She pushed up, her concerned eyes locking with his. “Do you want to talk now?”
He drew in a deep breath, nodding. Lifting so his back rested against the wall, he settled an arm across her shoulders, bringing her down so her head rested on his shoulder.
“I didn’t like the way today ended between us. I’d hoped by coming up here, maybe we could put aside what happened in the past.” He sighed. “I’m not your enemy, Caro.”
Her chest tightened. “What are you?”
“Your friend. I’ll always be your friend.”
“Friends.” The word pushed through her lips, understanding gradually hitting her. She looked away, turning her back to him, and grabbed her wrapper. “This wasn’t supposed to happen, was it?” Standing, she slipped on the sheer fabric, crossing her arms to hold the front closed, stepping away from the bed.
Climbing off the bed, he grabbed his shirt, unable to stop the pain he’d caused by letting his desire rule him. Beau knew his love for her was real, a throbbing need he couldn’t escape. What he didn’t know was if he could ever believe she came here to stay, be able to find happiness with him in a wild frontier town.
He’d come here to talk, to mend their friendship, not make love. Taking a step closer, he reached out, caressing her cheek. “No, it wasn’t.”
“I see.” Her voice broke, her hand fisting at her mouth as the reality of what they’d done crashed around her. The passion she’d felt minutes before dissolved as anger swelled. Whipping around to face him, she took a step forward. “It’s time for you to leave.” Picking up his hat, she tossed it at him before walking to the door.
“Don’t do this, Caro. Let me explain.”
She couldn’t look at him as she gripped the knob. “There’s nothing further to say.”
“There’s a lot to say if you’d just let me explain.”
She ignored the plea in his voice, opening the door a crack. “Get out, Beau.”
“At least listen to me.”
“I’ve listened enough. You used me.” She closed her eyes, pulling the door wide.
“That’s not what happened.”
“Do you love me?” she challenged.
“You know I do.”
“Do you still want to marry me?”
His jaw clenched, a muscle in his neck pulsing. Looking down at the hat in his hand, he shook his head. “I wish I could say otherwise, but I just don’t know.”
She let out a slow breath, the pain of his confession more than she could endure. He loved her, but no longer wanted her as his wife. “It’s best if you leave.”
He couldn’t get his feet to move as he studied her face, guilt overwhelming him at the pain and disappointment he saw there. “Caro, you need to understand why I’m not ready to offer marriage again.”
Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “Please. Just go.”
It couldn’t have hurt more if she’d run him through with a sword. Letting out a shaky breath, he settled his hat on his head. “I’m sorry.”
Stepping into the hall, he turned at the sound of the door closing behind him. She’d made no secret of how she felt, what she wanted from him. He’d been the worst kind of rake, knowing he hadn’t made a decision about their future, yet allowing himself to come to her room, lose control, and take what he needed. Now she might never give him a chance to explain.
Walking down the hall, he shook his head. One more regret when it came to Caro.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Caro covered her face with both hands. It had been over an hour since she’d insisted he leave, refusing to hear his excuses. She berated herself for her rash actions.
If only she hadn’t been so upset, he might still be with her, explaining how he could still love her, yet no longer want her for his wife. His reasons might have made sense, if only she’d listened.
Caro knew it wasn’t right to blame him for what happened. She’d ignored the warning in her head when he’d wanted to back away and talk. It had been too long, her need blinding her to the consequences of their actions. She’d never been a woman to make rash decisions. Then she’d fallen in love with Beau.
He made her feel beautiful without pampering her, seeing her as an equal, not a woman to be placed on a pedestal. Her father and late husband had never seen her as anything more than an extension of themselves. Unlike them, Beau never tried to stop her from voicing her opinions on matters of money, politics, or other issues much of society believed could only be discussed intelligently by men. He’d treated her as an intelligent, resourceful woman, wanting her for his wife.
She’d thrown it back at him, too eager to follow her own dreams. It had been the worst mistake of her life. It had taken time and being miles apart for her to realize only one dream mattered—being with Beau.
Groaning, she stood and walked to the window, pulling back the curtain. Her breath faltered when she saw Beau leaning against the wall of the bank. Even in the dark, she could see the determined look on his face as his gaze moved up the street, then back down. She didn’t know what he looked for or why Gabe wanted him to take that position all night, but knew it had to be important. Beau would always do what was required to protect the people of Splendor.
Knowing there was nothing more she could do tonight, Caro walked to the wardrobe, replacing the wrapper with her nightgown. Turning down the light, she slipped under the covers. She stared at the ceiling, pushing aside the image of how Beau had held her in this same bed a couple hours before.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to remember his comments before she’d left him standing alone in the hall. He’d been firm, admitting he still loved her.
Closing her eyes, she clutched the blanket to her chest, repeating his words over and over, imprinting them on her heart. He might not want to marry her now, but he still loved her. The thought gave her hope, making her realize she might still have a chance to change his thoughts about marriage.
She’d give him what he seemed to need—time.
There was still much to do to finish her house. She’d hoped Beau would be by her side. Tonight, those hopes had been dashed.
