Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails) (8 page)

“We have to leave.” He tried for a firm tone, but his voice sounded hoarse.

She tilted her head back. Tears welled in her eyes. The last time he’d kissed her, he’d made her cry.

He released her and stepped away. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry you kissed me?”

“No.” He would never be sorry for that.

“Neither am I.” She hugged her arms like she was trying to comfort herself. Was that something she’d learned as a child? She’d grown up virtually alone. He understood loneliness, even with family around, but that didn’t mean he could fill the emptiness her life, any more than she could shed light into his. They were from worlds as far apart as the sun was from the moon.

She stared off at some point over his shoulder, seemingly oblivious to the tears streaking down her cheeks.

The ache in his chest got worse. “Why are you crying?”

Her gaze shifted, meeting his with uncomfortable directness. “Why are you taking me back?”

Did he need to elaborate? “You know why. It’s not safe for you here.”

“That’s not the only reason.”

That was the only reason he was going to give her. He searched for his hat and picked it up from the ground where she’d dropped it. “We need to get moving before we run out of daylight.”

“I’m not going back to the worksite,” she announced.

He drew the reins over his horse’s neck. “We’ve been through this. I’m not taking you to the council.”

“I know. You’ve made that crystal clear.” She stomped over to a low-hanging limb and picked another peach, then stuffed it into the sack holding the rest of their food. “I want to go to Ladore.”

“Ladore?” he exclaimed. “That’s another two days’ ride.”

“Not if we catch the workers’ train.”

“We?” He circled his finger beside her head. “Has something jarred loose? Why do you think I’d get on that train with you?”

“Because it’s the quickest way to get to Ladore.”

“I don’t want to go to Ladore.”

She acted like she hadn’t heard him. “I have a room at the hotel, and I want to get fresh clothes and clean up. I’ll send a telegram to my father to meet us there. You can explain to him in person what you want.”

“Your father?” The heat had to be getting to her. “He won’t talk to me.”

“He will, if you make it worth his while. You can suggest an alternate route and since you know the council members, you can serve as a go-between for the negotiations.”

Jake’s head was spinning. “
What
negotiations?”’

“The ones where we’ll work out a compromise. One that will be satisfactory to both sides.” She spoke slowly and clearly, as if she were speaking to a half-wit. Then she turned and lifted her foot. It was a moment before he realized she wanted him to help her into the saddle, not kiss her boot.

Once they were mounted, he kicked the horse into a brisk trot. She circled her arms around his waist and smashed her breasts against his back. Did she think because she rubbed her sweet body against him he would grant her wishes?

“I’m not going to Ladore,” he rasped. God, he wanted her in the worse way, and she was using his weakness against him. 

“You’d rather go to jail?”

He flushed with anger. “Are you
threatening
me?”

“I’m negotiating.”

“It’s called blackmail. Maybe your father calls it negotiation, and that’s why you’re confused.”

“
Call it what you will. I didn't want it to come to this. If you’d just be reasonable about our idea—”

“
Our
idea? Since when did it—?”

“All you have to do is tell my father you’re sure the council will approve. Once he’s signed off, you and I can take the proposal to them. In return, I’ll make sure the railroad doesn’t come anywhere near your aunt’s farm.”

“And if I refuse, you turn me in to the sheriff for stealing?”

“No, I tell them you abducted and molested me.”

“Thunderation!” he roared. “That’s a lie.”

“No, it isn’t. You did abduct me, and you kissed me. Three times.” She waved three fingers in front of his face.

“That’s not molesting you.”

“It is in polite circles.”

Jake retreated into sullen silence. He had no one but himself to blame for mess. And if he were honest, he had to admit a part of him wanted to follow her and see where it might lead. Nothing good could come from them staying together. Except, he might be able to make up for abducting her—just a little—by helping her gain her father’s approval for her idea.

Her
idea. Not his. He wasn’t sure the council would go for it, but he’d present it. Kate was right about the courts. They could drag this out for years. He wanted an end to the feud as much, if not more, than she did. And leasing land seemed a better solution than stealing payroll.

