Wild Hearts (5 page)

Alethea spent the rest of the weekend wanting to see Zeke, but he was nowhere to be found. She kept peeking behind her at church, then hoped to see him in the dining room Sunday evening. But she did not.

On Monday after school, one of her students yelled that someone was coming up the slight rise toward the schoolhouse. A man. Her heart jumped in her chest, then returned to normal when Timmy said it was the mayor.

Was Zeke avoiding her? she wondered as she smoothed down the front of her skirt, then went to greet her visitor. Did he regret what had happened? Was he ashamed of her?

She supposed she should be feeling a little shame herself. To allow a man who wasn't her husband to touch her like that. But she couldn't summon the emotion. Being with him felt too right. In his arms, she was completely herself. There was nothing to hide. She loved him. The true question was how did he feel about her? There was no way for her to know if he'd acted as he had because he cared about her or because of the bet with his friends.

Something to think about later, she told herself as the mayor entered the schoolhouse and greeted her.

After they'd politely inquired about each other's health, he said, “Mrs. Harbaugh, we're all very pleased with your performance here in Titanville. Not only have you done an excellent job teaching our children, you've made a place for yourself in the community.”

The mayor, an older man with a graying mustache, smiled. “There are those who complain about your society, but I think it's for the best. A town isn't going to grow until the women take charge and civilize things. You've taken the first important step in that happening.”

Alethea glowed with pleasure. “Thank you, sir. I enjoy the people of Titanville and hope I can make my home here for many years to come.”

“That's what we want, as well.” He placed several drawings on her desk. “Your contract states that should you elect to stay after your first year of teaching, a house will be provided for you. The building will be yours to do with as you wish. Although the school year has several more weeks, we have decided to go ahead with building your house. Assuming you won't be leaving.”

Alethea stared at him. A house? They were asking her to stay and offering a house? She'd known about that part of her contract, but hadn't really considered what would happen after this year. At first she'd been so busy getting to know everyone, teaching and starting the society that there hadn't been time. Recently she'd been determined to make sure Zeke didn't run her off. Apparently he hadn't. Did this offer mean he'd conceded defeat?

“Of course I want to stay,” she said. “This is my home.”

“Excellent. Then I'll leave these plans with you. Look them over and decide on the one that suits you best. This one here is for a two-story structure divided into two residences. You could keep one for yourself and rent out the other. An additional source of income.”

“That's very generous of you.”

“You're important to us, Mrs. Harbaugh. We want you to be happy.”

After he'd left, Alethea studied the plans for the proposed houses. There were two one-story houses, then the two-story house with the rooms to be let. Last was a list of potential sites.

Still excited, she gathered her reticule and hurried to see her friend Daisy.

As she walked down the swept sidewalks of town, she passed several men. While they nodded politely, there was something odd about the way they looked at her. Almost with defeat and resignation. When she reached the mercantile, the blacksmith was coming out. He looked at her, then sighed heavily, before holding open the door for her.

Alethea thanked him, then walked into the large open store.

Daisy stood behind the counter, finishing with a customer. She waved when she saw Alethea.

“Have you heard?” her friend asked, nearly laughing as she spoke. “You've won! Word is spreading that you're staying and the society will continue. Husbands throughout Titanville have been bested and it's all because of you.”

“I'm not sure I would agree they were bested,” she said slowly, confused by the afternoon's events. “This is all so strange. The mayor came to see me to discuss my house, even though my contract states nothing will be decided until the end of the school year.”

Daisy touched her arm. “It's because you've won. Zeke Titan was unable to seduce you.”

Alethea thought about their afternoon together and the things he'd made her feel. “How does anyone know whether he seduced me or not?”

“He told them you were immune to his charms and that you would be staying in town. Instead, he would be the one to leave.”

“What?”

“Zeke's moving. It's too bad, really. I know you don't approve of him, but he's been good for the town.”

Daisy kept talking, but Alethea didn't hear the words. Zeke leaving Titanville? How could he? This was his home and he belonged here. Besides, Titanville was a better place with him in it.

She had a bad feeling she was the cause of his relocation. Guilt flared inside of her. She knew his actions were related to their afternoon together, but she wasn't sure how. Even if he were upset or angry, he wouldn't leave town. No, it was something else.

She glanced at the papers she held in her hand. The house. He had a part in that, as well, she thought. But why would he give her a house and then move away?

“He can't,” she said abruptly, interrupting her friend. “He can't leave.”

“He seems determined.”

“Then I will change his mind.”

She left the mercantile and made her way to the hotel. After climbing the stairs, she knocked determinedly on Zeke's door. He opened it.

She hadn't seen him in two days and in that time she'd nearly forgotten how much she enjoyed seeing him. His warm brown eyes flashed with pleasure. His mouth curved into a smile. She longed to step into his embrace and stay there, as if she was to be with him always.

