Whirlwind Groom (9 page)

“What's it worth to you?”

Her eyes widened. “You'd make me bargain for my own clothing?”

One corner of his mouth hitched up in a grin. “Could be interesting.”

“And just what are you going to do with it?”

“Well,” he said in a voice that sent a jolt of sensation straight to her toes, “I only know one thing to do with a corset.”

And the bold sweep of his gaze over her body said he'd done it the day she'd been bitten.

“Oh.” She tried to breathe past the lock on her lungs. His gaze was too hot, too raw. She glanced away.

“Any more of your corsets I should be looking for around town?”

Her face burned. “Stop teasing me. It was hard enough to ask you.”

He grinned. “I'll be right back with your things.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly as he walked away.

Davis Lee couldn't miss the blush that colored her peach-tinted skin. Jogging down the stairs, he tried not to think about how tempting she looked sitting in the sunlight with her deep mahogany hair tumbling around her shoulders like gold-touched silk. Or how her modest green-and-white striped dress turned her eyes the color of moss.

He wouldn't allow himself to get waylaid by her pretty face or her sinful curves. The telegram he'd sent three days ago to the sheriff of Galveston County still hadn't been answered. Davis Lee had no choice but to make allowance for the hurricane and any resulting damage, but he was impatient to find out if Sheriff Locke knew anything about Josie Webster.

He reached his horse, which was hitched in front of the jail, and flipped open the saddlebag closest to him. He had the undergarment halfway out before he realized he couldn't go waltzing back to the hotel and up to her room carrying the darn thing in plain sight. Stuffing the corset back inside the leather pouch, he tugged his saddlebags off the buckskin and carried them back to the hotel.

He paused in her doorway. Her full attention was focused out the window. No doubt on his jail. Yes, he really needed to hear from that sheriff. His jaw tightened. “Here you go.”

She jerked toward him, flushing guiltily. She was still pale and he noticed a slight trembling in her body, which was what caused him to waver about questioning her. But if she was well enough to resume her spying, she could damn well answer him.

Stopping about a foot away, he flipped open the leather pouch and pulled out her corset, dangling it in front of her.

She flushed deeper, the blush tinting her neck.

He bit back a smile at the shock in her eyes over his familiar handling of her undergarment. He sure did like vexing her. “Where do you want it?”

She snatched it from him, crushing it as small as she could. Josie was used to seeing undergarments, discussing them delicately with men who wanted something new for their wives, but she wasn't used to men handling
hers.
And certainly not in front of her. His hands were big and dark against the lightly boned eggshell fabric. She remembered those hands on her, braced herself against a stirring deep inside.

He didn't act the least bit uncomfortable. He probably handled women's underwear with obscene regularity, she thought irritably.

Reaching back into the saddlebag, he withdrew her scalpel. “I suppose you'll be wanting this—” his gaze dipped to her bosom “—where you can get to it.”

“I'd like to get to it right now,” she muttered.

At his low chuckle, her fingers curled tighter around the soft edge of her corset. She forced herself to release her grip and hold out her hand. He passed the instrument to her carefully.

“Thank you.” His gaze was hot on her breasts and he was probably wondering if she would slip it into the secret pocket of her bodice. But she laid the scalpel on the windowsill.

She expected him to go now. Instead he stayed where he was, filling up the room with his heat and size and purely male scent. His gaze slid over her. “How are you feeling?”

“Still weak, but much better.” Unsure of what he was about, she gave him a tentative smile. She was unreasonably glad he wasn't leaving as quickly as he generally did.

“Good. Glad to hear it.” His gaze traced the hair that had fallen over her shoulder onto her breasts, moved down
her torso and all the way to her black boots. “I've been wanting to ask you something.”

She tensed, expecting a question about her interest in the jail. “Yes?”

“Who's William?”

William!
Josie's heartbeat stuttered.

Davis Lee folded his big arms and stared expectantly at her.

Pain, loss, anger shot through her. “W-why do you ask?”

“You mentioned him during your fever.”

“I did?” What else had she said? McDougal's name, too? Rattled, she pressed her spine into the chair. “He was my fiancé.”

“Was?” he probed.

She didn't owe him an explanation, didn't want to give him one, but she found herself saying baldly, “He died.”

The sheriff waited a long moment. “What happened?”

As if she would tell him. “I can't talk about it. It's too…upsetting.”

“When did it happen?”

“Two years ago.” Why did he care? Why didn't he just go?

Impatience flashed across the lawman's strong features and she fully expected he would press but finally he said in a strained voice, “I'm sorry for your loss.”

