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  She had not seen Hank Chavez and wondered if he had left Elizabethtown. There was a month still left before she could expect her escort to arrive. What could she do with all that time?

  She began to think wistfully of home. She had not seen her father for nearly three years. The time had lengthened because she had stayed an extra six months to visit Jeannette, mostly just to be near Adrien. But he had paid no more attention to her then than he did now. Why didn’t Adrien find her attractive? Other men did.

  Samantha began to think he might be like Jeannette, his taste peculiar, as hers was. Imagine Jeannette not thinking Hank Chavez handsome! Was Adrien repelled by dark skin? Perhaps she was too dark, too robust, too healthy. She had had a dark, healthy tan when she had gone East and had kept it for almost six months. Though she was pale enough now, perhaps he couldn’t forget how dark she had once been. Was this healthy appearance repugnant to him? Or maybe he just didn’t like dark-haired women. His mother and sister were so blonde, so petite. Was she perhaps too tall?

  Damn! What did he find wrong with her? If he didn’t so dislike boldness in women, she would simply have asked him. Time was running out. Now she would only be able to see him a few hours each day. She needed help. She ought to have confided in Jeannette long before. Jeannette did not know that Samantha loved Adrien. Perhaps it was time they talked.

  They did, that night over dinner in a small restaurant featuring home-cooked meals. It had been almost empty when they arrived, but had filled up quickly, mostly with rough men who came in from the gambling hall next door. They suffered noise and unwelcome attention while they ate.

  “Does Adrien have a sweetheart somewhere? Someone I don’t know about?” Samantha began.

  Jeannette was surprised. “Of course not, chérie,” she said. “Why do you ask?”

  Samantha was embarrassed, but she couldn’t stop. “I was just wondering why he doesn’t seem to like me.”

  “Certainly he likes you, Samantha. You are his friend, just as you are mine.”

  “I don’t mean as a friend, Jeannette. Am I so ugly? Why can’t he like me as more than a friend?”

  Jeannette frowned. She couldn’t meet Samantha’s too-revealing eyes. “Why would you want him to?”

  “Why?” Samantha leaned close to whisper. “Can’t you tell I love him? But of course you wouldn’t know. He doesn’t know. What am I going to do, Jeannette?”

  “Ah, chérie, I am sorry. I had no idea you felt this way about my brother.”

  “But what am I to do? I will be leaving in a little less than a month.”

  “Perhaps you should forget him and go home to your papa,” Jeannette said gently.

  “Forget him? Impossible!”

  “It might be for the best, Samantha. You see, Adrien has set a goal for himself.” Jeannette tried to explain. “He has sworn to have nothing to do with women until he has reached his goal.”

  “Which is?”

  “To be rich and respected. Before, his goal was to establish a law practice. Now I suppose it will be this silver mine he has bought. Until he is rich, he will not even think of women.”

  “He is being too hard with himself,” Samantha remarked. “What if he were to marry a rich woman?”

  “He would not, unless he were equally rich. It is a matter of pride with him.”

  Samantha became annoyed. She wanted encouragement and she wasn’t getting any.

  “You are suggesting I give up?”

  “Oui. It would be best for you.”

  “Then you don’t know me at all, Jeannette,” she replied stiffly. “I never give up.”

  Samantha was too angry and disappointed to say any more. Jeannette fell silent, contemplating her food with a thoughtful frown. They were just about to leave when they were interrupted by a deep voice.

  “Ah, la señoritas.” Hank greeted them cheerfully. “What a pleasure to see you again!”

  Samantha nodded, and Jeannette said, “And you, Señor Chavez. We have missed your company. And Adrien has remarked after you.”

  “How is your brother?” Hank ventured politely. “Did he find a gold mine yet?”

  “Not exactly a mine, but he is prospecting in the valley.” Jeannette smiled warmly. “I am sure he would like to see you again. Would you care to visit him with us tomorrow? We ride out to see him every morning.”

