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  Chad hadn’t meant to kill her, hadn’t even realized she’d dashed across the street as the shots rang out from a brawl in one of the many saloons. A flash of yellow caught his attention before seeing a patch of red expanding on her chest. Stunned, he’d stopped firing for a few seconds. Long enough for a bullet to graze his arm, bringing Chad back to reality.

  Everything changed that night. He and his brothers had left Austin within an hour, riding fast and hard, never returning. Chad knew the young woman couldn’t have survived the wound to her chest. The three also knew the Texas Rangers would be after them. Especially one man. The same man he’d spotted in Splendor today. The bounty hunter who’d killed his brothers, gunning them down when they ran.

  Chad had thought he’d put the anger behind him. He didn’t fault Covington for coming after them. Any man who’d seen his fiancée gunned down would’ve done the same.

  For a while, they’d thought Caleb had given up. Instead, he’d become a bounty hunter, tracking them to a small town in Wyoming. His brothers had spotted him, drawing their guns and firing. Chad would never know why they stopped firing, choosing to run. Their decision resulted in Covington planting bullets in their backs, killing his brothers instantly. Chad had ridden out that night, ending up in another small Wyoming town. The bounty hunter had followed him to South Pass City, leaving after a few days, as if giving up the hunt.

  The old pain and rage returned when he saw Caleb with his new woman tonight.

  Seeing the deputy walk between two buildings, Chad followed, being careful not to appear as if he trailed him. Curiosity rolled through him when Caleb knocked on the door to a small house, entering, then walking outside a few minutes later with a small child in his arms.

  A feral smile tugged on Chad’s mouth when Caleb walked into the house next door. This time, he didn’t leave.

  May bustled around the restaurant kitchen long before Gary arrived to prepare food for Thursday’s lunch menu. She’d already helped him by peeling potatoes and readying the green beans while her pastries baked. As soon as he arrived, she planned to race back to the boardinghouse.

  Tabitha would be taking the stage out of Splendor today to meet her fiancé. She, Sylvia, and Deborah Chestro, the other mail order bride, wanted to see her off. Afterward, Sylvia would return to her job at the general store, Deborah would finish cleaning rooms at the St. James, and May would head back to the kitchen.

  Hearing the door open, she spun around, expecting to see Gary. Instead, a man she’d never seen walked inside, causing her throat to tighten. He was the same man she’d seen in town. The one she’d forgotten to tell Caleb about. Without thought, she backed away, putting one of the large preparation tables between her and the man.

  “If you’re looking for the entrance to the restaurant, it’s through the hotel lobby.”

  Closing the door, the man took a few steps toward her. His gaze moved to her face, skimming down her neck to her chest, then to the curve of her waist before returning to lock onto her eyes. May’s stomach knotted at his unrepentant stare. Glancing behind her, she estimated it wouldn’t take more than a few steps to dash into the dining room toward the lobby.

  “I’m not looking for the restaurant, Miss…” His voice trailed off.

  “Miss Bacon. Who are you?”

  “Just a man who’s new in town and saw a pretty lady I wanted to meet.”

  Her eyes narrowed, unsure of what he meant. “If you describe her, perhaps I can tell you her name.”

  He chuckled. “I already have her name. Miss Bacon, correct?”

  “Why would you want to meet me?”

  Settling both hands on the table, he leaned forward. “Like I said, I’m always interested in meeting a pretty lady, and you’re about the prettiest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

  Trying not to panic, May moved slowly toward the door to the dining room. With each step, she chastised herself for not telling Caleb about the man she’d spotted watching the wedding festivities.

  “You have me at a disadvantage, sir. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.” She inched back another foot.

  “My name doesn’t matter any.” He straightened, watching in amusement at her attempts to get away from him. “Well, I should be getting along. It was good to meet you, Miss Bacon.” He opened the door, slipping out an instant before Gary entered from the dining room, causing May to jump and turn around.

  She placed a hand over her chest. “You scared me, Gary.”

  He didn’t seem to notice the distress on her face or the way her hands shook. “Don’t know why. You should’ve been expecting me.”

