Ryan Read online

  It was true. He learned to calm his temper. Last time he’d lost his cool it had changed his whole life.

  “You’re sweet on her. You want her?”

  “That’s stupid talk, Maggie. I’m too old for her.”

  “Oh nonsense sheriff. When it comes to matters of the heart and flesh, age doesn’t factor into it.”

  “I look at her as someone to protect and watch over, that’s all.”

  Maggie grinned at him. She was such a wise woman. Knew things before people knew them for themselves. Yes, he was sweet on Gracie but like he’d said, she was too young and innocent to get herself involved with a man with his sort of history. She deserved the perfect gentleman.

  “So as long as I can have your assurance that you won’t be hiring her out, then I can allow her to stay under your roof.”

  Maggie stood and then curtseyed to him. “Why thank you kind sir. I feel most honored by your gesture.”

  Yeah, that had been a little pretentious of him. Shit, what an ass he was making of himself. Only a woman like Maggie could bring him back down to size with her wit and raw sarcasm.

  “Ryan, I’d take another blow to my face and lose my remaining eye to protect that young woman. I’ve already thought of her as the daughter I never had.”

  “Glad we’re on the same page about that. Now is it okay if I go up and see her? I have news about her father’s funeral and burial. We can go ahead with it as soon as she’s well enough to attend.”

  “That’s wonderful Ryan, and I’ll be attending as will all the girls. And you don’t have to keep asking to go see her. Just do it, sheriff.”

  ****

  Gracie was brushing her hair when she heard a knock on her door. This was the first day she was up and about and she’d sat herself in front of the mirror, trying desperately to do something with her hair.

  “Come in,” she said, expecting to see Annabeth who’d said she’d come back to collect the glass and bowl after Gracie had finished with her breakfast. She glanced in the mirror to see Ryan standing in the doorway, running his fingers around the brim of his hat. Those fingers. She focused in on those. The ones that Annabeth had said he was polite enough to slip inside a lady to make sure she was ready for him.

  Gracie coughed, sure that when she stood there would be a damp spot on the chair. She noticed him not taking his eyes off her. Darn, she hadn’t remembered to wrap the shawl around her and through the thin material of the nightgown he must be able to see everything.

  “Morning Gracie,” he said.

  “Morning Ryan.”

  If she got up, turned around quickly and then grabbed her shawl she could cover herself without any problem. She spun around in her chair and stood up, but she had forgotten that the shawl was on her pillow. She stood frozen, him looking at her, she back at him.

  “My shawl,” she said.

  “Let me get it for you,” said Ryan, rushing to the bed and picking it up.

  He handed it to her.

  “Thank you,” she said, quickly wrapping it around her.

  By the burn in her cheeks she guessed she was blushing.

  “I came by to tell you that I have everything arranged for your father’s funeral. So I think we should go ahead with it.”

  Gracie sat quickly on the bed.

  “You okay? You think you should be up this soon?” asked Ryan, rushing to her. He put his arm around her and sat on the bed beside her. The warmth of his body soothed her. She felt fine but the thought that she’d be saying goodbye to her father forever, and the fact that she’d never see him again, had hit her between the eyes like a bullet.

  “I’m fine. Just sad about saying goodbye to my father one final time.”

  He ran his fingers down her hair. Those fingers were so long and fine looking.

  “I know death isn’t an easy thing to accept,” said Ryan

  “He had so many plans for our new life here.”

  “I can imagine. Will you be staying in Grantsville?” asked Ryan.

  “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  “You’ll find everyone very friendly to newcomers. Most folks living here came from back East to start new lives or run away from their old ones.”

  “How about you, Ryan?”

  “I guess I fit into the latter. Running away from an old life.”

  “And where was that old life?” asked Gracie.

  He hesitated for a bit. “Missouri.”

  “Then like me you’re a long way from home.”

