Whispers on the Wind

by Brenda Jernigan

  However, Mary couldn’t help wondering if he’d felt any pleasure. Was she a complete failure as a woman?

  She shook her head. Not that it mattered. Maybe it was better that she didn’t know. What would knowing do?

  She swung out of bed convinced that she really needed to get out of Windy Bend. She was becoming much too comfortable at the ranch. But how could she get away? She had no money or at least not with her. If she took a horse, they could hang her for horse thieving, and she had enough trouble without adding anything else on top of it

  Maybe there would be some way she could be alone and go to town. Then she could wire Brandy and Thunder to send her some money.

  She’d just have to be patient for once in her life.

  Mary shouldn’t have worried about what Carter would say. When she saw him at breakfast, he acted as if she didn’t exist. It sure wasn’t anything like he’d acted last night

  He didn’t even look at her. In fact, as soon as she came in, he excused himself and left the dining room.

  Carter couldn’t get out of the house fast enough this morning. How had he let that girl get to him? Maybe he’d been too long without a woman and it would probably have happened with any woman. That was it There. Now he felt much better as he walked out onto the porch and the cold, damp air cleared his head. Since it was raining, he slipped his slicker on over his head, then settled his Stetson securely onto his head and headed to the stables.

  The rain would wash away the last of the snow and show them all that spring was just around the corner. Maybe when he could get out and do some physical labor, he could expel some of this pent-up energy he’d built up over the winter.

  Rick had already ridden into town. Now Carter was glad that he’d sent Rick ahead. It would give him some time alone, and this morning he needed the time to think. He just couldn’t shake off last night.

  When he’d left Mary and returned to his room, all he’d done was toss and turn because Mary kept intruding on his sleep. But it wasn’t just the lack of sleep that was bothering him today. Nothing seemed to bring him any satisfaction. It was as if there were a restless animal within him. He was tired of chasing bad guys and never being in one place longer than a week or two at the most Coming home had made him take a good look at his life ... and there wasn’t much to it, he decided.

  Maybe he could let Rick take over the town and then he could go after Sammy Carson. He was the one who’d snatched his sister. Once that score was settled, then maybe he could rest easy.

  And the girl ? his conscience asked.

  All right, so he couldn’t keep the girl completely out of his thoughts. Last night had been a moment of weakness, but she had looked so—so damn innocent and scared that the need to comfort her had overwhelmed him. She’d felt too good in his arms. That he couldn’t deny.

  Mary was a beautiful woman, but it wasn’t just her beauty that drew him to her. There was something different about her. That inner spark he’d glimpsed lurking beneath the surface intrigued him.

  What made Mary tick?

  He might never know, and since he had just ridden onto Main Street, he didn’t have any more time to think about Miss Mary Noname.

  Carter guided his horse, Blue, over to the livery to keep the animal out of the heavy downpour. There wasn’t any need to make his horse miserable—one of them was bad enough.

  Carter kept his head down against the driving rain as he made his way to the jailhouse, letting the rain run off the brim of his hat and down his slicker. He opened the door and sought out the promise of a dry room.

  “Sleep late?” Rick asked with a grin.

  Carter grimaced as he slipped off his hat, hit it a couple of times against his chaps to shake off the water, then hung it on a chair post. Next, he pulled his slicker over his head and draped it over the other chair back. They should dry quickly near the potbellied stove. “I’m not that late,” he finally grumbled.

  “I heard you up walking last night Figured something must be on your mind, keeping you awake,” Rick said as he reared back in his chair and popped a piece of straw in his mouth.

  Carter ignored Rick’s needling and glanced at Hank. “I see you’re out of bed.”

  “Darn tootin’,” Hank O’Tool said with a weak grin. “Two weeks in bed is enough to drive any man plumb loco. How about pouring you and me a cup of coffee?” He held up his tin cup.

  Carter took the cup then grabbed another off the shelf before going over to the potbelly stove where the silver coffee pot was percolating. He grabbed a rag and picked up the pot to pour the coffee. A little spilled on the stove with a loud hiss as the bubbles danced along the hot surface.

