Carnal Passions Presents
Scoundrel
By
Rebecca Goings
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Carnal Passions
A Division of Champagne Books
www.carnalpassions.com
Copyright 2011 by Rebecca Goings
ISBN 9781926996264
June 2011
Cover Art by Amanda Kelsey
Produced in Canada
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Smashwords Edition
Other Books By Rebecca Goings
The Viper Prince
The Scarab Prince
The Falcon Prince
The Spider Prince
The Jackal Prince
Dedication
For one of the most dedicated, selfless, and loving women I know—my mother-in-law Luann. May her shining example of unfailing love ever be an inspiration to me and to my children.
I love you, Mom.
One
Gideon’s Gulch, TX, 1876
Shirley Bloom slapped the man before her, and the sharp crack echoed off the surrounding buildings. Her hand stung to high heaven but she stood her ground, her cheeks flaring with heat from the man’s audacity. He’d questioned her chastity, and for the sake of her own pride, she was not about to let him get away with it.
His ice-blue eyes had widened when he’d stumbled back from the force of her blow. But now, he gazed at her with a cocked brow and a handsome grin, rubbing his face and looking like he was imagining her naked.
Considering his previous words, she blushed to the roots of her hair.
“How dare you, sir?” she squealed, uncaring that her voice drifted on the wind. A few folks on the boardwalk stopped their stroll to watch the scene unfold in the middle of Main Street.
Shirley crossed her arms in front of her in an effort to keep her decency, although she was properly dressed. His eyes, however, seemed to gaze right through her fine Sunday skirts.
“My apologies, ma’am,” he said, smirking from ear to ear. “A man hears some things and simply assumes. Meant no harm.”
“Meant no harm?” Shirley’s mouth dropped open. His words seemed sincere, however the look on his face was anything but. He wasn’t repentant in the least!
Lifting her chin, she attempted to look down at him, but that was impossible with him towering over her.
The man tipped his hat and took a step away. “Good day, ma’am,” he said in a low, sultry voice. He began to walk away before Shirley had fully comprehended his words.
“Wait just a moment!” she yelled, trotting to keep up with his long strides. “You said you’ve heard some things. Things about me? What kind of things?”
“Things a supposedly well-bred woman such as yourself shouldn’t hear. Let’s leave it at that.”
“We most certainly will not leave it at that.” Reaching out her hand, Shirley clutched onto his shirtsleeve and yanked, which made him spin around and face her once more. His expression was stony, and she usually would shy away from a man spitting bullets, but her anger had overcome her common sense. She simply had to know what this scoundrel heard about her.
His look darkened and a shiver of fear raced down her spine. But she’d come this far—she was not about to back down now.
Shirley gasped when the man advanced on her, forcing her back until she came up hard against the railing of the boardwalk in front of her father’s general store.
“Get your hand off me, woman, or I’ll simply take what I asked you for.”
Her eyes rounded at his words and she swallowed hard. “You wouldn’t dare,” she challenged, snatching her hand away as if she’d touched a flame.
He grinned, but his smile wasn’t one of mirth. It was calculating. Cold. “Is that so?” he asked, challenging her right back.
Shirley found her backbone and stood up straight. “My father Chuck Bloom owns this store and is well-respected in this town, and my sister’s husband is the sheriff. You so much as think about…about…kissing me,” she spat. “I’ll make sure the fires of hell rain down upon you.”
“Sassy little thing, ain’t ya?” The man’s grin finally reached his eyes and he pushed his hat higher up on his head.
“Who told you I was a…?” Shirley lowered her voice after looking left and right. “Loose woman?”
The man leaned in close then looked down at her bosom. Shirley’s breathing was erratic. She needed to run away from this man. Far away. He was too handsome for his own good, and the words of seduction he’d spoken to her a moment ago seemed to hang in the air between them.
“Lucky guess.”
Outraged, Shirley raised her hand to slap him once more, but his firm grip on her wrist stopped her hand from flying. “How dare you?” she cried again.
He smiled. “You’re spittin’ a lotta fire today, lady. You remind me of a hot-headed filly I broke a while back. Truth is, no woman’s ever turned me down.”
“Get used to disappointment.”
He chuckled, and damn her stomach, but it leapt at the sound. His sandy-blond hair poked out from underneath his hat, just barely curling at his nape. His wondrous gaze seemed to pin her to the spot. She’d never seen him before in the Gulch. Perhaps he was just passing through. That thought gave Shirley courage and she set her jaw.
The man narrowed his eyes. “That a challenge, little filly?”
Her eyes widened. “It most certainly is not!”
He moved his body closer to hers. She had nowhere to go. He’d trapped her between the water trough and the railing of the boardwalk.
“You sure about that?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I know exactly where to touch a woman to make her scream my name.”
