by Debra Cowan
“No, I’ll get her.” Susannah scooted out of bed and pulled on her wrapper, then bent to pick up the baby from her pallet.
Lorelai lay on her back, kicking her legs and crying angrily. Susannah picked her up, putting the baby to her breast before she realized that she had laid her daughter on her stomach, not her back.
“Riley, Lorelai rolled over! All by herself.” Susannah laughed, looking toward the bed. He was sound asleep.
She considered waking him, but he was putting in long days on the ranch, so much so that Susannah saw him only for supper before he went out to care for the milk cows and the horses that stayed in the barn near the house.
“We’ll let him sleep,” she whispered to the baby, who grabbed one of her own feet, her little mouth working greedily.
When Susannah told him the next morning what he’d missed, he looked disappointed. That evening, he returned to the house before sundown, saying he wanted to spend some time with Button.
Watching them, Susannah smiled, touched in spite of the ache deep inside her as she wished for more time with him herself. They rarely talked about anything except the baby or the ranch. He satisfied her physically in every way she could imagine, but emotionally he’d pulled away. She’d felt it since their return home, but didn’t know what to do, if anything. What could she say? “You’re a wonderful lover, but I want more”?
Would pressuring him cause him to love her or push him further away? Would he ever feel about her the way she felt about him?
After he put Lorelai to bed across the hall, he came to Susannah, loving the doubts right out of her. And the next day, when he returned at noon and asked if she’d like to have a riding lesson, she accepted with new hope.
He cared for her and loved her baby. She could be patient.
As they walked to the barn, he carried the cradle and gently put Lorelai in it just inside the big double doors, so he or Susannah could hear her if she woke.
He saddled a dapple gray mare named Ghost and led her into the corral for Susannah. Nerves fluttered in her stomach, but they could’ve been caused by the rugged man in front of her as much as by the thought of getting on the horse.
He brought her to the left side of the horse to mount. “You’ll learn to ride straddle.”
“But I’m in a dress.”
“We’re the only ones here. Besides, I don’t have a sidesaddle.”
She felt daring and a little silly, but when he boosted her into the saddle, she swung her right leg over the side.
“Good. Take the reins in your left hand and hold them loosely.” His hand sneaked under her skirts to slide up her calf to her thigh.
She clutched at the saddle horn, gasping at his audacity and the jolt of heat his touch generated. “Are you trying to make me fall off?”
“I can honestly say I wasn’t thinking that at all.”
“You’re a bad man.” She shook a finger at him. “Focus on my lesson.”
His hand moved higher on her leg, drifted inside her thigh. “Maybe I want to teach you something beside horseback riding.”
“Maybe you should finish this lesson so you can,” she said sweetly, pressing her leg tight against the saddle to prohibit him from reaching farther.
“Hmm, I think I’ll just drag you off there right now.”
His hands curved on her waist and he lifted her out of the saddle, swinging her into his arms and striding into the barn.
“Riley Holt!” She looped her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”
“I have need of my wife,” he growled.
“It’s the middle of the day.”
“Close your eyes.” He grinned wickedly, taking her to a dark corner of the barn and setting her down, his hands already working the buttons on her shirtwaist.
She blinked in the murky light, seeing that her daughter still slept in her cradle. “What about the baby?”
“You’ll have to be real quiet. Think you can?”
“Try me,” she challenged, unfastening his trousers while pressing kisses to his jaw.
Sunlight danced through the door of the barn, and Riley’s warm scent blocked out those of dirt, hay and animals. The cradle was in plain sight over his shoulder; a stall door supported Susannah’s back as he spread her bodice and pulled the tie on her chemise. Thank goodness she wasn’t wearing a corset today.
His hands covered her breasts as his mouth took hers. She gave herself up to the sensations rolling over her like a hot wind, stinging and begging to be soothed.
His mouth moved to her breasts as he slid a hand up her skirts and between her legs, through the opening of her drawers. He cupped her. She was already wet, and the tightness low in her belly had her lifting her hips to his, pushing his trousers down and guiding him to her.
When he entered her in one long stroke, she cried out. Eyes laughing, he quickly covered her mouth with his.
He gripped her hips, pumping into her hard and fast. Her hand closed over the top of the stall door at her back. Susannah felt every inch of him deeper than she ever had.
They moved in perfect rhythm and she couldn’t tell where his body separated from hers. He bent his head, his lips toying with her nipple. She swallowed a moan, the attempt to stay quiet sharpening the velvet-rough feel of his tongue on her tender flesh.
His eyes burned into her, reaching deep into her soul, possessing, claiming. He sent her tumbling over the edge before she knew what was happening.
She clutched at him, wanting him with her as she slid into oblivion. His eyes darkened and she saw him lose control. Her heart was completely conquered.
They shuddered together, and after long minutes, the sound of their ragged breathing slowed. Riley held her close, his head bowed on her shoulder.
She slid her arms around him and he stiffened. If they hadn’t still been connected, she wouldn’t have felt the small movement at all. Hurt slashed through her and she stared into his eyes, trying to read past the sated desire.
“Hello!”
“Davis Lee!” Recognizing the faint male voice, she shoved at her skirts.
