Dixie Moon

by Shirleen Davies

  “Gabe, someone will see.” Her protest held no conviction as the corners of her mouth tipped up.

  He glanced around, throwing his head back and laughing. “There is no one here to see us.”

  “Suzanne and Fanny.” Her olive skin darkened as heat infused her body. She doubted a full minute went by without her reliving what happened between them near the waterfall.

  “I guarantee you they won’t say a word to anyone.” If anyone in Splendor could be counted on to keep confidences, it was Suzanne and Fanny.

  Lena glanced up, seeing Suzanne approaching with two plates.

  “I brought you the roast beef and vegetables. The stew is gone, but there are still plenty of biscuits and pie.” Her eyes lit up, noting Lena pulling her hand from Gabe’s grasp. “I’ll be back out with coffee.”

  The room stayed quiet, except for the sound of their knives and forks clicking on the plates. After several minutes, Gabe broke the silence, deciding he needed to be clear about his feelings.

  “You need to know I have no intention of letting you go. I never thought I’d say this, but you’ve changed my mind about what matters.”

  Her hands began to shake. She cared about Gabe, maybe even loved him, but anything more than what they already had was out of the question. There were too many obstacles from her past that couldn’t be changed. She found herself praying he didn’t say what she feared most.

  “How could one afternoon with me change what matters to you?”

  “One afternoon didn’t. What happened between us yesterday came from months of getting to know you and wanting you. I never saw myself settling down, marrying, or wanting a family. But I want all of those with you.”

  She waited, her heart pounding as fear knotted inside her. Wondering if she should stop him now before he said the words which could change everything between them, she reached toward him, taking his hand in hers.

  “Please, let’s not discuss this tonight.”

  Gabe hesitated, staring at her in confusion, trying to make sense of her request. “You don’t feel the same.” Disillusion tinged his voice.

  She squeezed his hand, not letting him pull away. “Like you, I’ve always believed I’d live out my life without marrying. Whatever is happening between us is new and I need time to understand it. Can’t we enjoy what we have without making decisions so soon?”

  Struggling with confusing emotions, Gabe straightened his spine, his face turning from one of hope to cool detachment. “If that’s what you want.”

  Her spirits plummeted at the way he closed himself off. He pulled his hand from hers, reaching into his pocket to leave money on the table. “It’s getting late. I should get you back to the saloon.”

  Every step away from Suzanne’s created more distance between them. Gabe didn’t say a word, his eyes focused straight ahead, his face set as if chiseled from granite. As they neared the doors of the Dixie, Lena pulled him to a stop.

  “I want you, Gabe. I just need time. Can you understand that?”

  He didn’t, but he already loved her. Their hours near the waterfall had been the culmination of months of wanting Lena. The thought of losing her tore at his heart. Remembering Nick’s warning about her being hurt in the past made him want to find the man and beat him senseless. He’d do anything to ease her pain.

  “If you need time, that’s what you’ll get.” He leaned down, kissed her cheek, then stepped away. “Goodnight, Lena.”

  The night settled into a comforting routine for Lena, although she struggled with boredom from an almost deserted saloon. Two men wandered in an hour after her return, had a couple drinks, then left.

  “Go home, get some sleep. There’s no need for us both to be here. I’ll be closing the place within the hour.” Nick had watched Lena since her return, noting a face devoid of any trace of joy. He wondered what happened between her and Gabe to cause such a change, making the decision to speak with her in the morning after she had a chance to rest.

  “All right. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Slipping into her coat, she stepped into the cool air, staring at a sky blanketed in millions of stars. She never grew tired of the clear night skies, feeling as if she could reach up and grab a handful of the sparkling gems.

  Not tired enough to fall asleep, she wandered the boardwalk, turning away from the boardinghouse. She walked toward the church, crossed the street, and strolled toward the road behind the bank. It had been a long time since she’d roamed the town at night and saw no one.

