Texas Mail Order Bride (18 page)

“I can't stand it,” Jenny murmured. “What's happening?”

“It's hard to tell, but I think we're winning.”

“Mr. Cooper will whup 'em,” Ben said confidently, bumping her elbow as he crowded close to look out. “He will. You'll see.”

“I'm praying for that,” Delta said. “Keep your head below the window in case of shooting.”

“This is too dangerous, son.” Jenny took his arm. “We'd better go back upstairs.”

“Aw, Mama. Why do you always treat me like a baby?”

“I don't mean to, Ben. I just want to keep you safe.”

Then a gunshot rang out and Jenny didn't have to prod Ben toward the stairs. Delta watched them both disappear from view. She turned back toward the window, praying she wouldn't see Cooper lying in a pool of blood.

Thankfully, he was on his feet and tying up the attacker he'd fought with. The man's black hood lay on the ground like a dead vulture. She had to get to Cooper. She had to hug him and feel his rippling muscles beneath her fingers. But she stopped short when she remembered how little she wore. Besides, he'd only get mad if she didn't stay put as he'd ordered.

Worried about Rand and Brett, she didn't rest until her searching gaze located them. They both appeared to be uninjured. Relief made her knees weak. The fight seemed to be over. At least for now.

Maybe the hooded attackers had decided they couldn't win this war they'd brought to Cooper's doorstep.

But why had they come? Why single out Cooper? She wished she knew the answers.

Closing her eyes, she put her fingers to her lips, remembering the firmness of his mouth. Her hand moved down to her breasts, feeling, savoring. Delta didn't know why her skin tingled so, why his touch left her craving more.

What was this maddening attraction between Cooper and her? The sweet agony flowing beneath her skin was foreign to her. She only knew she had to have more or surely die from want.

A delicious yearning for something she couldn't define swept through her. She only knew when she found it, she'd then be complete.

Cooper grabbed his captive and shoved him onto the porch steps. “I want some answers.”

“There's a mighty big difference between wantin' and gettin',” the man sneered.

“Oh, you'll tell me what I want to know, all right. The only thing left to determine is how many strips of your hide I'll have to yank off before your tongue starts working.” He picked up the black hood and the interloper's rifle. “What's your name?”

“Pete. Turn me over to the sheriff.”

“In case you haven't noticed, you're in no position to give orders.” Cooper pitched Pete's rifle out of reach and drew out a long knife from a leather sheath at his waist. “Now, where would you like me start? The chest or the back?”

Pete's eyes widened and he swallowed hard.

“Since you don't seem to care, I think I'll take the first strip off your chest. My brother Brett is an Indian and he taught me how. The trick is to get the tip of the knife just under the skin right above the muscle.” Cooper grabbed Pete's shirt. “You might want to close your eyes and grit your teeth. It's a little messy. Want to bite down on something?”

“Ain't no call to do this. What'dya want to know?”

“You work for Tolbert Early?”

“Yep, and he's gonna kill you, Thorne.”

“Maybe so. Then again, maybe I'll send him to hell first. Where is he holed up?” Cooper growled.

“He don't stay nowhere more than a night. Likes to keep movin'.”

“Where did you sleep last?” When Pete hesitated, Cooper laid the knife on the man's cheek.

“All right. Don't cut me. Bedded down in an abandoned house over Spring Hill way.” Before Pete finished spilling his guts, he told how Early had hired him and the others to bring sick cows from a ranch farther down the valley and put them on Cooper's land. Seemed Early wanted to deal utter devastation before the man killed him. At least one mystery solved.

“Where were you supposed to meet up after the raid tonight? Think about your answer very carefully.”

“Early said to meet him at Fire Creek.”

Just a mile away. With luck, they might catch them there.

“Here's what you're going to do. You're gonna draw me a map of every one of the places you holed up.”

“And then you'll let me go?” Pete looked up hopefully.

“Nope. But I will let you live.”