Shirley couldn’t stop her nipples from hardening any more than she could harness the wind. The heat of the day finally seemed to press down on her and she had no doubt her cheeks were now stained a permanent pink. The audacity of the man!
Swallowing hard, she cleared her throat before answering. “Then I have nothing to fear. I don’t know your name.” He seemed to find her look of triumph amusing. Or perhaps he smiled at the slight tremor in her tone.
“My name’s Luke,” he said, his voice as soft as silk. “Luke Austin.”
“And I’m sure I don’t care,” she answered, attempting to push him away. He was like a rock, not to be moved. Shirley panicked. He wouldn’t dare kiss her for any and all to see, would he? She should have let him walk away from her when he’d tried.
“Aren’t you going to tell me your name?” he asked.
“Hadn’t planned on it.”
Half of his mouth curled upward. After a moment of silence, he whispered, “My offer still stands.”
Shirley gave him a scathing glare. She was about to upbraid him once more, but he spoke again, interrupting her indignation.
“You know what I did with that filly?” he asked, dipping his head. His breath was hot upon her cheek and his eyes demanded she stare deep into them. They were ringed with dark lashes and full of mischief. “I straddled her, took her between my legs and rode her with a firm hand until she surrendered to me.”
“I’d rather die than let you touch me.” Shirley groaned at the look of determination in his gaze. She had a sinking feeling he’d taken her words as a challenge.
“Be careful what you wish for, Shirley Bloom.”
“How…how did you know…?”
Luke winked at her before stepping back, allowing her some air. Just then, Shirley spied Christopher Robinson, the son of the pastor, crossing the dirt road toward the nearby steps of the boardwalk. He was handsome in his own right, always looking pristine, not a hair or an article of clothing out of place. And he’d been coming to call on her ever since her sister Lissa’s wedding to Marcus McCaide.
He was young, just about her age, unlike Luke, who appeared a few years older. Judging by Luke’s wrinkled clothing and the guns riding low on his hips, he didn’t much care what he looked like. But that didn’t take away from his obvious good looks. Luke had a confident, arrogant swagger about him. But Christopher was polite. Safe.
Not dangerous in the least.
“Christopher!” she called out, raising her hand. Her heart slammed to life as she pulled away from Luke and dashed across the road.
“Shirley,” he answered, nodding politely. “My, my, would you look at you? How long have you been in the sun, my dear? We must get you inside. Your cheeks are flushed.”
She pressed her hands to her cheeks and chanced a glance over her shoulder where she’d been held captive by a virile, sexy gunslinger. But Mr. Luke Austin was nowhere to be found. Shirley swallowed hard and tried not to tremble like a leaf in the wind.
“Yes, I believe I must sit down for a spell.”
Accepting Christopher’s outstretched arm, she allowed him to lead her into her father’s store. Despite his waiting on her hand and foot, the rest of the afternoon was a blur.
She couldn’t get the image of that odious man with his eyes flashing sinful promises out of her head.
Two
Shirley sighed as she swept the shop. Her father’s joints had been bothering him more than they ever had before, and she’d been tasked with keeping the store clean from top to bottom. These were the days she lamented that her sister had married last summer. Before Marcus McCaide had breezed through town, Shirley had been able to get out of working and cleaning, but not anymore.
Now there was no one else to help around the shop, not since Marcus had become the sheriff of Gideon’s Gulch. Lissa visited on occasion, but never long enough to do anything more than help a few customers find their wares. She was heavily pregnant, and her husband insisted she take things easy. And now with their father laid up, stocking the shelves had fallen on Shirley’s shoulders.
She had once prided herself on being the prettiest girl in the Gulch, but not anymore. Her hair hung in limp coils from her messy bun and her dresses were worn and ratty. She’d once done chores in her fine clothes, but soon learned the stains were not worth it. After awhile, the men of town had stopped coming around her father’s shop, preferring instead to patronize the mercantile up the road. And that meant less sales and less money. More than a few times her father mentioned selling the store, but then what would they do?
If Christopher would only propose, she could live as the wife of the pastor’s son, who was being groomed by his father to take over the congregation. No longer would she have to worry about the shop and her father could sell it. Maybe Chuck could live with her or with Lissa.
But Christopher had been calling on her for almost a year now. If he had been thinking of marriage, he would have proposed by now. Most of Shirley’s previous suitors had proposed within weeks of knowing her. She’d turned them all down, claiming she hadn’t yet found the love of her life. She knew Christopher didn’t fit her ideal of the perfect husband, but right about now, she was desperate.
No other man had turned his head in her direction in a long while.
No other man, that is, but Luke Austin. And that man was a cad.
Tears stung her eyes. He said he’d heard things about her. Shirley wondered what he’d heard and knew her days as a sought-after bride were over. Was it true people were making up stories about her? Spreading rumors that she was willing to… She wouldn’t think it. She refused to.
