“Right now all I want is to sleep.” He reached over and covered her small hand with his big one. It always amazed him how she could work so hard and stay so soft. “But when we’re rested, I want more than that.”
He leaned forward, begging her to meet him halfway. When she did their lips met, tenderly, gently. “Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m going to make love to you, sweet Cassie.”
She smiled before rising from the table. “Tomorrow. I’m going to let you.”
CHAPTER 10
Harry took his time. He circled around to the back of the ranch where the thoroughbred stables were.
He’d been watching. Knew the routine of each person on the ranch. But hers was the most important. Every day she went to the big stables. She’d be in there by herself for a good twenty to thirty minutes before the stable boy showed up. He watched, waited. Then he made his move.
Cassie heard a noise behind her and turned quickly around.
Harry sprang at her from the shadows. “Well now what do we have here?” he said as she turned. “A pretty lady all alone.”
She went for her Colt but Harry already had his out.
“Don’t try it. Drop the gun. Now”
She did as he ordered.
“Now your belt.”
“I warn you now, I won’t be raped without a fight.”
“Who said anything about rape. If I decide I want you, you’ll be begging for it. They all do.”
“Then what do you want from me. I don’t have any money, so there’ll be no ransom. What else would you want me for?”
“Lady, he’ll come after you. That’s all I want. For Colter to come after you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re Harry Borden.”
“Yup. And I’m here for Sam Colter but you already know that since you know who I am. You also know he’s been after me for years. I only started tracking him down. Guess I’m pretty good at it, huh?”
“You’ll never get him. He won’t come after me. He’s just my foreman.”
“You better hope you’re wrong, little lady. Cause if he don’t come after you, I got no reason to keep you alive. Now come on let’s get out of here. I found me a little cabin, just perfect to keep you in.”
“No. I won’t go.”
“Lady you come with me or I’ll get a rifle and shoot him in the back. No warning, no chance to beat me in a gun fight. Your choice.”
He could tell she was conflicted. She chewed on her lower lip. “How do I know you won’t ambush Sam when he comes to get me.”
“If I’d just wanted him dead, I’d have shot him when he fell off that mustang he was trying to break”
“You saw that? How long have you been watching us? Why haven’t we seen you?
“I’ve been watching since your first overnight trip to Creede. You don’t see me because I’ve got a cold camp. Though last night I had a roaring fire in the big old fireplace in the cabin.”
He grabbed her by her arm and shoved her in the direction of his waiting horse. Borden gagged and blindfolded her. He helped her into the saddle then got up behind her.
“Don’t think I won’t use my gun.” He poked her in the ribs with it. “I could kill you and be gone before anyone got here.”
She did as he said and they started riding away from her ranch.
*****
Sam hadn’t been able to get Cassie’s words off his mind. They hadn’t made love since that first time. Her words “I don’t want to feel that kind of pain,” still reverberated in his brain. Cassie was afraid to get close. Afraid to love again. He wasn’t really sure how to convince her otherwise. He didn’t want to be just lovers. He wanted to be married. He wanted kids, a home, a wife. He wanted Cassie forever, not just for awhile. Of course if he was going to be selfish about it, he could just make love to her and hope she changed her mind, but he wanted more. He wanted her love, unconditionally. He wanted her to be his wife, to be the father to the children she already had and the ones to come. And there would be children. Lots of them if he got his way.
He decided maybe the best way to get her to see things his way was not to make love to her. He would court her, her and the kids but no more love making. He wanted her to crave him as he did her. The idea of having to sneak around behind everyone’s back was repellent to him. He wanted to shout their love from the highest mountain. He wanted everyone to know how he felt and what his motives were. Especially RJ. Sam needed to set a good example for RJ. The boy was protective of his mother. Sam had to acknowledge that and show the boy he respected his mother, too.
In the mean time he’d continue to court her. He’d bring her flowers today, breakfast in bed tomorrow. Or he could ride to town and get her candy. Some of those fancy chocolates Sadie was always trying to get him to buy. Or material for a new dress. Women always liked to get something new to wear. Maybe some other things he could keep on hand so he could give her something every day. For a while anyway.
He picked flowers from Bridget’s garden and hoped she didn’t catch him because there would be hell to pay if she did.
Heading to the stables he whistled. He knew none of the men were in the stables. Davy the stable boy had gone with Delilah to Kentucky. Sam and Cassie would have the whole stable to themselves. He imagined Cassie, face flush with excitement, lying naked on a blanket in a pile of fresh hay, just waiting for him.
“Cassie,” he called entering the stable from the south end. “Cassie, love, where are you?”
There was no answer.
He went out to the paddocks. There were plenty of horses but no Cassie.
Deciding he must have just missed her in passing, he went back to the house to check.
In the kitchen he saw Bridget cooking the midday meal. “Have you seen Cassie?”
“Nope. Not since breakfast. She was going to muck the stalls in the stable since Davy’s gone for a while.”
“Okay, thanks.”
He went back to the stable and began searching every stall. That was when he found it. Her gun.
Sam knew immediately Harry Borden had her. There was no one else who was a threat to them.
