Cowboys and Highlanders (41 page)

“Then I’d love to.”

He stood again. “Good night, Allison. I’ll see you tomorrow about seven.”

“I suspect you’ll see me at some point during the day. If you find you have the time, I’ll make you a glass of lemonade.”

“I reckon I’ll make the time.” Train took his hat and left through the back door.

* * *

TJ leaned against the headboard of Sandy’s bed. The sheets were tousled, but neither felt very satisfied with the activities of the night. Sandy leaned against the wall and inhaled her cigarette.

“So you want to talk about it?” she asked.

TJ closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Everyone has an off night.”

“I don’t recall you ever having a problem.” She went to a brandy decanter and poured two glasses half-full. “You can be honest with me, TJ. I’m a professional. You won’t hurt my feelings with the truth. I knew it would happen.”

“What are you talking about? Nothing has happened.” He took the glass and tossed back the drink in one shot.

“Why do you think I sent Allison with you? Believe me; she did a great job here. The girls and I miss her.”

“Allison cleans my house. If you want her back, say the word.”

“Haven’t you figured it out? She’s not a whore. TJ! You need a good woman. Janelle would hate to see her children raised by a barn full of rowdy ranch hands. Those babies need the gentle touch of a mother. And you need the loving arms of a wife. You have a hard head. You need a young woman in your bed every night, not a roll with an old madam like me every couple of weeks.”

TJ had Allison in his bed every night, dreaming of her soft curves next to him. During the day, she made his jeans tight at the most inopportune times.

“I’m not talking about Allison. And I’m sure as hell not considering taking my children’s babysitter into my bed. If you don’t want me around, there’s better ways than pushing me on Allison. She’s still a girl.”

“She’s a woman. You can’t lie to me. I’ve been around too long. You want her. It’s why you’re distracted tonight.”

He stood and pulled his trousers back on. “You don’t know a damn thing about me or what Janelle would want.” Tucking his shirt in, TJ stormed from the room.

Marion rushed to Sandy’s room when she saw TJ leave. “Are you all right?” she asked breathless.

“Of course.” Sandy lit another cigarette. “He’s a fool. Can’t stand to go near the fire for fear of getting burned. Allison would be good for him and he for her,” she said, pointing the two fingers holding a cigarette at Marion. “Thick headed, that’s what he is. Does he really think I sent Allison out there to take care of the house and kids? He can’t be that daft, and I know he isn’t. He could have put her to work here in town if he’d wanted to grant my request. No, he’s afraid because he’s attracted to her.”

“Does Allison know you’re manipulating?”

“No, she’s no smarter than him when it comes to common sense. And it’s not manipulating. I’m facilitating. I saw the way she looked at TJ. If TJ weren’t so focused on being miserable, he would have seen it, too.” She put her arm around Marion. “Come on,” she said, leading her out of the room. “I either need another date tonight or a few more drinks.”

“This is a first for you in a long time.” Marion laughed.

“Shush. My reputation is at stake. I always satisfy.”

* * * * *

TJ drove swiftly through the night pushing the horses harder than was safe. Sissy and Michael served as his excuse for going home early. Charlie, the man he brought with him, had been having a poor night at the poker tables. “No problem, boss. I appreciate the excuse to bow out of the game.”

“I didn’t let Sissy know I wouldn’t be there to say goodnight. Allison can handle it.” He shrugged. “I started feeling guilty.” TJ wondered if his guilt didn’t have a little to do with seeing Sandy. She had been a comfort since Janelle passed. Yet, when he sought comfort tonight, all he felt was dirty. He could smell the whiskey on her breath and the cigarette smoke in her hair.

Lately the scent of rose water and fresh baked bread was all it took to get his heart kicking and his cock hard. When Allison entered the room, he felt like a stallion stomping the ground ready to rut. He wondered if she had any idea of the thoughts running through his head.

Allison had worked in a brothel. Surely, the idea of being with one man held more appeal than the Dusty Rose. Damn Sandy for suggesting he take Allison to bed. Of course, he thought about her naked beneath him, his body buried deep into hers, but those were fantasies. Having Sandy voice the possibility made him want Allison even more.

Of course, they would need to keep their activities carefully guarded. Not just from the men working at the ranch. Sissy and Michael couldn’t be privy to the shift in the relationship either. No, using Allison as if she were his personal whore was a bad idea. One better left alone. It would cause problems. If Sissy discovered his attraction to Allison, she might start plotting. The last thing he needed was Sissy looking for a new mama. And what if the men discovered he’d brought Allison home from the brothel? He didn’t want ranch hands showing up at the house looking to bed her.

There had never been a hint of innuendo of improper behavior between he and Allison, no one would dare, but men had needs. Tonight he couldn’t get the little vixen out of his head. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw long locks of silky, chestnut colored hair. When he opened them up again he saw an aged whore who had too many hard nights and not enough tenderness in her life. Sandy didn’t deserve that.

“We won’t be home much before sun up,” Charlie said.

“I know. Climb on top of the load and get some rest. I’ve got some thinking to do. I won’t be much company.” Charlie hitched a leg over the buckboard and found a comfortable spot on top of the canvas tarp covering the ranch supplies. The stars in the sky and the full moon gave plenty of light for the drive home. The crickets chirped and an owl hooted from the forest surrounding them, both comforts to TJ as he pondered what to do about his growing fascination with Miss Lake.

* * * * *

Allison woke early. Thoughts of Joseph kept her tossing and turning most of the night. Last night, he had made it very clear that he was interested in more than friendship. She wasn’t quite sure how she wanted to handle the situation.

“Hello.” She startled seeing TJ sitting at the table with a bottle half-full of amber colored liquid and blood shot eyes. “Am I disturbing you?” She stood in the shadow cast by the one low-lit lantern burning on the table.

