Cooper's Wife

by Jillian Hart

  “In the stable with his other tools. Here’s that rope, too.” Katie dashed to a stop. “Do you really know how to hammer?”

  “My father taught me how.” Anna looped the rope. She gave it a toss. It snaked over a tall branch. She grabbed the end and tied it firmly around the board, stabilizing it.

  She felt Katie’s touch on her shoulder. “I hate it when Papa leaves. I’m glad you’re here to take care of us, Anna. I’m glad you’re gonna stay.”

  Maisie nudged close. “You ain’t gonna leave us like Mrs. Potts?”

  So much need in those eyes. Katie grew still, and Anna saw the children’s unmistakable concern. “Why would I do that? This is the best job I’ve ever had. Doing anything else would be boring.”

  Mandy snuggled close, too.

  With every mile up the mountainside, Cooper’s uneasiness grew. He hated riding like a sitting duck out in the open, waiting for trouble. He’d sent Locke and Barstow up ahead to scout. He had eight men riding with him, alert, watching for Corinthos and his gang.

  Tiny hairs prickled along the surface of his arms, down the back of his neck. They would try to take back their man before the pass, he figured.

  He sensed the attack before it happened, knew from experience the silence that preceded violence. He drew his men around and faced the steep, sharp embankment. The pass was tight, the perfect place for an ambush.

  He whistled, calling Barstow back.

  He heard the horses first. The tap of a shoed hoof against rock echoed in the canyon down below. The coach shot forward, fleeing for safety. Cooper ordered his men to split up, half to defend the coach, the other to join him routing the outlaws. He had two deputies guarding the rear. And they had the advantage—they weren’t surprised.

  “Braddock.” A snap of a twig, and the hard nose of a gun jabbed him square in the back. “If I shoot, I cripple you for life, if you’re lucky.”

  “Corinthos. How the hell—”

  “Shut up and listen. Call your men off.”

  “No, I’m not backing down—”

  “You’re in no position to argue, Sheriff.” Corinthos laughed. “I may only have one good shooting hand, but that’s all I need to bring you down.”

  “We’re not backing down, Corinthos.” Barstow’s voice, brash and deadly.

  If the men put down their weapons, then they were all dead.

  “This is the second time I’ve got the advantage.” Corinthos swung him around and backed him up against a tree trunk. “You and I are gonna make a deal, Sheriff.” Corinthos said the last word with a sneer.

  Rage flared in Cooper’s chest. There had been no gunfire. None of his deputies had been killed. Someone had let Corinthos by. One of his own deputies.

  “No deals.”

  The outlaw cocked his Colt. “I’m going to have my men take Palmer off that stage without any trouble. And then you and I are going to come to an agreement about that gold you’ve still got locked up in the town’s bank.”

  “I make no agreements, Corinthos. I don’t bargain with criminals.”

  “High-handed talk from a man who barely missed being hung himself.”

  Cooper closed his eyes.

  “I did my job. I found out everything I could about you. Black Eyed Charlie is a good friend of a friend. He told me about your pretty young wife who played consort to him behind your back.”

  Cooper couldn’t swallow. “I didn’t break the law.”

  “That ain’t the way I heard it. I wonder what the good people of Flint Creek will think if they knew the man they hired to protect them has a history.”

  “I’m not going to back down because I was a fool to love the wrong woman years ago. It’s in the past. People will understand that.”

  The outlaw’s eyes flashed with greed and twisted power. “A man can lose his honor a second time, but he doesn’t get it back. What will happen to your daughters then?”

  Cooper watched his deputies, guns drawn, keep close eye on Corinthos’ armed men. Palmer was taken without incident.

  He hated being powerless. It was almost worth his life to stop Corinthos right here and now. Almost.

  After the outlaws rode away, Barstow strode close, kept his voice low. “I heard what Corinthos said, that he wants to strike a deal. I worked for Joe before you came to town. He backed down and let that outlaw do anything he wanted.”

  “Don’t worry,” Cooper growled. “This time there will be no bargains.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “That’s a good start to a tree house,” Tucker commented when he stepped out from the night shadows. “I wonder what Cooper’s going to think when he sees you’ve turned his girls into carpenters.”

