Cinders' Bride: Mail Order Brides of Texas (15 page)

Was a smile or word of encouragement too much to ask? There were moments when she imagined using the knife on him that she now kept in her boot. There would be a big part of him she’d just cut off. No mercy, he didn’t deserve it. Then she’d remember how he’d rescued her and held her.

Nothing made sense anymore. Grin and bear it, her mother would say. A woman’s lot was not always her own. You made a choice and hoped for the best. Why she felt like a flighty young girl, she didn’t know.

There was mention of a town being nearby. Would she be allowed to go? Her shoulders sagged. Of course she wouldn’t. There would be some reason, true or not. It was just as well, though. Different town but the people might be the same.

“Cookie, are you going into town?”

“Of course I am. I have more supplies to restock and the girls, well they…” He turned away and muttered again.

“The girls? Are they saloon girls?”

“There might be. I’m just going for supplies. Plus the boss doesn’t want the men getting drunk and rowdy. The young ones probably will have to stay and stand watch over the cattle.”

“I hope you have a fine time.” Her words sounded stilted to her. It was not the way to wish a friend to have fun, but it was all she had.

“I won’t be long.”

“I could get some laundry done while you’re in town. There seems to be plenty of water in the creek.”

“That would be a fine thing, but don’t offer to wash anything of the men’s. They’ve been living in the same clothes since we started.”

“I noticed. I’ll do mine, yours, all the kitchen linens and Cinders’. That’ll keep me busy.” What she wouldn’t give for a bath. Clean clothes might lift her spirits, and Cookie was right, the men hadn’t changed out one item of clothing.

They stopped earlier than normal and fed the men quickly. Cookie was determined to take the wagon into town. She watched as many of the more experienced men mounted horses and headed in the same direction as Cookie. She hadn’t seen Cinders all day and she wished she could stop herself from looking for him.

She gathered her clothes and Cookie’s, then the pile of cloths Cookie left her. Gathering the water and soap, she went down to the stream with the washboard. Making a big fire, she filled the big kettle with water and brought it to a boil. Next, she put some of the clothes in the kettle to soak off the dirt. She walked back to camp to grab Cinders’ clothes and was surprised to see him in fresh clothes headed for town. Another part of her heart chipped off as he rode away. She took his clothes and brought them down to the creek. All afternoon she boiled, scrubbed, wrung them and laid the clothes out to dry.

Perspiration ran down her body when she finally emptied the kettle and cleaned it out. A dizzy feeling came over her and she sat on a rock drinking some water. It could be worse, she reminded herself.

“Here, drink this.” Keegan stood next to the rock with a cup of water. “You look tired.”

“Thank you, Keegan. I am a bit weary. Didn’t get to go to town?”

He shook his head. “No, but I wouldn’t have gone anyway. I’m saving every penny for a spread of my own.”

“Where do you think you’ll finally settle?” He was definitely one of the nicer cowboys.

“I like Asherville. I’m going to scout around when we get back.”

She smiled. “Then we’ll be neighbors.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Gotta go take my turn in the saddle. It was nice talking with you.”

“You too, Keegan.” She watched him walk toward the remuda of horses, wondering what his story was.

Cookie finally returned with fresh supplies and even promised a cobbler for dessert. He knew how to make the men happy.

“Did you see Cinders in town?” she blurted out, wishing she’d have bitten her tongue.

Cookie looked decidedly uncomfortable and pretended he didn’t hear her. It was just as well, though. She already knew what he was doing in town.

“So, tell me. Was the general store big? Do they have a church?”

She didn’t need to say another word. Cookie took over explaining what the town looked like, what they sold, and what the townspeople wore. He was a wealth of knowledge, and time flew by as she listened.

“Good timing,” she said, pointing to the men riding back from town.

“Yes, indeed.”

She couldn’t help but notice Cinders’ absence. She refused to ask about him and acted as though she didn’t care. About half the men were fed when a buggy appeared. On further examination, she could make out Cinders, a woman, and his horse tied to the back of the buggy. What now?

Tramp hurried toward the buggy and lifted the woman down. Shannon could see her clearly now, and it was Polly. It wouldn’t have mattered much except that Cinders had a smile on his face. Turning away, she continued to serve up the food. She hadn’t had a chance to change her clothes and she knew she looked like a dirty street urchin.

“Don’t you worry none, Mrs. Cinders. Your husband is a good man,” Keegan said giving her a nod of thanks as she handed him some food. “Much obliged.”

“I heard you were making cobbler,” Polly exclaimed, grinning at Cookie.

“You heard right,” he answered as he handed her a clean plate. Here you go, boss. The missus and I have been real busy today.”

Cinders didn’t answer. She looked through the fringe of her lashes at him but he didn’t seem to notice her. She turned to get more biscuits, and instantly burned her hand. Luckily, she didn’t drop any food, she just yelped and ran toward the creek. She knelt at the edge of the creek and let the water roll over her hand. Someone was behind her. But she didn’t care who.

“Are you okay?”

Her body stiffened. “Of course I’m okay. I’m always okay. Besides, even if I weren’t, you wouldn’t care.” Standing, she took a big step away from him and walked back to camp. She was tired, so tired.

“Nice job of trying to get Cinders’ attention. I have to say you play the pathetic run down wife really well. My offer to pay for your debt still stands.” Polly’s eyes narrowed as she grinned.

Shannon pretended she didn’t hear her and walked on by. She told Cookie she needed to be alone and entered the dense woods. Before coming West being alone in the woods would have frightened her. Now it was her comfort. She wouldn’t stay long. This way Polly couldn’t say she was looking for more attention.

People were not what they seemed, except for Cookie. They got what they wanted and then threw you away. It seemed everywhere she went she saw the same behavior. Somehow she'd thought Cinders was one of the good guys. Big mistake.

