by Deb Stover
"Enough to be happy, married to a struggling miner?"
She nodded. "But I still insist we follow your dream and go to Oregon."
The joy drained from his face and her heart broke. "We'll try," he said dismally.
"Oh, Cole, don't." She rested her cheek on his shoulder and held him. "Let's just be happy today."
"Our wedding day."
"Yes, our wedding day." The words sent a shiver of anticipation through her and she lifted her head from Cole's shoulder to stare at the saddlebags. "I'd like to put all this behind us, Cole. I don't want to stay another night in this saloon."
"Thank heavens." He chuckled. "But let's eat Goodfellow's food before we go. I figure he owes you."
"That he does. I...I'm afraid of this place, Cole. I'm afraid of that portrait. It might..."
He turned back to her and pulled her against him. "Don't be. I'll take care of you. I promise."
"I know, and I love you for that, but I'm still afraid."
"Let's get some food in your belly and see if that makes you feel any better."
"All right." She watched Cole rise and roll the loaded cart closer to the bed. "Mmm, the coffee smells wonderful."
He poured them each a cup and she added cream to hers, sniffing appreciatively before she tasted it. "That's the one thing you don't do well," she said.
"Make coffee?" Cole grinned spooning food onto a plate. "Ah, here's that maple syrup." He poured some over the pancakes on her plate and passed it to her.
Jackie took a bite of pancake dripping with syrup. "Oh, that's sinful." She took another bite and savored the richness. "It's warm, too."
"Mmm." Cole ate in silence for several minutes, then set his plate aside. He rose and crossed the room, turning the key in the lock. When he faced her again, a wicked gleam flashed in his beautiful blue eyes.
And Jackie knew exactly what he was thinking. She set her plate on the cart, her mind definitely not on food now.
"I can think of something that tastes a whole lot sweeter than that syrup." Cole started unbuttoning his shirt as he crossed the room. By the time he reached her, Jackie had stripped, throwing her clothes onto the floor.
"You look good enough to eat, woman," he said, kicking off his boots and shedding his jeans. His erection was huge and filled with promise.
Jackie licked her lips, waiting for him. He put his knee on the bed. She smiled, shoving the saddlebags to the foot of the bed and dragging Cole down to lie beside her.
"None of that other stuff matters anymore." His voice was low and intense, sending her libido into overdrive.
"Show me what does matter," she invited.
"With pleasure."
He covered her mouth with his, branding her with his warmth, his possession, his promise. Jackie arched against him, savoring the feel and taste of this man she loved.
He broke the kiss and reached for something. A moment later, something warm trickled across her bare breasts. "Have mercy," she muttered as he licked syrup from her breasts, drawing her nipples deeply into his mouth.
When he shifted his weight, she seized opportunity and rolled on top of him, shoving him back onto the mattress. She straddled him, lowering herself onto his erection. He completed her, filled a painful emptiness she hadn't recognized until she found him.
He reached for the pitcher and his eyes darkened to cobalt as he drizzled more syrup across her breasts and pulled her toward the warmth of his mouth.
She came almost immediately with him buried deep inside her and his incredible mouth kissing and licking her breasts. But he was still hard and relentless inside her and she soared toward orgasm again and again. He thrust himself upward and reached toward the cart again.
"Pass the syrup," she purred.
Chapter 18
They spent most of the day making love while they waited for Chief Byron and Todd to reach town for the wedding. Cole sent word to the preacher that his services would be needed that evening, then turned all his efforts toward making sure Jackie was happy and untroubled on their wedding day.
As for himself, he was happier than he'd ever believed possible. This unusual, short-haired woman from another time and place made him whole again. She filled his heart and soul and made him laugh and smile. Todd adored her. The only thing that could make their new life any more perfect would have been planning their move to Oregon together, too.
His dream.
But he refused to allow that single failure to spoil this day with the woman he loved. Toward evening, they bathed and Dottie sent up new clothes for them both with a note saying it was her wedding present. Of course, Cole realized Goodfellow had unknowingly paid for his suit and Jackie's pretty pink dress.
