Forbidden Fire

by Bonnie K. Winn

  Turning on his heel, Jake left the meeting, breathing in the cold air gratefully as he stalked across the street and entered the back door of the saloon. With sure steps he traced a path to Morgan’s door. Knocking lightly, he entered, his mouth working before his gaze focused. “Hell, Morgan. I—” He stopped abruptly, staring at Daphne, who looked at him with interest. “I’m sorry. I thought Morgan was in here.”

  Daphne walked from behind Morgan’s desk, her hips swaying suggestively as she approached. Jake swallowed and took an unconscious step backward at the intent he saw in her eyes. But she didn’t seem to mind, advancing even as he retreated.

  “I can come back when Morgan’s here.”

  Daphne’s smile revealed perfectly shaped pearly teeth. “I can assure you that I’m more fun than he is.”

  Jake bumped into a chair as he continued to back up. “I’m sure you’re right, Miss Daphne, but—”

  “Just Daphne.” The distance between them was disappearing at an alarming rate.

  “It’s just that I’m not looking for fun,” Jake explained.

  “Obviously. Or you wouldn’t have pursued Katherine.” Her smile was sly, and Jake felt a curl of revulsion start.

  “I don’t want to discuss Katherine,” Jake stated, deciding to halt and take a stance.

  “Me, either.” Daphne had reached him and laid her hands on the lapels of his coat. “I’d rather spend that time talking about us.”

  Gently but firmly he removed her hands. “I’m flattered, Daphne, but not interested.”

  Her fingers curled into talons as she tried again. “I don’t think you understand. I can show you a fine time, Jake.” She flicked her tongue over full pink lips. “I’m not prissy like Katherine.”

  No, she was nothing like Katherine. The comparison sickened him.

  “You’re a pretty woman, Daphne. You don’t need to be chasing men.”

  A glint of rage shone in her deceptively soft eyes. “I know that. Men come after me. Me.” She threw her head back proudly, and he watched her cling to that pride.

  Realizing that her feelings had been hurt, he withdrew his hostility. “I can see that, Daphne.” But she wasn’t listening as she stormed past him, cheeks flaming. “Daphne!”

  But it was Morgan’s gamin face that poked around the frame of the doorway. “Did you set a keg of dynamite off under her?”

  Jake raked his hands through already tousled hair. “Hell.”

  “If that’s a predication, I’ll stay out here.”

  Sinking into a chair, Jake expelled a disgusted breath.

  “Since I think it’s still my office, I’ll chance it.” Morgan strolled in, smiling at Jake’s discomfort. “What brought all that on?”

  “I don’t have any idea. I came in here looking for you, and the next thing I knew she was all over me.”

  “Some sort of lethal attraction you have, friend?”

  “Funny.” Jake thumped the edge of the desk with his boots.

  “So what brings you here—other than our entertainment?” Morgan pulled out a cigar and a match. The flare and aroma of sulfur filled the air as the match sputtered and lit.

  Jake let the reference to Daphne pass. He could see that Morgan was enjoying the situation. But it wasn’t a mean-spirited baiting. “Just came from the town council meeting.”

  Smoke billowed toward the ceiling. “Now, that must have been a fun time.”

  “Sort of like having your fingernails yanked out one at a time.”

  Morgan’s eyebrows rose in acknowledgment. “They taking everything out on you?”

  “Worse. Using their power for personal gain. Browning’s got the rest of them acting like a bunch of sheep. What he says goes. The rest are afraid to cross him.”

  “Including Rebecca’s father?” Morgan asked.

  “I got the feeling he wanted to say something, but after one look from Browning he kept quiet.” Jake rose and paced the carpet in front of Morgan’s desk.

  “Those kids need their parents,” Morgan mused, his usual cynicism gone for a moment. “Katherine’s trying to help them, but it’s not the same.”

  Jake acknowledged Morgan’s words, then delved into the subject, never hovering far from his thoughts. “When Able slapped that lawsuit against you, I knew I shouldn’t have brought them here. If you lose your lease, it’ll be my fault.”

