A Cowboy's Temptation, page 20
“Yeah,” he said, bracing for it.
“Can’t we go any faster?”
His gaze locked with hers. Underneath the brim of her hat, her green eyes were as alive as he’d ever seen them. His heart kicked up.
“You want to run?”
She bit her lip. “Can we? Please?”
He reminded her quick of the commands, of how to sit differently in the saddle for running versus slowing but knowing she was ready, knowing he’d be close, and wanting nothing but to make her happy, Scott tipped his head and winked.
“Let’s see you fly.”
Joy filled her eyes as surely as it poured into his heart. Then, not wasting a moment, Katie leaned forward, tapped her heels to Ranger’s flank.
“Yah!” She commanded and they were off.
Her hat flew off her head. The string kept it around her neck rather than toppling into the meadow. Underneath him, Chancy danced, wanting his head too. Scott kept him reined in, enjoying the sight of Katie leaning low over Ranger’s black neck. His chest constricted. The only thing that would have made the view better would have been if her hair had been loose, rather than tied in a braid. He’d have given anything to see the sun catching fire in her hair as it flowed out behind her.
Chancy snorted and Scott laughed. He tugged his hat lower. “All right, I’ve made you wait long enough.” He got himself in position. “Go get ’em, boy.”
His horse ate up the ground. Warm, fragrant spring air washed over Scott’s face as he chased after his wife. Green grass and clusters of cottonwoods, poplars and spruce were nothing but a blur as his attention was all on Ranger and the woman who rode him as though she’d been born on horseback. My god, to think she hadn’t ridden until this morning. Watching her, he couldn’t help but feel pride and respect. But it was the other emotion, the one he’d never felt before that had the air whooshing out of his lungs.
He was falling in love.
The truth tumbled through his head, burst through his heart. His mouth curved. Then, with a gleam he could feel in his eye, he bent lower and went after his wife.
It wasn’t the first time he’d ridden into town with Katie and he couldn’t help comparing the two. Last time, they’d been strangers in every sense but the biblical one. She’d been angry with him; he’d been weighed down by disappointment and duty. Now, he felt he knew her, truly knew her and, when they rode in, he’d never felt lighter.
Her face glowed from their run; her smile sparkled bright. Wanting both to last as long as possible, Scott left their horses at the stable where they would be properly rubbed down and watered while he toured his bride around Marietta. He wanted to walk Katie through town, introduce her to the people he knew so she’d feel she was a part of it. So, he remembered her earlier words, she’d feel as though she mattered.
After, he intended to take her to lunch at the restaurant before they returned to the Triple P.
With his hand on the small of her back, Scott guided her up the boardwalk.
“This building looks new,” Katie said as they walked past the feed mill.
“It is. It burned down almost two years ago.” He slid a glance Katie’s way. “Did Jillian never tell you the story?”
“What story?”
Hell, he didn’t know why Jillian hadn’t told Katie how some folks had tried to run her out of town when she’d first arrived, but he didn’t want her finding out from anyone else and, if he was going to introduce her around town, it was likely to come up.
“When Wade and old Doc Fletcher put out an advertisement for a new vet, they hired what they thought was a man, a J. Matthews.”
“They didn’t know the ‘J’ stood for Jillian?”
“No, and by the time they realized it, old Doc Fletcher had left town and Jillian had replaced him. Some folks didn’t take too kindly to what they felt was a deliberate lie on her part.” He tipped his chin toward the feed mill. “Steven Garvey was at the top of that list. He and some of his friends including Bill who runs the stable, set out to try to run her out of town.”
Katie’s head snapped. “They did?”
“They did. They messed with her place a little, refused to call on her if they needed a vet. They were rude and held a town meeting to try to get her replaced. But they weren’t the worst. Steven had a friend, Harvey Black, who wanted her out at any cost. During Eileen and James’s wedding he set fire to the feed mill to draw the men to town. Once we were gone, he showed his sorry self at the ranch, tried to hurt Steven’s son.”
