Outlaw's Kiss

by Cheryl Pierson

  She drew herself up straight and tall, turning away from him as he put a hand out toward her. Pretending she didn’t notice, she started for the kitchen. “I need to check on the soup and the rolls. You think on it all.”

  “I don’t need to ‘think on it,’ dammit,” he muttered, but she kept walking away.

  “Talia.”

  She stopped, but didn’t turn.

  “I love you.”

  Her heart pounded furiously. It was what she’d longed to hear, but it couldn’t mean anything—she couldn’t let it—if he wasn’t willing to stay; to change.

  She blinked back threatening tears, cursing the legendary Morgan stubbornness as she stirred the bubbling soup on the stove. With a folded dishtowel in hand, she opened the oven to remove the golden-topped rolls and set them on the table. She would have asked Michael to butter them, normally, but she needed time to think, so she began the task herself.

  “Rider comin’!” Michael’s excited call came from upstairs, followed by a flurry of rapid footsteps as he hurried down the hall to the staircase from his bedroom.

  “Stay put!” Jake ordered, sticking his head into the kitchen as he buttoned up his coat. He turned as Michael appeared beside him. “You, too, Mike. Stay inside. We don’t know who it is.” He headed for the door, gun in hand.

  Talia and Michael looked at each other. “Yeah, we do,” Michael said. “We gotta help him.”

  So, of course, they followed.

  ****

  Jake felt Talia’s breast against his side, and Michael’s hand on his back as he pulled the door ajar.

  So much for handling this alone.

  But oddly, the feeling of knowing they were behind him, at his back, was a comfort.

  The rider came in slowly, his head lowered against the snow that still fell. His leg was bloody, and he rode swaying in the saddle unsteadily.

  “Ray Leonard,” Jake breathed. “Looks damn near frozen.”

  As the horse came to a stop, Leonard toppled off, his gloved fingers releasing the reins as he fell into the snow.

  “Is he dangerous?” Talia asked. “You never said why you fought.” She was already trying to push past him to the fallen man, Jake noted.

  A smile tugged at his mouth. “Guess if he was, it wouldn’t matter, would it? I know you’re not gonna leave him out there to freeze to death.” He stepped in front of her. “Come on, Mike. Let’s see what we’ve got, here.”

  ****

  Ray Leonard was indeed nearly frozen. By the time they managed to get him inside by the fire, he was starting to come to. He opened his eyes as they lowered him gently to the hardwood floor, his gaze falling on Jake. “Guess you’re gonna finish me off…”

  Jake gave a wry grin. “If I was gonna do that, I would’ve left you out in the weather, Ray. It would’ve been a helluva lot less effort than bringin’ you inside to warm up before I figured out how I was gonna do you in.”

  Leonard’s pain-filled gaze relaxed a little.

  “I’ll get some water and bandages,” Talia said. “If I can leave you two alone while Michael sees to the horse.”

  Jake nodded. “We’ll be all right.”

  “Dammit, Morgan, I didn’t know it was you. That night—it was dark, and—”

  “I called out to you, but you shot anyhow, Leonard. I didn’t have any choice but to shoot back.”

  “Didn’t sound like you, and I couldn’t see.”

  Talia returned quickly with some clean bandages. She peered at Leonard, then met Jake’s eyes. “So this was all a mistake?”

  “Evidently,” Jake said slowly. “I didn’t stick around long enough to find out, once the lead started flyin’. But Ray, here, and I were never the best of friends.”

  “Yeah, but I wouldn’t’ve shot you if I knew it was you,” Leonard said sullenly. “It just didn’t sound like you.”

  “So you said.”

  “Oh, never mind,” Talia said impatiently. “Let me have a look at this leg.”

  A twinge of jealousy clenched at Jake as Talia knelt beside the other man and began to cut away the fabric. But as he looked at the compassion in her lovely features, he knew there was no reason for his worry. The love in her eyes was only for him.

  Jake helped her tend to Leonard’s wound, then sat on the sofa as she finished the bandaging. Leonard was breathing rapidly, and Jake couldn’t help noticing how vulnerable he looked lying on the floor at his feet.

