Women, Whiskey & Gold

by Dawn, Autumn

  The sheriff’s eyes narrowed. “Saved us the trouble of questioning the prisoners, too.”

  “An unfortunate reality. I suspect he was eager to see justice done. Aztecs do not tolerate thieves.”

  Though the sheriff wasn’t happy, there was little he could say. Things could get ugly if Tochtli’s men got involved. By the way they followed the exchange, they were ready for a fight.

  Charlie had been watching Tochtli’s men all but caress their guns. She grimaced at Alex and wandered over to join the conversation. “It was a good thing you brought so many men,” she told Tochtli. Her gaze moved over the cattle. “I’m tired of losing cows.”

  A glitter appeared in Tochtli’s eyes. “You and your sisters need a strong protector. I have great respect for his spirit, but Mr. Lions is regrettably past his prime.”

  She crossed her arms and met his gaze for a silent moment. “Possibly.”

  Tochtli’s mouth curved in a slight, predatory smile.

  Dakota wanted to kill her. Worse, he wanted to choke that look off Tochtli’s face. He waited until she wandered off to wash up, stepping from the trees as she returned.

  She saw him and swore as she eased her hand off her gun. “That was bright, cowboy.”

  “About as smart as you encouraging Tochtli,” he said hotly.

  She flicked her hand. “What was I supposed to do, sit on my hands while you and the sheriff goaded him into a gunfight? Didn’t you see the way his men were petting their guns? He hates you, hates all Native landowners. And you’re in his face, begging him to pull the trigger.”

  “He doesn’t seem to hate you,” he pointed out grimly.

  “Yeah, and I was smart enough to use that. Whether I mean more to him than a heifer to a bull is debatable.”

  “Don’t talk like that!”

  “Get over it, Dakota! He’s a thief and a liar. What do you think I’m going to do, fall in love? I’m not blind. All of you are out for one thing…he’s just cagier about how he plans to get it.”

  He grabbed her arm as she tried to brush by. “I’m not out for just a piece of tail, girl. I want more, a lot more. If you weren’t so stubborn...”

  She shook him off. “Me stubborn! You’ve been chasing me since I was nine! Why don’t you give up?” She pushed him, but it was like trying to shove a tree; he didn’t budge.

  “Why don’t you give in?” They were shouting, but he didn’t care. He was tired of playing the gentleman. Even furious, she backed rather nicely into a tree. He planted an arm on either side of her, caging her in.

  “Back off, Dakota!” She snarled, but she didn’t try to scratch out his eyes. She didn’t seem afraid.

  Good. Nuzzling her ear, he whispered, “Have you ever been kissed, Charlie?”

  She shivered and tried to shrug him away.

  He smiled and switched ears, purring, “I didn’t think so.”

  “Dakota…”

  “Want to try it?” he teased, nipping at her earlobe.

  “No.” Now she was breathing fast. It wreaked the sarcastic note she’d been trying for.

  “You might like it. Like it with me.” He laughed low, and she shivered again. Her hand pressed against his chest, but it lacked strength. She didn’t push him away…or couldn’t.

  Only inches separated their lips. He dipped his head, savoring the scent of her arousal.

  “Dakota!”

  Dakota jerked and glared over his shoulder at Alex. Why hadn’t he heard her coming?

  Her disgusted expression was discernible even in the falling dusk. “If you’re through playing Romeo, you might want to get back to camp. They’re assigning watches.”

  “Actually…” he bit off the retort as Charlie slipped under his arm and away. She wasn’t very steady. It soothed his pride, but it did nothing for the frustration. Just one more minute! She’d been willing, he’d swear it.

  Charlie latched onto Alex like a vision of heavenly mercy. “How’s your shoulder? Do you need anything for it?”

  “It’s fine. How are your lips?” Alex retorted acidly.

  Heat streaked Charlie’s neck. Conscious of Dakota following close behind, she muttered, “It was an aberration. It won’t happen again.”

  Alex looked at her doubtfully.

  “It won’t!” Charlie insisted. She didn’t want to give Dakota ideas. She’d been confused this time, tired. Yeah, that sounded good.

