The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  Maybe in a few days when she is more settled he could explain things to her. Hopefully, there will be some understanding inside her, and she wouldn’t become too upset when she faced the boys. Hell, he should not have insisted on this marriage, he is nothing but a damn fool.

  Yet he could not deny that he still wanted her with a hunger he found nearly impossible to control. He desperately hoped things between them worked out and they could have a happy and a true marriage in the end. Ah, well only time would tell, and he could do nothing about it now but just make the best of a bad situation and pray like hell that things between them will improve as quickly as possible.

  SIX

  Three days later Dane walked back into camp after bathing in the river. His thoughts, as usual, were on his stubborn wife. It became nearly impossible to stop himself from becoming angry and frustrated. Nothing he tried would remove the icy coldness and loathing from her eyes.

  She ignored him and everyone else. She never lent a hand around camp either, and he knew Tuff was damn right mad about it and complained about the fact often enough.

  He called her a damn spoiled little brat and needed her backside swatted. The thought of doing such a thing to his wife made a smile hover on his lips. She would probably shoot him if he tried.

  As he walked into camp, he suddenly stopped and looked around puzzled. No aroma of boiling coffee or food cooking filled the air. His gaze turned to Tuff and he frowned wondering why supper wasn’t cooking. However, when Tuff started yelling, he let out a miserable sigh and turned to find his wife.

  “Why ye damn spoilt little brat, I should take yah over my knee and give yah a good thrashin that yah deserve for deliberately throwing our food away.” Tuff grew so angry, he forced himself not to lash out and strike the gal. He never struck a woman before and he wasn’t going to start now. No matter how tempted he was.

  Her gaze on the older man, India swallowed her anxiety. She trembled inside but refused to show it and lifted her chin in the air. She thought of the idea last night and now that she managed to dispose of all the food, she started to have second thoughts over her quickly thought up plan.

  However, it was far too late to have regrets now, so she made herself put on a brave front. Without answering him, she forced a smile on her face, shrugged her shoulders in unconcern, and quickly turned away. Straight away, her eyes landed on her husband, and she felt her knees grow weak.

  There could be no mistaking the blazing fury in his golden eyes. Now she grew truly afraid, and she backed up a step. She swallowed the lump of fear now clogging her throat as she waited for his reaction to her malicious behavior.

  Dane could not believe the woman would do such a childish and spiteful thing. At first, he only stared at his wife in disbelief then within moments the hot anger washed through him. It took every effort not to lash out at her.

  He took deep slow breathes trying to keep his temper under control, and slowly approached her. When he stood directly in front of her, he let her see just how furious he was over her nasty irresponsible actions.

  “Now I’m waiting for you to explain to me why you have acted so childishly and spitefully.”

  India backed up another step; she could feel the waves of his anger wash hotly over her. She didn’t have an answer to his question. Well, she did but she definitely could not tell him why she did what she did. This might be her only chance to get away and she intended to take it no matter the consequences.

  When she refused to answer his question, Dane grasped her tightly by the shoulder and shook her slightly. “You’re a damn malicious, nasty little bitch. I thought I married a woman not a damn spoiled little brat, but it seems I’m wrong.”

  He stopped shaking her and removed his hand from her shoulder. As he did, he watched her fall backwards and land on her bottom in the dirt. He ignored the hot glare she threw him and walked over to Tuff and Jasper, who they hired to drive the other wagon. “Is there anything left?”

  Tuff sent a fermenting look at the gal sitting in the dirt. With a sniff of contempt, he turned back to Dane. “Yeah there’s a few cans of beans, that’s all.”

  “Damn little bitch, they’ll have to do tonight. First thing in the morning, we’ll detour to Denton and get more supplies. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours of our trip.” Dane turned to glare angrily back at his wife and noticed that she still sat in the dirt with her head bowed. At this point, he did not care how she felt.

  “Since she tossed our food away let her go hungry tonight. Call me when it’s ready.” Turning away, he headed back to the river. He needed time away from his wife. Not only to cool down his anger but also to think of what he would have to do about her and their marriage.

  Even though she still sat in the dirt with her head bowed, India knew the moment her husband left and sighed with relief. She jumped to her feet, dusted off the back of her pants and hurried over to the wagon she slept in.

  She sat down on the pallet and started to shake. Never could she ever remembering witnessing such blazing anger before. She felt so sure her husband came close to striking her. She almost sagged in relief when he didn’t.

  Dear God, the man frightened her so much. At least he held enough control over himself not to lash out at her. She bought up her knees, rested her arms on them and laid her brow on her folded arms.

  Well at least her plan worked, and they were going to Denton. Now all she needed to do is find some way to sneak away.

  Dane remained at the river until the sun started to set. He headed back to camp, and sitting down on his bedroll took the plate of bean's Tuff handed him. His gaze remained fixed on the wagon his wife slept in.

  He wondered if she felt any guilt or regret over what she had done. He doubted it. She seemed the type of woman who would do just about anything to get what she wanted. Again, he wondered if he might have made the biggest mistake in his life.

