Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek) Read online

The Paint, the same horse she'd taken a shine to when Jake had come to drag her to his house, raised its head at her entrance. With hopelessness brimming, Laura stepped to the stall.

  "You don't think I'm a 'worthless excuse for a human being', do you?" she asked, choking on the final words as the events of the last few days took their toll. Her father's machinations, Jake's anger and worse, his avoidance. Her loneliness.

  Solemn eyes regarded her as she reached forward, stroked its warm neck. Whether the gelding liked her or not, he tolerated her presence and attention. Which was more than she could say for her husband and the fine folks of Bandit Creek. Digging into her pocket she then withdrew the few dollars and coins she'd collected. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough. Her hands fisted around the money as reality did the same around her heart. She was in trouble. Big trouble.

  Behind her the stable door opened. Laura cringed, drew up her shoulders and tried to make herself as small as possible. Please don't let it be Jake. Footsteps came her way, slowed. She angled herself away, drew her collar up to cover her lower face.

  "Laura? Is that you?"

  Laura recognized the deep baritone. Her chin dropped to her chest. It was Jake's grandfather, Zachariah Evans. It looked as though Jake was going to find out she'd been in town after all. With nowhere to hide, Laura turned, braced for the worst.

  Blue eyes looked at her from beneath white, wooly brows. "I thought I saw you coming from the boardinghouse."

  "Hello, Mr. Evans."

  "We're family now, Laura," his narrow lips curved. "Best call me Zachariah."

  Her jaw fell open. "You're not angry I married Jake?"

  "My dear, I've seen folks get married for all sorts of reasons in my day, so it's not the circumstances that interest me. What does concern me, however, is whether or not you can make my grandson happy." His blue eyes were gentle as they held hers. "If anyone can, Laura, I believe it's you."

  She clicked her teeth together, looked a little closer. He wasn't lying. He genuinely believed she'd make Jake happy. While that truth sang in her heart, singing just as loudly was the fact that Zachariah considered her part of the family. A real family. Even before her mother had passed away Laura had never known what a real family entailed. Not with the kind of man her father was. But Zachariah Evans, respected business owner in Bandit Creek, wasn't horrified his grandson had married well below his station. He didn't want anything from her and he liked her.

  Her hand slid over her heart where his words curled warmly like a sleeping cat in the sunshine. There was one person in Bandit Creek who thought she had value, who didn't look upon her as though she were the very dirty water she'd tossed outside this morning. For a moment, she felt light enough to fly.

  Until she remembered her father's visit. She had less than two days to come up with more than forty dollars. Short of stealing it, Laura had no idea how she'd manage. Happiness was quickly smothered by harsh reality. She'd never be any better than her father, no matter that it wasn't her choice. As if to say different, the paint nudged Laura with his nose.

  "Friend of yours?"

  "I'd like to think so." Laura shifted so as to be able to see both man and animal. "I don't know who he belongs to, but he seems happy to have my company." And because she was so very grateful for that, she raised her hand to stroke him. The money she'd had clasped inside her palm fell to the floor at her feet.

  "Oh, no!" Knowing she couldn't afford to lose any of it, Laura dropped to her knees. Fingers frantically searched the straw and dirt. She had to find it all. She simply had to. Ignoring the fact that she was getting dirty, Laura didn't stop until she had every last coin. Only once she ensured she had the right amount did she breathe. If she'd lost any…

  "Did you find everything?"

  Mortification burned Laura from her neck to her scalp. She'd been so worried about her money she'd forgotten Zachariah was there. And now he'd witnessed her scrounging through the dirt for a few dollars. Laura nodded, dropped her money into her pocket. She couldn't bring herself to look at the man.

  He took the choice from her when he curled a firm hand under her elbow and drew her to her feet. He said nothing as she brushed the dust and straw off her skirts, but Laura felt his stare. When her skirts were as clean as they were going to get, and she couldn't avoid him any longer, she met his gaze. The understanding softening his eyes threatened to shatter her control. She'd kept herself together before her father, and again when Angeline had swiped at her with her comments about how Laura may have trapped Jake into marriage but she wasn't able to keep him from Lorelei's Cat House. She'd kept her tears at bay when Zachariah had spoken of family. Yet seeing the pity in his eyes was too much. The dusty stable air choked her. The pressure in her chest and behind her eyes grew until it was a geyser ready to blow.

