Deadly (17 page)

She shook her head, not believing a word of what he said.

“Thanks, cowboy, but I’m not taking any chances. Hang out here while I go find your brother,” she said. “In fact, on second thought, I better stuff that ornery mouth of yours. It can be rather noisy.” She walked over, shoved the tail of his long johns in his mouth, picked up her saddle, and walked out the door, shutting it firmly behind her.

“Mrrrrrr,” he screamed through the cloth.

Meg leaned against the wood, her heart shattered like a glass window. He’d lied. He’d never told her the truth. How could he turn in his own brother? No wonder Simon had escaped once. And now she would be the one to bring him to justice. Zach would never forgive her for handing over his brother.

The maid walked down the hall and glanced at her. “Is everything all right?”

She shook her head. “He’s not feeling well. He’s pretty sick with an upset stomach and diarrhea. I wouldn’t recommend going in there for a while.”

The maid’s eyes grew wide. “I’m so sorry. Does he need a doctor?”

“No. It’s best if we just leave him alone for a while. Let the worst of this pass.”

Sharp shooting pains gripped her middle at the thought of what she’d done to Zach, especially after the best night of her life. How could he ever forgive her a second time?

“I’ll tell the other girls not to disturb him,” the maid advised.

“Thank you, that’s so sweet of you,” Meg said. She picked up her saddle and walked down the hall. There was a hole the size of Texas in her heart. Once again, she’d gone off and left Zach tied up and naked because for the second time, he’d disappointed her.

Only this time she’d left him after having the best night of sex a girl could ever dream about…even a virgin. She’d never imagined how she’d feel after spending the night in his arms. She’d never imagined the pain of leaving him once again.

How could Simon Trudeau be his brother? She wiped a tear away and went to find her horse. Zach’s mother lived somewhere close by, and Meg knew just the person who could tell her where.

M
eg held her head up high and walked through the small town. Her heart was bleeding from the pain of Zach’s betrayal, and tears threatened to fall from behind the carefully constructed dam that barricaded her emotions.

He hadn’t really lied, but he’d failed to tell her that Simon, the man she was hunting, was his brother.

Last night had been beautiful, more than she’d ever dreamed possible, but this morning the sun had risen to shine a light on his deceit. How had he kept this a secret for so long? Why hadn’t she realized the reasons for Zach’s elusive behavior regarding Simon?

She’d been so stupid not to think Simon could be one of his brothers. She hated feeling dim-witted. She hated being misled. And now Zach’s deception felt like he’d gutted her and left her on the side of the road to die.

Walking into the barn, carrying her saddle, she noticed his horse alongside her mare. Damn, even their horses had bonded. Well, maybe that was a good thing.

“Can I help you?” Nick Hargrove said, gazing at her with interest. “Say, aren’t you the woman Zach was with last night?”

“Yes, I’m Meg McKenzie. We met at the diner.”

“Sorry, I didn’t recognize you this morning.”

She wanted to roll her eyes, but refrained. No, she wasn’t dressed in her finery, but she was still the same woman. She still had the same auburn hair and the same green eyes. How difficult could it be to recognize her? “Not a problem. I’m a little overdressed today.”

He grinned. “How can I help you?”

“I need to pick up my and Zach’s horses. I’m taking his horse to his mother’s, while he stays here for a couple of days.” She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “He had too much to drink last night and forgot to tell me where his mother lives. Can you give me that information? I know she lives close by.”

If the man were as smitten as she hoped, he wouldn’t question why Zach had forgotten to give her the necessary information. She tried to blink her eyes at him the way she’d seen Ruby smile and bat her eyes at men in the past. It just felt awkward and silly.

The man smiled at her. “Let me get those horses for you.” He disappeared into the corral and returned with her horse and Zach’s. “I’ll give you directions. She’s a nice woman and doesn’t deserve the heartache her son, Simon, has given her.”

Laughter bubbled up in her chest. Not only had her flirting worked, but Meg suddenly understood Zach’s nervousness from the night before when Nick had stopped by their table. He’d been worried when Nick motioned his mother that Nick was going to say something about Simon. Another realization of how Zach had deceived her.

