His pain rattled her; she'd never considered that all his bravado was nothing more than a façade.
"It will work out, you'll see." When she placed her hand on his shoulder again, he slid from under it and stood. Not stepping from her, they stood close. He looked down at her, his eyes searching her face as if she held an answer to all his problems. Nora placed her hands gingerly on both sides of his face and drew him down to her. His eyes widened for a moment before closing. She pressed her lips against his and feathered soft kisses from one end of his mouth to the other, careful not to hurt him.
Grayson responded and tilted his head and kissed her back, his eyes still closed. Nothing could tear her away from him when he relaxed against her, his large firm body sagging. His arms went around her, continuing taking her mouth with his, a soft sound hummed from his throat.
Nora ran her fingers through his silky hair and parted her lips allowing the beautiful invasion of his tongue. He tasted of smoke and peril but she'd die before pulling away from the precipice that was Grayson Cole. Everything she dreamed of, how he'd feel, taste, and sound sank into her being and she relished the warmth of his embrace. His lips began to trail from her mouth and she lifted her face to give him more access. "Nora." The simple whisper asked permission to move forward and her moaned response of his name granted it.
She slid her hands down his back and urged him forward, needing more closeness, her body demanding it. Grayson's soft exhalation against her throat followed by his hot tongue swirling on the surface of her skin drove her to gasp loudly.
The stark sound of a throat clearing broke the spell.
Shocked, Nora pushed from Grayson and stumbled back from him. She jerked over to see Ashley standing at the barn entrance. Eyebrows raised, his midnight blue eyes went from her to Grayson and back. "Ma's coming."
Grayson also cleared his throat and ran both hands through his hair in an attempt to settle the tresses from the tousled mess she'd created. Nora would have laughed at his discomfort if she'd not been busy patting her own down.
The older brother disappeared into the barn, and she heard the low rumble of his voice followed by Elizabeth Cole's animated reply and laughter. God, had he told her what he'd seen?
Nora glanced to Grayson, who'd moved away and held a hand out to a horse that'd neared him. He seemed totally at ease, as if the moment between them had never happened. Of course, the prospect of his mother's appearance could be the reason, but for some insane reason Nora felt affronted at his nonchalance.
"There you are," Elizabeth exited the barn, a warm smile on her lips. She glanced at Grayson but did not speak to him. "Why don't you join me for a cup of tea, Nora?"
"I'm sorry for my lack of manners in not coming in to see you before coming to speak to Grayson," Nora went to the woman and hugged her. "It's just that I was upset over the fight."
"Say no more," Grayson's mother replied with a quick look in Grayson's direction before threading her arm through Nora's. "How is your brother?"
"About the same as him," Nora replied looking over to Grayson who continued to keep his back to them. "Or maybe a bit worse."
They meandered toward the house and by Elizabeth's pursed lips, Nora braced for what the woman would say.
"I know this is difficult, Nora," she began. "It's hard on Gray as well. I'm not sure what you and he spoke of just now, but I want to urge you to give this situation plenty of thought. I don't agree with a forced marriage, of course, and I don't want either of you to get hurt. Especially my son." Worry filled eyes met hers. "He's been through enough heartache and although I think this may be the only way for him to finally have what he needs, a wife and a family. I also don't want both of you to be miserable."
Nora could only nod in silence.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and smiled at her. "If you could care for my son enough to give him the opportunity, he'll prove to be a good man and faithful husband. I know it's hard to believe, but that tough rake exterior is just his way of protecting himself."
His mother, of course, saw the best in Grayson and although Nora expected that some of what she said was true, she had a hard time believing that Grayson Cole could ever be faithful.
Chapter Eight
That was the best kiss he'd ever experienced. Grayson stood frozen facing the horse that nuzzled his extended hand. He'd turned away when his mother approached to keep from embarrassing himself. His arousal pressed behind his britches pulsed and he adjusted his stance. He'd trembled. God when was the last time he'd been affected so much from a simple kiss?
