Charlene Sands (13 page)

Kate smiled into his eyes. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve been sure for nearly ten years, Cole.”

C
ole gazed into Kate’s eyes, the gleam of desire burning bright with blazing heat. Cole warned himself to take it slow, to make love to her the way he’d always envisioned, pleasuring her, tutoring her, loving her completely. He’d not rush this moment, no matter the look in her eyes telling him to hurry.

He smiled at Kate’s guileless innocence. She didn’t know what that look did to him. She didn’t know of his restraint, how difficult it was for him to simply stand there, giving her time to adjust to her decision, while all he wanted was to take her to his bed and bury himself within her.

“Come over by the window, Kate. It’s a beautiful starry night.”

Cole walked over to the window, parted the curtain and leaned on the windowsill. He looked out at the dark night lit by what seemed like thousands of silver lights. He waited for Kate to join him. When more than a few moments passed, the silence in the room
called his attention to the fact that Kate hadn’t moved from the doorway.

With a sigh of regret that she’d changed her mind, Cole turned slowly. His heart nearly dropped to his boots and his groin tightened painfully with need when he viewed her. A steady stream of incandescent light poured in and bathed Kate in a radiant glow. She stood before him with hair down, bared of all clothing, completely, beautifully, deliciously naked.

He blinked back his surprise and met her eyes. “Good Lord, you’re perfect, Kate.”

“Cole, I’m not a frightened young girl. I’m a woman,” she said huskily, her voice taking on a tone Cole would dream about later. She lifted her arms to him with unabashed invitation. “And I’m giving myself to you.”

Cole’s strides ate up the distance in the room, bringing himself to face her. He touched her cheek tenderly, running his fingers down the line of her jaw. Her eyes spoke of many things—vulnerability, passion, trust. He knew how difficult this was for her. She’d been let down by the only other man in her life—her father. Kate’s pain at having been abandoned, of feeling unworthy of love, of being cast out as the saloon gal’s daughter, had festered through the years. And now, she’d not only given him the gift of her body, but she offered the gift of her trust.

Cole’s chest swelled with pride. He’d not let her down. “Mary Kathryn Malone, you do know how to humble a man.”

“Humble?” she asked with an adorable pout. “Cole Bradshaw, if you don’t touch me soon, I swear I’m gonna die from want.”

Cole grinned. “Oh, there’s gonna be touching, sweetheart. Lots of touching. And you’ll not be complaining anymore.”

Kate wrapped her arms around his neck, the movement causing a gentle heaving of her full breasts. Cole groaned aloud, letting Kate see fully how she affected him. “You have entirely too many clothes on, Sheriff.”

Cole chuckled, berating himself for expecting a timid, shy, backward girl in his bed. This was Kate. She never did anything halfhearted. Lord above, the woman drove him crazy.

There was a frenzy of movement as his clothes were scattered hastily about the room. Within a minute, Cole stood bared to her, his manhood undisguised now and fully erect. Kate’s gaze fluttered over him first with wide shock-filled eyes, then her expression changed to brazen admiration. He took Kate’s hand and led her to his bed. Together they sank down, with limbs entwined, their warm skin touching.

“You’re perfect too, Cole,” she whispered into his ear. Cole’s body went a notch tighter, if that were possible. Kate stirred him in ways he’d not ever known before.

“Ah Kate,” he said, taking her in an all-consuming, intoxicating kiss. He stroked her delicately, running a finger down her throat, cupping her
breast then bringing his mouth there to suckle. Kate’s body arched and he moistened the pebble-hard tip with his tongue, giving her pleasure, relishing the soft, muted sounds of her ecstatic moans.

Cole had never wanted more to please a woman, to give her all she deserved, to show her the ways between a man and a woman. That Kate greedily accepted all that he could give warmed his heart and fueled his too-hot body.

When he slipped his hand down farther, past her belly to cup her feminine mound, Kate’s body jerked. “Cole!”

He kissed her lips. “I said there’d be touching, sweetheart…everywhere.” He stroked her tenderly with an expert hand, caressing her softness, gliding through her coppery curls until she made a low, sensual, mewling sound. “’Course, if you want me to stop…?”

