Chapter Eight

Luke Morrell scanned the gardens outside the ballroom. Taking long strides, he passed Robert Michaels, who spoke to Marie Dubois seated at a bench. Luke nodded in acknowledgement without pausing until he reached his brother. He found Jared with his arms wrapped around Taryn. “I hate to interrupt, but Marcus Rhodes knows you’re here, Jared.”

Taryn jumped at the intrusion, and Jared felt her body relax in relief at it being Luke instead of her parents or Thompson. He kept his arm around her waist, not sharing her concern of the prospect of her fiancé discovering them in each other’s arms.

Luke caught his breath. “I don’t know what his intentions are, but I wanted to forewarn you.”

Marcus Rhodes was the marshal for the territory. She turned a worried gaze to Jared.

“So, it is you,” Marcus Rhodes declared without preamble as he came storming up to them.

Jared sneered at his nemesis. Now in his late thirties, Rhodes’ hair showed signs of graying and his eyes had age lines, but little else had changed about him in the past five years. Rhodes still reminded him of an overgrown ferret. “Well, if it isn’t Sheriff Rhodes.”

“Marshal Rhodes,” Marcus corrected.

“Who did you have to bribe for the title?”

Taryn turned wide eyes to Jared, utter disbelief filling their depths at the scornful insult he’d delivered.

Marcus Rhodes glared at Jared, the hatred evident in his eyes. “I can see five years hasn’t reformed you in any way. Unlike then, I can’t be forced to submit to a higher viewpoint. I make the final decisions now. You cause trouble here, and I’ll see to it justice is carried out at its severest level.”

“Reverting to threats, Rhodes?”

“Consider it a warning.” A smirk crossed his face. “I’ve no doubt we understand each other.”

“I don’t think there was ever any confusion regarding that point,” Jared emphasized.

Marcus bestowed a brief glance toward Luke Morrell and then to the Ashford girl before walking away.

As soon as the marshal departed, Taryn turned to Jared in concern. “He isn’t going to arrest you, is he?”

He gave her a quick hug, shaking his head. “He can’t. I haven’t done anything to give him reason.”

“Don’t put it past him to overlook reason,” Luke cautioned.

****

Inside, Marcus walked over to Jonathan Dalton in the Great Hall.

Jonathan patted Marcus on the back in greeting. “Marcus, you have a very sour expression for such a social occasion. Gwen will get the impression you’re not enjoying yourself.”

“Something’s come to my attention I’m not sure you’re aware of,” Marcus explained. “May I speak privately with you?”

“You may speak freely before these gentlemen,” Jonathan insisted before introducing Marcus to Dennis Ashford and Brad Thompson.

“It concerns one of your guests—Jared King.”

Jonathan couldn’t suppress a laugh. “If it’s concerning his effect on the ladies this evening, I’m already aware of it, but a man can’t be arrested for causing women’s heart palpitations. Come on, Marcus; put away your badge for one night.”

Marcus barely contained his irritation. “It isn’t what I’m talking about, Jonathan. Does his name mean nothing to you? Don’t you recall the incident of five years ago—the man responsible for Matt’s murder?”

“Are you suggesting he murdered someone?” Brad interjected in amazement.

“I’m not suggesting. I’m making a statement of fact,” Marcus stated. “Jared King’s a gunman.”

Dennis Ashford suddenly found the conversation worth his attention. “What? Are you serious?”

“Wait a minute,” Jonathan said his tone impatient. He wanted to prevent the conversation from getting out of hand. “Marcus, I don’t mean to drudge up old wounds, but as I remember it, the outcome was ruled as self-defense. It’s been over and done with for five years. Let it rest.”

“There were those who weren’t so convinced it was self-defense at the time and those who still don’t believe it.”

Jonathan breathed a heavy sigh as Marcus strode away.

Dennis focused on Jonathan. “What happened five years ago?”

“There was a card game at Breck’s Casino,” Jonathan explained in recollection. “The controversy was over what occurred after Mr. King accused one of the players of cheating. Some said the man accused of cheating pulled his gun first; others said he was never given a chance to do so. There wasn’t enough evidence to hold Mr. King, so Marcus had to release him. The man Jared killed was Matt Rhodes—the marshal’s brother.”

