Lone Wolf's Woman

He scowled.

Julia lurched around to stride down the hall before he had the chance to protest again. “I want you next door to Adam. On the same side as the balcony, in case someone sneaks up on him. That is sensible and practical.”

“And where will you be sleeping while I’m lounging in your bed?” he asked, close behind her. “What makes you think this mysterious sniper isn’t coming after you next—because you can identify him. I need to know exactly where you are if trouble arises.”

The comment caused her to jerk up her head, and she noted his grim countenance. He might be right, but she refused to cower, even if she and her brother might be targets of Sol’s revenge.

“I’ll be in the guest room across the hall,” she said, gesturing over her shoulder.

Lone Wolf opened the door then gave a low whistle as he surveyed the palatial suite that surpassed anything he had ever seen. Expensive furnishings lined the walls. Velvet drapes cascaded beside floor-length windows that provided a view of the moonlit gallery and the rolling hills beyond. These were definitely accommodations fit for royalty.

But he was as far from royalty as you could get.

“Nice place, Julia. I always wondered what the lap of luxury looked like.”

“You’re going to know what it feels like, too,” she told him determinedly. “You are staying here. We will speak of it no more. I already told you that you could name your price for helping Adam and me.” Her arm swept out in an expansive gesture. “These are the fringe benefits. A nice room and home-cooked meals. This is what Preston hospitality looks like, so get used to it.”

Lone Wolf chuckled. He didn’t have reason to laugh very often. But Julia had provoked his amusement twice in a matter of minutes, not to mention the reluctant smiles she had drawn from him since they’d met.

Obviously she was as generous as she was spirited and intelligent. He liked that about her. Liked the fact that she knew her own mind and stood up for what she believed in. That separated her from the ordinary masses and drew his respect. He wondered, however, how she was going to react when he named the fee he intended to charge for taking this assignment.

He predicted her attitude toward him would change drastically when she was asked to pay his price.

“Very well, I’ll bunk here if that’s what you want,” he acquiesced.

“Good. I’m glad we don’t have to waste time arguing over that issue.” She pivoted around to fetch her nightgown and a clean set of clothes from the marble-top dresser and intricately carved wardrobe closet.

“As for your fee, I don’t know how you prefer to conduct business. Am I to pay a partial sum now and the remainder later?” She clutched the pile of clothes to her chest, then strode up in front of him. “I have cash on hand, but if it isn’t enough I will make a withdrawal from the bank tomorrow.”

Lone Wolf stared down into her vibrant green eyes and watched the lantern light gleam on that mass of shiny gold hair. She was cooperation and good cheer right now, but that was about to change.

“Name your price,” she offered generously.

“I will take this assignment,” he affirmed. “But if I’ve learned nothing else in life it is that there is always a catch.”

She shrugged, unconcerned. “My brother is still alive and you’re here to make sure he stays that way. Whatever this catch is, I’m sure Adam and I will abide by it.” She smiled wryly. “Unless you want the deed to our property in exchange. Which, incidentally, is what I think Sol Griffin ultimately wants. But he is not going to get it and neither are you.”

“I will forgo the usual traveling fee since I’ll be staying here. But I insist on marriage. The pretense of it. With you,” he stated firmly and succinctly. “Or the public announcement of our betrothal at the very least.”

Sure enough, her eyes popped and her jaw sagged on its hinges. The clothes she had clutched in her arm dropped to the toes of her boots.

“That is the catch, Julia.” He stared challengingly at her. “Take it or leave it.”

He knew she couldn’t possibly understand his reasoning and he wasn’t in the habit of explaining himself to anyone. She hadn’t a clue what had prompted his unexpected stipulation and he was anxious to hear her response. He was forcing her to put her noble ideals on the line. Right here. Right now. She claimed that she didn’t judge a man by his mixed heritage and less-than-respectable occupation.

This was the decisive moment when he found out if she meant what she said. He really expected her to fail the test.

She stood there staring up at him so intently that he felt the urge to squirm. She sized him up for a long moment then frowned. No doubt, she was trying to figure his angle.

“A pretend marriage. To me,” she repeated pensively. “That’s the catch?”