  “He already knows.” Anna pushed open the gate to join him in the shadowed front yard. “I’m glad you’re here, Tucker.”

  “Aw, shucks, it’s the least I could do.”

  “I heard about poor Mr. Campbell from Leslie at the mercantile.”

  He stiffened. “No one was trying to hide the news of his death from you. It’s just...I don’t want you worrying, Anna. I can take care of you while Coop’s gone.”

  A humid breeze puffed over her. The charged air smelled like rain. Dark clouds covered the moon. There would be no wishes made tonight. “I feel like I’ve brought trouble here.”

  “What trouble? Corinthos has been a menace to towns like Flint Creek for too long.” Tucker shook his head. “Besides, us Braddock men are tough.”

  “That we are.” A shadow moved in the night. Cooper rode out of the grove of tall trees, nothing but darkness and might.

  Her heart soared. “Cooper, I thought—”

  “Me, too.” He dismounted. His gaze was only for her.

  “What went wrong?” Tucker stepped forward to take the palomino’s reins.

  “Corinthos surprised me.”

  “Surprised you? The toughest sheriff in Montana Territory?”

  “Go ahead and tease. I’ll tell you about it later. We probably have a problem with one of our deputies.” Grim, Cooper’s jaw set tight. A muscle jumped at his temple. “You’ll hang around tonight?”

  “Just as I promised.” Tucker led the stallion away.

  Anna felt Cooper’s rage. What had gone wrong up on that mountain? “It’s late. Did you get supper?”

  “I grabbed a bite at the diner. I had a report to write up and I was starving.” He tossed his hat through the air. It caught the porch rail post, swirling to a stop atop the carved knob.

  “Something went wrong.”

  “Damn right it did.” He raked his hand through his hair. Dark locks swept his wide shoulders, tangled in the hot breeze. “Corinthos had a gun to my back.”

  “Did he hurt you?” Her voice broke.

  “No, my pride got the worst beating. He took back his injured man. Unless I wanted a slaughter of my deputies, I couldn’t stop him. He wants me to look the other way while he does whatever the heck he pleases. He’s gotten to someone on my payroll.”

  Her jaw dropped into a surprised O. “Who?”

  “If I knew that, he’d be in jail.” Cooper nodded toward the path worn through the lawn. They started off together. He walked slow. Her nearness swept across him, charged as the night air. A storm was brewing, in the sky and in his heart. “Don’t worry. I vowed to protect you and I will.”

  “I don’t want you to die for me, Cooper. That isn’t right.” She looked down to the dark forest floor at their feet. “I couldn’t live with that.”

  “Who said anything about dying?”

  “But he had a gun on you!”

  “Whoa, wait a minute.” He wrapped her into his arms, sheltered her against his chest. She leaned into him, nestling her face in the hollowed curve of his throat and chest. She seemed to fit just right in his arms. “No need to worry, Anna. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

  “That’s right. I forget what a great sheriff you are.”

  He chuckled, and it vibrated against her ear. She snuggled agains
t him, feeling his iron-solid male heat, breathing in his scent. She felt as safe as heaven clasped in his arms. She shouldn’t be here. She should step away.

  “I realized what I had to lose.” His voice vibrated through her as if it were her own. “My daughters. Everything I’ve worked for, worked to stand for. I guess we’re all vulnerable in some way.”

  “It’s called being human.”

  He didn’t like it. He didn’t like feeling so alone. He could have died on the mountain tonight. He could never have the chance to pick berries again, see his daughters at the breakfast table, feel happiness when they came rushing to greet him at night.

  And he would not have Anna in his arms. Never have the chance to close up the loneliness in his heart. To fill it with something better. He wanted something better.

  “Anna?”

  She gazed up at him. Her lower lip was tucked between her teeth, drawing his gaze there. Every muscle in his body tensed. Cooper’s breath caught, his pulse hammered wildly. A sharp need drove him. How he wanted to kiss her, to taste her passion.