She nodded stiffly, shaken that she had unwittingly mentioned William during her fever, driven to know if there was more. “Did I say anything else?”

“Something about blood.”

Her gaze shot to his. The casual ease with which he'd said the words didn't match the intensity in his eyes.

“I reckon I've been wondering about that, too,” he said quietly.

Her pulse hitched as her mind hurtled back to the bloody scene where she'd found William and her parents. She should make up something to appease the sheriff, but she
couldn't lie. Not after what he'd done for her. Her voice was uneven as she gave him the only truth she could. “As I said, I can't bring myself to talk about it.”

He studied her, his blue gaze probing and steady, then before she could blink, he leaned down. His whisker-sanded cheek brushed hers and his warm breath tickled her ear. Sharp sensation shot straight to her core. “Maybe someday you'll trust me enough to tell me.”

“Maybe,” she murmured, her hands closing tight on the tablecloth in her lap.

Oh, he needed to move away right now because she desperately wanted him to kiss her. He was so close, teasing her senses with an enticing mix of male and leather and the outdoors. All she had to do was turn her head, raise it just a fraction.

It was a struggle to bring her mind back to what he'd said. Trust him? She wouldn't. She couldn't. Why did he have to make it about trust? Guilt nipped at her. She owed him for saving her life, but she didn't owe him every part of herself.

Davis Lee straightened slowly, his breath drifting against her temple, one finger stroking her hair there. The wicked glint in his eyes told her he was well aware of how he unsettled her. He tossed his saddlebags over his right shoulder. “I'll go now. You best rest or Catherine will know.”

She forced a smile, determined not to let him see that her spine had gone boneless. “I think she really would.”

“I'll check on you tomorrow.”

She knew he would. Just as he would check on her every day she was here. For the first time, that warning scared the devil out of her. It had nothing to do with Davis Lee the
sheriff
finding out her connection to McDougal. And everything to do with Davis Lee the
man
sending that delicious shiver through her body.

J
ust before six on Tuesday evening, as he did every Tuesday evening, Davis Lee left the jail, this time in Jake's capable hands. Before going to Cora's, he went two doors down to the telegraph office and had Tony Santos send another wire to the sheriff in Galveston. Davis Lee realized it might be too soon after the hurricane for the telegraph wires to be working, but it wouldn't hurt to try and reach Sheriff Locke again.

Lamps from the Pearl behind him and lanterns hanging outside the saloon across the street lit Davis Lee's way as he started for Cora's. Being this close to the edge of town, he had only Ef's smithy to pass before angling down the west side of the big man's barn toward Cora's. The new hotel, which sat behind the livery across the street, was nearly finished. He wondered when the owner would arrive.

The puppy he carried burrowed his nose into the crook of Davis Lee's arm. Cora's house sat at the bottom of a gentle slope behind the shed-size building that had formerly served as the stagecoach stop. Built of unfinished wood, the house was small and homey. Lamps burning in Cora's two front windows put off a warm glow in the cool, still night.

Davis Lee's long stride took him from the ground to the
porch without touching the two steps. He hoped his friend liked her surprise.

He rapped twice on the door and opened it. “Cora, I brought you something—”

He broke off at the sight of Josie standing on the other side of the table, staring at him. She held a stack of plates, her mouth open in surprise.

His mind flashed the image of her practically naked. It was seared into his brain and had been since he'd tended her during her fever. Knowing exactly what she wore beneath that prim cinnamon-colored dress had his breath backing up in his lungs.

The puppy, black with a white streak across his left eye, wiggled in his hold and snuggled deeper.

Cora straightened from taking a pan out of the squat stove, flicking a satisfied look between him and her other guest before catching sight of the animal. “Well, what's this?”

“He's darling,” Josie breathed.

Davis Lee knew she was looking at the dog, not at him, but that didn't stop his skin from going tight.
What
was she doing here?

Cora set the hot pan of biscuits on top of the stove and moved around the table to him.

“You don't have to keep him if you don't want.” Davis Lee dragged his gaze to the older woman, but his mind was still on Josie. Her dress skimmed her body like a shadow, molding perfectly to her breasts, tapering to the nip of her waist. The neckline was square and edged with the same buff-colored lace that was on her sleeves. Only the creamy patch of skin above her collarbone showed. “Jake said he'd take the dog back if you're not interested.”

“He's such a cute little thing. I'd like to keep him.” Cora took the puppy and held him up to eye level, giving him
the once-over as he squirmed. “What made you think of it?”

He shrugged. “Just seemed like a good idea when I saw the new litter.”

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

He knew the one-year anniversary of Ollie's death was approaching and he hoped that maybe the company of her brother and the dog might ease it for her a bit.

