The next day Quinn offered to stay at the store with Marlene and let Deborah be the first to go with Uncle Hank to look over the stored furniture. It was past noon and Quinn was setting up the books for the shop.
Marlene was working on Naomi’s dress when the front door opened. The bell they’d placed above it jangled and Quinn looked up from the order she was filling out.
“Hello, Quinn.” Beck Montgomery took off his hat.
“Hello, Mr. Montgomery.”
“Please, Quinn. After all the work I’ve put in here I think we should be on a first name basis.”
“I agree.” She smiled at him. “How can I help you, Beck? Would you like a nice shawl or something a little more personal for your special girl?”
He laughed. “I don’t have a special girl, Quinn. Not yet anyway.”
When she didn’t say anything, he went on. “I was getting a little hungry and was headed for the café when I got the notion to invite Marlene to eat dinner with me.”
“She’s in the work room. Go on in.”
“Thank you.” Beck disappeared behind the curtain.
Quinn took a deep breath. She wondered if Ashe was somewhere eating dinner. It crossed her mind that he could be eating with Lola.
She pushed the thought away as Marlene and Beck came through the curtain. “I’d be honored if you’d join us for dinner, Quinn,” he said.
“I appreciate it, Beck, but a customer might come in and we certainly don’t want to miss one.”
“Maybe I should stay—”
“No, Marlene. I can handle things here.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
As soon as they were out the door Quinn went back to her ledger. Only a few minutes passed before the bell over the door sounded again. She looked up as a skinny cowboy with a black Stetson in his hand stepped into the shop.
For some reason Quinn felt uneasy, but she didn’t let him see. “Good afternoon. How can I help you, sir?”
“I want to get a gift for a lady.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe you could suggest something.”
Quinn glanced at the counter. “We have some lovely shawls.”
“I don’t think she’d like a shawl. She’s more the frills and bows type.”
“Then we have some lace gloves.”
He moved closer to the counter and looked at the box containing the pink lace nightgown. “I think she might like this.”
“It is lovely.”
He reached out and touched the thin material. “Yeah. She might like this a lot.” He looked into Quinn’s eyes. “Would you like it if someone gave it to you?”
Quinn blushed. “I’d like it if it came from a close friend or a family member. As I said, most any woman would.”
“Oh, I’m a close friend of this lady.” He laughed.
There was something familiar about the laugh, but Quinn couldn’t place it. “Would you like to get the gown for your friend?”
“Would you wrap it for me?”
“I’d be happy to.”
The man paid for the gown and waited for her to wrap it. He didn’t say anything else except to thank her when she handed him the gift.
She also thanked him for purchasing it and watched him go out the door. When she was alone she felt relief. She still thought there was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
* * * *
Lola opened her door and gasped. “What the hell are you doing here? What if Ashe decided to drop by.”
“He won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Montgomery’s out in Bush Canyon looking for the stage robbers. The man the judge sentenced this morning told him the robbers sometimes hold up there.”
She shook her head. “How do you find out these things, Temp?”
“It pays to know what’s going on.” He leaned over her. “Now give me a real welcome.”
“No.” She pulled away from him. “I told you I’d never be swayed by your charms again. I intend to marry a respectable man and become a lady of society and I’ve decided Ashe is the man.”
He jerked her into his arms. “The hell you say.” His mouth crushed hers.
She tried to wiggle away. “I mean it, Temp. It’s over between us. I’m never going to trust you again. I learned my lesson when you decided you’d rather have that whore in New Orleans.
“Oh, come on, love. She was only with me because I paid her well. You’re different. You love me without money being involved. In fact, you know it’s always been you for me.”
“I only pass information to you when I think you need it and the operative word is ‘pass’ information to you. Harve is the one who usually comes for it.”
“I’ve decided I may come for it myself.” He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re making me a rich man, sweetheart.”
She whirled around. “How rich?”
He laughed an evil laugh and kissed the back of her neck. “As long as you get your cut, you don’t have to know. Now since I came to see you in person, tell me about the next shipment.”
“I’m going to the bank tomorrow. Maybe I’ll learn something then.”
“Look, my pretty Princess. You’ve got to lean harder on the banker. We need to know when the shipment is going again.”
“Damn you, Temp. Don’t call me that. I’ll find out as much as I can. Now why don’t you get out of here and send Harve next time.”
He reached for her again. “Why shouldn’t I call you Princess? I’ve called you that for years.”
“Well, it’s time you stopped. I told you I was going to get married.”
“Wouldn’t you rather go back to New Orleans with me.? I know you always wanted a rich man. Now you can have one.”
“I have money of my own. What I want now is something you can never give me.”
“What’s that?”
“Respectability.”
“And after I went to the trouble to buy you something special.”
“What did you buy me?”
“See for yourself.”
She opened the box he handed her and pulled out the gown. “It’s the silk gown from the dress shop.”
“Yeah. You like it?”
“I love it, but how did you…I mean…did you go there?”
“I did. I wanted to see if anyone recognized me.”
“Did they?”
“I let the woman look right into my eyes and I got close enough she could see every scar on my face. Not even a twinkle of recognition.”
“Which sister did you see?”
“The little one.”
Lola held up the gown and smiled. “Well, it’s for sure if any of them would recognize you, it’d be Quinn.”
“I got a feeling you don’t like her.”
“I don’t.”
“Then let’s not waste time talking about her.” He pointed to the gown. “Are you going to model this for me?”
She threw the gown on the sofa. “No, I’m not.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Temp, when are you going to get it through your head you and I are over? I’m going to marry Ashe.”
His eyes bored into hers for a few seconds, then without a word, he walked to the liquor cabinet. As he reached to pour a drink he took a tiny figurine from his pocket, fingered it, then set it on the table. “I’m leaving this to let you know I’ll be coming around more often.”
“I don’t want you to come back.”
He grinned and poured himself a drink. “Want one?”
“No. I want you to leave.”
He didn’t answer, but drained the liquor in his glass and sat it down. He then walked slowly to her and still not talking, he swept her into his arms. He kissed her hard and passionately. “I’m going to make love to you before I leave, Princess. You might as well accept it.”
“I don’t want you to, J.C. Templeton, and you know it.”
“I don’t believe you, Lola Norwood, or whatever name you’re using now. You’ve always been ready for me and you’re ready now. I see it in your eyes. I know you think you want Ashe Montgomery and you may even marry him, but I also know you’ll never love any man the way you love me. Nor will you ever enjoy his lovemaking as much as you do mine.”
“I will marry Ashe.”
“You’ll miss me and you know it.” He kissed her ear.
“I will not.”
“Why? Is he better than me?”
“Nobody’s better than you, Temp,” she mumbled as she turned away.
He jerked her back against him. “Keep it that way.”
“Doesn’t it bother you that I’m sleeping with another man?” she snapped.
He chuckled. “It doesn’t matter how many men you have, I’m the only one who’s ever had your heart.”
When she said nothing, he went on, “Since I’ll be dropping in now and then, you’re going to give me whatever I want when I come. I don’t give a damn if you’re married to the governor. When J.C. Templeton wants you, he’s going to have you.”
“I will not let…”
He slapped her and she tottered backward. “Don’t back talk me. You’re going to put on the gown I bought you and you’re going to put it on now.” He grabbed it and threw it at her.
Trembling, Lola dropped her clothes and slipped the gown over her head. She couldn’t help it, she was getting excited. She walked up to him. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful.” He kissed her gently.
“Why can’t I help wanting you, Temp?”
“Because it’ll always be you and me, baby.” He picked her up and headed to her bedroom.