Bobbi Smith (13 page)

Applause came from the crowd.

“Your turn, breed,” he sneered in a low, mocking voice.

Hawk ignored him. He walked forward, never looking away from his target. With a calm, yet fierce determination, he drew his gun and fired.

Randi, Sherri, and a few others cheered for Hawk.

Milt went to get the targets.

Everyone waited anxiously to learn the results.

“We have a winner!” Milt called out, coming back to make the announcement. “Congratulations go to . . . Hawk Morgan. You hit the bull’s-eye dead-on.”

Fred was cursing vilely as he stormed over to the judge. “Let me see those damned targets!”

Milt held them up for Fred to see. There was no mistaking who the winner was. One of Fred’s shots had missed the center by over an inch. He had lost.

Fred swore violently and stalked off in humiliation. He was going to enjoy every minute of his revenge when the time finally came—and it wouldn’t be long now, if he could help it.

Everyone ignored the sore loser. They cheered Hawk as he was presented the winning prize money.

“That was some fine shooting, Hawk!” Jack praised him.

“Yes, let’s celebrate!” Randi said. “We can go to Crown Candy Kitchen, Pa. Sherri’s friend Andy owns it, and she says he has delicious treats there.”

Sherri was delighted that Randi had suggested going to Andy’s place.

“That sounds wonderful,” Jack agreed.

They started for the new candy shop.

“Where did you learn to shoot like that?” Jack asked Hawk as Randi and Sherri walked on ahead of them.

“My uncle taught me while I was living with him on his ranch. He always said a man had to be able to handle a gun if he wanted to stay alive on the range.”

“He was right about that.”

They reached the store, and Randi and Sherri hurried inside. It was a one-room establishment. There was a counter and a large glass case filled with all sorts of delectable treats. Several tables and chairs were set up on the other side of the room for those choosing to have a meal there.

Andy was busy working behind the counter, wearing an apron over his clothes. He smiled the moment he saw them coming through the door.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” he welcomed them. “Hawk . . . Mr. Stockton. Good to see you again.”

“Call me Jack, please,” he said easily, eyeing Andy’s wares with open interest. “This is some fine-looking candy you’ve got here.”

“What would you like?” Andy asked. “We’ve got rock candy, pulled molasses candy, lemon drops, gumballs—”

“Gumballs?” Sherri was curious. “What are they?”

“Try one,” Andy took one from the bowl and handed it to her. “But don’t swallow it.”

Sherri was intrigued. She cautiously started chewing on the candy, and her frown turned to a delighted smile. “What is it?”

“It’s made of chicle, and I add the flavor to it.”

“It’s really different.”

“I’ll have some rock candy,” Randi said, knowing how delicious the sugar-based treat on a string was.

Andy handed her the candy, then waited for Jack and Hawk to make their decisions.

“Did you know Randi won the race this morning?” Sherri asked Andy.

“One of my customers told me about it earlier. Congratulations,” he complimented her.

“Thanks, and Hawk just won the shooting contest,” Randi told him.

Andy was truly impressed. “Then your candy is on me.”

“I can pay,” Hawk offered.

“No, allow me.”

“Well, if they gave awards for the best candy in Texas, you’d be the winner today,” Sherri said.

“You’ll have to tell them to hold that contest at the Stampede next year.” Andy laughed.

They were just starting to leave the store when Randi brazenly decided to ask the question she knew was haunting her friend.

“Andy?”

At her call, he looked their way.

“Will be you at the dance tonight?”

“I’ll be there,” he answered, his gaze focused on Sherri.

“We’ll see you then,” Randi said.

Sherri only smiled in delight.

“Are you ready, Randi?” Jack asked as he knocked on the door to her hotel room.

“I’ll be a minute longer,” she called out.

“I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Jack did not want to stand around in the upstairs hall.

“How are you doing this evening, Mr. Stockton?” Paul, the hotel clerk, asked cordially.

“Just fine, Paul.”

“You all set for the big dance?”

“As soon as my daughter comes down, we’ll be on our way.”

