Dixie Virgin Chronicles: Catherine (Book 7)

by Webb, Peggy

  “Catherine.” Larry and a man she didn’t know stood outside her door. “This is Bill Henderson.”

  “Hello, Mr. Henderson.” Cat didn’t offer her hand. She didn’t even smile. She wasn’t given to snap judgments, but there was something about Bill Henderson that she didn’t like. It wasn’t his small eyes or his pointy nose or his bowlegs. The man couldn’t help the way he looked. It was something else, a vague sense of unease in his presence, as if he were emitting signals that said I’m dangerous.

  Larry shifted his feet and looked down at his boots. Then he glanced back at Catherine. “Bill has come to see the elephants.”

  “The elephants?”

  “Specifically Angel.”

  Suddenly Catherine knew why she felt uneasy in Bill Henderson’s presence. She remembered who he was—owner of Henderson’s Carnival of Wonders. She had never met him, but Larry had mentioned him on more than one occasion, and always in connection with Angel. Bill Henderson had been unsuccessful in raising an elephant in captivity, and he had been trying almost since Angel’s birth to buy her.

  “But Larry...” she protested.

  “I’ve already told Bill the baby elephant is not for sale, but he came to look anyhow. He said he was in the area and just thought he’d drop by. I guess there’s no harm in looking.”

  “I guess not.” Although Catherine agreed, she was far from comfortable with the situation. She didn’t want anybody casting a greedy and predatory eye on her baby.

  “It would be best if you’d come out and be with the elephants while Bill looks,” Larry added. “I don’t want them spooked.”

  “Of course.” She had no choice except to do her boss’s bidding.

  The next few minutes were agony. She found herself wishing for Tyler West. That would give her a good excuse to cut Bill Henderson’s snooping short. Where was he? Why didn’t he hurry?

  “Catherine.” She whirled around at the familiar voice, and there was Tyler, standing at the edge of the ropes, looking about as commanding and important as a man could look. She could have kissed him.

  “Turn my back for one second,” he said, smiling, “and you find two men to replace me.” Tyler held his hand out to Larry. “Tyler West. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.”

  From her safe distance between Elvira and Elmer, Catherine made the introductions. She thought a look of distrust flitted across Tyler’s face when she introduced Bill Henderson, but it could have been her imagination. It seemed to be working overtime lately.

  “Tyler and I have made plans for the day,” she said, hoping her confession would spur Bill Henderson toward the exit. She was wrong.

  “Go right ahead. Go on. Shoo. Scat.” He made waving motions of his hands that put Angel in a restless mood. “Larry and I are old circus hands. We can take care of ourselves around a few tons of elephant. Eh, Larry, old boy?” Bill poked Larry in the ribs with his elbow.

  Larry wasn’t casual with anybody except his wife Jean. He never even joked with his employees, and he certainly didn’t take well to being prodded in the ribs by his biggest competitor in the shrinking world of circus entertainment.

  “It’s probably not a good idea to be around the elephants without Catherine,” Larry said.

  “Shucks, man. Losing your touch?” Bill landed another poke in the ribs. Catherine could see the legendary temper rise.

  “Tell you what, gentlemen.” Tyler stepped into the tense situation as easily as one of the heroes in his novels. “Catherine the Great will never leave her elephants with a stranger, and if she doesn’t leave I’m destined to die of a broken heart.”

  He had been walking closer and closer to Bill Henderson as he talked, and now he was towering over the man, exuding virility and power. Cat knew she was seeing another of his great performances. She felt like applauding.

  “If you’ll allow me to whisk this lovely lady away,” Tyler continued, “I’ll send a box of my very best Havanas and a bottle of my very best wine so that the two of you can conduct business like the Southern gentlemen you are.” He looked pointedly at Larry. “Where shall I send it?”

  “My trailer.” Larry wheeled around without even looking at Bill Henderson, and started across the grounds. “Come on, Bill. We’re interfering with young love.”

