Closer To You (Tales of the Sweet Magnolia Book 1) (5 page)

***

His horse shook his mane, offering an irritated snort. Jake looked up and saw a wagon headed toward him. So lost in his thoughts he hadn’t realized that he was clipping along at a snail’s pace. 

“What is it you want, Sheriff?”

Lil’s words popped into his head, soothing his troubled thoughts in one way, causing problems for him in others. He shifted uncomfortably in the saddle as he thought of her come-hither smoky gaze. Hell, what he wanted—and very badly, maybe twice—was clear to him. The image of her just-ravaged body glistening in the lamplight and fantasizing about her calling his name out in the throes of passion just about did him in.

He took a deep breath and attempted to put Lil out of his mind. A monumental task to say the least, but if he wanted the support of these puritanical townsfolk to further his career, he was going to have to keep things in perspective. And lusting after the head Madam of the Sweet Magnolia was not going to win him votes with the influential folks he needed on his side.

I’m really just a librarian.

Jake shuddered. God almighty, the woman was a tease. An image of her popped into his brain—her dressed in a pristine white blouse tucked into a staunch black skirt and her chestnut-colored hair pulled back tight in a bun. But underneath…
underneath
, she wore that tiny animal print underpinning that barely covered her luscious breasts and the soft, triangular patch that he dreamed of exploring.

“Howdy, Sheriff Sloan. A right fine day for a ride, isn’t it?” Mr. and Mrs. Greensboro pulled their wagon hitch to a stop. Mr. Greensboro removed his hat and wiped his brow. “We’re on our way up to Virginia City to pick up a load for the store. What brings you clear out this way?”

Jake cleared his throat, leaning forward in his saddle to relieve the rubbing of his crotch on the saddle horn every time the damn horse moved. “Just paying a call to the Magnolia, setting straight a few rules.”
Indulging in a few lustful thoughts.

The man nodded, quickly averting his eyes. The owner of Deadwater’s mercantile store was known to play cards and do a little carousing of his own from time to time, though Jake had a feeling that Mrs. Greensboro was none the wiser.

She raised her chin and peered down her nose at Jake. “A den of evil, I say,” she stated succinctly. “Your father is right. There’s no place for their kind in this town.”

Jake bit his lip and wanted to point out how much the Magnolia was overcharged by the city fathers for taxes that helped build new business and maintain the ones started, including the mercantile.

Mr. Greensboro cleared his throat, slicing a nervous look at his wife. He shot Jake a brief smile. Clearly the man and his wife didn’t agree on the topic of the Magnolia.

Jake watched the wagon pass by. The insistent creak of the old wood to metal pushed his thoughts right into the middle of Lil’s big old bed. He groaned inwardly and decided a swim at the nearby lake might do him some good.

***

Lillian spent several days trying, without success, to sort out her predicament and calm her libido after meeting, the too-hot-for-words, Sherriff Jake Sloan. In a modern day they might have met at a bar, shared a drink and maybe a cab. It was certain that what had happened in the hall between them wouldn’t have ended the way it did. There’d have been more dancin’ in the sheets, and she couldn’t say that she’d have denied herself the pleasure. Still, his noble restraint coupled with the hungry look in his eyes had done little to help her stop thinking about the notion. She tried to focus on how long ago their meeting had been—was it two days, a week?

Memories of her former life seem to come and go with each passing day, blurring the distinction between fantasy and reality. The responsibilities she’d assumed at the Sweet Magnolia had progressively become more of a reality. She’d have flashes of another time, another place with people who seemed more fictitious than real in her mind. Though one fact remained constant and that was her belief that the red amulet she wore was a key factor, a conduit between the two worlds and what had happened to her. Perhaps the rest was simply fate.

Remarkably, thus far, she’d done better than expected in answering questions, making decisions and generally seeing to the daily responsibilities of the Magnolia. The parlor house was popular in secret with many of the men in town, including a few of the city leaders who wandered in for a drink and a few rounds of cards. But the task was not easy. She’d soon discovered that it required careful accounting to make sure the assessed taxes were paid in a timely fashion and that the rules set forth for her girls were strictly adhered to. In truth, managing the parlor wasn’t much different than running a library. Instead of keeping books organized and seeing to it they were handled with care, she had seven women-ages seventeen to thirty-- a cook, barkeep, and a small saloon to watch over in much the same manner.

