“No, wait—”
She ignored his outstretched hand and ran past him. Tears swam in her eyes as she darted out the barn as fast as her legs would carry her. She wouldn’t let him touch her ever again. She didn’t know how, but she would never think about his steamy kisses or the way he made her heart skip a beat. Now she knew what kind of man he was, there was no way she would be able to look him in the eyes. To think she had toyed with the idea of becoming his wife. Well, that she’d never do again!
“BLASTED WOMEN! CAN’T live with them, and definitely can’t shoot them,” Gage muttered for the hundredth time as he rode through the hills, hoping to clear his mind of what happened last night. He couldn’t stop replaying the events that had unfolded in the barn, and the unbelievable mistake he’d made by hesitating.
He blamed it on the kiss. He’d always lost his mind a little while holding her and kissing her passionately. Last night was no different. When she’d asked him about marriage, his mind had refused to work. Of course, her suggestion threw him for a loop. To think that she of all people would suggest the very thing he’d had on his mind lately. It was incredible...a dream-come-true. Unfortunately, his hesitation had cost him dearly.
Now he must let her cool down before approaching her again. By now he knew not to talk to her when she was irate. But he couldn’t wait long before talking to her about it or he’d go mad with worry.
He pushed back the brim of his hat and swiped the cuff of his shirt across his sweaty brow. This morning he’d ridden in a different direction, and as he brought his horse to a stop, he glanced around, hoping he knew where he was. He’d look like a fool if he got lost out here in the middle of nowhere.
This would be the perfect place for him to get lost...as long as Adella was with him. He released a heavy sigh and smiled. That woman confused him, yet he couldn’t really imagine his life without her. Although he loved to rile her, it was more than that. He loved the way she stirred his emotions with just her sweet smile. He admired the way she’d taken control over running of the livery—although her cousins had most of it handled, anyway. He really loved the way she melted in his arms and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.
There was no way around it. He was in love with this woman, and he couldn’t deny this feeling blooming inside his chest any longer.
A familiar scent drifted through the air and stopped his thoughts. Bacon. Somebody was cooking over a fire, and the aroma caused his stomach to rumble. The smell came from over the next knoll. Immediately, his mind took a different direction. Clint and his friends had been searching for Buchanan’s Gang. What were the odds Gage had stumbled upon them?
Before he changed his mind, he quickly dismounted and crept on foot to the top of the hill. Several horses blocked much of his view of the five men who clustered around a campfire, but they weren’t close enough to identify. From where Gage crouched behind a bush, they all looked the same; dark dusty coats, dark pants, and very wide brimmed hats. If only he could get a closer look, but in order for him to do that, he’d have to come out of hiding.
Clint had mentioned once that he thought the bandits hid in a cave. Why else would it be so difficult to find them? Straining his neck, Gage searched further down the hill to see if there was any kind of cave, but didn’t spot one. He didn’t think the bandits would stay out in plain sight, but it sure looked like that.
Because they were too far away, he couldn’t tell if he recognized any of the men. He’d give Clint a description, but it wouldn’t be accurate since he couldn’t even tell what color their hair was. He might be able to recognize those two imbeciles who were rough with Adella. Gage certainly wouldn’t hold back from whopping those two over the head with a two-by-four.
A rustle came from the trees behind him...followed by a rattle. Gage cussed under his breath. A snake! His horse whinnied frantically. Gage switched his focus between his horse and the men around the fire. Within seconds, they had heard Gage’s horse, and all heads turned his way. Gage jumped to his feet and pulled the horse back down the hill.
Shouts came from behind and bullets whipped around him. This was no time to be on foot, so he mounted and pushed the horse into a run. Luckily, he still had the lead, but he wouldn’t leave anything to chance. He said a silent prayer that he was heading in the right direction toward town. He added another prayer that his horse would make it. Soon, he could see the town on the horizon. He doubted Buchanan’s Gang would chase him that far.
