Just After Midnight: Historical Romance (16 page)

An hour later, Alex tossed the book onto the desk and turned toward Megan as she waited in front of the fireplace. “He never mentions Joanna.” No emotion graced his voice.

“I think that proves he isn’t the man you’re looking for.”

“Or maybe she meant so little to him he didn’t even bother to record her existence.”

“I don’t think so. He talks about Willie enough. I’m sure he would have written about Joanna if he were involved with her.”

Alex nodded and joined her on the rug before the fire. “I agree. I’ve hated him for so long, and now to find out I was wrong . . . I don’t know what to do next.”

“The same thing we’ve been doing. Keep looking for Willie and Ian. The answers will fall into place eventually, Alex. But knowing what happened to Joanna and my father won’t bring them back. We have to go on with our lives without them.”

Alex took her hand, but continued to stare into the flames. “I can’t regret searching for Brian since my search led me to you.”

Megan smiled and leaned against him. “I’m glad, too. Though I must say you weren’t too appealing in the beginning.”

“And now?” Alex asked as he took her into his arms.

“Now, I find you irresistible.”

Alex stood and drew Megan to her feet. “Show me,” he said, as he led her to the bed.

She undressed him piece by piece, pausing to kiss and caress each inch of flesh revealed to her questing lips. His flesh was warm and smelled of fresh soap and man. She rubbed her cheek against the soft curls covering his chest and then flicked her tongue over the round, flat disc of a male nipple. When her fingers traced the hardened outline of him through his pants, Alex muttered an oath and moved away from her long enough to remove the rest of his clothing then he yanked the belt of her robe free, opening the garment and freeing her bare skin for his hands.

They tumbled back onto the bed, a mass of limbs and teeth and lips. He gathered her hair into his fists and held her still, staring into her eyes as though he wished a view into her soul. Then, whispering her name, he bent his head and his mouth plundered hers.

She opened her mouth and met his tongue with her own, allowing her hands to roam down the taut flesh of his torso before she clasped his buttocks to pull him closer.

His lips traveled from her mouth to her neck, where he nibbled for a moment before moving on to sweeter delights. His hands found her breasts, cupping them together as he bent his head to run a tongue over their distended tips. Megan arched, aching for more, and bit her lip to keep from crying out as Alex took a nipple into his mouth, biting it gently before laving the hurt with his tongue. Then he drew her into his mouth and suckled so slowly and deeply she felt the sensation within her womb.

His hardness cradled against her belly, she reached to trace a fingertip up and down his shaft, then clasped and pulled him to her.

He entered her with a moan, and she welcomed the fulfillment, climaxing immediately when he put his hands beneath her to lift her hips and plunge more deeply than she would have thought possible. When he found his own release, she joined him a second time.

The wind picked up outside with an eerie, lonesome howl as the snow scraped the windows, but inside there was warmth and need and peace.

Alex awoke with Megan nestled to his side and a chill pervading the room as the fire died. Each night they spent together bound them closer; and if she hadn’t mentioned the word love to him yet, Alex was confident she soon would. He smiled softly with the memory of their recent lovemaking and turned his face to kiss the top of her head. Megan murmured his name in her sleep, and the hand that lay on his chest curled possessively, tangling in the hair that dusted his skin.

He would never let her go. He had wandered for years from one assignment to the next, the last year a constant search for Joanna and then Brian Daily. He had never felt such peace as he felt with this woman beside him. It was a feeling he would fight with everything he had to keep.

Someone wanted them both dead and now it looked as though that someone had killed Megan’s father. He wondered if that person and the man involved with Joanna were one and the same. It would save him a lot of time if that were so.

Alex listened to the snow fight with the wind and knew a severe storm raged outside. There would be no investigating until the tumult blew itself out.

He inched away from Megan and began to dress.

“Where are you going?” she asked sleepily.

“Shh, go back to sleep. I have to return to the barracks.”

“It’s snowing. Come back to bed.” She lifted her hand in invitation.

Alex took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t think you’ll be open for business for a few days in this weather. I’ll be back later.”