  She glanced behind her warily, intercepting Dakota’s heated stare. Clearly he was more dangerous than she’d given him credit for.

  Chapter 4

  “Wake up, lazy bones.”

  Charlie grunted as her covers were stripped away. She glowered fuzzily at her sister. “Brat.”

  Alex smirked and handed her a cup of tea. “What’s the matter, Cinderella, were you up too late at the ball?” She laughed as she dodged one of Charlie’s flying boots. “You never were a morning person.”

  Growling, Charlie caught the boot Alex tossed back and turned it upside down to check for varmints. Wrapped in a blanket, she sat on her bedroll and nursed her tea like a miser cuddling gold.

  Mist rose from the river, cloaking them in a wispy fog that would rapidly burn off with the rising sun. Said sun was still a blush on the horizon. Feeling put-upon, Charlie watched the cook grab a rag to check the steaming contents of a pot and contemplated moving closer to the fire.

  “Never would have suspected you were a night owl.” Dakota sat on a log next to her as if last night had never happened. He smiled at her tin cup of tea. “Alex says you have a tender stomach.”

  She grunted at his gall, but decided to pretend, too. It was less embarrassing. “I choke down Max’s cooking; I draw the line at chewing Aztec coffee.”

  His grin got wider. “It’s that bad?”

  She shuddered. “If it’s supposed to be tender, it crunches. If it should be soft, you could use it for an anvil. Everything else, she’ll burn black. Some days I think we should fish the charcoal out of the fire and chew on it. It’d save time.”

  He laughed. “Poor Max. She should spend some time with my ma. She’s the best cook in Texas. Which reminds me, she wanted your family to come to dinner Sunday.”

  Tempting words to a woman who was contemplating beans and greasy fried bread for breakfast, but it was a bad idea. “Sure she did.”

  “You’re very suspicious,” he said mildly. He looked over at the herd. “Things are getting bad, aren’t they?”

  She thought about denying it, but there was no point. Dakota could count cows as well as the next man. “Real bad. Harmon is cussing more than usual. We can’t keep losing cows. As it is…” She shut her mouth. Dakota didn’t need to know they faced a hard winter. “I’m thinking of rounding up some mustangs and breaking them for sale.” The income would help. She didn’t relish the thought of training all those broncos, but someone had to.

  Dakota ran a thumb over his freshly shaven jaw. She could smell bay rum from his shaving soap. Combined with the musk of leather and horse, it made a mouth-watering combination. Yum.

  He looked at her and smiled with slow heat. “I’d be happy to help. I’ve always enjoyed breaking horses to bridle, especially the fillies.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ll manage.”

  “It won’t be as much fun.”

  Before she could answer, Alex handed her a plate. She sent Dakota a quelling stare. “Food’s getting cold.”

  “I can see why. The temperature just dropped.” He gave her a chiding look and went to grab a plate.

  “I thought you wanted me to be nicer,” Charlie said mildly.

  “That was before you started flirting. It’s not like you’d marry him,” Alex grouched.

  Charlie took a bite of beans, considering. “Do you like him?”

  Aghast, Alex gawked. “No, I don’t like him!” Men turned to stare, and she lowered her voice. “I thought we’d agreed, that’s all. Beaus are a bad idea. You know the Eagle men are probably more interested in our ranch than roman
ce.”

  Against her better judgment, Charlie gave it to her straight. “I doubt Dakota cared about the ranch when I was nine.” Admitting it made her uncomfortable. She didn’t like acknowledging his motives might be less than devious. The truth was, he’d been after her so long the pursuit had become a habit. If she ever gave in, he’d probably lose all interest.

  It was a thought.

  “He’s matured since then, gotten a man’s views. I’ll bet he’d love to have his cake and eat it, too.”

  Charlie sighed. “At least he’s a step up from Tochtli.” She raised her fork to cut off Alex’s protest. “Don’t worry, I’m not letting either of them court me. Relax, would you?” She got up and gave her plate to the cook. Let Alex worry; she didn’t have time. They had cows to get home.