But he wasn’t getting on that train. One of the workers might recognize him from when he and Charley had posed as tracklayers. If Kate overheard, her mind would start working and she’d start asking questions. The kind he didn’t want to answer.

He hauled on the reins, turning the horse north towards Kansas, a two-day ride at best to make it to a town he’d never intended to visit again. “All right. I’ll take you to Ladore. And after we talk to your father, I’ll go to the council. But you won’t be coming back with me.”

Chapter
6

Jake’s stallion splashed across yet another creek and water sprayed the bottom of Kate's pantalets. She heaved a sigh. Her outfit had been past saving before they’d left the farm, but she wished he would stop galloping through every mud hole just to annoy her.

The horse charged up the bank. She glued herself to Jake’s back to keep from toppling backwards.
Aggravating man.
Was he hoping she’d fall off?

She’d won a victory convincing him to accompany her to Ladore. Wasn’t her fault he was a sore loser. This wasn’t how she’d wanted to accomplish things, by dragging him in front of her father, but it was better than letting him go with no resolution in sight.

They crested the edge of a plateau where lion-colored grass bent by a persistent wind stretched for miles around. Jake had driven them hard, stopping only to catch a couple hours sleep or snatch a bite to eat. He hadn’t touched her again except to help her mount or dismount. She tried to ignore her disappointment. His disregard was for the best. She lost all reason whenever he put his hands on her.

"Are you comfortable?" The tautness of his muscles signaled he was not. Was he bothered because her breasts were pressed against his back? He should’ve thought of that before he stormed the bank.

"I'm enjoying this ride more than the one we made to your hideout."

He muttered something in Cherokee, a curse no doubt, and slowed the horse to a walk.

Kate released a ragged breath and sat back. The close contact tormented her as well, even though she’d never admit as much to the stubborn lout. He might still want her, but he didn’t like her. His mood would improve when they bid each other goodbye.

Her eyes began to sting. She adjusted the straw hat to block blinding rays coming from the west. In the distance, buildings rose out of the prairie. They were getting close to town. Once they arrived, she’d send a message to her father and arrange for their meeting. And after that Jake would leave.

Despair tore through her so strong she nearly toppled off the horse. She ventured putting her arms around Jake’s solid form. Over the past five days, he’d been her anchor in more ways than one. She didn’t want to part with their last memories being sour ones. She had to try to mend the bridge she’d burned by blackmailing him into doing her bidding.

“When we arrive I’ll arrange a room for you at the hotel.”

"I don't need a hotel.”

Would he deny her even this small gesture? "Don't worry about the cost. I can pay for it. You’ll need sleep and a good breakfast before we meet with Father.”

"Why? Will meeting him spoil my appetite for lunch?”

Confrontations with her father had ruined her meals more than once. “It might.”

“Then I’ll eat enough in the morning to last me through the day. But I can find my own lodgings.”

“There’s only one hotel in town.”

“I’ll sleep in a stall at the livery.”

She huffed in annoyance. “You’re not going to sleep in a barn.”

“Don’t count on them giving me a room.”

"Why not? Because you're an Indian?" She gave him a reassuring hug. "Don't worry. Eden won't turn you away. I’ve rented a room there and can vouch she takes in railroad workers who look a lot scarier than you."

They rode in relative silence the remainder of the journey and reached town shortly before dusk. He maneuvered past carts and wagons packing the rutted street. Ladore was growing as fast as a six-month-old puppy and looked about as awkward, with boards thrown down as makeshift sidewalks and canvas tents standing in for businesses and homes. However, the permanent structures were going up fast, if the steady crack of hammers was any indication.

Once they'd reached the hotel, Jake helped her down. His hands remained around her waist a moment longer than necessary and his eyes lingered on her face. He seemed…sad.

