Devils on Horseback: Gideon, Book 5 (12 page)

“It’s beautiful.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“It’s yours.” Daisy handed it to her. “I never thought I’d sell it, and I know Beatrice would be glad someone would get use out of it.”

“I can’t take this without paying for it.” Chloe rubbed her cheek on the leather, breathing in its rich scent.

“You’ll pay for everything else, so we’ll just call this one a gift for a weary traveler.” Daisy smiled. “Now let’s get you a blouse to wear, a couple dresses, stockings and some boots. Then we’ll work on supplies for your trail ride.”

Chloe hadn’t met anyone like Daisy before, but she liked her. She was honest, nice and respectful, didn’t treat her as if she was lower than dirt, like some folks did. Whether it was due to the promise of Gideon’s money or the woman’s innate goodness, Chloe wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

* * * * *

After a brief conversation and a wire to Tanger, the banker gave Gideon a letter of credit to use with the merchants in town as well as one hundred dollars cash. He’d had only ten dollars of travel money, and he’d needed a lot more to get what they needed. Besides, he’d already decided to give the Ruskins money for the rest of their journey. It was the first step in not feeling helpless anymore. After he sent a wire to Nate to let him know he wasn’t coming, he sent another to Zeke. Having a sheriff as a cousin had its advantages.

“Anything else I can help you with?” Joseph Newton had stayed with him the entire time it took to get everything done. They were walking back toward the mercantile.

“I have a wagon we found abandoned in the woods. It looks like a peddler’s wagon, but it’s in rough shape, smells like an outhouse in the sun.” Lying to the folks who were helping him didn’t sit well, but he couldn’t very well tell the man he’d stolen it. Gideon stopped and tipped his hat back. “I don’t know what to do with it, but I thought maybe I could trade it to the livery for a couple horses.”

“Let’s go see if Frank is there. He owns the livery here in Westville and has a few horses he keeps for renting to folks.” Once again, the shopkeeper proved to be invaluable.

Frank was an older German man with a thick accent, big arms and an even bigger chest. He was soft-spoken but eyed Gideon with great consideration after the offer of the wagon. Joseph was there to vouch for him as well.

“I saw it there and wondered. I’ve seen it before.” The blond giant stared hard at Gideon. “It belong to a hag who smell bad. She cheated me when she sold me tools last year.”

Gideon took a breath. “It still smells like her.”

Frank laughed. “Then I chop it up and burn it. Her nags will be good for ladies and the
kinder
to ride. Nice and slow.”

Gideon suspected Frank didn’t believe his story about finding the wagon, but Lady Luck had shined down on him. The hag had cheated one too many people.

“I appreciate the trade. There’s a few quilts in the back with supplies that belong to us. I need to keep those, if you don’t mind. I’ll pay for saddles and full tack.”

“Of course you will. I have good quality.” Frank led him and Joseph to the corral to look at the horses.

Gideon found two bays that were perfect for them. One mare and one gelding, both young and healthy. The three of them chatted as Gideon inspected the tack. It was good quality, but he took his time examining each piece. He needed information.

“Two men took our wagon a couple days ago.” He looked up at Frank and Joseph. “They took my wife’s little sisters and grandmother too.” He let that information sink in. “I think they were headed this way, near as we can tell. It’s a big wagon with a canvas on it, raised up about four feet with a frame under it to let folks ride in the back. They probably left the girls and Granny with one of them, and the other would have ridden in for supplies.” He watched both men carefully for any reaction. “Besides me and Chloe, have there been any strangers through here in the last day?”

Joseph shook his head. “They haven’t stopped at the store.”

Frank stroked his beard. “There was a man came in early this morning with a broken cinch strap. I repair it for him.”

“What did he look like?” Gideon was in the dark about who he was dealing with. Hell, he didn’t even know what their hair color was, how big they were or even their ages.

“Young man, a few years younger than you. He wore a hat, but what he had of a beard was light brown, pockmark scars on his face. Not as big as you, Mr. Blackwood, perhaps Joseph’s size.” Frank was clear about the details, and Gideon knew it was all true.

“Did he have an accent? Speak with a lisp or something like that?”

“Nothing like that. He sound like he’s from anywhere.”

“Did you see what direction he rode off in?” Gideon wanted to throw his fist in the air in triumph. This was the first sighting of one of the men he figured had taken the Ruskins.

“Southwest, out the end of town toward the river. It’s about ten miles outside town.” Frank narrowed his eyes. “You talk like a man of the law.”