The bristles of the broom hit the floor with such force, Shirley marveled she didn’t break them. She’d once dreamed of being the wife of a wealthy rancher or a banker who would pamper her and love her like Marcus loved her sister. Every time she saw them together, her heart hitched at the obvious affection they shared. She wanted the same for herself.
Perhaps the love of her life had been one of the various men she’d selfishly turned down. One thing was for sure—she would never know.
Shirley stopped sweeping and rested her forehead on her hands that clutched the broom. Her father was upstairs, but she might as well be alone. The shop was empty.
Her thoughts drifted to Luke. She hadn’t seen him since Sunday. But lordy, the things that man said! Who did he think he was? Shirley remembered how her fingers pushed against his solid chest in an effort to move the man. He hadn’t yielded. Even the skin under his shirt had been hard. Her heart quickened at the memory.
She’d never known another man like him. She had a feeling he wasn’t one to back away from a challenge. And she’d challenged him more than once. But his words shocked her. He’d asked her to come back to his hotel room with him. He’d asked her to give him a taste right there on the road to sample the goods. Slapping him for assuming she was a soiled dove had been the least he’d deserved.
But in the days—and nights—that followed his unholy proposition, Luke Austin wouldn’t get out of her head. He’d brazenly told her his offer still stood, and heaven help her, she wanted to know exactly how he could get her to scream his name.
Lissa had tried to explain the rapture of making love on more than one occasion, and Shirley had often dreamt about it. But until now, she’d never put a face to the man she’d fantasized about making love to. Often Christopher came into her thoughts, but she couldn’t imagine him with a wrinkle in his trousers, much less naked.
But Luke… That man conjured all kinds of sinful imaginings. She wondered if he made love as ruthlessly as he’d advanced on her the other day. He’d trapped her because she’d riled him and she should have been frightened, but it had been excitement coursing through her veins, not fear.
And she’d never been so excited in her life.
“You missed a spot.”
Shirley jumped and shrieked at the same time, not expecting the masculine voice that had spoken almost directly in her ear. But in her surprise, she’d released the broom and stepped on the bristles, nearly sending herself careening into the nearby sacks of feed.
An arm hooked around her waist from behind, effectively stopping her fall by dragging her against a rock-hard chest.
“Easy there, filly,” the voice said. “I’ve got you.”
She sucked in her breath. It was Luke! And he was holding her much longer—and tighter—than necessary.
Wriggling out of his grasp, Shirley turned to face him with a scowl. He treated her to his handsome grin. He wasn’t wearing his hat, and his golden hair fell around his face in waves. For a moment, she was struck by the sight of him and drank him in from head to toe. Her mouth went dry while her palms began to sweat. Too much silence had passed for her to effectively give him what for, so instead, she backed away and watched while he bent to pick up her abandoned broom.
“Didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said casually as he straightened. He offered the broom to her. “Thought you’d heard the bell on the door.”
Shirley groaned. She’d been so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t heard him enter. With two steps, she snatched the broom out of his hand. “I was…thinking.”
“Musta been some mighty deep thoughts to keep you from hearing my spurs janglin’.” The man gave her a calculating grin, looked her up and down, and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his denims.
“Yes, well,” she said with a sniff. “My father has been under the weather lately.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied, his tone giving truth to his words. “You all right?”
Shirley closed her eyes. In all the times she’d spoken with Christopher about her ill father, he’d never once asked about her own well-being. She nodded. “Most days.”
She walked around him to the counter at the rear of the store then propped the broom against the wall. “What can I do for you?” When she turned to face him, she suddenly realized by his look alone that those probably hadn’t been the wisest words to say to Luke Austin.
He slowly approached her, and with every step he took, she was painfully aware of the loud clank of his spurs. How had she possibly missed that noise? The air in her lungs left in a rush when he stopped on the other side of the counter and propped his hands against it. He leaned over the counter and cocked his head—still gazing at her, square in the eye.
“For starters, you can stop looking at me like I’m gonna bite you. I only bite women who are gasping beneath me.”
Shirley’s jaw dropped and her heart slammed to life. Her hand flew to her chest in a futile effort to calm her raging emotions.
Luke winked. “Then again, I might bite you yet, filly.”
“You…you shouldn’t say such things, sir,” she said, trying to muster her indignation.
“Why not? I’m bein’ honest.”
“It’s not proper.”
“Perhaps not,” he answered. “But I find propriety to be useless outside them fancy cities they have back east. Honesty and tellin’ it like it is, that’s what keeps a man alive in the West. Ain’t got no time for beating around the bush.”
“I already have a suitor, Mr. Austin. You should kindly leave off.”
Luke chuckled and leaned on his elbows against the counter. “The preacher’s son? Honey, that boy wouldn’t know how to handle a woman like you.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Shirley planted her hands on her hips, determined to defend Christopher’s honor.