Most nights, except Sundays, the saloon was bustling with music and laughter, and much to Lil’s gratitude, few fights had broken out on her watch. She’d eased into her role, becoming more comfortable with her “girls.” With the knowledge of the Old West that she’d engrained in her brain, she knew how much of a real service the parlor houses and brothels provided in keeping unruly miners and railroad workers entertained and the good that those same establishments, like the Magnolia, provided to the town.

Lil had made sure early on that the girls were given a share of the profits and taught them the advantage of savings and investments. She’d accepted her role as best as she could unsure of the cosmic opportunity that was being given to her. As in all things, she’d decided that fate had brought her there for a reason and in time, she would understand why.

***

“Lilly, we have a man here who says he needs to speak with you.”

The quiet voice prompted Lil’s attention, but her focus stayed on the receipts she’d been going over in her office all morning. It was Angel, one of the new girls she’d recently taken in at the Magnolia. Concern etched her pretty face.

“If it’s one of those salesmen here to swap his wares, tell him we’re not interested.”

“I think that maybe you might be interested in what I come for.”

The brusque voice rounded the corner of the door before the man that matched it appeared. An unshaven, hulk of a man stared at her over Angel’s shoulder. She saw fear in the poor girl’s wide blue eyes. Thus far, she’d been able to handle the occasional squabble between a client and one of her girls, but this was different. The man holding Angel captive was armed and dangerous. Lil realized that eventually they were bound to run into an unsavory character or two.

He stood a good four inches taller than Angel, his broad chest and shoulders nearly filling the open space of the door. He rested his arm above the doorframe, and toyed with the strap of the young woman’s dress with the muzzle of his gun.

“I have plenty of money, and I want something real special for it,” he muttered as his gaze roamed over Angel’s slender frame.

It didn’t take much to determine the guy was bad news. She would have to stay calm and think of a way she could diffuse the situation. In some brothels, the paying client was given what he wanted, when he wanted, regardless of the harm to the woman, but Lil wasn’t running that type of house. She cared about her girls, where they came from and what hopes or dreams they might have. Most might not escape from the prejudices they would encounter no matter where they lived, but as long as they were under her roof, they would be cared for and treated with respect.

Lil carefully closed her leather bound accounting book and smiled at the man as though he were a wealthy client breezing in from the East, when in fact, he had the earmarks of someone who had not come into his sudden wealth by honest hard work. “I can see that you are a man of discriminating and fine taste in women.” She tried to appeal to his ego. “Why don’t you let me buy you a drink, and we can talk about exactly how we can best serve you.” Lil cast a subtle glance to Angel, conveying with her eyes to stay calm.

A man who still carried his gun was a sign that the barkeep hadn’t been able to convince him of the Magnolia’s rule to leave his gun at the bar. Lil stood, cautious not to move too quickly, for fear of Angel’s safety. “What do you say? A drink or two of our finest, and maybe a friendly game of cards? It will relax you. I’m sure that you’ll enjoy your time with us more if you’re relaxed and refreshed. What do you say, cowboy?” Lil licked her lips, dry from the dust blowing through the open window and the tension hovering in the air.

The man’s gaze narrowed on Lil and a slow smile curled over his filthy lips. “I might just take you up on that. Haven’t had me a drink in a couple of days and not with anyone near as pretty as you.” His ravenous sneer sent a shiver up Lil’s spine, but she needed to gain his trust, while someone ran to get some help. At any moment, as removed as they were from town, the situation could take a deadly turn, and it could be days before they’d be discovered. Lilly smiled, letting her charm ooze as she sashayed toward him and positioned herself between him and Angel. Lil addressed Angel keeping her gaze locked on the black orbs of the stranger. “See to it fresh sheets are placed on my bed.” She’d never before given such orders.

Angel stood there a moment before she spoke. “But we just changed them this morning.”

Lil’s slid a slow look to Angel and spoke with calm, hoping that the girl would understand her true meaning. “And I want to have my best sheets for our guest. You remember the ones we bought in town from that handsome Mr. Sloan, I believe was his name? You’ll have to retrieve them from the line.”

Understanding sparked in the young woman’s eyes as she realized what Lil was saying to her. “Yes ma’am.” Angel skirted quietly out the side door.

“Where’s she going?” the man snarled heading after her.

Lil stopped him, placing a hand on his arm. “Just out to the line. It’s there in back. Poor dear, I’m afraid she’s new and a little inexperienced in the ways of the house.” She crooked her arm through his and turned him back toward the saloon. She plastered a smile on her face, holding her breath from the stench that rolled off the man’s filthy body. Not only hadn’t he had a drink in days, but apparently not a bath either. The sooner she got him into the saloon, the easier it would be for Angel to confiscate his horse and get help.

