The Guilty Proposal (Heroes of Hays Book 1)

by Barbara Goss

  His door opened. He knew immediately that it was Evie, since he’d been in this position once before. “Evaline, go back downstairs,” he whispered.

  “I’m only here to talk, Travis,” she whispered back.

  It was a hot night and even with the windows open, it was sticky, so he slept without a shirt on. When Evaline entered, he pulled his sheet up to his chin.

  “Okay, have a seat then,” he said.

  Evaline perched herself on the bottom of his bed. The moonlight was bright enough to partially light up the room. She sat in her nightgown with her feet up and her arms wrapped around her knees, resting her chin on them.

  “What is it, Evie? Is something wrong?”

  “No. I…I just want to be near you,” she said.

  “Not too near‒you aren’t even properly clothed. I’m not a saint, you know.”

  “I didn’t come here to tempt you. I agree that we should wait until our wedding night. Someone left a Bible in my room and I’ve been reading it. I want to learn more, Travis.”

  “I’m glad. I’ll help you all I can. If you want, I can take you to see the preacher and he can explain things, too.”

  “Someone circled small sections in the Bible and I’ve been reading them. Some I don’t understand, but I like them enough to want to learn more. You and my father are the only church-going people I know. You also happen to be the most honorable people I know. There has to be something to this. I want to be just like you, Travis.”

  “You will be, I promise,” he said.

  “Everything we’ve been praying for is being answered, slowly, but surely. How did I ever live this long without knowing about God?”

  “Tell me something, Evie: why couldn’t you tell me all this tomorrow?”

  “I felt the strong need to be near you, is all. You don’t spend as much time with me as I’d like. I understand you have obligations and such, but I miss being with you. Just sitting here with you feels so good.”

  “And that’s exactly what I’ve been fighting.” Travis sat, brought his own knees up to cover his chest, and hugged his legs. “I’ve been sort of putting distance between us.”

  “What? Why?”

  “You’re too much of a temptation, love. When you look at me across the table at meals I want to crawl under the table, take you into my arms, and smother you with kisses.”

  Evaline laughed. “That makes me glad.”

  “Come here,” he said hoarsely.

  She scrambled up to lay beside him and snuggled against him.

  He picked up his pillow and put it between them. “There‒now we're as near as we’ll get until we exchange our vows.”

  They fell asleep in each other's arms. Travis shook her awake when he awoke to see the sun lighting the room.

  “Evie, you need to scurry downstairs before my father or Sadie sees you here. No one would believe all we did was sleep.”

  Still drowsy, Evie nodded and climbed out of his bed. She bent, kissed his lips quickly, and scampered out of his room.

  Chapter 15

  Ned wondered how he’d gotten himself into this situation as he trotted off to Victoria wearing his gun belt and phony badge. He and Travis had been friends since they'd worn short pants. They’d always stuck together. If a bully went after one of them, the other would come to his rescue. If one had problems with schoolwork, the other would help him. He and Travis were both the only children in their families, and because of that, a relationship grew, as close as two brothers would have. They had their moments of anger, like when Ned had thought Travis might hurt Libby, and there had been times when Travis had been upset with him, but the anger never lasted, and no one had ever come between them.

  So that was how he got the job as crime investigator.

  He was actually pleased Travis was in love with someone else. He just couldn’t wait for Libby to know the truth so he could finally make his move. He’d had a crush on Libby since the first day she’d walked into the school building with her pigtails pulled so tightly, they stood straight out.

  He followed Travis's directions to the house, and went up to the door. He took a deep breath, let it out, and tried to act casual and professional. He had the badge pinned to his vest, with his jacket half covering it.

  The door swung open and a large but thin woman greeted him with a face like a bulldog.

  “It’s about time!” she yelled. “Well, don’t just stand there‒come in.”

  Ned stepped into the foyer of the home, his insides quaking from that woman. He was thankful she wouldn’t be his mother-in-law.

  She led him to a small bedroom off the dining room.

