“Oh, don't kid yourself, Harry pitches in as well. Course he wouldn't be admitting that to anyone.” Eunice laughed and headed back towards the kitchen.
Just as Eunice was setting supper on the table, she heard the door open and saw Harry walk in. With a big smile on her face, she set the platter of chicken down, ran to Harry, and jumped into his arms.
“Easy there, darlin’, ya might wanna let a man get his bearin’s first,” Harry said, as laughter came rumbling from deep down inside.
Eunice wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck, as his arms wrapped around her waist. ”Lord, I missed you,” she whispered seconds before he claimed her lips.
The kiss had just started, when Rayne walked out from the kitchen with a plate full of biscuits and the mashed potatoes. “Ya wanna get the gravy so we can get started? I'm starvin’ and this here meal smells great.” She came to a stop when her eyes caught the scene at the door.
The strong arms set Eunice back on her feet, and blue eyes focused on Rayne and the badge pinned to the vest.
“You wanna tell me who the hell you are and what you're doin’ in my house?” Harry said, as his hand slowly moved to the butt of his gun. “Etta, wanna tell me why the hell there's a lawman in my house?”
“Harry, this here is my friend, Rayne.” Eunice answered quickly, her hand reaching for his gun hand.
“Hmm, that still don't tell me why he's in my house.”
“Well, Rayne has been staying here with me since we got to town, and Rayne ain’t exactly a man…” Eunice rushed on. “Rayne Mathews, this is my husband, Harry. Harry this is Rayne. She and Lisbet were kind enough to take me in while I was traveling and got stuck in storms, back in Wisconsin. Rayne and Lisbet want to expand their ranch, and I thought you'd be the perfect one to show me the area. And well, Rayne needed a job, and Sheriff Hawks needed a deputy, so it was good timing. Come on, Harry, supper is getting cold. Rayne, how about you grab the gravy and we all sit down?” Eunice led Harry to the seat at the head of the table.
Harry followed reluctantly as he was pulled towards the table. He tossed his hat on a chair as he passed. He'd missed Eunice, was starving, tired, and in need of a bath and soft bed. However, walking into his home and seeing a lawman was the last thing he’d expect or trust. But Eunice said this person was her friend, and for now, he would trust that. “Sure does smell good.” He pulled out his chair and sat down.
Eunice leaned down and kissed his cheek and whispered, “Thank you,” before she sat down in her own seat and smiled at Rayne as she walked in with the gravy and joined them.
Harry placed his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers in front of him, his gaze switching between Rayne and Eunice.
“So, Harry, why don't ya relax some. Eunice and I are just friends,” Rayne said calmly, as she dished herself a spoonful of potatoes and passed them to the man on her left.
“You find Etta not to your likin’?” Harry bristled a tad.
“Harry…” Eunice replied quickly,
“Eunice, could you please pass the chicken? It smells great, and I'm starvin’.” Rayne flashed a big smile at the woman. “Harry, I never said she ain't to my likin’. Fact is, I never looked at her that way. She's an attractive woman indeed, however, I got me a wife and son in Wisconsin. Right now, I need to put all my energy into gettin' a place for ‘em.”
“Is that right?” Harry asked as he eyed Rayne. “Well, that makes all the difference then don’t it.” He faked a smile and reached for the chicken. “Etta honey, how about you get me a drink of whiskey?”
Eunice stood up and walked to the buffet table where there sat a decanter of amber liquid and a set of matching glasses. She took the top off the decanter and poured a glass. “Rayne, would you like one as well?” When Rayne declined, Eunice set it down and walked back to the table. She placed the glass in front of Harry and took her seat again and picked up her fork.
“Harry, I got this naggin’ feelin’ that I've seen you somewhere. I just cain't place where.” Rayne held her fork full of mashed potatoes halfway to her mouth.
“Can't say I've ever met ya before. Course might have been my twin.” Harry laughed.
Rayne joined in with a chuckle as well. “Yup that could be so.”
“I hear you callin’ Eunice by the name Etta? How come?”
