Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  He steps back and releases her to walk toward the fireplace. Finally, he thinks.

  “Let's sit,” Cassie says and waits for him to sit down. Full of nervous energy she jumps up and begins to pace as she speaks.

  “Dalton, I, I don't know where to start.” She stops and looks at him. “You are so beautiful, Dalton and good. I am tainted,” she whispers. “I've done things, unforgivable things…” wrapping her arms about herself, she says, “When we are through with this conversation, you should know that I hold no hard feelings towards you if you leave and we go our separate ways.”

  “Cassie, trust me. I'm not perfect, no one is,” he tries to reassure her, but she turns to him as a tear runs stream down her face. The silence stretches between them like an ocean, and he waits.

  “They killed them all, Dalton,” she whispers, “One at a time. I watched, helpless to stop it. No one would listen!” He's on his feet and at her side instantly.

  “Who Cassandra, who did they kill?” he asks in horror reaching for her, but she backs away.

  “My family!” she sobs, “First my Mother. They raped her and threw her beaten body into the river, where she drowned. Then my Jim. We were married three years when they said a rock slide killed him. I was pregnant with our first child. All I had left was my father, and he wouldn't listen. After my father was killed I, I… Dalton, something broke inside of me! I was standing at their graveside, and he said, I was next!”

  Revulsion floods Dalton’s soul. “Who did this? Why didn’t the sheriff…” he starts to ask.

  Cassandra laughs sarcastically, “Oh, he helped alright, he held my mother down while they raped her! Eustace Daniels and his son Aiden, they own the bank and the town.”

  He pulls her close, and this time she doesn't resist. He begins rubbing her arms and draws her to the couch to sit down.

  “When my father found the gold vein, he thought that if he shared in the profit with the town that we could grow as a community. He was like you,” she laughs a sorrow filled laugh, “with his dreams for the people and the land.” Dalton gets up and pours her a whiskey.

  “Drink this.” He says, shoving it at her. She shoots it back quickly and coughs before continuing. The whiskey burns and warms her from the inside.

  “It was never enough, Eustace wanted the mine for himself. They killed Jim after they found out that I married him. When I refused his attention, he killed my father.” She looks at him and takes a deep breath. “Dalton I wasn't convinced that it was true, I mean, who would kill an entire family? Until Jim's funeral.” She gets up and walks away pacing once more. Should she tell him the rest? The need to share her burden weighs on her soul.

  “Dalton, there’s more. I…, I have a gift, passed down from the females in my family. I can read intentions, thoughts and see the future. When he met me at Jim’s casket, I spread out my mind for the first time and the images flooded in so fast and vivid that I saw everything as though I were present. I watched,” she sobs out, “Oh, God, I watched as they killed my family and it was too much, I lost my baby girl.”

  He is stunned into silence as she weeps into her handkerchief. Unable to resist, he steps to her and pulls her into his chest to soothe her. His brain is whirling through the past few days and all they have experienced and been through.

  “Of course! That's how you knew I was going to have problems with the Daniel brothers? The hotel and at the bank, you knew just what to say to get them to listen. Cassandra, that's amazing!” he says with a laugh.

  “Amazing!” Lifting her tear-stained face, she stares at him. “It's a curse, Dalton. All my life they told me to hide it, block it, and I did.” She yells, “Until I didn't!” Angrily, she jumps up and wipes her cheeks.

  “I swore they would pay Dalton and I spent two years planning my revenge. When they came for me, after my father's funeral, I was ready for them. Six men came, and I lured them inside. I used dynamite and blew the house and mine to hell. I killed them, Dalton. I killed all of them, and I am not sorry!” Silence follows her exclamation.

  “Of course you aren’t! Why should you be?” he asks incredulously.

  “What?” she whispers.

  “Cassandra, they took everything from you. I would have done the same, if not worse.” He snaps out.

  “You don’t hate me?”

