A match flared and lit a corner of the room. She dove across the bed, her fingers grappling for her purse—and gun. The lamp flickered to life, and she saw the silhouette of a man. “Who’s there? I warn you I’ve got a gun, and I’ll use it.”
The man stepped from the shadows.
Evan.
Chapter 15
Angel lowered her gun. “You. What are you doing here? How did you get in here?”
“How do you think?” Evan pointed at the open window. “It was easy.”
“Well, get out of here this instant, or I’ll scream, and then you’ll be in big trouble.”
He shrugged his shoulders, then sat down in the chair by the window. “Go ahead and scream.”
“You don’t think I’ll do it, do you? Well, I will.” She opened her mouth, but he didn’t move. She clamped her jaws together. He’d called her bluff and won. She plopped on the bed and stuffed the gun back in her reticule. “All right, all right. So I’m not going to scream. I still want you out of here. If someone sees you leaving my room at this hour—”
His jaw clenched. “Don’t worry. It couldn’t hurt your reputation any more than you’ve already done.”
She glared at him. “If you’re here to preach at me, don’t waste your time.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Are you forgetting I was a riverboat gambler when you met me? Why are you surprised?”
“You were on your grandfather’s riverboat—under his protection—and not in a place like Mann’s. It’s different out here.”
“Not that different. Well, I couldn’t stay out at the cabin after what happened. You said so yourself. So I moved into town, and this room didn’t come free.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.
“If you needed money, you should have come to me.” He jumped to his feet and paced the floor.
“You? I will not be a kept woman, Evan Montgomery.”
“That’s not what I mean—”
“Oh? Then what did you mean?”
“I only meant—”
“I know what you meant. You’ll give me money and in turn I’m to allow you in my bed whenever you want. There’s a word for that, and I don’t like it.” Her bottom lip trembled.
“Angel—”
“I’ll not be your whore, Evan.” Despite her efforts not to cry, she burst into tears.
He rushed over and pulled her into his arms. “For God’s sake, don’t say that. That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I would never—I just don’t want you to work in that damned saloon.”
She buried her face against his chest. The dam inside her burst, and all her pent-up feelings of the last few weeks rushed out. “But you don’t understand…I have to do this. I have to find out who he is, and why my father had the wanted poster and why he hid it and—”
“Honey, what the hell are you talking about?” With his finger, he tipped her chin back. “You’re not making any sense. Who are you talking about? What wanted poster?”
With the back of her hand, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. She retrieved her purse from behind her. Still sniffling, she tugged the yellowed paper from her purse. In doing so, her gun fell out.
“Whoa. Watch that gun. It could go off.” He picked it up and placed it on the table.
“Here’s the poster.” She handed it to him.
He slowly unfolded it, then whistled. “Why, that looks like Thaddeus Grayson.”
Trying to stop her tears, she hiccupped. “Yeah. That’s what I thought too.”
“Where did you get this?”
“It was hidden in the clock at the cabin. I found it by accident.”
“I wonder how long it’s been there.”
“My father must have hidden it there.”
“Have you shown it to anyone?”
“No.”
His brow furrowed. “Don’t show it to anyone.” He refolded the paper and handed it back to her.
“You don’t think I should show it to the Citizens’ Committee, or Captain Jenkins?”
“Not yet.” He stood and resumed his pacing.
“That’s why I went to work at the saloon. Chad told me Grayson spends most of his time at the saloon playing blackjack and poker. I thought I might get to know him and find out some information about him.”
He stopped and pulled his kerchief from his pocket. Gently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It’s too dangerous, honey. I can’t allow you to do it.”
“You can’t allow it?” She jerked away from him. “You can’t stop me. I have to find out if he had anything to do with my father’s death.”
“There’s got to be another way. I could ask around—”
“And spook him? Scare him off?” She stomped her foot. “No.”
“There are ways to check on him so he wouldn’t know. I could make inquiries or we could get a Pinkerton agent—”
“No, no, no. Let’s try it my way for a while. If I can’t find anything out, then we’ll do it your way.”
“I forbid it, Angel.”
“Forbid it?” She wagged her finger at him. “You have no say over me. I don’t need your permission.”
“But you might need my help.”
“I can take care of myself.” Or can I? What would I have done the other night had he not been there to run those men off? Or save me from the prairie rattler?
“It’s too dangerous. Let’s just assume he did have something to do with Jake’s death. You could be in danger. He knows you’re Jake’s daughter. Everybody does.”
“I have to do this. Please understand.”
“Just how far are you willing to go to get information from Grayson?”
Her spirits sank. He still doesn’t trust me. “If you mean do I plan to seduce him, the answer is no, but I might try to make him think so.”
“You’re playing with fire, honey, and you’re going to get burned.” He shrugged. “I won’t be a party to this madness. Either you do as I say, or I’m leaving.”
A cold chill flowed over her. There it was. The ultimatum. She straightened her shoulders and firmed her lips. “I thought you understood how important this was to me. It’s something I have to do.”
“I do understand how you feel, but it’s not important enough to risk your life.”