  "Thank you, Mr. Evans, but I need to get home." She forced her trembling lips to smile. "It was lovely to see you." Laura shoved open the door. With no reputation worth worrying about, she grabbed her skirts and ran.

  ***

  Without so much as a knock, his granddad strode into the office, startling Jake out of his work. Zachariah's brows formed one long, snowy line of consternation as he took his seat opposite his grandson's desk.

  "Jake, what are you doing here?"

  Jake looked down at the open ledgers. "I'm entering your expenses. Why? Is there something wrong?"

  "Yes, there's a great deal wrong. I just came from seeing your wife."

  The bottom fell out of Jake's stomach. They'd been married a few days with no incidents. He should have known it was only a matter of time until Laura showed her true colors. "What did she do now?"

  Zachariah scowled. "What makes you think she did anything wrong?"

  "Other than the fact that she and her father blackmailed me into marriage?"

  "Jake," his granddad sighed. "Do you plan on getting a divorce?"

  His answer was instant. "No."

  "Then, how long do you plan on living this way? You can't keep hiding out in town until the early hours of the morning. Don't even try to deny it," he added, pointing his finger. "I've not only seen for myself the lights in this office burning far later than usual, I've heard the scuttlebutt. If you aren't here you're at the Powder Horn. Everyone in Bandit Creek knows you don't want to go home to your wife."

  "Well, since those same folks know how we came to be married, they shouldn't be surprised."

  "They aren't. And neither am I. Though I must say, I'm disappointed in you."

  Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sully our name. If I'd only steered clear of Hugh that night…"

  "Jake, I'm not talking about Hugh, or how you came to be married, though it wasn't ideal. I mean how you're treating your wife."

  "How I'm treating her?" Jake leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest. From the window behind him he heard people strolling the boardwalk. "Laura no longer has to work and she lives in a beautiful home. I don't demand anything of her. Her life is easier now than it has ever been."

  "And she's miserable. If you spent more time at home, son, you'd know that."

  "What does she have to miserable about?"

  Zachariah rolled his pale blue eyes. "She's lonely, Jake. Do you know where I found Laura today? At the stables, spending time with a horse. She said he seemed to enjoy her company."

  Hearing that Laura was in town wasn't as upsetting as learning she'd come to spend time with a horse. He'd made it clear that he didn't want her walking to town and she'd defied him. He'd expected it. But he'd expected her to flounce about town, bragging about how she'd managed what no other woman had even come close to achieving, being his wife.

  He'd never expected her to quietly visit an animal that wasn't hers. Jake slouched in his chair. He'd ordered her to stay home, but then he'd avoided the place as much as possible. Though his house sparkled, he knew it couldn't take her long to keep it that way, not when he wasn't around to make more work for her. His granddad
was right. Laura was used to working and by so doing, was used to being around people. Jake hung his head. He'd completely isolated her.

  "Did she say anything else?" he asked.

  "No, but she did have a few dollars in her hands. Since I saw her coming from Angeline's Dress Emporium, I assume she was there to collect the last of her pay." Zachariah leaned forward. "She accidentally dropped her money, and she was frantic. She scoured the dirt for every last coin as though her very next meal depended on it. I realize this marriage wasn't planned and that you're none too happy about it, but Jake, you're both young. You have your whole lives ahead of you. Why spend the rest of it miserable?" His eyes probed Jake's. "Go home, Jake. Spend some time with your wife. Get to know her. Make her happy. You never know, it just may make you happy as well."

  ***

  Laura slammed the door. The sound reverberated off the log walls, reinforcing--again--how alone she was. But that was about to change. She'd made some decisions as she'd walked off the humiliating experience with Zachariah. Jake may feel trapped, but he wasn't the only one. And as soon as he arrived from work--no matter the time, as she was prepared to wait all night--Laura planned on telling Jake just how she felt.

