A Sheriff's Passion

by Michelle Beattie

  He wasn’t proud his tone made her wince, but neither would he apologize for it.

  Silver wrung her hands together. “They didn’t find me, Shane. But I found them. Or rather you did.” With one hand she took the sketches he still had on his desk, spread them out and pointed to John Paul. “That’s my cousin, John Paul.”

  A heavy ball of dread fell into his stomach. The pieces were coming together. Even as she spoke, he was shaking his head in denial.

  “I couldn’t tell you. I panicked when I saw these sketches. And when you said you were going to fetch Mitch and Owen to bring them in, all I could think of was warning my cousin. After everything he’d done for me, I thought I owed him that so while you were gone to get Mitch I rode up and warned them.”

  “Jesus Christ,” he swore. “You’re the reason they were cleared out by the time we got there.”

  Shane raked his hand over his face. Well, that was perfect. A group of thieves and murderers she’d once associated with had camped in the hills not far out of Marietta. And they’d not only already murdered one of their own but one of them was responsible for beating Charlotte. Thinking of that woman beaten and bruised fired Shane’s temper.

  “Is that why you were so quick to take Charlotte soup after she was hurt? Because you felt guilty?”

  Silver paled. “I had no idea who’d beaten Charlotte until yesterday. It wasn’t until I saw those drawings that I knew Quinton and the others were here.”

  “And what’s the first thing you did? You lied to me about knowing them and then you rode into the hills to find your old friends. That’s why you asked what my plans were. That’s why, by the time I got there, they’d left. You’d warned them off. All to keep your dirty little secret.”

  “At first, yes. But I changed my mind before I made it back to town,” she hurried to explain. “I knew I had to tell you. I knew I couldn’t simply let them get away again, let them hurt anyone else.”

  Fury raged hot and wild through him. “They’re murderers, Silver! They needed to arrested, not warned away.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I truly am. I wished I’d have come to that conclusion before I warned them, but John Paul is all the family I have left and he did help me once, even if you don’t see it that way.”

  Still reeling, still trying to make sense of how his world had unraveled so quickly, Shane pointed to the drawings.

  “What are their names?”

  “This, as I stated, is my cousin John Paul.” She pointed to the dead man. “That’s Albert. This is Dirk and that’s Quinton. Quinton’s the leader.”

  Quinton, or John as he’d claimed his name was. The murdered man was Albert. Jesus.

  “What’s their plan?”

  “I don’t know. They didn’t even know I was here until John Paul and I crossed paths and once we did—”

  “Once you did you didn’t think to ask, just warned them to get out to save your own neck.”

  “I’m here now, Shane. I’m telling you now.”

  “It’s too late now, they’re gone. Or they want me to believe they are as the tracks were leading to Bozeman.” He paced, thought. “Quinton didn’t strike me as a forgiving man. What do you think he’ll do when your cousin tells him you’re here?”

  She swallowed hard. “I don’t think he’ll leave without somehow trying to get his money back.”

  “Then it stands to reason he’ll target Silver’s.”

  Silver grimaced. “I didn’t tell John Paul about the saloon. I told him I worked at the boardinghouse.”

  Shane pressed the heels of his hands over his eyes. “Of course you did.”

  “I said that, hoping if he, Quinton, and the others thought I had no money, nothing they could take from me, then Quinton would have no reason to come into town. Knowing I own a saloon would guarantee he came.”

  It made sense. But he didn’t have to like it. Shane lowered his hands. “Melissa saw three men riding through town late last night. I suspect they may well know about your saloon now.”

  Thoughts swirling, gut churning, Shane once again began to pace. Even if Quinton and the others hadn’t known Silver was here before, it didn’t change the fact that they’d been in the vicinity for weeks. They’d definitely had something else planned all along.

  Dammit, these men were capable of murder. And now they had two reasons to come into Marietta, Silver and whatever they’d planned in the first place.

  “What are you going to do?”

