Heart of a Lady (Book One of the Red River Valley Brides)

by Hestand, Rita

"I'm not sure. There's just something about you lady, that draws me. I like the way you try so hard to be tough. And yet, I see a gentleness in you like no other woman I know. I like the way you move, the way you wear your hair, the way you look after your friends like a mother hen. I like the way you care about people. It means you're a good person yourself. I like the fact that you know what you want from life. I guess what it boils down to is I like you, Jo."

  The way he said her name, like a prayer, sent goose bumps over her skin in the night air.

  "Thanks for dancing with Nadine." She stared into his eyes.

  "No thanks needed. She was delightful to talk to." He smiled. "I realize it might be a little hard for her here. The community of colored folks doesn't mix with the rest of us much. They aren't susceptible to other outsiders. That might make it uncommonly hard for her. I do hope she finds someone though. I'd hate to see her go into the saloon."

  "She'd go home first, but thanks for caring about her. It means a lot to me."

  "There's no need to thank me for caring about people. It's part of my job. Part of what makes me, me."

  "I think it is." She nodded slowly. "It's one of the things I like about you."

  When he stared at her, she became breathlessly still.

  "We should get back to the dance…" she said unsteadily.

  "We should." But his expression said otherwise.

  For a second, she was tongue-tied. Her heartbeat hadn't returned to normal. The more he spoke, the more she didn't want to go inside. She wanted to be in his arms again.

  "You are a surprising man…"

  Every kiss he gave was better than the last, and she was groping with her own controls. She could lose everything with this man, and now she recognized his power over her. It was far stronger than anything she had ever encountered. His kisses consumed her. While she wanted more, she knew that if she let it get out of hand, she could end up with a relationship like she had with Randal, and she didn't want that. She wanted true love.

  But Harry wasn't Randal by any means, she told herself. Harry respected her. She had a feeling he'd never let it get too out of control.

  Of course he respected her. He didn't know what she had been. That made her want to confess, just to see what he might do and say. Instead, she kept quiet. Maybe when she got to know him better, she could talk to him about it.

  "We let that get out of hand, didn't we?" he whispered.

  "A little, yes…" she agreed breathlessly.

  "I hadn't seen you in a couple of days," he said, as though apologizing.

  "I know."

  "Did you miss me?" He moved away from her.

  "No, of course not," she lied.

  He eyed her seriously now and held her chin in the crook of his fingers. The way he rubbed it gently, the sparkle in his eyes, the tenderness in his gaze…

  "Well, I did," he whispered once more.

  Then he kissed her again, and she let every barrier down as she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a small part of her.

  His lips felt warm, protective and loving. His hands never strayed from her waist and back, while hers strayed to his thick head of hair, her fingers ran through it.

  Her lips were raw from the slight shadow on his cheeks. Would anyone know what they had been doing? How could she be a lady when there was so much more she wanted from him?

  When he pulled away, he smiled. "We better get back inside before they come looking for us."

  Jo Ella nodded silently, catching her breath. "Yes…"

  But before he took her hand and guided her back, he bent to touch his lips once more to hers. His hand gently held her chin, his skin so hot it branded her. She felt consumed and on fire for the man who held her in his arms so easily. Her arms flew around his neck, and she almost wasn't aware how she melted against him. He wasn't at all aware of his power.

  Harry frowned when he released her. "Let's go back." He sighed as though taking her back inside was harder than anything he'd ever done.

  She nodded and tried to calm her racing heart. Had she spoken then, they wouldn't have gone inside at all. This truth she tucked in her heart for later, as it demanded more thought.

  He danced several dances with her, and she enjoyed every one of them. She floated on air. Her heartbeat quickened when he pulled her closer, and the urge to steal a kiss nearly overpowering.

  But whatever she was thinking, Harry wasn't, as evidenced by his suddenly excusing himself and asking Nadine for a dance.

  Jo Ella needed that time to control herself.

  She noticed something very charming about the community. They were all doing what they could to make Nadine comfortable, and that pleased Jo Ella no end.