  “This is my home now and it’s yours too,” said Ryan

  “Yes, yes it is. And let’s arrange my father’s funeral for the day after tomorrow. I think I’ll be fit by then,” said Gracie

  “You sure? We don’t want to rush you.”

  Gracie shook her head. “My father needs to be buried soon, to be laid to rest, and I have to start my new life.”

  “All righty then.” He stood. “Maggie and the girls are attending so I’ll be by on Thursday morning to collect you and Maggie. You can both ride with me.”

  He put his hat back, touched the brim and left.

  Gracie touched her hair in the exact spot where he’d touched it. His body had been warm next to hers. The big strong muscles in his legs. She stood. Her robe did have the damp spot that she imagined. Every time she saw him her body felt like it had been given a new life. She bit her lip. She wanted Ryan to be the man to take her innocence. She wanted to feel everything that Annabeth had described: His fingers inside her, his cock plunging deep within, taking away her virginity.

  Would Ryan want such an innocent young girl as her? He could and obviously did have the pleasure of any of Maggie’s girls. She’d find a way to make him want her too.

  Chapter Seven

  Ryan sat at his desk in the sheriff’s office. He’d hoped that Gracie hadn’t seen the hardness in his cock when he’d sat next to her on the bed. He knew it was wrong to be so close to her when they were alone in the room. She’d left him little choice. The transparent gown she’d been wearing and the light pouring into the room had made her almost naked to his eye.

  She was all curves and her nipples had pushed against the fine material. The thick curls at the apex of her thighs had drawn him in. He’d wanted to run his fingers through them and then play with her folds, tease her pussy and make her call his name as he brought her to climax.

  Ryan shifted on his chair. He had another hard on. The one he’d had in the room hadn’t really gone away. This one was just a continuation. He’d been tempted to buy the services of one of Maggie’s girls just to take away his itch but he couldn’t bring himself to be with anyone else now that he’d seen Gracie. Only she’d do. Only she could satisfy his needs now.

  What a dilemma he’d put himself in. Gracie was young and no doubt innocent and therefore out of his league. He was an older man and she deserved someone young who would build her a homestead where they’d raise their children.

  He leaned back on the chair, his balls aching from his need to find release with the young goddess.

  No, Gracie wouldn’t want a man who’d taken another’s life.

  ****

  The dress she’d traveled in that fateful day in the coach was ruined. Maggie was in the process of sewing on some bows to hide the rips and tears.

  “Damn, if this isn’t the ugliest thing my one eye’s ever seen,” she said throwing it down on the bed.

  Gracie didn’t know whether to laugh or not but when Maggie broke into a fit of laughter so did she.

  “Guess you’ve been wondering how I got this scar and if you haven’t already worked it out, my right eye’s a false one.”

  Gracie had but her parents had taught her it was rude to ask questions until the person with the affliction offered to tell you.

  “If you want to tell me then I’d be pleased to hear the story,” said Gracie.

  “I wasn’t always the madam at the whorehouse. I was once one of the girls at a place in Wyoming. One night a man got
mighty rough with me. Broke a bottle and cut me up real bad before he took out my eye.”

  Gracie put her hand on top of Maggie’s and squeezed it. “You poor thing.”

  “Old Maggie’s tough, always has been. I survived but my days of men wanting to pay to fuck me were gone so I moved here and opened this place. I take good care of my girls. Nothing like that is ever going to happen to them.”

  Gracie believed her. “Don’t you have any family?”

  Maggie shook her head. “The girls are all I have. And of course I have you, sweetie. It’s been wonderful having someone to fuss over. Now we need to get you something real pretty to wear to your daddy’s service and burial. Would you let me take you over to the clothes emporium and buy you a dress and hat?”

  Gracie shook her head. “I haven’t got any money to pay you back.”

  “It’s a gift.”

  “No, I can’t let you do that.”

  “Then how about I buy it and you do some work around here…and no, it’s not the sort of work you’re thinking of. The sheriff’s given me a lecture about even entertaining that idea.”

