Shotgun Bride (11 page)

Kathleen slapped him. Well, tried to. More like brushed his cheek. But the effort made her wince.

“Be still, you’ll only hurt yourself more.”

“You lowdown, despicable crook.”

What the hell was the matter with her? Did the fall scramble her brains? He’d just offered to do everything she asked and all she could do was try to hit him and call him names. “Listen, I don’t know what else you want, but that’s my offer.”

“I want my land back.”

Mike arched his brows.

“What land?”

“You know what land. Playing ignorant won’t work.”

Mike drew in a deep breath. Kathleen wasn’t making any sense. He furrowed his brow and felt of her forehead for signs of fever. “You can have whatever you want. I promise.”

“Don’t try to hoodwink me.”

“I won’t.”

She didn’t feel hot. He’d ask the doctor about her fall. Maybe the lump on her head had caused delirium. “Why don’t you close your eyes and rest a bit?”

Mike chafed at the distance to town and tried not to fret. But her ramblings about land gnawed at his mind.
Damn it
. He did not want her brain permanently damaged. She was young, vibrant, and deserved a happy, healthy life.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face and his lips curved up at the memory of their shared kiss; their all-night poker game; the quick peck on his lips when she lost; how she had turned to him for help and protection.

His smiled faded. In a fit of temper, he’d wiped away every trace of trust she had in him. He’d wiped away the twinkle in her beautiful eyes, and any tender feelings she may have had for him. His heart constricted and as the night grew darker, so did his melancholy.

Silver moonbeams cast long shadows when Mike dismounted in front of the doctor’s office and kicked the door open. He laid Kathleen down on the table and rushed upstairs. “Hey, doc. Got a patient for you.”

“I’m coming.” The alertness of Dr. Page’s voice verified his ability to wake promptly.

Mike ran back downstairs, lit a couple of lanterns, and went to Kathleen. “The doctor will be right down. He’ll fix you up.”

Kathleen glanced around and nodded. Heavy steps clomped down the stairs and Dr. Page hurried to Kathleen.

“What happened?”

“She took an arrow in her shoulder and fell a good ways into a pile of rocks.”

“Put some water on to boil.”

Mike hustled to do the doctor’s bidding as he removed the blanket from Kathleen and began an examination. She flinched and sucked her lower lip between her teeth when he unwound the bandage from her shoulder and probed around.

“Bring a lantern closer and hold her down. This is going to hurt.”

Mike placed one hand on her chest and the other on her arm, not happy about what Kathleen was about to suffer. Tears ran freely and a few whimpers floated out her clenched jaw as the doctor cut and tugged on the arrowhead. When he finished, Mike wiped Kathleen’s tears with his thumbs and kissed her sweaty forehead. “It’s almost over.”

“Where did this happen?” Dr. Page asked.

“North of my place, up in that box canyon.”

Dr. Page snorted as he began sewing. “Why didn’t you just take her home? No sense fooling around out in the open like that.”

Kathleen gasped and Mike stared. “What are you talking about?”

“She’s your wife, now. No need to sneak around anymore. That’s what got you in trouble in the first place.”

“We weren’t sneaking.”

Dr. Page cocked a brow and ran his gaze over Kathleen’s scantily clad body. “Really, Mike. Next time just take her home where there’s four walls and a door.”

“It’s not what you think. She got caught in the rain and took her wet clothes off.”

Dr. Page cut the thread and tied a neat knot. He pinned a cold glare on Mike. “I don’t appreciate being lied to. The whole town knows. I just never expected you to fall into the clutches of a loose woman.”

“She’s a good girl.”

“Good girls don’t share a room all night long with a man they aren’t married to.”

A wave of heat crawled up Mike’s neck and spread up his face. He glanced down at Kathleen and spotted fury, embarrassment, and suspicion swirling behind the pain in her eyes as she shot an icy glower his way.

Great, now she suspected him of spreading rumors about her
. What purpose did it serve Sally to besmirch Kathleen’s name now? Or his? The damage was done. They were married. Sally won.

And who saw Kathleen come to his room in Trinidad? “Where did you hear that?”

“It’s all over town.” Dr. Page chuckled as he shuffled to the stove, dipped a towel into the hot water, and returned to clean the blood from Kathleen. “You two provided the gossips a good six months’ worth of entertainment.”

He bandaged her wound and dropped his tools in the simmering water. “Take her to bed and leave her alone for a few days. I don’t want to have to sew her back up.”