That made Gideon smile. “Former soldier is more like it. My cousin is the sheriff at home, and I’m afraid I fall into old habits.”

“Good habits, I’m thinking.” Frank gestured toward the south end of the street. “You should talk to sheriff here and get help.”

“I will. Thank you for everything, Frank.” He put his hands on two saddles. “I’ll take both of these, with blankets. My wife is small, and we’ll need to adjust the stirrups for her.”

“She’s about Daisy’s size,” Joseph added.

“I can get it all ready for you, Mr. Blackwood. Come back in thirty minutes.”

Gideon thanked the man before he walked out with Joseph. “Where is the sheriff’s office?”

“Will Cannon is the sheriff. He keeps the office at his house, the big white one at the end there.” Joseph pointed down the street. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Gideon shook his head. “No need. I’ll take care of this part myself. Please tell my wife I’ll be there in a few minutes and that we leave in thirty.”

After the shopkeeper went back toward the mercantile, Gideon headed off to speak to the sheriff.

* * * * *

Chloe could have wept for the softness of the garments she now wore. Everything was comfortable and fit her as if someone had made them specially them for her. It was astonishing what the simple act of putting on new clothes did to her.

She felt like a woman.

Daisy smiled, her cheeks dimpling as she walked around Chloe. “You look lovely, Mrs. Blackwood.” She turned to her husband, who was behind the counter tallying the items piled high in front of them. “Doesn’t she, Joseph?”

“Almost as pretty as you.” Joseph winked at his wife. “Your husband is going to be pleased as punch to see how you look, Mrs. Blackwood.”

“Please call me Chloe. I don’t think I’ll ever answer to someone calling me missus.”

“You said you haven’t been married long?” Daisy’s question made Chloe freeze in mid-motion. “I know it took me at least a year to get used to being called a missus myself.”

“No, not long. Before we left Virginia, Gideon and I got hitched.”

“Starting a new life in Texas?” Daisy’s eyes were full of compassion as she took Chloe’s hands.

It was odd to be holding hands with a stranger, but at the same time, it felt right. Chloe decided being with Gideon had scrambled her brain.

“Yes, something like that.” She swallowed back the lump of emotion that appeared in her throat. Chloe could not afford to be weak, especially in front of this nice lady.

The door to the mercantile opened, and the tinkling of the bell sent a shiver down Chloe’s spine.

“There you are, Mr. Blackwood. I was just telling your wife how lovely she looks.” Daisy moved out of the way, leaving Chloe directly in Gideon’s line of sight.

He stared at her, his blue eyes drinking her in, up and down, and again, until she thought she’d have to kick him. Gideon walked toward her, then circled her as he continued to stare.

“Much better than the burlap one.”

She would kick him.

He picked her up, his arms holding her tight against his firm body. Leaning in until their noses touched, he spoke softly so only she could hear. “You’re exquisite. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

His heart thumped against hers, and she knew he was telling her the truth. That silly lump decided to come back to her throat for a second time. This time it wasn’t because of sadness.

“Let me down, you big oaf.” She swatted at his shoulder, trying to regain control of the emotions running rampant through her.

He kissed her hard, twice, then set her on her feet. The grin he turned on the Newtons was nothing short of blinding.

“She looks perfect, Mrs. Newton. Now all she needs is a hat.”

“I have a hat.”

“She needs a hat that doesn’t look like a cow turd.” Gideon tipped his hat to Daisy. “Pardon my crude language.”

Daisy giggled. “No need to apologize. I’ve seen the hat.” She turned toward Chloe. “We already picked out a new one.”

He picked up the chocolate brown hat that was sitting by the pile of supplies. After a brief examination he plopped it on her head.

He blew out a breath. “Now I’m in trouble.”

This time when Chloe smiled, it was one of genuine happiness. Gideon’s words, his gestures, his reactions, were gifts she never expected to receive in her lifetime. She
felt
beautiful and special, much more than she ever had before.

“The horses should be almost ready. Let’s pack up the supplies and get going.”

“You’re not going to spend the night in town?” Joseph frowned. “It’s almost dark.”

Gideon glanced at her for approval, which made her feel ten feet tall. She nodded, pleased to see he considered her opinion before speaking.

“We need to keep going.” Gideon shook the man’s hand. “Thank you for everything, Joseph. I won’t forget it.”

Before Chloe knew what was happening, Daisy enfolded her in a hug. “Good luck, Chloe.”

Gideon paid an astonishing amount of money for their supplies, more than she’d ever seen. She kept her surprise and her protests to herself though. Now wasn’t the time to be taking him to task for overspending.

