Chapter Forty

Sunlight streaming through the window woke Ance the next morning. Audrey's soft skin and lean body were pressed tight against his and they were tangled together in the hotel sheets. 

Ance looked down at her peaceful face as she breathed lightly against his bare chest. The sun shone on her freckled cheeks, and her full lips, still a bit red and swollen from his kisses, curved into the hint of a smile. Ance wondered what she was seeing in her dreams to cause that smile. 

Tracing his fingertips along the slight curve of her strong arms, Ance thought about the unexpected turn his life had taken. He'd always thought he'd live wild, free and roaming until one day he was taken down and his life ended... never had he thought he'd meet a little girl who would make him want to be a father and even less had he thought he'd ever meet a woman who made him want to settle down. 

Settle down... those two words scared the great Ansel Adams damn near to death. Could he be that man? Could he be a man who put down roots, stopped wandering, slept under roof every night and obeyed the law? Or would that life smother him? Would he eventually break, snap, and take off into the night breaking the hearts of the two women in the world he loved?

Ance would never ask Audrey to give up the ranch she'd worked so hard building, nor would he want Penelope living the life he lived... but could he adjust to theirs? Or would Audrey and Penelope simply be another stop he made during his wanderings until his life finally got snuffed out. 

That wouldn't be very damn fair to them. 

But since when did Ance care about the feelings of others? 

Since Penelope Reynolds and her mama had come into his life was the simple and complete answer to that question. 

Ance let out a slow breath and gently kissed Audrey's blond hair. She groaned lightly and her eyelids fluttered open. Ance looked down into those brown eyes and realized that maybe that wouldn't be such a bad sight to wake up to every morning from here on out. 

"Good morning," she whispered, curling her body closer against his. 

Ance smiled down at her. "Good morning....except it's closer to noon." 

Audrey's eyes widened as she looked toward the clock in the corner. "I have never laid in bed this long!" 

"You needed the rest," Ance assured her. "We both did." 

Audrey's teeth began nibbling at her pink bottom lip and Ance sighed. "What?" 

"I.. I don't want to rush you since I know you're healing but..." 

"You're ready to get back to Penelope?" 

Audrey smiled. "Yes. I miss her." 

Ance squeezed Audrey tight. "I miss her too and don't you worry none about me healing. I've been shot up worse than this before.. Hell I'm damn near good as new. I ordered some things at the mercantile yesterday. I'll go pick it up, get you a horse of your own and...." 

"Let's take a few days of rest before we leave, Ance. You said it will take about four or five days to reach Penelope, right?" 

Ance simply nodded. Audrey sighed. "I'm not up for that just now. I don't think you are either and I know your horse needs rest. I'd rather rest a bit and be feeling my best when I return to Penelope. I don't want her seeing us bruised, haggard and all stitched up." 

"Women.." Ance grumbled. "They never can make up their minds." As she glared at him and snuggled closer, Ance couldn't help but feel that there was something else behind her hesitation to leave. Was she sensing the end of their journey together the same as he was and attempting to prolong it? 

"We can rest here two or three days and then we'll get back to Penny. My stitches will be ready to come out by then and your bruises should be good and gone by the time we reach her." 

"Is there anyway we can send her word to let her know we're okay and that we'll be there soon to get her?" Audrey inquired. 

Ance shifted and cleared his throat. "No, there's no wires out there where she is and mail would take too long. By the time the letter reached her, we'd be there." 

"Where exactly did you leave her?" Audrey questioned suspiciously. 

"A safe place.... With Irish's mother." 

"If that place is so safe why didn't you take her and I there to begin with instead of taking us to Old Man Thompson's?" 

Ance grumbled under his breath and rose from the bed with a growl. He unwrapped his new clothes and began yanking them on, fully aware of Audrey watching him from the bed where she lay wrapped in the tangled sheets. "Because I hadn't thought of her back then." 

"So is Penelope on a homestead with her? Does she live in a town? Penelope loves horses.. Are there horses there?" 

Ance chuckled. "Uh... there's some hitched there from time to time. Now I'm gonna go get some lunch. Why don't you get dressed and join me down in the café when you're ready." 

Without giving Audrey time to say another word, Ance grabbed his gun belt and boots and darted out the door. Holy hell! He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so damn scared of someone. He could only imagine the damn hell that woman would raise when she learned her daughter was in a brothel! 

Ance shivered. She'd probably kill him. 

***

To say that Audrey was suspicious would have been an understatement. Ance was hiding something from her and she'd be damned if she wasn't certain the man was scared of her! What could he have to hide that was so terrible? 

Where was her daughter?

Audrey knew wherever it was had to be a place that Ance felt safe or he'd never have left her, nor agreed to rest here a couple of days. Audrey's reasons for wanting to stay were not wholly for the rest and healing they both desperately needed--it was also to savor simply a few more days at Ance's side. Audrey knew that when they returned to the ranch that would be the end of having him near her like this. He would ride off into the sunset and only come around when it suited him. 

