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Though she was quaking inside, Hannah stood her ground. “Well, then, you need to speak with my brother yourself.”
“If that were possible, I would. However, I know that he shows up at your farm from time to time—in fact, I have word that he may be passing through the county soon. So, the next time you see him, you need to be prepared. Give him a word from Jarrett Cain for me. Hmmm?”
Her eyes flared but she didn’t reply.
“You tell him that I will get what’s due me—one way or another. All of it. Paid in full. He may be able to hide away for a few weeks, even a month or two, but I have a long memory, and a long reach, and the debt will not be forgiven until I have what’s rightfully mine.” The eyes that seemed to bore right through her now glimmered with an unsavory light. “You can tell him that while I’m waiting for him to pay up, I won’t be languishing without. I’ll be using the creative genius I have, the influence I have, extracting prices from alternate sources, if need be.” His smile looked dangerous to her now and a cold anxiety chilled her through as she wondered at the implication.
“What does that mean?”
For a moment, he looked as if he would say more but instead he said: “Beau knows what it means, Mrs. Crowe; he knows me well enough. He’s seen what I can do.” While he finished his speech, he tended his horse, tightening the saddle, perhaps to make the meeting appear more casual than it was. He stood sideways to her now, and turned his head as he finished talking, to stare at her, just stare, until she could no long endure the man’s incisive eyes.
He had a cagey way about him and spoke as if there were layers of meaning behind his message—some that she should understand without his saying. She was too scared to ask. Her blood had turned to ice, although it was the strangest chill, for deep in her gut, a fiery sensation burned hot. She could not, would not, allow herself to recognize what it meant.
It must have been the man’s infamous power, that’s all, she’d decide later. However, while she remained in his presence, she could barely breathe or think or understand her own confused emotions and why they tormented her so.
“I’ll tell my brother what you said,” she said, “if I see him. Now, please, I must return home.”
“By all means,” he smiled warmly, then turned and called out, “Eldon!”
The man appeared from behind a bush where he had no doubt been eavesdropping.
“Take Mrs. Crowe to the road adjacent to her farm. I’m sure it will be easier on the feet than a long walk home from town. G’day, Mrs. Crowe.” The man mounted his horse, and without turning back, galloped off in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hannah tended her garden with the fury of an angry, desperate woman. The hard work did her good, she told herself, while hoping the labor might somehow disperse the intense emotion Jarrett Cain had roused in her. It had been two days and still the image of the man clouded her mind and his veiled but unseemly warnings did nasty things to her erotic body.
Responding to an unexpected sound nearby, she turned from her weeding to find herself doused by a shadow high above her kneeling body. Looking up, she saw that it was Beau, not because she could see his face; he was no more than a black silhouette against the brash late summer sky. But she knew the outline of his body well, a familiar shape that on many occasions warmed her spirit just to be within its presence. It had been a long time, however, since she’d entertained such tender notions toward her brother.
“Hey, sis, aren’t you going to greet me with a hug and a warm meal?”
He slid from his horse and extended his hand. Now she could see him better. His scraggly face needed a good shave and his tousled mass of brown hair a trim. His clothes were grimy from the road, likely from a dozen hideouts, where clean water and a bar of soap were scarce. He looked tired and drawn, as well he should be, but nonetheless, he was still as handsome as ever. The fanciful glint in his blue eyes had never faded—Hannah counted that a good thing. And he could still smile. He looked older, not in years, but from the worry that made his face seem sad—something she’d not seen in him before. She’d seen the same look settle in her father’s face as the years took their toll.
“You know you’re not welcome here,” Hannah said as she moved to her feet. “Daniel will have your hide if he finds you in his home. Trust me, he wields a nasty strap and he’d certainly be aiming for your sorry ass.”
Beau shrugged. “You talk so harsh, Hannah. Not like you.”
“I’m talking the truth,” she said as she brushed passed him and moved toward the porch.
“Hey, there, I’m not the enemy.”
“But you’re running from one, one with every intention of getting what he wants from you. Why don’t you just pay up?”
“’Cause it’s so much more than I have, sweet sister.” He swaggered jauntily as he moved her way and followed her into the house.
“Then work it off.” She turned to confront him.
“Like some indentured slave? Never! Can you imagine what father would think of that?”
“He’d think that you’re acting responsibly under the circumstances and accepting the consequences of your actions, as well you should!”
Hannah moved to the stove and dished up a serving of beans that had been boiling there all morning. She practically shoved the plate in Beau’s face.
“It is not a good time for you to be coming here, Beau Noble. I do not want you to stay.” She softened slightly, taking an exasperated breath. “But eat. You’re looking thin.”
“Aw, I can always count on you,” Beau offered her his typically charming smile.
“For this much, but then you take your leave. And if you have any respect for yourself and me, and all father stood for, you’ll take care of your business matters with that man.” Her voice seemed to rise the more she spoke.
