The Texan and the Lady

by Jodi Thomas

  “Do you think it was Ward?”

  “I don’t think so,” Audrey answered. “True heard the marshal talking to the man, and he didn’t have much to say other than he wanted to be left alone. If he’d been interested in you, looks like he would have at least asked after you by name.”

  “Unless he thought I might have gone to the law about the attack.” Delta’s eyes widened. “I shouldn’t have come tonight. It was too big a risk.”

  “Nonsense.” Audrey patted her on the shoulder. “Who could hurt you at the dance? He’s not likely to show up here even if that stranger was your brother. He’s long gone by now. Probably miles away. Every day you should feel safer and safer. If Ward hasn’t found you by now, he probably wasn’t able to track you this far.”

  Delta steepled her fingers as if in prayer, then looked from Audrey to Jennie. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. You both saved my life two weeks ago.”

  “You’d have done the same,” Jennie said.

  “I’ve come to offer something that might help you.” Delta smiled. “I’d like to take True back to the ranch with me for a few days.”

  “What!” both women said at once.

  “I’d take good care of the child, and it would give me something to do. True could play in the sunlight for a change.”

  Jennie looked at Audrey, reading her face as easily as she knew her own feelings. True would have fun with Delta. It would be good for the boy and as safe as it was here, but even the thought of letting the child go pulled at her heart.

  “I don’t know,” Jennie began. “What would Colton say?”

  “I’ll ask him if you think it’s a good idea.” Delta shrugged. “But I can’t imagine him saying no. He’s not around the house enough to even notice.”

  True was the only one who moved. “What do the three of you think you’re doing thinking you can decide my life? Sometimes I think the angel in charge of sending down guardians must have gone overboard and sent me three. I told you from the first. I’m on my own. I just stay here with you ‘cause you might need me.”

  Delta mimicked True’s stance. “I do need you. If you’ll come, you’d have a room of your own and miles of land to explore.”

  True didn’t look interested as Delta continued. “The rolls might not be as good as Audrey’s, but the cook makes a fine berry pie.”

  “I got things to do around here,” True answered. “The marshal and the sheriff need me.”

  “But I need you, too. We could explore on the ranch, and I’m sure Colton would let you ride one of his horses.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.” Delta had found the key.

  True didn’t hesitate any longer. “I’ll go with you, Mary Elizabeth. I’ll sneak down to the wagon during the dance and be waiting when you get ready to drive home,” True said, as if the decision had never been any concern of the others. “As long as I’m back in a few days. Henry and me have plans that can’t wait much longer than that.”

  Audrey reluctantly agreed. “You’ll make sure True drinks half milk with coffee.”

  Jennie added, “At least we’ll know where True is. I’ll tell the marshal. He worries about the child as much as we do.”

  Delta nodded and stood, then hugged everyone one more time before hurrying downstairs to wait for a chance to talk to Colton.

  He was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, his eyes as black and cold as ever. His dark handsomeness always made Delta pause for a moment to stare. She’d spent many hours wondering if the coldness about him went all the way to his heart. But his hand felt warm as he took hers and they walked slowly into the dining hall. He didn’t say a word, but she’d learned not to expect unnecessary conversation with him. The band tuning up for another round was the only sound that passed between them.

  As before when they’d entered the dining room that had been cleared to make a dance floor, Delta didn’t miss the way folks stopped and stared.

  “Do you feel up to dancing, Mary Elizabeth?” He was already leading her onto the dance floor when he finally asked.

  “Yes, sir,” she whispered, glancing around to witness the way the others watched Colton. Delta couldn’t help but smile. She guessed everyone might find Colton Barkley a little frightening with his cold manner and hard voice, but she was drawn to his strength. Never in her life had she been around a strong man. Her father had been broken and weak from the time she could remember, and her stepfather was loud and always bullying.

  But Colton never shouted at her or anyone on his ranch as near as she could tell. She’d spent the past two weeks studying the man. His control was stoic, his manner unyielding. He was a private man, and she admired that about him. He offered no excuses and accepted none from others. Colton demanded that any person, including himself, take responsibility square on the shoulders without whimper or compromise. Delta didn’t even mind the remoteness he wore like a medal.

  When they reached the center of the room, he raised his hand in invitation. As he lead her across the floor with polished skill, his grip was firm around her fingers. The music continued, and Delta felt him relax a fraction, as though his muscles remembered a time he danced for pleasure and not simply because it was expected of him.

  When the dance finished, his warm hand slid beneath her arm. They walked in silence toward the line of chairs along one wall.

  “Thank you.” Delta stared up into his black eyes as he offered her a chair. “I’m afraid I’ve had very little opportunity to dance in my life.”

  “You did fine,” he answered without smiling. His gaze repeatedly scanned the room, as if watching for trouble. She had the feeling no man would ever catch Colton off guard, not in this lifetime.

  “If another asks me …” Delta didn’t want to have another man touch her. She could relax in Colton’s formal embrace, but wasn’t sure how she’d react with another.

  Colton interrupted. “No man will ask you to dance. You’re with me.”

