Way Out West

by Blanche Marriott

  “What it is?” he asked.

  Wordlessly, she jutted her chin in the direction across the street where Tyler stood leaning against a hitching post.

  “Don’t worry about him,” he said. “He’s harmless.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “You saw what happened last night. He knows when he’s met his match.”

  Callie wanted to believe him but she’d seen Tyler’s maniacal eyes up close. She knew he’d be like Spider and not back down easily from something he thought was his. If he truly thought Rand had cheated him, she fully expected him to jump headfirst back into the fire.

  Rand was a different matter. Unlike Tyler, or Spider, or even her ex-fiancé, he cared for others beside himself, cared that no one got hurt. He was also levelheaded and thought things out before acting.

  Just as he was doing with their relationship.

  Rand touched her elbow and guided her down the boardwalk. “Come on. I need to make a quick stop in the telegraph office.”

  * * *

  Taking long strides, Rand hustled Callie down the street until she tugged back on her arm.

  “What’s the hurry? My little legs can only go so fast.”

  “Sorry. I’m just anxious to get this thing in the air.”

  That wasn’t the entire truth. He was anxious to get away from the watchful eyes of Tyler and get to the telegraph office.

  After seeing the menace glaring from across the street, Rand was relieved to have Callie with him. He had a bad feeling about this Tyler. No telling what he’d do if he got her alone.

  At the telegraph office, Rand turned to Callie. “Would you hold this?” Handing her the kite, he went to the counter.

  “How do, Rand,” said the serious man in the visor cap and tied up sleeves. “Need something?”

  “Yes, Willard. I need to send two messages.” He pulled two slips of paper from his coat pocket and glanced over his shoulder at Callie. She smiled sweetly. He smiled back. Then, in a lowered voice, “I need you to be discreet about this.”

  “Did you want to wait?” asked the clerk.

  “No. We’re on our way to the fields.” Rand motioned to the kite in Callie’s hands, then fished money out of his pocket to settle his bill. “Just get them out as quickly as possible.”

  Back on the street, they headed for the open land and left the noise of the town behind. No more chatter, no more boot falls on the boardwalk or horses snorting. Instead, the sounds were those of quiet wind ruffling tall grass, locust clicking their monotonous calls, birds chirping about the fine weather.

  “I didn’t realize how busy the town was until we got away from it,” Callie remarked, slowing her pace until she stopped in the middle of the field. “What a difference out here.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” Rand wished he could squeeze her hand but both of his were on the kite. “Sometimes I just sit out here and stare at the horizon. I find it very soothing.”

  “Mmmm. Once Spider and I rode up into the hills over Hollywood and I asked him to stop so I could see the view. He didn’t get it. Said it was a waste of time.”

  Rand glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. It wasn’t his place to ask about Spider. The basic rule of Way Out West was the right to privacy. If he insisted on keeping his own identity hidden, he had to afford her the same courtesy.

  Still, he wondered. “The guy on the motorcycle, right?”

  She turned her head. “Yes. You see, Spider—“

  With a raised hand, Rand stopped her. “You don’t have to tell me anything and I’m not going to press you.”

  “I know,” she murmured. “But I want you to understand.” Her innocent gaze swept over his face, her smile softened as her eyes settled on his. “We’d been together a year but all he really wanted was a trophy for his bike, something to show off when we rode out with his friends. Once the sting of my desertion wears off, I’m sure it won’t be long before he finds a replacement.”

  Wishing a huge gust of wind would come along and take the kite out of his hands, Rand stared helplessly at the sky blue of Callie’s inviting eyes. His hands itched to be on her, to hold her close. Lowering his gaze to her lips, he wanted to feel them against his, to taste the sweetness of her mouth once more. With her fresh looks and lust for adventure, she belonged here. Way Out West could be like a second home to her, too.

  “That’s why I ran,” she continued. “Breaking up with him would’ve been impossible. When I saw that ad for Way Out West, I knew it was my only salvation.”

