Over the Barrel (25 page)

Sloan lifted
his eyebrow and stood.
 
He extended
his hand.
 
"Agreed."

"Excellent.
 
I am tired and must retire for the
night.
 
Is there anything you will
need to be comfortable?"

"Now
that you ask," Sloan winked at Madeline as she entered the room with more
tea, "I would like an empty water barrel brought up to our room."

"A
barrel?
 
Whatever for?"
 
Malcolm clapped his hands to gain
Carlos' attention.

Sloan looked
at him straight in the eye.
 
"It feels good to stretch my back across it."

Malcolm
lifted a brow and then offered a knowing grin.
 
"There will be one placed there
first thing in the morning, son.
 
Anything else?"

"Maybe
some rope and some salve."

Malcolm
laughed as Blair turned beet-red.
 
"Good night, children.
 
Sleep well."

"What
do you think of Malcolm's story?" Blair asked as they slid into bed, both
groaning with delight as their bodies sank under the cool, clean sheets set
atop a soft mattress.

"I'm
not convinced yet."

"I
trust you," Blair said, snuggling next to his chest.
 
"This bed feels so wonderful.
 
I never knew how much I appreciated
comfort until I got on that horrid train."

"There
have been many things you did not appreciate prior to this adventure."

"Oh
really?" Blair said, turning to face him and wrapping her arms around his
neck.
 
She kissed him soundly.
 
"Would you care to tell me what you
are referring to?"

"To
start with," Sloan kissed her back, "me."

"I
appreciate you!"

"You
have grown to appreciate me.
 
You
did not feel the same when we first started out."

"This
is true.
 
What else?"

"A hot
meal served on plates with cold tea."

"A hot
bath with scented soaps." Blair added, dreamily.

"A roof
over our head that does not harbor spiders."

"Clean,
soft clothes."

"Which
must be removed every time you come to bed.
 
Starting now," Sloan said, slipping
Blair's nightgown over her head.
 
He
ran his hand over her soft skin, lingering at the curves of her hips.
 
"I definitely appreciate you."

"Sloan?"

"Yes,
darling?"
 
He rested her cheek
on his shoulder and spoke into her silky hair.
 
"What is bothering you?"

"Our
lie.
 
I do not wish to pretend to be
your wife.
 
I wish to fulfill the
part in truth."

"We
will have a proper wedding once we settle this issue between your aunt and
grandfather.
 
I was considering his
offer.
 
Would you rather return to
Philadelphia in his place?
 
I would
go with you, of course."

"I do
not ever want to see another city again for as long as I live," Blair
announced, emphatically.
 
Perhaps
Grandfather Malcolm can sell Farbor Mansion and allow us to purchase a place of
our own."

"We
don't purchase homes out here, Blair.
 
We build them with our own two hands."

"Very
well.
 
You know that I would live
under a rock for shelter rather than return."

"You
are a stubborn woman."

"One
day you will grow to admire my stubbornness."

"I am
sure I will," Sloan chuckled.
 
"Sleep now.
 
We have a
long day tomorrow."

Malcolm rose
from his chair as Blair joined him at the breakfast table.
 
"You look very happy this fine
morning, my dear.
 
Sleep well?"

"She
was actually up very early," Sloan chuckled, "I will see to her,
Carlos.
 
Thank you." Sloan
said, holding Blair's chair.

"Such
gentlemen!
 
Sloan, please!"
Blair twittered, smacking Sloan's arm as he reached under the table.

"To be
young and in love," Malcolm sighed.
 
"Would you two like to see the ranch today?"

"Thank
you.
 
That would be lovely,
Grandfather.
 
I do have a question
for you."

"Yes,
my dear?"

"Would
it be possible to sell the Farbor estate so that we might build a home for
ourselves here?
 
We could locate
property further west, and …"

"Blair,
I thought I made myself clear," Malcolm interrupted.
 
"I will move back east and assume
ownership of Farbor mansion.
 
It is
my birthright and I do not wish to give it up to strangers.
 
In exchange, I will give you this ranch
and all property rights.
 
All this
will be yours."

"Dear
Grandfather, to do so will result in an extreme loss of money," Blair
shook her head.
 
"You will need
an income to support yourself and maintain the estate."

"I am
in agreement with Blair.
 
That is
overly generous, sir," Sloan shook his head.
 
"Neither she nor myself could
accept such a gift."

"Then
consider it a fair trade.
 
