by Reece Butler
“You weren’t much more than a kid back then,” replied Ranger quietly. He met Trace’s eyes and shrugged away the past. “It’s the way it is. We’re all here, now.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t know if Fin will come after her, but The MacDougal plans to put her inheritance into more land. As long as Jessie’s married before Fin shows up, she’ll be fine.”
“I take it Jessie doesn’t like this man,” stated Sin.
“He’s as mean as a wolverine with a couple of rotten teeth,” said Ranger. “Fin’s hated Jessie ever since she was a kid. She stands up to him, and he doesn’t like it. The night Louisa got married, he attacked her—”
“What!”
Ranger held up both hands to hold back Trace and Sin’s outrage.
“She damn near gelded him,” continued Ranger, grinning. “Ross taught her never to go anywhere without a couple knives. Fin never expected her to carry one under her dress.”
“That’s my little sister,” said Trace with a hint of a smile. He raised an eyebrow in warning. Sin shifted his hand to cover his belt buckle and what lay behind it. “The MacDougal promised Pa he’d take care of Jessie. As Clan Chief, he thinks that means marrying Jessie to his oldest son, Fin Junior.”
“That man will touch Jessie over my dead body,” declared Sin quietly.
“I doubt Fin would leave Texas,” said Ranger. His frown lightened. “If he did, he’d get an education. The MacDougal name won’t protect him outside Texas. I’d pay to see someone take that bastard apart.” Ranger rubbed his hands eagerly. “Hell, I’d pay someone to watch me do it!”
“If this Fin MacDougal’s out of the picture, all we have to do is get Ace and Jessie together,” said Sin. “Once he realizes she’s a woman, and available, I think he’ll smarten up and propose.”
“From what I see, they can’t stand each other,” said Frank. He gave the young bucks an innocent look, hiding his knowledge from years of marriage to a strong wife.
“Ace gets a hard-on when he looks at what he thinks is a fourteen-year-old boy,” said Sin. “He doesn’t like that, so he keeps far away from Jessie.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t have to see her to get a hard-on,” drawled Sin. “Just thinking about her—”
“That’s my little sister you’re talkin’ about,” growled Trace. “You’d better keep your pecker in your pants until after the wedding.”
Sin leaned a shoulder against the wall and met Trace’s glare head-on. “Jessie will marry into the Double Diamond,” he said quietly. “But she’s a grown woman and will make her own decisions.”
Frank hid a smile at the challenge. It was about time Trace had someone to butt heads with. Trace’s fingers curled into fists. Sin raised an eyebrow and flexed his crossed arms. Even through the material, Frank could see large muscles move. Sin had two inches and a couple dozen pounds on Trace, but Trace was wily. Though he’d banned the older Elliotts from town for fighting, he’d love to see a knock-down, drag-’em-out fistfight between the Elliotts, MacDougals, and Double Diamond men. A real free-for-all where the idea was to let off steam and have a good time.
“You’ve got a wife to go home to,” said Sin to Trace. “Ranger and me, we’re stuck with plenty of nothing. The best we can get is a rise in our pants.”
“Speak for yourself,” said Ranger. “At least you got a wife in sight, thanks to me.”
“I thought you said Ben would bring a wife when he returns from the East,” said Frank.
“My twin’s never broken a promise, but this time…?” Ranger scowled. “Ben’s a lawyer now. He thinks more about what’s between a gal’s ears than under her dress. He’d end up with a brainy sourpuss who talks about things that don’t matter a damn and won’t share her bed on a cold night.” He sighed. “I don’t expect to have a wife until Patrick heads East in a couple-three years.”
Frank, Sin, and Trace looked at Ranger. He shrugged. “No decent woman wants a rough cowboy like me. If Ben doesn’t bring one, Patrick will wrassle a woman to the altar for us.”
Frank let the silence ring for a moment before speaking. “So, boys, how you gonna get Ace and Jessie married?”
“First we have to stop her talking to him with an accent so thick it’s hard to understand what she’s saying.” Sin smiled, perhaps in admiration. “Drives Ace nuts.”
