Rena's Cowboy

by Agnes Alexander

  “I don’t think I believe that.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.” Rachel lowered her voice. “There’s nobody else in here is there?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Because what I’m about to tell you has got to be a secret.”

  “Of course you can trust me, Rachel.” Rena could tell from the woman’s voice she loved gossip.

  Rachel’s voice took on that of a school girl sharing secrets with her best friend. “I heard her father married her mother and brought her here from England over the protest of her family.”

  “What’s so secret about that? It happens all the time.”

  “To the royal family?”

  “Royal family!” Mirabel almost screamed. “Do you mean…”

  “It’s what I heard.”

  “Do you think it’s true?” The woman sounded astounded.

  “It could be as true as anything else. You know there’re a lot of families back east who have royal blood in them.”

  “If this is true, I might better tell Mr. Jefferson to calm down and be nicer to the Haywoods.”

  Rena’s anger had turned to disbelief that Rachel would make up such a tale. She almost sniggered out loud, but clamped her hand over her mouth and stopped herself.

  “Then tell me, Rachel, why would someone related to the royal family want to marry somebody as…as…”

  “Uncouth?”

  “Yes. Uncouth as Jake Haywood.”

  “There was probably a good reason, Mirabel.”

  “Rachel, you know it’s rumored that they’ve got Indian blood. All you got to do is look at them and see they have something besides our kind of blood.”

  “I’ve heard that, but I don’t think it’s true.”

  “Why so?”

  “You know there were a lot of Spanish aristocrats who fled to this country when there was an uprising a generation or so ago.”

  “You’re not saying Jake is an aristocrat, are you?”

  Rena could almost see Mirabel Jefferson frowning. She again had to hold her mouth to suppress a giggle.

  “All I’m saying is that I heard there was an arranged marriage between some royal families and there’s going to be a big take over in Spain. They want the rightful heirs back in power.”

  “Lord have mercy, do you reckon it’s true?” Without giving Rachel time to answer she went on, saying, “I better tell Wadell to be nice to Mrs. Haywood. It might be best to stay on their good side.”

  “That’s sure my feeling.”

  The door jingled again. Rachel spoke in her business voice. “Mrs. Dunnel, how can I help you?”

  “I need a sack of flour. Got a big batch of biscuits to make and don’t have enough.”

  “I’ll be right with you.” Rachel turned. “Was there something else I could help you with, Mrs. Jefferson?”

  “I was thinking about buying that bolt of white and black checked cloth with the red roses, but I’ll think on it and come back.”

  “Thank you for stopping in.”

  The door jangled as the woman left.

  “Now about my flour.”

  “Here it is, Mrs. Dunnel.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. McGregor. Just put it on my bill.” The door jangled again.

  Rena could hold it in no longer. She laughed out loud.

  “So you heard all that?”

  “How could I not? I could even glimpse the Jefferson woman’s face now and then.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “As you were telling those tales to Mrs. Jefferson I was stuffing everything I could find in my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. It’s a wonder I managed to keep quiet as long as I did.”

  “I don’t see why, my dear. Everything I said could’ve happened.”

  “Yeah. Right.”

  Rachel chuckled. “Come on and let’s have our tea before somebody else comes in. Then we’re going to pick out some cloth for you.”

  “I know I want that bolt of black and white material with the red roses.”

  “Rena Haywood. You may be half my age, but you’re already my idol. Let’s have tea and drink a toast to our friendship.”

  Chapter 19

  “I’m surprised to see you in here, Jake. I thought you’d spend the day with your pretty new wife.” Nolan the bar tender handed Jake a glass. “Want a whisky?”

  “Make it a beer, Nolan. I’m here because Mrs. McGregor ran me off. She wanted to get to know my wife without me. It’s no telling what they’re talking about.”

  “I hear your wife is pretty good at talking.”

  “What do you mean?” Jake frowned.

  “It’s all over town how she gave old man Jefferson his comeuppance. Coming on the heels of everybody talking about how she helped you kill those men from New Mexico, she’s a celebrity in town.”

  Jake chuckled. “She did make Jefferson squirm. I have to hand her that.”

  “I think it’s time somebody did. He’s acted like he owns this town for years.”

  “I guess so many people around here owe him money or wants to borrow from him that they can’t afford to say what they think.”

  “That’s a fact.”

  “Hello, Mr. Haywood.” Smiley came through the door and gave him a big grin. “Got the little woman with you?”

  “You know I wouldn’t bring her in here.”

  “I don’t see why not. I bet there’s not a man, woman or anything else in here that she couldn’t handle.”

  Jake laughed. “You’re probably right, but still…”

  “I assume you want your afternoon regular beer,” Nolan said.

  Smiley nodded. “With the bank closed on Thursday afternoon, you know I want to celebrate with my one beer of the week.”

  Nolan handed him a beer and said, “Jake’s wife may be the wildcat everyone says she is, but she’s still a lady. This ain’t no fit place for a lady.”

  “Are people saying my wife’s a wildcat?” Jake frowned again.

  “Not really,” Nolan said. “They say she’s the most woman they’ve ever seen wrapped up in such a tiny little package.”

