by Webb, Carole
Coming to Chamberlain had definitely been a good decision. Now if she could just manage to keep away from the sardonic marshal, everything would be perfect. The way she felt in his presence made her uneasy. His touch sparked alien feelings and she resented losing control.
When the guests entered the dining room, Raeden had not given much thought regarding the seating arrangements until Diane motioned everyone toward the elaborate table decked with imported crystal and china gleaming in the lamps from the chandelier. All the couples sat next to each other while Mike held a seat at one end of the table for Diane then sat at the far end, which left Cash seated next to Raeden.
How would she ever get through this evening at such proximity without making herself a complete fool?
Taking a deep breath, she glided to her chair while Cash pulled it from the table, his nearness making her uneasy. When his hand brushed her bare shoulder, the sparks flowing between them made her shiver. Not to make an embarrassing scene she composed herself, hoping no one noticed the blush warming her from the neck up.
Cash leaned down to her ear and whispered derisively. “Are you cold, Rae? Shall I fetch your wrap?” How dare he use her nickname? Raeden desired to strike out with a demeaning barb, but decided a scene would only make matters worse. Instead, she flashed him a contemptuous glare.
He gently pushed her chair to the table. “You look lovely tonight, Miss Newell.” Another hint of sarcasm peppered his tone.
She countered his gibe this time with one of her own. “Thank you, Marshal. I must say you look almost civilized.”
Cash completely ignored her during the meal, centering his attention on the other guests while Raeden picked at her food but managed several glasses of wine to steady her nerves, wondering why his disregard disturbed her other than the fact his rudeness would not go unnoticed by the others.
The group lingered over dessert and coffee, eventually retiring to the parlor for brandy. The men headed for the porch to smoke their cigars. Raeden sipped brandy unable to concentrate on the discussion around her then jumped from her seat when the men came in, retrieving their wives cloaks for the journey back to town.
Cash slouched in one of the lounge chairs legs stretched out, feet crossed at the ankles looking far too comfortable while she felt so ill at ease. He casually drank a second brandy, once again searing her skin with dark predatory eyes.
After seeing the guests to the door, Mike and Diane walked to the parlor, both appearing tired. “Cash I hope you don’t mind if Rae sees you out. We are exhausted so we will say our good-byes now.” Raeden kissed them both on the cheek and watched them ascend the wide curving stairway hand in hand.
Turning back to find Cash approaching, her heart pounded with each lazy step he took. With no warning, his hand reached for her face, cupping her chin in his warm hand. Before she could protest, he tilted her head back then bent low, softly kissing her lips. His lips lingered above her mouth, so near the aroma of cigar and brandy feathered her nose. An arm reached around her back pulling her body close to him, breasts pressing into a widespread taut chest. Then his mouth possessed hers like a hungry animal while she swooned over his arm, her knees buckling under his ardent assault.
Finally gathering some reason, she pulled from his grasp. “What do you think you are doing, Marshal? Don’t touch me.” She swung a hand to slap his face but with cat-like reflexes, a hand grasped her wrist.
“Don’t act like you didn’t know my intentions. Have you never been kissed before? Good night, Raeden.” His towering frame filled the doorway when he exited outside. Slamming the door behind him, she heard his boots echoing across the wood planks when he walked off the porch.
Back against the door, she found herself gasping for breath. The heat from her lips spread the length of her body, the sensation-settling deep in her core. It must be the brandy. What else could it be? None of Christopher’s kisses ever left her half conscious and weak in the knees
Opening the door to put out the porch lamp, rays of moonlight reflected off Cash riding in the distance while her fingers moved slowly across lips continuing to burn. Stomping through the house, disgusted with herself for falling prey to his advances, she continued to extinguish the lamps. He is nothing but a rogue as Diane mentioned, trying to add me to his list of conquests, which with his looks are probably many.
