Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  “I agree,” Frank says, stepping up from behind. “I couldn't convince them, Dalton. I won't be going any further. I was told that the Railroad had all the passengers sign waivers stating that they knew this could be dangerous. Our trains are robbed and sabotaged daily, but we can't let fear stop us from our path.” Frank sighs and twirls his conductor's hat in his hand. “I am leaving on the next stagecoach for home. You're welcome to come with me, Dalton.”

  Dalton smiles at the kind offer, “Thank you, Frank, but home is calling me. We will be leaving tonight. God speed.” He shakes his hand and turns to go get Cassie.

  When he enters the cabin, he stops and stares at her with his mouth gaping open. Gone is the lady and in her place stands a rancher. His smile widens and lust flares instantly in his eyes. Her eyes meet his, and her body responds immediately. He moves swiftly to her and jerks her into his arms.

  His kiss is one fueled by passion. Cassie opens her mind and takes the images he pushes at her. The picture of him stripping her and spending hours worshipping her body. Laughter bubbles up, followed by excitement. She pushes away and puts her hands on her pistol grips.

  “Well, what did you expect? I can't ride two hundred miles in a dress. Dalton, I was born and raised on a ranch. I'm ready to go.”

  “I wasn’t expecting this! I approve, sugar. I wish we had more time, but we need to go.” He quickly grabs the two bags left and leads the way down the steps and into the cold air. Cassie glances around and is surprised at the lack of people. The horses are tied up just past the livery. “Stay close, and try not to draw attention to yourself.” He swiftly walks down the street about two blocks before they hear the whistle of the train.

  She looks at him in shock and stops walking. “No,” she murmurs. Dalton links his arm through hers. “Frank said they wouldn't listen, Cassie. He took a stagecoach earlier, and he was very grateful to you. We need to go.” Dalton urges her on, and they turn away not wanting to watch the train depart.

  They walk around the corner and find the three horses waiting for them. Cassie greets her horse and strokes his muzzle affectionately before strapping her saddlebags onto him and mounting. Dalton does the same. “Ready?”

  Cassie looks at him and smiles at the rugged image he presents. He seems more like a bandit than a rancher, with his beard and guns. “Lead the way.”

  He kicks the horse into a gallop, and they quickly disappear into the woods outside of town. Just inside the woods edge, he pulls up short and waits for her to stop beside him. “We will have to travel at night. I know of a pass for us to cross through into Wyoming. I am hoping to make it before dawn. Are you up for this?”

  “I am.” At her words, he urges the horses on. They travel for hours guided by the brilliance of the full moon. They are trying to stay in the cover of trees, and the path he has chosen is not through the dense forest.

  After the sunset, the temperature dropped quickly from the mid-seventies to low twenties. Cassie is thankful for her layers, and the duster Dalton gave her to wear.

  They stop only to water the horses and relieve themselves. He's determined to make it to the first pass before dawn. Following the well-worn game trail is risky. Many of these animals like the bison, have made perfect passes through terrain that is traditionally dangerous or impossible to pass. Wild horses stick close to the streams and rivers, and so do the Indians. He plans to avoid those trails as much as possible.

  They send out hunting parties usually in the early morning hours when the bighorn deer are moving. For now, he plans to avoid both the Indians and the big game. Five hours later, Cassie is tired, sore and cold, but she does not complain.

  Though used to being on a horse she's not accustomed to hours in the saddle. Exhausted and cold, she follows Dalton blindly through the night. Her horse, as though sensing her fatigue slows down and falls back slightly.

  Cassie catches movement from the corner of her eye and urges her horse to catch up to Dalton.

  A movement to his right alerts Dalton to the danger. They are being tracked. He puts a finger to his lips, motioning for her to be silent and urges the horses a little faster. He slips his bowie knife from his sheath and directs Cassie to go in front of him. Her adrenaline kicks in, and she is instantly awake.

  Is it a bear? A pack of wolves? What could it be? The insects fall silent, and the forest watches in anticipation. Who will be the victor in this timeless tale? A flash of movement beside her and Cassie screams just as Dalton smacks the rump of her horse and yells, “YA!”

