Jake, Devils on Horseback, Book 2 (5 page)

Jake laid his hand over hers. “We’ll help you, Lucy. I promise.” He looked at his friends and they all nodded. “Let me write down what you need and we’ll figure out when we can get down there.”

A sigh whooshed out of her and a tremulous smile graced her lips. “I would be most appreciative.”

With a wide grin, Jake chuckled. “No thanks are necessary, but a shot of whiskey might be just the thing.”

As Lucy talked, Jake wondered at her comment regarding Sam Rinaldi. Did Lucy know him personally? If so, Jake could understand some of the coldness coming from Mrs. Rinaldi. Any woman whose husband stepped out with a whore would be understandably disillusioned with the way her life turned out.

After Lucy left, the Devils counted themselves lucky none of them had gotten married or killed that day. Tanger was proving to be a tangled mess.

The following day, Gabby decided to visit her friend Allison. Her jittery nerves couldn’t be around her mother and nothing at the mill needed her attention. Yesterday afternoon through the restaurant window she’d seen Jake talking to Lucy, and her stupid imagination ran wild. Gabby was torn between wanting to find out more about Jake and keeping away from him. The crazy thing was, she didn’t know which idea intrigued her more.

Allison Delmont had been her best friend since they’d met on Gabby’s first day in town. Where Gabby was tall and dark, Allison was blonde and petite. Gabby always felt clumsy and out of place around her friend, but Allison never even commented on it.

Beloved daughter of Reverend Delmont, Allison lived in a small house next to the church. She’d grown up with four boisterous older brothers, all of whom had died in the war. Reverend Delmont had kept his faith, while Allison’s mother let herself pass away from grief two years earlier. After the women in town had been kidnapped, Allison had grown so frightened of everyone and everything, she didn’t even leave the house anymore.

Gabby didn’t mind visiting her friend at home, she just wished Allison would stop cowering like a frightened rabbit and live life again. The blonde had been the happiest, most vivacious girl in town. Now she was a shadow of her former self, existing within four walls and her mind. Gabby even did the shopping for the Delmonts since neither one of them went to the store.

Although she didn’t care to see Veronica again, Gabby gathered the Delmonts’ weekly supplies. Fortunately, the object of her discomfort wasn’t at the store, Matthew Marchison was. The sad-eyed man looked sixty instead of forty but he always brightened up when he saw Gabby. Too bad his wife was such a cold-hearted bitch.

After chatting with Mr. Marchison for a few minutes, Gabby took the supplies and headed for the church, keeping an eye out for Jake and his friends. She didn’t trust them or herself.

As she walked toward the small white house, Gabby called out to Allison. “Good day, Delmonts!”

It was her standard greeting, one which gave Allison and her father ample time to prepare themselves for visitors. Gabby had frightened them half to death a few months ago and vowed to never do that again. She knocked on the door, noticing the peeling paint and weeds sprouting up. The Delmonts had not done any outside chores since the problems with the raiders began, and their house suffered for it.

The door creaked open and one blue eye peeked out. “Gabby?”

“Let me in, silly. You couldn’t possibly think anyone else in Tanger would be dressed like this.”

Allison opened the door wide enough to let Gabby in then shut it so quickly, she almost knocked Gabby over. Grabbing hold of the table, Gabby hung onto her dignity by her fingertips.

“Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to— It’s just that—” Allison wrung her hands together as she frowned. The golden ringlets that used to fly freely around her head were now confined in a scarf.

“Don’t worry, I understand.” Gabby at least tried to understand, however, she was such a strong-willed person that cowering from life just wasn’t an option. “How is your father?”

Reverend Delmont wasn’t doing very well. The doctor visited the aging minister frequently, dosing him for pain. Gabby suspected it wasn’t all physical pain, but rather he’d given up on life, just as his wife had. It was hard not to follow the impulse to smack the man and tell him to look at what he was throwing away, or who. Allison needed her father and he either refused to see that or couldn’t break out of his own world far enough to see.

Either way, the Delmonts were in trouble and Gabby was determined to help them as much as she could. Even if her own father was crippled and lay in a perpetual state of nothingness, she could give this kind of help endlessly. As Gabby tidied up the kitchen and put away the supplies, Allison sat at the table and worked on some lace. The world around them was full of chaos and sadness, and she sat with fragile-looking lace. Gabby privately thought Allison used the lace as a means to reassure herself there was beauty in the world. She’d seen their friend taken, had witnessed the brutality of the raiders, and it left her in the state she was in—lost.

