Marcus entered his office then paused when he noticed her sitting with her back to him across from his desk. “What…?”
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Taryn turned in the chair, giving the marshal a cold stare.
“Is there something you wanted, Mrs. King?” The marshal came over to the desk.
“Yes, there is.” She acted offended, for being made to wait by his delay in returning. “I would ask you keep your opinions to yourself about my husband, rather than spreading them about town like some rabid dog.” Her remark would cause the marshal’s anger to flare. His irate glare did not disappoint her.
“I’m sure the truth is difficult for you to face.”
“I have no difficulty facing the truth, Marshal. Do you?”
Marcus stood behind his desk. He leaned over the desk, bracing his hands on the top of it. “If there is nothing else, Mrs. King, I have more important things to do than listen to your opinions. I’d appreciate you leaving.”
“Consider it done.” She didn’t have to make a pretense of her irritation with the marshal. She turned with a crisp snap of her skirt, heading to exit his office. She found Anita waiting for her farther down on the sidewalk.
“Taryn.” Anita waved her over to where she stood. “I couldn’t stop him from going into the office. How did you explain your presence?”
Taryn told Anita of the scene she created. Her heart still pounding, her hands shook.
“You didn’t?” Anita chortled in satisfaction. “You should have witnessed the display I put on. The marshal practically galloped to get away from my chatter about the weather. Did you find anything?”
“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath to release her nervous energy. “There was a file with newspaper articles and flyers concerning Jared. I also found a telegram addressed to the marshal. The message stated the marshal could expect his arrival by the end of the week to handle the matter they discussed.”
“Whose arrival? What matter?”
“Someone named Miguel Ramirez.” Taryn’s brow knit in worry. “I don’t know what it referenced.”
“Perhaps it’s unrelated to Jared.”
“Then why would it be in a file containing information about him? I have to find out in the next few days. What I need to do is ask Andrew if he knows why this person is coming at the end of the week.”
“Taryn, you promised Jared you wouldn’t talk to Andrew again about this, didn’t you?”
“Yes, so I’m not going to talk to Andrew.”
Anita sighed in relief. “Good.”
“You are.”
Anita balked. “Taryn…”
****
Taryn wondered how to warn Jared he could be in danger without telling him how she knew. They were preparing for bed when she broached the subject. She removed her earrings, placing them on the vanity table. “Jared, does the name Miguel Ramirez mean anything to you?” She observed him through the vanity mirror. He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, his fingers stopping their movement at the mention of the name. She noticed his body tensing. She turned in the chair. Her heart filled with anxiety.
“Where did you hear that name?” His tone remained conversational, his fingers once again working the buttons down his shirtfront.
“I read it somewhere.”
Bracing one hand on the back of her chair, the other on the vanity, he leaned down close. “Where did you read it?”
She wanted to stand, move away from his inquisitive gaze, but he blocked her from doing so. She didn’t care to answer his question. “Does the name mean something to you?”
“Where, Taryn?”
She squirmed in her chair. She kept her eyes downcast, playing with a pleat of her gown. “In the marshal’s office.”
He placed his knuckles under her chin, tilting her head up. “Start at the beginning.” He pulled a chair over sitting to face her.
Taryn heaved a sigh of concession. She didn’t know how he would receive the news of her defying him, but if the information would help in some way, she didn’t care. When she finished her speech, she waited for his response. He responded by kissing her. “You’re not angry?”
“If you hadn’t gone into the marshal’s office, I would never have known.”
She sat up from her relaxed position, her back ramrod straight. “Then Miguel Ramirez is a threat to you.”
He stood, walking over to the armoire, removing his shirt. “I don’t want you worrying about him.”
“Jared.” She walked over to stand before him. “You’ll make me worry all the more if you don’t tell me who he is.”
“Later.” He drew her against him, nuzzling the side of her neck.
She could be stubborn too. She braced her hands on his chest. “No Jared, now.” She wasn’t going to let him put that matter aside.
“He’s a bounty hunter. I had trouble in Mexico. They’ve sent him after me.”
“Then Marshal Rhodes informed him you were here? What are we going to do? The telegram said he would arrive by the end of the week. He could be here anytime.”
“There’s still time to think of a plan.”
“Maybe I could…”
He cut her off with a kiss. “You’ve done enough. I appreciate your help, but from here on out, leave matters to me.”
“But Jared, nothing happened. The marshal never discovered the real reason I was in his office.”
He unbuckled his belt, draping it across a chair. “Taryn.”
She paused in voicing her objections of his wish to keep her from getting involved.
“Don’t do it again.”
She didn’t protest. Although his words were spoken with quiet resolve, the underlying warning was apparent. She began removing her dress, her displeasure evident in her actions as she stepped out of the gown, hanging it up with a clatter.
He came up behind her, shifting her back against him. “I don’t want you hurt, Taryn.”
“But I can help you.”
“You already have. Now,” he continued, turning her to face him, “before we end this conversation, I want your promise you won’t do anything more about this.”
