“Hell, do you really think I want to go? I don’t, but it’s necessary. You’ll have to go on to the hacienda, make the excuses to my abuelo for me, tell him that I was delayed and I’ll be there as soon as I can. Paco will go with you.”
“Oh, I’m certain Don Francisco didn’t really expect you to be there on time. You never are. And it’s always left up to me to make your excuses for you. I have to be the one to face him!”
“Self-pity, green-eyes?”
“Don’t you dare mock me, Steve Morgan! For all I know, you’re going off to some woman, and just using Bishop as an excuse. It would be so easy for you, and I’d never really know, would I?”
“Is this the trust you mentioned?” He said it quietly, and saw her startled glance at him before she turned away, cheeks still flushed with anger and eyes bright with tears. He felt only the slightest twinge of guilt for not telling her about Elizabeth Cady, but hell, Beth was married and it was unlikely he’d ever see her again anyway.
Relenting, he said, “The man I’m supposed to meet is someone you know very well, Ginny. Sam Murdock. Shall I give him a message for you?”
Some of the frustration faded from her eyes. “Yes,” she said. “Tell Sam next time he wants to meet with you, he can come to you instead of making you come to him!”
Steve laughed. When he went to her and put his arms around her to pull her close, she didn’t resist but leaned into him with a shaky sigh. Her hair was fragrant, a teasing scent like exotic flowers, light and sensual, filling his senses. He was supposed to leave in an hour, but he didn’t want to leave her like this, not without making sure she understood.
It was only natural to sweep her into his arms and carry her the few steps to the wide bed, the mattress dipping in a squeaky protest as he laid her on it and leaned over her.
“This doesn’t rectify anything, Steve Morgan,” she said as she lifted her arms to wind them around his neck, “so don’t think you can just make love to me and all will be forgotten!”
“If any man ever knew that, it’s me, love. I still have the scars from where you convinced me of it…. Look, wait here for me if you want. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
“No. Laredo has bad memories for me.” She sounded so dejected. He blew softly on her ear until she sighed and stirred beneath him.
“Then Paco will take you to the new rancho in Chihuahua and I’ll meet you there.”
“You haven’t even seen it yet! It could be a mud hut with no roof.”
“I doubt it. Hearst said he stayed there for a time.”
“And if I prefer going to Zacatecas, or maybe on to Mexico City?”
“Ginny love, you can’t go with me.”
“I didn’t ask to go with you, Steve Morgan!”
“No, but you’re trying to make me crazy thinking about what you’ll do if I leave you on your own. It won’t work this time….” He stopped her protests with his mouth, a harsh kiss that smothered them effectively.
He was late riding out of Nuevo Laredo, taking the road that led to El Paso and then on to New Mexico territory, but it was worth it. He’d left her sleeping, after she drowsily kissed him goodbye and told him she had no intentions of waiting on him or making excuses for him to his grandfather.
Paco had business in Ojinaga on the border, then he’d take her on to the rancho. Paco would keep Ginny safe enough until he could get back, Steve thought. Then he grinned, thinking of Ginny’s stubborn surrender that was more of a challenge. She never gave in graciously, but always fought to the end. It was just as well he’d never told her about Elizabeth Cady. It would only make her fret about what was past and over.
There had been enough of that.
He intended to conduct his business with Murdock, then get back to Ginny as quickly as possible. Dammit, he felt like a lovesick calf, missing her when he was away from her, irritated as hell most of the time when he was with her. It was a lethal combination.
15
Sam Murdock greeted Senator Brandon inside the study of his opulent Pullman coach that had pulled onto a side track just outside El Paso.
“It’s good to see you again, Senator. It seems you’re doing much better now.”
“Yes. Taking a bullet is not something I would recommend, but it certainly has the effect of making a man analyze his priorities in life.” Brandon took a seat in the wide cushioned chair beside Murdock’s desk, leaning heavily on his cane as he lowered his weight.
“I must say, I was a bit surprised to learn you were in Texas,” Murdock was saying, his tone noncommittal. “The last time I saw you was in San Francisco, I believe.”
“Yes, when my daughter and her husband created such a scandal.” Brandon grimaced. “In fact, one of the reasons I wanted to meet with you while I’m here is your partner, my son-in-law. I was recently informed by a man named Uriah Lott that any further negotiations with him concerning the railroad I wish to build are ended, thanks to Steve Morgan. It seems that he was advised to seek financing with Richard King or Mifflin Kenedy instead, but I need that damn track laid in order to increase production efficiency. You’re connected with the railroad. What are the chances of Central Pacific laying
