She’d instructed them all that Teddy and Millie were not to be told about the problem. There was no reason to worry the children unnecessarily. Still, she felt better knowing that someone would keep an eye on the little ones, as well as watching over her. Sin had already spoken to the schoolteacher, Mr. Reese, about the situation. No one would bother them while he was around, he assured her.
Uncle Jedidiah sat with Millie and Teddy, in order that they all get better acquainted. Teddy had been his usual quiet self at the beginning of the meal, but already he’d begun to open up a little. Millie had charmed the big man from the moment she’d opened her mouth.
When everyone had been fed, Eden gathered up as many dirty dishes as she could handle and carried them to the kitchen. Eventually she would have to hire someone to help her. If only Lydia had stayed! Maybe the girl couldn’t cook, but she might’ve learned. She could certainly wash dishes and help with the cleaning.
She turned around to make another trip to the dining room and was startled to see Sin standing right behind her. He hadn’t made a sound as he’d followed her into the kitchen.
“We need to talk,” he said.
“We don’t have anything to talk about,” she said primly. Sin had told her he didn’t love her. She’d seen him with a floozy sitting on his lap, and still her heart did funny things when he was near. She didn’t know if she wanted more to slap him or to cry or to kiss him. Instead, she did nothing at all.
“Last night was a mistake.”
“The wedding or making love with me?” She lifted her head to look him in the eye, showing no fear.
“Both,” he whispered.
It hurt, worse than she’d imagined, to hear him actually say the words, to hear him admit that what had happened between them was a mistake. She didn’t want to believe him.
“What are you more afraid of?” She looked him squarely in the eye. “That I truly love you or that you might love me?”
“I’m not afraid of anything.”
She reached up and pushed back a long strand of dark hair that fell across his cheek. He didn’t flinch, but she could see him almost turn to stone, steeling himself against her touch. It would be easier if she could fall out of love as quickly as she’d fallen in, if she could convince herself that Jedidiah was right and she only thought she was in love because she’d never known anyone like Sin before.
“You don’t believe in love. You don’t believe in fate. You don’t believe in anything,” she whispered. “I think you don’t want to believe in love because if you did then you might have to consider that what’s happened between us is good and real and true.”
“Eden...”
“It’s easier for you to dismiss what’s happened between us as something physical and temporary,” she said, thinking this out as she spoke, “because you’re scared of what might still be to come if it’s more than simple passion. You’re afraid this might be something you can’t ride away from at the drop of a hat,” she whispered. “You’re afraid a mere woman will change your life.”
“No woman, not even you, is going to change my life.”
She smiled, just a little. “Maybe not, but I surely did want the chance to try.”
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and then almost immediately moved that hand to the back of her neck. The way he touched her, even now, made her think—no, made her certain—that he did love her.
“If I was going to allow any woman to change my life,” he said with a touch of bitter humor, “it would be you.”
That reluctant admission was enough, for now, to make her forgive Sin everything. Eden raised up on her tiptoes and laid her mouth, lips slightly parted, over his. He met her for a simple, deep, searching kiss that didn’t last nearly long enough.
When they drifted apart Eden whispered, “No matter what Jedidiah says, we are married. You can set me aside; you can pretend last night never happened; you can tell yourself that the wedding and what came after was just a foolish mistake.... But that won’t make it go away. It certainly won’t make me go away.”
“I know,” he whispered.
“But until you can tell me you love me, what we have won’t be complete. You have my heart and my body. I’ve given you everything I have to offer a man. But what do I have of you, Sin? All I have is the little piece that you’re willing to share. It’s enough, for now, but it won’t be enough forever.”
“We don’t have forever,” Sin said. “You need to go back to Georgia and forget this marriage ever happened. You have to forget you ever met me.” He laid his hand on her shoulder again. “I’d prefer that you go willingly, but once we’re sure there’s no baby I’ll tie you up and carry you to Spring Hill myself, if I have to.”
Baby. Her heart skipped a beat.
She was about to argue with him when a familiar voice bellowed from the dining room, “Where the hell is Sullivan?”
Chapter 15
Sullivan had been banned from the hotel by Jed, after being caught in the kitchen with Eden. Just as well. He couldn’t look at her and not want her, and no matter what she thought, he knew no good would come of this so-called marriage.
Since he’d retreated to the saloon, the girls, all three of them, had tried to cheer him up. Ethel had been persistent and Kate had been bold in her suggestions. Laurel had set herself down on his lap again and called him Sully in her most seductive voice. He’d waved them off, one at a time. He didn’t want to be cheered up, damn it, and he sure as hell didn’t want to try to forget Eden with another woman. Right now he was content to wallow in his misery.
Another lively evening at the saloon was well underway when Cash pushed his way through the doors. His black attire was dusty. His usual calm had forsaken him for an intensity that seeped through his pores. The mood in the saloon dimmed. Even the girls steered clear as Cash strode to Sullivan’s table.
“I have bad news,” he said, choosing to stand over the table instead of sitting down. “The Merriweather brothers escaped while en route to San Antonio for trial. Killed a deputy and wounded a U.S. marshal. Tilton said he was just about to ride over here and warn you, since the brothers have been cursing your name and your lovely wife since the day he arrested them.”
