Ana Leigh (5 page)

“Then I’m sure you’ll like it.”

His gaze lingered on her. “I’m sure I will, Miss Dubois.”

As she walked away, she glanced at Tait’s table and caught Zach MacKenzie staring at her. He had the same bemused expression she’d seen in his eyes after the accident.

After serving Tait’s gang their breakfasts, Rose began changing the linen tablecloths and placing clean china and crystal on the empty tables in preparation for the luncheon arrivals.

When the gang finished eating, they stood up to leave. Zach threw down a dollar, but the others continued to the door.

“Just a minute, gentlemen,” Rose said, “you can’t leave without paying for your breakfasts. Seventy-five cents apiece.”

“You gonna stop us, sister?” Jess asked. “Let’s go, boys.”

“I insist you pay for your meal, Mr. Tait.”

She flinched when he approached and his fingers bit into her arm. “I don’t give a damn what you
insist
, sister. And don’t forget, I ain’t finished with you. This mornin’ wuz just a taste of what’s to come. By the time I’m through with you, you’ll be on your knees beggin’ for mercy.” His mouth curled into a malicious grin, and he shoved her away. “See you later, bitch.”

“I believe you owe the lady an apology, Mr. Tait.” The soft command had come from Stephen Rayburn.

Oh, dear God, no
, Rose prayed. Tait would probably shoot the gentleman right on the spot.

“This ain’t your fight, Mr. Rayburn,” Jess said.

Surprisingly, Tait’s statement lacked his usual threatening bluster. In fact, it had an undertone of supplication.

Everyone stared speechless as Rayburn picked up a napkin, dabbed lightly at each corner of his mouth, then laid the napkin aside.

“Mr. Tait, if you intend to work for me, I never want to hear again of your threatening this young lady or any of the other women in this town. If you do, you’ll have me to deal with. Have I made myself clear?”

Tait opened his mouth as if to speak, then spun on his heel and slammed out the door. His gang followed.

Unable to believe what she’d just witnessed, Rose hurried over to the rancher’s table.

“Mr. Rayburn, do you realize what you’ve done? Jess Tait is an out-of-control bully who carries a grudge toward anyone who crosses him.”

“I hardly think he’d do so with me, if he and his companions wish to remain in my employment.”

“You mean that gang of hoodlums works for you!”

“As of this morning, Miss Dubois.”

“Why would you ever hire the likes of them?” Rose asked, astonished.

“I haven’t much of a choice. Two of my crew are dead, and the other two left me this morning. For all I know, those rustlers will return to run off the rest of my herd. I don’t want to be caught shorthanded again.”

“It’s likely
they
are the ones who rustled your cattle, Mr. Rayburn.”

“No, I caught sight of that gang. These men were not among them.”

Rose shook her head. “I still feel you’ve made a serious mistake.”

He chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first one I’ve ever made. Now, I insist you call me Stephen.”

“Why, Mr. Rayburn, I hardly know you. It would be very improper of me to do so.”

“Then I think we should remedy that at once by becoming better acquainted, Miss Dubois. Will you permit me to call on you tomorrow?”

Rose couldn’t have been more pleased. Then she realized—
Drat, I have to work!

“I’m sorry, Mr. Rayburn, but I’m a working girl, you know.”

“Surely you have a day off.”

“No, a Harvey Girl’s duties are seven days a week. But we do have some rest time in the afternoons between the lunch and dinner hours.”

“Then how about tomorrow afternoon?” he said.

“I’d like that.” Indeed, she liked it very much, and hoped she wasn’t making that fact too obvious.

He laid some coins on the table, then stood up. “This should cover their bill, and I will count the hours until tomorrow, Miss . . . Rose.”

“
Who
was that?” Kate asked as soon as Rayburn had cleared the door.

“His name is Stephen Rayburn, and he’s a
rich
rancher. It was he and Zach MacKenzie who came to my rescue this morning.”

“Zach MacKenzie? You didn’t tell me Zach MacKenzie was one of your rescuers. Isn’t he one of Tait’s gang?”

“Yes, he is. Strange, isn’t it?” Rose replied, with a lingering smile.

