he begged me not to. And instead of being cocky and arrogant the way he usually is, he seemed fearful, desperate.”
“What explanation did he give you for the bruises?”
“He said he’d been jumped and attacked by two men who had beaten him within an inch of his life and promised more would return if he didn’t come up with the fifty thousand dollars they said he owed them. A gambling debt. Only next time they promised it wouldn’t stop with a beating. It would end in a death—Kate’s.”
She was shivering again, inside and out. Branson touched a hand to her shoulder, and it was all she could do not to lean into him, not to bury her head against his broad chest. She trembled but didn’t give in to the tears that pushed at the back of her eyelids.
“Take it easy,” he said. “Just get the story out. Then we’ll decide what to do.”
“I’m not usually like this.” Her voice broke.
“You don’t usually have to worry about the safety of your sister.”
“More often than you know. It’s just that this is the first time I haven’t been able to at least talk to her.”
“Still, it’s no crime to show emotion.”
She bit her bottom lip. It might not be a crime, but she’d learned long ago what showing weakness got you. And she doubted if the good sheriff sitting beside her ever indulged. He was too much in control, too unruffled by explosions to believe him capable of ever losing his cool or exposing his vulnerabilities.
“Did you give Ricky the money?” Branson asked, his gaze fastened on her face.
She lowered her own gaze to the concrete walk beneath her feet. “I would have in a second if I’d had it. I didn’t. But I didn’t have to think about it long. Ricky begged me to go to Charles and ask for the money.”
“Four weeks ago. By that time you and Charles must have been engaged?”
She nodded, knowing it was the same as lying. She drew into herself, alone with the rest of the secrets, the ones she didn’t dare reveal. Branson would find out soon enough, and when he did, he’d do what any good officer of the law would. He’d throw her into jail.
“And did Charles lend him the money?”
“Yes.”
“What did Ricky use for collateral?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t get into the details with them. They worked it out between themselves.”
Branson fingered the brim of his hat. “So, let’s see if I have this straight. You asked your wealthy fiance´ for a loan of fifty thousand dollars because you thought it would save your sister’s life. He agreed and the two of you went back to the business of planning a wedding.”
“That pretty much sums it up.”
“So, if the men got their money, why would they still be trying to kill Kate?”
“That’s the same question I’ve been asking myself ever since you told me she’d been shot.”
“Where’s Ricky now?”
“I have no idea.”
“When was the last time you talked to him?”
She shook her head and then raked flyaway wisps of hair from her cheeks. “Ricky called me on the phone a few days after the beating and thanked me for getting Charles to lend him the money. That’s the last I’ve heard from him.”
Branson stared straight ahead. “This makes absolutely no sense.”
“I agree, but I’ve told you everything I know. So, if you’d lend me a few dollars, I’ll catch a cab and go see if Charles will at least let me back into the house to get my things. I’ll pay you back. Of course, you’ll have to take my word on that.”
“I’m not a trusting sort. Besides, I have a better idea. You can go home with me.”
“I don’t think so, Sheriff.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” he added quickly. “It’s the family ranch down in Kelman. You’ll have a room of your own and the most diligent chaperon in the state of Texas—my mom. So you won’t have to worry about your virtue not being as intact when you leave as when you arrive.”
Suspicion edged along her nerve endings. “Why would you invite me to your home? You don’t know me or anything about me.”
“I can’t resist coming to the aid of a beautiful woman in danger.”
She didn’t buy that for a second. “I’m not in danger. I’m an innocent bystander.”
“Then come with me for the sake of the investigation. I’m looking for your sister. I’ll need to know everything you know about her life and her habits if I’m to find her before her would-be killer does.” He stood up, taking her hand and tugging her to her feet as well. “Besides, Charles isn’t your husband. There’s no honeymoon to hurry back to.”
“How long are we talking about?”
“How long can you spare?”
“Let’s see, at this point I’m sure I no longer have a position at Castile’s law firm, I gave up my apartment already, and I doubt Charles is going to welcome me back into his home in the hills with open arms.”
“Then I guess you can stay as long as I need you.”
As long as he needed her. That was as long as she’d ever stayed with any man before. Her visit to Kelman would surely be short.
“Of course, I can’t promise you a good night’s sleep,” he said, walking along beside her in the direction of where they’d left his truck. “There’s a baby in the house.”
“The mystery baby that Kate delivered to your door?”
“That’s the one.”
Lacy’s nerves tightened again. She hated to even think how her sister had come up with a baby. Especially one whose father was a Randolph. Maybe Branson’s, though he’d vehemently denied the possibility.
There were probably many a woman enamored of the handsome cowboy lawman. Especially if you went for the intelligent, pensive type. Or if you liked the feel of his strong hand when it closed over yours. Or the sensation that crept into your senses when his hip accidentally brushed against yours as you walked side by side.
Some women might like that. Probably only the ones who were breathing.
Kelman, Texas
BRANSON TURNED OFF the main highway and onto the road to Burning Pear. He probably should have called his mother and alerted her he was bringing a guest with him. She’d welcome Lacy with open arms, but she’d expect an explanation. She’d demand to know why he was providing bed and board to the sister of the woman who’d delivered Betsy to their door.
And
