The Marshal Meets His Match (27 page)

Shiny black boots, firmly anchored to the ground and tucked beneath spotless black trousers, stood inches outside the rose arbor. Her eyes slowly traveled up the sleek, solid form. A holster circled narrow hips, and a crisp red shirt with silver buttons was belted into the pants. One hand dangled a black Stetson by the brim; the other hand was tucked into a back pocket.

The spick-and-span, too-handsome-for-his-own-good marshal appeared as if he’d just stepped out of a bandbox. He didn’t move nor speak during Meri’s scrutiny and, swallowing past the lump in her throat, she forced her eyes to his face. There was no smirking grin or teasing eyes as there had been the first time she’d met this man. There was only a soft gaze and a hint of upturned lips.

Intense hazel eyes snagged hesitant brown eyes as the thick silence continued. Meri felt his piercing gaze read her every thought. She tried to read him, but unfamiliar with this new language, she remained unsure of what she saw in his eyes and on his face. Her gaze dropped, breaking the connection, and a sense of loss registered.

“Excuse me, ma’am.”

The husky sound drew Meri’s eyes back to the tall shadow-casting figure who bowed slightly, still keeping one hand tucked behind him.

“I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. Allow me to present myself. I am Wyatt Cameron from Virginia by way of Texas.”

A smile dawned in Meri’s heart in delight of the pretentious tone he assumed and the haughty tilt of his head.

“Some might know me better by my job description here in Little Creek—Marshal Cameron.”

She resisted the laugh that bubbled at his continued air of superiority but a little burble escaped her.

Wyatt lifted an eyebrow at the outburst. “Please do not interrupt my introduction, ma’am.”

She pulled her face into some semblance of matching dignity while the impish twinkle in his eyes made her heart do an undignified jig.

“Now where was I?” He pretended to ponder a second. “Ah, yes. I was raised in the fine state of Virginia by my parents, Recyrus, better known as Cy, and Hanna Cameron. I graduated from West Point a second lieutenant in the United States Army. I served for over ten years and attained the rank of captain but resigned my commission after the death of my father.”

Wyatt’s voice had taken on a serious note as he mentioned his parents, and he paused a moment before continuing. “Might I ask whom I have the honor of addressing?” The condescending tone had returned.

She held out her hand in feigned hauteur. “
Miss
America McIsaac, sir.”

He stepped toward her. Setting his hat on a nearby table, he cradled the offered hand in his own and saluted it with a kiss.

Delightful tingles raced up her arm, and she admired the lustrous head of hair bent over her fingers. “But my friends call me Meri,” she added with the barest whisper, “or Mac.”

Wyatt watched her for a long breath before straightening. The hand she had assumed to be in his back pocket emerged from hiding holding a small bouquet of deep purple violets. He bowed low again as he offered them to her. “With my compliments, Miss McIsaac.”

His fingers brushed hers when she accepted the pretty flowers. She was beginning to look forward to the thrill that raced through her whenever he touched her. Burying her nose in the delicate blooms, she hid her face a moment and inhaled their faint sweet scent as he resumed speaking in his newly acquired supercilious manner.

“I was hired to be the marshal of Little Creek, and soon found the town was plagued with a rash of burglaries.” He paused dramatically and rocked back on his heels, tucking his thumbs into his belt loops and gazing at the top of the arbor. “However, I was brilliantly able to resolve all but one of the thefts.”

Meri grinned at his impudence. “You surprise me, sir.”

“The horse theft was solved immediately by my quick action. I had the thief rounded up before she knew what hit her.”

She rolled her eyes as he glanced down to check her reaction to this statement but refused to rise to the bait. “Next…?”

“It took a wee bit longer, due to a slight cleverness on the part of the next thief, but I soon solved the mystery of the bank robbery with my usual dazzling detective skills.”

This time she laughed outright at his unmitigated arrogance.

A satisfied grin marred the haughty upturned face, until a look of abject despondence replaced the smirk, and his head fell forward abashedly. “But alas, I have been unable to resolve the most grievous theft.”

Meri had never seen puppy-dog-sad eyes retain such a deep, mischievous gleam. “So even your brilliance has its limits?”

