Lawman on a Mission

Former deputy Will Lawson is fighting to regain his reputation—and Mary Stone is his only lead to the bandit who framed him. Now that he’s tracked Mary to Leadville, Colorado, Will needs the proud beauty to reveal her past. Instead, his efforts spark a mighty inconvenient attraction…

Mary’s only real crime is that she once believed an outlaw’s lies. Still, she fears disclosing the truth to Will may land her in jail—and leave her young siblings without protection. Now she must choose between honesty and safeguarding her family. And if Will does clear his own name, can he convince the woman he loves to share it?

“Why do you care what a supposedly bad man is doing with me?”

Will shouldn’t care. It was none of his business if she married Ben or not. And yet, he couldn’t stand idly by.

“You lied to me about severing your connection with him.”

Mary flinched at his words. “I did not. Ben’s visit here tonight surprised me just as much as it did you.”

Actually, Will had noticed that. He’d also noticed how Mary bristled at Ben’s attention. But something wasn’t right with the situation. “Then why did you announce your engagement?”

“Ben announced our engagement.” Mary’s eyes flashed as she emphasized Ben’s name. Will had to admit, Mary had really pretty eyes. Green with flecks of gold, so deep a man could spend hours mining them and still— What was he doing mooning over her? Hadn’t he learned his lesson?

“Why did you go along with it? Why not tell everyone that you’d broken things off with him?”

“Didn’t you hear me try to explain that it was over?” Mary’s voice was littered with the angst of unshed tears. “But I—” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure something out.”

Will took a step closer. “I’ll help you,” he said softly. “Let me help you.”

DANICA FAVORITE loves the adventure of living a creative life. She loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily-ever-after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun. Find her at danicafavorite.com.

The Lawman’s Redemption

Danica Favorite

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

When I married my husband, I found great riches in his family. Without their support, I could not do half of the things I do, especially when it comes to writing my books. Fred, you are always there for us, and give to us so abundantly, I can’t even begin to express the depth of my gratitude, love and admiration for you. Pat, you didn’t get to see any of this, but thank you. Gloria, you have been such a welcome addition to our family, and you mean the world to us. Ricky, not only do you help me blow stuff up, but you always make me smile. Debbie, thanks for all your support.

Bernard and Teri, you guys have invested so much in our family, and I’m so grateful for all you do. Most importantly, I’m thankful for the family traditions you’ve kept alive so my children will know about their Leadville relatives. And of course, I’m so grateful that you give us free access to the Leadville house whenever we want to go up. Without our time in Leadville, there would be no book.

To the Novaks—you bravely came to America and arrived in Leadville to create a future for your family at a time when life in Leadville couldn’t have been easy. I hope my books honor your spirit.

And to Randy, thank you for introducing me to all of them.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Quote

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Leadville, Colorado, 1881

Someone was following her.

Each time Mary Stone looked around or tried checking behind her, she didn’t spot anything unusual. But she was no fool. She’d learned to trust that feeling deep in her gut when she knew something wasn’t quite right. If only she’d accepted her friend Polly’s offer to accompany her on her errand to the mercantile. Selfishly, Mary had wanted just a few minutes to herself, away from her siblings’ squabbles and the work of putting together their new household.

Selfishness never profited anyone. Maybe it wasn’t an exact quote from the Bible, but it had to be in there somewhere. And now Mary was paying for that decision.

Teeming with saloons and miners celebrating the receipt of their wages, the busy street wasn’t an easy place to find refuge. Two blocks ahead was the Rafferty Hotel, a respectable place where they’d stayed when they’d first come to Leadville. If Mary could get there, she could talk to Mrs. Rafferty and see if one of her hired men could escort her the rest of the way home. That was, if she didn’t lose her pursuer first.

A wagon rolled by, kicking up dust and the loose slag that passed for a road. Mary coughed and pressed her nose into her handkerchief. Raucous laughter jolted her further as the doors to a saloon opened and several men lumbered out.

One of the men, having clearly imbibed too much of the drink, grabbed her. “Yer a pretty one, ain’t ya? My ship’s come in at the card table. Maybe you’d like to help me be respectable by marrying me.”

His foul odor stung her nostrils, and as much as she wanted to get away, to loosen the man’s grip on her arm, her legs were frozen to the spot.

Worse, she felt someone’s eyes on her back. Her pursuer had caught up with her.

“Please. You’re hurting me. Let me go.” She tried jerking her arm away, but the man tightened his grip and pulled her toward his companions.

“Lookee here! I found me a wife.”

The others, clearly miners who’d had just as much drink as their friend, laughed.

“She’s sure a beaut,” the one closest to her said as he tripped forward, extending his hand. “Name’s Lucky. But Tom here’s the lucky one if you’re marrying him.”

“I’m not marrying him.” She gave her arm another tug, freeing herself from Tom’s grasp and sending him sprawling to the ground in the process.

Freedom. But the only way out was through the man’s friends, stepping into a dangerously busy street, or turning back to—

She spun, running directly into a sturdy chest.

“Is there a problem?”

The deep voice jolted her, almost as much as the feeling that she somehow knew this man.

“Y-y-yes,” she managed to mutter. “These men, they—”

“Hey, now.” Tom staggered to his feet. “No problem here. I just come into a bit of money. Was making this lady here the offer of her life.”

A shudder coursed through her body. No way would she waste her life on a gambling drunk. She’d seen where that had gotten her poor mother.

“I don’t think the lady’s interested,” the stranger answered for her.

Tom stepped forward, a determined look on his face. “Now, you see here. I promised my friends I’d turn my life around and marry the first respectable woman I saw, and that’s what I aim to do.”

Tom gave Mary a broad smile. “So, pretty lady, what’s it going to be? You gonna marry me?”

“No,” she said without hesitation. “But if you’re serious about turning your life around, you can start by visiting Pastor Lassiter at the Leadville Community Church. He’ll help you far more than marrying me would.”

Pastor Lassiter, or Frank, as he’d asked them to call him when Mary’s brother married his daughter, was always talking about how these men were lost and needed to be shown the Lord’s love. Most of the time, though, when she encountered them on the streets, they always scared the words right out of her.

Until this moment, she hadn’t even had the good sense to ask the Lord for his assistance. Well, that was something she could rectify. With a quick help me, along with a forgive me, she hoped her silent prayer would do for the intensity of the situation.

“Church?” Tom and his friends guffawed at the same time. The friends came around and slapped Tom on the back. “Boy, you just got lucky again, escaping that noose.”

They continued down the street, Mary’s safety again assured. She turned to the man who’d come to her aid. “Thank you for your assistance.”

For the first time, Mary took a good look at her rescuer. Or rather, up at him. Though she wasn’t nearly as petite as some of the dainty women at church, this man towered over her. Deep brown eyes stared back at her, not in the lustful way Tom and his friends had, but their intensity still left her feeling uncomfortable. This was a man who could see into a person.

If her sister Rose were here, she’d surely collapse into a fit of giggles about how romantic it was to be saved by such a handsome man. But Mary knew how deceptive looks could be, and a simple thank-you was as far as she’d take her gratitude.

“It’s no trouble. I’m sorry you had to deal with those men to begin with. Had I approached earlier, I might have saved you the distress.”

Mary swallowed the fear that started to rise in her throat and reminded herself that God had not given her a spirit of fear. If only that belief were easier to live out.

“Why would you approach me? Do we know each other?”

“No.” He took off his hat and gave a friendly smile. “Will Lawson, at your service. I’ve been looking to speak with you on a matter of, uh...delicate nature.”

Which was not at all comforting. He may not have been as aggressive as the miners who’d accosted her, but he certainly didn’t seem like the sort of man she should be speaking with. There was a reason she didn’t talk to strangers. “I’m afraid it wouldn’t be proper at all. While I appreciate your aid with those ruffians, I can’t be of assistance. I’ve been too long on my errand. I’m sure I’ll be missed. Good day.”

Will studied her in a way that made her collar feel just a little bit too tight. Mary took a deep breath, ignoring the strange sensations in her stomach. Oh, they weren’t unfamiliar, but she knew that just because a man made her feel slightly giddy didn’t mean she could trust him. Even if he had a warm smile.

“I’d be happy to escort you home. We can talk then. A lady such as yourself shouldn’t be walking the streets alone.”

No, she shouldn’t. A fact she was sure the older women in residence at the Lassiters’ would remind her of as soon as she returned. She’d thought herself so clever, refusing Polly’s offer of an escort and slipping out before Maddie, the housekeeper, or Gertie, Polly’s mother, got wind of her plans.

“My family will be concerned if I arrive home with a stranger as an escort.” She started toward Rafferty’s, remembering her plan to find a suitable escort to ensure her safety.

“They should be more concerned that you’re wandering around unescorted.”

Clearly this man understood the dangers of the situation, but it didn’t mean she had to put herself in more danger. There was something a little too... Mary shook her head. She didn’t know what it was about him, but she wouldn’t risk finding out.

“I’m going to Rafferty’s hotel, just down the street. Mrs. Rafferty will have one of her boys escort me the rest of the way.”

“Good.” He stepped in with her. “That’s where I’m staying, so I’ll accompany you there, and we’ll have a few moments to talk.”

Mary stopped. “Fine. Say your piece.”

Mr. Lawson handed a stack of envelopes to her. “I’d like to ask you some questions about Ben Perry.”

The air whooshed out of her lungs at the mention of the name she’d hoped to forget. She didn’t need to open the envelope to know its contents. Her own handwriting, bold and firm, told her everything she needed. The past she’d hoped to escape still followed her.

“Where did you get this?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said, taking her by the elbow and maneuvering her through another group of drunken men. “I need your help in finding him.”

Mary jerked out of his grasp and stopped, forcing him to turn and look at her. “If you read all the letters, then you know I have no interest in Ben Perry. I don’t know where he is, nor do I care to. Now, if that is all, I will bid you good day, as I am perfectly capable of crossing the street to Rafferty’s on my own.”

She would have been better off with the drunken men who’d accosted her than to talk to anyone interested in Ben. Mary hastened forward.

Her words did not deter Mr. Lawson, who continued to walk in stride with her, even though she had picked up her pace considerably.

When her brother had found their late father’s mine and moved the family from Ohio to Leadville, it was supposed to be a new start for the family. But how was Mary supposed to start over when her past wouldn’t leave her alone?

One more reason that selfishness led to disaster.

Her family could never know the part she’d played in the troubles that had befallen them.

