Cinders' Bride: Mail Order Brides of Texas (12 page)

****

The next day Shannon worked hard trying to keep occupied, but her worry for Cinders wouldn’t go away. He went to the Indian camp alone and it scared her. She kept checking the front window hoping to see him riding up the path.

Cookie tried his best to keep her occupied but lunchtime came and went and everyone acted kind and respectful, like they knew she was sick with worry. It took her by surprise when Tramp asked her if she wanted to continue their riding lessons. Her hand itched to slap his face but she declined instead. Tramp was playing with fire and she didn’t like it at all. She didn’t know what his game was but her plan was to stay as far away from him as possible. He obviously didn’t have Cinders’ best interest in mind.

“Looking down the road isn’t going to bring him home any faster you know.”

“I know, Cookie, I can’t help it. I’m worried. What if something happens to him? Long Nose wouldn’t come for me would he?”

Cookie shook his head “Don’t you worry none. When the game started to become scarce, Cinders fed those Indian friends of his. He gave them enough cattle through the years to keep them alive. There’s talk about putting them on a reservation and Cinders doesn’t want that to happen so instead of the Indians raiding the homesteaders around here he feeds them. He also fed the whole town this past winter, before that even. People respect him, well, all except for John Hardy.

“Why don’t they get along?”

“It’s a sad story really. One of them Indian gals went into town hoping to find help for her baby. Usually they don’t bother with white man’s medicine but the little guy was so sick. John took her in as a kindness he said. The baby died and the gal ended up working for Hardy.

By the time Cinders found out about it he couldn’t help, dang what was her name? Little something- Little Flower was too shamed to return to her people. Cinders took her anyway and she’d been right, they didn’t want her back. Cinders brought her here and offered her work and a roof over her head but she ran off right back to Hardy.

She killed herself two days later. Plunged a knife into her chest. Hardy blamed Cinders for interfering but Little Flower never wanted the life Hardy gave her. Rumor is he didn’t even call a doctor for her boy.

“Oh my, John Hardy never planned for to marry me did he?” She wrapped her arms around her.

“Don’t know for sure but I think you’re right. Lucky for you Cinders was there. Many a man in town is afraid of Hardy. He runs slanted poker games and half the people owe him money.”

“God must have been looking down at me the day Cinders rescued me. I just wish I were a whole woman and not a scarred one. He deserves better.”

“Says who?” Cinders stood in the doorway, filling it with his broad shoulders.

She flew in his direction and before she knew it, she had her arms around his neck, drawing him down for a kiss. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Realization of her wanton behavior hit her and she slowly pulled away. The smile on his face was deep.

“I think you are the one who deserves better. I’m glad I was in town that day, and I’m pleased you’re my wife.”

She took inventory of him, checking for wounds or blood. “How’d it go? Did you talk to Long Nose?”

Cinders took her hand and pulled her to his side. He then wrapped his arm around her waist. “Apparently Hardy promised you to Long Nose. I made him understand he’d have to find a new wife since you are mine.” He chuckled. “He tried to convince me that you were a bad wife. You don’t know how to ride, kill, and skin an animal and a host of other things. And I told him you couldn’t put up a teepee, cook, or heal with herbs. I told him you hound me night and day and if he really wanted you…”

Her hands flew to her face to cover her redness. “What?” She backed out of his embrace, and put her hands on her hips. “You were trying to give me away? Let me tell you something- I can cook.”

“Whoa, wait a minute. I was giving him reasons to not want you. They’re not true but he didn’t care until I got to the hounding part. You are no longer of interest to Long Nose.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes, just like that. Damn John Hardy to hell and back. To save his own hide, he sends for a mail order bride not for him but for Long Nose. I’m telling you he’d better not walk across my path.”

“Or mine,” Cookie chimed in.

“What’s to stop him from trying it again? He is despicable and he didn’t care about slicing me open, I wasn’t meant for him. I want you to get your money back.” John Hardy’s betrayal surprisingly hurt. “He is evil, playing with other people’s lives.”

“I’m not worried about the money and a confrontation with him might put you in danger. I’ll have a talk with the sheriff and let him know about Hardy’s plan for you. Someone needs to look out for other brides he may have sent for.”

“I want to give him a piece of my mind.” She grabbed her bonnet and started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Cookie asked.

“To town.”

Cinders shook his head. “Let’s just sit tight for now. I don’t want Hardy to know we’re on to him. He just might smuggle the next one in and give her to Long Nose. I want him to feel safe in his treachery so he's not careful and we can catch him.”

Putting her bonnet back on the hat rack, she sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Thank you for making me out to be such an awful wife.” She smiled at Cinders then grabbed her apron and donned it.

He laughed. “Anytime.”

“These potatoes aren’t going to peel themselves you know,” Cookie said. His voice was low and scratchy.

“Cookie is right. I have a lot of work to do.” He strode to her side and kissed her cheek. “See you for dinner.”

She watched as he walked away. He really was a wonderful man, very wonderful. Luck was on her side when he'd come into her life. A shiver went through her. She was supposed to be Long Nose’s wife? It was taking a big chance being a mail order bride, but this was beyond anything she could have possibly imagined. Would she have survived living with the tribe?

“Shannon, I know I’ve said it before but the potatoes really don’t peel themselves.”

Dinner turned out much better than she thought it would. Tramp didn’t glance her way once and there was no elbowing or teasing. In fact, she exchanged many smiles with Cinders and her heart beat faster.

Afterward, Cinders sent Cookie on his way and he helped dry the dishes.

“I appreciate you rescuing me from both John and Long Nose. I really don’t know if anyone would have realized I was gone. Only John knew I was coming and I have no other relatives.”

