by Jillian Hart
“A nap?” Laura’s voice dipped. “Amazing.”
Anna looked at the two outlaw brides up in the tree, play veils swinging with the afternoon breeze. “Do you girls want anything?”
Maisie lifted the cowboy hat off of her head. “Big pieces of cake.”
“With lots of chocolate frosting,” Mandy added.
“Yeah, cuz brides get hungry.”
Anna waited until she was inside the house before she started giggling. She heard play shrieks from up in the tree. Apparently the outlaw brides had been discovered by that pesky pretend sheriff.
“What’s so funny?” Cooper towered in the threshold, the sun at his back, haloing him in gold.
Her heart stopped at the sight of him. Memories from last night—the way he’d touched her, the way she’d touched him rushed over her like a hot breeze. He smiled, and she remembered being wrapped in his strong arms, sated and more satisfied than she’d ever dreamed.
“Your daughters are adorable,” Laura spoke up, breaking the silence, reminding Anna she was standing there staring at Cooper.
She lowered her gaze and headed to the counter. She found the knife, lifted the lid off the cake plate.
“Laura, you look happy.” He towered above Anna, his arm brushing her shoulder. “I’m home early.”
As if her body remembered last night all on its own, her heartbeat tripled. Heat crept through every inch of her body. “An easy day at the jail?”
“My biggest challenge was a panicked request from Mrs. Fykerud. I was called upon to handle a wild animal attack.”
“Here in town?”
“Yep. An elk ran out of the woods and charged her clothesline. Her freshly washed red flannel long johns were in jeopardy, and I came to the rescue.”
“Why, not even a woman’s laundry is safe in this town.” Anna’s chuckle came rich and easy.
“I’m sorry to say many pairs of underwear were in tatters by the time I arrived on the scene, but I was able to rescue her red flannel petticoats before they met the same fate.”
“And the elk?”
“I chased him away with a wet mop.” Cooper swept off his hat. “Sometimes my assignments are truly dangerous.”
Anna tipped her head back, laughing. Gold curls tumbled over her shoulders. Cooper took a step back, unprepared for the rush of need pounding through his blood. He remembered her in the starlight, the taste of her, the feel of her. Even though he’d vowed not to want her, not to need her, there it was, a craving so great he could think of nothing else.
She enchanted him. It was that simple, teased him with everything held vowed never to have again. He’d thought when he proposed to her he could keep his needs and his emotions detached. But he’d been nothing short of a fool.
“Larry said you are going to be moving the gold soon.” Laura’s voice was solemn.
He’d forgotten she was in the room. That’s how Anna affected him. “The mine that owns the gold has hired enough armed men to finally see it safely to Virginia City. They should be here tomorrow. It was just confirmed today. That’s why I’m home early. I’ll be gone for a week riding with the shipment. We’re keeping this information quiet. Not even half of my deputies know.”
“Larry will be relieved to have that shipment out of the vaulr.” Worry crinkled Laura’s brow. “It’s only because of how you protect this town that the Corinthos gang hasn’t tried to rob the bank.”
“Or tried to harm me.” Anna smiled up at him. A hot flame of pure want licked down his spine, engulfed every inch of him.
“I’m going to leave you two be.” Laura grabbed her bonnet. “Anna, the sewing circle is meeting at Sheila’s next week. We’re starting a wedding quilt for you.”
“For me? But I—”
“I know. You and Cooper are the most private people I know. We’re making you a quilt. End of argument. Bring the girls. Sheila’s daughter is hosting a dress-up party. Now, I just need to grab a few last things from my cottage and start for home.”
She left them alone, with only Anna’s layer cake between them. “She misses her nieces. I think that’s why she dropped by today.”
Even her voice made him hot with desire, the sound of it, the gentle caress of it. “Don’t kid yourself. Tucker has been trying to pump me for information all day. He probably got Laura to come over here and see what she could learn from you.”
Her eyes sparkled, but he remembered how they had gazed up at him last night, wondrous and luminous. “Laura didn’t get any information out of me. Would you like a slice?”
