The Filly & the Gambler (Book Fifteen of Brides of the West Series)

by Rita Hestand

She was wearing the silk dress, that Martha had said was for dances. She thought Sunday was the best day to wear it. Since her husband didn't go to dances. "Thank you. You know, I don't know how to repay Martha for her kindness, but I wish she could come out and eat with us."

  "Would you like me to go get her?"

  "Yes, very much. I wish she'd come out every Sunday."

  "I can ask her. Want to come with me?"

  "No, I'll stay here and get the meal cooked, so I can enjoy her company when she comes." Gabby told him.

  "Tell me something. Is Gabby your given name?" He asked out of the blue as he took her hand in his and his hat in the other hand

  She chuckled. "Not exactly no. It's Gabriella Luanna Mae Gibson, I mean, Martin, but dad just shortened it to Gabby. Said that was too fancy a name. He started to call me Lou, but Mama told him that sounded like a man. So, I became Gabby."

  "I don't know," he stared at her, "it kind of fits you." He told her.

  "Momma found it in a book and she liked it, so she named me after it. They both agreed that Gabby fit best. They said I jabbered a lot as a baby. Is Cole your given name?"

  "Cole Leroy Martin. Naturally, I hated the Leroy. Thought Leroy was kind of mean sounding name. So, I became just Cole."

  "I would have liked to have met your mother. She sounds like quite a lady." Gabby told him.

  "And your folks?" He asked, "tell me about them, Gabby."

  Gabby stared at him now, "Funny, when I think of it, they were such an unlikely pair, my folks. Dad couldn't read or write. Mom could do both. She had manners, and good breeding I'm told. Her family was from Old Boston, very aristocratic, and had money, I'm also told. What little I know of manners, I got from her." She told him.

  "How did they happen to meet?"

  She laughed softly in reflection. "It was hilarious." She glanced at him with a smile. "Dad was in town, painting a sign for someone, and she got off the noon stage. There she was in all her finery, silk dress and hat with a feather in it and just as she mounted the steps of the hotel, Dad's ladder fell and him with it. Dumped a half a pail of paint on her new dress, and dad right in her lap, I could have sworn he must have done that on purpose."

  "Was she mad?"

  "At first," she chuckled. "but dad had a way of taming that mad out of her. She kept babbling at him, and he just leaned over and kissed her silly. Took all the starch out of her at once." She chuckled. "Said she never knew a man could kiss like that."

  "They must have really been a pair." Cole stared.

  "She never looked at another man after that. You know dad was a decent looking man when he was younger. I have a picture of him, and it astounds me every time I look at it." She recalled.

  He took her hand and started walking her back toward the house. "I miss Harmon a lot. You may not believe this, but my Saturday poker games are just not the same anymore. I went in one Saturday and he wasn't there, and it just didn't suit me. That's when I gave up poker."

  "Did you always play poker?"

  "'Fraid so, my dad taught me, and I caught on fast. I guess you could say it's my biggest vice or was. Not so much now."

  "My Dad loved poker." She smiled warmly.

  "I know. Just wish he'd had better luck at it."

  "Do you have luck at it?"

  "At times, yes. But most women don't know this, but poker is a man's sport mainly because we don't just play cards. It's a game of outdoing the other, a competition if you will. We get together shoot the breeze and tell a few tales and go home usually with empty pockets."

  "I forgave dad his Saturday poker after I grew a bit older. I realized it was the only thing he had to look forward to after a while. I'm sure raising a girl wasn't a lot of fun for him. But…. he had a way of growing on you." She said with a sad twinkle in her eye.

  "Gabby, I want you to feel like you can talk to me about how you miss him. Sometimes just talking about it helps a lot. I want us to share things, because that is what married couples do, confide in each other, talk about things. I'm not one for keeping secrets."

  "Thanks. I guess it does help. And I'm glad you are open about things. Some people clam up and you can't get anything out of them."

  "So, you like the dresses Martha bought you?"

