McKinnon's Bride (Willow Grove, Texas Series Book 1)

by Sharon Gillenwater

  “She likes to handle her own business.”

  “And I admire her for it—but it also annoys the dickens out of me. Too bad Sheriff Proctor is out of town, or I’d ask him to haul Doolin to jail pronto. I don’t trust his deputy to handle the arrests. The sheriff won’t be back until Tuesday night, in time to ride herd on the Independence Day celebration.”

  “Proctor needs to be in charge. They’re planning to go after your herd Wednesday night. Another one, too, though I don’t know which one. I’m out here on a scouting mission to see where your cattle are grazing. I hate for you to lose any, but the only time the gang is together is right after the raids. You’ll have a better chance of capturing them if you show up at the canyon early Thursday morning. Might even catch Doolin. According to the men, now that he trusts me, he’ll probably be out early to inspect the new cattle. That was his routine before I came along. He keeps the best ones for his ranch, as long as he can easily change the brand, and sells the rest to somebody in Colorado.”

  “I’ll talk to the sheriff. How many men are there?”

  “Ten besides me.”

  “That’s a big operation,” said Cade with a frown. “It doesn’t take eleven men to steal a dozen head of cattle.”

  “There were only five when I joined up. The rest of them came from New Mexico. He’s been running the same operation out there, then herding them here with a phony bill of sale. They brought in a hundred head last week. Some of the men work at the ranch, then join us for the raids. Now, they’re hitting two herds at a time.”

  “Maybe Doolin’s getting greedy.”

  “Or anxious to wind down the operation. I overheard him tell the range boss that he didn’t want to push his luck.”

  “He’s already out of luck.”

  “Maybe not totally. The men are afraid of him. Don’t know if it’s true, but a couple of the New Mexico bunch were talking about how Doolin killed a man for questioning an order. Just pulled out his pistol and shot him. Could be something he told them to say to keep the others in line. Still, if we don’t catch him at the camp, I’m not sure any of them will testify against him.”

  “You will.”

  “Which means it will come down to my word against his.”

  “You’ve been here longer. Folks know you better. When the sheriff testifies that you joined the rustlers to help capture them, and that he’s been working with you all along, they’ll be even more inclined to believe you over him. Just don’t go gettin’ yourself killed.” Cade gripped Quint’s shoulder. “Promise me you’ll get out of that camp before we move in.”

  “I will if I can.”

  “We won’t attack unless you’re out of there. I’m not about to risk losing you now.”

  Quint grinned. “Jessie would never forgive you.”

  “I’d never forgive me.”

  Quint’s smile faded. “I’ll get out somehow. If I can’t testify, they might all go free. The stealing is bad enough, but I’m afraid it’s just a matter of time before they kill somebody. Most of them aren’t too bad, but some are two shades meaner than the devil himself.”

  “Doolin included?”

  “Maybe. I need to be extra careful. Won’t be able to get in touch with you.”

  “I’d better spend the next few days in town and keep an eye on Jessie, too.”

  Quint shook his head. “Don’t do anything out of the ordinary or Doolin might get suspicious. He seems to know what everyone in the county is up to.”

  “Probably has people spying for him that don’t even realize it.”

  “Or he’s cozy with the town gossips.”

  Cade grimaced. “And we have more than enough of those. They aren’t always right, though.”

  “I expect that in his profession—the lawyer one—he’s learned to sift information to sort out the truth.”

  “Well, let’s hope he’s not so good at it that he figures out what you’re doing.” Cade pulled the bandana out of his pocket and handed it to his friend, his heart heavy. He would be very glad when this was over and justice served. “Watch your back.”

  “Always.”

  Chapter 17

  Cade knocked on Ty’s door at seven the next morning. He’d barely slept for imagining all the things Doolin might have said—or done—to Jessie. He couldn’t worry about it anymore. He had to know.

  Ty opened the door with a puzzled expression and a cup of coffee in hand. He took one look at Cade’s scowl and stepped back to let him in. “What’s wrong?”

