Loretta shaded her eyes with her hand and followed the course of the stream. It ran from much higher in the Sangre de Cristos and while the flow of water was steady, there were sections where the land flattened out allowing deep pools of water to form. If she could find a pool relatively close to the main house that was deep enough, Loretta was sure she could make a spring box. When the snow melted at the higher elevations, the water would become much colder. In a deep enough pool, deeper water would remain cool even though the surface temperature was warm.
Loretta was careful as she stepped over rocks along the sloping bank of the stream. She wasn't in a hurry and still had time before she needed to return and prepare the evening meal. She slipped her hand into the pocket of her skirt and withdrew the butt end of the loaf of bread she had baked the day before.
Since she was a child, the ends of bread loaves had been her favorite part. The thick, brown, crusty ends seemed filled with flavor that lasted longer than the softer insides. She took a bite and returned the rest to her pocket, chewing slowly and savoring the full flavor.
A few yards downstream, the water flattened out just below a natural waterfall. Loretta looked up and down the bank and spotted an area littered with large and medium-sized rocks that were flat enough for stacking. She sat down on the bank and removed her shoes and stockings. Looking around to make sure she was alone, she pulled her skirt hem up and tucked it into the waistband before wading into the cold water. Goosebumps shot up her legs and she shivered. She felt along the bottom of the stream just off the bank and began pushing and rolling rocks into the water. Satisfied with the rock bottom of about two by three feet she’d created, she began lifting stones to build the side walls.
Even though she worked steadily, she had only moved half the rocks she needed when she began to feel fatigued. She climbed onto the bank and pulled her legs up to rest her head on her knees. She took deep breaths and gazed at the work she’d begun. She had no doubt she would feel the effects of the lifting and carrying the next day. After resting a few minutes, she pushed herself up. The water in the pool appeared glassy on the surface, but she had felt the steady current around her legs. It was the perfect place for a spring box.
As she started to turn away and pull on her stockings and shoes again, she noticed movement in the water just beneath the surface. She bent over and looked more closely, smiling when she saw dozens of small black fish swimming near the edge of the pool.
She reached into the pocket of her skirt again and removed the chunk of bread. She pulled off a small piece and stretched out on the bank and slid her hand into the water. The fish fled a safe distance, but returned cautiously within a minute and began nibbling at the water-soaked bread between her fingers. Each time Loretta withdrew her hand for more bread, more fish appeared. She giggled as the fish tickled her skin.
She watched the fish nibble at the bread and the lazy movement of the water combined with the warm sun beating down on her back began to make her drowsy. She brought an arm up and rested her head on it. It wasn’t long before she drifted off into a nap.
CLARE SAT COMFORTABLY astride her horse as she rode behind the main house. She hadn’t found Loretta inside and didn’t see her working in her garden. She had spotted the large paw prints of a bear earlier and returned to warn Loretta the animal might wander closer. She became concerned when her housekeeper was nowhere to be found. In spite of her best efforts she felt drawn to the amber-haired woman. She reminded Clare of a time when she had been young and looked forward to life. It was a dream that vanished in a hale of gunfire many years before.
Clare moved her horse toward the stream a few hundred yards away in case Loretta had decided to relax and catch a few fish for dinner. When she reached the stream, there was no sign of Loretta, but she saw the roughed up area near the bank and became worried. She looked up and in the distance she saw what appeared to be a body lying face down on the bank and partially in the water. She spurred her horse forward, reining it in when she reached the body. Dread filled her and she pulled her rifle from its case and looked around as she dismounted. She didn’t see any evidence of the bear as she ran toward Loretta’s prone body. She knelt down and pulled the unconscious woman into her arms.
Loretta's hand flew up, knocking the straw hat off her head.
“Are you all right?” Clare asked as she noticed how the sunlight glittered off Loretta’s golden hair.
“What?” Loretta answered, shaking her head to fully awaken.
Clare released her and Loretta scrambled to her feet and wiped her wet hand on her skirt.
