Silver Belles and Stetsons

by Caroline Clemmons

  How was he supposed to go back into the house after making her cry? Should he apologize or act as if it never happened? He’d rarely seen men and women interact with each other. Not in a good way. How did one apologize to a woman? A plain sorry wasn’t going to cut it and there were no flowers to be found. Damn, double damn. It was too cold to stay outside. It took more courage to walk back into the house than facing down a bear.

  He opened the door and peered in. Ginger was stirring something that smelled great, and Molly slept. He hoped Ginger would turn around, but she didn’t. Straightening his shoulders he made his way to her. He stood right behind her. “Ginger?”

  She turned and gave him a wobbly smile. “You’re back.”

  “I am. I’m no good with people. I’m good with horses but not people. I wanted to bring flowers to say I’m sorry but all I have is this.” He took his hand from behind his back and opened it.

  “A snowball?” Her lips twitched.

  “A snowball. You can throw it at my face if you like.” He waited anxiously for her reaction.

  She took it into her hands and stared at it. “You know, this is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever gotten. I’m tempted to throw it at you, but I want harmony in this house. I don’t want my actions to drive you away.” She walked around him, opened the door, and carefully placed it on the ground. “There. If I need it I know where it is.” Closing the door, she turned toward him. “I’m sorry my crying made you uncomfortable. I’ll try to be more cheerful.”

  “Just be yourself. I’m not sure why I said those things to you. I’m sorry.” He held his breath.

  “Me too,” she said and he slowly let his breath out as a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

  “Something smells good.”

  “Venison stew and a surprise.” Her smile lit up the whole cabin. He could see the peach dessert on the counter, but made no mention of it. He’d be surprised for her sake.

  There was silence, and it became awkward. Had they run out of things to say so soon? “Spring won’t be coming anytime soon. It was predicted to be a bad winter.”

  “I heard people talk about how bad it was supposed to be, and they were right. I shudder when I think about what could have happened to me out there. Molly and I would be dead for sure.”

  “You’d have found somewhere to go for safety. You’re very strong and brave.”

  “I’m not sure if it was bravery or stupidity that made me leave my home.”

  “It was the love of a mother, and that can be a powerful thing. My mother loved me but could only express it with her eyes. I could see how proud she was of me, but she never dared to say it.” His heart warmed at the memory.

  “What happened to Albert’s mother?”

  “I only know she died. They never talked about her and I knew better than to ask.” He sat down at the table, leaning his elbows on it.

  “I slept on the ground for a long time. I built the barn when I had time, but I knew I had to have it done before winter. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. The following year I built the house while building my herd.” He sat down at the table, leaning his elbows on it. “I understand horses better than people. That’s why I find them, and break them to saddle. I’ve raised quite a few, and it’s been a labor of love. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of long days and sleepless nights, but I feel as though I belong here. I left home right after my mother died. I was fourteen, and there was no reason to stay. I worked on a few ranches and saved every penny I made. I’d had my eye on this piece of land for a long time, and the day I bought it I was so very proud of my accomplishment.”

  “You should be proud.”

  “I’ve eked out a living but recently landed a contract with the Army. I have a feeling Albert heard about it and decided to take what was mine.”

  Ginger poured coffee for them both and handed a cup to him. “He did say it was prosperous.” She sat across from him and her face paled. “I still can’t fathom I believed him and he’s Molly’s father. What am I going to tell her?”

  He wished she could tell Molly he was her father. He wouldn’t have minded if what he told the sheriff was true and they were both his. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met, and she made his blood fill with excitement. She and Molly had cast the loneliness of winter away.

  “Well, I guess I’ll figure something out. Who knows, I might even find a husband before she’s old enough to know the difference.” She sipped her coffee and adeptly avoided his gaze. “I need to bake the surprise.” She rose and turned away from him. He enjoyed the view.

