9781631054617HeLovesMeCole Page 11

  He plastered his mouth to hers again, and Emily gagged, twisting her head away.

  “Keep still, bitch.”

  Chapter Seven

  Emily sucked in a breath of air, then as Willie’s hands roved downward toward her breasts, she brought her arms up, wriggled them free and once again pushed with all her might. The brute didn’t budge.

  “Help me, please. Will somebody help me?” It came out as a strangled scream as Willie clapped his hand over her mouth, hissing at her to be quiet.

  The door crashed against the wall, and suddenly the weight of Willie’s body lifted away from her. Gasping for air, Emily doubled over, holding her sides, then glancing up to see who her savior was.

  Her eyes widened at the sight of Benjamin Brooks, there to do battle for her.

  “Get your hands off her.” Ben’s voice held a sharp edge.

  Willie turned toward Ben again, coming up with his fists clenched and ready to strike. “This isn’t any of your business, Brooks. She asked for it, just so you know. Now, she’s decided to play shy.”

  “She didn’t ask to have your filthy hands pawing at her. Now get the hell away.”

  Too dazed to think, Emily backed toward the corner.

  Willie glared at Ben, looked in her direction, and grunted. “If you’re going to act like a damned strumpet, Emily, you’d better be prepared to follow through. The next man you lead on might not be inclined to walk away so easily. And you can’t count on him always being there.” He pointed at the lanky cowboy.

  Ben’s fist shot out, catching Willie on the jaw. The bigger man spun around, went down, and then stumbled to his feet, his movements surprisingly swift. He came up swinging, striking his opponent with a stream of wild punches.

  “Stop it!” Emily screamed. “Stop it now!” She raced to the door, hoping to find someone who could break up the fight. Already men were rushing toward the office.

  Ben threw another punch but his opponent ducked away. Willie drew back, ready to deliver a cheap shot below the belt when Jake Walker and Reverend Gilman burst into the room followed by a crowd of curious onlookers.

  When morning came, she’d be the talk of the town—and not in a favorable way. The rumor mill would be grinding her up, all the gossips spreading word of her brazen behavior for slipping away into a darkened room with Willie Morse. Let them say what they would—as long as someone would come to rescue her and extricate her from the clutches of this uncouth bully.

  “Please, make them stop!” Emily cried out.

  The minister grabbed Ben. Walker collared Willie. The two fighters continued to struggle even as they were pulled apart.

  “Son of a bitch called her a strumpet,” Ben shouted at no one in particular.

  “Watch it, son. There’s a young lady present.” The man in the stiff clerical collar gave him a good shake. “I don’t doubt that he probably deserved it, but there’s a time and a place for everything. Fisticuffs aren’t allowed here and now.”

  Willie grunted and cocked his head toward Ben. “He’s the one who started it. He threw the first punch. All I did was defend myself. Man’s got a right to do that.” Both of his eyes were swollen nearly shut, but he managed to pry one open enough to look around. “Where’s the sheriff? I want to file a complaint.”

  “Forget it, Willie.” Jake Walker, always the peacemaker, clapped the big man on the shoulder. “No harm done. You’re drunk enough you probably didn’t feel a thing. Only thing hurt was your pride.”

  “Get your hands off me!” He jerked away from Walker and turned his fury on Ben again, lunging for him. His fingers gripped Ben’s neck, choking off his breath.

  * * * *

  Ben’s vision blurred as he tried to shake free from Willie’s grasp. Only the quick intervention of the man of God—reputed to have once been a fighter himself—saved him.

  Emily stood screaming through it all, oblivious to the people staring and the whispers going around. Ben hoped that maybe, once everyone went home, sobered up, and got back into the cheerful spirit of Christmas, the incident would be forgotten. He’d hate like hell to see Emily’s reputation ruined because of a scoundrel like Willie Morse.

  “Listen, both of you,” Gilman called out, spreading his arms apart to keep Willie and Ben from jumping at each other again. “You want to fight? That can be arranged.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ben rubbed at his neck.

