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“Then it’s a date. Thanks, Eddy.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for the invitation.”
“I know you had a long day. Let me get out of here so you can rest up.”
She walked him to the door. He stood there a moment, and from his hesitant manner, she sensed he might be trying to decide whether to chance kissing her or not. He nodded a good-bye instead. “I’ll see you at the auction.”
“Have a good evening.”
Once she was alone, she thought again how nice he seemed. No roiling for him. She liked his well-mannered attentions even as the sensual parts of herself awakened by Rhine’s kiss eagerly looked forward to tomorrow.
Rhine sat brooding in his office. The saloon was closed on Sundays so the place was quiet. He’d not been expecting to find Eddy keeping company with Ezekiel Reynolds, and when told by Sylvia that she was, common sense said he should’ve just left the premises. But he was finding he had no sense, common or otherwise, where the little queen was concerned. He’d entered the kitchen just as Zeke confided his wanting to spend more time with her, and wanted to grab him by his collar and toss him outside. But he had no right. That truth only further raised his ire, and he realized he was jealous.
Jim Dade stuck his head in the door. “So did she agree?”
“I didn’t get to speak with her. She was entertaining Zeke Reynolds and told me to come back tomorrow.”
“Is that why you’re looking so morose and he’s downstairs looking so mad?”
“Who?”
“Zeke. He’s downstairs. Wants to talk to you.”
Rhine sighed audibly.
“This is better than one of those dime novels,” Jim told him. “Should I send him up?”
“Yes, and then go away.”
“I want to watch.”
“Go to hell, Jim.”
Chuckling, his partner disappeared.
When Zeke entered he didn’t waste time with greetings. “So what are your intentions towards MissCarmichael?”
Rhine took in the chilly eyes and stony manner. Although the two men were evenly matched in height, Zeke had a more powerful build. If he was bent on a fight, Rhine would have to shoot him in both knees first to throw the odds in his favor. “I want her to make the cakes for the Republican dinner at the end of the month.” The annual social event was one Rhine had sponsored for the past few years. There was music, food, dancing, and no speeches.
“And outside of that?”
Rhine gestured him to a chair.
“I’ll stand.”
Rhine sat back and observed him for a moment. “Did she send you here?”
“No.”
“Then why make this your business?”
“Because a man like you has no business around one of our women.”
“From what you know of me, have I ever treated any woman of your race dishonorably?”
“No. Not that I know of.”
“Then why would you think I’d treat Miss Carmichael any differently?”
