The Darkest Blue

by Hildie McQueen

  His breath caught and he struggled to keep from jumping to his feet. He lowered his arms and rested his hands on his legs. “You rode with him alone? After I asked you to stay away from him?” Teeth clamped together, Ashley pictured the cramped space inside a carriage and the proximity in which Grace sat to the monster.

  “Yes, we did and happened upon Cole lands. Which is when your name came up.” She stood and loomed over him. “If you are not going to explain your reasons for warning me against the man, then I’m just going to assume you’re jealous.” Her small boot tapped on the wooden flooring.

  Ashley stood and glared at her in hopes of making her step away, but she kept the close distance between them, her heart-shaped face turned up to him. The glower he directed at her did nothing to dissuade her.

  Instead, the infuriating woman’s lips curved into a challenging smile. “Oh my goodness, you are jealous.” A wicked smile curved her luscious lips. “Is that it?” She pushed a finger into his chest and continued to gloat.

  He bent closer until almost touching his nose to hers. “If you don’t move away, I will kiss you.”

  “Be still my beating heart.” The haughty reply almost made him laugh. She was a brave one.

  Then, surprising them both, he did as threatened, covered her mouth with his. Hands at his sides, he didn’t touch any other part of her, yet the softness of those lush lips awoke his entire body.

  Unlike him, she did reach for him, her hands on both sides of his face allowing the kiss that he’d meant to keep short and startling, to linger and deepen. His arms lifted independently of him. God he was going to pull her against him.

  Suddenly, as if realizing what they did, Grace jumped away and turned from him and lifted a hand to her mouth. “That was rather enjoyable, I’ll have to admit.” Her sentence caught him by surprise. Grace Dawson was no shy violet. “Yet, I can’t believe I rode all this way and you won’t hold a conversation with me or answer my questions.”

  “Ash will escort you back to town after dinner, Grace.” Elizabeth Cole stood at the doorway. “We would not dare send you back alone as the sun will be setting. Perhaps in the two hours it will take to get to town you can get him to talk. Ashley…” She gave him a “you will do as I say” look that never failed. “…you will converse with Grace and assist her in whatever matter she seeks your assistance with. Is that understood?”

  Great, not only had he just kissed someone he had no right to kiss, but now his mother chastised him like a twelve year old in front of her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Satisfied, his mother beamed at them. “Now, let’s enjoy dinner.” Ashley wondered if she’d seen them kiss. When her eyes shifted to his mouth, he knew. The movement was quick and sudden, but long enough for him to realize she had. Could the evening get any worse?

  *****

  “It’s always nice to see you, Grace. What brings you to Cole ranch?” Hank Cole asked during dinner.

  Grace shrugged. “I came to ask Ashley questions about a comment he made the last time I saw him in town. But he refuses to talk to me. So I’m afraid it was a trip wasted.”

  Hank Cole frowned and then lifted a brow at Ashley but spoke to her. “I apologize, Grace. I thought I raised these boys to be gentlemen. Elizabeth tells me he will be escorting you back to town. I’m sure he’ll speak with you and settle whatever matter concerns you. And he will also return and escort you to the Fall Harvest Fair, if you’re not already spoken for.”

  Food lodged in Ashley’s throat and he coughed several times before he was finally able to breath. None at the table reacted except for Grace, who pressed her lips together as if holding back from laughing.

  “As a matter of fact, Mister Cole, I do not have an escort to the fair. It would be nice to be escorted, even by a silent man.”

  “Well, it’s settled then,” his mother piped up and clapped her hands. “The fall festivities are always so much fun. Last year, I helped Nora with the pie stand and we had a delightful time.”

  The thought of spending time escorting Grace appealed to Ashley but, at the same time, he wondered if antagonizing the man who held secrets from his past was a good idea. Then again, if the captain thought Grace to be spoken for, perhaps it would dissuade him from pursuing her further. Ashley heaved a resigned sigh and continued eating.

