by Bobbi Smith
Elizabeth's regard turned icy as she stared at the gossip. "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Jones."
"Of course. A reputation is such a fragile thing and so hard to reclaim once it's been ruined."
Elizabeth walked rigidly away with Elliot, her manner stiff, her nerves frayed, her temper about to explode. "I should have realized something like this would happen. Cari never gave a thought to her reputation. She just went with him . . ."
"Shall I go look for her?"
She paused and put a hand on his arm, the appreciation she felt showing in her eyes. "Please."
Elizabeth went to speak to James, while Elliot went out the front doors in search of Cari. Elizabeth was relieved when she found her husband by himself, and she drew him even farther away from the others to speak to him.
"Do you realize what your daughter's done?" she demanded.
"Cari? What's happened, Elizabeth? Is something wrong?"
"I'll say something's wrong!" She was seething. "It was bad enough that he showed up here in the first place . . ."
"What are you talking about?"
"The half-breed! Silver Wolf! He cut in on Elliot and Cari. Then, if that wasn't bad enough—he took her outside alone! Nettie Jones told me."
"Elizabeth, Nettie Jones is a busybody and a troublemaker, and the whole town would be better off without her." James stared at his wife. He saw the anger blazing in her eyes and was saddened by it. Elizabeth saw no honor in Silver Wolf's accomplishments and achievements. In her eyes, because of his Cheyenne blood, he would never be good enough.
"James, you have to do something."
"Why? You know how much Cari missed Silver Wolf. I'm sure they just went to talk for a few minutes. They haven't seen each other for years."
"I want her back inside now," Elizabeth demanded, refusing to give in. "I already sent Elliot to look for her."
"I'll look, too." James gave a weary sigh as he agreed, simply to keep peace.
Cari was lost in the bliss of Silver Wolf's embrace. It seemed as if she belonged in his arms, as if they'd been made for each other. His lips upon hers evoked feelings within her she'd never known existed, and she gave herself over to the wonder of it, blending together with him in a haze of passion.
"Cari!"
The distant call echoed through the night. Cari wanted to ignore it. She wanted the whole world to go away so she could stay in Silver Wolf's embrace. When the call was repeated, and this time closer and much louder, she tensed. There was no mistaking Elliot's voice now, and the realization that the man who'd escorted her to the dance was looking for her, possibly with her mother in tow, frightened her. She forced herself to draw reluctantly away.
"Someone's coming," Cari said nervously, fighting to regain her composure. Her lips felt hot and swollen from his kisses, and she wondered how she looked—if the excitement she was feeling showed too clearly on her face.
"So?"
"He might see us."
Silver Wolf recognized Elliot's call, too, and was cursing silently under his breath. He felt the change in her, how she stiffened when she heard her boyfriend's voice and it infuriated him. "Does it matter if he sees us?"
"Of course it matters," she insisted, though she wasn't sure quite why, for all she really wanted to do was throw herself back in his arms and stay there.
"Why?" He pressed her for an answer; he could remember when nothing could have driven her from him.
"Because I shouldn't be out here alone."
He grinned wickedly. "You're not alone. You're with me."
She smiled back at him. "That's the point. Propriety dictates that I should have a chaperone. I'm grown up now, you know. I'm not a little girl any longer."
"I've noticed." His glittering gaze raked over her.
The effect of his silver eyes upon Cari was as powerful as any physical caress, and she stood unmoving, breathlessly waiting as he closed the distance she'd put between them and leaned down to her. He paused, his lips hovering over hers.
"Would you really rather be inside dancing?" he asked her in a soft, seductive voice, knowing the easterner would soon be upon them.
"Well, I . . ." Mesmerized, she met him in the kiss, and it was more exciting than anything that had gone before. She was shocked by her eager response to it. Worries about her mother disappeared as she surrendered to the forbidden desire to kiss Silver Wolf just once more while there was still time . . .
Elliot was about to call Cari's name again when he rounded the corner of the building and stopped. For a moment, he could only stand in silence, for there before him stood Cari and Silver Wolf kissing. Jealousy exploded within him, and he was jarred to action.
"Cari . . ." Elliot said her name in a tight voice as he strode forth with every intention of breaking up the cozy little scene. "I think it's time to return to the dance."
"Elliot . . ." she gasped, tearing herself from the dreamy pleasure of Silver Wolf's embrace.
"Your mother's looking for you. She sent me to find you and bring you back inside." His gaze went from Cari to the man standing so close beside her. He'd meant to step forward and take her arm, but even in the darkness he could see the look of pure male power in the other man's face, and he hesitated. To Elliot's annoyance, Silver Wolf seemed to sense his hesitation, and a look of something akin to amusement shone in his eyes.
Cari was unaware of the silent challenge issued between the men. She glanced up at Silver Wolf and gave him a tremulous half-smile, hoping he knew just how much she didn't want this moment to end. "I have to go."
"I'll escort you," Elliot offered, stung by Silver Wolf's unspoken mockery.
But Silver Wolf would have none of it. He took her arm. "Little Snow left with me, and she'll return with me." He said the words quietly, but the meaning was clear.
Elliot could only watch as they walked away.