“Ah hell, it ain't nothin’ but a nickname. I'm surprised she didn't tell ya.” Harry turned and looked at Eunice. “Why didn't ya tell Rayne your nickname?”
“Well, honestly, I just didn't think about it,” Eunice responded before she took a sip of her lemonade. “I'm sorry Rayne, you can call me Etta if you'd like.”
Rayne flashed a real big smile. “I'd like that! Makes me feel real special to be included in your group of friends.”
Harry held up his glass. “Here's to new friends.”
Rayne smiled and reached for her glass of lemonade. “To new friends.”
Harry did relax a tad once Etta invited the stranger to call her by her name. After dinner dishes were done, Rayne said goodnight and went upstairs to her room.
Once Rayne was in her room and settled, she wrote a letter to Lisbet to tell her about the job.
My dearest,
It's hard to believe I've been gone for three months already and that winter is just around the corner. God, I miss you and Ben. Looks like my stay here is gonna be a little longer than I expected. Folks around here are mighty suspicious of strangers, afraid someone's gonna steal their claim I reckon. But I think I got an in now seein that I was just hired as the new deputy here in town. I believe now folks will open up and get to know me, be willin to show me around to some of the properties around here. Let me tell you, there is some beautiful land here. Prime land for cattle. I’m prayin that by springtime I’ll have a place and will be able to have you and Ben join me.
It'll help too that Eunice's husband Harry is back in town. Seems like a decent fellow, but you know, I got this naggin feelin that I seen him somewhere before. Then there's the fact that he calls Eunice Etta. Says it's a nickname or something. I gotta say though, I think it fits her better than Eunice.
Damn Lisbet, I can't tell you how much I miss you. Sometimes I swear I'm gonna go outta my mind for missin you so much. I miss your smile and your laugh. I knew it was gonna be bad, just not this bad. I miss the little things you know, like did you know that when you’re thinkin real hard or frustrated, you play with a strand of hair? You twist it round and round your finger, Lord I miss seein you do that.
I’ve also been thinkin a lot about those days and nights before Eunice and I left. I swear there are times I can taste you on my lips, I smell your scent on my skin. A combination of lavender and honeysuckle. Your skin’s so soft and smooth, I don't think I ever felt anythin as soft as you, darlin. Lord, just the memory of your touch, gets my blood goin, and honestly, you is pretty much all I been thinkin of.
I close my eyes when my head hits the pillow and there you are, your beautiful face so close I can reach out and touch it, my fingertips feel your soft, warm skin. Your eyes sparklin. Your mouth, your lips so invitin all full and just beggin to be kissed. If I listen hard enough, I can hear your breathin change. I can hear your heart start beatin faster, and I can see your eyes darken, the way they do when you want me. I feel your hands touchin my body, and how it reacts to your touch. I can feel the way yours reacts to my touch. Lord, I miss that. I miss the way your body feels movin against mine and the way you whimper when you just can't get enough of me. The way you take me with you when you finally reach your release and I feel your love coat me. It's heaven, my darlin, and I truly can't wait to feel you in my arms again. I pray it comes soon.
I'm gonna say good night now, my love, need to get some sleep. I got a big day tomorrow. First official day of bein the new deputy. Wish me luck, darlin. Know that my love is bein sent with this, and with God's will, it won't be much longer until you and Ben are with me, and we are once again a family.
With my deepest love a
nd devotion,
Rayne
Rayne folded the paper, slipped it into an envelope, and sealed it, intent on getting it to the post office the next day. She stood up and walked over to the open window of her room. As she leaned against the window frame with her hands in her pockets, she felt the cool breeze and looked up at the darkened sky. She could see the stars against the night sky so clearly that she felt she could reach out and touch them. She took a deep breath of the fresh, cool air and let the calmness of the surrounding mountains and meadows settle in her. This was almost perfect; the only things missing were Lisbet and Ben. Once they were all together in their new home, her life would be complete. With a touch of loneliness, she walked back into her room and closed the door. She walked towards the bed, as she unbuttoned her shirt and removed the binding that held her breasts flat, giving her the appearance of a man. She hated that she couldn't live her life as the person she was, but this world belonged to men. Maybe someday, she hoped, that would change.
