Joker's Wild

by Ginny Sterling

  “You don’t have to do anything, Mr. Hillard.”

  “Empress, you know better than that,” he pleaded softly. “Rosemary, let go, honey. Please?”

  “This is interesting,” Arik mused from behind him. Joker didn’t even look back at him. He could feel the manacles clamping onto him. The viper had already struck… and Joker was losing.

  “No- it’s not—and this conversation is over.”

  “Can I help you, Miss?” Arik said kindly, in a voice that was encouraging. Joker saw the encouragement in her gaze as she looked past Joker to the other man behind him. This couldn’t be happening!

  “I’m here to enlist as a Pinkerton agent.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  “Would you just leave me be?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “You want to be an agent?” Arik interjected before he could speak.

  “I thought it would give me a chance to…”

  “No.”

  “No one is asking you!” Rosemary bit out angrily, clenching her hands into fists. “This is not your decision, it’s his. I am tired of men deciding my life for me and being dangled about waiting for the next disaster to befall me. I want to have some sort of control—and if I want to be a Pinkerton agent, then I will be.”

  “You know what it involves?” Arik grinned.

  “No!”

  …Joker did!

  Putting his partner and his wife into danger made his skin crawl with dismay and dread. This couldn’t be happening! He knew what Arik Legend was planning—and the idea made him nauseous.

  “Yes!” Rosemary shouted, glaring at him. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with intensity and fire. Gosh, he adored that about her, but at this very moment, it was quite misplaced.

  “Fine—sounds like we have a plan.”

  “That’s it?” Rosemary replied, sounding a little stunned at the simplicity of the important moment.

  “Don’t do this,” Joker urged, feeling as if he was begging—but unsure as to who it was directed towards. Part of him hoped Rosemary would back out on her own, and another part of him hoped Legend would back down on his own. “Please.”

  “I think this is a brilliant idea, and she seems to be capable of handling herself when pushed into a corner. We need someone that will stick up for themselves—and you need someone that you’ll actually give two beans about… unlike your mail-order bride you jilted recently.”

  The silence in the room was deafening.

  “What?” Rosemary’s expressive eyes swung around and Joker could see dawning awareness in the depths. It didn’t take much to put it together. He’d sent off for a mail-order bride and didn’t follow through. She’d desperately grasped at straws, accepting the first offer of someone to help her.

  He’d practically put her in Espinoza’s clutches and was now planning on doing it once again.

  “I can explain,” he whispered, the words falling lamely from his mouth. He could see the betrayal in her eyes, and the guilt hit him square in the gut harder than any punch he’d ever taken. If he ever had a chance with this beautiful woman, he’d just ruined it.

  “No need,” Arik said magnanimously. “You are both here and there is a criminal out there to be squashed. You need a female partner—she needs an agent to partner up with. Joker, you have your wish.”

  “He wished for me?”

  “We’ll say that is just what happened, won’t we?” Arik chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the desk behind him.

  “Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, Arik,” Joker whispered painfully.

  Chapter 6

  Rosemary was both stunned and horrified to discover that the man she was coming to like had been callous enough to abandon her. Then again, she hadn’t known she was abandoned until moments ago. She had suspected something had been slightly amiss with Martin because he looked so delighted to find out she was there to be a mail-order bride. She’d at first thought it was happiness, then she realized it played into his plan… now it was the fact that he’d foiled a Pinkerton agent’s plans.

  She was embarrassed that she’d gone on and on about how she wanted to be an agent, yet Joker had said nothing. He’d let her ramble on about wanting to be independent. She claimed that she knew what the job entailed, but in under five minutes, she was saying her vows to a man who’d just admitted to abandoning her.

  Left is right, up is down, she reminded herself, and strained to keep from rolling her eyes at the nightmarish comedy that was now her life. She’d escaped one lying oaf to be married to another one.

  Only this time it hurt more than she wanted to admit.

  Both were utterly silent and their ‘I do’s’ were painfully quiet. Neither looked at each other. They didn’t hold hands, nor did they kiss when the vows were over. She simply signed her name on the documents, her penmanship looking extremely feminine next to Joker’s.

  Rosemary Weaver Hillard

  “I’m riding out,” Joker said firmly, holding open the door for her as they walked out onto the street. She could barely keep up with his long strides as he stormed off angrily.

  “You can stay with Molly until I return.”

  “I’m not going to stay here and follow orders.”

  “Weren’t we just in there a few minutes ago?” he asked sarcastically. “To love and obey?”

  “I don’t love you—and I don’t plan on obeying you either.”

  “I don’t love you either, but if you told me to get down, I’d do it because I knew someone was about to shoot.”

  “So, you are telling me to stay here because it keeps me safe?”

  “Yes,” he said in relief, shutting his eyes and looking up to the sky. “Thank God, yes. Just stay here and help Molly…”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “What?”

  “I understood what you said, but husband or partner, you aren’t in control of me. We have an assignment and I plan on helping.”

  “You don’t even realize what it is.”

