Staking Their Claim (7 page)

She nodded.

“I mean it, Jenny,” he said. “If I catch you out there, I’ll haul you back here and tan your bare bottom until it’s the color of the sunset, you got it?”

She flushed and shifted from foot to foot, aware suddenly of renewed wetness between her legs.

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Now that’s more like it,” Cody said. “I like hearing you say that, Jenny. Sir. You’re a very good girl.”

She liked that he liked it, but felt a sudden stab of shame at experiencing the same shameful reaction with Cody as she’d had with Nigel.

Was this normal? She’d never lived with a man she’d been unrelated to. Perhaps it was. But she could not ask. Perhaps, she thought, this was just a normal reaction to being cared for after so long without caring.

She would put it out of her mind, she told herself. She would be a good girl, and that meant her thoughts would have to be pure as well. But as her secret place between her legs throbbed with nascent need, she wondered if that were possible.

Chapter Seven: Double the Conflict

Cody didn’t sleep much the nights leading up to Jenny’s first day alone at the cabin. It had been nearly a week since she’d arrived, and he and Nigel had switched off looking after her and teaching her how to take care of herself at the cabin while the other mined the three claims.

Cody found himself looking forward to his days with Jenny. When he was apart from her, he found his thoughts drifting farther and farther from the blond Matilda, and closer to the little blonde who now shared his cabin.

Now when he told himself that he was practically a promised man, the conviction felt hollow. And when he sat down in the evenings to write another letter to Matilda—one that would join the dozens of unanswered ones he’d already sent—he found he couldn’t even pen the first line. It seemed that every time he looked down at the paper, he’d catch a glimpse of Jenny, or catch himself studying her before he even realized he was doing it. It bothered him, but what bothered him more was the irritation he felt whenever he saw how easily she laughed with his English friend, and how she looked to Nigel more and more for approval of her drawing, or sat smiling and clapping as they recited poetry to one another.

It occurred to Cody that he’d perhaps have a closer relationship with their charge if he’d spend more time with her, and was forced to admit that his reluctance to do so stemmed from the inner conflict over an uncomfortable truth he’d yet to admit; he was attracted to her. He was attracted to his dead friend’s sister, whom he’d vowed to protect.

He’d done everything to keep himself true to Matilda—a woman he was coming to realize may already be married to someone else. The sweet promise of earning the right to her hand had been keeping him going. But now, the sound of Jenny’s tinkling laughter filled him with a new kind of hopelessness, because she was obviously favoring Nigel.

And could he blame the man? He glanced over, taking in the scene of domestic unity. Jenny sat across from his friend, pointing to a word in a book and asking Nigel to help her pronounce it. Her little feet were crossed at the ankles under the hem of the dress he’d purchased to regress her, to serve as a visual reminder that she was his ward. He realized also that even that effort had failed. If anything, seeing her like this—so womanly, yet so delightfully innocent in her childlike manner and dress—made him want her more.

He’d spanked her; he’d felt the fullness of her round bottom. Nigel had spanked her, too, and had bared that perfect bottom. When Cody had learned of this, it had taken all of his resolve not to ask the Englishman what he’d seen. Was Jenny’s bottom as round bare as it seemed clothed? Did she have a deep cleft? Had she kicked her legs enough to reveal the slit between her thighs, or its hidden charms? Had Nigel wanted to touch her?

No. He had to push the thoughts of her as a woman aside. And yet, he could not. And it wasn’t just what he’d seen, but what he’d heard. At night, he’d listened, stroking his cock under the cover as he caught the sounds of her barely suppressed moans. She was touching herself. But why? Did she even understand? Was it the proximity of two men that was awakening her? Or was it something else? He stared at Jenny and Nigel, now pondering something he didn’t want to consider. He was only with her every other day. When Nigel was alone with her, was he touching Jenny, priming her for his seduction?

The pencil in his hand snapped suddenly, and the two of them looked up.

“Strong grip there, mate?” Nigel asked with a smile.

Cody stared down at his hand, unsettled by the internal angst that had made him unwittingly break the pencil. “Must have had a weak spot,” he said.

Jenny frowned. “Now how will I write my lessons?”

