by Rue Allyn
Mindy made a small sound at the back of her throat, and Boone’s head started to burn. He placed his arms around her and pulled her against him, changing the small, innocent kiss into something more. He swam in the moment. Plunging headfirst into waters that he knew were dangerous. His heart stepped in, crinkling in an odd sort of way as it dashed itself against the rocky borders of possibility.
Reluctantly, Boone pulled back. He leaned his forehead against hers, breathing deeply.
• • •
Mindy gasped. “What was that?” she said softly with a faint smile. Her breath whispered past his face.
“That was a kiss, Mindy. You said you’d never had one, remember?”
Suddenly Mindy remembered the rocking stage and her fear that they were all about to plummet over the edge of the cliff. She remembered her panic and the crazy things she had shouted. They came flooding back to her now and she shrank in embarrassment.
“Is that what this was? A pity kiss?” Mindy took a step back as her face drained of color. Quickly she reached and struck Boone across the face.
“What? Pity? Did that feel like a pity kiss?” Boone demanded, placing a hand to his blistering cheek.
“I don’t know. I’m stupid, remember? How would I know the difference?” She turned from him and marched back toward the fire. Over her shoulder she said, “I’ll be sure and ask your wife when we meet.”
Chapter Seventeen
Boone slapped his forehead. His wife! Of course! He’d forgotten about the picture of his sister, again. There was no telling what Mindy thought of him, after kissing “another woman.”
Figuring she still considered him a shiftless good-for-nothing, Boone shambled back to the clearing where the two others sat. Mindy and Lucas were involved in an animated conversation about their hometowns. Boone was relieved to see that she was no longer sad, but entranced.
“My dad died when I was small,” she was saying, “which meant my mom had the burden of raising six children alone — three girls and three boys.” She sighed. “You’d love my sisters. They’re charming and witty and down-to-earth. They’re beautiful and well-mannered … nothing at all like me. I was raised with my brothers so I was somewhat of a hoyden, to my mother’s dismay.” She laughed, a sweet sound that pulled at Boone’s heart and head.
“I can’t believe you were a trouble to her,” Lucas replied.
“Oh, I was! Always getting into trouble and getting dirty. At church services, I’d run off and play with the boys, then come back with my dress in tatters and hanging with filth. Oh, I was a trial!”
“Well, you’ve grown up now.”
Mindy blushed. “Yes, but I’ve never had my sisters’ easy ways. They married respected young men in our community and take part in the social engagements of the town. They make Mother very proud.”
“And you haven’t got the personality for those things?” Lucas studied Mindy as she formulated her reply.
“It’s just that I seem to want different things. I never wanted to settle down with the fellows that came around in the early days. And as the years went on, there were fewer callers. My mother’s greatest fear is that I’ll end up an old maid like my Aunt Sarah.” She laughed again, holding her arms around her knees. “She’s probably right. I’d rather travel and see things.”
“Doesn’t it bother you, not having someone in your life?”
“Sometimes. Mostly, I miss the idea of being a mother. But I can play with my nieces and nephews whenever I want.”
Lucas caught her gaze. “It may be that things will change for you on this trip. You may meet someone you can care about.” His implication was clear.
Mindy ducked her head. “I don’t know. Tomorrow should see me into Tipton, finally, and then I’ll be able to pick up that dreadful deed and deal with the property. After that, I’ll be headed home again. Hopefully, the return trip won’t be so eventful!”
From across the fire, Boone tensed. The idea of Mindy on her way back to Mississippi churned his gut. “You plan to travel alone back to Mississippi?” he interjected.
“Of course,” she said. “How else will I get home?”
“I’m not sure, but you can’t still think you can handle whatever comes your way! This trip should have made that obvious.”
“Maybe she’ll find someone to escort her,” Lucas said. “There’s a possibility I’ll be available.” He smiled.
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that!” Mindy said.
“I do a lot of traveling. Let’s just wait to see what the future holds, shall we?”
