by S. E. Smith
Jonathan tossed his head in aggravation. “She’d better not be wearing what she was wearing today ever again. Except for me, that is,” he grumbled quietly.
Jacob laughed as he slapped his hand on his slightly older brother’s shoulder in support. “So, what was this about marrying?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I told her I would marry her,” Jonathan admitted ruefully. “All she needed to do was tell me who sent her. It won’t matter, I’m going to marry her anyway. I wanted to know if whoever sent her wanted money for her or just the prestige of her being married to a Tucker,” he added with a frustrated shake of his head.
“And from her response I gather she wasn’t very impressed with your proposal?” Jacob probed gently.
Jonathan stopped, staring blindly at the house where he was raised. He released a deep sigh before he walked slowly up the steps into the house. “She said it would be a cold day in hell before she told me who she was and where she came from. You also heard her say she wouldn’t marry me if I was the last man on earth. Just who in the hell does she think she is?” He asked his brother in annoyance. “We have to fight to get the women off of us. I tell her I’ll marry her and she turns me down,” he muttered, running his hand through his hair in frustration and looking in confusion at his brother. “I don’t want to take a chance on any of the men finding out about her. I’m going to pack a bed roll and head back down to the cabin in a little while. I don’t want her there alone,” he added gruffly.
It was true he was afraid the other men would find out about her and might try something but the biggest reason was he didn’t want to be that far away from her. The kiss they had shared had done something to him. He didn’t even attempt to understand it. He had kissed his share of women over the years. Hell, he had fucked his share of women and more over the years but with her it was different. He didn’t want to fuck her. He wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to make love to her.
Jonathan smiled grimly at Jacob when his brother patted his shoulder again before he headed upstairs to change and pack a bedroll and supplies for the night. He double-checked his guns, making sure he had plenty of ammunition. He would shoot any son-of-a-bitch who tried to hurt Indy. Grabbing his coat, he headed back downstairs to the kitchen. Jacob was sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee while Wally packed up a pail of food for Jonathan.
“Ed should be here sometime tomorrow with the horses. We’ll keep them in the east pasture near the house until we can divide them up and begin training,” Jacob said as he watched Jonathan take a sip of the hot coffee Wally handed him.
Jonathan nodded, setting down the empty coffee cup and picking up the food Wally had packed. “I won’t be back until probably the day after tomorrow at the earliest depending on what I find out in Meeteetse once I come back for the buckboard in the morning,” Jonathan said with a nod of appreciation to Wally for his help.
“It’s hard to think of you as being a married man,” Jacob said with a wide grin. “There are going to be a lot of unhappy momma’s and papa’s out there, not to mention their darling daughters.”
“Mr. Jonathan is married?” Wally exclaimed looking back and forth puzzled. “When did Mr. Jonathan get married?” He asked in confusion wondering how he missed one of the boss men getting married.
“I’m not married yet but I plan to be by tomorrow if all goes well,” Jonathan said sliding his bedroll over his shoulder.
“Yeah, he just has to convince the bride to marry him first,” Jacob joked ducking when Jonathan reached out his hand to slap him upside his head.
“Oh, she’ll marry me. I don’t plan on giving her any choice in the matter,” Jonathan said with a determined grin suddenly feeling excited about the idea.
“Who is the lucky lady who does not want to marry Mr. Jonathan?” Wally asked curiously.
“It’s the kid who saved Jake and Cal’s asses out on the range,” Jacob replied with a grin.
“Mr. Jonathan is to marry a boy? Wally does not think that is possible,” Wally said with a frown.
“Indy is not a boy. Indy is a very stubborn, very frustrating, very….” Jonathan growled out.
“Beautiful,” Jacob added.
“Very beautiful woman,” Jonathan finished. He was growing hard again just thinking about her lush curves, her mouth, and those long legs. Groaning, he pulled the door open and slammed his hat on his head. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning to get the buckboard.”
