by Joyce Armor
Libby was still struggling to get at her, when Garrett said, “Enough. She’s done.”
It took another moment before Libby came to her senses and stopped struggling. Garrett led her out of the water and sat her down and then went back in and dragged Cindy Lou out before she drowned. Her face was pretty pulverized.
“She…she tried to kill me,” Cindy Lou sobbed.
Libby jumped up and started toward her. “Oh, if that isn’t…”
Garrett grabbed her around the waist again and pulled her back. This time she did wince, and he realized she was hurt. He pulled her shirt up and saw the graze. It wasn’t too bad and barely bleeding since she had been in the creek. He ripped a couple of inches off the bottom of her shirt and wrapped it. She truly was something else. He couldn’t help but notice how her breeches were hugging her backside, and the wet white shirt molded to her breasts left nothing to the imagination. She had been pulverizing Cindy Lou. She was magnificent. He turned to her.
“What happened?”
“Your former girlfriend here decided to kill me so she could have you all to herself.”
Cindy Lou, still on her back, whined, “Garrett, honey, you know I would never do anything like that.”
Garrett ignored her and said to Libby, “She was not my girlfriend. Ever. When you catch your breath, why don’t you head back to the ranch and get cleaned up? Have Carmen take a look at that wound. It’s not very deep. You should take a bath to get the creek off you and probably put some ice on your face.”
“And leave you here with her?” Libby looked like she wanted to skewer him on a spit.
“I’m taking her into town.”
“Keep your hands off her breasts.”
He laughed. She didn’t. She untied the pinto, mounted and headed off without looking back. He helped Cindy Lou up and walked her out of the ravine to the house, where he retrieved a rope from his saddlebag, cut off a length and tied her hands behind her back as she squawked. He walked her and his gelding toward a clump of trees, where she had hidden her carriage. After tying his horse to the back of the conveyance, he helped Cindy Lou in and climbed in beside her.
She pressed her hip into his. “Remember how much fun we used to have, Garrett? It could be like that again.”
She was right. They did have fun, back when all he cared about was slaking his thirst for…what? To fill an ache or push back a black or lonely feeling.
“I owe you an apology,” he said.
She was surprised and smiled slyly. “Yes, you do. But I forgive you. If you’ll just untie me, we can…”
“You misunderstand. What I meant was I am sorry I used you when I had no real feelings for you.”
That was the wrong thing to say. She elbowed him hard enough that it took his breath away. “You cannot want that skinny bitch.”
Garrett looked at this voluptuous woman and thought he must have been out of his mind to ever spend time with her. She was cold and shallow and conniving. With his eyes of steel, he said, “That is my wife you are referring to, and you will be respectful of her.”
Cindy Lou gulped, intimidated enough not to make a retort. She was not ready to give up on Garrett yet, though. She let him calm down for a few minutes. Then she sidled up closer to him again and said in a pouty voice, “I think you cared for me more than you know, and you still do.”
Garrett pulled up on the reins and turned to Cindy Lou. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back, farther away from him. “You could not be more wrong, ma’am. It took meeting Libby to know what a real woman is. And it’s not you.”
He clucked and flicked the reins and the horses started off again. Cindy Lou fumed the rest of the way into town, but she did not say anything. She was certain this whole episode since that Eastern bitch came to town was just all a big misunderstanding. She would explain it to the sheriff, putting the blame on the Easterners, and then she would get rid of Libby once and for all.
* * *
Cindy Lou was shocked to find herself behind bars 30 minutes later, despite arguing, pleading and crying. She was beyond frustrated, especially when the sheriff told her it might be a month before the circuit judge came to town to hear her case, and she would be incarcerated until then.
All the way back to the ranch, Garrett muddled over how to keep Libby safe. Even if Cindy Lou went to prison for a few years, there was no guarantee she would not come after Libby when she was released. And besides, women were rarely treated harshly by the law in the West. Cindy Lou would no doubt know how to manipulate an all-male jury. He had no illusions that he was so attractive she could not help herself; he knew she had some obsession with him that was unhealthy and felt a little guilt for the part he played in getting her to that point. The truth was, the woman might be free to go after Libby again in a month or less.
He did not want Libby to leave. He knew now he loved her, probably had since that picnic up on the knoll. For so long he had pushed her away because he did not want to love her. And now he had to push her away because he did. It was the only way to keep her safe. She had to leave Deer Lodge. It was the only thing that made sense. Before that happened, however, he decided he needed to spend one more night with her, making memories to last him a lifetime. And then he would do whatever he had to do to make her go.
* * *
Jody the stable boy was nowhere to be found when Garrett returned to the ranch. By the time he had watered, fed and rubbed down his horse, he had only minutes to clean himself up before Carmen rang the dinner bell. He had not seen Libby until she floated down the stairs in response to the bell. She wore a pale yellow dress that showed her figure off and had never looked more beautiful. Her raven hair was pulled back in some kind of fashion, with little wisps bordering her face. Her eyes, the shade of blue that reminded him of a mountain lake he had stumbled upon in eastern Montana, looked huge. Her feet were bare. She looked perfect.
