by Danni Roan
Chapter 12
Dan didn’t move, didn’t breath, didn’t dare to twitch, as the long lithe form of the fat bodied rattler curled in the dust. The snake didn’t seem to have noticed him yet, and if it would just move on, he would get out of the way as fast as possible, but for now, the snake’s golden eyes glinted in the dull gleam of the moon as its tongue danced over the dirt sniffing for prey.
Closing his eyes he lifted a silent prayer to God begging for grace and forgiveness for his foolish race into the wilds. He deserved whatever happened to him at this point for his head long charge across the Texas Prairie. He had been a fool to leave like that.
The tell tale sound of the snakes rattle vibrated making Dan’s heart all but stop beating in his breast. Quick as lightening the snake lunged in a flash of fangs and whip like body but instead of sinking lethal venom filled points into the cowboy, it darted to the side grasping a small gray mouse while Dan dove the other way rolling across the dirt, brush, and cactus of the grass lands. In one move he was on his feet and turning back toward the town he had left a short time ago. That was too close for comfort, and he had things he needed to do. A particularly stubborn woman’s face flashed before his eyes and his heart kicked into overtime with the rush of adrenaline and heat. He had escaped the rattle snake, but what was he to do about Rosa?
No answer came to mind immediately and Dan chuckled, the sound merging with the yip of a coyote somewhere in the night. Perhaps he didn’t know what he was going to do about Rosa and the war of emotion battling in his heart, but he had a nice, long, slow walk home to think about it.
Settling into a slow steady gait, Dan Gaines turned toward Needful. He was closer to the town than his own ranch and with the bright clear sky dazzling above, he chose his path and set out. He was bound to take a good deal of abuse from his riders about riding out and losing his horse, but right now the problem of Rosa Rodriguez was what plagued his mind.
How could she have ever thought that he wanted to… He stopped that train of thought as images of her in a little house near his home flashed through his mind. She was a beautiful woman, warm and spirited but she was his friend’s wife.
Dropping his head Dan sighed. There was no easy answer to the problem. Rosa thought he was a scoundrel. Cookie told him to marry her, and he didn’t know what to think. “Confound it Raul, why did you have to go and get yourself killed.”
A bright star twinkled in the sky, and Dan remembered back to meeting the smiling man a few years earlier. He hadn’t even known about Rosa at the time. Then when he found out that Raul had a wife and daughter, he had offered him a place at the ranch, but the man refused to have them move to the ranch.
Would it be so wrong to think of Rosa as more than his dead friend’s wife? Could he provide for her, make up for his mistakes, by marrying her? None of it made any sense at all, and he was no closer to figuring it out as the night cooled, and he pulled his light jacket around him.
If Rosa wouldn’t accept his offer to provide for her, perhaps he could do something for the Hamptons to ensure she never had to look for another job.
Kicking his boot in the dirt he gazed around him at the empty landscape. Though the darkness obscured it, the prairie teamed with life, and he knew that animals, birds, and insects were even now going about their business of living.
The chill of the night crept down his spine and he finally faced the thought he had been avoiding for so long. Why? Why had he kissed Rosa when they had rescued her from her evil brother-in-law?
They had ridden into the camp, Darwin Rivers at the lead, with a blazing pistol in his hand. Fear, doubt, worry had washed over Dan in a wave and then when the last outlaw was lying on the ground he had swept Rosa into his arms and kissed her as relief carried him away.
It didn’t make sense. He wasn’t a man given to moods, or outbursts. Between him and Spencer he would say he had always been the more level headed, serious type. It was what led him to the rank of Captain during the war. His quiet calculation of every situation had carried him and his men through many scrapes and out again. So why had it been so different this time?
Something warm wriggled in Dan’s gut, but he squelched it, ignoring the whisper breathed into his soul as his heart tried to reply.
It had been the excitement, the danger. That was what had caused him to react the way he had, and now with Rosa’s accusations, he had to figure out what to do. What kind of man did she think he was that she believed him capable of having a woman on the side?
He wasn’t much interested in marriage or a family, at least not at this point, but he wouldn’t even consider a situation like the one she had described.
Shaking his head the cowboy didn’t see the prairie dog hole until he’d stumbled over it twisting his ankle and he sat down hard pulling his booted foot up onto his other leg. He had never wanted to blast his luck so badly in his life as he sat in the cold prairie alone and confused while the coyotes howled at a waxing moon and the wind skittered through the dry grasses like a lovers sigh.
He didn’t know how long he sat there listening to the wind and watching the night sky, but the air danced around him, teasing him with soft kisses and his heart began to sink.
Had there been more to the kiss than he would let himself believe? Shaking his head, he was sure it had been the overwhelming relief, but what about what his old cook had said? Could he give Rosa the security he owed her if he married her? Would she agree to a marriage in name only? The thoughts whirled through his head like a maelstrom, and he didn’t know which direction to go.