  Hank still looked a little peaked, Carter thought but he guessed that was to be expected after what the man had been through.

  Hank still had the kind face that Carter remembered from when he was growing up. Hank’s heavy mustache was a little grayer to match the gray in the sides of his hair, but he was still a tough lawman and held the respect of the folks of Windy Bend. When Hank did decide to retire, he’d be hard to replace.

  Carter handed Hank a cup of strong, black coffee, then took a seat in front of him. “You probably should be careful not to overdo it today.”

  “Now you sound like your ma,” Hank grumbled, though his grin countered his gruff voice.

  Carter chuckled. “You should know by now that she’s always right.”

  “Kind of like her son,” Hank said with a smile. “How is the old gal? Haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks.”

  “She’s pretty happy at the moment” Carter looked at Rick and gave him a sly wink. “Wouldn’t you say so?”

  Rick nodded in agreement. “Heck, yeah. She’s sure been smiling a lot.”

  Hank sat up a little straighter and drew his brows together. “How come?”

  Carter shouldn’t be pulling Hank’s leg since he’d been so sick, but he knew that Hank had been sweet on his mother for a very long time. “Well, Hank, it’s like this.” Carter leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “I brought someone home with me and Mother has taken a real liking to them.”

  “She hardly noticed me and Carter at all,” Rick added as he let his chair fall back to the floor. “Sorry, Hank, you’ve been replaced.”

  “It ain’t fair,” Hank stated. “Just let me get laid up a little bit and she forgets all about me. Just like a blamed woman. Once she gets you interested, then she moves to greener pastures.”

  Carter couldn’t hold his smile any longer. “I didn’t say she’d forgotten about you.”

  “Well, what would you call it? Who is the fellow?”

  Carter waited for a moment until Hank’s face was good and red. “Mary,” he said, struggling to hide a grin.

  “What the hell?” Hank swore, and slammed his cup on the desk, splattering the coffee over the old, brown wood, then swore some more as the hot coffee hit his hand.

  Carter and Rick laughed as Hank glared sourly at both of them.

  “You good for nothing mangy dogs!”

  “Ah, come on, Hank, where’s your sense of humor?” Carter asked, rocking back on two chair legs.

  “So who is this Mary?”

  “The prettiest little thing you’ve ever seen,” Rick said.

  “Does this mean Carter—” Hank paused.

  “No, it doesn’t This is a girl we found lost in a snow bank,” Carter said. Then he filled Hank in on the rest of the story.

  Hank finally said, “So what are you going to do about her?”

  “I don’t know,” Carter said. “I can only hope that her memory comes back soon.”

  The lovely green gown hung invitingly on the wardrobe door. Mary had never seen such a pretty dress, and she was reluctant to try it on. It was the one Judith had picked out for her to wear tonight

  As she stood in front of the dress feeling the texture of the fine material between her fingers, someone knocked on the door. “Come in,” Mary called over her shoulder.

 
"The dress will do you no good hanging on the door,” Judith scolded with a smile. “You need to be dressing, so you can charm everyone at the opera house.”

  “It’s so lovely, I’m afraid I’ll mess it up,” Mary said.

  “Nonsense. It’s just cloth and material. It will wash. Now come along and put on your bustle.”

  Mary slipped off her plain brown skirt and placed it on the bed. “I’ve never worn a bustle before.”

  “Then it is time for you to start,” Judith told her as she picked up the contraption. “You see”—she squeezed the humped-looking thing—“this is nothing but gathered silk taffeta. It’s lightweight and sits behind you like this.” She demonstrated the proper sitting technique, flipping the bustle up to keep from squashing it, then wrapped the ribbons around Mary’s waist and tied them. “There we go. Now your gown will hang much prettier.”

  “It feels funny.” Mary laughed as she wiggled her hips. “Why do I need one?”