Glancing behind him, Gage noticed how close they were getting to him. His heart sank as panic filled him. He crouched lower and dug his heels into the horse’s belly, urging him faster. The pop from a gun exploded behind him, and a bullet whipped past his ear. That was too close! Lower he crouched, riding like the devil was behind him. The devil seemed to be on the bandits’ heels, also, and that worried him.
Another rifle blasted, and the bullet pierced the back of his shoulder. He had no time for this! Biting his lip, he fought back the pain. Holding tight to the reins, he prayed his horse would deliver him to town soon. Sweat poured off his brow as the pain reached deeper into his back. Dizziness overcame him. His shirt quickly dampened with his own blood.
Just a little further...just a little further. Blinking, he tried to keep the darkness from taking over his mind. He pictured Adella’s face and it soothed his pain. Love swelled in his heart. He must make it back to town to tell her his feelings.
Up ahead he spotted the tops of buildings. Help was in sight. Gritting his teeth from effort, he looked behind him just as the others pulled away. The race had ended and he’d won. Through the pain, his body relaxed with the knowledge that he’d be home soon. Slowly blackness seeped in around him, shutting down his senses completely.
Chapter Seventeen
Adella hefted the laundry basket in her arms and carried it out across the back porch to the clothesline. Squinting up into the afternoon sun, she wiped away a bead of sweat from her forehead. The morning chores had exhausted her.
So did worrying about Gage—or in this instance, trying not to worry about him. When she first heard he’d been shot, she rushed with Violet to go see him. The doctor had given Gage some laudanum and so he wasn’t coherent enough to see or talk to her. Once the doctor said he’d removed the bullet and Gage would be fine, Violet insisted on staying with him and Adella had returned to the house.
She wouldn’t waste any more of her affection on that scoundrel. Her heart just couldn’t take it.
Pushing away her broken feelings resulting from the humiliating night in the barn, she focused on her chores. From around the house, voices floated through the air. Someone was at the front door, but she didn’t want to go inside to see who’d come calling. Aunt Lillian was in the house and could take care of things.
Within minutes, Adella’s name was called. Grudgingly, she set down the clothes and wiped her damp hands on her apron. When she stepped inside the back door, Aunt Lillian seized her by the arm and dragged her further into the kitchen. Her aunt’s hands practically ripped off her apron, then moved up to Adella’s hair, arranging it around her head neatly.
“What are you doing?”
“Shh,” Aunt Lillian whispered. “You’ve got company, and I’m making sure you’re presentable.”
Her aunt pinched Adella’s cheeks, making her wince. “Who’s here?”
A smile stretched across her aunt’s face. “One of your beaus from Lewiston.”
Adella crinkled her forehead. “I didn’t have any.”
“Now, sweetie, don’t be shy. You can tell me.”
“No, seriously. I don’t have the slightest idea who you’re talking about.”
Her aunt planted her hands on her hips. “Albert Owens, that’s who.”
Adella gasped. She hadn’t thought much of him since she left...only because Gage took up her thoughts. What was Albert doing in Bonner County? “Albert Owens? The mayor’s son?” She laughed.
Her aunt’s eyes grew wider. “He’s the mayor�
��s son?”
“Yes, but Aunt Lillian, he was never my beau—”
“Well, he is now.” The older woman grabbed Adella’s arm and pulled her toward the parlor. “Albert’s come courtin’, so let’s not keep him waiting.”
Adella didn’t have time to prepare herself, because before she knew it Albert Owens stood in front of her, wearing his Sunday best. He held his bowler hat in the crook of his arm and an assortment of flowers in his other hand.
He smiled. “Hello, Miss St. James.” Albert’s deep voice stirred the awkward silence in the house.
“Hello, Mr. Owens. What are you doing this far from home?”
“Lewiston was boring without you, so I decided to come see you.”
She shook her head, confused. “How did you know I was here?”
