by Debra Cowan
“So your father has been sending you wires keeping you updated on his condition.”
“And my mother.” She took a shuddering breath. “Philip showed some signs of recovery, but the doctor wasn’t encouraging. My father went yesterday to check on him and Philip was gone, just disappeared.”
“Maybe the doctor moved him?”
Lydia shook her head. “He came looking for Philip, too.”
“If his condition is that critical, he couldn’t have gotten very far.”
“My parents think he’s been lying about his progress. That he’s well on his way to recovery.”
“And your father thinks DeBoard is headed here?”
She nodded. “He thinks Philip will try to track down Naomi and me, and he’s right. Philip will never stand for a woman getting the better of him, especially Naomi, whom he considers a slave. She isn’t. She’s free, but Philip has never treated her that way.”
Russ said nothing for a moment, just held her. Her trembling ceased. She felt…relieved. She wished she could stay right here with him, just like this. Talking to Russ made her feel strong enough to face Naomi.
He dipped his head, his breath tickling her ear, making her aware of every hard line of his body against hers. “I’ll do what I can to help you. I won’t let anything happen to you or Naomi.”
She looked up in surprise, his words putting an ache in her throat. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He gathered her close against his solid muscular frame.
Touched by his solemn declaration, she laid her head on his chest. She drew in the his familiar scent, the spice of his shaving soap.
She hadn’t planned to tell him about Isabel or Naomi or Philip’s part in everything, but she had. For the first time, Lydia considered telling Russ the truth. All of it. And not only to relieve the guilt she still felt over his killing to protect her secret, a secret he didn’t even know.
She knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t be as open about everything in her life as she had been about her sister.
Maybe she shouldn’t have told him the things she had, but she wasn’t sorry. She ignored the voice inside her that prodded her to thank him and step out of his arms. For the first time since Isabel’s death, Lydia felt truly comforted.
Finding out about Lydia’s former betrothed had made it difficult for Russ to stay away from her, but learning about her brother-in-law two mornings later made it impossible. When she told him the situation with DeBoard, Russ wanted to lock her up somewhere safe and go after the SOB, but he hadn’t. Instead, he’d held her and listened.
Seeing her upset, feeling her body trembling against him had rocked him a bit. He’d never seen Lydia intimidated or afraid, not even when she’d been shot in the lobby. Hurt, yes. Angry, yes. But not afraid. It was disorienting, as though he were stepping ass backward into the dark.
All day, he had checked on her while trying to act as though he weren’t, updating her each time he spoke to one of their new tenants.
Since their kiss, Lydia had kept her distance. Her confiding in him showed the depth of her fear. He’d thought she might be aloof after sharing something so personal, but whenever she saw him, her eyes softened and she gave him a little smile that spoke of something private between them.
He’d learned something Davis Lee hadn’t, although Russ could see why the lawman might not have been able to get this information. Lydia’s father was probably doing his damnedest to keep secret any report about DeBoard so he could track down and deal with the man on his own.
Russ was glad he’d been the one to get the knowledge from Lydia. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have seen the pure-dee terror on her face. Terror that clung to Russ like grit and sent him to the sheriff with a new request.
It wasn’t betraying a confidence to alert Davis Lee about the DeBoard bastard. Russ didn’t tell the sheriff why DeBoard was a threat to Lydia and Naomi. That was Lydia’s story to tell or not. But the lawman was a friend. Just Russ saying the man was dangerous was good enough for Davis Lee to keep an eye out for him.
It might make Lydia as mad as a wet hen, but it would be safer for her and that was what he cared about most.
Was the fear and uncertainty about her brother-in-law what made Lydia so secretive? Daily updates on the man’s grave condition would explain the frequent telegrams she still received.
Could the situation with her brother-in-law be what Lydia was hiding? It was hard for Russ to imagine that a woman who’d done the gutsy things Lydia had done could be involved in something unsavory, but that was just it. He didn’t know.
Since the night he had found her on the prairie, he continued to watch her, to see if she went anywhere, did anything that might explain what she was up to. Except for the possibility that she may have done something during the week he spent in Abilene, she hadn’t driven out of town alone again.
After learning about DeBoard, Russ had been real tempted to ignore the fact he knew she was hiding something. When he was close to her, her lush curves pressed against him, her subtle scent teasing his senses, it was easy to disregard everything except the feel of her.
As always, any dealings with her were underlaid with the awareness that put a hard throb in his blood. So far, he had managed not to act on his growing attraction to her. Well, except for kissing her in the kitchen.
Now that he was away from her, he had his wits about him.
Amy had torn him up like a twister. He wasn’t letting another woman do such a thing again. Ever.
He wasn’t so smitten with Lydia that he would turn a blind eye.
He had begun work on the shops that morning after seeing her. During the day, Josie and Jericho had stopped by to discuss how much space they would need. They liked his idea of having a large glass window in front of their shops to showcase their wares as well as anything Jake might want to sell.
Russ figured he could ask Lydia to take care of getting the glass. She’d already proven she was better at that than he was. Chuckling at the thought, he went in search of her just after dark.
