One Pink Rose; One White Rose; One Red Rose by Julie Garwood Page A

Jack did the most vile, hideous thing. He smiled.

Six

    T ravis blanched, blinked, and then looked again. The ugly smile was still there. He watched in disbelief as Jack thrust his arm out to Emily. She immediately hooked her arm through his and started walking by his side toward the house, smiling up at her escort.
    Travis didn’t think he could stomach much more. He did a double take when the mismatched pair reached him and he heard her chattering away in the most horrendous imitation of a southern drawl he’d ever heard.
    â€œI declare, Jack, you’re such a gentleman.”
    â€œI try to be, Miss Emily. I sure do like the way you sing your words.”
    â€œHow sweet of you to say so,” she replied with a flutter of her eyelashes that made Travis lose his appetite.
    â€œMay I introduce you to my guide, Mr. Travis Clayborne, of Blue Belle?”
    Jack quit grinning like a demented man long enough to flash his usual scowl at Travis. “I know you,” he accused. “Didn’t I shoot you a time or two, Clayborne?”
    â€œNo, Jack, you didn’t.”
    â€œI recollect I did.”
    The set of his jaw indicated he was getting riled up. She quickly turned Jack’s attention. “My, but I’m all tuckered out. Mr. Clayborne and I have been riding for hours and hours, and I’m not at all strong like you are, Jack. I’m too delicate for such strenuous activity.”
    Jack became solicitous once again. “Of course you’re delicate. Anybody can see you ain’t got much meat on your bones. Clayborne oughtn’t to have set such a hard pace. Want me to shoot him for you, Miss Emily?”
    The question so appalled her, she answered in a near shout. “No.”
    â€œYou sure? I wouldn’t mind none.”
    â€œI’m sure, Jack, but I thank you for offering. I’ll be fine as soon as I sit down. I just need to rest for a spell.”
    â€œI’ll get you settled in a comfortable chair in just a minute, Miss Emily. You sure do smell nice,” he added in a rush.
    â€œI declare. Jack, you’ll spoil me with your compliments.”
    She didn’t need to say another word or bat another eyelash. Travis listened as Jack promised to build her a fire so she could warm her feet, fetch her a drink so she could cool her parched throat, and bring her supper so she could regain her strength.
    Travis wanted to shoot him. He felt justified too, because Jack had just disgraced every other man in the territory. Come to think of it, shooting was too good for him. Travis glowered as he followed the pair around the corner to the front stoop. The horses would have to be taken care of, but not until Travis knew who the other guests inside were and made certain Emily would be safe.
    Jack opened the door for Emily and then, true to his nature, tried to kick it closed before Travis could come inside. It was a childish prank and one Jack so thoroughly enjoyed, he had to snicker about it.
    John Perkins was standing in the hall waiting for them. He was a heavyset man with a triple chin, a potbelly, and a ready smile. He looked soft, but he was as tough as any other mountain man and didn’t allow any nonsense inside his establishment. Any disputes that arose had to be settled outside, and from the number of unmarked graves on the hillside behind the house, it was apparent there had been a number of those fights in the past.
    John usually greeted his guests. He couldn’t seem to find his voice now, however, and appeared to be in a stupor as he stared in stunned disbelief at One-Eyed Jack.
    John had apparently never seen Jack Hanrahan smile either.
    â€œIt’s chilling, isn’t it, John?” Travis remarked as he strolled past him on his way into the dining room.
    John’s wife, Millie, let out a little screech when she spotted Jack grinning. Travis thought that was an appropriate reaction.
    The dining room was deserted. Still, Travis