Edward let out his breath. Bodine had told him more than he had realized. Edward was beginning to put the pieces together. There were still a lot missing, but he would find out the rest.
He swore under his breath when he thought of the kind of scum who would try to force themselves on a helpless woman. He found that he could not stand the thought of someone touching Victoria with that end in mind.
Edward mounted his horse and rode back to Rio del Lobo. He would send Estancio for the heifer.
10
The day had been unusually hot. It was like the inside of an oven in the house. After dinner, Victoria took a cool bath, hoping it would give her some relief. She dressed in a light cotton gown, and piled her hair on top of her head. She went downstairs and found Bodine on the front porch.
"Come on out and sit beside me, honey. It is a little cooler out here." He moved over so she could share the top step with him.
"Do you think Grandmother will be home tonight?" Victoria asked.
"No, I do not look for her until morning. She usually spends two days when she goes to San Antonio. You should have gone with her; you would have enjoyed yourself."
"I will go with her next time. I did not feel like making a long trip in this heat. Why is it so hot, Bodine?"
"One reason is because we have had no rain. If the rain does not come soon, we are going to be in a lot of trouble."
The sun was just going down. The sky was aglow with pink, red, and orange streaks. It was as though an artist had splashed colors across the sky.
"That is one of the sunsets you were telling me about when we were in Georgia, Bodine. It is as if the sun is fighting with the night, holding it at bay, refusing to give in, until the dark eventually wins."
He smiled. "I never thought of it quite that way. It is the artist in you talking."
They heard riders coming down the road. When they were close enough, Victoria recognized Edward Hanover, and half a dozen Mexican vaqueros. She and Bodine stood up and waited for them to approach the ranch house.
Edward smiled at Victoria. "Good evening, Miss Farraday."
"Hello, Mr. Hanover," she replied.
Edward had a gun and holster strapped about his waist. The butt of a rifle was resting on his thigh.
"You going hunting?" Bodine asked.
Edward dismounted and slipped his rifle into a holster that was attached to his saddle. He walked up the steps and shook hands with Bodine.
"We are hunting cougar. I thought you might like to ride along."
Bodine smiled. "It has been quite a while since I have hunted a cougar."
Edward leaned against the porch. "This cat is a big one. His paws are the size of my hand."
Bodine whistled through his teeth.
Edward continued, "He brought down a dozen head of cattle in the last week."
"That's bad," Bodine said.
"Yes, and it gets worse. Last night, he got into the Patterson corral and killed two horses."
"He is awfully desperate if he will come in that close to civilization," Bodine said. "Do you have any idea where his den is?"
Edward nodded. "Estancio tracked him to the west mesa, about ten miles from here."
"That is on Anderson land," Bodine said.
"Yes, and that is why I thought you might like to come along."
"You bet I would. Are you planning on camping out?"
"If we do not get him tonight, we will stay with it until we do. I do not need to tell you how dangerous this cat is."
"Give me ten minutes to round up my gear and saddle a horse."
Bodine left and Edward turned to Victoria. "You look very crisp and cool for such a hot evening," he told her, smiling.
She ignored the compliment. "A cougar, that is a mountain lion, is it not?"
"One and the same," he answered.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"It will be for the cat." He smiled.
Bodine came from the house, set his saddlebag down on the porch and hurried to the barn to saddle his horse.
Victoria looked up at Edward. "Is it necessary to kill the animal?"
"I am afraid so. He is becoming a real menace. Miss Farraday, are you still angry with me?"
"I have not given it much thought, Mr. Hanover."
"When you do think about it, will you remember that I am apologizing?" She looked at him quickly, but he had already turned from her and mounted his horse, making it unnecessary for her to reply.
Bodine returned, leading his horse. He took his gear from the front porch and tied it to the back of his saddle. Victoria stood beside him.
"You will be careful, Bodine?"