Kate ran a hand through his hair and tugged gently, bringing his head up so that their gazes met. “You do and I’ll shoot you with your own gun.”

Laughter erupted and Cole kissed her hard this time, pushing her down farther onto the bed, covering her body with his. He rubbed up against her, feeling one with this woman who was his best friend, his lover. He stared into the brilliant green of her eyes, clouded only with the haze of arousal. All amusement left him for a more serious, more somber sensation.

He needed to take claim to her body, to make her his in the most elemental way.

Now.

The urgency that he felt shocked him in its intensity. “Open for me, sweet Kate,” he said, his voice deep with desire.

Kate parted her legs, her heart hammering hard. This was the moment she’d dreamed about. This was the dream she’d never believed would come true. This was where she belonged, with Cole, always with Cole.

He moved his body over hers and she witnessed great restraint on his face as he positioned himself. He thrust into her, once, breaking the barrier of her womanhood. Kate bit down hard on her lip, taking the pain with the pleasure. But the ache she felt ebbed quickly with Cole’s next words. “You’re mine now, Kate.”

“Yes,” she breathed, relinquishing herself fully to him. He moved inside her now, slowly as she adjusted to his size and, seemingly on instinct when he knew she was ready, his movements intensified.

She matched him thrust for thrust, raising her hips, arching, giving to him everything she had in her heart, as the searing ache of the past melted away. She was Cole’s and he was hers. There wasn’t any better or more certain truth than that.

Kate flowed with him now, meeting his powerful strides until finally, and all too soon, their erotic ride reached a towering peak. Kate cried out his name, the shudders of passion erupting uncontrollably. Kate’s
body tingled. Cole’s face twisted with pleasure and he too shuddered his release.

They came tumbling down together, arms entwined, hearts forged. Kate lay there in breathtaking awe, wrapped tenderly in Cole’s embrace. He had his eyes closed, his face a picture of contentment, and for Kate, her heart filled with joy.

“I never knew it would be so wonderful.”

Cole tightened his hold on her. “It was, wasn’t it, sweetheart?”

“Is it always…like that?”

Cole blew out a breath and hesitated before answering. “No. If your heart isn’t involved, then it’s just your body taking release.”

Brazenly Kate played with the hairs on his chest, curling a finger around them and tugging. “And so, your heart was involved this time?”

Cole put his hand over hers, halting her playful game. He stared deeply into her eyes. “You know it was, Kate.”

She flung her arms back over her head, feeling free, elated. “Mine too, Cole Bradshaw, mine too.”

Smiling, Cole kissed her leisurely then wrapped her into his arms and tossed the sheet over them both. “Better get some rest now.”

“Oh, I’m not a bit tired, Cole.”

“You will be, sweetheart, if you don’t sleep now. Trust me, or we won’t make it through the night.”

Kate closed her eyes, her lips curving up, welcoming his subtle invitation.

And just hours later, Kate woke to Cole’s sensual caresses. They lay spooned together, coiled closely, his tongue making erotic, lazy circles upon her throat. She smiled in her daze of awareness, the night still bright with stars. And an urgent tingle, more like a bolt of heat coursed down her body.

Kate turned to him then, opening her eyes wide to gaze into his handsome face. “Cole,” she whispered softly.

He fell back upon the bed. “Hmm?”

She leaned in, crushing her breasts to his chest. He held her there with a gentle hand, amid the tangle of sheets. “I want to touch you…everywhere.”

Cole closed his eyes slowly but didn’t respond.

“Cole?” she whispered again, desperately.

He opened one eye. “Have I died and gone to heaven?”

Baffled, Kate shook her head. “I haven’t shot you with your own gun yet, but you’re in danger of—”

“Don’t keep a man waiting, Kate.” He grabbed hold of her hand and placed it on his chest. “It’s not polite.” He scorched her with a look so full of heat, she nearly felt the burn on her cheeks.

