The Damaged Heroes Collection [Box Set #1: The Damaged Heroes Collection] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream)

by James, Sandy

  Words that could wound like heavy rocks thrown at her, but she had to find some courage. If not courage, at least some bravado. She might be destined to stay in this nineteenth century nightmare, and she had to carve a place for herself or she would never be happy.

  Daniel took her hand and placed it on the crook of his elbow, bringing her back from her reverie. “The Bard said it best. ‘Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste death but once.’”

  A cowboy who could quote Shakespeare. Daniel was truly a man of many facets. Straightening her shoulders and her spine, she nodded. “‘Lay on, Macduff.’”

  Lion’s den indeed. The sounds of music and friendly conversation sputtered to an abrupt stop as Daniel led her into that church. Several of the women flipped open their fans and started to whisper behind them. The gossip flew around Susan and Daniel like a whirlwind. She felt tempted to go and give all of their prim and proper braids a good, strong jerk.

  Daniel didn’t stop at the punch and dessert table. He dragged her right to Reverend Charles and his wife. They both greeted her like a long, lost friend, giving her kisses on the cheek and making her hope for the first time that she could make friends in this little town.

  Although she could hear the buzz growing in response, Susan let Daniel lead her to the dance floor. The reverend and his wife followed close behind. Daniel turned to glare at the four-man band and gave them a stern nod. They launched into a lively song with a good, strong beat.

  He grinned down at her. “Dance with me, darlin’. Put these other ladies to shame.”

  He obviously didn’t know what she’d done to her dance instructor’s foot or he’d be running for the hills. Those striking eyes of his commanded her to obey, and she let him lead her into a lively little dance that probably had no name. After a few moments, she didn’t care what any of those women whispered behind their stupid fans. She was enjoying herself. Reverend Charles swirled his wife past them, and their laughter became infectious.

  Abigail and Cain hurried to the dance floor, stomping and twirling to the music. Hank took Caroline by the hand and pulled her into a dance she seemed reluctant to enjoy. One of Susan’s favorite customers grabbed a pretty little blonde and whirled her around and into a dance. Soon, another man and woman joined the growing crowd.

  Daniel seemed to take great delight in waltzing Susan right by the town marshal a couple of times. The smelly man had a plate full of several types of pie. On the third time they passed him, he put the plate down and scowled at them. She laughed and decided a man like that, one who passed gossip like a virus, wasn’t worth another moment’s worry. One less problem in her life.

  The approval of the other dancers seemed to break the dam of bottled-up emotions, and couples washed onto the floor, laughing and stomping with the beat. Susan gave Daniel a grateful smile.

  A hand reached over his shoulder, tapping him roughly. Susan had no idea who would be cutting in, but she had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing when she saw Li’l Jim hitch his thumbs through his suspenders, rock back on his feet, and grin at Daniel. “My turn to dance with this pretty little lady.”

  The next hour became a blur of mirth and dancing as her partners seemed to change every dance, even sometimes in the middle of a song. Some of the Golden Nugget customers who’d seemed hesitant to approach her began to make their way across the wooden floor to spin her through rigs and reels and waltzes.

  Susan almost felt accepted. Liked even. The only thing missing in her happiness was…

  Before the thought even ended, a strong hand on her shoulder turned her around. James was there, placing his hand on her waist and pulling her to him. As her body drew near to his, she breathed in his scent. Everyone else in the enormous building blended into the background in her mind. She only saw his handsome face and smiling blue eyes.

  James reached for her right hand and cradled it against his chest before he pulled her even closer, pressing her body against him as his left hand moved from her waist to the small of her back. “Dance with me.” That husky baritone sent shivers down her spine that threatened to melt her bones into jelly.

  They started to sway to the song, although she barely heard the notes. The rhythm was set by the beating of their hearts. Gazes locked, she marveled in this man and the feelings he sent racing through her with something as simple as a touch and a heated glance.

  There would only be one love of her life, and at that moment, he held her in his arms.

