By Starlight (14 page)

Just like the first time she’d shouted at him, Jack again nodded. But now, instead of moving away from her, he came closer, gently taking her hand in his own; he surprised Maddy with his tenderness, so much so that, even though she was still upset over the confession he’d made, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away.

“I never expected you to accept my reasons,” he began, his thumb rubbing the back of her hand; the sound of his voice and the nearness of him set her heart to thundering.

“I don’t,” she agreed.

“I know I’ve hurt you, but I swear it wasn’t my intention. I can see now that I made a terrible mistake. You deserved better than I gave you. I’m sorry for that. Can you ever forgive me?”

“I don’t know if I can…”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.”

Tears began to fill Maddy’s eyes as she looked at him. So much of what he’d said were the things she’d been waiting seven long years to hear. It was possible that he was being honest, that he’d made a misguided attempt to do right by her. Still, there were so many questions she’d yet to ask, things that had to be answered.

“If you decided that you were never coming back to Colton, then why are you here?” she asked. “You’ve been gone for so long that I don’t know anything about you. What do you do for a living? Is Boston home? Is there another—”

Before Maddy could ask him whether or not there was a woman in his life, Jack leaned down and kissed her. She was so shocked, so flabbergasted he’d acted so brazenly, that she gasped into his mouth. Every instinct in her body told her to pull away, to slap him yet again, but the impulse lasted only for a moment before she felt his passion rise, his arms pulling her close, his lips against hers, and she gave in. For that brief moment she was a girl again, returning to a simpler time when she and Jack were happy together, their whole lives in front of them. Then, though Maddy felt anger rise at herself for returning to the past, she wondered if maybe, just maybe, it was the only way they could go forward.

Gently, Maddy reached up and ran a finger along Jack’s jaw and then down across the back of his neck before slipping her hand up into his hair. His lips devoured hers and Maddy slipped into happiness she’d long since forgotten and had long since given up hope of finding again. When their kiss finally ended, she felt dazed.

Jack leaned back and looked at her, a faint smile on his face, the sun a brilliantly bright halo behind him.

“I’ve missed you,” he said, and she knew he meant it.

But just as a smile began tugging at the edges of her mouth, Maddy shook it away, knowing that things between them couldn’t be so easily mended.

“But what about the questions I asked?” she prodded. “I need to know so many things. I need to—”

“Shhh,” Jack said as he placed a finger softly against her lips. “I promise that I’ll answer them all, but not now. There’s already been too much arguing between us. Besides, there’s something else I’d rather do.”

With that, he leaned down expectantly, wanting another kiss; Maddy noticed that he stopped partway, waiting, leaving it up to her whether his declaration of desire would be fulfilled. She paused only for a moment.

In her heart, kissing him was what she wanted, too.

JACK HURRIED DOWN
the steps of the Belvedere, pulled his hat down low over his brow, and headed off into the night. Dodging puddles, he moved with a new purpose. Unlike the night before when he’d wandered aimlessly, unsure of what, if anything, he would find, he now knew exactly where he was going.

He was headed back to the speakeasy.

Walking in the crisp night air, Jack hoped to clear his muddled thoughts, though he knew it was a fool’s errand. Spending the afternoon with Maddy had been as exciting as it was troublesome, making him wonder where his loyalties lay; were they with his head or his heart? Being at the bridge had given them the privacy they needed, but it had also brought back powerful memories. Smiling and laughing with her, feeling her touch, it had begun to make him question himself.

And that was all before I kissed her.

Even now, hours later, he swore he could still feel her lips against his, could still taste her. Just thinking about it made his pulse race. He’d acted impulsively, recklessly, and had half-expected to receive yet another slap for his impetuousness.

But then he hadn’t.

Jack had a couple of reasons for taking Maddy in his arms and kissing her. The first was because she was a breathtakingly beautiful woman; even when he’d seen her running toward him in the rain, strands of her luxuriant red hair sticking to her face, he’d felt the first tremor of desire course through him. Taking her hand and leading her up the hotel steps had nearly been his undoing; he’d wanted to kiss her on the spot. Eventually, being with her, listening to her voice, and looking into her eyes had proven to be too much.

But there’d been another reason; Maddy had begun asking questions he couldn’t answer. Up until now, he hadn’t lied to her. The answers he gave about why he’d never contacted her, while unpleasant to hear, had been the truth. But when she’d begun to delve deeper, asking him about his job and where he lived, he knew he was in a pickle. Should he give her the story the Bureau concocted? Should he lie? Was it possible for him to tell her something closer to the truth?

But how can I when she’s obviously involved with the speakeasy?

No matter how hard he tried, Jack simply couldn’t ignore the reason he was back in Colton. He was a lawman, sent by the Bureau of Prohibition to ferret out the source of an illegal liquor operation. And within a matter of hours he’d done just that. Unfortunately, standing there, clearly involved in it all, was the woman he’d once loved and hoped to marry.

Maddy’s revelation about her father’s health had also been a surprise. Jack’s first instinct about Silas’s involvement in the speakeasy had proven correct; there was no way he’d be a part of such a thing. But that left many other questions unanswered. Why was his daughter there? Had Maddy willingly entered into a business relationship with a known troublemaker like Jeffers Grimm? Was Jack supposed to throw her in jail for violating Prohibition?