  “Only because you haven’t told me.”

  “Empress, I’m going after Espinoza.”

  “Then I am definitely going,” she retorted, crossing her arms. “I intend to bring that man to justice and keep him from doing anything to anyone else.”

  “You’re the bait to draw him out,” Joker bit out firmly, staring her dead in the eyes. She could see the anger, frustration, and regret in his eyes. He didn’t want to tell her, she realized painfully—and she understood why.

  “Oh.”

  “Exactly—‘oh’,” he repeated with a despondent sigh. “I’m leaving shortly and you need to decide if you are willing to get captured again by Espinoza to keep this from happening to anyone else.”

  “Joker…?” Rosemary started, laying a hand on his arm nervously. She saw him hesitate and turn where they stood just outside of Molly’s. “I don’t want him to get away with this ever again—but I’m also very cognizant that he will be extremely dangerous.”

  “I know he will be—that is why I didn’t want you to do this.”

  “Just…” she started and hesitated, unwilling to let go of his sleeve where she held it. “Just promise me you won’t leave me there.”

  “Of course not.”

  “You promise?”

  “I couldn’t leave you with him—but you have no reason to trust me either. Remember, I’m the guy who didn’t follow through with picking up my mail-order bride, either.”

  Wincing at his words, she looked up at him, her eyes searching his. He just stared at her, unflinching, his expression unfathomable. After a moment, she released his arm finally, only to have him move quickly, catching her hand in his. She felt the warmth of his skin and the calluses on his palms from years of hard work or riding in the saddle.

  “I’m sorry that it all happened like it did—but I promise I won’t leave you with him, empress. I don’t want you hurt.”

  Rosemary searched his expression and her heart. The idea of be
ing in Espinoza’s clutches again, knowing that he could try to finish unfinished business with her or possibly maim her like he did Mabel, was terrifying. There was something in Joker’s eyes that was reassuring. There was an absolute faith in his gaze that made her realize that he would actually come get her, come hell or high waters.

  “I believe you.”

  Joker smiled slowly and let out his breath nervously.

  “Can you shoot a gun?”

  “No.”

  He cracked a rueful grimace and nodded, his expression pained.

  “You are fixin’ to learn, little lady.”

  “I don’t have a gun.”

  “Be ready to go in an hour. I’ll meet you here.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get our horses… and a gun.”

  As promised, she and Joker were both sitting atop of their horses and riding out of town. Neither said much, and it felt like the gulf between them was impassible. Just when she thought they would have a chance to become friends or perhaps something more, he became hard to read. She just didn’t understand him, nor his reactions.

  They rode for hours and it finally dawned on her that she did not understand which way they were headed, or why. He had said little, other than ‘be ready to go’. He hadn’t taught her how to load or shoot a gun - nor had he given her one.

  “Do you know where to find Martin at?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “So, what are we doing?”

  “Circling.”

  “What?”

  “We are circling outside of Abilene so we are seen by anyone in the area. We’ve done the loop twice and I’m surprised you haven’t asked before now.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Do I look like I’m joking?”

  “Your name?” she snapped, wincing at her tender behind in the saddle. They’d ridden for hours in a circle? Was he dense?

  “Oh yeah,” he grinned. “I guess maybe I was.”

  “We weren’t riding in circles?”

  “We certainly were—but just beyond that pass is a path that leads towards the Oklahoma territory. We’ll head that way.”

  “Will we be safe? I’ve heard there are hostiles up there.”

  “I’ve heard there are hostiles down here,” he countered with a grin.

  “Can’t you say anything straight? If I said the sky was blue, you’d counter me and it would become an argument.”

  “I’d say it was black.”

  “See?”

  “Because it all depends on the time of day and your perception of it,” Joker finished with a smile. “Not everything is an argument—and not everything is black and white. There are more sides to every decision, every facet in this world. Remember, just because it’s not what you’d do—that doesn’t make it wrong.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then you also know that since we’ve circled the city, we’ve passed three men on horseback in the distance and we are being watched by someone, right?”

  “We are?”

  “Yes. So, let’s make it good.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Come this way,” he urged quietly, pulling his horse to a stop. Rosemary pulled back on the reins slightly, drawing her own mare to a stop beside his steed. Joker reached over and took hold of the reins, tugging slightly, and his horse stepped sideways. Joker’s leg brushed hers as the two animals stood side-by-side.

  “They are watching us,” he breathed quietly, leaning forward. “Don’t look around, just look at me and lean towards me.”

  “Shouldn’t we be watching them or riding for help?” she whispered, leaning towards Joker. As she drew closer, she noticed he was staring at her lips, and she felt her breath catch.

  “No, because they are close enough to catch us. First job of a Pinkerton is to be watchful,” he coached, his lip turning up slightly at the corner in a smile.

  “Then why are you watching me?”

  “I’m going to give you a gun and I want you to slip it into the pocket of your gown inconspicuously. I’ve loaded it so you have five bullets. It’s a tiny thing and you should be able to hide it on you. Please don’t shoot yourself or me.”