  He stopped, looked at the woman he’d thought he was going to spend his life with. The woman, he now knew, who was a liar and a thief. His head knew it. His head had already cut her out of his life. His heart, he feared, would take a hell of a lot longer.

  But to hell with his heart. His heart was the reason his chest felt as though it were splitting open. He’d never felt such god-awful pain in his life. It was time to listen to his head.

  Marching forward, he grasped Silver’s wrist, walked her to the cells.

  “Shane! What are you doing?”

  “Same thing I do with all criminals,” he said as he opened one of the cells. “I’m arresting you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Shane couldn’t stay there. He could barely breathe. He couldn’t stay in the same room as Silver and not smell her, not hear her soft breathing. Not remember what it felt like to hold her, kiss her, slip inside her and feel her wrap around him. And he hated himself, loathed himself, for still wanting her despite all her lies and machinations. Taking the cigar box of money from his desk, he stepped outside, locked the office.

  The wind slapped at his face, rain pelted his cheeks. Perfect. Just goddamn perfect. He tucked the box in tight to his chest, tugged his hat down low and aimed for the stairs that led to his room upstairs. After letting himself in, he headed straight for his safe and secured the money inside. Woodenly, he sat down on his bed. Bracing his elbows on his knees he buried his face in his hands.

  Two nights ago he’d made to love a woman he believed would be his wife and now he’d just arrested her for not only knowing about other thefts in Dakota Territory which she’d kept quiet about, but also for having stolen herself. Frustrated, mad, and so damn hurt he shook with it Shane let out a feral growl.

  Suddenly his door flew open. Shane leapt to his feet, six-shooter in his hand and cocked before he recognized it wasn’t John, or Quinton, or whatever the hell he called himself. It was Mitch.

  “What were you thinking barging in like that? I could have shot you.”

  Mitch lowered the hands he’d raised while Shane holstered his gun.

  “I was coming from the boardinghouse when I saw you leave your office. I called out but I guess you didn’t hear me. I was going to knock but it sounded like you were being mauled.”

  Clearly seeing no wild animal inside, Mitch studied Shane. His brow creased.

  “You look like hell.”

  “Thanks, I feel it.”

  “Yesterday, you were shining brighter than the sun. Now you look as dismal as the weather outside. What’s changed?”

  Shane didn’t see any point in keeping it quiet. Besides, it wasn’t as though he’d be able to even if he tried. Silver was in his cell and he’d hold her there until he heard from Logan. Since her thievery hadn’t happened in Marietta, Silver’s fate was out of his hands. As a US Marshal, Logan would also be the one to return the money. But there’d be no way to keep her arrest and the closing of Silver’s a secret.

  “Take a seat.” He gestured to one of his kitchen chairs. “You’re not going to believe this.”

  Silver huddled in the corner of the bunk, once again cold and alone. The wind howled outside the small window, rattling the pane and the door. It was like a rabid wolf clawing and snarling, determined to come in. It was how she’d felt in Dakota Territory all over again.

  She leaned her head against the log wall, suddenly weary. Even at her lowest, after her ma had died and she’d curled up on the pallet and wept, she hadn’t felt this despair
. Perhaps that was because she’d still been able to cling to her dream of one day having the kind of life she’d wanted, being the woman she so desperately wanted to be.

  That dream was shattered now. And the loss was agonizing because now her dream was no longer an intangible thing. Before, she could only pretend to know how it would feel to have a home, true friends, and stability. Now she knew firsthand. She’d lived it, breathed it.

  It hurt. Dear lord, it hurt to lose it all. She’d known telling Shane would change things but she realized now she’d held out a sliver of hope that he’d understand. That his love for her was stronger than her lies. That together they’d find a way through this. While she’d considered he’d be furious enough to throw her in jail, she hadn’t really expected him to do so. Yet she should have. His integrity made him the man he was. And, honestly, it was one of the things she loved about him.

  Not that she would ever have him again, with or without integrity.