  “I would enjoy that,” Hank replied, his eyes crinkling with his smile.

  “Wonderful. We will see you in the morning then, at the stable. Nine o’clock?”

  After Hank had gone, Samantha turned fiery green eyes on Jeannette. “Why on earth did you do that? You don’t even like him!”

  “But he is charming, and quite amusing.”

  “But you didn’t have to invite him to come with us!” Samantha snapped.

  “To be honest, I will feel much safer with a man along escorting us to the valley.”

  “I am able to protect us perfectly well, Jeannette,” Samantha replied indignantly.

  “But it should not be up to you to protect us, chérie. Actually, I have been considering staying with Adrien, so I will not have to make that ride each day.”

  “To sleep in a tent? Don’t be ridiculous, Jeannette. You would be too uncomfortable.”

  “But I would feel better, not so afraid.” Then she added, “Perhaps I won’t have to if I can persuade your friend to escort us each day—until he leaves this town, of course.”

  “Hank Chavez is not ‘my friend’!” Samantha insisted sharply. “And you can go with him by yourself tomorrow. I don’t want to see him.”

  “No, no, I could not be alone with him!”

  “You said you would feel safe with him,” Samantha reminded pointedly.

  “But only if you are there, too. You must come. Adrien would miss you if you do not.”

  Put that way, Samantha agreed. She was being silly about Hank Chavez, anyhow. His interest in her was surely over. He had not tried to see her since their arrival in Elizabethtown. Their meeting tonight had been accidental.

  “Well, I suppose I’ll go with you,” Samantha said as the two young women rose from the table. “Besides,” she added with an impish grin, “it just might make Adrien jealous to see me with Mr. Chavez.”

  Jeannette sighed. Poor Samantha. If she only knew how futile her efforts were. She hoped for Samantha’s sake that Hank Chavez was ardent enough to make her forget Adrien, for loving Adrien would do her friend no good at all.

  Chapter 10

  ELIZABETHTOWN never settled down. From earliest morning there was great activity, and the bustle and noise continued all night long in the saloons and gaming halls. There were even huge tents for gambling and drinking set up by ambitious entrepreneurs eager to take the miners’ gold.

  On their sixth day in Elizabethtown, Samantha awoke earlier than usual to the loud morning traffic. At once she decided to take special care with her appearance. She soaked longer than necessary in the too-small tub, and washed her hair twice with her special rose soap. Afterward, she brushed it until the long, thick hair sparkled with fiery highlights. She pinned it up artfully until every strand was tucked away except two short curls at her temples. The effect would be stunning with her pert, narrow-brimmed beige hat. Its six dark green ribbons fell halfway down her back. The hat matched the better of the two riding habits she had with her. Light green velvet, it was of the Eastern design, made for a sidesaddle. She deplored sidesaddles but had been forced to use them. Ladies did not ride astride.

  Samantha was still fussing before her mirror when Jeannette came in. They walked to the stable and hired horses, Samantha choosing the gray mare she had ridden before. She was used to the animal already. It was gentle and would give her no trouble. She did not especially care about impressing Hank with her excellent horsemanship.

  He joined them after a few moments, dressed nearly as he had been on the day they met, all in black except for a blue silk bandanna and a blue patterned shirt. He looked exceptionally rakish and devil
-may-care, and Samantha returned his warm greeting with a happy smile.

  They didn’t talk as they rode down into the valley. When they reached Adrien’s camp, Samantha perceived at once that Adrien was not pleased to see her with Hank. He fairly bristled, and ignored them to the point of rudeness, continuing his digging in the creekbed with barely a civil word even for his sister.

  Samantha was embarrassed and stepped away for a walk. Jeannette had gone to sit by her brother. Hank returned to the horses. He didn’t consider following Samantha. He would let her stew a little longer. He could wait. He had already let five days pass without trying to see her. She needed to know that she could not toy with him.