“Repeat offenders are sly, hardened characters and more difficult to apprehend. Especially when they don’t even realize they’ve committed a theft.” His head shook remorsefully.

“How can a thief not realize they’ve stolen something?”

“This particular thief happens to be rather forgetful.”

“So an absentminded thief has outwitted our brilliant marshal? How can that be?”

“Shocking, I know. It has been a rather severe blow.” Again, his glossy head bowed in contrite shame. “This thief cannot seem to remember my name even though she has stolen my most valuable possession.”

Too late, she realized the clever trap she’d blindly walked into. She crossed her arms as best as possible, considering one arm was in a sling, and narrowed her eyes at the merry hazel ones that peeked at her through thick lashes. “And what, pray tell, am I supposed to have stolen this time?”

All traces of humor fled, and his eyes glowed with a fierce look that took Meri by surprise. Her own eyes widened, and her heart stuttered.

He scrutinized her with a long, measuring look before responding in a low voice. “My heart, fair lady. You’ve stolen my heart. And I don’t know how to function without it.”

Meri searched him for any trace of teasing or humor but found only resolute earnestness. “I’ve never heard of anyone living without a heart,” she said tentatively. She had to clear her throat of a sudden lump. “Would it help if I gave it back?”

“No. It wouldn’t fit anymore. Someone has taken up residence in it.”

Silence fell again. Meri forgot to breathe. She had two choices, fearful retreat or bold advance. After a short but hard-fought internal struggle, she chose boldness. “Would it help if I offered a replacement?” She’d forgotten to notify her mouth that she was being bold. It barely broke a whisper, and Wyatt had to step closer in order to hear. His closeness very nearly destroyed her hard-won bravery.

“What do you mean by a replacement?” he asked cautiously.

“Would you take mine in exchange for yours?” Fear swamped her heart, and she ducked her head as she made the request, unable to look at him. Silence fell and was almost unbearable, but she dreaded looking up to find rejection on his face.

Gentle, calloused fingers touched the tender skin under her chin, and lightning raced through her at the unexpected contact. Like velvet steel, they softly, inexorably forced her face up out of hiding. The second she saw his expression, she understood he’d been waiting for her to look at him before replying.

Expectation filled his eyes as he searched her face. She timidly allowed him to look his fill. “Do you mean what I hope you mean?”

She’d never heard that tone of anxious longing from him before, and a surge of confidence replaced shyness. She’d discovered the key to a new language. What had been undecipherable before was beginning to make sense. “You called me a forgetful thief, but the charge can just as easily be leveled at you. You said I didn’t know I’d stolen your heart, yet
you
didn’t realize you had stolen
my
heart. So you see, Marshal Wyatt Cameron, I’m in good company. It takes a thief to catch a thief.”

* * *

Hope birthed a huge smile, and Wyatt moved to the bench. “Do you mind if I sit down? I find my knees are suddenly in need of support.” Meri started to move her legs off the seat, but Wyatt stopped her with a hand gently laid atop her slippered feet. “Let me.”

Ever so carefully he tucked her skirt modestly around her legs, lifting them and sliding under to sit on the bench and lowering them again to rest across his lap. He kept one hand on her ankles and rested the other arm along the back of the bench as he admired the pretty, rich color that sprang to her cheeks.

She was absolutely beautiful, and he longed to kiss her, but he didn’t want to scare her away. Besides, he’d seen the curtain move in the kitchen window and figured they had an audience. “Since we seemed to have exchanged hearts unknowingly, might I have the honor of calling on you, Miss Meri? I miss my heart, you know.”

Her eyes twinkled before her lashes veiled his view. “I’d like that, but I do have one request, Marshal.”

He narrowed his eyes in mock sternness. “And what might that be, Mac?”

Her lashes swept up. “Yes. That’s it.”

Wyatt cocked his head in confusion and felt his brows knit. “Huh?” Not exactly the most eloquent speech he’d ever uttered.

Laughter spilled unhindered from her lips and danced along the fragrant air.

“It’s not healthy to mock the marshal, young lady. Please explain yourself!” He jostled her ankles lightly in emphasis and felt heat race up his arm.

“I was going to request that you call me Mac occasionally, but you beat me to it.” She grinned, blushing slightly.

