Chapter Fifteen

"Dear, are you quite certain you know where we are going?"

Penny grumbled under her breath. She wanted nothing in the world more than to be away from Gavin Hendershot. He'd been speaking the entire time they'd been out riding, saying how much he loved her, what kind of life she would have with him, how beautiful she was.... Penny sighed. She knew damn well she was not as beautiful as the first rays of sunlight streaming through the clouds after a summer rain. What kind of man said things like that? Penny was not impressed.

And the answer to the question he had posed was no. No, she had no idea where they were and hadn't for a while now. A long while. The sun was beginning its downward trek. They had been gone for a couple of hours at least.

Penny wondered how different this ride would be with Ace riding along beside her on Blackey. She wouldn't be lost, for one. And she wouldn't be bored out of her head, for another. If Ace were at her side, they would be laughing, teasing one another, possibly even sitting beside a stream or a pond where Penny would be losing herself in his kiss....

Gavin's voice interrupted her pleasant thoughts. "As much as I've enjoyed this time with you, we really should be getting back."

Penny nodded. She pulled Molly to a stop and hopped off her back. Gavin frowned down at her from beneath his bowler hat. "May I ask what you are doing?"

"I'm waiting," Penny replied, wishing there had been shade anywhere near where they were lost. She walked to a large boulder and sat down on it.

"For what? Death?"

Penny thought that sounded awfully tempting. She adjusted her hat on her head. "Eventually, someone will notice that we haven't come back, and they will come looking for us."

Gavin glanced around, clearly displeased with the entire situation. "I think it would be best to move on."

Penny waved her hand. "By all means go."

Gavin was grumbling as he dismounted his horse. "This behavior is most unbecoming of you." He came to sit beside her on the rock, much to her dismay.

Penny simply remained silent. If the man was hoping for an apology he would be sorely disappointed. He should simply be happy she had not yet throttled him.

Gavin moved in close to Penny—too close. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and when she attempted to pull away his grip merely tightened. "Don't be frightened, my dear. I will keep you safe."

Penny rolled her eyes. "How exactly? Do you carry a gun I can't see?"

Gavin's eyes widened as he shook his head. "Learn to speak more kindly to your betrothed," he warned.

Penny raised her brow. "Betrothed?"

Gavin simply continued on as if she had never spoken. "And of course I will keep you safe. As a gentleman, I have learned that nearly every combative situation can be resolved peacefully with nothing but common sense and intelligent language."

Oh, dear Lord! Who did this man think he was? Penny jerked herself out of his hold and scooted farther away. Gavin fell silent and the air between them was tense. Penny hoped someone would come looking for them soon.

It seemed they wouldn't come soon enough. A yip sounded from behind them. Penny turned her head, curious about the sound, only to realize that an entire pack of at least seven coyotes was heading their way. They appeared hungry and quite intent on a meal.

Penny felt her heart begin to pound as fear filled her. She swallowed hard. "I do not think those coyotes will be too interested in hearing your intelligent words."

She scrambled onto the rock with Gavin scrambling behind her. He wrapped his arms tight around her waist, pulling her close to him. "You'll be safe," he vowed, though the shaking in his voice did not give her confidence. Someone had better come soon, or she would be coyote dung.

"Gavin, let go of me," she snapped.

He released his hold and stepped away. "I apologize if I'm moving too quickly, dear. You are so beautiful, I cannot help myself."

Penny could not believe her ears. Hungry coyotes were heading their way and the man believed now was the time to spout such nonsense?

Speaking of coyotes... They were now surrounding the boulder. Their growls and snarls filled the air, drowning out everything else as they circled around.

When one suddenly leaped, Gavin screamed and ducked behind Penny. The coyote scrambled to find hold but slipped and fell back to the ground to continue his snarling. Penny glared at the man behind her. "Are you honestly hiding behind me?"

Temper flashed in Gavin's eyes, but he quickly adjusted his suit and shook his head. "Of course not, dear. It is my duty to protect you."

Penny sighed. If this man was her protection, she was most assuredly going to die.

