Rocky Mountain Rogue (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 5)

by Lee Savino

  "For what?" His hand was stroking her hair.

  "For my wedding gift." She smiled up at him in the dark. "I shall always treasure it."

  He chuckled. "You're easy to please, baggage. I'm glad you lowered your standards for me."

  "I have not lowered anything, thank you very much. I'll be requiring you to learn some poetry for future anniversaries, to add to your Shakespeare repertoire."

  She lay her head back down, and stilled as he began to recite, "She walks in beauty, like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies; and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes." He tucked a bit of hair behind her ear.

  "Where did you learn that?"

  "You think schoolmarms are the only ones who read books? Get caught in a prairie homestead some winter, when a blizzard keeps you inside for a month. You'd memorize anything to keep from going mad."

  She opened her mouth, and closed it. "You're the most gentlemanly rogue I've ever met."

  "Thank you, baggage."

  * * *

  Their journey continued over another two nights and days. Susannah knew her body was growing lean and her skin turning brown, but she didn't mind over much. She was alive, and could endure any hardship with Jesse by her side. He was the expert at picking a trail over the rocky heights, as well as finding water and hunting for food. Every afternoon he spent some time having her hold a pistol and teaching her to shoot.

  On the morning of the third day, he caught her around her waist as she helped saddle Jordan, and kissed her neck. "Today's the day you meet my family."

  "It is?" Her heart beat faster as it always did when her husband's hands were on her, but this time she felt a healthy dose of fear. What if his family didn't like her?

  "Of course," he chuckled. "Did you think we would live out here in the wild forever?"

  She hid her fear under a thick layer of haughtiness. "Of course not."

  He turned her around to face him, excitement lighting his eyes. "I'm going to get you home and safe from Doyle."

  "Then what?"

  He hesitated. "I have to finish what I started with Doyle. But once that's done, we settle down and make a life for each other. Sebastian and Rosie May have their work cut out for them, but it's up to me to take the final shot."

  She gazed at him. He wanted her to accept his plan and support him, but the thought of staying with his family and waiting for him to return from hunting down a dangerous man was more frightening than facing the danger with him. Before she could answer, there was a rustling on the trail beyond their campsite. Jesse thrust her behind him, his hand going to his gun.

  "Ho," someone called, and Susannah felt her husband stiffen as two rough-looking men came slinking out from behind the rocks. One was tall and broad and the other short and mean, but they were obviously brothers. Susannah didn't like how their eyes wandered over her form.

  "Billy and Bigs Johnson." Jesse greeted them both, gun still in hand. A crackle to Susannah's left, and she startled, moving closer to Jesse as a third man stepped out of the woods, leading three horses. With his free arm, Jesse steadied her.

  "Well now, this is a pretty picture," the smaller brother said. "Leave it to you, Oberon, to find the best fillies. You feel like sharing?"

  Jesse's arm tightened around Susannah's shoulders. "You know better than to ask that, Johnson."

  The man guffawed, along with his larger brother. The third man kept his distance, but he had his gun out. It was clear to Susannah that she and Jesse were surrounded, and there would be no escape.

  "It's all right. Susannah," Jesse whispered as her eyes darted to his. "I'm going to keep you safe. Do as I say."

  She nodded.

  "What brings you to his area, Oberon?"

  "A pretty lady," Jesse answered. "Wanted some privacy."

  "Hear you got a good take recently. Lots of gold," said the third man with the horses.

  "Well, Flint, you heard wrong."

  "Then why ain't you on the job with Boone and the rest?" Billy asked, stepping closer. Susannah got the feeling that the men were closing in on them. "I thought that's why you left us."

  "You thought wrong."

  "Game's up, Oberon," Billy said and suddenly all four men were bristling with guns. "We know who you are."

  Jesse made a show of pointing his own weapon straight at the shorter brother. "Then you know I'm the best shot you ever met."

  Bigs pointed his gun with both hands. "You can't kill all of us."

  "I can try," Jesse said.

  "Now, hold on," Flint said. "Not so quick on the trigger. We ain't gonna kill you."

  "Flint here figured it out," Billy said. "You ain't Oberon. You're a Wilder."