  “It’s known as fashion, my dear.” Judith cast an eye over Mary. “In many ways you’re very much like a child who’s never dressed up before.”

  “I’m not sure I ever have,” Mary admitted. She held her arms up so Judith could slip the dress on over her head.

  The silk slid with a rustle down Mary’s body. It felt so soft and smooth against her skin. The only clothing she had ever known was made of cotton and wool.

  Judith brushed the skirts down and jerked at the pleats until she had the dress just right. Then she announced, “It fits perfectly. Now, let me pin your hair up and we’ll be ready. Sit down here.” She pointed to a stool.

  Mary took a quick look at her reflection in the mirror as she sat down. The woman who stared back looked nothing like the Mary she was used to seeing. The color of the gown made her complexion look soft and creamy. “This is such a vivid color. What is it called?”

  “Dragon green,” Judith replied as she rolled Mary’s hair around her fingers. “See, it has a cuirass bodice.” Judith pointed at the dress. “And a pronounced train on the skirt It was designed in France and brought over here for Lisa. Unfortunately, she never got to wear it However, green becomes you, my dear. You look very fetching. See how gold your hair appears? There will be many men’s hearts fluttering tonight”

  “I doubt that, but thank you just the same,” Mary said, trying not to look skeptical. “Are Carter and Rick going with us tonight?”

  “Most certainly. They are waiting downstairs for us right now. There.” Judith patted Mary’s curls. “Perfect”

  Mary tossed her head and a cascade of ringlets fell over her left shoulder. She had to admit she did feel pretty. What would Carter think about the transformation? She shrugged. Well, she really didn’t care what he thought.

  Judith sighed and seemed suddenly to sag. “I believe I’ll sit down for a moment” She walked over to a chair and sat down, then she leaned back and rested her head.

  Mary stood. “Are you feeling all right?” She noted that Judith’s color was very pale. “Maybe we shouldn’t go out after all.”

  “Of course we should. I’m just a little dizzy, probably from all the rush and excitement Just give me a moment and I’ll feel fine. If you’ll look at the far end of the wardrobe, you’ll find a winter cloak to keep you warm.” She gestured in the direction of the wardrobe.

  Mary located the dark brown garment and folded it over her arm. “Are you sure you’re up to going out tonight?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Judith said as she rose and headed out of the room with Mary following her.

  When Mary rounded the corner, she spotted Carter with his elbow propped upon the mantel, talking to Rick.

  Carter looked magnificent His black suit and crisp white shirt made him appear extremely dashing. His bright red vest provided just the touch of color he needed.

  When he caught sight of Mary, he made no effort to disguise the look of admiration in his eyes. He stared at her quite openly, with the same hungry look she’d seen just before he’d kissed her. Was he thinking of that kiss? She felt her body flush at the memories as she returned his stare, unable to look away. Slowly Carter lowered his eyelids, until his eyes seemed hooded and she could no longer read his thoughts. Just what did Carter think of her, she wondered.

  Rick didn’t bother to hide any of his emotions. He stood with a grin and gleam of admiration in his eyes. “Ladies, you look grand indeed.”

  ‘Thank you, sir," Judith said. “You gentlemen look mighty fine yourselves. I can’t remember when I’ve not seen you with guns strapped to your sides.”

  “Rest assured they will be close by,” Rick said.

  Judith turned to Carter. “We should probably be going now.”

  Carter pushed away from the fireplace. The buggy is out front.”

  Mary slipped on her cloak, assisted gallantly by Rick, while Carter opened the door. ‘You have a buggy?”

  “Yes,” Judith answered as she preceded Mary out the door. “What do you think?”

  “It is very nice,” Mary said. Parked in front of the house was a sleek black buggy that had two seats instead of one. The backseat was completely covered by the canopy; the front seat was partially covered. Rick and Judith climbed into the buggy first, so they could sit in the rear.

