Before the Dawn (32 page)

“Maybe it's just a prank,” Eloise voiced as she drove them home.

“Some prank.”

Pranks brought to mind Seth. “Seth said telling Ryder we'd slept together had been a prank. You don't think he do something like this, do you?”

Eloise shrugged. “I wish I could say no.”

Leah knew she could also add Cordelia and Helene to the short list of enemies she'd made since coming here, but what if the note had been penned by someone she didn't know, someone still holding a grudge against Monty? He and Cecil had left behind many enemies. Thinking about it a bit more though made her tend to believe this was a nemesis she knew, someone who'd known she and Eloise attended church on Sunday mornings and that they'd be gone long enough for the perpetrator to leave the deadly calling card without fear of being discovered.

“Eloise, how much do you know about the deaths of Bernice Montague and Ryder's mother, Songbird?”

“Not much, except Bernice died very slowly. I couldn't save her, and neither could the big fancy doctors Louis brought in.”

“Do you think both women could've been murdered?”

“Now, we know Songbird was murdered, but Bernice's death wasn't so cut-and-dried. There were rumors that she was poisoned, but it was never proven.”

“I'm going to have Cecil's body exhumed.”

Surprise filled Eloise's face. “Really? When did you decide that?”

“At the church social. I was telling Ryder about Helene's belief that both Cecil and her sister were poisoned,
and he suggested exhumation as a way to put my mind to rest.”

“Do you really believe his death was unnatural?” Eloise asked.

“I don't know what I believe at this point, but having an autopsy performed will let me know one way or the other—at least I hope so.”

Eloise waved at a couple passing them by on the other side of the road. “You know some folks thought Helene was responsible for her sister's death.”

Leah was surprised. “Didn't they get along?”

“In public yes, but not in private.”

“Why not?”

“Bernice had Louis, his money, and his grand house. Helene had nothing that Bernice didn't give her, and Bernice never missed an opportunity to point that out. Helene resented being treated like a poor relation.”

“Could she really have poisoned her sister?” Leah asked.

“Louis was convinced it was her.”

“And you?”

Eloise shrugged. “Helene lived in the house, so she had the opportunity, but who knows? Would she really have killed her own sister?”

“What a mess.”

Eloise nodded. “It certainly is. We need to let Ryder know about that note.”

“He left this morning for Virginia City. Sam can wire him though.”

“Good. Do you know how to shoot a rifle?”

“No,” Leah said.

“Well no sense in giving you one for protection then.”

“Probably not, I'll just wind up shooting myself.”

Eloise smiled. “Glad you still have your sense of humor.”

“That's about all I have. It isn't often I have my life
threatened.”

Eloise nodded her understanding. “Well, let's go by Helene's and talk with Mable. Maybe she's seeing Sam today and can have him wire Ryder in Virginia City.”

“Good idea.”

But Mable wasn't there. According to Helene it was Mable's Sunday off.

A curious Helene asked, “Why do you need to speak with her?”

Leah gave her the note and carefully watched Helene's expression, but the woman only raised her usual eyebrow.

Helene handed it back. “When did you receive this?”

“It was on my door when we returned from church this morning.”

“And I assume you have no idea who it's from?” Helene asked.

“None.”

Helene sighed. “As I said before, by coming to Denver, you've awakened something that's been asleep for thirty years. It killed my sister, the Indian woman, Songbird, and probably Cecil Lee. You'd best be careful.”

She then closed the door and left them standing on the porch. Leah tried to shake off her fear as she and Eloise returned to the wagon, but found it impossible.

 

Since Ryder had changed his plans about going to Virginia City he decided to pay the
Morenita
a surprise visit. It would be dark in a few hours, but he didn't care. He saddled his stallion and rode off.

He went to Eloise's door first in case Leah was there and was rewarded by her answering his knock on the screened door.

Leah's face filled with surprise. “I thought you were leaving town.”

“Changed my mind.”

