Cherokee, drat his ornery hide, only grinned like a big tomcat caught with canary feathers on his mouth.
Willie and Bill had come along and she was as relieved as Cherokee to see them, reassuring them over and over that she held no grudge and was grateful that they had risked their lives to bring help. She noticed Cherokee avoided her gaze while Al and the boys fussed over her, She told the story of how she’d ended up here while out looking for a claim to buy.
Al looked from her to the big ’breed. Find anything you liked?” he asked pointedly.
Not a thing!” She glared at Cherokee. ”I think I’d do better to invest my time and money in the Nugget from now on.
With the men jubilant, Doc declared her shoulder healing. She let Al help her into the sleigh and they all went off to town, leaving Willie, Bill, and Cherokee behind. Silver couldn’t resist craning her head one last time to look back, but the man she searched for had already turned and gone into the cabin.
So what the hell? She didn’t owe him anything except a nice reward next time he came to town. Of course, as angry as he looked, he might avoid Buckskin Joe and go for supplies to one of the other little camps in the area. Drat it all! Why should she care?
Life returned to normal for Silver. Most of the men in the Rockies seemed to drop in to make sure she was all right, and business boomed at the Nugget. Every evening she sang and danced and reveled in the adoration of the crowd. Silver shoes. Expensive gems. There was nothing else a girl could want, she told herself. But late at night, she paced in front of her mirrors, slept with the lamp on, and dreamed that a certain big man held her safely in his arms and kissed her. Gentle kisses. Passionate kisses.
Out in Mosquito Gulch, Cherokee worked like a driven man to keep from thinking about her as spring came to the Rockies. But April brought the first wild flowers that reminded him of her perfume. The brooks thawed and sang as they rushed through the mountains, and when he stopped to listen, he thought he heard her singing.
He tried not to think of her at all and lost himself in hard work on the claim. There was no future in wanting the girl who was the toast of the Rockies. All that interested her was the reassurance she got from mirrors and the reflections in men’s eyes that she was a great beauty. Whatever drove her to such vanity, he knew lay in her hidden past. He cursed himself for lusting after such a cold, hard treasure. Yes, she deserved to be called Silver.
The trio found more and more rich ore and they dared dream of becoming wealthy. Willie and Bill talked of retiring to some exotic island with native girls bringing tropical drinks while Cherokee hoped for a snug cabin hidden deep in the mountains. The old men continued to hide their pokes in the woodpile, but Cherokee argued that the dust would be safer in town.
One day, Bill winked at Willie and said, Phash, boy, why don’t you go on into town and bank your stash? We could use a few supplies.”
Cherokee pretended not to see the wink. If I do,” he said stiffly, I may go over to Fairplay. I think maybe the store’s better there than the one in Buckskin Joe.”
Suit yourself,” Bill answered, but I shorely like the stick candy Haw Tabor carries.”
If you insist, that’s where I’ll go. You two sure you don’t want me to bank your dust? Sooner or later, word may get around and you’ll get robbed.”
What’s that again?” Bill put his hand behind his ear and Cherokee repeated the comment.
Bill snorted and pointed to his old rifle. I kin take care of myself and Willie, too.”
Cherokee decided not to remind him that he was half-deaf and that neither of them were as young as they used to be. He got the little burro to carry the supplies and headed down the trail to town.
He put the burro in the livery stable and reached into his pocket, brought the little nuggets out, and watched them gleam in the sunlight. Willie and Bill might laugh at his foolishness, so he hadn’t told them. Besides, it was his share of the gold they’d found in the last few days. What he did with it was his own business.
After a little thought, he took some of his nuggets into a shop and had a bracelet made from them. When it was ready later that day, he smiled with satisfaction, slipping it in his pocket. What he intended to do was send it to Silver anonymously. After the way she’d treated him, he didn’t want her to know he still thought of her.
