by Indiana Wake
Josie liked to steal a little time to go out onto the prairie most days. The scenery was stunning and wherever she looked there was something new to paint and sketch. She had a very good eye and often did a quick sketch of the area and then, from memory, would paint it when she got home. That way she wasn’t bringing out all the paints and jars she needed. All she had to do was grab a sketchpad and a few pencils and she was there. There were no problems with that.
The painting was an escape. Whenever she heard her father looking for her to discuss something, usually involving Parker, Josie would disappear and hide in her art room. Somehow, Abraham never looked for her in there. It was like he was trying to ignore the fact that she was a talented woman. Josie didn’t mind but she didn’t want to talk about Parker. She didn’t want her father shouting at her.
He had been in a mood that morning and was getting edgy. No doubt because his youngest daughter had been courted the longest and still there was no indication of anything happening.
Josie knew she would have to give an explanation and she wasn’t ready for the confrontation, not just yet. So as soon as she was able, she escaped with her sketchpad and rode out onto the prairie. The place gave her a sense of calm and she could escape for a while, sometimes almost until dusk. When she was in the zone her art drew her in and refused to let go.
She was hoping today she would be able to focus on her drawing and not her impending courtship break with Parker. It would have to happen sooner or later and Josie knew she was unnecessarily drawing it out. She didn’t like it and Parker didn’t deserve it but he wasn’t for her. He would be a good husband for someone else, just not for her. It was time to let him go.
But when she saw the shadow fall over her, as she sketched out a canyon she had found the day before, she knew that was not to happen.
“That’s looking good.”
Josie felt her skin tingle. Parker had somehow found her. Then she heard a yap and a wet black nose nuzzled her cheek. She giggled and put her pad down, wrapping her arms around the Labrador that sniffed eagerly around her, thumping his big black tail.
“Hey, Benny. You out for a walk, are you?”
Parker’s dog barked and licked her face. Then Parker said something and Benny bounded away. Josie turned on her rock and saw Benny sit beside him. Then she realized Parker was not wearing his suit. They were the only clothes she had ever seen him in. Today, he had on jeans, brown leather boots, and a red plaid shirt open at the neck. He also wore a Stetson.
He looked like a cowboy. Josie had never seen him looking like this before. She would be lying if she didn’t find his new look attractive.
Even with her sunhat on, Josie had to shield her eyes from the sun. It was behind him and seemed to be almost silhouetting him.
“What are you doing out here, Parker? And how did you know where I was?”
Parker grinned.
“Your sister said you were out painting. Benny’s a good tracker.” He patted his dog’s head. “I thought I’d come and say hello.”
Josie couldn’t help it. She scowled. Parker knew she didn’t like to be disturbed. She couldn’t work when someone else was around her. And she didn’t like being tracked by Benny, even though she adored the dog.
“Cora knows I like to be alone when I paint.”
“I know.” Parker paused. “I didn’t want to intrude…”
“Too late,” Josie snapped.
“Can you back down a little and let me explain?”
Josie blinked. For a moment, she was floored. Parker had been incredibly passive in their past dealings. He wouldn’t have spoken to her like this, with some authority, even if she deserved it. Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. It was like she was seeing him for the first time.
It was also surprising that she liked it.
Parker approached her, almost stalking towards her like a hunter after his prey. Who was this new man?
“Cora mentioned that you were running out of things to paint and I had an idea. I’ve got something to show you.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet and Josie’s sketchpad fell to the floor. “If you don’t mind coming with me.”
“But…” Josie looked down at her pad, which had fallen closed in the dust, her pack of pencils beside it. “I’ve got this to do.”
“It’s only down the hill.” Parker beckoned Benny over, his dog settled down beside the pad. “Benny will be able to look after your things. He’s a good guard dog.”
Josie knew that. Benny was a well-trained dog and clearly adored his master. It wasn’t difficult to fall in love with the animal. He was loyal, loving, fun and he never chewed anything he shouldn’t. Josie scratched his ears as she knelt beside him.
“Don’t destroy anything or you’re in trouble.” She stood, realizing that Parker was still holding her hand. “What’s this thing you’ve got to show me, then?” she said knowing that her voice was still testy and just a little confrontational. Parker didn’t deserve that but maybe it would help her get this over with.
“Come on.”
Pulling her gently along, Parker led her along the edge of the canyon. Josie hurried to keep up, coming to another revelation. She had never held Parker’s hand. She had expected it to be smooth, almost womanlike. That was the only way to describe a bank manager’s hands. But it wasn’t, his palms were calloused, as if he had worked with his hands all his life.
It was beginning to dawn on Josie that she didn’t really know Parker Young. She hadn’t bothered to get to know him. A touch of shame heated her cheeks. Maybe she should have paid more attention.
There was a trail path cut into the side of the canyon. Parker led her down it, keeping close to the side of the cliff. He began to slow his pace and he lowered his voice to a murmur so Josie had to lean in to listen.
“I used this cave as a hiding place when I was a child. Every year when they’re close, they come back and stay for a few months. Sometimes it’s a whole pride, other times just a single female.”
