Why?”
Rand’s chair squeaked. “We may have a problem.”
“How so?”
Her knees went weak.
“The bank manager came by to see me today while I was at the hotel. It seems he’s heard some rumors that the army might place some sort of lien on her business.”
“Make her pay for the rifles? Don’t worry. It makes no difference. Once we are married, the business can be sold to make up the cost. As my wife, she will not need to work.”
Something struck her square in the stomach. The world spun. She settled down against the steps and hugged her skirt close to her legs. The main room of the sheriff’s office grew silent.
“Have you talked to her about this?” Rand questioned. “She’s a mighty strong woman. I can’t see her just giving up and selling.”
“When we marry, she will have much to do. She is a woman. She will forget this foolish notion of business.”
“Perhaps.” The sheriff groaned. “But I think you might have a tiger by the tail on this one, Marshal.”
She came to her feet and brushed away the dampness that had somehow found its way to her cheeks. She needed to stop this conversation before she heard any more. Moving back to the landing, she stomped heavily down the stairs so her footsteps would be heard. Plastering a smile on her face, she swung around the corner and through the doorway with a glance at Trace.
He stood by the stove, holding a cup of coffee, but when he saw her, he put the cup down and crossed to her side. “Mary Rose.” His voice was low and possessive.
His arm slid around her waist, and she steadied her nerves and relaxed in his grasp, then allowed him to pull her close. With her eyes closed, she enjoyed the brush of his silken lips against her cheek. For a brief moment, she was back upstairs, in his arms, under the spell of his skillful manipulation. Just as quickly, he pulled back, and the spell broke.
“Trace,” she whispered before facing the sheriff.
Rand Weston looked away. She noticed the slight tinge of red to his cheeks. Yes, everything that had happened upstairs seemed to be an open book.
“Sheriff, did I hear you say something about the officer from the fort?” she managed to ask.
He looked up, said, “Yes,” and repeated what he’d told Trace.
“I see. Well, if it will help bring all this to a close, that will be wonderful.” She turned and looked up at Trace. His glance masked, she wondered what information she had not heard.
“Let me walk you back to the freight office,” he replied, moving toward his hat on the chair.
She brought her hand up against her arm. She felt cold and alone. An emptiness filled her stomach where before there had been only exhilaration. “I-I think I’d like to go home, please.”
Her statement seemed to cause the room to still. She glanced over at Sheriff Weston. His pencil paused in midair, and she followed his glance to Trace, who stood by the doorway. “It’s nearly four. I need to get some things done at the house. On the way, we can walk over to the freight office and tell Mr. Gentry to close up.”
She watched Trace moved toward her, his eyes searching her face. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and pushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. “Yes, I—well,” she stammered, then blurted out the only thing that came to her mind. “You said you wanted to take me to supper. I thought I’d change.”
She watched the relief flow through him.
“Yes, yes, of course, my dear,” he replied, offering her his arm.
She tucked her hand into his elbow, a part of her yearning for the use of that little word querida. For some reason, “dear” from his mouth did not give her the same chills and anticipation. How sad, she thought, as they moved toward the door.
“I will return,” he told the sheriff as he ushered her out the door.
Although she stepped into the sun she felt cold, as if her soul lay bare. Her eyes closed and, with a tilt of her chin, she brought her face fully beneath the warmth of the beams, yet even they didn’t feel warm enough to soothe the chill from her bones. His hand found the small of her back and, before she could stop it, a flinch tremored through her.
“Did I scare you?”
Her eyes opened. “I wasn’t expecting it,” she replied in all honesty.
He took her elbow between his