The Marshal Meets His Match

by Clari Dees

  “Ach. I don’t need a babysitter, lassie. Frankly, I could use a break from yer frantic cleaning, and so could ye. Ye’ve worked yerself to a frazzle this week. Now it’s time for a little fun.” He looked at Wyatt. “When will ye be here to pick her up?”

  “But…” Her feeble protest was lost in the continuing conversation.

  “I’ll be here about ten o’clock in the morning. That should give us plenty of time to get there before the meal at noon. When do you want your daughter home, sir?”

  “Have the lass home before dark.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  They stood and shook hands as if they’d completed a business transaction. Apparently, her suspicions weren’t far from the mark. Dazed, she watched them walk out of the room toward the front door. “Wait! Don’t I have some say in this?” she demanded, scurrying to catch up.

  Both men replied in unison, “No.”

  “Why do I get the feeling I’ve been ambushed?” She sounded peeved, but it was better than melting into a puddle of humiliation.

  Wyatt laughed as he stepped outside and off the porch. “See you in the morning.”

  As he loped his horse away, Meri turned to her father and took a deep breath. “Why—”

  He held up his hand. “Ye need a break, and ye wouldn’t have gone on yer own. Don’t forget, ye’ll need to make something for the dessert auction.” McIsaac turned to go in the house.

  She stopped him. “Did you ask him to take me?”

  The surprise in his eyes was genuine. “Wheesht, lass. Why would I need to ask the man to escort me beautiful daughter to the picnic? He’s smart enough to have the idea for himself. Now, if ye’ll excuse me, I’m wee bit tired. I think I need to lie down.” The twinkle in his eye belied his plea of fatigue as he left her standing on the porch.

  * * *

  Meri threw the third dress across her bed in frustration. She was working herself into a dither over what to wear to the picnic.

  You’re being ridiculous, Meri!

  Running downstairs, she found Barnaby exiting her father’s study.

  “Can I do something for you, miss?”

  “Would you have someone saddle Sandy and bring him around, please?”

  Faither followed him out of the room. “Lass, a gentleman brings a buggy when he’s taking his girl to a picnic. Ye don’t need yer horse.”

  “I am not his girl. I’m riding Sandy in.” She smiled winningly at the foreman. “Will you do it, Barnaby? Please?”

  Looking at McIsaac, who only shrugged in exasperation, he sighed. “Yes, if that’s what you want.”

  “Thank you.” Planting a quick kiss on the cheek of each man, she turned and ran back up the stairs to her room.

  “This is gonna be interesting,” Barnaby muttered.

  Determination filled her as she headed back to her wardrobe and grabbed an outfit. It wasn’t what most females would wear to a picnic, especially when they were escorted by a handsome gentleman, but then again, she wasn’t most females. When Wyatt Cameron arrived at her doorstep with a buggy, she would meet him on horseback. As Meri McIsaac, the content-to-be-single cowgirl. Not a delicately dressed husband-hunting female.

  Donning the outfit, Meri scoffed at herself. Obviously her rebellion only stretched so far. She’d pulled out her newest, fanciest riding habit. The long and full divided skirt was a buttery-soft fawn-colored leather, paired with a crisp white blouse and belted at the waist with a black leather belt. A black velvet ribbon circled the collar of the blouse in a feminine bow. A matching fawn-colored leather vest with shiny black jet buttons topped the blouse, and a tan flat-brimmed hat and black boots completed the ensemble.

  Meri studied herself in the mirror. She’d smoothed her hair into a neat braid, coiled and pinned at the base of her neck and neatly tucked beneath the brim of her hat. A flush warmed her cheeks, and the color of the skirt and vest mimicked the color of her hair and the light tan on her skin. She’d always thought the outfit was pretty and polished, but all at once, she saw the contrast she’d make against the backdrop of dressed-up females.

  “Well, if your aim was to stand out like a sore thumb, America McIsaac, you’re going to accomplish it in rare form.” Looking at the little clock on her nightstand, she muttered, “And it’s too late to change your mind now. He’ll be here soon.”