Jack walked down the darkened steps to the mercantile’s cellar and knocked on the speakeasy’s door. After a moment’s pause, it was cracked open just far enough for a narrowed eye to look him over suspiciously and then widened to show the deep frown of the man on the other side. Sumner Colt sneered contemptuously at him, rage written on his face. Both of his eyes were as black as lumps of coal and his nose leaned slightly to the side.

“What in the hell’re you doin’ here?” he snarled.

Ever since he’d knocked the man unconscious in the alley, Jack knew he was going to have to eat a heaping pile of crow in order to regain entrance to the speakeasy. Though Sumner was nothing but a lowlife, fit for little more than being a crony to a stronger man like Jeffers, he couldn’t be ignored, either. Because he handled the tavern’s front door, gaining entrance without his approval would be difficult. Besides, it was too early in Jack’s undercover ruse to already be making enemies.

Holding up his hands, palms out, Jack said, “I’m really sorry about what happened last night.”

“Save it,” Sumner growled, “ ’cause I ain’t buyin’ the crap you’re sellin’.”

“I’m just glad you weren’t hurt too badly.”

“Yeah, I sure feel great,” the younger man spat sarcastically.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Jack offered truthfully. “How was I supposed to know you were behind me? You grabbed me and I just reacted. It was an honest mistake, one I’d take back if I could. Just let me in, I’ll buy you a drink, and we can let bygones be bygones.”

Sumner’s face soured even further. “Why don’t you just go to hell and—”

Before Sumner could finish, another hand grabbed hold of the door and pulled it all the way open.

Jeffers Grimm stood there looking even more menacing than Jack remembered. Though Jack was hardly a small man in his own right, Jeffers stood a couple of inches taller and, with his thick beard and hard stare, he would’ve unnerved even the strongest man. But what really set the man apart, what really made him look intimidating, was his enormous bulk; he looked strong enough to pick up a car by its bumper without breaking a sweat. Jack knew that Jeffers was the most dangerous man in the room.

His eyes lingered on Jack for a moment, sizing him up, then turned toward Sumner.

“Go check on the bar,” Jeffers growled.

“But I was just—”

“Do what I said,” Jeffers cut him off; his voice hadn’t changed, but the threat in his words was as clear as if he’d pulled out a knife.

With one last look of hatred at Jack, Sumner left them alone. Neither Jack nor Jeffers watched him go; they were too intent on each other.

“I don’t think he likes me very much,” Jack said.

“Can’t say I blame him,” Jeffers answered. “Breakin’ a man’s nose first time you meet him ain’t gonna get things off on the right foot. If I was you, I wouldn’t turn my back on him.”

“It was an accident.”

Jeffers shrugged. “Don’t make no difference to me if you two wanna kill each other,” he said. “Problem I do have is that it all started in here. Way I been told, you was the one started the ruckus.” Jeffers’s gaze narrowed, his lip curling up in a snarl. “Give me one good reason why I should let you back inside.”

“Because I give you my word nothing like that will ever happen again,” Jack replied. “Besides, I just got back into town. I’ve got money in my pocket and drinks I’d like to buy for all the people I haven’t seen for years. You’re smart enough to know that’s good business.”

Jack waited nervously as Jeffers fell silent. He’d hoped to appeal to the man’s basest instinct, greed, but the longer Jack stood there, the more he wondered if he wouldn’t be turned away. He was just about to try a different approach when Jeffers finally spoke.

“What the hell’re you doin’ back here, Rucker?” he asked. “Ain’t nobody figured they’d ever see your face round these parts again. Why come back? You gonna make good by Maddy?”

Just like that, as if a switch had been flipped, Jack slipped into the role that had been prepared for him. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice. “I’m here for the same reason you are,” he explained. “I want to make some money. I came on behalf of a man in Seattle, someone with money to burn. He wants land and lots of it. He sent me here to see if there was any for sale. Who knows, if things work out the way I expect, maybe you could get your hands on some of the cash he’ll be spreading around…”

A wicked smile slowly crept across Jeffers’s face; Jack could see the gears begin to turn in his head. “I’d like that.” Stepping out of the doorway, he added, “Go buy them drinks.”

Jack was filled with relief. Stepping past the much larger man, he’d only taken one step inside the speakeasy’s door when Jeffers grabbed him by the arm,
hard
. “Hold on,” he growled into Jack’s ear. “You’d best remember that I’ll always be watchin’ you. Step outta line and I’m gonna hurt you bad. You start botherin’ that pretty redhead behind the bar, the one you used to be so damn keen on, it’s gonna be even worse. I’ll make you wish you never even
thought
’bout comin’ back. Don’t make either one a us regret me bein’ generous, you understand?”

Slowly, Jack turned to look at him and nodded. With one last squeeze of Jack’s arm, Jeffers let him go.

No matter what it takes, I’m going to put you behind bars.

