His mind went back to Naomi as he sat at the desk, watching his prisoners ignore each other. She’d looked delicious in a bright blue dress that was too big in the chest, probably belonged to Louisa no doubt. That little one had it in her head she needed to bed the sheriff, but he had no intention of it.
Once upon a time, he would have jumped at the opportunity to be with such a pretty young thing without worry of getting tangled with her heart. Louisa made it very clear she wanted nothing more than bed sport and had propositioned him at least half a dozen times.
Zeke, unfortunately, could not imagine himself with the brunette. She was curvy and round in all the right places, but his body just refused to rise to the occasion, so to speak. Aside from that, the town council was watching him like a hawk. He’d seen Oliver on numerous occasions near the jail, although he had no business on that end of town. Word must have reached the council about his association with Naomi or the whiskey. Either way, he knew his job could be yanked out from under him any moment.
However, his thoughts still circled back to Naomi, all the time. He hadn’t been able to shake her image from his memory. It wasn’t as if he was inexperienced with women, but he’d been selective in his choice of bedmates. She was nothing more than a saloon girl whose body seemed to be made for passion. Just thinking about her made his trousers tight.
Yet he’d picked bluebonnets earlier and left them on her bed. A romantic, stupid thing to do.
“No, I ain’t moving, so just shut up,” Steve shouted from the cell.
“Make me.” John shoved the other man and suddenly his prisoners were coming to blows in the cell.
Zeke jumped out of his chair, embarrassed to be caught daydreaming about Naomi while his prisoners were fighting. He unlocked the cell door and tried to separate the men. Unfortunately, what he didn’t expect was the two of them to turn on him.
His control of the situation was wrenched from him in seconds. Hard blows landed on his face and stomach as the cowboys did their best to beat the hell out of him. Hard knuckles, boots and even teeth hit him from two sides. Zeke in turn tried to do as much damage as he could, but surprise had done him in. He should have been paying more attention.
When one of them punched him in the kidney, Zeke gasped and fell to his knees, pain radiating through his body. One of the men escaped through the open door while the other continued to punch Zeke. He blindly punched the man’s legs and knees.
“What the hell is going on here?” Gideon’s voice boomed through the shit shack. A grunt, curse and a thud followed. “Where the hell are you going, fool?”
The snick of a gun being cocked echoed through the room even as the cowboy rained punches on his body.
“You might want to stop pounding on the sheriff before I give you a new hole in your head.” Gideon rarely sounded cold or deadly, but damned if he didn’t this time. Zeke sucked in a grateful breath when the punches ceased.
“We was just playing,” John said from above him, lousy son of a bitch.
“You’re full of shit. Zeke, you all right?”
Zeke held up one hand while the other pressed into his throbbing kidney. “Will be in a minute,” he gasped out.
“You. John, right? Step back into the cell and sit on the corner of the cot.” Gideon stepped closer. “Zeke, can you get up?”
“Where’s Steve?” Zeke crawled backwards out of the cell.
“He’s taking a nap by the door. Don’t worry, he won’t be moving anytime soon.” Gideon took Zeke by the arm and pulled him up. He frowned when he caught sight of Zeke’s face. “Jesus, please us.”
Zeke leaned against the bars. “That bad, eh? They definitely know how to throw a punch.” He cracked one eye to glare at John. “This one is spending the week in here until I can figure out how to get him in prison.”
“Prison? What the hell are you talking about?” John started to stand, but Gideon raised his pistol again.
“I suggest you sit your stupid ass back down.”
The brawler did as Gideon bade and sat in the corner, grumbling to himself.
“You should definitely charge him with assault. In the meantime, you need to go see the doc to get patched up. Don’t worry about these two, I’ll keep an eye on them.” He softened his expression when he met Zeke’s gaze. “You need a deputy and another cell, cousin.”
“Yeah, well, since Tanger’s barely paying me enough to feed me and I might not be the sheriff in another few weeks time, I don’t think they’re gonna be ready to spend more money any time soon. You volunteering to be a deputy?” Zeke straightened and winced as a thousand pain points echoed through his back and head.
“For now, yep, I’ll be your stand-in. Now go see Doc Barham.”
Zeke managed a weak salute. “Aye, Cap’n. On my way.”
A ten minute walk took him thirty since Zeke’s head kept spinning as he plodded along. He must have gotten one too many hits to his noggin from those cowboys. Thinking about Naomi usually got him in trouble and this time it almost cost him much more than wasted time or energy. By the time he made it to Barham’s house, he was sweating buckets and his stomach churned without mercy. When the door appeared in front of him, he barely missed knocking with his head as he fell forward.
* * * * *
Naomi finished cleaning without a peep of protest. She still felt badly about what she’d said to Louisa, especially considering Naomi had no claim on the enigmatic sheriff. He did as he pleased without any ties to any woman, regardless of their intimate relationship.
She put the broom away, said good night to Joe and headed upstairs. It would be a restless night, that was a certainty. Louisa’s door was closed and Naomi didn’t have the energy to apologize just yet. Morning would be better, after they’d all had some sleep. The sounds of the bedsprings squeaking in Carmen’s room told the story of just what was going on in there.
