The Good, the Bad, and the Naughty (4 page)

Heat rose to her cheeks as she giggled and then replied, “Good night, boys.” She skipped up the stairs hoping they didn’t catch her blushing.

My, but those two were charmers. A girl could get used to all their attention quite easily.

When she stepped on the second-floor landing, the images she had earlier of them undressing her and caressing her body suddenly came back to flood and occupy her thoughts. Her heartbeat escalated envisioning their curious hands roaming over her arms, her abdomen, her breasts. Her body heat rose as did her breathing, with every passing second and further arousing detail of the vision.

Tomorrow night would certainly hold mystery and temptation in its midst. Trevor Kent oozed manliness, and for some unexplainable reason, danger. A part of her feared what she was getting herself into. She might just be walking into the lion’s den tomorrow evening. But another part of her, a part she now seemed to have little control over, anticipated their date.

Her face broke into a wide grin at the thought of what could happen then.

Oh, the possibilities.

Chapter 3

James was still in shock. Trevor surprised him twice in less than an hour. His partner usually stood on the side and let James lead in their cases. More often than not, he’d add his two cents when a suggestion came to mind. But tonight, his friend was on a roll. His quick mind and genius ideas had James in awe.

“So you liked my plan, huh?” Trevor grinned smugly.

“Yes. At first I didn’t, but then I figured it out.” James chuckled.

“Do you think you’ll be able to break into her room without anyone seeing you?”

“I can’t believe my partner I’ve worked with for over five years would even ask me that.” James frowned.

Trevor lifted his hands. “Oh, I forgot. How stupid of me to ask.”

“Yes, it’ll be a snap.” His brow furrowed once more. “And while I’ll be hard at work investigating, you’ll be having the time of your life with beautiful Belle.”

Trevor’s brow rose in amusement. “Ah, partner, this is no time to be jealous. You know you’re the best at breaking in and snooping, and I’m good at covering for you when you do.”

James poked him in his chest as he replied, “Yes, but this time you’ll be with Belle, not trying to distract some Indians.”

Trevor smugly rubbed his nails on his cotton shirt to polish them and then gazed at them. “What can I say? My job can be hell at times.”

James punched him lightly in the arm. “Stop gloating, Trev, or I’ll go up to her and tell her that I actually really do need you at work.”

His rebuttal to Trevor got him wondering. They never found out what her room number was. It’d be awfully hard to break into her private quarters if he didn’t know where exactly she stayed James glanced at the counter. No one stood on duty, but there was a bell on the counter.

“That reminds me.”

He strode over to the front desk, placed his bag on the floor, and slammed his open palm down on the bell. It rang loudly, and within a minute, an elderly gentleman with a receding hairline and a beard came out from a closed door in the corner.

“Howdy, cowboys. Welcome to the Mayflower Inn. How can I help you all?”

James leaned on the counter. “Our boss reserved us a room here a few weeks back. Our names are James Sanford and Trevor Kent.”

While the man opened and flipped pages in his book, he stared at them as if he assessed them. Then he spoke in a curious voice. “Is this your first time in our humble town?”

“Yes, sir. Our employer got us jobs here and we just got in today,” Trevor responded.

Once the man got to the last filled page in the registry book, he let go of the paper and leaned his elbows on the countertop, grinning. “Well, you’ll love our fine town, gentlemen. Everyone who has stayed at my inn has said so in one way or another.” He put on his spectacles hanging from a cord around his neck and then pointed with his finger down the page. “Let’s see. Ah, here we are. You have room twenty on the second floor. The bathroom is just a door away.”

James looked at Trevor, then added, “Sounds mighty fine. Um, we were wondering if you’d be kind enough to tell us in what room Miss Belle Samson is staying in. You see, my friend here just met her tonight and got himself a date with the pretty lady tomorrow evening. He said he’d pick her up at her room but forgot to ask for her room number before she left.”

The man chuckled, glancing at Trevor. “Well, fella, aren’t you the lucky one. Miss Belle sure is a pretty lady. And it ain’t no surprise you’d forget somethin’ like that. She kinda has that effect on the fellas around here. She has a beautiful voice, too. You should catch her singin’ down at Eden’s Paradise when you get a chance.”

“Oh, we did. That’s where we first started talking with her.” Trevor placed his bag on the floor and leaned on the counter also.

“I see.” He closed his book after checking off their reservation.
 
turned around, and got their keys. “Well, you boys certainly have luck on your side, ’cause it so happens her room number twenty-two is next to yours. You’re neighbors.”

Trevor glanced at James and gave him a sly smile. James looked away, fearing he’d break into a smirk, as well. He extended his hand. “Well, thanks so much for all your help, sir.”

Accepting James’s handshake, the old man replied, “The name’s Melvin Burr. If you folks need anythin’ else, just let me know. The missus serves up breakfast at seven sharp in the dinin’ room in the mornings if you’re interested. Her bacon and eggs are really good.”

“Well, Mr. Burr, that sounds quite tempting. I think we’ll do just that since we have a big day ahead of us and need all the energy we can get.” Picking up his bag, James marched to the stairs with Trevor on his tail.

“Just call me Melvin from now on. We look forward to seein’ you for breakfast then,” the old man shouted while they ascended the stairs.

When they got to the second floor, they headed over to their room, passing hers. Opening their door, James stared into the darkness. He could only make out part of the front of the room. Using the limited illumination from the hallway wall lamps as his source of light, James walked over to the table next to the door and felt his way to a set of matches next to the oil lamp. He struck one, lighting it.

