by S. E. Smith
“Where is she from?” Paytah asked.
Jacob waited until Allie was safely in the cabin before he turned to leave as well. He turned back at Paytah’s quiet question. A frown creased his brow as he returned the Lakota’s intense stare.
“From far, far away,” Jacob replied, calmly.
“Across the river in the sky?” Paytah insisted.
Jacob’s eyes instinctively rose to the dark sky. He stared at the lighter cluster of stars that made it look like there was a river running through the heavens. Drawing in a deep breath, he looked back at Paytah with a ghost of a smile on his lips.
“Perhaps even further,” Jacob replied before he turned away and walked into the cabin.
Jacob made sure the door was secure. Allie was already sound asleep. Unbuckling his gun belt, he pulled one of the guns out of the holster and set it on the table next to the bed. Sitting down, he pulled his boots off and set them next to the bed as well. His eyes flickered to the fire, but he decided against adding more wood as they would be leaving early in the morning.
*.*.*
Jacob carefully opened the door to the cabin the next morning. His instincts that their guest would be long gone had proven to be correct. Pulling the door close, he quickly saddled the gelding. He also checked to make sure everything was securely stored.
He turned as Allie came out of the cabin. She was wearing the same clothes that she had for the past week. He felt a small ping of guilt before he pushed it away. She had washed her jeans a couple of times and alternated between his shirts and hers between washes. He had to admit, he liked seeing her in nothing but his shirts.
A frown creased his brow as he studied her. She was wearing her blue jean jacket, blue jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat and looked every inch a twentieth century woman. Shaking his head, he knew that there was nothing that could be done about it. He didn’t have any dresses on hand and he seriously doubted she would wear one anyway.
“Are you ready?” He asked.
“Yep,” Allie replied, removing her hat and tucking her hair back behind her ear. “At least when we get back, the cabin won’t need to be cleaned like it did before.”
Jacob chuckled. “My pots and pans will appreciate that,” he teased. “Do you want front or back?”
Allie’s eyes danced with amusement and she smiled as she walked over to where the gelding was patiently waiting. Her gaze ran appreciatively over Jacob and a shiver ran through her. She had done some thinking while she was securing the cabin this morning. One of the decisions that she came to was that life was too short not to grab what you wanted sometimes… and she wanted Jacob.
She still wasn’t ready to admit that she was falling in love with him, but she would admit that she was head over heels in lust. She could deal with that. A part of her knew that she wasn’t being honest with herself, but it was the best she could do for right now.
“I’ll take the back,” she said as she walked over to him. “This will leave your hands free if you need them.”
“I knew you were a smart woman,” Jacob said.
“Jacob,” Allie whispered as she stepped closer.
She waited until he turned back to her. She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers curled around the rim of her hat as she rose up on her toes to press a kiss against his lips.
A low moan escaped him as his arms wrapped around her and he deepened it. Allie opened like a sunflower to the sun, drinking him in as his tongue swept into her mouth. She pulled back and nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth before kissing him again.
“Damn, Allie,” Jacob choked out as they pulled back gasping for breath. “What brought that on?”
“I was just thinking how much I want you,” she said, pulling him down again and giving him another kiss.
“Shit!” Jacob whispered as his eyes rounded.
“Let’s go, cowboy,” Allie chuckled. “We’ve got all night to look forward to.”
Jacob closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath before he opened them and glared down at her in exasperation. Turning, he mounted. Reaching down, he held out his hand to help her up.
He gripped her arm tightly as she put her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg over the back of the horse’s hindquarter. He looked over his shoulder as she adjusted her hat.
“You know you’re killing me, don’t you?” Jacob asked in a husky voice.
“You haven’t seen anything yet, cowboy,” Allie chuckled as she leaned up to nip his ear. “Wait until I get you in my bed again.”
“Aw, shit,” Jacob groaned as he turned back around. “I can’t wait.”
