* * *
The dusty ride back to town took the whole day. Clint only stopped to rest the horses twice, so by the time he arrived at civilization the sun was sinking into the horizon and his captives had lost their arrogance. Clint looked down the street. The Gallatin County Sheriff's Department sign swung in the late afternoon breeze at the end of the boardwalk.
After depositing the men with an amateur of a deputy, Clint took Shadow to the local livery and then his tired body off to the hotel. He hoped the lawman was more capable than he looked, but hey, it was outta his hands, at least until the trial. What he wanted now was to bathe, eat, and sleep in an actual bed. Tomorrow would be soon enough to return to the ranch and face Jessie. He still was unsure of his next move. Of course, if her memories had returned, she might have already decided to be rid of him. That would be easier. Easy he was used to, but that wasn't what he wanted anymore.
Sweet thoughts of Jessie filled his mind as he bathed. He closed his eyes and pictured her, smile radiant, eyes the color of autumn grasses. She warmed him in every way, and not just physically, though that topped his list. She'd make a great mate, if she'd have him.
If she'd have him. His heart cramped with doubt. Only two things he knew to be true—he wanted her and his renowned charm would not win her over.
He sank deeper into the water and rested his head against the tub. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. A vision came to him of Jessie joining him in this tub—
He jerked upright, a wave of tub water sloshing over the sides. Here he was, trying hard to be pleasing to God, and thinking carnal thoughts would hardly extract him from the sins of his past. Amazing, how God took those who came to Him willingly, right where they were, and changed them from the inside out.
Clint had finally made his way to willing, and already he could feel the changing.
He hefted himself out of the tub, tired beyond words. Drying with a towel meant for a body half his size, his gaze drifted to the small oval mirror above the sink. Studying his image, he turned his face from one side to the other, contemplating the dark whiskers. He gave strong consideration to growing a full beard until he thought of Jessie's tender skin and immediately threw off the idea. He'd shave in the morning. Finger combing his wet hair straight back, he then donned a clean shirt, the freshest set of jeans he had left, and stuffed his feet into his tired old boots. Leaving his battered Stetson on the bed, he made his way downstairs to the restaurant.
As he filled the archway to the hotel dining room, he caught the I-like-what-I-see looks from numerous women, the same looks he had collected since the moment he'd reached his teens. And not just from the patrons, but from two waitresses who were frozen in place with plates of food crammed up the length of their arms. Such interest used to please him, and cause him to flip the on-switch to his interminable charm. Not tonight. He rubbed his neck. This was giving him a headache. He wished he could bypass the attention and leave for home tonight. But riding horseback during a new moon was too dangerous, so he aimed for a small table in a darkened corner. All he wanted now was to be left alone with a hot meal and his own thoughts.
Hiding behind a menu, he relaxed to study it. Dang if he wasn't hungry enough to eat an entire cow—and tired enough, he'd never be able to choose one cut of beef over the next.
He noticed four petite feet pointing in his direction. Slowly, he lowered the menu back to the table and gave a weary smile he wasn't feeling to the two women. One was tall and thin, the other short and round—both young.
"Hey, big fella. What can I get you?" the tall waitress said.
"This is my table, Julie," the short one whined to the first.
He wanted to roll his eyes but instead mustered up what little pleasantness he had left. "Just bring me your special and black coffee."
There was complete silence as both women let their eyes roam over him.
Clint's gaze shifted back and forth from one to the other, waiting to see who would take pity on him and bring him some food.
The two women turned to glare at one another, like they were in their own O.K. Corral with frowns drawn and eyes blazing. A third woman marched between the two and elbowed them apart.
The tall one spun on the newcomer. "What the—" Her eyes went wide.
Both waitresses straightened and drew their pads and pencils up to their chests. Their boss, clearly. Looking back at Clint, they plastered on generic smiles.
"Enough girls, I'll take care of him. Get back to work," the boss-lady said.
One turned and left in a huff. The other studied him a moment longer, then sighed and trailed along behind.
Clint did a quick perusal of the new arrival. Striking, with long, flaxen hair trapped neatly at her nape with an elegant clip. A short black dress clung nicely to her curvy figure, a pearl necklace surrounded her slender neck, and high heels enhanced shapely calves.
Clint grimaced when he realized that without thought he'd just sized her up. Not so long ago he'd have actively planned out his evening with such a woman—probably the owner—and been assured of its success before his dessert even arrived. Tonight, all that the attention managed to do was create in him a deep ache for Jessie, and remind him of his overfed appetite for women.
"Now, what was it you wanted?" the blonde said with a flash of a white smile.
An aspirin. "Whatever your special is and coffee. Black," Clint replied, careful to show no expression.
"Name's Faye. Are you sure food's all you want, cowboy?" She sat down in the extra chair at his table, crossed her arms in front of her, and leaned over them. Her neckline billowed slightly in the front and gave him a direct shot to her ample assets.
Instead of his usual reaction, his stomach rolled with derision. Had they all been this blatant? Even as his stomach churned, making him wonder if food was such a good idea anymore, he recognized he'd been given a gift straight from Heaven. His eyes were opened—truly opened—for the first time. As if God had shined a light on his old life and given him a hardy, lasting view.
His only aim now was to get back to Jessie and beg her to have him. In truth, he'd been missing her his whole adult life. The undeniable joy that seeped through him when he was with her filled a desperate need. One he didn't know he had until she'd walked into his life.
Heartened by thoughts of Jessie, he leaned in a bit. His action brought the same reaction from the woman. Her eyes grew large, and a smile of anticipation crossed her face. With a weary grin he said, "Dinner and nothing else." He drew out the last two words with added emphasis.
Her face fell. "You sure?" she tried again, sounding a little desperate.
He had been this bad. He groaned inwardly as he clenched his fists. "I'm sure."
"I'm told you're spending the night here. If you need anything . . . anything at all, ask for Faye." She pushed her chair back and stood. Gracing him with a charming smile, she sashayed out of the room.
In ten minutes the tall waitress arrived with his food and coffee, plunked it in front of him, and departed without a word.
Finally, left to have the meal on his own, he lifted his fork to eat. Remembering, he set the utensil back down and lowered his head in thanks.