***

"Why in the hell would she come out this far?" Ace asked Blackey. The horse merely flicked his tail in response as they rode along, following Penny's trail. It had taken Ace a long while to find it out here but thankfully, he had, and while he'd lost it a time or two, he knew he was going in the right direction.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't worried. Those rustlers weren't far away and if they found Penny alone with no one but fancy pants Gavin to keep her safe... Ace didn't even want to think about what would happen to the woman.

There was also the issue of Gavin himself. What if he had led Penny out this far so he could take advantage of having her alone? Ace popped his neck—he'd murder banker boy if Gavin had harmed a golden hair on Penny's head or taken something from her that wasn't his to take.

An image of Penny lost in the throes of passion as she laid in Gavin's arms flashed through Ace's mind. He hurried Blackey along a little faster. If that's what he ended up finding at the end of this trail, he'd beat the other man to a pulp—and then cry into a vat of whiskey.

Penny belonged to Ace and Ace belonged to her, it was as simple as that. And after today, there would never be reason for Penny to doubt that again.

The sound of coyotes caught his attention, followed by a feminine yell. Damn, Penny was in trouble. Ace urged Blackey to the top of the hill in front of them and then pulled the horse to a stop as he took in the scene.

Penny and Gavin were standing atop a boulder. A pack of coyotes were snarling, jumping, and trying desperately to reach them.

"Do something, Gavin!" Penny exclaimed.

"And what exactly would you like for me to do, dear?" Gavin snapped.

Penny let out an exasperated sigh before pulling off her hat and swatting at a coyote attempting to make his way onto the boulder. The beast took the hat between his teeth, and after a short struggle, Penny released her hold and watched as the coyote began to rip it to shreds on the ground below.

She stomped her tiny foot. "Hey, you flea-bitten, smelly canine! I loved that hat!" Ace smiled. She sure had fire, his Penny.

Gavin snorted, kicking out at a coyote whose head had topped over the boulder, knocking it back down. "That beast saved me from burning that horrid thing once we're married." This statement had Ace growling nearly as loud as the coyotes. Married? Over his dead body.

"Was there another Penny Burkart who agreed to marry you? Because I most certainly didn't," Penny assured Gavin as she yanked the end of her split riding skirt out of a coyote's mouth, tearing the fabric. Ace breathed a sigh of relief. At least the woman hadn't lost her mind completely.

Gavin swiped at his sweaty forehead. "You know you're going to marry me, dear," His jaw clenched. "I care so deeply for you."

Penny rolled her eyes. "Now is really not the time, Gavin. If you hadn't noticed, we will most likely be coyote dung soon." Ace chuckled. She sure had a way with words.

"Stop with your unladylike behavior," Gavin warned. "What exactly would you like me to do?"

It was clear to Ace that Penny was plenty irritated with Gavin Hendershot. She glared at him as her shoulders squared. "I don't know. You are the sophisticated gentleman who sees no need to carry a gun. I thought you stated that all dangerous situations could be diffused with common sense and the use of intelligent language." Penny waved her arms toward the coyotes. "Diffuse away, my dear! Perhaps you can use that intelligent language to convince the coyotes to not eat our faces off. That way we can still look good in our caskets!"

Ace was laughing harder than he'd laughed in a long time. "How dare you!" Gavin roared. "A proper lady does not speak that way to a gentleman."

"Yes, and a proper gentleman does not attempt to hide behind a woman."

"How about I simply throw you down there and let those coyotes have you while I make a run for it?" Gavin demanded. "However, that probably wouldn't work because not even coyotes will attempt to eat something as ugly as you."

Ace saw the hurt on Penny's face even though she probably thought she was hiding it. "And all that talk of me being as beautiful as the sunshine after rain nonsense you spouted earlier?"

Gavin snorted, swatting his bowler hat at a coyote. "I lied of course. I was trying to woo you into becoming my wife. No man will ever find beauty in a skinny, flat-chested, big-toothed, freckle-faced, snobby little twit like you."