“Pride? What are you…?”
Josie’s voice was cut off when Parker put a finger to her lips. His finger was very warm. He smiled and withdrew his hand.
“We’ll have to be quiet now. We don’t want to scare them.”
Josie had no idea what was going on. Then Parker tugged her arm to get her to sit on the path, their backs against the cliff, and pointed across the canyon.
“Look.”
Josie looked. Twenty feet below them on the other side was a cave with a huge ledge. The ledge was maybe twenty feet off the floor of the canyon. A female lion was lounging at the mouth of the cave, basking in the sun. Limbs stretched out before her she yawned lazily.
Josie had never seen such a magnificent animal.
“Is that a mountain lion?” she whispered.
“Yes. It’s just one for now.” Parker pointed. “But look. See why she’s in that cave.”
That’s when Josie saw them. Two small cubs, barely a few months old were lolloping about and wrestling each other in the sun. She wanted to laugh or cry out in delight as they danced in and out of the cave as they chased each other. They even climbed over their mother, who didn’t seem bothered that they were jumping on her.
It was a wondrous sight. Josie gasped, gripping Parker’s hand.
“Oh, my goodness. They’re gorgeous.”
She hadn’t been this close to a wild animal, not like this. She had heard of mountain lions but had never actually seen one. To see one this close was incredible, but to see the cubs…. They stumbled and tripped, pounced on each other and raced around their mother.
“This is as close as I’m prepared to take you,” Parker whispered in her ear. “I wouldn’t get anywhere near them. The cubs may not be able to attack you at their age but the mother certainly would. Mothers are very protective of their cubs.”
That sounded just like her mother when she was alive. Sandra would have done anything to protect her daughters. Josie felt a momentary pang of loss at
the thought of her mother. She pushed the thoughts away.
“So this cave is used for mountain lions when they’re giving birth?”
“Most of the time, yes.”
Josie couldn’t stop staring. The cubs were adorable, doing something that looked like a cross between cuddling each other and wrestling.
“This is quite close to Rapid City. How come there hasn’t been a lion attack?”
“It’s because they prefer their solitude. They only attack if we invade their territory and are threatening towards them. Really, they would only attack to defend themselves. We’re downwind right now, so we shouldn’t disturb them too much, but I wouldn’t stay here for too long.” Parker smiled at her. “I thought you’d like to see this. Would this be a good picture for you to paint?”
So he had done this for a picture? Josie’s heart warmed. It was a beautiful sight. Already she was memorizing the scene, getting it ready to be sketched.
“This is beautiful.” It was the perfect picture. She hugged Parker’s arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Parker.”
Parker chuckled.
“I thought you might like it.”
Josie did. It had made her day. Maybe Parker wasn’t as boring as she thought.
What else had he been hiding from her for the past six months?
Chapter 4
Parker found himself walking with a lighter step as he made his way home. He had offered to walk Josie home as it was getting dark but they lived in different directions. Josie had pointed out the bad logistics and assured him she would be fine. Parker hadn’t been happy with that and had offered to send Benny with her, just to make sure she was protected.
After some arguing, Josie had agreed. Benny could make his way home quite happily. Parker wasn’t worried about the dog, Benny knew what he was doing; he was more concerned that Josie could come across an undesirable, who knows, even a mountain lion prowling around.
Still, his surprise had gone better than he had expected. Parker had expected Josie to roll her eyes and tell him to get lost but once he exerted some authority, something he had tried to keep solely at work, she had fallen silent and Parker knew he had caught her.
Josie Matthews wasn’t like any other girl he had encountered. She wanted more than a simple dinner and someone to pay her attention. She wanted some excitement. After seeing her sisters go through drama to get the men they wanted, Parker shouldn’t have been surprised.
Every woman wanted a little something in their lives. From now on he wanted to make sure Josie had that as well.
If he could keep going on as he had done today, where he showed Josie something incredible; if he could make her face light up in delight, Parker knew he could undo the awful attempts he had used to court her for the last six months.
Parker was still deep in thought when he passed the restaurant that was situated next door but one from his house. Someone was lounging against a post outside, smoking. With his stance, the Stetson low over his eyes and the slight paunch hanging over his gun belt, Parker recognized him. Jack Norris.
He bit back a groan. They had gone to school together and Jack had taken it upon himself to think it was a good idea to bully Parker. He bullied everyone but he made a special case of going after Parker. As a child, Parker had been slight and below average height until he hit fifteen. Jack had been a bully. When Parker grew, he could have easily put the man in his place but he just avoided the conflict. Preferring to walk away from a fight rather than start one.
As adults, they didn’t move in the same social circles and Parker was good at keeping out of Jack’s sight. But the man was good at finding out where he was, especially when he was drunk. Parker had never understood why Jack, as a grown man, thought it was entertaining to be mean to another adult and Jack had never given him a good answer.
Jack lowered the cigarette and raised his head. Even in the shadows, Parker could see his eyebrow raising.
