Her lips looked kissed and a bit plump. “I didn’t ask you to.”
“We’ve been heading toward that for two years, but I held back because I was married and I knew you’d never consent to keeping company with me in that way if you knew the truth. Well, I’m not married anymore.”
Just as he dipped his head for another kiss, the sound of a man coughing pulled him up straight.
“That’s just Dalton across the street,” he said when he felt a jolt run through her. “Still, you’re in danger every moment you stay out here, especially with what you told me. I don’t want you in the middle of a gunfight.” He glanced around. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
“I’ll go inside the bank with Frank.”
“He’s not there and I don’t have the key. Besides, that’s the last place I’d put you if I thought there was a chance we were going to be robbed. You can’t go back over the bridge until I check underneath.”
“This is silly, Albert. I can cross the bridge in one second if I run, then be home in two more. It’s just down the street. If there’re outlaws, or someone else, under the bridge, they aren’t after me.” She took a step away and Albert reached out and caught her hand before she got a foot farther.
“Nothing doin’.” Her hand was cool to the touch and he wrapped it in both of his. It brought a fleeting memory of a month ago and the picnic they’d shared with friends after church. She’d had on a flowing dress, one that emphasized her gracefulness. Nobody moved like Susanna. If she wanted to, she could practically float across a room. That day, though, they’d been walking by the stream and she’d slipped on a moss-covered rock. He’d easily caught her before she’d fallen and she’d lain in his arms as natural as could be. Her gaze had drawn him, and he’d almost kissed her then, despite his resolve to be free and clear of Floria before he ever did. And now she wanted him to let her walk home in the dark alone, and so close to a waiting danger? That just wasn’t going to happen. “You can get that idea right out of your head this instant. If there are fellows looking for trouble, sometimes they don’t care what kind they find.”
“Albert, I certainly can’t stay out here with you all night. That would set the gossips’ tongues wagging more than they already are. I don’t need to give them any more fodder.”
There it was. The truth of the matter was, she not only felt betrayed by him, but was scandalized and embarrassed. And why wouldn’t she? In everyone’s eyes, he’d duped her good. Still, in spite of all that, and all the damning evidence against him, she’d just risked her life to see to his safety. Things couldn’t be all that bad. A spark of hope lingered—or was that just the incredible tingle she’d left on his lips?
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Susanna blinked several times to see if she was imagining the smile lifting Albert’s lips. The same ones that had just kissed the stuffings out of her. She’d just laid out a portion of her heart. Was that all he thought of her? To smile? She couldn’t hold in her irritation. “What’s so funny?”
He reached out and touched the tip of her nose. “You.” He looked her up and down so long she felt flush under the collar. “Running out here in the middle of the night. And now thinking I’m going to just let you stroll home by yourself as if it were three o’clock Sunday afternoon.”
He gave a little chuckle and stepped in her direction, but she quickly pulled away. He leaned in, almost like he intended to kiss her again, but she held him off with a determined hand to his rock-hard chest. She wasn’t letting him off the hook—she couldn’t—even if his kiss had been dreamier than she’d ever imagined all those times as she fell asleep. She resisted the urge to reach up and touch her lips and relive the memory. Instead, she held her ground. “That still doesn’t explain your smile. Are you laughing at me too?”
His smile didn’t even ebb. “Of course not,” he said softly, gently bushing a wisp of her hair from her face. “I’m moved that, deep down, you’re still worried about me. Enough to brave the dark night when unseemly looking horsemen you’ve never laid eyes on before might be right under your feet. You’re quite the valiant woman, Susanna. Your spirit is one of the things I love about you.”
He said the words slow and enticing, his deep voice melting her insides. He meant to seduce her, she realized with a shock. In all the time she’d known him, he’d never come on like this—and his pull was deadly. She tried to turn her head, but her gaze was anchored to his lips. She was almost defenseless against his charm. If seduction was his aim, he was doing a darn fine job.
