by Webb, Carole
He cracked a smile and bent to give her a quick kiss. “Think nothing of it, ma’am. Only doing my job.”
She could not help but laugh at his gentle mocking.
They shared sliced ham with biscuits, boiled eggs and apples while nestled in their blankets then spent the morning talking and laughing. She listened intently while he spoke of the ranch.
“I will be getting a couple of cow dog pups from Mitch as soon as their weaned.”
“Dogs? I thought you used horses.”
“We use horses, of course. The dogs protect them from wolves and mountain lion. They also keep them herded when its time for branding. You’ll have to come out and see them work. It’s really something.”
She told him about her desires to visit Paris but stopped when he glared through shuttered squinted eyes, not really understanding the cause.
They laughed about the disastrous wedding plans and her escape from St. Louis.
When the weather cleared and the sun warmed to melt the snow, they made love again, hesitant to leave their isolated shelter and their time together.
Under the afternoon sun, the snow began to melt, clearing their path. Cash saddled up the horses and carried Raeden through the slosh, and sat behind her on Rabbit, leading Arte alongside.
The bright light reflected off crystalline snow, mirrored by the sun’s rays in a kaleidoscopic display while they rode toward Chamberlain and the end of a glorious time she would never forget as long as she lived.
His arm tightly around her waist she leaned back against him, glad she had gotten to know him better and laughed to herself when she wondered if they would ever make love somewhere other than a floor or bathtub.
The luminous glow of the sun welcomed their arrival at Diane’s house. Avoiding the mud, Cash lowered Raeden onto the front porch then tended their horses.
Raeden bolted inside to greet Diane, a tearful reunion. They hugged each other then wiped their eyes. She brought out her cherished English bone china set and steeped tea while they talked.
“You gave us quite a scare, Rae. I’ve hardly slept.” She sat next to Raeden and patted the top of her hand. “And you look positively radiant. Where did Cash find you?”
Raeden suspected Diane knew what happened. Cash spending two nights alone with a woman would leave one to wonder. She did her best to appear pure and innocent, whatever that looked like.
“He found me at a deserted farm house, practically frozen lying in the snow. He built a fire and had food Sadie sent so we managed just fine.”
Diane poured tea and Cash came in through the mudroom after stomping mud from his boots. Using the boot hook, he pulled them off and entered in stocking feet. He pulled a chair close to Raeden and joined in.
“Thanks for finding our Rae.”
“I assure you it was my pleasure.” He gave Raeden a wink.
He is impossible!
Diane smiled. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Coffee’s fine, if you have some made. My job is waiting.”
“Sure. No problem at all.”
An impish smile curved one side of his mouth when he turned his face toward Raeden.
After Diane turned her back, Raeden brushed her leg against his calf. Giving her a sly look, he placed a hand on her knee. With Cash at the table, Raeden thought the breakfast nook much more cheerful.
He finished his coffee and walked into the mudroom. She could not help but admire his beautiful butt when he bent over to pull on his boots. Raeden trailed behind him to the back porch to see him off. He pulled her off to the side and they wrapped their arms around each other and enjoyed a fervent kiss. His two-day stubble chaffed her face. She didn’t mind. Raeden really wanted to go with him and crawl into bed for the rest of the day or maybe the rest of the week.
She stood watching while Cash mounted, spinning Rabbit in a circle, hat held out to one side in a farewell salute.
***
Raeden sank into a hot bath, leaned back and closed her eyes reliving the days and nights spent with Cash. She didn’t understanding the incredible craving, a near obsession so strong it almost hurt making it near impossible to concentrate on anything else.
She forced herself to focus, trying to imagine alterations necessary to change some of her earlier warm weather designs into winter weight woolens that would interest the women in town since the weather became cold. Perhaps heavy ankle length hooded cloaks could complement each costume.