For a morning that had begun so disastrously, it had certainly taken an interesting turn. The rest of the day turned out to be very routine. When she wasn’t waiting on customers, Rose was busy preparing salads for the next meal. It was then she could think about the following day’s date with Stephen Rayburn. The trouble was that Zach MacKenzie’s face kept invading those thoughts.

To Rose’s relief there was no sign of him when she and Billings closed the restaurant that evening, but as she walked back to her boardinghouse, she couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. She quickly chastised herself for being a fool. MacKenzie undoubtedly had moved out to the Lazy R Ranch; it was unlikely she’d see much of him again. And that was just fine. Good riddance, and
adios
. With the prospect of a relationship with Stephen Rayburn, she certainly didn’t need a saddle tramp like Zach MacKenzie muddying the waters.

Rose undressed for bed, then turned off her lamp and opened the window. As she sat down on the edge of the bed, she thought about the two men. They were complete opposites: one was fair, the other dark; one short, the other tall; one a successful rancher, the other a no-good bum—who was too exciting for his own good!

“Rosie.” The sound had come from outside the window. “Call for Rosie to come out and play.” Only one person called her by that ridiculous name.

Rose pulled on her robe, then went to the window and parted the drapes. Zach MacKenzie grinned at her. She opened the window wider, and said in a loud whisper, “Will you please be quiet before you wake the whole household? Just what do you want at this time of night?”

“Come on outside,” he whispered. “It’s a beautiful night.”

“Go away! I’m about to go to bed.”

“We could do that, too.”

“MacKenzie, I don’t know what else I can say that will convince you I’m not interested in anything you have to say or do.” She started to close the window.

“Wait, Rosie.”

“What now?” Exasperated, she puffed at a strand of hair on her forehead.

“I thought maybe you’d like to thank me for riding to your rescue this morning.”

Guiltily, she realized, in all the earlier excitement, she hadn’t thanked him. Rose softened her tone. “I
am
grateful for what you did, Zach.”

“That’s better.” He hoisted himself up and sat on the windowsill.

“What do you think you’re doing? If you don’t get out of this window, I’m going to start screaming!”

“Why would you do that, when all I’m looking for is a quiet talk with a lovely lady?”

He was incorrigible. Rose’s sense of humor prevailed, and she couldn’t help laughing. “Now, why do I doubt that, MacKenzie?”

“Because you have a suspicious mind, Rosie Dubois.”

“You’re right. Why ever should I be suspicious of a down-on-his-heels drifter just because he’s riding with a gang of no-gooders?”

“My argument exactly.”

His grin was so persuasive that she couldn’t help laughing again. Shaking her head, she folded her arms across her chest and lowered herself to the sill. They now sat side by side, but faced in opposite directions that forced them to turn their heads to look at each other. Strangely enough, she found the proximity of their positions exciting, and the expression in his eyes led her to suspect that he felt the same awareness.

“I thought you and your gang were working for Mr. Rayburn.”

“We are. I just felt like a ride.”

“This time of night?”

“I like riding at night. I—”

“Let me guess; you like the the sound of coyotes howling at the moon.”

“Wolves howl. Coyotes are scavengers; they just wail.”

Her light laughter joined with his chuckle. “So where did you learn so much about coyotes?” she asked.

“I’m Texas-born and-bred, Rosie.”

“Are your parents still alive?”

“Yeah. They’re good people.” His engaging grin tugged at her heart strings. “Nothing like me.”

“How long have you been riding with Jess Tait?”

“Met up with him a couple weeks ago.” For a long moment he stared at her. “What about you, Rose? I figure you for a city gal.”

“That’s right. I was born in New Orleans.”

“Your folks still there?”

“No. I was seven when my mother died, but even before that I never had a normal childhood. When my father wasn’t drunk, he spent his time cheating at cards or swindling people out of their money. I can’t ever remember a time he tried to earn an honest dollar, so there were times when there wasn’t even bread to eat. But it didn’t matter to him; he drank his meals.”

“Didn’t you have any kin to go to?”

“No. Other than my father, I was on my own.”

“Where is he now, honey?”