Within a few minutes, they headed toward the livery with their supplies packed neatly into small packages to fit into the saddlebags. A big blond giant with a beard greeted them, shaking hands with Gideon. Had he made friends with the entire town?

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Blackwood.”

Chloe managed to smile at him, although she had never been this friendly with strangers in her life. Thank goodness they were heading out of town.

“The horses are ready. I put your packs on the back of each.” Frank led them into the barn where the cool darkness took a few minutes to get used to. “Here is your horse. Her name is Lightning. The other is called Thunder. They had the same dam, but Thunder is two years older.”

She was surprised to see a small mare saddled and waiting. Chloe had spent most of her time in the saddle on mules or packhorses, never on a beautiful horse like this. It was a day of new experiences and possibly new friends. She petted the horse’s velvety neck and was rewarded with a snuffle to her belly.

“I think she likes you,” Gideon teased as he loaded their supplies into the saddlebags. “Can’t say as I blame her.”

Chloe whispered in the horse’s ear. “You ride like you’re named, all right, girl? Help me find my family.”

The horse’s ears twitched as if she understood. Gideon put a mounting block beside the horse and motioned her to mount.

“Ready?”

“Let’s go find those bastards.” She ignored the livery owner’s chuckle and focused on Gideon’s tight smile.

“That’s my girl.” He made sure she got up into the saddle before he mounted his horse. Chloe was not surprised by his grace or agility. The man could do anything.

Maybe, just maybe, with him at her side, she could do anything too.

Chapter Seven

The rest of the evening passed quickly. They were both full of renewed energy, and riding a pair of good horses alleviated the feelings of helplessness. In fact, he felt better than he had in a long time, more alive. Much of it had to do with the woman at his side. Chloe had done her best to drag him into her world, voluntarily or not, and he was finally recognizing it was where he was supposed to be.

“It’s almost dark.”

“Even though I have more hair than a head should, I can actually see through it.” Her sarcasm had grown sharper as the day wore on.

“If it’s dark, they can’t drive the wagon either.”

“I know that.” She sounded frustrated.

“We’ve made good time today, made up some ground. We’ll start early and make up even more.” Gideon hardened his voice. “We won’t do them any good if we run into a gopher hole and cripple one of these fine horses.”

She didn’t look at him, but he saw her swallow. “I know. I just wish, it’s silly, but I wish we could see them, know that we’re getting closer. I wish…” She pointed ahead. “I see something, Gid.”

It was the third time she’d used a shortened version of his name. Hearing it from her lips was an unexpected gift, one that made his heart thump, one he wanted to hear again and again.

Chloe had an excellent seat on a horse, and she raced ahead on Lightning as if they were one being. She slid off the saddle with an ease he’d not seen from a woman before and dropped to her knees.

“Is it a ribbon?”

She held up another scrap of blue with a triumphant smile. “Yes! Martha, you clever little critter!”

Gideon smiled at Chloe. “That she is.”

“We’re getting closer, aren’t we?” She got to her feet.

“Yes, we are. I need to tell you what I learned in town today. Let’s make camp here. No doubt there is a good spot for a campfire, and I hear running water.” He took both horses’ reins.

She held the ribbon to her heart for a moment before she answered. “I don’t want to, but I will because I know we need to.”

Gideon could respect that, and he was powerful glad he didn’t have to argue with her about when and where to stop. If he were honest with himself, he might have kept going through the night if he had been chasing his family’s kidnappers. However, he had spent many nights on a horse and knew how to ride in the darkness with only the moon for a guide. Chloe had obviously spent a lot of time on a horse, but she likely hadn’t ridden at night before. It could be more than dangerous for someone with no experience.

They set up camp as though they’d done it a hundred times instead of twice. Chloe built the fire while Gideon took care of the horses. He refilled the new large canteens they’d purchased in town in the small stream he found nearby. By the time he came back, she had coffee burbling on the fire and was using her knife to open a can of peaches.

“Don’t take your thumb off with that thing. I don’t feel like carrying you back to that town.” He set the canteens down and then sat on the ground across from her.

“I can outshoot, outhunt, outskin and outcook any man alive.” She speared him with a hard look. “You have no faith in me, Gideon Blackwood.”

He stared at her, trying to see into her soul and find out what made her prickly. “I was joking with you, Chloe. You get your back up too easily.”

“Joking?” Her mouth fell open. “What does that mean?”

