a little room in back where the ladies can try on their gowns in private, if they wish, and where I can keep my accounts.”
Diamond studied her while she spoke, then shook her head. “It’s still hard for me to think of you as a businesswoman, Ruby. But it sounds as though you know exactly what you want.”
“All I want is to feel useful here in Hanging Tree. To belong,” Ruby said softly. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Quent’s eyes narrowed slightly. Did she realize how much she’d just revealed? He tipped his glass and drained it. Standing, he said, “I’d better get going. It’s a long ride back to town. And I’m sure Arlo’s been asleep at my desk for hours.”
“You can’t leave until Ruby measures you for a new shirt,” Diamond reminded him.
Quent looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Maybe we’d better leave that for another time.”
“Don’t be silly.” Diamond took the empty glass from him and refilled it before handing it back. Turning to Ruby. she said, “Go get whatever you need, while we visit with Quent.”
Ruby left the room and returned minutes later with a small pouch. Dumping the contents on a table, she rummaged through them until she located a measuring tape and slate and chalk.
Turning to Quent, she said, “I’m afraid you’re too tall, Marshal. Would you mind kneeling here on the hearth?”
Kneel? Hell, Quent thought, he’d lie down and die as long as she asked him in that cool, breathless voice.
He did as he was told, and had to swallow back a smile when Ruby stood in front of him. If she knew what he was looking at, and just where his thoughts were right now, she’d lay him flat with a few well-chosen curses in that exotic mix of French, Cajun and English that she used so expressively.
He thought about closing his eyes and trying to concentrate on horse thieves. But there was no way in hell he was going to try anything noble right now. He was enjoying himself far too much. He kept his gaze fixed on the darkened cleft between those lush breasts. Damned if he wasn’t near drowning in the smell of her, the touch of her.
Ruby wound a length of tape around Quent’s shoulders. As her hand brushed his upper arm, she felt the strength in him. And felt, too, the way he reacted to her touch. Like a horse, quivering. It should have given her a sense of power. But instead, it only added to her feelings of inadequacy. Mon Dieu , could he hear the beating of her heart? Or the way her breath caught in her throat?
When she was assured that she had the right size, she stepped away to mark it down, grateful for the chance to move a little away and calm her labored breathing.
Quent, too, seemed deeply affected by this encounter. He stood, lifted the tumbler and took several long drinks of whiskey.
“Now your chest,” she said.
He set the tumbler on the mantel and moved his arms out stiffly at his sides.
Ruby had never felt so unnerved in her life. With Adam and Diamond standing to one side watching, and Quent staring down at her in that quiet, watchful way he had, she became aware of the fact that she was the center of attention. Like an actress overcome with stage fright, she found herself momentarily paralyzed. Then, forcing herself to move, she reached around his back and drew the tape firmly about his chest.
“My. You are...” She could feel her mouth going dry. Could feel her heart beating like a bird caught in a trap. She swallowed. Loudly. Her voice sounded unusually loud in her ears. “A very big man, Marshal.”
Her fingertips brushed his nipple, and he thought he’d die from the pleasure. If Adam and Diamond weren’t here... Oh, the thought of what he’d like to do was driving him around the bend.
Nerves had Ruby letting go of the tape. For a moment she couldn’t believe what she’d done. Then, biting back a curse, she dropped to the floor and fumbled around until she located it. She stood. And was forced to start over.
As her fingers guided
Diamond studied her while she spoke, then shook her head. “It’s still hard for me to think of you as a businesswoman, Ruby. But it sounds as though you know exactly what you want.”
“All I want is to feel useful here in Hanging Tree. To belong,” Ruby said softly. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Quent’s eyes narrowed slightly. Did she realize how much she’d just revealed? He tipped his glass and drained it. Standing, he said, “I’d better get going. It’s a long ride back to town. And I’m sure Arlo’s been asleep at my desk for hours.”
“You can’t leave until Ruby measures you for a new shirt,” Diamond reminded him.
Quent looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Maybe we’d better leave that for another time.”
“Don’t be silly.” Diamond took the empty glass from him and refilled it before handing it back. Turning to Ruby. she said, “Go get whatever you need, while we visit with Quent.”
Ruby left the room and returned minutes later with a small pouch. Dumping the contents on a table, she rummaged through them until she located a measuring tape and slate and chalk.
Turning to Quent, she said, “I’m afraid you’re too tall, Marshal. Would you mind kneeling here on the hearth?”
Kneel? Hell, Quent thought, he’d lie down and die as long as she asked him in that cool, breathless voice.
He did as he was told, and had to swallow back a smile when Ruby stood in front of him. If she knew what he was looking at, and just where his thoughts were right now, she’d lay him flat with a few well-chosen curses in that exotic mix of French, Cajun and English that she used so expressively.
He thought about closing his eyes and trying to concentrate on horse thieves. But there was no way in hell he was going to try anything noble right now. He was enjoying himself far too much. He kept his gaze fixed on the darkened cleft between those lush breasts. Damned if he wasn’t near drowning in the smell of her, the touch of her.
Ruby wound a length of tape around Quent’s shoulders. As her hand brushed his upper arm, she felt the strength in him. And felt, too, the way he reacted to her touch. Like a horse, quivering. It should have given her a sense of power. But instead, it only added to her feelings of inadequacy. Mon Dieu , could he hear the beating of her heart? Or the way her breath caught in her throat?
When she was assured that she had the right size, she stepped away to mark it down, grateful for the chance to move a little away and calm her labored breathing.
Quent, too, seemed deeply affected by this encounter. He stood, lifted the tumbler and took several long drinks of whiskey.
“Now your chest,” she said.
He set the tumbler on the mantel and moved his arms out stiffly at his sides.
Ruby had never felt so unnerved in her life. With Adam and Diamond standing to one side watching, and Quent staring down at her in that quiet, watchful way he had, she became aware of the fact that she was the center of attention. Like an actress overcome with stage fright, she found herself momentarily paralyzed. Then, forcing herself to move, she reached around his back and drew the tape firmly about his chest.
“My. You are...” She could feel her mouth going dry. Could feel her heart beating like a bird caught in a trap. She swallowed. Loudly. Her voice sounded unusually loud in her ears. “A very big man, Marshal.”
Her fingertips brushed his nipple, and he thought he’d die from the pleasure. If Adam and Diamond weren’t here... Oh, the thought of what he’d like to do was driving him around the bend.
Nerves had Ruby letting go of the tape. For a moment she couldn’t believe what she’d done. Then, biting back a curse, she dropped to the floor and fumbled around until she located it. She stood. And was forced to start over.
As her fingers guided
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