When Travis tired of playing with the toy horse Colt had carved, she took her little boy out to her garden, picked some fresh tomatoes and lettuce, and walked over to the sutler’s store. On the way, she passed several white women. She spoke to each politely, but they turned their heads and ignored her.
The sutler’s store smelled like tobacco, spices, and pickles. “Mr. Hutton?”
The owner came out of the back room. Hutton always needed a haircut and shave and his shirt was usually soiled. She gave him her warmest smile. “I brought some of the produce from my garden. Do you want to buy it?”
The look he gave her made her want to button up the neck of her frayed dress even more. “Vegetables, huh? Yeah, I think I could sell them. Most of these settlers are too busy or don’t have the knack for growing their own.”
She laid the vegetables on the counter. “I might also be willing to wash and iron your shirts in trade for a few things like coffee and some of that peppermint candy you have in the counter there.”
“Hmm, might be a good idea.” He scratched himself and leaned over to peer down at her son. “Little redskin likes candy, huh?”
“His name is Travis,” she said firmly.
Mr. Hutton laughed. “Looks like a redskin to me. All right, Mrs. Brownley, I’ll buy your vegetables and you can do my shirts.” He looked at her closely. “I heard there was some trouble at your place a couple of hours ago.”
Hannah felt her face burn. The whole fort must be talking about it. “It was a personal matter.”
“Well, now you got no man, is that right?”
She nodded and then spoke, keeping her voice cold. “I don’t need a man, Mr. Hutton. Travis and I are managing fine, thank you. I’ll take my money for the vegetables now.”
He went over to the small cash register and opened it, handed her a few coins. “That enough?”
She looked at the money in her hand and stared at him. “Now you know it isn’t.”
He laughed and handed her another dollar. “Gotta hand it to you, you stand your ground better’n most women. Comes from dealin’ with the Comanche, I reckon.”
She didn’t answer, but took the money, grasped her son’s hand, and went outside. Sooner or later, she might have trouble with Mr. Hutton, as with dozens of other men at this fort who thought any woman who had belonged to a Comanche buck was no better than a whore. At least she had found a way to build up her small stash of coins. What else could she do to earn money so she could leave? When she would leave or where she would go, she had no idea, but she had to have money to do anything.
After dark, she put Travis to bed and changed into an old nightgown of Olivia’s. It was faded and too short for Hannah, but of the softest embroidered lawn. It was a warm night and she opened the windows, but she locked the front and back doors in case some drunken soldier tried to get in.
She had barely blown out her lamp and climbed into bed when she heard a noise outside her window and froze, reaching for the butcher knife she kept on the bedside table.
“Who’s there?”
“Hannah, it’s me, Colt.”
“What do you want?”
“That’s a fine way to thank me for steppin’ in and helpin’ you today.”
She was immediately chagrined. “I’m sorry. What is it you want?”
“I was just checkin’ to make sure you’re all right.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be confined to quarters?”
“Yes, but the guard went to sleep and I sneaked out the window. Let me in before someone sees me and reports it.”
She wanted to let him in, wanted him to kiss her again, but she remembered Olivia’s beautiful, angry face. “Go away. You’re engaged to the major’s daughter.”
“I broke up with her.”
“That’s not what she says.”
He cleared his throat and she could imagine him weighing his words. “Believe me, Hannah, I broke the engagement.”
She wanted to believe him; but she was still suspicious of men. “What is it you want?”
“I—I don’t know, but I wanted to apologize for kissin’ you this afternoon.”
She relived it for a moment—the warmth of his big hands on her face, the taste of his mouth. “It’s all right.”
“No, it isn’t. I should have asked your permission.”
She was abruptly angry with him. “That’s okay. You’re like the other soldiers; you figure I’ve been a redskin’s woman, I might as well let any white man have me now that my husband doesn’t want me back.”
“You know me better than that.”
She took a deep breath, thinking the kiss had been sweet and gentle.
“Hannah, let me in so we can talk. I’d hate it if that’s what you really believed about me.”
She was torn between what Colt was saying and what Olivia had said. And yet she owed this man for saving her from her ex-husband. “Come around and I’ll open the door, but you really should go back to your quarters before someone finds out you’re missing.”
“Speakin’ of findin’ out, the sentry is walking this way.”
“Quick, come around.” She flew through the darkened cabin and unlocked the door. The big Texan slipped in and closed it behind him.
Why had she let him in? She knew this could only mean trouble for them both, and she wasn’t some cheap tart to slip around with some other woman’s man.
Colt stood there, all tall and muscular in the moonlight that filtered through the window. Hannah was abruptly aware that she wore nothing except a sheer lawn nightgown that was certainly almost transparent. “Colt, you need to leave. I don’t know why I let you in.”
“You know as well as I do, Hannah. I’ve thought of nothin’ else but you since I rescued you.” He took a step forward.
“What about Olivia?”
“I swear to you that I don’t care for her.”
She wanted to believe that, wanted to believe that he really cared about her and wasn’t just needing a woman to slake his lust. “I—I think you need to go.”