  He needed to comfort her, tell her that not all men were so insensitive. He said in a husky tone, “Come here.” He opened his arms and Callie stepped in without hesitation. “I’d never treat you like that. A man should always respect what a woman wants.”

  Callie smiled up at him. He rubbed his nose against hers and gave her a quick, teasing kiss. A strong breeze kicked up, rustling the nearly forgotten kite in his hands.

  “Let’s take advantage of that wind.”

  * * *

  They walked further into the field overgrown with tall grass and wildflowers. Callie picked a long stem of grass and twirled it between her fingers, listening to rustling sounds from all around and feeling the sun warm her skin.

  As Rand prepared the string, she marveled at this man who fancied himself a gentleman, and her a lady. He was everything Spider and Keith weren’t, yet she had no idea who he was. How could she start a relationship based on something so intangible?

  Finished with the string, Rand abandoned the kite and removed first his hat, then his coat, then his gun belt. She watched the strong movement of his shoulders beneath the white linen shirt as he placed them in a pile, hiding the gun belt under the coat. He then rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong forearms with generous amounts of black hair.

  “Okay, let’s see if we can get this thing to fly.” Rand picked up the kite and held it up to test the direction of the wind. The paper puffed out slightly and fought against the restraining string. He eased out the line and took some quick steps back to let the wind catch with gusto. In seconds, the paper rustled loudly and the kite soared upward as Rand gave it more line. The tail waggled like a snake in the sky.

  “Yay! You did it,” Callie yelled. She tilted her head high, shielding her light-sensitive eyes from the sun with her hand, then remembering Rand’s hat, she stooped to pick it up and plopped it on her head before running to join him. “Oh, it looks so regal just sitting there aloft, waving majestically.”

  Rand smiled down at her proudly. He hooked the string around a finger, then pulled Callie in close with his free arm.

  “It’s beautiful, just like you.”

  She snuggled close to his chest and they watched the kite dance in the wind for endless moments without a word. Rand finally squeezed her shoulder.

  “Would you like to take the helm for awhile?”

  She squinted with delight. “Sure, why not? I haven’t done it since I was a kid, but I’m sure I can handle it.”

  “Here.” He placed himself behind her. His arms surrounded her and met in front where his hands prepared to turn over the string. “I’ll hold the string. You take the ball and when it’s secure in your hand, wind a little bit around two fingers. Then I’ll release my finger from above.”

  His cheek pressed close to hers as they both concentrated on the exchange. She felt his warm breath on her skin. The feel of his strong arms against hers made her weak.

  “Are you ready?”

  She nodded. He released his fingers and the kite jerked slightly as it fought to soar higher into the heavens. “Eeeee!” she squealed. “It’s really pulling.”

  “Just hang on tight. You’re in command.”

  “Oh, look at it, Rand. It’s waving to me.”

  “You’re doing great.” He placed his hands on her upper arms and she tensed to his touch.

  A sudden down draft caught the kite and it responded with a quick nosedive. “Oh, no!” Callie cried.

>   “Pull the string,” Rand shouted.

  She did several times and the kite finally resumed its quiet swaying. A moment later, another gust came along and shook the kite and string with a violent rhythm. Callie shrieked and Rand grabbed for the line just as it snapped from her hands. His quick action wasn’t enough. The force of the upward pull dragged the string from his hands and they watched helplessly as the kite rose out of site into the yonder.

  Callie sighed. “We lost it.”

  Rand put his arm around her shoulders. “That’s okay, the fun was in getting it to fly.”

  “But you won’t get it back now.” She held up her hand with the string still attached.

  He lifted the string and pulled her around to face him. “I’d rather have what’s on this end of the string.” He smoothed a hand across her forehead, brushing away some stray hairs and tipping the hat up with one finger.

  “You look mighty tempting in that hat, ma’am.” His voice was husky, a hint of playfulness accenting the words.

  A smile pulled at her lips. “Oh? And just what are you going to do about it?”