  He leaned forward. Her eyes widened round as the moon. With a simple tilt of his head, their lips met.

  The heat of the kiss captivated him. Gentle. Demanding. She tasted sweet like strawberries, rich like coffee. He slipped one hand to her shoulder, then curved the other around the back of her neck. She felt so slight, but her warm velvet skin teased at feelings he’d buried so long ago.

  A brief flash of lightning split the sky above and he could look into her forever-blue eyes. Sure, he had the girls to light up his life, but he needed different kinds of affection, too. He wanted to need someone just a little bit.

  But she stepped away. “Cooper, I—”

  “I lost my honor once. I can’t do that again.” He would say anything to keep her with him, to stop her from leaving him alone in the darkness. Thunder cracked overhead, splitting the silence of the night.

  “I know you won’t give in to Corinthos’ threats, Cooper.” So sure her voice. She laid a hand on his arm, light but so gentle it nearly undid him. He’d had no one but family to trust then.

  But he knew he could trust her. Just this once. Just a little. “He’s threatening me with something that happened in my past, something I’m not proud of.” She remained silent, waiting. The wind ruffled her hair, lifting the sweet scent of her straight into his nose. She filled his senses and made him feel. Deep down in his chest, emotions ached.

  “I’m not giving in. I did nothing wrong. The charges were dropped. I would never aid and abet a criminal. It’s against everything I believe in.”

  “I know this about you. And anyone who looks at you knows it, too. You are a man of honor. A man like Corinthos can’t change that.”

  “No. But I could have died tonight. Without telling you how glad I am you’re here. For the way you treat my daughters. For the way you make me feel.”

  Even in the dark, he found her mouth again. For a brief moment Anna wanted to step away. But the feel of his lips slanted over hers, gentle and full of need, urged her to stay. He needed her. She needed him too. She didn’t want to admit it.

  He laved his tongue across her bottom lip, and she moaned. He caressed and nibbled. How sweet it felt. She tipped her head back, opening to him. It hurt to be so vulnerable. She dared to lay her hand along his jaw, to feel the luxury of his textured male skin.

  Moaning low in his throat, Cooper drew her arms up and placed them around his neck. She snuggled against him, breathing him, feeling the steely wall of his chest.

  He felt like a dream, all solid man, just as she knew he would. Her breath quickened. Being in his arms made her feel as if she’d never been held, never been touched before.

  Her hands played with his collar-length hair, and she wrapped a few locks around her fingers. He moaned, deepening their kiss. She felt the hard length of his arousal against her hip.

  “Anna.” He breathed her name, spoke against her lips.

  No one had ever wanted her like this.

  A sharp snap of a twig drilled through her senses, made her aware of the world again. Thunder crashed overhead. Tree limbs rustled, just a ways up the path. She heard footsteps. Felt her heart tumble when Cooper stepped back sharply.

  “Is that you, Tucker?” he called out, one hand moving toward his revolver’s grip.

  Tucker stood in the path, both hands planted firmly on his hips. “This proves it, big brother. I knew you were lying about those letters all along.”

  Anna was angry. Cooper had left the house by the time she arrived the next morning. Was he avoiding her? She’d needed to talk to him. He had to know how she felt, where she stood. He’d kissed her, even when he’d promised not to.

  Laura returned at the end of the day to watch the girls. Cooper was working late. Anna was finishing up the dishes when she heard him outside. Ready to do battle, she pushed open the screen door.

  He didn’t turn at the sound of her step. He sat on the top back porch step, his elbows on his knees, staring off at the mountains. The thickness of twilight cloaked his features, but even in the darkness she could see the square line of his jaw, feel the intense brush of his eyes on her.

  She breezed past him and emptied the washbasin in the flower bed. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

  “I knew you’d eventually figure that out.” His attempt at humor failed. He looked miserable. “I broke my word to you.”

  “I know.” She was angry about it, even if the kiss last night had been wondrous. “I can’t work for you. I have my pride, Cooper. And self-respect.”

  “You have every right to feel that way.” He sighed, rubbed his hands over his face. “I’m sorry.”

