"Yes," Meg said. "While I don't miss those days, I do miss us all living together."
"Speak for yourself. You had a bedroom. Me and Annabelle, we had to share," Ruby said.
"So back to Caroline. Do you think we should send our husbands out to find her?" Annabelle asked.
Ruby thought about it for a moment. Maybe Caroline needed this time to become the woman she was meant to be. Maybe it would be best to see what happened. Maybe they should just back off and pray she was safe.
This could be her time to grow or it could be the death of her. But she didn't think Caroline would appreciate them interfering.
"No, let's give her some time and see how things go. We'll reevaluate if we don't hear from her or she doesn't come home soon. Let's give her some time to mature and show everyone what she's competent of."
The three women sighed at the same time.
"Hope you're right, Ruby," Meg said.
"If not, we'll be facing her mama bear," Annabelle said.
Rays of sunlight lit the early morning sky as something woke Trent and caused his eyes to open. In the dim room, he watched as Caroline pulled on her gun belt and slipped on her boots. Hurriedly, she pushed everything into her saddle bags.
From the looks of it, she was leaving without him. Now why would the woman leave him after what they shared last night.
Because he'd scared her. And she'd done the same to him. It wasn't often that a woman roused such feelings of desire in him. So much hunger consumed him for Caroline.
With half lowered lids, he observed her pull on her coat and lift the bags. A quick glance back at the bed, and she strode toward the door. With a silent click, she left.
Damn! Jumping out of bed, his head pounded from the lack of sleep and the alcohol he drank the night before. Yanking on his pants, he shoved his feet into his boots and buttoned his shirt at the same time.
Grabbing his jacket and his hat, he lifted his saddle bags over his shoulder. Grabbing his cane, he walked out the door, knowing she had a head start on him.
Yes, his captivation with the woman left him quaking in his cowboy boots, but he refused to let her get away just yet. There was more he needed to learn about her. More for his story.
When he arrived at the corral, she was climbing up on her horse.
"Leaving without me?" he asked, hurt she had chosen to leave him behind.
Her sapphire eyes stared at him in the dawn light, wary and suspicious. "Time to hit the road and start the next hunt. Last night, you were out drinking. No, I don't wait for anyone. Time to go."
The woman had grit and she didn't like him going off to a bar. Between his growing attraction to her and the pain he suffered with his leg, he needed something to dull the ache.
Yet, the noisy saloon kept him from writing the first installment. Before the whiskey kicked in and rendered his mind useless, he managed to jot down some notes.
Why did it seem that liquor dulled the spasms in his limb and sated his mind at the same time?
"Now, I'm here."
"Let's go," she said. "Let's get on the road if we're going to reach Smithville by nightfall."
"What's there?" he asked.
"The next bounty," she said. "Two men convicted of cattle rustling, who escaped prison. The price for each of them is two hundred dollars."
The stable hand brought him his horse while he admired the way she looked in the early morning light. When he stared at her, all he could think about was the taste, the feel of her breast in his hand, the silken caress of her skin.
With a sigh, he threw the saddle bags on the back of his steed. Not trusting his gimpy leg, he put his weight on his good limb and swung the damaged one over the back. Astride his horse, he turned to her. "We've got a long day of riding, let's go."
As they rode through town, the kiss they shared filled his senses, overwhelming him. Had it meant nothing to her? Or could she be running from him and the passion he evoked between them?
"Why were you going off and leaving me. Is it because we got a little carried away last night?"
She jerked her head, glaring at him. "No, but I'm not going home in the family way."
"Didn't have any plans on creating a child last night."
Though he didn't want to admit it, she had a point. Sex could lead to a child and as much as he would like a family of his own, now was not the appropriate time.
"Good, then let's keep it that way."
"You're mad," he said, noticing the way she sat, her body rigid.
"No, I'm not," she said not looking at him, but bouncing up and down in the saddle, her face forward.
He reached over and snatched her reins, pulling her to an abrupt halt beside him.
"What are you doing?" she asked angrily, turning to face him, her eyes wide, her gaze meaner than a boar hog.
"We're going to talk about this," he said. "Did I enjoy kissing you? Oh, hell yes. Will I do it again? Every chance I can. Is this convenient - oh hell no. But I promised you nothing would happen and I kept my promise."
"You touched me."
"Yes, I did and it was very enjoyable," he said, assured he would do it again, though he doubted that would be possible now that she had regrets.
"We can't do this," she said.
Darn, she was right. Obviously a virgin and he had a past that if she found out about, she would turn him in at the next sheriff's office. All he wanted to do was go home to his family.
"I gave you my word."
"The word of an outlaw cannot be trusted."
"Well, arrest me," he countered really frustrated that once again she was back to thinking he was the man on the wanted poster. Of course, that was his picture, but he was not the man they portrayed.
"Maybe I will. At the next town when we stop for the night. I'll turn you in again."
The woman was furious this morning at what happened between them last night. While he couldn't be happier. Only one thing would have made it better: if she hadn't stopped them from going further.
