Inspecting her hands, he could feel her pulse fluttering under his thumb as he caressed her wrist. “You’re looking better today. I thought maybe we could let you heal a bit more and just ride into town for the livestock. That is, if you would care to join me?” he questioned as he raised her wrist, kissing the inside that he had just been touching.
“Let’s get you some gloves too so these stay soft,” he suggested and grinned at the pink tint to her cheeks. He enjoyed making her blush with his attentiveness.
Pulling back gently, Elizabeth turned away embarrassed by the tender ministrations and her own reaction. When she felt his lips touch her wrist, her body betrayed her. Her traitorous eyes snapped back to his dark head instead of remaining turned away so she could think. She watched his lips form a tender smile that lit his dark eyes, for her alone.
It was magnetic what he was doing to her. The pull was undeniable between them. Unconsciously, she stepped forward as he gave a small tug of her wrist, pulling her towards him. She could see the intimate look in his eyes and was suddenly unsure of herself. It felt so good to have his arm wrapped around her waist and it seared her body through the material of her dress. She could not look away from his dark eyes as they held such promise of the unknown.
Cole cherished the response he was garnering in Elizabeth. She was warm and teeming with untapped passion that he wanted to find. He could see so many questions in her gaze as she stared at him, her bold, dark eyes searching his.
“I said I would not push you and I won’t. What is it you want from me, Beth?” he asked gently as his head moved ever so slowly closer to hers. He felt like he was physically restraining himself and losing a fighting battle. He needed to taste her like a thirsty man needed water. He found himself caressing her hair and cupping the back of her head.
“Beth, I want to kiss you,” he whispered longingly, breathing her sweet scent. He waited for her acceptance of what was almost inevitable. Cole had to taste her again. Her soft lips had raced through his mind all night as he tossed and turned.
Watching him move in slow motion was a heady thing for Elizabeth. She could feel his breath and the tender way he held her. She knew he was waiting for her to make a choice, to decide if she was ready for him. He had been so good to her, what was she afraid of? Herself? Her response to him? She had crossed states and territories on her own, why should she be afraid of a kiss? With a bravado she didn’t realize she had, she heard herself whisper in response one simple word: please.
At seeing his tender lips curve upward on one side, she was glad of her choice. She saw him close the gap between then with the gentlest of kisses that taunted the inferno hiding inside of her body. His warm lips gently nibbled at her as her body arched closer in response. She felt his mouth coaxing a response, causing a rush of heat between her legs and a moan to slip from her as his tongue caught hers. As quickly as it started, it was just as tenderly over. Elizabeth gently opened her eyes and saw the same heat she felt was simmering in him. Lines of strain were etched on his face as she felt his body clenching and hard against hers. He again was giving her a choice.
Cole felt like his body was molten when he touched hers. His Beth was an incredible woman and he would be a lucky man to have her. She had proven she was strong enough to run once, from her own family. He wanted to be the one she ran to this time. Their kiss promised so much more and it was torture for him to pull back.
“Imagine what it would be like between us,” he whispered against her cheek as he held himself in check. “Don’t respond, just imagine. Think of the way we could be and how I could please you, if you’d let me. I want to kiss you again, but I want more than that. I want it all from you, but only if you are willing to give it to me. All I’m asking for is a chance,” he said softly, feeling her pulse tremor under his cheek as he held her for a moment against him. Cole unwillingly released her supple body and turned away.
“I want you to think about that… just a chance for us. I am not,” he hesitated, crossing his arms across his bare chest to keep him from grabbing her again, “whatever his name is. I am not taking your freedom. I want you to make a choice when you are ready someday. That is me giving you your freedom,” he said roughly, trying to explain himself rationally when all he wanted to do was to pick her up, carry her inside and make love to her until he lost himself.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, but only a moment. He was right. She had more freedom in the last week than she had in her entire life. She could make her own choices and he was allowing it all, right under his own roof.
She was hurt, he took care of her.
