The Iron Horseman (16 page)

He
reached down for his gun, now holstered at his side.

A
deer and her fawn stepped out from the brush. Levi heaved a sigh of relief and
fell back against the boulder. A breathy chuckle accompanied a sigh. The sound
startled the deer, and they scampered away.

Cadence
laughed too. Visible relief added color to her otherwise perfect features. She
scooped food onto two tin plates and handed one to Levi. “I never thanked you
for the wagon. I know that you could have chosen to make the trip on horseback.
I wanted you to know how much I appreciate the gesture.”

He
loved that Cadence spoke what was on her mind. She didn’t play many of the
foolish games other women played. She told it straight. Even if her job
required her to deal in secrets, Levi trusted her. Something that hadn’t come
easily since the war.

‘Trust.’
Check.

It
had been days since he’d thought about his mental list for qualities in a
bride, but he smiled, knowing the list didn’t really matter. He could never
marry just to gain his inheritance. When the time was right, he would marry for
love.

One
drop, then two. Rain fell in a light blanket across the plains. Cadence was
grateful for the wrapper Levi had built to cover the back of the wagon, but
still, she felt guilty he was sitting out on the wagon bench getting wet. It
had started as a mere drizzle and slowly the rhythm of the droplets on the
tight canvas cover became faster and more methodical. She couldn’t believe the
lengths that Levi had gone to in order to assure her as much comfort as
possible on their long trip across the territory. They’d been careful to stick
to the trail as much as possible.

Water
dripped from the brim of Levi’s new hat. It wasn’t as cold as Cadence had
expected the rain to be. She slid the beautifully decorated quilt from her
shoulders and stepped to the front of the wagon and, using one of the crates as
a step, climbed over the seat.

“What
are you doing?” Levi asked with concern.

“I’ll
take a turn,” she said, holding out her hand for the reins.

“What
kind of man do you think my mama raised?” he asked, holding firm to the leather
straps.

Well,
if all she could do was keep him company out here in the rain, then she would
do that. Night would soon be approaching and as she looked out over the vast
countryside, she couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of the earth through
the drizzle. The greens of the grasses and sage seemed muted, almost smoky,
under the darkening clouds and she wanted to appreciate the color. Summer, she
imagined, would turn the landscape prairie brown. With the mountainside as a
backdrop, the plains looked like a painter’s masterpiece with its trees in
silhouette and sparse hills and dales.

Flash!

Lightning
split the sky in several cracks following by a loud, booming thunder.

Cadence
snuggled up against Levi and weaved her arm through his and held tight. It felt
good.

“Why
don’t you go on back inside?” He turned and looked down at her.

“Because
I’d rather be out here…with you.”

He
didn’t say anything more, but the corners of his mouth turned upward. They
drove until the sun was so low in the sky that they could barely see the trail
in front of them. Levi pulled up alongside the backside of a ridge where the
land seemed to break apart to provide some semblance of a shelter for them.

“We’ll
have to stop here for the night. I imagine we’ll be in Laramie early tomorrow.”
He jumped down off the wagon. “Now, get back inside before you catch your
death.”

Instead,
Cadence climbed down off the wagon, walked around to the back and pulled out
the first of four stones they had been using to secure the wagon. She lifted up
her skirt, not sure why she bothered as the hem was already black from travel,
and placed the rock beneath the first wheel. She repeated the steps until all
four rocks were in place.

“Do
you never do what you’re told?”

Cadence
jumped. She hadn’t heard him step up behind her.

“If
it makes sense,” she called back as he rounded the buckboard to get to the
hitch on the other side. “Which it didn’t. Why should you have to do it all?”

The
air now held a crisp chill and Cadence rubbed her arms briskly against the cold.
The rain had let up for the moment, so with nothing more for her to do outside,
she climbed up into the back and slid open the knots she’d tied in the ropes
that held her trunk closed.

They’d
both catch their deaths if they stayed in their wet clothing. She pulled out a
dry night shift and quickly proceeded to undress. There was nowhere to hang her
soaked dress without getting everything else wet, so she draped it over the
back of the seat until she could pull on her clean night dress. The material felt
warm against her skin and she was grateful for the covering.

There
wasn’t a lot of cargo in the back of the wagon, but the items were bulky and
awkward. Cadence tried to push a few of the barrels and crates to the side in
order to make room for Levi, but some of them just wouldn’t budge.

The
flap between the back of the wagon and the driver’s seat blew open and a sharp
gust of wind slapped against her face. It gave her an idea. She pulled her wet
dress from the seat and, trying to keep it as far away from her dry clothes as
possible, hung it up outside the flap in front of the make-shift door to help
block the wind.

“I’ll
just need some—” Levi climbed up onto the wagon and threw back the back
covering.

