Hell for Leather

by Beth Williamson

  “Who is she?” Antonio caught up to him and picked up the turnips.

  “Probably some kid without parents.” Cade almost choked on the words. He didn’t feel comfortable using the word orphan. He doubted his wild child would ever feel sorry for herself or want to be pitied.

  “And she lives in the woods?”

  “Do I need to smack you?” Cade frowned at the other man. “Yes, she lives nearby somewhere. She brings me food and vegetables and takes care of my horse sometimes too.”

  “Sounds like she’s already picked a new parent.” Antonio’s brows rose as he regarded Cade.

  Cade threw the rabbit into the sink. “That’s a load of horse shit. I am nobody’s father, never will be, never wanted to be.” The words came out of his mouth like fire, burning everything and everyone around him.

  Antonio stepped back with his palms facing out. “I was joking, amigo.”

  “Not funny.” He plunged his hands into the bucket of water on the stove to get rid of the blood and the guilt. “I don’t know what to do about her.”

  Antonio frowned. “You need to get her out of the woods and into a real home.”

  “Ha. I wouldn’t know what a real home was if it jumped up and bit me.” Cade got the cold shakes even thinking about bringing a child into his house. He wouldn’t know the first thing about taking care of anyone, especially a teenage girl. Jesus, he could barely take care of himself.

  “You can’t leave her out in the woods.” Antonio glanced out the window. “There’s more than four-legged predators out there.” He looked almost pained by the fact that the girl lived alone in the cold wilderness.

  “I don’t think there’s anyone around to take care of her, either that or she has a lousy parent.” Cade winced. He knew it didn’t matter how long she’d been out there, winter was coming and no one, adult or child, could survive a New Mexico mountain winter without adequate shelter.

  “Do you know who she is?” Antonio seemed desperate to help the child.

  Cade was desperate to forget she existed. Unfortunately, the kid had other ideas.

  “No, it’s not my business.”

  Antonio threw the deck of cards on the table. “You don’t care about anybody or anything, do you? I thought maybe there was something in there besides a cold hardass, but maybe I was wrong.” He slammed his way out of the cabin, leaving Cade alone. Again.

  “Come to Eustace,” Antonio shouted to the trees, which was becoming a familiar occurrence in Livingston Valley. “This fool can’t and won’t help you.”

  It was only after Antonio ran away like the hounds of hell were chasing him that Cade remembered two things. First, that Antonio had lost his daughter in childbirth, and second, Cade had just chased away the only companionship he’d had in more than a week.

  Life was always sweet in Cade’s world, and it just kept getting sweeter.

  ———

  Friday morning dawned with a steel gray sky. Sabrina stepped outside and took a deep breath of the frigid air. It smelled like snow, which confirmed what every person in town had said during the week while they stocked up. Snow was coming and soon. Sabrina rubbed her hands on her arms but didn’t want to go inside just yet. It had been a difficult two weeks since she’d seen Cade.

  Not only did she miss him, a feat she didn’t think possible since she hardly knew the man, but her body missed him. Sabrina had trouble reconciling the way she felt with what her mind told her she should feel.

  “Thinking about me?”

  Sabrina whirled around to find Cade behind her, bundled up in a thick black wool coat with a red nose and one of the saddest expressions she’d ever seen in her life. Without a thought, she launched herself into his arms, and a feeling of pure rightness flooded her. His lips found hers, and then there was no thought at all.

  Sweet heat blossomed and spread through her the deeper the kiss went. Sabrina didn’t know how long they’d been lost in each other’s mouths, but it ended when something hard and painful hit her in the back. She broke free from the kiss and sucked in a breath, partly from fear and partly from pain.

  Cade caught her before she fell, his hands firm beneath her shaking body. “What happened?”

  “You whore!” Melissa stood behind Sabrina, her young face twisted in an expression of hate. “I knew you were lying to me. You took him.”

  “Melissa, I never meant to do anything to hurt you.” Sabrina’s throat closed up at the hurt racing through Melissa’s eyes.