  “So why am I leaning towards you?”

  “Because I just realized I’ve never kissed my wife,” he murmured, his hand reaching upwards to curl behind her neck as he captured her lips against his. She felt the gasp that escaped her lips as it was swallowed up by him. The warmth and pressure of his mouth made her melt against him, only to feel his hand touch her leg.

  Mercy, he moved quickly! she thought wildly, her heart hammering in her chest as she felt him patting down her leg in a strange fashion.

  “Don’t you want privacy for this?” she breathed, pulling her lips from his and gasping for air. Her lips were tingling and her body was thrumming with excitement at the feeling of his kiss as it rocked through her.

  His laughter split the air unexpectedly as he leaned forward, kissing her again and pressing his cheek to hers.

  “I put the gun in your dress pocket, empress, but I love the way you think. When we have our time together, we’ll definitely be alone with plenty of privacy, sweetheart,” he whispered, his breath caressing her cheeks, which were beet-red with embarrassment.

  “You are a cad.”

  “You are the one who was jumping to conclusions that I was going to bed you, here, in the middle of a field, empress.”

  “I…I…”

  “Yep—just admit that you want me, you loved my kiss, and can’t wait for more - then we’ll both be happy.”

  “Why… you… little…”

  “Tonight? Under the stars? I can make it romantic and keep the snakes and spiders away.”

  “Then how are you planning on bedding me if I married the snake?”

  “Oh ho! She’s got a sarcastic temper,” he laughed, nudging his horse forward. “C’mon honey. Let’s get moving and see if they follow.”

  “You aren’t worried?”

  “Oh, I’m worried,” he corrected quietly. “I don’t want them to shoot me and take you. I’d rather you got caught away from me, but well within sight, so I can follow.”

  “So, you kissed me just so you could arm me?”

  “No, I kissed you because I’ve wanted to from the moment I saw you,” Joker admitted honestly, the truth shining in his eyes as he actually looked shy for a moment, all pretense dropping from his face. There was no more teasing, no taunting, and no exaggerating. He was being completely candid with her, and it was humbling.

  “It was worth the wait too,” he confessed, not looking away.

  “I’d prefer a room, instead of our first time being under the stars.”

  Her face heated with embarrassment at her blunt and candid confession. If he could be honest with her, she could at least face her own feelings and emotions racing through her too.

  The intensity in his gaze seemed to burn like molten lava. His golden caramel gaze melted with heat as he looked on her. It was like they were truly seeing each other for the first time.

  “Really?” he whispered, almost incredulously. Was it so surprising to think she could be attracted to the man that was her husband? She’d thought he was handsome from the very beginning, even if he was infuriating. He would certainly keep things interesting between them for a long time.

  “Don’t make me regret confessing it to you,” she blurted out shyly.

  “I’m just surprised, humbled, and happy that you feel like that. I could only wish and pray that my wife would look at me like you do, you know? I’m kinda rough around the edges sometimes.”

  “You are my husband now,” Rosemary said simply.

  “We don’t have to do anything at all,” Joker countered, backpedaling, and she knew he was trying not to pressure her into anything. She almost smiled at the idea of him being some sort of knight-in-shining-armor, but in the wrong time, wrong place. He was gracious and kind to be so considerate of her.

&n
bsp; “This is a strange discussion to be having on horseback, in a field, and we are being followed—but then again—you’ve been strange from the get-go.”

  “Original,” he corrected with a grin.

  “You are original, all right,” she teased, trying to play off the moment that seemed to batter down all the walls between them.

  “Do you regret any of this? It’s not too late to back down. I could take you back to Molly’s, if you like?”

  “Joker?”

  “Yes?”

  “Hush, please—and no—we aren’t going back.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he grinned proudly, nudging his horse into a quicker pace.

  Chapter 7

  As the sun began to set on the horizon, they brought their horses to a stop and removed the saddles, setting up to make camp. Rosemary had no idea where they were, only that they were staying off main roads and making their way northward at a very slow pace. It was like Joker was baiting whoever it was following them, to make a move at some point.

  He built a small fire, and they sat around it, talking softly. She knew she was blabbering on about nothing, but the idea that someone was out there, following them, made her nervous. She kept wanting to ask questions, see what he thought, but in a soft kiss on the cheek he’d cautioned against it.

  “Our voices will carry, keep the conversation light.”

  “I will.”

  “You’ll be safe,” Joker began, caressing her cheek as any husband would. She saw the tender emotion in his gaze and wondered in disbelief if he felt this way deep down inside, or if it was for show. It filled her with doubt that she could actually be so very lucky.

  He seemed so nice, so kind.

  “When we get to our destination, can I see about purchasing another dress? I’d like one of calico, if possible.”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you have a preference in color?”

  “It’s your dress,” he laughed easily. “Pick what you want, honey.”

  “It’s your money.”

  “True—and I appreciate you asking.”

  “Tell me about the Oklahoma territory. What made you decide to go that direction instead of towards Dallas or Houston?”