The Colorado Bride

by Mary Burton

  Cole jerked his body to the right, easily dodging the book that smashed against the wall and fell open-faced on the floor. He advanced a step.

  She grabbed another book and threw it. “Go away.”

  “We’ve got to talk.”

  She picked up a small pitcher filled with daises. “You mean you have more orders to issue.”

  “Dusty’s father’s back in town.”

  She lowered the vase and clutched it to her chest. “What!” she whispered. All the fight seemed to drain from her. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh, God, not again.”

  “He’s not going to take Dusty.” Cole hated seeing her suffer.

  Her eyes snapped open. “Did he say that?”

  “No. I haven’t talked to him yet.”

  “Then you don’t know what he’s going to do!”

  Panic twisted her features. “I’m going to talk to him. Make him see reason.”

  Her lips flattened into a grim line and her shoulders slumped. “It was wrong of me to keep the truth from you. Maybe this time—”

  “This is a different situation,” he said cutting her off. “Judd deserted his boy and in my book that means he surrendered his rights to Dusty.”

  She slumped forward and buried her face in her hands. “Cole, what are we going to do?” The raw anguish in her voice tore at his heart.

  Cole wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace and pulled her to him. She melted against him and clung to him as if he were a lifeline. She felt good in his arms.

  “I swear I won’t let him take our boy,” he whispered against her ear.”

  “Our boy.” She looked up at him, her eyes misty. “I don’t want to lose him.”

  “He’s not going anywhere.”

  Cole cupped her face in his hands and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was soft, meant to comfort, but it sent his senses spinning out of control. Dear God, he wanted her.

  She whimpered and leaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  He tightened his hold. Her soft curves melded against his body, ignited his desire.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  Needing no more encouragement, he banded his arm around her waist and scooped her legs up with the other. With her cradled in his arms he carried her to the bed and laid her down in the center. Her bed sagged under their weight as he straddled her hips.

  She stared up at him, her lips full and moist. She slid trembling hands up his thighs. He sucked in a breath, then captured her hands. He kissed each palm.

  Weeks of pent-up emotions begged to be released. He reached for the buttons of her bodice and unfastened each with deliberate slowness. This time he was going to savor touching her, loving her.

  Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains onto her creamy white flesh.

  Cole cupped her breasts savoring the sight of them. “You’re so beautiful,” he rasped. He kissed their pink tips until they stood erect.

  Rebecca arched toward him, pushing into him. “Cole.”

  He slid his hand under her skirts and tugged at the drawstring on her pantaloons. The cottony fabric slid easily down her thighs and he reached for her soft feminine flesh. She sucked her breath between clenched teeth when he touched the warm, moist flesh. She was ready for him.

  Cole straightened and unfastened the buttons on his pants while Rebecca lay staring up at him, expectant. Her eyes didn’t flutter away as he shoved his pants over his narrow hips. Rock hard, he thought he’d explode as she took in the sight of him. Unable to wait, he dropped down on top of her and slid into her.

  Rebecca moaned softly, welcoming him inside her. Why was it that when he was inside her he felt so at home, so at peace?

  Cole began to move back and forth, letting his primitive side drive him. Rebecca matched him pace for pace, cupping his naked buttocks and sending him teetering to the brink of insanity and pleasure.

  Still, he held off. He wanted her to savor the ancient delights. He kissed her nipple and she moaned. He reached for the tender flesh between her legs and began to stroke her. She arched almost immediately. Her husky whispers were inaudible.

  “Please Cole, now.”

  “Not just yet.” When they made love they were truly connected and he did not want it to end.

  He trailed kisses over her breasts and up the long line of her neck.

  He thought he’d burst with wanting her—the exquisite torture. He quickened his pace driving her over the edge into the heart of the maelstrom. Her body stiffened and her fingernails dug into his back. He thrust deep into her and found his own release.