  “I’m not a good man.” Cade seemed to understand what was happening. “No one to set your cap for, girl.”

  “I didn’t set my cap for you.” Melissa threw another rock. It bounced off Cade’s shoulder, but he didn’t even try to duck. “You told me you loved me.”

  Cade’s eyes widened at the accusation. “You’d best be careful what kind of accusations you throw around, little girl. I never said such a thing.”

  “You liar.” She threw a bigger rock. This one sliced across Cade’s cheek, leaving a bloody trail on his whiskered skin. “You told me you were going to marry me.”

  Cade wiped at the trickling blood on his face. “I’ll never marry anyone, especially not a little girl.”

  “I’m not a little girl,” Melissa screamed, her young face flushed by emotion and the cold, as tears ran from her eyes.

  Sabrina stepped toward the hysterical girl. “Melissa, please, let me take you home.”

  “Don’t touch me.” Melissa threw one more rock, which hit Sabrina in the forehead, bringing her to her knees.

  Cade cursed and stepped in front of her. “Get on home now, girl, before you really hurt someone.”

  “I hate you, both of you.” Melissa ran toward the mill, the stillness of the morning broken by her sobs.

  “Sweet Jesus.” Sabrina dug at the cold ground beneath her fingers. She shook with about a thousand different emotions. She should have talked to Melissa after the incident with her in the store a week ago, at least have talked to Sam, but she hadn’t.

  Cade pulled her up by her elbow, his face as hard as granite. He bent down and brushed the dirt off the front of her dress. Sabrina still couldn’t believe what had happened. Five minutes ago she’d been alone, and now she had Cade by her side and accusations of hate ringing in her ears.

  “Can you tell me what the hell just happened?” Cade led her up the steps into the store.

  “No, I’m as confused as you are. I knew Melissa had woven some dreams around you, but I never expected this.” Sabrina closed her eyes and tears pricked her lids. “She’s hurt and scared.”

  “Well, so are you.” He marched her right to the counter. “Do you have a rag and some water to get cleaned up?”

  “Um, yes, there’s a washroom right near the stairs.” She pointed the direction for him and leaned against the counter, grateful for the support.

  Within moments, he returned with a basin and a rag, then proceeded to dip it in the water and clean her face. The last thing she expected was a gentle Cade, particularly after being accused of lying to and manipulating a young girl.

  Yet he was as gentle as her mother used to be. Sabrina stared into his fathomless dark eyes and tried to see into his soul. He focused on his task until he must have been satisfied with his work. With one finger he touched her forehead on the spot where the rock had connected.

  “You’ve got a bruise already.”

  “I bruise easily, always have.” She took the rag from his hands and cleaned his face. He tried to pull away, but she took hold of his chin. “No, you’ll let me.”

  A frown creased his brow, but he stayed put. Sabrina took care to clean him as gently as he had done for her. When she was done, she leaned her forehead against his, their breaths mingling.

  “I think Melissa created a story she made into her own truth, but I believe you.” It must have been the right thing to say because some of the shadows lifted from his eyes.

  He straightened and kissed her once. “That makes one of you.” />
  Sabrina managed a small smile. On shaky ground, she knew she could either embrace what she felt for Cade or run from it. Life had given her a choice—she could either end the budding relationship with Cade, if that’s what it was, or throw caution to the wind.

  “Will you go to dinner with me at Wylie’s tonight?”

  Cade looked surprised by the invitation. He must have known as well as she did if he accompanied her to the only restaurant in Eustace for dinner, the townsfolk would know there was definitely something between them.

  “Are you sure?”

  There was no turning back if they went to dinner together. Sabrina understood that and embraced it. She’d talk to Melissa and Sam to clear up any misunderstanding as soon as possible. Regardless of what others thought, and how hard the backlash may be, she was ready to take a chance on something new. Someone new.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Never been more sure of anything in my life.” She kissed him hard.

  “Then my answer is yes.” When Cade smiled, a real smile for the first time since she’d known him, the bottom dropped out of her heart. He was beautiful, completely and utterly beautiful.

