Bushedwhacked Bride (16 page)
But Cole was already tugging her down the steps.
“Nope, it isn’t. We’ve got close to an hour of daylight left.
‘Sides, we won’t go far.”
She dug in her heels. “You’re forgetting I can’t ride.”
He tugged her on again. “No, I’m not. That’s what I’m
fixin’ to teach you. ‘Sides, if you plan to ride with us
again tomorrow, you’ll need some practice.”
She stopped again. “Why are you trusting me all of a
sudden?”
He gave a shrug. “It’s like Ma said at dinner. You’re
part of the family now, and if I don’t tell you what the
gang is doing, you’re bound to find out on your own. And
won’t you insist on coming along again tomorrow?”
“I suppose I will,” she conceded.
“What were you expecting to do? Ride double with me again?”
Jessica succumbed to a smile. “I see your point. Very well, bring on the riding lesson.”
Inside the barn, Jessica waited patiently as Cole sad
dled up two horses, his own chestnut gelding, and for her,
a smaller dappled gray. Glancing at the palomino in a
nearby stall, she asked, “Why aren’t you saddling the
same horse for me again?”
“ ‘Cause Belle’s a mite more docile,” he replied, ad
justing the mare’s cinch.
‘Then why didn’t you give her to me in the first
place?”
Straightening, he tweaked Jessica’s nose. “ ‘Cause you
plumb forgot to tell me you’re such a greenhorn.”
Charmed despite herself, she smiled. “Guess I should
go change into trousers.”
“Naw. Who’ll see you?”
“You will!”
He shrugged. “Just bunch up your skirts real good. You
womenfolk wear so damn many layers, it’s a wonder
most husbands don’t just give up on the notion of having
young ‘uns.”
She blushed. “I hardly see why that should concern
you.”
“And why not?”
“Because you’re a will-o’-the-wisp. An outlaw.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I want to tell you something,
Jessie.”
“I’m breathlessly waiting.”
Eyeing her solemnly, he murmured, “In
Colorado
City,
I was tempted by a line gal or two. But I resisted, ‘cause
none of them can hold a candle to you, girl.”
She rolled her eyes. “If you think I’m flattered, you’re
delusional.”
Chuckling, he reached out to toy with a curl at her tem
ple. “God, you’ve got such a mouth on you.
That’s one thing I like about you. But you know there’s a time when a real woman needs to stow her sass and get
ready for some serious loving.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
Cole roared with laughter.
Moments later, he showed her how to lead her horse
outside by its bridle. Then he pointed. “Now just put your
foot in the stirrup and hoist yourself up into the saddle.”
Thinking of what he might see when she “hoisted,” Jessica colored. “Turn away.”
“Jessie—”
“Turn away!”
With a groan, he displayed his broad back to her.
Holding the horse by its bridle and grasping the saddle
horn, Jessica put her toe in the stirrup and tried to climb
up. But the horse, sensing her hesitation, began to whinny
and sidestep.
Doing a one-footed dance to keep up with the skitter
ing beast, Jessica was exasperated. “Damn it, horse, will
you
pleeeeze
cooperate?”
Then she froze as she felt a hand slide up her skirts.
Once again, Cole grasped her bottom and boosted her
into the saddle. She landed with face burning.
“Damn it, Cole! How can I learn if you keep doing
that?”
He appeared delighted. “Well, I had to do something
before you spooked the poor nag into pitching you off.”
“Sure.”
He mounted his horse. “All right, woman. We’ll start
out real slow. Just nudge the horse with pressure from
your thighs.”
She glanced at him in perplexity.
“You know all about that kind of pressure, don’t you,
sugar?” he teased.
“You go straight to hell, Cole Reklaw.” But she said it
with a smile.
“Sugar, you’ve got too short a fuse. But that’s all right
with me, I reckon. I figure if you’re that hot-tempered rid
ing horses, you’re also that hot in—”
“Stop it, Cole!”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a mock salute. “All right,
then, let’s try a few turns around the barnyard first. Hold
your reins firm but not too tight, and give her a nudge.”