Jacob grinned as his brother left the house. Things were going to be getting very interesting over the next few weeks. He couldn’t believe his brother had been bitten by the ‘love’ bug. He had to admit, he was going to enjoy watching his soon to be sister-in-law ruffle his normally calm brother’s feathers. Yes, life was most definitely going to be getting very interesting.
*.*.*
Several hours later, Jonathan rode down the narrow road to the cabin letting the moonlight guide his way. Luckily it was almost full. He decided he needed to take care of a few things before he and Indy went to town. Running a spread as large as the one he and his brother were took a lot of time and energy, not to mention manpower. That was something they were always short of even two years after the war ended. More and more people were starting over by moving west but it was still almost impossible to find good, dependable help.
He got off his horse when he got close enough to see the light shining from the front window of the cabin. Dismounting, he was just about to unsaddle his horse when the door to the cabin opened, spilling light from the interior. A moment later, a tall Lakota brave walked out onto the small covered porch. Jonathan’s breath froze in his lungs and he reached for his gun. Soft feminine laughter carried over the wind as Indy appeared next to the brave. She was wearing the same clothes from earlier and seemed perfectly comfortable being near the Indian. The brave said something and Indy laughed again before replying. She let out a big yawn and shook her head. Jonathan was too far away to hear what they were saying but it was obvious Indy was not in the least bit afraid of the Indian. He didn’t care whether Indy was afraid or not when he saw the Indian slide his hand down her cheek. He was ready to shoot him just for daring to touch her. When Indy called out a goodbye and shut the door, Jonathan sank back into the shadows in relief.
*.*.*
Maikoda realized they were not alone when the dogs kept looking over towards the woods near the front of the cabin. Concerned for Indy’s safety, he wanted to make sure she was tucked safely inside with her dogs before he slipped around to see who was hiding in the dark. If it was someone who meant to harm the delicate white woman he would slit their throat and disappear before anyone knew he was there.
Jonathan watched as the tall Lakota brave walked around the back of the cabin and disappeared towards the river. Moving closer to the cabin, Jonathan stepped around the side of it so he could peer through the kitchen window. He wanted to make sure Indy was safe before he made camp for the night. Just as he was about to look inside he felt the cold blade of steel pressing into his lower back.
“What is your business here, white man?” A deep voice growled close to his ear.
Jonathan froze, his hand on the gun at his waist. “I came to make sure she was safe,” he replied coolly.
“Then we wish the same,” Maikoda said moving the blade away and stepping back.
It had taken a few moments for Maikoda to recognize the man who had slipped out from the shadows surrounding the cabin. Up close, he was able to recognize the face of the twin brother named Jonathan. He knew the white woman cared for this man even if she would not admit it.
“Come, we must talk,” Maikoda said moving toward the trees where Jonathan’s horse was tied.
Jonathan stared after the retreating figure of the Lakota brave his brother had nursed back to health several years before. He had met Maikoda only once before when the brave had mistaken him for his brother. He had been out on the range and had come across the brave passing
through. He had been impressed with the man’s quiet confidence and lack of fear. They had talked briefly before going their own way.
Now, he followed Maikoda back to where he had tied his horse wondering what the brave had to say. If he thought to move in on Indy he was about to learn that Jonathan had a mean streak in him. He was not about to stand back for any man, red or white.
Standing under the shadow of the trees both men looked toward the light flowing from the front window of the cabin. Indy had shut the shutter so only streams of it peeked out from the cracks in the wood. Jonathan stared at the cabin for a moment before turning to study the brave who was intently watching him.
“What will you do with the white woman?” Maikoda asked quietly, trying to study the emotions flashing across Jonathan’s face.
“I mean to marry her, tomorrow if I can,” Jonathan replied in a soft, steady voice.
Maikoda grinned. “She does not look like she will make it easy for you to do this. She is a fierce one. I saw her stand up to you. She is not afraid,” he replied amused.
