Priceless Marriage

by Bonnie Gardner

  The clincher was that one of the few pay phones in town was located in Cozy’s. It was worth checking out. Sam had enough cash in his pocket to purchase a magazine, and maybe he’d hear something.

  He hurried across the street and stepped inside the old-fashioned drugstore. Another one of those bells above the door jangled, and a man in a white jacket greeted him from behind the pharmacist’s window. “Hello,” the man said. “May I help you with something?”

  Sam looked down. “No, thanks,” he mumbled. “Just wanna scope out a magazine.”

  The magazine rack was located conveniently close to the pay phone, but Sam started at the opposite end. Pretending to scan the titles for something of interest, he slowly made his way in the direction of the redhead using the phone.

  “…certain single co-owner of Jester’s only department store is planning to take her lottery winnings and go on a whirlwind trip.” The woman’s laugh sounded like the cackle of a witch. “I bet she’s off to have a fling with somebody in the big city.”

  The woman abruptly hung up, glanced furtively over her shoulder and looked startled to see Sam so close. Then she hurried out.

  “If that didn’t sound incriminating, I don’t know what does,” he muttered to himself.

  “What say?” the pharmacist asked.

  Oops. Sam had forgotten the man was there. “Uh, just talking to myself. You the guy I pay for this?” He held up a copy of a crime magazine.

  “Sure,” the man said. “I’ll be right out to ring you up.”

  Sam produced the requisite amount of money, passed it over the counter and, without meeting the pharmacist’s eye, accepted his change. “Thanks,” he murmured, then sauntered out.

  He supposed what he’d overheard could be classified as coincidence, and there was no way he could prove who Wyla Thorne had called, but he’d bet Luke could certainly find out. As soon as he was back outside, he rolled the magazine, shoved it in his back pocket and turned into the Mercantile.

  He greeted one of the shop workers, then trudged up the inside stairs. He had to get out of those clothes.

  But first he had to tell Luke what he’d found out.

  Sam closed the door behind him and began peeling out of the filthy clothes as he headed for the phone, an extension of the store number that Ruby had connected. As he dialed, he sat down on the recliner, and when the phone rang, he began to work at the long row of laces up the front of his boots.

  He got the dispatcher, who said the sheriff was unavailable, but that she could contact a deputy if he needed him. “Uh, no need. I’ll try Luke at home.”

  But Luke didn’t answer at home, either. That was odd. He wondered where Luke had got off to.

  Sam shrugged. He’d just have to see if that particular tidbit showed up in the Plain Talker anytime soon. And he’d report to Luke when he found him.

  Sam hung up the phone, then stripped out of the rest of his clothes and hurried to the shower. The water was cold, but he didn’t care. His blood was cooking enough to compensate. Sam didn’t know what Wyla Thorne thought she would accomplish by telling tales about the residents of this town, but it was damned sure annoying.

  At least he knew that Ruby wasn’t going anywhere, so that must mean Honor was. He wondered if Ruby knew what was going on.

  Sam stepped out of the shower. The sooner he dressed, the sooner he could ask her. Hell, who cared what Ruby knew about Honor’s plans? He just wanted to get home.

  To Ruby.

  RUBY LOOKED UP from perusing a seed catalog and shopping for ideas on plants to use in the new flower bed, and smiled at the sound of the car door slamming.

  “Hey, what’s the deal with the flower bed out front? It looks naked,” Sam called through the screen door as he hurried up the porch steps.

  Ruby loved the way Sam said “nekkid” when he meant naked. It was so adorably Southern. Of course, she liked it better when it was uttered in connection with the two of them. It had been far too long since she’d been “nekkid” with her husband. She felt her face grow warm, and she fanned herself with the seed catalog just as Sam came inside. He was dressed in jeans and another Western shirt, and he looked absolutely terrific. “Hi,” she called brightly, hoping he wouldn’t notice her flushed condition. “You were gone a long time.”

  “Yes, but I think I found out who’s been telling the Plain Talker about everybody in Jester’s business.” He sank to the couch beside her. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready by now?”

