by Jill Maguire
Miranda thought about her real family – about her Pa, so strong and proud, and her Ma so loving and kind. What would they think of her now? Would they be happy she was taking her life by the horns? Or ashamed by the things she had done? Either way, her fate was sealed. Never again would she return to Little Cherry Springs.
The horse slowed to a trot and Miranda loosened her hold on Cody’s waist. He exhaled sharply and chuckled. “Thank you. It’s rather nice to be able to breathe.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long while since I’ve been on horseback. I’ve never really been a fan.”
“I figured as much. I think you may have broken a few ribs,” he joked, rubbing his side.
Miranda tried not to smile at his teasing. “Is this where you plan to spend the night?” Miranda couldn’t tell if any one spot was better than the other out here in the deep woods. Everything looked the same – dark, cold and frightening.
“There are some fallen rocks up ahead that have formed a bit of a cave. We’ll sleep there for the night. I’ll get a fire going to warm you up.”
The thought of sleeping under the stars, with a raging fire crackling beside her brought back such wonderful memories for Miranda. Memories of her family, before the accident.
“I don’t suppose you’ve slept out in the woods much, have you?” Cody wrongfully assumed Miranda had never ventured out of Little Cherry Springs, much less spent the night without the conveniences of shelter. He had no idea that sleeping under the stars was one of Miranda’s favorite things in the world.
“Actually, I rather enjoy it.”
Cody looked surprised as he lowered himself from the horse and offered his hand to Miranda. “You do?”
“Yes, I do. I’m not the spoiled princess you believe me to be Mr. Hyde.” Miranda slid from the horse and slapped at her skirt to flatten the wrinkles. “In fact, you don’t know anything about me at all.”
“You’re right, but I’m hoping to change that,” he winked. “I best find some wood for that fire.”
****
The fire warmed Miranda’s body as she devoured a can of food Cody had taken from Mrs. Harper’s cabin. As she slurped the last spoonful, she noticed Cody watching her.
“Never seen a woman eat before?” she snapped.
“Not an entire can of food in 10 seconds flat.”
Miranda wiped her chin and straightened her posture, slightly embarrassed by how quickly she had gobbled down her meal. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” she explained.
Cody didn’t respond. He just finished the last half of his can and tossed it into the fire. “We should both sleep well now,” he moaned, stretching to the sky and then patting his stomach. When he lowered his hands, Cody was caught off guard by a coughing fit that made his entire body shake violently in a series of convulsions.
He tried desperately to catch his breath and avoid looking vulnerable in front of Miranda. She already thought of him as a no-good drifter. The last thing he wanted to add to his list of undesirable qualities was sickness.
“That’s quite a cough,” Miranda commented once the hacking had subsided.
“I’ve been meaning to see the doctor about it. Just haven’t had the time.” Miranda could see that Cody was uncomfortable talking about his cough.
“Well, I certainly don’t have much medical knowledge, but that seems like something pretty serious.”
“So, you said you enjoy sleeping under the stars?” Cody was obviously eager to change the subject. “Your folks don’t really seem like the outdoors type.”
“I’m not sure how you would know that since you’ve never met them,” Miranda implied.
“Not in person, but I’ve seen your father coming and going from the post office. And your Ma is one of the finest bakers this side of the country.”
“Those are my adoptive parents, and you’re right, they are not the outdoor type. But my real parents practically lived outside. I’m much more like them.”
Cody stammered a little and apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were adopted.”
“Not very many people know. My adoptive parents felt I would be more easily accepted by the community if no one knew the truth about my past.” Miranda was shocked by how much information she was willing to share with this man she barely knew. Strangely though, it felt good to confess, so she continued. “The Shaw’s hate the fact that I’m lame too. They worry a great deal about me being an outcast.”
Cody was at a loss for words. He certainly wasn’t expecting the beautiful Miranda Shaw to be so open with him about her past. But he was enjoying listening to her and could tell she needed a friendly ear. “What happened to your folks, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“They were killed in a wagon accident, along with my older brother. I was the only one who survived.” Miranda didn’t look at Cody, just the burning embers. That way she could blame the blur of tears on the heat of the flames.
Cody gently shook his head and stared into the fire with apologetic eyes. “That’s awful. How old were you when it happened?”
“I was nine. We were on our way to Sunrise, Montana to start a new life there. That’s why I want to go. My father talked about Sunrise with such optimism and hope. I need to see for myself if that’s where I belong.” The words had barely left her lips when Miranda shook her head and snapped out of her sorrowful rambling. She was letting her guard down too quickly and suddenly she felt foolish and uncomfortable. She pushed her nose to the air and said flatly, “I will enter the bride pageant in Sunrise and win the hand of the town doctor. That’s the plan. Then I’ll finally have the happiness I deserve.”
Cody smirked and bit his lip. Bride pageant, he thought. What utter absurdity.
“Well, sounds like you have it all figured out.” Cody stood and turned to walk away.
“Where are you going?”
“Down to the river. I can’t escort a lady to a pageant without cleaning up a little,” he winked.
