Just as he passed her, Rose let out a little growl and shot out her hand to scratch the back of his shirt. She did not expect for him to whirl around and grab her arm before she could even touch him.
“Too slow, little kitty,” he grinned.
“You know I hate it when you call me that,” she laughed and tried pushing him away. She forgot how strong he was as she fought against his grip and finally shoved her whole weight into him. Cade skillfully used her momentum to spin her around and toss her on the bed with him lying directly on top of her.
They both were laughing as she struggled weakly, allowing herself to be pinned down.
“Pathetic, Rose,” he teased. “Do I have to teach you how to properly punch a man?”
“Oh, I know how to,” Rose lifted her chin. “I just know how fond you are of that pretty face; I didn’t want to make you cry by ruining it.”
He grinned, his mouth inching forward. “You’d have to hit me pretty hard to damage this face of mine.”
She narrowed her eyes and whispered, “Don’t tempt me.”
He dropped his head even lower, his nose skimming her skin, his hair falling over his eyes.
Steel, lumber, rain, fresh cotton shirts, all the smells associated with Cade washed over her as her body yearned for the feel of him. Rose held her breath as Cade’s eyes fell on her lips. His fingers dug into her forearms and she could feel his heart beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings.
Then, suddenly, he stood up, running a hand through his hair and shaking his head. “I’ll eat in my room tonight,” he said briskly and stomped out of the room.
Rose sat up, reaching for her nightdress and taking a deep breath to counter the trembling throughout her muscles. She was so close. So close to giving in, to allowing herself to be close to him, intimate and loving.
“Dear God,” she placed her head in her hands. “What is wrong with me?”
Thirty–Seven
Cade greeted Jonathan with a jerk of his chin. “Doctor.”
Jonathan looked up from the fanned papers and scanned Cade. “You look like you had a rough night.”
Besides wanting to ravish my wife, fighting the need to gamble, and loving a little girl who is in a world that will not be as kind as she deserves, now I have to question Jeffries about the hair found on Theodore’s body.
“I am fine,” Cade said his voice raspy like nails on a chalkboard.
Jonathan looked unconvinced. “Did Rose identify the flower yet?”
Cade pressed his lips together. It had been a tense morning. Rose was cold towards him, barely acknowledging his presence, and busying herself unnecessarily with Daisy. He would have felt better had she acted shy or flustered. Instead, it was as if she had donned her battle armor. He assumed she regretted last night and was back to finding him repulsive.
“Cade!” Jonathan snapped.
Cade looked up and apologized. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
Jonathan gave an amused smile and pointed to Jim’s body. “The flower? Was Rose able to identify it?”
“Yeah, but it won’t be much help. She said it was a leaf not a petal, from a red clover. They’re common enough here and about everywhere.”
“Well, that’s one dead end. The markings were done with regular black paint and after they were dragged. As far as the weapon, you are looking for something like a crowbar. Jim was struck once and Theodore twice … most likely to finish him off.”
Cade nodded, “Anything from the clothing?”
Jonathan walked over to his case and pulled out a cloth where a folded piece of paper was enclosed. He handed it to Cade. “I think you will find this very interesting.”
Cade took the paper and gently unfolded it. His eyebrows lifted as his eyes scanned the paper. “Schedules and names of local slaughterhouses and meat markets.” He looked up, “I think we found our rustlers.”
“And possibly a motive for murder.”
Cade folded up the paper and stuck it in his pocket. “If we can cross reference the ranchers in these parts with those who have lived in the South, then maybe—”
“The South?” Jonathan frowned.
“The snake around the bodies was a copperhead. You only find those serpents down south. Someone took the time to draw it as such.”
“Odd,” Jonathan shook his head
“Very,” Cade sighed and walked over to Theodore’s body. “You said bruising happens to the lower and heavier parts of the body, right?”
Jonathan nodded. “That’s right. Once the blood stops, the body can’t bruise anywhere else. Why do you ask?”
