Rustlers and Ribbons

by Kirsten Osbourne

  Sherri mentally shook her head. It wouldn’t really be a day of rest. All it meant was that they wouldn’t be walking all day. They were camped along a river, and tomorrow was declared wash day. Clothes and blankets had to be cleaned, hung to dry, and Mary had mentioned it would only take half the day, if everyone pitched in.

  Sherri bit back tears as she stepped around the fire to push the kettle away from the flames. Her feet were raw and painful. She’d never had this many blisters, and every part of her ached. She hadn’t dared ask if there would be time to soak in the river for a real bath, or at least as real as was possible in this time.

  Mary served her husband, then ladled food into bowls for the girls, and dished up some for herself and Sherri.

  “Thanks. I hope it’s as good as it looks.”

  Mary nodded to where Abner sat, shoveling food in his mouth. “Looks like your stew is a success.”

  Sherri smiled. “I think he’s probably scared you’re going to chastise him again if he complains.”

  They both laughed. Sherri tasted her stew. It wasn’t too bad, but missing a lot of the rich flavors she was accustomed to from home. Artificial flavors. The food she’d eaten here in the nineteenth century was wholesome and natural. It definitely lacked sugar and certain flavors, but it was robust and filling.

  She glanced around camp. Her eyes sought out one person in particular. It didn’t take more than a few seconds to spot Alexander Walker near the edge of camp, sitting at his campfire, sipping some coffee. As usual, he kept to himself.

  Ever since their talk in the darkness in the woods over a week ago, she hadn’t been able to get him off her mind. He’d seemed to avoid her more than ever, and looked moody much of the time when their eyes met, which seemed to happen with more and more frequency.

  While she’d wanted to talk to him again, there hadn’t been any time. There was always work to be done in the morning to get ready for the day, and by the time everyone settled in for the evening, she was too tired to think of anything but sleep. During the day, he was either gone from the rest of the group, or rode too far ahead for her to catch up with him while walking.

  How did these people live without cell phones? How did they stand it, not being able to communicate with someone right away? Although there was always activity, and things needed to be done quickly, overall life happened at a much slower pace. It was actually a nice feeling, in a way, even if it left her exhausted all the time.

  Sherri picked at her food. She continued to cast glances at Alexander’s camp. There was no denying she was attracted to him. No. More than attracted. Ever since their conversation when he’d walked up on her in the dark, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind.

  He’d rescued her at the train station in Independence. He’d saved her from getting badly burned. Unlike other guys, he’d never told her something he thought she might want to hear or given her empty compliments. He’d genuinely listened to her, offering a few words of encouragement but not promising her the moon. He was no-nonsense, drop-dead gorgeous, a little dangerous, kind, and caring. With all that, he was also reserved and kept people at arms length. He seemed bitter about something.

  “He’s sure a good-looking man, isn’t he?”

  Mary looked a bit embarrassed at Sherri’s question. “Who are you talking about?”

  Sherri nodded to where Alexander sat, poking a stick in his fire.

  “Alexander.”

  Mary looked in his direction, then shot a hasty glance at her husband before dropping her gaze to her bowl of food.

  “Mr. Walker? I suppose,” she murmured.

  “Do you think I should bring him something to eat? Maybe it’s time for me to show off my cooking skills.” Sherri smiled. She tilted her head when Mary’s eyes widened. “Why are you looking at me as if I’d commit a crime by bringing him food? I’ve seen you or one of the other women bring him food.”

  Mary stared at her. “The other women and I are married, Sherri. You’re a single lady. If you go and bring him food, some people might talk and mistake your actions as being flirtatious.”

  Sherri gaped at her friend. “You’re kidding.”

  Clearly, she couldn’t tell Mary that she’d already had a lengthy conversation with him, in the dark, away from camp, and how he’d truly listened to her.

  A mischievous smile passed over Mary. “I certainly don’t mind if you bring him food. I see the way he’s been looking at you, and how you look at him.”

  It was Sherri’s turn to gape. “I have not been looking at him,” she denied, a little too loudly. Abner glanced up from his plate, looking from Sherri to his wife. Mary shifted in her seat to face Sherri more fully and cleared her throat.

  “You have. You both have. There’s nothing wrong with finding a man attractive, Sherri. You just don’t want tongues to start wagging. Haven’t you ever had a beau before?”

  Sherri snorted. She’d had plenty of those, if they could be considered beaus.

  “The last one cheated on me.”

  Mary gasped and brought her hand to cover her mouth. “The scoundrel,” she hissed.

  “It gets better. I’m on my way to Laramie to meet the man I’m going to marry.”

  “What?” Mary leaned forward, whispering the word.

  “That’s right. I’m a mail order bride, and I have to marry a man I’ve never met. I’ve never even spoken to him.”

  Mary put her hand on Sherri’s arm. “I’ve heard of mail order brides. Why would you choose to do that? You’re so pretty, you could easily find a husband anywhere.”

  Sherri waved off the compliment. “If I don’t do this, I’ll never have the kind of life I really want.” Tears welled up in her eyes, and her vision blurred. “I’m desperately hoping for a better life.”

