Bri had been lingering in the shadows of the alley, watching the brawny stranger break up the brawl between the lecherous bastard who’d grabbed her and the drunken cowboy who’d tried to come to her defense—and had accidentally gotten in her way. She would’ve had that stinking hide hunter laid out like a corpse in the dirt, suffering a brain-scrambling blow to his hard head if the cowboy hadn’t charged in.
She hadn’t lost the knack of self-defense, she mused proudly. Benji Dunlop had taught her well. She remembered every dirty trick and had used several on the drunken brute before she knocked him to his knees. What she didn’t know was why she’d allowed the tall, muscular stranger to approach her when she could have lost herself in the shadows of the alley, despite his claim that he could track her down.
After the stranger and the marshal hauled the two men to jail, Bri wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders and scuttled back to the hotel. She could rest easy now. She had contacted the livery owner and purchased a sturdy mount and had gathered a few supplies as well. However, she had yet to hire a dependable guide. She frowned pensively, wondering where she might find a reliable escort in a town jumping alive with scoundrels.
Perhaps she could hire the stranger, she mused as she locked the door to her hotel room. He was obviously competent. She had watched him break up a street fight without sustaining so much as a scratch.
Bri removed her gown to stitch up the shoulder seam the hide hunter had ripped loose when he became pushy and insistent.
On second thought, it wouldn’t be wise to approach the ruggedly handsome stranger she’d brazenly kissed twice in the same night. If he recognized her, he might presume that he was entitled to fringe benefits during their cross-country jaunt.
Then again, if he didn’t recognize her…
Bri set aside her mended gown to prepare for bed. Maybe she would approach the stranger and test the waters. If he didn’t recognize her she might offer him a job as her guide. He’d proven himself capable of handling adversity this evening. Whoever and whatever he was, he had remained cool and collected while breaking up the brawl.
Bri admired that about him. Not to mention her appreciation of the arousing way he kissed. The erotic thought sent wicked pleasure rippling through her. Smiling secretively, Bri laid her head on her pillow and fell fast asleep. Two hours later she awakened in the middle of such a vivid fantasy that her body burned with forbidden desire. Chastising herself, she crammed the pillow over her head and tried to sleep without dreaming.
Eaton glanced at his bejeweled pocket watch. He’d bought a round of drinks and encouraged the saloon patrons to cast their votes for him in the upcoming election. Impatiently he finished off his drink and killed another few minutes before the clandestine meeting he’d arranged with his new associate.
He swallowed a grin, remembering that Sylvia would be waiting for him when he concluded his business. Eaton cast aside the lusty thought as he sauntered from the saloon to the gaming hall. When the three men appeared on the boardwalk, he inclined his head toward the alley.
Eaton tapped the butt of the pistol he carried beneath his expensive jacket to make sure he was still armed—just in case. Muggings were commonplace in this hellhole and he didn’t intend to become a victim while he arranged for his newfound friend’s hirelings to deal effectively with Gabrielle.
“Now, what is this task you require, in exchange for my financial support and your political loyalty?” Ray Novak asked then puffed on his cigar.
Eaton surveyed his new cohort’s bulky physique and bushy eyebrows. The rancher shared the same fetish of dressing in the finest clothing money could buy. A man after my own heart, Eaton thought as he walked deeper into the shadows of the alley so no one could overhear him.
“I’m having a problem with my contrary fiancée,” he murmured. “I trust your two men can make the necessary accommodations. I intend to teach her a lesson and to promote my campaign. Of course, this favor will benefit you as well.”
“Count on it.” Novak smiled around the cigar he had clamped between his teeth.
Then Eaton got down to the dirty business of hammering out the details.
The next morning Bri started when someone rapped abruptly on her hotel room door. She glanced at her watch, surprised Eaton had piled out of bed at this early hour, even if he was driven by the need to convince her to reconsider their engagement.
“Not a chance in hell that I will change my mind,” she vowed as she opened the door. She blinked in surprise when the brawny stranger who had tormented her dreams loomed on the threshold, not Eaton.
“Miss Price, I presume.”
His deep, resonant voice rolled over her. She was quick to note that he didn’t seem surprised to see her. There was no flicker of recognition in his whiskey-colored eyes that were surrounded by thick black lashes. He was as tall as she remembered and his face was tanned. Raven hair protruded from beneath the brim of his hat.
Although he wore buckskin breeches and a dark button-down shirt that looked the worse for wear, he filled out the garments exceptionally well. He did indeed possess broad shoulders and long muscular arms, just as she remembered. Double holsters that sported pearl-handled peacemakers encircled his lean waist. He had horseman’s thighs and he wore scuffed high-heeled boots designed to remain in the stirrups when breaking speed records on the back of a horse.
This was definitely the man she had kissed last night. Minus the bristly whiskers, she tacked on. Now he was clean-shaven and she wondered if she’d enjoy kissing him even more without those whiskers.
Bri mentally pinched herself when she realized she was staring at his sensuous lips and studying his striking appearance like a dazzled schoolgirl. It amazed her that she felt such an instant and compelling physical attraction to him. For all she knew he might be a hired killer. Whatever his profession, he was appealing—in a rugged sort of way—and he drew her attention and held it fast.
When his alert gaze roved over her plain blue cotton gown then refocused on her face, she didn’t know why she felt insulted by what appeared to be his indifference and his quick dismissal. Nonetheless, she was disappointed. She swore that she saw him smirk before he schooled his face in a carefully disciplined stare. Obviously he’d taken one look at her and found her lacking.
True, she wasn’t wearing the most expensive gown she owned and she didn’t approve of putting on airs the way Eaton did, but she did look presentable…didn’t she? She looked better than when she wore the dowdy gray gown, bonnet and shawl that practically made her invisible in the shadows.
“And your name is?” she replied while he studied her with a stare that was no more flattering than the first.
Honestly, she might not be a raving beauty like some of the debutantes who attended soirées in Austin, but she’d never had a man show such a complete lack of interest. Usually men paid her more attention than she preferred.
“Captain Hudson Stone,” he said in a no-nonsense tone. “You can call me Hud. Your father ordered me to contact you. I am to escort you to camp since he is on inspection and is occupied with field reports.” He stared pointedly at her. “Perhaps you can schedule your next visit during a time when the commander isn’t exceptionally busy. You might save both of us valuable time.”
