Gambling on Love

by Sandi Hampton

  “Good night.” With a heavy heart, he watched her leave the room. He had a feeling that they’d just passed a point in their lives from which they’d never return.

  ****

  When Angel opened her eyes, she didn’t recognize her surroundings. She knew she was in a real bed. She hadn’t slept in one since she’d left St. Louis. She sat up and stretched, then surveyed the room. The blue bedroom.

  She was in his house.

  And so was Mary. Her heart constricted. Had Evan and Mary spent the night together? Had they shared the same wondrous passion as she and Evan had shared in the cave? Had he whispered words of love in Mary’s ear? She punched the pillow, then grabbed it and hurled it against the wall, cursing Evan Montgomery under her breath.

  She jumped from bed and padded over to the windows. Bright sunlight streamed in a wispy yellow trail across the floor. She pulled the curtain back and stared down at the bustle of activity below. The size of Evan’s ranch astounded her. Four outbuildings clustered around the main house as did three corrals, all filled with sleek, obviously well-fed animals. Men hurried to and fro like ants. Hundreds of cattle grazed for as far as the eye could see. Maybe his story about her father had been true. He didn’t need her father’s land or gold, if indeed Jake Plummer had even found the precious metal.

  She let the curtain fall back into place. With a sigh, she crossed back to the bed and perched on the edge. What did she do now? Should she go into Deadwood and see the authorities about her father’s death? If everyone in Deadwood was there illegally, would there even be a sheriff there? Her lip quivered. For so many years, she’d thought her father was dead and had hated the thought of him. Yet he’d been alive—so why hadn’t he come for her? Why had he left her mother? A hundred questions popped into her mind—questions that would never be answered. She had a sudden urge to be close to him—in the only way possible. She’d go to his cabin.

  But first she needed clothes.

  She searched the bedroom, then the adjoining room, but her clothes were gone. A further inspection of the dresser drawers revealed nothing. She opened the door and peered out into the hallway. It was empty.

  The shirt she had on barely covered her knees. She tugged it down, then stepped out into the hall. Hopefully, she could find some decent clothes before someone found her. She quietly closed the door behind her. The first room she came to was a storage room of sorts. Boxes were piled high in every corner. On tiptoe, she proceeded to the next doorway. An empty bedroom. Quickly, she rummaged through the wardrobe and found only heavy winter clothing. She muttered a low curse. The next room consisted of an office with big, solid furniture.

  Then she was at the last door. If she didn’t find anything here, she’d have to return to her room. She jerked the door open and came face to face with Evan. He stood there bare-chested, a shirt dangling from his hand. The recollection of being naked against his muscled chest brought a lump to her throat. He stared at her. His gaze traveled down her body, pausing on her bare legs before it snapped back to her face. With a curse, he pulled his shirt on. “What the hell are you doing here?’

  Taken aback by his scowl and harsh words, she stumbled backward. “I’m looking for my clothes. Any clothes.”

  “For the love of Pete.” He strode toward her, grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room. She slammed up against him. “You can’t wander through the halls half-dressed. My men are everywhere.”

  “Then tell me where my clothes are and give me a horse, and I’ll be on my way.” Determined not to be bullied, she backed away from him and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I don’t know where your clothes are. Mary must have had them laundered. Go back to your room, and I’ll have someone find them for you.”

  “Everyone here may have to take orders from you, Evan Montgomery, but I don’t.”

  He glared at her. “You’re in my house, and you’ll do as I say.”

  “I’m in your house because you kidnapped me and brought me here. I don’t jump when you say jump, like your brother does or like she does.”

  “Why, you little—” He bolted toward her. She scooted sideways and dodged him. With another curse, he lunged at her like a maddened bull. She jumped backward, bumped into the bed and fell on it. The force of his movement toppled him over, and he fell on top of her. She clawed at his face, but he grabbed her hands and held them over her head. “You ungrateful little vixen. After all I’ve done for you.”