“If you want me to.” He half turned toward the door and she took a step forward, put her hand on his arm.
“I—I haven’t thanked you for what you did this afternoon. I think Luther would have hit me.”
“No man beats a woman while I’m around.”
“Well, thank you anyway. I’m afraid I’ve gotten you in serious trouble.”
“It’s not your fault,” he insisted. “Hannah, you deserve better than that. You deserve a man who will really love you—”
“And which one could forget I’ve been a redskin’s whore for the past four years?” she asked, her voice bitter.
At that, he turned and took her in his arms very gently. “You’re brave and beautiful and strong,” he whispered. “A Texas woman, that’s what you are.” And he kissed her very gently, his mouth soft and warm on hers.
Her heart hammered and she clung to him, wanting him, wanting to belong, wanting the security of a strong man’s arms—wanting Colt. She pressed her body close to his, knowing he could feel every inch of her through the sheer lawn nightgown. Hannah let her mouth open and he kissed the inside of her lips, touching her tongue lightly with his own. She felt his manhood rise up hard and throbbing against her belly. She wanted him in a way she had never wanted a man before. Hannah had been used by two different men, but neither had cared about her feelings or her needs as she hoped this one did. At this moment, she didn’t care if Colt took her here on the floor like some slut in a saloon as long as he held her close and kissed her lips and whispered soft words.
His hand went to her breast and she didn’t protest, wanting his big, callused palm on her nipple, wanting him to stroke her body, wanting him to take her.
She heard a slight whimper and jerked away to see a sleepy Travis standing in the doorway. “Mama?”
Colt froze and she turned toward her child. “What—what is it, honey?”
“Drink of water,” he mumbled. “I’m
thirsty.”
“All right, I’ll get you a drink. Go back to bed.” She stepped away from Colt, realized she was shaking. She had come so close to coupling with this soldier, wanting him, wanting him to want her. “You’ve got to go,” she whispered to Colt.
“Can I come back later?”
“No.” She shook her head and backed away from him, scared at how close she’d come to letting this man make love to her. That would only cause more problems for everyone. “Just leave, please.”
He nodded and slipped out the front door. She closed and locked it behind him, listened to his big boots leave her porch. How could she believe or trust him when half the men on the post were trying to get between her thighs? Olivia could have Hannah and her child thrown off the post if she slept with Olivia’s fiancé, and the beauty was vengeful enough to do so. Hannah realized she must keep away from Colt, make plans to leave the fort as soon as possible. She drew a troubled sigh and went to get her son a dipperful of water.
Once back in bed, she lay there sleepless a long time, still tasting Colt’s hot mouth and feeling his virile body pressed against hers. The officer had aroused feelings in her that no man ever had before. Yes, she had to get away before she ruined both their lives.
Just after dawn, Hannah awakened and decided the cool of the morning would be a good time to pick vegetables to take over to the sutler’s. When she looked in on her little boy, he was still asleep. She dressed in one of Olivia’s castoffs, got her basket, and walked out behind the commissary. In less than an hour, the fort would be coming awake, but she was enjoying the peace and tranquility of her garden. She hadn’t slept well, thinking about Colt.
Hannah heard a sound as she picked tomatoes and looked up. Captain Van Smyth leaned against a corner of the building, stroking his wispy mustache. “Good morning, Mrs. Brownley.” He touched his hat politely.
“Good morning, Captain.” She didn’t like the way he was staring at her.
“You look like you’re working hard. Would you like some help?” He walked toward her.
She stood her ground. “No, thank you. I can manage. Isn’t it about time for roll call, Captain?”
“Not yet.” He grinned and moved closer. “I saw you come out your back door and thought I could help you pick all that stuff.”
“Thank you, but I can manage.” She kept her voice cold.
“Oh, don’t tell me you couldn’t use some help?” He paused near her and pulled a tomato. “These really look good. You’ve got a green thumb.”
She managed a wan smile. “So they tell me.”
He walked up and put the tomato in her basket. “Pishposh, this is too much work for a pretty thing like you.”
“I think you ought to be going,” she said, “before your commanding officer comes looking for you.”
“I’ve got a minute.” His voice lowered. “And you can be nice and give me a minute or two, can’t you?”
“No, I can’t.” She glared at him, standing her ground.
He faced her, staring at her. “You can give some filthy Injun buck some time but none for a white man? Come now, you white whore, I only want a quick—”
“Captain, if you don’t leave, I’ll scream.”
He advanced on her. “I don’t think you will. You’re too proud. All I want is for you to lay down here and give me a quick ride—”
She backed away, and he reached out and grabbed her sleeve. It tore away and she stumbled over a plant and they both went down between the rows of vegetables, with him on top of her. He was right, she was too proud to scream. Instead, she clawed at his face, and he cursed and ripped the front of her bodice. “Good Lord, you got nice tits! Now you just lay still and I’ll be through—”
Instead, she fought him with her nails and teeth, struggling to get out from under him. She managed to reach her basket and grabbed the small hand shovel and hit him across the face. He cursed and slapped her while she swung at him with the little shovel; then she rolled out from under him and ran toward her cabin, leaving him bloody and cursing behind her. The whole bodice of her dress was torn and her cheek stung where he had slapped her. Hannah locked the door behind her and was pinning her bodice closed when Travis came stumbling out of bed and into the kitchen.
