"Tonight was wonderful," she said, gazing up at him. "Years have passed since I enjoyed myself so."
He nodded, thinking he had no idea when he would experience such an evening again. Once they located Leo and he returned to the children, his life would be wrapped around raising the kids.
"Do you ever wish your life was different," she asked.
"All the time," he said. "All my life I've wanted to live on a boat on the ocean. That we lived on the water and I swam and fished every day."
"Soon fishing would become a habit and not a pleasure," she said.
"What about you?" he asked, slowing them, not wanting to reach the hotel.
"If I had been the oldest and not the baby, then Papa would not have rushed me to marry and leave," she said. "If I were the oldest, I would never have married Leo."
Jesse nodded. "Then I would never have met you and we would not be chasing him."
"True, but my life would be happier. Who knows, I might even have children."
They were back to the wooden beam lodged between them. Yes, he wanted a family, a son of his own and she was barren.
"We're here," she said, glancing up at the hotel. There was no way he would stay while she undressed or be lost to the desire rumbling inside him.
"This has been a lovely evening," she said.
"Yes, it has. We both understand that we must be careful or tonight could turn into disaster," he said, unable to tell her that yes, he wanted to sleep with her, but knew it was impossible.
"What if I go up first and prepare for bed, then when you come in. I'll be in bed waiting with a bed roll between us," she said, gazing at him with such longing in her eyes, it was almost his undoing.
Would a bedroll really keep them separated?
"All right," he said, staring into her sapphire eyes, wanting to lose himself there. Dora turned to walk away when something inside him broke loose and he grabbed her.
Nothing could stop him as he pulled her to him, his mouth descending on hers. Her arms reaching up and sliding around his neck as he yanked her against him. Like a lost traveler, his lips moved over hers, saying what his heart and mind refused to acknowledge as he tasted her thoroughly, wishing with all his might this woman was his.
The sound of people walking along the street broke them apart.
Standing on the street, she stared at him in wonder. "No," she said softly. "No, we can't do this."
Like a frightened doe, she turned and fled into the hotel.
The next morning, Dora woke in bed with Jesse curled around her. Somehow during the night, he rolled over the bedroll onto her side and was snug up against her. How had this happened?
The feel of him lying next to her, his breathing assured her he slept, and her heart clenched with sadness. The night had been fun, and for just a little while, she pretended they were a happy couple out enjoying a meal together. But none of it was true.
Yet, last night was the closest to being courted she ever experienced. And Jesse was a man she would gladly give her love too. Lying here beside him, she wanted to roll over and take him in her arms and show him how he'd captured her heart.
A loving man who stood up for those he loved, and also knew the importance of family.
Yet, her wedding vows kept them apart and even her infertility. Once they apprehended Leo, she would disappear to nurse her wounded soul.
This morning, they would once again begin their search for her husband. With a sigh, she threw back the covers, jumped out of bed, grabbed her clothes and went behind the bathing screen.
"Good morning," Jesse called.
For some reason this morning, she felt frustrated. Yes, she wanted to catch Leo, but she also wanted her life to amount to something. Why couldn't she have a family? Children? Everything she wanted in life without having to give up Jesse.
"Good morning," she replied, trying to quell the tears that threatened to fall. Most of the time, she did all right with the realization she would never have children. Occasionally, all the disappointment would overwhelm her and send her into a major sinking spell that would take her days to recover. Right now, all the signals were showing one coming.
"You all right this morning?" he asked, his clothes rustling.
"I'm fine," she replied, knowing that wasn't true, but her sadness was none of his business. "What is the plan for the day?"
"Grab some breakfast, then talk to the sheriff," he said, and she heard him tugging on his boots.
After pulling her blonde hair up off her neck in a ponytail, she walked out from behind the screen and found him looking better than a man had a right to. What about Jesse, other than his way with children, his kind heart, and stunning handsomeness attracted her to him?
Could this attraction be because she knew he was off limits in her life at this moment? Or was she falling in love with him?
With a sigh, she realized the handsome cowboy who loved his family, who was a decent, honest man, she had fallen in love with. The realization was both happy and sad. Because though she loved him, she could never give him her heart. And she must never let him know.
She placed her night clothes into her saddle bags then picked up her toiletries and other items in the room.
"Want to stay another night?" he asked, his voice ruff.
Whirling toward him, she stared. "What? Why would we?"
"It's a great hotel," he said, moving to stand in front of her. "We could be here more than one night."
Suddenly, he placed his hands around her face and lifted her lips to meet his. The kiss was swift and firm, and her toes curled at the emotions he evoked. A rush of blood fired through her system, leaving her limp. She stepped back. "No, Jesse. You've got to stop kissing me."
"I like kissing you," he said, stepping closer to her.
The morning’s thoughts slammed into her causing her to wilt.
"I'll never be able to give you the family you so desperately want. You deserve the children you long for. And me, who knows what's in store for me. But first we have a job to do. So let's go catch our bigamist killer so you can get back to the kids who need you."
