Marlie′s Mystery Man
Marlie's Mystery Man
Doris Rangel
To: Grammie From: MarlieRe: I'M FALLING FOR TWO MEN-SORT OF!Gram, Something strange has happened on my summer vacationthere are two Caid Matthews in my life! One Caidthe one only I can see and hearis romantic and sexy, with a wicked sense of humor. The other is intensely passionate and determined to get what he wants: me! Both give knee-weakening kisses, and I'm falling for each of themfor different reasons. But I can't be happy with just half a manso how can I get the two halves to reunite and become the perfect, whole man for me to love?HELP! ^
Who the heck are you and get the heck out of my room!
Marlie finally managed to get out.
Well, hell. They were back to this. Marlie, Caid said patiently, I told you last night who I am. Remember?
Caid? Her tone sounded disbelieving.
Yeah. Caid Matthews.
Caid Matthews, youre naked as a jaybird! Get out of my room! Marlie screeched, throwing a pillow at him.
But Caid didnt move. You can see me?
Marlie finally seemed to grasp the importance of the moment. She blinked, then slowly, wickedly grinned. Yes, Caid, I can definitely see you.
Dear Reader,
October is bringing big changes in the Silhouette and Mills & Boon worlds. To strengthen the terrific lineup of stories we offer, Silhouette Romance will be moving to four fabulous titles each month.
Dont miss the newest story in this six-book seriesMARRYING THE BOSSS DAUGHTER. In this second title, Her Pregnant Agenda (#1690) by Linda Goodnight, Emily Winters is up to her old matchmaking tricks. This time she has a bachelor lawyer and his alluring secretarya single mom-to-beon her matrimonial short list.
Valerie Parv launches her newest three-book miniseries, THE CARRAMER TRUST, with The Viscount & the Virgin (#1691). In it, an arrogant royal learns a thing or two about love from his secret sons sassy aunt. This is the third continuation of Parvs beloved Carramer saga.
An ornery M.D. is in danger of losing his heart to a sweet young nurse, in The Most Eligible Doctor (#1692) by reader favorite Karen Rose Smith. And is it possible to love a two-in-one cowboy? Meet the feisty teacher who does, in Doris Rangels magical Marlies Mystery Man (#1693), our latest SOULMATES title.
I encourage you to sample all four of these heartwarming romantic titles from Silhouette Romance this month.
Enjoy!
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance
Marlies Mystery Man
Doris Rangel
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For the TMTW faithful and the mountains that keep me coming home.
Books by Doris Rangel
Silhouette Romance
Marlies Mystery Man #1693
Silhouette Special Edition
Mountain Man #1140
Prenuptial Agreement #1224
DORIS RANGEL
loves booksthe feel of them, the sight of them, the smell of them. And she loves talking about them. She has collected them, organized them, sold them new and used, written them, worked with others to write them, read them aloud to children and has hopefully imparted the magic of them to the grade school, college and adult students she has taught over the years. History, philosophy, science, satire, Western, mysteryIn her home, books are the wallpaper of choice.
Romances hold a special place on her shelves, however. A story that ends with a couple stepping into the future with love and hope may be an ideal, but it is an ideal she wishes for the tomorrows of every living thing in the universe. Love, after all, in whatever form it takes, is all that is.
Doris enjoys hearing from readers and you may contact her via snail mail at P.O. Box 5645, Victoria, TX 77903-5645, or via e-mail at Drangel@selectrec.net (mailto:Drangel@selectrec.net).
Contents
Prologue (#ufdd568d1-16f2-5cd2-a2ad-61a8e49e9085)
Chapter One (#u0b591115-9d6c-5127-9f11-a6ce68e7ad1b)
Chapter Two (#ue91bfb35-a897-5dfa-ad5c-d2158b6d1faa)
Chapter Three (#uf2d64634-b2ce-5d89-9cc8-a13c041694f5)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Hell, I cant fire Waldo! Hes been ramrod on the Rolling M since before I was born.
Snorting angrily, Caid Matthews down-shifted the pickup to climb another steep grade.
Hes eighty, dammit, and Im not firing him. Dad gave him a good retirement package. And its not like hell have to live on the streets. He can move to Florida, like he always said he would. Flirt with the blue-haired widows. Maybe marry one.
Sure thats what he says, but everybody knows thats just talk. Waldos lived in West Texas all his life, most of it in the Davis Mountains as a hand on the Rolling M. The day he shucks his Levis for swimming trunks is the day the sun stands still.
Caid sighed and used a knuckle to rub the bridge of his nose. Hed been fighting with himself over this for the past week, his brain knowing the ranch could no longer afford Waldos salary, but his heart knowing it would kill the old man to leave the Rolling M.
And it wasnt just Waldo. The Rolling Ms finances were in deep horse hockey in a way theyd never been before. Caid had trimmed everywhere he could find to trim, with part of him knowing it had to be done and the other part madder than hell that he had to do it.
Waldo had to go. There was no other way. And five hundred acres had to go, too. That five hundred acres might be only a drop in the Rolling Ms proverbial bucket, but never in the history of the ranch had any acreage been sold.
Though he knew there was no alternative, Caid often felt like his soul was being ripped in two.
The pickup topped the grade and settled into the long glide toward a wide valley below where hed have several miles of flat. Good. Now he could make up time.
Hell of a thing. Hed driven from the ranch all the way to Fort Davis, even checked into the hotel so he could be at the bank first thing in the morning.
But hed no sooner placed his duffel bag beside the bed than he realized hed left the papers he needed for the bank on the kitchen table.
There was nothing else to do but return to the ranch and get them, then make the long drive back to town.
Just went to show the state of mind he was in lately. Hed never been this forgetful. Why, hed even left his hat with his lucky jay feather back in the hotel room.
Now on the flats, Caid sent the ancient truck flying down the highway. The sun was low in the west and he hadnt passed another vehicle in the last twenty milesnot unusual in this part of Texas.
You ever stop to think that leaving those papers might be a way of telling you something?
Caid shook his head angrily, wishing he could somehow yank his other, softer side completely out of his body. This constant inner debate with himself interfered with every decision he knew he had to make.
Ive got to sell and thats all there is to it. Its that or lose the whole damn ranch. Im doing what I have t
A deer! Stepping right into the headlights.
With no shoulder to the road, he swerved off the highway completely to avoid the petrified animal. By the grace of God and three good inches, he missed it.
Unfortunately, he didnt miss the sixty-year-old ponderosa pine.
Your man is a western man, honey.
Oh, Gram. Please. Im going to West Texas for a vacation, not another man. After Nicholas, I cant think of anything I want less.
The Great Ones dont care if you want him or not, Marlie. They just told me hes in Fort Davis. Take him or leave him, its yours to decide.
Ill leave him, then, but you can tell The Great Ones thanks for the playmate while Im there. Just warn them that Im not bringing home any souvenirs.
Dont be flip, dear. Its not becoming. Besides, the heart has a mind of its own.
Sounds like a country-western song, Gram. And I dont have a heart anymore. Nicholas threw it out with yesterdays leftovers.
Recalling the conversation shed had with her grandmother before leaving San Antonio, Marlie smiled grimly to herself and signaled to exit the interstate. Forty more miles and shed be in the picturesque little town of Fort Davis where she planned to get a grip.
Forty extremely dark miles. The state highway had even less traffic than I-10, and led her through the kind of darkness San Antonio hadnt experienced for over a century. A million stars spangled the sky.
Gradually, however, the stars along the horizon blotted into a jagged line that Marlie assumed were the Davis Mountains. The road twisted and turned as it wound among them, slowing her driving to a nervous crawl.
Marlies neck and shoulders ached with tension and exhaustion.
Sighing, she thought of the brightly lit motel shed passed eighty miles behind her.
Shed almost stopped. Why hadnt she? After all, she didnt have hotel reservations to keep. Her friend, Jill, who had recommended Fort Davis as a great place to relax and hikea good place to recover, shed meanthad said reservations werent necessary this time of year.
Yet Marlie had passed up the motel and was now figuratively kicking herself for it.
This was supposed to be a vacation, not an endurance race. It didnt matter if she spent the night in Fort Davis, for Heavens sake! Yet here she was, seven hours out of San Antonio and eighty miles past common sense.
Her part Native American grammie would say The Great Ones guided her. But then, Gram didnt like to admit that any of her family were stupid. Stupid over men, stupid over sticking her nose into what was none of her business.
To Gram, descended from a noted shaman, everything was a sign. Take the blue feather that now rested in Marlies shirt pocket, for instance.
After uncharacteristically stalling her with errands and lunch and cleaning the kitchen, Gram had finally allowed Marlie to head out the door to get her vacation underway.
Shed placed a loving arm around Marlies shoulders and walked her to the car. Youll see, the older woman said. Your happiness is in the west, sweetness. Look. Heres your sign.
Following Grams pointing finger, Marlie obligingly looked down. A small blue feather lay on the concrete drive right beside the car door.
Take it with you, dear. Your man has the other one.
But Marlie had hesitated before picking it up.
The family had a saying: When youre going on a trip, never accept one of Grams little presents if she didnt buy it. All of them knew strange things happened when Gram decided to give just a little something from her own possessions.
Not bad things, mind you, butstrange ones.
So far, Grammies little somethings had brought into the family two husbands, a wife, a baby, a pet iguana and a 1970s VW bus for a delighted teenagerall of which came at considerable surprise to the cousins involved who had thought they were merely going from Point A to Point B for a little R and R.
Still, Marlie reasoned, the feather was a found object, not truly a gift. It ought to be safe.
She picked it up. The vibrant blue of the feather seemed to glow against her palm.
How very appropriate, she had thought. My bluebird of happiness is molting.
Fort Davis, two miles. Thank God.
Chapter One
Marlies eyes popped open.
Something had wakened her. What?
And then she knew.
Coming from nowhere, from everywhere, a soft, elongated groan seemed to fill the hotel room. With her heart slowing to a shallow, desperate chugging, Marlie held her breath, which wasnt easy when what she really wanted to do was scream.
Inch by cautious inch, she sat up to peer into the darkness, but only the clock on the bedside table had any substance. Twelve thirty-six, it declared precisely in bilious, luminescent green.
Another soft groan floated into the darkness and Marlie gasped, yet squint as she might, she couldnt see a thing.
Clutching the blankets to her chin, she considered hurling them over her head. Hey, it worked, didnt it? Certainly the maneuver had taken care of monsters when she was a kid.
The eerie sound began again, starting on a soft note then gathering strength for another stretch of oral misery. Yep, she was heading under the covers.
Suddenly, however, the building ooo-ooohs snorted and strangled and gasped themselves into an explosive and decidedly damp Ker-choo!
Ghosts dont sneeze!
Without thinking, Marlie reached out a hand and switched on the bedside lamp.
The room was empty.
Her gaze swung to the door, but the chain was still on, the deadbolt still in place. The rooms one window was up, but only about three inches, the exact amount Marlie had raised it. Surely no self-respecting intruder would come through a window, then close it behind him once he was in the room. Besides, she was on the second floor.
The second double bed, a match to the old-fashioned iron one she slept in, was a mess of sheets and blankets, the way it had been when she arrived only a half hour before. Marlie hadnt minded.
Her friend Jills blithe assertion that she wouldnt need reservations had been sadly mistaken. A large amateur astronomy group was in the area and the stargazers who werent camping filled every available room in town.
Marlie had tried every hotel in Fort Davis, but only Ann, the desk clerk at the Hotel Limpia, had taken pity on her after one look at Marlies exhausted face.
By chance, the Limpia did have a room, Ann told her. It seemed its former occupant had checked in but left the room almost immediately. Unfortunately, hed been involved in an automobile accident and was now in the hospital.
Since the room had been secured with a credit card but not actually paid for, Marlie could have it if she didnt mind it being briefly used by someone else and therefore not in the hotels usual pristine condition.
Marlie didnt mind, but would the former occupant?