“Don’t leave.” She yanked his hand, and he tumbled forward on top of her. Giggling, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“The day after tomorrow is Christmas,” Alex said as he removed her arms from his neck and slid out of her reach.

“Christmas?” Her voice sounded more awake now. “I forgot.”

“Maybe we could spend it together?” Alex ventured.

“Yes.” She sat up, and in the dim light Alex admired the naked rise and fall of her breasts and the tumble of red hair over her shoulders. “I’ll have a special dinner here for everyone. It’ll be wonderful,” she said.

“I had something more private in mind.”

“No, this will be great.” She warmed to the subject. “A feast and presents. I’ve never had a Christmas dinner. We were always working.” She looked up at him, her face shining with anticipation. “You’ll come?”

He groaned at the image she presented, naked in front of him, her eyes full of happiness and excitement. Though he had dreamed of an evening together in bed for their celebration, he couldn’t disappoint her. Swallowing his own disappointment, he said, “I wouldn’t miss it.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The snow continued throughout the night and the next day. Though Megan didn’t lock the doors of The Celebration against customers, no one ventured in, so she and the girls ended up playing cards amongst themselves.

She had debated for the past two days on what to give Alex and had found nothing suitable, even in the town that had everything. When she returned to her room to wrap the presents she had bought, her eyes fell on the sweater she had knitted for Brian during the long months she had been stranded in St. Michael the previous winter. The blue of the yarn reminded her of Alex’s eyes and she put her cheek to the wool. She had found his gift.

Christmas day arrived, dark and still snowing. The Celebration was filled with the tantalizing smells of holiday baking. Megan awoke early and lay in her bed enjoying the anticipation of the day.

Papa had always insisted a holiday was a day like any other, only there was more money to be made off the poor saps who believed the day was special. Somehow, Megan had never been able to convince herself of her father’s beliefs in that respect. As each holiday came and went, celebrated by everyone but the Dailys, the emptiness inside Megan had increased. Today she would fill some of that emptiness with the joy of the season.

She dressed for the occasion in the white dress she had worn for her debut as Meggie O’Day. The outfit was her best, and she hadn’t worn it since that night. She had told all the dancers to dress for dinner.

Megan crept downstairs as quietly as she could, though she knew everyone else was still asleep, and placed the wrapped packages around the long table set up in the dance hall.

“Merry Christmas, Megan,” Alex said.

Megan gasped. She hadn’t heard him enter. “How long have you been watching me?”

“Not nearly long enough. You look beautiful, though a bit cold. Here.” He stepped toward her, handing her a large box tied with red ribbon. “You might prefer this.”

“For me?” she asked, a pleased smile tugging at the edges of her lips.

“Who else? Open it.”

Megan stared down at the box in her hands, savoring the moment. She hadn’t had a present since her mother died. Slowly she slid the ribbon from the box and pulled off the lid. Inside lay folds of green velvet of a shade she knew would flatter her skin and hair to their utmost. She pulled the dress from the box and held it up to her chest.

The style was one she would have favored before coming to the Yukon, plain and high necked, boasting leg-of-mutton sleeves and a full skirt. A ruffled flounce was sewn around the hem.

Her eyes met Alex’s and she smiled. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”

“Would you wear it today?” He moved so close, the heat of his body called to hers. “Wear it for me.”

“I’ll change now.” Megan moved to the stairs and began to climb. She paused when she realized Alex wasn’t following.

“Ah . . . wouldn’t you like to come up?” She blushed at how brazen the words sounded, then chided herself for her silliness. The man had slept in her bed and she was embarrassed to ask him to her room.

“I’ll just wait here,” Alex said. “I’d like to see you walk down the stairs in that dress. Just for me.”

Megan found that image arousing, and she wet her lips with her tongue. When she glanced at Alex’s face, his attention had focused on her mouth. The bared skin of her shoulders and neck warmed with the thought of what his lips were capable of doing to her.

She stepped forward, but Alex stepped back, putting a hand up between them. “If I kiss you now, Megan, I’ll take you upstairs and we won’t leave your room again today. I know how much you’ve looked forward to this dinner. We’ll save our time for later.”

