by Debra Cowan
“Not from me. As far as I’m concerned, your past will be just between us.”
“And Russ,” the other woman added, visibly relaxing.
“Yes, and Russ,” Lydia agreed drily. And any other men from Whirlwind who had been her customers.
“You won’t be sorry. I swear.” Willow’s eyes and face were hard from the life she’d lived, but she was sincere. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything.”
Willow leaned to give Russ a full-body hug, confirming Lydia’s suspicions that she hadn’t imagined the insinuation of sexual knowledge between them.
Although she tried to dismiss it, the thought set her teeth on edge. Oh, why did she care who Russ had been with?
Lydia watched the woman go up the stairs, moving slowly as she took in her surroundings with an admiring look. Now alone with the man she had missed this past week, Lydia could feel his attention fixed on her.
When she glanced over at him, Russ held her gaze. “Everything all right?”
“Yes, of course. Why?”
“As late as it is, I expected you to be asleep, not scrounging around in the pantry.”
“It’s a good thing I was up so I could meet your lady friend,” she said brightly.
Russ gave her a considering look. “She really is finished with that life.”
The words reminded her of his relationship with the prostitute and she said coolly, “That’s good. Because when I said no entertaining men, I meant she couldn’t entertain you, either.”
“You think I’m going to visit Willow?” The words boomed in the large empty space.
With a quick glance up the stairs, Lydia hissed, “Keep your voice down.”
“Why would you think that?”
“It’s obvious you’ve…been with her before.” A flush burned Lydia’s cheeks.
“And that bothers you. Why?” He stared at her for a moment. “Because I’ve been with Willow a few times or because I might have been with her this past week?”
Yes, Lydia thought. Both. She had never felt jealous like this over Wade. It rattled her. And annoyed her. “Don’t do…that in my hotel.”
He opened his mouth as though to say something, then closed it.
“Well?” she demanded.
“Well, what?”
“Are you going to stay away from her?”
He didn’t respond, just moved behind her and bent to pick up his saddlebag from where he’d left it inside the door. He slung it over one shoulder and strode for his office as though he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. The thought stabbed her in the heart.
Over his shoulder, he asked in a gravelly voice, “Is there anything that needs my attention?”
Me! Lydia wanted to scream in frustration and was promptly horrified at herself. “Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Good. I’m dead on my feet.”
Even as irritated as she was with him, she wanted to talk to him. About the hotel, his trip, Mr. Julius’s refusal to buy Russ’s share of The Fontaine.
Surprised by Russ’s return as well as the fact he had brought a woman back with him, all thoughts of what she had learned from his brother had been pushed out of Lydia’s mind until now. But the fatigue etched on his handsome features said he was too tired for that conversation tonight.
He opened his office door and stepped inside.
Mercy, the man was beautiful. She had missed him, wanted to kiss him. Foot.
Shaking away the thought, she moved toward him. “How was your trip? Ef told me you went to try and find a buyer for the hotel. Did you have any luck?”
“No, but I’ll be out of your way soon enough.”
“You’re not in my way,” she said sharply then softened her tone. “I asked because I know it’s bothering you that you haven’t discovered yet how to pay the loan.”
He dragged a hand down his haggard face. “Couldn’t find any takers for the hotel and the banker was out of town.”
Her heart squeezed tight. “You’re exhausted and I’m yammering on. I’ll let you get some sleep.”
He paused, his gaze sliding over her and causing her nerve endings to sizzle. “How’s your arm?”
“Nearly healed.” The intent way his gaze locked on her caused a ripple of heat deep inside. “The bandage is off.”
“That’s good. We’ll talk tomorrow, all right?”
“Yes.”
Knowing she should go, she said haltingly, “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Thanks.” His eyes darkened with an intensity that reached out to her like a touch.
As his door shut, she forced her legs to move. She was glad he was back. And she wasn’t. Not only because she was hiding six abuse victims right under his nose, but because it forced her to admit what she’d been sidestepping this past week.
Russ was as much of a threat to her heart as he was to her secret.
Though Russ had spoken only briefly to Lydia the night before, she was on his mind as he rode out to the Triple B to tell Pa and Matt that he hadn’t had any luck in Abilene.
His leaving town had done the trick, seemed to have soothed the desire that raged in his blood since kissing her. While he’d been gone, he hadn’t thought about her. Much.
Yes, he still wanted her, but he didn’t feel as though the want were carving a hole in his gut. His belief that she was hiding something had been reinforced last night when he’d found her in the pantry at such a late hour. Because of that, it would be stupid to do something about the hot, almost reckless, impulse that came over him when she was around, and Russ was dead set against stupid. Good thing he had a tight hold on the whoa reins.
The sun was setting in a haze of golden-red when he returned to Whirlwind. He’d been able to talk to Pa, but Matt had been out in the pastures, patrolling their herd against rustlers as he’d been doing for months now.