Mr. Lawson reached in front of her to open the hotel door, only he didn’t let her pass. “Please, Miss Stone. Just give me a few minutes of your time. Let me buy you a cup of tea, and we can sit in the open where everyone can see that my intentions are completely honorable.”

Everyone seeing was precisely the problem.

“I’m sorry,” she said in the tone she usually reserved for chastising her younger siblings. “There is nothing I can tell you that would be of any help.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” The earnestness in his face made her sympathetic to his cause. The man was clearly desperate to find Ben. But desperation meant one of two things. He was either just as wicked as Ben and looking to cash in on some evil scheme, or he was a lawman.

Either meant trouble for Mary.

Perhaps the right thing to do was to turn herself in, but with her brother Joseph and his wife, Annabelle, on their honeymoon, there was no one to look after her younger siblings. Particularly Nugget, the product of her father’s liaison with a fallen woman. The last thing Nugget needed was more upheaval in her life.

Mary had to protect her family, and herself, from anyone knowing of her past involvement with Ben Perry—and his criminal history.

She stared long and hard at Mr. Lawson, ignoring the desperation in his eyes. Their sweetness reminded her of...

No. She simply would not have it. Sympathy for anyone wanting to know anything of Ben would only cause trouble.

“I haven’t spoken with Ben in months, and as I’m sure you can tell from my letters, I severed our connection completely.”

Oh, how she wished she’d not given in to the childish impulse to express her feelings in writing to Ben.

“Some of the contents of the envelopes were missing. But on top of the bundle of correspondence was a piece of paper that gave your direction in Leadville. If you severed your connection, as you and the last letter say, why would he have your new address?”

Was Mr. Lawson—this stranger—calling her a liar?

Mary had lied about plenty of things regarding Ben, but that was all in the past. Mr. Lawson couldn’t possibly know anything about those things. All he had evidence of was a foolish young girl in love.

And that Ben had somehow figured out where to find her. Mary shoved the thought to the back of her mind. She’d figure out a way to deal with that later.

“Trust me, I have no reason to renew my acquaintance with Ben.”

“He clearly wants to be reacquainted with you. I just need—”

“No.” Mary grabbed the door handle he was holding and gave it a swift yank.

“If you could just hear me out, perhaps we can come to some kind of agreement.”

“I can’t.” Mary gave him another hard stare while trying to keep her voice from shaking. “Please, leave me alone.”

Her words apparently convinced Mr. Lawson, since he let go of his hold on the door and let her pass. But as she entered the hotel and hurried to the front desk, she couldn’t help but feel as if somehow, despite winning this battle, she’d lost.

As nice as this man seemed—whoever he might be—finding Ben would only spell trouble. Yes, that was it. She was saving this man from being cheated or hurt by Ben. And if he was the law, she was better off not saying anything that could possibly incriminate her.

When she’d threatened Ben with going to the sheriff, he’d laughed and told her that no one would believe her innocence. In fact, all the evidence pointed to the fact that she’d been a willing accomplice to his crimes. How could she have known that when she was inviting her suitor in to visit while she worked cleaning houses, she was inviting in a thief? The so-called family heirlooms she’d hidden in her home because Ben had asked her to keep them safe for him were actually stolen property. Worse were the gifts she’d accepted from him. While she’d tried making up for it by donating all she could of her newfound wealth to charitable causes, she still felt the stain of having possessed ill-gotten goods. She’d blindly believed in Ben and everything he’d told her. Too bad it had all been a lie.

* * *

Will Lawson admired Miss Stone’s purposeful stride into the main lobby of the hotel. Pursuing her farther would only cause a scene, and with the looks they’d been getting at the door, he’d already pushed too far.

So close.

Mary Stone was the closest he’d been able to get to Ben Perry and his gang, and she refused to cooperate. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He’d gotten close once before, but he’d put his trust in the wrong person and ended up with a bullet in his gut, his badge taken away and any hope of respectability—gone.

Still, Miss Stone wasn’t what he’d expected. While she was comely enough, with hair the color of pure coal and alabaster skin that hadn’t yet been damaged by the mountains, she hardly looked the part of the sort of lady the notorious outlaw would be interested in. Reed-thin, not nearly as buxom as Perry typically preferred. And she seemed to possess a more genteel spirit than the bold women Perry cavorted with.

So, what was Perry’s game?

Miss Stone spoke to the man at the counter, not looking in Will’s direction or acknowledging him. Almost as though she didn’t want anyone to know of their encounter. Which fit in with her reticence, but why?

What was Miss Mary Stone hiding?

When she finally left, Will headed for the hotel saloon, hoping he’d see a familiar face in the crowd. Ben Perry preferred the finer things in life, which in this town meant staying at the Rafferty Hotel.

Bold as the brassiest woman of the night, Perry sauntered right up to Will as soon as he stepped through the saloon door, as though he wasn’t a wanted man in dozens of places.

Trouble was, Will didn’t have the power to arrest him. Not anymore.

“I thought they’d taken your badge, Lawson.” Perry gave a short, barking laugh. “Lawson. Still gets me. You should change your name to Law-lost-his-badge.”

Will balled his fists at his sides but forced himself to take the taunt. Yes, he’d messed up the Colorado Citizens Bank case, and, yes, he’d let Ben get away. But Will would find a way to take down Ben Perry and his gang once and for all. Even if stopping Ben didn’t get Will’s badge back, at least there’d be one less evildoer on the street.

“Did you have something to say, other than to be childish?” Will glared at the other man, wishing there was something he could do besides follow Ben around and wait for him to strike.

Sure, Will could try to turn Ben in to the local authorities, but the price on Perry’s head wasn’t enough to make it worth anyone’s while. At least not on the petty crimes they could prove.

Will’s fault.

Will should have known that someone as pretty as Daisy Bostwick wouldn’t have been interested in a man like him unless she wanted something. He just never figured that she’d be working for Ben Perry.

“Wondering what you’re still doing this side of the Divide.” The casual tone of Ben’s voice was almost menacing. “I figured you’d hightail it out of these parts now that you’ve lost everything.”

A nasty smile crossed Ben’s lips. “Your poor mama. I can’t imagine how lonesome she must be, taking in the waters at Glenwood all by herself.”

Will tightened his fists at his sides. Not a man alive would blame him for laying Ben out flat. The rumors swirling around Will’s involvement with the Colorado Citizens Bank robbery had caused Will’s mother to take ill and retreat to Glenwood Springs.

Will was innocent. But the gun used to rob the bank and kill an innocent man was Will’s distinctive weapon—the weapon used by one of the masked robbers. Because the robber’s features had been hidden and the robber was the same height as Will, many had thought the robber had been Will.

Will’s gun had gone missing from his rented rooms the day before the robbery. Will hadn’t had a chance to report it yet. He’d left early that day because Daisy had sent him a note saying she’d finally found a way to run away from Ben and needed his help. And of course, Will would help her.

It was all a lie. A lie that had Will arriving back in town just in time to make it look as if he’d been helping Ben’s gang.

Though he hadn’t been charged in the crime due to insufficient evidence, everyone thought Will had been guilty. No one believed his gun had been stolen. No one believed that Will had been set up. But someday, Will would prove that Ben had been behind the robbery. Ben had pulled the trigger, and Ben would hang for it.

“My mother is perfectly well.” Will’s jaw barely allowed the words to escape.

“Glad to hear it.” Then, as if to prove to Will exactly what kind of vermin he was, Ben turned and said, “I’ll be sure to give your regards to Daisy.”

With a wink, Ben headed out of the saloon, whistling.

Ben might believe he was untouchable. For now, Will would go on letting him presume that. Better for a man to think he had the upper hand and get cocky than to have him be on his guard.

When the marshals had raided Ben’s previous boardinghouse, they hadn’t had enough men to both give chase and search Ben’s belongings. So Will had hunted for evidence. Ben was too good to leave much in the room, but Mary’s current address written on a sheet of paper left with the letters had been enough to at least give Will an idea as to where Ben might be headed next.

Mary Stone might say she didn’t know anything about Ben, but the fact that Ben had kept her letters told Will that the outlaw still had some interest in her. Ben didn’t keep things for sentimental purposes.

The marshals hadn’t done much to stop Ben anyhow, so it was up to Will to fix his mistake in letting Ben get away the first time. Ben had a scheme in mind, and Mary Stone was right at the center.

If only he had the missing pages from the letters. Then he might be able to see the full extent of Mary’s involvement.

The shadows behind Mary’s eyes had spoken of a deeper fear than just meeting a stranger. He’d seen the same shadows behind Daisy’s eyes just before she’d shot him. Daisy, whom he’d thought so noble and pure. Not so.

Mary seemed like an innocent girl. But he’d been deceived once before. He wouldn’t make the same mistake he had with Daisy. If Mary was involved, he’d have no problem helping the authorities put her away in a jail cell.

Chapter Two

Mary stirred the pot of beans before dishing out a serving to the miner who stood before her in the churchyard. “Here you go. Polly’s got some cookies over there if you’d like one.”

A smile peeked out from his bushy mustache. “Thank ye kindly.”

The next miner approached, and Mary barely glanced up as she dished out another serving. “Enjoy. If you want some cookies—”

“I don’t want cookies. I want to talk to you.”

Him. Mary glanced around to be sure the rest of her family was busy with their tasks before looking at Will Lawson. “I already told you, I have nothing to say. Now, please go, before someone notices.”

“I hear you made these beans,” Will said with a twinkle in his eyes. “And I aim to enjoy them, then when folks clear out, I will talk to you.”

Not if she could help it. Mary looked down the line to see a number of others waiting to be served. At least it would give her time to figure a way out of this confrontation.

“Fine. Have your fill.” Mary plopped more beans on his plate.

“You know I want more than beans from you.” He touched her hand, sending a small jolt through her body.

Oh, she knew what that jolt was. Mary looked hard into Mr. Lawson’s eyes, letting him see that she was not affected by his charm. Not one whit.

The one good thing about her time with Ben was that she’d learned a lot about the way men thought they could get a woman to do their bidding with a pleasing look and flirtatious smile. And she wasn’t falling for it. Not now. Not ever again.

Only, the steely expression Mr. Lawson gave her in return was far from flirtatious. In fact, he looked deadlier than an unexpected blizzard in winter—and just as cold.

“I can’t help you,” Mary said slowly, quietly, trying not to draw attention to the conversation. “Please, go.”