Ann had laughed, saying the man was a local and an old school friend who would like even less being charged for a room he didnt use.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Marlie took it.
When she was shown to the room at the end of the old-fashioned hall upstairsa double; the man, too, had taken what he could geta duffel bag still sat on the floor beside one of the two beds. The bed itself was heavily disarranged, but when Ann went to straighten it, Marlie told her not to bother. She would be sleeping in the other one anyway.
The desk clerk left, taking the mans bag and toiletries with her and giving a last apology for the used towels in the bathroom. There were clean ones in the cabinet.
By then so tired she felt like a wet noodle, Marlie simply pulled off her clothes, slathered herself with lotion and tumbled into the untouched bed. She was not so exhausted, however, that she hadnt known for a positive fact there was no one in the room but herself.
Yet the moan had sounded so close.
Slowly, cautiously, Marlie leaned over the edge of her bed to peer under it.
Nada. Not even a dust bunny.
But while she was bent over, practically standing on her head with her rump still on the mattress, another massive sneeze made her jump so hard she had to catch herself to keep from tumbling onto the floor. She whipped upright, only to hear a sniff of what clearly had to be congestionthen, incredibly, the sound of someone honking into a handkerchief or tissue.
Another moan, a short one this time. A sigh. Another sniff.
Silence.
And there was no one but herself in the room!
Absolutely stunned, Marlie leaned slowly back against the pillowsand reality struck.
This was an old hotel, built around the turn of the century, Ann had said. Old hotels had thin walls. A manit was definitely a masculine sneezein the next room had a cold and didnt mind moaning and groaning about it.
Mystery solved.
Letting out a relieved sigh and feeling a little foolish, Marlie clicked off the lamp and snuggled back under the warmth of the covers.
But just as her eyes drifted blissfully shut, she heard a sniff and another low moan, though now the sounds seemed muffled, as if whoever it was had turned his face into a pillow.
Thanks be for that, Marlie thought sleepily, and did no more thinking at all until she awoke early the next morning to the sound of birdsong and what Fort Davis called traffic.
Caid swung his legs over the side of the bed and immediately clutched his head with both hands to keep it anchored to his shoulders.
God, it hurt. He probably had a mild concussion.
Too bad. He didnt have time to see a doctor. What would a doctor tell him anyway but to stay quiet, drink plenty of liquids, etcetera, and dont take any naps? But, though he didnt remember actually getting into bed, he had slept and hadnt wakened up dead, so no problem there except the headache from hell.
And his allergies giving him fits.
The thought of breakfast made him queasy, but hed find coffee and an aspirin at The Drugstore before heading on to the bank and his appointment with Miles Durig.
When he stood, however, the room tilted and it took a moment of standing with his eyes squeezed shut before the floor settled down.
When he could open them, the first thing his gaze landed on was the clock. Holy smoke, it was 9:05! He was already five minutes late.
Where the hell was his duffel bag? He needed fresh clothes. The shirt hed worn yesterday had bloodstains all over the front and shoulders. So where was his bag, dammit? Hed left it by the bed before going back to the ranch yesterday afternoon.
Striding to the old-fashioned wardrobe, swallowing bile induced by his pounding head, Caid yanked open one of its two doors.
What the hell? Clothes hung there but, since he didnt wear skirts, they damn sure werent his. And his bag wasnt there.
This was his room, right?
Yes, hed used his key to get in. It had to be his room. There was his hat, still hanging on the corner of the mirror where hed forgotten it yesterday.
Hell of a thing, a rancher forgetting his hat.
He opened the other door and was relieved to see his jeans and bloodstained shirt hanging just where hed placed them, his boots side by side on the closet floor with his socks inside them and his briefs in the plastic bag supplied by the hotel. The bag with his change of clothing, however, wasnt there.
Well, hell. He hated to wear dirty clothes, but he didnt have time to track down his bag. By now, everyone in Fort Davis knew about the accident anyway. The town was like that.
The three cowboys whod given him a ride into town had stopped at the sheriffs office and Caid, hardly able to speak because his head hurt so badly, left them to make the report while he crossed the street to the hotel. Sheriff Elan knew where to find him if he needed more information.
Elans secretary would have typed up the report first thing this morning, and by now everyone and his dog would be discussing it anywhere in town serving breakfast.
All of which meant Caid and Durig could have a friendly chuckle over his bloodstained shirt without Caid doing any unnecessary explaining, and then they could settle down to business. No problem.
Since hed showered last night, all he needed was a quick shave and he was outta here. His kit was in the bathroom so at least he knew where that was.
The bathroom, however, produced another surprise. For one thing, there were womens toiletries all over the counter. For another, it had the steaminess of recent use. And for a third, damn it all, his kit was nowhere to be found.
To hell with it. He didnt have time now to get huffy with the staff or find out what in blazes was going on, but they were damn sure gonna hear from him later.
Eyeing the proliferation of feminine articles, Caid used what he could. He wasnt about to use the womans toothbrush, but he used his finger and her toothpaste, then shaved himself in record time with her pink disposable razor.
Grimacing, he put on his socks, stepped into yesterdays briefs and jeans and tugged on his boots. He was avoiding putting on his blood-soaked shirt and he knew it, but he had to wear something.
He glanced at the closet door. All hed seen earlier was feminine clothing, but maybe her husbands things were hidden among the frills. If so, hed borrow a shirt and explain later. For that matter, once he had the loan against the sale of his five hundred acres, hed buy the guy a new one.
The closet held nothing but feminine disappointment. As Caid went to close the door, however, his gaze fell on a long, brown-plaid sleeve.
Hmm. Pulling out the garment, he held it up consideringly and found a womans cotton jacket with western shirt styling. Best of all, it was huge, extra-wide shouldered and boxy, with detachable shoulder pads.
In seconds, Caid had the pads out and the shirt on. Not too bad, he thought, eyeing himself in the mirror. The shirt was tight across the shoulders maybe and pulled a little at the chest, but it was clean.
He rolled the too-short sleeves up his forearms, snagged his hat and headed out the door. He had to shoulder his way through a lobby full of milling tourists, but finally stood on the Limpias front porch in the bright morning sunshine.
Inhaling deeply, he grinned. Nowhere in the world had summer mornings like the Davis Mountains.
But that deep breath played hell with his delicate head, and when he went to put on his hat, he found he couldnt tolerate that either. Fortunately, the bank was just across the square from the hotel.
He wished hed had time for a cup of coffee, but Durig would give him one.
Two hours later Caid was back at the hotel, dismayed, disbelieving and totally disturbed. No one had given him a cup of coffee.
Hell, no one had given him the time of day.
Marlie had breakfast at The Drugstore, the oddly named restaurant across from the hotel, then shopped a little before returning to her room to change into hiking boots. The state park three miles out of town had a couple of good hiking trails, shed been told.
Driving to the park, admiring the mountain scenery and shallow, sun-sparkled Limpia Creek running beside the highway, Marlie did her best to forget the last semester of school where she was counselor at Martinez High in San Antonio. And since hiking was right up there with sweaty necks on Nicholass hate list, she managed to keep him out of her thinking, too.
That evening when she walked into the lobby of the hotel, she was pleasantly tired and pleasantly full, having had dinner and watched the sun set at the restaurant in the park.
Ann smiled at her in greeting. Good evening, Ms. Simms. How was your day?
Wonderful, thanks. This is a beautiful area.
It is, and I say it as one whos lived here all my life. Is everything all right in your room?
Everythings fine. It took me a while to get used to the thin walls, but I suppose thats a minor price to pay for the hotels history. The man in the next room kept me awake for a while with his moaning and sneezing. Sounds like hes coming down with a cold.
Im sorry, Ann apologized. Weve never had anyone complain about noise through the walls before. Actually, theyre pretty thick. Im even more surprised because there are two maiden ladies in the room next to yours, both probably in their seventies.
One of the sweet things has a sneeze like a water buffalo, Marlie replied with a grin. But once I knew where the sound came from, I had no problem sleeping through it.
She glanced around the deserted lobby. After the crowd this morning, its certainly quiet now. Where is everyone?
Out looking at the stars. Most of them wont be in till the wee hours.
Then would anyone mind if I browse the hotel bookshelves and read for a while in the parlor?
Not at all. We want our guests to feel at home.
Be right back, Marlie said as she headed up the old-fashioned staircase to pull off her hiking boots.
When Caid heard a key rattle in the lock, he turned away from the window and his perusal of the street below to deliberately step toward the center of the room.
The door swung open and a woman entered, switching on the overhead light as she did so. His roomie, apparently.
Somewhere between mid-to late-twenties, she had short tousled brown hair, a snub nose with a dusting of freckles across it, a generous mouth, and eyes that he couldnt tell the color of but which were bordered with thick lashes the same shade as her hair. She was a little on the short side perhaps, but feisty with it, he could tell.
The woman was just plain cute, he thought, the kind of cute that in a puppy would make him want to take her home.
She also completely ignored him. A strange man stood in the middle of her hotel room and she didnt so much as back up a step.
Caid rubbed a tired hand over his mouth and jaw. Hed been getting the same reaction all dayor lack of it. People hed known all his life looked through him as if he wasnt there. Hed gotten right in Durigs face at the bank and yelled at him, but Durig hadnt even blinked.
After failing to get anyone at the bank to notice him, Caid went to The Drugstore to buy aspirin and get a cup of coffee. Though he sat at the counter right in front of the kid behind it, no one waited on him. He finally dropped change by the cash register, took a bottle of aspirin off the shelf and left to walk to the garage where theyd towed his truck.
The vehicle was a mess and certainly not drivable, but when Caid tried to talk to Jimmy to get the lowdown on repairs, the garage owner ignored him, too. An oil stain had better conversation.
Totally frustrated and even more totally bewildered, Caid used a public telephone to call the ranch. He didnt like what happened then, either.
This is the Rollin M, Waldo snarled, his usual way of answering the phone.
Waldo, its Caid. I need you to drive into town and pick me Caid began.
Hello? Hello?
Its me, Caid said loudly. Turn up your hearing aid, dammit. I need you to
But he was speaking to a dead phone. Swearing, Caid dug into his jeans for more change and punched in the ranch number again.
Rollin M, and buster, you better have somethin to say. I aint got time for this, Waldo spat.
Its Caid. Can you hear me? I need
The response was an earful of profanity that would make a stevedore blush.
Its me! Caid yelled at the top of his lungs. Listen up, Waldo. I need
Dial tone.
Defeated, Caid replaced the receiver.
Next he tried to hitch a ride to the ranch with the owners of the property adjacent to his, but the Hendersons looked right through him and turned a deaf ear.
Not knowing what else to do, he at last walked back to the hotel, snagged a cup of coffee from the complimentary carafe in the deserted lobby and climbed the stairs to his room. His head felt like a mission bell at the noon hour and all he wanted at the moment was a handful of aspirin and a bed. Hed deal with the rest later.
Well, it was later, and even after a restless nap, he still didnt know how to deal with it.
People just werent seeing him. He felt like the Invisible Man, except that guy could at least be heard.
The woman sat down on the side of the bed opposite the one he slept in and bent to untie the laces of her hiking boots. Hed like to ask just why the heck shed commandeered his room, but knew it was probably a lost cause. No one else today had listened to him.
Shed tugged the second boot off when she paused, still holding it in her hand, and gazed for a long moment in front of her. Then she frowned.
Following her gaze, Caid looked to see what had captured her attention. All he saw was the bed hed spent the afternoon in. The rumpled unmade bed.
Bad housekeeping, she finally muttered disapprovingly, then stripped off her socks and walked barefoot into the bathroom.
When she returned, she rummaged in a dresser drawer, came up with a clean pair of socks, picked up a bottle of lotion from the top of the bureau and sat down in the chair near the window, brushing by Caid in the process, actually touching his shirtsleevewell, her shirtsleevewithout so much as breaking stride.
What she did next had Caid groaning inwardly. The woman poured a generous dollop of lotion into her palm and proceeded to massage her cute little feet.