  Emily suddenly went quiet, obviously intrigued by the minister’s words. “Yes, what are you saying?” she asked.

  “We can stage a fight. We’ll build a ring. Make a regular match out of it.”

  “Prize-fighting is illegal, Reverend.” Willie’s slurred words came out with a fierce sneer. “Surely you don’t intend to break any laws. My father would have the authorities on you faster than stink on sh—” The look on Gilman’s face stopped him short.

  “Who said anything about a prize?” The man of God chuckled and rubbed his hands together with an expression that came close to glee. “As far as I know, there aren’t any laws against holding a benefit, raising money for a good cause. There are a lot of children in Sunset that could do with more food, more clothes. Times have been hard on a lot of families these last few years.”

  Ben stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it back and forth. Must be wax. He couldn’t be hearing right. Emily, thank goodness, had finally shut up. But maybe his auditory senses hadn’t recovered yet. “You want us to fight for charity?” Ben shook his head. “No. I won’t do it.”

  “Coward.” Willie sneered at him from across the room.

  “I’m not afraid of you, if that’s what you think. But I’m not fighting you.” Ben shot him a warning look. “Just stay away from Emily, and everything will be all right.” He tried to pull away from the minister, but Gilman held him fast. Damn, the man had a grip like a vice. “You can let go now, Reverend. There won’t be any more violence. And before you ask again, no, I’m not making a public spectacle of myself in a ring with Willie Morse, good cause or not.”

  He and Reverend Gilman stepped back from the door as Jake Walker pushed Willie toward the exit. The owner paused at the doorway and glanced back at Emily.

  “I’m really sorry this happened, Miss Phillips. Is there anything I can do? Should I get Dr. Kellerman?”

  “I’m fine, really. I just want to go home.”

  Walker turned toward Ben. “Will you escort her, Ben? I’ll make sure Willie gets back to Denver all in one piece.” Shoving the obnoxious fellow through the door, he lifted one hand to his forehead as if in salute.

  “I’d say he could use someone to knock a bit of the stuffing out, and people would pay well to see it.” Gilman chuckled. “For a good cause, of course. And you’d be just the one to do it, Ben.” The minister still held him back.

  Most likely he wasn’t getting away from Gilman without assent. “All right,” he said, then quickly amended his words. “I’ll think about it.” No need to think about it, though. His answer was not going to change. Fighting—for a good cause or not—wasn’t going to resolve anything, and Ben had too many other things on his mind. For now, he would appease the man.

  The godly fellow clapped Benjamin soundly on the back. “Come around to the parsonage next week. We’ll work out the details.”

  Ben nodded, then glanced toward Emily. Her big blue eyes gleamed with excitement and the expression on her face appeared one of pure delight. She wanted him to fight, of course.

  He let out a sigh. Once more, he would have to let her down. Emily Sue was in for yet another disappointment.

  “Come on,” he said, holding out his arm. “I’ll walk you home.”

  * * * *

  Emily’s heart cried out with joy, thumping a wild and crazy rhythm. He little scheme had worked. Ben still cared for her! He cared enough to save her from Willie’s grubby clutches, enough to fight for her honor. That’s what it was all about, needless to say. Reverend Gilman could exploit the men’s jealousy and convert it into
an act of goodwill and charitable service to the community, but underneath it all it was definitely a prize fight. And she was going to be the prize.

  The very thought thrilled her. Why, it was the stuff of romance. Indeed. She smiled smugly, quite pleased by her own cleverness. She definitely had Ben’s attention now, and his affection as well.

  As they stepped outside into the winter’s night, she leaned close to him. Warmth emanated from his body, drawing her closer still.

  “You’re sure you’re all right?” he asked.

  “I’m fine now, Ben. I’m so happy you came to find me.” She lifted up on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his mouth. So swiftly she moved, he had no time to react. She intended to kiss him quickly and turn away from him, but instead, her lips lingered against his. Benjamin Brooks was too much a part of her heart. All the frustrations he’d given her in recent weeks had left her vulnerable, aching to have his love once more. Being with him now was pure heaven.