Cody stood and walked over. “I’ll buy you a new pencil,” he said. “More than one, if you like.”

Jenny looked from one man to the other. “You’re too good to me, you know. Both of you. I pray every night that my claim will make us all wealthy so that you will be repaid for the trouble of taking me in.”

“It’s hardly a trouble, little Jenny,” Nigel said. “It’s a pleasure. At least for me.”

Cody felt his face grow warm with anger.

“Yes,” he said. “As our ward, it’s our job to protect you from harm. There are men out there who would take advantage of your innocent nature.” He paused. “Please know that I won’t stand for that, from any man.”

Had he intended to stare so hard at his friend? Nigel seemed to be noticing the hard look, and furrowed his brow, obviously concerned, confused, or both. Cody turned away.

“I’m going to stoke the fire one last time before bed,” Nigel said, rising from the chair and laying down the book of poetry. Cody noticed the direct glance his friend gave him before walking outside.

“Is something wrong, Cody?” Jenny asked.

“No.” Cody forced a small smile. “I just want to make sure you stay safe tomorrow. Tell me again what we’ve said.”

Jenny stood up straight and ticked off the orders like a child reciting a memorization. “No going outside unless the cabin is on fire. No answering the door for anyone. Don’t let the fire go out in the stove, but don’t overfill it. No touching the guns.”

He sighed. “Right.”

Jenny scowled then.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I just think…” she said. “Wouldn’t it be good for me to know how to use a gun?”

“I think it would,” he said. “But right now hardly anyone knows there’s a woman in this camp, and it’s better for you to stay put than for us to take you out for shooting lessons.”

“If I could shoot, I could take care of myself.” She brightened. “And maybe I could even help mine my claim.”

“No,” Cody said. “That’s no place for a little lady like you. You know how we feel about that.”

“Yes,” Jenny said. “Nigel said I’m to be protected.” She smiled. “I like how he says it. The sound of his voice…”

“Jenny,” Cody said. “Nigel hasn’t… he hasn’t…?”

“Hasn’t want?” She shook her head, confused.

“He’s been nothing other than fatherly with you, right?”

The sound of the door shutting got their attention.

“I assure you I’ve been a complete gentleman with Jenny,” Nigel said. He placed the wood in the box. “If you ever have any doubts about my character, I’ll thank you to ask me directly.” The Englishman walked over until he was standing at Cody’s shoulder. “Of course, I’d think you’d already divined my character, given that I saved your life before I even knew you.”

Cody felt an instant sting of regret as his trusted friend walked away. He turned his attention back to Jenny, whose innocent eyes now reflected her puzzlement and concern.

“Nigel is telling the truth,” she said quietly. “He’s been nothing but a gentleman. He’s taught me poetry and helped me with my reading and…”

“Of course he has.” Cody put his hands on her shoulders. “Of course he has.” He hugged Jenny to him, and felt his heart hitch when she put her slim arms around him. He could feel the swell of her breasts through her girl’s dress. He felt his cock hardening and stepped back, cursing his weakness.

Matilda.

He tried to recall her face, but it was a haze, replaced instead by the image of the young woman before him. Cody was no stranger to sex. He’d tumbled more than one willing female, but he still longed for that one special woman—that one innocent he could introduce to the mysteries of carnal pleasures. He imagined Jenny’s eyes widening in wonder as he penetrated her, the feel of her pink mouth around his cock, the taste of her sweet pussy as…

“I think you should go to bed,” he said, his voice tight now. Cody suddenly wanted her out of his sight, wanted the temptation she represented removed until he could regain his self-control and cool the lust that was threatening to strain his relationship with his friend.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No, sweetheart,” he said, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s just your first day by yourself tomorrow. I want you to get a good night’s sleep.”

“Will you tell Nigel I said ‘goodnight’?”

“Sure I will,” Cody said, and turned her toward her room, sending her off with a little swat to her pert bottom. “Go on now.”

He felt some relief as Jenny’s bedroom door shut behind her. Nigel had gone back outside, probably to cool off. Cody couldn’t blame him; he’d offended him needlessly, and was eager to smooth things over. They were a team, and he didn’t need to let a woman come between them.