“That’s enough about me,” Mindy said. “What are you headed to Tipton for?”
“I’ve been there several times,” Lucas offered. “I’ve found it to be a wonderful town. It’s small, but growing. A man could make a good living there. I’ve considered buying property and settling down.”
“That would be wonderful!”
“Yes,” Lucas agreed, “but plans change. I’ll wait to see what happens.”
Boone grunted and jabbed at the fire. “I think I’ll go sleep. Looks like you two would like to be alone.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Mindy asked. “We’re just talking.”
Boone and Lucas exchanged long looks. Boone made a rude noise. “I’m going to sleep. See y’all in the morning.”
• • •
Mindy glanced to Lucas and shrugged. “Men! Oh, present company excluded, of course.”
Lucas smiled and Mindy stared into his blue eyes. He was a tall man and sat ramrod straight. He was attractive in a rough sort of way. Sometimes his eyes were hooded, as if he had seen things he didn’t care to remember. He was used to giving orders and being obeyed. Someone had said he’d been an officer in the war and she could believe it. Lucas didn’t speak often, but when he did his words were precise and clear, and brooked no argument.
As they continued their conversation, her eyes wandered over to Boone, stretched out near the warmth of the fire. The two men couldn’t be more different. Where Lucas was fair, Boone was dark, with black eyes that spoke what he wouldn’t say. Her Tormentor was even taller than Lucas, but muscular and swarthy. He had wide shoulders that narrowed into a trim waist, and she frequently found herself watching him walk. He was confident and sure of himself, to the point of cockiness, which often made her mad enough to spit. Just looking at him could make her blood boil. And certainly, his kiss had made her bubble. There was something about Boone that made her think crazy, act crazy. Why, she’d completely forgotten about his wife! He probably thought she was the sort of jezebel her mom sometimes whispered about, returning his kiss like that. She could still feel his lips on hers there in the darkness. Mindy had never imagined a single moment could make you feel so many things at once: dizzy and safe, curious and wise, hungry and —
“ … are your brothers?” Lucas was asking.
Mindy shook herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.”
Lucas followed her eyes to where Boone snoozed. “Never mind. It’s getting late. We better get some sleep.”
Mindy was startled by the abrupt end to the conversation. “All right.” She turned to snuggle into the bed of soft leaves she’d made.
“I enjoyed talking with you, Mindy.”
Turning to study Lucas, Mindy replied, “Me too. You’re easy to talk with.” She blushed again and Lucas smiled. “Good night.”
• • •
When Boone awoke the next morning, there was no sign of Mindy. He glanced over to Lucas, who was adding small twigs to the fire.
Boone leaned against the ground and twisted his body. “I could stretch a mile,” he said with a grin, “but I’d have to walk back.” His eyes turned serious. “You two have a good, long talk last night?”
Lucas didn’t answer immediately. He poked the fire. When he looked up, his eyes were hard. “Is there anything you want to tell me about Mindy?”
“What do you mean? Besides, the fact she’s a pain in the backside
?”
“No. If you have feelings for her. Sometimes, I get that distinct impression.”
“Me? You know we fight like cats and dogs. It’s oil and water.”
“I’m just letting you know that I care for her. I aim to court her when we get to town and get settled in.”
Boone stared into Lucas’s eyes and his black eyes grew even darker. “That’s fine,” he said. “She’ll need someone to take care of her and keep her out of trouble.”
“I need to know if that’s going to be a problem with you.”
“Heck no!” Boone stood and dusted off his dungarees. “You’re welcome to her and good luck.” For some reason the conversation was making him ill. He felt the need to hit something again, but his skin on his hand was still cracked and broken from the last time. He flexed it. “I’m going to wash up.”
As he walked to the water’s edge, he passed Mindy returning. She had washed the mud from her face.
“Don’t you have more clothes in that bag of yours?” he demanded.
“For your information, there’s only one change of clothes in there. As if it’s any of your business. I don’t see the need to destroy a second dress.”