Jeffers watched Jack Rucker walk away into the speakeasy. Immediately people began getting up out of their seats to greet him, laughing and smiling, a loud clamor rising throughout the cellar. Everyone seemed truly happy to see him, excluding Sumner, who stood beside the bar, scowling.

In this way, Jack was good for business; the place was the fullest it’d been since they opened. With word having spread around town about all that had happened the night before, folks had come hoping to get a repeat performance. The same curiosity had held true for Maddy; people had been streaming to the bar since they’d opened, offering their sympathies while buying drink after drink. The cash box had to be near full to overflowing.

“It’s like a goddamn zoo,” Jeffers mumbled under his breath.

Though he couldn’t have said why, Jeffers felt there was something odd about Jack’s story, that it didn’t ring true. Maybe it was that he’d so willingly offered up a chance at his rich boss’s money. Maybe it was that Jeffers never trusted anyone at first glance. Maybe it was because he didn’t like the thought of Jack coming back to town and once again sweeping Maddy off her feet. No matter the reason, something didn’t feel right.

Still, Jeffers had plenty of things to worry about other than whether Jack’s story held water or not, particularly the last shipment of booze he’d be hiding for Al Capone. Jeffers hadn’t been contacted by Jimmy Luciano yet, but he knew it could come at any time. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake. He had to be ready.

But that don’t mean I ain’t payin’ attention to what’s happenin’ here.

He’d meant what he’d said to Jack; he’d be watching.

When Jack stepped inside the speakeasy, Maddy was behind the bar, doing her best to follow Seth Pettigrew’s instructions for a drink she’d never heard of before; he called it a Dubonnet and swore that it was the drink of choice among high society. It was made by combining gin with equal parts of a specific type of wine, one that Seth just happened to have hidden away and had secreted across town for the occasion. His eyes were practically glowing as she poured the results of their work into a glass.

“I hope you like it,” she said, handing it to him.

“Coming from your able hands,” he replied, raising the glass in a toast, “I cannot fathom it would be anything but heavenly.” Taking a small sip, he theatrically closed his eyes, savoring the taste with a smile. “Stupendously delicious!” he declared.

“Whatever it is, with praise like that, I’ll have to have one.”

Maddy looked up to see Jack standing before the bar, smiling at her. Butterflies immediately began dancing around in her stomach. Thankfully, Jack had been allowed to approach the bar alone; everyone seemed to want to give them some privacy, though she was sure they were all straining to hear every word she and Jack said. Memories of their afternoon filled her thoughts; she felt certain that everyone in the place knew exactly what she was thinking. She worried that the color she felt rising in her cheeks could be seen on the other side of the room.

“You’ll have to ask Seth,” Maddy replied. “It’s his wine.”

“I’ll gladly pay you for it, Mr. Pettigrew,” Jack offered.

“Nonsense, my boy,” the former lawyer answered jovially. “Another connoisseur of fine drink is always welcome by my side, although if you ever address me so formally again, I’ll make you pay double!”

“Fair enough,” Jack said, laughing.

“Get this man some libation!” Seth shouted.

While Maddy began preparing Jack’s drink, her thoughts drifted back to their time together on the bridge. It felt as if it’d been a dream. There’d been laughter, tears, and even some of the answers she’d spent years seeking. Jack’s explanation for why he’d abandoned her had been painful to hear, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t telling the truth. She knew it would take a long time for her to be able to completely forgive him, if she ever really could, but she still hoped they had a chance for a new beginning.

And then there’d been the kiss.

Over and over, she’d replayed it in her mind: the surprise she’d felt when he put his lips against hers; the way her own passion had risen as she hungrily returned his advances; and even how easily her worries had been quieted. When she and Jack parted, she’d walked back into town feeling as if she were floating on a cloud. Her head had been such a mess that she’d nearly burned dinner. Helen had looked at her questioningly all night, but Maddy hadn’t said a word. How could she? She could scarcely believe it herself.

But she and Jack had a long way yet to go before Maddy would truly be able to start trusting him again. He was mysterious, a riddle without an obvious solution; she still didn’t know why he’d returned. She felt as if she had countless questions yet to ask, and she
was
going to ask every last one. If Jack were to answer them all…

For the first time in seven years, Maddy felt a flicker of hope.

“…and when I pointed out that Carl Tanner couldn’t possibly have stolen that truck on account of the fact that he was, at the very moment it was taken, having relations with his neighbor’s wife in the horse barn, good ole Jim Utley snorted so loud it sounded like a gunshot!” Seth exclaimed, dissolving into cackles of laughter as he finished his story.

Jack joined in, chuckling. “Speaking of the sheriff,” he said, looking around the speakeasy, “doesn’t he know about this place? Heck, I was in town for only a couple of hours before I found out. This town’s way too small to keep a secret for long. If he doesn’t, what’ll happen when he finds out?”

“He already knows.” Seth shrugged. “Just the other night he sat right where you are and had a drink with me.”

“You’re joking,” Jack blurted.

“I am not!”

“He isn’t,” Maddy agreed, setting Jack’s drink down in front of him; he took a sip and nodded appreciably. “Jim said that as long as things don’t get out of control, as long as he doesn’t have to deal with any public drunkenness or the like, we could stay open.”