She strayed off the path, he swooped in like an avenging angel and guided her away from the nannyhouse and harm’s way.
He wanted to kiss her, but waited for her permission. She was in control and always had been with Cole.
“Court me,” she blurted out unceremoniously. “You wanted a chance and I am giving it to you. Let’s do this,” she said, feeling almost eager at the prospect. She would make her own path and, so far, the path had been pretty darn exhilarating.
Grinning at her answer, Cole looked over his shoulder at the woman he was itching to touch and possess. He nodded in agreement.
“You’ve got it. You want a courtship, I’m game. It starts today and I promise you, you will not regret it,” he said confidently as he opened the front door for her.
“Let’s get ready to head into town. I have some plans to make.” Cole was not about to let this chance slip through his fingers. He was already winning over his fair Beth whether she realized it or not.
Nine
Cole hitched his horse to the old wagon in the barn. The thing had been repaired several times over the years, but it was dependable. Today would be a busy day for them both. He would need some help from Elizabeth, but nothing too strenuous. He did not want to make purchases and leave them in the wagon unattended, so the trip required two people; the second being a guard. No more injured hands for her, if he could help it. He planned on showing her a few sights around town as they picked up purchases, as well as finding some way to make her feel special. He had a few ideas in mind, but wasn’t sure exactly how it would play out yet.
Elizabeth was a bit nervous heading into town. She wasn’t sure if anyone was searching for her and she thought to get word to her family that she was all right. May’s letter, explaining her situation, was tucked neatly in her small purse. She didn’t want to marry Elias, however, she didn’t want her family to think her dead, either. The more she thought about it, the more it bothered her.
Grabbing her reticule, Elizabeth knew she had a few coins left that could be used for a letter or telegram. She wouldn’t reveal where she was, just a simple phrase telling them she was all right would suffice. If they were searching for her due to her error when she purchased her stage coach ticket, they would be searching for Elizabeth Pierce – not Beth Rowlett. So as long as there weren’t wanted posters or a composite in the newspaper, she should be safe. Pulling the bonnet down gently around her face, she should be unrecognizable to anyone in the area.
The ride into Fort Worth was filled with amicable conversation between the two of them, no pressure and no tension. Cole was very attentive to her, tightening her bonnet once when a gust of wind blew it off her head. Chagrined, she explained that she had a tough time pulling hard on the ties due to her sore palms. They were healing and it was much better than yesterday, however, the tenderness lingered and she had no desire to tear open a scab. He asked several questions to break the silence and most of them involved Elizabeth talking about her past.
Cole knew he was prying but it was fascinating to hear how different they had grown up. It was intriguing to hear her talk about her dreams. His Beth wanted to simply experience new things. She admitted she had originally wanted to travel the world, but the uncomfortable trip in the coach had soured her on that mode of transportation. Her eyes lit with excitement when she described the idea of traveling by boat or steam engine
. Her visage softened when she talked about her parents.
He adored how expressive her face was, unfortunately a great deal of the conversation ended up with him glancing over at her bonnet. He knew it served a purpose and was glad she liked the gift, but he was almost wishing he had purchased a different style or slightly smaller brim. Unless she looked directly at him, all he caught were her luscious lips and her chin.
The trip into town was a long one, the wagon was much slower than just the horse. He heard his stomach growl and assumed she would be just as hungry. He had brought two apples for them to snack on until they arrived. Handing her one of the apples, he saw a brief flash of a smile as she turned to him. He couldn’t wait for the sun to go down so she could take off the blasted hat! Maybe he would get her a different one today and let her choose.
They made several shopping stops along the way. The last stop would be the mercantile. Beth could get a set of gloves and he could pick up anything else that they needed or that he might have forgotten on the last trip.
The wagon was loaded with several crates containing chickens, a rooster, a sow, as well as massive bags of corn for feed. Two cows were tethered to the back. Cole had been lucky enough to talk the man at the stockyards into selling him two females, one of which would be having a calf soon enough. That would basically start his small farm back up and give them variety in their meals with some milk, cream, butter and cheese.