  She wanted to blame John Paul, wished she could lay all the fault at his feet. But he hadn’t forced her to take that money. He’d given her the opportunity, but he’d left the decision to her. And nobody had forced her to lie about who she was and where she’d come from, how she’d come to have the money to build Silver’s. That was all her own.

  And now she was paying the price.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Hear me out,” Shane stated far more calmly than he felt. “From everything Silver told me and the impression I got myself, talking to Quinton, he strikes me as cocky and ruthless. We already know these men, at least one of them, are capable of murder as they turned on one of their own, which also means while they are willing to do anything to achieve their goal, they are also willing to change the plan along the way.

  “I suspect, and Silver agrees, that with them now knowing she’s here, they’re going to come after her, try to get their money back.”

  “Don’t you think her cousin will try to talk them out of that? Clearly, he doesn’t want her hurt. Not only did he let her steal the money all those years ago but he let her go again yesterday.”

  “Yeah. But it may not be up to him. The way I figure it, the man named Albert wasn’t supposed to hurt Charlotte that night. In fact, I’m fairly certain he wasn’t supposed to do more than ride through town and get a lay of the land. But he drew attention by hurting Charlotte, and likely it was Quinton who shot him in the back for it.”

  Shane peered out his window. A few wagons were rolling out of town. The boardwalks were empty. Everyone was clearing out before the storm hit.

  “I think once Quinton finds out Silver is here and her cousin let her go, I fear his end will be the same as Albert’s.”

  “They’ll murder him.”

  Shane lifted his shoulders. “I can’t see why they wouldn’t as I can’t see her cousin going along with any plan that would include going after Silver. Not when he’s done so much to protect her.”

  Mitch crossed his arms over his chest. “Which would leave two.”

  “Which would leave two,” Shane concurred. “And I don’t think they’re going to sit and wait for too long. Not now.”

  “Well, I can’t fault your reasoning but I hate the idea of Silver being used as bait.”

  “I never said she had to be in the saloon. Only that they believe she is.”

  “If she won’t be in the saloon, where will she be?”

  “In jail. They won’t think to look for her there.”

  And if she’d told him straight away she’d recognized those men, if she hadn’t hurried to warn them, they’d already be locked up. They wouldn’t be out there somewhere planning God knew what.

  “I don’t like it,” Mitch said, shaking his head. “I don’t like you being alone in that saloon, waiting. There won’t be anyone there to have your back. And what are you going to do when the men start arriving for the poker game?”

  He’d forgotten about the Friday night poker game until Mitch had reminded him.

  “Owen will be on the balcony at Grey’s. He’ll have an eye on the front door. I’ll get Bruce to watch the back. I’ll set some horses up at the hitching post so that, even with the curtains drawn, it will look as though there are people inside, just as I’ll have the lights blazing. But if anyone shows up before they do, I’ll send them off.

  “If the outlaws arrive first, Owen is to come running. If Bruce hears shots from inside, he’ll come straight away. If either see Quinton and his men leaving, they’ll be instructed to shoot.”

  Mitch frowned. “But if you get shot, by the time Owen or Bruce can get to you, it might be too late.”

  Shane inhaled deeply, nodded.

  “I know.”

  The jailhouse door swung inward. Cold, wet air blew across the floor as Shane tramped in, followed by Mitch. Rain dripped from the brims of their hats, clung to the shoulders of their slickers. Shane’s gaze was as stormy as the weather. Mitch’s gaze wasn’t as volatile. But neither was it as warm as it usually was. He knew. Shane had told him.

  It wouldn’t be long now until the entire town knew. While she hated that, hated that she’d prove most of them right for not trusting her and liking her in the first place, their opinions didn’t matter near as much as the opinions of those she called friends. Two of which were walking toward her now.

  Silver clasped her hands together. She knew they were disappointed but she had to hope, had to believe that no matter what her future held, they’d eventually come to understand she’d done the best she could. Had it been right? No. But she’d taken a terrible situation and used it to make something better. With time, hopefully they’d see that.