“Yes,” he confirmed with a sharp nod.

She cocked her head, appraising him from another angle. “Just what is the reason behind this?”

“Smart as you are, you’ll figure it out for yourself after you’ve given it some thought.”

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

No, he gave her all she deserved. He’d seen her in several telling situations tonight and she’d held up remarkably well. “You’re bright and you’re gutsy and that counts for a lot in my book,” he said.

“Am I? Did you notice that between the humiliating moments while I was ranting, desperate and bawling my head off?”

He shrugged lackadaisically. “That was just about letting off steam. You were entitled.”

He waited while she mulled over his request. He couldn’t help but wonder how she saw him. Half-civilized? Unattractive? Unworthy of the pretense of a romantic involvement with her? Just what did Julia Preston see while she was looking him over so critically?

Not that he cared, of course. He was just curious.

Julia bent at the waist to scoop up her clothes, then tossed him another contemplative glance. “I’m assuming that I will have the night to consider this stipulation.” She arched a challenging brow. “A woman shouldn’t be too hasty when accepting or declining a marriage proposal, should she?”

She didn’t mention that she had rejected the last three proposals in two minutes flat.

“The pretense of marriage,” he corrected quickly.

“Or the announcement of a betrothal.”

“At the very least.”

She ambled to the door, then glanced back at him. “If you were one of the three suitors who asked for my hand recently, I would know your angle immediately.”

“Only three?” His thick brow arched. With her brains, beauty and wealth, he would have guessed more.

A mischievous grin pursed her lips. “According to my suitors, I’m not society’s traditional female. Much too unconventional when it comes to fashion,” she added as she gestured toward her attire. “Too headstrong and willful. And that was the catch they hadn’t counted on.” She stared pointedly at him. “Beware, Lone Wolf, you might get more than you bargained for.”

“I’ll take my chances.” He chuckled, finding that he enjoyed negotiating with this feisty female. “Getting more than I bargain for is a hazard of my profession.”

“You will have your answer later,” she said before she closed the door behind her.

Lone Wolf wondered if she might slam the door with a vengeance to show her displeasure with his shocking request. Then he remembered that Adam was asleep in the next room. Julia wouldn’t think of disturbing him.

Admiring the expensive furnishings, Lone Wolf peeled off his clothes, then set the bowie knife—which he kept strapped to his left thigh—and both pistols on the nightstand. He placed the derringer that he sheathed in his shirtsleeve under the fluffy pillow and laid the long-barreled boot pistol on the empty space beside him.

He had learned the importance of keeping his arsenal of weapons within easy reach, no matter where he was.

Even while lounging in this fancy suite.

He recalled the names of several dead lawmen who hadn’t heeded that good advice.

Lone Wolf sprawled on the bed and immediately became enshrouded in the feminine fragrance that clung to the luxuriant bedding and mattress. He lay there staring up at the frilly canopy, trying to estimate how long it would take his quick-witted client to figure out the primary reason he had suggested a pretended marriage.

She, of course, wouldn’t have a clue what other reasons had prompted him to make the stipulation. But for now, one reason was enough. Astute as Julia was, he didn’t think it would take her long to puzzle it out.

Three hours later, after Julia had stopped by Adam’s room, she purposely barged unannounced into her suite. She skidded to a halt when she heard the click of two triggers. The low, threatening growl warned her that she was treading on dangerous ground.

Whatever else Lone Wolf was, he was not a man caught off guard easily. She was relieved to know that, glad to see that he was armed to the teeth and that he was capable of protecting her brother and himself instantaneously.

“You should have knocked and announced yourself,” he grumbled.

Heat flamed across Julia’s face when she saw him flip the sheet over his hips then heard the pistols clang against the nightstand. The legendary bounty hunter slept naked, she realized. Had there been more moonlight spraying through the floor-length windows she would have seen that clearly for herself.

Drawing herself up to full stature, and careful not to allow her gaze to dip below his shadowed face, she padded closer to the bed. “I came to—”

“Is Adam all right?” he cut in worriedly.

“Yes, thank you for asking. He is still in pain and chattering like a magpie in his drug-induced dreams. I changed the dressing on the wound and the bleeding is under control.”

