The Lawman's Agreement (Entangled Scandalous) (17 page)

Within moments, Zack had calmed, his breath a soft puff of air against her cheek.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against the passion-damp surface of his skin.

“For what,
cher
? That was wonderful.”

“Yes, it was. I’m sorry for what I said earlier today, at the clinic, when I questioned your decision to shoot Collier.” She laid her hand against his chest, the steady beat of his heart tickling her palm. “I know you have a job to do, and sometimes it involves making those hard decisions. I respect that.”

“Thank you. When you’re out there and someone’s shooting at you and you’re shooting back, there’s not always time to think about anything but protecting yourself and those you care about.” When she didn’t respond, he added, “I’m not a cold-blooded killer,
cher
. I would have rather taken both men alive, if only to watch them squirm in jail and, eventually, federal prison. Sometimes, there’s just no other way.”

“I know that, Zack. Sometimes my Hippocratic oath gets the better of me.
Do no harm
is what we have drilled into us from the very beginning of our training.”

“What say we call a truce of sorts for the remainder of our agreement,” Zack suggested. “I’ll do my best to be more tolerant of your need for independence, and I’ll support your medical oath. You, in turn, leave the law and dealing with the criminals to me and allow me to uphold my oath in the best way I can.”

Suzanne wanted desperately to ask how long this truce would last, how long they’d remain a couple before they called off their fake engagement. As badly as she needed to know, her nerve escaped her, she couldn’t risk Zack’s putting a time limit on their relationship.

Instead, she burrowed more closely into his arms and sighed, letting her body go limp. “Good night, Zack.”

“Good night,
cher
. Pleasant dreams.”

Chapter Nineteen

Zack assembled his deputies, Jake and the McCade’s hired men into the tight confines of the main room at the jail. “First off,” he began, “on behalf of the McCade family and myself as marshal, we want to thank all of you for doing such a great job helping to protect this town and all the people in it.”

“I’ve got a bonus for my hired men,” Jake said, holding out a handful of envelopes. “And despite the marshal’s insistence it wasn’t necessary, a little extra for the deputies as well. Like Zack said, we appreciate everything you did to help protect our family and our business.”

“I’m going to hold a town meeting at the church this evening at six and I’d appreciate it if you men could help get the word out to everyone,” Zack explained. “I really want those who were affected by Collier’s and Ripley’s scam to be there so I can update them on any hope of getting their money back. Also, I think it’s important that the people of Greenville know that they’re safe.”

“What’s happening with Ripley now that the doc’s drugs have worn off?” Deputy Stiles asked. “He’s driving us crazy with all his complaining.”

“There are two marshals coming from Jackson to pick him up,” Zack said. “Assuming he doesn’t get on my nerves so much that I don’t shoot him before they get here.”

The men slowly filtered out of the office, their laughter echoing around the small room. Once they’d gone, only Zack and Jake remained.

“How’s Suzanne doing given she was instrumental in capturing Ripley?” Jake asked.

“She’s grateful I didn’t have to shoot him.”

“How’s the ‘agreement’ going?”

Zack shrugged. “Okay, I guess. Nobody seems to be the wiser that we’re only pretending.”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Pretending,” Jake said simply. “The talk going around town is that you’ve spent every night for the past two weeks at Suzanne’s cottage.”

“That, cousin of mine, is nobody’s business.” Zack turned to Jake and smiled, adding, “Not even yours.”

…

The majority of townspeople were crammed into the church, every row filled as well as the wooden chairs Zack and his men had moved over from the church’s community room. Theodore Gosling, the town’s banker, and Mayor Burke sat in the very first row, Jake on the opposite side of the aisle. Suzanne, Zack noticed, stood off to the side rather than sit down, as if some nervous energy kept her on edge. Pastor MacKinnon began the evening with a short prayer of thankfulness for the town’s safety and then turned the meeting over to Zack.

“As you are all aware, the town of Greenville has been victim to a group of con men out to not only ruin my family and Mr. McLeary’s mill operation, but also take the businessmen and women of this town for money in a scam to create a business owner’s association.”

A rumble could be heard through the crowd and Zack suspected there were questions they wanted to ask. “I can assure you the man in custody, Charles Ripley, will be ordered by the judge to return all money belonging to those of you who had contributed to his bogus organization. It may take some time to sort through the claims made by other towns also swindled by these men, but we will get justice for everyone these men duped.”

“How long will it take?” Theodore Gosling asked.

“That will be up to the court to decide who has first claim and how to best divvy up the money.”

Mercantile owner Albert Canty stood to ask his question. “How will they get money back from the man you shot and killed?”

