Cinders' Bride: Mail Order Brides of Texas (13 page)

“I can’t be sure unless you tighten your arms around me. I won’t bite.” Her reaction satisfied him. He enjoyed her closeness and the feel of her breasts against his back.

“Ready? Here we go!”

“Wait. Where are we going? I was just learning to ride in a circle.”

“Darin’ there aren’t many circles on the trail. Don’t worry so much.”

Her arms stiffened around him and her body tensed. Patting her clasped hands he kicked Daisy to a slow trot. Daisy had an easy gait for a while, but then she stopped and began to sidestep. The horse turned abruptly to the right. Shannon wasn't expecting such an abrupt move and lost her hold on Cinders. She fell to the left, screaming. Her scream stopped as soon as she hit the dirt packed ground.

Daisy still sidestepped as Cinders jumped down. He listened for a second and drew his gun. “Don’t move, Shannon. There’s a snake.”

“I’m not afraid of snakes.”

“Don’t move. It’s a rattler.” He aimed and fired, hitting the snake and killing it.

“A rattler?” Her complexion waned.

“Yes a rattle snake. They’re deadly. Did you want to keep the tail? It’ll rattle for you, or maybe we could have snake for dinner?” He rubbed the back of his neck and gave her a serious look.

“Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“Okay to both,” She stood without assistance and smiled.

“Really?”

Laughing, she shook her head. “No, I don’t want either, silly. I saw right through your little joke.”

At least she had a sense of humor. “Let me get Daisy soothed and then we can ride home.” He didn’t have to walk far to find the horse eating grass. He took her reins and led her back to Shannon. “Ready?”

She took a step and cringed. “Yes.”

“Damn, I didn’t even ask if you were hurt. Where is the pain?”

She glanced from the ground to his face, then to the ground again. “I’d rather not say.”

His shoulders shook as he laughed. “Got it, your backside is a bit tender.”

Still not looking at him, she nodded. “I’d say more than a bit tender.”

“Do you think you can ride? It’s kind of a long walk.” He tried to hide his smile but it was there to stay.

“You can stop laughing. I’m ready.” She gasped as he lifted her up and swung onto Daisy. Next, he mounted in front of her.

“I’ll try to keep the ride as gentle as I can.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “I’d appreciate it,” she whispered against his back.

He married one hell of a woman. She surprised him at every turn. Most women he knew would have been in hysterics, but not his Shannon. Hmm, his Shannon, he liked the way it sounded. Maybe he could ask Polly about how not to get a woman pregnant. No, bad idea. He’d come up with something. It was getting near impossible to be close to Shannon and not take her.

Chapter Seven

Never in her wildest dreams did she realize how much work went into getting ready for a cattle drive. Getting the food wagon ready proved exhausting and Cookie wanted everything just so. Never mind he kept mumbling about women not being allowed on cattle drives. Shannon was ready to shoot him.

She hardly slept. Longings and her imagination kept her awake. Night after night, she hoped Cinders would make a move to make them man and wife, but he never did. He’d hug her and pull her close. His kisses drove her wild but he left it there and her restlessness caused her many sleepless nights.

Every morning as she washed her face, she put the blame on herself. After all, Cinders did her a favor by marrying her. She couldn’t expect him bed her. Cookie removed the stitches on her face the day before. Now her scar flamed red upon her porcelain skin. Many times she’d forget about it until she saw someone starring at the side of her face. They knew hideous when they saw it. She couldn't blame them for the wide-eyed glances they gave her.

It would be her lot to bear, but she was determined to be a good worker and to never make Cinders sorry. He plain didn’t want her as a woman and she needed to accept it. But his kisses…

She quickly braided her hair and left the bedroom, ready to help Cookie.

“You look a bit peaked. You having your time?” Cookie asked.

“My time?” Her face heated. “Now what business would that be of yours?” Taking a step toward him, she fisted her hands on her hips.

“Dang I have a big mouth. It’s not my business. Do you need a hot water bottle?”

Titling her head, she just stared.

“The other missus always stayed in bed and demanded a hot water bottle and tons of tea. I just don’t have the time today. I can get the bottle and tea, but not all day long.” He shuffled his feet as he looked everywhere but at her.

“Cookie, look at me.” She waited until he cast his gaze in her direction. “I’m not some delicate flower you need to cater to. I was raised to take care of myself. Tell you what. If I do need something I will ask you. I’m not Charlotte. Every woman is different. They have different temperaments, different dreams, and different ways of seeing things. Don’t worry about me. Now where do we start?”

Cookie’s smile beamed. Maybe it would be a good day after all. Turning, she saw Cinders leaning against the side of the open outside door. “I didn’t see you there.” It was hard to judge what he thought.

