***
The banging that woke Charles Harrison was insistent and loud. “All right, wait just a damn minute, will ya?”
Seth reminded himself that without his glasses, Charles was blind in the dark. He prayed the man lit a lamp before trying to make it to the door of his office.
“All right, all right, I’m coming. Hold on, Christ almighty!” Taking a moment to adjust the spectacles on his nose, Charles peered out of the curtain at the window to Harrison and Harrison, Attorneys at Law. “What in the Sam hill is going on?” Opening the door to his oldest friend, Charles rubbed at his eyes. “Seth, what’s wrong? What are you doing here in the middle of the night? What time is it? Are you drunk?”
“No, but I wish to hell I was. I’ve got to talk to you. It’s important!” Without waiting for an invitation, Seth barged past Charles and headed for the kitchen where a candle burned on the modest kitchen table. “I’ve got trouble and I think I’m going to need your legal help.”
“What have you gone and done?” Caution battled with curiosity in his question as he followed his friend in.
It wasn’t like him at all to give in to such deep seeded fear.. He even ran his hand through his hair as he paced the wood floor.
“Have you killed somebody?” Charles’ eyebrows shot up at the prospect. “I can help you bury the body if you can wait until the sun comes up. It would be a lot easier.”
Seth looked up distractedly. “What? Are you serious? Hell, no, I haven’t killed anybody.” With the curse-filled retort for which he wouldn’t apologize, Seth returned to pacing.
Charles just shook his head and grinned. Waving a hand in the air, he asked, “Want some coffee?”
“Would you stop fooling around and listen?”
“All right, all right, old man. Muttering to himself, he pointed at a chair and went to get his coffee pot. Christ, a man couldn’t even make a joke! With the water in the pot and the pot on the stove, he turned to Seth in all seriousness. “Calm down and start from the beginning.”
So, while Charles Harrison, attorney-at-law and longtime best friend of Seth’s, started a fire in the cast iron cook stove, Seth did his best to explain the dilemma.
“All right, let me see if I understand. Sheriff Cole told you that the Texas Rangers are looking for your young Comanche woman.” Charles flicked a glance at Seth. “Brannon wants to use her to help him locate the renegade, Red Bear.”
“She’s not my Comanche woman.” Grinding hard on the words, Seth’s mood grew more agitated.
“Right,” Charles said without missing a beat. “And you want me to come up with an injunction or some legal document to keep them from forcing your young lady to do their bidding.”
“She’s not my young lady,” Seth insisted.
Unperturbed, Charles drummed his fingers on the table while he considered. “Have they threatened her with bodily harm or accosted her in your presence?”
“No, no nothing like that.” He raked his hand through his hair again. Exhausted warred with exasperation at having to backtrack and explain the situation over and over as if Charles were simple. “First of all, she’s not my young lady and secondly, she only met him once.” Shaking his head, he tried to clear the vision of how close she’d come to danger. “Well twice, I guess if you take into count the other night in the street.”
“In the street. Good lord. He didn’t make improper advances toward her did he?” Charles leaned forward in his chair at the kitchen table. “Because if he did, we can detain him for questioning. He’d have violated her rights under the Hawkins Treaty.”
“No, he was drunk and disorderly, so Cole threw him in the cell for a night.” Finally dropping into a chair, Seth waved away the possibility before resting his head in his hands. “He probably didn’t even remember her defending Casey during the attack.”
Charles shot out of his chair and gripped Seth’s arm across the table, his soulful brown eyes full of alarm. “He attacked Casey?” Charles’ words cut the air cleanly. “Is she hurt? How bad. That son-of-a-bitch!” His eyes glowed with anger. “I see him hang.”