Running into the bedroom, she shed her clothing then slipped into a white silk nightgown and plopped into bed. Sleep proved illusive in spite of fatigue. She pushed reminders of Cash’s kisses aside doused by a warning of danger if she allowed herself to succumb to his demands.
Ten
Cash rode at a quick pace away from the house with the scent of roses lingering on his mind. What had gotten into him for being so foolish to let a spoiled sassy girl with pert red lips and deep green eyes allow him to lose his composure? He could still taste her mouth as the cold night-air cooled his desire. Not since the death of his wife had a woman disturbed him in this fashion. He just needed an outlet. He would go visit Angie and have a few more drinks.
He reined Rabbit into the paddock then strolled down the sidewalk toward the saloon seeking out Angie to provide release from his torment and ease the swelling below his belt. The still night air whisked past as he walked, eyes guarded to his destination, boots drumming on the hard planks.
Angie rushed to his side when he entered the saloon, wearing a bare- shouldered black ruffled dress. She slid a slim arm through his bent elbow, leading him to the bar. “What brings you here tonight? You’re dressed for a party.” No words spoken, he pulled her around and pressed her back into the tall polished bar, his bulging manhood against her torso. “Well, I guess my question is answered.”
Cashed downed the drink placed before him on one swallow and slammed the shot glass down on the bar feeling the fire down to his stomach. In a hurry to slake his desire, he hustled Angie up the stairs and into her bed. “You had better get your dress off in a hurry.”
Removing his gun belt and clothing he climbed in beside her on the soft mattress, the sound of springs creaking as his weight lowered to cover her mouth in a savage attack. He roamed every inch of her lithe torso with greedy hands and fingers until she cried out her passion then thrust in with deep rhythmic strokes driving her to the heights of pleasure again before seeking his own release.
***
The silver-crested moon cast eerie shadows reflecting through the open window. A soft breeze billowed the curtain while he laid arms folded under his head staring at the ceiling from his bed in the hotel. He recalled why he had turned to a life of living on the edge at times, favoring loose women and not allowing himself to feel.
On the job in most towns he visited, he had women like Angie, a widow or wife seeking excitement with no strings attached while he delved into escape leaving behind the spread he and his father built. What would his father think of him now and the years he had spent aimlessly wandering, a trail bum with a gun for hire and still a hired gunman though a peacemaker of sorts?
A few hours before dawn, he fell asleep with the scent of roses and the vision of large green eyes on his troubled mind until the pink and gold horizon broke through the darkness signaling a new day.
Eleven
Raeden jumped out of bed eager, almost giddy, to get started. She searched through her wardrobe to choose a dress to fit the expected warm weather and make an impression on the women in town, confident they would recognize the work of a competent professional.
She selected an outfit of pale green muslin trimmed in white eyelet, layered in the back and form fit in the front draping down her slim hips in elegant folds.
Raeden stood in front of the full-length mirror sweeping tendrils of hair away from her face. Thoughts about the previous evening and the tall dashing marshal stirred emotions she did not know existed as she brushed the tip of her fingers over pouted lips remembering the kiss.
The aroma of bacon frying lured Raeden downstairs to the kitchen where Mike and Dia
ne sat eating breakfast before their departure.
A steaming cup of coffee placed before her by Sadie, tasted as good as the aroma and warmed her inside. Too excited to eat a large breakfast, Raeden spread apple butter on a slice of toast and refilled her cup.
***
In her elation, the buggy ride into town seemed endless through the infinite grazing lands. Dark pinnacles rose toward an ocean of clear blue sky scattered with suspended puffs of snow white clouds rimmed with silver reflecting the sunlight while lazily floating south.
Rooftops came into view, so many in the middle of nowhere, not the rustic town she had expected before she arrived.
Most of the original homes looked small and quaint with wood storm shutters and white washed picket fences surrounding well-maintained yards. Spruce trees with interlacing branches, closely planted together along three sides of some fences served as windbreaks from winter gales.