  Paying no attention to where she walked, she found herself standing outside Gabe’s home, struggling with emotions that pulled her in too many directions. One dim light glowed from within. Taking one step, then another, she found herself at his front door, her heart drumming a painful beat in her chest. Lifting her hand, she knocked twice, then stepped away.

  A moment later, the door swung open. Gabe stood in front of her, feet bare, his unbuttoned shirt pulled from his trousers. His eyes widened in surprise.

  “Lena? What are you doing here?”

  Her tongue darted out, licking lips that had gone dry at the sight of him.

  “I just…” She swallowed, trying to find the words. “The way you left…”

  He stepped outside, shielding her with his body, guiding her into his home. Closing the door, he turned Lena toward him, seeing distress and anguish on her face. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back as he kissed her temple.

  “Talk to me, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear. Her arms wound around his neck and she buried her face in his shoulder.

  “I want you, Gabe, and don’t want to lose you. I just…” Her agonized voice speared through him.

  Pulling back, he stared into her pleading eyes. “We’ll do this however you want, sweetheart. If you need time, I’ll do my best to give it to you.” He leaned down, taking her lips in a passionate kiss, then pulled away. “I’ll take whatever you can give me.”

  She dropped her head to his chest, a soft sob escaping.

  Placing a finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his, lowering his mouth once more. Within seconds, the kiss turned from a soft caress to fierce urgency, their hands roaming over each other at a frenzied pace. His lips touched the corners of her mouth before trailing down the silky skin of her neck to trace a path along her collarbone, then back up.

  Holding her close, he let his hands roam up and down her back before settling on the soft curves of her hips. She didn’t protest when he lifted his hand to slide her gown off her shoulders, kissing the sensitive area below her ear, then going lower.

  Tightening her hold around his neck, she tangled his hair in her fingers, moaning into his mouth as heat roared through her body. Snuggling against him, she pushed one leg between his, feeling the hardness of his muscles against the softness of hers. A moan escaped as she aligned her body with his.

  The sounds of her desire were like liquid fire racing through him. He could wait no longer. Without breaking the kiss, he scooped her into his arms, taking the few steps into his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind them.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Thirteen

  Gabe felt a strange sense of peace as his eyes opened. Feeling the soft curves of her body draped over his, he refused to move, not wanting to break the spell. He wrestled between the need to get her home before Nick discovered her missing, and began a search, and his own desire to keep her locked within his embrace.

  His hands roamed her bare skin, igniting an almost unquenchable thirst for her. He had to stop before need overcame common sense.

  “Lena?” He touched his lips to her forehead. “Lena, darlin’, you need to wake up.”

  She groaned, her body not wanting to emerge from the warmth surrounding her. As she awoke, her hand began to play with the crisp hairs on his chest before moving lower. Grasping her wrist, he pulled it back up, capturing it against his heart.

  “If you do that, we’ll be here until afternoon,” h
e chuckled, his warm breath washing over her.

  She let out a deep sigh, wishing they could stay in his bed all day. “All right.” Lena pushed herself up, turning to sit beside him, not shielding herself from his view.

  The lump in his throat wouldn’t dislodge as he took in the sight of her. He’d never get used to her beauty. It would be hell keeping the image from his mind as he tried to concentrate on his work.

  Getting up, he reached out a hand. “Come on. I’ll get you home before anyone sees you.”

  She knew he was right, even though every instinct urged her to stay. Accepting his hand, she slid off the bed on shaky legs, wrapping her arms around his waist. The feel of his rough skin against her sensitized body triggered a desire she felt helpless to ignore. Accepting the consequences of anyone spotting them, she dropped her arms and slipped into her clothes.

  Within minutes, they’d stepped into the darkness, both grateful for the dense cloud cover. Gabe reached behind her, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head in an attempt to shield her face. Walking with quick, quiet steps, they made their way between the jail and Wild Rose, then crossed the main street toward the boardinghouse side entrance. Gabe turned the knob, breathing a sigh of relief when it opened.

