Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek) (8 page)

That woke Hugh up. His eyes cleared and his posture straightened. His gaze slid to Jake. "She's my daughter. If she chooses to give me money--"

"She doesn't," Laura interrupted, gaining her father's attention. "Not anymore. And if I were you, I'd be nice to Jake. Had it been me, you'd only be getting ten dollars and change. It was Jake's idea to give you the full fifty."

He looked like a bull ready to charge but Laura held her ground. She was through being intimidated. She didn't need to speak, however, as Jake did.

"I've told you before to stay off my land. The next time I'll have you arrested for trespassing. And," he added, crowding her father until Hugh had to look up to meet Jake's scowl, "if you ever go near my wife again I'll hunt you down and make you pay for everything you've put her through over the years." Grabbing Hugh's collar, Jake yanked him up. "I don't gamble because I can't bluff worth a damn, so consider yourself warned."

Jake opened his hand, released his grip. Hugh staggered back but he righted himself and hurried to straighten his shirt, to regain some sense of control. Laura wasn't sure if Jake saw it or not, but despite her father standing tall and puffing out his chest, a whisper of desperation underscored his actions.

"You think you're so high falootin', Jake, strutting around with all your money? That's easy to do when you haven't earned it. You come from money and then you inherit part of a gold mine. You wouldn't be so high and mighty if you'd had to earn your fortune."

Jake's brows arched. "And what would you know about earning anything? Seems to me it was your wife and daughter that did all the earning in your house."

Hugh's face mottled. His hands curled into white-knuckle fists. "Your turn's coming, Evans. Just you wait." Then before Jake could retort, Hugh spun, grabbed the door and slammed it behind him.

Laura cringed as the vibrations rattled beneath her feet.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, but I'm glad that's over." A twinge of unease remained lodged in her back and Laura rolled her shoulders to be rid of it. Her father would be a fool to go after Jake. But then, her father wasn't known for his good sense.

"He's out of our lives now." Jake raised his hand, cupped her cheek. His thumb stroked her skin for a few glorious breaths. She could have stood there all day but he lowered his hand and asked, "Shall we go?"

Of course, she thought as disappointment rolled over her. He needed to get to work. "Yes, I've held you up long enough."

At the buckboard he helped her up but after taking his seat and the reins, he didn't head for either the Ellis Mine office, nor Montana Street, which would take them to the ranch. Instead he turned down Main Street and stopped the buckboard in front of the First Citizens Bank. Theirs wasn't the only wagon on the street but it was the only one drawing attention. More than one body was staring.

Assuming he had business to deal with, Laura was confused when he came around to her side and held out a hand. "You go ahead; I'll wait here."

"Laura, I need you to come with me."

He took her hand, leaving her little choice but to step down. On the boardwalk everything came to a standstill as Jake once again offered her his arm. A few heads came together to whisper. Some folks pretended not to stare as they covertly looked from the corners of their eyes. Laura knew better. First supper last night, and now this. Tongues would be wagging for months.

"I really am fine waiting here," she reiterated.

"For what I have in mind, Laura, you need to come with me."

What exactly did he have in mind? she wondered as they entered the subdued and polished First Citizens Bank. Again thinking she could wait at the door while Jake tended to his business, Jake proved her wrong once more when he placed his hand over hers. "Stop fighting me, woman, and let me do this."

There were as many stares inside when Jake took her to the counter.

"Can I help you, Mr. Evans?" the teller asked, his attention solely on Jake.

"Yes. I'd like to add my wife's name to my accounts."

"You what?" Laura sputtered. "Jake, you don't need to--"

His stare silenced her, but it did nothing to hide the misgivings in the teller's eyes. Nor did it hide the man's smirk when he looked at Laura. He was smart enough, however, to show a neutral expression when Jake turned back to him and reiterated what he wanted.

"Of course, Sir. I'll only be a moment." The teller slipped from his post behind the counter to fetch the necessary documents.