“You got spunk. Grit. I admire that in a woman. You aren’t afraid to lock horns and you speak up for yourself. Takes gumption to do that. But if you go off and marry the preacher’s son, you’ll lose your piss and vinegar.”
“Mr. Austin!”
“It’s the truth,” he insisted. “You’ll have yourself a stuffy husband and a stuffy house with stuffy, pretentious friends. That’ll put a hitch in your giddyup. Ain’t no place for a spirited filly like you. You need to run free and wild.”
Shirley swallowed hard. For some reason, her drawers were mighty damp and her body trembled from head to toe. Her corset was suddenly too tight and it was hard to catch her breath.
“He ever kiss you?”
Luke’s unexpected question caught her by surprise.
“That is none of your concern!”
“Has he?” he pressed. “Cause I can tell you right here and now, Ms. Bloom, that if you kiss me, you’ll know the difference between stuffy and wild.”
“You should leave,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. She didn’t succeed. “Find what you need at the mercantile.”
Luke shook his head. “All I need is right in front of me.”
Without warning, he rounded the counter and advanced on her. She was trapped—again—between the wall, the counter, and him. The only way to escape would be to climb over the counter, but doing so in her heavy skirts would definitely ensure he’d catch her.
“What are you afraid of?” he asked.
“You!” she spat. “You’re rude, uncouth, and I don’t know you from Adam.”
He smiled. “My name’s Lucas Roy Austin, born and bred in Texas Territory. I’m good friends with your brother-in-law, Marcus McCaide. Rode with a gang of no-good misfits for a time, thought I could change the world. But Marcus put an end to my carousing and threw my ass in jail. We became friends after that and I’m here to visit him and his lovely wife Lissa. One look at Lissa’s pretty sister, though, and my curiosity got the best of me.”
Shirley stared at him in shock. The last thing she expected was for him to tell his life story. She didn’t know if she was more shocked at that or at the fact he was friends with Marcus.
“Y-your curiosity?” She pressed hard against the wall and watched helplessly as Luke inched closer.
“I wanna know what you taste like.”
“Good Lord,” she whispered. “How can you say that to me?”
“Tell you what, filly,” he said, his blue eyes sparkling. “Let me kiss you. If you don’t like it, I’ll never bother you again.”
“But…my father is upstairs.”
“Then we should be quiet.”
“Someone could walk in!”
“Then we should be quick.”
Damn the man! She had a sneaking suspicion he knew her thoughts. God in Heaven, but she wanted him to ravage her. And that thought alone had her imagining the fire and brimstone that would no doubt rain upon her if she let him.
“You don’t know me,” she said, trying like mad to make him see reason.
“I know you’re a spoiled shrew. I know you made your sister’s life harder than it had to be. I know you tried to lure Marcus away from her.”
“I did no such thing!” Her gasp was so loud it seemed to echo all around them.
Luke smirked at her. “Liar. Truth is, man like me is the only kind of man that can handle a woman like you.”
She narrowed her eyes and attempted to push him back. But just like the other day, he would not be moved. “How dare you insult me! Step back this instant.”
“Will not. I’m gonna kiss ya now, filly. And I want you to think about your suitor while I’m doin’ it. Cause it’ll be the last time you ever think of him.”
Her eyes widened at his arrogance, but she didn’t have time to protest. His lips were on hers before she saw him move. But he wasn’t brutal like she thought he’d be. He was gentle as he framed her face in his palms. It confused her. She’d been ready to shove him away, but his tender assault made her head spin. After a few moments of molding his mouth to hers, he became bolder, and swiped his tongue across her lips. Shirley whimpered, but didn’t open for him, instead clutching fistfuls of his blue flannel shirt in her hands.
Luke pulled back and grinned. She tried hard to ignore her runaway heart.
“You liked that.” His deep voice raised every hair on her body.
“Did not.”
“You didn’t push me away.”
“I was about to.”
Luke stepped back and gave her a critical eye. “Lady, I know when a woman likes to be kissed.”
Shirley squared her shoulders. “I didn’t open for your…for you.”
“There’s always tomorrow.” He winked.
With an outraged shriek, she stomped her foot and pointed to the door. “Get out!”
“Did you think about him?” Luke arched a brow as he gazed down at her. Shirley fought valiantly not to be caught up in his sensual game.
“What? Who?”
Luke chuckled delightedly and tapped her nose. “That’s what I thought. See ya later, honey.”
It wasn’t until after he’d shut the door of the shop behind him that Shirley remembered Christopher and how they’d been bantering about his kisses. If Luke only knew Christopher’s kisses had been nothing more than mere pecks on her cheek, he’d no doubt march right back into the store and finish what he’d started.
No, Luke Austin could never know just how deeply he affected her. The next time she came across the lecher, she’d run the other way.
Shirley licked her tingling lips and groaned inwardly.
He’d probably chase her.
Three
What am I doing?
