Deanna Tompkins

by Blue Mountain Passion

  Meagan considered his words. "I think I'd like that."

  Cole paled slightly. "I was just teasing, Meagan."

  "Well, I really think that I could..."

  "Meagan," Cole interrupted, "I brought you here to have someone sew for you."

  Still contemplating all the extra money she could earn, it took several seconds for Cole's words to sink in. "You want someone to sew for me?" She stared suspiciously at him. "Don't you think I know how?"

  Cole grinned broadly. "That's an interesting question, Meagan. Shall we say I'm holding judgment on that until after the dance."

  Ready with a sharp retort, Meagan snapped her mouth shut as Cole held up his hands in defense. His eyes twinkled merrily at her. "I've already arranged a seamstress for you, Meagan. That's your surprise."

  "What's she going to sew?"

  Cole tipped his head, staring at her with a smug expression on his face. "Sit down."

  He seemed much too pleased with himself. Meagan sat, fidgeting, as she waited for ... well, whatever it was she was waiting for. Soon, an elderly lady appeared holding an emerald green silk dress with a square neckline, embroidered with lace. Tiny buttons trailed down the front, disappearing into a sharply cut waistline which flared into a full, hooping skirt. The bodice boasted puffed sleeves which ended in pearl lace at the elbow. It was the most beautiful creation she'd ever seen.

  "It matches your eyes."

  "What?" Meagan had no time to question Cole further before another dress was presented to her. It was royal blue, with a black ruffle running along the hem, and a wide band of the same color adorning the waist. Its sleeves were long and thin, the silky material nearly see through.

  "Try them on, Meagan."

  "I couldn't possibly wear those dresses, Cole. They're much too grand."

  "They're for you, Meagan."

  "I can't accept them." Meagan fixed her eyes on a spot on the wall and refused to look at him. "It isn't right."

  "Meagan, they were made especially for you."

  Meagan refused to speak. She was afraid if she did, she'd accept Cole's generous offer, for those dresses seemed to be calling out to her.

  "I know it might seem like too much to you, Meagan, but.."

  "Cole, I appreciate the thought, really I do, but I can't let you buy those dresses for me."

  "I don't understand." Cole's jaw tensed with anger. "You lost everything in that fire, including your clothes. Wearing my mother's hand me downs isn't an acceptable solution. You owe me, Meagan. I want to see you wearing a dress that was made for you, one that I chose." He tipped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. "Meagan, I want to see you in those dresses. Please, give me that pleasure."

  "But,"

  "Please, Meagan. Don't say no."

  "I don't deserve..."

  "You deserve everything Meagan. All I'm giving you is a few dresses. Accept them. For me."

  Meagan's doubting stare clashed with his determined one, and she knew she would accept. With an almost imperceptible nod of her head, she relented.

  Cole smiled triumphantly. "Wait until you see what else I've got."

  "Oh, no you don't," Meagan protested with horror as she was presented with an assortment of dresses, skirts with matching jackets, blouses, gloves, a cloak, chemises, corsets, bustles, stockings held up by colorful garters, piles and piles of petticoats, several matching pairs of shoes and a new pair of ankle high button up boots.

  "Cole this is too much," Meagan protested weakly as she stared at the piles of clothing.

  He ignored her protest. "Try them on."

  "Try them on? Right now?"

  "Go into that room, there." Cole pointed towards the small dressing room.

  Meagan walked in a daze, relieved to find a woman ready to assist her. Her hands were shaking entirely too much to fasten the tiny buttons herself. She chose the emerald dress. Her excitement mounted as she stared at her reflection, feeling beautiful for the first time in her life.

  Meagan left the dressing room and presented herself to Cole. She felt uncomfortable under Cole's close scrutiny.

  "Turn around."

  Meagan fidgeted with the dress as she turned to the side, allowing him a profile view. His blue eyes darkened a shade as his eyes raked possessively over her. Meagan felt her confidence grow as she turned first one way, then the other, thrilled by his reactions.