That was what they'd agreed to wasn't it? A relationship with no strings, commitments or promises? Why oh why had Audrey ever agreed to that....?

She slid from the bed, her body aching in the most delightful of ways from the way Ance had loved it all night long. She realized with a smile that it had been their first night spent together in a true bed. She had loved waking up naked, skin on skin, and tangled up upon the warm mattress. It had certainly been a feeling she could get used to. 

Slipping into her underclothes, Audrey let her thoughts return to Penelope. Just who was Irish's mother--the woman who was now in charge of her daughter? Audrey had never heard Irish mention the woman much and Ance didn't seem to eager to share details....

Suddenly Audrey realized the woman must be a criminal... she was possibly a wanted woman and that's why Ance hadn't mentioned her before. Perhaps she was an outlaw, a bank robber, a gambler or a salesperson the way her son was! 

Audrey's first instinct was to rush to her daughter's rescue but she scolded that impulse. Ance was considered a bad man by lawmen's standpoints but he was a good man in all the ways that mattered--just the same as Irish was. She wouldn't judge Irish's mother simply because of the life she lived... Audrey just wished she knew what that life was! 

There was one person she hadn't questioned about the woman. A person who knew her personally and wasn't quite as close-lipped as Ance by nature. After slipping into the last of her clothes and lacing up her boots, Audrey fixed her hair back on her head and left the room intent on finding Irish and learning all she could about his mysterious mother. 

Irish was not in his room and so Audrey went down to the café. Instantly her eyes picked Ance out of the crowd. He was sitting at a back table, his broad shoulders and massive frame causing him to stand out. His blue eyes met hers and he waved her over--Audrey ignored him. 

Instead she made her way to the gap-toothed, red-haired man currently wooing a woman beside the window. Audrey walked up to the table and cleared her throat loudly when the diners didn't seem to notice her. "Hello Irish," she stated politely. "I'd like to have a word with you if you have a moment." 

Irish smiled in return, "I've always got a moment for an old friend," he assured her. "Would you give us a moment, lass?" he asked the woman sitting across from him. 

She seemed quite perturbed as she tossed down her napkin and rose from her seat. "I didn't realize you were interested in older women," she spat before letting out a high pitched snort that made her sound rather ill and stomping away. 

"Older?" Audrey raised a brow and took the woman's abandoned seat. "Irish, surely you have better taste than that? If her nose got any higher in the air she'd be in danger of taking a bird to the nostril." 

Irish laughed heartily. "I don't have much in the way of standards when it comes to women, lass. I like them all. Old, young, short, tall, thin, full-figured and even high-nosed." He waggled his red brows. "And with the way you and ol' Ansel have been lovin' on one another every night while I lay lonely and cold has left me feelin' a bit in need of some company." 

Audrey's blush went from her toes to the roots of her hair as she quickly let her gaze go to Ance who was glaring in their direction and clearly not happy that she had ignored him. Audrey turned back to Irish. "I am sorry that I interrupted your lunch, Irish. I just have a few questions and I think you can answer them for me." 

"With the way Ansel is starin' over here and the pressure he is currently puttin' on his cup of beer, I'd say ya had better get to askin' quick before he decides he's had enough of waitin'." 

Audrey waved her hand. "He'll be fine. Now what I need to know is who is your mother? Ance says he left Penelope with her but he won't tell me anything about the woman or where exactly my daughter is." 

Irish's green eyes lit up. "My mama is a one of a kind lass. A saint, a godsend, a perfect angel sent from heaven above." 

Audrey nodded. "What's her name? Does she live in a town? A ranch?" 

"Madge is her name," Irish replied.  "And she is the best momma a boy could have asked for. She runs a very successful...." 

Irish paused and Audrey frowned. "What? A successful what?" 

Irish's smile grew more broad and he took a sip of water. "Home for runaway girls. She takes in strays, as she calls them, and she teaches them all the skills they'll need to get through life and finds them jobs to make a bit of money. The lasses she trains pay her a bit of their earnings for the time that they live there." 

Audrey was confused. That sounded like a wonderful thing. Why would Ance not want to tell her that? "I don't understand why Ance wouldn't just tell me.." 

Irish winked. "Ahh, that's because my mama is very secretive about her business. Ya see those strays of her aren't all castoffs, some are runnin' from those that would do them harm. My mama has sworn everyone to never speak of it outside the walls of her home." 

"So why are you telling me?" 

"Because she's my mama and has to forgive me. Ansel, on the other hand, she'd probably thump his head quite nicely if he were to speak of it." Irish reached across the table and tweaked her nose. "Don't ya be angry with him. When ya meet my mama you'll understand that a woman like her has to be obeyed. Even a man of Ansel's stature has to respect the lass." 

Audrey found herself laughing lightly. She stood from her seat and patted his shoulder. "Thank you, Irish. My heart feels better now knowing exactly where my daughter is and who she's with."  

"I do what I can lass. Now get back to Ansel before he comes over here and thumps my head for stealin' ya away." 

