The Lawman Said I Do

by Ana Leigh

  She nodded. “I guess it’s pretty useless to go on. At least the river didn’t flood. As soon as the sun comes up and starts drying the ground, I’ll round up the rest of what’s left of them later. Let’s get back to town and out of these wet clothes.”

  By the time they reached the edge of town, Cassie was almost asleep in the saddle. “Go straight home, Cassie. I’ll take care of the horses,” Colt said.

  “You’re just as tired as I am,” she said. “Five more minutes won’t make that much difference.”

  “You’ve got a lot of stamina, Cass.”

  She smiled tiredly at him. “You don’t do so bad yourself, Deputy. You’ve got the makings of a good rancher.”

  When they reached the livery, Colt glanced around in surprise. Small groups of people gathered in the street, and the air was rife with excitement. Many of the storeowners were nailing up bunting on their storefronts. “What the hell’s going on?”

  The three sprouts were standing in front of the livery with Jeff Braden, and they rushed up to Colt and Cassie as they dismounted.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “General Carson’s coming to town for the next couple days,” Sam said.

  “Who is he?”

  Mouth agape, Bowie exclaimed, “You ain’t ever heard of Kit Carson!”

  “Kit Carson! You mean the famous Indian fighter?”

  “There ain’t none famouser,” Sam said.

  “‘More famous,’ Sam,” Cassie corrected.

  “You’re wasting your time trying to teach her anything, Cassie,” Jeff said, taking the reins of the horses.

  “You ain’t my schoolmaster, Jeff Braden, so I don’t need advice from somebody who ain’t got nothing under his hat but an addled brain.”

  “So Kit Carson’s a general,” Colt said, ignoring their running battle. “I don’t suppose he fought on the side of the Confederacy.”

  “No,” Cassie said. “When the war broke out and so many of our men went East, the Indians started raiding the farms and ranches. General Carson organized a military infantry here in New Mexico and brought the Indians under control. He went back to being an Indian agent after the war.”

  The children followed them as they went inside to unsaddle the horses.

  “So there really is a Kit Carson,” Colt said. “Tales of his early exploits among the Indians and the Frémont expeditions made him sound more legendary than real.”

  “I reckon a few of his exploits were legendary,” Cassie said, “but on the whole he’s one heck of a man. Frontiersman, guide, trapper, Indian fighter, soldier. He lived among the Indians and can speak their languages like he was born to them, and there’s no man more courageous.”

  “He sure is,” Sam said proudly. “I read about him all the time in my Godey’s books. And to think he’s coming here tonight!”

  “Well, right now, I’m going home to a hot bath and bed,” Cassie said.

  “You coming to the shindy tonight, Deputy?” Sam asked.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Belle.”

  “I told you to stop calling me Belle,” she yelled as he and Cassie departed.

  “Colt, why do you call Sam ‘Belle’?”

  Colt grinned. “Shortly before I met her and the two boys, I’d been reading about the James Brothers, and a female named Belle who rides with an outlaw gang led by Tom Starr.”

  Cassie shoved back her hat. “I know Sam can be a real pain in the rear at times, but that seems a little extreme.”

  Colt slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Just my peculiar sense of humor, honey. She’s a great little gal.” He yawned. “You know, you’ve got the right idea. I’m going to my room to take a hot bath and then hit the mattress for a couple hours. Tell your dad I’ll drop by later.”

  Colt returned to the hotel, went upstairs, shucked his clothing, and dropped onto the bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

  After a six-hour sleep followed by a hot bath, Colt headed over to the Bradens’. When he walked through the door, the kitchen smelled like a bakery, and the tantalizing aroma of a ham roasting on a spit on the hearth permeated the house. It reminded Colt of how the kitchen at Fraser Keep used to smell whenever a big party was being prepared.

  Cathy was rolling out a piecrust, and Cassie, looking refreshed, was peeling apples.

  “You don’t look any the worse after the busy night you had,” he said to Cassie.

  “Thank you. I can say the same about you.”

