“Yes.”
“Stones?”
“I hadn’t decided on anything more specific than that.”
He gestured for her to follow him. “All right. Come with me.”
He charged past the jeweler and she called to him as she followed behind, “What about there?”
“He’d swindle you,” he answered over his shoulder.
She grinned at his back. He may not want to talk about his family or his past, but he was already starting to let her into his life. It was only a matter of time. Once he trusted her, she could help heal him.
Ronan at last stopped in front of a modest dwelling compared to the other buildings.
“The blacksmith?” she asked, reading the sign.
“He’s a master craftsman and you won’t find any better quality of work. Plus, it’s more of a hobby for him, so you won’t spend a fortune.”
“Thank you. Will you stay?”
He nodded once before holding open the door for her, and the gesture didn’t go unnoticed. As she walked by him, her shoulder brushed his chest, and she relished the feel of his muscles.
Good heavens! What was wrong with her?
“Tom?” Ronan called out.
“Back here.”
Ronan led her through a sparse living room to the forge tacked on to the back of the dwelling.
“Ronan.” Tom, the blacksmith, wiped grimy hands onto a dark apron. “What can I do for you?” He turned his attention to Olivia and nodded, then greeted her with, “Ma’am.”
“We’re here for a necklace.”
“Anything in particular?”
Olivia stepped forward. “Not really. I’d like to see what you have, if you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” He walked over and fetched a wooden box off a far shelf. “If you don’t see something you like, I can always create something else.”
Immediately, her eyes landed on a rose pendant. Its petals were beautifully stained a blush color. “Oh, this is lovely.”
Tom’s eyes lit up with the praise. “That it is. A very lovely piece.”
“How much?” Ronan asked.
The price Tom quoted had her quickly placing the piece back in the box. It was lovely, without a doubt, but the cost was far more than she was able to spend. “It’s a little out of my range,” she explained with reluctance.
“Well, that’s all right. We’ll find you just the right thing for just the right price,” Tom assured her.
Ronan looked at the pendant, then back at her but didn’t say anything. She was grateful for it. She wasn’t ashamed she couldn’t afford the necklace, that’s just how things were in life. And the fact she had any discretionary money at all was a miracle when one splits the mine’s profits between nine women.
Tom opened another drawer. “Maybe you’d like to purchase a bracelet instead? The price is less expensive because it requires less gold.”
“All right.”
She looked through the selection and her eyes fell on a simple gold chain with one small teddy bear charm tethered to it. “This!” she exclaimed. “It’s exactly what I’m looking for.” She didn’t know who she’d been shopping for before that very moment, but as she looked at the small bear, its sweet face weathered and loved, she knew it had been created especially for Sadie. “How much?”
Ronan haggled down the price until she shook Tom’s hand, thrilled with her purchase.
Olivia laughed when they stepped out of the shop, twirling once with excitement. “This is absolutely perfect! Thank you so much for helping me get this. I know Sadie is going to love it.”
“Sadie?”
“Mm hmm. So perfect.” She stopped in front of him and took his hand. “Thank you.”
It was an impromptu gesture, but the moment their hands touched, an unexpected current shot through her hand and straight up her arm.
What was it about him that lit her up? Why did she have such a strong physical reaction to him—she studied his eyes—especially when he wasn’t the least bit affected?
He squeezed her hand, and another jolt shot through her when she thought he’d pull her closer, but he didn’t. Instead, he released her, and she stumbled at the abrupt release.
“May I escort you back to the wagon?”
“You may.” She hoped her voice hadn’t sounded as shaky as she felt.
The silence was awkward between them as they walked down the boardwalk. They’d been so connected a moment ago, and to go from that to this was confusing.
A man from the telegraph office hailed Ronan. “I have another telegram for you.”
“Forgive me,” Ronan said before stepping into the office.
She watched through the window as he read the message. His shoulders tensed and a darkness seemed to surround him.
When he came back out, she reached out to touch him, but hesitated. “Is everything all right? I hope it wasn’t bad news.”
He nodded curtly. “Everything’s fine.”
He’d begun to walk away, almost in a daze, but had only taken a few steps before she called out. “Ronan!” He turned back to her. “Let me help you.”
“There is nothing you can do to help me.”
Olivia placed her fists on her hips. Did he think she was a complete idiot? “You don’t know until you ask. I’m a lot sturdier than I look.”
Ronan’s eyes blanked and she saw the exact moment she lost him.
“I neither need, nor want, your help. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Her hands slipped from her sides as she watched him walk away. She’d pushed him too hard. It’d been a mistake, but something was going on with Ronan. She was sure of it. And next time, she’d get more answers out of him.
Ronan stormed into his apartment in the hotel and slammed the door, before reading the telegram once more.
So...Lawrence was sending a man to check out the mine, was he?
Ronan cursed his luck, but he wasn’t particularly surprised. He’d hoped Lawrence would be stupid and greedy enough to forego such inspections, but he should have known better. Lawrence was smart. That’s how he’d gotten away with all that he had, and how he’d managed to convince their commanding officer Ronan was a traitor. A murderer.
