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She sobbed again. “As if I could ever forget them. Then, when you told me about him being dead, I—I felt relief. I am sorry, but only what you’d be if you read there’d been a train wreck and people you never knew died. I must be a terrible person not to mourn him.”

  “No, you’re a wonderful person and it’s not like you lived with him long or had seen him recently.” What a hell of a position to be in. How could he tell her how Jeffers died? He stroked her silky hair. “I’m sorry you’re upset, but I’m glad I found you. You’re a different person in a way, but you were a sweet woman then and you are now. And a good mother and daughter.”

  He thanked God he’d given Jeffers the money for her ticket home, but he’d never let her know about that. She’d hate him for sure if she learned her no-good former husband had borrowed the money from Matt to send her away in disgrace. It’d done her a world of good, though, and had probably saved her life.

  She sniffed and rubbed her sleeve at her face. “I’m glad you came, too. I-I’d wondered what happened to you and where you were and if-if you’d met someone.”

  He couldn’t tell her where he’d been, at least, not right now. “I didn’t meet anyone.”

  “I’m glad. I, um, I mean, I’m sorry you’ve been alone all this time, but I’m glad you don’t have a woman waiting for you to come home.”

  “Don’t have a home.” He didn’t add that he didn’t deserve one, that he’d had one once and lost it.

  “Where will you go when you leave here?” She trailed her hand across his skin to rest it at the base of his ribs. He wondered if she knew how that touch affected him and if his erection showed in the moonlight. He bent a knee to conceal it.

  “Don’t know yet. Guess it depends on how this thing with Ivan plays out.” He hoped Ivan was alive and pain free. Dang, maybe it was the sweetened tea, or maybe it was her being next to him. His own pain receded a little and life surged in him.

  “I hope he’s all right. He’s a nice man.”

  “Beth, I’m not a nice man.” No point in her thinking different or him trying to pretend. “I might have been once, long ago, but no longer.”

  “You’re kind to Davey, and Mama, and all the other people here. You’re trying to help Ivan. Sounds pretty nice to me.” She sniffled again, and he wanted to comfort her, but she had to understand.

  He pulled her up, so he could see her face in the light from the window. “No. I’m here because I have a job to do, not because of any higher intentions. And I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

  “A job? You mean helping Ivan is like a job?”

  She didn’t get it. “No. Beth, listen to me. I’ve been assigned to help Ivan. Paid. It’s not something I chose to do because I have a kind or generous nature.”

  “Assigned?” She pulled away and sat up. “You mean it really is your job? Who are you working for?”

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Instead of any reaction he could have imagined, she laughed. “Whatever it is, at least you have a job.” She settled back beside him, her body touching his from her head at his shoulder to her toes at his ankle. “I thought you were up to no good.”

  Dang, she made him feel like a man-and-a-half. He laughed in spite of himself. “Guess I am up to no good, but I’m being paid for it. Not much, but enough to get by.” He turned to face her. “You know that kiss?”

  “What about it?”

  He raised himself on his right elbow and leaned over her. “Let’s try that again.”

  She kept her eyes on him until he lowered his head, and then she closed her eyes and parted her lips. Oh, she tasted sweeter than Lena Mae’s tea, but he wanted more.

  Ah, heaven. He sank into the kiss and her tongue touched his. His blood fired so he thought steam might pour from his ears any second. Shoulder almost forgotten, he thought only of Beth. He fumbled with the tie of her robe, but his left hand wouldn’t work right. He wanted to cheer when the knot gave way. Shoving aside the outer fabric, he palmed her breast.

  She gasped into the kiss, and he lowered his mouth to her breast. Laving the nipple through her nightclothes, he suckled as his fingers moved to the ties. She pushed his hands away and released the ribbons then slid the fabric aside to free her breasts.

  Her satin skin was softer than he’d dreamed. He pushed at the shoulders of her robe. “Off, please take this thing off and let me see you.”

  “Matt? I’m, um, I’m not a young girl.” In spite of her protests, she threw the robe aside and pushed her gown down her body.

  “You’re beautiful, more lovely than I dreamed.” He rained kisses across her stomach.