Mr. Lawson’s gaze remained firm. “I’ll be waiting when the meal’s over. Talk to me, or I’ll be speaking with Pastor Lassiter about finding assistance.”

Mr. Lawson didn’t seem the type to make idle threats. And while Mary knew that Frank Lassiter preached forgiveness, she wasn’t sure she deserved it.

She’d done so many bad things in the name of love. No, she hadn’t known the various baubles she’d sold on Ben’s behalf were stolen, but she knew the law wouldn’t see it that way. And if there was one thing she knew for certain about Frank, it was that he believed in owning up to one’s mistakes and facing the consequences. If he knew the truth, he’d make Mary turn herself in.

How could Mary risk going to jail when her only crime was believing Ben’s lies?

When her brother Joseph had discovered the silver mine, making her family wealthy, she’d tracked down every family Ben had stolen from and anonymously made restitution. They didn’t know it was Mary, of course, but surely it was enough. Everything had been returned to the victims, as best as Mary knew how.

But for people to actually know what she had done?

Her family needed her. More important, now that her family was linked to the pastor’s through Joseph’s marriage to Annabelle Lassiter, they needed Mary’s reputation to be untarnished. Who would welcome Mary into their homes, knowing what she’d done? And how much damage would it do to Frank’s ministry?

Jail and pariah-hood. That was what Mary faced if the truth came out. Yet here stood Will Lawson, thinking he could just stare his way into ruining lives.

“So, what’s it going to be?” he asked, not breaking his stare.

“Meet me after. I’ll slip out, and we can talk over by the fence.”

She’d become good at slipping away and meeting with people undetected. Well, a person. Ben. She’d vowed to be different now that she knew the truth. But here she was, sneaking around again.

Would she ever be free of her past?

“You’re holding up the line!” Ernie, one of their regulars, shouted from the back.

Mary didn’t bother hiding her relief as Mr. Lawson moved on. She continued serving the men in line, giving Ernie an extra portion for his patience. He rewarded her with a toothless grin.

“I’ll be naming my next big strike after you, Miss Mary.”

“I’m honored,” she told him, ignoring the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She already had a mine named after her—by her father, who had done unspeakable things in pursuit of those riches.

At least Ernie didn’t have a family back home relying on him. Like her father, he put every dime he had into prospecting. If it wasn’t for the church feeding him on a regular basis, Mary had no idea how the poor man would survive.

She watched as Ernie took a seat among some of the other men, grimacing as she realized he’d sat right next to Mr. Lawson. Mr. Lawson caught her eye, and she turned away.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Mary Stone.” The familiar drawl jerked her attention to the man standing before her.

Ben Perry. The reason her life was in such disarray.

“What are you doing here?” she said, looking around again to be sure none of her family noticed that two of tonight’s visitors, both of questionable character, knew Mary.

“Now, that’s not the way to treat a man you promised to marry.”

His voice slid down her spine, making the hairs on her arms stand on end.

“I sent you a letter ending things.” Mary looked around. A letter, she realized, that Will Lawson now had in his possession.

Fortunately, Frank was engaged with a group of men, eating and talking. Her siblings all seemed to be occupied with their respective tasks. Even Polly, her friend and possibly the only confidant she’d consider telling, was busy.

“Please, leave,” she told him in the harshest voice she could muster without drawing too much attention to herself.

Gone was the charming smile he’d used to lure her in. Something evil glittered in his eyes as he said, “I don’t think so.”

Then, in a voice so loud it would have been impossible for anyone not to hear, he said, “My darling Mary, I’ve finally found you.”

Ben looked as though he was about to try to embrace her, so Mary did the only thing a woman in her situation could do. She dumped the plate of beans square down the front of his shirt.

“You will regret that.” His voice remained low and menacing, all while he was putting on an act of the charming, debonair man she’d once fallen for.

“Dear, sweet Mary. You’re so overcome with joy that your clumsiness has come upon you again.”

People began surrounding them. Polly was first at her side. “Mary! I can’t believe it. A secret beau!”

Somehow she found herself brought around the table and next to Ben with his arm around her.

“My Mary made me promise to wait until she’d heard news from her brother. I left only briefly to find a job to support us, but when I returned, Mary was gone, and it’s taken me all this time to find her.”

Mary’s eyes narrowed at the vile man pretending to be the loving suitor. What was he up to? When she’d refused to participate in his foul plans, he’d cast all sorts of insults at her.

“Imagine my surprise at finding her here, her brother building the family a fine home down the block, the pillars of Leadville society caring for the poor.”

Of course. Ben knew they had money. What he’d stolen back in Ohio hadn’t been enough to keep him long. So now he was here, trying to get himself a rich bride.

Mary removed herself from Ben’s grasp, noticing that Mr. Lawson had wound his way to the front of the crowd that had gathered. At least now he wouldn’t be confronting her. He’d said he’d wanted to find Ben. Well, here he was.

“That was a long time ago, Ben. So much has happened since we last saw each other.” She gave him a long, hard look. “I’m afraid it wouldn’t be right to take up where we left off.”

“So, that’s how it is.” Ben gave a long, exaggerated sigh. “Now that she’s a wealthy heiress, she doesn’t want anything to do with a lowly workingman, taking what odd jobs he can to support himself.”

With a long look of sadness that she couldn’t believe the others didn’t see through as being completely fake, he continued, “Back in Ohio, Mary said that love was all we needed. But now that she’s had a taste of the good life, she can’t bear the thought of a simple rented room.”

Oh, the nerve of the man... Mary shook her head, wishing she could ask God for a way out, but knowing that since her sin was what had gotten her here in the first place, God wasn’t likely to offer his assistance.

Of course!

Mary gave him what she hoped was a look of deep regret, then turned her attention to the crowd. “While it’s true that at one point I may have had feelings for Ben, I’ve had time to grow and reflect upon my relationship with the Lord. Given that Ben doesn’t have a relationship with Christ, it isn’t right for us to be together.”

Of all the things Ben most despised, it was anything to do with the church. In her foolishness, she’d thought that by loving Ben, she could get him to love the Lord, but in the end, it had only rent a hole in her own faith that she wasn’t sure could ever be repaired. At least that was one mistake she’d not repeat.

Ben stepped in front of her and clasped her hands with such fervor she thought they’d break. “Oh, Mary darling, then all your prayers have been answered, because I’ve been going to church.”

More lies, she was sure, but with the oohs and aahs from the gathered crowd, she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

“Which one?” The words came out more peevish than she would have liked, but she simply couldn’t allow anyone, least of all Ben, to think they had any future.

His grip on her hands tightened, making her wince with pain. “Lots. I’ve been moving around, searching for you. But now that I’ve found you, and I see what a wonderful job this church is doing for the poor, I believe I’ll be staying.”

She knew she’d been beaten. The only way out was the truth, and by the way everyone had all fallen under Ben’s spell, Mary knew that not one of them would believe it. An accomplished thief and scoundrel, Ben knew all the tricks of worming his way into people’s hearts.

“Please,” she whispered, “don’t do this. Just go, and I promise, we’ll talk later.”

But Ben didn’t release her hands. “I could never bear to leave my beloved’s side.”

He bent, and as he kissed her hand, he whispered, “I still have your aunt’s brooch. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll be sure it’s found in your possession.”

Every hope of getting out of this situation undamaged shattered. To Ben, it was just a brooch he’d stolen. From what she’d seen in the satchel that night, one of many. But to Mary, it was one more reminder of how she’d failed her family and wreaked so much havoc on their lives.

How much more would she have to suffer for the foolishness of believing herself in love? For thinking that a man could love her? No one would believe she hadn’t stolen the brooch. Just like they wouldn’t have believed her the night she’d discovered the extent of Ben’s deception. He’d planned things too well and set her up to look too guilty.

Mary pulled her hands from his grasp, shaking them to rid herself of the lingering kiss he’d placed there and to bring the blood back to the fingers he’d crushed.

“Then I hope you know how to do dishes.” She gestured to the pot that lay nearly forgotten on the ground. “Because now that supper’s over, we’ll have plenty to wash.”

Never mind the fact that she hated washing dishes. Ben hated doing them even more. Actually, the man hated any kind of work, so if there was any blessing to be found in the situation, this was it. Surely he couldn’t keep up this act with dishes to be faced.

“Now, darling.” He grabbed her hand again and brought it to his lips. “You know that I would love to help, but I’ve only just got to town, and I still need to secure lodgings. I’ll return first thing in the morning, and we can talk about our wedding then.”

She fought the urge to slap the face so close to her hand. Instead, she turned away, trying to ignore the whispers of how romantic it was.

“Tomorrow, my love, tomorrow.” With a look that could only be described as a threat, Ben was gone.

She should have felt relief as she watched him leave. Even more relief at noticing that Mr. Lawson had also disappeared. She gathered the dishes and brought them next door to the parsonage. But when she entered the kitchen, the murderous glance her sister Rose shot her only brought more discomfort.

“You evil, evil sister,” Rose hissed, standing in Mary’s way. “Oh, I recognized him right away. All those trips to the mercantile and errands to town. To think you almost had me fooled.”

Rose knew. She’d known all along. What should have brought relief to Mary’s torment only made it worse.

“Rose, I—”

Her sister gave her another look of sheer hate. “Don’t bother. Nothing you say can make it better. When I think of all the times I had to stay at Aunt Ina’s to look after the little ones so you could go to town on an important errand.”

With a shake of her head, Rose continued, “All that time, you were going to see him, weren’t you?”

Mary couldn’t deny it. Couldn’t pretend that she hadn’t done her best to find every excuse in the world to see Ben, leaving Rose to mind their younger siblings. Rose hadn’t been as good as she had been at protecting them from Aunt Ina’s wrath. But Mary hadn’t known that at the time.

Or maybe she’d been too head over heels to notice.

Either way, it didn’t matter. Because Mary had been wrong, terribly wrong.

“I’m sorry,” she said simply, wishing there were other words she could say to make her sister feel better. To take away the harm she’d caused.

But Rose wasn’t looking to feel better. She wanted blood. “You’re sorry? Sorry isn’t going to get Silas back. While you were off wooing your beau, mine got tired of waiting and married Annie Garrett. Annie Garrett! I could have been Mrs. Silas Jones, but you were too busy lying to me and catering to some dandy so you could be first.”

Silas? Rose was mad about losing Silas to Annie? Was it wrong to be relieved that her sister wasn’t accusing her of greater sins, of which Mary was indeed guilty?