While Garrett was admiring his wife as she descended the stairs, she was looking at his forearms, thinking she had never seen anything so manly. He was wearing black cotton trousers and a red and black plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His eyes devoured her as she approached him, and she licked her bottom lip.
He hoped she wasn’t looking at the bulge in his trousers as he watched her tongue dart across her lip. He offered his arm and she placed her slender fingers on his elbows. So delicate, like a butterfly. And then he pictured her wailing away at Cindy Lou in the creek and had to chuckle.
“What?” She looked up at him expectantly.
“I was just thinking about your little set-to with Cindy Lou.”
“You should not have pulled me off her. I really wanted to drown her.”
He shook his head, smiling, as they reached the dining room. “I hope you don’t ever get that mad at me” and then wished he could call the words back. They implied a future that they would not have.
If she noticed, she gave no indication. They sat down at the dining table next to each other. Carmen, Hector, Jackson, Joss and Clem were already seated. Jackson blessed the food, a pork roast with a variety of vegetables and creamed potatoes. The conversation was lively, with the discussion focused on Libby’s recent encounter with Cindy Lou. Libby was slightly embarrassed when Garrett described her altercation with Cindy Lou in the creek, but she had to admit it was accurate. To her surprise, the others at the table looked at her with respect, not disapproval. Lord, she loved the West.
Garrett was suspiciously solicitous of her at the meal, squeezing her hand in support and refilling her wine glass. Jackson mentioned that he was heading into town in the morning and would stop by and speak with the sheriff about Cindy Lou. Garrett told Libby he needed to take care of a few things in the barn and would see her later. He saw the suspicious look in her eye and smiled. He enjoyed keeping her off kilter. He would miss that.
Chapter 18
Libby had retired early to the bedroom she and Garrett theoretically shared. She was sitting by the fireplace, reading Jacks
on’s book about transporting and selling cattle, when the door opened. She was surprised, bordering on shock, to see her husband entering. He was nonchalant, as if this was something he normally did. Of course he looked as handsome as ever, although he had a shadow of whiskers and appeared a little tired.
Although she knew it was time to have that talk with him, she suddenly did not feel remotely ready. Her heart stuttered as he walked toward her. He took the book from her and set it on the nightstand. Then he grasped her hands and pulled her up to him, kissing her slowly, sensuously, sending her stuttering heart pounding. What was it she wanted to talk to him about? She couldn’t remember.
He took his time stripping her gown, chemise and underclothes from her. She already had removed her stockings and slippers. As he was undressing her, she unbuttoned his shirt and helped him remove it. He took care of his breeches and drawers. He led her to the bed, kissing her down her neck and behind her ear. Once prone, she grasped his shoulders and pulled him on top of her. They made love quickly, passionately. Afterwards, she felt so sated, and her heart nearly burst with joy.
Ten minutes later they were lost in passion again, except this time the act was exquisitely slow and so moving Libby nearly arched off the bed screaming when she reached her pinnacle. Garrett kissed her fully, deeply at that point, stifling the noise, lest it raise alarm in the household. As she lay in his arms as her breathing calmed down to a healthy rate, she thought perhaps they had passed the crisis and she would not have to have that talk with him at all. But then he spoke and ruined everything.
“It’s been an honor knowing you, Libby,” he said, and her heart sank. That was definitely not present tense.
“You sound like you’re going somewhere, Garrett,” she said carefully, not daring to move from their spooning position and turn around to look at him.
She had hoped to avoid this discussion until morning. Apparently that would not be possible now. Taking a deep breath, she turned, pulling back from him so she could look him in the eye. “I have something I want to say to you.”
His eyes held such a look of sadness that she nearly gasped. This was going to be harder than she thought.
“Let me speak my piece first,” he said solemnly as he struggled to think what to say. He knew she would not leave if he told her he wanted her to go to keep her safe. He needed somehow to drive her away.
She waited. One minute, two. Finally, he looked her in the eye and said, “You are a fine woman. A little apt to get into trouble now and then, but you have a good mind, a good heart. You are also beautiful and you can be funny, too.”
Why did she feel a big “but” coming?
“Under normal circumstances, any man would be proud to call you his wife.”
Well, that sounded hopeful. She almost smiled.
“These are not normal circumstances, however. We knew going in that this was a marriage of convenience.”
That seemed a little odd since they were lying there naked. She did not point that out, sensing that he was coming to the point.
He sat up, swiping his hand across his mouth. She sat up too, dreading what was coming. It was ironic that she could read him so well when she was just about positive he was about to tell her they didn’t suit. Again, she waited, as he struggled for the right words. Finally, he ripped her heart from her chest when he said, “While I was driving Cindy Lou to town, I realized I still have feelings for her.” His gut churned as he said it, particularly when he saw the shock and then hurt in her eyes. It was for the best, he kept telling himself, but it didn’t stop him from feeling like a cad.
