Prospecting for Love

by Barbara Baldwin

  “Yes, of course, I’ll come.” Clayton tugged on her elbow and she knew she had to leave. Damn, it was a pain in the rear to have so many people pulling her in so many different directions.

  As they walked away from the store, Ellie decided she might as well ask questions. “Why would Father keep Jesse’s mine, or allow you to buy out his interest?” She couldn’t stop herself from adding, “You didn’t treat him very nicely today.”

  Clayton snorted in disgust. “Why does it matter? He’s a hick -- he has no culture. You saw his reaction.”

  Ellie knew that wasn’t true. Jesse quoted poetry, and from what she had gathered, that wasn’t the extent of his learning. “You taunted him terribly; what did you expect? And why won’t you discuss a buy out? It’s not like you don’t have other interests.”

  “What make the difference to you anyway?” His tone held anger, and Ellie knew she couldn’t let him think she really cared about Jesse.

  Still, she had to get the information. “So, you won’t let Jesse buy back his loan?”

  Clayton gave a harsh laugh. “You are such a soft touch. You really have no head for business, do you? If you were a banker, you’d be forgiving every man’s loan who brought you a sob story, and your bank would go under. Besides, maybe I won’t have to do anything with Cole’s loan. Mining accidents happen all the time. Now, don’t worry about it. Just let me take care of things and we’ll have it all.”

  His attitude frightened Ellie. There was definitely a plot underfoot which spelled trouble and Elizabeth must have been right in the middle of it. Something about Clayton’s casual disregard for Jesse’s life bothered her, and she felt an urgent need to see him and ascertain that he was all right.

  Chapter 7

  Jesse had stormed back to the mine, yelling at everybody, even though he knew damn good and well none of his workers were at fault for what had happened at the bank. Zeke had tried to pacify him, telling him things would work out if he had some patience, but even Zeke hadn't had an answer when Jesse informed him Elizabeth had been in Scott's office.

  In fact, Zeke had gotten so riled, Jesse had had to calm him down. Zeke had then yelled at Lucky and the two of them raced off, Zeke muttering about someone named Eleanor and what he'd like to do to her.

  Now, as dusk settled across the town and a cooling breeze blew down from the mountains, Jesse had to wonder why he was sitting on Elizabeth's porch waiting for her to come home. He ground his teeth when he recalled how Scott's hands had been all over her. From where Jesse had stood, she hadn't seemed a very willing partner, but she hadn't seemed inclined to move away, either.

  Nor had she followed him when he stormed out of the bank. He doubted he would have talked to her anyway, he had been so mad at Scott's high-handed attitude. But the fact of the matter was, they were sort of a couple, and he had sort of asked her to marry him a long time ago. Ironically, it had never bothered him a bit that she seemed in no hurry to marry, until recently.

  Over the past week she had consumed his thoughts, not to mention bothering other body parts as well. There had been no hesitancy in the way she kissed him, but just as quick she seemed to get mad at him. Hot and cold; fast and slow. No wonder his mind was in a continual state of confusion. Would he ever figure that woman out?

  Just thinking about Elizabeth caused an ache in the lower reaches of his anatomy, so he consciously shifted his thoughts to Scott. A slow, burning anger heated his insides over the snide way Scott had rubbed in the fact that he held the note to Jesse's mine. Not the bank, but Clayton Scott personally.

  That hadn't set right with Jesse. He searched his mind for a conversation he'd had with Wendall -- how long ago? Months before his death, Elizabeth’s father, who had been as close to Jesse as his own father, had ventured up to the Nightingale. Wendall had talked mostly about old times when he and Jesse's father had first started prospecting.

  In recalling his visit, Jesse felt sure he'd mentioned an agreement with his father as to the disposition of the mine upon either parent’s death. Unfortunately, if such an agreement existed, Wendall had probably kept it at the bank. Just one more reason for Jesse's anger against Clayton Scott.