He wrapped his arm around Allie’s as she wrapped hers around his waist. Tapping his heels to the gelding’s side, he took them down the trail leading back toward the ranch. They would cut through the northern pasture before taking the stagecoach road leading into Meeteetse. A huge smile lit his face as he thought about tonight.
Maybe the preacher and his wife wouldn’t mind performing another unexpected wedding, he thought.
Chapter 22
Time passed a lot faster than Allie expected. They stopped several times to relieve themselves, snack on some fruit bars Allie had found hidden in Jacob’s saddle bag that he had forgotten about, and to talk to a couple of men from the ranch that they crossed paths with. It turned out to be a blessing as they had several extra horses with them that they were bringing back to the ranch. Jacob had reluctantly agreed with her about riding one of them. One of the men even offered his saddle for her, but Allie had ridden bareback for years and assured the men that she would be fine until she and Jacob reached town.
Allie enjoyed the ride. She could appreciate the unaltered landscape. No highways, telephone or cell towers, nothing, but wild landscape and clear blue skies. She drew in a deep breath as she got her first look at the wooden buildings of Meeteetse.
It looked slightly larger than it did during her time. There were a scattering of houses slightly outside of the town. She saw the familiar two storey group of buildings that she knew had been part of the Meade Company. There were additional buildings that were no longer standing during the twentieth century.
“We’ll pick up another saddle for you while we are in town,” Jacob said as they crossed the narrow, wooden bridge of the river a short distance from the first buildings.
“It’s all so different,” Allie whispered as she stared at the people walking along the wooden boardwalk and across the dirt road. “We should be crossing over a double-lane concrete bridge on Wyoming 120, right now.”
Jacob frowned before he remembered the wide, hard roads from her time. It was different. He glanced over at Allie. Her face looked a little pale and her eyes were huge in her face as she stared at the men and women as they rode by.
“Damn, nobody dresses like that anymore,” she muttered. “Hot as hell, if you ask me.”
Jacob chuckled. Indy had said pretty much the same thing. He reined the gelding toward the Livery Stable. He slowed to a stop and dismounted as a heavyset man came out to greet him.
“Afternoon, Mr. Tucker,” the man greeted.
“Paulson,” Jacob replied with a nod as he helped Allie down. “I need to stable the two for the night with food and fresh bedding. Make sure they both get a good rub down. I’ll also need a saddle for the mare by tomorrow.”
“No problem, Mr. Tucker,” Paulson said as he took the reins. Allie raised an eyebrow when he ignored her.
“Nice man,” she reflected.
Jacob smiled tightly down at Allie. “Things are different here, Allie.”
“I know,” she chuckled. “My feelings are not hurt, Jacob. I deal with men like him all the time. Don’t worry about me. Remember, super hero panties are firmly in place.”
“Not for long, I hope,” Jacob retorted just loud enough for her to hear.
“Why Jacob Tucker, I do believe you are horny,” Allie teased.
Jacob choked and coughed. His face flushed when several people
turned to look at him. Plastering a smile on his face, he tucked his hand under Allie’s elbow and guided her across the street to the General Store.
“Wait until I get you alone tonight and you’ll see just how horny I am,” Jacob murmured under his breath.
“I can’t wait,” Allie whispered back as he opened the door.
“Mrs. Jackson,” Jacob greeted, removing his hat as he stepped inside.
“Why, Mr. Tucker, I heard you and your brother had gone on a trip,” Arlene Jackson commented with a smile that faded as she turned her gaze to Allie.
“Hi,” Allie said with a smile as she removed her hat. “Beautiful day out.”
“Yes, I… it is. Mr. Tucker,” Arlene began, turning with a frown to look at Jacob.
“Please forgive me for my lack of manners. Mrs. Jackson, may I introduce you to my wife, Allie Tucker. Allie, this is Arlene Jackson. She and her husband own the Meeteetse General Store,” Jacob interrupted with a warning glance at the store owner.