Jessica nudged the little gray, and felt pleased when
she ambled into motion. For a few minutes, she and Cole circled the barnyard. She followed Cole’s instructions on
how to turn, rein in, and halt her horse. She found the
gray was much gentler and more cooperative than the palomino had been, and she felt much more comfortable
in the saddle, especially at this slow pace.
After a while, Cole held up his hand and they both
reined in their mounts. “Good. Now we’ll try trottin’
down the road a piece.”
“Are you sure?” Jessica asked skeptically.
“You can do it, honey.”
Cole spurred his horse ahead, and stronger pressure
from Jessica’s thighs was all the encouragement Belle
needed to spring into step behind the other horse. At the
brisker pace, Jessica tensed in fear, her bottom bobbing in
the saddle.
Cole noticed. “Just relax, honey, you’re doing fine.
But you need to learn to move with the horse, not
against it.”
“Yeah—tell me about it,” she retorted dryly.
Still, as they proceeded, she found herself growing
more attuned to the rhythms of the horse and not bobbing quite as violently. She even began to enjoy the ride—the
powerful movements of the horse, the deepening red
splendor of the sunset, the coolness of evening, the thrill
of having Cole riding along beside her . . .
Catching her perusal, he remarked, ‘Tell me some
thing.”
“What do you want to know?”
“I was just wondering why none of your kinfolk have
come looking for you yet.”
Taken aback, she murmured, “Guess I’m kind of lost.”
“You mean like a lost woman?” he teased. “A soiled
dove?”
“You’re one to talk after visiting
Sin
City
.”
“Seriously, though, sugar. Seems to me it’s odd that a
lady like you would disappear, and no one comes looking
for her.”
“Maybe I’m an orphan,” she suggested.
“Somehow I doubt that. Just as I doubt you came out to Mariposa to teach school. Why don’t you tell me the
truth? I shared with you.”
“You didn’t exactly bare your soul.” At his chiding glance, she admitted, “Okay, you shared a little.”
“Are you gonna tell me now?”
“You gonna make me?” she responded sweetly.
“Hey, Jessie, that’s not fair,” he scolded. “You want my
help with my brothers, but you won’t be honest with me.”
She laughed ironically. “You haven’t helped me much.”
As they crested a rise overlooking a wooded hillside
and rushing stream, he held up a hand. “Let’s rest a spell.”
She reined in her mount. “Suits me fine.”
Cole dismounted and assisted Jessica to the ground. “What is it you want of me, Jessie?”
She smoothed down her skirts and gathered her
thoughts. “Funny you should ask that. I was just about
to request your support in getting the boys into town to
church—”
“Church again?” he cut in, glowering.
“Yes, church. Why, just yesterday, I was thinking the
boys will soon be presentable enough to take into town. Then you pulled that juvenile stunt, going off with Billy to
Colorado
City
. Now you’re no doubt planning more nefarious doings for tomorrow, which will obliterate all
my progress.”
Cole appeared unmoved. “I still say taking the boys to town
would be a huge mistake.”
“And I say it’s their only possible salvation. But if you
aren’t going to support me, why should I tell you any
thing you want to know?”
Cole fell broodingly silent, then dug in his pocket. To
her surprise, he pulled out her college ring, took her right
hand, and slipped it on. “Maybe because of this?”
Jessica couldn’t help feeling delighted. The presence
of the familiar ring on her finger comforted her somehow,
a physical symbol of the world from which she’d been so
arbitrarily removed. “My ring! I was sure your brothers sold it soon after you kidnapped me.”
For once, Cole spoke tenderly. “I wouldn’t let them sell
your ring, Jessie.”
Jessica was amazed to find herself blinking at a tear.
“Thanks, Cole. “
“I’ve looked at that ring a dozen times since you’ve
been here,” he admitted quietly, “and I want you to tell
me what it means. The name, ‘
University
of
New Mex
ico
.’ And the number, ‘1994.’“
Jessica felt at a loss. She didn’t know any way to ex
plain her time-travel experience to Cole without convinc
ing him she was delusional. At last she said simply, “The
University of New Mexico is where I went to school. As
for the number 1994, I don’t think I can explain it to you
in a way you’ll understand.”