When he didn’t find her in the lobby or dining room, he checked the kitchen. Naomi stood in the pantry with Ef. They were close together, their voices quiet.
Russ grinned. “Sorry to interrupt.”
Naomi jumped and Ef slid an arm around her waist. Knowing what he did now, Russ understood why the woman was so easily startled.
“Evenin’, Russ.” The black man smiled at him, still keeping his arm around Naomi’s waist.
“Good evening.” Russ smiled at the slender woman snuggled into Ef’s side. “Hello, Naomi.”
“Sir.”
Russ had tried to get her to call him by his first name, but she wouldn’t. “I’m looking for Lydia. Have you seen her?”
“No.” The woman stepped forward. “She didn’t tell me she was going anywhere.”
Russ heard the anxiety in her voice. “She’s probably in the hotel then. I’ll check the other floors.”
“Maybe I should help you find her.” Naomi’s lovely face was pinched with concern, her posture now rigid.
He could see the shadow of fear in her dark eyes. At the thought of the abuse she had suffered, Russ felt a surge of admiration for her toughness, then right on its heels a gut-twisting fury. She was gracious and kind, even with what she had been through.
He understood now why she always stayed in the background, tried not to bring attention to herself. But she was getting plenty of attention from Ef. Russ’s friend wore his feelings all over his face and it was plain he was in love with the woman. Though Naomi’s stunning features sometimes appeared aloof, Russ sensed she had the same feelings.
He smiled at the couple. “No need for you to help, Naomi. I’m sure I’ll track her down. Sorry I interrupted. If you see her, will you let her know I’m looking for her?”
“Yes.”
“Thanks.” He lifted a hand in goodbye and walked out.
She’d been on the balcony this
morning, trying to hide her upset. Maybe she was there again.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor. As he stepped out into the cold November air, he saw her, but not on the balcony. She was in front of the livery in a buggy, driving out of town.
Remembering the other time she’d driven out of town after dark, Russ’s eyes narrowed. He’d had to go after her then and when he had found her, she had claimed to be lost. What was she doing this time?
For a moment, he hesitated to follow. She had shared a secret with him earlier in the day. Maybe if he asked, she would tell him why she was venturing outside of Whirlwind.
He snorted. He wouldn’t lay money on it. If he hadn’t happened to see her so obviously troubled this morning, she wouldn’t have told him anything. This opportunity might not come again. He had been suspicious of her excuse for being gone so long, out on the prairie. Maybe now he could find out the real story.
Inside of five minutes, Russ had his horse saddled and was riding out of Whirlwind.
It didn’t take long to catch up with her. He kept his mount to a walk, staying far enough behind not to be heard over the creak of the buggy, but close enough to still see.
After a few minutes, he spied a wagon on the moonlit prairie. Lydia topped a rise and reined the buggy to a stop behind the buckboard. A shadow separated itself from the darkness. A man. He moved to Lydia and helped her out of the buggy.
Russ’s blood was already starting to boil before the other man stepped far enough into the moonlight for Russ to recognize him. Bram Ross.
What the hell! He had a torturous flash of déjà vu, just as when he had learned about Amy and her married beau.
Bram released his hold on Lydia as they moved a few feet ahead of the vehicle. They stood in the waving knee-high grass with their heads so close that Russ couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.
His face and hands were chilled, but that did nothing to check the unfamiliar heat shoving through his chest. He didn’t want the rancher’s hands anywhere on her, but the shadowy darkness and position of their bodies prevented Russ from being able to tell where Bram’s hands were.
Why was Lydia meeting him out here? How many times had she done it? Was this the first time? Seeing her with his longtime friend had a stinging heat clutching at Russ’s chest. It felt like…jealousy.
If he hadn’t needed to be quiet, he would’ve laughed. Jealousy wasn’t a problem for him. Ever since Amy had ripped his heart to shreds, Russ’s philosophy had been that there were too many women in the world to be lassoed by just one.
But evidently, he was lassoed now because he burned to go up to Lydia and Bram, interrupt their…whatever the hell this was and demand to know what was going on.
When had they arranged this? Lydia had danced a lot with Bram at the Grand Opening. Had that been when they agreed to get together? The same night Lydia had kissed Russ stupid?
He thought his jaw might break in two. He must have unknowingly tightened his legs, silently commanding his horse to move because the animal started forward. Another command had the gelding turning quietly into a sparse stand of trees. As Russ forced himself to sit behind a pine tree and watch Lydia with his friend, anger pulsed in a white-hot wave.
It drove him crazy that he couldn’t tell if Bram was touching her or kissing her or anything else. If Lydia was so damn afraid of her brother-in-law, what in tarnation was she doing out here alone? After dark.
DeBoard had disappeared the day before so he wouldn’t have had time to get here, but he could have someone looking for Lydia and her friend, someone who could’ve been looking for a while and might be close.
Russ flashed back to her chalk-white face, the stark terror in her eyes that morning. Fear that deep-seated couldn’t be faked. He knew in his gut she hadn’t lied about her brother-in-law. Which meant her reason for being out here alone must be important enough for her to risk danger to meet with Bram.