The bath complete, she sat on her bed cross-legged clad in a lilac peignoir with a sketchbook in her lap and traced a few ideas then settled into bed. Lying in the darkness looking at the stars flickering in the moonlit sky through her window, her reflections turned back to Cash. She went to sleep dreaming of the rugged man, her lover who had stolen her heart.
Thirty-two
Raeden woke to the sun steaming through her window, cascading rays of golden light matching her mood. Dressed in her riding garb, she dashed down the stairway to breakfast with Mike and Diane.
Mike opened the conversation. “You seem well rested, and I must say quite resplendent. I guess your brush with death did you no harm.” His face grew stern. “You know, Rae, it would do you well to be a bit more careful. This is pretty rugged country.”
Raeden felt like a scolded child, but she held her temper. “I promise I will not do anything so foolish in the future. I’ve learned my lesson.” She abhorred lectures and authority, needed no one to tell her she had made a mistake. A clash with mortality would make even a moron more careful. Appetite gone, she stood leaving the plate half-empty.
“I’m off to my little workshop. I need to complete a few things and work on some sketches.” Bundled in clothing suited to the weather, she jogged to get Arte, nervous from the north wind and stroked his neck to quiet him. Restless to elaborate on the renderings so she could make permanent representations for her portfolio, she had brought her drawings along, carried in an oilcloth lined leather rucksack to protect them from the elements.
Postponing assembly of the latest winter dress, she worked on the sketches and lost track of time. Feeling eyes upon her, she turned to find Cash filling the doorway, one shoulder against the jamb, arms folded across his chest. The look in his eyes made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Are you always this intent on your work?”
Her breathing quickened as well as her heart rate. Keeping the impulse to run into his arms in check, she stood to face him. “Most of the time. I really enjoy what I do.” She approached him, pleased to see the hungry look in his eyes.
Did he feel the same way? Her feelings seemed to border on obsession.
“I received a wire this morning about an incident between the Cheyenne and a couple of prospectors out in the hills.” Trouble of this kind never proved affable for the Indians. Times like these he resented his job. If what he heard turned out to be the truth, he would be put in the awkward position of making a decision to either shun his duty or haul in one of his friends.
“Since I must go check it out, I stopped by to pick up some more dry goods for them and thought we might have lunch at the hotel.”
God, how he wanted to take her to his room and make love to her until they both could not move. Taking this trip to the Black Hills would probably be a blessing—a chance to cool his heels. If this continued, he would catch on fire.
“I would love to join you. I’m really hungry, however I don’t think I could tackle one of those beef roasts you call a steak. I’ll hurry and change.”
Moving forward to walk past him, his arm flew to the opposite jamb blocking her progress.
“Hold on a second.” He bent down and kissed her. She kissed him back. “That’s more like it.” His hand dropped to let her pass.
She bounced into the washroom to shed her riding attire, excited to be near Cash again. His touch sent shockwaves through her and she wished they could do something other than eat a meal. After a few minutes, she came back dressed in
a wine-colored worsted dress and a mauve cape with sheared beaver trim.
Cash smiled his approval. “Miss Newell, you take my breath away.” He bent to whisper in her ear. “Let’s get out of here. I can’t wait to get you alone.”
With a hand lightly on the small of her back, he ushered her over the threshold. Once on the walkway, he put an arm around her shoulder, a smirk of triumph on his face.
Raeden felt like a trophy on display. She gently removed his arm. “Could you possibly be more indiscreet? Everyone will talk.”
His lips almost a smile, “I don’t care if they talk.”
“That’s because you are a peacock. Don’t you care about my reputation?”
He jested while his smile lifted to his eyes. “Little lady, your reputation is already ruined.”
Raeden laughed aloud. “You are certainly right about that.”
Cash folded her hand on the crook of his elbow, an arrogant look still on his face. Raeden shook her head smiling and followed his lead.
Raeden requested a small portion of biscuits and gravy. Cash had fried chicken and beer.