  “Done for me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Like what? Kidnapping me? Killing my father? Taking advantage of me?”

  “Taking advantage? I don’t remember you telling me to stop.”

  Angel clamped her lips shut. That much was true.

  “I should put you over my knee—”

  “You wouldn’t dare. You let me go or I’ll—”

  “You’ll what?”

  The sound of the door opening caught her attention. Evan heard it too for they both turned and stared in that direction.

  Mary stood there, one hand over her mouth, one clutching at her heart. A strangled sob tore from her mouth, one so full of anguish it sounded like she was mortally wounded. She fled from the room.

  “Mary, wait. This is not what it looks like.” Evan rolled off her and ran to the door. He glanced back at Angel and shook his fist at her. “This is all your fault.”

  She yelled at his retreating back. “My fault? I didn’t want to come here. You made me.” She climbed off the bed, grabbed his robe from the chair and shrugged into it, then dashed after him. Voices echoed from downstairs, and she followed them.

  She paused at the entrance to the living room and saw Mary crying, Evan kneeling beside her chair. Chad, his mouth agape, stood watching, while three other men gawked at her. When she entered the room, all attention focused on her—and her half-dressed state.

  She was too mad to care. “How dare you blame me for this mess. Evan Montgomery, you listen to me. I want my clothes back, and I want a horse. I want to leave here at once—and I never want to see you again.”

  He jumped to his feet and stalked over to her. The fury mirrored in his eyes made her gasp. “That suits me just fine. You’ve been nothing but trouble since I met you.”

  His voice lashed at her like a bullwhip. She felt as if she’d been physically hit. She wanted to retreat, but she wouldn’t turn tail and run. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “And I can say the same thing.”

  He looked like he was about to choke on his anger. He turned to Chad. “Find her some clothes. Any clothes. Then put her on a horse and take her wherever she wants to go.”

  “Right.” Chad ran from the room.

  Evan pointed at the other men. “Don’t you all have some work to do?”

  They stampeded out the door.

  Then he faced Angel again. “Satisfied?”

  “Yes.” She spun on her heel and ran up the stairs.

  ****

  Evan knelt beside Mary’s chair and took her hand in his. “That wasn’t what it looked like.”

  Tear-filled eyes stared back at him. “No? Then what was it?”

  He pushed himself to his feet. “She came in looking for her clothes so that she could leave. I told her to get out of the room, but she wouldn’t. She makes me so angry I want to throttle her sometimes. That was one of those times. I’ve tried to get her to return to New Orleans, but she just won’t listen to me. Stubborn, bull-headed female.”

  “Evan, you killed her father. What did you expect her to do? Thank you for it?” He shook his head, and she continued. “Are you sure there’s nothing else between you two? I sense…well, sometimes the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you. Call it woman’s intuition but...” She put her hand on his arm. “I need the truth, Evan. At least give me that.”

  His heart heavy, he nodded. “You’re right. You deserve the truth.”

  She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m not
so sure now that I want to hear it.”

  “One night on the trail, after we’d escaped a party of renegade Sioux, we hid out in a small cave, and we, well, it just happened.” He looked away, not wanting to see the hurt on her face.

  The heart-breaking sob that tore from her throat gut-punched Evan. Why couldn’t he have left Angel back in New Orleans? He could have told her grandfather of Jake Plummer’s death, but his wounded pride had made him seek revenge. And now he’d hurt Mary. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Mary, honey, I’m sorry. Real sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did. It didn’t really mean anything to me.”

  “You didn’t mean for it to happen, or you didn’t mean for me to find out?” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  He was tempted to lie, but he couldn’t—not to her. “Maybe both. Hell, I don’t even know myself.”

  “At least you’re being honest.” She raised her hand and traced the scratches Angel’s fingernails had made on his cheek. “Did she do that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you—?”

  “Did I what? Force her? For God’s sake, you of all people should know me better than that. Of course, I didn’t force her. These”—he touched his cheek—“were before that.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “I don’t think you do.”