Rand, Brett, and Zeke O'Grady rode up with Sheriff Strayhorn. Blood soaked Zeke's shoulder.

“Looks like you caught one of 'em,” Rand said, dismounting.

“Got lucky,” Cooper answered. “Take charge of Pete here.”

Satisfied that Rand wouldn't let the prisoner escape, Cooper returned his knife to its sheath and hurried to help Zeke from the saddle. “How bad you hurt?”

“Aw, ain't nothin' to make a fuss over. Just a little blood is all. I've seen a lot worse pain getting a bee sting.” Zeke tried to shoo him away as though Cooper were a pesky fly.

Delta stepped out onto the porch. She'd exchanged his shirt for her prim and proper dress. His breath caught at the sight of her, and memories of their kisses in the moonlight flooded back. A lady like her deserved more than a few stolen moments. He owed her far more than what he could ever give her. That stark reality didn't do anything to stop the wanting that wound around his heart like a determined trumpet vine.

“What can I do to help?” she asked. “I see you're bleeding, Mr. O'Grady. Come into the house and I'll tend your wound.”

“That's awful kind, little missy. But I don't wanna be no trouble. Ain't nothin' but a scratch.”

“Get on in the house and let her fix you up, you old cantankerous mule,” Cooper said. “Rand and Brett will help me decide what to do with this weasel.”

“You too, Cooper Thorne,” Delta insisted. “Don't think I can't see you're bleeding.”

“Don't have time for that right now. Besides, it's nothing.”

The pretty lady gave a soft huff of frustration. When she and her patient disappeared inside, Cooper asked Brett to get paper and pencil from the house. “Pete here is about to draw us a map of where we might find the den of snakes.”

“What are we gonna do with him?” Brett asked.

“I'll take custody of the prisoner,” Sheriff Strayhorn spoke up gruffly. “Mind if I put him in your smokehouse for the remainder of the night? It's the most secure place for now.”

“It's yours for the using.”

Brett went inside the house for the paper and pencil, returning a few minutes later.

After Pete, much against his will, drew them a map, Cooper jerked him to his feet. “Once we get him settled, we'll see if we can find and root out Tolbert and his gang.”

“I do like your thinking,” Sheriff Strayhorn said.

“Take the war to Early instead of waiting around for him to come back,” Rand threw in.

“If he's anywhere around here, we'll find him.” Brett's words were softly spoken, but left no doubt that they would succeed before it was all over and done with.

Cooper nodded. There'd be no hiding and waiting. From now on, they'd comb every last inch of Navarro County. Evil would not win over three brothers who were united and an aging sheriff who was as tough as an iron jenny.

Stepping inside the house, Cooper looked for Delta. He found her bandaging Zeke's shoulder. Though she'd not gotten any sleep, she gave him a smile.

“The bullet passed through without causing much damage. He'll be fine,” she announced.

“That's good.”

Zeke jerked his shirt back on. “Could've told you so. But you wouldn't take my word for it. I got sense enough to know when I need fussing over.” The old ranch hand definitely had his nose out of joint.

Cooper sighed. “There's no harm in getting looked after.”

“Jus' don't need mollycoddling.” He squinted up at Cooper. “Where you boys headed? What's blowing in the wind?”

“The guy I caught said he was supposed to meet up with Early at Fire Creek. He also drew us a map of all the places they'd hidden out. We're going to try to find the gang.”

Zeke grabbed his hat. “I'm coming.”

“Now, Zeke, I need someone to guard the prisoner and protect the women. I'd take it as a big favor if you'd do that for me.”

“I ain't liking it, but I'll do it.” Zeke jammed his hat on and stomped outside.

Cooper took Delta's hand. “I only have a minute, but I wanted to thank you for those moments on the porch. When I rid this country of Early, you and me have things to talk about.”

“Please don't say you regret—”

“Shhh.” He laid his fingers on her lips. “I regret many things, but kissing you is not one of them. My life is uncertain and…complicated. I can't offer you the things you want.”

