McKinnon's Bride (Willow Grove, Texas Series Book 1)

by Sharon Gillenwater

  Cade frowned. “I offered you a job and a place to stay. You didn’t have to take it.”

  “I was broke and exhausted, and you used Quint’s absence to keep me here. The sheriff played right into your hands with his story about me being safer out here than in town. Willow Grove is no more dangerous than any other town.”

  “Quint is my friend. I owed it to him to take care of you.”

  “I’m sure that was part of it. But you wanted me,” she said softly. “I saw it in your eyes that first night.”

  “Yes, I did. Still do. But I never forced my attentions on you. I never even tried to seduce you.” He raked his fingers through his hair, wondering if they’d be having this conversation if he hadn’t been so noble. When she lifted that delicate eyebrow again, silently challenging his honesty and honor, his temper flared.

  Cade moved swiftly, circling the table before she could react, and stopped inches away. “If I had, I would have succeeded and you know it. You want me, too, Jessie, and you can’t deny it.”

  Her eyes widened, but she stood her ground. “I don’t deny it. But you used that to your advantage, too. I stayed with Neil because he knew which strings to pull. He used my honor, my belief that marriage vows were sacred, and threats against the children to keep me there. You used desire, tenderness, protection, and the promise of security. Much more enticing than my husband’s tactics, but a method of controlling me just the same.”

  “I never tried to control you.” That’s exactly what you’ve done. He clenched his jaw at the chiding voice of conscience.

  “Perhaps not intentionally.” She squared her shoulders and stood a little straighter. “But you lied to me about Quint.”

  “It was necessary,” he said stubbornly.

  “I can’t accept that. I don’t want anything to do with a man who isn’t honest with me, Cade. How will I ever be able to trust you? To believe anything you tell me? I won’t live like that again. I can’t.”

  She sighed heavily and walked over to the rocking chair and sat down. “Quint gave me a message for you. The rustlers’ hideout is in a box canyon east of the headwaters of Mustang Creek.” She looked up at him with sorrow filled eyes. “He had to go with them a couple of times to prove himself before they would take him to their main camp. The last time, they stole five more of John Shepherd’s cattle.”

  “That must have about killed him.”

  “It did.”

  “Why didn’t he go to the sheriff with the information? He could lead us right to the camp.”

  “The rustlers are working for someone who doesn’t ride with them. Quint thinks it’s a rancher or someone from town, but he isn’t sure. The man came out to the camp a few nights ago, but he couldn’t get a good look at him. All he could tell was that he wore a suit. He asked one of the other men who he was, but he simply called him ‘the boss’ and seemed afraid of him. He said as soon as he finds out, he’ll contact you.”

  “I’ll ride to town and let the sheriff know. Maybe he has some idea who the leader might be.” Hearing the rattle of a harness, Cade glanced out the window to see Brad and Ellie approaching the wagon. “Jessie, stay here.”

  When she looked up, the pain in her eyes tore at his heart. “No.”

  Simple. Final. Shattering hopes and dreams.

  “Fine.” He spat the word, striking out at the hurt with anger. Glancing around, he focused on the trunk she had dragged halfway to the door. “I’ll help you load up.” Turning swiftly, he picked up the heavy trunk. Shaking his head, he carried it outside. How had she expected to get it into the wagon?

  As he stepped off the porch, Brad took one look at him and started hitching Valentine to the wagon. With a resigned sigh, Ellie slowly walked up the steps and disappeared into the house.

  Cade set the trunk in the wagon bed, shoving it to the front, and rearranged a few boxes. Not that they needed it. But the physical exertion made him feel better. Jessie came out with an armload of bedding. He glanced up and moved out of her way. “What else?”

  “Just the rocking chair.”

  He nodded and went to get it, along with his hat. Loading the rocker in the wagon, he tried to stoke his anger, but sadness—heavy and almost unbearable—smothered it. “I need to change horses, then I’ll ride to town with you.”

  “There’s no need.”