  “You both deserve a pat on the back. It must have been horrible out in that storm all night,” Cathy said. “Did you hear that General Carson’s coming to town?”

  “Yes, it’s the topic on everyone’s lips. How long will he be here?”

  “A couple days, according to the telegram,” Jeff said, joining them at the table.

  Cassie put down her paring knife and said to Cathy, “That’s the last of the apples in the barrel. Don’t you think four apple pies and a baked ham will be enough of a contribution? I poked so many cloves into the ham that my fingertips will be scarred forever, and I peeled enough apples to feed every horse in the United States Cavalry.” She tossed a curly apple peeling at Jeff, and he caught it and popped it into his mouth.

  “You going to save me a dance tonight, Cassie?” Colt asked.

  That produced a big snort from Jeff. “Cassie only dances with her horse.”

  “At least Midnight doesn’t step on my toes like those horses’ rear ends that you call friends, Jeff Braden.”

  “You gals should save something for some of the other ladies to bring,” Jethro said from a nearby rocking chair. The pleasure he got from listening to his children’s banter was evident by his big grin.

  “Dad, what are you doing out of bed?” Jeff asked.

  “Now don’t start bellerin’ like a rained-soaked rooster, boy. Doc Williams said I could.”

  “And I think you’ve sat up long enough,” Cathy said. “Jeff, will you help him back to bed?”

  “I’ll give you a hand,” Colt offered.

  With every step, the older man grumbled about them treating him like an invalid.

  “Like it or not, Dad, you are an invalid right now,” Jeff said.

  “Now don’t you give me any sass, boy. It’s bad enough I have to listen to your sisters’.” Jethro turned a steely eye on Colt. “You got somethin’ to say on the matter?”

  “Not a word, Sheriff. I don’t have any horse in this race.”

  Within the hour, wagons from the surrounding ranches started to roll into town. Due to the past days’ rain, folks decided to hold the shindy in the hotel’s dining room. While the women spread out their food, Colt helped several of the men carry out the tables and push the chairs back against the walls.

  By the time they finished, General Carson had arrived with his entourage—three Navajo chiefs and several dozen of their tribesmen. The Indians wanted no part of the celebration or the town, and made camp behind the church.

  After setting out their food, Cassie and Cathy returned home to change clothes. As she dressed for the affair, Cassie felt excited. It had been a long time since she’d worn a fancy gown. She had two party gowns, one yellow and the other green, and she chose the green one. Tonight was a special occasion. After all, how often did they get to see General Kit Carson?

  General Carson my foot, Cassie Braden! You’re getting all prettied up for Colt Fraser.

  After brushing out her hair, she pulled it behind her ears and wove a green satin ribbon into its thickness. Then she stepped back and took a long look at her bare neck and shoulders, and the green gown that clung to her breasts.

  What are you thinking? Why should you care how you look to Colt Fraser?

  She pulled the ribbon out of her hair. She looked too coquettish, too flirtatious. It would be an invitation to him, and a temptation to her.

  Cassie stepped out of the gown and reached for her black skirt and white blouse. She’d suddenly lost all her enthusiasm
for the party.

  “Why don’t you wear your green dress tonight for a change?” Cathy asked a short time later as she braided Cassie’s hair.

  “I’m more comfortable in a blouse and skirt.”

  “Honey, why don’t you dress up for him just once?” Cathy said with a sweet smile.

  “Why would I dress up fancy for General Carson?”

  “You know I’m not referring to the general,” Cathy said. “What are you afraid of, Cassie?”

  Cassie sighed deeply. There was no sense in trying to fool Cathy. As twins, each often knew what the other was thinking without even speaking.

  “Oh, Cathy, I’m so unhappy. I don’t know what to do.” Suddenly she found herself fighting back sobs. “I’ve tried to fight it, but I’m so attracted to him. And it’s so wrong. So very wrong.”

  Cathy sat down beside her and hugged her. “Why is it wrong, honey?”

  “Because I’m engaged to Ted. I love him and he loves me. I can’t be unfaithful to him.”