  He had missed her and had passed the time gambling. Pat had been right about one thing. The luck of the cards was with him. He had done much more than simply double his money. He still did not have enough money to buy his estate, but he felt rich. He had never had so much money. And who knew? If Samantha kept him there long enough, he might continue to win until he had enough to buy his land.

  How long would he and Samantha stay? He would not allow a long courtship. He was being patient with her, but he would not be patient forever. This was not Europe, where long courtships were common. This was the West, where a man could meet, court, and marry a woman all in one day. Many did just that.

  When they left Elizabethtown they would be married, or else they would be on their way to Mexico to be married there. If she insisted on her father’s blessing, he would agree to that. For her, he would agree to almost anything. Within reason, of course.

  Finding himself in this exalted state caused Hank no small amount of wonder. He had looked at Samantha once and had known he had to have her. She was a lady, so he could not have her without marrying her. And therefore he had decided to marry her. Just like that! He did not stop to think that he hardly knew her. She talked about her family and herself very little. But it did not seem important. He was letting his feelings rule him—just as he had with Angela. He was letting himself be carried away by love for a beautiful woman.

  Before the day was over, he would show Samantha that he had not lost interest.

  Samantha returned to the camp a few minutes later, noting that nothing had changed. Hank was sitting against a tree twirling a long stem of grass. Jeannette was several feet away, sitting on a fallen tree trunk. Adrien had moved farther up the creek. No one was talking.

  Samantha smiled weakly at Hank before she moved to join Jeannette. “What is wrong with Adrien today?” she whispered, hoping Hank couldn’t hear. “He’s been rude before, but never like this. I thought at first he was jealous. But he’s ignoring you, too.”

  “I think he is becoming discouraged with his claim,” Jeannette replied. “He has found very little gold.”

  “Do you really think that’s all?”

  “Oui.” Jeannette sighed.

  “Have you tried to talk him out of this? He could still make a success of a law practice in Denver.”

  Jeannette shook her head. “I know this and you know this, but he has his heart set on great riches gotten quickly. He will not give up, not yet. I know my brother.”

  “Well, we might as well go back to town. Perhaps he will be in a better mood tomorrow.”

  “You go on back, chérie. I think I will stay here tonight with Adrien.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “No, I am serious,” Jeannette replied. “Adrien has worked himself sick. He is not feeling well.”

  “Did he tell you that?” Samantha became instantly concerned.

  “No, but I see it. He is pale. He sweats too much. He is running a fever. He will not stop work to see a doctor. I would worry myself sick if I did not stay here to take care of him. It will be easier for me to stay than to worry.”

  Samantha glanced over at Hank and thought of being alone with him on the ride back. She shivered. “But, Jeannette—”

  “No. Señor Chavez will see you safely back to town. You need not worry about me.”

  Samantha bit her lip, frowning thoughtfully. “I will stay, too.”

  Jeannette laughed. “There is not enough room in Adrien’s small tent for the three of us.” She turned serious again and nodded toward Hank. “You are not afraid to be alone with him, are you?”

  Samantha’s back went stiff. “Of course not!” she said indignantly. “Very well, I will see you tomorrow.”

  “Oui, tomorrow.”

  The stiffness left Samantha’s manner as she approached Hank hesitantly. “Are you ready to leave?”

  “Sí.” He stood up in one graceful motion, then looked toward Jeannette. “She is not coming?”

  “No. Jeannette insists Adrien is getting sick, and she won’t leave him. I hope you don’t mind. It will just be the two of us.”

  Hank grinned, and his eyes danced. “How could I mind…Sammy?” he answered softly.

  Hank wanted to laugh. So she was making the moves again! To arrange for them to be alone. She was not as coy as he had thought. She was as eager for him as he was for her.

  As they rode away from the camp, Hank was on top of the world. He would not disappoint Samantha. He knew just the spot where they could stop and be alone, far away from any camps. It was below the bluff they had crossed earlier, where a thin stream ran directly beneath it. A large tree stretched out its limbs by the stream. No one from the bluff could see beneath that tree, and there was a grassy bank beside it, a tiny Eden where he could be alone with his woman. Already he thought of her as his woman.