  Giving in to a last-minute impulse, she opened her jewelry box, pulled out a pair of jet earbobs and fastened them to her ears. Tucking a handkerchief in her pocket, Meri avoided the mirror again and left the room.

  The clock was chiming ten as she stepped onto the porch. Sandy was standing patiently at the hitching rail, groomed and saddled, and a distant horse and rider were approaching the house.

  Meri blinked, surprised. He wasn’t driving a buggy?

  Swallowing past a bundle of nerves, she focused on the horse he was riding. It was the tall bay with the white star she’d seen in Franks’s pasture the day she’d first met the marshal. The same horse he’d ridden yesterday, come to think of it, but in her haste to get to the house and change, she’d not spared the animal any attention.

  Wyatt rode up beside Sandy and leaned his arm against the saddle horn, tilting his hat brim up with one finger. He wore his holster and star, but a black string tie adorned the collar of the spotless gray cavalry-style bib shirt that stretched across firm shoulders. Dark blue pressed trousers and polished boots covered the muscular legs that draped around the horse. “Great minds think alike.”

  “They do?” Meri asked guardedly.

  Wyatt pointed to Sandy. “I didn’t figure you’d want to ride in a buggy on this pretty day, so I took a chance you’d be ready to ride.”

  This man seemed able to read her like a book. It was a bit disconcerting to say the least.

  Wyatt swung his leg over the front of the saddle and slid lightly to his feet. Sweeping off his hat and holding it against his chest, he bowed deeply. Meri had originally thought the gesture was his way of mocking her, but today it felt…courtly.

  “You look fetching.” His eyes swept over her, frankly admiring as he straightened to his full height.

  Meri dropped her own eyes in confusion. This didn’t feel like an escort simply to keep her safe. “Thank you.” Stepping off the porch, she walked over to the magnificently tall bay and held out the back of her hand for him to smell. “Who is this handsome fellow?”

  She felt Wyatt move up behind her, and his arm reached around to stroke the horse’s neck. “Meet Charger. He came with me all the way from my folks’ place in Virginia. I haven’t been able to ride him until this week because he developed a limp on our way up from Texas. It’s good to be back on him.”

  Meri withdrew from the disturbing awareness the man was causing and walked around the sleek animal, stroking him as she circled. “Is he a thoroughbred?”

  “Yep, from old Virginia bloodlines. I hope to have a place someday where I can run a few head of good horseflesh. He’s my start. He’s also a good friend. We’ve been through a few scrapes together, and unlike some people, he’s never let me down.”

  “He looks like he could cover some ground.” Meri swung up on Sandy.

  “He can, and he’s raring to go today.” Wyatt stayed on the ground.

  “Then let’s not keep him waiting, Marshal.”

  He glanced at the house. “Do we need to take anything with us for the picnic?”

  “No. The housekeeper and some of the hands are bringing food in the wagon. They’ll leave here shortly.” Meri’s nerves were beginning to make Sandy antsy, but the marshal didn’t seem in any hurry to leave.

  “Who’s staying with your father?”

  “The bunkhouse cook. He and Faither are having a chess rematch. They’re evenly matched right now, and each one swears he’s going to be the winner of the tiebreaker.”

  The man finally swung up on his horse. “Well, then, Miss Mac. Let’s go, shall we?”

  Meri’s father stepped out the front door. “Have a nice time
. I trust ye’ll take care of me daughter?”

  “Yes, sir! I won’t take my eyes off of her.”

  Meri caught her breath sharply. His eyes were dangerous when they sparkled like that.

  “What’s that, Meri-lass?”

  She cleared her throat with a cough ignoring Wyatt’s grin. “We’re going to be late.”

  “Well, who’s stoppin’ ye? Get goin’.”

  Meri and Wyatt turned their horses and rode out of the ranch yard. Silence stretched between them for several minutes before Meri broke it. “You know, I never knew our town was so compassionate.”

  “How so?” Wyatt’s tone indicated he knew something was coming.

  “They took pity and hired such a forgetful person for so important a position.”

  “Meaning me, I suppose.”

  Meri nodded, looking appropriately sad but hiding a grin.

  Wyatt made a show of looking all around and down at himself. “What did I forget?”

