“You look lovely as usual, my dear.”
Abby smiled at the compliment even as she breathed a sigh of regret. Were it not for Linc Knight and a terrible error in judgment on her part, in a few months she would have married this man. Of course, that could never happen now. Bradley deserved far more than she could give him. At the very least, he deserved a wife who was a virgin.
Aside from a touch of regret, Abby wasn’t at all sure of her feelings on the matter. She cared for Bradley but had known from the beginning she did not love him. At the time, love hadn’t seemed important. What had been important was the lifestyle he offered her. Marrying him would have made her part of New York’s high society. She’d never know a day of want. He was rich, very rich indeed. For the rest of her life, she and her children would have had anything and everything they ever wanted.
But for one awful man, all that could have been hers.
Abby pushed aside her dismal thoughts and smiled again. “You must be tired. Mother has a lovely meal ready. Later, we’ll have a chance to talk.”
“I don’t know how you manage, my dear. This is a god-awful filthy place, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean dust. It’s everywhere. And quite disgusting, if I do say so.” As he spoke, he reached down with a snowy white handkerchief and swatted at his dust-covered, polished shoes.
“That’s not likely to help, Bradley. You’ll only have to do it again before we reach my mother’s place.”
“Of course,” he said unhappily as he patted her hand in an oddly annoying and patronizing fashion. “Well, we shouldn’t be here too long. I think I can manage a bit of dust during my stay.”
“This isn’t your first visit, Bradley.”
“I know. Still, every time this grime seems to get worse.”
Abby frowned and wondered when the man had taken such an aversion to dust. Odd but she couldn’t remember him being so persnickety on earlier visits.
* * * *
As always, Bradley lavished compliments upon her mother, her sweet little home, the lovely woman herself and her delicious food. Surely Jeb realized what a prize he was getting, he mentioned.
Abby noticed Jeb’s gaze harden just a bit and thought Bradley could ease up some on his flowery compliments for they seemed only to annoy those upon which they were bestowed.
She was relieved when later he said, “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry to disappoint, but I find I’m exhausted. Would you mind very much if I retire early tonight?”
“Not at all. Of course, I understand,” she returned. “We have all day tomorrow to talk.”
Abby frowned at her response. Odd that she knew no annoyance that he couldn’t stay awake for one hour after dinner so they might catch up on news from New York. Odd that she knew, with absolute conviction, that she had no desire to entertain the man and couldn’t fathom a time when she might. In truth, she felt nothing but relief to see him walk upstairs to his room.
* * * *
There was little a soul could do to ease the discomfort of Arizona’s blistering heat. So it stood to reason the front porch was put to its best use every evening as the house’s occupants waited for it to cool down.
“Where’s you fiancé?”
Abby glared at Linc as he stepped from the house. “Turned in early.”
He nodded and said, “It’s a long trip.”
Abby waited for some caustic comment. She tensed for it, ready to return his nasty remarks in short order, and felt something like a pang of disappointment when he said nothing more.
The silence stretched long and uncomfortable between them.
“Are you still getting married?” The question was asked in a soft voice. No one beyond herself could have heard yet it might as well have been as loud as a trumpet. Her entire body stiffened. She knew she wasn’t marrying Bradley, but this beast didn’t have to know. Nothing she did was any of his business.
She ignored his question and asked, “Have you heard anything more about the ranchers?”
Linc shook his head again. “Nothing since we started watching. A few more ranchers are getting ready to sell. They can’t stand living like this, waiting for the next catastrophe.”
“If those behind these criminal deeds know you’re there, won’t they simply wait until you leave?”
“Possibly, but I’ve asked Jeb to send for two deputies. The men we’re looking for can’t just disappear between raids. They have to be camped somewhere nearby. I think we’ll find them once help gets here. Between us, a few townsfolk and the sheriff, we should come across their camp.”
“And then what?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean once you find them, then what? Will you have a shoot out? Will you see them all put in jail and go on to your next job?”
Linc shrugged. “I’ve done it before. But lately, I’ve been thinkin’ it’s time to settle down and get a job. Maybe as sheriff in a small town like this one.”
“Being a sheriff is a dangerous job for little pay. Is it worth it?”
Linc shrugged again. “Depends on the town, I suppose. The more law-abiding places don’t need much in the way of a sheriff, so the pay’s bound to be lower than say a small city.”
Abby nodded. “And every day, your wife would wonder if you’ll be safe, if you’ll come home for dinner.” She shook her head at the thought. “I couldn’t ever live like that.”
“Your mother’s about to marry a marshal. Is that any different?”
“Quite a bit different, I’d say. They’ll be moving to the capital. He’ll send younger men out on missions.”
“My brother’s been a marshal a long time. He’s ready to settle down.”
“And you’re not. Exactly what I thought.”
“I never said I wasn’t ready.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning when we get married, I guess, I’ll find something a little safer. I wouldn’t want to leave you with the youngin’s and no one to care for you. Although, a lady who looks like you wouldn’t be widowed for long.”