  Although the glower on Shane’s face said he wasn’t anywhere near there yet. He stopped at her cell, reached his hand between the bars and turned his palm up.

  “Give me the keys to Silver’s.”

  “Keys?” She looked from him to Mitch. While both were angry, there was something else in Mitch’s eyes. Worry. Silver got an uneasy feeling. “Why do you need the keys?”

  She didn’t think Shane’s eyes could get any harder but he proved her wrong. “You’re not in a position to ask questions. Keys. Now.”

  Since he hated her already, she had nothing to lose by refusing. She stepped further away from the bars.

  “Not until you tell me what you need them for.”

  His mouth flattened. Clearly, he had no intention of answering her. Instead he went back to his desk, returned with a ring that held the key to her cell. He jammed it home, the lock clicked open. He shoved the door open and stalked in.

  She had nowhere to go. Two steps backward and her back pressed against the log walls. Shane marched toward her, not stopping until he loomed over her. His breath was uneven, his jaw pulsing. And no matter that fury blazed in his dark gaze, that she knew he’d never touch her again, her heart and body yearned for him. He smelled of wind and rain, leather and man, and she bled knowing she’d never again feel his arms around her, his lips on hers. She’d never see him look at her with love and affection. Never feel the gentle caress of his hands.

  And if he stood there any longer she’d only make things worse. He didn’t want to hear any more apologies from her, didn’t want her to tell him how much she loved him. He wasn’t ready to hear any more reasoning, or worse, begging. Choking on emotion, Silver dug into her pocket, removed the keys and held them out.

  He didn’t reach for them as she’d expected. Instead he remained there, his chest nearly touching hers, his breath fluttering over her face. For a moment, the anger left him and he was once again looking at her as he had this morning.

  Tears swam in her eyes. Whispering his name she reached for him.

  His eyes widened before they narrowed. Then he yanked the keys from her fingers and stalked from the cell. Though he didn’t slam it, the sound of the door closing echoed as loud to Silver as the crack of thunder outside.

  “I’ll get Owen and Bruce.” Shane tossed Mitch some keys. “Lock up her
e. I’ll see you later.”

  Mitch grabbed Shane’s arm. “Be careful.”

  The brothers stared at each other or a long moment and Silver saw the affection between them. Whatever disagreements they had there was love between them.

  Shane nodded, pulled his hat low. “You too.” Then, without another glance her way, he ducked his head and stepped out into the storm.

  Silver ran to the bars, wrapped her hands around them. “Why do you two need to be careful? What does he need Owen and Bruce for? Mitch, please!” she begged when he turned for the door.

  He stopped, hesitated, then turned around. “Shane figures Quinton and the others will come into town. Since you told them you worked at the boardinghouse it’s plausible they’ll go there first. That’s where I’ll be.”

  “And if they do go there? Then what?”

  “That depends. If only one comes, I’ll hold him, wound him if it comes to that. If it’s two or more, I say there’s been a misunderstanding, that you don’t work there, you own Silver’s. Owen will be at Grey’s, on the balcony, watching the front of your saloon. Bruce will be at the back. They’ll make sure Quinton and his men don’t walk out of Silver’s alive.”

  Silver’s heart pounded. “What about Shane?”

  “He’ll be inside your saloon. He’s hoping to contain everything there.”

  Silver squeezed the bars. “He’s going to take them on alone?”

  Mitch blew out a breath, shook his head. “It was his idea. He doesn’t want anyone else getting hurt.”

  Ice-cold fear gripped Silver. “You can’t let him do this! It’ll be three against one. Let me out! It’s me they want. And I can shoot if it comes to that. Mitch!” She rattled the bars as he turned from her. “Mitch, I can’t have him hurt because of me.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Please,” she sobbed. “I can’t live with his blood on my hands.”

  Mitch stopped but he kept his back to her. “This is how he wants it. He’d be furious if I let you out.”