With determination, she snapped her bag closed and started toward the door. Let the day begin and rid her mind of disappointments.
Jesse stood beside Dora inside the Austin sheriff's office. "Have you seen this man?" she asked the sheriff, showing him the tintype.
For some reason today, she seemed on edge like last night had frightened her. The evening had been fun, relaxing, and when he entered the room, she'd feigned sleep.
Sometime during the night, he reached for her and this morning, when he awoke, she was in his arms, like she belonged there. Until he felt her jump out of bed.
Maybe she was as tempted by him as he was by her.
Until they captured Leo, he would not make any decisions regarding Dora. Right now, he had to concentrate on locating the man and his poisonous cure.
"No, ma'am, can't say I have," the sheriff said.
A deputy strolled through the office and the lawman called him over. "Daniel," he yelled, "take a look at this tintype. You ever seen this man?"
The man glanced at the picture. "Oh yeah, I know him. That's Leo Tennyson. He's been dating the spinster Ethel Green. We expect him to ask for her hand in marriage just any old day now."
The deputy gazed at them. "Why are you asking?"
Standing beside him, Dora tensed, the tension almost crackling aloud. "I'm married to him."
The deputy's mouth dropped open. "But Ethel thinks he's going to marry her."
An ugly laugh escaped Dora. "He might. She would be marriage number three. His second wife he killed with his miracle drink. Then he killed a child in Waco and a preacher’s wife with his poison."
"Has he been peddling a drink called miracle cure on the streets?" the sheriff asked his deputy.
"Nope," he said, frowning. "And you're talking about Leo Tennyson?"
Jesse was ready to explode on the man. The law didn't care that
he'd committed bigamy, or killed his sister, or that he was selling a poisonous concoction to unsuspecting people.
"Can you tell me where Ethel lives?" Dora asked. "I'd like to warn her. The man marries you, cleans out your bank account, and moves on."
"How long you been married to him," the sheriff asked.
"Ten years. Long enough to understand how he operates."
The two lawmen stared at one another and Jesse suddenly realized they didn't believe her. Sometimes the law could work against you.
"Spinster Green lives on Moss River Road. The mansion on the hill."
Dora turned and smiled at Jesse, both of them silently agreeing why the man was after the sprinter. If they hadn't come along, the lawmen would find the woman dead as soon as her bank account was transferred into his name.
"Thank you, gentlemen. Keep an eye out for him," Jesse said, taking Dora by the arm and leading her out the door.
The bright sunshine and a blast of warm air hit them as they stepped outside.
"Come on," he said as they hurried to their horses. He helped her on hers and then climbed on his own.
"We've got to warn her," Dora said, turning her horse and riding down the street.
And Jesse agreed, the woman needed to learn about Leo and his treacherous ways.
When they pulled up in front of the two-story stone mansion, Dora was shocked at the size of the huge home. Of course, Leo would like to date the woman. She obviously had money. Money he would gladly take from her. At the reminder of how he had stolen from her, anger burned in her gut like a smoldering fire.
They knocked on the door and a woman dressed in a maid's uniform answered. "May I help you?"
"We need to speak to Ethel Green," Jesse said. "It's important."
"Let me see if Miss Green is accepting visitors," she said and left them standing outside on the porch.
As Dora gazed at the property that ran along a river, she wondered how long the spinster had lived here.
The maid returned and gave them an irritated glare. "What is this about?"
"Tell her Mrs. Dora Tennyson, Leo Tennyson's wife, would like to talk to her."
In fewer than thirty seconds, the woman reappeared. "Follow me."
As they trailed the lady through the hallway, Dora noticed a shotgun standing next to the door. The woman led them into a formal parlor that held antiques with a mixture of modern wooden furniture. The place was immaculate with oil paintings and china bowls everywhere. While Dora's family had money, their wealth would never compare to this woman’s.
"Come in," a woman older than Dora said, sitting like a regal queen in a chair in the fancy room. "Have a seat. Norma said you were Leo's wife. I don't believe you."
Dora pulled out the tintype. "This is my husband Leo Tennyson. Five years ago, I received a telegram saying he had been killed. When I went to the bank, my account had been cleaned out. Then several months ago, he was seen in Fort Worth, selling his miracle cure."
The woman's eyes narrowed as she stared at the picture.
Jesse sighed. "My sister married Leo five years later. Together they have two children. Last month, she died after drinking Leo's miracle cure. Leaving me to raise Leo's kids."
The woman frowned, her lip snarling.
"Children? There must be a mistake. Leo never mentioned any children. This is hard to believe. His wealthy family came from Boston. Maybe you have him confused with another Leo. With our money joined, we would be millionaires."
"There is no family in Boston, and he is broke," Dora said, knowing this had to be a total shock to the woman, who probably only wanted someone in her life.
She frowned. "I loaned him a thousand dollars because the bank was having trouble wiring his funds to him." Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, her mouth thinning into a straight line. "How can I believe you?"
The woman was tough, but Dora wasn't done yet. "The marriage records can be verified at the county courthouse in Zenith, Texas, ten years ago."
