by Reece Butler
Tears prickled Casey’s eyes at his heartfelt words. Would she ever be loved like this? The love they shared was so strong Casey could feel it wrap around her own shoulders.
“Please, love. Give this curmudgeonly old man another chance.” He heaved a sigh. “We’ll work together from now on. I promise.”
Lily cleared her throat. “We’ll discuss this later, Ambrose.”
Thatcher sighed as if her words answered his questions, and not necessarily in his favor. He kissed her hand briefly, this time the usual way, and set it back on her knee. He winced and, using the table as a lever, pushed himself to his feet.
“I’m too old for this,” he said with a groan.
“Are you sure you’re too old, husband?”
Lily’s batting eyes teased as much as her words. Casey caught the flash of the question asked and immediately answered with no words spoken between them.
“I’d never thought I’d say this to someone so much older than me,” said Sophie, fanning her face, “but could you two wait until you’re home alone? As the only unmarried woman here—”
“I apologize if I’ve offended you,” said Thatcher, now every inch the judge.
“You didn’t offend me,” corrected Sophie waspishly. “I’m jealous!”
“Then you’ll be pleased to learn a certain Pinkerton agent should have returned to town.”
Sophie’s ears turned almost as red as her cheeks. Even her neck turned pink. Casey felt her own face heat up. Once this was over she wanted to go home and sleep. After she rested she wanted to stay awake all night. Her three men might not love her as deeply as the judge did Lily, but they did care for her. She’d heard a few whispers of love but wasn’t ready to believe them yet.
“About Eudora Jennet,” said Thatcher, changing the subject, “I can understand why she urged her husband to shoot Rivers for defiling her daughter. But would she hire Sheldrake to kill her husband just because it wasn’t his bullet that killed Rivers?”
Casey cleared her throat. The judge’s keen eyes sliced into her.
“You have something to add, Mrs. Taylor?”
She blinked at the name, then realized he meant her. “I heard Mrs. Jennet tell Sheldrake she wanted to start her own bank, but she’d need to marry her new partner first.”
He shot a glance at his wife, who hadn’t mentioned that detail.
“If she got a divorce she’d lose everything,” murmured the judge. “She needed Sheldrake to turn her into a widow. But why take Mrs. Taylor?” He turned sharp eyes on Casey.
“I did warn you that evening about the odious man going after both you and Eudora,” reminded Lily.
Casey flushed, also remembering how Lily had said she was smart. Getting caught, especially by someone like Sheldrake, was anything but. At least she’d pretty much escaped before Cole and the others arrived. She hadn’t needed to be rescued but did appreciate the ride into town. Sitting on Byron’s warm lap with his strong arms around her had helped her over her terror and rage.
“Is the sheriff going to send a posse after Sheldrake?” asked Rosa. “His word could get Eudora hanged. I can’t abide the woman, but I don’t want to see her feet dangling in air.”
“While she’s said a few things, there’s no proof she hired him,” said Judge Thatcher. “We’re keeping her in jail more to keep her separated from her husband than anything else. We want to have a few words with Sheldrake and Jennet.”
“But why take Casey?” asked Rosa. “Just because she shot Rivers?”
“That had little to do with it,” said the judge. “Mrs. Taylor is very lucky.” He looked right at Casey. “If Sheldrake had sold you as he no doubt planned, your life would have been painful, humiliating, and short.”
Casey shuddered. She didn’t know if she would kill herself after being raped all night. But Pappy wouldn’t have hesitated to sell his wife’s body to buy moonshine again, and again. Mama had turned the knife on herself to save it from happening again.
When Casey remembered what happened to Mama she’d gone crazy for a while. She’d feared the same thing would happen to her. But her life wasn’t like her mother’s. Mama had nobody to protect her. Nobody to care about her except her one daughter and Willy. Casey had three husbands, friends, and a town who would help her.