  Sabrina slid a bit toward being in love with him.

  They spent the rest of the morning in the store, cleaning and working side by side. Sabrina’s sister came downstairs once, gave her a look of utter disappointment, then disappeared back upstairs again. The little blonde was pretty in her own way, but she stayed in the shadows each time he saw her. Perhaps she had her own secrets to hide from.

  It was nearly time for dinner, for their date. Cade sat on a crate of peaches, watching Sabrina add up the accounts.

  “I have a ghost haunting my cabin.”

  She stopped writing and looked up at him. “A ghost? Like Jeremiah’s ghost?”

  Cade shook his head. “So you’ve heard his stories, then? I’m not surprised. I didn’t believe a word of them, of course. That boy is a walking work of fiction.”

  “He does like to tell a yarn, but he’s been adamant about that ghost since Louie told him about it.” She shook her head. “Have you seen it?”

  “Sort of.” Cade told Sabrina everything that had happened at the cabin. She listened intently as he spoke, asking questions here and there. He found himself telling her more than he intended to, even about Antonio.

  “Antonio had a big heart, the biggest in town. He does all he can to help folks, especially children.” She put a fist against her chest. “Caterina and the baby’s death, it almost broke him.”

  Cade’s conscience had woken with a vengeance and it forced him to think about what Antonio had said. Idiot that he was, Cade left food out for the wild child every day, yet she hadn’t returned until that morning. The sight of the fresh turnips on his steps left his gut churning.

  That’s when he decided to come to Eustace and ask Sabrina for help. He didn’t know what possessed him, but he knew if he didn’t help the girl, she really would become a ghost. If he did one good thing in his life, he’d help the wild child.

  Sabrina tapped her chin with the pencil. “I think the girl might be Bernice Wilkinson. Her father died of consumption about a year ago at Clara’s house. He’d been on his deathbed when he showed up on her doorstep. He died before we found out what happened to his daughter. She would be about thirteen or so.”

  “That sounds about right.”

  “I only saw her once or twice. Blonde hair, kind of shy.” Sabrina stared off for a moment or two. “Oh, I remember now. She loves peppermint. Asked her papa at least five times if she could have some and he kept saying no.”

  Cade had given her soup, once, and then scared her off. Although he’d tried, she never did take any food from him. He wished he’d had some peppermints.

  “I want to help her.” The words were almost forced from his throat, but they came just the same. “Will you come back to the cabin with me?”

  Sabrina stared hard into Cade’s eyes, not answering for what seemed like an hour. “Yes.”

  A sharp pang of something he hadn’t felt before hit his heart. “Thank you.”

  The incredible urge to kiss her overcame him so he stepped over to the counter, cupped her face and kissed her until he was dizzy. Hot, sweet kisses that went straight to his dick. His gaze strayed to the curtain to her office.

  “I don’t think we should do that again.” She looked as pained as he felt. “At least not here.”

  A whoosh of relief made him weak-kneed. She’d said she’d come back to the cabin with him. He could hold onto the anticipation of having her alone. The very thought sent a shiver down his spine. Then his imagination took off and he lost track of everything but the thought of her round behind in his hands.

  “It’s just about dinnertime. I’m going to go get my coat.” With a quick kiss to his lips, she headed for the stairs.

  After she disappeared, Cade was grateful for a solitary moment. It saved him some embarrassment while he used his iron self-control to get rid of the steel bar in his trousers.

  She came back downstairs a few minutes later with her sister in tow.

  “You’re courting darkness, Brina.” Ellen speared him with a harsh glare. “The stranger will bring you nothing but pain.”

  “Ellen, please, don’t start this again.” Sabrina frowned at her sister. “You’re being very impolite.”

  Ellen folded her arms in front of her stomach and continued her visual dislike of Cade. He didn’t know what the issue was that set off the younger woman, but he didn’t have the time or patience to figure it out. As he stepped toward Sabrina to help her with her coat, Ellen sucked in a breath and scurried back toward the stairs, into the light.