Luke made his way down the boardwalk and shook his head. The last thing he needed was to get involved with Lissa McCaide’s sister. Problem was, the woman drew him in like a bee to honey.
He’d arrived in Gideon’s Gulch a little more than a week ago to visit his old friend Marcus. They’d had many a late night, catching up and swapping stories. Marcus’s stories of Shirley had instantly gained Luke’s attention. He had to see for himself what kind of woman she was.
To hear Marcus talk, Shirley was the most spoiled woman in the territory. She certainly was an indignant little thing. And pretty. Damn, was she pretty.
But she’d challenged him, and for the life of him, Luke Austin had never backed down from a challenge. It had nothing to do with her porcelain skin or shining blue eyes. Definitely not her blonde hair that flamed red in the sun.
He ran his fingers through his own hair as he walked and heaved a deep sigh. He’d kissed her. He hadn’t meant to, but inspiration had struck. Perhaps it was the talk about her suitor that had him rounding that counter and advancing on her. But he enjoyed niggling her. He enjoyed seeing her face flush at the words he said. He enjoyed her hands against his chest and her lips underneath his.
It had been too damn long since a woman had responded to him like that. He wasn’t above taking advantage of it. But the memory of how pliant she’d been was now going to haunt him. His tongue had barely swiped between her lips. What little he’d tasted of her had made his cock harden almost painfully.
There was no way in hell he wasn’t going to plunder that sweet mouth. He groaned as he imagined her legs wrapped around him. Christ. He had to stay away from her. Marcus wouldn’t take too kindly to him taking advantage of family.
Problem was, Luke knew he wouldn’t be able to keep his distance now. He’d gotten a taste. He wanted more. Marcus might think Shirley was a shrew, but all Luke saw was a passionate woman. She needed a passionate man. That preacher’s son wasn’t the right man for her. She needed someone to appreciate who she was.
And Lord above, Luke wanted to appreciate her.
As he approached the small house behind the jail that had been built a mere six months before, he raised his hand to wave at Lissa. She was outside, beating one of her colorful rugs over the clothesline. Amazingly, Lissa and Shirley shared few, if any, features. If he hadn’t been told they were sisters, he never would have guessed it. Lissa’s hair was a dark auburn that fell down her back in a long braid. Shirley’s was strawberry blonde that bounced to her shoulders. Lissa’s eyes were a deep shade of green, but her sister had bright blue eyes, just like he did.
“Luke!” Lissa hollered. “What have you been up to today?”
He shrugged and grinned. “Getting familiar with town,” he replied.
“You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“I have some chicken warming from last night if you want some.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” she said, setting down her rug beater. “I want to ask my father and my sister over for dinner this Sunday. I thought it would be nice for you to meet them.”
Luke’s heart hitched in his chest. He took a deep breath to keep from laughing. Spending time with Shirley in front of her family appealed to him like nothing else. She’d be flustered. She’d be annoyed. And she’d be downright sexy.
“I’d like that,” he told her, grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t wait to meet your family.”
Lissa beamed at him. “Oh, they’ll just love you.”
He chuckled. “I bet they will.”
~ * ~
“We would love to come!”
Shirley dropped the can she’d been holding and watched it roll across the wooden floor while her father hugged her sister. Lissa had just invited them to Sunday dinner to meet her new houseguest. Shirley scowled. She knew good and well who that was.
Marcus stopped the wayward can with his boot and bent to pick it up. “Dropped something,” he said with a grin.
Shirley snatched it and slammed it on the nearby shelf.
“Hey now,” he responded. “Who put the bee in your bonnet?”
“I’m not coming.”
Chuck glanced at her sharply.
Lissa’s eyes widened. “Why not?”
“I’ve become…acquainted with your houseguest,” she snapped. “And I don’t like him.”
Marcus chuckled. “Not many do.”
“You’ve met Luke already?” Lissa waddled toward her with her hand on her back. She’d be giving birth within the next few weeks, no doubt about it.
“Twice,” Shirley replied sourly, tucking a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. “Once about a week ago and once yesterday.”
“Why don’t you like him?” her sister asked with a pout. “I thought you might.”
“He…he…” Shirley looked between her sister and her father. She couldn’t very well blurt what he’d done to her. No doubt it would ruin his friendship with Marcus and make her father want to challenge him. As much as she loathed the man, she couldn’t ruin his life over a stolen kiss.
“He belittled Christopher,” she finally replied. “I didn’t care for his tone.”
Marcus coughed, but his eyes twinkled. She’d known him long enough to be aware he was hiding a grin. Lissa bit her lip and her father rubbed the back of his neck.
“Please, Shirley.” Lissa took a few steps until she stood in front of her. “I haven’t seen you in a long while. It will be good to catch up. Besides, when was the last time you got out of this stuffy old shop?”