  “You dreamed…of me?” She raked her fingers through his hair, urging him back to her breasts.

  “Yes. Since I came here you’ve kept me awake and have been in my dreams when I finally slept. Before that, I’ve thought of you all these years, wondered where you were, how you were, but didn’t think I had any right to find out.” He moved back to her breasts.

  She sighed. “That’s wonderful.”

  Not understanding whether she meant that he dreamed of her or that he suckled her, he moved to the other breast and slid his fingers to her mound. Her shudder encouraged him, so he inserted a finger in and out in cadence with his tongue on her nipple. He moved his thumb to her most sensitive spot and she went wild.

  She writhed on the bed and her hands clasped at his back. When she touched his bandage, she withdrew to slide her hand into his hair.

  “Matt…Matt…Matt.” She panted and her breathing grew more rapid. Her dew increased on his finger and he sensed a cry building in her throat.

  He claimed her mouth in time to stifle her scream of ecstasy. She clung to him, and then slumped limply against the mattress. Her breathing slowed to ragged gulps.

  “What was that?” Her wide eyes stared up at him.

  What kind of question was that from a woman who’d been married? “The way it’s supposed to be.”

  “I don’t believe you. Nothing like that’s ever happened to me before.” Her soft voice held awe.

  He cursed Lionel Jeffers for the bastard he’d been. Wait.

  That meant no one but Matt Petrov had ever known Beth’s pleasure. She’d never gone wild for anyone but him. She’d been married and gotten pregnant, but no one had ever made love to Beth Phifer.

  He smiled. “Want me to show you again.”

  She nodded. “Oh, yes. But aren’t you supposed to be, um, more involved?”

  He unfastened his britches. “Darlin’, I plan to be.”

  Chapter Six

  Beth decided she’d lost her mind. What else explained her lying in bed with Matt Petrov or the things she’d let him do to her? Let him? She’d encouraged him. And with Davey across the hall and her mother downstairs? Thank heavens Mr. Harvey’s room next door was empty.

  She’d tried to resist Matt’s plea, but there’d been deep need in his voice and a little catch she’d never heard before. Earlier, she’d been so mean to him when she’d thought he’d been drinking. He’d be moving on in a few days, and this might be her last chance to be with him.

  He scooted out of his britches with more energy than she expected. A last kick of his foot sent his pants and drawers sailing over the end of the bed. Then, he rolled to his good side and looked down at her. Even in the moon’s dim light, she saw passion had heated and darkened his eyes.

  “Now, I think this is where I left off.” He lowered his head to her breast.

  Dear Lord, had anything ever felt so good? She remembered the clumsy and usually painful coming together with Lionel and cursed him for his thoughtlessness. No, she wouldn’t think of Lionel with Matt beside her. Now that she knew Lionel posed no threat, she’d not think of him at all.

  Matt moved his hand to her privates and she thrashed in uncontrolled bliss. He released her and pulled her on top of him. “Put a knee on each side of me.”

  When she’d straddled him, he pulled her forward to claim a kiss.
His hand slid to her hips and he lowered her gently onto his manhood. She gasped in wonder as he filled her.

  He moved his hand to her chin. “Look at me. I want to see your pleasure.” He thrust his hips up and she met his movements. They moved in unison, staring at one another, building in speed until she arched backward in ecstasy.

  The warm burst of his seed shocked her. Dear Lord, how foolish of her. What if she caught his child?

  He pulled her to his chest and caressed her back. His tenderness softened her worry. She slid beside him but let her cheek rest on his chest.

  “Thank you, God,” he whispered.

  Her fingers traced an old scar and she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. Before she could ask, she heard the rhythmic breathing which told her he slept. She pulled the cover over him and slid from bed. If she remained and others awoke first, she might be discovered. Silently, she donned her gown and robe, slid her feet into her slippers, and padded from the room.

  With a quick check on Davey, who slept like a rock, she went to her room. Long after she crawled into her bed, she lay thinking of Matt’s lovemaking. Though he was strong as an ox even in his weakened state, he’d been gentle and kind. How wonderful it would be to be married to a man like him, to have him beside her each night. She hugged her pillow and cried for what could never be.

