“I guess that makes us both part Texans, right?”
“Yep. We’re both from ranching backgrounds and we’re both trackers of a sort by trade, and we both like challenges and enjoy adventures, so we have a few things in common. Our similarities are amazing for recent acquaintances, aren’t they?”
Maggie agreed and added, “Nice, too.”
Do you get to see your mother and stepfather often?” Hawk asked.
“No, the distance between us is too great for frequent visits. But we correspond regularly and I’ll be going there after my next job is finished.” She turned her head, looked at him, and quipped, “That is, if my partner keeps me safe and sound in Prescott.”
His response leapt from his lips and heart before he could stop it, “Don’t worry, Maggie, I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
She tingled all over with desire and warmth at his words. “Thank you, Hawk; you’re a good man, like my father was.”
He saw a glimmering of unshed tears in her blue eyes and was touched by her lingering anguish, one he also had experienced and still endured. If she was for real, and he was getting that impression, she was too good for the sorry likes of Ben Carver. Mercy, he worried, how was he going to keep his promise to keep her safe and sound when she had broken the law and she was interfering with his quest for revenge? “I’m sure that’s the highest compliment you could pay a man, so I’m mighty grateful, and I hope I live up to it,” but I won’t.
I’m certain you will, but I doubt I’ll live up to your expectations of me as a lady and good person, a woman worthy of—Stop it, Maggie, you’re dreaming now, and dreaming never got anybody anywhere. Heaven help you escape my wrath, Ben Carver, if you ‘ve deceived me, Mother, and your father because what I’ve done for you may cost me the perfect man!
As Maggie’s expression altered from soft and sweet to dismay and then to anger, Hawk wondered what she was thinking. “Are you all right, Maggie? You look upset.”
As she gazed at the full moon rising on the eastern horizon, she said, “I’ll be fine in a few minutes, Hawk I’m just a little unsettled by this talk about the past. It’s astounding how certain events alter our lives so greatly, isn’t it?”
“Yep, I understand,” more than you realize.
As Maggie dozed with her left shoulder propped against the train’s side and her head leaning against a folded jacket she had kept out of her baggage to ward off the chill of the desert night, her neck eventually stiffened at the strain placed on it. Without her awareness, her body shifted to another position to her right.
Hawk smiled to himself as the slumbering beauty nestled her head against his shoulder and sighed dreamily in comfort. He glanced down and noted the way moonlight played over the other side of her body and across her lap. He allowed his gaze to trace the curve of her jaw, the line of her dainty nose, the fullness of her lips, the swell of her breasts as she breathed evenly. He inhaled the fragrant smells of her shiny hair and her subtle cologne and felt the warmth of her flesh through his shirt. Mercy, she was captivating!
Maggie, my reckless beauty, why did we have to meet under such difficult circumstances; and why do you tug so on my heart if you’re a wicked person? You make it so hard for me not to respond to you, and impossible for me to mistrust you completely. Lord help us both if I’m letting you blind me to your evil streak. Either way, I have to snare you.
With caution so as to not awaken her, Hawk eased his left arm upward and around her back as he angled his body toward her. Almost immediately, she nestled closer to him on the padded bench they shared, snuggled her cheek to his chest, and slid her left arm across his waist. To hold her there safely, he cupped her shoulder with his hand. Later as he dozed, his cheek drifted to the top of her head.
An hour later, Maggie awakened when the train changed speeds and found herself cuddled in Hawk’s embrace, warm and cozy and comfortable. She listened to the steady beating of his heart and the evenness of his breathing which implied he was asleep. She yearned to gaze at his handsome face; but she knew if she moved, it would no doubt awaken him and propriety would compel them to separate. She glanced toward the front of the car where the other passengers were snoozing, two of the men snoring softly. With most of the windows closed and the others only opened a few inches for fresh air, the noises of the wheels against the rails and those of the steam engine were muffled, and were familiar sounds by now. The sweet bouquet of night blooming flowers wafted in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of soap from Hawk’s recently laundered shirt and jeans. There was a trace of mingled horse and leather scents where he had handled both the previous morning.