  Cole collapsed against her, his body covered in a sheen of sweat. Their heartbeats hammered together as one. And for one instant, he wasn’t alone.

  He’d survived as long as he had because he had never relied on anyone. He’d come to accept loneliness as inevitable as the sun—but now, he knew he could no longer exist without Rebecca, Mac and Dusty—his family.

  Cole rolled off her. They could never be happy until Dusty’s custody was resolved and their family safe. He could not begin to mend the rift between them until he’d talked to Judd.

  Rebecca trailed her fingers down his back. “Don’t go.”

  “I have to.” The simplest touch made him grow hard.

  Cole wanted to reach out to her, cradle her in his arms, but now was not the right time. He had to make certain their family was safe.

  “I’m going to look for Judd,” he said feeling like he needed to explain.

  “What are you going to tell him?”

  “The truth.”

  “Let me come with you.”

  “This is something I have to do alone.”

  Rebecca flinched. She gathered the edges of her bodice together. The hurt returned to her eyes. The connection between them was severed, the distance between them returned.

  Cole would talk to Judd today—face-to-face, man to man—about Dusty. Judd was a rough sort, and had proved he didn’t want the boy. It would be a simple matter to convince the farmer that Dusty belonged with Cole and Rebecca.

  It would be simple.

  It would be simple.

  * * *

  Rebecca tucked the edges of the comforter under the pillow, still warm from Cole’s body. The simple act of making the bed saddened her for smoothing the sheets flat erased all traces of their lovemaking.

  And she desperately wanted to cling to the sweet moments when time had stopped and they’d moved as one in a perfect, glorious union.

  She touched the pillow where he’d laid his head. It still held the imprint of his head. She picked it up and hugged it to her chest.

  If it were possible, Cole’s abrupt departure today stung more deeply than it had on their wedding night. He was going to talk to Judd alone, without her. He didn’t trust her enough to help.

  She laid the pillow back on the bed and walked to the window. What kind of future could they have if he could never trust her?

  “Now why are you standing there with such a long face?” Bess’s cherry voice echoed from the doorway. “What I wouldn’t give to have an afternoon visit like the one you just had. I suppose this means you two have mended the rift between yourselves.”

  Rebecca shoved her troubled emotions deep inside her and faced her friend. Bess wore a lovely indigo calico and had swept her salt-and-pepper hair into a neat chignon. “Things really haven’t changed between us.”

  “Earning trust takes time.”

  “I don’t know what I can do any differently,” she sobbed.

  Bess laid her hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. “You don’t need to do a thing differently. Just keep being there for him. In time he’s gonna see what a prize he has for a wife.”

  “He can’t get past my lies.”

  “He’s a prideful man, but in time he’ll understand. Have faith in him and your marriage.”

  Rebecca watched Bess pull a pair of lace gloves from the reticule dangling from her wrist. “Why are you so dressed up? It�
�s not Sunday.”

  “Ernie’s downstairs on the porch waiting for me. He’s been promising me a ride in the country for days and I think he’s finally gonna see it through.”

  Rebecca cocked an eyebrow. “Ernie Wade? But I thought the man drove you insane.”

  “He does, but in a good way. He makes me feel like a young girl.”

  Rebecca remembered the way Ernie had courted her. “You must have been upset when he came calling on me.”

  Bess shrugged. “The old coot thought a young wife and a family was what he wanted. If Cole hadn’t snapped you up, I would have stepped in and set things straight.”

  Rebecca smiled. “But you’re forever ignoring him.”

  “Don’t pay to let them think you’re too interested.”

  “Ah, Bess,” she said hugging her friend. “I wish you two the best.”

  The older woman grinned and hugged her back. “Thank you.”

  A loud knock on the front door echoed through the house. Bess giggled like a schoolgirl. “That Ernie is an impatient one.”

  Rebecca savored her friend’s excitement and followed her down the stairs to the front hallway. Ernie stood on the other side of the screened door with a batch of fresh daisies in his meaty fist. His hair was parted down the middle and the distinct smell of bay rum oozed into the house.