  “Tonight, Lena,” he breathed as his lips descended on hers. “Come to me again tonight.”

  “Yes.” She broke the kiss and dashed inside, closing the door on a quiet click.

  He waited until his heart slowed, then took a breath before shoving his hands in his pockets and returning to his house. Never had he felt such a sense of immediate loss, and never before had he slipped around in the dark with a woman, trying to hide his actions. A mixture of desire, guilt, and his conscience warred within him. He didn’t know how long he’d be able to go along with her request to give themselves time while keeping their relationship outside the bonds of marriage. It ate at him in a way he couldn’t reconcile.

  Looking around, he noted a few lights flickering through closed windows, knowing it wouldn’t be long before the street would be crowded. If they’d waited any longer, the odds were someone would have seen them, exposing her to ridicule she didn’t deserve. He had a great deal of thinking to do about their future. In the meantime, he would do what he’d told her and take whatever she would give him.

  “Are you certain you’re all right? You look as if you haven’t slept in days.” Nick held the cup between his hands, bringing it to his lips as he peered over the rim at Lena. Although she seemed more relaxed than he’d seen her in weeks and her face held a slight glow, her eyes were tired and she moved slower than usual when she’d entered the dining room.

  Not looking at him, she focused on the plate of eggs in front of her. “I awakened several times and it took a while to fall back to sleep.” Both true, she told herself, her chest tightening at the memory. “But I’m fine. What will you be doing today?”

  “Gabe and I have a meeting with Clausen at the bank. Afterwards, we hope to meet with Bull to review the plans before getting the word out we need men. If all goes well, we should be able to start as early as Friday.” Nick set his cup down, deciding to share one other piece of news. “I’ve bought land from the Pelletiers.”

  She looked up, her brows rising. “Whatever for?”

  “I felt it time each of us had some property where we could build homes, have our own lives, a sense of permanency. All we’ve ever done is move from one town to the next, never setting down roots. I’d like to change that. Besides, we can’t live in the boardinghouse forever.”

  Her throat constricted as hope settled in her chest. A home is what she’d always dreamed about, never voicing her desire for fear of ruining any chance of ever obtaining it. She’d always left the decision of where and how they lived up to Nick, pushing her own needs aside. He’d been her anchor, saved her from a life as a prostitute, and made her a wealthy woman by most standards.

  She glanced up at him, unable to hide a broad smile. “Where is this land?”

  One look at her face told Nick he’d made the right decision. “At the southernmost end of their property, a few miles from town. Luke said it’s not suitable as ranchland, but it’s perfect for two houses with barns. There are over ten acres apiece, and a stream runs through the property. I’m anxious to show it to you.”

  She set down her fork and tossed her napkin on the table, ready to leave that instant. “Why not today?”

  Nick laughed, glad he’d made her smile. “I’ll tell you what. We’ll ride out there tomorrow morning, right after breakfast. Perhaps Gabe would like to go with us.”

  A warning flared through her. Had he seen her return with Gabe before sunrise? “He’s awfully busy, but we can ask.”

  “Good. I’ll mention it to him when we meet at the bank.” Swallowing the last of his coffee, he stood. “I see no need for you to come along, unless you want to.”

  “No, you go ahead. I may lie down a while. I do feel a little tired.” And sore, she thought, wondering if it wise to go through another night with Gabe without letting her body recover. Her lips tilted up, knowing nothing could keep her from seeing Gabe again tonight.

  “I’ll see you at the Dixie then.”

  Staring at her half-eaten plate of eggs, she felt a sense of peace for the first time in many years. Nick had made the decision she prayed he would—to make Splendor their home. And now she had Gabe, who had agreed to her request they keep their relationship unofficial, at least for right now. There were risks to both their reputations, but her fear of him learning her secrets outweighed the perils of being discovered. She’d known other couples who’d continued down this path for years, never feeling the necessity to marry. They’d just need to be careful and all would be fine.