  “Here’s where she was sleeping when someone crawled into the open window and snatched her. She slept here because her room upstairs was too hot, and that’s why her window was open. Robert said there hasn't been so much as a breeze for the past week or so here.”

  “I see,” Ned said. He took out a pad and pencil and pretended to make notes. He examined the window—for what, he had no idea. “I’ll take a look outside,” he said.

  He went outside and walked around to the window and made sure he looked at everything as he pretended to make notes.

  “Were there any witnesses?” Ned asked.

  “Yes. A man staying at the hotel saw the bandit. He was in town selling his wares to the residents, but he's gone home already. I guess Mr. Grant sent for him, since we don’t have a store yet. The man goes door-to-door selling brushes, brooms, and the like. He comes around about once a month.”

  “What did the man say the bandit looked like?”

  “He said it was too dark to see much, but the man was wearing a domino‒you know, the kind you’d wear to a masquerade party‒and he drove a buggy.”

  “I see,” he scribbled more on his notebook. “The constable in Hunter’s Grove said they’d had a similar case where the bandit had later asked for a ransom, so you might watch for a note or letter to be delivered soon, if this is the same man.”

  “That makes sense‒everyone here has money. If they don't, they most likely have family back home that would send it quickly enough. I’ll watch for it.”

  “That’s about all I can do. If you hear from the bandit asking for a ransom, let us know immediately.”

  “I will, and thanks for coming…finally,” she said and went back into the house.

  Ned wiped his brow and walked to his horse.

  “Her bark is worse than her bite,” a female voice said from behind him.

  “Really? You could have fooled me.”

  “Are you the law from Hays?” she asked with the sweetest English accent. Her mother had one, too, but hers didn’t sound one bit as sweet.

  Ned hated lying outright, so he simply nodded.

  “You won’t find a bandit and we won’t receive a ransom note.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t think she was kidnapped at all,” she said, hands on her hips.

  Ned felt a lump form in his throat. “Why do you say that?”

  “Evaline knew Mother was bringing Roger home to marry her, and she can’t stomach Roger. He’s been contracted to marry her since they were babies. It's a silly tradition, if you ask me. Bloodlines, bah! Blood is blood.”

  “So do you think she ran away?” Ned asked.

  “That or she eloped with that handsome fellow she’s been mooning over.”

  Ned didn’t know what to say.

  “I don’t blame Evie for running off. I’d have done the same thing had I been in her shoes. Roger is…well, he’s odd. He has a voice like a whining baby and he’s a mama’s boy. He isn’t good-looking at all. My sister deserves better.”

  Ned swallowed hard again. “Did you tell your mother or father your theory?”

  “No. I want Evie to get as far away as she can. If Roger starts going after me, I’ll run away, too.”

  “I see.” Ned studied the young woman. He could see a resemblance to Evaline, but this girl was shorter and had li
ghter hair. She was adorable, and he found himself wanting to keep up the conversation with her for some reason.

  “So, do you think I should check out this handsome young man your sister has been mooning over?”

  “No. I won’t even tell you his name because, like I said, I don’t want her to get caught and be brought back to marry that dolt.”

  “Maybe I should question your father—”

  “No! He’s broken up over this and has hardly murmured a word since it happened. The poor man is heartbroken.”

  “Well, I guess there’s nothing more for me to do here, then,” he said, feeling sorry to leave. Maybe it was just the English accent that drew him to her.

  “Are you headed back to Hays?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Ellen stepped closer and stared at his badge which he tried to quickly cover with his coat, but it was too late‒she’d already seen it.

  “Honorary?” she gasped. “You aren’t with the constable’s office, are you?”

  “Look—” Ned started to speak but was cut off.

  “Ellen. My name is Ellen.”

  “Look, Ellen. If you really want your sister to get away from this Roger, don’t question things, all right?”

  Ellen broke out into a big smile. “It was you, wasn’t it?”

  “No, it certainly was not.”

  “You were put up to this by him, Travis something or other.”

