Quinn's Promise

by Agnes Alexander

  Ashe lifted an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

  “I thought it was strange how you fell in with her so quickly. Now, I’m beginning to understand.”

  “She’s a beautiful woman, Hank.”

  “I give you that, but there’s more to it. You may not know this, but as a gambler and saloon owner, I study people. You can tell a lot about a man by observing him when he doesn’t know you’re watching. And I’ve been watching you. You’re not a simple sheriff, no matter how you try to pull it off that you are.”

  Ashe turned his head. “Then what do you think I am?”

  “You could be a lot of things.”

  “Such as?”

  “A Pinkerton man. A government agent. A US Marshall. You may even have your own detective agency.” Hank looked at him. “Am I getting close?”

  “About as close as you can get. I’m a US Marshall. So are my brothers. We’ve been sent here to clear up these robberies.”

  “I thought it was something like that.” Hank leaned back in the chair. “Since it looks like you’re going to do whatever it takes to clear up these robberies, I think we can help each other.”

  “A sheriff will take all the help he can get.” Ashe gave him a snide smile.

  “Right.” Hank stood. “I’m going to close the door. I don’t want Quinn hearing this.”

  “That’s a good idea. I don’t want her involved.”

  “Neither do I and I’m including being involved with you.” Hank sat back down. “Now let’s lay out a plan.”

  Ashe sat his cup on the table. It was still half full of cold coffee. “I won’t get involved with Quinn until this case is settled. Afterward, I’m not promising anything.”

  “But you said you knew you weren’t good enough for her.”

  “I’m not, but that doesn’t mean a damn thing. I don’t know any good woman around whose man is good enough for them.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, Hank. Now let’s get on with planning.”

  Chapter 26

  It was nearing noon the next day when the sound of boots hit the back porch. Quinn turned around to see Cal coming in the door.

  He paused in the kitchen with a worried look on his face. “Quinn, what are you doing here? Is Ashe worse?”

  “He’s getting better.” She set aside the ladle she was using to stir stew.

  “Getting better?”

  “I know you thought his wound on the shoulder was all he suffered, but while we waited for the doctor I found he’d been shot in the side, too. It was a serious wound.”

  “My god! I’d better go see—” Cal started toward the bedroom.

  “He’s asleep, Cal. Please don’t wake him. If you do, he’ll try to get up. I’ve had enough trouble keeping him in bed.” She smiled at him. “I was outside taking clothes off the line when he tried to get out of bed. He fell and I had an awful time getting him back in bed.”

  “That sounds like Ashe. He doesn’t want to admit anything can get him down.” Cal shook his head. “Have you had to stay here all the time?”

  “I didn’t have to, but I chose to. He needed someone. Deborah and Marlene didn’t mind handling the store and they’ve taken turns bringing clean clothes for me.”

  “I don’t know how we’ll be able to thank you.”

  “It’s not necessary.” She changed the subject. “I made some fresh coffee. Would you like a cup?”

  “I sure would. We’ve had a rough forty-eight hours.”

  “Did you catch the robbers?”

  “We caught up with them this morning.”

  She looked at him when he didn’t explain. “What happened?”

  “There was a shoot-out.”

  “Oh, my. Is Beck…”

  “Beck’s fine. He took the horses to the stable.”

  Quinn took a deep breath and handed him a cup of coffee. “Good. One wounded brother’s enough.”

  “I agree.” He smiled at her.

  Beck came through the door. “Got another one of those?”

  “Of course.” Quinn poured coffee for him.

  “I see Ashe conned you into staying with him longer than you expected.”

  “If the truth be told, he would rather have been with you.” She went on to tell him about the second bullet wound.

  “Damn. We didn’t know he was hurt that bad.”

  “I think he was trying to hide how badly he was hurt so you wouldn’t worry.”

  “He’s going to be disappointed when he hears what happened.”

  “Cal started to tell me about it before you came in.”

  “They were all killed in the shoot-out.”

  She frowned. “Do you think the stage robberies will cease?”

  Both Cal and Beck shrugged, but neither had a chance to speak because a voice came from down the hall. “Quinn! Where are you?”

  When Cal heard Ashe call for Quinn, he started to get up from the table. Quinn put her hand on his arm. “Let me check him before he knows you’re here.”

  “I think she’s right, Cal,” Beck said. “If he knows we’re back he’ll be determined to start questioning us and ignore his wounds.”

  Cal settled back in his chair

  “Why don’t you two get yourselves a bowl of stew? I’ll have Ashe eat before you talk with him.”

  They nodded and she poured a cup of coffee and filled a bowl with stew, then headed down the hall.

  “There you are.” He sat up when she came into the room.

  “Yes, I’m here. I brought you some coffee and some food because I know what a bear you are when you wake up hungry.”

  “Thanks.” He took the cup and looked at her. “What have you got for me to eat?”

  “I made some stew. I’ll set it here on the table until I check your wounds. Then I’ll let you eat.”

  “Then go right ahead and check, honey. I’m hungry.”

  “Hunger’s a good sign. Maybe you’re going to live after all.”

  He grinned at her. “I sure hope so. I’ve got a lot to live for.”