Nigel was a friendly person and lacked the reserve of so many Englishmen. Cody decided he’d misinterpreted this, but he also decided something else. He had feelings for Jenny. Matilda did not care for him; she didn’t need him. Even if he did strike it rich, he’d probably go home to find her already taken. But Jenny? She needed him, and she was better than Matilda. She was perfect for him, in fact, and she was here. He could get to know her, and once an appropriate amount of time had passed, he’d propose to her.

And there was the key to solving everything. He’d tell Nigel his intentions; once his friend realized Jenny was spoken for, the line would be drawn. They’d still care for her as a child, but only until the marriage. There would be no mistake who would eventually claim her as a woman.

Outside it was cold. Cody found Nigel sitting on the stoop off the kitchen. The Englishman stood when his friend opened the door.

“I owe you an apology,” he said.

“I’d say.” The Englishman’s usual easy tone was curt. “To suggest such a thing, and in front of Jenny, no less…?”

“I’m sorry,” Cody said again, running his hand through his hair. “It’s just that… well… when she got here, I saw her as the little sister of one of my dearest friends. But now, to tell you the truth, I’m seeing her as something else.”

Lantern light from the kitchen window had cast a glow across the Englishman’s face. Nigel’s tone was as dour as his expression when he replied, “Go on…”

Cody shook his head. “I’m seeing her as a woman,” the cowboy said. “A marriageable woman. And I aim to ask her.”

“Wait!” It was one of the few times Cody had heard anger in Nigel’s voice. “What about Matilda? That’s all I’ve heard about since I met you—how you cared about her, how you wanted to be with her…”

“Yeah, and I did,” Cody replied, defensive now. “But I think it was to keep me going, Nigel. But Matilda doesn’t love me. She’s not answered a single letter.”

Nigel crossed his arms. “So now you’ve decided that if you can’t get what you want, you’ll take what you can get. Is that it?”

“No…!” Cody replied hotly, but Nigel stepped up to him. “So Jenny’s second best, is she?”

“That’s not what I’m saying at all!” Cody said, refusing to step back from where he stood toe to toe against his angry friend. “Besides, what’s it to you?”

“Has it occurred to you that I may have affection for Jenny also?” Nigel asked. “Has it occurred to you that I’ve had the same idea, and felt no reason not to develop my affections for the young lady, thinking you already besotted with another?”

It fell quiet between the two men.

“Well, that hardly matters now, does it?” Cody said. “Now that I’ve announced my intentions.”

Nigel smirked. “Of course, you were out working on the claim today. Find anything shiny out there that helped you forget Matilda?”

Cody acted before he could think, stepping back and landing his fist squarely on Nigel’s jaw. Nigel stumbled back, but recovered quickly as he leaned forward and charged, ramming his sturdy shoulder into the cowboy’s midsection and driving him against the stoop.

The two were nearly equally matched in size and strength, and by this point equally matched in anger. Cody got off another right hook before Nigel nearly broke his nose with a left jab. Cody saw stars when the Englishman slammed him against the side of the house, but forced him to step back with a shot to the gut. They fell to the ground, rolling on the cold earth as they threw curses and punches. By the time they got back on their feet, both men were breathing heavily, bloodied and realizing that nothing would be achieved by fighting other than bloodshed and more anger. Shoving one another away, each eyed the other from the window’s glow, exhausted by their efforts to best one another.

“So we obviously have a problem,” Cody said.

“I’ll say, mate.” Nigel wiped a bead of blood from the corner of his mouth.

“There’s only one thing to do, then,” Cody said. “We have to let her decide.”

“Agreed.” Nigel nodded.

“But we wait,” Cody said. “She has to have time to mourn her brother. Until then, she’s our little girl. And we both agree to treat her like that, right?” He extended his hand. The Englishman took it.

“And just so you know, I didn’t find any more today on her claim than you did yesterday. I’ve never lied to you, Nigel. I’m not about to start now.”

“Same here.”

“I suppose we’d better get to bed,” Cody said. “We have to be out by first light, anyway.”

Both men limped back in to find their beds. Cody cast a glance at Jenny’s door, glad that the confrontation with Nigel had been outside. He had no idea that behind that door, she sat crying, having heard everything.