Archer, Jane (29 page)

While the coffee was brewing, she went out into the main room and began setting the table. As she worked, Lamar walked into the room, dressed in dark pants and a loose blue shirt. He looked much more the Southern gentleman now, except for his weathered face and hands.

"Good evening, Alexandra," he said, coming toward her, a smile of pleasure transforming his face.

"Hello, Lamar," she said hesitantly.

He stood there, continuing to smile at her, unable to keep his eyes from her perfect body so tantalizingly revealed by the gown. No wonder Jake was so wild about her—she was indeed a rare beauty. Her cheeks were flushed and he could see the difference in her eyes. They were languid looking and her movements were slow, almost dreamy. Jake had taken her again. He shook his head, thinking that the young woman would hardly survive if he continued to attack her constantly. But she didn't seem to be so unhappy now. How did she really feel about Jake? He couldn't tell, but he could read the signs of fulfilled sex in her lovely face. But then, women had never accused Jake of lacking virility.

"I don't know about dinner," Alexandra said, interrupting Lamar's thoughts.

"What, my dear?"

"Dinner. Jake told me to cook it, but I can't find enough of anything. Anyway, I've never cooked much, but Jake insisted so—"

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Alexandra. We're used to almost anything out here. We had a Mexican girl working in the kitchen, but she left a month or so ago—about the time Jake came back from New Orleans, I think," he said, then realized the implications. Jake had been sleeping with the Mexican girl, but when he returned, he was so mean he finally drove her off. The place had been a mess ever since and they hadn't had the time or inclination to do anything about it.

"You mean Rosa?"

Lamar nodded uneasily.

"I suppose Jake told you about that Mexican, Pecos, coming by."

"Yes, he did."

"Well, it wasn't my fault," she said defensively.

"Of course not, Alexandra. There has been bad blood between our cowboys and Pecos' banditos before—they can't seem to resist our cattle—or our women now. But don't let it worry you, Alexandra. We can handle Pecos and his hombres."

"All right, Lamar. I won't."

"Good. Jake will be here in a minute. You can go ahead and serve if you like. He was just rinsing off when I left him outside."

"Fine," Alexandra said, then went back to the kitchen. She put the beans in a big bowl, then carried them in to the table. She put the dried beef out, too, and mugs of coffee. Just as she was finishing, Jake strode into the room.

He looked Alexandra up and down, then grinned, saying, "Wouldn't that gown be more appropriate in the parlor of a house in New Orleans? But then, you came prepared to entertain, not work, didn't you?"

Alexandra flushed darkly.

"If that's the best you have to wear around here, we'd better find you something more appropriate."

Alexandra turned her back on Jake, determined not to let him anger her again.

"Eat the beans, Jake," Lamar said. "Arguments will ruin our digestion."

The beans were passed and both men looked questioningly at Alexandra as they took their first mouthful. Immediately their eyes met and they grimaced. Alexandra could hear strange crunching sounds as they chewed. She looked at them, puzzled.

Then suddenly, they both jumped up and ran outside. In just a little while they both returned, laughing heartily. She looked from one to the other, even more puzzled. What had happened?

Lamar spoke first, after taking a big swig of coffee and swishing it around in his mouth. "Uh, did you wash the beans, Alexandra? Did you remove the rocks and bits of dirt?"

She looked at him in surprise. "No. Jake told me to put them into water and boil them for a long time so that's what I did."

"Well, I never dreamed you'd be idiot enough not to wash them, Alex. Don't you have any sense?" Jake asked hotly, then began laughing again. Lamar joined in his laughter.

It was all too much! Alexandra looked at both men, growing angrier by the second, then stood up. Her eyes were a brilliant green as she glared at Jake. "I don't know anything about cooking and you know it. I'll learn, but I can't without a teacher. Now, if you want a decent meal, you'd better get someone who knows how to cook. I, I—" her voice broke, but she steadied it again, "I don't know how and you know it. I'm going to bed. You can do what you want with this mess," she finished, and started out.

"Alexandra," Jake said, his cold, deadly voice stopping her.

She hesitated, then turned back. His eyes were hard blue stones in his darkly tanned face. She glared at him, her anger boiling inside. She'd seen him like this with the Mexican today. He would be absolutely ruthless.

