Cowboy from the Future

by Cassandra Gannon

  This eternal landscape has been the home of more creatures than we can imagine and, each day, it continues to nurture new life.

  Brown’s Glampling Tours Official Pocket Guide

  “This is ridiculous.” Addy rolled her eyes as Deke hustled her into the Big Rock Gambling Hall. “What are we even doing here? We’re supposed to be buying more supplies for the trip to Yellowstone.”

  “We’re out of money, remember?”

  “Well, we’re not going to win more in this place.” She glanced around the seedy interior. “I don’t even know how to play these games and I’m sure they’re rigged.”

  The casino looked like someone had taken the worst dive in Vegas, tossed it into a blender with the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World, and then run over unholy concoction with a garbage truck. Half-filled with marginal people, the whole place reeked of alcohol and despair.

  “What are you talking about?” Deke frowned, somewhere between insulted and confused. “This is the nicest place in Big Rock.”

  Addy didn’t want to hurt his feelings by laughing. “Right. Well, I still think we’d do better raising money another way. Are you sure we don’t have anything left to sell?”

  “Just Cade’s tools.”

  “Lord, why did we even bring those from the saloon? They should be destroyed for the good of the world.” Addy shook her head. “Well, we could trade my iPhone or the state-of-the-art bear whistle.” She paused and went back to her original idea. “Or we could rob a bank.”

  Deke sat down at one of the dirty tables, glancing around like he was waiting for someone. She’d talked him into buying a new flannel shirt and some kind-of-normal pants, so he looked a lot better. Addy was a big Come on Eileen fan, but the bare chested overall look was just a huge styling “don’t,” she didn’t care what the rest of Big Rock seemed to think.

  “We’re not robbing a bank.” Deke repeated in a long suffering tone. For all his surliness, Deke was firmly committed to remaining more Roy Rogers and less Billy the Kid. Talking him into a life of crime was proving difficult. “You’ll have plenty of supplies for your trip west, because I’m not going.”

  Addy didn’t accept that. She wanted all three members of her makeshift family with her, so she could keep an eye on them. “You have to come.” She informed him simply.

  “I’m not going back into the Wilderness. Not even for you.”

  Addy snorted. They’d just see about that. “Anyway, I think we can pull off an amazing heist.” She continued. “I’ve seen Point Break --like-- twenty-six times, so I have all these great ideas. It’s Patrick Swayze’s third best performance, after Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse.” She paused. “And maybe Red Dawn.”

  Deke ignored that film critique. “We’re not robbing a bank.”

  “Why not? It’s the Wild West and we’re outlaws. I’m telling you, hold-ups are practically our mission statement. You’ll be sorry if you let this opportunity slip away.”

  “We’re not robbing a bank, Addy.”

  Westins were a stubborn breed. She tried a compromise. “A train, then. We can wear handkerchiefs as masks and blow the safe with dynamite and be very Dalton Gang.” She hesitated. “Did the Dalton Gang rob trains?”

  Deke arched a bored brow. “What’s a train?”

  “Lord, you’re impossible.” She flopped down in the seat across from him. The wooden chair looked like it had been set on fire, but it was still sturdier than any of the furniture Cade had built back at their saloon. Not that she was even thinking about the jerk she’d accidently fallen in love with. “Where’s Jake? He’d get my idea.”

  “He probably would, since you two share a maturity level. He’s with Cade, though. We’re supposed to meet them here.”

  That news had Addy leaping to her feet, just as fast as she sat down. “I don’t want to meet Cade anywhere! I told you, I’m never speaking to him, again.”

  “He’s an ass.” Deke soothed. “A big one. You’re right to be pissed. But just give him a chance to fix things.”

  “He doesn’t even know they’re broken! I guarantee you, that idiot has no idea why I’m mad at him.” She tossed her hair back, riding high on indignation. “So fine. I’m over it. That asshole doesn’t want to ask me to stay? I’ll just go home to my nice condo and he can languish here in Unforgiven, remembering me and the beautiful time we shared…”

  Deke cut off her rant, before she got to the really good part. “What if you’re pregnant?”