  A clawed paw hits Cassie's shoulder, throwing her from her horse with a powerful blow. She flies into a small tree, and her leg takes most of the impact. She screams against the pain until she falls to the ground and the breath is knocked from her lungs. Cassie can only writhe in agony as she watches her horse bolt away into the night.

  The mountain lion roars in frustration and turns to leap at his victim again, but Dalton throws himself on the animal before it can go for the kill. It bucks Dalton off its back with a quick twist, and he rolls away quickly standing in a defensive position.

  Cassie struggles to her feet, pain shooting down her thigh and into her calf. Ignoring the pain in her shoulder and ribs, she draws her pistol and aims at the Mountain Lion. A low rumble of a growl comes out of its fanged mouth, and Dalton yells at Cassie, “Don't shoot!”

  The beast and the man circle each other, Dalton waits until he sees the flash of death in its beautiful eyes. Armed with its vicious claws, a powerful bite, and speed, Dalton knows he will only get one chance to save them.

  Desperate now, Cassie looks around for a weapon and decides on a large rock. She picks it up, and everything seems to happen at once. When the large cat swipes at Dalton with his sharp claws, Cassie screams again and throws the rock at it.

  Startled by her movement, it's predatory instinct kicks in, and he leaps towards the weaker of the two humans. Dalton dives onto the back of the animal and this time sinks his large knife deep into its eye socket. A roar of outrage and pain has the cat trying to buck Dalton off again, but he is already going for the kill. Dalton rips the blade free in a spray of blood and slices it down across the cat's belly before rolling free.

  With a scream of agony, the bleeding animal drags its bloody body off into the night.

  Dalton wipes the blood off his blade in the grass and returns it to the sheath on his belt. Cassie stands gaping at Dalton as he struggles to his feet.

  “Dalton?” she moans and as the trembling starts, they move towards each other, desperate to touch. She limps towards him holding her side, and he cups her face in his before running his hands over her checking for injuries. The sleeve of her denim duster is ripped slightly from the claws, but there is no penetration.

  “It’s okay, I’m fine. What about you?” he answers her unvoiced question and looks at her face, wiping away the dirt and tears.

  “I’m okay, but the horses ran off.” She answers quietly. He runs his hands over her body looking for signs of serious injury. Satisfied when he finds only scratches and dust, he looks down into her eyes.

  “Cassie we can't risk using our pistols or rifles. This land is teeming with bandits, soldiers, and Indians who target settlers. A mountain lion would seem a kitten compared to your fate if they capture you.”

  “I know... but I thought you were going to die! It was a mountain lion!” Her voice breaks and she turns away to gather her composure. She wipes her dirt-streaked face and looks around for the horses.

  Dalton pulls her back against his chest and kisses her neck softly. He takes a moment to hold her, and whispers into her hair, “I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.”

  She turns swiftly in his arms and takes his mouth desperately. His mouth opens over hers, taking complete possession. He feels her fear beating at him, and his own terror at the sight of the lion attacking her echoes in his mind. When his hands clutch her waist, and he pulls her to his body, he realizes he is contemplating making love to he
r where they stand, he forces himself to stop. With his forehead pressed to hers, he holds her giving her the comfort they both need.

  “Cassie, we have to get moving. The scent of blood will draw more predators.”

  He releases her and starts tracking the horses. Forty minutes later they find all three horses near a stream. After checking them for injuries, Dalton mounts up and turns to see Cassie struggling to mount.

  “Cass?” He asks with concern. She gives a final pull and is able to mount but sits doubled over and breathing hard.

  “I'm okay. Let's get going.” She snaps and sits up straighter.

  “We only have about two hours more to make the pass. I promise it will be worth it.” They ride silently alone the starlit path and Cassie is amazed at the brightness of the trail. Illuminated by only the moon and stars, they seem to be riding a path straight up to heaven. Soon, the horses are having to work harder to make it up the gravel and rocks. Cassie leans forward in her seat trying to ease the pain in her ribs and leg.

