A Moment in Time by Deb Stover Page A

other foot, then raked his fingers through his dark hair.   He gripped his hat in his free hand.   "This sticks in my craw, Merriweather," he said.   "I don't like being on the wrong side of the law."
           "Triple, Morrison, and who says you broke any laws?"   Merriweather looked like a used car salesman moving in for the kill.   "Think of that ranch you and your wife always wanted."
           Wife?   Is that why he needs the money?
           "Let's leave my wife out of this.   Let her rest in peace.   I swear, if I ever lay eyes on that preacher again..."   Cole rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles flexing and rippling in his arm and shoulder.   "Exactly what do you expect me to do for that much money, Merriweather?"
           Oh, nuts.   He was available.   Now she'd have even more trouble keeping her feelings under control where this man was concerned.   Jackie chewed the inside of her lower lip as she waited for this latest development in her adventure through another dimension.  
           "Nothing dishonest," Merriweather said.   "All you gotta do is keep Miss Belle hidden until her opening night."
           Jackie's brows shot upward and she tried to meet Cole's gaze, but he quickly looked away.   Did Merriweather's plan mean she'd remain in close proximity to this walking, living, breathing, unmarried George Clooney for three full weeks?  
           If so, she was in big trouble.
           "How the devil am I supposed to keep her hidden for three weeks?"
           "Shh, keep your voice down," Merriweather said, looking around the room nervously.   Seeming convinced that no one was eavesdropping, he leaned closer.   "Just take her to your place and keep her there until opening night.   Nobody'll ever guess."
           "My...place?"   The words sounded like a curse from Cole's lips.  
           "Of course.   You see anybody in here you know?"
           Cole looked around and shook his head.   "Nope."
           "Then no one will ever suspect straight arrow Cole Morrison," Merriweather continued, his eyes glowing with blatant avarice.   "And, by damn, that preacher gets a lifetime of free drinks."
           "I dunno."   Cole slapped his hat against his thigh and his cheeks colored.
           My God, he's blushing.   There was something incredibly sexy about a man who blushed.   Damn.   She was pitiful.   They were talking about her life, and all she could do was stare at Cole's chest and shoulders.   Had her staring made him blush?
           But what choice did she have but to play along?   Besides, three weeks might be enough time to convince Cole to return her to Devil's Gulch.   This really was her only hope.
           " Triple the money, Morrison."   Merriweather held up three beefy fingers.   "Triple.   In gold."
           Cole met Jackie's gaze for the first time in several minutes and she shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant about the whole thing.   "All right."   He sighed.   "I don't like it, but I'll do it on one condition."
           "Fine, fine, as soon as the tailor is finished taking a few measurements for the alterations, you two can be on your way."   Merriweather faced Jackie again.   "Three weeks from tonight, a full house, and fifty percent of the take.   Deal, Miss Belle?"
           Jackie drew a deep breath and nodded.   "Deal."
           "I said there's one condition," Cole said, his voice tinged with impatience.
           "Yes, of course.   One condition.   What?"   Merriweather waited, but Cole's glare was for Jackie.
           "What?" she echoed, wondering why he thought she had any control over anything in this mess.
           He moved so close she could smell him.   Feel him.   Almost taste him.   Jackie's breath froze even as her body warmed.   It took every ounce of self-restraint she could muster to keep from leaning into all that bare