As soon as the peppery smell of lavender filled the room, Caid sneezed.
The woman jumped a mile.
Shed heard him! But before Caid could say anything, he sneezed again. This time, however, she paid no attention, just went on slathering lotion.
Caid sneezed again. And again.
Finally, eyes streaming, he walked to the open window behind her chair and took a deep whiff of clean, unscented mountain air. By keeping his nose pressed to the screen, he managed to keep from sneezing until she closed the bottle, put on her clean socks, picked up her key from the dresser and headed for the door, obviously not bothering with shoes.
Good. As soon as she left, Caid was finding the nearest trash receptacle. Bye-bye, lavender lotion.
But she didnt exit the room immediately. Instead, after pausing at the door, she backtracked and picked up his Stetson where hed left it on top of the dresser.
And then she stood stock still, eyes wide and startled, her luscious mouth slightly parted as she stared in apparent amazement at his hat.
Or rather, at the blue feather he kept in the hatband.
Chapter Two
With a tentative forefinger, the woman touched the blue feather, for some reason far more interested in it than Caids rattlesnake hatband.
Coincidence, he heard her whisper to herself. She turned the hat over to look inside the crown.
Then, to Caids total amazement, this cute button of a woman did an extraordinary thing.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, she put his hat on her head, where it immediately sank past her ears to cover her eyes and rest on the bridge of her nose. Grinning, she pushed it up again.
Howdy, partner, she greeted her image in an exaggerated drawl.
Fascinated, Caid watched as she stuck her thumbs in her belt loops and set her hips to rotating in a slow swivel.
Ahm an ol cowhand, she sang nasally, from the Rio Grande, but mahsomething aintsomething, and mah cheeks aint tan.
Smiling broadly by now, and forgetting completely to keep his nose out the window, Caid turned more fully into the room, the better to appreciate the performance of that enticingly generous derriere.
He sneezed.
The woman stopped midtwang.
Dammit, hed swear she heard him, but instead of turning toward the sound as any normal person would, she just laughed and shook her head at the far wall, causing his Stetson to drop over her eyes again.
This time, however, she took it off, replaced it on the dresser, flipped off the light and left the room.
The show, apparently, was over.
Disappointed, Caid sighed.
And sneezed.
Well, hell. If he was sharing the room with this woman, he was damn sure getting rid of the lotion shed just used along with anything else she had that was lavender scented.
And he was sharing the room. At the moment, it was the only place he had to hang his hat, literally, until he could figure out what was going on. Besides, the hotel owed him. Maybe he hadnt paid for it yet, but hed reserved the room before they gave it to the woman. Come to that, she owed him, too.
He sneezed.
It wasnt late when Marlie slowly walked up the staircase to return to her room, but after her active day she could barely keep her eyes open. Shed read for an hour in the hotels charmingly Victorian front parlor and now clutched the Agatha Christie mystery, planning to take it to bed with her.
Earlier, shed asked Ann if the Hotel Limpia had any resident ghosts, but the desk clerk merely laughed, saying the only one shed heard about, but never seen herself, mind you, was that of a soldier from the old fort.
But it wasnt a soldier Marlie thought shed seen. For a split second, as shed been wearing the hat with the coincidental blue feather and acting silly in front of the mirror, she thought shed caught the vague outline of a cowboy standing near the window behind her. But then her neighbor sneezed, and of course there was nothing reflected in the mirror but herself.
The Hotel Limpia, with its antique furnishings and bygone western charm, certainly had a way of sending the imagination into overdrive, she thought, unlocking the door to her room.
Once inside, she didnt bother with the overhead light but switched on the lamp near her bed. In the dimness outside its glow, she eyed with disfavor the double bed that matched her own. Its sheets and covers were lumpy and rumpled just as theyd been this morning.
In all other respects, the hotel service was first rate, but its housekeeping staff left a lot to be desired. Marlie had meant to say something to Ann earlier and forgotten, but she was telling the desk clerk first thing in the morning. There was no excuse for an establishment of this caliber leaving beds unmade.
Gathering clean panties and her pajamas, she headed for the bathroom and a long hot bath, but after stepping out of her jeans and partially unbuttoning her shirt, she remembered the soap shed found today in one of the shops.
Ah. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Traipsing back to the bedroom, Marlie rummaged through a couple of sacks until she found it. But just as she turned toward the bathroom again, she thought she heard a breathy whistle from next door.
It was just a whisper of sound, but for no apparent reason she suddenly became very aware of her bare legs and half-open shirt.
She grimaced. Too bad there wasnt another room available. As it was, she had a double room too big for her single self when what she needed was double walls.
All was forgiven, however, when she lowered herself into the deep bathtub. Hot water and lavender soap. Life didnt get any better.
Unless, of course, a handsome someone scrubbed her back.
Unh-huh. Cut that last thought. Nicholas wouldnt scrub her back. Hed just tell her how bad hot water and perfumed soaps were for her skin.
Forget Nicholas. And forget hats placed strategically by an interior decorator to enhance an old hotels western decor. Forget, especially, hats with blue feathers in the hatband.
A half hour later, too pleasantly lethargic from her hot bath for even Agatha to have appeal, Marlie called it a day. Turning off the lamp, she sank into the old-fashioned beds very modern and oh-so-comfortable mattress.
And heard a giant sneeze.
Oh. Good. Grief.
Still, if she could hear the people next door, they could surely hear her. Dont you have anything to take for that? she asked the wall loudly.
Silence.
One might even say stunned silence, it was that thick. Apparently the elderlies in the next room didnt realize how thin the walls were.
There was another sneeze, followed by a muttered, Well, hell.
Bless you, Marlie called out, grinning.
You can hear me? a voice asked diffidently.
Aha, Marlie thought. Masculine. One of the supposed maiden ladies still had some energy.
Yes, and you really ought to take something for that cold. Wed all sleep better.
Its not a cold, the voice replied. A husky voice, with a hint of drawl. And it didnt sound like that of an old man, either. It sounded velvety, downright sexy even, if a trifle cranky and stuffed up. One of the dears must have found herself a young stud while she was stargazing.
Its allergies, the voice continued. Im allergic to your soap.
And Marlie could swear that whoever spoke was right beside her. She heard a rustling in the other bed.
With a shriek, she reached out and turned on the light.
Nothing. Even better, no one.
Sinking limply against the pillows, she sighed.
Ker-choo!
And bolted up again.
If youd bathe with something besides lavender soap, wed both be happier, the voice said.
Where are you? Marlie whispered.
In the bed opposite yours. Dont get your britches in a knot, lady. I wont hurt you.
Throwing back the covers, Marlie bolted for the door, fumbled with the lock, threw the door open and was about to slam it behind her when she realized she heard no pursuit. She paused, uncertain, but stayed poised to immediately run and/or scream, whichever was needed.
Cautiously reaching over, she flipped on the overhead light. How could she describe the intruder to the local badge if she didnt know what he looked like?
Nothing. No one. Nobody.
Areare you there? she whispered into the seemingly empty room.
Im here.
Where?
I told you. In the other bed.
The covers on the bed in question rose and fell as if theyd been given a disgusted shake. Marlies heartbeat rose and fell with them.
ImIm going for the police, she warned, trying to keep the wobble out of her voice.
Go ahead. If you can explain this to someone youll be doing a hell of a lot better than I did today. And Fort Davis doesnt have police. We make do with a sheriff and a couple of deputies. Ker-choo!
Youve got a sneeze like an atomic blast, Marlie said dryly. I dont think Ill have much trouble explaining things.
Have at it, the whoever or whatever it was responded, and blew his nose.
Once the woman marched her straight-backed, swishy-bottomed little self out the door, Caid got out of bed, went to the closet and retrieved his jeans. If on the off chance someone could finally see him as well as hear him, he wanted to be decent. He wasnt holding out much hope, however.
Still, for the first time today hed actually exchanged conversation with someone. Perhaps whatever the heck it was that had happened to him was starting to wear off.
When Marlie returned, she had Ann with her. After hearing the story, the desk clerk had talked her out of going for the sheriff.
Ann looked around the quiet room. I dont see anything or hear anything, Ms. Simms. Are you sure you werent dreaming?
I hadnt gone to sleep yet, Marlie replied shortly. And I know what I heard. A man talked to me and he sneezed. He said he was allergic to my lavender soap.
Hey, she called out to the seemingly empty room, feeling brave now that she had company. Are you here?
Im here, the voice answered.
Where?
Standing about three feet in front of you. Ker-choo!
There. Marlie turned to the desk clerk in triumph. You heard that, didnt you? Ill bet people in the next county did, too.
But Ann merely gazed back at her in confusion. Ms. Simms, I, uh, didnt hear anything.
Sure you did, Marlie told the desk clerk bracingly. That sneeze registered on the Richter scale.
But by now, even though she wasnt but a few years older, Anns look had turned motherly. She put a comforting arm around Marlies shoulders.
Ms. SimmsMarlie, I think you had too much sunshine and thin mountain air today. You crawl back into bed now, honey, and Ill bring up a nice cup of herbal tea to help you sleep. Youll feel better in the morning.
Ker-choo!
You didnt hear that? Marlie asked in a small voice.
No, sweetie. You get a good nights rest now and Ill bet you feel tip-top by tomorrow.
Marlie sighed. Perhaps youre right. But I dont need any tea. Really. Thanks for coming up, though.
She walked Ann to the door and was about to shut it behind her when she noticed the bathroom trash basket sitting by the doorway in the hall. In it was her brand-new, used only once, very expensive tablet of lavender soap.
Marlie debated pointing this bit of evidence out to the desk clerk, who was wishing her good-night again, but in the end decided it probably wouldnt do much good.
After closing the door, she leaned against it to gaze accusingly into her seemingly empty bedroom. Say something, darn it. I know youre still here.
That makes two of us.
There was the sound a deep sigh followed by a massive Ker-choo!
Oh, for goodness sake! Do you have to keep doing that? Ghosts arent supposed to sneeze.
Im not a ghost.
Couldve fooled me. What are you then?
Alive, for one thing. For some reason, people just cant see me, and so far the only person who can hear me is you. Ker-choo!
Well arent I just the lucky one, Marlie said nastily. How delightful that the whole world now thinks Im crazy.
Not the whole world, just Ann Jergin. But shes a nice girl. She wont tell anyone.
You know her?
Of course I know her. We were in the same grade all through school.
Marlie frowned in the direction of the voice, now coming from the vicinity of the other bed. In fact, the bed looked a little depressed on one side, as if someone were sitting on it.
Who are you? she asked slowly.
Ill tell you after you shower. Lifebouy, Irish Spring, Dove. Take your pick. Any scent but lavender.
How do I know you wont float into the shower with me? You might be anywhere for all I know.
Lock the damn door, the voice snapped. I cant walk through walls. I already tried.
You could be lying.
Yes, maam, I could. Youre just gonna have to trust me now, arent you?
Why should I, Marlie wanted to ask, but didnt. A ghost with allergies seemedtrustworthy, in a bizarre sort of way.
Good grief! She was certifiably crazy.
But she headed for the bathroom. Just before she closed and locked the door, however, she stuck her head out again. Where are you?
Here, he replied, his tone one of long suffering, but the sound of his voice came from the bed. Now get a move on. Im tired, Ive got a hell of a headache and I dont want to stay up all night yakking.
What a crab.
When she returned, showering in record time, the woman smelled like nothing but cleanliness. Caid had never thought of eau de clean as erotic before, but as he watched her prance across the room, then hop into bed, he had the overwhelming urge to hop into it with her.
Huh, he thought. So she had great legs. The real attraction was probably because he could talk to her. Communication could be a powerful aphrodisiac.
And strangely, though sharing a bed with the woman had strong appeal, going beyond sharing didnt seem tosuit the moment.
Whats your name?
Theyd asked the question at the same time.
You first, the woman said. And your story better be good, buster.
Or what? Caid asked, truly curious.
Ill think of something. Dont think I wont. Now start talking.