  As she kissed him, she breathed in the heady scent of sage that clung to his skin and mingled with his own unique masculine aroma. This was nothing like the sweet, playful kisses they had shared in the past. This kiss stirred passions and desires within her that she’d never known before. He moaned softly. His tongue touched and danced with hers. She clung to Ben, knowing their display was indecent and not caring who might see them. This long, provocative kiss meant everything. It showed his affection, proved his love, and left her feeling beautiful, wanted, and desired.

  Breathless, she finally tore herself away. “I can’t wait to see you beat Willie up,” she said, smiling coyly as she gazed into his eyes. “It’s so brave of you to fight for me.”

  Ben drew away. “There’s not going to be any fight.”

  “You told Reverend Gilman—”

  “I told him what he wanted to hear,” he finished for her. “Look, the man’s got a crazy notion in his head. He wasn’t about to let me leave until I agreed, and I didn’t see any point in arguing about it tonight. Willie probably won’t even remember, and anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m not fighting him.”

  Her jaw went slack. “You’re not willing to fight for me?”

  Ben stepped back and took her arm. “Let’s get you home.”

  Her body stiffened and she refused to budge. “Not until you answer the question. Why won’t you fight Willie? Are you afraid of him?”

  “No, of course I’m not afraid.”

  “Are you saying I’m not worth fighting for?”

  Ben huffed out a breath. “This has got nothing to do with you.”

  “Of course it does. It’s because of what happened tonight. Obviously you still care about me, Ben. When you realized I was with Willie, you came running.”

  “I saw Willie leading you into that back room at the social hall. It wasn’t hard to figure out what was on his mind.” He shrugged and started walking. “No gentleman ever takes advantage of a young lady.”

  “Oh, I see. You didn’t play the gallant because of me. You would have done the same for any girl.” Truly, he would. Still, Emily knew he’d reacted not merely from righteous indignation but from a far more personal level. He’d been angry. He’d been jealous.

  He stopped once more, turned to her, and placed a hand beneath her chin. When he lifted her face to his, she held her breath, certain he wanted to kiss her again.

  But he didn’t.

  “Emily, listen to me, please. I know I haven’t been very attentive lately, and I’m truly sorry for any hurt I’ve caused you.”

  She tried to read the emotions in his amber eyes, but the moon’s light was too faint to reveal what lay behind his words. What little she saw brought new anguish and pain to her heart.

  Emily tensed. “Ben, please,” she said, barely able to lift her voice above a whisper. “Tell me why you’ve changed so much.” She mustered every ounce of courage. “Even though this is going to hurt, I have to know the truth. Tell me about Della. Tell me everything.”

  He lowered his gaze. “Em, I don’t know what to say.” He reached up and tugged at his ear. “I know how it looks, but you know looks can be deceiving.” Ben dropped his hand then reached for hers. “I need a little time, that’s all.”

  “Time? For sowing wild oats? Time for…” She shook her head. “I can’t give you time, Ben. Either you care for me, or you don’t. I can’t deal with all of this.” She pushed on. “When did it begin, Ben? Was it after I left for Denver? And why?” Tears welled up, despite her efforts to hold them at bay. “Is it because she’s prettier than I am? Is she wittier? Does she give you more…” As her words faded away into heart-broken sobs, Ben’s arms went around her.

  “Stop this,” he crooned. “It’s got nothing to do with Della.”

  Emily made the same awful hrrumping sound her father was so good at. She hated hearing it come from her own throat. Angry at both Ben and herself, she folded her arms over her breasts and pouted.

  “Just like a man. Deny, deny, deny. For pity’s sake, why can’t you tell the truth?”

  “What good would it do if you’re not willing to listen?”

  “When have you ever tried telling the truth?”

  “I’m trying right now, but you won’t shut up long enough for me to get a word in.”

  Emily clamped her mouth shut, but then opened it again. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” The hurting had already begun. Anything he said now would only make matters worse. She let out a long, slow exhalation. Despite her attempts at arousing jealousy, despite his valiant rescue, in the end, nothing had truly changed. He still wanted Della, not her.