Inside the rear door of the store through the mudroom, a space held floor to ceiling crates and boxes ready to stock the dwindling inventory. Diane surveyed the stacks and suggested they should empty the small crates first to get them out of the way before unloading the larger ones.
An alcove to the left had a large washroom complete with a tiny vanity and mirror. Diane snatched a work apron from the coat rack in the corner. “Here, Rae, you had better put this on. You will soil your lovely dress.”
Raeden pulled on the apron as they moved into the main room. The long wooden counter with deep brass handled drawers held a register with large barrel jars and crocks, backed by sparsely filled shelves. To the left stood a tall rectangular display case holding ammunition and various rifles, shotguns and side arms.
Additional shelving ran along each sidewall toward the front entrance. The wood floor supported narrow tables on tall legs for displaying clothing, linens and various sundries.
On the right stood two adjacent rooms, one with a desk neatly stacked with journals and a wicker caned chair. Diane led Raeden into the second where her bolts of material sat stacked on shelves with a worktable nearby. Her machine stood in front of a window allowing an abundance of natural light throughout. Raeden surveyed the room wide-eyed with a smile while Diane stood looking smug. “We wanted to surprise you. What do you think?”
“This is perfect! I don’t know how to thank you.” She moved her hand along the bolts feeling the fine fabrics, anxious to get started.
***
Crates of goods remaining after re-stocking would go into the attic accessed by pull-down stairs mounted to the trap door in the ceiling. The extra supplies would be valuable for the winter. Diane explained women canned from their summer gardens but supplemented their winter meals with factory-canned items on occasion.
Mike entered wiping beads of sweat from his brow. “Looks like we are making some progress,” He poured a mug of coffee from the pot resting atop the stove. He had been unloading the large articles into their addition with the assistance of two teenaged boys from town. “I sent Willy and Todd to the café for lunch. Why don’t we all take a break?”
Diane brushed stray strands from her face, walking toward the washroom while speaking. “Why don’t you take me to eat at the hotel, if Rae doesn’t mind tending the store?”
Raeden removed the apron and draped it over the back of a nearby chair. “I would be pleased to do it. Just explain how things work when a customer makes a purchase.” She straightened the folds of her dress wishing she had worn trousers.
Diane reappeared after washing her face and hands and re-pinning loose strands of hair and began giving Raeden instructions as she pointed to the two ledgers to the side of the register, explaining the blue book contained the price list and the black held the accounts. If a customer desires to settle their account, she was to mark it down on the page with their name or add the amount to the total if they were not prepared to pay.
After Diane and Mike left to have lunch at the hotel, she freshened up in the basin then sliced a wedge of cheese from the wax-covered wheel of cheddar, grabbed a box of soda crackers and plopped into a chair. While munching on her snack, she glanced at the fully stocked shelves and tables, pleased with their accomplishment.
After filling a mug with coffee, she sat it on the counter and began filling the barrel jars with penny candy. She peeked into the crocks. Dill pickles filled one and the other held hard-boiled eggs immersed in brine.
She assisted two customers desiring to pay off their tabs then carried a few smaller items to store in the attic. She pinned up her skirt front to navigate the steps while holding boxes.
When she climbed the narrow stairs, filtered rays shone through the slatted air vent in the center of the front wall, reflecting off a metal dress form. Raeden’s eyes opened wide and her pulse raced at the sight of the figure leaning against the wall. On closer inspection, she realized it would be perfect to display garments in the front window and show off her wares. She could hardly believe her luck.
Raeden scooted the bulky frame to the narrow stairwell. Once attempting to descend with the awkward treasure it became clear she would not be able to keep her balance.
She decided she needed a rope. Raeden set the form aside then carefully stepped down the stairs, cursing her choice of shoes. Once again ascending into the attic, she tethered the mannequin with secure knots. Dampness formed on her forehead from the excess heat rising as she lowered it through the narrow opening. She found the rope too short to reach the floor below.