A cold silence descended as Dr. Page disappeared upstairs. Mike picked up the blanket, turned down one lantern, anything to avoid the inevitable accusations. He now understood a little better how Kathleen must have felt when he pointed the finger of blame on her. Not a pleasant feeling. He didn’t like being lied about. She wouldn’t, either.

“So, it wasn’t enough to rob me blind. You had to go and tell everybody I was no better than a slut?”

Mike rubbed his stiff neck and grimaced at the pounding inside his head. He dug out her wad of money and stuffed it into her chemise.

“Here’s your money.”

She yanked it out and counted. “I see you kept the hundred Trigger gave me. Pretty shabby of you considering you want me to believe Sally paid them instead of you.”

Mike froze. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with her mind. Or her tongue. Both were sharp as a barber’s razor. He started to give her a piece of his mind but Kathleen’s pale face and obvious discomfort stopped him.

Maybe after a night of rest she’d be more reasonable. He draped the blanket over her and plucked her to his chest. “We’ll talk tomorrow when you’re feeling better.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“To the hotel. You need rest not a long ride out to my place.”

“I’ll pay for my own room.”

“Fine.”

“And I’ll stay by myself.”

“I’m not the one who came crawling to your room. You came to mine. Don’t you pin that glaring misconduct on me.”

“Oh, you hateful man. I thought I could trust you.”

“You can. But until you get over your little temper tantrum, I’m through talking.”

Kathleen chewed on her lower lip. If she had the slightest confidence her legs would support her so she’d not fall on her face, she’d demand Mike put her down. But no way was she going to give him any reason to use that condescending tone again. Temper tantrum, indeed. A warm breeze caressed her cheek as he stepped outside the doctor’s office.

She relaxed against Mike’s so-solid chest and regretted it. Those darned churning desires he stirred up reared their ugly heads and tormented her. He had carried her all the way to town, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and defended her virtue.
But doggone it
, why did he deny knowing anything about her land? Could he not know?
Aw
, she’d be a fool to believe that.

And why did Mike come up with the idea that Sally had concocted this scheme? Didn’t make much sense to Kathleen why Sally would renege on marrying Mike.
I mean, really
. He was handsome, his muscles honed by hard labor, and those eyes? Most women would drown in them.

She sure went swimming in them. “Mind trying to explain why you kissed me while you were engaged? Not very honest of you.”

He shifted her in his arms as they passed a storefront. “I shouldn’t have done that. But I had already decided I didn’t want to marry Sally.”

“Why not?”

“Because of you.” By the gruff tone of his voice Kathleen didn’t know whether to be flattered or offended. He didn’t sound pleased. More like irritated. She bit back a reply as his pace slowed.

He shouldered the hotel door open. “Bill, get out here.”

Definitely irritated.

“I’m coming.” Bill glanced at her and scowled.

“What do you want, Baca?”

“A room.”

“Pay me first.”

“Why? I’ve never had to before.”

“Things have changed.”

At Bill’s snippy answer, Mike growled, eased her down, and threw a coin across the counter. “Now give me a key.”

Bill lurched back, his eyes wide. “Don’t threaten me.”

“I’ll do more than that if you don’t hustle with that key.”

Bill scurried to the rack and with fumbling fingers snatched a key and slid it to Mike, being careful to stay out of Mike’s reach. Kathleen grinned. The pompous clerk deserved to be scared. Mike hefted her back into his arms and climbed the stairs.

“What did you mean ‘because of me?’”

Mike set her down on the bed and lit the lantern. “Want anything before I go?”

“An answer.”

“Hungry? Thirsty?”

She glared at Mike. “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll get you something.”

“And thirsty.”

“Fine.”

He headed to the door.

“And I want my clothes.”

Mike slapped the wall, turned, and gave her a fake smile. “Anything else?”

“I’ll let you know.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

The door closed and Kathleen leaned her aching head against the pillow. Bruised up and down her backside, it hurt to lie on her back. But the burning wound in her shoulder prevented her from lying on her right side and the tender lump on her head just had to be on the left. No matter how she lay, pain racked her.

Kathleen jumped at a loud rap on her door, followed by Mr. Hawkins. “I expected to see you last night.”

“I changed my mind.”

Hawkins crossed his arms and shook his head. “Just look at you. What did Mike do?”

