by Ana Leigh
Tears streaked the cheek she pressed against his still hand. “We can’t let you go,” she repeated in anguish.
Colt turned away and went outside, feeling like an interloper. He didn’t want to know their secrets; he had no right to invade their privacy in their crisis. Cassie and Jeff weren’t the only ones wrestling with guilt. Not only had he failed Jethro but he had also tried to seduce Cassie. He sure was one hell of a deputy.
He had felt so good about heading west; now he was beginning to have doubts. He’d never thought about the emotional entanglements of being a lawman, with people he cared about being killed or wounded.
He knew he had the courage to face down an outlaw, but maybe this job took a lot more than a quick draw and steady aim. Maybe he needed the courage to face the good people affected by his actions, too.
Maybe he just wasn’t cut out to be a lawman.
The tears dried on Cassie’s cheeks as she rested her head on her father’s hand, fighting a losing battle against the drowsiness that threatened to overcome her.
Her eyelids flickered several times when she felt a slight twitching against her cheek. In a haze of lethargy she closed her eyes, then felt it again.
Thinking it was an insect, she raised her head and stared transfixed at the hand on the counterpane. When several of the fingers twitched, she quickly swung her gaze to her father’s face. His eyes were open, and he was watching her.
“Dad!” she cried as tears of joy slid down her cheeks.
“Why the tears, honey?” Jethro asked. “Last time I saw you cry wuz when we buried your mom. Hope you ain’t thinkin’ I’m dyin’ or some such nonsense.”
Unable to contain her excitement, she called out at the top of her voice, “Cathy, Jeff, come here! Hurry, it’s Dad.”
Cathy and Jeff raced into the room, and she greeted them with laughter and tears.
“Dad’s conscious. He’s made it through the night.”
Joyously the three hugged and kissed each other, unable to sustain their joy.
Seeing Colt in the doorway, Cassie went over and hugged him. “Isn’t it wonderful news, Colt?”
“You bet, honey,” he said.
“Dr. Williams said if Dad survived the first twelve hours and regained consciousness, he’d make it.” She trembled with excitement. “He will, won’t he, Colt?”
Colt pulled her close in another hug. “Sure he will.”
Sighing, Cassie remained in his arms and leaned her head against his chest. “This has to be the happiest day of my life.”
He kissed the top of her head and tightened his arms around her. She stood in the circle of his arms, basking in the contentment of the moment.
Cathy came over to them. “Dad fell back to sleep.”
Cassie’s breath caught in her throat. “Are you sure he’s just sleeping?”
“Yes. So let’s all get out of here and let him sleep. Come on, Jeff, you, too.” She herded them out like a mother duck with her ducklings.
“Since I can’t do any good around here, I’m going to my room and freshen up,” Colt said. “Jeff, I’ll be taking a posse out at six o’clock. Will you be riding with us?”
Jeff nodded. “Of course.”
Colt went outside, paused on the porch, and took a deep breath. Glancing up at the sky, he saw that the stars had begun to fade and the first streaks of a rising sun had begun to creep across the horizon. He thought of how his mother had often told them that the sunrise was God’s symbolic covenant with the world He had created—the promise of a new day, of new hope.
He’d always been told that everything happens for a reason, so why had fate brought him to Arena Roja? What was the purpose for his path to cross this family’s?
“Well, one thing’s for sure, Coltran Hunter Fraser,” he murmured to himself. “Considering Jethro’s condition, you’ve got about as much chance of climbing on that stagecoach this week as a snowball has in Hell.”
Chapter 13
After shaving and changing his clothing, Colt went down to the jailhouse. A posse of a dozen men was waiting, and a small crowd had assembled. Of course the three sprouts were among them. Jeff handed Colt a rifle and the reins of a saddled horse.
“Men, I appreciate your volunteering,” Colt said. “Callum, I understand you’re the best tracker among us, so we’ll follow you.”
He was about to mount up and wasn’t pleased when Cassie joined them astride her black stallion, Midnight.
“Cassie, may I speak to you for a moment?” he said quietly. She dismounted, and he led her a short distance away from the others, where they would not be overheard.
“Cassie, I know you’re anxious to help find the gang that shot your father, but I prefer you stay here.”
“I want to help, Colt.”
“These outlaws are cold-blooded killers who wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a woman. If we meet up with them, none of us will have time to take care of you.”
“I can take care of myself. And many of these men have wives and children. You aren’t asking them to stay behind because of the danger; why is it different because I’m a woman? I can ride and shoot as well as any among them. If you don’t believe me, ask any one of them.”
“I don’t doubt that, Cassie, but I still think it would be wiser if you stay here. Your father’s still not out of danger, and the doctor who’s going to operate on him should be arriving on the incoming stage. Even though the good ladies of the town will be a comfort to Cathy, don’t you think she could use your moral support more than we need your help in running down those outlaws?”
Cassie paled. “You’re right. How could I have been so thoughtless?” She glanced up at him with a game smile. “Be careful, Colt.”
He wanted to hug her, but there were too many eyes fixed on them. “You and Cathy hang in there, honey. Jethro’s going to pull through this.”
