Charlene Sands (19 page)

“Mmm,” Kate mumbled as she flowed with him. “You’re a good man, Cole Bradshaw, even if you are mule-headed.”

“Me? Mule-headed? I’m not the one who insists on…” Cole stopped himself. He had Kate right where he wanted her, where he
needed
her—in his arms. He wasn’t about to engage in battle now. Not this time. It had been too long since he’d held her.

“What do I insist on?”

“Nothing, Kate,” he said, swinging her around in a full circle. “It’s not an argument I can win.”

Kate laughed, the sound so sweet, so melodious to his ears, Cole found he wanted to keep Kate laughing and happy for the rest of their lives.

“You’re also a smart man.”

Cole grinned and tugged her up against him. They brushed against each other, burning up with desire. When the music stopped they stood together, staring into each other’s eyes, smiling.

Nora came up with Abe, breaking the special moment. “Jethro wants to escort Patricia home,” Nora said with glee, “and this time, he didn’t have murder in his eyes.”

“I bet not,” Kate said, blinking, seeming to come back from wherever her mind had been. Hopefully, it had been on him.

“Abe and I will take you home, whenever you’re ready, Kate.”

Cole took Kate’s hand. How easily it slipped into his, the fit perfect. “I’ll take her home,” he announced, staking his claim. He didn’t want his evening with Kate to end.

Kate nodded as her gaze searched through the crowd. “I’d like that, but where’s Meggie?”

“Little darlin’ fell asleep a while back. Mrs. Gregory was just as tuckered out. They went on home,” Cole answered.

Both Nora and Abe gave Kate a hug. Abe shook Cole’s hand.

“Well, then, good night to you both. It was a fun day, wasn’t it?” Nora asked, handing Kate back the quilt she’d brought for today.

They both agreed and watched as Abe and Nora left the festivities. Cole turned to Kate. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, it’s late. I should probably get home, too.”

“Mind if we walk back along the creek?”

“I’d love to. It’ll be peaceful and quiet there after all this activity.”

“Lots of stars out tonight.” He took the quilt from her, throwing it over his shoulder, grasped her hand again and together they left the clearing.

Kate enjoyed her quiet time with Cole. They were comfortable enough with each other not to need conversation to fill the silent moments. He held her hand
as they walked along the banks of Crystal Creek. The night air was crisp now, and the sound of rushing water lapping over rocks and fallen timber brought back so many childhood memories. Kate turned her attention to Cole, his profile, the strong jaw, dark eyes and the stubble of a beard appearing now, making him look more like a dangerous outlaw than a lawman.

She found it hard to concentrate when he was so close. “I love it here,” she said finally.

“So do I.”

“We’ve shared so many great memories right here.”

Cole flashed her a devilish smile. “You mean our races when I’d beat you all the time?”

Kate’s chuckle resounded against the surrounding trees. She wasn’t in the mood to disagree. Serenity washed over her—she felt at peace with Cole by her side. “Yeah, you used to beat me. But not always.”

“Mostly,” he teased.

Kate smiled. “Look, there’s our rock,” she blurted out when she spotted it. The ancient great chunk of granite hadn’t changed through the years. It was the one constant in a world full of recent change.

“Wanna sit for a while?”

Kate nodded. “Sure.” She found a flat spot and planted herself down. Cole sat beside her, but his attention was drawn to the creek waters. He stared out, deep in thought, his arms braced along his thighs as he leaned forward.

“I meant what I said the other night, Kate.”

Kate lifted her brows. “You said a whole lot the other night, Cole.”

Cole turned to her then, his eyes dark with passion. “You’re my woman, Kate.”

Kate’s heart hammered. Each time he said that, she wished there was a new road for them to take—a way for them to reach each other. She knew his words as truth. She
was
his woman. And there was no other man for her but Cole. Yet, they were separated by something powerful, something hard to overcome and something perhaps stronger than both of them combined—their beliefs.

“I know,” Kate acknowledged softly.

Cole blew out a breath. “Glad you’re not disagreeing about that, or I might have to show you again.”

Kate recalled the last time Cole had proved his point, the night he’d nearly buckled her knees with his kisses. “Show me what again?” she asked all too coyly.

Cole’s grin was pure sin. He threw down her quilt, slid her onto it then pressed his body next to hers. “This,” he said, taking her in a sweeping, long, passionate kiss.

Kate was consumed with desire, a fire burning low and deep, her body filled with familiar yearnings for Cole and what it had been like to have him deep within her.

Cole worked magic on her, kissing here, caressing there, hiking up her skirts to touch her everywhere.
Kate whimpered and Cole groaned and soon there was a wild frenzy of motion. Thrills of pleasure lent way to clothes being pushed down, to Cole taking a place above her, to him finding her core and with one deep thrust, joining them instantly. The ache of their long separation was gone. They were together in heat and passion.

