Daring (18 page)

The sheriff frowned. “They told me when they rode into town they didn’t know each other.”

Shrugging, she looked at Wyatt. “When one of the girls made moves on Deke, Ruby hauled him upstairs and they used one of my rooms.”

“For sex?”

“Yes. According to the girls, not only did they have sex, but there was an argument afterwards.”

If that was their first time together, it could be their last, and that would be just fine with her. She wanted Ruby working upstairs as it was, and soon she’d come up with a plan to get the girl in the brothel. She’d quickly make even more money than she was now.

“Maybe instead of investigating her, I should be finding out about him,” the sheriff said. “When he came into town, he said he was looking for his brother. Maybe I need to ask him how that search is coming along. And I’ll do some checking to see if anyone recognizes his name.”

She nodded, her gut instincts telling her these two were not who they said they were. They were up to something. She was going to find out and then deal with them appropriately. Emily had worked way too hard to have her business disrupted by a mere girl and a quiet-talking man. She’d dealt with people like them before. Once she learned what they were doing in town, they would be taken care of. Ruby could fill Hannah’s room, as she would soon no longer occupy that space.

“Let me know what you find out. Mr. Culver hangs out at the saloon most nights. I’ve even seen him walk Miss Callahan over to the hotel. For a couple who didn’t know each other, they’ve suddenly become the best of friends.”

Why hadn’t she realized this when she’d first hired Ruby? After this weekend, she intended to do some house cleaning, starting with Hannah. Even though the girl had settled down, she was more of a liability than an asset. It was time Emily rid herself of the danger.

“Don’t worry about them. I’ll see to it we find out what they’re up to.”

*

Later that night, Ruby was at the tables dealing cards, wondering how long this could go on. She’d ridden out to the Rivera homestead today and spent the afternoon scouting around. Nothing. In fact, the place had looked empty. The brother was gone, and there was no sign of life anywhere. If Rivera was coming into town this Friday or Saturday, he wasn’t at the ranch.

Doubts were beginning to crowd her mind and make her question if she was risking too much in this hellhole of a town. Rivera could be anywhere. And could she trust Rivera’s favorite whore, Clara?

Plus, the time for Annabelle’s baby to be born was fast approaching, and as much as Ruby would like to catch their father’s killer, she didn’t want to miss out on the birth of her first niece or nephew. She worried about her sister, and she didn’t want to skip this important event in Annabelle and Beau’s life.

“Ante up, gentlemen,” she called.

“Ruby, when are you going to start working upstairs?” a young man asked her. “You know we’d all be lined up.”

She stopped dealing the cards and gave him a stern glare. “Daniel, that day will never happen.”

“Well, it did yesterday,” he said innocently.

The men at the table all stared. “Sometimes a girl has to lay claim to her man, and that’s what I did. Now lady luck does not talk about subjects that are personal. I’d suggest we get back to the card game.”

“And if we don’t?” Daniel said defiantly.

Since yesterday, the men were treating her different. Before she’d at least had a little respect, but not now. Now they were looking at her like she was honey, and they were a swarm of bees.

“Sugar,” she purred. “I’ll have to call over Tom, Mrs. Hutchins’s henchman. The last time I had to do something like that, they pulled down the poor man’s pants before they tossed him in the street. I’d hate to see something like that happen to you.”

Guffaws resounded at the table, but she could also tell she’d gained some new respect with them. But how long would it last? In the past two days, Deke’s warnings were starting to corrode her resolve to wait for Rivera. She wanted to go home, now.

“Can we play cards?” she asked him. “Or do I need to motion the goon over?”

“Deal the damn cards.”

Tossing out a card to each man, she watched their expressions and could pretty much tell who had the better hand.

The betting began, and she had to pay attention as to who was the high bidder. Soon, she dealt another round of cards. When she finished, she glanced up and saw Deke had walked in the saloon. Their eyes met and she knew he was remembering last night.

Walking in here tonight had been difficult, while remembering what they’d done upstairs and how it had ended. She just wanted to kick and scream at him for being such an idiot. The dream of the two of them together had been so good and the reality had been even better, until he started talking. And then she’d wanted to hurt him.