“Shh.” Riley withdrew, adjusting his trousers, then helping to button her bodice.
“He’s going to find us.”
“No, he won’t. He’ll go in the house first.”
Skin still tingling from their lovemaking, she finished her buttons, slapping at Riley’s hand when he cupped her breast. “Stop that.”
He laughed and dropped a kiss on her nose. “We’re married. It’s all right.”
“Not if your brother sees us,” she whispered frantically.
“Riley? Susannah?” Davis Lee’s voice sounded just outside the barn.
Riley started toward the open doorway.
“Your shirt,” she reminded him quietly, feeling again the way he’d shrunk from her touch.
Was his body all she would ever have of him? He owned her heart and she couldn’t seem to steal even a piece of his. She’d known when she accepted his proposal that he didn’t love her. But still she hoped.
Chapter Seventeen
Susannah didn’t know what to make of Riley flinching away from her when they’d made love in the barn. During the next two days, he didn’t react that way at all. He didn’t seem repulsed by her, and even sought her out. She tried not to let the incident torture her, and when she watched him with Lorelai, the pain dulled.
They still planned to attend Banker Dobies’s big race in Abilene. On Saturday morning, Riley hitched Pru to the wagon and handed Lorelai up to Susannah. He tied Whip to the back, still not sure if he would race in the newly established Grand Turn, but wanting to be ready in case he decided to compete.
The race wasn’t scheduled to start until one o’clock, and they left in plenty of time for a leisurely drive, arriving in Abilene around eleven. Riley suggested they have lunch at the Texas Crown, and Susannah agreed. She scanned the crowd of people moving along First Street as they entered town. Cora had arrived in Abilene yesterday, for a meeting
with Banker Dobies today.
Susannah hadn’t liked hearing that. Cora’s last meeting with the man had been less than a month ago, when he’d decided to raise her mortgage payments.
Riley drove up Cypress Street to Second and left their wagon outside Fulwiler’s Livery Stable, since his barn was already full. They walked south to First and had lunch at the hotel. After their meal, Susannah took the baby out to the boardwalk while Riley spoke to the proprietor inside.
He came out, settling his hat on his head and taking the baby from her. “Mr. Brant just told me that Banker Dobies arranged it so that the entry fees have to be paid at the bank.”
“Why would he do that?” The impressive, two-story stone building housing Taylor County Bank was over a couple of blocks, at Second and Pine. “Weren’t the entry fees paid at one of the general stores last time?”
“Yeah, but this way, the banker can keep an eye on who enters. He’s determined to learn the identity of this mystery rider.”
“The man may not even show up.”
“He probably will,” Riley said lightly. “Seventy-five dollars is an awful lot of money. Didn’t you say Cora had a meeting at the bank? We have time to find her before the race, if you want.”
“Yes, let’s.”
They walked to Pine and found the bank, its wide steps flanked by wrought-iron rails. The race would start and finish at Pine and First, the course heading west on First out of town and circling back, to constitute a mile and a half.
“Oh, there’s Cora.” Susannah tugged at Riley’s arm, pointing ahead, where their friend approached the bank from the opposite end of Pine Street. “Cora! Hello!”
The older woman saw them and waved, crossing Second to meet them in front of the bank building. “Good day.”
She hugged them both, giving the baby a peck on the forehead.
“I’m glad you made it all right.” Riley drew the light blanket up to shield Lorelai’s face from the sun.
“Yes, no problems.” Cora glanced back at the bank. “I hope I don’t have any problems with the banker, either.”
“Want me to go with you?” Riley asked.
“Oh, hon, thank you, but there’s no need.” She patted his arm.
“We’ll see you at the race, won’t we?” Susannah asked.
“I think I’ll be finished in time.”
“I’d bet on it,” Riley said. “There’s no way the banker will miss this race. He thinks he’s going to win.”
“What do y’all think?”
“That he’s going to get his pants beat off,” Susannah said smartly.
Riley and Cora laughed.
“There sure are a lot of people entering this race,” the older woman said. “Well, I’d better go. Can’t be late for my meeting.”
“You don’t think he’s going to raise your payments again, do you?” Susannah worried that her friend wouldn’t be able to afford much more.
Cora sighed. “I don’t know, but don’t you worry about it. Things will work out.”
“We’ll save a place for you.” She turned to Riley. “We’d better go or we won’t find a good spot to watch the race. Are you sure you don’t want to enter?”
“I’d rather watch with you and Button.”
Cora lifted her skirts and started for the bank. Susannah waved, noticing as she turned away that the shoes peeking out from under Cora’s dress weren’t her usual brown everyday shoes, but black boots.
She and Riley made their way down the street, stopping at few shops as they went. They passed a dry goods store, a saddle shop and as many doctor’s and lawyer’s offices as one would see in St. Louis. A half hour later, they squeezed as close to the finish line on the east side of Pine as they could. Lorelai lifted her head from Riley’s shoulder, watching the people around her with wide eyes.
Susannah smiled at the two of them. Riley might not love her, but he loved her daughter as much as she did.
