by Bobbi Smith
"There was a reason we were coming to see you tonight," George said, wanting to brighten their mood.
"Why did you come back?" He looked from Elise to George and Claire. "Is something wrong?"
"Actually," George began, "somethings very right."
Trace waited expectantly, needing some good news after what had just happened.
"Claire and I are going to be married."
The tension of the moment vanished at his declaration.
Trace smiled widely. "Congratulations!"
"Well, I couldn't very well travel with her as my `lady', if I wasn't her 'lord'!" George said, laughing heartily.
"He's protecting my honor as a true gentleman should," Claire told Trace with delight.
"They're going to speak with the reverend in the morning and see if he can marry them tomorrow afternoon," Elise explained.
"If he can," George continued, "we'll take a trip to Denver as our honeymoon, but when we return late next week, we'll come back as Lord and Lady Winston."
"Your plan sounds great."
"It's a shame that it took the Harris gang to make me realize how much I wanted to marry Claire, but it doesn't matter now that she's said yes. The good news is we are finally getting married. She is going to be my bride."
"And you're going to live happily ever after," Elise supplied dreamily.
"Yes, we are," Claire assured her. Then she added, teasingly, "Of course, on such short notice, our wedding won't be as exciting as yours and `Ben's' was." She gave Trace a knowing look.
"I don't think many weddings are as exciting as that one," Elise remarked.
"But, you know, as `Ben', I had a lot less notice than George does," Trace told them with a smile. "He's got a whole day to prepare. I only had about twenty minutes."
They all laughed at the memory.
"Well, we'd better be going. It's getting late, and we've got a lot to get ready for tomorrow."
George started toward the door, ushering Claire before him.
"Elise? Are you coming with us?" Claire asked as she started from the office.
"I'll be along in a little while," she said, unwilling to leave Trace just yet.
"You'll see her home?" George asked Trace.
"That I will."
Claire and George nodded. "We'll see you later."
They closed the door behind them and headed back to the house, thrilled that they were going to have a few moments more alone.
"Did you see Elise with Trace?" Claire asked.
"I had no idea she cared for him. The way she's always acted around him, I thought she only considered him her boss."
"That's what I believed, too, until tonight. Maybe there's going to be another wedding in the not-too-distant future." Her eyes were sparkling at the thought. Even when she'd thought of him as Gabe, she'd suspected that he was special, and now she knew she'd been right.
"Once this trouble with the Harris gang is over, I think we just might see that happen."
Claire took his arm and they continued on into the night, eager for their few stolen moments before Elise returned.
After Claire and George had gone, Elise couldn't restrain herself any longer. She went to Trace and put her arms around him, holding him tightly. She almost sighed out loud when he hugged her back just as fiercely.
"I was so afraid he was going to shoot you!" she said, her head resting against his chest so she could hear the powerful pounding of his heart.
"He would have done it, too, if you hadn't come in when you did," Trace told her. "I'm very thankful for Georges timely proposal."
He grinned down at her.
Elise looked up at him and smiled gently. This was the man she loved. She had no doubt in the world. He meant everything to her. "I love you, Trace Jackson."
"I love you, too, Elise. And as soon as this is over, we're going to be paying the Reverend Ford a visit, too."
"Will I be marrying Ben, Gabe or Trace?" she asked in a throaty voice.
"Take your pick," he answered, willing to be anyone to please her. Wills threat to her had only convinced him all the more of the depth of his love for her.
"You," she sighed. "Only you."
And then Trace kissed her.
Reverend Ford performed the ceremony the following afternoon. It was very private, with only a few of Claires and George's closest friends in attendance. Several people expressed their surprise at the sudden nuptials, but all were delighted at their marriage, seeing how happy Claire and George were as they exchanged their vows.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," Reverend Ford said. "George, you may kiss your bride."
Claire looked up at George, all the love she felt for him shining in her eyes. She blushed prettily as he bent and kissed her with tender devotion.
"I am so happy for you!" Elise said as she hurried forward to hug them both.
Trace followed Elise to speak with them. He shook hands with George and kissed Claire's cheek. "Congratulations, George. You not only got yourself a beautiful bride, you married the best cook in Durango."
Everyone laughed.
"She's not going to have to cook for a while, though. I'm taking her on a long honeymoon. We're heading out on the eastbound train first thing in the morning."
"How romantic!" Mildred Andrews, one of Claire's dearest friends, sighed as she came up to congratulate them. "I can't believe you two have finally gone and done it-and after all this time!"
Claire smiled sweetly at her and then looked up at George adoringly. "Sometimes, you just know when the time is right."
They left the church a short time later after visiting with everyone and accepting their wellwishes. They would be spending their wedding night at George's home and leaving from there for the train depot in the morning.
Trace and Elise watched them ride off in George's carriage.
"I'll need to change clothes before we head back to the office," Elise told Trace after the others who had attended the wedding had departed.
"I've got a better idea," he said, his gaze warm upon her. "Let's forget about the Star. Let's take the night off and go out to dinner."
"I'd love to," she accepted eagerly and took his offered arm.