Seth waited a beat until his friend regained his some of his composure. “Sit down, Charles. Casey’s all right. Banged up some, but resting. You can come by later, if you like. I’m sure she’d enjoy the visit.” He couldn’t keep the petulance out of his voice. With great effort, he watched Charles consider the suggestion and then had to clear his throat in order to get his best friend’s attention once more. “Like I said, Cole told me his name is Brannon, Texas Ranger. He was tanked last night when he got in the fight with Casey but apparently sobered up by this morning. Cole must have released him, cause he showed up in the mercantile and confronted Celia this afternoon. I suspect he overheard her asking questions about Red Bear at the sheriff’s office this morning.
“You took her with you to press charges at Cole’s?” Charles’ question held a degree of accusation mixed with disbelief that grated on Seth’s already frazzled nerves.
“Yes, I took her with me. She wouldn’t have it any other way.” Seth shook his head over a low string of curses. “You don’t know her. She’s different, head strong and stubborn as a mule.” With an audible sigh, he picked up where he’d left off. After the scene in the street last night, he’s demanding that we turn her over like she’s some sort of baggage or something. He’s requested she meet with him to answer some questions. I don’t trust him and I’m not going to sit back and let him ride out of here with her either. I don’t give a rat’s ass if he is a Texas Ranger or not. She’s under my roof and that’s where she’s going to stay. To hell with the law!” He shoved back in his chair and yanked the Stetson off his head, letting it sail across the table before landing with a thump on the floor. He could see the humor in Charles eyes. “I need a way to keep her safe, short of locking her up.” He blew out a breath, slumping back in the chair.
“Well now, if he’s following her, that changes things some.” Charles said. “Did anyone see him confront her at the mercantile?”
Seth scrubbed at his face. “Ty said he confronted her at the mercantile, today! Then Smitty and Rose came by and confirmed the incident.. They were worried about her. Said it appeared he had indecent intentions.”
Charles soberly absorbed the information. “I see…” He leaned forward and looked deep into the coffee in his cup. “But, you say, he hasn’t accosted her or threatened her.”
Seth shook his head.
With a sigh, Charles stared into his coffee again. “I don’t really think there’s much we can do. I’ll get in touch with the representative for Indian Affairs. Maybe he can offer her some protection against this Captain Brannon and his men.” He looked over at Seth. His voice softened. “You’ll need to get her out of here, perhaps to the territory or back east where she came from.”
Seth scowled. “She came from here. Besides, they’d follow.”
“Yes, you’re right of course. Being Texas Rangers, they have authority all over the country.” Charles returned to staring into his cup. “Civil law is another matter though.” Charles glanced at Seth with a gleam in his eye.
Unsure if he liked the light that reflected out of Charles face, Seth waited for whatever his friend had to tell him.
Leaning over his cup, Charles peered at Seth closely. “You know, there is one sure fire way to keep her legally safe from the likes of Brannon.”
Charles’ reaction had Seth’s nerves dancing. He was hesitant to ask, but he had to consider every option and there were few at this point. “How?”
Charles rose and let out a war whoop. He’d gotten up so fast his coffee cup tipped, sending coffee across the table. “Damn! Sorry, I’ll get it.” Grabbing a linen napkin, he began to mop up the mess.
“Well, what is it?” Seth asked, his face reflecting his impatience. Apparently, the idea proved to be a good one because his friend continued to grin like an idiot.
“I just might be able to help you after all…” Charles said.
“Marriage!!!” Ty’s face held a mix of confusion and shock. He shook his dark head to clear his brain. “I’m not sure I understand. You’re going to marry Celia? But why?”
“Because, it’s the quickest way to make sure she’s safe. As my wife, she will be under my care and I’ll have the say on what she can and can’t do. I’ll have the last word.” Seth blew out a breath and the stream of smoke from his cheroot floated upward into the night air.
“Wanna bet?”
Seth refused to be baited by Ty’s jab. It was a good plan. The plan had some minor flaws, but they were minor. She’ll see the sense of the plan. Being an educated woman and understanding the laws of Texas, she’d realize marriage was merely a means to an end. Keeping her safe was his responsibility and as Charles had said, this was the only way.
“Are you sure about this?” Ty stuffed his hands in his front pockets and huffed out a laugh.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Seth glared sideways at his brother all too aware that he was treading a very thin line with this scheme.