“To me it is. Goodbye, Evan.”
His mouth tightened into a grim line. Without a word, he stalked over to the window and stepped through it.
And out of her life.
****
That night, a busy Saturday night, Angel watched the saloon fill to overcrowding. As always, Grayson sat at Rick’s table. At this rate, she’d be old and gray before she ever got to speak to him. She had even walked by his house on occasion trying to think of excuses to go upon the porch and knock. Maybe Evan had been right. It was useless.
The week had passed without a word from Evan. It had seemed like an eternity. Had he made up with Mary? Mary still loved him, that much was evident.
And she was no closer to even talking to Thaddeus Grayson. He came into the saloon, went to Rick’s table and stayed there.
“Hey, Angel, watch what you’re doing,” a cowboy named Clem said. “You gave me too many cards.”
Jerked back to the moment, she smiled an apology and picked up the extra card. “Sorry, Clem. Guess I was woolgathering.”
Several bills were tossed on the table and a voice, a familiar voice, spoke. “Cut me in.”
She glanced up and met Evan’s gaze. Her heart did flip-flops in her chest. He’d come back—but why? She tried to read the answer in his eyes, but his cool and detached gaze gave her no clues. With a strained smile, she dealt the cards to him. “Good luck, cowboy.”
An hour later he still sat there. When she declared it was time for a break, the other players ambled off to the bar, all but Evan. “Listen, Angel, before someone else walks up, I need to talk to you.”
“I think we’ve said enough.”
“I think I said too
much. I’ve come to apologize.”
“You have?”
“Yeah. All week long, I’ve tried to put myself in your shoes, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d do what you’ve done. I couldn’t walk away either.”
“Oh, Evan, I’m so glad you understand.”
“We’ll do it your way for now, but at the first sign of trouble, you’re getting out of here. Agreed?”
“Agreed—and thanks. I don’t feel quite so alone now.”
“When can I see you?’
She knew what he meant. Was that why he had returned? Out of lust? She could no longer deny she wanted him as much as he wanted her. She needed him, needed to feel his hands on her, his mouth on her, needed to touch him. “I have to go out to the cabin tomorrow and get some things. I’ll leave early and I should be there early afternoon.”
“I’ll be there.” He tossed his cards onto the table and walked out of the saloon.
“Me too,” she whispered.
****
While Evan waited for Angel at her cabin, he pondered last night’s unusual turn of events. The wanted poster, the secret identity, Angel’s plan. If Grayson was indeed Bob Larson, he was a murderer, and murderers very seldom worried about killing twice, or three or four times. He still didn’t understand where Jake Plummer fit into this puzzle. Had Jake known the man’s secret identity and tried to blackmail him? Dare he even mention that possibility to Angel?
The more he thought about her plan, the more concerned he became for her safety. But he’d agreed to do it her way. Why? Because he’d missed her, missed talking to her, missed holding her in his arms. He couldn’t live without her, and it was time to tell her.
He heard the distant drum of hoof beats. She’d be here in a few minutes. To his continual amazement, every time he got anywhere near her, his heart raced like a runaway train. She rode into the yard. She was dressed in a black riding skirt and a pristine white blouse. From beneath a black hat, her rust-colored hair hung in shimmering waves almost to her waist. She was simply the most beautiful and exciting woman he’d ever met, and he was going to make love to her.
She reined in her horse, and he strode to meet her. She climbed out of the saddle and into his arms. How good she felt. Each delectable curve. She belonged in his arms. He picked her up and swung her around the yard. She laughed, and it was music to his ears.
“Evan, put me down. You’re making me dizzy.”
He set her on her feet and kissed the tip of her nose.
“You’re in a great mood today.” Her green eyes sparkled.
He nodded and grinned at her.
“And why is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he said teasingly. He felt like a school boy out with a girl for the first time. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so light-hearted and carefree, and he liked the feeling. “Maybe it’s because I have you in my arms.”
She kissed him lightly on the lips. “Of course, that’s it.” She pointed at the wicker basket tied behind her saddle. “And it’s a beautiful day for a picnic. I asked Mrs. Murray at the boarding house to prepare us some sandwiches.”
“Us?”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t say who I was meeting.”
Her insinuation that he wouldn’t want anyone to know irritated him. He was his own man, and he didn’t care who knew that he was seeing Angel. “Doesn’t matter none to me who knows.”
“So you say.”
“Well, it’s the truth, and I know just the place for that picnic. Come on. Mount up.”
She grabbed her horse’s reins and climbed into the saddle. Standing behind her, he enjoyed the delectable view. She turned and caught him staring. He grinned, then vaulted onto Buck’s back. With a practiced hand, he guided the big gelding away from the house.
She caught up with him. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She grinned in response. “I like surprises.”
He led the way through the pine-covered hills. The air was clean and fragrant. From the very first moment he’d seen the Black Hills, he’d known there was something about these mountains that got into your soul. No wonder the Sioux said they were sacred. With Angel at his side, he knew true happiness. He was in love with her, and it was time to tell her. “Angel, listen—”
“Race you down to the creek,” she yelled. She took her hat off and swatted it against Domino’s flank. The mare bolted forward like she’d been shot out a cannon.