  “What for? For defending yourself? For taking what your father worked for and for starting over? Would it have been better if you had let them kill you? My God, Cassie, you have survived a nightmare, and you still have a kind and giving heart. You have nothing to be forgiven for!” he growls.

  “I, but I killed…” she starts to say.

  “So have I. I've done things to protect my family. We live on a ranch in the roughest, toughest terrain there is. If the Indians don't kill us, then the poverty will. I grew up rich in cattle, but poor in worldly goods. The land feeds the cattle Cassie, but the people can't move it or sell the heads. That means we have beef to eat, but nothing else as far as goods. Things people need to survive. To keep the land, my Grandfather had to homestead it by fighting off Indians, claim jumpers and raise a family. I swore I would make sure that my family would have a better future.”

  “But the difference is that you succeeded, Dalton. I did not save them. Since I began using my gifts, my abilities are growing. Dalton, I'm having visions, and I can't control them. I am working with Monsieur Constant, he says that they will peak and then I will better understand them. Only it isn't over for me Dalton.”

  “What do you mean, it’s not over?”

  “I had a vision of Eustace, and I think he is alive. He said he was coming for me, Dalton. Once we are on the train, we will separate, and I will leave you to your life.” She walks to the fireplace and stares into the flames. “I won't have any more deaths on my conscience.”

  “Like hell, you're leaving me!” he enunciates in a deadly calm voice. “I have only just found you, and I will not let you face those monsters alone again.”

  When she turns to face him, she's shocked to find him so close. “Dalton, you don't know what you are up against. They are animals!”

  “Let them come, Cassie! They have underestimated you once before, and this time when they come, we will be ready for them. This time they will not be fighting a terrified young woman!”

  “I love that you want to protect me, but I have made up my mind, Dalton.” When she tries to pass him, he grabs her arm.

  “Not so fast. Cassie.” Surprise registers on her face. When her eyes meet his, she recognizes the reflection of her desire in his. “I have a terrible need to touch you.”

  Slowly he tugs her into his arms and one hand cups her neck. Hot breath brushes her face, her temples, and the curve of her neck as his mouth traces its way down nipping and sucking softly.

  She moans, and he smiles when her lips part as he kisses the corner of her mouth tenderly. He nibbles at her bottom lip and waits just inches from her mouth.

  “Please, Dalton.” Then his mouth finds her and all thought stops. His fingertips are tracing over her skin, and she is clutching his waist. She kisses him back desperate, hot and heady with desire for him. He takes his time caressing, seeking, and tasting her.

  “Can you read my mind, Cassandra? Look and see what I am going to do to you, with you.”

  She gasps and tries to pull away. “I can’t read you…”

  His mouth silences her once again. When he tears his mouth from hers, he waits for her to catch her breath and lifts her off her feet.

  Staring at him she wonders if it's possible to read him. Looking into his eyes full of hunger for her, she opens her mind and feels… Dalton. His strength, his passion, his hunger and she pushes her desire at him. He sees her naked beneath him, clawing his back and screaming his name.

  Dalton’s knees almost buckle with the force of his need. Once again, his mouth claims hers harsh, demanding and full of promise. He turns and in four strides is in his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them.


  Cassie’s doubt is gone. She wants him as a woman wants a man. She is no longer an innocent young bride. “Make love to me, Dalton. Let’s not waste another moment.”

  He lowers her feet to the floor, dragging her body down the length of his. “Once I have you, Cassie, I will never let you go,” he says gruffly.

  She backs away, ignoring his promise as he lights a lantern. Her trembling fingers struggle with the buttons on her dress, exposing a hint of black lace beneath. Instantly, Dalton is before her stilling her hands and drawing her dress up over her head and tossing it quickly to the floor.

  “Look at you, Cassie, so beautiful.” He raves, staring at the pale skin dotted with freckles, “Like stars in the heavens.”

  God, she's wearing a blue silk chemise with black lace cups lovingly holding her breasts. Pink-tipped nipples erect and straining against the lace call for him. He can't resist and lowers his head, and she almost screams when his hot mouth scrapes her erect nipple. Her hands bury themselves in his blonde hair.

