Authors: Georgina Gentry
Colt (6 page)
“Oh yeah. Malingerers claiming bellyaches or something so they won't have to clean stables or sweep the parade grounds.”
“You don't seem like regular army,” Hannah said.
“Does it show?” Doc paused, looking thoughtful. “I was a very successful doctor in Connecticut and then my wife died.” He gazed out the window as if remembering. “Then all I thought of was our only child, but Mark was killed in the Mexican War. For a while, I did nothing but drink.”
“And then?” Hannah asked softly.
Doc shrugged. “Soldiers needed doctors, and because of Mark, I enlisted. It gave me a new reason to live.”
She paused. “A son gives anyone a reason to live.”
Just then Olivia popped back in the door, carrying a pair of shoes. “Here, Mrs. Brownley. I was planning on giving these to my maid, but you need my charity so much more.”
“Thank you. You are so kind.” Hannah forced a smile as she took the shoes. They looked worn-out.
Olivia nodded and smiled. “You poor thing, I'm just doing my Christian duty.” And she turned with a whirl of expensive lace petticoats and went out the door.
Hannah sat down on a chair and tried on the old shoes. Olivia might be a petite beauty, but she had big feet. The shoes were way too big for Hannah. “Doc, have you got some rolls of bandage?”
“Sure.” He walked to a cabinet and took out some, handed them to her.
She took off the shoes and stuffed the toes so the shoes would fit her, then put them back on. “Thanks, Doc. Now I'll clean up the dishes and you can get to work yourself.”
He paused and grinned at her. “You know, Hannah, I really like you. You're genuine and honest, rare things in a woman. Too bad some younger men are blinded by window dressing.”
“You mean Lieutenant Prescott?”
He winked. “You understand perfectly.”
She began to clean the table, feeling guilty because she was fooling this nice old man. He'd be shocked and disappointed when he woke up in the morning and she was gone.
Â
Olivia walked into to her father's office. “Hello, Daddy.”
“My darling.” He stood up and kissed her forehead. “What can I do for you today? I hope you're not going to complain about how dull this post is again.”
She sniffed the whiskey scent and frowned. “So early?”
“You sound just like your mother,” he snapped, reaching for his pipe.
It didn't do any good to lecture Daddy about his drinking, although she thought it was getting worse. She sat down in a chair. “I've been over to see our poor girl rescued from the Indians and take her some shoes.”
“That's my good girl.” He beamed at his only child. “You're the sweetest, most thoughtful girl ever.”
She smiled her most winsome smile. “I was only doing what any other kind, civilized woman would do. You have sent for her husband, haven't you? I'm sure she's really eager to get off this post and back to her family.”
“Of course. I've sent telegraphs all over Texas, and if he's alive and still in the state, we'll find him.” He poured himself a drink.
“Oh, Daddy, must you? You drink too much.”
“I do not. This is my first little toddy of the morning.”
“I don't think so.”
“Now, have you been counting like your mother used to?” He sounded defensive and angry.
She decided to drop the subject. The tension between her parents had grown worse over the years, which was why they kept so many miles between them. “Wasn't that an exciting raid? The men are saying Lieutenant Prescott was so heroic. They think he deserves a promotion.”
The major chuckled and reached for his pipe. “I'm way ahead of you, Olivia. I'm going to give him a battlefield promotion, making him a first lieutenant. He's waited a long time.”
“And then he's bound to become a captain, isn't he?”
“Eventually. You kind of like that Texan, don't you?” The major paused in filling his pipe.
“Oh, Daddy, he's so tall and handsome. I just almost swoon every time I see him.”
“Now, Olivia, you should remember, he's not like the boys you're used to.”
“I know. All those in Philadelphia were just boys. Colton is a man.”
“You call him Colton?”
She felt herself blush. “Oh, Daddy, you may as well know, I've set my cap for him. I know he's a little rough around the edges, just like you were when you met Mother, but he can be tamed.”
The major lit his pipe and frowned. “You don't want to make the same mistake your mother did.”
“Goodness gracious, you don't seem so Irish as Mother says.”
“She certainly didn't want to live on some dusty army post. It hasn't been much of a marriage, Olivia.”
“Oh, but this is going to be different.” Olivia leaned toward him with an eager smile. “I'll turn Colton into a gentleman, correct his grammar and his manners.”
“Like your mother tried to do to me?” The major snorted. “You need to accept a man for what he is, my dear, not try to turn him into a silk purse from a sow's ear.”
Olivia didn't want to hear that; she was already making plans. “Then we'll move back to Philadelphia and Mother can give him a job in her family's company.”
“Colt Prescott doesn't strike me as the type to sit in an office back East.” The major puffed his pipe.
“Well, if he insists on staying in the army, you and Mama can use your influence to get him promoted. I think âColonel' would be nice. We could be posted to Washington, D.C., where there's lots of social life and fancy balls.”
The major smoked and shook his head. “His enlistment is up in June, Olivia, and I guess he'll stay in the army, but he's not the kind of man who can be led around by the nose by a woman. He's a Texan and they have a tendency to be stubborn and independent.”
“Oh, just watch me!” Olivia said smugly. “Lieutenant Prescott is mad for me. He'll do anything I want him to do, like a trained lapdog.”
“By Saint Mary's blood, I think you underestimate the Texan.” The major leaned back in his chair and smoked his pipe.
“Daddy, don't sound soâso Irish.” She frowned.
“In the first place, you don't know how Texans feel about the Lone Star State. They say they've got the Texas red dirt flowing in their veins and they won't leave her.”
“I think he likes me better than he likes Texas,” Olivia said.
“My suggestion for you is Captain Van Smyth. He's got the same kind of background you have, educated and cultured, and I've seen the way he looks at you.”