The light was enough for them to take in their surroundings in detail. James was pleasantly surprised. The room looked pretty clean and crisp. The beds had dark-brown blankets, and the table in the corner of the room had two chairs to sit on. A bureau in the other corner was big enough for them to store their clothes in.

Trevor tossed his luggage bag in the corner of the room and collapsed on the bed. The wooden foundation made a squeaking sound with his movements. “Ah. I’m glad this day is almost over. I’m exhausted.”

James didn’t crumple to the bed like Trevor. Instead, he sat on it slowly because of fatigue and his stiff back and leg muscles. It was sturdier than Trevor’s bed because the wooden support didn’t squeak when he put his full weight on it. It absorbed the shock in silence. He stretched his aching legs out before him and lay back, resting his head on the feather-stuffed pillow, which leaned on the wall.

The soft pillow and wool-stuffed mattress molded to his body comfortably. Being cramped on the train for so long had left his muscles tense, and, now, as his tendons in his calves relaxed, the tension rolled off of him with every deep inhale he took.

“I have to agree with you, Trev. This feels so good.”

They rested in silence for a few minutes. James kicked off his shoes and massaged his feet through his socks when voices caught his attention. They came from the other side of the wall. Her wall.

“Do you hear that, Trevor?” He sat up and put his ear to the wall.

Trevor stood up and did the same thing as James while he squinted in concentration. “It’s coming from Belle’s room.”

Although James couldn’t hear what was being said, he could tell Belle wasn’t alone in the room. At least two other men were in there with her.

“I think she has two guys with her.” Trevor obviously thought the same thing.

“Probably members of her gang.” James nodded. “Can you make out what they’re saying?”

“No, but they seem to be talking low, secretively.”

“Well, if they are part of her gang and they are conspiring on their next heist, they’d be talking softly like that.”

“Maybe, or maybe she is living up to her nickname, and they are keeping her company tonight, and she doesn’t want Melvin any wiser to her secret activities,” Trevor rebutted.

James’s mind wandered, imagining what exactly transpired in there. When she giggled, he thought maybe his friend’s hunch could be on the mark.

What he wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall in Miss Belle Samson’s room tonight.

* * * *

When she opened the door to her room, Belle intended to undress and just sink into her warm bed to sleep. But the moment she closed the door, a voice said, “You’re finally here.”

Practically jumping out of her skin, she spun around to see someone turn up the light in the oil lamp on her bureau. As the light spread to the perimeter, she was able to release the air that stuck in the knot in her throat.

Realizing John and Mat had paid her a visit, she slumped her shoulders in relief and sighed. “Ah, you gave me a scare.”

Mat sat on the chair next to the bed. “Sorry, but we had to keep it dark in here. The light can be seen from the space under your door. No one could know we’re here.”

“How did you get in?”

John glanced at the window. “Through that. Your room is on the other side of the inn, and no one could see us sneak in.”

She walked over to the window and stared out. “It’s pretty high. You could have gotten hurt.”

“No, we’ve climbed more dangerous things before. Come to think of it, you were with us most of the time when we did, remember?” Mat piped in.

She laughed at the ridiculous look he gave her. “Of course, how stupid of me to say that. Still, why did you risk getting in contact with me? Wasn’t I supposed to be on my own for this one, and when I got any leads, I’d get in contact with you?”

“Yes, that was the plan or, rather, your plan.” John nodded.

“So what’s so important you would risk my cover?”

“We found out some important news today and thought you’d want to know.” John picked up the oil lamp and started blowing on it lightly, observing the reflective, flickering light bounce from one side of the wall to the other.

“Well?” How she hated it when he started something and then stopped midway, leaving her hanging.

John laughed as the light almost went out when he blew a bit too hard.

Huffing, she walked up to him and took the lamp away. “Stop that.” Placing it on the other side of the bureau, she asked again. “Well, what’s the news?”

“We found out today they’ve hired new expressmen for the train.” Mat lifted his brow, looking at John.

Belle began to pace, her mind churned in many directions. “Oh, they did?”

“Two men from Texas. They go by the names Trevor Kent and James Sanford.”

“What?” She widened her eyes.

“They go by the names Trevor Kent—”

Before he could continue, she lifted her hand to quiet him. “I don’t believe it.”

“Believe what?” John asked, looking perplexed.

Thinking out loud, she continued. “So they are the new expressmen. Now isn’t that interesting.”

Both John and Mat looked at each other, frowning, then returned their gazes back to her.

“What’s so interesting about it?” They spoke in unison.

She needed to think…alone. John and Mat were distracting her.

Getting up, she walked over to the window and, as slowly and silently as she could, slid it open. “You two have to leave now before someone walks by and hears I’m not alone in here. I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I already have.”

They looked at her with their mouths open in shock.

“Are you serious?” John asked.

“Yes, now scoot out of here.”

Mat pointed his finger at her as a smile widened his mouth. “I know that look. You’re on to something, aren’t you, Belle?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged.

“Then tell us,” John begged.

“Not just yet, I can’t. As soon as I know more, I’ll get in contact with you both. Okay?”

“Oh, all right. I guess we don’t have a choice.” Mat nodded, looking disappointed.

Pulling the curtain to the side, gesturing them to exit, she said simply, “No.”

“Fine,” John added and bent to get out the window.

Mat didn’t look at her, just urged her as he got out. “The minute you know, you’ll come tell us, right? And you’ll be careful, too?”

Not saying a word, fearing someone could hear them outside and come looking to see who was making noise, she nodded.

When they made it down to the ground a few minutes later, she closed the window and leaned on the wall. Gazing up to the ceiling, she bit her lip nervously. A metallic taste on her tongue told her she made a tiny gash in her lip, and she bled slightly.