For the Roses (37 page)

"No, honestly," Eleanor protested. "I was never alone. I'm being sincere. Please don't do anything hasty."

"Like what?"

"Don't make me leave. Please don't vote against me."

"What in heaven's name are you talking about?"

Eleanor proceeded to tell her everything.

Mary Rose became furious. It was cruel and heartless of Harrison and Cole to frighten Eleanor. She spent a good ten minutes soothing her friend. Her anger simmered all the while. Eleanor was so pleased to have her friend's sympathy and understanding, she recounted the horrible experience once again, embellishing the details as she went along. By the time she was finished, she'd gotten all worked up again. Douglas was thankful his sister had left the dining room because he wanted to talk about Corrie without interference.

"I've had time to think about what Harrison said," he announced in a low voice so Mary Rose wouldn't hear. "Crazy Corrie could have hurt Mary Rose. You never should have let her go up on the porch, Travis."

"She wasn't in any danger. Corrie likes Mary Rose. She left the quilt in the cave for her, didn't she?"

"How do you know it was Crazy Corrie's quilt?" Douglas asked. "Oh, for God's sake, Douglas. If you want to start something with me, just do it. Don't use stupid arguments."

"She is crazy," Cole interjected. "How do you figure that?" Travis asked.

"Normal folks don't greet visitors with a shotgun sticking out of their window. I'm siding with Douglas. He's right…"

"No, I was wrong," Harrison announced.

Everyone turned to him. He let out a sigh. "I overreacted. I still wouldn't have let her go up on the porch, but I shouldn't have blown up the way I did during supper."

"Then why did you?"

Harrison shrugged. "I've been a little on edge lately." Adam leaned back in his chair. "I find it curious," he remarked to no one in particular.

"What's curious?" Cole asked.

"You boys can be quiet when you want to, yet Harrison knew you were in the bunkhouse searching through his things. He let you think he was sleeping."

"So?" Cole prodded.

"I'm finding it curious Corrie could get inside the cave, cover Mary Rose, and then leave, while Harrison was sound asleep. Yes, sir," he added with a smile. "I'm curious all right." Cole turned to Harrison. "You saw her, didn't you?"

"Yes, I saw her."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Travis asked.

"I didn't say anything because I didn't want Mary Rose to know. She was sleeping. Corrie wasn't crazy that night. There was a look of tenderness in her eyes when she stood over Mary Rose and looked at her. I don't know if her moods change with the winds, however, or if she could in fact turn dangerous. Since I only saw her for a couple of minutes, I wouldn't be willing to put Mary Rose's life in her hands just yet. I still believe your sister needs to remain cautious."

"What did she look like?" Douglas asked.

"Like someone took a hatchet to her."

Travis shuddered. "The poor thing," he whispered.

"How come she doesn't talk?" Cole asked.

"I'm not certain she can."

"You mean her throat…" Travis couldn't continue. He was rattled by the picture of the woman he was getting in his mind.

Cole was the only brother who seemed to take it all in stride. "Why didn't you tell Mary Rose you saw Corrie?"

"I felt it would be intrusive. Corrie belongs to her. She should be the first to see her."

"Do you think Corrie will ever let her?"

"I doubt it, but she might," Harrison conceded.

"Mary Rose will probably faint, or scream," Travis said. "Hell, I would." Harrison shook his head. "No, your sister will take it all in stride." Adam nodded. "You know her well, Harrison."

"There's a storm brewing," Douglas remarked.

"Did you hear thunder?" Cole asked.

"Hell. MacHugh hates thunder."

The brothers laughed. "He hates everything," Travis said.

"He sure likes Adam," Douglas remarked. "What'd you do to make him follow you around like a puppy after you rode him today?"

"I took Harrison's advice and praised him. He likes hearing how fine he is. We're kindred spirits, Douglas."

"Will you take care of him for me when I leave?" Harrison asked Adam.

"You aren't taking him with you?" Douglas asked.

"The journey across the ocean would be too much for him."

"Let me guess," Cole interjected. "MacHugh hates water, doesn't he?" Harrison's expression turned serious. "Promise me something, Adam. No matter what, don't sell him. If I can't get back here, you keep him."

