Ana Leigh Read online

  For the next thirty minutes, Rose didn’t have time to think of rich husbands or dark-eyed cowboys, as she made certain all her customers were fed and satisfied before the train departed.

  She heaved a sigh of relief and sank down on a chair when the train finally pulled out of the station.

  “You look tired, Rose,” Kate said, and took a chair next to her.

  “I am. I didn’t sleep well last night.” She’d tossed and turned, thinking about Zach MacKenzie. “And this day’s already been exhausting though it’s not even halfway over.”

  The other girls joined them as Rose began to relate her harrowing experience with the runaway team.

  “Jess Tait should be arrested,” Aubrey Jeffreys declared.

  “My goodness, you could have been killed,” Melanie Clemens said indignantly, her blond curls bouncing with every word.

  “Not only Rose, but some innocent bystander as well,” Kate added.

  “If there is an innocent bystander in this town,” Andrea Reynolds challenged. The dark-haired waitress from Chicago was a little more worldly than the other three girls.

  “Well, the important thing is nobody was injured,” Kate said, patting Rose’s hand.

  “Ladies, ladies, this is no time for a kaffeeklatsch,” Everett Billings reminded them, entering the room. “The eastbound train will be coming through in three hours.” He clapped his hands to get them moving. “There’s work to be done.”

  “Mr. Billings, Rose was almost killed this morning,” Aubrey stated, her bright blue eyes still wide with shock.

  “Killed! Oh, dear, Miss Dubois, was that the accident you mentioned?”

  “That horrible Jess Tait’s responsible,” Melanie informed him, shaking her head so severely that her blond curls threatened to bounce off her head.

  Talking all at once, Andrea, Melanie, and Aubrey proceeded to tell Billings of the incident. When they finished, the manager looked contritely at Rose.

  “Miss Dubois, I have no objection if you’d like to take the rest of the day off to recover.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Billings, but I’m fine now.”

  “I still say that Jess Tait belongs behind bars,” Aubrey reiterated.

  The bell tinkled as the door opened, and the women jumped to their feet. Rose stared, appalled, as Jess Tait crossed the floor trailed by his gang, and they all sat down at one of the tables.

  “The nerve of that man!” Andrea hissed through clenched teeth. “I’m going over there right now and tell him what I think of him.”

  “No.” Rose’s hand on the young girl’s arm stopped Andrea from doing so. “It’s my table, honey, and I have a few words to say to that bully.”

  Rose picked up the coffeepot and walked over to the table. The men quieted, as if waiting to hear whatever she intended to say.

  She filled their coffee cups and when she got to Jess, he warned, “You try that same trick with that coffee that ya did yesterday, and you’ll get more than a fast ride in a wagon. How’d ya like that little ride I gave you, sister?”

  “Mr. Tait, I consider you a dangerous man, and if there was any decent lawman in this town, you’d probably be long dead by now. As it is, it’s just a matter of time before you end up in that condition.”

  “Oh-h-h, I’m so scared,” Tait said. “Hear that, boys? Sounds like the bitch is threatenin’ me.”

  Rose smiled sweetly. “Not at all. I can wait. I’m the patient type.”

  “Well, I’m not,” Zach said. “So how about some breakfast, Redhead? What’s on the menu today?”

  “An egg soufflé and chicken livers.”

  “Sounds good,” Zach said.

  Jess and the others ordered the same. Rose went into the kitchen to place their orders, and when she came out, she saw Stephen Rayburn seated at one of her tables.

  “Good morning again,” she said.

  Rayburn smiled up at her. “I’m told this restaurant serves the best food in town.”

  “You heard right, Mr. Rayburn.”

  “If the food is half as sweet as the waitresses who serve it, it must be true.”

  “Why, Mr. Rayburn, how nice of you to say so.”

  “Looks like I’ll have to hire a beautiful waitress in my diner, so you don’t run me out of business.”

  “You own the diner in town?” she said, surprised. “I thought you were a rancher.”

  “I am, but I have other investments.”

