Thirteen

“That’s a mighty long face, son, for a newlywed.” Walt had quietly come up beside him.

Duel chewed irritably on the straw. “I should be at home, not at some damn social. Don’t need to remind you that farm work is never done.”

“Nothing wrong for a man to work hard.” Walt slapped him on the back. “I can’t say how proud I am of you.”

“How come I hear a ‘but’ in there?” Duel asked suspiciously.

“That’s ’cause there is. Right now, dancin’ with that pretty wife of yours is all that should be on your mind.”

Luke twirled Jessie to within a few feet, and Duel cast his brother a steely glare. He wasn’t sure if it was the stimulating exercise or Luke’s conversation that had brought the rosy blush to Jessie’s cheeks, but he damn sure didn’t like it.

Walt gave him a push toward her. “Quit standin’ here like a three-legged mule and go cut in. Jealousy’s a two-edged sword. It’ll cut a man in half ’fore he can blink.”

Duel shifted his weight to the other foot. “I’m not jealous, Pop.”

“Well, darn it, boy, you should be.” Walt shook his head in disgust. “Thought I raised you to have a little more sense an’ a whole lot more gumption.”

So softly that he wasn’t even aware he spoke at all, Duel muttered, “It’s my business.”

“That it is, son. Ain’t meanin’ no disrespect, but you got a fine woman there. I’m tickled to have her for a daughter. Jessie could teach you a thing or two if you’d listen.”

True, she could. She had almost taught him to forget. Almost.

Duel spat out the straw he’d been chewing. “Guess I’ll have to dance with her to shush you.”

“Go on ahead, boy.” Walt gave him a nudge.

Luke stopped when Duel tapped his shoulder. “Hey, big brother, the music hasn’t ended yet. You wanna wait your turn?”

Duel shot a cursory glance to Jessie’s hand resting lightly on Luke’s arm before he met her gaze. If the sparkle in her eyes got any brighter he’d surely go blind. His mood soured worse than curdled milk.

“You up to bloodshed?”

Luke returned his glare but quickly relinquished his hold.

Duel put his hand on her waist. “Shall we, Mrs. McClain?”

With a mischievous blue twinkle, she matched his formality. “I’d be delighted, Mr. McClain.”

Luke’s loud groan reached them as they swept away.

The rise and fall of Jessie’s bosom lured Duel’s attention. If he bent her just the right way, he could probably steal a peek of her luscious full breasts, for the swell began a tad above the square neckline. The tantalizing thought caused him to miss a step.

“I’m rusty as the devil.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” She smiled up at him, and he was struck by the brilliance of her pearly teeth.

How come he hadn’t paid attention to that before? Or the way she filled out her clothes much more than Annie had? Jessie’s rounded curves seemed formed for his body.

“Duel?”

“What, Jess?” He pulled his attention from the gently heaving swells and found her sooty-lashed gaze equally fascinating. Concern glistened in their depths.

“I’m glad for this chance to apologize for my untoward behavior. I’ve wanted to a thousand times since that night, but you haven’t come to the house.” She lowered her gaze to a spot on his chest. “I’d die before I’d intentionally hurt you.”

The top of her auburn head tickled his lips; the scent of rainwater-fresh hair made his senses reel.

“The apology isn’t yours to make.” He hated how deeply he’d wounded her, and it stung. “I’ve acted an—begging your pardon for my vulgar language—like an ass the last few days.”

“Let’s forget it and go on, shall we?”

“Only one thing more. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have forced Annie’s things on you. You deserve your own. Like I said, I’ve been an ass.” He took long strides, sweeping her around the dirt floor in three-four time. “Hope Luke didn’t pester you with too many questions.”

“A few. Your brother’s quite a likable fellow.”

“Yeah. But keep a healthy regard for him. He’s cunning as a snake.”

“I did volunteer that I’d made a living as a seamstress.”

A low, admiring whistle came from his lips. “One thing about it, Jess, you’ve got a head on your shoulders.” And a very pretty one at that, he might add.

“You don’t think he knows, do you?”

“We’re safe—for now.” Duel tightened his hold, drawing her closer than necessary. He’d do his darndest to make sure she stayed that way.

“I’d be a ninny to count on that lasting. Have you heard the talk buzzing around the room?”

“Some. The murder appears to be the topic.” He concentrated on weaving through the maze of dancers, intent on pushing unpleasant things to the back of his mind for the night.

“Speculation is rampant on where Jessie Foltry is. I can’t name the number of times people remarked on the similarity of my name and my sudden arrival in Tranquility.” Her voice caught.

Duel felt the same band strangling his chest. He held her tighter to him. “Shhh, quit worrying. Let’s enjoy the moment.”

He wanted to give her more reassurance that she had nothing to fear. “Tomorrow is soon enough to fret. It’s only idle gossip.”

