“Then here.”
Sharply, he nodded. “Then here.”
“Where you want to buy my saloon?”
“Yes.”
She studied him. “And that’s it.”
Keeping her level gaze, he nodded again. Bloody hell, she was too sharp. She knew there was something more to his story, and he shouldn’t have said what he had about his time shovelling coal. If he weren’t quick to discern how to tell her, she’d figure it out for herself.
“And you act the fool because…?”
At least this he could tell her. “Because you learn more if people think you’re dull-witted. It’s like you wearing the black of widow weeds.”
She raised her brows, all ironical-like. “So men remember their place?”
“So you lead them to believe what you want them to believe.”
The corner of her mouth lifted in a wry smile. Touché, he supposed. “What do you need to learn?”
He stared at her helplessly. Christ, he wished he’d never signed that damn confidentiality agreement. He’d thought nothing of it, had done what the contract stipulated a hundred times. Never had he become personally involved. But now, with Alice... “Ican’ttell you. Not yet.”
She tilted her head. “Can’t?”
“I swear, as soon as humanly possible, I will tell you.” God, please, let her believe him.
A moment passed. Another. She studied him with that considering look on her face, and he prayed to every god he’d ever heard of that she would accept his words.
“I won’t wait forever,” she finally said.
“I know.”
She regarded him a moment more, before nodding as if to herself. Crawling toward him, she pushed him back so she could lay by his side.
Hardly daring to breathe lest she change her mind, he placed his arms around her. Thank Christ she’d given him time. When next she asked, and it would be sooner than he’d like, she wouldn’t be so willing to accept vague promises.
Stroking her back, he stared unseeingly at the wall. He had to find a way around his contract.