Ace could sense that Penny's temper had just reached maximum capacity. She reached in the skirt of her riding skirt and pulled out what appeared to be a ring. "I have reached a decision about your earlier question."

"Give me the ring," Gavin demanded, holding out his hand. "I have changed my mind and retract my question. I don't care how much money your new family has or how it would help me pay my debts. A lifetime spent with you would be far worse than death by loan sharks."

Penny laughed harshly. "You want it back?" Gavin nodded. She raised her arm and let the ring fly. It was snatched by a coyote and swallowed before it ever hit the ground. "Follow that coyote around for a day or two and he's sure to return it."

Rage flashed in Gavin's eyes. He reached for Penny and Ace had no doubt that the man had every intention of tossing her off the boulder. Pulling his gun, Ace fired a shot in the air, scaring off the coyotes and causing Gavin to freeze and look his way.

Ace leapt off Blackey as Penny leapt off the rock. They rushed to each other and Ace pulled her into his arms, lifting her feet from the ground and holding her tight against him. "Are you okay, Princess?" he asked, burying his face in her hair.

"Now I am," Penny whispered, burying her face in his neck and clearly in no hurry to be released. Damn, the woman was perfection. Fiery, hot-headed, stubborn, beautiful perfection.

"Get your hands off my woman!" Gavin bellowed, scrambling down from the rock.

Ace sighed as he sat Penny on her feet. Instantly she whirled around, stuck those hands on those tiny hips and glared at Gavin. "I can assure you, Mr. Hendershot, that I am not your woman. You would not want a freckle-faced, flat-chested, big-toothed....."

Ace spun her around, silencing her. "You'll hush now," he urged gently. "You are beautiful and if that damn pipsqueak can't see that, it's only because you're mine."

Penny blinked several times, those green/gray eyes of hers staring up at him, clearly wondering if he met what he said. Ace smiled and pressed a tender kiss to her brow.

Then he quickly stepped around her and focused his attention on Gavin. As Ace strode the man's way, he could practically hear the coward's knees knocking together. He stood toe to toe with Gavin and stared hard at him. "And just what the hell were you about to do on that rock? From where I was at it looked an awful lot like you were about to throw Penny down to the coyotes."

Gavin took a step back and tugged on his collar. "Of course not. I would never put my betrothed in danger."

Ace felt his blood boil. He grabbed Gavin by the collar of his shirt and jerked him up off his feet. "Penny isn't marrying you, you damn coward. And you'll do well to leave her alone from now on."

Without giving Gavin time to say a word, Ace released him and turned his back, once again focusing on Penny. "Where is your horse?"

"Molly ran off when the coyotes came. She is probably back at the ranch enjoying her supper. Gavin's horse as well."

Ace shook his head. "And what exactly were you doing all the way out here?"

Penny walked to her tattered hat. "Oh, you know, playing with the locals." She ran her fingers over that torn and shredded hat, gazing at it as if she'd lost a great love.

Ace tilted his head. "Doesn't look like the locals were playing nicely."

Penny tossed the hat down. "Obviously not."

Ace motioned for her to come to him, happy when she did. "Come on, Princess. We need to be getting back before dark."

"How are we getting back without our horses?" Gavin demanded.

Ace clenched his fists. Damn, he wanted nothing more than to knock that man's teeth out. "Are your legs broke?" he snapped. Gavin's eyes narrowed but Ace was unfazed. "We're walking. Blackey could use the rest."

They began their walk and had been traveling for a bit before Penny slowed down and fell in step beside Gavin. "Gavin, I feel I should apologize for throwing your ring in my temper. I shouldn't have done that."

"Don't talk to me," Gavin snapped. His pouting had Ace chuckling.

"Of course, it seemed the coyote enjoyed it a bit more than I did," Penny quipped.

Ace's good humor fled when he glanced back to see Gavin grab Penny roughly by the arm. In a blink, Ace was there, hovering over the shorter man. "Is there a problem here?"

