Midnight Kiss (Moonlight Romance)
Page 16
“Yes, he was behind everything, I think. I didn’t question him about the warehouse fire yet.”
“It doesn’t make any sense.”
“He’s race prejudice to the core.”
Boyd frowned. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been hard on you, too, but if there is anything I can do to help you and help your family just let me know.”
“Thank you.”
“Your family is my family, Matt. And we should all look out for each other.” He tore his gaze away from the burning house and looked back at Matt and April. “I can see the love you share. I’m not sure what will happen with our business now, but I think it is time I find myself a wife.”
“Really?” Matt asked, his voice higher than intended.
Boyd laughed. “Being married to your work is a lonely way to live. I see that now.”
After getting the bullet dug out of his shoulder and the wound sewn and bandaged, Matt knocked on Mrs. Brown’s door. They’d stay with her a few days until they could make other arrangements.
Mrs. Brown immediately answered. “Heaven sakes, I’m so glad you’re all right, Mr. Seever,” Mrs. Brown said.
Matt stepped into the parlor and his chest warmed at seeing April’s face. He sat on the sofa next to her. She had a blanket wrapped around her nightgown. He threaded his fingers with hers. “We lost everything.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she scooted closer to him. “We have each other, and that is all that matters. We are all strong, even the children. I’m so glad they were with Frederick and Emma tonight. We can pick up the pieces.” She looked down at her belly. “The baby brought us together, and our love will get us through any hardship.”
April rested her head on Matt’s shoulder. Her skin was not as hot; the fever must have gotten better. Despite such a trying evening she looked stronger and calmer. Good signs. He ran his fingers through her long black hair and kissed her forehead. Baxter had actually done the opposite of what he intended. He had increased the strength of Matt’s bond with his wife.
He brought her hand to his lips and chastely brushed her skin. What lay ahead did not concern him. He’d be able to face anything with her by his side.
Epilogue
Holding April in his arms all night helped calm him down. Spending most of the next day composing himself, Matt was finally ready to go to the jail and confront Baxter face-to-face.
Baxter sat on the bed. Behind bars, he looked far less imposing than he had earlier.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Seever. It never should have gone this far.”
“No. It shouldn’t.”
“I was drunk.” He bowed his head and blew out a breath. “I know that doesn’t excuse my actions, but I never would have…I’m sorry.” He met Matt’s gaze again, showing more backbone than he’d expected. “Jefferson and Wheatly got me worked up. I think they wanted me to snap and do something rash. If I was locked up they’d be rid of me—they’d already gotten what they wanted from me.”
“Who are Jefferson and Wheatly?”
“That is a long story.”
“Which you will tell me,” Matt said, his voice firm.
Baxter nodded. “And I’d like to pay for the rebuilding of your house. I’ll pay you even more than it is worth. I feel so bad; the guilt is eating at me from the inside.”
“That is something.”
“I know it won’t make amends. But I can try.”
“What about our warehouse?”
Baxter ran a hand down the side of his face. “I didn’t start the warehouse fire. I promise. One of my partners did. I didn’t know he was going to do it. I would have stopped him.”
“And the stolen goods? What about them?”
Baxter cringed. “My partners. For the Confederacy.”
“Confederacy!”
“Yes.” Baxter sat up straighter. “The South will rise again.”
“Like hell it will!” Another war? That’s what Baxter wanted? A lot of money could be made in a war…but the man was clearly out of his mind.
“I’ll cover your losses, stolen goods and all.”
“It doesn’t excuse what you and your partners did.”
“I know,” he replied, staring at his lap.
Matt grunted. He couldn’t wait to hear about these partners, and hopefully someday get his hands on them.
“But,” Baxter continued, “I’d be willing to pay for the rebuilding of your warehouse, too. I’ll even pay off your loan. You’ll own the property free and clear.”
“I’m sure my brother will appreciate that. His warehouse business has been his life.”
“Tell him I’m sorry,” Baxter said in small voice.
Matt nodded. “Will do, for what it’s worth. You can tell me about your partners tomorrow. I’ve heard enough for today.”
Matt knew learning about Baxter’s partners would raise his ire. He’d tell his brother the good news and then when he was ready, he’d go back and talk to Baxter some more.
Matt stepped into the parlor and saw Boyd waiting in an armchair by the empty fireplace.
“The women gave us some privacy,” Boyd said. “I’ve been eager to hear what the bastard said.”
Matt took a seat in the matching armchair across from his brother. Relief lightened his chest and he allowed a small smile. “I can’t wait to tell April he wants to pay for the rebuilding of our house. And he’s going to cover our warehouse, too. He said he’d even square our loan.”
Boyd let out a shrill whistle. “He must be hoping the judge will go easy on him. You’re still going to press charges, right?”
“Hell yes.”
“I hadn’t expected such good news.”
Matt nodded. He’d tell his brother about Baxter’s partners as soon as he’d heard that part of the story. Boyd might not be as satisfied then. The banker was locked up, but could his partners cause them more trouble?