  Ruby had completely forgotten about their “date” tonight. After doing without the kitchen for two days, she was ready for a hot meal, especially one that someone else cooked. She tossed the catalog aside and got up. “I am so sorry, Sam. I completely forgot about dinner.”

  Sam frowned in disappointment look, but Ruby could see he was teasing. “How soon they forget,” he drawled. “You really know how to hurt a guy.”

  She started to lean in to kiss him, but decided not to at the last minute and jerked back. Sam had obviously just showered, and she looked like—and smelled like—she’d been working in the yard all afternoon.

  “I’ll just be a couple of minutes. I only meant to look through the seed catalogs until I was cool enough to shower and—”

  “You got carried away. It hasn’t been that long that I don’t remember how you’d get when a new seed catalog came in the mail,” Sam said. “See anything interesting in that one?” He nodded toward the discarded catalog.

  Ruby smiled. “Nothing…and everything. You know how I am,” she said, shrugging. “Now I really have to get ready. I have a hot date waiting for me.”

  “Anybody I know?” Sam asked, grinning.

  “Probably,” Ruby said. “He’s tall, dark and handsome and in this house.”

  “Are you talking about me?”

  Ruby hadn’t heard Nick come in. He, too, had showered and was ready to go. Just how long had she been sitting there dreaming over that wish book? “If the shoe fits…” she said, shrugging and airily waving a hand. Then she hurried back to get ready for her date.

  With Sam.

  Too bad her cousin Nick had to tag along with them, too.

  SAM SAT on the living room couch feeling more nervous and fidgety than a teenager waiting for his first date. Even after ten years of marriage, Ruby still had the ability to surprise him, and after her appearance in the red dress the other night, he was eager to see what she would turn up in today.

  Even if his wife wore something he’d seen before, she would take his breath away. He was sure of it. But then, Sam supposed, he was slightly biased in her favor.

  “I’m ready,” Ruby called from the bedroom in the back of the house, and both Sam and Nick looked up as she entered.

  Ruby was flushed and breathless and looked positively delicious. Her wavy red hair curled damply around her face, perfectly framing her peaches-and-cream skin, which was dusted with just a touch a brown-sugar freckles. She wore only a minimum of makeup, but she’d never needed much to improve her good looks: a little mascara, maybe, and a dab of lipstick. Of course, Sam had never cared if she wore none at all.

  “Hoo-wee!” he drawled, rising. “You look good enough to eat.” He eyed the bright yellow sundress that brought out the delicate color in Ruby’s face, provided the perfect contrast to her coppery hair and showed off the gentle lines of her creamy white shoulders. He couldn’t wait for another chance to dance so he could hold her in his arms and touch that velvety smooth expanse of skin the dress showed off so well.

  “I second that, cuz,” Nick said, getting to his feet as well. “Too bad there aren’t two of you.”

  Ruby blushed. “Shoot, Nick. You’ve never been hard up for female company. I bet you’ll be drawing stares from half the single girls in Jester.”

  “Hey!” Sam protested. “What about me? I’m your date, not Nick!”

  Crooking her arm for Sam, Ruby laughed. “How well I know that, Slick. You are my date tonight, and I will probably have to beat your admir
ers off with a stick when they try to cut in.”

  Linking his arm through Ruby’s, Sam grinned. “That’s more like it. Looks like we all might have to defend your honor tonight, as well.”

  Laughing, the three of them hurried out to Ruby’s SUV. Funny, Sam couldn’t help thinking. The last time they’d gone to the Heartbreaker Saloon, he had believed Nick to be a rival, and now they were becoming friends. Could tonight be a turning point in his relationship with Ruby, as well?

  RUBY HAD FORGOTTEN that today was Friday, and the small town of Jester was hopping—if you could call it that. There was certainly more activity downtown than she’d seen there in quite a long time. Cars and trucks were parked out in front of the Brimming Cup, open late for weekend business. In front of the Heartbreaker, a group of duded-up cowboys were unloading a shabby trailer proclaiming the owners to be the Rocky Gulch Band, suggesting that there would be live music tonight. And all the parking spaces along Mega-Bucks Boulevard were taken.