Deke walked over to her table. He watched her as she dealt the cards.

She turned to him. “Can I help you?”

“Darling, I just wanted to let you know I’ll be waiting for you tonight, right over there in the corner,” he said and smiled. “Gentlemen, treat the lady right.” He turned and sauntered back over to the bar, where he turned and tipped his hat to her.

The man had some nerve. Yet, the men at her table suddenly were back to treating her with respect, and a couple of them even shook their heads, when Deke walked away. As long as things were returning to normal, then she wouldn’t worry about being treated with disrespect.

“Don’t know if he’s a lucky man or he’s in for the heartache of his life. I guess you’ll determine which one,” one man said and picked up his cards.

“Women! Let’s play cards,” another man said.

“Ante up, gentlemen,” she said and dealt the next hand.

Part of her wanted to say thanks and part of her wanted to tell Deke to stop interfering; she could take care of herself. Yet, there was a small part that warmed at how he’d called her darling and let everyone know he was there watching over her.

Just when she was ready to give up on Deke, he always seemed to find a way to soothe things over smooth as silk and come out ahead. What was it about the man that she couldn’t seem to give up on? Why hadn’t yesterday’s tussle filled her need for him?

Because no matter what, she just seemed drawn to the man. Even in the worst of times.

Sudden gunshots resounded right outside the saloon.

The doors flung open and a man yelled, “Clara!”

Ruby glanced around the room at the men who had pulled their guns out and were pointing them at the cowboy.

Clara ran screaming down the stairs and launched herself into the arms of the man who had been firing the pistol, wrapping her legs around his body.

“James, you’re back,” Clara said.

Ruby felt her gut clench with hatred, and her hands shook with the need to reach for her gun.

James Rivera had just walked into the saloon.

“Came back just to see you,” he said.

Clara slid down his torso until her feet touched the ground.

Slowly, the guns around her were shoved back into their holsters, and Ruby breathed a sigh of relief. She’d still get her chance for revenge with Rivera.

“I missed you,” Clara whined.

“I’m mighty happy to see you as well,” the outlaw said, and it was all Ruby could do to keep from pulling out her pistol and shooting the man right there. But she knew that would be murder for him and suicide for her.

Mrs. Hutchinsutc frowned at the man. “James, how many times have I asked you not to fire your weapons right outside. It’s a wonder someone doesn’t kill you.”

He grinned. “More times than I can count.” Pulling out some money, he handed it to her. “That should fix whatever damages I’ve created and give me some alone time with Clara.”

Nausea rose up in Ruby’s throat at the idea of this man experiencing any sort of enjoyment tonight or any night. She had to fight the urge to kill him. She had to remember she was just hauling him back for the law to serve justice. She had to remind herself of how he’d look swinging with a rope around his neck.

The woman hugged his arm into her side, holding onto the man like she feared he would disappear before her very eyes.

Ruby glanced over at Deke. He was frowning as he watched the happy couple walk between the tables. He glanced up and caught Ruby’s eyes; they stared at one another, and she could almost feel him telling her that this was their man. This was the man who’d killed her father and his mentor. This was the man they were after.

Finally, he’d come into town. With his hat pulled low over his face, Deke made his way across the opposite side of the room and slipped out the door. He wasn’t taking a chance that Rivera would recognize him.

Many hours later, Rivera finally made his way back downstairs to the gaming tables. Ruby worried he wouldn’t sit at her table, but late in the evening, just before the saloon was getting ready to shut down, Rivera took a seat at her table with Clara at his side.

“Clara says you’re the new card dealer. Deal me in,” he said, staring at Ruby, his eyes dancing with alcohol and delight. “She told me Lady Luck has been bringing the house luck. I aim to change that tonight.”

A forced smile spread across Ruby’s face. Somehow she had to deal her father’s killer a hand of cards and convince him she was his friend, not the enemy she wanted to reveal. “Sir, I just deal the cards.”

“Well, Clara is going to give me luck tonight. Aren’t you, sweetheart,” he said, rubbing his hand on Clara’s leg.

“Of course, honey,” she said drowsily. “If you earn enough, maybe we could get married.”