  Ned looked at her, then he turned to look at his horse. “I’ll be leaving now.”

  “No, you aren’t leaving,” Ellen said.

  “I’m not?”

  “Not until you tell me where she is. I want to visit her and let her know I’m on her side.”

  “I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to anger that mother of yours.”

  “Would you give me a ride to where my sister is and then bring me back here?” she asked, batting her large hazel eyes.

  “What will you tell your mother?”

  “That you offered to take me to Hays so I could pick out some ribbons at the store.”

  “If she’ll buy it and let you come with me, a stranger, then I’ll take you.”

  She raced back to the house. While she was gone, Ned wondered if he shouldn’t just ride off. After all, how could he be sure she was telling him the truth? What if her mother came out and started yelling, “Fake,” because she’d told her he wasn’t a real lawman? And how was he to take her into Hays when he only had the one horse?

  “How’d it go?” Travis asked Ned after he tied his horse and walked toward the porch.

  “I don’t envy you having that woman for a mother-in-law. She’s—” he stopped when he saw Evaline walk out onto the porch. “Hello, Evaline,” he said.

  “Won’t you join us?” she asked, pointing to an empty chair on the porch.

  Ned walked up the steps and took the seat. “I did it.”

  “No problems?” Travis asked.

  “Just one.” He looked at Evaline. “Ellen’s on your side. She knows you weren’t kidnapped. She’s a pretty smart young lady, you know. Pretty, too.”

  “Really?” Evaline asked.

  Ned nodded. “She wants to see you and has promised to keep your secret. I didn’t bring her here because I wanted your permission first.”

  “She asked to come here?” Evaline asked.

  “Yes. I left her at the general store.” Ned stood. “Let me know if you want me to bring her here.”

  Evaline exchanged looks with Travis who nodded that it was all right with him.

  “Yes, bring her. Or should we go and get her?” Evaline asked.

  “No, I’ll bring her,” Ned said.

  “Are you sure? I feel as though we’ve put you out enough, Ned,” Evaline said.

  “No, I’ll go get her,” he said. He raced down the steps, got onto his horse, and galloped toward town.

  “That’s strange,” Travis said. “It seemed like he actually wanted to…hmm, I wonder if he’s been bitten by the Radcliffe curse.”

  Evaline punched his arm, lovingly. “You'd know about that! Ellen's a charmer. I’d love it if those two got together, but what about Libby?”

  Travis groaned. “What about Libby, indeed?”

  Chapter 16

  Ned stopped in front of the general store and Ellen came out wearing a smile. “What did she say?”

  “She said to bring you,” he said, reaching down to help her up onto his horse.

  Ellen leaned back against him as she had the whole trip from Victoria and it nearly drove Ned mad. Her hair smelled like jasmine, the same scent his grandmother used to wear. He wanted to wrap his arms around her so badly, but he knew better. It was Libby he loved, and always had been.

  Just then, Ellen looked up at him and smiled. He stared at her lips and felt the urge to kiss her, but then she turned forward again. Thankfully, they were almost at the Graysons’.

  “This is a nice hideaway,” Ellen said, gazing at the large two-story home.

  “Shall I return for you in two hours to take you home?”

  She looked up at him and said in a half-whisper, “I’d like that, Ned.”

  Evaline and Travis were waiting on the porch and ran down to meet them. Ned set Ellen down. She ran to Evaline and the two embraced.

  “I’ll be back for her in two hours,” Ned said and rode away before Travis could offer to take her home.

  Ned walked into Libby’s room without knocking‒the door was slightly ajar and he could see her from the waist down on the bed. As he progressed into the room, he was shocked to find the doctor sitting beside her, holding her hand.

  The doctor jumped when Ned walked in. “I’m taking her pulse,” he said. Then he looked at Libby. “It seems a bit fast, but normal.”

  Ned smiled at Libby. “I can’t stay long. I’m helping Travis with a project, but I did want to check on you. How’s the walking coming?”

  “It’s going well,” she said, too busy gazing at the doctor with a dreamy look to look at him.