“You say you have
lots
of money?” Lil motioned to Paddy, her bartender.

“More than this god-forsaken place has ever seen,” the man growled with pride. He broke into a grin that bared his yellow teeth.

Bile rose in Lilly’s throat as he eyed her cleavage. “Well, you’re probably right.” Lilly smiled graciously, trying not to pull away when he clamped his beefy hand on her arm and twirled her around to face him. He stuck his face at the base of her neck, slobbering over her as if she were a dog bone.

“A fresh bottle of our finest whiskey, Paddy.” Lil swallowed the vomit in her throat and backed away, with a coy smile, to offer the man a chair. “And how about we break out a new deck of cards for our very special guest.” She hoped Angel was on her way to town, and that she wouldn’t have to keep up this charade for very long.

Paddy nodded and through the window past him, she spotted Angel crouching low, guiding the man’s horse down the lane.

“How about a little music?” Lil brought the man’s gaze away from the window as she sat at the piano. “Do you sing?” she asked, situating her skirts around her so she could reach the pedals. She hoped that her fading memory still held the few piano tunes of
Billy Joel
that she’d taught herself to play.

She’d done as she promised.
Dammit
. The girls were keeping to the arrangement and that should make Jake a happy man. So, why the hell was he so miserable? His relationship with his aging father, though strained, did not deter his efforts to find Jake a suitable wife. Several women, some barely into womanhood, others widows, had made surprise visits to his office as of late. Still none captured his attention as a man like Lillian did. In a moment of frustration, Jake secretly wished for a damn ruckus at the Magnolia—hell, for the past few days he’d prayed for one for the excuse to see her again.

The door of the jailhouse slammed open, banging against the wall and toppling the house of cards that he’d been constructing all morning. The lone prisoner in the only cell was sleeping off a night of celebrating with too much whiskey bought with his recent gold find. He muffled some words of profanity and clamped the pillow down over his head.

“Sheriff! You got to come quick!” Hank Greensboro threw his hands in the air, waving them like a mad man. “We got trouble!” Behind him stood a young woman, her long blonde hair a straggled, windblown mess. It looked like she’d been at a dead run on a horse for miles.

Jake pushed from his desk. He had a hopeful stirring in his gut, and a few inches lower as well. “What’s kind of trouble?” He grabbed his holster and slinging it around his hips, slipped the buckles into place as he waited for the man’s reply.

“Over at the Magnolia. This gal says there’s a crazy man got one of them ladies, and he’s holdin’ a hostage.”

Jake’s heart plummeted to his feet. He’d prayed for a ruckus, sure, but he didn’t want anyone to get harmed. “But you managed to get away?” he asked the woman as he grabbed his hat.

At that, her eyes welled, but she stiffened her shoulders. The poor creature couldn’t have been more than twenty, if that. “I took his horse,” she responded.

Jake noted how she rubbed her hands together and reached out to her. “Let me see your hands.”

She willingly showed him her palms, red from where she’d gripped the leather reins. “You did the right thing. Now, you stay here with Mr.Greensboro. You’ll be safe. He’ll tend to your hands. You understand?”

Her blue eyes darted to the confused mercantile owner who clearly had a look of concern on his face.

Jake turned his attention to the stupefied man. “There’s salve in the medicine cabinet. Please see that she gets some on her hands. Then fix her a cup of coffee and go through those flyers on my desk. Maybe she’ll recognize one of them as the man at the Magnolia.”

“But Sheriff, my wife’ll kill me if—”

“Listen, Hank, I’d hate to have to arrest you on interfering with the law.” Jake shot the man a pointed look.

“Interfering with the law?” the man stammered. “But, I….”

“I don’t have time here to debate this, man. Pick your poison, right now—the law or your wife.”

The man’s gaze darted from Jake to the woman and back. “Fine,” he muttered and ushered her to a chair.

“Good man,” Jake responded, slapping him on the back. “I’ll be back soon.”

Jake strode out the door with but one guilt-ridden prayer on his lips as he mounted his horse. “Lord, please don’t let that hostage be Lilly.” Moments later, Jake slowed his horse and hopped off several yards from the rambling two-story clapboard turned saloon and parlor house. He made quick order of looping the reins to a branch as he hid behind the oak tree and assessed the situation ahead. Two women huddled together at one end of the covered porch, trapped on the other side of the open entrance to the saloon. He didn’t stop to think how they’d managed to escape, only in getting them out of harm’s way. He stayed low, slipping around back, grateful that at least he could hear no screams or crying and there’d been no gunshots fired at least since he’d arrived. Either of which could mean that things were under control or someone was keeping the gunman occupied.

