For the Love of a Wounded Cowboy: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  “I’m doing all right,” she replied. “How are you?

  Oliver shrugged. “Doing well. Here’s a bit smaller than I’m used to, but I’ve never lived in a brick house before,” he mused.

  Amelia couldn’t understand how he could joke at a time like that. He was facing serious trouble. Rayner didn’t seem like the kind of man who let things go easily. What if he really wanted to pursue this matter all the way to court? Still, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. It was better he was laughing than feeling the way she did.

  “I brought you some food,” she said. “Are you hungry?”

  “For your cooking? Always,” Oliver said with a smile.

  Amelia grinned slightly. She opened the basket on her lap and began to pull out the items concealed inside. “I brought some of what we had this morning. Sausages, bread, and the like,” she said. “However, I did add something a little special.” She looked down the corridor. “This is for you as well, Sheriff,” she stated.

  “What’s that?” the sheriff replied.

  The corridor of the station echoed with their voices. It didn’t take a lot to be heard. Privacy was not something that most needed in a place like that.

  “Apple pie,” Amelia called. “For you and your men.”

  “Much obliged,” he called back.

  Amelia looked back at Oliver. He was grinning and shaking his head. “What?”

  “Nothing really. I’m just marveling at the fact that you came down here and brought a pie for the sheriff after everything,” he mused. “You don’t hold grudges, do you?”

  She shook her head. “Not really. I learned a long time ago that holding a grudge against someone, even if only in your heart, does more harm to you than it does them.”

  Oliver’s gaze lowered. “Sometimes, it can’t be helped.”

  “You always have a choice,” Amelia stated. She leaned closer to the bars and kept her voice low. “Oliver, what is it that you’re holding onto? I know it’s something. Does it have to do with Rayner? What are you keeping from me?”

  Oliver visibly tensed. “You stay away from him. He only brings pain and misery to all he meets. Ask Garrett.”

  Amelia frowned. “What does Rayner have to do with Garrett?”

  He shook his head. “That man doesn’t know anything about life but malice. He doesn’t need a reason. He enjoys it.”

  Amelia’s heart was cold at such a description. Could someone be so cruel and despicable? She thought of her father and the way he was towards her, his own flesh and blood—yes. It never occurred to her that someone like that could be in a place as wonderful at Rattleridge.

  “What can we do?” she asked. “There must be something.”

  Oliver shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about it. I’m not sure. Everyone saw us fight. I can’t erase that. I just don’t know.”

  Amelia sighed. “Everything will work out, Oliver. I know it will.” She slipped a slice of bread through the bars. “Here. Eat something.”

  He took hold of the bread, his finger lingered over her hand and Amelia’s heart danced. She met his gaze. Oliver smiled at her. “Thank you.” He slipped the bread through the bars and took a bite.

  She heard a sound from the front of the station, but Amelia didn’t look around. Her sole focus was Oliver. Footsteps echoed down the corridor. A moment later Melvin appeared. “Hey there, Ollie.”

  Oliver’s eyes rose to meet Melvin. The two men exchanged a sad look between them. Amelia felt slightly like a fifth wheel. There was something between Melvin and Oliver, a connection that had been there for years. It was something she couldn’t intrude on.

  “Do you want a minute to talk?” she asked gently. She was already gathering her things to get up when Melvin’s hand settled on her shoulder and stopped her.

  “No,” Melvin said with a light smile. He looked down at her and squeezed her shoulder gently. “I think it’s best that we stick together from now on.”

  “I agree,” Oliver added. “We’re better together.” His gaze lingered on her and Amelia wondered if he meant the three of them, or could it be something more personal between them.

  Melvin looked up the corridor. “Sheriff! Can I get one of these chairs down here?” he called.

  “Help yourself, there’s an empty one up here,” the sheriff called back.

  Melvin nodded and then turned up the corridor.

  Amelia turned to Oliver. “All of us want you home,” she assured him. “Melvin especially. Glenore has been everything to the two of you forever. Just you and him.”

  “And you,” Oliver interjected.

  Amelia smiled. “Yes,” she said with a blush. “But I expect he doesn’t feel right without you being there. I know I don’t. When I woke this morning, it didn’t feel right. It felt as if a part of that place wasn’t there,” she stated.

  A small smile tugged at Oliver’s lips. “It sounds like you might miss me just a little,” he teased. Amelia loved his smile.

  Her cheeks warmed. “Is that a question?” she replied.

  “If it was, would you answer it?” Oliver countered.

  “Perhaps,” Amelia teased. She felt coy. Was he trying to flirt with her? Was she flirting back? This all felt strange and new. She looked up at Oliver from beneath her eyelashes.

  “Then it is a question,” Oliver continued. His green eyes lingered on her for several seconds before he continued. “Do you miss me?”