“Charlotte had you do all that? Cookie, why didn’t you say anything?” Cinders walked into the house.

“As the missus, she deserved my respect. Plus I figured you’d want me to.” He shrugged.

“I bet you’re happy those days are over,” Cinders said. He sighed and his brows furrowed.

“No, I’m not happy for your loss. She was your wife after all. Shannon and me are just still finding our way a bit is all.”

Cinders nodded, then stared at her. “I’ll get the water bottle for you.”

She grabbed the nearest towel and flung it at him. “I have no need for a water bottle if you both must know.”

“You do look a bit pale. Maybe—”

“I haven’t been sleeping is all. I’m fine. Have some coffee and we’ll finish making breakfast.”

Cinders strode over to her and grabbed her hand. “Come, I need to talk to you.” He led her into the bedroom and closed the door behind them. He let go of her hand and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m the reason you can’t sleep. I’ll take the floor or—”

“You most certainly will not leave your own bed. I’m fine really.”

“If you’re so fine then why aren’t you sleeping?”

A blush started at her neck and heated her face. Staring at the floor, she didn’t know what to say. “I, well, I have these crazy feelings inside me and they make me feel restless. It happens when you’re around and I don’t know why. I feel as though I’m missing something but I can’t for the life of me think of what it is.” A tear formed in her eye when she lifted her head and gazed at him.

Cinders’ smile grew wider and wider. “Restless you say?”

“Why do you look so pleased with yourself. It’s not a happy matter. Sometimes I just want to scream.”

“It’s called need and desire.”

“Need for what? I have everything I could have ever wished for.”

“That’s a fib right there.”

“A fib?”

“Every woman has a need for love and pleasure. Men too.” His blue eyes studied her.

“Of course I have a wish for love, but I can do without it and I never heard about pleasure. I mean it’s nice when we’re together. It’ll go away. In fact I bet I sleep real good tonight.” She smiled and tried to step around him but he blocked her way.

“You don’t have to have love to have pleasure. You like my kisses don’t you?”

Frowning she blinked up at him. “Of course I like your kisses. Oh that’s the pleasure?”

“Yes and there is much more than just kisses. As soon as I figure out how not to get you pregnant, I’ll show you.” He kissed her, arousing the same feelings, then stopped. “I guess we’d better get the men fed.”

“Oh, yes of course.” Her stomach churned. He didn’t want children with her. It cut deep and now she didn’t feel quite so restless. If he had never kissed her, she wouldn’t have these feelings. Life had some harsh realities that could not be changed. Being an asset to Cinders and the ranch was still her best direction to take. Her eyes closed as she took a deep cleansing breath and slowly let it out. Life was lived by hard work, not by taking pleasure.

She heard the men begin to file in and she quickly went into the kitchen and grabbed an apron. She tied it around her waist, gave Cookie a wry grin, and began to put platters of food onto the table. Finally, she sat, trying to listen to all the banter but it ended up as background noise to her thoughts. The whole time growing up she'd wished for a sibling. When that didn’t happen, she decided to have lots of children of her own. Some wee ones to raise.

Glancing at Cinders, she admired his fine features. His jaw was so firm and his cheekbones were high, giving him a strong chiseled look. His hair fell across his forehead in an endearing way. He looked her way, smiled, and went back to his conversation with Tramp. There must be something wrong inside her. She wanted his approval because it gave her a jolt of happiness. It couldn’t end well tying her happiness to him. Before she knew it, everyone filed out leaving her alone with Cookie.

“Cat got your tongue?” He asked.

“No, just lost in thought, I guess.”

“Well, get unlost 'cause we need to go into town to get supplies.”

She shook her head. “You can go. I’m not needed.”

“The boss told me to take you. Don’t you worry none. That nice widow woman at the mercantile is sweet on me.” He smiled as he continued to wash dishes.

“Lucky you. If Cinders wants me to go I’ll go.”

“Now that’s the spirit. Why don’t you go put on that pretty blue dress you just made? It makes you look pretty as a picture.”

Her smile was fleeting as she raised her hand to her cheek. He meant well. “I’ll go change.” She couldn’t keep her hands from shaking as she dressed. She only peered in the mirror to put her bonnet on. Thankfully, it hid part of her scar. Edith and Cookie? Now that was a mismatched couple, if they even were a couple. She’d need to see the two together and she hoped this time Cookie was the one blushing instead of her.

Opening the bedroom door, she noticed the silence and assumed Cookie was already outside. Walking toward the outside door, she was grabbed from behind. Before she could scream, a hand covered her mouth. She looked around, trying to figure out what was happening. Cookie sat in a chair with an Indian standing over him holding a knife. Instantly she stilled.

“It’s Long Nose. Don’t let him take you!” Cookie yelled out.

