Denton had also worn a disguise. He’d told her that several people in Helena recognized him, and they would definitely notice when he suddenly had a woman on his arm. He wore a top hat like an upper-class gentleman and even found a fake mustache and spectacles. Out of the two, he was the one who looked like someone entirely different. She still felt that her face and eyes would give her identity away.
They stopped at the hotel, and Denton climbed down, using his walking stick for show only, and helped her out of the vehicle. She kept her gaze down to the ground as she hooked her arm around his and moved with him inside the building.
As Denton stood by the counter to check them in, she pressed herself to his side and kept from looking around the lobby. He checked them in as Mr. and Mrs. Duane Parker. She wasn’t sure if her fluttering heart was due to her nerves, or because she looked forward to pretending to be his wife. The kiss they had shared last night had stayed on her mind, keeping her from getting much sleep, and definitely keeping her daydreaming during their journey. Denton was a very passionate man, and being married to him would be an everyday thrill for her.
Denton tipped a lad who worked for the hotel into bringing up their trunks. Of course, she knew it was only her clothes in the trunks, but nobody else had to know that. Denton played the part of the aristocrat gentleman perfectly. It eased her worries slightly that perhaps nobody would notice they were in disguise. It was a good thing he was with her. She would have botched this up by now on her own.
They didn’t say anything as they climbed the stairs to their room, and once they were inside and the trunks were hauled up, Denton closed the door and locked it. She sighed heavily and yanked off her wig, tossing it on the bed. She scrubbed her fingers through her hair, pulling it out of the tight coil it had once been, but she didn’t care. Her poor scalp had been punished enough.
Denton chuckled and took off his mustache and spectacles. “I take it that the wig didn’t suit you, Mrs. Parker?”
She rolled her eyes. “All it did was make my head itch.”
“Then, I’m relieved you won’t be going out with me this evening when I visit Albert’s estate.”
“I will stay inside and read a book.” She nodded decisively.
“And, you mustn’t answer the door – not for anyone. I’ll have a key, so you don’t need to worry about me.”
He moved to the bed and took off his top hat and his long coat. He dug through his carpetbag and pulled out his regular coat and hat. Courtney had to admit she thought he was much better looking this way.
“Do you think Albert’s children are still at his estate?”
Denton shrugged. “I don’t know, but I would think they are. They need to get their father ready for burial, and then they’ll have to figure out what to do about his estate.”
Courtney moved to the wall and leaned her back against it as she watched Denton prepare himself to leave as the bounty hunter. What they were pretending was very improper, but what other choice did they have? Although this was wrong, being away from her heartless parents and on her own gave her a sense of freedom she’d never had before. She liked feeling as if she was in control of her own life – even though at the moment, she still felt helpless. That would change. She was confident Denton would discover something.
“I’m sure Louise will claim the estate, especially when everyone else has their own place to live,” she said, returning to the conversation.
He glanced at her and winked. “I was thinking that very thing.”
“Then, am I to assume she will be the first one you start questioning?”
“You assume correctly, Mrs. Parker.”
She smiled, loving how he kept calling her that name as if he enjoyed their role play. Of course, she knew it would come to an end. The only thing she wouldn’t miss would be the wig.
He stuffed his pistol inside his coat and turned to her, smiling. “I have a good feeling about this. God willing, I’ll catch the killer today.”
“And I will pray that you do.”
He stood staring at her for several undisturbed seconds, and her heartbeat quickened. Would he kiss her before he left? She wouldn’t mind it at all. He took another pistol out of his carpetbag and placed it on the bed.
“I’m leaving this here for you, just in case you need it.”
She stared at the weapon and gulped. “I’m not sure I can use one. You saw what happened the last time I held a gun.”
“I have faith in you.” He winked. “Besides, that last time you held a gun, the bank robbers had pointed the gun at us, so it was a natural reaction to have.”
“All right. I just hope I don’t have to use it.”
“Me, too.”
He headed toward the door, and her hopes sank. It looked as if she wasn’t going to get a kiss goodbye after all.
“Remember,” he said as he rested his hand on the doorknob, “don’t open the door for anyone, and stay away from the window.”
“I’ll do nothing but read and sleep while you’re gone.” She gave him a reassuring smile.
