Cinders' Bride: Mail Order Brides of Texas (10 page)

“They are not all savages as you put it. They're just different and trying to make a life for themselves like everyone else,” Speed said with his mouth full. “In fact they left pretty easily. Maybe they decided to up the bride price.”

“Up the bride price?” Shannon’s eyes widened. “They’ll be back for me?”

Damn!
The full-blown panic in her eyes made his heart squeeze. “I’ll go and talk to Chief Running Elk and see what’s going on. They are civilized enough to understand what a wife is and that she belongs to her husband.”

She frowned at him and he wondered what he'd said wrong.

Cinders shrugged. “Shannon, they know there are certain possessions that are off limits. Don’t worry, I’ll get it straightened out. Meanwhile we have a cattle drive to plan for. I was hoping to leave you behind, but it looks as though you’ll be safer with us.”

The new cowhands practically jumped up and down in their chairs as the excitement of a cattle drive sunk in. Tramp stared at them and scowled.

“Are you sure you want to take them all? Some of them aren’t trained. They’ll probably fall off their horses and that will be the end of them,” Tramp said.

“Tramp, everyone has to start somewhere. Give them a break okay?” Cinders said.

Tramp gave Cinders a reluctant nod and finished eating. There was plenty of tension to go around.

“You haven’t seen anything until you’ve been on a cattle drive, Missy,” Cookie told her. “I suppose you’ll be in the saddle most of the time.”

She looked at Cookie then at Cinders. “I don’t know how to ride.”

“Great, just great,” Tramp mumbled.

“You ought to show some respect,” Keegan gave Tramp a hard glance.

“Everyone settle down. We won’t be leaving for at least a month. We just have to keep in mind some people need to be shown what to do.” He caught his wife’s gaze and smiled. “It’ll be fine.”

****

Of course a woman was supposed to obey her husband, but as far as him owning his wife, somehow it didn’t seem right. There had to be some mistake. She was not a possession and she didn’t appreciate being called one. It hurt to know Cinders thought of her like that.

She couldn’t get it out of her mind all day. As soon as she finished cleaning up for the night, she went into the bedroom and laid down. Too many confusing things were going on and she didn't know what to think. Long Nose wanted her for his wife. Cinders had thought her a whore until today. And now they were going on a cattle drive.

Then there was the sumptuous kiss they shared. Her heart beat faster just thinking about it, but her joy left as she remembered him saying he owned her. The War Between the States made the slaves free, but a woman still belonged to her husband. It really wasn’t news to her. She’d seen plenty of women ordered around by their husbands without interference or consequences. It had more to do with the way he'd announced that he owned her.

Getting up from the bed, she changed into her nightclothes. She luxuriated in the softness of the cotton as it swirled around her body. She'd never had anything so soft against her skin before. Climbing into bed, she hugged her side of the mattress. Had the kiss they'd shared meant he now wanted to bed her? It was his marital right as her husband.

As much as she enjoyed his kisses, she wasn’t sure she was ready for them to be more intimate. Ultimately, it wasn’t her choice. Willing herself to sleep didn’t help, and now she was more awake than ever. She heard the sound of his boots hitting the floor with each step he took and squeezed her eyes closed. The door swung open with a loud creak and she stilled.

He walked to the window and stood there for what seemed like forever. He sighed and walked toward the bed. The bed dipped as he sat on his side. One boot dropped, then the other, until she heard rustling of clothes, which meant he'd removed them.

Her heartbeat quickened when he finally slipped under the covers. He turned onto his side facing away from her and her body instantly relaxed.

“Good night, Shannon.”

Her eyes quickly opened. “Good night, Paul.”

He chuckled. “Not my name, but you keep trying, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart?
A warm feeling moved through her body. She could get used to that name. Snuggling into the pillow, she smiled, but sleep eluded her. She turned this way and that but slumber refused to come.

“Something on your mind?” Cinders turned until he faced her.

“What if Long Nose had taken me? Would you have come for me? We haven’t, I mean I’m not really a wife in every way.” She wished she could see his eyes. Then again, in the intense darkness at least he couldn’t see her scar.

“As far as I’m concerned you are a real wife and I would get you back if he took you.” His low voice sounded determined.

“Thank you, Cinders. I appreciate it.” She rolled over to her other side and was surprised to feel Cinders’ arm loosely wrapped around her. Soon enough she heard his deep even breaths and knew he was sound asleep. His nearness both comforted and thrilled her. But her excitement was dimmed by doubt. She needed to get some sleep. This was a working ranch.

Morning came much too soon. Cinders had already gotten up and the knock at the door was probably Cookie bringing her warm water. She didn’t even want to look in the mirror. She probably had bags under her eyes. Getting out of bed, she padded to the door and opened it. Cookie winked at her and handed her the basin of hot water.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, darlin’.”

What had gotten into Cookie this morning? He wasn’t usually so cheery in the mornings.

She washed and dressed, barely looking in the mirror. She hated seeing her face because it only brought her spirits down. She was tough and she’d get through. Maybe if she kept reminding herself she could do it, she’d actually believe it. Pasting a smile on her face, she opened the bedroom door and stopped short.

“You did tell her to kill herself before the injuns got to her didn’t you?” Rollo asked Cinders. His blue eyes widened when he saw her. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t know you was there.”

“Is it true? Am I supposed to kill myself?” Her voice shook.

Cinders shot Rollo the look of the devil. “Of course not.”

The other men all glanced away and it gave away Cinders’ lie. Her heart dropped. There was too much she didn’t know about frontier life. She’d been trying to learn as much as she could. She wanted to fit in, but killing herself was never part of any plan. Her smile weakened and she went to the stove with her back facing them all.