  He snaked a hand around her waist, pulling her closer. “First, I’m going to kiss you.” He lowered his mouth to tenderly buff against hers. “Then I’m going to taste you.” He nibbled at her ear lobe and moaned softly in her ear.

  Callie’s arms readily circled his neck as she shivered against the sensations tripping through her body. His words, his actions, everything enticed her into a world of excitement totally unfamiliar to her.

  Rand moved his head back and gazed mischievously into her eyes. Playfully waggling his eyebrows, he growled deeply, “Then, I’m going to bite you!” His teeth chomped near her neck.

  With a shriek, Callie pulled away, flattened a hand to the hat and started to run through the tall grass. Her long skirt hampered her progress and even though she held it up with one hand, she heard his heavy footsteps approaching from behind. A moment later strong hands lifted her into the air and warm lips joined hers as they both breathed heavily.

  She tightened her arms about his neck. Not that she was afraid to fall, but because she didn’t want to let go.

  Rand cuddled her like a babe. “Ah, Miss Callie, I can’t remember when I’ve ever enjoyed being with a woman so much. You’ve brought a light into my life that I never knew existed.”

  A tear sprung to her eye. This big, bold man was as soft-centered as a marshmallow. He held her up like a prize he’d won at a carnival. Yet, what did she have to offer? Who was she? She’d had twenty-five years of living with nothing to show for it.

  “Sir, you sure know how to turn a girl’s head.”

  His smile lit up his face and his eyes glistened in the sunlight. “I plan to do a lot more than that.” He set her feet back on the ground.

  “Meaning?”

  “Meanin’,” he took his hat from her head and put it on his, “I want to show you all of Way Out West. I want you to experience the joy of a simple way of life. I want you to understand why this place is so special to me.”

  “Whoa, hold on, Maverick. I’m only here to do a job, not start a new life. And even if I was, the Old West is the last place I’d look.”

  “Are you sure?” he murmured.

  “Sure about what?”

  “You’re not here to start a new life. From what you’ve told me, it doesn’t sound like you have anything to go back to.”

  Callie hesitated. “Well, I don’t, really.” She plopped down in the grass, which crinkled under her weight. Tugging her skirt snugly over her knees, she drew her legs up and hugged them as a melancholy mood settled over her.

  He was right, she had absolutely nothing to go back to. As for staying, Rand was only there for a week. They’d no sooner get to know each other and he’d be off to his real life, doing whatever he so carefully kept secret. Why didn’t he ask her why she was there and what exactly did she have to go back to?

  But he didn’t. Upholding the solemn creed of secrecy, Rand just sat down next to her and gazed out at the field.

  “I was engaged once,” she said, matter-of-factly. A long silence stood between them. She let the prickly aftereffects of that statement run over her like a porcupine. It should have been a happy time in her life, but she’d been miserable.

  “Callie, you don’t have to tell me any of this. Your private life remains private here.”

  “But I want to. I want you to know who I am.”

  “I know who you are. You’re a sweet, generous, fun-loving woman. And brave. It takes courage to leave everything behind and come to a strange place where you don’t know a soul.”

  She laughed to herself. He really thought of her as all those things? Funny, she didn’t recognize any of it as her.

  “What I am is a quitter.” She noticed Rand adjusting his hat, obviously uncomfortable with her soul-baring words. But she didn’t want him to have any false notions about her.

  “We became engaged in my second year of college. Shortly after that I quit school and got a job to support us. He was a graduate student. Ha, he’s probably still a graduate student. Keith was one of those career students. He ate, slept, and breathed academia. I became his secretary, his research assistant, his maid and cook. After about a year, I realized he’d never think of me in any other way so I just up and left. He never even looked for me.”

  She picked at another long blade of grass. “Anyway, I stayed with my parents awhile before coming out to California. They wanted me to go back to school, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. When I got here, I took some acting lessons but soon saw it wasn’t meant for me and quit that.”

  She suddenly realized how easy it was telling him all this, how he probably knew more about her than anyone she’d ever known. And he didn’t seem to mind. He sat there listening, absorbing, lending support with just his presence and attention.

