A Mail-Order Hope (Miners to Millionaires Book 3) Read online

  He didn’t want to stop touching her, stop kissing her, tasting her. It was madness. His personal form of hell.

  He should’ve never placed a finger on her. He should’ve never agreed to any of this. How was he supposed to stay away from her? To forget that any of this happened when he just wanted to keep doing it?

  He released her completely and she whimpered at the loss of contact. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep to calm himself, but only succeeded in pulling in her scent—her delicate, delicious, honeysuckle scent. He was in so much trouble.

  He kept his eyes closed, figuring figured it was safer than looking at her while he tried to get his body under control.

  She was right. She’d been right the whole time. He would go back to the mountain when this was all done, but he was too selfish and craved a piece of her to take with him. He would be stuck on that mountain for the rest of his life, but he would remember this. Remember the way she looked and felt and tasted.

  Chapter 6

  Nothing Belle did calmed her heart down. Heavens, what had she done? She’d grabbed Asher and kissed him! She’d never done anything so forward in her entire life.

  Even now, watching him with his eyes closed, her gaze drew to his pulse. It pounded like he’d run up the mountain. She should back away, should give them both space. But all she really wanted to do was place her lips right on that one flickering spot.

  She swallowed hard, forcing herself to step back. She glanced around him to see if the others were still there and found Asher watching her when her gaze returned to him. “Do you think they’ve gone?”

  He didn’t answer, but just looked at her as she imagined a hungry cougar did a deer. She took a step in retreat, and it seemed to snap something in him. He moved forward, stalking her as she continued backward.

  Her pulse jumped, and she suddenly knew exactly how a deer would feel. “What are you doing?” The words came out a moment before her back pressed up against another tree. He took advantage and caged her in with his body, leaning a hand next to her head to hold her in place.

  Her stomach fluttered and her blood hummed warmer, but she didn’t move.

  Neither did he.

  Stuck in that embrace, they gazed at one another, both wanting to say things that couldn’t be said. Things neither knew how to say. Finally, he pulled back, and she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

  He turned away. “We should go check if the clue is there.”

  So they weren’t going to talk about it? Maybe that was for the best. “All right,” she replied. “And I agree, by the way. Let’s just pretend that didn’t happen.”

  Quicker than she could blink, he spun around and pinned her against the tree once more.

  “There’s going to be no pretending about it.” His breathing was heavy, and the harsh rise and fall of his chest on hers teased her. “Your taste will be branded in my mind forever. I will sleep at night and dream of you against me, of the way you smell. You might be able to forget this, but I guarantee, there will be no forgetting it for me.”

  With that promise, he wrenched away from her and didn’t stop until he was out of the trees.

  His words paralyzed her. He would never forget? He’d dream of her at night? The way she tasted and smelled?

  Arousal filled her until she thought she would die unless he touched her again.

  She’d known attraction in her life, but nothing had ever come close to this. Nothing had ever completely consumed her until she thought she’d go mad. This was lust, complete and total lust. And all she wanted to do was touch him again, to not stop touching him. Ever.

  It’s what you deserve, she scolded herself. She had pushed and pushed and pushed until he’d snapped. She thought she could make him see reason, to force him to feel. And all she’d accomplished was opening herself and laying herself bare. Now she was the one filled with memories and longing.

  How would they get through the rest of the hunt? She was sure Asher would be fine no matter how affected he might seem. She, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure. Because the minute she stepped out of the trees and saw him again, her heart started beating harder, the skin beneath her corset became hot and achy, and she just wanted him to touch her. To roughly run his hands up her back and hold her as he had earlier.

  “Come on,” he commanded.

  She didn’t argue, and instead simply followed him to the mine.

  What was I thinking?

  As they rode away from the cave to their next location, Asher’s mind replayed the scene back in the woods over and over. He’d touched her, kissed her, and all he could think about was doing it again. How had he gone from stone cold, to blazing hot, in less than a second? It was as if the moment her lips had touched his, all reason—all control—had fled.

  And for the life of him, he couldn’t get it back.

  The next clue was found with a little trickery by the bank, but finally, they had the last clue. It was almost finished.

  “For the last and best, go to where the town was founded and claimed the nest,” Belle read. “Nest?”

  He had to think about what she’d read, because he’d been too focused on her neck and the way it curved into her shoulder, and how much he desperately needed to kiss her there. “Nest… Probably just the only thing they could rhyme. It must be a basket or something that has the prize.”

  She harrumphed. “Probably. Do you know where the town was founded?”

  His lips twitched, but he did his best to hide his amusement. She didn’t seem as carefree and determined to bring him back to the world as she had when they’d first started. Honestly, they’d both changed during this excursion. Neither of them had expected blazing heat to ignite between them.

  “Most people will think it’s the town square, but they’re wrong. It’s not commonly known, but the town was founded half a mile away from here. There’s a small rock marking it, but other than that, there’s little fanfair to it.”

  “Then how do you know about it?”

  “I’ve been around a long time.”

  Her brows narrowed. “How long?”