Caid grinned. Yes, maam. But his story was no laughing matter and he sobered immediately. Im Caid Matthews, he said. Kincaid Matthews the Fourth, owner of the Rolling M.
Thats your feather on the dresser, isnt it? she said wonderingly. I mean, your hat. Your name is inside. I thought it was part of the hotel decor.
Only since yesterday. I forgot it when I went back to the ranch.
He heard a startled little movement in the next bed. Oh my Lord! the woman exclaimed. Youre the rancher who was involved in the accident. The one they took to the hospital last night.
No, maam. Im the one who ran into a tree, all right, but I never went to the hospital.
Butbut when I checked in last night, they said youd been taken to the hospital. Thats why they gave me the room.
Caid was beginning to get irritated. Whose story was this? No, maam, he contradicted stubbornly. I was right here in this bed last night.
There was a long silence. Oh.
Though it hurt his head to do it, Caid raised up so he could look across the intervening space at the opposite bed, part of which lay in a pool of light cast by the lamp on that side of the table between them.
The woman sat against a bank of pillows, gazing into space and chewing her bottom lip, obviously thinking deeply.
Do you remember how you got into town? she asked at last.
Caid could tell she was keeping her tone carefully noncommittal and it riled him no end.
Yes, I remember how I got into town. Three cowboys from the MT gave me a lift. They found my truck and I hitched a ride into town with them. But my head was killing me, so I let them talk to the sheriff and I came on here.
Uh-oh. Maybe he shouldnt have said that killing me part. The womans own ideas were bad enough.
But did you actually talk to them?
She just wasnt going to leave it alone, was she? Hell yes, I actually talked to them. Well, some. Maybe not a whole lot, but I told them Id ride into town with them. Then I crawled into the back of their pickup and we came on to Fort Davis.
You told them? They didnt ask? And they let an injured man ride in the night air in the back of the pickup? That doesnt sound strange to you?
Not particularly, Caid replied shortly, though come to think of it, it did seem a little harsh even for West Texas cowpokes. Nobody had even offered him a handkerchief to sop up the blood.
Did you get a good look at your truck? the woman then asked.
Yeah, I saw it. What about it?
There was blood all over the seat.
Doesnt mean anything. There was blood all over my head and my shirt, too. I probably had a mild concussion, but so what? Ive had worse. And how do you know there was blood on the seat?
Your truck was the sensation of the morning, Mr. Matthews. When I had breakfast, everybody was talking about it at The Drugstore this morning, so I walked down and looked at it, too. You could see the bulls-eye in the windshield where your head hit. Why in Heaven didnt you wear your seat belt?
Caid felt his ears turn red. I forgot, he mumbled.
What?
I forgot, dammit, just like I forgot my hat and just like I forgot the blasted papers in the first place. Ive had a lot on my mind lately.
There was another long silence.
Something else was being talked about in the restaurant this morning, Mr. Matthews, she said at last.
Caid.
Um, Caid. People were talking about the latest news from the hospital after the ambulance took you to the emergency room. They said
She paused, and Caid had a feeling he wasnt going to like what came next.
They said, um, Caid, that you wereon life support.
It was Caids turn to be silent for a long moment. Yeah?
Yeah.
Well, hell. All I know is, Im not in the hospital, Im sitting right here on this bed talking to you, and the only thing wrong with me is a humdinger of a headache.
And then she just had to say it. But no one can see you or hear you.
You can.
I can hear you, but I cant see you. Mr. MatthewsCaidIm sorry to have to say this, but II think you died. Life support keeps the body going, but it doesnt necessarily keep the spirit going.
Bull hockey. Id know it if I was dead. Id have seen the light or something. And why the heck would I stick around town when I could go to Paradise?
Maybe Paradise isnt an option. Or maybe you just dont know youre dead. I mean, isnt that kind of what a ghost is, someone who doesnt understand that theyre dead so they refuse to go to the other side? Thats why they do exorcisms, isnt it?
Exorcisms! Lady, are you crazy? Caid sat straight up in bed, then had to grab his ears to keep his head from bouncing off. Hell, if he was a ghost he wouldnt have this damn headache. And what did she mean, maybe Paradise wasnt an option?
By now, Marlie was near tears. There was no easy way to tell someone they were dead and this man just kept arguing with her.
My name is Marlie, she said, and Im not the one whos crazy here. Everyone can hear and see me just fine, thank you very much. Its you who cant seem to get with the program. If youd just go on to the other side like youre supposed to, you wouldnt have this problem.
Marlie what?
Simms, she said, and sniffed.
Marlie Simms, are you crying?
The voice from the other bed sounded very gentle. She could have liked this man, Marlie thought. When he wasnt being stubborn.
Im s-sorry youre dead, she said wetly.
She could almost feel his instant withdrawal.
Im not dead. Now turn out the light and lets get some sleep. Im tired of arguing. My head feels like a Chinese gong at prayer time and Im out of aspirin.
Marlie blinked. Youve been taking aspirin?
While I had it, but I cant say its done much good.
Theres medication stronger than aspirin, she said tentatively. I, um, have some in my purse. Ill give you a couple of tablets, if you like.
Appreciate it.
Throwing back the covers, she left the bed to get her purse, returning to sit on the edge to rummage through the bag in the lamplight. Naturally the ibuprofen was on the bottom so that she had to take out a few things.
Say. Are you going to eat that candy bar?
Startled, she looked over at the bed next to hers that appeared empty, yet was so very full of pure unadulterated male. How she knew that last she wasnt quite certain, except that a picture had begun to form in her mind from the moment shed picked up his hat.
Youreyoure hungry?
Havent eaten a bite all day. When I tried to order a meal, no one would listen to me.
Here, take it, Marlie said immediately. But with no hand to give it to, she placed the chocolate bar on the far side of the bedside table. It immediately disappeared.
I also have a couple of packages of crackers, and a granola bar, she added, placing them, too, on the nightstand.
She heard the rustle of paper wrappings and a crumbly, Thanks, as if Caid was talking with his mouth full. In seconds, the crackers and granola bar vanished. Discarded wrappers appeared in the trash basket under the night table.
It was all very disconcerting, but not nearly as disconcerting as seeing the water carafe disappear and water slowly fill one of the glasses left for guests at their bedside. When the carafe reappeared and the glass disappeared, Marlie hurriedly placed two pain relievers within reach. Poof. They, too, were gone.
Um, Caid, Marlie said slowly, I dont suppose youd consider haunting another room?
Not on your life. I reserved for two nights, Im staying two nights. Its thanks to me that you have the room at all.
I was afraid youd say that. Marlie sighed, and switched off the lamp.
And Im not dead.
She let him have the last word, mainly because she was too startled to speak. Just as she plunged the room into darkness, she thought shed seen the blurry outline of a dark head on the pillow of the other bed.
Turning over, she closed her eyes.
Nah, couldnt be.
Chapter Three
Bright sunlight and a piercing whistle from somewhere outside caused Caid to sit straight up in bed. Lordy, he hadnt slept this late in years. His head still hurt, but not with the splitting agony of the day before.
He yawned and leisurely scratched his bare chest, then threw back the covers and left the bed. First thing on the agenda today was figuring out how to get breakfast or hed be down to eating his boots.
But before he headed to the closet for his jeanshis dirty jeanshe paused a moment to gaze at the woman who still slept peacefully in the other bed.
Marlie Simms. A dumpling of a woman, just the right size to fill a mans arms, hed bet. Too bad she also had the look of a woman who didnt take that kind of thing lightly. Because lightly was the only thing Caid was interested in anymore.
The last time hed taken a woman seriously, shed taken him to the cleaners in the divorce courtsthe main reason the Rolling M was in the financial crisis it was in right now.
Still, he had to admit Marlie had been pretty decent about letting a strange man share her hotel room, even if only because she thought he was a ghost.
She stirred and Caid backed up a step before he remembered that she couldnt see him. So he lingered, fascinated by the way the woman stretched all over before she opened her eyes. Her two arms went over her head in a long slow reach for the ceiling and she inhaled deeply.
Thenand by now, Caid had stopped breathing completelyher whole body undulated in one longluxurioussensuouswrithe.
His throat went dry.
Then her mouth parted in a dainty kitten of a yawn, and she slowly opened her eyes.
And screamed at the top of her lungs, nearly giving him a heart attack.
She was fumbling frantically at the bedside phone only to drop the receiver between the nightstand and the bed before he came to his senses.
What is it? he managed to gasp, by now on his knees groping under the bed in an effort to retrieve the receiver for her. Are you having a seizure? What?
You! WhoHow
Caid, finally finding the phone, handed it to her and sat back on his butt, their faces now at a level.
Who the heck are you and get the heck out of my room! she finally managed to get out.
Well, hell. They were back to this.
Marlie, Caid said patiently, I told you last night who I am. Remember? He was the one with the head wound here.
Caid? Her tone sounded disbelieving.
Yeah. Caid Matthews.
She stared him right in the eye as he squatted by her bed. Her eyes were a pale silvery gray, he noted, and looked mad as bedamned.
Caid Matthews, she screeched, setting his ears to ringing and escalating his headache up a notch, youre naked as a jaybird! Get out of my room! and she threw a pillow at him.
But Caid didnt move. You can see me?
And Marlie finally seemed to grasp the importance of the moment. She blinked in startlement, then slowly, wickedly grinned. Yes, Caid, I can definitely see you.
Thank God. Leaning forward, Caid bussed her on the cheek, stood and all in the same movement, tossed the pillow in the air, pumped a triumphant fist and caught it when it came down.
Marlie tried to keep her gaze on the flying pillow, or on Caids exuberant face. She really did.
But she really couldnt.
From sheer self-preservation, she reached behind her and threw the other pillow at him, hitting him right in the midsection. Fortunately, it was a large pillow.
Dont you have any clothes? she asked.
Clothes?
Comprehension dawned. Oh. Clothes.
He clutched the pillow to him strategically, trying to look nonchalant as only a man with red ears can. Well, dont just sit there. Close your eyes.
Marlie obligingly closed her eyes, opening them as soon as she heard the wardrobe door open, the better to admire Caids rock-hard little rear as he took his jeans off a hanger. As soon as he stepped into his pants and turned around, she snapped them shut again.
You dont fool me, Cutes. You were peeking.
Was not. Well, not actually peeking. Her eyes had been wide open.
So, like what you saw?
She tried her best to look righteously indignant. I didnt see a thing.
Huh.
Once Caid left for the bathroom, Marlie hopped out of bed to get her pillows, then jumped back in again and leaned against them. She didnt want to get up just yet.
For one thing, the two of them milling around the room in states of semidress was just a little intimate for her peace of mind. It was far easier to deal with this cowboys disembodied spirit than it was his materialized substance. And what a substance!
But Caid was definitely on his way to somewhere and once he left the room, shed get up herself. In the meantime, shed savor the mental image of the tightest tush shed seen in a long time.
When he emerged from the bathroom, Caids hair was damp and curled the least bit, and Marlie took a couple of seconds to get a good look at his face, the rest of his anatomy being already etched in her mind.
It was a good face, she thought, angles and planes in all the right places, a nose just a trifle large and definitely arrogant, eyes the color of pine needles.
One eye, however, had a dilly of a shiner, with its bruise taking up half of Caids smooth cheek below and reaching into his hairline above. On the same side, his forehead bore a big knot topped with an ugly-looking gash.
He sat down in a nearby chair to pull on his boots. Damn, I hate dirty socks, he muttered. Do you have any idea where my bag is?
Ann took it when she gave me the room.
He sighed. Ill get it later. And I need my kit. Its hell shaving with a pink razor.
.
.
, (https://www.litres.ru/doris-rangel/marlie-s-mystery-man/) .