Brad’s gaze focused on Jonathan Dalton. “What do you think happened?”

Jonathan shrugged. “It’s hard to know for certain. I wasn’t a witness, but I knew Matt Rhodes. It wasn’t the first time he’d cheated. Others knew it but never dared accuse him of it. Matt Rhodes had a very ugly temper.” Finished discussing the matter, Jonathan excused himself. “I believe it’s time I made a toast to Luke and Anita.”

Immediately upon returning to the Great Hall, Taryn went to Brad’s side while Jared talked with a group of women who had surrounded him upon his entry.

Standing by Gwen’s side, Jonathan gestured Luke and Anita over to the center of the ballroom. Glasses of champagne were passed around to the guests. When all held them in hand, a hush fell over the crowd waiting for Jonathan to speak.

“My wife and I would like to thank you all for coming tonight to join us in celebrating the forthcoming marriage of Luke and Anita,” Jonathan opened. “When Luke first told us he intended to marry Anita, I can’t say I was surprised. My wife had informed me destiny decreed a marriage between them moments after they had met. Anyone who knows my wife knows not to question her convictions.”

A rumble of amused laughter sifted through the guests.

“On a personal note,” Jonathan continued, “I’d like to say no one could ask for a better friend than Luke has been to Gwen and me. Since meeting him five years ago, he has consistently safeguarded our interests,” Jonathan said. Turning toward Luke, Jonathan continued. “I think you know Gwen and I consider you the son we never had. In marrying Anita, you have brought a daughter to us. In finding your own happiness, you have made us exceedingly happy. I wish your marriage to bring you both the joy you have brought to others.”

All glasses raised in the direction of Luke and Anita. Walt Adams stepped forward. “It’s difficult for a father to let go of his daughter. In fact, it’s difficult to admit your daughter is old enough to be a man’s wife. Anita,” Walt said fastening his gaze on his only daughter, “to me, you will always be my little girl. But even though I see you as my child, I know you’re a grown woman. It will be easier for me to let you go on your wedding day knowing I’ll place your hand in Luke’s.” Walt raised his glass. “I wish you the same blessings in your marriage as your mother and I have known in ours.”

Again, the glasses raised and the toast completed with the drinking of champagne.

Anita blinked back the emotional tears caused by her father’s words and Luke’s embrace.

Although Jared had no intention of revealing he and Luke were brothers, he could not let the occasion pass without toasting his brother’s marriage. “I have recently met Luke and Anita,” he opened. “Seeing you two as happy as you are together is inspiring. Throughout the evening, I’ve even found the idea of marriage crossing my own thoughts. I can’t decide whether or not I should thank you.”

Laughter filtered through the room, especially from the other unattached men in attendance.

“Regardless,” he continued, “I wish you both the best in your life together.” He raised his glass to them, giving the slightest of nods to his brother. He turned his gaze to Taryn.

She raised her own glass when she caught Jared’s penetrating gaze concentrating on her from across the room. He placed his glass to his mouth, his gaze never leaving her. She found her actions following his. Together they drank.

When she glanced away she noticed Aunt Gwen’s gaze shifting between Jared and her. Her aunt had a brilliant smile on her face.

****

Marcus left the party in frustration, returning to his office. Lighting the kerosene lamp on his desk, he extracted a file hidden behind a panel in one of his desk drawers. He opened it to reveal the many newspaper clippings he’d collected on King over the years. He had taken great pleasure in reading about King’s endless attempts to flee the law. It wasn’t enough he had forced King to keep on the move. Now with King back in Sacramento, Marcus wanted King to pay for Matt’s death. He bristled, knowing he had no reason for arresting King. He wanted to find something. Flipping through the articles, he paused to scan the stories. He remembered reading something about a bounty hunter after King. Where was it? Marcus neared the bottom of the stack when he came across it. He reread the article, scribbling down the name he sought. Miguel Ramirez. He would send word to the bounty hunter telling the man where he could find his prey.

If King thought he could flaunt the fact he’d escaped justice by returning to Sacramento, Marcus would make him regret it.