Anyplace But Here (Oklahoma Lovers Series Book 5) (4 page)

A pretty young woman with eyes of an angel. She was smart, funny and wore a scent that had tantalized him all evening. He could still smell the flowery cologne.

It confused him how quickly he’d become interested in the girl. Thinking of her and how he would meet her, then walk her home after she finished her day, helped get him through the long hours at the pharmacy.

He’d like more than anything to formally court her, speak with her supervisor, and ask permission to do so. Since she lived away from her family, under the care and protection of the Harvey House, it seemed the right way to do things. Then he could walk up to the front door of her boardinghouse on her days off and escort her to the theater, the museum, and even the library where interesting meetings were often held.

As much as he wanted to do that, one thing held him back. For as sweet and tempting as she was, Miss Emily Cabot was a liar. Everything that had come out of her mouth tonight had been a falsehood. He would bet a month’s salary she’d never stepped a toe in Louisiana. Ten years of working with the Texas Rangers had honed his skills in listening when people talked. He’d also learned to watch what they didn’t say. The truth was there in how they moved their bodies.

She had a Texas accent strong and true, and squirmed so much in her chair he feared she would knock herself to the floor. He would also bet whatever she was hiding had nothing to do with her committing any type of crime. That he would have sensed immediately. There wasn’t a coy or unlawful bone in her body. Which left him wondering the answer to one very important question.

What kind of trouble is Emily in, and who or what is she hiding from?

Chapter 4

“All right, Uncle Jesse, what do you want me to do?”

Hunter and Michael had shaken hands and parted ways yesterday after two torturous weeks of pretending Hunter was happy working as a store clerk. He doubted this stint in Uncle Jesse’s office would be any better. But if this didn’t work out, he could always bug his brother-in-law, Rusty, for a job on his and Rachel’s ranch. Hunter’s leg would be a problem, but maybe he could do something—anything—outside, instead of being cooped up all day.

“What I have in mind is for you to do some investigative type work for me.”

That perked him up. Investigative work would be much more interesting, and at least would get him outside once in a while.

“But before we start, I think while you’re a member of my staff, you should just call me Jesse.”

Hunter shrugged. “That might feel strange at the beginning, but I’ll try to remember.”

Jesse gestured in the direction of his inner office, and then led Hunter there. He apparently wanted to say something his office staff wouldn’t hear. Hunter took the leather chair in front of Jesse’s desk, while his uncle faced him, resting his hip against the desk. “I have a close friend, also a client, who believes someone’s trying to smear him.”

Hunter frowned and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. “Tell me some more.”

“Four times now in the past few weeks, little tidbits of false information have been printed in the gossip column of The Guthrie Sentinel.”

Hunter waited patiently as his uncle seemed to gather his thoughts.

“Each time, no one is named but by the description of the individual they’re hinting at, there is no doubt in my mind—or I’m sure in most readers’—that this client is the target of the blurb.”

“Can you think of any reason why someone is interested in smearing him?”

“Yes. A very good one. Let me give you a bit of a history lesson. Some time back, a delegation of representatives of both the Indian and Oklahoma Territories met in Oklahoma City for a joint statehood convention. After days of talking and negotiating, a petition was drafted, and presented to the United States Congress on March seventh of last year.

“We anticipate a vote sometime in September to settle the matter of whether the citizens of Oklahoma Territory want to be admitted to the United States of America. I am confident the vote will be positive. It is this client’s intention to run for State Governor when the next election comes up. And, I might add, he has the backing of the Party.”

Hunter expelled a low whistle. “And someone doesn’t want to run against him.”

“So it seems.”

Jesse rounded the desk and took his seat. “I have no idea if it’s someone from his party who wants the nod from the powers that be, or the other side. Either way, I can only assume the snippets of information will continue and most likely become more offensive.”

Hunter grabbed a piece of paper and pencil from Jesse’s desk. “Names. I want names of anyone you think might be behind this. I don’t care how upstanding they appear to be. I’ve learned from years in law enforcement that the most seemingly innocent individual can harbor the most vicious intentions. Oh, and I’ll also need the name of your client.”

Jesse wrote the name on a piece of paper and handed it to Hunter.

“I thought tonight we might take a stroll in the park.” Hunter took Emily’s hand and tucked it close to his side.

Since that night a few weeks ago at the Cafe, Hunter had never again questioned her about her background. She wasn’t sure if that was good news or bad. Either he had fallen for all her lies or he knew her to be a flat out liar and it didn’t matter.