“I'm sorry,” Loretta said.
“For what?” Clare asked, taking a step forward.
“I must have dozed off. I didn’t realize it had gotten so late. I'll have dinner ready soon.”
“It's not time for dinner. I came back early and got worried when I didn't find you at the house. We saw some bear prints earlier and I thought I should warn you. What were you doing?”
“I found a good spot for a spring box,” Loretta said, pointing to spot farther downstream where she had begun stacking rocks. “The water is cold and deep enough to keep butter and cream all year round.”
“Good idea. Is that why you were laying on the bank?”
“Oh, that. No. I was just...it's silly. I'll get back to work.”
Clare looked exasperated. “You're not a prisoner here, Loretta. No one's going to beat you if you take a break. Have I given you the impression I expect more from you than you're already doing?”
“Of course not! I just want to do a good job.”
“You're doing a good job. Certainly better than I expected when Ino brought you here over my objections. Guess that proves that even I can make a mistake. So why were you laying on the bank playing in the water?”
“Come see,” Loretta said.
“What is it?”
Loretta took something from her pocket and motioned for Clare to join her at the edge of the water where she handed her a small chunk of bread.
“Puny snack,” Clare mumbled.
“It’s not for you. Just lie down and do what I tell you to do,” Loretta directed.
Clare’s mouth curled upward in the beginning of a grin. She wiggled her eyebrows at Loretta. “Right here in front of God and everyone?” she asked with a laugh, unable to resist the opening Loretta had left for her. Loretta blushed furiously at Clare’s unexpected flirtation.
“Just watch,” Loretta finally said as she stretched out on the bank once again and slowly lowered her hand into the water, a portion of the bread between her fingers. In less than a minute small fish began to appear and swim just beyond her hand. Finally curiosity and hunger overcame them and they began nibbling at the bread as it softened in the water.
Clare smiled and lay down next to Loretta. As her hand entered the water the fish fled.
“They’ll be back,” Loretta said softly. “You have to be patient.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, patience isn’t my strong suit,” Clare said. When the fish returned she watched them cautiously, mesmerized by the growing number.
“They’re nibbling my fingers,” she whispered to Loretta.
Loretta smiled as she saw the childlike awe in Clare’s eyes. “Sort of tickles, doesn’t it?”
“It’s wonderful,” Clare smiled back at her.
“Thank you.”
As Loretta’s hazel eyes met hers, Clare felt something she hadn’t felt in years. Loneliness. The need to be close to someone. She cleared her throat and stood up, offering her hand to Loretta to pull her up. When Loretta took Clare’s hand and started to stand, the pebbles along the riverbank began to slide under her feet. Clare grabbed her around the waist to keep her from falling into the stream.
Clare liked the way Loretta felt in her arms and held her for a moment longer than necessary to make sure she had regained her balance. At least that’s what Clare told herself. Loretta’s body was warm from lying in the sun and Clare soaked up
the warmth.
“Thank you,” Loretta said as she got her feet under her again and noticed that Clare was blushing.
“You’re welcome,” Clare managed over the lump growing in her throat. Even as she spoke she couldn’t drag her eyes away from the rich color of Loretta’s hazel eyes. She released Loretta and stepped away from her.
Loretta frowned and, taking a step closer, placed a hand lightly on Clare’s chest. “Are you all right?
You look flushed.”
The touch seemed to burn straight through Clare’s shirt as she looked down at the young woman. She swept her gaze over Loretta’s face. The closeness between them sucked the breath from Clare’s lungs. She longed to feel Loretta’s lips against hers. Would they feel as soft as Annalee’s? It had been twenty years since that first kiss which had changed her life forever.
Loretta seemed to have stopped breathing. She brought her fingertips to Clare’s mouth and gently touched her lips. “You’re lips are so soft.” Loretta said.
Clare lowered her head and brushed her lips against Loretta’s, not knowing what to expect. The moment Loretta’s lips parted slightly, Clare deepened the kiss and slipped her tongue inside.