  “Wow,” Sam said. “I was here just a couple of hours ago, and this place was all but dead. What the hell happened?”

  Nick laughed. “Friday night in Montana, man. Everybody is out for a good time.”

  “Well, I’m hungry,” Ruby declared. “Sam, find us a parking place, and let’s go before there’s nothing left to eat. I’m starved, and I need to fortify myself so I can dance the night away to the music of the Rocky Gulch Band.”

  “Your wish is my command,” Sam said, steering the SUV into a spot just vacated by a couple of kids who hardly looked old enough to date, much less drive. “Damn,” he muttered. “Were we ever that young?”

  “Unfortunately, yes,” Ruby said, remembering the dances at Jester Public School when she was growing up. They always resulted in couples pairing off and making a trip to the local “lovers lane” down by the creek. “I bet I know where they’re going.” She couldn’t help wishing that just maybe she and Sam would end up in a similar place later on tonight.

  She looked at Sam and then down the street to a couple of teenagers who seemed unable to keep their hands off each other. She was so glad she’d not traveled the road that many of her classmates had, resulting in quickie marriages and kids too soon. She had gone all the way to Bozeman to college, had had a short career and had gotten away from Jester. At least for a few years. And had decided that she liked it better here.

  “There you are,” Honor called, beckoning from the bat-wing doors of the Heartbreaker. “I have the best news.”

  Ruby arched an eyebrow. She had spoken to Honor only yesterday, and her friend had been bemoaning her state of unweddedness. What kind of news could Honor possibly have that she hadn’t had yesterday? Had she met a man in the last twenty-four hours?

  Honor grabbed Ruby by the arm and dragged her inside. “Excuse us for a minute, Sam,” she said, looking over her shoulder. “This is girl talk.”

  Sam nodded. “I’ll get us a table. You know where to find me.” He and Nick headed into the crowded dining area.

  The saloon was definitely more lively tonight than it had been when she and Sam had come a few days before. Most of the tables were filled, and the jukebox was playing full blast, Ruby observed as she followed Honor to a slightly less noisy corner.

  “What is it, Hon? Have you met someone?” It was the only reason Ruby could think of for Honor to be at the Heartbreaker Saloon, even in its new, improved state. Honor had always been quiet and shy. She was more likely to spend her Friday nights reading a book than hanging out at the tavern.

  “I wish,” Honor said, flicking her long blond hair out of her face with a freshly manicured hand. “But you’ve talked me into it. I’m going to take that trip.” She held her hands up for Ruby to see. “Even got my nails done at the Crowning Glory to get ready for it.”

  “What trip?” Ruby remembered discussing the fact that Honor might need a change of scene, but she definitely did not remember twisting her friend’s arm and telling her to go anywhere.

  “I’m going to go around the world. I’ve booked the trip. I’m really going to do it!” she explained excitedly. “I’m going to shop, see the sights and maybe, just maybe, meet Mr. Right,” Honor declared, her gray eyes glowing with excitement.

  Ruby certainly wished her friend luck, but she wondered what would happen to their store if both of them were no longer involved. “What about—”

  “The Mercantile? I’ve got it all figured out.” Honor paused to take a breath, then went on in a rush. “Valerie Simms is looking for something a little more challenging than waiting tables at the Brimming Cup. I thought we could bring her in and teach her the ropes at the store, and she could manage it. She and baby Max can move into the apartment upstairs. That way she’d be close enough to keep an eye on the baby, too.”

  “Well, you certainly have it all figured out, don’t you, Honor?” Ruby said, her head swimming with all that her friend had just told her. “Are you sure that Valerie is up to it?”

  “I won’t be gone forever, and there are other employees there who know what’s going on. Most of the time the place practically runs itself.” Honor smiled. “Valerie will be fine.”

  “But won’t the other ladies feel slighted if they’re passed over for the job?”

  “Already checked. Nobody wants the responsibility. Most of our employees have families and want to be able to go home to them at the end of the day.” Honor waved to someone who had just come in. “This is the perfect thing for Valerie.”