“Good. Now turn your back so I can slip on my breeches.”

“And not have you at the same sort of disadvantage that I faced when you dropped that ‘there’s just one catch’ in my lap?” Julia scoffed. “You deserve to sit there feeling awkward. Turnabout is fair play.”

“Your brother is right,” she heard him mutter. “You are a handful.”

“Thank you. I pride myself in being a man’s equal, not the extension of his opinions and his will.”

“Why am I not surprised to hear that?”

Julia clutched her robe together, then crossed her arms under her breasts. “I think I have figured out why you want the pretense of a marriage during this assignment.”

Her first thought had been that he wanted to take full advantage of the situation, but she’d reminded herself that she was trying to measure him against the yardstick of ordinary men. “You aren’t like the fortune hunters I’ve encountered.”

“Are you asking or telling?” he said wryly.

“I’m telling you what I’ve learned about you already.”

“Just don’t try to find qualities in me that aren’t there,” he warned. “I am what I am. Nothing more or less. Nothing admirable. Nothing special.”

But he was certainly all man, she mused as her betraying perusal slid down from his bare chest to his lap. She couldn’t decide if she was relieved or disappointed that darkness concealed his masculine body.

“Get to the point, Julia,” he said impatiently. “It’s the middle of the night and I’m only dressed for the kind of social call that you and I are not going to participate in.”

She winced at his brisk tone and her gaze returned to his face—from which it never should have strayed in the first place. She inhaled a quick breath and said, “The pretend marriage is your attempt to protect my reputation while we’re working closely together. Am I right?”

“Partially,” he murmured. He would get to the more-than-a-mite-selfish reasons later.

“If Sol Griffin thinks we’re married, he might try to go through you to get to me. You would become one of the obstacles he would have to remove to get his hands on Preston Ranch. And three murder attempts would arouse the sheriff’s suspicions and launch an official investigation.”

“Bingo. Smart lady,” he praised.

“Thank you. However, a betrothal would accelerate an attempt on my life,” she remarked.

Damn, she was right, he realized. He had given her credit for her sharp intellect, but he still had underestimated her.

“Therefore,” she went on to say, “I intend to spread the word of our marriage as soon as I inform Adam of our plan. If anyone asks I will insist that after several chance meetings between us, I realized you suited me perfectly.”

Which he did, Julia mused. This man had agreed to put his life on the line to protect Adam. He didn’t harbor ulterior motives like her other beaux. She trusted him. She liked him. She was attracted to him, even when she knew nothing permanent would come of the arrangement. She certainly didn’t need a husband to complete her, and he didn’t need a wife, with his tumbleweed lifestyle.

“And so,” she added belatedly, “I will agree to your little catch, because it is an ingenious solution.”

Lone Wolf smiled to himself. He would like to be on hand when Sol Griffin received the news of this supposed marriage to Julia Preston. That would go a long way in compensating for the hurt and rejection he had suffered at Sol’s hands.

A fleeting shadow on the gallery put Lone Wolf’s senses on full alert. He bounded to his feet, reacting instinctively to the potential threat that descended on Adam. Behind him he heard Julia’s sharp intake of breath—and he remembered that he was still naked.

“Well, hell.” Muttering, he snatched up the sheet and tucked it around his waist. He scooped up his pistols on the way to the balcony. “Stay here,” he gritted out when he heard Julia scurrying along behind him.

“But—” she protested.

“Stay in here,” he snapped in a tone that invited no argument.

To his relief, Julia screeched to a halt.

Lone Wolf slipped silently out the door.

Chapter Four

W hile the cloaked figure breezed toward Adam’s room, Lone Wolf moved into position to pounce. The would-be assailant never knew what hit him. Lone Wolf had a stranglehold on the intruder’s throat and a pistol pressed threateningly against his temple before he could react.

To Lone Wolf’s frustration, however, Julia flagrantly disobeyed his order by darting across the gallery to position herself in front of his captive. He made a mental note to sit this foolhardy female down later and read her every line and paragraph of the riot act. He had specifically told her to never again put herself between him and a potential threat.