As they pulled up to the small mercantile, Cole opted to stay in the wagon himself. He had really done well on his purchases and he was afraid that someone would take advantage of a lone, gorgeous woman with a wagon full of valuables as an open invitation. Stopping the wagon, he set the brake and pulled the rifle across his lap.
Smiling at Elizabeth’s wary expression as she looked directly at him holding the rifle, he leaned in and whispered, “Go pick out what you want. I will wait here while you shop. When you are done, tell Sam to c’mon out and I will sign his ledger for it. He should be behind the counter. if it’s someone else just let me know. I don’t want to leave you in the wagon alone and you probably have better taste in gloves than I do. Get yourself something that will protect your hands and maybe another pretty hat, too.” He smiled and kissed her knuckles gently.
Elizabeth was surprised by his generosity. He was basically letting her choose whatever she wanted and trusted her with his monies. Either that or he was trying to impress her, which worked just as well, honestly. It was not every day you were given the run of the store, even her father had set limits when she and her mother when shopping for the season. Stepping down as gently as possible, she was having a hard time exiting the wagon on her own because of the height and her tender hands.
Cole leaned forward and held her wrists so she did not have to use her hands to hold herself while climbing down. “Beth, I wish I could get down there but I don’t dare leave the wagon seat for fear someone will take our things. This is the city and crime happens here. Just be careful, guard your things and when you come back, I will help you again,” he said apologetically.
If he emptied the seat and helped her down, any thief could hop up and grab the reins before he could get back into the wagon. It wasn’t a bad part of town like Hell’s Kitchen, however, times could be tough and a full wagon would be ripe pickings for a desperate man. The faster he got out of town with their livestock, the more relieved he would be. It was getting to be late afternoon and he was ready to head back. As it was, it would be dark when they arrived back to the homestead. He wanted her to have a good time looking around. He just hoped that she hurried, too.
Elizabeth nodded and appreciated the help from him. She made it down from the high wagon and shook out her skirts, grinning at him. “Thank you, I won’t be gone long,” she said, beaming at Cole’s tanned face. Turning, she stepped up onto the boardwalk and entered the small store. Scents of tobacco, leather and other smells were heady upon entry.
“Can I help you with something today, miss?” Sam Wilson offered. He was curious to know who the young lady was when he saw her disembark the wagon. As he watched the two, he was surprised to see Milton Hale’s son was back in town and figured it wouldn’t take long to draw the boy…eh.. man home where he belonged.
He knew Milton had been a bit upset at Cole leaving to make his way, but understood because he had done the same so many years ago. Cole Hale looked to be the spitting image of his father and Sam was glad to see him. Sam decided he would follow the young lady out if the store was empty and say hello to his old friend’s only child.
Quickly, Elizabeth smiled at the clerk behind the counter. She murmured a hello as she perused the bins and shelves. Beth settled on a small, dusky brown set of gloves that reminded her of Cole’s eyes. Smiling, she found a second set of gloves that matched for him as well. Elizabeth passed on purchasing another hat for herself, instead settling for some gumdrops that were displayed in the small glass case on the counter for the two of them.
Sam watched as the young lady politely shook her head. “Did you ride in with Mr. Hale?” he asked politely trying to draw her into conversation. At her quick nod, he almost rolled his eyes. Was she mute? “Are you related to Mr. Hale,” he queried and again received no response.
Elizabeth was getting nervous at the questions he kept asking. Were there posters of her somewhere? She didn’t see any when she walked in plastered on the doorway, but she pulled her bonnet down further on her head as if to hide.
Sam would not be put off. “You know, I’ve known Cole Hale since he was a boy and it would do him good to have a tender wife take care of him,” he fished around as he saw her carrying the two pairs of gloves. She had excellent taste and seemed incredibly demure. He would do well to have married a meek wife.
