The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  “Well I’ll be darned yah back already.” Pete asked as he stepped out of the stall and walked towards the open doors. His eyebrows rose when he saw the two wagons pull up. “Them homesteaders with you?”

  Dane turned his head and looked over his shoulder then turned back and shrugged. “They're not homesteaders, it’s my wife. I’m going to leave the wagons here for an hour. Alright with you?”

  His eyes rounding flabbergasted to hear Dane say he married. “Yeah, yeah sure thing, them brother’s of yours know yah gone and got yah self hitched?” Pete asked and tried to look around Dane and get a glimpse of his wife.

  Refusing to answer the question Dane spun around, headed back to the wagons, and lifted his wife down. “Go with Tuff and buy whatever you need sweetheart.” He looked over at Tuff. “We’ll meet back here in an hour.” His gaze dropped back to his wife, and he kissed her brow before he let go of her and walked away.

  India watched him go with a frown on her brow. However, when she felt Tuff take her arm, she shrugged and turned to smile at him.

  “Come on gal let's get this over and done with, I want to sleep in my own bed tonight.” Tuff led her down the busy street and ignored the curious stares they were receiving. He knew everyone would be wondering about her. Well, as far as he was concerned, they could keep on wondering. Pushing open the door of the mercantile, he led India inside. He groaned when he noticed the woman in the store, knowing instantly there would be trouble. He cursed under his breath; the gal didn’t need this. He already knew how wary she felt about facing the boys and what may happen without this confrontation. And confrontation he knew it would be.

  Dianne turned slightly when she heard the door open, her eyes widened and a smile of happiness curved her lips, with a squeal of delight she hurried over to Tuff. “Oh my goodness I can’t believe you’re home already. How wonderful. Where is Dane, Tuff? I can’t wait to see him, I missed him so much, and there is so much to organize for our engagement party.”

  India stood stiffly beside Tuff; her hand gripped the sleeve of his shirt as she listened to the tall blondish haired woman. She looked pretty enough but there seemed a hard cold calculating look about the woman that made her instantly alert. However, the word engagement immediately caught her attention. Could it be true could Dane actually be engaged to this woman? It made her sick to her stomach to think he might be.

  Dianne waited for Tuff to answer her, but when he didn’t her eyes narrowed, and only then did she finally noticed the small woman at his side. Haughtily raising a brow, she looked the woman over with distain. “Who is this child Tuff? Did you and Dane pickup an orphan along the way?” She gave a quick brittle laugh, smiling smugly in disdain.

  Bristling with indignation India let go of Tuff’s shirt and took a step forward before he could stop her. Placing her hands on her hips, she eyed the other woman up and down and with a toss of her head dismissed the woman as insignificant. Her voice dripped with ice as she turned back to Tuff. “It seems since my husband has been away his taste in women has greatly improved. Wouldn’t you say Tuff?”

  Tuff guffawed, took his hat off and slapped it against his thigh.

  FOURTEEN

  Her lips twitching slightly at the sound of Tuff’s laughter, India waited for the explosion to come from the woman. She could see it building and cringed slightly when the woman started screeching loudly.

  At first, Dianne could only stare in disbelief at the smaller woman, but the fury grew inside of her when she thought of this woman calling Dane husband. The woman could only be lying; all her plans were made around when Dane finally returned home. She planned to trick him into an engagement and then marriage. Her gaze blazing and an ugly sneer on her face, she started screaming at the woman. “You damn lying little tart. Dane wouldn’t marry a little nobody like you and besides his engaged to me. Damn it Tuff tell me the truth, tell me that this little bitch is lying.”

  Dianne forced herself not to notice how beautiful the woman looked, with her large violet eyes, heart shaped face, the dark hair that fell in thick waves down her back and a figure any woman would die to possess herself. The anger boiled up inside her even though she tried to deny the truth, deep down, she knew that Dane married this woman.