And damn it, she had done it twice in the same night!

“Jules, it’s me!” came the chirping voice.

Lone Wolf frowned when Julia gestured for him to release his captive.

“It’s Maggie,” Julia informed him.

“Maggie?” Lone Wolf stepped back a pace then expelled an exasperated snort. “I would sincerely appreciate it if the women around here would wear dresses so I can tell who’s who.”

When Maggie Griffin pivoted to face him, he went very still. Her wide-eyed focus trailed down his bare chest to survey the white sheet that glowed in the moonlight. Then she glanced bewilderedly back and forth between him and Julia. When her attention shifted to the door that led into Julia’s bedroom, he knew exactly what she was thinking. Hell, he could practically hear her thinking it.

“Maggie Griffin, meet my husband, Vince Lone Wolf,” Julia introduced without missing a beat.

“Your what?” Maggie croaked as she staggered back a pace. “The Lone Wolf who—” She clamped her mouth shut, then blinked owlishly at him…and at his state of undress. “The legendary bounty hunter? That Lone Wolf?”

He nodded, clamped both pistols between his side and left elbow, and then reached out to shake her hand. “Pleased to meet you.” He had waited years to make her acquaintance, to see what she looked like, to see how she reacted to him.

She didn’t move, just stared at his hand.

Eventually she pulled the concealing cap off her head to let a thick mane of sable hair tumble around her shoulders. Finally she offered her hand and a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Lone Wolf. Vince was my grandfather’s name.”

Lone Wolf studied her trim statuesque figure, enchanting face and long-lashed blue eyes. She reminded him of the memory he carried of his mother, the white captive who had caught the rapt attention of his Cheyenne father.

He interrupted his assessment to look at Julia, who was frowning at him. For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what he had done to annoy her. But the instant she saw him staring curiously at her she manufactured a smile, then slipped her arm around Maggie’s shoulders and turned her toward Adam’s room.

“What are you doing here at this time of night, Mags?” Julia asked.

“Adam was supposed to meet me at the usual place at ten o’clock. When he didn’t show up I came looking for him.” Her accusing gaze settled on Julia. “Why didn’t he mention your wedding? Was it tonight? I would have found a way to attend if I had known. Is that why he didn’t meet me?”

Julia flung up her hand to halt the barrage of questions. She turned to Lone Wolf. “Why don’t you get dressed, dear, while I explain things to Maggie.”

When he wheeled around and disappeared into the bedroom, Julia tossed aside the foolish stab of envy she had felt when her supposed husband made such a thorough study of Maggie. Julia knew she paled in comparison to Maggie Griffin, who was the picture of feminine grace, deportment and refinement. Julia had never had a problem concealing her insecurities before, and no man’s opinion or interest in her had mattered until she met Vince Lone Wolf. But suddenly she was disappointed that he took his sweet time appraising her best friend’s startling blue eyes, peaches-and-cream complexion, winsome smile and dainty figure. Julia had thought he found her mildly interesting…until Maggie arrived.

Now Julia was just an afterthought.

She wanted to punish him for making her feel less than feminine and desirable compared to her oldest and dearest friend.

Would you listen to yourself! came a scolding voice inside her head. Her brother had barely escaped death this evening and she was inwardly stewing over her inappropriate and ill-fated fascination with this bounty hunter. She was a poor excuse for a sister if she couldn’t keep her mind focused on Adam and his difficult recovery from a gunshot wound.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were getting married?” Maggie demanded. “When and where did you meet the bounty hunter? Last I heard there were three other suitors on bended knee, trying to get you to agree to marry them.”

Julia waved off the rapid-fire questions then grabbed Maggie’s hands in her own. Small hands that were devoid of calluses. While Julia jumped in with both feet to assume the duties at their ranch, Sol had forced Maggie to play the genteel hostess and reigning princess at Griffin Ranch.

Of course, that did not imply that Maggie approved of her lot in life. It only meant that Sol held unrealistic expectations for his only daughter and expected her to follow his dictates. Maggie had learned to be discreet and inventive in order to remain true to her nature and her heart’s desire.