  Meri shook her head gloomily. “See? You can’t even remember to remember that my name is not Mac!”

  Wyatt’s hangdog, mournful demeanor was comical, but she smothered the impulse to laugh. The man didn’t need any further encouragement. “Yes. Unfortunately it’s a highly contagious condition. I contracted it from a certain young lady who can’t seem to remember that my name is not Marshal!”

  She was regretting her choice of subjects. Hoist on your own petard, Meri.

  “There is a cure, however.” Wyatt paused, catching her eye before continuing quietly, “When you can remember to call me Wyatt or even Cameron, I believe my memory will improve, and I’ll be able to remember your name.” Earnestness peered through the teasing expression.

  Meri searched for a reply that would rescue her from the hole she’d entrapped herself in. “But you are the marshal. It’s…it’s a term of respect,” she finally managed weakly.

  A laugh burst from Wyatt’s lips. “If the way you obey orders is any indication of the level of your respect, I’d much rather you just call me by my name!”

  Meri didn’t know whether to laugh or search for a witty rebuttal, so she did neither. She ran.

  Touching Sandy with her heels, the horse sprang into a full gallop, taking advantage of the long open stretch of road and leaving the marshal behind in two jumps.

  * * *

  Charger strained to follow Sandy, but Wyatt held him in check, taking a few moments to admire the slim figure that moved as one with her horse. The color of Meri’s apparel matched the coloring of the flashy palomino, and highlighted the golden glints in her hair. Horse and rider presented a striking image as they flew down the road. He had wrestled with himself about asking her to the picnic and in the end had decided to do it, trying not to examine his motives too closely. It was a day to enjoy the burgeoning spring, not worry about the future.

  The distance between them widened, and Wyatt stroked Charger’s sleek neck. “Okay, fella, let’s show those two what Virginia boys can do.” Charger leaped into action, long legs stretching easily to eat up the distance.

  Meri glanced over her shoulder, and her eyes widened when she realized they were gaining. Turning back, she leaned low over Sandy’s neck and urged him to greater speed. The sturdy palomino surged forward with renewed effort, but Charger’s longer legs relentlessly narrowed the gap between them. In minutes they were alongside Meri and Sandy.

  While Wyatt was momentarily checking Charger’s speed to match Sandy’s, Meri’s eyes flashed at him, gleaming with competitive excitement. He tapped the brim of his hat in a salute. Charger tossed his head impatiently at the delay, and Wyatt let him go. Surging forward in a renewed burst of speed, they quickly left Meri and Sandy behind.

  Wyatt allowed him to run several more strides before guiding him down to a smooth lope. Flashing a look over his shoulder, he saw Meri racing to close the distance Charger had put between them. As they came alongside, Wyatt slowed Charger’s pace again, but Meri ignored the gesture, tapping her own hat as she and Sandy raced past.

  Wyatt growled, half amused, half irritated. The stubborn woman didn’t know when she was beaten because she refused to quit! He allowed Charger to leap after the palomino immediately this time, and they were alongside the pair almost instantly. Nudging Charger in close to Sandy, Wyatt snaked an arm around Meri’s waist and pulled her off her horse and across the front of his saddle in one fluid movement.

  Shock widened her eyes and one hand convulsively clenched Sandy’s reins as Wyatt slowed Charger to a walk. Sandy quietly followed alongside, eyeing his unseated mistress curiously.

  Wyatt looked down into her surprised face and grinned at the traces of dirt Charger had kicked up on her when they’d passed. Right arm cradling her back, right hand holding Charger’s reins, he used his left to pull out his handkerchief and gently wipe her face. “You’ve got a little dirt here…and here…” Wyatt heard her sharp intake of breath as he wiped the dust off.

  She was a frozen bundle of tension for half a second longer before she snapped into frantic motion. “Put me down…” she squeaked as she struggled to slide off his lap.

  Wyatt tightened his arm around her, pinning her into place. “Nope. You haven’t asked me nicely, yet.” Her stubbornness was no hardship; he could hold her all day. He refused to lose this battle of wills.

  “Would you put me down…please?” Meri tried again to pull away and slide down.

