Carolyn Davidson (7 page)

This was not going to be an easy night, Will decided, carrying the heavy pieces of firewood closer. He bent, stacking them quickly next to the hearth, then squatted beside Cassie, his fingers working at the buttons of his shirt.

“Can you find me something dry to put on?” His hands were stiff, his movements slow, and he closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in the welcome warmth of the fire.

He heard her murmur of assent as she crossed the room to close the door against the rain. His every nerve attuned to her presence, he flinched at the click of her boot heels as they touched the wooden floor. The swollen wood of the door protested loudly as she dragged it across the uneven floorboards, and then she knelt by his saddlebag. The rustle of her movements had him gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, the better to visualize her as she handled his clothing, sorted through his belongings.

His hands tightened into fists, and he bent his head, aware only of her presence. Her clothing brushed the floor
as she rose to her feet, and then he sensed her approach. His heartbeat slowed, his breathing deepened and once more he lifted his hands to undo his shirt buttons.

He stripped the shirt from his body, and unseen hands took it from him. Never had a fire felt so welcome. Grunting his thanks, he stretched out his hands to the crackling flames.

“Your undershirt is pretty well soaked, too,” Cassie said from behind him.

He nodded agreement, his fingers once more working at buttons and buttonholes. He made quicker work of it this time and eased his way from the wet fabric. From behind him, Cassie enclosed his shoulders in the blanket from his pack and he basked in the warmth it captured from the flames as she draped it around his body.

She knelt next to him and reached to stir the beans. “They’re almost hot,” she offered. “We can put them on the biscuits left from breakfast if you want to.”

“That’s fine.” He’d be willing to eat most anything she put in front of him right now, he decided. Between the sound of rain on the roof and the fire crackling in front of him, he was pretty near ready to doze off. If it weren’t for the empty spot in his middle, he’d be content to drop his chin on his chest and spend the night where he sat.

“Here.” Cassie’s hand touched his and his fingers curled around the biscuit she held. Warm beans oozed from its depths and he licked one from his finger, then took a mouthful of the simple meal. He blinked, his eyes gritty with the need for sleep, and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.

“I never knew beans could taste so good,” Cassie said.

“Hmm.” It was about as much conversation as he could manage. The night without sleep had caught up with him. It was hard telling what time it was, what with the early
dark coming on, with the storm overhead. He suspected Cassie was about wiped out, too, even though she’d managed to doze in the saddle a few times throughout the night.

Will swallowed the last of the biscuit. “How many more of those you got?”

“Enough,” she answered, her fingers deft as she split another, scooping on a generous helping of beans from the pot. She handed it to him and he muttered his thanks before he took a bite. Grasping the pot handle gingerly, she turned it toward him, handing him the spoon.

“Here, eat the rest. I’ve had enough.” Settling her bottom on the floor, she folded her legs as she leaned toward the heat.

“You sure?” Will cast her a doubtful glance. She nodded, her gaze captured by the flames. “Here, have a bite,” he offered, holding the spoon in front of her lips.

Her mouth opened obediently and he watched as her lips closed on the spoon. He eased it from her mouth and filled it again, feeding himself the next bite. There was about the small ritual a strange bonding, and he filled the spoon again, lifting it, watching as she ate from his hand. Scraping the last bite atop his final bit of biscuit, he popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly, savoring the flavor.

“Can we sleep now?” Cassie asked, not bothering to cover the yawn that accompanied her question.

Will cast a look around the small cabin. Against the far wall a rudely constructed bunk offered dubious comfort. “Seems to me we’d be just as well off right here by the fire,” he said. “That bed doesn’t look like much, and we’ll be warmer here.”

“I’ll put some more wood on,” Cassie said, rising. “Here’s your shirt, Will.” She dropped it into his lap, then found several chunks of wood to stack over the coals.

He watched as she worked, then, shedding the blanket,
he hastily pulled his shirt in place. The fire would dry his trousers, he figured. Taking them off would likely scare the bejabbers out of Cassie.

“Are you pretty well dried out?” he asked, pulling his pack closer, shoving the contents about as he sought a soft spot for his head.

She watched him, her eyes wary. “I’m all right. I’m warm, anyway.” She tugged at her boots, placing them to one side of the wide fireplace. “These should dry out pretty well by tomorrow.” As if she had done all she could to put off the inevitable, she turned to him.

“I’ll roll up in the other blanket. You can sleep closer to the fire.”

He shook his head. “No, we’ll sleep together, right here.” His hand motioned to the space they occupied and he stretched out, the blanket over his shoulders once more. “Bring the other blanket here,” he told her, patting the floor in front of him.