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Doris Rangel
To: Grammie From: MarlieRe: I'M FALLING FOR TWO MEN-SORT OF!Gram, Something strange has happened on my summer vacationthere are two Caid Matthews in my life! One Caidthe one only I can see and hearis romantic and sexy, with a wicked sense of humor. The other is intensely passionate and determined to get what he wants: me! Both give knee-weakening kisses, and I'm falling for each of themfor different reasons. But I can't be happy with just half a manso how can I get the two halves to reunite and become the perfect, whole man for me to love?HELP! ^
Who the heck are you and get the heck out of my room!
Marlie finally managed to get out.
Well, hell. They were back to this. Marlie, Caid said patiently, I told you last night who I am. Remember?
Caid? Her tone sounded disbelieving.
Yeah. Caid Matthews.
Caid Matthews, youre naked as a jaybird! Get out of my room! Marlie screeched, throwing a pillow at him.
But Caid didnt move. You can see me?
Marlie finally seemed to grasp the importance of the moment. She blinked, then slowly, wickedly grinned. Yes, Caid, I can definitely see you.
Dear Reader,
October is bringing big changes in the Silhouette and Mills & Boon worlds. To strengthen the terrific lineup of stories we offer, Silhouette Romance will be moving to four fabulous titles each month.
Dont miss the newest story in this six-book seriesMARRYING THE BOSSS DAUGHTER. In this second title, Her Pregnant Agenda (#1690) by Linda Goodnight, Emily Winters is up to her old matchmaking tricks. This time she has a bachelor lawyer and his alluring secretarya single mom-to-beon her matrimonial short list.
Valerie Parv launches her newest three-book miniseries, THE CARRAMER TRUST, with The Viscount & the Virgin (#1691). In it, an arrogant royal learns a thing or two about love from his secret sons sassy aunt. This is the third continuation of Parvs beloved Carramer saga.
An ornery M.D. is in danger of losing his heart to a sweet young nurse, in The Most Eligible Doctor (#1692) by reader favorite Karen Rose Smith. And is it possible to love a two-in-one cowboy? Meet the feisty teacher who does, in Doris Rangels magical Marlies Mystery Man (#1693), our latest SOULMATES title.
I encourage you to sample all four of these heartwarming romantic titles from Silhouette Romance this month.
Enjoy!
Mavis C. Allen
Associate Senior Editor, Silhouette Romance
Marlies Mystery Man
Doris Rangel
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For the TMTW faithful and the mountains that keep me coming home.
Books by Doris Rangel
Silhouette Romance
Marlies Mystery Man #1693
Silhouette Special Edition
Mountain Man #1140
Prenuptial Agreement #1224
DORIS RANGEL
loves booksthe feel of them, the sight of them, the smell of them. And she loves talking about them. She has collected them, organized them, sold them new and used, written them, worked with others to write them, read them aloud to children and has hopefully imparted the magic of them to the grade school, college and adult students she has taught over the years. History, philosophy, science, satire, Western, mysteryIn her home, books are the wallpaper of choice.
Romances hold a special place on her shelves, however. A story that ends with a couple stepping into the future with love and hope may be an ideal, but it is an ideal she wishes for the tomorrows of every living thing in the universe. Love, after all, in whatever form it takes, is all that is.
Doris enjoys hearing from readers and you may contact her via snail mail at P.O. Box 5645, Victoria, TX 77903-5645, or via e-mail at Drangel@selectrec.net (mailto:Drangel@selectrec.net).
Contents
Prologue (#ufdd568d1-16f2-5cd2-a2ad-61a8e49e9085)
Chapter One (#u0b591115-9d6c-5127-9f11-a6ce68e7ad1b)
Chapter Two (#ue91bfb35-a897-5dfa-ad5c-d2158b6d1faa)
Chapter Three (#uf2d64634-b2ce-5d89-9cc8-a13c041694f5)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Hell, I cant fire Waldo! Hes been ramrod on the Rolling M since before I was born.
Snorting angrily, Caid Matthews down-shifted the pickup to climb another steep grade.
Hes eighty, dammit, and Im not firing him. Dad gave him a good retirement package. And its not like hell have to live on the streets. He can move to Florida, like he always said he would. Flirt with the blue-haired widows. Maybe marry one.
Sure thats what he says, but everybody knows thats just talk. Waldos lived in West Texas all his life, most of it in the Davis Mountains as a hand on the Rolling M. The day he shucks his Levis for swimming trunks is the day the sun stands still.
Caid sighed and used a knuckle to rub the bridge of his nose. Hed been fighting with himself over this for the past week, his brain knowing the ranch could no longer afford Waldos salary, but his heart knowing it would kill the old man to leave the Rolling M.
And it wasnt just Waldo. The Rolling Ms finances were in deep horse hockey in a way theyd never been before. Caid had trimmed everywhere he could find to trim, with part of him knowing it had to be done and the other part madder than hell that he had to do it.
Waldo had to go. There was no other way. And five hundred acres had to go, too. That five hundred acres might be only a drop in the Rolling Ms proverbial bucket, but never in the history of the ranch had any acreage been sold.
Though he knew there was no alternative, Caid often felt like his soul was being ripped in two.
The pickup topped the grade and settled into the long glide toward a wide valley below where hed have several miles of flat. Good. Now he could make up time.
Hell of a thing. Hed driven from the ranch all the way to Fort Davis, even checked into the hotel so he could be at the bank first thing in the morning.
But hed no sooner placed his duffel bag beside the bed than he realized hed left the papers he needed for the bank on the kitchen table.
There was nothing else to do but return to the ranch and get them, then make the long drive back to town.
Just went to show the state of mind he was in lately. Hed never been this forgetful. Why, hed even left his hat with his lucky jay feather back in the hotel room.
Now on the flats, Caid sent the ancient truck flying down the highway. The sun was low in the west and he hadnt passed another vehicle in the last twenty milesnot unusual in this part of Texas.
You ever stop to think that leaving those papers might be a way of telling you something?
Caid shook his head angrily, wishing he could somehow yank his other, softer side completely out of his body. This constant inner debate with himself interfered with every decision he knew he had to make.
Ive got to sell and thats all there is to it. Its that or lose the whole damn ranch. Im doing what I have t
A deer! Stepping right into the headlights.
With no shoulder to the road, he swerved off the highway completely to avoid the petrified animal. By the grace of God and three good inches, he missed it.
Unfortunately, he didnt miss the sixty-year-old ponderosa pine.
Your man is a western man, honey.
Oh, Gram. Please. Im going to West Texas for a vacation, not another man. After Nicholas, I cant think of anything I want less.
The Great Ones dont care if you want him or not, Marlie. They just told me hes in Fort Davis. Take him or leave him, its yours to decide.
Ill leave him, then, but you can tell The Great Ones thanks for the playmate while Im there. Just warn them that Im not bringing home any souvenirs.
Dont be flip, dear. Its not becoming. Besides, the heart has a mind of its own.
Sounds like a country-western song, Gram. And I dont have a heart anymore. Nicholas threw it out with yesterdays leftovers.
Recalling the conversation shed had with her grandmother before leaving San Antonio, Marlie smiled grimly to herself and signaled to exit the interstate. Forty more miles and shed be in the picturesque little town of Fort Davis where she planned to get a grip.
Forty extremely dark miles. The state highway had even less traffic than I-10, and led her through the kind of darkness San Antonio hadnt experienced for over a century. A million stars spangled the sky.
Gradually, however, the stars along the horizon blotted into a jagged line that Marlie assumed were the Davis Mountains. The road twisted and turned as it wound among them, slowing her driving to a nervous crawl.
Marlies neck and shoulders ached with tension and exhaustion.
Sighing, she thought of the brightly lit motel shed passed eighty miles behind her.
Shed almost stopped. Why hadnt she? After all, she didnt have hotel reservations to keep. Her friend, Jill, who had recommended Fort Davis as a great place to relax and hikea good place to recover, shed meanthad said reservations werent necessary this time of year.
Yet Marlie had passed up the motel and was now figuratively kicking herself for it.
This was supposed to be a vacation, not an endurance race. It didnt matter if she spent the night in Fort Davis, for Heavens sake! Yet here she was, seven hours out of San Antonio and eighty miles past common sense.
Her part Native American grammie would say The Great Ones guided her. But then, Gram didnt like to admit that any of her family were stupid. Stupid over men, stupid over sticking her nose into what was none of her business.
To Gram, descended from a noted shaman, everything was a sign. Take the blue feather that now rested in Marlies shirt pocket, for instance.
After uncharacteristically stalling her with errands and lunch and cleaning the kitchen, Gram had finally allowed Marlie to head out the door to get her vacation underway.
Shed placed a loving arm around Marlies shoulders and walked her to the car. Youll see, the older woman said. Your happiness is in the west, sweetness. Look. Heres your sign.
Following Grams pointing finger, Marlie obligingly looked down. A small blue feather lay on the concrete drive right beside the car door.
Take it with you, dear. Your man has the other one.
But Marlie had hesitated before picking it up.
The family had a saying: When youre going on a trip, never accept one of Grams little presents if she didnt buy it. All of them knew strange things happened when Gram decided to give just a little something from her own possessions.
Not bad things, mind you, butstrange ones.
So far, Grammies little somethings had brought into the family two husbands, a wife, a baby, a pet iguana and a 1970s VW bus for a delighted teenagerall of which came at considerable surprise to the cousins involved who had thought they were merely going from Point A to Point B for a little R and R.
Still, Marlie reasoned, the feather was a found object, not truly a gift. It ought to be safe.
She picked it up. The vibrant blue of the feather seemed to glow against her palm.
How very appropriate, she had thought. My bluebird of happiness is molting.
Fort Davis, two miles. Thank God.
Chapter One
Marlies eyes popped open.
Something had wakened her. What?
And then she knew.
Coming from nowhere, from everywhere, a soft, elongated groan seemed to fill the hotel room. With her heart slowing to a shallow, desperate chugging, Marlie held her breath, which wasnt easy when what she really wanted to do was scream.
Inch by cautious inch, she sat up to peer into the darkness, but only the clock on the bedside table had any substance. Twelve thirty-six, it declared precisely in bilious, luminescent green.
Another soft groan floated into the darkness and Marlie gasped, yet squint as she might, she couldnt see a thing.
Clutching the blankets to her chin, she considered hurling them over her head. Hey, it worked, didnt it? Certainly the maneuver had taken care of monsters when she was a kid.
The eerie sound began again, starting on a soft note then gathering strength for another stretch of oral misery. Yep, she was heading under the covers.
Suddenly, however, the building ooo-ooohs snorted and strangled and gasped themselves into an explosive and decidedly damp Ker-choo!
Ghosts dont sneeze!
Without thinking, Marlie reached out a hand and switched on the bedside lamp.
The room was empty.
Her gaze swung to the door, but the chain was still on, the deadbolt still in place. The rooms one window was up, but only about three inches, the exact amount Marlie had raised it. Surely no self-respecting intruder would come through a window, then close it behind him once he was in the room. Besides, she was on the second floor.
The second double bed, a match to the old-fashioned iron one she slept in, was a mess of sheets and blankets, the way it had been when she arrived only a half hour before. Marlie hadnt minded.
Her friend Jills blithe assertion that she wouldnt need reservations had been sadly mistaken. A large amateur astronomy group was in the area and the stargazers who werent camping filled every available room in town.
Marlie had tried every hotel in Fort Davis, but only Ann, the desk clerk at the Hotel Limpia, had taken pity on her after one look at Marlies exhausted face.
By chance, the Limpia did have a room, Ann told her. It seemed its former occupant had checked in but left the room almost immediately. Unfortunately, hed been involved in an automobile accident and was now in the hospital.
Since the room had been secured with a credit card but not actually paid for, Marlie could have it if she didnt mind it being briefly used by someone else and therefore not in the hotels usual pristine condition.
Marlie didnt mind, but would the former occupant?
Ann had laughed, saying the man was a local and an old school friend who would like even less being charged for a room he didnt use.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Marlie took it.
When she was shown to the room at the end of the old-fashioned hall upstairsa double; the man, too, had taken what he could geta duffel bag still sat on the floor beside one of the two beds. The bed itself was heavily disarranged, but when Ann went to straighten it, Marlie told her not to bother. She would be sleeping in the other one anyway.
