12

On the night of the spring dance, Kate finished putting on her earbobs and checked herself in the cheval mirror with a critical eye.

With Aunt Letty’s help, she’d arranged her hair in a French twist, which was all the rage. The fringe of red hair on her forehead had been coaxed into submission with curling tongs and made her look younger than her twenty-two years.

The blue sateen gown had been an extravagance, but worth every penny. The neckline and short sleeves were trimmed with lace and the carefully draped skirt and bustle embellished with white ribbon bows.

She gathered her gloves and purse and left the room. Just as she reached the top of the stairs, she heard her aunt’s strident voice—it sounded like she was ordering someone to leave.

What in the world?

Hiking up her skirt with one hand, Kate hastened down the stairs and joined her aunt at the open front door.

“Mr. Tucker!” The last person Kate expected to see on her doorstep was the Texas Ranger. “What…what are you doing here?”

“He was just leaving,” her aunt said and started to close the door.

“Auntie,” Kate said beneath her breath. It wasn’t like her aunt to be so rude. With a meaningful look at her aunt and a rueful smile at the ranger, she opened the door wider.

Mr. Tucker whipped off his wide-brimmed hat. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

Aunt Letty glared at him. “That’s all you’ve done is cause trouble. If it wasn’t for you, my niece would be happily married by now and—”

“Auntie, please!”

Tucker gave her aunt a beseeching look. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am. That’s why when Foster asked me to pick up your niece and drive her to the dance, I agreed. I figured it was the least I could do after all the trouble I’ve caused.”

Aunt Letty folded her arms across her chest. “Why didn’t he pick her up himself?”

“That was the original plan, ma’am,” Tucker said. “He’d hoped to rent a horse and buggy from the stables. But he didn’t want to chance another case of hives. He’s still recovering from the last bout.”

“That makes sense,” Kate said, eager to soothe her aunt’s ruffled feathers.

Aunt Letty looked like she was about to say something more. Instead, she slammed her mouth shut and walked away.

Tucker looked genuinely sorry. “I didn’t mean to upset your aunt. I wish I knew how to make it up to her.”

Meeting the ranger’s piercing gaze, Kate bit her lower lip. “Are you and Frank now friends?” Given the circumstances, it seemed like an unlikely alliance.

He quirked a smile. “You sound surprised.”

“It’s just…it wasn’t that long ago that he accused you of…having your way with me.”

Something flared in his eyes: a light, a flame, a spark. But it was gone so quickly, she wondered if she’d only imagined it.

“He now knows that’s not true,” Tucker said, breaking eye contact. After a beat, he met her gaze again and added, “I don’t think he would have asked me to pick you up if he still believed such a thing.”

What Tucker said made sense. Still, it was hard to imagine that Frank had suddenly become so trusting as to allow another man to drive her to a dance. Certainly, Frank would never have agreed to such a thing if he knew how Tucker had cradled her in his arms the day she’d almost drowned.

The thought quickened her pulse, and she forced the memory from her mind. “It’s very kind of you to come and get me in his place, but I’m sure you have better things to do than drive me around.”

“As it turns out, I don’t. I’m still a stranger here in town and don’t know that many people. Besides, it’ll give us a chance to talk. Something’s come up that involves the Ghost Riders. I could use your help.”

“My help?”

He shrugged. “If you don’t mind.”

Her curiosity whetted, she motioned him inside. “Come in while I get my wrap.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He stepped inside, filling the room with his presence, along with a pleasing smell of soap and bay-rum hair tonic. Dressed in his usual dark trousers, plaid shirt, and vest, with his gun holstered at his side, he was mighty pleasing to the eye. She’d always thought him attractive, but now that she knew how it felt to be in his arms, more than just his good looks intrigued her.

Kate set her gloves and purse on the entry table and plucked her blue cape off a wooden peg by the door.

Tucker stepped forward, hand extended. “Permit me.”

As he took the cape from her, his gaze traveled the length of her blue gown. This time she didn’t imagine the admiration in his eyes, and her cheeks flushed beneath his warm approval.

“I must say, Miss Denver, you look mighty pretty.” He locked her in his gaze a moment before looking away and clearing his throat. “I’m…sure Foster will approve.”

He shook out her cape before draping it around her shoulders, his hands seeming to linger a moment longer than necessary.

“Thank you,” she murmured. Whirling around, she reached for her purse and gloves, surprised to find her hands shaking.