Katie’s face filled with horror. “Did he? Hurt the boy?”
“Nope. Jillian offered herself in exchange as she figured it was her he was after anyway.”
Katie swallowed hard. “She offered herself?”
“She did. Luckily, Wade suspected something was off and backtracked. He found them before they’d gotten too far and shot him.”
Katie stared at the feed mill but Scott doubted she was seeing it. “She could have died.”
He took her hand; it was so cold. “Wade wouldn’t have let that happen.”
Her eyes were sad when she met his. “She never said a thing in her letters. Why didn’t she say anything?”
He brought her hand to his lips. “You’ll have to ask her.”
She looked back toward the feed mill. “Does he still hate her?”
“Nope. He apologized as soon as he heard what Harvey had done to Jacob. He knew his shortsightedness had cost him his business, though thankfully nobody else’s, and nearly his son as well.”
“I’m glad he came to his senses.”
“Then why do you look so sad?”
“Look at everything she’s accomplished and gone through.” Katie lifted her hands then dropped them woodenly to her sides. “There’s no way I can ever measure up.”
“Katie.” He cupped her face in his hands, ensured she couldn’t look away. She’d left her hat hanging down her back, which was just as well. He needed her to see him clearly, to understand he meant what he was about to say. “You are not in competition with Jillian.”
“You’re wrong. I have been in competition with her my entire life.”
“You don’t need to be.” He stepped closer, lowered his voice. “Especially not with me. I like you exactly as you are.”
“You do?”
“I do.”
Watching her lips curve flooded him with desire. He wanted her mouth on his, opening for him, and allowing him to savor her every flavor. He wrapped his hands around her waist, lowered his head.
If anyone was walking the boardwalk, he couldn’t say. Not that he gave a damn. The moment he touched her lips, the moment he felt her tremble, every thought he had scattered in the wind along with the whirling dust devils that blew down the street. His tongue dipped in her mouth, flicked against the tip of hers. She whimpered and leaned into him.
Dimly he heard a wagon rattle by.
The whistle, long and low, near his elbow wasn’t as easy to ignore.
He and Katie sprang apart.
Shane chuckled. “You know most married folk do that sort of thing at home.”
“Shouldn’t you be in your office working?” Scott grumbled while prickly heat crept up his neck.
Katie’s cheeks were as pink as his but she had nothing but smiles for Shane.
“Hello, Sheriff.”
He tipped his black hat. “Katie.” Then he tucked his tongue into his cheek. “You’re looking well.”
“Did you want something?” Scott barked.
“I was bored with my paperwork so I stepped outside. When I recognized you two heading up from the stable I thought I’d come say hi.” He rocked back on his heels, clearly enjoying himself. “Hi.”
One day, Scott vowed, he’d get even. “Yeah, hi. Anything else?”
Shane grinned. “That’s about it. You in town for long?”
“A few hours. I thought I’d show Katie Marietta since the last time we were here things were a little hectic.” He flushed further.
Luckily, Shane didn’t say anything more about the day Scott forced Katie to marry him.
“Why don’t you stop by when you’re done? We can head to Silver’s. She won’t be open yet so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”
“That sounds fine. Katie?”
Her smile nearly blinded him. “I’ll get to step inside a saloon? I can’t wait!”
“All right then, I’ll see you when you’re through.” Shane tipped his hat and strode away.
Katie clapped her hands. “A real saloon!” She squealed.
God, he loved her exuberance, her excitement for life. Feeling it rub off onto him, Scott tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and, proud to show off both his wife and his town, strolled Katie down Main Street.
Most of Marietta’s businesses fronted Main Street. At the East end of town, where they were, it was mostly the feed mill, stable, lumberyard, and blacksmith. He didn’t take Katie inside any of them but Justin, the blacksmith, happened to be out in his yard so Scott waved and the man stopped pounding on a horseshoe long enough to return the greeting.