  Samantha was getting increasingly nervous, her thoughts running rampant. What did he mean by calling her Sammy? Could his interest in her have returned? It hadn’t been her idea to be alone with him. He knew that. What could he be thinking? Why was he being so…so familiar?

  Ah, Jeannette, what have you done to me?

  Hank rode abreast of her, on her right side. When they came to the bluff, he suddenly swerved left, guiding Samantha’s horse off the path and down a small slope. Overgrown with sagebrush, cactus, and trees, the slope was never traveled. When Samantha tried to pull up, Hank caught her reins and rode on ahead, pulling her along with him.

  “Hank?” Samantha demanded in a tight voice. “Where are we going?”

  Hank looked back at her and grinned. “Only a little way off the beaten path. There is something I wish to show you,” he explained.

  She fell silent then and let him lead her. What harm could there be? No one with such a winning manner could cause her any trouble. Besides, her purse was hanging securely from her wrist, and her derringer was inside it, as always.

  They descended several feet, at the beginnings of the bluff, and reached the stream after only a few moments. It was a very shallow stream, and Hank walked their horses right through it without hesitation. The bluff grew higher and higher to their right. When they were almost under its peak, they came to a huge tree that stretched across the stream, touching the steep wall of the bluff opposite.

  The oak spread over them like a tent. Hank stopped and dismounted, then reached up to help Samantha down.

  She hesitated, and he smiled. “We will let the horses drink from the stream.”

  She put her hands on his arms and let him lift her to the ground. The horses moved to the water as soon as they were free.

  They were walled in on two sides, for the brush trees behind them grew taller than Samantha. In front was the bluff. And overhead was the tree, blocking out most of the sunlight.

  “It’s lovely here,” she whispered. “Is this what you wanted to show me?”

  “No, querida,” he murmured in a deep voice. “This is what I will show you.”

  He drew her close to him, and she had no time to wonder before he bent forward and his lips touched hers. His kiss was gentle for a few seconds. Then, very quickly, it grew more intense, more demanding. He cupped her face so she could not escape the kiss.

  And then, somehow, she was not standing up anymore. One of his arms had moved behind her
back, and he had lowered her smoothly and gently to the ground. His lips did not leave hers for a moment.

  The warm feeling spreading through her ran so quickly, so delightfully. She slipped her purse off her wrist so as to raise her hands easily to him. Her fingers moved up through his hair, knocking his hat to the ground. His hair was so soft, so cool, sliding so sensuously through her fingers. Without realizing it, she was pressing her mouth more firmly against his.

  She was returning his kiss wholeheartedly, her breathing rapid. And the warmth inside her was turning to a burning heat.

  Samantha was unaware that Hank was opening her jacket. But she came to herself when he began to unbutton her blouse. A small voice told her to stop him. It wasn’t permitted for a man to undress her. But it was only a small voice, and it disappeared again as his fingers touched her breasts. His hand seemed made of fire. It covered one firm mound completely, then squeezed deliciously.

  Samantha moaned at this new, exquisite feeling and began to squirm, turning toward Hank, wanting to get even closer to him, but he gently pressed her back against the soft grass. His mouth left hers then, and she started to protest until his lips seared the side of her neck. She shivered, delighted. And when his tongue licked teasingly at her impudently pointed breast, she arched her back, offering more, until his mouth closed over her inviting flesh.

  Samantha was beside herself. Hank was kneading one soft breast while his mouth tortured the other. She was moaning, drowning, sinking.

  Hank’s mouth moved slowly back toward hers, leaving a trail of fire across her as he went. From far away she heard him groan, “Ah, Samina, mi querida, mi bella amor.”

  His mouth closed over hers again, but by then the words had awakened her. Shock took hold. What had she allowed to happen?

  She stiffened and moved her head away. “No! You mustn’t.” She groaned and tried to push him away. “Please, let me up.”