  Cade shoved the door closed. “I think Tate Doolin said or did something to Jessie.”

  “So he’s the one.”

  “What do you mean?” Cade’s anger rose a notch, now encompassing his brother. If he knew something about it and hadn’t told him...

  Ty started toward the kitchen, lifting his cup. “I need a refill.”

  Steaming, Cade followed. “Tyler, what are you talking about?”

  “The morning after she moved to town, she came in the store.” He poured his coffee, then took another mug from the shelf and filled it for Cade. “She was shaking like a leaf. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she needed a pistol. A small one.”

  “Oh, God...” Cade closed his eyes. Please, don’t let Doolin have harmed her. “Was she hurt?”

  “Not that I could see. And she said she wasn’t.” Ty’s voice gentled. “You know I would have told you if she had been.”

  “You didn’t bother to tell me about this,” Cade snapped.

  “She made me promise not to.” And Ty kept his promises. “She was upset, but not disheveled or anything. I tried to find out what happened, but all she would say was that she’d been given a big reminder to be more cautious. Jessie blamed herself in part because she let him close the door.” Ty took a sip of coffee, then smiled. “She also jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow and kicked him in the shin.”

  “Which means he had her cornered.” Cade hit the table with the side of his fist. “I’m going to break his nose...and half a dozen other bones while I’m at it.”

  “That’s why she refused to say who it was. She was afraid you’d find out and beat the daylights out of him.”

  “I want to. But I can’t.” Cade slumped in his chair. “Not yet anyway. Maybe after he’s arrested, Proctor will give me some time with him.”

  “You know he won’t.” Ty frowned and set his cup on the table. “Are you going to try to get him arrested for what he did to Jessie?”

  Distracted by the thought of what he’d like to do to the man, it took Cade a moment to answer. He looked back at his brother and shook his head. “No. It would only embarrass her. I saw Quint yesterday. Doolin is the head of the rustling operation.”

  Ty’s jaw dropped. “He’s positive?”

  “Talked to him at the camp. He concluded from a comment Doolin made about Jessie that he had tried something.”

  “You think he was baiting Quint, testing his loyalty?”

  “Probably. That’s what Quint thought.” He related the rest of what Jessie’s brother told him about the rustlers.

  “So we have to just sit tight and hope we capture them on Thursday morning.” Ty rubbed his forehead. “I guess it’s all we can do. And you can’t do anything to tip off Doolin that we might be on to him.”

  “I know.” Cade grimaced. “But I can talk to Jessie and warn her to steer clear of him.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that. She seemed to think he wouldn’t bother her again, but she’s too smart to risk it. I gave her a two-shot derringer just in case some other idiot tries anything.”

  “Good. Quint thought I shouldn’t hang around town too much or Doolin might grow suspicious. Though maybe he’ll just think I’m courting her. You’ll keep watch over Jessie when I’m not around?”

  “I have been.”

  “Thanks. Can I use your buggy this morning?”

  “Of course. Want a horse to go with it?”

  Cade chuckled and shoved th
e chair back. “Don’t want you pullin’ it. You’d be too nosy.”

  Ty gave him a knowing grin. “Don’t forget she has a derringer in her purse.”

  “That’s to protect her from advances she doesn’t want.”

  Ty laughed. “It’s a nice morning, still cool enough to sit in the shade a spell.”

  “If I can find any shade. In case you haven’t noticed, trees are sparse in these parts.”

  “There’s some pecan trees out on Rabbit Hollow Creek.”

  “How do you know? You been seeing somebody you haven’t told me about?”

  “I rode out there a while back just to get out of town. Went by myself.”

  Cade merely nodded. Every so often Ty went off to be alone, sometimes camping out on the range for a few days. He figured it was when the memories of Amanda weighed heavy on his mind.

  “There are two good sized trees right on the creek bank. They ought to keep you from gettin’ sunburned. Want to borrow a quilt?”

  Judging by the twinkle in his brother’s eyes, he wasn’t thinking about a sunburned nose. “No, thanks. And don’t go giving me ideas. I have enough of those already.”