The desk clerk left, taking the mans bag and toiletries with her and giving a last apology for the used towels in the bathroom. There were clean ones in the cabinet.
By then so tired she felt like a wet noodle, Marlie simply pulled off her clothes, slathered herself with lotion and tumbled into the untouched bed. She was not so exhausted, however, that she hadnt known for a positive fact there was no one in the room but herself.
Yet the moan had sounded so close.
Slowly, cautiously, Marlie leaned over the edge of her bed to peer under it.
Nada. Not even a dust bunny.
But while she was bent over, practically standing on her head with her rump still on the mattress, another massive sneeze made her jump so hard she had to catch herself to keep from tumbling onto the floor. She whipped upright, only to hear a sniff of what clearly had to be congestionthen, incredibly, the sound of someone honking into a handkerchief or tissue.
Another moan, a short one this time. A sigh. Another sniff.
Silence.
And there was no one but herself in the room!
Absolutely stunned, Marlie leaned slowly back against the pillowsand reality struck.
This was an old hotel, built around the turn of the century, Ann had said. Old hotels had thin walls. A manit was definitely a masculine sneezein the next room had a cold and didnt mind moaning and groaning about it.
Mystery solved.
Letting out a relieved sigh and feeling a little foolish, Marlie clicked off the lamp and snuggled back under the warmth of the covers.
But just as her eyes drifted blissfully shut, she heard a sniff and another low moan, though now the sounds seemed muffled, as if whoever it was had turned his face into a pillow.
Thanks be for that, Marlie thought sleepily, and did no more thinking at all until she awoke early the next morning to the sound of birdsong and what Fort Davis called traffic.
Caid swung his legs over the side of the bed and immediately clutched his head with both hands to keep it anchored to his shoulders.
God, it hurt. He probably had a mild concussion.
Too bad. He didnt have time to see a doctor. What would a doctor tell him anyway but to stay quiet, drink plenty of liquids, etcetera, and dont take any naps? But, though he didnt remember actually getting into bed, he had slept and hadnt wakened up dead, so no problem there except the headache from hell.
And his allergies giving him fits.
The thought of breakfast made him queasy, but hed find coffee and an aspirin at The Drugstore before heading on to the bank and his appointment with Miles Durig.
When he stood, however, the room tilted and it took a moment of standing with his eyes squeezed shut before the floor settled down.
When he could open them, the first thing his gaze landed on was the clock. Holy smoke, it was 9:05! He was already five minutes late.
Where the hell was his duffel bag? He needed fresh clothes. The shirt hed worn yesterday had bloodstains all over the front and shoulders. So where was his bag, dammit? Hed left it by the bed before going back to the ranch yesterday afternoon.
Striding to the old-fashioned wardrobe, swallowing bile induced by his pounding head, Caid yanked open one of its two doors.
What the hell? Clothes hung there but, since he didnt wear skirts, they damn sure werent his. And his bag wasnt there.
This was his room, right?
Yes, hed used his key to get in. It had to be his room. There was his hat, still hanging on the corner of the mirror where hed forgotten it yesterday.
Hell of a thing, a rancher forgetting his hat.
He opened the other door and was relieved to see his jeans and bloodstained shirt hanging just where hed placed them, his boots side by side on the closet floor with his socks inside them and his briefs in the plastic bag supplied by the hotel. The bag with his change of clothing, however, wasnt there.
Well, hell. He hated to wear dirty clothes, but he didnt have time to track down his bag. By now, everyone in Fort Davis knew about the accident anyway. The town was like that.
The three cowboys whod given him a ride into town had stopped at the sheriffs office and Caid, hardly able to speak because his head hurt so badly, left them to make the report while he crossed the street to the hotel. Sheriff Elan knew where to find him if he needed more information.
Elans secretary would have typed up the report first thing this morning, and by now everyone and his dog would be discussing it anywhere in town serving breakfast.
All of which meant Caid and Durig could have a friendly chuckle over his bloodstained shirt without Caid doing any unnecessary explaining, and then they could settle down to business. No problem.
Since hed showered last night, all he needed was a quick shave and he was outta here. His kit was in the bathroom so at least he knew where that was.
The bathroom, however, produced another surprise. For one thing, there were womens toiletries all over the counter. For another, it had the steaminess of recent use. And for a third, damn it all, his kit was nowhere to be found.
To hell with it. He didnt have time now to get huffy with the staff or find out what in blazes was going on, but they were damn sure gonna hear from him later.
Eyeing the proliferation of feminine articles, Caid used what he could. He wasnt about to use the womans toothbrush, but he used his finger and her toothpaste, then shaved himself in record time with her pink disposable razor.
Grimacing, he put on his socks, stepped into yesterdays briefs and jeans and tugged on his boots. He was avoiding putting on his blood-soaked shirt and he knew it, but he had to wear something.
He glanced at the closet door. All hed seen earlier was feminine clothing, but maybe her husbands things were hidden among the frills. If so, hed borrow a shirt and explain later. For that matter, once he had the loan against the sale of his five hundred acres, hed buy the guy a new one.
The closet held nothing but feminine disappointment. As Caid went to close the door, however, his gaze fell on a long, brown-plaid sleeve.
Hmm. Pulling out the garment, he held it up consideringly and found a womans cotton jacket with western shirt styling. Best of all, it was huge, extra-wide shouldered and boxy, with detachable shoulder pads.
In seconds, Caid had the pads out and the shirt on. Not too bad, he thought, eyeing himself in the mirror. The shirt was tight across the shoulders maybe and pulled a little at the chest, but it was clean.
He rolled the too-short sleeves up his forearms, snagged his hat and headed out the door. He had to shoulder his way through a lobby full of milling tourists, but finally stood on the Limpias front porch in the bright morning sunshine.
Inhaling deeply, he grinned. Nowhere in the world had summer mornings like the Davis Mountains.
But that deep breath played hell with his delicate head, and when he went to put on his hat, he found he couldnt tolerate that either. Fortunately, the bank was just across the square from the hotel.
He wished hed had time for a cup of coffee, but Durig would give him one.
Two hours later Caid was back at the hotel, dismayed, disbelieving and totally disturbed. No one had given him a cup of coffee.
Hell, no one had given him the time of day.
Marlie had breakfast at The Drugstore, the oddly named restaurant across from the hotel, then shopped a little before returning to her room to change into hiking boots. The state park three miles out of town had a couple of good hiking trails, shed been told.
Driving to the park, admiring the mountain scenery and shallow, sun-sparkled Limpia Creek running beside the highway, Marlie did her best to forget the last semester of school where she was counselor at Martinez High in San Antonio. And since hiking was right up there with sweaty necks on Nicholass hate list, she managed to keep him out of her thinking, too.
That evening when she walked into the lobby of the hotel, she was pleasantly tired and pleasantly full, having had dinner and watched the sun set at the restaurant in the park.
Ann smiled at her in greeting. Good evening, Ms. Simms. How was your day?
Wonderful, thanks. This is a beautiful area.
It is, and I say it as one whos lived here all my life. Is everything all right in your room?
Everythings fine. It took me a while to get used to the thin walls, but I suppose thats a minor price to pay for the hotels history. The man in the next room kept me awake for a while with his moaning and sneezing. Sounds like hes coming down with a cold.
Im sorry, Ann apologized. Weve never had anyone complain about noise through the walls before. Actually, theyre pretty thick. Im even more surprised because there are two maiden ladies in the room next to yours, both probably in their seventies.
One of the sweet things has a sneeze like a water buffalo, Marlie replied with a grin. But once I knew where the sound came from, I had no problem sleeping through it.
She glanced around the deserted lobby. After the crowd this morning, its certainly quiet now. Where is everyone?
Out looking at the stars. Most of them wont be in till the wee hours.
Then would anyone mind if I browse the hotel bookshelves and read for a while in the parlor?
Not at all. We want our guests to feel at home.
Be right back, Marlie said as she headed up the old-fashioned staircase to pull off her hiking boots.
When Caid heard a key rattle in the lock, he turned away from the window and his perusal of the street below to deliberately step toward the center of the room.
The door swung open and a woman entered, switching on the overhead light as she did so. His roomie, apparently.
Somewhere between mid-to late-twenties, she had short tousled brown hair, a snub nose with a dusting of freckles across it, a generous mouth, and eyes that he couldnt tell the color of but which were bordered with thick lashes the same shade as her hair. She was a little on the short side perhaps, but feisty with it, he could tell.
The woman was just plain cute, he thought, the kind of cute that in a puppy would make him want to take her home.
She also completely ignored him. A strange man stood in the middle of her hotel room and she didnt so much as back up a step.
Caid rubbed a tired hand over his mouth and jaw. Hed been getting the same reaction all dayor lack of it. People hed known all his life looked through him as if he wasnt there. Hed gotten right in Durigs face at the bank and yelled at him, but Durig hadnt even blinked.
After failing to get anyone at the bank to notice him, Caid went to The Drugstore to buy aspirin and get a cup of coffee. Though he sat at the counter right in front of the kid behind it, no one waited on him. He finally dropped change by the cash register, took a bottle of aspirin off the shelf and left to walk to the garage where theyd towed his truck.
The vehicle was a mess and certainly not drivable, but when Caid tried to talk to Jimmy to get the lowdown on repairs, the garage owner ignored him, too. An oil stain had better conversation.
Totally frustrated and even more totally bewildered, Caid used a public telephone to call the ranch. He didnt like what happened then, either.
This is the Rollin M, Waldo snarled, his usual way of answering the phone.
Waldo, its Caid. I need you to drive into town and pick me Caid began.
Hello? Hello?
Its me, Caid said loudly. Turn up your hearing aid, dammit. I need you to
But he was speaking to a dead phone. Swearing, Caid dug into his jeans for more change and punched in the ranch number again.
Rollin M, and buster, you better have somethin to say. I aint got time for this, Waldo spat.
Its Caid. Can you hear me? I need
The response was an earful of profanity that would make a stevedore blush.
Its me! Caid yelled at the top of his lungs. Listen up, Waldo. I need
Dial tone.
Defeated, Caid replaced the receiver.
Next he tried to hitch a ride to the ranch with the owners of the property adjacent to his, but the Hendersons looked right through him and turned a deaf ear.
Not knowing what else to do, he at last walked back to the hotel, snagged a cup of coffee from the complimentary carafe in the deserted lobby and climbed the stairs to his room. His head felt like a mission bell at the noon hour and all he wanted at the moment was a handful of aspirin and a bed. Hed deal with the rest later.
Well, it was later, and even after a restless nap, he still didnt know how to deal with it.
People just werent seeing him. He felt like the Invisible Man, except that guy could at least be heard.
The woman sat down on the side of the bed opposite the one he slept in and bent to untie the laces of her hiking boots. Hed like to ask just why the heck shed commandeered his room, but knew it was probably a lost cause. No one else today had listened to him.
Shed tugged the second boot off when she paused, still holding it in her hand, and gazed for a long moment in front of her. Then she frowned.
Following her gaze, Caid looked to see what had captured her attention. All he saw was the bed hed spent the afternoon in. The rumpled unmade bed.
Bad housekeeping, she finally muttered disapprovingly, then stripped off her socks and walked barefoot into the bathroom.
When she returned, she rummaged in a dresser drawer, came up with a clean pair of socks, picked up a bottle of lotion from the top of the bureau and sat down in the chair near the window, brushing by Caid in the process, actually touching his shirtsleevewell, her shirtsleevewithout so much as breaking stride.
What she did next had Caid groaning inwardly. The woman poured a generous dollop of lotion into her palm and proceeded to massage her cute little feet.
As soon as the peppery smell of lavender filled the room, Caid sneezed.
The woman jumped a mile.
Shed heard him! But before Caid could say anything, he sneezed again. This time, however, she paid no attention, just went on slathering lotion.