Curiosity forced her to ask because she did not want him to go. “When will you leave?”
“First thing in the morning.” A gleam shown in his eyes. “Will you miss me?”
Raeden chuckled. “I guess it depends on how long you’re gone.”
“Four days,” his eyes never left hers, “maybe five.”
Her voice grew soft when she answered and her lids shaded her eyes. “I will definitely miss you.”
His eyes followed the neckline down to her chest. His manner had a definite erotic undertone. “And I will certainly miss you, my sweet.”
“Goodness, Cash, is that all you think about?” It’s all I have been thinking about lately myself.
One eyebrow lifted. “When I’m with you, it’s is all I can think about.”
His words sounded like caresses to her ears. How she wished he didn’t have to leave. “I guess I had better change the subject then. How will the Cheyenne fare during the winter? Are they going to the reservation?”
She heard an edge to his voice when he answered. “Last I heard, they have no intention of going to the reservation. They want to stay in their home. It will be rough because they can’t do much hunting. The herds have dwindled substantially and they can’t go on hunting parties for fear of getting captured. I’ll take them what I can.”
Raeden revered him for the fact he was always the protector. She could not help but notice his diligence when it came to the safety of the townspeople, including her.
“Why don’t you walk with me to pick up the wagon then I can get it loaded when I take you back?”
They walked arm in arm into the enormous barn. Watts didn’t answer when Cash called out. Glancing at the stall where they had first made love, heat rose in her cheeks. In the same moment, Cash grabbed her and crushed her to him. She could hardly breathe. His head bent down and he planted a kiss on her mouth so commanding her knees buckled and she barely heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.
Heat rose to her face when she moved from his arms to see Watts watching a few feet away. Raeden wished she could vanish, Cash did not seem to care. How could he just stand there as if nothing had happened, so smug and arrogant while she wanted to hide?
Watts failed to conceal his amusement and chuckled. “Hello, Rae, I’m glad to see you are okay. You should practice more caution. The weather can be real tricky this time of year.” Not again. How many times did she have to hear it?
“I suppose you’ve come for the wagon, Cash. I’ll have Jesse get the horses. By the way, thanks for sending him over. He’s a good hand.”
Raeden made use of the opportunity when Watts left to find Jesse. “I’m going back. I’ll see you there.”
“In that case, how about a farewell kiss?”
Her hands balled into fists and dropped by her sides but she could not help grinning. “Really Cash, what am I do to with you?”
His answer flowed in a smooth drawl and one eyebrow arched. “Anything you want, darlin’.”
She huffed in exasperation, clomped out of the barn, and could feel his laughing gaze on her back.
Cash stood for a moment watching her walk away, the graceful swing of her hips and the reflection of the sun off her long shiny hair, stifling the urge to run after her and drag her to his hotel room, keeping her there until he had to leave. The sound of Watts behind, brought him back to the reality of the task at hand.
***
With Mike’s assistance, Cash loaded the wagon then returned to Raeden laboring over the sewing machine. He knelt on one knee, arm propped on the other to reach eye level. Raeden swiveled in the chair to face him, gazing into hungry dark eyes.
She lifted her hand to place it on his shoulder. “Will you come by before you leave to say good-bye?”
“I will do better than that. I finagled Diane out of an invitation to dinner. I will see you tonight.” He leaned near her face, pecked her forehead, and stood. He flicked the tip of his hat. “See you later.”
Raeden watched him saunter away admiring the way his firm muscles tightened under the legs of his jeans and his hard rounded rear. I think I would like a pair of those denims. They seemed perfect for riding and more durable than the one’s she had made with lighter weight fabric, beginning to show signs of wear.
Glancing over the stock of clothing, she found a pair if boys’ jeans she thought would fit and held them up for inspection. She turned in front of the mirror in the washroom pleased with the fit. She would need to take in the waist and shorten the length. The provocative fit over her bottom brought a smile to her lips just thinking about flouting convention. Maybe Diane would join her in this new fashion trend.