Cadence
gasped and whipped around to face him. He’d startled her.

“Sorry,”
he said and disappeared.

The
cold night wind swirled about Levi’s body as he strode away from the wagon. It
was exactly what he needed. He’d worried about where he would sleep until the
rain had stopped. When he climbed up onto the back of the wagon, he’d expected
to find his bag with some dry clothes and a bedroll, but what he’d found
instead was an angel in her night gown. Air had caught in his lungs and he’d
found it very hard to breathe.

Levi
inhaled deeply of the freshly cleansed air, impervious to the biting wind that
threatened to seep deep into his already chilled bones. If he stayed out here,
he was likely to be frozen by morning. That wouldn’t be good for either of
them.

He
wished he’d thought to bring the buckskin trousers that went with the buckskin
coat his brother, Rafe, had made for him during his time with the Pawnee. At
least then he could have stayed mostly warm out here. He considered trying to
hang the coat above him, but it just wouldn’t be large enough to make a
difference.

What
should I do, Lord?

A
drop of water touched the tip of his nose followed by another on his cheek. In
moments, the rain had started again. There was no choice. He had to get into
the wagon. Before he opened the flap this time, he knocked on the wood of the
gate.

“Cadence,”
he called, “it’s a little wet out here. Do you think you might show a man a
little mercy?”

“Well,
come in and get yourself dried off,” Cadence said in a no-nonsense sort of way.
“And as long as you don’t snore, you can stay.”

Levi
could hear the smile in her words. He shook his head and climbed inside. It was
already warmer without the breeze whisking through his too long hair, but his
clothes still held a chill. He avoided her eyes as he delved into his bag for
something dry to put on. Once he’d grabbed a fresh shirt and his cotton pants,
he glanced around the very small space.

“I’m
not going to look if that’s what you’re worried about,” she said, holding the
blankets up around her.

What
did you expect, Redbourne?

Still,
he waved his hand at the air, motioning for her to turn her back to him and she
complied with exaggerated motions as she pulled more of the blankets up around
her curvy form and faced the opposite direction.

“I’m
glad you’re not a complete idiot,” she said. “It would have been just plain
irresponsible to try sleeping outside in this.”

He
nearly stumbled on top of her as getting his wet pants off was more of a chore
than he’d expected. Even still, he’d never dressed so quickly in his life. When
he was done, he threw his wet things at the top of the wagon bed behind one of
the barrels, and cleared his throat.

“Thank
you. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to freezing to death beneath the wagon.”

The
light was just about gone, but Cadence shifted beneath the blankets and turned
around to face him, her hand curled beneath her head, her hair spilling wildly
across the blankets. “What exactly do you do for the railroad, Levi?” she asked
as if she’d been waiting for the answer for a long time.

“I’m
an engineer,” he said quietly as he pulled back the blanket to see that she’d
folded all of the quilts into two separate and quite comfortable looking
bedrolls. “But not the kind that drives the locomotives.”

He
could feel her eyes on him, coaxing him to go on.

“See,
the railroad claims land where they plan on building stations and then they
sell those lots to people wanting to build a life for themselves out West.” He
turned onto his back. “Because the towns along the railway have had a
reputation of being Hell on Wheels towns, lawless and rowdy, we wanted to make
sure that these towns had every chance of survival. So, one of my
responsibilities is to recruit good couples and families to found the towns. We
give them a stipend as long as they stay for a contracted amount of time and
then we provide a good deal of supplies and I help them build up their homes
and businesses to help them get star—”

A
soft rumbling noise interrupted his lengthy job description and he turned to
look at Cadence—though near impossible to see her face in the full darkness of
night. She was asleep.

He
closed his eyes, grateful to be warm. “Goodnight, Miss Walker,” he whispered as
he snuggled farther down into the depths of the make-shift bed.

Cadence
and Levi pulled into the growing town of Laramie while the sun shone brightly
at the highest point in the sky. Cadence had never been so happy to see
clusters of buildings and houses dotting the landscape.

“Noah’s
ranch is on the far edge of town. I figure we’ll head there first.” Levi
motioned ahead with a flick of his wrist.

People
bustled about their morning. A small group of women stood in front of the
General Store and a gaggle of young boys sat on the boardwalk just outside of
the barber shop with their chins resting on their fists. A boy emerged from the
building with a wide grin and a short cut. A man inspected the child’s cut and
sent him off across the street to an open field where several others kicked
around a ball.

“Next,”
a rotund man with a stern look on his face called from the doorway and one of
the seated youth jumped up and ran inside.

Levi
waved as he passed and the expression on the barber’s face lightened
significantly. He’d been here before.

When
Levi had said the far edge of town, she’d thought maybe the end of the street,
but they left Main Street behind with nary a glance. When they finally reached
a spread, set apart with a large wooden archway, she hardly dared hope that
they’d arrived.

