Cowboys and Highlanders (88 page)

“Not one, because I take it slow.”

“I don’t like it slow. I like it fast…and hard.”

“I swear, do you say everything that comes into your mind?”

She tilted her head and smiled wickedly. “Actually, I bite my tongue most of the time.”

“It’s your tongue that gets you in trouble.”

She took his cowboy hat from his head. “I like the sound of that.” She pressed her lips to his. Once again, he pushed her away.

“There’s a time when you need to let a man play his part.”

Her eyes dropped to the front of his trousers. “I know that part.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that.” He ran his hand down his jaw.

“Maybe not, but this is me, Train. I say what I think, and I do what I want. All night you’ve been a perfect gentleman. Don’t expect me to act like a lady.”

“Ladies don’t kiss men they just met. And if I were a gentleman, I wouldn’t have wanted you to.”

“But you do. So perhaps we’re perfect for each other. I really don’t want to be a lady, and I’m glad you’re not a gentleman.”

He wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her into him. At first, his kiss was tentative, caressing her mouth more than kissing it. He sipped at her lips until she opened for him. Sliding his tongue against hers, he tantalized further. She was hot and tasted of whiskey and tobacco.

Their gazes locked as they pulled apart. Gently she wiped a smudge of lip color from the edge of his mouth. The tip of her tongue licked her upper lip.

He reached out and touched the spot on her neck where he could see her pulse racing. “We should head back, before I forget I am a gentleman.”

Her hand stilled on his. “Train, we can stay here,” she said. “I don’t want tonight to end. Tomorrow will be busy and we won’t have the privacy we do now. Neither one of us has a reason why we shouldn’t do whatever we want.”

He shook his head. “I know TJ went to Sandy. I was with him most of the time, but you never saw me in your brothel because I don’t go with whores.”

Smack!
The sting of her hand burned his face.

“I didn’t mean I don’t want to be with you.” He grabbed her hand before she could slap him again. “Marion, I want to get to know you, not hire you.”

“I didn’t ask for payment.”

“I’d feel like I’d owe you.” He ran his hand through his hair and replaced his cowboy hat. “Let’s go back.”

Allison and TJ had left the festivities by the time they returned.

“Sandy must have gone to bed,” Marion said, glancing around.

“I’ll walk you to the house.” He put his hand on her waist.

“Did you forget, Train? This is morning for me.” She left him staring at her back and made her way to the bar. Several men stood around socializing while most of the women had returned to their homes to put their children to bed.

Train watched a man tip his hat, and then pour her a drink. A moment later, the man laughed and lit her cigarette.

Train went to the stables and saddled a horse. He didn’t want to watch Marion drum up business with his friends. His clenched gut and grinding teeth gave a good indication the young woman had his interest. Seems she had everyone else’s as well.

Chapter Two

Train rode hard until he reached the edge of the lake bordering the ranch to the north. Cattle grazed on the grassy hillside. Off in the distance, fields of irrigated crops grew in rows as far as he could see into the horizon.

He had always been content with his place in life. Work on the ranch kept him from getting lonely, until Allison. For the first time, he was jealous of TJ. Not because he got the girl they both wanted, or because TJ owned a prosperous ranch. To Train, TJ seemed to have the world in the palm of his hand. Train wanted the sweet taste of success on his lips.

Roosters were welcoming the dawn when Train left the horse back in the stables. He entered the shack to eat breakfast with the men. A loud, raucous laugh erupted from the corner. It appeared the wedding party was still going strong for a few.

“Cake, you got any coffee?” he asked the round man behind the stove.

Cake cracked eggs into a large bowl with his pudgy fingers. “Help yourself.” He nodded to the stove. Another loud round of laughter echoed off the walls.

“What’s going on over there?” Train asked, sipping hot coffee.

“Sugar’s girlfriend is winning the shirts off Charlie and a couple of the boys. Been at it most of the night. Surprised the hell out of me. She drank six men unconscious.”

“You’re talking about Allison’s friend Marion?”

He nodded. “That’d be the one.”

Train set the coffee down and joined the group of men watching the poker game.

Marion sat with one foot propped up on the chair next to her. She rolled a cigar between her lips. Smoke trailed in a thin ribbon to the ceiling. Tossing a couple coins into the center of the table, she called the bet. Her cards stayed folded close to her bosom. The man sitting behind her desperately tried to see the hand she held.

Train felt prickles along the back of his neck as she tipped a glass of beer to her lips. She had complete command of the group. Her dress wrinkled, her hair disheveled under a borrowed cowboy hat, enhanced the satisfaction in her twinkling eyes.

“Fold,” the man facing her said, and tossed his cards on the table, throwing his arms wide in defeat.

“Another hand?” Her silky voice held a challenge.