  “Katherine could have said no. She realized the risks.” Morgan puffed again on his cigar.

  “Which left you little to say on something that could cost you a fortune.”

  Morgan shrugged. “It’s all part of our partnership. Right or wrong, we support each other.”

  Jake wondered suddenly if he and Katherine would ever establish that kind of trust. It was hard to duplicate the duration of Morgan and Katherine’s partnership, bonds that had been formed since adolescence.

  “More than the town council eating at you?” Morgan questioned.

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “Probably not to everyone.”

  No, Jake thought. Only a good friend could see his torment. Which made it all that more difficult. Their feelings for Katherine was one thing they tacitly agreed not to discuss. And Jake’s relationship with her was at the root of what was gnawing at him. “You’re right. I just told that bunch that my job here wasn’t done. But I’m not sure.”

  “You thinking of pulling out?” Morgan banked the cigar in an ashtray, gazing intently through the smoke still remaining in the air.

  Jake stopped pacing and settled back in the chair. “It’s not that black and white. And everything I do seems to be pushing me toward the gray.”

  “Morgan, I—” Katherine’s voice stopped abruptly when she saw both Jake and Morgan staring at her. “If you’re busy, I can come back later.”

  “We’re just talking. Come in.” Morgan waved her to the other chair.

  But Katherine hesitated near the doorway, finally perching on an ottoman that was situated somewhere between the two men. Jake’s gaze narrowed. It was apparent her ability to decide between them was still in question.

  “What’s on your mind?” Morgan questioned lazily, but Jake had seen the alertness Morgan easily kept hidden alight when she entered the room.

  “Just business we can discuss later.” Katherine plucked at her skirt, a sign of nervousness that she tried to hide by pretending to smooth the material before glancing in turn at the men.

  Jake stared at her, pleased when she glanced up and met his gaze, her cheeks pinkening in reaction. Tension crackled in the room, and Jake pulled his eyes away, aware of his friend’s watchful presence.

  An awkward silence settled between the three of them. Katherine’s smile grew a bit desperate, and she whipped around with relief when Vance knocked on the door.

  “Solicitor’s here.”

  “Have him wait in the parlor,” Morgan instructed before turning to Katherine. “Were you expecting him?”

  “No.” Dread started filling her face.

  “Hold on, Katherine. We haven’t been to court yet. It can’t be more bad news.” Morgan’s practicality won out, and she looked slightly relieved.

  “I’ll go so you can meet with him.” Even though the outcome of the case would affect his future as much as theirs, Jake was an outsider as far as the business was concerned, and he knew it. He headed out the back way as Katherine and Morgan went to meet the solicitor.

  Even though Morgan’s words made sense, Katherine’s hands clenched into painful fists as they neared the parlor.

  The solicitor stood at attention when they entered the room. “Miss O’Shea, Mr. Tremaine.”

  “Mr. Stanlin. We weren’t expecting you.” Katherine was surprised that her voice remained remarkably steady.

  “When I didn’t get a reply to the telegram I sent, I was compelled to come in person.”

  “Telegram?” Katherine and Morgan’s voices echoed in unison.

  “Didn’t you receive it?” Mr. Stanlin’s already fussy, nervous
face tightened even further.

  Katherine and Morgan gazed at each other and then shook their heads negatively.

  “What about my letters?” Mr. Stanlin asked.

  “We’ve gotten a great deal of mail from you,” Katherine responded. Her gaze connected again with Morgan’s. “But I suppose I can’t say for certain we’ve received every one.”

  “We’ll have to sort through them and see. But more urgent was the telegram. The court received a request for a restraining order.”

  Morgan and Katherine could only stare at him blankly.

  “Not content to wait for the outcome of the lawsuit concerning your lease, the town council has requested an injunction to halt operation of your business until the matter is settled,” Mr. Stanlin informed them.

  “What!” Morgan jumped to his feet, all restraint gone. Katherine felt the blood drain from her face.

