was quiet and polite until she pulled out the monthly expense records. The figures, so carefully kept, interested him. “Mind if I study these?” he finally asked. “If I can follow the income and output, I’ll understand the runnings of the ranch better.”
“I would say you could talk to our bookkeeper. I don’t know his first name. Everyone always calls him Mr. Fiddler.” She frowned. “I haven’t seen him since I came back. In fact, I haven’t even thought to ask about him. He’s probably around somewhere.”
Michael raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as she continued.
“The past three years’ records are on my father’s desk downstairs. I saw my uncle looking at them the morning I found out my father’s terms for the will. While you’re here take as active a part in the running of the ranch as you like.” She hesitated a long moment and added, “But never forget our bargain. As soon as the ranch is safely mine, you and your uncles will leave and for your trouble I promise your wagon will be packed.”
“I’ll hold to my bargain, Cozette, and I’d like to look over the accounts,” he said, almost angry that she felt the need to remind him of their pact. He didn’t add that since she’d probably be by her father’s side the records would give him a reason to stay close.
She opened her mouth as if to question, then reconsidered and nodded in compromise. Last night he’d watched her change from a frightened child to a woman taking control of her life. She’d never be easy to manipulate again and he knew he’d never even try.
He smiled as she fiddled with her tea. He knew he was the only one she had to trust. An outlaw who had threatened to kill her was all that stood beside her now. Michael had seen the look in her uncle’s eyes. He wanted the ranch and might just be willing to do anything, including killing them both to get it.
Michael planned to stay by her side until he knew she was safe. He would do so even without the promise of a wagonload of goods.
Chapter 4
The newlyweds came down for lunch late. Cozette didn’t miss all the smiles and winks at Michael. He remained the gentleman, never letting on that he knew she’d thrown up her breakfast. He hadn’t even raised his head from the book he’d been reading when she forgot to close his connecting door. When she’d visited her father by way of the back stairs, he’d followed and quietly remained at the desk by the window until she’d told him it was time for lunch.
He’d covered his hand over hers a few times during the meal, and when he knew someone was watching, he’d made an effort to brush her cheek with a kiss or lightly circle his arm over her shoulders. Because of her father’s illness and the newlyweds’ need to be alone, the few guests who’d come quickly made excuses to leave. By afternoon, all the ranch hands had returned to work and the house was quiet.
When she’d excused herself to sit with her father, Michael followed without a word. He’d walked her all the way to the chair by her father’s bed, then kissed her hand and said he’d be at the desk across the room.
She’d expected to find her uncle in her father’s room and was relieved to see only the nurse.
Shadows were long when Michael excused himself and left the room. Cozette stood and stretched, then walked around the big desk, noticing that Michael had been studying the records all afternoon. She stopped at the tall windows and stared out at her ranch, loving it so much her heart ached to realize how close she came to losing it.
She brushed her fingers over the slight bulge just above her knee where she’d strapped a gun to her leg. A few months ago she believed everyone to be good and fair. She thought her uncle loved her and only wanted her to be happy when he’d sent a letter introducing the son of a friend.
Fredrick Bates had shown up at her school with flowers and his aunt as chaperone. The nuns had let her go riding with him and to dinner in town as long as the aunt went along. After all, he had the proper family introduction and Cozette was a year older than most girls who left the school. They’d let her stay on another year only