On the Fence (Chance City Series Book Two)

by Robin Deeter

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He smiled and Daphne couldn’t look away from his vibrant blue eyes. Then he moved away and she could breathe again. Unlike the day she’d kissed him, she felt unsure and shy around him. She’d been attracted to him for so long that being with him now was overwhelming.

  Brock settled on the seat next to her, acutely aware of her close proximity. Glancing at her, he caught her looking at him and he thought there’d never been a more beautiful woman. He longed to kiss her, but it wasn’t the right time or place.

  “Ok. Here we go.”

  Once they were underway, Daphne said, “Brock, I don’t want to talk about Cy tonight. I just want to have a nice time and avoid any unpleasantness.”

  Brock agreed. “Fine by me. I see him enough. I don’t want to talk about him, either. I’m much more interested in you.”

  “I’m glad to hear that. I have to ask you something and I want you to be honest.”

  He said, “Of course I’ll be honest. Go ahead.”

  Daphne fiddled with the handle of her purse a little. “Are you able to deal with the fact that I’m part Comanche given how you feel about them?”

  Brock said, “I’ve been thinking hard about that. You were right the day you came to the office. It’s been a long time since those Indians attacked us, and in my brain, I know that none of you had anything to do with that. But in my heart, it’s hard to remember that. I’m working on it, though. But where you’re concerned, you’re just a beautiful woman who happens to have Comanche heritage. I don’t think anything of you but good things, Daphne.”

  Happiness surged through her. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that. When you come to our powwows you can join right in.”

  Shocked, Brock could only stare at her. Daphne burst into laughter and he realized that she’d been joking. He laughed with her then.

  “You should have seen the look on your face!” she said, holding her stomach.

  “I can see I’m gonna have to watch out for you,” Brock said, smiling. “Are you always this tricky?”

  Her eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  Brock hadn’t realized that Daphne had such a playful personality. “Are you sure you and Cy are related? You sure don’t act like it.”

  Daphne said, “Cy has always been more serious than me. He has a good sense of humor, but hides it well.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. That’s enough about him, though. How’s Cotton these days? Still got women lining up outside his tipi?” he asked.

  Daphne shook his head. “He’ll never change. I love him, though. He’s always there when I need him. When anyone needs him, really.”

  Brock said, “He’s one Indian I’ve always liked.”

  Daphne’s eyes widened. “Really? I didn’t know that you knew him so well.”

  “He comes to Benny’s and we play pool,” Brock said. “I don’t know how anyone couldn’t like him, Indian or not. There are just people in this world that you like right away and he’s one of them.” Then he turned his gaze on her. “You must have inherited that from him.”

  Daphne’s smile turned shy again. “You didn’t feel that way about me. Stop teasing me.”

  “Oh, yes, I did. I tried not to, but I couldn’t help it. You were so pretty and sweet. What man wouldn’t be attracted to you?”

  Daphne said, “I should’ve kissed you a long time ago. Then you would have called on me sooner.”

  Brock smiled. “I wouldn’t have minded that a bit. Kissing pretty women is never a hardship.” He cringed inside at his stupid remark.

  Daphne stifled the hard stab of jealousy that knifed through her. Arching an eyebrow at him, she said, “I know that you have a way with the ladies, Brock. I’ve heard that you’re very popular, so don’t think I’m not aware of it. But I’ll tell you this; if things become serious between us and you cheat on me, I still have enough Comanche blood in me to know how to scalp someone. Keep that in mind.”

  All traces of humor were gone from her expression and Brock believed that she meant it. “You’re right, Daphne. I’ve never been committed to a woman, but I’ve never led anyone on, either. I don’t know where things with us will lead, but since the day you kissed me, you’ve been the only woman I’ve thought about.”

  Daphne’s heart filled with joy. “Really?”

  “Yeah. It’s true, I swear,” Brock said seriously. “I don’t think you’re gonna have anything to worry about, but should I have anything to worry about? As I understand it, there are several fellas around who’ve taken a shine to you. You told me that yourself.”