Cole put his mouth over hers, kissing her sweetly. “I love you, Kate.” He thrust again, lifting her with him, and kissed her. “I love you so much I can hardly bear it.”

Kate closed her eyes and relished the words she’d craved for so many years. Cole loved her. “I love you too, Cole. I always have.”

There, she’d finally admitted it. To herself and to him, but rational thoughts gave way to more potent sensations as Cole made exquisite, earth-shattering love to her. Right there, beside smooth-running creek waters, under the most beautiful twinkling stars.

Afterward Cole bundled her up in the quilt and walked her home, stopping every so often to speak of his love, to kiss her again. Kate wanted the night to never end. She was ensconced in a blissful state that she knew would shatter all too soon, because Cole loved her but he still didn’t want her. He still hadn’t accepted the woman she’d become.

No proposals came this night. No declarations of a future together. Cole’s face was a mass of confusion when he’d said his final goodbye at her door. So
much so that Kate ached for him as much as for herself.

She loved him more than ever now, but it was futile, almost pointless to try to find a single ray of hope. Cole’s convictions outweighed his love for her. She witnessed his struggle and knew he’d been defeated by his own self-induced code of honor.

There would be no happily-ever-afters for Kate Malone. The sooner she faced that sorrowful fact, the better she’d be for it.

C
ole spent a sleepless night. He awoke bone weary, but he’d come to a final decision about Kate. They couldn’t go on having stolen moments like last night. Wonderful as it had been, it wasn’t fair to her. It wasn’t fair to either of them. Yet, neither one could deny the passion that existed between them. He knew once he’d arrived home last night, he’d have to make a decision that would alter the course of both their lives. He had Meggie to think about. And his promise to Jeb.

Cole knew what he had to do.

He washed up and donned his clothes, took time to have breakfast with Meggie then kissed her goodbye and headed off to the jail. Later, once the saloon opened, he’d speak with Kate. He couldn’t fathom going to her house this morning, seeing her all dewy-eyed and sleep tousled. The temptation would be too great and he was certain they’d end up making love again. That would settle nothing, other than to ease
the ache that seemed to be a constant with him lately. No, Cole had to meet Kate head-on, where there’d be no further temptation. He’d bide his time and see her later, at the saloon.

The Silver Saddle was more crowded than ever before. Business boomed and Kate attributed that fact to having been closed yesterday for Founder’s Day and having more than a few ranchers and cowboys stay overnight in town after the festivities.

They’d come in claiming their throats were parched from drinking nothing but lemonade and iced tea the day before. That was all right by Kate. The more money the saloon made, the more profits they earned, which meant extra cash to donate to the Community Fund. She liked knowing her profits were doing the town some good and was proud of the slogan, Have A Drink, Help A Neighbor.

She’d been serving up drinks all day long, which helped keep her mind off Cole. Lord above, she did need to keep from thinking about him. He consumed her thoughts lately and even after last night, nothing had been settled between them still. Her heart seemed to truly ache. No, it was better not to think about Cole tonight. With that in mind, Kate strode up to the bar and placed an order with Josh.

“I don’t like the look of those strangers over there. Want me to serve up their drinks?” Josh asked.

Kate knew whom he was speaking about. Three men that she’d never seen before in Crystal Creek sat
at the far table. One man, who had a scar the size of her pistol running down his cheek, made her shiver. She didn’t understand it much because she wasn’t one to judge someone solely by appearance, but he had a cruel, embittered face. Still, they were her customers. “Probably just drifters, Josh. I’ll handle it.”

Kate took up the drinks and carefully laid them down on their table, just as the mean-faced man’s arm came out, knocking them to the ground. Glass splintered onto the floor and whiskey streamed out like a running river. The man grabbed her arm and yanked. “Damn clumsy, woman,” he said, growling into her face.

Kate tried yanking her arm free, but he held firm. “Let go of me!” She glanced at the bar, but Big Josh’s back was turned away, and apparently he hadn’t heard her over the noise of the crowd.

The man stood and slapped her face. “Shut up!”

Stunned, Kate’s face burned with pain. She cried out. Cole pushed his way through the crowded room with his hand on his gun. “Let her go!” There was murder in his eyes.

A smug expression stole over the man’s face. He grabbed Kate even harder and brought her up against him. Her attempts to fend him off were useless. The man held her with an iron-tight grip. “I say she stays with me,
Sheriff Bradshaw.
”

The saloon customers removed themselves from the situation as best they could. Some ducked under tables, others headed out the door. Many stood stone
still as the room became eerily silent. Cole spoke quietly, with deadly calm. “Then I’m gonna have to put a bullet between your eyes.”

Kate gasped. “No, Cole!”

“Seems your woman doesn’t want you to die,” the man said almost gleefully, nudging Cole on.