Loretta stepped away from her quickly and brought her hand to her mouth.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Clare said.
Looking up at her, Loretta said softly, “I’m not offended. It’s just that a kiss like that…it’s what…lovers do.”
Loretta stepped toward Clare once again and ran her hand from Clare’s shoulder to the back of her neck, pressing lightly to guide her mouth into another kiss. She wondered what it would be like to feel Clare’s calloused hands travel over her skin and found the idea…stimulating. Her lips parted as they met Clare’s again, inviting her to explore.
Tentatively, Clare moved her lips against Loretta’s, her tongue sliding unopposed into the welcoming warmth. She smiled through the kiss as their tongues met and pirouetted around each other before wandering off to find the other miracles within the dark recesses. This was the kiss she had longed for with Annaleee and never had. This was a kiss worth dying for.
Loretta was surprised at the desire she felt in the deepening kiss and slid her arms down Clare’s arms, pulling their bodies more closely together. She had only kissed one other woman, but Clare, for someone who acted so rough, was so gentle Loretta couldn’t help but be drawn to her.
“Where did you…” she started to ask when the kiss ended. Her eyes shifted to a sudden movement over Clare’s shoulder.
“You bitch!” Ino seethed as he grabbed Clare by the shoulder and spun her around. His fist found her jaw and she stumbled back from the blow. Her boots slid down the bank. She tried to catch her balance, but couldn’t. She landed in the stream, the icy water sending shocks through her body. She saw Ino wading into the water after her and fought to stand up to defend herself from another blow. Ino grabbed her by the front of her shirt and pulled her up while drawing his arm back.
“Stop it!” Loretta cried out as she joined them in the stream. She wrapped her arms around Ino’s fisted hand and hung on. Clare used Loretta’s distraction to tear Ino’s hand away from her shirt and push him away. Without a word she climbed out of the stream as quickly as she could and strode to her horse. She grabbed the saddle horn with both hands and swung into the saddle without using the stirrups. Loretta watched as the horse galloped away. She turned back to Ino and pushed him away.
“What the hell were you doing?” she demanded.
The coldness of the water made her shiver slightly.
“Did she hurt you?” Ino asked. His face was red with anger and his breathing was heavy and ragged.
“Of course not. Why did you do that?”
“I should have warned you about Clare,” he said.
He shook his head and waded out of the water.
“Warned me about what?” Loretta demanded.
She stood in the middle of the stream, small droplets of water dripping from her disheveled hair onto her cheeks like tears.
“Clare’s a good woman. My friend.
But…well…sometimes she ain’t right in the head,” he said, tapping his index finger again the side of his head. “I figured maybe she wouldn’t do nothin’ since she was so much against havin’ you here. But I was wrong. I can take you back to town tomorrow if you want to pack up your things tonight. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t never say anything to your brother-in-law or anybody else about what Clare did to you.”
“She didn’t do anything to me,” Loretta insisted.
“She kissed you. I been watchin’ how she looks at you. It’s not right.”
Loretta angrily snatched up her shoes and stockings. “I have to get dinner ready. And I won’t be going back to town tomorrow or any other day.”
“Looked to me like maybe you wanted her to kiss you,” Ino shot as Loretta started to push past him. He took her by the arm and pulled her closer. “Somethin’
like that could get you killed,” he hissed.
“Is that a threat, Ino?”
“A warning. It’s one thing for townspeople to think there’s somethin’ sinful going on between Clare and me because I’m a man and she’s a woman. She’s not the woman she appears to be. I’ve seen her at her worst and I know what she’s capable of if she’s pushed.” His hand loosened its grip and his face softened slightly. “I like you, Retta. I wouldn’t want to see anything bad happen to either one of you. If Garner found out you two were doin’ something two women shouldn’t be doin’ he’d kill you both and take Clare’s ranch. Is it worth riskin’ your life and Clare’s for?”