With Smith's saddlebags in tow, Cole escorted Jackie down to Goodfellow's office, wondering why she insisted on talking to the unscrupulous little man before they left. They had to pass through the main part of the saloon to get there, and the place was packed. A sign sat on an easel near the door, announcing that Lolita Belle's opening performance would be held tonight.
Jackie froze partway through the room, clutching Cole's hand in a death grip. He glanced down at her and her face was ghostly pale. "Jackie?" Leaning down, he repeated her name.
"There." She pointed toward the bar with a trembling finger. "There."
Cole looked and immediately saw the source of her terror. Lolita's portrait. The buxom beauty was depicted almost completely naked, and a small sign on the corner of the frame said "Wet Paint!"
"It can't hurt you now," Cole said. "I'm here."
She nodded and he urged her through to Goodfellow's office, and away from Lolita's portrait. The story she'd told him had described the portrait in explicit detail, right down to the frame. She'd even known where it would hang.
Yes, he had to believe Jackie's tale of time travel. She might have died in that fire if not for the portrait. Whatever miracle had brought her here to him, he was eternally grateful for it.
He glanced down at her short dark curls. No one would ever mistake her for Lolita Belle again. Surprising relief eased through him. Jackie was all his, but Lolita would always belong to her public.
They paused outside the ornately carved mahogany door to Goodfellow's office, and Jackie squared her shoulders.
"I sure wish I knew what you had on your mind," he said, just as she knocked.
"Come in," Goodfellow called, and Jackie opened the door, pulling Cole in behind her. Dottie Elam stood beside her employer, who sat behind his fancy desk.
"Ah, I see you've recovered," Goodfellow said, rising. "I must say, it's still quite a shock to see your hair...this way."
Jackie clasped her hands in front of her and lifted her chin. "Mr. Goodfellow, I've come to collect what you owe me."
Goodfellow chomped down on his cigar. "What I owe you? For what?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"My time and mistreatment." She drew a deep breath and waited.
Cole didn't give a damn about Goodfellow's money, but he sure admired Jackie's backbone. He shook his head and rubbed his chin, risking a glance at Miss Dottie. The woman's lips twitched and she winked.
Goodfellow glowered at Cole. "I understand you're planning to marry this woman, Morrison?"
"That's a fact." Cole took Jackie's arm and looped it through his.
"Then it's your responsibility to control her behavior." Goodfellow chuckled, a low cynical sound that permeated the small, stuffy room. "I gave you room and board. I believe that's adequate, Miss...?"
"Clarke." Jackie inclined her head. "I'm willing to deduct the cost of room and board, Mr. Goodfellow, but the fact remains that you held me against my will upon my unfortunate arrival."
"But so did Morrison."
Jackie shook her head slowly. "I went willingly with Cole."
Goodfellow's face darkened. "But–"
"Furthermore, you forced me to pose for that ghastly portrait, even after I told you repeatedly that I was not Lolita Belle."
"Well, I.
.." Goodfellow's face turned as red as the plush carpeting at their feet. "But..."
"I'm afraid she's got you there." Cole fell silent, sensing that Jackie wanted–and needed–to handle this on her own. He loved her all the more for her courage.
"And you hired that no account Smith fella to kidnap her, too," Miss Dottie added, earning a scowl from Goodfellow.
"That's a fact, too," Cole said, chuckling.
"According to my calculations and based on current market value, you owe me a minimum of three hundred dollars, Mr. Goodfellow." Jackie batted her lashes.
Goodfellow's mouth gaped open and his cigar landed on his desk, rolling until it came to a stop against a fancy gold box. The man moved his mouth as if he intended to speak, but no intelligible sounds emerged.
"In gold," Jackie added.
Miss Dottie threw her head back and cackled.
"Remember yourself, Dottie," Goodfellow said, turning his glare back to Jackie. "Why should I bow to your demands, Miss Clarke?"
Jackie gave Goodfellow the nastiest smile she could summon. "Because I could tell the sheriff about you hiring Smith to kidnap me." She looked around the room. "There are witnesses in here who'll testify to what they heard Smith say about that."