Kate moved her hand slowly, searing a path from his taut muscular chest, down farther to his torso. She stroked his tight belly and heard his deep inhalation of breath. And finally her hand found what it sought, the thick arousal that surprised her in its silky texture. She wound her hand around him and he cursed softly, moving into her until she understood what he wanted.
She slid her fingers up and down, creating heat and friction. Heat and friction, until Cole stopped her from going further with words of caution. “No more, sweetheart, or the night will come to a quick end.”

He brought her up to kiss her soundly on the mouth, then set her atop him, so that she straddled his thighs.

Kate shifted a bit, rose up and took Cole in, using her knees to brace herself along his side. She settled herself down, filling herself full. He groaned with pleasure as she moved on him. Kate too let out a tiny whimper, the feeling powerful and potent.

She rode him slowly, throwing her head back, letting her hair fall down to tickle his legs. He arched and lowered with each one of her movements, creating more and more heat, stirring her senses until she needed more. Quickly now, desperately, she rode him faster, harder. Her pulse rate matched the rapid thrusts until suddenly Cole arched, calling her name out raggedly, and Kate shuddered from the shared release, her body collapsing onto his.

He wound his arms around her, planting small kisses onto her throat, and whispered sweetly, “Like I said, you’re mine now, Kate.”

Exhausted, Kate rolled onto her side and fell asleep wearing a blissful smile.

Golden sunlight poured into the room, arousing Kate from a sound sleep. She stretched and twisted her body right smack into Cole’s. The man needed
no stream of nature’s light to waken him. She felt his desire pressing against her belly. “Good morning, darlin’,” he said wickedly, taking her in a heady kiss that she greedily returned.

And that was all the encouragement Cole needed as he shed the sheets and began to make love to Kate once again. His touch sent her spiraling headlong into an unknown world of newfound desire. The sensations he evoked caused Kate nothing but sheer pleasure. She relished the brawny feel of him, breathed in his male scent and savored each minute of their love-making.

He took it slow, easy, making sure he’d touched every inch of her, making sure he’d caressed every part of her. Kate had never felt so treasured, so adored. And when he mounted her and brought them both to the brink of ecstasy, Kate’s heart soared with love.

They fell slowly back down to earth. Cole kissed her softly with an apology on his lips. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got work to do at the jail today. I’m asking you to stay here and watch Meggie for me.”

“I’ll stay.” Kate didn’t want to remind him that he’d placed her under arrest yesterday and she couldn’t leave. But none of that mattered now. Cole had finally accepted her for who she was. The saloon gal’s daughter and the sheriff had finally come to terms. They’d shared their bodies, but they’d also shared their hearts. For the very first time, Kate felt that a future filled with promise awaited them.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he said, rising and splashing his body with water from a bowl on the table. “I like knowing you’ll be here when I get home tonight.” Kate couldn’t think of any place she’d rather be than here, waiting for Cole. She watched him wash, then throw on clean clothes. Once he buttoned up his shirt, he turned to her. “Meggie sleeps late. Why don’t you go back to sleep for a while and get some rest?”

Cole bent to cover her up with the sheets then he tossed a blanket over her. Without him there, she’d need the warmth. “I think I will, Cole.”

“That’s my girl,” he said with a big smile.

His girl.

Kate’s throat went dry. Kate Malone was Cole Bradshaw’s girl. Finally and forever.

He threw on his vest, holstered his gun and put on his hat. He bent again, this time to kiss her goodbye. “Soon as you shut down that saloon, every morning can be like this.”

He brushed a quick kiss onto her lips and hustled out the door.

Kate bolted upright on the bed, clutching the sheet to her chest, her mouth gaping open, completely and utterly stunned.

K
ate opened the door to the jail and stepped inside, unmindful of the stares of curious shop owners on the main street of town. Johnny Martinez had rescued her by agreeing to take Meggie for a walk down by the creek, after unlocking the jailhouse door.

The entire town thought she’d been holed up in that jail cell overnight, but Kate couldn’t worry over that now. She had to see Cole and she couldn’t wait until he came home this evening.

Her appearance startled him. He rose from the desk with a questioning gaze. “Kate, honey, is something wrong? Where’s Meggie?”