  Susannah felt Jesse go tense. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

  "See, I think you do." Flint exchanged a triumphant look with the Johnsons. "See, people have been talking. Who's this new kid, handy with a rifle, comes and suddenly wants to be part of the Royal Mountain gang and get in good with Boone and Doyle? Then Bigs figured out you hung with Rosie May."

  "We go to tell Doyle, and find Boone already dead. There's a reward on your head now, boy," Billy cut in. "But we don't want it."

  "You don't?" Jesse drawled.

  "We want the gold," Bigs finally spoke. The other two men nodded.

  "What gold?"

  "The gold you stole from Doyle's coach. Playing games will get you killed and the lady killed," Flint said.

  To Susannah's surprise, Jesse sagged a little, his gun lowering. "All right. Don't shoot."

  A cold feeling spread through Susannah as satisfaction crossed the three outlaw's faces.

  "It's all right, baggage," Jesse whispered as three members of the Royal Mountain gang moved in. "I'll get us out of this."

  * * *

  The three outlaws took Jesse's guns, and tied their captive's hands. They started down the mountain, Jesse leading the way with Johnson at his back. Flint watched over Susannah. He bound her hands and pulled her along. Every once in a while, she would slow, and he would yank the rope to force her to move along. After a few times almost falling, she hated him. Bigs took up the rear with the horses. All three outlaws had their guns out; Susannah wished she were a better shot, so she could be a help when Jesse sprang into action. She prayed he was planning something. She didn't want to think about what the gang would do to her when they broke for camp.

  Halfway down the mountain, they entered the alpine forest, the thick woods slowing their way.

  "You sure you hid the gold down here?" the smaller Johnson brother asked Jesse.

  "Course he did, Billy," Flint called. "It's close to home."

  Susannah almost stumbled, realizing what Jesse was doing. He wouldn't lead these men straight to his brother's door, would he?

  "Hurry up, blondie." Flint yanked the rope around her wrists.

  Jesse stopped mid path, half turning, but Billy prodded him with a gun. "Eyes front. Sooner we get the gold, sooner you get her back."

  Or we die, Susannah thought, and stared desperately at the back of her husband's head. Please, Jesse, please. Do something.

  The afternoon sun slanted thick and golden through the forest canopy before Susannah noticed the land had flattened.

  "Almost there?" Billy grumbled.

  "Almost," Jesse drawled, and Susannah bid her tired body to stay alert. Any minute now.

  "What's Doyle going to think, when you go back empty handed but with his gold?"

  "What Doyle don't know won't hurt him," Billy said.

  At the same time Flint called, "None of your business."

  Jesse looked back at Flint, and Susannah thought she could see a hint of a smirk on her rogue's face. "Funny that you two are getting along," Jesse remarked casually to Billy. "Last job you wanted me to off him. Should've done you in instead."

  "You shut your mouth!" Billy spat, but Flint was already glaring at him.

  "Is that correct, Johnson?"

  Bill
y pushed Jesse forward with his gun, but glared back at Flint. "I do the work, you get most of the cut. Even Boone thought you were greedy."

  "Boone don't know how to mix powder to blow a safe." Flint's eyes narrowed.

  Glancing back, Jesse nodded to Susannah.

  She took a deep breath.

  As her husband led the bandits around a bend, he held back a branch, then let it fly back with a snap, it caught Billy full across the face.

  Flint pulled his pistol, and Susannah fell on his arm, crying out. His shot went wild and almost hit Billy.

  Behind them all, Bigs roared.

  "Susannah, down!" Jesse ordered and she hit the dirt, crawling towards the bushes.

  She heard firing behind her and prayed that Jesse wasn't one of the bodies hitting the ground. Before her, the bushes parted and Susannah stared into the wild face of a mountain man.

  "Here now, lassie." A big hand pressed on her shoulder, pushing her down and pulling her forward into the shelter of the bush at the same time. "Better keep your head down when there's bullets flying."

  Susannah shook, too frightened to speak. She could barely understand his accent.