  “Amos is taking too much time deciding on our offer to purchase the Rose.” Tommy watched as one of their men walked toward the mine, his arms loaded with tools.

  “Perhaps we need to sweeten the deal, or provide another incentive for him to accept. I believe it’s time to have Stillwell pay him a friendly visit. The man has nothing else to do and we’re paying him to sit around.”

  “I don’t want him threatening Amos. At least not outright. Just showing his face and gun might be all that is needed. We don’t want the town to go against us before we’ve had a chance to settle in.” Tommy thought of his night with Dolly, wondering if she looked forward to seeing him again.

  “What about the whore at the Rose?” Willie knew Tommy had spent a night with Dolly, and he knew his friend’s particular tastes. “Do you have plans to see her again?”

  A feral smile appeared on Tommy’s face. He’d enjoyed her. Perhaps he’d gotten a little rough, but she didn’t fight him too much. The blood was her own fault. If she’d just done as he asked, he never would’ve had to hit her. Anyway, the bruising would heal in a few days.

  “Her name is Dolly, and yes, I believe I will be seeing her again.”

  “If Stillwell doesn’t get any action before then, I’d suggest you use a little gentle persuasion to get her to speak with Amos. Remember, as an owner, there’d be no reason you couldn’t have her whenever you liked.” Willie understood Tommy better than his friend knew. Finding a woman willing to share his particular tastes wasn’t easy. If Dolly turned out to be one of those women, it would be a huge incentive for Tommy.

  “I can definitely use persuasion. How gentle it is will be up to her.” He cast a glance at Willie, his face darkening even as the smile remained.

  “Good. I’ll send Stillwell in tomorrow, give Amos some serious incentive to think about our offer. We’ll ride in on Friday. By then, he should have enough time to make the right decision.”

  Tommy hoped Willie was right. They didn’t need any more blood on their hands.

  “Where’s Dolly?” Gabe asked Al as he walked into the Rose. He had a little time to waste before meeting Nick, but he’d heard she’d taken ill. It triggered a memory of her acting a little off on Saturday night. He’d ignored it at the time.<
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  “I don’t know much, except she hasn’t come out of her room since Sunday morning. Amos spoke with her, and when they were finished, he stormed out and came back with Doc.”

  “Sunday, huh? And she hasn’t been down since?” Gabe asked. Two days didn’t sound right to him. From what he knew about her, she almost never took a day off.

  “That’s right.”

  “Do you mind if I go upstairs, see if she’ll talk to me?”

  “Go ahead. All she can do is run you off.” Al turned his back to Gabe, finishing preparations for the day’s business.

  Taking the steps two at a time, he knocked on her door. Getting no response, he knocked again.

  “Dolly, it’s Gabe. Open the door.” He could hear the sounds of sheets rustling, then footsteps.

  “You’ll have to come back another time. I’m not feeling well.” Her strained voice carried through the door.

  “Nope. I want to talk with you now.” His instincts told him something wasn’t right.

  “Please. Just come back another time.”

  “You can either let me in or I’ll get the key from Al. Your choice.” It didn’t take more than a few moments for the knob to turn and the door to open a crack. What he saw shocked him. Her right eye was almost swollen shut, with bruising down her face and around her neck. “Open the damn door.” His hardened voice startled her into doing as he asked.

  She stepped back, clutching her stomach as she lowered herself to the bed.

  “Who did this to you?” It wasn’t so much a request as a demand.

  “It doesn’t matter. I allowed it to happen and I’ll deal with it.”

  “The hell you will. Does Amos know about it?” He loomed over her, spotting the remnants of dried blood on her sheets.

  “Not all of it. Doc Worthington does, though. Amos brought him over thinking I had some kind of stomach ailment.”

  “And you told Doc not to say anything, right?” He had a hard time keeping his anger in check and his voice level.