With a loud yeehaw, Evan kicked Buck with his heels and set off in pursuit. She’d taken him by surprise and had a good lead. Hair flying, lithe figure at ease in the saddle, she was a delight to watch.
Buck’s long strides quickly ate up the distance between them. As Evan closed on her, he could hear her urging the mare onward. He caught her at the bottom of the hill. He pulled even with her, leaned over and lifted her bodily from her saddle, and pulled her into his lap—facing him. Her arms circled his neck. His breath teased the damp tendrils of hair that clung to her face. He slowed Buck to a walk and draped the reins over the saddle horn.
His hands were free.
Her eyes bright with passion, she leaned forward and rubbed her breasts against his chest. His body reacted in a heated rush. He claimed her lips and kissed her long and hard.
“No,” she mumbled, “you be still.” She leaned back, her face flushed, lips parted, and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. She pulled her blouse over her head and draped it over his shoulder. She did the same thing with her chemise, and sat before him totally nude from the waist up. Again, she leaned over and teased his chest with the pearled tips of her breasts.
“My God, Angel, you don’t know what you do to me,” he whispered in her ear, then nibbled on her ear lobe.
She wiggled closer to him. “I know what you do to me,” she retorted, “and I assume it’s the same.”
“You were worried that someone would see me leave your room. What if someone saw us now?”
She laughed. “They’d get an eyeful. Are we almost to that perfect place you mentioned for that picnic?”
“Yeah, but your horse has our picnic lunch.”
“Domino’s right behind us.”
“Good. I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” she agreed, “but it’s not for food. I’m hungry for you.”
Red-hot waves of desire spread to every inch of his body. His lips covered hers, his tongue mating feverishly with hers. When the kiss ended, his breathing was labored. “Wait, honey. We’re almost there.”
“We’d better get there soon.”
In a few minutes, they rode into a small, sunlit glade. Giant ponderosa pines stood sentinel over an expanse of green grass. A small brook bubbled cheerfully nearby while brightly colored butterflies darted among the wild flowers.
“Oh, it’s beautiful here, just perfect.”
He pulled Buck to a halt, swung his leg over the saddle and slid to the ground. He held out his arms to her, and with a smile of incredible sweetness, she slipped into his embrace.
“Let me get the blanket,” he murmured into her ear. He grabbed it and placed it in a soft patch of grass, then sprawled out on it. He reached up, grabbed her hand and pulled her down on top of him. Her breasts crushed against his chest, the pearled tips pebbled against his skin. “I feel like I must be dreaming,” he whispered.
She laughed softly. “If you’re dreaming, then so am I, and I like this dream.” She wiggled suggestively against him.
“Me too.” He lifted her so that he could claim her breast. He took the taut bud into his mouth and laved it. She trembled against him. His hands tightened around her waist, and he pulled her closer to him, wanting her to feel his arousal, his need for her.
He rolled her over and pushed her skirt higher on her thigh, loving the feel of her soft smooth skin. She arched against him, her green eyes now as dark as the ponderosa pines that stood guard above them. Hurriedly, he shed his clothing, parted her legs and sank deep within the satin hea
t of her body.
He moved on her, and she met his every thrust with equal abandon. They moved as one. Her hands circled his neck and then entwined in his hair. He heard the soft breathless whisper of his name.
Her words urged him to fulfillment. He wanted to please her, to brand her forever as his, to take what she gave him, and to give in return. He quickened his movements, riding higher and higher toward passion’s sweet promise. Her body stiffened and strained against him as she found her release. As she called his name, he too reached the pinnacle of pleasure and spilled his seed within her.
As they lay sated in each other’s arms amidst the fragrant flowers, he decided there would never be a better time to tell her what was in his heart. He raised himself up on one elbow so he could look into her eyes. He wanted to see her face when he professed his love. “Angel, I have something I want to say to you. Something I should have said a long time ago. I guess I was just afraid to say it.”
She reached up and traced the line of his jaw. “I bet I know what you’re going to say.”
He laughed. “Always the gambler, aren’t you?”
She grinned in return.
“And what do you think I was going to say?” He smoothed the hair back from her face.
“You were going to tell me again that you don’t want me working in the saloon.”
“Well, you’d lose that bet, my Lady Gambler. We made a deal, and I’ll stick to it. Whether I like it or not.” He quirked his eyebrows at her. “That would be yet another bet you lost to me.”
“Stop smirking. You know I’m awful glad I lost that first bet.”
“Me too.” He took her hand and placed a kiss in her palm.
“Tell me, what do you think would have happened between us had I won that bet?” She ran her fingers across his lips.
“I think that I would have found some other way to corral you.”
“Or I you. All right, if not that, what did you want to tell me?”
“I love you, Angel Devereaux, and I want you to marry me.” Her eyes widened with surprise, then she smiled at him, an incredibly sweet smile.
Gambling on Love Page 21