  “Are they interfering with young love, Cat?” Tyler asked, even before the other men were out of earshot.

  Catherine put her hands on her hips, though she couldn’t quite bring herself to look stern. Not after what Tyler had done.

  “I was going to thank you, but I’m not so sure now. You’re much too arrogant. My gratitude might go to your head.”

  “You go to my head, Cat.” She thought he was going to say more along that same line and ruin her whole day. If Tyler got personal again, there was no way she would drive off in a car with him to God-only-knew-where and fight off advances all day.

  Tyler surprised her by reverting to innocent charm.

  “Say, doesn’t that remind you of a song? I feel a song coming on.”

  “Please.” Catherine held up her hand, laughing. “Not twice in one day. I don’t think I could stand it.”

  “All this charm and talent, too.” Tyler bowed. “It does turn a woman’s head.” He became serious. “Are you ready to go, Cat?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait to see your horses!”

  “Then allow me to help you over the ropes.” Tyler held out his hand.

  “Where to?” she asked.

  “First my car, then my farm.”

  “Your farm?”

  “Don’t get the big eye, angel. I promised I’d behave.”

  “Actually, you didn’t make that promise. Man of Steel promised to make you behave.”

  “So he did, and so he will. Come.”

  This time Tyler offered his arm and led her to his car. It was a sleek sports model with the top down, as black and powerful-looking as a panther.

  Catherine slid into the front seat and watched Tyler get behind the wheel. He looked natural driving an expensive sports car. An unwanted vision of Billy Joe intruded on her mind. Expensive cars and expensive hobbies had been natural to him, too.

  “I suppose you have lots of cars like this,” she said, hugging the door handle.

  “Similar. Two others.”

  Thank goodness he was too busy turning the car around and heading off the circus grounds to notice that her discomfort. She was being silly again. When was she ever going to get over Billy Joe?

  “I guess you like to gamble, too,” she said, reminded of the Wainwright penchant for betting against the odds—and often winning.

  “Can’t abide it. I don’t even put money on my own horses.” He turned and winked at her. “Don’t tell Man of Steel, though. He thinks he makes my living for me. He doesn’t understand that betting a sure thing wouldn’t earn much money anyhow.”

  Catherine relaxed. Tyler was going to keep his word.

  “Where is your farm?”

  “Just past the river.” He turned to smile at her again before giving his attention to the road. “But I keep forgetting that you’re not a native of Ocean Springs.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Where is your home, Catherine?” he asked, abruptly switching his attention to her.

  “The circus.”

  “Before that?”

  “You forgot to tell me about your farm,” she said, changing the subject.

  “All right.” This time he did more than glance at her. In fact, he spent so long studying her that she thought of reminding him that a car couldn’t stay on the road all by itself, it required a little help from the driver. “My farm is very close, about twenty miles... See. There’s the river already.” He pointed to a beautiful meandering stream that flowed through meadows sprinkled with wildflowers. The countryside looked as if a naughty child had dumped a paint box, spilling colors here and there so you never knew whether you would look and find a bright patch of scarlet or a large smudge of blue.<
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  Catherine took a deep breath. “It’s so beautiful out here, so peaceful.”

  “I love it,” Tyler said simply.

  Catherine glanced at him and forgot about watching the countryside. In America, a beautiful landscape was easy to find. What was not easy to find was a man at peace with himself and his world. Tyler was that man. He wore tranquility like a well-tailored coat.

  Catherine was glad she had agreed to the outing. One day. That was all she asked. One day to be an ordinary woman riding in a fancy car with a handsome man.

  Chapter Four

  Tyler leaned on the railing, watching Catherine take Man of Steel around the track. She was a natural. Even his trainer, Bob Johnson, had commented on how well she sat a saddle.

  But it wasn’t how well she sat a saddle that occupied Tyler’s mind. He was studying her face, her body language. The only time he had seen her this happy, this much at ease, was in the ring with her three elephants. She loved animals. Furthermore, she trusted them.

