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  “You threatened them, Beau.”

  Staring down at her, he nodded. “Yes, I did.”

  “You had no right to do that. They’re my men, not yours.”

  His gaze hardened, his voice rough. “They’re your men, but they live in my town. I’m a deputy, sworn to keep people safe. I had every right to let those boys know where I stand. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”

  She crossed her arms. “Well, I don’t. You came here to talk to the boys, not intimidate them.” Glancing at the corral, she saw all four men working, not appearing to be bothered by Beau’s comments. She wondered if her concern was justified or if her unease around Beau caused her shrewish behavior. Letting out a deep sigh, Caro returned her gaze to his. “What do you think of them?”

  “Unless they’re real good liars, I don’t think they pose a threat to anybody. Still, I’d keep a tight rein on them.”

  Throughout his conversation with the boys, Beau had been aware of Merritt and Gus standing a few feet away. They’d listened, then retreated into their own private conversation. Something about the way they continued to shoot looks at Caro had Beau on edge. When Gus jostled Merritt, he’d almost broken off the discussion with John and Joe to find out what was going on. Instead, he continued to glance their way, but didn’t interfere.

  Cash stepped next to Caro. “I agree with Beau. They’ve been moving around, trying to earn enough money to eat. I think we’re looking in the wrong direction. We’d be better off getting information on Eldridge.”

  Beau turned his attention back to Caro. “Gabe’s working with Pinkerton on that. We should have something soon. It’s getting dark. Caro, we’ll ride with you back to town.”

  “I’m not ready to go.” She was, but the last thing she needed was to spend more time around him.

  He lifted a brow. “That so? And just when were you going to head back?”

  “Well, I planned to finish a few things…”

  “Wait until tomorrow. It’s going to rain, or snow if the temperature keeps dropping. You need to get back.”

  Crossing her arms, she glared at him. “I’m a grown woman. You can’t force me to ride back with you.”

  Cocking his head, he grinned. “Is that what this is about? You don’t want to ride back with me?”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  He chuckled. “Uh-huh.”

  Too focused on each other, neither noticed Cash driving the wagon up next to them. He jumped to the ground. “Let’s go, Caro. Allie will have supper waiting. You can eat with us.”

  “Hey. What about me?” Beau gripped Caro’s elbow, guiding her to the wagon.

  “What about you? You know you’re always welcome.”

  Placing his hands on Caro’s waist, he hoisted her onto the seat before she had a chance to protest.

  Picking up the lines, she glared at both of them. “Don’t I get a say in any of this?”

  “No,” they both answered, then swung up atop their horses, turning them toward Splendor.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Caro seethed all the way back to town. She’d allowed Beau and Cash to push her into leaving without giving them much of an argument.

  It didn’t help they were right about the weather. Rain started not long after leaving her property, converting to snow before they arrived back in town. Her warm coat and gloves did little to stop her teeth from chattering or hands from shaking.

  “Are you all right, Caro?” Beau rode beside her, his hat pulled low, bandana drawn up to cover most of his face.

  She nodded, drawing her arms close to her sides to preserve body heat.

  “If you want, I can tie Smoke to the back of the wagon and drive.”

  Glancing at him, she shook her head. They weren’t far from town and she had no intention of stopping. Even though the warmth of Beau’s body sitting next to her sounded appealing, all she wanted was to get the wagon back to Noah and order a warm bath.

  “Let me know if you change your mind.” He moved Smoke forward a few yards, glancing over his shoulder often to make certain Caro kept up.

  Mindful of his watchful gaze, she shifted on the hard wooden seat, doing her best to ignore his presence. She forced her mind to think of anything other than the man who rode a few feet away—the wild horses Joe talked about, the curtains Allie had made, the furniture she’d ordered from back east. Nothing helped.

  Shaking her head and blinking her eyes, Caro did her best to brush the dampness from her face. The gathering snow obscured the trail, making driving the wagon more difficult. She kept her focus straight ahead, knowing Cash rode at the back, keeping his head down to ward off the chill of the growing wind.