Jake leaned forward so as not to be overheard by the other patrons who remained rooted to the floor. "I won't argue about this. You're my wife. You've proven to me that you're not after my money. Besides that, I think it's important you have your own money."

"I would rather work," she said, hoping he didn't take offense.

He didn't. Instead his lips rose in a smile. "Which is exactly why I'm doing this."

His words shocked her. More, they touched her. "I won't ever take any without asking," she said.

Jake's eyes softened and he lowered his head. Laura hitched a breath and her heart gave a hard knock. He was going to kiss her! She opened her lips. His hand curved gently around her arm.

"Mr. Evans?"

Jake blinked. His gaze refocused. Unlike Laura who felt the burn in her cheeks from almost kissing in the middle of the bank, Jake seemed more amused than embarrassed. "Yes?" he answered when he'd given his attention back to the teller.

"I can arrange the documents so that any withdrawal requires both your signatures, as opposed to just one, if you like."

Jake frowned. "Why would I want that?"

"Well, um." The teller swallowed hard. "It's for your protection, really. That way your money can only be accessed with your approval."

Jake went rigid. He leaned forward, his words snapped from his lips. "By being here, I'm giving
my wife
approval. Now show me where to sign."

The man had the good sense to look contrite. Once Jake had signed the papers, the teller slid the papers her way. "I'll need your signature as well, Mrs. Evans. There and there," he added as he pointed.

Mrs. Evans. It was the first time she'd been addressed as such and it meant more to her than all Jake's money, more than all the gold from Ellis Mine and Hawes Mine combined.

Once the papers were signed, Jake insisted on a withdrawal and refused to leave the bank until she had the money tucked into her pocket. It was more than she was used to making in a week and it didn't sit well with her to have so much. She knew the moment she got back to the ranch she'd tuck it away where it was safe. Then only when she needed food or something for the house, would she dip into it.

Satisfied, Jake took her hand and they strolled back outside. With no breeze to speak of, the sun bathed its warmth on Bandit Creek. Laura tipped her face up and sighed.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" he asked.

Her smile stretched her cheeks. "It's perfect."

She wasn't sure what to think of the steady look he gave before he asked, "Ready to go?"

"I am." Thinking surely now he'd take her back to the ranch, Laura was in for yet another surprise when, instead of helping her into the wagon, he skirted around it. Stopping only long enough to let two lone riders and a carriage pass, Jake guided her across the dirt road and into Mather and Son General Store.

Excited to watch him shop, Laura led the way, maneuvering past the shelves of food items and household goods to the back corner where the men's clothing was situated. Not sure what he needed, Laura browsed the shirts. A dark blue flannel caught her attention. Moving closer, her fingers stroked the fabric. She imagined Jake's chest underneath it. Then she imagined him without it.

"I don't think it'll fit you," he said, laughter in his voice.

Laura yanked her hand back. "I was thinking it would look nice on you."

"Were you?" He stepped around, took the garment. "Maybe I should get it, then." After verifying the size, he tucked it underneath his arm. "We'll add this to the lot, but it's not what we're here for."

The lot? What else could he possibly need? She'd been cooking in his kitchen for days and there was still more than enough. It truly never entered her mind what he was after until he pulled her into the section of woman's clothing.

"No." She shook her head. "Jake, no. This is too much."

"Laura." He set the shirt aside, settled his large hands on her shoulders. "I'm not doing this to make you indebted to me or to humiliate you. But your jacket is too thin to keep you warm and your boots look about ready to split open. I need to run to the mine office, let them know I won't be in until tomorrow. Pick some blouses, skirts, shoes and boots. Add that to the jacket you'll choose. If you need any undergarments, get them as well."

She couldn't catch her breath.

"Don't argue, Laura, it'll only drag out matters. And," he added while she summoned another argument, "afterward we're going to Angeline's. Skirts and blouses are fine for the ranch but you'll need some pretty dresses for when I take you to the Opera House."