She held the knife, ready to cut him a generous piece. “Yes.” He wanted much more than a slice of cake.
Then little girls dashed into the room, talking over one another to tell him of their day, of the tree house, the garden, the tarts Anna made.
Happiness. He couldn’t remember a time like this, his girls secure, his home cozy. And it was because of Anna. All because of her.
“I’m not so good at indoor stuff,” Katie confessed as she helped dry the last of the supper dishes.
“Maybe you and I could find something to do. Just until your head feels better.” Anna lifted the last of the pans from the rinse water and dried it. “How is that quilt block you started?”
“Lost somewhere in my room.” Katie shrugged. “Anna, how can you stand to sew?”
“Well, I try to make things I like.”
“Like the wall hanging you made us?” Katie thumped the kettle down on the counter.
Anna knelt and placed it on the lower shelf. “You like ponies. We could do something with that.”
“Like what?”
“Well, we could make a quilt.”
“Of ponies?” Katie sounded doubtful.
“How about of the things you like to do? Every block could be about something different. Maybe one could be Bob. Another about your gold-hunting adventures.”
“And we’d make it to look like your wall hanging?”
“We could do it together.” Anna took the wet dish towel from Katie. “Go in the parlor and get back to your story. I’ll see you in the morning. Maybe we can go shopping for fabric pieces then.”
“Ain’t you gonna buy stuff, too? You and Papa gotta get married. You’re gonna need a real nice dress. That’s what Laura did.”
“Fine. You can help me pick out the material. Go play.” Katie had been shadowing her, as if she were afraid to let her out of her sight. Finally the girl relented, perhaps afraid she would feel obligated to perform more household tasks.
“Want an escort home?”
“I’ll be fine, Cooper.” She hung up the towels to dry. Her back was to him, but she could feel his gaze like a touch to her body.
“Will you be able to stay with the girls? I should have asked you, given you more notice.” He raked his hand through his hair. A dark lock fell across his forehead.
Anna’s breath caught as her gaze slid downward over the linen shirt stretched taut over delineated muscle. She remembered the hot velvet feel of that skin, the solidness of the man.
“Are you going somewhere tonight?” she asked.
“Tucker’s on guard duty outside. I’m going to keep him company.”
He looked tousled and incredibly male. He buckled on his gun belt with sure, capable movements of his suntanned fingers. Last night, she’d wanted more than his kisses. Her blood heated, sharp and fast.
“Do you have a date in mind?” Cooper snared his hat from its peg, dropped it on his head in a slow masculine movement. “Everyone is expecting a wedding.”
All but her bones melted at his slow smile. She took a quick breath. “When you return from protecting the gold shipment?”
“Yes.” His dark eyes sizzled. “The sooner the better. I would hate to start any more rumors.”
“What? You’re not staying late at the Braddock house?” Janet Briggs looked up from her knitting. “I remember when we were young and in love, Frank.”
“I brought her flowers every evening.�
� Mr. Briggs set down his newspaper. “I got home late many nights.”
“Oh, Frank.” Janet blushed. “Our Anna doesn’t want to know about that. I’m just glad you and Cooper are in love, dear. I can’t tell you how highly he’s regarded in this town. Everybody wants to see him happy.”
“And see those girls of his with a mother.” Mr. Briggs held down the cookie jar for Mandy to take a handful. “We’ll host the reception, of course.”
“Oh, I think a big ham for the reception would be nice.” Janet’s face lit. “What do you think, Anna?”
“That sounds expensive. And a lot of trouble.” Especially for a marriage of convenience. Anna worked at the knot in her bonnet ribbons.
“Nonsense. You feel like one of our own, Anna.” Janet’s voice dipped. Affection shone in her eyes, unmistakable and steady. “You and your girl have given us a taste of what we’ve missed all these years.”
“Since our children grew up and flew the coop.” Mr. Briggs cleared his throat, his eyes misting. “It’s been darn good to hear a little one’s laughter.”