Abby laughed and repeated in ridicule, “When we get married.” A smile touched the corners of her mouth as she said, “That would be something.”
Linc grinned. At least, she hadn’t gotten hysterical at the mere mention of marriage. He supposed that was one thing in his favor. It just might be a beginning.
“What are you laughing at,” Lilly asked as she joined the younger folks enjoying a cool evening on the porch.
“Linc was just mentioning what he might do when we get married.”
Lilly stiffened. “What? What about Bradley? You mean you’re not going to marry him?”
“Marry who?” Jeb asked as he followed his soon to be wife outside.
“Abby and Linc are getting married.”
Jeb blinked. “Jesus, I thought you hated the man. Who would have believed it?”
“I wouldn’t say hated exactly,” Abby returned flippantly as she shot her antagonist a glare of warning. “I’d say more like despised.”
Linc laughed out loud and wondered if they’d believe those carelessly spoken words had they happened to come upon this lady last night while in his bed. No one could have been wilder, hotter, more demanding to see her needs met, or so lusciously sweet upon finding them appeased.
“And no, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I’m not marrying Linc.”
“You mean you’ve only been using me?” he said, pretending a degree of hurt.
“Shut up.”
“Exactly what’s going on here?” Lilly asked, her motherly gaze narrowing suspiciously.
“Nothing,” Abby returned, while silently daring the man she glared at to dispute her words.
“Yet,” Linc added, daring her to dispute that.
Chapter Seven
Linc lay upon the hard ground, the sheriff some ten feet to his right and a deputy marshal to his left. All three were protected by large rocks as they waited for the outlaws to show themselv
es. Three nights in a row, a ranch had been hit. So far no one had been killed, but all were very much aware that was a temporary situation at best. Soon enough, someone was going to get hurt.
Linc wondered if they had figured right. It was late. If this ranch was the next target, wouldn’t they have shown themselves by now? Maybe he and Jeb had figured wrong. Maybe another ranch had been hit while they lay waiting in the wrong—
His thoughts were interrupted by the distinct sounds of horses coming to a stop some yards ahead. In seconds, two flashes of light lit the scene before him. Two riders had lit torches and held them high illuminating the ranch house and the immediate area around it, while a third shot a rifle into the ranch window. One torch was then thrown through the shattered window, the other thrown carelessly into the nearby barn.
The three men turned in an attempt to leave the way they had come but were cut down with a barrage of shots. Linc took aim and fired his rifle, as apparently did the deputy marshal, the sheriff, a few ranch hands and the ranch owner himself.
All three villains lay dead before the slowly growing fires. Quickly, the men began to move. Buckets of water were filled and thrown on the blaze, and the fires were out before any real damage was done.
Dawn approached. The vaguest hint of light could be seen inching its way from the horizon. With a lantern in hand, Linc walked toward the downed men. The light was meager at best, and he never saw the gun. The man fired it without warning, and Linc crumbled to the ground, the blood pumping from the wound to his head caused a small puddle upon the dry, dusty ground.
* * * *
Hearing the sounds of men coming up the stairs, Abby hadn’t a doubt what the problem was. Linc had been gone most of the night. Someone was helping him to his bed. There could only be one reason.
Dressed in a gown and tightly closed robe, Abby came from her room, her face white to her lips. Linc had been carried back to Lilly’s house. The bullet had scraped along the side of his scalp and the wound still dribbled blood. The doctor had been called. She trembled as she watched the men carry Linc to his bed.
“Is he dead?” she asked, knowing the moment she said the words he wasn’t or they wouldn’t be bringing him to his room. He’d be at the doctor’s office, while a carpenter measured him for his coffin.
“Not yet,” Linc returned, causing her to jump. She hadn’t realized he was conscious. He looked at her worried expression and grinned. “Don’t tell me it took a bullet for you to realize what you want.”
Abby’s gaze like her mouth tightened with anger. She glared at his smug expression. “Apparently, he wasn’t much of a shot. Now, if I’d been shooting at you—”
“You two can fight about this later,” Lilly said as she issued orders for one of the men to see to helping Linc undress. Once that was accomplished and Linc lay beneath a light cover, she shooed all the rest out of the room as she set about cleaning the grime and dried blood from his face.
After the doctor had seen to Linc’s wound and all was peaceful again, Abby came to his room. She sat in a chair at the side of his bed and watched him sleep. She didn’t know why, but there was a tightness in her chest, making it difficult to breathe. Abby wanted to lash out, to scream her anger. How dare he put himself in this kind of danger? God, she just hated this man, hated him beyond all reason. He was such a beast. Arrogant beyond belief, ready and eager to believe that she felt something for him, no matter her denials.
Abby couldn’t wait for the day when she left here and prayed she’d never see him again. She spent that night at his side. She didn’t know why, but she spent the next and the next there as well. As he slept, she checked him occasionally for any signs of fever.
After the first three nights, when it appeared no fever was about to impede Linc’s recovery, the doctor stopped his morning and night visits and came only once a day just before dinner. Abby, again at the side of his bed, fed him chicken broth, the only nourishment he was allowed, per doctor’s orders.