“Well, I better head back to the warehouse. Thankfully we have one that is currently operational.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
Boyd shook his head. “Take some time off and spend it with April and your children. I managed one warehouse by myself for a long time. I can manage a while longer.”
“Thank you.” He couldn’t believe his brother was actually being kind to him.
Boyd rose from his chair. He left the room and returned with Mrs. Brown and April. “Matt is all yours,” he said to the two women. He looked at April. “If there is anything you need, please let me know.” His attention shifted to Mrs. Brown. “Thank you for the coffee, ma’am. I will see myself out. I’m sure all of you would like to get some sleep.”
Matt watched his brother leave, hardly able to believe his drastic change. He had been polite to Mrs. Brown without any prodding. Maybe the South could change after all…in time.
* * * *
Two weeks later, Matt led the way to his hotel room, his brother climbing the stairs behind him. Baxter was footing the bill for his hotel room, too. Although Mrs. Brown would not have complained, he and April couldn’t stay with her the several weeks it would take to get the house rebuilt.
The silence knotted his stomach. Frankly Matt didn’t know what to say. After they met with two Pinkerton agents he had a lot on his mind. He couldn’t believe Boyd was considering their proposal. After uncovering the plot to rebuild the Confederacy, the agents had asked for Boyd’s help, asked him to go undercover. They wanted to squash this underground network before it grew strong enough to pose a serious threat to the United States. Urgency laced their actions. According to them, time was of the essence.
Why they’d asked for Boyd’s involvement Matt didn’t know. Perhaps they thought his personal ties to the criminals would help somehow.
Matt took the key out of his pocket, unlocked the door, and locked it again after they were both inside.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Boyd? It sounds dangerous.”
“I’m doing it for the family.” He smiled with a glint in his eyes. “And I’ve always wishe
d I had aristocratic blood. I will enjoy throwing money around.”
Money the Pinkerton agents were supplying him for his undercover operation.
The hotel room suddenly seemed small and constricting. April was playing with the children at Frederick’s farm. He longed to be there with them, instead of trying to talk his brother out of this mission.
“I want to find Baxter’s partners and bring them in. That will be the only way April and the children will be safe.”
Matt appreciated Boyd’s gesture, but there would always be people who disapproved of his wife and children. Throwing two men in jail wouldn’t change that.
“This will help make up for my lack of concern over the years.”
“You don’t have to make up for your mistakes. I’m just happy you learned from them. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
His brother shook his head. “After surviving the war, this should be nothing. I’m not charging across an open field and braving enemy fire.”
“I know that.” Matt shoved out a breath. At this rate he wouldn’t be able to persuade his brother to change his mind.
“I’ve been tied to the warehouse business for far too long. You can manage things fine by yourself for a while.”
“Yes, I know. I’m not complaining about the extra work.” Actually, he appreciated Boyd trusting him with the responsibility.
“You’ve been on the steamboats and seen more of the sights. You got married and had children. Now it is my turn. I want to live a little.”
“Fine. Live a little. Chase women, go gambling. I don’t care what you do. Just don’t go after a bunch of crazy men who want to resurrect the Confederacy.”
Boyd laughed. “Why? Are you worried I’m going to join their cause?”
“Of course not! At least I hope not. I’ve fought against you once on the battlefield, don’t make me do it again,” Matt teased.
Boyd grunted. “I promise.”
“Any talk of the South rising again is foolhardy. Their movement will die out on their own. You don’t need to get involved.”
“The Pinkerton agents disagree.”
Matt’s jaw tightened. “They should be conducting this investigation themselves.”
“The bastards would sniff out an agent a mile away.”
“I hope they can’t sniff you out so easily,” he muttered. “Even in a disguise they could recognize your voice.”
“Many men have similar sounding voices. With a polished appearance and manners they won’t expect a thing.”
Matt couldn’t help but laugh. The Pinkertons were going to put his brother through a quick version of finishing school. “All it takes is one mistake…” His brother had been a pain in his side all his life, but he didn’t want anything to happen to him. Especially now that they had gotten closer.
“I won’t make a mistake. I know their kind. I’ll be careful, brother. I’ll be in touch with the Pinkerton operatives the whole time.” Matt didn’t respond and Boyd added, “I need to do this.”
Matt swallowed, his saliva not soothing his scratchy throat. “If this is what you must do, then I will support you.”
“Thank you.” Boyd put his hand on his shoulder. “And who knows, maybe I’ll snag a Southern belle along the way.”
Boyd dropped his hand and Matt glared at him. “Don’t go thinking about love now. It will cloud your judgment.”
Boyd grinned, reminding Matt of mischievous boyhood days. “Don’t worry. Bringing down the Confederate underground will be my first priority…”
The End
Publisher’s Note
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About Haley Whitehall
Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit Haley at http://www.haleywhitehall.com
Table of Contents
Midnight Kiss
Blurb
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
About Haley Whitehall