  He fingered the ring in his pocket and decided it wasn’t fitting. She wouldn’t want a ring from him. It was just as well, but his heart didn’t agree. Molly began to fuss and he quickly went to the bed. “I’ll change her.” He grabbed a clean cloth and began to change her. He felt the heat of Ginger’s gaze and glanced up. “What?” She had the most incredulous expression on her face.

  “Never in my life have I heard of a man changing a diaper. You do it with such ease. You’re a good man, Foster.”

  His face grew warm. He wrapped Molly in a blanket and carried her to the table, where he sat holding her in his arms. He already thought of her as his own. He just needed to convince her mama. “She’s lovely. Just like her mother.”

  Ginger stood in the middle of the cabin with her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “She is pretty but—”

  “Don’t even try to object. I think you’re beautiful and that’s that.” The wide smile she bestowed him filled him with pleasure. Molly stared at him and cooed. He put his finger in her hand and she gripped it. “A strong one, aren’t you?”

  “She sure is, isn’t she? You’d best hand her over so I can feed her.” She held out her arms.

  “She’s not crying yet. Maybe she likes being in my arms.”

  “Any girl would… I mean.”

  He laughed and flashed a grin at her. Maybe he could earn her trust before spring after all. A sense of peace engulfed him. Yes, maybe he could. Just then, Molly let out an ear-splitting cry, and he handed her over. The wind kicked up and something began to bang. “Sounds like the barn door. I’d better have a look.”

  She sat on the bed with Molly and nodded. “Be careful.” His heart squeezed. It’d been a while since anyone cared.

  ***

  She watched him leave and wondered if she glowed on the outside as much as the inside. He’d made her feel special. It was so different from the way Albert made her feel. Foster talked from his heart. Sometimes when he looked at her, her body tingled. It was a very strange feeling. He also told her his plans for his ranch and how he struggled to make it prosperous. Could it be he trusted her? Men were so contrary. She never understood them, but she did know Foster was a kind, gentle man. He didn’t seem the type to try to say pretty things to her for gain. He had nothing to gain.

  He had nothing to gain. She breathed in and out slowly, thinking the words over. He actually liked her? He obviously had taken to Molly. There was something different about him. It was almost as if he decided to let his guard down. His lot in life hadn’t been easy and not trusting came with the territory. She well knew it. A seed planted began to bloom and she gave thanks. She was on the cusp of happiness, but it still scared her. She doubted her ability to be a good judge of character. Everything in her being screamed to give him a chance but something held her back.

  How she wanted to take the leap, take the chance, but truthfully, he hadn’t made a declaration of love. Maybe she was reading into things and there was no way she’d allow herself to be crushed by a man again. Molly fell asleep before finishing her feeding. Being a mother was joyous enough. It was the best Christmas present she’d ever had.

  The wind howled louder and louder, and she swore the house shook. She opened the door looking for Foster, but the world was a mass of whiteness. The snow whipped and whirled across the plains. There was no way to see the barn, and she hoped Foster was safe. Thank goodness he’d tied another rope from
the house to the barn. Could the horses survive in this weather? It took all her strength to fight the door closed.

  She removed the cobbler from the stove and stirred the stew. She’d found a needle and thread the day before. Grabbing them and a ripped shirt of Foster’s, she sat at the table mending it. As it grew late, she worried. She lit the lantern and turned it up higher than needed in case Foster needed a beacon to follow. Something wasn’t right, she felt it deep down.

  She got up from the table and checked on Molly. Then she put on her coat and hat and grabbed the lantern before stepping out into the storm. Thank goodness for the rope. She’d taken only a few steps from the house and already she had the feeling of being turned all around. She could barely see a step before her. A few times she fell and struggled to get up. It was nearly impossible to keep ahold of both the rope and lantern. The wind tried its best to push her back, but finally she made it to the barn. The door was still open and banging. She hadn’t heard it over the sound of the wind.