  Whirling back around, she dashed to the side door. Sucking in a deep breath, she opened it, peering up and down the path between the two buildings.

  “What are you doing, May?” Gary’s tone held a good measure of annoyance.

  “There was a man in here. He came in the back door and, well…” She bit her bottom lip.

  “He what?”

  She shook her head. “His behavior was odd, almost threatening.”

  Placing clenched fists on his waist, Gary took a couple steps toward her. “What did he say?”

  “Asked my name and…” She tried to remember what else, coming up short. “He didn’t look right, Gary.”

  “If all he asked was your name, I don’t see any problem.” Dropping his arms to his sides, he stalked off toward the larder, pulling out what he needed for the lunch menu.

  Heart still pounding, she forced herself to move toward the hook where she’d placed her coat. “I’ll be right back, Gary. I need to see the stage off.”

  May didn’t wait for a response before leaving through the dining room and out the front entrance to the hotel. Glancing around, her gaze moved across each person on the street and boardwalk. A rush of relief surged through her when she didn’t catch a glimpse of the man.

  Seeing the stagecoach, May lifted her dress and hurried down the street, waving at Sylvia and Deborah. She’d almost reached them when the driver slapped the lines and the coach lurched forward.

  “Wait!”

  May ran as fast as she could in her heavy coat, boots, and dress. Sylvia yelled to the driver. He either didn’t hear her or ignored her shouts to stop. Slowing her pace, May waved at Tabitha as the stage roared down the main street, taking the trail east toward Big Pine.

  “Well, darn.” May sucked in a breath, disappointed at not giving her friend a proper goodbye. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned, fearing who might be standing next to her. Looking up, she relaxed.

  Dom dropped his hand, watching the stage as it turned and disappeared out of sight. “You can write her. Tabitha gave her address to Sylvia.” The smile she’d grown to expect from her friend’s brother didn’t appear. At one time, May and Sylvia had thought he intended to court Tabitha.

  “Thank you, Dom.” Her words drifted unheard into the air. Dom had already left.

  Walking closer, May tried to get a better look at two women near the stage stop. She recognized one as Nick Barnett’s daughter, Olivia. Twenty-one, with hair as dark as her father’s and green eyes, May thought she was one of the most striking beauties she’d ever seen. Next to her stood another young woman.

  “May. You must come meet Olivia’s friend.” Sylvia waved her over, smiling when Dominic joined her. “I’ll introduce both of you.” Stepping next to Olivia, she touched her friend’s arm. “I’d like to introduce May and Dom to your friend.”

  Olivia’s face brightened even more. “Of course. Josephine, this is Miss May Bacon, a friend of mine, and Dominic Lucero, Sylvia’s brother. Dom and May, this is my very good friend, Miss Josephine Dubois.”

  May took a step closer. “It’s so nice to meet you, Miss Dubois.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Miss Bacon. Please, call me Josie.”

  “Then you must call me May.”

  Clearing his throat, Dom extended his hand, taking Josie’s and brushing a kiss across the back. His eyes crinkled, s
eeing her face redden. “It’s a pleasure to meet one of Olivia’s friends. I hope your stay in Splendor will be enjoyable.”

  Face still flushed, Josie glanced at Olivia, who said nothing as she offered a smile. Regaining her composure, she gently pulled her hand free of Dom’s grasp. “Thank you, Mr. Lucero. I’ve been wanting to visit Olivia for quite some time.”

  Sylvia shot a look at Dom, her eyes narrowing. Clearing her throat, she touched her brother’s hand. “Well, we should be going. I’m so glad you’ll be staying in Splendor, Josie.”

  “Do you need help with your trunk and bags, Miss Dubois?”

  “Apologies, ladies.” Nick dashed across the street, stopping next to his daughter, but looking at Josie. “You must be Miss Dubois. I’ve heard a good deal about you.” He held out his hand, taking hers and giving it the same attention as Dom.

  Josie didn’t flush as she did with Dom. “Thank you so much for letting me visit, Mr. Barnett. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for months.” A radiant smile brightened her face.