  “Since it was founded.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You’ve lived here that long?” Her gaze whipped to his. “You came with Ronan.”

  She couldn’t know all the details of what had happened, and he wasn’t going to fill in the blanks for her. He saw that she wasn’t asking him to either, and he was grateful for that. When he and Ronan had arrived all those years ago, after Asher had helped Ronan escape from the military prison, they’d stayed together to survive for the first little while. But when it was apparent that Ronan was bent on revenge against the man who’d falsely accused him, and more importantly, when Asher refused to help Ronan in the endeavor—one that would end badly, no matter what happened—they’d gone their separate ways.

  But Asher had never forgotten his friend. “It was a long time ago.”

  She nodded, but he knew she could never truly understand. No one could. Ronan was the one person he’d been able to save—initially, anyway. He’d hadn’t been able to save Ronan from himself though.

  They made it to the glade and dismounted at the edge, then walked their horses to congratulate the winners, who’d made it there five minutes earlier. If they hadn’t lingered in the trees, Belle and Asher would’ve won.

  But when Asher glanced down at the happiness on Belle’s face as she looked at the winners, he realized she didn’t care. He certainly didn’t regret that moment in the trees. Although there was no telling how he would feel in the future. The memories would probably haunt him.

  They waited in the meadow, talking to the sheriff and Clara as they waited for the rest of the hunters. After an hour, Sawyer gestured for everyone to quiet down.

  “Congratulations to the winners.” A loud applause followed his words. “We appreciate everyone’s participation and hope you’ll join us next time. In the meantime, there are refreshments in Sally’s Cafe for the players to e
njoy.”

  More boisterous cheers sounded as people mounted up to get their treats. Asher needed to get back to the mountain to think about everything that had happened today, and repair any damage to the wall he’d built around his emotions.

  “Are you coming too?”

  His eyes were drawn to Belle as she asked the question. No was on the tip of his tongue. He didn’t want to be around her, and just couldn’t be around the town any longer than needed. But a part of him whispered that he was lying. He wanted to be with her, even if it was just another hour.

  Well, this was part of the hunt, he argued with himself, justifying his desire to go with her. “It’s still part of the scavenger hunt, isn’t it? I’m a man of my word.”

  The smile that curved her lips was worth any pain he might suffer later.

  He was a sick, sick man.

  Belle nibbled on a cookie across from Asher. He’d insisted on having his back to a wall. It made sense really, he didn’t want to be surprised. Not that he’d get many surprises at this little gathering.

  “So,” she began, then paused as her tongue darted out and licked up a piece of icing on her lip. When his eyes flicked to the movement, darkening ever so slightly, she swallowed hard. “Have you decided which activity you want to participate in?”

  “I haven’t given it much thought.”

  “It’s only two days away.” She tsked, setting down the treat. “With a town this size, there aren’t many options. There’ll be the horse race, the shooting contest, the pie baking, the—”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “I’ll bake a pie.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You’re joking, right?”

  He gave her an innocent look. “Living alone, I do all the cooking. If I want pie, I have to make one.”

  “You can’t be serious!” she exclaimed. “Usually only women enter. Besides, it defeats the purpose of this whole thing if you bake it at home and—”

  He held up his hands and laughed. “Remind me again never to go up against you.” She wasn’t appeased. “I was teasing you. I can’t bake a pie fit for a dog.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well then, any other ideas of what you’d like to do?”

  “I’ll shoot.”

  Her eyes gleamed and she knew it. She could feel herself doing it, but couldn’t stop it.

  “What?” he asked, suddenly weary.

  “I’m entered in the shooting contest.”

  “You? Do you know how?”

  She glared playfully. “Of course I know how. My father taught me.”

  “Well, this’ll be fun.”

  “Yes. It’ll be fun when I beat you.”

  He chuckled again and drew a few stares from people. “You’ll have to be really good to do that.”

  She shrugged. He was so cocky right now, she didn’t feel the need to tell him she was rather accomplished. Better that he finds out just how good she was later. “I’m all right.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

  And just like that, all teasing left.

  “Are you really?” He was looking forward to something. She felt like the world just lit up from those few words.

  He nodded slowly. “I am, actually.”

  “Good. It’ll make beating you that much sweeter.”

  The room quieted instantly as three rough-looking and filthy men entered the cafe.

  Belle’s lip curled as she recognized Simon, the man in the middle, who’d harassed the women when they’d first come into town. “What are they doing here?”

  At that moment, their eyes landed on Asher, who slowly stood from the table.

  The men sauntered forward as if they owned the place.

  “Well, well...if it ain’t Asher Walker,” Simon said with a smirk.

  The others in the room backed away from the men, sensing trouble. Belle glanced around for help, and her gaze finally landed on Aria. Their eyes met, and the other woman mouthed, I’ll go get help.

  Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long to find Sawyer. Belle was sure he could stop this from turning deadly.

  Asher didn’t speak, and she stepped toward the men, hoping to keep Asher silent.

  “How are you, gentlemen?” She almost choked on the word. These men were not, nor would they ever be, gentlemen. “We’re glad you could stop by. Why don’t you take a few treats before you head back out again?”

