Charlene Sands (11 page)

“Hell, Emmy. Put that down. You trying to kill me?”

“I ought to!” She glared at him before lowering the weapon.

Bodine walked carefully to her side to take the rifle from her hands. “Others have tried and failed. So, what’s eating you?”

“You took off and never came back, Bodine.”

“I told you I wouldn’t go far.”

“You were gone a long while.”

“Did you miss me?” Now that he held the shotgun in his own hands, he could afford the taunt.

“Hardly,” she said, her delicate chin held high. “But I thought I heard noises and I didn’t know where you were. I was about to come look for you.”

Bodine realized she’d worried on his behalf. The thought that she cared for him didn’t sit well. “Don’t ever leave the campsite. And don’t draw a weapon unless you know how to shoot it.”

She grimaced. “I’m getting tired of your rules, Bodine.”

He set the shotgun next to the saddle blanket by the fire. “I don’t much care so long as you abide them.”

“Maybe I will and maybe I won’t.”

Bodine chuckled with wry humor. “Now that’s real grown-up of you, Emmy.”

She turned her back on him and stared at the fire, hugging herself. “What were you doing out there, anyway?”

Bodine came to stand beside her by the fire, letting the warmth seep into his bones. “Thinking is all.”

“About Metcalf?”

“Yep. About Metcalf and…”

“And?” She tilted her face to him, firelight catching in her eyes.

He steeled himself to the tone in her voice and the sparkle in those large brown orbs. He tore his gaze away and bore down on the flames. “And…nothing.”

“I wish you’d be honest with me,” she said, soft and earnest. The genuine plea stirred raw emotion.

“I was honest with you last night. And look what that got you.”

Emmy nodded and closed her eyes tight. When she opened them, he felt their heat on him. “Don’t try to protect me. I’m stronger than you think.”

I am protecting you. In more ways than I ever expected.

But he supposed she deserved his honesty. “Okay, but you may not like what you hear.”

She took a deep breath. “I’m listening.”

Bodine winced and rubbed the back of his neck. He took his time, careful with his words. “Truth is, I needed time away from you. We both…need time away from each other.”

“Why?” She appeared shocked. It wasn’t his intent. Hell, he’d never been good at this.

“Because your voice affects me. It’s not just your singing, but…it’s the
way
you sing, as if you’re pouring out your heart and soul.”

“And you don’t like it?” she asked cautiously, as if bracing for his reply.

Bodine let go a pained sigh. “Emmy.”

She was silent for a few seconds and, when she finally spoke, she lowered her tone to a mere whisper. “You’re afraid to feel, Bodine. I make you nervous because my songs touch you.”

“It’s not my nerves I’m worried about.” He tensed his jaw. “I walked away from you tonight, because I
had
to.”

Emmy studied his face and her scrutiny unsettled him. She had far too much perception for such a young woman. “Yes, I know. You’re spoken for.”

“So are you.”

She stepped back and shook her head. “I’m not going to marry out of obligation.”

Her declaration had double meaning, and Bodine wasn’t too thick not to notice.

“None of this really matters,” she said, “because tomorrow we’ll be in Bridgeton and then we’ll say farewell.”

Bodine didn’t comment. He added a few more branches and sticks to the fire then laid the blanket just the way he always had.

Emmy was far too determined to go back home now. Not until she’d had her adventure. She sought to find her father, but she also wanted something else. She felt her mother had been cheated from her dream, from a life that would have fulfilled her and Emmy was dead set not to let that happen to her. Maybe learning the truth about her father had only been an excuse for her to run away from the steady sedate life of a rich heiress.

Bodine could think of worse things for a lady.

But Emmy had determination in her eyes and, more importantly, now he knew she had that same resolve in her heart. That didn’t make his job any easier, to be damn sure. Not when she also had a stubborn streak that rivaled his own.

He stood beside the blanket. “Time to bed down.”

Emmy didn’t argue. She lay down and Bodine took his place beside her, setting his shotgun between them.

After a few minutes, Emmy whispered. “Bodine, I do have one favor to ask.”

