Mail Order Bride - Westward Changes: A Clean Cowboy Romance Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 14)

by Linda Bridey

  Though Eddie’s kisses were demanding, there was also a certain finesse to them, Deena found. Scotty’s kisses had been pleasant, but they had never driven all reasonable thought from her mind the way Eddie’s did. He pulled away from her suddenly and Deena felt dizzy with passion.

  Eddie smiled into her eyes and said, “How do you like it?”

  She gasped. “You did that on purpose!”

  “That’s how it works. Yes, I kissed you on purpose. You told me to,” Eddie said.

  “But you deliberately got me—“

  “—What? Hot and bothered? Oh, I’m so sorry. I can take care of that if you’d like,” Eddie said with a chuckle.

  Deena was still reeling from her physical reactions to Eddie and couldn’t come up with a sharp retort at that moment. “Just you wait, Mr…”

  “Baxter,” he supplied helpfully.

  “Yes. Mr. Baxter. Just you wait,” Deena said. She opened the office door, stepped through it and then slammed it shut again.

  Eddie laughed to himself and picked up a tablet to use as a fan. If he’d had time, he would have gone for a swim in the pond outback to cool his ardor, but fanning himself would have to do for now.

  *****

  “Gentlemen, you don’t understand the position I’m in,” said Captain Joshua Morgan.

  Joe, Mitch, and Rick sat in the captain’s office at Fort Peck the next day. Joe had dealt with the man several times before and he believed that Morgan was sympathetic to the Lakota.

  Joe leaned forward and said, “I don’t care what position you’re in. You need to convince whoever you need to that pursuing our Lakota tribe is pointless, or else.”

  Captain Morgan’s dark eyes stared into Joe’s. He was a middle-aged man who was still fit and wore his dark hair short and neatly combed. The man had never backed down from a challenge and he wasn’t going to do so now. “Or else what?”

  “I’m gonna go to the press and tell them all about how a man directly under your command raped, tortured, and forced a young girl to commit crimes by blackmailing her,” Joe said.

  Captain Morgan flinched. “Who are you accusing of these crimes?”

  Mitch spoke up. “We have one Corporal William B. Dixon in custody right now. We arrested him last night. Deputy Westlake here and I personally heard him confessing to these crimes. We’re both willing to talk to the press about this.”

  Morgan smiled. “You’re attempting to blackmail me into lying to my superiors.”

  Joe said, “No, sir, we’re simply telling you the situation and giving you a way out of any embarrassment. What you do is completely up to you. There’s no blackmail here, just a gentle nudge.”

  “Come now, Joe. We know each other well now and I’ve discovered that there’s usually nothing gentle about you. You’ve been obstinate, constantly interfering, and a general pain in the ass,” Morgan said.

  “Well, if you’d listen to reason, you wouldn’t have to deal with me,” Joe said. “But you just can’t let it alone. They’ve never hurt anyone. Leave them be.”

  Morgan rubbed his chin as he regarded Joe’s intense expression. “Why does this matter to you so much? What is it about them that makes you so sympathetic towards them?”

  “I’m glad you finally asked that because no one else ever has. No one has ever tried to understand,” Joe said.

  “Go ahead. I’m very interested,” Morgan said.

  “They’ve become good friends over the years. They helped me when I was at my lowest even though they didn’t know me very well. I owe them. A few of them are like family to me. I admire them because they don’t lie or cheat. They’re honorable and I respect them. They’ve helped Dawson out a few times and saved one of our white families from being murdered by a different tribe.

  “Technically, they’re citizens of our town and they even participate in elections. That’s another reason why I don’t think the army has any business goin’ after them. They’re a part of our community and there are a lot of people that are going to be lost without them if y’all take them to some reservation far away. That includes me. As I understand it, y’all are considering locking me up because I’m standing in your way. If that’s what you gotta do then do it, but I will not stop fighting for them, sir, and I’ll talk to whoever will listen,” Joe said.

  Morgan’s face registered surprise. “Who told you that we intend to arrest you?”