“Jared…”
“Your promise, Taryn.”
She agreed in grudging reluctance. “I promise.” She started thinking who else might help her. As if reading her mind, his next words put a stop to her thoughts.
“I also don’t want you seeking help from others to obtain information for you. Not Anita, Luke, Robert, Andrew, or anyone else you can think of.”
She shifted in his grasp, considering how she could avoid such a promise. “What if I don’t promise.”
“I’ll divorce you.”
“What? You’d divorce me for wanting to help you?”
“I’ve asked for your promise to let me handle this situation from now on. Anything can go wrong. I don’t want you caught in the middle. If you refuse to trust me, then, yes, I will divorce you.”
“Am I to understand this same rule applies for any future promises you ask of me?”
“Yes. There’s no point to a marriage if it lacks trust.”
“Does this apply for you as well?”
“There is little I would ever deny you, Taryn, but it applies to me as well.”
“You’re denying me now.”
He grinned, bringing her into the circle of his arms once more. “True, but I never agreed to your involvement.”
“I never agreed not to be involved.” She shivered as his mouth brushed over her ear.
“You promised it a few moments ago,” he whispered into her ear.
Trapped by her own words, she expelled her breath in frustration.
His mouth hovered over hers. “I’m still waiting for your response to my earlier question.”
“I’ve forgotten it. All right,” she amended, fully aware of the piercing focus of his gaze. “I promise I won’t ask anyone for help.”
“Thank you.”
She graced him with a smile. �
�I’ll warn you now, Jared. I’m going to think of a promise for you to make me as unpleasant to you as this one is to me.”
His eyes gleamed. “I can hardly wait.” His insatiable kiss ended the discussion.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The day of Etta’s Christmas party arrived. Taryn spent the afternoon trying to decide what to wear. She stood before her clothes cabinet, a perplexed frown marking her brow.
Jared poked his head into the bedroom. Taryn stood in the same stance before the clothes cabinet as she’d been doing for the last half hour. “Perhaps the recent delivery for you will help your decision.”
“What delivery?” She tore her gaze away from the clothes.
“The one from Marie’s dress shop.”
“I didn’t order anything from Marie’s.”
“I did.”
Her pleasure radiated in her eyes. “You ordered something for me?”
“You find it unusual? You are my wife. We do have a party to attend this evening, don’t we?”
“Yes, but…”
He walked into the bedroom, holding up a ball gown.
Taryn remembered the shimmering satin material she admired now crafted into the exquisite gown before her eyes. “How did you know?”
“Marie told me how you’d spent a day in her shop, and of the materials you found to your liking.”
“Jared, thank you.” Her voice cracked. She swiped at the tears spilling from her eyes.
He held the gown aside, accepting her hug in enjoyment. When he saw her attired in the gown, he’d never seen any woman lovelier. “You are beautiful, Taryn.”
“I’ve never felt more beautiful.” Walking up to Jared, she straightened his tie then smoothed her hands over the black jacket flattering his broad shoulders. “The way I feel is your doing.”
He accepted the compliment. He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Are you sure you want to attend the party?”
She pressed her palms against his chest to deter him, “We both want to attend. Besides, Etta would be hurt if we didn’t come.”
“We could arrive late.”
“We’re already dressed.”
“A condition easily corrected.” His fingers reached for the fastenings to her gown.
She whirled away from him in playfulness. “You have to wait.” She gave him an impish grin with a haughty toss of her head. “Anyway, I don’t like being rushed.”
“I’ll remember, Mrs. King.”
Her heart skipped a beat, her eyes shining with love.
Festooned with decorations befitting the Christmas season, Etta Briggs welcomed her guests into her home. By the time they arrived, the party had begun.
Taryn praised Etta on her dazzling ensemble. Her hair, with its becoming touches of gray, was fashioned in an exquisite chignon. Her emerald gown complemented her figure.
“I feel as if the party can truly start now you’ve arrived,” Etta greeted. “Your parents and relatives have arrived, Taryn. So, have Luke and Anita…well, everyone’s here. Go in. I’ll talk with you later. I’ve promised Sam Hennessey the next dance.”
Taryn stiffened when they walked into the ballroom. Several heads turned in their direction. The whispering ensued. Jared squeezed her waist to provide reassurance. She smiled holding her head up as they walked through the crowd. Let them whisper.
The staring bystanders no doubt expecting, and hoping, to see some sort of confrontation between her parents and Jared were surprised to see her mother and father warmly greet him. The onlookers gaped in disbelief when Jared escorted her mother to the dance floor while she and her father walked to the dance floor beside them.
The evening progressed with a supper for the guests followed by more dancing. Taryn found the supper and subsequent dancing a relaxing influence on her. She participated in a dance where, at various intervals in the music, the couples changed partners. She partnered with Walt Adam, his steps light for such a large man as he swirled her around. When the music changed, she found herself in the arms of Marcus Rhodes.
“Good evening, Mrs. King.”