  ***

  “Go for a buggy ride?” Jessie stared at Cade, pausing as she dried a plate. “It’s not even eight in the morning.”

  “Perfect time to go. If we wait until later, it will be too hot.”

  He sat at the table, Ellie in his lap. He smiled, but Jessie sensed a tenseness in him, different from the undercurrent of sexual awareness that was always between them. Something was wrong. She looked at Nola. “Do you mind if I go?”

  “Not a bit. Brad can walk Ellie over to Sarah’s at nine and go get her before noon if you’re not back.” When Brad nodded, she winked at him. “I expect you and Will have something planned for the morning, too. And there’s not a bit of housework that can’t wait.”

  Jessie put the plate in the cupboard and draped the dish towel over a thin rod near the window. “Then I think a morning drive would be nice.” She untied her apron and hung it on a peg on the coat rack.

  “Can I go?” asked Ellie, looking up at Cade.

  “Not this time, sweetheart. Besides, Sarah would be disappointed if you don’t go over to play.”

  She pouted for about ten seconds before shrugging. “Okay.”

  Cade lifted Ellie down and joined Jessie by the door. She put on her old wide-brimmed hat and looked up to find him smiling. “I want to keep the sun off my face.” She glanced at his everyday clothes. As good as he looked in a suit, she liked him this way better. “And you didn’t dress up.”

  “Nope. Already did that on Sunday, and that’s enough. I didn’t figure you’d mind.”

  She smiled, fighting a sudden urge to stand on tiptoe and kiss him. “Not a bit.” She turned back to her family and Nola. “We’ll be back in time for me to fix dinner.”

  “And if you aren’t, I’ll start something. Enjoy your morning.”

  As they walked out to the street, Cade settled his hand at the small of her back, sending little shards of awareness darting through her. When he helped her into the buggy, he seemed to do so with even more gentleness and care than usual.

  Jessie started to worry. He walked around the buggy and climbed in, picking up the reins. “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.

  He flashed her a smile. “I’m fighting a battle.”

  “Oh?”

  He flicked the reins, and the horse moved forward at a walk. “The gentleman in me is trying to keep the rascal from kissing you and giving all the old biddies peeking out their windows something to talk about.”

  She chuckled. “Well, I appreciate the gentleman’s efforts. At least for now.”

  “So I can untie the rascal later?”

  “Maybe one hand.”

  He laughed and nodded a greeting to one of the neighbors walking in the opposite direction toward downtown.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Ty said there are some nice shady pecan trees out on Rabbit Hollow Creek. It’s about three miles north of town. I thought you might like to see some new scenery.”

  “Is it different than out toward the ranch?”

  “Not much,” he said with a smile.

  Other than Cade occasionally pointing out a house and telling her who lived there, they rode along in comfortable silence. Eventually, he turned off the road, simply driving across the range near a creek bank.

  “Rabbit Hollow?” she asked, grabbing hold of his arm when they hit a bump.

  “Sorry.” When he glanced down at her hands on his arm and how their bodies were now touching from shoulder to thigh, a hint of a smile lifted his lips. “On second thought, I’m not sorry at all. Not if it keeps you this close to me. And, yes, this is Rabbit Hollow. We should spot the trees shortly.”

  They hit a few more bumps, but even if they hadn’t, she didn’t intend to move. It felt too good to touch him. The top half of the pecan trees came into view, surprising her at how large they were. Cade guided the horse down a slight slope to the creek, stopping where she could graze and drink from the two yard wide stream of water flowing lazily along. He handed the reins to Jessie and hopped down, lifting a heavy iron weight from beneath the seat. Setting it on the ground near the horse’s head, he tied a rope from a ring in the top of it to the harness to keep her from running away if she were spooked.

  Then he came around to Jessie’s side of the buggy. She looped the reins around the rail in front of her and stood. When she leaned toward him, resting her hands on his shoulders, he put his hands around her waist and picked her up, slowly sliding her body down the length of his. She shivered in anticipation, but instead of kissing her, he plucked the hat off her head and tossed it on the floorboard of the buggy. His followed, and he led her across the grassy bank into the shade.

