May peeked out the kitchen door for the sixth time, seeing Dax and Rachel walking across the room toward Charles and Clare. Three hours after the ceremony and most of the guests had already eaten, offered their congratulations once more, and left. Only a few friends and family remained. Not once had she spotted Caleb.
She’d been able to leave the kitchen for a few minutes to speak to the newlyweds and greet her father. May didn’t linger long enough to speak with Pauline and Oliver, relieved to find them absorbed in their own personal conversation. Now they’d cornered Charles and Clare, Pauline doing most of the talking while her father gently tugged on her arm.
For an instant, May wondered if she should rescue the newlyweds, deciding to stay in the kitchen when Dax and Rachel approached. She watched for another moment before her gaze wandered to another man. Someone she’d never seen in Splendor.
He stood in the doorway, hat tilted back, and although tall, his heavy coat hid his true size. May couldn’t tell if he carried a gun, but knew he must. Few people traveled without protection, and this man had the appearance of someone who’d seen his share of trouble. His presence caused an unwelcome sense of dread.
After looking around, he turned, walking to the front desk. She watched as he spoke to Thomas, the young man who most often registered guests. A few minutes later, the man glanced back into the dining room, gripping a key in his hand.
This time, it wasn’t his appearance which prompted her concern. It was the predatory look in his eyes. The flat, emotionless glint unsettled May.
“If you stand there all day, we won’t get out of here until late tonight.”
Glancing over her shoulder at Gary, May tried to shake off her reaction to the stranger, finding she couldn’t. Before closing the door, she took one last look, memorizing his features.
She and Caleb might not be as close as before, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t want to know about the stranger, or anyone else who may be planning harm to those in Splendor.
Pacing back and forth in his room, Oliver stopped, placing fisted hands on his hips. “We can’t wait much longer. Your idiot husband plans to have us on a stage right after Christmas. We’ll never get another chance.”
Pauline adjusted her skirt, settling into the only chair in her son’s room. “If you hadn’t bungled the first two attempts, we wouldn’t have to worry about trying a third time.”
“How was I to know Clare would find a way out of the church?”
“You should’ve stayed long enough to make certain, instead of running away,” Pauline sneered. “The same as you should’ve stayed in her room long enough to know she’d never take another breath.”
“Neither of those were my fault, Mother.”
“Well, they certainly weren’t mine.”
Oliver slumped onto the bed. “I still don’t understand why you married Dilly in the first place. You don’t love him, and we had enough money to get by. We could’ve gone after Clare as soon as you learned about the contents of her late husband’s will.”
“I have no intention of just getting by, Ollie,” Pauline huffed. “Besides, you know quite well that I didn’t learn about his will until after I’d married Dilly. I didn’t even know my late husband had a brother in Chicago. I always knew Harry had a good many secrets, but I never suspected a wealthy relative.” Pulling a handkerchief from a pocket in her dress, Pauline dabbed the moisture from her forehead.
Oliver couldn’t hold back a smirk. “Or that we’d be listed as Raymond’s heirs upon the death of his wife.”
“I’d have never learned about Raymond or Clare if Harry’s lawyer hadn’t mentioned them. Thank goodness Raymond had the good sense to send a copy of his will to Harry. If he hadn’t, we never would’ve learned about the fortune awaiting us. We also would never have known of Clare’s decision to travel to Splendor. I still can’t believe our good fortune at learning both Clare and May would be in this town. You already know how easy it was to convince Dilly to visit his daughter for Christmas. He is a sweet man, but so gullible.” She lifted the handkerchief, hiding her snicker behind the lace embroidered cloth.
Oliver’s features sobered. “We still have to find a way to finish what’s been started.”
“Don’t fret, Oliver. It’s a week before Christmas. We have time to devise another plan. One that will result in us leaving Splendor with all we’ve ever wanted.”
May tried not to appear anxious as she waited by the back door of the kitchen for Caleb and Isaac. Gary had already gone to his room upstairs, allowing her time to fix her hair before slipping into her coat.
