Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3)

by Shanna Hatfield

  Something about her spoke to his heart, whispered to his soul, and connected them in ways he couldn’t begin to fathom. A part of him felt like he’d known her forever. In other ways, he felt a brand new excitement bubbling in him every time he saw her.

  Earlier, when she cuddled close to him as they stared at the stars, Tully experienced the sensation of finally coming home. Brianna was the place he’d been searching to find. Although he’d set down roots in Baker City, his heart had been waiting for her to come along to claim its home.

  Not that he’d spent a lot of time dreaming of a wife, but Brianna was nothing like the vision he’d pictured for a spouse. He always assumed he’d remain free and unfettered, but after Thane married Jemma, Tully realized he wanted a love like the two of them shared.

  Doubtful he’d ever find true love, he’d offered to marry Maggie when she seemed so lost and heartbroken in the spring. Wisely, she turned him down and gave her heart to Ian.

  Tully grinned as he thought of how hard he’d worked to make Ian jealous and convince him he had plans to wed Maggie. Thane teased him about getting a job with a traveling theatrical company based on his performance. Proud of how well he’d played the part of an enamored suitor, he realized he really was one when it came to the woman sleeping a few feet away from him.

  Brianna arrived in town a spoiled, demanding, snobbish thorn in his side. Now, he’d do anything for her, to keep her safe and protected. He’d been amazed how quickly she’d dropped her pretentious demeanor, at least with everyone but him, and adapted to life in Baker City.

  A chuckle almost worked its way free of his chest as he recalled catching her muttering about how thoroughly she despised the privy behind Maggie’s shop. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind that Brianna was accustomed to a life of lavishness.

  Tully shook his head. What did he have to offer a woman like Brianna Dumont, other than his heart? It seemed precious little compared to the wealth and luxury to which she was accustomed.

  As dawn approached, Tully made a fresh pot of coffee then checked on his prisoner. Dale spent most of the night snoring like a bear in a beehive.

  To shake off his melancholy thoughts and awaken himself, Tully splashed cold creek water on his face and neck, and breathed in the fresh morning air. Alone, he spent a few quiet moments sending up prayers, grateful to greet another new day. When he returned to the fire, Brianna sat on her knees, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

  “Mornin’, Fred,” he said, walking up behind her.

  The look she tossed over her shoulder made him want to kiss her in the worst way, but he tamped down the urge. Instead, he handed her a piece of jerky and took one for himself.

  “How far are we from town?” she asked, getting to her feet, although she kept the blanket wrapped around her shoulders for warmth.

  “It’ll probably take us about an hour and a half, maybe two to get back to town. As soon as sleeping beauty wakes up, we’ll head out.” Tully tipped his head toward the tree where he’d tied Dale.

  Brianna grinned and took a sip of the coffee from the cup Tully handed to her. “I thought perhaps some wild animal had wandered into our camp for all the noise he produces in his slumber.”

  Tully grinned and took the cup back when she held it out to him. “At first I thought the racket came from a moose in mating season, but it’s just him.” He handed Brianna a few more pieces of jerky with a grin.

  While she ate her meager breakfast, Brianna folded the blanket then walked away from the camp.

  “Be careful and don’t get lost,” Tully called after her.

  “I’m perfectly capable of finding my way back,” she said, insulted he thought she might lose her way in broad daylight.

  On her way back from taking care of her personal needs, Brianna stopped to wash her hands and face at the creek. The frigid temperature of the water made her draw in a sharp breath. At the same time, the crisp air and cold water left her invigorated.

  She rocked back on her heels and stared at her likeness in the clear water of the creek. At the mussed reflection, she finger-combed her hair and braided it again. The wrinkles in her clothes, though, were beyond her ability to repair without a hot iron.

  Determined not to give her disheveled appearance another thought, she looked around, admiring the lush grass surrounding her and the scent of pine in the air.

  Her gaze drifted across the creek. The pair of beady little eyes watching her forced a scream out of her throat, breaching the morning stillness.

