Whirlwind Bride

by Debra Cowan

  “She said she had business there.”

  “Maybe she boarded the train,” he said. “And headed back to St. Louis.” Where she belonged.

  “No,” Cora said. “That girl intends to stay. Besides, she took only her reticule. All her things are still at my house.”

  He leaned against the door. “What kind of business would she have there?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out.” Davis Lee came around his desk and took a seat on the corner in front of Cora. “Do you know?”

  The older woman frowned. “She didn’t say.”

  Riley recalled her declaration to find a job. Surely she wasn’t looking in Abilene. “Why would she do a fool thing like take off alone for Abilene? She knows about the McDougal gang.”

  “Oh, she wasn’t alone,” Cora said.

  Of course she wasn’t. One or more of the Baldwins had probably swooped in and carted her over.

  “Miguel Santos went with her.”

  “Miguel?” Riley straightened. “He’s just a boy.”

  “He knows how to drive a rig,” Davis Lee reminded him.

  Cora added, “They took his uncle Tony’s old mare.”

  “Oh, well.” Davis Lee shrugged. “She’s as easy to handle as a pup.”

  “But if something happened…” Cora’s concerned gaze swung from Riley to his brother.

  Davis Lee patted her shoulder consolingly. “The boy has been to Abilene plenty and he has experience.”

  “With outlaws?” Riley fought the urge to hightail it out of town and start searching for the pair.

  Davis Lee heaved a sigh. “Brother, you’re not really helping.”

  Unease pinched between Riley’s shoulder blades. “What time did she leave?”

  “She showed up here at the jail a little before eight,” Davis Lee said.

  “Why would she come to see you?” Riley swallowed a bark of impatience. And since you saw her, why did you let her go?

  Davis Lee leaned over his desk and opened a top drawer, taking out his revolver. “She asked me about the McDougals, wanted to know if I thought they were still in the area.”

  “I’m sure you told her they were nearby.”

  “They’re not. I got a wire last evening telling me the McDougals robbed a train yesterday between Dodge City and Wichita.”

  “Thank goodness, they’re gone!” Cora put a hand to her chest.

  Riley crossed his arms and said in a low voice, “Maybe they’re not all up in Kansas. They could’ve split up.”

  “They never have before,” Davis Lee said evenly. “All four of them were spotted at the holdup.”

  “Someone could’ve made a mistake.” Urgency coiled through Riley. Just because Davis Lee was so all-fired certain the McDougals were gone didn’t mean they were. “People do it all the time.”

  Davis Lee buckled on his gunbelt. “I’ll ride that way and see if I can find Susannah and Miguel.”

  “Oh, thank you, son.” Cora pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

  He moved to the wooden gun cabinet behind his desk, unlocked it and pulled out a rifle. Glancing over his shoulder, he held it toward Riley. “Do you want one?”

  “I’m sure you can find her.”

  Davis Lee laughed. “You might as well come along. You’re about to crawl out of your skin just standing there.”

  “She’s a grown woman—” Riley began.

  “I’ll feel better if you go, too.” Cora squeezed his arm.

  Why couldn’t he just mind his own business where Susannah Phelps was concerned? Like yesterday, when he’d piped up with that story about her fake husband dying in Abilene. Even so, this was different, possibly dangerous. Riley couldn’t face Adam if something happened to his sister.

  “Let’s go.” Davis Lee tossed him the weapon.

  Riley caught the Winchester, grabbed a handful of shells from his brother’s desk drawer.

  “I’m sure she’s fine, Cora.” Davis Lee gave the woman a quick hug.

  Riley kept his mouth shut, but gave the older woman an encouraging smile. He truly hoped Susannah was all right.

  He and his brother mounted, riding east out of town past the church. After covering more than a mile, Riley saw a buckboard moving slowly through the prairie grass.

  As they neared, sunlight glinted off silvery hair, and relief swelled sharply in his chest.

  “It’s Susannah,” he called, loudly enough to be heard over the horses’ galloping hooves.

  Davis Lee nodded to show he’d heard.

  A few short moments brought her and the young, dark-haired boy into clear sight.

