“Travis,” she began.
“Yes?” He fixed her with those burning dark eyes.
Did she have the nerve to beg him to love her? That might give her the courage to come clean with him and confess everything, even if it meant she would lose him.
“Hey,” yelled Harold from the dining room, “what happened to the bacon and eggs?”
At that point, all the children began banging on the table with their spoons. “Breakfast!” they chanted. “Breakfast!”
Even Growler joined in by barking.
That broke the spell.
Travis grabbed the coffeepot and headed back into the dining room. “You all hush, she’s cooking as fast as she can.”
“Hold your horses!” She began breaking eggs into the skillet and slicing ham. She tried to get her mind off Travis as she grabbed up a platter and headed in to feed everyone, not looking at him.
He gobbled his food without looking up. “I’m expecting a lot of business at the shop today with the holiday right on us. Everyone wants to win that black filly.”
“Okay.” She didn’t look at him. “Do you want me to bring you lunch?”
He didn’t speak until he finished and got up from the table. “Don’t bother. Charlotte Van Mayes might come by with a picnic.” And then he was out the door.
Picnic. Violet resisted the urge to run after him and scream curses, but of course the children were all staring at her so she only took a deep breath and sat down to eat.
“Can we go out and play?” Kessie asked.
“Sure. If everyone’s got their chores done.”
The children scattered to do their chores and then went out in the back to play in the barn.
Violet walked to the front door and stared out. The street was busy. She looked down toward the gun shop. She didn’t know what to do about the competition, who was not that much older but much prettier and more elegant than Violet. Later Violet saw the widow going by and stopping at the gun shop.
Maybe she shouldn’t, but Violet couldn’t tear herself away from the window. Mrs. Van Mayes stayed at least an hour. Violet wondered if anything was going on there but lunch. She finally walked down the street and popped in. “Hello, there.”
From the way the beauty started and stepped away from Travis, Violet wondered if she had interrupted anything.
Mrs. Van Mayes frowned at her. “I must be going. I’m in charge of all the decorations for the parade and I have to have a committee meeting.” She turned back to Travis. “I’ve enjoyed our conversations so much. You’ve added interest to this dull little town.” She turned, brushed past Violet and went out the front door to her buggy.
“You didn’t need to come,” Travis said. “I had lunch.”
“I didn’t bring any,” Violet said pointedly.
“Well, I’m glad you came,” Travis said. “That woman was taking too much of my time when I’ve had so many customers today.”
Violet managed to keep her voice civil. “It didn’t look like you were rushing her out the door.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Never mind.” She spun on her heel and went out on the front sidewalk, staring after the widow as she drove away down the street.
Violet was so jealous she was miserable. She had to do something to occupy her time. She went home and put some bread on to bake. It was hot in the kitchen and she felt perspiration running down between her breasts. She opened her blouse and fanned herself with an old newspaper, closing her eyes and pretending it was Travis blowing lightly on her bare skin.
After she got the bread out of the oven, she checked on the kids. They had gone down to the park to play.
It must be near time for the four o’clock train, she thought and then she heard it in the distance. She went out on the front porch and watched it rumble through town. If she had enough money, she would get on it and go away somewhere south, but she had stayed on because she loved Travis so. It was hot as a chili pepper, she thought, standing there long after the train had passed through. In this heat, everyone had taken refuge from the Texas sun either inside or out in the shade somewhere. The street was almost deserted.
She saw two men riding into town at a walk. They looked dusty and their horses were thin. They were strangers, she thought, and they looked like they had ridden a long way. They both had beards and wore pistols tied low. Outlaws or drifters, Violet thought as they dismounted and tied their horses up in front of the bank. She watched them walk up the wooden steps and try to open the bank’s doors. Didn’t they know that banks closed at three o’clock?
They banged on the doors, but no one came to let them in. After a minute, they walked back to their horses and stood there a while, looking up and down the street. Somehow, the furtive way they looked around told Violet they were up to no good. She wondered where the elderly sheriff was today. Of course he might not be able to handle these two lean, dangerous-looking hombres. Maybe they would just mount up and ride out of town.
Violet went back inside and closed the door; then she peered out the window. The two had mounted up and were riding down toward the gun shop. Her pulse picked up some. There was no way she could alert Travis that they were coming, but he could handle himself.
The two dismounted in front of the gun shop and hesitated, looking around before walking in. Maybe they just needed some ammunition or a new firearm, Violet thought. Somehow, she had a feeling that wasn’t what they were after.
She glanced down the street to see old Sheriff McClain coming out of his office. He stood on the wooden sidewalk and looked up the street at the two thin horses. Then he started walking this way, the silver star on his vest reflecting the hot sun. Good, Violet thought. Maybe they’ll see the sheriff and drift on.
Just as she thought that, she heard gunfire and the two thugs ran out of the gun shop.
Chapter 18
“Stop!” yelled Sheriff McClain and he waddled toward the two as they came out of the shop, pistols in hand.
There was nothing Violet could do but watch as the two turned and shot at the old man even as they grabbed their horses’ reins. McClain managed to get off one shot as he fell and the two thugs mounted up.