Relieved, she sagged against the doorjamb. “Thank goodness.”

A bit puzzled by her response, he opened the door and stepped inside. “What's the matter?”

“This.”

Ryder took the folded paper from her hand. As he read, his eyes widened. “Where did this come from?”

She told him.

“Where's Eloise?”

“In her studio.”

“You go and gather up your things. You're coming back with me.”

Leah nodded. She had no intention of acting like an addle-brained heroine in a dime novel and arguing with him about being able to handle this situation alone only to wind up dead. She knew without a doubt that he'd protect her with every fiber of his being. Anyone wanting to harm her would have to come through him first. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and hurried off to pack a carpetbag.

While Leah went to the cabin, Ryder knocked on the door of Eloise's studio. “Eloise?” he called.

“Ryder, is that you?”

“Yes. Can you come out a moment?”

“Be right there.” Eloise appeared in the doorway, and he caught a quick glimpse of the artistic clutter inside before she stepped out and carefully closed the door behind her. “Glad you're here,” she said. “Did she show you the letter?”

“Yes. I'm taking her back to Sunrise with me.”

“That's probably wise. Whoever it is will probably think twice before trying to harm her there.”

“Any idea who might've put that trash on her door?”

“Not a one.”

“Well, I intend to find out.”

Anger rose inside Ryder. He wouldn't allow anyone to harm her, not and live. “Will you be all right here by your
self?”

She waved him off. “Sure, you just keep Leah safe.”

“Don't worry, and if that lawyer of hers comes around, send him out to my place.”

“I will.”

Moments later Ryder placed Leah in front of him on the horse and then galloped them off into the fading light of the day. Neither spoke. No words were necessary. She needed protection, and they both knew he would provide it or die trying.

After arriving at Sunrise, they entered the kitchen to find a worried Sam and Mable seated at the big wooden table.

Sam stood and surveyed Leah anxiously. “Helene told us what happened. Are you all right, Leah?”

“I feel better being here. Evening, Mable.”

“This is so terrible,” she replied. “Helene's convinced it's all tied to the past.”

Ryder said, “She could be right, but for now, I'm going to take Leah upstairs so she can relax. We'll see you two later.”

They nodded in response.

Once inside his room, she set down her carpetbag. He took her into his arms and whispered against her hair, “You're safe here.”

Leah held him tight. She did indeed feel safe. His strength seemed to be flowing into her, easing her anxieties and fears.

He leaned back a bit. Looking down into her eyes he made a solemn pledge, “We'll find this person.”

“I know.”

Leah placed her head against his chest and basked in his nearness.

Ryder wanted nothing more than to stand there and hold her until dawn, but knew that to be impractical, so he led her over to the black-velvet settee in front of the fireplace.

“Come on, let's sit down.”

She sat in his lap, and they were both content.

“Now,” he said, “I want you tell me everything that's happened since you found the letter.”

So she did. When she related the treatment she'd received at the hands of the sheriff's deputy, Ryder's jaw tightened. “I'll pay him a visit tomorrow.”

She then told him about the encounter with Helene, and Helene's words.

Ryder admitted, “I hate to give that old harpy any credence, but in this instance—”

“I know, the letter implied that this person knew about the deaths of Bernice and your mother, and could be responsible for them.”

Ryder agreed. All his life he'd believed Louis Montague guilty of his mother's murder, and now he found himself questioning that assumption. Had Louis really been innocent? On the surface the letter seemed to indicate he may have been. If so, that changed things; it wouldn't bring his mother back nor erase all the emotional pain he'd suffered as a child, but finding the real killer might bring him the inner peace he had been seeking. “I'd prefer you stay here until this is sorted out.”

“I'd like that.”

He stared down at her face. “Scared?”

“Yes.”

“I'd be worried if you'd said no.”

“I'm not naive. Someone in this town wants my life. Only a simpleton wouldn't be afraid.”