  Unfortunately, she hadn't found a solution to the problem with her father, but she had until Friday to come up with something. In the meantime, she'd deal with Jake. Feeling stronger for her decision, she set out to make supper. Whether Jake deigned to come home or not, Laura was going to make a fine meal. Even if she was to eat it alone, she wasn't going to wallow any longer. From this moment forward, she was going to make sure that Laura Gibbs had some happiness in her life. Since nobody else was concerned enough to see to it, she was going to see to it herself.

  Donning her apron, Laura went down to the root cellar. Using the garment as a bowl, she filled it with carrots and potatoes--she didn't think she'd ever get used to having so much to choose from--and made her way to the kitchen. Movement out the window caught her attention. Horse and rider were charging toward the yard, churning a cloud of dust behind them. She recognized the man in the saddle and, despite her unwavering resolve to stand up for herself her heart began to gallop as fast as Jake's incoming horse. Judging by the speed of his arrival and the fact that it was the middle of the afternoon, she knew his grandfather must have told him she'd been in town.

  No doubt he'd come to reprimand her. Well, he was in for a surprise, wasn't he? Laura dumped the vegetables on the counter, wiped her hands. She watched Jake rein in his animal and tie it to the hitching rail. Apparently, he planned on leaving again once he spoke his piece. Laura took a deep breath and shot her chin upward. She wasn't the only one who was going to get a talking to.

  When Jake came in the door, Laura was sitting at the table. Though she planned on standing up for herself, she was going to do so in a calm, logical manner.

  His cheeks were red; his hair showed the impression of the hat he always removed before stepping into the house. He smelled of the wind. No matter that it wasn't a real marriage, Laura couldn't prevent her body's reaction to him: racing heart, damp palms, a clutch in her belly when his gaze connected with hers. It would be so much easier to be a wife in name only if every time she saw him she didn't wish he'd open his arms and welcome her within them.

  "I spoke to my granddad," he said, taking a chair at the table.

  "I figured you must have, to be home at this time of day." She ignored his grimace and carried on. "Jake, I can't stay confined here all day. I'm not used to being idle and there is only so much I can do around the house. Once summer is here, I'll have a garden to tend, but until then I refuse to be all but penned like one of your animals. Yes, I went to town, and no, I won't apologize for it. And," she said when he opened his mouth to argue, "I'd like you to start coming home for supper. We're married, and despite your feelings about that, I don't think it's asking too much for you to come home. If you want to…" her face felt engulfed in flames. "If you need to go out afterward," she said referring to the brothels, "I won't stand in your way."

  She inhaled deeply. There. She'd spoken her mind. It may have been past time she did, but her hands shook nonetheless. The trembling only intensified the longer Jake remained quiet. He regarded her carefully, his expression as solid as the mountains outside the window. His breathing filled the silent room. He was close enough to touch, but she would never dare. Instead, she dropped her hands to her lap.

  Jake's expression softened. His lips quirked; humor danced in his eyes. "Is that my lecture for the day?"

  "I'm hoping this will be your one and only."

  Laughter rumbled from his chest. "From what I've been told, where wives are concerned, there is no such thing as only one lecture. At any rate, I'm not angry you went to town. You're right; I isolated you and I'm sorry for that. From now on, you can do what you like."

  What she'd like is to be taken in his arms and to feel his lips on hers. Laura cleared her throat. "I'd like us to get along, Jake. We had an unconventional beginning, but I don't want to argue with you every day and I don't want you to avoid me. I'd like to think if you gave me a chance, we could, at the very least, become friends."

  His smile reached his eyes. Laura had never seen a more beautiful sight.

  "I'd like that, Laura. As I'd like to take you to supper tonight. How does a meal at the Golden Nugget restaurant sound?"

  "You want to go out for supper? With me?"