“Everything about Jessie drives Ace nuts,” said Trace. “That’s why Beth says they want each other.”
“Beth knows about Jessie?” Ranger looked at Sin, then they both glared at Trace.
“I don’t keep much from my wife, but I keep a fair bit from my brothers.”
“Thanks a hell of a lot for the warning,” muttered Ranger. He shut his mouth when Trace shot him a trail boss look. They might both head ranches, but Trace would always be the oldest brother.
“This morning I caught the two of them sneaking glances at each other. Beth says that means they don’t want to admit what they feel.” Trace shared a well-married husband look with Frank. “Ace snarls at Jessie. She answers him in a way that would bring Beth a spanking. Jessie stomps off, and Ace glares like he wants to take her over his knee but for some reason, won’t.”
“The reason being, he thinks Jessie is a boy,” said Sin.
Ranger grinned. “Soon as Ace figures out that Jessie-the-woman has been sassing him for weeks, he’s gonna make sure she can’t sit down for a while.”
“He’d better not touch her until after the wedding,” growled Trace once more. “Beth also says a woman needs a home of her own. Jessie’s not been welcomed in a home since Ma died. Building her one would make her feel more settled. Might get her to nest a bit.”
“We have a cabin—”
Ranger snorted at Sin. “It leaks air like a window. My sister lived in Texas for years, then in a fine house in Virginia. She’s not used to the cold.”
“I’ll order some squared timbers and other supplies,” said Trace. “They’ll be ready to go when needed.”
“We don’t take charity,” declared Sin quietly. He stood straight, hands by his sides.
“We owe Jessie more than you know, and we’d be doing it for her, not you lot,” said Ranger. His neck and cheeks flushed a bit. “Beth’s right. Jessie needs her own home.
“First she’d better get married,” said Frank.
“I want the wedding before the bedding,” growled Trace.
“That’s up to Jessie,” said Sin quietly.
Chapter Ten
Ace settled himself comfortably on his horse and looked at his ranch. His, along with Sin and Henry. They’d all given up a lot to make a new life here in this wild country, but they’d gained as well. His eyes closed in spite of his need to keep going. They’d all worked almost day and night for the past few months, ever since he won it all from Smythe.
Sin and Henry could snore all night, but he had to make plans for all contingencies. He didn’t think he’d slept more than a couple of hours a night since he threw down three of a kind and won it all.
Thanks to the insolent brat, they’d learned how to do the tasks required to run the Double Diamond. Not everything and not very well, but it would come with practice. They’d have lots of opportunity to do it themselves now that the three weeks were up.
If that boy wasn’t so good at what he did, Ace would have thrashed him a dozen times a day during the last three weeks. He knew Jessie used that blasted accent just to push him. He’d overheard discussions where it seemed the boy might even have read a book or two.
His cock twitched, as it did every time he thought of, spoke to, or saw Jessie Bonham. He shifted in the saddle, cursing his need for a woman. Only two ranches in the valley had wives, so he wasn’t the only one wanting. Maybe he’d invite the Circle C, Flying X, and J Bar C over to celebrate their misery together with his last bottle of good whiskey.
It would be a long time before they could afford anything but rot gut. But the Double Diamond had no debt, and he’d keep it that way. No borrowi
ng gold and no taking help with a future debt to be paid. He would not be beholden to anyone.
It would still be busy for the next few weeks until they joined Ranger to take the steers to BannackCity. Once the steers were gone, he’d sleep. The gold would buy food for the winter. The log cabin needed chinking, but he had time. Lying in bed at night he could see stars from between the logs. A cool breeze was nice now, but there was much to be done to survive winter. He believed the warnings about MontanaTerritory weather.
When they were ready, they’d build a home in the lower part of the valley, not far from the river and road to Tanner’s Ford. It wouldn’t be until one of them married, however.
A flash of white to his left caught his eye. Was someone riding near the ridge above the cabin? He backed his horse into the brush and got out his eyeglass. He opened it up and searched until he found…
Jessie, riding Trouble! A perfect name for a trouble-maker’s horse.