For now, Caro would work alongside Merritt and Gus, possibly hire a couple others. She’d already made the decision her life in San Francisco ended with her return to Splendor. Whether or not Beau ever changed his mind, she’d stay, build her life here, and not look back.
Chapter Fourteen
Dutch sat at the front window of the restaurant in the boardinghouse, sipping coffee, watching snow blanket the town. It had been this way for two days. As was the case in some eastern cities, the weather did nothing to change the pace of the townsfolk. Wagons still rolled down the street, the lumber mill filled orders, and Noah worked in his livery and blacksmith shop. People shuffled in and out of stores, the stage continued to arrive and leave, and Gabe’s deputies kept the town safe. Dutch hadn’t been in a place he enjoyed this much in a long time.
He chuckled, watching a group of young boys go at each other in an impromptu snowball fight, remembering when he’d done the same at their age.
“Mind if I join you?” Beau stood with his hand on the chair next to Dutch.
“Be my guest.”
Beau sat down, following Dutch’s gaze. “There are times I wish I could roll back time and be young again.”
Dutch nodded. “Don’t we all.”
“Breakfast, Beau?” He looked up as Suzanne placed a cup of coffee in front of him.
“Whatever you have will be fine.”
“Bacon, eggs, potatoes…”
“Sounds good, Suzanne. Thanks.” He picked up the cup, blowing across the top, then took a sip. “Any word from Pinkerton?”
“Nothing other than he doesn’t have another assignment and wants me to stay here until contacted.” Shifting, he looked at Beau. “Wish I had more for you, but Allan isn’t sharing information on who retained my services.”
“It’s what I expected.”
“He may relent, especially if
he gets the sense the client has a nefarious reason for finding you.” Dutch rested his arms on the table, leaning forward. “By the time he’d learn of their reasons, though, it might be too late.”
Beau’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
Dutch waited until Suzanne set down Beau’s plate, then lowered his voice. “You already said your family knows where you are and there’s no one else you can think of who’d be trying to track you down, including a former lover, right?”
Beau nodded. Although he’d been with many women, none became important to him. The only woman he’d describe as a lover, someone he’d been serious about, lived in the hotel a few doors away. After the other night, he wasn’t certain he’d use the word former to describe Caro. He didn’t know how to describe her.
Dutch crossed his arms, leaning back. “That leaves someone looking to find you for other reasons. I have to wonder what those reasons are.”
Beau thought of Caro and how she believed the same. She’d mentioned enemies he may have made during his days as a bounty hunter with Cash.
“I used to be a bounty hunter.”
Dutch sat up straighter. “I haven’t heard much about families of outlaws tracking someone down through Pinkerton, but the idea makes sense. Any you can think of who threatened you?”
Beau ran a hand through his hair, trying to recall the men he’d hunted. It wasn’t a big number compared to more notable bounty hunters. Still, the men he brought in—alive or dead—probably had family. The truth was, he’d never thought about it. He slipped the reward money into his pocket, then rode off to find the next outlaw. Coming to Splendor had broken the pattern.
“I’m sure there must be a number of people who’d like to see me dead.” He offered Dutch a wry grin. “It’s never easy for family to admit their kin went bad.” Looking out the front window, Beau tried to go through the people he’d tracked down, shaking his head. “I’m not saying there aren’t any, but I can’t think of anyone in particular.”
Dutch stood, reaching into his pocket to pull out his money. Tossing it on the table, he grabbed his hat. “You think about it. Give me whatever you can and I’ll go back to Pinkerton.”
Their discussion left Beau with more than he expected. The same as Dutch, Caro worried someone from his past wanted revenge. Beau couldn’t ignore the possibility.
Standing, he paid for his meal, then stepped outside, looking down the street where Cash stood outside the bank. In a couple hours, he’d take his place. In the meantime, Beau would create a list and run it by Cash. The results might surprise him. Revenge was a strange thing. You might never know who sought vengeance—until it was too late.
Caro brushed her dust-encrusted hands down her dress, stepping back to admire the repairs she helped make in an upstairs bedroom. She’d wanted to stay inside her warm room at the hotel, letting Merritt and Gus work alone in the freezing weather. Her indecision lasted a few seconds before she slipped into what had become her work dress, then put on the warm boots purchased at Petermann’s general store.
Noah couldn’t hide his shock when she’d rushed into the blacksmith shop, brushing off the snow. He’d tried to talk her out of making the trip, concerned the weather could turn into a blizzard without warning. Noah had seen it over and over during his time in Montana. She brushed off his concerns, although she did agree to ride her horse rather than take the wagon, letting Noah’s helper, Toby Archer, accompany her. Noah told her she could either accept Toby’s help or he’d find Beau. Poor Toby hadn’t known what to expect, but got right to work, not stopping until she insisted they break to eat.
Not long after they arrived at the house, the weather had cleared, the temperature warming enough to make the ride back to town easier. Exhausted, she returned her horse to the livery, wanting nothing more than a hot bath and bed. Food had become secondary, many of her clothes hanging loose on her body. She didn’t care. The joy she got from repairing her house overshadowed everything else, except her regrets over Beau.