“One night he tried to rob the wrong man, and ended up with a knife in his stomach.”

“I’m sorry. How old were you when it happened?” His voice was husky with compassion.

“Almost seventeen.” She had allowed herself to become seduced by the compassion in his compelling dark eyes and had already said too much. She didn’t want his sympathy, much less his prying into her life.

“And what brought you to Texas?”

“What do you think?” she asked flippantly. “The Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe.”

“Come on, Rosie, why are you afraid to lower that shield you hide behind?”

“That shield’s gotten me this far, MacKenzie. Since you’ve got a problem with it, feel free to leave.”

“Can’t you just drop it for once and relax, Rosie?”

She shot to her feet. “Don’t try to get into my head, MacKenzie—or my bed. Both are off-limits to you. Now, get out of this window; I’d like to go to bed.”

“Good night, Rosie,” he said, stepping down. “Sleep well.”

She slammed down the window and closed the drapes.

Chapter 5

T
he following morning, Zach MacKenzie was still on Rose’s mind as she dressed for work. She enjoyed talking to him, but he intimidated her—not by what he said, but his nearness excited her. It was a complication she didn’t need, especially with Stephen Rayburn showing an interest in her. She would not let any silly heart-fluttering jeopardize that opportunity.

Rose went through breakfast and lunch by rote, waiting for her afternoon outing with Stephen Rayburn.

As she hurried back to her room to change her clothes afterward, she caught a glimpse of Rayburn riding into town with several of his crew—Zach MacKenzie among them.

She barely had time to dress before Mrs. White, the housekeeper, knocked on the door to inform Rose that she had a caller waiting in the drawing room.

Stephen Rayburn stood up when she entered the room. Approval gleamed in his eyes as he kissed her hand, and Rose was glad she had donned a simple white dimity gown with a bertha flounce for the occasion. She’d brushed out her hair and put on a wide-brimmed picture hat, which Emily had left behind after she married Josh MacKenzie.

“You do the South honor, my dear Miss Dubois,” Rayburn said. “You belong on the portico of a gracious Southern mansion surrounded by honeysuckle and—”

“Mint juleps,” Rose teased.

It was hardly a memory she carried of the life she’d led, but she wasn’t about to change his impression.

“I thought a carriage ride would be a pleasant outing. Is that satisfactory with you?”

“It sounds divine,” she said. “Let me get my parasol.”

As they rode through town in the open carriage, she saw Jess Tait and Zach MacKenzie lounging against the wall of the saloon. Unable to ignore the temptation, she stole a quick glance back after they rode past and saw that Tait had turned to enter the saloon, but Zach MacKenzie’s gaze was still fixed on the moving carriage.

For a traitorous moment, she thought of how exciting it would be if Zach was beside her instead of Rayburn—then she reminded herself what a fool she was and smiled at Stephen Rayburn. He returned her smile.
Actually, he’s very sweet
, she thought, and vowed she would not allow any more thoughts of Zach MacKenzie to intrude on this afternoon.

Zach watched with mixed emotions as Rose rode past with Rayburn. As much as he wanted to bed the gal, he liked her enough not to foul up her life. As soon as they were safely out of sight, he walked to his horse. With all of the gang in town, he now had a chance to get away without being seen. They wouldn’t miss him, because he’d set up a story that he had a girl in town. They all believed him except that bastard Tait; he was the one to worry about.

Zach deliberately headed south when he rode out of Brimstone in case he was spotted. But once clear of the town’s limits he turned back, skirted the town, and headed north back to the Lazy R. He’d seen some tracks the day before that had made him curious, but before he could follow them, Bull and Joe had ridden up.

Zach had no problem picking up the tracks again, and after following the trail for thirty minutes, they ended at a tangled wall of mesquite and sagebrush. His instinct told him something wasn’t right.

A closer inspection revealed barbed wire under the piled brush, and he was able to peer through it enough to see that it appeared to be the entrance to a box canyon.

He’d been a Ranger too long to be fool enough to ride into a box canyon without knowing what he’d find. Dismounting, he tied his horse to a shrub and began to work his way on foot up the rocks.