Flopping back on the dry grass Dan gazed up at the heavens. “God, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” he mused. “I’m just a rancher. I never wanted any of this, but here I am stuck in this mess and not sure what end is up. Show me what you want me to do, and if you don’t mind, make it mighty clear. When it comes to cows, wranglers, and town business I seem to be alright, but when there’s a woman involved, I can’t make hide nor hair of the whole mess. Whatever you want of me I’ll do it to keep Rosa and Christina safe.” Dan let the prayer hang on the night wind for long minutes as doubt assailed him then lifted his eyes once more to the sparkling stars above. “Amen.” He spoke firmly trusting that what he was supposed to do would be revealed. His eyes growing heavy, he eased his pistol on his hip, tucked a rock under his head and let sleep find him. Tomorrow would be soon enough to face the problems of the day.
***
“Hey boss man,” a droll voice startled Dan as the first rays of the morning sun brushed the horizon. “You decide your bed ain’t good enough for you no more?” Teddy Lewis chuckled as he let his horse lean over and sniff at Dan’s hat.
“You’re going to be on permanent drag duty if you don’t watch it,” Dan growled back grabbing his hat and shoving it on his head as he sat up.
Teddy just laughed, his usually serious dark eyes, twinkling with mirth.
“Give me a hand up,” Dan said reaching for the younger man’s hand. “I twisted my ankle coming back last night.”
Teddy offered the boss his hand helping him swing up behind the saddle.
“Home or town?” the young man asked.
Dan looked down at his dusty coat and gritty hands. “Town," he mumbled. He’d stop at Spencer’s and let Daliah check his ankle while Teddy fetched him a horse.
“You’re the boss,” Teddy drawled with a laugh turning his horse toward Needful and making Dan groan. It was going to be a long time before anyone let him live this down.
“Anything happen while I’ve been out wondering the wilds on my own?” Dan asked.
“Not that I’ve heard,” Teddy said. “I’ll drop you at Spence’s place,” he added with a grin. “You want me to fetch a horse from the ranch or just get Darwin to saddle you a livery nag?”
Dan shook his head. “You go on back to the ranch and let everyone know I’m not dead. I’ll get a horse at the livery when I’m done in town.”
“I can’t wait to tell the bo
ys about this,” Teddy laughed. “The Mayor of Needful got himself lost on the prairie not five miles from town.”
***
“Daliah,” Dan called as he hobbled into the neat little house behind the jail a while later. “Daliah are you here?”
“Dan, what are you doing here?” Daliah stepped from a tiny kitchen drying her hands on a towel and eyeing his rumpled appearance. “And what did you do to your ankle?” she added taking his arm and helping him to a chair.
“Oh, I let my horse wander off last night then stepped in a prairie dog hole.” Dan grumbled. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but if you’d take a look.” His blue eyes met her dark gaze noting the smile that tugged at her lips. “Where’s Spencer?”
“He’s talking to a man who rode into town yesterday. He’s from down south, and says he’s looking for his daughter.”
“Another one?” Dan asked in shock. “Don’t tell me Olive has another young woman over at the Hampton House who ran off without telling her folks?”
“Not that I know of,” Daliah laughed tugging on his boot. “Sorry,” she said when he flinched. “It’s either this or cut the boot off.”
“No, I’ll live. Besides I just got these boots broke in,” he laughed wincing again as she gave the boot a hard tug pulling it free.
Daliah’s hands were cool as she rolled his sock down and looked at the swollen bruising around his ankle and foot. “Looks like a sprain,” she said. “It should be alright, but you need to stay off of it for a couple of days. If possible get it into an ice bath to bring the swelling down.”
Dan laughed. “I don’t see that happening anytime soon with it almost the end of summer.”
“No, I suppose not. It would be nice to have an icebox or even an icehouse here, but it is usually too warm, even in winter, to get ice from the river. Let me wrap this ankle then I’ll walk you over to the Hampton House. I think we’ll find Spencer there.”
Dan nodded. It was nice having a sister-in-law who knew about healing. Maybe Needful didn’t have a doctor, but Daliah was nearly as good as any sawbones he had ever met.
“Do you know who this man is?” He asked as Daliah pulled heavy strips of cloth from a cupboard. “Who his daughter is?”
“No,” Daliah admitted wrapping his ankle with care. “I guess we’ll find out when we meet him.”
The sound of a galloping horse had Dan springing to his feet again and peering out the window of his brother’s home as Teddy slid to a stop in front of the Sherriff’s office.
“Teddy, what are you doing back?” Dan called hopping out onto the small front porch. “I thought I sent you home.”
“I was on my way Dan,” the younger man said but as I rode out, I came across a bunch of rough lookin’ men camped along the road. I thought I should let Spence know just in case they were plannin’ to do something bad.”
“I’ll get Spencer,” Dan said hobbling back into the house searching for his boot. “You ride out and keep an eye on those men.”
“Yes sir,” Teddy barked scrabbling back into the saddle.
“And keep out of sight,” Dan yelled after him as he shot Daliah a troubled glance. “Where d'you say Spencer is?” he asked his blue eyes worried.
Chapter 13
“No!” Rosa’s voice, raised in anger, floated out the boarding house door and Dan charged forward ignoring the lancing pain in his ankle.
“No!” Rosa’s word came again quieter but no less vehemently. “I will not go with you. This is my home and I will stay.”