Fire burned her stomach like she’d eaten way too many hot peppers. Zach had played her for a fool. She wouldn’t forget how he’d sweet-talked and made her feel like a lady, for her only to learn he’d forgotten one very important piece of information.

“Do you plan on being out there long or are you coming back to town?” Nick asked.

“Depends,” she said. “It could be a quick visit or it could take a while.”

If Simon were there, she’d be back in town later this evening. But if he were gone, she’d be on the hunt once again.

“If you come back into town, maybe we could have dinner. That is if there’s nothing between you and Zach.”

Meg smiled. Whatever had been between her and Zach had sizzled out like fire in the rain. Once again, she was a woman alone. Six months ago she would have been delighted to have dinner with this nice young man, but now, her heart was shattered, and she didn’t want anything to do with the male gender. Even the idea made her insides cringe with revulsion.

There was a soreness between her legs that reminded her of the treachery of dealing with the male species. She wanted nothing to do with this man or any other one.

“Thanks, but I don’t know when I’ll be back this direction,” she said, thinking even if she came back, she’d never be interested.

No matter what, Zach had left an impression on her heart and then he’d broken it.

Nick grinned at her like he was the best thing this side of the Rio Grande. “Well, if you come back through, look me up.”

“Thanks, I’ve gotta go. I’d like to be there before nightfall.”

“Oh, it will only take you about two hours.”

“Thanks, that’s good to know,” she said, picking up her saddle.

When she stepped outside, she quickly saddled her horse then attached the reins from Zach’s horse to her saddle horn.

Zach wasn’t going anywhere until he found himself another ride. A twinge of regret filled her conscience, but he’d deliberately withheld information about Simon. There had been numerous times he could have told her about his brother, and he’d chosen to keep Simon’s identity a secret.

Play with fire and eventually you’re going to get burned. She’d just burned Zach. He would be hoofing it for a while.

This way she would have a head start on capturing his brother.

*

Meg stared at the two-story rambling home where Zach had grown up. The place looked homey and inviting, with wide porches where a family could gather in the evenings. It appeared spacious and roomy compared to her small farm. The house had a coat of white paint with a rose bush blooming in front and several rocking chairs gracing the porch.

For the last hour, she’d stared at the house, waiting to see if anyone moved about the place, but so far no one had come through the door. No sign of Simon or Frank, and she wondered if anyone was at home. Finally, she gave up and rode into the courtyard area.

She looped the reins around the hitching post in front of the house and tied Zach’s horse, knowing she would leave it behind for him to find. Climbing the stairs, trepidation galloped through her bloodstream like a racehorse as she knocked on the door. Could Simon be here?

The door opened. A small woman wearing a prairie dress, her gray hair pulled into a bun, greeted her. “Yes?”

“I’m looking for Mrs. Gillepsie. Is she home?”

“I’m Patricia Gillespie Trudeau,” the woman said, frowning at her. “That’s my son Zach’s horse. What’s happened to him?”

Now it was starting to come together. Zach’s mother had remarried.

“Zach’s fine. I expect him to catch up to me any time now.”

“What did you do to him?” she asked.

Oh, his mother really didn’t want to know Meg had left him butt naked and tied to the bed in a hotel room. This whole day had been one exercise after another in frustration. “Nothing. You should be asking what he’s done to me.”

The woman frowned. “Zach’s a good son. I don’t have to worry about him. Why do you have his horse?”

“I’m leaving it here for him. I’d like to talk to you about your son Simon.”

The woman sighed, her look no longer friendly at all. “Who are you?”

Meg thought for a second about lying to her, but then decided no, she wanted no part of deceit. “I’m a bounty hunter looking for Simon.”

“He’s not here. Why should I help you?”

“Why should I leave Zach’s horse?”

“Because you don’t want to be a horse thief.”

“And you don’t want your son Zach, a lawman, to have to turn in his own brother.”

The older woman frowned, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Why did you take Zach’s horse?”

Meg crossed her arms and gazed at the older woman. She looked a lot like Zach. She had the same earthy brown eyes, the same smile, and tough chin. Meg determined she was going to be honest with her, even if it got her nowhere. “We were riding together, me and Zach, chasing Simon, but I didn’t know our criminal was Zach’s brother. This morning I learned the truth, and I left Zach tied up in bed. When I got to the corral, I took off with his horse.”