Why hadn’t Cinders mentioned it to her? Of course she’d heard stories of Indians and captives but she'd never equated it with her life before. Just how was she supposed to kill herself? Was that why he was teaching her to use a gun? She took more biscuits off the baking tray and put them on the table. All eyes were on her now and perspiration formed on her brow. She needed some air. Sending Cookie a look of apology, she sailed out the front door.

Out of sorts was the best way to describe her feelings. She planned to stay for the long haul but there was too much to resolve in her mind. She walked toward the pasture and continued on toward the fence until she came to a shade tree. When she started to sit at the base of the tree she realized she stood on a grave. Charlotte’s grave and the baby’s too, she supposed.

Out of respect, she changed her mind about sitting. Staring at the marker, she wondered how Charlotte had coped with everything. It wasn’t the work that got to her, for everyone had to pull their weight in the world. It was the trials of being in the West that gave her pause.

Maybe Cinders was right about not wanting babies. Charlotte died trying to give him a child. She didn’t know the details but she'd bet there wasn’t a proper doctor anywhere near Cinders’ ranch. The wind blew hard, whipping her hair into her eyes. She brushed her hair back with her fingers and felt her scar. Why would Long Nose want her?

Maybe there was a way to talk him out of capturing her and she wouldn’t have to worry about killing herself. After all, he was a man and she'd bet there were plenty of women in the tribe for him to choose from. The sun brightened as it rose higher in the sky. She turned from the marker to make her way back to the house.

Cinders walked toward her sporting a big old frown on his face. He was probably mad she left Cookie to do all the work. Truthfully, he was right. It was her responsibility to feed the men and clean the house.

“I see you've met Charlotte.” His frown turned into a wry grin.

“You miss her?”

“I do, and I mourn the loss of our child too. It’s been lonely here, that is, until you came along. I know our ways are different from city life. But there must be a reason you are so skilled with a knife. I’m sure the city has its dangers too.” He removed his hat as he walked closer to the grave.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Cinders. It’s hard when you lose someone you loved so deeply. As for danger, I’ll work it all out except for the part where I’m supposed to kill myself. What exactly happens to a captive that makes them wish they were dead?”

“We don’t have to go into all the details right now. I have so much to do before the cattle drive. Tramp offered to teach you how to ride.”

She swallowed hard.

“He’s the best there is and you’ll just be riding around the corral at the beginning anyway. No cause for concern. You need the tools to protect yourself and being able to ride a horse is part of that.”

“I’ll learn to ride if you want me too. I have to admit they seem bigger when you plan to sit on one. I mean I never noticed how much distance was between the horse's back and the hard ground before.”

Cinders laughed. “Everyone falls, honey, but around here you’re expected to get back up and try again.”

“So, I don’t need to kill myself?” She watched his face intently, trying to read him. But he just smiled.

“No, you don’t need to kill yourself. If it comes to it I’ll shoot you myself.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him until her head rested against his chest. He stroked her back a few times. “Don’t you worry your pretty head about it.”

The hug felt great until he mentioned her pretty head. She'd been taught the phrase was code for a simpleton. She pulled away and began walking back to the house. “You’re right, we do have a lot to do,” she called over her shoulder.

She expected him to catch up with her but he didn’t, and there was no way she was going to look back. She had many things to mull over. She could be herself, or she could try to be the wife Cinders obviously wanted. After debated the pros and cons, she made a decision. She’d try to be the type of wife Cinders wanted. The least she could do was try.

Later that afternoon, her whole body tensed as she stood next to a horse named Daisy. She sure didn’t look like a flower, nor did she smell like one. “Are you sure she’s the nicest horse? She keeps looking at me as though she’d like to eat me.”

Tramp smiled. “You’ll be fine. If she bucks you off, I’ll pick you up off the ground.”

“You’re a kind one.”

He tipped his hat toward her. “All the ladies seem to think so.”

“Aren’t I supposed to make friends with the horse first?”

“Ma’am, this is no fancy tea party. Now, let’s get you up on her.”

She gulped. It was a long way down if she fell. She pulled her shoulders back with determination. She could do this. How hard could it be? Everyone seemed to know how. “What do I do first?”

“Let’s get you both into the corral and we'll start from there.”

She followed Tramp and Daisy into the dusty fenced-in circle.

“Now this is where I lift you up and onto Daisy’s back.”

“Really? Isn’t there a big rock or something I could stand on?” She didn’t want Tramp's hands on her.

“No.”

She squealed as he suddenly grabbed her around the waist and practically threw her into the saddle.

“Hold on to the horn. Good. Now sit up straight and I’m going to hand you the reins.”

She did as she was told, figuring the faster she learned, the faster she could get back down to the ground.

“What are you doing?”

“My dress is all twisted and I’m trying to get it to sit right.”

Shaking his head, he reached for the hem of her dress and tried to help her. Finally, she was situated, but Daisy had lost her patience and dumped her on the ground.

“I didn’t even get to move. Daisy doesn’t like me.”

Tramp laughed as he helped her up. “More likely she doesn’t like your dress. She’s never had anyone ride her with all that fluff.”

“Fluff? I’m more of a practical woman than a fluffy one.”

“Either way Daisy doesn’t like it.”

She crossed her arms in front of her. “Now what?”

“We’ll have to talk to Cinders and see if he’ll allow you to wear pants.”

Blinking at him, her brow furrowed.
Allow
? “I’d put some on if I owned any.”

“Hopefully tomorrow then. I need to make sure you can outrun Indians if you have to.”

The blood drained from her face. “Why is it I’m supposed to kill myself before I let myself be captured?”