He slipped his rifle into the saddle holster and turned to her. "Do not fret, Imp. I assure you there is no danger." He climbed into the saddle. "Tell your grandmother where I have gone. Do not expect me until you see me coming. Good night, honey."
Victoria looked at Edward Hanover, who was smiling down at her. "We will bring you the skin as a trophy," he told her.
"No, thank you, Mr. Hanover. Just send Bodine back in one piece."
They spurred their horses and rode away just as the sun lost its battle with the night. Victoria shivered in spite of the heat, and walked into the house.
Bodine sat by the campfire, a cup of coffee in his hand. The vaqueros had turned in for the night, and Edward Hanover had gone to check on the horses. They had been tracking the cougar for two days, with no results.
Edward returned and sat down across from Bodine. "The horses are restless," he said. "I think the cat is near."
"This one has me puzzled," Bodine told him. "It is as if he knows what we are going to do before we do."
Edward nodded. "If Estancio, who is the best damned tracker in Texas, cannot find him, no one can.
"Maybe we ought to let the cat find us," Bodine said, tossing his leftover coffee into the fire, causing it to shoot out sparks.
"He is watching us right now," Edward said. "I can feel it."
"Maybe."
The two men were silent for a moment. Edward was remembering Victoria, her face turned up to Bodine's, her eyes full of concern. He wondered at their strange relationship. He looked at the giant man beside him. "Miss Farraday seems to be very fond of you, Bodine. I am puzzled by your closeness."
Bodine stared into the fire. "She is the dearest thing in the world to me. I love her as if she were my own daughter."
Edward watched his face. "Tell me about her."
Bodine looked at him, then leaned against his saddle, which was lying on the ground behind him. Bodine had begun to like Edward Hanover. He was a man who commanded respect. Bodine had watched Edward with his vaqueros, and knew they held him in high regard, not only as their patron, but also as a man. Bodine also knew Edward was interested in Victoria.
"It is hard to describe Victoria to anyone," he said quietly. "You cannot judge her by the standards you would any other woman. She can be completely feminine one moment, then change right before your eyes. She is completely honest; she hates dishonesty of any kind. She is brave and fearless. I have seen her face dangers that would cow the strongest man; yet, she met them straight on. She can outride most men," Bodine said with pride. "That is my fault partly. I had her on her first horse when she was two years old. On the other hand, she can sit in a room with the cream of society and charm the most formidable critics."
"This Paul 0'Brian that Miss Farraday spoke of, do you think he is still alive?"
Bodine smiled to himself. "I do not know, but if he is, you can be sure he will turn up someday."
"She will marry him?"
"They have been inseparable since she was small." Bodine felt he had said enough. "You want to take the first watch, or shall I?"
Edward rose to his feet. "Why don't you take the first? Wake me about two, and I will relieve you."
Bodine nodded. He sat by the fire, wondering if Edward's interest in Victoria was merely because she was beautiful, or if it went deeper than that.
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An hour passed. The camp was quiet. Bodine heard the lonely howl of a coyote, and the answer from its mate. He rose and placed more wood on the fire, wishing it was not necessary to have a fire, because of the heat it gave off.
Bodine heard the horses move about nervously. He walked away from the fire and down the embankment to where they were tethered. He looked about for some sign of their unrest. Edward had been right, he thought. The cat was nearby. He started back to camp, when he heard a twig snap over his head. He cursed himself for a fool. He should never have come away from the camp without his rifle.
Just above his head, crouched to leap at him, was the biggest cougar he had ever seen. The yellow eyes looked at him menacingly. In that moment, Bodine faced death. He never flinched or took his eyes from the cat; he merely waited for the inevitable.
He saw the cat spring into the air. Bodine stood waiting for the impact, when a shot rang out, and the cat fell with a thud, inches from him. Bodine let out a sigh of relief, and turned to his savior, Edward Hanover.
