Fated Memories (15 page)

All the long nights of visualizing what it would be like to at last be with her, paled in comparison with the actual moment. Picking her up in his strong arms, Dave began carrying her toward the tree line, when the loud whinny of a nearby horse stopped him in mid-stride. With a low curse, he looked around, trying to see his intruder.

“
Oh God, Dave, put me down,” Charlotte panted, struggling out of his arms. “It could be Eathen.”

As they stood there, a rider came towards them, leading Charlotte’s mount. At first glance they thought he was an Indian but, as he drew nearer, they could see a young white man dressed in buckskins. His long dark hair had been tied back out of the way and his slate-gray eyes never left their faces.

With trembling hands, Charlotte tied back her own windblown hair, smoothing it into place as best she could.

When the rider drew even with them, he handed the horse’s reins to the watchful foreman. Then, without a word, he turned his mount away, leaving them looking after him.

“
Who do you think he is?” Charlotte murmured.

“
I don’t know.” Dave forced himself to breath in several deep breaths as he watched the man ride away. “Whoever he is, he’s been livin’ with the Indians. Could be a half-breed.” He inhaled a deep breath once more then released it, allowing the tension knotting his muscles at almost being caught with another man’s wife to slide away. “I do know one thing for sure, though. I’m glad I didn’t have to tangle with him.” He removed his hat, running a shaking hand through his hair. “He’s one big son-of-a-bitch!”

“
Do you think he saw us together?”

“
It don’t matter if he did. I’d guess he just come down outta the hills to hunt. With any luck,” he drew her into his arms once more, “we’ll never see him again.”

“
Please, Dave,” she pushed away from him, “I want to go home.”

A burning need for her still raced through his loins, but he knew any chance of satisfying that hunger had passed. “Alright. I would never force you to do something you didn’t want to do,” he told her, his voice quiet and low as he helped her onto her horse.

Riding back to the ranch, they both remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Charlotte faced straight ahead, wishing she had the strength to turn back and take what Dave offered, but she couldn’t allow herself to give in to what her body craved. If the man riding beside her and battling his own raging needs had any idea of the erotic thoughts running through her mind, he wouldn’t have given her a choice despite the threatening clouds trying to keep their promise, whipping large flakes of snow into a swirling blizzard.

As the lights of the big ranch house came into view, Charlotte could feel her taut nerves beginning to calm. However, as they rode into the yard, she felt her heart spring to new life. There, tied up in front of the house, was the horse of the stranger they had encountered earlier.

“
Dave, look!”

“
What the hell’s he doin’ here?” he whispered, his heart thudding against his chest in forceful rhythm.

“
I don’t know!” She dismounted.

“
Do you want me to come in with you?” He gulped the words.

“
No. I think it’d be better if I go in alone. I’ll be all right,” she told him, when he reached out to take her arm.

“
Are you sure? There’s no tellin’ what Eathen knows. If he’s heard about us, you could be in serious trouble.”

“
Eathen’s never raised his hand to me.” The guilt over what had almost happened made her look away. “Although right now, I couldn’t blame him if he did.”

Charlotte’s words ignited a trail of unease starting in the pit of his stomach and moving straight up to his heart. “Are you sorry about what happened between us?” he breathed, moving close to her.

“
Dave, I…” she started to explain, and then stopped as she saw Eathen step out onto the porch.

“
What the hell are you standin’ out here for? Can’t you see we’re in the midst of a goddamn blizzard? Charlotte,” Eathen growled, shaking his head in amazement, “I swear to Christ, sometimes you worry me.”

“
I’m comin’, Eathen,” she murmured, turning her attention to the man whose arms she had just left, “thank you for comin’ after me, Dave. I appreciate it.”

“
My pleasure, Mrs. Thornton.” Touching the brim of his hat, he turned to leave.

“
Hold up there, Houston. I need to talk to you.”

His eyes skidded to Charlotte’s pale face then darted away. Bracing himself for a confrontation, Dave walked to the front porch where Eathen waited for him.

