Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1)

by Catherine Wolffe

  Laying a hand to her belly, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander back to the encounter with Seth earlier that same evening. She stood to lose more than she’d bargained on. She realized now that she only thought she knew about lose. About how it could eat at you until you were no more than a shell of the person you’d been. Loneliness…Casey must have suffered so much loneliness over the years. Celia could empathize with the young woman. At least, Celia knew she’d had a father who loved her, even if she’d been without Seth’s love for all those years. Sadly, she would never get to find out if he could love her, because she was sure, once Seth found out the truth about what she was hiding, he wouldn’t simply let her go back to Charleston. He would send her back.

  ***

  The cheroot burned red in the cool night air. Seth stood on the balcony outside Casey’s room. He would have to stop the brooding soon. People needed him. His sister needed him. Celia needed him. He thought of the life he’d inherited.

  His future, planned at a very young age by his father, Seth mused. If the truth be told, he’d yearned for the freedom of the nomadic Comanche when he’d shared that summer with Lone Eagle and his tribe. He’d yearned for Celia, with her large green eyes and ebony black hair. To his mind, she held every exotic, intoxicating fantasy he’d ever dreamed of.

  But he’d not shirked his responsibilities. Not even when he’d come back from the army and found out about his sister. Guilt stabbed at him like a dull bladed knife even now. The truth about his sister always set his insides on fire, even after all these years. Damn his father! He never even knew why his father had ignored Casey. The son-of-a-bitch never would explain it. Seth had always assumed it was because his mother had died having the baby. Earl must have blamed Casey for Laura’s death. Seth sighed deeply and blew a blue stream of smoke into the night air. The man he called father didn’t even have the balls to explain why he disowned her.

  The Silver Spur materialized in Seth’s mind. The saucy, young blonde had sauntered up to the table with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey ready to serve shots spiced with female conversation. Seth would never forget the cold, hard look in the girl’s eyes. He remembered thinking that someone so young shouldn’t look so old. When she set the glasses down, filled them, and then proceeded to tell them who she was, he’d felt the first churning of betrayal in his gut.

  Earl spat at her and rose sending his chair tumbling backward. If Seth hadn’t stepped between them, father and daughter would have fought on the spot. Railing that she was a tramp after his money, Earl had made sure his point was clear to everyone within earshot.

  Seth had to admit his Father’s tirade would have convinced most. Still, there was a glint of something in Earl’s eyes, when Casey had made her declaration. He’d seen it – that jolt of anger and then knowledge skimming along like a moccasin in the creek before it strikes.

  In Casey’s eyes, he’d seen pure hatred, venomous and ripe. Seth had sat in on enough poker games to know that this saloon girl wasn’t conning them. Her hatred was genuine.

  Fate dealt them all a hard blow, when Earl up and died not long after that encounter. That left Seth to confront Maggie and the others. With Maggie, Jake and Shorty, he sat and numbly listened to the telling of the tale. Earl hadn’t even had the decency to anti-up on his death bed. Hatred burned deep inside him towards his father. Of course, the fact that Casey’s existence had been kept a secret, was in the girl’s best interest, Seth knew without a doubt. If Earl had known she lived, he’d most likely have killed her. His ignorance left Casey growing up on her own. Her surviving was a small miracle in itself. His gut wrenched again.

  He looked into the room and found the still, slight form of his sister lying beneath the covers of the great four-poster bed. In sleep, she resembled an angel with her slender nose and full mouth. Her lashes swept down across her smooth cheekbones and her coloring was that of his mother’s. Laura’s daughter may not have been brought up a Loflin, but, by God, he’d see to it that she became one. On that, he wouldn’t back down.

  Casey stirred. Seth stepped closer to make sure she didn’t wake alone. Her lashes fluttered and parted into slits. Reaching up, she tentatively touched the split in her lip before wincing.

  “You’re going to get that infected if you aren’t careful.”

  Casey turned toward the voice.

