Brodie's Gamble (30 page)

Pushing the door of Buckie’s open, Brodie began to see how spending the night blotting out the memory of what he’d lost might be what he needed. Perhaps Colin, Quinn, and Blaine were right. Spotting Nate at the end of the bar, he nodded. Cards and whiskey might be the perfect cure for his broken spirit.

Taking the driver’s hand and stepping onto the street, Maggie looked around, taking a deep breath. She’d made it back to Conviction. It had taken her two weeks to return to San Francisco and almost a week to take the stage to Sacramento before arriving home.
Home
, she thought, a smile curving the corners of her mouth.

Even though most of her time in Conviction had been spent behind bars, Maggie chose to remember her time with the MacLarens, the care she’d received from Doc Vickery, the kindness of August Fielder, and her love for Brodie.

The thought of him had her glancing down at the dress she’d worn for most of the five weeks she’d been gone. Maggie couldn’t think of a time she’d felt so dirty. She’d counted out her remaining money during the trip from Sacramento, hoping she had enough for a bath, supper, and a room. A good night’s sleep in a regular bed would clear her head. Tomorrow, she’d find Brodie and hope he’d allow her to apologize. She didn’t try to fool herself into believing he’d take her back. The pain on his face when he’d told her to leave said more than any words could. She’d hurt him, ruining any chance they had for happiness. Leaving with her family had cost her too much.

Her father had almost picked her up and thrown her back into their stage when Maggie announced her decision to return to Conviction. It had taken all her fortitude to stand firm and refuse to be intimidated or swayed by guilt. Thankfully, the decision had been made for them when the driver heading south shouted he was leaving with or without the Kings. A moment later, the stage going north arrived. She’d given her family quick hugs, tossed her bag to the driver, took a seat, and looked straight ahead. The relief when their stage left had been considerable.

Now, she stood in Conviction, feeling better than she had in weeks. Picking up her bag, she didn’t even glance in the direction of the jail, focusing on the Gold Dust Hotel down the street. She stopped at the entrance. A few doors down stood Buckie’s Castle, already busy in the early evening. Listening to the tinny piano, she thought of her dwindling funds. Soon, she’d need to find work. For now, she’d rejoice in her freedom and the knowledge of whatever her future held, it would be her choice, and hers alone.

Brodie held his cards in one hand, his other arm wrapped around a saloon girl sitting on his lap. He’d lost count of the whiskeys he’d consumed.

“Keep your mind off the girl, MacLaren, and play your cards.” A local cowboy sat across the table, along with one of his friends. They’d known the MacLarens for years, often joining them for cards and drinks.

Brodie didn’t respond, studying his cards through an alcoholic fog, a crooked grin on his face.

“Here you are, lads.” Laying his cards down, he laughed at the collective groans around the table before scooping up his winnings. “Another round for these fine men.” He gestured around the table, then gave the girl a kiss before shifting her off his lap, pointing her toward the bar.

“I’ve never seen such luck.” Colin stretched both arms above his head, glancing at Blaine, noting the mellow look on Brodie’s face. It had been a good idea to get him out of the jail and his self-imposed exile. Unlike Quinn, who lived to drink and have a good time, Brodie had never been one to imbibe in excess. A few games of cards and two or three drinks defined a big night out for him. He’d gone well past those amounts already.

“Appears the lad has moved past his thoughts of Maggie, at least for a time. Each day will get better.” Blaine crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair.

Colin studied his brother and laughed. “You’re saying this from experience?”

“Nae. From listening to you before you fetched Sarah. You may not recall, but you could be an uncivil eejit over the years you two were apart.” Blaine accepted the glass from the barmaid. “You’re a little more human now.”

Colin took his glass and tilted it toward Blaine. “Aye. I remember those times all too well.” He took a sip, then set the glass down, watching Brodie rock in his chair, struggling to keep his eyes open. “The lad may have reached his limit.”

“Shall we get him out of here?” Blaine stood, ready to carry Brodie outside.

“Nae. We’ll take him upstairs. I’ve a room reserved for him.” Quinn stood over Brodie, who’d slumped down in his chair.

Colin frowned, shaking his head. “Brodie won’t like it, Quinn. He’s no interest in spending the night in bed with one of the girls.”

“Look at him. He won’t wake up before the sun rises. We’ll be saving ourselves a long trip down the street, and I’ve already paid for the room and a girl who’s agreed to sleep with him, knowing he’s too far gone to touch. I think the lass is quite disappointed, even if she
is
making a good sum.”

Colin rubbed the back of his neck. “All right, but you’d better be prepared for his reaction the next time he sees you.”