You’ll have yourself a stuffy husband and a stuffy house with stuffy, pretentious friends…
Luke’s words suddenly came back to her in a rush. Shirley had to close her eyes and swallow hard. Just the thought of seeing him again sent her heart palpating.
“I want to show you our nursery.”
Shirley sighed. She couldn’t possibly deny her sister the pleasure of showing her everything she’d done to welcome her new baby. Marcus had even built a cradle for the little one. And she herself had been filled with anticipation for the imminent arrival of her niece or nephew.
“All right, I’ll come,” she said. “But don’t expect me to be civil to Mr. Austin.”
“What woman is?” Marcus flinched when Lissa smacked his shoulder.
“We’ll be sure to tell him to behave himself.”
Shirley almost laughed out loud at her sister’s words. Luke? Behave himself? That was like telling the sun not to shine.
~ * ~
The air inside the church was stifling. A bead of sweat rolled down Shirley’s cheek. She was nestled between her sister on her right and Christopher on her left, and she shifted uncomfortably on the pew.
Her stomach had roiled all morning. Tonight, she’d be in Luke’s presence—with her entire family in attendance. She hadn’t had any breakfast. The thought of food made her queasy. However, she was regretting her decision not to eat, as spots now swam before her eyes.
A quick look at the sanctuary told her Luke hadn’t attended church, but she hadn’t expected him to. A man like that probably wasn’t a man of faith. He was a man of sin. And debauchery.
And good gravy, it was sweltering today!
Or maybe it was just her. Thoughts of Luke never failed to bring a rosy flush to her cheeks.
Shirley squirmed. She attempted to fan herself with her hands. Christopher noticed and gave her a tepid smile. He wasn’t sweating. In fact, he looked as if he was more than comfortable while his father preached on about hell and damnation. Shirley wondered if the Good Lord would hold it against her if she fanned herself with the His Good Book.
The end of Pastor Richardson’s sermon couldn’t come soon enough. But it still seemed an eternity before he blessed the congregation and sent them on their way. Shirley said her goodbyes to Lissa and Marcus and promised to meet them later in the day. But she was forced to wait for Christopher to finish talking with Margaret Brown before she could pull him aside herself.
She’d made up her mind to ask what his intentions were with her. If he was going to propose, it was better for the both of them if he got on with it. It had been almost a year since he’d begun calling on her. She’d much rather confront Luke with a fiancé rather than a mere suitor. He wouldn’t dare put his hands on her if he knew she’d promised herself to Christopher. At least, she hoped that man had some honor.
Christopher finally broke away from Margaret’s talk of burned muffins and her dog running off with the hand towel. Shirley rolled her eyes and took his arm, somehow managing a smile.
“Sounds like she had quite an adventure this morning,” she said, trying to appear interested.
“Yes, quite,” he agreed.
They walked on in silence, finally coming to the boardwalk of Main Street. Shirley climbed the steps and found her backbone.
“Christopher?”
“Yes?” he replied.
“When are you planning on asking me to marry you?”
He must have tripped on a plank that hadn’t been properly nailed down. He regained his footing and cleared his throat.
“Come again?” he said, his voice cracking.
“Well, it’s been almost a year since you’ve been coming to call on me, and I…I’m through with waiting.”
He gave her a strange look, one filled with what appeared to be disbelief and shock. “Shirley,” he began. He unwrapped his arm from her hand. They stopped walking to face each other and he scratched the side of his face. “We are good friends, and there was a time when I thought I might ask you to be my wife, but…”
“But?” she prodded when he’d drifted off.
Christopher shrugged. “I’ve since come to terms that we don’t suit. You are a good friend, and have been for months, however I—”
“Friend? I’ve been a good friend?” Shirley knew she should keep her voice down, but her anger got the best of her. “You knew good and well I’ve been waiting for you to ask!”
He chuckled nervously and glanced around them. A few cowboys on the street looked their way and a couple of women from church walked on ahead, but for the most part, they were alone on the boardwalk.
“I-I’ve been mustering up the courage to tell you—”
“For how long?” she demanded, crossing her arms. “How long, Christopher?”
He shrugged again. “I knew a…a few months ago.”
“Months!” Shirley threw up her hands and stomped her foot. “How could you let me believe…?” Tears stung the back of her eyes and she scowled darkly. “Christopher Robinson, don’t you dare show your face in my father’s store ever again!”
She pushed him out of the way before marching up the boardwalk alone. The ladies in front of her took one look at her stormy demeanor and gasped, stepping aside to let her pass.
“Shirley, wait. Can’t we talk about this, perhaps somewhere private?”
“I have nothing more to say to you,” she tossed over her shoulder. “Good day, sir.”
It took every ounce of willpower she had not to break down in tears and run the rest of the way to her father’s store. She was bound and determined to walk with dignity and poise. But the moment she entered through the front door, she dashed for the steps that led to her home above the shop.
Thankfully her father didn’t keep hours on Sunday. No one was present to witness her shame.