  She didn’t ask him what he meant. She simply removed the bandage on his shoulder. “It’s looking good, Ashe.”

  When she checked his side, she decided it was better, too. “We now have clean bandages so here’s your stew.” She reached for the bowl and handed it to him.

  “Since you made it, I’m sure it’ll be delicious, but I can’t wait until you give me a big thick steak and a pile of potatoes.”

  She laughed. “Soon, big boy. Soon.” She sat down in the rocking chair and waited for him to eat.

  * * * *

  Fifteen minutes later Cal and Beck came into the bedroom as Quinn headed for the kitchen.

  After they explained the chase, Ashe looked at his brothers. “So, you don’t think this will end the robberies?”

  “I think this was only a small part of what’s happening.” Cal leaned his chair back.

  “I think the same thing,” Beck added. “Before one of the outlaws died he said something about being hired to rob the bank in town to distract us from another robbery coming up. Seems whoever hired them promised they could have all the money they took from the bank.”

  “That means they have something big planned.” Ashe shook his head. “I’ve got to get out of this bed.”

  “Don’t rush it, brother,” Cal said. “From what we gathered, it’ll happen in a couple of weeks. You need to get stronger so you can see if Mrs. Norwood is involved.”

  “Damn,” Ashe muttered.

  Beck lifted an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m sick and tired of romancing her. All I’ve learned so far is she’s connected to somebody in the bank.”

  “What’s the matter with you, man?” Beck shook his head. “She’s a good-looking woman.”

  “That’s right.” Cal laughed. “What’s your complaint?”

  “Do you want to take over for me?”

  “Hell, no. I wouldn’t stand a chance
of winning Deborah Stockton’s hand if she found out I was visiting Mrs. Norwood.”

  Beck said, “And you know I’ve been trying to impress Marlene ever since she rode back from the stage robbery with this stinky old body of mine. She’s beginning to like me and I’m not about to do something to mess that up.”

  “What if I wanted to impress someone?” Ashe snapped.

  “We know you, big brother.” Cal laughed. “You’ll never be a one-woman man.”

  Beck added. “It’s been one woman after another for years. We don’t expect you to change now.”

  Ashe slammed his coffee cup down on the table. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”

  Cal raised an eyebrow and stared at him.

  Beck looked uncomfortable. “Is there something we don’t know?”

  “No,” Ashe snapped. “but I might like to get to know some nice lady myself.”

  Cal grinned. “I guess being around Quinn shows you nice ladies can be interesting, too.”

  “Quinn has nothing to do with it.”

  “Then what’s going on in your head?”

  “It doesn’t matter, Cal. I only know I’m tired of women like Lola Norwood. She doesn’t care who she invites to her bed, but pretends to other respectable women she’s one of them. I’ve got more respect for a saloon whore. At least they’re honest enough to charge for the use of their bodies.”

  For a minute neither brother said anything, then Beck pushed his chair back and stood. “I think it’s time one of us went by the sheriff’s office and see what’s going on.”

  Cal followed. “I’ll let Deborah and Marlene know we’re back. I’m sure they’re ready for Quinn to come home.”

  Ashe only nodded as his brothers went out the door. He knew they didn’t know what to think about his change of heart. To tell the truth, he wasn’t sure what to think about it himself.

  * * * *

  “It’s time for you to get out of bed and walk around a little,” Milburn said when he came by to check Ashe. “I’m sure Quinn’s getting tired of waiting on you.”

  “I don’t mind as long as I’m needed,” Quinn said.

  “I have to admit, Doc, Cal and Beck aren’t as pretty as Quinn and she’s made a great nurse.”

  “I agree, but I’m sure you’ll survive.” The doctor chuckled and changed the subject. “I heard they didn’t have any luck bringing in the bank robbers.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Maybe there won’t be any more robberies.”

  “I’m not so sure, Milburn. I think we still need to stay on our toes.”

  “I’ll trust your judgment on that.” The doctor closed his bag and turned to Quinn. “If you ever get tired of the dress shop, come see me. I sure could use a nurse like you.”

  Quinn smiled at him. “I might do that. I’m not very good with the needle.”

  “I don’t think that’d be a good job for you,” Ashe said.

  She looked at him. “Why not?”

  “I just don’t think it would.”

  She frowned, but said nothing else as she followed the doctor out the door.

  At the front door Milburn turned to her. “I’m serious, Quinn. You seem to have a way with the wounded. I can’t imagine anyone else being able to keep Ashe Montgomery in bed and he’s as tough a patient as they come.”

  “He hasn’t been so bad.”

  “See what I mean? You handled him like a professional nurse.” He put his white Stetson on. “Give it some thought.”

  “I promise, I’ll think about it.”

  “That’s all I can ask.”

  Quinn watched him take long strides down the steps toward his buggy. She couldn’t help thinking this might be a way she could help her sisters make money without all of them having to share what they made in the dress shop.

  She didn’t have time to think about it long because a voice came down the hall, “Quinn, where are you?”

  Quinn came into Ashe’s bedroom ready to tell him not to rush her when she was only being polite sending the doctor on his way, but when she saw him standing at the window she was too surprised. “What are you doing out of bed?”