  “I think he’s picked every wildflower in six square miles,” Bess whispered.

  “Come in, Ernie,” Rebecca said chuckling. “You know the way inside.”

  Ernie opened the door, his gaze flickering briefly from Rebecca to Bess. The wrinkles at his temples deepened when he smiled at Bess. “You’re looking might purdy today, Miss Bess.”

  Bess’s skin turned a deep pink. “Thank you.”

  She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and he lovingly patted it. “I reckon we’d best be off.”

  “Where are we going?”

  He chucked her under the chin. “Now that’s a surprise.”

  Bess snuggled closed to Ernie. “I love surprises.”

  He waggled his eyebrows. “I know.”

  The tender scene tugged at Rebecca’s heart. “Make sure you have her back before dark, Ernie Wade.”

  Bess rolled her eyes. “Rebecca McGuire, I’m old enough to be your mother.”

  Ernie touched the brim of his hat. “I’ll have her back, Mrs. McGuire.”

  Rebecca grinned. “See that you do.”

  The couple walked to the picket fence. Ernie opened the gate for Bess. The older woman howled with laughter then sashayed past him. He gave her bottom an affectionate pat and the two walked hand in hand toward town.

  Jealousy tugged at Rebecca’s heart. That was the way it was supposed to be between a man and woman—a husband and wife—and she wanted that with Cole.

  And in that moment, she knew.

  She wanted more than Cole’s trust. She wanted his love.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cole stared at the cracked tumbler full of untouched whiskey. He tapped his fingers against the sticky saloon table as he waited in the darkened corner for Judd. Seth said the farmer had spent most of the morning in the saloon and likely would return soon. Damn, but he hated the waiting.

  He reminded himself for the fifth time in the last hour that Judd likely wouldn’t give him any trouble. The man had no real use for Dusty. Still, he couldn’t quite shake his worries. There was always the chance that Judd wouldn’t give him the boy.

  He rose from his chair and strode to the swinging doors. He opened it and sucked in the warm afternoon air.

  He should have been at the mine. The evening shift would be starting soon. There were walls to be timbered.

  But dreams of money and wealth paled now.

  His thoughts were only for Dusty, Mac and Rebecca.

  His family.

  Like Dusty and Mac, he had never belonged anywhere until Rebecca. She had created their family and now was their center, the glue that held them all together.

  “You gonna sit there all day nursing that drink?” Seth barked. He sauntered up to the table. His stained apron clung to his wide waist and a bar towel hung over his shoulder.

  Cole traced the rim of his glass. “You kicking me out?”

  “No.” Seth pulled out the seat across from Cole and sat down. “But I’ve been wondering why a man with such a beautiful wife is sitting in the Rosebud.”

  “I’m waiting on Judd.”

  Seth’s expression tightened. “I figured as much. If it were me, I’d just wait Judd out. He’ll slither back under his rock soon enough. He always does.”

  “Judd and I need to settle a few things now.” He had to be certain his family was safe.

  “I don’t want any trouble in my saloon.”

  “There won’t be any trouble.”

  Seth snorted. “You two are trouble waiting to happen.”

  Cole nodded. He couldn’t deny part of him wanted to beat the devil out of Judd—give him a little of what he’d dished out to Dusty. But he’d resolved there would be no trouble, unless it was absolutely necessary.

  Seth sighed. “Go on home. I’ll send word when he arrives.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll wait here.”

  Seth straddled a chair across from Cole. “You’re worried.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Boy, you’ve had more than you could handle since you came back to town.”

  Cole scowled. “Meaning?”

  “Rebecca’s done got under your skin.”

  Silent, Cole sipped his whiskey. The old bastard always had a talent for reading minds.

  Seth chuckled. “I remember the way you was when you were with Lily. You was kind and respectful, but your gaze didn’t trail her around the room. And you sure never got all tied in knots when she danced with another man.”