Miranda could sense the sarcasm in his voice and snorted in disgust. You’ll see Cody Hyde. You’ll all see. I will win the pageant and prove to everyone that I can be loved – even with the burden I bear.
Chapter Nine
The flickering fire bathed Miranda in a warm glow as Cody climbed his way back toward their camp. She looked childlike with her arms curled around her knees, leaning toward the fire, poking at the ashes with a long stick. Her long brown hair was braided tightly and slung over her shoulder, almost dipping into the flames as she sat. Cody hoped she would not be offended by his bare torso, but he found the cool night air too refreshing to resist.
He didn’t speak to Miranda when he returned. He simply plopped himself down on a rock and groaned, running his fingers through his wet hair.
While Miranda felt slightly uncomfortable by Cody’s unclothed state, she refused to let his obvious attempt to impress fluster her. “We need more kindling,” she said bluntly.
“You could probably find some in the bush behind you.”
“Some gentleman you are,” she grunted and pushed herself to her feet. “But what should I expect from a wanted criminal.” Miranda’s words tore right into Cody’s soul, but he didn’t even blink. She was a fiery woman and he rather enjoyed testing her.
Cody tossed a few dry branches on the fire as Miranda collected sticks and bark from the edge of the woods. She was mumbling to herself the whole time and Cody watched with amusement.
“There. That should be enough for the night,” Miranda said as she piled her findings beside the fire. “I’m going to try and get some sleep. I have a few big days ahead of me and need to rest.”
“Yes, the pageant,” he muttered, trying not to laugh out loud. “I’ll sit up for a spell so you can sleep.”
“I don’t need protection, you know.”
“Oh, I know,” he agreed. “I just enjoy the quiet of the woods.”
Miranda folded her arm under her ear and wiggled her body against the cold earth, trying to f
ind a comfortable position. She took one last peek at the dark blue sky dotted with stars before closing her eyes. Tomorrow she would be in Sunrise. Tomorrow would be the start of a brand new life.
Cody fanned the flames with his hand. He had half a mind to let the fire go out – just to see how brave Miranda would be with no light and no warmth in the dark woods. But he thought better of the idea. He didn’t have the heart to watch her shiver.
Once he was sure she had fallen into a deep sleep, he laid his jacket over her to keep her warm, smiling about the fuss she would make if she were awake. She was a beautiful, innocent, stubborn woman. Miranda stirred slightly and pulled his jacket tight under her chin like a restless child.
Even as his own eyes grew weary, Cody watched her sleep. He counted her deep peaceful breaths and made a silent promise to help her – even if she acted as though she didn’t need it. He would stop at nothing to see her happy.
****
The birds played their early morning song and gradually Miranda opened her eyes. She awoke to see Cody, hunched over the fire, adjusting two blackened fish dangling atop the flames.
“Hope you don’t mind fish for breakfast.”
Miranda didn’t object, but her scrunched nose let Cody know it wasn’t her first choice for a morning meal. She stood and stretched her body, stiff and sore from sleeping on the rocky soil. “I’m not very hungry,” she whispered.
“We have a long ride ahead. Might be a good idea to have something in your belly,” Cody suggested.
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby,” he lied. Even if Miranda had suspected he spent the night watching over her, he would have vehemently denied it.
Cody flipped the fish from the fire, wrapped them in a piece of cloth and stuffed them in his bag. “Maybe for lunch then.”
Miranda wrinkled her nose again at the sight of the charcoaled fish being stuffed in a pack strapped to the horse. “Maybe not,” she muttered. She didn’t consider herself pampered or privileged, but she couldn’t stomach the idea of eating food that was wrapped in filth and carried by horseback.
“Shall we?” Cody held out his hand to help Miranda into the saddle. When her soft skin touched his, he felt the clutch of affection squeeze his heart. It was a sensation he had never felt before but one that he could certainly get used to.
“Thank you,” she said kindly and slipped her hand out of his.
Cody took the reigns as Miranda carefully placed her arms around his waist. He smiled to himself and slapped the leather straps firmly against the animal’s silky coat.
****
“Whoa there big ‘fella.” Cody eased the horse to a halt and stared at the rush of fast moving water ahead of them.
“Now what?” Miranda asked as she peeked around Cody’s shoulder at the white tops of the rapids. “How do we get across?”
All Cody said was, “Hold on,” and began guiding the horse across the river. He felt Miranda squeeze tight around his ribcage as the horse stumbled and staggered over the slippery rocks. “Not much further,” he yelled over the roar of the water.
Miranda leaned closer and as Cody navigated the rough crossing, he thought he felt the thud of her racing pulse against his back. Just get across. Keep her safe.
No sooner had the thought of Miranda’s safety crossed his mind that the horse lost its footing and lumbered heavily to the left sending Cody and Miranda plunging into the whitewater. Cody reached for her as they both crashed into the river, gasping for breath and scrambling to grab onto anything they could find.
“Miranda!” he hollered over the splashing waves that slapped viciously at his face while the current tugged at his trousers, yanking him under. Each time he bobbed above the surface, he scanned the water for any sign of Miranda. “Miranda!”