  A heavy silence fell over the room. “Tell me, Evan, where does this leave us?”

  The sorrowful and pitiful look on her upturned face sent more guilt washing through his veins. He reached down and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I care for you a lot, Mary. You know that, don’t you?”

  “But you don’t love me, do you?”

  He hesitated.

  “That’s all right. I’ve always known you didn’t love me, but I hoped I loved you enough for the both of us.” Lips pinched in a tight line, she turned and walked over to the window, then whirled to face him. “Do you love her?”

  “Hell, no. I’ve never met a more stubborn, ornery, more untrustworthy person in my entire life. And she won’t do like I say—”

  “So that’s part of her attraction? She won’t obey your every whim like Chad and I do—or tiptoe around you when you’re in a foul mood. Maybe that’s where I went wrong.” She faced the window and stared out. “I think I’d like to go home now.”

  “No, wait. Don’t go. Please. I know this hurt you, and I’m sorry, but we can work this out. We just need a little time. You know I care a lot for you.”

  “Do you really?”

  “Of course I do. Stay, and let’s talk this out.”

  “We can talk later. Right now I need to be alone.”

  Evan’s shoulders slumped—half in relief and half in exasperation that he’d lost control of the situation. “Okay, I’ll take you home.”

  “No.”

  Her abrupt response took him by surprise. “If that’s what you want—”

  “It is. I’ll get my things.” With her head held high, she left the room.

  He collapsed into the vacated chair. Had he relented too soon? Should he have tried harder to make her stay? But, to be perfectly honest with himself, he was relieved that she was leaving. He could only deal with one female at a time. He’d sure made a mess of everything, and it was all Angel Devereaux’s fault. If she’d stayed in her room, that scene upstairs would never have happened, and his orderly life would not be torn to shreds.

  The door opened, and Chad hurried in, carrying a bundle of clothes. When he caught sight of Evan, he darted over to his brother. “I think she can wear these. They’re some I’ve outgrown.”

  “Good. Give them to me.” He stood. “I’ll take them to her.”

  “I can do it if you like—”

  “I said I’d do it.”

  “Okay. Don’t bite my head off.” Chad dumped the clothes into his arms. “I picked out a horse for her like you said. I thought the little black and white mare would suit her. She’s pretty gentle. If that’s okay with you?”

  “Yeah.” Evan marched over to the stairs and up to the landing. At the top of the steps, he turned and glared down at his brother. “Was there something else?”

  “No. Nothing.” Chad bolted from the room.

  A twinge of guilt hit Evan right between the eyes. The kid had done nothing wrong. He had only himself to blame for this whole mess. He’d apologize later. He headed for her bedroom. With every step took, his anger grew.

  He rapped sharply on the door. Without waiting for her response, he jerked the door open and barged into the room.

  She stood at the window staring out. She didn’t look at him. Her copper hair circled her head like a bright halo. The long baggy shirt reminded him of her youth—and innocence, the innocence he’d taken. Despite his anger, his body stirred to life. Desire tied his tongue, the harsh words dying on his lips.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, still without looking at him.

  Her apology stopped him in his tracks. “You are? About what?”

  She pointed out the window. He tossed the clothes on the bed, then walked over and stood beside her. Below, he saw his foreman help Mary into her wagon, then climb up beside her. With a flick of the reins, Pete drove the team through the gate. Soon, the trees hid them from his view.

  “I’m sorry,” Angel repeated. “I, I liked her. She was very nice to me. I didn’t mean to start trouble between you two.”

  She sounded sincere, but could he believe her? “Yeah, well…”

  “Maybe I can go to her and tell her—”

  “I’ve already told her the truth. That’s why she’s leaving.”

  “You did what?” Her faced turned beet red. “You told her about us—the night in the cave?”

  He nodded.

  She covered her face with her hands. “Oh, no, how could you? Why would you do that? How can I ever face her again?”

