Deborah Camp (36 page)

“I’ll remember that.”

“Of course, the man you love should be your best friend. No one should be placed before him.”

Adele lifted a brow. “You think I place people ahead of the man I love?”

“You might have, but I think you know better now.”

“Yes, I’ve learned quite a few lessons over the past few days, Mrs. McDonald. I only hope I’m not too late to put my new knowledge to good use.” She sighed. “I really must go and let you rest.”

“Adele? Are you here?”

Startled, Adele turned toward the front of the building, recognizing Sally’s voice. “Back here, Sally!”

Sally came into the room, her eyes wide. “Oh, good. I caught up with you. Hello, Mrs. McDonald. How are you feeling today?”

“Much better, Mrs. Baldridge.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Sally smiled at her, then turned to Adele. “I was at the bank and I overheard Reno talking to the bank president. Reno said he was leaving, Adele. He said he had his bags packed and the saloon was closed. Did you know? He didn’t say a thing about this at the funeral, did he?”

“No!” For a few moments, Adele thought she would burst into tears, then anger clamped down on that first instinct. “How dare he! He can’t leave! I’m his wife!” She paced, her mind whirling, her emotions roiling. “He thinks he can hightail it out of town without discussing it with me first? Here I am planning a surprise party for him and he’s busy cutting himself loose and making tracks. Oooh! He makes me so mad!” She rounded on Sally. “What else did he say?
Where’s he going? Why is he leaving? Did he mention my name at all?”

“No. He said he was going to talk to you tonight and board the first train out in the morning.” Sally wrung her hands in agitation. “I thought you two would patch things up. I know that’s what you want.”

“He’s going to tell me tonight, is he? Blast his ornery hide.” She stopped her pacing and tipped up her chin. “Come on, Sally. We have to prepare for the party tonight. I want you to help me look irresistible. If he’s thinking of giving me the boot, I don’t want to make it easy for him.”

“Atta girl,” Mrs. McDonald said, her voice suddenly stronger. “Put up a fight, hon.”

“Don’t worry,” Adele assured her. “He’s not the only tough customer in this town. I’m going to stick to him like a burr to a saddle blanket. Sally Ann, we have work to do.”

“Yes, Adele,” Sally said, sending Mrs. McDonald a wink before dutifully following Adele from the room.

The restaurant looked dark as Reno approached. Perfect for his mood, he thought, shoving one boot in front of the other. Ever since the shoot-out he’d felt as if he were walking through a heavy fog. Even seeing Adele at the funeral earlier that day hadn’t helped. In fact, seeing her had made him feel worse, because he was reminded of what he was leaving behind, of what he’d lost.

He hitched his horse to the rail and reminded himself to ask Adele if she’d take care of the animal for him. If she didn’t want to keep the horse, she could
sell it. Removing the packed saddlebags and satchel, he set them under a bench on the depot platform.

Pausing, he surveyed the depot and thought of the day he’d stepped off the train and back into Adele’s life. He wished he could stay with her, but he couldn’t ask that of her. He’d betrayed her trust, after all, and a woman like Dellie could never get over that. No, too many lies had been told, too many chances had been missed. And in Dellie’s right-or-wrong world, he was all wrong.

If he’d told her earlier about his wealth and why he had kept it from her, told her right after they’d become intimate, then things might have been different for them.

She probably thought that her world had spun out of control since he’d been in it. Yes, Terrapin was dead and Wilhite had disappeared like a ghost, but Mrs. McDonald and Little Nugget had both paid dearly. Reno blamed himself for their pain and predicament. After all, he’d placed them in danger by hiring them away from Terrapin. And he’d placed Dellie in danger, too. She must see that by now and would be secretly relieved when he told her he was leaving. She could piece her life back together without him in it.

But it would be hell for him, and he knew it. Squaring his shoulders and gathering in a deep breath, he told himself to face his heartache like a man. Striding to the door, he opened it and stepped inside the shadow-draped restaurant.

“
Surprise!
”

Reno jerked all over and his hand went automatically to his gun. Voices flooded the room and bodies
popped up from behind the counter and from behind the tables. The kitchen door swung open and more people filed in, all laughing and slapping him on the back. Relaxing, his bandaged hand swinging away from the butt of his gun, he breathed a sigh of relief as he was blinded by face-splitting grins, deafened by shouts and laughter.