He appeared keenly disappointed. “You’re learning all
about us, sugar, all about me, but you still don’t trust me
in return.”
‘That’s not true, Cole,” she replied. “You’re the one
who doesn’t really trust me, and you know it.”
“I’m trying to, Jessie.” His frown betraying his guilt
and torn feelings, he gazed off into the distance for a long
moment. “You know, the sunset’s right fine.”
Though his words tugged at her senses, Jessica soberly
replied, “How much longer do you think you and your
brothers will enjoy these sunsets if you continue with
your wild ways?”
“That’s a low blow, woman,” he scolded.
“It’s the truth. How long? Days? Months? A year or
two if you’re really lucky? Don’t you want more for your
brothers than that?”
He groaned. “What do you want me to do?”
“You know what.”
He fought a smile. “Church, eh?”
“Church.”
“I’ll think on it,” he conceded.
“Good. And Cole, if you do agree, I promise I’ll think
of a way to disguise the boys’ identities, to ensure we
won’t blow your cover.”
Cole shook his head cynically. “Jessie, you may
think you’re prodding us all down the road to redemption,
but it’s ruination you’re really taking us to.” He stroked
her cheek. “But what can I say? You’ve bewitched me.”
Much as his touch stirred her, Jessica still felt troubled.
“Cole, I don’t want you cooperating because of my pre
sumed feminine wiles. I want you in harmony with me—”
Abruptly Cole pulled her close. “And I want you in harmony with me, Jessie.”
Traitorous longing swept Jessica at being in Cole’s
strong arms again. This time he didn’t try to force kisses
on her, but only held her, pressing his lips to her hair.
Somehow his gentleness was far more devastating than his earlier aggression.
“How much longer do you think we can resist this, Jessie?”
The soulful question tortured her, especially since they
both knew the answer.
Not long.
Every time they were to
gether, the attraction became stronger—almost over
whelming now.
She managed to pull away. “We—we’d best head back now,” she whispered.
Silently, Cole followed her back to the horses.
Chapter Fifteen
Jessica spent a fitful night, remembering her moments in
Cole’s arms and longing for more. Like him, she won
dered how much longer either of them could resist this
powerful attraction. Despite her misgivings, she felt
closer to the edge each time she was with him.
She was given an opportunity to put her riding lessons
to the test the next morning, when the men left on their
planned foray to waylay and rob the Aspen Gulch Con
sortium. Again dressed in Billy’s old overalls, her hair
pinned beneath her hat, Jessica rode at the rear of the band, her expression fraught with frustration because
once again she’d been unable to dissuade the men from their nefarious plans.
At the crest of a rise overlooking the road from
Colorado Springs
, Cole held up his hand, halting the group. He pointed to the east. “There they come now, those sidewinders, in their fine carriage.”
Shading a hand over her eyes, Jessica followed Cole’s
gaze. A sense of
déjà vu
swept her as she stared at a scene
reminiscent of the day she’d crossed time. The handsome
black coach approached them, the horses’ hooves and
wagon wheels stirring up clouds of dust.
“How do you know it’s their carriage?” she asked
Cole.
“The little lady in
Colorado Springs
described it.”
Jessica shot him a resentful look, then glanced down
ward. “Is this the same canyon where you kidnapped me?”
“Nope,” he replied, “you and the others never made it
out this far. Haunted Gorge is back further to the east.”
“Haunted Gorge?”
Jessica repeated, dumbfounded. “I
thought it was called Reklaw Gorge.”
Cole winked. “Who knows? Maybe it will be from
now on.”
“Cole,” whined Billy, “hadn’t we best get a move on? Them fellas is gonna make a clean getaway while you’re
palavering.”
“Right,” Cole concurred, lifting his kerchief over his
nose and pulling down the brim of his hat. “You stay
here, Jessie.”
“But—I’d like to come this time,” she protested.
“Ladies can’t come with us!” Gabe shot back.
“Why not?” Jessica countered. “Where is it written that
females can’t ride with outlaws? Haven’t you ever heard of Belle Starr? Besides, I’d like to judge for myself these men
of the consortium who you say have ruined your lives.”
Clearly perplexed, Gabe deferred to Cole. “You want her along?”
