A Woman to Die For

by Erin Wade

  “I’m afraid I’ll be forced to desert you ladies in a few days.” Cage informed them.

  “Why?” Jerilyn asked bluntly.

  “I have some business in Texas and—"

  “Texas,” Jerilyn squealed. “That’s where we’re from.”

  “You didn’t tell me.” Cage feigned surprise.

  “What part of Texas will you be traveling to?” For the first time Kristen seemed interested in the conversation.

  “Amarillo.” Cage sipped his wine. “This is very good. You should try it.”

  “Maybe I will,” Kristen nodded as Cage filled her wine glass.

  “You won’t be far from us,” Jerilyn exclaimed. “You must visit and allow us the opportunity to return your hospitality.”

  “I’m sure Cage doesn’t—”

  “I’d love to.” His eyes locked with Kristen’s. “Texas is a big state. What town do you live in?

  “Estelline is the closest town,” Jerilyn volunteered. “It’s on the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway line. You’ll go right through it on your way to Amarillo. Estelline is an important shipping center. Cattle are driven there from miles around then shipped north to Colorado.”

  Music from the hotel orchestra played as they entered the lobby. “It’s been a long day.” Jerilyn covered a yawn.

  “Oh, but I’d hoped the two of you would join me for a least one dance,” Cage protested.

  “You go dance, Kristen.” Jerilyn yawned again. “I’m going to get ready for bed.”

  “I really should go too,” Kristen scowled.

  “Please?” Cage pleaded.

  “Okay.” Kristen nodded.

  ##

  “I can’t believe you’re from Texas,” he Cage mused moving her smoothly onto the dance floor. “You don’t have the deep accent I’ve noticed in most Texans.”

  “I was born and raised in San Francisco until I was fourteen.” Kristen followed his lead expertly gliding gracefully across the floor.

  “You’re a native,” Cage gasped. “And here I’ve been leading you around . . . you must think I’m the world’s biggest bore.”

  “Heavens no,” Kristen exclaimed. “I truly don’t know much about San Francisco. I was brought up by my aunt and uncle who believed a proper young lady should stay at home and embroidery.”

  “How’d you get to Texas?” Cage steered her toward a table and motioned for a waitress who took his wine order.

  “My brother Morgan came for me.” Kristen smiled. “I’ll never forget the way he looked standing in the foyer. To me he was a knight in shining armor.”

  “How did you happen to be here and your family in Texas.” Cage seated her then pulled his own chair close to her.

  Kristen related her father’s history and three wives. My two brothers Wallace and Reid have the same mother, but Morgan and I have different mothers.

  “The ranch was a French land grant given to my ancestors during the French reign over Mexico. Later my grandfather fought to hold it and finally my father Nelson Jouett obtained legal title to the land as a United States citizen. But I’m boring you.”

  “No. Honestly I’m fascinated,” Cage assured her. “Please continue.”

  “My mother returned to San Francisco when her mother became ill. She realized she was carrying me soon after she arrived here. She died when I was born.

  “I was eleven when I met my brother and father for the first time. Morgan wanted to take me back to the ranch with them, but father didn’t want me. So, my aunt and uncle raised me.”

  “My uncle became more and more amorous toward me and I was terrified. I sent Morgan a telegram pleading for his help. He came quickly and saved me from a fate worse than death.”

  Cage was strangely touched by her story of love, death and neglect. “Let’s go for a carriage ride,” he suggested. “San Francisco is beautiful at night.”

  They walked in silence to a carriage waiting in front of the hotel. Morgan helped her in and sat beside her.

  “Now that you know my family history,” she said, “I think it only fair that I have the same advantage.”

  “Nothing as colorful as yours,” Cage declared. “I grew up on the streets of San Francisco. The son of a local lady of the evening and God only knows who. My mother deserted me when I was seven. She just up and left with some cowboy.

  “I fought, scratched and stole to survive and here I am.”

  Kristen stared at him. The moonlight danced in her eyes. “You look so much like him,” she whispered.

  Cage slowly pulled her into his arms. Her lips were soft but firm. He tightened his arms around her. Suddenly she pushed him away.