  “The pleasure is ours. Now, let me get the buggy from Noah and I’ll drive you and Olivia to the house.”

  Olivia touched his arm. “I do have my horse, Father.”

  Nick’s face softened when he looked at his daughter. “Let’s tie her to the wagon, ma cherie. I’m quite certain you’d like to visit with Josephine.”

  Olivia kissed Nick’s cheek. “That would be marvelous.”

  Dom didn’t want to leave, but Sylvia’s insistent tugging had his feet moving. When they reached the boardwalk, he pulled from her grasp.

  “Do you know anything about her, Syl?”

  “Absolutely nothing, other than she’s Olivia’s best friend.”

  May looked behind Dom to see Noah lifting the trunk and bags into the buggy. “Do you think Nick is ever going to allow Doc McCord to court Olivia? Suzanne said Clay’s been asking for his approval for months.”

  Sylvia bit back a laugh, lowering her voice so only May and Dom could hear. “It had better be soon. When I had lunch with Olivia before the fire, she confided they’ve been seeing each other behind Nick’s back for weeks.”

  May’s eyes flew open, while Dom threw back his head and laughed.

  Sylvia slapped his arm. “It’s not funny, Dom. Clay is a wonderful man, and he and Olivia love each other. I just don’t understand what Nick is waiting for. Suzanne thinks they might run away to Big Pine and marry if he doesn’t come around soon.”

  At the sound of the buggy, the three glanced toward the street. “Maybe Josie can help convince Nick to give his approval. Why…” May’s voice stalled as an idea popped into her head. “You don’t think Josie is here because Clay and Olivia do plan to run off, do you?”

  Sylvia’s hand flew to her mouth. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. Well, they won’t be going alone.”

  Dom lifted a brow. “What are you planning, Syl?”

  “That we accompany them, of course. We’ll volunteer to be witnesses. May and I will stand with Olivia, and you can stand with Clay.”

  May pulsed with excitement. “What a brilliant idea. We must speak with Olivia soon.”

  Gripping their elbows, Dom escorted the women back down the boardwalk, his thoughts on the beautiful Josephine Dubois. “I agree, Syl. For once, you’ve come up with an excellent idea.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Charles stood in the doorway of their bedroom, watching Clare apply the finishing touches to her hair. After so many years alone, he’d often wondered how long it would take before he felt comfortable with a woman in his home. Within minutes of entering the house after their marriage, he knew there’d be no need to adjust. Clare fit as if they’d always been together.

  Noticing her struggle with the necklace he’d given her as a wedding gift, he walked toward her. “Do you need help?”

  She looked in the mirror, meeting his gaze. “Yes, please.”

  Gripping each end of the necklace, he secured the clasp before leaning down to kiss her neck. “We can always wait to see the lawyer until after he returns from Big Pine,” Charles whispered against her ear, feeling her shiver.

  Clare’s head fell back to rest against him. “I could be persuaded.”

  Chuckling, he turned her to face him, pressing his lips against hers before stepping away. “Let’s get this meeting over with, have an early supper, and come back here.”

  Her brow rose. “To finish what you started?”

  Taking her hand, he smiled. “Of course.”

  Stepping into the cool afternoon air, he slipped Clare’s hand through his arm, leading her the short distance to the law office. He stopped at the entrance, noting the new sign on the door. He touched the engraved lettering with his finger.

  “Ernest Payson started a law practice here a few years ago. After his brother, Albert, came to join him, Ernest decided to travel back to Boston.” He looked at Clare, his features drawn with sadness. “Unfortunately, Albert was murdered by outlaws this past year. We had all hoped Ernest would return to reclaim the practice, but didn’t allow ourselves to count on it. One day, he came in on the stage, said hello to those who greeted him, and walked through this door as if he’d never been gone. Appears the new plaque finally arrived.”

  Gripping her elbow, he ushered her into a small waiting area. “The desk in front is never occupied. Ernest plans to hire a secretary once the practice gets big enough. Since just about everyone in Splendor uses him, I’m guessing it won’t be long.”