  Miguel walked in front of the buckboard, leading the mare by her harness. Susannah rode in the weathered wagon, her hands clamped onto the edge of the seat as if welded there. Her face was pale as chalk, and Riley didn’t miss the brilliant flash of relief in her blue eyes.

  She met his gaze briefly, then looked away.

  “Are you two okay?” Davis Lee reined his horse on Susannah’s side of the wagon, while Riley did the same on the other.

  She nodded. “Yes, we’re fine.”

  “Cora’s pretty worried.”

  “It’s my fault, Sheriff.” Miguel uncomfortably met Davis Lee’s gaze. The boy’s hair stuck straight up in back, as if he’d just rolled out of bed. “The mare was spooked.”

  “It’s not your fault she saw a snake.” Susannah shuddered.

  “She bolted off the road,” the boy explained.

  “But not very far. Miguel got her under control quickly.”

  Despite Susannah’s defense of the boy, Riley noted that she trembled. Was she all right? What about the baby? He wanted to ask, but he didn’t think Davis Lee and Miguel were aware of Susannah’s condition. Concern hollowed out a hole in his gut.

  “This mare’s well-trained.” Davis Lee looked her over with a critical eye.

  Riley dismounted to check the horse for injuries, running a hand down both her back legs to her fetlocks before moving to the front. She was fine. While he stood stroking a calming hand down the bridge of the mare’s velvety nose, he studied Susannah. Her hair drooped from its usual neat chignon. A streak of dirt ran across one cheek. Her hat dangled precariously off the back of her head. Wisps of silvery-blond hair blew around her face and straggled down her neck.

  She slid a glance at him, then turned her attention back to Davis Lee.

  If Riley weren’t so aware of the sheer terror swimming in her blue eyes, he might think she’d just tangled the sheets with someone.

  That thought heated him up as much as the possibility that something could’ve happened to her and the baby.

  “Looks like everyone is okay,” his brother said.

  Riley clapped a hand on Miguel’s shoulder. “You did a fine job, boy. The mare isn’t injured and you and the lady are fine.”

  Miguel smiled.

  Susannah’s lips curved, but she didn’t relax her hold on the wagon seat.

  Davis Lee pushed back his hat and stared toward town consideringly. “I’ll drive Susannah back in the wagon. Miguel, you can ride my horse or in the back of the wagon, whatever you want.”

  “I can really ride your horse?” he asked excitedly.

  “Yep.” Davis Lee walked around to the other side of the buckboard and stepped in front of Riley to climb up beside Susannah.

  He inched back, swallowing the insistence that he drive her. Davis Lee was more than capable, and it was better for him to drive her. If Riley got any closer, he might try to shake some sense into her.

  As the four of them rode back to town, he let the soft wash of their voices play over him. He was glad both Susannah and Miguel were all right, so why did this restlessness churn inside him?

  Whip yanked on the reins and Riley realized his hold was too tight. He loosened his grip and struggled to level out the tide of relief choking him. Susannah was still pale, but appeared composed. A spooked horse could be as dangerous as anything out here. He wondered if this
incident would send her packing. She sure didn’t like horses much.

  Sliding a sideways look at her, he watched as she shakily unpinned her crooked hat and resettled it properly on her head. That damn fake wedding ring glittered. It didn’t go down easy to realize that he wanted to put his hands on her. To shake or comfort, he wasn’t sure which. Questions boiled inside him, but he bit them back. He wouldn’t even be here if Davis Lee hadn’t insisted he come along.

  The sun dipped below the horizon in a blanket of amber fire. Just outside of town, Creed Carter, Pete’s boy, ran toward the wagon waving his twig-thin arms. “Sheriff! Sheriff!”

  Davis Lee slowed the wagon to a stop within sight of the church. “What is it, Creed?”

  Riley and Miguel reined up.

  “Luther and Odell are at it again.” The spindly young man bent at the waist, panting. “They’re threatening to duel.”

  Riley grinned, shooting a look at his brother.

  Davis Lee sighed. “Does either of them have a gun?”

  “Luther does.”