  "I think it fits perfectly, don't you?" Meagan turned a full circle, arching her back, swaying her hips, seducing him with her movements. A heady power overcame all shyness as she experimented with different moves, all designed to stir up the fire she saw in his eyes.

  "Yes," Cole stated in a husky tone. He cleared his throat before stating, "try the blue one on."

  "But, Cole, this one fits perfectly. Don't you think the others will too?"

  "Try it on."

  Meagan saw no reason to argue further. She was thoroughly enjoying herself. She slipped into the blue dress and enjoyed Cole's reaction immensely.

  His eyes never left her as she paraded before him. The transparent silk covering her cleavage rippled enticingly with each movement, and Meagan felt more like a lady than she'd ever felt before.

  "It fits fine, Meagan," Cole stated in a strained voice. "It's getting late. We better go now."

  "Can I try just one more on?" Meagan pleaded, not wanting this heady feeling disappear.

  Cole was remembering the beauty of Meagan's naked body as clearly as if he were staring at it right now. His hand shook slightly as he lifted it towards her, "Meagan, it's getting late."

  "Please," Meagan turned imploring eyes toward him, "just one more."

  Cole relented, knowing he'd pay dearly for it. "One more, then we have to go."

  With a quick nod Meagan turned and headed into the dressing room. She shuffled through the pile, finding a gorgeous lemon yellow dress. She turned inquisitive eyes toward her assistant. "I don't remember this one."

  "Oh, that's one we picked from the store shelf a few minutes ago. We thought it would look lovely on you."

  "But, if Cole didn't order it,"

  "Honey, Cole didn't specifically order any of these. He told us the colors he liked, and described your figure to us. The rest was up to us."

  Meagan blushed furiously as she worried about the conversation in which Cole was describing her figure to these women. What had he said? It was too humiliating to think about, so Meagan forced her attention back to the yellow dress. "It is lovely." Her decision made, she smiled, "okay, I'll try it on."

  It fit perfectly, and Meagan exited the dressing area and walked proudly towards Cole. His cold, hard stare shocked all pleasure from her.

  "Take if off."

  "What?"

  "Take if off, right now."

  Meagan stiffened. "I won't," she insisted stubbornly, hurt by his reaction. "I like this dress."

  "Meagan, I'm going to ask you one more time to take that dress off. If you don't, then I'm going to remove it myself."

  Meagan raised her hand protectively to her chest. It was clear he meant every word. She rushed back to the dressing room, unfastening buttons before the curtain even closed behind her. She turned a worried look towards the woman helping her. "I don't think Cole liked this dress."

  "Never you mind," the woman soothed. "I thought it was lovely on you."

  Slipping into her original dress, Meagan nodded absently, "I did, too." This time when she approached Cole, she didn't smile. She wished with all her heart that she'd never tried that stupid dress on in the first place. It had completely destroyed her pleasure.

  Cole tilted his head to the side as she approached, his expression contrite. He gathered her into his arms and rested his chin on top of her head. "I'm sorry I reacted that way, Meagan. You were beautiful in that dress. It's just not my favorite color."

  Meagan didn't move a muscle. He didn't like the color? It seemed like a silly reason for him to get so upset with her. "I like yellow," she protested, not knowing what else to
say.

  Cole smothered a smile in her hair. "Promise me something, Meagan."

  Meagan lifted her head and met his eyes. "What?"

  "Promise me you'll never wear yellow again."

  "But I like yellow," Meagan protested, "and I.."

  Cole placed two fingers against her lips, effectively stopping her chatter, "promise me, Meagan."

  "I don't see why I.."

  "Promise me, Meagan."

  His words didn't change, but his tone did. He wanted that promise, and was determined to get it. Realizing she didn't really care if she ever wore yellow again, Meagan relented. "I promise."

  Smiling tenderly at her, Cole stared deeply into her eyes, "that's my girl." He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.

  The contact was so brief that Meagan almost wondered if it had happened at all. Her erratic heartbeat told her it had, and she leaned closer to him, wanting more.

  "Later, Meagan."

  His whispered promise held a meaning Meagan chose not to interpret. She turned away from him, covering her heated cheeks with the palms of her hands. "We'd better go."