Jake didn’t let his mind go down that road as he snuck up beside the porch and reached through the railing to touch one of the girl’s ankles. Her eyes flew open wide as she turned to look at him. Her mouth opened to let out a scream, but by good fortune, her friend clamped her hand over the girl’s mouth, stifling the sound. Carefully, Jake lifted the frightened women over the railing and crouched next to the house, trying to determine what to do next. According to Angel there was only one gunman. “Where is the he?” Jake asked, hoping that the man was acting alone and not part of a gang that had decided to join him. 

“He went upstairs a short time ago,” the calmer girl answered. The other was trembling uncontrollably. More important than his own concerns of whom he had hostage, was getting these two to safety.

“Now listen. I want you to do exactly as I say. You stay down low, next to the house and below the windows. Follow around the back and run fast as you can for that old oak. You stay there and if you hear any shots, I want the both of you to get on my horse and go get help. Do you understand?” Jake eyed the two young women, sensing that if at least one paid heed to his instructions, they’d have a good chance of survival. The braver of the two nodded, her hands firmly clasping those of her companion.

Jake stayed with them until they reached the corner and saw that they were well on their way to safety before he circled around to the porch. He pulled himself over the rail and crept beneath the window listening for voices and when he felt sure the saloon was empty, he moved through the front door, gun drawn, keeping an eye for any sudden movements. He did a quick scan of the room, relief and concern, twin emotions kept him alert. He realized he could only account for three of the Magnolia’s girls. “Paddy?” Jake whispered low, hoping the old barkeep was unharmed.

Paddy’s face appeared around the end of the bar. He was on all fours. Jake followed the old man’s gaze to the balcony overlooking the saloon. Jake nodded his confirmation. With any luck, Cook was hunkered down in the kitchen and the other girls had the sense to stay in their rooms. At the same time, a cold lump of dread formed in Jake’s stomach. He hadn’t yet seen hide nor hair of Lilly.

“This don’t concern you none, Sheriff.” The gruff sound of a man who’d had

one too many shots of Kentucky’s finest called down from somewhere on the open balcony. Unfortunately, the gunman had a decided advantage over Jake from his position above.

Jake didn’t recognize who it was, but he recognized a drunken slur. “Come on down here, friend, and let’s talk about what you need. Maybe we can come to a compromise where no one has to get hurt.”

“Sheriff Sloan?” The sound of Lilly’s high-pitched voice gave way that she was not in control of her situation as much as he had a feeling she’d like to be. Still, he hoped that she wouldn’t try anything on her own that could get them both killed. A movement caught his eye, and Jake looked up to see the stranger nudge Lil forward. They peered down at him over the balustrade.

She looked beautiful in a royal blue skirt and crisp cotton blouse, definitely understated attire from what he’d last seen her in. Guilt pushed away his thoughts, and he focused on how to get them out of the situation alive, vowing that if he did, he just might have to come clean to Lilly about his suppressed affection for her.

“Mr.—” A beefy arm came around her, imprisoning her in the stranger’s grasp. He could see that Lil was trying hard not to let her fear show. Her eyes, though, spoke volumes. Jake’s stomach lurched, his grip tightening on his gun.

“Go on, tell the good sheriff what I want, Miss Lilly.” The man pressed his unshaven cheek to Lilly’s as he stared at Jake over her shoulder. One hand held a gun pointed to Lilly’s side, the other held her solidly against his large frame. He was a good head taller than Jake, but it was that Colt pushed against Lil’s ribcage that gave him his power.

Every nerve ending in Jake came alive. He kept his eyes on Lilly’s, trying to convey to her to remain calm and not make any rash moves.

“Mr. Evans…” she paused licking her lips, “would like my company for the evening.” She turned her cheek from where the man nuzzled her jaw. “I’ve informed him that I am not taking callers today.”

Jake had seen his share of men who became cantankerous and mean when drunk. Most times he could talk them to coming to the jail for a warm meal and a place to sleep. Once in a great while, he’d run across the stubborner variety.

This guy appeared to be a product of the latter, maybe worse. “The lady says she’s not taking callers this evening, friend.” Jake eased toward the bottom of the stairwell; his gaze focused on the man and Lilly, hoping that he could put them both at ease and avoid bloodshed.