Removing his fingers from her lips, he kissed her. This time it was hard and full of need. God help him, he couldn't get enough of her. He buried his hands in her glorious silky hair.

Finally letting her go, he silently cursed himself for always taking but never giving.

He wished…

“Stay away from the smokehouse. Zeke and the boys will keep you safe. I don't know when I'll be back.”

“When you return, I'll be here. I'll wait however long it takes,” Delta whispered.

The quiet promise unraveled what was left of his tightly wound composure. She meant a lot more than this present situation, and he cursed himself.

Rising on tiptoe, she placed her lips on his. “Be careful.”

Unable to answer, Cooper nodded and went to join Brett and Rand without looking back. For if he did, he'd never leave her.

***

Delta put her hands over her swollen lips to stifle a sob. Paralyzing fear at the thought of losing him spread through her chest. It didn't help any to realize he was the kind of man who would always ride headlong into danger with no fear for his own mortality. She'd simply have to get used to it if he was to be in her life.

Turning, she saw Jenny standing at the foot of the stairs. She'd apparently seen everything. Jenny crossed the room and put her arms around Delta. “It helps to cry,” she said softly.

“I'm so frightened for him. What if this Tolbert Early kills him?”

Jenny smoothed Delta's hair. “Get that thought out of your head right now. Cooper is too smart and too tough to let that happen. Besides, he has Rand and Brett to help him. They're pretty amazing men. And there's none better than Strayhorn.”

“Why does this man want to harm Cooper? If you know, I'd sure like for you to tell me.”

“I'm not sure. Although, I gather from tidbits here and there that it's something that occurred a long time ago, before they came to Battle Creek. Those brothers don't talk about their past much.”

She and Cooper had that much in common, it appeared. The only thing a past seemed to be good for was dragging a person down, threatening to destroy whatever scrap of happiness they found. Often, in the dead of night, Delta was jarred from a deep sleep struggling to breathe. It felt as though hands squeezed tightly around her throat, holding her underwater. She wondered if Cooper ever experienced that. Maybe one day she'd ask him—that is, if she ever felt comfortable enough to discuss such things. However, it was about as likely as roping the moon, seeing as how tight-lipped he was talking about his feelings.

“I wonder what happened to them.”

“Only they and the dear Lord know.” Jenny pulled Delta toward the stairs. “Let's get some sleep, now that the excitement is over. It's still a while before dawn.”

Delta followed her but not to bed. She gazed out over the ranch from the window in the bedroom. Cooper had insisted she sleep in his room. It had felt strange at first. Now it was the only place she wanted to be.

She turned away from the window to take in Cooper's furnishings. The huge four-poster bed swallowed her. It had surely been built for a man of his size. The old quilt covering it gave the room a homey feel. A large braided rug covered the wood floor. A tall chest that had seen better days, a bedside table, and a washstand completed her inventory. She could see Cooper here. It fit him.

Keeping her dress on in case of trouble, she lay down on top of the quilt. Cooper's shirt that she'd worn until the raiders came caught her attention. Grabbing it, she inhaled his fragrance, which still clung to the fabric.

The heat of a thousand fires burned inside, threatening to consume her mind, body, and soul.

Closing her eyes, she remembered every detail of their time together on the porch. The stubble on his jaw. The rumble in his throat and chest right before he kissed her. And the way he'd boldly touched her bare skin had seemed the most natural thing in the world.

Maybe that was the way it should be between two people who needed each other more than they needed to breathe.

Delta suspected what he wanted to discuss with her. He'd most likely warn her again that he wasn't the marrying kind and that he'd dedicated his life to remaining single.

But that didn't matter to her. God help her, she'd take him any way she could get him.

Even if he wasn't perfect.

Even if he made her mad enough to spit sometimes.

Even if he never married her.

Cooper Thorne could be the most maddening, most stubborn, most kissable man who ever lived.

And he'd turned her world upside down.