“Rose...” She softened the look she gave her sister. “That had nothing to do with Silas marrying Annie. She was the only child of the family who owned an adjacent farm. Their fathers wanted to combine the farms and expand the holding. Silas was always going to marry Annie.”

“It was me he loved,” Rose wailed. “He told me so by the cottonwood behind the church. Silas carved our initials in it to seal the promise of our unending love. He didn’t bring Annie there, he brought me, and he kissed me, and he said he’d love me forever.”

Tears rolled down Rose’s face. “I was supposed to meet Silas so we could run away together. But you were late getting home from taking the eggs to town. You said you were delayed helping Mrs. Burdoch’s lame horse. Now I know it was a lie. You were meeting him. And since I missed my meeting with Silas, he married Annie instead.”

Nothing Mary said would convince Rose of the truth. She had been helping Mrs. Burdoch. Ironically, it had prevented her from meeting Ben—the first time they’d planned on running away together. Unlike Silas, Ben had been more patient. Who would have thought that one lame horse could wreak so much havoc?

If Mary could kiss that horse, she would. It had saved her from making the biggest mistake of her life even worse.

“Rose, you were there when Mrs. Burdoch brought over the pie to thank me for helping her. It’s true that I did lie to meet Ben on a number of occasions, but that wasn’t one of them. I’m sure Silas was meeting you to tell you that the wedding had been arranged, not to run away with you.”

The sting of her sister’s hand against her cheek was wholly unexpected. It should have hurt more, but as the side of her face throbbed, it felt almost good to finally receive some of the punishment Mary deserved.

“You know nothing of my relationship with Silas. Just as I knew nothing about your beau. And now you sit here telling me that Silas never loved me because you’re so smug about having a man track you down. I hope you remember at every happy moment of your life with him that it came at the expense of mine.”

Rose turned and ran out of the house. Mary took a step toward her, but Polly reached out a hand to stop her.

“Let her go. She needs time.”

Mary turned to face her friend. “How much of that did you hear?”

“Most of it.” Polly shrugged. “If she’d done more than slap you, I’d have stepped in. But she needed to get it out. She’s been nothing but angry and bitter since she got here. Now I know why.”

And here Mary had thought it was about having to accept an illegitimate sister. Maybe Nugget was the least of their problems. As much as Mary thought she’d been listening to her siblings, perhaps she’d been making a lot of assumptions.

“I had no idea.” Sure, she’d seen the flirtatious glances in church, but with everyone knowing that Silas and Annie had been promised for just about forever, Mary had assumed it to be meaningless. If only her sister had been more forthcoming, perhaps her heartbreak could have been prevented.

Of course, Mary herself hadn’t been all that forthcoming, either. She’d never been as close to Rose as she had been to their brother Joseph. When Joseph had left to search for their father, she’d kept her own counsel about things she’d usually have talked with him about.

“You and Rose will work things out.” Polly gestured to the pile of dishes they had yet to wash. “How about we get to work, and you can tell me all about this beau of yours?”

Her friend gave a wicked grin, then splashed her with some water. “All this time you’ve had a secret engagement and didn’t even tell me!”

If Mary thought that facing her angry sister was hard, this was going to be an even tougher conversation. Rose was right to hate her for her deception over Ben’s courtship. Though her sister was wrong about Mary’s part in her failed romance, she was all too correct about the damage Mary’s absences had done.

How could she tell Polly the truth? It was something that would make Polly turn from her in disgust.

So much to atone for. An entire lifetime wouldn’t be enough to earn absolution for her sin. Mary had already made up her mind to take on most of the burden of raising her younger siblings so that Joseph and his new wife, Annabelle, had the chance to raise their own family without the burden of their siblings. They deserved a chance at happiness. Especially Joseph, who’d worked so hard to keep the family together. Hopefully, Mary would find a way to extricate herself from whatever mischief Ben was cooking up without causing even more damage to her family.

But just as she put her hands in the dishwater, Mr. Lawson passed by the kitchen window, sending her a meaningful glance. He hadn’t forgotten their meeting. She watched as he strode purposefully toward Frank.

Frank could not be told the truth, particularly now that Mary knew Ben still had Aunt Ina’s brooch. Of all he had taken, the brooch had cost Mary the most. Aunt Ina had been merciless in her accusations of Mary, Rose and their other siblings. She’d even snatched the spectacles off poor little Bess’s face, demanding to know if her brooch had been sold to pay for them. It hadn’t been Mary’s doing at all. Their Sunday school teacher, Miss Beverley, had noticed Bess’s reading troubles. When Mary confessed it was due to Bess needing spectacles they couldn’t afford, Miss Beverley had purchased them and told Mary she wished to remain anonymous. So, Mary had said she’d taken on extra work to purchase them. At the time, Mary had thought herself so smart, because saying she’d taken on extra work had given her more excuses to go meet Ben.

If she could take it back, she wouldn’t have lied about those spectacles.

But wishing didn’t solve the problem of having to meet Mr. Lawson. Mary glanced over at Polly, who was hard at work doing her share of cleanup. She’d never lied to Polly and didn’t want to start now. When Ben had left town, Mary had promised herself to never lie again.

How was she supposed to keep her promise and keep her secrets?

“You’ve barely touched the dishes.” Polly caught her gaze, then looked down meaningfully at the pile. “You’re worse than useless now that your beau is back in town. Combine that with your disagreement with Rose, and I’d just as soon do all the work myself for all the help you’re being.”

Mary swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

This was the point at which she should have confessed, but her throat tightened.

“Don’t be. We all have our days. Go get some air and I’ll finish up in here. You’ve done my share of the chores a time or two.”

The weight should have fallen off Mary’s shoulders, but it only seemed heavier. Polly was being a true friend. And Mary had nothing to offer her in return. At least not while the troubles with Ben hung over her.

Chapter Three

Mary joined Mr. Lawson and Frank in the yard. Ordinarily, Mary would never dream of interrupting one of Frank’s conversations, but this was no ordinary discussion.

“Mary!” Frank smiled warmly at her. The gesture only made her feel worse.

“Good evening.” Mary tried to think of a reason for having interrupted the men, but her mind went blank. It was as though all of her excuses had been worn out with Ben.

“Mr. Lawson was just telling me how welcome you made him feel at tonight’s dinner.”

She glanced over at Mr. Lawson, who smiled innocently. Oh, he wasn’t innocent at all. He was a conniving, manipulative snake who—

Was making her miss the rest of what Frank said about their conversation.

“I’m glad he told me, Mary. You know how I feel about you girls wandering the streets of Leadville alone. There are too many unsavory elements, and I’m extremely grateful Mr. Lawson came to your assistance. Had someone of less exemplary character been present, you might not have fared so well.”

Mary closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and looking at Frank. “Trust me, I learned my lesson, and I am very grateful for Mr. Lawson.”

Mr. Lawson gave a small smile. “Please. It’s Will. I was more than happy to render assistance.”

Unfortunately, Frank smiled back. “Of course. We don’t stand much on ceremony in these parts, do we, Mary?”

Her only option was to give a polite nod. Referring to Will as Mr. Lawson had been the means of keeping him at a distance. Now even that was being taken from her.

Why was everything in her newly safe world being turned upside down?

Frank twisted his head toward some men entering via the back gate, giving Mary enough time to catch Will’s smirk. Could a human being be any more insufferable?

“If you’ll excuse me—” Frank turned his attention back to them “—I need to take care of this.”

He didn’t wait for a response but immediately went over to the men at the gate. Though Mary was used to the pastor’s business, she turned to Will to give an apology for the abruptness.

Will seemed to sense what she was about to say and held up a hand. “I understand perfectly. He’s a good man, your pastor.”

Some of the tension fell off Mary’s shoulders. “He is. He’s done a lot for our family.”

“Once he finds out the kind of man Ben is, he’ll never consent to your marriage.”

Mary swallowed. On one hand, she was counting on it. On the other hand, she had no idea how to let Frank know without letting her own secrets be known.

“You seem like a nice girl. You have a good family. A pastor who is loving and kind. I’m sure whatever you are mixed up in with Ben, if you come clean now, they will support you through it.”

Easy for him to say. He had no idea what she’d done. Moreover, if he knew the kind of man Ben was, he would know that whatever she had done wasn’t anything a person admitted to. So, that left the question of who Will Lawson was and why he was so interested in Ben Perry.

“What’s it to you? You said you came here looking for Ben. Well, you found him. So, go about whatever business it is that you have with him, and leave me out of it.”

Will looked at her with an intensity that made her want to hide like the little ones did when some of the rougher miners came to call on the pastor.

“Ben Perry is a bad man.”

She wished Will could have told her that a year ago. Of course she probably wouldn’t have listened. Ben had preyed on her every vanity. Her every desire to be admired by a handsome gentleman.

“Why do you care what a supposedly bad man is doing with me?”

* * *

Will shouldn’t care. In one respect, Mary was right. It was none of his business if she married Ben or not. And yet, he couldn’t stand idly by as Ben ruined another life.

“You lied to me about severing your connection with him.”

Mary flinched at his words. “I did not. Ben’s visit here tonight surprised me just as much as it did you.”

Actually, Will had noticed that. He’d also noticed how Mary bristled at Ben’s attention and how she’d tried to remove herself from his grasp. But something wasn’t right with the situation. With Mary’s reticence.

“Then why did you announce your engagement?”

“Ben announced our engagement.” Mary’s eyes flashed as she emphasized Ben’s name. Will had to admit, Mary had really pretty eyes. Green with flecks of gold, so deep a man could spend hours mining them and still— What was he doing mooning over her? Hadn’t he learned his lesson?

“Why did you go along with it? Why not tell everyone that you’d broken things off with him?”

“Didn’t you hear me try to explain that it was over?” Mary’s voice was littered with the angst of unshed tears. “But I—” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure something out.”

Will took a step closer. “I’ll help you,” he said softly. “Let me help you.”

“If he is such a bad man, why would you involve yourself? Are you the law, with the power to do something about him being a bad man?”

“No.” Will’s gut churned. It was still hard to face the fact that he had no legal authority. But if he could gather enough evidence, he could take it to the authorities, and they could finally put Ben where he belonged.

“Then why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.” In so many ways, but most of them were things he couldn’t make Mary understand. Ways he wasn’t sure he understood himself. Ultimately, his gun had been the cause of an innocent man’s death. Whether Will pulled the trigger or not, he bore some responsibility.