  Tyler wondered why he hadn’t thought of that sooner. He had wasted a whole day trying to woo her with steak and wine and teddy bears and serenades, when all the time the answer was right before his nose: the way to Catherine’s heart was through her love of animals.

  Funny, he thought as he watched her take the horse around the track once more. She was the most beautiful, most desirable woman he had ever seen. But he was not thinking of the way to her bed. He was thinking of the way to her heart. He wondered if he was getting sentimental. He hoped not. Just think of all the fun he’d miss—the hot pursuits, the sudden conquests, the rowdy romps, the laughter the morning after.

  “Hi.” Catherine waved gaily as she passed him on her way around the track.

  He lifted his hand in salute. He smiled at her then discovered that he just couldn’t quit smiling. Here was a woman he might never lure to his bed, and he was having more fun than he had ever had in his life. Think what it would be like to win her, to claim her. It boggled the mind.

  Catherine reined in beside him. Her face was flushed and shiny, framed by damp tendrils that had escaped her hair ribbon. He had never wanted to kiss a woman as much in his life. To reach out and touch her damp, shining face, to put his arms around her tiny waist, to press his lips against hers—that would be heaven.

  “He’s wonderful!” she said.

  “I’m glad you like him.”

  “Like him? I love him.” She dismounted and stroked the horse’s muzzle. Tyler thought Man of Steel looked a bit smug. Lucky horse.

  “Then he’s yours.”

  “Mine?”

  “As long as the circus is in town, Man of Steel is at your disposal. Feel free to come out anytime and ride him.”

  “I don’t know if his trainer will agree with your generous offer.”

  “You’re the only person Bob has ever let ride this horse except me and the jockey. You’ve captured Bob’s heart.” Tyler smiled. “But then I guess you’re used to capturing hearts.”

  The beautiful smile disappeared from her face. “No,” she said, glancing behind her as if she were searching for ghosts.

  Tyler could have kicked himself. She was skittish. She had been skittish from the moment he got close enough to touch her. That should have told him something. He was looking at a woman who didn’t want to capture hearts, a woman who quite possibly was afraid to capture hearts.

  Abruptly Catherine turned back to him. “This has been a lovely ride, but I had better go.”

  She had only been at his farm an hour, and already she was anxious to leave. That was a change for Tyler. He was accustomed to women who thought up excuses to stay longer in his company. Now he was the one trying to think up excuses.

  “The sun will stop shining if you leave,” he said. That brought a smile back to her face. “Furthermore, all my other animals will be jealous.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ve spent nearly an hour with Man of Steel. Don’t think my beagles weren’t keeping score. If you don’t give them equal attention I’m liable to have a riot on my hands.”

  “A beagle riot?” Now Catherine was laughing.

  Tyler decided to dedicate the next few days to making Catherine laugh.

  “The beagles, the cats, the cows... every animal on this farm will riot if you don’t pay them a visit.”

  “ Well... I suppose I can’t have that on my conscience.”

  “Absolutely not.” Tyler offered his hand to help her over the fence. This time she took it without hesitation. The small victory made Tyler feel as if he had just signed a million-dollar contract. It was amazing, the power of this woman to influence his mood. What would it be like to have her around all the time? Would his muse start singing and never stop? Or would the opposite happen? Would Tyler be so enthralled with Catherine that he would completely neglect his muse?

  “This way,” he said, leading her across grass as lush and green as spring and through flower gardens as vivid as the plumage of exotic birds. Tyler’s gardener was the best in the Deep South. It had even been written up in Southern Living.

  “What are these beautiful flowers called?” Catherine stopped on the garden path to press her face against a scarlet blossom.

  “Passion.”

  She jerked her head up, her eyes wide. “Truly?”

  “That’s my name for them.” He plucked a bloom and tucked it in her hair ribbon. She went very still, and for a moment he was afraid she would back away. But in the end she allowed him to place the bright scarlet flower in her dark hair.