Julia drew a calming breath and tried to think of a delicate way to tell Maggie what had happened. There wasn’t a good way to sugarcoat this disaster so she simply spit it out. “Mags, my brother couldn’t meet you this evening because he was bushwhacked.”

“Oh, my God!” Maggie gasped as she lurched past Julia to check on Adam.

From out of nowhere Lone Wolf appeared to clutch Maggie’s arm and tow her backward. “Adam was seriously wounded,” Lone Wolf said gently.

“Oh, God…oh, God,” Maggie chanted.

“I’m going to give you the same advice I gave Julia,” he hurried on. “Don’t fall to pieces in front of a man who’s racked with pain and shot to hell. He needs to see optimism, a show of inner strength and encouragement. He needs to see your confidence that he is going to pull through. Can you do that for him?”

Maggie bobbed her head, sniffled, then drew a shaky breath. “You’re right, of course. Yes, I can do that. I have to see him.” She gathered her resolve and stiffened her spine. “I would like to hire you to track down the dastardly man who did this to Adam.”

Julia inwardly grimaced as she and Lone Wolf exchanged discreet glances. She did not relish sharing her suspicions with Maggie. Just how did she tell her dearest friend that her father had most likely ordered the execution attempt on Adam?

When Maggie eased open the door to Adam’s room, Julia was one step behind her, ready to offer the kind of moral support Lone Wolf had provided for her.

She swore she was viewing her own startled reaction to Adam’s fragile condition. It was all there on Maggie’s delicate features. The fear, anguish and frustration. She eased down on the edge of the bed to clutch Adam’s hand and hold it next to her heart. Then she brought his fingertips to her lips.

“I love you, Adam. More than life itself. I cannot imagine how I could survive without you.”

Julia cast Lone Wolf a sidelong glance, noting that he was surveying Maggie intently. When he smiled faintly, Julia frowned, completely bemused. What the devil was he thinking? she wondered. More to the point, what was he feeling?

She could have sworn this swarthy bounty hunter had taken one look at Maggie’s enchanting face, shapely figure, polished manners and had become bewitched. But his expression seemed to hold something more than masculine approval, which left Julia confused.

Her perplexing thoughts trailed off when Adam’s eyes fluttered open. “Mags…” he said raggedly.

“Thank God you’re all right,” Maggie murmured as she brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “Julia told me what happened.”

Not all of it, Julia silently amended. She really was dreading that upcoming conversation.

“You know I can only slip away from home at night,” Maggie whispered as she reached out to brush Adam’s sandy-blond hair away from his forehead. “But I will be here to check on you every evening until you’re back on your feet.”

When Adam slumped against the pillow, Maggie’s breath caught and she valiantly battled to keep from bursting into sobs. Julia hoisted her to her feet, then steered her onto the terrace.

“I’ll make sure you get home safely,” Lone Wolf volunteered as he came up behind them. “Adam is getting what he needs to fully recover. Plenty of rest. Julia will see that he follows doctor’s orders.”

While he shepherded Maggie across the balcony toward the staircase, Julia trailed behind them. A host of insecurities rose inside her when her supposed husband wrapped a protective arm around Maggie’s shoulders to guide her down the dark steps. She reminded herself that he had also shown her the same kindness and support while she was distraught.

Just because she had developed an infatuation for Lone Wolf did not imply that he had the slightest romantic interest in her. And just because they had agreed to pretend to be married didn’t mean she was more to him than just another paying client.

This was a business arrangement, she told herself as she reversed direction to enter her bedroom. It wasn’t his fault that he’d preyed heavily on her mind since the moment she found herself flat on her back, staring up into that rugged, bronzed face.

Julia flounced on her bed and muttered at the confusing jumble of emotions that had hounded her all evening. She shouldn’t trust any of these feelings that bombarded her. Adam’s attack had put her into a mental confusion and kept her there.

When Lone Wolf had suggested this marriage, she realized it would work to her advantage as well. Everyone in her social circle knew she would inherit a trust fund when she married. That was why she had been inundated with so many proposals. She had given up on finding a man who wanted her simply for who she was on the inside. If spreading the word that she had married Vince Lone Wolf resolved that problem alone, Julia was all in favor of it.