  The last bit of sunlight faded behind the mountain, night shadows now concealing his scowl as he sat on the porch rail with his back against the wall. In the distance he could hear voices and knew Elizabeth was heading this way, probably with the fancy pants banker in tow. Regardless of her earlier behavior, Jesse felt an incredible need to see and talk with her. Instead of making himself known, however, he slid further back into the shadows as the couple approached the porch, not the least guilty about eavesdropping on their conversation.

  "Thank you for dinner and for seeing me home, though it wasn't necessary." Elizabeth stopped walking at the gate and turned, as though she didn't want Scott any further.

  "I'll come inside," the man responded. It was a demand, not a request, and Jesse's hair bristled at the underlying threat. He turned in the darkness and planted both feet on the porch, ready to step forward.

  "No, I think not." Her voice held a stubbornness he hadn't heard before.

  "Elizabeth, I told you I wouldn't play dandy to a tease." Clayton grabbed her arm and Jesse made his move, not waiting to see how Elizabeth replied.

  With long strides he bounded off the porch and wedged himself between Elizabeth and Scott. "She said to get lost." He didn't have to straighten up to be taller than the banker, but he did anyway, planting his hands on his hips, although he longed to plant them in the other man's face.

  Jesse was happy to note Elizabeth's relieved look at his presence. Perhaps she wasn’t as fond of Scott as he had previously thought. She twisted out of the man's grip and moved to the porch. Clayton stared angrily after her, his piercing gaze slicing past Jesse before he turned on his heel and stormed away into the darkness.

  "Will you come in?" Elizabeth's soft words reached him, but she didn't wait for a response, leaving the door wide as she hurried inside to light a lamp. Jesse stepped up on the porch but didn't enter the house. He watched as she moved about, the glow of the lamp softening the curves of her silhouette as she moved across the room to another lamp.

  Once again an ache formed, this time lodging against his heart. Why did he keep wishing he could give her everything money could buy? She had grown up in the lap of luxury with a father who gave her everything and then some. At times, Jesse had even considered her spoiled. Her recent behavior reminded him of the old Elizabeth; the one he had always wanted to love and cherish.

  "Are you coming in?" She had moved to the door to question him again.

  "No, it's late."

  She cocked her head and though the light was at her back and he couldn't read her expression, Jesse heard the confusion in her voice.

  "Why did you stop if you didn't want to see me?"

  "I...was angry today...but not at you. Even so, I shouldn't have said the things I did while you were there. It's just that," Jesse sighed, not understanding his need to explain his behavior, but wanting her to understand anyway. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

  "I know," she said, reaching out to pull him into the house. She quietly closed the door behind him. "Let's make some coffee."

  She left him to follow as she wound through the house to the kitchen, carrying one of the lamps with her. He straddled a chair and watched her putter around the kitchen, stoking the fire and putting the coffee pot on.

  "Look, Jesse--"

  "Elizabeth--" They began at the same time. She laughed, and the sound was such a delight that he simply sat there staring at her. When she didn't seem inclined to continue, he nodded his head slightly for her to proceed.

  "Sometimes things aren't exactly the way they appear," she begin, fidgeting with the sash at her waist and not looking at him.

  Jesse's heart sank. "You've decided Clayton Scott is a better investment of your time." He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice, knowing it was her choice to make.

/>   "God, no!" Her head snapped up and she gave him a wide-eyed stare. "Why would you think that?"

  Now Jesse really was confused. "Maybe it had something to do with the way his hands were all over you at the bank today." Remembering just made him mad, so he turned aside.

  In seconds, Elizabeth had rounded the table and squatted by him. When he wouldn't look at her, she turned his head, hands on his cheeks. "You can't possibly think I'd prefer him over you."

  "Then why--"

  She put a finger to his lips. "If I tell you, you have to promise not to go after Clayton."

  Jesse snorted. "I won't promise any such thing."

  Elizabeth started to get up and he grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving his side. She flinched, then quickly tried to pretend she hadn't. Jesse looked where his hand held her. Just above his fingers, a light bruise showed.