He told himself that he wouldn’t go into the Nugget, he would have his coffee and catch up on the gossip someplace else. But that evening, as he left the hotel cafe and started back up the street, he heard music and her high, sweet voice drifting on the spring breeze from the Nugget.
Cherokee forgot that he intended to stay away from her and her saloon. Her voice drew him like magic. Despite all his good intentions, he found himself pushing through the doors of the Nugget. She was on the stage wearing a shimmering, tight dress almost the same pale aqua as her eyes and dancing to one of Stephen Foster’s lively tunes, silver-heeled shoes and jewels flashing in the lights.
Oh, Susanna, oh, don’t you cry for me, I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee . . .”
With his gaze on her, he moved slowly to the bar and leaned on it.
Al grunted, Oh, it’s you. I hoped you would stay away. You’re bad for her, Cherokee.”
Cherokee turned and looked at the ugly man. She say that?”
I say that!” He slammed a cup of coffee in front of Cherokee so hard, some of it sloshed out on the polished walnut. All you can think of is gettin’ her in bed. She needs a man who’ll understand her and keep his hands off!”
No man could see her and not want her.” He sipped the coffee and watched her dance, the noisy crowd clapping to the music. I know I don’t have a chance with Silver; I’m not sure any man does. As long as she’s obsessed with her own beauty, she hasn’t a place in her life for anything else.”
She’s had a hard life,” Al said. Her beauty is all the security she’s got.”
Looks don’t last forever. What’ll she do when she’s old and men don’t notice her anymore?”
Al scowled. She’ll have security from her money, and she won’t have to depend on men anymore when her looks are gone.”
Cherokee shrugged, watching her dance. Sounds like a pretty lonely future.”
At least she won’t be sellin’ her body just to eat,” Al said. All the men she’s known have let her down—except me. I tell her she’s smart not to trust them.”
Is it smart for her or only you?” Cherokee turned and looked at him. You don’t want her to find anyone else, Al; you’re afraid of losing her.”
I’m afraid of some sonovabitch like you hurtin’ her,” he grumbled and began wiping the bar. Silver’s been hurt enough already.”
Al knew a lot he wasn’t telling, Cherokee realized. There were a million questions he would like to ask, but he didn’t think he would get any answers.
Silver finished dancing to thunderous applause and bowed. Silver Heels!” the crowd shouted until it became a chant, Silver Heels! Silver Heels!”
She bowed and smiled at the audience, thinking that here was where she belonged, a star to be adored and applauded. She hadn’t been thinking straight when she had been trapped in that cabin. Why, she’d almost started to think she might be happy just dancing and singing for an audience of one.
The piano began one of her favorite numbers and she sang:
Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone. All her lovely companions are faded and gone . . .”
She looked out at the crowd and saw Cherokee Evans leaning on the bar. For just a moment, her voice faltered at the sight of him, and then she steeled herself and kept singing:
I’ll not leave thee, lone one, to pine on the stem, where the lovely are sleeping, go sleep thou with them . . .”
That was right, wasn’t it? In only a short time, her own looks would be faded, but like a lovely butterfly, she must think only of today and not worry about what would be her future fate. No man would really want her when she was no longer pretty.
The men in the audience wiped their eyes and blew their noses as she sang of faded beauty and dreams, dead as the last roses of summer with winter’s chill coming on. When she finished, there was no sound for a long moment and then the men cheered and stamped and whistled, Silver Heels! Silver Heels!”
She bowed and came down the steps from the stage. Drat! What should she do; pretend she hadn’t seen him? That would be ludicrous since he stood head and shoulders above the others. Maybe the best thing was to treat him in a casual, breezy manner as she did all the others.
Silver sauntered over to the bar. Well, long time no see.
I’ve been busy,” Cherokee stammered, looking down at her. She knew he was staring at the swell of her full breasts in the tight, low-cut aquamarine dress. Let him look and lust. He hadn’t gotten her body then and he wouldn’t get it now.
I see the shoes have given you a nickname that stuck.” He nodded toward her glittering feet.
