Bran (Prairie Grooms, Book Six) (12 page)

“I can understand where you’re coming from,” began Harrison, “especially after so many hard years in Texas. But what brought you out west, and more specifically, to a place such as Clear Creek? There can't be much for you here, compared to where you've been.”

“I agree,” said Bran. “Which is why I did come. I'm ready to settle down and was tired of the weeks, sometimes months it took to track, then capture outlaws. I decided a small town like Clear Creek would suit me well.”

“Sounds like a good reason to me,” said Colin. “And besides, if you hadn't come to Clear Creek, you never would've met our Apple.”

Apple blushed and looked at Bran, wondering what he would stay. He smiled back. “True enough. Maybe she's the reason I'm here at all.”

“What a sweet thing to say,” said Sadie.

Apple’s blush deepened, and so did her curiosity. “Are you saying you came here because fate decided to bring us together?”

“I'm not sure if I believe in fate,” said Bran.

“What about divine intervention?” asked Colin with a smile.

“I suppose I'd be more inclined to believe that,” answered Bran. “Some would say  they’re the same thing.”

“Perhaps you're right,” said Harrison. “And if that's the case, the question then is, does fate ever need a helping hand, or does man think he can do something to help the Almighty?”

Bran narrowed his eyes slightly at Harrison. Apple caught the look and wondered what he was thinking. “Can't a person decide on their own fate?” she asked.

“I'm sure they can,” said Bran as he turned his focus on her. “Take for instance the decision to marry…”

Apple blushed again, then suddenly sobered. “Are you talking about what happened to Sam Jamison, my intended?”

“Maybe he never was your intended,” suggested Belle.

“Are you saying he got shot because he
was
intending to marry me?” asked Apple.

“No, of course not,” said Sadie. “That's not what Belle meant.”

“It sounds like it was to me,” Apple said then glanced around the table, to see if anyone else thought so too.

“Things happen, lass,” said Bran, But I don't think Mr. Jamieson got himself shot simply because he was going to marry you. He got shot because he wasn't paying attention.”

“True enough on that score,” said Harrison.

“And what if I'm not meant to marry you?” Apple asked in all innocence. “Does that mean something's going to happen to you too?”

Bran's eyes widened at her words. “Didn't we just come to the conclusion that that’s not the case here? Your intended, Mr. Jamieson, got careless, nothing more. If I marry you it's because I intend to, if I don't it's because ye rejected my intentions.”

Eloise’s words were quick to come back to Apple.
The only one that can keep you from marrying is you.
Apple pressed her lips together and said nothing. In fact, no one else did either, and instead went back to eating. Soon it was time for dessert and coffee and the six of them remained at the table until Bran stretched, pushed his chair away and stood. “Might I have the pleasure of yer company out on the porch until the coffee is made?” he asked Apple.

Apple looked at Colin and Harrison. They both smiled and nodded. She turned back to the deputy. “All right,” she said and stood. Now was as good a time as any to test her theory. Would he be struck by lightning while sitting on the porch? Bitten by a rattlesnake? Gouged by a raging bull? Or maybe he’d just choke on a cookie…

Apple was about to find out.

Twelve

Apple wrapped a shawl around her shoulders as Bran put on his coat. They went out onto the porch, sat on the swing, and looked at each other a moment before one of them spoke. “I’ll not keep ye out here long, Apple, it's too cold. But I wanted to have ye to myself for a few moments.”

Apple gave him a shy smile, then quickly glanced around.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked

Oh, no,” she said. “I was just wondering if anyone else was out here. Maybe one of the cowhands, or Jefferson. You never know when they might want to do some… target practice.”

“Target practice? In the dark?”

“Don't all good shots practice in the dark?”

“I don't.”

Oh,” she said in a soft voice. “I thought men who are really good with a gun practiced in the dark or… blindfolded.”

Bran laughed. “Not that I know of. I prefer to be able to see my target.”

“Well, as I’ve never shot a gun before, then how would I know these things?” She smiled before her eyes flicked to the porch, and then narrowed as she began to scan it.

“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”

“Ah, er… I was just thinking about the rattlesnake we encountered on the prairie.”

  Bran also took in their immediate surroundings. “Don't tell me you're afraid there might be a snake around here?”

“Well you never know,” she said as she continued to study the porch-boards.

He chuckled. “I doubt a snake is going to pop out at any second, lass.”

“But what if one did?”

“It's too cold for a snake to be showing himself around here tonight. Ye'd have a much better chance of running into one during the day when it's warmer.”

“Oh,” she said, sounding disappointed. She suddenly realized it, and glanced at him. Oh dear, was he scowling?

Bran narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you always this skittish?”

“No! I mean… sometimes.”

He took a deep breath. “You've nothing to worry about while I'm here. No one, or anything, is going to hurt you, do ye understand what I'm saying?”