“Have a good time, and think of me while you’re there. I have to work all night.”

“Why don’t you just shut the place down and come with us?” Jack joked.

“I’d like to do that, but I think my boss might get a little angry with me.”

They both shared a good laugh.

Randi checked her appearance in the mirror in her hotel room one last time before leaving to meet her father. She made her way down the hall, her thoughts on the evening to come. She knew Sherri was thrilled about the dance because Andy was attending, and she was happy for her friend, but she wondered if Hawk was going to show up. She hoped so. She reached the top of the steps and paused, looking around for her father in the lobby below.

Jack and Paul were still chatting when Randi appeared at the top of the steps. Both men stopped talking to stare at her.

Randi was a vision of femininity. She had styled her hair down around her shoulders in a mass of golden curls. Her turquoise gown was modestly low-cut and fit her perfectly, showing off her figure to advantage. She was stunning.

“You look lovely,” Jack said as he went to meet her at the foot of the stairs.

“Thank you, Pa.” She was glad he approved.

“We’ll see you later, Paul,” Jack said as he offered Randi his arm and proudly escorted her from the hotel. He was looking forward to a very pleasant evening.

The hotel clerk watched them go, wishing all the more that he could shut down and attend the dance after getting a look at Randi.

Hawk was sitting alone at a table in the back of the Silver Dollar. After leaving the candy store he’d met up with Wade, and they’d come to the saloon to pass the time, hoping to hear something that might help them track down the rustlers. They’d met with no success, though, and Wade had left about an hour earlier to get cleaned up for the dance.

Hawk knew the foreman was looking forward to the evening to come. Wade had told him that the widow Walker was going to be there; at the social the night before she had promised him a dance.

Hawk lingered at the saloon for a while longer, but the place was pretty much deserted. Most of the cowboys had gone to the dance, eager for the chance to be with the ladies from town.

Across the room, Sindy was sitting with the other working girls, eyeing Hawk with interest. Business was slow that evening—very slow—and she was bored. She always liked a challenge, and since there was nothing else to do, she decided to try to entice Hawk to go upstairs with her. She’d never bedded a half-breed before, and she wondered if he would be a savage lover. The idea brought a sensuous smile to her lips.

She stood up and slowly walked over to stand before him. She was ready to do whatever it would take to get Hawk upstairs and into her bed.

“Evening, Hawk,” she said slowly, her inflection telling him all he needed to know about her motive in seeking him out. Her gaze went over him, visually caressing him.

“Evening,” he answered.

“Looking for a good time tonight?” she asked, making sure her tone was alluring.

The men who frequented her bed at the Silver Dollar knew what a wild and passionate lover Sindy was. She earned every cent they paid her, and she was ready to give Hawk more than his money’s worth tonight. Since it wasn’t crowded, they could take all the time they wanted.

Hawk looked up at the saloon girl and managed a half smile at her brazen ways. “I appreciate the offer, but I have to be going.”

Sindy found his lack of interest in her to be a challenge. She moved closer and spoke in a low, soft voice. “I can take you places you’ve never been before.”

“Like I said,” Hawk began, snaring her wrist as she boldly reached down and attempted to fondle him, “I have to be going.”

He held on to her wrist as he stood up.

“You don’t know what you’re missing,” she countered a bit angrily.

Sindy wasn’t used to being turned down. The men of San Miguel wanted her. They lusted after her. Some of the cowboys had even fought over her, and most of the time she loved every minute of their attention. There were a few she wished would leave her alone, but this one . . . this one wasn’t one of them. She watched Hawk as he kept walking toward the swinging doors.

Hawk didn’t stop or look back. He left the saloon and stood outside on the sidewalk for a moment, glad for the fresh air and the coolness of the night.

Hawk intended to ride out, to leave town, but the sound of the music and laughter coming from the dance drew him. He made his way toward the grassy area at the center of town where the dance was being held.

A low, wooden dance floor had been constructed there, and festive lanterns were hung around it. The musicians were seated off to one side, and what they lacked in talent, they made up for in enthusiasm. It was obvious that all those in attendance were having a good time.