It was easier remembering that layer of guilt, and how he needed to bring closure to Eldon Wormer’s family, than it was to look into the eyes of a woman as sweet and innocent as Mary.

Surely she was innocent.

But how was he ever to trust his instincts where women were concerned when he’d been so easily conned by Daisy? Her eyes had appeared innocent as well, and look where that had gotten him. Gut-shot and badgeless.

“In my case,” Mary said, giving him a tiny smile, “the right thing to do is walk away. I didn’t ask for your help. I don’t want your help. And I don’t know anything about Ben that can be helpful to you.”

Her head turned, and Will realized that the pastor was making his way back to them. They wouldn’t be able to talk freely soon.

“You didn’t ask for my help earlier today, either, but I probably saved your life.”

As she turned to speak to the pastor, Will thought he might have heard her say “Perhaps you shouldn’t have bothered,” but he couldn’t be certain.

The one thing he was certain of, however, was that, based on the information he had about Ben’s activities in the area, no matter what level of involvement Mary had with them, she was in for a world of trouble.

How else could he get her to talk? And would it be the truth? He wasn’t sure he was capable of telling the truth from a lie any longer, especially when it came to a pretty woman.

Will returned to the Rafferty Hotel, noting that Ben wasn’t in the saloon or in any of the public areas. He attempted to make discreet inquiries about the man, but no one seemed willing to talk.

When Will finally retired to his room, it was with a heavy heart. Locating Ben had been the easy part. Finding evidence against him—well, that might be as difficult as counting all the silver in this fine country.

Will hadn’t been sleeping long when a scuffle outside the window roused him. He climbed out of bed and peered out the curtains. A group of men were arguing. Will sighed. Last night’s sleep had been interrupted by the same.

But just as he started to let the curtain drop, one of the men turned, his face briefly illuminated by the coming dawn.

Ben.

As quickly as he could, Will dressed and headed out, hoping to catch up with the other man and ascertain his activities. When he exited the hotel, the other men had scattered, but Will caught a glimpse of Ben scurrying down Harrison Avenue.

He quickened his pace as Ben turned down State Street. The most notorious red-light district in the state, if not the country, and Will was going in without a gun or a badge. Fortunately, Ben entered the closest saloon, The Pink Petticoat.

Approaching cautiously, Will looked around to make sure he wasn’t walking into a trap. It was probably safe, given how brazen Ben had been in the other saloon. Ben knew that even if Will wanted to, he couldn’t do anything to stop him. But someday...things would be different.

No one seemed to notice as Will entered the saloon. With dawn upon them, most of the men were too far into their cups or sleeping it off to pay attention. Ben had already found a table and was in deep conversation with the men seated there. Will moved in for a closer look.

“See something that strikes your fancy?” A kitten-soft voice spoke into his ear as a woman wrapped her arms around him.

At first he didn’t recognize the painted features. But something about her seemed familiar. “Daisy?”

The woman jumped at the name, then shook her head. “No, but for the right price, you can call me anything you want.”

Her voice was husky, as if she’d spent too much time in the smoke-filled room. She put her arm around him, turning him toward the stairs.

Will’s face heated, and he pulled away. “Sorry. I think you got the wrong idea. You reminded me of my old friend Daisy. I can see I was mistaken.”

Something flashed across the woman’s face as her woman-of-the-night expression softened.

“It’s not safe to talk here,” the woman whispered harshly. She took his hand, then led him out a side door linking the saloon to another building.

“I think you’ve got me wrong. I just want—”

She turned and pressed her fingers to his lips. “I want the same thing. But if you don’t come with me, we’re both going to be in trouble.”

Clearly this woman knew something about the situation. Was this another one of Ben’s games, designed to keep him from spying on whatever conversation was happening?

At this point, he wasn’t sure who to trust. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask God, but that had never done him much good, either. For all the prayers he’d prayed, his father was dead, his mother was still suffering from consumption, Ben Perry was still on the loose, and Will had lost his badge. No, it was up to Will to make sure things turned out right.

Before he could make up his mind about what to do, the woman had led him into a room and closed the door behind them.

“What’s your name?” he asked. “And what’s this got to do with Daisy?”

Though the lamplight wasn’t as dim as it had been in the saloon, it still wasn’t bright enough to make out more of her features, especially with the curtains drawn tightly closed. Only enough to confirm that while she looked like Daisy, it was only a faint resemblance.

She reached into a drawer and pulled out a handgun, aiming it directly at him.

“I’ll be asking the questions here. Starting with the ones you asked me. Who are you, and what do you know about my sister?”

Sister? At least it explained the resemblance. He took a step toward her. “Lady...”

With practiced movement, she cocked the gun. “Don’t come any closer. Answer my questions, or I’ll shoot.”

Will didn’t move. She held the gun as if she knew what she was doing. Even though he couldn’t see the look in her eyes, he was pretty sure she meant business. “With everyone around? They’d hear the gunshot. You’ll hang for sure.”

“No one’s going to hang a woman for defending herself against a robbery.” She gestured toward a chair in the corner of the room. “Sit. I can put a bullet in your skull faster than you can take a step to disarm me, so don’t even try.”

Cunning, he’d give her that.

“My name is Will Lawson. I knew Daisy back in Century City. We were working together to bring down Ben Perry and his gang, but she betrayed me. The last I saw her, she was riding on the back of Ben’s horse headed out of town.”

“Liar!” The woman took a step closer, making a point of getting him in her sight. “Daisy would have never willingly gone with Ben Perry.”

He could hear the doubt in her voice. “Then what are you doing here? It can’t be an accident that you’re in the same saloon.”

The woman loosened her grip on the gun. Not enough for him to feel safe in disarming her, but enough that he knew he could eventually talk her down. Especially if she hated Ben as much as he did.

“I knew Ben and his men back in Denver. Daisy disappeared from the convent school about the same time Ben was forced to leave town due to some unpleasant business. I’m a favorite of one of Ben’s men, and he sometimes tells me things. Just nothing about Daisy. But I know they had to have taken her. They’re working on a big score here in Leadville that’ll keep them here for a while. This may be my only chance to find her.”

Information that matched what Will knew about Ben’s activities shortly before arriving in Century City, including how Daisy had come to be with Ben in the first place.

But it still didn’t answer the question about why Daisy had betrayed him.

While he couldn’t offer the woman any comfort about Daisy’s last known whereabouts, at least he could offer himself as an ally.

And maybe gain an ally for himself. Did the big score she spoke of have anything to do with Mary? Could this be the break he needed to take Ben down once and for all?

“We’re on the same side,” Will told her. “I used to be a deputy in Century City. Daisy had told me that she wanted to get away from Ben. She sent me a note, saying she wanted me to meet her. While I was off trying to save Daisy, Ben and his gang robbed a bank. They fired me when Ben got away. I’m pretty sure the sheriff was on Ben’s payroll, but I can’t prove it.”

“So, what do you want with Daisy?”

Will shook his head. “Nothing. I was here trailing Ben, hoping to see if I could find out anything about his plans. I saw you and thought for a moment you might be Daisy, that’s all.”

“When did you last see her?” Her posture had softened enough that he didn’t think he was in danger of being shot anymore, but as long as she held the gun, he wasn’t taking any chances.

“Why don’t you put the gun down and then we can talk?”

“Fine.” She sat in a chair across from him and set the gun in her lap. “But don’t think I won’t shoot you. You wouldn’t be my first.”

Hard. In all the places where Daisy was soft. Where Mary... Will pushed the thought of the other woman aside. She had no business sneaking into his brain now. Not when he was face-to-face with the reminder of why he wouldn’t even consider getting involved with anyone connected to Ben Perry.

Will cleared his throat. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, are you going to tell me your name?”

From this angle, the light hit her face in such a way that he could see the detail of her features better. In daylight, he’d have never mistaken her for Daisy.

“Melissa. But I’m known as Mad Mel.” She picked up the gun again and studied it. “Came by the name honestly, if you know what I mean.”

Mel looked up at him. “I believe you were telling me about when you last saw my sister.”

Will took a deep breath. If she truly was mad, then she wouldn’t like his side of the story. Especially since she’d already made clear that Daisy would have never gotten involved with Ben.

“Last I saw her, she was getting on the back of a horse with Ben and riding out of Century City.”

A dark look crossed Mel’s face. “He must’ve been forcing her. Why didn’t you stop them?”

“Because I’d just been shot and lay bleeding in the middle of the street.” He declined to add the fact that Daisy was the one who’d shot him—on Ben’s order. Out of habit, he rubbed the still-healing spot that had laid him up for weeks. Sometimes he could feel the bullet still burning a hole in his belly, even though the doc said he’d gotten it all.

“He pulled a gun on her, then?” The tone in Mel’s voice was so hopeful that Will couldn’t let her keep believing a lie. Maybe Daisy had been that person at one point in time, but that wasn’t who she was anymore.

“No. She went willingly. Kissed him passionately before he helped her onto the horse.”

Oddly, that fact didn’t sting the way he’d thought it would. He’d replayed the scene over and over in his mind while recuperating, thinking that she’d have been kinder to him had she just killed him outright. But she hadn’t. She’d shot him and left him in a pool of his own blood, then kissed the man she’d once promised to help him bring down.

“Why would she do that?” Pain slashed across Mel’s face, and Will almost felt bad for telling her the truth.

“I don’t know,” he simply said. “I honestly don’t.”

Mel must’ve believed him, because she stood, then put the gun back in the drawer she’d taken it from. “Daisy always said she hated him.”

“She’d told me the same thing.” And if he hadn’t been shot, then seen her kissing Ben, he’d have still believed it.

Silence filled the room, and he looked around. The room was just as nice as what he’d been given at Rafferty’s hotel, only made a little more like home with some personal items strewn about. Mel was clearly not some throwaway woman of the night.

Will walked to the bureau and picked up a framed portrait of two young girls. “This the two of you when you were younger?”

Mel stood and joined him, taking the frame out of his hands. “Before our father died, yes.”

It was easy enough to piece together the rest of the story on his own. Without anyone to care for them, Mel had adopted the world’s oldest profession to provide for her younger sister. He looked at her, wishing he could do something about the tears in her eyes or the way she gripped the frame tightly.

“I did everything to give her a good life.” Mel returned his look with a mournful expression that made his gut wound ache even more. “Why would she take up with Ben Perry?”

Will would like to ask that question himself. Why would she take up with Ben Perry? Not just of Daisy, but of Mary, a sweet woman who spent her time working with a preacher and feeding down-and-out miners. How could such goodness be attracted to such evil?

