by Dina Chapel
She loved him.
And what if she was wrong in thinking that Rafe wanted to be done with the responsibility of her? If there was a chance he might love her too...
That funny feeling flared up again at that very thought, hard and strong, and desperate. The stagecoach was moving away from Rafe Stanton and if she stayed on it, she might never see him again. Annie suddenly found the very idea unbearable.
She’d begun to reach her hand out the window to try to get the driver’s attention when the stage slowed down and came to an unexpected stop. Annie and one of the other passengers peered out the windows, looking for riders alongside them. Why did they stop? Were they being robbed?
The door on Annie’s side flew open and there stood Tom, relief pouring over his face at the sight of her. “Annie!” Tom sounded truly glad to see her. “Thank goodness we found you!”
Tom reached out a hand and helped Annie out of the stagecoach and onto the dusty, dirty ground; she felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth at her brother-in-law’s heartfelt pronouncement. He really seemed to care. It took some getting used to, still. Over Tom’s shoulder, Annie saw Rafe dismounting his horse, and there was another man too. She didn’t recognize him. Annie’s initial elation at seeing Rafe for the first time after realizing her true feelings for him quickly gave way to anxiety, confusion and disappointment when she saw the grim look on his face. Something was wrong.
Rafe was headed straight for her, and she was frozen to the spot. She took a quick, nervous glance around her; even if she tried to run, she knew she wouldn’t get very far. And Annie was suddenly surprised to realize that, for the first time in her life, the very last thing she wanted to do was run away. Tom stepped aside just as Rafe approached.
“You have some explaining to do, young lady.” With that, Rafe took Annie by the elbow and led her over to where the other man stood by the horses. “This is Will Jameson.”
At the mention of the man’s name, Annie’s heart plummeted and her insides twisted.
“Nice to finally make your acquaintance, Miss Walters.”
“I–I...” Annie stammered. She didn’t know what to say. She was caught and she knew it. And the worst part of it was that Rafe couldn’t seem to look at her. She looked from Rafe to Will to Tom.
“Annie, is it true that you and Jenny lied to Will’s man, Teddy Cobb, to trick him into thinkin’ you were someone else?” Tom looked disappointed.
Annie had to look at the ground; it hurt to see the look on Tom’s face. “Yes, we did.” Annie looked up then. “But, Tom, it was all my idea. I got scared and didn’t want to get married. Jenny didn’t want to lie, she did it for me. You have to believe me. Please don’t be mad at her.” Annie would plead with Tom all night if need be to protect Jenny. And it was true; Jenny hadn’t wanted to do it, but Annie begged her. She didn’t think Jenny should have to pay for her misdeed.
“I’ll take what you say into consideration, Annie, but it’s my decision how I’ll deal with Jenny. She has some explaining to do to me.” Tom turned to Will. “Rest assured, she’ll be punished for the deceit.” Will just nodded in response. Tom turned back to Annie. “And it’s up to Will here how he’ll deal with you and your lyin’.”
Will spoke up then, “I’ll handle Annie’s punishment once I get her home.”
At that moment, the stagecoach driver came over with Annie’s satchel. “I take it the young lady is not plannin’ on gettin’ back on the stage? ‘Cause if that’s the case, them other folks is anxious to get on the way.”
Will reached out and took Annie’s bag from the man. “That’s right, sir, she’s off the stage. Sorry for the delay.”
“That’s all right, that’s all right. Good luck to you folks, then. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat to Annie and made his way back over to the stagecoach, climbed up top and grabbed the reins. They started off, with the other passengers watching them through the coach windows.
Annie just stood in shock at Will’s words. He was taking her home with him. She looked at Rafe. “But... Rafe...” she started, but didn’t know quite what else to say.
He looked right at her. “You promised yourself to him. That should mean somethin’, Annie.”
“But... I thought...” She didn’t know how to say what she thought. She thought she loved him and she thought he might love her too. She thought he wouldn’t let Will Jameson take her away and make her his wife.