  “Is it loaded this time?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s waving it around like he means business.”

  Davis Lee turned to Susannah. “Excuse me. I need to handle this.”

  “Go on. I’ll be fine. I can walk from here.” She smiled, and though it flattered her lovely face, Riley could still see fear in her eyes.

  Davis Lee pulled the brake and left the reins draped loosely over the buckboard’s front. “Riley will see you to Cora’s.”

  “I’m sure I can see myself home,” she said primly.

  “Riley?” His brother’s gaze swung to him, burning across the space between them.

  “I’ll see that she gets there.”

  “Thanks.” Davis Lee climbed out of the wagon and smiled up at Susannah. “I’m glad you’re all right. Cora will be glad, too.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff. I’m sorry if I caused any trouble.”

  “No trouble.” He gazed at her as if he didn’t have anything better to do than chase around after silly women all day.

  Riley doubted she would apologize to him.

  His brother touched the brim of his dark hat and followed Creed, who zigzagged ahead as if dodging hot coals.

  Riley dismounted and walked over to Miguel. “Why don’t you leave the sheriff’s horse at the jail? I’ll bring the buckboard and your uncle’s mare once I deliver Miz Susannah to Miz Cora’s.”

  The boy’s dark eyes went to Susannah. “Is that all right, ma’am?”

  “It’s fine,” she said with a gentle smile.

  He looked down at the ground for a moment. “I’m sorry about what happened today.”

  “Nonsense, Miguel. You handled it beautifully. If it weren’t for you, that horse would still be running.”

  Despite her kind words, Riley noted that she still gripped the seat hard enough to leave nail marks. He tied his horse to the back of the wagon and moved up to the front in time to see Susannah press a coin into Miguel’s hand.

  “But, ma’am, you’ve already paid me.”

  “That’s extra for the way you handled yourself. Just think how frightened I would’ve been if I’d been alone.”

  A broad grin split his face. “Thank you, Mrs. Phelps. Thank you!”

  Riley helped him mount Davis Lee’s buckskin gelding, and waited until the horse ambled toward town before climbing up into the buckboard. His gaze flicked over Susannah’s dusty navy traveling suit and white shirt. “Is the baby all right?”

  “Yes.” She laid a visibly shaking hand on her stomach.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, thank you.” After a pause, she insisted, “I can see myself to Cora’s.”

  The relief he’d felt about the baby evaporated. Riley set his jaw and settled into the seat beside her. “I’ll have you there before you know it.”

  He slapped the reins across the mare’s rump and the wagon lurched into motion.

  “Who are Luther and Odell?” she asked.

  “Two of the saloon’s most loyal patrons.”

  “Oh.”

  Her soft vanilla scent blew gently across his face. The sight of wispy hair blowing around her face and trailing down her neck pulled Riley’s gut tight. She looked sweet and vulnerable. Dangerously so. Enough to make it an effort to keep from asking the questions boiling through him. He lasted until they reached Cora’s.

  He helped her down from the wagon, his lungs filling with her warmth, his nerves pinging. His hands flexed on her waist as he thought about the way she’d tended to him yesterday. As he set her on her feet, he forced himself to remember another woman who’d once tended him, to recall what had happened to her. “What in the heck were you thinking? You shouldn’t be gallivanting around out here.”

  “I wasn’t gallivanting.” Her head came up sharply and she stepped away. “I had business.”

  “What was so important that it couldn’t wait?”

  “Adam wired me some money. I needed it.”

  “You should’ve waited until someone other than a boy could go with you.”

  “Oh, I suppose you mean you?” She looked down her nose, twisting the strings of her reticule. “The arrangements I made worked out fine. Your brother said the outlaws weren’t nearby, so I didn’t see the harm.”

  “Yeah, your wagon was nearly wrecked because of a snake.”

  “That could’ve happened no matter who went with me. I admit I was terrified when that horse ran away, but Miguel quickly got her under control.”

  “You shouldn’t have gone without an escort. An older escort.”

  “I imagine I’ll be going a lot of places without an escort, Mr. Holt.”