  “You were meant to wear flowers, Catherine.”

  She reached up and gently ran her fingers over the fragile petals. Then she gave him a look of such smoking sensuality that Tyler almost forgot where he was and who she was. The look had to be totally artless, for a woman who shunned his touch would never invite his attentions in such a manner.

  He stood on his garden path, fighting for control. Catherine. Catherine. What has happened to make you hide such passion? Tyler rammed his hands into his pockets, but still they itched to touch her. He longed to trace every inch of her body with his hands, with his lips. He ached to lower her to the bed of bright blossoms and discover every bit of passion her look promised.

  But he was lucky if she even let him hold her hand. Someone, somewhere, had hurt Catherine, and hurt her deeply. Tyler wasn’t about to lose all his hard-won ground by a foolish move now.

  Soon, Catherine. Soon I will win your trust. Soon I will awaken your passion until you are like the flower in your hair, bright and hot and sweet. Tyler could hardly wait.

  “Let’s not keep the beagles waiting,” he said as soon as he could talk.

  He didn’t touch her this time, not even to take her elbow. He couldn’t. What little control he had gained was fragile. One touch of her soft skin, and he would have her in his arms. He might even have her in his bed before he could stop himself.

  That was probably what one of his heroes would do: take the beautiful lady captive and shatter her defenses with fierce, passionate love. But he was not between the covers of a book. He was in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where real women didn’t cotton to that kind of behavior. He loved that phrase, cotton to. He might use it in his next novel. He figured he had been down South long enough that he could get away with using it. He was almost Southern. He even felt Southern. Every now and then he got a hankering for cornbread. Hankering. Now there was a word.

  “Oh, just listen to them.” Catherine’s voice brought Tyler back to the matter at hand. “I do love the sound of beagles.” She raced ahead of him toward the kennels.

  His view from the back set Tyler off on another tangent. Cat, viewed from the back, was stunning. There should be charcoal drawings done of her, naked except for a swath of silk. Her dark hair would be tumbling down her back and she would be glancing over her shoulder with that smoldering look of hers. There would be just enough silk to excite a man’s imagination.

  Tyler’s breathing got ragged. If he
had to keep on practicing such restraint, it was going to be a hell of a day. He would be exhausted by the time sunset came.

  “You beauties,” Catherine crooned. “You little beauties.”

  Tyler wished she would use that tone of voice with him. He was jealous of his beagles.

  “I’ll let them out for a run.”

  “Would you?”

  “It will be my pleasure. The farm is so big I usually let them run loose anyway. But I like to keep them in the kennels at night. Beagles have a habit of wandering too far and getting into all kinds of trouble.”

  Tyler unlatched the kennel gate, and a lively pack of beagles came barreling through, barking for joy. Catherine raced with the dogs, romping and laughing in the sunshine.

  Tyler watched for a while, then joined them. He felt like a child again, happy and carefree and spontaneous. It was a wonderful feeling.

  After their romp with the beagles, Catherine insisted on seeing every animal on his farm. And she loved them all.

  “You are so lucky,” she said, when at last they stood beside Tyler’s car, getting ready to go back to the circus.

  “Yes. I’m lucky.” His gaze raked over her, the beautiful face, the dark hair sporting its wilted flower, the eyes bright with laughter. “Very lucky,” he added.

  “Thank you for this day, Tyler. It’s been one of the best days of my life.”

  If hearts swelled, his grew as big as Texas.

  “We’ll have others like this.”

  A shadow flitted across her face. “The circus leaves day after tomorrow.”

  “So soon?”

  “We had planned to stay longer, but the crowds have been small and our welcome strained.”

  “Don’t pay any attention to our mayor. He’s a stuffed shirt.”

  “Nonetheless, we will be leaving.”

  “I’ll miss you, Catherine.”

  “You know something funny? I might even miss you, too.”

  Standing beside her, looking into her smiling blue eyes, Tyler discovered that he wanted her to miss him. Not only that, he didn’t even want her to go.