E. G. Parsons - Black Rock:

by A Time For Love

"If you're sure." Jim remounted and held his hand out to help Roxanne up behind him.

  Collin wanted to help her mount, but knew she wouldn't welcome his touch right now. He wished she'd look at him, but she kept her head firmly averted as they rode off over the hill. Collin sighed and started up the hill, thinking what a mess things were. He never dreamed that the woman who was the answer to his problem would also be a woman he couldn't seem to resist.

  Four

  Roxanne soaked in the large tub of warm, scented water as her mind mulled over the events of the day before. She was ashamed that she'd allowed Collin to take such liberties. What was wrong with her that the man had only to touch her and she melted like butter on a hot day?

  She knew exactly what would have happened if it had not been for Jim's very timely interruption. She may lack experience, but as a child she'd seen the breeding of the bulls and cows. She didn't think it would be very different with a man and a woman. What she hadn't known was how very pleasurable a man's touch could be.

  Although embarrassed by her response to Collin's touch, she was also woman enough to be pleased by his desire for her as a woman. And desire her he did, he'd made that very clear. She was also willing to admit her desire for him as a man was just as intense.

  She'd been raised to be a lady, but around Collin her good sense fled and she acted like a strumpet. She'd have to conquer these emotions and gain back the control she so sadly lacked in his presence. The problem was that in Collin's presence, she didn't have the strength or desire to stay in control. If Mama were here, what advice would she give me?

  Roxanne grinned. If her mother was here and knew what was going on with Collin, she'd pack Roxanne right back off to Boston. This was something she'd have to handle alone and she only hoped she'd find the strength to act as the lady her mother had wanted her to be.

  Roxanne was drying off when Lucy knocked on the bedroom door and announced that there was a visitor.

  "Who is it, Lucy?"

  "Tina, Miss. She says you went to school together before you went away to Boston."

  "I'll be right down as soon as I'm dressed. Make her comfortable and offer her some refreshment."

  "Yes, Miss. I'll tell her you'll be right down."

  Roxanne hurriedly dressed in one of her nicer black dresses. She couldn't wait to see her old friend again after all these years.

  She entered the parlor and had a chance to observe the woman sitting at the piano for a moment before announcing her presence. Tina was picking out a tune and not very well, but then she'd always hated her piano lessons. Roxanne smiled with the memory.

  "Tina, how wonderful to see you again."

  The woman jumped up and rushed to fold Roxanne close to her.

  "Oh my, it is good to see you, Roxy. It has been so long. Pushing back, she looked Roxanne up and down.

  "You look wonderful, I always knew you'd be a beauty."

  "Look who's talking." Roxanne took in the dark curly hair and light brown eyes of her friend.

  "Come on, let's sit and have a nice long visit. You can catch me up all that's happened while I was away. What ever happened to Simon Montgomery? He always had the most horrible crush on you."

  Tina laughed merrily as she sat next to Roxanne on the sofa. "He married a very nice girl and they have an adorable little baby girl."

  "Who did he marry? Do I know her?"

  Tina raised her hand and wiggled her fingers, showing Roxanne the gold band on her finger.

  "It's me. We were married three years ago and our Lettie is almost two years old."

  "How wonderful, why didn't you bring her? I'd love to meet her. Is she running you in circles yet? I remember your mom saying that she was dizzy all the time from chasing around after you."

  Laughing, Tina said she'd left Lettie with her grandma.

  "I wanted to come and catch up without the distraction. Lettie's a doll, but she's at that age where you can't take your eyes off her for a moment. So, tell me all about you and Mr. Wellman."

  "I don't understand. I've only met Mr. Wellman once since I've been home and I never met him before that. I guess he was away at school. He's quite charming."

  Tina gave Roxanne a strange look. "Okay if you prefer not to speak of it, I guess it's really none of my business."

  Roxanne was confused. She felt as if she were missing part of the conversation.

  "Am I missing something? I really don't understand what you're talking about."

  "Simon told me he ran into Mr. Wellman at the cattle auction this morning. Mr. Wellman intimated that you and he were courting and a wedding was soon to take place."