  “Much obliged, Ma’am,” Leonard said in a shaky voice. He looked up at Jake. “To you, too—” A reluctant grin touched his lips. “Even though you’re the reason for it.” He nodded at Jake’s side. “Looks like I gave you a memory to carry, too. I’m…sorry for that. I made a mistake.” He put a hand toward Jake. “I’m beholden to you for your—your kindness.”

  Jake could feel Talia’s steady gaze boring into him. Here was the first step of the change Talia had spoken of earlier. All he had to do was shake Ray Leonard’s hand. Put an end to the conflict between them. Make a start toward the peaceful life he craved…with Talia.

  Jake smiled and reached out for a firm shake. “I’m in debt to you for your poor aim. A couple of inches made all the difference.”

  Leonard chuckled at the good-natured ribbing he hadn’t expected. “I’m glad. Wouldn’t want that on my conscience.” He stared at Jake for a moment in silence, then, “It was a mistake. I was…afraid.” He shook his head. “I…realized something on that long ride in the snow. I want out of this life. I want to stop runnin’ and wonderin’ where the next bullet’s gonna come from. You ever think about that, Morgan?” He looked around the room, propping up on his elbows.

  Jake didn’t answer. It was all he’d thought about since he’d come here, and to be honest with himself, even before. But did he have it in him to try for his dream? To give up the old ways and settle down in one place? Because he had to be certain. He sure as hell wasn’t going to hurt Talia anymore than he already had. She stood in the kitchen doorway, as if she didn’t want to intrude on their conversation, but couldn’t help listening.

  “If I had all this, I wouldn’t go anywhere except out the front door to take care of it every day,” Leonard said.

  Jake looked at her, watching him, waiting for his response. He was through running from everything, including his heart. A man had to try. The change had already started within him, anyhow.

  He wanted this life more than anything. He moistened his lips, his gaze holding Talia’s. “I don’t intend to go anywhere, Ray. Talia and I—we’re gonna be married just as soon as we can.”

  Michael gave a whoop of joy from the big chair where he sat near the fire.

  Jake laughed. “Meet with your approval, does it, youngblood?”

  Michael nodded as Jake stood up. “But you treat her right, Jake,” he said seriously, man-to-man. “We all got our Christmas wishes, it looks like.”

  Talia came to stand beside Jake, and he wrapped her in his arms possessively. She was his. He would be the man she saw in him. “How’s that, Mike?”

  “You and Talia and me, we all got each other now. Didn’t we all wish for the same thing? A family? And here it is—right here.”

  “It started with a kiss,” Jake teased, looking into Talia’s eyes.

  “No, my love, it started long before that, remember?”

  He remembered. He would never forget. In an odd way, he had to be grateful to Ray Leonard for sending him back to this cabin, this refuge, to his Talia and all the love and happiness that he planned to give her for the rest of their lives.

  “Dinner’ll be ready soon,” Talia said softly. “I’m afraid it’s not much. Soup and rolls.”

  Jake leaned down to kiss her. “That’s all I need. Those rolls…they’re made with all the love in the world. Right now, I’m thinking I’m the luckiest man alive.”

  Talia's Parker House Rolls

  From “Outlaw's Kiss” by Cheryl Pierson

  Recipe c. 1855, Parker House Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
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  Ingredients

  2 cups lukewarm tap water (105 to 110 degrees F)

  2 packages (2 Tbsps.) active dry yeast

  1 cup butter (2 sticks), melted and cooled to room temperature

  1/2 cup sugar

  2 teaspoons salt

  1 large egg

  6 cups all-purpose flour (about)

  Directions

  Dissolve yeast in water.

  In large bowl, combine 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), sugar, and salt.

  Stir in water/yeast mixture and egg.

  Add 3 cups flour and beat thoroughly. The mixture should resemble a thick batter. Cover and let rise until at least double.

  Stir down sponge, then stir in enough flour to make a soft dough (about another 2 1/2 cups).

  Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, working in more flour (about 1/2 cup) while kneading.

  Shape dough into a ball and place in large, lightly greased bowl, turning so that top of dough is greased. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place (80 to 85 degrees F.) until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. (Dough is doubled when 2 fingers pressed into dough leave a dent.)