  Ruby glanced through the crowded saloon to see what had happened to Sam and Nick. “Well,” she said slowly, “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. And there’s no sense in letting that apartment sit empty when Valerie could put it to good use.”

  And it would be a good reason to have Sam move all his belongings out to the farm for good. Then maybe she wouldn’t worry so much about him packing up and leaving. “All right, Hon. You do it. Now, I’ve got to go. I have two dates waiting for me.”

  “Two dates?” Honor echoed. “Some people have all the luck.”

  “Hey,” Ruby said, having had a sudden stroke of inspiration. “Why don’t you join us? You haven’t met my cousin Nick yet.”

  “I guess I can,” Honor replied slowly. “I only came over to the Heartbreaker to tell you my decision. Sam told me you were coming here when he passed through the store earlier. I’ll have to call my folks and tell them not to expect me.”

  “You do that, and I’ll go find Sam and Nick.” And, Ruby couldn’t help thinking, if she played her cards right, Nick and Honor would hit it off, and there would be no need for her to take that trip.

  Ruby watched as Honor threaded her way through the crowd to the pay phone on the other side of the room. She really would like a happy ending for her long-time friend. And herself, as well.

  But if she didn’t hurry up and pay attention to the man who’d brought her, that would never happen. She scanned the noisy room and finally located the table where Sam and Nick were seated. Ruby drew a deep breath and hurried over.

  Now she just had to figure out how to orchestrate a happy ending for herself.

  The sooner the better.

  Tonight would work just fine, as far as she was concerned.

  SAM AND RUBY SWAYED to the soft strains of a ballad played by the Rocky Gulch Band. The group wasn’t very good, but what they lacked in talent they made up for in enthusiasm. And Sam wanted to dance as an excuse to get Ruby into his arms.

  These few moments had to sustain him until he could convince his wife that he wasn’t going to leave her again. They had to hold him until Ruby would finally allow him back into her bed as well as her home.

  “Damn, you feel good in my arms,” he murmured, breathing in the sweet, fruity scent of her perfume as he caressed her silky, smooth shoulders.

  “I’ve missed this,” she whispered back, her warm breath so close to his ear sending shivers of anticipation running up and down Sam’s spine.

  “I’ve missed you,” Sam rep
lied huskily, brushing coppery hair away from one milk-white ear. He felt a tingling in his groin, and wondered how he’d disguise it when he was holding Ruby so close. He wanted so much to make love to her, but he didn’t want to push her, even if waiting and holding back was like living in his own private hell.

  Sam glanced up and noticed that Dev had stepped up to the stage and was whispering something to the band. He wondered what that was all about.

  His question was answered quickly enough as the band ended the slow song.

  “I hate to do this to y’all,” the singer said, “but Dev here says the weather bureau has issued a severe storm warning. There’s a big line of thunderstorms heading straight for us, and he figured it would be best if everybody headed on home before the storms hit.” He shrugged and lifted his guitar strap over his head. “So I reckon that was the last song. G’night, folks! Drive safe, y’hear?”

  Sam shouted a silent cheer. That was as good a reason as any to make their excuses and head home. And if Dev Devlin thought the storm front was bad enough to consider closing down the Heartbreaker, then it wasn’t an ordinary storm front. He looked down at Ruby, whose brows were knitted with concern. She’d never liked thunderstorms. “I reckon we’d best get on home, sugar,” he said.

  “I suppose so,” Ruby agreed. “Let’s round up Nick and get going.”

  “Somebody mention my name?”

  Sam turned to see Nick and Honor coming up behind them. “Yeah. Looks like we’re going to have to call it a night.”

  “Okay.” Nick stepped back and looked down at Honor. “Can we take you home?” he asked.

  Ruby arched an eyebrow and gave Sam one of those telling looks. Had she been matchmaking? Sam wondered.

  Honor shook her head. “Thanks, but no. I live just around the corner on Big Draw Drive. I can walk.”

  “We don’t mind dropping you off,” Sam offered. “It’s late and there are a lot of strangers out on the street tonight. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”