  Matt forced himself from bed and dressed. He couldn’t feel any worse if he’d been dragged behind a horse through the desert. Maybe he’d been too enthusiastic in making love with Beth, but he didn’t regret a second. Last night was the best one of his life, even taking getting shot into account.

  The doc had said he needed rest. No matter how much it pained him to move, he couldn’t lie around until Ivan was safe. The little guy was his responsibility, plus being distant kin. Matt hoped he wasn’t already too late. He opened his door and met Davey bringing him breakfast.

  “Grandma said you have to eat everything.” Davey set the tray on the bedside table.

  “Reckon I can’t go against your Grandma.” Matt pulled the chair to the table and dug in to scrambled eggs and steak with fresh biscuits. Thank goodness Lena Mae didn’t send the broth Beth had promised instead. What a way to wake up. Only thing better would have been if Beth had still been beside him.

  “You gonna bring Grandpa Ivan home?”

  “I’m gonna try.” He forked eggs and steak into his mouth and savored the flavors. Oh, man, he could sure get used to this. Loving Beth at night, waking to the best home-cooked food in the state. Made the pain of getting shot worthwhile.

  “What you figure on doing?”

  Matt blinked, jarred from his foolish daydream by Davey’s question. “I’m still working it out.” Matt smiled at the eager boy. “You have any ideas?”

  Davey shook his head. “But I bet you can do it. Hey, maybe you can sneak up on ‘em.”

  “I’ll have to do that all right.” He finished his food and swallowed the last of his coffee. Handing the tray back to the boy, Matt stood. “Want to take this back to the kitchen for me?”

  “Sure, I can do it.” Davey took the tray and rushed down the hall, clattering the dishes as he moved.

  Matt rose, feeling twice his age and creaky as a rusty gate. He winced when he moved his arm to strop his razor and decided he’d rather shave with a dull blade. While he was lathering his face, Davey reappeared to watch. When he’d finished and dried his face, Matt smiled at the boy. “You shave yet?”

  Davey’s eyes widened but he shook his head no. He sat on a chair, his brow furrowed. “Matt, reckon why the sheriff never asked me questions ‘bout Grandpa Ivan?”

  An eerie feeling crept up his spine and Matt stilled. The kid had asked the same thing several times before. “You know something about Ivan?”

  Davey bit his lip and looked at the floor. “I ain’t supposed to say.”

  “Look, I’m helping the sheriff. If you know anything that can help us, you need to tell me. You know what the robbers were looking for?”

  Tilting his head, Davey said, “I guess I can tell you, since you’re a friend of Grandpa Ivan’s and you’re helping Sheriff Carpenter and all. Come on.” He jumped off the chair and headed for his room across the hall.

  Matt followed, tossing the towel on the washstand as he passed.

  Davey kneeled and pulled a tin box from his toy shelf. He offered it to Matt. “Grandpa Ivan said not to tell anybody unless the sheriff or Mama asked me. No one asked me.”

  The box once held cigars. When Matt removed the lid, he found papers. “This looks like the deed Ivan showed me. Davey, did Ivan give you other papers, too?”

  “Yeah, he said they shouldn’t be together in case someone found one part.” He moved to his toy box and scooted it aside. “See, the others are under the toy box.”

  Scooping up the papers, Matt recognized some of the words. These would be the proof the late King had been murdered by his successor. “Thanks, Davey. Ivan was right to trust you. Keep it quiet, though. We’ll tell your mama and grandma, but no one else except the sheriff. Okay?”

  “You can count on me, Matt.”

  Easing downstairs, Matt showed Lena Mae and Beth the papers. “I don’t know if he hid anything else or not.” He caught a look passing between mother and daughter.

  “He gave me something.” Lena Mae opened a drawer and took out something wrapped in a handkerchief. Carefully, she removed the covering.

  “Damn…um, beg pardon, ladies.” He picked up the brooch and held it to the window. Rays of light reflected in prisms across the room. “Whew. These are worth a fortune.”

  “Surely not?” Beth reached for the brooch. “It’s so gaudy and, well, ugly.”