  “I wasn’t . . .” he stammered.

  “I know,” she said softly. “I’m not angry with you.”

  He lit a cigarette and leaned back. “I love riding in an open carriage at night.” He laughed softly. “Look at the stars Kristen. They remind me of the good things in life. They seem so close but are always out of reach.”

  “You didn’t impress me as a philosopher,” she laughed.

  “You bring out the best in me,” he said. “You’re a good person Kristen Jouett.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Kristen responded as their carriage slowed to a stop in front of their hotel.

  ##

  Cage lay awake examining the information he had gleaned from Kristen. Although she had been more open with him and even joined in his light-hearted conversation, her eyes had never lost their troubled look.

  Chapter 7

  “I’ve decided to postpone my trip to Texas so I can accompany you on the train,” Cage announced as he ate breakfast with the two women.

  Kristen sipped her coffee. Her eyes met his, but he couldn’t tell if she was pleased or annoyed over his announcement.

  “That’s very thoughtful of you,” Jerilyn declared. “Don’t you think so, Kristen?”

  Kristen nodded.

  “When do you think we’ll leave?” Cage asked.

  “Tomorrow,” Kristen answered. “I need to pick up a trunk from my aunt’s home then we can leave.”

  ##

  “Escorting them to Texas!” Calloway smiled approvingly. “I knew you’d live up to my expectations.”

  “You bring the money and my contract?” Cage asked.

  “Right here,” Calloway handed him a fat envelope. “That should be more than enough if you stay away from the card table.”

  “We’re leaving in the morning,” Cage informed his new partner. “You need to drop my train ticket by the hotel tonight. It needs to be from here to Fort Worth then on to Estelline.”

  “Consider it done,” Calloway rubbed his hands together greedily. “I’ll ramp up production tomorrow.”

  “What if I fail, Nate?” Cage stared at the obese man.

  “I’ll have you shot.” Calloway grinned. “Gunmen are a dime a dozen.”

  “Yes, I believe you would,” Cage said solemnly.

  ##

  “Our last night in Frisco,” Cage said holding Kristen close as they danced.

  “Yes, tomorrow I’ll be on my way to Texas.” She smiled wistfully. “It’ll be good to get back home.”

  “I don’t mind,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll be leaving with you.”

  She ignored his attempt at flattery.

  “It’s warm in here,” Cage said. “Would you mind if we go for a walk in the garden?” He led her toward the terrace door.

  “It’s nice out here,” Kristen said sniffing the night air. “The bougainvillea smell wonderful.”

  “Kristin,” he caught her arm and turned her to face him. “I’ve become very fond of you.”

  “Cage, please stop.” She pulled her arm from his grasp.

  “I know you haven’t known me very long and know very little about me, but I . . . at least let me call on you at the ranch when I finish my business in Amarillo.”

  “You’d just be wasting your time,” Kristen responded flatly.

  “Are you engag
ed to someone?” Cage asked.

  “No.”

  “But you are in love with someone else, aren’t you?” He grilled her.

  “Yes.” Her answer was almost a whisper.

  “Does he love you?”

  “I’m afraid it’s one of those eternal triangle situations,” she laughed bitterly. “You’ve been so kind. I wouldn’t want to drag you into it. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” He took her by the shoulders and kissed her gently. “At least give me a chance to convince you that I’m good husband material.”

  “As you wish.” She seemed to tire of the conversation. “We should get some sleep. We have to get up early in the morning to catch the train.”

  ##

  The soft spring rain danced on the window as Cage admired his reflection in the glass. He congratulated himself on his good looks then hurried downstairs to join Kristen and Jerilyn.

  He found Jerilyn supervising the loading of their trunks.

  “How did that one slip in?” He gestured toward an old battered trunk as two porters carried it through the lobby. “It doesn’t match the rest of your luggage.”

  “That old thing is Kristen’s inheritance from her mother.” Jerilyn scowled. “God only knows what is in it.”

  “Didn’t she open it?” Cage asked.

  “No. We picked it up from her aunt yesterday, but Kristen didn’t want to open it.” Jerilyn explained.