  She smiled. “You mean Benny, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but he’s not the only competition, Daphne,” Brock said.

  Giving him a coy look, she said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He grinned. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Maybe, I do. As long as you behave, you won’t have anything to worry about, either,” she said.

  “Aha! Your bossy side is coming out. Now I know that you’re related to Cy,” Brock said.

  Daphne playfully smacked his arm and, just like that, all traces of her nerves fled as they laughed together. As the horse trotted into the city, the night suddenly felt alive with magic and possibility. Daphne prayed that it would continue, hoping with all of her heart that her dreams would come true.

  Chapter Five

  Ellie pulled her door open when Walt knocked and stood blinking up at him, thinking at first that a strange man stood on her porch.

  “Good evenin’, Miss Ellie,” Walt said, smiling.

  “Good evening,” she said, still surprised.

  Although he still wore his glasses, his appearance was completely different than Ellie was used to. He wore a beautiful charcoal gray suit with a light paisley gray vest, white shirt, and a black tie. His dark hair had been tamed and he was clean-shaven. His chiseled, angular facial features were very attractive and the suit revealed that Walt was a very fit male.

  A knowing smile curved Walt’s mouth. “I’ve shocked ya a wee bit, haven’t I?”

  “You certainly have,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. You should look that good every day.” Why am I suddenly putting my foot in my mouth around him? “I mean, you look very handsome.”

  Her flustered state amused him. “Well, I have my reasons for that. If ya play yer cards right, I might share them with ya.”

  Ellie’s brows came together. His statement aroused her curiosity. “What’s that mean?”

  Walt didn’t answer as his eyes traveled slowly over her lithe, petite form and he felt a tug of desire in his loins. “Ye look lovely, lass.”

  His hot gaze and the appreciation in his soft, nicely timbered voice made her breath quicken. Ellie felt like a gazelle being pursued by a hazel-eyed lion. That unsettled feeling came back and yet she suddenly found Walt fascinating. Her statement to Brock about Walt being too nice rose in her mind and she knew that her previous impression of Walt had been completely off the mark. He seemed vaguely threatening, but instead of feeling afraid, excitement sparked within her.

  “I’m glad you think so,” she said.

  “Are ya ready then?”

  “Oh. Yes. I’ll just get my cloak,” she said.

  Walt waited while she retrieved it and locked her front door after she came out onto the porch.

  “Do ya mind walkin’?” he asked. “I spend all day cooped up in buildings so it’s nice to be out in the fresh air and stretch my legs.”

  “No. I don’t mind,” she said, taking the arm he offered her.

  They descended the porch steps to the street and Walt looked back at her house. “Ye’ve a nice little place.”

  “Thank you. I like it. Ma and Pa don’t like me living alone, but I wanted to be independent. Plus, with my job, I didn’t want to be disturbing them by coming home at all hours of the day and night,” Ellie said.

&nbs
p; “Well, that’s very considerate of ya. How’d ya convince yer father to let ya become a deputy and move away from home?”

  “I had to fight him tooth-and-nail about it all, but he finally realized that I was going to do it no matter what. My cousin is a deputy in Oklahoma City. When he and I were growing up, we followed all of the famous lawmen in the newspapers. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I learned how to fight and all about the job. When the position opened up, I marched right into Rob’s office and told him that I was the best person for the job.”

  Walt grinned. “What did he say to that?”

  Ellie said, “He laughed because he thought that I was joking, but when I he saw that I was serious, he went ahead and interviewed me. A few days later, he came to my house to offer me the job. Pa about had a conniption, but Rob promised to watch out for me and Pa settled down. Once I had enough money saved up, I moved out. I love Pa, but he’s always trying to protect me.”

  Walt said, “All good fathers try to protect their daughters, Ellie.”

  “I know, but when those daughters grow up, they can decide things for themselves. Women aren’t stupid, Walt,” Ellie said.