Josie's gaze shifted from the pup to him. There was a softness in her eyes he hadn't seen before, which started a low throb in his blood. She was a sight. For the first time in a week, a hint of color glowed in her face. Tendrils escaped from her loosely upswept hair and teased the velvety flesh of her neck. His gaze settled on the delicate earlobe he'd been close enough to nip the other day.

She jerked her gaze from his and moved abruptly, setting plates carefully at each chair around the table.

One look at Cora told him he'd correctly read the satisfaction in her hazel eyes.

“Come in, Davis Lee,” she said. “Supper's almost ready.”

He cleared his throat. “Do I have the wrong night?”

“No.” His friend smiled, putting the puppy on the floor and walking to the corner behind the stove to pick up a crate. “I invited Josie, too. I hated the thought of her eating alone.”

“Hi, Josie.” He nodded, unable to stop his gaze from tracing her curves.

“Hi.” Her eyes were wide and wary.

Cora removed some books from the crate and turned to the younger woman, who now looked at her uncertainly. “Davis Lee eats with us on Tuesday nights.”

“I don't want to intrude,” Josie said quietly.

“Nonsense. This will round out the conversation nicely. Don't you think, Loren?”

“Yes.” Smoothing back his thick white hair, her brother walked out of the smaller bedroom. The blue calico curtain that served as a door fell into place behind him. “Now Cora won't feel ganged up on when Davis Lee and I disagree with her.”

Davis Lee didn't know what had given Cora the idea to match him up with Josie, but he knew that was what she was doing.

“I'll finish setting the table.” Josie wouldn't meet his eyes. She hadn't since he had returned her corset last Friday. He had taken care not to be alone with her for the past few days, stopping by to check on her when he knew Catherine was there.

He didn't fancy being this close to her now. Her light honeysuckle scent already teased him and he wasn't even in the house yet. But he couldn't pass up the opportunity to try and learn more about her. Maybe his little spy would be more talkative if they weren't alone.

He had let lust drown out his instincts with Betsy. He wasn't going to make the same mistake with Josie Webster. He stepped inside and palmed off his hat, hanging it on the nail just inside the door.

Cora made a bed of fabric scraps in the wooden box for the pup. Josie tied a piece of cloth into a knot and teased him until he growled playfully and tugged it away. After washing up, everyone took a place at the table.

As the meal progressed, Loren and Cora had them laughing over stories of sibling rivalry from their younger years. Josie's smile came easier and the stiff set of her shoulders finally relaxed.

“Josie, have you heard about the harvest dance at Eishen's pecan grove?” Cora asked.

“No.”

“The Eishens have a dance every year before the start of pecan harvest. You should plan to go.”

“It sounds fun.”

Davis Lee had never gone. Josie didn't look as if she were too sure of going herself.

“It's coming up,” Cora continued. “Not this Friday, but the next. Why don't you go with Loren and I?”

Josie looked at the brother and sister, a smile curving her lips. “All right.”

“All the ladies bring pies,” the other woman said. “If you want to bake one, you can use my stove.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“The dance is a good way for you to meet people and let them know you're a dressmaker.” She leaned toward Josie and touched the lace at the edge of her sleeve. “I've been admiring this dress. I'm guessing you made it?”

“Yes.”

“Your stitch is so fine, I can hardly see it.”

“Thank you.” Josie flushed becomingly, putting Davis Lee in mind of the rosy tint of her flesh during her fever.

“Who taught you?”

“My mother.”

He caught a hint of wistfulness beneath the words.

The older woman patted Josie's hand. “She must be very good.”

“Yes.” Josie smiled pleasantly, but Davis Lee sensed a stillness come over her.

Loren reached for his coffee. “Did you say you were from Galveston?”

She nodded, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a cloth napkin.

“Do your folks mind you being so far away?”

“They've never said so.”

Davis Lee detected a slight crack in her voice.

Cora rose and took a small bowl from the tall pantry behind Josie. “Are they still in Galveston?”

If Davis Lee hadn't been watching so closely, he
would've missed the bright sheen of tears in her eyes before she answered. “Yes.”

He noticed she didn't volunteer the information that she'd had a betrothed there, too. He made a mental note to ask about her parents and the fiancé when he heard back from the sheriff down there.

Cora crumbled up a biscuit, added a splash of milk from the pitcher by the sink and set the bowl down in front of the puppy. “Since you've decided to stay in Whirlwind, do you expect your folks to join you?”

“Like Loren did?” Josie smiled warmly at him. “His coming had to be a great help. It must be wonderful to have a brother.”