Rayne changed into her sleeping gown and climbed into the bed. She pulled up the covers and closed her eyes. With thoughts of Lisbet, she drifted off to sleep.
†
Harry sat on the bed with his back against the headboard, his legs crossed at the ankles, and fingers laced behind his head. His eyes were on Etta as she brushed her hair. “So, a lawman livin’ in our house. Tell me again how that happened.” Sitting there watching her, he just couldn't concentrate on anything but how beautiful she was.
Etta paused mid stroke, as she glanced at Harry’s reflection in her mirror. With a smile, she placed the brush on her vanity and slowly swung around in the seat, her robe opening to reveal a well-toned, creamy calf. Her hands were slowly moving to the v of the robe, between her breasts. “Honestly, Harry, you really wanna discuss that right now?” Her voice was like honey, and her eyes looked him up and down. She glided to her feet and slowly walked towards the bed, dropping the robe as she walked.
Harry swallowed hard and growled. “No, I don't believe I do…” He drew her into his arms as she reached the side of the bed.
Chapter Six
Maddie Tomlinson leaned against the bar, a hand on her hip and a smile on her lips, as she surveyed the saloon. With red ringlets cascading over her shoulders and falling down the straps of the green gown that barely contained her breasts, she captured the eye of most men in the room. She was never at a loss for the company, should she desire it. Today though, there was only one person she sought out, and that person wasn't in the saloon. She knew it wouldn't be long before she laid eyes on the tall deputy.
Rayne strolled down the boardwalk. The black brim of her hat shaded her eyes from the bright sun. A black duster hung from her shoulders, keeping the slight chill from touching her. Every now and then, she would touch the brim of her hat at a passing lady, or say hello to one of the many miners or ranchers that passed her. She was finally finding her place in this community, making friends, and finally had a lead on some property she was interested in. For her, all the pieces were finally falling into place. Etta and Harry had indeed turned out to be great friends. A few days after she started as deputy of the town, she had been looking through wanted posters when she realized why Harry looked so familiar to her. She had seen his wanted poster back in Willow Springs, in Tom's office. Harry was none other than the partner of Butch Cassidy. She had asked Clinton about Harry and the fact that he was an outlaw.
“Mathews, old Harry and Butch are good fellas. They ain't never done anything in this town and are friends of mine. Iffin’ ya got a problem with that and ya might be thinkin’ of talkin’ to them Pinkertons, maybe ya should turn your badge in and reconsider settin’ roots down in these parts. Around here, they're good folks, and there ain’t a body here that’d cotton to anyone messin’ with ‘em.” Clinton said, as he leaned forward in his chair.
“Na, I ain't got a problem with Harry. Hell, I was just askin’. Both he and Eunice, I mean Etta, have been decent folks to me. Hell, Etta offered a roof over my head and a place at her table. For me, that’s all that matters.”
It wasn't until she said it that she realized it was true. She really didn't care that Harry ran with a bank robber. The fact of the matter was, they didn't kill anyone during the commission of their robberies, and from what she could see, Harry was a decent man. He cared about Etta and was quick to lend a hand to his neighbors. She'd been around enough to know that people were usually more than the labels others put on them.
It was the piano music and laughter that drew her out of her thoughts. With a smile, she walked in. Standing at the swinging doors, she waited for her eyes to adjust then scanned the room. With a big smile and a nod, she headed for a table of card players with an open seat. “Howdy fella's, ya'll keepin’ out of trouble?” she asked as she approached.
“Shoot, Deputy, Trouble is my middle name,” one of the men replied.
The group of men laughed, then one asked, “Ya got time for a game, Deputy?”
“Ya got money to lose do ya, Horace?” Rayne laughed. “I reckon I can play a hand or two.” She pulled out the chair and sat down.
“Let me tell ya, I think I hit a vein. It's lookin’ good, so yeah I got me some money!” Horace replied, his big smile revealed discolored, crooked teeth, and his usually dull-gray eyes were twinkling.
