Page 36 of Calder Country

He’d expected to walk into the kitchen and get some help. Instead, he found himself in a shadowy hall with a staircase leading up to the second floor. It appeared that this passageway had been designed for discreet access to the hotel.

She cast her gaze around the dim space. “My room’s upstairs,” she murmured. “Put me down. I can walk.”

“Don’t push your luck.” Mason started up the stairs, still holding her. “What’s your room number?”

* * *

Ruby gave him the number. Being carried by Mason made her feel like a helpless child. But in its own way, being in a man’s arms was strangely comforting. Her body began to relax and soften. Tingles of awareness rose from the core of her body to trickle along her limbs. She released a long breath.

His arms were solid muscle, and his shirt smelled of smoke from the fires. Where her head lay against his chest, she could hear the drumming of his heart.

They reached the top of the stairs. The long corridor was empty except for a tired-looking maid pushing a laundry cart. She gave them a curious glance before disappearing into one of the rooms. Was she just doing her work? Or did that work include a call to Leo Colucci, who had spies everywhere? If Colucci got word that his pilot—the woman he wanted to claim—had been seen with a man, that could mean trouble for her and for Mason.

Ruby went rigid against him. “My room’s here, on your left,” she muttered. “Put me down and go. We mustn’t be caught together.”

“I’m not leaving until I know you’re all right.” He lowered her feet to the floor so she could get the key out of her pocket and open the door. Following her inside, he closed the door and locked it behind him.

“No!” She turned on him, frantic. “You have to leave. I need to make a phone call.”

He stood his ground. “If it’s to Colucci, I already know you work for him. He’ll want to know about the crash. So go ahead and call. When you’re done, I’m going to phone the front desk and have them send up a doctor.”

She shot him a murderous look. “I don’t need a doctor.”

“Make your call. I’ll try not to listen.” He turned away and walked toward the far side of the room to stand next to the window. Moving the blind aside a few inches, he peered down into the alley.

Ruby sat on the bed, lifted the telephone from the nightstand, and forced herself to make the call. She braced for the sound of Colucci’s voice. But it was Mack, the young pilot, who answered.

“Ruby?” He recognized her voice. “Where are you? Everybody’s been worried.”

“I’m all right. I’m in Miles City. But the plane crash-landed and burned. The cargo was a total loss. I’ve got to tell the boss. Is he there?”

“He’s out at the hangar, probably watching for you. I can give him your news. He’ll probably want to phone you when he gets back to the house.”

“Thanks, Mack.” Ending the call, Ruby felt the tension drain from her body, leaving her exhausted. She lay back on the coverlet, her head sinking into the pillows.

“Better?” Mason had come around the bed.

Ruby nodded. “I still have to face Colucci. But at least I won’t have to give him the news. For now, I just need to rest. You can forget about calling the doctor.”

“Not on your life. You didn’t even make it to the steps out there.” He picked up the phone and made a quick call. “The concierge knows a doctor who’s close by and should be able to get here sometime before lunch. Meanwhile, let’s get you comfortable.”

He soaked a washcloth with cold water from the bathroom basin and laid it over the bruise. Then, sitting on the end of the bed, he lifted her foot, loosened the laces on her military-style boot and worked it off. He did the same with the opposite boot. Closing her eyes, Ruby allowed him to strip off her woolen socks and massage her bare feet. His powerful thumbs pressed the tension from her arches and the base of her toes. The sensation was heavenly. She recalled rubbing her husband’s feet to soothe him. But she couldn’t recall a time when anyone, especially a man, had treated her with such tenderness.

A moan of pleasure escaped her lips.

“How did you learn to do this?” she asked, beginning to drift. “Who taught you?”

There was a beat of hesitation. “Trade secret.”

“Was it a woman?” The words swam in her head. Words she might never have spoken in her right mind. “It was, wasn’t it? What else did she teach you, Mason Dollarhide? Anything you’d care to pass on?”

“Just rest, Ruby. If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you when the doctor comes.”

“Come on . . .” She was sinking, letting go. “Your secret is safe with me. . . .”

* * *

Mason lowered her bare feet to the coverlet and laid the spare blanket over them. Ruby’s eyes were closed, her breathing deep and regular. Would it be safe to let her sleep like this? He would stay nearby and watch her to make sure.

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