He braced himself, his body already reeling from lying beside her and not touching her. If she wanted him, he wouldn’t deny her.

“Ask me, Emmy.”

“Tomorrow, teach me how to shoot.”

There were moments when Emma thought she loved Bodine. And then there were days like today. He could be so dang bullheaded at times. They rose from camp just as dawn broke, and Emma worked alongside of him, making the morning meal. They were ahead of schedule in her estimation and only a few hours outside of Bridgeton, yet he had refused to teach her anything about guns and how to shoot them.

He couldn’t name a real reason other than he wanted to get to Bridgeton before noontime. Would another hour make such a difference? She had argued her point to no avail.

Bodine simply flat out refused her request.

And that had put her in a sour mood during the morning ride into town.

When they reached Bridgeton though, her disposition changed instantly. Finally, they’d come to a town the size of Fresno. She thrilled as they passed the millinery displaying hats in every size and color, a dressmaker shop with gowns of rich velvets and soft fur collars, and a mercantile ten times the size of Fender’s Dry Goods.

Bodine reined in Lola at the first hotel they’d come across at the end of the main street. “This’ll do.”

Emma gazed up at the sign printed in big, bold dark letters. The Bridgeton Hotel would certainly do. Emma could tell from the exterior that the hotel would be more than adequate on the inside. Parted crimson curtains in windows on each side of the front door displayed stained-glass lamps resting upon beautiful carved round tables covered with lace.

“Yes, it’ll do,” she said, as Bodine helped her down from Lola. She glanced farther down the street. “And where will you be staying?”

His lips curled up in a mocking smile, then he replied. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Well, I guess we might as well say goodbye now.” A little part of her heart broke thinking of never seeing Bodine again. Knowing him had convinced her that she’d been right in running away from a marriage to a man who didn’t make her tremble and swoon from his touch. Yet, she protected herself from further hurt, hardening her heart the best she could. “If you’d be good enough now to turn over the rest of my money.” She put out her hand.

Bodine winced and came close enough to nearly stepping on her toes. “You’ve got a lot to learn, Emmy. You don’t go passing cash around on the street in front of every sort of stranger. That’s just plain asking for trouble.”

Emma glanced around and noted the people on the street, not a one of them looked dishonest. From way down the other side of the street, the livery attendant was speaking loud and friendly enough to a customer for Emma to hear. Laughter filled the air as patrons exited the diner, and the merchant at the mercantile smiled at her as he swept his front porch. But she trusted Bodine’s instincts. He’d gotten her this far without injury. “Fine. Shall we go inside?”

“You go on inside. Get yourself a room then meet me at the diner in thirty minutes. I’m hungry enough to devour a bear. I’ll bring the money up to your room after we have a meal.” He untied her belongings from the saddle and handed her the package.

For a fleeting second, Emma wondered if Bodine meant to steal her cash. Would he take off once her back was turned? But then she realized if he’d wanted to do that, he’d had more than a dozen opportunities this past week.

Bodine recognized her hesitation and a frown pulled at his lips. “What, you don’t trust me?”

The accusation in his deep gray eyes unsettled her. “Of course…I do.”

He furrowed his eyebrows and pierced her with a firm look. “I’ll be there. Half an hour, Emmy.”

“Half an hour,” she repeated. “At the diner.”

Bodine nodded with authority and mounted Lola. She watched as he rode to the livery. Relieved, she entered the hotel, admitting to herself that she looked forward to a measure of comfort and good food.

As she strode into the small, tastefully decorated lobby a large oak grandfather clock rang the noon hour. She swept across a colorful Chinese rug and registered. After receiving her key, she carried her meager belongings up the stairs and entered her room.

Setting her parcel on a marble-topped dresser, she plopped on the bed. The feather mattress cushioned her body with softness and warmth. She ran her hands over the coverlet made of silk and glanced around the cheery room, suddenly wishing it was time for bed.

She rose to peer out the window. As she parted the thick curtains, she noted three saloons along the street and finally felt she was heading in the right direction. Saloons were not only a place to gamble and imbibe, but they were a means to apply her craft and seek the answers to her questions about an outlaw who happened to be her father.