“What’s going on here?” he asked, his sense of being in a foggy dream intensified.

“You’re the town hero, so we’re throwing you a party,” Colleen said. “Let me take your hat and coat.” She swept them away while other people crowded around him.

Someone pushed a glass of ginger ale into his hand. Chester, the feed store owner, guided him toward the counter and pushed him down onto one of the tall stools there. A chorus of “For he’s a jolly good fellow” made Reno smile but shake his head in denial. Still, it was touching for these people to plan this, to show their gratitude. But wait. They hadn’t planned it. No, this had a certain lady’s touch.

Reno cast his gaze around the room, looking … searching … hoping … Ah, there! His heart thumped at the sight of her.

Adele stood across the room from him and the beauty of her smile clutched at him. Swathed in green satin, she was easily the most beautiful woman in the room. Hell, she was the most beautiful woman in the world to
him
! A slow smile claimed his mouth.

He wasn’t even aware he’d stood up and moved until he was halfway across the room to her.

“You did this,” he said, glancing around at the streamers and food and gaiety.

“Yes. You deserve it.”

While the words were warm, he sensed an undercurrent of something he couldn’t decipher. He chalked it up to her nerves and his moodiness.

“You’re the real hero here.” He reached for her hands and held them. The gold band on her finger mocked him. “You stood up to Terrapin before I came to town.”

“But you rid the town of him.”

He shrugged. “It’s too bad blood had to be shed.”

She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “You have nothing to be ashamed of or to regret, Reno. You defended yourself and us. Mrs. McDonald and Little Nugget wanted to be here, but they couldn’t leave their sickbeds. Reno, if it weren’t for you, we would have buried them this morning instead of Terrapin.”

“I appreciate that, Dellie.”

She raised herself on tiptoe and kissed his lips lightly. “And I mean it with all my heart, Reno.”

A thrill surged through his body. He wanted to crush her to him and kiss her deeply, imprint himself on her, give her something to remember him by. But he wasn’t alone with her, and the others were calling out his name, wanting to shake his hand. He let himself be pulled away, but throughout the next couple of hours, his gaze sought hers time and time again. Looking at her created an odd mixture of lust and sadness within him. How could he turn his back and walk away? He knew it would be the hardest test of all and one he could not fail. The sooner he was out of Dellie’s way, the sooner she could put all the unhappiness behind her and go on with her life. He had
hoped she would love him, but all he had earned was her gratitude. That would have to be enough.

At half past midnight Adele decided she’d have to do something drastic. Yes, she wanted the party to be successful, but it was
too
successful. Only a few people had left. The food was almost gone, but the revels continued. Adele had tried to suggest politely that the hour was growing late, but no one had taken the hint.

Someone had produced a case of whiskey, and Adele worried that Reno might drink too much and be incapacitated before she had a chance to talk with him. And she simply had to talk to him before the first train rolled in!

With her mind made up, she marched smartly to her quarters and fetched her aunt’s rifle. Taking it outside, she stood on the depot platform, cocked the weapon and fired twice into the air. Shouts of laughter changed to shouts of alarm, and people stared at her through the windows. Some ran to see what new danger had developed.

Reno was the first one outside. He stopped a few feet from her and gave her a curious look. “What’s going on?”

“Party’s over,” she said, arching a brow.

“Just like that?”

“Any complaints?”

“No, I—”

“What’s wrong? Who you shooting at?” Ned, the blacksmith, asked, his eyes wild with panic.

“Nobody,” Adele said, cradling the warm rifle in her arms. “I wanted to get everyone’s attention. Do I have it?”

“You got mine,” Ned assured her, then turned and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hey y’all! Pipe down. Mrs. Adele has something to say!”

“Thank you, Ned.” Adele cleared her throat. “The party’s over, everyone. I appreciate you coming tonight, but it’s morning now and time for us to toddle off to our beds.” She shifted the weapon, just to make sure she had their attention. “Good night. Sleep tight.”

“Better get along, folks,” Reno said. “Take it from me, Dellie’s good with that rifle. You don’t want to rile her when she’s armed.” He grinned, making the others laugh off his warning. “I appreciate you sharing the evening with me, folks. I don’t rightly deserve it, but that didn’t stop me from having a few drinks and more than a few laughs. I thank you.” He bowed from the waist.