"What?" she asked stonily.

"Throw the beans out. Wash some more, then put them on to cook. We'll need something to eat tomorrow. We'll chew on the beef tonight. And Alex, put some salt and dried beef in with the beans."

"Oh, Jake, I'm tired. I don't care about food. I just want to be left alone," Alexandra said unhappily, knowing even as she spoke that she couldn't disobey him—he'd force her to do what he wanted. He was so much stronger. How she hated his strength!

"Do what I say, Alex," he said, his voice hard and cold.

Not looking at either of the men, she tiredly began picking up the bowls, trying to keep her lovely gown clean. She made several trips back and forth to the kitchen, clearing the table as the men left to sit in the big chairs and drink whiskey. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair that he should make her work so hard, Alexandra thought as she began washing the beans, careful to clean them thoroughly. But she
would
learn to cook!

In the next room, Lamar tried to understand what was happening with Jake, but he could not get far.

"Don't you think you were a little rough on her, Jake?"

"Stay out of it, Lamar. Alex is my affair."

"Maybe, but—"

"I don't want to discuss it. When do you think we'll have a big enough herd to leave?"

"Well, I'm thinking in about three weeks, or under. We should have about two thousand head by then. We can't handle much more than that and it'll be a long drive, the longest ever."

"Yes, and this McCoy in Abilene had better be on the level. Said a cordial welcome awaited all trail herds at a place in Kansas called Abilene and his agent had better have meant it," Jake said menacingly.

"He's on the level, Jake. After all, he's the man who got the Kansas Pacific railroad to extend its line further west to that place called Abilene. And if we can get our herd up the Chisholm Trail, we'll have a good market for our cattle this year, as well as in the years to come."

"We've got to make it, Lamar. These longhorns are as thick as grass and ours for the taking. We could sell them in San Antonio for three dollars a head, but why not make the drive to Abilene and get forty?"

"No reason at all. The time's right. The North needs beef. And if the Chisholm Trail works out, then we've got it made. We'll have the money to make this a damned fine ranch."

"We've got the best cowboys around— experienced, sure, ready to go. Our remuda of mustangs could be better, but they'll just have to learn on the drive."

"You figure ten to fifteen miles a day for the herd. If we can leave by the first part of June, we should be there by September."

"No reason we can't leave by then.
I'll
sure be ready."

"What are you going to do about the girl, Jake? She can't make the drive with us. She'd never survive and you don't know what we'll run into— Indians, rustlers, who knows what else."

"Leave that to me, Lamar. I'll see to her when the time comes," Jake said irritably, then got up. "I'm going to bed. It's been a long day."

"Jake?"

"Yes."

"About Pecos. You think he'll cause any more trouble?"

"He'd better not, the fool."

"Nevertheless, I'd watch Alexandra a little more closely."

"Could be you're right," Jake said, nodded at Lamar, then walked back toward the kitchen.

His thoughts were all for her now. She was the only thing that could make him forget the ranch— and the all-important cattle drive. He looked into the kitchen and his face softened. She was sitting on a low stool, her head in her lap, asleep, in front of the beans. She was still wearing the ridiculous gown. Jake stoked down the fire and put more water on the beans. He lifted Alexandra up into his arms and she didn't awaken. She was so small and light that momentarily he wished he hadn't been so hard on her. She wasn't used to this type of life, didn't even want it, but he hardened his heart against her, remembering what she was.

He carried her into his room, shutting the door behind them quietly, then placed her gently down on the bed. He undid her clothes, thinking that he'd have to get her something else to wear, and as he removed them, she groaned, waking slightly, and smiled softly, then curled into a ball as he tucked her under the covers. He hastily shucked his own clothes and got in beside her, pulling her small, warm body close to him. He felt the familiar tightening in his loins, but didn't try to awaken Alexandra. He simply curled his body up to hers, smelling her sweet scent as slumber quickly overtook him.

Chapter 20

Jake awoke just as the sun was rising. He cursed himself for oversleeping. There was too much to do—he had to get those cattle ready for the drive. He got out of bed, and swiftly put on his clothing. Lamar was waiting for him in the main room, already dressed and ready.