  Jo Ella was worried about her. She had brought them all here and felt the responsibility to them all.

  Her gaze found Harry as he enchanted Nadine with conversation. Several times Nadine burst out with a laugh.

  The pull Harry had on her surprised Jo Ella. Those persuasive kisses. A few more and she might have lost all thought of being a lady.

  What really happened out there? Why and how had he managed to sweep her totally off her feet? She didn't understand it.

  And then she smiled. "Oh but I did miss him," she murmured. "I don't believe it. I did miss him."

  "Did you say something dear?" Ma Jones watched her closely.

  "N-nothing. I was just thinking to myself."

  Ma Jones glanced at her son then her. "I see…"

  Did she? Jo Ella didn't.

  Dillon showed up later and asked her to dance as soon as he joined them. He stood in a dark suit and tie, looking more handsome than a man had a right to. Somehow his arrogance irritated Jo Ella tonight.

  "Good evening." She nodded.

  "You are looking ravishing." Dillon's smile was devilishly confident.

  "Am I?"

  Dillon crooked his arm, and she joined him on the dance floor of the barn. He swirled her around several times and watched with amusement her suspicious glances.

  She began to relax in his arms despite Harry standing off to the side, sipping punch and looking as though someone had punched him in the gut.

  "I didn't think you'd be here," Dillon whispered as he pulled her close.

  She moved away a bit. "I'm here."

  "Who brought you?"

  "Ma Jones." Jo Ella caught a glimpse of Harry as they rounded that side of the building. She couldn't read his expression, but she worried he might get the wrong idea.

  "Want to go outside? I'd love to escort you home this evening."

  "Uh… no… no thank you," she insisted. "You are quite the charmer, Dillon, but you are still very much a stranger to me. I came with Ma Jones. I'll go home with her. Thank you. Besides, I've danced several dances and I want to sit a few out."

  This time, her guard was up, and Dillon didn't impress her as he had before. Why she wasn't certain. She veiled her lashes so he could not read her thoughts.

  Undaunted by her lack of enthusiasm, he smiled. "I'll get us some punch then, if you'll excuse me." He darted off to the punch bowl.

  Harry met him there, and they had a few words. Jo Ella couldn't hear any of it, and she so wanted to. Whatever they were talking about, Harry wasn't smiling and Dillon seemed filled with tension. By the look in Dillon's eye, she quickly realized their conversation probably wasn't revolving around her. They looked much too serious for that.

  This night had been so packed full of surprises her head was spinning.

  Dillon returned with the punch, his eyes searching hers. "You said you didn't know me. Perhaps I should rectify that. I'm a fourth generation rancher. I like pushing cattle, dancing with beautiful women, and with the right one, I might be able to settle down."

  "Really? Well, I hope you find her." She smiled.

  "I think I might have…already." He beamed at her.

  She frowned.

  He insinuated himself too closely, a reality she no longer wanted.

  "Playing hard to get?
"

  "I'm not playing, Dillon. You know why I'm here, but I don't know why you are. Surely there are girls you like in this town by now. I'm certainly not special so why do you continually seek me out?"

  "You underestimate your charms. To answer your question, no, there is no girl in my life right now. Not that I don't have room for one. It would seem that my friend Harry picks the same girls I do. But I'm with the most beautiful of all, and the most interesting. I don't give up easy when I set my sights. You are a mystery, a challenge, and I like that. I want to know more about you, but you aren't opening up as I'd hoped. I wonder why?"

  "Beautiful. You use that word loosely."

  "I assure you, I don't," he barked. "Until another time, then." He approached Ma Jones and engaged her in conversation.

  Jo Ella watched him, close enough yet to overhear them, as the music was a soft waltz.

  "Good evening, Dillon," Ma Jones greeted him.

  "Why, Ma, you are looking ravishing. Want to dance?"

  "Why, shore, why do you think I came?" she huffed.

