Circle Eight: Vaughn (15 page)

What he needed to decide was whether he wanted to do the convincing. He didn’t know if he had a chance in hell with her. Then there was the question of what he would do if she did say yes. He would have to settle down. What would he do for a living? She would not want him to continue with his current profession. He had lost the taste for it in the last week.

The prospect was daunting and it made him dizzy to think about it. An honest job was not something he envisioned for himself, nor would it bring in the kind of money he could get now. Elizabeth would change his entire life if she agreed to marry him. He had to decide if that was what he wanted because once he started down that path, there was no return.

It was late in the day when they hit the outskirts of Houston. The lights from the city lit up the night sky. Elizabeth was nervous about being there. Her brothers had come years ago when they claimed land, but none of the girls had accompanied them. Now here she was. Simple Ellie Graham from the middle of nowhere Texas, in the grand city of Houston.

She tried not to stare but the height of the buildings. The amount of people, horses, wagons and carriages was astonishing. She’d never seen so many crammed into such a small space before. How did people live here without elbow room?

Vaughn seemed to know where he was going and the rest of them followed. He tipped his hat to a few and weaved his way through the crowd. Since it was evening, she expected there to be few people on the street. That was purely wrong.

Dozens walked along the sidewalk in pairs or in groups. Men lounged against buildings. Everyone looked at them as they passed by. Elizabeth resisted the urge to check to make sure she wasn’t covered in mud or horse shit. They were on parade and the citizens of Houston were busy watching them. It was disconcerting at her core to be the object of such scrutiny.

They made their way up the street and Vaughn turned right. Elizabeth stared at the buildings as much as the people. She had never seen more than three stories and that was only once when she was a young girl. There was a building with five! How could you walk up so many flights every day?

“When you can’t build out, you build up.” Vaughn seemed to understand her confusion over the tall building.

“But why? Why not live where you can build out?” She was a rancher in the middle of a city.

“Some people don’t want the isolation. They like the city and everything you can find here.” He glanced at her. “There isn’t a thing you can’t find if you want it.”

She didn’t want to know what that meant. Whatever Vaughn needed, he could get it here. He wouldn’t need a simple girl like herself. She’d never felt inadequate around him but she did now. Beautiful women stood on the street, many of them scantily dressed, each of them vying for men’s attention. Elizabeth refused to look at the man beside her to see if he was looking at their wares. The Gibsons certainly were. Jeb’s and Will’s eyes were about to pop out of their heads.

She had no right to judge them. Twelve hours earlier, she had been intimate with a man who was not her husband. It might have been a sin in some people’s eyes. She wasn’t one to shy away from being honest or accepting her actions and their consequences. What she’d done with Vaughn could have long term, even lifetime, consequences.

For now she wouldn’t think about it. They had a mission to accomplish. She had to focus on being Elizabeth Montgomery and remembering the life she never had. It wouldn’t be a chore to pretend to be married to Vaughn. He would be so easy to love, easy to want to keep. However, his life and her life would never be going the same direction except for now.

For now they would band together to do what needed doing. She straightened her shoulders and tried not to appear boggled by the sights around her. For an heiress from Galveston, Houston shouldn’t be so intimidating or shocking. She should be sophisticated and worldly. That particular task, however, was easier said than done.

“The boarding house I want to stay at is about ten blocks east.” Vaughn pointed. “The owner is someone who knows the art of discretion.”

Elizabeth again wondered what Vaughn did when he was working, then she tried not to think about it. The fact was, she had no idea who he was. He even told her she didn’t know and that her misconceptions were wrong. Later on, maybe when they were on their way home, she would ask. When she knew they would no longer be together, she could find out more.

She wasn’t one to shy away from plain speaking, but she almost didn’t want to know. It would destroy the tentative truce they’d formed. Perhaps the knowledge might break her heart. Although she wouldn’t admit to him that her heart was involved. Elizabeth was far too logical to fall in love.

She also wasn’t usually one to lie to herself.

Everyone followed Vaughn’s lead although the rest of them appeared uncomfortable in the city. She didn’t want to feel an affinity with the Gibsons but it was unavoidable. She was out of place and so were they. Elizabeth kept her emotions inside, not allowing her face to display any of the churning within.

The boarding house was a nondescript building sporting a blue door with the name “Winifred’s Rooms.” The building was well kept, with not a spot of paint peeling on the whitewashed walls. A front porch sported two rocking chairs and a swing to the side. The windows shone in the meager light from the buildings around it. A warm glow emanated from within.