Fear jutted through her and she began to struggle. She kicked his shins with her heel and bit his hand. He shouted out what seemed to be a warning but she didn’t care. Cinders wouldn’t want her if Long Nose took her. The other Indian slammed his fist into Cookie’s face. Cookie instantly slumped down, his head rested on the table, bleeding.

She bit his hand again and the Indian let go for a second giving her time to scream. He stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth, picked her up, and slung her over his shoulder. Tears threatened, but she needed a cool head. Her father always told her a cool head gave you the advantage in a fight. She stopped struggling and tried to regain her energy. She could barely see but there didn’t appear to be anyone around. Did they kill anyone before they arrived at the house? Her heart hurt along with her head.

Long Nose leapt onto a horse and the two men joined him. They rode fast and Long Nose moved her from his shoulder to the space in front of him. He draped her face down on the horse. Her stomach began to churn as she silently said good-bye to Cinders.

There was no way for her to tell what direction they were going. She couldn’t get a good look at the position of the sun. All she knew was the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Damn she should have had Cinders teach her more. The ground passed in a blur. At one point, they stopped suddenly and changed directions. Was it a rescue party, or more danger? Maybe it didn’t matter. She should have found a way to kill herself just like Tramp said.

The horses stopped, Long Nose jumped down and plucked her from the horse, carrying her behind an outlay of boulders. She hit the ground hard when he dropped her. He pushed her behind one of the boulders while he and the other man took up defensive positions.

With her hands over her ears, she squeezed her eyes closed and prayed. It was too quiet. She dropped her hands and listened. Horses neighing as all she heard. She expected chaos. For a minute, there was shouting in a language she didn’t understand, then nothing. Long Nose and his friend took their horses and left. Too afraid to move, she stayed huddled behind the rock. The stones on the ground cut into her knees, but she didn’t move.

She heard more horses and then her husband' voice calling her name. Slowly she inched up until she could see above the rock. It really was Cinders and she sighed with relief. She started to make her way down but almost tripped.

“Wait there! I’m coming to get you.”

She nodded as tears streamed down her face. She hastily wiped them away and counted the seconds it took for Cinders to reach her. Her arms lunged for him and soon he enfolded her against him. It felt so good to be in his arms. He had rescued her yet again.

He kissed her cheek and took a step back. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“More frightened than harmed. I’ll be fine.” Glancing past Cinders, she spotted both Indians and the men from the ranch. “How—”

“I’ll tell you everything when we get home.” He held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as they climbed to the flat ground below. He stopped them in front of a man of prominence, probably the Chief, and exchanged a few words. They watched as the Indians rode away.

“Did they touch you?” Tramp asked.

Ignoring him, she marched over to Cinders’ horse and fumed. Now she knew why women preferred to kill themselves. It was the jackasses like Tramp who asked such questions. Cinders mounted and pulled her up in front of him, cradling her. “Let’s go home.”

She was practically on his lap as she wrapped her arms around him. His heartbeat sounded strong as she lay her head against his muscular chest. This may be the last time he touched her. Before long, everyone in town would know an Indian had captured her. Their disdain of her would only grow. Just one more reason for Cinders to be sorry he married her. He’d never make her a wife in truth and she couldn’t put the blame on him.

She’d miss his comfort and his occasional kisses. Maybe when they got to Kansas she would leave him. There were probably plenty of opportunities in Kansas. She could out sew anyone based on what the women from town wore. The gentle rocking motion of the horse soothed her and she was finally able to breathe.

“Do you think you could loosen your grip on me a bit?”

Her face heated. “I didn’t realize. Was I hurting you?” She loosened her tight hold.

“You’re fine. I’m just glad we found you. Damn Long Nose to hell and back. Did he take you from the house?”

“Yes he grabbed me in the house and flung me over his shoulder. He rode with me a bit like that until he put me face down on the horse. To tell you the truth, I’m not feeling so well. Cookie! What about Cookie.”

“He’ll have one heck of a headache but he’ll survive.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No, I’d rather get home as soon as possible. I’m still afraid he’ll come back.”

“I’m moving up the date for the cattle drive. I don’t want him to have another chance at you.”

“Moving it to when?”

“Day after tomorrow. I think we can pull it off. I want you to stay with Cookie at all times. I’ll get a holster for you so you can protect yourself.”

****

Cinders slowed his horse as they rode closer to home, savoring every moment she was in his arms. A cold chill went down his back. She could have been killed or worse. If they hadn’t found her, she might have been lost to him forever. Life was too unpredictable in Texas and he’d found something rare in Shannon. He’d never known a woman like her and he never wanted to let her go. He’d have to rethink his no children rule. Lots of women had children. He sighed. Lots of women died having children.