The Outlaw's Kiss (an Old West Romance) (Wild West Brides)

by Karin, Anya

  Whatever it took.

  “I’ll get your claim. I don’t know how, but I will.” I stood to leave, and he watched me out the door. As it swung shut, I heard a groan and then floorboards creaking.

  Three days.

  “Clock’s ticking, Miss James.” Mr. Swearengen’s came through the door. “Clock’s ticking.”

  Thirteen

  October 4 1878

  Deadwood, Dakota Territory

  Since my encounter with Mr. Swearengen, the gears in my head refused to stop.

  Sleep has never been a strong suit for me, though normally the thoughts that fill my mind of a night are idle. A way to save Eli, a way to turn everything around for myself and my beloved outlaw, as the people of the town had decided he was. It was enough to keep me from closing my eyes for very long going on a week.

  I’d taken to long walks.

  The road from Father’s and my house to the town center was devoid of life since Sheriff Bullock placed a mostly-effective curfew that required all residents be in one of the several common buildings – the Gem, the inn, or one of the other gathering places – by dark. Anyone wandering the streets was headed to one of these places, or to wherever it was they rested their heads, so the likelihood of my being harassed was very slim.

  This gave me a great deal of time to wander unhindered around the streets. A time or two, Mr. Bullock had seen me on my walks and greeted me with a friendly wave or a tip of his hat, but never harangued me for breaking the rules. I think he knew well that if Itan happened to return, I, of all the people in town, was in no danger, and that made him uneasy.

  The night everything changed, I was on one of my walks, though that night it was to assuage the worry I held over father not returning from the claim until well past midnight. I made my way back home, and, finally exhausted, was changing into my night clothes when a gentle tapping on the door – so soft that I thought it my imagination at first – caught my attention.

  “Clara,” a hushed but urgent voice called. I hopped down the stairs two at a time, my bare feet thudding against the wood. “Clara, hurry!”

  “Who is it?” I whispered instinctually.

  But as soon as I asked, I knew.

  Before he answered, I opened the door and fell into my Eli’s arms. He was covered in dust, a three-day growth of beard, and looked as tired as I’d ever seen anyone. Huge black circles marked his face. “Eli, how did you get here?” My jaw dropped and I put my hand first to my chest, then to my mouth, hiding my surprised, gaping mouth.

  He stroked my face, pushing my curls behind my ears and kissed me desperately. I drew a deep, surprised breath when he clutched me against his chest, inhaling the scent of leather and the road that covered my beloved’s entire body. His lips sucked at mine, as though he needed it, needed me, to survive.

  “I can’t believe the streets are empty,” he said when he pulled away after a few blissed moments. “I thought I’d have to dart from shadow to shadow or scale half a mountain to get back here, but it’s just dead. Sheriff laid down a curfew?”

  I nodded. “Eli, he’s not out to get you,” I blurted. He looked confused. “Sheriff Bullock. He doesn’t want to haul you back in.”

  He grunted a laugh. “Like hell he don’t, there’s been rangers scouring the hills for the last three days that I’ve been with Itan and his band.”

  His hand felt so warm, so good, in mine that I grabbed the other and stared right into his blue eyes. They seemed like the only part of him that wasn’t beaten up and unwashed. “What’s happened to you? You look terrible.” My voice was a whisper.

  But then he smiled, I saw those dimples, and my heart melted. “Terrible, she says. Three days hiding out in the hills and I look a bit unwashed. I can’t say that’s much a mystery.”

  “I suppose not,” I said, unable to keep from beaming. “Oh goodness, come in. Why didn’t you enter right away?”

  “Even in my present state of disarray, I’m able to keep my manners. But, thank you.” He held the door and gestured me through. “It feels good to be out of the dirt for once.”

  “Do you need any food? A drink?” I paused a moment before breeching the most apparent thing he needed. “Maybe a bath?”

  With those powerful arms, he pulled me to his chest again and kissed me deep, taking the breath right out of my chest and sending goosebumps down my back. “Why, Mr. Masterson, you’re quite forward,” I gasped, smiling.