Russ didn’t like it. And he didn’t like her being with his friend. Or any other man, he admitted grimly.
After a few minutes, the rancher helped Lydia into her buggy. Russ kept his horse still as she drove past his hiding place and back to Whirlwind. Bram left the opposite way, toward his ranch. Russ followed Lydia, directing his mount to stay to a walk.
He didn’t know why she was meeting Bram Ross alone on the prairie this late, but Russ damn sure intended to find out.
Chapter Eleven
I n the flickering amber light of a lantern, Lydia smiled at Pete Carter as he met her in front of the livery. Pete owned the stable as well as the saloon next door. The grizzled man helped her down, and after she paid him, he led the animal and rig to the back.
The smells of livestock, leather and hay mixed in the cold air. She tucked her remaining money into the hidden pocket of her navy serge skirt. Her thoughts drifted to where they’d been almost constantly. Russ.
She’d felt his arms around her all day. And all day, she wished she could’ve told him everything. Still, just sharing her uncertainty and her fear of Philip had helped tremendously.
Russ hadn’t seemed suspicious of her story. He had listened, and the questions he asked were about her and Naomi’s welfare, not probing or skeptical about what she’d told him.
Thanks to him, she felt safe for the first time since leaving Jackson. She knew it was probably his code of honor that had prompted him to offer protection, but not to hold her the way he had, not to listen so patiently. There was a new closeness between them.
A shadow fell across the pale amber light and Lydia angled toward the door, where the lantern hung. Expecting to see Pete, she was surprised to find Russ instead.
“Hello.” She smiled.
He didn’t return her smile, just stood there with his massive shoulders taking up half the doorway.
Behind him was a horse, the paint gelding she recognized as his. “What are you doing out so late?”
“I was just fixin’ to ask you that,” he said silkily.
The soft words had dread creeping up her spine. Before she could answer, he stepped closer. His eyes glittered like blue steel in the smoky light. “If you’re so all-fired worried about your brother-in-law, why in the hell did you drive out of town after dark?”
“W-what?”
“You have no idea where DeBoard is or if he has someone on your trail. He could’ve hired someone to start tracking you right after you and Naomi left Mississippi. Why would you go out on the prairie? Did you stop to think about what risk you might be taking?”
His tone had her stiffening. “I’m not a complete idiot. I have my derringer.”
His eyes flashed. “Why were you meeting Bram Ross?”
Her stomach dropped to her feet. “How did you—You followed me!”
And he had spied on her. No, no, no. Panic began to circle through her. Had Russ overheard her conversation with Bram?
She fingered the watch pinned to her bodice. Russ’s eyes were too sharp, too piercing. She wanted to get away from him, but she needed to try and find out if he had heard anything. She knew he hadn’t seen anything because the woman Lydia was supposed to pick up had never arrived at Bram’s, concerning them both.
Just how close to her and Bram had Russ been? “Where were you hiding?”
“In a stand of pine trees behind y’all.”
She thought she knew the spot. If he’d stayed there throughout their conversation, he probably hadn’t heard anything incriminating. Hopefully. “How long were you there?”
“Long enough.” Her partner shifted, positioning his muscular frame in a way that made it clear she wasn’t getting past him. “What I want to know is how long have you two been carrying on?”
“What?” His question took her aback. She had expected him to ask about the secret network. In the stillness, her heart hammered so loudly she was surprised he couldn’t hear it.
“You and Bram. How long?”
Russ thought she and the rancher were having a romance.
/> Her immediate reaction was to deny it, but she caught herself. If she told him her relationship with Bram wasn’t like that, Russ would continue to press her for answers. He had just given her the perfect pretext.
She was hit with a mix of emotions. Relief that he didn’t appear to know the real reason she and Bram had met. And distress that he believed she was involved with the other man.
After all the dances she and Bram had shared at the Grand Opening, Lydia understood why Russ thought the two of them might be seeing each other. Denying it would force her to come up with another reason for their meeting on the prairie and there was no good reason.
Frustrated, she admitted it would be better for the operation if she let Russ think she and Bram were romantically involved. Sometimes she got tired of putting the network first, but it only took one memory of her sister to renew Lydia’s commitment to the secret operation.
It was a struggle to hide how bothered she was. “Why did you follow me?”
“Wouldn’t want you to get lost again,” he drawled.
Foot! A flush heated her neck. It was plain he hadn’t believed her story from the night he’d found her out there alone. Tension arced between them.
He leveled his icy blue gaze on her. “What exactly were y’all doing out there?”
Still rattled, she shot back, “How would you like it if I questioned you about your…I don’t know what to call them. Did you ‘visit’ Willow while you were in Abilene?” She wasn’t only asking to distract his attention from her meeting with Bram. She wanted to know. “Have you visited her since you brought her to Whirlwind?”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “She said she was out of that life.”
That wasn’t a denial or an answer, Lydia fumed. And she really wanted one. “She has a soft spot for you. Maybe she would make an exception in your case.”
“She probably would,” he said flatly.
That cut through her.
“I don’t understand you driving out there. And it doesn’t sound like Bram to ask it of you. He always treats women special. Why did you do that?”