It appears so.” She sipped the coffee Al put before her. And how are things up on the claim?”
All right, I reckon.” His hands shook as he rolled a cigarette.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”
He gave her a hard look, the lit match halfway to his mouth. I wasn’t sure either.”
I want to thank you again,” she said and tried to appear cool and distant.
I thought with that thanks, you promised me a reward.”
Certainly.” She gestured to Al, who stood there listening. The bartender immediately handed her the cash box, and before Cherokee could protest, she turned and sailed toward her velvet cubicle.
Once inside, she closed the drapes and put the box on the table. I did promise you a reward, didn’t I?”
He loomed over her. To be honest about it, if my partner hadn’t shot you, you wouldn’t have been in that fix. By the way, I never did get a good answer as to what you were doing out there.”
She hesitated, not looking at him.
You came looking for me, didn’t you? Why?”
I did not!” She glared up at him. I told you I was thinking of buying a claim and got lost.”
I don’t believe you.”
I don’t give a damn what you believe! Anyway, I promised you a reward for your help.” She opened the box.
You know what I want, and it’s not your damn money!”
She looked up at him, watching him breath deeply. Faintly through the drapes, the sound of the piano, laughter, and faro drifted. Cherokee stood close enough to touch, and electricity seemed to almost spark from him like lightning in a storm. There was something dangerous and excitingly forbidden about the man ... and frightening. I’m not going to give you that, you know it.”
He laughed. Can’t blame me for trying!”
Don’t expect me to feel obligated if you turn down the money.” She put a pile of gold coins on the table.
He swept them to the floor with a sneering gesture and they rang and rolled across the floor. Before she realized his next move, he grabbed her and kissed her.
Silver panicked and struggled, beating against his chest, but she couldn’t cry out for help because his mouth covered hers and she was helpless against his strength. The heat of his hands burned into her waist and then he moved one of them down to cover her bottom, lifted her off her feet, and pressed her against him so that she felt the heat of him all the way down both their bodies.
She beat him about the face with her small hands and tried to break away, but he held her easily, his hard maleness throbbing against her belly through their clothing. His tongue was in her mouth, probing and caressing. She tried to bite him, but he seemed to pay that no heed. Helpless against his raw virility, she realized suddenly that fighting him only aroused him and she went limp in his arms, shaking as he kissed her.
He took a deep shuddering breath and stood her slowly on her feet. He looked a little surprised. Damn you,” he whispered, for making me want you the way I do!”
Damn you for manhandling me!” she snapped back, more angry with herself than him. His mouth and body had aroused emotions in her she didn’t even know existed. She liked her life the way it was and he could only destroy that.
Silver. Yes, it suits you, all right. Tell me, if I’m willing to give you all the gold I’ve got, will you let me have one night of your time?”
She slapped him so hard, his head snapped back.
If you were a man, I’d kill you for that,” he snarled.
And if I were a man, I’d call you out and kill you right out there in the street!” She was livid with rage.
Why don’t you tell your faithful watchdog?” Cherokee said sarcastically. I’m sure Al would come gunnin’ for me if he knew I’d dared to touch you.”
And you’d kill him! I’ll bet you’re good with a pistol.” She was trembling now, eyes filling with tears.
He looked angry, frustrated, and totally confused. Silver, I shouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t stop myself—”
Get out!” She managed to keep her voice low although she was bordering on hysteria. Get out of my saloon!”
I’ll do more than that. When I finish my business tomorrow, I’ll get out of town. From now on, I’ll go to Fairplay for supplies.” He turned and strode away.
She stood there a long moment, composing herself before she knelt, picked up the scattered money from the floor, took her cash box, and went to the bar.
Al stared at her curiously. Are you okay?”
She didn’t look at him. Fine. I’m tired, though. I’m going upstairs. You’ll close up, won’t you?”