  “All three of the things you offered would be divine, but I must admit that the thing I need most, I already have.” Eli’s eyes twinkled and he touched my lips with his again, then my cheek and the side of my neck right below the ear. A slight groan escaped my lips before I stopped myself.

  “I hesitate to ask out of fear you’ll make me blush and possibly swoon, but what is it you need worst of all, Mr. Masterson?” My hands moved along the sides of his face, rasping over his hard stubble. I turned his head and interrupted the beginning of his reply with a kiss of my own.

  “Why, Miss James, it’s you. I believe that if you were able to slake my thirst that I could live forever on nothing but your love, your touch and your sweet kisses.”

  I was briefly overwhelmed with a hot flush on both of my cheeks and a weakness in my knees. “Maybe you’d better have that bath and that food and drink before I start to have other ideas, Eli.” I kissed him again and pulled away, yearning for his touch the second we parted.

  “I’d never do such a thing, Clara. You know me better than that.” His face held a stern look for a moment before softening. “Though I can’t deny I felt similar things. I hate to put you out by making use of your facilities. I can’t possibly thank you enough for your kindness.”

  “Father’s clothes should fit you, if be a bit large. I can wash what you’re wearing tomorrow morning if that’ll do.”

  “I can’t stay. If anyone finds out that I’m here, they’ll-”

  “Nonsense,” I interrupted him. “No one will know. You’re here and you’re safe and I’m not going to let you get away from me again. You’ll stay right where you are.”

  He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he took my hand. “I promised you a sunset, Clara James. You’ve not forgotten?”

  “Oh no,” I chuckled. “I told you I was going to make you keep that promise. I don’t forget things easily. Would you like to eat while I heat your water?”

  “I’d be much obliged. There’s plenty of water in the hills, but very few biscuits as sweet as those you make. Mind if I remove these boots? My feet haven’t been out of them in days. I fear I may dirty your floor.”

  “Well then, I appreciate your concern for the cleanliness of my floor. Shake them out by the back door. It’s just this way, through the kitchen.”

  With his hand in mine, I dragged Eli to the back of the house and as he poured days of dirt out back, I buttered biscuits and put a pot on to heat.

  “I was going to ask if they were good, but from the pile of crumbs that’s replaced the biscuits, I’ll assume they were.”

  He was still chewing, one cheek puffed out, with a smile on his face. “I’m quite sorry for my lack of decorum. But this is damn near the best thing I’ve ever tasted. And now I’ll apologize for my foul mouth in the presence of a lady.” He wiped his mouth on a napkin, which made me giggle, considering the condition of the rest of his appearance. He swallowed and sighed with contentment.

  I sat down opposite him just as the first bubbles appeared in Eli’s soon-to-be bathwater. “It’s so good to see you, Eli. I was afraid,” I trailed off, my eyes fixating on a small bowl of salt on the tabletop.

  “I made a promise to you,” he said with sudden seriousness. “Eli Masterson does not make promises he doesn’t intend to keep.”

  “I know, I know, Eli. But when Itan showed up and demanded to know where you were, then the town was on fire and, oh forgive me, but I thought perhaps your keeping your promise wasn’t entirely in your control. But now, here you are. Why don’t we run, Eli? Why
don’t we wait for my father to return from whatever is keeping him and as soon as he’s here, we tell him goodbye. He’ll go get the horses from the stables, and then we can be off. I’ll pack food, we can go right now, we –”

  Eli shook his head, chewing another biscuit. “No. I’ll not leave my friend Seth in such a situation. And if we do that, your father will be in terrible danger. Our romance is probably the talk of the town by now. Discretion seems to be useless around these parts. Word moves like the wind about anything interesting, as you’ve probably found.”

  “Mr. Swearengen knew, he –”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. Listen, Clara,” Eli drew near, pulling my hands across the top of the table, massaging my palms with his thumbs. “If you’re in contact with Al, just know that as soon as he sees something better for him, allies become enemies. He’s the power in this town, at least until the army starts putting up forts around the place. But for now, he’s it, you understand?”

  “He’s helping, Eli. He wants to help me clear your name.”

  “He’s what? Why? What deal’s he made with you?”

  “How did you know?” I asked.