The woman stared at her, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. Then a smile curled her lips, and she started to laugh. “I think you need to come in, sit down, and tell me this story from the beginning. You’re telling me a lot this old mind doesn’t comprehend. I mean, no one has ever gotten the best of Zach Gillespie. What’s your name, girl?”

“Meg McKenzie.”

The woman smiled and opened the door to the house wider to let Meg come through the portal. “You’re that girl Zach was going to ask to marry.”

Meg stepped through the door, removed her hat, and shook out her hair.

So it’d been true, he really had planned on asking her to marry him the night she’d tied him up and left him in town. He’d been serious.

“I’m sure you’re wondering how I knew, but he came to visit me and told me all about you.” She glanced at her clothes. “He said you liked to wear men’s clothes.”

“I hate wearing men’s clothes, but it’s all I have,” she said and remembered the beautiful dress Zach had bought for her. God, how she wished she hadn’t left the dress behind. She’d loved it. But she couldn’t take the dress and hate him at the same time. Though, she loathed going off and leaving that gown.

Patricia patted her on the arm. “Have a seat, Meg. I want to hear this story about you and my son. Then, if I think it’s right, I’ll tell you everything I know about Simon.”

An hour later, they were still talking, and Meg felt like she’d found someone who reminded her of her own strong-willed mother. She liked Zach’s mother and thought that if she had married Zach, they would have gotten along. But there was no chance of that ever happening. Now that she’d learned of Zach’s deceit, how could she ever trust him again? Though, somehow last night, he’d loved her body and soul enough to own a chunk of her heart. But without trust there was nothing. And there was no point in dreaming fanciful dreams of a man who she couldn’t have faith in.

“Tell me about Simon?” Meg asked. They’d talked about Zach and Meg the entire time with Meg telling her everything, except the fact they’d slept together. That little piece of information Patricia didn’t need to know.

The older woman shook her head and let out a deep sigh. “My sons mean the world to me. I love them all, but he’s been the most difficult one to raise. My biggest regret is marrying Simon’s father. Mr. Gillespie had been dead and gone for four years when I met John Trudeau. He was a fast-talking French man who swept me off my feet and had such great visions. We were married soon after we met, and then the real horror began.”

She paused for a moment and gazed around the room as if searching for her husband. “I got pregnant with Simon, and John began to visit the saloons. For years, I put up with him coming home smelling of whiskey and other women. Then one day when Simon was about fourteen, his father didn’t come home. We went into town to look for him, and he was standing in the middle of the street embroiled in a gunfight. While we watched, he was shot and killed. I don’t think the boy ever recovered from seeing his father shot dead.”

Meg felt a little compassion. The memory of her own father’s death washed over her like it was yesterday and not a year ago. The sight of his body lying helpless in the bed wrenched her stomach, and she realized how much her own life had changed because of his death. “That had to be hard. How about your other kids? How did they take it?”

Zach’s mother laughed, a hard sound coming from her tiny body. “My other sons were old enough that they knew this was a blessing because John would never be coming home drunk again. I think my second marriage is the reason Zach’s a sheriff. I think he wanted to make certain no other family had to put up with a sorry drunk.”

“He’s told me he loves his job,” Meg said, knowing Zach enjoyed being the town’s sheriff.

“And he’s good at it,” Patricia said, gazing at Meg.

“Yes,” Meg admitted, though she could still outshoot him.

“His brothers are important to him. He’s the oldest and he looked out for each of them when they were growing up. He loves them. Even Simon.”

The image of Ruby and Annabelle came to mind, and Meg thought about how much she loved her sisters. Obviously, Zach loved felt the same toward his brothers. Only her sisters had never committed a crime.

“Yes, but he told me he’d take Simon in if he found out his brother had killed that man.”

“He told me the same thing,” Patricia said, staring off into the distance. “I love all of my sons, even Simon. And if he killed someone, it will break my heart, but I know Zach will have to do his job. He will turn him in. But I asked him to investigate and find out the truth. Simon said he didn’t kill that man. That Frank killed him. I don’t know, but before I watch my son hang, I have to learn the truth.”