  With another shrill scream, she scrambled to her feet and ran toward camp. Turning to glance over her shoulder, she collided with a solid form.

  Tully wrapped his hands around her arms as he caught her, worry etching lines between his eyebrows. “What is it, darlin’? What happened?”

  “There’s some horrid creature over there.” Brianna pointed to the creek.

  Much to her dismay, he led her back to the bank.

  He looked around then pointed to a spot several feet up the creek. “That’s just a muskrat, Fred. No need to carry on like he’s the harbinger of death and destruction. You probably scared the little critter more than he did you.”

  Brianna shuddered at the sight of the rodent’s furless, scaly tail. “I highly doubt that.” Covered in thick brown fur, the muskrat pushed webbed feet in the water as it swam away from them.

  “What’s all the ruction, Sheriff?” Dale called from his spot at the tree.

  Tully laced his fingers with Brianna’s as they walked back to the camp. “Dale ought to thank you for screaming. If it hadn’t brought him awake, I was ready to fill the coffeepot with creek water and pour it over his head.”

  “Maybe you should do that anyway,” Brianna whispered as they stepped into the clearing.

  Dale looked their way and she giggled while Tully chuckled. “Maybe I will.”

  Brianna poured the last of the coffee into the tin cup then rinsed the pot while Tully untied Dale and took him into the bushes.

  When they returned, Tully gave his prisoner a piece of jerky and the cup of coffee. While Dale complained about the empty hole in his belly that the coffee and jerky didn’t fill, Tully watered the horses then saddled the ones they planned to ride.

  Loco snorted and stomped when Dale moved too close to him. The rustler frantically scrambled away from the horse, tripping in the process.

  Tully lifted him by the back of his collar and unceremoniously plopped him on his mount. After he tied his hands and feet, he helped Brianna mount her horse then handed her the lead ropes for the two horses she’d led the previous day.

  “Let’s go,” he said as he mounted Cotton and led their little procession in the direction of town.

  An hour later, he detoured through the trees and rode into the back of a property Brianna thought she recognized from the previous day.

  A man waved and hurried their direction when they neared the barn.

  “Well, I’ll be, Tully. You said you wouldn’t come home without the rustler, and there you are. Which one of you has the beautiful accomplice?”

  Tully stepped out of the saddle and grinned. “Luden Scott, this is Brianna Dumont. She’s a nosy newspaper reporter who wanted first dibs on the horse rustler story.” Tully winked at Brianna. “Miss Dumont, meet Luden Scott. He’s one of the finest horse trainers I’ve ever met and he’s been trying to work some of the crazy out of ol’ Loco.”

  “You obviously have your work cut out for you, Mr. Scott. I wish you all the best in your endeavors,” she said, smiling at the cowboy.

  “I’ll need all the help I can get with Loco. He is one thick-headed ol’ son of a gun.” Luden took the lead ropes from Brianna while Tully led Loco to the corral. “I appreciate you finding my horses while you were rescuing Loco.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” Tully said, turning his horse loose with the others. Loco bucked a few times before running around the enclosure and stopping on the far side. “Hopefully, we won’t have any more problems wi
th horses disappearing around here.”

  “Except for that one.” Luden pointed to Dale as he tried to ride off unseen. He’d only gone a few yards when Brianna grabbed his reins, putting a swift end to his attempt to flee.

  “That boy seems to have more rocks rolling around in his head than brains.” Tully shook Luden’s hand then swung back onto Cotton. He took the reins to Dale’s horse from Brianna and grinned at his friend. “Thanks again, Luden. I’ll stop by soon to see how Loco’s progressing.”

  “Be sure you do.” Luden tipped his hat to Brianna. “It was a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “You as well, Mr. Scott. Have a pleasant day.”

  Luden smiled. “I plan to, Miss Dumont. Safe travels back to town.”

  With only Dale’s horse to lead, Tully set a faster pace as they rode to Baker City. It was nearly nine when he stopped in front of the jail. Deputy Harter ran out to greet them, taking over the duty of shoving Dale into a jail cell.