  Suddenly, Susan was that awkward teenager who’d been so surprised a cute, lanky guy had asked her out that she blurted out a “yes” before he’d barely finished asking the question. She was that girl who fell so head over heels for that guy she’d never even looked hard at another man for her entire adult life until Daniel had come to her rescue. She was that girl who had fallen in love again, the kind of true love a person never got over.

  As James stared into her eyes, he tilted his head as if curious. “You’re thinking awfully hard there, Suz.”

  Tears sprang into her eyes at the affectionate nickname, the one that only James had ever used.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She tried to turn her head, not sure he’d understand why she felt the need to cry.

  He dropped her hand and grabbed her chin. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I wish…” Why couldn’t she just say what she felt in her heart? Why was it so damned hard to spit out all that she wanted to tell him? Why couldn’t she say what needed to be said?

  Because he’d hurt her. Just like she’d hurt him. If they were ever going to put things right, someone had to be the first to open up a wounded heart and pray that it wouldn’t be injured again. But wasn’t that what love was? A risk? A challenge? A leap of pure faith?

  Love was, above all things, a destiny for two kindred souls.

  “Wish? Wish what?” He smiled at her, that grin melting the last of her reticence. “What do they say around here? A penny for your thoughts. Tell me your wish.”

  “I wish you could love me again. Like you did when we were young. I wish—”

  The rest of the words never came because James grabbed her wrist, whirled around, and dragged Susan right out of the church, marching as if they were on some quest to put as much space between them and the rest of the world as possible. Out the double doors. Past the little white-fenced cemetery. Toward a small grove of trees. Holding braches aside for her, he finally turned her around and backed her up against a large tree.

  They simply stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. James finally reached out to caress her cheek with the back on his hand. “How could you possibly believe that I could ever stop loving someone as wonderful as you?”

  She could only blink at him. His words sounded like some foreign language as she fought to grasp their meaning. “You…you still…love me?”

  His mouth settled on hers before the last word had left her lips. Hot. Demanding. Possessing. Pressing his body against hers, he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She returned the heat and insistency with her own mouth, her own body.

  Right here. Right now. No hurrying back to the saloon to try to find a bed or even some privacy. There would be no retreat, no time to think, no time to let him change his mind. All she wanted to do was exalt in the power he sent shooting through her. She wanted him moving deep inside her. She wanted to be flesh to flesh with the man she loved more than breathing. She wanted to wrap herself around him and never, ever let go.

  James’s hand slipped up between them, covering her breast as he kissed his way across her cheek. “I’ve never loved another woman except you. Always you.”

  Passion ran through her in a wave of heat. “What about Caroline?”

  “Who’s that?” He chuckled in her ear before tracing the ridges with his tongue. “Just you, Suz. Always you. Never another.”

  Susan dropped her hand to stroke his erection through those frustrating pants. She needed to feel him skin to skin.
She needed to touch the heat that she’d inspired. Fumbling with the button on his waistband, she realized he had a similar goal. His hand was slowly dragging up her skirts while the other stroked her breast until it felt heavy and aching with need. Her body was aflame, and she’d die if they didn’t join their bodies soon.

  Laughter made them both freeze. A feminine voice, muffled but entirely too close. “But, Jimmy, someone will see us out here.”

  “Just one kiss,” a masculine voice insisted. “Just one li’l kiss.”

  James locked eyes with Susan. Her skirts fell back into place just as she pulled her hands away from the waistband of his pants. His mouth swooped down on hers. One hard kiss. “Golden Nugget.”

  “My room.”

  A grin lit his whole face until it seemed to glow in the moonlight. “Now?”

  “I have to talk to Daniel first. Meet me there?”

  “Ten minutes or I’m coming back for you.”

  “You’ll wait for me there?”

  He nodded. “Naked.”

  She liked the sound of that.

  Chapter 21

  Susan strode back into the church, full of purpose and finally feeling like she had grabbed this destiny bull by the proverbial horns. She’d found the rock, and she’d reconciled with James. What else was left for her to do?