Quickly she wiped away her tears and re-braided her hair. It wouldn’t help much but it was all she could do for now. She’d never be able to compete with Polly anyway. She quietly made her way back to the wagon and began to wash dishes. As soon as she was done, she crawled into the wagon and fell asleep.

****

Finally, Polly was gone. Cinders had Tramp take her home. She never did say why she was in town but he wasn’t able to get any of his business done. He did get to send his telegram letting his buyers know he was close. He’d forgotten how much she chattered about nothing at all. She did have plenty to say about Shannon and he made her stop. Looking around he saw everyone but Shannon.

“Hey, Cookie, where is she?”

“She?”

“My wife.”

“I didn’t know you thought you had one.”

“Just tell me where she is.”

“Sleeping in the wagon, but don’t you dare go in there. That little gal hasn’t had a wink of sleep since you started ignoring her. I hear her all night. For once she’s sleeping and she’s stayin’ that way.” His whisper grew louder. “I’ve put up with a lot of things over the years because I think of you like a son, but I’m not going to let you tear her heart out again and again. Don’t you see how she looks at you? She honest to God loves you. She still does even after all she’s had to handle these last weeks. It’s no secret you bedded her and left her. Rumor has it you only did it because it was a moonless night. I have never seen someone’s spirit shrivel so much only to regain it. It hurts to see her shriveled again. She’s a gem and you don’t know it. Now you bring Polly here? Did you ever think maybe Shannon would have liked a bath now and then? To be able to wash in the creeks and rivers along the way? And not a single complaint from her either. Hell, half the men complain more than she does. By the way, while you were visiting with Poly she was washing your clothes. Fire me for speaking out of turn if you want but I wouldn’t take a single word back.”

Stunned, Cinders’ mouth dropped open. This man never once complained about tea time with Charlotte and just gave him what for about Shannon. “Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Charlotte. Did you know she was stepping out on me?” He straightened his shoulders and held his head high.

“If I had I would have told you. I’m loyal to you. I do reserve the right to tell you when you’re wrong though. If Charlotte is stuck in your craw, you’d best unstick her. You don’t want to miss out on the love Shannon holds for you. Don’t wait too long, because one of these times you might just break her heart for good.”

Cinders took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re right. See you in a few hours.”  He took his bedroll and walked a fair distance from camp. Shannon really loved him? He didn’t deserve her. Cookie was right. He’d treated his wife shamefully. He was so busy licking his bruised pride that he'd failed to treat her kindly. It was a good thing they’d consummated the marriage or she’d be ready to leave him when the drive ended.

He lay down on his bedroll and sighed. His heart sank remembering Cookie’s words. The men though he was only loving her on a moonless night? She’d been looking haggard and he’d meant to ask her how she was fairing. Damn it! A husband shouldn’t have to ask. He should have some inkling. He’d done her a great injustice. Would he get the chance to make things right?

Sleep was long in coming while his regrets and lost chances played though his mind. Sure there were plenty of good things he’d done, but he couldn’t seem to hold on to any of them, just the bad. By his calculations, Shannon should hate him. He wouldn’t blame her if she never talked to him again. Finally, as the sun began to rise, he got up to face the music. It would be so much easier if he could just jump on his horse and ride away.

He nodded at each man he passed as he walked into camp. His gaze was instantly drawn to Shannon, who was doing her best to pretend he wasn’t there. She was doing a fine job of it except for one sly glance his way. He took a deep breath, grabbed a plate and waited his turn in the food line. He didn’t even notice what Cookie put on his plate, he only waited until he was in front of Shannon.

She hesitated before she put a biscuit on his plate and a cup of coffee in his hand.

He nodded and smiled. “You look very fetching today, Shannon.” If it had been any other time he’d have thought her look of shock endearing, but now it only made him aware of just how much he’d hurt her.

He ate quickly and made sure to hand his plate to her. “Looks like it’ll be a nice day.” Disappointment covered him when she didn’t respond. He felt foolish standing there so he nodded and turned away. Keegan handed him the reins to his horse and off he went. Winning her over was going to be even harder than he thought.

How did one win a woman over? Charlotte was his neighbor and Polly liked him to spend money on her. She also liked being seen with him. He knew he wasn’t any prize but he was still young and had one of the biggest spreads around. Shannon didn’t seem to care about money. Heck, she just wanted a roof over her head and some security.

He shook his head. Life sure was easier without a woman in it. Sighing he shook his head again. Maybe if you didn’t care about a certain woman it was easier. She was fun to be around. She pulled her weight and then some. He hardly noticed her scar anymore, but she noticed it every minute of the day. The men all liked her, except for Tramp.

Strange thing about Tramp. He hadn’t like Charlotte but never gave her a hard time. There was something about Shannon he hated. Tramp never did have good judgement where women were concerned. He’d had his heart broken a time or two. Hopefully he’d find someone, but the pickings were slim in the West.

He rode flank for a bit and then headed to the front. He was anxious to see Shannon. She did look fetching even if she didn’t believe it. Somehow he needed to make her see she was pretty. That just might be the way into her heart.

****

Fetching? He was full of malarkey. Even before she’d been cut she’d never been called fetching. She wasn’t plain either, but definitely not fetching. “Almost time to stop,” she managed to get out as they bumped over the rough terrain. Even her words sounded choppy.

“Yep.” Cookie gave her a sidelong glance. “I think Cinders was being very solicitous this morning.”

“Where the heck did you learn that four syllable word? What does it mean?”

“He was being more than the nicest husband.” Cookie winked at her.

Her face heated. “He did call me fetching. Maybe it means he’s a liar,” she kidded.

“Not from where I’m sittin’.”

Her teeth chattered as she laughed. “You can’t see straight riding in this thing.”