Sarah and Molly hadn’t killed themselves after what happened to them. She stole a look at Rosa. The older woman rested her hand on her belly. A faint smile curved up one side of her glowing face. Rosa had not only endured years of torture, she’d healed enough to choose to marry Doc and create a child. Whatever demons lingered in her past, she chose to look forward to a loving future.
All Casey had to fear was a memory of burying her mother, and why.
She was married to a pigheaded mule who wanted things his way. But Cole didn’t do it to control her for his own amusement, like Pappy. He wanted his wife to be safe, cared for by himself and his partners. That didn’t mean she wanted to give up control of her life.
She and her husbands came from homes where the ones who should have loved them, used them for their own purposes. But they were adults now. It was their turn to have children. They wanted to give the things they’d never had and always craved. A loving home, firm but fair discipline, and the freedom to grow. Her children could put down roots in this valley. Deep roots that would let them spread their wings and fly.
She wanted a marriage as steady, and sensual, as Lily had. But all three men had to first accept her as she was, scars, fears, and all. Just as she had to accept them.
Chapter 29
Marshall waited, hands in his pockets, outside the meeting room for Casey. He stood straight when the door opened. He smiled and lifted his hat as Lily, Rosa, and then Sophie walked out. Judge Thatcher waited for Casey, then escorted Lily and Rosa down the hall. Sophie headed down the back stairs to the kitchen. Casey stood before him, twiddling her fingers with her head down.
“You’ve got to learn to keep your head up,” said Marshall with a sigh. “Be proud of who you are.”
“Cole’s mad at me for getting caught. But Mrs. Jennet would never have been found if it wasn’t for me.”
He put his arms around her. “Cole can be an ornery old bear, but his growl is more of a grumble. He’s angry at himself for you being hurt. Not at you.”
“He’s a pigheaded mule,” she muttered.
“Yep. That, too. He’s angry that you were hurt when he was all fired up about protecting you. But he’ll get over it. You are not the type of woman who waits to be rescued.” He used the tip of his index finger to lift her chin. “You rescued yourself, Casey. Be proud of that. I am. We just turned up at the right time to bring you home.”
She finally met his gaze.
“Your eyes are a different color every time I look at you,” he murmured. “Brown when you’re sad and hazel most of the time.” He brushed his hand over the curve of her ass. Her lips parted in a faint gasp. He moved closer, lowering his voice. “And when they turn green, like now, you want to be pleasured.”
Marshall nuzzled her neck, just lightly, using the tip of his nose. Her skin and hair smelled faintly like roses. Her hands crept around his waist. He rubbed his lower chest against her breasts. Slowly, as if it was accidental. She pushed back, encouraging him. Blood thundered in his ears as his heart pumped to catch up with his breath. His pants were so tight that his cock was damn near cut in half. He ignored the pain for more of his woman.
He nibbled the edge of her ear with his lips. She tilted her head so he used his tongue to trace the outer curve. She shuddered and dropped her head farther. He pressed a line of kisses starting just under her ears and trailing all the way down her throat. He came back up the same side. Every time he nipped her he soothed her with his tongue.
“I want to take you home, to bed.” His words came out low and husky. “Just you and me.” He brushed his lips over her cheek. “Zeus stays outside,” he added so she knew he was serious. He caught her nipple between his knuckl
es. She twitched, making tiny gasping noises that had him near coming in his pants. “Tell me yes, Casey.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He triumphantly swept her off her feet and hurried down the back stairs. She snuggled her face to his chest, panting just as hard. He’d left his horse ready to go. Casey waited while he tightened the belly strap and mounted. He held his hand out. She put her hand in his, her foot on his boot, and rose into his lap. He held her tight as they left town. She felt tense, but then he was so needy that every muscle felt as hard as a board. Every one.
“Um, Marshall?”
He nuzzled her neck. “If you’re asking if we can stop and play along the way, I’d much rather wait until we found a bed.”
“I’m trying to be serious.” She rotated her shoulders, shrugging him away. He sighed. Though he hadn’t had much experience with women, he’d listened to the valley men when they said there were times a man had to just shut up and listen.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Did Byron tell you what the Pinkertons found out about your family?”