“Where have you been, Young? It’s a bit late to be out.”
Parker rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t realize I had to answer to you, Norris.”
“Well, the boring bank manager out at this time of night on the prairie has to be enough to raise anyone’s eyebrows. I hadn't seen you out there since before you took over the bank.”
Parker kept walking. He didn’t want to engage more than he should and Jack was enough to get a rise out of him just by being in the vicinity.
“I felt like going out on the prairie again.”
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Josie Matthews, would it?”
Parker spun around. It was no secret that Jack had taken a fancy to Josie. Josie had made it clear she wasn’t interested and had even taken a knee to his groin when Jack tried to get a little too friendly. Parker had found it to be one of the best moments of his life when he witnessed that. But Jack still pursued her. Parker could feel his anger rising.
“So what if I did?” he demanded. “We are going out, after all.”
“I saw her going out there earlier. I offered to carry her books but she refused.” Jack grimaced. “She even hit me over the head with her sketchbook.”
Parker smirked.
“After what she’s done to you before, you’re lucky that’s all she did.”
Jack grunted. Then he jumped off the sidewalk, crushing his cigarette underneath his boot.
“You’ve been seeing her for six months, Parker. Why haven’t you asked her to marry you, yet?”
Parker bristled.
“None of your business.”
He didn’t want Jack to know he had almost lost Josie because she was losing interest. It was embarrassing that the courtship was lasting longer than a courtship and engagement put together. There was no way he was telling Jack Norris this.
“Well, if you’re dragging your feet, maybe she’s lost interest.” Jack grinned, puffing out his chest. “If that’s the case, maybe I could…”
The thought of Jack anywhere near Josie made Parker see red. He charged at Jack, grabbed him by the shirt, and shoved him against a post. Jack made a surprised noise and tried to move away but Parker pinned him there. He had never used his strength against Jack before – or anyone, if it came to that – and it was a surprise how empowering it felt. But Parker was too mad to think about it much.
“Don’t you dare!” he snarled at Jack.
Jack blinked, staring at him like he had never seen him before. Then he smirked.
“Wow. Someone has got some fire in them after all.”
Parker wanted to punch him. But he didn’t feel like spending a night in the cells. He pushed away and brushed his hands down his shirt. The grime from Jack seemed to coat his fingers.
“Touch Josie or go anywhere near her and I’ll end you,” he snapped.
“Would you like to try it?” Jack straightened up and squared his shoulders. “Because there’s no way you’d be able to win against me. Not when I’ve got my friends.”
That was right. Jack never went into a fight without backup. Parker was sure if he was on his own, Jack wouldn’t win at all. He liked to fight dirty and use his friends to help out. The person they were attacking never had a chance. Sheriff Blake was getting frustrated with the amount of times he had to lock them all up for being idiots, especially when they had been drinking.
But Parker had a better bargaining chip. One that would make Jack back down. It was an advantage having an aunt as the saloon owner.
“Maybe I’ll have a word with Aunt Kitty instead. You wouldn’t want to be barred from the only saloon in the area because you threatened her nephew, now would you? She’s been looking for an excuse to bar you and your friends for a while because of all the ruckus you cause.”
Jack’s smirk disappeared and he scowled. He looked like he wanted to swing a punch.
“Try it, Young,” he growled.
“Perhaps I will. Leave Josie alone and I won’t say a word.”
Parker turned and walked
away. That made him feel good. He wasn’t a violent man and he didn’t deliver threats. So to do that to Jack Norris, it did make him feel good.
Parker just wondered how long it would last and if he would have to let loose the anger this man had nurtured inside of him.
Chapter 5
Josie couldn’t believe the next two weeks. The change in Parker was startling. He seemed to be a completely different person. Gone was the boring bank manager, in his place was someone exciting and interesting. He was always smiling around her, he made her laugh and his stories were a lot more interesting than the ones he used to tell.
And the prairie… Josie had had no idea that Parker’s knowledge of the prairie was so extensive. He had never talked to her about it; before, everything had been the bank and investments. He had once mentioned that when he was younger, he and his cousins used to prowl all around the prairie and they knew every inch within five miles. Now Josie believed him and was more impressed with the distance than anything, albeit a little skeptical.
Only Parker had shown her things she had walked right past and hadn’t even known they existed. After seeing the mountain lion and her little cubs, Parker had taken her to different parts of the prairie and pointed out his favorite places. Josie had an appreciation for the prairie before and now she could see the wonders that had made Parker fall in love with it when he was younger. There was so much to see and it was all Josie could do not to go into a panic. She had so much to draw and paint that her mind was overflowing.
There were times when she didn’t come out of the guest house at all because she was furiously painting just to keep up. Normally, she didn’t want anyone in the room with her – she found it hard to work when someone was watching her – but she found having Parker there soothed her. He was a calming presence and stopped her from having a breakdown. He didn’t complain about not talking or get bored; he simply sat in a chair with a book and let her get on with it. Sometimes, she thought he watched her but so far, she hadn’t caught him.