“I was afraid of that,” Sullivan muttered as he stood. He would have to take this news to Jed and the others. Bad as this was, it was almost a relief knowing exactly who they were up against. An unseen enemy was the most dangerous; they all knew that too well.
“Not so fast,” Cash said with a raised hand. “I have more bad news.”
Sullivan sank into his chair, and Cash sat down, placing his forearms on the table and leaning forward. “They escaped three days ago, well after the first warning note was left for Eden. Now, if she will admit to writing that warning herself, we’ll know we’re only up against one enemy. If she doesn’t...”
“She didn’t write the note,” Sullivan said, never more sure than he was at that moment.
“It’s possible the Merriweathers don’t know where to look for you and your wife just yet. But they know your name, and if they ask the right questions in the right places, they’ll be here soon enough; you can count on that. In addition to the Merriweathers seeking revenge, someone out there is trying to frighten Eden into leaving town. Once they discover she doesn’t scare easily, the problem will only get worse.” Cash brushed a spot of dust from his black sleeve. “How on earth did such a nice girl get herself into so much trouble?”
“We can’t escort Eden out of town until we know where the Merriweathers are,” Sullivan muttered. “Bushwhacking travelers is what they do, and she’d be too exposed on the trail, too vulnerable.”
“So we sit tight, for the moment.”
Sullivan laid his eyes on Cash, trying to read the gambler’s face. As usual, it was damn near impossible. “You don’t like her much.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Cash gave the question some serious thought before answering. “I don
’t like her because she brings trouble wherever she goes. Women like her always do. I don’t like her because she’s trying to wrap you around her little finger. She’s doing a fine job of it, by the way.”
He feared Cash was much too close to the truth. “If we have to go do battle, are you with us?” he asked.
Cash lifted surprised eyebrows and almost smiled. “I consider a woman to be the worst possible reason to go to war, but if you need me, I’ll be right beside you. We are not the most remarkable of men, Sullivan. We are, at times, selfish and callous and shiftless. But we are notable soldiers, and when the time for battle comes, there are none better. If there’s a fight, I will not miss it.”
“Thank you.” Sullivan wondered how he could’ve ever suspected Cash of being so underhanded as to try to scare Eden out of town.
Cash ordered two whiskeys and shooed an attentive Ethel aside. “One drink, and then we tell the others what we know.” He lifted his glass, and with a twinkle in his eye said, “War I can handle. I even look forward to it. Dangers such as pretty, nice girls are more likely to do men like us in. Don’t forget it.”
Sullivan drained his glass, keeping to himself the sudden uneasy conviction that it was much too late for such advice.
* * *
Eden’s annoyance at the constant presence of a guard dissolved when she heard that the Merriweathers had escaped. She and Sin hadn’t told the brothers where they were headed, but as Cash so bluntly pointed out, anyone asking questions about Sinclair Sullivan would soon know where to look. Apparently the men of Rock Creek were somewhat infamous.
Rico checked her room before she put the children to bed, and Nate positioned himself in the hallway, just outside the door. Sin and Jedidiah took turns walking the perimeter of the hotel and climbing into the bell tower to scan the land surrounding Rock Creek, keeping their eyes open for anything or anyone suspicious. Cash had returned to the saloon.
Eden sat in the lobby with Rico and Jedidiah while Sin circled the hotel. She found herself perching stiffly on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped in her lap. She couldn’t possibly sleep, and if she tried she’d only disturb Millie with her tossing and turning.
Rico anxiously fingered the knife on his belt as he paced. “I cannot believe you and Sullivan are actually married.” He grinned crookedly. “Ah, matrimonio.”
“They’re not married,” Jedidiah declared with finality. “There were no witnesses, the preacher was drunk, the ceremony was held in a hotel lobby and not a church, and no one asked my permission. I didn’t see it, I didn’t give her away, and it doesn’t count.”
Rico’s grin widened. “I heard about your brotherly position on the subject. I also heard that Senora Sullivan kicked both you and her esposo out of the hotel.”
“That’s Miss Rourke to you, Kid,” Jedidiah snapped, and then he laid narrowed eyes on Eden. “Forcing me out of the hotel is not an option anymore. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know.” Eden sighed. “You can collect your things and move back in tonight.”
Jedidiah grinned in victory. “I’ll do that.”
“Sin, too, I guess,” she said softly. Oh, it was not a good idea to live under the same roof with her husband! How was she supposed to remain cool to him when she had to see him every day? When she knew he was sleeping just above her head?
“I don’t think so,” Jedidiah said. “He can stay in the saloon.”
With a distaste that made her lips pucker, Eden remembered walking into the saloon and finding her husband with a hussy perched on his knee. She was not about to force him to live in that awful place, surrounded by those terrible women!
“No,” she said calmly. “If I allow you to move back in, I have to let Sin return, too. It’s only fair.”
Jedidiah muttered something that was surely obscene. The only word she could decipher with any certainty was fair, the word spit out like a bite of something bitter.
