Survivor Pass

by Shirleen Davies

  “No children?”

  “Um, no.” She glanced toward the kitchen, grateful to see Suzanne carrying plates heaped with food to their table. “Thank you, Suzanne. This smells wonderful.” Alison inhaled as the plate was set down, her face flushing pink when her stomach growled.

  Smiling, she set Cash’s plate in front of him. “You let me know if I can get you anything else.” Suzanne filled their coffee cups, then moved on to another table.

  Cash tucked into his meal, casting curious glances at Alison, who picked at her food. The evening hadn’t gone quite as he expected. Her answers to simple questions seemed stilted, as if she were searching for the right words. Setting down his fork, he picked up his coffee, taking a sip as he considered his next words.

  “Do you plan to stay in Splendor?”

  “If business continues as it has, then yes, I’ll be here for a while. What about you, Cash? Is this now your home?”

  “As much of a home as I’ve had in a long time. Beau and I are talking about buying a small section of land, maybe raising some cattle. It’s a ways off yet.”

  “You’d both stop working for Sheriff Evans?”

  “No, ma’am. Gabe and the town have been good to me. Speaking for myself, I’d stay a deputy.”

  She took a few more bites, then pushed her plate away. The time had come to get some answers. “Do you have many instances of bank robberies?”

  Cash’s eyes widened at the abrupt change in direction of their conversation. The last topic he wanted to discuss was the robbery and its outcome. His gaze became hooded as he considered his answer. “I suppose no more than any frontier town.”

  “I see. Were any townspeople shot during the robbery a few months ago?”

  Placing the cup back on the table, he crossed his arms and leaned back. “Only the outlaws.”

  “And they all died?”

  “Yes, they did.” Although he tried to moderate it, his voice hardened with each answer.

  “Did you kill any of them?”

  Cash’s shoulders tensed, his back straightening. He didn’t like talking about the senseless waste of lives. The death of one young gang member in particular still haunted him.

  “Why so many questions, Alison? It was their decision to threaten the people of Splendor, and their misfortune to discover how far we’d go to protect the town.” Cash stopped when Suzanne replaced their supper plates with servings of pie. He couldn’t remember getting so many questions about the outlaws from a woman. Most wanted the slimmest details, enough to know the innocent were safe and the gang had paid. Alison wasn’t content with such a small amount of information. “Surely you don’t believe what happened was wrong.”

  The fork slipped from her fingers, clinking against the plate. Fumbling, she picked it up, lowering her voice when she saw other diners watching them.

  “No, of course not. It’s idle curiosity, nothing more.” Taking a regretful look at her pie, she pushed the almost full plate away, attempting a smile. “I’m afraid I can’t eat another bite.”

  He studied her face another moment, his doubts about her increasing when she failed to meet his gaze. Her answers, continued questions, and reasons for traveling across country to buy an almost worthless seamstress shop ate at him. Cash didn’t trust actions he couldn’t define or understand.

  Standing, he walked around the table, pulling out her chair. “I thought we could take a walk.”

  “That would be lovely.” She let out a shaky breath, smiling up at him as he helped straighten her shawl. His fingers lingered on her shoulders a little longer than necessary, his body moving behind her as he inhaled her unique scent of roses and lavender.

  The sensations passing through Cash were swift and powerful, causing his chest to tighten and gut to clench. He hadn’t felt this amount of desire for a woman in more years than he could remember. The fact he’d felt this way each time he’d been around Alison bothered him more than a little. The belief she hadn’t been truthful with him should have caused him to ignore the attraction and walk away. Instead, the allure became more intense, chipping away at his defenses.

  Snatching up his coat and hat, he held out his arm, trying to calm the conflicting emotions of attraction and apprehension. He needed to sort out the contradictions before doing something he couldn’t undo.

  “I thought we’d take the path below Noah and Abby’s house. There’s a clearing not far up with a beautiful view of town and the mountains. Have you been there?”