Pliable and supple under his hands, her curves fit perfectly against his body. He'd no idea why she'd come, as he'd not given her an opportunity to speak. Instead he'd gone on, spilling his guts. Still affected from Bronson's confession, she'd caught him at a rotten time.
Sophia's face appeared in his mind's eye and instantly guilt assailed him. Grayson doubled over against the fence, not able to breathe past the heaviness in his chest. "I'm so sorry." He clutched at the wooden gate and attempted to keep from falling when his legs almost gave out. "I'm so sorry." His voice shook.
Ashley approached and leaned against the fence next to him. "Breathe through it, Gray. It's all right."
The calmness in Ashley's voice like a balm had an instant affect and the panic subsided, his breathing easier.
"You gonna go see about your fiancée?"
Grayson slid him a glare. "And do what?"
His brother shrugged. "Don't know, sit and talk I guess."
"I can't Ash. I can't do it. My lip is throbbing, I need a drink."
"I got some whiskey at the bunk house."
They walked alongside in silence, which was usual for when spending time with Ashley. His brother lived in the bunkhouse alone, except when the ranch hands stayed during breeding season and harvesting. Just after returning from his time in the cavalry, he'd moved out when his nightmares caused their parents to worry and the family to wake at his screams. Although their mother fought him on it, Ashley insisted he needed space. Everyone suspected it was his way to keep them from experiencing sleepless nights.
They entered the bunkhouse and Ashley brought a bottle of whiskey from a shelf to the table and poured them both a drink. Grayson swallowed the burning liquid and instantly felt its affect. Not a drinker, he preferred to keep away from liquor, the instant response from his gut was to lurch in protest.
"Thank you, it helps," he told his brother holding his glass out for a refill.
"I can see that," Ashley responded with a shake of his head. "You sure?"
"Yeah." Grayson watched the liquid in his glass. "Bronson is angry with me."
"He'll get over it," Ashley replied swirling the whiskey in his own cup and watching the liquid closely. "Don't know what he wants yet."
"He wants Nora."
"She's not meant for him." Grayson studied his sullen brother. Barely a bruise on his face. With dark hair their mother kept short, he wore a mustache and trim beard, which made his dark blue eyes stand out. He was taller than he and Bronson by at least two inches and broader. The enormous male preferred a solitary life, spending most of his days herding and doing repairs to the perimeter of the fencing. His mother insisted he join the family for dinner every day, but that only meant he did at most twice a week.
"What do you do most evenings, Ash?"
"Most days I'm too tired from work to clean up and come to dinner with y'all. Cook does a good job of feeding us during the day. If I'm planning to stay here, I grab some extra bread or something and eat that."
"Right," Grayson looked around the space, other than two leather bound books, a knife and shaving stuff on a crude shelf, there were a couple of blankets rolled on his bunk. From pegs on the wall hung several shirts and a jacket. Pants were neatly folded on top of a trunk, next to which extra pair of boots were lined up. His brother lived simply. "I don't see you much. I'd like to spend more time with you." His words slurred and Ashley lifted an eyebrow.
&nbs
p; "You spend most of your day looking after the horses. Keeps you from fieldwork where I'm at. Have you eaten today?"
Swallowing the last of the whiskey, Grayson shook his head. His eyes became heavy, and he blinked and attempted to open them wider. "No. I ain't hungry. I better go and see 'bout Nora."
When Grayson stood the room tilted and he would have fallen if not for Ashley grabbing his arm. "You need to lay down. After the fight and not eating, the liquor is about to put you out."
"I'm all right, just tired." Grayson tried to move away, but his head fell onto Ashley's shoulder.
"Yeah, maybe I do need to rest a bit."
The sun was setting when Grayson woke, an oil lamp lit the empty bunkhouse and he sat up and looked around. With a wide yawn, he stood and stretched, feeling rested. He eyed the whiskey bottle, perhaps liquor wasn't all that bad, especially if it allowed for rest when his mind was so full that he'd probably spend most of the night fretting over Bronson, Nora and Mitch Banks.
