The matron folded her heavy arms across her even heavier bosom. “You have no money?”
“Apparently not.”
She scowled, furious.
Jack got to his feet unsteadily. He was sick with a hangover. But at least this novel situation was keeping him distracted. “Look,” he said. “I’ll bring you a deer.”
She stared, unbelieving.“No stupido, señor.”
“You obviously could use the meat. I’ll bring you a deer,” he repeated.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“I give you my word,” he said, looking into, her eyes.
She smiled. “I believe you. My daughter tell me with sign—you are not bad like the others in that saloon. When?”
“Tomorrow.”
She nodded, satisfied. “Maybe a chicken too?”
He almost smiled. “If I can. How did I get here?”
“We wake you with water. You try to walk. You talk loudly about Candice Carter. You are the breed she left Kincaid for, eh?”
“What?”
“I know the story, don’t worry, señor. It is all over town. She elope with Kincaid, but she come back with you. She leave Kincaid when she meet you, eh?” The woman laughed. “Now she leave you for Kincaid. The woman cannot make up her mind.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, confused. “What do you mean that she left me for Kincaid? He’s dead.”
“Oh, no, señor. Kincaid ride in a few days ago looking for his wife. Very upset.”
Jack leaned against the rough wall. “What? Kincaid’s alive? Here?”
“Here,sí.With his wife.” She jabbed her thumb behind her.
“They’re here now, together, in town?”
“Waiting for the stage,” she said.
He was reeling despite his numbed mind. Jack felt his heart pick up a heavy, thudding beat. She was here, in Tucson.With Kincaid. Could he never escape her? Where were they going? It was none of his business, he didn’t care. She was no longer of any concern to him. Were they leaving on the noon stage west, or the 3P.M. stage east? Both lines ran late—sometimes by a few hours—but usually by half a day, or even days.
Damn! Where were they going?
And why did he care?
He reminded himself that she had made her choice.
He thought of her in Kincaid’s arms.
Had their reunion been joyous? Had she wept with ecstasy because her husband was alive? How would she explain her loss of virginity? Viciously he hoped Kincaid would make her suffer for it.
“You have any whiskey around here?” he managed, focusing on the woman, who was watching him with careful interest.
He tried not to think as he belted down the shot she brought him. He was getting drunk again. After last night, it wouldn’t take much.Where were they going?
Why couldn’t he stop thinking about that heartless bitch?
