No Quarter Asked

by Janet Dailey

  Stacy was more than a little taken back. She had naturally assumed that Cord was disciplining her companion because of Jim's interest in her. The reddening of embarrassment flowed in her cheeks.

  'But that doesn't mean I approve of you bewitching my men to such an extent that they forget to do their job.'

  'I don't know what you're talking about,' Stacy muttered.

  'You surely don't expect me to believe you were looking for strays on foot in that field?' he questioned.

  'No, I don't !' answered Stacy exasperatedly.

  'Then there really isn't anything more to be said, is there?'

  'Yes, there is !' Stacy exclaimed. 'You don't have the right to tell me who I may or may not make friends with.'

  'I have a great deal to say about it,' matching the angry tone in Stacy's voice. 'You are in my employ and as such, your actions become my responsibility. If I feel it's necessary, I'll dictate who you may associate with and who you may not.'

  'Are you telling me I'm to leave Jim alone?'

  'I'm telling you that you will not flatter my men and seduce them into having any romantic notions towards you. Is that plain enough?' Cord flashed.

  'Perfectly !' she retorted, and kicked her pinto into a canter.

  The two silent riders hadn't travelled very far from the meadow when they came in sight of the wizened cowboy driving a half dozen steers. With a wave of his hand towards Hank, Cord wheeled his horse away from the pinto and headed back across the range as Stacy fell in beside the wrangler.

  Shortly before noon the small band joined up with the main herd. Stacy searched the riders around the main herd for some sign of Jim, but only caught a glimpse of Cord, which deterred her from looking more closely. She wasn't in the mood for another run in with him. Quietly she followed the wizened Hank to the encampment where they ate lunch and changed horses. Hot and tired, Stacy sat silently astride her horse in the noonday sun and waited for the veteran to join her. He ambled over to the ground-hitched pony beside Stacy and mounted.

  'We'll be stayin' with the herd this afternoon,' he stated. 'The two of us will be ridin' the right flank.'

  Several times that afternoon Stacy caught sight of Jim, but only once did he acknowledge her presence with a wave. Stacy felt guilty for possibly getting the young cowboy into trouble; she only hoped that Jim wouldn't hold it against her. Of course he couldn't very well rush over when he saw her—after all, he was working. Twice she found herself looking around for some sign of Cord Harris, but if he was taking part in the afternoon drive, he escaped Stacy's eyes. Instead of feeling relieved that his watchful eyes were not on her, she felt empty.

  At four o'clock the herd arrived at a stand of cottonwood trees that marked the course of a rushing stream. This was the night's encampment. They drove the cattle across the shallow water, bedding them down on the opposite side. As Stacy followed Hank back over, she looked wistfully at the swift-running water. What an opportunity to wash some of the grit and grime off!

  All the hands had gathered around the cook wagon where the coffee was fresh and hot. Stacy and Hank dismounted at the remuda trailers and joined the others. By tomorrow morning the herd would reach the summer pasture and the drive would be over until fall. Stacy stood quietly and sipped her coffee while listening to the boasting and grumbling of the veteran cowhands. Supper would be dished up shortly and she wanted to go down to the stream before then. She finished the last of her coffee and handed the cup to the cook. None of the group paid any attention to her as she walked away towards the cottonwood trees.

  Stacy strolled leisurely, following the river upstream. Five hundred yards from camp where the stream widened as it made a turn, she stopped. This was the perfect place to bathe, far enough away from camp to ensure privacy and far enough upstream for the water not to be muddied by the cattle crossing. Even an obliging tree had a lowhanging branch on which she could hang her clothes. Happily she swept the brown hat off her head and pulled out the rubber band holding her hair. Free from the confinement, the long chestnut hair fell caressingly around her shoulders as she sat down by the edge of the water to remove her dusty boots. Her toes wiggled happily in the coarse sand as their owner gazed blissfully at the beckoning water, glistening brightly with captured rays from the sun. Stacy hopped to her feet and made one last glance around her bathing hole to make sure there were no uninvited two-legged visitors, before shedding her blouse and jeans.