  "That son of a bitch. I'll kill him." Jesse threatened in a flat tone, even though his heart beat painfully, his hand shaking as he slid the sleeve of her dress up further. Definite bruises circled her slim arm -- the exact kind of marks a man's hand would make if he grabbed her too tightly.

  "Someone has to figure this mess out." Elizabeth continued.

  "Stay away from him." He growled at her, trying to hide the rage he could barely control. The thought that Scott would dare hurt her consumed him with loathing.

  "Would you really care so much?" She asked softly, leaning close enough for him to smell her sweetness.

  "How can you even ask that?" Jesse groaned, dropping his head so his forehead rested on hers. "Lately, you've been starting fires in me no amount of cold water can douse. It damned near killed me to see you in his arms."

  She gave a little sigh. "I told you, it's not what it seems, but you have to have patience."

  "That's what Zeke said."

  "Well, sometimes Zeke does know what he's talking about."

  "Then explain it to me so I'll know, too." A throbbing headache had started behind Jesse's eyes, and he wondered if any explanation could cause it to stop. He turned in the chair so he could rest his head in his hands.

  Elizabeth seemed to hesitate.

  "Come on, El, you know I hate secrets."

  "It's just that we don't have any hard evidence yet."

  "We?"

  "Zeke and Lucky and me."

  "Zeke and Lucky?" Jesse laughed. "Those two don't have enough sense to come in out of the rain at times. What else could they possibly be up to?"

  Elizabeth grimaced at his tone. "They know some things you wouldn't believe."

  Jesse quirked a brow, wondering just exactly what those two old miners had told her. "Such as?"

  "There may be a plot afoot to take over some of the mines in the area and Clayton may be behind it."

  Jesse started to object, but she silenced him with a look.

  "I was at the bank today trying to look at the records," she continued. "There must be something to indicate what he's up to."

  "There's an easy way to find out. It's called my fists." Jesse didn’t consider himself a man with a temper, but truth to tell, he was mad as a hornet right now.

  "No, damn...darn it. You can't just waltz in there and pound it out of him. If we tip our hand before it's time, he'll destroy the records and then you'll have nothing."

  "What records are you talking about?"

  "That's just it. I don't know for certain. I just have to find a discrepancy -- something that's out of place."

  "And how come you know about these records?"

  Elizabeth looked away and Jesse began to wonder. After all, she seemed pretty chummy with Scott. Could she be playing both of them against each other?

  "You know I never had anything to do with the bank. After father died, I didn't care what happened and let Clayton run it. Lately, some things he's said and done have made me wonder if that was a good move. That's why I went to the bank. I'll do what I must to find out if he's up to something illegal."

  “And that includes letting him fondle you?” The instant the words were out of his mouth, Jesse wished he could call them back. But jealousy gnawed at his gut, making him say and do things he never thought he would.

  Instead of getting mad, Elizabeth smiled. “Are you jealous?”

  Jesse leaned closer to where she knelt between his legs. “Yes.” He was a plain spoken man and above all things, honest.

  There was a twinkle in her brown eyes, and a mischievous twitch at the corner of her mouth. “Well, he did kiss me the other day.”

  Jesse swore an oath, and her face broke into a wide grin.

  “I tried to remember what your kiss had been like, but just couldn’t recall.” She shook her head, the movement causing her hair to wave, the silky tendrils just barely caressing his cheek as she leaned toward him.

  Jesse couldn’t stand being that close to her and not touching her. He gently pulled her closer, his mouth covering hers. Instant heat flared deep within and spread like wildfire through his veins. Her arms circled his neck and she ran her fingers through his hair, but when she arched her back and pressed her breasts against his chest, Jesse lost it.

  Growling deep in his throat, he scooped her up and plopped her down on his lap, hugging her tight. Their kiss lengthened as Elizabeth tentatively touched his lips with her hot tongue. Jesse let her take the initiative, and soon they were gasping for breath. Struggling for control, he breathed in her scent -- fresh air and wildflowers -- and tried to content himself with burying his face in her silky hair. She snuggled close, peppering his neck with hot little kisses until he thought he’d die. Any thoughts of her choosing the banker over him flew out the window.

