He sighed. Since Holly, Ive met a few women who thought they could change me. In a way, I guess Ive had the same sort of problem that you had with your ex. Most of the women Ive dated seemed to equate Cantrell money with easy living. But thats not what Im about, Maura.
No, she said gently. I can see youre not that sort of man.
He believed her and that in itself was scary. He wasnt expecting this woman to be able to read him, empathize with him. Hed looked for her to be cut from the same cloth as the rest that had come and gone in his life. The fact that she was so different knocked him totally off guard.
Clearing his throat, he tugged on her hand. Well, time is getting on, wed better mount up, he told her.
With his hand beneath her elbow, he helped her across the rocky ground and over to where the horses stood tethered in the shade. After a few minutes of untying reins and tightening girths, they were ready to mount up and Quint automatically moved behind Maura to assist her into the saddle.
He was about to reach for a hold on her waist when she suddenly turned to face him. And as he found his face close to hers, he felt his heart thudding hard and fast. She was looking at him with eyes as soft as a summer night.
I just wanted to thank you, Quint. For listening to my troubles. I used to be terribly embarrassed for anyone to know that Gilbert chased after other women. Her long lashes fluttered demurely downward to hide her green eyes. For a long time I thoughtwell, that I must be lacking as a woman. Now Im beginning to believe that he was the one who was lacking something. Not me.
Quint couldnt stop himself from groaning as his hands settled on her shoulders. Oh, Maura, youre lovely and sexy and I want to kiss you. Very much.
Maura didnt stop to think or even speak. She simply closed her eyes and leaned into him. And when his lips came hungrily down on hers, something inside her melted like a sand castle beneath a wash of tide. He swept her away, made her forget, made her long for all the things shed been trying to forget.
Expecting the kiss to turn as torrid as it had the other night when hed visited Apache Wells, Maura was surprised when he soon lifted his head and gave her a crooked grin.
Wed better mount up this time, he said huskily. Before I forget where we are.
Unable to do much more than nod, Maura turned to Pearl and, with Quints help, climbed into the saddle. But as the two of them rode out of the quiet arroyo, all she could think about was being in his arms.
Chapter Six
Chillicothe consisted of five buildings grouped together in one small area and split by a dimly rutted road that, back in the towns heyday, had probably been considered the main street. These days, tall sage and prickly pear had taken over most of the roadway.
As Quint and Maura rode through the ghostly village, she looked around with keen interest.
This is very neathaving an old mining settlement on your property, she said.
He shrugged. It can also be a nuisance. Gramps and I are often approached about opening the place up to tourists. Some even suggest rebuilding it into a wild west town and charging admission. Can you imagine what a circus that would cause around here?
I wouldnt like it, she admitted. What does Abe think?
Thank God he agrees with me on that issue. This little town is just like a grave site. It shouldnt be trampled on by a bunch of strangers.
Shaded by several tall cottonwood trees, the largest building of the lot had once been a company store and directly across from it, the swinging doors of an old saloon had long ago fallen from their hinges and landed on the planked porch. Down the street three more buildings were partially standing, one of which appeared to have been a blacksmith shop. Part of a forge was visible in the open doorway.
Well come back in a few minutes for a closer look and have lunch, he told her. Right now lets ride on to the mine. Its just a short distance from here.
Fine, she agreed.
After leaving the remnants of Chillicothe, they rode northwest for another quarter of a mile. Here the landscape changed to low mountains covered with short grass, a sprinkling of orange and purple wildflowers and a few pines.
When they reached a small creek trickling with crystal clear water, Quint said, Back in the eighteen hundreds the miners first found gold panning this little creek. But it was a long time afterward before they began to dig for it.
Bemused, Maura looked down at the stream. I wonder if any nuggets are still around?
Youre welcome to pan, he teased.
Laughing, she looked over at him. No thanks. I might get the fever and then Id have to set up camp out here.
The grin slowly faded from his face. That might not be a bad thing. Then I wouldnt have to make excuses to see you.
