by Debra Cowan
“Zoe.”
Though she faced away from him, he saw her run her hands over her face. Was she crying?
He went past the ramp that Jake had built him several years ago to allow him to reach the porch from the street.
Coming to a stop behind her, Quentin cupped her elbow. “What is it?”
She turned, pulling gently from his hold at the same time. Now she looked mad rather than worried. “I’m just clumsy.”
“And you usually aren’t,” he prompted quietly. “Something’s bothering you.”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Sweetheart.” He tugged her toward him until she stood against his footrests. Her skirts brushed the tops of his boots and he caught a whisper of her clean scent. “Tell me.”
“It’s nothing.” She gave him a tremulous smile. “I promise. All day, I’ve been dropping things, misplacing others. I feel like I haven’t done anything right all afternoon.”
Disappointed that she wouldn’t confide in him, he said gently, “You can tell me.”
“There’s nothing to tell. Dropping the chicken was the last straw and it made me mad, but I’m fine now.”
He searched her eyes. She was hiding something. “It’s more than that.”
She shook her head.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She was lying and Quentin thought he knew why. She didn’t trust him enough to confide in him. It was all he could do to hold his tongue.
Though tempted to badger her for answers, he didn’t. He wanted her to tell him because she wanted to.
“I’d better finish supper.” She started to brush past him.
He snagged her hand. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Looking wary, she nodded. “All right.”
“You said you planned to leave when I’m fit enough. I want you to stay. I want you and Zeke both to stay.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why?” Irritation burned through him. “Because you feel something for me and you don’t want to?”
“Partly.”
Taken aback at her bluntness, Quentin paused. At least she hadn’t pulled away from him yet. “And the other part?”
“I don’t think we can make this marriage work.”
They could. That wasn’t the problem. “You mean, you’re afraid to try.”
She was silent for a long moment then nodded. “All right, yes.”
“Pushing you away was one of the worst mistakes of my life, Zoe. When I told you I wouldn’t do it again, I meant it.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“But you don’t believe me.”
“I do.”
“Then what?” His free hand tightened on the wheelchair arm. “What do you want, woman?”
“Nothing. You’ve already done more than enough for me and Zeke. You’ve helped tremendously and I appreciate it.”
“I don’t want your damn gratitude,” he growled. “I want you. I want us to stay married, be a family.”
“I’m not sure I want that.”
A hot sharpness tightened his chest. He forced himself to think past it. “Then staying with me awhile longer can’t hurt. In fact, it could help you decide.”
Did he sound as desperate as he felt? Probably. He saw her glance toward town, toward the Fontaine. The tension he’d noticed earlier returned.
What now? “Zoe?”
Features taut, she looked at him, blue eyes burning into his. “All right. Once you’ve recovered, I’ll stay for a little longer.”
“You will?”
She nodded.
What had made her change her mind? His gaze went past hers, searching for what could’ve prompted her to agree.
He recognized Russ Baldwin’s broad back as the man disappeared into the Fontaine. Egan Weaver, the man from the water company, stood talking to another man Quentin didn’t recognize. Naomi Gerard and her husband, Ef, were closing up the smithy for the day.
What had Zoe wound up tighter than an eight-day watch? Quentin had no idea and he knew she wouldn’t tell him. Not yet anyway.
Directing his attention back to her, he smiled. “Thank you. You won’t be sorry.”
She glanced toward town then moved around him. “I’ll finish supper.”
“I’ll help you.” Watching the sway of her skirts, he wheeled his chair back inside.
Halting in the doorway, he glanced back at the Fontaine. The townspeople he’d seen earlier were gone now.
He’d convinced her to stay awhile longer. To some extent, he was satisfied. But something didn’t sit right. He strongly suspected her agreement to spend more time with him was based on something or someone besides him, but what or who?
Quentin knew she was hiding something from him. Last night, she’d seen the hurt in his eyes, the same hurt he’d once made her feel, and she got no satisfaction from it. She wanted to tell him everything about what she’d overheard at the hotel, but she was afraid of what Weaver might do.
Anxiety chewed at her. Hiding her apprehension from Quentin promised to be as difficult as shoveling sunshine.
After they’d gone to bed, she had worried about it. Her restlessness had woken Quentin.
She’d felt him stir. “Zoe?”
“Hmm.” She had tensed.
“I’m here.”
That was all. He hadn’t pushed, hadn’t said anything else. And she’d been able to sleep after that. Just knowing he was there calmed her. It also made her want to protect him even more.
He had made her all kinds of nervous last night by saying he wanted her to stay. She still wasn’t sure that agreeing to do so was the right thing, but regardless, she was staying. Her leaving might protect Quentin, but it wouldn’t protect Zeke. However, if she stayed, Quentin and Zeke could watch out for each other when she wasn’t around.
Safety wasn’t the only reason Zoe had allowed herself to be convinced. Like Quentin, she wondered if things could work between them. More time together would help her determine if she wanted anything more with him.
That evening, she, Quentin and Zeke arrived at the church just before Egan Weaver’s meeting was scheduled to begin. It was straight-up six o’clock. Every pew in the church was full. Zoe hadn’t seen this many people in here since Jake and Emma Ross’s wedding. Though dismayed at the size of the crowd, she understood.