  "Oh yes, I do. I wish I could repay her for it. I don't know what possessed her to get them for me."

  "She's taken quite a shine to you. Kind of like you were a daughter or something." Cole told her. "You know she never had any kids. When I told her you invited her out, she was tickled pink. I think she misses Harmon, too."

  "And she seems like the type that would be good with kids."

  "You know I think you are right about that. You sure notice a lot."

  "I'll have to think of something I can do for her. I'd like to learn to quilt. That quilt on my bed is so pretty, I'd like to give her something like that, to repay her kindness Who made it?"

  "My mother, a long time ago. They have quilting parties in town I'm told."

  "Quilting parties?"

  "Yeah, women get together and work on quilts all the time. All you have to know is how to sew, I'm told."

  "Really, I'd love to learn."

  "Then I'll get in touch with the ladies that run the parties." Cole told her.

  "You think I'd be welcome?"

  "Why not?"

  "I don't know many of the ladies in town."

  "Then maybe you should get to know some of them. They aren't all nosey and stuck up."

  "I guess you are right." She nodded. "I have a bad habit of thinking I know what people are thinking all the time. Some people that is."

  "Oh yeah, what am I thinking?" He challenged her.

  "I said some people, not all…" she tried to laugh.

  "I was thinking I'd like to kiss you…would that be alright?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

  "Well I…" but he was already bending his head and touching his lips to hers. At first his touch was like a feather in the wind, blowing across her soft lips, then more intense as though a storm had come out of nowhere. It left her breathless. The way he swept her away, was something she couldn't get used to. No one had affected her like that before.

  His lips moved so softly over hers, and she was helpless but to respond to him. He was such a powerful man, and he sought her surrender and got it. Gabby did everything from instinct. Her kisses were nothing short of complete surrender. But nature stepped in and drove her to seek more from him. He heard the slight moan from her and smiled against her lips.

  "I like it when you moan like that." He smiled

  "I can't help it. I guess I sound like a sick calf."

  "I don't want you to help it. Just keep giving me what you give me when I kiss you and I'll never complain." He said and dipped his head again to hers.

  She was lost. Her arms flew around his neck now and she hung on tight. This is where she wanted to be all along, and it was heaven when he kissed her.

  When he let her go, she looked up at him, her cheeks burning red.

  "That was every bit as good as I thought it would be. I like kissing you, Gabby…you've got the softest lips. I hope you don't mind, because I intend doing it as often as you'll permit me."

  She couldn't dare say a word. She had enjoyed it, but she couldn't tell him how much. Could she?

  Or could she?

  "I-I don't mind…" she whimpered somewhere near his ear.

  "You're a temptation I never counted on." He admitted huskily.

  Later when they resumed walking, he stared down at her.

  "I have to admit, until you came along, I just thought kissing was for fools. I'd always thought, if a man did come along and kiss me, I'd be too shy. But when you kiss me, I sort of lose control of things, and let nature take its course. I'm sure I'm very untrained."

  He stopped and looked deep into her eyes, "I don't want you trained. I want you natural, just like you are. You're like a wild stallion, untamed and not calculating and cunning, but sweet and tempting
. And thanks for sharing that with me…" he smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. "And nature has a way about it too."

  "You are easy to talk to. I don't understand that, completely. When men came to the cabin to see my father, I was too shy to say much, and most of the time I was dressed like you saw me, so they weren't interested in talking to me either. I guess sometimes I was just too tired to be polite. I'm surprised. You saw me at my worst, and yet, you married me. That says so many things to me, and the fact that you wanted to help my father, warmed me to you. I know it was for dad, but you really made things nice for me, and you didn't have to."

  "To tell the truth, I never thought I'd want to be married. Never met a woman that could turn my insides to mush…like you do."

  She blushed again. Could she turn him to mush? That was a powerful statement.