Further up were the cobbler, the bank, the doctor, and barber. The barber was out sweeping the boardwalk and stopped as they approached.
“Morning, Scott.” He graced Katie with a warm smile. “And you must be Jillian’s sister.”
Katie tensed. Now that he knew she felt inferior to Jillian, he wasn’t surprised by her reaction. No doubt she felt as though once again she wasn’t being seen for herself.
“Mr. Jenkins, I’d like you to meet Katie Taylor, my wife.”
The balding man’s eyes widened. “That’s right! I’d heard you’d gotten married. Congratulations.” He pumped Scott’s hand then turned to Katie. “Are you a vet as well?”
“No, I’m not.” Katie’s smile was as cold as her voice.
“She’s a hell of a horsewoman, though.” He winked when her gaze whipped to his. “She’s going to be a great help on the ranch.”
Leaving a stunned Mr. Jenkins behind, they kept strolling the boardwalk. A handful of people out running errands greeted them and Scott made the introductions. Wagons rattled by, churning up dust that the wind unfortunately blew straight at them. When an especially big gust tossed dirt in their faces, Scott grabbed Katie and ducked inside the mercantile.
He’d no sooner blinked the grit out of his eyes when Letty squealed. “It’s the newlyweds!”
She came racing up the aisle between shelves of dry goods, her shoes clicking on the wooden floor, her face radiating happiness.
“Hello, Mrs. Daniels,” he said.
“Don’t you Mrs. Daniels me,” she scoffed. “Going off and getting married without letting me fuss over you and your bride.”
Despite the scolding, she wrapped her arms around Scott and gave him a fierce hug. If he considered Eileen a mother, then Letty was an aunt and he treasured her every bit the same as he treasured Wade’s ma.
“I’m sorry you couldn’t fuss.” He placated.
She stepped back, tried to look stern but her lips twitched. “You’d better be.” Then she looked at Katie and sighed. “I thought Jillian had pretty hair but look at yours.” She fluttered a hand over Katie’s head. “That’s the prettiest color I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“Oh.” Katie blustered. “Thank you.”
Wrapping an arm around Katie’s shoulders, he made the introductions. “Letty Daniels, my wife, Katie. Katie, this is Letty. She and her husband John own the mercantile.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Katie said.
“Oh, and you, dear! Come on back and I’ll get you a candy stick.”
They followed her between the shelves of dried goods to the counter where she gave them a choice of candy sticks.
“Sarsaparilla,” he and Katie answered together.
Like most kids who came in the store for the treat, Katie didn’t waste any time unwrapping it. Scott had a difficult time taking his eyes off Katie once she started sucking on the candy. Hunger shot to his loins when her lips closed over the tip and she hummed in appreciation. Swallowing hard, he forced his gaze away before he embarrassed himself. But when Letty chuckled, he knew he’d been caught. Mortified, he shoved his candy into his pocket.
“Thanks, Mrs. Daniels, but we should go. We’re meeting Shane and Silver.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” She came around the counter, hugged Katie before once again hugging him. “I’ll try to get out there soon.”
“I’d love that,” Katie answered.
“See you later, Mrs. Daniels.”
The sheriff’s office was next door to the mercantile and Shane was sitting outside as he sometimes did to keep an eye on things.
“I know you say you work,” Scott teased as Shane locked up his office, “but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you do much of it.”
Shane pocketed his keys, arched a dark brow. “This from the man out strolling the town in the middle of the morning?” He shook his head.
The three of them passed the post office and headed up the street.
“Is that another saloon?” Katie asked, pointing to the building squatting on the left corner.
“That’s Grey’s,” Scott answered. “It’s as much, uh, brothel as saloon.”
“Really?” Katie inquired, looking over. “But I don’t see any...”