“I wish I knew,” he said softly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you better news of your sister. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

Then he turned toward Mel. “I still plan on taking down Ben Perry. I’d be obliged if you’d keep an ear out for me.”

“We’ll see.” The hard expression had returned to her face. Mel wasn’t likely to do anything that would jeopardize her chances of finding her sister. For Mel’s sake, Will hoped Daisy wanted to be found.

He gave her a nod, then turned toward the door.

“Not that way,” Mel said, pointing to another door. “We’re not supposed to bring men into the boardinghouse, so I need to take you back through the saloon. Alma will be furious if she finds out I had you in here.”

“Alma?”

“She owns the place. Thinks that if she gives us women of the night a good home we’ll eventually see the light and repent of our sins. Alma means well, even if it’ll never get her anywhere.”

Mel’s frank assessment made Will sadder for Alma than he would have thought. The realities of the lives of women like Mel were not that they changed.

Yet he couldn’t forget the wistful look in Mel’s eyes as she talked about wanting a better life for Daisy. He had wanted a better life for Daisy. Stupidly, Will had thought he’d be able to provide it for her.

Perhaps he and Mel weren’t so different after all.

A lightness he hadn’t known since the shooting filled his heart. Yes, he’d loved Daisy, but for the first time it hit him that maybe it wasn’t the romantic kind of love he wanted in a wife. Maybe it was the sister kind of love. Sure, he’d kissed Daisy, but most of them had been on the forehead. The couple of times he’d tried to kiss her on the lips, she’d turned her head, and he’d gotten her cheek instead. He’d already known that he was over her, but now maybe he could accept that he’d never truly loved her at all.

A knock sounded at the door. “Mel?” The whispered voice was urgent.

“It’s okay, you can come in,” Mel called back. She glanced at Will. “Get behind the changing screen.”

He moved quickly, positioning himself to be out of view but able to see what was happening through a crack in the side. The woman who entered looked even younger than Daisy and was sporting a bleeding lip and what would probably be a bruised cheek in the morning.

“What happened?” Mel rushed to the woman and escorted her to one of the chairs.

“Ben said I sassed him, so he had Big Jim hit me.” Tears filled the girl’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to sass him, I promise. Ben said that I’d be all his last night, but he just got here, and the sun’s almost up. When I asked him about it, he told Big Jim to take care of me.”

The girl’s words brought a new fire to the hole in Will’s gut. What kind of man asked another man to do his dirty work like that? Bad enough that he’d wanted to strike a woman, worse that he’d made someone else do it.

The woman’s sobs strengthened Will’s resolve. Someone had to take down Ben Perry. Not only were the banks not safe, but countless women were in danger, as well. It was as if Ben made them impervious to his misdeeds. To what a foul person he was.

Once again, his thoughts drifted to Mary Stone. Everything about her spoke of a kind and decent woman. But somehow, Ben had managed to trick her into thinking that...

That what? Was it really his job to save Mary from Ben? He’d tried with Daisy. If he’d just done his job and followed the evidence and arrested Ben, he’d have never been shot. Never let Ben get away. But no, he’d thought Daisy had needed rescuing.

He glanced back over at the woman Mel consoled. She was putting some kind of poultice on the woman’s injuries.

“Thank you, Mel. I just hope it doesn’t show too badly so Ben doesn’t send me away. I’m sure if I tell him I’m sorry, things will be fine.”

Will looked away, but not before catching the warning look on Mel’s face.

No, he wouldn’t be saving anyone. At least not here. But if someone didn’t do something about Ben Perry, and get him in jail where he belonged, there’d be more women like Daisy, like this woman before him and, God help him, like Mary Stone, who’d fall victim.

He’d just have to find a way to do it and not let himself get entangled with Mary. No matter how often her image popped into his thoughts.

Chapter Four

This time, when Mary went on her errands, she brought Polly with her. Rose still wasn’t speaking to her, but perhaps that was for the best. Mary wasn’t sure she had any energy left to defend her position while keeping her secrets.

“Can we finally talk about Ben?” Polly’s eyes glimmered in the early-morning sunlight, perfectly matching the blue sprigged muslin dress she wore.

Mary let out a long sigh, wishing she felt half the energy her friend appeared to have as she swung the basket of goods Maddie had given them to deliver.

“Ben was a youthful—” well, there was only way to put it “—indiscretion.” Trite as it sounded, it was the only fair way to describe things without revealing the whole truth.

“I thought I loved him, but once I found out his true character, I knew he wasn’t the man for me.” Mary looked at her friend, hoping to convey the full depth of her lack of feelings for Ben. “But he doesn’t seem to understand that.”

They passed by a pawnshop, and Mary couldn’t help but notice a brooch displayed in the window. Not her aunt’s, but enough to remind her of Ben’s threats. How was she going to fully extricate herself without being implicated in Ben’s evildoings?

“Could you have played a role in the change of Ben’s character?” Polly gave her a long look. “He said he’s going to church now. Maybe he realized the failings you pointed out and decided to improve upon them. He sounded quite earnest.”

Mary stopped. Stared at her friend for a moment. “Have you gone mad?”

“What?” Polly’s eye held the twinkle Mary knew and loved. “He is rather fine-looking. And unlike most of the men in this town, he’s got nice manners. He seems to be everything a man ought to be.”

That was precisely the problem...he seemed to be a lot of things. The trouble was, he was none of them.

“And to think just yesterday, you were telling me how all men were less useful than the sludge that comes from the smelters.”

Polly sighed. “True. I’m sure your Ben is just as useless despite being so handsome to behold. Still, a girl can always dream that there’s happiness to be found for someone, at least.”

“A man’s looks can be deceiving, surely you know that.”

The darkness Mary had come to recognize being part of Polly returned to her face, and Mary regretted teasing Polly about hating men. The man who’d recently broken Polly’s heart had supposedly been very handsome. Mary hadn’t meant to rub salt in Polly’s wounds.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—“

“Leave it. You don’t want to talk about Ben, I don’t want to talk about the past.”

Polly adjusted the basket she’d been carrying. “Let’s hurry and deliver these baked goods to Miss Betty’s, then meet up with the other girls from church for the picnic. It’ll be good for you to get to know them, and it’d be a far sight better than sitting around the house with Rose still sore at you.”

Mary’s own basket was starting to get heavy, and she’d appreciate finishing the task, as well. Even though she understood Frank’s mission was about helping the less fortunate in Leadville, Mary still didn’t always understand why it had to be those women. It didn’t matter how many times Frank told the story of the sinful woman and how no one cast a stone at her, she still didn’t feel comfortable entering dens of sin.

Were it not for Miss Betty’s kindness, though, who knew what would have happened to Nugget, Mary’s youngest sister. Most notorious women would not have cared for the child of one of their deceased workers, but Miss Betty had taken care of Nugget until their brother Joseph came to town. Surely she could muster some grace for the sinner who saved her sister.

She and Polly bustled down the street, picking up their pace as they entered State Street. Most decent folks avoided this part of town. Ruffians could attack at any time, and no one would come to their aid. Usually one of Polly’s brothers came with them, but they’d been too busy up at the mine, now that it was finally in production.

As they passed the saloon a few doors down from Miss Betty’s, a man stumbled out, disheveled.

“But I can still win it back,” he slurred.

Mary lifted her skirts slightly and attempted to move past when another man followed.

“I don’t think so, Hank. You’re in to me for far more than you can ever pay.” The man gave a barking laugh, so distinctive that Mary was forced to look at him.

Ben. His shirt was unbuttoned, and a scantily clad woman had her arm possessively around his.

Mary glanced over at Polly, who gave a shrug.

But Mary wasn’t going to accept that. Not when it could possibly give her a way out.

“So this is where you’ve been keeping yourself,” she told him, giving her best glare. “Despite your words last night, I think it’s clear that we no longer have a future together.”

He stepped toward her, stuffing his shirttails into his pants. “A little meaningless fun, that’s all.”

“Not in my book.” Mary tucked her free arm into Polly’s and took another step down the street. “Let’s go.”

Another man rounded the corner, blocking their path. She didn’t need to look up to know it was Will. Something about his presence...

Whatever it was, it couldn’t be a good feeling, the way her windpipe felt as if it was closing up. Mary cleared her throat. “I see you’ve found each other. Now you both can leave me alone. I want nothing more to do with the lot of you.”

She tugged at Polly’s arm to go around them, catching Polly mouth the question Two beaus? at her. No, she didn’t have two beaus. She’d only ever had the one, but...

Will’s eyes were firmly upon her. Deep, probing eyes that made her feel more undressed than the woman standing next to Ben.

Ben said something, but she didn’t hear. Didn’t want to, for that matter. Determined not to be caught up in further conversation with either man, she practically sprinted to Miss Betty’s, pulling a breathless Polly behind her.

Only once they were seated in Miss Betty’s kitchen, cups of tea in front of them, the serving girl dispatched to fetch Miss Betty, did Mary speak.

“So now you understand why I can’t marry Ben.” Polly gave a nonchalant look. “They all do it. Might as well accept that fact. You’ll marry eventually, then look aside when he seeks his entertainment.”

Mary’s face burned. Not just with the casual treatment of marriage, but with the reminders of what her family had suffered due to her father’s indiscretion.

“Frank isn’t like that,” Mary retorted. Some men could be trustworthy.

After casually setting her teacup down, Polly gave half a smile. “But he’s a rare one. Most men think nothing of visiting State Street.”

“Polly MacDonald!” Mary glared at her friend. “Your mother would tan your hide if she heard you being so vulgar. Like one of—” she looked around, hoping none were listening, and lowered her voice “—those women.”

Polly picked up one of the cookies the kitchen maid had set before them. “Those women happen to be onto the truth about men. I’ve talked to some of them on our visits, and I think they’re quite nice.”

Then, as though she was sitting in her own mother’s kitchen, Polly took a large bite of cookie.

Quite nice. Mary squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to count to ten. One of those quite nice women had trapped her father and foisted a child on him, a child that her brother was forcing them all to accept as their sister. Oh, it wasn’t little Nugget’s fault. In truth, Nugget completed their family in a way she never thought possible.

But it didn’t make her father’s actions right.

She knew she should be able to forgive and move on, especially as Frank’s sermons were full of lessons about everyone falling short of the glory of God, but somehow, these women and their sins bothered her the most. What was the benefit of finding riches when your soul would burn from your evil deeds?