“Your sister, Lydia told me.”
She breathed a relieved sigh, happy to know her sister had gotten the letter and had let Albert know. “Well, this is such a surprise.” She laughed lightly, not really knowing what to say.
Aunt Lillian chuckled, too. “Adella, dear, why don’t you ask him to sit down?”
“Oh, yes, um...Albert, would you care to sit?” She motioned to the couch. “And would you like a glass of fresh lemonade?”
He nodded. “That’d be wonderful on a hot day like this.” He glanced down at the flowers then held them out to her. “And these are for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” She took the flowers and turned to get her guest a drink, but her aunt moved in front of her.
“Let me fetch the drinks.” Aunt Lillian grabbed the flowers out of Adella’s hands. “I’ll put these in a vase. You two just sit and visit for a while.”
Uncomfortable, Adella moved to the single chair as Albert sat on the couch. He looked the same. Of course, it hadn’t been that long since she’d left Lewiston. Albert’s blond hair seemed lighter, and his mustache was longer than she remembered, but other than that, nothing had changed.
“Forgive me for becoming speechless, Albert, but it really is a shock to see you.”
“Well, my pa wanted me to travel around a bit. I think he wants me to find my own place in the world.” He shrugged. “Although, I’m not sure of what that’ll be just yet.”
“I thought you were going to follow your father and go into politics.”
He shook his head. “No, that doesn’t interest me. I was actually thinking about going into banking.”
“You know, I think that profession would fit you perfectly.”
She offered a polite smile, remembering back when she’d had a small crush on Albert. For so long, he’d been the kind of man she’d dreamed of marrying. He came from a wealthy family and was the best looking man around. His charm could sweep any girl off her feet, and his manners were impeccable. As unbelievable as it seemed, he’d actually traveled all this way just to see her! So, if he was such a great catch, why didn’t she feel like reeling him in?
“You’re looking well,” he commented after a lengthy silence.
“Thank you, and I think you’re looking well, too.”
“I missed you after you left.”
She lowered her gaze, her cheeks heating. “Mr. Owens, I really don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll go for a ride with me this afternoon. I’ll rent a buckboard from the livery. Your aunt has invited me for supper, but I’d like to spend a little time with you before meeting the rest of your family.”
She really had no reason to turn him down. Her heart didn’t belong to anyone, although it had its weak moments around Gage until he’d made it clear he’d rather get caught in a barn with a skunk than marry her. So perhaps she should give Albert a chance to turn her feelings around.
She looked up at him and smiled. “I would be delighted.”
His handsome face brightened. “Wonderful.” He stood and reached his hand out for her to take. “Shall we go?”
Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his and rose. “I better tell my aunt where we’re going.” She looked toward the doorway and the older woman entered with a tray of lemonade filled glasses.
“I heard every word,” Aunt Lillian answered with a laugh. “Quickly, drink this to quench your thirst before you leave.”
Albert swallowed his drink in two gulps, and his cheeks pinched from the bitter taste. Adella tried not to laugh as she took her time with the drink. When the glass was half empty, her aunt took it away. “All right, you two, skedaddle, and I don’t want to see you back until supper time.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Lancaster, I’ll have your precious niece back before sundown,” Albert charmed.
By the twin peaks of color on her aunt’s cheeks, Albert had already won over one member of her family. Would she allow him to capture her heart as well?
Albert proved to be the perfect gentleman. Throughout the afternoon, he only went as far as to touch her hand as he helped her in and out of the buggy. Once in a while, his leg brushed against hers on the bumpy ride, but he quickly apologized and moved away. His brown eyes only stayed on her face, never wandering any lower than her lips.
Certainly a change from the feeling she experienced when she was around Gage.