"Unless you're willing to send Morrison here to jail with me, I don't think the sheriff will listen." Goodfellow folded his arms across his potbelly, a smug grin on his ugly face.
"I'm afraid you leave me no choice, Mr. Goodfellow," Jackie said with a sigh, then drew a deep breath and sang a song about some place over the rainbow.
"Stop." Goodfellow put his hands over his ears.
Jackie paused to draw another deep breath and heard Cole's groan. She shot him an apologetic smile, then forged ahead with another verse.
"All right. All right." Goodfellow held up his hands in surrender. "I'll do it. Anything to stop your caterwauling."
"Gee, and here you were going to pay me to sing for your customers." Jackie batted her lashes as Goodfellow spun around and stepped behind a screen.
"That's where he keeps his safe," Miss Dottie whispered.
Cole wanted to laugh, but he chewed the inside of his mouth instead. He'd underestimated Dottie Elam.
A few minutes later, Goodfellow returned with a pouch of gold, which he tossed unceremoniously onto the desk. "That should be about three hundred dollars," he said, glowering at Jackie. "In gold."
Cole reached down and peered into the bag, tested its weight, then handed it to Jackie. "I'd say that's about right," he said, continually amazed by the woman he was about to marry.
"Thank you, Mr. Goodfellow," Jackie said. "I believe that concludes our business."
"Thank God for that." The man slumped into his chair as Jackie and Cole turned to leave.
Jackie paused at the door and turned back. "One more thing."
"Oh, how fortuitous," Goodfellow said, rolling his eyes. "I can hardly wait. Don't keep us in suspense any longer, Miss Clarke."
"If you don't marry Dottie Elam, you're an even bigger fool than I thought."
With that, Jackie swung open the door and left the room. Cole paused long enough to wink at a grinning Dottie and shake his head at Goodfellow.
When they passed through the front room again, Chief Byron and Todd were waiting near the door. Cole and Jackie hurried toward them, and Jackie hugged them both.
"You're both invited to a wedding," Cole said, grinning at his son's wide eyes and open mouth.
Todd hugged Jackie again, then his pa. "I take it this means you approve," Cole said, winking at Chief Byron.
"I told you so," the old Indian said with a nod, enduring Jackie's second hug with admirable dignity and a toothless grin.
"I'd like you to give away the bride," Jackie said to Chief Byron. "Would you do that for me?"
"I'm not familiar with this white custom, but I'm willing to learn," the chief said.
"Well, let's get over to the church," Cole said, more eager than ever to put some distance between Jackie and that portrait. "The preacher's expecting us, and it isn't fitting for Todd to be here."
He took Jackie's arm and the four of them turned to leave just as music sounded and a cheer erupted from the miners. Jackie turned slowly toward the stage.
A woman started singing as the curtain rose, and they all stared. Dressed in silk and feathers, Lolita Belle belted a ballad that had every man in the place mesmerized. Except for her voice and the piano, the place was dead silent.
"So that's what all the fuss was about," Cole whispered. "I reckon she is talented."
"Yes," Jackie whispered, taking a step toward the bar as if in a trance.
"Are you...all right?" Cole stared at her. Dear God, she wouldn't leave now. Would she?
Jackie's eyes were wide and her lips set in a thin line. "Look," she whispered, pointing again.
Lolita's portrait glowed with an orange light, almost like flames. The same flames that had brought Jackie back in time?
Jackie knew, somehow, that if she touched the portrait, she could return to her own time and that the fire would be gone. She knew it with a certainty that stunned her. This was her moment of reckoning.
Modern plumbing, movies, fast food, women's rights, her salon, Great-Aunt Pearl... Compared to love, none of that mattered.
She'd made her choice. Giving Cole's arm a squeeze, she turned to leave the Gold Mine Saloon with him one last time. She never wanted to see the place or Lolita's portrait again. But before they reached the door, it swung open and a masked man strolled through, gun drawn.
