Read Salvation's Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel) Online

Authors: Catherine Wolffe

Tags: #romance, #love, #civil war, #historical romance, #indians, #western, #cowboys, #frontier, #cowboys and indians, #american frontier

Salvation's Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel) (9 page)

BOOK: Salvation's Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel)
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His laugh was deep and genuine. With a grin
on his handsome face, Broken Horse shook his head. “You’ve been
gone a long time, cousin. Things change.”

Celia nodded in agreement. Cutting her eyes
fleetingly behind her, she caught Seth watching her intently. At
his side and seemingly undaunted by his lack of attention,
Claudette fiddled with his lapel and continued to bombard him with
her latest adventure. On that point, she could agree with Broken
Horse. Some things certainly did change, so she held her
tongue.

Broken Horse nodded toward two well-stocked
horses standing a few yards away at a hitching post. “We’ve got a
long ride. Are you ready to go?”

Celia glanced at the two rich coated Paints
standing down the boardwalk. Their saddles held supplies enough for
a long journey. Was she ready to see her father after all this time
and face what came next?

Before she could answer, Claudette
approached them. “Celia, won’t you and your cousin join us?”

Celia hesitated glancing from Claudette to
Broken Horse and back. A sudden need to leave overwhelmed her. The
mocking glare Seth sent her had her stiffening. She wouldn’t allow
him to see her disquiet at being in his company. If they joined the
couple, she would be civil for the sake of her pride.

Broken Horse’s curiosity must’ve gotten the
better of him as he studied Claudette’s sun-kissed complexion. “We
probably need to eat before starting out,” he said.

“We would enjoy the company,” Seth offered
companionably as he appeared at Claudette side, offering Broken
Horse his hand. “The name’s Seth.”

Turning his attention more closely to Seth,
Broken Horse admonished, “I recognize you. You’re Loflin. You own
the Shooter Creek ranch, right. You spent time with our people one
summer when we camped along the creek bank. Didn’t you go off to
West Point?”

Seth nodded in the affirmative. His eyes
were sharp and accessing as he considered the tall, dark Comanche
warrior. “Broken Horse?” he asked as Celia’s cousin gripped his
hand. “Well, it’s good to see you, blood brother. How have you
been?”

“Good. You?”

“Fine. Your memory is good.” Using the
Comanche form of a friendly greeting, Seth gripped Broken Horse’s
shoulders and smiled in recognition. Stepping back, he shook his
head slightly. “But we were both a lot younger then, and things
were a lot different. You speak English now.”

“Yes, learned your language at Fort Tyler.”
Broken Horse smiled wryly. “I represent the Comanche in treaty
talks. You’re right about the difference the years can make. I
guess my people would consider you the enemy now.”

Seth nodded solemnly for his old friend and
then turned. “Miss Claudette Harding, this is my blood brother,
Broken Horse.”

Claudette smiled. “So you and Seth are blood
brothers? How fascinating,” Her light brown eyes danced from Broken
Horse’s tall frame to Celia who stood like a plank in a wooden
fence. “I guess the trouble between the Comanche and the settlers
keeps you busy with parlays and such.”

Calculating was the word which came to mind
this time as Claudette’s eyes traveled the length of Broken Horse
once more. Celia’s stomach muscles tightened even more.

“Yes, I’m just back from yet another attempt
to settle things between our people. If the Texas Rangers have
their way, we’ll all be relocated to the reservations soon.” Broken
Horse’s mouth firmed into a somber line as he addressed Celia and
Claudette. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up unpleasant
circumstances, ladies.” Then he turned his attention to Seth and
grinned. “Time has been good to you, my friend.” With a hand
resting on her shoulder, he said. “This is my cousin, Celia.
‘Little One” is her name among The People. She’s the daughter of
Lone Eagle.” Broken Horse glanced down at his cousin. “I’m taking
her to her father’s camp.” He peered at Celia closely as if trying
to determine her state. “The trip didn’t seem to agree with her.”
He cocked a dark brow when Celia cut him a sidelong glare.

With a swift grace, Seth reached out, taking
her limp hand in his and peered deep into her eyes. Celia’s muscles
coiled inside her like snakes. She made a fleeting attempt to
remove her fingers, but Seth held fast.

“Ma’am, it’s a real pleasure to meet you.
We’d really like for you to have lunch with us.”