“They'll have to go through me.”

She cuddled closer. “I know.”

For a long while neither of them spoke. Each seemed content just to pass the evening cozied up on the settee, but as dusk faded and night rose, the room filled with darkness. “Should we light a lamp?” he asked softly.

“If you want. Sitting in the dark like this is fine.”

And it was. His heart was beating steadily beneath her ear. Being held by him this way made her feel sheltered, treasured, almost loved, even though she knew his feelings for her weren't rooted in that. He cared for her, yes, but love? To love someone involved surrendering parts of oneself, and she didn't think Ryder's past would allow him to do so. It made her no never mind though, even if she were to leave him tomorrow and never see him again, the memories of him and what they'd shared would remain with her forever.

“How'd your meeting go with lawyer Morton?” Ryder asked.

“Quite well. He asked a thousand questions, though. He's thorough if nothing else.”

“That's good to hear.”

“He thinks the other side will probably attack my relationship with you.”

They shared a look, then he asked, “Will you be able to handle that?”

“I believe so. People keep forgetting that I don't care whether the estate comes to me or not.”

“No?”

She shook her head. “No. All I want is my staid, uneventful life back. If I have to return home penniless, so be it.”

Her talk of returning home didn't sit well with Ryder. “I don't want you going home.”

“I'll have to eventually. If the estate falls through, I'll have to make a living.”

“Not if you stay here with me.”

Leah searched his face. He was so handsome and so awe-inspiring, a woman would have to be a fool to want to leave him, but she knew eventually he'd move on, and she'd be left with nothing but those aforementioned memories. “I won't have you making a commitment you'll come to regret.”

“You underestimate me.”

“I don't think so. When I was young, I'd always hoped to meet a man like you. One who'd teach me what it meant to be a woman, and who'd keep me safe, but one who'd be my husband. I've enjoyed this time we've spent together, but I can't live my life wondering if this is going to be the day you decide to take your kisses elsewhere.”

“So you want me to marry you?”

“No, Ryder, I don't, because that isn't what you want.” She cuddled back against him again. “How about we just be happy with where we are right now. The rest will take care of itself.”

Above her Ryder nodded, but didn't know how he felt about what she'd just said.

The sweet slow sounds of a guitar slid through the open windows on the breeze. Leah slowly sat up. “Where's that music coming from?”

“Sam serenading Mable.”

“I didn't know he could play.”

“Yep. He learned from a Mexican guitarist when he was in southern Texas with the Ninth. Spanish tunes are the only ones he knows though.”

The music was haunting, sensual. “It's beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”
Much like the woman being held against my heart
, Ryder thought.

The two of them sat in the dark and listened to Sam's Spanish nocturne. The notes rose and fell, exuding desire and longing. Leah had never been aroused by music before but felt her body beginning to slowly blossom in response. Ryder seemed to be affected, too, because he raised her chin and began brushing his warm lips across her own. He whispered to her in a mixture of Spanish and Cheyenne; expressing his need, his fire and once again his apologies for the hurt he'd caused. “Let me love you…” he murmured. “Let me take you away from all this for a while…”

Leah accepted his kiss eagerly, hungrily. As it deep
ened they gathered each other closer. Heat sparkled and flared. In the passion that followed, the buttons gracing the front of her dress were undone as were the thin rawhide ties crisscrossing his shirt. Leah ran a lusty hand over the rock-hard softness of his now bared chest, then leaned up for another taste of his lips. Fueled by the magic of the music, they embarked upon a slow, erotic journey that rose and fell with the notes. He removed her clothes languidly, pausing between garments to make sure her mouth stayed kiss-swollen. Once she was undressed he treated her body to a thorough, wanton conquering that left her panting and pulsing on the big bear rug on the floor. Only then did he remove his own clothing. Nude he stood over her in the moonlight and she swore no handsomer man had ever been made. He looked sculpted, powerful. Shameless anticipation licked at her thighs.