“Your concern tells me a lot,” he continued. She shivered when he stroked her palm with his thumb. “You still care. And I still have a chance.” His smile had faded and his grave expression spoke volumes. She meant everything to him. His eyes searched her face. “I’m not going to let you go without a fight. It wasn’t my choice for Floria to die, God rest her soul, but she has. I’m in love with you, Susanna, and have been since your first few days in Logan Meadows.”
“What’s going on?” Dalton stepped out of the darkness, one gun drawn. His suspicious tone held a mountain of censure. “I thought that was you, Susanna. But I actually thought you’d be more sensible than to sneak out here in the middle of the night.”
“What’re you doing?” Albert growled. “We may have some visitors under the bridge waiting for the right moment to make their move. Now you just gave it to them by coming over here.”
Dalton never took his gaze from her. She felt Albert’s anger sizzle through his body.
How much had Dalton seen? Was he listening to their conversation? She didn’t like to think he’d do such a thing, but his tone, and the look in his eyes, made her wonder.
“Get back to your post,” Albert said through a stiff jaw. “Standing together like this makes us an easy target.”
“Every moment Suzie stays out here talking with you she’s in danger,” Dalton said, keeping his voice down. “I could hear your whispers all the way across the street.”
“That’s impossible.” Albert shifted his weight. “The sound of the creek alone hides most everything.”
Dalton’s chin went up as if he were gunning for a fight. If they took to fists, would she be able to break them apart? She didn’t know Dalton well enough to read his moods. “The relief guards won’t arrive until five in the morning. You can’t stay out here with Albert all night.”
Susanna’s ire rose. Why was he bossing her around? She was about to give him a big piece of her mind, but Albert beat her to it.
“She’s with you as well, Babcock, and the rest of the sleeping town. Nothing untoward is going to happen.”
Dalton harrumphed.
“There’s a chair right there,” Susanna said, trying to mollify both. “If I get tired, I can sit.” She pointed to the wooden cane-back seat next to the door. “Do you have a better solution?”
Dalton’s gaze roamed over her loose hair. “I do. It’s safer on my side of the street—away from the bank.”
“Over my dead body,” Albert said low.
“You’re going to forgive him, Susanna? Like he hasn’t duped you for the past two years? I wouldn’t let him off so easily.”
Susanna gaped back and forth, her annoyance at both men growing with each comment. “That’s my business, Dalton, not yours.” She turned and looked at Albert. “What about the riders I saw? Aren’t you worried about them? Shouldn’t you do something?”
“Of course I am, and will. But I’m not going to start anything with you at risk if bullets start flying.”
It was true, she’d put both Albert and Dalton in danger by coming out here. She needed to get out of the way so they could do their jobs.
“That’s why she’s coming with me.”
“Enough!” Albert’s romantically inclined mood had gone all business in a matter of seconds. “I’ll take her to the bookshop. She can stay upstairs with Tabitha until morning.” Albert’s tone said he was done talking with Dalton and with her as well.
<
br /> Susanna sucked in a breath. She had to admit, it was the perfect solution and she wished she’d thought of it sooner herself, before the heated words had started to fly. Tabitha might be frightened when she first knocked on her door, but there was no help for that.
Albert took her elbow and they turned for the alley. “Stay here, Babcock, until I get back,” he said over his shoulder. “We’ll go around to the back door. I’ll be listening in case any trouble breaks out.”
Dalton’s expression was sullen as they walked away. Susanna’s gaze veered beyond him to the bridge that had always been an attraction for folks in Logan Meadows, not a hideout for outlaws waiting to make their move. Albert’s presence by her side, although exciting, brought little peace. All their lives could change in the blink of an eye.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Thom arrived promptly at five to relieve Albert. After a brief rundown of the events of the night before, and as a grouchy-looking Babcock watched from his side of the street, Albert made his way toward his new girl-colored home on foot, looking forward to seeing Nate. As soon as he arrived, Win could get going to the livery, where he’d drop Nate after he and his son had some breakfast. As far as he could figure, Susanna’s appearance last night had tipped the scale for the horsemen, if they’d indeed been skulking under the bridge for nefarious reasons. Three people were more difficult to silence than two.