Caid sneezed again. And again.
Finally, eyes streaming, he walked to the open window behind her chair and took a deep whiff of clean, unscented mountain air. By keeping his nose pressed to the screen, he managed to keep from sneezing until she closed the bottle, put on her clean socks, picked up her key from the dresser and headed for the door, obviously not bothering with shoes.
Good. As soon as she left, Caid was finding the nearest trash receptacle. Bye-bye, lavender lotion.
But she didnt exit the room immediately. Instead, after pausing at the door, she backtracked and picked up his Stetson where hed left it on top of the dresser.
And then she stood stock still, eyes wide and startled, her luscious mouth slightly parted as she stared in apparent amazement at his hat.
Or rather, at the blue feather he kept in the hatband.
Chapter Two
With a tentative forefinger, the woman touched the blue feather, for some reason far more interested in it than Caids rattlesnake hatband.
Coincidence, he heard her whisper to herself. She turned the hat over to look inside the crown.
Then, to Caids total amazement, this cute button of a woman did an extraordinary thing.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, she put his hat on her head, where it immediately sank past her ears to cover her eyes and rest on the bridge of her nose. Grinning, she pushed it up again.
Howdy, partner, she greeted her image in an exaggerated drawl.
Fascinated, Caid watched as she stuck her thumbs in her belt loops and set her hips to rotating in a slow swivel.
Ahm an ol cowhand, she sang nasally, from the Rio Grande, but mahsomething aintsomething, and mah cheeks aint tan.
Smiling broadly by now, and forgetting completely to keep his nose out the window, Caid turned more fully into the room, the better to appreciate the performance of that enticingly generous derriere.
He sneezed.
The woman stopped midtwang.
Dammit, hed swear she heard him, but instead of turning toward the sound as any normal person would, she just laughed and shook her head at the far wall, causing his Stetson to drop over her eyes again.
This time, however, she took it off, replaced it on the dresser, flipped off the light and left the room.
The show, apparently, was over.
Disappointed, Caid sighed.
And sneezed.
Well, hell. If he was sharing the room with this woman, he was damn sure getting rid of the lotion shed just used along with anything else she had that was lavender scented.
And he was sharing the room. At the moment, it was the only place he had to hang his hat, literally, until he could figure out what was going on. Besides, the hotel owed him. Maybe he hadnt paid for it yet, but hed reserved the room before they gave it to the woman. Come to that, she owed him, too.
He sneezed.
It wasnt late when Marlie slowly walked up the staircase to return to her room, but after her active day she could barely keep her eyes open. Shed read for an hour in the hotels charmingly Victorian front parlor and now clutched the Agatha Christie mystery, planning to take it to bed with her.
Earlier, shed asked Ann if the Hotel Limpia had any resident ghosts, but the desk clerk merely laughed, saying the only one shed heard about, but never seen herself, mind you, was that of a soldier from the old fort.
But it wasnt a soldier Marlie thought shed seen. For a split second, as shed been wearing the hat with the coincidental blue feather and acting silly in front of the mirror, she thought shed caught the vague outline of a cowboy standing near the window behind her. But then her neighbor sneezed, and of course there was nothing reflected in the mirror but herself.
The Hotel Limpia, with its antique furnishings and bygone western charm, certainly had a way of sending the imagination into overdrive, she thought, unlocking the door to her room.
Once inside, she didnt bother with the overhead light but switched on the lamp near her bed. In the dimness outside its glow, she eyed with disfavor the double bed that matched her own. Its sheets and covers were lumpy and rumpled just as theyd been this morning.
In all other respects, the hotel service was first rate, but its housekeeping staff left a lot to be desired. Marlie had meant to say something to Ann earlier and forgotten, but she was telling the desk clerk first thing in the morning. There was no excuse for an establishment of this caliber leaving beds unmade.
Gathering clean panties and her pajamas, she headed for the bathroom and a long hot bath, but after stepping out of her jeans and partially unbuttoning her shirt, she remembered the soap shed found today in one of the shops.
Ah. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Traipsing back to the bedroom, Marlie rummaged through a couple of sacks until she found it. But just as she turned toward the bathroom again, she thought she heard a breathy whistle from next door.
It was just a whisper of sound, but for no apparent reason she suddenly became very aware of her bare legs and half-open shirt.
She grimaced. Too bad there wasnt another room available. As it was, she had a double room too big for her single self when what she needed was double walls.
All was forgiven, however, when she lowered herself into the deep bathtub. Hot water and lavender soap. Life didnt get any better.
Unless, of course, a handsome someone scrubbed her back.
Unh-huh. Cut that last thought. Nicholas wouldnt scrub her back. Hed just tell her how bad hot water and perfumed soaps were for her skin.
Forget Nicholas. And forget hats placed strategically by an interior decorator to enhance an old hotels western decor. Forget, especially, hats with blue feathers in the hatband.
A half hour later, too pleasantly lethargic from her hot bath for even Agatha to have appeal, Marlie called it a day. Turning off the lamp, she sank into the old-fashioned beds very modern and oh-so-comfortable mattress.
And heard a giant sneeze.
Oh. Good. Grief.
Still, if she could hear the people next door, they could surely hear her. Dont you have anything to take for that? she asked the wall loudly.
Silence.
One might even say stunned silence, it was that thick. Apparently the elderlies in the next room didnt realize how thin the walls were.
There was another sneeze, followed by a muttered, Well, hell.
Bless you, Marlie called out, grinning.
You can hear me? a voice asked diffidently.
Aha, Marlie thought. Masculine. One of the supposed maiden ladies still had some energy.
Yes, and you really ought to take something for that cold. Wed all sleep better.
Its not a cold, the voice replied. A husky voice, with a hint of drawl. And it didnt sound like that of an old man, either. It sounded velvety, downright sexy even, if a trifle cranky and stuffed up. One of the dears must have found herself a young stud while she was stargazing.
Its allergies, the voice continued. Im allergic to your soap.
And Marlie could swear that whoever spoke was right beside her. She heard a rustling in the other bed.
With a shriek, she reached out and turned on the light.
Nothing. Even better, no one.
Sinking limply against the pillows, she sighed.
Ker-choo!
And bolted up again.
If youd bathe with something besides lavender soap, wed both be happier, the voice said.
Where are you? Marlie whispered.
In the bed opposite yours. Dont get your britches in a knot, lady. I wont hurt you.
Throwing back the covers, Marlie bolted for the door, fumbled with the lock, threw the door open and was about to slam it behind her when she realized she heard no pursuit. She paused, uncertain, but stayed poised to immediately run and/or scream, whichever was needed.
Cautiously reaching over, she flipped on the overhead light. How could she describe the intruder to the local badge if she didnt know what he looked like?
Nothing. No one. Nobody.
Areare you there? she whispered into the seemingly empty room.
Im here.
Where?
I told you. In the other bed.
The covers on the bed in question rose and fell as if theyd been given a disgusted shake. Marlies heartbeat rose and fell with them.
ImIm going for the police, she warned, trying to keep the wobble out of her voice.
Go ahead. If you can explain this to someone youll be doing a hell of a lot better than I did today. And Fort Davis doesnt have police. We make do with a sheriff and a couple of deputies. Ker-choo!
Youve got a sneeze like an atomic blast, Marlie said dryly. I dont think Ill have much trouble explaining things.
Have at it, the whoever or whatever it was responded, and blew his nose.
Once the woman marched her straight-backed, swishy-bottomed little self out the door, Caid got out of bed, went to the closet and retrieved his jeans. If on the off chance someone could finally see him as well as hear him, he wanted to be decent. He wasnt holding out much hope, however.
Still, for the first time today hed actually exchanged conversation with someone. Perhaps whatever the heck it was that had happened to him was starting to wear off.
When Marlie returned, she had Ann with her. After hearing the story, the desk clerk had talked her out of going for the sheriff.
Ann looked around the quiet room. I dont see anything or hear anything, Ms. Simms. Are you sure you werent dreaming?
I hadnt gone to sleep yet, Marlie replied shortly. And I know what I heard. A man talked to me and he sneezed. He said he was allergic to my lavender soap.
Hey, she called out to the seemingly empty room, feeling brave now that she had company. Are you here?
Im here, the voice answered.
Where?
Standing about three feet in front of you. Ker-choo!
There. Marlie turned to the desk clerk in triumph. You heard that, didnt you? Ill bet people in the next county did, too.
But Ann merely gazed back at her in confusion. Ms. Simms, I, uh, didnt hear anything.
Sure you did, Marlie told the desk clerk bracingly. That sneeze registered on the Richter scale.
But by now, even though she wasnt but a few years older, Anns look had turned motherly. She put a comforting arm around Marlies shoulders.
Ms. SimmsMarlie, I think you had too much sunshine and thin mountain air today. You crawl back into bed now, honey, and Ill bring up a nice cup of herbal tea to help you sleep. Youll feel better in the morning.
Ker-choo!
You didnt hear that? Marlie asked in a small voice.
No, sweetie. You get a good nights rest now and Ill bet you feel tip-top by tomorrow.
Marlie sighed. Perhaps youre right. But I dont need any tea. Really. Thanks for coming up, though.
She walked Ann to the door and was about to shut it behind her when she noticed the bathroom trash basket sitting by the doorway in the hall. In it was her brand-new, used only once, very expensive tablet of lavender soap.
Marlie debated pointing this bit of evidence out to the desk clerk, who was wishing her good-night again, but in the end decided it probably wouldnt do much good.
After closing the door, she leaned against it to gaze accusingly into her seemingly empty bedroom. Say something, darn it. I know youre still here.
That makes two of us.
There was the sound a deep sigh followed by a massive Ker-choo!
Oh, for goodness sake! Do you have to keep doing that? Ghosts arent supposed to sneeze.
Im not a ghost.
Couldve fooled me. What are you then?
Alive, for one thing. For some reason, people just cant see me, and so far the only person who can hear me is you. Ker-choo!
Well arent I just the lucky one, Marlie said nastily. How delightful that the whole world now thinks Im crazy.
Not the whole world, just Ann Jergin. But shes a nice girl. She wont tell anyone.
You know her?
Of course I know her. We were in the same grade all through school.
Marlie frowned in the direction of the voice, now coming from the vicinity of the other bed. In fact, the bed looked a little depressed on one side, as if someone were sitting on it.
Who are you? she asked slowly.
Ill tell you after you shower. Lifebouy, Irish Spring, Dove. Take your pick. Any scent but lavender.
How do I know you wont float into the shower with me? You might be anywhere for all I know.
Lock the damn door, the voice snapped. I cant walk through walls. I already tried.
You could be lying.
Yes, maam, I could. Youre just gonna have to trust me now, arent you?
Why should I, Marlie wanted to ask, but didnt. A ghost with allergies seemedtrustworthy, in a bizarre sort of way.
Good grief! She was certifiably crazy.
But she headed for the bathroom. Just before she closed and locked the door, however, she stuck her head out again. Where are you?
Here, he replied, his tone one of long suffering, but the sound of his voice came from the bed. Now get a move on. Im tired, Ive got a hell of a headache and I dont want to stay up all night yakking.
What a crab.
When she returned, showering in record time, the woman smelled like nothing but cleanliness. Caid had never thought of eau de clean as erotic before, but as he watched her prance across the room, then hop into bed, he had the overwhelming urge to hop into it with her.
Huh, he thought. So she had great legs. The real attraction was probably because he could talk to her. Communication could be a powerful aphrodisiac.
And strangely, though sharing a bed with the woman had strong appeal, going beyond sharing didnt seem tosuit the moment.
Whats your name?
Theyd asked the question at the same time.
You first, the woman said. And your story better be good, buster.
Or what? Caid asked, truly curious.
Ill think of something. Dont think I wont. Now start talking.
Caid grinned. Yes, maam. But his story was no laughing matter and he sobered immediately. Im Caid Matthews, he said. Kincaid Matthews the Fourth, owner of the Rolling M.