“There are some men in town, and before you panic, Phineas hired them.” Gabby made a face at the flour as she put it in the tin. “Gunslingers.”

“Really? Do they wear guns on their hips?” Allison’s petite face lit up like the sunrise.

Gabby frowned. “Yes, real guns, real gunslingers. They told me they were hired to ‘help’ the town but I don’t believe that for a minute. Carpenters don’t wear six shooters. Phineas is probably planning on paying them what’s left of the town’s funds with no guarantee whatever they plan on doing will get rid of the raiders. What we really need are lawmen.”

Allison rose and hesitantly approached the window. “You spoke to them? Are they here to protect us?” Her lethargy had been replaced by curiosity and what Gabby thought was excitement.

How interesting.

“What are their names?”

Gabby raised one brow at her friend. “Allison Delmont. Are you interested in a man?”

The blonde blushed bright red to the roots of her hair. “No, I just wanted to— You see, I-I—”

With a laugh, Gabby saved her friend from her stammering mess. “I’m teasing you. There are four of them, Gideon, Zeke, Lee and Jake. They’re all big men with dangerous, big guns.”

“Where are they from?” Allison continued to peer out the window, looking this way and that, her expression almost predatory.

“I’m not sure, but I think Alabama or Georgia, possibly Mississippi. Ex-Confederate soldiers.” She remembered the gray pants worn by more than one of them, the haunted looks in the backs of their eyes that marked every veteran she’d met. The broken men who had passed through town had only stayed a day or two, unwilling to risk their lives for a stranger.

“Southern gentlemen? And they agreed to help Tanger?” The need for a positive answer blazed like blue fire in her eyes. Gabby realized Allison needed a hero.

Gabby snorted. “For a hefty price, I’m sure.”

“Can I meet them?”

Shock rippled through Gabby. It was the first time in months Allison had even hinted at going outside, and she wanted to meet the gunslingers. Certainly not the best choice, in Gabby’s opinion, but she was thrilled to see Allison excited about something.

Although Gabby wanted to say no, she couldn’t. “Yes, we can meet them. Help me get these supplies put away and we’ll go find them.”

Allison pulled off the scarf and touched her golden locks. “Do I need to brush my hair?”

Gabby had a feeling she’d regret giving in to Allison’s request.

It took her friend a mere ten minutes to get ready. She came back to the kitchen with a sparkle in her eyes that Gabby thought she’d seen the last of. As Allison tied on her bonnet, she peppered Gabby with questions about the strangers. Funny thing, the blonde didn’t appear to be afraid of them, yet she’d jump at her own shadow. That worried Gabby more than she cared to admit.

They set off arm in arm toward Cindy’s restaurant. She’d been a friend to both of them, and Gabby missed her almost as much as Elmer did. The men might be at the restaurant, although Gabby secretly hoped they wouldn’t find them. She had no desire to scare Allison again, nor have the four of them swoon at the beauty’s feet. It had been known to happen.

Margaret Summers stopped her sweeping to stare at them as they passed. Gabby waved as the tinkle of Allison’s laugh rang out. A widow, Margaret had much to be sad about, but even she wasn’t immune to Allison’s brightness, which had been hidden for so long.

“Hello, Gabby. It’s good to see you out, Allison.” Margaret almost managed a smile.

“Hello, Margaret.” Gabby tipped her hat, aware how odd she and Allison looked walking together, since one dressed as a man and the other a young girl.

As they headed toward Cindy’s, unease crept over Gabby. They were out in the open, with no protection except each other. Allison’s grip tightened on Gabby’s arm. In an instant, the playfulness from five minutes earlier disappeared.

“Maybe we should come back out later.” Allison’s voice was tense enough to crack ice.

“Miss Rinaldi.” Jake’s sweet greeting made Gabby’s breath come out in a rush. Was it relief or something else?

Both women turned to face him. Gabby was glad to see his friends standing a polite distance away, poised to enter Cindy’s. They all nodded to her. Even if they didn’t like her, they still used their manners. Jake on the other hand smiled so widely, Gabby thought she might get lost in the dazzle of it. Her heart beat a slow, lazy rhythm, pushing blood around and making her a bit lightheaded. Dang it, that was
not
supposed to happen.