  “She sure is.” Smiley took a swig of his beer. “She never raised her voice, but she took Jefferson down as if she’d sliced him in half with a sword.”

  “Jefferson is nothing compared to the hardnosed business men she’s dealt with in Atlanta. Her father and uncle taught her well.” Jake didn’t want anyone to get suspicious about where Rena learned to stand up to people. Nobody could ever know she was a woman from a time where women held their own with men.

  “Was her daddy the one who taught her to shoot?” Smiley asked.

  “Yep. He had a gun in her hand as soon as she could hold it.”

  “So I guess it’s true, she really did help you shoot those men who was raping and robbing in New Mexico.”

  “It sure is, Smiley. In fact, she took down more of them than I did.”

  “I’d like to meet that little lady,” Nolan said with a grin. “I bet she can handle you, too, can’t she, Jake?”

  “When we got married, Finn told me that I better not make her mad because she can shoot better than I can.”

  “She’d be way too much woman for me.” Smiley grinned.

  “Well, well. If it isn’t the new bridegroom,” a female voice cut across the room.

  They turned to look as Molly Ferguson came into the main saloon. She ambled up to the bar. “Give me a whisky, Nolan. I want to drink a toast to this big fellow.” She didn’t take her gaze off Jake.

  Nolan poured her a glass.

  “So you got married?” Molly said.

  “Yes.”

  “What’s she like, Jake?”

  He stared at her. “I have no intention of discussing my wife with you, Molly.”

  She ignored his statement. “I hear she’s kind of little. Is she enough woman to satisfy a big man like you?” She gave him a coy smile. “And when I say big, I’m not talking about your height.”

  Jake continued to stare at Molly. He wondered if
this woman could be jealous. But why? She made her living entertaining men. Wasn’t one just like another to her? Him included?

  “Something wrong with your voice, Jake?”

  “My voice is fine. I said I wasn’t discussing my wife with you and I meant it.”

  “After all we’ve shared, I don’t see why you won’t tell me about the woman who managed to take away my best customer.” She grinned at him. “Or did she? Is that why you’re here, Jake? Need a little variety already?”

  “Don’t flatter yourself, Molly.”

  Her eyes turned cold. “I know you, Jake Haywood. You’ll get tired of such a tiny woman and you’ll be coming back to a real woman soon enough.”

  Jake’s temper flared, but he said in a quiet voice. “The only reason I’ll come in this saloon in the future is to have a drink. There’s nothing else here that I’ll ever need again.”

  She tossed her red curls. “I know your sexual appetite. That uptight society bitch won’t hold your interest very long.”

  Before he could stop himself, Jake slapped the hand holding the whisky glass. Molly let out a surprised yell and grabbed her hand as the glass shattered on the end of the bar.

  “That hurt, Jake,” she squealed.

  “Call my wife a name again and you’ll hurt somewhere besides your hand!”

  Before she could retort, Jake turned toward Nolan. “How much do I owe you for that glass?”

  “You don’t owe anything, Jake. What Molly said was uncalled for.”

  Molly must have realized she’d gone too far because she said, “I’m sorry, Jake. I guess your marriage just took me by surprise.”

  “Don’t let it happen again.” He finished his beer. “I’ll see you later, Nolan.” He nodded at Smiley and went toward the door without saying anything else.

  * * * *

  When Smiley left, Nolan turned to Molly. “You shouldn’t have goaded Jake about his wife.”

  “I know, Nolan. I couldn’t help it. You know how I feel about Jake.”

  “I told you a long time ago not to fall for any of the men who come in here. There’s no future in it and you know that.”

  She sighed. “Yes I know that, but…”

  “No buts, Molly. When you let that first man give you money to use your body, you sealed your fate.”

  “It could’ve been different with Jake. He was always good to me and he didn’t treat me like a whore.”

  “That’s because Jake’s a good man. Not because you were anything special to him. He was good to all the girls.”

  “He said I was his favorite. I would’ve never slept with another man if Jake had asked me not to and I’m sure he’d have been faithful.”

  “You were building unreachable dreams, Molly. Even if this woman hadn’t come along, Jake would’ve never married you.”

  She wiped tears from her eyes. “Maybe he’ll get tired of her…”

  “That won’t happen. You said yourself, Jake is the kind of man who’ll be faithful. I don’t expect to see him around here very often.”

  “Silas got married and he came back. He was here only a few weeks ago.”

  Nolan shook his head. “I know that, but he’s been hurting about something and when he works through it I don’t expect to see him in here much either.”

  Molly took a handkerchief from her pocket and blew her nose. “Well, if Jake ever wants to work through something, I’ll be here for him. It could work out yet.”

  “Get if off your mind, Molly. Why, the fact that you took his brother to your room not long ago would be enough to keep Jake away. No man’s going to marry a woman who’s been with his brother.”

  “You’re not going to give me any hope for the future, are you Nolan?”

  “I don’t believe in handing out hope when there’s no chance of it ever coming to pass.”

  Chapter 20

  It was mid-afternoon when Jake and Rena went to their hotel room. She said she’d love a bath and Jake rushed downstairs to arrange it. He had the foresight to ask for an oversized tub. When it was set up, Jake insisted on washing her back. She agreed and he whispered, “This tub is big enough for me to be with you.”