“Who is Winifred?”

“A friend. She is someone I’ve helped and who has helped me.” Vaughn dismounted and secured his mount to the hitching post. “I’ll be right back.”

He walked through the front door without a pause, as though he lived there, or was familiar enough to be welcome any time. Jealousy over a woman she’d never seen bit her, its teeth sharper than she expected.

“What is this place?” Tobias stopped beside her. As usual, he was scowling.

“A safe place to stay. It belongs to a friend of Vaughn’s.” Her answer was ridiculous and a summary of nothing. She had no information to give.

“That man ain’t got any friends. This place is too quiet.” He looked right and left. “Ain’t nobody here but us.”

Elizabeth would reserve judgment on the place when it served its purpose and when this Winifred showed her loyalty to Vaughn.

Within a few minutes, he emerged from the building with a smile. She told herself it meant nothing. He smiled a lot. That was his standard with everyone. A shyster had to charm everyone around him.

“We’re in luck. She has three rooms available.” He took hold of Elizabeth’s horse’s bit and led him to the hitching post.

“How do we know this ain’t a trick?” A mistrustful Tobias would always be what he showed the world.

“You don’t.” Vaughn held up his hands to Elizabeth and she hesitated. A flash of disappointment crossed his expression. “Please?”

She leaned into him and allowed the courtesy to occur. Men didn’t usually assist her up or off a horse. Being tall, she’d always managed herself. Vaughn’s big hands were warm, seeping into her skin through the fabric of her dress. Those callused hands had brought her pleasure and passion. Now they held her weight easily. He set her down in front of him and she paused. The sounds of the night, the smell of the unfamiliar city, her own nervousness, faded away. The horse, Charlie, even behaved himself, not trying to bump her or nip at her.

Vaughn cupped her jaw and kissed her quickly. “I got a room for you to use but as far as the world is concerned, you’re sharing it with me.”

“What are you asking me?” She wanted to understand what he wanted and what she was willing to give.

“If you want me to join you, all you have to do is let me know.” He took her saddlebags along with his and held out his elbow. This time she didn’t hesitate. She put her arm in his and walked with him up the steps.

A woman stood in the shadows of the front door. She was short and curvy, the total opposite of the overly tall Elizabeth.

“Is this your lady wife?” The stranger’s voice was low and husky.

“Yes, this is my Ellie.” Vaughn patted her hand.

My Ellie.

Benjy had been the first one to always call her Ellie until Vaughn tumbled into her life. The shortened version of her name was natural for both of them. Right then, she felt like his Ellie.

“And the muscle behind her currently staring holes in your back?” The other woman chuckled.

“That is Ellie’s bodyguard, Tobias. The two boys are his brothers, learning the trade.” It was plausible and natural lie that fell from Vaughn’s lips.

Tobias grunted from behind her. “I’ll pound anyone into the ground if they hurt her.”

For a man who had burned down her house five days earlier, he was certainly taking his thespian activities seriously. She almost believed he meant it.

“Very fiercely put, sir. I plan on hurting no one.” The woman stepped into the house, her skirts swishing as she walked.

Vaughn patted Elizabeth’s hand and urged her up the two steps onto the front porch. The smell of vanilla and cinnamon wafted on the air and she didn’t know if it was Winifred or the house.

“She is a friend, an old friend. I promise you we can trust her.”

Elizabeth noted he did not mention how he knew this woman or whether she knew of the scheme with Boyd. The fact was, she was a stranger to all of them except Vaughn. How could they trust her? Then again, Elizabeth was already in cahoots with a group of people she didn’t trust. What was one more?

The interior of the house was bathed in shadows. Several lanterns were placed strategically in the rooms. The parlor to the right held their hostess. She stood in the center of the room, her hands on her hips.

“Come on in then, so I can get a look at you.”

Elizabeth wasn’t sure who Winifred was talking to, but good manners dictated she greet the woman who welcomed them into the house. Or rather, ordered them into the house. The furniture inside wasn’t fancy but it was well made and orderly. A settee in the center was flanked by two wingback chairs. A rocking chair sat by the fireplace, which held only embers.

Winifred was in her twenties, with shining blonde hair stylishly twisted on top of her head. She wore a simple but high quality dress. Her oval face was accentuated by deep brown eyes, high cheekbones and lips redder than berries. She was exquisite. A woman who knew her own beauty and used it to her advantage.