Once at the top, he had a good view of the whole canyon floor. Milling below were at least a couple hundred head of cattle.

His gaze swept the rocks and crannies at the base of the canyon. Upon seeing no sign of anyone, he climbed back down, opened the entrance, and rode into the canyon.

Dismounting, he examined several of the cows. They wore the Lazy R brand.

“Well, boy,” he murmured to his horse, “these cattle sure as hell didn’t just stray into this canyon. The question now: did rustlers hide them here, is Rayburn behind it, or does Mr. Jess Tait have himself a little business on the side?”

He glanced up and saw a lone horseman on the rim above. Zach mounted quickly and rode out of the canyon.

“Well, tell me about it,” Kate whispered that evening, as they stood at the entrance to the Harvey House waiting to greet the passengers disembarking from the train. It was the first opportunity the two women had time to chat with each other since Rose had returned from her outing with Stephen Rayburn.

“He took me for a carriage ride, and told me about his life. He was raised in Missouri and moved to Texas ten years ago after the death of his wife.”

“Does he have any children?”

Rose shook her head. “He said he’s unable to have children.”

“And he’s never remarried?”

“No. Between grieving and building a successful and very
profitable
ranch, Stephen just didn’t have time to think about remarrying . . .” Rose flashed a fanciful smile. “Until now.”

“Oh, Rose, he said that!” Kate enthused, squeezing Rose’s hand. “I’d say that’s very encouraging.”

“I’ll say,” Rose said. The two girls giggled.

Then there wasn’t time for any further conversation as they greeted the stream of customers.

The rest of the evening passed swiftly, and before Rose knew it they were through for the evening. Mr. Billings bade them all good night and sent them on their way.

“So, did Mr. Rayburn ask to see you again?” Kate asked, picking up the conversation where they’d left off earlier.

“Yes, the next time he comes to town.”

“That’s very encouraging, too,” Kate commented with a dimpled smile.

“I know I’m being foolish, but I hope so. Oh, Kate, Stephen Rayburn more than fills my expectations for a husband. Not only is he rich, but he’s very handsome and a gentleman, too.” Rose drew a deep breath. “Kate, do you think I’m reading too much into a simple afternoon carriage ride?”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t have asked you out if he weren’t interested, Rose. And the fact that he wants to see you again is even more positive.”

“I thought so, too, but I’m afraid to trust my own judgment because I want so much for it to be true.”

“I especially admired how he stood up to that horrible bully, Jess Tait,” Kate said.

Rose’s eyes widened. “Yes, wasn’t it wonderful! And did you notice how Tait backed down, too?”

“I sure did. Thanks to Mr. Rayburn, we don’t have to worry about Tait bothering us anymore. Mr. Rayburn’s obviously very influential, even in this lawless town. How old is he, Rose?”

“Forty-two. That’s actually very young.”

“Rose, it’s twice as old as you are.”

“I wouldn’t care if he was three times older,” Rose said with a saucy grin.

They reached the boardinghouse and started to climb the porch stairs when Rose suddenly halted. “Drat! I left my apron at the restaurant. It got badly stained and must be washed. I’ll have to go back for it.”

“I’ll come with you,” Kate said.

“Nonsense, it will only take me a couple minutes to run back and get it.”

Rose quickly returned back to the restaurant. The light still glowed in the dining room, so she knew Billings was still there.

She rapped on the front door and called out to him, but he didn’t respond. She repeated it several times, and when he still didn’t hear her she figured he was in the kitchen, so she hurried around to the rear of the building.

The kitchen was dark. Rose tried the door, and it swung open. She looked around uneasily, aware that the whole area was in darkness except for a faint glow from a lantern on the nearby platform of the train depot.

“Mr. Billings,” she called out, “it’s Rose.” She stepped into the black kitchen and took a few seconds to adjust her eyes to the darkness. “Mr. Billings?”

When he failed to answer, she crossed the room. He would never be negligent enough to leave the kitchen door unlocked or a light burning in the dining room. Something had to be wrong. Had he taken ill?