He jerked. “What?”
“I’m sorry, but your mother and sisters have passed.”
Marshall jammed his eyes shut at the shaft of pain that lanced through him. He held her tight until it passed. He’d put all thoughts of his family out of his mind long ago. Or he’d thought he had. He released his breath with a shudder.
“Tell me.”
“Both your sisters died in childbirth, only a few weeks apart. Your mother must have given up because of that.”
His mother was finally free of the man who’d destroyed her life. Instead of grief he felt relief.
“She killed herself,” he said. “Used too much of that drug.”
Casey nodded. “I’m sorry, but Byron thought it best you heard it from me.”
“Did he get news, too?”
“His parents died in a fire. It was accidental.”
Marshall shook his head. “I expect they were both drunk, and it wasn’t really an accident.”
Casey didn’t correct him.
They rode on, both silent. Though he knew his father would never accept him, the fact he was gone still left a hole. Some part of him still wished for a father like Grandpa, one who was proud of his sons.
“The thought of being a father scares me,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t ever want to hurt a child the way mine, yours, or Byron’s hurt us. Cole never knew his father. Just as well, as he left his mother because when she got pregnant with Cole she couldn’t give him a good time anymore.”
“But my mama was good, and so was yours. And your grannie and grandpa raised you with love, didn’t they?”
He snuggled her closer. Encouraged, she leaned back into him. “They did the best they could with three little hellions causing trouble.” He kissed the top of her head. “And now those hellions are going to have a few of their own. Only they’ll have a wonderful mama,” he kissed her again, “and three fathers to keep them in line.”
“And love them,” she added.
“And love them,” he agreed.
He held her close and nudged his horse with his heels. The beast took off. The steady rhythm brought them closer to home with every footfall.
She played with an excited Zeus until he put the unsaddled horse in with the others. He held out his arms. She laughed and ran to him, Zeus barking behind. He caught her up, twirled her around, and carried her inside. This would be their first real time together, alone.
Zeus whined on the porch while Marshall kicked off his boots. By the time he was barefoot Zeus had taken off after rabbits or something. Marshall just looked at Casey, breathing her in. She clasped her hands behind her back. Her chest, and those huge nipples, pointed right at him. She tilted her head and smiled like a dancehall girl enticing him to join her.
“I want you naked,” she said.
“Whoa, that’s what I wanted to say!” His hands reached for her.
“I can do it faster!”
Her fingers tore at her buttons. Her breasts spilled out. His stopped, watching in fascination. Another two buttons and her skirt dropped to the floor. She stood in nothing but her stockings. He’d seen her naked, but not like this. The kitchen window lit up her skin, soft and golden. Her pussy curls almost glowed. Her wide brown eyes and lush lips begged him to touch. He didn’t move his eyes from her as he shucked his clothes. The intimacy of having her to himself, here where no one could hear them, caused his bollocks to tighten against his cock.
She lowered her eyes and reached for her stockings.
“No!” She stopped, slightly bent, her fingers about to roll them down her legs. “Leave them on for now.” She blinked, then straightened up. “Spread your legs. I want to see the sun shining on you from behind.”
He hunkered down, careful of his jutting cock, and looked between her legs. He was about three feet away, just too far for him to touch. The tops of her dark stockings made the white skin of her inner thighs look even more creamy. The sun lit the lower part of her brown curls. No, not brown. There were many shades in the sun, from almost blonde to oxblood. A bright diamond appeared on one of her hairs, released by her eager pussy. It quivered in the sunlight.
He knelt, grasped the backs of her thighs with his hands, and urged her closer. She shuffled forward, spreading her legs even farther at his urging. He inhaled her scent, warm and inviting. His nose rubbed against her clit in a welcome before his tongue pressed in. She groaned and angled her hips, almost grinding against his face.
“That’s it,” he growled hoarsely as he climbed to his feet. “Turn around and put your hands on the table. Spread those legs wide for me.”