At the soft knock, she pulled the door open, surprised to see snow blanketing the street. Caleb stood there, hands buried in his coat pockets, no sign of his son.
“Where’s Isaac?”
“Sylvia asked if she could keep him for a bit tonight. So…” He shrugged, offering May his arm. “Are you ready?”
Closing the door, she slipped her arm through his. Neither spoke as he guided her to the street, watching as the snow continued to fall, covering the ground in a thick layer. Reaching the boardwalk, Caleb slowed his steps, doing what he could to prolong his time with her.
May looked up at him. “Did you have a chance to try the food today?”
“We came in for a few minutes to congratulate Charles and Clare. I ate some beef, but Isaac preferred the chicken. Both of us like your pastries. A lot, actually.” He smiled, his eyes flickering in the light pouring out of the Dixie.
“I thought you hadn’t been able to stop by.”
He arched a brow. “Were you looking for me, May?”
Feeling her face heat, she couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “Of course. I know we’ll never be more than friends, Caleb. Still, it is difficult to let go of a dream. At least for me.” Saying no more, she tried to pull her arm from his, only to feel his hold tighten.
He looked down at her. “Is that what you want, May? For us to only be friends?” Stopping, he grasped her chin, lifting her face so her gaze met his. “Because I want more.” Bending, he brushed a quick, almost chaste kiss across her lips before releasing his hold. Had he not missed her so much over the last two days, he would’ve grinned at the shock on her face.
“I thought we agreed to give you time to sort out your feelings for Regina, and for me, Caleb.”
“You decided I needed time, May. If you recall, I wasn’t given much of a choice.”
Looking away, she bit her lower lip, trying to recall exactly what happened on Monday night. When she thought of the conversation, May had to admit he was right.
She met his gaze. “Are you telling me you disagree with what I said?”
His hands moved up and down her arms, settling on her shoulders. “Some of it, yes. I’ll always love Regina. She holds a special place in my life no one will ever replace.” Caleb tightened his grip when she tried to step away. “You’re wrong if you think I’ll never be able to love another woman.”
Another woman, but not me.
Refusing to look away, she lifted her chin. “Then I truly hope you find that woman, Caleb. You deserve happiness.” Ignoring the confused look on his face, she twisted away, forcing a smile. “Thank you for walking me home.”
May left him standing there, staring after her. But before she could enter the boardinghouse, a strong hand wrapped around her arm.
“I’m not letting you walk away this time.” He stared into her wide, surprised eyes. “We’re going to talk about this until we’ve figured a way to keep seeing each other or both of us agree there’s no possibility of a future together.”
Turning, he escorted her across the street. Walking past the livery, he followed the trail toward Gabe’s house, then turned onto a narrow footpath. Loosening his grip, he lowered his hand to the small of her back, doing his best to control his body’s reaction when he felt the sway of her hips.
“Are we going to the creek?”
Caleb moved his arm to rest across her shoulders, then stopped. S
hifting to stand in front of her, he cupped May’s face with his hands, unable to wait another second. Lowering his head, he gave her time to protest or step away. When she didn’t, he pressed his lips to hers.
He meant it to be a quick brush of his mouth over hers, enough to let her know she meant something to him. When she reached up, gripping his wrists, his mouth covered hers with an intense hunger, demanding a response.
Her lips parted on a moan. Powerless to resist, his tongue traced the fullness of her mouth, then plunged inside, his arms wrapping around her. He swept over the soft recesses of her mouth, igniting an aching need he’d never felt with another woman.
The thought caused his body to still. Easing his hold, he drew away to study her face. Slowly, May opened her eyes, staring at him in confusion.
“Is something wrong?” Her voice wavered.
He continued to watch her, taken aback at the way his body responded, his eagerness to continue. What tore at him the most was the knowledge he didn’t just want her body. Caleb wanted everything she had to give him, already knowing he might never get enough of her. All this flashed through him after a few passionate kisses.