“Blast that boy!” He watched Jessie steer Trouble uphill. “Blast it, Sin was supposed to have the brat in town by now!”
Was he stealing Trouble, riding over the rim on the long way to town? Ace watched the boy ride toward a rock outcrop he’d not investigated. Boy and horse passed between the boulders and disappeared. Though he watched for a while, they didn’t emerge.
He’d seen Jessie ride high on the ridge before. Had the boy found gold on Double Diamond land and now returned to steal it?
A shaft of rage flashed through his body, heating his blood. His cock throbbed as well, caught up in the surge. The boy had damn near laughed in his face every time he gave an order. He’d waggled his ass in those tight pants, bending over to pick up wood for the fire and creating a fire inside Ace as well.
He’d put up with weeks of the same look his family used to sneer at him. The one that said Kenrick Langford, the third son, was useless. He’d had to put up with his father and older brothers. No bratty child was going to get away with it!
He’d informed Jessie that morning his services were no longer needed. That meant the brat was trespassing on Double Diamond land. By George, he was going to take him down a few pegs, even if he had to use the flat of his hand on the boy’s backside!
Ace slid his eyeglass back into its slot and rode just under the ridge until he came to the clump of rocks. A stream ran down, yet no water flowed above. He dismounted and touched the water.
Warm!
He’d heard about hot springs in the area but never guessed one was on his land. How many weeks of aching muscles when he could have relaxed in hot water each night? The boy knew, and withheld the knowledge. With every insolent look, Jessie had thumbed his nose at him. His rage rose a notch higher.
He strode toward the rocks, his horse following. He stopped when he heard a high-pitched noise. A scream? He tilted his head to listen. The horse flicked his ears back. That wasn’t—singing? Was the boy a soprano? In ancient days he’d be gelded to keep that voice. Anger returned to Ace. He had half a mind to geld the lad himself.
He hobbled his horse in the shade where there was some grazing. He didn’t expect to be long with the boy, but after he punished him for trespassing and everything else, he wanted a long, hot soak.
He followed the voice between boulders higher than his head. A large rock pool with even bigger boulders around it made it look, from below, as if there was nothing but rock. His eyes zoomed onto the round white buttocks as the trespasser frog-kicked across the pool. He winced at the jolt of lust that hit. He turned away, shamed at the way his cock rose.
He turned back when the boy splashed. He opened his mouth to yell and realized the boy had rolled over onto his back.
A pair of lush breasts floated on the surface. Ace swallowed. His cock, denied action for so long, throbbed at the temptation floating in the pool.
Jessie was a woman! He shuddered a breath of relief. No wonder he lusted. His body knew what he couldn’t see. A woman could bind her breasts, but how had she hidden the curves of her waist and hips?
He crouched and lifted her hat and shirt from the pile of neatly folded clothing on a flat rock. He snorted. No boy would stop to fold his clothing. A padded corset of canvas lined with soft cotton explained how she bound her breasts. Wide padding attached like a belt would hide the curve of her waist. Thinking back, she usually wore a thigh-length coat. That would cover her back end.
He looked closer at her corset. How the hell had she done so much work with her ribs bound so tight, and at this altitude? Sheer determination along with one huge dollop of need, throw in some stubborn, and there you have it. A woman fighting to work herself to a stick, just to stay in the saddle. She was far older than fourteen. He was twenty-six, and she was well past marrying age. In England she’d be on the shelf, a dried up, sexless old maid.
He watched Jessie float on her back, eyes closed. She sculled with her hands and moved her legs to keep afloat. He groaned when she frog-kicked, showing him the spot his cock couldn’t wait to fill.
Jessie was no dried up stick. She was a curvaceous woman who’d driven him mad for weeks. Ranger must have known she was female. Did the two of them laugh at how they fooled him for so long?
Jessie said Ranger knew her before she went east. If so, why hadn’t he taken her on his own ranch? Perhaps he was an old lover. After all, Jessie must have lived with men, working as a cowboy, for years. She’d have had many lovers. She’d pulled a game on him, but he was the winner. Not only did he get three weeks of free, excellent labor out of her, she owed him. She was on his land, having stolen his horse.