Adam agreed. "Do you think you will come back?"

Before Harrison could answer, Travis asked him another question. "Are you still going to leave in another week?"

"No," Harrison answered. "I've decided to leave the day after tomorrow."

"Why'd you change your mind?" Cole asked.

"Mary Rose."

He didn't think he needed to say more, but Douglas wouldn't let it go. He demanded details.

"Are you trying to rush us into telling her sooner? It's our call, Harrison, not yours. Why can't you wait longer?"

"I think he should leave soon," Travis interjected. "I'm getting tired of chasing after Mary Rose. She'll be safer once he's gone."

"Let him tell us why he moved the date up," Douglas pestered. Harrison decided to be blunt. "It's simple, gentlemen. I've reached the end of my endurance. I can't be in the same room with her and not…"

"You don't have to go into details," Cole hastily said. "We get the picture."

"And it's a disgusting one," Travis muttered, for it involved his sister.

"There it isagain ," Douglas said.

"What?" Travis asked.

"Thunder," Douglas answered. "It's coming from the kitchen."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Cole asked.

Douglas didn't have to explain. Harrison was ordered to the kitchen. Mary Rose shouted his name. Eleanor bellowed Cole's name.

The two men who had been summoned looked at each other.

"I guess maybe they talked things over," Cole said.

"Maybe?" Harrison replied dryly.

Cole was reluctant to move. Harrison put his napkin down with a resigned look and stood up.

"Are you going to go in there?" Travis asked.

"Of course," Harrison answered.

"What in blazes for?"

"To catch hell," Harrison said. "Get up, Cole. You're going with me." Cole tossed his napkin at Travis and followed Harrison into the kitchen. Mary Rose started in first.

"How could you be so cruel? It was callous and mean of you to scare Eleanor the way you did. I cannot believe you dumped her out on the road in the middle of nowhere. What could you have been thinking?" Harrison wasn't given time to defend himself. Eleanor rushed over to stand next to Mary Rose. She imitated her military stance by folding her arms across her middle.

"I got blisters on my toes. They bled for God's sake. Was Cole in on this? He was, wasn't he?"

She turned to glare at Mary Rose's brother. "I shall never, ever forgive you."

"You two left her alone. Anything could have happened to her. There are wild animals living up there on the mountain. Did you forget about them? Eleanor could have… did you have your gun?" she asked her friend.

Eleanor shook her head. "No, I did not. If I'd had my gun, Mary Rose, I would have shot Harrison."

"How would you have felt if something terrible had happened to me?" Eleanor asked Cole. He walked over to the kitchen table and leaned against it. "Nothing happened to you," he said in a perfectly calm, reasonable tone of voice.

"There never was going to be a vote," Eleanor cried out. "I've been nice for no good reason at all. I even made biscuits, damn it."

Cole shrugged. "They were good biscuits," he said. "It didn't kill you to be nice, Eleanor, so quit acting like it did."

"There was always someone watching over her," Harrison interjected. He too sounded reasonable.

"Who was looking out for her?" Mary Rose asked.

"Dooley took a turn, then Ghost spelled him, and then Henry finished up," Cole explained.

"Ghost? Dear Lord, not Ghost. Had he been drinking?"

"Yes, he had," Eleanor answered. "The man was clearly sotted."

"He was what?" Cole asked.

"Drunk," she said. "He couldn't have come to my rescue if I'd gotten into trouble."

"You can't know that," Cole argued.

"He thought I was an angel, for God's sake."

"He was drunk." Cole burst into laughter. Harrison had more discipline. He only cracked a smile. Eleanor desperately wanted Cole to admit he'd have mourned her if she'd been killed. She knew she was being melodramatic; she didn't care. He had kissed her, after all. He had to feel something for her, didn't he? She thought it would be lovely if he'd admit it.

"What would you have done if I'd been killed?"

"That didn't happen. You're sure a sight when your cheeks get all flushed."

"Answer my question," Eleanor insisted.

"Fine, I'll answer. I guess I'd bury you."

"You'd bury me."

She didn't look too happy with him. He decided that wasn't the answer she'd been looking for. "I'd pick a real nice spot."

