“Because.” He took a breath that shuddered. “Because I love her.”
The words hung in the room. Pearl stared at him, shock drawing her features. Garrett’s remained expressionless. The gunslinger wore a grin, shaking his head as he took some whiskey.
Rupert blinked. Christ. What had he said?I love her.He tried out the words in his head. He loved her. Helovedher. He lovedher.
Alice. He loved Alice. She wore racy underthings and wanted to conquer Paris. She loved roast carrots and gravy, and when he held her, when he was near her, he couldn’t see the end. He wanted to spend every moment of the rest of his life with her.
He loved her.
Well, glory be. He loved Alice Reynolds. Joy bloomed inside him
Pearl seemingly recovered from her shock, her expression hardening. “If youloveher so goddamn much, then you would already know where she was.”
Still dazed by the revelation of his love, he looked at her. Slowly, her words penetrated, and despondence drowned the brief flash of joy.
His smile fell. “She’s honestly not here, is she?”
Arms still crossed, she didn’t answer.
Gone. No longer in Ironwood, and he’d no notion of when she’d return. Pearl wouldn’t tell him, and it was a safe bet none other in her employ would be willing to divulge.
No matter. He would wait for Alice. He would wait for her until the sun burned to nothingness, but she had to come back sooner or later, didn’t she? She wouldn’t abandon the Diamond, and the Spectacular was in another three weeks—
The Spectacular. Of course. Suddenly, he knew exactly where she was. She was in—
“San Francisco.”
His head whipped around.
Garrett stood behind Pearl, his gaze level. “She’s in San Francisco,” he repeated.
Whirling around, Pearl shoved him. “How could you tell him?”
Garrett absorbed her shove, his feet steady. “He needed to know.”
“Hebetrayedher.”
“I reckon he’s sorry for that.” Never taking his eyes from her, he said to Rupert, “You sorry, Llewellyn?”
Rupert laid his hand over his heart. “You have no idea how much.”
“There. He’s sorry. Reckon it is Mrs Reynolds should hear it also.”
With a frustrated exhalation, Pearl threw her hands up in the air. “I won’t forgive you for this.”
Garrett said nothing, merely watching as she stormed off. He turned his gaze to Rupert. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t.” He had a million things to do. He had to finish off what business he could before the train to Cheyenne departed in the morning. From there, he would purchase passage to San Francisco and— He paused. “Thank you.”
Garrett nodded.
Full of purpose, he raced from the Diamond, sped across the thoroughfare and into the boarding house, ignoring the hurried greeting of Mrs Bartel as he sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
Bursting into his room, he saw Smith half-rise from a chair, obviously startled by his entrance. Good. Smith’s presence meant he wouldn’t need to track the man down. “Smith, you need to handle things here for a bit.” He pulled his suitcase from the closet and started throwing clothes into it.
“Boy, what are you talking about? Where are you—”
Discarding a shirt, he threw some socks in the case. “Make sure the Fulham contract is completed in the next few days and wire it to me once you’re done. Clark is ready to sign, he just needs a push.” Underdrawers, waistcoat, jacket. “Tell him his wife could buy fancy linens with the income. He’d do much for her.”
“Rupert!”
The sharpness of Smith’s tone, and the unfamiliar use of his first name, had him looking up.
Concern drew Smith’s brows together. “What in tarnation’s got you so riled, boy?” Slowly, comprehension dawned over Smith’s face. “This is about your girl, isn’t it?”
Locking his suitcase, he grinned. “Wish me luck, manservant. I’m off to San Francisco.”