“I would bet money on her refusal to go along with this, but I don’t want to take your money.” With his legs crossed at the ankles, Ty stretched out in the chair he occupied next to Seth’s.
His smirk didn’t set well with Seth’s view off the balcony outside their room.
Lying back, Ty supported his head with his hands as he ideally watched the night sky darken. “When are you planning on telling her?”
“Tonight...”
“Tonight! Holy mother of…” Ty cut the oath short and shook his head again.
Seth rose and paced like a caged cat. “Charles can marry us tomorrow.”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Ty had sat up and stared at him now with concern for his older brother.
Seth glared at the sliver of a moon overhead. “Yes… Maybe…Hell, I don’t know, Ty.” He slapped the papers in his hand against the balcony rail. “What choice do I have? She needs my protection. I can’t let the likes of Brannon take her.” Stopping near the window again, he fought the low-grade need for a drink. “Besides, it’s simply an arrangement. When the threat moves on, we’ll get a divorce.”
Ty let out a low whistle. “Man. I’m sure glad I’m not you. This whole thing smells. What makes you think she’s going to go for this?”
“Celia’s a sensible woman. She’ll understand the necessity of the plan.” Seth rubbed at the spot just under his heart where a dull pain kicked up. “Besides, it’s an arrangement like buying cattle. We can get a divorce when the threat of trouble is over,” he repeated to no one in particular.
“Like buying cattle…” Ty shook his head balefully. “Jesus, Seth, do you really think she’s gonna see it that way?” His younger brother flicked Seth an incredulous smile that belied his young years. “She’s a woman, for Christ sake, not a steer!”
“Haven’t you got something you could be doing right about now?”
“All right, all right, Geez...” Ty got up and stalked to the door. “First, you want to talk to me, and the next minute you’re telling me to mind my own business,” he grumbled as he flung the French door wider. “Will you do me one favor.”
“What?” His words shot with impatience.
“Just don’t use that comparison about the cattle when you invite her to be your wife. Okay?” Ty disappeared through the door, his laughter resounding off Seth’s nerves like fingernails racing down a chalkboard.
He waited for the latch to click before he released a slow breath along with the smoke from his cheroot. He couldn’t blame Ty for not wholeheartedly agreeing with him. Smoke from his cheroot wound its way upward in a sinister looking coil while he wallowed in the past.
Having to give her up all those years ago had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. There was no way in hell he would allow such a thing to happen again.
She’d brought new light to his existence within the short time she’d been back. Confident and independent to the point of being difficult, she fascinated him in ways he couldn’t begin to explain. She wasn’t simply beautiful, but enchanting and it frustrated his already exhausted mind to figure it out. After the other night, there was no way of knowing how much damage he’d done by almost taking her like a rutting pig. He cursed low. Now forced to impose himself on her again with the hair-brained idea of marriage, he came up short. The laugh that escaped his mouth had a hard edge to it. It was ludicrous to consider that she would understand. Why should she? He’d done nothing to warrant her trust. Instead, he’d shown her nothing but what an ill-tempered tyrant he could be. Well, that would have to change. Didn’t his insides cramp in painful knots with just a look from her? Didn’t his chest ache with the mere mention of her name? His fingers burned even now with the need to touch her.
Seth sat back, once more, in the chair and considered the consequences of what he was about to do. Ty had been right when he had said Celia probably wouldn’t go along with the idea. At the very least, she’d put up one hell of a fight, he mused. What would he do if she refused – let her go? He set his jaw and considered his choices if she refused his protection. Well, they’d just see about that. With his mind made up, he flung the cheroot into the spittoon. He was a Loflin, wasn’t he? It was gonna be a hard fought battle, there was no doubt about that. But he would win this war.
There was a gentle knock at the door.
“Come in!” He glanced up as Celia appeared. His nerves did a little dance in the pit of his gut.