Cole pulled Jackie back into the shadows along with Chief Byron and Todd. The masked man's movements were smooth and graceful, his dark eyes familiar.
Blade.
His gaze met hers and she shook her head. With a shrug, he moved toward the stage and leapt onto it. A gasp rippled through the crowd and Lolita stopped singing. Jackie sure hoped he didn't have any bullets in that gun, because she had a hunch he didn't know how to use it.
Blade grabbed the buxom singer around the waist and threw her over his shoulder, staggering beneath her substantial weight. Jackie knew what would happen next.
"It's in the script," she whispered. "But I have to guess about the ending. And we know she won't be harmed, because she's too valuable to Merriweather and Goodfellow. Right?"
"I reckon," Cole said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"We wouldn't want to interfere with history. Would we?" She smiled. "Maybe Lolita will fall in love with her kidnapper–just like I did–and they'll live happily ever after."
Cole chuckled. "That's nice, but I only care about us living happily ever after."
"Bank on it, big guy." Jackie looped her arm through his as soon as Blade and Lolita were gone. "Let's go to church."
The patrons in the saloon booed and shouted in outrage. Goodfellow climbed onto the stage and offered a reward for Lolita Belle's safe return. Several men raced after Blade and Lolita with dollar signs in their eyes.
Jackie laughed. "I'm really free now," she said.
"Only until you say 'I do.'"
"I can hardly wait."
They walked down the street of Devil's Gulch, ignoring the crazed men galloping through town after Lolita. None of it mattered now. Only the man on her arm and her new family mattered. "Where's that church?"
"Right there." Cole pointed to a small building constructed of logs and stone right at the edge of town. He held the door open and they all stepped inside.
"I'll fetch the preacher from the parsonage next door," Cole said. "You wait here."
"Wait, Pa. I forgot something." Todd pulled an envelope from his pocket and passed it to his father. "This came for you today."
Cole opened the envelope and scanned its contents. "Well, I'll be."
"What is it?" Jackie asked.
Cole smiled at her, then turned his attention to Chief Byron. "You remember those stories I wrote about you, Chief?"
"I do."
"They want to publish them." C
ole's smile revealed his pleasure at this news.
"You're a writer?" Jackie asked, amazed all over again by this man she loved. "That's wonderful, Cole."
"The publisher bought the whole series and they want to see anything else I write." He pulled a check from the envelope and his eyes glittered. Glancing from Todd to Jackie, he said, "Now we're going to Oregon."
Todd and Jackie danced around in a circle, and Chief Byron joined them. Cole laughed and put the check and letter back in the envelope.
"Chief, how would you like to come with us to Oregon?" Cole asked, and they all stopped dancing to stare at the chief.
The old Indian appeared thoughtful, then he said, "I remained here after my people left, because my pride would not permit me to leave my homeland. Pride does not keep a man from being lonely." He drew a deep breath. "When you came here, I had family again. When you leave, I will be old and alone. Yes, I will go with my white family."
Todd and Jackie both hugged Chief Byron, and Cole shook the old Indian's gnarled hand. "I'm glad," he said. "Real glad."
"We all are," Jackie said. "So let's get married, big guy."
"I'll let the preacher know we're here." Cole stopped in the doorway and smiled. "I'll bet I could write a whole book about Lolita Belle and the people here. Maybe I'll call it The Legend of Devil's Gulch."
A wave of dizziness washed through Jackie.
Cole held the envelope out to her. "Hold onto this for me?"
"Sure." She took the envelope and scanned the address.
C.R. Morrison
General Delivery
Devil's Gulch, Colorado.
A few incredible minutes later, Jackie walked down the aisle of the small church on Chief Byron's arm. She exchanged vows with Cole as if living a dream, though she had to laugh when her promise never to sing again was part of the vows. Finally, the minister said, "You may kiss the bride."
Yes, a dream. A wondrous, delicious dream.
Cole pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. She kissed him with all the love burning in her heart and soul.
"Are you happy?" he asked as their lips parted.
She nodded and smiled up at him. "Yes, more than I ever believed possible."