"Morning, Jake," Lamar said, noticing his hastily donned clothes and sleepy expression. Jake hadn't slept late since—he couldn't remember when. The girl made her presence known even when she slept. It was interesting, he thought, watching Jake closely. He'd never seen Jake so affected by a girl and wondered if it would change him.

"Let's eat down at the chuck wagon," Jake said as he buckled on his gun and grabbed his hat.

"What about Alexandra?"

"She can come down later so Cookie can teach her something about cooking."

Lamar nodded. "Why don't I wait here awhile. There are some things I could do, and then I could bring her down. She'll awaken soon, I imagine."

"All right. That suits me. By the way, did Rosa leave any of her things around here? Alex is going to need some clothes to wear."

"I'll see what I can find."

"Good." Jake put on his hat and walked out.

Sun was flooding the room when Alexandra awoke from her deep sleep. She was instantly alert and apprehensive. Her memories of the day before came flooding back and she cautiously turned in the bed. Jake was gone! She felt a strange emptiness at his absence. She got up. He'd be somewhere about, waiting to give her orders for the day so she might as well be dressed and ready when he came back for her.

Hurriedly, she splashed water on her face, and put on the riding habit and boots. Even if it was hot, her body was completely concealed, and in Jake's presence that was certainly necessary.

The house was strangely quiet and Alexandra wandered out of her room, curious. She went to the kitchen. Someone had taken the beans off the fire. They looked good, and she suddenly felt hunger gnaw at her stomach. Grabbing up a bowl and spoon, she helped herself generously to the beans and began eating. Surprisingly, they were good, or else she was so hungry anything would have tasted delicious.

There was a sound near her and she looked up to see Lamar Jarmon coming toward her. Surprisingly, he looked a great deal like Giles and she felt herself stiffen automatically. Was Giles looking for her now, and Stan, too? She couldn't let them find her, but was being Jake's whore any better than what they offered? She shook her head, her green eyes troubled as she tried to cast the men from her mind. Thinking of her situation only made her unhappy and confused.

"You're looking very rested this morning, Alexandra," Lamar said as he approached her, bearing something in his hands.

She smiled at him. "I slept well. What do you have there?" she asked.

"I think these might fit. Rosa left them. It's what the peasant women wear and it's appropriate to the heat here. Jake and I thought you might be more comfortable in them around the hacienda."

"Oh?" Alexandra asked, immediately interested. So this is what Rosa wore.

She shook out the bundle to discover a white peasant blouse and a brightly patterned skirt. It was perfect, no matter that it wasn't what she was accustomed to, or that they had belonged to Rosa. She could cook and clean in them without being hot or encumbered. In fact, she looked forward to wearing something so comfortable and uninhibited. Looking up at Lamar, Alexandra smiled her rare, sweet smile and was rewarded by an answering smile from him.

"It's just perfect, thank you. I'll change right now."

"I wouldn't change just yet, Alexandra," Lamar said, halting her movement.

"Why not? Aren't I supposed to clean the rest of the hacienda? It certainly needs it."

He shook his head. "Jake wants you down at the roundup. Cookie's there and he wants you to learn how to cook first of all."

"Cookie? Roundup?" Alexandra asked.

"I'll tell you on the way," Lamar said. "Just come as you are. You'll be riding and that'll be best."

Outside, Alexandra dubiously regarded the horse Lamar had chosen for her.

"This is a mustang," Lamar explained. "They roam wild over Texas, but this mare has been broken. I think you'll like her since she's small and sturdy. I'm sorry we don't have a sidesaddle."

"I can manage if we don't have to go too far."

"Good."

Lamar helped her up and soon they were on their way. There was a majestic beauty about the land—so free and open. She found herself liking it even more and more as they rode along. Lamar didn't seem to be in a hurry and they rode side by side, the horses walking. The sun was warm on her face and the air was clean and fresh. She knew a person could feel free here. Except that she wasn't, not really.

"Alexandra, I know this all must be very strange to you, especially the situation with Jake. I'm even more confused than you are and I'd like to say that I don't approve of the way Jake is treating you. But he is a grown man and I haven't felt that I should interfere. But, Alexandra, I am curious about you. Would you like to tell me how you came to be here and what you know about Jake's mother?"