  The Eagle men rode superior horses. The sun was high as Charlie watched Levi go after a stray steer, admiring the way his horse moved. Cheyenne bred, the animal moved with the grace and speed of an antelope, and never seemed to tire. It could work twice as long as most of the other horses and never showed the strain. Only Tochtli’s great black brute could equal the Eagle’s in beauty and heart.

  Breeding superior animals was heart and soul of the Eagle’s business, and she was beginning to think it should be part of the Lion’s, too. The mustangs she was thinking of breaking could never equal the Cheyenne stock, but the best of them might drop some nice foals if Dakota would loan her his stud. Of course, that plan would take years to show a profit, but she liked to think ahead. She didn’t want to chase cattle forever.

  Not for the first time, she caught Alex covertly watching Levi. If it hadn’t been for the furtive way she did it, Charlie might have thought she was admiring the horse, too. Slyly, she said, “Nice animal, huh?”

  Alex’s eyes widened, then her expression smoothed out. “Yeah. Nice horse.”

  “The rider’s not bad, either.”

  “He seems to know his way around a rope,” Alex said dismissively.

  Charlie glanced at Levi. “I’ve seen him watching you.”

  “It’s not going to work, sis.”

  “Really? I think he likes you.”

  Alex looked her in the eye. “He hates white women. I don’t need a man like that.”

  Charlie looked away. Everyone knew he’d almost been taken in by a gold digging English woman. He’d caught her cheating, and when confronted her shrill, ugly nature surfaced. He’d been left with disdain for “immigrant whites”. Rumor had it he was looking for a proper Native American girl with good bloodlines. Kind of like a mare, Charlie thought in disgust. “Hate’s a strong word. Besides, he doesn’t hate Mrs. Eagle.”

  “She’s kin.”

  Charlie gave up. Alex had a more pragmatic view of life than Charlie realized. Kinda sad, when your little sister grew up.

  Over the lake of cattle horns, Charlie spotted Tochtli’s big black. He might be scum, but she had to admit that the man worked like a fiend and rode like an avenging angel. Man and horse seemed melded as the black’s muscles bunched, sending them after a stray calf with incredible speed. Had she been a less wary soul, his good looks and suave ways might have sucked her in. Fortunately, she was smarter than that. Pretty wrapping didn’t mean there was a nice present inside.

  Sweat gleamed off his bronze skin and his shirt was open, making him look less the gentleman and more the desperado. Not for the first time, she wondered if he really were an Aztec lord. Who would know in this backwater corner of New Texas? She’d bet he was a rogue general or a coca runner, hiding from some lawless part of the Aztec Federation. It wasn’t hard to imagine him raiding farms and burning villages.

  Tochtli looked her way, but he didn’t come near. Maybe he didn’t mix business and pleasure, or maybe he was plotting his next move. She didn’t know, but she was saving a bullet for him.

  They were close to home when he finally rode up to her. “I was wondering if I might call on you tomorrow? At your convenience, of course. I understand you’re a busy woman.”

  She considered. It wasn’t as if she could tell him no, not when she’d gone out of her way to soften him up yesterday. Talking did little harm, and her family would be there. She didn’t have to make it easy, though. “All right. I’ll be around tomorrow. You can check the stock with my sister and me; we ride out shortly after sunrise. I’m afraid it’s the only time I have available.”

  He smiled, undaunted. “That will do.” He didn’t linger, and she watched as he rode off. Clever man. Dakota couldn’t hover and interfere with his courtship tactics when he kept his encounters brief.

  A glance showed Dakota was watching Tochtli thoughtfully. When nothing more came of the encounter, he seemed to lose interest.

  She smiled, inexplicably smug.

  Dakota was enjoying a cup of coffee with Harmon when Charlie came to breakfast the next morning. She jerked to a halt in confusion, causing Alex to bump into her. “What’s he doing here?”

  “Morning, Charlie. I was visiting with Harmon,” he said calmly, taking a sip of coffee.

  Harmon looked uncharacteristically mellow. He gestured for Charlie to have a seat and waited until everyone had filled their plate before getting down to business. “I spoke with Chief Eagle while you were hunting with the posse.”

  The girls exchanged quick glances. It was news to them.