  “Dixon. He said that you were gettin’ ready to arrest him for his interference in this matter,” Mitch said. “I don’t see that that will get you anywhere. He’s still not gonna tell you anything and neither are any of the rest of us.”

  “Someone will tell us,” Morgan said. “Dixon knows. You will turn him over to us and there will be a court martial.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Dixon thinks he knows where they are, but he really doesn’t. He was led to believe that they were located in one place, when they’re really in another,” Rick said. “The girl stole for him simply because she hoped it would get him to leave her alone completely. So the location he will tell you is false. I’ll even show you.”

  Morgan met Rick’s gaze and he saw no dishonesty in the deputy. The captain frowned. He twiddled his thumbs as he pondered the situation. He had a soldier who was no more than a cowardly criminal on his hands. He also had an angry mayor who somehow had big enough connections within the military to slow down their efforts to bring Black Fox’s band under their control. Yet, he had also been ordered to round up any Indians and get them onto the reservation by other superiors. It was certainly a quandary and at the heart of it all was Joe Dwyer.

  The captain realized that these three men were waiting for an answer. He wondered how long he himself might be able to hold off his superiors. Perhaps he could just keep saying that they were working on it and that the Indians were very wily. That wasn’t a lie. He’d thought for sure that after they’d set the fire, they would have been able to catch them, but that wasn’t the case. His men had searched, but to no avail. This was due in part to the fact that some of the people of Dawson were hell-bent on helping this particular band of Lakota. There was no way to arrest all of these people without causing a major uprising. Morgan had no doubt that would happen if he were to try such a maneuver.

  He let out a loud sigh. “All right. You win … for now. Give me Dixon and I will keep them off your back as long as I can without risking my career. I’m probably just delaying the inevitable, but I will do as you are asking. You must understand that I can only do so much.”

  Joe grinned at him. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it more than I could ever tell you.”

  All three men rose. Joe held out his hand to the captain, who shook it.

  *****

  As they rode back to Dawson Mitch asked, “How long do you think he’ll be able to hold them off?”

  Joe’s face settled into grim lines. “I don’t know, but I’m sad to say that I agree with him about the military getting to them eventually. That’s going to be a sad day. I can’t imagine what that’s like to be rounded up like cattle and forced to live somewhere. They’re taking Indian children from their parents and putting them in boarding schools to try to make them act like us white folk. It’s sickening and cruel. I hate the thought of that happening to any of our Lakota children.”

  Rick nodded. “I agree. As far as I’m concerned, it’s no less than kidnapping. All we can do is to keep on helping like we’ve been and hope for the best.”

  Mitch nodded.

  They talked very little the rest of the way home.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Why are you doin’ this, Deena?” Tom asked his daughter as she packed clothing into a suitcase.

  “Because I need my freedom and because I don’t want any men I see held at gunpoint by you. You had no right to do that, Pa,” Deena replied, meeting her father’s eyes in the mirror over her bureau.

  Tom frowned and shifted his feet. “I’m sorry, honey. I just don’t like the idea of a
fella treatin’ you that way, no matter who he is.”

  “Pa, I’m twenty-six now and if I want to kiss someone, I will. I’m also moving to Joe’s because it makes sense since I work there. I need to be on my own now.”

  “But there’s unmarried men out there,” Tom said.

  “Yes, there are, but nothing is gonna happen because I won’t allow it. Besides, the men who work for Joe are trustworthy and respectable.”

  Tom folded his arms over his chest. “Eddie didn’t really propose did he?”

  She met his eyes again. “No, Pa, he wouldn’t. I just said that so you didn’t shoot him. What you did was wrong and I don’t want to be around someone who would threaten someone like that.” Deena snapped the suitcase shut and opened another one.

  “I really am sorry. Stay, honey. It won’t happen again. I’m gonna miss you too much and I need help around here,” Tom said. “I’m still your father, Deena.”

  “Yes, you are, but I don’t trust you right now,” she said.

  Tom’s temper flared. “I’m not lettin’ you go. I’m your father and you’ll do as I say.”