  “With a man you’ve never met? How can that be a good thing?” Mary glanced up and smiled, then her gaze drifted to where Alexander sat at the edge of camp.

  Sherri straightened and plastered on a forced smile. She wasn’t going to get all sappy again and start crying. This journey was definitely taking its toll on her, both mentally and physically.

  “It was my choice.” She stood. “And it’s my choice if I want to talk to Alexander, or bring him food.” She stood, and raised her chin. “You know what? I might ask him to dance with me the next time someone plays the fiddle. That’ll really get the other women to start talking, won’t it?”

  Mary shook her head and laughed. “It sure would. I think you should do it.”

  Sherri grabbed a tin plate from the back of the wagon and ladled stew onto it, then added several biscuits. With her head held high, she headed for Alexander’s camp. His head raised before she’d taken five steps in his direction. Sherri’s heart rate increased. The guy was so observant. There was probably nothing that got past him.

  “I thought you’d like something to eat other than that jerky stuff you keep chewing on.” She held out the plate to him when he stood. His dark eyes locked on hers as if he was looking to read her mind and find out if there was a catch to her offer.

  Slowly, he reached for the plate. “I saw you fixing supper.”

  “And I didn’t catch fire this time.” She smiled. Heat crept up her neck. Her dress may not have ignited, but she was getting warm and uncomfortable from his stare.

  “I didn’t make the biscuits. That’s still a work in progress, but Mary tells me the stew is edible.”

  “Smells good.” He sat on the wooden stump he’d occupied before, and took a bite. His first reaction was a quick glance filled with surprise directed at her. “Tastes good, too.”

  Sherri’s smile brightened. She fidgeted with her hands to ignore the increased pounding of her heart. Moving closer, she sat on a large rock close to him. She studied his profile while he ate. He wasn’t overly tall when he stood next to her, and his frame was lean and well-proportioned with broad shoulders. The dark hair, fringed buckskins, and the belt around his waist with the knife hanging from it complete
d the picture of a stunning and very masculine mountain man.

  Her mouth went dry. She’d never studied any guy she’d dated this closely. They had to have a pretty face and a nice body to go with it, and the money. Where had any of that ever gotten her? Alexander Walker, if he were to dress in designer clothes and drive a fancy car, would definitely turn heads for his dangerous appearance, but he’d never be a pretty boy. Maybe a leather jacket and a motorcycle would be more his style if he were in the twenty-first century.

  Even that thought made her shake her head. He’d never fit in with the kind of people she’d grown up with. Even now, Mary was wrong when she’d implied that Alexander might be interested in her. A guy like that would never go for a rich city girl from the future.

  “Is there something about me that you find amusing?”

  Sherri stared at his question. She’d let out a faint laugh while staring at him just now, thinking about what he would say if he knew where she was from.

  “No, nothing’s funny,” she stammered. “I was simply thinking that I know you didn’t like me for some reason when we first met, and I hope I was able to change your mind about me.”

  Alexander set his plate aside. Sherri swallowed when he looked at her. Her limbs grew weak from that dark stare. The muscles along his jaw tightened. His eyes drifted around camp before falling back on her.

  “I’ve underestimated you, Sherri Stucki. To be truthful, you reminded me of someone, but you’ve proved me wrong.”

  Sherri leaned forward and whispered, “I hope that’s a good thing.”

  She cringed. Was she flirting with him? He wasn’t some pushover from her time. This guy had easily put her in her place several times already, and hadn’t made anything easy for her, but . . . it had made her stronger.

  Her heart pounded, and a warm feeling wrapped around her heart. The hardness left his eyes, and his features relaxed as he returned her stare. Why did they have to be in a place where there were a bunch of other people around? She’d never wanted to be kissed by a guy like she yearned to have Alexander kiss her right now. Something about the way he looked at her at that moment conveyed that he was thinking the same thing.

  “I’ve never met anyone like you,” she whispered, meeting his dark stare.

  “I’ve never met a woman like you, either, Sherri Stucki.”

  “Who do I remind you of?”

  Alexander abruptly stood. The hardness in his eyes returned. He grabbed his empty plate and moved to turn. Before he walked off, he said, “My wife.”

  Chapter 9

  The river stretched before him, winding through the valley below as he came up over the rise. Alexander brought his horse to a halt, scanning into the distance. The sun broke through a few clouds in the sky, shining brightly overhead. A slight breeze made the endless sea of grass sway like the waters of a large lake.

  It was a good day to rest and for the families to do some much-needed chores. The women washed clothes and rearranged and repacked their belongings, while the men made repairs on the wagons. The animals grazed contently on the abundant grasses, probably just as glad as the people for the break in their journey.

  He squinted into the distance as a band of pronghorn galloped through the grass. Maybe later he’d try to track them and bring more meat to the families, but for now, his horse would get some much-needed rest and grazing time. He’d patrolled the area, satisfied that all was safe.

  Bands of renegade Indians or outlaws roamed these plains, and it always paid to be careful. The goal was to get the wagons safely to Laramie without an incident. If rescuing a woman from getting a campfire burn was the worst that happened on this trip, it would be a successful journey.