Never one to give up easily, she hung onto the form until her arms began to shake from the weight of the object straining her muscles. She carefully stepped down the first two rungs still facing forward and allowed the form to settle safely on the floor.
As she rotated her body to descend the stairs in the normal fashion, she heard a voice directly below. Startled, her foot slipped sending her careening toward the wooden floor beneath.
Out of nowhere, strong arms suddenly grasp around her thighs halting her descent and she found herself peering down into Cash’s ebony eyes. To steady herself, she laid her hands on his expansive shoulders and noticed a look resembling worry engraved on his handsome features. She tingled all over as goose flesh rose on her forearms.
Grateful he had been there to catch her, she hoped he thought her trembling was due to being frightened by the fall.
His grip loosened slightly allowing her to inch down his body, their eyes locked in a stare. When his hands rounded her rear to rest on the small of her back, the already warm embers throughout her body ignited into a flame.
As her breasts slid past his face, he nuzzled her cleavage. She felt a sudden jolt then folded her arms around his neck while his hat fell to the floor. Their faces met at eye level and his mouth covered hers in a steamy hard kiss setting her on fire. Welcoming the union, she parted her lips returning his passion while she struggled to breathe.
Nipples hardened when he crushed her to his chest then he pulled her legs around him pressing the strength of his maleness against her thighs when he backed her to the wall. His kisses penetrated deeper as his hands roamed over her torso while the fire within blazed out of control. Her breaths turned to gasps as he unbuttoned her bodice allowing warm hands to cover her breast while searing lips kissed down her neck to end on the fullness cupped in his grasp.
A desire rose within her so overwhelming, she thought she might faint when his tongue flicked across her hard nipple then traced a line to the other to repeat the blissful torture. His hand slid under her skirts to slide slowly up her leg resting on the soft mound between her thighs.
She gasped tossing her head back against the wall. A deep growl rose from his throat and his lips claimed her once more, muffling the sighs as experienced hands continued their caresses. His finger rimmed the inside edge of her silk undergarment while his lips moved back to her breasts as he gently probed the damp softness driving her mad as she quaked in his arms. Oh, dear God, if he stopped now, she would beg him not to.
Uncontro
lled spasms shook her body and his mouth once again covered hers stifling a squeal while her nails clawed into his back. Instinct stepped in, her hand lowered to cover his hardness, gently stroking through his jeans, and he sucked in a breath through his teeth.
Voices from the front room brought them both back to reason. He lowered her gently until her feet reached the floor then he buttoned her bodice while she ran fingers through rumpled hair.
Cash reached for his hat while smoothing his hair back then adjusted the fit.
Raeden heard Diane call out. “Rae, are you here?”
“I’m coming,” praying the shame did not show on her face as she marched smartly, smoothing the folds of her dress. Cash followed behind, mannequin in hand, a mischievous smirk on his face. Mortified, Raeden hoped the frame would conceal the bulge in his jeans.
Faced with their questioning expressions, she decided to lie. “Cash just helped get the figure frame down from storage. I thought it would be perfect to display my finished gowns near the window.”
Diane’s eyes roamed over both of them, hesitant to speak. “What a great idea, Rae. I completely forgot it had been stored upstairs.”
Embarrassed by her emotional outburst with Cash in the back room, she snatched the mannequin from his hands and clumsily maneuvered it into her workroom trying to maintain some semblance of control. I will never be able to face him after what just happened. How could he be so bold to take such advantage?
Cash’s voice drifted into the room where she stood near the door. “I’ll come by later to help with the big crates.” While he purchased coffee, she peeked through a crack in the door to watch him strut like a peacock into the street.
***
Raeden sat in the hotel dining room later in the afternoon, staring into the street, waiting on the light lunch she had ordered. Vivid images of the earlier event flashed through her mind. Her face warmed just thinking of the new sensations Cash evoked from her body. Get it out of your mind. No gentleman would paw her in such a manner.
