The dark slash of Mr. Rhys' brows rose in surprise. "Yes, Kane is part of Bridgewater as well."
"He purchased cattle last year from a man in Simms, I believe," Uncle Allen added.
"He did." He paused, then grinned. "Weston, yes. Now I have the connection. They were your cattle then."
Uncle Allen nodded.
"We are in town to purchase a stud horse, however the arrangement has not been as smooth as Kane's dealings with your man last year."
"Oh? Who is your connection here in Helena?"
"Clayton Peters. While he has been somewhat difficult to work with, his horse flesh is quite impressive."
I stiffened at the mention of his name.
"We are quite familiar with Mr. Peters," Uncle Allen said darkly. The curt tone and stiffness in his shoulders were not missed by Mr. Rhys.
"Is there something we should know about the man as part of our dealings? Has he treated you wrongly?"
To my surprise, Uncle Allen took my hand in his. "I have much respect for the men of Bridgewater, and of your ways, so I will share something with you." He lifted my hand and tugged the lace cuff of my dress back to show the bruises Mr. Peters had inflicted.
Mr. Rhys' eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched as he looked at the dark marks about my wrist. "Peters?" When I didn't answer, he looked to my uncle, who nodded. "Did he hurt you in any other way?" he asked me.
The vehemence and anger in his gaze had me stepping back, but I could not move from my uncle's gentle hold. I was embarrassed at my weakness being shared with a stranger and I covered my wrist with my other hand. "No, just wounded my pride," I replied.
"I am in town with Cross, whom you met, Miss Weston, as well as Simon McPherson. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to contact any one of us, now or at Bridgewater."
"Thank you," Uncle Allen replied. "These two men, they are of like minds as you?"
A look passed between the men but I did not know what it was. Mr. Rhys nodded and replied, "Indeed." The man turned to me and offered slight bow. "Miss Weston, the pleasure was mine. I hope to make your acquaintance again soon."
I murmured a soft thank you, but my throat was dry. His dark eyes held mine a moment longer, as if trying to see something deep within. Then he turned and left.
"Lightning, Olivia?" my uncle asked, eyes twi
nkling, questioning how I felt for the man.
My cheeks flushed and knew I could not hide any emotion from my uncle. "Lightning," I repeated.
"Not just for Rhys, either, hmm?" he queried, then chuckled when I blushed even more hotly.
Hmm, was right. I felt something for two men. What was wrong with me?
CHAPTER TWO
SIMON
"By the looks on your faces I missed something," I said to Cross and Rhys, pouring whiskey into three glasses. I picked up my own as I eyed them.
"Not something, someone," Cross replied, downing his shot in one big gulp.
"If it was Peters, I ken. The bastard said he wanted to finish the deal to get to the dance. I believe his words were, 'I've got a fancy piece I want to get my hands on. Her being prim and all, a dance is the only way the virgin bitch will let me touch her.'"
I tossed back my whiskey as I thought about the bastard's words. I didna like to hear a woman talked about in that way, no matter who she was. If I were her father or brother or any relation whatsoever, I would have beat him and left him for the vultures.
Rhys leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "He said that?"
I nodded, placed my forearms on the table. "If he didna have the stud horse we want, I wouldna get near the man."