Caro pulled her coat tight around her body as she walked across the street, stepping onto the boardwalk. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving. She’d agreed to ride to the Pelletier ranch with Cash and Allie, so there’d be no time to work on the house. Caro couldn’t consider attending a supper without bringing something. Opening the door to the boardinghouse, she spotted Suzanne.
“You didn’t go out to the house in this weather, did you?” Suzanne walked up to her, crossing her arms.
Caro smiled. “The work needs to get done. Noah insisted Toby ride out with me, so it wasn’t bad. He worked all day and never complained.”
“Allie mentioned you’re going to the Pelletier’s tomorrow with her and Cash.”
“That’s the reason I’m here. I can’t go out there without bringing something.”
Suzanne laughed. “Of course you can, but I know how you feel. I’m making extra pies.”
“Perfect. I’d like two. May I take them now?”
“Let me wrap them. I’ll be right back.”
Caro stood in the small alcove to the side, gazing out the window as she waited. There was so much to do on the house, she almost hated taking a day off for a social visit. She smiled, remembering how supper with friends used to be the most important part of her day, something to look forward to. Given the life she’d led, this was a refreshing change.
“Mrs. Iverson?”
Turning toward the entry, she saw Bernie Griggs walking toward her.
“Good evening, Mr. Griggs. Were you looking for me?”
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a telegram. “I almost took this to the hotel, but Noah came by to send a telegram and told me you’d come in here to see Suzanne. Thought you’d want this.”
Taking it, she quickly read the message, her eyes growing wide.
“I hope it’s good news.”
Nodding, she looked up. “It very well could be.”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the office.” He hurried out, leaving her to ponder what to do with the information she’d received.
“Here you are.” Suzanne handed her the wrapped pies. “I’ll put it on your monthly tab, Caro. I have more pies to make before the supper rush.” She hurried back to the kitchen.
“Thank you, Suzanne.” Her mind had already gone elsewhere. Perhaps it would be best to tell Gabe what she’d learned, instead of trying to have a conversation with Beau. As exhausted as she felt, she simply didn’t have the strength to talk with him right now.
Clutching the message in her hand, she walked outside and into the frosty air, glad the snow had stopped. Traffic on the street had dwindled to a few wagons and men on horseback. Oil lamps began to shine through several windows, giving the town a warm feeling.
Crossing to the other side, she stepped onto the boardwalk and pushed the door to the jail open, coming to a stop. The first voice she heard belonged to Beau. She did not want to see him. Caro wanted to share the contents of the message with Gabe, then leave.
“Good evening, Caro.” Gabe stood as Beau turned to face her, his features guarded.
Ignoring him, she turned her attention to Gabe. “I wonder if you’d have a moment to speak with me?”
“Of course. Please, sit down.” He motioned to a chair next to where Beau stood.
“Alone.”
Beau’s expression didn’t change as he settled his hat back on his head. “I need to get going.” He didn’t acknowledge Caro as he stepped around her, closing the door as he left.
She wished his actions didn’t bother her, but they did. Then again, he probably thought her rude for excluding him from the conversation. No matter what happened between them, it never ended well.
“You wanted to see me, Caro?”
She turned to see Gabe staring at her, his right brow raised a fraction. “Yes. A telegram came for me today. I thought you’d be interested in reading it.” Handing the message to him, she took a seat, folding her hands in her lap.
His eyes widened a little as he read the contents. “I didn’t realize you knew Allan Pinkerton.”
“My late husband and Allan were friends. I wasn’t sure he’d respond to me as we’d only met a few times.”
“Does Beau know you sent Pinkerton an inquiry?”
“No, and I’d rather he didn’t. We’re, um…not getting along too well right now.” She lowered her gaze to her lap, hoping he didn’t ask any other questions about their relationship.
Gabe blew out a breath. “I see.” He stroked his chin, setting the telegram down. “And how do you suggest I explain to Beau how I got this information?”
“Well…I hadn’t thought about it.” She glanced up at him, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “Have you ever met Allan?”
Without thought, he nodded, then stared at her. “Just once. He probably doesn’t even remember. So no, I won’t tell Beau I sent the inquiry.”
“What about Nick or Lena?”
He cocked his head in question.
“Maybe one of them knows Allan.”
Gabe shook his head, his lips twisting into a wry grin. “I don’t think so.” Sitting down, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll simply leave out how I received the information, tell him my source is confidential.”
“He’s smart. He’ll figure it out.”
Gabe chuckled. “Of course he will. The point is, he’ll be focused on the name in the telegram. He might ask you at some point. It will be up to you how to respond, Caro.”
She nodded, swallowing the slight sense of dread at Beau confronting her on it. “Do you recognize the name?”
“No. Maybe Beau won’t, either. There’s only one way to find out, and I’d rather learn the answer as soon as possible.” Standing, he picked up the message, handing it back to Caro. “No sense having a telegram addressed to you on me.”
Caro stood, a grateful smile on her lips. “Thank you, Gabe.”
Walking up to her, he placed a hand on her shoulder. They’d grown up together in New York. At one point, their affluent families believed they might eventually marry. When he left to join the Union Army, she’d met her future husband, marrying him while Gabe was still fighting the war.
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