Marion attempted to slide the coins into her pile. The man reached out, took her hand, and brushed his lips and mustache against her knuckles.

Train watched the exchange, his temper darkening like ominous thunderclouds on a muggy summer afternoon. He approached the table.

“Good morning,” she said to Train, as she glanced at the men around her. “Thanks for the game, boys. Perhaps I’ll see some of y’all later.” She returned the cowboy hat to its rightful owner. “I’ll collect my winnings now.” Her eyes never left Train as she folded the bills piled in front of her and stuffed them into the cleavage of her dress. Turning her attention away, she dropped the coins into her small clutch.

She stood and put her hand on Train’s elbow. “I’d like a cup of coffee.”

Still angry, his posture stiff, he fell into step beside her when she walked away. “You think I came in here to find you?” he asked coldly.

“Quite the contrary. I know you’re irritated with me by the look on your face. I can tell you didn’t sleep either. We’re both still wearing the same clothes.”

“At least you haven’t wasted your time. Your night was profitable.”

She stepped back, momentarily rebuffed. “Don’t be mean.”

He witnessed her increasing unease under his scrutiny as she fidgeted with her dress.

“I was provoked,” she said.

His eyebrows shot up.

“I wanted to spend the night with you, but your delicate sensibilities wouldn’t let you.” Biting her lip, she looked away.

“I’m a man, not an animal.” He stopped at the stove and poured her a cup of coffee. “Don’t treat me like one of your customers,” he said once they were safely out of earshot.

“Oh darling, if I was doing that you’d look much happier.”

They walked close together as they made their way to the stables. “I’m trying hard not to think about your profession, but you make it impossible.”

“What is it you want from me?” she asked. “Have I mistakenly given you the impression I want something from you besides sex?”

“I don’t want to simply take you to bed,” he ground out. “I aim to court you.” He said the words tentatively, still debating the notion himself.

A flash of humor crossed her face. “Train, I’m only here for a couple of days.”

He pulled a pouch of tobacco from his pocket. “That doesn’t give me much time, does it?”

* *
*
* *

“He’s ridiculous!” Marion paced back and forth across the kitchen as Allison made lunch for TJ’s youngest son, Michael. After leaving Train in the stables, she had searched out her friend. For the first time ever, someone had left her speechless. “No one is that stupid. Believe me; I’ve met plenty of stupid men.”

Allison ordered her to sit down by pointing a wooden spoon at the table.

“Everyone knows whores don’t get married.” With her elbow on the table, she rested her chin in her hand.

“That isn’t true. But even if it were, it wouldn’t matter to Joseph,” Allison said. “In the beginning, he thought I was a working girl.” She put a plate of diced pork from the previous night in front of Michael along with a piece of buttered bread. “He didn’t care.” She shrugged. “He only worried that I had done, you know…with TJ.” She licked strawberry preserve from her thumb.

Marion thought for a moment while she ate the bread with jam Allison set in front of her. “I can’t have children. Men who marry want sons to carry on their name.”

“I have two children now.” She kissed Michael on the head. “I didn’t give birth to him, but I still feel like his mother.”

Marion sighed. “Actually, I hate children. Every time one of the girls finds herself with a baby, I silently thank God he knew I was never meant to procreate.”

Allison’s mouth fell open. “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

“Terrible would be having me for a mother. Worse would be having me for a wife! You have to talk to him. Tell Train he’s being foolish.”

“Marion, that is a wicked smile spreading across your face. What are you thinking?”

“Just don’t discourage him completely. I’ve always wanted to ride on a Train.”

Allison hurled a dishtowel across the room, hitting Marion on the shoulder.

“Where’s your husband this morning?” Marion asked, changing the subject.

“He took Sis for a ride.” She put a cup of milk in front of Michael. “Betty, you met her, Cake’s wife, asked if I wanted her to keep Michael. I told her no, but I’m sure she’d be happy if I changed my mind. We can meet up with TJ and Sissy.”

“Where’s Sandy? I haven’t seen her since the reception.”

“She wanted to go home. TJ sent someone with her. You seemed to be having a good time and she didn’t want to spoil it for you. Don’t worry. When you’re ready, we’ll take you back to town.” She tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “TJ wanted to go on a honeymoon. I convinced him to stay home. Sissy has become his shadow. I know she’s excited for me to be her mother, but I don’t think she understands that she has to share her father. Hence, the reason for the ride.”

Marion shook her head. “I like the sound of it, but I’m not very good on a horse.”

“I heard you could ride just about anything,” Allison said, teasing. “In fact you’ve told me you prefer a big stallion.” Allison’s skirt billowed around her as she dodged a piece of flying pork Marion threw from Michael’s plate.

“You’re right,” Marion stated. “I can ride anything.”

Marion and Allison walked across the ground sending up puffs of dust around the hems of their full-length dresses. Allison carried Michael in her arms. Once inside the shack, he squirmed to be let down.