God help her, she loved him, and that was a fact.

Cooper and his three-man posse rode hell-for-leather through the darkness of a heavy downpour. He prayed they'd catch Early at Fire Creek.

But if they missed him?

Even though Texas was large, it wasn't big enough to hide his mangy rear.

Somehow, someway, good would triumph over evil. It had to.

But when they arrived at the creek, they found nothing but a smoldering campfire and a chorus of frogs and katydids.

Brett dismounted for a closer look. “They haven't been gone long. Maybe ten minutes. Near as I can tell, it looks like about eight or nine of them. Rain has washed away a lot of tracks, though. Be hard to pick up a trail. Where to next?”

“We'll check out every place Pete marked on the map,” Cooper said, unfolding the paper. “Maybe they'll go back to one of their old hideouts. Anyone who needs to head back to town, go ahead. Sheriff?”

“I'm in this thing for the duration,” Strayhorn growled. “Time to rid ourselves of this riffraff. No one's safe.”

Rand straightened in the saddle. “Count me in.”

“And me,” Brett said, mounting up.

“Then let's ride.”

***

High on the bluff that overlooked Fire Creek, Tolbert Early hunched in the cold rain, watching the scene below through narrowed eyes. Misery went all the way to the bone, making him more determined than ever.

His leg throbbed where they'd shot him. He glanced down at the bandanna tied to stanch the flow of blood. He'd dug the bullet out but had left a bloody mess. The makeshift bandage was now grimy and soaked.

Leading his horse to an overhang out of the downpour, he removed the saddle and dried the faithful animal as best he could. He'd have given anything for a sack of grain. But at least there was plenty of grass. With the horse cared for, he turned his attention to the men in his crosshairs.

How he itched to show them that they wouldn't get away with what they'd done. It might take a while, but he'd hunt each of them down and he would find revenge.

He'd show Cooper Thorne what it felt like to be shot and lose the ability to perform.

He'd make Cooper know the living hell of being unable to find pleasure even though desire coursed through his body every waking minute and kept him awake at night.

He'd get satisfaction each time he pulled the trigger. This living hell would belong to the three brothers.

Soon Cooper Thorne and Rand Sinclair would know what it was like to yearn for release and never find it.

This would be their punishment.

An eye for an eye.

How he'd laugh when they begged. But he had something else in mind for Brett Liberty. That one would be the best of all. The boy had stolen his prized gold watch. No one stole from Tolbert Early. Laughter rose from the depths of despair. A bunch of scraggly orphans would finally get what was coming to them.

Seeing that Pete hadn't returned and the fact Thorne and the rest had ridden to Fire Creek meant they'd captured his recruit. Pete always did have loose lips. Good riddance. It was better this way.

Now, he could work without nagging worry.

And when he was done, he'd be able to sleep again.

***

Riding hard and fast, Cooper, his brothers, and the sheriff covered a lot of ground. They'd checked out all the places Pete had marked on the hastily drawn map and came up short.

Where had Early gone? Some new hideout?

Cooper took comfort in knowing that his old adversary evidently didn't work for any of his neighbors. That would've made the job harder.

Rand leaned on his saddle horn. “What now?”

The position of the sun poking through the rain clouds told Cooper that it was early morning, around eight or so. His stomach growled and he knew his wasn't the only one. “Head back to the ranch to get food and fresh horses.”

“I want to ask Pete more questions,” the sheriff said.

“In my opinion, I really don't think he knows much,” Brett said quietly.

“All the same, it doesn't hurt to find out. His dumb act might be a ruse.”

Cooper met Strayhorn's eyes. “It wouldn't hurt to make sure, all right.”

The foursome set out for the Long Odds, where they could regroup. Getting a bit of nourishment would definitely improve things.

Delta jumped from a chair on the porch and ran to meet them as soon as he came into view from the house. Cooper swallowed hard. The pleasant feeling of someone waiting for him at the end of a long ride curled inside his chest as though it belonged there.