  "He actually said that?"

  "Not those exact words but he must have said something to make Simon believe it was what he meant. Is there no truth to it then?"

  "Of course not, as I said I only just met the man. We had a nice conversation over some afternoon tea, but certainly not anything more than that. He did ask if he might come to call, but I told him I'd need time to think about it."

  "I'll ask Simon for his exact words tonight. Perhaps he simply misunderstood." Tina's brow creased in a frown for a moment and then a cheerful look returned.

  "Let's not talk about Mr. Wellman. I'd rather talk about the shopping trip we are going on tomorrow. That dress you're wearing is much too heavy for summer here in Texas. I've brought Eaton's spring catalogue with me and we'll pick out some things you like. We can find all the dress goods and trimmings in town at Hastings and Sarah can sew them up for you."

  "Sarah?"

  "Simon's sister. She came here to stay with us when that husband of hers ran off. Good riddance to him too. He's an evil man and treated poor Sarah just horribly. She was determined to make her own way and move out as soon as possible. She set up a shop in town and she and her little son live in the back. She's a wonderful seamstress. You'll like her."

  Roxanne absorbed this bit of information as Tina brought out the catalogue.

  "I could certainly use some black riding clothes and you're right about having some summer clothes. I've already begun to feel the heat in the things I have from Boston."

  "Don't worry, Sarah will fix you up."

  The two spent the better part of two hours pouring over the dress designs before Tina had to get home to her family.

  Later that afternoon Roxanne took the Eaton catalogue Tina had left with her and went out onto the front porch to look over the fashions one more time. She knew she'd be wearing unadorned black for at least a year, but it was fun to look at the lovely styles.

  Taking a chair in the shade of the huge porch, Roxanne made herself comfortable. The cooling breeze carried the scent of wild flowers and horses. Roxanne breathed deeply of the familiar scent and settled deeper into the chair.

  As she was trying to decide on a style for the bodice of one of the new dresses a horse rode into the yard. Looking up, she watched Bradford Wellman dismount and walk up the steps of the porch.

  "Good afternoon, Roxanne. A lovely day, isn't it?" Removing his hat, he made a slight bow in greeting.

  Remembering what Tina had told her, Roxanne felt the heat rush into her cheeks. She felt a combination of anger and embarrassment when thinking of his presumptuous comments to Simon.

  "Afternoon, Mr. Wellman. We are indeed having some lovely weather."

  Brad took the seat next to hers and Roxanne bristled at his ill manners. She'd not yet asked him to be seated.

  He pulled the seat a little closer to Roxanne's and smiled brightly. Seeing the color in her cheeks, he thought it a sign that she was very pleased and flattered by his call.

  "I thought we had an understanding. You were to call me Brad."

  "I really think it's a little early in our acquaintance to be so informal, Mr. Wellman."

  "Nonsense, I shall call you Roxanne. You've already given your permission and I insist you call me Brad. We are neighbors after all."

  Roxanne looked down at her hands to prevent him seeing the anger in her eyes.<
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  "You must do what pleases you, of course." She didn't want to make an enemy of this man. He was, as he said, a neighbor and as such deserved to be treated with courtesy.

  "I came to call yesterday and Lucy told me you'd gone riding. I thought to join you and followed your trail as far as the old cabin that's been taken over by Collin O'Neal. You should be wary of him, Roxanne. He's an odd sort of fellow and may not be safe. He doesn't own any property, hasn't got a job that anyone is aware of yet always seems to have money for supplies."

  Roxanne gaped at him and then clamped her mouth shut on the angry exclamation before it could pour forth. How dare he follow me and then give instructions on who I should see!

  "I'm a grown woman, Mr. Wellman, and quite capable of taking care of myself and choosing who and who not to visit with. Mr. O'Neal is also a neighbor and was a friend of Papa's."

  "Who told you he was a friend of your father's? Jacob had given me the impression that he didn't trust the man."

  "Slim says different. He told me Papa liked and trusted Mr. O'Neal."

  "I'd still be careful around him. I'd hate to see you become involved with the wrong sort."

