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Unlike the other cowboys lingering in the saloon, this man looked out of place. She would have pegged him for a gambler by his appearance alone but he wasn’t at the card tables. His black suit didn’t bare a single wrinkle and the dark purple vest he wore underneath his coat was shot with silver thread and looked more expensive than every piece of clothing she and Ben owned, combined.
He stopped in front of her and tipped his hat. “Good evening.”
Betsey swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “Hello.”
His smile was friendly, those intense blue eyes mesmerizing, and there was something a bit—carnal—about him. The old saying, “looks could kill,” may be true after all. He was simply beautiful.
“Harrison McBride,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Mr. McBride.” Betsey set her shot glass on the bar. “What may I do for you?”
The look he gave her caused gooseflesh to pimple her skin, more so when his gaze traveled the length of her all the way to her feet and back up. “I actually wanted to speak to you about what I can do for you.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “Come have a drink with me and we’ll talk.”
The table he’d been sitting at was now taken. “I’m afraid you lost your seat when you crossed the room.”
He glanced behind him then shrugged. “It’s too loud to talk in here anyway.” When he faced her again, the corner of his mouth ticked up into what she thought might have been a smile. “One of the rooms upstairs will work.”
Heat flooded her face at the suggestion. It wasn’t the first time she’d been propositioned since coming to work here but it was the first time the thought hadn’t made her sick to her stomach. Mr. McBride’s heated looks told her talking might not be all that would take place behind those closed doors which meant her feet were planted right where they were. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“And why is that?”
Heat flooded her face as she blushed. “I’m not—” She looked away and bit her lip. “I don’t entertain gentlemen in the rooms upstairs.” When he didn’t reply she glanced back up him. The smile was still there, so was that heated look in his eyes, but laughter also danced there.
“Not that the idea of bedding you hasn’t crossed my mind, I won’t lie, you’re quite fetching to look at, but I really do wish to speak to you—with our clothes on, even though it will be a disappointment.”
That heat in her face burned hotter. “What do you wish to talk to me about?”
“You’re lovely singing voice.” He stepped closer when someone behind him got too close and shoved him a bit. He now stood close enough to smell the rich, spicy scent of the shavingtonic he’d used. That, along with the way he was looking at her, was a bit overwhelming.
She saw Ruby at the entrance of the hall. She was staring right at her and knew she’d wait right there until she found out what Mr. McBride wanted. Looking back up at him, she took a step away from the bar. “We can talk in the back. It’s about as quiet as it can get in here without going outside.”
He gave her another of those devastating smiles and offered her his arm. “Then let’s go have our talk.”
Betsey took his arm and led him around the bar. She met Ruby’s gaze and her friend turned and headed for the back room and was seated at the table when they made it there. Ruby’s smile was as blinding as her hair but Mr. McBride didn’t seem to notice. He was all smiles as he pulled a chair away from the table for her, then took the one beside her.
She looked at Ruby and hid a smile. “Mr. McBride, this is Ruby, a friend of mine.”
“Please, call me, Harrison.” He nodded in Ruby’s direction. “Pleasure, ma’am.”
Ruby snorted a laugh. “Ma’am. First time I been called that in a while.”
“Is there something else you’d like me to call you instead?”
“Your one and only if your wallet is full and is as fancy as the rest of you.”
Betsey nearly choked. “Ruby!”
Her friend laughed, not in the least bit embarrassed. “So, what do you want to talk to my girl about?” She glanced her way. “If you’re proposing marriage, she accepts.”
She did choke that time. When Harrison tapped her lightly on the back and grinned at her, she wanted to crawl under the table.
“As pleasant as it would be to have her in my bed every night, there is something else I wished to discuss. We can talk about bedroom assignments and new last names later.”
He winked at her and a bit of her embarrassment eased.Ruby’s bold words were as shocking as she was and Betsey wasn’t sure why she was surprised by it. Nothing Ruby did was subtle. She wasn’t even sure the woman knew the meaning of the word.
