It took only a few minutes for Odell to pull up a large bass. “Look at that, Anna!” he crowed. “It’s almost as big as you.” He tossed it into the basket, baited his hook again, and threw his line back into the water.
Colt followed by catching a fat trout. Anna clapped, and when he and Odell caught three more, she clapped even harder.
Looking over at the still waiting Regan, Colt asked her, “You sure you’ve fished before?”
“Hush up, doctor man, my worms are just being particular.” Her line tugged and she gloated, “See?” and she pulled up an old black wader. Her shocked face gave Anna the giggles. Colt and Odell laughed like loons.
Apparently not minding being the butt of the joke, she worked the boot free and said to Anna, “I think this will make a great dinner, don’t you?”
“No,” she replied through her laughter.
Odell said, “Probably be real tasty with pepper sauce.”
Regan stuck out her tongue, rebaited her hook, and tried again.
Regan finally hooked two medium-sized trout and after that, everyone agreed they’d caught enough.
Odell volunteered to cook. “Anna, you want to help me build a fire and get the fish ready?”
“Do I have to touch worms?”
He grinned. “No. Just bring me the plates and tableware you and your folks brought.”
She nodded and hurried over to the items they’d unloaded from the wagon. Colt went with her to carry the kindling needed for the fire.
Colt placed the kindling down near the ring of stones Odell used as a fire pit, and asked, “You want me to start gutting and scaling?”
“No, I want you and the missus to go take a walk and let me and Anna do our jobs.” He looked to Anna. “Do you think they should take a walk together?”
The smiling Anna nodded.
Odell said, “Then it’s unanimous. Get going, you two. Pretend you like each other’s company. Anna will be okay. When you smell the fish cooking it’ll be time to come back, not before.” He made a shooing motion. “Go.”
So, they did.
“Is this his way of playing matchmaker?” Regan asked as they followed the rocky shoreline away from their fishing site.
“I don’t know.” But the old trapper was definitely up to something and had roped Anna in as a coconspirator.
“Does he have family?”
“His wife died when Spring and I were young, but he had a son and a daughter. They live back East, if I remember correctly.” He looked her way and decided spending time alone with his wife wasn’t anything to complain about. “How about we find a place to sit?” he asked.
“That’s fine.”
They walked along in companionable silence and came across a felled tree. Taking a seat, they looked out at the water and the mountains.
“I had fun today, even if I did catch an old boot.”
He chuckled at the memory of her astonished face. “Not what you expected?”
“Not at all. Wasn’t expecting Ben to bite my head off either.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“You can’t apologize for someone else’s actions, but I appreciate you coming to my defense.”
“If it’s any consolation, he didn’t get along with my mother either.”
“What about Adele?”
“He was cool to her, too. He was living at his cabin back then, so we only saw him occasionally.”
“I’ve never had anyone speak to me so rudely.”
“I could tell by your reaction. It won’t happen again.”
“How can you be sure?”
He told her about the ultimatum he’d issued.
“You really told him that?”
He nodded and added sincerely, “I don’t want Anna afraid you’ll leave her.” And he didn’t want her to leave either.
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Anything is possible, Regan.” He sensed she wanted to offer more reassurance, but instead she let the subject drop. “Besides, our pact might fall apart if Ben’s allowed to meddle, and I don’t want that.”
“Neither do I.”
Looking into her eyes, memories of last night’s encounter rose, bringing back the sight and feel of her riding out her pleasure with her legs around his waist and arching to meet his thrusts. His body stirred with a now familiar desire that refused to be tamed, bridled, or denied. “You have mud on your cheek,” he said softly and trailed a finger gently across the spot.
“Anna and I will both need baths tonight. Maybe we’ll use the tub in your mother’s room since it’s restored. Care to join me after? It’s big enough for two.”
“You’re determined to be my personal temptress, aren’t you?”
“It’s either that or find a job delivering the mail,” she whispered.
Unable to resist, Colt brushed his mouth against hers. Sweetness poured into him and he placed an arm low on her back to ease her closer. He kissed her fully, taking a moment to nibble her bottom lip while she ran her hands possessively up his arms and down his back. He dragged her onto his lap and moved his kisses over her jaw and down the silken line of her neck. Her head fell back to offer him more and he felt bewitched. Everything about her called to him like a siren and he could no more resist than he could stop breathing. “Every time you’re near I want to touch you.”
“I like it when you do.”
He undid the top buttons on her red flannel shirt and kissed the hollow of her throat. “You smell like fish,” he chuckled.
“So do you.”
He raised his head and savored the smile in her eyes. He traced her lips. “Maybe I will take you up on that bath. I could use one, too.”
“Only if you promise to be very scandalous.”
Who knew he’d wind up enjoying her company so much? “I’ll see what I can do.”
The aromatic scent of fish cooking over a fire drifted their way on the breeze.
“I think Odell’s ready for us,” he said with a hint of regret.
She offered a mock pout. “I was hoping to get a preview of how scandalous you plan to be.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Up, you sassy woman. Let’s go eat.”
She rose. “I’ve enjoyed the first day of our pact.”