  “Are you going to order our breakfast and find out for yourself how good the food is here?”

  “I certainly am,” he said.

  “Then I’m sure you’ll like it.”

  His gaze lingered on her. “I’m sure I will, Miss Dubois.”

  As she walked away, she glanced at Tait’s table and caught Zach MacKenzie staring at her. He had the same bemused expression she’d seen in his eyes after the accident.

  After serving Tait’s gang their breakfasts, Rose began changing the linen tablecloths and placing clean china and crystal on the empty tables in preparation for the luncheon arrivals.

  When the gang finished eating, they stood up to leave. Zach threw down a dollar, but the others continued to the door.

  “Just a minute, gentlemen,” Rose said, “you can’t leave without paying for your breakfasts. Seventy-five cents apiece.”

  “You gonna stop us, sister?” Jess asked. “Let’s go, boys.”

  “I insist you pay for your meal, Mr. Tait.”

  She flinched when he approached and his fingers bit into her arm. “I don’t give a damn what you insist, sister. And don’t forget, I ain’t finished with you. This mornin’ wuz just a taste of what’s to come. By the time I’m through with you, you’ll be on your knees beggin’ for mercy.” His mouth curled into a malicious grin, and he shoved her away. “See you later, bitch.”

  “I believe you owe the lady an apology, Mr. Tait.” The soft command had come from Stephen Rayburn.

  Oh, dear God, no, Rose prayed. Tait would probably shoot the gentleman right on the spot.

  “This ain’t your fight, Mr. Rayburn,” Jess said.

  Surprisingly, Tait’s statement lacked his usual threatening bluster. In fact, it had an undertone of supplication.

  Everyone stared speechless as Rayburn picked up a napkin, dabbed lightly at each corner of his mouth, then laid the napkin aside.

  “Mr. Tait, if you intend to work for me, I never want to hear again of your threatening this young lady or any of the other women in this town. If you do, you’ll have me to deal with. Have I made myself clear?”

  Tait opened his mouth as if to speak, then spun on his heel and slammed out the door. His gang followed.

  Unable to believe what she’d just witnessed, Rose hurried over to the rancher’s table.

  “Mr. Rayburn, do you realize what you’ve done? Jess Tait is an out-of-control bully who carries a grudge toward anyone who crosses him.”

  “I hardly think he’d do so with me, if he and his companions wish to remain in my employment.”

  “You mean that gang of hoodlums works for you!”

  “As of this morning, Miss Dubois.”

  “Why would you ever hire the likes of them?” Rose asked, astonished.

  “I haven’t much of a choice. Two of my crew are dead, and the other two left me this morning. For all I know, those rustlers will return to run off the rest of my herd. I don’t want to be caught shorthanded again.”

  “It’s likely they are the ones who rustled your cattle, Mr. Rayburn.”

  “No, I caught sight of that gang. These men were not among them.”

  Rose shook her head. “I still feel you’ve made a serious mistake.”

  He chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first one I’ve ever made. Now, I insist you call me Stephen.”

  “Why, Mr. Rayburn, I hardly know you. It would be very improper of me to do so.”

  “Then I think we should remedy that at once by becoming better acquainted, Miss Dubois. Will you permit me to
call on you tomorrow?”

  Rose couldn’t have been more pleased. Then she realized—Drat, I have to work!

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Rayburn, but I’m a working girl, you know.”

  “Surely you have a day off.”

  “No, a Harvey Girl’s duties are seven days a week. But we do have some rest time in the afternoons between the lunch and dinner hours.”

  “Then how about tomorrow afternoon?” he said.

  “I’d like that.” Indeed, she liked it very much, and hoped she wasn’t making that fact too obvious.

  He laid some coins on the table, then stood up. “This should cover their bill, and I will count the hours until tomorrow, Miss . . . Rose.”

  “Who was that?” Kate asked as soon as Rayburn had cleared the door.

  “His name is Stephen Rayburn, and he’s a rich rancher. It was he and Zach MacKenzie who came to my rescue this morning.”