  “Ivan said his wife received it from King Rudolph’s wife.” Lena Mae’s chin lifted and she sent Beth a glare. “He had no reason to lie.”

  Handing the jewelry back to Matt, Beth hugged her mother. “I didn’t mean to imply he lied, Mama. I just meant that if the jewels were real, surely he would have sold them.”

  Matt stared at the brooch then handed it back to Lena Mae. “Ladies, I’ll be right back.”

  He crept upstairs and to his room as fast as his battered body would allow, and scanned the Ivan’s books. Finding the one he wanted, he made his way back down to where the women waited. Dang, but he wished this place wasn’t so large with stairs every time he turned around.

  “Let me show you something.” He thumbed through until he found the page he wanted then showed it to Lena Mae. “There’s a painting of the Queen wearing your brooch.”

  Lena Mae dropped into a chair. “Oh, my stars.” She fanned herself with the handkerchief, the jewelry cradled in her other hand.

  “You mean it’s real. Those jewels in that awful pin are real?” Beth stood by her mother. “Mama, what did Ivan tell you when he gave those to you?”

  Blushing, Lena Mae said, “Oh, well…”

  Beth rolled her eyes. “About the jewels value, Mama.”

  “Oh, that. He said if we wanted to, I could sell these for enough to live on for the rest of our lives. He meant Davey, too, he said.”

  “That’s true.” Matt knelt in front of Lena Mae’s chair. “Now that the safe has been searched, you need to lock those inside. Keep their existence a secret until this is all cleared up. You don’t want intruders again.”

  “And to think I’ve kept them in my handkerchief drawer. My stars.”

  “I’ll take these papers to the sheriff and see that the deed gets filed.” He laid a hand on Davey’s shoulder. “Can you keep watch for trouble?”

  “You can count on me, Matt.”

  Matt rolled the papers and stuffed them inside his shirt. He strolled down the street as if in no particular hurry. No telling who was watching.

  Inside the sheriff’s office, he showed the documents to Tom Carpenter. “Sheriff, I’ll take the deed to be registered. Can you lock the other papers safe and sound? They prove the guy at that ranch had a hand in killing the rightful king.”

&
nbsp; “You bet I can. My safe’s a lot harder to open than the one at the boarding house.”

  “You get anything from those two we caught?”

  “They’re not talking. Told me someone would be in to file a complaint. Reckon that there ranch is like a foreign embassy or something?”

  “Not as soon as this deed is filed. I’ll be back as soon as that’s done.”

  An hour later, Matt returned to the sheriff’s office. “Damn clerk thought that I was cheating someone.”

  “Sounds like him, all right. He’s my cousin.”

  “Sorry if I spoke out of turn. Took a while to convince him I had nothing to gain by recording a deed in Ivan’s name.”

  Sheriff Carpenter waved away Matt’s concern. “Man was born suspicious.” He thumped the papers on his desk. “You read this?”

  “Haven’t had a chance. Wanted to get that deed filed and the other documents into your hands before they could be stolen.” Matt nodded toward the stack of papers. “Grandpa taught me to read his dialect, but it takes me quite a while to make sense of something like that.”

  “This here’s in English.” The sheriff pushed it toward Matt. “Reckon you’d better sit down to read it, though.”

  He picked up the papers as he settled on the chair by the sheriff’s desk. His mouth dropped open, but he couldn’t control his reaction. “Well I’ll be damned. Ivan left me half of his ranch and Davey the other half.”

  “You didn’t know?”

  Shaking his head, he read on. “He said his wife and daughter were dead. My grandpa was Ivan’s cousin.” Matt met the sheriff’s gaze. “Reckon I’m the only kin he has?”

  “Might be. What we’re gonna do about the little guy is what I can’t figure out. That place where you think he’s held is guarded like a fort.”

  Matt leaned forward. “Say this paper is the ranch, and the entrance is here.” He laid a pencil on the paper to act as the gate.

  The door flew open and banged against the wall. Beth rushed in, hair disheveled and gasping for breath. “Davey’s gone! Help me!”

  Matt stood and grabbed her shoulders. “Gone? Do you mean lost?” He visualized a curious little boy getting too close to the river.