He grinned right back and shook his head. “Women! My father said I’d never understand them.”

Two pairs of laughing eyes met and held and awareness sizzled the air between them. Wyatt found himself leaning toward her.

“How ‘bout something to eat?” Mr. McIsaac stood by the arbor holding a tray.

Wyatt straightened and glanced at Meri. Another blush deepened the pink of her cheeks, and she tried to twist her legs off his lap. He quietly stilled her movements, holding her in place. “I don’t know about Meri, but I’m hungry. I think we misplaced lunchtime somewhere along the way.”

“Meri still has a little trouble handling food one-handed. Could I impose on ye to help her since ye’re already so nicely situated?”

“You make me sound helpless,” Meri protested.

They ignored her as Wyatt took possession of the tray while McIsaac pulled the little table within Wyatt’s reach.

“I’ll take yer hat into the house out of the way. Holler if ye need anything.” He gave Wyatt an approving nod and wink, and Wyatt released the breath he’d unconsciously held.

“Would you care for a sandwich, Mac?” He offered her one of the small plates from the tray.

She blinked in charming confusion, looking from the closing screen door back to him. “Why do I get the impression someone is being hustled?”

She must have seen her father’s wink. “Maybe you just have a suspicious nature, dear. Sandwich?”

Her frown held no heat, and Wyatt could see her searching for a comeback. He distracted her by asking a blessing on the food and filling her plate. There was little conversation as they ate, Wyatt keeping her supplied with food, drink and napkins as needed, but there were plenty of tentative smiles on her part and not so tentative on his.

When they’d finished, and Wyatt had replaced the dishes on the tray, Meri suddenly blurted, “I won’t be here.”

“Hmm?” He glanced at her, idly fingering the bow decorating the soft kid slippers on her slender feet.

“We’re going home tomorrow. I won’t be here.” Panic colored her words.

Wyatt stretched his arm along the back of the bench again and allowed his fingers to rest against her shoulder. “I think I remember the way to your ranch. And if not I’ll refresh my memory when I escort you home tomorrow.”

“But what about your job?”

“What’s the use of having a deputy if the marshal can’t take an evening now and then to court his girl?”

The shock in her eyes would have been funny if it wasn’t so sadly genuine. “You’re courting me?” she squeaked just like a mouse.

“Does it mean something else out here when a fella asks to call?” Wyatt watched confusion cross her face again and waited patiently for her response. When it came, it was halting and muffled.

“I…I’m not sure. I’ve never had anyone ask me before.”

The men who had overlooked her were idiots. And he was extremely grateful. “Leave it to a Virginia boy to be the only one to recognize a true gem in this land of fool’s gold.” He assumed a haughty tone again, and she grinned nervously in answer.

“What happened with Mr. Samuels?” She changed the subject so abruptly, it took him a full second to catch up.

“We delivered the prisoners to the county jail without any problems, and after the hearing, the judge ordered them held for trial, which has been scheduled for next month. Your father will probably get a notice to go testify along with Jonah and myself. I figure Samuels and Mullins will go away for a long time afterward.”

She asked a couple more questions, and they chatted for several minutes before Wyatt regretfully announced he needed to return to his office. “May I walk you to the house, or do you want to stay out here?”

“I’m ready to go inside.”

Wyatt lowered her feet to the ground, and offered her his arm. His heart swelled as her hand curled around it.

Arriving too soon at the kitchen door, he again brushed his lips across the back of her slim, firm hand. “Until tomorrow.”

She nodded, the hand resting in the sling caressing the hand he’d touched with his lips.

Knowing he’d see her tomorrow didn’t soothe the ache of having to leave, but he forced himself to turn and start back toward the office.

He heard the kitchen door open before Meri spoke. “Oh! Your hat!”

Walking back, he took it from her hand and swept her a gallant bow before settling the hat on his head. “Good afternoon, my fair lady.”

A completely un-Meri-like dreamy sigh whispered past his ears as he left, and a jaunty whistle sprang to his lips. Turnabout was fair play. She’d sailed over the barriers around his heart altogether too easily, but it looked as if he’d knocked down a few of her own today.

Chapter Twenty

M
eri’s departure from the Kilburns’ home was accomplished only after much to-do and many hugs the next day.