As he went back to his horse, he stopped to give the sprouts a warning. “You three stay out of trouble today. There’s enough problems as it is.”
“Why are you picking on us?” Sam said. “We ain’t done nothing.”
“Make sure you continue doing just that,” Colt replied.
Bowie looked perplexed. “Don’t make sense. How can we continue doing what we ain’t doing to begin with?”
Colt shook his head and swung into the saddle. “Time to mount up. We’re wasting daylight.”
As the posse rode away, the crowd began to disperse until only Cassie and the children remained.
Sam came over to her. “The deputy had no call to make you stay behind, Cassie. You’re the best shot among them.”
“No, he’s right, Sam. My dad’s still in danger and I can be of more use here.” Cassie smiled tenderly. “He kind of grows on a person, doesn’t he?”
Sam glanced askance at her. “So do warts.”
“Sam, what did Cassie mean?” Bowie asked as Cassie left them. “Is she mad at the deputy, or ain’t she?”
“Trouble with you, Bowie James, is that you just don’t understand women,” Sam declared imperiously. She pivoted and headed back to the hotel.
“Come on, Petey. Let’s go,” Bowie said, taking his brother’s hand.
“Bowie, is Cassie mad at us?”
“No.”
“Is Sam?”
“No. You just don’t understand women, Petey,” Bowie said. “They’re very complicated.”
By midday they’d still had no luck in finding any trace of the outlaws. Pike and his gang were probably long gone by now. Colt spied the dust of the approaching stagecoach from Santa Fe—the same coach he had planned to climb on tomorrow on its return trip to Santa Fe.
The posse rested their horses as they waited for the stage to approach, then stopped it. Colt recognized the driver from a week ago.
“Gus, have you seen any sign of four riders? They’re the same ones who robbed the stage last week.”
Gus shook his head. “They the ones who shot Jethro Braden?”
“Yeah.”
>
“They’re probably in Santa Fe by now. How’s the sheriff doing?”
“He was still alive when we left this morning.”
“Doc Hubbard’s one of my passengers. Said he was heading to Arena Roja to take a bullet out of ole Jethro. Hope he can cut through that old bird’s tough skin.” The fondness in the driver’s voice belied the light remark.
“Well, we won’t keep you any longer. See you in town.”
By sunset, the posse decided that the outlaws were long gone, and the search was called off.
Returning to town, Colt wired the sheriff in Santa Fe the names of the four men and warned him to be on the lookout for them, then he went over to the Bradens’ home.
Cathy opened the door when Colt knocked. Her broad smile told him all he had to know.
“The operation was successful,” Colt said, grinning.
“Oh, yes. Isn’t it wonderful, Colt?”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s sleeping. Dr. Hubbard removed the bullet, and although Dad’s weak, his body signs are encouraging, and the doctor said barring infection or any other setback, Dad should pull through with flying colors.”
“Well, he’s got a couple of good nurses. As long as the sheriff’s sleeping, I’m going back to my room and get rid of this trail dust. I’ll stop by later this evening.”
After washing up and changing his shirt, Colt ate dinner at the hotel, then returned to the Braden house. Cathy informed him that her father was resting comfortably but still sleeping.
“I’ll stop by in the morning and see how he’s doing,” Colt replied. “Where’s Cassie?”
“Now that the worst is over, she went to the livery to work off some of her tension. Currying Midnight soothes her.”
“Cassie’s the only woman I know who would find working around a high-strung stallion relaxing. How do you choose to relax, Cathy?”
“I like to sit quietly and embroider or read.”
“I rest my case. See you in the morning.”
Since the livery was on the way to the hotel, Colt stopped and peeked in the door. Midnight was tied to a post, and Cassie was bent over, shoeing one of the horse’s hind legs.
For a couple of seconds he thought she was talking to him, then realized she was speaking to the horse.
“So that’s the whole story, Midnight. It looks like Dad’s going to pull through this, and should be up and around in no time. But you know how stubborn he is. What are we going to do with him? The old darling just won’t admit he’s getting too old for the job. And one of these days…” She sighed deeply. “He might not be as lucky.”
Putting aside the hammer, she picked up a rasp and began to file the shoe. “I’m almost through, boy. Just need to smooth down a rough spot on this edge.”
Colt remained quiet as he watched, fascinated. Her movements were competent and steady, with the loving tenderness of a mother bathing or feeding a beloved child. There were so many facets to Cassie Braden.
He’d never met a woman like her before, and the danger of remaining in Arena Roja now had nothing to do with the Pike gang: She’d begun to mean too much to him. Soon it would be difficult to ride away from her. What had begun as simple physical desire was developing into deeper feelings, and dammit, he wasn’t ready for it! It plain didn’t fit into his plans.
“There. All through.” She stood up and pressed her cheek against the big stallion’s neck. “You were an angel as always, sweetheart.”
That’s when she saw Colt standing in the doorway. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Don’t you have a blacksmith in town?”
“Of course.”
“Why don’t you have him shoe the horse for you?”
Cassie wondered how long he’d been standing there. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she brushed back some hair that clung to her cheek and wondered how she must look.