“Your wife!” Mrs. Jackson said with a frown. “She looks like she has…”
“My Papa is Lakota,” Allie said with an amused smile. “I’m half and half. I swear I’ve got the best of both worlds. I keep thanking my parents for that.”
“We need to get a few supplies,” Jacob commented, steering Allie toward the back of the store. “Pick out anything you like.”
Allie walked behind Jacob and reached out and grabbed his ass and squeezed it. She acted like nothing had happened when Mrs. Jackson turned at Jacob’s smothered curse. She flashed the woman another smile.
“I think I like that,” she murmured, biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. “Mmm, I might need to check it out a little more to make sure.”
“For crying out loud, Allie,” Jacob groaned as he reached for some beans.
“No beans, Jacob,” Allie chuckled, taking them and putting them back on the shelf. “I think we can find other food than beans.”
For the next half hour, they browsed the store, picking out items that would be light enough to carry back on the horses. The cabin was too remote for a wagon. Mr. Jackson and another man had entered the store a short time ago and had begun talking about the horses that Jacob had recently returned with. They ended up taking their conversation outside when Mrs. Jackson cleared her throat in annoyance at her husband. Allie watched as Mrs. Jackson returned her attention to the things they had purchased and carefully packed each item.
“Would you like to add some fabric to your order?” Mrs. Jackson asked. “There is some lovely new material that has recently arrived.”
Allie grimaced. As much as she hated it, she did know how to sew thanks to her mother’s insistent tutelage. She glanced over at the material before her eyes lit on several items of clothing neatly folded on a shelf behind them.
Turning, Allie walked over and fingered the jeans. Pulling out a pair, she held it up against her. These would be too big. She carefully folded them before pulling out another pair.
“These would probably fit,” she murmured.
She picked out two other pairs and three men’s shirts that would work. Her head turned as the little bell above the door rang as someone else came into the store. The two men glanced around, pausing on where Jacob and the other two men were talking outside on the porch, before turning away.
She returned her focus to the shirts she was fingering. She wondered if she should get all three or just stick with getting one. She wasn’t sure how expensive clothing was during this time and she doubted they would accept her debit card for payment.
“You should choose the blue one,” a male voice said, startling her. “It matches your eyes.”
Allie raised her eyebrow at the man. He was tall, thin, and had one of those funny, handlebar mustaches that she’d seen in some old pictures. She shrugged her shoulders when she saw the look of interest in his eyes.
“So I’ve heard,” she said, folding and replacing the blue shirt on the shelf. “I like the red one better.”
Allie started to turn and was surprised to find that the other man had silently come up on her other side, blocking her in. She held the folded clothes that she wanted against her and looked back and forth between the two men. She tilted her head and looked at the man who had first approached her. He looked like he was the leader of the two.
“Where’s your brave, sweetheart?” The man asked as he nonchalantly pulled a pouch of tobacco from the front breast pocket of his vest. “I didn’t think the Indians came into town.”
“First of all, my name is not Sweetheart,” Allie said, leaning back against the shelf. “Second, I don’t like to be crowded. So, that being the case, I suggest you move.”
The man slowly licked along the paper of his cigarette, a small smile on his lips. “So, if your name is not Sweetheart, what is it?” The man asked as he folded the edge and sealed the tobacco before twisting one end.
“Listen,” Allie commented in a calm voice. “Something tells me that you really don’t want to draw any attention to yourself. If you piss me off, you’re going to be drawing a shitload of it. I don’t care who you are, what you are, or how bad you think you might be. Now, that I’ve said that, I’ll give you to the count of two to get the fuck out of my way or I’ll scream so loud that half the Calvary that just rode by will hear me. One…”
The man with the cigarette smiled and took a step back. He touched the tip of his hat before he glanced at the man on the other side of her. Allie watched them as they nodded to Mrs. Jackson, who had watched the whole incident with suspicious looks. Allie shook her head, no help there if the way the old hag was looking down her nose at her was any indication.