Hawk saw Randi right away. He’d always known she was lovely, but this evening she was more stunning than ever. His gaze lingered on her as she danced with a man he’d never seen before. She was laughing at something he’d said and gazing up at him as he whirled her around the dance floor.

Hawk was troubled by the feelings that the sight aroused in him. He told himself Randi meant nothing to him. He hadn’t allowed himself to care about anyone since Jessie’s death. Even so, as he looked on, a part of him wanted to be the man holding Randi in his arms.

Hawk knew he should mount up and ride out of town.

But he didn’t.

He stayed where he was, watching from the shadows.

“Thank you for the dance, Miranda,” Glenn Hathaway said when the music ended. He walked with her from the dance floor.

“Thank you, Glenn,” she returned with a genuine smile. He was a nice young man who worked as a teller at the bank.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“That would be fine.”

He escorted her to the refreshment table. As they were getting their cups of punch, Sherri and Andy joined them.

“Are you having a good time?” Sherri asked her in a low voice as Glenn and Andy spoke of other things.

“Yes, but I haven’t seen Hawk anywhere around tonight. Have you?”

“No. Maybe he decided to go back to the ranch.”

Randi tried not to show her disappointment at the prospect, but Sherri knew her too well.

“Take another look around for him. He might still be here somewhere,” Sherri encouraged her. She knew how she would have felt if Andy had not shown up that evening.

With Glenn busy talking to Andy, Randi had the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. She had already disappeared into the crowd gathered around the sides of the dance floor when the music started up again.

Hawk had lost sight of Randi after the dance had ended. When the musicians began to play once more, he expected to see her return to the dance floor, but there was no sign of her.

“I was wondering where you were.”

The sound of her voice so close behind him startled Hawk. He turned to find Randi gazing up at him.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, smiling at the sight of her in spite of himself.

“I was looking for you,” she answered simply. “What are you doing over here by yourself? Why aren’t you up with the rest of us having fun?”

“Dances have never been fun for me.”

“Why? Don’t you know how?” She was teasing.

“No, actually, I don’t.”

“Then I think it’s time you learned, don’t you?”

Without waiting for him to say anything more, Randi took his hand and led him a few steps away into the sheltering privacy of an alleyway.

“I’ll teach you,” Randi said softly.

“I might prove to be a slow learner,” he said.

“Then we’ll just have to practice more.” Randi went into his arms.

The sound of the music drifted around them as they stood there unmoving, gazing at each other in the soft moonlight.

Excitement coursed through Randi, and she instinctively lifted her arms around his neck to draw him even closer.

For the first time in years, no thoughts of Jessie haunted Hawk. He was aware only of Randi, of how beautiful she was and how much he wanted to hold her close. He gave no thought to learning to dance. Instead, with utmost tenderness, he bent to her and claimed her lips in a cherishing kiss.

The kiss was gentle—for a moment. Then the power of the attraction they could no longer deny overwhelmed them both.

A deep, abiding hunger filled Hawk. He crushed Randi to him. His mouth moved hungrily over hers, and Randi responded without reserve. She met him in that passionate exchange, reveling in his nearness, glorying in the hard press of his body against hers.

Any thought that they might be discovered was forgotten. They clung together, thrilling in the excitement of their newly acknowledged need for each other.

It was only the two of them, alone in the sweet, blissful heat of the night.

Randi was lost in the pleasure of Hawk’s embrace. His kiss was heavenly. A fire of need was sparked within her, and she moved closer to the strength of him. She wanted to be as close to him as she could.

At her unspoken invitation, Hawk stifled a groan. Randi was in his arms, and she wanted him as much as he wanted her. It was heavenly. . . .

And then the sounds of drunken laughter suddenly echoed loudly around them as a staggering cowboy moved past the entrance to the alleyway.

Hawk and Randi were both instantly jarred back to complete awareness of where they were and what they were doing.

They broke apart and stood staring at each other in breathless confusion as reality intruded.

“I enjoyed your dancing lesson,” he said with a smile when the drunk had finally moved out of sight.