But it didn't belong.

He was a loner. He couldn't afford to give her the wrong impression.

He could never take a wife.

Yet the memory of her gentle touch and the way her soft curves fit against him refused to leave his head. The recollections had taken up residence and staked their claim on his heart.

“You're back.” Delta glowed with happiness. “I was so worried.”

Cooper waited until Rand, Brett, and Strayhorn moved toward the barn before he dismounted. He struggled with the need to pull her into his arms.

To kiss her. To touch her silky skin.

This strong-minded, sassy woman who'd appeared out of the blue shouldn't have caused such an upheaval in his life.

But she had, and Lord knew he'd never be the same.

Clearing his throat, he forced out the words that he had to say. “I don't want you fretting about me. Understand? Whatever we have here can never lead to anything.”

The gruff words erased her smile. Angrily she lifted her chin. “I guess this is the talk you said we'd have. Well, you can take your words and your kisses and…”

Quick tears filled her eyes, but it was her quivering lips that undid him. He called himself every name he could think of. Now what? He'd made a real mess of things. He'd taken liberties, given her false hope that she fit in his plans somewhere.

How could he tell her that having his father's rotten blood coursing through his veins made it impossible to claim her?

How could he explain the murderous thoughts that filled his head? He was a dangerous man, and she needed to run as far as she could away from him.

And how in God's name could he keep from destroying her?

“Look, what I'm trying to say—and doing a rotten job of it—is that I can't live with myself if I keep letting you think that I have anything to give you,” he said quietly. “I wish things could be different. I really do. In another lifetime I'd scoop you up and never let you go.”

Through narrowed eyes, he watched her stiffen. Without a word, she strode toward the house.

He was nothing but a bastard. He'd hurt the only woman whose light could remove the darkness inside him. But even now, even knowing all the reasons why he couldn't give in to his desires, intense craving for her buckled his knees.

Sighing heavily, he led the tired buckskin toward the barn and the sack of oats that waited, wishing that life came with a set of instructions.

Hell and damnation, he could even use a torn, beat-up map.

***

Clearly, it was a mistake to come here.

Shaking, Delta gathered her thoughts. She had to get back to town and she didn't care what she had to do to get there. She'd walk, if she must.

Cooper had just thrown her back into the creek again.

Only this time, she was too tired to fight the current.

There had to be a limit to how many times a person could reject another, didn't there? She told Jenny she'd be leaving.

“I could see something's troubling you.” Jenny laid a hand on her shoulder. “Oh, dear. Cooper's messed up again. Want to talk about it?”

“No, I'd rather not.”

“I'd go with you, only I can't do that to Ben. He sets such store by this ranch, and the fresh air does us both good.”

“You should stay a little while longer. At least until I get this garden club up and going.”

“Promise to let me know how the first meeting goes. I so wanted to be there.”

“There'll be others. The main thing right now is to do what's right for your son and gain more of your strength.”

“Be sure and save some work for me to do.”

Delta hugged Jenny. “I will. Thank you for understanding.”

As much as it killed her, she avoided Cooper the rest of the time. When he rode back out with the others, she sought out Zeke O'Grady. “Would you please show me a horse that I can hitch to the buggy?”

Zeke scratched his head. “Ma'am, it ain't a good idea to leave, especially alone. Did Coop say you could?”

Delta drew herself up straight. “I'm not a prisoner here and I certainly don't need his permission to leave. All I want you to do is show me a horse that I can use. I'll see that it gets back to the ranch.”

“Here's what I'll do, Miss Dandridge. I'll take you back to town myself, if'n you got your mind made up that's what you wanna do.”

A kiss on his wrinkled cheek brought a wide smile and a twinkle to his eye. She liked Zeke. “Thank you.”

“Don't rightly know what all this is about, an' I'm sure I'll catch hell for it, but I cain't stand to see a pretty woman all down in the mouth.”