Megan nodded, touched that he understood her need for the trappings of a holiday. After allowing herself one small touch of a finger to his lips, she left him alone in the dance hall.

Alex admired the sway of her hips in the white satin dress. He remembered the first time he’d seen her in that dress, how he’d despised her and everything she stood for. He was ashamed to admit he had been such a prig. He had no conception of what a woman alone had to endure, but Megan had taught him much about true strength and courage.

A door opened upstairs and Alex jumped in surprise. She couldn’t be dressed already. Perhaps she needed help with a fastening. Alex moved to the stairs and glanced up, then immediately ducked behind the stairwell out of sight.

It was not Megan who had exited from her room but Queen, her dark, hooded cape swaying as she crept stealthily down the hall. Alex was lawman enough to recognize the behavior of a woman with something to hide.

He remained under the stairs, praying Megan would not return at that inopportune moment. When he heard the back door close behind Queen, he emerged from the shadows. Torn, he glanced upstairs and then at the closed door.

No time to tell Megan what had happened. If he wanted to know what Queen was up to, he had to follow her now or lose her in the storm.

Alex picked up his coat and followed Queen out the door.

Megan stood in front of the floor-length mirror, admiring her gift. The dress fit as if it had been made for her, and most likely it had. She had pulled her hair into a loose roll at her neck, the more elaborate style she had fashioned for the white dress seeming out of place with the simpler green velvet. She cocked her head and the mirror image of Megan cocked her head, as well. She liked this dress better, if the truth be told. Alex would, too.

She went to the door and took a deep breath, suddenly nervous, though she didn’t know why. Yanking open the door, she told Damon to stay, though he eagerly pushed at her legs in an attempt to get past. She glanced down and saw a shadowed figure at the back of the hall.

“I’m ready,” she called and began her descent.

As she walked down the stairs, Megan attempted to gauge Alex’s reaction, but he stubbornly remained in the dark where she could see nothing but a vague outline. When she reached the floor she stopped and did a slow turn so he could see the full glory of the gift. His continued silence unnerved her, and she walked across the floor, squinting into the dark corner of the room where he leaned against the wall.

“Well, what do you think?” she demanded.

The figure straightened and moved into the light.

“You!” she gasped before a hand clamped over her lips.

Alex followed the cloaked figure through the snow, staying back far enough to remain undetected but staying close enough not to lose his quarry in the swirling, stinging whiteness. Queen was headed for Paradise Alley. Amazement flooded him when she knocked on the door to Geraldine’s cottage and was admitted without question.

He hesitated at the door, wondering if the two women were acquainted, though his friend had never mentioned knowing Queen. Perhaps they were merely sharing the Christmas morning together. Well, if that were the case, no harm in his joining them.

Geraldine took an inordinate amount of time to answer his knock, and the surprise on her face had Alex pushing his way into the cottage without her leave.

“Where is she?” His gaze swept the empty cottage, taking in the snoring pup on the bed.

“Who?”

“Queen Love. I followed her from The Celebration.”

“Ah . . . she . . . um . . . left,” Geraldine stammered.

Alex wrenched open the rear door, striding back into the storm. His eyes strained against the snow, but he caught no glimpse of the cloaked figure. With a sigh, he returned to the cottage, confident he could question Queen later after he had done the same with Geraldine.

“Why was she here?” Alex asked.

“She brought me some things.” Geraldine indicated the food on the table with a nervous gesture.

“You never mentioned you were friends.”

Geraldine wandered about the room, her shoulders tense and her eyes averted. “No? It must have slipped my mind.”

“What’s wrong, Geraldine?” Alex crossed the room and took her hands in his, forcing the woman to look into his face. Her gaze slipped from his, and he put his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me what you’re hiding.”

He followed her nervous gaze to a chair near the window. He strode across the room and lifted Ian McMurphy’s fur coat into the air.

“You’ve been hiding Ian?” he said incredulously, betrayal a bitter taste at the back of his throat. “All this time you knew I was looking for him. He’s suspected of trying to kill me, Geraldine. Were you a part of that, too?”