Naomi opened the door to her room and spotted bluebonnets on her bed. They’d obviously been there several hours judging by the condition of the blooms, but the sight of the simple prairie flower made her throat close up. Zeke must have put them there, no one else would have. Her heart leapt with sudden lightness as she caressed the delicate petals.
Her energy renewed, Naomi washed up quickly and put on her clean dress. He had always seemed to like the yellow one so it was a good thing the garment was clean. She brushed her hair, then quietly stepped back out in the hallway. The saloon was eerie in the middle of the night, when all was silent and still.
The minute thump of her shoes on the stairs was the only sound until she reached the bottom and the hiss of a match in the shadows made her jump. Lucy lit a cigarette in the gloom, watching Naomi.
“Where you headed, sugar?”
Lucy knew exactly where Naomi was going, yet she was playing a game anyway. That stuck in Naomi’s gut and she had to bite back the snide response that threatened to escape.
“I needed some fresh air.” Lying was coming easier to her.
“And the air coming through your window ain’t enough?” Lucy sauntered over to the stairs, the cigarette tip glowing amber.
“No, not really.” Naomi clutched one bluebonnet in her closed fist, unwilling to allow her boss to ruin the sweet gesture.
“All gussied up in clean clothes. You fixing to go see Zeke?” Lucy wasn’t dumb, no matter how people viewed her.
“More than likely.” Naomi was tired of being coy and didn’t want to have to lie anymore. She started walking towards the door.
“I thought as much. You might as well know he don’t plan on marrying, ever, so if you are heading that way, best change your mind.” Lucy sounded tired, exhausted really. She took another drag of the cigarette. “He might have changed his mind for Allison, but she’s gone.”
Naomi stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding against the thin cotton dress. “Who’s Allison?”
<
br /> “Hasn’t told you, eh? Typical man.” Lucy scoffed as she leaned up against the bar and took another long drag from the cigarette, then spit the tobacco off her tongue. “She was the preacher’s daughter. Zeke and his friends came to town to help Tanger get rid of some raiders who were picking off women. He and Allison got on real well, were sparking like young folks. She was caught by some raiders after they killed her daddy. Poor thing had her throat slit right in front of him.”
Naomi gasped, she couldn’t help it. The memory of seeing her father murdered got mixed up with the picture Lucy painted of the ill-fated Allison. Her stomach clenched so tightly, she tasted bile in the back of her throat. No wonder Zeke was so cold and distant and unwilling to acknowledge any kind of relationship with a woman. He kept himself closed off for good reason. How was it possible Naomi, another preacher’s daughter, ended up in his arms?
“What happened to the raiders?”
“Zeke and his boys killed them.”
Naomi felt satisfaction course through her even if it meant she was bloodthirsty. Anyone who would kill a preacher and a young woman deserved what they got.
“I just thought I’d warn you. He’s not going to do anything other than fuck you.” Lucy’s coarse language didn’t serve to deter Naomi from her course of action.
The bluebonnets were a beacon of hope in the dark world Zeke occupied. He’d gone out of his way to show her something beautiful, to give her a piece of sweetness. Perhaps that meant there was more than a physical connection between them.
“Thanks for the advice, Lucy. I’ll keep it in mind.” She walked towards the door, the soft petals warm in her hand. “Good night.”
Lucy didn’t respond, but Naomi could feel the older woman’s stare nearly burning a hole in her back. It took only five minutes to reach the jail and by the time she arrived, she knew it had been the right decision. A smile spread across her face in anticipation. What she didn’t expect was to find a brown-haired man instead of Zeke.
He looked at her with surprise on his handsome face. “Hello there, miss. Can I help you?”
“Where’s Zeke?” she blurted.
“He had a bit of a rough time with his prisoners.” He gestured to the two cowboys occupying her cell, this time with the door attached. “I sent him to the doc.”
She crossed her arms. “Is he all right?”
“I expect so. Elliott is a good sawbones.” He stood and held out his hand. The man was as big as Zeke. Must be one of his friends she’d heard about. “I’m Gideon Blackwood.”
“Zeke’s brother?” She felt a bit of heat on her cheeks. “I mean, the sheriff’s brother?”
“No, ma’am, cousin. His brother’s name is Lee. He’s blond like Zeke and sports one arm. You might have seen him at the restaurant.”
So that had been Zeke’s brother the day she’d had breakfast at the restaurant with Ackerman. It might explain why he’d been hostile and downright rude to her—perhaps he didn’t like her taking up with his brother. Too bad he couldn’t be as friendly as Gideon.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackwood. Naomi Tucker.”
Gideon smiled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ah, Miss Tucker. Yes, I’ve heard your name once or twice.”
Naomi wondered in what context her name had been mentioned. “Do you think he’s still at the doctor’s?”
“Maybe. Either that or he’s back at the restaurant. We live above it.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
It was very late for a visit, had to be three o’clock in the morning, yet Naomi knew she was going to find Zeke that night, no matter what. She had to.
“Thank you. I’ll be on my way now.” She nodded to Gideon and turned towards the door.
