AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Prudence refused to unleash her anger. The wasted emotion caused one to lose her senses, and she wasn't about to do anything improper. "And I don't believe I gave you the authority to dictate my actions."
"That's right, honey, you didn't, but your father did."
"He has no right."
"Not so. He has every right. A woman obeys her father and then her husband… a righteous law."
"Archaic and one I refuse to submit to." She hated being dictated to by anyone, especially Zac Stewart.
Zac removed his hat, placing it on the table, and ran his hand through his hair. The warm brown strands fell unrestricted along his collar and around his ears, highlighting his handsome features. "Your father warned me you might be stubborn and difficult."
Prudence raised her chin in defiance. "And I suppose you guaranteed my compliance."
His smile broadened. "You might say that."
Prudence's caustic response had to wait, since Sadie appeared with a whiskey for Zac.
"Prudence, is it?" Sadie asked, handing Zac the glass.
"Prudence Agatha Winthrop, to be exact," Zac said with a salute of the glass to Prudence, before he downed the contents in one gulp.
Prudence refused to look at him. She kept her eyes focused on Sadie.
"You know, Prudence, you're worth your weight in gold around here."
"Why's that?" she asked, ignoring the rumble of laughter coming from Zac.
"Hell, girl," Sadie said. "If you can please Zac in bed, you can please any man. His women better be good. Damn good. Yes sir, I'd have them lined up waiting for you. We could make a bundle."
"I don't share," Zac said. His tone was dead serious.
Sadie slapped him on the back. "Hell, I know that, but I can dream, can't I?"
"That you can, darling," Zac said with a smile, slipping his hand around her and patting her ample backside.
Prudence had had enough. She had no intention of going anywhere with Mr. Stewart, but she had every intention of returning to the saloon to speak with Sadie about her mother, though it would have to be at another time, preferably when she was able to rid herself of her newly acquired baggage.
She picked up her satchel. I’m sorry you made this trip for nothing, Mr. Stewart.”
Zac winced at her usual formality. Someday he was going to put an end to that Mr. Stewart once and for all. "I assure you, Prudence, my trip isn't in vain."
She stepped over his outstretched legs. "But it is, since you'll be returning to Boston alone." With that announcement she walked out the swinging doors, releasing them gently so they wouldn't flap too strongly.
Zac snatched his hat from the table. He placed it on his head, tugging it down firmly on his forehead. "I don't know why I agreed to this," he mumbled.
"What's that?" Sadie asked.
"Women," Zac said. "They ought to be outlawed."
He reached in his pocket for some coins to pay for the whiskey.
Sadie stayed his hand with hers. "This one's on me. What you need is to get that woman of yours into bed. Fill her up some since it sounds to me like it's been a while for the both of you."
Zac shook his head. "Sadie, that's the last thing I need right now." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked toward the swinging doors. Fill her up some. Damn if that didn't sound inviting, despite what he'd said to Sadie. He gave the doors a mighty shove and walked out.
Prudence was halfway down the main street of town, which wasn't much of a distance since the dirt street was short though wide. She appeared headed in the direction of the only hotel in town. He watched her steady and sure footsteps. She had been traveling long if the dusty condition of her linen coat was any indication, and she was probably tired if not exhausted. But she refused to show it.
"Stubborn," Zac said, and picked up his pace to catch up with her.
She heard the rapid approach of footsteps and hastened her own pace.
"Hold on," he said, reaching out, grabbing her arm and halting her progress.
Prudence stiffened against his touch. "We have nothing to discuss, Mr. Stewart. Now take your hand off me."
"You tried those words once before and they did little good."
Prudence recalled she'd used the same words just before he had kissed her in the garden. He was right. They did little good. "I think it would be best if we found a proper place to discuss this matter in a more civil manner."
"I assume your destination is the hotel. It has a small but adequate dining salon," he suggested.
"Perfect," she said, snatching her arm free from his grasp and continuing her walk.
Zac shook his head once again. Actually, he had the strangest feeling he'd be doing a lot of head shaking. "Let me take that," he said, walking beside her and reaching for her satchel.