  Seeing the last bend in the trail before reaching Splendor, Caro let out a relieved sigh. Less than a minute later, the glow of lantern lights and fires blazing through uncovered windows spread a strange warmth through her. Pulling the wagon to a stop in front of the livery, she turned to climb down, hesitating at Beau’s outstretched arms.

  “Come on, Caro. It’s cold.”

  Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she leaned down, placing her hands on Beau’s shoulders. An instant later, she stood on the ground, his hands still secure on her waist, his face so close, his warm breath caressed her skin. Lifting her head, she stilled at the intense, smoldering look in his eyes. Her heart pounded as her throat constricted, making it hard to think or breathe.

  Caro couldn’t look away from the undisguised desire she saw on his face. For a moment, she thought—prayed—he’d kiss her, knowing it would be a mistake. He no longer loved her, although she’d lost none of her love for him. Drawing in a slow breath, she started to close her eyes when she felt him loosen his grip and step away. Her chest squeezed at the sense of loss.

  “I’ll walk with you to Cash and Allie’s.”

  She didn’t have time to respond before Beau took her hand, tucking it through his arm. “But the wagon…”

  “Cash already told Noah you’re back. He’ll take care of it.” He felt her shiver. “It won’t be long before you’ll be standing by a fire, warming up. And don’t even think about arguing. As Cash said, Allie will have supper ready, and she always makes enough for more than two people.”

  As he tucked her closer to his side, all Caro’s objections were swept aside. It might make her seem weak, but if this was how she could be close to Beau, she’d accept it without argument.

  Cash walked ahead of them, opening the door to his wife’s shop, gesturing toward the stairs. Walking to the back, Caro sighed, already feeling warmer. Slipping her arm from Beau’s, she followed the unmistakable aroma of cooked meat as she reached the top landing, lifting her hand to knock.

  “Don’t bother, Caro. Just go on inside.” She did as Cash suggested, an instant wave of heat surrounding her.

  The apartment wasn’t large. One big room with living areas separated by furniture or curtains. A wood stove divided the living room from their bedroom and provided most of the heat. A second stove for cooking sat tucked into a back corner, a large pot resting on top.

  “Caro, come in.” Allie set down a spoon, wiping her hands down her apron as she walked toward her. “Let me take your coat and hang it by the fire.” She set it on a hook, then turned to see Cash. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave her husband a welcoming kiss. “I thought you might have been caught in the sudden storm.” She stepped away, taking his coat and Beau’s, hanging them next to Caro’s.

  Cash placed a hat on a shelf above the coats, making room by the stove for Caro and Beau. “We left just in time. If we’d stayed much longer, we might have been stuck for the night.”

  Beau chuckled. “That would’ve meant sharing the barn with four other men. Not a real problem, except…” He glanced at Caro.

  “Except for me,” she interjected. “I do like my privacy.”

  “Well, I’m sure you’re all hungry. Sit down and I’ll fill the plates.”

  Taking a seat, Caro watched Allie move around the cr
amped kitchen, impressed with her efficiency. The kitchen in Caro’s own house would be at least three times as large once the men finished their work.

  Doing her best to ignore her body’s reaction to the feel of Beau’s knee touching hers under the table, she concentrated on the full plates of food Allie set in front of each of them.

  “This looks wonderful, Allie.” Caro hadn’t realized how famished she was until she inhaled.

  “It’s just venison stew. Nothing fancy. I’m sure yours is every bit as good.”

  Beau snorted, glancing at Caro, ignoring Allie’s surprised stare.

  Caro’s face reddened a little, sending Beau an exasperated glance as she scooped up a forkful. “I’ve never cooked much, as Beau knows.” Placing the food in her mouth, she chewed slowly, letting out a groan of appreciation. “This is very good.”

  Smiling, Allie forked a piece of meat. “It’s easy. If you like, I’ll show you how to make it.”

  Taking a bite of the lightest biscuit she’d ever eaten, Caro nodded. “Would you include a lesson on your biscuits?”