  “I’d better get out of here or I might not be able to leave at all.” The emotional seesaw he’d been on all day tilted him dizzily and he knew it wouldn’t take much for him to fall right off.

  “Would that be so bad?” Her innocent question sent his blood thundering.

  “I’d like nothing better than to stay, but it wouldn’t do your reputation any good.”

  With one last kiss to his chin and a sigh, she moved away from him. “That’s probably true. I know it’s difficult, but I do have to keep Clayton happy, too.” She made a face.

  Some of Jesse’s anger returned. “If he lays a hand on you--”

  She put a finger to his lips. “He won’t, believe me.” She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips and scooted off his lap. Jesse felt bereft. He didn’t want her anywhere near Scott, so he tried to find a way to keep her to himself.

  “What would you say if I take you to Steamboat Springs for a few days? My foreman can handle the mining operation.”

  “We can’t. Sarah’s wedding is in two days.”

  Jesse refused to take no for an answer. He wanted her out of Peavine until he could figure out what was going on. While he realized Elizabeth had an inside track to the bank records, there were some things he could investigate on his own.

  “We’ll go right after the wedding then.”

  Elizabeth smiled as she answered. “I guess one way to keep you out of trouble is to keep you out of the same town as Clayton Scott.”

  That wouldn’t solve the problem, thought Jesse, but he didn’t want her to worry so he kept his mouth shut.

  * * *

  Sarah’s wedding day dawned cloudless, but turned hot. From the little room off the sanctuary, Ellie surveyed the crowded church and wondered how these people lived without air conditioning. Most of the ladies waved fans, their pastel colors fluttering among the pews like so many butterflies.

  Well, it would soon be over, and she could escape to her house for a cigarette, strip down and cool off. Ellie thought of the way she had been living of late. Lucky only stopped early in the morning, and she hadn’t seen much of Zeke. So, after her habitual cup of coffee in her bathrobe and instructions from Lucky not to cause trouble, she would spend the day alone, and practically naked. It was just too hot for clothes, so she had settled on a chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Since it h
ung to her knees, she’d worn it for a house dress.

  Yesterday at midday, she decided a cool bath might help, so had filled the tub with cold well water from the kitchen pump. She had lulled around for over an hour, pretending she was back in New York at her condo swimming pool.

  She had even begun sleeping naked, and the sensuous feel of the sheets against her skin had invoked dreams of Jesse Cole. Now, she stirred restlessly, peeking around the door jam to catch sight of him. He hadn’t come back to see her in the past two days and she could only hope he wouldn’t confront Clayton.

  She had told Lucky what had happened on her porch. He shook his head, a low whistle escaping, reiterating Ellie’s fears about a confrontation. Though they wouldn’t say, Ellie had the feeling Zeke was keeping a close eye on Jesse.

  “Isn’t it time, yet? I’m so nervous.” Sarah’s shaky voice brought Ellie back to the present, and she turned away from the door, knowing there was nothing at the moment she could do about Jesse and Clayton.

  “Yes, I just saw Henry step through the door at the other end.” Ellie smiled as she straightened Sarah’s veil. “You make a beautiful bride, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.” She hadn’t known Sarah long, but Ellie considered her a friend.

  “Oh, Elizabeth. One day soon, it’ll be you and Jesse getting married.” She dabbed at her eyes beneath the gauzy veil. “I’ll probably cry like a ninny then, too.”

  Ellie hugged Sarah close, knowing she couldn’t keep the desperation off her face at those words, and she didn’t want Sarah seeing it. There would be no wedding for Elizabeth and Jesse; not if Zeke and Lucky had anything to do with it. As for Ellie and Jesse; Ellie couldn’t even contemplate that.

  “You ready, pumpkin?” Nate Murphy stuck his head through the doorway. Sarah’s father had been more nervous that she, and Ellie had finally sent him outside to visit with the guests as they arrived.