  Simon leered at her from head to toe, and she held still during his lewd inspection.

  “Sure,” the vile man said. “I’ll take something sweet all right.”

  “Enough.”

  Belle closed her eyes when Asher spoke, his tone low and deadly. She’d been hoping to keep this from happening. “Asher—”

  He silenced anything further she was going to say, and moved her so she was standing behind him.

  “What do you want?” he asked the unruly group.

  Simon laughed loudly. “What do we want?” He gestured to the two silent thugs beside him. “We want you out of our town, friend. Away”—he glanced over Asher’s shoulder and nodded toward Belle—“from our women.”

  Anger surged in her. “Why, you!”

  Asher kept her behind him when she tried to move around and face the vile creatures, and said to the men, “This may be your town, but these aren’t your women. This one certainly doesn’t seem to belong to you.”

  Dread pooled in her stomach. He was baiting them, trying to get them angry. Why would he do that?

  At that moment—and not one moment too soon, at that—Sawyer stormed into the cafe, a shotgun in his hands. “What is going on in here?” His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of the trio. “Do you have business here, Simon?”

  Simon’s gaze lingered on Asher’s a moment longer, tauntingly, before he looked at Sawyer. “No, sir. We’re just here to enjoy some of the town’s hospitality.”

  Sawyer’s stance widened aggressively. “I think you’ve had just about enough of it. Grab a cookie and be on your way.”

  With unbanked anger, Simon shifted toward Sawyer. “I’m a free man, sheriff. I can go where I please.”

  “True. But this isn’t your property. Sally,” he called out, but kept his eyes on the men, “Are these three welcome here right now?”

  “No.” The voice was quiet but strong, and Belle searched out the timid young widow who owned the place.

  Sawyer shrugged. “There you go.” He gestured to the door with his gun.

  The men glared at Asher, then Sally, before turning and leaving.

  The tension in the room slowly drained when Sawyer followed them out, but the cheer from the afternoon seemed permanently banished.

  “I’m sorry,” Belle said. Everything had been so perfect, then one little thing, one small group of bullies, and she feared her progress was ruined.

  “It’s what I expected.” He finished the lemonade in his glass before turning toward the door. “I’ll see you at the Founder’s Festival.”

  She didn’t answer as he walked out, dashing all the hopeful encouragement she’d felt not long before.

  Chapter 7

  In and out.

  That was Asher’s plan for the Founder’s Day celebration. The less time he spent with others, the better off everyone would be. If the encounter at Sally’s Café hadn’t convince Belle of that, nothing would.

  The run-in with Simon had been timely. Asher had gotten too comfortable with Belle. A part of him had even thought he could see her every once in a while.

  Idiot.

  Things could’ve ended a lot differently if Sawyer hadn’t intervened—guns could’ve been drawn, a stray bullet could’ve…

  He hiked his shotgun higher on his shoulder as he marched toward the gathering crowd in the town square.

  In and out.

  He’d remembered from previous years that the shooting portion of the day’s activities occurred in the morning, which was perfect. He’d take his turn and compete until he was
either out or won. He could save himself a lot of trouble if he fudged the shot, but he still had his pride. He would do the best he could, and if someone beat him, it was because they’d been the better shooter that day. He wouldn’t rob anyone of their rightful victory.

  It was mid-morning when he arrived, so many people were already gathered. It wasn’t as bad as it would be later, he knew. Even though it’d been years since he’d participated in the events, he still remembered the crowds.

  He breathed deeply, inhaling the fresh baked pies the ladies in town had prepared for the contest later in the day. Whoever got to judge that event was one lucky dog. It’d been ages since he’d had a good helping of apple pie. Perhaps he should try his hand at baking one more time. A few blackened pies didn’t mean he was hopeless forever, did it?

  “Asher, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Asher turned at Sawyer’s voice and accepted the man’s firm handshake. “I’m here for the shooting competition. I won’t be staying much after that.”

  “We’re glad to have you around for as long as you’ll stay.” Sawyer looked around, always looking out for trouble. “I hope you know, not everyone in town feels the way Simon and his gang do.”

  Asher tried to shrug off the sheriff’s words, but they dug in and found a place to settle. “I can’t say one way or another. But it isn’t about them. It’s better that I stay away.”

  “Better for who?” The sheriff raised a brow, but didn’t let Asher answer. “In any case, we’re glad you’re here. Your entry will really bring up the competition a notch.”

  “Thanks. Where should I set up?”

  “Set up?” He gestured around the square. “You’re welcome to rest anywhere you’d like.”

  Asher’s eyes darted around at the groups of people mingling and laughing around the town. There was no way he was going to set up his rifle anywhere near those people. Had Sawyer lost his mind?

  “You want me to set up for shooting in the square?”

  “What?” Confusion marred Sawyer’s brow, before finally clearing in understanding. “Oh. You haven’t heard. We’ve rearranged the schedule this year. Shooting is normally in the morning, but we’ve moved it to the afternoon.”