  Quickly sensing things were about to escalate Tuff stepped up next to India. “Now Miss King I don’t know how come you think you’re engaged to Dane, he ain’t mentioned anything to me or the boys about it. But this here is Dane’s wife and if yah have any questions I suggest yah go and find him and get yah answers.”

  It took all the strength she could muster to rein in her anger. Dianne gave them both a lethal look of contempt. “Yes I’ll just go and find him and when Dane denies your ludicrous lies, I’ll see you both punished for this.” With her nose in the air, she quickly stepped around them and left the store.

  Tuff let out a relieved breath when the woman walked out the door. When he saw Dane, he intended to blister his ears. “Don’t believe anything the woman says India. Dane would never ever consider marrying the woman, now come on let’s get what yah need, and we can go home.”

  India didn’t know what to believe. In a way, she felt a little sorry for the other woman. Dane must have given her some reason to think they were engaged. Well, until she knew the truth, she wouldn’t believe the other woman.

  “This here is Mrs. and Mr. Larkin, and this here is Dane’s wife India.” Tuff introduced everyone.

  “Hello it’s nice to meet you both.” India forced a friendly smile and held out her hand to the couple.

  Both the Larkin’s witnessed the scene and felt sorry for Dane’s young wife. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, and I hope you will be happy here in Sherman.” Mr. Larkin said after shaking her hand.

  “Now don’t you listen to a word Dianne said, none of us believed her about the engagement she’s been bragging about and as my husband said it sure is a pleasure to have you among us. Now what can do for you?” Mrs. Larkin liked this young woman at once. Not only because she stood up to Dianne King, but also she seemed to be a nice pleasant young woman.

  After picking up the mail, Dane headed back to the livery. As he strolled through town, he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck bristle and his skin crawl. He stopped walking and looked around sensing danger but as far as he could see, there didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary. Still the warning was there, and he wouldn’t ignore it.

  From the hotel, upstairs window, a woman stared down and watched the tall blonde haired man walk down the street. Smiling, she sighed in relief, pleased he finally arrived home. She impatiently waited over a week for him to return and now at last she could put her plans into action.

  Quickly dropping the curtain, she took a step back when he turned to gaze up at the window. It would ruin everything if he saw her. Her plans still needed to be finalized and she still waited for her ex-lover, the Judge, to return to town. No, she needed to stay out of sight until all her plans were complete.

  Dane leaned against the corral and waited for India and Tuff to return. His hat rode low on his brow, but it did not stop him from noticing everything and everyone around him. When he saw the woman rushing down the street, he let out a loud groan.

  There is no doubt in his mind just who the woman wanted to see. He stood up straight, pushed the hat back on his head, and waited. The damn woman constantly plagued him before he left town and by the looks of things, she intended to keep pestering him. Well she is going to be in for a shock and he couldn’t help grinning in anticipation of finally being rid of her once and for all.

  Dianne spotted Dane at once and hurried to join him. When she reached him, she threw herself against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Tell me Dane, tell me it’s not true darling. Tell me that Tuff and that scruffy child are lying.”

  When he finished letting out a string of curses under his breath, Dane pulled Dianne’s arms from around his neck and pushed her away. “For God’s sake woman, what’s the
matter with you?” Of all the damn luck to have India run into this woman. He could well imagine the confrontation.

  Dianne bristled but threw herself at him again. This time she kissed him, when he pushed her away once more she became infuriated. “Is this any way to treat your fiancé after being away for so long?”

  Dane looked at Dianne, as if she completely lost her mind. “What in the blazes are you talking about woman? We both know I’m darn well not engaged to you.”

  “Don’t you dare lie Dane Mathews. We had an understanding before you went away, and I have only been waiting for you to return so that we can have our engagement party.” Dianne spoke furiously and silently prayed her plan would work and that the woman and Tuff were lying.