His eyes held hers in an unyielding stare.
Celia wished he would let go. Claudette may have been a prattler,
but she wasn’t stupid. She’d figure out if Seth had known Broken
Horse before, then surely he’d known Celia as well. Yet, the fact
they’d been lovers, so long ago, would remain their secret, Celia
mused. How convenient! Was he ashamed of what they’d shared or
merely trying to hurt her still? Her heart constricted yet again in
her chest. Blinking back tears, Celia surmised that he wanted to
hide the fact from Claudette. She was probably the jealous sort.
His face was still unreadable. Why should she care? She berated
that small voice inside her that taunted her with the fact she
could still have feelings for him.

“I’m sorry, but we can’t.” Foolishness, it
was nothing but foolishness, which allowed a handshake to weaken
her resolve. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, but we must be going.”
Celia smiled her best smile, while clinching her teeth over the
heated sensation his hand on hers evoked. Drawing on all her
courage, Celia straightened her spine. She would take care of the
business she’d come back for without his interference.

Before Celia could object further,
Claudette’s laughter trilled around them and Celia glanced up. “Mr.
Broken Horse, would you be so kind as to escort me to the hotel
dining hall? I understand they have a wonderful chicken and
dumplings on the menu today.” With her honey, sweet drawl coating
each word, Claudette extended her delicate gloved hand to Broken
Horse.

Celia’s stoic cousin bowed slightly and took
Claudette’s hand, wrapping it about his massive forearm before
heading for the inn. Apparently, the tactically shrewd, young
blonde had worked her magic on Broken Horse’s mind with nothing
more than a coy smile.

Such nonsense, Celia decided. Some women,
using nothing more than their wiles, could lead men where they
wanted. She found the ploy distasteful and knew the straightforward
approach was much more to her liking.

Like a grand hostess overseeing the seating
at a lavish party, Claudette gestured with her free hand toward
Seth. “Would you be so kind as to see Celia to the hotel?”

For one brief instant, irritation flashed
across Seth’s features before he morphed back into the gentleman
cowboy once more. “Of course.” He formed his words through gritted
teeth and shot Celia a warning glare. His meaning was clear,

Play along or else
”. Following her cousin and Claudette,
Celia was certain Seth was leading her to the gallows as he held
her arm draped around his tense forearm. Chiding her emotions for
being affected, Celia walked toward the hall. He was simply a man
from her past, nothing more! His eyes were on her even then. Wasn’t
it
he
who had returned her letters unopened? Wasn’t it
he
who hadn’t bothered to locate her. Oh, yes, it was
he
who was to blame for her broken heart. She owed him
nothing. “You’ve got a lot of nerve pretending we just met.” Her
voice waivered over the words and caused a hot wave of
embarrassment to wash over her. Too involved in her own thoughts,
Celia didn’t see his next move.

With the swift speed of a lightning strike,
Seth snatched Celia up by the arms and maneuvered her into the
nearest storefront alcove. Thoroughly caught off guard, her gasp
was audible but there was no one to pay attention. Beating her
fists against his chest, she winced when he gathered her wrists in
his grip.

“Take your hands off me,” she hissed. Her
eyes bore into his with contempt and loathing. How dare he
manhandle her in such a way! Trembling with anger, Celia tried
desperately to quell the restless throbbing of desire the cool
contact of his leather vest caused in her veins. She would ignore
the way the tanned cowhide aroused her nipples to attention through
the thin cotton of her jacket.

“There are things we have to discuss and I
won’t let you disappear again without the satisfaction of some long
overdue answers.” His steely stare pierced her like a hot
poker.

“I have nothing to say to you, not now, not
ever! Now let go of me.” Yanking her wrists free, Celia busied
herself by shoving the parasol between them. Attempting to open the
frilly accessory, she wanted to scream when it balked.

“Yes you do. You seemed to forget you left
without so much as a note. Not a damn word about where you were
going or why. Don’t think about disappearing again. I’m warning
you.” His voice felt like smooth bourbon washing over her but his
eyes were full of rage.

His words made Celia’s hackles rise. The
iron grip of his hand snaked out gripping her arm again. “You would
dare threaten me?” Celia cocked a questioning brow at him. The
reluctant parasol forgotten, she took a step closer, before
grounding out the next words. “I haven’t heard a word from you in
almost twelve years and my correspondence was returned unopened,
yet you stand there and have the
nerve
to threaten me?”

