He waved his hands in surrender. “A small price to pay for the goodwill of the community and the pleasure of your company for a few minutes.” Montworth came around the end of his desk as Camille turned to leave.
She wasn’t surprised to feel his hand rest against her back as they walked toward the doorway.
“Lovely perfume, my dear,” he murmured.
Camille made a mental note to go easy with the fragrance next time. “It’s called Summer Rose. I expect you could order a bottle for Mrs. Montworth at McKinnon’s or one of the other stores in town. It’s a bit pricy, but I doubt you spare expense when it comes to your dear wife.”
“Of course not.”
The pressure of his hand vanished.
“I look forward to seeing you later in the week, Mr. Montworth,” she lied through a fake smile. “Thank you for taking care of the misunderstanding.”
“Of course. That’s all it was. I’ll see that it’s rectified right away.”
Camille nodded her appreciation and escaped. At two of the grocery stores and the butcher shop, she used similar tactics—pointing out that their specials were only evident if someone walked by and saw the signs in the windows. She mentioned how new people in town were apt to turn to the paper for information rather than simply wander up and down the street comparing prices. It took a little talking, but they were finally convinced to pay their bills and run ads again the following week.
She took a slightly different route with the druggist, advising him to emphasize his twenty years of experience as an apothecary as well as playing up how he needed to attract those new to the area. It amazed her how they all seemed to discount that necessity. Willow Grove was not a large town, but there were many businesses vying for the same customers. The druggist eventually agreed to pay his bill and take out a small ad the following week.
The man who owned the hardware store was a cranky old grump. She soon discovered that he had a personal dislike for the newspaper editor. She suspected he might have taken out the ads with the intention of never paying for them. She didn’t waste more than a few minutes with him.
Mr. Hill had told her not to bother with the harness maker since he only owed for two weeks. Hill also said he was on the distasteful side. Camille had dealt with distasteful men most of her life, so she disregarded the editor’s advice—and quickly regretted it.
Sam Cline glared at Camille when she explained her reason for being there, then his lip turned up in a sneer. “You just trot your fancy backside right out that door and don’t bother to come back. I ain’t goin’ to pay you or old man Hill nuthin’.”
Camille narrowed her gaze, her temper rising. “I assume that you expect your customers to pay for the goods you provide them?”
“Dang right, I do. Cash money when they pick up their order.”
“But you don’t have the courtesy to do the same. Not even to pay something that is two weeks past due.”
“Those ads didn’t do one bit of good. Didn’t bring in no customers.”
Camille checked some reins draped over a hook, noting the prices. “I expect people compared your prices to the ones down the street.” She pulled the newspaper out of her bag and laid it down on the counter, turning it around so he could read it. “You’re charging twice as much as your competition.”
“Those are on sale. And they ain’t as good as mine.”
“Are yours so much better that you expect someone to pay double the price? Perhaps you not only need to consider how you pay your bills, you need to take a fresh look at how you price your merchandise.”
“Who are you to question how I run my business? You ain’t got no call to be paradin’ around town trying to do a man’s job. You go back to your kitchen where you belong and stay there. That’s the only place for a woman.” He leered at her. “Or maybe down in the district at Calico Sue’s.”
“You’re disgusting.” Camille grabbed the newspaper and stuffed it into her bag. Turning on her heel, she started for the open door.
“A gal like you would earn a pretty penny down there.”
She stopped, looking back at him. As her icy gaze skimmed over his greasy hair and dirty clothes, she curled her fingers around the Derringer in her skirt pocket.
He spat tobacco juice in the general direction of a spittoon on the floor near the wall.
“Do you consider yourself an expert on the ladies in the district?”
He took a deep breath, his chest puffing out. “Reckon you could say that.”
“Then it should be quite obvious that you wouldn’t be able to afford thirty seconds of my time.” She headed for the doorway.
“Why you—”
Cline’s footsteps thudded on the floor behind her. Camille quickened her pace.
“You can’t talk to me like that.”
Jerking open the door and stepping onto the boardwalk, she practically ran into Sheriff Starr.
He looked behind her. “Is there a problem, Miss Dupree?”
She released the gun and withdrew her hand from her pocket. “Not now.”
“Arrest her, Sheriff. She was trying to rob me.”
Starr glanced at Cline, then focused on Camille, his expression vaguely amused. “Seems to me you could pick a better place to rob, ma’am.”
“I only came by to collect the two dollars he owes the Gazette.” Moving beside the sheriff, she looked at Cline with contempt. “But he had other things in mind.”
“Knowing his propensity for trouble with the ladies, I expect he did.”
Cline frowned. “What’s propensity mean?”
“Ability.”
For a second Cline looked pleased, then he realized what the sheriff meant. “Ain’t done nuthin’ lately,” he muttered.
“Shall I throw him in the calaboose, Miss Dupree?”
“I don’t think you can arrest people for being insulting. But I would like the two dollars he owes the newspaper.”
“Hand it over, Cline.” When the harness maker hesitated, Starr shook his head. “Stubborn as a mule. Either pay the lady what you owe her or go to jail for attempted assault.”