She wrapped her shawl tighter about her shoulders. “I think so.”

He scooted a few inches closer. “Are ye cold then? Shall we go back inside?”

“No, I'd like to stay out here a little while longer.” She offered him another smile, and hoped it was enough to keep him from asking her any more questions regarding her behavior. But how else was she supposed to act when at any moment, something could happen to him!

He scooted another few inches toward her. “I'd never let anything happen to you, Apple.”

She stared at him in the dim light from the parlor window. She heard voices inside, and knew that the family had retreated to that room. Probably so that they could watch them through the lace curtains and make sure the deputy was behaving himself. But perhaps it wasn't the deputy they had to worry about. Apple studied the lines of his face in the shadows. He had to be the most handsome man she'd ever met. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. “What, what do you mean?”

“What I mean, lass, is that I would do anything to protect you.”

Apple's eyes widened as a flutter began in her stomach. “You would?
Anything
?”

He closed the distance between them yet again. “Aye, anything.”

“Like what?”

That got him. He raised his brows and cocked his head slightly to one side. She'd never seen him do it before, and found it quite attractive. “Whatever came up, I suppose.”

“Like if I was kidnapped, just like Sadie? You'd come to rescue me?” she asked, her voice dreamy.

“Aye, I would.”

“Or save me from a burning building, like Belle?”

“Of course.”

Now she scooted toward him, bringing them almost nose to nose. “And if I had been carried away and held captive in a cold, dark, cave, you'd come for me?”

His eyes darted to her mouth. “Aye,” he whispered. “I would indeed.”

Apple swallowed hard. She realized her breathing had picked up, but didn't know how to stop it. “And if something so vile and evil tried to take me away from you, what would you do?”

He licked his lips. “Conquer it.”

She swallowed again and gazed into his eyes. “How?”

“Like this, lass,” he said as he closed the distance between them…

* * *

“Harrison and Colin, get away from that window!” ordered Sadie.

Belle took a seat in a chair near the fireplace and giggled. “Well? Has he kissed her yet?”

Colin waved a dismissive hand at his wife as he and his brother continued to peer nonchalantly through the lace. “They’re kissing now!” he said in a loud whisper.

“All the more reason to get away from there!” Sadie demanded in a low voice.

Colin and Harrison complied, and stepped away from the window. “Shall we allow him one kiss, or two?” asked Collin of his brother.

“I say, but I'm rather torn on the matter.”

“Oh, let him steal a few kisses and then we’ll call it a night,” suggested Belle.

Sadie tiptoed toward the window. “What are you doing, wife?” asked Harrison in shock.

“Somebody has to keep count,” she said as she too, tried to nonchalantly peek through the lace. “How can you see anything?”

“It's all in the angle,” Colin informed her.

“Oh, for Heaven sakes,” said Belle. “Leave them alone!”

“Do you think he's kissed her a second time?” asked Colin.

“I haven't the foggiest,” said Harrison. “I suppose one of us could jump out on the front porch and, depending on Apple's reaction, hazard a guess.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” asked Belle.

“If she jumps out of the porch swing, then he's kissed her more than once,” explained Colin.

“Quite so,” agreed Harrison. “And if
he
jumps out of the porch swing, he's kissed her more than twice. Then, I suppose I shall have to strike him.”

“Strike him!” exclaimed Belle in shock. “Whatever for?”

“To see if he’ll hit me back, of course. It's all a matter of respect, and of course a way to show Apple his character.”

“Yes, does her dashing young Irish hero strike her cousin in anger?” explained Colin. “Or does he bow to the fair maiden, bid her good night, and return to call on her another day?”

“Are you two making this up?” asked Sadie as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Colin was the first to laugh, Harrison quick to join him.

“You've been in this family longer than I have,” stated Belle over their chuckles. “You should know how they are.”

“I'm learning more and more every day,” said Sadie with a sigh. “And right now, I think I'd like to borrow your aunt's ladle and give them both a good wallop!”

“Now see here, wife,” began Harrison. “We were simply looking out for Apple's best interests.”

“Apple's only interest is in the deputy that’s sitting with her on the porch,” said Belle.

“Yes,” added Sadie. “And it's the only thing she needs to be interested in right now, at least until she's married.”

“Alas,” said Harrison. “What if she doesn't want to marry him?”

“I don’t think there will be a problem with that,” Colin said as he motioned Harrison back to the window. He pointed through the lace and smiled. “I do believe he's up to kiss number three.”

“Three! That's it!” cried Harrison as he began to storm toward the foyer.

Colin grabbed him, should we let him go for four? And then we both have at him?”

“Oh, for crying out loud!” exclaimed Sadie as she marched toward the front door. “You two, stay here!” she commanded. “I’ll take care of this!”