CLARE’S CLOTHES WERE still damp when she dismounted in front of the Cattleman’s Saloon. She felt humiliated by her inability to control her emotions. The memory of Loretta’s lips against hers remained strong. Her lips felt as if they were throbbing for everyone to see as she pushed through the door of the saloon. She signaled for a drink as she approached the bar, her eyes scanning the room. She closed her eyes, feeling the shot burn a path down her throat.
“I didn’t expect to see you back in town so soon,”
Peg’s silken voice said.
“Didn’t expect to be back so soon,” Clare said as she motioned for a refill. “Busy night?” she asked, praying it wasn’t.
“Deader than a wake after the liquor’s run out,”
Peg said with a grin. She rested her hand on Clare’s shoulder and squeezed it lightly. “Your clothes are wet,” she stated the obvious.
“Had an accident. Can I stay with you tonight?”
“You know you’re always welcome, sugar. We’d better get you into a tub of hot water before you catch your death. Go on up and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Clare nodded and motioned for another refill to take with her. The lack of food combined with the fast shots Clare downed made her light-headed. Peg ran a supportive arm around her waist. “Let’s get you cleaned up and under the sheets before you freeze to death.” Clare managed to maneuver her way across the open room, hearing the chuckles of the men playing poker at a nearby table.
“Ignore them,” Peg said quietly when she felt Clare hesitate.
In the time it took Peg to prepare a tub of water, Clare managed to get half undressed. Her shirt was unbuttoned and she had one boot off. She struggled to dredge up enough coordination to pull the other boot off, finally dropping her foot to the wooden floor, defeated.
“Maybe I should just go to sleep, Peg,” she said, the room spinning slightly as she tried to focus on the other woman.
“No one’s sleeping in my bed in damp, musty-smelling clothes,” Peg said. Standing in front of Clare, Peg turned her back to her. “Give me your foot and use your other foot to push against my ass so I can get this damn wet boot off,” Peg ordered.
Once the boot was off, Peg reached down and pulled Clare to her feet, struggling to push the damp shirt off her shoulders as it clung to her skin.
“Y
ou’re real pretty, Peg,” Clare slurred as she swayed slightly.
“No one’s bothered to call me pretty since the last time you were here needin’ some tender care” Peg snorted. “That why you’re here tonight?”
“I can take care of myself,” Clare insisted.
“I know you can, but there’s only so much you can do for yourself, cowgirl. Now shuck those wet pants off.” Peg smiled as Clare pushed her jeans down, holding on to Peg’s shoulders to step out of them.
“Ain’t you got no proper underwear?” Peg asked as Clare finally stood naked in front of her, except for a pair of gray woolen socks.
“Can’t wear bloomers under the pants and my last binder fell apart. Reckon I need to get a new one.”
Clearing her throat, Peg said, “You best get in that water while it’s still warm. Otherwise you’ll be taking a cold bath.”
Peg slipped an arm around Clare’s bare waist and urged her into the tub. Small wisps of steam floated above the water. As Clare finally brought one leg up and stepped into the water, her foot slid on the bottom. She grasped Peg tightly to keep from losing her balance. As Peg reached for her, her hand inadvertently found its way to Clare’s breast. Clare gasped and stared at Peg, unsure what to make of the jolt that shot through her.
“Sorry,” Peg mumbled as she moved her hand away and helped Clare settle into the warm water.
Peg knelt down next to the tub and stroked Clare’s hair back, brushing her thumb across her cheek. Clare shook her head. “I’m sorry for showing up like this, Peg,” she said, covering Peg’s hand with hers.
Peg patted her on the shoulder. “Something wrong you want to talk about, sweetie?”
“Nope. Just felt a little lonely.”
“Finish cleaning up so you can get some sleep.”
While Clare finished bathing, Peg removed a few stray articles of clothing from her bed and fluffed the pillows up to make them more comfortable. When she turned around, she was surprised to find Clare standing behind her, a towel wrapped around her body. Clare stepped closer and hugged the woman.
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