  He hated when she called him that. “Well, Miz Phelps, down here you can’t just wander willy-nilly around these parts.”

  “I was not wandering willy-nilly.” She gritted her teeth, her fist closing over the bag. “I had business to attend to, and I did that. If you don’t approve, then maybe you shouldn’t ask so many questions.”

  Seething, and not sure why, Riley stared into her blue eyes. They were troubled yet determined. Unyielding. Just like another woman he’d known. Another woman who hadn’t belonged here.

  He valued his friendship with Adam too much to turn his back on Susannah, but Riley couldn’t let his life get tangled up with hers, either. “You’re right. You’re a grown woman, and not accountable to me.”

  She gave a sharp nod of agreement, but he caught a flash of confusion and surprise in her eyes.

  He climbed up in the wagon and tipped his hat. “I’m glad you’re unhurt. And the baby, too.”

  “Thank you,” she said grudgingly. “For coming to look for us. And for driving me back.”

  “You’re welcome.” He clucked to the mare. As he rode away, Riley told himself the hollow ache in his stomach was because he was hungry, not because of what might have happened to her. Frustration had him jamming his hat farther down on his head. He’d managed to stay out of her affairs for all of one day.

  The protective feelings that dogged Riley all the next week weren’t any more welcome by him than they would be by Susannah. An obligation to keep Adam’s sister safe was what he felt. Was all he would feel. Putting up hay for the winter, replacing rotten planks in his shed and barn, and working his three-year-old filly, Storm, had kept Riley busy. His body at least. His mind was plumb tuckered out trying to sidestep insistent thoughts of Susannah. Curiosity over whether the incident with the spooked horse might have sent her packing was wearing a hole through him. If the horse hadn’t scared her away, maybe her inability to find a job would.

  As he rode toward Whirlwind the next Saturday for one of the fall horse races, he hoped Susannah had left town, but he had no way of knowing. With her delicate build and ignorance about life on a ranch, she reminded him of Maddie. Neither woman was suited to life in a hard land.

  A land that had killed his wife.

  A vicious dust storm had disoriented Maddie a
nd caused the fall that had broken her neck. Riley would always feel some responsibility over that. The whirling, blinding clouds of dust had come up suddenly, while he’d been in Abilene at a horse sale. There had been no way he could warn her, nothing he could do. Hours after arriving home, he and his father had finally found her at the bottom of a shallow gully not far from the house.

  Riley had blamed himself for a while, and then he’d felt nothing. Since Maddie, he hadn’t found another woman who had been able to stir even a passing interest. The fact that Susannah Phelps stirred much more than that needled him. A woman like her was just flat-out wrong for him. He knew what kind of woman fitted him and his life. It wasn’t Susannah.

  He repeated that to himself when he saw her standing under the awning in front of Haskell’s Store. Sandwiched between the giant Baldwin brothers, with her silky hair piled atop her head, she looked like a specially wrapped package. Bright and shiny and too pretty for either one of those hairy sidewinders.

  The dainty blue parasol Matt held for Susannah looked like a twig in his large hands. Russ leaned close to point out one of the horses in the street, where the race would take place.

  She listened attentively, turned her head when Matt indicated Jake Ross on his bay. She stayed against the store-front, not even within spitting distance of the animals. She must be really terrified of horses.

  Riley dismounted in front of Haskell’s and stepped up on the boardwalk. People wove around him, moving down to the street for a place near the action. Children’s laughter punctuated the buzz of adult conversation. Hurrying feet and restlessly stomping horse hooves stirred up the smell of dirt and animals. It looked as if the whole town had turned out. Riley squinted against the glare of the sun. Occasionally a stiff breeze shot through the crowd, bringing a crispness to the sunny fall day.

  Susannah looked warm enough in a navy coat, which made her eyes even more blue than he remembered. A soft, becoming blush highlighted her cheeks, and a wisp of blond hair blew across her face. She was so pretty his whole body hummed. She looked fresh and…in the family way.

  Her condition had become evident in the week since he’d last seen her.

  “Good day, Susannah.” He touched the tip of his hat. “Russ, Matt.”