“I left her with Johnny. They’re headed down to the creek for a while. I had to see you.”

His blue gaze softened on her, melting her bones like hot sugar over a fire. “I’m glad you came then,” he said in a husky voice. “I was missing you already.”

Kate’s heart tripped over itself. And when he
opened his arms, she walked into them, certain she’d heard him wrong this morning. Certain that Cole didn’t mean for her to give up on her dream.

With a finger, he lifted her chin and bent his head to take her in a long, lingering kiss. “Can’t hardly wait for tonight,” he said softly, bringing her against his chest. She squeezed her eyes shut. Images of their lovemaking, of all they’d shared last night, came crashing into her mind. She’d been so happy before Cole had shocked her with his declaration.

“Cole, what you said this morning…about me shutting down the saloon…you didn’t really mean it, did you?”

Lightly amused, he spoke calmly. “’Course I did, honey. Can’t rightly have you running a saloon if we’re gonna be together.”

Kate pushed herself out of his embrace. “Why not?”

“Now, Kate. Don’t go getting stubborn. I thought that it’s all settled between us. You and me and Meggie, we’ll be a family.”

Kate shook her head. “Only if I close down the saloon?”

Cole nodded. “That’s right.”

“I’m not closing the saloon, Cole.”

He gestured with his hands, palms up. “Okay, then sell it.”

She gasped and wondered if Cole knew her at all. It seemed as though nothing had changed regardless
of the night they’d just shared. “I’d never sell the Silver Saddle.”

Cole grimaced and set his hands on his hips. “What are you saying, Kate?”

“I can’t close the Silver Saddle. And I won’t sell.”

“It can’t be any other way, Kate. You have to know that.” Cole walked over to his desk, shaking his head, running a hand through his hair.

“Cole, please listen to reason…”

“What reason is that, Kate? That you’ll spend your days and nights in that saloon serving up whiskey to rowdies who’d just as soon shoot up the place as have a peaceful drink? It’s not a woman’s place, Kate. It’s just not.”

“Cole, we’ve always disagreed on this.”

“Yep,” he said, nodding his head. “That’s not about to change.”

“No,” she agreed, “so there’s not much use talking it to death, is there?” And she knew right then what was about to happen, that there was no hope of being with Cole again. Ever.

Cole pierced her with a dark look. “You won’t change your mind?”

“No,” she offered adamantly, “I can’t.”

“Damn it, Kate! Don’t do this. Don’t put that saloon between us.”

“There’s a river between us. There’s no crossing it and there’s no bridge. We’re on opposing sides, looking for a way over but there is no way, Cole.”

Cole frowned and shook his head slowly, his eyes filled with regret. “Kate.”

Kate’s heart split in two. She’d been foolish to think Cole had accepted her for who she was. His expectations for the future didn’t include a woman who ran a saloon. But Kate hadn’t changed. She was the same woman she’d always been, with the same wants and dreams. Why couldn’t Cole abide by that? She couldn’t give up the Silver Saddle, so that meant giving up on Cole. He wouldn’t have her any way but on his own terms, and the price of his love was far too high. Sometimes Kate hated the strength her mama had instilled in her. A weaker woman would have surrendered her dream for the man she wanted. But Kate couldn’t do that. It was more than the saloon now—it was about Cole’s regard of her.

With chin held high, she announced. “Arrest me for real if you have to, but I’m not going back to your house and I’m not closing up the saloon.”

“That won’t be necessary,” he said firmly, picking up a paper from his desk. He walked over to hand her a telegraph wire. “Perry from the telegraph office figured you’d be here, so he left it with me to give you.”

She lifted her eyes to his. “You read this?”

He nodded without apology. “After last night, I thought I had the right.”

Kate read the wire quickly, realizing that Robert had come through for her in Los Angeles. She was free to operate the saloon without hesitation. It
seemed the town ordinance was clearly written for new establishments coming into the area and since the Silver Saddle was “existing,” only in need of repairs, it didn’t fall under the jurisdiction of that law. Small consolation, Kate thought. She had the law on her side now, but not the lawman. He’d always needed a different kind of woman. Hurt and angered that he wouldn’t give them a chance, Kate clutched the paper to her chest. “You have no rights where I’m concerned. Not anymore,” she said quietly, watching Cole blink back the pain her words had caused.

