Promises Linger (Promise Series) (29 page)

“Believe it or not,” Elizabeth said as they walked down the boarded sidewalk, “Cheyenne used to be a peaceful place.”

“Uh-huh.” Asa steered her around the third drunken man in the same amount of minutes. “Some say the railroad is going to be the salvation of Wyoming—put it on the map—but I’ve got my doubts when you see the crew that’s putting it together.”

“They are wild,” she agreed.

“Uh-huh.”

A man careened out of the door ahead of them. He landed on the wooden sidewalk with a bone-slamming jar. Another man came flying after him, prepared to carry on the fight.

“This is worse than I remembered,” Elizabeth admitted.

Her grip tightened on his arm, telling Asa she was nervous. He just didn’t know if it was the prospect of getting caught up in a gunfight or whether it was being seen with him that had her nerves strung tight. He sighed and thought it was probably the latter. He wasn’t much of a catch, even if he was handy in a fight. “If you have friends in town, I could drop you there before I go to the bank.”

“I’m fine.” She glanced up. “After all, I have the notorious Asa MacIntyre by my side. No one would dare bother me.”

“You’d best be hoping they ask who I am before they swing,” he answered, not sure if her lips were twitching because she was fighting a smile or a frown.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got bragging rights and I’ll be sure to use them if a miscreant seems too impetuous for his own good.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” He wasn’t exactly sure what she meant, but he liked the bragging rights part. Might mean she liked being his wife. Truth was, he kind of liked being her husband. She had a quick wit when she wasn’t trying to be ladylike. She didn’t cling, but she had ways of showing she wanted him around.

He tipped his hat to a lady and gentleman passing on the right. His mood lightened when they both nodded back. That was something he’d have to get used to. Being respected for something other than his reputation was new. He and Elizabeth had garnered their share of glances crossing town. Most of them speculative, but not once had a woman swept her skirt aside when he passed. With Elizabeth on his arm, he belonged somewhere and it showed. “You want to get something to eat at Millicent’s before we head back?”

He’d eaten there once before he’d met up with Elizabeth. Next to his wife’s cooking, it was the best he’d had.

“Can we spare the cash?” Elizabeth asked, sounding hopeful.

“If we can’t, there’s not much point in me stopping by the bank.”

Gun shots erupted behind them.

“Down!” In a flash, Asa had Elizabeth down on the ground, covering her with his body while he aimed his revolver in the direction of the shots. “Son of a bitch!” If he could have reached them, he would have strangled the cowpokes firing exuberantly in the air. The shots ended as abruptly as they started.

“What happened?”

“Just a couple of yahoos letting off some steam.” Asa got to his feet. He grimaced as he helped Elizabeth. Her blue jacket and riding skirt were covered in dirt. “Darn, I’m sorry.”

She glanced at him as she brushed off her skirt. “It’s just a little dust.”

It was more than that. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“My dignity is a little smudged.”

He winced. “I was kind of hoping not to embarrass you this first trip in after the wedding.”

“Who says I’m embarrassed?”

He pushed his hat back. “You’re not?”

“No.” She tugged her jacket straight. “I’m not.” She brushed the dust off her left elbow. “Truth is, I’m probably the envy of every woman in town.”

He put his hands on his hips. “Let me get this straight. I throw you down in the middle of the sidewalk, get your outfit covered with Lord knows what, and you couldn’t be happier?”

She beamed at him like he was a particularly bright pupil. “Exactly.”

He was never going to understand the woman. “Glad to be of service.”

But it wasn’t his imagination that her step was lighter as they made the last three storefronts without incident. There wasn’t anything an average Joe could pick up. Her expression was still composed, but there was a hint of pink in her cheeks brought on by excitement. There was also a satisfied tilt to her lips. He shook his head again, held open the bank door, and followed her into the cool interior. The place smelled of ink, leather and wood polish. He didn’t care for the smell any more than he cared for the man standing by the teller cage.

It was too much to hope that Elizabeth wouldn’t see Ballard, but it rankled that she spotted him right off and almost made a spectacle of herself trying to get his attention.

“Aaron!” she called, waving her hand. When he didn’t turn immediately, she called his name again. Aaron turned and said something to the teller before coming over.

“Elizabeth! It’s wonderful to see you.”

He took her hand in his. Asa waited for Elizabeth to withdraw it. She didn’t. That slapped some of the good out of his mood. Manners dictated he acknowledge the other man. He nodded his head. “Aaron.”

He might as well have saved the energy for all the attention the man paid him.

“What are you doing here today?” Aaron asked Elizabeth.

“Asa had some business to attend and he was kind enough to invite me to come along.”

Aaron looked his way. “Are you finished?”

“No.” Asa didn’t figure he owed the man more than one syllable.

“Well, then, why don’t I take Elizabeth off your hands? You can meet us at the restaurant at the Ballroom Hotel when you’re done.”

For once, Elizabeth wasn’t opening her mouth, she was waiting patiently for him to do the husbandly thing and make a decision. Unfortunately, this was one of those damned if you do and damned if you don’t decisions. If he said no, not only would Elizabeth think him petty, she’d be here the whole time he met with the bank president while missing a fancy meal. On the other hand, he didn’t want his wife spending the afternoon chatting and dining in a fancy hotel with a good-looking neighbor.

He slipped his arm around Elizabeth’s waist. “Well, that’s right nice of you. A couple of years from now, I might look more friendly on that offer, but right now, I find I’m partial to Elizabeth’s company.”

Damn! He was a selfish S.O.B. Elizabeth would probably enjoy a chance to have an expensive dinner in a fancy hotel. But, before he could set his mind to backtrack, she leaned into his side. Her “Thank you” was aimed at Aaron and showed no sign of discontent.

