Gambling on Love

by Sandi Hampton

  “Chad, is that you?” Evan’s voice came from the end of the barn.

  “Yeah.”

  “Is she with you?”

  She? He couldn’t even call her by name?

  “Yeah.” With an encouraging grin, Chad touched her elbow, and she plodded ahead, not real anxious to approach the lion in his den.

  A dark figure stepped out into the light. Evan’s scowling face stared back at her. He looked at her like she was poison. He held the bridle of a beautiful horse—a black and white mare. Angel let out a squeal of delight. She stood on tiptoe and stroked the horse’s nose. “What a beautiful lady you are.”

  “Chad thought she’d be a good mount for you.” Evan opened the stall and led the mare out.

  “For me? But, but—”

  “No buts,” Chad said. “She’s perfect for you. She’s as gentle as a lamb.”

  “But I can’t accept. She’s much too valuable.”

  “Nonsense.” Chad picked a saddle off the floor and tossed it over the mare’s back. “Now climb on so I can adjust the stirrups.”

  Not wanting to be beholden to Evan, yet already in love with the prancing mare, Angel hesitated.

  “Get on.” Evan’s tone of voice was a little more civil than earlier.

  She put her boot into the stirrup and swung herself into the saddle. For a moment, she feared her tight britches might rip, but fortunately the seams held. Chad adjusted the stirrups, then stepped back and grinned up at her.

  She glanced at Evan. For a brief moment, his expression was unguarded. What she saw in his eyes startled her. Desire swam there in the blue depths of his eyes—and something else. Her hopes quickly rose, but whatever she’d seen disappeared as quickly as it had come. Had she wanted to see something that wasn’t there? “Thank you. She’s beautiful. I’m going to call her Domino.”

  “I know how much you loved Royal Flush so...” His words trailed off. He turned and led the mare outside where his buckskin waited. After mounting, he turned toward the gate. With a wave at Chad, she nudged the prancing mare with her heels, and the horse danced after the big gelding.

  The Bar M looked to be as prosperous as Evan had said it was. Miles and miles of open range and rolling foothills stretched in every direction. Sleek and well-fed cattle grazed as far as the eye could see. Three riders passed and called out to Evan.

  “Howdy, boss.”

  “Welcome back, boss.”

  They rode all morning and were still on Montgomery land. At noon, he pulled Buck to a halt at a small stream. After they dismounted, he led the horses to the water’s edge to drink. He took his hat off and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. From beneath lowered eyelashes, she watched him. The broad expanse of his back, chiseled profile, the way the sun glinted on his hair, even the way he walked was pleasurable to look at. Why had she gone and fallen in love with a man who didn’t care for her and regretted their night of passion?

  She walked over to a grassy spot, sat down and lifted her face, eyes closed, to the sunshine. Its warmth spread over her.

  “Are you hungry?”

  She opened her eyes to find Evan standing over her, a bundle in his hands. For a moment, she considered denying her hunger, but her stomach chose that moment to growl. “Yes.”

  He sat down, placed the bundle on the ground and opened it. A feast of fried chicken, biscuits, and apples lay before her. He picked up a piece of chicken and took a bite.

  She did the same. “Why are you being so nice to me? I thought you never wanted to see me again.”

  “Because this is all my fault.”

  “That’s true,” she retorted. “About time you admitted it.”

  He frowned at her.

  “Well, it is. Tell me, why would you take me to my father’s cabin but not take Mary home?”

  He stared off into the distance. “Because she refused to let me take her. That’s why.”

  “Oh? I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t need your sympathy. It’s just that, well, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know about Mary. I did—I’m the only one to blame.” His voice held so much regret that her eyes filled with tears. She lowered her head and stared at the ground.

  “Look, Angel, are you sure you want to go to your father’s cabin? There’s no food, no firewood, hardly any furniture. You’ll be all alone. Are you sure you don’t want to go into town, stay at the hotel and then, once the place is fixed up, you could move out there. That is, if you’re going to stay here?”

  Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. He was being kind—nothing like the angry man of a few hours ago—and it was hard to stay angry at him. Besides, what he said made sense. “I’m going to stay long enough to find out what happened...why my father fired at you. He must have had a reason.”

  He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s what I keep telling myself. There’s a reason, there’s always a reason, but what the hell is it? I swear to you, Angel, on my mother’s grave, that I never did anything to Jake Plummer. I killed him, yes, but in self-defense.”

  “I believe you. You wouldn’t have told me or given me the deeds. It must have something to do with the blasted deeds. Maybe they’re valuable. But if he had them on him when he was killed, why didn’t someone take them?”

  “I don’t know, but I think you could be in danger.”

  “Me? But I don’t know anything.”

  “If you start snooping around and asking questions, you might spook someone, and then you could get hurt.”

  The gravity of the situation settled on her shoulders like a cloak. “I guess you could be right.”

  “Why don’t you just sell the place and go home?”

  She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Would you?”

  His lips curled into a half smile. “No.”

  “Neither can I.”

  “Well, at least let me take you to the hotel. I can see you’re bound and determined to stay so I might as well get you settled. I owe it to you.”