He crossed over Shady Creek, descended the steep embankment on the other side, and peered into the murky area underneath. There were tracks, all right. Two horses, just like Susanna had thought.
The splashing water echoed beneath the ten-foot-wide passage. A fat bullfrog leaped off a flat rock and quickly swam away. Last night, after he’d handed Susanna off to a wide-eyed, and a bit shaken, Tabitha Canterbury, he’d gone straight to the bridge. His anger at Babcock had pushed him forward, and he’d rushed in like a fool. Somehow, they’d come and gone without being noticed. It was a mystery.
“See anything?”
Albert glanced over his shoulder and grunted when he saw Babcock. Charlie must have shown up to relieve him soon after he’d departed. If Albert had any doubts the man had his sights set on Susanna, they’d been wiped away last night. Right now, feeling testy, all Albert wanted was to get home to Nate, after which he needed to hustle back to the office and wait for the bank representatives to show up. The sooner that money was out of Logan Meadows the better!
Without giving Babcock an answer, Albert continued along the side of the creek, doing his best to stay out of the water as he searched for clues. The air was damp, and an occasional spray of water reached his face. There was plenty of room over his head for a horse, but a rider would have to lean over, or dismount. Not a desirable position to be in if your animal was spooked.
He could hear Babcock cutting the distance behind. Placing his boots carefully, he didn’t see the moss until he ended up knee-deep with one leg in the ice-cold creek. He cursed, and yanked his boot out. “Go home, Babcock. I can handle this.”
“I’m done taking orders from you, Preston. I’ve had hours to ponder this whole mess. I knew Susanna long before you did. Why don’t you back off and give her a chance at happiness? She could never have that here with you now.”
Albert swung around. “Susanna is no concern of yours. You’ll be gone just as soon as the money is on its way, so don’t make things more complicated than they already are.”
The two men were a good match in size. The color of Babcock’s face deepened. Either one of them slipped or maybe Dalton threw a punch, Albert wasn’t sure, but in half of a heartbeat he’d taken a fist to his chin, and they were going at it in the middle of the creek. They fell together into the frigid water and a rock slammed into Albert’s side, the pain infuriating him all the more. He threw his balled fist at Babcock’s wet face, hitting his mark before his hand slipped off and struck the rocks. Damn that hurt!
“Sheriff!” a scratchy voice shrieked from the far opening under the bridge.
The high-pitched word echoed loudly, making Albert pull up.
“What in tarnation is goin’ on down here? You boys quit yer fightin’ this instant or I may have ta give ya both a lickin’ with a willow switch. I ain’t too old ta do it, neither!”
Cold, angry, and with an aching fist, face, and side, Albert dragged himself up off the rocky creek bank after making sure Babcock wasn’t going to try a fast one and catch him unaware.
Violet Hollyhock edged her way toward them, a basket of tubers swinging on her arm. She tottered as she came, and Albert hoped she was steady enough not to end up in the stream. The hem of her blue-and-white calico skirt was soaked up a good three inches, and the shawl around her scrawny shoulders was askew.
“Ain’tcha a little old ta be settlin’ matters with yer fists?” she asked, her skepticism ringing loud and clear. “I came lookin’ for tubers, and found myself at a mad-dog fight instead. Thought I was seein’ things.”
Babcock slicked back the dripping-wet hair hanging in his eyes. Albert wondered what his own looked like.
“Now what’s this all about, Sheriff Preston? I can’t imagine ya have a good excuse for actin’ like schoolboys. You should be ashamed of yerself, bein’ the sheriff and all.” Her annoyed gaze raked him over good before sliding over to Babcock. “Sheriff?”
“Nothing I care to go into, Violet.”
One thin, barely there eyebrow arched up. “It couldn’t have anythin’ ta do with Susanna, could it, boys?”