  “Ashley was the most beautiful baby,” his mother started. “Even then, he had that adorable habit of sighing when at a loss.” Ashley realized the evening was about to become even more embarrassing. “Everywhere we went, people would comment on his good nature and beautiful, blue eyes. I wondered if they’d turn brown, as they were the darkest blue. But they remained.” His mother continued unabated and encouraged by Grace, who asked questions about his feats as a toddler. He was sure it was to embarrass him more because she couldn’t actually be curious to know when he lost his first tooth.

  *****

  “Your parents are amazing. I hope you realize how lucky you are for having them,” Grace told him an hour later as they rode towards town. “I envy you.”

  “I do feel fortunate. Is your relationship with your parents not good?”

  She looked over the fields. “I am grateful for my parents. Ever since Papa found me abandoned after the Indians attacked the wagon train my parents were part of, they’ve been great to me, showered me with love. My father and I get along very well. He’s always indulged me. I love my mother. But since I’ve reached maturity, we don’t agree on much. She refuses to release her grip on her high society ways and, well, I’m no longer her dress up doll.”

  He nodded. “Sounds like we both have a lot to be thankful for.” He guided the horses toward a small, open field surrounded by trees and motioned for her to stop. “This is my family’s final resting ground.” He looked to the line of grave markers. Side by side were his father’s parents, his brother, Joseph, who’d died in infancy and Grayson’s first wife Sophia, who died after just two weeks of marriage.

  Grace heaved a sigh. “It’s so peaceful. When you were in the cavalry, did you fear dying and not being buried here?”

  Her question shook him and he turned his horse, moving away from the location. It had been a mistake to show her the family cemetery. He wasn’t sure what made him do it.

  She caught up with him. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to bring up memories that you’d rather not be reminded of.”

  “I did fear that. But more than dying in the middle of nowhere, I feared hurting my parents, especially my mother.”

  “Can we stop?” Grace pointed toward a tree lying on its side. The place where he and his brothers often stopped to rest their horses or have a conversation as it was along the way to town.

  They dismounted and Grace tethered her horse before stomping around in a circle, her face downward. “I am deathly afraid of snakes, so I walk about stepping hard to warn them away.”

  He shook his head. “You’re more bound to attract them as a possible meal. You’re not big enough to cause much of a ruckus.”

  Shocked eyes met his. “Why Ashley Cole, I do believe that is the first time you’ve ever joked with me.”

  A soft curse escaped at his heating cheeks.

  Grace studied the handsome man’s face. Under his lowered hat, a day’s worth of beard matched his chestnut brown hair. Even with the ever-present scowl, he was breathtaking. She’d never seen him smile and although they’d not ever been friends, over the years she’d caught glimpses of him. He always stood out to her, been the subject of many teenage daydreams. And here they were riding together and she’d yet to understand what kept him so aloof, the distance between him and most people a vast chasm.

  Ashley looked to her, his brow wrinkled. “You should avoid Captain Ford. I tell you this because, although I don’t know him well, I remember his reputation for being a callous and cold man while in command of his regiment. He was not well liked.”

  He was lying. She didn’t know how she knew this, but she did. Perhaps not the entirety of what he said, bu
t part was not true. She believed Captain Ford and Ashley Cole knew each other, perhaps quite well, and they did not like one another in the least.

  “Well, I would assume that a commander’s personality would have to be stern in order for men to do as told. I don’t think that is enough of a reason to warn me against him. You must have a stronger reason. I won’t push you but, at the same time, my mother is urging me to allow the captain to court me.”

  “Court you?” His eyes widened.

  “Yes, he came to my house for dinner. My parents seem to be taken by him. My mother, at least.”

  They’d settled onto the fallen tree with a discreet distance between them. But when he reached for her hands, he moved closer.

  His midnight blue eyes searched hers. “Don’t.”

  She searched his face and did not find anything other than intensity. “Tell me the truth and I’ll consider it.”

  Ashley looked at their intertwined hands and surprisingly did not let go. If only she could read him better, know his thoughts. “Stay away from him, please.”

