The Texan and the Lady (17 page)

Audrey fell into the acting part like a Shakespearean trouper. “Of course you may, my dear. You probably don’t remember the way, so we’ll be happy to show you.” She glanced at Wiley with a touch of regret. “You’ll wait for me?”

Wiley’s gaze said,
forever
, but his mouth remained mute as they moved away.

Three men watched the women climb the stairs. Marshal McCormick was aware of the other two, but doubted they saw him. He’d been watching Jennie all evening, waiting for the proper time to ask her for another dance. He’d used his time making idle conversation with the other men and trying to figure out just what it was about the woman who drew him more strongly than any streetlight drew a moth.

“Fine-looking woman,” the railroad worker leaning against the wall next to Austin mumbled.

“Which one?” Austin answered.

The man laughed. “All of them, I reckon. There ain’t a drowner in the litter here at the Harvey House. But I was referring to the little lady who came in with Colton Barkley.”

McCormick nodded, wondering if the railroad worker beside him was as stupid as he was blind, not to see that Jennie was by far the most beautiful of the three women reaching the top of the stairs. If she’d just learn to tell the truth, she’d be perfection wrapped in blue.

“Talk is she’s going to be Barkley’s wife sometime next month.”

“That so?” Austin tried to act interested.

“Yeah,” the man continued, “he sent away for her all the way from somewhere back east. Wouldn’t no woman in this part reel him in if he was the last catch in the river.”

Austin wasn’t really interested in gossip, but he needed to do something besides look at the stairs until Jennie returned. “Why’s that?” he asked, deciding he was getting as bad as True at seeing an outlaw behind every corner.

The man pushed away from the wall and drew closer. Austin could smell the train’s oil on his alpaca coat. “Guess you don’t know, being new in town and all. Colton Barkley killed his first wife.”

“What!”

“Yes, sir. He killed her. Then buried her up on that ranch of his all by himself. Wouldn’t even allow her family to come to the funeral. Told them he’d kill them if they set foot on his land even to visit her grave.”

“Didn’t anyone do anything about the murder?”

The man scratched his head. “Get a look at him with a gun in his hand sometime, mister. He’s not the kind of man who takes lightly to being bothered with. Lived here for several years and never tried to make one friend. Folks all knew by the time we got up to the ranch, there wouldn’t be no proof of the murder. It’d just be his word against hearsay. He was a respectable man, no troublemaker or nothin’. I guess ever’one figured what happened between him and his was nobody’s business.”

Austin studied Colton Barkley as he waited at the foot of the steps. The man moved like a trained killer, slow and deliberate. His body was tightly corded, ready for any fight, and from the bulge beneath his arm, Austin would have bet he was wearing a shoulder holster.

But Austin had been around killers all his life. Wild, senseless ones in the army who loved it like a sport. Cold, heartless ones who stomped out any life that got in their way. Nervous, panicking ones who carried a banner of revenge. Greedy ones who weighed a life against a dollar. Colton Barkley was none of them. Austin would stake his badge on that. Not that Barkley wouldn’t kill. Most any man would if the time came and the reason were strong enough.

No, whatever or whoever had killed Barkley’s first wife had crippled something deep inside of him also. Austin finally got a handle on what Barkley reminded him of. A wounded animal, who was growling and struggling to survive. A man ready to fight anyone or anything despite the pain he felt inside.

Austin realized one other thing. In a fight he’d rather have Colton Barkley at his back than any other man in the room. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt it in his gut. Colton Barkley might have killed his wife, but Austin would hear the reason before he judged him.

Chapter 16

A
udrey closed the door to their room and turned to join in the hug Jennie was already giving Delta.

“Tell us everything,” Jennie whispered. “We’ve been so worried about you.”

Delta sat next to a sleepy True and pulled the child close. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered, then her tear-filled eyes looked up to include Audrey and Jennie. “All of you.”

“Has Colton Barkley treated you fair?” Audrey asked. “If he hasn’t, he’ll be kicking the bucket out from under his own gallows before I’m through with him.”