Sam was the best tracker he knew, next to Duncan McKenzie. He went to the barn, saddled his horse rode to the house and told Bridget what happened and to ring the dinner bell and gather the men. They were to spread out in all directions and search for Cassie.
He started at the north side of the stable because it was sheltered from view by the rest of the ranch. He knew that Borden had to have left that way.
Duncan’s place was north and west of theirs. He might pass it but just in case he left instructions with Bridget to send someone to both Duncan’s place and to Catherine’s father James Evans’ ranch. Together they would be able to gather another search party to find her.
*****
Cassie was blindfolded but still knew they started out north. There was no choice if he didn’t want to be seen. He had to go north away from the ranch. After that she wasn’t sure where they were. He could have doubled back and they were headed south for all she knew. She held tight to the saddle horn and leaned forward trying to keep her body from touching Borden’s. He pulled her back against his chest and held the reins low so he rested his hands on her stomach. They started out at a walk but it must have been just until they were out of ear shot. Now they were galloping faster and faster, away from everything and everyone she held dear.
She was torn. She wanted Sam to stay safe but she was scared and wanted him to come rescue her. But she knew Borden would kill him if he did. Sam being safe won out. No matter what she wanted him safe.
The horse was walking now. She’d gotten hit by a couple of tree branches. Broken limbs cracked under the horses hooves. Finally they stopped. She wasn’t sure how long they ridden. It seemed like forever. Borden got off the horse then pulled her down. She was afraid he’d let her fall and hit the ground but he caught her. He removed the gag and blindfold, putting both in his pocket.
It was getting dark but t
here was enough light to see they stood in front of a tiny shack. It looked to have been abandoned for a long time. Maybe it was an old settlers or miners cabin. There was a door and to the left of that one window with the shutters hanging askew. Some of the mortar was gone from between the logs leaving gaping holes in the walls.
Borden shoved her inside. He’d obviously spent at least one night here. There was a cot next to the wall and his bedroll was laid out on it. Along the wall opposite the door was a fireplace with wood and kindling next to it and a Dutch oven hanging in it. She wasn’t close enough to see if there was food in it. Just the thought made her stomach roil.
There was also a small table, one chair and a foot stool. On the table was a bucket of water and some food stuffs.
“Get over there and start cooking. There’s water, beans and salt pork on the table.”
She did as she was told. “I need matches for the fire.”
He gave her a box of stick matches and watched her carefully. She stacked the kindling into a teepee shape with some dry leaves and pine needles under it for tender. Then put a match to the tender.
While the fire got going she added the water, beans and salt pork to the Dutch oven. It had old beans in it from yesterday or maybe a week ago. She didn’t know and didn’t care. She didn’t plan on eating anyway.
Harry sat in the chair watching her.
She looked at him. “You shaved your beard. That’s why Sadie said there was another man.”
“Who’s Sadie?”
“She owns the general store.”
“Ah. Yeah. I went back there and the bitch didn’t have any idea she’d already seen me. I changed clothes, got a shave and a haircut, too. People always say I look completely different with the beard.”
“What are you going to do with me? If you think to use me to get to Sam you’re mistaken. He just works for me. He won’t come knowing you want to kill him.”
Borden sat at the table and started cleaning his fingernails with his knife. “Who said anything about killing him?”
“He told me about your brother.”
“Frank was a hero. He saved my life.”
Cassie sat on the little foot stool near the fire, so she could tend to the beans and keep as far away from Borden as possible. She didn’t believe what she was hearing. “So you don’t want to kill Sam?”
“Didn’t say that either now did I, Missy. Hey, what’s your name anyway. I can’t keep calling you, Missy.”
“Cassie. Cassie O’Malley.”
“Well, Cassie O’Malley, I do intend to kill Colter. He murdered my brother and he’s going to pay for that.” He took the knife and threw it into the floor just inches from Cassie’s foot.
She wanted to jump for the knife but wasn’t that stupid. It was an obvious trick.
At the click of a pistol, she looked up. Borden stood there with his gun in his hand. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
She looked away from the knife.
“I wondered if you’d go for it. Wasn’t sure you’d have that much spunk.”
Cassie needed to keep him talking. “Sam didn’t murder your brother and you know it. Frank was hung after a trial by a jury of his peers. He murdered Sam’s wife and children.”
“That was an accident. We never meant…”
“You were there,” she accused him. “You were there when Sam’s wife and kids died. You ran. You, chicken livered piece of shit, you let your brother hang.”
“I sure as hell wasn’t about to hang beside him. So yes, I ran. We both ran when we saw that fire. He got caught by Colter. I didn’t.”
“So you know what happened, you said it was an accident. That’s why you want to hold Sam responsible…why you want to kill him. Because it was an accident not murder, you think Frank shouldn’t have hung. But your brother wasn’t hung only for the murder of Sam’s family. He was hung for bank robbery, rustling cattle, kidnapping and murder of other people. You’re probably wanted for all those things, too. Which means you’ll hang when they catch you.”
Borden narrowed his eyes at her. “You know an awful lot. Colter wouldn’t have told you all that, lest you’re cozier than you say.”