They made their way to one of the better restaurants in town that was located not far from the office. They were both looking for ward to the evening to come. They would be alone, completely unchaperoned for the first time since they'd returned from Canyon Creek. Food was not the main thing on their minds as they entered the restaurant.
Trace immediately realized that he'd made a terrible mistake when he heard someone call out his name. He looked up to see Julie Stevens waving to him from where she was already seated at a table with her parents.
"Gabe! It's so good to see you! Come join us!" she invited.
Trace felt Elise's grip tighten on his arm, but knew he had to go and exchange pleasantries with them. He led the way to their table.
Lyle Stevens immediately stood up and offered his chair to Elise as they drew near. "Miss Martin, please, you and Gabe be our guests for dinner."
"We wouldn't want to intrude," she insisted.
"Nonsense. Gabe was supposed to have dined with us a few weeks ago, but things didn't work out. We'd be thrilled to have your company tonight." The banker wouldn't take no for an answer.
They were trapped, and they knew it.
"You are very kind, Mr. Stevens," Elise answered gracefully as she begrudgingly let go of Trace's arm and took the offered seat.
"Lyle, please." Lyle pulled up an extra chair for Trace and positioned it next to Julie, then got another one for himself.
"This is an unexpected pleasure," Adele Stevens spoke up, smiling warmly at Gabe. She thought he would make a very good match for Julie, and she was glad to have the opportunity to visit with him some more, so she could get to know him better. She was glad now, too, that her daughter had worn her nicest gown this evening. It was deep blue in color, and though it was high-necked and long-sle
eved, it showed off her figure to advantage and brought out the highlights in her hair.
"For us, too," Trace replied politely, glancing at Julie as he spoke.
She was gazing at him, focusing only on him and him alone. "I'm sorry you couldn't keep our date before," she said with a note of hurt in her voice. "I was really looking forward to it."
"I apologize again, but if you read the next edition of the Star, you'll know exactly where I was the night I had to miss dinner. I was working on a story at the High Time with Elise," he told her.
"Yes," Adele said, a touch of disapproval in her voice, "that was a very interesting expose on the lives of the soiled doves. Whatever possessed you to do that, Elise?"
"I was in one of the mercantiles when one of the girls from the High Time came in. The shopkeeper wouldn't wait on her. In fact, he was downright cruel to her. I thought it was important to make everyone realize that the women who are forced into a life like that are real people with real problems."
"And you enjoyed working at that saloon?" Julie asked with disdain, thinking that Elise must be something of a tramp to have done what she did.
"I enjoyed telling people the truth about the girls' lives. That's what good journalism is all about. I wanted to tell everyone what is really going on in the world. I want to help right wrongs. I want to improve things for everyone."
"Very noble goals, my dear, but I hardly think the erring sisters from the saloon are a worthy topic for polite dinner conversation," Lyle said critically.
"Well, we hope a few of the `erring sisters' will be encouraged by Elise's work and find the strength to leave that profession behind and begin life anew," Trace defended her.
Julie didn't like his championing the other woman. She leaned toward him and, without anyone seeing, rested her hand on his knee. The tablecloth draped long and low, so she knew her brazenness wouldn't be detected by anyone but Gabe. When she felt him tense at her touch, she fought back a smile. It was good to know that she could affect him in that way.
"Well, I'm just glad that you came in tonight while we were here," Julie told him, looking up at him innocently, when all she wanted to do was climb onto his lap and kiss him.
"We just left quite a joyous event and were coming here to celebrate," he explained.
"Oh? What happened?" Adele looked from Gabe to Elise. "Tell us and we'll celebrate with you."
"My grandmother and George Lansing were married this afternoon," Elise answered.
"My dear, that's wonderful!" Adele remarked, but immediately wondered why they'd married so oddly and without all the usual fanfare.
"But it was so sudden, wasn't it?" Julie asked, puzzled too.
"They'd been seeing each other for a long time and just decided that this was the right time to marry."
"We're very happy for them," Lyle said, although truth be told, he really didn't care one way or the other. "Now, what's the latest news on the royalty that's coming for a visit?"
"We haven't heard a lot more. They're due to arrive in town the middle of next week."
"Are they truly as wealthy as you reported?"
"Wealthier, I do believe," Elise answered, enhancing their story even more.
"It will be interesting to meet them. Do you suppose they'll be staying long?" Julie asked. She tightened her hand on Trace's knee.
"They haven't said. I know they'll be here at least two nights, but other than that I don't know anything," Trace answered. He tried to ignore her caress and focus on the conversation. He was greatly relieved when the waiter came to take their orders.
"You say it's just the lord and lady who are coming? They don't have any children, do they?" Adele asked, thinking that as much as she liked Gabe, she certainly wouldn't mind Julie marrying into royalty if she got the chance.
"If they do, I haven't read anything about them," Elise answered.
"Well, well just have to be happy knowing that we've got an honest-to-gosh lord and lady in our midst," Lyle declared.