“Mama, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, honey.” She turned her back on her son so he wouldn’t see the marks on her face and body. “I—I’ll fix you some oatmeal, okay? Now you go put your clothes on.”
The toddler turned and left the kitchen and Hannah took a deep breath of relief and leaned against the cabinet. She’d have to be more careful in the future now that word had gotten out around the fort she was a divorced woman and so, available. She must not let Colt find out what had just happened or there would be more trouble. Hannah was surrounded by men who needed women and they thought with her past, she should welcome any white man into her embrace.
Yes, she was going to have to leave this fort, but it would take time to get a little money. Hannah tried to calm her shaking hands while she made oatmeal and put on a pot of coffee for herself.
Over at his quarters, Colt had spent a sleepless night. After a while, a scrawny private brought him a breakfast tray, saluted, and was gone. Colt tasted it without much appetite. It wasn’t nearly as good as Hannah’s cooking. He went to the window and peered out.
The bugle sounded and the flag went up as soldiers stood at attention. A patrol rode out through the gate, headed for who knew where. He ought to be leading that patrol or at least advising them, but here he was confined to quarters.
He flopped down on his bunk and stared at the ceiling. Eventually he dropped off to sleep, and in his dreams, Hannah came into his arms willingly and her lips were as soft and tender as before, only this time, she kissed him back with all the passion that he could only hope for. It was last night again and she stood there in that sheer nightdress, pressed against him. He’d been a fool to go to her cabin. He could only cause trouble for them both.
There was a knock at the door that awakened him. Colt mumbled, “Come in, Private.”
Instead, Olivia poked her pretty head around the door. “I’ve brought you a lunch tray, you naughty boy.”
He sat up, blinking in surprise. “I thought you were furious with me.”
“I’ve decided to forgive you,” she announced grandly and came into the room, her fine pink skirts swishing as she put the tray down on his desk. “Daddy said you were just a wild young man feeling your oats.”
Colt sighed. “You haven’t told your father we have broken up?”
She shook her head and smiled up at him. “I’m giving you time to reconsider. After all, I have so much more to offer you than any other woman you’ll ever meet.”
“I reckon that’s true, but—”
“Don’t say another word, dear.” She tiptoed to the door. “I want to let you think. In the meantime, maybe I can get Daddy to lessen your sentence.”
He stood up, not wanting to be beholden to the girl, but knowing his men needed him. It was a form of blackmail, he knew, but he had duties to perform. “I’d be much obliged for that, Olivia. I need to be leadin’ my men, not cooped up here like some tame chicken.”
“I’ll talk to Daddy.” She winked at him as she went out the door.
What was he to do about this girl? Well, that wasn’t today’s problem. He was hungry because he hadn’t eaten much last night or this morning. He sat down at his desk and picked up a fork. He was sure Olivia hadn’t cooked this, but maybe her maid had sent something he could eat.
No such luck. He ate it slowly, but nothing was good. The vegetables were overcooked, the meat was tough, and the biscuits like cannonballs. Even the coffee was tepid and too weak.
He spent the rest of the day pacing and staring out the window, getting restless with no activity. Even the troopers marching on the parade ground looked more interesting than what he was stuck with.
That evening, there was a knock at the door and Colt sighed.
Neither Olivia nor the post food was something he was looking forward to. “Come in.”
The door opened and it was Hannah holding a tray. She stood there awkwardly, wearing a faded blue dress. “May I come in?”
“What are you doin’ here?” He motioned her in.
“I thought you might be hungry and so I made a chicken pot pie and a wild plum cobbler.”
He could smell the food from here and it smelled delicious. “That’s kind of you. Where’d you get the chicken?”
“I traded some laundry for it.”
That meant she had worked hard all morning for his benefit and he was touched. “You didn’t have to do that, Hannah. The army feeds me.”
She shrugged, brought the tray in, and set it on his desk. “I owe you something for your help yesterday and I always pay my debts.”
“Oh.” So that’s all it was. “Hannah”—he turned toward her—“about yesterday and last night. I’m sorry I took advantage—”
“No need to apologize, I understand.” Her blue eyes were cold. “You thought I owed you that, and I understand men—”
“No, it was more than that.”
She looked at him as if she wished she could believe him, then made a dismissing gesture. “Let’s not talk anymore. Your food will get cold.”
“But I want to explain—”
“You don’t owe me anything. I’ll always be grateful to you, Lieutenant, for rescuing me from the Comanche and then again yesterday. I can never really repay you.”
“Damn it, I don’t want repayment.” He strode over and caught her arm. For just a moment, they looked into each other’s eyes and he wanted to kiss her again, kiss her and hold her close and never let her go. Then he noticed the bruise on her cheek. “What happened to you?”
“Oh?” She reached up to touch the spot, winced, and turned away. “I—I fell, that’s all.”
Colt Page 17