  “I am not sure how I can. My mother insists that I should accept his invitations.”

  “They won’t be too pleased at me escorting you to the Fall Festival then.”

  Her father’s dislike of Ashley was well known. Although her father and Elizabeth Cole were cousins, it didn’t affect Miles Dawson’s opinion of Ashley. Her father was of the belief that Ashley had killed someone during his time with the cavalry and hid secrets of crimes he committed in his past.

  A cool breeze blew a lock of hair across his brow and she pictured herself swiping it away.

  “No, they won’t be. I don’t understand why my father believes you capable of crimes without so much as talking to you about it. After all, you are relation.”

  “He and my mother never met until she came here and even then, they’ve never been close. I suppose he believes what’s said about me.”

  Grace wondered if he’d forgotten he still held her hands. The warmth of his larger ones covering hers completely, gave her a feeling of security. “Nonetheless, I am a woman of my own opinions and I don’t believe you did anything too bad in your past.” She studied him closer as he remained stock-still. “As a matter of fact, I think what you hide is something good. Yes, that’s it. Behind that hard façade, you are a good man with a noble heart.”

  He blinked and drew his hands away. She wondered if she’d said something wrong. But then, head bent, he spoke, “No one has ever said I was good. Not outside my family, anyway.” When Grace reached for his hand, he stood. “We should go. It’s getting late.”

  “I will see you on Saturday.”

  “Let’s not tempt fate by planning that far ahead,” he told her and went toward the horses. “Your parents will find a way to put a stop to it, I’m sure.”

  They mounted and rode into town just as the sun was setting. He stopped short of her house and helped her dismount, then without a word, rode away.

  Chapter Five

  Erwin Ford settled into the overstuffed chair in his new study and peered out the window to watch the men he hired begin work on what would be a garden in the spring. The aroma of roasting meat flowed from the other rooms intermingling with the perfume of the cut roses in the vase on a table at his elbow.

  This was a fine house he bought, the beginning to a life meticulously planned. Sure there were a couple of annoyances to be dealt with, but once done, he’d be the most powerful man in Alder Gulch. He’d own the entire town and rule over it.

  A smile curved his lips when a maid walked in with tea, which he accepted while sizing her up. Older, at over thirty and not currently married, she’d make a good bed partner until he wed.

  The woman squirmed under his scrutiny, but did not leave since he’d not dismissed her. “Willow, correct?” he asked.

  She bobbed her head. “Yes, sir. Willow Thornton.” She placed the tray on the table and waited for him to speak.

  “Well, Miss Thornton, welcome to my home. I hope you will be comfortable here.” He stood and neared her, noticing the quickening of the pulse at her neck and flaring of nostrils. She was aroused. Or scared. Good.

  “I take dinner at six, unless I otherwise instruct. I expect it to be served in the dining room promptly.” He moved closer than proper and she took a slight step backward.

  “Very well, sir, I will inform the cook.”

  He reached for her face placing his hand on the side of it. “And you Willow will be my personal…aide, won’t you?” He allowed his thumb to slide from her cheek to her jawline.

  “I am not sure what you expect of me, sir. But I will do whatever it is you wish—if I can.”

  “Very well. I think right now, I would like for you to await me in the bedroom an hour after dinner. In my bed. Bathe first.” He pulled her face closer, his eyes lingering on her alluring mouth.

  Her eyes widened and her cheeks colored then paled. She needed the job. He’d investigated her background enough to know her to be a young widow with few options.

  After visibly swallowing, Willow nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  *****

  The following morning Erwin dressed in preparation for the day. He’d sent his valet to town to find a second maid and a stable man. Willow had left his bed hours ago, when he’d practically shoved her out the door, tired of her incessant crying.

  He was not a gentle lover, needed to be in control and the sooner she learned it the better. He’d not have her mewling about like an idiot. Now he waited for her to reappear so he could set her straight.

  Finally, the woman shuffled in and stood by the door, her reddened eyes flying between his bed and the doorway. “You called for me, sir?”

