Chapter Eighteen

The following morning Taryn woke as Jared strapped on his gun belt. She leaned up on an elbow, blinking sleep away. “You’re up early. Her shoulders slumped. “You’re going out again?”

He noticed the disappointed look in her eyes, understanding she must be thinking this would be the way of things in their marriage. He had lain awake half the night in an attempt to figure out why Taryn had thanked him for acting like a jealous, besotted fool. When the meaning of her thanks had dawned on him, it burst through him like a bullet being fired from one of his own weapons. She still cared. He had seen it in her eyes in the same instant she’d thanked him.

Beneath the uncertainty she still felt over what happened the night of Luke’s wedding, there was feeling. There was something between them in spite of the circumstances causing their marriage. He planned to take the time to nurture the feeling. He intended to explore the depth of both their feelings. “I’m not going anywhere today unless you’re within sight. I’ve told your uncle I won’t be working for the remainder of the week. And,” he added, “I’ll do my investigating of Dean Breck’s murder in the morning when you’re still in bed.”

“What about the rest of the day?”

He took her by the arms, raising her to her knees on the bed. “I think you and I need some time together. He placed his knuckles under her chin, tilting her head “We’ve had a very bad start. Before the accusations Marcus Rhodes made, we enjoyed each other’s company, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

“I think if we concentrate on that instead of the last few days, we’ll find we can enjoy ourselves again. Are you willing to try?”

She nodded in agreement, a bright smile removing the worry from her face.

His own smile widened. As long as each of them was willing to try, there was hope for them. Sliding his arms around her waist, he leaned down, capturing her mouth with his.

Taryn reached up around his broad shoulders. When the kiss concluded, she cocked her head. “Jared, how did you know Brad only wanted to marry me for the position he could obtain through my father?”

“It was in his eyes. Over the years, I’ve learned a person’s true motives can always be detected in their eyes, if not their actions.”

She pondered on his statement. “You were right, you know. When he stopped me at the livery yesterday, he admitted it in his anger. Maybe I always knew it too in my heart.” She sighed. “I’m glad you prevented me from marrying him.”

He drew her into his arms. “As glad as I am you placed your hand in mine.”

****

They began their day when he returned two hours later with a breakfast of eggs benedict, sausage, bacon, scones, and coffee in the dining room of the Grand Marquis. Jared had picked up the Sacramento Gazette out of habit. It sat on the table unopened.

Taryn spread cream on one of the scones then glanced across at Jared diving into a second helping of eggs and sausage. She smiled in appreciation.

He paused from bringing the forkful of eggs to his mouth. His heart thumped out of turn at the sweetness of her gaze. His eyes crinkled at the corners. “What is it you see?”

“I see a man with a healthy appetite.”

“I’m exceptionally hungry this morning.” He was already eyeing the remaining bacon. He then leveled his gaze on her. “I have a feeling last evening has something to do with my appetite.” He put his fork down, reaching for her hand across the table. He brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it.

Her gaze darted around the room at the patrons. “Jared, others might consider such a display inappropriate in so public a place.”

“Then it’s a good thing they can’t read my thoughts.” He cared little for how others viewed him paying attention to his wife. “Does it bother you?”

Taryn shook her head. “Not when it comes from you.”

Her response pleased him. His smile broke into a full-fledged grin.

The waiter approached their table to see to their needs breaking the spell. Once he left, Taryn glanced over at the newspaper on the table. “Since I’ve been here, I have yet to read anything written by Robert Michaels.” She picked up the newspaper unconsciously. “Have you?”

He leaned back in his chair, his appetite satiated. “I’ve read one or two articles. He has a nice style.”

Taryn skimmed through the paper for Robert’s column. Finding it, she began reading. Her smile fell from her face.

He sat forward. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t say anything. She finished the article then handed back the paper.

Robert’s article revolved around Dean Breck’s murder. Jared had not read the paper in the last few days as was his usual custom. Robert, being a reporter would naturally be relaying everything about what had occurred. The article began with an interview Robert had done with Ben Masters and Donald Caruthers, the two men who had also been present on the third floor playing cards along with himself the night of Dean Breck’s death.

“…Don and I both left together,” Ben Masters was quoted. “I remember commenting to Don as we left how Jared King was preoccupied. He excused himself from the game before we’d even begun. Don and I decided not to continue the game. Mr. King was still there when Don and I left. He and Mr. Breck were the only ones left in the place…”

Jared scanned further down the article, his brows drawing together in an angry frown as he read Marcus Rhodes’ comments.