  “You don’t have to see her ever again. Go home. Go home to the Delta Princess. You don’t belong here.”

  Her lips drew into a tight line. “I’m not going anywhere until I find out about my father.”

  “I’ve told you everything.”

  “Well, maybe I want to hear it from somebody else. Maybe you’re hiding something—”

  “I’m not hiding anything. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’ve told you the truth.”

  “I’m not leaving, and you can’t make me.”

  He shrugged. “Oh, hell, do what you like. I don’t care.”

  “I know you don’t care, and I intend to do exactly what I want to do. Now, will you tell me how to get to my father’s cabin?”

  “I’ve already told you there’s nothing there, but if you insist on going, I’ll take you. I owe you that much.”

  “You don’t owe me anything, and I don’t want any favors from you. Just tell me how to get there.”

  “No. I’ll take you to his cabin, and that’s final.”

  “Okay, but you should go after her.”

  “I’ll be the one to decide what I should do.”

  A shrug of her shoulders was her only answer.

  “Get dressed. I’ll be waiting at the corral.” He fought the urge to tell her he wasn’t sure he still wanted to be with Mary. The night spent in Angel’s arms had been so pleasurable, so exciting, so right, that he couldn’t imagine ever making love to anyone else ever again. He knew he should tell her how he felt, but the words wouldn’t come. With a curt nod, he left the room.

  ****

  Angel bit down hard on her bottom lip to keep the tears at bay. She wouldn’t cry over a hard-hearted son of a bitch like Evan Montgomery. She walked over to the door and slammed it shut, wishing that was her fist against his jaw. She picked up the clothes he’d tossed on the bed and examined them. If they were Mary’s, she’d not put them on but they looked to be some of Chad’s castoffs. She stepped into the pants and fastened them at the waist. They were snug, fitting her like a second skin. The shirt hugged her body, and she wiggled, trying to stretch it. Finally, she gave up,
put her boots on and headed downstairs.

  Her heels clattered on the tiled floor as she marched across the foyer and to the door. She stepped out onto the porch, and all activity around her seemed to stop. The old man sweeping the porch paused, broom in midair. The ranch hand passing by stopped long enough to gawk at her. Even at this distance, she could see the men at the corral had stopped work and were staring in her direction.

  Did they know she and Evan had been lovers? Had they seen Mary’s mad dash to leave? Were they even now picturing her—?

  She took a deep breath to steady herself. She told herself that this was a game of poker—and since she couldn’t do anything with the cards she was holding, she’d have to play the hand out. So she put on her best poker face, marched down the steps and across the yard, politely greeting everyone she passed.

  When she neared the men clustered around the corral, Chad stepped out of the group and walked to meet her, an admiring look on his face. “Those clothes never looked that good on me, ma’am.”

  Her face burned. “They’re a bit snug.”

  “They’re fine. Believe me, Miss Devereaux, they’re fine.” He grinned at her. “So you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Well, Mary lit out of here this morning like the devil himself was a-chasing her, and she yelled at all of us, which she never does, and Evan’s in one hell of a foul mood. He about bit my head off when I asked him a simple question.”

  “I’m sorry my presence here has upset everyone.”

  “Oh, your presence doesn’t upset me, ma’am. It’s a real pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  Angel laughed. “Well, at least one of the two Montgomery men like me. Thanks, and call me Angel.”

  “Okay. Listen, Angel, I’m real sorry about your pa. I didn’t know him, but it’s tough to lose a parent.”

  “Thanks, Chad. Where is...he?”

  “You mean Evan? He’s in the barn. Go ahead.”

  “Won’t you come with me?”

  Sympathy sparked in his eyes. He grinned. “Sure. Come on.”

  Together, they walked in silence past the corral and into the dim recesses of the barn. Angel slowed her pace to allow her eyes to adjust to the lower light. The huge barn stretched out before her, one side lined with horse stalls, the other full of hay bales, ropes, harnesses, and lots of other unfamiliar farm equipment.