He could have her if he wanted. And he wanted her, by George! His cock had had enough teasing. It wanted action!
“Jessie!”
His bellow echoed off the high back wall of the pool. She startled and went under, arms and legs flailing. She came to the surface, coughing and choking. She swam closer, still choking, until her feet reached the bottom and she could stand with her shoulders out of the water. She kept her head down, coughing and wheezing. The water was so clear he saw her shape to her hips. The curves of a full-grown woman.
“Dammit, why the heck did you do that?”
She wiped her eyes and glared up at him. He saw the moment she realized who he was.
“Oh, no!” She pushed herself backward, deeper into the water until only her head protruded. “Go away!”
“Get out of the water.”
“No! I don’t work for you anymore.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, jaw jutting out of the water. The effect was spoiled by her need to keep moving to stay afloat.
“You stole my horse and are trespassing on Double Diamond land. I can do whatever the hell I want with you.”
“If I’m on your land, and so is Trouble, I haven’t stolen anything. You can’t hurt me, you need me too much. I want to stay on the Double D. You’ve only got a couple of weeks of experience. You’ll never get it ready for winter without me.”
She was right, blast it. He needed her. About to curse, he closed his mouth when an idea formed. She could do more for him than ride a horse. He could put her body to good use during the day, and they could share the night. She couldn’t complain when he made that part of the deal. Either she’d agree, or he’d have Frank Chambers throw her in jail. He’d prove to her how much she’d enjoy his attention, first.
“You can stay,” he called out. She sagged in relief at his words, almost sinking in the water. “But I want more than your cowboy skills.”
She frowned at him. “What do you mean?”
The water looked inviting. So did the nymph floating in it. With over a foot difference in their heights, the buoyancy would be useful. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. She gulped, her eyes flicking over him. He pulled off his boots. Her face was now pink. He undid his belt and pants and stepped out of them.
“Isn’t it obvious what I want?”
Her eyes stared at the thick cock pointing at her. Her mouth was open as if waiting to take him there. He g
roaned at the thought. His cock surged, and he glanced down. A drop of pre-cum squeezed out. She licked her lips then looked up. She looked dazed, but eager. She’d had others, but maybe his cock was bigger than some. He knew how to use it to make the ladies happy. She’d be the next.
“You.” She swallowed and took a breath. “You, uh, want to kiss me?”
“I plan to do one hell of a lot more than that.” His cock twitched in agreement. “You coming out or am I coming in?”
She covered her breasts with her hands, making it difficult to tread water. She didn’t come any closer, so he dropped his hat on his clothes and walked into the water. He shifted sideways until he found where the water was cool rather than hot.
He waded toward her. She looked around. High walls rose from the water in every direction but his. If she wanted out, she’d have to get past him. That wasn’t going to happen. She could play the reluctant virgin all she wanted—he could tell she was primed for sex.
“What’s the matter, Jessie? You’ve played with me for weeks. That first morning you aimed your ass at me every time you bent over to pick up a branding iron. Did you really expect I wouldn’t react?”
Her nostrils flared. She stared at the clear water where his hard cock rose in spite of the cool water. She licked her lips.
“Has it been so long since a man pleasured you that you’ve forgotten how good it is? I’ll make sure you get your fair share of pleasure. Maybe not the first time because I’m primed to explode, but as soon after as I can.”
She bit her bottom lip. He wanted to nip it and plunge his tongue inside, then follow with his cock. But he waited, water up to his chest, as she came to her decision. Finally, she nodded. Her smile wavered a bit, but it was a smile.
“Kiss me?”
“Damn right!”
She reached out a hand. He caught it and hauled her toward him. She placed her hands on his shoulders, her straight body a few inches from his. A sprinkle of freckles covered her pert nose and cheeks. Eyes almost black with eagerness watched him. He looked down. The cool water firmed her breasts and hardened her nipples even more.