Elizabeth eyed the large barrel at the counter and opted to not answer the clerk, but instead ask for assistance as to keep the tart acidic vinegar off her tender hands. She watched as he carefully fished out two large sour pickles from the barrel for them and wrapped them up. The cool pickles would be a treat to snack on during the long ride home. These pickles she knew and liked, unlike the strange okra pickles she had eaten the first night she arrived at Cole’s home.
Glancing up at the clerk, she quietly asked if he mailed letters or telegraphed. She watched as his chest puffed up, proudly boasting that his facility was part of Western Union. Elizabeth happily composed a quick telegram to her family and made arrangement to pay separately from her other purchases. She handed him her carefully folded letter for her new friend May as well.
I am safe and happy- Elizabeth.
The clerk, Sam, asked if the manly gloves were a gift and at her nod he practically cooed at the thought of this tiny, demure lady being Cole’s wife. The boy had hit the jackpot! Sam was more than happy to place the charges on Cole’s account for his new “wife”. Elizabeth blushed mightily and said not a word. She would not correct the man, afraid that he would decline the charges and Cole would be forced to leave the wagon unattended. Elizabeth’s heart pounded as Sam sent the wire and then carefully signed the book Beth Rowlett-Hale under his watchful eye.
Looking around, anywhere but at the grinning store clerk, she waited impatiently, tapping her foot silently, to get out of the store. Elizabeth felt like he as taking his sweet time wrapping up the gloves in brown waxed paper since she mentioned it was a gift for Cole. She declined having her gloves wrapped up, but accepted the bags with the gumdrops and pickles.
Elizabeth stepped happily from the store and was blasted, once again, by the warm breeze flowing between the buildings making the temperatures bearable. Looking at Cole, she felt guilty she had taken so long. He was currently sitting in the sun and wiping his brow. She liked the way his eyes lit and his smile grew wide as he saw her emerge. It made her feel precious to him, that it wasn’t just desire-but maybe something more?
Attempting to gracefully climb into the wagon, Beth slipped one small boot onto the metal fixture on the side, pulling herself up as Cole reache
d for her arm to assist. She felt Cole’s hand close around her arm, guiding her in as she swept her skirts up and tucked them into the narrow well for their feet. As she seated herself, she heard Cole say hello loudly over her shoulder. She glanced over quickly to see it was the clerk. “Oh no,” Beth whispered and prayed that he wasn’t going to congratulate them on their nuptials.
And he did.
Could the ground just open up and swallow me now? she thought, embarrassed as she heard the two chat for a few moments. Beth avoided Cole’s grin as she saw him shake Sam’s hand and thanked him for the kind words. Sitting silently, Beth stared at the packages in her hands. Not sure where to set them and trying her best to avoid the issue, she sat mortified at being caught in the white lie.
Ten
Cole watched as Beth emerged from the small shop, eying her shapely figure. She wanted to be courted, he would try his best. He had really never tried to woo a woman, many came to him when he wanted to pay for the company. Beth was different. She was a lady and would need to be treated as such. He figured that most women liked pretty things, but the lifestyle demanded that she have something to protect her face and hands; hence the trip to the mercantile. He had watched her through the glass, seeing her look around and chat happily with Sam Wilson. Cole and his father had done business with Sam for years. He was well known for honesty and taking care of the people he sold goods to.
When Cole saw Sam come out smiling, he assumed it was to say hello … not to congratulate him on his wedding! He explained to Sam that it was certainly a surprise to both of them, as he put his hand on the stiff back of a now silent Beth.
Cole suppressed a chuckle and decided to roll with the story, after all, wasn’t that his goal? He would have Beth, but apparently Beth would have him as well! He guessed that she had no idea that Common Law marriages were upheld in the State of Texas. She was now unknowingly his wife and Cole sure liked the idea of that. He had wanted it to be her decision and, unknowingly, she had said yes to the world.
Beloved Texas Bride Page 10
