Not that there had been many women, but enough for him to accept this kiss was more than a little special. This kiss heated his blood, swelling his veins and imagining all kinds of things that would find them in trouble. After all, he had seen her naked.
Finally, she pushed back and smiled up at him. "Don't forget, I'm a married woman."
He grinned. "Not for long. Be careful and don't tire yourself. Stop early tonight."
There was more than one reason he wanted her to quit along the trail earlier than she planned. Because this cowboy would load up the wagon with the kids and they would be pulling out not long after Dora.
"I will," she said as she stepped up into her saddle. "I'll send you a telegram when he's behind bars or pushing up daisies."
"You do that," he said, knowing he would be right behind her and she couldn't stop him. Though he was surprised at her reaction to the children. Not many women didn't like kids. Her words said one thing, but her actions were completely different.
Standing in the drive, he watched as she rode her mare down the lane. As she went through the gate, he turned and ran toward the house.
"Everyone, start packing, we're leaving," he said.
Later that evening, Dora sat around her campfire, huddled in her blankets, thinking about their kiss. That kiss reawakened feelings she thought she would never feel again. That kiss reawakened hunger for something she had forgotten about. That kiss left her wondering why he'd given up so easily.
Sure, she won, but the man was obviously stubborn. Even though he agreed the winner would be the one to go after Leo, giving her the right to end Leo's cheating ways. Why then did some niggling little suspicion make her think he was up to something?
A wagon came rolling down the road and she reached for her gun. The sun had already sunk below the horizon. Her fire popped and crackled sending sparks into the sky. The time was long past for decent folks to be out. Suddenly a fussy child began to cry echoing through the trees, and she knew. The child's wailing she recognized as Ben’s.
Jesse and his family followed her. Rising, she wrapped the blanket around her and met him as he pulled into her camp.
"I've a good mind to shoot you," she said.
How could he believe taking three children on a hunt was a good idea? They would slow her down, though she knew her body was not fully recovered. This afternoon she'd begun to tire and realized she needed to rest.
"Not in front of the children," he grinned. "Besides, think of the mess."
Her heart leaped at the sight of Jesse and that couldn't happen. All day long, she thought about this morning's kiss and now here he was in the flesh.
"Why did you follow me?"
Jumping down from the wagon, he reached inside the back and helped Grace who held a fussy Ben and then Ella. Before he grasped in the back for the blankets and satchel, he placed the boy in Dora’s arms. "You know why. How could I stay home and let you have all the fun?"
With his arms laden with food supplies, she followed him with her load toward the fire. "But the children, they shouldn't go with us."
There was too much danger. Too many risks for them to be riding alongside.
"Agreed," he said, and he looked at Grace. "We're going to visit great-aunt Matilda in Dallas and she'll be happy to keep the kids until we're done."
Grace angrily rebelled. "I don't want to stay with some aunt. I don't know her."
"Maybe it's time you met her. She's family," Jesse sighed and looked at Grace. "On this trip, you can't go with me."
"Where are you going? We could go too," Grace said, and Dora set down the baby and began to set up pallets for the children to sleep on. How would Jesse get out of this one? Gazing at him, she couldn't help but stare at his full lips, the slant of his nose and high cheekbones.
That kiss today left her feeling a little on the curious side. Left her thinking thoughts she had long forgotten. What about anything else with this man? A sigh escaped her. She was a married woman. Though she no longer felt joined as man and wife, the vows she said still applied.
No matter what, she couldn't think of Jesse and her entwined together in the sheets. She just couldn't. Not until this situation with Leo was settled. Though their vows meant nothing to him, she would not disavow the promise she made to God.
Oh, if only she had never married her husband, life would be so much simpler.
"The two of you are going after my father, aren't you," Grace said.
"Papa?" Ella said, looking at Jesse. "You're going to find Papa?"
"Papa, papa, papa," the baby cooed and danced about excited to be out of the wagon. His diaper hung almost to his knees and needed changing. While the children confronted Jesse, she located the bag that held the diapers.
Why was she helping? For everyone, it would be better if he believed she hated kids. No matter what, she couldn't let down her guard and grow attached. These beautiful children weren't hers.
"Come here, Ben," she said, smiling and the baby ran to her and she wrapped her arms around him. "Such a sweet boy."
"Papa," he said, kicking his legs while she changed him.
When she set Ben on his feet, Grace glanced over and saw Dora taking care of her brother. The young girl stomped over to Ben and took him by the hand, leading him away from her. A pain gripped her chest and she didn't understand why. The baby was not hers and his sister only protected him from a woman she didn't like. With a sigh, Dora stood.
"Is anyone hungry," she asked. Obviously, Grace was determined to remain in control. Tonight, she felt too tired to fight her.
"No," Grace said, staring at her uncle. "Answer me, are you going after Leo?"
"Yes," he said.
"Why? To give us back to him? Momma told you not to let papa take us."
Dora didn't envy Jesse trying to explain this one. The children didn't need to realize their father was a crook and they were going to turn him into the sheriff.
If he had a bounty on his head, she'd be collecting the cash and he would be needing an undertaker. And though they both had dibs on who got to kill him right now, it was her choice.