But then she noticed a familiar form coming out of the telegraph office to proceed farther down the street in the opposite direction of the diner.

Bodine.

Emma sank back down on the bed, her feelings in a jumble. Most likely, he’d sent a wire to Rachel, letting her know his intentions. And if not that, then he was sending out inquires about Rusty Metcalf.

Either way, his plans did not include her.

Emmy didn’t know why that thought burdened her so much, but she felt hollow inside, as if she’d lost something precious.

E
mma was first to arrive at the diner. She’d left the hotel more than half past the hour, according to the clock in the lobby. She was late and Bodine wouldn’t be happy. But as she sat at a table in the crowded eatery and checked the room, Bodine was nowhere in sight.

She’d taken a little nap, the soft bed and lovely surroundings in her room too tempting for a woman who’d been chased, saved from a band of Indians, trapped in a snowstorm and romanced by a bounty hunter with just one name. Luckily, she’d woken up with a start and had left for the diner directly.

Mingling scents of onions and herbs and apple pies baking stirred Emma’s growing hunger. Her stomach grumbled. She gazed at the hand-printed menu on the wall and decided on Irish potatoes, fried chicken and warmed apple pie, the entire meal mouthwatering. If Bodine was so darn hungry, where was he? She’d been waiting now more than ten minutes, taking up space and getting hungrier by the second.

A man took the seat opposite her at the table. “I’m sorry,” she said, peering up, irritated by his gumption. “But I’m waiting—”

Emma stopped to stare at the man grinning before her.

Bodine?

“Amazing what a shave and haircut can do.”

Yes. That was his voice.

Emma continued to stare, clamping her mouth shut to keep it from dropping open in amazement. An hour ago, he had looked range weary and unkempt. If she thought him handsome before, with disheveled hair and a full beard, the clean-shaven Bodine with dark hair combed back and storm-cloud eyes gleaming, Emma couldn’t recall ever seeing a more appealing man.

Her heart pumped hard and her mind rattled with both caution and delight. “You…” she began, swallowing down. “You’re wearing new clothes.”

“Kind of you to notice,” he said, waving over an apron-clad waitress. “I’ll have steak with all the fixin’s and a tall glass of lemonade.”

Emma looked over his fresh plaid shirt and tan suede vest with concealed admiration.

“And you, miss?” The harried woman tapped her foot, impatient for Emma’s order.

Recovering from her surprise, she managed to give her order and return to look at Bodine. “You’re late.”

“Had things to do. I’d say I made darn good time.”

“You kept me waiting,” she said, still flustered by his appearance.

“Afraid I’d pilfer your cash, Emmy? I told you I’d be here.”

“Well then, what took you so long?”

By habit, Bodine ran his hand down his jaw, though the beard was gone. “Couldn’t quite get myself out of the tub. Felt too damn good.”

“You kept me waiting while you bathed?” she asked, lowering her voice to a hushed whisper.

“The opportunity presented itself, Emmy. Shave and haircut and a bath.”

“And you managed to get new clothes, too?” It seemed impossible to believe. But she knew her annoyance had more to do with his transformation than anything else. She would be forever thinking of him and the way he made her feel deep inside.

“Managed it, sure enough. Doesn’t take a man any longer to purchase a shirt than a bluebird to swoop down on a worm.”

Emma twisted her mouth. “How poetic, Bodine.”

“Emmy, what’s got you so riled anyway? Can’t be because I was late. You got here late yourself.”

Emma gasped. “You couldn’t possibly know that!”

Bodine sat back and cast her a satisfied look. “I do now.”

“Oh!”

“Troubled I spent your money?”

“No…I, uh. I never gave that a thought.” Then her mind spun in only that one direction. “Did you?”

“No. You stole that money fair and square.” He winked and, before she could find a viable retort to his taunt, the food arrived. They were both too hungry to continue arguing, so they ceased talking and plowed into their meals.

