“We could go open an account at the bank,” she suggested, lowering her knees. “I have some cash that we could deposit to keep up the ruse.”
“How much are we talking about?” he asked, glancing curiously over at her.
“About two thousand dollars.”
Paden shot up in the bed. “You are carrying two thousand dollars on you?!”
“Not on me at the moment,” she replied, smirking. “It’s in a hidden pocket on my corset.”
“Why do you have so much money?”
She shifted and rested her back against the wall. “I told you that bounty hunting is a very lucrative business.”
“I had no idea.” His tone was curt.
Unsure of why he was short with her, she placed a hand on his sleeve. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” he said with a frown, diverting his gaze from her.
Without thinking, Rosalie ran her hand lightly over Paden’s jawline. The sensation of warm skin and the scratchy feel of stubble against her fingertips caused the breath to catch in her throat. Suddenly, the brazenness of her actions caught up to her, and she quickly brought her hand back down to her lap.
A rooster crowed in the distance, again earning similar ire from her neighbors.
Rosalie rose from the bed and walked over to the open window. She peered out, half hoping the rooster was visible from her location so she could shoot it.
Paden spoke up from the bed. “Why don’t we try to get some more sleep? It’s still early, and the bank won’t be open for at least a few hours.”
That sounds logical, she thought. “Let me close the window. That might quiet the sound of these pesky roosters.”
“You think it is more than one rooster making all that racket?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps.”
“Come back to bed, Rosie.”
Never had words been so inviting, she mused. But this marriage was in name only. Rosalie turned back to face him. “I would prefer to sleep alone.”
Paden made a sound that was a mixture of amusement and frustration. “I assumed as much,” he remarked, rising from the bed. “I guess I was just being hopeful.”
Walking back over to the bed, she laid down, breathing in the lingering scent of Paden’s leather and musk on the pillows. Closing her eyes, she was nearly asleep when she realized that she was smiling.
Paden sat across from Rosalie at a table in the dining room. She was looking especially alluring in a burgundy gown with a fitted bodice, ruffled skirt, and a matching hat. He frowned as he took a sip of his coffee. Since when had he started noticing women’s fashions, he wondered. But he already knew the answer. He found everything looked good on Rosie… especially trousers.
He cleared his throat as he placed the newspaper down on the table. “Are you almost finished with breakfast?”
“I am.” She pushed her plate away and lowered her voice. “The bank is in the middle of town, situated between the mercantile and a barber shop. A short time ago, I saw two gentlemen enter the bank, and no customers have entered the building.”
“It would be a good time to approach the men,” he acknowledged, pushing back his chair.
“Wait, before we go…” Rosalie said, her eyes darting around the room.
Pulling his chair back in, he leaned across the table. “What is it?”
Bringing her hand up to the table, she slid across a large wad of cash to him. “You should be the one to deposit the money, assuming that is what we decide to do.”
“That’s not my money. It’s yours,” he declared, placing his hand over hers. He had no intention of taking her money.
Tilting her head, she remarked, “We are married, and it would be unusual for me to be the one holding the money.”
Drat! She had a point, as much as he hated to admit it. Besides, he was immensely pleased that she’d stated that they were married.
“Fine,” he reluctantly agreed, tucking the money into his vest pocket. “But, for the record, I am against this.”
“Why?”
It was a simple question, but there was no easy answer. It all had to do with his pride. He wanted to be the one to provide for her, but she was more than capable of taking care of herself. In fact, she was doing astronomically better for herself than he could ever offer her. And that was embarrassing.
“I just think that carrying a large sum of money is ludicrous. That’s all,” he responded curtly.
She eyed him suspiciously as she brought a teacup up to her lips. “Earlier this morning, you acted similarly when I told you about the money.”
Paden shoved back his chair. “Agents do not analyze each other.”
“It bothers you that I have money, doesn’t it?” Rosalie asked, leaning back in her chair.
“Will you drop it, please?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“All right,” she said, shrugging. “This might not be a good time to mention that my father also left me the farm and some property on the outskirts of Waterglen.”
“Good for you.” He rose and moved around the table to pull out her chair.
Rosalie arched an eyebrow as she stood in front of him. “Talk to me, Paden.”
Frowning, he confessed, “You have done remarkably well for yourself, and I can’t say the same. The truth is that I have managed to put a little aside, but it is a paltry sum compared to yours.”
“Do you still give a portion of your paycheck to your parents?”
He nodded. “As much as I can. My father’s back has been flaring up, and my mother can’t farm the land very well.”
Placing a gloved hand on his chest, Rosalie watched him with what appeared to be adoration in her eyes. Dare he hope? “You are a good man, and
