Last Promise

by Scarlett Dunn

  She knew by the look on his face that she wouldn’t deter him. “I’m afraid for you.”

  “I’ll be fine. Now take the boys out.” He gave her a light kiss on the lips and turned toward the lobby. Luke was right behind him, and Jake turned to his wife and told her to go with Victoria and the boys. “She will explain.”

  “I can’t believe that’s Thomas with Arina, and yet you don’t believe in coincidences, Colt,” Luke commented.

  Colt didn’t answer, he’d have to think about that later. Right now his mind was on one thing: killing Creed Thomas.

  Arina and Thomas were standing outside the hotel when Colt stalked through the door. “Thomas!”

  Luke and Jake exchanged a glance. Colt’s voice was cold. Deadly. They’d never heard him sound so threatening.

  Thomas turned around to see who called his name. “Yeah?”

  Colt noticed he wasn’t wearing a gun. “Do you remember me?”

  Thomas looked the big man up and down. He didn’t recognize him. “No, I don’t know who you are.”

  Arina turned to see the three brothers standing side by side, and the look on their faces was truly frightening. “Luke, what is this about?”

  “Maybe you should tell me how you know this hombre,” Luke responded.

  “This is our new ranch foreman, Alan Thomas,” she said.

  “This is Creed Thomas,” Colt corrected. “The man who caused our mother’s death.”

  “My name is Creed Alan Thomas,” Thomas admitted. “No one calls me Creed now.”

  “What do you mean he caused your mother’s death?” Arina asked.

  To everyone’s surprise it was Creed who answered the question. “I was in a gunfight in this town some years back and a woman was accidentally shot.”

  “That woman was our mother and it wasn’t accidental. You were the cause of her death,” Colt growled.

  “I’m sorry about that, but it was a long time ago. I was young and I did a lot of things I’m not proud of, but I’m a different man today. I always regretted what happened to your mother,” Thomas said.

  Colt wasn’t listening to excuses, all of the excuses in the world would never bring his mother back. “Luke, give him your gun.”

  Thomas held his hands in the air. “I’m not going to draw against you.”

  Luke unbuckled his belt. “You were heeled when you got off that stagecoach.”

  “This is the Sabbath, I don’t generally arm myself on the Lord’s Day.”

  “But you’ll spend the night in a married woman’s bed,” Luke said.

  It was an affront that someone like him even spoke the Lord’s name, Colt thought. “Take the gun.”

  “I’ve got no quarrel with you. Look, I’m sorry about your mother, but as I said it was a long time ago. I made a lot of mistakes and I’m not making another one now. I ain’t looking for trouble here and I won’t take the gun.”

  Colt removed his holster and handed it to Jake. “Trouble just found you.” He was determined to have his revenge. Colt’s fist landed with a powerful thud against Thomas’s jaw.

  Thomas hit the ground hard and it took him a minute to regain his senses. He struggled to his feet and took a swing at Colt and missed. Colt slammed a right uppercut into him which sent Thomas staggering backward, though he managed to stay upright. Thomas took a run headfirst at Colt, but Colt knew what was coming. Bracing himself, Colt grabbed Thomas by the shirt and used his momentum to throw him over his head. Thomas crashed through the hotel door, shattering the oval glass insert. Colt went after him and jerked him off the floor and proceeded to give him a thorough thrashing.

  Jake and Luke tried to pull Colt off Thomas when they saw he was no longer capable of fighting back. “That’s enough, Colt, he’s no match for you,” Jake said.

  Somewhere in his mind, Jake’s words registered, and Colt knew his brother was right. He would take no pleasure in beating a man to death who wasn’t able to defend himself. He didn’t say a word as he straightened, took his gun belt from Jake, and buckled it around his waist. Was it a coincidence he’d seen Creed Thomas after all of these years? At one time he might not have thought twice about beating Thomas within an inch of his life. But he’d changed. Loving Victoria and the boys had changed him. Having his brothers back at the ranch made a difference in his life. Old grudges were no longer important to him.

