The Courting of Widow Shaw (21 page)

“It’s settled.”

Glory walked slowly toward the house. As she stepped up onto the threshold, he called to her, “And Glory.”

She turned to look at him.

“You look real pretty in your new dress.”

“He’s kinda ornery for such a small dog,” Steven said, as he tried to retrieve his red bandana from Buddy’s clenched teeth. The pup thought it a game and after a time, Steven saw it that way, too. Though tired from the long day, Steven thought to indulge the pup and his antics before turning in. He squatted on
the parlor floor and played the tug-along game with the animal.

“He’s playful, Steven. He’s still a puppy.” Glory had already taken a shine to the dog, defending him like a mother hen.

The dog growled, a low and deep rumble from his throat that wouldn’t spark an iota of fear in even the weakest of God’s creatures.

“Oh, isn’t he the sweetest thing?” Glory asked, coming to sit on the parlor floor next to Steven. She stroked the dog’s head lightly and for one instant, Buddy stopped to enjoy the attention lavished upon him before turning his attention back to yanking on the kerchief with all his slight might.

Steven tugged harder, but the curly-haired pup only wiggled his bottom and dug his paws into the floor. “He’s stubborn, that’s for sure.”

“He’s male,” Glory said dryly.

Steven stopped yanking to look at her.

The sweetest smile graced her face. She sat close to him, the faint scent of roses wafting up, distracting him from his cause. Damn, he was surely glad he’d convinced her not to turn herself in tomorrow or anytime soon. He’d bought some time, but soon he’d have to figure out the puzzle of Boone’s death. As long as Glory stayed with him on the ranch, she’d be safe. He’d see to it.

She seemed more relaxed now that they’d settled the matter, the indecision and wariness all but gone from her expression. Having Buddy here helped, the pup an entertaining diversion from her troubles. “He’s ornery, stubborn and sweet?”

Blue eyes twinkling, she responded, “Like I said, he’s male.”

Steven grinned and dropped the bandana, giving up the game with the dog. He was finding Glory’s game far more interesting. “I suppose you know some men like that?”

Glory shook her head. “Not some men, only one.” She stood and straightened wrinkles in her dress, averting her gaze.

Steven stood, too, waiting for her to look at him.

When she finally did, what he noted in her clear blue eyes made his heart skip. “Are you speaking about me?”

“Maybe,” she whispered.

“Maybe? So you think I’m sweet?”

He meant it as a jest, but Glory peered at him with sincerity, a look that Steven couldn’t mistake. “Yes, you’ve done so much for me.”

“Glory, I…” What could he say? He couldn’t very well admit what he felt for her. Hell, her life was complicated enough right now. And he knew what she felt for him was gratitude, nothing more. “Nobody’s ever called me sweet.”

“No? What about the women you’ve been with?”

Steven hadn’t expected such a bold question from her. No, sir, not such a bold question at all. “Now, that’s not a subject I like to encourage.”

“Have there been so many?”

Steven swallowed hard. “Glory.”

“You say you’re just friendly with the girls at Rainbow House.”

“That’s the truth.”

“So, are you saying you’ve never—”

“Never.”

“But you seem to know, I mean to say, you seemed so experienced when you kissed me. I thought—”

Kissing Glory had come as naturally as breathing. She was a woman made for passion, although her sense of morality and perhaps the horrible way she’d been treated by her husband had her questioning and doubting herself. She knew nothing of the pleasures that can occur between a man and woman. “Glory, I didn’t say there haven’t been women, just not the ones you know at Rainbow House.”

“Oh,” she said, understanding dawning in her bright eyes. This sure wasn’t a topic Steven wanted to discuss with her.

He scratched his head. “What’s this all about, anyway?”

Glory hesitated and he witnessed great indecision in her expression. Then, taking a deep breath, she explained, “It was something Ned said. He told everyone I’d been a terrible wife to Boone. I began thinking that maybe it was true. I was young and inexperienced. There’d been a whole lot I didn’t know. I kept the house clean, put decent meals on the table every day and listened when he spoke. I’d been good at that, but maybe, not good enough…in other ways.”

