Cinders' Bride: Mail Order Brides of Texas (8 page)

“Won’t know until daylight. Go one and get to bed, I’m going to sit outside for a few.” His voice sounded gruff and he regretted it.

Shannon stood there in her white nightdress. “Well, goodnight then.”

“Good night.” Once outside, he sat on the front steps wanting to kick himself for the lonely expression he'd put on Shannon’s face by leaving. None of this was her fault and she didn’t deserve the brunt of his anger. Sighing, he swiped his hand over his weary face. He’d apologize tomorrow.

The next morning Cookie arrived ready to start breakfast. “I figured you’d be up all night. It was the Comanche who took off with your horses.”

“You saw them?”

“Hell yes. Sneaking all around.”  He lit a fire and put water on the iron stove to heat.

“And you didn’t tell the men?” His brow furrowed. As long as he lived he’d never figure Cookie out.

“What fir? They’d just get themselves shot up. Have you looked at some of those young ins you hired? All wet behind the ears and wanting you to blow their noses. You’ll get the horses back. Anyway, I had you covered. Them the same Indians who tried to attack you was coming from town, so something’s not right.” He measure out coffee, put it in the pot with some water, and set it on the hottest part of the iron stove. Next, he poured warm water into a basin and knocked on the bedroom door. Shannon poked her head out, smiled, and took the basin.

“You heat water for my wife? You’re getting soft, Cookie.”

“Nope just doin’ a friend a favor. I got the babes doing the chores out there. You going to ride out?”

“I have them too scattered, I’ll have to wait to see if any of them don’t come back.”

Cookie poured some coffee and handed it to Cinders.

“You know, Cookie, your coffee is better than it used to be.”

“Shannon showed me a little trick about putting some salt in with the beans to take away some of the bitterness. She’s great gal.”

“She is.”

“Why thank you gentlemen. Good morning. Cinders, why don’t you get some sleep?”

“I’ve lived on less sleep than this. You’re awfully cheery in the mornings.”

She colored beautifully.

“She’s cheery all day. Like I said, a great gal.”

She laughed and kissed Cookie on the cheek. Cinders’ almost fell out of his chair. “You let her kiss you? Shannon, you’ll have to tell me your secret. All I get from Cookie is grumbling.” He laughed when the cloth Cookie held landed on his head.

“I’ll clang the triangle so the boys know breakfast is on.”

Cinders watched him leave and turned his attention to his wife. She seemed very adept at making pancakes. He cleared his throat and waited for her to turn around. “I’m sorry I was so irritable last night. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

She turned back around, piled some pancakes on a plate and handed it to him. “You’re allowed to be irritable when you almost get killed and your horses are stolen.”

His shoulders relaxed. “No silent treatment?”

“Silent treatment as in not talking to you? That’s plain ridiculous. How’s a person supposed to work things out if they don’t talk?” She stared at him for a moment and her lips formed an O. “Charlotte would stop talking to you when she got mad, didn’t she?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, I never knew her so I can’t judge her. All I can do is tell you I think it’s crazy. But I’ll keep it in mind if needed.”

He threw the towel back at her and chuckled.

Their eyes met and held. He saw her curiosity of him as a man and a certain tenderness in her eyes. “I haven’t even asked how you were fairing today. Yesterday was probably enough to send you packing.”

“If you weren’t smiling I’d think you wanted me to leave.”

“No don’t leave,” he said, his voice husky. He moved toward her but was quickly interrupted by hungry ranch hands.

“Eat in the kitchen, it’ll be easier,” Shannon said, ushering one of the new hands to a chair.

Cinders quirked his eyebrow.

“Like I said, it’ll make things easier all away around. Cookie and I are going to build onto the table and I don’t know about chairs yet, but if you set one of those crates you have in the barn on end, it’ll do.” She stood on one foot then shifted to the other the whole time she talked.

“Good idea.”

“Really? I don’t want to change your routine but this way I won’t have to hunt down dirty dishes.” She took a deep breath and turned back to cooking.

“Are we going after the horses?” Dill, a new cowboy who looked all of fifteen and had brown hair and eyes had asked, his eyes lit with excitement.

“No, no hurry on the horses. I know where they are. Tramp and I will go up to the Comanche camp and get them back.”

“We’re not yellow, Mr. Cinders,” An eager young Timmie boasted as he brushed his dark hair out of his blue eyes.