Cassie cursed her wayward tongue. “So what if he did. You’re going to kill me anyway. It doesn’t matter what is or isn’t.
“I’ve had enough talk from you. Give me some of them beans and shut your trap.”
Cassie found the tin plate and spoon he’d left by the fire place and filled it with beans. They hadn’t cooked but an hour or so and would barely be soft. It didn’t seem to matter to Borden who shoveled them into his mouth and chewed with it wide open. She had to look away. It was just too disgusting. She turned her back on him and stared into the fire.
When he’d finished eating he prepared for bed, which meant he tied her up. “Now you can be gagged or not, but if you start yapping again I will gag you.”
“I understand.” He tied her ankles and her hands, but at least her hands were in front of her. He put her next to the fireplace on the opposite side of the cot. She should probably be glad of it, as she’d stay warm as long as it was going.
It wasn’t too long before he was asleep. Cassie waited until she was sure he was in a deep sleep. Then she pulled a knife out of her boot. A little trick that Catherine taught her to do. She started working on the ropes that bound her.
It took a long time to cut through the ropes enough to be able to break them and be free. When she had she got up and as quietly as she could stepped out the door.
As soon as she was out of the cabin she started running. She had no idea where she was and could barely see, so she couldn’t go as fast as she wanted. The sun had started to rise but it was still mostly dark
She heard him curse and then call her name. “Cassie, damn it, you better get back here. You’ll get lost, then ate by a bear if you don’t come back here.”
Cassie held her breath and stood stock still. She was hidden by the trees and bushes for now but soon it would be full daylight, She had to put as much distance between them as possible. When he got his horse, he’d easily be able to overtake her.
Keep moving. Come on Cassie girl, you can do it. Just keep it steady and keep moving. Suddenly, to her left she heard branches breaking and the unmistakable sound of hoof beats. She turned and started running in the opposite direction.
They were getting closer and louder. She tried to run faster but her legs were giving out. Then the rider was on top of her and she was lifted to sit in front of him on the saddle. She fought.
“Cassie. Cassie. It’s me. Sam.”
She went still. “Sam.”
“Yeah. It’s me.” He slowed the horse and she was able to get in a more comfortable position.
“We have to get out of here. Borden is right behind me.”
“I know. I saw him chasing you and he saw me. As soon as he did he turned tail and ran. He’ll try something else one day soon but for now you’re safe and that’s all that matters.”
She was safe yet her body still shook. Sam’s arms were wrapped around her and she was safe. She kept telling herself that. She was safe. Sam came for her. They walked until they were out of the trees then galloped home.
She’d been right Borden had taken her north but then he’d headed west farther into the foothills
“Thanks for coming for me. I know you didn’t have to.”
“Of course, I had to. Cassie, I’m not someone who’s going to come in to your life for the good times, for the sex and then leave. I’m here to stay, regardless of what you may think.”
She nodded, then buried her head in Sam’s neck. She let the tears fall. Let the fear out. Her body shook with tremors as she cried. Fear finally won over courage and bravado. Sam held her and kept the horse going.
When they arrived back home the sun was fully in the sky. Cassie was exhausted and slept in Sam’s arms most of the way home. He’d have been content to leave her there for the rest of their lives. Safe, secure a
nd loved. But reality reared it’s ugly head and they were home and had to face the world.
Sam tried not to wake her but she stirred as soon as the horse stopped.
Cassie was exhausted from the ordeal she’d just been through. All she wanted to do was sleep having been deprived of that luxury for the last twenty-four hours. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Harry Borden. He was still out there and still gunning for Sam.
She slept when Sam held her and didn’t want to let go. He carried her up to her room. She wasn’t even asleep yet and the nightmares were already starting.
“Sam, please don’t leave.” She said when he put her on the bed. “We need to talk and I don’t want to be alone. Did you know that Harry was with Frank that day? He ran. I think they both ran when the fire started. Harry said it wasn’t supposed to happen, that it was an accident. Regardless he still wants to kill you. He says you murdered his brother and he won’t change his mind on that. Sam he’s evil and crazy.”
“I know. Fact is both Frank and Harry were responsible for Jane, Emily and Megan’s deaths. If they hadn’t tied them up there wouldn’t have been a need for Jane to try to escape.”
“I know.” She patted the bed beside her. “Come lie with me. I need you. I need you to make love to me.”
Cassie unbuttoned her shirt, slowly slid it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor, kicked off her boots then stood and dropped her pants. She wasn’t wearing anything underneath. She watched his Adams apple bob up and down as he swallowed. She walked into his arms.
“Cassie. Do you know what you do to me?”
“Hopefully the same thing you do to me. I need to know I’m alive, I want to feel alive. I was so scared he would kill you, kill me. So scared.” She reached up, undid the buttons of his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. Then she grasped his belt and unbuckled it before unbuttoning his pants.
His cock strained at the crotch of his pants and when she undid the last button it sprang free. Proud and strong.
Cassie pushed his pants down to his ankles then shoved him backward on to the bed. She couldn’t wait any longer and took him into her mouth licking the small clear bead on the tip with her tongue.
Tame a Wild Wind Page 11