  “Yes.” He met her gaze evenly. “I will not expect you to warm my bed every night. As a matter of fact, it will be infrequent as you were not what I expected. However…” he hesitated pointedly, “…when you do, it will be without hysterics or ridiculous mewling. Is that understood?”

  Her head drooped and she kept her gaze down. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, I’ve never had a lover.”

  “I am not your lover.”

  Her eyes flew to his face. “What am I to you then?”

  “A maid. Go now, I will give you a couple of days to heal properly before you return to my bed.” He waited for her to turn to leave and stopped her. “Willow, come here.”

  Fearful eyes met his and that made him want to take her again. He motioned her forward and when she neared, pulled her against him taking her mouth with a savage kiss. She didn’t push away, nor did she try to touch him. He released her. “That’s more like it, don’t resist and never reach for me unless I order you to. Go on, now. I’m sure there’s much to do.”

  He had plans this day and could not dally at home much longer. As soon as he finished breakfast, he’d ride into town. The first order of business was to see about Grace Dawson.

  He’d marry her and become the sheriff’s son-in-law. It helped that she was beautiful, but that was just a pleasant happenstance since, regardless of her looks, the young woman would fit well into his plans.

  Secondly, he’d check at the bank to ensure all the money was transferred from Kansas City. His lips curved at the thought of his scheme. Once the money arrived, he’d buy a large parcel of land that would suit perfectly for new stables and breeding of horses.

  Then there was Ashley Cole to be dealt with. Of all places for the bastard to live, it was here. That he lived was the bigger surprise. That damn Corporal Roberts lied, telling him he killed Cole after those insufferable weeks of waiting for orders to disband the regiment.

  The fact the man lied to him, eased some of the guilt of killing Roberts. It couldn’t be helped. Roberts threatened to expose him, to not only tell of his order to shoot Private Smith, but also of Cole’s mistreatment afterward. The man turned out to be a nuisance, knew too much, and could ruin every plan with his constant mood swings.

  Prior to Ford moving to Alder Gulch, he and Rober
ts had a terrible fight. Ford decided to end their relationship as lovers long before, no longer feeling the need to keep Roberts under his thumb. The poor fool Roberts, had considered himself in love with him and the threats began.

  Sex, he learned, was a powerful tool. Best used to control people, to hold power over them. Emotions could not be allowed into any relationship, they could be crippling and render a person vulnerable.

  It turned out to be a boon that he was able to obtain most of Roberts’ money, as the idiot trusted him to conduct business transactions for him. Who would have thought the dull man came from wealth?

  With a final look at himself in the full-length mirror, a satisfied Erwin Ford exited the house.

  Chapter Six

  “Head to town and pick up your mother’s medications.” Hank Cole sat atop his horse and looked to Ashley. “Stop at the mercantile and pick up the things on the list there and don’t forget the molasses. Your mother will have a fit if you forget that.”

  Ashley continued checking the horse’s harness and threw an empty sack into the back of the wagon. “Anything else, Pa?”

  “Yes, give Grace our best.”

  “I wasn’t plannin’ to see her.”

  “You will.”

  He frowned at his father’s back as the older man went toward the open field to begin the day’s work. It would be a relaxing day at the ranch, just minor things to look after, which made it the perfect time for him to go to town. With a deep sigh, he climbed onto the wagon seat and coaxed the horse forward.

  There was a person he needed to see in town and it was not Grace Dawson.

  *****

  Alder Gulch was bustling with activity. Several men helped upright a wagon turned on its side, the load of potatoes spilled over the street. Kids ran around in circles helping a woman pick up the vegetables. From the smoky aroma drifting through the air, Ashley knew the hotel’s owner roasted a pig outside. Maybe he’d head over for a plate before leaving for the day.

  Ashley pulled up to the mercantile where he’d leave his horse and cart tied while he ran errands. The front door of the store burst open and two package-laden women bustled out barely stopping when he moved out of their way. One of them hesitated and looked him over before whispering to her companion as they hurried off.