“Have you eaten? I was about to go down and get a bite. I can bring you something back.”
He found he couldn’t breathe. When faced with her, he simply couldn’t take a breath. She had him wrapped and it hit him like a fist to the chest. She didn’t even realize that she held his heart in the palm of her hand.
Tonight, she wore her regal, aloof face. The one she’d forged over time as a defense against the cruelties of the white man’s world, he realized.
He thought of their first encounter all those years prior. She’d been so innocent with no clue about prejudice or sanction. Now, because she was seen as the property of the United States instead of a human being with rights, he was about to ask her for her hand in marriage as a means of protection, a ruse to protect her for certain, but also to protect his selfish ass as well. Because, he knew without a doubt, he was falling for her again and falling hard. His gut churned.
“Seth?” She stood in front of him with a quizzical look in her eyes. She rested her slender hand on his shoulder and shook gently. “Are you all right? Where did you go?”
Shaking off the dregs of his musings, he looked up and into those wonderful, green eyes for the first time since she’d entered the room.
A frown creased her brow.
“What?”
“I asked if you’d eaten yet. I won five games of poker against your sister and she cried “enough” so Maggie relieved me to get a bit to eat. Would you like to join me?”
“Sure.” Grinning, despite himself, he got to his feet and followed Celia out the door toward the stairs.
***
Celia watched him pick at the food on his plate and found her appetite waning as well. They’d chatted briefly about small things, but something was bothering him. “Would you like to take a walk with me? The night’s beautiful and we could walk down to the stream in the moonlight. Walk with me, Seth.”
He glanced up from his plate and nodded. “All right, a walk would do us both some good.” Shoving back his chair, he dropped several bills on the table and reached over to help her up.
She had a moment’s consternation as she remembered the confrontation she’d had with Brannon in the mercantile that day. The way Joseph had acted worried her. Normally, the boy was out going and happy. But he feared the man it appeared and she would have to find out why. Glancing at Seth as they exited the inn, she decided to wait until she’d spoken to Joseph before broaching the subject with Seth. It just made sense to
have some facts to deal with rather than mere speculation.
“How’s it going with Casey?” Seth adjusted her shawl against the cooling night air before heading toward the creek that meandered near the edge of town.
“Good. I may even be winning her over with my witty charm.” She couldn’t help the wry smile she sent him or the wink. “Casey’s a hard cookie to crack, but we’re making progress.” Glancing out at the dappled moonlight scattered among the treetops, she continued. “She’s been through a lot. The only way she knows how to deal with all of the pain and frustration is to come off as hard and callous.” She glanced at the tight line of his jaw and understood his concern. With a companionable move, she slipped her arm through his and suggested, “Give her time. She’ll come around.” Celia smiled warmly as she tightened her hold. “After all, she’s a Loflin.” Finishing with a dry grin, she scanned the reflection of the moon as it danced on the water.
“Yes she is,” Seth agreed dimly. “I wish I could take back the last twelve years.” A sigh escaped as he stared straight ahead.
“It does little good to look back. We have to find comfort in the now.” Celia let the words come without thought or provocation. A wise priest once told me that all things happen for a reason. Perhaps the last twelve years occurred for a reason.” She glanced sideways at his profile shadowed by his Stetson. His jaw worked with tension so she dropped the subject.
The night was warm and the crickets chirped a soft tune. A new type of contentment settled over her as she let the night sounds sooth her. The rich green of the grass was inviting and she allowed him to place his jacket on the grass for her to sit on. He settled next to her and together they watched as a mother duck gathered her chicks for bed.
“Celia, you know I care about you, don’t you?”
The concern in his eyes was unsettling. “Of course I do. You’ve done everything you could to make sure I’m safe.” She offered him a genuine smile. “My father chose well when he asked you to look out for me. Of course, I can take care of myself,” she lifted her chin as a reminder. “But, you’ve been invaluable in helping.” Trying for a matter-of-fact tone, she made a show of smoothing her skirt over her legs and shrugged.
Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) Page 22