  She stumbled into the barn and held the lantern high. At first, she didn’t see Foster until she walked toward one of the stalls. There he was on the ground with an apple-sized lump on his forehead. Damn, a horse had kicked him. She hesitated and looked for the horse before going into the stall, but there was no sign of the horse. It probably rode out into the storm.

  “Foster, can you hear me?” she asked as she fell to her knees next to him. Running her hand over the rest of his head, she found no other injury. “Foster?”

  He groaned loudly before he let out a string of curse words. “The horse?”

  “Gone. We need to get you back to the house. It was so hard to get here but going back the wind will be behind us. It might make it easier.” She stared into his dazed eyes, hoping his injury was superficial. “Let’s get you sitting up first.” She got behind him and pulled him until he was leaning against the stall wall. He was heavier than she thought. She’d never had to drag anyone but her father before, and he wasn’t a big man at all.

  “Please, God,” she whispered.

  “Where’s Molly?” he asked his voice husky.

  “She’s home, we need to get back.”

  “Home, that sounds nice.” He helped to push himself up to a standing position. “Whoa. I’m dizzy. Give me a minute.” He closed his eyes. “Okay, let’s do this. We need to get to Molly.”

  She led the way, making sure he was behind her with each step. Her face burned in the cold and her fingers were beginning to numb, but she held on to the rope for all she was worth. They only fell twice, and it was hard getting them both up, but they pushed onward until they bumped into the cabin door. Ginger opened the door and they both landed on the floor. She quickly got back up and fought the wind to close the door.

  Molly was still asleep and Ginger wanted to cry in relief. “Here let’s get those wet clothes off you,” she said as she helped him to stand. “Come; sit in front of the stove.” She quickly took off her coat and hat and with fingers that hurt unbearably, she began to undress Foster. Luckily, he had gloves on and his hands looked fine. After she got his coat, hat, gloves, and boots off he still shivered uncontrollably. She needed to warm him through or he’d die.

  It was no time to be shy or worry about what was right. She needed to strip them both down and get into bed. Foster didn’t object as she removed his clothes. He didn’t say much of anything as she laid him on the bed. Next, she took off her clothes and climbed into bed.

  She was much warmer than Foster, and it felt as though he was stealing her heat, but she lay on top of him, willing to give it to him. He shivered through the night and cried out when she had to leave his body to feed Molly. He sighed in relief when she returned. The fact he was still cold worried her, as did his head wound. She did all she knew and tried to keep him warm. It was hard not to notice how muscular he was. He had a sprinkling of chest hair and his shoulders were much broader than hers were. Perhaps she didn’t have enough heat for such a large man.

  Even with all the worry, she had butterflies in her stomach from being so close to this man. He’d saved her and she was glad to try to return the favor.

  ***

  Something was on his chest. He opened his eyes and was pleasantly surprised to find Ginger on top of him. Usually it was the cat on his chest. He lay perfectly still and enjoyed the feel of her body against his. What happened? How could he have taken Ginger and not known? His head hurt and he remembered. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head under his chin. It felt so good to cradle her against him. Not only physically but his heart sang. She must have gotten him out of the barn. He closed his eyes again. Yes, he remembered her leading him to the house and undressing him.

  Damn it must have cost her dignity a lot to get naked and crawl on top of him. Would most women have done it? Somehow he had a feeling some would have considered it too improper. He was lucky indeed.

  She stirred and snuggled deeper against him. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her back as he looked over at Molly. He was surprised to see her blue eyes looking back at him. Usually she was either sleeping or feeding. She waved her little fists in the air, seeming content to watch him. He wanted this this so badly. He wanted them to be a family. To have Ginger’s love would be the greatest gift.

  “How long have you been awake?” she asked sleepily.

  “A few minutes. I’ve been watching Molly stare at me.” Ginger started to move, but he tightened his arms around her. “Thank you for what you did. You saved my life and you didn’t have to. You never think of yourself and I admire you.”

  She raised her head up and stared at him with awe in her eyes. “You’re the one to be admired. I think very highly of you.”