  “Uh-uh. You still haven’t asked correctly.” He could feel her trembling. The horses had continued traveling at a brisk walk, and they would soon be in view of town. Wyatt wondered how long the stubborn woman would hold out before realizing she was in danger of being seen…sitting on the marshal’s lap!

  They were at the final turn toward town before she gave in. The ramrod-straight spine was as stiff as a poker, but her voice was wobbly as she spoke. “Please put me down, Mr. Cameron.”

  Wyatt looked into nervous brown eyes before she cast a quick look down the road toward town. Wyatt brought Charger to a stop. Sandy kept his nose even with Meri’s feet.

  “That’s not exactly what I had in mind, but I guess it’ll do. For now.” He tugged the reins out of her hand and moved Sandy into position before smoothly, regretfully, swinging Meri back into her saddle. His arms immediately missed the feel of her.

  She fastidiously straightened her skirt and vest and adjusted her hat, before reaching to take the reins from his hand.

  He moved them out of range and cocked an eyebrow at her.

  She exhaled noisily. “Thank you. Now would you please give my reins back, Mar…?” She bit off the last word but not quickly enough.

  She was persistent, but she had met her match. Wyatt grinned and reached to pick her off her horse again. “Ah, ah, ah, Miss Mac. That’s not my name.”

  Meri nudged Sandy with her heel, and he swung his hindquarters away, placing the horses in a T position and putting Meri temporarily out of reach. She lifted her chin regally and focused somewhere over his shoulder. “As I was saying, Mr. Cameron, thank you. Now I suggest we get a move on if we plan on attending the picnic.”

  Wyatt wondered what she’d do if he hauled her off her horse again and kissed her senseless.

  Probably slap your fool head off!

  Wyatt chuckled before handing over the reins. It might just be worth it, but he’d back off and accept the unspoken truce for now. He waved toward town. “After you, Miss Mac…Isaac.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Meri stood outside the marshal’s office and contemplated the abnormally quiet street. The townsfolk must already be at the picnic grounds. She would have been there, too, but for the fact she had wanted to leave Sandy in Franks’s pasture for the afternoon. That detour had given her a few extra moments to recover her composure after being held by…Mr. Cameron, as well as giving her a chance to duck into Franks’s living quarters and wash the remaining dirt off her face.

  Walking back toward the picnic grounds, Wyatt had stopped at his office to che
ck in with Jonah who would be keeping an eye on the nearly deserted town while everyone was at the picnic. Meri had waved hello through the open door and now waited on the porch while the two men talked.

  Letting her idle gaze linger on the bank, she relived the terrifying moment when she’d seen her father lying bleeding on the floor. A shudder rippled through her at how close death had come to robbing her again.

  Something flashed inside the bank.

  That was odd. She had assumed the bank would still be closed and the banker at the picnic with the rest of the town.

  She walked down the boardwalk toward the bank, staying on the opposite side of the street. She’d just take a quick look-see and make sure everything was okay, although from what she’d heard, there was nothing left to steal. Meri stopped across from the bank, in the shadow of the dressmaker’s shop. The bank’s large front window shed light into the dim recesses of the building, and a figure stood just on the edge of the pool of sunlight.

  Meri let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. It was only the banker. After being shot at, she was imagining trouble behind every bush.

  Another silhouette moved into view. Whoever was in there was certainly having an animated conversation with the banker. Their body language shouted irritation. Someone unhappy with the bank’s closure, maybe?

  The two figures moved out of sight, and Meri walked back to the office, arriving as Wyatt stepped out with Jonah.

  “Best not keep the lady waitin’ any longer, Cap’n. I know where to find you if I need you.”

  “I’ll send someone with food so you won’t miss out on the good cookin’.” Wyatt tucked Meri’s hand under his arm, covering it with his free hand, and stepped off briskly toward the church grounds.

  Meri allowed her fingers to curl lightly around Wyatt’s arm. She should pull away, but it felt good, hand nestled in the crook of his arm, hidden under his own. She had a sudden wish that her entire person could hide. The whole town was about to see her walk in on the marshal’s arm.