"I'll see you inside, Elliot," Cari called over her shoulder as Silver Wolf drew her toward the hall. She felt guilty over leaving him that way, but every fiber of her being wanted to be with her warrior.
"What is he to you?" Silver Wolf asked as they neared the door.
Cari stopped walking and forced him to pause, too. She turned to him and rested a hand on his arm. "Elliot is a friend, and nothing more."
"He acts as though he has some claim on you."
"I have no control over his feelings, only my own. He has proposed to me, but—" she answered.
"You'll never marry him," he interrupted harshly before she could finish.
Cari gave a stubborn lift of her chin. "I never said I intended to, but I haven't refused him yet," she countered. But she knew she would and soon. She could no longer encourage Elliot. She knew she could never settle for less than Silver Wolf.
They entered the building, but didn't have the chance to say another word before Elizabeth descended on them.
"Thank God you're back! We've been looking everywhere!"
"I'm fine, Mother. I was with Silver Wolf." She wanted to soothe her as quickly as possible.
"Why do you suppose I worried?" she demanded, turning to look at Silver Wolf for the first time. He'd matured into an extraordinarily handsome man, who looked more cultured and civilized than many of the men in the room, and the realization only upset her more. Addressing him, she asked tersely, "Do you realize what you've done?"
"I don't think a few minutes alone with me has ruined Cari's life." He smiled derisively.
Elizabeth's temper was frayed. "I hardly think you're in any position to make that decision. James told me that you'd been educated, but obviously you didn't learn the one lesson you needed to learn most."
"And what was that?" Silver Wolf regarded her levelly, betraying no emotion. Though he knew she'd always despised him, she was Cari's mother and James's wife, and, as such, still deserving of his respect.
"Your place!"
A murmur swelled through those within earshot, but Elizabeth was too distraught to notice. Her worst fears were coming true.
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"If you weren't so concerned about appearances, you might be more accepting of others," he countered.
"Cari . . ." Elizabeth said her name in a command. "Come with me."
"Mrs. McCord, maybe you should stop trying to control Cari and trust her to make the right decisions."
His words pushed Elizabeth over the edge, and, livid, she slapped him.
Cari had been miserable as she'd listened to the exchange. Discovering her mother's interference in their correspondence had devastated her, and hearing her say these things to Silver Wolf upset her even more. But when her mother actually slapped him, she was so horrified she could only stare at her in total disbelief. She hadn't thought her mother capable of such an act. She was stunned and rendered speechless.
Silver Wolf's face was schooled into a stony mask, but his eyes flared with intensity as he stood rigidly before Elizabeth. He'd been insulted before, but this time, in front of the townspeople, it was particularly humiliating. He glanced at Cari, waiting for her to say or do something—anything—but she stood in silence, looking at her mother with an expression he couldn't read. A deadly coldness filled him as no word was said in his defense. A terrible sense of betrayal overwhelmed him, and he knew he was alone.
Silver Wolf turned and walked from the hall. He passed Elliot on the way out. Elliot had witnessed the scene and, seeing the look in his eyes, quickly got out of his way.
Going out the side door, Silver Wolf skirted the building, heading toward the street. As he passed beneath one of the open windows, he overheard two matrons talking in scandalized tones.
"Did you see what happened? The McCord girl was outside with that half-breed for the longest time, and I guess her mother took exception to it! Thank goodness the girl's back inside now and talking to that nice man from back East. But heavens, did you see the way Elizabeth McCord slapped Daniel Marshall? I would never have had the nerve!"
"Why, she's lucky he didn't pull a knife on her and slit her throat right there!"
Silver Wolf kept on going. His thoughts were on Cari. He had gone to the dance tonight only to see her, and now that he had, he would leave town. For a few moments, he'd allowed himself to believe that they shared something special, but the pain of her betrayal had destroyed that foolish notion. According to the two women he'd heard gossiping, she was already back with Elliot again. Obviously his encounter with her mother had just been a temporary embarrassment for her and nothing that could disrupt the good time she'd been having.
Emerging on the street in front of the hall, Silver Wolf changed his mind about going straight back to his rooms to pack. He didn't drink very often, but tonight was the exception. He stalked off toward the nearest saloon.
As soon as Silver Wolf left the hall, Cari finally spoke up.
"Mother, how could you?" she demanded through gritted teeth.
"How could I?" Elizabeth turned to her, white-faced and still furious. "How could you? You know how I feel about him."
"And I also know how I feel about him!" she countered angrily. "Silver Wolf and 1 talked, and we know the truth now. We know how you intercepted and destroyed our letters to each other."
"I did it for your own good," she defended herself. She was very aware that Nettie was watching them with great interest, and she was trying not to draw any more attention to them.
"My own good? How can breaking my heart be good for me? Silver Wolf means . . ."
Before she could say anything more, Elliot reached them, interrupting what she'd been about to say. "Cari, are you all right?" he asked.
She paused, and, realizing this was no place to argue with her mother, she chose her words carefully. "I'm afraid I'm suddenly not feeling very well, Elliot. Please take me back to the hotel."
"Of course."