  He realized that even though he was a boy when his mother was killed by that stray bullet, Thomas was also a young man. Thomas looked to be about ten years older than Colt, so when he started the gunfight that fateful day he was probably about twenty-one. Colt remembered his father told him that Thomas didn’t have a pa to teach him right from wrong. Maybe Thomas had turned his life around, maybe not. But Colt figured it was up to the Good Lord to right the wrongs. He had to answer for his own soul, and he was glad he no longer had hate in his heart. Revenge didn’t seem so sweet. No, it wasn’t a coincidence seeing Thomas after all of these years. God had a way of opening his eyes at just the right time. He was a man who had a whole lot to be grateful for, and he wouldn’t allow himself to take his blessings for granted. There couldn’t be room in his heart for grudges or for hate.

  Luke handed Colt his hat, then turned to Arina. “Aren’t you going to help your boyfriend?”

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” she countered.

  Luke grinned. “Well, whatever he is to you, he’s wearing the Stetson that was on your bedpost this morning.”

  “As I told you, he’s our foreman on the ranch. We were together last night, but that doesn’t make him anything special to me. You can’t say I didn’t tell you what I wanted.”

  Luke had to give her credit, she didn’t lie about sharing her bed with Thomas. “Maybe you should start at the beginning and tell me why he came here with you. More importantly, why you didn’t mention you two were traveling together.”

  “He thought I needed protection. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea about us, so I didn’t mention him.”

  Her explanation rang hollow. She obviously didn’t care about his good opinion while she was coming on to him. “Did you two kill Sam?”

  She looked at him like she was surprised he would suggest such a thing. “Of course not! I didn’t know he was dead.”

  “How long have the two of you been sharing a bed? Before Sam disappeared?”

  “No, last night was the first night.”

  Luke didn’t believe her. “If I find out you had something to do with Sam’s death I will see you hang.”

  “Let’s go,” Colt told them. He turned and saw Eb behind them. “Eb, tell George I will pay for a new door.”

  The brothers were quiet as they walked to the livery. Luke and Jake wanted to give Colt time to settle down. They were taken by surprise when Colt stopped suddenly and turned to them. “I remember Pa saying that Creed Thomas was always causing trouble when he was young. He might have changed, but we can’t take his word as gospel. Someone took a shot at you this morning, Luke, and considering Thomas’s past, he’s the most likely candidate around. You own the mine now, and Thomas is sharing a bed with the new widow, so we can’t ignore the fact that if they didn’t kill Sam they could have paid someone to do it.”

  “That’s what I was thinking. She doesn’t strike me as the type who would sit back and let someone else inherit her husband’s half of the mine. I don’t believe a word out of her mouth. I’d say she had plans of being a wealthy widow,” Jake added.

  “Yeah, but how do I go about proving it?” Luke asked.

  “I’ll go to Arizona with you and we’ll see what we can find out,” Jake said.

  Luke smiled. “Are you sure you want to leave your new wife?”

  “Heck no, I don’t want to, but I don’t want a dead brother, either,” Jake said.

  Colt liked the idea of Jake going with Luke, but he also wanted Jake’s former partner, Cole Becker, to go with them. Jake and Cole had been partners as U.S. Marshals for ten years. “I’d feel better if you
two took Cole with you.”

  “Can you do without the three of us for a few weeks?” Luke asked.

  “No, but we’ll manage. I don’t want either of you riding into a trap. Until we know what happened to Sam, we need to take precautions,” Colt said. “If you leave soon you’ll make better time than the stagecoach. You might have a better chance of finding out what happened before Arina gets there.”

  “If it’s okay with Jake and Cole, we can leave tomorrow,” Luke replied. He thought about Mary Ann even though he tried not to. She’d treated him like he had the black plague this morning, but he sure hated the thought of not seeing her for weeks.

  Bob, the owner of the livery, walked from the stables and saw the McBride brothers coming his way. He turned around and motioned for the women to come out. “He’s here and in one piece.”

  Victoria ran from the livery into Colt’s arms.