She’d thought that after two months of helping Frank’s mission to these women, it would be easier. That reminding herself of the good Miss Betty had done for her family would lessen the pain of witnessing so many mired in sin.

But it hadn’t. Maybe her inability to come to terms with her father’s deception was more about her own. If only Mary hadn’t been so enamored with the idea of having a beau that she’d been blinded to the truth. She’d lived in the fantasy that she and Ben would get married and get her and her siblings out of Aunt Ina’s home. She’d thought that temporarily deceiving everyone about Ben would be worth it in the end because they’d finally be free. But Ben had lied, and Mary’s lies had all been for naught.

Was that what her father had done?

No, she couldn’t dwell on such things.

Mary opened her eyes to see the mirth in Polly’s. “It still bothers you, doesn’t it?”

“Wouldn’t it bother you?”

Polly’s casual shrug was meant to catch her off guard, but Mary saw the pain in her eyes. “It’s what men do. The sooner you accept it, the better off you’ll be.”

Now she knew Polly wasn’t talking about Mary’s father, but about the man who’d courted Polly—as a lie. It was probably hard for Polly to accept that there were still some honorable men out there.

Lies. Responsible for hurting so many people.

The maid returned to the kitchen and offered a small curtsy. “Miss Betty’s not up to receiving today, but she says to tell the pastor that she appreciates his kindness in remembering her.”

Mary smiled as politely as she could, hoping that her harsh words hadn’t been overheard by Miss Betty. It wasn’t Miss Betty’s fault that Mary’s life had been upended by another woman in her profession. But if her father hadn’t met that other woman, then perhaps he would have come home in time to save their farm. Maybe then her mother would still be alive. And maybe she might have never met Ben at all. Then her life and family wouldn’t be the horrible mess it was now.

* * *

Will caught up with the ladies as they exited the brothel. What were they thinking, visiting a house of ill repute? Two single ladies, alone? Thankfully, he’d decided to return to the saloon to see if he could learn more about Ben in the daylight.

“Allow me to escort you home,” he said, stepping in stride with them. “It’s not safe for you to be here.”

Mary’s glare was sharper than any of the glaciers that had carved out these beautiful mountains. “We come here every week to bring food to Miss Betty. We’re perfectly safe.”

He might not have known her well, but Will could still hear the fear in her voice. But what was she afraid of? Him? Or State Street?

“But we’d be delighted to have your escort,” her friend added, giving him a dazzling smile. “I don’t believe I’ve made your acquaintance, though you’re clearly familiar with Mary.”

The scowl on Mary’s face gave him an impish pleasure, almost like when he used to pull Nancy Shaw’s braids back in school. Oh, how she’d hated it when he did that. But there was something about giving those braids a tug that always made him grin. At ten years old, he’d been sure he’d marry Nancy Shaw. But she’d moved away and left him with no one else to tease.

So it was with a giddy feeling in his stomach that he tipped his hat to Mary’s friend and said, “Will Lawson, at your service.”

“Polly MacDonald.” She gave a mock curtsy and wink that told him she was enjoying tormenting Mary just as much. “And don’t mind Mary. She’s just—”

Mary’s elbow to her friend’s side was not at all discreet. “Enough. We’re due home, so let’s not dally. I’m sure your mother could use our help with the little ones.”

“Help?” Polly’s indignant sputter forced Will to hold in his laughter. “I thought we were going on the picnic with the other girls from church.”

Watching Mary’s face turn as purple as her dress almost brought him the same satisfaction as he’d had as a kid, only now...there was a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach. As if maybe there was something more to be desired.

Insanity.

He could tell by the way her face contorted as she tried to come up with an answer that she didn’t want to let her friend down, but she also wanted out of his presence as soon as possible. Something he wished he could oblige her on, but first, he needed to know what she knew.

After spending time in a place his mother would be ashamed to know he’d ever entered, Will had to do something more to stop Ben. He’d hurt too many people, and it would be Will’s fault if Ben hurt any more.

Will looked past Mary to Polly, who seemed more peacefully inclined toward him. “If you’d like to go to the picnic, I’d be happy to escort you. Mrs. Rafferty said I could use her wagon anytime. It’d be a shame for you to miss out because Mary’s got work to do.”

His words had the desired effect. While Polly beamed, Mary’s face turned a dark crimson. “No need for you to borrow a wagon. We’re meeting at the church and going as a group.”

He wasn’t going to let Miss Mary Stone off the hook so easily. Sure, she was mad, but what had he ever done to her? If it took making her explode in the middle of Harrison Avenue, then fine. But he was going to get to the bottom of the situation and figure out just what she had to do with Ben.

Will gave her an easy smile, then turned his attention back to Polly. “Still, if Mary is unable to go, I’m happy to take her place. I would like to get to know some of the community better.”

That did the trick. Mary stepped in front of him, then stopped to turn to face him. “You are not needed to take Polly to the picnic. I said I’d go with her, and I’ll go with her. Now that we’ve safely arrived to the respectable part of Harrison Avenue, you can be about your business.”

Was she so mule-headed that she didn’t understand that she was his business? With the way her eyes sparked, he didn’t think so. Mary knew exactly what he wanted—to talk about Ben. Though he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t interested in the raven-haired beauty who could give as good as she got.

However, this time, as much as he’d like to further a more personal acquaintance with Mary, he would keep it all business. His heart was not going to get in the way of apprehending Ben.

“Like I told Polly, I would like to get more involved with the church community. It’ll be my pleasure to escort you both. Surely there’s room for one more.”

Mary’s shoulder’s sagged. She looked defeated—for now. But Mary wasn’t one to give up easily, and that was something he liked about her.

“If you insist.” The words sounded so forced, he almost felt bad for her. And if her feelings were the only thing on the line, he’d have relented.

“Oh, Mary, have a little fun for a change.” Polly took her friend by the arm and gave Will a smile. “Don’t mind her. She’s always too busy thinking about her responsibilities to remember that she’s young and supposed to enjoy life.”

Will regarded Mary carefully. Again, he was struck by the way her personality seemed to be in contrast with the sort of woman Ben carried on with. Ben Perry only concerned himself with the party and would have never wanted to be tied down by responsibilities.

He’d like to be able to accept what she said at face value, except something in the sensitive part of his gut, the part where he’d been shot, still said that Mary was hiding something. Only it didn’t keep him from wanting to bring a smile to her face.

They crossed over toward the church, and Polly deftly slipped her arm out of Mary’s and moved to the other side of him, leaving him between the two ladies. Despite Polly’s cheerful chatter, he could still feel Mary seething. Perhaps at the picnic, he could explain to Mary that he didn’t mean any harm. As long as he obeyed his aching gut and kept his mission close to his chest.

When they arrived at the church, a large wagon was already parked in front, and several young people milled about, laughing. A young woman spied their approach and waved.

“I’m so glad you came! You’ll never guess who’s here. Jasper Jackson!”

Will’s ears perked up at the name. He’d done some security work for Jasper’s father when they had a bank in Denver. When the Jacksons moved to Leadville, Will had opted to take a deputy position in Century City to be close to his parents. Though they’d parted on good terms, Will had to wonder if the reunion would be positive after Will’s disgrace. Surely word of his failure had gotten back to the Jacksons.

His musings had put him behind in the conversation, drawing him out at the mention of his name.

“And this is Will Lawson. He’s a...friend...of Mary’s.” Polly’s emphasis on friend, along with her wink, told Will exactly what Polly thought of his association with her.

He tipped his hat to the woman and murmured the most polite “How do you do?” he could muster.

“Quite well,” the woman said, then turned to Polly. “Can you help me with the food?”

As Polly and the young woman walked away, giggling, Will was painfully aware of being alone with Mary.

Despite the tightness in his throat, he looked over at her. “I’m sorry if I said or did anything to have given her the wrong impression. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Her cheeks tinged pink, and the tightness in her jaw softened. His apology was enough to loosen the tension between them. Maybe the rough start they’d gotten off to could be redeemed.

“You can make it up to me by not coming to the picnic.” Her tone was all sweetness, but just like he knew her earlier acceptance of his presence was forced, there was nothing sweet about Mary’s demand.

Good thing he wasn’t very sweet, either.

“Then I guess we’re sworn to be enemies.” He took her hand, gave it a well-placed kiss, then turned to join the others.

Chapter Five

Everyone had seen The Kiss. Mary’s ears still rang from Polly’s squeal about Will’s being her secret beau. Worse, she found herself seated next to him on the wagon, where he chatted amiably with everyone around them. And worst of all, Mary’s hand still tingled from the press of Will’s lips against her hand.

Mary finally caught his eye, but when she tried giving him her best “you’re in trouble” glare, he merely winked back.

How could any human being be so positively insufferable?

Will settled back against the seat and gave her what she imagined to be his best lady-killer smile. But Mary knew better than to fall for that ruse.

“What are you most looking forward to at the picnic?” Were not there so many eyes upon her, wondering about the secret romance that had been whispered about, she might have been tempted to give him yet another dismissal. But he wasn’t one for accepting them, and in present company, she was in no mood to argue with him.

Mary hesitated. She had been looking forward to visiting with some of the others. Other than Polly, she didn’t have friends her age, with being so busy caring for her siblings. How was she to make friends with others if Will monopolized her time?

Perhaps, if there was any compassion in the man, he would understand. “I was most looking forward to getting to know the other ladies. We haven’t been here long, and as much as I adore Polly, it would be nice to establish myself in the community.”

His warm smile almost made her think he could be among those she counted as friends. “Then we are of the same purpose. Perhaps we can conquer them together.”

Oh, to be able to trust that easy look. But his connection to Ben made it impossible. What had Ben told him of her? Was he of the same character as Ben?

“You are just as much a stranger to me as they are.” She cast a glance over at Polly, who was chatting with the young lady to her left. “I fear too close an association will only fuel the tale that you are a beau.”

The expression on his face finally seemed to register his understanding of her predicament. “I suppose I should apologize for kissing your hand. I sometimes go too far in my teasing.”

Though he looked chastised enough and possibly even regretful, she didn’t fully believe it. Perhaps it was because she kept too many secrets of her own to trust in the veracity of others. But mostly, it was because his eye still held the same twinkle it did when his lips burned a hole in her hand.

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” she told him with the same kind of severity she usually reserved for the children.

“And here you thought me a stranger.” His wide grin seemed to fill the entire wagon. “You seem to have me already sorted out.”

