Carol Finch (15 page)

She didn’t have a clue what he secretly wanted, he reflected as he watched her nudge her mount to trot up beside Commander Butler. As for love, Quinn wasn’t sure there was such a thing. There was wary respect,
sexual attraction, vengeance and several other emotions that influenced a man’s actions. Quinn had no experience whatsoever with love and he wondered if his upbringing had made it impossible for him to feel anything remotely close to that sentiment.

Furthermore, emotional attachments were painful when they ended abruptly. Quinn had suffered loss more often in his life than he cared to count.

He was
not
going to make the foolish mistake of falling in love with Piper and that was that.

He did admire and respect her, though. And true, he was unwillingly attracted to her. Also true, being with her brought unexpected happiness and unfamiliar pleasure. That is, when she wasn’t making him loco by debating with him or defying him.

Quinn had never allowed himself to form a strong emotional bond with anyone the past two decades. Aside from Taylor Briggs, of course. He had suffered grief and anger when Taylor died. Quinn had vowed not to make the mistake again because every close association in his life had ended badly. He had endured more than his fair share of emotional upheaval. He was not going to let Piper so close that leaving her behind colored every one of his thoughts and left him pining for things that could never be.

No, he told himself. He was sticking to his original plan. He would marry Piper for her convenience, if that protected her from her domineering father. But he wasn’t going to get so attached to her that losing her would devastate him and leave him vulnerable and restless.

The more he thought about it the more convinced he
became that it was a good thing the Mexican bandits had shown up when they did last night. He was probably better off not knowing what he was missing with Piper. It would only make it more difficult when they parted company.

Piper noticed that Quinn had become more standoffish after reuniting with his squadron of Rangers. She also noticed that the lawmen had a great deal of respect for his ideas and opinions. Among his peers he was a valued member of a clan of fighters who had dedicated their lives to protecting helpless citizens from danger. She could understand why Quinn had made a place for himself with the renowned Rangers. It was a life that would never include her, even if she were foolish enough to fall in love with him.

As if you haven’t fallen a little bit in love with him already,
said that annoying voice inside her head.

Well, it didn’t matter how she felt, Piper told herself as she followed the Rangers into a settlement of adobe and timber buildings that was nestled beside a bubbling spring. Her foremost concern was obtaining a marriage license. The next thing on her agenda was to make the two-hour ride to Fort Davis so she could alert Penny to their father’s imminent arrival.

When Piper noticed Red Hawk and Spotted Deer’s wary regard for the Mexican and white settlers in Catoosa Gulch she took it upon herself to provide suitable shirts and breeches for the Comanches so they could fit in, now that they had been deputized. The men had supplied her meals, guided and protected her from harm and
now she had the chance to repay them—even if the gesture might put a dent in her limited funds.

Piper had discovered that she could subsist with the barest necessities after her trek through the wilderness. She could manage until she received pay from teaching school at the garrison.

While the Rangers incarcerated the Mexican bandits at the shabby adobe jail and began their interrogation, Piper made a beeline for the dry goods store. She returned several minutes later with four plaid shirts, four pair of breeches and two hats. When she offered the gifts to the Comanches they stared at her, dumbfounded.

“In appreciation for your protection and preparation for your new profession,” she declared, although the men couldn’t understand a word she said. “I didn’t want you to stand out in a crowd. Hopefully these garments will help you fit in easily.”

She started when a deep voice rumbled behind her. She pivoted to find Commander Butler smiling at her. He translated in Spanish and the warriors reached out to pump both of her hands simultaneously.

When they strode off to change clothes in the alley behind the store Scott Butler grinned at her. “That was mighty nice of you, Miss Sullivan.”

“Please call me Piper,” she requested. “The warriors were exceptionally helpful to me and I wanted to show my gratitude.”

Butler shifted awkwardly from one scuffed boot to the other. “I wanted to apologize again for any duress I might have caused your family. When we checked the stage station to discover that only one female passenger
had taken this route west, then investigated the wrecked coach that was scattered down the mountainside we assumed the worst.” He studied her pensively. “I assume you were traveling in disguise for your protection.”