You may
send me a stipend from the earnings if you wish.
 
There is still a considerable amount of
money banked that will provide for the house and property, and I do not require
much to be comfortable.
 
Listen to
me," the man leaned forward and tapped the table.
 
"I am getting too old to do this
work anymore.
 
Even keeping up the
books is giving me terrible headaches.
 
I will send for the banker this afternoon so that he can go over our
finances and put things in order for the exchange."

"But,
Grandfather …"

"Hush
now, I will hear no more about it.
 
My mind is made up." Malcolm said, his eyes twinkling."
 
I am also having Carlos bring your
barrel to your room along with the rope you requested.
 
If I hear any further argument, I might
also have him rally a few switches.
 
A barrel can be used in more ways than just stretching out your back,
Sloan."

"Yes,
sir, I am well aware of that," Sloan smiled, patting Blair's knee.

Blair
sighed, "Very well, Grandfather.
 
Thank you.
 
I do not know how
to repay you for your kindness."

"Treat
this man of yours well and learn to love this land.
 
I want nothing more."

"What
will Imelda say when you arrive?" Sloan asked.

"I
shall concern myself with that when it happens.
 
Yes, Blair?
 
You wish to say something?"

"Yes,
Grandfather.
 
If it is not too bold
of me to ask, I would request that she be handled in this manner while you are
present.
 
Instead of sending her to
the workhouse, would it not be more fitting to garb her in servant's clothing
and move her to my old room?"

"You
sinful little puss," Malcolm exclaimed, a large grin on his face.
 
"Make her earn her coin for the
first time in her life.
 
Excellent
idea, child."

"You
can have the cook beat her regularly, just as she had done to Miss Blair,"
Madeline muttered, switching plates on the table.
 
"I still do not understand how you
were able to suffer that cruelty without a tear."

"I
confess," Blair smirked, "I started sliding newssheets under my
clothing to lessen the impact.
 
You
intervened more times than I could count, Madeline.
 
I thank you for that."

"You
are a spunky one, Madeline.
 
Would
you care to come with me?
 
I will
make you overseer.
 
Or even better,
lady of the house," Malcolm's eye wandered over the woman's generous
curves.

Blair
watched the maid blush with pleasure.
 
"That is an excellent idea, Grandfather.
 
Madeline, you deserve to live as
lady.
 
I beg you to consider his
offer."

"What
would you do without me, Miss?
 
You
need my help.
 
I cook and sew and
…"

Sloan kissed
Blair's cheek.
 
"My dear girl
has learned to be quite the trail cook and keeps things very tidy for me."

"It is
true, Madeline.
 
And what I cannot
do, Sloan is able.
 
We will be
fine.
 
Please, give yourself this
gift of a new life, my friend.
 
You
have earned it."

Madeline
looked at Malcolm and nodded.
 
"Yes, Miss.
 
I will consider
it.
 
Thank you."

While Sloan and Malcolm worked out the
details of running the ranch with Mr. Clay, the foreman, Blair and Madeline
took a wagon into town to purchase some items for Sloan.
 
Skinwalker snorted, his ears laid back,
as they trotted passed a group of men lounging near the general store.

"Miss, that horse is unstable,"
Madeline said, clutching Blair's arm.
 
"It frightens me."

"Sloan wanted us to bring him
because he is very skittish around people he doesn't trust.
 
I was also given his Colt Walker to
carry."

"That gun is too large for a lady,
Miss Blair!
 
It is too
dangerous!"

"I know how to fire this piece and
hit a target.
 
Sloan made certain to
teach me."
 
Blair hopped off
the wagon and went to tie Skinwalker to the hitching post.
 
She stroked his neck and handed him a
piece of carrot.
 
"I'll be
right back, boy."

She lifted her chin, picked up the edges
of her pale blue skirts, and walked up the stairs without paying attention to
the sordid characters leaning against the wall.
 
Her keen eye noticed several revolvers
nestled in holsters and a few rifles tucked under their coats.
 
She bristled at their low whistles, but
remained silent.
 
She entered the
General Store with Madeline stuck to her heels.

 
"Good afternoon, ladies, how may I help
you?" the shop's owner asked, pleasantly

While Madeline handed the proprietor a
list of items needed, Blair roamed around the store, pleased to see that it was
generously stocked with numerous useful items.
 
"Pardon me?
 
Do you have these in smaller sizes?"
She held up a pair of men's work pants.