Elise was miserable, although no one could tell because she kept up a good front, smiling and making small talk with Adele and Lyle. She had come into the restaurant eagerly anticipating a quiet dinner with Trace and then having some time alone with him. She had been aching to kiss him and had been hoping that they might get their food quickly so they could leave all that much sooner. But now, all her plans had been upset by Julie and her parents.
From beneath lowered lashes, Elise watched as Julie monopolized Trace. Jealousy ate at her and she wished they were anywhere but there. If she could have, she would have pleaded a headache and asked Trace to take her home, but she knew she couldn't. She would just have to suffer in silence. The only reassuring thing that kept her from being too upset was the occasional glance that Trace cast her way, letting her know by a single look that he was feeling exactly the same way she was.
Julie was unaware of the unspoken communication between Gabe and Elise. She thought she had his undivided attention. She moved her hand a bit higher, but immediately regretted it when Gabe reached down to take her hand in his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and put it back in her own lap. She couldn't decide whether that was a good move or a rejection. After a moments reflection, she decided to take it as a good move. Obviously, she'd been exciting him with her touch, and he'd been hard put to control his desire for her. The thought thrilled her, and she couldn't wait for the chance to be with him again at a social event so she could dance with him again. She loved being in his arms, being close to him.
The next hour passed agonizingly slow for Trace and Elise. When at last the meal was over, Trace made their excuses.
"Elise and I had better be going now. We've got a newspaper to get out first thing in the morning. Thank you so much for your hospitality," Trace said to Lyle. He smiled at Adele, and nodded to Julie as he rose.
Elise could hardly believe she and Trace could finally leave. The previous hour had felt like one of the longest in her lifetime. "Yes, thank you so much for dinner."
"It's our pleasure," Lyle told them as he stood to shake Gabe's hand. "I'd like to see more of you. Don't make yourself so scarce, son."
Trace grimaced inwardly at his familiarity. "I appreciate your kindness."
With that, he led Elise from the restaurant. He was aware that every moment Julie's gaze was upon them. They escaped outside into the night's welcoming darkness. Trace didn't speak until they were a good distance down the street from the restaurant.
"I'm sorry," Trace said, and he meant it. "If I'd known they were going to be there, I would never have gone in. I wanted to be alone with you tonight."
Elise cast him a sidelong glance as they walked down the dark street. When they passed a deserted alley, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the darkness.
"We're alone now, Trace," she whispered as she drew him down for a flaming kiss.
Trace gave a low groan as he deepened the exchange, tasting her sweetness. "I've wanted to do that all day."
"So have I," she said in a low, sensuous voice.
They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms for a moment longer, then finally tore themselves apart. They knew they were in the middle of town and that someone could come upon them at any time, despite the lateness of the hour. They started for her home at a quickened pace, knowing what pleasure awaited them there.
They couldn't cover the blocks fast enough as far as they were both concerned. When at last they reached the front porch, Trace took the key from Elise's trembling hand and unlocked the door for her. Inside, the house was warm and dark and welcoming, and they didn't bother to light any lights.
"If you want me to go, say so now," Trace told her, trying to control his raging need for her.
Elise came to stand before him. She lifted one hand to caress his cheek.
"I don't ever want you to leave me," she said softly, and then rose onto her tiptoes to press her lips to his in precious, unspoken invitation.
He broke off the kiss only long enough
to lock the door behind them; then he swept her up in his arms.
"My room is upstairs," she told him, looping her arms around his neck.
He took the steps two at a time and kicked her bedroom door open wide so he could carry her in. He laid her on the bed and followed her down.
"I need you, Trace," Elise whispered.
Glorying in his nearness, she surrendered to his passion. They hurried to strip away the clothes that kept them apart and came together in a blaze of desire. Each needed what only the other could give.
Theirs was a rapturous mating, a joining of body and soul. They shared pure ecstasy as they sought to please each other. With each kiss and caress, they showed the depth of their devotion until, in that perfect moment, they reached the peak of loves delight together. Clinging to each other, they soared to the heights, treasuring the bliss that was theirs, knowing that what they shared was special.
They loved through the night, savoring this time alone. It was just hours before dawn when Trace left Elise's bed and began to dress.
"Do you have to go?" she asked regretfully, already missing having him by her side.
"You know I have to," he said, pausing to go to her and kiss her one last time.
"I wish you could stay with me forever," she said in a passion-husky voice.
He groaned inwardly at her invitation. There was nothing he wanted more than to make her his own in all ways. And he would, just as soon as he'd dealt with Harris. The incident with Campbell the day before had only emphasized to him that he needed to settle his past before he could plan his future.
And Elise was his future.
He kissed her gently one last time and quietly left the house, making sure his passage went unnoticed. He did not want to put her reputation at risk.
Trace returned to the office and tried to get some sleep on the makeshift bed he'd set up there. Thoughts of Will's betrayal and of Harris left him restless and tense, though. He was glad when the sun finally came up and he could start another workday. The sooner this next week passed, the sooner his confrontation with Harris would come. He was ready-more than ready-for this to be over. He was looking forward to it. It was payback time.