  Face Daniel Miller. The last thread tying her to the nineteenth century and this Twilight Zone world. This would be one of the hardest things she ever had to do, to say good-bye to a man who loved her, one she could have learned to love in return.

  Yet somehow she knew the right woman was out there for him somewhere, waiting until the time was right. There was someone who could give Daniel her whole heart and soul in a way Susan never could. No, her heart had been claimed a long time ago.

  Her gaze wandered the room until it settled on Daniel. He was speaking to his daughter but looked up as if sensing Susan’s stare. The smile that had lit his face faded. He clearly knew her answer to his proposal, probably because he’d seen James dragging her out of the church. Yet for all Daniel’s kindness, she still owed him an explanation and an apologetic farewell.

  After exchanging a few words with Abigail, who nervously shifted her gaze between her father and Hank, Daniel worked his way through the crowd until he stood by Susan’s side.

  Susan caught a glimpse of Abigail grabbing Hank’s arm and pulling him out the side door. Something was clearly up there, but Susan had enough problems to deal with at the moment.

  When Daniel reached her side, he brushed a kiss on her cheek. “You disappeared on me. I was afraid I’d been abandoned.”

  She couldn’t stop a guilty wince. “Daniel, we need to talk.”

  “That we do. It’s past time to clear the air.”

  He grasped her hand and led her through the double doors, not stopping until they stood next to a wagon. A strong hand on her shoulder turned her, and Daniel pressed her back against the wagon. For once, there was no calm, no restraint to his actions. His mouth settled on hers, hard and possessive.

  She probably shouldn’t allow the intimate contact, but Susan didn’t fight him when his tongue slipped between her lips. Instead she let him kiss her. If he could see for himself that no spark ignited between them, it would surely make her reconciliation with James easier for him to accept.

  With a heavy sigh against her lips, Daniel finally pulled away. “Your answer is no.”

  Susan nodded. She was leaving a good friend behind, but she had no choice. Her destiny rested, as it always had, with James Williams. Maybe one day, Daniel would forgive her. “I’m so sorry.”

  “You can’t change what you feel, darlin’. I just hope that man knows what a prize he has in you.”

  “Oh, Daniel. Thank you for that.”

  “I don’t toss around idle flattery.” His fingers reached out to stroke her cheek. “You’re one special lady, Susie. Don’t ever forget that. And don’t forget that I’m here if you ever need me.”

  Standing on tiptoe, she kissed Daniel’s cheek. “I’ll never forget you.”

  “That sounds too much like a final farewell. Are you leaving town?” His eyes grew hard. “With him? After everything he’s done to you?”

  How was she supposed to answer that? Of course she was leaving with James. But only if he wanted to go. And if the rock will let us… “I’m not really sure what’s gonna happen right now. We’ll have to take this one day at a time.”

  Thankfully, his gaze softened, and his chuckle sounded warm and friendly. “One day at a time. That’s the only way the good Lord sends ’em.” Daniel took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re sure I can’t change your mind? Abigail will be mighty disappointed. She’s already planning the wedding.”

  “Oh, Daniel. I’m so sorry…”

  A wave of his hand and a laugh stopped her apology. “She’ll just have to start planning Hank and Caroline’s instead.”

  So everyone knew about Hank’s intimate visits with Caroline. Susan nodded, wiping away a few stray tears. “I’m sure she will.”

  Daniel nodded toward the church. “Well, then. Seems we’ve got nothing left to say. How about one more dance before I let you go?”

  Although James was waiting, she wanted to savor this special friendship for a few more moments. After all Daniel had done for her, she could grant him this small request. “One more dance.”

  * * * *

  James whistled as he walked back to the Golden Nugget, finally feeling that all was right in his world. Perhaps not totally right, but at least heading in the correct direction again. And the first step on that journey would be making love to his wife. His whole body was knotted in need of her, and his thoughts stayed well occupied imagining all the delicious things he would do to that gorgeous body.