  Gracie looked up at her. “Ryan?”

  “Yes, Ryan. He overheard some man talking about you from the other night and thought I’d already put you to work.”

  Maggie laughed. Gracie smiled. Did that mean he cared about her? Wanted her for himself maybe?

  “Why do you think he was worried about that?” asked Gracie. Maybe Maggie would have more insight.

  “He’s the nurturing kind.”

  “He told me he’s from Missouri. What else do you know about him?”

  “A lot, too much and it’s the sort of stuff that he needs to tell you himself. So are you going to let me buy that dress and hat or are you going to be seen around town in this dress that looks like a one eyed woman made it?”

  Gracie laughed. “Okay, but I’m paying you back.”

  Maggie stuck out her hand. “That’s a deal.”

  ****

  Ryan headed into Maggie’s place mid-morning to collect her and Gracie. He’d dusted off the carriage, groomed the horse, and put on his best suit and even had his hair trimmed. He thought he looked half decent but nothing compared to the sight set before him as Gracie exited the saloon with Maggie holding her arm. The dress was beautiful, the hat was pretty and Gracie was stunning. The sun shone bright in the sky, not a cloud to be seen for miles. It would have been the most perfect day had it not been for one simple fact. Gracie was saying goodbye to her father.

  “Well doesn’t our sheriff look handsome today? Not that he looks ugly on other days,” said Maggie.

  Ryan lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.

  “Such a charmer is our Ryan,” said Maggie.

  He touched the brim of his cowboy hat and nodded to Gracie.

  “You look beautiful. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your father but I can only guess that he’d be very proud of you today.”

  “Thank you on both counts,” said Gracie.

  “Ladies, if you’re ready we’ll head to the church for the service,” said Ryan.

  He helped Maggie up into the carriage and then offered his arm to Gracie so she could use the leverage to get in beside her.

  Ryan hopped up the front and pulled on the reins to get the horse moving. He’d asked some of the folks from town to attend and Maggie had sent along some of the girls so it didn’t look like it was just the three of them at the church.

  “Isn’t it a beautiful morning,” said Maggie. “The sun’s shining because Gracie is on the road to recovery.”

  “That’s a very pretty dress and hat,” said Ryan.

  “Thank you. Maggie picked it out for me,” said Gracie.

  “Isn’t pink her color? Matches the rosiness in her cheeks now that she’s on the mend,” said Maggie.

  “Yes, you were as white as white could be when I carried you into Maggie’s place.”

  “I can’t even remember that,” said Gracie.

  “Maybe just as well,” said Maggie.

  Ryan pulled the horse up outside the church. Music was already playing and by the look of the number of other carriages and horses tethered to the posts, the town had done Gracie proud with their turnout.

  Ryan held Gracie’s hand as she got down and then offered both her and Maggie his arms as they walked toward the entrance.

  “Oh my, all these people coming to say goodbye to my pa,” she said.

  Ryan smiled. They had a full house. The reverend walked toward them.

  “This is Gracie Atkinson. Gracie, Reverend Paxton.”

  “Hello Gracie, and may I offer my condolences for your loss. Come and sit at the front and we’ll begin the service. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve chosen the hymn and passage from the Bible myself, as I didn’t know your father.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  Ryan put his hand on the small of her back and he, Gracie and Maggie, headed down to the front pew. Gracie sat between them. Her father’s casket was at the front of the church. Ryan glanced at her and saw a tear beginning to form in the corner of her eye.

  “Good morning everyone. We’re here today to say goodbye to Gracie’s father who none of us knew, but I’m sure we will get to know more about him through her. I hope each one of you will welcome her into our fine community and open up your hearts to her at this sad moment in her young life.”

  Ryan took her hand and squeezed it. She looked up at him, her eyes now full of tears.

  “It’s going to be okay Gracie. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

  ****

  Gracie didn’t think there were any tears left in her head but she managed one more to run down her cheeks as her father’s casket was lowered into the ground. She walked over to it and threw on some dirt and then the flower Ryan had given her for the occasion.