“No! I didn’t know. I swear.”

She backed away as Alex advanced. “I trusted you. Did you run to him and tell him everything I confided in you?”

Geraldine didn’t answer, but her eyes told the truth and Alex turned away with a sound of disgust.

“Why?” he whispered.

“He owns this house, the whole alley. Me. I had to live, baby. You of all people should understand that.”

“Where is he now?”

“I don’t know. He said he had something to do, that he wouldn’t be back till it was done.”

“And what does Queen have to do with this?”

“I don’t know. She brings food and clothes for us; but she never speaks to me and he tells me nothing.”

“Is he behind the attempt on my life and Megan’s?”

“Maybe. He wants her father’s mine. I don’t know why. And he hates you, Alex. It amused him to hide here when he knew all you had done for me.”

Alex turned away from the entreaty in Geraldine’s eyes. He understood her dilemma, but at the moment the wound was too fresh for forgiveness. Without another word, he opened the door and walked into the cold night.

Inside The Celebration Alex shouted for Queen. When the dancer didn’t appear, he ascended the stairs and threw open the door to her room.
Empty
.

“Here, here, Lieutenant. What are ya doin’?” Zechariah asked

“I have to talk to Queen.”

“Ain’t she there?”

“No,” Alex said with a frown. Something was not right here.

“Odd. She should be.”

Alex strode down the hall and knocked on Megan’s door. When no one answered, he opened it and was nearly knocked down when Damon ran past him and down the stairs to stand whining and clawing at the front door.

“Where’s Megan?” Alex asked the old man.

“You’re havin’ a mighty hard time keepin’ track of the women around here, aren’t ya, Lieutenant? I ain’t seen her this mornin’ neither.”

Ignoring the man, Alex walked into Megan’s room, his gaze taking note of the white dress on the bed and the absence of the green dress he had given her earlier. She had obviously changed as he’d asked and come downstairs to show off the dress. But where had she gone when she found him absent? Certainly not out in the storm.

Alex walked slowly downstairs, Zechariah at his heels. He stared at Damon, who continued to scratch at the door. Absently he opened the door to let the wolf out. Instead of running into the snow, the animal looked at him and waited.

“Looks like he wants you to follow him.”

Alex’s gaze swept the empty dance hall. Nothing seemed amiss until he noted a gleaming object in the center. Crossing the room, he bent and picked up the sparkling glass necklace Megan had worn the night she became Meggie. The clasp was broken, as if torn from her throat. His hand clenched, making the stones cut into his palm.

Alex took in the anxious wolf who awaited him at the door. Ian was missing and so was Queen. Now he couldn’t find Megan, and her wolf was very determined to lead him somewhere. If he didn’t miss his guess, he would find at least one, or all three, of the missing residents of Dawson City at the end of the wolf s trail.

“Well, Damon, looks like it’s you and me to the rescue this time.” He pulled his hat down over his ears and turned his collar about his neck before following the black wolf into the storm.

He stopped at the mounted police headquarters only long enough to order a search party to follow him. The snow was slowing down, and he had no doubt they would be able to follow his tracks. He declined to wait, knowing the tracks of Megan’s kidnapper had already been obliterated. He would have to depend on the tracking abilities of Damon to find her; and the sooner the wolf was on the trail, the better.

Alex retrieved his horse and Damon set off, nose to an invisible trail. They went slowly, struggling through the deep drifts. At first the horse shied from the scent of wolf; but after a half hour, when the wolf acted more like a dog and paid no attention to the horse, the animal settled in.

Alex’s extremities soon went numb with cold. That didn’t matter. It didn’t take him long to see where they were headed. He had passed upon the same path before, under the same conditions.

He smelled the smoke from the cabin’s fire and knew he had been correct in his assumption. At the rise behind the cabin, he called the wolf back. He did not know what, or who, awaited him below. With a firm command, he ordered Damon to remain on the hill.

Cautiously he crept to the rear door, knowing the wind muffled any sound of his approach. If he were lucky, Megan would be inside and unhurt and the kidnapper would not expect anyone to arrive in the storm.