  “Honey, what if Ted doesn’t come back? Are you going to remain true to his memory forever?”

  Cassie stared into the compassion in her sister’s eyes. “But I believe Ted is still alive.”

  “That’s your decision to make, Cassie,” Cathy said, wiping the tears off Cassie’s cheeks. “I’m only suggesting you trust what’s in your heart, because none of us know what’s in our future.”

  “Well, I know what’s in Colt Fraser’s future. He makes no secret of the fact that he’s riding out of here as soon as he can.”

  “Then that makes your decision more urgent, doesn’t it?” Cathy kissed her on the cheek, then pulled her to her feet. “Come on, honey. You don’t want the party to start without us, do you?”

  Chapter 17

  Studying her image in the mirror, Sam ran a hand across her chest.

  “Flat as pancakes,” she muttered. When would she develop breasts like that Lucy Cain at the Alhambra?

  She wondered if what the deputy said was true. Would she really grow up to be as beautiful as Cassie? If so, there was no sign of it now. But if the deputy was right, it would sure show up that Lucy Cain and serve that Jeff Braden right.

  She took another look in the mirror at her flat chest, then turned away in disgust.

  “What do I need breasts for, anyway?” she grumbled. “Ain’t got no use except nursing babies, and I ain’t gonna have any of them.”

  She pulled on her dress and went into the kitchen. Her mother was busy at the stove, as usual.

  “Mama, ain’t you coming to see General Carson?”

  “No, darlin’. As soon as I’m done here, I’m goin’ to bed. Let me brush your hair before you go.”

  Sarah sat down, and Sam stood between her legs as Sarah did her hair. When she finished, Sarah smiled with pride. “My, you look lovely, darlin’. That dress brings out the blue of your eyes.”

  “Are your feet still aching, Mama?” Sam asked, concerned.

  Sarah sighed. “Just a little.”

  The young girl’s face saddened. “You work so hard, Mama. When I grow up, I’m gonna buy us a ranch so you won’t have to work so hard. You can sit all day with your feet on a pillow. Would you like me to rub them for you before I go?”

  Sarah reached out a hand and caressed her daughter’s cheek. “No, darlin’. Go and have a good time. And don’t pester the deputy. He’s a very nice man.”

  “I know. We’re good friends now. He told me I’ll grow up to be as beautiful as Cassie.”

  “And you will.”

  Sam hugged and kissed her. “I love you, Mama.”

  For the past thirty minutes, Colt had listened to General Carson speak. He had expected a boisterous, buckskin-clad giant with a beaver tail dangling from his hat. Instead, Carson was of slim stature, reserved, temperate, and extremely modest.

  Bombarded with one question after another, Carson was an amusing raconteur as he described the Western wilderness, yet not once did he mention his own accomplishments in helping to tame that wilderness.

  When he found out that Colt had fought on the side of the Confederacy, Carson took him aside and asked him how the Reconstruction was going in the South.

  Carson listened intently as Colt described the problems in the South’s struggle to regain some of its former splendor, knowing it could never return to the life it had once known.

  “The same could be said about the Indian, Captain Fraser,” Carson said. “Their way of life can never return. Not only did our government move them hundreds of miles from the land they once roamed as free men but it moved them onto reservations that restrict them from doing what is familiar to them. The Navajo Nation was an agrarian society, unlike many of the other Indian nations. They farmed the land and planted orchards. Our government rounded them up and moved them hundreds of miles to a reservation where the land is too poor to yield any crops, so now we have to dole out rations to them in order to keep them from starving.”

  “But it’s my understanding, sir, that Indian tribes such as the Apaches and Comanches are warlike, are they not? They never lived peacefully with one another, much less the advent of white neighbors.”

  “That is true, Captain. I’m afraid most of the major Indian nations have raised their war clubs and arrows against us. It will take twenty or thirty years before we see the end to these Indian wars. Let us hope that will not be true between the North and the South.”