  Calmly Deena said, “Unless you’re going to lock me up, you won’t keep me here. Now, if you can’t stop this nonsense, I’ll go get Mitch and Jack and they’ll keep you out of the house until I’m done and we’re loaded. Do you understand me, Pa?”

  Tom came into the room and took hold of her arm. “Don’t sass me, girl.”

  He froze as a gun was cocked behind him and a gun barrel was pressed to his head.

  “Tom, let her go,” Joe said. “I don’t want to have to shoot you, but I will. I’ve had a very strange day and I’m not in the mood for any foolishness.”

  Tom released Deena’s arm and said, “Now, Joe, don’t be so hasty. I meant the girl no harm. I just don’t want her to leave. I love her.”

  Joe narrowed his eyes at Tom. “I’m sure you do, but she’s a grown woman now and can make her own decisions. The best thing for you to do right now, is leave the house so we can get this done. I’d like to be home in time for supper.”

  Inside, Tom was boiling with anger, but he kept it from showing. “All right. That’s fine.”

  “Move.” Joe kept his gun trained on Tom until he had descended the stairs and was gone from sight. He turned to Deena. “You ok?”

  Deena nodded. “Yeah. Thanks. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. He’s never acted like this before.” She shrugged. “I’ll get finished up here as quick as I can, Joe.”

  “Don’t get in a rush, darlin’. I was just tryin’ to get him outta your hair,” Joe responded.

  Deena smiled. “Thanks.”

  Joe nodded and walked to the end of the hallway and looked out the window there. There was a lot of land that stretched towards the horizon. He thought about the eighty acres on the place and regretted not being able to use it. It was true that Tom’s crops weren’t doing well, but Joe could tell that it was due to a lack of proper fertilization. With the right attention, Joe was confident that good hay crops could be grown. They might even be able to grow some oats.

  Deena finished packing and looked at the stacks of crates and the five suitcases that sat around her room. She felt a little sad about moving out, but she was mostly relieved and excited. Though she would be living in Joe and Lacey’s house, she would have complete freedom to come and go as she pleased.

  “Joe, I’m done,” she said.

  “All right. I’ll go get the fellas and we’ll get you loaded up,” he said and went down the stairs.

  *****

  Eddie had been watching Minx walk around the barn, petting the horses and speaking to them in soft tones. He wanted to see what Leo would do if she approached him. Following her in case Leo acted up, he noted the easy, fluid way she walked and it reminded him of Reckless. Having a Lakota maiden around the place was going to be entertaining, Eddie thought.

  She wore buckskin leggings and a shirt, much like Reckless wore. Her moccasin-encased feet made no noise on the ground as she walked. Minx hummed a little as she walked down the corridor of stalls. When she stopped at Leo’s stall, she clicked to him and the colt whickered to her. She smiled at him when he sniffed her hand and gently lipped it.

  In Lakota, she said, “You are a beautiful horse. Very handsome, but I am sure you know this.” Minx frowned as she looked in his eyes. This was a troubled horse. She knew that Eddie had followed her. “What is wrong with this horse?” she asked in English.

  Eddie didn’t come too close as he answered. “We’re not sure, but I’m beginning to suspect that he doesn’t like men for some reason.”

  Her dark eyes met Eddie’s. “He is scared. Someone has hurt him.”

  Before he could stop her, Minx opened the stall door and slipped inside it. She shut it and started running her hands over Leo, her fingertips prodding his muscles gently. Leo seemed to enjoy the treatment. Minx scowled as she felt healed welt marks on the underside of his stomach.

  “Boss man, come here,” she said.

  “That’s not a good idea. He’ll get wound up, Minx,” Eddie said.

  “I will keep him calm. Come here,” Minx said firmly.

  Eddie came closer one step at a time. When Leo saw him, his ears swept back and he stomped a front hoof. Minx covered his eyes and Leo stilled. Keeping her hands over his eyes, she blew gently into his nostrils. Eddie watched this with curiosity. He’d never seen anyone do that before and he surmised that it had to be a Lakota custom.

  Minx uncovered Leo’s eyes and kept talking to him. Though Leo’s ears stayed flattened against his head, he didn’t stomp or paw the ground again. Minx ran her hands along his underbelly again.

