Brides of the West Page 20

  “Josh—” he didn’t like the edge of fright in her voice—“can you take me to my room? I don’t want to stay here.”

  “Good idea, but finish your brandy first.” As she sipped the last of the golden liquid, he told Rufus to keep his shotgun close by. He grabbed the brandy bottle in his left hand and wrapped it around her waist to hold her up, freeing his right hand in case he needed it. A quick look up and down the alley showed it was safe to leave. When they reached the door at the top of the staircase, she opened it and he all but shoved her inside as he followed.

  “Wait here while I look around.” He checked the rooms before holstering his gun. “All clear,” he said returning to the parlor.

  They faced each other without speaking. His need grew just looking at her. She was an innocent and he shouldn’t do this, but he couldn’t stop himself. Their breathing grew heavier and louder. His lips brushed hers lightly, then burst into full-fledged passion. His tongue teased her lips apart and tasted the brandy. She intoxicated him in more ways than one.

  He was lost and wanted nothing more than her. He wanted her by his side and in his bed for as long as he breathed. His hands roamed over her body. He cupped her butt and pressed her closer. Surely she felt his erection pressing against her belly. He didn’t remember ever being this hard for any woman. He was losing control—no, he’d lost it long ago and only the matter of surrender still remained unresolved. His desire for her was now becoming too painful to endure.

  Annabelle returned his kisses and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her naiveté excited him even more, if that was possible. That’s when he recalled she was probably a virgin. This wasn’t how he wanted to make love to her. He wanted it to be unhurried and gentle. He wanted it tonight. She was his woman and he wanted to share with her all the wonders and pleasures two people in love could feel.

  “Annabelle. Annabelle, honey.” He broke the kiss. “We have all night. First I have to finish my rounds. Have you eaten yet?” Her lips showed evidence of his branding. She shook her head. “I don’t want you going out. Do you understand me?” Why did he think she would listen this time?

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “I’ll stop by Gloria’s and pick up two dinners. I won’t be gone long. Don’t open the door for anyone. I’ll use the key. Do you have a gun?”

  “Yes, Pa gave me one during the war. I brought it with me.” She reached into her skirt pocket and handed him the key.

  “Get it.” She went to the carpetbag and removed an old Navy Colt covered with rust. The likelihood of it misfiring or exploding in her face was something Josh didn’t want to chance, no matter how small. He removed a Colt from his left holster and handed it to her. “Use this. Just pull the hammer back, point and pull the trigger.” Another peck on the lips and he was out the door. “Lock it behind me.”

  Stepping outside, he waited until he heard her turn the latch. He stopped at Gloria’s and ordered two meals and said he would return for them. On his rounds he paid particular attention to every man he passed. Each was a suspect, but he had nothing to go on.

  At the jail he found Roger sitting at the desk cleaning his gun. Josh filled him in on the trouble at the Chances Are. “If you need me, I’ll be there.” Josh just didn’t mention he would be upstairs with Annabelle.

  He picked up the dinners from Gloria’s and headed back to Annabelle’s room. He stood by the building and watched the alley for a few minutes before climbing the stairs. He unlocked, then opened the door and stepped into the front room. He could see the soft flickering light dancing on the wall from a kerosene lamp she’d lit atop the mantle.

  Annabelle lay asleep in one corner of the sofa, a book in her lap. The brandy must have relaxed her. Placing the dinners on a chair, he knelt next to her. “Sweetheart?” His fingers caressed her cheek. “Wake up. I’m back.” She mumbled and her arms went around his neck as she woke up.

  “Umm.” The little temptress pulled him toward her, wielding her newfound power over him.

  His hand squeezed her breast and she moaned her approval. He sat on the sofa and pulled her across his lap. Waves of golden hair cascaded over her shoulders and back when his fingers pulled out the pins holding the tight little bun.

  “You make me feel like I’m important, not just someone to look after you,” she whispered in his ear. Her stomach growled.

  “Sounds like you need to eat. I picked up two dinners from Gloria.”