More people crowded in, packing Susannah tight against him. The sounds of voices, clattering boots and running children swelled around them. The smell of unwashed bodies was strong in the air and she wrinkled her nose.
After several minutes, she pushed up on tiptoe, looking for the mystery rider. The banker was in the forefront of the group of milling riders and horses. “I don’t see the masked rider or the black mare.”
“I don’t, either.”
“But Banker Dobies is there, so his meeting with Cora must be over.”
Riley looked around. “I don’t see her yet.”
Susannah glanced back at the bank, identifying the white shirt and black armband of the man in the doorway as belonging to the clerk. Where was Cora? She hadn’t said she had other business.
Susannah searched her memory, her thoughts stalling on the moment when she’d seen Cora heading for the bank. She’d worn boots. Not her shoes, but a man’s boots. Ollie’s boots.
Susannah remembered seeing them now, in the box of his things that Cora had moved to the barn.
And not just there! The race two weeks ago flashed through Susannah’s head. Those boots were nearly identical to the ones she’d seen on the mystery rider. No!
She recalled the times she’d seen the tall, thin rider. Who was close to Cora’s height. Cora’s build. It made perfect sense. The mystery rider had to be her friend.
But what horse did she ride in the races? Why was Banker Dobies here and not Cora?
Crammed together as they were, Susannah squeezed around to face Riley. “Cora still isn’t here.”
He looked over the heads in the crowd, glanced back toward the bank. “I hope she doesn’t miss it.”
Susannah tugged him down to her and said in a low voice, “I think Cora is the mystery rider.”
Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “What?”
She explained about Cora’s boots and how she thought they were the same boots the mystery rider had worn two weeks ago.
He looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”
“I think so.”
Realization flashed across his features. “She needs the money for her higher mortgage payments.”
“Yes.”
“Well, if you’re right, she’s probably headed over here right now—wait, what the hell horse is she using?”
“I don’t know, but the race starts in less than ten minutes. I don’t think she’d be this late. Especially since it’s obvious her meeting is over.”
“You think something’s happened?”
Susannah didn’t want to believe it. “I think we should try to find her.”
“Yes.” He took her elbow. “Okay, where do you think we should start?”
“Let’s try the bank, just to be sure. We know she was going there.”
As they threaded their way through the crowd, he said, “If she is the masked rider, maybe she changed her mind about racing.”
“I don’t think so. She needs the money too badly. Besides, if she did decide not to race, she certainly would’ve found us.”
“True.”
Finally breaking free of the swarm of bodies, they hurried across the street and up to the bank. Once inside, Susannah asked the clerk if he remembered Cora. He did, and had seen her when she arrived for a meeting with the banker.
“Do you know what time they finished?” she asked.
“Probably twenty minutes ago. Mr. Dobies has been gone about fifteen minutes, I guess.”
“Did Cora leave when he did?” Riley asked.
The man thought for a moment, then said slowly, “I must’ve been busy. I don’t recall seeing her leave.”
“So you didn’t happen to see which way she went?” Alarm curled through Susannah.
“No.”
“Did you see her talking to anyone else when she was here?”
“No, I’m sorry.” He looked from her to Riley. “Is everything all right?”
“I hope so.” Susannah smiled, but her concern grew. “If she happens to come back, would you please tell her we’re lookin
g for her?”
“Yes.”
Anxiety knotted her stomach as she and Riley stepped outside. “Now what should we do?”
“Let’s go to the livery. If she is the mystery rider, she’ll need her horse, and that’s probably where it is.”
Susannah agreed and they hurried across Second and west to Fulwiler’s on the corner.
As they approached the large barn, Riley called out, “Hullo! Is anyone there?”
No answer.
“Everyone’s probably at the race,” he mused.
Only three horses, a dun gelding, a sorrel and a black mare, occupied the stable.
“That’s the mystery rider’s horse.” Susannah moved toward the midnight-black horse with no markings.
Riley followed. “Wouldn’t we know if this was Cora’s horse? I think you must be mistaken, Susannah.”
“Something is going on. I really think she’s the mystery rider.”
As Riley had taught her, she approached the black mare, speaking in a low, soothing voice so as not to spook the animal. The mare swung her head around, then lowered her muzzle and nudged Susannah’s chest.
“Oh.”
“She acts like she knows you.” He moved up beside her.
“How can that be…” Susannah stepped back, studying the animal. “No! Is this Prissy?”
The horse snuffled softly and nibbled at Susannah’s sleeve, begging for a scratch.
Riley ran a hand along the mare’s side and down one flank. He turned her head from side to side, eyes narrowed. “I’ll be.”
“What?” Susannah was about to jump out of her skin.
“Look.” He ran his thumb across the flat spot between the horse’s eyes, then held his hand up. They both peered closely at the inky smudge on his skin. “What is that?”
She eyed the horse’s forehead, now sporting a pale gray spot where before there had been only black. Some black substance covered Prissy’s white star.
Susannah sniffed and drew back, amused. “It’s hair pomade.”
“What?” Riley smelled his fingers, then rubbed them together, looking at the dark ointment. “And coal dust.” He started laughing. “That woman beats all. She’s been winning all these races with Prissy.”