“And it’s a long time since Frank has been able to play tea party.” Janet set aside her knitting and stood. Her hug was sweet and light, but touched Anna deep inside. “A pretty young widow like you, all alone, well, we just can’t help feeling protective. We can’t help caring for you as if you were our own. I hope you’ll let us do this for you, host your reception.”
“Don’t get us wrong.” Mr. Briggs cleared his throat again, but was unable to dislodge the emotion thick in his voice. “We don’t want you and Mandy to leave us. But we’re glad for you. We hope you bring the whole troop of Braddock girls for a visit now and then. To put some laughter in our lives.”
“I think I can do that.” Anna’s throat ached. She had friends here, in this town. And she now had family, too.
“And one more thing.” Mr. Briggs stood. “I want to walk you down the aisle.”
Tears filled her eyes, but not tears of sadness. They came from the heart. From a place where happiness lived. “Mr. Briggs, I would be honored.”
A shadow moved in the night. Moonlight cut through the grove of pines. Cooper laid a hand on his Colt. He spotted small dark eyes and a flash of dirtbrown fur. Just a coyote.
He relaxed, released a breath. He was a patient man, but he hated waiting. Corinthos’ threat gathered over his head, dark as a storm. Cooper knew he wouldn’t back down, wouldn’t hand over his honor like goods to be bartered.
“Ho, Coop.” Tucker’s voice rose out of the dark yard behind him. A heady wind rustled the trees, covering the sound of his steps. “There’s been no sign of trouble in town. You’re right. If Corinthos is going to show up, it’s going to be in the morning.”
“I keep hoping he doesn’t know about the gold.” Cooper swiped the sweat from his brow. A hell of a storm was brewing, the air laden with humidity. “But unless I’m wrong, Corinthos will know. He’s got one of my deputies on his payroll keeping him informed.”
“I’ve worried about that, too.” Tucker gazed out at the night, watching the shifting shadows. “The men are ready. We’ll take the gold as soon as the bank opens and we’ll ride.”
“Tomorrow I’m going to end this with Corinthos.” Cooper hauled a pouch of tobacco from his vest pocket. “There’s no other way. He’s going to come after that gold. By sunset, I’ll have him in my jail.”
“Without a doubt.” Tucker rolled a cigarette. “Corinthos isn’t as tough as you and me.”
“Well, maybe me, but I don’t know about you, Tucker.” Chuckling, Cooper struck a match. “You’re a real weakling.”
“We’ll see about that, big brother.”
Cooper breathed in, savoring the smoke. He gazed at the house, thinking. The girls were in bed sleeping, the rooms dark. By this time next week, Anna would be here as his bride.
“I’ll watch the house,” Tucker offered. “I’m off duty, but I don’t mind staying.”
“I wanted to check the stables, see where my men are. Whoever is working for both sides won’t be able to contact Corinthos during the day. Thought I’d stroll through town, keep my eyes open.”
“You already know who it could be?”
Cooper tapped out his cigarette. “I know who it isn’t. Not you. Not Barstow.”
“Why not Barstow?”
“He’s worried I may be as soft as old Joe. I suspect Dickens or Davidson. Can’t hurt to see if either man is still in town.”
“He’d need to contact Corinthos tonight.”
“That’s right.” Cooper grabbed his hat off the newel post. “I’ll be back if I need to bring in a bad deputy.”
“And here I thought you might want to go see your bride-to-be,” Tucker teased.
“You sound smug, little brother. I’m only marrying Anna for the girls.”
“Sure. Go ahead and deny it, but you have a soft side, big brother. You don’t hide it as well as you think.”
Tucker thought he knew everything. Annoyed, Cooper headed down the streets. Well, maybe Tucker wasn’t all that wrong. Cooper couldn’t stop thinking of her, of how sweet she’d felt in his arms. He wanted more. He wanted to lay her down and love her until she moaned low in her throat, until she wrapped her thighs around his hips and sheathed him deep inside.
Distracting thoughts. Cooper cleared visions of Anna from his head, tried to pay attention to the night.