  “No one would ever accuse ya of bein’ stupid, least of all me,” Walt said. “Yer an intelligent, beautiful woman, and I appreciate ya as such.”

  “Thanks. So what made you become a lawyer?” Ellie asked.

  “I’m from a long line of barristers, and I followed in my father and grandfather’s footsteps,” he said nonchalantly. “My father is actually British, but we lived in Ireland until we came to America when I was seventeen. That’s why my accent isn’t as pronounced as some Irishmen. I’ve lost it a little.”

  “Do your parents live in Chance City?” she asked.

  “They don’t,” Walt said. “They live in Chicago. I followed a lass here, but things didn’t work out.”

  “Why not?” Ellie asked as they turned the corner onto Main Street.

  “Well, ya see, I don’t like sharin’ my women with other men,” Walt said.

  “Oh! I’m so sorry about that,” Ellie said.

  “Thanks, but I think she did me a favor.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because I met the prettiest deputy ya ever did see and she hasn’t been out of my mind much,” Walt said, winking at her.

  Ellie blushed. “Why did you keep asking me to dinner after I turned you down a couple of times?”

  “Haven’t ya heard? Us Irish are stubborn and I knew that I’d wear ya down. I figured if I annoyed ya enough, you’d give in just to get me off yer back.” He laughed at the guilty expression on her face. “But ya see, I intend to sweep ya off yer feet, Ellie, and by the time I’m done, ye’ll never want to get me off yer back.”

  A shiver ran through Ellie, but it had nothing to do with the cold. It was caused by the glint of something dark that flashed in his eyes for a brief moment. Then it was gone and he smiled, his face the one of a man happy to be with a special lady.

  That little glimmer of something dark should’ve deterred her from wanting to spend the evening with Walt, but instead, she felt drawn to Walt and her interest in him grew. She had the feeling that there was much more to Walt than she’d ever imagined and that getting to know him might be the most exciting thing she’d ever do.

  *****

  By the time dinner was over, Daphne felt even more as though she were in a dream. Brock was attentive, witty, and kept her entertained throughout the evening. Several people stopped by their table and Brock introduced her to them. He was popular with a lot of people and he was a social person, which often helped him in his career.

  Once they’d eaten their dessert, they departed the restaurant, getting back in his buggy.

  “It got colder,” Brock remarked. “I’ll get you home so that you can get in where it’s warm.”

  Daphne said, “Don’t worry about me. I have this blanket and it was so warm in the restaurant that the air feels good.”

  “Ok. I had a good time tonight,” Brock said.

  “Me, too.”

  Brock smiled at her. “Good enough that you’d want to do it again?”

  Daphne pretended to mull it over. “I guess so.”

  “Don’t sound so thrilled.”

  She batted her eyelashes at him. “I mean, yes, Deputy Guthrie, I’d love to have dinner with you again!”

  He laughed. “Ok, ok. Don’t overdo it.”

  “You’re a hard man to please,” Daphne said.

  Their light-hearted banter continued as he drove her home. About halfway there, they heard horses come up behind them. Brock moved over to make sure the riders had plenty of room to get out around them, but they stayed behind Brock’s buggy. A prickle of warning broke out over Brock’s shoulders.

  Daphne felt Brock stiffen beside her and she glanced back at the riders. There were four of them and they were very focused on her. She put a hand on Brock’s leg, squeezing it anxiously. He took her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. A couple of the riders moved up alongside the buggy.

  “Evenin’, Deputy,” one of them said. “You and the little Comanche having a good time?”

  Brock bristled at the disdain in the man’s voice. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about Miss Decker that way. Don’t be making trouble, either. I don’t want to have to arrest you and ruin my nice night.”

  The man smiled as he scratched his scruffy chin. “Well, aren’t you the gentleman? I heard that you don’t got time for Injuns, but here you are with one. Must be because she’s a woman. Their women sure are pretty, so I can’t blame you.”