Cade motioned to the bruise on Theodore’s left cheekbone. “An odd shape. It looks like an animal head.”
The doctor walked over. “This bruise was before death, and was starting to heal. I am guessing he was punched … possibly with a ring, considering the shape.”
Cade frowned, “A ring?”
“I am assuming, but please do not quote me on that. Like I said, I am not a professional.” Jonathan walked away suddenly looking weary.
“Rough night for you as well?” Cade asked, making note of Theodore’s bruise. The shape was oddly familiar, although he could not place it.
“Not exactly. I still feel a bit shaky knowing that Meg was attacked,” his voice was clipped. “But enough talk, I have some things to do.”
Cade stopped him by taking a step in front of him. “Listen, Jonathan, I wanted to …” Cade swallowed. He hated apologizing to other men, “I mean to say, I don’t think my wife is in love with you.”
Jonathan’s lips flickered. “I am not going to think less of you if you just say sorry Cade.”
Cade stiffened. “Very well. I am sorry.”
Jonathan grinned. “Well, I don’t know. I think I might think less of you now,” he chuckled.
Cade rolled his eyes. “I didn’t exactly like the taste of those words either.”
“You say those words to Rose?”
“Too many times,” Cade sighed. “Apologies are empty for her now.”
“Well, maybe they will mean something again one day,” he smiled reassuringly. “Thank you for the apology.”
Cade grinned. “Yeah, don’t get used to it.”
Jonathan smiled broadly and nodded in agreement. The two men walked out and parted ways. Cade rode to meet Ben at the Hughs’ ranch where the sheriff was waiting patiently on top of his stallion.
“How did it go with our doctor?”
“Not a whole lot more,” Cade grinned and held out the paper, “besides this.”
Ben took the paper and shook his head. “Well, I’ll be danged. Here I thought I was chasing a professional rustling team and instead it was two boys out torturing calves and skinning cattle.”
“You would think the Hughs would have gotten wind of what they were doing? I mean, rustling takes time. We know they frequented the saloon. When did they work?”
Ben shrugged, “Well, go ask them. I’ll talk to Jeffries, if you’d like. I know he’s been a help to you as of late. Might be easier if I do it alone.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.”
/
Cade never would have thought he’d look forward to visiting the Hughs’ ranch, but he didn’t know how he could have questioned Jeffries. He’d rather face the pretentious Phillip then question Jeffries about the murder.
Jessica opened the door. Her face turned stony at the sight of him, and she began to close the door again.
“Mrs. Hugh,” Cade said putting his boot in the doorway, “Jim and Theodore Campbell. They were found murdered, as you may have heard considering how fast news spreads.. They had been dead at least twenty-four hours and I am hoping you can answer some questions about their whereabouts and actions.”
The color leached out of Jessica’s face. “Murder?” she gulped the word. “Where?”
“We found the bodies at Finnegan’s farm, but they were dragged there from another location. As I said, I would like to ask you some questions.”
She shook her head as if clearing her mind, “Ah yes, of course, come in.”
She hurried inside with Cade following her. She motioned for a brown-haired maid to come into the dining room. “Tea, please,” she told the girl before sitting down and rubbing her temple. “Something to drink, Mr. Walker? My husband has quite the collection.”
Cade looked at the gray-haired man seated in a comfortable chair. His eyes were vacant and his mouth drooped; there was a slight tremor in his left hand.
“No,” Cade said quickly, “thank you.” He sat down on the sofa opposite Mrs. Hugh who waved a hand at her husband. “He is like this most days,” she sighed. “Sometimes he is coherent, but that is becoming increasingly seldom.”
“I am sorry,” Cade said sincerely.
Jessica shrugged. “So, what questions do you have, Mr. Walker?”
Just as he was about to speak, Phillip walked in protesting, “Mother why are you here with this man? You know I worry for your safety around men like him.”
Jessica rolled her eyes, “Calm down, Phillip. Mr. Walker is here to ask questions about a murder.”
Phillip raised his eyebrows. “A murder? Of whom?”