  "But I'm finding that marriage isn't so bad after all. And it sort of gives me leave to kiss you when I want…I like that." He smiled. "There are so many things I like about you Gabby. I don't have to be something I'm not, which is a gentleman."

  "But you are gentle, at least with me…"

  "That's because I want to be. I guess you could say you bring out the best in me."

  "I'm glad you don't mind it so much. Only I want you to know if you want the annulment, you can have it. I won't hold you to this marriage." She told him. "The option is there, if you want it."

  "Hold me to it, Gabby. Hold me to it!" And then he kissed her all over again, and her knees nearly bent as she allowed him every pleasure with her lips.

  This kiss was steamy and brought out the passion that had been building inside her. She gave him every leave as his lips ravaged hers. She relished it. She liked it when he was gentle, and she liked it when he was rougher. She never in all her wildest dreams thought she'd like a man to kiss her.

  When they broke apart, he looked stunned. And then a grin broke across his face, to let her know it was all alright.

  "I'll be back with Martha, very soon." He told her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Martha was surprised to see Cole, but more than a little pleased at his invitation.

  "Never could turn a good meal down, but I'm so glad you invited me."

  "This invite came straight from Gabby."

  "Well now, that's nice to know. Are you alright with me coming then?"

  "Martha," He gave her a condescending glance, "Of course I am. You will always be welcome at my place."

  She smiled, "Looks like I got myself a family, don't I?"

  The word family warmed his heart and he'd have to thank Gabby later for it. "You sure have, if you want us." Cole laughed.

  "So how are you two getting along?" Martha asked curiously as she stared at him.

  "Better than either of us expected." Cole smiled.

  "From that smile, I take it you are enjoying married life."

  "Very much so, but Martha I think there is something you should know. We don't sleep in the same room." Cole told her without blushing.

  "And why not?"

  "Gabby is just now getting used to the idea of kissing me, much less anything else. I thought I'd be gentle with her as possible." Cole told her.

  "Do you want me to talk to her?" Martha's frown said everything.

  "I don't know if she's ready for that. I don't want her to think I'm pushing her. I figured when it happened, it would happen. I've never had a woman of my own. A woman who cared anything about me. It's new to me and I'm enjoying every step of the way, but I'm afraid if I push too much, she'll run. And I don't want her running away from me." Cole admitted.

  Martha seemed to realize that not only was Gabby confiding in her, but Cole too.

  "Well, I reckon it's good to be gentle with her, but she does need to know her place. And her place is with you. In all ways."

  "I know that, and I think she does too, but so far it's been kind of up in air when this is going to happen, or even if it is. She's still giving me options about the annulment." Cole frowned.

  "Maybe I should talk to her. I mean woman to woman. She ain't had a mother in years. And that part of her education is probably lacking to some degree."

  "Whatever you think, Martha."

  "Are you frustrated with her?"

  "No, not at all. I don't mind her hesitation. I always thought maybe things would just kind of fall into place one day. Maybe I'm wrong. "

  "Cole let me ask you," Martha took a deep breath and looked at him. "Just how do you feel about her?"

  He stopped the wagon for a moment and smiled, "I think I'm falling in love with her. Aw, hell, I’m sure I am falling for her."

  "Do you want this marriage to work?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "Good. That's what I needed to know, and I'm sure she does too." Martha told him.

  Cole stared at Martha. "Martha, I've never been in love before. I don't know how to say the words."

  "Well I'd think at some point they'd spill out."

  "Problem is, I've been trying to keep them from spilling out."

  "Why?"

  "Because of the options she keeps giving me." He replied. "I'm not sure if she wants this annulment, or if she wants me to have a choice."

  "She's had men in her life, all her life, but very little of a woman's touch. She thinks differently than most women, but she feels the same, no matter what she says. So maybe if you love her, you should tell her. Be honest with her and yourself."

  He smiled and put a hand over hers. "Martha, I need you around more often. I haven't had a mother in a long time either."

  Martha smiled, "I'll remember that."