  “They can’t do that, can they?” She sounded weak, uncertain. Suddenly her future seemed very precarious.

  “The basis for their suit is that your business is causing irreversible detriment to the community and that the damage must be halted immediately.” Mr. Stanlin’s expression was a combination of regret and resignation.

  “What can we do to fight them?” Morgan’s voice was laced with anger, and Katherine looked at him in surprise. He’d told her it was time for them to cut their losses and leave Browning. She hadn’t expected him to be willing to fight to stay.

  “Morgan?” she asked quietly.

  “Damn it, I’m not going to let a bunch of pinch-faced little tyrants shut us down.”

  Katherine took a deep breath, grateful for Morgan’s support. Then she turned her attention to their attorney. “Mr. Stanlin, what can we do to fight this?”

  Stanlin cleared his throat. “Actually, you have a few viable options. The burden of proof is on the plaintiffs. What you need to provide is a reasonable defense.”

  “And how do we go about that?” she asked, trying to hang on to her patience.

  “The best and most effective way would be to produce witnesses from the community willing to testify that the suit has no merit.”

  Katherine and Morgan’s eyes met. Their choices were rather limited in that aspect.

  Morgan’s tone was cautious. “What if we had one witness who would be considered a pillar of the community?”

  Katherine’s eyes flew to her partner in dismay. But she didn’t speak as the solicitor weighed Morgan’s words. “Actually that could be more effective than a parade of witnesses with no real standing.”

  “And if we don’t produce a witness?” Katherine’s voice was scarcely more than a whisper.

  Mr. Stanlin shook his head slowly. “Truthfully I would have to say your chances wouldn’t be good. With a witness we could have the injunction set aside at least until after the suit comes to court about your lease.”

  “Can we wire you when we know if we can produce a witness?” Katherine asked.

  “Yes. I certainly hope your outgoing telegrams are handled more efficiently than the incoming ones.” Mr. Stanlin’s attention was fastened on his bulging portmanteau, and he didn’t see the look of concern that passed between Morgan and Katherine. “If I hadn’t come out here in person, the court date would have gone by unrepresented, and you would have lost by default.”

  “Perhaps you could sort through the letters and make sure we received everything,” Katherine suggested.

  “By all means. And I’d suggest you check with your telegraph operator and make sure you’re notified when you have a wire.” Mr. Stanlin stood and prepared to follow Katherine to her office. She met Morgan’s eyes grimly. It was apparent the wire had been purposely waylaid. It was frightening to wonder just how far their opponents would go to close them down. As they walked toward her office, the unspoken thoughts seem to reverberate in the stillness. Had those tactics included attempted murder?

  Chapter 36

  “Beth, I don’t see why you asked Jake to help sort through the trunks in the storeroom. Any of our own men could have helped.” Katherine was exasperated, and she looked at Jake in apology.

  “I don’t mind,” he replied.

  “See, Katherine. He’s quite willing.” Beth’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, I forgot something.” Her dress rustled as she exited the storeroom.

  Katherine smiled at Jake. “You know how young girls are. They—” Her words were interrupted by the distinct sound of the key clicking in place from the outside. “Beth!”

  But after calling out for several minutes, Katherine turned back to Jake with a sheepish grin. “It seems we’re locked in.”

  “If I’d known this is how young girls behaved, I’d have been friendlier to Beth all along.”

  “I’m sure she’s only expecting us to talk and—”

  “It’s the ‘and’ part that sounds interesting to me,” he replied.

  Unreasonably shy, she reacted in a coltish manner. “You’re surely not suggesting that we, you…”

  “I’ve never known Kitty O’Shea to be tongue-tied before.” Jake smiled. “I think I like it.”

  She rattled the doorknob fruitlessly. It was firmly locked in place, and her sister had the key. “I can’t imagine what came over Beth,” she fretted.

  “Whatever it was, I’m grateful.”

  “Jake!”