  She fell back and laid flat in the grass, letting the sun warm her. “Now, here I am. The quitter meets the Wild West.”

  Rand moved down next to her, turning on his side. “I wouldn’t call you a quitter. I’d say you’re a survivor. You’ve had some tough breaks and you’re looking for something better.”

  She turned her gaze to meet his. Had she found something better? At the end of the week would it be gone forever?

  “And you think I might find it here, right?”

  He leaned closer. His gaze settled on her lips. “Sometimes the best things in life are right under our noses.”

  His large figure loomed over her, blocking the sun’s rays as he lowered his mouth to her waiting lips. His kiss was soft, complete. Callie melted under its heat. As his kiss deepened, her fingers found their way around his collar, reminding her.

  She reached into her pocket. “I got you a new tie.”

  His surprised look quickly turned to a grin. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever given me.”

  “It’s the least I could do. I overreacted last night.”

  Rand sat up, smoothed back his dark hair and snaked the tie under his collar. He tugged at her arm until she sat beside him.

  “Let’s get back to town and have a nice quiet dinner where I can court you properly in my new tie.”

  * * *

  He left her at the saloon to freshen up while he went back to his hotel. When he returned an hour later to escort her to the hotel dining room, Becky stood by the bar, arms akimbo.

  “Your shift starts at seven, young lady.”

  Rand tipped his hat. “You have my word that she’ll be returned safe and sound in plenty of time.”

  Callie thought she caught a twinkle in Becky’s eye but Rand pulled her away before she could decide for sure.

  “I know how Becky is about her girls, that’s why we’re having such an early dinner. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No. I’m rather hungry. I haven’t eaten but two pieces of bread all day. And,” she stopped to look him in the eye as he held the hotel door open for her, “I seemed to have worked up qu
ite an appetite this afternoon.”

  Rand’s dimpled chin jutted out. He smoothed a finger across his mustache. “I know what you mean.”

  All afternoon he’d had an aching hunger which had absolutely nothing to do with food. Was it too soon to know he wanted her for the rest of his life? Would she run from him like she did from Spider if he suggested it?

  After leaving Callie at the saloon, he’d rushed around setting his plan in motion and he thought about how much he should tell her about himself. He owed her something more than a horse-riding, kite-flying gambler. Yet, if she could accept him at face value, that’s what really mattered.

  Rand proudly escorted her to the secluded table he’d ordered in the corner. Candles burned lazily. A daisy lay across her place setting. She breathed out a little “Oh” as she picked it up after he pushed in her chair. He signaled to the waiter and took a seat across from her.

  “It reminded me of you. Bright, cheery, full of sunshine.” He covered her hand holding the flower and their eyes met.

  Rand retracted his hand once the waiter arrived with fresh lemonade and waited as the man poured. When he left, Rand raised his glass, inviting Callie to join him.

  “To our kite, wherever it may be.”

  She giggled. “May it fly forever.” They touched glasses and sipped. Callie pursed her lips. “Oh, it’s very good, nice and sweet.”

  “Like you.” He no sooner said it than the waiter brought their sizzling meal of steak and potatoes and broccoli.

  She looked at Rand with wide eyes. “You ordered ahead?”

  He nodded. “You don’t mind, do you? I didn’t want to waste any time. I wanted you all to myself.”

  “Well, that’s very flattering.”

  As soon as the waiter left, Rand reached into his pocket and pulled out a white cloth bag. “Speaking of flattering, one more thing. Would you honor me by wearing this?”

  Callie’s eyes grew wide as she watched him remove a gold chain with a small gold heart embedded with a stunning sapphire. He laid it in the palm of his hand for her to inspect.

  “Rand! Is that real?”

  “As real as you are. May I?” He got up and stood behind her chair to fasten the necklace around her delicate neck. It hung brilliantly against the white of her high-necked blouse. He sat back down and admired the lovely sight before him.