It felt wonderful—oddly natural—to be in his arms in the moonlight-dappled shadows. She liked the romantic feelings flowing over her. She was enkindled and fascinated by the man himself. Never before had she experienced this kind of intense pleasure and rampant desire. To kiss him had to be sheer bliss, to bond physically with him would be rapturous. She smiled to herself, boldly remained where she was, and longed for this to be only the beginning for them. If God and Fate were favorable to her, she would resolve her dilemma before the law exposed her wicked deed and the man nearby lost all respect and budding affection for her. She closed her eyes and drifted back off to dreamland.
A light sleeper, Hawk knew Maggie had awakened for a while, but didn’t move from his arms. He couldn’t surmise if her reason was to prevent disturbing him or to seek a more comfortable position, or because she was as drawn to him as he was to her. He hoped being snuggled in a man’s embrace, especially during the night, wasn’t a familiar situation to her. He prayed to the white deity—God— and to the Cheyenne Great Spirit—Maheoo—that she didn’t love and intend to marry Ben Carver. He also prayed that she had an unknown and well-intentioned objective for freeing Ben, just as he did. Whatever motive compelled her to aid that lowlife, he needed to discover what it was and decide how and when to deal with it. I’ve always been a pretty good judge of character, Maggie Malone, and you don’t strike me as being a woman who could love a sorry bastard like that. I have to earn your trust before you’ll open up to me completely; and that’s the only way I’ll learn if you’re worthy of my help in this mess you’ve created.
Maggie awoke with sunlight streaming into the railroad car on the other side, as the tracks had veered northeastward during her slumber. She didn’t know when she had reverted to her original position against the train’s wall or how she had slept deeply enough for Hawk to make a pillow out of his folded duster and place it beside her head and to tuck her jacket around her for warmth. She turned her head and sighted him reading a newspaper. Heaven’s above, he looked good enough to stare at for hours! “Good morning, partner; thanks for the pillow and cover. I see you’re earning your salary already by taking care of me when I’m asleep.”
Hawk chuckled as he lowered last Saturday’s Yuma Arizona Sentinel. “You’re lucky you can block out this Iron Horse’s noises and get some shut-eye. We’ll be coming to our next stop soon. How does stretching your legs and eating a hot breakfast sound to you?”
“Marvelous; I’m stiff and starved. What about you?”
“The same. Boy, that coffee’s gonna taste good, and a walk is just what I need for getting rid of these kinks. I’m not used to being cooped up in a small space or being confined inside for so long.”
“Ah, that restless spirit is itching to break free and that loner streak is begging for solitude, aren’t they?” she jested.
“You got me pegged about right. What about you?”
“I’m not much of a loner, though I do enjoy my privacy. But I do get antsy when I’m forced to sit still for a long period. That bad trait got me and Abby into mischief and trouble several times in school.”
“I seem to recall suffering from that same trait and having to stay after school to dust erasers for the teacher as punishment and discipline.”
As he looked forward and spoke, Maggie sneaked a wilted mint leaf into her mou
th to freshen her breath. “Did it work? Did you learn to behave in class?”
“Oh, I eventually learned how to control myself, or at least learned how not to get caught again.”
“So, you developed a cunning streak to avoid trouble.”
“Yep, ‘cause it was doubled when I got home.”
“Well, it appears as if your schoolmarm and parents did an excellent job of teaching you manners and selfdiscipline.”
“Thanks, and so did yours. She’s slowing down, so it won’t be long now before we can stretch our legs and fill our stomachs.”
Maggie noticed that he didn’t say bellies as most cowboys would. Yes, he was intelligent, interesting, and utterly charming. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was mutually attracted to her. But was she only a temporary and pleasant diversion?