“Jim and Theodore Campbell,” Cade replied. “They were your employees weren’t they?”
Jessica sighed. “I actually wished to fire them. They were missing a lot of work, but Phillip convinced me to keep them on.”
“They were childhood friends,” Phillip explained. “We played and fished in the same pond. I grew up in ideal circumstances whereas they did not.” He smiled sweetly. “The least I could do was give them a job.”
Jessica frowned. “They’d been sneaking around the house.”
Phillip rolled his eyes. “You are being paranoid, Mother. I asked them to help me move Father after one of his episodes.”
Jessica glared, clearly not liking her son’s dismissiveness. “They were in his study … alone.”
Phillip waved a careless hand, his large signet ring looking too big for his thin fingers, Cade thought.
“I offered them some of Father’s bourbon in thanks for the help. I told them to wait while I got the key to the liquor cabinet.”
Cade raised a brow. “Your husband has a key to his liquor cabinet?” That seemed odd; usually men did such things only when small children were in the house.
Jessica shot a glance at her husband, “On one of his more lucid days, he claimed that he saw workers snooping around our rooms.”
Phillip gave a patronizing smile. “Now Mother, you know Father is paranoid about people trying to take his things.” At her glare, he raised his hands defensively. “I only speak the truth.”
“We discovered that Jim and Theodore were the rustlers around these parts. Either of you know something about that?”
Jessica scowled, “I thought the rustlers were linked to the Silent Owls. Every rancher in Colorado knows about that gang.”
Cade shook his head. “No, just two boys trying to fill their pockets with dirty money.”
Jessica closed her eyes, as if forcing back a headache. “That would explain their frequent absences. You can talk to our workers. Perhaps they will know more about it.”
Phillip quickly stood up. “I am sorry, Mr. Walker, but I am going to have to disagree with my mother on that. I have a feeling anything you do find out you will use to cast us in a bad light.”
Cade arched an eyebrow. “I believe Mrs. Hugh holds the authority.”
When Jessica looked away, Phillip shook his head, “Sadly, she does not. I am the age where I now run the ranch along with Father. He and I make decisions,” he smiled sweetly at his mother. “Isn’t that right, Mother?”
Jessica Hugh looked icy, as if she was ready to backhand Phillip across the face. Instead she gripped her hands tightly together and nodded. “Phillip is right, Mr. Walker. He has the final say, along with my husband.” Her eyes narrowed and in a vitriolic tone added, “After all, what does a woman know about ranching?”
Cade decided that was a subject he should not get involved with. Instead, he turned his attention back to Phillip, “Where were you Monday?”
Phillip lifted his chin, “Well, let’s see. Monday I handled some business here, of course. All the servants can vouch for me, and after that …” he tilted his head,” I was planning on visiting your lovely wife again, but I did not want to cause a scene such as last time.”
Cade felt his blood heat as his veins threatened to pop. He took a step toward Phillip, but Mrs. Hugh interceded by walking towards the door. “I think that is enough questions for today. I’m tired.”
Phillip shrugged. “Mother does not approve of my interaction with a married woman.” He licked his bottom lip, “Especially not one with a colored daughter.” He enunciated the words smacking them on his lips vulgarly.
Cade took another step forward.
“Please, Mr. Walker,” Jessica Hugh urged. Cade held Phillip’s wide smile before he slowly turned and walked out the front door, but not before he noticed a swollen knuckle on Phillip’s hand. He paused and turned before Jessica could shut the front door.
“How did your son hurt his knuckle?” he asked.
She paused for one, two, three blinks before lifting her head and saying with feigned confidence, “Saddling his horse.” Then, she shut the door.
Cade smiled and walked towards his horse, “Saddling his horse, my foot.” He whistled for his stallion. Looking over his shoulder, he could see Phillip Hugh looking out the window at him. Slowly Phillip raised his finger to his lips and blew Cade a kiss in a mocking manner. Cade turned around, unable to ignore the odd look in Phillip’s eyes and the shiver down his spine.