“So have I. Let’s plan on more days like this.”
“Agreed.”
They took a leisurely walk back to the fishing site. Anna, seated on a tarp, looked up from her plate and greeted them with a grin. Odell stood talking to a man in an army uniform. Both men turned their way. The soldier’s eyes widened. Colt heard Regan gasp.
The soldier smiled fondly and asked with a laugh, “Regan Carmichael, what on earth are you doing here?”
Chapter Eleven
Regan wondered why the Fates were conspiring against her. First, she’d mistakenly shot her intended and now, here stood Levi Spalding, the man she’d given her virginity to.
Odell asked Levi, “You two know each other?”
He nodded. “My unit was stationed near her home in Arizona Territory a couple of years back. How’s your family? Your sister?”
Unable to look Colt’s way, she fought to keep her tone light. “Everyone’s well. Portia recently married.”
Odell said, “Levi, meet Colt Lee, he’s the doc around here. Colt this is my grandson, Lieutenant Levi Spalding. He and his unit are over in Rock Springs, hoping to keep the miners from going on the warpath about the Chinese strikebreakers. He rode up to see me. He’s my daughter’s boy.”
Colt shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant. Regan is my wife.”
Levi stiffened and his eyes flashed her way before moving back to Colt’s. “Congratulations. She’s a lovely lady.”
Regan hazarded a glance at her husband and wondered if the guilt screaming inside was visible. In truth, she had nothing to be guilty about, but the awkwardness of the situation and his unreadable dark eyes made her feel as if she’d swallowed sand.
Unaware of
the intrigue, Odell said, “Come on and grab a plate, you two. Fish is ready.”
As they sat eating the fish and potatoes Odell had prepared, Levi asked casually, “So, how long have you and Dr. Lee been married, Regan?”
“Not long.” She prayed he’d not bring up what they once meant to each other.
She saw Odell watching her intently before he asked his grandson, “How long have you and Marie been married? Can’t remember.”
Levi’s face went red. “It’ll be six years in October.”
Six years! She was stunned. During their six-month relationship, he’d claimed to be unattached. Outwardly, she schooled her reaction as best she could. Inside fury burned white-hot. She’d gifted her innocence to a married man!
The meal continued and the men talked about the volatile situation in Rock Springs.
Colt said, “The White miners resent the companies bringing in the Chinese, and they’re being targeted more and more.”
Odell added, “They hate the Chinese as much as they hated the Indians.”
While listening, Regan imagined how she might subject Levi to a slow and painful death. He’d taken advantage of her in ways that made her feel young and foolish. She’d trusted him with her heart and her feelings, only to realize she’d been used. She knew she could be naïve but she’d always prided herself on being a good judge of character. Apparently, she’d been naïve to believe that as well.
She was still brooding when it came time to depart.
Levi said, “It was good seeing you again, Regan.”
She lied, “Same here. Give my regards to your wife.”
He winced visibly. “I most certainly will when I return home to Virginia.”
Colt asked, “How long will your unit be in Rock Springs?”
“Not sure. We’ll see how the situation unfolds. Pleasure meeting you, Dr. Lee.”
“Good meeting you, too.”
The way Odell studied her made Regan wonder if the old trapper had somehow gleaned the truth about her and Levi.
“Sorry Ben’s being such a pain in the rear,” Odell said. “He went back to his place but he’ll come around. Take care of yourself, Regan.”
She nodded.
“You too, little Anna. Don’t forget to draw me those fish you promised.”
“I won’t. Tell Granpa I’m sorry I fussed at him.”
“I will.”
As her husband got the team under way, she noted his distance. She was focused on her own bruised feelings but didn’t want it to affect Anna, so she asked her, “Did you have a good time?”
“I did,” Anna replied, then turned to her father. “Papa, can I have my own pole so I can fish next time, too?”
“Yes, you can.”
“I’m glad Miss Regan asked you to come with us.”
“Me too.”
Regan looked his way and smiled, but it wasn’t returned. She sighed and wondered if he’d somehow figured out her true ties to Levi, too.
When they reached the house, they unloaded the wagon and put everything away.
Regan said to Anna, “Let’s get you a bath. How about we use the big tub?”
Her eyes went wide. “Truly?”
“Yes, truly. Go get your bath things.”
She ran to her room leaving the adults alone.
Regan looked to Colt. “Is there something we need to discuss?”
“No. I have some reading to catch up on. I’ll see you later.” And he walked away.
She wanted to yell, “Coward!” Instead she went to help Anna with her bath.
Later, while the sparkling clean Anna drew the fish she’d promised Odell in her bedroom, Regan was in the kitchen preparing a light dinner when she heard the door pull. Drying her hands, she went to the door and found the sheriff waiting on the other side. “Hello, Whit.”
“Regan. Is Colt here?”
“He’s in his study. Come on in. I’ll get him.”
She knocked on the door. “The sheriff’s here.”
“I’ll be right there.”
He accompanied her back to the parlor and asked Lambert, “Is someone hurt?”