Regina’s kisses had been loving and tender, but never sparking the fire he felt at the brief touch of May’s lips to his. The knowledge shook him in a way he’d never imagined.
“May, I…” He didn’t know what else to say. Nothing made sense to him. Certainly not the intense response, leaving his body aching and needy. “No. There’s nothing wrong.”
“Then why did you stop? Did I do something—”
He pressed a finger to her mouth, silencing whatever she meant to say. “You did everything right, sweetheart. That’s why we had to stop.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand.”
Drawing her into his arms, he rested his chin on the top of her head. For the first time in his life, Caleb was thankful for their thick clothing. Without the heavy winter coats and gloves, it would’ve been too easy to continue what he’d started, knowing May wouldn’t have stopped him.
She drew away, staring up at him, her eyes still glassy with passion. “What if I want us to keep kissing?”
He couldn’t stop the deep groan or the renewed tightening of his body. The woman was killing him and she didn’t even know it. “If we keep kissing, I’ll be tempted to do more.”
“More?”
Closing his eyes, Caleb didn’t answer. Stepping away, he took her hand in his. “Come on. We still need to talk before I return you to the boardinghouse.”
They walked another ten minutes before stopping a few feet from an almost frozen creek. A thin shell of ice covered the surface, the current underneath moving at a leisurely pace. Glancing around, Caleb led them to a fallen tree, helping her down before sitting beside her. Several minutes passed before he turned to face her.
“Do you care about me, May?”
Her brows furrowed. “You know I do. I love you, Caleb.” May’s voice held unwavering conviction.
“How can you be so certain?”
The corners of her mouth slid into a grin. “It’s really quite simple. You’re the most honorable, loyal, and dedicated man I’ve ever met. You respect others, and they respect you. You’re smart and capable, willing to do whatever’s needed to build a life far away from the comforts of your birth. I’ve never seen you shirk away from anything asked of you, never blaming anyone for a failure or accepting praise when it was due. Most of all, you embraced your responsibility to Isaac, giving him your unconditional love, doing all you can to be a good father. And one last reason. When you do find the right woman and fall in love, you’ll never cheat or betray your wedding vows. You’ll be faithful to your final breath.” She took in a slow breath, her eyes sparkling with merriment. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re also the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
He’d been overwhelmed with her unexpected praise, but the last statement had him throwing his head back on a bark of laughter. Removing his glove, he stroked his knuckles down her cheek.
“Ah, May. You are always full of surprises.”
She tilted her head to the side, brows scrunching together. “I am?”
“I’ve never known another woman with so many hidden talents.”
Shaking her head, she laughed. “I’m no more talented than any other woman in Splendor. Rachel is a wonderful mother and nurse. Lena runs several businesses and is a devoted wife and mother. Allie owns her shop, making beautiful dresses and amazing hats. And Sylvia can ride and shoot as well as any man, yet no one would ever suspect it because of her beauty and grace. I’m not beautiful, graceful, or have any talent in business. No, Caleb. My talents are slim compared to most of my friends.”
Gripping her chin, his gaze leveled on hers. “I don’t ever want to hear you say you aren’t beautiful or graceful, because you’re both. You’re kind, sweet, and welcoming. I’ve never heard you say a malicious word to anyone, not even your pitiful excuse for a stepmother. You sew, cook, and bake pastries everyone in town agrees are the best they’ve ever tasted. And the way you are with Isaac…” He let out a deep sigh, unable to go on.
Releasing his grip, he took both of her hands in his. He knew what she wanted to hear, what he needed to say, but couldn’t force the words from his mouth. The feelings he held for May had gone from deep caring to an almost desperate need in the span of less than an hour. Caleb didn’t know what to think.
His gut twisted, confused at the thought he’d been wrong about his feelings for Regina. If it had been the deep love he’d always believed, how could his desire for May be so much stronger with an intensity unlike anything he’d ever experienced? The thought of ever losing her chilled him to his heart.