Money. New Clothes. The Opera House. Was it only yesterday he was barely speaking to her? Laura pressed a hand to her forehead. "Jake, I can't--."

He kissed her head. "You'll be fine. I'll be back. Better get busy."

Laura watched him grab the shirt, set it on the front counter and talk briefly to Mr. Mather. Then he strolled out, unaware of the turbulence he'd created in his wife's heart. He'd kissed her. Maybe it was only on the top of her head, but he'd kissed her. And then he'd left her as though the gesture hadn't shifted the floor beneath her feet. Laura looked around the store. There were piles of stockings, bloomers and chemises. Shirtwaists in every color and pattern. Skirts and simple dresses. Jackets and bonnets. And he wanted her pick whatever she wanted.

Overwhelmed by it all, Laura chose a stack of nightgowns and sat heavily upon them.

***

Hugh's blood was bubbling. How dare she! How dare she refuse him after everything he'd done for her over the years? He stormed through the house, livid. She'd known all along the reason for the marriage, to get Jake's money, and now, when she finally had it, she'd turned on their bargain?

And Evans lording his money around as though that made him more of a man?

"Bastard," Hugh growled, kicking the kitchen chairs. With one swipe of his arm the dirty dishes that had accumulated since Laura had moved into Jake's home fell off the table and crashed to the floor. The fifty would get him by, but it wasn't enough. The only reason he'd been allowed into the back room of Garvey's Saloon last night for a high stakes poker game was because of Laura's marriage to Jake. It wasn't a secret that Hugh had arranged the nuptials, that he'd done it for Jake's wealth. Assuming as he had, that even if Jake refused to share, his daughter wouldn't, they'd let him in on the game.

He'd lost big.

Now, thanks to bad luck and his ungrateful daughter, he was indebted to some powerful men. Knowing they wouldn't take his excuses lightly, Hugh knew he needed to act fast. Heading for the men's club, hoping he could sweet-talk some of his friends into lending him some money, Hugh stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Jake and Laura coming from the bank. Hugh knew his daughter and he knew by the way her hand stayed in her pocket that she had money. Remembering Jake's superior attitude and Laura's lack of respect, Hugh smiled.

Luck had finally turned his way.

SIX

"Laura, say something."

He'd saved the best for last. After leaving Angeline's Dress Emporium with four new dresses--despite Laura's hearty protests--Jake had hurried them home. He hadn't left her to go only to the mine office. He'd arranged a delivery and he'd been excited to show it to his wife.

Now, as they stood in his silent barn and he watched tears stream down her cheeks, he feared he'd inadvertently hurt her.

"Jake." She swallowed, wiped the moisture from her face. It seemed to take a great deal of effort for her to face him. When she did, chin trembling as she fought to contain her emotions, he wished he could take back whatever it was he'd done. "Jake, I can't accept this."

Was that all? She was upset about his gift? He grinned as the tension left his shoulders. "Laura, the clothes you needed. And while I have other horses you're welcome to ride anytime you'd like, this one is yours. Only yours. I thought, since you clearly liked him, he'd make the perfect wedding gift."

"You've already spent a fortune on me today. And, and…" She waved her hand toward the Paint that watched them with big, brown eyes. "Nobody gives an animal like that for a gift."

Jake stepped to the stall, curled his fingers around the animal's halter. "His name is Ben. I asked after him, since he seemed to be in the stable every time I was. Ends up his owners were looking to sell him, that's why he was there. They thought the more people who saw him, the more interest he would draw. Laura," Jake took her hand and pulled her gently toward the stall. "Ben needs attention and love and his owners were glad to sell him."

"I'll never be able to repay you for this."

"I'm not asking you to." He let go of Ben's halter, but kept his hold on his wife. "If not for me, than accept for Ben's sake. It's clear he likes you."