“Thank you for reminding me I needed more clothes, Mrs. Jackson,” Allie said with a smile as she placed the jeans and shirt on the counter. “I swear being with Jacob makes me forget that I have to wear any.”
Allie hid the silent laughter that burst through her at Mrs. Jackson’s shocked expression and fiery face. Allie would’ve given anything to have her brother, Taylor’s, bathroom sink collection of magazines to pass out to the woman’s husband. Maybe the poor man would get lucky if she did.
Chapter 23
Jacob glanced up as two men exited the General Store. The frown that had started to darken his face cleared when he saw Allie smiling at Arlene Jackson. Relief swept through him that Allie appeared to have everything under control.
“So, Jacob, have you had any more problems with the rustlers who attacked your ranch?” Andrew Marshall asked.
“No, not since your men have come into town,” Jacob replied.
Captain Andrew Marshall nodded. “Glad to be of help. The scouts we sent out still haven’t located the other two men,” he replied. “I’ve sent word back East as well, but with everything still torn up from the war, it isn’t likely anyone will be looking for them.”
“I heard that you are training some horses for the fort,” Orlie Jackson commented. “It will be nice to have some protection from the red skins.”
“Actually, the politically correct term is Native American,” Allie said as she stepped out of the store. “They are the original inhabitants of the North American continent. Many scientists believe that they traveled over the land bridge created during the last major ice age that was flooded over some twelve thousand years ago.”
“Thank you, Allie,” Jacob muttered. “Gentleman, may I present my wife, Allie Tucker.”
Allie rolled her eyes and stuck her hand out. “Mr. Jackson, a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife. She said that you would assist us in delivering the items we purchased to the Livery Stable tomorrow morning.”
“I… Yes, of course,” Mr. Jackson stammered. “I’ll see to it now. Mrs. Tucker, Jacob, congratulations. Captain.”
Allie smiled politely and stepped to the side so Orlie Jackson could pass. When she turned back, she locked gazes with the ‘Captain’. Her eyes swept over the uniform he was wearing and a slight grimace of distaste flashed a
cross her face.
“You don’t care for the Army, Mrs. Tucker,” Andrew asked, noting her expression.
“Let’s just say I don’t care for the history of the Army, Captain,” Allie replied.
“You are familiar with military history?” Andrew Marshall asked in surprise.
“Allie is highly educated,” Jacob interjected, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Isn’t that right, honey?”
Allie shot Jacob a scowl before she nodded her head. “That’s right, cowboy. I know my history pretty well. Especially when it comes to the treatment of…”
“Captain, my wife and I’ve had a long trip and were hoping to rest up before we head out tomorrow morning,” Jacob interrupted. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get to the hotel.”
Andrew Marshall chuckled. “Of course. Perhaps we can meet up for dinner. I’ve heard the hotel has good food and I’d like to discuss the contract the Army has with you and your brother.”
“That sounds good,” Jacob replied, squeezing Allie’s arm in warning when she snorted. “Until this evening.”
“Jacob, Mrs. Tucker,” Andrew Marshall said, touching his hat before he turned and walked down the boardwalk to where several other soldiers were standing.
“Contract?” Allie asked with a raised eyebrow before she turned on her heel and started walking in the opposite direction.
“Allie,” Jacob hissed.
“Jacob, do you have any idea what happens to my people? Do you have any idea of how they suffered?” Allie choked out. “You are helping them.”
“Allie,” Jacob said, grabbing her arm and turning her so she had to look at him. “Oh, cowgirl,” he muttered when he saw the tears in her eyes. “I researched it when I was in your time. Well, I had Taylor research it. The horses are for Fort Shaw. It’s a new fort being built to protect the major supply line to Fort Benton. That is all we are doing. I swear. After this contract is done, we won’t deal with them again. I promise.”