  Clad only in her undergarments, she waded into the water, A small shudder ran through her at the unexpected coolness of the stream. She hummed merrily as she rubbed away the dirt and grime of the drive. Carried away by her enjoyment, Stacy failed to hear the sound of hooves muffled by the sand. A horse and rider came to a halt beside the overhanging cotton-wood where Stacy had hung her clothes.

  Still humming her happy tune, Stacy entered the shallower water and began wading towards the bank. Glancing at the tree, she stopped in the now waist-deep water, stunned by the sudden appearance of the horse and rider. Her surprise was quickly replaced by a self-consciousness of her scanty attire. Swiftly she lowered herself into the water.

  'You could have had the decency to let me know you were there, Mr. Harris!' she exclaimed, her face red with shame as she addressed Cord's mocking face.

  ‘I missed you at camp and came out looking for you,' the deep voice replied, ignoring her angry criticism.

  'Well, now you've found me, so kindly leave so I can get dressed' Her embarrassment replaced by indignation.

  'I'll wait for you over there,' Cord said, smiling, as he indicated a group of trees where his view of her would be obstructed. Amusement was all too visible on his face as he reined his horse around and left.

  Hurriedly Stacy clambered up on the bank, chagrin and resentment hampering her. Trying to dress quickly, she struggled to pull the clothes on over her wet body. The sleeves of her blouse clung to her wet arms and with fumbling fingers she managed to get it buttoned and tucked into her Levi's. The boots slipped on easily even over the damp socks. She removed her hat from the tree and began running towards the place where Cord waited.

  Cord stood silent beside his horse observing her approach. The haste with which she dressed and rushed to meet him had flushed her cheeks and her brown eyes were bright with tension and embarrassment; Stacy stopped a few feet in front of Cord and hesitated. Her eyes searched his face, desperately trying to read his inscrutable expression.

  'Come on,' he said, 'I'll walk you back to camp.'

  A little breathless, she fell into step beside him as he led his horse in that direction. The saturnine face never once turned towards her as they walked in silence. The strain was too much for Stacy. With her free hand she ran her fingers through her damp hair nervously.

  'I was hot and dusty from the drive.' A hint of defiance was in her voice.

  'The water certainly looked inviting,' Cord commented, refusing to take the bait of the unvoiced challenge she had made. 'To be honest, I was tempted to join you.' He searched her face, his eyes travelling from the damp tendrils of her hair around her forehead down her straight nose and coming to a halt at her moist parted lips.

  Stacy knew they were very close to camp now. In her side vision she could make out the moving forms of the cowhands. She knew she should feel self-conscious at the possible observance of her and Cord, but she was only aware of the broad shoulders and the strong tanned face of the man beside her. He must have read the confusion and bewilderment in her gaze as she tried to fathom this change in his attitude towards her, for he abruptly released her arm and began their course once again for camp.

  'I've never known a woman yet who could turn down a chance to freshen up,' Cord teased. For some reason that she could not or would not acknowledge, Stacy felt safer back on their old grounds of mocking banter.

  'How can I properly seduce a man if I go around smelling like a cow?' she returned, a new lift in her walk and swing to her head.

  'You have a very good point,' Cord agreed as th
ey walked into the camp area. 'Go grab yourself a bite to eat, little one. I'll see you later.'

  Stacy felt his hand touch her shoulder lightly as he moved away from her towards the horse vans. The warmth of his touch radiated as she visualized the imprint of his hand on her shoulder. Abstractedly she walked over to the group of men, conscious that her whole attention was focused on the retreating figure. Throughout the meal, she involuntarily watched for his approach. When he failed, to come she was depressed. Usually she dreaded his presence, and here she was looking forward to it. What manner of man was he that he could make her want to be with him and hate him at the same time?

  The cottonwood trees surrounding the camp hastened the darkening purple of the setting sun. Shadows had begun casting their black forms through the camp.' The flickering fires seemed to grow increasingly brighter. From the other side of the flame she recognized the figure of her riding companion of the morning. Jim seemed to be looking for someone as he stood studying the various clusters of hands. Then he spotted Stacy and made his way around the campfire to where she was sitting apart from the others.