Since their stop at the arroyo, something had changed between them, Maura thought. She didnt know exactly what it was or what had brought it about. But with every beat of her heart she could feel herself drawing closer and closer to this man. With every breath she took, the protective wall shed built around her was crumbling away into useless rubble.
You mean showing me Chillicothe and the mine was just an excuse to see me? she asked.
His low chuckle was both sensual and suggestive and Mauras cheeks burned with self-conscious heat. In her younger days, shed never had trouble attracting the opposite sex and even since her divorce from Gilbert, shed been asked on dates by a few men. But she could safely say none of them had been half as masculine or sexy as Quint. And just the idea that a man like this young rancher wanted her company rattled her senses.
No. I honestly wanted you to see them, he admitted with a grin. Having your company is a nice addition. He motioned for her to follow him across the creek. Come on. The mine is just around this next hill.
Maura was surprised when the entrance to the Golden Spur finally came into view. From all the talk that Abe had been doing about the mine, shed expected something far more grand than a small hole in the side of the mountain.
Like the buildings in the nearby ghost town, the lumber used to frame the entrance had now weathered to little more than gray pieces of wood. In some places the nails had rusted completely away and the boards looked as though a strong puff of wind would cause them to collapse. But above the dark entrance, a large piece of tin with the name of the mine was still erect and dark enough to read.
After they dismounted and tethered their horses on an old broken wheel that someone had discarded, they walked near enough to the entrance to peer inside.
So this is what has Abe all stirred up, Maura said with amazement. It doesnt look like much from here.
It probably isnt. As far as I know no one has been inside to do any type of work since back in the 1950s. At that time the miners werent pulling enough gold out to warrant keeping the thing open. But for some reason Gramps believes there are more veins of gold ore to be found here. Why, I dont know, Quint said wryly. He just gets these hunches.
Well, from what hes told me about his oil-drilling days, hes had some good hunches. Bracing her hand against one of the sturdier boards, Maura stuck her head inside and tried to peer into the dark cavern. Can we go inside?
Well, from what hes told me about his oil-drilling days, hes had some good hunches. Bracing her hand against one of the sturdier boards, Maura stuck her head inside and tried to peer into the dark cavern. Can we go inside?
You mean youd want to? he asked with a bit of amazement.
Sure. Im not a scaredy cat. As long as losing her heart to a man wasnt involved, she thought. Though, she had to admit that the longer she hung around Quint, the more she was feeling the danger.
Well, want to or not, it wouldnt be safe. A few months ago, I went a short distance inside and from what I could see the timbers appeared to still be intact, but Im sure the years have compromised their sturdiness. Since no one knew I was out here, I decided it would be foolish to explore any deeper.
Do you have any idea how far the mine goes back into the mountain? Ill bet you could probably find old maps through county archives.
Gramps has a copy of one of the most recent maps made. Theres a network of shafts in there, but I dont remember how deep they go. A fair distance, I think.
She turned away from the dark cave to find Quint standing a few inches behind her and she wondered if he realized how tempting he was, how much she wanted to reach out and connect to him, even in the most simple ways.
Drawing in a breath, she asked, Have you decided anything about bringing in the mining company to reopen the Golden Spur?
His gaze narrowed keenly on her face. I havent. Not yet. Why?
She smiled gently. Just curious. And if youre thinking Im going to take Abes side of things, youre wrong. Im not going to take yours or his. This old mine is between the two of you. The only thing I will say is that I can see pros and cons either way.
He chuckled. Very diplomatic, Maura. Maybe you should have been a politician instead of a nurse.
She laughed along with him. Well, my dad set me on a fence long before he put me on a horse. So I learned to straddle it first.
His hand wrapped around her shoulder and she felt her breath catch in her throat as his fingers gently kneaded her flesh.
Thank you, Maura. It feels good to be able to laugh and not take the mine issue so seriously.
As she looked into his eyes, nerves fluttered in her stomach and unconsciously the tip of her tongue came out to moisten her lips. If he kissed her again, as he had in the arroyo, she didnt know if she could hide the desire that was subtly simmering deep within her. It feels good to me to be here and forget about a lot of things.