Edward ran down the embankment, and stood in front of Bodine, his rifle aimed at the body of the cougar. He nudged it with the toe of his boot. Then, satisfied that it was dead, he leaned down to examine it. Bodine knelt beside him.
"A clean shot, right through the heart," Bodine told him.
"That is the biggest damned cat I have ever seen," Edward said.
The two men's eyes met. "Thanks," Bodine said quietly.
"I heard the horses acting up," Edward told him, "and came to investigate."
"Lucky for me that you did."
Edward smiled at him. "You neglected to bring your rifle."
"Yeah," Bodine answered. "I am more than a little embarrassed about that. Too long in the civilization of Georgia, I guess."
The vaqueros had heard the shot and gathered around the dead cougar, amazed at the size of it.
"Which one of you shot it?" Estancio asked.
"Your patron did," Bodine answered. "He used me for bait."
Edward and Bodine laughed, and Bodine stuck his hand out to Edward. They shook hands. Neither man spoke; there was no need.
11
The heat continued. The badly needed rain did not come. High, sparse clouds could be seen almost every day, but they moved over the baked land, without dropping their precious moisture.
Victoria's life had settled into an easy routine. She had become acquainted with several of the sons and daughters of nearby ranchers, and found that she liked them very much. Dan had escorted her to many of the functions the community had for its young people. It was so good to feel young and to be with those her own age, but still, when she thought of Farraday Plantation, she was overcome with homesickness, and there was always the desire to see Paul.
That afternoon, there was to be a box supper to raise money for the badly needed schoolhouse. Her grandmother had explained to Victoria that each girl would prepare a box of food, and the men would bid for them at an auction. The man who bid the highest on a certain box would then have not only the contents of the box, but also the young lady's company for the remainder of the day.
"But what if the girl does not care for the man who has bid on her box?" Victoria asked.
Her grandmother smiled. "It is all done in the spirit of fun, and is not to be taken too seriously, although I suspect some girls cheat a bit, and describe their boxes to their sweethearts." Her grandmother's eyes twinkled. "I did once, and as a result, your grandfather proposed to me."
"How perfectly romantic," Victoria said.
"Dan came by this morning while I was preparing your box," her grandmother said meaningfully.
Victoria smiled at her. "So he knows what it looks like?"
Her grandmother looked at Victoria innocently. "I could not help it if he was present when I tied a red ribbon about a box with red hearts on it."
"Oh, Grandmother, you are really something! I am glad, though, for I feel very comfortable with Dan."
"Is that all you feel for him, Victoria?" she asked.
"Yes. He has been a very good friend. He knows I am waiting for Paul."
"Suppose Paul does not return?" her grandmother asked.
"I will not let myself dwell on that possibility. If he is unharmed, he will come to me."
Her grandmother placed her hand on Victoria's shoulder. "If he is what you really want, I will pray for his safe return. Still, child, the war was over some time ago. You may have to face the possibility that he did not return."
"No!" Victoria told her. "I cannot."
"One more thing I would caution you about. I think Dan is beginning to care for you a great deal, Victoria. I would not like to see him get hurt."
"Oh, no, Grandmother, we are just friends. He has never indicated to me that he felt anything other than friendship."
Her grandmother rose from the chair where she had been sitting. "You had better run along now and get ready. Bodine is driving us today, and you know how he feels if he has to wait around."
Victoria went to her bedroom and started to dress. She pulled a simple blue cotton dress over her head. It buttoned up the front with tiny blue buttons, and the collar fit snugly about her throat. She tied her hair back from her face with a matching blue ribbon.
Victoria thought of Edward Hanover, and wondered if he would attend the box supper. Why did he keep creeping into her consciousness? she wondered. Why could she not put him out of her thoughts? She had not seen him since the evening he had taken Bodine hunting with him.
At the numerous functions to which Dan had taken her, Victoria's eyes had always searched for Edward's dark, handsome face. She supposed it was because his name came up so often. The girls seemed to talk of little else when they were in a group. Victoria remembered Charlotte Baxter's comments at a barn-raising she had attended last week:
"When he looks at me with those dark eyes, I feel positively faint."