  'Hi,' the serious hazel eyes smiled. 'Been looking for you.'

  'Work hard today?' Stacy asked.

  'Not too. I'm sorry I had to leave you in the lurch like that today,' Jim said, squatting down beside her.

  'We didn't come to blows if that's what worried you,' Stacy laughed. 'I didn't mean to get you into trouble, Jim.'

  'Seriously, Stacy, I like you. You know that, don't you?' Jim asked quietly. When she failed to reply, he added, 'Are you engaged or anything?'

  'No.' Stacy avoided the turned head beside her. She should have felt pleased by his affection, but she found herself regretting the turn the conversation had taken. 'I like you, too, Jim. You're a very good friend.'

  'That's the way I feel too,' he replied. 'I hope I'll be able to see a lot more of you.'

  'I hope so, too,' Stacy said. 'I've never had too many friends.'

  'Stacy,' affectionately, a calloused hand raised itself and the fingers caressed her smooth cheek, 'you're quite a girl. I bet you could turn a man down and make him feel happy about it !'

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  'CONNORS!' snapped a voice a few feet away from the couple.

  Both Stacy and Jim sprang guiltily apart at the biting tone as Cord stepped out of the shadows. Part of his face was still hidden by the darkness, but there was no doubting the leashed fury in the set of his jaws and the furrow in his brow. His dark eyes narrowed menacingly as he stared at the young cowboy.

  'You have a unique talent for turning up when you're not expected,' Stacy accused, not liking his dictatorial manner.

  'Obviously,' was the reply. Cord's penetrating gaze flickered briefly to Stacy and returned to Jim.

  'Well?' he demanded.

  'I have nothing to say, sir,' Jim answered, his chin jutting out as he met the censorious eyes.

  Stacy could feel the resentment burning inside her. The way that Cord was humiliating Jim in front of her was unforgivable! His pride was being stripped away right in front of her eyes. How much did Cord think Jim could take? And why should it concern him that she had been talking to the cowboy?

  Jim regarded Stacy silently. Finally he bade her good night and walked away. Furious at the tyrannical rancher, Stacy turned to face him, her brown eyes flashing as she trembled from the anger building up inside her.

  'Just who do you think you are, Mr. Harris?' she cried. 'Do you get some kind of big thrill humiliating a man in front of a woman? Or do you just like everyone to know that you're Mr. Big Shot around here?'

  'I don't see where it's any concern of yours what my reasons are,' said Cord, his voice still fierce with controlled emotion.

  'That's a remark typical of you,' Stacy said bitterly. 'You consider yourself a law unto yourself, responsible to no one. Well, you're nothing! Do you hear me, nothing! Why, Jim is more of a man than you could ever hope to be. And furthermore, if you think you've succeeded in lowering him in my eyes, you're sadly mistaken. Before, I only considered him to be a friend, but now I can see that, compared to you, he's the only man on earth for me.'

  'You admit, after all, that it is a man you want,' Cord retorted, a muscle in his jaw twitching in his own mounting anger. 'I seriously doubt if you would know a man if you saw one.'

  'I know that whatever it is I'm standing in front of now, it's not a man !' she snapped, fully aware that she was pushing Cord too far, but beyond the point of caring. She enjoyed degrading this paragon before her.

  The slender thread that had held his temper in check snapped as his face grew, black with fury. Roughly he grabbed Stacy's arms, drawing her so close to him that she could see the throbbing veins on the side of his jaw. The iron grip of his fingers dug deep into her shoulders as she struggled uselessly against his muscular chest. He was much too strong for her. As one large hand moved, sweeping around her waist, the other grabbed her long brown hair, twisting her head back until she was forced to look into his face. Crushed against his chest, she stared tremulously into the now coal-black eyes.

  'By God,' Cord said hoarsely, 'I'll not have you throwing yourself at my men. If it's an affair you're after, well, I'll take care of that right here and now!'