Ance was grumbling as Audrey sat down at the table. "Don't be so grumpy," Audrey scolded. "You should have told me about Madge. I wouldn't have had to worry if you had." 

"You shouldn't have worried anyhow. I told you it was fine," Ance snapped. Then he frowned and his blue eyes narrowed. "Irish told you about his mama?" 

"Yes," Audrey sipped at the lemon water that Ance had ordered for her. "I think it's wonderful that she helps those girls learn the skills they need and find work." 

Ance began to choke on the beer he'd been attempting to swallow. Audrey rose and swatted him on the back several times until he growled and swatted her arm away. "Damn woman, don't break my ribs!" 

"Are you okay?" Audrey questioned. 

"Fine," Ance assured her. He cleared his throat and rubbed at his watery eyes. "So you're okay with where I left Penny?" 

"Of course I am," Audrey nodded, her stomach rumbling loudly as a serving lady sat two steaming bowls of stew on the table. Audrey laid her napkin in her lap and picked up her spoon. "Maybe she'll even learn a thing or two." 

Audrey glanced up just in time to see Ance glance at Irish who threw a charming smile back and waved. Ance simply nodded and took a bite of his stew. Audrey sighed and wondered about the oddities of men. 

***

The next two days were something new and different for Ance. He and Audrey spent nearly every waking moment together, learning more about one another. He learned each and every one of her nuances and expressions. He studied the way she moved, the way she would often stare off into space with a hint of a smile on her face. 

Audrey was everything--beautifully flawed perfection and Ance knew he could never live a life that didn't have her in it. And seeing her just last night, playing poker, sipping at whiskey and fitting in with gamblers, outlaws and cowpokes alike only solidified that in Ance's mind. 

Tonight would be their last night in this town and, while Ance was eager to get back to Penelope, he would miss having Audrey to himself with no responsibilities or worries. 

He stepped into their hotel room with his arms loaded down with the supplies he'd load into the cart in the morning before they left. Audrey was sitting beside the window and chewing on her lip. She didn't even seem to notice he'd entered the room and he took those few moments to simply study her. He loved her body--it was strong and yet still feminine. The body of a woman who knew what hard work was and didn't shy from it. Her blond hair, flecked with browns and golds, was streaming down her back and her full freckled cheeks held high cheekbones. But it was those eyes...those brown eyes that were so expressive and seemed to look straight through him that always captured Ance the most. 

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Ance asked. 

Audrey jumped and let out a gasp as she spun to look at him. "How do you do that?!" she demanded. 

"Do what?" 

"Sneak up on me!" 

Ance chuckled quietly as he deposited the packages on the ground. "I don't sneak, you just don't pay attention." 

"It looks like they're setting up for a party down there," Audrey noted, glancing back out the window. 

Ance flopped onto the bed and rested his head on his arms. "Yep." 

"It's been a long time since I've been to a good party. Food, music... it could be a good time." 

Ance raised a brow as he turned his gaze toward her. "Just so long as you know that I don't dance." 

Audrey nodded. "Understood." 

Ance sat among the crowd feeling awkward as hell. What was it with this goddamn town and dances? Hell, the last time he'd been here with Penelope they'd had a dance! The reminder of that time with the little girl had a ghost of a smile curving Ance's lips. 

He was getting tired of being surrounded by so many people. He was ready for open sky, peace, quiet and air. Ance watched Audrey in the crowd as she danced and laughed with Irish. When Audrey threw her head back and her light laughter floated across the air to him, Ance decided he was tired of watching her enjoy herself with a man who wasn't him. 

Ance stood and grumbled under his breath. Damn that woman. 

When Irish saw him coming, he shook his head and pulled a startled Audrey tight into his arms. "Ya cannot have her back, Ansel. Ya should have kept her close when ya had the chance. She's my lass now." 

Ance crossed his arms over his chest and raised his brow. "She's mine, Irish." 

Irish sighed and released his hold. "I'm always left lonely," he lamented as he covered his heart with his hand. 

"I'm sure you'll find a nice woman one day, Irish," Audrey assured him, soothingly, as if consoling a child. 

Irish bowed deeply as he waved Audrey toward Ance and then excused himself to go romance a lass who had had her eye on him all evening. 

Ance cleared his throat awkwardly. "I can't really dance," he mumbled. "I just kind of spin around..." 

"I like spinning just fine," Audrey assured him, the dazzling smile on her face doing away with his nerves. 

Ance put her arms around her and pulled her close as they spun slowly. She rested her head against his heart and Ance felt peace fill him despite the restlessness he'd been plagued with mere moments ago. 

"I love you, Ance," Audrey whispered. 

Ance squeezed her a little tighter. "Me too, whiskey lady." 

"But I don't belong to anybody," Audrey added, the smile plain to hear in her voice. 

Ance chuckled and pressed a kiss to her hair. "Yes you do," he assured her. "And so do I." 

A/N: Is anyone else missing Penelope? I'm thinking it's time to get back to her, aren't you?