“Be careful, Miss Tucker. He might be cold and hard on the outside, but he can be hurt real easy. I don’t want to have to remind you of that.” Gone was the friendly gentleman and in its place, a fierce protector.
Naomi could not only appreciate the sentiment, but she respected it. One day she hoped someone could do the same for her.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. I have no intention of hurting Zeke.”
* * * * *
Zeke sat on the edge of the bed and held his face in his hands. A dull throb in his head was joined by an ache in his ribs. Those boys had lit into him good. Normally he’d be able to hold his own against two men, but with the small space in the cell, he’d had no room to maneuver. Bastards.
He was more angry than anything and fully intended on charging them with assault. A judge came into town every month, should be easy enough to request he come sooner.
He stretched, wincing as a sharp pain gripped his back. With a groan, he lay on the bed and closed his eyes. Doc Barham had given him a little bottle of laudanum, but Zeke hated to take it since it made him lose control. With his behavior of late, losing control had become a problem. It certainly got him in trouble with the two drunks.
When a small knock sounded at the door, Zeke clenched his jaw.
“What?” he snapped, unwilling to talk to Lee about what happened.
“Zeke?”
Naomi’s quiet voice made him sit up too fast. He gasped against the rush of blood through his head. She must’ve heard him because she opened the door and peeked in.
“Zeke?”
“Yeah, I’m here.” Zeke didn’t want to admit to himself how glad he was to see her. The petite woman had gotten under his skin in the last two weeks, to the point her very presence actually made him feel better. Damn, he was supposed to be avoiding saloon women, not consorting with them every chance he got.
“Can I come in?”
She shouldn’t be alone with him in his bedroom though, no matter if she worked at the saloon or not. He was the sheriff and no doubt the old cronies on the town council would fire him if they knew. Zeke was well aware of all of it, yet it didn’t stop him from inviting her in.
“Please.”
Not only had he thrown caution under her little feet, but he’d said “please” too. Zeke knew then his plan to keep his distance from Naomi had failed miserably, and he started to shake. The urge to sling back a shot of whiskey roared through him.
“I met Gideon and he told me what happened. I was, well, I was worried.” Her confession dropped into the silence of the room.
Zeke, for the first time in his life, was overwhelmed by a woman. The sincerity of her tone and the fact she’d been worried about him made his throat close. Soft comfort and words from women hadn’t been prevalent in his life. His mother had been weak and dependent on his father, then him, for everything. Naomi had taken a lifetime’s worth of experience and reduced it to dust.
She stepped into the room and closed the door, her rose scent washing over him. He clenched his teeth and swallowed, trying to dislodge the words stuck there.
“Are you all right?”
He sucked in a shaky breath and swung his legs around the side of the bed, then patted the spot next to him. His thirst, pain, embarrassment and discomfort forgotten, he could only see her. In the moonlight, she looked ethereal, like an angel come to visit him. It seemed the preacher had been right in his description of her.
Naomi sat down gently, almost as if she was afraid, and peered at him in the dim light. “Zeke, I—”
He put his hand against her lips, their softness making his fingers tremble. “You shouldn’t be here alone with me.”
She smiled beneath his hand. “I want to be.”
Zeke cupped her face and tried to read what lurked in the hazel depths of her eyes. All he saw were shadows and uncertainties, a common theme in his life the last five years. He knew he shouldn’t be with her, but for once he was going to do what his heart told him.
God help him. He was listening to his heart.
“You didn’t get hurt in the brawl
, did you?” He tried to find a topic to keep his mind, and his body, from focusing on kissing her.
“No, we hid behind the bar.” She smiled. “Thank you for coming to stop it again. You seem to be quite good at being a sheriff, for a new one, I mean.”
He chuckled at her teasing. “I suppose. It ain’t hard, well I guess it is sometimes.” He pressed a hand to his aching ribs.
“Are you all right? Gideon told me you were hurt.” She covered his hand with hers.
“I’ll live.” He pulled her hand up and kissed the palm. Zeke felt a shiver snake through her at the touch of his lips.
“I’m not sure what’s happening, Zeke.” She gazed at the palm of her hand. “Why did I come here?” she sounded as confused as he was.
“Probably for the same reason I came to your bed.” Zeke’s body began to react to being closer to hers. It wasn’t just a sexual reaction, it was something else too. That something else was unidentifiable, and it scared him.
Yet he didn’t ask her to leave.
She nodded, her blonde hair sliding over the dress with a soft sound. “I’ve been fighting for survival for three years, and now it seems I have to fight for something else.”
“What’s that?”
She met his gaze. “My heart. You knocked me sideways, Sheriff, and I find myself liking it.”
Zeke knew exactly what she meant. “I don’t want to be responsible for your heart, for anyone’s heart. The last year has brought me nothing but misery, and I can’t seem to get myself out of the hole I dug for myself. I don’t want to subject you to the same hell.” His voice had descended into a hoarse whisper full of emotion.
She took his hand, her little fingers wrapping around his in comfort, bringing a lump to his throat.
“I understand. Lucy told me about Allison. I’m so sorry.”
The mention of Allison made his stomach clench. Once upon a time, she might have been his wife. Now she was just another ghost in his heart.
Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3 Page 11