“No. Just got a wire from Judge Jinks. He’ll be here Monday to begin Rawl’s and Corman’s trial.” They were the outlaws from the attempted stagecoach robbery.
Regan asked, “Will I be allowed to testify?”
“Not sure, but you should be there just in case.”
In many places, Colored people were barred from testifying against those outside the race by laws instituted both before and after the Civil War. She supposed Mr. Denby could be called upon as a witness in her stead, but he’d been driving and hadn’t seen much.
Whit added, “Court will be held at nine in the morning.”
Colt asked, “Does Dun know?”
“Yes. I just left his place. He said he’ll be attending.”
Regan decided that even if she wasn’t allowed to testify, she’d have an opportunity to see his face.
Whit left shortly thereafter. Colt returned to his office and she went back to the kitchen to finish dinner.
After the meal, she and Anna went outside. They picked wildflowers, and later stretched out on an old quilt and searched out shapes in the clouds. They saw horses and bears and cats. Their time together helped distract Regan from the lingering hurt of Levi’s betrayal and gave her and Anna another way to have fun.
“I like having you for my mama, Miss Regan,” Anna said, lying beside her.
“I like having you for my daughter.”
“Are you and Papa mad at each other?”
Caught off guard, Regan took in the girl’s serious eyes. “Your papa and I just need to talk about some things.” Even if she didn’t know what the things might be.
“He isn’t smiling at you like he was when we were fishing.”
“I know. It’ll be fixed. Promise.”
“I don’t want you to go away.”
Regan hugged her close and placed a kiss on her forehead. “It’s too late to get rid of me now, honey. I’m here to stay.” Although she and Anna hadn’t been family very long, doing things together, like the dishes and working on the new bedroom, had given them a connection Regan enjoyed. She couldn’t imagine not having Anna in her life and looked forward to watching her grow up.
“Can I have a little sister? Livy’s mama is giving her one.”
Caught off guard again, Regan chuckled softly. “Let me talk to your papa.”
“She can share my room once it’s pretty.”
With the scandalous behavior she and Colt had been indulging in, a child was a likely possibility and she savored the idea of that. “What if it’s a little brother?”
Anna seemed to think it over. “I guess that would be okay as long as he’s not like Wallace Denby.”
Regan laughed. “I agree.”
Later, Colt joined her to put Anna to bed. “I asked Miss Regan to give me a baby sister. She said she’d speak to you about it. May I have one, please?”
He looked so stunned, it took all Regan had not to burst into laughter. He finally managed to reply, “Uhm. She and I will discuss it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Regan noted he avoided looking her way. He gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead. “Sleep well.”
Regan gave her a kiss, too, and after he doused her lamp, the two adults left her to her dreams.
Without a word, he headed back to his study, but Regan decided enough was enough. He’d talk to her whether he wanted to or not. With that in mind, she knocked on the closed study door. Without allowing him the opportunity to turn her away, she walked in.
He looked up, perturbed.
“Our bath?” she asked.
“Tell me about Levi Spalding.”
She drew in a calming breath. “He was the man I gave my innocence to.”
Jaw hard, he studied her for a silent moment. “And you did all the things we did together—with him?”
“N
o. Nor did I know until this afternoon that he was married at the time. Either way, I told you about him.”
“You did, but putting an actual face to the man—it’s different.”
“How?”
“It just is.”
“You were distant even before you knew what the man meant to me.”
He paused.
“I tell you the truth, I find out Levi used me terribly, and you have the gall to have your nose out of joint? Fine. My apologies for being truthful and for disturbing you. Enjoy your journal.” She stormed out. She dearly wanted to slam the door but it would’ve alarmed Anna so she didn’t.
Colt blew out a breath. Wondering when he’d lost the upper hand and feeling properly chastised, he felt frustrated, angry, and ashamed. From the moment he’d learned she and the soldier knew each other he’d sensed she was disturbed, but he’d been too busy wallowing in his own jealousy to consider asking why. He hadn’t liked the idea of her even knowing the soldier, and now, finding out they’d been intimate made him see red. He didn’t want to imagine her with someone else. That the man was not of the race was of no consequence. The simple fact that Spalding had been her first was all Colt cared about and it made him want to find the soldier and punch him in the face. He ran his hands down his own face. Regan Carmichael Lee was making him lose his damn mind. This wasn’t a love match, so why was he so upset? By all rights, he owed her an apology. Knowing her the way he did, she’d undoubtedly given Spalding her heart and soul, and to find out today, years later, the man was married had to be devastating. And yet, he, her husband, had placed his injured pride above her feelings. He’d gutted their agreed upon pact in less than twenty-four hours. If she never smiled at him again, it would be too soon. He wanted to make this right, because like Anna, he didn’t want her to leave.
Colt rose to his feet. He needed someone’s counsel. Remembering Regan’s concern the morning he left the house without informing her, he penned a quick note and slipped it beneath her bedroom door. Outside, after saddling his horse, he rode off to see the only person he might be able to talk to about the mess he’d made.
When Spring answered his knock, she asked with concern, “Has something happened? Are Anna and Regan okay?”