“So far.” Her whisper sent shivers up his spine.

“Shush. None of that. I want only pleasant thoughts while we’re here.” Pleasant things, like the weight of her breasts thrusting against his chest.

“I missed you, Duel.” Jessie’s voice became thick with emotion. “I thought you were going to stay mad at me forever.”

“You did nothing. I merely had some things to sort out.”

“Marley Rose missed you, too. The slightest noise sent her scurrying for the door. It nearly broke her heart when her papa didn’t come through it.”

“I intend to remedy that. Can’t have my two best girls getting long faces.”

He thought it odd for Jessie to stumble. Thus far she had followed every step perfectly. He tried to see her face, but the top of her head shielded her features. Silence stretched for a long minute. The dog seemed a harmless subject.

“Yellow Dog is still hanging around.” He swung her around, enjoying the feel of her in his arms. “Funny thing. I go to feed him and find someone’s beat me to it.”

“I didn’t know you were feeding him too.” Her laughter tinkled merrily. “Guess he won’t go hungry.”

“Reckon not. In light of all the attention, sooner or later he’s bound to become friendly, Jess.”

“Only when the animal’s ready to trust again will he let us get close.” Shadows instantly darkened her mood.

Mister, you ever been so scared, you think the next second is going to be your last? You’re looking in the face of the devil and wondering how on earth you can keep him from taking your soul? She’d stood poised on the edge of a cliff when she spoke those words. In spite of all that had happened since then, she hadn’t moved that far from the edge.

“Forgive me. I asked you to think of nothing unpleasant.”

“Duel, I’m not a fragile egg. Quit apologizing. I won’t break,” she murmured quietly and allowed her head to rest in the hollow of his throat. “What I did stands between us just as surely as does your former wife.”

Damn!

Maybe she was right. For some reason, though, recalling Annie’s face lately took a lot more effort. Each time he tried, it was Jessie he saw.

They twirled silently amid other couples. The weight of her head on his chest aroused a fierce protectiveness, and the touch of her hand on his shoulder made the skin sizzle beneath his shirt.

“Marley’s loving this opportunity to play with other children,” Jessie said at last. “It’s good for her.”

He tried to divert his attention from the feel of her skirts swirling, grazing, caressing his legs. He attempted to focus on the direction she nodded, to block the intimate touching, to prevent certain images from entering his mind. He failed.

The devil take him. She’d imbedded herself inside him. A ragged breath only served to inhale her fragrance. Yet it intoxicated rather than calmed.

At that moment she moved, affording him the view he’d hoped for. The neckline gaped slightly, allowing a peek of one lush mound—all the way to the brown edge of a nipple. His body responded with need that he’d denied far too long.

“Jess…my throat…I need some cider.”

“Me, too. I think I’ve danced every dance. My feet aren’t used to this.”

If he didn’t get some fresh air right away, his embarrassment would be public knowledge. He hurried her toward his father.

“See, son, that wasn’t so bad. You’re still walking.”

Barely—and with a decided limp. If his father only knew. “Jess, you wait here with Pop and Luke, and I’ll get us some refreshment.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried for the nearest door, only to be stopped by Vicky.

“Not running out on the party, are you? Looks like Jessie’s having a good time, and the children are keeping Marley Rose occupied.”

“Can’t a man get some fresh air without a bunch of questions?” He wasn’t running anywhere except for the cover of darkness. He ran exasperated fingers through his hair. “I think I see Roy calling you, sis.”

When she turned to look, he quickly scooted for freedom. Damp night air hit his face, cooling the sweat that soaked his underarms.

Pop had been right about one thing: Jessie was something. Not even Annie had brought the strange excitement he experienced now. His love for Annie had been serene and steady. Not at all like this rolling, dipping sensation of riding a wild bronc.

The door swung out, and Luke joined him. “Anything wrong, big brother? Looks like you took a fever or something.”

What he felt could certainly be described as a fever. Only he didn’t know how a man could get one simply from looking at his wife.

“Tarnation, Luke. Is it a crime for a man to get a breath of air and cool off?”

“Jessie can sure do that to a man. Hey, you reckon God put people on this earth merely to torment a man?”

“What people?” Duel wasn’t sure where Luke was going.

“Women people. If she wasn’t married to you—”

“But she is, and don’t forget it.” The warning exploded before he thought twice. Duel shifted uncomfortably under Luke’s long stare.

“I hate to keep repeating myself, but you’re the luckiest man alive, Duel.”

The silence lasted for all of two seconds before Luke spoke again. “Remember when Pop caught you behind ol’ man McDougal’s store stealing a kiss from Lucinda Moore?”

Funny Luke should bring that up, because that’s exactly the way he felt now. Only it hadn’t been a kiss, but a glimpse of his wife’s breast he’d stolen.