She obeyed, moving silently on stocking feet as she gathered up the dark woolen square from his pack. Lowering herself to the floor, she spread the covering over them both, then settled down in the space he had indicated, just next to the hearth.

He moved to curl his body around her back, arranging the blankets to form a double layer over them as he slid his arm under her head, easing it from the floor. His other hand scooped her closely to his chest and she stiffened for a moment.

“Ease up, Cassie,” he ordered in a rusty growl. “I need to get warm.”

Getting warm wasn’t the issue, Will thought, even as he muttered the words against the crown of her head. He was managing to generate enough inner heat to keep them both going all evening and half the night. He’d be better off if
he kept his hands to himself and stayed six feet away from the bundle of temptation he held tucked so neatly against his needy body.

His sigh was deep. He was a glutton for punishment, sure enough. Here he was with a softly curving female in his grasp, his arm fitted around her waist and his thighs cradling her tight little rump. It was a damn good thing he was as tired as he was, or this would be a miserable night.

His arm tightened, eliciting a grumble of protest from the woman he held. “Don’t wiggle, Cassie,” he said, his voice muffled in her hair.

And then his eyes closed, the flames before him rising anew, bathing him with the comfort of their warmth.

“W
hat’s wrong, Will?” Not for the first time, she asked the question, and once more he shrugged it off.

“Nothin’ much, Cass. Just makin’ sure we’re on the right track. I’ve come through Oklahoma Territory before, but it’s been a while.” His grin was sudden and all the more welcome for its recent absence. “I wouldn’t want to get us lost before we get to Missouri.”

Cassie felt a great relief at his attempt to soothe her worries. That such a small thing as a smile from Will Tolliver would absorb her unease so readily was a wonder. That his touch, one finger against her cheek, would send a shiver of anticipation down her back was another marvel to behold.

His nearness at night was a comfort, and his tender regard for her well-being was a panacea for all the wounds of her soul. And yet, there was within her an aching, a dreadful need for more than Will had given thus far.
And that makes me foolish and greedy,
she thought with a twinge of conscience.

Will had already done so much in her behalf. The guilt that hung over her head like a lowering thundercloud plagued her as she considered his kindness. And how had she repaid him? Her deceit, the blatant lie she had told him,
the blood she had shed…she bowed her head. And now she wanted what he had not offered, whatever that might be. How could she yearn for more, especially when she herself was not even sure what that more consisted of?

Now, on the third day out since they had stopped at that cabin, since Will had kissed her and held her with such a needy embrace, she found herself watching him closely. He’d been quiet, almost angry, as he’d ridden out last evening after setting up their camp.

He’d been narrow eyed and somber when he returned, evading her questions and soothing her concerns as they bedded down for the night. His hand had held his gun throughout the night. She’d peeked more than once, restlessly turning over on the hard ground, aware of his quiet watchfulness as she sought sleep.

Now she watched as he approached, her awareness of him heightened as he shot her a measuring look. His hand pulled at the brim of his hat, tugging it over his forehead as if he would anchor it there.

“Keep ridin’, Cassie.” He circled her, his stallion taking mincing steps as Will reined him tightly. “See that smoke on the horizon?” Will’s hand swept up, his index finger pointing to the north and east. “I want you to head in that direction, hear me?”

Cassie nodded, perplexed once more by his somber look. He’d been quiet again this morning, and then, with no warning, issued his orders. “What’s wrong, Will?” she asked, only to find herself talking to his back as his horse pivoted in place.

He handed her the lead rope for the mule and watched as she wound it around the saddle horn, nodding his approval. “Just do as I say, Cassie.” His words gave her no choice, drifting back over his shoulder as he left her. Doubling
back on their trail, he headed off to the south, even as she watched.

“Behave yourself, girl,” she muttered beneath her breath, eyeing the twitching ears of the mount she rode. The mare was about as reluctant to keep moving as she was, Cassie decided. “He’ll be back,” she murmured. “Before you know it,” she assured the animal, reaching one hand to pat at the horse’s dark mane.

Easing back on the reins, she slowed the mare to an ambling walk, unwilling to ride at any great pace in the opposite direction from Will. The pack mule followed along, stretching the lead to its full length, but amiable nonetheless. Cassie settled into the saddle, lulled by the rhythmic vibration of her horse’s hooves, which blended with the sounds of the animal’s breathing.

Ahead, the blot on the horizon spread out before her eyes, taking form and substance, sunlight glittering on metal.

