Whiskey Rose (Fallen) by Melissa Jones Page B

headed up the road shattering the indecision for both of them.
    “ So, how often do you make the great escape ? ”
    “ Why ? ”
    “ Just wondering how often I get to see my wife ? ” He grinned, she arched a brow at him but she smiled too.
    “ About once a month . ”
    “ Oh that is not nearly often enough . ”
    “ Well maybe you should make more time for your wife . ”
    “ Maybe I should. The Calvary can survive without me. Can the Whiskey Rose survive without its Rose ? ”
    “ Guess w e’ ll find out soon enough . ”
    “ Wait. Are you serious ? ” Matt was certain that he had heard a plan to leave under the thinly veiled comment.
    “ It was never my goal to run the Saloon forever. It is simply a means to an end . ”
    “ S o … the end is near ? ”
    “ The end is very near . ”
    “ How near ? ”
    “ A couple of months . ”
    “ What about your father? Is Izzy going to run the Saloon ? ” She looked at him and felt like the worst detective ever .“ H e’ s not your father at all is he ? ”
    “ Nope . ” Matt sighed and rubbed his eyes. He should have seen that, it only proved that he had been blind where she was concerned all along.
    “ So he is what to you ? ”
    “ A friend,a business partner I guess you could say . ”
    “ How did you hook up with him ? ”
    “ I t’ s a long story but suffice it to say that he saved my life and h e’ s been looking after me ever since . ”
    “ So how does he feel about you walking away ? ”
    “ He is not very happy about it . ” Unhappy enough to vandalize the front of the saloon? He wondered but did n’ t voice the question.
    “ Why are you telling me all this now ? ”
    “I don’t know.” She smiled. “The girls always tease me that I am in a much better mood after a few days of…” She looked at him and he saw her cheeks pinken slightly. “Rest.” She finished and he smiled. “Don’t worry, your investigation should be over before I go. You won’t need me anymore.” He might not need her for that investigation but now he had a new mandate. He would have to work quickly to earn her trust, if this conversation was any indication he had made good strides toward that goal but he needed her to tell him about Kline and he knew that wouldn’t be an easily divulged secret.
     
    The Saloon was in an upheaval of activity when they returned.  He did n’ t see anyone but he could certainly hear them. With everything that had happened he had completely forgotten that the girls were planning room swaps for today.
    “ Do not go up there . ” Rose said, as if she could tell he was noting the activity.
    “ Why not ? ” He frowned wondering if she thought he would get in the way or if she was just banning him from the second floor altogether.
    “ Because they are what they are, and you are what you are . ” He was slightly stung by the explanation. It seemed that she thought he would be overcome with lust just by being up there.
    “ Can I have that in English please ? ” She turned around and he stopped his progress down the narrow hallway. She approached him and he stood his ground determined not to back away as she approached. She stopped so close to him that they were almost touching. She looked up at him through partially lowered lashes and he had the overwhelming desire to kiss her.
    “Matt,” She reached up and touched the line of buttons on the front of his shirt. “I was wonderin’ could you be a doll and give me a hand?” Her voice had the soft Texas drawl that he had forgotten she did so well. “You see I been tryin ’ but I just can’t manage it and with you bein’ so big and strong and all.” She ran her hand over his bicep and gave it a slight squeeze, “Oh my, that’s bigger than it looks isn’t it.” She said her tone breathy. “Do you recon you could move this little ol’ dresser into that room across the hall for me? Please?” She pouted her lips slightly and blinked twice.
    “ Yeah , ” he said