  “You know we’re short on men, and it’s costing us cows. You also know I plan to leave the ranch to you when I die.”

  Charlie looked him over, alert. He looked the same as yesterday, which is to say, not healthy, but not in imminent danger. “You never said so.”

  He grunted. “The ranch was divided into five parts; I had my lawyer see to it. Each of you has a share and a vote when I die. Yesterday I added a sixth share and an investor.” He gestured with his fork to Dakota. “He brought the canyon between our land and his father’s into the deal, and he’ll be adding men and a barn, maybe some outbuildings.”

  There was dead silence. “Harmon!” Charlie hissed. She couldn’t believe he’d do this. What happened to the Eagles being snakes?

  “It’s my ranch,” he said sternly. “You and Alex are over eighteen and old enough to vote on it, but you can’t change this. It’s done.”

  “But why?” Alex demanded. “You didn’t have to sell out.”

  Dakota spoke up, his voice carrying easily over the melee. “The land we’re bringing to the table is substantial, and we’re prepared to spend a great deal improving it. With the extra manpower we’re providing, you should be able to turn a profit as early as next year. You’ll make more money and be safer. Isn’t that worth something?”

  Charlie pushed away from the table. “I need to take a walk.” She was seething, the shock substantial. She couldn’t sit here calmly and discuss this, not when she’d sweat blood for this place for years.

  She stormed out, barely aware of her surroundings. It was a nasty surprise to see men unloading wagons in her front yard. “What is this?” she demanded.

  Dakota followed her out. “This is the wood for your new barn. It’s best to start early.”

  She rounded on him, speechless. She made a strangled sound and headed for the corral. She bridled her horse and hopped on, too eager to leave to bother with a saddle.

  A sudden commotion in the yard made her pause. A rider was coming in, and she recognized the horse first. It was Tochtli’s big black. As he halted near her, Charlie could see Tochtli’s intense scrutiny as he took in Dakota, the construction and her livid expression.

  “Miss Lions,” he nodded respectfully. “Would you consent to a ride with me? I believe we have an appointment.” The last was clearly for Dakota’s benefit.

  Dakota watched them calmly, but there was a hint of warning in his steady gaze.

  Charlie considered and looked around for her sister Max, the only one currently in sight. “Tell Harmon…” she shrugged. “Tell him I went for a short ride. That way,” she pointed toward the east. “I won’t be gone long.”
She’d wanted a distraction, and Tochtli was sure to provide one. Whatever he wanted had to be more interesting than stewing around here.

  Max glanced at Tochtli and opened her mouth.

  A look from Charlie shut it.

  “Stubborn mule head,” Max muttered, and went about her business.

  Charlie was still stewing as she rode beside the silent Aztec. She stopped within sight of the ranch and regarded him with grumpy curiously. “Well?”

  He smiled at her, a slow, dark smile. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

  She shrugged. “Give me a reason to fear you.”

  He blinked as if he hadn’t expected that. “I’d rather change your opinion of me. I’d like you to come to a party I’m having for a few of local families. The Eagles are invited, of course. You will wish to bring Dakota, I presume?”

  She tugged her brim in anger. “Send him an invite; we’re not on speaking terms.” Mention of Dakota caused a tense swirl in her belly, like an Aztec gator stirring in dark waters. She interpreted his steady look as curiosity and informed him, “Harmon and the Eagles made a deal. He’s now got a minority share in the ranch.”

  Tochtli raised his brows and nudged his horse into a walk. “Interesting. I take it you’ve just been informed?”

  “Over breakfast,” she bit off. “It didn’t go down well.”

  His mouth curved. “I would think not.”

  She looked at him broodingly. “Don’t think it gives you an edge. The last time you invited me to one of your parties, you sent a dress and a warning. I’m not ready to forgive you.”

  His gaze intensified, then slid away as he contemplated a clump of sagebrush. “Not well done of me, was it? If I promise to behave, will you change your mind?”

  She thought about it. “You could be after the ranch.”

  “I don’t need your money, Charlene.” His accent did delicious things to her name.

  “You like to collect land,” she preserved.