  Amelia’s heart was dancing in her chest. She could hardly look at him she felt so bashful. Thankfully, Melvin came along at that moment, relieving her of her anxiety enough for her to answer. “Yes,” she whispered.

  Melvin settled his chair beside Amelia. He dragged it forward toward the bars and leaned closer. “How you doin’, Ollie? Any word about when you’ll be getting’ out of here?”

  Oliver shook his head. “No. The sheriff says he has to wait to see what comes from the circuit court. Rayner’s taking this all the way it seems, but he’s hoping he can persuade him to drop it, or find some loophole to get me out of this.”

  “You know he can’t,” Melvin interjected. “Rayner isn’t gonna just change his mind out of the goodness of his heart. He won’t do anythin’ unless he’s gonna get somethin’ out of it.”

  Amelia thought she heard something in the main office, but dismissed it quickly. “Here, eat some more.” Amelia folded another slice of bread around some sausage and cheese. She passed it through the bars to him. “Would you like some, Melvin?”

  The older man opened his mouth to reply, but his words were cut short before they could escape his lips. His expression darkened as he looked behind her. His hands balled into fists in his lap and his lips pursed tightly.

  “Well, if Melvin doesn’t want anythin’, I’d be happy to take his share,” a voice called behind her. Amelia’s skin crawled. Oliver got to his feet inside of his cell.

  “Looks like you all are havin’ a party here,” Rayner said, as he walked slowly toward them. “It’s interesting to see what treatment a man gets for attackin’ another.”

  “Everyone needs to eat,” Sheriff Manchester stated from behind him. Rayner turned in his direction momentarily, then turned back, his gaze fixed on her. He grinned.

  “If I had to find myself in trouble with the law, I’d hope that someone would come and take care of me like this,” he stated.

  “Like anyone would care,” Oliver retorted.

  Rayner grinned at him. “You seemed to find someone.”

  “That’s why he knows you won’t,” Amelia retorted.

  Rayner glared at her coldly. “Sheriff, I hope you won’t be lettin’ this man get privileges he doesn’t deserve,” he continued. “You are the law in this town. You’re expected to see to the needs of the residents of this town, but not all their needs.”

  Amelia’s jaw dropped at the insinuation. Melvin was on his feet. Sheriff Manchester stepped forward to dissipate the rising tensions.

  “I don’t need you to tel
l me how to do my job,” he stated. He looked at Rayner coldly. “Nor do I need you occupying my office, unless of course, you were hoping to try out a cell yourself. I can arrange it if you want, for as long as you’d like.”

  Rayner’s jaw clenched. “That won’t be necessary, Sheriff. I think you’ve got the right man behind bars,” he replied. “I’ll be leavin’ now,” he continued. He turned and walked away from them. Amelia followed his movements closely.

  She understood why Oliver had reacted the way he did. Rayner had such a way of provoking you. She felt it herself. He’d insulted her and she felt the anger his comment roused in her. Still, she kept her mouth shut. She knew men like him from working at the saloon. They lived for a fight. It was all they knew and all they wanted.

  “Miss Amelia?” Rayner called suddenly as he turned at the top of the corridor.

  She looked at him silently.

  Rayner smirked and tipped his hat. “I’ll be seein’ you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Oliver felt as if he was going crazy. Locked in a cell for more than a week, he was helpless as Rayner continued his campaign to have him sent away forever. He couldn’t believe that Rayner could do this. Yes, he did play into his hands, but could he really put him in jail for the next year? It made Oliver furious.

  Oliver paced the cell. It didn’t take long to cross from one side to the other. The cell was seven feet by seven feet and it took Oliver only three long strides to reach the other side of the room. What was he going to do if he was sent to prison? Melvin would take care of the ranch, but what about Amelia? Would she wait for him?

  Why would she? She has no idea how I feel about her. I wouldn’t blame her if she moved on. Plus, with me in there, who’s gonna look after her? Melvin can only do so much. If Rayner wanted to, he could do a lot more. Maybe leaving would be better for her if I’m facing a year in here, at least while I’m gone.

  He sighed and flopped down on the cot that was his bed. Oliver hung his head and held it as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He groaned with frustration. He didn’t know how much more of this he could take. Yes, Amelia visited him every day and brought a ray of sunshine with her, but it wasn’t the same. The only contact they had was the small touches he stole as she passed him food between the bars. He still remembered how it felt to hold her and dance with her. He wanted that, not what they were now forced to endure.

  Oliver groaned again and flung himself back against the cot. He lay there and stared at the ceiling, but all he saw was Amelia’s face. He smiled. The more he thought about her, the more he realized he couldn’t let her leave his life. If she left him, he wouldn’t be the same. She was in his heart, but she had no idea how much.

  I have to tell her. But how? What if I’m wrong? What do I know about this stuff?

  Oliver took a deep breath. Love was a stranger to him. He had no idea how to handle the feelings he was experiencing. He only knew that he didn’t want them to end.