“Are you sure?” the other man asked. “Banking business could take a while.”

Asa had to give the man points for persistence.

Elizabeth’s hand settled over his where it rested on her waist. Though her touch was as light as a feather, he had a distinct impression she was trying to soothe him as she said, “I’ve already made plans with my husband, but I appreciate the invitation.”

The relief that went through him was unwarranted. What else could she say? He hadn’t left her any option. He felt like a dog in the manger, but he couldn’t bring himself to rescind his statement. He neither liked nor trusted Aaron. He didn’t want him within a mile of his ranch, let alone his wife.

“It was nice to see you again, but…” He stepped back so Aaron could pass. “Don’t let us keep you from your business.”

The show of manners was lost on Ballard but earned him another stroking from Elizabeth. “Maybe you could come over for Sunday dinner?” she asked.

She’d better plan on doing a heck of a lot more than stroking if she expected him to sit down to the dinner table with their neighbor, Asa thought. He was saved from having to turn down the invitation by Aaron himself.

“Unfortunately, I have plans.” He took his hat from under his arm. “Maybe another time.”

The man hadn’t cleared the door when Elizabeth’s “thank you” reached Asa’s ears.

“For what?” he asked.

“For being polite.”

“No need to go looking for trouble.” Not when he had a feeling it was going to come to his door anyhow. Looking down, he noticed she was clenching her hands. “Something wrong?”

“No, I’m just thinking.”

“About what?”

She shrugged. “Things.”

He had his mouth open to press the issue when a neat, rotund older man came around the counter. “Mr. MacIntyre!”

He stepped away from Elizabeth. “Mr. Dunn.” He held out his hand. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Glad you could make our appointment.” He shook his hand twice in a very precise movement. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Nope. Got waylaid by an acquaintance of Elizabeth’s.”

“That’s right.” He smiled. “Mrs. MacIntyre and Mr. Ballard grew up together.”

“So I’ve been told.” Asa answered as the banker ushered Elizabeth to a wide-backed leather chair by the potbellied stove. “Why don’t you have a seat here while your husband and I conduct our business?”

She sank into the chair like a feather drifting onto a pillow, her spine straight, her hands folded in her lap, head tilted in perfect feminine deference. “Thank you.”

The banker’s whole demeanor softened, his voice patronizing. He clearly saw Elizabeth as nothing of consequence. To Asa, who’d watched her pole-axe a man with a bar stool and face down private demons without batting an eyelash, it was a revelation of the depths of stupidity to which a man could sink.

“Could I get you coffee or tea?”

Elizabeth raised a hand to her throat. There was the slightest flutter to her fingertips. “Oh, could you? It was a chilly ride in.”

Chilly, hell. She’d spent most of the trip napping, cocooned in his duster.

The banker lit off to get her beverage with the walk of a man on a mission.

“What are you up to?’ Asa asked Elizabeth.

“I didn’t realize you were coming here when you said you were coming to town.”

“No. I believe you had in mind a trip to the saloon.”

She cast a quick glance in the banker’s direction where he was barking directions to some poor, wet-behind-the-ears kid. “Don’t trust him. He’s as slimy as they come.”

“His opinion of you is a lot higher.”

She dismissed the discrepancy with a wave of her hand. “He’s just a man.”

And what exactly was he?

She seemed to realize her mistake. “I mean, he’s not a very intelligent man. He thinks women have no brains at all.”

“I can see where that would make him fair game.”

“That’s always been my opinion,” she replied dryly. “Especially since I think he’s taken advantage of a widow or two.”

“Seriously?” He really didn’t need to ask. Elizabeth was nearly always serious.

“Yes.”

Mr. Dunn was coming back. Elizabeth caught his hand. She tugged him down and kissed his cheek, damned near shocking him out of his boots. No doubt Mr. Dunn saw it as a demonstration of wifely emotion, but the whispered “watch your back” lingered in his mind as he straightened. Elizabeth wasn’t a woman for dramatics.

“Mr. Higgins will bring your tea.” Mr. Dunn said in a cheery voice as he approached.

“Thank you so much.” Elizabeth breathed in a proper ladylike expression of appreciation. “You’re such a considerate man.”

Mr. Dunn puffed up fatter than a chicken with the chills. “I hope you find the tea to your satisfaction.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Elizabeth answered.

A wildcat posing as a lap cat and Mr. Dunn was falling for it hook, line and sinker. Asa shook his head. It was enough to make him wonder at the wisdom of letting the man handle anything, let alone his money.

“I’ll try not to keep your husband too long,” Mr. Dunn continued. He bowed slightly. “Now, if you’ll pardon us, your husband and I have business to conduct. It shouldn’t take long. I’ll do my best to have him back to you as quickly as possible.”

Elizabeth blushed and nodded. “Thank you.”

He turned to Asa and held open the door. “Mr. MacIntyre, if you’ll just step into my office?”

“You got the transfer?”

“Oh, yes, the funds came through just fine. There’s just one little detail that needs to be ironed out…”

Chapter Fourteen

On a cloudy day, the blue of Millicent Foster’s Boarding House and Eating Establishment was bright. On a sunny day like today, its bright blue and pink assaulted the senses. Stepping through the door didn’t alleviate the visual disarray. Millicent decorated to suit her impromptu likes and dislikes with complete disregard to style or even color coordination. Every table in the place sported a different table cloth. The attack continued with the sounds generated by the diners crowded into the small restaurant.

No one commented, though, because of the scents that teased ones nostrils. They were heavenly and only chaotic because the customer had to make a choice from the dinner menu. Millicent Foster could cook.

“Looks like quite a crowd tonight,” Elizabeth offered.

Asa looked around. “She’ll make a pretty penny off this crew.”

“Do you want to wait for a table?”