Boone had to admit the logic of that, but was disgruntled by the amount of leg that showed beneath her tattered hem. Fully one half of her white calves was on display. Her brown walking boots did little to cover more than her ankles.
“Perhaps today would be a good day to change, seeing as how we’ll be getting into town,” he suggested with a grimace, imagining the looks she would receive.
Mindy looked down to her dress and then back at Boone. “Maybe so.”
“Do whatever you want,” he growled and continued to the stream.
Chapter Eighteen
By midmorning, the trio heard a welcome rumbling as they walked. It turned into a minute dust cloud, which turned into a stagecoach. Salvation had arrived. Mindy’s eyes began to tear, and it took all her control not to weep with joy.
Shorty, the wiry old man, was at the reins. He pulled the surefooted steeds to a hard stop, throwing rocks and dirt into the air. “Halloo!” he cried with a wide, snaggle-toothed smile, before leaning over the rail of the coach and spitting a brown stream of tobacco juice onto the hard soil.
“Anybody here ready for a ride?” His smile broadened at the humor of his words.
Mindy leaned against Lucas, gathering strength. “Yes,” she said quietly. “Yes. Thank You, Lord.”
The two men cheered up noticeably; their backs straightened and their eyes sparkled. “Come on, darlin’,” Lucas said, “Let’s head for Tipton!” He picked Mindy up and swung her in a wide circle.
“Put me down, you idiot!” Mindy said with glee. “You’re going to hurt yourself all over again.”
Sure enough, when he set her back on the ground, he gripped his chest with a tender hand, though he winked and said, “It was well worth the pain, my dear!”
Mindy turned and ran to the waiting coach. Boone had slung her bag inside and was holding the door. He wore a grim frown. Mindy ignored him as she climbed into the stagecoach. The faded velvet seating and wood interior made her feel like she had arrived home.
Mindy leaned back in the seat and sighed, as Lucas slapped Boone on the back and climbed aboard. Boone followed, closing the door. Before they were even settled, the driver started the horses into a canter. They were headed back to the land of the living.
• • •
“So, what’ll you do when we get to town?” Mindy asked Boone.
“I don’t have much choice. I reckon’ I’ll be heading out to find that bank money and bring it back.”
Mindy shuddered. “You can’t mean to chase after those fellows alone?”
“That’ll be up to the stage company. I’ll be reporting to them when we arrive. But I expect they’ll want me to head out as soon as possible. I’ll probably visit my mother and then head on out.”
“And your wife, I guess.”
“Yeah. Of course.” Boone mentally smacked himself again. A wife sure was a lot of trouble.
“Oh. By the way, I guess I can give this back to you now,” Mindy said reaching into her bag. She extracted a Bible wrapped in cloth and removed a picture from its pages. She handed it over to him. “Funny thing, you had it in your possession the whole time you were carrying my bag.” A faint smile crossed her face. “She sure is pretty.”
“Yeah,” Boone admitted. “She is that.”
• • •
Mindy fell silent. She had thought … she wasn’t sure what she had thought. But she hadn’t expected Boone to be planning to leave even before he arrived in Tipton. She looked out the window, past the faded, oiled-leather curtain. The landscape rolled past at a jarring pace. Again, she felt tears welling up in her eyes, but for the life of her she couldn’t be sure why.
• • •
In less than six hours, Mindy began to see signs that they were nearing civilization again. There was a steady stream of men on horseback traveling along the same road as they drew closer to Tipton. Just outside the town, Mindy saw a long line of wagons that obviously made up a wagon train. In a large, open creek bank, horses and cattle were enjoying the cool water. The sheer number of wagons and livestock was overwhelming. “Now, that’s a journey,” she commented.
Boone looked out the window on the same side of the coach. “Uh huh. There aren’t as many moving west by wagon as there once was. The railroad has cut down on the traffic, but when you’re moving your entire household, there isn’t much other way.”
