Free The Outlaw's Kiss (an Old West Romance) (Wild West Brides) by Anya Karin Page A

course,” Rawls said. “I’d hate to keep friends
from enjoying each other’s company. Or lovebirds apart.” The man’s beady, black
eyes settled upon me and I felt a chill as he searched my face. “Remember what
I told you, Jefferson. Congratulations on your find. Hope it’s the first of
many.”
    With that, he turned and left. Father’s face was
red and Eli looked as though he’d seen a ghost.
    “He told us the foulest things,” I whispered.
“About Mr. Bullock, Mr. Star, that nice fellow with the claim adjacent ours,
and about you. Why?”
    Eli shook his head. “He’s an angry man. An angry
man I haven’t seen since the Comstock.” His eyes darkened for a moment. After
closing his eyes for a moment, Eli opened them and his jovial smile was back.
“But, that’s for another time. Right now I’m glad to be among friends. If you
were serious about that offer of supper, I’d love to take you up on it, Mr.
James. I’m famished.”
    “Jefferson,” Father said. “Call me Jeff, or Jeff
or Jeffrey. I answer to all of them. Friends should use first names, you know.
And Clara,” he turned to me briefly before facing Eli again, “I’m sorry for
what I said earlier. It was out of line.”
    I smiled and nodded to accept what he’d said, just
as Eli put his hand back on my shoulder and gave me a gentle squeeze.
    “I like that, Jeff. Call me Eli.” His smile, along
with those sparkling eyes, dazzled me when I looked in Eli’s direction. “It’s
good to be back.”

Seven
    September 20, 1878
    Deadwood, Dakota Territory
    ––––––––
    T he first day of our ice delivery was a happy one,
though not for the reason I imagined.
    I woke up earlier than Father for once, and got
his coffee ready. He was packing his tools, and about to head out the door when
he turned to me and stared for a moment.
    “Clara,” he said. “I want you to be happy. More
than anything in the world, I want for your happiness. If you want to leave
this place and go right back to New York, all you have to do is say the word.”
    Studying his face, I thought perhaps he was asking
permission, more than expressing his care. Whatever that letter he’d gotten
from Francis had a terrible effect on his mood. Something, I knew, had gone
wrong and it was worrying him, but he wouldn’t speak of it in clearer terms.
    “Our place is here, father, for now. You’ve got
your claim and I have,” I paused to consider my words. No way was I going to
admit that I didn’t want to go back to New York because I didn’t want to leave
behind a man with whom I wasn’t even involved. Just the idea of never seeing
Eli again put a lump in my throat.
    “What is it, dear? Something seems to have grabbed
ahold of your tongue and clamped down.” A wry smile spread across his face. “I
think I have some idea.”
    I blushed at his insinuation. “Father, it’s not
like that.”
    “It’s all right, Clara, it’s all right.” A broad smile
covered father’s face. “I’m just having a joke at your expense. I remember
being just like you, although on the other side of it. I’ve seen the way Eli
looks at you, too. A man doesn’t get that distant, unable-to-think-correctly
glaze over his eyes unless he is in a bad way.” Father said, no doubt thinking
of how he spent two years courting my mother before finally working up the
courage to ask for her hand.
    He looked so vulnerable in just that moment that I
took his hand and held it between both of mine. “Is something wrong with the
bank? I know you’ve been upset since that telegraph from Francis, and I –”
    “No,” he said with a snap. “No, everything’s fine.
Or will be. If not for this claim proving out, then I’d be in one hell
of a spot. But no, don’t worry about that. All that happened was one of the
railroad companies we put our money in went broke trying to run a line from
Colorado to the Pacific. Nothing to worry about.”
    The words he said and the look on his face