His expression turned as cold as Crystal Creek waters. “You’re free to go, Kate.” He turned his back on her and sat down at his desk, dismissing her.

Kate’s eyes misted, but the real tears would come later on, in the privacy of her own room. She turned and grabbed the knob of the door, twisting it open. “Goodbye, Cole,” she said softly, and walked out of the jail.

Kate entered the Silver Saddle shortly after her confrontation with Cole. She glanced around at the elegant saloon she’d rebuilt with a deep sense of pride, but no joy filled her heart. Instead, heavy sadness swept through her. She pulled out a cane-backed chair and slumped down, feeling like a young child again, the one her father had abandoned. The one the schoolchildren had taunted for having a mama who ran a saloon. She closed her eyes, weary from the
highs and lows of the past day, unable to come to grips with Cole’s blatant rejection. She’d always known of his strong convictions regarding family life. But after the night of passion they’d shared, Kate had assured herself that he would see things differently, see that they could make it work if they cared enough for each other. She’d showed him how much she cared by willingly giving him her innocence. Kate didn’t believe it was too much to ask him to understand her reluctance in giving up her family’s legacy. It was something he could do for her. But his mind was set and Kate wondered if it was more than wanting a proper wife and mother for Meggie.

He’d earned the town’s respect and accomplished his goal of becoming sheriff, but did he fear losing ground if he got involved with her? The doubts clouding her mind and instilled since childhood had come back full force now. When would Kate Malone be good enough for Sheriff Bradshaw? When would she be worthy of love?

“Miss Kate?” Josh came out of the back room and grinned, distracting Kate from her disturbing musings. “You’re a sight for my sore eyes. Did that sheriff finally come to his senses?”

“He had to let me go,” Kate said, then related the reasons for her release.

After her explanation, Josh poured them both a glass of their best whiskey in celebration. “To the Silver Saddle,” he said, raising his glass in a toast.

Kate smiled and sipped, the liquid burning her
throat. She wasn’t one to drink normally, but she couldn’t refuse a toast with Josh. He was one of the few who’d stuck by her in all this. “To the Silver Saddle,” she repeated.

“What are your plans now, Miss Kate?”

“We reopen the Silver Saddle tomorrow. The Grand Opening signs go back up outside. And I’d like to hire on a piano player.”

Josh rubbed his chin, scratching at the dark beard concealing most of his face. “I might be of help there. I know a man who played all the honky-tonks in Charleston before the war. He’s living outside the lumber mills not far from here now. He’s getting on in age, but I’ve heard him play. He’s real good. He might be interested in some work.”

“Oh, Josh! That sounds perfect. Will you go talk to him? Tell him I can’t pay much, but that’s bound to change soon. See if he can work three or four nights a week.”

“I’ll check on it first thing, Miss Kate. Soon as I change the date on those Grand Opening signs. We’ll put them out first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks, Josh.”

Kate sighed deeply after Josh had left the room to see to the signs. Her body ached some from her long night of loving with Cole, but it was her heart that hurt the most.

Don’t dwell, she reminded herself. She had work to do and plans to make. She’d not wallow in misery.
Kate had an establishment to operate—a
legitimate
establishment. And no one was going to stop her now.

In the privacy of her bedroom, Kate changed out of the clothes she’d worn for two straight days, gladly peeling them away. She poured water from the cornflower-blue pitcher and washed up, splashing her face and letting the water trickle down her throat. The cool liquid refreshed and cooled her skin. She changed into a simple cotton calico, devoid of petticoats and headed for the kitchen, ready to prepare herself an easy meal of bread and cheese. She was just too darn tired to fix anything substantial.

A soft knocking at her door startled her and she jumped, letting go an unladylike curse and blaming her reaction more on raw nerves than surprise. She walked to the door. “Who’s there?”

“It’s us, Kate. Nora, Abe and Jethro. We brought you supper.”