  Brock wanted to punch the guy in the face, but he also wanted to kick his own ass. His well-known hatred of Indians was coming back to bite him in a big way.

  “Not that it’s any of your business,” Brock said, “But a man is allowed to change his mind about something. You’re in the presence of a lady and I’m sure your ma taught you to respect a woman. Now, leave us be, fellas. Goodnight.”

  He clucked to their horse, moving it into a faster trot, but the riders stuck with them. Brock got that feeling of impending doom again, but he did his best to appear as though he was ignoring their unwanted escorts. His first concern was keeping Daphne safe and he hoped that the group of men would give up their game and move on.

  However, that wasn’t the case. One of them rode over in front of their horse, stopping it.

  Brock said, “Fellas, you don’t want to do this.”

  “Oh, I think we do,” the same man said. “Get out, Guthrie.”

  Keeping a cool head, Brock said, “No. I’m not getting out. Here’s what’s gonna happen; you’re gonna get the hell out of here while you still can.”

  The leader said, “There are four of us and only one of you. What are you going to do to us?”

  Turning his eyes on each man in turn, Brock said, “You don’t want to find out. Now, just go on your way.”

  “Get out of the buggy,” the leader repeated. “We don’t want you. We want the squaw.”

  Anger filled Daphne at his use of the derogatory term. She lifted her chin proudly and gazed back at the man with contempt in her eyes.

  “Boy, look at how bold she is,” he said. “This is gonna be fun.”

  “Yes, it’ll be fun to slit your throat,” Daphne said. “Us Comanche women are good with knives.”

  Brock didn’t interfere. Admiration for her grew inside him. She was creating a diversion, giving him time to come up with a plan. It seemed as though she’d learned a few things from Cy and the men in her family.

  The men guffawed over her remarks.

  “Is that right?” another man asked.

  Daphne smiled sweetly at him even though she trembled inside. “It’ll be a pleasure to spill your blood. After all, that’s what us Comanche are best at.”

  Brock glanced at her with wide eyes over the way she spoke. It was time to end this now. Surreptitiously, Brock drew his gun while Daphne kept baiting their foes. She said m
ore and more outrageous things until the men laughed uproariously. That’s when Brock made his move.

  “Run,” he said to Daphne in a low voice so only she could hear him. “Run as fast as you can.”

  Swiftly, Brock brought his gun up, firing a shot at the leader. The bullet hit him dead center in the chest, blowing him off his horse before the others registered what had happened. Brock fired again, winging one of the other men.

  “Daphne, run!” Brock commanded.

  The buggy moved as he took aim again. One of the other thugs fired at him, but his aim was off. Another shot rang out, but it came from behind Brock. He was shocked to see one of the three remaining men grab his leg. The shot could only have come from Daphne. She must be carrying a gun, Brock thought. The two injured men, spurred their horses into action, thundering away into the night.

  Brock drew a bead on the last man. “Hold it right there. Get off that horse. Now!”

  He got down and held his hands up in the air.

  Keeping a close eye on the guy, Brock got out of the buggy. “On the ground, hands behind your back. You’re under arrest.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Brock saw Daphne move forward, holding her gun on the man, too. Once the thug had laid down, Brock handcuffed him and turned to Daphne.

  “You ok?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  They were in a conundrum. Brock needed to get the living prisoner and the dead one back to town, but he didn’t want to leave Daphne alone. Although the injured men had ridden off, they could still be waiting for them somewhere along the road in either direction. If they saw Daphne alone, they might go after her.

  “Daphne, I know that you’re scared, but I gotta take them to town. If I put the dead guy in the buggy, can you drive it to town while I ride along with this guy?” he asked.

  Daphne didn’t want to ride with the dead body, but she saw the wisdom in his idea. Besides, the dead man couldn’t hurt her and she refused to give in to fear.

  “I can do it,” she said.

  Brock was proud of her. Even though he saw fear in her expression, she was being brave.