“I had a gun. As luck would have it, the sheriff had walked into the bank right behind me,” he lied. “I didn’t have a chance.”
Howard rubbed the back of his neck. “See, Beth? You’re being completely unreasonable.”
Cole was somewhat pleased that her face softened a bit. He shifted to his other foot. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Beth!” Howard protested.
“He has been in jail, Howard. He’s probably covered with lice.”
Cole rolled his eyes. Damn! If only he knew what this was all about and what was expected of him. All he knew was that he was to go to work for the lady as a guide, just as the deputy had told him. “Where did you learn all about outlaws, Mrs. Alexander?”
“From dime westerns. That is the reason for this trip.”
Cole had to turn away to keep from breaking out laughing. “Never have I met anyone quite like you, Mrs. Alexander,” he finally managed to say soberly.
“Nor I you.”
“Tell me. If all outlaws looked the same, don’t you think it would be easy for the law to spot them?”
Howard chuckled. “Touché! I’ve tried telling her the same thing.”
Beth knew they were right. She shouldn’t have let her disappointment at not finding what she had expected override common sense. And why should she continue to badger Cole Wagner? Hopefully he had the qualifications she needed. After all, he was the only man she had for the position as guide. He would have to do until she found someone better. She really didn’t need a desperado if he could show her what she needed to see.
Howard walked over and poured himself a full glass of whiskey.
So far, Cole had learned that Beth was not only the one who seemed to be calling all the shots, she was also quite blunt. He needed more information. “If it’s not too much trouble, ma’am, I’d like to know what you expect of me. Are you seeking revenge on someone, am I to kill a lover, or maybe you just fancy having a wanted man for yourself?”
The whiskey spewed from Howard’s mouth as he broke out in a thunderous roar of laughter.
“Your questions weren’t called for, Mr. Wagner,” Beth snapped.
“Then why do you want an outlaw?”
Beth marched to the door and opened it. “Decker, Wilber,” she beckoned.
The men appeared immediately.
“Take him to his room. I have already made arrangements for his clothes to be cleaned and for him to bathe. Later, Mr. Wagner, we will dine and discuss what I want of you.”
“Because it seems to be so important to you, Mrs. Alexander, I am thirty-two,” Cole said just before walking out the door.
As soon as the door had been closed behind the men, Bethany glared at Howard. He was using his handkerchief to wipe the front of his vest where he’d spewed whiskey. He was still chuckling. “Howard!”
“Come, come, Beth. Even you have to see how comical this entire situation is. And you did ask for what you got.”
Beth’s face relaxed and a smile toyed with the corners of her full lips. He was as close to a father as she had ever known. “You are impossible.”
Howard nodded. “I hope this time you haven’t taken on more than you can handle, Priss.” He set the glass of whiskey on the mantel.
“What do you think? Can he show me everything I want to see?”
“I have a strong hunch you’ve met your match with our Mr. Wagner. But to answer your question, I have no idea what the man can or cannot do. Maybe we’ll know more after supper.” Oddly, it flashed through Howard’s mind that he had been watching over Beth for nearly ten years and it was time for someone else to take over the task.
Beth decided to change the subject. “Esther is still in bed, but I thought you’d like to know that color has returned to her cheeks.”
“I never expected it not to.” Howard finished his drink. “Don’t blame yourself for her sickness. You had no way of knowing the Missouri River would be so choppy.”
“You’re right, of course, but I hated seeing her so miserable.”
“I’ll see you at supper, Priss.” Howard left, feeling uneasy. Over the years he’d known a lot of men. Some good, some dangerous. Which was Cole Wagner? He still wished he had been able to talk Beth out of this foolish trip.
With Howard gone, Beth suddenly felt alone. It was a familiar feeling. She’d known it for so many years it had almost become a friend. Howard had said she needed to find a good man to marry. One she couldn’t order about. Esther had said the feeling was caused from never really knowing her parents. Her uncle had taken on the responsibility of raising her when her parents had died somewhere in Europe, but Uncle Oliver bore her no true affection. She smiled faintly. Howard and Esther were her family. Frank had joined them a little later. He was just a boy then.
Beth glanced at the wag clock, then quickly stood. She had to meet Mr. Smyth downstairs in fifteen minutes. She wanted to be sure all final arrangements had been completed—something she could have let Howard take care of, but she needed to be busy instead of just sitting around feeling sorry for herself. She also wanted to tell Mr. Smyth how disappointed she was in the outlaw he’d selected. Other than his size, Cole Wagner seemed more like a domestic cat than a lion. And it wasn’t right that he should be on the handsome side. He was supposed to appear villainous.
Chapter Two
Not until Cole was ready to sit at the supper table did Howard remove the handcuffs. Cole rubbed his wrists, noticing the red abrasions. The deputy had locked them too tight.
From the moment Cole had entered the room, his eyes had not left the beauty already seated across from him. The bodice of her green grown dipped low enough to allow him an ample view of full, creamy breasts, waiting to be released from their confinement. Her hair hung in soft, copper ringlets and the green bows at each side of her face matched her gown. It had been a good three years since he’d formally dined with a lady of such absolute loveliness.
“Please be seated, Cole,” Howard said. “I’m sure you could use a meal under your belt.”
The moment Cole was settled, a parade of servants appeared. Bowls of vegetables and platters of beef and fowl were held out for his selection. At least his hostess’s attitude had improved from earlier.
“Excellent meal, Mrs. Alexander,” Cole complimented when he had finished his dessert.
“Thank you. Please call me Beth. Everyone else does.”
“What do you do with what’s left over?”
“As you will soon discover,” Howard answered, “Beth has a lot of people in her employ.”
Beth