Kate’s heart revived. Maybe he did have tender feelings for her, and he’d realized he was going to miss her. She longed to put her arms around him, but that would spark questions neither of them were prepared to answer. She must stop ruminating on the future and focus on the present. "I’ll need to introduce you. But you never gave me your surname.”

He frowned. Was he annoyed she’d asked, or hesitant to trust her? “Colson,” he said at last.

“Colson?” Was that an alias?

The crease between his brows deepened as if he’d read her mind. “My father’s name.”

His father, the one who left, had a white man’s name. Given Jake’s cagey answers about his parentage, odds were his sire hadn’t married his mother. A thousand questions popped into Kate’s head, but she held them in. Now wasn’t the time for a discussion of his past.

She forced a cheery smile. “Mr. Colson, I’m pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Miss Parsons.” The silky drawl of his voice, so seductive, made her shiver. He brushed his thumb along the edge of her jaw. Every inch of her skin tingled as if she’d been bathed in a shower of sparks. When he dropped his hand, it was a moment before she collected her wits.

Jake gave a coin to a grubby boy and asked the child to take his horse to the livery. If she had any say in the matter, he wouldn’t be joining the stallion there.

The hotel lobby teemed with men, mostly railroad workers who'd returned to repair portions of the track. During the last hectic weeks of the race, ties and steel had been thrown down without proper grading and the bed was getting washed out. Henry could argue that speed won the race, but his shortcuts would cost them dearly in the long run.

Kate squeezed through the crowd, passing by a round table where a spray of sunflowers erupted out of a large urn. Eden always did have an eye for the dramatic. She also had sharp instincts for business. However, it was her soft heart Kate was counting on.

Harnessing a burst of nerves, she approached the registration desk.

Light from an overhead lamp reflected off a bent head piled with ebony curls, artfully arranged as always. In months past, Kate had envied Eden's beauty. Now she discovered she was proud of her bright hair and unusual eyes and even her oh-so-very average figure because Jake seemed so fond of the entire package.

Eden looked up. Surprise, then relief flashed across her face. "Kate?"

"Good evening." Kate smiled like she'd been gone for a day instead of a week. "I'm here for my key."

Eden came around the desk wearing a perplexed frown. "Where’ve you been? We were so worried. The major has been out looking for you."

Warmth centered in Kate’s chest, a strange sort of pleasure that came from knowing there were people who cared enough to be concerned. But she couldn’t invite too many questions. If her father found out Jake had broken into his railcar and abducted her, he wouldn’t negotiate with him. He’d have him locked up and throw away the key.

She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial level. "I've been down near the Cherokee capital in sensitive negotiations…" It wasn't a lie, exactly. More like an exaggeration. “I’ve brought back a delegate who’ll be meeting with my father, hopefully tomorrow.”

Eden’s eyes shifted over Kate's shoulder and her delicate brows formed a silent question.

Kate turned.

Jake stood behind her. He’d come up silent as a cat. Why hadn’t he spoken? Beneath the shadowed brim of his hat, his eyes darted back and forth as if he expected trouble. Did he still fear Eden would throw him out? 

"Mr. Colson, this is Mrs. Bradford, the owner of this hotel."

Jake whipped off his hat and dipped his chin. “Ma’am.”

Kate steamed ahead. "I hope there’s an extra room. Mr. Colson needs a place to stay tonight and a good meal."

Eden didn’t bat an eye. “I’m sure I can come up with something.” She went behind the desk and brought back a key. "Room two-twenty, just up those stairs and on the right."

“Much obliged.” Jake’s stance appeared relaxed, but the tight grip he had on his hat conveyed lingering nervousness.

Kate’s concern heightened. Something more than worrying about being thrown out of the hotel bothered him. Once they’d gotten settled, she would find out what was wrong. She brushed his arm with a light touch. "If you'd like to go on up to your room, I’m sure Eden can send dinner later.”

"Good idea. You should do that," he murmured.