Although he scowled, Cole pulled another kerchief
from his shirt pocket and tossed it to Jessica. “If you want
to see the snakes up close, wait till they surrender and we
get everything secured, then ride down to join us. Tie this
over your face and make sure that hair stays under your hat. No sense them knowing you’re a lady.”
Jessica took the kerchief. “Aye, aye, sir.”
He eyed her askance. “Mess up our timing and you’ll
be sorry.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of messing up your timing,” she
responded sweetly, only to blush when all of the men
laughed.
Jessica watched tensely as the men descended to the
gorge and hid themselves in some trees. When the coach
moved into view, they swarmed around it, whooping, hol
lering, and firing their pistols. The man riding shotgun on
top of the coach put up a valiant effort—until Cole shot
his weapon out of his hands! Jessica could only shake her
head in grudging admiration.
Within minutes the driver surrendered and pulled the
team to a halt. Jessica watched the gang work like a well-
oiled machine. The brothers quickly dismounted, forced
the driver and guard to the ground, then threw open the
door and gestured for the occupants to alight. Amazed,
she watched four men in old-fashioned suits and beaver hats step out.
She figured this was her cue. Quickly she donned her
kerchief, then nudged Belle into motion. Although it
made Jessica nervous to descend the steep, rugged hill
side, the little gray horse was equal to the task and picked
her way downward, remaining calm even when her
hooves skidded on loose rocks.
When Jessica rode into the clearing, the four men with
their hands raised regarded her suspiciously. They were a
comical Mutt and Jeff assortment, complete with handlebar mustaches and steel-rimmed spectacles. The expres
sions of frozen horror on their faces made them seem
even more droll. As she dismounted, Cole greeted her
with a wave of his pistol. “Nice of you to join us, Butch.”
Amused by the nickname, Jessica used her lowest
voice. “Yes, sir.”
He chuckled. “Now, Butch, I’d like to introduce you to
the four slimiest weasels these parts have ever seen.” He
pointed to each man in turn. “That tall skinny fella with
the beady eyes is none other than Elijah Miser himself,
head of the Aspen Gulch Consortium. Next to him, the
little weasel with the blond mustache and snooty expression is his secretary, Calvin Stickles. The red-faced, ugly
one is Hiram Yapp. The one with the pug nose and pot
belly is Willard Peavy.”
Jessica nodded at the men. “Gents.”
In a shrill, unpleasant voice, Elijah Miser spoke up.
“Sir, I don’t know who you and these other blackguards are, but I’d advise you to release us at once or rue the
consequences.”
“And I’m telling you you’ll
rue the consequences
if
you flap off your mouth again,” Cole retorted.
Miser sucked in an outraged breath. “Just who do you
think you’re dealing with, sir?”
“The meanest dog this side of the
Mississippi
,” Cole
drawled back.
“How dare you!”
Cole strode closer to the man and spoke with angry
menace. “How dare I? How dare you exploit the good
folk of Mariposa with your shoddy mining operation—
even stealing the lives of many of their menfolk.”
As Stickles and Yapp trembled in fear, Miser protested,
“I’ll have you know we run a fair operation—”
“Fair?” Cole cut in incredulously. “Were you fair to the
twenty miners who died in that cave-in two years ago?”
Miser colored. “Those are just—the dangers of min
ing—”
“Hokum and hogwash,” Cole cut in. “What I hear is
you kept right on digging, even after your engineers
warned you the tunnel was unstable, and that’s how you
murdered those men.”
“Murder? Why, that’s an outrageous lie—”
‘Tell it to someone who’ll believe you,” Cole cut in
darkly.
“Yeah!” seconded Billy.
Cole pointed his pistol around the group. “For now, I
think it’s high time for you men to learn how it feels to
lose everything. To be victimized and abandoned.”
Miser’s eyes burned with fire. “Sir, if you so much
as—
Cole cocked his pistol, stopping the other man cold.
“Shut your yap or I’ll shoot you.”
Miser gulped and clamped shut his mouth. All four
consortium members trembled in fear.
Now the driver spoke up. “Please, sir, I beg you not to
shoot anyone.”