  “Why did you go to the dance with Willie?”

  Ben’s sudden question caught her by surprise. She wasn’t sure how to respond. Some questions, she’d learned, were better off left unanswered. This, she opined, was one of them.

  In reply, she merely shrugged.

  “It was your father’s idea, wasn’t it?” he asked.

  “Pa wants the best for me, Ben.” Not a direct answer, but perhaps another opportunity to stir up a few emotions.

  “And he thinks Willie is a better man than I am.” He jerked his arm away. “You don’t have to say anything. I know how he feels about me.”

  “It’s not that he dislikes you, Ben. It’s your father,” she admitted.

  “Yeah, right. Like father, like son. You know I’m not like my old man.”

  “No, of course, you’re nothing like your father.” She leaned against him. “It’s cold, Ben, and I want to go home.”

  He placed an arm around her shoulder and together they walked along the cold, darkened streets of Sunset.

  When they reached the Phillips’ home, lamplight gleamed brightly from the parlor. Emily opened the door.

  “Do you want to come inside?” she asked Ben.

  “Not now.”

  He gazed down at her, and she could have sworn she saw a look of love in his eyes. She was so tired of playing this guessing game with him. He owed her the truth. From the parlor came shuffling sounds. “It’s my father,” she whispered. Putting a smile on her face, she turned to greet the haggard man as he came into the entry foyer. “Hello, Pa, I was just telling Benjamin good night.” She sniffled. “Thank you,” she said, turning to extend a hand to Ben. “It was kind of you to see me home.”

  Her father narrowed his gaze. “I thought you went with Judge Morse’s son.”

  Emily’s cheeks flushed. “Willie had to leave early. I was fortunate that Ben was there to walk me home.”

  Ben smiled and tipped his hat. “How are you, sir?”

  Her father grunted, nodded, and then shuffled on toward the stairs. They both knew he would be lurking nearby.

  Leaning close, Ben whispered, “Why don’t you tell him the truth? Tell him that Willie tried to take advantage of you? Why don’t you let him know what an obnoxious jerk he is?”

  “No point, really,” Emily replied, keeping her voice low. She heard her father clear his throat.

>   “I’d better go now.” Ben released Emily’s hand. “Will you write when you get back to Denver?”

  She hadn’t had any opportunity to tell Ben that she was no longer enrolled at the academy. Nor had she told him that she would soon be working for Lucille Henderson.

  “Good night, Ben,” she said, once again evading an answer.

  She stood at the doorway, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared among the shadows.

  * * * *

  Early the following afternoon, Ben stood on the walk in front of the red-brick dwelling where the esteemed William Howard Morse, Sr. lived with his family. Although not especially showy or ostentatious, the residence nevertheless had an intimidating air about it. Maybe it came from the way the sunlight gleamed from the multitude of windows facing onto the street, or perhaps from the impeccable white trim, the imposing granite steps leading to the porch, or from the pair of stonework lions that guarded the entrance, silent sentinels warning away the unwelcome. Ben would count himself one of those, one whose presence would be neither expected nor appreciated. He well remembered his first meeting with the judge—and with the judge’s obnoxious son.

  Years had since passed, and he was no longer a scrawny fourteen-year-old facing the magistrate’s ire for having bloodied and broken Willie’s nose. A lot had changed since that late spring morning. But then again, thinking back to the night before, maybe things hadn’t changed all that much. The judge and his son were still both pompous assholes.

  His heartbeat pounded in his ears as he stepped forward, pushed open the gate of the neat, white picket fence at the edge of the yard, and walked purposefully toward the house. A man with a mission, he would not let childish fears or long-ago memories dissuade him from his task.

  Knots tightened in his stomach. Ben removed his hat, clutching it tightly to his chest as he jabbed at the bell with a forefinger.

  A cheerful red-headed girl dressed in a crisp starched uniform answered the ring. Ben had expected someone more imposing. The sight of the maid put him at ease.