  What was it about the woman that made him lose all his common sense? The thought continued to plague him. Something needed to be done though; neither of them could continue to live with this animosity between them.

  He would never ask his brothers to live with a woman that he slowly started to think might be just like Irene. Just the thought of such a thing made him shudder in disgust and dread started to creep through his blood stream and into his heart.

  No, he could not ask his brothers to live in that hell again. When they reached home, he would have to make a decision. He would have to let her go if things didn’t change between them, no matter how much he wanted her. He would not let his brothers pay for his mistake.

  Jeff, his adoptive brother, probably knew how to end the marriage. He might not like it but he would end the marriage if things didn’t improve between them.

  Tuff finished cleaning up, went over, and sat down on a rock next to Dane. He noticed how the boy seemed to be struggling with his thoughts. “Don’t make any rash decisions again son. I can see what yah thinking and I think yah wrong. She is frightened and angry and who would blame her? She was forced to marry a stranger because her brother owed yah money.”

  He sighed heavily over the fact. “Yah can’t blame it all on her. You and her brother should be the ones takin the blame. Son the gal ain’t like yah Ma so get that thought out of yah head and just give the gal some time. I’m sure she’ll come around.” Once he finished, he stood up and left Dane to his thoughts.

  After Tuff left, long into the night Dane thought over the old man’s words and decided he would take his advice and wait. Hopefully in a day or two his wife’s attitude might change. What other choice did he have and for now, all he could do is pray his marriage will work out.

  SEVEN

  They arrived in Denton early the next morning. Pulling up at the livery, Dane arranged to leave their horses and wagons there while they were collecting supplies. “Tuff, you and Jasper go and buy what we need, and I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”

  When they left, he turned to his wife, took her hand
and led her to the back of the wagons. “Collect some clean clothes.” He let go of her hand and waited. India wondered what he planned for her but when he told her to gather clean clothes, she quickly understood. She reached in and picked up a small satchel she packed the night before in case she managed to somehow escape.

  After taking the small bag from his wife, Dane grasped her arm gently and led her down the street to the hotel. Booking a room and ordering a bath, he took the key and led her up stair to the room. Once they were inside, he placed her bag on the floor.

  “I’ll leave you to bathe and be back in half an hour. For once just do as I ask and be ready and waiting when I come back.” He gave her a studied look. When she continued to look stubborn, he sighed with dissatisfaction, turned, and left.

  Once the door closed behind her husband, India took out her traveling suit and shook out the wrinkles as best she could. She laid it on the bed. When someone knocked on the door, she rushed over to open it. She stepped back and let the man and the boys in with her hot water and the tub.

  When they left, she locked the door and stripped off her clothes, knowing she would have very little time. She could not afford to waste a moment. No matter how much she might like to soak in the hot water the risk would be too great.

  She washed quickly, then hurriedly dried herself and rushed to dress. She wound up her hair and pinned it in place before she put on the little black hat. Gathering up her dirty clothes, she stuffed them in the bag. Taking one more look around the room to make sure she left nothing behind, she hurried out of the room.

  Warily, she peeked over the railing and sighed in relief when she didn’t spot her husband in the foyer below. Hurrying down the stairs, she sailed out of the hotel. With her heart pounding, she rushed along the street hoping she would not run into her husband, Tuff, or Jasper.

  Relieved when she reached the wagons, she quickly gathered up her other bag. Untying Lightening, she kept behind the buildings keeping out of sight of the main street. She only let herself relax slightly when she finally reached the train station.

  Hurriedly tying up her horse, she went inside the building hoping that a train would be along soon. After speaking to the stationmaster, she nearly jumped for joy when he told her one would be along in ten minutes.

  She bought a ticket and paid for her horse to be put on the train. Her heart still pounded hard in her chest while she waited fearfully for the train to arrive. She prayed that her husband wouldn’t come after her.

  After leaving his wife, Dane headed for the telegraph office. He thought to wire his brothers and let them know when to expect him home. When he finished, the half hour had passed and it was time for him to collect his wife. He headed back to the hotel.

  As he walked along, somehow he sensed in his gut that his wife wouldn’t be waiting for him. Even though he didn’t understand it, he started walking more briskly. When he reached the hotel and stepped inside, he took the stairs two at a time.

  When he reached the room, he didn’t bother to knock. He threw the door open and stared at the empty room. “Damn it to hell. What was wrong with the woman? I tried to do something nice for her and this is how she thanks me? Well, by damn this time she’s pushed me too far.” He spat out angrily.

  His temper riled, he slammed the door shut and headed down stairs. “If I get my hands on the damn woman I’m either going to strangle her or beat her.” He paid for the room and bath before he headed back to the livery.

  As soon as he arrived back at the livery, he noticed her horse missing. Looking up and down the street, he growled and went to find the liveryman, but the man said he never saw her. Just as he stepped outside, only then did he hear the train whistle. He hurried to the station and made enquiries. With grim determination, he headed back to the livery.

