Last Promise by Scarlett Dunn Page A

of the two women he was escorting when he was brawling in the street the day I arrived.” Mary Ann finally leveled with her uncle and gave him her true opinion of Luke McBride. “Uncle, I know you like the man, but he is a rake, make no mistake.”
    â€œMy dear, I heard from the lady who owns the mercantile that Luke was defending the honor of a lady.”
    Mary Ann frowned at her uncle. “Lady my foot.” She did recall Mr. McBride had said those very words to her. But if those women were ladies, why, she would eat her hat, feathers and all.
    George chuckled. He wondered if the true reason she had a bad opinion of Luke stemmed from the gals at the saloon talking to him that night. Perhaps it was because of what happened with Edmund Stafford that made her wary of men in general. “Mary Ann, you will see that the men here are very different than in England. Here they often handle their differences with fists or guns in the street. It’s the same in England, only we do it in a more gentlemanly fashion, we fight duels at dawn so no one can see.”
    What had happened to her uncle? Surely he didn’t condone such behavior as brawling in the streets, and women dressing indecently and generally behaving like harlots. “It all seems rather uncivilized.”
    George remembered he’d felt the same way when he first arrived in America so he could appreciate her perspective. “It can be, but the good men here will not allow the rowdies to disrespect ladies. I think they feel it is the most expedient way to handle a problem. Many men carry guns, and good men like Luke McBride must be prepared for any situation. Give him a chance. I think you will come to appreciate a man like Luke.”
    Before her last encounter with Edmund, Mary Ann may have thought the men in England were different from these men in America. She was no longer that naïve young woman. She’d seen Luke’s true colors, he used his charms indiscriminately on every woman he knew. If he were a woman he would be called fickle. She supposed the term for him would be skirt chaser . “I’m afraid if you are waiting on the day when I appreciate a man like Luke McBride, you will surely be in for a disappointment, Uncle.”
    * * *
    After Luke checked Arina into the hotel, they walked into the restaurant. They sat just a few tables away from George and Mary Ann, and Luke positioned himself so he could watch Mary Ann. After he turned his attention on Arina, he thought she was much lovelier than he remembered with her long blond hair and dark blue eyes. They placed their orders and Luke got right to the point. “Where’s Sam?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    This stunned Luke more than her kiss. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
    â€œThat’s why I came here, I thought he might be with you.”
    â€œMaybe you better start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
    â€œSam told me he had to go to Denver on business and I haven’t seen or heard from him in three months.”
    â€œDid he mention what kind of business?” Luke wasn’t aware of any reason Sam would need to be in Denver.
    â€œNo, he didn’t say. He’d been acting very strange, but I don’t know what was wrong with him.”
    â€œWhat do you mean he was acting strange?”
    â€œHe wasn’t coming home at night. He said he was staying in his office.” Arina pulled a handkerchief from her reticule and dabbed at her eyes. “I just don’t know what has happened to him.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you telegraph me earlier?”
    â€œI thought he would come back before now.”
    Luke thought if Sam was in trouble or needed help he would have contacted him. “I haven’t heard from Sam for some time. Did you two have an argument?”
    â€œNo, we didn’t. I was sure he would contact you.”
    She wasn’t telling him something. “Did you ask