  Alison thought it sounded perfect. “To be honest, I haven’t been outside of town since I arrived. The Pelletiers invited me for supper, but running the store and keeping up with orders has taken all my time.” She slipped her arm through his, tightening her grip as they started up the slight incline.

  “I’m going to supper at the Pelletier’s tomorrow. Why don’t you join me?” He winced, wishing he could pull the words back, not understanding what inspired him to extend the invitation. His friends would be fine with Alison coming along. If she said yes, he’d be forced to spend most of his day with her, which wasn’t a good idea—not with his misgivings about her past, or the strong desire he felt, which intensified with each minute they shared.

  “If you’re sure you wouldn’t mind, I’d be pleased to accompany you.” As they walked into a meadow, she turned her gaze toward the mountains, gasping at the sight. “Oh, Cash. It’s incredible.” Dropping her arm from his, she stepped closer to the edge of the clearing, looking down on the town, then letting her gaze sweep over the surrounding hills as the sun’s rays disappeared to the west. Clasping her hands in front of her, she took a deep breath of clean air, unable to control the smile spreading across her face. “It’s simply beautiful.”

  Watching her face light up and her eyes shine, he allowed himself a moment to be caught up in her unrestrained enthusiasm. For the first time since the war, Cash wished he didn’t feel so tired and cynical. Wished he had a life to offer a beautiful woman such as Alison, who seemed to embrace each day, even when faced with loss and hardship.

  Flashing him a mischievous grin, she gripped his arm, pulling him forward. “Let’s get closer.”

  Chuckling, Cash let her drag him a few steps closer to the sloping edge of the meadow, getting a better view of Splendor. Candles and lamps were lit as the sun set, allowing a yellow glow to filter onto the street. A few people walked the boardwalk. Some alone, some couples arm-in-arm as they finished their day. A normal evening in a remote, quiet town on the frontier.

  “Who would have thought Splendor would be such a beautiful place?” Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Cash, her face inches from his.

  His gaze locked with hers as his hands moved to her waist, turning her toward him. “I’ve never seen such a gorgeous sight as tonight.” Slowly lowering his head, he waited for her to turn, move away, and break the spell. Instead, she settled her hands on his arms, steadying herself, waiting.

  Alison’s breath hitched when she felt Cash’s hands grip her waist, but she couldn’t pull away, didn’t want to break the contact. His large palms and strong fingers almost spanned her slim body, drawing her closer as his gaze held hers.

  She’d been kissed once by a boy from a neighboring farm. It had lasted seconds and made no impression, other than causing her to grimace and swipe an arm across her mouth. He’d wanted to do it again. Instead, she’d pushed him away, turned, and ran as fast as possible back to her home. Her feelings today couldn’t be more different.

  Although unwise and against all her plans, Alison looked up, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. She closed her eyes at the feel of his lips brushing hers.

  On a low groan, Cash slanted his mouth over hers, ignoring the warnings in his head in favor of the sensations she made him feel. Warmth spread through his body as she allowed him to take control, sweeping his tongue into her mouth when her lips parted on a sigh. She tasted of coffee and pie. He couldn’t get enough and deepened the kiss, tightening his hold, aligning his body w
ith hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, brushing her fingers through his hair.

  Her taste, touch, and unique scent messed with his rational thought and common sense. For a man used to dealing with situations in cool, dispassionate logic, Cash felt all control slip away as their embrace and actions became more zealous.

  Knowing he had to stop before the passion caused them both to lose all restraint, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers, his breathing unsteady and ragged.

  Taking a step back, Alison looked into eyes reflecting the same desire and confusion she felt. When he placed one more kiss on her forehead, she inhaled a deep breath, touching a finger to her still sensitive lips.

  Clearing his throat, Cash grasped her hand in his. “We should be going before we lose sight of the path.”

  Unable to form a coherent thought, Alison nodded, leaving her hand in his as he guided her off the hill and back toward town. Neither of them spoke until they stood outside the door to her shop. At least the time had allowed her to get her breathing and erratic heartbeat under control.