Lies.
Lawrence excelled at them.
Even though Ronan had been slowly buying up Lawrence’s companies and sabotaging what he could to cause Lawrence a financial drain, the man still had enough intelligence to send someone out.
He placed the telegram down and looked out the window at Promise Creek. The town was growing. Soon, he wouldn’t even recognize it.
But if things went his way, he wouldn’t be there when the real progress began.
Or when Olivia married.
Ronan cursed the thought. He couldn’t think of her now. She couldn’t be on his mind. In fact, he couldn’t have anything more to do with her beyond his job at the mine.
The inspector would arrive in two days, if the telegram was accurate, and he needed time to prepare.
If all went according to plan and Lawrence purchased the mine, Ronan would tighten the noose around his former best friend’s neck.
Chapter 6
When Ronan didn’t show up for work two days later, Olivia decided to take matters into her own hands.
She’d purposely gone to the mine bright and early to speak with him, but the fact that he wasn’t there said plenty. There was something going on with him. And she was determined to find out what it was.
She mounted her horse and rode the twenty minutes into town. Securing her horse outside the hotel, she stormed inside and made her way up the stairs. She knew exactly which room was his. All the women who owned the mine knew, just in case there was some type of emergency at the mine and he was needed.
Olivia knocked briskly at his door. Heavy footfalls sounded from the other side and grew louder as they approached the door, then suddenly, the door was yanked open. “I told you that I’d meet you— Olivia?” Ronan’s head whipped left, then right, as he glan
ced up and down the hallway, before yanking her inside. “Are you all right?” He ran his hands up and down her arms.
His touch banished all rational thought from her brain. She finally managed to respond with, “I’m fine.”
At her words, his hands stilled, but he didn’t remove them. “If someone hasn’t died, why are you here? In my room?” he asked, strongly emphasizing the final three words.
She broke from his hold—knowing she’d never be able to have a rational thought, let alone a conversation, if he were touching her—and walked a few steps away, before turning back to face him. She couldn’t appear weak now. “I want you to tell me what’s going on. There’s something wrong, and I want to help you.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. I’m serious, Ronan. I know something is wrong. That telegram the other day—”
“Is none of your business. Lord, do you have any idea what a risk you’ve taken by coming here? Alone?”
She clenched her jaw. She most certainly would not be held back by rules of propriety. Sometimes, actions were more important. And this was one of those times. If Ronan was in trouble, she didn’t care what kind of public disgrace she faced, as long as she helped him through. “I’m not weak, Ronan. I can take care of myself.”
He laughed harshly, and she tried not to flinch at his meanness.
“You can take care of yourself? Really? When men start thinking of you as a common woman, one free to abuse at their leisure, you think you can defend yourself from them? I think not.”
A shiver of fear raced up her spin, but she refused be cowed. How many times had she backed away from what she wanted, needed even, because it wasn’t proper? She’d been the perfect daughter, the perfect young lady back in Georgia. She’d followed every rule, every dictate handed down by society. And what had that gotten her?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She’d been alone, unloved, unwanted, and unneeded. “You’re right. That might happen. But the fact is, I don’t regret coming here. You may want to pretend like everything is fine, but I can read people and I know you’re in trouble.”
His hands started opening and closing like he wanted to strangle her, but she didn’t give an inch. This was her life. Her choice. “Now, will you tell me what’s going on?” She arched a brow and crossed her arms as if she’d wait there all day for his answer. In truth, she would.
He raked a hand through his hair and swore. “I can’t do this right now!”
She flinched at his anger but stayed silent.
A knock sounded at the door and Ronan cursed again. “Go into the other room. Close the door and don’t come out. Don’t make a sound. I don’t want anyone to know you’re in here.”
She didn’t argue. The moment she closed herself inside another room he opened the front door and she could hear him apologize for being late and saying he’d meet whoever it was downstairs in five minutes.
She waited until he’d closed the door before joining him again. “Who was that?”
“Someone I’m supposed to meet with.”
She didn’t comment on the evasive answer, which only told her what she already knew.
Ronan straightened his cuffs before grabbing his tie off the back of a chair and attempted to put it on. He swore when he couldn’t get it right, and Olivia stepped forward. “Here.” She held out her hand. When he didn’t immediately give it to her, she told him, “I guarantee I can get that around your neck and looking nice a lot sooner than you’ll be able too. Especially in your state.”
“And what state is that?” he asked as he handed the tie over.
“Annoyance.”
He laughed quietly as he stood still and allowed her to begin working on his tie.
She stepped forward, her pulse inching up as her body swayed only a few inches from his. Her eyes met his collar, the perfect height for such a task. And also for avoiding his gaze. She was proud of the no-nonsense way she performed the chore, but heaven above, when the scent of the soap he’d used from his bath and his aftershave reached her, she wanted to melt into a puddle on his lap.
But she was not about to do anything so embarrassing.