Anger surged forth, taking hold so strongly that Steven had to mentally bank the emotion before he could bring himself to speak. “You’re good enough, Glory. Any man who doesn’t think so is a fool. You’ve got nothing to worry about in that regard.”

Glory didn’t appear convinced. The woman didn’t know how beautiful she was, both inside and out, how making love to her should be a thing to cherish, to treasure. He couldn’t fathom her lacking in that way. He’d had a small taste of her passion and it was unforgettable. Yet, he was certain nothing he could say right now would change her mind.

“One day, you’ll know it for a fact, Glory. Now, it’s getting late. It’s time we both turned in. I’ll walk you to your room.”

“No need,” she said quietly. “Good night, Steven.”

He watched her walk away, then settled himself down on the sofa. Judging by the way his bones ached it wouldn’t be long before he fell asleep. He closed his eyes and relished the silence.

Minutes later, high-pitched whimpering disturbed his peace. He rose to search for the pleading sound, finding Buddy scratching behind Glory’s door. The dog looked up with eager eyes. Steven knew he’d been tossed aside, in favor of someone far more appealing. “Smart dog.”

He lifted Buddy and knocked on her door.

Glory answered the knock instantly. “Oh, I was just about to get him,” she offered. “After I finished undressing.”

Lantern light cast a teasing glow over her body. Her nightgown covered her well, but Steven couldn’t miss the curves and hollows underneath, silhouetted by the dimming light. Her hair cascaded down her back flowing freely, wild and loose. Steven’s willpower ebbed somewhat, but he clung to the remaining shreds.

He handed the dog over. “Seems he prefers your bed.”

Glory scooped the pup into her arms and cuddled him close to her chest. The dog’s head fit snugly between the slopes of her breasts. She kissed the pooch lovingly. “He can sleep with me.”

Steven rocked back on his heels. “Well, heck, if
that’s all it takes, I’ll be scratching at your door tomorrow night.”

Glory’s face flamed, then she looked him squarely in the eyes, her chin up. She spoke softly, but with conviction. “Sweet, stubborn…and ornery.”

A chuckle escaped. Glory could always make him laugh. “See you in the morning, Glory.”

He settled back down on the sofa with a deep sigh of resignation. Glory made his tired body come alive. He banished all of the enticing images flashing in head. Wouldn’t do him any good to hope or to wonder.

But he knew one thing with absolute certainty.

He’d never had cause to envy an animal in his entire life, but that curly-haired mutt was one lucky dog.

Chapter Fourteen

T
here was blood everywhere. Red pools like streaming rivers cut the ground in two. Shouts and screams rattled in her head. “Don’t kill him,” a voice called out. “Don’t, please.” And the face of a stranger appeared, a coldblooded murderer. He held a knife in one hand and a gun in another, but a moment later he was gone, melting into the crimson ground until he became the very blood he’d caused. For miles, all she could see was the thick red liquid. It layered the earth, climbing over shrubs, up trees and fanning out to spread its wrath on everything bright and clean and pure
.

And then the fires came, the flames whipping about like wielding swords eager to slice the sky in half. The bright color of heat mingled with the blood. There was no separating it now, no way around it. She was engulfed in flames and blood. Black smoke choked the air like the devil of death
.

“No!” a voice cried. “Don’t kill him.”

Smoke layered the air like a thick blanket. She couldn’t see anymore, the flames too bright, the blood too red, the smoke burning her eyelids
.

She screamed and screamed, the stranger’s face appearing once again, then disappearing, and others came as well, to laugh, their scorn evident in their evil smiles
.

And then her father appeared, his face so calm, so at peace. “It’s all right, my child. Have no fear. There is always light, even when darkness consumes you.” Then he was gone
.

“No, Father, don’t leave me. Don’t go, please,” she cried
.

She felt herself being lifted, as if floating up, cushioned in the safety of familiar arms
.

“Glory, shh, honey. It’s all right now.”

She opened her eyes as beads of perspiration trickled from her forehead. Her heart pounded hard and fast as she gazed into Steven’s concerned eyes. He sat on the bed next to her, cradling her as one would a child, and great relief flooded her senses. The nightmare was over.

“Steven.”

“I’m here, Glory. You had a bad dream.”