  "I'm sorry that surprises you. It's not a good reflection on me, but yes, I'd like to take you out. Can you be ready in an hour? I took the liberty of arranging a carriage to come for us."

  Could she be ready in an hour? She could be ready in ten minutes, sooner if she thought he'd change his mind. "Yes, an hour will be more than enough."

  "I look forward to it."

  Warmth spilled from her heart and filled her chest. It wasn't love, it wasn't even friendship, but it was a start.

  FOUR

  Nearly every table in the restaurant was filled. With his hand on the small of her back, Jake guided Laura toward the most private one, the one he'd made certain would be held for him before he'd headed for the house earlier. Eyes sharp as daggers dug into his spine as he and Laura weaved their way to the rear of the establishment. The whispers taunted him. Not because he heard his name amid them, but because he heard Laura's. Surely, if he heard them so did she.

  Yet she continued to walk through the restaurant, head held high, shoulders back. He couldn't help but admire her mettle. In fact, when he looked back upon it, he realized she'd never lacked for spirit. Other than the lone tear she had shed in his bed that first morning, he'd seen nothing but strength from her. She'd been stoic at their wedding. She'd stood up to him when he'd come to take her from Angeline's Dress Emporium, and today, heck if she hadn't surprised him with her little speech.

  His lips tugged as he thought about it. If he hadn't already decided--with a little help from his granddad--that he couldn't continue to live the way he'd been living, her lecture would have gone a long way toward swaying him. As it was, he was more than ready to come back home. He'd missed settling down after a long day and enjoying a coffee after supper before his fire. He certainly wouldn't miss falling asleep on the sofa in his office or spending too much time at the Powder Horn. Starting tonight, things would go back the way they were before he'd gotten married. Well, with the exception that he would no longer be alone.

  They came to the appointed table. Jake stepped behind Laura and held the chair for her. She hesitated a moment, as though she didn't know what to do, but then, with a hush that had taken over the dining room, she took her seat. Jake moved around to his chair and settled in.

  "Everyone's staring."

  "I can't help that, but I'm sorry if it bothers you."

  "I've had people talking about me my whole life, Jake. It was you I was concerned about."

  His first instinct was to say she should have thought of the gossip before she and her father trapped him into marriage; but he firml
y set such judgments aside. What was done was done. He was through looking back and was determined to move forward. Starting tonight.

  "It's not the first time I've been talked about, either." Which was the truth. Between his lack of interest in getting married and his inheritance, he'd given the folks of Bandit Creek more than enough to chew on over the years.

  Laura leaned forward and dropped her voice. He found himself inclining toward her. "I always figured their lives must be even more boring than mine if I was the best they could come up with to talk about."

  Laughter burst from his lips. Rather than shy away or look mortified by the extra attention he'd drawn to them, Laura chuckled right alongside him. It was, he realized, the first time he'd seen his wife smile, and it stole his breath. Tawny eyes sparkled behind lashes the same russet color as her hair. A small dimple appeared in her right cheek. Lights from the wall sconces cast a gentle shimmer over her skin. Not for the first time Jake caught himself wanting to touch that skin, to see if it was as smooth as it appeared. He'd been teased by her nearness that day he'd fetched her from town. It was nothing compared to what he felt now. Jake pulled at his tie. It wasn't normally this hot in the restaurant at this time of year.

  "Would you like the wine now?"

  Thank God, Jake thought as the server appeared with a chilled bottle. Maybe the coldness of the alcohol--kept that way by the abundance of icy mountain water--would bring down his suddenly feverish temperature.

  "Laura?"

  "Oh, yes, please."

  Charmed that she seemed so thrilled with his choice, Jake turned to the man. "Yes, Andrew. Wine would be perfect."

  After the wine was poured and they'd ordered their food, Jake took hold of his glass and held it across the white tablecloth.

  Laura hesitated only a moment then lifted her glass to his. No matter their less-than-auspicious beginning, they toasted to friendship. Jake watched her raise the glass to her mouth. Felt his belly tighten as her lips parted and she took a dainty sip.

  Her eyes widened in surprise. "It's very good."