“I wish I could have Hardy thrown in jail, but I only have Long Nose’s word and the law won’t listen to an Indian. I’m just glad I got to the bottom of it before we left. It’ll probably be safe for you to stay here instead of going on the cattle drive.”

Her shoulders slumped and she forgot about washing the dishes. Her hands stilled in the water. He didn’t want her. “I understand.”

“Damn it, Shannon, what do you understand? By the look on your face, you don’t understand at all. I’m thinking about your comfort is all. Do I want you to come? Yes, I want to show you the West, but it will be a long, hard, dusty trail, and I want you to have a choice.” His eyes flared as his voice grew deeper with each word.

Turning back to the basin of water, she continued to wash the tin plates. She couldn’t believe what a sensitive ninny she’d become. What happened to the self-assured woman she’d been? Every word, look or gesture she saw as suspect. Now, she’d upset Cinders.

Finishing the last dish, she smiled at him. “I’m excited to go. Cookie already warned me about the hard work, but I’d love for you to show me the West.”

A sexy smile was her reward. “Good.”

“You are a good man, Cinders, and I thank you for your many kindnesses. I sure was lucky you came to town the day I arrived.”

“My sweet, the luck was all mine.”

There was no stopping the smile from spreading across her face. Her spirits lifted and her heart warmed. She’d never figure out her handsome husband. And people said women were contrary. “Riding lessons tomorrow?”

“Yes, riding lessons tomorrow.”

She felt her face blush at his perusal. “Well, I‘d better get some rest.” She lingered, staring at his sparkling eyes. All of a sudden she couldn’t wait for tomorrow.

****

Cinders paced out front while he waited for Shannon to put on her jeans and skirt. Maybe it was a mistake but he sure didn’t want Tramp near her again. The more he thought about it the angrier he became. His friendship with Tramp had gone downhill, but he needed the man to get the cattle to Kansas. His ranching experience was too valuable.

He panned the expanse of his ranch and it always gave him a wonderful, satisfied feeling. He alone was responsible for its growth. When his pa had first come out to Texas, he did well fighting off the hostiles and gathering the mavericks. Those were some lean times. Now there were no worries of going back to eating only twice a day and rationing what little food they had.

When his pa had killed the first steer, it was cause for celebration. There were more close neighbors back then. Now, he owned the majority of the land. Most had either died or just picked up and left. Texas was a tough place to thrive. The heat alone drove many a family further west. Now there was a growing township and some good people had settled.

His frown turned into a wide smile when Shannon came out the door. Her pants peeked out at the bottom of her skirt and she blushed. He admired her spunk.

“Am I riding Daisy again? I don’t want to land on my… my back again.” Instead of looking at him, she stared at the dirt. It was almost as though she was suddenly shy.

“We’ll be riding Daisy. You can sit behind me and hold on.”

“Hold on to what?” Her brow furrowed when she finally raised her gaze.

“To me, darlin’.” He could help it, his smile grew wider as she turned a darker shade of red.

“Is something funny? Your dimples are showing.”

“Dimples, really? I never knew. I guess I don’t smile as much as I do when we’re together. Come on, Daisy is all ready for us.”

She walked by his side and he noticed she couldn’t see anything except for what was right in front of her. Why did women wear those dang blasted bonnets anyway? He left her at the corral, went inside the barn, and grabbed a hat. Once he was back by her side, he held it out to her. “Here wear this. It’ll keep the sun off your face and enable you to see better.”

She eyed the sweat stained hat for a moment before she accepted it from him. Shrugging, she untied her bonnet, took it off, and put the hat on. “How do I look?” She turned away as though she was aghast at her question. “Never mind, let’s ride.”

“You look like a beautiful cowgirl, though I think we should get you a hat of your own. You’re scar isn’t the first thing I see when I look at you. Your eyes are a lovely shade of brown and I see your eyes when I gaze at you. Now, let’s get you up on Daisy.”

She stood next to the horse and stared at him. “Aren’t you going to lift me up?”

He cocked his right brow. “Is that what Tramp did?”

“Yes.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“That is one way to do it but it won’t help you if you’re all alone. There are a few ways to get on. Climb the wooden fence and get on, find a rock or tree stump to climb or put your foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up into the saddle. However, before we get on I want you to get to know Daisy. He handed her a few cubes of sugar. “Feed her these and make friends.”

She took the sugar and flashed him a look of doubt. “She has big teeth. Maybe you didn’t notice.”

He swallowed hard to keep from laughing. “Most horses have big teeth. Put you hand out flat, palm up and place the cubes on your palm. Daisy will take the sugar from you.”

“So, there’s no biting involved?”

“No, ma’am. If anything it’ll tickle.”

Giving him a sidelong glance, she held her palm with the sugar on it to Daisy. It almost looked as though she was going to back away but she held her ground and laughed when Daisy took the cube from her.

“You’re right. It does tickle.”

Her laugh touched him deep inside. The only other woman he’d heard laugh lately was Polly, and compared to Shannon’s laugh, Polly's sounded fake. Why hadn’t he noticed before? Maybe because he wasn’t looking close enough.

Her hand ran over Daisy’s nose and neck, and for a moment he was jealous, wishing he was the one getting her attention. “Think you’re ready?”

Nodding eagerly, she walked to his side. “Do I get on first, or do you?”

“Me first, and then I’ll pull you up behind me.” He swung up into the saddle and instructed Shannon to climb the first few rungs of the corral fence. “Reach for my hand and swing your leg over Daisy.”

She mumbled something about it sounding easier than it probably was and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. After a few failed attempts, she finally sat behind him.

“Wrap your arms around my waist.”

She gingerly put her arms around him. “Are you sure she’s not going to knock me off?”