She lingered after she finished, taking time to brush the material with her hand, and straightening the tie’s appearance. She even went so far as to brush lint off his shoulders. Very strong, very muscular shoulders.
Heavens!
He watched quietly, holding completely still as she touched him
“There,” she said, smoothing the fabric a final time. “Perfect.”
“Watch yourself,” he warned.
“From who?” she whispered. “No one knows I’m here.”
“From me.”
Her eyes shot to his, and the scorching heat she saw in them took her breath away. She stumbled back a step, and he didn’t stop her.
“If you poke the bear long enough, it will attack.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No. It’s a promise.” He grabbed his hat off a table near the door. “Stay here until I get back.”
He left without waiting for her response. She knew she should leave while he was gone, but that would defeat her purpose for coming here in the first place. She needed answers from him. And she needed them now.
Ronan walked Lawrence Adams’ inspector out of the mine, joking and laughing with him...and at him. The fool hadn’t inspected anything while they were inside.
“Well, Mr. Briggs, the mine is exactly what Mr. Adams is looking for. As long as he approves the sale, there should be no further issues.”
Ronan grinned. It was easier than he’d thought it would be. “Excellent! I knew someone as savvy as Lawrence Adams wouldn’t pass on this deal. I know I sure wouldn’t if I were in the market for a mine.”
“True. Mr. Adams has his fingers in many pies.” The man’s chest puffed up as if he had been praised himself. Such arrogance! At least he had that in common with his employer.
Ronan walked him to the horses. “Well, then...I hope you’ll convey my best wishes to Mr. Adams.”
“I’d be happy to, but since you’ll be seeing him a short time from now, you’ll be able to give them to him yourself.”
Ronan paused mid-step. “Pardon? Will Mr. Adams be coming to Promise Creek then?”
“No...I thought you understood. To finalize the transaction, Mr. Adams will need to meet both you and your wife.”
“But I—”
The man laughed. “I’ve always found it amusing that he refuses to do business with unmarried men, but he says that they’re unpredictable. ‘A married man has more to lose,’ he always says.”
Ronan swallowed his previous denials of marriage. Lawrence would only deal with men who were married? How had he not uncovered that? But he forced himself to steady his voice and replied, “Wise.” Just one word, it was all he could manage.
“I’ve always thought so.” Mr. Briggs mounted his horse. “We’ll expect to hear from you regarding your travel arrangements soon. We’ll sort everything else out after.”
“All right,” Ronan agreed, just before the man rode off.
He didn’t speak or move until the inspector was well out of sight.
Then he swore a blue streak and threw his hat on the ground in anger, frustration, and panic.
A wife? He needed a wife. And he needed one yesterday. If there was some way to get around it, to push through without one, he would try, but he had a feeling this was something Lawrence wouldn’t budge on.
Who could he get to pretend to be his wife? He was sure he could pay someone, but he didn’t know any of the saloon girls well enough to be sure of their loyalty. And he certainly couldn’t ask a reputable woman to travel with him alone, without the security of marriage. It might be the West, but there were still some civilized society codes you just didn’t break. And an unmarried woman traveling alone with a man would never be acceptable. So where did that leave him? He sure didn’t have enough time to woo a lady. Besides, did he really want to tie himself
to a woman, only to risk her life? Whoever he chose to marry would be by his side for the rest of his life. They’d have a home and children together.
It wasn’t something he’d thought of. Ever. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He had thought of it in passing, mostly when he was younger, but such a possibility was so impossible it was ridiculous to even ponder such a thing. He was wanted for murder, for crying out loud! What kind of life would that be for a wife and children?
Besides, there was no one he wished to marry—
His thoughts ended abruptly as the image of Olivia filled his mind. He’d never wanted another woman as much as he wanted her. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of the possibility of possessing her, but now, he couldn’t get it off his mind.
If he married her, she would be his. Now and forever.
She would be bound to him, grow round with his children. Just thinking of creating such a life with her made his blood boil.
But could he really take her as his wife, knowing what danger she’d be in? If there was anything from his past that was good and wholesome, she represented those things. She was those things. She was home, she was Georgia.
If anything ever happened to her…
But then again, once he married her, had his little visit with Lawrence, and convinced him to buy the mine, Lawrence Adams would no longer be a threat to her.
So really, she wouldn’t be in danger all that long, and Ronan would be able to spend the rest of his life making sure she was safe.
It was possible. Maybe he could do it.
He could have her and everything else he wanted—revenge, peace, and a future.
All he had to do was lie to her.
The thought gutted him, but he knew he had to do it. There was no way she’d agree to destroy a man, regardless of what he’d done. It was the one time he wouldn’t be honest with her. And really, he was doing it to protect her.
The thought still twisted him up inside. He could try justifying lying to her all he wanted, but he was really only lying to himself—which was a heck of a lot different than lying to her, because he knew he was lying! But no matter what, he would have her. When it was all said and done, Olivia would be his. Forever.
A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires Book 2) Page 4