After making the necessary alterations, she chose a blue flannel shirt and went to change into her new western ensemble. After tying the long shirttails in front of her waist, she stared at her reflection. This will do nicely.
With everything neat as a pin, she collected her clothes needing to be laundered and packed them in Diane’s buggy. She would make an exchange to have variation in the wardrobe she kept at the store.
She rode Arte hard through the now bleak landscape, her hair blowing back in the wind and gazed at the snow peaked dark precipice encircled with a halo of slivered white clouds.
***
Flames flickered in the fireplace while Raeden sat at the vanity brushing her freshly shampooed hair to a silky brilliance, the red highlights reflecting the hues of the fire. The soft tan pongee gown she had chosen shimmered and altered colors in the light. A marcasite pendant graced her long neck, drawing attention to the swell of her breasts peaking provocatively above the low cut neckline. Her hair hung in loose waves down her back. The edge of a pale lemon colored petticoat glinted when she lifted her skirts to descend the stairs.
She strolled through the dining room, determined everything in order and walked into the parlor. She poured a glass of wine and joined Mike and Diane.
The unmistakable resonance of hoof beats approaching brought Mike to his feet. “It must be Cash.” He welcomed him at the door.
Hat and gun belt removed, he entered the parlor wearing well-tailored black leather pants and jacket, a dashing display. She desired to run into his arms but held her emotions in check. “Good evening, Diane.” He paused for a second, “And, Rae.” Her heart raced watching him move with the grace and vigor of a panther, thinking he looked like a Greek god.
Raeden stood. “I’ll get you a whiskey.” Their eyes met, held for only a second before his wandered down to her bare shoulders and neck. A once tranquil glance turned hungry, the predatory slant to his eyes almost frightening. Go get the damn whiskey before you do something obtuse.
Pouring the liquor into the crystal glass, her hand shook. A large hand reached around grasping the drink, the other on her shoulder. “Let me help you.” She felt his warm breath on her neck and became aware of heat rising to her
face.
The skin under his hand would surely blister if she did not do something. She ducked away from his grasp and went back to her wine, gulping the clear red liquid in an effort to cool her body. She inhaled several deep breaths to regain control and noticed a sly smirk curl his lips upward while his eyes raked the length of her body, making her flesh burn.
Cash extended his arm to walk her into the dining room, filled with the aromas of their ham dinner and freshly baked bread.
Conversations during the meal provided distraction but Raeden’s appetite had dwindled, so she picked at her food. She noticed Cash didn’t eat much either and when their eyes met during dinner, she felt he must be thinking the same thing running through her mind ever since he arrived.
Topics ranged from the Indians to St. Louis and Paris. Raeden noticed Cash seemed more open and talkative than usual even laughing, joking, and showing a side she had only seen recently.
After they dined, Raeden and Diane wrapped in heavy shawls to join the men on the porch while they enjoyed cigars. Raeden watched the aromatic smoke curl in the air around them, thinking one day she might try one. They adjourned to the library for a game of whist. Unable to focus, Raeden played like a novice and relief descended when they had finished. Nevertheless, she didn’t want Cash to leave.
She wrapped up in her cloak to see him out the door where he crushed her against his body to kiss her, making her knees weaken as she enfolded her arms around his neck.
“I have to leave, Rae, before I take you right here on the porch.” He pulled her arms from his neck and looked into her eyes.
All these new sensations of late gave her misgivings about her moral turpitude. Her words expelled in breathless gasps. “I feel the same way. Is there something wrong with me? I have never felt like this before. It’s like I have no control when I’m near you.”
“Believe me little girl, there is nothing wrong with you but like I said, I have to leave. I’ll see you when I return.” He fanned his lapels as he strode toward Rabbit and swung into the saddle, disappearing into the remote grassland at a gallop, his cowpony churning up dirt clods from her unshod hooves.