The
homestead was one of the biggest homes Cadence had seen in quite some time. As
they passed through the arch, a woman stepped out of the house, drying her
hands in her apron, then waved.

“Why,
if it isn’t Levi Redbourne himself,” the woman said with a grin.

Levi
jumped down from the wagon, picked her up, and spun her around.

She
giggled.

“Where’s
that husband of yours?” Levi asked once he set her down.

“I’m
afraid he’s out repairing a fence in the north field. I don’t expect him for
another hour or so.” The woman looked up at Cadence. “Who’s your friend, Levi?”
she asked, taking a step toward the wagon.

“Kate,
this is Cadence Walker.” He quickly made his way to the wagon and raised his
hands to help her down.

Cadence
placed her hands on his shoulders and allowed him to lift her to the ground.

“You
remember my friend Eamon?”

“Of
course,” Kate said with a smile.

“She’s
his daughter,” Levi said proudly.

“And
your...friend?” Kate asked, taking a step toward her.

Levi
cleared his throat.

“Welcome,”
Kate said as she threw her arms around Cadence.

She
hadn’t expected such a warm welcome, but was pleased by the sudden display of
affection.

“Levi
told me you and your husband ran a ranch, but I must admit, I didn’t expect a
place this size.” Cadence looked around, unsure of where the property started
and ended.

Kate
laughed, her voice warm and pleasant. “The property extends as far as the eye
can see.” She squeezed Cadence around the waist and they began walking toward
the house. “This was my father’s homestead, God rest his soul,” Kate continued.
“When Noah and I married, we purchased a larger plot of land to accommodate...”
she stopped and looked at Cadence. “You know what? We’ll talk about all of that
once you are settled and have some warm vittles in your belly. You must be
famished.”

At
the mention of food, Cadence’s stomach churned. “That would be lovely,” she
said with a grateful smile.

“Fannie,
our cook, was just about to put some potatoes in to cook,” Kate said. “I’ll
have her add a few more.” She let go and took a step toward the house before
turning and looking back at Levi.

“Why
don’t you set yourself up in the bunkhouse and I’ll make up a room for Miss
Walker.”

“Sure
thing, Kate. Thank you.”

Kate
disappeared inside the house and Cadence didn’t know whether or not she should
follow.

“She
doesn’t bite,” Levi said in her ear as he carried her trunk on his shoulders
and passed her on his way into the house.

Cadence
followed.

The
inside of the house was even more wondrous than the outside. It seemed very
open. The ceilings were so high she imagined Levi’s brother Tag could stand on
his shoulders and still not be able to touch the roof. The smell of stewing
meat wafted through the air and her stomach protested again. They’d had some
fruit jerky for breakfast, but that had worn off hours ago. It had been days
since she’d had real food and suddenly, her mouth started to water.

“Just
finished some fresh biscuits,” Kate said as she entered the enormous kitchen.
“Have some to tide you over until the food is ready.” She held out a basket of
steaming biscuits and Cadence reached in, enclosing the warmth in her palm.

“And
she makes a wonderful preserve too,” Levi said between bites.

He
must’ve been hungry also.

After
Kate had spoken with her cook, she motioned for Cadence to follow. They walked
into a large room with a big bed situated between two tall windows, each
adorned with white curtains with small yellow roses. Sunlight hit the wooden
floors, giving the room a warm look and feel.

“I’ll
trust you’ll be comfortable in here,” Kate said with a smile. “Fresh linens are
in the wardrobe and the water closet is just through there.”

Water
closet?

“I
can have Virg fill a tub for you if you’d like a bath.”

Cadence
felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Her eyes must have shown her wonder
because Kate giggled.

“Noah
spoils me,” she said as if whispering a secret. “I’ll have Fannie put on some
water to boil. In the meantime, why don’t you get yourself settled and I’ll be
back to check on you in a bit?”

Levi
walked up to the doorway. He exchanged a look with Kate before stepping past
her and into the room. He swung the trunk down onto the bed and smiled.

“Nice
place, isn’t it?”

“It
is lovely.” She slid the ropes from her luggage and opened it. “They have a
water closet. Inside,” she said, careful not to let her voice carry. Even in
Chicago, indoor plumbing was not widely available. “She’s preparing me a bath.”

Levi
laughed. “Well, I’d better leave you to it.” He tipped the brim of his hat
before walking out the door.

Cadence
had never expected to be this excited over a bath, but after her travels, it
had seemed an eternity since she’d been able to bathe properly and she welcomed
the idea.

She
opened the wardrobe to find a handful of bath sheets, towels, and linens for
the bed.

This
had to be heaven.