What mattered to her was how her feelings for Hunter were growing. She’d been taking extra time with her hair each morning, then made sure it was not in disarray when she left for the evening. Before leaving, she stopped in front of the mirror at the back door of the restaurant to check her appearance, pinch her cheeks, and bite her lips for color.

As soon as the door closed behind her, she began to search for him. He constantly stood in the same spot, arms crossed, leaning against a gaslight. His face always lit up when he saw her, the way she assumed hers did as well. And if she had any doubt, the teasing she took from her co-workers put that question to rest.

“Emily, you meeting your beau tonight?” She heard that question just about every night as the girls finished up their duties.

Her beau. Was Hunter courting her?

She’d feel the need to giggle, and then as if a dark cloud passed over the sun, she remembered who she was, who she was running from, and how temporary this entire life was. If Louis found her, she would be dragged back to Galveston and there was a good chance he would even kill her.

So many times she was tempted to tell Hunter the whole story. But then she stopped herself, not wanting her ugly life to intrude on this new, wonderful world she’d built for herself. Perhaps if she pretended the old Emily Smith didn’t exist, then all of this would become real. Maybe she could make a permanent life for herself here in Guthrie. Maybe even never, ever go back to Galveston.

Oh, sure. That’s a wonderful idea. Keep dreaming.

“I would love a stroll in the park. I always hate to see summer come to an end.” For tonight, with the cool evening breeze, and Hunter by her side, she would push all the unpleasantness to the back of her mind. She inhaled deeply of the flowers growing in the front yard of a snug little cottage on Fifth Street, right across from the park.

Once they reached the park, Hunter released her arm, and took her by the hand. They strolled along that way, hand-in-hand, glancing at each other, smiling almost like lovers. How she wished all the dirtiness in her life could be swept away, and all of this could be real.

Not that she was interested in anything permanent. She’d had enough of counting on men. But it would be pleasant if she stayed here to see Hunter on a regular basis. They could be friends.

They stopped near a tree. Hunter pushed the brim of his hat back and leaned one broad shoulder against the trunk. Taking both of her hands in his he said, “Emily, do you trust me?”

Oh God.

“Why?” She offered him a faint smile, about all she could come up with. He looked at her with such concern in his eyes she almost wept.

He pushed a curl behind her ear that had come loose from her bun. “Tell me what kind of trouble you are in.”

Her mouth dried up and she licked her lips. “What do you mean?”

He drew her into his arms so she leaned against him, her breasts resting against him, her forearms on his chest.

“Honey, I worked for years in law enforcement. Now, I’m not saying I think you’re in trouble with the law, but something else is there. Something you’re very afraid of, but won’t tell me.”

She stared into his hazel eyes, so clear, so pure, just like him. His honest face, the way he’d been raised, how he chose to rid the world of criminals, was so far removed from what she’d left behind.

How could she tell him the disgrace of her life? How she stupidly married the man who had swooped into her life after her parents’ death, promising to take care of her.
You’d think I’d have learned years ago the only one I can trust to take care of me, is me.
But she was so shocked by her parents’ unexpected passing that she’d once again let her guard down and relied on another person to take care of her.

Where were the words to tell him of the ugliness she lived with? The beatings, the spying on friends, the cheating Louis did that she turned a blind eye to. And worst of all, the abuse she’d taken in the bedroom, the humiliating things Louis had forced her to do.

No, this was all temporary, this reprieve she had. Either she would have to pack up and leave in a hurry one day if she suspected Louis was on her trail, or he would find her and destroy everything.

“There isn’t anything. I’m fine.” The heat started at her toes and climbed all the way to her face. She tried feebly to push herself way from him, but he tugged her closer.

“I know we haven’t known each other very long, but trust me, you can tell me anything. I promise. Anything at all. I want to help you.”

Trust.
She almost laughed as the tears came unbidden.

“Trust me, baby, Daddy will recover. We’ll be right back on top in no time.”

She’d trusted her father to take care of her, but he gambled on a bad investment, plunging the family into financial ruin, causing her mother to retreat into depression for years. Only after he’d recovered his finances by spending all his time working did her mother rise from her bed. Too late to be a true mother to her.

Her throat just about closed up and her eyes flooded with tears. She shook her head, unable to speak.

“Please?” His hands slid up her back to her shoulders, and then cupped her face. “Tell me what’s wrong. I want to help you.”