“When people are friends, they joke with each other.” He had no idea what her home life had been like growing up, just that it was hard and apparently left no room for fun.

“Are we friends?” Her voice had dropped, low and unsure.

His heart clenched at the life she must’ve led, since she didn’t know how to laugh, how to be silly. He couldn’t help but move over beside her. He took her hand and kissed the back of it, her skin warm against his lips.

“We will always be friends. No matter what.”

She looked down at their joined hands. “I would like that.”

Gideon told himself to stop kissing her hand, to go back to the other side of the fire, but damn if he ignored himself. Instead he settled next to her, a comfortable spot to be. They ate the peaches, some crackers and jerky, washing it all down with hot coffee.

When it came time to sleep, they crawled into a bedroll together. As they shared their body heat, the space beneath the blanket grew warmer, their breath white puffs in the cool night air. It was a form of torture he’d never thought to endure. Then again, there were a lot of things he hadn’t considered until he met Chloe.

“Why don’t you touch me no more?” Her soft question made him stop thinking of just how hard his dick was.

“What?”

She shifted her behind and it brushed against him, eliciting a small groan from deep in his throat.

“Like we did in the wagon and, um, on the wagon seat.” She was silent for a moment. “Did I do a bad job? I don’t have much experience, but it felt pretty good to me.”

Gideon half-choked on the laugh that threatened. “Pretty good? Hell, Chloe, I spend my days trying not to think about how good it was.”

The crickets sang around them as his cock thrummed in time with his heart.

“Oh. Well then, why don’t we do it again?” She rolled over and looked at him in the meager light.

Gideon told himself they weren’t married.

She wasn’t a virgin before I met her
.

Gideon told himself they were chasing dangerous people.

They have no idea they’re being chased
.

Gideon told himself there were a million other reasons to not touch her.

Can’t even think of one
.

He knew he shouldn’t touch her, but it was damn hard, in more ways than one, not to.

“We shouldn’t.” His voice was tighter than a fiddle string.

“Why not?”

“Lots of reasons.”

She chuckled, her breath caressing his face. “You sound like Granny when she can’t think of a good reason to say no.” Chloe shifted closer until her breasts pillowed against his chest and her lips were inches from his. “I can think of one good reason to say yes.”

Gideon shook with the force of his restraint. He inhaled, breathing her scent into his body, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. As soon as her lips touched his, there would be no more holding back.

“What reason is that?”

“Because I think I lo—”

His mouth came down on hers, cutting off her confession he was not ready to hear or accept. Her body, however, he was ready to accept and pleasure.

The dark, warm recesses of her mouth welcomed him, as her tongue danced and rasped against his. Her raised body heat and ragged breath told him she was as affected as he was. Gideon was embarrassed to notice he trembled when he touched her. After such a short time together, he was hopelessly tangled in her web with no escape in sight.

Her small hands crept down his arms, lightly squeezing as she went until he chuckled against her teeth.

“What are you doing?”

She bit at his lip. “Don’t you dare make fun of me. I just like the way you feel. All hard and the like.”

“More than you know, little one.” He pressed his aching erection against her.

She sucked in a breath, which then hissed out from between her teeth. “Tell me that’s not just a stick in your trousers, or I’m going to be real disappointed.”

Gideon barked a laugh at her sassiness. “No, it’s not just a stick.” He kissed his way across her cheek, then nibbled on her earlobe. When he blew into her ear, she trembled against him.

“Good, because I’m feeling mighty ready to be close to you again, Gid.” Her voice was rich with passion, something she had in abundance. Being intimate with him obviously brought it out in force.

Thank God.

He’d been with women before, but none as responsive or passionate as Chloe. She turned to melted butter in his arms, so soft and warm. Her nipples poked into his chest, hard and wanting. He had to have more.

Although he loved seeing her in her new clothes, he wanted to see her out of them now. He unbuttoned the shirt, kissing the exposed skin as he went. She smelled wonderful, like woman, sunshine and arousal. The perfect combination.

Her nipples were already pebbled, begging for his mouth. As soon as he pulled one into his mouth, her nails dug into his shoulders and she let loose a little moan. His dick must’ve grown another inch.

“That feels good, but I want more.” Her hand crept around and she squeezed him. “Like this right here hiding in your drawers.”

He bit her nipple even as her touch made him shudder. She sucked in another breath and squeezed him again. If she kept that up, he’d be done before he even got the damn drawers off. To save his dignity and please his lady, he shucked his clothes quickly, and then they were skin to skin.