“Good afternoon to you and your friend.” He took off his hat. “My name is Jake Sheridan, miss. I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Mr. Sheridan, this is my friend, Allison Delmont. She’s the minister’s daughter here in town.”

Allison looked at the ground beneath her feet, trembling ever so slightly against Gabby. She murmured something to Jake but didn’t look up. Gabby wondered if meeting these four large men would end in disaster as predicted. What she didn’t expect was the scary blond man to come to Allison’s rescue.

“Ma’am, my name is Zeke Blackwood.” He spoke in a soft tone, as if gentling a wild creature. “My friends and I aren’t going to hurt you. We’re here to help you and everyone in Tanger.”

Allison finally raised her head and looked into the man’s face. Where Gabby saw a cold, calculating man, her friend must have seen something very different because Allison offered him a small smile. Gabby’s mouth dropped open in honest surprise.

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Blackwood.” Allison performed a small curtsey. “My name is Allison Delmont.”

“Miss Delmont.” Zeke didn’t exactly smile but his face had softened a bit. “My friends and I are about to subject ourselves to Elmer’s worst dinner fare. Would you care to join us?”

Allison glanced behind Zeke at the other two men. The curly-haired one watched with avid interest while the one-armed man scowled so hard his blond brows formed a big V.

“Are you sure we’re not imposing?” she asked.

“Not in the least.” It was Jake who answered. “We would be tickled pink to have both you lovely ladies join us. It’s been quite some time since we dined with proper company.”

“Yeah, because you sure as hell aren’t proper,” the one-armed one sniped. Gabby remembered his name was Lee.

“Watch your language, Lee,” their leader scolded. What was his name again? Oh yes, Gideon. “These are gently reared ladies who deserve more respect than that.” He tipped his hat at them. “Excuse my friend, ma’am. He’s been in the company of men for too long. I’m Gideon Blackwood and this is my unruly cousin, Lee.”

Allison inclined her head regally. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.” She looked at Zeke again and Gabby swore she saw stars in her friend’s blue eyes. Was that good or bad?

“We’d be happy to join you.” Allison held out her arm and Zeke took it as if they were at a fancy dance.

Jake’s eyebrows shot up and he glanced at Gabby. She shrugged. He grinned and bowed low and long like he was at the queen’s court.

“My lady Rinaldi, please do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the fine dining establishment forthwith.” He fell to one knee, holding his hand up to her.

Gabby held a smile back through sheer force. As it was, her lips began hurting from keeping them in place. Jake fell to both knees and clasped his hands together like a supplicant.

“Please, Miss Rinaldi. I will surely perish if you don’t say yes.” His blue eyes danced with mirth.

“Get up before you make an even bigger fool of yourself.” Lee turned and stomped up the steps. “Idiot thinks he’s funny.”

Gideon rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know it was time for a show.” He chuckled and followed his cousin.

Zeke and Allison didn’t even appear to see Jake, they walked to the restaurant talking quietly.

Then Gabby was alone with Jake. Silly, charming Jake who would be dangerous in more ways than one to her. The memory of Jake smiling at Lucy raced through her mind. He might have already visited the saloon and Lucy’s bed, and now he was using his considerable wiles on Gabby. The very thought made her not just annoyed but upset, whether or not it was her business.

“You can get up now.” She helped him to his feet, hiding her reaction at the feel of his large, calloused hand around hers. Since her experiences were limited to the soft-handed Christopher and the clammy-handed Alvin, the urge to find out how Jake’s rough hands felt on other parts of skin ran through her.

Just the thought of it made perspiration pop out all over her body and warmth blossomed low in her belly. Heat seemed to be something created easily between her and Jake.

“Miss Rinaldi?” Jake cupped her elbow. “Are you all right?”

Gabby opened her mouth to respond, then shut it. God knows she shouldn’t say a word to him right now or risk sounding like the fool she was.

“I’m fine. Let’s go inside.” She stepped away from his touch, and a shudder wormed its way through her at the loss of contact.

* * * * *

Jake found himself fascinated by Gabrielle Rinaldi.
Gabby
. The way the sun danced across her light olive skin as she sat next to the window, the way she gave Elmer an effusive hug when they came in. She ate with gusto, not like a Southern “lady” who picked at her food. Gabby was all woman, full of life. Jake was drawn to her like a flower to the sun, thirsting for the brightness she gave off.