  Addy stopped short. “Pregnant?” She echoed blankly.

  “Yep. Sometimes that happens when you ‘share’ a beautiful time with an asshole.”

  Uh-oh.

  She’d never had to worry about being pregnant before, so Addy hadn’t been worrying about it now. Truthfully, it hadn’t even occurred to her. Except now those feeling she sometimes got redlined into the strongest certainty she’d ever experienced.

  She was pregnant.

  Addy sank back down in her seat. “…well shit.”

  Deke gestured for the bartender to bring them some drinks, taking in her pallor. “Don’t panic. If it happens, Cade will stand by you. You know that. Hell, just hint at the possibility and he’ll probably beg you not to leave.”

  “That’s not the point.” Addy tried to think through her shock. “I want him to ask me because he loves me, not because of a baby.”

  “What are you talking about?” Deke scoffed. “Of course he loves you.”

  “I know he loves me, but he hasn’t said it!”

  “Why does he have to say it? It’s fucking obvious.”

  “God, men are stupid.” A guy with orange hair and a feline beard straight out of the Broadway production of Cats brought over two glasses of mysterious liquor. Addy gratefully grabbed one, with only a passing thought to the cleanliness of the tankard. “Cade has to say it, because I want to hear it, alright?”

  “Did you tell him that?”

  “Telling him defeats the whole purpose. He’s supposed to say it spontaneously.”

  “How’s he supposed to know to say it spontaneously, if you don’t tell him?”

  “Jesus, why do I even bother talking to Westins? It’s like debating with three brick walls.” Addy brought the drink to her lips and then froze. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being pregnant, but she was beginning to suspect she liked the idea and she wasn’t taking any chances. “Do you think this drink might be dangerous to maybe-babies?”

  “Hell, I think it’s dangerous to everyone.” Deke took an unconcerned swallow. “Anyway, alls I’m saying is, Cade and you belong together.”

  “Tell him that.” Addy grumbled, wondering if this town sold pregnancy tests. Hell, did she even need one? She was feeling really, really sure about this.

  “I will tell him.” Deke assured her. “I have told him. If you would just…”

  The off-kilter clang of not!piano interrupted his relentless matchmaking. Addy glanced towards the small stage, squinting in confusion when she saw Jake sitting on the odd-shaped bench. He gave her a wave and then went back to testing the keys, trying to figure out the notes on the unfamiliar instrument.

  “About fucking time.” Deke muttered.

  Addy frowned. “What in the world is he…?”

  “We’re ready for the big dance number.” Cade announced from behind her.

  Addy whirled around in surprise, an annoying burst of pleasure blooming at the sight of him. “What?” She hadn’t heard him approach and now he was looming over her, looking beautiful and determined. It took her a second to catch up with what he’d said. “Hang on, did you just kind of ask me to dance?”

  “Kind of.”

  Her eyes narrowed, refusing to smile at that answer. The father of her maybe-baby really was a flirt. “Why?”

  He held out a hand. “Because, I seem to recall you mentioning that you’d been waiting a long time for your epic romance.”

  “Is that what this is? Epic romance? I expected more rose petals and less mold growin
g on the walls.” In case he’d missed it, she gestured around the casino. A garden of unknown spores blossomed on a stylish mural of naked women cavorting with snakes.

  “Whatever rose petals are, I promise to get you some after we dance.”

  Despite Addy’s best efforts, her mouth curved. “Ask me for real and I’ll say yes.”

  Cade didn’t hesitate. “Will you dance with me, Adeline?”

  “Yes.” She took hold of her palm and let him draw her to her feet.

  Jacobi had figured out the not!piano and started pounding out one of the two songs he (barely) knew: Time After Time by the Cyndi Lauper. He was missing every third note, but it sounded pretty darned good to her. He’d clearly had an exceptional teacher.

  Addy stepped into Cade’s arms, her hand coming up to his wide shoulder. “How did you convince your brothers to help you with this and keep straight faces?”

  “Threats.”

  She didn’t doubt it. “If I’d said ‘no,’ were they instructed to carry me to the dance floor over their heads?”