Cinders put his coffee down and looked each of the men in the eye. “I’m only going to say this once. I’m in charge here. When I’m not with you, Tramp is in charge. He’s the ramrod of this outfit. There will be no debating on my decisions. I happen to know Chief Running Elk. We go way back, but something is a bit off so I don’t want you yahoos to lose your hair.

Dill, Timmie, Jakie, Speed, and Keegan all nodded.

“Good, now eat and then we’ll get a few chores done while we wait on the others to ride back. I do see a lot of enthusiasm in you men and that’s the makings of a good cowhand.”

His lips twitched as he saw one after another push their chests out in pride. It was a good sign and he hoped they all had what it took to be good cowhands. Jakie kept staring at Shannon with a sappy expression on his face. He was the tallest of the bunch with blond wavy hair, blue eyes, and skin that would blister and burn in the hot sun. Hell, he probably never did a lick of outdoor work before.

Speed shoveled his food in his mouth and it was probably a good bet as to how he got his nickname. He had Mexican blood in him and knew his way around horses. So he said.

Keegan was a drifter, he’d bet his ranch on it and wouldn’t be surprised if Keegan just up and left one day. There were plenty of drifters for hire, but Cinders hoped Keegan was looking for a place to hang his hat. He was older than the rest, with huge shoulders and long brown hair. He was more experienced than the rest. His brown eyes took in everything. He was observant and Cinders liked that.

After they ate, they filed out to muck out stalls, and feed and water the horses. They were all polite to Shannon and thanked her for the meal. His family used to have the hands eat with them and once he was married it had all stopped. The changes Charlotte had made went pretty much unnoticed by him and he didn’t bother to ask her about them.

“Cookie left you with the dishes?” He got up and stood in front of Shannon, far enough away to keep from touching her, but close enough to feel her body heat. His gaze fell to her lips and he stifled a groan. They tempted him like no other.

“He…um…he went to get more water.” She stared at him with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

“Thank you for allowing the men to eat here. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it.”

“Like I said, it makes things easier. Are you going after the horses today?” Worry in her voice warmed his heart.

The urge to step closer was too much for him; he stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets. “As soon as one of the men gets back, we’ll go. I need to get this taken care of before anyone gets hurt. No one mentioned any attacks or sightings while we were in town. I suppose I’ll send one of the boys to alert the town’s people.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go after the horses, but I guess you have no choice. Bullies who get away with stealing from you once will become bolder and will steal from you again.”

A grin spread over his face. “Is that the law of the city?”

Grinning back, she nodded. “It seems to be a rule of the West too.”

“I’ll stop in before I go.” He broke their gaze, grabbed his gun belt and Stetson, then headed out the door.

Tramp rode in not long afterward and switched his horse for a fresh one. Then he lit out with Cinders. They rode for a few hours but slowed as they got closer to the Comanche village.

“I still can’t figure why they’d steal your horses. Something must have changed.”

“I agree, Tramp. I just hope things haven’t changed so much that we won’t be walking out of there.” His lips formed a straight, tight line. He'd forgotten to say goodbye to Shannon, damn.

They rode slowly, side by side, into the camp. He looked for any sign that they weren’t welcome but didn’t see one. One of the braves, Big Hunter, approached them. He nodded and to Cinders’ relief, invited them to get down off their horses.

They followed Big Hunter to Chief Running Elk’s teepee. He motioned for them to enter. The teepee was made of buffalo hide and in the middle burned a fire. The lighting was dim.

“Cinders, my friend, it’s been a while since out last visit.”

“It sure has.”

“Sit. Both of you tell me why you looked so worried.”

Cinders and Tramp sat on the dirt floor of the teepee. Tramp fidgeted, trying to get comfortable. Cinders wanted to tell him to be still, but he couldn’t embarrass his friend.

“There’s been trouble at my ranch.”

“You think we caused this trouble?” Chief Running Elk’s brow furrowed.

“I came here to find out. One of my steers was killed and not all the meat was taken. It seemed strange, but the ponies left unshod prints. Later that day my wife and I were coming home from town when we were chased and attacked by Comanche, and last night Comanche took ten of my horses. I witnessed it myself.”