She had to help the sheriff. In a panic, Violet ran outside, racing down the street to the wounded man even as the outlaws took off at a gallop, coming toward her. Then Travis ran out of the gun shop.
Now there were people sticking their heads out of buildings, coming out on sidewalks to gape at the noise and excitement. She was in the direct path of the outlaws as they raced away, but Violet was only intent on helping the bleeding old man lying in the street.
“Violet, damn it, get out of the way!”
She glanced back to see Travis in the middle of the street, pistol in hand. She froze next to the fallen sheriff, seeing the galloping horses coming straight at her. Past them she saw Travis taking aim with his pistol and the outlaws turning in their saddles to return fire.
Travis fired once, then again. One outlaw hesitated, shrieked, then slid from his saddle. The other paused and for a moment it looked like he would keep coming, but then he fell from his terrified horse, which galloped on down the street past Violet, throwing a cloud of dust on her. She threw herself forward to shield the bloody old man. The young deputy ran out of the sheriff’s office and some of the other men came running, too, standing over the injured outlaws.
“Someone find Doc!” the deputy yelled as people gathered around the wounded sheriff. Doc Adams ran out of his office with his black bag, bald head shining in the sun.
Violet looked toward Travis. He had gone to one knee, clutching his right wrist, his face a mask of agony as he dropped his Colt. Violet ran to him. “Travis, are you all right?”
She went to her knees and put her arms around him.
Sweat stood out on his face. “That damned wrist,” he muttered, “went out on me again. Damn it.”
“You got them, you got them both,” she comforted him. “Here, let me
help you.”
“I can take care of myself.” But he staggered as he tried to rise. She helped him to his feet and he leaned on her.
A crowd gathered on Main Street with Doc kneeling by the sheriff’s side as the deputy put handcuffs on the two wounded outlaws and picked up the money bag.
Travis, aided by Violet, limped down the street to the crowd.
The young deputy yelled, “You all right, Travis?”
Travis nodded although she saw his face was white as milk. “I’m okay. How’s McClain?”
“It’ll take him a while.” Doc Adams looked up from the fallen man. “But I think McClain’ll make it.”
One of the bleeding outlaws turned and snarled at Travis, “Damn you. We almost got away.”
“I couldn’t let you ride over this girl,” Travis snapped.
“You’re a hero, Travis,” the newspaper editor declared as he began to scribble on his pad. “We need more men like you.”
The crowd murmured agreement.
“Not one with a bum arm.” Travis grimaced.
Old Mr. Jensen hurried up just then. “Travis my boy, you don’t look good. Thank you for saving my cash. You’d better take the rest of the day off.”
Travis looked like he might argue, but Violet said, “He’s right, Travis. I think you need some rest.”
“I’ll lock these two up,” the deputy declared, “and take them in to the county seat for trial in the next few days.”
In the meantime, volunteers helped carry the sheriff down to his house and the crowd began to disperse.
Violet looked up at Travis. “You took a big chance, coming after those two.”
“And you took a big chance getting out in the middle of the street. They would have ridden you down or grabbed you up and taken you with them.”
“I was worried about the sheriff,” Violet answered. She looked up. The saloon girls had come out on the upper level of the Cattle Drive to watch the goings-on. Once again, she thought she recognized one of them, but in this glaring sunlight, who could tell? “Let’s go home, Travis.”
She let him lean on her and they walked slowly down the street with the saloon girls calling to him. “Hey, cowboy, come on in. The drinks are on the house.”
“Hey, big guy, come on in and I’ll show you how we treat a hero.”
Violet ignored them. “I’ve got some fresh baked bread,” she said as she helped him walk down the street.
“Where are the kids?” The color was coming back into his face.
“At the park. They’ll hear the noise and show up.” She helped him walk inside and sit in a comfortable chair. “Would you like some water?”
He nodded. “Really cold water sounds good.”
She went out back and got a fresh bucket from the well, brought him a dipperful as she sat down on the arm of his chair. She felt so grateful that he wasn’t hurt. “I’d hoped that wrist would get better with time.”
He cursed under his breath and shook his head. “I reckon I can quit hoping I can ever go back to the Rangers.”
“Something will change.” She tried to sound hopeful. “And if not, we can stay here in Pleasant Valley.”
He leaned back in his chair. “That’s not the kind of life I had in mind, working as a clerk.”
Without thinking, she reached out and brushed the dark hair from his forehead, looked into his eyes. “You know, Travis, I wouldn’t care where we lived as long as we can keep this little family together.”
He looked up at her and frowned. “You’re just saying that because you feel sorry for me. I’m sure you could do better.”
“Well, you’ve got that golden opportunity with the rich Mrs. Van Mayes.”
He shook his head. “And be one of her possessions like her prize stallion or one of her thousands of cows? I don’t think so.”
“Her money would get your arm fixed and allow you to live in luxury.”
“You think I haven’t thought of that? They got a name for men who live off women.”
Duke, she thought, but she didn’t say anything. Duke had made her whore for him so he could live well. What a fool she had been to believe he loved her and go with him to the Diamond Horseshoe.