Rafe took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, then he turned his head and looked off in the distance at nothing in particular. He shook his head slightly. “I just can’t reconcile with takin’ what belongs to another man.” Rafe looked at the ground, then out at nothing again. Seemed like he didn’t know quite where to look. “Ain’t never done that in my life, and I don’t intend to start now.”
Annie could feel the tears starting as he spoke. Rafe glanced at her once, then quickly looked away. Annie’s tears could move him like no other woman’s had ever been able to do. He knew he wouldn’t be able to do what he needed to do, what he knew was the right and fair thing to do, if he saw those tears. He could not look at her again.
“It’d be for the best if you go with Mr. Jameson here, like you was supposed to in the first place.” Rafe was angry. He had never felt this way about any woman before in his life. Now he did, and he couldn’t have her. She belonged to someone else.
Annie continued to look directly at him, not wanting to believe him. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She loved him. She was sure of it. And she had let herself believe that he might just love her too. Now he wouldn’t even look at her. Annie felt her heart breaking.
“Annie.” Will spoke up then. “I think it best if we get on our way now. There’s still plenty of day left and we’ve got a bit of traveling to do.” He proceeded to secure Annie’s bag to his horse.
“You’ll ride with me,” Will stated firmly. Annie was in shock. This was all happening so fast – too fast.
“Can I say goodbye to Jenny?” she pleaded. Annie wanted to do anything to not leave. She looked from Will to Tom.
“Seein’ as you were on your way out of town, I’m guessin’ you already done that to your satisfaction.” Will then gestured for Annie to come over to him to mount his horse. He was leaving now and she was going to have to go with him.
Annie looked at Tom again with tears in her eyes. Tom truly looked sympathetic. He was a good man.
“You go on and get settled in and Jenny and I can make a trip to visit, if that’s okay with Will here.” Tom was trying to make Annie feel better. It did help to know that she would be able to see Jenny again. It didn’t help to know she might never see Rafe again.
“You’re both welcome,” Will conceded. “I’ve got plenty of room for guests.” With that, he walked over to Annie, took her arm and led her over to his horse, since she didn’t seem to be moving.
“You’ll need to learn to mind me,” Will stated quietly as he helped Annie up on the horse. She was still crying. Will settled himself behind her on the saddle, wrapping one arm around her, and picked up the reins with his free hand. Turning to Tom and Rafe, he tipped his hat. “Much obliged to you both for your help.” With that, Will clicked his heels for the horse to move and they were on their way.
Annie turned to look back, tears running down her face. She watched as Tom and Rafe mounted their horses and headed off in the opposite direction. She couldn’t make herself stop watching Rafe until she couldn’t see him anymore.
Rafe didn’t look back once.
* * * * *
It had been a little more than two weeks since Rafe had last seen Annie and he wasn’t feeling one tiny bit better about things. He had thought maybe if he focused on his ranch and worked hard from sun up to sundown, he could forget about Annie Walters. He really hadn’t known her for very long and she had given him plenty of trouble in that short time.
Rafe remembered how apprehensive he had been to even be responsible for her while Tom and Jenny ho
neymooned. She had seemed like nothin’ but an unwanted burden then. He told himself he should be glad to be rid of her. But he wasn’t. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking about the way she sat a horse in them britches, lookin’ all tough and fearless. He couldn’t stop thinking about how she looked in the mercantile that day, the first time he saw her in a dress, with her hair done up, and how he thought she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen. How she had made all the meals when they were shut in at his cabin from the snow and how, even if they weren’t talking, she was good company.
Rafe couldn’t stop himself from thinking about that kiss, right after the strapping he gave her – it was the sweetest kiss he could ever recall in his life.
And he couldn’t stop thinking about the look on Annie’s face when she realized that she would have to go with Will Jameson. Rafe had wanted nothing more than to grab her, jump on his horse, take her home and never let her go.
But he had let her go. And now he didn’t know how to keep going.
