Quicksilver Passion (186 page)

Cherokee didn’t stand a chance against the brawny scout without his eyesight. Maybe she could convince him to leave this town and forget justice. Whatever she had to submit to from Dallinger, it was better than getting Cherokee killed.

She fled to the Essex Hotel.

Cherokee, let me in! It’s Silver!”

Cherokee answered the door, still puzzled over what he was going to do about maintaining his masquerade if and when his sight gradually returned to normal. Whatever it would take to keep Silver, whether it meant lying, cheating, or whatever, he wanted her badly enough to try.

Silver? I wasn’t sure you’d come again.”

She came into his arms and her cheek felt cold against his.
I had to.”

She was scared; he could sense that. Cherokee held her very close and stroked her hair, which hung in wild disarray as he ran his hand over her face.
Your hair is down and your glasses are gone. Has something happened?”

I—I just came to tell you I’ve changed my mind about you.”

In the dim light of the lamp, he could see her face and knew she wasn’t a good liar.

I don’t understand.”

She tried to pull out of his arms.
I’ve decided I should stay at the Palace. That’s where a big-time saloon star like me belongs anyway. If you did want to marry me, you’d stick me in some crummy place with brats crawling around my feet while I hung over a washtub all day.”

He tried to mold her against him, but she felt wooden and unresponsive in his arms.
Silver, if I hadn’t been blind, I’ll level with you, I would have kidnapped you if I had to and carried you off to a cabin where all we did was lie on a fur rug naked in front of the fire and make love.”

No, I—I’ve changed my mind. You can’t expect me to give up everything for a—a blind man.”

He winced, looking down at her. He saw fear in her dear, scarred face and wondered what had happened. Had she guessed about his returning sight? No, in that case, she wouldn’t want him to see her; she wouldn’t have come.

No, that was actual fear in her face. He wondered suddenly if she feared for herself or someone else. If any man had laid a hand on her, Cherokee would kill him. Could it be that his blindness really made a difference to her? That wasn’t the Silver he had known.
I suppose that’s the reason I kept trying to keep you from finding out.”

She turned away from him.
Well, that’s all I have to say.” She drew in a deep, shuddering breath.
I-I’ll go now.