One thing was certain: Delta learned from her mistakes, and this latest one was a whopper. From now on she meant to protect her heart more and avoid those sharp hooks that had nice juicy worms dangling from them.

“I don't want to get you in trouble with your boss, Zeke.”

“Aw, I've been in hot water before, an' I doubt this'll be the last time.” He patted her arm. “You just leave it to old Zeke. Cooper would be angrier if I let you go back to town alone, with this hooded bunch runnin' around. Sometimes you jus' have to pick your poison an' down it real fast before your nose can smell it.”

“You're a saint if I ever saw one.”

“Just give me a minute to tell the men to watch over Miss Jenny and Ben until I get back. The hands are trustworthy. They won't let anything happen to those two.”

A little over an hour later, Zeke pulled in front of Abercrombie's Mercantile in Battle Creek. He helped Delta from the buggy.

“You don't know how much I appreciate this, Zeke.”

“Now, don't you worry none. It'll all come out in the wash. Whatever's got Cooper by the short hairs won't stay that way. An' I'll take the buggy back to the livery.”

“You're too, too kind.” Delta watched him move down the street, then she opened the door of the mercantile and stepped inside.

John glanced up and relief spread across his face. “I heard there was some shooting out at the Long Odds. I'd hoped you didn't get caught in it, but since you weren't at work this morning, I assume you were.”

“Yes, it was a frightful night. It scared Jenny and me out of our wits.” She told him about the mounted attack.

“The good thing is you're all right. Do they know who this hooded gang is or what they want?”

“If Cooper knows, he didn't share that with us.” She didn't add that she strongly suspected there was more to it than anyone was saying. Grabbing her apron from the nail behind the counter, she put it on. “Now, what do I need to do?”

“Just handle the customers while I unload a wagon of merchandise that arrived.”

“John, I'm really sorry I wasn't here first thing this morning. I would've been if I was able.”

He walked over and put an arm around her shoulders. “Don't give it another thought. We can't always do what we want.”

“All the same, I'll try not to let it happen again.” In fact, it wouldn't happen again because she wasn't going anywhere near the Long Odds Ranch. The devil could take Cooper Thorne.

Delta watched John Abercrombie head toward the back door. The change in the man continually amazed her. She recalled the first day she'd walked in and asked for a job. John had nearly run her out of the store. If Mabel King hadn't warned her of his surly attitude and the reason behind it, she'd have scurried into the nearest hole. Now, she gladly counted him a good friend.

The rest of the day she waited on customers, and in between she unpacked some of the boxes John unloaded off the wagon. His new order would stock the shelves quite nicely. With business picking up, it was more of a struggle to keep the shelves full.

Darkness fell and quitting time arrived before she knew it. She was getting ready to close up when the bell over the door jangled. Dressed all in black from his head down to his boots, a stranger stood there. His stringy, long gray hair fell onto his face, hiding his features.

The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Icy fear swept the length of her. She clutched on to a counter for support. If only John hadn't already left.

“May I help you?” She projected politeness she didn't feel.

“I don't know, can you?” he answered in a surly tone.

“I'm in no mood to play games, mister.” Though the words seemed to get stuck in her throat, Delta forced a measure of firmness into her voice. “If you need something, I'll be glad to assist you. Otherwise, I must lock up.”

The stranger moved on inside, turned the lock on the door, and flipped the sign to Closed. Trembling, Delta glanced around for a weapon. The ax handles were too far away. She'd never reach them in time. A pair of scissors lay on the counter. She snatched them up. At least they would offer some protection.

Go
for
the
eyes
, came a voice in her head. Failing that, she'd plunge them into his throat.

“I know who you are, girlie.” His gravelly voice gave her chills. “You cain't get away.”

“Are you new to town?” she forced out. “I don't think I've seen you around. What's your name?”

The wooden floor creaked when he slowly moved forward, walking with a noticeable limp. Since he stood between her and the street, the only way to freedom was out the back. Keeping an eye on him, she inched toward it, praying that John had left it unlocked.