  Ned shrugged. “I’ll be leaving, then. I’ll stop by again, tomorrow.”

  He gave her one more backward glance before leaving the room. It seemed he didn’t even exist; Libby had eyes for the doctor only. Ned knew then that she was in love with the doctor, which let Travis off the hook. He should feel crushed at the realization, but for some reason, he didn’t. If Libby was happy, then so was he.

  Ned passed Travis on his way to visit Libby as he was leaving the Fishers' house.

  “I didn’t realize you were coming today,” Ned said.

  “I had to pick up a few things in town and thought I’d stop by for a few minutes. I wanted to let Evaline and Ellen have a girly chat.”

  “Well, don’t be hurt if Libby doesn’t notice you. It seems she's fallen in love with her doctor.”

  “He’s here?” Travis asked. “Again?”

  “Yep.”

  Travis wondered if Ned had been joking about Libby and the doctor because he didn’t seem too upset over it. He continued to her room, knocked, and then entered. Sure enough, Dr. Henderson was sitting by her bed and they were both laughing.

  Travis greeted them and said, “I didn’t realize you were in town, Dr. Henderson.”

  “Callum! Please, call me Callum. Yes, I had a few days off and thought I’d check on my favorite patient, who I see is doing very well.”

  Travis didn’t mind one bit that Libby seemed to only have eyes for the doctor, but where was her ring?

  “Callum, would you give me just five minutes alone with Libby, please? I have to tell her something rather private,” Travis said.

  “Certainly. I need to speak to her parents, anyway,” he said and quietly left the room.

  Travis took the still warm, vacated chair and looked at Libby, who was wearing an expression of worry on her face.

  “If you’re happy, then so am I,” Travis said.

  “He’s so wonderful, Travis. I do love you, but I realized you and Ned are nothing more to me than belov
ed friends. What I feel for Callum is different.”

  “I know the feeling, Libby. I came to tell you that I won’t hold you to our betrothal. You’re free to find happiness with the handsome doctor.”

  Libby closed her eyes in relief. “Thank you, Travis. I’ll always love you, and Ned, too. I sensed Ned was hurt to see the doctor and me together, but I can’t hide my love for him. Callum came back yesterday and we’ve been together ever since.”

  “I’m happy for you both. I just have one question: where’s your ring?”

  “Oh.” Libby’s gave him a guilty look. “I had to remove it days ago—it turned my finger green.”

  Travis tried to hide his laughter, but he let a snicker out. Before long, Libby was laughing along with him.

  When they sobered, he said, “Someday I’ll explain everything.”

  Ned’s ride back to Victoria with Ellen started out with her gabbing a mile a minute about her wonderful visit with her sister. When she was all talked out, she snuggled her back against his chest and laid her head back on his shoulder.

  “I enjoy riding this way. Back in England I had to ride sidesaddle, but all the women here, in the West, ride astride and I love it.” She put her palm on Ned's hand as he held the reins. “I love riding…with you, especially.”

  That was all the encouragement Ned needed. He passed both of the reins into his left hand, put his right hand around her waist, and hugged her. “I’m enjoying it, too.”

  When she looked up at him, he brought the horse to a stop and kissed her waiting lips. She returned his kiss and fondled the back of his neck. He could barely stay in the saddle, for he melted at her touch.

  Ned broke off the kiss, put both hands under her arms, lifted her into the air, turned her around, and set her down on the saddle facing him. He then ran his fingers through her hair. “I love the smell of your hair.”

  “It’s jasmine. My godmother makes the shampoo and sends it to us. She lives on a farm in Durham, England.”

  Ned didn’t care anymore about the jasmine; he wanted to kiss her again. He cupped her face in his hands and took her lips again, this time pulling her against him as they kissed. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Ned took it as meaning she felt the same way he did. He was in love, and it was nothing at all like what he’d felt for Libby. He’d never even thought about kissing Libby‒he just loved her as a person‒but this? This was heaven on earth.