miss Haverdash.”

  “What kind of purpose?”

  He grinned. “To save the world, what else? When they meet a woman, she threatens to distract them from that purpose. It takes these men a while to figure out that she’s not there to keep him from doing it, but to help him fulfill it.”