  Dane took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair in aggravation. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small crowd starting to gather. He clenched his jaw and turned his attention back to Dianne. “Listen to me Dianne not once did I ask you to marry me and there is no damn understanding between us.” He hissed out and wasn’t surprised to see how his words only angered her further.

  “Why you no good bastard. How dare you deny we’re engaged, and I suppose you’re going to tell me you’re married to the little ragamuffin I met at the mercantile?” She screeched at him.

  Damn it to hell. What in the hell is wrong with this woman? Is she completely dense? Once again, Dane ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Yes that little ragamuffin as you call her is my wife.”

  Dianne gasped in outrage. The overwhelming anger welled up inside of her. Somehow, though she managed to control it and instead broke into tears. “Oh how could you darling? How could you do something so cruel to me? Please, Dane, tell me you were forced into this marriage, and I might be able to forgive you. I’m sure Mr. Harden will help you with the divorce.”

  His jaw clenching even tighter, Dane tried hard to keep his temper. “There will be no divorce and to set the record straight I was definitely not forced into marrying my wife. I wanted to marry her. As for this fictitious engagement, you were damn foolish to think you could hope to trap me with it.”

  FIFTEEN

  As she stepped off the boardwalk, India heard Dane’s words. She moved to stand beside him and smiled when he turned to gaze down at her.

  Dianne now knew that any hope of forcing Dane to marry her were gone. When the woman who stole him came to stand beside him, she flew into a rage. Screeching loudly she lifted her hand and struck the woman across the face.

  India mumbled a curse and called herself a fool for not having been prepared for some retaliation from the woman. When she felt the stinging slap to her cheek, she staggered slightly from the blow. “Damn it,” she muttered then straightening up, she bought back her fist and let it fly. Her blow landed on the other woman’s face. She felt some satisfaction when she heard the woman cry out. Her eyes grew round when she saw the blood spurting from between the woman’s fingers.

  Out of the crowd that gathered, a young woman raced forward took Dianne’s arm and led her away.

  Dane’s jaw dropped in shock. He never expected Dianne to attack his wife. He cursed himself for being too slow to react and stop her, but he never predicted his wife would retaliate and bloody Dianne’s nose. Yet he couldn’t help but be mighty proud that she defended herself. He turned to face her, grasped her around the waist, lifting her of her feet, and kissed her soundly. After a few moments, he placed her back on her feet and grinned down at her.

  India felt terribly embarrassed over her outlandish conduct. Good Lord I’ve only been here less than an hour, and I have already caused an unlady like scene. However, when Dane kissed her in front of everyone she no longer cared. When he put her back on her feet, a crowd suddenly gathered around them. She felt overwhelmed by the concern from both the men and women.

  Tuff witnessed the scene along with everyone else. He started shaking his head when he saw the crowd gather around Dane and his wife. He knew if he didn’t break it up, they would never get home. Moving forward, he pushed his way through the crowd until he reached the pair. “Now if you two have finished making a spectacle out of yah selves I would like to go home.”

  India pulled out of her husband’s hold and grabbing Tuff’s arm, she let him lead her away. She was more than ready to leave the crowd of strangers and her embarrassing behavior behind.

  Quickly Dane bid everyone a hasty goodbye and followed Tuff and his wife. He reached them at the wagon, and as he went to lift his wife up, he cursed when he noticed the bruise forming on her left cheek. He rushed over to the water trough, untied his bandanna dunked it into the water then hurried back to her and placed it gently on her cheek. “I’m sorry sweetheart I never expected she would become violent.”

  India took the clothe from her husband's hand. “Now I find that hard to believe. I thought all womanizers like having their women fighting over them.” The teasing glint left her eyes. “Is it true Dane? Were you engaged to her or not?”

  Dane felt his face grow warm at his wife’s teasing but his eyes snapped with anger at her question. “Hell no, don’t ask me where she got the damn idea from but believe me sweetheart I would never ask that woman to marry me.”