  “Correction.” Marshal McCormick stepped up beside Delta. “I’d like the honor of the next dance, if you have no objections?” Austin knew he was playing with fire, but sometimes a hunter had to poke a hole in a den and just wait and see what came out. If Colton was as hotheaded as everyone seemed to think, better Austin knew now before the little lady left alone with him again.

  Delta studied the marshal. She could hardly turn him down, since most everyone in the room knew he had pulled Mary Elizabeth from the train wreck. She glanced at Colton but saw no answer in his dark eyes. He didn’t seem to care one way or the other if she danced.

  “I’d be delighted, Marshal,” Delta answered as she stood.

  Austin held her in his arms so carefully she wanted to giggle. He seemed very much afraid of breaking her if he turned too fast.

  “How have you been recovering?” he asked, leaning over to talk to her almost like a grown-up would a child.

  “Very well.” Delta smiled. “I’m not sure I had time to thank you for saving my life.”

  Austin shook his head. “No thanks needed. Seeing you looking so lovely tonight was thanks enough.” Austin hesitated. Whether she admitted to being Delta or not wasn’t as pressing as her safety. He slowed his steps so that they didn’t quite match the music. “How do you like staying at Colton Barkley’s place?”

  Delta knew as well as he did that he wasn’t asking about the ranch. “I’m being treated with much kindness,” she lied. It was more like polite indifference, but no one outside of the ranch needed to know that. Colton’s attitude, she thought, must be rubbing off on her, for her guard was up high enough to block out even the tall marshal.

  Austin nodded, as though he’d satisfied some law by checking on her. The dance ended before he could ask any more questions. He walked her back to Barkley’s side and thanked her for the dance, deciding the railroad worker was out of line to call a man a wife-killer when all he seemed to be was a widower who wanted to keep to himself. Besides, if the truth be known, the
little lady he’d just danced with probably had a few secrets in her past as well.

  When Delta returned to Colton, she slid her fingers into the bend of his arm without saying a word. For a moment she thought he might pull away, for it was the boldest thing she’d ever done. But he pulled her arm to him, gently pressing her hand between his elbow and rib cage. When she looked up at him, he watched the room as always, but the pressure didn’t decrease as he pressed her fingers against his side.

  While the evening aged, they enjoyed a few more dances. Except for the marshal, Colton had been right—no one else asked her for the pleasure of a dance. He left her alone at times so that she could visit with the other women, but she noticed he made no effort to talk to anyone in the room. When he disappeared onto the porch, pulling a cheroot from his vest pocket, Delta knew her chance had come to ask him about True.

  She followed him out, paying little attention to the stares and whispers.

  For a moment she thought he must have left, for only the cold air greeted her in the shadows. She moved silently along the wide veranda, wishing she’d stopped for her wrap before following him.

  As she reached the railing, she stood staring out into the clear winter night. Looking closely, she saw the glow of his thin cigar. Finally her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, and his outline came into focus beneath a tree several yards away. He stood, watching the lights from town flicker in the distance. His body was stiff, not relaxed as though he were enjoying the evening, but hard as if braced against a wind no one else felt.

  Delta took a deep breath and headed toward him. The worst he could do was yell at her for following him outside, and she was willing to risk that to have True with her for a few days.

  “Colton?” Most men would have been startled, but his body barely moved. He must have known she was there.

  He dropped the cigar and turned to face her. “Yes?”

  Delta suddenly lost her bravery. He was such a powerful man, and now here in the shadows he seemed frightening. An animal of the darkness in his element. She forced herself to move closer, reminding her shaking body that he’d never harmed her or even hinted that he might.

  “I have a favor to ask of you.”

  He didn’t move. She could only see the profile of his face. He seemed made of unyielding stone.

  Her hand trembled when she reached out to touch his arm as she had before. She must feel his warmth, know that he was real, before she asked him to take in a child that wasn’t even hers.

  When her fingers slid along the hard muscle of his upper arm, Colton reacted immediately. She heard the sudden intake of his breath and knew she’d surprised him with her action. She could feel the muscles tighten beneath her touch and was comforted that the shadow had become human.

  She’d expected him to move away from even her slight touch, but he remained planted, so close and yet seemingly out of her reach. Without curving her fingers Delta slid her hand to his shoulder. She could feel the power beneath the fabric of his coat … If only an ounce of kindness dwelled there as well …

  “When I was here before, I met a child, an orphan. I’d like to bring him back to the ranch with me. Only for a few days of course.” Delta held her breath. She knew just telling anyone about True was dangerous. If he told Mrs. Gray or the sheriff, the child could be taken away. But somehow Delta knew Colton never told anyone anything more than what he must.

  “Is this child yours?” His words were bitter winter.

  “No,” Delta answered, thinking that was a fair question to ask a stranger. Even though she’d spent two weeks in his home, she was still very much a stranger to him.

  “Then why do you care?”

  Hugging herself more from the coldness of the man beside her than the chilly wind, she answered, “True’s all alone. Both parents are dead. When the Harvey girls found him, he looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.”

  “But he’s not yours. He belongs to no one.” Colton stated the fact.