  Colt thanked the general for his time and excused himself. He hadn’t seen any sign of Cassie for the past half hour, and he still wanted to dance with her. Seeing no sign of her, he went outside in case she’d gone out for some fresh air.

  Cassie felt hot and uncomfortable. In addition, Bob Callum stepped on her toes for the third time, and she couldn’t wait for the dance to end. Her gaze kept stealing to the open door. It was too inviting to resist. As soon as the dance ended, she thanked Bob and hurried outside before anyone could stop her.

  Cathy’s advice had sounded so right, but it was easier said than done. She still couldn’t convince herself that she could put the memory of Ted behind her. She needed some proof, some sign that he was not coming back.

  She was no longer certain she had ever been in love with Ted. She’d been so young, so girlish five years ago, with romantic fantasies. Was her resolve to wait for him just a way to resist the temptation of her attraction to Colt? All she was certain of was that she had to choose one or the other. The issue was tearing her apart.

  Colt hadn’t even approached her since the party had begun. He’d been so occupied talking to General Carson that he’d ignored her entirely. If she was looking for a sign, that alone would surely be an indication of his true feelings for her. But he’d made his intentions quite clear; she was the one who was moping around trying to justify her own feelings.

  Well, she’d had enough of the party. Rather than go home, she walked down to the schoolhouse. She felt nearer to Ted there than any other place.

  Moonlight cast a silver streak across the darkened room as she went to the chalkboard and stood before the message Ted had written when he’d gone away.

  She closed her eyes. “I need a sign, Ted. I need something more than your promise to return. Something to release me from this struggle.”

  “Cassie, what are you doing standing alone in the dark?”

  Her eyes popped open, and she spun around in surprise. “Colt! You startled me.”

  “I’m sorry. When I couldn’t find you at the party, I figured you might be here.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “I don’t know. It just came to me, that’s all.”

  Could this be the sign she was asking for? “You mean like an epiphany?”

  Colt chuckled. “My thoughts of you are rarely divinely driven. Weren’t you enjoying the dance?”

  “No. I don’t particularly enjoy dancing.”

  “That’s unusual, particularly for a woman as young and beautiful as you are.”

  “Save th
e seductive flattery for someone who wants to hear it, Colt.”

  “What is your problem, Cassie?” The edge in his tone made his anger clear. “I just came down here to see if you’re okay.”

  “Bah!” she scoffed. “You came down here hoping I’d be interested in playing your games. Well, I’m not interested in playing the giggling coquette. I’m not interested in flirting with you, dancing with you, and most certainly not interested in making love to you.”

  “Me or any man, Cassie. You’ve convinced yourself that men are all lecherous predators. The real problem is that I’ve broken through that protective armor you wear like some damn Joan of Arc, and that now you feel guilty for feeling real passion.”

  “You think you’ve got me all figured out, but you’re wrong, Colt. I have the same dreams, feelings, and desires as any other woman.”

  “Then start acting like one before it’s too late. And you can begin by erasing this damn epitaph. It belongs on a tombstone, not the blackboard of a classroom.”

  Colt strode over to the chalked message and began to erase Ted’s good-bye to them.

  Horrified, Cassie rushed over and yanked at his arm. “Stop it! Stop it!” she cried. She burst into tears of fury. “You have no right. Stop it.”

  He tossed aside the eraser and grasped her by the shoulders, his eyes blackened by the anger he was trying to temper.

  “My God, Cassie! You’re a beautiful, passionate woman who’s wasting her life. Face the truth, Cass. Only death would keep a man from returning to the woman he loved.”

  “That’s not true. You’re wrong,” she sobbed.

  He pulled her into his arms and held her as she wept, his cheek rubbing the silky auburn head buried against his chest. Her tears dampened his shirt as he breathed in her sweet scent, and he felt the warmth of her soft curves against the hard angles of his own body.

  Cupping her cheeks between his hands, he tangled his fingers in her hair. “Ah, Cass,” he murmured, “I don’t want to hurt you, and it seems like I keep doing so.”