  “Of course.”

  Beau picked up another biscuit, held it up, and smiled. “Caro, if Allie teaches you to make biscuits like this, I might reverse my decision to not have supper at your place.” His smile faded at the confused looks from Cash and Allie.

  Caro shifted in her chair, the unease she felt earlier returning. “I invited Beau to come for supper after I’ve moved into the house. He politely declined.”

  Cash could see a muscle tick in Beau’s jaw. He hadn’t considered how volatile their relationship might be when he invited both for supper. Setting down his fork, Cash chuckled. “Forget about Beau. Allie and I will be happy to ride out anytime.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea, Cash.” Allie shot Caro an encouraging look. “What better place to show you how to make biscuits than in your own kitchen.”

  “Consider it an invitation. You and Cash will be the first friends I entertain.” Caro pointedly ignored Beau. “Cash, you can be the judge of how well I do.”

  “As long as I don’t have to compare them to Allie’s, I’d be happy to do it. I may need to eat several to be certain of my opinion, though.”

  Beau ate in silence, listening as the others continued to talk about Caro’s house, her desire to learn to cook, and the new curtains Allie made. She spoke of the furniture ordered, the wild horses John and Joe hoped to catch, and plans for a new bunkhouse. With each word, Beau’s firm belief she didn’t plan to stay in Splendor unraveled a little more. She didn’t sound like a woman who planned to leave anytime soon. She also didn’t look like a woman who favored living in a fancy home in San Francisco, preferring operas to community suppers, afternoon soirées to church fundraisers.

  “Beau?”

  Lifting his head at Cash’s voice, his somber features didn’t change. “Apologies. My mind was somewhere else.”

  Cash studied him a moment. “Caro asked when you planned to start building your house.”

  Beau shifted his gaze to Caro, a familiar flicker of regret gripping him. “It depends on the weather. March if possible. April at the latest. Why?”

  “I was saying that Matt and Nolen Volker are experienced carpenters. They’re at the Pelletier ranch now, but mentioned they’d be interested in making a change. I thought you might consider using them.”

  “Bull already mentioned them to me.” He didn’t tell her he’d spoken with them at Thanksgiving supper, deciding he’d use them if Dax and Luke didn’t mind. For tonight, he felt the need to keep his thoughts to himself, even the few that didn’t include Caro.

  He’d thought of little except her in the days following their time making love in her hotel room. It had been a poor decision, one he regretted more than she knew. Not because of how he felt. Beau accepted how much he still loved her. His regret came from the hurt in her eyes when he hadn’t been able to offer more. In truth, he knew the reasons he’d been unable to ease her doubts, give her the hope she needed. And in his mind, they were justified.

  Beau knew he should probably explain himself to Caro, but not the fear encircling him each time he thought of her leaving a second time. He had no intention of sharing his overwhelming weakness for her.

  He needed to know she chose Splendor because it called to her as much as it did him. She had to build her own life first, show she had the grit to stay in such a harsh land whether he was a part of her life or not. If she did, they’d have a solid chance of making a life together. For this to work, they needed time—a risk in itself.

  The longer he held off stating his feelings, the bigger the chance someone else could take his place and capture her heart. A woman as fine as Caro would attract the attention of every eligible man for miles. A widow of means, on her own, running a property the size of hers would be a target too great for most men to ignore.

  Beau’s eyes burned and his nostrils flared at the thought of another man stepping in to take what was his. The calculated risk had turned into a game of time Beau wasn’t certain he wanted to play.

  “Let me help you with those, Allie.” Caro stood, picking up plates, pulling him back to those around the table.

  “Nonsense. You’ve put in a long day, and from the sound of it, have another long one ahead of you tomorrow.”

  Beau frowned at the comment, wondering what he’d missed. Standing, he grabbed his coat and Caro’s. “If you’re ready, I’ll walk you back.”