On shaking legs, Charlotte followed behind him. Standing on the porch, Eathen watched her. She could feel his eyes move over her and her pulse quickened. At the door, she brushed past both men without looking up, her thought being to get to her room. There she could shut the door and have a few moments to herself before she had to face Eathen. Forcing her legs to move, she made her way up the stairs. She started to close her door when Hattie called out to her.

“
Doan you be shuttin’ dat do’ yit, Miz Charlotte. Ah din’ cahy dis tray up dese stairs fer nuthin,” she panted.

Turning around, she watched as Hattie ambled down the hallway towards her. Unable to come up with a plausible reason to get rid of her, Charlotte walked into the room, leaving the door open.

“
Just set it on the table, Hattie,” she nodded towards the small table across the room, “I’ll eat later.”

“
No’m you woan. Ah ain’ leavin’ til’ you sots yo’seff at dis hyah table an eats.”

“
Hattie, please! I’m not in the mood for food!”

Placing the heavy tray down on the small tea table, Hattie eased her bulk into a nearby chair. “Ah sees Mist’ Dave found you awright.” She lifted the cover off a plate of food.

“
I wasn’t lost.” Charlotte stood in the middle of the room, her arms wrapped tightly about her.

“
Mist’ Dave seemed ter think you wuz.” Hattie unwrapped the silverware from a linen napkin.

“
At least he cared enough to find out.” Charlotte whirled to face her. “That’s more than I can say for my husband.”

“
Doan be too hard on Mist’ Eathen. He wuz plen’y worrit.” Hattie pinched off a small piece of crisp chicken to pop it into her mouth, and then nodded with satisfaction. “Den w’en dat big man wid de long ha’r come an’ tole us you wuz a-comin’, he jes’ calmed right down affer dat.”

“
Did he tell Eathen where he saw us?” Charlotte’s eyes widened with alarm.

“
No’m, Miz Charlotte, he din’. An’ Mist’ Eathen bein’ de trustin’ man he is, din’ ast,” Hattie said, watching Charlotte out of the corner of her eye.

Charlotte could feel the hot flush of guilt burning her cheeks. In an effort to appear calm, she seated herself at the table, shook out the napkin, laid it neatly across her lap and picked up her fork to begin eating.

“
It woan work, Miz Charlotte.” Hattie plucked a piece of chicken breast from Charlotte’s plate.

“
What are you talkin’ ‘bout?” Charlotte busied herself with forking up a mouthful of green beans.

“
It bes plain ter see,” Hattie chewed, swallowed, then continued with what she had to say, “dat you’s been upter sumpin’.”

“
We…I…haven’t been up to anything. I’m just tired. I can’t eat anymore.” She tossed her fork down on the plate.

“
Ah’ll teks it back ter de kitchen.” Hattie laid the cleaned chicken bone on the side of the plate.

Charlotte put the cover back over the plate then lifted the tray, holding it out for Hattie to take it from her. “I’ll get the door.” She hurried across the room.

“
Goodnight, chile.”

Nodding a response, Charlotte closed the door on any further discussion. Alone, her thoughts flew back to what had happened between her and the handsome foreman. Why had she allowed herself to be so weak? She loved her husband. Of that she had no doubt. Then why had she been so vulnerable in the arms of another man? The feelings Dave had aroused in her hungry body remained strong. How much longer could she refuse to be fulfilled? If Eathen had remained silent about his infidelities, she would be in his arms right now, and the terrible hunger would be satisfied.

In an instant, she made up her mind not to fight against her needs any longer. A man could be satisfied with anyone. It was not that easy for a woman. A woman had to feel something for the man she took to her bed. The realization of this unarguable fact seemed to release her from all the pent-up anger she had been harboring against Eathen. With any luck, the man who had seen her in the arms of a man other than her husband would have the decency not to tell what he saw. Her mind made up, Charlotte readied herself to accept her husband’s shortcomings and put to rest all the anger between them.

She was halfway down the stairs, wearing the plush green robe with the wide, deep green ribbons Eathen had given her for Christmas the year before, when she heard the voices of the men as they walked out of Eathen’s den. Halting there on the step, she waited. Hoping against hope that they would continue on their way outside.