He was leaning on the counter at the tack shop, waiting for the clerk to fetch something from the back storeroom. Rafe hadn’t been in town since that day he and Tom had chased down Annie. He needed supplies, but hoped he wouldn’t run into anyone who’d want to ask him about Annie, like Claire, for instance. He was avoiding the mercantile.
Another customer came in and approached the counter just as the clerk returned. The clerk wasn’t looking up and just started talking. “I believe this is what you’re looking for, Mr. Stanton,” he started, “but, if not, we can—”
“Stanton?” The new customer interrupted. “You wouldn’t be Rafe Stanton by any chance, would you?”
Rafe turned toward the man, feeling a little annoyed at the interruption. He really just wanted to get his supplies and be on his way. “Yes. I’m Rafe Stanton.”
“Name’s Ben Wilkes, Mr. Stanton.” Ben stuck out his hand and Rafe felt obliged to shake it. “My boss sent me here to deliver two things to you. One of them is this here letter.” Ben reached into the chest pocket of his jacket, pulled out a folded paper and handed it to Rafe. “He said you’re to read the letter first and it’ll explain everything.”
Rafe eyed the man suspiciously. “Your boss sent you. Who’s your boss?”
“Mr. Will Jameson is his name.” Ben smiled then. Rafe didn’t know what to think as he unfolded the letter and began to read.
Mr. Rafe Stanton,
Good day to you. The man delivering this letter to you is my most trusted hired hand, Ben Wilkes. I regret that I could not come myself, but sparing Ben is almost more than I can manage right now. I’m sure you understand, being a ranch owner yourself.
The day we caught up to the stagecoach and I took Annie with me, you stated that you could never take what belongs to another man. I appreciated your sense of honor as I share it with you. I have never taken anything that clearly belonged to another.
Which is why Ben is delivering this letter and also delivering one Miss Annie Walters to you.
In the apparently short time that Miss Walters spent with you, you essentially ruined her for all other men – myself included. I am not an unpleasant sort. I treated Miss Walters with kindness and respect. I have a successful ranch and a comfortable home. She would want for nothing with me. The only unpleasantness between us was the sound spanking I gave her when we first arrived home. I felt she deserved punishment for her deception.
Annie cried every day that she was here at my ranch and barely ate. I’m certain she wasn’t sleeping well either.
You should know that her virtue is intact. She had her own room in my home and we did not marry. I was waiting on my brother and his family to arrive to take part in the wedding and celebration following. There will now be no wedding.
She belongs to you. I cannot keep her here knowing this and I most certainly cannot wed her knowing this.
I would, of course, appreciate reimbursement of Miss Walters’ traveling expenses. Please give them to Ben Wilkes and they will be safely delivered to me.
Good luck to you both.
William R. Jameson
5 October 1878
Rafe finished reading the letter, folded it and tucked it into his chest pocket. He was looking at the floor and a small smile appeared on his lips and just as quickly disappeared. He looked up then at Ben Wilkes and nodded. “Where is she?”
Ben gestured outside. “She’s right outside in the buckboard.” Ben continued as he and Rafe headed for the door. “Sure am glad I ran into you. It’ll save me a trip out to your ranch.” Rafe was barely listening. He walked out of the store and straight over to the side of the wagon. He looked up at Annie with not a trace of emotion on his face.
When Annie had first seen Rafe come out of the store, her heart had leapt into her throat, or at least that’s what it felt like. She had been so nervous. She wasn’t sure that he would be happy to see her and she hadn’t expected to see him yet. One look at his stern face and now she was sure that he wasn’t happy.
Rafe stood on the ground next to her and fixed that stony gaze on her for what seemed like forever. Then he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her down to the ground. With his hands still on her waist, the stern gaze continued. For a brief moment, Annie was afraid he would turn and walk away and leave her there. She did not expect what he did next.
Without a word, Rafe leaned down and tossed Annie right over his shoulder!