  “Hey, there,” Sheriff Manchester said as he appeared outside his cell. The lawman leaned against the bars. “You look real comfortable there. I don’t think you wanna go home at all.”

  Oliver sat up quickly. He cocked an eyebrow in the sheriff’s direction.

  Sheriff Manchester grinned and pulled the ring of keys from his hip. He stuck one in the lock and turned it. Oliver didn’t know what to think as the cell door opened.

  “Sheriff?” he asked skeptically.

  The other man tilted his head to the corridor. “Come on, get on out. I’m tired of having you keep me company every day.”

  Oliver stood in disbelief. “Are you serious, Sheriff?”

  Sheriff Manchester chuckled. “Rayner dropped the charges against you not long ago. You’re free to go,” he declared. “Now leave.”

  Despite the news, Oliver found he couldn’t move. It didn’t make sense. Rayner letting him go? That wasn’t the man he knew of. Rayner was not forgiving. He was anything but.

  Why did he drop the charges?

  “Oliver!” Sheriff Manchester said forcefully.

  He looked at the other man and then walked out of the cell. “Sheriff,” he said as he passed him.

  Sheriff Manchester laughed. “You really were getting comfortable in there,” he commented under his breath as he followed Oliver down the hall.

  Oliver barely heard him. His mind was still trying to understand why Rayner would have dropped the charges.

  He has something planned. He has to. But what?

  “Did Rayner say why he was dropping the charges?” Oliver asked as he turned to the look at the sheriff.

  The other man shook his head. “He just said he couldn’t be bothered. He was leaving town and didn’t want to be stuck here just for a trial. He had better things to do.”

  Oliver nodded, but he didn’t entirely believe it. He was sure, more than ever, that Rayner had something in the works. Sheriff Manchester walked passed him to the desk.

  “He left this for you,” the sheriff informed him. He handed the note to Oliver. He looked at it cautiously. What could Rayner have to say to him? He met the sheriff’s gaze. The other man looked at him with equal curiosity.

  Oliver unfolded the note in his hands and began to read quietly.

  Next time don’t mess with me. I always get what I want. Take this as your only chance. Stay out of my way. You might not always have Miss Amelia by your side to comfort you behind bars. She might need it instead.

  Oliver’s blood boiled instantly at the mention of Amelia’s name. He crumpled the note in his fist, his lips pursed as he tried to contain the anger that welled inside him.

  “Is everything all right, Oliver?” Sheriff Manchester asked. He looked at Oliver intently.

  Oliver clenched his jaw. “He’s just taunting me,” he replied. “Nothing to worry about.”

  “Don’t let him work you up, Oliver. He’s looking for a confrontation, and provoking conflict with you is what he wants. He’s gone. Let sleeping dogs lie.”

  He wanted Sheriff Manchester’s words to be true. Oliver knew better. Rayner wasn’t gone. He hadn’t given up. He was stepping back to leap forward, like a cat ready to spring on a mouse. Oliver was to be that mouse.

  Not if I can help it.

  “Don’t you worry, Sheriff. I won’t get myself into any trouble with Rayner,” he replied.

  Manchester nodded. “Good. I don’t want to have you occupying a cell again. I also don’t want you getting yourself into a fix you can’t get out of. You understand me?”

  Oliver smiled. “No worries, Sheriff. I promise that I won’t start any trouble with Rayner, for myself or anyone else.”

  Sheriff Manchester stepped toward him. “See to it that you do, Oliver.”

  Oliver nodded. “I will.”

  Sheriff Manchester looked at him closely, studying his expression for lies, Oliver presumed. “Your horse it out back,” he finally informed him. “You can get it and be on your way.”

  “You’re sure that Rayner left town?” Oliver questioned him as he walked toward the door.

  “I saw him ride out myself,” Sheriff Manchester replied. “You and your people can relax.”

  I wish it were that simple. Just because he saw him leave, doesn’t mean Rayner is gone.

  “All right,” Oliver replied. “If you say so. I’ll be off.”

  His boots echoed across the wood floors as he walked toward the door. He reached for the doorknob and felt his stomach twist. What if Rayner was waiting somewhere for him, buying time until he was released to get back at him? He closed his hand around the knob.

  You can’t stay here forever.

  He turned the knob and left.

  The streets of Rattleridge seemed quiet, but Oliver could not enjoy it. The hair on the back of his neck was on end, his nerves raw, as he strode toward the rear of the station. What was Rayner up to? What did he want? How far would he go?

  Oliver found the stable easily. His horse was housed in one
of the stalls. He looked healthy and content, the sheriff had taken good care of him, or someone had. He patted his flank.

  “Hey there boy,” he greeted the animal. “Miss me?”

  Oliver walked around inspecting the stallion as he stood still. He still didn’t know what to think of everything. He was suspicious and he was sure that he was right to be so.

  “We’ll figure this out,” he told the horse as he stroked his jaw.