  Cade saw her for the first time in full view. She had a jagged scar running from the corner of her eyebrow down her right cheek, ending at the edge of her chin. Someone had carved her up like a goddamn turkey. No wonder the girl hated men. His annoyance with her blew away as understanding replaced it.

  “I won’t hurt your sister.”

  “You already have,” Ellen snapped.

  “Ellen, stop it.” Sabrina buttoned up her coat, shooting apologetic glances at Cade.

  Cade walked toward Ellen until she was flat against the wall with nowhere to go. He reached out and touched her scar with one finger. “You know a woman is more than what she shows the world. If she doesn’t show the world anything, then she’ll never be anything more than a shadow.”

  Ellen’s blue eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed without making a noise.

  “You need to make a choice here, beautiful one, because the darkness you’re cowering behind will bring you nothing but pain.” Cade leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. “Good day to you, Miss O’Neill.”

  Cade walked back to Sabrina and held out his arm. She looked perplexed by his actions, but only murmured goodbye to her sister as they stepped outside. He understood Ellen better than she expected. Shadows and pain were something he knew all too well.

  He shook off the residual melancholy as they strolled arm in arm to Wylie’s, the restaurant that sat on the bottom floor of the hotel in town. Sabrina nodded and said hello to a couple of people. Some folks were impolite enough to stare, others replied with greetings of their own.

  Cade felt like an animal out for display at the zoo. If he hadn’t wanted to be with Sabrina so bad, he’d have said to hell with it and gone back to Livingston Valley.

  “I usually go to Wylie’s for supper on Fridays, but since I won’t be here later, I’m glad you’re here now to accompany me.” Sabrina smiled at him, the brilliance of it going straight to his gut.

  He was in trouble and he knew it. After the snow hit, he’d be prevented from coming into town very often, saving him from his apparent obsession with Widow Edmonds.

  They sat at a table by the window and ordered without incident. Cade wanted to get up and leave, but he didn’t, probably because the most fascinating woman he’d ever met sat across the table from him.

  She did
n’t seem to be afraid of anything or anybody. Not only that, but she wasn’t constrained by what society thought. Cade had been surrounded by women the first thirteen years of his life, but not one of them even came close to being as lovely or amazing as Sabrina. During the meal, he found himself fascinated by the way she moved.

  “I have to confess something.” She glanced down, her thick lashes hiding her eyes. “I’ve dreamed of you since the moment we met.”

  Cade’s fork stopped in mid-motion, his heart thumping erratically at her confession. “You’ve dreamed of me?”

  “Yes, I did.” She brought the fork to her mouth and licked off the gravy. It seemed Sabrina had decided on seduction without even touching him.

  His body reacted as if she’d thrown a bottle of whiskey on a fire, blazing hot. It was a damn good thing she was going to his cabin with him or he’d walk around in pain for days.

  When Sam Fuller appeared in the doorway of the restaurant, Cade’s stomach dropped. Sam stomped over, his expression as hard as the fists by his side, then focused on Sabrina. “I need to talk to you.”

  Sabrina met Cade’s gaze and the spell of sensuality she’d been weaving shattered.

  “Please sit.” She deliberately put her hand on Cade’s, letting Sam know exactly what was going on. Her palm was as sweaty as his—she’d been just as affected by their sexual games.

  Cade had the absurd urge to stick out his chest and crow like an idiot. “Mr. Fuller.” He maintained a polite tone since the man hadn’t punched him yet.

  “I see felicitations are in order.” Sam sat heavily, his expression never wavering. “You’ve chosen yourself a man.”

  Sabrina pinched her lips together. “Is that why you came to see me?”

  “No, Frenchie came running over and told me Melissa had been throwing rocks.” Sam glared at Cade. “I wanted to make sure you were all right, but I guess I needn’t have worried.”

  “Melissa took her fantasies a bit further than we thought. She got angry with me because I was, ah, kissing Mr. Brody.” She still had the feminine need to blush. “I’m afraid she took it really hard.”