Thoughts rushed in as she became fully aware of where she was and whose arms held her so tenderly. “I, uh, it was awful.”

“Tell me,” he asked, “I want to know.”

“I’ve never dreamed of that night before. It’s the first time that I recalled anything.”

“That’s good, honey. What did you remember?”

“I saw the flames and the blood. I saw faces, Steven. Many faces but nothing makes much sense. I can’t seem to puzzle it out. It seemed so real, so clear, but now the memory is fading. I’m losing it.”

“It’s all right, Glory. That’s how dreams are sometimes.
But it’s a good sign. It means that your memory might return soon.”

Glory trembled, a shaking she couldn’t control. The dream had seemed so real. It had been harsh and wicked. If the reality of what happened that night was as true then Glory wasn’t sure she wanted to recall anything more.

“Tell me, who did you see in your dream?”

“Strangers mostly, and some faces I recognized, but I can’t be sure, because it’s all kind of fuzzy now.”

“You cried out for your father.”

“Yes, he was there. He came to me just before,” Glory stopped, realizing the significance in what she would now admit. “He came to me just as you lifted me up. He came to save me.”

But it had been Steven who had saved her both then and now. It had been Steven to rescue her from this bad dream.

“Can you remember if Ned or Boone were in your dream?”

“I think so, but I can’t be sure.” She seemed to recall familiar faces, but they’d all frightened her, except of course, her father’s face. That had been the only consolation in her dream. “Why do you ask?”

“I wonder if all the talk of Ned Shaw today stirred up your memory.”

“It’s possible. I just don’t know.”

Steven tightened his hold on her. “You’re trembling. Try to calm down, honey.” He lowered his voice, whispering softly, “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Glory peered into Steven’s eyes. His concern touched her in ways she’d never been touched before.
Other than her father, no one had ever been so protective. No one had ever made her feel this safe, when in truth she had no reason to believe it so. She wanted to ask him why he cared so much, but she knew the reason. He’d said it once already. He felt responsible for her. She was his obligation. For tonight, as her trembling ebbed and her heart slowed, it was enough.

Steven lowered her down onto the bed. “Can you sleep?”

“I don’t know.”

“Want to try?”

Glory held on to Steven with no thoughts of letting him go. He came down onto the side of the bed next to her, his hold on her comforting. Glory feared sleep now. She feared reentering that nightmarish world again. Steven would be her savior tonight. She cradled her head onto his chest and snuggled in. “Yes, I want to try.”

And when Steven wrapped her into his arms good and tight, Glory took her first calm breath.

She knew her demons wouldn’t reappear tonight.

Steven woke slowly, the delicate scent of roses curving his lips up into a smile. He opened his eyes and his smile widened. During the night Glory had turned onto her side and now he found himself behind her, her body tucked provocatively against his. His hand rested on her torso, his fingers spread out, just under the swell of her breast.

His body grew tight instantly.

He squinted against the pain in his groin, trying to ignore the sharp pang of desire that seized him with gripping intensity. He wanted her with such yearning that he could barely breathe. He knew the smart thing
to do would be to get up and put some distance between the two of them, but he couldn’t quite manage that. He couldn’t bring himself to give up the sense of peace that settled in his gut as he woke with Glory by his side, regardless of the pain that being so near her caused.

There wasn’t much he could do but relish the time he had with her. Tangled in the sheets, with hair flowing freely now, blond waves covering his pillow, she made the prettiest picture, one that would stay with him long after Glory was gone.

Steven held on to the moment as long as he could and just as he lifted up to rise, Glory stirred. She shifted, made a little pleasured moan then turned his way. She wound up in his arms, faces close, bodies even closer.

She blinked, then cast him the sweetest of smiles. “You stayed.”

“And you slept. Peacefully, I hope.”

She inhaled deeply and gave him a slow nod. “Yes, peacefully. Thank you.”

“For?”

“For not making me ask.”

“Anytime.”

He reached out to touch her soft cheek, tracing a fingertip down her face until he met with one corner of her mouth. She parted her lips slightly, an innocent enough move that sparked his internal fire. “You’re pretty in the morning light.”

She glanced at his lips for a long moment, then sighed. “This is highly improper,” she remarked, as if just coming to realize she’d slept with him last night.