  “Zach MacKenzie? You didn’t tell me Zach MacKenzie was one of your rescuers. Isn’t he one of Tait’s gang?”

  “Yes, he is. Strange, isn’t it?” Rose replied, with a lingering smile.

  For a morning that had begun so disastrously, it had certainly taken an interesting turn. The rest of the day turned out to be very routine. When she wasn’t waiting on customers, Rose was busy preparing salads for the next meal. It was then she could think about the following day’s date with Stephen Rayburn. The trouble was that Zach MacKenzie’s face kept invading those thoughts.

  To Rose’s relief there was no sign of him when she and Billings closed the restaurant that evening, but as she walked back to her boardinghouse, she couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. She quickly chastised herself for being a fool. MacKenzie undoubtedly had moved out to the Lazy R Ranch; it was unlikely she’d see much of him again. And that was just fine. Good riddance, and adios. With the prospect of a relationship with Stephen Rayburn, she certainly didn’t need a saddle tramp like Zach MacKenzie muddying the waters.

  Rose undressed for bed, then turned off her lamp and opened the window. As she sat down on the edge of the bed, she thought about the two men. They were complete opposites: one was fair, the other dark; one short, the other tall; one a successful rancher, the other a no-good bum—who was too exciting for his own good!

  “Rosie.” The sound had come from outside the window. “Call for Rosie to come out and play.” Only one person called her by that ridiculous name.

  Rose pulled on her robe, then went to the window and parted the drapes. Zach MacKenzie grinned at her. She opened the window wider, and said in a loud whisper, “Will you please be quiet before you wake the whole household? Just what do you want at this time of night?”

  “Come on outside,” he whispered. “It’s a beautiful night.”

  “Go away! I’m about to go to bed.”

  “We could do that, too.”

  “MacKenzie, I don’t know what else I can say that will convince you I’m not interested in anything you have to say or do.” She started to close the window.

  “Wait, Rosie.”

  “What now?” Exasperated, she puffed at a strand of hair on her forehead.

  “I thought maybe you’d like to thank me for riding to your rescue this morning.”

  Guiltily, she realized, in all the earlier excitement, she hadn’t thanked him. Rose softened her tone. “I am grateful for what you did, Zach.”

  “That’s better.” He hoisted himself up and sat on the windowsill.

  “What do you think you’re doing? If you don’t get out of this window, I’m going to start screaming!”

  “Why would you do that, when all I’m looking for is a quiet talk with a lovely lady?”

  He was incorrigible. Rose’s sense of humor prevailed, and she couldn’t help laughing. “Now, why do I doubt that, MacKenzie?”

  “Because you have a suspicious mind, Rosie Dubois.”

  “You’re right. Why ever should I be suspicious of a down-on-his-heels drifter just because he’s riding with a gang of no-gooders?”

  “My argument exactly.”

  His grin was so persuasive that she couldn’t help laughing again. Shaking her head, she folded her arms across her chest and lowered herself to the sill. They now sat side by side, but faced in opposite directions that forced them to turn their heads to look at each other. Strangely enough, she found the proximity of their positions exciting, and the expression in his eyes led her to suspect that he felt the same awareness.

  “I thought you and your gang were working for Mr. Rayburn.”

  “We are. I just felt like a ride.”

  “This time of night?”

  “I like riding at night. I—”

  “Let me guess; you like the the sound of coyotes howling at the moon.”

  “Wolves howl. Coyotes are scavengers; they just wail.”

  Her light laughter joined with his chuckle. “So where did you learn so much about coyotes?” she asked.

  “I’m Texas-born and-bred, Rosie.”

  “Are your parents still alive?”

  “Yeah. They’re good people.” His engaging grin tugged at her heart strings. “Nothing like me.”

  “How long have you been riding with Jess Tait?”

  “Met up with him a couple weeks ago.” For a long moment he stared at her. “What about you, Rose? I figure you for a city gal.”

  “That’s right. I was born in New Orleans.”

  “Your folks still there?”

