by Diane Darcy
“Wait here.”
He crossed the huge foyer to talk to the handyman. “You need to make yourself scarce, and you need to do it right now.”
Surprise registered on Mr. Newby’s face, and then he tilted his head to the side so he could see around Boone’s broad shoulders to look at the woman standing at the front desk. “Sure, boss.” His gaze turned crafty. “But it’s gonna cost you.”
Boone shook his head. “I’m really not in the mood for this right now.”
“It’s nothing like that, I just need the afternoon off to take care of something.”
“Go, then. Just disappear.”
With a touch to his hat, Peter Newby took off down the corridor.
Boone crossed the room once more, grabbed Lucy by the wrist, and hauled her behind him on his way out the front doors.
“Was that man a relative of yours? I thought I heard someone call him Newby.”
“There are a lot of Newbys in the area.”
She hurried to keep up with him. “Are you throwing me out?”
“No, I’m going with you.”
“Oh. Well, I must say, the hotel looked very nice. Have you done a lot of work on it?”
He didn’t respond.
She dug her heels in and pulled on his grasp until he released her. She stopped. “Boone, I made a mistake.”
He turned to face her.
“I admit it. Can you forgive and forget? Hopefully, I’ll have learned something by it. I know that you are an honorable, upright man, and I won’t disbelieve your word again.”
A sliver of unease ran through him. He was actually lying to her right at this moment.
Perhaps he’d been overreacting.
He hesitated, considered leaving her here, and then looked into her beautiful face. Her earnest expression swayed him the other way.
“Would you like a tour of the building?”
Relief shown in her gaze. “Yes, I’d love one.”
They went back inside and Boone settled Lucy on a bench in the foyer while he went to find his foreman. “I want you to let everyone go home early today.”
Surprise lit the older man’s face. “You sure, Boss?”
“I am.”
The foreman made the announcement and a cheer went up as everyone started to pack up and go home. Word was passed swiftly along.
Within fifteen minutes they had the hotel to themselves.
Boone rejoined Lucy and walked her through the elaborate foyer with its huge chandelier, into the dining room with the hardwood floors, tables and chairs, and the view out the big picture windows.
Enjoying impressing her, he showed her the kitchens with the newest of gadgetry, and then the view out on the balcony overlooking the valley.
He deemed it inappropriate to show her the empty bedrooms, and so he took her to the indoor swimming pool where the air was humid and muggy.
As they slowly relaxed in one another’s company once more, he wished things were different, but decided that he would take what he could get.
“This swimming pool is the pride and joy of this place. It’s the first in town. It was just finished last week, and it finished filling yesterday.”
She looked appropriately impressed, glancing around at the wood floors, marble columns, and glass and wood-beamed ceiling. “It’s beautiful.”
He looked around at the tile work, the big windows, the lush towels set upon tall shelves, the leisure chairs and glass tables. “Thank you. Do you want to swim?”
She looked hesitant.
“There are swimsuits for the guests, already in the closets. In the dressing rooms.”
She looked at him shyly. “All right.”
She’d managed to surprise him. “All right?”
She nodded her head. “Yes, I’ll swim with you.”
He couldn’t escort her to the ladies’ dressing room fast enough.
Lucy headed out to the swimming area, and had to admit that it felt like they were sneaking around, getting away with something, and… it was fun.
Her swimsuit was modest, she was still feeling a little shy, and, all right, she knew dang good and well that her mother would not approve of the situation.
But Lucy wasn’t a child. She was an adult and then some. Her mother had born two children by Lucy’s same age. Lucy could certainly handle this.
They both got into the water at separate ends of the pool. Still not looking at him, she slowly walked down the stairs and into the lukewarm water, holding tight to the handrail.
The water temperature was perfect, and felt wonderful in the sultry confines of the room.
Boone swam toward her.
She waded toward him, out into the water, and then nervously moved to the edge.
“Do you like it?”
She nodded. “I do. Very much.”
“I expect the pool will get a lot of use in the summer months, and where it’s indoors, and fed with an unlimited supply of natural hot spring water, the winter months as well.”
She grinned. “Can you imagine?”
He looked pleased. “Yes. Yes, I can.”
She grinned at him. “You sound very proud. Did you have a hand in building it?”
“I did.”
She swam away from him and a moment later he followed. She settled on the stairs on one side of the handrail, and he sat on the other.
They didn’t say anything for a moment, but she caught him looking at her. “What is it?”
“I have a question, but I don’t want to seem too intrusive.”
She shrugged. “Ask.”
“About your ex-fiancé…”
She shook her head wondering if she was imagining the jealous tone, then chuckled. “What about him?”
“What happened, exactly?”
She shrugged. “After a long courtship, we were engaged.” She shrugged again. “Everyone expected it. We’ve known each other forever, or I should say, our families have known each other forever. Everyone always thought we’d marry.”