  Dalton watches Cassie with growing concern. Her injuries must be more than she is letting on. They ride up the foothills, higher and begin to twist and turn through what seems to be an old river bed. Snaking up through crevices and canyons until finally stopping at the base of a wall of granite. It is overgrown with spruce trees. Snow paints the tips of the trees and the tops of the mountain.

  Cassie sighs with relief when the horses stop. Dalton leaps down from his horse and begins to run his hands over the mountain face. Her eyes drift upward, and she stares up at the purple sky littered with diamonds. Exhausted, she says a quick prayer of thanks for having made it through the trials today.

  When she glances back, Dalton is leading his horse along the wall to the left and soon disappears into the rock! Startled, she hesitates before urging the horses forward. Slowly, Cassie follows Dalton and to her surprise finds a pass that is camouflaged into the granite and undergrowth. As she turns the first corner, she sees Dalton waiting with a grin. The brim of his black hat is pulled low over his blonde hair, and she smiles at the image he presents. They wander through the narrow pass and higher into the tight canyon.

  Finally, Dalton halts and dismounts. He gestures for Cassie to wait and disappears into the entrance of a cavern.

  Cassie slides off her horse and leans heavily on the saddle for support. Pain shoots through her body, and she drops her head waiting for it to dim. Fatigue and pain radiate through her entire body, and she doesn't hear Dalton until he touches her.

  “We're here. Can you walk?” She turns to him and shakes her head no. Her lips are pressed shut tight as she struggles not to cry out.

  “I've got you, Angel.” Dalton scoops her up, and she settles into his chest.

  “I'm sorry, Dalton.” She whispers against his throat as he walks into a cavern.

  “You don't have anything to be sorry for, darlin.” Walking on she feels a warm breeze, and he whispers, “Open your eyes for me.”

  It takes a moment for her eyes to adjust and her mouth falls open in shock. “Is this a dream?”

  He is standing next to a bubbling pool of aquamarine water, surrounded on all sides by green velvet moss covered rocks. The pre-dawn sky is open above, and the fading stars are reflecting off the pool.

  “This is our own private Eden.” He walks over to a ledge and sets her down carefully. He squats down to explain. “When I was little my father discovered this cavern and the hot spring. Once we were old enough, he brought us here. It is safe to swim in and will keep us out of sight. We will camp here today. I'm going to get the horses brought inside.”

  Cassie looks around, “It is so beautiful.” She stretches out a hand over the steaming water touching the surface with her fingertips. After a few seconds, she stands up and walks slowly around taking in the beauty, hoping to burn it in her memory forever. “Who knew that these mountains hide treasures like this?” Dalton returns and laughs.

  “Just wait until I get you in the water.”

  Once their saddles are removed, the horses are watered, and fed. Cassie turns to find Dalton removing his clothes. He piles his clothes neatly on the ledge, and her breath is taken away by the sculpted beauty of his body.

  He steps into the water with a moan, and he dives under, swimming a few laps before rising out of the steam.

  Her mouth waters as she stares at the steaming water sheeting off his hard body. Cassie laughs when he wiggles his eyebrows at her.

  “Join me beautiful. Don't make me come after you.” Cassie doesn't need to be told twice. She removes her hat and duster, followed by her boots. He swims closer to the edge to watch, and his eyes follow the trail of her hand. She swiftly jerks the long sleeve blouse over her head, and he is shocked by the sight of her money stuffed corset.

  “I had it made before we left,” she explains with a blush.

  “Genius, the paper will act as an insulator. I'm glad I didn't throw you in like I thought about.” He chuckles until she drops her jeans revealing the purple and black bruises on her legs.

  When the corset comes off, and her white shift is removed, he is given a true view of her injuries. “Cassandra! Why didn't you tell me?” he rushes from the water and starts prodding her ribs.

  Cassie tries to block her bare body from his sight, but he refuses to allow it. He presses and prods on her black and blue ribs looking for signs of broken or fractured bones. Cassie shivers and grabs his hands, “Dalton, I am okay, but I’m freezing.”