“Ready?” he asked from behind her.

“Y-yes,” she stammered. Willing her knees not to buckle, she called to her aunt. “We’re leaving.”

Tucker opened the door with a flourish, allowing her to exit first.

Outside, he stood ready to help her into the buggy. Not used to such an attentive escort, Kate hesitated before offering her hand.

It wasn’t that Frank was completely without manners, but the first Mrs. Foster had died soon after she and her husband had adopted Frank. His father hadn’t remarried until Frank was in his late teens. Having been raised in a masculine household, Frank lacked the usual social skills, but that had never bothered Kate. In fact, she’d never really thought about it.

Until now.

Settling on the leather seat, Kate tucked her skirt around her and clutched her purse in her lap. She wasn’t sure how to act in Tucker’s presence, and that was odd. In the past, she’d always felt comfortable in male company, but then most men had treated her like a sister or friend. The ranger was different. She wasn’t sure how he’d managed it, but she felt very much a woman around him, and was very much aware of his maleness. Sisterhood was the furthest thing from her mind.

He climbed into the driver’s seat next to her. They eyed each other for a moment. “Ready?” he asked.

“Ready,” she said.

Without another word, he shook the reins and clicked his tongue. The buggy rolled forward, and a gentle breeze cooled her flaming face.

Finding it easier to breathe now, Kate tried to relax. But a moment later, she was distracted by the brush of his leg against hers. If that wasn’t worrisome enough, his hands on the reins reminded her of the feel of his hand on her shoulder. It also made her recall the day she’d laid her head on his broad, manly chest.

Confused by such thoughts, she concentrated on the road ahead. What was the matter with her? She had no business dwelling on such things. It wasn’t like her to act like a silly schoolgirl with her first crush. The stress of preparing for the wedding and her subsequent broken betrothal had evidently taken a toll. As for Mr. Brett Tucker…they had nothing in common. Considering the excitement of his job, he probably found her dull and boring.

Satisfied that she now had her thoughts, if not her nervousness, under control, she lifted her gaze. It was a perfect night for a spring dance. The sun had set, and stars began dotting the deep-purple sky.

Kate made a silent wish upon the brightest star. In years past, her wish had always been the same: to provide an infirmary for injured animals. But, Frank’s sensitivity to fur and feathers had ended that dream. Now she just wished for a home and family of her own.

“Warm enough?” Tucker asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“Yes, thank you.” She studied his profile. “You said earlier that you needed my help.”

He glanced at her. “I don’t know if you’d heard, but the stagecoach was held up again.”

“Yes, I did hear that,” she said. That’s all the day’s customers had talked about.

“I wasn’t able to get a very good description of the robbers, but one seems to have a sweet tooth. According to a witness, he smelled of peppermint.”

“Peppermint?”

“That’s what she said. He was wearing a flour sack over his head, so I don’t know if it’s possible to smell one’s breath through that, but she was adamant. I checked, and you’re the only one in town who sells candy.”

Kate knitted her brow. “Are you saying that one of my customers robbed a stage?”

“It’s a possibility.”

Shuddering at the thought, she gripped her purse. She hated the idea that someone she knew, someone who’d patronized her shop, someone with whom she’d exchanged pleasantries and maybe even a laugh, could be an outlaw. Silly as it seemed, she’d always found people with a sweet tooth to be friendlier than those with blander tastes. That was hardly a quality that led to crime.

“I can’t imagine any of my customers robbing a stage,” she said.

“It’s been my experience that most outlaws look like ordinary people. You wouldn’t know by looking at them that they lead a double life. My company recently broke up a gang led by a former Methodist preacher. So, you see? You never can tell.”

Aware, suddenly, that the ribbon at her cape’s neckline had come loose, Kate worked the length of satin into a bow. “It’s still hard to believe. I mean…I’ve known most of my customers for years. Some are even second- and third-generation customers. They’re good people.”

“I’m sorry, but…I still have to check it out. It’s my job.”

She sighed. “I know.”

“Would it be possible to give me a list of customers who purchased peppermint candy in the last, say, month or so?”

“I’d be happy to draw up such a list, but I’m not sure how complete it would be. Peppermint is one of my most popular candies.”

“I’d be obliged for whatever you can do.” They drove in silence for a mile or so before Tucker spoke again. “Being that you agreed to attend the dance with Foster, does that mean you and he are patching things up?”