  “Are you in pain?” The smoke from Seth’s cheroot swirled and wreathed his Stetson in the dimly lit room.

  Despite the pain, Casey’s mouth thinned into a tight line. “No, I’m not in pain,” she shot back.

  “You’re lying, but that’s all right. You can’t be too bad off, ‘cause you still got claws.” A wry smile creased his mouth as he drew in on the cheroot. The mutinous set to her mouth said she still had some fight in her. That in its self was a good sign.

  “What time is it?” The creases at the corners of Casey’s eyes winked as she tried unsuccessfully to rise up on an elbow. She let a whimper slip, before, slumping back onto the sheets.

  “Be still. You’ll reinjure yourself.” Seth reached out and settled the cover back over a weak and shaky Casey. “It’s early…maybe five in the morning.” Taking a seat beside the bed, Seth laid a hand over hers. “You’ve been unconscious for most of the night. Does your head hurt?”

  “I told you no!” Casey must’ve regretted the grit in her words immediately as Seth watched the pain surface in her eyes. She pulled her hand free.

  There was nothing wrong with her temper. “I’ll get some broth for you. Don’t try to get up. If you need to use the chamber pot, I’ll get Celia for you.”

  “I can pee on my own,” Casey glared at her brother before bewilderment took over. “Celia…who’s that?” Her voice still held the rough edges of delirium.

  “She’s a young woman I used to know before I went off to West Point. She’s returned recently from Charleston where she was a nurse. She’s gonna’ take care of you, so I don’t want you giving her any lip. Do you hear me?” Seth cocked one eyebrow and pointed his index finger at Casey before his mouth curved into a slight smile.

  “Yes sir! Can’t have the saloon whore disobeying now, can we?” Her eyes sparked with fire. “What cha gonna do, whip me if I’m bad?”

  The surly smirk under those squinted blue daggers she called eyes made Seth want to grin. He suppressed it as he saw the slit on her lip open again with the effort.

  Wincing, Casey touched a finger to her injury. “Why’d you have to go and interfere with my business, anyway?”

  Seth released a small sigh. He knew if she’d been able, she’d have gathered her things and sauntered out on him. “Because, ‘your business’ was about to get you killed, that’s why.” He eyed his sister coolly. “Did you steal from that Ranger?”

  Casey shot him a look of pure hatred.

  Seth could see defense spear up like archers ready to fire. “Don’t get your back up. I figured he was too damn drunk to know anything, anyway. I’m going over to the sheriff’s office later to explain your side of it. So if there’s anything you want to tell me – now’s the time.”

  Casey rolled her eyes to the ceiling and fisted her fingers. “I didn’t steal anything!” She growled through clinched teeth.

  He cut her a cool knowing glance before he rose and headed for the door. “All right, I believe you. You can thank me for that small favor later. Right now, I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth except thank you and please.” Seth gripped the doorknob and turned. “Got that?”

  Casey only stared harder at the ceiling.

  Chapter 9

  A New Truth

  “Are you going to see the Sheriff after breakfast?” Celia glanced up from her plate and waited for Seth to answer. They’d been dancing around the tension in the room since he’d arrived.

  “I’d planned on it. Why?”

  “I want to go with you.” Celia knew what his reaction would be, but she told herself she was ready for him. It’s been more than a week and
there’s been no word on my father’s murder. I intend to find out why.”

  “Celia…” His soothing tone belied his intent. “You’re not in Charleston now.”

  Seth’s voice had taken the tone of a trail boss again. Celia decided she’d let him talk.

  “Things out here work at a much slower pace than they do back east. If you’ll be patient, I’m sure Sheriff Cole will have information soon. He’s wired the nearby forts and there should be a reply as soon as the answers are available.” Seth picked up his napkin and swiped his mouth with it before dropping it neatly in his empty plate.