The town slept. Houses were dark, businesses closed and locked. He checked the livery first. Went down the aisle and counted up his deputy’s horses. Davidson, Dickens, Barstow, Locke, Brewster, Collins, Johnson and Black. All were bachelors who lived within a block or two of the livery. He checked to make sure the horses were cool. They had not been ridden hard tonight.
Well, the night was young. He would wait.
A quarter moon hung low in the sky, its sterling light playing with the edges of the curtains, as if trying to peek through. With Mandy asleep at last, she parted the fabric.
The town was peaceful. It was a pretty place, with young trees lining the streets, flowers spilling out of window boxes, bright store awnings shading the boardwalks. It was a fine place to call home. She was getting married. Cooper flashed into her mind, strong as myth, mighty as legend. And so kind. Her heart fluttered. She remembered the way he’d touched her, the heat of his kisses against her skin. How was she ever going to protect her heart? He didn’t love her. She feared he might never trust her completely.
A rider dashed down the street, following the old trail out of town. She reached for her sewing. Another new dress for Mandy made from another adorable pink fabric Leslie had ordered especially for the little Braddock girls. Next she would make one for Maisie.
The window pinged. She jumped, then saw a man on the street below. She would recognize the cut of those shoulders anywhere. Dark locks spilled over his collar. Even in the shadows, he looked invincible.
She opened the window. “Cooper.”
“On patrol,” he explained. Then he tossed down his hat and grabbed hold of Janet’s rose trellis. The wood groaned beneath his weight.
“I could climb down,” she offered.
He hiked himself up to the windowsill. “I’m the man. I get to climb the building.”
“The same way you got to build the tree house?”
That made him chuckle rich and deep, his good humor as attractive as the rest of him. “Fine, you win. You built a darn good tree house. I’ll be back to help with the roof.”
“Are we going to add walls, too?”
“Sure. Why not? Even a few windows. Outlaws have to be able to keep watch for the sheriff.”
How he drew her. His nearness made her dizzy, made her blood thud in her ears. Goodness, she felt as if she’d just run ten miles. “When are you leaving in the morning?”
“We won’t move the gold until the armed guards are ready. But I’ll need to be at work early.”
“I’ll be there to take care of the girls.” Did she tell him how much she
would miss him? How worried she was? She knew he was doing his duty, keeping his commitment to the town and the businesses. But she wished he didn’t have to leave, that he would send a deputy in his place.
She loved him much more than she wanted to admit.
“You might try using the door, Sheriff,” a voice called out from a neighboring window.
Anna blushed. “Mr. Briggs. Cooper and I are just talking.”
“I know how it is between a courting couple. Just don’t break Janet’s trellis, Sheriff.”
“Tell her to rest easy, Briggs.” Cooper’s grin dazzled. “I’m on my way down.”
“Sure you are.” Briggs laughed, then shut his window.
“Have you noticed how no one around this town believes us?” Cooper pressed a kiss to her cheek.
How she wanted more. “I’ve noticed that. Why do you suppose that is?”
“Because certain family members just can’t seem to mind their own business.” He sounded amused, not angry as he started back down the trellis. “Beware the family you are marrying into, Anna.”
“Yep, the Braddocks are an unworthy lot. Every single one.”
His laughter touched her, made her long for the haven of his arms.
Lee Corinthos sat back with a smile. Satisfaction gleamed in his midsection like gems catching the sunlight. “So the mining company has brought in an army of guards?”
Davidson rubbed his brow. He looked nervous. He always looked nervous. “Even if we ambushed them in the pass, we couldn’t win. Word is there will be thirty men.”
“And only twelve of us.” Dusty cackled, holding his whiskey bottle by the neck as if to strangle it. “Think the sheriff will look the other way?”
“We’ll find out come morning.” Corinthos took a long pull of whiskey, let the liquor burn down his throat. “I’ll find out which way Braddock will go. If he won’t bend, then we’ll kill him and storm the bank. Once the guards take over, we won’t have a chance.”
Yes, it sounded like a good plan. Corinthos wanted that gold.