  Harry stood on the other side of the room, but he didn't come over. He glanced at Jo Ella for a moment and then looked away. She wished he'd ask her to dance once more, because being in his arms made her feel so protected. She wanted to be there. Wanted to experience his kisses again, wanted to explore this interesting, quiet, and mysterious man who tempted her to forget herself.

  But that didn't happen, and the rest of the night was a blurry disappointment.

  Still, most everyone enjoyed themselves, including Nadine who had not anticipated having a good time.

  The girls were all babbling about the men they had met and which ones they liked. Fortunately, no one liked the same man. Sarah was still sure the preacher was for her, and she did get a dance out of him. Nadine danced, but it was more than apparent it was just good manners. Maggie officially met the mayor, and they danced several times. From his expressions, he was either interested or he wanted her vote. Perhaps this was progress for Maggie.

  That night, as Jo Ella lay in her bed, her thoughts went to Harry and how she had reacted to him. He constantly surprised her with ardor, and yet she felt him pulling away from her too. Why?

  Perhaps the sheriff was too marriage shy.

  Maybe she scared him.

  She hoped not, because she was quickly developing a taste for his brand of kisses. Something about Harry mesmerized her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Two days later, Jo Ella was going to the general store to pick up some supplies for Ma when she heard gunshots. Unable to tell where they were coming from and sensing danger, she started to get out of the street.

  It was nearly noon, and the sun burned hot on her head and blotted out her vision. If only she'd worn a hat to shade her eyes. Still standing in the middle of the street blindly, she froze for a moment. Indecision made her immobile.

  That's when someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her inside a building.

  The man stunk like a river rat, and Jo Ella nearly gagged. A big man holding a gun, he covered her mouth with his other hand. It was dirty, as though he'd had it wrapped around a dirty leather rein.

  Jo Ella's heart nearly stopped, but good sense prevailed and she bit the man.

  "You little hellcat…" He shook his hand and held the gun to her head. "You do that again, and I'll blow your head off."

  The cold of the steel bit into her, but she stomped his booted foot. He yelled again as she struggled to get out of his reach.

  "Look, lady, be still if you want to live."

  There were several gunshots in the street, and Jo Ella looked outside the window. Harry was just across the street, aiming his gun at the building next door. A bullet came close to killing him, but he dodged it. Harry was a natural born hero, and she feared for his life, more than her own. Most men wouldn't hurt a woman. At least most of the ones she knew wouldn't. That was the bank, her mind registered. Someone was holding up the bank.

  "Let me go!"

  "Not on your life. You're my ticket out of here. You're goin' with me, lady."

  Without haste, he headed for the door, dragging her with him. He peered outside. Then opened it slightly. He easily held her with one big arm around her waist.

  "I got a girl in here. If ya don't want her shot up, you better drop your gun and get out of my way, sheriff, I don't want to hurt her, but I'll do what I gotta do!" the man barked as he held Jo Ella against him. "Drop it or she gets it."

  "Let her go!" Harry shouted.

  Jo Ella registered his surprise when he swallowed hard and sweat poured off him.

  "Not on your life. And if you want her back alive, you better throw that iron down on the ground now, sheriff," the man demanded. "And your deputies too…"

  Jo Ella tried to shake her head. The distress in Harry's face made his decision to surrender his gun look automatic.

  "I'm walkin' out of here now, and she's comin' with me. I'll let her go directly when I'm out of your range. Now you and all your deputies throw down your guns and let us ride out of here peaceful like. And no one will get hurt."

  "You won't get away with this," Harry promised.

  "I am gettin' away with it, sheriff."

  Harry's deputies stared at the man who had Jo Ella as they threw down their guns.

  The man held Jo Ella in front of him as he moved toward a horse tethered to a hitching post.

  Someone down the street yelled, "That's my horse."

  The big man didn't heed that warning.

  "Let the girl go, Cole. She's done you no harm." Harry's lip tightened with strain, and tension oozed from his shoulders as he shifted his stance. Jo Ella could see how poised he was for some sort of action.

  Jo Ella tried to struggle with Cole, but he overpowered her easily. Before she knew it, he threw her across his saddle and galloped away.