“Howard?” She made a dismissing motion. “He's amusing, but so prissy and civilized. Why, have you noticed that pitiful little mustache and the extra padding in the shoulders of that tailored uniform? Colton certainly doesn't need any padding.”
“I'm sure he's all man,” the major agreed.
“I've decided I want him, Daddy, so don't be surprised if we're engaged in a few weeks and planning the biggest wedding Philadelphia ever saw.”
“Well, I wouldn't object to the lieutenant as a son-in-law. He's a man's man. But I don't think you can bring him to heel like some placid dog.”
Olivia stood up. “Just watch me. Oh, Daddy, is it all right if Lieutenant Prescott takes me riding and on a picnic this afternoon?”
“Of course. If it were any other man, I'd say no, fearing for your safety, but the lieutenant is not only an honorable man, he can deal with any emergency from Indians to rattlesnakes. Have a good time.”
“We will.” She leaned over and kissed her father's gray head. “You're such an old dear.”
“And you wrap me around your finger just like you do every other man. You're so pretty, no one can refuse you.”
She winked at him. “I know.” And then she walked to the door, turned. “Oh, don't forget there's a dance tonight for the officers.”
“How could I? And of course, you'll be the belle of the ball.”
“I intend to, and you stop drinking so much.” She closed the door behind her, feeling cocky and special as she went to her quarters, thinking about what gown she would wear to the dance.
Â
He must be the luckiest man in the world, Colt thought, as he strode to the barn for two horses. Sergeant Mulvaney was there, directing privates in cleaning stables and grooming horses.
“Ah, Lieutenant.” He saluted, but Colt grinned and offered his hand.
“Let's not stand on ceremony, Mulvaneyâwe've known each other too long.”
“Ah, now that's a fact. It don't seem almost eight years since the Mexican War ended, sir.”
Colt frowned. “There's some of it I'd just as soon forget.”
The wiry little sergeant nodded in understanding. They'd both been on that detail to hang the American mutineers, and neither had thought it just. “I've got a snort hidden behind the saddles, sir, if you'd likeâ”
“Some other time, Sergeant. I'm taking a lady for a ride and I don't want her to smell demon rum on me.” He clapped Mulvaney on the back and the other grinned.
“The major's daughter, is it? Aye, she's a rare beauty, that one.”
“She is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen,” Colt admitted and then frowned because the face that came to his mind was the plain, honest face of Hannah Brownley. Moonlight. Long yellow hair. “Get me a couple of horses saddled, Mulvaney. Rascal and whatever Miss Olivia usually rides.”
“Yes, sir.” The sergeant grinned and saluted. “Me boys will do it double-quick.”
Colt beamed at the thought of the elegant, dark beauty as he led the two horses up to the major's residence and tied up at the hitching rail. He knocked on the door, took off his hat, and bowed, and the beauty came outside wearing a pretty green riding outfit with a saucy hat and veil.
“You are prettier than a spotted pup in a red wagon,” he said as he offered his hands so the booted Olivia could swing up to her sidesaddle.
“What?” The lady looked puzzled.
He grinned. “That's Texas talk. Means you couldn't be any prettier. Anyway I'm honored, ma'am, to take you ridin'.”
“It's my pleasure.” She smiled down at him from her fine bay thoroughbred mare. The expensive riding habit's skirt swept almost to the ground and a perky feathered hat sat on her dark curls. “I brought along a picnic.”
“Life doesn't get any better than this.” Colt grinned at the beauty as he tied the basket behind her saddle and mounted Rascal.
It was a breezy, comfortable day, the kind that made him feel lucky to live in Texas, Colt thought as the pair started off at a walk. “There's a shady place down by the river that would be perfect for a picnic.” Then another thought. “Ma'am, you did ask your father's permission for me to take you ridin'?”
“Of course, Colton.” She gave him a dazzling smile. “Daddy has a lot of confidence in you. So do I or I'd be worried about Indians.”
He frowned. “That makes me wonder about Mrs. Brownley. She's suffered a lot.”
Olivia shrugged. “Oh, her. Well, maybe her husband will come get her soon and she won't be our problem anymore.”
“I didn't think of her as a problem.” Colt gave her a searching look as they rode. “She's been through hell.”
“I know, poor thing,” Olivia said. “Since you're so worried about her state of mind, I'll invite her to the officers' dance tonight. Maybe that will brighten her outlook.”
“I don't know if she's ready for all those people, the stares she'll get.”
“Nonsense. It will be good for her. I'll lend her a nice dress.”
He felt his heart melt. “Miss Olivia, you are a really good person.”
She blushed and pulled a hankie out of her sleeve and wiped her eyes.
“I didn't mean to make you cry.” Damn, this beauty spilled tears like a fountain.
“I was just so touched by your compliment.” She dabbed at her eyes. “You're wonderful, Lieutenant.”
He glanced over at her as they rode. “No, Miss Olivia, you're the one who's wonderful.”
Her long eyelashes flickered downward modestly. “Why, Lieutenant, you say the nicest things.”
“I hope I'm not bein' too forward, Miss Olivia, but I hope to get to know you a whole lot better.”
“Oh, Colton, you make my heart flutter.”
Other books
The Anniversary by Amy Gutman
Survivalist - 15.5 - Mid-Wake by Ahern, Jerry
Fatal Heat: A Navy SEAL Novella by Lisa Marie Rice
Steal the Sky by Megan E. O'Keefe
The Nice Old Man and the Pretty Girl by Italo Svevo
The Mad British by Leick, Hera
Fetching Charlotte Rose by Amelia Smarts
Never Trust a Bad Boy by Minx Hardbringer
Un secreto bien guardado by Maureen Lee
The Image by Jean de Berg