Being so familiar with this man was dangerous, to be sure, but Mary couldn’t resist teasing him right back. “As I’ve said, I have a great deal of experience with children.”

Her zinger broadened his smile, and before he could send another comment back, Polly interrupted.

“I will not have you ruining our perfectly nice time by speaking any more of the children, Mary Stone. You and I have barely had a break taking care of your siblings and mine, and I intend to enjoy every last moment of it.”

Her indignant glare reminded Mary that this was indeed a rare break from their responsibilities. And while it felt good to get away, even for a moment, part of Mary felt guilty for neglecting her family. It had been neglecting her responsibilities that got her into trouble with Ben in the first place. Oh, had she only not allowed herself to get caught up in the fancy of believing herself to be in love.

Unfortunately, giving her friend a smile was not enough reassurance about their time away.

“Promise me, Mary. No more talk of our responsibilities. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”

It would have been a simple enough promise to give if only Will’s eyes were not upon her. Why did he care? He seemed to hang on every one of her words.

But maybe that was his intent. To throw her off guard so that she was willing to talk more about Ben. Fine, then.

“Of course I promise,” she told Polly. “What more can I do to show you my desire to have fun?”

Polly grinned. “Just stick with me, my friend.” She turned and indicated the girl sitting on the other side of her.

“This is Beth Williams.”

The freckle-faced girl held out a gloved hand. “So pleased to make your acquaintance. I know your sister-in-law quite well. Annabelle is a dear, and we were all so happy to see her settled with such a fine man as your brother.”

Mary would have been flattered by the compliment to her family except for Polly’s barking laugh and quick retort.

“You mean you were glad that you no longer had to worry about her competing with you for Jasper’s attention.”

Fanning herself furiously, Beth hid behind her fan. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are we almost there? Suddenly it’s grown quite warm out.”

Some of the girls around them giggled. A perky blonde whose name Mary thought might have been Rachel leaned forward.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone’s been infatuated with Jasper at one point or another. Who wouldn’t? His father runs with the high rollers and has even sat in Mr. Tabor’s box at the opera house. Plus, he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

At those words, all the girls sighed and glanced in the general direction of one of the dandies sitting with the driver of the wagon. The glorious Jasper, she presumed.

In Mary’s eyes, he wasn’t so terribly much to behold. Certainly he had a thick glossy head of dark hair, but not so shiny as to give it the heroic description some of the girls were talking about. And his eyes...why, she’d seen much nicer eyes on—

Will.

She stole a glance at him, only to find him staring right at her with an amused look on his face.

“Do you find Jasper as wonderful as the others are saying?”

His eyes held the same twinkle they’d had the entire time, and Mary was forced to admit, at least to herself, that they held a kindness to them that she rarely saw in others. Ben’s eyes always had a coldness that never left. Will, even when tormenting her, had a warmth that made her want to trust him.

But where would that get her? Perhaps Will had no idea of the extent of Ben’s criminal enterprise. Maybe he saw Ben as so many in Ohio had—as a perfectly amiable man who was all kindness and civility. After all, Ben had very quickly and easily taken in those at the church last night, convincing them, despite her protests, that he was a loving fiancé.

How could she expose the truth of Ben Perry to everyone without exposing herself?

If anyone from her family saw her aunt’s brooch, she’d be in trouble for sure. They would all believe she’d had a role in its theft, as well as the other thefts that had taken place. Several families had jewelry and other valuables stolen—and all of them were connected to Mary and her work. The sheriff had even questioned her about the losses. It wasn’t until the mercantile and bank had been robbed that they’d cleared Mary of suspicion. She’d honestly never thought that Ben, who’d patiently waited for her while she worked, was actually robbing the place behind her back.

Why had she been so desperate for romance as to keep Ben a secret, even from the sheriff?

Ben was right. With all her deceit, who would believe her completely ignorant of his actions?

Will nudged her in the side. “I can introduce you, if you like. I know Jasper from my work in Denver. Pleasant fellow.”

Mortified that her woolgathering over Ben had led to the belief that she was interested in Jasper, Mary shook her head. “That won’t be necessary, thank you. I have no romantic illusions at this point in my life.”

“Say it’s not so.” Will gave her a look that would have melted the heart of any woman who hadn’t had hers irrevocably broken. “A beautiful woman, of marriageable age?”

Before answering, Mary stole a glance at Polly, who had returned to her animated conversation with the other girls. “I won’t marry until after I’m certain I’ve fulfilled my responsibility in raising my siblings.”

On this point, she was determined. She’d failed those responsibilities already in believing herself ready for romance and marriage. From here on out, she wouldn’t fail. Couldn’t fail.

“Why is that mutually exclusive? Plenty of people marry and take on another’s children.”

The conversation was clearly headed in a direction she didn’t need to go. Didn’t need to consider.

“Not when there are six of them,” she said. Mindful of Polly’s gaze turning in her direction, Mary changed course. “What work did you do in Denver with Jasper?”

Will coughed slightly. “I...uh...I did some security for his father’s bank.”

* * *

Will had supposed that at some point or another, his previous line of work would come up. At least it had been about the security he’d done for the Jacksons as opposed to his fall from grace in the sheriff’s office in Century City. Though it was only a matter of time before the gossip got back to people, he’d like that piece of information to remain confidential for as long as possible.

Who wanted to associate with a disgraced lawman? It had been his fault Perry’s gang had gotten away with robbing Colorado Citizens Bank. He’d been so wrapped up in his romance with Daisy, so intent on saving her from Ben’s nefarious schemes, that he hadn’t realized that she was spying on him for Ben. He’d been a fool. And in so doing, everyone believed that he’d willingly given them information, willingly let them go.

Plus, despite Mary’s denials about Ben, he still had to wonder what she knew. What her involvement with the gang might be. Could he get her to trust him enough to tell him the truth? And given his past poor judgment when it came to women working with Ben, could he trust that whatever she told him was the truth?

No, letting Mary know his story was not a safe option at this point. Much as he’d like to, there was too much at stake.

“Is that what you’re doing in Leadville? Working for Jasper’s father?”

He didn’t like the way her eyes narrowed at the question.

“No,” he told her honestly. “I’m here in pursuit of Ben.”

She gave him a look similar to what she’d given him every other time the other man’s name came up. “Why?”

If she was in on Ben’s schemes, the truth would only serve to make things harder for him. But surely nothing could make Mary more hostile than she’d already been.

“He robbed a bank in Century City, and I aim to bring him to justice.”

Easy enough to share the gist of what was going on. Harder to read the expression that crossed her face, which darkened, but just as quickly turned back into the stone mask that matched her name.

“So you’re a lawman?”

Not anymore. But that was a shame he couldn’t face.

“No.”

She looked doubtful, chewing on her lip ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, except that he’d somehow gotten to know the very fullness of her lips. What kind of cad was he, thinking of her in this way?

“How much is the bounty on his head?”

“None.” Because he’d botched the job too badly to get the evidence on Ben.

“Then why do you care?” she snapped, turning away and leaning in toward the other girls.

Yes, Mary’s reactions to his investigation of Ben definitely held an air of suspicion. He tapped her on the shoulder.

Mary turned, and the other girls giggled. Definitely not helping diminish the mistaken impression that he was Mary’s beau. But he couldn’t afford to fight fair. Not with all the money to be stolen in Leadville. Not with his reputation on the line. Not with the women Ben kept abusing. He’d make it up to Mary. Somehow.

“What Ben’s done is wrong. All I want is to find out what you know about him because there might be something in that knowledge, no matter how insignificant you believe it is, that can help put him in jail.”

Her face softened for a moment but then hardened again. “There’s nothing I can tell you. I knew him in Ohio, before he came to Colorado. He left Ohio before I did, and we hadn’t spoken from then until he showed up last night at the church.”

Will stared at her and examined her expression for any sign of prevarication. “He claimed you were engaged. Last night, you looked every bit the happy couple.”

That part might have been an exaggeration. Through the cheers and Ben’s loud proclamations, Mary looked like a rabbit caught in a snare. Will had replayed the scene in his mind over and over, trying to figure it out. She’d looked just as miserable with Ben as she had when Will questioned her about him. Which would almost have convinced him that Mary would be an ally—except that Daisy had told Will over and over that she wanted nothing more than to escape Ben’s clutches.

The wagon hit a bump, jostling everyone and sending Mary nearly into his lap.

“Easy there.” He tried to steady her, but Mary jumped again.

“I’m fine.” She glared at his hands, then smoothed her skirts. “As for my supposed engagement to Ben, it’s a misunderstanding that will soon be cleared up.”

Her voice shook as she explained her status with Ben. Will didn’t need his aching bullet wound to tell him something was definitely not right with Mary. But how could he get her to trust him? And how would he know to believe her?

The wind picked up, blowing tendrils across her face and stirring something inside Will. Was he stepping into a trap by thinking that somehow Mary was different? That his feelings for her were different?

“I can help you with that,” he told her quietly. “Help me, Mary. And I’ll help you.”

The words echoed dangerously in his brain as he recalled saying that exact phrase to Daisy. Of course, he’d been trying to help Daisy escape her work as a barmaid, where she’d claimed to fear that Ben was pushing to get her to work above stairs, as well. Surely this was different.

But Mary remained stiff, straightening beyond her already perfect posture. “I don’t need your help. I don’t know anything about Ben robbing a bank. So, please, leave me alone. It’s going to be hard enough to maintain my reputation as it is. Don’t make it worse for me.”

Her clipped tone made him realize how different the situation was. Daisy had never been a lady. But Mary...not only was she a lady, but by all accounts, she was a lady with standing. Building on their father’s first discovery, Mary’s brother was mining one of the richest veins of silver found in Leadville to date. Mary was an heiress of significant worth. Even though the fortune would be enough to tempt any man, the women of the community still refused to accept any woman who failed to follow proper standards of behavior.

Will’s brain started to spin. What if Mary had been honest with him? What if things really had been over between her and Ben? Could Ben only be chasing her because he wanted access to her fortune? Marrying a fortune would surely be easier than stealing one.

The wagon rumbled over a number of rocks, making it too noisy to carry on a normal conversation. Will leaned closer to Mary. “If Ben’s after your fortune, he’ll go to no end to get it. Even if it means ruining you in the process.”

Mary’s face blanched, and he knew he’d hit his mark.

“I hadn’t considered...” She uttered the words so softly that he almost didn’t catch them. A lone tear trickled down her face.

Though he wished he could dry it himself for being the one to suggest the painful truth, Will merely pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.