  Colt could feel her shaking as he hugged her to him. “I didn’t kill him.”

  “Is this the end of it?” Victoria asked.

  “It is for me.”

  * * *

  The following morning Luke, Jake, and Cole were saddling their horses to leave. “I need to stop in town before we leave,” Luke told them.

  “Me too, I want to send a telegram and see if a Marshal can meet us there,” Jake said.

  Colt walked in to see them off. “Luke, is the mine supervisor up to running it without the owner on-site?” He’d stayed awake all night worried that his brother might need to move to Arizona to see to the day-to-day operations of the mine.

  “He’s more than capable, he’s done a fine job.” Luke knew what his brother was asking, and he’d thought about the same thing. “Don’t worry, Colt, I’m staying on the ranch even if I have to sell the mine.”

  Jake laughed. “Colt, looks like we can’t get rid of little brother.”

  “That suits me just fine.” He slapped his brothers on the back. “Make sure you get yourselves back here in one piece.”

  “Colt, if you need us, just send a telegram to the mine,” Luke told him before they rode away.

  * * *

  Reaching town, Jake headed for the telegraph office, and Cole accompanied Luke to the hotel.

  Eb said Mary Ann was upstairs checking on her uncle, and Luke headed for the stairs. He turned to Cole and said, “I’ll just be a minute.” He didn’t want Cole to accompany him upstairs. What he wanted to say to Mary Ann was a private matter.

  Mary Ann tried to appear indifferent when she answered the knock on the door and saw Luke standing there. “How may I help you?” No matter how many times she told herself to forget the kisses they had shared, she couldn’t stop her reaction to him. Her heart was thumping wildly at the mere sight of him.

  “How’s George?”

  “He’s much better today. Did you need to see him?”

  “No, I wanted to see you.” He really wanted to sweep her up in his arms and kiss her like he did behind the church.

  “Why? Aren’t you at the wrong room?”

  Her words were frosty, but it didn’t deter him from stepping over the threshold without being invited. “No, I’m right where I want to be.”

  She backed up a step. “I told you I wasn’t going to be one of your conquests.”

  Why did his brain turn to mush with just one look at her? “Yeah, you told me. I don’t want to conquer you! I want to kiss you.”

  She started to say she didn’t want to kiss him, but didn’t have a chance. He pulled her to him and lowered his mouth to hers. Reacting the same way she did at the dance, her arms automatically wound around his neck as she returned his kiss with uninhibited passion.

  When Luke pulled away from her mouth his breathing was ragged. “I came to tell you I’m leaving town.”

  Trying to gain her own composure, it took her a minute to respond. When she did she found herself asking, “With that woman?”

  “No, but I am going to Arizona. I need to find out what happened to Sam. I will be back as soon as I can.”

  As long as his lips were not on hers she could think straight. And right now she was thinking he had spent the night with that woman after sharing intimate moments with her at the dance. “Why tell me?”

  “When I come back we need to talk about this.” He stepped even closer.

  “About what?”

  “This,” he replied before kissing her again.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Luke had been gone for two weeks and while he was away Mary Ann worked diligently to complete her shop. She thought being busy would take her mind off of Luke, but it hadn’t worked. Each time she stepped into the shop, she was reminded of the night Luke was standing at the display case asking her questions about the items she planned to carry. Tonight was no different. Luke had been on her mind the entire time she was putting the finishing touches on the shop. After she placed the last item on the shelf, she lit the blue opalescent oil lamps and stepped back to see how the shop would appear from the customers’ vantage point when they entered. Under the warm glow of the lamps the room looked enchanting. The crystal perfume bottles adorning the shelves twinkled like diamonds. The garters, stockings, and camisoles were made of the finest silks and satins. Jewelry in lovely black velvet cases alongside a few of Victoria’s beautifully designed reticules were as exquisite as anything she’d seen in the shops in Paris. The heliotrope and pink satin corsets displayed on the dress forms were sure to attract the ladies. She was so excited, she just knew women would love the shop, especially Victoria and Promise.