“If only it were that easy to pick out a spouse.”
She was surprised by his comment. “Sometimes it is. My own parents were married in much the same way.”
He grumbled and finally said, “Are they happy?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. I suppose so.”
He grumbled again, but she heard his words this time. “Mine were not.”
She splashed a bit of water on him. “This conversation is too serious for a swimming pool.” She splashed again, giggled, and swam away.
It didn’t take him long to catch her, however.
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. He was tall enough to touch the bottom, and she wasn’t, and had to cling to him.
Their bodies floated together.
He was like a magnet to her and her heart thundered in her chest and it wasn’t from the exertion of the short swim.
“This is probably not a good idea,” she said.
They stared at each other… heartbeat…heartbeat…heartbeat.
And then he was kissing her. Once, and then again. And then they were both kissing, mouths pressing and frantic.
She clung to him, the sensation of him against her heady, overwhelming, as he growled into their kiss.
Oh. Dear. She could not handle this. Him.
No wonder her mother wouldn’t have approved of this situation!
She’d been kissed before, of course, she had, but it had been nothing like this and despite the water, she felt afire!
She pulled away and sucked in air. “We have to stop.”
“Agreed.” He was breathing heavily as well and she could feel his heart pounding against her chest, or was that her own? With his body pressed to hers she could scarcely breathe for the sensations bombarding her.
He was suffering similarly, unable to catch his breath, and the realization that he was reacting to her in much the same way was heady, exciting.
She remembered the few kisses she’d shared over t
he years. Nothing had prepared her for this. For Boone.
As to Mr. Hargraves, well, goodness. She might as well have been kissing her own brother.
Was that why he’d sought another woman?
She slowly disengaged and Boone slowly let her go. She swam to cling to the side of the pool once more.
Boone swam in the opposite direction.
A good call in her opinion. They shouldn’t get too close to each other or, despite the water, they just might combust!
Chapter 11
Boone was glad to let her go for the moment.
Things were heating up between them far too fast. When he’d invited her swimming, it hadn’t been to seduce her.
At least, he didn’t think so. Not consciously.
But he hadn’t foreseen this, had he? When he’d decided he was done with Lucy, he’d been serious.
His mother had told him to forgive her. He hadn’t thought he’d be able too, but one disarming conversation later and he couldn’t get enough of her.
Besides, she wasn’t the only one at fault. He was starting to feel sort of guilty about the fact that he was lying about who he was.
But he didn’t want to give up the pretense. Didn’t want her to know who he was yet. He was having fun. She was fun. And if he could forgive her, then hopefully, she could forgive him later.
He couldn’t get enough of her. She was beautiful and far too tempting.
He might end up married to the girl.
He waited for the thought of it to shock him, but it didn’t. What settled within him was the rightness of it.
With the thought of marrying her in mind, he wondered if actually seducing her would be such a bad thing.
Beyond the morality of it, someone could walk in on them and it would ruin her reputation.
He would never do that to her so he needed to keep his distance.
Speaking of which, the mayor was going to kill him when he snatched yet another school teacher away.
That was a problem for another day.
He glanced over to see Lucy floating on the other side of the pool.
Wet, clothes clinging, she was far too alluring. He sucked in a breath.
Right now, the problem was letting Lucy out of this pool.
Somehow, he needed to find the will power to let her go.
He let himself sink to the bottom of the pool, hoping the water, lack of oxygen, or even the inability to see would cool his ardor.
One thing was for certain. Swimming was definitely out for the rest of their courtship.
Boone was acting strange.
She still wasn’t sure why he rushed her out of the swimming pool so fast. When he’d decided that he was done swimming, that was it. He’d jumped out of the pool, told her to get some clothes on, and rushed into the men’s dressing room.
She’d slowly followed, confused by his abrupt manner.
And now he’d stopped a couple of houses away from her boarding house.
He wasn’t going to drive her all the way? Why not? With the way he was acting she wouldn’t have been surprised if he dropped her at the end of the road and let her make her way the rest of the way home on her own.
Her hair was still damp, and she wondered how she would explain that to Mrs. Collier.
Perhaps she could sneak inside.
She faced Boone when he lowered her beside the wagon. She didn’t want to let him go. She didn’t want to be parted from him. But the man was obviously in a hurry for some reason. “Would you like to come to church with me tomorrow?”
“I can’t.”
That sort of hurt, but after the way he kissed her, she wasn’t going to just let it go. “Why not? I hope you’re not the sort of man who doesn’t attend church?”
“Of course, I go to church. I am definitely a man of faith.” He seemed to stress the words. “It’s just that I have something going on tomorrow.”
She glanced up the road toward the boardinghouse, and then back at him again. She didn’t know what was going on. The man seemed to blow hot, and then cold where she was concerned.