  The aroma of warm roast beef and potatoes pulled her off the sofa into the kitchen. He watched as she picked up two plates and silverware, and fixed two glasses of water.

  The roast beef was tender and the potatoes were lumpy. He sopped up the gravy with the biscuits. Annabelle seemed to perk up a little as she ate heartily. She would need her strength for what he had planned for tonight. After eating she set the dishes in the sink and returned to the sofa.

  She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “How can I thank you? You watch out for me, see me home, and bring me dinner. Make me feel like I never felt before. Like I’m alive.” She took his face in her hands.

  “And you, little one, scare the wits out of me, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t stay away from you.” His hand worked the buttons on her blouse until it was open below her breasts. Their creamy, rounded tops gave hints of the joys that lay beneath her chemise and corset.

  Her fingers worked the buttons of his shirt, pulling it open and sliding her hands over his undershirt before working her hand underneath to his skin. The feel of her fingers almost undid him.

  With little effort, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. He stripped her clothes off. The sight of her naked body intoxicated him. Raw passion engulfed him. She was more beautiful than he imagined. Her breasts were large and perfectly shaped, tipped with raspberry nipples. He suckled first on one nipple and then the other, and was rewarded by more mewls.

  In a matter of moments he had his clothes off and lay next to her. He laved one breast as his free hand dipped lower and teased her curls and he felt her desire. Their breathing quickened as their bodies trembled, demanding immediate union. Her moaning became louder and more frequent as they continued touching and kissing. He could no longer delay the inevitable.

  Josh slid his body over her and settled between her legs. He positioned himself and moved to sheath himself. Her body stiffened and she yelped in pain as he breeched the barrier to her body. How could he forget she was a virgin? “The pain will pass in a moment, sweetheart.” He forced himself to remain still, kissing her and rubbing her breast to distract her. He didn’t really know that for a fact, but hoped it would. He was right, judging from Annabelle’s response.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged. His shaft throbbed within her. “It hurt for a moment. Is that all there is?” She slipped her arms around his neck.

  “No, honey, this is just the beginning.” He spent the night in her bed showing her how a man makes love to the woman he loves. Yes, he loved her.

  ***

  Annabelle woke early the next morning to see Josh propped up on one elbow studying her. He leaned over and kissed her.

  “I was hopin’ you’d wake up. I need to go make rounds.”

  “You should’ve awakened me,” she scolded as she stroked his arm. The powerful muscles that wielded big, deadly guns had patiently changed her from a girl into a woman. “I’ll fix breakfast.”

  “Mmm, breakfast. I’d like that.” Before she could speak, Josh kissed her and positioned himself between her legs. She gasped at his entry into her body. Once again she responded to him, threatening to fly into a thousand pieces. She never dreamed it could be like this between a man and a woman.

  Feeling every bit of pleasure having him deep inside her, she took his unshaven face between her hands and kissed him. He crushed his mouth against hers as he poured his seed into her.

  “I love you,” he whispered in her ear. Her heart skipped a couple of beats. He loved her!

  She la
y wrapped in his arms as he dozed. Her prayers had been answered. This was the life she’d always dreamed about—wrapped in the arms of the man she loved.

  She slipped out of bed, careful not to waken him and pulled on a wrapper. She built the fire and put on a pot of coffee before slicing some bacon and bread. The bacon sizzled as she mixed the eggs together with a bit of cheese. Josh came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “You should’ve wakened me.”

  She turned in his embrace and slid her arms around his neck. “I wanted to fix breakfast for the man I love. I do love you, Josh.” The words hardly left her mouth before she felt his body responding to her and his erection press against her belly. He whooped and lifted her in his arms and spun her around.

  He reached behind her and using the fork, he turned the bacon. “It’s too late to go back to bed, so you’ll have to wait ‘til later. You aren’t too sore are you?”

  “No, I’m fine.” She laid out the bread to toast it and removed the bacon. Then she poured the egg mixture into the skillet. Josh got out the cups and poured coffee for them both.