“Rafe!” Annie was in shock. “What are you doing— ow! Rafe, ow!” Rafe’s firm hand planted two hard spanks on her upturned backside.
“I don’t want to hear a word out of you, little girl, unless I ask you a question. And then all I want to hear is you saying ‘Yes, sir.’ Is that clear?”
“But Rafe, why can’t I— ow! Stop that, it hurts!” Rafe spanked her until she stopped speaking.
“I’ll ask again. Is that clear?” Rafe landed one hard smack for emphasis.
“Y-yes! Yes, sir!”
“That’s better. Now I suggest you remember that unless you want me to sit down right here and spank your bare behind for the whole town to see.”
Annie was about to open her mouth and argue that he couldn’t do such a thing, but then she remembered. This was Rafe. He did what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it.
Rafe turned to Ben Wilkes. “I’m going to head on over to the bank. I owe your boss some money and I’d also like to give you some money to get a room for the night and a good hot meal. This way you can rest up before your trip back.”
“That’s right nice of you, Mr. Stanton.” Ben would definitely enjoy a hot meal and a soft bed.
“The livery is right across from the bank. If you’d like to take your horses and wagon over there, you can just tell them to put the cost on my account. Then meet me at the bank.”
“Will do.” Ben nodded his head, then chuckled at the woman slung over Rafe Stanton’s shoulder. Funny thing, though, even though she looked mighty uncomfortable and was gettin’ spanked to boot, it was the happiest Ben had seen her since he first met her at the boss’ ranch. There was just no figurin’ women sometimes.
Rafe headed for the bank. With Annie over his shoulder, they seemed to be drawing quite a bit of attention. Annie wanted to ask when Rafe would let her down, but she didn’t dare risk it. She remained silent, even though the blood was beginning to rush to her head.
Rafe’s first order of business was a withdrawal at the bank. He intended to take enough money to pay back Will Jameson, cover Ben Wilkes’ lodging for the night, pay his account at the livery and have enough left over for two very important errands. He was just finishing up with the teller, who was not at all amused by the fact that he had a woman hanging over his shoulder, when Ben Wilkes walked in.
“That should take care of it,” Rafe said as he handed Ben a large sum. He had also jotted a quick note to Jameson, thanking him and wishing him well. Rafe then gave Ben a bit more to cover the hotel and meal. “Enjoy your sta
y in our fine hotel and have a safe trip back home.” Rafe then turned to go.
“Thank you kindly,” Ben offered. Rafe looked back. “And good luck to you.”
“Thank you,” Rafe said and he meant it. He had never felt more thankful in his life. He stepped out of the bank into the bright sunlight and Annie felt her head begin to pound. She was getting very uncomfortable, but Rafe didn’t seem a bit concerned with her comfort. She tried to lift her head high enough to see where they were going, but she couldn’t tell. And with her head feeling like it was, just lookin’ at things hurt. She wished he would let her down.
As Rafe walked along the boardwalk, he was amused by the reactions of the people he passed. And there were quite a few people in town today. The weather was nice and folks always liked to take advantage of that, especially before winter took hold for good and they’d all be stuck inside.
Mostly all the men he walked past smiled at him and nodded in approval. One of them, one of the older gents who hung around outside the mercantile, actually spoke to him. “Nice to see a young feller take a gal in hand for a change, ‘stead of bein’ led about like he was on a leash, like I’m used to seein’.” He took a long draw on his pipe. “Good for you, young man, good for you. And good for you too, young lady. You’ll be better off for it, mark my words. You mind your man, now.” Rafe chuckled and felt Annie stiffen in silent anger. He reached his next intended stop and went in.
Rafe was speaking very quietly to the store owner. So quietly that Annie couldn’t quite make out what either one of them was saying. She had no idea what store they were in – it was definitely one she had never been in before, although she hadn’t been in town more’n two times.
“Is this the lucky lady?” The store owner spoke up then, loud and clear.
“Yes, sir.” Rafe gave Annie’s behind a light tap in acknowledgment.