  “No. We were going with a lasso.”

  Addy didn’t doubt that either. “You’re just lucky the answer it always ‘yes’ when you ask, cowboy. Even when I’m furious at you.” She looked around. “And this is a little bit romantic, I guess. …If I ignore the drunken gamblers staring at us and God awful smells of this place.”

  If the patrons of Big Rock Gambling Hall disapproved of a Voltyn dancing with a human, none of them were sober enough to verbally complain. Or maybe they were just smart enough to notice that Deke had set his gun on the table, just in case anyone caused any trouble. Either way, it was a real step up from the open bigotry in Shadow-of-the-Gods.

  Addy smiled. Maybe she and Cade could just stay here and make a life for themselves. They could open a saloon or even a casino. There was clearly room in the market for a nicer gambling establishment, if this was the best place in town. They could buy someplace with a big yard for the maybe-baby. Jake could play the not!piano for the guests. Deke could be the bouncer and intimidate people. Cade could do the business-y part and Addy could do their marketing. It could really work.

  Cade’s palm settled on her waist, unaware that she was already thinking of color schemes. “I know you’re mad at me, but I’m sorry for whatever it is I did, Addy. I swear to you, I didn’t intend to do it. I didn’t even know I did it. That last thing I want is you angry. I want you to forgive me.”

  “I’m considering it.” She shot him a quick look, gauging his reaction. “Has it occurred to you that I might be pregnant?”

  “Yes.” For such a big man, he moved so smoothly. Voltyn reflexes really were a gift. Cade guiding her around the makeshift dance floor like he’d trained at Kellermans’ itself. Even Johnny Castle and Baby would’ve been wowed.

  “Yes?” She repeated, refusing to be impressed. “That’s all you have to say about the possibility of becoming a father?”

  He thought for a beat. “Well… I would like a girl.”

  Addy didn’t know why, but that casual response had her relaxing. Damn if Cade didn’t look pleased with the idea of Addy Junior entering the world. “You’re such an asshole.” She laid her head on his shoulder and let out a contented sigh.

  “Oh alright, we’ll have a boy. Gods help you if he turns out like my brothers, though.” He rested his cheek on the top of her hair. “Now would be a good time to tell me that you sort of love me.” He murmured.

  “I’ve already told you that I sort of love you.”

  “So what’s the harm in telling me again? Unless you’ve changed your mind.” Cade maneuvered her into a very modern-style twirl.

  Okay, Addy was a little impressed. “I haven’t changed my mind. I sort of love you a lot. You know that. But, loving you a lot doesn’t mean that I like you very much, right now.”

  “Should I ask why or will that just get me in more trouble?”

  “More trouble.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Cade glanced down at her hand caught in his and his mouth curved. “At least, you’re wearing the nail paint I gave you. And you agreed to dance with me without making me beg.” He bent her backwards her into a neat dip. “Those seem like good signs.”

  Cade must’ve been studying Addy’s dance lessons with Jacobi more closely than she’d known, because he knew exactly how to move. There was something so charming about the idea of him watching her and pretending not to. Damn it, she really was starting to forgive him.

  “You do have good taste in nail polish.” Addy admitted. She was still carrying around the bottle in her pocket like a lucky charm. “And even though I presently hate you, the dancing is nice.” She closed her eyes, enjoying the mangled music and the feel of Cade’s arms. “Very nice.”

  “As nice as with Patrick Swayze?”

  “Don’t push it. Patrick Swayze was a god among men. He could do this move where he picked her up…”

  Addy broke off with a squeak as Cade swept her into his arms. He was so damn strong that he didn’t even have to hesitate. Cade lifted her into a spin that had her toes leaving the floor and Addy was pretty sure it was the most graceful she’d ever looked. For a girl who didn’t get invited to prom, he zoomed right past “impressive” and into the realm of fairytales.

  Addy laughed as he set her back down, surprised and delighted that he was playing along. “Alright, alright! Better than Patrick Swayze. You win the dance off.” She beamed. “I think you might have a future in epic romance, Mr. Westin.”