"Ten years ago? Good Lord, and you don't have children?"
Dora felt her insides clench. Why did it always come back to her weakness?
"No, children," she said softly. She tried to smile, but Dora's mouth just wouldn't work.
"My sister and Leo married in Gainesville almost six years ago. You could get a detective to verify this information."
The woman's features were stark and not very pretty. "Wait a minute, didn't you say he took money from you?"
"Yes, inheritance from my family," Dora said, wondering why she would care.
"Why haven't you gone after him? Surely, his family could pay you back."
For a moment, she had to compose herself to keep from laughing out loud.
"I'm sorry. Leo's parents died in west Texas. He has no family in Boston. No one to pay his debts. Leo is as broke as a minister. Why do you think he made up this juice to sell that is responsible for three deaths? The man needs the cash. Now the law is looking for him, for killing an eleven-year-old boy."
Ethel's eyes narrowed. "No, he would never do something so vile. I'm having a hard time believing this. Leo showed me pictures of his family. And he's never sold any miracle cure here in town that I know of. The Leo I know would never lie and marry several women at once. That would be blasphemous. You need to leave."
Dora was ready to concede. If he harmed her, then that was her problem. They tried to warn her.
"Can you tell us when you expect him?"
Ethel all but hissed in her elegant gown. "No, I will not tell you anything else. Now go before I send Norma to fetch the sheriff."
Standing, Dora realized they wasted valuable time trying to caution her when she acted like they were the ones disrespecting her.
"We're going," Jesse said. "If you want to talk with us, we'll be in town and the sheriff knows how to find us."
The woman pulled back her shoulders and considered their words. "This is nonsense. My Leo would never do what you're saying. He would never marry more than one woman or steal her money."
At that point, the frustration from the day overwhelmed Dora. "For your sake, I hope not. I'd hate to see you lose this big fancy mansion because some con man cleaned your bank account out. Good day, Ethel, and best of luck in your new marriage."
Jesse slammed his hat on his head and followed Dora out the door. Of all the stuck up snobbery she'd ever experienced. The woman was too blinded by Leo's sweet talk to understand the damage he could inflict.
Chapter 10
Jesse dropped Dora off at the hotel and took their horses to the stable. He told her he had errands to run and he would soon return. Walking into their room, she stripped off her boots and lay across the bed gazing at the ceiling.
Through the open window, she heard horses and people traveling along the busy street. In the sterile room, loneliness overcame her.
Last night, she could not sleep with him next to her and today it seemed like everything overwhelmed her. Lying there in bed, she thought of her mother and father, her brothers and sister, and even Leo. All the people she once loved came to mind and then she pictured Jesse and her heart shattered.
Yes, she'd fallen in love with the man, but they would never work for so many reasons. Mainly, he wanted a family and her womb was as empty as a church on Monday morning. Barren. The word was ugly and cold and filled her with such intense emotions of loss and sorrow.
It was like someone you dreamed of, but had never met, died. Like a part of you shriveled up inside. With Leo, she had come to accept they would never have children, but she believed life had given her a second chance, only to learn Leo had babies.
While she would never wish this on any woman, the fact Ida bore Leo babies hurt in the worst way.
And now all her fears were confirmed. Never would she feel a baby kick inside her or hold her child in her arms. Never would she gaze at her children and think they looked like her mother or father or her husband. Never would she see a child of hers grow into adulthood, marry, an
d give her grandchildren.
Being infertile was a life sentence. Eighty years without a family.
Jesse, the man she’d fallen in love with, dreamed of having his own family. Her heart ached with a sadness that tore her apart. While she would never have her dreams, Jesse deserved his.
A son to carry on his name, a daughter who would call him daddy. How could she ever wed any man again? Let alone a good, honest, kind-hearted man like Jesse.
Pain clenched her insides as the despair overwhelmed her. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she curled up in a ball and cried herself to sleep.
Dora had not been herself all day and he didn't know what was wrong, but after this afternoon, they both needed some fun. So he went to the store and purchased items for a picnic.
With the sun setting, he knew the time was too late to take her to a park, but they could have one in the room. After buying the food, he also bought a bottle of whiskey and playing cards. Something to take her mind off Leo and whatever troubled her.
How it must hurt a woman to learn her husband not only cheated with one woman, but now beguiled another one. While he didn't think she loved Leo any longer, the man had taken so much from her.
Time to cheer her up and bring back the spunky, fun-loving woman he grew fonder of each day. The woman who if only she could bear him children, he'd be all over her like a bee on honey.
Maybe it was wrong, but he longed for his own son and daughter. In fact, he wanted a whole passel of kids to chase around the house, the yard, and play with their mother.
Opening the hotel room door, he saw Dora sit straight up in bed. She'd been napping.
"Looks like someone was sleeping. Did I keep you awake last night?"
It was then he noticed the tear stains on her cheeks.
"No," she said, wiping her face.
How did he handle this strong woman breaking down in tears? Before he could make his decision, she rose from the bed and acted like nothing was wrong. "What did you get?"
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