“It’s a town!” On an indrawn breath, Cassie whispered aloud her discovery. Not much of a town, she admitted to herself, now that she was getting closer. Only a cluster of buildings, to be sure. But where there were townfolk, there must be a general store. And inside that store, if Will had the hard cash to lay on the counter, they might find something to go along with the biscuits and beans they’d been eating for the past two days.

To the north a farmhouse took form, a barn behind it, and smoke from the chimney wafted on the breeze. A dog barked sharply and Cassie squinted to seek its whereabouts. A dark smudge moved and the animal barked again.

“I’m not gonna bother you, pooch,” she said, her words blending with a chuckle. Her hand tightened on the reins, halting her progress as she considered the distance ahead. It would take far less than a half hour to reach the settlement
at the pace she was traveling, and she didn’t relish riding into its midst alone.

Shifting in the saddle, she looked back at the horizon. Will had traveled fast once he headed out. Patches of brush and a few clumps of trees dotted the landscape, perhaps shielding him from her view. A line of trees gave mute evidence of water, over near the farm she’d taken note of, and as her eyes measured the boundary they formed, she was tempted to ride in that direction.

A place to water her horse and splash fresh water on her own face was a welcome thought. One best ignored if she planned on doing as Will had told her. She shifted restlessly, uneasy without him by her side.

And then she heard his whistle from behind her, like that of a hawk calling to his mate. She turned in the saddle again, shading her eyes as they swept the horizon to the south. With a quickening of her heartbeat she recognized him, there where his figure soaked up the sunlight, approaching at a hard gallop.

His lips were thinned, his nostrils flaring, and his dark eyes were hooded as he pulled his horse to a halt. The stallion’s front hooves left the ground and he spun in a half circle as Will reined him tightly. He tossed his head, and white foam sprayed in the air.

“What’s wrong?” Cassie asked, her eyes intent on man and horse, a bit uneasy at the stud’s antics. Will’s hardedged profile gave her a start, a grimness she had only begun to associate with him altering his features. “What did you find back there?”

“We’re being followed. Maybe by one of those bastards from that ranch where I bought the horse.” His mouth tightened as he allowed his gaze to sweep over her. “I was afraid of this. Must be you were more temptation than I realized.”

His frown deepened. “I didn’t want to use my gun, but I reckon I’ll have to face him down.” He looked to where the small town huddled, less than a mile ahead. “We’ll ride on and keep an eye out. My guess is that he’ll circle around and pick up our trail later on.”

It wasn’t much of a town. On the outskirts was a blacksmith shop, where a muscular man in a leather apron plied his trade before a glowing forge. He’d allowed them a glance and gone back to his business as they passed by. Next, a white wooden church proclaimed the place to be Cooper’s Crossing, and the church to be Methodist in its leanings.

A scattering of houses surrounded the middle of town, dogs and children playing behind picket fences. A bit farther on a small building boasted a sign designating it the bank, and beside it was the general store. Will tied their horses to the hitching rail as Cassie wearily slid to the ground.

“Don’t buy out the place before I get in there,” he told her, his words an attempt to tease.

Granting him a scant grin, she climbed the three steps leading to the door. It swung shut behind her, and Cassie inhaled the unique smell of the place. Her hungry eyes were eager as they devoured the merchandise lining the shelves. Canned goods and bags of flour and sugar lined up next to tins of tea and spices. Bits of lace and eyelet nestled within a glass case, and her eyes lingered there for a moment before she edged past.

The scent of leather drew her to a display of harnesses and halters hung on nails against the wall. A saddle sat on end, a pile of coarsely woven blankets next to it. Shoes were lined up on the end of one counter, and she was awed by the display. She’d only ever had one pair at a time in
her life, and those, by necessity, had been sturdy and lacking in style.

When Will entered the store, his gaze softened as he watched her explore, her eyes wide as she eased her way down the length of the counter and past the barrels of salt pork and pickles. It looked to him as if the girl had lacked the chance to spend much time in a store lately, what with the ragtag clothing she’d possessed when he found her. Not to mention the awestruck look in her eyes now that she was faced with the splendor of plenty. He’d have to see to it she was outfitted with some new pants, farther down the road, before they reached the farm.

Quickly he pointed out the foodstuffs he’d decided on and watched as the storekeeper stowed them in a burlap bag. Will counted out the coins on the burnished counter and picked up his merchandise.

“You folks just passin’ through?” the proprietor asked, sorting out the money into his cash drawer.

Will nodded. “We’re headin’ up to Missouri. My folks have a farm outside of Greenbush.”

“Can’t say I ever heard of it,” the storekeeper said, one finger nudging his spectacles in place.