“Get away from me, you, you…spawn of Satan!”
Celia leveled her chin and wheeled away, stalking off with her
half-opened parasol leaning against her shoulder. The remnants of
her composure trailed behind.

The grand old double doors of the Tyler Inn
were a welcome sight and Celia entered the hotel with relief.
Letting the cool air of the lavish interior wrap her in comfort,
she willed her nerves to calm and her sight to focus. Blinking, she
looked about and took in the soothing oasis from the heat of a
Texas day. Young Indian boys dressed in matching cotton shirts and
pants stood on opposite sides of the lobby and worked shoofly fans
circulating air around the large, opulently appointed room. The
last time she’d been inside the establishment was when Seth had
brought her to town over twelve years ago. She was glad to see the
owners had kept the landmark in good repair. Celia noted the
interior of the establishment boasted new carpets and draperies.
The same plush ottoman remained situated comfortably in the center
of the large welcoming lobby and sported a new red velvet cover.
Coal oil lanterns hung on the walls and gave off a soft light.
Stepping down into the plush carpet, Celia glanced about, noticing
new pictures depicting Tyler and the town’s accomplishments hanging
on the walls.

Celia’s gaze settled on Claudette near the
entrance to the dining hall. Claudette positioned her body
intimately against Broken Horse as she spoke to him. Celia watched
as he bent his head toward her. Having Seth’s woman show so much
attention to Broken Horse raised Celia’s ire once more. For the
love of all that was holy, couldn’t she be rid of Seth and the
woman and be on her way?

Broken Horse spied her and moved to her
side.

Celia tried for calm and offered her opinion
of the old inn, “The hotel is so lovely.”

“Always has been. A landmark of sorts, I
guess.” Broken Horse let his gaze wander the room in
admiration.

Numerous guests strolled about the spacious
lobby or relaxed in the crimson red settees situated in
conversation groupings about the room. Like them, several people
had chosen the lobby as their escape from the noonday heat. Celia
and Broken Horse made an odd couple in the eyes of the patrons of
the Tyler Inn. They most likely saw a heathen and an exotic
whore.

“I left your bags at the front desk.”
Offering his arm to Celia, Broken Horse proceeded to the dining
hall.

“Where’s Seth?” Claudette asked as they
approached.

“He had to secure your bags with the
livery,” Celia lied. She had no idea where he was, nor did she
care. It seemed like only a moment had passed before Claudette
turned and greeted Seth. Celia stumbled. The room grew dim as the
blood drained from her face. Clutching Broken Horse’s arm for
support her fingernails dug into his flesh.

He pried his injured forearm from her grasp.
“Celia, are you ill?” Steering her to a nearby settee, Broken Horse
leaned in to examine his cousin.

Celia’s brain wouldn’t work. She could hear
her cousin speaking to her, but couldn’t form words to answer him.
The only person she could see was Seth walking toward her with that
snide grin on his face. Her heart rate increased and her vision
blurred. There was a dreadful ringing in her ears. Gritting her
teeth, she willed herself not to faint. She wouldn’t allow him an
ounce of satisfaction at having been the reason she passed out.

“What seems to be the problem?” Seth’s voice
was deep and reverberated with concern.

“She went limp all of a sudden,” Broken
Horse, explained. “She’s still trembling. Celia, do you need some
water?”

“I’ll get her some,” Seth offered.

Celia watched the room spin slowly before
she closed her eyes tight against the turbulence in her stomach as
well as her head.

Claudette knelt close and pulled a vial from
her reticule, waving it under Celia’s nose. “This should bring her
around.” She glanced up at Broken Horse. “Poor dear, the ride
must’ve been too much for her. I told her she should eat something
at the last stop, but she said she couldn’t bear the thought of
eating anymore hardtack.”

Broken Horse shook his head. “My cousin can
be headstrong, and apparently she’s grown unwise in her decision
making.”

Holding her head so it wouldn’t fall off her
shoulders, Celia groaned. She wasn’t in a position to defend her
actions at the moment, but the words came anyway. “I’m just fine
and I don’t make unwise decisions.” Gently dabbing Claudette’s
handkerchief dipped in smelling salts under her nose once again,
Celia silently wished she could disappear as the room spun once
more.

BOOK: Salvation's Secrets (The Loflin Legacy Prequel)
2.46Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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