  “We haven’t had two minutes alone. Everywhere you go, there’s someone watching.” He gazed around the snug room. “Unless they’re invisible, no one’s looking in here.”

  Realizing he’d made a very good point, she was still reluctant to acquiesce. How did she know her little sister wouldn’t make a reappearance at any moment?

  “Come here.”

  Stubbornly she refused to move, so Jake came to her. But he didn’t try to embrace her or even capture her lips. Instead he gently picked up her hand.

  Despite her misgivings, she followed him. He made a seat of rice and flour sacks, then pulled her down with him. His arm draped around her shoulders, and despite her intentions she snuggled into the perfect fit next to his side.

  “Isn’t this better than arguing?” he asked, once again holding her hand.

  “Yes,” she admitted grudgingly.

  “Did you really think I’d expect more, knowing Beth might come back at any moment?”

  Katherine bent her head downward for a moment, mumbling, “It’s just that we haven’t been alone in some time. I don’t know what I thought.”

  “I’d love nothing better than to be inside you.” His husky voice sent a flame of desire whipping through her with a weakening intensity. “But we’ll be alone again. I’ll make sure of that. I’ll love you a long, long time so we can savor every second.”

  His words made the chilly storeroom seem suddenly overly warm and closed in. “How do you plan to escape all the watchful eyes?” she asked, her own tone huskier.

  “Nothing’s happened since the wagon incident. I think it’s safe to go out to the cabin.” Jake smoothed her hair, and she thought briefly of the waylaid telegram, but decided against mentioning it. There was no proof the two incidents were connected, and she and Morgan were still arguing over whether to ask Jake to testify. For the moment, keeping him in ignorance seemed best.

  “I would like that.” Closing her eyes, she disregarded the possible danger, instead soaking up the strength Jake’s presence offered. “When do you suppose Beth will let us out?”

  Jake chuckled as he secured his arm around her. “If we’re lucky, not till tomorrow.”

  Several hours later Sadie paused at the entrance to Katherine’s office, hearing the voices rise in dissention. It was unusual, and she wasn’t sure if she should leave without announcing her presence.

  “Damn it, Katherine, if we don’t get a witness to testify, we might as well pack up now.”

  “If we ask Jake, it will compromise him. He’s already been asked to make too many choices already.”

  “Whose fault is that?” Morgan returned.

/>   “Please, not now. We have a court date to worry about.” Katherine’s voice lost some of its belligerence, and weariness crept into her tone.

  “One that we can’t possibly win without a witness,” Morgan reminded her. “I’ve been looking for you all morning to discuss this. Where were you?”

  Katherine demurred, not wanting to tell him about being locked in the storeroom with Jake. “It’s not important.”

  Sadie backed away from the office quietly, their voices fading as she walked down the hall. Entering the kitchen, she was pleased to see both Hattie and Beth.

  “Hello, Miss Sadie,” the cook greeted warmly. “How them biscuits comin’ these days?”

  “Better with every batch. Do you suppose I could talk you out of a cup of coffee?”

  “Why, you surely can.” Hattie found fresh beans to grind while Sadie took a seat opposite Beth.

  “Hello, Mrs. Browning,” Beth said politely.

  “Beth, could I talk to you?”

  Puzzled, Beth smiled. “Certainly.”

  Sadie dispensed with chitchat. “I overheard Katherine and Morgan discussing the need for a witness in court. Would you know anything about that?”

  Beth cast her glance downward momentarily. “I’m not supposed to, but I’ve heard them talking. The town council is trying to shut the saloon down. If they don’t find a witness from town who’s willing to say that the saloon isn’t a detriment to the community, they’ll probably lose.”

  “This is in addition to the lawsuit about the lease?” Sadie said in disbelief.

  “Yes. I’m not sure what they’re going to do. Morgan wants to ask Jake to testify, but Katherine’s against the idea.”

  “I see.” Sadie frowned.

  “Do you have any ideas, Mrs. Browning?”

  “I think I might. But I’d better wait until Katherine and Morgan calm down.”