  “No. I was seven when my mother died, but even before that I never had a normal childhood. When my father wasn’t drunk, he spent his time cheating at cards or swindling people out of their money. I can’t ever remember a time he tried to earn an honest dollar, so there were times when there wasn’t even bread to eat. But it didn’t matter to him; he drank his meals.”

  “Didn’t you have any kin to go to?”

  “No. Other than my father, I was on my own.”

  “Where is he now, honey?”

  “One night he tried to rob the wrong man, and ended up with a knife in his stomach.”

  “I’m sorry. How old were you when it happened?” His voice was husky with compassion.

  “Almost seventeen.” She had allowed herself to become seduced by the compassion in his compelling dark eyes and had already said too much. She didn’t want his sympathy, much less his prying into her life.

  “And what brought you to Texas?”

  “What do you think?” she asked flippantly. “The Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe.”

  “Come on, Rosie, why are you afraid to lower that shield you hide behind?”

  “That shield’s gotten me this far, MacKenzie. Since you’ve got a problem with it, feel free to leave.”

  “Can’t you just drop it for once and relax, Rosie?”

  She shot to her feet. “Don’t try to get into my head, MacKenzie—or my bed. Both are off-limits to you. Now, get out of this window; I’d like to go to bed.”

  “Good night, Rosie,” he said, stepping down. “Sleep well.”

  She slammed down the window and closed the drapes.

  Chapter 5

  The following morning, Zach MacKenzie was still on Rose’s mind as she dressed for work. She enjoyed talking to him, but he intimidated her—not by what he said, but his nearness excited her. It was a complication she didn’t need, especially with Stephen Rayburn showing an interest in her. She would not let any silly heart-fluttering jeopardize that opportunity.

  Rose went through breakfast and lunch by rote, waiting for her afternoon outing with Stephen Rayburn.

  As she hurried back to her room to change her clothes afterward, she caught a glimpse of Rayburn riding into town with several of his crew—Zach MacKenzie among them.

  She barely had time to dress before Mrs. White, the housekeeper, knocked on the door to inform Rose that she had a caller waiting in the drawing room.

  Stephen Rayburn stood up when she entered the room. Approval gleamed in his eyes as he kissed her hand, an
d Rose was glad she had donned a simple white dimity gown with a bertha flounce for the occasion. She’d brushed out her hair and put on a wide-brimmed picture hat, which Emily had left behind after she married Josh MacKenzie.

  “You do the South honor, my dear Miss Dubois,” Rayburn said. “You belong on the portico of a gracious Southern mansion surrounded by honeysuckle and—”

  “Mint juleps,” Rose teased.

  It was hardly a memory she carried of the life she’d led, but she wasn’t about to change his impression.

  “I thought a carriage ride would be a pleasant outing. Is that satisfactory with you?”

  “It sounds divine,” she said. “Let me get my parasol.”

  As they rode through town in the open carriage, she saw Jess Tait and Zach MacKenzie lounging against the wall of the saloon. Unable to ignore the temptation, she stole a quick glance back after they rode past and saw that Tait had turned to enter the saloon, but Zach MacKenzie’s gaze was still fixed on the moving carriage.

  For a traitorous moment, she thought of how exciting it would be if Zach was beside her instead of Rayburn—then she reminded herself what a fool she was and smiled at Stephen Rayburn. He returned her smile. Actually, he’s very sweet, she thought, and vowed she would not allow any more thoughts of Zach MacKenzie to intrude on this afternoon.

  Zach watched with mixed emotions as Rose rode past with Rayburn. As much as he wanted to bed the gal, he liked her enough not to foul up her life. As soon as they were safely out of sight, he walked to his horse. With all of the gang in town, he now had a chance to get away without being seen. They wouldn’t miss him, because he’d set up a story that he had a girl in town. They all believed him except that bastard Tait; he was the one to worry about.

  Zach deliberately headed south when he rode out of Brimstone in case he was spotted. But once clear of the town’s limits he turned back, skirted the town, and headed north back to the Lazy R. He’d seen some tracks the day before that had made him curious, but before he could follow them, Bull and Joe had ridden up.