How Miss West Was Won (16 page)

Different scenarios kept running through his mind, but none of them made sense. Instead of going to the creek and seeing where the rope led, he had half a mind to go into Boulder and confront Reese on the spot. But that was a bad idea. Stuart was right that the burglary gave him a perfect excuse as to why things that might have come from his store were being used in illegal activity.

“Stuart, round up four men you can trust and tell them to be ready at the crack of dawn.”

“Will do,” Stuart said. He turned back toward the barn and Eli turned toward the house. Cordelia fell into step beside him. She had to hurry to keep up with him, and when they reached the porch, she put her hand on his arm.

“I want to go tomorrow.”

Eli shook his head. “That’s a bad idea.” He mounted the steps quickly and put his hand on the doorknob. Before he could open it, Cordelia put her hand on his arm.

“Are you saying this because I refused to marry you?”

“I’m saying this because it could get dangerous. There is no telling what is happening up there, and I don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”

He could tell by the look on her face this wasn’t the thing to say. Her eyes were narrowed just a little, and her posture was tensed. “I deserve to know what is happening up there,” she said.

“And I will tell you as soon as we get back,” he responded. He kept his tone even. He did not want to provoke a fight, because he still had high hopes that Cordelia would stay with him and they would be together for the rest of their lives.

“Cordelia,” he said, keeping his voice soft. “Please don’t take this wrong, but it is rough terrain up there, and—”

“And I would slow you down,” she said. “I understand.”

For a moment, he thought she would object again, tell him she would be able to keep up and help investigate whatever was on the other end of the rope. But she didn’t. She took her hand off his and opened the door. When she was inside she headed for the stairs.

Eli wanted to follow her, to try and talk about the proposal he’d made that afternoon. But he was sure now was not the time. It would be better if he did it after all this was solved. If she stayed around long enough, that is. She certainly hadn’t reacted to his proposal the way that he’d hoped. Once things were over, he would focus all his attention on her.

And he would win her over, if it was the last thing he ever did.

* * *

Moonlight drifted in through the curtains. The clock had told her it was just after two in the morning. Sleep had evaded her, and she knew it was not coming to Eli either, because he was downstairs talking to Stuart and a few men who worked on the ranch. They were going over plans for their exploration tomorrow morning... no, not tomorrow morning, today.

She had tried to listen in at the door, but when she had heard Eli say something about getting a drink from the kitchen, she had left as quickly as she could.

The desire to go with them was strong, but she knew it was not something she could do. Riding the horse today had been hard enough. With no skills in the saddle, she would do nothing but cause trouble tomorrow.

The lifestyle out here was so different than what she was used to in New York. But if she changed her mind and stayed, she was sure she could learn how to do everything. She did not have to worry about fitting in, because she felt like she was already part of the family.

There was just one thing that kept her from saying yes, and that was the spankings she had received. Not all of them, a voice said in her mind. You have to take the good with the bad, and the good part with Eli was not just good, it was extraordinary. Maybe she should stay.

“You’re in deep thought.” Eli’s voice shocked her. She looked toward where he stood in the doorway.

“I thought you were downstairs.”

He came into her room and shut the door. “We thought a little sleep would do us good. I wanted to check on you before I slept.”

She smiled at him, his words warming her heart. “I am fine, Eli.” She stood and walked to him. “I am not going to follow you if that is what you are worried about.”

His smile made her laugh. “I have to admit I thought you would try something like that,” Eli said. “It fits right in with your nature.”

“Which is?” she asked.

“Wanting to be in control of things, and if that is not possible, not wanting to be left out.”

Cordelia did not correct him, because it was the truth. It was hard to realize he knew her so well after they had spent so little time together.

“Will you make love with me before we leave?”

His words made her nipples harden and flooded the region between her legs. “No,” she said, her voice soft. “I do not want to tire you out. What I want is for you to lie down and sleep, so that you are well rested when the time comes for you and the men to leave in the morning.”

“Will you sleep with me?”

For a moment, she thought about saying no. Instead, she nodded.

The incredibly sexy smile he gave her almost made her change her mind. “Will you sleep naked?”

Cordelia shook her head. “You know what would happen if that came to pass. Take off your boots and get into bed, Eli.”