“…I’ve been watching King closely since his arrival here,” Rhodes was quoted as saying. “We had trouble with him some years ago, and I had hoped to prevent trouble from being repeated. It is in the nature of gunmen to solve their disagreements with a bullet. His relationship with the Ashford woman served him well. Otherwise, he would now be on trial. Of course, I still question his innocence. I imagine most decent townspeople do.”

The article ended by stating the investigation was continuing.

He slapped the paper down on the table, longing to use it to make Rhodes eat his damn words. Rhodes used the newspaper, and the townspeople’s fear, to, once again, create a rising hatred toward him, and now Taryn. In the past, he had never cared what people said about him. He still didn’t. This time the incident involved her as well. He had no intention of allowing Rhodes to inflict upon Taryn any further humiliation.

He glanced over, noting the distant expression in Taryn’s eyes. The article had caused her doubts to resurface. “I think we’ve both had our fill of breakfast.” He placed several bills on the table to cover the cost of the meal. Coming around to the back of Taryn’s chair, he pulled it out, taking her arm and escorting her from the dining room, leaving the newspaper behind.

Walking outside, Jared debated what they could do to bring back the feelings they’d had earlier. As they descended the sweeping steps of the hotel’s terrace, Robert Michaels hailed them.

“Good morning,” Robert greeted. “I don’t know if you’ve had the chance to read the paper this morning or not…”

“We have,” Jared said. He had nothing against the journalist. The man was very likable, but at this moment, Robert was the last person either of them needed to see.

Robert glanced between the two. “I feel I should apologize. I make a concentrated effort to remain objective in my work. In so doing, I don’t paraphrase remarks made by those I interview.”

Taryn placed her gray and blue bonnet on which matched her gown. She attempted a smile for Robert as she arranged the ribbon ties into a bow. “You don’t have to apologize. I think Jared and I both understand you’re doing your job.”

Robert smiled in relief. He turned to Jared. “I’d like to give you the opportunity of telling your side of it.”

Jared shook his head. “I appreciate it, Robert, but I have learned from experience nothing I say will alter the views of others. I can’t force people to believe something if they’ve already formed their opinions to the contrary.”

In parting, Robert smiled. “I don’t know how many will say this to the two of you, but I’d like to offer my congratulations on your marriage. When I heard the news, I was relieved, to tell the truth.” He turned to Taryn. “For a while, I was afraid you’d wind up with the wrong husband.”

Jared noticed the journalist’s words lifted Taryn’s spirits. A smile was back on her face.

The journalist’s words brought a flash of a smile to Jared’s face as well. Someone holding the belief death and destruction didn’t walk in his shadow was a rarity. “Thanks Robert,” Jared said, shaking the man’s hand.

Eager hope in his eyes, Robert clapped his hands together. “Now, how about granting me an interview about your career?” His eyes widened with animation.

Jared laughed. Robert’s comment elevating his mood. “Not a chance.”

Robert nodded, without rancor. He adjusted his watch. “I have to get back to my office. I have some work to complete before the lunch I’ve scheduled with Etta.”

****

Etta greeted Robert with her usual enthusiasm. She had a beautiful lunch arranged on a table in the garden. As they sat down, Etta dominated the conversation.

“I’ve been reading your articles concerning Dean Breck’s murder these last few days, Robert.” Etta began serving up the plates of food. “I don’t mind saying the entire incident is being poorly handled. I am not referencing your writing,” she assured him. “You’ve been very fair, but the idea of Jared King having anything to do with Dean Breck’s murder is ridiculous. I think the marshal must have over-indulged in his liquor. The rumors I’ve heard are revolting. To have people believe Taryn and Jared only married two days ago is completely baffling.”

Robert hesitated before speaking. He didn’t wish to blemish Etta’s view of her friends, but she did have a right to know the truth. “Etta, they were just married. I know you believed them to be married all along, but Taryn confided to me on the train they had to use the premise of being married to explain away being chumming partners for the evenings. It is the truth of the matter.”

Etta absorbed the news with grace. “Even so, it does not excuse the marshal or anyone else from attacking either of them with such blatant attempts to make matters worse. The marshal has me so irritated I’m tempted to take the man to task. Some people have no sense of tact. It’s most annoying.” She folded her napkin with crisp efficiency, snapping it down onto her lap. She expelled her breath. “I must speak to Gwen Dalton about this matter. Something has to be done.” Her speech finished, Etta gave Robert a bright smile lifting the china teapot. “Tea?”

Robert felt numb, as though caught in a whirlwind by the conversation. His decision to tell Etta the truth had been the right choice. He raised his cup, a smile of admiration on his face as he nodded his assent for her to pour.