Thirty–Eight
Rose felt an unusual amount of peace and cheerfulness. Perhaps it was because she knew things had worked out between Meg and Jonathan. Perhaps it was seeing her mother have another daughter in Meg. Maybe it was Daisy’s ever-deepening dimples and beautiful eyes. Maybe, just maybe, it was seeing Cade sitting on a chair out front reading a book.
“Good evening. It is a surprise to see you home.”
He looked up, his eyes immediately boring into her own. “There were several saloon fights today,” he said as if explaining something.
Rose frowned. “I’m sorry.” She did not know exactly what he wanted her to reply.
He cocked his head. “I was in the saloon quite a bit.” He set down the book, “Around drinking and gambling.”
Rose’s lips parted. “Oh … OH.” She nodded with understanding and sat next to him, “And how are you doing?”
He shrugged. “It was a struggle, I’m not going to lie, but I made it through.
I also bought something for you. I realized the last thing I ever bought you was that cow charm.” He cocked an eyebrow ever so slightly. “The one you left back in Denver.”
Rose ignored that comment. She had left it so he would see it, a reminder of what he had lost. “Well, you do know I’m a woman who never refuses gifts,” she laughed, then added, “How is the murder investigation going?”
Cade clicked his tongue. “I am meeting with Jonathan tomorrow fairly early so we can compare information. I remember you saying you needed to pick some things up for Daisy. We could go together.”
“And listen to the details of the case?”
“If you want. Maybe you’ll see something we can’t.” Cade looked away, his brows furrowed and jaw jutted. It was a look Rose had seen when he worked the railways and could not figure out a robbery, murder, or kidnapping.
Out of habit, she reached over and rubbed his back. His muscles shivered beneath her hand and for a moment he let himself melt under her touch. She could feel the hard back soften with his breath. She rubbed deeper, her fingers pushing into his skin as she admired the strong back.
Suddenly Cade jerked away and stood up. “I am going to go finish the fence,” he said suddenly.
Rose frowned, standing up as well. “But you had a long day. The fence can wa
it.”
Cade ran a hand through his hair and looked at Rose, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “No, it can’t.” Then without another word he turned around and stormed to the barn to collect his tools.
Rose felt her own muscles tense with embarrassed anger. He’d just refused her. Refused her touch, refused her flirting, simply refused her.
Rose watched him a moment before rushing to her bedroom. To her delight there was a package wrapped up in blue ribbon. Feeling jittery she opened the package, and a small cry escaped her lips. Her cow necklace, the one Cade had commissioned for her. Beside it was also a copy of Louisa May Alcott’s Old-Fashioned Girl—her favorite author, she didn’t realize he knew that. She slowly lifted the necklace. She loved this necklace and its association with Cade. Though it had been liberating to leave it, she was glad he had brought it back, and it touched her that he had not thrown it away as she assumed he would.
Rose placed the necklace around her neck and hurried to the mirror to add on some earrings. This did not make everything all right, and she knew she would not simply fall into his arms, but he certainly deserved a thank you.
She checked on Daisy who was nestled in her crib in such deep slumber that her lips fluttered with her snores. Planting a kiss on her round cheek, Rose hurried out of the house to thank her husband.
/
Cade was trembling by the time he reached the fence, the touch of Rose’s fingers still branding his flesh. He regretted leaving her thoug, when he saw Beth waiting for him. He tried to ignore her stares, grunting only occasionally at her words.
He knew she was unsatisfied with her marriage. She was constantly comparing her husband to Cade. Supposedly her spouse was kind but hardly rose from his chair and avoided any sort of labor. Cade got the feeling there wasn’t a whole lot of conversation or anything else going on between them.
“I miss it, you know,” Beth sighed, watching Cade lift a post. “Did you not hear me? I said I miss it.”
He set it down in a muddy hole. “Miss what?” he asked absent-mindedly. Beth had brought him out biscuits, and it was hard to not be polite to a woman who brought food.
The Ways of Heaven Page 23