  "Really, Mr. Wellman, you go too far."

  "I apologize, Roxanne. I didn't come here to discuss Collin O'Neal. I came to ask if you'd honor me by accompanying me to the spring dance this Saturday night?"

  I'm sorry, that's out of the question. As you know, my mourning prohibits me from attending such social functions."

  "No one in Wild Rose would blink an eye if you attended."

  "Never the less, I shall abide by custom. I'd feel it very disrespectful to the memory of Papa to attend such a social gathering so soon after his passing."

  "Very well, I shall abide by your decision. Have you given any thought to my coming to call?"

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Wellman, I feel it's too soon to even contemplate such a thing."

  "Too soon?" Brad's eyes glittered with a dangerous light.

  "Yes, Papa has only been gone for a short time. It is also too soon since making your acquaintance. This is only our second meeting. Much too soon all the way around."

  "I see, and do you have any idea when the right time will be?"

  Roxanne didn't like the look on his face and she was beginning to be a little fearful. She thought he might lunge and grab her at any moment. Knowing Lucy had gone into town with Slim and she was very alone here, she thought it best to end this meeting as soon as possible.

  Forcing a cheerful smile to her lips, she turned to look at him. "I really am sorry to have to cut our visit short, but I promised Lucy I'd help her with some upstairs cleaning this afternoon."

  "I think that can wait. I saw her leaving for town in the wagon with Slim as I rode in."

  Roxanne stilled and then tried to cover her mistake. "Yes, I know. I'd promised to get started while she was gone."

  Brad's anger took control and he reached for her. Grabbing her upper arms and pulling her from the chair, he lowered his head to kiss her, but Roxanne turned her face away and his lips landed on her cheek.

  Dropping her arms, he stepped back from her. "My most humble apologies, I beg your forgiveness."

  "I think you'd better leave." Roxanne tried to still the trembling of her limbs.

  Brad turned and went to his horse without another word. She watched him ride out of the yard before collapsing into the chair. After the quaking of her limbs subsided, Roxanne went into the house, locking the door behind her. She didn't know if Brad would return, but she wasn't taking any chances.

  Brad rode back to his ranch, cursing himself for being a fool and then cursed Roxanne for her stubbornness. He'd have to be very careful from this point on. He'd frightened and angered her and would have to come up with a plausible excuse for his behavior. One that would flatter and charm his way back into her good graces.

  Once he had her safely wed, he'd show her who was master and she would damn well tow the line or feel the sting of his riding crop across her back. At the thought, he felt the hot swift burning in his lower regions and smiled. He was going to enjoy training her in the ways of pain and pleasure. As his wife she'd have no option but to submit to both. Soon, my dear Roxanne, very soon.

  * * * * *

  Shortly before nine o'clock the next morning Tina arrived for the shopping trip to Wild Rose. The nightmare had kept Roxanne from sleeping well the night before and she was looking forward to the trip to town with Tina. She hoped it would take her mind off the disturbing events of the past week.

  After picking out the dress goods and trimmings, Tina suggested lunch at the hotel.

  "Oh, yes. I'd love to have another bowl of Chili. It's really quite good."

  Tina laughed. "Chili it is then. Come on, leave the packages here and I'll have Mrs. Hastings get her son to deliver them to Sarah while we eat."

  After lunch, the two friends left the hotel still chatting gaily about all the happenings in Wild Rose while Roxanne was away.

  "Tina, thank you so much. I've had a wonderful time."

  "Well, the day isn't over yet. Let's go get those new clothes ordered."

  They entered the small shop and Roxanne looked around while Tina went to the back to get Sarah. The room was tidy with dress goods of all colors stacked on a large table against one wall. A smaller table with many little drawers held trimmings and buttons. In the center of the room was a dressmaker's form draped with a lovely dark blue dress that was almost complete. It looked as though Sarah was just finishing some trim on it and Roxanne had to agree that Sarah was indeed a fine seamstress. Her stitches were so small and even as to almost be invisible.

