Free Remember Me (Defiant MC) by Cora Brent Page A

fingers fumbled with the buttons of her dress.  She could only hope they would not meet again. 
    When James drove up in his wagon she was surprised.  She had been intending on walking the short distance to town.   He told Annika he would be dining with the Swillings as well and grinned at her in a way which caught her heart.  James resembled his brother so closely.  Annika climbed into his buckboard, thinking of Mercer and flushing guiltily over it. 
    James didn’t appear to notice.  She observed the clean look of his trousers and realized he had gone to some trouble in presenting himself for the occasion.   They chatted pleasantly on the short drive. 
    “So, Miss Larson,” James said with a spark in his eye.  “How are you finding your new surroundings?”
    Again her mind betrayed her, flashing to that passionate interlude with Mercer Dolan.  Annika clenched her fists, allowing her fingernails to cut into the palms, trying to dispel the overpowering wave of desire. 
    “I like it fine,” she said carefully.  Annika pointed toward the Scorpion Mountains.  She already knew the mine entrance lay at the foothills of the small range just outside town, however she had not seen it.  The fortunate among the mine’s employees found quarters in town.  Most, however, lived in a tent camp close to the mine.  “How many people make their homes out there now?”
    James considered for a moment before speaking.  “About four hundred, give or take.  Folks drift in and out all the time. Most are single men but there are some families as well.  It’s a rough place, Annika.  Lot of riff raff.  I would not recommend venturing there yourself.  You likely didn’t hear of it yet, but we had a hanging in Contention a few weeks back.”
    She was appalled.  “A hanging?  For what crime?”
    James’s mouth was set in a grim line as he stared ahead at the narrow road into town.   “It was a miner.  He thought he was being wise in squirreling away pieces of the golden veins he’d hacked out of the earth.  But he got caught.  And justice is swift in these parts.” 
    “Justice,” Annika spat impulsively.  “You call it justice to hang a man for stealing a few rocks?”
    James looked startled.  Then he smiled slowly.  “No,” he said, appraising her with clear respect.  “I don’t.  But in a gold town there’s not much worse you can do, excepting murder.” 
    Whenever James spoke Annika glanced at his profile.  Predictably, he was reminiscent of Mercer.  The biggest difference was in his manner.  James was thoughtful, sincere.  Mercer was a wildcat.  She was at ease being alone with James.  When Mercer had advanced on her in the dim cabin, she knew he was not to be trusted.  Moreover , she knew she could not trust herself with him.
    As they drew closer to town Annika heard giggling close behind the wagon and turned around.  A group of children were knotted together and following closely behind. They were black-haired and dark skinned.  The girls wore brightly colored dresses.  Charmed, Annika waved to them.  They squealed and scurried away, leaving one lone boy lingering their wake.  He appeared to be about eight years old and he waved back, smiling. 
    James paused the horses and addressed the child.   “Desi,” he said, “I meant to call on your father today.  You can tell him to expect me tomorrow.” 
    Desi held out a friendly hand to one of the mares, waiting patiently as she caught his scent and stood still, accepting his touch.  “Papa will be happy to hear that, Mr. Dolan.”
    James coughed a few times into a handkerchief and then recovered himself.  “Miss Annika Larson, I’d like to introduce you to Desi de Campo.  His father, Carlos, runs the water wagon between town and the mine.  Desi, Miss Larson is the new schoolteacher.” 
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Desi.  I’ve never heard that name before.” 
    The boy peered at her merrily from beneath a cap