  “I don’t want your sympathy. I want to see my father’s cabin. I need to see it. Can you understand that?”

  “No. I don’t understand. It’s just an old, run-down shack, and it’s still a far piece.”

  Disappointment swept over her. “I thought we were almost there.”

  “Nope. Like I said, my ranch is outside the reservation area. There’s a place up ahead where we can make camp.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed tiredly. “I thought I was through sleeping on the ground.”

  He grinned at her. Despite everything, she grinned back.

  Chapter 10

  Angel pulled a log close to the fire and sat on it. The night air chilled her, and she held her hands out toward the beckoning warmth. The ring of light from the campfire held back the shadows, encasing her in a cocoon of flickering firelight. Across from her, Evan knelt as he skinned two squirrels. His dark hair absorbed the light, gleaming blue black in the flickering light. The sight of the corded muscles in his back and thighs flamed the fire burning insider her. Oh, how she wanted to run her hands down the hard planes of his body and caress every inch of him. Memories of the night they had spent together in the cave, and the passion they’d shared, crowded around her. Without warning, her body stirred to life.

  This man had thoroughly intoxicated her. She needed him as an alcoholic needed liquor. She wanted to scream at him, to proclaim her love, to unleash the passion stirring in her breast, and lower, but she didn’t dare. He’d rejected her before, and she couldn’t live with it again. If she didn’t speak of her love for him aloud, then it wouldn’t hurt quite so bad when he was no longer in her life.

  He turned and strode over to the fire. He squatted and placed the meat on a spit over the fire. Once done, he sat back on his haunches and looked at her. “This won’t take too long to cook.”

  “Good.” She studied her boots.

  He was silent for a few moments. “Well, while that cooks, I guess I’ll bed down the hor
ses.”

  “Okay,” she blurted as she glanced up at him. If he disappeared from her sight, maybe she could bring her rebellious body under control.

  With a strange look at her, as if she’d lost her mind, he nodded, then rose to his feet and left the circle of light. The light seemed to lose some of its warmth. Why did she keep hoping, dreaming that she and Evan could be together? It was foolish, wishful thinking. Mary would forgive Evan, most any woman would, and they would once again be together, maybe even get married. And she’d be alone, unhappy and miserable. She sighed, all her pent-up frustrations rushing out in one long breath.

  Five minutes passed, then ten, and still he hadn’t returned. She leaned forward and turned the spit. The drippings from the squirrel meat splattered on the flames, and the fire crackled and hissed. The delicious aroma reminded her of her hunger, and she licked her lips.

  More time dragged by with no sign of Evan. Angel rose to her feet and peered out into the darkness. She paced the rim of light. Maybe something had happened to him. Perhaps he was hurt or injured. Perhaps the Sioux had...She grabbed the rifle and headed in the direction of the horses.

  The horses nickered softly as she approached them. Domino nuzzled at her, and she patted the horse’s nose. “Where is he, Domino?”

  The moon emerged from behind the dark clouds, and she saw footprints leaving the clearing. Her heart in her throat, she followed them. They led to a small pool under a rock overhang. A faint slap of water caught her attention. She dropped to her knees, peered through the bushes and saw Evan in the dark water. As she watched, he swam leisurely from one end of the small pool to the other. Her hand curled into a fist. How dare he scare her half out of her wits.

  Suddenly, he stopped swimming and stared at her hiding place—as if he knew she was there. But he couldn’t—could he?

  “Come on out, Angel.”

  Slowly, she rose to her feet and stepped from behind the bushes. “How did you know I was there?”

  He shrugged, the water glistening on his broad shoulders. “I just knew.”

  “Did I make noise?”

  He ignored her question. “Why don’t you come on in and take a swim? The water’s fine.”

  Although the invitation tempted her, her hackles rose. How arrogant that he’d think she’d be so easy? His words merely reflected what he thought of her. “I will not. How dare you talk to me like that?”

  He laughed and walked toward her.

  She squealed and backed up. “Don’t you dare come out of that water, Evan Montgomery.”

  He kept walking. The water was down to his waist. Her body felt as if it would burst into flames at any second. She put her hands over her eyes.

  “Look at me, Angel.” His voice sounded closer.

  “No, no. I won’t.”

  “You’ve seen me before, Angel. Look at me now.”

  His voice caressed her in the moonlight, flowing over her like satin, soft and sensual. She opened her eyes. He stood before her—completely naked—like a pagan god. It took every bit of effort she could muster to tear her gaze from his body. “Stay away from me, Evan. You belong to another.”

  Even in the moonlight, she could see his face darken into a scowl. “I belong to no one.”

  “No? What of Mary? She loves you.” She waited for his reply, her gaze focused on his lips. Oh, what heaven those lips could bring.

  “I don’t have to explain myself to you.” His jaw hardened, and he crossed his arms over his chest.

  She did the same. “You do if you want...this...to go any further.”

  He stepped closer. “I can always take what I want.”

  “You could—but you won’t.” He stood so close she could feel his swollen manhood against her belly.