“I didn’t do nothing to her,” Cline shouted.
“But you were about to.” Starr had clearly run out of patience.
Grumbling, Cline went behind his counter and took the two dollars out of the cash box. He came back to the sidewalk and handed it to Camille with a scowl.
She took the money and dropped it into her bag. Murmuring her thanks to the sheriff, she walked away.
“She insulted me.”
“Quit whining and go back to work.” The sheriff caught up with Camille. “I think you hurt his feelings.”
“That oaf doesn’t have any feelings. Besides, he insulted me first.” She glanced at Starr, smiling wryly at his uplifted brow. “I know it sounds childish.”
“Yep. But that’s the way most fights start. Do you have a pocket pistol?”
“Yes, a Derringer. I suppose now you’ll want it.”
“We allow women to carry a gun for protection. Though most of them don’t use it,” he added with a stern note in his voice.
“I wouldn’t have unless he tried to grab me.”
A frown darkened Starr’s brow. “You aren’t the delicate Southern belle you seem to be, are you, Miss Dupree?”
“Few women of the South are delicate, sir. Hardship forges a strong heart and a backbone of steel. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I can take care of myself.”
The sheriff scratched his temple with one finger, his expression rueful. “Well, ma’am, I don’t rightly think that’s the way things are going to be. Looking after folks in general is my job. And judging from the way Ty has been acting since you came to town, he’s decided that lookin’ after you is his.”
Chapter Nine
“She what?” Ty stared at Ransom as the sheriff shut his office door.
“She had a run-in with Sam Cline.” Ransom sat down and leaned back in the chair, balancing on the rear le
gs. “She said she stopped by because he owed the Gazette some money, but he had other things in mind.”
“Did he hurt her?” Ty jumped up and started toward the door.
“No, he didn’t. There’s no need to go off half-cocked. He didn’t touch her, but he followed her out the door, clearly intending to do something.”
“I’ll talk to Cline. Make sure he knows he’ll have to answer to both you and me if he tries anything.” Fear gnawed at his belly. He figured Camille was used to handling obnoxious men, but he didn’t want her thinking that she had to do it entirely on her own. He didn’t want anyone else thinking that, either.
Ransom leaned forward, the front legs on the chair hitting the floor with a thud. “Good.” He stood and walked to the door, pausing with his hand on the door handle. “Should I worry about her causing trouble?”
“No more than what happens when any beautiful woman comes to town.”
“All right. If you decide you need to enlighten me on the lady’s history, you know where I am. In the meantime, I have other things to worry about.”
“Such as?”
“The city council hiring a town marshal. When are y’all going to figure out you have to pay a decent salary to get a good lawman?”
“I keep telling them that, but they don’t think they need to pay much for somebody to enforce the dog license ordinance.”
“Well, you don’t. But a marshal worth his salt would take care of the drunks and a lot of other problems here in town. Leave me and my deputy to handle things in the rest of my territory.”
“You don’t have a deputy.” It was something that concerned Cade and Ty both. Ransom’s jurisdiction included two other counties besides their own.
“That’s another problem. Tell Cade to get those commissioners off their duffs and hire somebody. I can’t be on duty twenty-four hours a day. Can’t be two places at the same time, either.”
“Not that you’ve had to be. Your reputation is keeping the outlaws in line.”
“That won’t last much longer. Folks will forget about Wyman.” Ransom frowned. “I’m not just griping, Ty. What if I have to go off chasing a horse thief or something? I know you and Cade will back me if I need it, but Cade has a family now. And you’re so moonstruck, you probably wouldn’t be much help, either.”
Ty laughed. “I think you’re just jealous. I saw you giving Camille the eye at the box supper.”
“Me and every other man in the room. But you know I won’t infringe on your territory. Now, if you decide you aren’t interested, let me know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ty said dryly.
Ransom opened the door and scanned the store. “Looks like you’ll have a chance to hear the whole story.” He left the office, meeting Camille about ten feet away.
Ty stood in the doorway watching them, relieved when he didn’t see a spark of interest in Camille’s face as she talked to the lawman.
“Telling tales, Sheriff?”
“A few. Doin’ a little fishin’, too.”
She paused, glancing at Ty, then looked back at Ransom. “Did you catch anything?”
“Nothin’ bigger than a minnow.” With a nod, he continued down the store aisle. He stopped at the main counter and bought some hard candy.
Ire lit her eyes as she approached Ty. He stepped back so she could come into the office. Then he quietly shut the door.
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing. He asked me if he needed to worry about you causing trouble.”
“And?”
“I told him no more than any other beautiful woman would. But he had some interesting things to tell me.” Ty moved in front of her, standing close in an effort to intimidate her. Not that it seemed to work. Blast that perfume! He forced himself to ignore it—and how pretty she looked, even with the flush of irritation in her cheeks. “What happened at Cline’s?”
She stepped over to the desk, absently toying with a horse statue paperweight. “He thought I should go to work at Calico Sue’s. Figured I’d make lots of money there.”
Ty barely stifled a curse, a word he hadn’t said in years. “I’m going to turn him inside out.”