Piper nodded and grinned. “The tactic worked superbly until that fiasco with the holdup and runaway coach.”

“I would dearly like to know why you struck off on your own, considering your background,” he remarked.

“As Quinn said, it’s a long story. The boiled-down version is that my father refused to let me visit my sister at the garrison so I made the traveling arrangements myself. I had planned to telegraph him shortly before I reached my destination.”

“What’s important is that you were in capable hands when disaster struck. Cal might be a bit unconventional in his manner, but he is one of our best men. I suspect that you owe him your life.”

Piper chuckled. “Believe me, commander, I am vividly aware that Callahan spared my life several times this week. I have also learned a tremendous amount about survival, thanks to him. It has been an adventurous and educational experience, to say the least.”

“I reckon so. Fortunately you lived to tell about it.” He waited a beat then said, “I also hear tell that you and Cal plan to wed.”

Piper blinked, surprised that Quinn had imparted that information to Butler. “Uh…yes, we do.”

He cast her a fatherly smile. “This is none of my business, of course. I am the first to admit that Cal is a rare individual, but he isn’t exactly the kind of man a woman
of your social status takes as a husband.” She watched him choose his words carefully as he continued. “If he behaved in a way that um… Well, if he—”

Piper flung up her hand to forestall him. “I appreciate your concern,” she said, “but I found no fault with Quinn’s behavior.” Except that he dragged his feet about introducing her to passion, she amended silently. “Ours is a marriage of convenience, one
he
suggested as a solution to my father’s constant interference in my life. But rest assured that I don’t intend to complicate Quinn’s life or interfere with his duties.”

“I am married myself,” Butler confided as he took her arm to escort her across the street to the town’s one and only hotel. “Unfortunately, my wife objected to my continued absence. It might not be my place to offer advice, and I know I have no right to meddle, but I feel compelled to warn you those high expectations can lead to disappointment. I would spare you and Cal the frustration my wife and I dealt with.”

Piper smiled warmly at the crusty veteran Ranger. “Believe me, I have no expectations whatsoever. Quinn has my gratitude, respect and admiration. But I am fully aware that he is committed to his duties and takes them very seriously.”

Butler patted her arm. “Glad to hear that you both have your eyes wide open going in. Quinn explained that he wants to escort you to the garrison before we surround the mountain hideout. I’m sending a courier west to the Ranger encampment near Van Horn. Our reinforcements should be here tomorrow.

“In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to as
sist you, all you have to do is ask. As I said, I regret any distress my preliminary report might have caused your family.” He bowed slightly. “I will be at your service if there is anything you need, Piper.”

She pushed up on tiptoe to give him a peck on the cheek, then grinned impishly. “Between you and me, I think your wife made a serious error in judgment. I don’t believe she is aware of the good deal she had going.”

Butler tossed back his head and laughed. “You, my dear, are a delight. Now I understand why you captured Cal’s attention and prompted him to offer his services.” His hazel eyes sparkled with amusement. “I think you have been a positive influence on him, too. There’s something different about him these days. I think you might have something to do with that.”

When the commander strode back to the jail, Piper stared after him. Her attention shifted to the two men who exited the alley, garbed in their new attire. A pleased smile pursed her lips when Red Hawk and Spotted Deer lifted their right hands, palms forward, to acknowledge their appreciation.

Piper watched the men turn their attention to the commander then quicken their steps to overtake him. Wheeling around, she strode into the hotel—if one could call it that. The two-story structure of stone and timber offered crude accommodations. Piper wondered if she could make arrangements for a bath in preparation for her hasty wedding ceremony. From the looks of the place, it wasn’t promising.

Her footsteps stalled and wary consternation puck
ered her brow when she surveyed the stubble-faced clerk—or proprietor, whichever he was—who leaned negligently on the counter. Her suspicions doubled when she saw the bandana tied on the left side of his neck. If she wasn’t mistaken, the kerchief matched the ones worn by the gang of outlaws.