After the train halted, they deboarded and used the facilities to wash up before she purchased them huge and hot catshead biscuits with a fried egg and slice of ham inside and steaming coffee. While the railroaders unloaded freight, they ate the food and sipped their drinks at a wooden table at the depot.
They finished just prior to the engineer blasting the whistle to tell everyone to reboard for impending departure. Hawk assisted her onto the train, and they were seated only a minute before movement began.
At last, the fifteen-hour journey on the Southern Pacific ended when they reached Maricopa at four o’clock that afternoon. Hawk told her the wells was a favorite and necessary stopping point for immigrants and other travelers to rest, take on water, and replenish supplies before heading across the harsh and lengthy desert. The Pima Indians who once lived there in great numbers, now dwindled by white man’s conquest and disease, still grew and sold corn, wheat, barley, melons, and other vegetables; and they also collected wood for purchase by the railroad company to use as fuel.
Maggie noticed that the town was small, with spread-out structures in adobe and crude livestock fences of either rock or sticks. There was the railroad depot, stage depot, post office for inland service, telegraph company, businesses of various types and sizes to supply travelers and locals with their needs, one simple hotel, several restaurants, a few boarding houses, and the ever-present abundance of saloons.
It was obvious to her that it was populated by a variety of races which included Chinese, Mexicans, and Indians, along with those who called themselves Americans whether or not they were born in this country. It also was apparent that men vastly outnumbered women and children, and the location was infested with an offensive portion of unsavory males. It certainly wasn’t the kind of place for a lady to be alone, and Maggie was glad to have the ebony-haired tracker and bounty hunter as her escort and guardian.
Maggie took a hasty sponge bath using a large basin in her hotel room because she didn’t trust the public water closet down the hall to assure privacy, and she doubted it was clean enough to suit her. To allow her travel garments to air out, she donned a plain dress to prevent calling unwanted attention to herself. Since she couldn’t wash her long hair, she brushed as much of the trail dust from it as possible and secured it with a ribbon at her nape. Afterward, she opened her door to go join Hawk to eat supper together but found him leaning against the wall nearby.
Hawk looked her over, grinned, and said, “Wise choices, Maggie, or I might have been fighting men away all evening.”
She smiled in pleasure. “I take it you were on guard duty?”
“Yep, so I wouldn’t be forced to whip anybody I caught spying on you, which was a big possibility considering the stares you got between the train depot and here. I guess you noticed ladies are far and few between in this area, and a refined and beautiful one like you is even rarer to come by.”
“Thank you for those compliments, kind sir, and for your generous protection. Do you think our possessions will be safe in our rooms?”
“Yep, because we’ll only be downstairs for a short time, and I’ll keep my eyes and wits alert. Nobody will take any risks with us that close by.”
As she locked her door, Hawk asked, “How much more of that year’s trial basis do you have left?” He saw her hands pause on the knob.
Maggie hated to lie to him, but she did, “A few months.”
As they headed down the hallway, Hawk deduced she had deceived him with reluctance, and he was glad. “Since you’re still roaming around the Wild West, I take it your boss is pleased with your work so far.”
“I always do my best in whatever endeavor I begin. Don’t you?”
“Yep, I give every job I take on all I have to offer.”
I would love to earn all you have to offer a woman, but I doubt that will happen. “And you’ve never failed or been defeated, right?”
Hawk shrugged and grinned. “So far, so good, I’m pleased to say.”
“And without boasting; I like that quality in a person,” she told him as she took his elbow to descend the stairs, stimulated by their contact and easy rapport.
“Would it be forward or impolite of me to ask how old you are?”
Maggie laughed and said, “Considering we’re partners, not at all. I’m twenty-three until late June.” She laughed again and whispered in a merry tone, “I suppose that makes me sound like a spinster.”