Harrison put his arms around Mary Rose. "I'd do the same for you," he promised her. She could see the laughter in his eyes. "How thoughtful of you," she whispered. Eleanor moved closer to Cole. "And then what would you do?"

"Do you have to raise your voice like that? You're making my head pound." She apologized before she realized what she was doing. "I'm sorry. Please tell me what you would do after you buried me in a nice spot."

Cole pretended to have to think about it.

"Well, I'd have to dig deep when I planted you so the animals wouldn't get to you. And it's hot out this time of year," he said.

"Yes," she agreed. "It's hot."

"I guess I'd come back home and tell Mary Rose what happened. She'd feel real bad, wouldn't she, Harrison?"

"Yes, she would," Harrison agreed.

Neither Eleanor nor Mary Rose could hold on to their anger. The way Cole was going on and on in that cowboy's drawl of his made both women want to laugh.

"And then what would you do?" Eleanor asked.

"I guess I'd get a beer."

She turned around and walked out of the kitchen. She knew she was going to smile. She didn't want Cole to see it.

He caught up with her in the hallway just as she was about to push the swinging door open so she could go into the dining room.

He grabbed hold of her around the waist and forced her to turn around.

"Exactly what did you expect me to say I'd do?"

"I expected you to say you'd feel sorry about my demise. Doing any actual mourning would be too much to ask from a man like you."

"Sure I'd mourn."

"Aren't you at all sorry you lied to me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you were being a real pain in the backside, Eleanor. I like you better now. You're much sweeter when you're not yelling all the time. Besides, I got to kiss you. I wouldn't have if Harrison hadn't dumped you out on the trail. The plan was all his doing, by the way. Want me to kiss you again?"

"Yes, please."

Cole's hand moved to the back of her neck. He was rough when he pulled her against him.

"There's a fire burning inside you, Ellie. You make a man want to get close to the heat. Real close. I've been thinking about kissing you again all week long."

"Cole?" Her voice was a dreamy whisper.

"Yes?"

"Will you please get on with it?"

He was laughing when his mouth claimed hers. One kiss wasn't enough. He decided he wanted more. He was having such a pleasurable time, he forgot all about leaving Mary Rose in the kitchen with the man who was determined to seduce her.

His sister was thankful for a moment's privacy from the family. She wanted to talk to Harrison and find out why he'd been avoiding her. Something was wrong, all right, and she didn't want to fret about it any longer.

When Cole left the room, Harrison went to the back door and looked into the night. A cool breeze filtered in through the screen. "What are you looking at?" she asked.

"Paradise."

He turned and found her standing just a foot away from him. He didn't say a word to her. He simply took hold of her hand, turned around again, and went outside.

She meekly followed him. She expected him to stop on the back porch, but he continued on down the stairs and across the yard. His stride was long, purposeful. He wanted to put some distance between her and her brothers so he could talk to her. He let go of her hand halfway across the yard and continued on to the corral. He turned to her then, folded his arms across his chest, and leaned back against the wooden railing.

She stood at least ten feet away from him. She wanted to run to him, to put her arms around him and hold him close. Instead, she stood where she was and waited for a sign that he wanted her to touch him. He seemed content to stare at her. She didn't feel uncomfortable under his close scrutiny. His eyes were filled with warmth now. There was such tenderness in his gaze, she felt as though he was already stroking her. She instinctively moved closer to him, her gaze locked with his, and she didn't even try to fight her

own reaction to him. He hadn't touched her, yet she still felt breathless and warm and restless with yearning.

She'd missed being held by him. She found herself wondering if he realized how much he'd changed since he'd arrived in Montana. There was a savage quality about him now, a ruggedness she hadn't noticed the day she'd met him. He had always been muscular and tall, but now he seemed Herculean to her. The sun had weathered his skin into a much deeper, bronzed color. Although it wasn't possible, his eyes seemed to be darker too, and his hair was much longer, nearly reaching his shoulders. It was still dark in color, but the moonlight made it appear to be streaked with gold. The longer she looked at him, the more difficulty she had catching her breath. He noticed the subtle change in her. Her eyes had turned a deep blue. She had a bemused look on her face. She was arousing the hell out of him.