When Sin returned from his reconnaissance, announcing that all was clear, Jedidiah left to collect his things from the saloon. He instructed Rico to stay put while he was gone. Goodness, her brother was not about to leave her alone with Sin, not even for a few minutes.
“You should get to bed,” Sin said gruffly, without looking at her. “It’s been a long day.”
A long, terrible day following a long, wonderful night. Just twenty-four hours ago, she and Sin had stood in this lobby and promised to stay together forever. They’d laughed and quivered and kissed. They’d rushed up the stairs to lie in each other’s arms and make love. How could it be over?
It wasn’t, not if she wouldn’t allow it to be over.
“I’m not tired,” she whispered. “I’d rather stay here.” With you.
She wanted everything of Sin, his affection and his love, his body and his heart. If she could only have that little piece of him he was willing to give, would it be enough? If he touched her, it would be impossible to refuse him. If he kissed her, she would do anything he asked. It was truly unfair that she found herself so terribly weak where her husband was concerned.
Rico turned on his heel and headed for the dining room. “I am going to swipe a piece of that custard pie from the kitchen. I will not be gone long, I promise,” he added as he stepped through the doorway, leaving them alone.
“I guess he thinks we need to talk,” Eden said, settling herself against the soft cushions of the lobby sofa.
“He’s wrong.” Sin didn’t even look at her, but stared at the front door as if he expected Curtis Merriweather to appear there at any moment.
“No,” Eden said softly. “He’s right. Sin, what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to wait.”
“For what?”
“For the Merriweathers. For the man who’s been trying to frighten you into leaving town.” He turned and looked down at her. “We’re going to wait until we know if last night resulted in a child. If it did we’ll have to stay married, somehow. If not...”
Her heart did a quick, unpleasant flip.”You can’t just undo what’s already happened. You can’t let Jedidiah’s temper decide the rest of our lives.” She gave the seat beside her a gentle pat. “Sit down.”
“No...”
“Afraid?”
Sin reluctantly took the seat beside her, but he didn’t relax.
“We don’t have to resolve anything tonight,” she said. “But for one thing. We decide what happens to us. Not Jedidiah. Not anyone else. We decide.”
“There’s not much to decide.” Sin finally looked at her. “What do you expect me to do? Give up my life to live in an old run-down hotel and raise other people’s children? Settle down and spend my days being papa to every stray you bring in?”
“Is that all you think we have ahead of us?”
“I’m not the kind of man who wants to settle down into domestic misery.”
Misery! How could he? “Didn’t you think of that last night, when we got married?” Eden’s heart sank. She should’ve known a man like Sinclair Sullivan would never be content to live the life she wanted.
“Last night I was thinking of one thing,” Sin admitted. “Getting you into bed. I didn’t even consider what might come after.”
It wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but at least he was being honest with her. “If all you wanted was sex, you could’ve gone across the street.”
“I didn’t want to go across the street,” he seethed. “I wanted you. No one else.”
Eden smiled. It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love, but it would do. For now.
She leaned just a little bit closer to him. “I hope I’m not going to have a baby,” she whispered. “Not yet.”
She could see the hurt in his eyes, the rejection. Ah, he didn’t know what he wanted, and the indecision was tearing him apart.
“I want you to stay for me, not for a child.” She laid her hand on his forearm. “I want us to stay married because you love me, not because you feel obligated.”
“I al
ready told you...”
“I know. You don’t believe in fate. You don’t believe in love. You don’t believe we have a future together.” She smiled and settled her head on his shoulder. “It all sounds very cynical, perhaps even hostile, but there’s one small problem. I don’t believe you.” She closed her eyes and made herself comfortable against Sin’s side. “In my heart I know you want the same things I do. You want love and family and a home.”
“You’re wrong,” he said, not pushing her away but shifting until they were both more comfortable. “I like you, Eden, you know I do, but don’t make more of this than that. Sooner or later you’ll go back to Georgia, and I’ll go back to being a hired gun.”
“I don’t think so,” she whispered, and then she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Eden fell asleep leaning against his shoulder, and a moment later repositioned herself so her head was in his lap with her legs curled up beneath her green calico skirt. Sullivan knew it would be best if he just eased off the couch, or maybe woke Eden and sent her to bed, but he didn’t. Instead, he settled his hand lightly in her hair and leaned his head back. At least here she was safe.
“Well, that did not take long,” Rico said as he stepped into the lobby from the dining room. “Senora Sullivan sleeps like only the truly innocent can.”
“Yeah,” Sullivan said softly. “She’s exhausted.” He cut a sharp gaze to the kid. “And cut the Senora Sullivan crap.”
Rico sat in the chair nearest the sofa and stretched out his long legs. “For such a sweet muchacha, Senora... Eden, if you prefer... certainly has found herself a heap of trouble in a very short time. Those banditos, whoever wants her out of town.” He grinned. “You.”
“Where Eden goes, calamity follows.” And it was all her fault. If she wasn’t constantly sticking her nose into other people’s business, she’d be safe in Georgia right now, married to some boring, reliable greenhorn who’d thank his lucky stars every day that such a good, beautiful woman had consented to be his wife. “As soon as this is over, she’s going back to Georgia.”
Sullivan (The Rock Creek Six Book 2) Page 17