Thats your feather on the dresser, isnt it? she said wonderingly. I mean, your hat. Your name is inside. I thought it was part of the hotel decor.
Only since yesterday. I forgot it when I went back to the ranch.
He heard a startled little movement in the next bed. Oh my Lord! the woman exclaimed. Youre the rancher who was involved in the accident. The one they took to the hospital last night.
No, maam. Im the one who ran into a tree, all right, but I never went to the hospital.
Butbut when I checked in last night, they said youd been taken to the hospital. Thats why they gave me the room.
Caid was beginning to get irritated. Whose story was this? No, maam, he contradicted stubbornly. I was right here in this bed last night.
There was a long silence. Oh.
Though it hurt his head to do it, Caid raised up so he could look across the intervening space at the opposite bed, part of which lay in a pool of light cast by the lamp on that side of the table between them.
The woman sat against a bank of pillows, gazing into space and chewing her bottom lip, obviously thinking deeply.
Do you remember how you got into town? she asked at last.
Caid could tell she was keeping her tone carefully noncommittal and it riled him no end.
Yes, I remember how I got into town. Three cowboys from the MT gave me a lift. They found my truck and I hitched a ride into town with them. But my head was killing me, so I let them talk to the sheriff and I came on here.
Uh-oh. Maybe he shouldnt have said that killing me part. The womans own ideas were bad enough.
But did you actually talk to them?
She just wasnt going to leave it alone, was she? Hell yes, I actually talked to them. Well, some. Maybe not a whole lot, but I told them Id ride into town with them. Then I crawled into the back of their pickup and we came on to Fort Davis.
You told them? They didnt ask? And they let an injured man ride in the night air in the back of the pickup? That doesnt sound strange to you?
Not particularly, Caid replied shortly, though come to think of it, it did seem a little harsh even for West Texas cowpokes. Nobody had even offered him a handkerchief to sop up the blood.
Did you get a good look at your truck? the woman then asked.
Yeah, I saw it. What about it?
There was blood all over the seat.
Doesnt mean anything. There was blood all over my head and my shirt, too. I probably had a mild concussion, but so what? Ive had worse. And how do you know there was blood on the seat?
Your truck was the sensation of the morning, Mr. Matthews. When I had breakfast, everybody was talking about it at The Drugstore this morning, so I walked down and looked at it, too. You could see the bulls-eye in the windshield where your head hit. Why in Heaven didnt you wear your seat belt?
Caid felt his ears turn red. I forgot, he mumbled.
What?
I forgot, dammit, just like I forgot my hat and just like I forgot the blasted papers in the first place. Ive had a lot on my mind lately.
There was another long silence.
Something else was being talked about in the restaurant this morning, Mr. Matthews, she said at last.
Caid.
Um, Caid. People were talking about the latest news from the hospital after the ambulance took you to the emergency room. They said
She paused, and Caid had a feeling he wasnt going to like what came next.
They said, um, Caid, that you wereon life support.
It was Caids turn to be silent for a long moment. Yeah?
Yeah.
Well, hell. All I know is, Im not in the hospital, Im sitting right here on this bed talking to you, and the only thing wrong with me is a humdinger of a headache.
And then she just had to say it. But no one can see you or hear you.
You can.
I can hear you, but I cant see you. Mr. MatthewsCaidIm sorry to have to say this, but II think you died. Life support keeps the body going, but it doesnt necessarily keep the spirit going.
Bull hockey. Id know it if I was dead. Id have seen the light or something. And why the heck would I stick around town when I could go to Paradise?
Maybe Paradise isnt an option. Or maybe you just dont know youre dead. I mean, isnt that kind of what a ghost is, someone who doesnt understand that theyre dead so they refuse to go to the other side? Thats why they do exorcisms, isnt it?
Exorcisms! Lady, are you crazy? Caid sat straight up in bed, then had to grab his ears to keep his head from bouncing off. Hell, if he was a ghost he wouldnt have this damn headache. And what did she mean, maybe Paradise wasnt an option?
By now, Marlie was near tears. There was no easy way to tell someone they were dead and this man just kept arguing with her.
My name is Marlie, she said, and Im not the one whos crazy here. Everyone can hear and see me just fine, thank you very much. Its you who cant seem to get with the program. If youd just go on to the other side like youre supposed to, you wouldnt have this problem.
Marlie what?
Simms, she said, and sniffed.
Marlie Simms, are you crying?
The voice from the other bed sounded very gentle. She could have liked this man, Marlie thought. When he wasnt being stubborn.
Im s-sorry youre dead, she said wetly.
She could almost feel his instant withdrawal.
Im not dead. Now turn out the light and lets get some sleep. Im tired of arguing. My head feels like a Chinese gong at prayer time and Im out of aspirin.
Marlie blinked. Youve been taking aspirin?
While I had it, but I cant say its done much good.
Theres medication stronger than aspirin, she said tentatively. I, um, have some in my purse. Ill give you a couple of tablets, if you like.
Appreciate it.
Throwing back the covers, she left the bed to get her purse, returning to sit on the edge to rummage through the bag in the lamplight. Naturally the ibuprofen was on the bottom so that she had to take out a few things.
Say. Are you going to eat that candy bar?
Startled, she looked over at the bed next to hers that appeared empty, yet was so very full of pure unadulterated male. How she knew that last she wasnt quite certain, except that a picture had begun to form in her mind from the moment shed picked up his hat.
Youreyoure hungry?
Havent eaten a bite all day. When I tried to order a meal, no one would listen to me.
Here, take it, Marlie said immediately. But with no hand to give it to, she placed the chocolate bar on the far side of the bedside table. It immediately disappeared.
I also have a couple of packages of crackers, and a granola bar, she added, placing them, too, on the nightstand.
She heard the rustle of paper wrappings and a crumbly, Thanks, as if Caid was talking with his mouth full. In seconds, the crackers and granola bar vanished. Discarded wrappers appeared in the trash basket under the night table.
It was all very disconcerting, but not nearly as disconcerting as seeing the water carafe disappear and water slowly fill one of the glasses left for guests at their bedside. When the carafe reappeared and the glass disappeared, Marlie hurriedly placed two pain relievers within reach. Poof. They, too, were gone.
Um, Caid, Marlie said slowly, I dont suppose youd consider haunting another room?
Not on your life. I reserved for two nights, Im staying two nights. Its thanks to me that you have the room at all.
I was afraid youd say that. Marlie sighed, and switched off the lamp.
And Im not dead.
She let him have the last word, mainly because she was too startled to speak. Just as she plunged the room into darkness, she thought shed seen the blurry outline of a dark head on the pillow of the other bed.
Turning over, she closed her eyes.
Nah, couldnt be.
Chapter Three
Bright sunlight and a piercing whistle from somewhere outside caused Caid to sit straight up in bed. Lordy, he hadnt slept this late in years. His head still hurt, but not with the splitting agony of the day before.
He yawned and leisurely scratched his bare chest, then threw back the covers and left the bed. First thing on the agenda today was figuring out how to get breakfast or hed be down to eating his boots.
But before he headed to the closet for his jeanshis dirty jeanshe paused a moment to gaze at the woman who still slept peacefully in the other bed.
Marlie Simms. A dumpling of a woman, just the right size to fill a mans arms, hed bet. Too bad she also had the look of a woman who didnt take that kind of thing lightly. Because lightly was the only thing Caid was interested in anymore.
The last time hed taken a woman seriously, shed taken him to the cleaners in the divorce courtsthe main reason the Rolling M was in the financial crisis it was in right now.
Still, he had to admit Marlie had been pretty decent about letting a strange man share her hotel room, even if only because she thought he was a ghost.
She stirred and Caid backed up a step before he remembered that she couldnt see him. So he lingered, fascinated by the way the woman stretched all over before she opened her eyes. Her two arms went over her head in a long slow reach for the ceiling and she inhaled deeply.
Thenand by now, Caid had stopped breathing completelyher whole body undulated in one longluxurioussensuouswrithe.
His throat went dry.
Then her mouth parted in a dainty kitten of a yawn, and she slowly opened her eyes.
And screamed at the top of her lungs, nearly giving him a heart attack.
She was fumbling frantically at the bedside phone only to drop the receiver between the nightstand and the bed before he came to his senses.
What is it? he managed to gasp, by now on his knees groping under the bed in an effort to retrieve the receiver for her. Are you having a seizure? What?
You! WhoHow
Caid, finally finding the phone, handed it to her and sat back on his butt, their faces now at a level.
Who the heck are you and get the heck out of my room! she finally managed to get out.
Well, hell. They were back to this.
Marlie, Caid said patiently, I told you last night who I am. Remember? He was the one with the head wound here.
Caid? Her tone sounded disbelieving.
Yeah. Caid Matthews.
She stared him right in the eye as he squatted by her bed. Her eyes were a pale silvery gray, he noted, and looked mad as bedamned.
Caid Matthews, she screeched, setting his ears to ringing and escalating his headache up a notch, youre naked as a jaybird! Get out of my room! and she threw a pillow at him.
But Caid didnt move. You can see me?
And Marlie finally seemed to grasp the importance of the moment. She blinked in startlement, then slowly, wickedly grinned. Yes, Caid, I can definitely see you.
Thank God. Leaning forward, Caid bussed her on the cheek, stood and all in the same movement, tossed the pillow in the air, pumped a triumphant fist and caught it when it came down.
Marlie tried to keep her gaze on the flying pillow, or on Caids exuberant face. She really did.
But she really couldnt.
From sheer self-preservation, she reached behind her and threw the other pillow at him, hitting him right in the midsection. Fortunately, it was a large pillow.
Dont you have any clothes? she asked.
Clothes?
Comprehension dawned. Oh. Clothes.
He clutched the pillow to him strategically, trying to look nonchalant as only a man with red ears can. Well, dont just sit there. Close your eyes.
Marlie obligingly closed her eyes, opening them as soon as she heard the wardrobe door open, the better to admire Caids rock-hard little rear as he took his jeans off a hanger. As soon as he stepped into his pants and turned around, she snapped them shut again.
You dont fool me, Cutes. You were peeking.
Was not. Well, not actually peeking. Her eyes had been wide open.
So, like what you saw?
She tried her best to look righteously indignant. I didnt see a thing.
Huh.
Once Caid left for the bathroom, Marlie hopped out of bed to get her pillows, then jumped back in again and leaned against them. She didnt want to get up just yet.
For one thing, the two of them milling around the room in states of semidress was just a little intimate for her peace of mind. It was far easier to deal with this cowboys disembodied spirit than it was his materialized substance. And what a substance!
But Caid was definitely on his way to somewhere and once he left the room, shed get up herself. In the meantime, shed savor the mental image of the tightest tush shed seen in a long time.
When he emerged from the bathroom, Caids hair was damp and curled the least bit, and Marlie took a couple of seconds to get a good look at his face, the rest of his anatomy being already etched in her mind.
It was a good face, she thought, angles and planes in all the right places, a nose just a trifle large and definitely arrogant, eyes the color of pine needles.
One eye, however, had a dilly of a shiner, with its bruise taking up half of Caids smooth cheek below and reaching into his hairline above. On the same side, his forehead bore a big knot topped with an ugly-looking gash.
He sat down in a nearby chair to pull on his boots. Damn, I hate dirty socks, he muttered. Do you have any idea where my bag is?
Ann took it when she gave me the room.
He sighed. Ill get it later. And I need my kit. Its hell shaving with a pink razor.
.
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Doris Rangel
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: To: Grammie From: MarlieRe: I′M FALLING FOR TWO MEN-SORT OF!Gram, Something strange has happened on my summer vacation–there are two Caid Matthews in my life! One Caid–the one only I can see and hear–is romantic and sexy, with a wicked sense of humor. The other is intensely passionate and determined to get what he wants: me! Both give knee-weakening kisses, and I′m falling for each of them…for different reasons. But I can′t be happy with just half a man–so how can I get the two halves to reunite and become the perfect, whole man for me to love?HELP! ^