  Slowly his face lowered down to hers as if enjoying the apprehension Stacy felt as she realized he was going to kiss her. Valiantly she tried to struggle again, but he restrained her easily. His arm tightened around -her as if he meant to crush out every ounce of resistance. As his mouth pressed cruelly against hers, Stacy felt a fire of passion sear through her body. The fierce-ness of his kiss, meant to punish, hurt, and humiliate, stifled any effort she might have made to respond as the bristle of his whiskers scraped her skin. But the whirlpool of his nearness kept spinning in her mind and the throbbing of her heart must have echoed into his ears as it did in her own. When Stacy felt he would never let her go, Cord stepped away. The suddenness ] of his release jolted her off balance and she fell to the ground. Stunned, she lay there staring up at the towering figure.

  'Never back a man up in a corner,' Cord said, the coldness back in his eyes. 'I told you once before to learn the rules before you played the game.'

  'I despise you!' Stacy gasped, rising to her feet and flinging herself at him.

  He caught her wrists easily and stared emotionless at the teardrops running down her cheeks. She kicked and scratched at him, but the attempts were warded off easily until she was finally exhausted by her efforts.

  'You've beaten me,' she finally murmured, fighting the lump in her throat. 'You can always force me to do what you want, but you can never make me feel anything but disgust for you.'

  There was no sign of self-reproach in his eyes as Cord looked at Stacy. As he lowered her imprisoned hands and released them, he stood silently searching her face for what Stacy didn't know.

  'I' know,' Cord finally sighed. 'I know. Come on, we'd better join the others.'

  'Is that all you've got to say?' Stacy asked in a small voice, slightly astounded. 'No apologies? If that's the way you treat your women, I can see why you got jilted.'

  Cord's face turned to stone at her words and his dark eyes bored deep inside her. Uncomfortably aware that she had trespassed on to something that was none of her affair, the numb Stacy stood there, tear-streaked and proud.

  'I don't intend to apologize for my actions. I don't know what you heard about Lydia and me, but whatever it was, it's none of your business,' the cold, hard voice replied. 'Consider what happened tonight a lesson you should have learned long ago. You're not an unattractive girl. You're lucky that I haven't fallen under your spell or the outcome of tonight could have been quite different. Fortunately, I know you for what you are, and the cheap tricks your kind use to satisfy your egotistical craving for attention and admiration.' The sarcasm seeped through his words. 'The subject is closed.'

  Stacy couldn't speak. She looked into his face, repelled by the disgust mirrored there. Bewildered, she offered no r
esistance when Cord took her arm and guided her back towards the campfire. Several times she stumbled on the uneven ground, but he never hesitated in his stride. Nor did he even glance her way; only the hand on her arm verified that he acknowledged her existence.

  When they reached the campfire, he released her and walked on into the circle without her. Grateful to be away from him, Stacy slipped over to her bedroll, praying no one would speak to her or see her tearrimmed eyes in the glowing firelight. Hiccupping silent sobs, she crawled into her covers. Cursing him for his unwarranted opinion of her, she snuggled inside the blanket for comfort, but her body and mind retained the memory of the strength and warmth of his arms and the brutality and fire in his kiss. Vainly she rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, ‘but the memory was indelibly marked. Sleep crept up silently on her exhausted body.

  The morning sun shone brightly down on Stacy astride the little bay horse she had ridden the first day. She could take no interest in the surrounding country as she rode along the flank of the herd. Listlessly she sat on the pony and let her gaze blur in the multitude of cattle.

  Last night in her dreams she had relived Cord's embrace, but this time it was filled with passion and desire. She had returned Cord's kiss with equal fervour. The dream was almost more disquieting than the actual kiss. Afterwards she had clung to him, driven by a desperation that he would reject her. She felt she had somehow betrayed herself in that dream. She hated Cord Harris and everything he stood for. The shame and guilt she felt for the imagined kiss far exceeded the humiliation the actual kiss had filled her with the night before.

  The pounding of approaching hooves aroused her from her thoughts. Looking up, Stacy recognized Jim Connors astride the galloping horse. He waved and rode by to pull up beside Hank. They exchanged a few words between them, causing an embarrassing flush to flood Stacy's cheeks as she wondered if they were discussing her. If it had been one of the other days, she would have dropped back to join them, but she was afraid to face them today for fear they could read in her face the events of the night before. A few minutes later Hank rode up beside her.