  “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Cash. It was…well…unexpected.”

  Eyes dark and hooded, he pulled her close for one more kiss before setting her aside so as not to draw attention from those few people still on the street. Clearing his throat, he glanced around, searching for control.

  “I’ll come by at noon tomorrow and we’ll head out to the Pelletier’s. That is if you’re still interested in going with me.”

  “Yes, I’d like to go if you’re certain they won’t mind.” She sucked in a breath, realizing they’d be alone during the ride, posing a temptation she didn’t need. Alison wrapped her arms around her waist to help control the shivers from their brief, intense kiss. “Perhaps it would be best for me to wait. I don’t want to impose.” She let her gaze slowly move from his chest to the opening at the top of his shirt before traveling to his face, which now held an easy smirk.

  “You’re not afraid to be alone with me, are you, Mrs. Burns?” He leaned forward, his warm breath washing over her cheeks, his lips brushing hers.

  Drawing away and straightening her shoulders, she glared at him. “Of course not, Mr. Coulter.”

  Moving close to her ear, he lowered his already husky voice. “You should be, Alison.”

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Nine

  Big Pine, Montana

  “Telegram came for you, Sheriff.” The clerk from the Western Union office dropped the message on Parker Sterling’s desk.

  Opening it, Sterling read through the telegram twice, mumbling a curse before looking back at the clerk. “You go back and send a reply to the sheriff in Bloody Basin. Tell him I want any information he has, including descriptions. And tell him I think this is the Penderville gang.” He stood, resting both hands on the desk, considering what he needed to do to protect the town. Looking up, he saw the man hadn’t moved. “That’s it. Get back to me right away with his reply.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Strapping on his gun belt and grabbing his hat, Sterling dashed outside, running toward the restaurant his deputies favored for lunch. When they saw the look on his face, all three pushed their plates aside and stood.

  “We have trouble, Sheriff?” Tall and lanky with skin leathered from years in the sun, the oldest deputy had known Parker for years and could read him as well as anyone.

  Parker stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Appears the Penderville gang robbed the bank in Bloody Basin. Thankfully, the sheriff got wind of it beforehand and was prepared. Killed a couple of the outlaws, but the rest got away. Tracks indicate they’re riding west.”

  “Toward Big Pine?”

  “Seems likely. Finish your meals, then meet me at the jail. I need to round up the others.” Sterling stormed outside, heading toward the end of town where his other deputies would be bunked down after their overnight shift. Pounding on the door of the house provided by the town, he didn’t wait for an answer, barging inside. Shaking awake a deputy collapsed on the sofa, he moved to one of the closed doors and threw it open, his jaw going slack as he took in the sight of a naked female straddling his youngest deputy.

  “Gall darn, Felix. I told you not to bring your women here.” He almost laughed at the panicked scream and terrified expression on the young woman’s face as she fell to the floor, scrambling to pick up her clothes. “Sorry, ma’am, but I need Felix at the jail.” He didn’t recognize her. By her bright red face and tears streaming down her cheeks, he guessed she must be the daughter of one of the ranchers who seldom brought their families to town.

  “Yes, sir, Sheriff.” Nineteen, good-looking, and cocky, Felix flew off the bed as if it were on fire, fought with his pants until he finally got his legs through the openings, then jammed his arms into his shirt. “Sorry, Sheriff. This won’t happen again.”

  Sterling held up his hand, shaking his head. “I don’t want to hear it, boy. One more time and you’re out. The town isn’t paying for this house so you or the others can bring your women here. You pay for your own place if that’s what you want. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, sir. I reckon I do.”

  “You roust the others. I need you all at the jail in ten minutes.” Sterling moved toward the door, then turned around. “No more than ten or don’t bother coming, Felix.” Slamming the front door behind him, Sterling grumbled to himself about taking on the mayor’s youngest son. He should’ve told the man no, but he’d given Felix a chance. Damn if the boy wasn’t messing up this opportunity, just as he had the others his daddy had provided.