Finally, he saw her. She was just out of reach, clinging desperately to a tree branch jutting out from the bank. Cody struggled against the current, determined to reach Miranda before she lost her grip and was ripped away by the rushing rapids.
He slammed his arms into the waves, fighting violently to keep his head above water. Each time his eyes met Miranda’s, her terror-stricken face begged him to swim harder, faster, to reach her before it was too late. Every muscle in his body burned. He felt like he was stuck in quicksand, getting nowhere.
Cody could feel the force of the water pressing against his chest, squeezing the air from his lungs as he raced toward Miranda. He was only a few feet away – a few determined strokes and he could reach out and grab the same branch she was clinging to. He took a deep breath and stabbed at the water with his exhausted arms, praying he had the strength to get to her.
Cody fought the thrashing surge, finally reaching Miranda. He wrapped one hand around the thickest part of the branch and the other around Miranda’s waist. “I’ve got you,” he reassured her. And then, like a tornado of adrenaline had whipped through his body, Cody pulled Miranda toward the shore and shoved her safely onto the embankment.
The two lay drained and lifeless in the mud, sputtering water from their lungs and panting with exhaustion. Miranda curled onto her side and started to cry.
“Hey,” Cody said softly. “We made it. You’re okay.” His hand fluttered over her cheek, brushing a wet tendril from her face.
Miranda muttered something under her breath and Cody was sure he heard her say she needed a rest. “Take as much time as you need,” he offered caringly.
“No,” she sobbed. “My dress. Now I’ll never win the pageant. The doctor will never choose me.”
Cody collapsed against the riverbank and rolled his eyes. He had just saved her life and all she could think about was the stupid contest to become a bride. Even in his weakened state, he could feel his blood pressure rising.
In the distance, Cody heard the familiar sound of the horse’s snort and glanced up to see the chestnut standing in the field not far from where they were laying. “Horse made it across,” he said surprisingly and pointed to the animal. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Maybe the dress is salvageable,” she shrieked and leapt to her feet.
Cody snatched his soggy hat from the mud and plunked it onto his head. “Women,” he grumbled and followed Miranda to the horse.
Chapter Ten
Miranda rooted through the soaked satchel and yanked out the purple satin dress. It was wet and spotted with dirt, but otherwise okay. Relieved, she clutched the soft fabric to her chest and whispered a quiet thank you to the sky. Maybe it was her family watching out for her.
She whirled around to tell Cody the good news but stopped when she saw him bent at the waist hunched behind a tree. He was coughing again and it sounded bad. She watched as his body contracted uncontrollably -- like a storm was savagely ripping through him.
Without thinking, she ran to him and stood by his side. There was nothing she could do to help, but being there for him was the least she could do after he saved her life. For all she knew, it was his valiant effort to rescue her that had caused him to start coughing.
When his fit began to subside, Miranda fled to the river and filled his canteen with water. “Here.” She held the tin flask to his lips and waited for him to drink it. He barely had the energy to slurp it, and Miranda wondered how he could possibly continue to Sunrise.
“I don’t think you’re well enough to go on,” she said. “Maybe we should head back to Little Cherry Springs.”
Cody shook his head. “I can’t go back. I can never go back.”
Miranda felt like smacking herself on the forehead. Of course he couldn’t go back. He was a wanted man in that town. If they returned to see the doctor he would surely be arrested by the Marshall.
“Right,” Miranda agreed.
Weaving her arm through Cody’s, she eased his weak, unsteady body to the ground, allowing him a few more moments to catch his breath. He leaned back against the tree and wheezed deeply, trying to fill his lungs with air. Miranda crouched beside hi
m and told him to sip more water.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice stripped raw from the cough.
“I should be the one saying thank you. You saved my life.”
Cody took off his hat and pushed his dark damp hair off his forehead. “How does the dress look?”
Miranda blushed, embarrassed about how concerned she had been over the condition of the dress. She had behaved like a spoiled child, shallow and ungrateful. She slid down next to Cody against the tree. “I’ve been acting very foolishly. It’s only a dress.”
Cody snickered and nodded in agreement. Shyly, Miranda elbowed him teasingly in the ribs. Smiles glided across both of their faces and for the first time, Miranda noticed how ruggedly handsome Cody Hyde really was. His square jaw was framed perfectly by the shadow of stubble and his eyes were as blue as sapphires. Even with the drying mud of the river smeared down his cheek, his crooked smile demanded her attention.
But he was a criminal, a murderer. She couldn’t possibly allow herself to think of him as any more than that. As they sat, her curiosity got the better of her and she blurted the thought that had been simmering in her mind.
“Did you really kill a man in cold blood?”
Cody coughed once more, surprised by Miranda’s question. At first he didn’t answer, but then started to explain. “Harvey Duncan was my best friend, but he was also a real piece of work. I’ve never met anyone who enjoyed a good bar brawl more than he did.” Cody grinned at the thought. “But what Harv didn’t realize that night was that starting a fight with Charlie Miller meant he would have to take on the entire Miller clan – all 5 brothers to be exact. Harvey did okay at first, but when things got lopsided, I stepped in to help. I dragged him outside and told him to go home.”