She watched as he stripped, leaving not one stitch of clothing on his body. He lay down in the bed and patted the space next to him. His manhood was rigid, and it made her already aroused female parts feel as if they were on fire. “Eli, I will not—”

“Get into bed, Cordelia, but first take off your clothes. Being with you this morning will not tire me out. Instead, it will give me the strength that I need to do what we are about to do.”

She wanted to argue with him, but her desires took over. She disrobed slowly, letting her clothing fall to the ground in a pile. When she was naked, she knelt on the bed. Before he could say anything, she lifted a leg over his hips and straddled him. If he would not allow her to take part in the expedition, she would take charge here, giving him pleasure while she led the way.

“Are you going to ride me, sweet Cordelia?”

“Yes.” She leaned over and kissed him, trying to match the wonderfully sensual kiss he had given her that afternoon. She started slowly, working her lips across his before she pressed her tongue against him. He opened for her immediately and she probed his mouth slowly. He tasted like brandy, which they had enjoyed together after dinner, before Stuart and the other men had shown up and claimed Eli’s attention.

She kissed him again, and then moved her lips around his cheeks and neck, tasting the salty maleness of him, savoring the taste. “Eli,” she whispered between kisses. “We should not be doing this.” She had promised herself that afternoon that she would not be with him again, yet here she was, about to take him inside her again.

“You’re right,” he whispered. “Because I want you to stay with me more than anything in the world. Being with you only makes that need stronger.”

He grasped her face and pulled her down for a kiss, one that was much more demanding than the one she’d just given him. Once again, her mind spun and she wanted to lose herself in his arms.

“I won’t ask you now, but I will ask you once again when this event is over.” Eli wiggled his hips. His hardness pressed against her thigh.

Cordelia lifted up and lowered herself onto him, savoring the feel of his length as he slid inside her. She started to move, slowly at first and then faster and faster. She clasped her hands behind her head, thrusting her breasts out as she rode him. Eli grasped her hips and moved his hands. She moved faster according to his lead, and seconds after it started, that sweet, wonderful feeling of climax swept over her. As soon as the first one ended, another began.

“Eli!” She thought she should say something else, but she was not sure if she could put the pleasure she felt into words. Cordelia collapsed onto Eli’s chest, her body shivering as he continued to thrust into her.

Moments later she felt his body tense, and knew he had filled her with his seed. She should be worried about that, she thought. But she was not. If Eli filled her belly with a child, she would savor every moment with it, as a cherished memory of the man who now slept under her.

Watching Eli, Stuart and the group of men they had selected ride into the woods made Cordelia’s nerves stand on edge. It was barely light, watching them disappear into the darkness seemed almost surreal. She did not understand the hold Eli had on her. Why had she fallen into bed with him last night? All the coupling would do was provide more heartache when she left to return home.

“Don’t worry, they’ll be fine,” Mrs. Dunlap said behind her. “Eli is strong. He has been through a great deal in his life, and Stuart has always been there to back him up. They make a strong team.”

Cordelia nodded. She knew Mrs. Dunlap told the truth, but it did not calm her nerves.

“I know you’re not his wife,” the older woman said softly.

Cordelia wheeled around, her mouth open.

Mrs. Dunlap’s look was soft, with not a hint of condemnation.

“How do you know?”

“He told me yesterday,” the housekeeper said. She chuckled softly. “Actually, what he said was that you were not married… yet. I told him that since he had taken your virginity he was required to marry you. He informed me that I needed to tell you that.”

Cordelia laughed softly. “There is more to it than the physical part.”

“Yes, there is.” Mrs. Dunlap put her hand on Cordelia’s arm. “The two of you – there is some sort of connection there. I saw it when you first arrived, and I have seen it grow. You fight like cats and dogs, and sometimes that means more than the kisses and caresses.”

Kisses and caresses. Cordelia’s skin grew hot.

“Sometimes fights can strengthen a connection.” Before Cordelia could answer, Mrs. Dunlap patted her arm. “You are worried about him. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t be worried.”

“How sweet,” a voice said from behind them.

Cordelia looked over Mrs. Dunlap’s shoulder to see a man she did not know standing in the doorway. “Who are you?” she asked sharply.