  “Goodbye Pa. I’m going to miss you but I hope you’ve gone to a good and happy place and that you’re now with Ma.” She turned away quickly and walked back to where Ryan and Maggie stood waiting for her.

  “You did a wonderful job,” said Maggie. “Ryan’s right, your pa would have been proud of you.”

  “I guess this means he’s really gone. I wake up each morning thinking I’ve been dreaming.”

  Maggie put her arm around her and hugged her.

  “Any time you want to come and visit his grave you just let me know and I’ll bring you out here,” said Ryan.

  “That’s kind of you. Maybe next month because it would have been his birthday,” said Gracie.

  “Next month it is.”

  “Now how about we go back to my saloon and get ourselves something to eat and drink,” said Maggie.

  “I must say I’m hungry,” said Ryan.

  They got back in the carriage and Ryan returned to the dirt road that led into Grantsville.

  “Did I tell you that Gracie’s going to work for me?” asked Maggie. She quickly put her hand on Ryan’s shoulder. Maggie winked at her. “No, it’s not what you’re thinking. She walked into my office while I was working on the books. This young lady has a quick brain for figures. She’s going to do the accounting for me. Manage all the money and books.”

  “Do you really think…” began Ryan.

  “Now hush there, sheriff. You know I wouldn’t let a man touch this precious young girl so have no worry about that.”

  She winked at Gracie again.

  ****

  Ryan didn’t like the idea of Gracie continually staying at Maggie’s now she was slowly getting back on her feet. And working at the saloon, even if it was an innocent thing like bookkeeping, didn’t sit well with him. Men would be around all the time. They’d be eyeing her, and lusting after her.

  Yeah, just like he was right now. He’d come in for drink and a chance to unwind and he’d seen her with Maggie through the curtain that led to the back of the building. It had been almost six weeks since they’d buried her father. Now she looked fit and well. He’d seen her on a c
ouple of occasions but knowing how he felt about her and what could never be, he’d kept his distance, and also avoided Maggie’s place at all costs.

  Tonight he had a thirst for some good whisky and Maggie’s served the best. The glass sat in front of him calling his name. He took a sip and then downed the rest of it, seeing a glimpse of Gracie again. His heart beat faster and his cock twitched. Avoiding Maggie’s place also meant that he’d avoided women and right now he was in need of a good fuck. Not just to ease his pent up libido but to take the edge off of wanting Gracie so badly. He rubbed his hands over his thighs, feeling his erection get harder, almost to the point of pain. His balls pulled upward and if he didn’t find some relief he wouldn’t be able to walk out of this place.

  He stood and looked toward the back of the saloon. Through those curtains was his cure. Maybe Annabeth was available to give him just what he needed. Ryan made his way back there but saw no one around. He walked to Maggie’s office where she and Gracie were sewing. They both looked straight at him as he stood in the doorway.

  “We haven’t seen you for some time,” said Maggie.

  “I’ve been busy,” said Ryan. Busy avoiding the woman who makes my heartbeat race.

  “Can we help you?” asked Maggie. Despite her long skirt, he saw her distinctly kicking the edge of Gracie’s shoe. He guessed they sensed something and the real reason he’d been avoiding the place.

  “I was wondering…”

  Now he was tongue tied. Damn, he hated that he had to ask for the services of a prostitute in front of Gracie.

  “Maggie, maybe you could step outside,” said Ryan.

  “That’s okay. Gracie knows all about what goes on. You want some time with one of the girls?” asked Maggie.

  His face was burning. He was blushing.

  He simply nodded and didn’t want to verbally comment and own up to his need in front of Gracie. She smiled at him. Maggie stood and walked toward the wall where she kept the keys to the various rooms.

  “All the girls are busy right now but one will be finishing up her job soon. Take this and go to room five and I’ll send the next available one up to you,” said Maggie.