Page 37 of Calder Country

As he stood by the bed, looking down at her sleeping face, a wave of compassion swept over him. He had never known a woman like her—so bold, so intelligent, and yet so vulnerable. She deserved to be cherished and protected like the treasure she was, not have to fight for survival in a brutal world where life was cheap and profit was everything.

Mason had long since stopped counting the women he’d been with. He’d enjoyed them all. But had he really loved any of them—even the innocent young mother of his son?

Maybe he’d been waiting for a different kind of woman—a woman like Ruby.

Driven by a reckless impulse, he leaned over her, intending to brush a chaste kiss onto her forehead. What he found instead was her mouth. His pulse soared. But he knew that he’d crossed into forbidden territory. With exquisite restraint, he held himself in check, allowing only the lightest contact. Her lips were salty and chapped from the wind. He fought the urge to savor them, then plunder her mouth with his tongue.

The hunger that burned in his body was familiar—but this time he knew better than to follow his instincts. When she stirred, he pulled away and stepped back. Theirs was a business relationship, and this wasn’t the time or place to change things.

After she’d settled back into sleep, he moved away from the bed and walked to the window. In the alley below, a delivery truck, loaded with crates of fresh vegetables, was making its way toward the dock. Workers were scurrying to clear the way. There was no sign of anyone who might be the doctor.

Turning away from the window, Mason bumped his leg against a cardboard box that had been left on the dresser bench. The box tumbled to the floor, knocking off the lid and spilling the shimmery contents onto the rug.

Mason dropped to his knees and began putting everything back in order. He picked up a flapper-style dress, sheer silk made heavy by glittering sequins and beaded fringe. As he laid it in the box and gathered up the matching high-heeled shoes, the awful truth began to dawn on him. These luxury items were in Ruby’s size. And something told him she hadn’t paid for them herself.

He collected the more intimate pieces—the beige silk slip that matched the dress, the underwear, the silk stockings, and garters. A slow anger was burning away his denial. Why wear glamorous underthings if nobody was going to see them . . . and take them off?

With everything inside the box, he slammed on the lid and put it back on the bench where he’d found it. Silent curses swirled in his mind. He’d wondered whether Ruby was Colucci’s girlfriend—or, to call a spade a spade, his mistress. Now he had the answer to his question.

CHAPTER TEN

MASON COULD HAVE WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM AND LEFT COLUCCI’S woman to wake up on her own. Pride tempted him to do just that. But he was concerned about Ruby. He’d heard about people with head injuries who went to sleep and never woke up. He resolved to stay, at least until the doctor arrived, which he hoped would be soon. Now that he knew the truth, he could scarcely look at her without imagining her wearing that dress with the silk stockings and the wispy drawers, in Leo Colucci’s arms.

Ruby stirred, whimpered, then sank back into sleep. What would he say to her if she were to wake up? Nothing, he decided. Her relationship with the mobster was none of his business. As for that fleeting kiss he’d given her, she would never know about it.

As he settled into a padded armchair, a leaden mood crept over him. After the tension-filled night, which had ended with nothing gained, it was as if his energy and excitement had drained away, leaving him hollow inside. With the slow passing of time, he fell into a doze.

A loud rapping on the door jarred him awake. Ruby had opened her eyes and was struggling to get up. Mason pushed himself out of the chair. “That would be the doctor,” he said. “Stay where you are. I’ll get it.”

He strode to the door and opened it. The man who stood on the threshold was well over six feet tall, with wavy hair, a fleshy build, and heavy, handsome features. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his shirt collar loose, without a tie.

Mason had never seen him before, but he knew at once that this wasn’t the doctor. The man had to be Leo Colucci.

Ignoring Mason, Colucci strode into the room. Ruby’s eyes were like a cornered doe’s, wide and nervous. She sat up and slid her legs over the side of the bed.

“Are you all right, Ruby?” Colucci demanded.

“Just a sore shoulder and a bump on the head. The doctor should be here soon to check me.” Ruby kept her voice level. “You probably know that I crashed the plane and lost the cargo. This gentleman, my customer, pulled me out of the cockpit and drove me here. You owe him your thanks.”

As Colucci turned toward him, Mason thought fast. Ruby had just given him an opening. He’d be a fool not to seize the advantage.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Mr. Colucci,” he said, extending his hand. “Mason Dollarhide. We’ve spoken over the telephone.”

“Yes, I know.” Colucci accepted the handshake. “The old man spoke highly of you. He’s the reason I agreed to work with someone I hadn’t met.”

“I want you to know that the crash wasn’t your pilot’s fault,” Mason said. “The engine stalled in midair. She had to glide the plane down. If the landing strip had been longer, she would have made it fine. But the extra weight of the cargo—”

“I understand,” Colucci said, cutting him off. “When she’s ready to fly again, it will be in a more reliable airplane. Meanwhile, as Ruby said, I owe you my thanks. I’m guessing you’ll need a replacement for that lost cargo.”

“The sooner the better,” Mason said. “But I could sell a lot more than I’m getting. I’ve got an ideal setup for receiving—a natural cave for storage and an airstrip that’s on ranch property but remote enough to be out of sight. All I need to grow the business is more product.”

Colucci looked unconvinced. “I’ll keep you in mind. I’m still building up the supply lines. But at least I can replace your missing cargo in the next few nights. The pilot will be a young man. He’s new but already proving himself. Someone will let you know when to expect him.”

The conversation was interrupted by a polite tap on the door. Mason opened it for an elderly man with thick glasses and a cane. The black bag he carried identified him as the doctor.

“You can go, Mr. Dollarhide,” Colucci said. “I’ll take over from here and make sure the lady is looked after. We’ll be in touch.”

Mason had little choice except to make a polite departure. For the briefest instant, his gaze met Ruby’s across the room. Her expression was like a cornered animal’s, pleading, almost frantic. But she wasn’t his problem, he reminded himself. He turned away without a second look and walked out of the door.

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