  “Someone has whipped him. There are welt marks under here,” she said. “Come feel them.”

  “Minx, he’ll go berserk if I come in there,” Eddie said.

  “No, he will not,” Minx said. “Come.”

  Sighing, Eddie opened the stall door and very slowly entered the stall. Leo shifted, but Minx soothed him. She showed Eddie where to feel and he tentatively put his hand on the colt. Leo’s skin twitched and he tossed his head, but he didn’t try to bite or kick. Gently, Eddie stroked his hand over Leo’s side and then lower to the place Minx had indicated. Anger surged through Eddie as he felt the old welt marks.

  He started talking to Leo. “Poor guy. I’m so sorry, Leo. I didn’t know, boy. It’s ok. I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you again.”

  Much like Minx had done, Eddie ran his hands over Leo, letting the colt get used to his touch. He slowly approached Leo’s head and held out his hands so Leo could sniff them. At first Leo kept his head high, but eventually lowered his head and took in Eddie’s scent. Eddie stroked his face and rubbed behind his ears and the horse nickered and rubbed his head against Eddie.

  Eddie grinned. “How did you do that?”

  “I gave him a little of my spirit and now he trusts me,” Minx said. “You must do the same.”

  “Is that why you blew in his nostrils?”

  “Yes.”

  Eddie shrugged. “It’s worth a shot. Come here, boy.” He lifted Leo’s muzzle and blew into Leo’s nose. Leo’s upper lip curled and he sneezed.

  Minx laughed and Eddie was once again reminded of Reckless. “I think you blew a little too hard.”

  “Sorry, Leo,” Eddie said. “Do you want to walk him a little? Maybe you could fill in for Deena if need be. She’s the only one who’s been able to handle him.”

  Minx’s eyes lit up. “Yes.”

  “Ok, I’ll go get a lead rope for you.”

  “I do not need one,” she said.

  Eddie chuckled. “Yes, you do.”

  Minx waved him out of the stall. Eddie thought for a young girl she had a very authoritative air about her. He was curious, so he did as she wanted. He opened the stall door and walked out. Minx clicked to Leo and followed Eddie. Leo came with her and walked calmly by her side.

  Eddie kept looking back at them in wonder. When they rea
ched the barn floor, Minx stopped Leo and backed up. Eddie wondered what she was up to. Suddenly Minx ran at the colt, jumping and grabbing a fistful of mane as she did so. With strong arms, she pulled herself upwards and landed lightly on Leo’s back. He sidestepped a little, but didn’t bolt.

  “Minx! You need a saddle and bridle for him!” Eddie said.

  “Why? White people put too much on horses to ride them. This is the way they were meant to be ridden,” she disagreed.

  Eddie watched her say something to Leo in Lakota and the colt shot forward, tearing out of the barn.

  “Oh, holy crap!” Eddie said and ran after them. “Minx! Bring him back here!” he shouted.

  Joe was just coming down their lane with the smaller draft horse team when he saw Leo running in their direction. He recognized Minx on his back and saw that the only tack on the colt was a halter. The girl had made herself as small as possible. As they flew past the wagon, Minx waved at Joe and grinned. Joe put the draft horses into a fast canter to get to the house quickly. He leaped out of the wagon and ran towards the barn.

  Eddie was coming to meet him.

  “What the hell happened?” Joe demanded.

  “She was able to get him to let me pet him and such and I just wanted to see how he would walk and stuff for her. She led him out onto the barn floor without any lead rope or anything. Next thing I know, she jumps on his back and takes off on him,” Eddie said.

  “Good Lord, Eddie. I better get Hamlet saddled and go after them. That horse isn’t trained to ride by pressure like the Lakota horses.”

  Joe ran to get Hamlet. Before he even had the horse out of his stall, however, Minx and Leo were back. She rode into the barn with a war whoop and brought Leo to a skidding halt. Her eyes were alight with excitement as she jumped down.

  “He is very, very fast!” she said with a grin. She grabbed Joe’s arm. “Did you see the way he ran?”