  “Only with certain redheads.”

  “No kidding. You try epic-romancing another girl and I will slaughter you both. Believe it.”

  Cade’s smile grew wider. “I’m okay with that. I’m okay with everything, just so you’re with me, lady.”

  That sounded very promising. “I am with you.” She stared up at him. “There is nowhere I’d rather be, Cade.”

  He tugged her closer and Addy leaned into the strength of his body. God, he was such a good dancer. She wasn’t surprised. Cade did everything well. Even his terrible carpentry was adorable as hell. He probably stayed up at night, thinking of ways to make all other men seem uninteresting, unhandsome, and untalented.

  Cade held her for a long moment and then took a deep breath, like he was bracing himself. “So, I was thinking about your Yellowstone.” He announced very casually. “You said you’re not sure exactly sure what sent you to Shadow-of-the-Gods. That this ‘geyser’ just erupted and you didn’t anticipate it.”

  “That’s right.”

  He cleared his throat. “But, if your journey here was random, how can you recreate it? Even if you get back to Why o’ Ming, how exactly do you plan to return to your time?”

  Addy had no idea “exactly.” She just sensed that getting to Yellowstone was the key. That damn geyser would take her back home. She knew it. “I’m hoping that whatever happened to me will happen again, only in reverse. I have a feeling that it’ll work.”

  “A feeling?”

  Addy couldn’t explain her certainty to Cade, when she didn’t understand it herself. “It’s a pretty strong feeling.” She finally told him. The same sort of feeling she had about the maybe-baby, in fact.

  He grunted. “Strong or not, ‘I have a feeling’ sounds unreliable to me.”

  “Well, I don’t really have much of a choice. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go.” She gave a meaningful pause. “Not unless someone asks me to stay with him, anyway.”

  That went right over his empty head. Cade was still thinking over her time travel problem. “What were you doing right before you were sent forward? Maybe we can recreate it.”

  “I was being unconscious on the ground.” Since the man was an oblivious numbskull, she decided to offer a less subtle hint. “Are you going to ask me to stay here or not, Cade?”

  Lavender eyes flicked to hers, as if the question startled him. “No! You cannot stay here, Adeline. It would be a disaster.”

  ....And there went her bur
geoning forgiveness.

  “Oh for God’s sake.” Addy shoved away from him and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Like talking to brick walls, I swear to Christ.”

  Deke groaned and slammed his tankard down on the table. “Fucking hell, Cade. Now what did you do?”

  “Nothing! I hadn’t even started asking her yet. The woman is impossible to romance!”

  “You can go ferovred yourself, Cade!” Addy headed for the door, ignoring Deke’s hoot of laughter at her poor attempts at futuristic swearing.

  Cade rolled his eyes. “It’s pronounced fvred and you don’t even know what it means.”

  “Whatever it is, it’s not bad enough for you.”

  Sensing disaster, Jacobi switched to the only other tune he (barely) knew, hoping it improved the romantic mood. The Facts of Life theme song blared out, in all its earworm glory.

  What the hell had Addy been thinking teaching him that God awful jingle? Why did she even know how to play it? She was going back to reality --right now--and learning nothing but tasteful, useful, important things. Like how to kill morons with her bare hands.

  “Shit.” Cade chased after her. “Adeline, stop!”

  She shook her head and didn’t look back. If she looked back she would see him and seeing him almost always led to lousy choices. Like even considering living her life inside of Blazing Saddles, when Cade was too stupid to even propose. “Leave me alone!” Addy marched across the dirt road, raising her voice so he could hear her. “I’m done with you, Cade!”

  He ignored that and started after her. “Addy…”

  “No!” She jabbed a finger at him and he stopped short. “I mean it. Just go away. You’re hopeless!”

  “I’m not. I swear it. And I’m not going anywhere until you hear me out.”

  “Fine. You talk on your side of the street and I’ll stay on my side, ignoring you.”

  “It isn’t safe for a lady to walk through Big Rock by herself.” Cade followed along on the parallel sidewalk, keeping pace with her. “Where are you even going?”