Delta laughed. “He treats me fair. In fact, I have no complaints about Colton. He’s got a house almost half the size of this hotel, with an older woman who rides over from the next ranch to keep it clean and a cook who sees it as his main mission in life to fatten me up. Except for the first day, I haven’t seen very much of Colton. I watch him ride off before dawn every morning, and I fall asleep waiting supper on him at night.

“For a man who sent all the way across the country for a wife, he seems very uninterested in getting to know her. Half the time when we do have a meal together, he doesn’t say a word more than what’s needed to be polite. I doubt he’ll care when I ask to leave in two weeks. It’s almost like he’s just waiting for me to say the words so he can pack me on my way.”

Jennie sat on the bed beside Delta. “He’s a strange man, so dark and handsome—and angry. He frightens me a little.”

Halfheartedly agreeing, Delta added, “I’ve been trying to do things to feel like I’m earning my keep around the place. But to tell the truth, I don’t think he even notices. Maybe he’s sorry he wrote all those letters to Mary Elizabeth, because now it seems like all he wants is to be left alone.”

Jennie patted Delta’s shoulder. “Two more weeks and you’ll be away.”

Delta nodded. “That’s what I keep telling myself. Living with Colton Barkley is like living with the shadow of a man. He does what’s expected, like ordering material for this dress and a cape to match.” Delta brushed the soft fabric lightly. “But then he didn’t even comment on how I looked tonight.”

She paused, forcing back any sadness, and changed the subject. “Has anyone asked about Delta Smith?”

“There was talk of a man who looked like you’d described your brother hanging around town, but he disappeared after Marshal McCormick visited with him.”

“Do you think it was Ward?”

“I don’t think so,” Audrey answered. “True heard the marshal talking to the man, and he didn’t have much to say other than he wanted to be left alone. If he’d been interested in you, looks like he would have at least asked after you by name.”

“Unless he thought I might have gone to the law about the attack.” Delta’s eyes widened. “I shouldn’t have come tonight. It was too big a risk.”

“Nonsense.” Audrey patted her on the shoulder. “Who could hurt you at the dance? He’s not likely to show up here even if that stranger was your brother. He’s long gone by now. Probably miles away. Every day you should feel safer and safer. If Ward hasn’t found you by now, he probably wasn’t able to track you this far.”

Delta steepled her fingers as if in prayer, then looked from Audrey to Jennie. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. You both saved my life two weeks ago.”

“You’d have done the same,” Jennie said.

“I’ve come to offer something that might help you.” Delta smiled. “I’d like to take True back to the ranch with me for a few days.”

“What!” both women said at once.

“I’d take good care of the child, and it would give me something to do. True could play in the sunlight for a change.”

Jennie looked at Audrey, reading her face as easily as she knew her own feelings. True would have fun with Delta. It would be good for the boy and as safe as it was here, but even the thought of letting the child go pulled at her heart.

“I don’t know,” Jennie began. “What would Colton say?”

“I’ll ask him if you think it’s a good idea.” Delta shrugged. “But I can’t imagine him saying no. He’s not around the house enough to even notice.”

True was the only one who moved. “What do the three of you think you’re doing thinking you can decide my life? Sometimes I think the angel in charge of sending down guardians must have gone overboard and sent me three. I told you from the first. I’m on my own. I just stay here with you ‘cause you might need me.”

Delta mimicked True’s stance. “I do need you. If you’ll come, you’d have a room of your own and miles of land to explore.”

True didn’t look interested as Delta continued. “The rolls might not be as good as Audrey’s, but the cook makes a fine berry pie.”

“I got things to do around here,” True answered. “The marshal and the sheriff need me.”

“But I need you, too. We could explore on the ranch, and I’m sure Colton would let you ride one of his horses.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Delta had found the key.

True didn’t hesitate any longer. “I’ll go with you, Mary Elizabeth. I’ll sneak down to the wagon during the dance and be waiting when you get ready to drive home,” True said, as if the decision had never been any concern of the others. “As long as I’m back in a few days. Henry and me have plans that can’t wait much longer than that.”

Audrey reluctantly agreed. “You’ll make sure True drinks half milk with coffee.”

Jennie added, “At least we’ll know where True is. I’ll tell the marshal. He worries about the child as much as we do.”