  “You heard Doc tell me to get up and walk around some.”

  “Yes, but you shouldn’t try it on you own.”

  “Why not?”

  “You remember what happened when…” She paused and blushed.

  He grinned. “I remember well. You had to help a naked man back to bed.”

  She looked away from him. “I couldn’t let you lie there in the floor, could I?”

  “For your benefit, I put on a pair of pants today.”

  She ignored his statement. “What did you need, Ashe?”

  “You’re not seriously considering going to work with the doctor, are you?”

  “I haven’t had time to think about it, but it could be a good opportunity to bring in some extra money.”

  “He’s not interested in you making money.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Haven’t you seen the way he looks at you? He’s smitten with your charm.”

  She laughed. “Don’t be silly. He probably needs the help with his patients as he did with you.”

  “Somebody else can help him. You’re not going to.”

  Quinn frowned. “How dare you tell me I’m not going to do something!”

  “Well, you’re not. I don’t want you looking at naked men or touching them.”

  “I saw you naked,” she snapped.

  “That’s different.”

  She frowned. “How’s that different?”

  “It just is. I don’t want you looking at other men.”

  “Why do you care? I mean nothing to you.”

  “You mean a lot to me, Quinn.”

  She stared at him. “How can you say that?”

  “Let’s just say, I care and you’re too naive to be exposed to such.”

  She glared at him. “What business is it of yours what I do?”

  He turned back toward the bed and stumbled. She ran to him and put her arm around his waist. “Be careful.”

  “I guess I’m not as strong as I thought I was.”

  “You’ve been hurt badly, Ashe. You need to take it slow and I’m not really the one to help you. When Cal or Beck gets back, I’m sure they’ll help you with your walking.”

  He stopped and turned to her. Without warning he took her in his arms and pulled her against him.

  Startled, she gasped. “What are you doing?”

  Looking into her eyes, he said, “I wasn’t having any trouble walking. I only wanted you to see how easily a man could take advantage of your natural need to help.”

  “That wasn’t fair.”

  “Maybe not, but I don’t want some male patient trying to get their hands on you.”

  Quinn realized Ashe still had his arm around her waist. “You’re not going to try to take advantage of me, are you?”

  Without letting her go, he said, “Of course not.”

  “I didn’t think you would.” She smiled. “And I’m sure neither would any patient of Doctor Wheeler.”

  “You’re too damn trusting, Quinn. Do you know how much I want to…” His voice trailed off when there was the slamming of a door.

  “Cal must be back,” she whispered.

  Before he could let her go, Cal burst into the bedroom. “Hey, am I interrupting something?”

  Before Quinn could gather her wits to answer, Ashe said, “I was walking around a little and almost fell. Quinn was helping me back to bed.”

  “Why are you out of bed?”

  “The doctor told him to start walking a little,” Quinn muttered. “Now that you’re here, I’m sure you’ll be a better support for him than I am.”

  “But not as pretty.” Cal laughed.

  “You’re sure right about that.” Ashe sat down on the side of the bed and Quinn backed away.

  “I told Deborah you'd be leaving here soon, Quinn.” Cal sat down in
the rocking chair facing Ashe. “I’m sure you’re anxious to get away from this demanding fellow.”

  “I do need to get back to the store.” She glanced at Ashe. “I’ll check back in a day or two. In the meantime, let me know if you need me.”

  “Thank you, Quinn.” Ashe looked at her.

  Chapter 27

  Lola jumped out of J.C. Templeton’s arms when she heard someone at her door.

  “Expecting company, my dear?” He whispered in her ear.

  “No, but I said you shouldn’t come around during the day. You never know who might stop by.”

  “I guess you’re hoping it’s that damn sheriff.”

  “J.C, you sound jealous and you already know Ashe has been shot. He’s not able to visit.”

  “I’m a little jealous. You seem to enjoy his visits more than you should.”

  She laughed. “He’s not bad company.”

  “I think you only enjoy him in your bedroom.” He stared at her.

  “I can’t help he’s such a good lover. He’ll make a wonderful husband.”

  J.C. glared at her. “I’ve heard how other women have fallen in love with him and he’s broken their hearts.”

  “How could you hear anything about Ashe Montgomery?”

  “My dear, he’s legendary in some of the whorehouses I’ve visited. Do you think you’re the only whore who’s wanted him to marry her?”

  “You’re a liar.”

  “I know what I’m talking about, but for now let’s forget the sheriff. I’m only interested in how you think of me.”

  Lola patted his cheek. “You know you’re the only man I’ve ever loved, J.C. Templeton, but I’m still going to marry Ashe.”

  He crushed her against him. “I’ve changed my mind about letting you marry him, Princess. You’re mine, and mine you’re going to stay.”

  The knock on the door became persistent.

  “It doesn’t look like they’re going away. We’ll discuss Ashe later. Hide and I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”

  “I’ll wait in your bedroom.” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

  “I’ll hurry.” When she heard the bedroom door close, she opened the front door.

  * * * *

  “Hello, Lola,” Hank Stockton looked into her eyes. “Is now a good time for a visit?”