Four
Shirley knew she looked a fright, but right about now, she didn’t care. Her hair had fallen from her bun after she’d cried into her pillow all afternoon, and she’d simply run her fingers through it to weave a sloppy braid. Her Sunday dress was hopelessly wrinkled, and her eyes were swollen and puffy. She hadn’t even bothered with her beloved rose-water perfume.
Lissa gave her a strange look as she and her father crossed the threshold of the McCaide residence. It was the very same look Chuck had given her once she’d descended the stairs of the shop. Shirley had always taken care to look her best, but tonight she had no heart for it. She wanted Luke to stay far away from her. And if making herself barely presentable was the way to do it, she was more than eager.
All men could jump off a cliff for all she cared.
Lissa hugged their father and kissed him on the cheek. “How have you been feeling lately?”
“Good, good,” he said, rubbing his chin. Shirley knew he was fibbing, but she didn’t contradict his words. He most likely didn’t want her sister to worry in her condition.
Lissa’s gaze turned to her. She gave her a nervous smile. “Shirley, is everything all right with you?”
The words were light, but Shirley heard her worried undertone. “Yes,” she lied. Her voice cracked and she cleared her throat. Luke chose that moment to walk into the parlor.
He looked good. Too good. His denims and blue button-down shirt were clean and pressed, and his hair was brushed back. He appeared as if he’d freshly shaved and his guns were nowhere in sight. He hadn’t even worn his spurs. His quiet footsteps unnerved her.
When his eyes roamed over her, Shirley began shaking. But other than a quick nod, he didn’t give away any clue about their heated kiss the other day.
“Luke, I’d like you to meet my father, Chuck Bloom,” Lissa said, standing between the two men. “Father, this is Luke Austin, an old friend of Marcus’s.”
Luke held out his hand and Chuck took it with a firm shake. “How do you do, sir?” he said.
“Well, now,” Chuck replied with a grin. “Any friend of Marcus is a friend of mine.”
Luke smiled and Shirley swore the room brightened. She’d never seen him give a genuine grin—all the smiles he’d given her had been predatory. Dangerous. Right now, he seemed…safe.
“I’m sure you remember Shirley,” Marcus said, grinning from ear to ear. “She’s told us you two have already met.”
Luke held out his hand to her as well. Shirley simply stared at it.
“Of course. How could I forget Lissa’s lovely sister?”
The warmth of his words had her hanging her head in shame. She knew she wasn’t lovely at the moment. But she couldn’t bring herself to be rude to Luke in her sister’s house. She could find it within herself to be civil.
She took his hand and nodded back to him. “Mr. Austin.”
“Please, ma’am, call me Luke.”
The contact of his palm against hers struck her like lightning. Shirley snatched her hand away and rubbed it with her other one.
“No, no, I couldn’t possibly.”
“I insist.” Luke arched his brow. Shirley had half a mind to smack that smug look right off his face.
“Fine.” With a deep breath, Shirley walked past him and into the kitchen. “What are you cooking, Lissa?” she tossed over her shoulder. “It smells wonderful.”
Her sister followed, leaving the men behind. Helping her sister with the meal was much safer than standing in Lissa’s parlor, bantering with Luke in front of everyone. Her mind screamed that she was a coward, but she drained the potatoes and began mashing them regardless.
“Are you all right?” Lissa asked, pulling her fresh-baked rolls from the oven. “I heard some gossip today that you had a spat with Christopher.”
Shirley dropped the masher, making it clatter against the bowl. The sound echoed across the kitchen and Lissa jumped.
“I’m sorry,” Shirley mumbled. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I’m sure everything will work out in the end,” Lissa told her. “He seems quite taken with you.”
Shirley let out an unladylike snort. “He isn’t.”
“What?”
With a long, drawn-out sigh, she began mashing once more. “He told me today that we…that we don’t suit.”
“Oh. Oh, Shirley, I’m so sorry. I know how long you were waiting for him to propose.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she answered.
“Yes, it does!” Lissa put her hand on Shirley’s shoulder. “You can’t just stop having feelings for someone.”
“Christopher never saw me as anything more than a pretty face,” she said bitterly. “In fact, that’s all any man sees. They stopped flocking to me when I began pulling my weight at the shop. The only time I get any attention is when I’m dressed in my Sunday best. Even Mr. Austin heard that I was a…”
“What?” Lissa asked when Shirley trailed off.
“Smells mighty nice in here, ladies,” Luke said, walking into the kitchen with Marcus and Chuck behind him.
“The roast’s done, Marcus,” Lissa said. “Would you carve it for me?”
“Of course.”
As Lissa’s husband moved to grab the carving knife, Shirley caught Luke’s eye. He gave her an odd look, as if seeing her for the first time. While her brother-in-law carved the meat and her father was distracted by the apple pie cooling on Lissa’s window sill, Luke leaned back against the wall and put his hands in his pockets, still holding onto her eyes with his.