  Satisfied that he told her the truth, India laughed softly and cupped his cheek. “I believe you, now come on let’s go home while I’m still in a fighting mood. I still have another battle to win.”

  Embarrassed over the whole ugly scene, Dane chuckled. Placing his hands around her waist, he lifted her up on to the wagon seat. “Well then sweetheart, we'd better get you home real quick.” He said jokingly but he felt far from laughing, he wasn’t looking forward to the meeting with his brother’s at all.

  “By God, would yah look at the little gal? She sure does pack a wallop, and I bet that Miss King has two nice black eyes come morning. Yes sir Dane is one lucky man.” Pete guffawed, slapped Tuff on the back.

  Tuff was about to answer him, when he heard Dane shout out his name angrily. He snapped his mouth shut.

  “Tuff, stop your gossiping old man and let’s get home.” Dane mounted his horse and waited for Tuff to get up on the wagon.

  After throwing Dane a malevolent glare, Tuff stomped over to the wagon and climbed aboard. “Damn the boy, I’m going to blister his ears when we get home. Don’t think I won’t.” He picked up the reins and slapped them against the horse’s rumps.

  India chuckled. However, it soon died when they left the town behind. Her stomach grew full of knots knowing that very shortly, there would be another angry scene to face, and her future finally decided.

  When India remained silent Tuff noticed how her anxiety seemed to be building, he reached out and patted her knee. “Don’t you worry gal you can hold yah own. I’m mighty proud of yah. Yah sure didn’t let the spoiled snooty woman get the better of yah, and I know yah can hold yah own with the boys.”

  Weakly smiling up at Tuff India placed her hand over his. “Please remember what I asked you earlier. I don’t want Dane to have to choose between me and his brothers.”

  “It won't come to that gal, mark my words those boys will come to realize that Dane cares for you and won’t make him choose.” Tuff tried to reassure her, but he knew deep in his heart, it would not be as simple or pleasant as he told her.

  India turned away so Tuff wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. I wish it was going to be as easy, but I know it’s going too very unpleasant.

  “Would yah like to stop and change yah clothes before we reach home?” Tuff asked as he looked over her attire and grinned.

  Her gaze going back to Tuff’s, India shrugged her shoulders. “I did actually think about it, but if they are going to accept me at all they may as well see me like this. I don’t think a pretty dress would make that much difference to them, do you?”

  Tuff chuckled and nodded his head. “Yeah you could be right; those boys won’t care what yah wearing.”

  SIXTEEN

  As each mile brought him closer to ho
me, Dane could feel the lingering happiness he felt earlier slowly evaporate. He started to feel dread take its place. It sure isn’t going to be easy; in fact, it is going to be nearly impossible to have his brother’s accept India. He also knew she most likely would be hurt over what would take place once they arrived home.

  He could only pray that she would be strong enough and at least cared for him a little. Cared enough to stand beside him and fight for their marriage.

  When the house came into view, India sat up straighter as her eyes took in everything. As they passed through the gates of the Bar M and moved down the long drive, she noticed the huge two-story house. Painted white with dark blue shutters at all the windows and on the front veranda, there were many chairs and potted plants. Making it a welcoming haven. She noticed a huge barn, a large bunkhouse and a cook shack, along with corals full of horses. The place was so much bigger and lovelier than she ever imagined and very well kept.

  She could feel her nerves grow and the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach intensifying. Please Lord let things work out, don’t let me loose Dane and please, please don’t let him have to choose between me and his brothers. She whispered the prayer over and over in her mind until they finally pulled up under some large trees in front of the house. She tried to smile down at Dane, who came to help her from the wagon.

  Dane saw the anxiety on India’s face and tried to give her a reassuring grin but his own apprehension increased by the minute. He reached up, placed his hands around her waist and swung her down. When her feet touched the ground, he kept one of his hands around her waist. “Try not to worry too much sweetheart and no matter how much they upset you, don’t let them see it. Just stay by my side, and I’ll do everything I can do to make them accept you.”