“Mrs. Harbaugh,” he said. “An unexpected pleasure.”

“My name is Alethea,” she said firmly. “Aren't you going to invite me in?”

He glanced down the hallway. “I'm not sure that would be proper. It's my bedroom.”

She raised her chin. “I'm aware of where we are, Zeke. Please let me in.”

He stepped aside and she swept into the room. It was similar to hers, maybe a little larger with an east-facing window. The bed was made, the dresser top clean, but there was an open trunk by the wardrobe.

She turned to face him. “So it's true. You're leaving.”

The smile faded from his mouth. “I have business elsewhere.”

“You were just away for six months. How can you want to leave again?”

“I don't owe you an explanation.” He walked to the window and stared out. “Is there anything else?”

There were so many things, she thought sadly, aching inside. “Do you need to be away from me so desperately that you'll leave your home? You belong here, Zeke. The town needs you more than it needs me.” She swallowed, knowing that somehow this was her fault. “I'll go.”

“No.” He faced her again. “You have to stay. You're making changes, good changes. You love it here.”

“So do you.”

He shrugged. “I can live anywhere. I don't have any ties here.”

This was so very awful. “I know it's because of me, but I just can't reason what I did wrong. Is it because of…” She cleared her throat. “Is it because of how I let you touch me? Are you so shamed by the memory that you have to—”

He was at her side in a heartbeat, taking her into his arms and kissing her with a hungry desperation that stole her strength and her will.

“No,” he breathed, then drew back. “No. It's not you, Alethea. You're everything. Beautiful and intelligent, and being with you…” He released her. “I can't stay here and not continue to see you. I can't be around you without wanting things I can't have. My admiration for you only grows. Better that I remove myself from the situation.”

She gasped, daring to hope her feelings were to be returned. “If you feel that way, then stay.”

He shook his head. “No. They'll build you a house. Did they tell you? It will be strong and you'll be safe there.”

“You're building me the house,” she whispered. “This is all you.”

He ignored that. “When you're settled, I'll send a couple of professors your way. Men of learning. Men who don't have such sordid pasts. Men more like your first husband.”

“Zeke, no.”

He pulled a deck of cards out of his pocket and handed her the top card. The queen of hearts. “You deserve the best, but this is what I am. Cleaned up and sometimes dressed in expensive suits. But I'm still that poor child who never went to school and begged for food for his family. I'm accepted because I have money, but I've never been a proper gentleman. That's what you want, Alethea. A man born to it.”

And then she knew everything. He was leaving
because
he cared about her. It was the ultimate sacrifice and a very foolish one. But heartfelt and honorable.

She took a step closer, then reached for his hands. “I was fortunate in that I truly loved Wesley. He was a good man and, yes, educated and comfortable in society. I was seventeen when we met, eighteen when we married and not quite nineteen when he died. I was a girl and what I wanted and needed in a husband reflected that.”

She stared into Zeke's eyes and willed him to believe her. “I'm a woman now, with different desires. I understand that what matters is the measure of a man's character and his heart. I admire you, Zeke. The truth about your past only increases my feelings for you. Your kindness to me and the town makes me want to be worthy of you.”

He stared at her. “How could you not be?”

She smiled. “I bring so little.”

“You bring everything. You are perfection. Holding you in my arms—touching you, pleasing you—I couldn't ask for more. Hearing you laugh, listening to you talk, it's all I want.”

She gathered her courage. “Then why are you leaving me?”

“Alethea.”

“Tell me. I have known love, but I have never felt my heart so full. It overflows for you, Zeke.”

His fingers tightened on hers. Passion and something else, something wonderful, flared in his eyes. “You're sure?”

She nodded, fighting tears and reaching for hope.

He released one hand to touch her cheek. “I didn't dare hope.”

“It is true.”

He smiled, then kissed her. “Will you marry me? Stay here with me?”

Joy swept through her, making her feel lighter than air. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.”

He put his hands around her waist and swung her in a circle. “I'll build you the biggest house Titanville has ever seen.”

She laughed. “I would be happy with something smaller.”

“I wouldn't. We'll raise cattle and have children and grow old together.”

“How could I refuse such an offer?” she teased. “It will be glorious.”

He lowered her to the floor and kissed her again, his mouth lingering on hers. “You are glorious, my love.”

“As are you. You're all that I want, Zeke. For always.”

“Then you shall have me.”

If you liked this story
by
New York Times
bestselling author Susan Mallery, read more about the Titan family in the Lone Star Sisters trilogy from HQN Books!

UNDER HER SKIN

(May 2009)

LIP SERVICE

(June 2009)

STRAIGHT FROM THE HIP

(July 2009)

For more information about Susan Mallery and her books, visit her website www.susanmallery.com!

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