“The court will assign liens to his estate. Any and all money belonging to Mr. Collier will first have to go to paying back his debts.” Zack paused, and then admitted, “I’m not saying this is going to be an easy process. I’m just saying the U.S. Marshal Service, myself especially, will do everything in our power to make sure you retrieve as much of your money as is available.”

“Are you certain there are no other accomplices out there and that we’re out of danger?” Miss Maribell asked.

“We have confirmed through one of the accomplices now in the custody of the sheriff in Vicksburg, that Mr. Collier had hired two men, Temple and McGinty, and that Mr. Ripley had left the sabotage of the mill and the ultimate threat to the McCade hotel holdings to Mr. Collier and these men. All four men, Collier and Ripley included, have been accounted for and are either incarcerated or dead.”

The questions, most of which dealt with the safety of the town, continued on for another twenty minutes. After the last question was asked and answered, Zack relinquished the front of the room to Mayor Burke.

“As mayor of the fine town of Greenville, I want to thank Marshal McCade and his men for their efforts in apprehending these criminals and bringing them to justice. In light of all we’ve been through these past weeks and taking into consideration their part in making our town safe again, I’ve been asked to announce we will hold an engagement party for Marshal McCade and Dr. Martindale this coming Saturday evening over at Mr. McLeary’s mill. Everyone in town is welcome to attend. Those of you who want to contribute a dish for the supper are asked to see Pastor and Mrs. MacKinnon. Those of you who want to provide musical entertainment are to organize through Mr. McLeary.”

An engagement party
? Zack met Suzanne’s gaze across the crowded room, the panic in her eyes likely mirroring his own.

…

As scheduled, the U.S. Marshals arrived on Thursday to pick up Charles Ripley and return him to the state capital for prosecution. Although he’d balked at first, Zack had relented and allowed Suzanne one last examination of Ripley’s wound.

“So, Doc, am I good to travel?” Ripley asked, his tone a mixture of anger and sarcastic daring.

“You’re traveling, no matter what the doctor says,” Zack told him.

Suzanne removed the bandage from Ripley’s shoulder and examined the wound before turning in Zack’s direction. “Thankfully, there’s no infection. Mr. Ripley is perfectly fine to travel.”

“And if I hadn’t been, would you have insisted I stay here?” Ripley’s dark gaze and lopsided grin made her stomach lurch.

Suzanne spared a quick glance in Zack’s direction before saying, “I might have suggested it. However, the final decision would have rested with Marshal McCade.”

“It’s a shame I have to leave before Saturday. I heard there was going to be a big party in your honor, Doc.” Ripley shook his head as if confused, the action drawing Zack’s attention. “Can’t say I understand what you see in marrying a McCade, though.”

Before Zack could answer, Suzanne told him, “That, Mr. Ripley, is none of your business.”

Ripley chuckled. “You got a spirited one there, McCade, that’s for sure.”

Zack reached for Ripley’s arm and pulled it behind his back until he could handcuff his wrists together. The urge to yank a bit too hard on the man’s injured shoulder caused Zack to draw a deep breath and slow what he was doing. Once Suzanne had stepped out of earshot, Zack leaned close to Ripley and admitted, “If it hadn’t been for the doc, you’d likely be dead. If I were you, I’d thank my lucky stars she is so spirited.”

“You realize, McCade, this ain’t over yet.”

Zack handed the prisoner off to the other marshal, grateful to have the bastard out of his sight. “It is for you, Ripley. You’ll be going away for a long time.”

…

Saturday came all too quickly as far as Suzanne was concerned. She’d fretted all week over the moral dilemma of having a party thrown in her honor, when her engagement was nothing more than a sham. Much to her frustration, Zack seemed totally oblivious to the implications.

“Personally, I like the yellow dress,” Zack said, coming to stand behind her until he could wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest.

“It’s more of a day dress,” she said, wanting to be anything but logical when she could feel the imprint of Zack’s arousal against her hip. “I was thinking the blue silk with lace trim.”

“Why don’t we just skip this shindig and stay in all night making love,
cher
?

“I’d be more than happy to skip the…shindig… if it weren’t for the fact it’s being given in our honor.” She pressed her hands to his arms and pushed half-heartedly, feigning her desire to escape his embrace. “You do see the moral implications in our allowing a party to be thrown for an engagement that doesn’t truly exist, don’t you?”

Zack nuzzled the back of her neck beneath the curtain of her hair and nipped gently at the tender skin. As it always did, the sensual tease set her heartbeat racing.

“The only immoral thing I’m thinking about at the moment,
cher
, is laying you back on the bed and burying my face between your legs until you scream for release.”

Suzanne’s knees nearly gave way with the image Zack’s words created. “As enticing as that sounds, Zackary Levay McCade, I believe the result of such a bold and immoral action would cause us to be late for our own party.”