  Punch down dough by pushing down the center of dough with fist, then pushing edges of dough into center. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead lightly to make smooth ball, cover with bowl for 15 minutes to let dough rest.

  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  In 17 1/4-inch by 11 1/2-inch roasting pan, over low heat, melt remaining 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; tilt pan to grease bottom.

  On lightly floured surface with floured rolling pin, roll dough 1/2 inch thick.

  With floured 2 3/4-inch round cutter, cut dough into circles. Holding dough circle by the edge, dip both sides into melted butter pan; fold in half.

  Arrange folded dough in rows in pan used to melt the butter. Each roll should nearly touch its neighbors. Cover pan with towel; let dough rise in warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.

  Bake rolls for 15 to 18 minutes until browned.

  NOTES:

  Fannie Farmer’s 1896 cookbook substitutes scalded milk for 1 3/4 cups of the water and dissolves the yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water. The yeast/water mixture and the milk are added along with the egg in Step 2.

  The dough may be cut into rectangles instead of circles.

  About the Author

  Cheryl was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, and grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma, and holds a B.A. in English. Cheryl lives with her husband in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she has been for the past 29 years. She has two grown children, ages 24 and 27, and a Great Pyrenees "granddog", Embry.

  Writing is so much a part of her life that recently, she and long-time friend Livia Reasoner, decided to open a publishing house.PRAIRIE ROSE PUBLICATIONS http://prairierosepublications.yolasite.com/ furthers the western-themed writing offerings of women. As if that weren’t enough, there were so many requests for a publishing house for young people interested in the west that they decided to open the unique imprint, PAINTED PONY BOOKS http://paintedponybooks.yolasite.com/. This line will be open to all authors who have submissions for Middle Grade readers, Young Adult, and New Adult.

  The contemporary/futuristic imprint for these age groups is TORNADO ALLEY PUBLICATIONShttp://tornadoalleypublications.yolasite.com/, and for adult contemporary/futuristic, check out their imprint FIRE STAR PRESS http://firestarpress.yolasite.com/.

  All imprints are open and accepting submissions.

  To see all of Cheryl’s work, click here: http://cherylpierson.com/

  You can e-mail her at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com

  Prairie Rose Publications

  LASSOING A BRIDE by Livia J. Washburn, Gail L. Jenner, Sarah J. McNeal, Tracy Garrett and Sara Barnard. Some brides are hard to get a rope on, for sure! But in these wild west romance tales, being married is like sugar and lots of spice—with a dash of pepper in the mix! Ain’t nothin’ tame about these brides, who have a delicious story of their own—each falling under the spell of a handsome devil she thought was out of her reach. Unanswered prayers, broken dreams and unexpected circumstances are sometimes the best way for a groom to get the gal he loves when he’s looking at Lassoing a Bride! Amazon Link

  LASSOING A GROOM by by Kathleen Rice Adams, Jacquie Rogers, Kirsten Lynn, Tracy Garrett and Kristy McCaffrey. How is a woman supposed to catch a husband? In the wild, wild west, she’s got to find a way to Lasso a Groom! Some of them are lawmen…some are outlaws. Ranchers and homesteaders are fair game, as well—none of 'em safe from love’s lariat, or the women who finally manage to rope ’em in! Amazon Link

  LASSOING A MAIL-ORDER BRIDE by Cheryl Pierson, Tanya Hanson, Kaye Spencer, and Kathleen Rice Adams. A woman would have to be loco to become a mail-order bride...wouldn't she? Leaving everything behind and starting fresh in the untamed west is the answer to a prayer for these ladies! A beautiful socialite needs a husband fast--but her husband wants a bride for life. A pregnant young lady becomes desperate--almost as desperate as her soon-to-be husband, who just inherited his sister's kids. A man is in love with a woman he can’t have--or can he? A woman’s reputation is tarnished and professional career compromised--she runs, but she can't hide. Will they all find love with strangers they've never met who are set on LASSOING A MAIL-ORDER BRIDE? Amazon Link