  “Do you want to?”

  He didn’t need another invitation. He stood, took off his clothes and climbed into the tub with her.

  He slid his arm around her and he played with her breast as she ran her fingers through the hair on his chest. “This is making me hot.” He grinned at her.

  “I think you stay hot,” she teased.

  “Just when I’m near you, my love.”

  “Then we should get the bath over with before the water gets cold. Sit up and let me wash your back. You know turnabout is fair play.”

  “Can I wash you afterward?”

  “You’ve already washed my back.”

  “I wasn’t talking about your back.”

  After she finished bathing his torso, they began concentrating on other body parts that included a lot of sensuous touching.

  When Jake thought he could stand it no longer, he stood. “I’m ready to get out and finish what we’ve started.”

  She smiled at him. “I think I’m ready, too.”

  He pulled her out of the water, wrapped her in a towel, carried her to bed and wasted no time in making love to her. They were both drowsy afterward, but he whispered, “I’m a little hungry. Why don’t we go eat and come back here and do this again.”

  “A rerun would be nice.”

  “Rerun?”

  “It means a repeat of what has already happened.”

  “Then I know I’ll be ready for a rerun as soon as we eat.”

  They were dressed and ready to head to the hotel dining room when there was a knock on the door.

  Jake crossed the room. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Boss.”

  Jake opened the door. “What’s going on, Owen?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got a problem. It’s Finn.”

  “Is Finn all right?” Rena looked frightened.

  “His body is okay, ma’am, but I think he’s lost his mind.”

  “Maybe you better come in.”

  If Owen noticed the bathtub, he didn’t mention it. “It was hard work, but we got the supplies loaded and ready to go back to the ranch. Then Finn suggested we go to the Silver Slipper for a drink. I agreed.” He took a breath. “You’re not going to believe what happened then.”

  “What did happen?”

  “When we got there the place was busy and women were walking around the room, talking to the men and getting them to buy drinks. Well, this one little black haired gal came up to us and asked if we’d buy her a drink. I was going to say no, but Finn jumped in and asked her how much would it cost him to take her upstairs for the night. I thought she was going to slap him, but she looked him over and said that she was only there to get men to drink, not to do anything else.

  “Then Finn said that he didn’t want a drink. He wanted her. She looked him over again and said if he wanted her, it’d take a bottle of whisky and a wedding ring.”

  He paused and Jake said, “Go on.”

  He shrugged. “Finn said he’d give her what she wanted. He jumped up and ran down the street to the Mercantile. I didn’t know what to do so I ordered a drink and waited for him. When he got back the fool called the woman over and showed her the ring in his hand. She smiled and asked him where the whisky was. He walked up to the bar and got a bottle and then come back to her. He took her arm and said, ‘Now, I got what you asked for. Let’s get married and you can go back to the ranch with me.’ He led her out of the saloon saying they were going to find a preacher. I tried to talk some sense into him, but he wouldn’t hear it so I came to find you.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “As far as I know, he’s still running up and down the street looking for a preacher.”

  “I’ll go see if I can stop him from making a foolish mistake.” Jake looked at Rena. “I won’t be gone long, h
oney.”

  “I’m coming, too.”

  “But…”

  “If Finn is determined to marry this woman, maybe I can talk her out of it.”

  “She’s got a point, Jake.”

  “I guess you’re right. Let’s go find him.”

  It took a while, but they found Finn and the woman on one of the side streets getting ready to knock on the door of a two-story white house.

  “Hey, Jake.” He tipped his hat to Rena as they came into the yard. “Ma’am, I want you to meet Belle. We’re going to get married.”

  “Hello, Belle. I’m Rena Haywood.”

  She smiled. “I’ve heard about you.”

  “Finn, what the hell is wrong with you?” Jake’s voice grew louder with each word.

  “Not a thing, my friend. I’m as happy as a snake in tall grass. I’m going to get married to the woman I love, just like you did.”

  “Finn…”

  Rena put her hand on Belle’s arm. “It’s hot our here. Why don’t we step over there under that tree and let the men have a talk?”

  The slightly plump woman, who was no taller than Rena, had a crimson feather in her black hair and was wearing a deep pink satin dress with a low neck showing the top of her breast. The skirt was a few inches above her ankles. Though she looked as if she wanted to argue, she followed Rena and didn’t speak until they paused under a large oak. “I know you think I’m crazy, ma’am, but I know what I’m doing. Gideon wants to marry me and I want to marry him.”

  “But how well do you know each other?”

  “Not well, but that will come later. I like Finn and I’m sure in time I’ll love him.”

  “Don’t you think you should fall in love with him before you get married?”

  “Why? That would delay things.”

  “Taking a husband is a lifelong commitment. You might find that marriage is not something you want to be involved in for the rest of your life.”

  “I think anything would be better than working in a saloon. I’ve been there four days and I hate it. If a man is going to grab and pull at me, I want to be married to him. I don’t appreciate the drunks who think just because a woman is serving drinks she’s going to do anything else with him.”