The man’s facial features reminded her of a turtle, with his close-set eyes, beak nose and nonexistent chin. He also seemed familiar to her, but Piper couldn’t make a connection, especially when the greasy-haired man leered disrespectfully at her. Of one thing she was certain though, this man was somehow connected with the network of thieves.

“Don’t get many lookers like you in these parts, sweetheart,” he declared as he raked her up and down—twice. “The name’s Roy Morrell. Would you be wantin’ somethin’ besides a room for the night?”

If the gap-toothed grin he flashed her was supposed to be seductive it fell well short of its mark. A wave of repulsion rolled over Piper and it was all she could do not to shudder in disgust. “My
fiancé
will be joining me shortly,” she informed him.

“Hey! Get outta here, mutt!” he growled suddenly.

Piper glanced over her shoulder to see Lucky perched on the threshold. The dog barked and growled at the clerk. Piper decided the mutt was a good judge of character. She didn’t like this scoundrel any better than Lucky did.

The man slapped a key on the counter. “Room seven. Top of the stairs, darlin’. Second door on the left.”

“I would also like a bath,” she requested.

Another devilish grin exposed his missing teeth. “Whatever you want, honey. I’ll be more than happy to scrub your back for you.”

“That will hardly be necessary, because I can manage that by myself. I will return in a few minutes,
after
the tub has been filled and you have left the room.” She spun on her heels and strode off. No way was she going to enter her room and risk being trapped alone with this lecherous cretin.

Once outside, Piper drew in a restorative breath, then took off toward the jail. When she heard a loud yelp, she hesitated before knocking on the door. Unless she was mistaken, one of the Rangers was applying some form of persuasive tactics to convince the bandits to supply needed information. When she rapped on the portal, it was a long moment before Commander Butler allowed her entrance.

“A problem?” he questioned, then cast a glance toward the cells in the adjoining room.

“I would like a quick word with Quinn.”

Butler smiled evasively. “I’m afraid he’s busy at the moment. He just found out that these five bandoleros are the gang’s over-the-border connection for selling stolen livestock.”

Just as Piper predicted, it was Quinn who was in charge of gleaning information. “The hotel proprietor, Roy Morrell, is wearing a bandana that’s tied in the same fashion as the Mexican bandits and road agents we encountered,” she reported.

Butler’s thick brows nearly rocketed off his broad forehead. “An informant?”

“Perhaps. I’m not an expert in these matters, but I spent enough time with Quinn to learn to be observant. I wouldn’t be surprised if the proprietor plans to send a message to the stronghold, informing the outlaws of the Mexicans’ capture. Considering the close proximity to their headquarters, and the fact that the Mexicans are an important link in the operation, it occurs to me that you might be able to lure the Knights to you, if the outlaws decide a jailbreak is in order.”

An approving smile quirked Butler’s lips. “You have a quick mind, Piper. If you have a hankering to work undercover for us, let me know. You would be an asset to our organization. Brains and beauty. That combination has been the downfall of men for centuries.”

Piper beamed proudly. “A Ranger spy? The prospect is tempting. I will certainly keep that in mind since I plan to locate in this area.”

Another howl erupted from the back room. Piper cocked a brow. “Quinn seems to be very thorough. Considering his background, I suspect he’s good at finding out what he wants to know from reluctant outlaws.”

Butler grinned, then scratched his head. “The best, as a matter of fact. He usually gets the results we want.”

“Tell Quinn I will be in room seven when he’s finished here,” Piper requested as she spun toward the door. “Our arrangements shouldn’t take long.”

On her way down the street Piper stiffened her resolve. She had automatically come running to find Quinn when she sensed trouble at the hotel. Well, no more of that, she thought determinedly as she retrieved her satchel from her horse. If that scraggly ruffian tried
to assault her under the pretense of filling the tub, then
she
would handle the situation.

Quinn wasn’t going to be around in the future and she had to learn to deal with trouble, she reminded herself.