“We were attacked by some Utes.”

“Utes? I doubt that. Is Mike hurt?”

“Just a scratch.”

“Did you actually see any Indians?”

Kathleen opened her mouth to respond but snapped it shut. No, she didn’t see any Indians. “What are you implying?”

Hawkins lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “Mike told me he wanted rid of you. Fast. Now I see you’re hurt. What am I supposed to think?”

Something about Mr. Hawkins sent shivers of trepidation up her spine. He spoke softly, never threatening her, only offered help but still. “I’ll be careful.”

“Let me help you. I know a good place where you can hide until you decide what you want to do.”

“Why are you so interested in my welfare?”

“It’s the decent thing to do.”

“Mike will be back soon. He went to get me some dinner.”

“Then make him taste it first, because I don’t believe any Utes attacked you.”

“Why not?”

“Mike’s never had trouble with them before. Why now?” Hawkins smiled. “Did you enjoy the chocolates?”

“Yes, thank you. Oh.”

Kathleen counted out some money and held it out. “Here, Mike gave me my money, so I can pay you back. I appreciate the loan.”

Hawkins crossed the room and took the money. He squeezed her fingers. “This ploy to give your money back is just that. A subtle way of gaining your trust. Don’t fall for it. Remember, I’m available day or night if you need me. But, please, don’t wait too late or you may end up dead.”

“I’ll remember.” Kathleen blew out a sigh when Mr. Hawkins left. She didn’t want to believe Mike capable of the things Mr. Hawkins hinted at, but to ignore his warnings would be foolish. To let Hawkins hide her would be foolish also. No, she’d do this alone. Just like she’d done everything else for the last six years of her life.

Loneliness, her constant companion, settled down beside her. She swiped a tear from her eye and pushed up on her good arm. One leg at a time, she draped them over the edge of the bed, propped the pillow up, and scooted into a sitting position.

She understood Mr. Hawkins’ bitter dislike of Mike but his assumptions didn’t ring true. If Mike wanted her dead, why did he bring her to see the doctor? Why not stab her in the heart when she lay unconscious and leave her for the coyotes? No one would suspect him of murder.

For some inexplicable reason, she felt safe with Mike. Angry and suspicious,
yes
, but not in danger. And now he was off fetching her dinner. So far, after he got over his initial bout of anger, he’d exhibited the willingness to do what she asked.

Kathleen patted her bosom. He did return her money.

She glanced up as Mike came in carrying a tray. Mr. Hawkins dire warning flashed in her mind as Mike set the food across her lap.

“Hope you like soup. It’s all that I could scrounge up this late.”

“I’m not picky.”

She picked up the spoon and hesitated.

“What’s the matter?”

“You didn’t poison this, did you?”

Mike snatched the spoon from her hand, scooped up a bite, and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, swallowed, and shot her a mocking stare. “Satisfied?”

He tossed the spoon on the tray and crossed his arms. “Now eat.”

Kathleen had a bite in her mouth before she realized how quickly she obeyed his command. But the soup was tasty and she was hungry. Some battles weren’t worth fighting. Bowl scraped clean she reached for the glass of water.

Mike beat her to it. He gulped down half the glass before handing it to her. “Didn’t want you to think I spiked your drink.”

A swarm of bees whirled in her stomach. She arched one brow and returned his frosty glare. “Don’t like being falsely accused, do you? Well, neither do I.”

Mike’s unending scowl turned upside down and the ice in his eyes melted.

Kathleen slumped against the pillow, finished off the water, and tossed out a few bills. “Here’s for the room and dinner. Thank you.”

Mike exploded from the chair, snatched the tray, and stalked across the room. A chill spiraled around her spine. Kathleen glanced at the dark window. What if someone came after her tonight? No light showed. She had no weapon. And as weak and exhausted as she was, a herd of stampeding longhorns wouldn’t wake her.

He yanked the door open.

“Mike.”

“What now?” He didn’t try to suppress the anger in his voice.

Kathleen swallowed. She wanted him to stay. Wanted his perfect aim should anyone try to kill her. She was being unreasonable. Allowing fear to override common sense. Her hand shook. She stared out the window. “Nothing.”

The
click
of the closing door boomed like a cannon. She shivered, drew her knees up, and dropped her head between them. Her pulse pumped like a flooded river.

“What has you spooked?”

Kathleen jerked her head up, eyes wide. Mike leaned against the door.