  He stroked the nape of her neck. “Do you now?”

  “Yes I do.”

  He dragged her up toward his face to kiss her and groaned as she slid across his most sensitive area. He grew hard, and he saw the fright in her eyes. “Hey, I would never. Besides, you just had a baby, and you need to heal. I can’t help my reaction to you, but I don’t have to do anything about it. I like having you in my arms.” He lifted his head and pressed his lips against her soft, plump ones. It was a kiss worth waiting for. Her response surprised him as she kissed him back in ardor. When she opened her mouth for him, he slid his tongue inside. She tasted of sweetness and he didn’t want the kiss to end. It felt so right to be with her, so natural. He needed another taste, but Molly cried out.

  Ginger ended the kiss but gave him a loving smile before she gently got off him. “I think you’re nice and warm now.”

  He laughed. “More than warm. You’re one hell of a woman.” He loved how her whole body blushed as she reached for a blanket to cover her.

  “I’ll get up and give you some privacy.” He sat up and groaned.

  “Your head?”

  “It was quite a kick. Unexpected too.” He lay back down.

  “Stay in bed. I’m sure you shouldn’t be out of bed with a head injury. Just close your eyes.”

  Although tempted, he couldn’t close his eyes and miss her dressing. She glanced at him a few times and frowned. He frowned back. One minute she kissed him back for all she was worth and the next she threw frowns his way. There was no figuring women out, but damn, he really wished he could figure her out. He watched as she changed and fed Molly. He smiled as Patches tried to climb onto Ginger’s lap.

  “Thank you for saving me, by the way,” he said, hoping to start a conversation.

  “No thanks needed.” She finally set Molly down and then added a few logs to the fire. She was quite proficient in the kitchen, he observed, as she made coffee and pancakes.

  “Well, thank you anyway. I could have frozen to death if you hadn’t helped me back and gotten into bed with me.”

  Her whole face grew a fiery red. “Listen, just because I did what was necessary doesn’t mean I’ll jump into bed with you again.” She put her hands on her hips and gave him a sour look.

  “
I didn’t mean it that way, so you can stop making faces at me.”

  “Making faces? Really? I hadn’t realized,” she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

  “Why exactly are you mad at me?”

  She shook her head. “I’m not mad at you.” She sighed. “I’m mad at myself for enjoying your arms around me.”

  He gave her his best grin. “Did you enjoy the kiss too?” He cocked his left brow.

  “No.” She turned away from him and continued cooking.

  What did she mean no? Who wouldn’t have found pleasure in that kiss? She moaned, didn’t she? Maybe she didn’t. Was he a bad kisser? He hadn’t had very much practice. Damn now, he didn’t know what to think.

  “We never did have that peach cobbler you made.”

  “We’ll have it tonight.” She didn’t turn around.

  He shook his head. She must have enjoyed Albert’s kisses better. “How many men have you kissed?”

  She turned and her eyes narrowed. “How many do think I’ve kissed?”

  “I don’t know. I was wondering whose kisses you liked. You must be comparing me to someone.”

  She took the pancakes off the stove and stood at the foot of the bed tapping her foot. “For your information I have kissed two men, Albert and you. There is no comparison.”

  His heart dropped. “He’s that good of a kisser?”

  “No he is not. He slobbers and I couldn’t wait to get away.”

  “So, you didn’t like his or mine?”

  “For the love of God, what is the matter with you? You have no real interest in me, so stop. Just stop talking about kisses. Breakfast will be ready in a minute.” Shaking her head, she turned away and stalked to the stove.

  No real interest? He thought she was a bit sweet on him. He was doubly glad he didn’t give her the ring for Christmas. His heart started to ice over, and he had the urge to hit something. He never should have allowed her into his heart. He glanced over at Molly, and his heart started to warm again. It was going to be one hell of a long winter, being with someone who didn’t like you. He sat up and gingerly touched the bump on his head.