  Bouncing, she feared she'd fall off the horse from the bumpy quick getaway. The man paid no attention to her.

  Harry followed soon afterward. He was too far behind to shoot and do any good, but he was there.

  About a half hour later, the man met up with two other cowboys "Take this danged hellcat and tie her up good. Gag her too. I don't want to hear a word from her. She like to have bit my hand off."

  One of the cowboys nodded.

  Cole looked down at his bloody hand and snarled at her. "You do something like that again and you are dead, girl."

  She risked a glance behind. Harry was no longer in sight.

  The youngest cowboy, dragged her off the horse and threw her over his shoulder, manhandling her. Although a smaller man, he was strong. He smelled of whiskey and smoke.

  He was dragging her into some dilapidated old shack that looked like it might fall down around them. The shingles on the roof dangled off the porch. The floor was rotting and there was a hole right in front of the door. Inside was not much better. But it did have a bed, a stove and a couple of chairs.

  The rope burned when he tied her to a chair inside their little shack. He took a dirty rag and stuffed it in her mouth. It smelled as though it had been on someone's foot for a couple of weeks without washing.

  She tried to spit it out, but the young outlaw just stuffed it further down her throat until she gagged.

  "Look, lady, you better settle down. Ole Cole there, he might do you in if you keep messin' with 'em. And if he don't, Morey will." His tone was almost apologetic as he looked her in the eye. He smiled. "You shore are a pretty one."

  From the looks of him, this cowboy couldn't be over seventeen. He was thin and wiry, with a thick head of red hair and freckles sprinkled on his face. If she could only talk, she could charm him out of this. But he wasn't allowing her the privilege.

  The young man began cooking, and she finally relaxed, somewhat. The smell of bacon frying teased her, and she wondered if he would feed her.

  The man called Morey walked in with Cole. She'd heard his name during the robbery, but the one called Morey she had never seen
before. He laid the big satchel of money on the table. Of the three, Morey looked the most dangerous. He wore his gun low, and the holster was worn enough to know he used it often. He was dark, with wiry black hair and he wore high top boots which looked strange on him, as he was built strong and big.

  Her eyes widened when she saw him sneer at her. Bank robbers! Although she had reasoned they were robbing the bank, to actually see the bag of money made it all seem so much more real to her, and she cringed.

  "What are we gonna do with her?" the young one asked, his voice quaking like a frog.

  "I don't know yet. I ain't thought that far ahead. I just grabbed her when the shooting started as I figured I could use her as a shield to get out of there. If you hadn't taken so long getting out of the bank, they might not have seen us at all." Cole said with a huff. "It worked out all right. That sheriff threw down his gun fast enough when he saw the likes of her."

  "Good thinkin'," the one called Morey snorted.

  "Let's eat. Then we better be movin' on."

  "We ain't gonna stay here?" the boy asked.

  "Naw, we cain't, Danny. That dern sheriff is on our trail. Won't be long he'll get the scent. We need to be outta here by then. We'll get to my sister's place tonight and rest up. Then decide what to do with her." Cole explained as he shot Jo Ella a glance. "Pretty lady, you saved my hide today."

  "Sounds reasonable." The young one nodded. "She sure is a looker, ain't she?"

  "Kid, don't get no crazy itch for a woman. This is business. We ain't got time fer that. You keep her tied up. Give her some grub. We'll be headin' out soon."

  "Shore enough, Cole. I was just noticin', is all."

  "She'd be a lot of trouble to keep, and I don't think she'd be willin' anyway." Cole eyed her and looked at his bandana-wrapped hand.

  "She bit you pretty hard, didn't she?" The young one glanced at his bandaged hand as though amused that a woman could get the upper hand in a situation like this.

  "She shore did, but she won't get another chance at that. She tries that again and she'll be dead."

  "Aw come on, Cole, you wouldn't kill a woman, would ya?" The kid teased.

  "Naw…I wouldn't."

  "Well I would, and she better remember that." Morey announced as he checked the bacon on the stove.