Raindrops began to fall and thunder sounded in the distance. From the bunkhouse he walked towards his parent’s house. Angry gray clouds moved in and the wind picked up. Light poured from every window and he climbed the steps to the front door. Once inside his mother's high-toned voice sounded from the kitchen stopped him.
"What has gotten into you boys, out there fighting like outlaws? Running wild, acting more like children than adults."
Grayson tiptoed past the doorway and headed for the stairs. Luck was with him. Ashley and Bronson could get the tongue lashing without him.
When his mother spoke again, he stopped and listened. "Poor Nora is beside herself with worry. Her brother attacking Grayson and all, the girl has been through enough without having to worry about Mitch and Grayson brawling in the street."
"Like you said, Ma, Mitch attacked first. When his friends jumped in, me and Ash couldn't just stand there," Bronson's low voice rumbled in reply.
He escaped to his room and lay on the bed. His stomach growled, but it would wait ‘til morning, he wasn't about to go downstairs and face his angry mother.
What had Nora said to his mother? How long had she stayed and visited? He wondered if his mother was aware of what happened between them prior to her coming out to the barn. Most likely, she'd been able to tell from Nora's flushed face and kiss swollen lips. He closed his eyes and thought about the woman he was supposed to marry. It would be so easy to just let go and allow the circumstances free reign. But at the same time it would be too easy to develop feelings for her and open himself to pain.
The thought of it brought a physical ache in his chest and Grayson sat up attempting to catch his breath. It took him long months just to wake up and face the day without first having to push past the pain of his loss after Sophia died. No, he wouldn't do it. He chose not to take that type of risk again.
Besides, he couldn't hurt Bronson that way, regardless of whether he ended up with Nora or not, it would be hard for his brother to see her regularly as sister-in-law. Heck he wasn't sure if seeing her would be much easier for him after what they'd shared.
Two days later it continued raining. The water pelted the roof of the barn and Grayson looked up to ensure none of it leaked in before moving to the next stall. The horses seemed calm regardless of the ruckus outside.
"Grayson," Bronson rushed in, his wet hair plastered to his head. "The sheriff arrested Ashley."
"When?"
"I reckon yesterday, when he went to town to pick up provisions for the bunkhouse. One of the ranch hands, Josiah, came and told Pa after he went to check on him." Bronson took a breath. "They say he killed Glenn Walters."
"Is Pa going to town?"
"He asked that you and I go, he's staying, worried about the rain, the river is high and may overrun."
"I'll go, you stay here and help in case it does." Grayson was already tightening the saddle straps on his horse. "I'll find out what can be done after I get some cash from the strongbox. I'll stay in town until Ash is freed."
Bronson nodded and looked toward the house. "Maybe I should go with you. I mean it is a wicked storm out there. But Pa will need help if the river does flood."
"That's why you need to stay here." Grayson was glad that his brother no longer seemed angry with him. "I'll be fine."
The twins arrived at the house, to their father comforting their mother. She looked up at Grayson and sniffed. "This is horrible. Ashley did no such thing. He's been here since you all got back from town two days ago. Miles just doesn't like him."
Grayson went to his mother and rubbed her arm. "Don't worry, Ma, I'm gonna go see about Ashley. I'll take care of things."
Hank followed Grayson to the office, his face a mixture of outrage and concern. "Go see Archie Wade, hire the attorney and tell him to get Ash out of that place."
"I will, Pa."
The trip to town took longer than expected, at times he could barely see past his nose thanks to the deluge. He shivered from the cold, his jacket soaked through, but he continued until reaching the sheriff's office.
Grayson walked in without knocking. Inside, the sheriff's deputy sat at a ramshackle desk, his boots up, his hands behind his head. The man's bored gaze met his and then looked past him. "Surprised you came by yourself. You Coles rarely travel alone."
"Where's my brother?" He had no time to waste on swapping insults with the man. "I want to see him."
"Mind your manners, son," the man didn't budge from his relaxed position, but his body tensed. "You come in here, you don't demand nothing. "
Grayson sighed and looked toward the short hallway, which he knew led to the cells. It worried him that Ashley had not responded and let him know he was all right. But then again his brother rarely spoke around others. "I'd like to see my brother, deputy."