But his audacity hadn’t left him. He winked at her.
Shirley bit her lip to keep from smiling. They had a secret between them, and Heaven help her, it was thrilling, in a way.
She looked away and moved to help her sister bring the food to the table. Thankfully, her seat was across from Luke, and the next hour was filled with stories from the past.
Marcus had arrested Luke after a particularly nasty barroom brawl. Luke even had a scar over his eyebrow to prove it. He’d started it, of course, after hearing another man speak freely about the woman he’d once fancied.
As Luke told the story, Shirley hung on his every word, amazed that he would go to such great lengths to defend this woman’s honor when he’d propositioned her on Main Street for being a harlot herself not too long ago.
“And where is this woman now, Mr. Austin?” she asked, taking a sip of water.
He glanced at her over the table and shrugged. “Don’t know. Got tired of her nagging. Mounted my horse in the middle of the night and never once looked back.”
Shirley stared at him in horror. “You just…left her?”
“I wasn’t gonna spend the rest of my life with her, if that’s what you’re fishing for.”
“Yes, but the proper thing to do would have been to explain yourself.”
“I don’t give much clout to being proper, ma’am.” His eyes bored into hers. She was suddenly reminded of their previous conversation about propriety.
She sniffed and raised her chin at him. “Well, that just goes to show you are a cad.”
Lissa’s eyes bulged while Marcus coughed into his napkin. Chuck’s face reddened. Even Luke’s mouth curled into a small grin.
“Apologize at once,” her father demanded. “You are in no position to judge this man.”
“I will not!” she exclaimed. “He broke a woman’s heart and left her high and dry!”
“Shirley, I raised you better than to insult a guest in your sister’s house.”
“I’m sorry, Lissa,” she said, barely able to hold back her tears. “But I must leave.”
With a loud scrape, she pushed back her chair and dashed out the kitchen. Her father yelled after her, but Lissa began explaining what had happened with Christopher in her soft voice. Shirley couldn’t take another moment of their scrutiny.
Opening the door, she slammed it behind her and raced down the steps of the porch. She’d only taken a few good strides before a strong hand grabbed her arm. She stumbled with a cry, right into Luke’s arms.
“Let me go!” she cried. She tried twisting this way and that, but the man was just too strong.
“No.” That one word seemed to hang in the air. He dragged her to a nearby tree and shoved her against it.
“I’ll scream!”
“Do it,” he challenged.
Shirley stared into his stormy eyes while her chest heaved with harsh breaths. The moon was out, bathing his face in soft light. His masculine beauty struck a chord in her. She couldn’t scream even if she wanted to.
“That woman I left behind,” he told her with a scowl, “she was married. The moment I found out, I left her. I was pissed she used me to get what she couldn’t get at home. She had young children. It wasn’t right. But I figured that wasn’t the type of story you tell ‘round the dinner table.”
Shirley closed her eyes and groaned. Her sorrow poured off of her and her shoulders shook with silent sobs. On top of misjudging Christopher and his intentions, she’d also misjudged Luke’s. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just assumed—”
“I know,” he said, his tone softer. “That’s why I ran after you.”
She opened her eyes and took him in. He was close. So close she smelled the soap he’d used to shave. It was all she could do not to take a deep breath.
“You still think I’m a cad?”
“Yes!”
He smiled at her exuberant response.
“I think all men are cads. Even the ones who are…” She stood up straight. “Safe.”
He arched a brow. “Your suitor propose?”
She gave him a short, sharp bark of laughter. “Hardly! He said we don’t suit.”
“I already knew you didn’t.”
Shirley narrowed her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she retorted. “You’re just like all the rest.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, stepping closer.
“You take one look at me and decide you know me. You’re drawn in by my face, but you don’t dig any deeper. You think I’m spoiled, rude, and pretentious, and that I’m some kind of conquest. I-I’m not a prize to be won. Do not treat me as such.”
His look darkened. “And you think you’re such a saint?” he asked. “You think I’m overbearing, uncouth and arrogant. You think I look at you and all I see is your beauty. I couldn’t care less about your looks, woman. I care about what’s in here.” He tapped her chest so hard she winced. “Most women I meet are demure, shallow creatures who barely meet my eye. You’ve challenged me from that first day on the street. Hell, my cheek still stings!”
Though her vision blurred through unshed tears, she managed a giggle at his words. The harsh lines of his body softened as he stepped right up to hers, pressing her back against the tree. Shirley’s heart suddenly stopped.
“If Christopher’s outta your life, then that makes this easy.”
“Makes wha—”
He swallowed her words with his mouth.
Shirley squealed and attempted to push on his shoulders, but he took her arms and wrapped them around his neck. She shouldn’t have complied so easily, but it felt so good, holding on to him and kissing him right back.