The afternoon didn’t go fast enough for Adella, but finally evening arrived and the dreaded moment of introducing him to her family came. Her uncle seemed perky as he sat at the supper table with the family, which pleased her, but when her family warmed up to Albert, her heart sank. Even Violet accepted him, and her cousins’ wide eyes couldn’t get enough of the new man at the table, especially when Albert told stories of Lewiston. Funny thing was, Albert’s stories were not as interesting as Gage and Clint’s, but Charles and Nate acted as if Albert had just walked off a golden cloud. Both Elizabeth and Emily wore star-struck expressions, and Adella knew her younger cousins were secretly dreaming about the new man in town.
Too bad Adella didn’t feel that way about him.
As the evening wore on, she pasted a smile on her face that she knew didn’t quite reach her eyes. Only when Albert announced it was time to leave did she manage a truly genuine smile. When she walked him to the door, he thanked her for a lovely evening then took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. Adella waited for the shooting waves of pleasure that always happened when Gage had kissed her, but they didn’t come. Those feelings she’d once had for Albert were gone. Inwardly she scolded Albert for not being Gage, and then berated herself for wanting him to be.
“Can I call on you tomorrow?” he asked.
His question startled her out of her thoughts. “Uh...sure.”
“I’m staying at the hotel here in town, and I’d feel honored if you’d join me for a picnic tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have the hotel’s restaurant cater.”
Automatically, she conjured up excuses, but before she could think of one, she stopped. What am I doing? Prince Charming stood in front of her. Would she throw it all away for a frog like Gage?
She smiled. “I’d love to go on a picnic with you.”
He squeezed her hand then stepped out the door and over to his buggy. As he climbed into the seat, she stubbornly decided to let him woo her. She’d let Albert erase Gage from her mind.
GAGE CURSED ALOUD, knowing that if his mother ever heard these words, she would disown him. He rubbed his achy shoulder and fell in defeat against the headboard on his bed. Those stretches the doctor insisted he do with his arm were not helping the pain at all. Was the old Doc trying to punish him for some unknown reason?
“Gage, quit using such filthy language in front of a lady,” Violet complained as she carried in his lunch on a tray. “I swear, you’re sounding more and more like Clint. Perhaps living with him wasn’t a good idea. I fear it’s ruining your language. And if I had my way, I’d clean up Clint’s speaking, too.”
He rolled his eyes. “Women.”
Violet placed the tray of food on his lap. “I think you’re feeling better. If your rotten temper has anything to do with your quick recovery, I’m su
re you’ll be back on the saddle in no time.”
“You bet I will.” He flexed his arm again and winced from the pain. “Just wish it didn’t hurt so much.”
“What do you expect? You were shot!”
“I know, but the Doc said it wasn’t deep, and definitely not life threatening.”
She rearranged the pillows behind him and he sank back onto his mattress. “Making it life threatening would have been worse?” She shook her head. “I swear I’ll never understand the way men think.”
Violet turned and left the room, effectively ending the conversation and annoying Gage that much more. His temper was at the boiling point, and his injury had nothing to do with it. For three days he’d been without Adella’s company. He repeatedly asked Violet to have her cousin come see him, but Violet told him Adella refused. Little by little, his heart broke. Obviously, she was still angry with him for the way he’d behaved when they’d been together in the barn.
If he could, he’d kick himself in the rear for reacting the way he had, and to make things worse, Albert Owens was in town courting her. Gage couldn’t do a blasted thing about it. That really chaffed his hide! Especially, because he knew she used to have dove eyes for the mayor’s son.
Violet couldn’t stop raving about the very handsome man who rode into town and swept Adella off her feet. Nate and Charles couldn’t stop talking about how rich the man was. Even Lillian and Marvin approved.
Why had Gage’s luck changed for the worse? If only he could talk to Adella alone. He wanted to confess his love for her, but the stubborn woman just wouldn’t come to see him.
“Are you about done?” Violet called from the kitchen.
“No.”
“Well, hurry.”
He glanced through the doorway into the next room. “What’s so all-fired important about finishing my meal so fast? Do you have a date or something?”
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