  Alexander sighed. Sherri Stucki. The woman was full of surprises. He’d kept his distance, watched her from afar, and quietly been proud of the things she’d accomplished. For an inexperienced woman from the east who’d led a life of comfort, she sure had grit. Not once had he heard her complain or cry that she couldn’t go on anymore. So unlike Cordelia, just as he’d confessed to Sherri.

  Talking to her last night when she’d brought him food had caught him off guard. Who was he kidding? A lot of things had caught him off guard about her, but the one thing burning a hole in his heart was the feelings she evoked in him.

  Cordelia, his former wife, had left a bad taste in his mouth, but after more than a year, what had happened with her was well out of his system. Besides, he was a little older and a little wiser now, and had vowed not to get involved again when it came to women. How, then, had he allowed Sherri to crawl under his skin so quickly? How could he be having feelings for another woman who shared a similar background with his former wife?

  Alexander scoffed. The marriage hadn’t lasted long enough to be considered a marriage. In front of his family, he’d granted Cordelia the annulment she wanted, and with his heart broken, had put as much distance between himself and her as possible with the vow that he wasn’t ever going to fall for another woman again. He’d left the mountains and his family, unable to face them for bringing such a woman home.

  Sherri is nothing like her. She’s different in so many ways.

  Some of those ways were downright perplexing. Her manner of speech was odd. She said words at times that made no sense, as if she was speaking a different language. She was also more forward that most women he’d ever met, unconcerned by what others thought of her behavior.

  Her spirit was what attracted him to her the most. She could easily get accustomed to the life he led – a life in the mountains, away from most people.

  If not for his bad experience with Cordelia, Sherri was exactly the kind of woman suited for him. Last night, the urge to kiss her had been so strong, he’d almost done it. It hadn’t mattered that they were in plain sight of the families he was leading, and judging by the look in her eyes, she’d been thinking the same thing.

  The only problem was, she was heading to Laramie to get married. He shook his head as his horse shifted weight underneath him and pawed at the ground, interrupting his train of thought. Alexander gave the gelding a pat and let him have his head as they descended into the valley and toward the river. It looked as if the women were done with their laundry.

  Maybe he’d cool off in the water before heading back to camp. It might help him sort out what was going on in his head. When he’d taken this job, the last thing he’d expected to encounter was a female who jumbled all his original plans of disappearing into the wilderness and being on his own.

  His horse snorted when they reached the river. The gelding eagerly splashed in the water, then lowered his head to drink. Alexander dismounted at the bank, and was about to unbuckle his belt with the intent to take a quick swim, when movement further upstream caught his eye. Someone was there, partially concealed by some willow bushes. Maybe the women hadn’t been finished doing their laundry.

  The sound of a woman singing reached his ear. It was unlike any song he’d ever heard. The lyrics were odd, too, talking about driving fast or something. Sherri? It could only be her. No one else would sing like that. Apparently, she hadn’t noticed him.

  Leading his horse slowly past the willows, he caught sight of her sitting on a large rock overhanging the water. Her hair hung in loose strands down her back as she sat perched on the rock . . . in nothing but her underthings, dangling her feet in the water and showing off her shapely legs.

  Alexander stood rooted to the spot. He blinked and chastised himself for staring. Maybe he could make a hasty retreat without being discovered. His horse snorted at that moment, giving him away. He cursed under his breath.

  Sherri’s head spun around, and she scrambled from the rock.

  “I apologize. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” Alexander turned to look the other way, his heart pounding in his chest as visions of her remained burned in his mind.

  “It’s no problem,” came the answer from behind. “I was just drying off. I took the chance to get cleaned up and soak in some real water
for a change.”

  Alexander’s forehead wrinkled. Slowly, he turned back around to face her. “You went swimming in the river?”

  “Is that not allowed?” She walked toward him while at the same time buttoning the bodice of her dress. The sun caught in her golden hair, which hung in damp strands down her back.

  “You need to be careful. The current is stronger than it looks, and the water is cold. It would have been better if one of the other women had been with you, in case something happened.” He looked at her and grinned. “And to make sure no one sneaks up on you.”

  Her face brightened instantly, her smile wide and radiant. Alexander gripped his horse’s reins tighter. If only things were different, and she wasn’t promised to another man, or he wasn’t set on not getting involved with another woman. She came closer, not in the least bit embarrassed for having been caught without her dress on. She walked up to him, her feet bare and ankles peeking out from underneath the hem of her gown.

  “Were you sneaking up on me?” She stopped in front of him and tilted her head to meet his gaze.

  “No, ma’am. I was about to take a swim myself.”

  “I didn’t go in the water,” she confessed. “I really wanted to, but it is cold. I washed my hair and soaked my feet, instead.” Her smile widened. “But if you had shown up sooner, we could have gone in the water together, and I wouldn’t have had to worry about getting swept downriver.”

  Alexander shook his head as he took in her lovely features. If anything, the days on the trail had made her even more beautiful. She looked tired from the long days, but her face glowed with a happiness she hadn’t displayed the day he’d met her. On the train platform, she’d looked scared and completely lost. She seemed to have found a new confidence on the trail.