While Russ had been out at the ranch, he’d had an idea about how to make some money. Maybe not all he needed by the time the banknote was due, but a substantial amount. He had to run his plan by Lydia, but he’d studied it up, down and sideways. She couldn’t find anything wrong with it. They both stood to profit. The woman would be a fool to say no and one thing he’d learned was that Lydia Kent was no fool when it came to business. Once he got cleaned up, he would find her.
After stabling his horse at the livery, Russ let himself into his office. He shrugged out of his duster, hanging it on the hook near the door then tossing his hat on his desk. One-handed, he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped the garment on the floor beside his bed on his way to the washstand.
Someone, maybe Willow, had left fresh water in his basin. Russ didn’t fancy shaving with cold water so he started around the bed to get a clean shirt from the wardrobe, intending to go to the kitchen to pump some hot water.
“Russ?” A light knock sounded at the same time Lydia peered around his office door.
Upon seeing him, her eyes widened and she stared in arrested silence, tracking a path over his chest then lower. The unguarded desire in her eyes had his entire body going hard.
Damn, he should’ve made sure to close the door.
Looking flustered, she tore her gaze away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. With your door open, I assumed you were—” she gestured in his direction “—decent.”
“You haven’t compromised me, Lydia,” he said wryly.
“I can wait until you’re finished.” She flushed a pretty shade of pink.
“Suit yourself. I had already planned to find you after I washed up.”
“Oh?” With her gaze fixed on his belly, she drew her bottom lip between her teeth.
If she kept looking at him as though she were thinking about taking a bite, he didn’t want her in here. He pulled his shirt on over his head and she returned her attention to his face.
“I wanted to talk to you,” she said.
“About the hotel?”
“Yes. I can c
ome back, though.”
Best to get this over with. “Now is fine.”
“All right.” She moved slowly into the room and halted beside his desk. In one hand, she held her journal. With the other, she stroked the wood, making small circles on one corner.
Russ couldn’t halt a flash of Lydia’s fine-boned fingers petting him that way, gliding over his skin. She was so beautiful. The sight of her tripped all his senses. The loosely bound mass of her silky hair, the creamy skin of her throat. Every muscle in his body went taut. The night before, the only thing stopping him from giving in to the urge to kiss her had been Willow’s presence.
Clenching his teeth in frustration, he gestured toward his desk. “You want to sit?”
“No, thank you.”
He nodded, bracing a shoulder against a poster at the foot of his bed. “I wanted to talk to you about the hotel, too.”
“All right.” Her gaze settled on him, hot and interested.
Even with the several feet separating them, Russ caught a tease of her lavender scent. Sensation skated just beneath the surface of his skin and he folded his arms, asking gruffly, “Anything happen while I was gone that needs to be taken care of?”
“No. There were no problems. We’ve had several guests other than the ones still here. A couple from Taylor County and a family of five.”
“Sounds like a good start to our business.”
“Yes.” She paced the length of his desk, sliding her fingers over the wood surface. “So far, we’ve had no problems. Everyone loves the steam heat and indoor plumbing.”
“The heat sure was nice when I came in from the cold a bit ago.”
She smiled, moving back the other direction and touching his dusty hat. What was the dad-blamed woman doing?
Russ shifted. “I’ve come up with another way to make money, so that I can pay off the banknote.”
She stiffened. “Yes?”
“We lease some hotel space to merchants.”
“Lease space?” She sounded as though he’d said they should get naked.
He straightened. “Before you get all het up, hear me out.”
“I am not ‘het up,’” she said coolly. “The idea is intriguing.”
It was? He sure hadn’t expected that. While Lydia was intrigued, he’d better spit out his plan.
“The way I figure it, we can split up some of our space on the first floor, like that unused area across from my office. I can put up some walls or whatever we need. We wouldn’t be laying out any cash for new construction.”
“What kinds of businesses?” she asked stiffly.
“Not Willow’s kind, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not, but that’s good to know.”
Russ remembered Lydia asking him whether he planned to visit Willow. He could’ve told his business partner no. He hadn’t been with the prostitute for quite some time and didn’t plan to be again. But he didn’t need to tell Lydia any of that. They had shared only a kiss. Nothing binding between them.
“A seamstress would be a good possibility.”
“Josie.”
“Yes. I think she’d be interested in the space. She’s said a couple of times that she needs more room than she has in the back of Haskell’s store.” Russ touched his chest. “She made the shirt I’m wearing and she does fine work.”
“Yes, I’ve seen some of her things. She’s very good. What other types of businesses would you approach?”
Was she warming to the idea? Russ thought she might be. “A gunsmith.”
“Mr. Doyle?”
“Jed has his own shop. I thought Jericho might be interested in opening one here in the hotel if he and Jed have enough business to split.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful.
“And selling leather goods out of here might be a good idea.”
“Tack?”
Russ nodded. “Jake Ross makes fine saddles. He does repairs, too, including boots. He probably wouldn’t lease any space because he spends most of his time running his ranch, but we could sell some of his pieces for a commission.”
“I don’t know,” she said.
Russ closed the distance between them, easing down onto the corner of his desk. He kept his voice easy, the way he would to soothe a stubborn mare. “It’s a good plan, Lydia. We’d both make money. There’s nothing to mar your or Naomi’s reputations.”