"Yes," another girl had said, "he is so big and strong. Once I bumped into him and would have fallen if he had not caught me. It was heavenly when he smiled at me."
Victoria was brought back to the present by Bodine's voice from the bottom of the stairs. "Victoria," he called impatiently, "you are keeping the horses waiting."
She grabbed the blue bonnet that matched her dress, and flew down the stairs.
Bodine helped Victoria and her grandmother from the carriage and carried the boxes toward the waiting tables. The box supper was being held at the same place as the picnic, where Victoria had met Edward Hanover many weeks before.
Victoria was soon surrounded by her many friends. "Come on," Charlotte Baxter told her, linking her arm with Victoria's, "let us watch the shooting contest."
The morning was spent in light-hearted fun. Dan and several of the young men had joined them. They watched the horse races, a greased-pig contest, and a tow-sack race. Victoria did not know when she had had more fun. She cheered Dan on as he entered the horseshoe-throwing contest. He won and presented her with a small wooden clown whose arms and legs moved up and down when she pulled a string. At three, a loud bell rang out as a signal that it was time to bid on the boxes.
"Now," said Dan, smiling at Victoria, "the fun really begins."
The girls were all made to stand in a row. As their boxes were auctioned off, they were to come forward to be claimed by the bidder. The Reverend Blackstone was the auctioneer. He pounded his gavel on the table and called them to order. "As you know," he began, "our church house has doubled for a schoolhouse during the week, and although I am for education as much as the rest of you, I am tired of members of my congregation coming to me after the Sunday service complaining of chewing gum stuck to their Sunday best." Everyone laughed. "Let the auction begin." He smiled good-naturedly.
Victoria was laughing along with the rest of the crowd. She noticed that her grandmother had indeed been correct when she had told her that some of the girls would inform their beaus which boxes were theirs. Many a young man walked off with the girl of hi
s choice.
The reverend picked up Victoria's box. "What am I bid for this box? It has hearts on it." He made a great show of sniffing the contents as he had with the previous boxes. "Come on, men, speak up."
Dan opened the bidding for five dollars.
Someone else offered six and another seven. Unknown to Victoria, many of the young men had been waiting for Dan to bid, knowing he would be bidding on her box.
"Fifteen dollars," Dan said.
"Twenty," said another.
Victoria held her breath. She hoped the price did not get too high for Dan.
"Twenty-five dollars," Dan said.
Victoria waited, hoping the bidding had come to an end.
"Thirty," said a handsome, red-headed man. He had shown Victoria a lot of attention earlier in the day, and she thought he was very nice, but, still, she would rather be with Dan.
"Forty dollars," Dan said.
The crowd began to murmur. That was the most anyone had bid so far. Victoria smiled at Dan gratefully.
"Two hundred dollars," said a new voice.
All eyes went to the newcomer. It was Edward Hanover. Victoria looked at him. He stood with his back against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest. The crowd was silent. The reverend asked if there were any more bids. Victoria's eyes flew to Dan, but he knew he could not outbid Edward Hanover. She could see the disappointment on his face. "Sold to Edward Hanover," the Reverend Blackstone said.
Edward walked leisurely up to the table and the reverend presented him with his prize.
"Always happy to contribute to the cause of higher education," Edward said carelessly, paying the price.
The crowd laughed. "Edward, you have done more than that today." The reverend chuckled.
Victoria moved slowly toward Edward. She could feel the crowd's eyes on her. Her face was flushed. Edward extended his arm and she placed her hand on it. They moved away from the crowd. She heard the reverend's voice:
"Come on men. You saw how generous Edward was. Open up your pockets to a good cause. What am I bid on this box?"
Edward was leading her to the spot on the hillside where they had picnicked so long ago it seemed.
Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) Page 12