“I hope you know I’m starving. I don’t know if I can sleep while feeling this hungry.”
“I’ll ask the doctor. Perhaps, tomorrow, you can eat solids again. How does your head feel?”
“The headache is mostly gone. I’m a little dizzy though. A slight concussion, the doctor thinks.”
She nodded, for the doctor had told her as much.
“I wanted to thank you for seein’ to me.”
Abby shrugged off his gratitude. “I couldn’t have my mother constantly climbing the stairs. It was no problem.”
It was two nights later when Abby waited for the house to quiet and, in her nightdress, slipped into the bed at his slide. He made a low sound of comfort as he pulled her tightly against him and sighed his contentment.
Of course, she was out of her mind. Somehow, she’d lost every bit of her common sense somewhere between New York and Arizona City. There could be no other explanation. She didn’t like this man; she didn’t want him. Abby made a soft, soothing sound as she cuddled closer. She breathed deeply of his scent, her arm held him tightly to her. She didn’t know why she most always felt irritated, near to crying in truth. Why? Why was she confused? Why was she upset? Why did the thought of this man in danger bring her to the edge of despair? She didn’t know. She couldn’t understand herself anymore. She sighed weary with her constant emotional turmoil. No doubt, she’d get over this confusion soon. At least, she hoped she would.
“I know, babe,” he murmured as he heard her soft sigh, and he tightened his embraced.
During those nights of recuperation, they never did anything but quietly cuddle. Both soon came to realize cuddling was easily the best medicine to see this man on the road to a complete recovery.
It took two more weeks, but Linc slowly grew stronger and much more himself. Jack and Vinnie were back from San Francisco, and the wedding was planned for the following Sunday. Determined to witness his brother’s wedding, Linc left his bed a day or two earlier than he should. At first, he knew a measure of dizziness, but soon felt quite a bit better, if a somewhat weaker version of his usual self.
Abby stepped into the kitchen just as he settled himself at her mother’s table. His face was pale, far more pale than she might have liked. “Are you all right? I don’t think you should have gotten up so soon. Your concussion could be a lot worse than the doctor supposed.”
“It’s not.” And at her stubborn look he added, “I’ll take it slow. I don’t want to miss the wedding. I need to get up some each day to build up my strength.”
“You won’t be able to dance.”
“Will that bother you?”
“Why should it bother me?”
Linc sighed. “Let’s try this. Do you enjoy dancing?”
“Do you know a woman who doesn’t?” she asked as she placed a strong cup of coffee before him.
“I’ll get my brothers to dance with you.”
“Both your brothers will be with their wives. I’ll dance with Bradley.”
“Bradley? Is he still here?”
“He is.”
“Why? Didn’t you tell him it’s over between you?”
“Lord, but you are so obnoxious. Do you want a blueberry muffin? They’re fresh from this morning.”
Linc grinned. “Perhaps I am, but I want to know why you didn’t tell him.”
“I never said I didn’t tell him. The truth is I did tell him.”
“What did you say?” He nodded toward the muffins and said, “Give me two.”
“I said I couldn’t marry him.”
“And what did he say?”
“How is any of this your business?”
Linc blinked in confusion. “He said that?”
Abby laughed. “If you must know, he asked, ‘Why?’”
“And you told him about us?”
“I told him I couldn’t marry him because I didn’t love him.”
“And you never said anything about us?”
“There is no us. I told you before I’m going
back east once my mother gets married.” She nodded toward the two muffins. “You want butter on those?”
“Abby, I’m not completely well. Don’t make me come from a sick bed to follow you back to New York.”
She frowned. “You should take a nap. You need to regain your strength.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“What subject?”
“Why didn’t you tell him about us?”
“I might have had there been an ‘us’.”
“So now what? You’re being a wise guy?”
Her gaze narrowed. “You’d better get back to bed. You’re talking gibberish.”
“I’m telling you that I love you, and you’re not going anywhere.”
“You hardly know me; of course, you don’t love me.”
“Don’t tell me what I feel. I love you, and I know you love me.”
“I don’t,” she insisted.
“You do,” he countered.
“Fine, now go back to bed,” she said with a careless shrug.
“Only if you come with me.”
Her eyes widened with fear as she watched his skin grow pasty white. “Can’t you make it up the stairs? I’ll get your brother.”
“I can make it.”
Linc stood. A moment later, he found himself coming from a faint sprawled upon the kitchen floor, his head in Abby’s lap. “Jesus, what the hell?”
“You fainted. I told you you weren’t strong enough to get out if bed.”
“I’d be happy to stay in bed if you’d join me.”
Linc turned toward the sound of laughter as his brother Jeb reached under him and brought him into his arms. “The next time the lady says ‘Stay in bed’, you’d best listen. I ain’t got the time to carry you around. Besides, you ain’t light, you know.”
For a lady who claimed she didn’t care, Abby certainly had enough to say about the way the man carried his brother. “Watch out! Don’t hit his head. God, you almost walked into the wall. Pay attention to what you’re doing.”
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