  “Perhaps he’s able to handle everything himself.”

  A smile spread across his face. “Wait until you see his office, then tell me what you think.”

  The glass in the door ahead of them read the same as the sign outside. Ernest Payson, Attorney. Knocking, he waited a moment, then turned the handle.

  “Doctor and Mrs. Worthington.” Ernest stood, walking around the desk to grip Charles’s outstretched hand and make a slight bow to Clare. “Congratulations again on your marriage. I was one of the fortunate people who actually had a seat inside the Dixie. Please, sit down and explain to me what I may do for you.”

  Caleb paced outside the jail on Friday, unable to sit any longer in the hard wooden chair on the boardwalk. Supper with May on Wednesday went better than he’d planned. She’d fixed their meal, played with Isaac, and read to him before she and Caleb tucked his son into bed.

  The instant they’d left Isaac’s room, he’d taken her into his arms. Their kisses had continued until he scooped her up, settled himself on the sofa, and placed her in his lap. A while later, May pushed lightly on his chest, breaking their kiss.

  It took less than a minute for the warm, tranquil feeling inside him to fade, replaced by heart-pounding rage. May’s description of the man she’d seen on the street, the same one who’d entered the kitchen uninvited, could only be one man. Chad Devlin had ridden into Splendor, and whatever he planned wouldn’t be good. Without revealing Chad as Regina’s killer, he’d promised May to find out more about the man who’d frightened her.

  Afterward, he hadn’t been content watching her cross the street and head into the darkness toward the boardinghouse. Instead, Caleb locked the door and escorted her home, ending their evening with a long, deep kiss he knew would keep him awake for much of the night. That, and the knowledge of Devlin being in Splendor.

  Rising early on Thursday morning, he’d taken Isaac to Isabella’s, explaining his need to get to the jail early. He’d alerted Gabe and the other deputies, everyone taking extra tours around town, hoping to spot the killer. All they’d learned was a man meeting Chad’s description had spent one night at the hotel, then left.

  His gut told him Chad hadn’t ridden out. Somehow, the outlaw had discovered Caleb’s affection for May, scared her without making any overt threats, then disappeared. She might not have understood the message, but to him, the warning was clear.

  “Hello, Caleb.”

  Spinning around at the soft voice, his breath caught w
hen his gaze settled on May. “Hey, sweetheart.” Taking a couple steps forward, he ran a hand down her arm, wanting to lean down and kiss her. Instead, his hand clasped hers for an instant before he let go. “I thought you worked early on Fridays. Where are you going?”

  “Lena asked me to change my schedule today, which I agreed to do. Right now, I’m headed to the general store and to see Allie.” She held up a package. “I need a skirt altered and can’t find the time to do it myself.” May glanced down the street at the St. James. “Father asked me to meet him and Pauline for a late lunch. He wants to talk with me before I go to work.”

  Caleb’s stomach clenched as he thought about what might be Dilly’s reason for the talk. He hoped it wasn’t to persuade May to return to New Jersey. The idea forced him to think of Chad. Perhaps it was best she leave Splendor, return to a life less prone to violence, where she wouldn’t be a target because of him.

  “Do you know why he wants to talk with you?”

  Shaking her head, she fidgeted with the package in her hand. “I’m not sure. Probably to try and convince me to return home.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “No, Caleb.” She met his intense stare. “What I want is a life here, with you and Isaac. If that isn’t meant to be, then maybe I’ll consider leaving.”

  Body relaxing, he reached for her hand again, threading his fingers through hers. “I don’t want you to go, May.” If they were somewhere else, almost anywhere else, he’d admit to loving her, ask her to marry him. Now wasn’t the time, but it would be soon.

  Squeezing his hand, a hopeful smile tipped her lips. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She glanced around, brows furrowing. “Why are you pacing outside? Is something wrong?”

  Drawing her to the chairs outside the jail, he indicated for her to sit down. Reaching to the side, he moved a chair closer, never letting go of her hand.