“Maybe,” he said.

Ruby had the distinct impression he was just saying the words the woman needed to hear. He didn’t have any intention of marrying the whore, but Ruby wasn’t about to say a word. Let Clara learn that on her own.

For the next hour, it was all Ruby could do to keep the cards flowing, her voice pleasant, and not reach across the table and strangle Rivera. But she did what she had to, knowing sooner or later she’d get her opportunity, promising herself that patience was the key to obtaining her man.

“One last hand, gentlemen, before we call it a night,” she said.

At another table, Clara was fast asleep, waiting for her man.

Dealing the cards, Ruby glanced over at the outlaw. “Mr. Rivera, please stay afterwards. I have a question for you.”

“Anything for you, honey,” he said smiling.

Nausea roiled through her, and she had to swallow to keep from throwing up. He thought she wanted sexual favors, but he’d soon find himself with a case of a stiff neck an’ a short drop.

After the others had settled up the pot and walked away, Ruby turned to James Rivera and had to school the emotions she could feel surging through her. She couldn’t let him see she hated him and would like nothing better than to haul him out of town right this moment. But she had to wait.

“Several of our patrons are holding a special card game, starting tomorrow afternoon. I thought you would be a great player to have in the mix. We’re going to hold it in a private room in the hotel.”

He frowned at her. “That’s odd. Usually Mrs. Hutchins lets us use one of the rooms upstairs. Why aren’t they holding it upstairs?”

Ruby almost panicked. “She’s renovating that room, adding more space for more girls.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t been home in quite a while. My family is going to need my help.”

“There’s a jackpot of five hundred dollars being offered to the winner.”

“That’s a lot of money,” he said, his eyes widening as he stared at her. “Where did you say it was?”

Oh, the jackpot was luring him like bait on a hook. “The Hide Town hotel.”

“And who’s going to be playing?” he asked.

She named off several of her regular players and he frowned.

“I’ve beaten all of them before. That money could be mine,” he said, running his hands through his hair. “Okay, count me in. See you tomorrow afternoon,” he said and walked out the door, leaving a sleeping Clara slumped over a table.

Ruby wanted to kick her and tell her he was gone, but she decided it was none of her business and let the woman sleep on.

She turned to leave and there was Deke. “Oh,” she said surprised he was still there. It was late. “I thought you might be going after Rivera.”

“Not tonight. The sheriff is hanging around, and I don’t want to draw his attention.”

“Where’s the dog?” Ruby asked, glancing around.

“Waiting outside.”

“This whole time?”

“Yes, we’ve been waiting, the two of us,” he said.

“Exciting night.”

“I’m ready to go home. We have things to discuss,” he said, leading her by the elbow toward the door.

“Whatever could that be?” she asked innocently.

If he brought up her virginity, he just might not live to see tomorrow. Yet, she couldn’t wait to talk about Rivera and their plans to sneak him out of town before anyone noticed he was gone.

“You know exactly,” he said, and they stepped through the swinging doors to find Wyatt Thomas waiting on them.

“This your dog, Culver?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You need to keep him off the street.”

“I will, sir,” Deke said, and Ruby could feel the tenseness seeping from his bones like minerals from a spring.

Fear clutched at Ruby, and she put on her saloon girl persona. “Sheriff, so good to see you. I’ve been staying out of trouble.”

The sheriff glanced at her. “That’s not what I hear.”

Ruby pouted her lips at the man and tried to act coy. “What do you mean? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Take a look to your left. What do you see?”

It took a conscious effort not to let the sheriff see how much she wanted to smack him upside the head.

“Deke?”

“Heard you and him went upstairs yesterday. That’s asking for trouble.”

A shiver of revulsion went through Ruby, and she could see Deke was ready to pound the man into the Texas dirt. She had to diffuse the situation before Deke killed the crooked lawman, a self-centered smartass who wore a badge smudged by the dirt that clung to him.

“Won’t happen again, Sheriff,” she said, ducking her head. She wanted to throw up, but knew that wouldn’t really look too good right now, though it would make her feel better. She hated corrupt lawmen, and this one had so much scum on him, he’d never come clean.