  “I don’t want you in the alley by yourself. I’ll be back to take you to the office.” Clearly, he was serious and he wanted her to know it. “I mean it. Someone killed Barry Woods. Twice someone has tried to kill you. I don’t want them to succeed.” He put his fork down and used his thumb and forefinger to turn her face toward him. “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. I couldn’t live with myself if I lost another woman I loved because I wasn’t there to protect her.”

  What was he telling her? Had there been another woman in his life who died? A wife? He must have seen her puzzled look.

  “Her name was Connie. I joined the army when I was seventeen and went off to fight the Yankees. Before I left, I asked her to marry me. Yankee stragglers raped and murdered her while I was gone. The same thing happened to my mother and sister. I wasn’t there to protect any of them.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “My dad died from heart trouble when I was a boy. I promised him I’d take care of my mother and sister.” He remained still. “But I wasn’t there to protect them when they needed me. I searched for the bastards, only to find somebody else got to them before I did.” He couldn’t tell her that he vowed to never love again, never to have that responsibility again. That was before he’d met Annabelle. How could he not love her?

  “I know it doesn’t help, but I’m so sorry.” She took his hand in hers and kissed it. “I promise to be careful and wait for you. I want you to swear you’ll be careful, too.”

  “Always. I better make my rounds and then I’ll come back for you.” He cupped his hand behind her head and gave her a tender kiss. “Lock the door behind me.” She followed him to the door and locked it.

  While waiting for Josh to return, she cleaned the room and washed the dishes. She found herself smiling, suddenly unable to imagine life without Josh. Despite his tendency to give orders, he was everything she wanted in a husband. She knew she loved him and he said he loved her, too. Her dream was coming true after all.

  Josh returned as promised, and she rushed into his arms. After a kiss and brief conversation on safety, he opened the door and scanned the alley. Ushering her out, he escorted her to the saloon and gave orders to Rufus that she wasn’t to leave alone. “I’ll come by about one. Gloria is putting together a dinner for us.”

  In her office, she settled in her chair and drank the tea Rufus brought her. It took her a couple of hours to do the books, and discovered she’d made money without Lauren and her girls. The hotel awaited its first guests.

  Annabelle decided there was too much money in the safe. She prepared the deposit and went out into the saloon and found Rufus counting whiskey bottles. “Rufus, the receipts need to go to the bank. Josh doesn’t want me to leave the saloon. If you take them, I’ll watch the bar.”

  “Sure thing, Miss Annabelle. Simpson has a tab of two seventy-five and I cut him off.”

  “Got it.” She handed him an envelope. “The money and the bank book are in here. Don’t let Mr. Smiley try to tell you it’s less. I wrote down the number of bills. Would you stop at the Emporium and pick up some cigars to sell?”

  “That is a dandy idea, Miss Annabelle.” He removed his apron and took the envelope. He retrieved a small pistol from under the bar and stuffed it in his pocket before leaving.

  Annabelle grabbed the rag and wiped down the bar. She heard the bat wing doors squeak and saw Lauren standing in the doorway.

  “You didn’t waste any time changing things. Can’t say I like them, but I’ll change them back when this joint is mine.”

  What was she talking about?

  The woman walked to the middle of the room and continued her tirade. “Barry wanted to marry me and he promised me this joint. Believe me, it’s mine and you won’t be here much longer.”

  Annabelle had had enough of Lauren Thamann. She walked around the bar to face her. “Lauren, what are you raving about? Barry asked me to marry him and paid for me to come from Georgia. He made out his will leaving me all his property before I got here. From where I stand, you don’t have a leg to stand on.”

  She saw Lauren flexing her fingers wildly against her skirt, but Annabelle wasn’t finished yet. “Now why don’t you slither back under whatever rock you came out from? I have work to do.” She turned back toward the bar, but was stopped short when Lauren grabbed her hair.

  “You have no right to what was promised to me,” Lauren whined.

  Annabelle threw her foot back as hard as she could and it connected with Lauren’s leg, causing the madam to yelp in pain and release her hair. Turning, she saw Lauren rush her. She sidestepped and stuck her fist out. It landed squarely in Lauren’s face.