  His anger sparked again at her stubbornness. “Yes, there is. I’m not going to let you drive in there alone.”

  “We came halfway across Texas alone,” she snapped.

  Resting his hands on his hips, he gave her a look that made men quake.

  She didn’t even flinch.

  “You’re in my territory, now. And I intend to protect you, whether you want it or not. Despite your opinion, it can be dangerous in Willow Grove. Some of the men coming into town are rough and mean. If they know they will have to answer to me or Ty, they might think twice about dragging you down some alley.”

  She drew in a quick breath.

  For a heartbeat, he was distracted by her slightly parted lips. “The sheriff wasn’t lying. He does a good job, but his jurisdiction covers several counties. We haven’t been able to keep a decent town marshal. The one we have now is good at chasing stray dogs and hauling tame drunks to jail, but that’s about it. If you needed help, he’d likely run away and hide.”

  He couldn’t keep from touching her. When he lightly caressed her cheek, and she didn’t jerk away, hope surged through him. “You’ll have to be on guard all the time, Jessie. You’d be a whole lot safer out here.”

  She shook her head. “I’ll take my chances in town.”

  “Stubborn woman.” He gritted his teeth to keep from saying more and took a moment to calm down. “I’ll see you settled at the hotel and pay for a room as long as you need it. But that won’t be long. There are probably a dozen men around, businessmen and ranchers, who will jump at the chance to have you work for them. And I guarantee everyone of them will have something besides cooking and cleaning on his mind.” The thought of another man lusting after her made his blood boil.

  Grabbing her shoulders to hold her still, he surprised her with a hard, quick, possessive kiss. He released her and took a step back to keep from hauling her into his arms. “If any man so much as touches you—whether you want him to or not—I swear I’ll run him out of town.”

  Chapter 14

  Jessie didn’t want Cade to pay for a hotel room, but he wouldn’t back down. To keep from making a scene in the lobby under the curious eyes of the desk clerk and half a dozen guests, she agreed to it. Before they left the ranch, he paid her wages for the week he had been gone. Adding it to what she had already earned would feed them for a while and eased the pressure of having to take the first job that came along.

  The next morning, she left the children in the room, with strict orders not to leave, intending to ask Ty if she could return her new dress and get her money back. She had seen others return things a time or two, and since it had never been worn, she doubted he would refuse.

  She had barely reached the foot of the stairs when a man approached her from across the hotel lobby. Approximately in his early forties, he was well dressed and reasonably good-looking. He quickly removed his Stetson, holding the brim in both hands, and nodded politely. “Mrs. Monroe?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Jim Peters, one of the owners of the Lazy Z ranch about twenty miles north of town. I understand you’re no longer working for Cade?”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’m in need of a housekeeper, ma’am.” His gaze swept over her in an appreciative, non-threatening way. “My partners are from England and will be coming to visit in about a month. It would be mighty nice to have good meals and a clean house all the time, but especially while they’re here. They’re both lords of the realm,” he added with a grin. “Used to having things comfortable.” He took a small step closer. “And having someone as pretty as you around would be a downright pleasure.”

  He se
emed nice and respectful, but she wasn’t about to go to work twenty miles from town for a total stranger. At least with Cade, she had known a great deal about him through Quint. “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Peters. But I’m hoping to find a job here in town so my children can attend school.”

  He shrugged, offering her a smile tinged with disappointment. “It’s good for a mother to think of her young ’uns. But if you don’t find anything to your liking, you send word out to the Lazy Z.”

  “I will.” Jessie started toward the front door, but only made it halfway across the hotel lobby before she was stopped by the owner of the restaurant where they had eaten numerous times.

  “Mrs. Monroe, I understand you’re looking for work.”

  Jessie wondered how word had gotten around so quickly. “Yes, sir, I am.”

  “I hear you’re a fine cook. I could use you over at my place. We have more business than my wife can keep up with.”

  Jessie smiled at the older man. “Thank you. But I’d like to try to find a housekeeping position where I can watch over my children, too.”