  “More, Dalton!” She demands tugging his head up to her mouth. Wild with need for him she pulls on his hair as he ravages her mouth. Her hands trace his muscular chest, and her mouth follows. Any hope of going slow evaporates. All barriers fall, followed by any clothing that remains. Love is an ocean, and they find the rhythm of two souls uniting, swimming in the pleasure and when the sea rages they cling to each other, forgetting all that has come before.

  Chapter 16

  Faith is up early and at the telegraph office to begin her day. She usually checks in to see if she has any messages before eating her breakfast at the restaurant. When she enters, she is surprised to find a return message dated last night.

  Her eyebrows raise as she reads the message. “Cassandra Wolfe, family history. Will pay triple your normal salary?” Cassie takes a piece of paper and writes a note on it, then folds it up and puts the message inside an envelope along with her letter.

  She rubs her back, “Gosh, this baby is getting heavier.” Remembering Aiden’s threat last night, she is determined to help Cassie any way she can. Everyone knew Eustace had something to do with the murders of Cassie’s family, but no one could prove it. Something has to change, maybe Solomon is the one to change it.

  She takes her usual seat and orders her juice and eggs. Her hands are trembling as she waits for him to come in. Solomon is big, dark-haired and sexy in that cowboy way. Large, rough hands, thick, lush beard, and deep, sexy voice. The women take note, and so do the men. Some of them leave as quickly as they can when he enters. He spots her and heads her way.

  “Good Morning, Mrs. Smith. How are you feeling?” He notices everything, the way her blue, green eyes flick around the room as though looking for an escape if she should need it. The way her hands tremble and the desperate look in her eyes.

  “Excellent, thank you. Are you off this morning then?” Faith asks, hoping to sound confident and not terrified.

  “I am, indeed. Just need a good breakfast, I'm starving, I leave you to eat your own breakfast before it gets cold.” He tips his hat to her and chooses a table in the corner facing her. She eats slowly, enjoying her food and greeting those that stop to talk. When the room finally clears out, she stands up and smiles at Solomon, and turns to go, dropping an envelope on the floor.

  He waits for her to leave and quickly walks over, scooping it up with a smile. “Good girl,” he whispers. Time to get to work now. He wants to be back in San Francisco before tomorrow night. He quickly scans the message and her note. Faith wrote, “Talk to Sheriff Bower and his wife, Willow. You will find all you need. Good luck.”

  As Solomon nears the Sheriff's office, he hears weeping inside, and he bumps into a man as he exits.

  “I told you not to rile him, Willow. You know better than that! Remember what he did the last time? Jackson’s arm is just now healing.”

  “No ten-year-old boy should have to live with this kind of fear! His father is the Sheriff for God's sake!” she whimpers.

  “It's time, Willow for us to consider your families offer. The railroad is coming. We can take the train and leave this hell hole. If the banks come to mine the Wolfe property, all our income will be gone. Let's get what we have and go,” he implores.

  “I'm ready whenever you are,” she cries.

  Solomon doesn't feel the least bit ashamed when he walks in and catches them holding each other. The Sheriff looks up and sighs. “How much of that did you hear?” he asks while she tries to hide and conceal the bruises on her face.

  “Didn’t take you to be a violent man, Sheriff,” Solomon implies.

  “I wouldn’t ever lay a hand on my Willow,” he says hanging his head in shame.

  “You wouldn’t understand,” she says, hugging her husband tightly.

  “I understand. I heard enough, and I can promise you that there's a story like this at almost every mining site. I need some questions answered, and if you help me, I can promise you that I will lead the snake away so you can escape. I would highly suggest you leave quickly. When the bank is through with the land here, there'll be nothing left.”

  “Willow, make coffee,” pulling off his hat the sheriff drops heavily into his seat. “What do you need to know?”

  Forty minutes later, Solomon has the information he needs and leaves directly. Eustace and his son have been killing and stealing from the people here long enough. No one is safe from them. He makes sure to ride through town and make a big deal about leaving. He intends to draw Aiden away from town, buying those left behind time to make their choices.