Betty squatted down and opened her arms. “Howdy, big boy.” Betty scooped him up and faced Allison. “You need me to watch him, Sugar?”

“Yes, and Sissy, too, as soon as TJ returns.”

“You bring her on by.”

Allison kissed Michael’s cheek. “We’ll be by later to drop Sissy off.”

Marion and Allison giggled on their way to the stable. “This is ridiculous. I’m terrified.” Marion held out her hand to Allison. “I’m shaking inside.”

Allison and Marion walked up and down the stalls looking at the horses. “I don’t know which one you should ride. I always ride Sugar.”

Marion giggled. “Are you going to tell me the story?”

Allison raised her brows.

“I’ve heard several men refer to you as Sugar. I know they weren’t talking about your horse.”

Allison groaned. “I hate it. I know they all think it has some filthy overtone.” Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Okay, so it does, but they don’t know it! TJ gave me the name. He said I remind him of the horse because I’m sweet tempered and easy to ride.”

Marion continued to chuckle.

“Afternoon ladies.” Train stepped into the stables and tipped his hat.

“Joseph, you’re the man we need.”

His gaze never wavered from Marion although Allison was the one speaking to him. Marion’s heart spurred to a gallop. His stare created a hot pooling in her center. It had been a long time since she’d anticipated a man’s attention.

“Marion has as much experience with horses as I did.”

Train shook his head. “That’s a damn shame.” There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “Come here,” he said to Marion.

Allison gave her a little shove when she didn’t respond. Marion narrowed her eyes as he ran his hands along her arms. “Is this really necessary?” she asked with a thread of annoyance.

“Oh absolutely.” Allison winked at Train. “Joseph knows everything about horses. He’ll even teach you how to ride bareback.”

He swung his head around to look at Allison.

“What am I missing?” Marion asked.

“Nothing,” Train mumbled. “Use this to tie your hair.” He handed her a piece of rawhide. She clenched the rope between her lips and then reached around to put her hair into a ponytail. “Let me help.” He turned her around and gently gathered her hair. Shivers ran down her back. He pulled the rope from between her teeth.

“Thank you,” she said, struggling with the awareness of his intentions. When he looked at her now, it sent an alarming heat into her chest. She stiffened her shoulders, swallowed hard, and boldly met his gaze. “Well, you’re the expert. Which horse should I ride?”

His eyes twinkled. “This is Midnight Dancer.” He harnessed a beautiful black gelding. “He likes to run, but I think you can handle him.” He patted the horse on the back as Marion approached with caution.

“He’s too big.” With hesitant fingers, she touched the horse’s snout. He whinnied and tossed his head, flipping his black mane. She smiled and tried again.

“You like big,” Allison whispered in her ear.

Marion glared.

“Remind you of someone?” Train asked.

The horse’s hooves landed heavy on the ground as he followed Train out of the stable. When the sun hit his black coat, it shone like polished onyx. “Give me a minute and I’ll saddle Sugar, too.” He went back into the stables, disappearing into the shadows to get the other horse.

“We’re going to find TJ. Do you want to come?” Allison asked.

“Don’t mind if I do,” he called.

“What are you doing?” Marion whispered, grabbing Allison’s arm. “You’re supposed to help me discourage him, not create opportunities.”

“Marion, I love you.” She touched her cheek. “That’s why I’m on his side.”

“Side saddle or astride?” Train asked.

Marion looked to Allison for an answer.

“It isn’t proper, but I ride astride,” Allison said. “Out here on the ranch, who’s going to care?”

“I’d rather ride in a buggy if you’re giving me a choice.”

“Just like Allison,” Train said putting a saddle on Sugar.

Marion noticed the quiet assurance he had with the animals. His knowing hands moved gracefully over the horse’s back. The strength in his shoulders strained against the fabric of his shirt. She wondered if he treated a woman in the same fashion.

Sugar, the horse, stood still as Allison mounted. She adjusted in her saddle until she felt comfortable, then she pranced the horse around in a circle. “You’re a good girl,” Allison said, patting Sugar’s neck.

Train stood in front of Marion. His chest blocked the horses from her view. She looked up into his eyes, shadowed by his cowboy hat. “Don’t worry. I’m going to have my eyes on you all day.”

The overt sensuality of his words surprised her and made her warm. “I’d appreciate it if you’d also find time to watch the trail. I don’t want to get lost.” She put her hands on his shoulders while he helped her onto the horse. “Try to stay focused on the task at hand.” She smoothed the folds of her dress, and then looked over to find him watching her. “What are we waiting for? Get on your horse and tell me what to do.”

Allison laughed. “A few months ago, I said the same thing. TJ and Joseph taught me how to control a horse. I struggled, too.”