Cole turned to the man, who stood nearby with the
guard, both with raised hands and pale faces. “Relax, gentlemen. My argument isn’t with the two of you.”
Looking relieved, the men nodded back to Cole.
Cole’s gaze shifted back to the consortium members.
“But as for the rest of you scoundrels, take out your wal
lets and jewelry—slow like—and hand them over to
Butch here.”
Flabbergasted, Jessica pressed a hand to her heart.
“Me?”
“You would rob us?” demanded Miser.
“Shut up,” retorted Cole. He swung around to Jessica,
and the gleam in his eyes told her he meant business. “That’s right, Butch. You wanted to learn how the gang operates, so here’s your chance.”
Jessica approached him and whispered tensely, “I
can’t, Cole. You know I’m only along to take notes.”
Adamantly, he replied, “You can, sugar. You’re here,
and that makes you as guilty as the rest of us. If we’re caught, we’re all gonna swing, and that means you, too.”
She gulped. “I suppose you’ve got a point.”
He turned. “Gabe, give Butch here that sack you got.”
Gabe strode forward and handed Jessica the cloth sack.
Although she accepted it hesitantly, as she turned to see the four men regarding her with trepidation, her confidence built. Suddenly she liked the thought of stealing
from these greedy jackals who had victimized the citizens
of Mariposa and taken two husbands from poor Eula
Reklaw.
As she strode toward the men, they were already
pulling out ornate pocket watches and thick wallets. “All
right, fellas,” she ordered in her deep voice. “Fork it
over.”
The men grudgingly threw in their valuables. Jessica
backed away with her booty.
Cole ordered, “Now take off those fancy suits.”
As Jessica struggled not to laugh at Cole’s outrageous
directive, Miser cried, “You expect us to strip?”
“Right down to your union suits.”
“We’ll die first.”
Cole fired several shots near Miser’s feet, causing him to dance about and yelp in terror. “You sure of that?”
With commendable haste, all four men began tearing
off their suits. Within a minute, the four stood there look
ing utterly ridiculous in their union suits, boots, and hats.
“Pitch off the hats and boots, too,” Cole ordered.
After the men complied, Cole nodded to Billy and
Gabe. “Gather up the clothing.”
Hooting their victory, the brothers scooped up the finery.
“Now, Luke and Wes, tie up all of them inside the
carriage.”
“You’ll be sorry for this!” Miser warned.
“You’re gonna be sorry sooner,” Cole shot back. “And in case it hasn’t gotten through to you yet, you fellas have
worn out your welcome in these parts. You’d best re
member it.”
Luke and Wes tied up the four men, as well as the dri
ver and guard, and shoved all six of them inside the cab
of the coach. Then they unharnessed the two black horses
from the carriage and tethered each to one of their own
mounts. Soon the group was on its way again, whooping
and hollering.
Once they were a safe distance away, Cole turned to Jessica. “You’re quiet, sugar.”
“Will they be all right, tied up like that?”
“You’re worried about them?”
“
Frankly, yes.”
Cole gave a shrug. “It’s a fairly busy road. Someone should be along in a day or so to release them.”
“A day or so? Lord, I hope so.”
Once they were back at the farm, the boys had a great
time playing with their plunder. They paraded around the
yard wearing the jackets and hats of the men. Ma looked on disapprovingly from the porch and scrubbed under
wear in the washtub. Jessica sat, frowning, on the porch swing. Cole lounged against a pillar and watched his brothers with a forbearing smile.
In the yard, Luke pulled a cigar from the pocket of his
elegant jacket and lit up. “Look at us, Ma, Miss Jessie.
Why, we’re all set to go to church now, just like
Clyde
.”
Ma shook her head at Jessica. “They’re all wound up,
strutting about like peacocks and bragging about their
evil doins’. They’ll likely be off a’whoring in
Colorado
City
before the night is out.”
Ma’s words left Jessica feeling both uneasy and guilty.
Uneasy because the boys were backsliding—largely
thanks to Cole. Guilty because she’d been perhaps a too
willing participant in the day’s shenanigans.
She rose and crossed over to Cole. “Want to go for a
walk?”