She leaned over and kissed Travis very slowly, her mouth partly open. His big arm reached up and pulled her down into his lap, where he kissed her deeply and thoroughly. She put her arms around his neck and kept the kiss deepening, feeling his manhood rise up, urgent and rigid against her.
“I love you, Travis,” she whispered. “I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you and you rescued us all.”
He held her very close against him, but said nothing.
“Don’t you believe in love?” she asked.
“I used to, before . . .”
“Are you not brave enough to take another chance?” She kissed his neck.
He sighed and pushed her away. “It’s hard for me to trust a woman. They all seem to be cheating, lying bitches. I don’t take ridicule easy. I don’t know how much you’ve told me is true and what part is lies.”
She winced, thinking how he would be humiliated if he let himself love her and then discovered she had been a saloon whore. Every man wanted a pure, lily-white girl that no other man had touched. “I still love you,” she said and hesitated, waiting for him to say the same, but he did not.
After a moment of silence, she said, “I’ve almost got supper ready. You want some milk and hot gingerbread?”
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Sounds good.”
“The kids will be home soon and they’ll want to hear all about the outlaws.”
Travis grimaced. “And let them hear how pain brought me to my knees out in the street before the whole town? No thanks.”
“You nailed them both. That makes you a hero.”
He snorted. “Everyday stuff for a Ranger.”
She couldn’t bring him out of his gloom, she thought as she went into the kitchen to get some warm gingerbread and a glass of cold milk.
As she came back with it, she stopped and peered out the window. “Now who in the world is that?”
Travis took the milk and bread as he craned his neck to look at the plump Mexican lady alighting from a wagon out front. “Oh, remember? Mrs. Van Mayes is loaning us a maid for a while.”
“A maid? Oh, yes, but what on earth for?”
He hesitated. There was something he wasn’t telling her. “Well, I thought with all these kids, you could use the help.”
She stared at the woman gathering her things and walking toward the door. “In other words, my housekeeping isn’t good enough?”
“It’s not that at all. Now just hush and smile, Violet. The lady is doing you a favor.”
“Where is she going to sleep?” Violet went to the door as the woman knocked.
“She can have your room and you can bunk up with Bonnie.”
“I don’t like this at all.”
“Violet, I’ve made this decision, so you be polite and grateful.”
“Ha!” Violet opened the door then and smiled at the dour Mexican woman. “Hello.”
The woman scowled. Obviously, Violet thought, she didn’t like coming to stay in this modest house any better than Violet liked having her there. “I am Conchita, the housekeeper from Senora Van Mayes.”
Violet gritted her teeth. “Do come in. We’re glad to have you. Here, follow me and I’ll show you your room.” As she walked down the hall, Violet’s mind was busy. Of course she knew the reason the widow had sent this woman. She wanted a spy in the house to report back to her and to make sure nothing happened between Violet and Travis. She couldn’t imagine why Travis would go along with such a plan. Violet decided this couldn’t last forever. “Here’s your room.” She opened the door to her own small room.
The housekeeper frowned. “Not as nice as I have at the ranch.”
“I’m sorry,” Violet said, “but we don’t have the money Mrs. Van Mayes does.”
“I will get set
tled and then I will make supper,” the woman said, setting down her valise.
“I usually make supper,” Violet said.
“And now I will do it,” the housekeeper insisted. “Senora Van Mayes said you were a young girl trying to hold a household together. That is very brave of you, senorita.”
“Hmm.” Violet gritted her teeth and backed out of the room.
In a few minutes, the kids all showed up and gathered around Travis, making him tell about the outlaws coming into the gun shop and how he had wounded them.
Houston’s eyes were wide. “Wow! Just like a Texas Ranger. Can we go down to the jail and see them?”
Travis frowned. “I don’t reckon the deputy is letting people in. You all clean up for supper and I’ll tell you stories about Pecos Bill and other tall tales of Texas.”
There were noises of banging pots and pans from the kitchen and the children turned toward Violet with wide eyes.
“Mrs. Van Mayes has been good enough to loan us her housekeeper for a while,” she explained.
“Why?” asked Kessie. “We think your cooking is good.”
Violet glared at Travis and shrugged. “Thank you, but Travis and the pretty widow decided I needed help.”
Travis squirmed uneasily. “And she does. You kids are a lot of work.”
Bonnie climbed up in his lap. “Like Feather’s food,” she declared.
The other children nodded agreement.
“Hush,” Violet cautioned. “You’ll hurt Conchita’s feelings. Now be nice and use your table manners. You don’t want her to think we’re a bunch of hungry wolves, do you?”
The Mexican woman stuck her head around the door. “Dinner is ready.”
Travis picked up Bonnie and the whole family trooped in to the dinner table, Growler settling down beside Bonnie’s chair.
The Mexican woman came in with a platter of chicken and paused in the doorway. “Dog eats with family?” She scowled in disapproval.
Travis said, “Dog is family, just ask little Bonnie.”
The toddler nodded. The woman set the platter down and, with a noise of disapproval, returned to the kitchen.
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