  Tina was laughing as she led Sarah from the other room and introduced the two. Roxanne could see Simon in Sarah's bright red hair and sparkling green eyes, but that was where the resemblance ended. Simon was tall and muscular with a plain, masculine face. Sarah was like an exquisite, little porcelain doll. She was several inches shorter than Roxanne and her smooth peach tinted cheeks dimpled delightfully when she smiled. Roxanne liked her at once.

  "I'm so pleased to meet you, Miss Ingram. My deepest sympathy on the loss of your father."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Ingles. Please call me Roxanne."

  "My pleasure and I'm Sarah. Now the first thing is to get your measurements and then you can tell me about the fabrics you've bought and what you'd like to have done."

  Sarah bustled about happily taking Roxanne's measurements and poring over the catalogue, suggesting changes and making sketches. Roxanne was very pleased with the results and left the shop happy and excited about the new wardrobe.

  It was late in the afternoon as the she and Tina made their way back to Black Rock.

  "Sarah is such a lovely person. I can't imagine anyone mistreating her."

  "Ward Ingles is a brute. His leaving Sarah was the best thing that could have happened to her and Jared." Tina stated emphatically.

  "It's a shame Jared was sleeping, I'd have loved to meet him. And when are you going to bring Lettie over for me to meet?"

  "Come over for dinner after church on Sunday, we're having a barbecue. You can get reacquainted with Simon and meet Lettie."

  "I don't know if I should. Brad asked me to the spring dance and as I told him, it's too soon since Papa's passing for social engagements."

  "When did you see Brad?"

  "He came by yesterday. I'm afraid the meeting didn't go very well. He became angry when I wouldn't agree to his courting me so soon and then tried to kiss me."

  "He tried to kiss you against your will and so soon after meeting? Why, he's little more than a stranger."

  "Yes he is basically a stranger to me. But he left without further incident."

  "Well, forget about him. He isn't worth worrying about. He will have to learn a little patience if he's looking for a wife. But, Roxy, the spring dance is a totally different thing than coming to a friend's house after church. Please say you'll come."

  "I just don't know, Tina."

&nbs
p; "Come on, Roxy. It's just dinner at a friend's house, not a big social event. There's nothing at all improper about it. We'd really love for you to come."

  Roxanne laughed. "Okay, you've convinced me. I'd love to come. I'll have Lucy come too, if that's alright."

  "Of course it is. Lucy's always welcome and her young man too."

  Roxanne climbed down from the buggy. "Would you like to come in for a minute?"

  "No, I'd better get home and relieve Mama of Lettie's charming presence." Laughing, she clucked to the horses to turn them around. Calling out as she left, "I'll see you on Sunday."

  Five

  Sunday morning dawned bright and clear with hardly a cloud to be seen. After church, Lucy and Roxanne spent the rest of the morning in the kitchen preparing baked beans and potato salad to take to the barbecue.

  "My goodness, Lucy, there seems to be an awful lot. Are you sure we aren't making too much?"

  "You've never been to one of Tina's barbecues."

  "Why, I thought it would just be the five of us and Lettie."

  "Well, Miss, when Tina has one of these afternoon barbecues and the weather is as nice as it is today, people have a tendency to just drop by."

  "Oh but, Lucy, I can't go to a large party. It wouldn't be proper." Roxanne could feel a sense of disappointment slide over her.

  "Now you just stop that. You're goin' to a barbecue at a friend's house, nothin' improper about that. If others drop by, then so be it. It will most likely be people that you knew as a child and everyone has been so anxious to get reacquainted with you. They will think it wonderful to see you and think nothin' of it."

  "But..."

  "No buts, you're goin' and that's the end of it." Lucy gave her a severe look and Roxanne had to laugh.

  "Yes, Miss Lucy. I shall do as you say."

  Blushing, Lucy turned aside and mumbled an apology for overstepping her bounds.

  Roxanne impulsively wrapped her arms around the girl. "There is no need of an apology, Lucy. We are friends, are we not? Just because you are in my employ doesn't mean you can't express an opinion or that you can't admonish me when I'm being foolish. Now come on, let's see that lovely smile of yours."