“She…she tried to kill me, more than once. She’s the one who put the burr under my saddle,” she said in disbelief.
He hadn’t known that and would like to lock up Cindy Lou and throw away the key. “She is a little high-strung and gets carried away sometimes. It’s because she cares for me so much.” He inwardly grimaced as he added, “She is a lot of woman to handle, the kind that makes a man’s blood boil.”
Now she was starting to look angry. Good.
“Now that the danger to you is over, we can get divorced as we planned. Eventually, I will probably marry Cindy Lou,” he added, hoping he wasn’t laying it on too thick. “I’m sorry, Libby. It just didn’t work out between us.”
Although her eyes welled up with tears, she did not let them fall. “I hope you’ll be very happy,” she said between clenched teeth. “Would you mind getting the hell out of my bed?”
He looked at her, wanting to take it all back and knowing he couldn’t. He got up, crossed to the fireplace, picked up his trousers and put them on. Then he snatched up his shirt, socks and shoes and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.
“I hope you’ll be very happy,” she said in a sing-song voice and threw her pillow across the room. She didn’t know whether to cry or scream. Of course he would want voluptuous, curvy, big-breasted Cindy Lou. So what if she tried to murder his wife numerous times. How could two people look at the same person and see something so different? Men!
* * *
Libby spent two days wallowing in abject misery. She barely came out of her bedroom, and when she did, she was listless, the sparkle gone from her eyes. If the looks from Carmen and Jackson and even the ranch hands could kill, Garrett would be dead and buried. It took all his strength not to pull Libby into his arms and tell her the truth, that he loved her and wanted her every minute of every day.
On the third day, Lionhearted Libby miraculously made an appearance. She came down the stairs and marched into the dining room. She ate a hearty breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast, washing it down with coffee, as Carmen, Jackson and Garrett stared at her in surprise. They tiptoed around her, keeping the conversation neutral and basically uninteresting. When she was finished eating, Libby stood abruptly.
“Well, I’m going to town. I’ll see you all later.”
This is it, Garrett thought. She’s going to book her passage back east. Why did he feel like he had just been kicked in the heart?
“Take Clem with you,” Jackson said.
Libby smiled. “Of course.”
She walked off, a bounce in her step. Now Garrett was wary. Why would she all of a sudden be so happy? Was it that easy to get over him? Even as he had that thought he knew it was unfair of him. Isn’t that what he wanted? Well, he had work to do and a house to build. Libby would be gone soon, and it was for the best. No matter how much it hurt. Still, it took all his willpower not to follow her into town.
* * *
Ninety minutes later, Libby and Clem arrived in Deer Lodge in the buckboard. Libby had Clem drop her off at the dress shop and arranged for him to pick her up two hours later so she could have a nice long visit with Nellie. Clem headed off to the feed store to pick up the items on Jackson’s long list. “Let’s hope this visit goes better than our last trip to town,” she had said as he left, and he chuckled and nodded.
Nellie was delighted to see Libby, and they chatted pleasantly between Nellie waiting on a number of customers. Libby tried on several dresses and purchased a simple but attractive light blue day dress. They were drinking tea and sharing pastries when the dressmaker said, “How are things with you and Garrett?”
“Oh, I am afraid it’s over between us,” Libby said indignantly. “I just don’t know that I can do this anymore.” She proceeded to tell Nellie about Garrett’s professed love of Cindy Lou.
“What?” Nellie gasped, clearly stunned. “Libby, that is just not possible. I have seen the way he looks at you and the way he looks at her. It is impossible that he wants her.”
Libby thought about that for a long time. “I think I just needed to say it out loud to realize how ridiculous it is.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “He lied to me. I should have realized it right away. He could not be that stupid.”
Nellie set her teacup down thoughtfully. “So why did he say it?”
Libby thought that one over and finally said, “I th
ink he believes I will eventually leave him like my mother left Jackson. He’s trying to get rid of me before he cares for me more than he already does.”
“That’s just silly.”
Libby chortled.
“What exactly did he say?”
Getting up to look at more dresses, Libby said, “I don’t remember exactly, something about what a wonderful person I am but he still has feelings for Cindy Lou. He used my weak spot against me. I’ve always been a little envious of Cindy Lou’s…voluptuousness.”
“That harlot. She is so morally bankrupt. There’s no comparison between you and her.”
“Especially when it comes to…” Libby used her hands to indicate big breasts and a shapely figure.
Nellie laughed. “You could look just as voluptuous if we dressed you in one of those scandalous outfits she wears, my friend.”
Libby smiled and looked at another dress, then suddenly turned to Nellie, her smile widening to a grin.
It took Nellie a minute to understand. “You’re not thinking…”
“He wants a hussy, I’ll give him a hussy.”
Libby could not remember when she enjoyed a morning more. They found a bright red dress that she had deemed “perfect.” Nellie lowered the neckline and took the dress in until it was skintight on Libby. Then she added some ruffles and red feathers that had them both nearly hysterical with laughter.