They were desperate. And Weaver was taking advantage. Eyes narrowing, she watched the lying sack of bones make his way to the front and up to the reverend’s podium! He had some nerve.
She, Quentin and Zeke found a place along the wall with Davis Lee, Josie and their baby. Davis Lee’s brother, Riley, stood a few feet away next to their neighbor, Jake Ross. His brother, Bram, had only just returned empty-handed from chasing a murdering cattle rustler named Cosgrove.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Weaver said over the low din of the crowd. “Thank you for coming tonight. Let’s get started, shall we?”
The room quieted as the man explained that he worked for a company that drilled for water near areas that didn’t have a natural supply.
“After I give you a general overview, I’ll take questions.”
The con man explained that in order to get to the water, the Weaver Water Company needed capital for equipment and labor.
“The citizens of Whirlwind will be given the opportunity to purchase bonds. Money from those sales will be used to drill the well. When the bonds mature, you receive your money back plus interest.”
“And when do the bonds mature?” Davis Lee asked, shifting his dark-haired infant daughter to one shoulder.
Weaver smiled. “One year from the date of purchase.”
It all sounded so legitimate. And maybe it was when some one else was involved. But Zoe knew what Weaver had planned and it was killing her to keep her mouth shut.
A man stepped up beside Zoe and she automatically eased closer to Quentin to give the newcomer some room. “Evenin’, ma’am.”
She froze. She knew that voice. It belonged to the man she’d overheard talking to Weaver yesterday evening in his hotel room. All day, she’d been looking over her shoulder, especially when she had left her job at the Fontaine to have supper with Quentin and Zeke.
The man beside her was her height with a slender build. Neatly combed brown hair, hazel eyes, bland features. There was nothing memorable about him. It probably allowed him to sneak around without much notice.
She flicked a glance at Quentin. His attention was trained on Weaver, who was explaining that his company wanted to drill the water well at Little Bitter Creek near Whirlwind.
The stranger gripped Zoe’s wrist, keeping both their hands hidden by the folds of her skirts.
She tried to jerk away. He squeezed hard and she bit back a gasp at the bite of pain.
“You’d best keep your mouth shut,” he said in a low, cold voice.
Weaver’s gaze locked on hers and her heart kicked hard.
He gestured in her direction. “This is my associate, Cyrus Gordon.”
As the collective gazes of the audience members moved to the man beside Zoe, he released her and bowed to the audience.
She wanted to get away from Gordon something fierce, but she barely had room to move her foot, let alone get to another spot.
Quentin raised his hand, waiting until he could be heard before asking, “Have you done this in other places? What kind of experience do you have?”
Cyrus Gordon drifted away as a murmur of appreciation went through the audience. Zoe rubbed her wrist, glaring after the man.
“Good question, Quentin,” Jake said quietly beside him.
“Excellent questions,” the con man boomed. “Weaver Water Company has been involved with the successful drilling of several water wells in Kansas and Oklahoma Territory. I have some newspaper articles documenting that fact.”
He held up a clothbound volume. “I’ll pass around the book containing the information. Please return it to me at the end of the meeting. I can answer any questions you have. I realize this is hard-earned money you’re thinking of spending.”
And he was stealing it!
“Say we bought these bonds,” Davis Lee spoke up. “When would the drilling start? How long before we’d be able to get water from the well?”
“Drilling would start within a month, Sheriff. It will take that long to get the equipment to Abilene by train then by wagon to Little Bitter Creek. As far as when the water would be available, that depends on how deep we have to drill. Once we hit the pocket of water, it will be ready to use.”
Oooh, Zoe fumed. This made her so mad. Weaver knew exactly what to say to lull these people into trusting him. If she hadn’t overheard his atrocious plan, she’d be halfway to believing him herself.
The lying varmint answered a few more questions. During a lull in which no one asked anything further, the meeting was dismissed. People made their way up to the con man, including Zeke.
Zoe caught a glimpse of the Eishens. Glen and Lettie were first in line, poring over a document Weaver handed them. Zoe prayed the couple wouldn’t fall prey to the snake’s scheme, but she knew they were desperate. Their entire pecan harvest was at risk. The drought had hurt their crop just as it had hurt their neighbors’ livelihoods.
She searched the crowd for Zeke and finally saw his broad shoulders and red hair. He was talking to Cyrus Gordon. Zoe’s stomach knotted. Did Gordon know Zeke was Zoe’s brother, as Weaver did?
Apprehension scraped her already raw nerves. She felt the same cold fear she’d felt when Weaver had first threatened her brother and husband.
Behind her, Quentin, Davis Lee and Jake were talking in low tones. Should she go and fetch her brother? If Gordon didn’t already know the teenager was her brother, that would tell him. But she couldn’t just let Zeke stay with Weaver’s partner.
“Zoe?”
She became aware that Quentin was talking to her. She dragged her gaze from Zeke to her husband.
“You look upset. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Maneuvering his wheelchair so that he faced her, he gave her a flat stare.