  “I realize that. I simply want to make sure Sheriff Cole is doing everything he can. It’s not too much to ask for an update is it?” Celia brow rose with the question. “Then there’s the matter of Casey and the accusation against her.” Celia was feeling brittle with temper and a gnawing irritation. He’d not mentioned a word of what had happened to them the night before – before his sister’s interruption. Why should he, she asked herself, needling temper riding roughshod over her emotions. He made advances and she’d let him touch her. There were no pretenses as to what was between them in that alley – none at all.

  “I can handle my sister’s problems,” Seth snapped. “I don’t need you getting involved in this.”

  From where she sat, Celia saw Seth’s control wavering as well. It appeared he couldn’t hide the frustration of having to argue with her. Still, his words brought her out of her musings with a new determination. Fisting her hands on her hips, she glared at him. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I’m going with you, whether you like it or not.” Throwing her own napkin down much like Seth had done moments earlier; she rose from the makeshift table in the sitting room of Casey’s suite.

  The girl slept soundlessly with the dose of laudanum Celia had given her.

  There was a knock at the door and both of them called out in heated union, “Who is it?”

  “It’s Ty…is it okay to come in?” Seth’s brother cautiously poked his head around the corner of the door and looked at the two of them. He managed a sheepish grin. “Maggie sent me to see if you were ready to go to the sheriff’s office yet.”

  Seth cursed low under his breath and shoved his chair away from the table. “Apparently…!” Scowling at the ceiling, he lifted his hands in a show of surrender.

  Ignoring his brutish behavior, Celia smiled for Ty as he stepped into the room. “Would you be a dear and watch Casey for a bit while I accompany Seth to speak with Sheriff Cole?” Without waiting, Celia gathered her shawl and receptacle before heading for the door.

  “Sure thing, Miss Celia,” Ty tried to sound chipper. “How’s she doing this morning?”

  Celia glanced back as she gathered her bonnet. “She’s resting. Not to worry though. Rest is the best thing for her right now.” With a wave goodbye, Celia allowed Seth to usher her out the door. “I won’t be long.”

  The sheriff’s office was at the other end of town and since it was such a lovely morning, Celia suggested they walk.

  “Do you ever think about the past Celia?” Seth squinted into the sun that was just appearing over the buildings.

  Celia tensed. That was out of the blue. “Yes…I often think of my Father and home. I think of how it used to be.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Seth gripped her arm and stopped her in her tracks.

  She knew he was waiting for her to comprehend his meaning. Celia closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to regroup. “I wish for those times. But I know they can never return.” She forced herself to look into his face. It startled her to see frustration banked with temper in those blue depths. “We were both different people then, she stated definitely. We can’t go back.” Her words sounded so final to her ears, they left a pang of longing in her chest.

  With his hand possessively on her elbow, Seth steered Celia across the street. “We can’t. That’s true, but we can begin again.” He focused straight ahead.

  Celia couldn’t speak. Her throat tightened. With a dry laugh, she tried for nonchalant. “Don’t be silly, Seth.” The sidelong glance she shot him held irritation. “You’re joking with me, right? Look, if you want to be my protector, that’s fine. I appreciate that, but you know as well as I do, there can’t be more.”

  He helped her up on to the boarded sidewalk and dusted her skirt with the brim of his hat before speaking again.

  The cool, hard gaze he gave her made Celia regret the taunt.

  “I meant every damn word of it.” Seth searched the empty street. “I’m sorry about last night. You deserved better. I want to make it up to you.”

  They’d stopped in the middle of the vacant sidewalk. The chilly morning breeze danced around them and played with the hair that escaped Seth’s hat.

  The dark eyes of the wolf glared from under his Stetson. Seth’s jaw worked with tension. “I lost you once and I don’t intend to lose you again.”

  His words float through her mind. I lost you once and I don’t intend to lose you again. Jolted out of her head, Celia winched when his hand gripped her hard. “Seth, you’re hurting me. Please…”

  “Remember what I said. I’m not toying with you, Celia. Remember.”

  “Seth, be sensible.” She had to try to convince him to be reasonable. “You’ll be courting trouble with declarations like that. Besides, I understand how it is – how it has to be.” She reached out and laid a hand on his arm. This is the west and our people are enemies.