  "Just let me settle with the clerk."

  Meagan's eyes widened as she noticed an assortment of children's clothes spread out on the counter. "What's all this?"

  "They're for the children."

  "Cole, you're absolutely wonderful." Meagan threw her arms around him, and she was welcomed into his embrace. Several seconds passed before Meagan realized they were being watched. She quickly removed herself from Cole's embrace.

  "I'll have to remember to buy the children clothes more often," Cole teased.

  Meagan exited the store, her humiliation complete. How could she have thrown herself at Cole that way in front of everyone?

  "Help me, Meagan."

  She turned to find Cole loaded down with boxes, and quickly assisted him in loading them into the back of the buckboard.

  "I can't wait to get home and give these to the children," Meagan declared with a satisfied grin.

  Cole stared thoughtfully at her. She thought of the ranch as home. He was glad.

  "How do you know these clothes will fit?"

  "I had to guess. I think they'll work. Besides, since I'm buying them from the shelf, if they don't fit we can exchange them for another size, or have them altered.

  Cole loaded the last of the boxes, and turned toward Meagan, "That's all of them."

  Meagan nodded, and was preparing to leave when her stomach grumbled. "I'm starving," she declared, realizing she hadn't eaten since breakfast.

  "Mrs. Johnson's boarding house serves supper. How does that sound?"

  "Anything. Let's go."

  Meagan headed off so quickly that Cole had to run to catch up to her. "Wait for me," he teased, not surprised when she didn't slow her pace. He obediently lengthened his stride, practically toppling over her when she stopped dead in her tracks.

  "Hey, watch out. We'll end up at the doc's instead of the boarding house," Cole teased.

  "How did you know mine would fit?" Meagan's suspicious eyes stared into his.

  "How did I know you're what would fit?" Cole asked, wondering how anyone could change subjects so quickly.

  "My dresses. How did you know they'd be the right size."

  "I just knew."

  "How did you know?" she insisted, staring at him through slitted eyes.

  "I just did."

  "But, I don't see how you could know that. I was never fitted for anything. I..."

  "I have an eye for these things, Meagan." He shifted uncomfortably under her penetrating gaze. "I knew a few women who were approximately your size who helped me and..."

  "A few women?"

  Meagan's furious gaze rested on him.

  "How dare you compare my .. umm .. assets with another woman's to determine if my dresses will fit. Of all the unseemly things to do,"

  "Meagan."

  "I never. How well do you know these ladies anyway, to,"

  "Meagan."

  "do such a thing. Why, I must be the talk of the town."

  "Meagan!" She appeared ready to ignore him yet again as she opened her mouth to continue her tirade. He grabbed her and pressed his lips against hers. She melted against him, soft, yielding, and most importantly, silent.

  He withdrew. "Can I talk now?"

  Meagan simply nodded.

  "I wanted to surprise you. I couldn't very well have you measured and fitted, now could I?"

  She stared dumbly at him.

  "I used whatever means necessary to get the job done. I did it for you. Do you understand?"

  Meagan said nothing as Cole led her past several smiling faces. It hadn't been easy, but he'd managed to find one way to silence her, and silence her good.

  They were almost to the boardinghouse when Meagan stopped again. Cole was ready with a teasing retort when he realized how pale she was. "What is it Meagan? What's wrong?"

  "Nothing.” She spun in the opposite direction from which they’d been heading. “Let's go home."

  "But I thought you were hungry," Cole protested as he followed her, wondering what had happened to make her change her mind. He hadn't even been talking this time. He couldn't have upset her.

  "I just want to go back to the ranch. Please Cole, just take me back."

  Cole grabbed her shoulders and forced her to face him. Her pleading eyes held an undertone of dread. "Tell me what just happened, Meagan.

  Meagan's hand shook as she brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I just saw Tony."

  Cole was instantly alert. "Where, Meagan?"

  Meagan's hand fluttered in the general direction of the boardinghouse. "Over there, on the street."

  "Let's go."