  Eli chuckled. “With Al, there’s always a deal.”

  “Mr. Swearengen says he has proof that Eustace Rawls is at fault for the whole thing, but in order to help, he wants me to convince Davis Clark to sell his gold claim.”

  “Ha! There’s always gold. Two things in this town are for sure and good – Al Swearengen and that damned color.” He rocked his chair back. “Any mention of what this proof might be?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing. He’s too closely guarded. As a matter of fact, I don’t even know why Itan appeared.”

  Eli grabbed another biscuit and bit it in half. That was the fifth. “There’s a story,” he said. “Evidently, I wrote a letter to my blood-brother from behind bars, which was somehow delivered. Quite a feat.”

  Suddenly, everything connected. The letter that I’d foolishly kept on my person, Itan’s appearance. “Oh my goodness, Eli, I’ve made a horrible mistake.” My heart sunk to my stomach. “I kept your letter, your sweet letter. When Itan appeared in town, I was so afraid that I clutched it in my hand for strength even as I told him where you were.”

  “About that,” he interrupted. “He was once again impressed with you. But what does this have to do with the letter I sent you? Certainly you left it here?”

  “No, oh no, I’ve been so foolish.”

  “Nonsense,” Eli said, holding my hands tighter. “Nothing you do is foolish. What happened?”

  “The letter, Mr. Bullock took it.”

  Eli’s face sunk. “So he now believes Rawls’s story that I sent a letter, though in reality, it was that bastard who sent word to Itan by way of whatever magic it is he uses to meddle in other men’s lives.” Eli stood up, quickly.

  “I’m so sorry, I’ve ruined everything, I –”

  “No,” he said. “Actually this might have been for the best. After all, I’m here now, instead of in Yankton waiting for my neck to be elongated by a hangman’s noose. You say Al mentioned he had proof that Rawls is behind this?”

  I nodded. “I knew it. It had to be him. He’s the only person who cares enough to set me up to get revenge. If only I’d never taken that job on the Comstock. No time for regrets, I suppose.”

  Bubbles popped on the stove, but neither Eli, nor I, paid much attention to bathwater. “All you did to him was exposing his rather poorly conceived, and rather wild, plan to con Hearst out of the Comstock? Something about this strikes me as odd,” I said. “If George Hearst had been cheated, why is Rawls still alive?”

  Eli laughed. “Rawls’s brashness, I suppose you could call it, impressed Hearst. That’s the part of the story that not many people realize. Rumor is that a few years after that excitement, Hearst sent Rawls here to figure out where the real claims were, and to acquire them.”

  I sat back. “Well that makes Mr. Swearengen’s interest in removing him from the picture a little more understandable.”

  A moment passed in silence. Eli ate another biscuit, and my thoughts were occupied with wonderment at how closely connected everything was, and how suddenly it fell into my lap. But, there was still the matter of satisfying Mr. Swearengen’s demand, or all the grains of sand would fall right back to the ground.

  “I should check that pot. Water’s probably ready.”

  Just then, as I turned to look, the front door opened and Eli yanked the gun from his hip.

  “That was one hell of a day. Whew.” Father’s voice hit my ears right before his boots hit the floor. Eli relaxed and I let out an audible sigh. “Clara? Was that you? What are you still doing up?”

  Father wandered in, covered in sweat and dirt. His shirt was torn, but he didn’t look hurt.

  “Yes, I was waiting up for you when someone appeared.”

  “Eli?” he walked into the kitchen. “Eli, is that really you? Oh my God, I was afraid you’d fallen into a bad way. It’s so good to see you.” He crossed the space quickly and grabbed Eli’s hand. “I can’t believe you’re here, I – wait, why are you here?”

  “I can explain everything, Mr. James. After Itan came through, I hid in the hills for a time and –”

  “You know what?” His mustache fell out of his lips. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re safe. Clara’s been worried so sick I thought she was an inch from death. Are you planning to leave?”

  “Yes, sir, I think I better. I just had to see her before I did.”

  “Say no more. I know the look you get when you see my daughter. I remember it from my own more, ah, vigorous years.” He put his hand up to shush Eli. “Where will you go?”