“They’re resting up,” Shane said clearly not as uncomfortable talking about whores in Katie’s presence as Scott was. “By four o’clock, that balcony will be full of women displaying their wares.”
“Jesus, Shane,” Scott grumbled.
“I know what a brothel is,” Katie stated, not offended in the least. “I’ve just never been this close to one before.”
And as though she wanted to see it even closer, Katie took a step off the boardwalk. Scott was directly behind her.
He took her arm. “It’s best not to get too close,” he said.
Lord if any of the men saw her and mistook her for a whore... His jaw clenched at the thought. No man had better consider her that way or so help him God...
Before he could steer Katie back to the boardwalk, the doors to Grey’s opened. Involuntarily, his eyes shifted to the movement. A tall blonde woman stepped from the shadows of the balcony above her head.
Oh, Jesus, he remembered that face, those doe-eyes.
“I said I won’t be long,” the woman snapped over her shoulder.
Scott’s legs went to water. He knew that voice. His hands started to shake. It was Charlotte. After all this time, it was Charlotte.
“Scott?”
Katie’s voice was far away, as though she were speaking through a train tunnel. He felt her hand on his arm and knew she was trying to make sense of his behavior, but her touch, combined with seeing this woman step from the horrors of his past, was too much. He shook off Katie’s grip.
“Don’t,” he ordered.
He didn’t want her touching him, not with images of his old life crawling through his head, over his skin like rats. He didn’t want the ugliness to touch her. He’d never wanted it to touch her.
“What the hell are you doing?” Shane demanded.
His eyes still on Charlotte, Scott answered, “Shane, take Katie home.”
“He will do no such thing!” Katie argued.
“I’ll be there later,” Scott called, more than half way across the street now.
“Don’t you dare go to her,” Katie ordered.
Charlotte had heard the commotion and had stopped on the boardwalk to witness it. He knew she didn’t recognize him yet, but he also knew it wouldn’t take more than a few words for her to know who she was looking at. Without looking back, he crossed the rest of the way to Grey’s.
“Goddammit, Scott!” Shane cussed but he didn’t come after him.
He thought he heard Silver’s voice, the low rumble of Shane’s, and a door closing. Good, Katie would be fine with Silver and Shane and Scott would explain later. Maybe. He didn’t know what the hell he’d say to her but, right then, all he could think about was that his past was standing right in front of him.
“Charlotte,” he said. She was only ten years older than he was but the extra decade had been hard on her. Her skin was lined and sallow. Unhappiness pulled at the corners of her mouth. Fine lines spread from the corners of her brown eyes. Yet within those eyes that had seen much of the world’s ugliness, he saw the same thing that had saved him all those years ago. Compassion.
“Do I know you?” she asked, looking him over from hat to boots. She licked her unpainted lips. “I’m pretty sure I’d remember a man as fine as you.”
He whisked his hat off, clutched it in his hand. “It’s me. Scott Taylor. From Colorado. Oro City.”
Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open. “Little Scotty Taylor?”
He nodded.
“Oh, after all this time.”
Then, weeping, she launched herself at him.
Chapter Twelve
Numb, Katie stood inside Silver’s saloon and stared out the window. Who was this woman who’d stolen her husband’s attention, who’d ruined the best day of her life? Katie had thought she and Scott had turned a new leaf in their relationship. While the passion between them was strong as ever, it had meant as much to Katie, if not more, that they were building an emotional connection as well as a physical one.
They’d talked and laughed and she’d seen pride in his eyes when she’d first saddled Ranger then later when she’d asked if they could go faster. They’d shared little details about each other, insignificant things maybe like favorite colors and foods but they’d meant a lot to Katie because other than her friend Alex, Scott was the first person to take any interest in her.
Feeling special and safe with him, she’d then shared her deepest pain. She’d believed him when he’d told her she didn’t need to compete with Jillian, that he liked her the way she was. Finally, she’d begun to think she was enough, that she didn’t have to try to be anything or anyone but who she was.