Rayne immediately grew alert. She glanced around, her eyes taking in anyone close enough to have heard Horace's statement. Announcing in a crowded bar that you've hit a vein in a mining town was a sure way to make yourself a target. And it was her job to make sure Horace didn't come to any harm while he was in town. “Now, ya ought to be careful about announcin’ that. Ya never know who's listenin’,” Rayne replied, as she pushed her hat back.
“Hell, Deputy, I'll lose it all one way or nother…” Horace replied, as he lifted his glass of whiskey to his mouth.
Antes were made and cards dealt, hands were won and lost, and the girls in the room were occasionally pulling men away. Maddie was no different. Rayne knew Maddie was watching her. She’d tried hard to get Rayne upstairs, and even though Rayne didn’t take her up on the offer to leave the table, she didn't leave Rayne's shoulder. And that's how the afternoon passed. It was late afternoon when Rayne finally stood and announced that she needed to make her rounds. She thanked the men at the table and collected her winnings. Maddie, of course, wasn't happy that her attentions were being ignored and she loudly said, “Now, Deputy, I'm not sure how I should take the fact that you'd much rather play cards than spend time with me.”
Rayne turned to Maddie and replied, “Well now, Miz Maddie, I by no means meant to offend you. Let me buy ya a drink, and I'll try and come back after my rounds, how's that sound?” Her smile never reached her blue eyes.
Maddie smiled as she walked up to Rayne and placed her arm on the strong shoulder. Her fingertips stroking the back of Rayne's neck, she replied, “Oh, I suppose I can forgive you if ya promise to come back.”
Rayne reached for the arm that was on her shoulder and lifted it off. “All I can say is I'll try. I wouldn't want to promise and then break it for some unknown reason. That just ain't right to do, ya know? Now, the sooner I get goin’, the sooner I may be able to get back. Jonas, will you give Miz Maddie here a whiskey and put it on my tab?” She headed for the swinging doors.
Rayne walked around the boardwalk, up one side and down the other, and stopped at the mercantile where she leaned against the outside wall, her eyes on the doorway of the saloon. It wasn't long before a drunk Horace stumbled out and went for his horse. He managed to get up in the saddle and set his mount towards his shack and the small claim he held. Rayne walked a few steps to her own horse, her eyes still on the saloon doors. Just as she thought, a couple of strangers in town walked out with purpose, jumped on their horses, and spurred them in the direction Horace had headed. “God damn it, Horace,” she muttered, as she got on her own horse to follow.
†
Had Rayne not been worried about Horace a
nd feared for his safety, she would have loved the view of the valley below. But she had to keep her eyes on the trail; she needed to be careful that neither of the men had hung back out of sight to make sure they weren't followed.
The sun was low in the sky when she sighted the shack hidden by trees. She heard a gunshot. She jumped off her horse as she drew her.45 and took cover behind a big tree, her eyes never leaving the front of the shack. As the two men ran out of the shack with saddle bags in their hands, she took aim at one and got off a clean shot. The second man spun around, with his saddle bag still in his hand, and ran towards the mine shaft. Rayne gave chase.
She crouched down as she hit the opening of the mine. As her eyes adjusted, her ears picked up the echo of running footsteps and then nothing but silence. With her heart pounding, she slowly made her way deeper into the mine, guided by the faint light of torches placed in spots throughout the tunnel. She came to a fork. She stopped, hoping to be able to hear something that would tell her which way to go.
After a few seconds of deliberation, she ventured down one passageway and soon came to a dead end. She turned around and backtracked; she knew that it was getting late and the chance of finding the man in the tunnels was slim. She should get back to outside and check on Horace, though she knew in her heart he was gone.
She made her way out of the mine and ran to the entrance of the shack. Her fear was confirmed when she found Horace's body sprawled on the floor near the small wood stove. Swearing, she walked back outside to the body that lay on the ground. She got the body on the horse that nosed around the ground and whistled for her own mount, keeping her eyes and ears alert for any sound that would indicate the other man had made his way out of the mine. With the reins of the second horse tethered to her saddle, she climbed up and started the trek back to town. She was halfway down the mountain, when a shot rang out and knocked her off her horse.
Faith in Rayne Page 5