“Rosalita,” a well dressed man with a thick mustache spoke. His voice was soft but rang with authority as if he were used to being obeyed. “You have no husband. No one to protect you, provide for you and your daughter. You will come home.”
“No,” Rosa placed her hands on her hips and glared up at the man her dark eyes flashing with anger. “I am not some cow or horse for you to come and collect. I have a job here, and I will stay.” Rosa carefully spoke each word forcing herself to use English so that those around her could understand. “You have no right to tell me what to do.”
“You are being stubborn,” the man said and Dan froze, Daliah nearly bumping into him as he watched from the dark doorway of the Hampton House. “I will provide for you, protect you. Think of what happened to you so recently. Do not think that I have not heard of Raul’s death or his brother’s behavior. You could have been killed. What would have become of your child then?”
Rosa visibly paled at the man’s words, but she didn’t back down, and Dan couldn’t help but grin as the tiny woman glared back at the man before her.
“I was in no danger,” Rosa said lifting her chin as her nostrils flared. “Rivera did not want to harm me. He wanted me to cook.” Rosa’s loud snort was one of the most unlady-like things he had ever seen Rosa do, but he grinned anyway. The woman had fire and was not backing down under the onslaught of reasoning from the obviously wealthy man.
“You will come home.” The older man said crossing his arms over his chest. “You are my daughter, and you will return to your home where I can protect and provide for you.”
Rosa was visibly trembling now, her hands curled into fists at her side as she rose up on the tips of her boot toes. “The way you protected and provided for my mother.” Rosa’s word sent a chill down Dan’s back. This softer, quieter tone was deadly compared to her angry shouting from a moment ago.
Across the room Dan caught his brother’s eye and the slight shake of Spencer’s head held him in his place.
“You do not own me,” Rosa continued her voice a breathy hiss. “I will not come home to be auctioned off to the highest bidder when the mood strikes you. You kept my mother on a string, but I will not be trapped. I will not be treated like a common…”
Before the next word slipped from her lips the older man raised his hand and Rosa reeled back in fear.
“You will not say this about your mother,” the man barked his dark eyes flashing with fury, as he lowered his hand to his side. “She was a good woman.”
Rosa snorted and the man leaned forward meeting her harsh gaze. “You do not know this,” he snarled. “You were gone by then, but I married your mother before she died. I found good matches for your brothers and sisters, and I will do the same for you.” Quick as lightening the man’s hand shot out grasping Rosa’s arm pulling her to him. “You will come with me. I am your father, and I have spoken.”
Dan straightened his spine and sauntered to the middle of the room a bright grin on his face as he slipped an arm around Rosa pulling her close and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Hello darlin’,” he drawled the smile still on his face. “Who’s this? Did he come for the wedding?”
Rosa wheeled turning to stare at Dan’s face and sucked in a breath as he winked at her still grinning like a fool.
“Dan Gaines,” the cowboy said offering the man his hand. “Mayor of Needful at your service.”
Flashing a glance at Rosa the man turned to face Dan dropping the young woman’s arm and reaching for the cowboy’s extended hand. “Juan Xavier Hernandez,” the man offered tipping his head slightly. “I have come to take my daughter home.”
Dan shook the man’s hand keeping the grin plaster on his face as he assessed the situation. “Rosa,” he said dropping Juan’s hand and tightening his arm around Rosa’s shoulders. “You didn’t tell me your father was coming. Did you send him an invitation? Surely he understands you can’t leave now. Not with our wedding only days away.”
Rosa slipped out from under Dan’s arm, turning to look at him her eyes confused, but before she could speak, he leaned in pecking her on the lips, and then turned his head to whisper in her ear. “Play along. I promise it will be alright.”
Rosa leaned back her dark eyes studying Dan’s face for a moment before she took a deep breath and slipped his arm around her once more.
“I did not invite my father,” she said snuggling under Dan’s arm and slipping into his heart. “I do not need him here for my wed
ding day. He was not there for my first one. I do not need him now.”
“You are the mayor of this town?” Juan Xavier asked looking to the sheriff for confirmation. “You say you are marrying my daughter, but she did not mention this.”
“Well I only just convinced her to take me,” Dan chuckled turning Rosa deftly with his hand at her waist. “Why don’t we have a seat, and we’ll talk a bit.” He gestured toward an empty table grinning as he pulled out a chair for Rosa and nodded toward Spencer. “I’ll just be a minute,” Dan leaned in kissing Rosa’s cheek once more. “I need to tell Spencer something.”
Spencer nodded taking Dan’s hint and following him toward the door.
“What on earth are you doing?” Spence growled as soon as they were out of earshot, looking at his brother as if he had lost his mind.
“I don’t have time right now,” Dan said his eyes darting back to Rosa where she sat glaring at the man across the table from her. “Teddy just rode in while Daliah was tending my ankle and said there’s a pack of hard looking men camped out along the road. I sent him out to keep an eye on them, but you might want to check on them.”
Spencer nodded. “I think they are Juan Xavier’s men,” Spencer said turning to look at the older man. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”