Elizabeth wasn’t sure what she expected, but Winifred wasn’t it.

The other woman held out her hand. Surprised, Elizabeth shook it, her grip strong and sure. “I’m Winifred Watson. Very pleased to meet you.”

“Elizabeth Gr—Montgomery.” The name didn’t feel right but she used it as she told Vaughn she would.

“Montgomery, hm?” Winifred looked sideways at him. “Did you get married?”

“We did.” Vaughn put his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. “Ellie is my wife.”

There it was again—those two words that resonated through her as if someone had plucked a string. She didn’t want to examine why. Instead she pushed aside the tingling awareness and focused on the woman in front of her.

Winifred’s shrewd gaze took them in. “Felicitations. You need just the three rooms?” Her expression told Elizabeth the other woman knew they were lying.

“Yes, three. I’m going to get cleaned up and go out for a bit. Elizabeth will need a bath and the men will stable the horses in the barn. Can you have Herman’s send over food?” Vaughn sounded sure of himself. He had done this before.

Winifred’s brow went up. “Sure I can. Let me get your lady settled and I’ll make sure the men know where to put the animals.”

Elizabeth didn’t necessarily want to accompany her but it would be silly not to. The woman didn’t seem to mean any harm and a bath sounded heavenly.

“I’ll expect payment in full, Vaughn.” Winifred walked to the archway and turned back to look at Elizabeth. “Come on, Mrs. Montgomery. I’m sure you want to wash that travel dust off.”

Vaughn nudged her back. “Go ahead. She will help you. I promise.”

Her feet weighed a hundred pounds each as she trudged out of the room. The stairs were carpeted in a lovely blue, not ostentatious but quality. Winifred did not want for money, that was certain. Elizabeth inhaled the cinnamon and vanilla scents, which calmed her. The situation was far outside her experience and she wished again that someone from her family were there. She’d never felt so alone.

“I’ll blow your head clean off your body, boy. Make no mistake about that.”

The grizzled old man held a shotgun in his hands, steady and straight. Nick held up his hands from his perch on the horse.

“I mean no harm, sir. My brother and I are looking for our sister. We’ve been tracking her for two days.” He waited for the old man to lower the weapon. It didn’t happen.

“Get offa my land, boy.”

Nick was tired, sore and dirty. He had no patience for an old man who didn’t want to be neighborly. Benjy stared at the old man, sitting still in the saddle as if he were a statue. It was eerie how he could do that. Another strange aspect of the youngest Graham.

“Not until I am satisfied my sister ain’t here.”

The old man hmphed. “Ain’t no females here. Just me and three little boys.”

Nick counted to three before he spoke. “I tracked them here. I can see her horse’s tracks right there in the dirt under your feet. That gelding has a nick in his shoe. I know because I was planning on changing it, which is why he was in the barn at home. Or what’s left of the barn.”

The gun wavered just a smidge. “I don’t know nothin’ about it.”

Nick closed his eyes, attempting to swallow his frustration. The old man was not the one who took her or burned their ranch. He probably had trouble holding his dick to take a piss. That didn’t mean he was innocent. He must have known who had been there and might know where they were.

“Look, mister, I ain’t blaming you for what happened but I will if I don’t find my sister. I’ve got a big family and we don’t let crimes against us pass without justice.” Nick’s blood boiled with a thirst for vengeance rather than justice. He hoped he hid the fury or the old man might shoot him where he sat.

“Justice.” The other man spat on the ground. “Ain’t no such thing. All you can do is make things right. Law don’t care nothin’ about folks like us.”

“I have two Texas Rangers in my family. Believe me, the law cares and it will rain down on you if you don’t tell me what you know.” Nick didn’t tell him the two Rangers were retired. If he were honest, there was never really a retired Ranger—they would jump in the saddle if need be. Nick had three more days before the family was due to return home. He hoped they’d received his note and had started back early. If Matt was smart, and he was, he’d left the children and women at Olivia’s ranch and started back with just the men. Although Aurora would likely be hard to keep down. His blacksmith sister-in-law was fierce with her hammer and her ability to swing it.

“I don’t know nothin’.” The older man was stubborn, that much was obvious.

“I’ll follow the tracks with or without your help.” Nick turned his horse north. “I can see they head this way.” As he walked his horse away, he heard Benjy follow. He half-expected to feel buckshot in his back.

The old man’s words stopped him. “You give them time to do what they need to and then you’ll get your justice.”