Chief Running Elk sat silently for a while. “We have had a bit of trouble here. The soldiers have been killing my people. The younger braves want revenge. I want revenge but not against you, my friend.” He turned to Big Hunter and spoke to him in his native language. “Your horses are here. I am greatly saddened by this. You will have your horses back plus one extra in payment for the cow. Was your wife hurt? You have new wife now?”

“I do have a new wife, Shannon. She is very brave and a good helpmate. She wasn’t harmed. Thank you my friend. I knew we could make sense of this.”

“Go get your horses and we shall meet again, Cinders. You have been a friend to us and no more harm will come your way.”

Cinders nodded and stood. He waited for Tramp to do the same and they followed Big Hunter to their horses. He gave Cinders the lead rope to one of the Comanche’s ponies. “Thank you, Big Hunter. You’ll look for this horse? I’ll release her about half way and she’ll come home.”

Big Hunter laughed. “They are beginning to think you can’t handle our horses. They always come back.”

“I can’t refuse the chief’s gift can I?”

“Be well my friend.”

Cinders and Tramp mounted their horses and drove the other horses toward home. Half way back, Cinders released the Comanche horse.

“I hope Old Running Elk can control his people. Those arrows flying by your head weren’t harmless.”

Cinders frowned. “I don’t like it one bit. Chief didn’t say one word about it. I don’t think he knew but didn’t want us to know he was in the dark.”

“Yep, that’s what I’m thinking too. I hope the rest of the men made it home. Oh and did you know you hired the sorriest lot of boys I’ve ever seen? Good thing you have me around to make them men.” Tramp looked serious but Cinders’ laughed.

“Good thing. Let’s get these horses home.”

It had been a fairly cool spring but now he could feel the heat beating down on him as they rode. His felt it clean through his chaps. He reached into his saddle bag for a bandana, wiped his face, and tied it around his neck. It was hot in Texas most of the year, but the first few days took getting used to. He just hoped his men were safe.

Chapter Four

Shannon took a step back and admired her handiwork. The table was now large enough for everyone but it did take up some of the living space. Hopefully Cinders would approve of her and Cookie’s table. A smile curved her lips as she remembered the shocked look on Cookie’s face when she took the hammer from him and began pounding nails. He then acted as though she'd stolen his job. He made her laugh and he kept her mind occupied, but she still worried about Cinders and Tramp.

She needed to work on her next chore, but awful pictures kept invading her mind. What if the Indians killed him? It was all beginning to be too much worrying about her fate. She needed answers. Their marriage wasn’t consummated and because of that she might not have a claim to their house. Heck, it wasn’t their house, it was Cinders’. Maybe the effort toward making the marriage a real one would be a good idea.

Sadness washed over her. He’d have to make the decision for them. After all, he’d be the one who had to look at her face every day for the rest of his life. No, she couldn’t play games with his life—he was too honorable of a man to do that. She didn’t even like peering at herself in the mirror, so it must be doubly hard for him.

She slowly traced her fingers over her stitches. Today it hurt more than usual. Her heart ached too as she felt the ridges that would certainly leave a nasty scar. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. She had a roof over her head, she was safe, and she was grateful.

The pounding of the hooves alerted her to Cinders’ return. She wanted to run out to him, but she didn’t want to embarrass him with any schoolgirl antics. Even as every part of her shouted for her to run to him, she walked sedately out of the house and stood on the front step. Her eyes missed nothing, as she looked him over. He'd come home unharmed. What a blessing, and he had the horses with him.

He and Tramp corralled the horses as the men were shouting questions, and patting each other on the shoulder. She couldn’t hear their replies, but she didn’t have to wait long. As soon as the gate closed, Cinders dismounted and came right to her. His eyes glittered and his grin eased her heart.

He pulled her into the house, closed the door and kissed her tenderly. The door started to open. He kicked it shut and yelled for them to go away.

Her eyes widened when he pulled her into his arms and held her, rubbing his strong hands up and down her back. She could hear his heart beating and she felt him sigh. He pulled back, lifted her chin with his finger, and gazed into her eyes. She wasn’t sure, but it looked like desire in his eyes.

His smile was so sexy, she felt wanted. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye like I promised. It haunted me the whole trip.” He dipped her head, touching her lips with his smooth, hard ones. Suddenly he stopped and cupped her chin in his hand, turning her head until only the cut side of her face was toward him. “Oh no. This looks inflamed. I’ll send Cookie in with some salve.” He caressed her shoulders one last time and left.