Zack slid his hand from where he’d anchored it at her waist until he could cup her breast in his palm. His touch was hot through the thin satin of her corset. Against her hip, she felt the pulsing of Zack’s arousal.

“Then, how about you spread those creamy thighs of yours and I’ll take you right here where we stand.”

Suzanne drew a deep breath and reached for Zack’s wrist, drawing his touch from her breast and his other hand from where he’d fanned it over her stomach. Stepping out of his arms, she reached for the blue evening dress and started toward the dressing table.

“You have a few minutes while I get dressed, Zack, if you’d like to take a dip in the cool bath water to relieve your…uh…tension.”

…

Suzanne scanned the entire width and length of the large mill building. Everywhere she looked, she saw someone she knew. The Mayor and his wife sat at the largest table, the four seats beside them reserved for herself, Zack, Jake, and Felicity. Suzanne released a sigh, grateful her friends would be close at hand.

Zack took her arm and ushered her forward, stopping every so often to speak to one of the town’s citizens. Once they were seated beside the Mayor and his wife, Suzanne relaxed a bit, yet kept her eyes open for Felicity’s and Jake’s arrival. A second wave of relief flooded through her when she saw them approach.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” Jake said as he lifted Suzanne’s fingers to his lips. “As should be expected of the blushing bride-to-be.”

Suzanne raised her gaze to Jake’s, not the least bit surprised to see he was fighting back an outright laugh. “Try not to be so amused by this event, Jackson,” she scolded lightly.

Jake seated Felicity next to Suzanne and then took the seat opposite Zack.

“Felicity, you surely don’t look like a woman who gave birth just a month ago,” Suzanne said. “You’re radiant.”

“What I am,” Felicity said, leaning close so only Suzanne could hear, “is lucky that Chance was hungry tonight. Otherwise, I’d have never fit into the bodice of this dress.”

Suzanne couldn’t contain her laughter, the simple sound further relieving the tension she’d felt when they first arrived.

“I understand Virginia is going home tomorrow,” Suzanne commented. “I know you’ll be sorry to see her leave.”

“She’s been a godsend with the baby and insisted on staying with him tonight rather than come to the party.”

“Virginia doesn’t approve of mine and Zack’s agreement. I can understand why she’d feel like a hypocrite if she came to the party to celebrate something that truly doesn’t exist.”

Felicity hid an outright laugh behind her slender hand. “For such an intelligent woman, you can certainly be clueless on matters of the heart.”

Suzanne met Felicity’s gaze and asked, “What on earth are you talking about?”

“You and Zack, silly. It’s obvious to everyone that you’re both crazy about each other. What I can’t figure out is how you’re both so oblivious to the fact that you’re meant to be together.”

Suzanne wanted desperately to change the course of the conversation. “Why don’t we go get something to eat from the food table? Everything looks delicious.”

“Fine,” Felicity conceded. “Forget I even mentioned it.”

Suzanne stood and then leaned over to whisper, “Believe me, I’m trying.”

Music played in the background, slow waltzes, spirited square sets, yet Suzanne was quite content to sit and watch. Zack stood by the door, thanking guests as they left, greeting guests as they arrived. Every once in a while, their gazes would meet and Zack would smile. Each time, Suzanne’s pulse sped up.

“May I have this dance?”

Suzanne looked up and met Jake’s serious gaze. Offering him her hand, she followed him out onto the dance floor. “This isn’t necessary. I’m sure you’d much rather be keeping your wife company, given she’s not quite up to dancing as yet.”

“She’s talking to Pastor and Mrs. MacKinnon, something about funding another improvement to the church. And I figured since my cousin wasn’t going to ask you to dance, the least I could do is spin you around the floor a bit.”

“According to Zack, he doesn’t dance.”

Jake laughed. “Yeah, right. I don’t believe I’ve ever met someone from New Orleans who didn’t dance, especially someone who’s half Cajun. It’s almost a rite of passage.”

“Perhaps Zack is the exception.”

Jake nodded off to his left, and told her, “We’re about to find out. Your fiancé is headed this way with a very determined look on his face.”

“May I cut in?” Zack asked, his voice a low growl that would have likely scared anyone but members of his family.

Jake bowed graciously and handed Suzanne off. “Of course. I’d assumed you weren’t interested in dancing with the lovely Dr. Martindale by the way you’d attached yourself to the entranceway.”

“I was busy greeting our guests,” Zack grumbled.

“Sure you were, cousin,” Jake said, his laughter echoing all the way back to their table.

Zack drew Suzanne into his arms, and she placed her hands firmly against his shoulders. “We don’t have to if you’d rather not.”