"Cari, you can't leave. It's early yet." Elizabeth stopped her. Now that the half-breed was gone, the rest of the evening promised to be more entertaining.
"Good night, Mother." Her words were cold and final.
Elizabeth barely controlled her temper. "We'll talk about this when your father and I return to the hotel."
Cari didn't even bother to answer as she walked away with Elliot. They were about to exit when she caught sight of Ben Douglas.
She asked Elliot to wait for her. "There's someone I need to speak to before we go," she explained.
Cari knew she was being more than a little bold by approaching Ben, but she was worried about Silver Wolf.
"Ben? Could I talk to you for a moment?"
Ben was surprised to find Cari McCord by his side. She looked troubled about something, so he quickly excused himself from Melanie and her mother, who'd been holding him hostage in conversation.
"I need your help," Cari told him when they'd reached a place where no one else could hear their conversation.
"Why? What happened?"
"You haven't heard the gossip?"
"Heard what gossip?"
Cari drew a deep breath. "My mother had words with Silver Wolf and she slapped him. He walked out before I could say anything."
Ben was stunned.
"She's never liked him, and when she found out we were outside by ourselves, she got upset."
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know. I wanted to talk to him, but he disappeared out the side door. Find him for me, Ben. Please . . ."
Ben's green eyes darkened with concern. "I'll find him. Don't worry."
Cari returned to the waiting Elliot, and they started back toward the hotel in silence.
"Feeling any better?" he finally asked.
"A little," she answered distractedly. Her every thought was on Silver Wolf. She kept looking for him as they made their way through town, but she saw no sign of him and hoped Ben was having better luck. Her heart ached for Silver Wolf and she wanted to tell him she was sorry. She wanted to kiss him and hold him and never let him go. But he was gone, and she wondered desperately when she'd see him again.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
"No. There's really nothing to say."
They entered the hotel and he escorted her to her room. She gave him the key and he unlocked the door for her. As she started to go inside, he put a hand on her arm.
"Cari," Elliot said softly. "You know I'm your friend. If you ever need me, I'm here for you."
She smiled tenderly at him. "You are truly a kind man, Elliot." She reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Thank you. Your words mean more to me than you'll ever know."
With that she went inside and shut the door, leaving Elliot alone in the hall.
In his quest to find Cari, James got caught up in conversation with some old friends. When he finally heard rumblings about what had happened, he sought out his wife.
"I just heard that there was some trouble with Silver Wolf," he said quietly. "What happened?"
"I told him what I thought about him taking Cari outside unchaperoned, and when I did, he was very rude to me."
"Is it true that you slapped him right here in front of everyone?"
Elizabeth heard the accusation in his tone and knew he was going to defend the half-breed. Her anger returned. "He deserved it! How dare he put Cari's reputation at risk!"
James grew furious as he regarded his wife. He loved her, but he wanted to shake her now. "How dare you humiliate him. Did it ever occur to you that Cari wanted to be with him?"
"That's what she said before she left with Elliot, but I don't care. What will people think if she cheapens herself?"
"Why do you care what people think? It's what Cari thinks that matters. Not anyone else," he ground out.
"She's too young to know her own mind," Elizabeth defended her own actions.
"You said she left. Where did she go?" His anger was clearly showing in his face now.
"Elliot took her back to the hotel."
"And Silver Wolf? Where is he?"
"I have no idea, nor do I care."
For the first time in his life, James wante
d to throttle his wife. He knew it would do no good, though. All he could do was find Silver Wolf and apologize. "Wait here for me. I'll be back."
"Where are you going?"
"To try to repair some of the damage you've caused." James left the hall, his outrage obvious in his expression and his stride.
Nettie was watching as he spoke to Elizabeth. It was easy to tell he was angry, but she believed his fury was directed at the half-breed. It never occurred to her that he was furious with his wife for insulting a close friend. She spread the word that James was going after Daniel Marshall for the liberties he'd taken with his daughter.
Eleven
It was a sordid scene in the half-lit, sparsely furnished room above the bar in the Sundown Saloon. The man was hulking in size and far too big to be mounting such a small woman, but he didn't seem to care about anything but his own pleasure. As soon as the dark-haired girl had shed her clothes, he practically threw her on the bed atop the already soiled linens and thrust within her. His eyes were closed in concentrated ecstasy as he selfishly sought his own release. She was a whore to him, a receptacle for his needs and nothing more. His hands pawed at her small breasts as he quickened his demanding pace.
Beneath him, the woman moved uneasily as he tormented her with deliberately painful caresses. She turned her face away from the vile heat of his panting breath, her brightly painted lips twisting into a grimace of disgust. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought against the tears that threatened, but to no avail. One lone tear escaped and traced a path down her heavily rouged cheek. When finally the man shuddered, gave a guttural groan, and collapsed beside her, relief flooded through her.
Jenny Moore lay still, waiting nervously to see what Dex was going to do next. When he didn't move right away, she held her breath in fearful anticipation and inched carefully from his side. The stench of his unwashed body and too much whiskey was nearly overpowering, and her stomach was roiling in protest. For not the first time that evening, she cursed the Saturday nights that brought all the cowboys to town looking for a good time.