* * *

“Apple…”

“Apple, her eyes closed, thought she heard Sadie's voice, but wasn't sure. She'd been locked in a dreamlike state by Bran’s kisses. They were sweet and chaste and oh so warm…”

That is, until Bran cleared his throat. “Mrs. Cook, is the coffee ready?”

“We've already had
our
coffee, though I can understand if you'd like some. It's freezing out here. I think it’s time the two of you came back inside.”

“I agree,” said Bran. “I've kept Apple out here too long. I apologize.”

“Don't apologize to me,” said Sadie. “Apologize to Apple.”

Apple looked between the two. “I'm not cold…” she said happily.

“I can see that,” Sadie said dryly. She took Apple by the hand and pulled her out of the swing. “If you go inside now, you'll be just as warm.”

Bran pressed his lips together to keep from laughing, and got up from the porch swing. “Should I be leaving now?”

“You can come in for a moment and say good night, but then, yes, I think you'd better.”

“I understand,” he said and gave her a curt nod.

He followed the women into the house and was immediately set upon by Colin and Harrison. “I say, old chap,” said Harrison as he slapped him on the back. “You look a little flushed, what were you doing out there?”

Apple's cheeks burned, and it wasn't from the cold outside. “I think I'd like some pie!”

Colin and Harrison burst out laughing. “Ah, yes, pie,” commented Sadie as she watched their hysterics. “The Berg and Cooke family cure-all for young love.”

“Cure-all?” asked Bran.

“Never mind,” said Sadie. “Why don't you say your goodbyes now.”

Bran and Apple gazed at each other. “I'm not sure when I'll see ye again, but I will call on you.”

“Apple gave him a small curtsy. “I look forward to it.”

Bran looked into her eyes again, then stole a quick glance at the chuckling brothers. He took one of her hands, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. “Until we meet again, Miss Sayer.”

Colin and Harrison looked like they were about to bust a gut, and it was obvious they could barely keep from falling into hysterics again. Sadie went to stand next to her husband and actually kicked him in the shin. “Ouch!” he cried.

Sadie was about to comment when Edith and Jefferson came through the front door with Honoria. “Here's the little one,” said Edith as she handed the baby off to Sadie. “She was an angel as always.” Edith took in the sight of everyone gathered. “Did you have a nice supper?”

“Yes, it was lovely,” said Belle as she came out of the parlor.

“You have no idea,” Colin said with a crooked smile. Belle hit him in the arm.

Jefferson looked from one brother to the other. “Looks like we missed a good time…”

“Like Colin said, you have no idea,” Harrison chuckled. “Isn't that right, Apple?”

Apple's eyes widened as she looked at the older couple. “I… I had a nice time.”

“How nice a time are we talking here, Missy?” asked Jefferson. “From the looks of that blush, you had a
really
good time!”

Bran looked at Apple and smiled. “Yes, this certainly is your family isn't it?”

Apple ignored the curious looks of everyone and smiled at him. “Yes, it is. I hope you like them as much as I do.”

He smiled back. “I could get used to them, lass.” With that he gave her a slight bow, turned, and left the house.

* * *

That night, Apple tossed and turned, unable to sleep. All she could think about was Bran’s kiss—no—make that kisses! He'd stolen not one, or even two, but four! Apple wondered if it marked her a wanton, but quickly pushed the thought aside. This was Clear Creek, not London, where the same sort of business would have had them immersed in scandal and a forced marriage. How horrible would that be? If that sort of thing happened, she'd never be able to find out about the curse in time. Speaking of which, now that she thought of it, nothing happened to Bran all evening.

Apple popped up to a sitting position and sucked in her breath. “Nothing
did
happen,” she whispered into the dark. Did that mean the curse was truly broken? Or, did it not exist in the first place, just like Eloise said? How would she ever know?

She lay back against her pillows and pulled the quilt up to her chin. “You just have to keep testing it,” she told herself. “It's the only way to find out.” But how was she going to do that? Bran said himself he didn't know when he would be back to call on her, which meant it could be days before she saw him again, even weeks! Apple couldn't stand the thought of not knowing for that long! She would have to do something, and that meant going to town.

“Hmmm,” she mused. The ladies sewing circle would meet again in a few days; that would be one trip. But what if she didn't see Bran while she was there? What if he was making his rounds, or out chasing outlaws?

Apple sat up again and gasped. “What if he gets shot while chasing outlaws?” Shot indeed. What if the curse had a delayed reaction, and being in her immediate vicinity didn't necessarily mean it would strike him then and there? What if it simply operated on the fact that he was interested in her? After all, was Sam Jamison anywhere near her prior to being shot? No, of course not. She hadn’t even met the man yet, but she did know he was her intended. “Oh dear, what am I going to do? How will I know?”