  Blood ran down Lauren’s dress. Her hands covered her face and she grimaced in pain. “You bitch,” she hissed as she grabbed a bottle and smashed the end of it on the edge of the bar. She waved the jagged bottle and jabbed at Annabelle, whose only choice was to retreat.

  “Put the bottle down and get out,” Annabelle shouted as she backed away from her. She threw a chair at Lauren who brushed it aside. The chair broke apart upon hitting the floor. If she could only reach one of the broken chair pieces, she could protect herself.

  Lauren charged Annabelle again, cursing.

  Stooping, Annabelle grabbed a chair leg.

  “Not until I cut your face to ribbons so no man will ever want you again.” Lauren smirked through the blood.

  “I don’t think so,” Josh’s voice boomed over the room. Thank God he was here. “You try that and I will drop you where you stand. You being a woman won’t make a bit of difference.” Josh’s gun was pointed at Lauren’s heart.

  Annabelle dropped the chair leg, wondering how he’d drawn the gun so fast.

  Long moments passed before Lauren dropped the bottle and it shattered on the floor. She stalked out of the saloon passing Rufus on the way in.

  Josh holstered his gun before he wrapped his arms around Annabelle. “Did she hurt you?” He pressed her head to his chest.

  “Not really. She pulled my hair that’s all.” Her controlled regular breathing belied the pounding of her heart in her ears.

  “What in tarnation happened?” Rufus asked. “Are you all right, Miss Annabelle?”

  “I’m fine, thank you, Rufus.” She leaned into Josh and he held her up.

  “Rufus, get some coffee for her.” He sat her in a chair and took a seat. “What happened?”

  She told him what Lauren had said and done. “Thank God you arrived when you did. I think she would’ve killed me.”

  Rufus set a cup down, but she saw something shiny lying on the floor and leaned over.

  “What is it?” Josh asked, leaning closer to see the item.

  “It must have come off Lauren’s dress.” Annabelle picked up a gold button and handed it to Josh. “It’s an unusual
button and looks expensive.” She looked at the button as he held it out.

  “I’ve got to run over to the office,” Josh said. “She’s gone now, but I don’t trust her.” He pocketed the button. “I’ll see she gets it back. Do you want me to take you upstairs now?”

  Enticing thoughts danced through her head. “I’ll be fine. See you about one.”

  “Rufus, send for me if Lauren comes back.” He stood and left the saloon with his usual confident stride.

  She couldn’t believe she loved him and he loved her. Anticipation for an afternoon with Josh made her feel warm and tingly like a schoolgirl.

  ***

  Josh finally had a break in the murder of Barry Woods. He fingered the button in his pocket. Upon returning to his office he removed an envelope from his desk drawer. The button inside was an exact match to Lauren’s whalebone button with a gold inlay. The first button had been found clutched in Woods’ hand when the body was discovered.

  The Emporium wouldn’t sell anything like it. Stashing the first button back in the drawer, he decided to talk to Hiram Johnson to make sure. The bell announced his entrance and he found Hiram behind the counter looking at a catalog. “What can I do for ya, Sheriff?”

  “I need some information. Do you sell buttons like this?” Josh held the button out.

  Hiram looked at it, turning it over. “I ordered two dozen of these in special for Lauren Thamann a few months ago.”

  Josh slipped it back into his pocket. “Thanks, Hiram.” He had a suspect in Woods’ death—Lauren. She might not have killed him, but she was there. As he faced death, Woods had pulled the button off Lauren’s clothes.

  Josh went looking for the madam. She wasn’t at her new house and they didn’t know when she would be back, so he went to the barbershop for a bath and shave. On the way, he reminded Gloria about the picnic basket.

  At one, he presented himself to Annabelle at the saloon and escorted her upstairs for her to change clothes. She tried to ferret out his plans, but he stood firm and ushered her into the buggy he’d arranged earlier. After picking up the basket, they rode out into the country until they reached his ranch and stopped along a creek.