Nick turned around, his rage bubbling up, his face hot with frustration. “Damn it, tell me what you know.”

“She’s a good girl, with honor. She’s helping right a wrong and she’ll be back when she’s done.” The stranger turned and walked back into the cabin.

Nick thought he might just explode on the spot. The cryptic words served to fuel his anger. They sure as hell didn’t make things better.

“I’m going to catch them. Whoever took her will pay for what they did.” Nick didn’t bother to wait for a response. He kneed his horse into motion and followed the tracks north. It appeared they were headed to Houston.

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” Benjy spoke from behind him.

“Yes. The shoe with the nick leaves a track I’ve been following.” Nick didn’t want to admit he wasn’t completely certain. He followed his gut and hoped it was the right choice.

Elizabeth pulled on the borrowed night rail and robe. She was clean, finally clean, after nearly a week of travel. The bathing room was full of warm, moist air scented with roses. Winifred had given Elizabeth everything she needed and then some. She’d never had such a luxurious bath in such a large tub either.

She was relaxed, or at least as much as she could be given the circumstances. Sleep would be welcome and she hoped the bed was as well appointed as the bath. She craved a bed rather than hard ground with a saddle as a pillow and a scratchy blanket to keep her warm.

The house was quiet, with very little sound. The boys must have been downstairs eating the food delivered by Herman’s, whoever that was. She stepped out of the bathing room and headed to the room she’d been assigned. Winifred told her she would send the dirty clothes to the laundress and return them in the morning. Elizabeth had never been so pampered, even if it made her uncomfortable.

The low murmur of voices made her steps falter. It came from a room near the stairs. She had to pass by it to get to her room. She hesitated, unsure of whether to proceed or go back to the bathing room and wait a few minutes.

Then she heard her name.

“Ellie, hm? She is not your usual type. Not that you keep one long enough to marry.” Winifred sounded dubious.

“She’s unique, smart, strong. Hell, she’s tougher than most men I’ve met.” Vaughn’s tone reflected surprise. She didn’t know he’d felt that way about her.

“I can see the appeal, but marriage? What are you up to?”

A pause. “I’ve got to right a wrong. Something I did got out of control.”

“That’s not like you either. You do what you need to and move on. Why now? Is it her?”

“Some of it. I can’t explain it but things have changed.”

“Because of her.” Winifred was relentless.

“Yes, damn it, because of her.” Vaughn didn’t sound happy about that. “Don’t push me, Winnie. I gotta do this.”

“Then tell me this, are you really married?”

Elizabeth held her breath.

“Not yet.”

A flood of emotion washed through her. She had no idea Vaughn wanted to actually marry her. The thought sent butterflies dancing across her heart. She didn’t want to love him or marry him, did she?

“Who is she, really?”

“Elizabeth Graham. She and her family own a ranch—”

“Holy hell, Vaughn. Graham? As in the Circle Eight?”

Elizabeth hadn’t recovered from the news Vaughn wanted to marry her and now this. Winifred knew her family? Who was this woman?

“I guess. You’ve heard of her?” Vaughn sounded surprised.

“Heard of the family, yes. One of the sisters is married to that Texas Ranger, Armstrong. They spent years searching for missing children. Came through Houston lots of times. How did you end up with a Graham?”

Vaughn sighed. “It’s a long story. She saved my life. I owe her.”

Elizabeth didn’t want to be an obligation for him. She wanted so much more. It was hard to admit that to herself, much less the man who had wormed his way into her heart.

“Be careful. If her family comes after you, you’d better know how to hide.” Winifred’s warning appeared to affect Vaughn.

“I didn’t take her but I am keeping her safe. I swear to you, Winnie, I will never allow anyone to hurt her. Ever.” His fierce declaration echoed through Elizabeth. She believed him.

“Good. Then get your business taken care of and get out of here. I don’t want you here more than a day or two.”

Elizabeth retreated to the bathing room before they noted her presence. What she’d heard had changed everything. She trembled with emotions, ones she had never dealt with before. With as little sound as possible, she shut the door and sat on the edge of the tub. Waiting.

Her stomach churned and her mouth was dry as cotton. Vaughn was more honest with Winifred than with Elizabeth. He had said things she wanted to hear, to know she meant something to him besides a means to an end. Now she knew it was more than that, but she wanted to hear it from him.

A light knock on the door startled her. She took a deep breath before she trusted her voice to work.

“Yes?”