  His free hand brushed her cheek, blazed fire across her skin, and desire consumed her like frame. Brilliant, intense, immediate. Her whole body trembled, aching to know more of his touches. To lay her hand against his whiskery jaw, to explore the ridge of muscle across his wide chest. She kept her hands to herself, but she trembled. She’d never known the power of such want.

  “Please. Give me another chance to keep my promise to you. Or Laura will think we’re having another fight.”

  Anna fought against the smile, and lost. His gaze twinkled at her, glinting with humor, but dark with truth. He respected her. He needed her.

  How was she ever going to resist him?

  The next day, Anna set the tray of refreshments on the table in the center of Cooper’s parlor. For once the toys were picked up off the floor. The play holsters, cowboy hats, chaps, stick ponies and the tea party set now littered the porch and front yard.

  Sheila Muldune had brought her daughter to play with Mandy and Maisie. Carol Fykerud had brought her daughters of the same age. Through the open window, Anna could hear the delighted screeches of little girls playing outside.

  “I don’t know what I’d do without all this help.” Laura looked up from her sewing. “How do I thank you all?”

  “It is our pleasure.” Sheila Muldune looked up from her hemming. “These little dresses are going to look too beautiful on the girls.”

  “If I can get Katie to agree to wear hers.” Laura’s eyes twinkled. “Anna, the dress Sheila is working on is for your Mandy.”

  “What?” Anna lifted the pile of fabric from the seat of her chair.

  “I didn’t want to leave her out. I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had getting to know her.” Mirth bubbled in Laura’s voice. “She will be my mece soon.”

  “Have you and Cooper set a wedding date yet?” Carol Fykerud reached for a glass of fresh lemonade.

  “I was wondering the same thing.” Sheila’s voice shivered with excitement. “Will we have a second wedding soon?”

  Anna blushed. “I thought you understood. Cooper and I—”

  “Were caught kissing in the dark the night before last.” Laura’s laughter started everyone laughing.

  Anna didn’t think it was funny. “It was a momentary lapse—”

  “Sure. Momentary.�
� Sheila shook her head, disbelieving.

  “I’m his housekeeper. Like Mrs. Potts was.”

  “You’re nothing like Mrs. Potts.” Laura took a sip of lemonade.

  A movement fluttered outside the curtains. Then Bob poked her head through the window. Her nose flared. She gave a low whinny, scenting the cookies on the serving platter. Her long tongue reached out. Carol Fykerud gave a scream, startled by the horse lips at her elbow. Then she sank back into the chair, laughing.

  “She likes molasses cookies, too.” Anna grabbed two cookies and crossed to the window. “Here you go, Bob.”

  The pony crunched happily. Anna held the second cookie out to Davy’s pony, who was more polite and did not stick her nose into the parlor.

  “Did you see that?” Leslie dissolved into laughter.

  Anna was at least glad the topic of conversation had taken a turn for the better.

  Cooper hated that work had kept him late. There had been an incident at the saloon. By the time he’d resolved it, the sun was already setting. He wanted to see Anna. He just wanted to see her.

  But he knew she’d gone home when he reined in and dismounted outside the stable. The horse she borrowed from the hotel’s owners wasn’t grazing in the shade of the big maple. Pal nosed him, already impatient for his supper. Cooper ran his hand down the horse’s honey-colored, hot velvet neck. The animal leaned into his touch. They’d been riding together for seven years. The loyal stallion swung his head, making a second demand for grain.

  Cooper laughed. “All right, boy. Anything you want but the Richards’ filly.”

  He trumpeted at that. He glanced at the direction of the neighbor’s stable.

  “Women are nothing but trouble and not nearly as loyal as you.” The cynical remark tasted sour in his mouth because he knew darn well it wasn’t always true.

  He thought of Anna’s sunny presence in his kitchen. The woman had nearly fallen down a cliff to rescue her child. She was loyal to a fault. Not at all like Katherine had been.

  Cooper led the palomino into his roomy box stall. Fresh straw littered the floor. He slipped off the saddle and blanket, peeled off the bridle and then forked fresh hay into the feeder.