****

Taryn and Jared had spent the day riding as far from town as possible. Spurring their horses into a fast gallop had released the tension each had felt after reading the comments of Marcus Rhodes in the newspaper. They stopped to enjoy a mid-day repast before continuing their ride.

“Jared, look.”

He followed her gaze. They had ridden to the top of a grassy precipice of a cliff with a spectacular view. A myriad of multi-colored wild flowers hugged the downward slope of the cliff. A canopy of leafy trees surrounded the Sacramento River, its deep blue water sparkling with the sun’s touch.

Taryn dismounted, standing at the cliff’s edge, the sight causing an audible sigh of pleasure to escape her. “It’s so beautiful.” She turned toward him, a smile on her face.

His heart struck a frenzied beat against his chest as he enjoyed the view of Taryn standing with nature as her background. Her gown billowed behind her in the breeze, and her eyes shone with the simple pleasure of discovery. He had never seen anyone or anything more beautiful. He crossed the expanse of space to be near her. “You are lovely.”

She felt the blush he always inspired once more surfacing. His gaze concentrated on her face. Her heart pounded out of rhythm. She couldn’t think of anything but what reflected in his blue eyes. She dropped her gaze to his sensual mouth, allowing herself to linger there.

Her becoming blush had affected him since they’d met. It always made his desire flair. He wanted to make love to her, feel her warm body against his. He had never felt so out of control with his passion. He reached a hand up, gently tugging the satin tie of her bonnet to loosen the ribbons so he could remove it. He wanted to see her hair shimmer in the sun. He cupped her chin in his hand, caressing her jaw line. He handed her the bonnet. “You shouldn’t hide such beauty under a bonnet.”

She swallowed, flustered by his words. She had always worn a bonnet outdoors. She felt a bonnet a required accessory for young ladies. Her mother had instilled the creed into her since early childhood. To cover her scattered nerves, she recited her mother’s explanation of the necessity. “Bonnets are supposed to be worn for protection.”

“I’ll protect you now.” He dipped his mouth.

Taryn laughed in enjoyment. “I meant protection from the sun.”

“Then I’ll buy you some fashionable hats. Your bonnets make me feel as though I’m seducing a child.”

“Are you trying to seduce me, Jared?”

The innocence of her question posed with such unabashed curiosity sent his heart escalating to the clouds above. His voice deep, his eyes lit up with a rakish smile. “I am making a concerted effort to control my baser needs by taking you here on the grass.”

“Perhaps I should put my bonnet back on,” she suggested in playful banter, hiding her grin.

He prevented her from doing so. He pulled her against him, holding her in the circle of his arms.

“You’re not being fair, you know,” she announced archly, her arms winding around his neck. “You know how to seduce me, and I have no means of retaliation. I have never known the art of seduction.”

“I shall add it to the many things I have yet to teach you about the intimacies between a man and woman.”

Speechless, Taryn gawked at him. She had been sure he had already taught her everything there was to know concerning lovemaking. They had been more intimate than she had ever envisioned in her girlish imagination. What more could there be? He had kissed her with his tongue caressing the regions of her mouth, caressed her with his hands until she begged for more, and joined himself with her to bring them to fulfillment. “What other things?”

Her open curiosity intrigued him. “When you’re ready, I’ll show you what I’m referencing.”

“Don’t you think I’m ready now?”

“Not yet, sweetheart,” he said, brushing his lips against hers. “But,” he added, to soothe her impatience for the knowledge, “I’ll do my best to hasten your lessons.” Taryn had become accustomed to his intimate touch and the joining of their bodies, yet she had no idea of what she asked. He had no intention of frightening her by rushing the various techniques to create pleasure for both of them. In time, all in time. The bent of their conversation aroused him. He couldn’t seem to contain himself around her. Her simplest movements or most innocent remarks made him want to drag her into his arms, taste her mouth, and feel himself inside her. “Why don’t we walk down to the river,” he said, his voice strained.

Reaching the river, the horses grazing nearby, on impulse, Taryn sat on a boulder, and removed her shoes. Lifting her skirts, she rolled down her silk stockings.

Mesmerized by her movements, he stared at the shapely turn of her ankle. He felt no better than a rutting boar with the thoughts flying through his head. He justified his possessive thoughts. She was his wife. His very innocent wife, his conscience added.

She glanced over, noting his gaze fastened on her exposed legs. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes,” he admitted, shaking himself. “I’ve discovered I won’t need to teach you much about seduction. Your lack of knowledge is more powerful than I realized.”