  “Sheriff!”

  Sterling glanced across the street to see the telegraph clerk running toward him.

  “I got that reply you expected.” He shoved it at the sheriff. “If you don’t need me, I should get back to the office.”

  Sterling nodded, reading the message from the sheriff in Bloody Basin. By the descriptions, he had no doubt the Penderville gang were the robbers and were now riding hard toward Big Pine.

  Splendor, Montana

  “Alison! What a wonderful surprise.” Rachel dashed outside and down the porch steps as Cash helped Alison down from the wagon.

  “She almost didn’t come, but I assured her you and the others wouldn’t mind.” Cash let his hands linger on Alison’s waist a moment longer than necessary before she stepped away.

  The ride to the Pelletier ranch had been uneventful. Cash had been a complete gentleman, even if he did keep his mouth clamped shut most of the trip. She’d been careful to stay clear of any mention of the bank robbery or his part in stopping the outlaws. Instead, she’d focused on the scenery, the weather, and questions about the Pelletiers.

  “You’re always welcome on Sundays, Alison. Luke and Ginny ride over from their place, and several of the ranch hands usually join us. It’s our ritual after church.”

  Alison’s face heated a little at the mention of Sunday services. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d set foot in a church. It had to be close to a year.

  “Thank you, Rachel. Cash said the same, but I still didn’t want to intrude.”

  “Hey, Cash. Glad you could join us.” Dax Pelletier strolled out of the barn, then clasped his friend’s hand and slapped him on the back. “Where’s Beau?”

  A wry grin twisted his lips. “He is taking his meal with Caroline Iverson.”

  “Caro?” Rachel broke in, her eyes widening.

  “Yes, ma’am. He’s grown pretty fond of her.” Cash stepped closer to Alison, refraining from slipping an arm over her shoulders.

  “Well, I’ll be. She hasn’t said a word to me. Maybe Ginny knows.” Rachel turned at the sound of the front door closing.

  “Maybe I know what?” Ginny’s expression brightened at the sight of Cash and Alison. “Hello, you two. Where’s Beau?” She glanced behind them, not seeing Beau’s horse.

  “He’s having Sunday supper with Caro.” Rachel crossed her arms, arching a brow at Ginny.

  “Well, we
ll…” Ginny’s voice trailed off as she thought of Beau and Caro together.

  “Now, ladies. Don’t go jumping to any conclusions.” Dax circled an arm around Rachel’s waist, drawing her close. “They’ve become friends since she moved to Splendor. Everyone knows she plans to move on to San Francisco in a few months. Right, Cash?”

  “I haven’t heard otherwise.”

  “All right, everyone. Supper’s on the table.” Luke stood on the front porch, holding the door open. “Lydia says to come quick or the ranch hands will gobble it all up.”

  “Is Bull already inside?” Cash asked, feigning concern.

  “Sure is. As you know, that boy can eat an entire cow.” Luke laughed, slipping his hand into Ginny’s when she stepped beside him.

  “Bull, how is it going as the new foreman of Redemption’s Edge?” Cash forked another piece of roast beef, his gaze focusing on the man across the table. Having muscled arms, molasses-colored hair, kind eyes, and an almost boyish face, Bull already worked at the ranch when Dax and Luke inherited it from a friend they’d served with as Texas Rangers. He’d proven himself over and over, earning the foreman position over men who were older with more experience.

  “Good, Cash.” Bull cast a furtive glance at Lydia sitting next to him. It was no secret to those at the table that the two were attracted to each other—had been since Lydia and the other orphans were brought to the Pelletier ranch and made part of the extended family. Unfortunately, Bull had yet to state his feelings and make his intentions known.

  “Any plans for changes?” Cash noticed his questions were drawing the attention of others at the table. Most notably, Dax and Luke.