Cole’s face had a resigned look about it, as though he knew this day had to finally come, as though he expected to be in this situation. But there was also pure determination in Cole’s glare. He wouldn’t back down.

Kate’s insides churned with dread, realizing she’d caused this trouble. Cole had warned her countless times that she had no business reopening the Silver Saddle. He’d warned her that rowdies would cause turmoil in this town. And now, Kate bore witness to Cole coming head-to-head with a dangerous man.

“I’m not going to die. You are. Let her go.”

“I think I sorta like her. The boys here tell me she’s your woman.” His grip tightened with one hand, while the other ran through her hair. “All this soft red hair. I bet it feels real good flowing over a man’s body.”

A tic worked in Cole’s cheek. He stood rigid and Kate could see his restraint, his anger being contained, just barely. “You like hiding behind a female?”

Kate felt the man’s body stiffen. Cole knew how to prod him. She prayed for his safety, being more fearful for him than for herself.

“You calling me a coward?”

“I am. Let her go and we’ll see what kind of man you are.”

Swiftly the man shoved Kate away and went for his gun. Kate stumbled to the ground. Shots rang out. Panic seized her, clutching at her heart when she realized what it meant that there had been more than one shot.

She bounded up. “Cole!” She found him lying on the floor and rushed to his side. A bullet had pierced his chest and blood oozed out, mingling with the whiskey on the ground.

He lifted his head up slightly. “Kate,” he said softly, before passing out.

Kate paced the doctor’s office, tears stinging her cheeks from all the crying she’d done. Big Josh was there, trying to give her comfort, but nothing could put her at ease until she knew whether or not Cole would survive.

He’d shot the man dead, though not before taking a bullet in the chest. Cole was a fast shot, but it had been her fault that he was lying in there, fighting for his life. She’d seen his hesitation, a split second of indecision, making sure Kate was truly out of his line of fire before taking his shot. Otherwise, the man wouldn’t have had the chance to make a clean shot.

Everything was her fault.

Kate couldn’t deny it. Cole had warned her about the saloon. He’d cautioned her time and again about
the drifters and drunks who would bring nothing but trouble to Crystal Creek. Kate hadn’t heeded anyone’s advice. She’d been too determined and too bullheaded to listen to reason. She had gone up against the entire town and now the man she loved above all else might not live.

She’d lose him forever.

And Meggie. Oh poor little Meggie. Hadn’t she had enough loss in her young life? Kate was responsible for it all. What would happen to that sweet child if Cole should die?

The very thought of it was unbearable.

Kate prayed to the Lord to spare Cole’s life. She prayed and prayed to the Almighty. “He’s a good man. Don’t take him yet,” she chanted over and over.

Big Josh shook his head. “It ain’t your fault, Miss Kate. The sheriff wasn’t about to let that man hurt you.”

Kate cried harder. “He’s forever protecting me.”

“That’s what a man does when he cares about a woman.”

“I gave him no reason to care, Josh. I’ve caused him nothing but trouble.”

“He was doing his job. As sheriff of this town, he had to see to keeping the peace.” Josh shook his head again, repeating, “It ain’t your fault.”

But deep down straight into her soul, Kate knew she was to blame. And she vowed to never forgive herself if Cole died.

The doctor came out, wiping his hands dry on a
cloth. Kate winced, seeing Doc Royer’s shirt colored with Cole’s blood. “I got the bullet out, but the sheriff’s still unconscious. I can’t say for sure he’ll make it. Depends on how he does during the night.”

“Can I see him?” Kate asked, straightening and wiping away her tears.

“You can, but don’t be alarmed. He’s pale. He’s lost a good deal of blood.”

“Okay,” she said quickly. She’d agree to anything to see Cole, but she did brace herself for the worst. Kate followed the doctor into the room where Cole had been operated on. The narrow examining table barely contained Cole’s frame. “If he makes it through the night, we’ll move him to a more comfortable bed.”

Kate bit back her horror, seeing that Cole, usually so vital and alive, looked pallid and weak. “Cole,” she said on a breath, “I’m here.” She took his hand, noting how limp it felt in hers.

“I’ll be staying here overnight. I won’t leave the sheriff in this state,” Dr. Royer said.

“I’m staying too. I won’t leave his side. Just tell me what I need to do.”

“Fine. I’ll show you what to do if he spikes a fever.”

After several minutes, Kate left the room to speak with Big Josh. “I’m okay, Josh. You don’t have to stay. I’m spending the night here. But I need a favor. Will you check with Mrs. Gregory at the sheriff’s house and make sure she and Meggie are okay? I’m
sure someone’s notified them. I hope the child was asleep and didn’t hear the worst of it.”

“I’ll head there right now and come back shortly to let you know how they’re faring.”