  “This looks really nice,” Colt said from behind her.

  Mary Ann whirled around. She had been so absorbed checking every detail that she hadn’t heard him approach. “Oh, Mr. McBride, thank you. I was just finishing up. Did you need something?”

  “Yes, I did. Victoria told me while I was in town to invite you and George to dinner tomorrow night.”

  “That would be lovely, and I’m sure my uncle will be thrilled to have some male companionship. I’m afraid he’s tired of hearing about ladies’ fashion.”

  Colt chuckled. “I can appreciate how he feels. I will give him a break.” His gaze surveyed the bottles of perfume lined up on the shelves before landing on the colorful corset in the corner. That was not something you typically saw displayed at the mercantile. He’d only seen such beautiful things on the women in the saloon and they ordered their clothing from the stores in Denver.

  Seeing where he was looking, Mary Ann blushed. “I thought I would have mainly women customers. Your brother tried to warn me that I would have men coming in.”

  “It’s arranged nicely.” She had done a good job of placing the intimate items out of the view of hotel guests; one had to step inside to see them. He glanced back at the bottles. “Would you recommend one of those perfumes?”

  “Yes, they are from France and smell divine.” She reached for one bottle and handed it to him.

  “I was thinking about something for Victoria’s birthday next month.” He took the ornate crystal bottle and pulled out the stopper and sniffed. “That does smell good.”

  Mary Ann smiled at him. “This is my favorite; I’m sure she would love it.”

  “I’ll take it.” He pointed to two white garters in the display case. “Give me two of those lacy garters and stockings.”

  He’d shocked Mary Ann to her toes. She’d never considered she would be waiting on a man, not only a man, but the most fearsome looking man she’d ever seen in the form of Colt McBride. She picked up the garters and handed them to him and watched as he felt the material. His hands were large and strong, just like Luke’s, and the way he touched the garters was quite sensuous. She felt herself blushing even more.

  He glanced at one of the corsets. He really liked the color and thought it would look beautiful on Victoria. He pointed to the heliotrope corset. “Would that fit my wife?”

  He didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed buying intimate items for his wife. She had a feeling Luke was
n’t the only McBride who knew his way around a woman’s wardrobe.

  “I think it would be perfect for her.”

  “Good. The perfume is for her and the corset and garters are for . . .” He hesitated as he pulled out some bills.

  Mary Ann was stunned. Surely he wasn’t buying a present for some other female when his wife was one of the most beautiful women she’d ever seen. “They are for?”

  “Me.” He smiled as he handed her the money.

  Mary Ann returned his smile, and placed the items in a box and tied it with a large pink ribbon.

  Colt picked up the box. “Don’t forget about dinner.”

  * * *

  Mary Ann’s friendship with Victoria and Promise had blossomed over the weeks, and she was thrilled to have friends in the town she was beginning to call home. She had been to the McBride ranch several times for dinner and had the wives to tea at the hotel. Spending so much time with the McBride women, as well as Colt, she was also gaining a fresh perspective on the men in this country. Quite naturally, they all gave glowing accounts of Luke. To listen to Colt’s twin boys, their uncle Luke hung the moon and the stars.

  No matter what they said, or how hard she tried, she couldn’t forget seeing Luke leave Arina’s room that morning. Admittedly, she was infatuated with him, but she wouldn’t allow herself to forget that he wasn’t a one-woman man. When he came back she promised herself she would stay away from him. If she got close enough for him to kiss her, she wouldn’t forget all the reasons she needed to keep her distance. It saddened her that she probably wouldn’t be invited to the ranch when he returned, but she could always invite Victoria and Promise to the hotel.

  Mary Ann and George were sitting in the parlor having a pleasant conversation with the McBrides when an unexpected visitor appeared on their doorstep. Mary Ann had seen the woman from a distance, but never in her life had she ever thought she would meet her.

  Colt and his wife greeted L. B. Ditty, the owner of the saloon, warmly and invited her into the parlor where Colt introduced her to Mary Ann.