  COWBOY CRAVINGS by Cheryl Pierson, Celia Yeary, Kristy McCaffrey, and Kathleen Rice Adams. Craving a cowboy on these hot summer nights? Here are four stories that are sure to turn up the heat! If you love tall, dark, and handsome cowboys with a touch of danger thrown in, and the ladies that show them they've met their match, COWBOY CRAVINGS is a must have! Fast guns, smooth action, and hot love sizzle in one delicious recipe for these spicy stories! The summer has never been hotter in the old west than it is when you have to satisfy those COWBOY CRAVINGS! Amazon Link

  FLY AWAY HEART by Sarah J. McNeal The Great Depression…Rum Runners and Old Fears…Love Against the Odds. Lilith Wilding can’t remember a time when she didn’t love the English born Robin Pierpont, but she knows he loves another so she hides her feelings beneath a hard veneer of self-protection. Robin Pierpont dreams of flying airplanes and winning the heart of the one he loves, but when he gets involved in illegal rum running to help a friend, those dreams seem to turn into just a fantasy. When he is called upon to face his worst fear to save Lilith’s life, his fate may be sealed in death. Amazon Link

  FIRE EYES by Chery Pierson Beaten and wounded by a band of sadistic renegades that rules the borderlands of Indian Territory, U.S. Marshal Kaed Turner understands what the inevitable outcome will be for him: death. But Fate and a war party of Choctaw Indians intervene, delivering him instead to a beautiful angel with the skill to heal him. Jessica Monroe has already lost a husband and a brother to the outlaws who tortured Marshal Turner. As the rugged lawman lies bleeding on her bed, she faces a difficult decision. Can she afford to gamble with her heart one last time? For when Kaed recovers, he is sworn to join the other Territorial Peace Officers in their battle to wipe out the renegade gang once and for all. When vengeance is done, will Kaed keep riding? Or will he return to claim his future with the beautiful woman the Choctaw call "Fire Eyes?" Amazon Link

  THE GUNFIGHTER’S GIRL by Cheryl Pierson Men avoid meeting the eyes of Miguel Rivera, El Diablo, (The Devil) for fear of his gun. Upon returning to a town where he once knew a brief happiness, Miguel makes a foolish holiday purchase; two scarlet ribbons which he hides away.

  When Catalina, his former lover, allows him to take a room at her boarding house, Miguel discovers a secret. Realizing he needs the scarlet ribbons after all, he is stunned to find them missing. Will a meeting with a mysterious priest, an unusual child, and the miracle of the Scarlet Ribbons set Miguel on a new path? Amazon Link

  JASON’S ANGEL by Cheryl Pierson Two wounded Union soldiers will die without proper treatment. Sabrina Patrick realizes they won't get it at the Confederate army hospital wh
ere she helps nurse the wounded men. She does the unthinkable and takes them to her home. Jason McCain’s pain is eased by the feel of clean sheets, a soft bed, and a touch that surely must belong to an angel. But what reason could an angel have for bringing him and his brother here? Amazon Link

  ONE MAGIC NIGHT by Cheryl Pierson

  An Independence Day picnic... Will it prove to be more than a simple celebration? At the Independence Day picnic, Katrina Whitworth meets an interesting, but completely unacceptable man. Even though Shay Logan is a doctor, Katrina’s father would never let her see him socially—Dr. Logan is Indian. Mr. Whitworth plans for his daughter to marry Jack Thompson, an acceptable suitor, and upstanding attorney. When Katrina’s father publicly raises his hand to her, the doctor does the unbelievable—he speaks up for her and protects her. Dr. Shay Logan has returned from medical school to set up a practice he hopes will overcome racial problems, as the town badly needs a doctor. He hasn't counted on this young woman working her way into his heart and life so quickly—or the fact that he would be defending her against first her father, and then, the man she planned to marry. Amazon Link

  EVERY GIRL’S DREAM by Cheryl Pierson Forced to leave home, after being shamed, Sheena McTavish is surprised by the kindness of a stranger. Callen Chandler, a U.S. Army scout, is unexpectedly stricken with compassion for the lonely, green-eyed young woman he discovers being sick behind the stage office. After Indians attack the stagecoach carrying Sheena west, an injured Cal and a terrified, but determined, Sheena find themselves thrown together in a struggle for survival. Amazon Link