Gavin was quick to release his hold and take a step back. Penny rubbed at her abused skin and it only served to piss Ace off even more. "Of course not," Gavin assured him. "We were simply speaking about our engagement."

Penny snorted. "Or lack thereof."

Ace found himself laughing while Gavin seemed surprised and appalled. "You find her horrid sense of humor entertaining?" he demanded. "I find it to be the most unladylike thing I have ever heard."

Ace smiled down at Penny. "I find her to be very funny." He winked. "A bit of an annoying snob, sure, but always entertaining."

Penny's lips twitched. "Well thank you, Mr. Montgomery. You know for an ignorant drunkard, you're pretty entertaining yourself."

As Ace saw that mischievous glint in her eyes, it made him wish that Gavin were long gone so he could take the woman in his arms and kiss her senseless. Ace had thought of little else but her fiery kiss since the time they'd spent on that bench in town.

He held out his arm. "Why don't you come up here and walk with me, Princess? I'm sure you'll find the view a hell of a lot better." Ace felt content and proud as hell to have her near him as she looped her arm through his.

They walked together arm in arm awhile. Coyotes howled and yipped in the distance and Ace felt Penny shiver. He stooped down and brushed his lips to her temple. "Don't worry about them coyotes. You've got a real man to protect you now."

Ace could tell that his kiss and nearness effected Penny. Heat rose to her face and she stumbled a bit—though Ace knew better than to mention it. Finally, she composed herself. "And just how many bullets do you have left in that gun?"

"Five."

Her brow rose. "There are seven coyotes."

Ace laughed and pulled her tighter into his side. "Don't you worry none, Princess. I'll just do what the great Davey Crockett would have done, and grin 'em to death."

Penny didn't seem impressed. "Grin them to death?"

"Absolutely." Ace flashed a smile. "Do you know any coyote who could resist this face?"

Now it was Penny's turn to laugh and the sound was music to Ace's ears. "I certainly hope not, because if they attack I have every intention of tripping you and taking off running. Hopefully, they will be so busy being charmed by that face of yours, they won't even notice little old me getting away."

Ace winced. "How about we just give them the banker man and we both run away."

Penny tsked him. "Don't be mean to Mr. Hendershot. I never should have taken that ring in the first place. He simply would not take no for an answer. I knew my heart could never be his."

Ace focused on the horizon. "And why's that?"

Penny brushed a bit of dirt from her sleeve and suddenly seemed very interested in the smudge left behind. "It belongs to someone else."

Ace nearly tripped and fell. Damn. Please, let the woman be talking about him. He'd worked hard to show her he was worthy of her affection. "Do I know him?"

Penny shrugged. "You may. He's a charming, devil of a man. Cocky, arrogant, and he has a weakness for scantily dressed women, a fondness for whiskey, and a real talent for poker."

Ace laughed. "He sounds like a winner to me. I thought you might be talking about me for a second but you couldn't be. I only have one weakness nowadays and she's a snobby, annoying, little princess with hair like gold and eyes that shimmer like emeralds."

Before Penny could reply, Gavin's laughter rang out behind them. "Is that why you turned me down, Penny?" Penny and Ace stopped walking and turned to face him. "You snubbed me because you are hoping for a future with Ace Anderson? You are more foolish than I thought. Everyone knows what kind of man Ace is. There isn't a woman at the saloon or brothel that he hasn't had at least a dozen times and the man practically lives in the jail!"

Ace removed his arm from Penny's and stepped toward Gavin. "Guess I'm fixin' to go back home then, cuz I'm gonna stomp your ass."

Gavin raised his arms to shield himself but before Ace could throw a bunch, Penny grabbed his arm. He glared down at her. "What?"

"Why don't you both calm down and Gavin can agree not to speak the rest of the way to the ranch?" she offered.

Ace was pissed. He could see the pleading in her eyes. Pleading for what? Gavin's jaw? The bastard deserved to have it broken after the things he'd said about Penny, himself, and nearly throwing her off a rock to hungry coyotes.

"He deserves a broken jaw," Ace countered stubbornly.