She did as ordered, arching her back to lift her ass and spread her pussy. He slid his fingers into her, finding her soaked. With a growl of need he guided his cock into her and thrust. She squeaked in surprise then gripped him eagerly.
“You’d better come soon ’cause I’m not gonna last,” he said between clenched teeth.
He reached around her hip and found her clit with his finger. He waggled it, rubbing it back and forth as his hips drove his cock in and out. White-hot desire curled from his ass through his cock and into her pussy. He released her clit, grabbed both her hips, and hauled her back and forth. She grunted every time his balls slapped against her pussy lips. He stared at the crack of her ass. Pulled the cheeks apart with his thumbs.
Yes, that’s what he wanted to see. Her tight brown rose. Soon, very soon, he’d be ramming his cock into her ass, and she’d be loving it. He grimaced, barely holding back. But Casey wasn’t ready yet. Desperate, he filled his finger with her slick fluid and pressed into the center of that brown ring.
Her pussy spasmed around him as she screamed. He pulled his finger out, took hold of her hips again, and hauled her onto his cock with deep, hard strokes. One, two, then his blessed relief exploded, filling her with his seed.
When he could think enough to move he shifted his hands to her waist, keeping her tight against him. She still clenched him, deep inside.
Damn, he loved her. Loved the way she would come as he took her from behind this way. He pulled out, caught her under her shoulders and knees, and strode toward the bed. He tossed her on her back, just enough to appear rough while ensuring her safety, and followed her down.
“Spread those legs,” he ordered. Still hard, he filled her again, this time able to see her face. He held himself on his elbows and looked down. She blinked like a cream-fed lazy cat. She smiled up at him in obvious satisfaction.
“We’re not done yet,” he said.
She gave him another smile, raised her arms, and hauled his face down to hers. He thanked God he’d made sure to shave closely before his open mouth met hers. She sucked on his tongue, taking control of their kiss. His cock throbbed, swelling inside her as his need rose. Their tongues fought a long, satisfying battle. He finally pulled back to breathe, hauling air into his lungs while he figured out what he wanted to do next.
“Lift your knees,” he ordered.
Marshall caught them and pushed her forward, raising her ass higher off the bed. She gasped, then quivered. He thrust into her, pumping hard and fast. He stared at her perfect breasts, pressed against her chest by her knees. Her belly, which might already be growing his child. Her eyes widened in surprise as her pussy rippled around him. It caught him by surprise in mid-thrust. He shuddered and filled her with his seed.
With the last shred of his sanity he helped her lower her legs and rolled them over. She splayed across him, her heart pounding against his in equal measure.
“God, Casey, I love you,” he said, his voice rough from gasping.
She didn’t speak but her sigh of contentment said it all.
Chapter 30
Byron rode into the yard just as the last of the sun’s rays faded into the purple-black of a cold night. There’d be frost, maybe even cold enough to freeze the top layer of water in the trough. But he’d be warm.
While Cole had, for once, gotten drunk on whiskey, Byron had filled his own glass with tea-water. It looked like whiskey and tasted god-awful, but it kept Cole drinking and himself sober. Cole was now snoring in one of the bunks at the back end of Baldy’s Saloon.
Byron knew it was Cole’s worry for Casey and anger at himself, that allowed him to drink so much. He’d be furious when he woke up. No, corrected Byron, he’d be beyond furious. Too bad. If Cole didn’t want Casey just the way she was, Byron would enjoy her charms instead.
He quickly took care of his horse and tack. He stripped and washed himself down, hair to toe, to get rid of the stink of tobacco, bad whiskey, and beer. The water was almost as cold as the air but he didn’t care. Thinking of Casey, and what they’d do this night, brought a certain heat to his body. His rampant cock proved it.
He left his clothes on the line to air out. By morning they should be less ripe. And he’d be waking in the arms of a warm woman exhausted from hours of loving. The warm glow of a lamp drew him to the kitchen. Tea-water hadn’t filled his stomach, but he’d take Casey over food.