Mindy watched women working near the wagons. Controlled chaos seemed to reign king. Children galloped and played nearby. “God bless ’em, is all I can say.”
Lucas chortled. “Yep.”
The stagecoach driver never gave any heed to the increased level of activity on the roads; he still drove like the devil was chasing him. The bouncing and banging reminded Mindy of her earlier complaints. Her attitude had changed, and she relished every jounce. It was better than walking any day.
Mindy watched, fascinated, as they entered into the cluster of buildings making up the town. Lines of wagons were parked along the roadside, forcing the coach to squeeze in between them.
When they pulled to an abrupt halt, Boone was already swinging out the door. Lucas exited and helped Mindy down, and she glanced around, taking in the sights. The wood-frame buildings stretched out in either direction, lining the narrow thoroughfare. Along one side of the street was a two story hotel, Peter’s Livery, Feed, and Sale Stable, a barber shop, and a furniture store. Past those, the brick exterior of The Bank of Tipton was visible.
On the other side of the road stood two barrooms side-by-side, next to Kit’s Eatery. All along the boardwalks were the good citizens of the town, and the folks securing provisions for the long wagon trip.
Several women cast a wary eye at Melinda as she alighted from the stage; no doubt her red face, mangled hairdo, and inappropriate garb caught their attention. Melinda straightened her shoulders and looked them head on, without shame. She had survived a grand adventure — the likes of which she could tell her nieces and nephews about with great fanfare. Many of the women turned away, not being able to withstand the hard stare Mindy offered.
Lucas arrived at her elbow. “Let me escort you to the hotel and make sure we get you settled in comfortably.” He glanced over his shoulder at Boone. “I’ll take that bag off your hands now, friend.”
Mindy’s Tormentor stood still as a statue for a minute, looking at Mindy as if he would speak, but then he merely handed over the piece of luggage. It certainly looked worse for the wear. Mindy hadn’t realized until now the beating it had taken.
“Will we see you again before you leave?” Mindy asked.
Boone studied her quietly. “I don’t know why. Looks like you’ve got everything you need.”
Mindy glanced up at Lucas who wore a broad smile. “That she does, neighbor, that she does.”
The men exchanged g
lances. “You better do right,” Boone said in a hard voice. “I’ll be close by, and there’s always talk.”
“Do right about what?” Mindy asked, glancing from one man to the other.
“I think he gets it.”
“I got it. No need for worries. See to your own troubles. Let us know if you make it back all right.” Lucas was being extremely magnanimous.
Looking at Boone, Mindy realized that this moment might be the last she would see him. Without considering her actions, she threw her arms around his neck, surprising them both. “Thanks for all you’ve done.” She leaned against him and said in a quieter voice. “I take back what I said — your wife is a lucky woman.”
Boone took her by the arms and set her away from him. “I better go.” He tipped his hat once and turned on his heel. Mindy watched him walk away.
Chapter Nineteen
“Come on,” Lucas said, moving with a light step. “Let’s get you checked into the hotel.” He tugged at Mindy’s arm.
Turning, Mindy sighed. It seemed her heart had dropped into her stomach.
“I’ve stayed here several times, and I feel sure you’ll like it.” Lucas’s grin made him seem sweet and appealing. “Hot meals are provided each day, and the owners offer tokens for the plunge bath down the road.”
The idea of a bath caught Mindy’s attention. “Oh, that would be heavenly!”
“Shorty said they were sending a stage to pick up our luggage. It should be here by tomorrow or the next day. If you have need of anything in the meantime, I hope you’ll let me know.”
“That’s all right. I have my own money. And besides, I would never take yours.”
“I hope the day will come when you may accept more than that from me, Mindy.” They had reached the wooden boardwalk and he turned her to face him. “I’d like the opportunity to call on you.”
“What?” Mindy said.
“Surely you’ve realized by now that I have feelings for you, Mindy. I know this isn’t the appropriate time or place. I had planned to discuss it over dinner tonight, but, well … ” He shrugged and smiled.