He acted like he wanted her until he examined her face. John Hardy’s words of men only liking her in the dark came to mind and all hope died. She’d better get some food started; they were bound to be hungry. All the men had returned except for Bill. Don and Rollo rode out hours ago to find him. Hopefully all was well.

“Hear tell you need my special salve,” Cookie announced as he entered the house with a big jar in his hands.

“You make it yourself? What’s in it?” Taking a wary step back, she crossed her arms in a gesture of refusal and shook her head.

“I’m down right insulted. I’ll let you know that this salve recipe has been in my family for generations. Look at my face and get a real good look. How old do you think I am?”

“You put that stuff on your face?”

“How old?” he persisted.

“Okay…I…fifty.”

“Fifty? I think you need some of those glass spectacles I’ve seen people wear. Come closer and guess again.”

She took the salve from him and opened the jar and almost gagged. “Oh my, this smells foul.” She put the lid back on and handed it back to him while he gave her a hard stare. “What?”

“How old?”

Gritting her teeth and praying wouldn’t help in this situation. “Thirty, you definitely look thirty.”

Cookie’s grin was as wide as she’d ever seen. “I told you, my salve is good.”

“Well, we need to get a meal made before those men die of starvation.” Turning away, she headed for the stove. “It's awfully hot in here and lighting this thing is only going to make it worse.”

“We’ll start cooking outside soon enough.”

“Outside?”

“There’s nothing like cooking over an open fire. Now let’s get some salve on your cheek so we can get on with the cooking.”

She thought of many things she could do with his salve and none of them included putting it on her face. But he was a stubborn old mule. “Fine, I’ll put some on.” She took the jar, headed to the bedroom, took one look at her face, and became alarmed. No wonder Cinders sent Cookie in with his magic potion. Her cheek was fiery red. Immediately she opened the jar and rubbed some of its contents on her face. The smell made her nauseas, but if it helped…

“You look better already,” Cookie told her when she handed the jar back to him.

“Thank you.”

“And you’ll look your real age in no time.” He chuckled.

“My real age?” She wished she hadn’t asked.

“You look to be thirty-five but I bet you’re twenty-five.”

“Guess we know who really needs glasses here. I’m nineteen and I look it too.” She frowned at him and marched out of the house. He could have his old salve. Thirty-five indeed.

Walking past the water pump, she resisted the desire to wash her face. Instead she went in search of Cinders.

The other men gathered around the far corral. She headed that way until she finally saw Cinders on top of a very big, ornery horse. She raced to the fence, expecting him to be thrown at any moment, but to her surprise the horse stopped bucking and settled down enough for Cinders to ride him around the corral.

Cinders caught sight of her and frowned, taking her off guard. No doubt the frown was for her and her stomach dropped. The emotions from the last few days left her exhausted. What did it matter what age she was or looked?

His muscles bunched and tightened while he rode. His hat flew off and his blond hair hung across his brow, getting into his eyes. Magnificent was the best word for him and she couldn’t tear her gaze away. He’d kissed her but a moment ago and already he frowned. She’d never have a clue as to what he thought.

Everything stopped when Rollo and Don rode up with a body tied to the third horse. The red hair of the fallen man left no doubt it was Bill. Leaning against the fence for support, she watched as Tramp and Rollo carried Bill into the bunkhouse. His clothes were soaked with blood and the metallic scent hung in the air. She clamped her hand over her mouth to hold the screams in.

Cinders walked by, squeezing her shoulder as he passed. They all went into the bunkhouse and she went back home. Cookie flew by her on his way to see Bill. She sagged into a chair shaking her head trying to pretend she didn’t just see a dead man.

She grew up in a dangerous neighborhood but this was different. Here you couldn’t see the dangers until it was already upon you. She wondered if Bill had family and she realized she didn’t know much about any of them. He was too young to die but living on a land with Indians put a person in dire jeopardy.

Cookie ambled toward her with a great deal of pain marring his face. “He’s dead for sure. Damn shame. I was just beginning to warm up to ole Bill.”

“Did he have family?”

He scratched his chin, and then shook his head. “Not that I recall. If anyone knew, it’d be Rollo. He is always gettin’ into everyone’s business. For once, it may have served a purpose. Me, I don’t like no questions and I don’t ask none either.”

“Will there be a funeral?”

