Breathless(42)

“Yes, but I wanted to see if I could track Parnell first. With the ground being so rocky and churned up by all the horses and Lane’s men, I doubt we’ll find anything but you never know.”

“Then let’s see what we can find.”

While they rode, Kent realized he hadn’t asked Rhine how the hotel’s guests were holding up. It wasn’t every day city people had a personal encounter with murder. Had he not summoned the doctors to aid Buck, Ada Jakes and the widow might have been spared the grisly sight. Under normal circumstances he would’ve asked the women to stay back, but nothing about the incident qualified as such. He had no idea if Portia had ever witnessed something like that, but she seemed angrier with the taking of the men’s lives than repulsed. First Blanchard and now Buck and Farley. It was a lot of death for a person to handle but she hadn’t acted squeamish. Not that he’d expected her to. She was tough, that Portia. One of the many things that made her stand out and drew him in.

Arriving at the hotel, they turned their horses over to Cal. Kent asked him, “No trouble with the guests on the way back, Cal?”

The older man shook his head. “None. City folks leaving in the morning though.”

Rhine nodded in agreement. “I forgot to tell you that.”

Kent wasn’t surprised by their decision. Life in the West could be cruel and harsh. It wasn’t the game of pretend many of the dudes wanted it to be.

Leaving the stables, Rhine said, “The maids will bring you lunch and you can join us for dinner this evening. Matt, let’s get you to your room. Kent, I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks, Rhine.”

In his bedroom, a weary Kent stripped off his dirty clothes, set them in the hallway, and walked naked into the washroom to soak in the big claw-foot tub.

As Portia and her family mingled with the guests before dinner, she tried to convince herself she wasn’t anxious to see Kent. She knew he’d returned earlier and was using the guest room he’d been given before. Logically she shouldn’t need to know more than that, but being around him made her illogical and the parts of herself that were attuned to him missed his presence. Seated beside her was Ada Jakes, who seemed to have recovered from the day’s ordeal. She was telling Portia about a women’s convention being held in San Francisco and Portia realized it was the same gathering Eddy and her friends planned on attending. When she mentioned it to Ada, the woman asked, “Are you coming along, too?”

“Yes, and I’m very much looking forward to the speakers.”

“Frances Harper will be giving the main address.”

Portia was delighted. “I’ve always wanted to hear her speak.”

“Then you shall have the opportunity. She’ll be staying at my home. I’m having a dinner for her with a few select people the night before her talk. I’ll make sure you and Mrs. Fontaine are sent invitations so you can be introduced.”

Portia felt honored.

“In fact, why don’t you and your aunt plan on staying with me and Winston?”

Portia smelled a trap but offered a smooth counter. “We usually stay with Uncle Rhine’s brother, Andrew, and his wife when we visit the city.”

“I see. Well, I will speak with her about the matter and see if I can’t have you as my guests instead.”

Portia didn’t argue. As she discreetly glanced up to see if Kent had arrived, her eyes met Winston’s across the room. He was speaking with Rhine, Phillip, and Matt. He smiled her way.

“You two would make an outstanding couple, you know.”

Portia hadn’t realized Ada was watching her so closely. “Maybe if I were looking to marry, but I’m not.”

Ada patted her hand. “So you say, my dear. So you say.”

Portia enjoyed Ada’s company, but her attempts to play matchmaker were not endearing. Portia was glad when they were called to dinner a few moments later.

Everyone had just taken their seats when Kent walked into the dining room. “Sorry, I’m late. I fell asleep.”

Portia thought it was a sin for a man to be so handsome. He had a slow easy way about him but beneath the exterior he crackled with a power that was raw, vital, and dangerous to a woman determined to keep her heart guarded and buttons done up. Her nipples tightened as if agreeing.

Eddy said, “No apologies needed. You had a long morning. There’s an empty seat next to Portia.”

Portia hoped her aunt wasn’t playing matchmaker, too. She was beginning to feel like a pawn on a chessboard. Not that you don’t want him near. She ignored that and hoped she didn’t embarrass herself again by dropping her silverware. Winston was seated directly across from her. Regan was on his right and his mother on his left. As Kent made his way to the empty chair and sat down, irritation flashed across Ada’s face but was gone just as quickly. It was as if the plainspoken women somehow knew the heat of his nearness played havoc with her senses.

“I see you got back okay,” he said quietly.

“I did.”

“Sorry all the work you did on the roof went up in smoke.”

“So am I.”

Only then did he turn to the other guests. “Evening, everyone.”

They nodded.

Portia warmed with the knowledge that he’d spoken to her first. Regan gave her a knowing grin.