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lacquered boxes and silver candy dishes. A beautiful ivory fan bought in New Orleans from a ship that had been nearly around the world. Cream-colored wallpaper and heavy, dark blue drapes provided a backdrop for the ostentatious display.,
"Who would have thought I would be so blessed as to finally see the inside of the famed Bartlett mansion?'' he said. He raised his eyebrows. "You must be very proud living here."
"I'm not. You know that, Justin." She glanced at one of the settees and thought about sitting down, but she was afraid he would sit next to her. With her heart already pounding in her chest and her palms damp, she didn't think she could deal with the consequences of him being so close. "This house means nothing to me. It is still my father's home, not mine."
"Yes, of course. You could be happy in a small sod hut somewhere out west. Fighting snakes and scorpions, watching your children die from the elements."
"You twist my meaning."
He thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. The smile pulling at his mouth was anything but pleasant. "Are you saying you would be content in a single room above a saloon? Like my mother? You could hear the noise from below, you know. The yells of the drunken men, the squeals of the saloon girls. And the smells. Tobacco, sweat and—"
"Stop!" She moved toward him until she was directly in front of him. "Please, stop. I've said I was sorry for what I said about your mother. It was thoughtless and cruel. I have no excuse except for the truth." She dipped her head slightly and stared at the center of his broad chest.
"Which is?"
He had been in town less than a day and already her life had been turned upside down. "When I'm frightened, I tend to speak without thinking. If s a failing. I beg your indulgence."
"Beg" had been a poor choice of words. She saw that instantly when she risked meeting his gaze. The fire had returned, but it wasn't fueled by anger.
He had the most beautiful eyes, she thought, staring into their deep brown depths. Thick lashes framed the pure color. The dark slash of his eyebrows added to his handsomeness, making him look sardonic one minute, gently teasing the next. Justin's moods changed like the surface of the stream, quickly and without warning.
She blinked several times and looked away. Yes, the anger was gone, but that which replaced it was much more dangerous.
44 What are you afraid of?" he asked softly.
"Your return."
She turned away and walked over to the fireplace. Logs and kindling were kept stacked in readiness for guests. She crouched down and lit the fire. When the smaller pieces had caught, she rose to her feet and motioned to one of the settees. "Please, have a seat."
He shook his head. "I'm not going to be here that long. Why are you afraid of me?"
"I'm not afraid of you," she said, then smiled. He was the least of it, really. She was the problem. Being around him, thinking of him, made her act differently, as if the respectable woman she worked hard to be was just a false covering, like a storefront. As if the world saw her as a gracious two-story mercantile, but inside she was just a squat saloon.
She smiled at the analogy. He seemed to addle her brain as well as her senses.
"So, you're going to be here for a year," she said.
His gaze moved over her face, then dipped lower. She told herself to be insulted, but the frank appraisal left her feeling warm and tingling. Justin had often looked at her like that in the past. The appreciation in his eyes had made her proud to be female and that which he desired. It had frightened her a little, for her inexperience had left her with more questions than explanations. But in his arms that hadn't mattered.
He'd tempted her with his soft kisses. Despite his time away and the changes in both their lives, he still tempted her. Pray God he chose to ignore her.
"Yes. As I told you earlier this afternoon, I have a one-year contract with the good citizens of this town." The mocking tone had returned.
"Why did you come back? To punish them? ,,
He shook his head. "To make peace with the past, although that doesn't seem to be working."
"What are your plans while you're here?"
He raised his eyebrows again. "Pm the sheriff. I'll enforce the laws, try to keep people out of trouble and generally make my presence known."