“Yep, Cinders got a couple of the new men building a coffin. If we’re lucky, we’ll have him six feet under before nightfall. Ain’t no fun sleeping in the bunkhouse with a dead body. The next thing you know you hear noises and sounds. The smell is beyond bad. You can handle things here at the house, can’t you? I’m going to help get the poor boy buried before I have to sleep next to it, I mean Bill. Dang it, I’ll be back soon.”

“I can handle things here.”

He stopped at the door, touched the brim of his hat, and gave her a quick nod. “Don’t overwork the biscuit dough. No one likes to eat rocks.”

Sleeping next to a dead person? She shivered. Things were so different here. In some ways, it was so much better than where she’d come from, but there was hidden danger everywhere.

****

Cinders wasn’t so preoccupied by the day’s events that he'd missed a shift in Shannon’s mood. Everyone ate in silence having just buried a friend. With Shannon, it appeared to be something else, and he hoped she didn’t want to go home. Most women would have lit out at the first sight of Indians but Shannon seemed to just take it all in and move on.

She had to be asked twice to pass the gravy. Clearly, she wasn’t paying attention but she didn’t look upset either. In fact, she appeared a bit pensive. He’d talk to her as soon as the men left. The one drawback to having the men eat with them was no privacy.

Finally, the last morsel found a home and he stopped drumming his fingers on the table. The men thanked Shannon and Cookie and then made their way out of the cabin.

“Cookie, I’ll help clean up. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”

Cookie’s eyes narrowed quizzically, but he nodded. “Much obliged, see you both in the mornin’.”

Shannon was up to her elbows in warm water, washing dishes with her long sleeves rolled up, and for some reason it aroused him. “I’ll dry.”

“What are you up to Cinders? I know you wanted to get me alone, but why?” She handed him a clean wet plate.

“I just thought we should talk.”

Her eyes widened and dread passed over her face.

“It’s nothing bad. You looked as though you had something on your mind all evening, and I wanted to know what was bothering you.”

“Nothing.” She smiled and then it wilted. “Everything.”

Using the cloth he used to dry the dishes, he drew one of her hands out of the water, dried it, than did the same to the other. His brow furrowed as his heart beat quickened. He’d have Tramp take her to town in the morning. A stagecoach heading East would roll through around noon. The thought of losing her left him gut kicked. How had she gotten under his skin so fast?

He gave her a long look but found no clues in her eyes. “Let’s sit outside and enjoy the cool breeze.”

The ends of her lips curled up slightly. “Cool? A breeze maybe out there, but it’s getting to be hotter than I’m used to.”

They went outside and sat on the step. It took Shannon a long time to adjust her skirts just right. The cloudless sky was dark. They sat in silence and he wished it was a comfortable silence, but being on edge made it so he couldn’t relax.

“Sure is pretty out here. Somehow you have more stars in the Texas sky.”

“I’d think they’d be the same ones you see in New York.”

Sighing, she nodded. “Perhaps, we have too many buildings to really know. The boys all jumped from one rooftop to another but it was near impossible in a dress. I wasn’t allowed up there at night.”

“I can tell something is on your mind. I find it best to just talk things out.”

She glanced at him and then back at the sky. “I do have a few things I need to say. I’m worried—”

He took her slender hand in his. “I know, you’re not used to Indians and a rough bunch of men. Maybe—”

“No, I mean yes. I’m trying to think of it as an adventure, but my thoughts keep persisting. What happens to me if you’re killed out here? I’m not saying you can’t protect yourself, but it’s pretty unpredictable and I need to know what my fate will be.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Turning, she looked him in the eye. “It’s easy for a man to go and make a life, but a woman is at the mercy of the community. I may not be able to get a job.”

“You’re my wife, so the ranch would be yours.” He cocked his head, not quite understanding the problem.

She took her hand from his and wrapped her arms around her middle. “We’re not really married. We never, well we haven’t…” Her face grew a fiery red.

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” he teased. One look at her and he stopped. “You’re really upset about this.”

“Yes. Ever since my parents died, I need to know I will have a roof over my head. I’m afraid Tom Hardy will take one look at me and know we never made our marriage real. I understand why you don’t want to.”

“Good. I’m glad you understand. I didn’t want to bring the whole thing up. Look, we’ll go see the lawyer and make sure everything’s in order. Don’t worry about it. You’ll always have a place here.”