“I put a tray of food in your room, Ellie. The men are all downstairs.” Winifred’s steps faded away.

Elizabeth got to her feet on shaking legs. She had to stay strong. No matter that she felt like a fish out of water. She was a Graham, a family that was apparently known in Houston. It was humbling and at the same time it filled her with pride.

She would survive and return home. That was all she knew right now. The rest would come as it did. She would live up to her lineage and hold onto that fierce Graham reputation. It was time to do what she needed and then what she wanted. Vaughn had no idea what he was in for.

The morning dawned and Elizabeth woke up alone. She half-expected Vaughn to visit her, or rather wanted him to visit her, but he stayed away. Perhaps he was giving her time to rest. She had slept as though she’d not had rest in weeks. The bed was as lavish as expected, with soft cotton sheets and a feather mattress that felt like a cloud cushioning her.

She rose and washed using the surprisingly warm water in the pitcher. Her clothes were cleaned and pressed, hanging on a hook on the wall. The dinner tray from last night was gone. Someone was taking care of her but she wasn’t sure if it was Winifred or Vaughn. She dressed quickly and opened the door.

Tobias stood there, his hand paused over the door as though he were about to knock. Surprise was written on his clean-shaven face. The sight of him cleaned up was odd. She’d seen him so scruffy and fierce. This gentlemanly like exterior disconcerted her.

“Good mornin’, Elizabeth.”

“Good morning.” She held onto the door, unaccountably nervous with this new Tobias.

“I wanted to talk at you for a minute. Alone.”

Elizabeth glanced behind him. “We’re alone.” She didn’t want to be around him, regardless if he was supposed to be her bodyguard.

“I, uh, wanted to let you know that I’m takin’ this guardin’ thing serious. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Well you did.” She didn’t temper the edge in her voice. There was no need. He was guilty and he knew it.

He glanced at his feet. “I regret things. I was powerful angry.”

“That doesn’t excuse what you did. I don’t think I want to talk about this anymore.” She tried to push past him but he stopped her, one hand on her arm.

“I’m sorry, Ellie.” His soft words were unexpected. “I’m hopin’ you can forgive me.”

She stared at him, his eyes brimming with regret. “I don’t think I can.”

He nodded. “I expect that’s true but it don’t change anything.” His gaze moved to the bureau, to the locket that lay there. “Ain’t that my mother’s?”

Elizabeth told herself not to feel guilty. Pops had pushed the locket into her hand and refused to take it back.

“Pops gave it to me. He told me I reminded him of Mary.”

Tobias’s mouth tightened. “He shouldn’t’ve done that without askin’. It ain’t his.”

“It was his daughter’s jewelry. I’m sure he did what he thought she would have wanted.” In truth, Elizabeth still didn’t feel comfortable having possession of the locket. “I’m happy to give it to you.”

He shook his head. “No, he gave it to you.”

“Do you miss her?” The question popped out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

“No, I ain’t had a chance to know her. She died when I was a babe.” He looked away.

“My mother died when I was twelve.” Another tiny connection pinched her. She didn’t want to have anything in common with him. Ever.

“Your kin raised you?”

“My brother and sisters all raised us. Along with our housekeeper, Eva. About nine years ago, my oldest brother Matt married Hannah and brought Granny Dolan into our family.” Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “And now, thanks to you, she might be gone from us for good.”

“I didn’t mean her no harm. I cain’t tell you how sorry I am about that, Ellie.” He scuffed the floor with the toe of one boot. “I’d hate me too if someone caused Pops’s death.”

She nodded. “Was there anything else?”

Tobias stared at her, his eyes pools of tumultuous emotions. He was generally dark and obnoxious, never showing any other emotion. It surprised her to see him struggling. He moved so fast, she didn’t have time to react before his lips covered hers. The kiss was hard, mashing her lips against her teeth abruptly. She was going to pull back but he retreated almost as soon as he’d touched her.

Elizabeth touched her throbbing lips, unsure of what had just happened. “Why did you do that?”

“Damned if I know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry, Ellie. God, I cain’t seem to do anythin’ right.”

Tobias turned and stomped down the hallway. Elizabeth stood there, wondering what to do. He’d kissed her, and none too gently either. No doubt her mouth would swell and people would note it. Her family’s enemy had taken liberties and she hadn’t punched him for it. She was terribly confused by all of it and there was no one to ask.

When she went downstairs, the men were gone and Winifred sat at the table, with a china cup in front of her. The other woman smiled.