  Horrified at the amount of bruising her body has taken, he swiftly lifts her from her feet, and she gasps. “I can walk you, oaf. You have to stop picking me up,” she starts to say, but the ecstasy of the hot water bubbling around her naked body has her moaning.

  “Oh, my!”

  He laughs and carries her deeper. When he starts to release her, she spins and wraps her legs around his waist, “NO! Don't let me go.”

  “I'm trying to be good here, Cassie and not ravish you, but this is killing me!”

  Her face is buried in his neck, and she mumbles, “I can't swim.”

  “Not a problem. This spring is only about five feet deep in the center. You should be able to stand.” He walks to the center and stops allowing the hot bubbles to soothe her body, and she sighs. When she looks up at him, she feels his arousal pressing against her hot center.

  “Don’t let me go,” she whispers and leans back with her legs wrapped around his waist, she eases back taking him deep into her body.

  “Never, Cassie.” They spend the next hour enjoying the water and their passion for each other. They explore each other, bringing their bodies to new heights of ecstasy before the final blush of dawn dusts the sky overhead.

  Later, when she is tucked safely in his bedroll, he checks on the horses inside and scouts around outside the caverns to remove any trace of their entrance. When Dalton returns, he gathers her close, and they sleep, unaware of the storm closing in on them.

  Chapter 29

  Aiden checks his pocket watch from his seat on the train.

  “Next stop, Promontory.” The conductor says moving through the cabin. Aiden's arm snakes out, and he grabs the conductor’s wrist, “This train was supposed to take us to Brigham City.”

  “We have to stop for coal and water, sir.” He pulls his arm away, “I assure you we will make Brigham City by nightfall.” Aiden lets him leave and sits back again watching the scenery pass. He has heard stories of “Hell City,” it is said that a fog of evil covers the town and Aiden can't wait to immerse himself in the waters of its glory.

  The train comes to a slow stop, with a grinding of heavy wheels. Slowly the people on board begin to depart.

  Aiden steps down and heads inside the main depot. It's a small, run down town, with neglected buildings. Some passengers depart the train, but most stay on board. Promontory has nothing to offer. Aiden heads to the desk and rings the bell. An old man chews on his pipe as he walks to the desk and waits.

  “Perhaps you could help me.
I'm looking for someone who may have passed through on the last train. A Mr. Dalton Rivers and his wife, Cassandra.”

  The man pales and puts his pipe down before answering. “Are they relatives of yours?”

  “Yes, my brother and his wife,” Aiden answers quickly.

  Clearly uncomfortable now, the old man clears his throat before answering. “I'm sorry to tell you this, but that train was set upon by Indians. They sabotaged the tracks and killed everyone on board. Only one survivor remains, and he won't live to see morning.”

  Aiden grabs the man by the front of his stained shirt and almost jerks him across the desk. “Take me to him, now!”

  A few minutes later they are standing inside a small room in the back of the boarding house. It is dimly lit, and the doctor greets Aiden. “I don't know if he will make much sense. I have him on a high dose of morphine for the pain. They scalped him good.” The doctor steps aside, and Aiden enters and gasps against the stench.

  He looks down at the man, and the doctor says, “Mr. Allen, you have a visitor.”

  Lying on a cot covered in blankets, the man struggles to open his eyes. His head is wrapped in thick blood-soaked bandages. His fingers twitch, and Aiden steps forward. He unfolds a piece of paper,

  “Sir, I am looking for my brother and his wife. A Mr. Dalton Rivers and Cass…”

  “Cassie?” the strained voice cuts him off. Excited, Aiden moves forward.

  “Yes, can you tell me what happened to them?” he asks loudly.

  “We didn't listen! Why?” he whispers and begins to grow agitated. “She Knew! How could she know!!! We didn't' listen!!!!” he yells, and the doctor moves in, alarmed. He picks up the morphine, but Aiden stops him with a look and hand on his pistol.

  “She knew what? What did Cassie know?” His drug hazed eyes look at Aiden.

  “She warned us, but we laughed at them. Captain said… Where is Captain? We didn’t listen!” he turns away from Aiden and begins to weep softly.