She brought her hand up to rest it on his chest. “It wouldn’t take that long. Besides, with your help…”
“I have responsibilities, Rosie. I am a Pinkerton agent,” he said, reaching up and removing her hand. “If you go after Garrett, then you will no longer be an agent, and we have no reason to stay married.”
She frowned. “That’s not fair. I can’t just walk away. I am so close to getting justice for my father.”
“You have hatred in your heart, and it’s ruining your chance at happiness.” He stepped back. “I want to be the most important thing in your life. I shouldn’t have to compete against vengeance.”
“It’s not that simple…”
Paden spoke over her. “It is, my dear Rosie. It is that simple,” he repeated. “I would have done anything to see you smile, to hear you laugh. Your happiness has always been more important than my own.” He ran his hand through his dark hair. “But now I realize that you don’t feel the same way about me. I’ve just been pretending.”
Hearing the hurt in his voice, she decided to act swiftly. “I do love you, Paden. I have missed you dreadfully these past few years, and I always wanted to be your wife. I promise you that.” She stepped closer and placed her hand on his cheek. “Some days, the thought of you was the only thing that kept me going.”
“Then why didn’t you come back to me?” he asked with tear-filled eyes.
Rosalie stared up at him, unable to formulate a response. He was right. She had chosen a life of vengeance over a life of happiness with him.
A tear rolled down his cheek and dropped onto her fingers.
“Just so you know,” he began softly, “if you had asked, I would have gone with you to round up Garrett and his gang.”
“You would have?” she gasped.
Paden stepped back. “There was a time I would have done anything for you, but you never asked.” He walked over to the door and opened it. “Get some sleep. We will leave at first light to find Emeline.”
“Where are you going?” she asked as she watched him step out into the hallway.
Glancing over his shoulder, he replied, “You don’t have to worry about me anymore, Rosie.”
Once the door was closed, a loud sob burst from her lips. Everything Paden had said was accurate, which hurt even more. She loved him, but not enough to give up the hatred she felt toward Garrett. What had she done? She knew that her father wouldn’t have wanted her to live like this.
Dropping down on the bed, her tears spilled out, coursing down her cheeks, and she made no attempt to wipe them away. The thought of getting an annulment caused her stomach to ache. Now that she was married to Paden, she didn’t want to let him go. But she couldn’t let Garrett go free either.
Strengthening her resolve, she vowed that tomorrow they would either arrest Garrett or kill him. Then she would beg Paden to take another chance on her.
He would agree to that. Wouldn’t he?
Paden paused as he placed his hand on the door handle to their hotel room. Rather than sleep in the same room with Rosalie, he’d opted for the uncomfortable sofa in the drawing room. Consequently, this morning he had a stiff neck. He’d said some hurtful things last night, but he didn’t regret saying them. He didn’t know if they could move on from this. Frankly, it all depended on what Rosalie decided.
He loved her, but he couldn’t keep pining after her for the remainder of his days. If this plan didn’t work, then he would seek an annulment and begin tending to his broken heart. All he ever wanted was for Rosie to be happy, and if that meant she continued working as a bounty hunter, then he would step aside.
Opening the door, he saw that Rosalie was sprawled across the bed in the same trousers and shirt that she had been wearing the night before. The sun peeked over the horizon and sent rays of cheery light dancing through the window as he went to stand next to the bed. But he didn’t notice them. He only had eyes for her.
Paden sighed. No matter what happened between them, he would never tire of seeing her beautiful face. He gently shook her shoulder. “It is time to wake up,” he said lightly.
She blinked slowly before she shot up in bed. Her eyes were puffy and red, as though she had spent most of the night crying. “Paden… I’m sorry about last night… I…” she stammered.
He raised his hand to stop her. “We need to focus on rescuing Miss Holmes right now. We can talk later.”
Rosalie nodded and pressed her lips together. If he didn’t know better, he swore that she blinked back tears.
Holding out his hand, he helped her off the bed. “I hope you are hungry because I just spoke to the cook. I asked for two cinnamon rolls to be set aside for us.”
“Thank you,” she said in a tentative voice. “I am famished.”
Stepping over to his bag, he retrieved his gun belt and strapped it on. “Two saddled horses are waiting for us at the livery stable.”
“You’ve been busy,” Rosalie remarked as she removed her gun belt from her trunk, along with another revolver.
“I had a hard time sleeping last night,” he replied, holstering his weapon.
“I can relate.” She gave him a weak smile.
Paden watched as Rosalie strapped the gun belt over her trousers and cinched it tight around her hips. There was so much to be said between them, but now was not the time. They needed to be alert and focused on their surroundings. Garrett and his gang wouldn’t hesitate