Her smile vanished. An uncomfortable tension replaced her previous enjoyment.
“Do you know, Mrs. King, after your visit the other day, I came across the oddest thing.” Marcus spun her around in the dance.
She stared at the marshal, dread filling her senses. She struggled to keep her panic from showing.
“I found a piece of paper retained in a specific file inexplicably on the floor as though dropped.”
Taryn steadied her breath. She’d dropped something out of the file? The marshal knew she’d been in his desk drawers. She strained to appear disinterested. “Papers do have a tendency to get mislaid, Marshal. You shouldn’t be so harsh on yourself.”
Marcus grinned. “Perhaps you’re right, Mrs. King. Papers do get mislaid, primarily when we’re in a hurry.”
She wanted the dance to conclude so she could be out of the marshal’s arms.
“Have I discerned the true reason for your visit to my office, Mrs. King?”
Marcus was enjoying her discomfiture.
“Did I interrupt you too soon?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She scanned the room for Jared.
“I think you do. Now, how much credit do you think people would place on the alibi you provided your husband if it were known you were responsible for attempting to sabotage the murder investigation? Breaking into my files to destroy possible evidence?”
“It isn’t true! There was no evidence or…” Taryn snapped her mouth shut, furious with herself for letting her anger cause her to admit to the marshal’s suspicions.
“Ah. Confession is a wonderful thing. Perhaps you can convince your husband to do the same.”
The change of music spared her the necessity to respond. Andrew Donahue stepped in as her next partner. She felt as though she were going to be ill. She apologized to Andrew, rushing from the dance floor. She hadn’t seen Jared on the dance floor. She needed to find him. Hurrying out of the ballroom, Taryn frantically turned down the hall searching the faces of the guests. Seeing Jared walking out of the living room, she called out his name, rushing to his side.
Jared caught her in his arms, concern written on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you.”
He led her to the small sitting room at the far end of the hall. Closing the doors behind them, he made Taryn sit. Taking a place next to her, he took her hand in his. “What’s happened to cause the state you’re in?”
“The marshal. He knows I was in his files. He’s going to spread it around town that I went through his things to destroy evidence proving you killed Dean Breck. He implied you should confess to the murder. You were right. I should never have interfered. I’ve made things worse.”
“Taryn, you haven’t made things worse. The marshal is beginning to panic. He wanted to frighten you, and he succeeded. He has no evidence. Even if he spreads another rumor, it will only be one more. Nothing has changed.”
She verged on hyperventilating. “But it will. Jared, tomorrow ends the week. Miguel Ramirez will arrive, and then…”
“And then, we’ll deal with the situation,” he finished. “Taryn, this is new to you, but I’ve lived with this type of pursuit for five years. The best way to get through is to address matters as they occur, not before. Will you try?”
She took a shuddering breath, nodding. He was concerned about what lay ahead, but if he could remain calm, she would too.
When they returned to the ballroom, Anita pulled her aside. “I managed to talk with Andrew.”
Taryn held up her hand, remembering her promise to Jared. “No, don’t tell me.”
“What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I tell you? You’re the one who talked me into it. Don’t you want to know what I found out?”
“I do want to know, but I can’t. I promised Jared I wouldn’t interfere anymore.”
“When did you promise?”
“Last
night.”
“But you asked me to do this yesterday afternoon so it doesn’t count.” Seeing a certain logic in Anita’s thought process, Taryn made an exception. “True.”
“Andrew told me he doesn’t know of anyone expected to arrive in town. I must have sounded like an imbecile. When he asked me who he and the marshal might be expecting I said, ‘someone.’ If the marshal is expecting this Miguel Ramirez, he hasn’t said a word to his own sheriff. Don’t you think it odd?”
“What are you two whispering about?”
Both Anita and Taryn jumped, uttering a startled cry at the sound of Luke’s voice. When Taryn turned to see Jared with him, she couldn’t hide her guilty expression.
“She didn’t break her promise, Jared,” Anita assured him, giving Taryn away. “I found something out and told her.” Anita proceeded to tell the two what she’d learned.
Jared shook his head, turning to Luke. “Anita seems no better than Taryn when it comes to containing her curiosity.”
“We do have our troubles, don’t we?” Luke took Anita’s hand, escorting her onto the dance floor.
Taryn grasped Jared’s arm. “I want you to do something for me.”
“Anything.”
“I want you to promise me you’ll talk to Andrew tonight about everything you know.”
Jared shook his head in refusal.
“I know you don’t trust him, but if you trust me, you’ll talk to him.”
He groaned. “You’re throwing my own words back in my face.”
“I’m not asking you to do this out of spite. I think you two can solve this if you work together.”
He nodded, apprehensive of the conversation with the sheriff.
Jared scanned the ballroom in search of Andrew Donahue. Seeing him coming off the dance floor with Madeline Ashford, he made his way across the room. “Mr. Donahue, I wonder if I might have a word with you in private.”
Andrew agreed. The two headed out of the room to the study.
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