“
Houston, take this man to the bunkhouse for the night. No sense in him bein’ out in this weather,” Charlotte heard Eathen say.

“
You can start first thing tomorrow morning, weather permittin’. I’m sure all the ranchers will chip in to keep you busy. This time of year, a dollar bounty ain’t too much to pay to keep the wolves thinned out. Hell,” Eathen slapped a hand down on the man’s broad shoulder, “with you ‘round, come spring we could just see a profit.”

From her vantage point on the stairs, Charlotte could see the men clearer now. The oddly-dressed man gave a slight nod and was turning to leave when he looked up, his cold gray eyes meeting Charlotte’s.

Following the man’s line of vision, Eathen saw Charlotte. He motioned her forward. “Charlotte, this young man could be the answer to our prayers. He’s gonna start killin’ off the wolves that’ve been attackin’ the herds. I think we’re gonna see a big difference in the markets with him around.

At Eathen’s amicable tone of voice, Charlotte released the strained breath she had been holding to walk the rest of the way down the stairs. Standing beside her husband, she could feel the men watching her. Unable to meet their fixed looks, she busied herself with straightening the ribbons on her robe.

“
This’s my wife,” Eathen told him with pride. “You never did say what your name is.”

“
The name’s Wolfer,” he declared, giving Charlotte a brief nod before trailing a nervous Dave out the door.

“
He’s an odd one,” Eathen laughed as the door closed behind the two men. To her surprise, Eathen slipped a hand around Charlotte’s waist as they walked together to the parlor. Lifting the lid from off the decanter, he pulled two glasses forward. “I know one thing for sure, if he can do what he says he can, I’ll be happy. Join me for a night cap?”

“
No, thank you, Eathen. I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed.”

“
You look mighty pretty tonight. I always liked you in that color, Charlotte. It suits you.” He turned, gazing down at her. “How come you never wore that robe before?”

The masculine smell of him filled her senses. The urge to enfold herself in his arms became so strong she felt dizzy. But, as she stood there, the terrible guilt over what had almost happened between her and Dave pushed the heady feelings away. Unable to be near him any longer, she walked away.

“
Goodnight, Charlotte,” he whispered, his hungry eyes clinging to her shapely body until she walked up the stairs. With a slow hand, he lifted the decanter, pouring a liberal amount into a glass. As he replaced the glass lid, he turned, just as Charlotte reached the top of the stairs. For a brief moment she stopped, looking down at him, then she continued on her way to her room.

Lifting the glass to his lips, he took a long swallow, and then reached once more for the decanter. When he finally climbed the stairs to his room, Hattie stood waiting until he had passed the landing, then carried the empty decanter and glass to the kitchen.

Chapter Eight

The blizzard continued for weeks, covering not just Montana but all the mid-western states, as far away as and including some parts of the ever-arid Mexico. The ranchers saw losses they never dreamed of. The storm wiped out entire herds in a matter of days, bringing stark fear to the hearts of the cattlemen. Worry over what to do about this calamity grew in proportion with the continuous days of isolation in a world of never-ending snow and ice.

“
When the hell’s this gonna let up?” Eathen thundered, pacing back and forth in front of the large dining-room window.

“
Yo’ guess bes as good as mine, Mist’ Eathen.” Hattie spooned escaping food back into Jessie’s open mouth as she sat at the table in her high-chair. Grabbing a linen napkin from the table, Hattie tried, too late, to catch the spoonful of scrambled eggs as it drooled down Jessie’s chin. “Ah swears, dis chile spits out mo’n she keeps.”

“
Maybe she’s full,” Eathen growled his patience with everything and everyone at an end. “Did you ever consider that?”

“
She kain bes full w’en she jes’ started eatin’.” Hattie dropped the half-filled spoon back in the dish. “Even Ah knows dat.”

“
Where the hell’s Charlotte?” Eathen walked past the table. “At least she can get her ass in here long enough to feed her own daughter.”