He groaned as she spread her legs and his dick came in contact with the crisp hairs on her pussy. Gideon gritted his teeth to keep from coming all over her. When had he lost all self-control? Likely from the moment he’d touched Chloe Ruskin, or maybe even when he’d first laid eyes on her.

As he slid into her welcoming warmth, one thought ran through his head—she was made for him. They simply fit together. She closed around him. Her tightness mixed with the moisture from her arousal was a heady combination.

He kept his strokes slow at first, enjoying the gentle slide of their bodies. She pulled at his back, urging him to go faster, but he held back. Gideon wanted this to be something other than fumbling in the dark or a quick fuck on a wagon seat. He wanted to make love to her.

Heat radiated out from their joining, sapping all coherent thought. She scratched at him again, and he sped up his pace. They had all night to make love. Perhaps now they needed a release to celebrate their success, or something like that. It gave his cock permission to take over anyway.

Soon he was plunging in and out of her, each stroke bringing him closer and closer to release. She moaned and thrust back against him, her face a mixture of passion and wonder. He watched her beautiful eyes as her release hit. Her pupils widened until her eyes looked almost black, closing to half-mast as her mouth opened in a silent shout.

“Gideon!” She whispered his name as she found her pleasure. The very sound of it pushed him over the edge.

He slammed into her pussy, faster and faster as his orgasm started somewhere near his toes, traveling through him like a lightning bolt. By the time it landed between his legs, he was blind and deaf with ecstasy. Her pussy walls closed around his staff, milking him as he spilled his seed into her.

Gideon collapsed beside her, trying not to squash her with his bulk. She took his hand in hers and interlaced their fingers. Without a word, she told him so much.

Truthfully, he was scared sex with any other woman would never give him the amazing, exquisite experience he’d just had. He was already in love with her and knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. How he’d accomplish that remained to be seen.

* * * * *

Chloe was up early, peeling herself out of the bed she had shared, for the second time, with Gideon. She had no one to blame but herself. After all, she practically invited him to be with her again. It wasn’t her fault entirely—he had shown her such great pleasure, her body craved more of it. She’d never thought herself a hussy, but it took the right man to make it come to the surface.

As she pulled on the new clothes, she remembered his reaction when he saw her dressed in them. It had been such an indulgence to buy them. She’d never spent twenty dollars on anything in her life, much less clothes bought in a store. Gideon hadn’t batted an eye at the cost. He just handed over money as if it were leaves on a tree.

Walking back to camp from the stream with her new finery on, nervous energy fluttered through her. The entire outfit was like a dream, something unreal although she could touch it and feel it. It probably wasn’t an uncommon thing for Gideon, and she didn’t want to look like a fool if she kept touching her clothes. Instead she put them on as though they weren’t the most beautiful things she had owned. She had coffee started while he silently cleaned up their bed. Chloe was embarrassed enough to be unable to glance at her lover.

Lover
.

The word sounded naughty, and yet it was accurate. He was her lover, nothing more, nothing less. She wasn’t going to fool herself into thinking he wanted more. After all, he’d stopped her confession of love last night, thank God. She almost made a complete ass of herself, and instead made a complete hussy of herself. Neither one was something to be proud of, but at least being a hussy was familiar.

The sun painted the sky pink as they ate a silent breakfast. She shifted on the rock several times until he finally looked up at her. His gaze went down her body then back up again. In the paltry light, she couldn’t quite see his expression.

“That’s all you bought yesterday.”

She wasn’t sure if it was a question. “No, I bought two dresses, boots, a hat and underthings. You ordered, I obeyed.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to grab them back and throw them in the fire.

He looked down into his coffee. “You’re very prickly.”

“I know.” Her breath came out on a sigh. “I don’t mean to be, it’s just, I can’t seem to stop it.” God knew Granny had tried for years to soften Chloe’s rough edges. She hadn’t been very successful.

“You look nice.” His simple compliment gave her goose bumps.

“I do?” She touched the riding skirt with her fingertips, still surprised by how velvety it was.

“Yes, you do.” He looked up at her, and she swore there were sparks shooting from his blue eyes. “I knew there was a beautiful woman underneath that ugly dress.”

She swallowed, her mouth as dry as dirt. “Beautiful?” No one, not even Granny, had ever told her she was beautiful, and the mirror didn’t tell her any different.

“Is that hard for you to believe?”

“Yes.” She picked at a piece of moss on the rock. “I know I ain’t beautiful.”

He scooted over until he sat beside her. She resisted the urge to blush or hide her face, although it was damn hard. He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing across her skin.