Suddenly clearing his throat, he urged her away from the cave door. Lets go have our lunch. I dont know about you, but Im starving.
Yes, she was starving all right, Maura thought. And shed not realized just how much until Quint had stepped into her lonely life.
By the time they rode back to Chillicothe, the clouds overhead were pulling together to form a gray, menacing sky. After leaving their horses in the shelter of the old blacksmith shop, they carried their saddlebags down to the mercantile building.
Maura was totally surprised when Quint opened the door and she stepped inside to see an old table and chairs in the middle of the large wooden floor.
I know this hasnt been here since the town was deserted, she declared.
No. Jake and I hauled it out here. This building is in the best condition of all of them, so we chose it to fix up for a line shack. You never know when an electrical storm or a blizzard might blow up and its good to have a place to shelter or even spend the night, if need be. We have candles, kerosene lanterns, firewood and some canned goods and bedding all stored in the back.
This is neat, she said as she gazed around her at the rows of dusty shelves lining the walls and a long counter running across the back. We can leave the door open for light and it will almost be like were eating outside.
Quint slanted her a rueful glance. Unfortunately we only have an outhouse for a bathroom. Its behind this building just in case you need it. But theres piped water from a nearby spring for washing. Youll find it at the side of the building near a wooden water trough.
Thanks, she told him. Ill be right back.
When she returned he had sandwiches laid out on the tabletop, along with four cans of beverages. In the middle of the table, a fat candle held by a shallow jar lid was now lit and the glow of the flame helped chase away the gloom of the threatening rain clouds. Shed been present at a few candlelight dinners before, but none had been quite like this. And Maura realized the quaintness of their surroundings had only a small part to play in the specialness of the meal. It was Quint who was making it all so unique. Quint who was making her very aware of their isolated setting.
He helped her into one of the chairs and as she thanked him, he said, Id better warn you that the food is sorta sloppy. Im not too good with kitchen duties.
I can eat most anything, she told him. And I brought a few things, too. Potato chips, candy bars and brownies.
That sort of bad stuff? From a nurse? He chuckled as he took the chair across from her. Where did you pick up such nasty habits?
Laughing along with him, she said, S-s-shh. Dont tell anyone, but we nurses dont always follow doctors orders.
Im glad to hear that. Now I wont feel guilty about stuffing myself.
Quint passed the sandwiches and drinks between them and they began to eat.
After Maura had downed a few bites in silence, his expression turned rueful.
What are you thinking? he asked. That the sandwiches are soggy?
I couldnt have made better, she assured him with a smile, then added thoughtfully, I was just trying to picture the people who used to live in this little town. I wonder if there were whole families who made their home here? Babies born here?
He shrugged as he reached for one of the beer cans. Probably. I think there was a population of about three hundred at one time. Theres another area just to the south of these buildings where you can find old foundations and other signs of houses. Gramps says not long after he purchased the land a fire swept through here, so the home sites might have burned. Thankfully that was many years after this little community died.
She sighed wistfully. Well, when the place was booming it must have been an exciting time for people. Each morning they probably climbed out of bed thinking today theyd discover the mother lode.
He leveled a suggestive grin at her. Why, Maura, you sound like a gamble excites you.
He excited her. And he was definitely a gamble, she thought as her heart danced rapidly against her ribs.
Funny you should say that. Im considered the cautious little mouse of my family. Her gaze fluttered awkwardly down to the planked tabletop. And I suppose I am. Ive never been one to play the oddsat anything. Out at the mine I told you I wasnt a scaredy cat, but that was sort of an exaggeration. Id like to be more adventurous, but I guess Im just a sure-thing sort of person.
You got married, he said softly. Id say you were adventurous.
A cynical grimace tightened her lips. Marriage isnt supposed to be a risk. At least, I thought it wasnt. I figured I knew all the important things there were to know about Gil. But I guess a person sometimes takes chances when she doesnt even realize shes doing it.