Kate wrapped her arms around Big Josh’s middle, as much as she could, which seemed only halfway. “I can’t thank you enough. You’ve put up with my ranting and crying. You’ve always been by my side. I consider you a dear friend.”

He hugged her tenderly and patted her shoulders. “Don’t you worry none, Miss Kate. The sheriff is tough. He’ll make it.”

“I’m praying, Josh. I’m praying hard. I only hope the Lord hears me.”

“That’s what He does best. He hears us.”

Kate nodded. “I know.” She broke off their embrace and looked up at him. “I’ll be waiting to hear about Meggie.”

With that, Josh took his leave and Kate went back to Cole’s room, pulling up a chair. Before taking a seat, she bent to kiss his cheek and stroke his hand. “Don’t you d-dare d-die, Cole Bradshaw,” she said with a wobbly voice. “Don’t you dare l-leave this w-world without me.”

An hour later, a soft knock at the door startled Kate. “Come in,” she said quietly, going to the door.

“How is he?” Big Josh asked.

“The same. He hasn’t come to yet. Doc Royer gave him some laudanum for the pain in his chest a
while back. But he hasn’t so much as twitched. He’s breathing shallowly.”

“His body is getting the rest it needs,” Josh offered.

Kate glanced at Cole again. She couldn’t bear to take her eyes off him for fear that his shallow breathing would stop altogether. “How’s Meggie?”

“I spoke with Mrs. Gregory. It’s a lucky thing that Meggie went to bed early tonight. Mrs. Gregory got the news about the sheriff, but little Meggie doesn’t know anything yet. I have to say, that woman is beside herself with worry.”

Kate understood Mrs. Gregory’s concern. The three of them had been like a family. “She’s quite fond of Cole and his daughter.”

Kate stared at Cole’s motionless body. Good Lord, he deserved a real family. It was what he’d always wanted. He deserved a proper wife—a woman who’d be there from morning until night for him. He deserved a woman who didn’t have grand plans in her head other than keeping him happy and giving him children. Kate had been all wrong for him. He’d been right not to accept her. What his shooting had finally knocked into Kate’s mule head, he’d known all along.

She wasn’t the right kind of woman for him.

And now, because of her, he might be taking his last breaths on this earth.

“Miss Kate?”

Kate came out of her musings and lifted her eyes
to her friend. “Oh, Josh. I’m sorry. Did you say something?

“I was saying that Mrs. Gregory is gonna come see him tomorrow.”

“That’s good. As long as she doesn’t bring Meggie. She shouldn’t see her father…” Kate stopped and inhaled deeply, unable to go on without shedding more tears. She blinked them back. “She shouldn’t see her father like this.”

Morning dawned, a tiny ray of sunlight streaming into Cole’s room from a hole in the window shade. Kate shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She hadn’t slept much, if at all. On and off all night, she and Doc Royer had administered to Cole. Kate kept checking his breathing while the doctor monitored his pulse for a steady heartbeat and peered into his eyes. Thankfully Cole had survived the night, but Kate had listened intently and he hadn’t moved or made a sound during the long torturous hours since he’d been shot.

“Kate, are you in there?” Nora’s voice soothed her nerves and Kate rose to open the door.

“Oh, Nora.” Kate fell into her arms and hugged her friend tightly. “Thanks for coming.”

The two embraced for a long, drawn-out moment. Kate had never been so happy to see anybody in her life. She needed Nora’s sweet comfort and encouragement right now. Kate was so weary and Nora always
knew how to make her feel better. “I’m so very sorry to hear about Cole. How is he?”

Kate spoke softly, telling Nora the details of the shooting and of the night she’d just spent watching over him. “He’s so still, Nora. He’s barely breathing.”

Nora took Kate’s hand and walked over to see Cole. “Oh dear, he is still, but Kate, he looks to be recovering. There’s some color in his face.”

It was the first sign of hope she’d had. Kate stared at Cole and, sure enough, he appeared to have gained a bit of color overnight. “I think you’re right, Nora. He looks better. Oh, I’ve been praying for that. For anything.”

“He’s going to recover, Kate. Cole’s a strong man and he’s got a lot to live for.” Nora cast her a knowing smile.

Kate shuddered and shook her head. “He’s got Meggie. He’s got the job he loves. But that’s all, Nora. It’s over for him and me. I’m not going to pretend this wasn’t my fault. I’m to blame for his getting shot. If Cole survives and I pray he does, he won’t have to worry about me ever again.”

Deep lines wrinkled Nora’s forehead. “Kate, I’ve never heard you speak like that before. Of course Cole will worry about you. He cares for you. After I saw the two of you together during Founder’s Day, I’m sure that he loves you. And you love him fiercely. I know that. Nothing was your fault, Kate. Especially
not the shooting. You didn’t know that would happen so don’t talk crazy.”