Jonathan ran his hand over the back of his neck glancing at the cabin again. “You can say that again. I don’t plan on giving her a choice in the matter though. She’s been on this ranch for over four weeks with nothing but men. Her reputation is ruined,” he responded tersely.
Maikoda looked at the cabin then back at Jonathan. “I do not think she will care what others think. She is not like the women of our world, red or white. She is…. different,” he added deciding not to share the unusual things he had seen on the strange silver and black box she had. It was better for the man to discover just how different the white woman was on his own.
Jonathan nodded his head in agreement even as a rueful smile twisted his lips. “Well, whether she cares or not isn’t going to matter. The women folk in town will make her life pure hell if I don’t make an honest woman out of her.”
Maikoda stared hard at Jonathan before asking. “You will protect her?”
“Yes, with my life if necessary. She is different. She is mine,” came the soft, firm reply.
Maikoda was quiet for a moment before he nodded. He understood what the white man was saying. He could hear the confusion in his voice at the strong feelings the female brought out in him. Maikoda understood because he had felt the same way when he had looked at the image of Aleaha in the magic silver box. Turning to look toward the mountains, he decided he would travel to the other side of the mountain to find this Aleaha. He needed to return to his tribe first to relay the information he had discovered first but as soon as it was delivered, he would travel through the Pass little sister told him about.
Jonathan turned to remove the saddle from his horse wondering if the Indian would tell him what he and Indy had been doing in the cabin. He decided he would go ahead and ask but when he turned around he found he was alone. That damn Indian was quiet when he moved, Jonathan thought staring into the dark. It was a good thing they were on the same side.
*.*.*
Indy was dead tired from all the work she had done over the last two days. Even so, she was determined to take a bath to wash the dirt and sweat off of her tired body. Besides she decided, the warm water would help her sleep better. Closing the wood shutters on the inside, she removed her clothes. Maikoda had checked out the wood stove for her while she made dinner to make sure it was safe to use and built a small fire in it to take the chill out of the cabin. Now the cabin was nice and warm. Indy had found a big pot and an old wash tub big enough to use as a bathtub behind the lean-to. She filled the big pot with water heating up enough to fill the big wash tub. It would be a tight fit but it was better than nothing. She left the pot on the stove to heat more water for in the morning. It would be nice to have warm instead of frigid water to wash her face in the morning. Now she had enough to bathe and to wash her clothes out. She would get up early in the morning and pack up what was left of her supplies. She was going to have to make some hard decisions soon. She was going to have to do some hunting and foraging or head back to Sam’s ranch to restock sooner than she wanted or go hungry. She had only been gone a couple of months and knew as stubborn as Hayden was he wouldn’t have given up yet so it would be dangerous to head to Sam’s place. One thing Indy knew for certain about Hayden, he did not like to lose - to anyone.
Standing naked in front of the wood stove, Indy poured the hot water into the big tub adding just enough cold water to take the edge off. Once the tub was filled half way, she stepped into it and sank down pulling her knees up so she could slide down until the water lapped around her neck. Pulling her hair up and knotting it on top of her head she laid her head back against the rim of the tub.
God, it felt so good, she thought tiredly. If she would have had the strength to be mad at her brothers at that moment she would have castrated all three of them for driving her away from her nice cozy bedroom and big bathtub.
A tear coursed down her cheek as she realized she would never be allowed to walk through the big ranch house which had been her home. She was technically homeless. Laying her arm across her eyes, she tried not to cry but the tears kept coming. She hadn’t had a chance to really grieve for her grandfather or the loss of her home. Now, in the middle of an old cabin, in a pint-size bathtub she broke down crying until she could barely breathe.