Emily took a deep breath. “Nothing. There isn’t anything wrong.” She inwardly cursed the tears that dropped from her eyes, belying everything she’d said.

“Ah, sweetheart, I know you’re lying.” He used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. As he studied her face, he slowly bent his head until their lips touched. Softly. He nibbled at first, then angled her head so his tongue could trace the fullness of her lips. Giving a slight growl, he hungrily covered her mouth. With his tongue he nudged her lips until she opened and he swept in like a conqueror in a siege.

Emily hung onto his arms, tightened with muscles like iron. He moved his hand down her back to her waist and tugged her closer, flush against the evidence of his desire. She attempted to hold herself back, but the kiss took its toll, and she soon found herself melting in his arms. Louis’s kisses—when he offered them—had been brutal and controlling. Another way to show her that he only thought of her as his possession.

Hunter teased, licked, nibbled . . . made love to her mouth. Her legs grew rubbery, and her heart beat so strongly, she feared it would jump out of her mouth if the kiss ever stopped. Never in her life had she felt so flushed, so anxious for something that eluded her.

In Hunter’s arms, would she find it?

Once more he shifted her so she rested on his strong arm. His free hand moved from her waist up to her breast, never breaking their kiss. When his thumb grazed her nipple, even through her shirtwaist she felt the nub tighten and rise. What in heaven’s name was he doing to her?

Then, as if a bucket of cold water had doused her, she stiffened and pulled back, panting.

Memories of the pain Louis had caused her when he took her, rough and brutal, flashed through her mind, causing her to break into a cold sweat.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I, just—nothing.” She turned to walk away. “I think we should return to my boardinghouse now.”

He pulled her back, and she jerked away, panic racing through her. He was flushed, his lips swollen. She’d never seen passion on a man before, only possessive lust. Yet if she had to sketch masculine desire, Hunter at this moment would be her model. But that didn’t change how she felt. Hands touching her body frightened her.

“I hope I haven’t insulted you.”

“No.” She whispered the word, but her voice sounded strange to her ears, heavy and raspy. Her heartbeat continued to thunder in her ears. All she wanted to do was return to her room and curl up on her bed.

“I’m glad. Kissing you is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now.” His deep voice rumbled through her, producing slight shivers that raced down her body. “You’re cold.” He rubbed his palms up and down her arms. “Let’s get you home. The air has turned a bit cooler.”

He tucked her arm into his and they retraced their steps past the restaurant and the Santa Fe depot shrouded in darkness. Eventually they stood in front of her boardinghouse, hands clasped as they faced each other. The air had grown a bit cooler, but Emily was certain her shivering had little to do with the cold, and more to do with the feelings threatening to engulf her.

How could she enjoy his kiss so much when what had followed terrified her?

“We’re on time. It’s only nine-fifty.” Hunter smiled at her as he snapped his timepiece closed and caressed her cheek. “Good night. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

She hated the feeling of being swept away again, but unsure of anything at this point, she nodded.

What the hell are you doing, Emily?

Hunter shoved his hands into his pockets as he strode from the boardinghouse. After a few blocks his leg began to ache, so he caught a trolley car that dropped him only a block from home.

Tori and Jesse’s low murmurs came from the library as he passed by. Not in the mood for company, he continued on to this room. Flopping onto his bed, he ruminated on the evening.

He was more confused than ever. His feelings for Emily were much stronger than he’d realized. The fact that she had trusted him enough to allow him to kiss her like he had, but to not tell him what trouble she was in, ate at his gut.

There also had been the panic when he’d touched her. All right, maybe he had crossed the line, but it wasn’t anger he’d seen in her eyes, it had been fear. A great deal of fear. He was still convinced she could never be a law breaker. What sort of trouble could a pretty young woman get into that didn’t involve crime?

A man.

Had she run away from an abusive father? A determined beau? She’d been very reluctant to reveal any information about herself, and even the details she had divulged had been lies. He grinned at how uncomfortable she’d looked when she uttered that make-believe story. If her face had gotten any redder it would have burst into flames. Another reason he was sure she could not be a criminal. Those who spent their lives breaking the law could lie with a glib tongue.

While he was doing his job for Jesse, digging up information on whoever it was that was trying to ruin his client’s chances at governor, he might poke around into Emily’s background. Then he quickly disabused himself of that idea. It left a sour taste in his mouth. As much as he wanted to help her with whatever she was running from, prying into her private life behind her back just didn’t sit well.