After all, she won the challenge, and yet he followed her, and she planned on killing her dead husband.
"Grace, Leo made that poisonous miracle drink. If he sells that cure-all to people, they're going to die just like your mother. Do you want other children to lose their parent because of that foul drink?"
The little girl began to cry and her sobs broke Dora's heart. This child had been strong and taken on more than most adults could handle. To see the tears flowing down her cheeks, made Dora's chest ache for the pain Grace endured. The suffering of grief and loss no eight-year-old should have to know.
Jesse pulled the child into his arms. "Grace, I'm never leaving you permanently. I'll always come back for you, unless something happens to me."
"No, you can't get hurt, because I don't know what we'd do."
"Aunt Matilda would take you," he said, holding her and speaking softly, trying to calm the young girl.
Grace clung to Jesse. "Find Papa but promise me we'll all go home together. I don't want to live in Dallas with Aunt Matilda. I don't want to travel with papa. All I want is to go home with you."
According to law, the land belonged to Dora. Yet, these three children didn't deserve what life had given them. How could she kick them off the property and send them packing after everything they'd gone through? Now, their uncle and their father's first wife planned on killing Leo.
Even Grace seemed to understand her papa was not the best parent for the three of them.
"Grace, I give you my word, we'll come back."
Dora gazed at Jesse and licked her lips. How many single men would take on the responsibility of three children, one not quite two years old, and yet Jesse stepped in and gladly accepted the care of his sister's family. Would Leo have done the same?
A little snort came from her, oh no. Leo would have packed his bags and ran so fast the other direction, never to
be seen again.
These should have been her children, not Leo's. He should be the barren one. Not her.
Two days later, they reached the town of Denton and decided it would be best for everyone if they stayed overnight in a hotel room. They were all tired, needed a bath, and Ben was growing cranky at being cooped up all day in the wagon.
And Dora could still feel the effects of the poison. Her body had not completely recovered. The only hotel in the small town had one vacancy, which meant they would have to share a room. Thank goodness the room had two double beds. One for Dora and Grace and one for Jesse, Ben, and Ella.
Only problem was getting all their stuff inside and letting each child have time in the tub. A dressing screen was in the bedroom, and at the desk, they ordered hot water to be delivered to the room.
Once again, Dora helped Jesse get the kids situated. Part of her loved helping with the children, but the protective part knew this would only bring heartache. As soon as they were in bed, she would be jumping into some fresh, clean water.
After leaving their horses and wagon at the livery, they carried all their gear into the hotel. Just as they were about to start baths, a loud ruckus came from outside—a noisy, shouting mob of men carrying torches and firing their guns.
The kids ran to the window while Dora sat out pajamas and a fresh diaper, and Jesse poured the water into the tub.
Standing in front of the glass, Ben began jumping up and down, squealing, "Papa."
Shock ricocheted through Dora seizing her chest as she stared at the three of them and watched as they all became excited.
Jesse gazed at Dora and the two of them heard the girls, shock on their faces. "It's him. Papa. Our Papa."
Panic had her racing to her gun belt she had taken off when they arrived and strapping it around her waist.
"Where are you going?"
"Where do you think? I'm going to..." she glanced at the three little faces staring at her and she couldn't say the words in front of them. No matter what, Leo was their father.
"I'll be back," she said.
"You're not going without me," he said, racing after her. Suddenly he stopped and sent Grace a stern look. "Lock the door behind me and don't go anywhere."
The two of them rushed out the door, into the street. A crowd gathered at the other end of the main road, shouting, guns firing in the air.
In disbelief, she witnessed Leo, the man she believed was dead, slithering down the road. Dora's heart seized with hatred.
Automatically, her hand rested on her pistol as she started toward him. Rage roiled inside her, her chest aching as she thought of the years she believed he was deceased, the missing money, and now those children watching from the hotel room, who all thought of him as their father.
Leo's babies didn't deserve to be rejected this way. Dora didn't deserve to be treated with so little regard. Ida hadn't deserved to be deceived either.
Out of the corner of her eye, she witnessed Ella come running. "Papa, papa."
Leo jerked to a stop and saw Dora and Jesse walking steadily in his direction. His eyes widened with fright and she laid her hand on her gun, her fingers itching to show him exactly what she thought of his lying, cheating ass. Ella stopped in front of him, crying, and he didn't acknowledge her.
"Papa," she cried, tears running down her face. Large, innocent green eyes gazed at him, pleading with him. "Momma died. We need you."
"Go on," he said, pushing the child out of his path. "I can't talk to you right now. Get out of here."
With a shove, he spun his daughter around and pushed her back. The angry mob started down the street where Ella stood in their path. It took every ounce of control to keep from killing him, but tonight was not the time. Not in front of Ella. In fact, she pulled away from Jesse, who put his hand on her arm and ran toward the little girl.
Why had God given him such wonderful children and her nothing but heartache? But she could rescue and comfort Ella. The sobbing child looked petrified standing in the street with a mob of men carrying torches coming at her.
