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Prudence wore a serious expression. "I most certainly won't. I will ask appropriate questions, in appropriate places, and determine what I can."
"Appropriate places?" he questioned, leaning indolently against the building and crossing his arms over his chest. "Then tell me how you happened into Sadie's place?"
"I was perhaps a bit overzealous," she said pensively, but the slight turn of her lips betrayed her pride.
He straightened with a hastiness that made Prudence take a step back. Damn, but that wicked little half smile could unman him. It teased and poked and promised all in one. And the worst thing about it was she didn't even realize she was capable of seduction.
"Where did you think of starting your inquiries?" he asked, judging a bit of separation from her might prove beneficial.
"The hotel," Prudence was quick to answer. She was hopeful that he would permit her this. If not, she'd have no choice but to free herself of him once again.
"And?" He wanted her intentions spelled out. He wanted—actually needed, for his own sanity—to know her whereabouts until they were reunited at the hotel.
Prudence was prepared."The mercantile, bank, seamstress, and if leads take me elsewhere…”
"The saloon?" he finished, waiting with a look that could only be termed murderous.
Prudence bravely placed her hand flat against his chest. The hard muscles beneath his shirt tantalized her fingers and her senses. But she felt contact, physical contact, was important at this moment. He had to understand her desperation. He must. "If my search takes me in that direction, I will wait until we meet and allow you to proceed from there."
He covered her hand with his, pressing it more firmly to his chest. "Promise?"
Hard. The one word bounced into her thoughts, and her cheeks were suddenly seared by red heat. She dropped her readable wild gaze to the ground. "I promise."
"A docile, obedient wife; now isn't that a most welcome change," he whispered. His hit was direct and intentional. He liked when she got all fired up and uppity. She was a force to be reckoned with, and he damned well wanted to reckon with her.
Prudence raised her face slowly, the red heat, now a fury, highlighting her cheeks. "If docile and obedient are what you search for in a wife, I assure you, you will be sadly disappointed with me."
Zac ran his finger slowly down her hot cheek to the corner of her lips. "I doubt I’ll be disappointed, Pru. I doubt it very much."
His looks were hungry and her emotions ravenous. Not a good combination at the moment. She took a step back.
He gained control, with much difficulty, over his fervor. "One hour is all the time I’ll grant you. In one hour, meet me at the Hotel Lillian."
Prudence nodded and made to turn, when his hand caught her arm. It was a commanding grasp and she looked up at him.
"Be careful." His words were strongly issued, but he couldn't hide his concern.
Prudence smiled and reached up to plant a light kiss on his cheek. "I’ll be fine . . . and thank you."
Zac stared at her retreating back as she weaved through the crowd. She was an enigma to him, one minute proper, the next brawling with Barney Osgood, a man three times her size, then hitting him and sending him stumbling to boot. And now kissing him sweetly. He smiled. What was the opposite of that sweet kiss? Blistering passion? He'd find out. Yes sir, he sure in hell was going to find out.
Prudence found her task more difficult than she had expected. Many of the local residents were new to the area and could offer no help. A few suggested she try Granny Hayes. Everyone agreed the old woman had been around before the town even got its name and if anyone could help her, she could. Of course, there was only one place to find Granny this time of the day… the saloon.
Prudence cringed when she heard that and cringed again when she recalled her promise to Zac. Why had she allowed herself to be trapped in a promise? She could have phrased it differently, allowing herself her familiar freedom and appeasing him in the process.
Honor-bound as she was, Prudence hurried to the Hotel Lillian, hoping Zac had completed his business and would be there waiting for her.
She weaved through the crowd of people, stepping around a potted plant, its large green leaves hiding her view of a section of the large lobby. Zac was nowhere in sight. She had been advised that he had secured them a room but had informed the desk clerk he would return later. That had been over an hour ago and still he hadn't returned.
Prudence needed to talk to Granny Hayes, and she didn't want to wait. Mr. Lewis at the mercantile had told her Granny would be at the saloon for only so long. The old woman, he had said with a laugh, didn't like it when the rowdy young'uns came in.