*.*.*
Jonathan had finished eating the food Wally had packed for him and cleaned up the mess. It was going to be a cold night from the clarity of the night sky. The stars were brilliant. Deciding to take a quick peek in on Indy to make sure she was alright before he bundled up for the night in his bedroll, Jonathan moved quietly up to the cabin. Looking through the cracks in the window Jonathan’s breath rushed out of him as he saw her standing nude in front of the wood burning stove. He knew he should move away but he couldn’t have torn himself away from the view if his life depended on it. His gaze moved over her figure taking in the curves of her hips and round ass, her narrow waist, and her long legs. He fisted his hand into his mouth to keep the groan from escaping as she turned to pour water into a huge wash tub. He watched as her full breasts swayed and her nipples peaked in the cooler air of the cabin. As his gaze moved lower he was stunned to see she was bare between her legs. He had never seen a woman without hair between her legs before and the sight that greeted him had him clutching his growing cock at the idea of how sweet and soft she would taste.
Unable to stand the pressure in his pants any longer, Jonathan removed the glove on his right hand and fumbled with the fastening holding his pants closed so he could release his throbbing cock into the cold air in a hope it would help him relieve the pressure. He pulled his cock out and into his hand feeling the straining flesh. His cock didn’t seem to realize it was cold outside as it continued to grow and pulse as Jonathan watched Indy step into the tub and sink down. He stroked his cock back and forth as Indy raised her arms to pile her hair onto the top of her head. The movement caused her breasts to rise up and Jonathan could see her big, dark rose-colored nipples pointing at him as if begging for his attention. Jonathan pumped his cock faster, squeezing it harder as his breathing increased as he felt the pressure build up. Stumbling backwards, he moved to the side of the cabin groaning out softly as he felt the explosion of his climax shooting out into the dirt. Grabbing the bandana from around his neck, he pulled it loose and used it to clean himself. Never in his life had he ever lost control like that - never. He closed his pants with a shaking hand. If just seeing her nude did this to him he couldn’t imagine what would happen when he finally made love to her. Afraid to see her again and ashamed of himself for watching her without her being aware of it, Jonathan moved back to his lonely, cold spot under the trees. Tonight was going to be one of the longest and loneliest nights of his life.
Chapter 8
It was amazing what a good cry could do to help you put things in perspective. Indy had cried her eyes out last night in the big old wash tub. Then, she had pulled herself back together. She had gotten r
eady for bed, washed her dirty clothes and hung them in front of the wood stove to dry, poured the water out the back door and gone to bed to sleep like the dead. Unfortunately, that also meant she was running late this morning. She had been startled when Jonathan had banged on the door to the cabin at first light. Mumbling expletives under her breath about people who got up too damn early in the morning, Indy had opened the door to see a very rumpled and cold looking Jonathan standing on her doorstep.
“What the hell do you want?” Indy muttered darkly, pushing her long hair out of her eyes. Chester and Tweed jumped around behind her trying to get past so they could go outside and do their business. Indy stood to one side and motioned for them go. She watched as they tore off down the steps and into the woods sniffing and marking everything in sight. She rolled her eyes thinking males were the same no matter what species they were. “Well, did you want something or did you just want to piss me off first thing this morning?” She asked grumpily leaning one slender hip against the doorframe.
Jonathan looked at Indy trying to get his brain to function. She looked so damn beautiful standing there in a long flannel shirt that went almost to her knees and a thick pair of socks with her hair all disheveled as it flowed down her back in wild abandon. He was remembering what she looked like naked last night and wanted to groan in frustration. He wanted more than anything in the world to slide his hand up under her nightshirt to see if she was wearing anything underneath it. He had a feeling all he would feel would be smooth, silky skin.
Trying to focus, Jonathan cleared his throat which had suddenly gone dry. “I told you to be ready to go first thing this morning. I’m taking you to Meeteetse to find out who sent you,” he said gruffly.
Indy’s eyes flashed at the mention of him trying to find Hayden. “And I told you when hell freezes over, if I remember correctly. I’ll be up to the ranch house in an hour to collect my pay,” she bit out glaring at him with daggers in her eyes.