  “No, not this time,” his words were shot with impatience. “I won’t hide you away in some room to be visited when I get an urge. I intend to court you as is proper.”

  “Seth…” He couldn’t have shocked her more if he’d slapped her. She wasn’t even aware of his arm on her elbow any longer, or their forward progress toward Cole’s office. But Celia told herself Seth was making promises he couldn’t afford to keep. He was the rancher and she was the half-breed.

  Somehow, she’d managed to accompany him into the doors of Sheriff Cole’s office. Depleted and wary, Celia struggled once again to focus on her mission.

  ***

  “Cole better be glad I didn’t come with you.” Flouncing about the room, Maggie jutted her chin. “The very idea of considering a charge against Casey! That girl never stole a thing in her life.” Huffing out the words, Maggie unleashed her temper on the room at large.

  “Maggie, please.” Seth could see the whole day becoming a circus of drama fraught with one female combatant after another. He’d already considered getting a drink and it was only a little after mid-morning. “I assured Cole that Casey wouldn’t go anywhere until this thing is resolved or the Ranger drops the charge. I think the drunken bum left his gold back at the camp under a rock or some such. Once he remembers where he put it, we won’t hear any more out of him. Now, why don’t you see about getting something for Celia from the kitchen before they close until dinnertime?”

  “All right, all right, but you know what I’m talkin’ about.” Maggie stomped to the door, muttering under her breath. “Cole’s got a piece of my mind comin’, that’s for sure.” The door closed behind her, but he could still hear her grumbling to herself as she moved down the hall. The woman had a sore spot when it came to Sheriff Cole.

  Stepping to the balcony, Seth seated himself in a chair and watched half-heartedly as Tyler went about its business. He blamed the ache in his body on the lack of sleep. The ache in his heart was another matter altogether. Running a hand over his chest, he wondered if courting trouble was a defective Loflin trait. It didn’t take long to answer the question as he pushed back in his chair. His father’s temper had been a force to reckon with. There was no denying he’d done his best to avoid it. His sister, Casey, however had run head long into that temper the night she stood up to their father in the saloon. If Seth wasn’t mistaken, she’d taken after him with that trait.

  Seth’s brooding turned inward as the cheroot he’d lit glowed red in the encroaching darkness. He’d let lust ge
t the better of him, probably losing the one person who meant more to him than life. Christ, what was wrong with him? Celia probably wanted nothing else to do with him and he couldn’t blame her. He’d acted no better than a rutting bull. God, but the need for her overpowered his common sense. She was heaven in his arms. Surely that couldn’t be wrong.

  A knock came at the door and Ty poked his head out. “You busy?”

  “Would it matter?” Seth growled as he gave his brother a scowl before returning his attentions to the street below their two-story view.

  “I wanted to let you know that Sheriff Cole’s asking for Celia.” Ty waited a beat as Seth slowly turned to face him.

  “What the hell for? We told him everything this morning.”

  “His request isn’t about Casey.” Ty stepped to the rail leaning on it as he surveyed the street below.

  Seth’s gut clinched. “Well hell, Ty. Tell me what he said.”

  Ty gave him an uneasy shrug. “Figures Celia knows where Red Bear’s hold up.”

  He glared at Ty in surprise before biting down on the cheroot he’d been half-heartedly smoking. “Damn!” Rising, he made his way back into the interior of the room and aimed the butt of his smoke at the brass spittoon. “And just why is he interested in Red Bear?” The words hadn’t left his mouth good before he was waving a hand, to dismiss the question. He knew all too well, why Cole was interested in Red Bear. It pained him to think of his one-time friend coming under the scrutiny of the white man’s law. “I know, I know – because he’s a renegade Comanche with blood on his mind.” He shook his head. “Damn the whole situation to hell and back!” Glancing back at Ty, he threw up a hand in frustration. “Okay, so we’ll go back over and talk to Cole about the whereabouts of Red Bear.”