  Eli shrugged. “North Dakota? Badlands? I haven’t thought about it. All I know is that I can’t stay here and endanger you. Clara had the good will to feed me some delicious food, and then I was about to avail myself of a bath. I mean to be well out of town before dawn. Before anyone knows I’ve been here.”

  “Absolutely not!” Father and I both spoke at once then exchange a glance before he pursed his lips to let me continue.

  “You will not leave. We already talked about this. Mr. Swearengen’s got what we need to clear your name, but if you go running, a posse might hunt you down for the reward, and,” I couldn’t finish. I couldn’t make Eli being shot a possible reality.

  “Now, Clara, I can’t do that, I –”

  “You’ve got no choice, son,” Father said. “You’re here, and here is where you’ll stay. But what’s this about a plan to clear your name? Involving Mr. Swearengen?”

  The pot had begun boiling furiously, hot water splashing out and sizzling on the stovetop. Father shook his head. “Plenty of time for that later. You get cleaned up and get some rest. I trust you’re well fed?”

  “Oh yes sir, tremendously so. If I stay around here much longer, I fear I’ll get fat from Clara’s biscuits.” Eli laughed.

  Father patted his stomach. “I’m well familiar with that. You go get your bath. I’ve plenty of clothes you can use until we can get those cleaned up. It’s decided that you’re staying, then?”

  “I hate to impose on you further, sir. I don’t want to endanger you.”

  “No danger. If what Clara’s saying about Swearengen is true, then we’ve got the town’s power behind us, and Mr. Bullock certainly won’t be snooping around. We’ve become fast friends. You’re safe here.”

  Eli had an astounded look on his face. “I can’t believe this. You’re both too kind,” he said. “I owe you both.”

  “I’ll tell you what you can pay me back,” Father said with a twinkle in his eye. “Clara keeps talking about a sunset or a trip to Texas, or some such thing. You take her there, and make my little girl the happiest woman on God’s green Earth, and you can consider us even. Got it?”

  “Yes sir,” Eli beamed. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”

  “Good,” father said, clapping Eli on the back. “Now go get you a ba
th. You smell about like you look. Some rest will do you good.”

  Fourteen

  October 6, 1878

  Deadwood Hills, Dakota Territory

  Even as the creek’s ice-cold water sloshed into my boot and chilled my foot, the only thing I could think about was Eli. He was still asleep when we left for the claim, tucked into about four blankets on a pallet that father made for him. I watched him for a few minutes while father was gathering the tools for the day.

  Already, he looked refreshed, after only a few hours’ rest. The huge bags under his eyes tightened up, and he started looking much more like the Eli Masterson I knew; the Eli I fell in love with. He stirred slightly when father tromped down the stairs, but only enough to turn from one side to the other and resume his gentle snoring.

  *

  “Find anything yet, Clara? Ollie and Pat think right around there – right where you are – is where the vein ends. If we find that, they can start drilling.” Father put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath. His shirt hung limply around his middle where it used to be a little tight around his belly. “Too much excitement for this old man,” he said with a laugh. “My back hurts from this damn pick. I can’t wait until that shipment of dynamite gets here from Yankton.”

  I smiled and waved. “Nothing yet,” I called back. “I’ll let you know when I,” A glint in the pan caught my eye. “Spoke too soon! Look!”

  He trotted over and plucked the quarter-inch nugget out of my pan. “I think this is the answer we needed. Good job, Clara!” he hugged me tight. “This vein is going to save the bank. Save everything.” Father wore a look of pure relief on his face. No matter what he said about not caring whether the bank went belly up, I knew better.

  “That one’s mine,” I said as I plucked the nugget out of his fingers.

  All at once, the seriousness of the situation struck him. Father looked like he had just been punched in the stomach.

  “Clara,” he said, “this is really happening. I bought a gold claim on a damn fool attempt at recapturing my youth, and here I am, about to open up a vein.” Father pushed his floppy-brimmed hat back on his head. “It’s a dream come true, you know? People live their whole lives hoping for just a taste of what I – what we’ve found – and here I am. First try, sitting on a gold mine.”