After filling her belly, Emma rose from the table. She thought herself a foolish ninny for pining over a man because he was pleasing to the eye. Why, Grant Harper was just as handsome as Bodine, she reasoned.

But he wasn’t quite as strong and capable. He wasn’t a man willing to fight off ruffians, Indians and a bear if need be for her protection.

She sighed and admonished her wayward thoughts. Grant was a good friend and maybe he’d have done some of those things to protect her. She should give him his due credit. “I think it’s time I returned to my room.”

Bodine stood up and placed a bill on the table as payment for the meal. Then he guided her outside, his hand on her lower back as they walked along the sidewalk. Emma realized this was the first civilized meal they’d shared together without fear of storms or bears or Hurley’s men attacking them.

For a few minutes, she relished the calming walk, the silence between the two of them, as if they’d been a true couple returning to their hotel room after a nice afternoon meal. She could pretend that the handsome man beside her wasn’t a ruthless hunter pledged to another woman.

Two young women on the street gave Bodine more than a passing glance, giggling and staring as he stopped to let them pass, and their tranquil time together was ruined.

Emma clenched her jaw and sped up her pace, entering the hotel with brisk steps. Bodine followed her up the stairs and waited patiently behind as she opened the door.

She supposed she had to let him inside, though it would be easier and less painful to say their goodbyes here and now. But Bodine had insisted on not passing cash between them while out in public. “Come in,” she offered none too graciously.

He followed her inside and tossed his hat immediately. It landed on the pretty quilt and he took a seat beside the hat on her bed. Leaning against the headboard, he sprawled out and glanced lazily around, his gaze taking everything in. Bodine never missed a thing. “Nice room, Emmy.”

“Yes, it is.” She stood above him, hand out. “Now, may I have the cash?”

“What’s your rush?”

“I have purchases to make. I need that money!”

“How long you planning on staying here?” he asked.

“As long as it takes. Maybe a few days. Maybe a week. The money, Bodine?” She stretched her hand out further, her patience evaporating.

He stared into her eyes then, not lazily, but with a steady look. He rose from the bed and, standing before her, dug into the pocket of his vest. She glanced at the wad of folded bills.

Bodine took her hand and placed the money on her outstretched palm, then closed her fingers over. “Two hundred dollars. It’s all there.”

“Two hundred? But I spent some,” she said, slightly perplexed. “On dresses and essentials.”

“You saved my life with your dress,” he said quietly, still cupping her hand. “Least I could do was replace it.”

Emma blinked. “I can’t let you. It’s hardly…appropriate.”

Amusement lit in his eyes. “Emmy, nothing we’ve done this past week has been
appropriate.
”

Heat rose and her cheeks immediately flamed. “Oh!” She hesitated then realized sadly this would be her last time with Bodine. “I guess you’re right.”

He smiled.

“Will you tell me one thing?” she asked.

“Hmm?”

“What’s your full name?”

He studied her face a long while, then finally released her hand. “Just Bodine, Emmy.”

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Just Bodine.”

When she reopened them, he was standing by the door, his hand on the knob. “Good luck in your search.”

Her heart plummeted. She feared she’d never be the same after knowing this man. It was best to let him go so they both could get on with their pursuits, yet she felt hollow and certain loss thinking she’d never see him again. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but those words were better off unspoken. Her chin high, her voice even, she said with sincerity, “And good luck in your search, Bodine. Be safe.”

He hesitated just a second, scouring over her face before nodding. “Always.”

Then he exited, closing the door behind him.

Bodine entered the jailhouse down the street from the Bridgeton Hotel and found the sheriff napping, with his feet propped on his small cluttered desk.

He slammed the door shut, startling the unsuspecting lawman.

The sheriff bolted upright, reaching for his gun, then peered at him with hard eyes. “Damn it, Bodine.”

“Sleeping on the job, Sheriff Murray?”

“Hell, I’ve been up half the night. Little Rosie had a crying fit and my wife couldn’t quiet her. What are you doing in my town?”

“Tracking Rusty Metcalf and his gang.”