Kate grinned, happy to hear Nora’s voice. Quickly she thrust the door open. “Oh, Nora! This is just what I need. Come in, everyone, come in.”

Kate ushered her friends inside. Nora set down a platter of food on her kitchen table. “After what you went through in that jail, we figured you’d need a decent meal. I hope we aren’t intruding. How are you, Kate?”

Guilt assailed her instantly at having her friends worry about her, when in truth, she’d spent the night in a warm bed at Cole’s house. Heavens, she’d spent
the night in
his
bed, with his arms wound tightly around her most of the night.

But she couldn’t rightly admit that to them now. Perhaps, one day, she’d speak of it to Nora, her most trusted friend, but not tonight. “No, of course, you’re not intruding, Nora. And I’d never turn down a hot meal.” Kate laughed, but all eyes were upon her, seemingly waiting for her description of her supposed jail time. She cleared her throat. “I, uh, it wasn’t so bad, really. I’m fine, truly I am. And did you hear the good news? I got the wire I’d been hoping for from Los Angeles. The town ordinance has no jurisdiction over the Silver Saddle. We’re opening for real tomorrow. And it’s all within the law.”

“We heard!” Nora said.

“The whole town’s buzzing about your night in jail and about the saloon being legal and all. Seems Big Josh told Mr. Becker at the general store and, well, now the entire town knows the way of it,” Abe offered.

“I sure gave the sheriff a piece of my mind,” Jethro said sourly, “arresting a woman like you.”

“It’s okay, Jethro,” Kate said softly, patting his arm. “It all worked out for the best now.” She wished she felt that way in her heart, but at least she still had the Silver Saddle, and nobody could take that away from her.

Her friends sat down to eat the meal with her, boosting her sagging spirit by making jovial conversation. Abe and Jethro bantered back and forth with
customary brotherly affection, each one trying hard to best the other with verbal play. It warmed Kate’s heart to listen to them, to simply sit back and enjoy their teasing. When the meal was finished and the men agreed to a smoke outside, the women collected the dishes. “How’s the baby?” Kate asked, happy to have a pleasing subject to speak about.

Nora’s face split into a big smile. “I felt him move today, Kate. It was the first time.”

“Oh, Nora!” Kate’s elation matched Nora’s. “Can I feel him, too?”

Nora took hold of Kate’s hand and guided it to her expanding belly. “Here,” she said hopefully, “but he doesn’t always move when I want him to. Abe hasn’t felt him yet, either.”

Kate waited patiently, but she didn’t feel any baby movements. “Well, he’s just a stubborn one, isn’t he?”

Nora chuckled. “Probably, if he takes after his mama.”

Kate peered at Nora’s stomach and her mind filled with wondrous thoughts. “What’s it like, Nora? To know you’ve created a life?”

“Oh,” Nora said, a wistful expression taking shape on her face, “it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It’s…a miracle, Kate. I can’t really explain it. You’ll just have to find out for yourself one day.”

Kate turned away from Nora to wash a dish, fighting a battle against her sentimental tears.

Nora, darn her sweet soul, wouldn’t let the subject
drop as it should have. “Kate, you
will
find out one day, I’m sure of it.”

“I don’t think so, Nora. It…it doesn’t matter, anyway. I have what I want. A girl can’t be too greedy now, can she?” Kate attempted a smile.

“You’re not greedy, Kate. And you deserve nothing but good things in your life.”

“Thank you, Nora. That means a lot, but I’m satisfied with just running the saloon, now that it’s legal and all.”

Nora handed her another dish to wash, then took up a cloth to wipe the clean ones dry. “You seem different tonight, Kate. Is there something you’re not saying?”

Kate needed to keep her night with Cole close to her heart where she could look back on it and know that for a short time she’d had the “good things” that Nora had spoken about. She wasn’t ready to divulge her secret, not even to Nora. It was almost as though if she spoke of it aloud, some of the enchantment of their time together would be lost. Silly as it seemed since she’d pretty much been discarded by Cole, Kate still needed to embrace the special feeling from the night they’d shared—the only night she’d ever have with Cole.

“It’s been a trying few days, Nora.”