  “Let me know if you change your mind. Can’t promise I’ll still need you, though.”

  “I understand. Give my best to your wife.” She made it to the boardwalk before she was stopped again. Jessie didn’t know the man, though she had seen him around town. He was tall, blond, and attractive, dressed in an expensive light blue tailor-made suit that matched his eyes.

  He doffed his hat, holding it casually in one hand, and smiled. “Mrs. Jessie Monroe?” When she nodded, his smile widened. “I’m Tate Doolin, attorney-at-law.” He motioned toward an office near the hotel. “My office is right here. I’m also a rancher, though I prefer to live here in town. I moved into my new home this past week, and I’m looking for a housekeeper. I understand you have experience in that area.”

  “Yes, I do. I recently worked for Cade McKinnon. For the past three years, I was employed by the mayor of Riverbend and his wife.”

  “Excellent. Would you care to step inside for a few minutes so we can discuss the possibility of you working for me?”

  “That would be fine.” Jessie felt a twinge of uneasiness, though she couldn’t find any particular reason for it. He seemed every inch a gentleman. Refined and polished. Perhaps a bit too polished. Still, he was charming, carrying on a relaxed conversation as they covered the short distance to the door.

  Inside, he nodded to his clerk. “Good morning, Henry. I’ll be in my office with Mrs. Monroe. See that we aren’t disturbed.”

  Jessie frowned, watching the exchange. The clerk took his orders amicably, then nodded at her with a polite smile. “I only have a few minutes,” she said. “My children are waiting for me at the hotel.”

  “Then I must be mindful of the time,” said Doolin, showing her into his office. He followed and started to shut the door, pausing before closing it completely. “I’ll leave it open if you would be more comfortable, though I personally don’t care for others to hear my business dealings. Henry would never say anything, but people come in and out all the time.”

  “I suppose it’s all right. I won’t be here very long.”

  “Good.” He closed the door, flashed her another smile and offered her a chair. When she sat down, he walked around to his chair behind the large desk. “I’ll come right to the point, Mrs. Monroe. I intend to pursue a life in politics. Once I’m well established here, I plan to run for state office. Since you have worked as a mayor’s housekeeper, I believe you would be a great asset.”

  “Riverbend is not much larger than Willow Grove,” said Jessie, with a trace of amusement.

  “But I suspect the mayor and his wife gave the most ostentatious dinners and parties in town.” Humor lit his eyes. “Or did that honor fall to the banker and his wife?”

  Jessie laughed. “They certainly tried to outdo each other.” She considered the question for a moment. “But generally, the mayor topped them.”

  “You topped them,” he said quietly. “If the food and other preparations are poorly done, no party is a success, no matter who gives it.” Studying her thoughtfully, he stood, moving slowly around his desk, then around her. Jessie felt his scrutiny, even when he was behind her. When he stepped back in front of her, his gaze slid slowly down her body and back up again, finally returning to her face.

  At the open lust in his eyes, Jessie’s skin crawled. She stood quickly, but he moved just as swiftly, blocking her way.

  “I offended you.”

  She forced herself to look up at him. “Yes, you did.”

  “I apologize. You are much more beautiful than I’d expected. It would be a pity to hide you away in the kitchen. I would much prefer to have you grace my table, help me entertain my guests.” Even though her dress had a high collar, his gaze dipped lower again, as if he were picturing her in something low-cut—or perhaps in nothing at all. She had seen that look many times in the past and had a good idea he would also want her in his bed. “I could hire someone else to do the labor. As housekeeper, you would only have to supervise them. Then you would be free to act as my hostess.”

  “I doubt that would go over well in Willow Grove.”

  “It isn’t as unusual as you think. I’m sure you are well aware that there is a shortage of women here. Two of my rancher clients have housekeepers who fill just that role.”

  “And what other role would you expect me to play?”

  “Expect? None. Hope?” His hot gaze swept over her again. “That is another matter entirely.”

  “Good day, Mr. Doolin. I’m not interested in your offer. No part of it.” Jessie sidled between him and the chair, hurrying toward the door.

