He began to deal,and Elise picked up her cards to reveal two pairs. She did her best to keep her face impassive, but knowing that it would only take one more card to acquire a full housecaused a thrill of excitement to shoot through her. It was the samefeelingassheobservedthe gamblerswhen they’dlain down theirhand.
“Do you need any cards?”
She discarded the eight of diamonds and said, “One, please.”
He handed it over and then he selected three from the deck.
She didn’t even look at the card she was dealt, but said, “I’ll raise youthree coins.” She added them to the pot.
Mr. Cade grinned, his dark eyes assessing. “You’re rather confident for someone who hasn’t even looked at your hand.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “It’s better that way. Then I don’t give too much away.”
“But aren’t you afraid that you’ll gamble too much?” he asked curiously.
“I have nothing to lose, so why not take a risk?”
***
Chauncey had the feeling there was more to the heart of that statement, but since he didn’t wish to pressure her, he said, “Very well. I see your three coins and raise you one more.”
After the coins were added, she glanced at her cards. He could almost see the wheels in motion as she contemplated her next move. But while she was preoccupied, it gave him the perfect opportunity to observe her.
He’d never met anyone who had such ice blond hair. It was definitely a remarkable characteristic, and combined with her dark blue eyes, she was an enchanting woman. It was as if she was an ice queen, cursed to live among the snow in isolation for the rest of her days.
He still couldn’t believe thatshelived in this cabin all alone and sofar from civilization. He’dthought it was a crime when hediscoveredthat she wasn’t married. He burned to know why, but since he would soon be on his way, he decided there was no use becoming close with someone he intended to leave behind. There was still a hole in his heart, and he wasn’t sure it could ever be completely filled. He blamed himself for his wife and son’s deaths,even though there was no way he could have known the tragic circumstances on that fateful day when they were taken from him. But it didn’t matter. Hehad beenfully aware of the growing restlessness among the traders,and he should have taken better precautions when it came to protecting his family.
It was a burden he would have to carry for the rest of his days. At one point he’dbeenso despondent that he was ready to lie down and never get up again, but thatwas about the timea lopsided hound had approached him with those big, brown eyes. Beau had saved him as surely as he had rescued themongrel.
“Three more.”
She slid over her set,and he tossed her the replacement hand. “Didn’t get what you wanted?” he asked.
She rolled her blue eyes at him. “I can’t tell you that. It would spoil the surprise when I beat you.”
Again, he chuckled. As she began to relax, he could see that, not only did she have a sharp wit, but she was also rather good company. He could imagine sitting around the fire in the eveningswith herin quiet camaraderiewhile Beau relaxed at their feet. It was a pleasant scene, but one he didn’t want to fantasize about too closely.
The slight truth that he’d concealed from her should be enough of a warning to move on as soon as the storm passed.
He shifted in his seat as a pang of guilt struck him.
“Getting nervous, Mr. Cade?”
He snortedat her teasing tone. “Hardly.”
“In that case…” She added four coins to the pot. “I call two and raise you another two.”
“The stakes are getting pretty high,” he murmured. He tossed in the requisite amount and tapped his hand on the table. “Your move, Miss Erindelle.”
She laid down a full house with a preening smile.
Chauncey thought of the royal flush that he had in his possession and sighed heavily. He didn’t have the heart to wipe the delight from her face. It would likely occur soon enough in his presence. He set his cards face down on the table. “I fold.”
She grinned and scooped the coins toward her. “Shall we play another round?”
He nodded, his eyes steady on her lovely face. “Of course, Miss Erindelle.”
***