Rose pushed the kitchen door open and peered into the dining room, then gasped with alarm when she saw him lying on the floor. Rushing over to him, she saw he was unconscious, and put an ear to his chest. To her relief, he was breathing normally. Fearing he’d fallen or had a heart attack, she was about to run for a doctor when he groaned and opened his eyes.

“Mr. Billings, what happened?”

Billings sat up. “I don’t know. Someone struck me from behind.” He felt his head. “Oh my, I have a lump on my head.”

“I’ll get some ice. It will help to reduce the swelling.”

He suddenly gasped. “Today’s receipts! Where are they?” He began to crawl around on his knees looking for them. “They’re gone! I was just preparing to put them in the safe.” He looked up at her, aghast. “We’ve been robbed, Miss Dubois.” He got to his feet. “I must report this to the sheriff before the thief gets out of town.”

Rose doubted the sheriff would be of any help, but Billings had already unlocked the front door to leave.

“If you insist, go ahead. I’ll finish locking up here.”

“Thank you; expediency is important at times like this. By the way, why did you come back, Miss Dubois?”

“I forgot my apron,” she said.

“I see. Well, be sure and turn off the light.” He rushed out the door and down the street.

Rose went into the kitchen and locked the door, then grabbed her apron off a wall peg in the cloakroom and returned to the dining room. In the whole two years she’d worked at the Harvey House in New Mexico, there had never been an attempt to rob it. In her opinion, Mr. Harvey would be well advised to forget attempting to establish a restaurant here until there was a better effort to maintain some law and order.

She turned off the light and started to the door. Suddenly a hand clamped over her mouth and she was pulled back against a hard body.

“Don’t scream, Rosie.” When she nodded, Zach MacKenzie released her.

Eyes glaring, she spun on her heel to face him. “So you’re the one who robbed us.”

“It wasn’t me,” he said. “I saw you come in, so I followed you. Then when I heard you talking to Billings, I stayed in the kitchen until he left.”

“Do you expect me to believe that ridiculous story, MacKenzie?”

“I’ve no reason to lie to you.”

“Other than staying out of jail.”

“If I’d robbed this place, do you think I’d stick around to get caught?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past you, MacKenzie. Exactly what
are
you doing here?”

“I came for this.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her against him. Cupping her neck, he tilted back her head and captured her mouth with his own. His lips were as firm and warm as she remembered—and more exciting than her body could resist. His tongue stroked and plundered until she moaned with pleasure, even as she told herself she must stop. She couldn’t allow the exquisite thrill of his kiss to continue blinding out her reasoning.

Pressing her hands to his chest, she shoved him away, but he kept his hold on her. Her body trembled, and she could only stare breathlessly up at him as his sapphire gaze remained fixed on her flushed face. She waited, transfixed, when he raised his other hand and pulled the pins out of her hair. Weaving his fingers into its thickness, he lowered his head and traced the outline of her lips with his tongue, the day’s stubble on his jaw an arousing scrape against her smooth cheek.

“Let me kiss you like you want me to, Rosie. Stop putting up a defense when you want this as much as I do.”

He covered her mouth again, and from the first contact she knew that this time there was no hope for any further resistance. Their lips melded together as the kiss deepened, filling her entire being with such exquisite heat that she thought surely they both would be consumed by the fire. Oh, but it felt so good—burned so brightly. She’d never felt so alive. She reveled in the wanton pleasure of it, molding herself to the muscular warmth of his body.

“What did I tell you, Rosie? You love it,” he murmured against her lips.

As his words penetrated her senses, she realized he’d slipped his hand to her breast. She became rigid. What was she doing? She was a pawn in his hands, and he knew it.

Anger cut through, and she broke away. He took her slap to his face without even blinking, which only increased her fury.

“I won’t stand for any more of this, MacKenzie.”

“Then let’s take it to a bed, where it belongs.”

“I’m grateful to you for saving my life, so I won’t mention that you were here tonight—but I’m telling you for the last time to stay away from me.”

“Why are you afraid of me, Rose?”

“I told you, there’s no place in my future plans for a saddle tramp like you.”

“Your kiss says otherwise, so who are you trying to convince: me or yourself?”

“Your arrogance is pathetic. What makes you think you’re different from any other man I’ve ever known?”