"If touching your breasts makes you this angry, then you must have enjoyed it. I'd kiss you again if we weren't on our horses, and touch your breasts if I could. What do you think of that?" he taunted.
Those words probably did not help his case any as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped. He should not have tossed out that dig, but he couldn't stop himself.
"Do you want to marry me?"
Oh hell, he was in trouble now. His response would be like dosing water on a grease fire. "Nothing personal. I'm sure you'll make some man a great wife. Just not me."
Caroline snagged her reins from his hand. "Nothing personal, but I'm not marrying a criminal."
With shaking hands, she spurred the sides of her horse and the animal continued down the road.
"You just had to kiss her," he said low enough for his ears only. "Couldn't leave well enough alone."
Caroline rode along in silence. Really, she didn't want to be intrigued by Trent, but something about the man drew her to him. The way his shoulders were broad, his legs long and even using a cane, a strong masculine presence enchanted her.
Just because she was a professional working woman didn't mean she was easy pickings for some man to take her virginity and leave a baby in her belly. How many times had her mother warned her about that scenario.
"Why are you mad at me?" he asked. "Is it because I don't want to marry you?"
The reason for her anger seemed obvious and should be to him as well. Not because he didn't want to marry her, but because she let things go too far the night before and felt weak around him. After last night, she was stronger and more determined than ever to remain that way in his company.
She glanced at him with disdain. "Why are you bringing up the subject of marriage? What makes you any different from the pig farmer I didn't want to marry? Why is it men are captivated with marrying a woman who has ambition. Sometimes you want more than just cooking and cleaning all day.”
His brows came together in
a frown. "I thought you were angry because I kissed you and didn't want to stand before the preacher with you."
"I'm furious at myself for letting you deter me from my goal. Sure, someday I want a good man to say ‘I do’ with, but at the moment, I'm more concerned about making enough money to keep me out of church. And you, Mr. Holmes, do not help when you're touching and kissing me. So, move on down the road."
Yes, she was much too attracted to him, but her focus had to remain on earning enough bounties that the people of Zenith took her seriously, and she no longer depended on her mother for money. Because the next time she asked, she could already hear her mother's response—I'll buy the wedding dress, but that's all.
"Can't I learn from you a little more?" he asked. "Have you forgotten the man I'm hunting?"
For some reason, she had no interest in hunting an outlaw she knew nothing about or even seen a wanted poster of. There was no time for chasing after small fry that didn't pay anything.
"No, I haven't forgotten. Right now, I'm chasing men with a reward on their head and there's no information on your guy. If you're serious and not interested in all that touchy feely stuff, we'll continue on. I've got a job to do and no time for dilly dallying."
A grin spread across his handsome face, his green eyes sparkling with mischief and she wanted to smack him for being so appealing. Why now?
"Then let's not dilly dally. Who are we chasing this time?"
"Ty Spence, wanted for cattle rustling. He's been hitting the ranches down near the Brazos River pretty hard. Two in the last week according to the telegram the sheriff received. We'll have to spend the night close to the waterway and then go into the town of Cupid."
"Why would you name a town Cupid?"
"Thomas Cupid," she replied, thinking she agreed, but the man named it after himself. "Thomas was a friend of my father's."
Memories of a sad, lonely, man - who never married - came to mind.
"A cattle rustler. Do you know anything else about him?" he asked.
The wanted poster didn't give much away and the lawman only told her that two ranches were struck in the last week. Maybe the criminal sold the beef to another rancher or maybe he intended to start his own place with cattle that wore another cattleman's brand.
"You know as much as I do," she said. "The wanted poster is in my saddle bag. When we stop to camp tonight, take a look at the picture."
He asked, "Are we staying at a hotel?"
The man was arrogant and yet her breath still caught whenever she looked at him. Those dark emerald eyes could be mesmerizing. But she would not let herself fall under their spell, again.
"The only hotel we're sleeping in is the one out under the stars. It's going to be a cold night."
"We could share our bedrolls," he teased.
If she had something to throw at him, she would have hit him in the head with it. "No sharing bedrolls, kisses, or anything else for that matter. You're going to be fortunate for me to share my food with you."
"Even if I shot a rabbit?"
Frowning at him, she said, "Didn't think you knew how to hunt?"
"I don't," he said quickly. "There's always a first time."
The memory of the gunshots going off and the way his bullet splintered the stock of the rifle into pieces replayed in her mind. For some reason that scene continued to pop into her head several times today.
Thank goodness his bullet disabled the woman's gun, because it saved her life. It was either a very lucky shot or the man had better competence with a gun.
"Just what I like to see, a student eager to try out their new skills," she said.
"Of course," he responded. "Need to get better at firing a gun."
Possibly, but she was watching him. Yesterday's shoot out had triggered her suspicions. Either the man had a natural ability she'd never seen, or he lied about his lack of skill.
Two days later, Trent was ready to call off the search for their cattle rustler and head back to Castle Gap. Instead, they were doing night patrols and resting during the day.
Lying out in the sun in the heat of the day, trying to sleep was almost impossible. Even in October, the days were warm and the nights cool. At this point, Trent wanted to go home.
