up to find Elaine’s smile. “I promised a friend I wouldn’t bother him for two hours. I could use some company.” He slipped the watch back into its place.
She winked. “I’ll get two plates.”
He watched her go. Perhaps, he thought to himself, it is time. Still contemplating the idea of calling on Elaine, he almost missed the hurried steps of the bank manager approaching his table.
“Sheriff Weston, can I speak to you a moment?”
Rand looked up. “What’s wrong, Howard, someone rob the bank?”
“Not exactly.”
Rand’s eyebrows careened toward his hairline. “Perhaps you’d best sit down and tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Yes.” Clark pulled the chair out and took a seat.
Looking over his head, Rand signaled to Elaine for a second cup of coffee before turning his attention to the nervous banker.
“Now, tell me what’s got you hot and bothered.”
“That Thornton girl,” Clark hissed.
Rand sat back in surpriseiHhH . Had the man not looked so serious, he might have chuckled. “She seems to have quite a few men in knots here lately.” He smiled to himself, thinking of the inside joke as he picked up his cup.
“I have heard rumor that the federal government might be seeking monetary restitution.”
Rand paused. “Rumor,” he snapped. “More likely nothing but gossip. The man from the fort hasn’t even gotten here yet.”
“So.” The banker’s face took on the look of satisfaction. “It’s true.”
“Merely a rumor,” Rand grunted.
“Rumor or not, this will weigh heavily on my bank. I can’t lend money to someone going out of business. You know how the government is.” He looked around like a frightened rabbit.
“Afternoon, gentlemen.” Elaine put the tray down on the table. “I brought you a cup of coffee, Mr. Clark. Can I interest you in a slice of lemon pie?”
“No, not right now.” The banker closed his mouth tight.
Rand exchanged a glance with Elaine. She caught his unspoken message and moved off. “Now listen here, Clark. We don’t know what the government is going to do until the army finishes its investigation.”
“Well, I have a right to protect my investors.”
“Sure you do.” Rand nodded. “But until I hear one way or the other, you got no cause to sound any alarm.”
“Humph,” Clark snorted as he rose from the chair. “You let me know as soon as you hear. I’m going to protect my bank.”
“You do that.” Rand sat back and watched the banker move quickly through the front doors.
“Mr. Clark seemed to be in an all-fired hurry,” Elaine remarked.
“Hm? Oh, yes, he did.”
“Trouble at the bank?” she asked, raising one finely arched brow.
“Perhaps.” Rand felt his forehead knot. “If we can’t recover that shipment of rifles, Mary Rose might be in for a bit of a trouble.”
“Just what she doesn’t need,” Elaine responded, with a shake of her head. “That man gets nervous if a dog looks the wrong way at the hitching post. I’d like to know who gave him any information.” Then she smiled. “At least that nice young marshal is giving her some time. You know, I think they’d be good for each other.”
He chuckled. “What is it they say about great minds?”
Chapter Fifteen
Sliding his arm from under her head, Trace watched Mary Rose nestle beside him, sleeping in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Her soft breath blew across his chest. Trace stroked the damp strands of hair on her forehead and tried to understand the emotions that rushed from his groin to his heart, then resounded to his brain. He hadn’t given his heart to any woman since that dark-haired angel of Satan had stolen it.
Mary Rose had come to him willingly and given him the ultimate gift. It was not in his nature to deflower virgins. Rising as quietly as possible so as not to disturb her, he walked toward the window and leaned against the wall. From his vantage point, no one could see him, yet he could savor the breeze against his heated skin.
“What am I to do with you?” he murmured. Looking over his right shoulder, he studied the copper-headed nymph in his sheets. Honor dictated he should have pulled out, left the bed, refused to take her. A deep breath filled his lungs. But he hadn’t. No, the feel of her, the cries of wanting, urging to finish—he took the coward’s way out.
Now he must do the right thing. He took a deep breath and inhaled their musk still lingering in the air. He had done as Father Tomas asked. He had followed his heart. Yet so many questions