  As they neared the ranch, Martha chuckled. "Lord that little gal can cook. I can smell it from here."

  "I know she's got my hands licking their lips all the time." Cole chuckled. "They usually eat with us."

  "Oh! She's afraid to be alone with you." Martha summed it up so naturally.

  "That's what I thought too."

  "Don’t you worry, we'll get to the bottom of this." Martha assured him as he helped her down from the wagon.

  As they went in Gabby heard them and came running toward Martha. "So, glad you could come," she hugged her to her and smiled.

  "I wouldn't turn your cooking down for anything," she told her.

  "Come on in the kitchen, it's almost ready." She told her.

  Cole followed them in.

  Martha helped her set the table and while Cole went out to tell the hands it was ready, they talked.

  "So, you've moved over. It's about time." Martha told her.

  "It was all because of that cat. He got my chickens." Gabby told her.

  "Oh yes, I heard about the cat. He wreaked havoc on a lot of stock, I'm told." Martha poured herself some coffee and sat down at the table.

  "Do you like it here?"

  "Yes, I do. And…like Cole said, at least he doesn't have to come check on me every so often. He's as bad as my father was about that. Thinks I'm incapable of handling things." Gabby laughed.

  "Well darlin' a woman can do so much, but it isn't safe you're being over there alone. Especially since more people know you are out here."

  "No one has ever threatened me." Gabby explained.

  "No, because you ran around in those britches and they didn't like what they saw. But now they know you are a lady and out there, it could be a different matter. I don't think you realize how pretty you are, Gabby. I'm going to have to bring my mirror, so you can have a good look at yourself. You are a beautiful young woman, Gabby."

  "I got a rifle. I can protect myself." Gabby told her.

  "Maybe. But I'm glad you are finally here. It's where you belong, Gabby. You must understand. Whether you want to be or not, you are married, and you belong with your husband. People would talk you know."

  "I guess they would."

  "You know they would. Don't you like Cole?"

  "Of course, I do. More than I should. But dad was the reason we got married. Not because of our feelings." Gabby explained.
>
  "Maybe so, but feelings can change. And you can fool some people alright, but I've seen the way the two of you look at each other. There are some feelings there, Gabby and sooner or later you'll both have to face that."

  Martha smoothed the tablecloth and helped her dish up the food and put it on the table. The men gathered on the back porch to wash up, then straggled in and Martha and Gabby quit talking about 'feelings'. Gabby was glad, because she wasn't sure she wanted to talk about feelings just yet.

  The table was set for nine and was full by the time everyone sat down to eat.

  The men led the conversation and Gabby and Martha joined in a bit, but mostly listened.

  The eager way they all dove into the food, Martha was certain Gabby had won all his hands over.

  Later some of the men went to sit on the porch while Gabby and Martha cleaned up.

  They didn't mind being alone as it was more time to talk to each other.

  "You know, your father wanted you to be happy, Gabby. And of all the men he knew, he liked Cole best. That's why he tossed you into that poker game. He knew Cole would never just come out to his place and start courting you. He knew he'd have to sort of trick him into coming out and meeting you. So, he did. But despite him pairing the two of you up, I'd say he did a right fair job of it, Gabby. Cole's a good man."

  "I agree."

  "You do?"

  "Of course, I do."

  "Then you like him, don't you?"

  "Yes, I like him…" Gabby admitted.

  "Does he kiss you?"

  "Yes," Gabby knew where this was leading.

  "Have you slept with him yet?"

  "No, of course not." Gabby turned red cheeks to her.

  "Why not?"

  "For one, if I sleep with him, then he'll have to get a divorce, not an annulment. And that would cost money. I want to give him time to decide if he wants one. If he does, then I won't have been hurt. If he doesn't, I reckon nature will take its course, sooner or later." She explained, as she dried the dishes and put them up one at a time.

  "Some women think it's their wifely duty to sleep with them."

  "I know you are supposed to submit. But he's already said I don't have to."

  Martha fretted about that statement.