Penny rolled her eyes and released her hold on him. "Not everything has to be solved with brutality. You boys can play nice and we can return home before dark."

Gavin heaved a sigh of relief as they all started walking once again. Ace, however, was seething. "You sure you don't want to marry him, Princess? You seemed awful quick to step in and defend him."

Penny looked up at him, clearly annoyed. "No, I don't want to marry him."

Ace snorted and looked straight ahead. "I think y'all make a great couple. He can run that damn mouth of his and get in trouble and you can rush on in and save him from the ass kickin' he deserves."

"Stop being jealous, Ace."

"I ain't jealous of that damn weasel. Go ahead and marry him. I'll send a gift."

Penny's shoulders squared, and that nose went up. "Isn't that funny? Just a moment ago you were claiming to have a weakness for me."

Again, Gavin laughed, clearly forgetting the fact that he was supposed to remain silent. "That is hilarious! You actually believed the shit he spouted? You have a lot to learn about ol' Ace. There's a reason all the whores love him. That man is good with words and know just what to say to have them raising their skirts."

Penny stared up at Ace. There was so much hurt in her eyes that it made him hurt, but dammit, he was done defending himself. He had done everything he could to show the woman he was worthy. He had given up all his old loves to show her that she was what he wanted—and still she doubted him. She was willing to listen to men like Gavin Hendershot and judge Ace by what they said.

Penny swallowed hard. "Well, I am incredibly stupid."

Ace knew he shouldn't do it, but his mouth overrode his brain. "Yep."

He was shocked speechless when Penny's hand suddenly fell sharply across his face. "I believe we've said all we have to say to each other, Mr. Montgomery. I won't be played for a fool." She gathered herself up, jerked Blackey's rains from Ace's hand and hopped onto the horse's back. "Since I now recognize the trail, I will be getting home now."

Ace watched her ride away. He knew all he'd have to do was whistle and Blackey would toss her on her ass in the dirt and come back to him. He didn't do that though. He didn't want Penny to get hurt.

Gavin chuckled. "She sure showed you."

Ace raised his hand to his stinging cheek and glared at Gavin. "You better shut your mouth, banker man. Your body guard ain't here to protect you now."

Gavin swallowed hard and found his good sense, thankfully. Both men fell silent as they continued their walk. Ace made up his mind then that he was going to head straight to the saloon once he got his horse. He'd drink some whiskey, play some poker, and think about what in the hell he was going to do about Penny Burkart.

When they reached the ranch, Ace had never been so happy to see someone leave as he was watching Gavin get on his cart and ride away. Ace headed for the barn. Blackey had been unsaddled and was resting comfortably in a stall. Ace decided he'd just let the horse continue his rest. He began to saddle a gelding named Pedro.

Just as he was finishing up, Ace heard footsteps heading his way. Before he could turn, a hand fell sharply on the back of his head, then it struck again. Ace raised both hands to cover his head as he turned to see who was attacking him.

"Dammit, Maggie, stop hitting me!" he demanded. "I've had all I'm gonna take of women hitting me. I'm about to start hitting back."

Maggie stood there, her brown eyes narrowed, her arms crossed and her boot tapping. "What did you do to her?"

Ace rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall of the stall. "Not a damn thing."

"Don't give me that bullshit. You did somethin'. The poor woman came home, was clearly fightin' tears, and hid herself in her room without supper."

Ace felt the hurt in his chest grow. He hated knowing that Penny was crying... But, hell, she'd done it to herself. It wasn't his fault that she'd took Gavin at his word. "I didn't do a damn thing to her, Maggie. I rescued her and Gavin from some coyotes and was leading them back home. Gavin decided to run his mouth about the kind of man he thinks I am and Penny chose to believe him."

Maggie cocked her hip. "And did you tell her anything different or just let her believe what Gavin said?"

Ace threw his hands up and grabbed Pedro's reins. "Look, little sister, she made her mind up about the man I am a long time ago. She still thinks I'm an arrogant, whore-hopping, whiskey-guzzling asshole, and I won't keep defending myself to a woman who thinks I'm not worth it."