She turned the question over in her mind before answering. “I don’t know. He’s trying hard to change his ways, but…”

Kate felt his gaze on her. “But…?”

She hesitated. It seemed odd to be talking to the ranger about something so personal, but he seemed receptive and interested. “Lately, he’s like a different person.”

“Oh? In what way?”

“In many ways.” Strange as it seemed, the changes in Frank had also revealed a new side of herself. Though she’d previously scoffed at such things, she’d discovered she enjoyed being treated like a lady. She’d liked receiving flowers and had reread the note so many times that it felt as if each word had been branded into her heart. She liked even more knowing that Frank appreciated her ability to doctor injured animals.

“He’s so much more thoughtful and…caring,” she said.

“Is that so bad?”

“No, of course not. It’ll just take some getting used to.”

“Like you said, he’s trying.”

“I know.” That was one of the reasons Kate felt so torn. It was hard to stay angry at Frank when he was knocking himself out to please her. “What about you?” she asked, anxious to change the subject. “Ever think about settling down?”

“Me?” he asked as if the thought had never occurred to him. “Nah. That would mean giving up my job, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. These bones were meant to roam.”

His answer was no more than what she had expected. Nevertheless, a sudden crush of disappointment caught her off guard. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she gazed straight ahead.

A soft glow of light revealed the town of Haywire. They rode in silence for a moment before she asked, “Have you had any luck finding the man you’re looking for? The other Foster?”

“Not yet,” Tucker said, “but I think he might be a member of the Ghost Riders.”

“Really? The one who smelled of peppermint?”

“Could be. Him or one of his men.” Kate heard his intake of breath before he continued. “There was a similar crime wave a few years back in San Antone. After each robbery, the gang vanished without a trace, and one day, they disappeared altogether.”

“And you think this is the same gang?” she asked.

The gas streetlight they passed turned his probing eyes into liquid gold. “There’re a lot of similarities. Coincidently, the robberies stopped the day Frank Foster left town.”

Kate still couldn’t get used to the idea that her Frank shared his name with an outlaw. “You said he was responsible for your sister’s death.”

“He was her husband. When he took off without a word, he broke her heart. She wouldn’t eat. Wouldn’t sleep. She finally came down with pneumonia and died. I blame him for her death.”

“That’s…that’s so sad.” She studied Tucker’s handsome profile. “Why do you suppose he took off?”

“Before Foster left town, there was a robbery that turned bad. Originally, four men were involved. But one of the thieves was shot and captured. We hoped he would give us the names of the other three men. Unfortunately, he died before he had a chance. I think the death explains why there’re only three men now. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if there was still another one pulling the strings.”

“If one of them really is the man you’re looking for, he must know you’re in town. You haven’t exactly been anonymous, you know. Your name was in the paper.”

“I wouldn’t expect that he’d know my name. I call Alice my sister, but that’s only half right. We actually had different fathers and different last names. Foster knew her as Alice Taylor, and he and I never met. I was up north when they got married and missed the wedding.” Tucker frowned as he stared at the road ahead. “Sorry to bore you with all my troubles.”

“Nothing you say is boring,” Kate said.

He caught her gaze with his own. “I wouldn’t have told you all this if I didn’t trust you to keep a confidence. I don’t want Foster getting wind of who I really am.”

“Everyone in town knows you’re a Texas Ranger,” she pointed out. “Your man must know why you’re here.”

“I don’t think the law worries him, but a personal vendetta might. If he knew I was here on my sister’s behalf, he might run.”

Kate drew in her breath. He had no way of knowing how much his trust in her meant. Uncle Joe had believed there was no greater compliment than being trusted by another. That was why Frank’s unfounded accusations had hurt so much.

“I hope you catch him soon,” she said.

“I just hope I catch him before he leaves town.” Tucker glanced askance at her. “Or before I cause another couple to break up.”

Turning her attention to the distant lights, Kate moistened her lips. “You might have done us a favor.”

“Oh?”

She met his questioning gaze. “It’s given us a chance to…decide if marriage is right for us.”

“He cares for you deeply,” Tucker said. “You know that, right?”

She nodded. She did know that. He just didn’t trust her—or at least hadn’t in the past—and trust was vital in keeping the bonds of love strong. “I care for him too.”

Sighing, she looked up at the spatter of bright, twinkling stars. Why did it suddenly seem that caring for each other might not be enough?