  Sore from riding and weary from her adventures, Brianna wanted to take a bath, eat a hot meal then sleep for several hours.

  First, she had to muster enough energy to swing her leg over the back of the horse. Tully came to her rescue, grasping her waist in his hands and lifting her out of the saddle before setting her on her feet.

  “You go on home, Fred. I’ll take care of returning your horse to Milt and explain why you didn’t bring him back yesterday.” Aware of many sets of eyes watching them, Tully handed Brianna the bag that contained her notebook and raised his voice just enough those intently listening could hear. “It was a surprise to run into you on the trail this morning. Next time you decide to go for a sunrise ride, be sure you let someone know where you’re heading. You might not be so lucky next time to encounter a handsome man of the law.”

  Befuddled by his words, Brianna gave him a confused look then noticed the crowd gathering around them. Mindful of Tully’s attempt to salvage her reputation, she glared at him. “If I happen to encounter such a man, I’ll be sure to let you know.” The clipped tone of her voice and curt nod of her head led those around them to believe she still loathed the sheriff.

  A few of the men chuckled while some of the women smiled as she stalked away from him, heading in the direction of Maggie’s shop and her apartment.

  With no time to watch her walk away, Tully focused on the business of contacting a U.S. Marshal to take Dale Darcey off his hands.

  Chapter Twelve

  Throughout town, people talked about the newspaper article Brianna wrote detailing Dale Darcey’s arrest. She’d even managed to get a quote from Thane and his mine manager, Mr. Gaffney, about Dale’s role in leaving them stranded at the mine in November.

  She’d wanted to make Tully sound like the champion she believed him to be, but stuck to reporting the facts. If others called him a hero, it wasn’t because she’d created any bias in his favor. Although she maintained her pretense that she and Tully were still at odds, she was pleased so many of the townspeople respected and admired the sheriff.

  He worked hard to keep the town safe and peaceable, and deserved whatever praise they cast his way.

  Bowen Packwood had danced an excited little jig in his office when Brianna turned in the story. He’d been so happy with her article, he generously told her she could write an article about any topic of her choosing and he’d publish it.

  While she considered penning something about summer fashions or the Eastern Star Lodge’s pie social, she mulled over her options. Whatever she wrote, she wanted it to impact their readers.

  Unbeknownst to Tully, Brianna also wrote an article about her experience with an old West lawman in tracking down a wanted criminal. She painted pictures with her words of the beautiful scenery and described the scent of the trees and the brisk fresh air. In detail, she observed the western lifestyle of which many people only dreamed remained alive and well in Eastern Oregon. With her heart wide open, she allowed herself to write about Tully through the eyes of love.

  When she finished, she signed it B.E. Dumont and mailed it off to a newspaper in New York, hoping they would be interested in publishing the article.

  A week later, she received a telegram from the paper. The editor was thrilled with her submission and wired her a bank draft for an amount that made her read it twice to make sure she wasn’t mistaken.

  The paper promised to mail her copies of the article and encouraged her to send more submissions in the future.

  An idea for a series of stories, based on Tully and his adventures, niggled the back of her mind until she’d considered asking if he’d be willing to join forces with her.

  Consumed with her ponderings of how best to broach the subject with him, Brianna wandered down the main street of town, glancing in store windows and wishing for a breeze to dispel the relentless summer heat. After the snowstorm, the weather turned blistering hot, making for miserable afternoons and stuffy evenings.

  Without paying any mind to where she walked, Brianna stepped into the street as Mr. Bentley drove by on the sprinkler wagon. The old man drove the wagon shaped like a barrel up and down the streets of town in the summer, sprinkling water to keep down the dust.

  Heedless to anything around her, Brianna just happened to be in the line of fire as water sprayed across the street. Dust stirred up by the wheels of the wagon and the horses coated the pale yellow fabric of her gown, clinging to every drop of water soaking into her skirt.

  “Oh, gracious!” she said, stepping onto the boardwalk and glancing at the old man who cackled from his seat high on top of the barrel.