  While he waited for Tuff and Jasper to return, he contemplated what he should do about his runaway wife. Damn it. If the woman thinks she could just up and run from away from their marriage, well she has another thing coming. Damn it, she is my wife.

  Even if the marriage isn’t consummated, it will only be him who would decide the fate of their marriage. He intended going after her and he would drag her back by the hair if he needed to.

  Nervously, India waited for the train. When it finally arrived, she saw her horse put safely aboard and with the conductors help, boarded the train. Not until the train pulled away from the station did she finally let herself relax.

  Now all she needed to worry about is if her husband would realize that she left by train and come after her. No, she slowly shook her head, her brow puckered. No, she didn’t think he would come, he is probably grateful that she left.

  He has surely come to the realization by now that she is just too much trouble and will just go home without her. God she hoped he would. She might not have any idea where she will go or where she might stay for the next few months until she thought it safe enough to return home but now she didn’t care.

  She doubted her husband would bother coming after her, or even want her back after defying him again. Surely, he must realize by now that she will do whatever is necessary to escape this marriage.

  Her shoulders sagging slightly, she could not help feeling a smidgeon of guilt over leaving as she did. Especially after he treated her so considerately by taking her to the hotel and ordering a bath. She now started to realize her first impression of him was wrong.

  She remembered when someone introduced him to her at the ball. She noticed at once the hot lust shining in his eyes and knew what his only interest and intentions were. It disgusted her, but now she slowly started to realize there were other sides to the man as well.

  Lord knew he could have beaten her many times over the course of their traveling but no matter how angry he became, he never raised a hand to her. She started to think it now seemed a pity things could never work out between them, or that they came together in such a horrible way.

  Well, it is much too late now for regrets. What is done is done. Once she arrived back home and her life settled down, she would contact a lawyer and find out how she could dissolve their marriage.

  There must be some way, since they never consummated the marriage and lived apart. Well, she would worry about it when the time came, now though she realized she has more important things to think about and that is where to she would live for the next few months.

  EIGHT

  Dane finished packing the things he would need into his saddlebags. He was now ready to ride out as soon as Tuff and Jasper arrived. When he finally spotted them, he swung up onto the saddle. Still in a furious lather, he growled out when they reached him. “The damn woman snuck off and caught the train. You two start for home, and we’ll catch up with you in a few days.”

  “God damn it boy, if the gal has gone, let her go and save yah self all this heart ache.” Tuff tried to reason with him but he shook his head when he saw the cold determination glittering in Dane’s eyes.

  “I can’t, I have to go after her.” He turned his horse away and rode out of town. As he did, he wondered if he might just be acting foolishly in wanting her back. No, he needed to at least make one more effort, since he insisted on the marriage in the first place. It would up to him to try once last time.

  Tuff watched Dane ride away and sighed worriedly. He just hoped the gal would be worth all this trouble. He sure hated to see another woman destroy the boy or his brothers again. That bitch Irene already inflicted enough damage on them and he would not let another woman hurt his boys again.

  Dane rode late into the night. Only when he finally admitted that not only is his horse tired, but so was he, did he finally decide stop. He quickly and efficiently made camp. After eating a hasty meal, he lay on his bedroll with his hands stacked behind his head and stared up at the star filled sky.

  A few hours rest then he’ll ride out again. He wanted to be there to greet his wife when the train arrived at the next town. It might be wrong but he looked forward to seeing the look on h
er face when she saw him waiting for her. Yes sirry, she is going to be in for one hell of a surprise.

  As time passed and he still couldn’t sleep, he cursed loud and long. He might as well saddle his horse and keep on riding. Getting up, he quickly packed his gear away and saddled his horse.

  He might as well do his thinking as he rode along, and he did have plenty of thinking to do. God how could he have made such a blasted mess of things? If only his wife would meet him half way, he felt positive that they would at least have a half way decent marriage.

  Even though surrounded by his brothers over the last few years he started to feel lonely. He even started to envy the men he knew who were married. He wondered what it would be like to have a wife to come home to after a long tiring day, a wife who would listen to his concerns and worries.

  A wife that would snuggle her softness up to him each night while they slept and would wake up in his arms in the morning. Yes, for some time he often thought about marrying and when he saw India, he knew she would be the only woman he would want as his wife.

  Could he have made a terrible mistake? No, he shook his head, something in his gut told him that if he managed to get past her anger and pain, he will find the real woman, one he felt would make his life complete. Over the last few days, when she was unaware he noticed her looking at him with regret and longing.

  Tuff is right. He could only blame himself for this mess, and he grew determined that he would clean it up. With luck, he would have the wife he wanted. He also hoped that with her living in the house, both his youngest brothers, Tye and Mason, would experience the gentleness of a woman for once in their lives.

  Ah hell, all this is just speculation. Until he found his wife, he would just have to wait and see. At least this will give them time alone. They could try to come to an understanding. If not he didn’t know what the hell he would do.