Will grinned. “Neither has much of anyone else. Reckon it’s just a spot on the map. They were lookin’ for the railroad to come through when I left. I figure that oughta lend some life to the place.”

“Well, you’re only a day or so from the state line, less’n you poke along. Ought to be home before it’s time to plow.”

Will shrugged. “I expect I’ll remember how.” He cast a glance at Cassie. “You about ready, Sarah Jane?”

She looked at him, her eyes widening at the salutation. And then she smiled, ducking her head, her shy, bridelike gesture a direct contrast to the sparkle in her eyes. “Yes,
Will,” she said meekly. With a last, longing look at the merchandise surrounding her, she made her way to the door.

Will opened it, ushering her past, his load heavy, dragging the burlap bag almost to the floor. She walked ahead and his eyes fastened on the rounded bottom encased in boy’s pants. There was definitely something to be said for Cassie in a pair of denims. He’d just better hope his ma didn’t pitch a fit when he brought home a female in britches.

The pack animal well laden, they set out from the small community, Cassie looking back mournfully over her shoulder. “That was a good-sized store for such a small town, wasn’t it?”

“Probably the only place to trade for miles around,” Will said. “Farms are pretty scattered hereabouts. I doubt folks get to town more than once every couple of weeks.”

“Is Greenbush any bigger?” she asked, nudging her horse into a quicker pace and pulling in beside Will.

Will shrugged. “Could be by now, I reckon. I’ve been gone for a long time, Cassie. If the railroad came through, my guess is that Greenbush has grown by leaps and bounds.”

“Do you think I could get a job there?”

“Ma will probably put you to work on the farm, Cass. She’ll be glad to get another woman to help out.”

Cassie shook her head in mute denial.

“You don’t think you’d like it on the farm?” Will asked, his eyes on her downcast face.

“I need to make a life of my own, Will,” she told him firmly. “I’m not going to be owing you for the rest of my life. I’m already in debt with no way of paying you back for what you’ve done for me.”

If she were a different sort of female, he’d be able to
come up with a solution to that problem in no time flat, Will thought idly, his thoughts never far from the needy condition he’d been dealing with for the past week or so. For such a mite of a girl, Cassie was about the nicest armful he’d ever managed to snuggle up against.

The campfire was small, but heat radiated from the rock wall behind her. Will’s eagle eye had spied the site from the trail, and he’d managed to get the fire built and the animals tethered in no time. The sun slid beneath the horizon quickly, and Cassie spread their blankets between the small blaze and the curving rock wall that formed a shallow cave.

“You get enough to eat?” he asked, watching her deft movements as she made a pillow of sorts from his heavy coat.

She nodded, kneeling in the glow of the fire, her eyes not quite making contact with his, her teeth touching her lower lip in concentration. She’d been antsy since sunset, Will realized. Maybe since earlier this afternoon.

“What’s wrong, Cassie?” He’d done his own share of worrying over the past few days, but now that they were settled for the night, and he’d done the best he could to make them safe and secure, he was ready to get some rest. There’d be no rest if Cassie was on edge.

“I feel like someone’s watching me.” Her mouth barely moved as she whispered the words, her hands busy with squaring up the heavy garment she planned to tuck beneath her head for the night.

“Yeah.” There was someone out there somewhere. He’d be willing to bet on it. “I’ve got my gun, Cassie, but I don’t think he’s lookin’ to have a shoot-out. He’s had a couple of days to bushwhack us if that’s what he was plannin’ to do.”

She moved her blanket back into the shelter of the rock overhang and sat on it, her eyes darting past Will to scan the darkness. The boots she’d worn all day were side by side nearer the fire, she’d tended to her business behind a cluster of trees at twilight, and now she cast one last searching look into the surrounding area.

“I’m going to try to sleep,” she announced, her jaw set as she curled on her side, reaching back to pull the blanket over her shoulder. “Why don’t you come sit on this side of the fire, Will?”

“Yeah, I reckon it’s time for me to stretch out, too,” he told her, hoisting himself to his feet. “I’ll just be a minute, Cassie. I’m not goin’ far.”

He couldn’t mistake the moment of panic that flashed across her face, the widening of her eyes as he backed from the small camp. There was no point in telling her an untruth. The watcher was very likely nearby. And yet Will had spoken the truth as he saw it. If the man meant them harm, he’d had every chance in the world to do his worst. Something about the whole situation failed to add up.

Noiselessly, each footstep measured and cautious, Will walked the perimeter of the area he’d chosen for their camp. And then, in the shadow of an oak tree, he glimpsed the silent figure who watched and waited.