A smile teased her mouth. “Though that would be interesting to see, it wouldn’t be wise. I appreciate your willingness to defend me, but it isn’t necessary.”
“I’ll talk to him,” he said stubbornly. “Cline has a mean streak. He hurt a girl at the parlor house last year. Watch yourself around him.”
“I don’t plan to go near him. If no one mentions this to him or anyone else, the incident will pass. If you threaten him, he’ll think it’s all over town. Then I’d have a big problem.”
“You have a point.” If he caused a scene, it might rile the man up even more. “I don’t like it, but I won’t say anything to him unless he threatens you or mouths off about you.” Ty moved closer, leaning back against the desk right beside her and crossed his arms. “I gather Cline didn’t pay up?”
“Actually, he did. But only after the sheriff gave him the choice of paying or spending some time in jail. I didn’t have to recruit any help with the others.” She shrugged. “Well, I wasn’t successful at the hardware store, but I didn’t waste much time there. What a grump. But everyone else saw the error of their ways.”
“Too bad I’m all paid up.” He shifted a little closer and relaxed his arms, resting one hand on the desk. “It might be interesting to see how you’d convince me.”
Her gaze darted to his lips, then back up to his eyes. “I’d probably change tactics to persuade you.”
Ty settled his hand at her waist, his gaze dropping to her mouth. It was too soon to kiss her, but he wanted to in the worst way. He didn’t stop to sort out his feelings, except to acknowledge that he felt more alive than he had in a long time. Surely, that was a good thing. “So your perfume and smile worked.”
She rested her hand on his shoulder. “Yes, though I should probably skip the perfume next time or go lighter with it.”
“Until you come here.” He edged her closer, thinking about her comment. “Did someone else fall under its spell?”
“Montworth.”
Ty frowned, his fingers tightening minutely at her waist. “Did he try anything?”
“No, but his tone implied plenty when he complimented me on the fragrance. I suggested he buy a bottle for his wife.”
Ty laughed softly, slipping his other hand around her waist, and drawing her even closer. “You’re good, lady.”
“I’ve had a lot of experience deflecting men’s attentions.”
“Do you want to deflect mine?” He knew the answer—he could see it in her face, feel it in her touch—but he felt honor bound to give her the option.
“No,” she whispered, closing her eyes and lifting her face toward his.
He kissed her gently, half expecting guilt to swamp him, but he felt only a twinge. When she sighed softly, he tightened his embrace, cradling her head with one hand. He pulled back just long enough for a breath, then kissed her again. When he raised his head, she gave him a dreamy little smile and rested her forehead against his chin.
“Nice,” she murmured.
“Yes, it was.” That didn’t come close to describing it. He held her loosely, not wanting to let her go.
“Now you’ll think I’m fast.”
He leaned back and tipped her chin up with his fingertip so she looked at him. “Because you let me kiss you so soon after we met?”
She nodded. “I don’t normally do this.”
“I didn’t think so. A man can usually pick up on that kind of thing by the way a woman flirts.”
“Like the woman who crawled through your bedroom window?”
Ty rolled his eyes. “Prissy was so obvious that everyone in town knew she was after me. Or after my money, more likely.”
“Don’t be so sure of that.”
He figured he grew a foot taller in that instant. “You sayin’ you’d like me even if I wasn’t well off
?”
“Probably.” A smile hovered around her mouth.
Now he knew he’d have to duck to go through the doorway.
“Well, I doubt Prissy would feel the same. I’ve been very careful never to be alone with her, never given her one bit of encouragement. Reckon that’s why she got so desperate and came calling in her nightgown.”
“My goodness.” Camille smoothed the edge of his coat lapel. “You weren’t tempted at all?”
A flush warmed his cheeks. “I can’t say that. She’s a desirable woman, and I’m a normal man. For a minute all I could do was stare. But it would have been wrong to act on it.”
“God wouldn’t have approved.”
“Definitely not. The Bible has a heap of scriptures on the evils and dangers of lust. I hustled her back out that window faster than a whirlwind can snuff out a match.”
She eased away from him, her expression bemused. “Most men would have taken advantage of the opportunity.”
“Depends on their beliefs, I guess. But even if I wasn’t a Christian, I wouldn’t have done anything different. She’s not a woman I’d want to be tied to. I’d never be able to trust her.” He straightened, moving away from the desk. “Now, enough talk about Prissy. Will you let me buy your supper?”
“Do I look presentable?”
“Yes, ma’am. I didn’t even mess up your hair.” But someday he would. He knew it and so did she. “Your hat’s still on straight, too.”
“Then I accept your invitation. I had a good breakfast, but only ate an apple around noon.” Camille opened the door, pausing while he put on his hat. “Do you know of a house I could rent? Now that I’m sure I won’t be leaving soon, I’d rather not stay at the hotel.”
They walked out the office and down the aisle. Ty was mindful of the curious glances from the clerks and several customers. He nodded a greeting to a couple of them but kept on walking. “I can’t think of a single house for rent. Right this minute, there isn’t even one you could buy.”
Twice Blessed Page 9