She forced a laugh. “I promise. I’m squished flat in here with all these people and it’s hot.”
His mouth tightened, then he turned back to Jake.
Intending to tell Quentin she was fetching Zeke, she touched his shoulder. He glanced up, covering her hand with his.
Jake’s black gaze fell to their hands then he looked at Zoe, speculation in his eyes.
She started to pull away when she saw her brother coming toward her—followed by Cyrus Gordon. Her hand tightened on Quentin’s shoulder and he frowned up at her.
What was Gordon doing? Showing her he could get close to her brother whenever he wanted?
As they neared, the older man guided Zeke forward with a hand on his shoulder. Everything inside Zoe wanted to smack the man’s hand away. Or shoot him! Her free hand curled into a fist.
The two men came to a stop in front of her. Gordon clapped her brother on the shoulder. “I told Zeke you were probably looking for him so I brought him on over.”
“Thank you,” she said tightly.
“Certainly.” The man tipped his hat, his gaze boring into hers for a moment before he moved to the back door. He answered more questions as people left the church.
Relieved that Zeke was back near once again, she turned to Quentin. “Are you ready to go?”
He was studying Weaver, who was still at the front of the church with a few people.
“I want to interview Weaver for the newspaper,” Quentin said. “Find out more about him and this venture.”
Just the thought of Quentin being so close to the con man made her break out in a cold sweat. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
She chanced a look at the swindler and found his attention locked on her. Equal parts anger and fear made her voice sharp. “I don’t like him.”
“We don’t even know him. If I ask him a few questions for the newspaper, we’ll learn something.”
Her first inclination was to protest, but then she realized that her husband’s questions might expose the deception. Or at least raise Quentin’s suspicions.
But what if Quentin’s questions angered Weaver? Or what if he convinced Quentin to purchase bonds? This whole thing burned Zoe up.
Davis Lee and Jake said goodbye, walking out of the church together. Quentin turned toward her just as Zeke moved in front of him.
“Quentin, I found somewhere to invest my money! Mr. Gordon explained that if I buy this bond, I’ll be helping Whirlwind get water. That’s what I want to do.”
“You aren’t buying any bonds,” Zoe said firmly.
“But Zoe—”
“You aren’t, period.”
“It’s my money.” His chin angled at her. “Quentin said I should invest it.”
Her brother was rarely stubborn, but Zoe could see he meant to fight her on this. “I’m sure Quentin will help you find somewhere else to invest.”
“No. This is what I want to do.” He glared at Zoe, who shook her head in exasperation.
Quentin touched her hand. “Your brother’s always been careful with his money. And it is his money.”
All Zoe could see was her brother losing every cent he’d worked so hard for. “No.”
“The Eishens did it!” Zeke burst out.
Quentin nodded. “Never known Glen or Lettie to be foolish with their money.”
If they knew what Zoe knew, they wouldn’t have been this time either.
“No.” She took Zeke’s arm.
He shook her off, glaring, his freckled face red with anger.
She glared back.
Looking at them both, Quentin said, “I’ll go ask Weaver some questions right now. If I’m satisfied with his answers, Zeke can buy a bond.”
Then Quentin would also become a dupe. She couldn’t tell what she knew and she wouldn’t l
et Zeke throw away his money either.
He was her brother. She had always taken care of him and she always would.
“No,” she said to Quentin.
“Zoe, why are you so set against it? I won’t let him do any thing foolish.”
Frustrated and afraid, she snapped, “This is none of your affair. Stay out of it.”
Quentin recoiled as if she’d slapped him. His face went blank in a way she had never seen. It was completely devoid of emotion. The coldness of it made her stomach drop, but she grabbed Zeke’s hand and tugged.
She knew what she’d said was unfair, but she couldn’t take it back.
Zeke looked confused. And hurt. “Zoe?”
“C’mon,” she said. “We’re leaving.”
He looked helplessly at Quentin.
“Zoe, listen,” her husband started.
If she did, Quentin would be able to talk her into whatever he wanted. Just as he had last night.
In a low voice, she said, “I agreed to stay with you for a while longer. I didn’t agree to let you take over my life.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes, then they hardened. He looked at Zeke. “It’s okay, son. I’ll see you later at home.”
He wheeled his chair around and headed toward Weaver, saying to Zoe over his shoulder, “I’ll catch up.”
Fighting anger and uncertainty, she watched him go. She hated this! She shouldn’t have said those things to Quentin. She knew that she owed him an apology.
But she couldn’t offer one. If she did, she would end up telling him everything. He and Zeke would be in danger. And she would be to blame.
Chapter Five
Zoe had to apologize to Quentin. She had fretted about it for the past two days. Even though her words had been motivated by fear, that was no reason to have spoken to him so coldly.
She had avoided the apology and the house because she was close to blurting out the truth about Weaver and his scheme.
Since the town meeting, things had been tense and quiet between her and Quentin. And yet, she never once wondered if he would be home when she returned from work each evening. She knew he would be, despite being angry with her.
Home. That was how Zoe thought of Quentin’s house now, she realized as she stepped up on the wide porch that evening.