Anger consumed Dora as she ran to Ella and lifted her, carrying her to safety. Dora placed Ella on the wooden sidewalk out of harm’s way.
"Why did you leave?" she asked, holding her tightly, trying to comfort her.
The little girl sobbed. "I wanted Papa. I'm so afraid Uncle Jesse won't come back."
Secure in her arms, she rocked the little girl as tears welled up in her eyes. Sometimes life was so unfair. "Your Uncle Jesse loves you. He would never not come back for you. Right now, your papa can't speak to you. Soon, you'll talk to him."
But would she? How could they kill Leo when there were three children here who loved and wanted their father, even if he was a bad man? Would it be fair to shoot him before his kids had a chance to spend time with him? After all, they lost their mother. They didn't deserve to lose their father as well.
Dora set Ella on the ground and gripped her hand. Together the two of them made their way inside the hotel while Jesse continued to search for Leo.
Why had she ever thought this would be easy? Killing a man, even a dirty-to-the-core one, was not as simple as she believed. Even someone as evil as Leo.
With heavy steps, Jesse finally gave up and went back to the hotel room. Seemed Leo's miracle medicine treatment had killed someone in town and a mob searched the streets looking for him. Somehow the man managed to slip through the crowd and probably out of town.
In some ways, a mob killing would have been easier, but the children didn't need to see their father hanged. In fact, seeing Ella's tormented face haunted him. The child wanted her father. Needed him and didn't realize the man she loved was evil. Only that he was her beloved father.
Jesse had grown up with a loving mother and father until they died in an accident. A runaway horse flipped their buggy, killing them both. Even today, he missed their love and wisdom and just hearing their voices.
So how could he in good conscience kill their father? When they learned the truth, how would they feel about what he had done to end his life?
With a sigh, he shook his head and opened the door to the hotel room, expecting to find chaos. Instead the children were all in bed asleep. Behind the bathing screen, he listened to Dora splashing around taking a bath.
The sound sent his heart racing as his mind conjured the image of her naked in the tub. Quickly, he closed down the thoughts. Not a place he should be going with three children in the room.
Jesse cleared his throat to let her know he was back as he searched through his saddle bags for a clean set of clothes.
A few minutes later, she came out from behind the screen, a wrapper around her nightgown as he kept his eyes trained on her face. Unable to look below her neck. Oh yes, he remembered her naked body, very well.
"Did you find him?" she asked.
He shook his head, his disappointment evident in the sag of his shoulders as he thought of the frustration.
"Someone in town, the preacher’s wife, died from the juice. That's why the mob was after him. They wanted to hang him," he said. "Somehow, he must have gotten away as I never found him."
"Oh," she said disappointed.
In surprise, he glanced around at the sleeping children. "How did you manage this?"
"Everyone was exhausted. Once they had their baths, we read a story to relax after seeing their papa and they didn't make it to the end."
The woman was a genius. If he had been here, they would still be up and exerting that last bit of energy. "Thank you," he said. "Oh, how I feared coming back and having to give them baths."
A smile crossed her face before she became serious. "The children can't go any farther than Dallas with us."
He knew exactly what she wasn't saying out loud. Tonight's experience had been eye opening. And yet he didn't know what to do. "Agreed."
Shaking her head, she mashed her lips together and said, "I'm going to regret saying this, but they need a chance to see their papa."
> Stunned, he stared at her. Was she crazy? Yet, the offer was a kind one. But why would she of all people, the woman who wanted to shoot him, agree to such a request? Staring, he stood thinking of how they would pull that off without her killing the man right in front of the children.
As he gazed at the kids lying in the beds, he couldn't talk about this in the same room with them. Even if they were asleep, he feared someone would be listening and he refused to discuss their father's death now.
"Agreed. But we have to wait to talk about this," he said.
A sense of calm came over him as she nodded her response. Why were things easy with Dora?
"My resolve is unchanged," she said.
Of course, her resolve was unchanged. Probably stronger after seeing him tonight. The man had stolen not only money from her, but years. His lying scheme hurt not only Dora, but his sister and these precious children.
"Understood," he said. "Before the water gets any cooler, I think I'll take a bath."
A smile crossed her face. "I left you a bucket of clean hot water. Hopefully, it's still warm enough for you to enjoy."
One more quick glance at the children, all peacefully sleeping, his heart swelled with love. They were his nieces and nephew and he would do everything he could to protect them and love them, and there was no way he could kill their father. Regardless, he was a huge bastard who deserved to die.
One thing tonight had shown him these kids loved their father and would never forgive him if they ever learned he was the one who killed the ass.
Grabbing his clothes, he headed behind the screen, ready to scrub the trail dust off and ease his tight muscles. Maybe the bath would help him decide how to capture Leo and keep Dora from killing the man. Or if people continued to die from the miracle cure, he might not have to worry about Dora being the one that ended Leo's life.
Chapter 5
In the middle of the night, Dora woke to the sound of crying. Sitting up, she realized it was Ella and threw back the covers and went to check on the child. The little girl sobbed in her sleep and Dora sank down on the bed and lifted her into her arms.
Lipstick and Lead Series: The Complete Box Set With a Bonus Book Page 107