Delta nodded and stood, then hugged everyone one more time before hurrying downstairs to wait for a chance to talk to Colton.

He was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, his eyes as black and cold as ever. His dark handsomeness always made Delta pause for a moment to stare. She’d spent many hours wondering if the coldness about him went all the way to his heart. But his hand felt warm as he took hers and they walked slowly into the dining hall. He didn’t say a word, but she’d learned not to expect unnecessary conversation with him. The band tuning up for another round was the only sound that passed between them.

As before when they’d entered the dining room that had been cleared to make a dance floor, Delta didn’t miss the way folks stopped and stared.

“Do you feel up to dancing, Mary Elizabeth?” He was already leading her onto the dance floor when he finally asked.

“Yes, sir,” she whispered, glancing around to witness the way the others watched Colton. Delta couldn’t help but smile. She guessed everyone might find Colton Barkley a little frightening with his cold manner and hard voice, but she was drawn to his strength. Never in her life had she been around a strong man. Her father had been broken and weak from the time she could remember, and her stepfather was loud and always bullying.

But Colton never shouted at her or anyone on his ranch as near as she could tell. She’d spent the past two weeks studying the man. His control was stoic, his manner unyielding. He was a private man, and she admired that about him. He offered no excuses and accepted none from others. Colton demanded that any person, including himself, take responsibility square on the shoulders without whimper or compromise. Delta didn’t even mind the remoteness he wore like a medal.

When they reached the center of the room, he raised his hand in invitation. As he lead her across the floor with polished skill, his grip was firm around her fingers. The music continued, and Delta felt him relax a fraction, as though his muscles remembered a time he danced for pleasure and not simply because it was expected of him.

When the dance finished, his warm hand slid beneath her arm. They walked in silence toward the line of chairs along one wall.

“Thank you.” Delta stared up into his black eyes as he offered her a chair. “I’m afraid I’ve had very little opportunity to dance in my life.”

“You did fine,” he answered without smiling. His gaze repeatedly scanned the room, as if watching for trouble. She had the feeling no man would ever catch Colton off guard, not in this lifetime.

“If another asks me …” Delta didn’t want to have another man touch her. She could relax in Colton’s formal embrace, but wasn’t sure how she’d react with another.

Colton interrupted. “No man will ask you to dance. You’re with me.”

“Correction.” Marshal McCormick stepped up beside Delta. “I’d like the honor of the next dance, if you have no objections?” Austin knew he was playing with fire, but sometimes a hunter had to poke a hole in a den and just wait and see what came out. If Colton was as hotheaded as everyone seemed to think, better Austin knew now before the little lady left alone with him again.

Delta studied the marshal. She could hardly turn him down, since most everyone in the room knew he had pulled Mary Elizabeth from the train wreck. She glanced at Colton but saw no answer in his dark eyes. He didn’t seem to care one way or the other if she danced.

“I’d be delighted, Marshal,” Delta answered as she stood.

Austin held her in his arms so carefully she wanted to giggle. He seemed very much afraid of breaking her if he turned too fast.

“How have you been recovering?” he asked, leaning over to talk to her almost like a grown-up would a child.

“Very well.” Delta smiled. “I’m not sure I had time to thank you for saving my life.”

Austin shook his head. “No thanks needed. Seeing you looking so lovely tonight was thanks enough.” Austin hesitated. Whether she admitted to being Delta or not wasn’t as pressing as her safety. He slowed his steps so that they didn’t quite match the music. “How do you like staying at Colton Barkley’s place?”

Delta knew as well as he did that he wasn’t asking about the ranch. “I’m being treated with much kindness,” she lied. It was more like polite indifference, but no one outside of the ranch needed to know that. Colton’s attitude, she thought, must be rubbing off on her, for her guard was up high enough to block out even the tall marshal.

Austin nodded, as though he’d satisfied some law by checking on her. The dance ended before he could ask any more questions. He walked her back to Barkley’s side and thanked her for the dance, deciding the railroad worker was out of line to call a man a wife-killer when all he seemed to be was a widower who wanted to keep to himself. Besides, if the truth be known, the little lady he’d just danced with probably had a few secrets in her past as well.