  The man wore buckskin and a beaver cap, beard sandy and unkempt. She let out a squeak as he rose, but he just whistled, and a giant dog raced out of the brush, bigger than any animal Susannah had ever seen.

  With a silent snarl, the beast charged forward, straight at Bigs.

  The horse reared and its rider barely kept seated on the stallion. The rest of the horses scattered. Dodging the striking hooves, the dog rushed Big's horse until it and rider disappeared into the trees.

  The big man strode forward, Flint dead on the ground, shot in the back by Bigs. Billy Johnson and Jesse still struggled, somehow the guns had been knocked to the ground.

  The mountain giant strode into the fray, grabbed Johnson with a meaty paw, and threw him into a rock.

  The body went limp, leaving only Jesse and the big stranger to face off.

  Susannah rose, wringing her hands, wondering if she could interfere.

  Then Jesse's face split into a grin Stepping forward, he pounded the big man on the back. "Calum MacDonnell. Just in the nick of time."

  "I heard you crashing through the woods and knew you were in trouble. What in god's name were you doing with those three?"

  "Being held at gunpoint."

  "Never thought three men could get the best of Jesse Wilder."

  "They wouldn't've, but I had a lady to consider."

  "Ah yes." The Scot turned and whipped off his cap. "The blonde lassie. We've met."

  Susannah came from the brush, covered in brambles.

  Jesse pulled her close, unbinding her and checking her wrists.

  "Susannah, meet Calum MacDonnell, our rescuer. Mac, this is my wife. Mrs. Susannah Wilder."

  "Well now, you work fast," Calum remarked, before grinning at Susannah.

  A crash in the brush had her practically jumping in Jesse's arms, but it was only the large dog pushing its way through the undergrowth and ambling up to its master with a grin on its grey muzzle.

  "You met Wolfie." Calum reached down and caressed the animal's ears.

  "Ye gods, Mac, is that a dog or a wolf?"

  Calum shrugged. "Yes."

  Shaking, Jesse stepped forward and clapped him on the back. "We're glad to see you, Mac. We would've been in trouble without you."

  "And Wolfie," Susannah chimed in.

  Calum grinned broadly. "My pleasure. I take it you're bringing the lassie home?"

  "I am that."

  "I'll take you as far as the river. Let's get going, before we run into any more trouble."

  "Would we run into more of the Royal Gang?" Susannah asked.

  "Maybe not a man, but there are plenty of bear and mountain lions about for us to tangle with," Calum said happily as if he was speaking of meeting old friends. "Lots of uncharted territory around here, especially up the mountain."

  "Even for an explorer like you?" Jesse asked.

  "Me? I dinnae go above the trees. Air goes to my head. I'm too tall, bump my head on the sky." He winked at Susannah. She offered a shaky smile.

  Jesse whistled, and Jordan trotted over, keeping the people between him and Wolfie.

  The mountain man led them through the forest, loping quickly forward on foot with his dog-wolf at his side. His large body didn't make a sound.

  "He used to be a fur trapper," Jesse told Susannah in a low voice. "Lost his wife and two sons to dysentery while on the trail and has been wandering ever since. Aren't many beaver around, though, so he settled at the foot of the mountain to try his hand at farming."

  Susannah felt pity for the large man, stepping so quietly through the brush. "He seems to know his way around pretty well."

  Jesse pointed out the subtle markings on the trees they passed. "These are his woods."

  "So you knew he'd..."

  "Be close," Jesse finished, nodding. "I was hoping he would get my brother for re-enforcements, but, as it turns out, the two of us could handle the three."

  "I dare say you could take on a regiment, with Mr. MacDonnell at your side."

  "You hear that, Mac? Susannah says she'd bet on you against an army any day."

  The giant grinned. "Me da always said if you cannae have an army at your back, have a MacDonnell." His accent was thicker as he mimicked his father.

  "The old man was right." Jesse smiled.

  Calum led them on through the thick trees, finally stopping when they reached a path broad enough to fit a horse and wagon. Susannah stepped onto the road with a sigh, then looked back at the giant Scot waiting on the edge of the forest. It was clear this was as far as he went.

  "I don't know how to thank you," Jesse said.

