But where would that get her? Perhaps Will had no idea of the extent of Ben’s criminal enterprise. Maybe he saw Ben as so many in Ohio had—as a perfectly amiable man who was all kindness and civility. After all, Ben had very quickly and easily taken in those at the church last night, convincing them, despite her protests, that he was a loving fiancé.
How could she expose the truth of Ben Perry to everyone without exposing herself?
If anyone from her family saw her aunt’s brooch, she’d be in trouble for sure. They would all believe she’d had a role in its theft, as well as the other thefts that had taken place. Several families had jewelry and other valuables stolen—and all of them were connected to Mary and her work. The sheriff had even questioned her about the losses. It wasn’t until the mercantile and bank had been robbed that they’d cleared Mary of suspicion. She’d honestly never thought that Ben, who’d patiently waited for her while she worked, was actually robbing the place behind her back.
Why had she been so desperate for romance as to keep Ben a secret, even from the sheriff?
Ben was right. With all her deceit, who would believe her completely ignorant of his actions?
Will nudged her in the side. “I can introduce you, if you like. I know Jasper from my work in Denver. Pleasant fellow.”
Mortified that her woolgathering over Ben had led to the belief that she was interested in Jasper, Mary shook her head. “That won’t be necessary, thank you. I have no romantic illusions at this point in my life.”
“Say it’s not so.” Will gave her a look that would have melted the heart of any woman who hadn’t had hers irrevocably broken. “A beautiful woman, of marriageable age?”
Before answering, Mary stole a glance at Polly, who had returned to her animated conversation with the other girls. “I won’t marry until after I’m certain I’ve fulfilled my responsibility in raising my siblings.”
On this point, she was determined. She’d failed those responsibilities already in believing herself ready for romance and marriage. From here on out, she wouldn’t fail. Couldn’t fail.
“Why is that mutually exclusive? Plenty of people marry and take on another’s children.”
The conversation was clearly headed in a direction she didn’t need to go. Didn’t need to consider.
“Not when there are six of them,” she said. Mindful of Polly’s gaze turning in her direction, Mary changed course. “What work did you do in Denver with Jasper?”
Will coughed slightly. “I...uh...I did some security for his father’s bank.”
* * *
Will had supposed that at some point or another, his previous line of work would come up. At least it had been about the security he’d done for the Jacksons as opposed to his fall from grace in the sheriff’s office in Century City. Though it was only a matter of time before the gossip got back to people, he’d like that piece of information to remain confidential for as long as possible.
Who wanted to associate with a disgraced lawman? It had been his fault Perry’s gang had gotten away with robbing Colorado Citizens Bank. He’d been so wrapped up in his romance with Daisy, so intent on saving her from Ben’s nefarious schemes, that he hadn’t realized that she was spying on him for Ben. He’d been a fool. And in so doing, everyone believed that he’d willingly given them information, willingly let them go.
Plus, despite Mary’s denials about Ben, he still had to wonder what she knew. What her involvement with the gang might be. Could he get her to trust him enough to tell him the truth? And given his past poor judgment when it came to women working with Ben, could he trust that whatever she told him was the truth?
No, letting Mary know his story was not a safe option at this point. Much as he’d like to, there was too much at stake.
“Is that what you’re doing in Leadville? Working for Jasper’s father?”
He didn’t like the way her eyes narrowed at the question.
“No,” he told her honestly. “I’m here in pursuit of Ben.”
She gave him a look similar to what she’d given him every other time the other man’s name came up. “Why?”
If she was in on Ben’s schemes, the truth would only serve to make things harder for him. But surely nothing could make Mary more hostile than she’d already been.
“He robbed a bank in Century City, and I aim to bring him to justice.”
Easy enough to share the gist of what was going on. Harder to read the expression that crossed her face, which darkened, but just as quickly turned back into the stone mask that matched her name.
“So you’re a lawman?”
Not anymore. But that was a shame he couldn’t face.
“No.”
She looked doubtful, chewing on her lip ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, except that he’d somehow gotten to know the very fullness of her lips. What kind of cad was he, thinking of her in this way?
“How much is the bounty on his head?”
“None.” Because he’d botched the job too badly to get the evidence on Ben.
“Then why do you care?” she snapped, turning away and leaning in toward the other girls.
Yes, Mary’s reactions to his investigation of Ben definitely held an air of suspicion. He tapped her on the shoulder.
Mary turned, and the other girls giggled. Definitely not helping diminish the mistaken impression that he was Mary’s beau. But he couldn’t afford to fight fair. Not with all the money to be stolen in Leadville. Not with his reputation on the line. Not with the women Ben kept abusing. He’d make it up to Mary. Somehow.
“What Ben’s done is wrong. All I want is to find out what you know about him because