  Cole didn't bother to see if Meagan followed him as he rushed down the street. It was only when he realized he had no idea what Tony looked like that he turned to find Meagan several steps behind him, her eyes darting from side to side as she tried to locate her brother.

  "Do you see him?"

  Meagan shook her head. "No. He was here just a minute ago."

  Cole spent several useless minutes searching the streets, but with no success. Suspicion grew within him as he realized they'd once again been too late to catch Tony. "Meagan, why didn't you tell me right away that you saw Tony?"

  Guilt flooded Meagan's eyes. "I don't know. I couldn't."

  "Meagan, you promised,"

  "I know, Cole. But, he's my brother. I thought maybe, if I didn't say anything, you'd leave it be. I thought,"

  "You thought wrong," Cole interrupted, his heart sinking. Meagan was still loyal to Tony, even after all he'd done to his family. Even after using her to do it.

  "I know, Cole." Meagan's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry we didn't catch him, Cole. I know how much you want to see him behind bars."

  Cole felt like a cad. Tony was, after all, Meagan's brother. A thieving, good for nothing scoundrel, but still her brother. "Meagan, I want to trust you, and I do understand how hard this is for you." Cole took several steps toward her, but she backed away. "I need to believe in your loyalty. I need to know you're on my side."

  Meagan nodded. "I'll help you Cole. I promise."

  Her words didn't make Cole feel much better.

  "Can we go home now, Cole?"

  Cole wanted to say more, but had nothing to say. With a resigned nod, he led Meagan back to the buckboard. They rode home in silence.

  "Meagan, Meagan's back." Toby ran up to her as she was stepping down from the buckboard, this time without assistance.

  "Hello, Toby," Meagan greeted.

  Cole noted Meagan's forced grin with regret. It had started out as a wonderful day.

  "Pa says I have to come home in the morning."

  Toby didn't look at all happy about that, and Meagan placed her arm around his shoulders.

  "Your pa's right, Toby. I'm sure he misses you something fierce." His sad little face looked up at hers. "You live so close that you'll be able to play here ever
y day."

  "I know, but Jeremy is going to miss me."

  "I think that being apart sometimes will make you and Jeremy even better friends."

  "You do?"

  "I'm sure of it."

  Toby's face scrunched up in thought. "Maybe so."

  "Guess what?"

  "What?"

  "Cole and I have a surprise in here for Jeremy, and all his brothers and sisters. Would you like to help me carry them in?"

  "I guess," Toby agreed, then added in his typical forthright manner, "do you have something for me?"

  "Oh, well Toby,"

  "We do," Cole declared, relieved that he'd thought of Toby at the last minute and picked up a bag of licorice.

  Meagan's surprised eyes met his. "We do?"

  Cole studied her soberly. His mind was far from the conversation they were having. "We wouldn't forget Toby. Not after all the help he's been."

  Toby grabbed a box from the back then reached up and tugged impatiently at Meagan's arm. "Let's go."

  Cole watched Meagan walk away. He wanted to believe in her innocence. He wanted to believe she had no part in the rustlings beyond her innocent trust of her brother. But, suspicions lurked within him and he couldn't suppress them.

  Cole entered the house in time to see the children's delight at their new clothes. Meagan sat in the corner. Her eyes met his for the briefest of seconds as he walked into the room, then she lowered her lashes and rose from her chair. "I'm tuckered out. I'm going to bed," she announced, then disappeared.

  Cole's eyes followed her from the room. He wanted to go to her, to force the truth from her. He wanted to possess her mind, body and soul. He loved her.

  His admission shocked him. He had no idea the instant, the second he'd fallen in love with her. It didn't matter. He loved her now, and each time he thought he was getting closer to her, she aroused more suspicions. With a silent sigh, Cole excused himself and headed toward his room. He had to discover whose side Meagan was on, and soon. He couldn't handle much more of this.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  "Sarah, have you seen Jeremy this morning?" Meagan walked into the kitchen and helped herself to a slice of sourdough bread.

  Sarah swallowed, then replied, "no. I assumed he was still sleeping."