  “There’s no reason to push yourself this hard, Caro.” Beau stood inside the St. James, Caro’s arm still tucked through his. It took less than two minutes to cross the almost empty street from Allie’s store to the hotel. The only words spoken had been his question about how much work she still had to do.

  Her violet eyes sparked, turning the color of the dark amethyst necklace his grandmother used to wear. A necklace his sister, Genevieve, now owned, although it would never mean more than any other trinket to her everlasting eight-year-old mind.

  “Of course there are reasons. If the men continue as hard as they’ve been working, I’ll be able to move into the house next week. As nice as the St. James is, I’m ready to be back in a house.”

  “I understand your desire to get into your own place. My question is why you have to be there every day when you have four men doing the work. Surely you can hire more if you need to.”

  The flare of anger in her eyes told him his opinion had been a mistake. Pulling her arm from his, she settled her hands on her hips. “I assume you’re referring to my vast wealth. How I can hire whomever I want without lifting a finger?”

  “Caro…”

  She drew in a breath, exhaling slowly. “This isn’t about money, Beau. I enjoy being out there, watching the men complete their work, seeing the house come back to life. I know you don’t think I have many useful skills, but I’m still able to help.”

  “I never said—”

  “You may not have said it in so many words, but I know you’ve thought it.”

  He winced, knowing she’d pegged him right. “Fine. I won’t deny I’ve thought perhaps you’d be more suited for other activities.”

  She narrowed her gaze, her face beginning to flush. “Such as?”

  Beau sighed. This wasn’t how he wanted to end the evening. It seemed every time they were together, it ended in an argument or misunderstanding. Taking a step closer, he held out his hands, palms up.

  “Caro, I don’t want to fight with you. It’s been a long day and we’re both tired. Can we call a truce?”

  Letting out a shaky breath, she nodded. “You’re right.” Biting her lower lip, she gazed up at him. “I should get upstairs.”

  “Probably.” He made no move to leave.

  “Well…I want to thank you for riding all the way out to talk with John and Joe. Your opinion of them does matter to me.” She fidgeted with the buttons on her coat, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

  His features softened. “I’m glad Cash asked me to join him.
” He hesitated a moment. “You know, you can ask me for help anytime.” Beau still didn’t budge from where he stood. Raising his hand, he tucked an errant strand of hair behind Caro’s ear, feeling a shudder ripple through her. He wanted to draw her to him, wrap his arms around her, kiss her senseless. The decision was taken from him when Caro stepped away.

  “I should go to my room. You’re welcome to stop by my place whenever you’re in the area.”

  Nodding, he pushed away the overwhelming urge to tell her how much he still loved her. He had decisions to make, which would only get more confusing if he acted on his urges.

  “Good night, Caro.”

  A sweet smile crossed her lips. “Good night, Beau.”

  “My instincts tell me they’re part of the Dawson gang.” Beau had followed two men outside after they’d entered the bank not long before closing, asked a few questions, then left. He and Cash watched them through the window of Allie’s shop.

  He’d never seen either one. Their clothing and manner indicated long hours in the saddle, a difficult existence, and callous, possibly brutal temperament. Beau had seen the type many times during and after the war. Men who may have been honorable and kind at one time became people without conscience or remorse.

  Cash nodded. “I felt a prickle of unease when I saw them dismount and go inside.” He’d been waiting in Allie’s shop for his turn to play customer. After three days of watching, both men felt they’d finally found their targets. “I’m thinking of following them.” Cash stood, meaning to turn away when he felt Beau’s hand on his arm.

  “No. It’s best we don’t do anything that will spook the Dawsons. Let’s find Gabe and the others. Someone will need to get word to Dirk at Redemption’s Edge.”

  Cash still wanted to follow them, find out where the gang had been hiding, but agreed Beau’s idea was the best choice. “I’ve already seen Bull and Noah in town. It’s certain Gabe will want us to be ready at first light.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “It’ll be easy, Louis. We’ll be in and out of the bank before the sheriff knows we’re in town.” Clem Dawson sat on a log by their fire, working a ball of chewing tobacco in his mouth.