  If he didn’t kiss her in the next thirty seconds, she would be forced to take the initiative, brazen or not.

  Cupping her face in both hands, he said quietly, “I love you.”

  Tenderness, desire, and love filled his eyes, along with something else—a hint of sorrow? She cradled his cheek with one hand. “I love you, too.”

  He kissed her gently, but it wasn’t enough. He raised his head, lowering his hands to the small of her back. She slid her hands across his shoulders and around his neck.

  “My sweet, beautiful Jessie. Mine,” he whispered against her lips, then crushed her to him, deepening the kiss, devouring her mouth with a hunger that surprised her. No, not just hunger. Desperation. Something is wrong. His hands roamed over her, touching her in ways he never had before, and the thought vanished in a tide of sensation.

  She fumbled with the button at his collar, freeing it and the next two, slipping her hand beneath the cloth, caressing the tight muscles.

  He carefully lowered her to the grassy slope, lying on his side next to her. He captured her mouth again, giving and taking, whispering words of love between kisses. She felt his fingers work the buttons loose at her high collar, and the cool morning air whispered across her throat. Then heat, scorching, wonderful heat as he touched her skin with his lips.

  He moved slightly and mumbled incoherently. Then, with a muttered grumble, he abandoned her and raised up on one elbow. Scowling, he reached beneath him with his other hand, pulling out a fist-sized, sharp-edged rock and tossed it over his shoulder.

  He trailed his fingertips along her cheek, and a troubled frown settled between his brows. “I think I’ve just been reminded that I didn’t come out here to ravish you.”

  “That’s not exactly what was happening,” she said with smile. He sat up with a heavy sigh, facing the creek. The gentleman was back in control. She sat up, too. “I liked the rascal better.”

  He glanced at her with a smile, but a frown quickly replaced it. “What did Doolin do to you?”

  She caught her breath. Had someone seen her come out of Doolin’s office? Had Ty been asking questions? “How do you know about Doolin?”

&
nbsp; “Blast it, Jessie. What did he do to you?”

  “He offered me a job as his housekeeper—and his hostess.”

  Cade lifted an eyebrow. “Hostess?”

  “He decided he should hire someone else to do the labor, and I would supervise. Then I would be free to grace his table and entertain his guests, act as his hostess.”

  Cade’s frown deepened, and he searched her face. “That’s all he wanted?”

  “No. He wanted me to be his mistress. He didn’t use the actual word, but that’s what he meant. I refused and headed for the door, but he held it shut.”

  “He was behind you?”

  She nodded.

  “Did he touch you?” His voice was hard.

  “On the neck. Lightly. Put one hand around my waist. Nothing else. By then I didn’t care if the whole town heard a ruckus and came running or if my reputation was ruined. I jabbed him in the stomach with my elbow and kicked him in the shin. I made it very clear to him that I wasn’t interested and that if he bothered me again, I would make sure the everyone knew what kind of man he was. He got the message, said he’d made a mistake and apologized. I don’t think he will bother me anymore.”

  “But you went straight to the store and got a derringer.”

  “He frightened me and made me realize how vulnerable I am without protection. You were right. There are rough men in Willow Grove, but you can’t necessarily tell it just by their appearance. You were also right that I need to be on guard all the time when I’m out and about. I should have listened to you.”

  “You should have listened to me and never moved to town.” He raked his fingers through his hair, shoving back a strand that had fallen over his forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I was afraid you’d beat him up. He deserves it, but it would only fuel more gossip. And I didn’t think it would help my reputation any.”

  He sighed wearily and caught her hand. “No, it wouldn’t. And I can’t beat him up, though right this minute, there’s nothing I’d like more.” A tiny smile touched his mouth, and he lifted her hand, kissing her fingers. “Well, there is one thing I’d like more, but it doesn’t have anything to do with him. And it’s not right until my ring is on your finger.”