  The town looked downright deserted, not that he wanted to pay a lot of attention to his surroundings. Most of the citizens had gone to the dance. Probably a good thing that only a few customers would see him go up to Susan’s room. Then he dismissed that concern as quickly as it arrived. She was his wife, and the sooner he laid that claim, the sooner the gossip would stop.

  Just to avoid a hassle, James decided to go in through the back door, the one he’d seen Hank sneak through to visit Caroline in her room. As he turned into the alley, he nearly bowled the cowboy over.

  Putting his hands against Hank’s chest and pushing himself away, James regained his balance. “Geesh, Hank. You need to watch where you’re going.”

  The guy’s face had a hard glare that sent a shiver of warning through James. For a moment, he figured Hank might be upset at having been discovered on his way to tryst with Caroline. They had to have come here directly from the dance. Didn’t Hank realize that everyone knew the two spent a lot of nights together?

  No, from the look Hank was throwing him, something else was wrong here. Very wrong. He could almost see the anger from the cowboy, rising like waves of heat from a charcoal grill.

  Hank pulled his gun, and all James could do was gape at him and wonder what in the hell was happening. “Are you nuts? Look, I know you visit Caroline. I haven’t said a word to Li’l Jim before. I won’t rat you out now.”

  A low growl rumbled behind James, and before he could turn to see the source, a blinding pain shot through his head and the world went dark.

  * * * *

  Susan felt like skipping down the wide dirt street. James would be waiting for her, and things would turn passionate pretty quickly once she reached her room. They’d make love fast and furious because she felt the barely leashed hunger in his kisses, and her own passion was running hot and fierce.

  Make love? No, it would probably be more like spontaneous combustion. There was just too much they both wanted to express. Once that craze was spent, they could talk—really talk. Something they’d been needing to do for a long, long time.

  Avoiding the front entrance, she moved to the alley in hopes she could sneak in the back way. Had James made the same cho
ice? Lord, she didn’t want to think about what the men in the Golden Nugget would say or the questions they’d throw her way if they’d seen James parade himself upstairs. Answering the customers would only slow her down, and she couldn’t waste that kind of time. James was waiting. She wouldn’t dawdle.

  When she heard an angry voice, Susan skidded to a stop before she turned the corner, forcing herself back into the shadows. A moment passed before she recognized the voice as Hank’s. He had clearly lost his temper, his tone growing louder and more forceful with each word.

  “I don’t like it, Carrie. Cain’s taking care of things. You don’t need to go.”

  “But you promised, sugar.” Caroline’s syrupy voice grated like fingernails down slate.

  “I don’t care. He’s there. He’s fine.”

  He? Who were they talking about? Susan leaned a little closer to try to see them as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She wasn’t sure exactly what she’d stumbled upon, but her intuition told her it wasn’t good.

  “But you said Cain had to rough him up,” Caroline whined. “I need to go see if he’s wounded. We don’t want to hurt him, sugar, just hold him ’til Daniel gets his bride. We’ve got to keep the poor man away from her ’til Daniel and her take vows. Abigail said it would be soon, probably tonight.”

  Adrenaline surged through Susan’s body, making her heart hammer a rough cadence in her chest. She suddenly knew which “him” they were talking about.

  James.

  It took all the self-control she could dredge up to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground. If she rushed in and demanded to know what was going on and where they’d taken James, she wouldn’t get any answers. Her mind spun all sorts of scenarios, but it always came back to the same place. These idiot kids thought she was supposed to marry Daniel. Tonight. Where in the hell had they gotten such a stupid notion?

  Susan blamed herself. She knew what Abigail and Caroline had been thinking the whole time they’d helped her work on the gold dress. They’d sung Daniel’s praises and all but come out and said they thought she should marry him. She’d dismissed it because they were simply young women lost in a romantic notion. They had to have seen that Susan’s heart had been torn between James and Daniel. The girls obviously hadn’t let the marriage idea go, and trouble now followed.