The other woman resumed her seat, nodding. “I don't know what I would've done without him.”

“I should've come sooner,” he said from his place opposite his sister.

“You had Belle to think about.”

The man turned to Josie, a shadow chasing across his face. “Belle was my wife. She passed on several months ago.”

“I'm sorry.”

“We had a good life. That's what I try to remember, but sometimes it's hard.”

“Yes, very,” she murmured. After a slight pause, she glanced at Cora. “Any idea what you might name the puppy?”

The other woman pursed her lips. “Not yet.”

Davis Lee finished his meal, outwardly showing only mild interest. Inside he took heed of how Josie had deftly steered the conversation away from herself. Even the answers she had given revealed no details.

“Will you be making Catherine a new dress for the wedding?” Cora asked.

“She hired me but now I'll have to see if she wants
someone else since I might not have it ready as early as she would like.”

“I meant what I said about helping you. Let me know if I can.”

“Thank you.” The smile Josie flashed had a strange tension stretching across Davis Lee's belly.

The older woman stood and began gathering dishes. “I'm sure glad you were with Davis Lee when that snake bit you. He can handle anything.”

“All I did was follow orders,” he drawled, grinning when Josie's gaze met his.

She eyed him drolly. “He's not very good at it, let me tell you.”

He chuckled along with Cora and Loren. Since Cora and Loren's questions had stopped, Josie seemed more at ease.

She rose to help Cora clear the dishes from the table. “You have a nice home.”

“Susannah lived here with me when she first came to Whirlwind.” Cora pointed to the doorway covered by a blue curtain. “In the room Loren has now.”

“My niece was born in that room.” Davis Lee leaned back in his chair, rubbing a palm over his chest. He wished he could stop thinking about what Josie had on under her dress. It near drove him crazy.

After some of Cora's butter cake and coffee, Josie helped their hostess wash and dry the dishes. Davis Lee brought in water to fill both the kettle and the iron spider hanging in the fireplace then went out back to help Loren check Cora's chickens and her mare, Prissy.

When the men returned to the house, Josie was halfway into her dark wool cloak, the puppy tugging playfully on one end. She was laughing, and the way it lit her whole face had Davis Lee stopping midstep.

For an instant, the shadows were gone from her eyes and they glowed. He couldn't take his eyes off her. The curve
of her lips, the golden peach of her skin, the simple pleasure in her eyes when she looked at the pup. Something hot unfurled and spread through his chest.

Loren turned for the door. “I'll hitch up the wagon again. It won't take long.”

“No, that's all right.” Josie's gaze went past Davis Lee to the older man. “You went to all that trouble to drive me over. I have plenty of energy to walk.”

“You sure, hon?” Cora looked her over thoroughly. “It hasn't been all that long since you were snakebit. You're not too spent?”

“I'm fine.”

“Davis Lee can walk back with you,” the other woman offered.

He sent her a look, letting her know he saw right through her little scheme. Josie opened her mouth, to protest he knew. So he said, “I'm headed there anyway.”

“Yes, he's headed there anyway,” Cora said enthusiastically.

He mentally shook his head at her blatant matchmaking.

Giving him a panicked look, Josie managed to get her cloak out of the puppy's sharp teeth. “If you're not ready to go yet—”

“I am. Cora, thanks for supper. It was delicious.” He covered the few steps between them and leaned down to buss her cheek, saying in a low voice, “You're not very subtle.”

“I didn't think you were going to do anything about it,” she said under her breath.

If she knew his suspicions about Josie, Cora would have left things alone.

After goodbyes all around, he and Josie started back to the hotel. The sky was icy black, the stars brilliant shards of light against its backdrop. Smoke from the fireplaces of
the few nearby homes drifted on the air, mixing with the smells of earth and grass.

Josie's sweet scent curled around him. She kept a careful distance between him, walking slowly as she pulled on her short, dark gloves. He shortened his stride to keep pace with her. “Was the visit too much for you?”

“I'm tired,” she admitted with a wan smile. “But Catherine warned me that it would take a while for my energy to return. I might've stayed too long, but I really enjoyed it. Cora and Loren are both so nice.”

“Yes.”

She moved slowly up the rise beside him, her skirts making a soft swishing noise against the grass. She didn't complain, but she looked wobbly.

He took her gloved hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm. When she resisted, he said quietly, “You look like you're about to fall down.”

“I'm sure I'll be fine.” She glanced at him, then away. Finally, tentatively, she curved her fingers over his arm.

As they passed the jail, she said, “That puppy is cute. Cora seemed pleased.”

“I hope it's some comfort to her.”