Hawk liked the cunning way—and hopefully the reason why—she revealed that personal information. “That only means you haven’t been married so far, but I bet you have a sweetheart eagerly waiting for your return home. Isn’t that correct, Maggie, if it’s all right to ask?” Now, let’s see if or how you lie your way out of that trap you set for yourself…
Chapter
Six
“No, I don’t have a sweetheart pining for me. Do you?” “Nope,” he said at the base of the steps. “I haven’t stayed put in one place long enough to find and court a woman. Considering that adventurous streak of yours, I guess it’s the same for you.” He watched her nod. “Let’s sit at this first table, so I can keep an eye on the door and stairs. I don’t want anybody sneaking past me and running off with our belongings.”
“Are you sure Diablo is safe outside at the hitching post?” Maggie asked Hawk as he assisted her with her chair.
He leaned toward her and almost whispered, “Yep, he wouldn’t let anybody get near him without kicking up a big fuss. He’d probably bite and stomp anybody fool enough to challenge him. I fed and watered him before I came upstairs to stand guard, so he’s fine.” He also had made a hasty trip to the telegraph office to ask a friend in Texas to check up on her for him, and he felt a mixture of eagerness and reluctance for that response.
Maggie watched Hawk take a seat opposite hers, facing the archway into the tiny hotel lobby. At least, she reasoned, he didn’t seem to be afraid of or averse to the subject of marriage; that much was good news, though it probably wouldn’t profit her any. With the small room crowded and noisy, she didn’t continue their private talk. She smiled at the Chinese waiter who took their orders, then scurried away in rapid and short steps.
It wasn’t long before the black-clad man returned with their plates of chili piled atop tortillas, baked beans, and rice speckled with spices and their drinks; and they began eating immediately.
She observed that Hawk sat with enough space between his firm body and the table and between his broad back and the chair to allow for swift action if necessary. To her disappointment, he didn’t chat during supper, but she was certain he caught every word spoken near him and noted every motion others made. Though he looked relaxed, she was sure he was on full alert, ready to react to danger in the flicker of an eye, and no doubt with great skill and courage. In her opinion, his movements and expressions were the result of years of experience and practice. Long light blue sleeves rolled to his elbows revealed a smooth hardness in his forearms, the shirt’s pale color a vivid contrast to his dark tan. From beneath lowered lashes, she saw the enticing span of hairless chest which showed above the few buttons he had left unfastened. He was so virile and appealing that he almost stole her breath and
wits. Yet, there was so much more to that special man than his good looks, prowess, and charms. She felt so at ease around him, so drawn to him, as if she had known and waited for him all of her adult life. She found herself wanting to talk with him, hear his mellow voice and laughter, but thought it unwise to distract him from his self-appointed guard duty.
Hawk knew Maggie was scrutinizing him on the sly. He liked her interest in him, but found it most diverting when he should be keeping his attention on their surroundings. In his attempt to get close to Ben and his cohorts through her, he had allowed Miss Margaret Anne Malone to get under his thick skin, to imbed herself deep within his aching and lonely heart. Mercy, it was going to be painful to lose her atop of his parents and brother! And lose her he probably would for one reason or another.
He wished he hadn’t linked up with her, just kept his distance and followed her to those bastards; then his mind wouldn’t be in this turmoil. Now, with Ben in hiding, he had to carry out his rash deception in order to reach his family’s killers and punish them. In doing so, he would betray and jeopardize her, and that reality cut at his heart like a sharp and lethal knife. What am I going to do about you, Maggie, my love? With good luck, I’ll soon discover just who and what you are, especially to Ben Carver. Maybe those facts will reveal your motives and goals for freeing him. And tell me if I’m misjudging you and being a blind and self-deluded fool.
After finishing their food, Hawk said, “It would be nice to take a stroll, but this is a rough place after dark and we don’t want any trouble. Besides, we should turn in soon to get a good night’s sleep to be prepared for our overland ride tomorrow. We pull out early, and I’ll warn you now, it won’t be a short or pleasant trip.”
Wild Winds Page 10