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“Only if you promise to be very scandalous.”
Who knew he’d wind up enjoying her company so much? “I’ll see what I can do.”
The aromatic scent of fish cooking over a fire drifted their way on the breeze.
“I think Odell’s ready for us,” he said with a hint of regret.
She offered a mock pout. “I was hoping to get a preview of how scandalous you plan to be.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Up, you sassy woman. Let’s go eat.”
She rose. “I’ve enjoyed the first day of our pact.”
“So have I. Let’s plan on more days like this.”
“Agreed.”
They took a leisurely walk back to the fishing site. Anna, seated on a tarp, looked up from her plate and greeted them with a grin. Odell stood talking to a man in an army uniform. Both men turned their way. The soldier’s eyes widened. Colt heard Regan gasp.
The soldier smiled fondly and asked with a laugh, “Regan Carmichael, what on earth are you doing here?”
Chapter Eleven
Regan wondered why the Fates were conspiring against her. First, she’d mistakenly shot her intended and now, here stood Levi Spalding, the man she’d given her virginity to.
Odell asked Levi, “You two know each other?”
He nodded. “My unit was stationed near her home in Arizona Territory a couple of years back. How’s your family? Your sister?”
Unable to look Colt’s way, she fought to keep her tone light. “Everyone’s well. Portia recently married.”
Odell said, “Levi, meet Colt Lee, he’s the doc around here. Colt this is my grandson, Lieutenant Levi Spalding. He and his unit are over in Rock Springs, hoping to keep the miners from going on the warpath about the Chinese strikebreakers. He rode up to see me. He’s my daughter’s boy.”
Colt shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant. Regan is my wife.”
Levi stiffened and his eyes flashed her way before moving back to Colt’s. “Congratulations. She’s a lovely lady.”
Regan hazarded a glance at her husband and wondered if the guilt screaming inside was visible. In truth, she had nothing to be guilty about, but the awkwardness of the situation and his unreadable dark eyes made her feel as if she’d swallowed sand.
Unaware of the intrigue, Odell said, “Come on and grab a plate, you two. Fish is ready.”
As they sat eating the fish and potatoes Odell had prepared, Levi asked casually, “So, how long have you and Dr. Lee been married, Regan?”
“Not long.” She prayed he’d not bring up what they once meant to each other.
She saw Odell watching her intently before he asked his grandson, “How long have you and Marie been married? Can’t remember.”
Levi’s face went red. “It’ll be six years in October.”
Six years!She was stunned. During their six-month relationship, he’d claimed to be unattached. Outwardly, she schooled her reaction as best she could. Inside fury burned white-hot. She’d gifted her innocence to a married man!
The meal continued and the men talked about the volatile situation in Rock Springs.
Colt said, “The White miners resent the companies bringing in the Chinese, and they’re being targeted more and more.”
Odell added, “They hate the Chinese as much as they hated the Indians.”
While listening, Regan imagined how she might subject Levi to a slow and painful death. He’d taken advantage of her in ways that made her feel young and foolish. She’d trusted him with her heart and her feelings, only to realize she’d been used. She knew she could be naïve but she’d always prided herself on being a good judge of character. Apparently, she’d been naïve to believe that as well.