  “Where is she?” Cage looked around the lobby.

  “Finishing breakfast. Why don’t you join her?” Jerilyn winked. “I’ll be through here shortly.”

  Cage gave the porter instructions about his own luggage then joined Kristen.

  “We certainly chose a good day to leave San Francisco,” he noted sitting down at the table. “This rain is supposed to continue all week.”

  Chapter 8

  The train slowed, spewed smoke into the air, and screeched to a halt. During the trip Cage had decided to go to the Jouett ranch instead

  “This is where we say goodbye to modern conveniences and return to nature.” Jerilyn wrinkled her nose. “We’ll have a day’s ride in a wagon and hopefully arrive at the ranch before sundown.”

  A tall handsome, dark-haired man hurried toward them. Cage saw that he only had eyes for Jerilyn.

  “Reid,” Jerilyn ran into his arms as he swept her off her feet then sat her down kissing her soundly.

  “I’ve missed you something terrible woman.” Reid laughed. “And Krist . . .” He stared speechlessly at Cage.

  “You’re not hallucinating,” Jerilyn informed her husband. “This is Cage Fielding. Cage, my husband Reid Jouett.”

  “My youngest brother.” Kristen laughed as she tiptoed to kiss Reid’s cheek.

  “He looks exactly like . . .” Reid faltered.

  “I’m told I resemble your brother.” Cage shook Reid’s hand. “I believe his name is Morgan.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Reid exclaimed. “A hell of an understatement.”

  “Let’s go,” Kristen commanded. “I want to get home before dark. Cage will you help Reid load our luggage onto the wagon?

  “Cage owns a barbed wire manufacturing company. He’s going to visit us to get the feel of a large Texas ranch.”

  “Cage was kind enough to show us around San Francisco and escort us wherever we needed to go,” Jerilyn explained. “His ultimate destination is Amarillo.”

  “We’d better get that luggage,” Cage said. “You won’t believe how much they’ve brought back with them.”

  ##

  “I didn’t know people still used these things.” Cage sat beside Reid on the wagon seat.

  “Covered wagons are still practical in this part of the country,” Reid explained. “It gives the women a place to sleep at night and it protects them from the hot sun during the day.

  “How did you meet Jerilyn and Kristen?”

  “We were staying in the same hotel,” Cage said. “I kept running into them in the dining room. We exchanged pleasantries and began dining together. Then we discovered both of us were headed to Texas, so I volunteered to escort them on the train for their safety.”

  “Thank you for that,” Reid said.

  The two men talked all the way to the ranch. Sharing their history and anecdote about their lives.

  “We’ll be home soon.” Reid smiled. “Estelline is just over the ridge, yonder.”

  “Estelline?” Cage raise his brow. “Both the town and your ranch are named Estelline?”

  “Yes, after my great grandmother.” Reid informed him.

  They topped the ridge and Reid stopped the horses. Below them the ridge sloped gently into a valley. The Jouett home site looked as if someone had plucked twenty acres of lush green land out of Colorado and dropped them into Texas.

  A columned veranda ran the length of the huge white mansion. Wooden balconies wreathed the second story of the picturesque structure which sat in the center of the most impeccable lawn Cage had ever seen.

  He could see the multi-terraced garden that rose behind the house and disappeared into a thick cluster of trees that provided a wind break on the northern ridge of the valley.

  A large barn and stables sat about a hundred yards from the house.

  A deep, lazy river ran through the garden behind the house and vanished around a bend going out of the valley.

  “This must be what heaven looks like,” Cage mumbled.

  “Don’t let it fool you.” Reid chuckled. “It can be its own brand of hell in the summer.”

  Reid stopped the wagon in front of the house and Cage helped him unload the trunks. “Y’all go on in,” Reid drawled. “I’ll take the wagon to the stables and care for the horses.”

  ##

  “Anyone home?” Jerilyn yelled. “The men must be out repairing holding pens for the roundup.”

  “Jerilyn, Kristen, you’re home.” An angular faced, big boned woman entered the foyer beaming at the two women.

  They embraced then Kristen stepped back so the woman could view Cage clearly.