Plus, clouds had been gathering all day and this afternoon looked like, at any moment, it might start raining. Sleeping in cold, muddy bedding was not his idea of fun. Especially when his leg started hurting.
Hiding at the top of a ridge, they looked for anything besides a bovine munching grass in the moonlight.
Rolling onto his back, needing a break for just a moment, he said, "The rancher told the waitress in town that he was moving over a hundred head of bovine to this spot."
"Yes, I asked him to spread the word," she replied, still staring into the darkness.
"Why haven’t they taken the bait?"
"Smart outlaws are cautious or could be he's been busy, courting his girl," she supplied. "Or his mother's birthday? Who knows."
Scooting next to her, he glanced at her. "If we don't catch him tonight, tomorrow we should head back to Castle Gap."
"And give up?" she asked, whirling to face him. "No."
With a snap of her head, she went back to staring at the landscape below.
Rolling back over, he stared down at the cattle, some of them lying on the ground and others standing. A full moon glowed down on them, but still he would have preferred to be in his house, dreaming in his own bed.
"Let's give it another hour and then stop for now," she said.
Thank goodness, she was starting to see reason. After waiting and watching for two nights in a row with nothing happening, maybe she would give up and they could find a nice soft bed.
"Wait a second," she said tensing beside him. "Is that a man on a horse?"
Straightening and sitting right, Trent gazed down at the pasture. The moon came from behind the clouds, reflecting off the land. The cows became spooked as a man began to herd them. At first, he thought the rider was alone, but then he saw two others.
"There's three of them and two of us," he said quietly.
"So, when we come in guns blazing, I bet a couple of them run. We need to capture Ty. He's the leader and if we have time, we'll catch the others."
This plan was a good way to get killed and he didn't like this one bit. But he knew better than to interfere. Stubborn and set in her ways, Caroline wouldn't appreciate him backing out, but some intuition warned him this didn't feel right.
She stood, checked her pistols. "Are you ready?"
Why did they have to go in firing their weapons? Why not do something to snare them?
"Let's try to trap them," he said in the darkness.
"How? It's better if we confront them," she said.
Sighing, he gazed at her barely able to see her face. "Are you certain you want to do this?"
"I'll meet you at the bottom," she said and turned and walked away. Stepping on a rock, she slipped, falling onto her backside, sliding down to the base of the canyon. Landing with a crash in the bushes.
A scream ripped from her throat and he went charging after her as fast as his bum limb would allow, down the crevasse.
By now, the commotion and noise should have frightened the cattle rustlers into riding off. At this moment, he didn't care, he had to find out if she was okay. When he reached the area she'd fallen, the obnoxious odor of a skunk filled the air.
"Please tell me you weren't sprayed."
It was then he noticed the sound of tears in her voice. "Yes, I hit him with my leg and he lifted his tail."
"Are you hurt?"
"No, I stink," she said.
Taking her by the hand, he helped her up from the ground, the rancid smell almost choking him, his eyes watering from the stench.
"Is it all over you?" he asked.
"Mainly on my skirt," she cried, big gulping sobs coming from her.
"Why are you sobbing?" he asked. "Be grateful you're not injured."
"My
favorite skirt is ruined. This is one that Meg made me. A split allows me to ride astride. A skunk sprayed me."
"I'm sure she'll make you another one. As for the polecat, nothing can be done. Stop crying."
For a strong woman, he couldn't believe she was so upset about her skirt. Why wasn't she boohooing about the foul odor? His eyes burned from the strong scent. All he could think about was how his heroine in the book would react in this scene.
The crack of a twig alerted him, they had company. "Shh. Someone's coming."
Pulling her by the arm, they scrambled behind the bush where the polecat had been hiding, praying the animal went to safer ground. Crouching, Caroline dried her tears.
"That commotion you heard was a damn skunk. Let's leave before he comes back. That stink is close enough it's going to stick to us," one of the men said.
"No, it sounded like a woman's yell."
"Probably a hog squealing after the pig was sprayed," the other man said.
Oh, how Trent wanted to chuckle out loud, but couldn't. Glancing between branches, he wished these men would just go on so he could lead Caroline out of here. They were going into town tonight and finding a bath house.
Before Trent could stop her, Caroline jumped up with her Colt in her hand pointed at the thieves.
"Ty Spence?"
“Who's asking," he said suddenly at full attention.
"Drop your guns. You're under arrest for cattle thieving," she said.
The urge to groan loudly almost overcame Trent. The woman had no idea what kind of danger she just put both of them in. Those men were going to laugh their butts off when she stepped out smelling like a polecat.
If she hadn't stunk so badly, they probably would have taken advantage of her, but right now the beauty smelled more like a beast.
"Honey, you're not going to put a bullet in me and I'm not going to let you take me to jail. Come on out and let us see you, then I'll give you a five minute head start before I shoot to kill."
The sound of a gun going off had Trent ducking and one of the men screaming in pain and cursing.
Lipstick and Lead Series: The Complete Box Set With a Bonus Book Page 94