  Cole shifted, uneasy.

  “And you could walk away from her without a worry in the world. Now you’ve gotten tangled up with a woman that you can’t walk away from and it scares the hell out of you.”

  “Rebecca and I have children. It’s a different situation.”

  “Men walk away from children all the time.”

  “Not me.”

  “Rebecca’s different. She always has been.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Seth pulled a cheroot from his vest pocket and lit it. “I remember when you came to town three years ago.” He inhaled deeply and released a stream of smoke. “You weren’t here to visit your ma’s grave or Lily.”

  Cole cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Then why did I come back?”

  “To see Rebecca.”

  “Bull.”

  “I remember how angry you was when you heard she’d eloped. You drank until you couldn’t see straight and then you went looking for Lily.”

  “What’s wrong with a man visiting a friend?”

  “She was a substitute.”

  “Like hell.”

  “Lily was a smart gal. She knew you’d always had eyes for Rebecca.”

  “Now, I know you’re crazy or drunk.”

  “Sane and sober as a judge.”

  Cole reached for his hat. “I’ve heard enough of this.”

  “I always admired your spunk, even when you was a little fellow. Your ma weren’t the best at mothering and I know you suffered for it.”

  “That’s enough, old man.” Cole rose but he didn’t leave.

  “I know you closed off a good part of your soul to get past the hard times, but it’s time to open up again.”

  Cole crushed the brim of his hat in his fist. He’d faced down renegades and outlaws, but never had he been so afraid. It was as if this time, there was more to lose than just his life.

  “If you’re smart,” Seth persisted, “you’ll forget about Judd. He’ll leave town. Then if you’re real smart you’ll leave this saloon and go home to your wife. It’s where you belong.”

  The doors to the saloon swung open and Judd staggered in. Cove
red in dirt, he made his way toward the bar. “Seth! I want a drink.”

  Seth moved to stand but Cole shook his head. “Let me take this one.”

  Seth nodded. “Let it go, Cole.”

  “Sorry, Seth.” Cole strode over to Judd who smelled of pigs and urine.

  Judd banged his hand against the bar. “Seth!”

  Cole tossed his hat on the bar. He reached for a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He filled both. “We need to talk.”

  Judd took one glass and tossed back the whiskey in one gulp. “I ain’t got nothing to say to you, McGuire.”

  “Too bad, you’re gonna talk.”

  Judd rose to his feet. He was a good six inches shorter than Cole, but he was powerfully built, his chest and arms thick with muscles from years of hard labor.

  “It’s about your boy.”

  Judd sniffed. “If he’s causing trouble don’t expect me to fix it.”

  Cole clenched his fists. “The boy’s done nothing wrong.”

  “Dusty’s done nothing right since the day he was born.”

  Cole stared at his knuckles, scraped up this morning while he was wielding a pickax. He flexed his hand as he tried to shake off the urge to ram his fist into Judd’s face. “I don’t agree.”

  Judd narrowed his eyes. “I’m not interested in talking about that brat.”

  “He’s living with me and my wife,” Cole said tersely.

  Judd took Cole’s untouched drink and swallowed it. “Wife? Ah, that’s right. Some of the boys at the saloon last night said you married that high-and-mighty Mrs. Taylor. That little miss and I had a run-in this spring. She didn’t like the way I was teaching my boy a lesson with the business end of my belt,” he snarled. “She’s the one that deserved a lesson in keeping her nose out of other people’s business.”

  If not for the white-hot anger roiling inside him, he’d have enjoyed the flash of pride he felt for his wife. Rebecca was a hellcat when it came to her children.

  Still, thinking of her facing Judd alone made his blood run cold. She was no match for him.

  Cole kept a tight rein on his emotions, choosing his words carefully so he didn’t reveal his anger. Striking a bargain with Judd was more important now than his own anger. “Rebecca would like Dusty to stay with us.”