The three of them struggled to get Brodie up the stairs and down the hall. Kicking the door open, Quinn led the way into the room, stopping by the bed.

“All right, Brodie. Down you go.”

The girl standing next to the bed frowned. “Are you sure he wouldn’t want me to—”

“Nae,” all three men said at once.

“It would be best to leave him be, lass.” Colin smiled at her. “He won’t wake up until morning. We’d be grateful if you’d check on him a couple times and make certain he isn’t bothered.”

She nodded, clearly unhappy about staying out of Brodie’s bed. “Well, if that’s all you want. Seems like a waste of good money to me.”

Blaine chuckled. “Maybe next time, lass. For tonight, the sheriff needs his rest.”

Taking one last look at his still form, the three left, hopeful that when he woke up, it would be to embrace a new start.

“Why, Miss King. You’re downstairs early.” The clerk smiled at her as she stopped in front of the counter.

“I smelled the bacon and couldn’t wait any longer.” In truth, she’d been awake most of the night, unable to sleep for thoughts of Brodie. “Is it too early to eat?”

“Not at all.” He motioned for her to follow him into the dining room, giving her a seat by the window.

Thirty minutes later, she’d finished her meal. The seat by the window allowed her an unobstructed view of the jail down the street. She’d seen Sam, Nate, and Jack enter, then leave, guessing Brodie had arrived earlier.

Walking outside, she stood on the boardwalk, straightened her shoulders, and took a deep breath.
No sense waiting any longer
, she thought, taking a step forward.

Chapter Twenty-Two

A warm bath, breakfast, and half-dressed woman greeted Brodie when he opened his eyes. Blinking a few times to try and clear the gritty feeling, he rubbed them, then sat up. The bath appealed to him. The food and woman? Not at all.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Did you sleep well?”

Swinging his legs to the floor, he drew the covers over his naked body. He didn’t remember climbing the stairs, getting undressed, or the woman.

“Who, uh…”

“Colin, Quinn, and Blaine brought you upstairs. I undressed you.”

“Did we, uh…”

“No,” she sighed. “I had strict orders to leave you alone. Now that you’re awake…” Her suggestive voice drifted off.

“Sorry, lass. I’m in no shape.”
And have no interest
, he thought, rubbing his temples. “I’ll use the bath, though.”

“All right. If you change your mind, I’ll be downstairs.”

His head throbbed as he walked to the tub and lowered his abused body into the warm water. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes, soaking until the bath began to cool. Picking up the sponge, Brodie made quick work of washing himself. Drying off, he dressed, picked up his hat, and made his way down the stairs.

Even though he hadn’t eaten and his head still pounded, he felt better than he had in weeks, realizing he hadn’t thought of Maggie since the night before. Maybe his cousins were right. He needed to get back to the man he was before meeting her, before he’d made the mistake of falling in love and putting his hopes on a woman he barely knew.

Brodie nodded to the woman who’d been in the room as he settled his hat on his head and pushed the swinging doors open. He didn’t pay attention as he stepped outside, not noticing the woman walking past, knocking her off balance. Reaching out, he grabbed her elbow.

“I’m sorry, ma’…” His voice trailed off and his eyes widened as he took a good look at the woman. His breath hitched at the same time his chest constricted. “Maggie?”

Taking a step back, she licked her lips. “Hello, Brodie.”

“What are you doing—”

“Brodie, you forgot something.” The saloon doors pushed open, the woman from the room standing before them holding his badge in her hand. She looked Maggie up and down, then turned her focus back to Brodie, her voice low and sultry. “I thought you’d need this.” She fluttered her eyes at the same time her fingers drew a path down his arm.

Snatching the badge from her hand, Brodie sent a warning look at the woman. “Thank you.”

“Come back whenever you’ve the time, Sheriff.”

Brodie took her elbow, turning her toward the saloon, guiding her through the doors. Turning back to Maggie, he narrowed his gaze, his jaw set.

“What are you doing here?”

She stumbled back, his gruff tone startling her. Staring up at him, she froze at the unforgiving look on his face. Her gaze passed between him and the saloon doors, her heart stopping as the reason he’d been inside became clear. All the courage she’d built up over breakfast vanished.

Guessing the direction of her thoughts, Brodie stepped closer, his face softening.

“It isn’t what you’re thinking, Maggie.” Studying her face, he saw confusion…and something else. “We’ll find a place to talk. Seems we both have some explaining to do.”

She cleared her throat and nodded. “Private?”

“Aye, lass. Somewhere you can explain why you’re here and not on your way to San Antonio.”