"See now, it don't hurt to be respectful." The deputy unfolded from the chair, picked up a heavy key ring, and motioned for Grayson to precede him into the next room. He caught sight of Ashley. His brother lay on a hard bunk, his hands pillowing his head and stared up at the ceiling. Grayson looked to the deputy. "What kind of proof you got?"
"He threatened Walters in front of the sheriff. What more you want?"
"That isn't proof he did anything," Grayson snapped. Ashley sat up and watched the exchange, his eyes locked on the deputy.
The man shifted from one foot to the other obviously discomfited by Ashley's unblinking regard. "Look you need to talk to Sheriff Dawson, it's up to him. He just went to see about his family, should be back in an hour or two."
"I'd like to spend a few minutes talking to Ashley," Grayson eyed the keys. "You can lock me up with him for now if you wish."
The deputy motioned to Ashley. "Get back in the corner, turn your back, put your hands up behind your head while I unlock this here door and put your brother in."
Ashley rolled his eyes, but did as the deputy bid. Grayson held his breath hoping his brother remained in the corner. He had no doubt Ashley could escape if he wanted to.
Once the deputy locked the door, he eyed them with more bravado. "You got fifteen minutes."
Grayson stalked to the cell door almost smiling when the smaller man moved back. "Since when is there a time limit?"
"I ain't got to explain nothin' to ya." The deputy's eyes shifted to the front office, someone had entered. "Just holler when you're done."
"How are you holding up," Grayson asked Ashley who'd sat on the bunk and leaned against the wall. "Ma is right upset about this. Pa and Bronson didn't come cause the rain is making the river rise pretty high."
Ashley's gaze shifted to the doorway. "I ain't worried. I didn't do it." He placed his hands beside his legs and looked down. "I hate not being able to help at the ranch if the river overflows."
Grayson remained standing, too wet to sit on the bed. "I don't believe it will." It would be bad for it to happen with both him and Ashley not there.
"You don't need to get Wade, just wait until the sheriff gets talking to people, he'll find out
I didn't do it, soon enough."
"That could take a week or more, Ash. You know Uncle Miles doesn't like you. Ma will come here and throw a fit on his head if you have to stay here much longer."
Ashley's chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Wouldn't want to be Dawson if she decides to do that." He eyed Grayson's clothes. "You're soaked, need to get somewhere and get out of them before you get sick."
"Here." Grayson handed Ashley a bundle that managed to stay dry. "Ma insisted I bring this. It's some dried beef and what not."
"You're shivering," Ashley told him reaching for the bundle. "Go on now, I'll be all right. ''Spose you can stop by the brothel and ask for dry clothes. Sometimes they got some."
Grayson wasn't sure he wanted to know how Ashley knew this. "All right, I got a couple things to do for Pa. I'll be back in the morning."
With one hand on Ashley's shoulder Grayson called for the deputy.
Grayson found himself standing on Nora's porch his fist about to connect with the door. A shiver shot through him and he wondered if he wasn't already sick from wearing the soaking wet clothing. He'd housed his horse at the stables and walked the short distance to her house. Not sure what to expect, actually the slamming of the door in his face would not surprise him in the least. After two pounds on the door he called out. "Nora, it's me, Grayson."
The door came open, warm air hitting his frozen face. Brows drawn and lips slightly parted, she looked up at him. "Grayson, what in the world are you thinking?" Nora took a step back and opened the door further. "You're soaked to the skin, you fool."
If his teeth were not rattling, he'd have laughed, instead he scurried to stand in front of the fireplace and tore off his jacket. It fell with a plop on the floor. "I'm sorry...had to come...see about my b-brother." He got as close as he could to the fire and stuck his hand out to the warmth.
"I'll get you some dry clothes," Nora said and he heard her retreating footsteps. Just like her to take care of things first. He began to unbutton his shirt, a task that proved hard with shaky fingers.
A Different Shade of Blue, Shades of Blue, Book 2 Page 6