  “Morgan, I didn’t think you’d be back at the house until after dark,” the woman said.

  “Naomi, this is Cage Fielding.” Kristen introduced them. “Cage, my sister-in-law Naomi Jouett.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Cage smiled.

  “You two up to your stunts again.” Naomi laughed.

  “Kristen, how nice to have you back.” An auburn-haired beauty descended the stairs. “I’m glad to see you could tear yourself away from your cows long enough to welcome your sister home, Morgan.” She addressed Cage.

  “Hello Gwen,” Kristen said coolly. “This isn’t Morgan. This is Cage Fielding. Cage, our house guest Gwen Goodnight.”

  “Is this a joke?” Gwen raised a perfect brow. “If this isn’t Morgan how will you tell them apart?”

  “I have a tattoo on the back of my hand.” Cage smirked holding out his left-hand palm down.

  “So, you do, Mr. Fielding.” Gwen smiled as her green eyes held Cage’s gaze.

  Cage sensed an ally in the auburn-haired beauty. Although he wasn’t certain what their bond would be, he knew that there was an unspoken alliance between them.

  “Welcome to Estelline, Mr. Fielding,” Naomi recovered from her surprise. “I’m sure you must be tired. I’ll have one of the maids show you to your room.

  She pulled a cord and a plump girl dressed in gray appeared. “Lizzie, please show Mr. Fielding to his room.”

  The girl looked around the room slowly. “Where is he, ma’am?”

  “I’m Cage Fielding,” Cage stepped to her side as the girl’s mouth dropped open.

  Chapter 9

  Morgan turned as the door behind him swung open. “It’s about time you came home.” He smiled as Kristen ran to him engulfing him in a hug.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” she said as she kissed his cheek. “Did you miss me?”

  “A little.” He teased.
r />   “Cage, I’d like you to meet my brother Morgan Jouett,” Kristen beamed.

  For a moment Cage thought he was facing a mirror. He found himself staring into this own face. The wavy blond hair, the blue eyes, the sensual mouth and the naturally arched eyebrows were his. Everything about Morgan Jouett was identical to Cage Fielding. He smiled faintly to see if the image would smile too. Instead it began talking.

  “Reid said you looked like me. We could be identical twins,” Morgan noted as he clasped Cage’s hand in greeting. “Reid tells me you manufacture barbed wire?”

  “Yes,” Cage said hoarsely as he recovered from the shock of being introduced to his own image.

  “Please join me in a drink to wash down the sand.” Morgan moved toward a room that housed a large fireplace and an equally large liquor cabinet.

  “Yes, please.” Cage followed Kristen into the room. “Cognac if you have it.”

  Morgan frowned. “I’m afraid the closest I can get is brandy.”

  “Anything but your whiskey.” Cage laughed. I’m still recuperating from a glass of it”

  Morgan chuckled. “It does bite, but I find anything else is tasteless.”

  “We’re not a fan of barbed wire.” Morgan spoke as he crossed the room and handed Cage his drink. The two men’s eyes met, and Cage sensed an inner strength in Morgan that he lacked. Instinctively he knew that Morgan was the kind of man who placed honor above all things. A man who would fight and die for his beliefs.

  Cage watched as Morgan walked to the fireplace and placed his drink on the mantel. His shoulders tapered to a narrow waist and hips. The six-shooter strapped to his leg was worn like an extension of the man’s body. He probably sleeps with it, Cage thought.

  Cage remembered that Kristen had told him he was the most handsome man she had ever met and so was Morgan. Only Cage was constantly aware of his good looks while Morgan Jouett seemed totally unaware of how handsome he was and the affect he had on others.

  “I’m sure you’re tired,” Morgan said abruptly. “Lizzie will take you to your room. Kristen, if you’re not too tire, I’d like to speak with you.”

  ##

  Cage surveyed his quarters as he soaked in the bath Lizzie had prepared for him. He couldn’t recall ever being in a bedroom so large and even the adjoining rooms would have pleased a king. The entire suite was furnished in excellent taste. He had the feeling each piece of furniture had been carefully selected after much forethought. Everything complimented everything else.