“Yeah, I heard about him shooting down your brother. Sorry to hear it. There’s a high price on his head, but he hasn’t shown his face around here.”

Bodine took a look at the Wanted posters, seven in all, nailed on the wall behind the sheriff’s desk. Metcalf’s ugly face was one of them, with a two-thousand-dollar price on his head. “Nothing on him at all?”

“Nope, but he’s got a sister who lives north of here. Claims she hasn’t seen him in years. She lives outside of Tucker Hill.”

Bodine already knew about Theresa Metcalf. Soon as he worked his way northwest he planned on having a little visit with her. “Ever hear of a man named Jake Trundy?”

The sheriff shuffled through posters on his desk. “Seems to me the name’s vague in my memory. Don’t think I have a poster on him. What’s he wanted for?”

“Maybe nothing. He did time in prison for thieving a while back then he disappeared. Might not be alive at all.”

“So what’s your interest in him?”

Bodine shrugged. “Just checking out something for a friend.”

“Well, can’t say as I’d recognize him if he stared me in the face so I can’t help you there.”

“Good enough. Oh, and you might just as well know, a gal named Miss Emma Marie might come in here asking the same questions about Trundy. I wouldn’t give her any false hope, Kipp.”

“Your lady
friend?
” Sheriff Kipp Murray’s knowing smile rankled.

“Not that kind of friend.” Bodine set him straight immediately. “She’s bound for trouble. Don’t add to it.”

The sheriff shrugged. “I can’t tell her what I don’t know.”

Bodine nodded. “That’s all I ask.”

“So, you’re determined to bring Metcalf in?”

“Bring him in?” Bodine snorted. “There’s no doubt I’ll get him. Whether he’s breathing when I bring him in is something I won’t ponder overly long.”

“He’ll meet with justice, one way or another.”

Bodine set his jaw. “As long as I’m the one doling out that justice. He needs to pay for Josh. And all the other lives he’s taken.”

Kipp Murray stood and turned to stare at Metcalf’s Wanted poster. “He’s cagey, Bodine. Watch your back.”

Bodine rubbed his sore shoulder right where the outlaw’s bullet had pierced. “He won’t catch me off guard again.”

Bodine shook the sheriff’s hand and left the jailhouse.

Ten minutes later Bodine faced the desk clerk at the Bridgeton Hotel. “I want the room directly next to Miss Emma Marie. She registered earlier this afternoon.”

“Let me see,” the desk clerk said, leafing through his register posts. “No, I’m sorry. That room is already reserved for another party. They wired ahead. Coming in on the stage later today.”

“Change their room,” Bodine demanded.

The thin light-haired man shook his head. “No, sir. I can’t do that. They requested that room. It’s the nicest one in the hotel. Has a big window, facing the street.”

“That room is taken.” Bodine laid a five spot on the counter.

The clerk peered down at the cash.

Impatient, Bodine doubled the enticement, setting another bill on top of the first one. He shoved it his way. “You’ll find them another room easy enough.”

The clerk slid the money from the counter into his pocket and nodded. “I’m sure I can find them adequate accommodations.” He reached for a key from the pegs behind him and slapped it down. “Here you go. Room Six, to the left of lady’s.”

Bodine grabbed the key. “Appreciate it.”

“Just sign the register, please.”

Once done, Bodine climbed the stairs and entered the luxurious room, noting the full-size window facing the street. His only interest was in keeping Emmy safe. From this vantage point, he’d hear her comings and goings and be able to see her on the street.

And, as he listened closely, he heard her shuffling around inside her room. He spread out on the big four-poster bed, set his hat over his face and closed his eyes. Instantly, an image of Emmy appeared as he’d left her this afternoon.

She stood proud, her delicate chin held high in a stance of courage and independence, but she wore her heart in her expressive eyes. They told a different story, of regret and desire and fury. He understood the tale she told all too well.

Bodine had ached to reach for her then and give her a lasting kiss of reassurance. But fortunately, good sense had taken hold. It wouldn’t do to encourage feelings that couldn’t be realized. Emmy had enough to deal with and so did he.