A smile more brilliant than the sun graced her face. “Am I seducing you?”

Taryn’s voice held a soft, alluring tone. He swallowed, feeling his lower region hardening in response to her words. His voice felt dry when he spoke. “God help me, you are.” To his surprise, his hands shook as he reached out to take her hand.

She studied his face, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Why does everything seem so right when we’re alone and so confusing when we’re not?”

He placed a stray wisp of her hair behind her ear. “Perhaps our instincts take over, and there is no one to cloud our judgment.”

She slid her arms around his waist, pressing her head against his chest, closing her eyes. “Jared, let’s go away somewhere where we can be alone. Somewhere where no one knows us.”

“I would love to take you away, but I can’t. Not now anyway. I know these few days we’ll have aren’t much of a honeymoon, but I have to stay in Sacramento until the truth of the murder is resolved. I always ignored rumors and accusations in the past, but this time it involves you. I swear to you we will have a honeymoon when this is all over. The sure way to put this behind us is if I discover for myself who is responsible for Dean Breck’s murder.”

“Will you let me help you? I’m not being fair. You deserve the benefit of the doubt.”

He smiled. “We’ll see.”

Returning to town, they left the horses at the livery. Taryn walked toward the hotel when he took her hand, turning down another street. He ignored the pointing fingers and sidelong glances of those they passed. Reaching his destination, he held the door of the jeweler’s shop open.

The jeweler stepped out from behind a curtained room. “May I help you?”

“Yes,” Jared said. “We would like to see your wedding bands and diamonds.”

The jeweler removed a tray from a glass case.

Taryn felt a strong sense of love spread through her realizing he wanted their union symbolized with a set of gold bands missing during their hasty marriage ceremony.

Looking over the selection, Jared shook his head. “No, these are not what I had in mind. This style is fine,” he said, picking up one intricate gold band, but I would like my wife’s band to contain a row of rubies and diamonds while mine would be a match without the additional jewels.” He shifted his body to face her. “How does it sound to you?”

Taryn had to force her mouth not to drop as a result of her astonishment. She had expected a simple gold band. A nod is all she could muster.

“Would you prefer something other than diamonds and rubies?”

“No, those are fine,” she managed in a dry voice.

“I have nothing like you describe,” the jeweler said. “I’d be happy to design the rings to your specifications.”

“Now for your diamond ring,” Jared continued. Both she and the jeweler gaped in dazed wonder. He had such a casual approach to the purchase of such expensive pieces. On reflex, the jeweler reached for a tray of his finest diamond rings. Jared perused the rings, then addressed Taryn. “Which one do you like?”

Dumbfounded, she stared at the diamonds. “Jared, it’s too much.” “The band will be more than sufficient. The cost—”

“Which one do you want?” His gaze held hers, and his voice relayed his firm resolve to set matters right.

She glanced at the rings again. His expression ensured he would not take ‘no’ for an answer. She picked up one then another from the velvet tray. Placing one beautiful octagon-shaped diamond on her left hand, she smiled at the perfect fit. She raised her eyes to his in question. His smile and nod expressed his approval.

Jared caught the jeweler’s attention across the glass case. “We’ll also take this one.”

“I can have the wedding bands completed within the next week,” the jeweler said, exchanging the bill of sale for the bank draft. “Thank you, Mr…King,” he said glancing at the signature. He hesitated, realizing who stood before him.

Over supper, Taryn fingered the engagement ring he had bought during the afternoon. “Jared, the rings you purchased, they’re beautiful, but it wasn’t necessary to spend so much. I would have been as happy with something simpler.”

He smiled. “The cost is unimportant. There’s something you don’t know about me, Taryn. I think it’s time you did. Money will never be a problem for us.”

“It will be if you continue to be so generous. We won’t be able to afford the necessities.”

He laughed. “I can afford to be generous.”

“How?”

“Through my investments of which I, or we,” he corrected, “have many. I doubt it would be possible for us to spend all the money in our lifetimes.”

She felt dizzy with his revelation. “But if you’re wealthy, why did you agree to work for my uncle?”

He leaned forward over the table. “So I could be near you.”

She felt a blush suffusing her face. She leaned back in her chair. “Are there any other surprises about you I should know?”

“Probably,” he commented without elaborating.

A couple being ushered to the table adjacent to them made a great show of expressing their outraged disgust at being seated anywhere near them. Throughout the remainder of their meal, three other couples had refused a table by them, two had left the restaurant, and those remaining whispered behind menus with their gazes darting in their direction. By the time she and Jared had reached their suite of rooms, Taryn couldn’t contain her fury.