  He reached out and caressed her cheek. “You’re right. I wouldn’t. But admit it, my darling, you want me as much as I want you. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Oh, okay, I admit it but”—her voice quivered as his hands went lower—“until you make a decision, I will not give in to it.”

  “Oh, you think to withhold your favors in order to control me?” His voice was cold and hard, but his body was no longer.

  She slapped his hands away. “Favors? Is that what you think? You disgust me, Evan Montgomery.” She pivoted on her heel and marched back to camp—and to her cold bed.

  ****

  The next morning, Angel pretended to sleep while she watched Evan make coffee and then disappear from the camp. He’d not come to her last night to apologize as she’d hoped. She slipped from her bedroll and headed in the opposite direction to tend to her personal needs. When she returned, he sat by the fire, a cup of coffee in his hands. He watched her but remained silent. Should she try to make peace or ignore him? Since he’d evidently chosen not to talk to her, she pretended he wasn’t there. Two could play that game. She sat across from him and poured a cup of coffee, then sipped the hot liquid. She looked everywhere but at him.

  Finally he broke the silence. “We should reach your father’s cabin this afternoon. Are you still of a mind to go there?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right. I still think it’s a bad idea, but it’s your call. While you eat, I’ll saddle the horses.”

  Late that afternoon, they crested a small rise. Evan pulled Buck to a halt, and when she came alongside, he pointed to a small cabin nestled under huge pines. “That’s it.”

  A shudder coursed through her body. Despite her anger at her father’s desertion, a sense of loss filled her. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she bit down on her bottom lip. Her father’s house. A man she’d never known—and now would never know. How could fate be so cruel?

  Evan led the way down the slope through the overgrown yard. The cabin appeared small. Loose shingles banged in the breeze. Broken windows and missing boards from the porch added to the deplorable condition of the house. She pressed the heel of her hand to her chest.

  Evan dismounted first, then she slipped from the saddle. He took the reins from her and tied them to the hitching post. She didn’t move—she couldn’t move. Her feet were rooted to the spot. “Where is he? I mean, where is he buried?”

  “Out back on a slope near the river. Come on. I’ll show you.”

  Somewhere she found the courage to move her feet. She followed Evan around the cabin and down a grassy knoll to where a lone ponderosa pine stood like a sentinel looking out over the crystal waters of the stream. A lone grave marked by a wooden cross lay under the pine’s spreading branches.

  As she neared the grave, the words on the cross came into focus. Jake Plummer. After all these years, the man who’d deserted her and her mother lay before her. Yet, to her amazement, she felt no satisfaction. Only sadness.

  “Did you do this?” She pointed at the cleared ground and the cross.

  “Yeah. Chad and me.”

  She stared up at him. “Why?”

  He locked gazes with her. “Because no man’s passing should go unmarked.”

  She nodded. A knot formed in her belly, churning until she felt sick. “Thank you.”

  “I owed it to him. And to you.”

  Stars swirled before her eyes, and her vision blurred. She stumbled backward. Evan’s arms closed around her. “Let’s go back to the cabin before you fall down.”

  “Okay.” He led the way back to the porch, then opened the door. She took a slow deep breath before entering the cabin. A mixture of fear, curiosity and nervous anticipation about what she might find, controlled her careful step across the threshold.

  Without warning, she burst into tears.

  ****

  Evan muttered a curse. He should never have brought her here, but if he hadn’t, this strong-minded woman would’ve struck out on her own. She looked so pathetic, so sorrowful, that he wanted to reach out to her, to comfort her. It surprised him that he felt so protective of her. He touched her arm. “Angel, I’m sorry.”

  To his surprise, she turned and buried her face in his chest. Great s
obs erupted like a volcano. He put his arms around her and awkwardly patted her back. Her tears wet his shirt, and still she cried. She hadn’t shed a tear at her father’s grave, yet the sight of the ramshackle cabin had her falling apart. If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never understand women.

  Finally, the crying subsided. She stepped out of his embrace and waved her hand around the room. “This place is horrible. Just horrible.”

  “Honey, what did you expect? I told you it was all dilapidated and run down.”

  “I know, but—”

  “I’m sure when he was alive it was in better shape.”

  “Of course it was. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this.”

  “I should have had someone clean it up before I brought you here, but I never dreamed you’d come to Deadwood.”

  “Me neither.”

  Evan glanced around the room, then walked over to the chest against the wall. “Something’s different. You know, I think the last time I was here, these drawers were closed and there was no clothing strewn around the room. In fact, things have been moved. The chairs were around the table.” He rubbed his chin. “It looks like someone has searched this place.”

  Angel moved around the room, uprighting the chairs and picking up broken dishes and clothing. “But why? What were they looking for?”

  “If we knew that, we’d be a lot closer to figuring this mess out.” He pointed at the broken dishes. “You can do that later. It’s getting dark. We need to go unless you want to spend the night here.”

  She shuddered. “No. No, I don’t want to stay here. Right now, that is.”

  He took the dishes from her hands. “You can clean up when you come back. Okay?”

  She looked down at the clothes in her hands as if she were not aware she was holding them. Then she nodded and sat them on the table. “Yes, of course.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Just as the sun dipped behind the mountains, they rode into Deadwood.