“So,
tell me everything,” Kate said as she leaned across the table toward Levi.

“There’s
not much to tell,” he replied, shoving another bit of biscuit into his mouth. It
seemed to melt on his tongue and he had to concentrate on not closing his eyes
in delight.

“You
are riding in a covered wagon across the state of Wyoming with a woman who
would put any to shame with her gorgeous dark hair and eyes. She seems quite
taken with you, and there is nothing to tell?” She snatched the basket of
biscuits out from beneath his reach. “I have hot apple pie and candied pecans,”
she coaxed.

“Why
aren’t you out with Noah anyway? I was quite surprised to see you here at the
house...cooking of all things.” The last time he’d been in town, Kate had been
the last one he would have expected to see in the kitchen. She’d been working
her father’s ranch since he’d been killed and seemed to have no interest in
womanly affairs.

“Don’t
you try to change the subject, Levi Redbourne.”

He
shrugged. “So, she’s beautiful,” he said without raising his eyes to meet
Kate’s.

“Yes.”

“And
smart.”

“Yes.”

“And
you should see her with a gun. I saw her kill a man, right in front of me.”

“Abusive
husband?” Kate asked knowingly. “It’s hard to miss those cuts and bruises
healing on her face.”

“What?
No. To save my life.”

“Now,
you’re just teasing me.”

“No,
I swear. You’ll like her. She reminds me a lot of...well, you.”

Color
flooded Kate’s cheeks at his appraisal.

“She
killed a man? What happened? Is she all right?” Kate asked, concern etching her
brows.

“It’s
a long story, Kate.”

“Good
thing we’ve got plenty of time,” a deep voice called from the doorway.

Levi
turned around. Noah Deardon, his cousin on his mother’s side, hung his hat from
the hook above the cabinet and made up the distance between them in a few short
strides. Levi pushed his chair back and greeted him with a firm embrace.

“Apollo
seems to be working out for you,” Noah said as he clapped Levi on the back. He
stepped away with a grin.

“What
can I say?” Levi said with a shrug.

“That
I know you well enough to choose the perfect horse.” Noah removed his hat and
bent down toward his wife. “How is the most beautiful woman in the world on
this fine afternoon?” he asked, leaning down and kissing her, cradling her head
in his hat.

Levi
looked away—more out of a sense of privacy than embarrassment. He was not a
stranger to affection. His parents had often kissed each other or teased playfully
around the children. He was just happy to see his cousin settled down and
happy.

“Happy.”
Kate echoed Levi’s thoughts with a giggle. “And excited to see her hard-working
husband home to fill his belly.” She turned to Levi. “I haven’t forgotten our
conversation,” she said with a playful swat to his shoulder. “I can’t wait to
hear this long story of yours.”

Levi
exaggerated a loud groan.

She
laughed again.

“So,
what story are you going to recount?” Noah asked, pulling out a chair, flipping
it backward, and straddling his legs around it. He rested his arms against the
back and stared at Levi.

“Kate,
do you think that I could get—” Cadence stopped short in the doorway when she
caught sight of his cousin.

Noah
slapped Levi’s shoulder with the back of his hand, his eyes unfaltering from
the beauty now standing in his kitchen.

Cadence’s
eyes flitted between Levi and Noah. “I’m sorry. I thought you were talking to
Kate,” she said to Levi. She looked at Noah with a smile that made Levi’s heart
skip a beat. “Where are my manners?” She stepped toward them and extended her
hand.”

Noah
was already on his feet.

“You
must be Mr. Deardon, Kate’s husband.”

“It’s
Noah, ma’am. And yes, I belong to Kate. I mean,” he cleared his throat, “Kate’s
my wife.” He took her hand. “And who,” he looked down at Levi, “might you be?”
He returned his gaze to a smiling Cadence.

“I
am the one for whom they are filling the tub.” She lifted her chin in the
direction to where Virg carried two steaming buckets of water through the hall.

Noah
nodded with a grin. “You with this scalawag?” he asked.

“Why
yes, that
scalawag
is accompanying me to Bryan.”

“What
ya headed there for? Heard it’s drying up and people are moving on to Green
River.”

Cadence
opened her mouth to speak.

“Noah
Deardon, can’t you see our guest is waiting for a bath. Leave her be. You can
talk with her once she’s had a chance to wash off the trail.” Kate returned to
the kitchen and ushered Cadence into the other room, but Cadence turned back
and smiled at Levi with a little wave before she left.

Levi’s
belly flipped inside.

“If
it’s about that one, it’s going to be some story,” Noah said as he tossed his
hat onto the table and returned to his position on the chair. “Can’t wait to hear
all about it. She’s a beauty. Still doesn’t hold a candle to my Katie,” he said
with a decisive nod, “but pretty all the same. Where’d you meet her?”