"Sounds like you're letting your pride get in the way, son," Ed stated, stepping into the barn.

Ace cursed under his breath. "What is this? A damn intervention?"

Ed shook his head. "Your mother and I are worried about you. We know good and well that you have fallen for Penny. We can also see that she has fallen for you. Yet, all you both seem able to do is miscommunicate. Both of you have faults. Yours seems to be your foolish pride."

"Yep, Ace has heaps and heaps of it," Maggie agreed.

Ace fought the urge to stick her smug face in a pile of horse dung like he'd done to her once when they'd been kids. He decided to focus on his father instead. "I have pride pa, and it ain't foolish. I've done all I can do to show her I'm not the man she thought I was and none of it has been good enough for her."

Ed sighed. "I know that Penny has faults as well, Ace. Things you'll need to work out together. But you'll have to put your pride aside and truly communicate."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Ace shook his head. "I won't beg for her pa. I ain't the type of man that has to beg for a woman."

He saw the anger in his pa's blue eyes. The man's gaze was hard. "You're right. You don't have to beg for a woman. Whores will love any man with a bit of coin in his pocket." Ace felt his face redden with shame as he dropped his gaze, unable to continue looking his father in the eye. "Montgomery, if there is any chance you might love that woman then you need to know something. Foolish, stubborn pride and real love cannot live in the same body. Love isn't like the fairy tales. We are humans with human thoughts, human faults, and human fears. Your mother and I have managed to stay together happily because we are both willing to put pride aside and work hard to understand and empathize with each other. We communicate and we respect each other. You'll have to swallow that pride, Ace, and, if necessary get on your knees to crawl through hell with that woman. She has had a hard life. She has not been shown any real love and acceptance of family until coming here. Life has taught her that she cannot trust anyone and that men are like her father."

"I'm not him though," Ace insisted, feeling frustration.

Ed nodded, patting his son on the shoulder. "I know you're not, son. And it's not fair that she's placing that on your shoulders, but she's only human as well. I suppose only you can decide if Penny, and the feelings you have for her, are worth the work."

With those parting words Ed left the barn. Damn his father. And damn Ace's own heart because is most certainly did love that wounded little package of dynamite currently in the house.

Ace sighed as he turned around and realized his sister was still there—still wearing that smug expression. "Don't say a word, Maggie."

"You love her, don't you?"

"That was five words."

Maggie was completely undeterred. "Are you gonna crawl for her, Ace?"

Ace was about to tell his sister to go jump off the nearest cliff. He was stopped however when he saw Jose stepping into the barn, carrying a package... Damn. Why did Maggie have to be here right now?

"Ace, when I was unloading supplies earlier today I found this with your name on it."

Ace took it from Jose and nodded. "Thanks."

Once Jose had gone, Ace went about unwrapping the hat box. "What's in there?" Maggie demanded. "Did you get yourself a new hat? I thought you loved that nasty one you wear everywhere."

"My damn hat ain't nasty," Ace countered. "And no, it ain't mine."

He opened the hat box and Maggie gasped in horror at the straw woven hat Ace pulled out. It was ridiculously large with a good ten-inch brim. Said brim was covered in pink, blue, and purple silk flowers, adorned with green silk leaves. There was a yellow ribbon tied around the hat that dangled a good three feet off the back.

"Dear God..." Maggie muttered. "This one is even worse than that other one she wore."

Ace smiled. "I know. She'll love it."

"When did you order this?"

"About a week ago. I saw it in a catalogue and thought of her." He put the hat back in the box and handed it to Maggie. "Give this to the Princess."

His sister frowned and for once didn't seem to have anything smart to say. "Don't you wanna do it, Ace? The two of you could talk."

Ace shook his head. "I'm gonna give the fire cracker time to calm down. I'll talk to her in the morning."

Ace hopped on Pedro and rode out of the barn. He paused a moment before deciding the saloon no longer sounded like fun and turning the horse for home.