“Everything to do with her, Mrs. Hollyhock,” Babcock said. He inched forward, but stopped when Albert threw him a glare.
Something cold and wet slid between Albert’s shoulder blades. With a sickening shiver, he jerked his elbows back, reached over his head with both hands, took hold of the fabric, and ripped his shirt off in one swoop. A coral-colored salamander plopped into the water and swam away. Albert glanced down at his drenched weapons in disgust.
“Yer boy woulda liked that soft lizard,” Mrs. Hollyhock said, watching it float away. She adjusted the spectacles on the bridge of her nose, and then gave them both the evil eye.
“Now, I’m only gonna say this once, so listen up.” She shifted her bony finger back and forth between them. “Don’t be makin’ Susanna’s life any more difficult than you both already have. She’s puttin’ on a good face, but jist barely. You,” she said, drilling Albert with her no-nonsense gaze, “have a lot to explain, and make up fer. I’m not judgin’ ya, mind you. But I’d walk lightly if I was you where Susanna’s heart is concerned.”
Babcock had the nerve to smirk until the old woman turned her heated gaze his way.
“I’m getting ta you, Mr. Babcock, so you may as well wipe that look off yer face. If you don’t have honorable intentions in mind for Susanna, and are just havin’ some fun to pass the time before ya pull out, I won’t like that one little bit. That girl’s been through a heap of hurt and she don’t need any more.”
Babcock put up his hands as if Mrs. Hollyhock had a gun pointed in his direction. “I swear, Mrs. Hollyhock, I’d never do anything to hurt her. I only have honorable intentions where Suzie is concerned.”
Instantly, Albert saw red. “Her name is Susanna!”
“Enough! Now get home and get changed before you both catch your death.”
Violet had begun to shiver and her face was as white as a sheet. He’d never forgive himself if the old woman got sick on his account. As much as he hated to leave Babcock standing, Albert turned and made for the way he’d come in.
CHAPTER FORTY
It felt good to be back at the restaurant, Susanna thought as she pulled a loaf of bread out of the oven with a thick dishtowel, being careful not to burn her hands. She set the crusty, fresh-baked bread on the counter next to the other three she’d made that morning. She arranged the hot pans in a row. Going up on tiptoe, she pushed the window open an inch, letting in the morning breeze to cool them in time for the first customer.
She glanced at the clock. Five
minutes until seven. Almost time to unlock the front door, pull up the shades, and turn the sign. The more familiar footing was welcome. She would run the place alone until eight when Hannah arrived. Taking a long wooden spoon, she stirred a large batch of fried potatoes that she’d been browning with onions and garlic, and slid the skillet from the heat onto the side of the stove.
Last night, from Tabitha’s upstairs window, she’d watched Albert tromp over to the bridge, gun drawn. He’d glanced beneath the bridge, but nothing happened. Then he crossed to the other side, and did the same. Had the riders somehow slipped out without being seen, or had she been totally mistaken about the whole event, making so much trouble out of nothing? Did Albert think she’d made the entire thing up as an excuse to come see him?
Heat flushed her cheeks and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest as she relived the kiss. Men crave what’s on the other side of the pasture. Once they have you, it won’t be long before they’re gone, they’re gone, they’re gone . . . Her mother’s voice burst her bubble of contentment and filled her with uncertainty.
The front door rattled as someone wrestled with the cranky lock. Soon Hannah appeared in the kitchen, looking bright and chipper for the day.
“Well, aren’t you the early one,” Susanna said, shelving her qualms over last night’s adventure. “I wasn’t expecting you until eight.”
Hannah laughed. She was nicely put together in a soft blue skirt and white blouse with a tall choker neckline. “After our late night, I was worried you wouldn’t wake up on time. So, I decided to come in myself, just in case.”
Susanna cocked one brow. “Have I ever been late?”
Hannah ducked her head. “No. But there’s always a first.” She gave Susanna a hug, then leaned back, examining her face. “You look rested. I’m glad. I guess our talk really helped.”
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