  He hopes they take his advice, it would be a shame to return and find they didn’t heed his warning, an image of Faith pops into his mind. Yeah, he will definitely be handling this one personally. He rides over to the hotel, checks out and leaves a note for Faith. Solomon takes his time riding through town, making sure everyone sees his departure.

  Faith is working in the post office when Solomon rides through town on his way back to San Francisco. She watches for a long time until she sees the shadow ride out after him. “God be with you, Solomon Abbott.”

  Time to get to work on decoding the messages. She isn’t getting paid to do nothing. The clicking sound of a receiving message draws her from her thoughts.

  A few minutes later she is transcribing the message, and her mouth goes dry, and her hands begin to shake. She gasps in shock. “Explosion at the mine, five dead.” The names that follow include William B. Smith. “Noooo!” The moaning wail that she hears in the distance is hers. When she jumps up in disbelief, her water breaks.

  Faith stumbles from the post office, doubled over in pain and fear. The baby is coming, and her husband is dead, what will become of them now? She stumbles towards the hotel, and voices are suddenly around her. They help her to the doctor and twelve hours later, her baby girl, Hope Smith is born. She has a head full of red curls, like her mama and her lusty screams echo through the house. Willow hands her daughter to Faith, and whispers, “Congratulations, Faith.”

  Looking down at her daughter, she can't help but thank the Lord. “She's perfect, isn't she?” The doctor smiles, and they laugh.

  “Of course, she is. A beautiful, healthy baby girl. I want you to take it easy for a few days, Faith. Feed her and rest. Those are my orders.” Willow walks the doctor out, and Faith hears hushed voices.

  Lifting the baby to her breast, she allows her tears to fall for the husband she lost and the father her daughter will never know. “I promise we will be okay. You have brought me Hope, my little angel.”

  A knock on the door has her wiping her tears. “Good evening, Faith,” her friend Christina calls out. Sitting on the side of the bed, she oohs and ahh's over the baby before speaking again.

  “I’m so sorry about Billy. You will not be alone, Faith. Mama said to tell you whatever you need, you let her know.”

  Faith smiles, “Thank you. I will.”

  “That sexy cowboy left you a note before he left.” Shock registers for a moment
and she wonders what Christina thinks. Taking the sealed note, she places it on the bed beside her and changes the subject.

  “Would you like to hold her?” They laugh, enjoying the new baby until Willow returns.

  “Okay, time for the new Mama to rest.” Ushering her out, she offers to watch the baby while Faith sleeps.

  “Thank you, Willow. You'll bring her to me for her next feeding?”

  “Of course, now you get some sleep. Before long, you will be wishing someone was telling you to sleep.”

  After Willow leaves, she slips the note open and gasps in shock. A fifty-dollar bill falls out along with a written note.

  “Thank you for your discretion. I will be back in a few weeks, stay safe. Solomon Abbott.”

  Faith quickly tucks the money in her bible on her side table and smiles in relief. “Oh Billy, I hope you are watching over us.” She falls asleep easier knowing Solomon is returning, for some reason he makes her feel safe.

  Chapter 17

  Safety is the last thing on Solomon's mind. He rides for five hours straight, through rough terrain. The trip down took almost two days, this time he plans on making it in a day and a half. The shadow following him will not have planned out the trip the way Solomon did. The horse will need water and rest after a few hours of riding, and he feels bad pushing him, but time is of the essence in this case.

  Around two o'clock he stops to water the horse by a creek. He gives the animal a good rub down and builds a campfire. He eats slowly and waits. Aiden had fallen a few miles back. Solomon had pushed his animal to the breaking point, and he knows that Aiden's horse won't be in much better shape. A twig breaks and Solomon spins around, pistol raised and ready.

  “Well, now. You're getting slower in your old age.” Jefferson Farley lowers his pistol and strides forward to shake his friend's hand.