“She done lied to me. Led me to believe that I could have her ‘stead of the
purdy
blonde. Now, I want what she promised,” he growled. “’Sides, she beat me out of all my money, and I figure she cheated me at that, too. I ought to get something in return.”

It made Jake curious to know where he’d gotten his cash. Stagecoach robberies were commonplace, but especially when it came to trading in the gold mining towns. “No doubt you do.” Jake stepped cautiously up the stairs, his gun poised near his hip. “Maybe tomorrow after you’ve had a chance to rest up and get cleaned up would be better for the lady?” He directed a pointed look to Lil, trying to get her to follow his lead.

Lilly’s gaze snapped lightning bolts and her lips, bathed with a ruby red tint pressed together in a firm, straight line. She apparently was not as receptive to his attempt to diffuse the situation.

“So what if she ain’t? I’m a man and I got needs. This here is a bed-house, ain’t it? If I bring my money, I ought to be rightly serviced.”

The man argued as though Lilly was an object, not a human. It turned Jake’s stomach. Still, he had to find a way to gain his trust. Though Lil might get riled, it was a risk that he had to take. “Well, now I understand a man has his needs,” Jake stated casually, his eyes locked to Lilly’s pleading for her to go along with the ruse. “I think that most women respond well to a gent who cleans himself up. You could come to town, get a room, and come back tomorrow a tad more presentable. I think I could guarantee that Lil would see you in a different light all-together, friend. Ain’t that so, Lil?”

There was a strained silence and then she spoke in a deadly low voice. “Over my dead body.” Her eyes rivaled a block of ice.

Shit.
Jake’s jaw clenched, fighting not to let his frustration show. She wasn’t working with him as well as he’d like.

The man brandished his gun, waving it in front of Lilly before he aimed at

Jake. 

“Lillian.” Jake urged her with his eyes, to go along with him, instead of trying to land them both at the casket-maker.

She squared her shoulders, and he knew she wasn’t going to play along. “I’m sorry, Jake. I can’t.” she said with conviction. “No, I simply won’t concede to this brutish behavior.”

Not realizing that by speaking to him by name, she’d just given the outlaw his winning card, Jake let out a quiet sigh, his brain scrambling for a new plan.

“Well, now, it seems you and the sheriff are on familiar terms, is that it? I’m sorry, Jake…” he mimicked. The stranger’s black eyes narrowed. “This little filly your gal, Sheriff?” A menacing grin crawled over his murderous-looking face.

“You filthy beast.” Lilly elbowed the man in the stomach and stomped her heel on his boot, causing a distraction that allowed Jake to make it up the stairs. But before he could reach Lil, the man yanked her against him so hard that her feet came clean off the floor. The stench of whiskey mingled with her sweet jasmine scent.

Jake held out his hand, hoping to reason with the man. “I assure you there is nothing between the lady and me. Go on and tell him, Lil,” Jake instructed, tossing her a brief look and not letting his gaze linger. He needed her to go along with him on this; he was just about out of ideas of how to settle this amiably.

“I—” she started.

“Go on now, Lillian. No more of your stories, just tell him the truth.” Jake’s voice was tight with concern. Why wouldn’t the bull-headed woman just work with him? He chanced a quick look at her and received an icy stare.

“It’s true. I’d sooner die than be caught within ten feet of him.” There was poison in her tone.

“Is that a fact?” Her captor slid his hand over the front of Lilly’s gown, his purpose to taunt Jake, of that he was certain, since it was damn well working. His emotionless eyes held Jake’s as he blatantly groped her and flashed a grisly smile. “That’s good to know, Sheriff, since Miss Lilly and me, we’re gonna take a little ride.”

She held still, her chin high, keeping her gaze straight ahead.

“Come on, sweetheart.” The burly man pulled her along, holding her as a shield, his gun fixed on her side as he stepped around Jake. He backed down the steps, one at a time and Jake slowly followed, his mind racing to think of a plan. The big man stopped, hauling Lilly close. “Where’s your horse, Sheriff? I figure that little snitch had to take mine, or you wouldn’t be here. Unless, of course, you’re here for personal reasons.”

“You won’t get far. Let her go, take my horse. She’ll only impede your getaway.” Jake tried once more to reason with the man.

“Ah now, I can’t do that. I came in here to find a woman to relieve my need, and well, I’m going to see to that one way or another. ‘Sides, you’re not likely missing much with this one. Says she’s the librarian type, which as it happens, is how I like my women.” An evil chuckle emitted from his throat and he leaned over, sliding his tongue up her cheek.