“Yes,” he said in a deep, gravelly voice.

“Then I’ll leave you alone,” she said, and turned to leave the room.

“Allison, wait.” His voice was softer. “You don’t need to leave.”

She stepped into the light. “I came down to make bread for the children. Do you want a cup of coffee or something to eat?”

He lifted his drink and took a hefty swallow. “I’m good.”

Allison went to the wood box and grabbed some kindling. She opened the oven door and built a fire. She could feel TJ’s eyes boring into her back as she worked around the kitchen. She also took notice of the clink of glass each time he took another drink.

“How was your trip to town?” She tried not to sound petulant, but thinking about him going into Sandy’s bedroom and doing those deliciously naughty to another woman made her throat tighten.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

She wanted to ask him if he’d seen Sandy. Of course, that was out of the question. It was none of her business, and he wouldn’t tell her anyway. He didn’t have to. She was more than capable of imagining the activities he’d engaged in. Living at the brothel may not have brought her experience, however she did receive an education in matters of the flesh.

“Sissy and I planted a garden. Joseph helped us work the soil and get the seeds in the ground.”

“So, it’s Joseph now. Only his mama called him Joseph. The two of you must have gotten close.”

Allison didn’t understand the scowl marring his mouth. “If you’ll tell me your given name, I’ll gladly call you by it. Does that satisfy you?”

“I don’t want you keeping Train from his work.”

“You told me to go to him whenever I need anything which is exactly what I’ve been doing.” She stood near the stove with her hands on her hips. “If that is no longer an option, what do you suggest I do?”

He stared into his glass. Picking up the drink, he swirled the contents and upended it. He swallowed and exhaled a gasp. “You come to me from now on.” He set the glass on the table a bit too forcefully.

Allison stood still as TJ’s stare burned through her dress. Warmth rushed into her nipples and pooled in her belly. Moisture flooded between her legs. Tightening her thighs, she pivoted away.

When she’d come downstairs, she’d assumed she’d be alone. The children were asleep and TJ…TJ wasn’t asleep. He was with Sandy.  Had she known he’d be home, she would’ve dressed differently. The nightdress she wore allowed light to filter through the fabric outlining the contours of her figure. She had no doubt TJ noted every curve. She wasn’t built like the women in the brothel. Not enough curves or flesh. She didn’t want TJ comparing her to a whore. She didn’t want to know she lacked the qualities a man needed in his bed.

After pouring two cups of coffee, she set one in front of him. Then she sat at the table and wrapped her hands around the warmth of the mug.

TJ took the bottle of whiskey and topped off his coffee. Before Allison had time to move her cup, he topped off hers. “No,” she said too late. “I don’t drink.”

“I seem to recall that conversation,” he said.

“It seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?” She took a drink of her coffee and then choked on the hot liquid. “Oh,” she coughed. “That tastes awful.”

“I stopped tasting it a couple of hours ago.”

Allison went to the kitchen door, opened it, and dumped the contents onto the ground. Then she went to the sink and rinsed her cup. “Maybe we should go to bed.” After the words were out of her mouth, she realized the implication. “I mean, maybe you should sleep off what ever is bothering you and I’ll go back to my room.”

TJ stood from the table and slowly crossed the room to stand in front of her. He trapped her between his overwhelming, strong and powerful body and the kitchen sink. The smell of whisky on his breath didn’t bother her. The beating of her heart thundered in her ears. She stood perfectly still afraid of what would happen if she moved.

His gaze locked on her mouth. Whiskers shadowed his cheeks. Lines creased the corners of his eyes as they narrowed and he leaned into her. His breath was warm. Dear God, he was going to kiss her. She sucked in a breath and waited.

“Good night, Allison.”

Her body went limp as he dropped his drink in the sink, turned, and left the room. With white knuckles, and weak knees, she gripped the edge of the counter to keep from losing her balance.
That was close…too close.

* * * * *

The following evening, Allison fed the children early. She wanted extra time to get ready for her walk with Joseph. Technically it could be called courting, but she preferred to think of it as an act of friendship.

Allison brushed the wrinkles from her favorite dress. It was one of the few possessions she had from her life in Boston. The neckline cut across her collarbone and wrapped around her shoulders leaving them bare. The deep green color matched her eyes. Carefully she centered and pinned a cameo brooch to the collar of her dress between her breasts. Montana sun had created fire-like highlights in her hair, which fell to the center of her back in soft curls. She like the way she looked. Montana made her feel beautiful. The way Joseph responded to her made her feel like a woman. Alas, TJ’s indifference rattled her most.

The cause of her frustration sat in the living room with his feet up. He opened his eyes when he heard her on the stairs. He stood.

His eyes narrowed as she came into the room. If only she could distinguish the difference between happy, mad, or apathetic. Would he comment on her dress, the way she looked? She’d studied her reflection in the mirror. The dress couldn’t be more different from her usual attire, or anything he’d ever seen her in for that matter.

“Did you get something to eat?”

He nodded. “Allison—” He was about to say more when a knock sounded at the door. “I’ll be right back.” He took two steps when she stopped him by placing a hand on his arm.

“I know who’s at the door.”

He moved her hand, went to the door, and opened it.

“Evening, TJ.” Train’s eyes immediately scanned the room to find Allison.

“I’m ready.” She loosely draped her wrap around her shoulders.

“Did you do all this for me?” He placed his hand on the small of her back.

She smiled at him and nodded.

“Where in the hell are you two going?” TJ folded his arms across his chest.

“Joseph is taking me for an evening stroll.” She placed her white gloved fingers on his forearm.

“You don’t look dressed for walking. You look ready for the opera or something.”

Allison did a small curtsy. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”