Secrets and Lies

Sixteen

Guilt weighed heavily on Nicole's chest. She knew she definitely had secrets in her past. But what worried her was that his secrets might have him arrested. Deep down in her heart, she didn't want to believe he could have robbed his own train. That would be preposterous! Why in Heaven's name would anyone want to ruin their own business like that?

If only circumstantial evidence didn't point in his direction...

"Indeed, most people have secrets in their past, but..." She pulled away from him, stood, and walked to the window. "If we don't share them with others, they can destroy us." Leaning her shoulder against the wall, she touched the glass with her finger. She needed to get him to tell her more. She must prove he was not involved in the robberies...and if he was, she needed to know now. The more she was with him the more her heart would be involved.

"Nicole," he said, walking to her. "Is there something on your mind?" He reached her side and gently touched her arm. "Because I have a good listening ear if you ever need to talk about something personal."

Although his comment wasn't funny in the least, she wanted to laugh. For years she had kept her secrets buried inside of her. She couldn't even tell her cousin or aunt and uncle. The only people she could rely on were the other Secret Agents, but sometimes Nicole wanted a different life.

She met Ashton's gaze and smiled. "You are so very sweet to offer that. But I was actually thinking the same thing about you."

His eyes widened. "Me? Why me?"

"Like you'd mentioned earlier—everyone has secrets from their past. I was thinking that I could be your listening ear if ever you wanted to talk."

When he chuckled, the dimple in his cheek deepened, which she thought was adorable. The sound of his deep voice made her heart flutter.

He shook his head. "We have been doing this a lot, don't you agree?"

"Doing what?"

"Thinking alike."

Nodding, she grinned. "Yes, we have."

His palm slid down her arm slowly before clasping her hand. "I've never known a woman like you, Nicole, and that's one of the things that has me intrigued." He moved closer and his gaze dropped to her mouth. "I hope you feel the same way about me."

"I do feel the same." Her heartbeat quickened. As much as she wanted to kiss him again, right now she needed answers. But for the life of her, she couldn't push him away...and she couldn't think of anything else she wanted to talk about.

"I find myself wanting to be alone with you," he said softly, "and I actually plan it out in my head."

"I know how you feel," she answered in a voice entirely too deep to be her own.

"Yet it's very improper."

"Indeed, it is."

"So I was thinking..." He moved in closer, but instead of his mouth touching hers, he used the pad of his finger to stroke her bottom lip. "Perhaps I should arrange a dinner party at my house, just as a way of bringing you there."

"Umm, that does sound like an excellent idea. Tell me more."

"I could have my friends Nickerson and Larson come with their companions, and then it won't appear so improper."

"Yes. That will work, I believe."

"But after that night is over, I don't know what I'll plan if I want to be alone with you." He shrugged. "Unless you invite me over to your place to meet your father and brother."

If only I could... "We shall see what happens at that point."

Nicole knew when Ashton wanted to kiss her. It wasn't his tender smile, or that he kept moving closer, it was the desire in his hazel eyes, making them darker by the second. She was a lost cause when this happened.

Just as his mouth was a breath away from her, someone knocked at the door. Ashton jumped back. Even though disappointment washed over her, she sighed with relief. She couldn't allow him to kiss her again—not until she knew for certain if he was behind the train robberies.

Before Ashton could say anything to their intruder, the door opened and in walked a thin man.

"Mr. Lee, another thing I remembered—"

He stopped short when he finally noticed Nicole. His face burned as red as his hair.

"Oh, forgive me, Mr. Lee. I wasn't told you had anyone in your room."

"Yes, well—"Ashton began.

"I was just leaving," Nicole quickly added.

Ashton's gaze met hers and his eyes silently pleaded with her to stay. She knew she must go. She was able to discover a little information in today's visit, but she'd wait for the dinner party at Ashton's house with the others from the railroad and try as she could to get more proof of Ashton's innocence—or guilt.

"Mr. Lee, thank you for meeting with me on short notice. We shall keep in touch." She gave him a nod before quickly exiting the room.

As she stepped out on the boardwalk, she breathed another sigh of relief. At least she was able to get out of there without experiencing one of Ashton's explosive kisses. The more he kissed her, the more her wall of indifference would shatter. She could not have that.

"Miss Bastian," Ashton's voice called from behind her.

She stopped and spun toward him. When he reached her, his breaths came fast as if he'd been running. "Yes, Mr. Lee?"

"I just remembered...I don't know where you live. Where shall I send your invitation to my dinner party?"

She smiled. "That's right. You don't." Of course, now she had to tell him her address. She didn't know if that was a good idea or not. She didn't want him spying on her or waiting by her house for her return one evening when she had to work later than normal. For certain, Ashton would become curious if that happened. "But I fear giving you my address before you have met my family isn't a good idea, either." She arched an eyebrow.

He laughed aloud. "Oh, Miss Bastian. How you think of these things on the spur of the moment, I shall never know."

"Perhaps you should give me your address and tell me what night to come, instead."

"Won't you need a chaperone?"

She could have slapped herself for not thinking of that. "Um, yes. I shall have the housekeeper, Mrs. Phelps, accompany me."

"Is she the one who came with you today?"

Her mind paused for a moment until she recalled telling him she had come with a chaperone this morning. "Yes, that's her."

He frowned. "Come to think of it, I don't like the idea of you bringing her. Unless, of course, you can convince her to run some errands just like you did today."

She hiccupped a laugh. "You are correct. Having her as my chaperone isn't a very good idea at all."

Tapping his finger against his chin, he stared at her in silence. Out in the direct sunlight, the freckles on his nose were more prominent. She couldn't help but smile. Indeed, he was certainly one handsome man.

"I have it." His eyes widened and sparkled with excitement. "I shall have Larson and his wife pick you up."

Although it was a better idea, she still needed to give Ashton the address, and right now, she believed that wasn't a smart move. However, she must give an address. "Yes, that will work." Her mind scrambled to come up with an address, but it was blank. This didn't happen to her very often, and lately, she'd noticed it only happened in Ashton's presence.

"So, what is your address?" he urged.

Oh, Heavens! She couldn't think straight. Her father would be very upset if she gave a robbery suspect their home address. But she had no other choice!

"It's twelve-forty-thr—"

"There you are, Miss Nicole."

Nicole jumped and spun toward the familiar voice. A plump, middle-aged woman waddled toward her, waving her hand. Relief swept over Nicole and she wanted to hug the other woman. Instead, she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Mrs. Phelps, I'm here." Before the other Secret Agent could say another word, Nicole grabbed the woman's elbow and pulled her closer. "Let me introduce you to Mr. Ashton Lee...he's the old friend I was telling you about earlier." She eyed the woman carefully, trying to communicate with her eyes, hoping Mrs. Phelps got the message.

Her mouth hung open as she looked over Ashton, scanning him from the top of his head down to his shoes.

Nicole silently prayed her friend followed along...