  “Stay out of the way, missy, or you’ll turn into a mud pie.”

  Incensed, she glowered at his back as he continued on his way. “What a contemptible…”

  A familiar baritone behind her made her jump. “Now, Fred, you be nice to Mr. Bentley. If it wasn’t for him, the dust on the streets would be a foot deep.” Tully grinned at her as he glanced down at her soggy, soiled skirt. “Maybe next time you should pay attention to where you’re headed.”

  Since he was right, she refrained from saying anything. Instead, she turned and walked toward her apartment so she could change. Tully fell into step beside her.

  “If you’d stop racing off in a huff, I have a question for you,” Tully said in a hushed tone as they walked past a group of women in front of the Crystal Palace, a shop specializing in items for the home. Lamps, clocks, and gleaming china glistened in the window.

  “What is it?” Brianna asked, slowing her step although she didn’t turn to look at Tully. If she did, she might surrender to the need to be back in his arms. Since the night he’d held her beneath the stars, she’d wished a thousand times he’d hold her like that again.

  “The Fourth of July festivities are tomorrow and I wanted to invite you to share lunch with me.”

  He appeared to struggle to get the words out. The self-assured sheriff couldn’t be nervous about inviting her to accompany him to the festivities — could he?

  Fires, floods, rabid beasts, and bloodthirsty raiders would have to descend on the town all at once to keep her from going with him, but she didn’t want to agree too quickly. “What transpires during the festivities?”

  “There are contests and speeches, and a community picnic. Some people set up booths to sell trinkets and such. At dusk, there’s a big fireworks show that’s quite something to see.” Tully looked both ways along the street and noticed a few people watching them. He tugged Brianna around the corner into an alley. The shadows of the buildings hid them from prying eyes. “Please, Brianna, say you’ll go with me.”

  As though he needed to give her a reason to say yes, he brushed his thumb over the curve of her cheek and along her jaw, turning her knees and resistance to mush.

  Unable to speak as his fingers trailed along the exposed skin of her throat, she mutely nodded her head.

  “I’ll stop by Maggie’s shop for you at ten. Would that be agreeable to you?” Tully’s eyes burned into hers, but he
took a step back.

  Finally finding her voice, she nodded again. “That would be fine, Sheriff.”

  “Good.” He disappeared around the back corner of the building, leaving her alone.

  Brianna leaned against the side of the furniture store, willing her heart to settle back into a regular beat and her legs to return to normal. It took a few moments before she was convinced she could walk without looking like a stumbling drunk and continue the rest of the way back to her apartment.

  After changing her gown, she decided to go to the park and sit in the shade of the trees where she hoped to find relief from the heat. As she relaxed on a bench and watched children play, a wiggling presence slid close to her. She smiled down at Sammy.

  “Hello, Sammy. I haven’t seen you for a few days. Are you well?”

  The boy nodded, but looked sad.

  “Is everything okay at home? Is there something I can do to help you?”

  Sammy shook his head then leaned against Brianna, as though in need of a comforting touch. Without hesitation, she wrapped an arm around the child’s thin shoulders and pulled him against her. “If you decide you need my help with anything, Sammy, please come find me anytime.”

  He sniffled once and closed his eyes. Only a few moments passed until little puffs of air coming from his mouth indicated he slept. Brianna removed his dusty cap and settled him on the bench so his head rested on her lap.

  Tenderly, she brushed the hair from his face. She studied the freckles on his stubby little nose and a smudge of dirt on the stubborn chin.

  She must remember to ask Tully what he knew of Sammy and his family. Although she meant to inquire many times, she always got distracted around the sheriff.

  Quietly, Brianna opened the notebook she’d brought along and worked on a story for Mr. Packwood about the creamery in town opening a new cheese division. She’d sampled some of the cheese and it was delicious.

  Thoughts of food made her question what she could contribute to the community potluck the following day. Any attempts on her part to make something would result in her unintentionally poisoning someone if she didn’t burn down Maggie’s shop in the process.