“Sometimes I wish we were back on the train. Everything seemed so much simpler.” She threw a glaring stare back at the door. “Those old biddies have nothing better to do than gossip about us and point fingers to brighten up their colorless lives? Did you hear what one woman said?” She turned toward where he sat at the desk, not waiting for his response. “She suggested to her friend we should be run out of town? This,” Taryn stressed, “from a woman whose husband makes his money from fleecing the patrons of his saloon allowing all manner of perversion to go on in the rooms on the second floor of Rose’s Saloon.” She stomped about the living room in annoyance. “Every one of them so sure you’re responsible for Dean Breck’s murder. They’re saying your temper had to be the cause. I’ve seen you’re temper on more than one occasion, and it has never driven you to insensibility. Of course, not one of them can come up with a real motive. They all know you were with me. Besides, you had no motive and; therefore, couldn’t have done it. No, it’s easier for them to feed on gossip. Ignorant fools!” She kicked her shoes off and sent them skidding under the couch.

“Taryn, come here.”

His soft tone calmed her tirade. Her chest still heaving with indignation, she stomped across the room.

He sat forward in his chair, taking her hands in his as she stood before him. “What did you say?”

He held his breath, waiting for her recognition. “I said they were ignorant fools.”

“No, the prior statement.”

She reiterated the words in a rush. “I said you couldn’t have killed Dean Breck because you had no motive.” She froze, thinking of what she had said. You…had no motive.”

He smiled in relief. Taryn found the answer to remove her doubts.

“Jared,” she breathed, squatting down to kneel between his legs, her hands resting on his knees, “I never even considered the motive. I’m so sorry.”

“Taryn, you don’t have to apologize…”

She placed her fingers over his lips. “Yes, I do. I was wrong, Jared.”

He didn’t realize how important her belief in him meant. He drew her toward him. “Taryn.” He embraced her, feeling such completeness to his life.

His gaze locked with hers as he sat back. “I have loved you from the moment I held you in my arms. I wanted to tell you the night I came to your room.”

Taryn felt her throat constrict with emotion. She recalled the moment she first saw him, how he had attracted her. The way he’d prevented harm from coming to her on the train first from the cowboy who had accosted her then with the stranger at the Omaha Station. The picnic they’d shared, and his charm. Then there was his willingness to go along with the marital ruse to protect her reputation for the benefit of Etta and others. Even his commitment to marrying her when her reputation had become questionable. Would he have done any of those things if he didn’t care? She found it incomprehensible. There had been no reason for him to help her in any one of those instances and yet, he had. Reaching up, she placed her hands at the nape of his neck, her fingers sinking into the thick waves of his hair. “No one has ever made me feel the way you do or made me happier.”

Taryn’s words caused him more happiness than he ever imagined. He slanted his mouth over hers, his kiss intense, affirming their love.

“Make love to me, Jared. I want to forget everything but you.”

He tightened his arms around her and crushed his mouth over hers. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her into the bedroom, laying her on the bed, taking immense pleasure undressing her at his leisure. He would make her forget, make them both forget.

His lovemaking was wild and fierce. He felt himself on fire with an uncontrollable need, a burning desire to be consumed by her. Every touch of her hands sent him reeling. He suckled her breasts until she begged for more. He slid his fingers into her with swift sure strokes to drive her beyond the brink of thought.

Taryn felt spasm after spasm of pure ecstasy. Panting and pleading, she grasped his shoulders, her fingers digging into his flesh. “Please. I want you now!”

He stiffened with desire, hardened and readied by her touch and words. He positioned himself over her, teasing her with the touch of his throbbing member. She cried out, whimpering for release. With one powerful thrust, he drove inside her, causing her breath to catch in her throat with the sheer bliss. He rocked back and forth, moving his hips to heighten her pleasure.

Taryn felt as though she were on some other plain. His thrusts came faster and faster, each one fiercer than the last. She held him at his hips, pressing him onward. His penetration deepened his driving plunges more urgent.

He shouted her name with raw emotion as he spilled himself within her, shuddering with the release as she tightened herself around him.

Several moments passed before either could speak. He rolled on his side, cradling her in his arms. After a handful of times they’d made love, he discovered each time increased his need. Taryn was responsible for the overpowering joy he felt when they made love. He would never want another woman.

“Every time you make love to me, Jared, I find I need it all the more.”

He smiled. He had awakened her desires, and they would never lay dormant again. He rolled over with her still in his arms. There were so many things he had yet to awaken in her. Things he had yet to teach her about herself and making love. All he wanted was time with her.