“Yep, he accused me of having manure for brains. In fact, told me so often I got to believing it.”

“Left an impression on me, too. Manure for brains is what you’ve got, all right, leaving Jessie at the mercy of the likes of Hampton Pierson.” Luke chuckled as if quite pleased with himself. “I came to tell you the man’s moonin’ over her.”

“The hell you say!” A fine thread of ire wound through his blood. No doubt Pierson was ogling down Jessie’s dress. The ire turned to anger.

Sure enough, he found an animated Hampton talking with Jessie. He made a beeline for the refreshment table for two cups of cherry cider before interrupting.

“Here you are, darlin’.” He ignored her startled look at the uncharacteristic endearment as he handed the drink to her. “Sorry, I got delayed.”

Jessie’s uneasy glance between them, coupled with tension he could slice with a knife, made him curse the day Vicky arrived at her grand plan for this shindig. He glared at his opponent.

“Mr. Pierson was kind enough to—” she began.

“I was just telling your wife it’s a good thing she wore green,” Hampton interrupted. “Saint Patrick’s Day and all. You haven’t been away so long you’ve forgotten the tradition about pinching those who don’t wear green, have you, Duel?”

Anyone who dared pinch his wife would get some broken fingers, and that wouldn’t be all. He returned the man’s cool challenge with an icy glare. Then a slight jostle, as if entirely by accident, sent red cider down the front of Hampton’s starched white shirt. The man sputtered and fumed.

“Sorry there, Pierson.” He didn’t bother to hide his smile. “Looks like you’ll have to go clean yourself off.”

“If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. McClain.” Hampton could barely control his temper. Stiffly tipping his head, he turned.

“And when you come back, find yourself someone else to talk with, Pierson. My wife will be occupied for the remainder of the evening.” Duel felt satisfied with the events.

“You did that on purpose.” Jessie’s wide eyes held puzzlement as she gasped. “You should be ashamed.”

“Me? What did I do?”

Luke strolled over, chuckling. “Was I mistaken, or did Pierson have a red stain down the front of his shirt? He came by me so fast I barely got a glimpse.”

“Seems someone thought he looked better that way.” Jessie returned Duel’s smile, and the warmth of it reawakened the embers he’d doused with cold night air.

“How about we head for home, Jess? I’ve had all the excitement I can stand for one night.” That was putting it mildly.

* * *

“Whoa, Preacher.” He pulled to a stop at the front door and jumped down from the wagon seat.

Clouds rolled across the moon as he relieved Jessie of her sleeping burden before lending her a hand down. She’d been very quiet on the ride home, and he wondered if she was angry. His experience with womenfolk had taught him he’d know sooner or later. He supposed he might’ve overreacted just a bit. But he wasn’t sorry.

Inside the house, he kissed Marley and put her to bed.

“Guess I’ll take Preacher to the barn and turn in for the night.” He kept his hands busy twirling his hat, his eyes on the door.

“Could you stay for a moment?”

The fleeting glance he cast in her direction showed worry shimmering behind her distant gaze.

“I suppose.” He took the chair across from her. “Shoot.”

“It might not be anything, but then again… Tonight a woman by the name of Charlotte Brown said she knew some Rumfords in Pecos County. She asked if they were any relation.”

“Strange coincidence. Rumford is not an everyday name.”

“That’s what I thought when I spied the baking powder can and picked it. Why didn’t I choose Smith or Jones?”

“Charlotte Brown, you say? Don’t think I know her.”

“She was an elderly woman well past her prime. Chattered a mile a minute. Could it be she was merely pretending so she’d have something to talk to me about?”

“Possible. Still, if someone like Luke started nosing around, it could upset the applecart.” Knowing his brother’s penchant for meddling, he wouldn’t put it past him. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it was nothing. I think all in all the affair went smoothly.”

Except for the agitation her dress caused. She looked so beautiful, a vision in green. Across from her now, seeing her slender neck sloping down to meet her ample bosom, he felt overheated again. The mysterious green dress.

“Tell me something.”

Jessie waited expectantly for him to continue.

“I’ve wondered all evening where you got the dress you’re wearing. Mind me asking?”

She smoothed the sprigged print. “I took apart several of your wife’s dresses and fashioned one that you’d never seen. I added lace from one, cord from another, and rearranged the neckline.” Jessie bit her lip nervously. “Are you mad?”

Madly attracted could describe his mood. “Not even a little bit. I told you to do what you will with them. It’s most becoming on you.”

That she would go to such lengths to avoid reawakening memories touched him deeply. It also meant she must care for him some to go out of her way to spare his feelings.

Relief swept her features. “Thank you, Duel.”

He rose to go before he did something he shouldn’t—like taking her in his arms, and kissing those lush, pink lips.

“Jess?” He paused with one hand on the knob. “You made me a very proud man tonight. I’m glad you’re my wife.”