Funny how that had never mattered to her before. Why should it now?
“I’ve been shoeing Midnight since he was a colt.” She untied the stallion and led him back to his stall. “Jeff was here a short time ago. He said you didn’t have any luck today.”
“No. It was good to hear your dad’s operation went well.”
“It certainly was.”
She felt uncomfortable under his steady stare. She felt messy, and she didn’t know what to do with her hands. And she didn’t want to look him in the eyes.
“What’s wrong, Cassie?” He came over to her, and his nearness encompassed her as if he were touching her. She quickly turned away and began to pitch hay into Midnight’s stall.
“Are you still angry about this morning?”
This morning? What was he talking about?
“I was concerned about your welfare, Cassie, that’s why I didn’t want you to come with us.”
“Oh, that!” She’d already forgotten about the posse. “No, it’s just as well I didn’t go with you. I’m just tired, Colt. The last couple days have been hard and I’ve barely had any sleep.”
“I understand.”
He came over and she drew a deep breath when he put his arms around her. His touch was so comforting.
Sometimes there was little satisfaction in being a strong-willed, independent female. Sometimes it would feel so nice just to lean back into the strength of a man’s arms, the comfort of his touch. Someone to take care of her, to watch over her.
And why did she wish that man would always be Colt Fraser? Why had he begun to fill her thoughts more than Ted? Could her growing desire for him diminish the memory of the man she once believed she loved?
Once believed she loved! Cassie was shocked by her traitorous thoughts.
The growing attraction she’d felt for Colt had forced her to weigh her true feelings. It wasn’t love that kept her faithful to Ted—it was loyalty. And if everyone was right about his continued absence, how long could she remain loyal to a dead man?
Common sense told her that even if she succumbed to Colt’s seduction, it wouldn’t keep him from riding away as soon as he could. He made no attempt to pretend otherwise. Was she willing to settle for just that?
It would be so wrong. But, dear God, it would feel so right.
She felt bereft when his hands slipped from her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Lock up here and go home, honey. Take a hot bath, and get some sleep.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly, his lips warm and gentle, and she drank in the comforting sweetness of the kiss.
The brief contact was tantalizing, and she was disappointed that he’d pulled away. Foolish girl!
Cassie forced a game smile. “I’ll lock up here as soon as I water the horses.”
“I’ll help you.”
Together they filled the horse buckets and tossed some straw into the stalls. When they finished, Cassie locked up the livery.
“Thanks for your help,” she said.
“I’ll walk you home.”
Nightfall and a cooling breeze had transformed the hot day into a a pleasant evening. They strolled along in silence, enjoying the change. Too soon, they reached the house.
Cassie turned to him. “Well, I guess this is good-bye again.”
“It’s not so final, Cassie. It’s just good night.”
“I thought you were leaving tomorrow.”
“I can hardly leave with Jethro flat on his back and no deputy to take over.”
“It’s not your problem, Colt. You fulfilled your promise to Dad.”
“What do you think I am? I couldn’t walk out on him now.”
As pleased as she was to hear he was remaining, she felt an acute sense of wounded pride. “But you could have walked out on me.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Yesterday morning at the ranch, we almost…that is, if Harry hadn’t ridden up when he did, we would have…” She drew a deep breath that pained her chest. “You would have climbed on that stage tomorrow morning with no regrets.”
“You’re wrong, Cass. It would have b
een one of the biggest regrets in my life. But we’ve made very different plans for our futures, and I don’t think either of us is ready to abandon them. So I would have had plenty of regrets climbing on that stage tomorrow, the greatest being that most likely I’d never see you again.”
He gently caressed her cheek. “I’d never again look into those beautiful blue eyes of yours, bright with humor or darkened with emotion; never hear the laughter in your voice when you’re happy or see your infectious smile. I’d regret never tasting again the sweetness of your lips, knowing the warmth of your arms.
“In this past week, you’ve touched an emotion in me I didn’t think was vulnerable, and I believe the same is true about you. I’d also regret that we didn’t make love, Cass. And you should, too.”
He cupped her cheeks between his hands. “Ah, Cass,” he said tenderly, “making love is never cause for shame or guilt. Had we made love, I would never have looked back on it with regret. It would have been a very precious memory.
“Think with your heart, Cass. If Ted McBride never returns, won’t you regret that he hadn’t made love to you before he left you?”
He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Now get some sleep. Good night.”
Long into the night Cassie lay awake, confused and struggling with Colt’s words, and the mixed emotions she felt for him.
Chapter 14
Early the following morning, Colt watched the Santa Fe–bound stagecoach pull out of Arena Roja.
When only dust clouds remained to mark its passage, he turned with a resigned sigh to walk away and saw that the three sprouts were watching him.
“Thought you were leaving today,” Sam said.
“And you came to say good-bye? I’m overwhelmed with emotion.”
“Somebody had to,” Sam said quickly. “Figure we owed you that much.”
“Well, Belle, you can’t be more sorry than I am. Unfortunately, right now your town needs a lawman.”
“Ain’t that what you’ve always wanted to be? Now you’ve got the chance.”
He cocked his head reflectively. “Maybe you’re right.”