He nodded and she handed him the cash box and fled to her rooms, locking the door behind her. The kiss had left her more shaken than she cared to admit, even to herself. Along with the fear had come an urge to hold him close, to let him touch her, dominate her, mesh together like two wild, primitive things.
Silver felt both afraid and disgusted with herself. A man like that would change her future if she succumbed to animal desires. He would destroy her by getting her with child and then deserting her.
She closed her drapes and checked her image anxiously in one of the many mirrors. Was that a tiny new line at the corner of her mouth? Did she only imagine that there were fine wrinkles around her eyes?
Cherokee lusted after her because she was pretty. If she wasn’t beautiful, she was worthless. Long before the sands of time had run through the hourglass, Silver intended to be financially secure. There was no place in that plan for a penniless half-breed who only wanted to slake his lust on her body.
She slipped into a sheer, expensive nightdress;—pale blue silk that felt good on her skin. Silver went to bed and drifted into a restless sleep.
She dreamed that she stood on an auction block on the stage of the Nugget. She wore the silver shoes and the sheer nightdress. Men buyers stared at her hungrily as the bidding began. The auctioneer made her turn around slowly, parade up and down. She wouldn’t look at the audience, knowing they could see through her clothing. Her stepfather, Jake Dallinger, and Bart Brett were bidding for her and she stood there, small gold chains tying her wrists and ankles. Suddenly Cherokee was bidding for her.
What’s the bid? the auctioneer said, banging his gavel.
One kiss, the big ’breed yelled out, one kiss!
Sold! The hammer came down with a resoundingbang. Come and claim your woman!
Cherokee came to the stage, swung her up in his arms. You’re mine now, Silver; you always knew you would be.
Neeley, Brett, Jake Dallinger, and a dozen others raised their voices in protest, wanting her, but Cherokee silenced them with a glare that was black as thunderclouds. She’s mine, he said. I bought her soul and body with one kiss. I’ll kill any man who disputes my ownership!
They all backed away, apparently afraid of the big ’breed. She was safe at last ... safe from everyone but him.
He carried her up to a hotel room with a big bed.
Silver held her wrists out to him. Aren’t you
going to turn me loose?
He shook his head and looped the chains over the headboard so that she lay there helpless. As she waited, her heart pounding with apprehension, He began to slowly open her nightdress. I’m going to return that kiss with interest, he promised softly. Don’t fight me, Silver, you’re my slave and I’m going to enjoy that ripe body!
She was naked now and he was pulling off his clothes.
Here’s that kiss, he whispered and he put his mouth where her legs joined, and she gasped at the sensation. She had never had a man kiss her there, but with the golden chain looped over the headboard, she was helpless. Whatever he did to her with his hands and mouth, she couldn’t stop him, nor was she sure she wanted to. What men had done in the past was use her, but Cherokee was teasing her, thrilling her until she begged him not to stop.
Then suddenly Elmer Neely and Bart Brett were there, protesting and pushing Cherokee away. No one can ever have her but us. In her mind, she can never accept a man because of us ... us ... us . . .
Silver woke and sat bolt upright in bed. She glanced at the door, saw that it was bolted, and sighed as she put her knees up and laid her face against them. A nightmare. The lamp didn’t help all that much after all. It must be very late; the saloon downstairs was quiet.
She got up and paced the floor, wondering what to do about the big ’breed. Now he was invading her dreams. Damn him and his kiss. She’d been doing just fine until he came into her life. She was rich and successful and she didn’t need him to mess things up.
Cherokee leaned against a door post across the street, stared up at her window, smoked a cigarette. A light burned dimly as always behind the drapes of her window. He had been standing here ever since the Nugget closed for the night, some hours ago. He ought to go to his own room and go to bed, but he knew he couldn’t sleep. He shouldn’t have kissed her. He had thought that once he finally tasted her mouth, he’d realize she was just a woman after all, only prettier than most. The bawdy house down the street looked as if it might still be open. What he should do is go there, get roaring drunk, and take the prettiest blond whore in the place.
Quicksilver Passion Page 14