  "Keep the lassie safe." With a jerk of his chin, Calum drifted back into the trees, as silent as the wolf by his side.

  "He's a good man."

  "He needs a wife," Susannah said.

  Jesse looked at her with alarm. "Steady, baggage. You're not going to become one of those women who wishes matrimony on everyone as soon as she ties the knot."

  "Maybe I am." She turned up her nose. "And don't call me baggage. It's rude." Turning to Jordan, she put her foot in the stirrup, prepared to swing up, looking at her husband smugly.

  He shook his head. "Women." He mounted first and then hauled her up. Feeling mischievous, as soon as he held the reins, she poked him in the side. He caught her hand in his rough one. "Careful. I still have the quirt."

  Flushing, Susannah settled her arms around him. As they rode on, she felt the playfulness leave her as nervousness began to gnaw at her. Would she like her new home? Would Jesse's family like her? What if she wasn't cut out to be a frontier wife? When she imagined their marriage, she'd had a very different image of the Wild West. Now, with travel-worn clothes, braided hair, hands and cheeks sun-chapped and rough, she even looked the part of a pioneer woman.

  When they stopped at a stream for water, she splashed her face over and over, trying to rub away as much dirt as she could.

  "You all right, baggage?" Jesse noticed her fussing.

  "I look a mess." She hadn't expected to meet her new family without her trunks and fine clothes.

  "You look beautiful." Going to the saddlebag, he took out her hairbrush. "May I do the honors?"

  With trepidation, Susannah let her husband brush her hair. His gentle, patient strokes would have lulled her half to sleep, if she hadn't been so nervous. What would her brother and sister-in-law think of her?

  "There," Jesse said finally. She reached back and felt the long braid, tied with a leather thong.

  "Where did you learn to do a woman's hair?"

  Jesse grinned. "You don't want to know."

  Turning, she put her hands on her hips and fixed him with a look.

  He sighed. "There was a painted lady in Texas I spent some time with. She had a daughter. When her mother was working..." He shrugged.

  "Jesse Oberon Wi
lder, do you mean to tell me you played nursemaid to a little girl?"

  "Yep." His grin surfaced and he reached out and tugged her braid lightly. "Did her hair, helped her discipline her dolls."

  "Discipline her dolls? Only you." Susannah rolled her eyes.

  * * *

  They rode up to the Wilders' cabin around dusk, it was picturesque with smoke curling. The old Susannah would have wrinkled her nose at how rustic it looked, but after sleeping under the stars, the prospect of a proper bed pushed her nerves aside.

  As they rode into the clearing, a tall red-haired woman stepped out onto the porch.

  "My sister-in-law, Rose, the original Rosie May," Jesse murmured.

  The woman's eyes narrowed with intelligence as the two of them dismounted and came forward. She even put her hands on her hips, cocking her head at her brother-in-law. She didn't look pleased to see him. When she stepped forward, Susannah could see the redhead's round, pregnant belly.

  Jesse dropped a kiss onto Rose's cheek. "Sister. You're looking well. I'd like you to meet my wife." Confusion lit the redhead's eyes, and her head swiveled to Susannah.

  Pushing away her hesitation, Susannah stepped forward. "Hello. I'm Susannah."

  "Susannah Oberon Wilder," Jesse corrected.

  "Susannah? Carrie's friend from Boston?" Rose gave Jesse a sharp glance.

  "I'm afraid so," Susannah said. "But I'm sorry my trunks didn't complete the journey. I don't quite look myself." She shrugged.

  A pause, then a smile wreathed Rose's face. "Not at all. You look like a proper frontier bride. And I can't tell you how happy I am that you actually exist."

  * * *

  Rose invited them in and fussed over them both, offering tea and a bit of cake, and starting dinner until both Jesse and Susannah got to their feet and made the pregnant woman take a seat.

  "I'll get dinner," Jesse said.

  "He's a better cook than I," Rose said sheepishly, sitting back with a sigh. Susannah got more tea for her new sister-in-law, finding she liked the woman more and more as time went on. Rose seemed cold at first, but there was friendly curiosity under her wary nature.

  When the door flew open, Susannah and Jesse leaped to their feet.