  As her fingers closed over the knob, his hand flattened against the wood by her head, holding the door shut. She felt his chest brush against her back, the warmth of his breath on the side of her neck. Though he made no effort to press his body against hers, she was trapped. Heart thudding painfully, she strove not to show her panic. “Open the door.”

  “Not just yet. And don’t do anything foolish like screaming. Henry will attest that you came in here willingly and had no problem with me shutting the door. If you make a scene, your reputation will suffer. Many already believe you were more than merely McKinnon’s housekeeper.”

  He trailed the tip of his finger down the side of her neck and back up again. “I assure you that I can please you as well as he can.”

  Never! Jessie tried to twist away from his touch, but she was blocked by his other arm.

  “Since you aren’t wearing mourning clothes, I assume your husband has been dead for quite some time. If McKinnon wasn’t your lover, then you’ve been without a man too long.” His fingers moved beneath her chin in a light caress.

  Jessie shivered. He was right about one thing—if she made a scene, it would be all over town in a matter of minutes. Quite possibly, she would receive more condemnation than him. If Cade tried to run him out of town as he’d promised, that would only fuel speculation, either about her and Cade or her and Doolin. Probably both. It wouldn’t help her keep her good name—or try to establish one—but right then, she would gladly suffer the repercussions to see this vile man get his due.

  Doolin shifted minutely closer. “See, you already tremble with desire.”

  “No!” she whispered, jerking her head away.

  Seconds later, his hand slid around her waist. He leaned closer, holding her against him. “Then I’ve frighten you. Good. You have no idea of the potential perils awaiting you, my dear. Keep my offer in mind. You would be well compensated, both financially and in other ways. Being under my protection would be to your advantage.”

  Did every man within a hundred miles think she would so easily bow to their wishes? “Release me.” Anger made her voice steady and strong.

  “Ah, the lady does not surrender meekly. I like that.” He lifted his hand and moved back slightly, brushing his knuckles along the nape of her neck.

  So much for not making a scene, but
she didn’t care. Jessie jabbed her elbow in his stomach as hard as she could.

  “Oof!”

  She kicked back, catching him in the shin with her heel.

  “Ow!” He stumbled backward, gasping for breath, trying to rub his leg.

  If she hadn’t been furious, she might have laughed. “Stay away from me, Doolin. If you don’t, I’ll make sure the whole town knows what kind of man you really are.”

  “And ruin your reputation? I doubt it,” he wheezed.

  “You aren’t important in this town yet. Otherwise, I would have known your name and all about you. Your reputation is also at stake. An attorney with political ambitions has more to lose than a lowly housekeeper.” Throwing some of his own words back at him, she added, “It would be to your advantage to keep that in mind.”

  To Jessie’s surprise, he leaned back against the desk, pulled in a deep breath, and smiled. “Yes, I expect it would. It seems I listened to the wrong gossip. It would be best if we forget all about this.”

  “I have a very long memory.” Opening the door, she walked out of the lawyer’s office, head held high. She managed a civilized nod to the clerk, fighting the urge to run from the building. Once outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air and hurried to McKinnon Brothers, praying Cade wouldn’t be there. He would take one look at her and know something was wrong.

  Inside the store, she waved to Lydia, who was helping a customer, then pretended to look at some lace handkerchiefs. She reached for one and noticed her hand was shaking, realizing a moment later that her whole body quaked like a leaf in the wind. Gripping the counter, she took a slow, deep breath, telling herself to calm down. Unfortunately, telling and doing were two completely different things.

  Suddenly, Ty was at her side. “Jessie, are you all right?”

  She looked up into his concerned eyes. “I need a pistol. A small one.”

  Frowning, he took hold of her elbow in a firm, but gentle grip. “Come with me.”

  For once, Jessie did as commanded, blindly moving across the store, letting him lead the way to his office in back. He guided her into a chair by the desk and shut the door. A flash of fear shot through her. Don’t be silly. Ty is a friend.