Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose(43)

Turning her head just in time, she felt his lips brush the side of her cheek. She closed her eyes and willed her body not to turn into jelly, but it was hard, so hard. Her soft body molded instantly to his hard planes. Burning warmth pooled below her belly near the juncture of her thighs.

His lips brushed toward her ear, and she shivered involuntarily as his warm breath teased. She placed a hand upon his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. She leaned her head against his lips to regain her balance.

“We should not be here,” she whispered.

“No, we should be in your house, upstairs, alone.”

One hand left her waist and found its place below her chin.

“Doing things other than this,” he murmured, and then, tilting her head up, took possession of her lips.

She groaned, and reason flew from her mind as she gave in to returning the ardent strokes of his tongue as they seemingly tried to devour one another. Her heaving breasts created a delightful friction against her calico. The carefully created barrier to her heart trembled as her hands slid up his chest to the open collar of his shirt and she filled her fingers, holding his head at the right angle for hers.

When their lungs could stand no more, he pulled back and she opened her eyes, watching his tongue snake out, move over his lips, taking the last taste of her into his mouth.

“Mary Rose, we are made for each other. Our kisses show that. Whatever I have done to make it wrong, please tell me how to right it.”

His words were like a bucket of water, cooling her ardor. “Don’t you know?” She searched his face for some sort of recognition. To her surprise, he seemed baffled by her question.

“You looked at our finances. You made a comment to the manager.” She watched his brow furrow. Her chin trembled, and she pushed away. “Finish your investigation, Marshal. Bring in my brother’s killer, and let me go.”

She walked away. Lifting her arm, she pulled it across her lips, wiping away the taste of him. Yet it would take a lifetime to remove the memory. Her ears didn’t pick up the sound of his spurs moving to stop her. With each step, her heart seemed to be breaking. She stopped at the loading dock steps and took a breath to calm her nerves.

A glance at the wagon showed her the drivers lounging with their backs against the wood. She sighed and reached her fingers into the sleeve of her shirt to grasp the roll of bills and pull them free. Her fingers separated the cost of the run from Caleb Gentry’s pay. She swallowed, but the lump in her throat was an obstruction. Nothing could be done, she reminded herself. Then, squaring her shoulders, she advanced toward the men.

“Gentlemen.” Their heads turned in her direction, and she held out her hand. The bills fluttered in the warm breeze. “Your forty dollars.”

They glanced at her in surprise. “Well, I’ll be,” Shawn exclaimed.

“I told you I’d get the money.” She stood quietly, awaiting a bolt from the heavens. When it didn’t come, she continued. “May I count on your help getting this shipment out?”

Ian reached out and took the bills from her grasp, handing one to Shawn. “Yep, we’ll be back come tomorrow evening.” He moved toward the wagon seat. “Miss Thornton, thanks for going the extra mile to get our money. You want us to wire the payment for this load when we get it?”

“No. Cash the check and bring the money back to me.”

“Will do,” he replied, and pulled his body into the box. Picking up the reins, he waved, and she stepped back to watch the wagon pull away.





Chapter Twenty-One

“Penny!” Her excited voice echoed in the lobby. Trace enjoyed seeing the smile on her face stretch from ear to ear.

“Mary Rose!” The woman stepped from the stairs as the two rushed to hug.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” Mary Rose whispered.

“You didn’t think I’d let you go through this alone, did you? Why, when Augustus said he was coming, I packed my bags and stowed along with him.” She smiled and glanced over her shoulder at her husband, who was speaking to Rand.

Augustus Wallace gave his wife a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.

“So, who is in charge of the investigation into the theft of the rifles?” Captain Wallace asked.

Trace stepped closer to the men. “I am.” He nodded to the officer.

“I’d like to review the statements and information your investigation has uncovered.”

“It’s over in my office,” Rand announced.

“Let me make sure my wife is settled, and I’ll be over.” Wallace turned to the desk clerk, who handed him a key.

“Oh, you’re not staying here,” Mary Rose gasped. “Not while my home is just across the way.”

“We couldn’t impose,” Penny replied.

“Nonsense. Right now it’s just me rattling around in it.” She turned and leveled a pointed look in Trace’s direction. “Alone. It would be a pleasure to have someone I could talk to.”

He glared back at her as Rand covered his laughter with a cough.

“Captain, would it be agreeable to you?” Penny asked, looking at her husband.

“Anything for my wife,” he replied, handing the clerk back his key. “Would you get someone to bring our bags down?”

“Of course, sir.”

“He’s just too good to me,” Penny replied, as the clerk turned and spoke to the young man at the corner of the front desk.

The women moved away toward the edge of the covered porch.

“Go on with the ladies, Captain. The marshal and I will wait for your bags and bring them over.”

“If you’re sure,” he said.

“No problem.” Rand smiled.

Trace let his hands rest on his gun belt as he watched the captain follow Mary Rose and her friend. An uneasy feeling crossed his shoulders and settled into the pit of his gut, and his brow wrinkled in thought. There was something about that man he just didn’t trust.

“You might as well tell me.”

He turned and looked at Rand, who had taken one of the bags set before them and held out a second bag for Trace to take.

As they headed out the door and across the street, Rand continued, “Glad to see you still have some hide left.” He chuckled. “Now, what was the problem?”

“The bank is holding her money until the investigation is done.”

“Maybe, with Penny here, she’ll have something else to focus on.”

“What do you know about this officer?” Trace asked.

“Captain Augustus Wallace fought hard in the war and then found himself sent out here. I dare say he fancied himself among those dandies in Washington. Why?”

“Just a feeling.”

“Sounds like more than a feeling,” Rand remarked. “What are you going on?”

“For Moe to get that room, he had to produce someone to vouch for him.”

Rand paused to stare. “Was it Captain Wallace?”

“One and the same.” Trace turned his gaze to the figures across the way. “I’ve got a telegram to send before I come by. Keep things close to the vest until I get an answer.”

“Will do. I guess, with the company, you’ll be back in the upstairs over my place.”

“Not for long,” he replied. “I’m surprised that a woman in Mrs. Wallace’s condition would travel.”

“Perhaps, but Texas women are a bit on the stubborn side. She must have felt a strong urge.”

Trace gave him a sidelong glance.

“By all rights, she should be back at the fort, preparing for her lying in. Instead, she’s here, because she felt that a friend was in need. Sort of says a lot.”

****

“It hasn’t changed a bit,” sighed Penny, as she stepped into the house.

“You haven’t been gone that long.” Mary Rose laughed.

Penny moved to the center of the parlor, slid the ribbons of her bonnet from under her chin, and whisked the hat from her head. “We spent many an evening here,” she sighed, sitting on the sofa.

Mary Rose moved to the chair. Her mouth twisted in a sad smile. “Planning your wedding and arguing with Daniel.”

Penny smoothed her hand over her skirt. “He enjoyed every minute of it.”

“I’m sure he did,” Mary Rose agreed.

The captain’s step sounded on the porch, drawing both women’s attention as he appeared in the doorway behind them. Mary Rose glanced down and then stared at his tall black boots as her blood chilled.

“Mary Rose?” Penny’s worried voice shook her from her memories.

She gave a trembling smile. “Won’t you come in, Captain?”

“Thank you.” Standing behind his wife, he pulled his white gloves from his hands. “I didn’t realize it was just you and your brother.”