Paul Green came forward to shake his hand. “Good night, Gold. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Night, Paul.”

“You sure know how to shut down a good time,” Ned grumbled at Adele, but he crushed his hat onto his head and shuffled off with his wife.

Others followed. Adele smiled pleasantly and waved, feeling a little guilty for forcing them to leave, but also impatient to see the last of them. She’d waited long enough to speak to Reno. As it was, her nerves were stretched to the breaking point. She’d thought he might announce to the others that he was planning to leave town, but evidently it was his little secret.

Not for long, she vowed silently. If he thought he would sneak out of town like a thief in the night and
not tell a living soul, not even his wife. Well, she wouldn’t let him go. Not that easily.

She saw Sally hustle Colleen and Helen upstairs when the last of the townspeople were gone. Suddenly the night was uncommonly quiet and the moon and stars provided the only illumination.

Reno walked to his horse, hitched at the railing, and ran a hand down the animal’s sleek neck. “Thanks for everything, Adele. I was wondering if you’d see to my horse here. You see, I’m—” He clamped his teeth shut when he saw her raise the rifle and aim it at him. “Just what in the hell are you doing?”

“Just what in the hell are
you
doing?” she charged hotly. “If you think you’re leaving, Reno Gold, think again.”

“D
amn it all.” He scowled at her. “How’d you find out? I was going to tell you as soon as we were alone, but as usual, someone beat me to it. That’s been the way between us since the beginning—just when I work up the courage to tell you something, you’ve already heard it.”

“And why do you need courage to tell me the truth?” she rejoined. “Do you perhaps feel guilty for tucking tail and running out of town without a backward glance?”

“I’m not running anywhere. I’m simply moving on.”

“Need I remind you that we’re married, Reno Gold?” She lowered the rifle and tapped her foot impatiently.

“I’m aware of that, Dellie. I figured I’d leave the divorce in your hands. I’ll pay any fees, of course.”

“How noble of you.” She wished she was a man so that she could bust him one.

“What are you riled about?” He propped his hands on his hips and looked at her, clearly perplexed. “I
thought you’d be glad to see the last of me. After all we’ve been through, I figured—”

“Exactly,” she interrupted him. “After all we’ve been through, the very least you could do is discuss this with me. But, no! You pack your bags.” She shot a look at the saddlebags and satchel he’d tucked under the bench. “And don’t think I didn’t see your things hidden out of sight over there.”

“Not hidden too well,” he noted with a roll of his eyes. “For God’s sake, Dellie—”

“And Little Nugget says she’s leaving, too! I suppose you put that idea in her head. You think you can sweep in here, turn a person’s life upside down, make a person care for you, and then just disappear like a puff of smoke? How dare you, Reno Gold!”

He swept his hat off his head in a gesture of irritation. “Hell’s afire, Dellie. I can’t figure you out to save my life. As for Little Nugget, she’s a grown woman and knows what she wants. I haven’t even talked to her about leaving.”

Adele puffed out a breath. “Oh, that’s just like you! Don’t waste a thought on those you leave behind! You won’t even miss her or me or anyone!”

He shook his head, having a devil of a time trying to win any points with her or even follow her circuitous train of thought. “That’s not true.” He hung his hat on the saddle horn and moved closer to her, watching her color rise and her breasts heave with her agitated breaths. She was so beautiful, so spirited, so furious, he just had to have her.

“I care,” he told her, glancing at the rifle in her hands.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then believe this.” He closed the distance between them in two steps and with his good hand he wrenched the rifle from her and flung it aside. Wrapping his arm around her, he drowned out her startled cry with the pressure of his lips, the surge of his tongue, the power of his lust. She tasted sweet and spicy, hot and wild. Her struggles only made his blood run hotter.

She pushed at his shoulders; his injury stung him, but he was beyond caring about such inconsequential pain. He held her closer, stilling her movements against the solidness of his body and forcing her to experience his kiss fully. She made furious sounds for a few moments, and then a purr moved up her throat and echoed in his head. He stroked her tongue with his and covered one of her breasts with his hand—his wounded hand, he vaguely noted. But his wounds were nothing compared to the seduction of her body, the beading of her nipple beneath his palm and the layers of her clothing. He wanted to take that pearly flesh into his mouth, to lose himself in her again just one last time.