Did he mean she should go to her room…or his? For the sake of her reputation, she would have to be very careful. It would also be a good idea if their arrival weren’t broadcast all over town. As he walked away, she turned to Eden. “Negotiations are at a very delicate stage. If you don’t mind, I'd rather keep Mr. Colson’s visit quiet.”

Eden's steady appraisal was a bit unnerving. “I need to let Sin know you’re back. He’ll want to talk to you.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean to cause a stir.”

"And you might run into Mr. Stevens. He’s in town.”

Unease rippled through her. She didn’t want Henry involved. He’d either mess things up or try to take over. She’d avoid him, at least until after she and Jake talked to her father. “If Mr. Stevens happens by, you can tell him I’m back, but…indisposed.”

Her request was met with a slight nod. Eden flicked a glance over Kate's shoulder in the direction Jake had gone. "He's very handsome, your escort."

“My escort?” Kate’s cheeks heated. Eden thought she and Jake were involved in an
affaire de coeur.
What should she say? What
could
she say? She’d arrived with him, alone. "Oh, you mean Mr. Colson. Yes, I…I suppose he is…handsome."

Eden arched her brows in a way that said she wasn't fooled a bit. Considering she’d owned a saloon and brothel at one time, she must have been witness to all manner of subterfuge. Thankfully, she wasn’t the type to spread ugly stories.

"I've put him in the room across from yours,” Eden said smoothly. “Shall I have your dinner brought up as well?"

Kate threw a glance over her shoulder in the direction Jake had gone. She needed to talk to him about whatever was bothering him, which meant she needed to go to his room. They might be able to have dinner together one last time.

She turned back with a smile. “That would be lovely.”

###

Jake trotted down the hall and exited through the back of the hotel. He’d debated telling Kate he’d seen Charley, but decided it was better to confront his cousin without interference. What if she panicked, or worse, got between them?

The sun had set, but the long summer day was far from over. The main street through town crawled with activity. However, there was no sign of Charley. Jake crossed the muddy street, heading in the direction of a new saloon built on the burned ruins of another.

The woman Kate had introduced, Mrs. Bradford, had once run the old saloon and a brothel above it. Jake was glad she’d married and gotten away from that life. She was a nice lady. Unlike most proprietors, she’d served Indians. He and his cousin had frequented her saloon when they’d come to town to spy on the railroad. Had she recognized him? Didn’t appear to. For most whites, one Indian looked much like another. 

Sure enough, Charley's horse was tethered outside the new watering hole.

Jake pushed open the swinging doors. Light from hanging lamps barely penetrated a thick cloud of smoke. Around tables, men were engrossed in card games or flirting with the girls. Trilling laughter mingled with an off-key melody, energetically plunked out by a man in a scarlet vest seated at a piano near the bar.

Charley sat alone in the far corner with an untouched drink in front of him. He was cleaning his nails with the tip of his hunting knife.

Tension buzzed through Jake. The best way to handle this would be to act casual and not draw undue attention. He had no idea whether any of these workers might recognize him, but he didn’t want it to appear he and Charley were together.

He stopped at the bar to pick up a drink and then meandered over, acting as if searching for an empty chair. There was one at the table
next to his cousin. There, he could talk to Charley without looking like he knew him, and keep an eye on whoever came in the door. He set his drink down, took off his hat and sat down, leaning the chair back against the wall.

"
What are you doing here?" He said in a low voice.

"Waiting for you
," Charley answered.

Jake turned his head, incredulous. Had he missed his cousin tracking him?
“Did you follow us all this way?”

“You think I’d waste my time chasing you around?” Charley
gave a soft snort, making the answer clear. “I went back to the site, made sure our tracks led nowhere. The workers were searching for the woman. Heard them say she’s the big chief’s daughter.” Charley’s head swiveled and he pinned Jake with an accusing glare. “I figured you’d bring her back here, so I’ve been waiting.”

Jake’s skin prickled in warning. “What do you want?”

Charley laid his knife on the table. His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "I want the money you said we’d get when we snatched her.”

“You know that’s not possible
. It’s over. Let it go."