“But you don’t love me, do you, Caleb?”
He blinked, her question pulling him from his jumbled thoughts. Opening his mouth to answer, he shut it, not willing to say anything until he knew each word would be the truth.
Standing, May tugged on the collar of her coat, trying to stifle the cold, while forcing a smile. “I need to get back before Suzanne sends someone to find me.”
Glancing around, he searched for words that wouldn’t push her away. Standing, he reached a hand toward her, letting it fall to his side when she moved away.
“May…” Caleb stifled a curse. He’d never had a problem speaking with any woman. Not even Regina. But May had him tied in knots. “I need to be certain what I feel for you is love. You deserve nothing less. Don’t shut me out, sweetheart. Allow me to keep seeing you. Please.”
She opened her mouth, meaning to tell him no. Instead, she stared into eyes desperate for understanding. “All right, Caleb. At least for a little while longer.”
Chapter Nineteen
Unable to stop himself, Caleb wrapped his arms around May, hugging her tightly. He held her for several long minutes, saying nothing, enjoying their closeness.
In a short span of time, Caleb accepted the truth. He’d lied to May. He did love her. More than he thought possible.
Pulling back, he kissed her once more, then took her hand in his. “Let’s get you home.”
They didn’t speak on the short walk to town. It had started to snow again, falling faster and thicker the closer they got to the boardinghouse. He dropped his arm when they passed the livery, threading his fingers through hers.
Crossing the street, he stopped at the door to the boardinghouse. Moving in front of her, he stared down, waiting for her to look at him. When she didn’t move, he placed a finger under her chin, lifting her head.
“Reverend Paige is having a special service on Sunday to commemorate the completion of the new church. Tuesday is his Christmas Eve service. Will you sit with me and Isaac for both?”
A slight grin tipped up her mouth. “I’d love to.”
“Good.” He bent down, placing a kiss on her mouth. “But I’m not waiting until Sunday to see you again,” he whispered against her lips before straightening. “Come to the house for supper on Friday
.”
May lifted a brow. “Who’s cooking?”
He pursed his lips. “I, uh…”
“You tell me what you want and I’ll cook.”
“Thanks, May. Don’t bring anything. I’ll have food at the house.” He’d already decided to speak with Suzanne and buy the ingredients from her. Anything else he could buy at the general store.
“If you’re sure.”
A grin split his face. “I am.” Brushing the back of his hand down her cheek, he followed it by kissing her once more. “I’ll stop by the kitchen tomorrow.” Reaching around her, he turned the doorknob. “In you go.”
Caleb followed her inside, waiting until she walked up the stairs toward her room. Letting out a relieved breath, he headed home, his mind going over all he wanted to accomplish before Christmas. So engrossed in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the man standing in the shadows near the land office. If he had, Caleb wouldn’t have been thinking of May, but of the man who’d murdered Regina.
Chad had been shocked to see the ex-Texas Ranger turned bounty hunter in Splendor. He’d believed Caleb Covington had given up on finding him, satisfied he’d put Chad’s two brothers in the ground.
Covington might have given up the search, but Chad had never forgotten the loss of his younger brothers. He hadn’t planned to hunt the bounty hunter down, deciding it best to get away and start a new life.
His plans changed when he spotted Caleb in the crowd of people celebrating someone’s marriage. Later, he learned it was for one of the town’s doctors. He’d also been told Caleb was a deputy, one of several who worked for Gabe Evans, the sheriff he’d been warned about.
Even though Chad didn’t believe Caleb had recognized him, he turned away from the celebration, riding down the street to put distance between them. If his face hadn’t been shielded by the brim of his hat, Chad had no doubt he would’ve been discovered.
Tonight, standing out of sight, he watched Caleb with a woman who appeared to be special to him. Such a similar scene as in Austin several years before. Back then, Chad had noticed the Ranger with the beautiful young woman with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a smile that would melt the most cynical heart.
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