  Delta moved closer, wishing she could see his eyes. She wondered if his thoughts were as cold as his words. Anger fired her reply. “Maybe he belongs to us all. It doesn’t matter if I’m his mother; all children need love and care.”

  He was silent for so long she thought he wasn’t going to answer. Turning to face the lights from town, Delta felt the numbness growing around her heart and realized that if he said no tonight, she’d count the hours until she could be out of his sight. She thought about begging or pleading or even crying, but somehow she knew none of those tactics would work on Colton Barkley.

  Slowly he removed his jacket and placed it around her. His hands rested on her shoulders so lightly she wasn’t sure they were there. “If you wish to have the child with you, I have no objections.”

  “Thank you.” She turned in his arms. “I’ll see that he’s no trouble.”

  Delta was so close she could smell the hint of his cigar in the air between them. As before, he made no effort to move away from her. Hesitantly Delta lifted her hand and placed it over his heart. The shirt was cold, but she could feel the warmth just beneath her touch. Somewhere in this stone statue breathed a man. A good man perhaps.

  She had to open the door of honesty between them, if only just a crack. She owed him that much. “I know I’m not what you were expecting from my letters.” He’d made that obvious by spending almost every waking hour away from the ranch house. “But if there is anything I can do to help you these next couple of weeks until the month is over, then please let me. You’ve been kind to me and I’d like to repay you.”

  “There’s no need.” Again his words were winter ice, but his heart still pounded beneath her fingers.

  “Please,” she whispered. “I could cook or clean. I can even sew if you need anything.”

  “No,” he insisted. “I have others who attend to those chores.”

  Delta nodded, feeling guilty that she’d have to take his money for a ticket in two weeks. When Jennie had thought of the plan, Delta had visualized a poor widower whose house would be in shambles, and she’d figured she could feel she’d given him something in return by cleaning and cooking. Delta’s fingers lifted from Colton’s chest as she stepped away, knowing that it would take far more than the time she had left to be a friend to this man.

  When she turned, Colton touched her shoulder lightly, carefully. “There is something,” he admitted, “but whether you say yes or no doesn’t matter. The child can still come back to the ranch with us.”

  Delta smiled, happy to be of some help to him. “Name the task, kind sir.”

  She thought she heard the low beginnings of a chuckle from him. “You’re the only person on this earth who would refer to me as such.”

  “Then they don’t see as clearly as I,” she retorted, knowing that she’d seen true evil in men and this one before her bore no hint of it. “Name your task.” Delta suddenly wanted very much to make his life a little easier.

  He took a deep breath before answering. “You know the way you touched me in there, in front of everyone?”

  A flush spread across her cheeks. She hadn’t meant to embarrass him by her slight display. She’d meant it as only kindness. How could she have guessed such a small touch would have offended him? “I understand,” she nodded, “you wish not to be so informal. I’m sorry. I meant no harm …” She should have been able to read his disapproval in his cold stance.

  “No,” Colton interrupted. “I didn’t disapprove. No one has touched me like that in years. I wish you to continue both in public and in private.”

  “But you never …”

  “Can you do so whether I respond or not?”

  “If you wish,” Delta replied. Though the request seemed odd, it was a small favor to ask for all he’d done for her. She’d already sensed that he was perhaps frozen beyond all response to any touch. But if he wanted her to play a part, she would do so without question.

  “I wish it,” Colton answered, turning once more to the lights of town, as
though their conversation had been no more than casual comments.

  Delta watched him, wondering what made up this strange man and what it must have taken to mold him so tightly. He didn’t seem old enough to have lived through all the suffering it would have taken to fire the steel of his frame.

  Slowly, without hesitation, she placed her hand in the hollow of his arm. “Are you ready to go inside?”

  He nodded and covered her fingers with his own as they walked back toward the party.

  “One other thing.” He helped her onto the steps. “If you have any other questions or favors, have no reluctance to ask.”

  “Thank you again, kind sir. I will.”

  The low chuckle she’d thought she’d heard once before rumbled from him, but he didn’t say a word as he led her back inside.

  When he closed the door, he glanced once more at the outline of a man who’d been watching the house since they’d arrived. A large man keeping well out of the light.

  Chapter 17

  Marshal,” True whispered to Austin from outside the window. “Marshal McCormick!” Music and dancers almost drowned out the tiny voice.

  Austin turned around and noticed True’s dirty little face staring at him with saucer eyes. He backed against the wall beside the window. “Yes, son,” he answered.

  “Got to talk to you.” True disappeared without waiting to see if Austin followed.

  Austin glanced around the room, then walked slowly to the door as though he had no more on his mind than a smoke in the cool night air. Everyone seemed too busy dancing or flirting to notice his movements. Even clean-shaven Spider Morris was sitting halfway up the stairs talking with Mrs. Gray like she was newly widowed and he was fresh off a six-month trail drive.

  When Austin reached the darkness of the porch, True was beside him. The child made a habit of appearing and disappearing as soundlessly as smoke.

  “Marshal, I got a few questions, and they can’t wait till morning.”