  Mary didn’t have much of a choice but to sit next to Carter. He helped her up, then walked around to the driver’s seat and took his place. Someone had heated bricks for their feet, and they felt good against her toes as she rested her kid pumps on the bricks. Carter tossed a quilt over their legs and picked up the reins. He looked at Mary. “Are you ready?”

  Mary nodded.

  Carter flicked the leather straps and the buggy lurched forward. There were three ranch hands riding in front of them. Mary looked at Carter, arching an eyebrow in question. Carter explained that since they lived a ways from town, there was always safety in numbers. She knew firsthand how harsh the West could be.

  She felt the red velvet cushions beneath her and marveled at the very smooth ride. “This is a very nice buggy,” Mary commented. The only thing I’ve ever ridden in is a buckboard. And it doesn’t ride anything like this.”

  Carter glanced quickly at her and Mary realized too late that she’d slipped again. She did everything she could to keep from looking guilty at the slip as she looked away from him.

  “My husband, Thomas,” Judith said from behind Mary, “insisted that I have a buggy. He said he didn’t want to see his wife driving a buckboard. And with Thomas, everything had to be the best” It was the first time Mary had heard any mention of Carter’s father. She wondered what had happened to the man, but figured it was none of her business. “He certainly had good taste.”

  “In all things,” Judith admitted with a sigh. “I still miss him a great deal, but at least I have Carter. He looks so much like his father that, at times, I feel as though I’m staring at Thomas.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet him,” Mary said. “Was he a lawman, too?”

  Thomas was a cattleman,” Judith said. Mary could hear the pride in her voice. “He was killed in a stampede the year before Lisa’s death.”

  Those years must have been hard,” Mary said.

  There was a moment of silence before Carter said, “Now that the weather is clearing”—he paused as he maneuvered the buggy around a hole—“you’ll get to see some of the cattle we own.”

  “Really?” Mary glanced at Carter and felt all warm and tingly inside. There was something seductive in the way he looked tonight. She could feel his leg pressed next to hers, and she could sense the tension coiled in him as if he wanted to leap up at a moment’s notice. She wondered if the man ever relaxed. Was he always on alert, watching, waiting for the next incident to occur? If so, Carter’s life was as boring as hers. Maybe they were more alike than she realized. “How many head of cattle do you have?”

  “A few thousand,” Carter answered.

  That sounds like a lot to me.”

  “Not real
ly, but it is a good start”

  “Would you believe that Carter prefers to chase bad guys than cattle?” Rick asked.

  “No, I can’t,” Mary said, “but I’m sure he has his reasons.”

  Carter couldn’t explain the strange feeling that swept over him. She had actually taken up for him, and he appreciated it

  “I’m hoping one day he’ll come home for good,” Judith said.

  Mary glanced at Carter from beneath her lashes and she could see him tensing up as if he were fighting a battle within himself. How could she penetrate the deliberate blankness of his eyes? She reached over and placed her hand on his arm. For some unexplained reason, she needed to touch him.

  Carter didn’t turn her way, but he did take her hand in his, causing her stomach to flutter as if a thousand butterflies had been released.

  “What are you going to do once the sheriff is on his feet again?” Mary asked. She really hadn’t thought about Carter leaving, but she knew he couldn’t stay here forever. But would he take her with him? There would be no reason for him to stay in Windy Bend unless he was going to work the ranch, and the way he felt about his job more than guaranteed he wouldn’t be staying.

  “I’m not sure,” Carter admitted. “There’s been some trouble at Pikes Peak. Heard tell that they are having a hard time solving a murder. May mosey up there and help out.”

  “I—I see,” Mary managed to get out as each little butterfly in her stomach died. What was he going to do when he discovered that the solution to the mystery was sitting next to him? She bit her lip and stared straight ahead. She didn’t want to know the answer.

  “What happened?” Judith asked.

  “A murder. It seems one partner got greedy for the gold and murdered the other partner. Carved him up real bad,” Carter explained.

  “Are they sure that’s what happened?” Mary blurted out. If Carter thought that way, then so did everyone else. “Sometimes things look one way but are not what they appear.”