Marshal?”
“I’d rather talk right here, if you don’t mind.”
“But of course.” She gave him her most dazzling smile.
He saw right through her. He was already braced for that look she bestowed on men. Like rain on parched land. Like sunshine after a storm. But he was ready for it. Not today, Ruby Jewel, he thought You’re not going to dazzle this man with your charm.
In a bid to gain time and gather his thoughts, he took several moments to tie his horse to the back of her rig. Then he strolled up beside her.
“There was a theft today. From the wagon of that traveling salesman, Vernon Mathis. I thought I’d ask if you knew anything about it.” ,
“I?” She placed a hand over her heart and saw the way the marshal’s gaze followed the movement. Pleased, she gave a delicate sigh. “How could I possibly know about this...theft?”
“Mr. Mathis told me you were there.”
“But I am a stranger to this man. And he to me. How would he know my name?”
“He didn’t. But he described you, and your gown, and your hair, and...” He’d almost slipped and said “body.” He cleared his throat. “There’s no other like you in Hanging Tree, Ruby.” Or all of Texas, for that matter.
She gave a little laugh. “I think, Marshal, you are flattering me.”
He bit back an oath. Damned if she wasn’t trying to make him forget all his promises to himself. “I’m not here to Hatter you, Ruby. I’m here to ask if you know about the theft.”
“Perhaps if you would tell me what is missing,” she prompted.
“Beads. Pretty trinkets.”
“That is all?”
He nodded.
She closed her eyes a moment, deep in thought. That gave Quent time to study the way an errant curl had dipped provocatively over her forehead, brushing her brow. His gaze settled on the long, pale column of throat, then lowered to the swell of high, firm breasts, visible beneath the scoop of her neckline. That was where he was staring when her eyes snapped open.
He felt a new rush of fury and clenched his hand into a fist at his side.
“I have given this matter some thought, Marshal, but I fear I can be of no assistance. I recall nothing suspicious.”
As she raised her hand to flick the reins, he spotted something dangling from the corner of her pocket. Something that caught and reflected the light.
His temper reached the boiling point.
It wasn’t bad enough that Ruby Jewel, thanks to her father’s generous will, was one of the richest women in Texas. He could understand a woman stealing, if she was driven to it by cruel circumstances. He’d seen plenty of frightened, hungry folks in his time. But this woman needed nothing. What made it worse was the fact that, confronted with the truth, she insisted upon lying. Quent Regan hated lying.
He was determined to give her one last chance. “You don’t know anything about the. peddler’s trinkets, ma’am?”
She shook her head, sending rich auburn curls dancing. It was imperative that she get away from this man. From his badge. From all that he stood for. “Have I not said as much? Good day, Marshal.”
In that brief moment Marshal Quent Regan snapped. And did something he’d never done before.
Chapter Three
W ithout warning, Quent caught Ruby by the arm and hauled her out of her carriage. “Damned ornery female. I’ve reached the end of my patience with you. Now you’re going to admit the truth.”
His big hands clutched at her shoulders, as if to shake her. Or throttle her within an inch of her life. In all his years as a peace officer, he’d never had occasion to manhandle a woman. But this obstinate little liar had just pushed him over the edge.
That was before she bumped against his chest. Then he couldn’t seem to recall just exactly what he’d had in mind. All he could think of was the shocking press of that perfect body against his. And the way her eyes, looking up into his, had gone all wide with surprise.
A man could get lost in those big green eyes,