She stood there, wondering if he would kiss her again, wondering if that’s why he’d stopped here, hoping he would.
Was it her imagination, or did he look guilty for some reason?
He turned away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You will?”
“I’ll come by and pick you up after church.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Why was he acting so strange?
“We could talk now.” She looked up the road toward the boarding house. “Mrs. Collier has a swing on her front porch.”
“No. Not here.”
He was really acting strange.
“All right. Where then? Perhaps I could see your house tomorrow? I’d like that.”
“No, that is definitely not a good idea.”
A lady wouldn’t push. But after the way he’d kissed her earlier, she was of the impression that he wanted more from her. If she was wrong, he’d have to tell her so outright.
“If you have a humble home, Boone, it’s not going to bother me, I promise.”
He was looking slightly agonized now. “We’ll talk tomorrow, all right?”
As he was climbing into the wagon, she guessed it would have to be.
“All right. Tomorrow then.”
Boone needed some advice.
He headed down to his favorite saloon, and found just the man he was looking for.
Samuel Davenport.
Granted, the man was his business rival, but he also considered him a friend. Some of the time, anyway.
“Davenport.”
Samuel turned and looked glad to see him, which wasn’t always the case. “Boone! Where have you been lately?”
“Around.”
“I hear you’ve been seen with the new girl.”
No surprise there. Though the town was booming, and new people arrived every day, they somehow all kept tabs on each other.
“Yep.”
“I hear she’s a looker.”
“She is.”
Something in his tone sharpened Samuel’s gaze. “Is it serious?”
“Maybe.”
The bartender set his usual drink down in front of him and Boone knocked it back. No doubt if Lucy saw him doing that she’d peg him for the town drunk.
Samuel grinned. “Do tell.”
Boone hesitated.
“Come on, spill it.”
And so, Boone did. He told Samuel his predicament, told him how Lucy didn’t know who he was, and also told him he didn’t want to do anything about it yet.
Samuel whistled. “So, she doesn’t know you’re rich?”
Boone shook his head.
Samuel laughed. “And she likes you? You lucky son-of-a-gun.”
Boone shrugged. “I thought someone would tell her by now. As of today, I’m actually lying to her.”
Samuel laughed harder. “If this is a problem for you, maybe I should court her?”
“Stay away from her!”
“When are you going to tell her?”
“I’m thinking about telling her tomorrow. I want to do it on my own terms, before someone else spills the beans.”
Samuel lifted a shoulder. “Just apologize, and then beg. In my experience, women seem to fall for that.”
Boone wasn’t so sure. He didn’t want to risk losing her.
“It will probably be good news that your rich, you know. Ever think of that?”
“Maybe.”
Samuel slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry so much about it. When the time is right, you’ll know it.”
“So, how’s business?”
They caught up, and as things were going well for them both, and they shared some investments, the rest of the conversation took the better part of an hour.
“I’m serious about the copper,” Samuel said. “It’s going to be big. You’re gonna want to be in on it.”
“She is a looker! I’d like to get me some of that!”
“She teaches over at the school?”
That caught Boone’s attention. And he slowly turned in his seat. They did not just say that! Boone exploded out of his seat and grabbed the other guy by his shirt front. “Are you talking about my girl?”
“Your girl? She just got to town!”
Boone drew back his fist, and the fight exploded.
Boone got hit square in the face, and his first thought was he was worried he’d end up with bruises on his face.
That was a new one.
The barkeeper and a couple of his hired men quickly threw Boone and the others out into the street.
Samuel followed behind. “Did you win?”
“Of course, I did!”
Just then he got hit over the back of the head with something hard, and dropped to his knees.
He could hear Samuel yelling, and could feel himself fading from consciousness.
He hoped that Lucy didn’t hear about this. He didn’t want her to add brawler to the womanizing and drinking she was worried about.
Maybe she wouldn’t notice a few extra bruises?
The last thing he saw, was Samuel laughing down at him.
Chapter 12
Boone saw Lucy the next day.
He was hiding, waiting for her, and hoping to get her alone. She was walking home from church with Mrs. Collier, but luckily, the older woman was intercepted by his mother.
Thank you, Mother!
Lucy walked on alone, and as she neared him he intercepted her. She looked pretty as a picture with a blue ribbon fluttering in her hair.
She took one look at his face and expressed concern. Her eyes widened. “Are you all right? What happened?”
So much for hiding the fact that he’d been brawling.
And conversely, he was pleased that she was worried. He’d really like to lie and tell her that he’d run into a burning building or something and saved a bunch of children, but he was done lying to her. “Oh, nothing to fuss about. Just got in a little brawl. No worries, I’m a fast healer.”
“A brawl!”
When he looked at her he remembered the kisses from the night before, and reached out to cup her elbow, needing the connection. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her again.