She touched the watch pinned to her bodice. “I agree.”
His eyes narrowed. “You do?”
“Yes.” She arched a brow. “You’re surprised?”
“I’m surprised you don’t want to go round and round about it first. Or scribble in that ledger.”
“Nice to know you have such a high opinion of my business sense.”
“It has nothing to do with that. You’ve definitely got a head for business. I just thought you might want more details before you decided.”
She hesitated.
“See, there’s something you don’t like,” he said.
“No, I like it. I’m just thinking it through.”
“So you can naysay it?” He thought he saw a flash of hurt in her eyes. As though he had no basis for asking such a question.
She was silent, looking torn. He sure didn’t understand that. He knew this idea would work.
“It’s a good idea. Really good.”
“Thanks.” He felt sideswiped. That had been almost too fast.
She tilted her head. “This would allow you to get the money to pay the note on time.”
“Probably not all of it, but it’ll be a show of good faith to the banker.”
“Whatever will help you is what I want to do.”
“Don’t you mean whatever helps get me out of the hotel?”
“No, that isn’t what I mean,” she retorted. “I want to help you.”
“Well.” She wanted to help him. And he had convinced her his idea had merit. Russ couldn’t stop the satisfaction spreading through him. “All right then.”
“I know it was because of me that Mr. Julius didn’t buy your share of the hotel.”
“What?” He stilled.
“He didn’t buy your interest because he didn’t want to work with a woman.”
“Who told you that?” Russ got to his feet. He knew it hadn’t been Ef.
“Does it matter? You were very sweet to shield my feelings.”
“Well, it wasn’t your fault,” he said grudgingly. “The man was ignorant.”
“That’s what your brother said.” Lydia gave him a sweet smile, a genuine smile that reached right inside his chest and grabbed hold.
“So, Matt’s the one who told you.”
Her brows drew together. “Shouldn’t he have?”
“When was he here?”
“A couple of nights ago.”
Russ should’ve expected Matt to come around while he was gone. “How many times did he stop by?”
“Just the once.” She fiddled with the binding of her journal. “Is there a problem?”
That depended. “Did he need something?” Before she could answer, Russ asked, “Did he come to see you?”
“I think he came for some of Pearl’s pecan pie.”
Russ didn’t like it. Just because he wasn’t cozying up to Lydia didn’t mean it was all right for Matt to do it. What else had his brother told her?
“Russ.” Her voice was impatient, as though she had tried to get his attention more than once. “Is there some reason Matt shouldn’t have told me about Mr. Julius?”
Yes, the fact that Russ didn’t want her to know. “It’s over and done. What’s the sense in talking about it? It doesn’t even matter now.”
“It matters to me,” she said, with the same soft look on her face that she’d worn after he kissed her.
Hell. Those velvety black eyes had Russ taking a step back. Then another. He might be in control of the fierce craving he felt for her, but there was no reason to tempt himself by standing so close to her.
> Confound his brother! The next time Russ saw him, Matt was in for a good thumping. A thought hit him and he watched Lydia’s face carefully. “Are you agreeing to my plan because you somehow feel guilty about Mr. Julius’s decision?”
The possibility bothered him. Russ wanted her to like his idea because it was good. Which it was. “His refusal to buy wasn’t your fault.”
“I know it wasn’t directly.”
“It wasn’t, period.”
She fingered her watch. “I agreed with the proposal to lease hotel space because it’s a good idea.”
“Damn straight.” The tension in his shoulders eased as he directed the subject away from the Chicago businessman. “I plan to talk to Josie and the others as soon as possible.”
“Very good. Is there anything you’d like me to do?”
He shook his head. “After supper, I’ll—”
“Russ?” Matt stepped inside, grinning like a fool when he saw the woman talking to his brother. He swept off his hat. “Lydia.”
“Hello.” She gave him a warm smile.
Had Matt come here to see Lydia? Something big and hot swirled through Russ.
His brother looked her over, slowly. “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve come across all day.”
She laughed. “And where have you been today? With the cattle?”
“Guilty.” He winked.
Russ rubbed his nape, telling himself that the sudden flare of displeasure he felt wasn’t caused by the easiness between his brother and his business partner. Just how long had Matt stayed when he had come by the hotel while Russ was away? What all had he and Lydia discussed?
Lydia glanced at Russ. “Let me know what I can do to help.”
He had plenty of ideas on that score and not one of them involved the hotel.
She gave him a steady look. “I mean it.”
He nodded, watching the gentle sway of her skirts as she left. When he turned, he saw his brother doing the same thing.
He tamped down a quick flare of irritation and leveled his voice. “What are you doing here?”
Matt eyed him curiously. “Did I interrupt?”
“Just business.”
“Pa told me you were back. I came to see if you wanted to get some supper.”
That would take Russ’s mind off Lydia. And he’d know where his brother was keeping company. Although that didn’t matter, Russ told himself quickly. He had no claim on the woman and he wasn’t making one. He did, however, have a bone to pick with his brother.