“We’ve never met,” he said just as sharply. “My name’s Smith. You’ve met my wife, Melody.”

The nerves turned into fear. “Where is she?” Cordelia asked.

“Your concern right now should be following my directions,” he said. “As soon as Reese comes back and says Eli and his little band are dead, you and the old woman will be next. You already had the plan figured out, I’m sure. But since you came along, Cordelia, you screwed up everything.”

Cordelia shook her head, and then said, “You are a fool, you and the men working with you. Since Eli is not married to Constance, how do you expect to get hold of the land?”

“It’s easy,” Smith said. He came into the room and sat down at the kitchen table. “Both Eli and Stuart will be dead. Stuart’s mother will not be able to run the ranch and she will put it up for sale. At a cheap price, I’m sure.”

“How cheap?” Eli’s voice rang out in the kitchen, startling them all. Cordelia looked to where Smith had just stood. Her ‘husband’ stood there, a gun in his hand.

“What the hell?” Smith started to stand, but Eli was faster. He kicked at the other man’s feet, and Smith fell to the ground.

Eli stretched out the arm that held the gun. “I would stay down if I were you. I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”

“You’re supposed to be…” Smith’s gaze darted to the door, “out there.”

“Am I?” Eli sounded amused. “Maybe Reese is not as smart as he thought. I managed to get a message to Jacob last night. He has men waiting at the cave for your cohorts.”

Eli stood above Smith, and Cordelia could not help but notice how masculine Eli looked, strong and handsome. Her ‘husband’ was also angry, his eyes wide and dark. “Get up,” Eli said.

“Why?” Smith leaned back on his elbows.

“Because I said so,” Eli responded. “Don’t make me say it again.”

Cordelia noticed that Smith seemed very laid back. He was silent for a few moments, and then he said, “I won’t spend time in jail.”

“That’s usually what happens to people when they steal things,” Eli said. “And plan murders.”

Cordelia shivered at his words. Reese and his group were planning on killing for gold. When they had talked about it, she knew that was happening. But having this man in their kitchen was proof. “Eli,” she whispered. “We need to tie him up.”

“There’s rope in the barn,” Eli said. “Why don’t we all go out there and get it?” Eli kicked his boot against Smith’s foot. “This is the last time I tell you. Get up, or I’ll shoot you in the leg to make sure you can’t get away. You’ll still be able to stand trial… in a manner of speaking.”

Cordelia hid a smile. A man wounded in the leg would not be able to stand for his trial, but he could be there. She looked at Smith. The change in his expression said Smith believed Eli, too. He stood carefully, keeping his hands down by his side.

Eli took a step away from the door and indicated Smith should go first. The man stepped around Eli and started down the hall. Eli indicated that Cordelia and Mrs. Dunlap should follow behind.

“Stuart is out back, guarding the door,” he said before they left. “Stay close to me, though. I’m not sure this Smith is the only man Reese left behind.”

Cordelia and Mrs. Dunlap joined hands as they walked down the hall. Cordelia was not exactly sure of the sequence of events, but before the two women made it to the door, there was a loud noise. She watched Eli rush outside, and before she could get there a shot rang out.

Fear rushed through her as she sprinted toward the door. There was a yelp of pain, and then she heard Eli shout, “Stuart, behind you!”

There was another shot. Cordelia pulled Mrs. Dunlap close to her and they both toppled to the ground. The brave part of her wanted to run out and see what was happening; the smarter side told her to stay inside, while the men with guns fought to take control of the situation. She prayed Eli and Stuart won whatever battle was taking place.

The sound of two more gunshots filled the air. She once again fought the desire to rush to Eli’s aid. Three more shots rang out. With each one her body flinched, and she felt like she had been hit herself.

When everything was quiet, Cordelia let go of Mrs. Dunlap and pushed herself to her feet.

“Not yet,” Mrs. Dunlap said.

But Cordelia ignored her. She rushed out the door. Smith lay near the porch. He was on his back, and from his position, Cordelia could tell that he was dead. Eli stood over a second man, who was rolling from side to side, moaning in pain. A few moments later, Stuart ran from the barn, rope in hand. She saw another man on the ground near the barn. “Eli,” Cordelia yelled.

He turned his attention to her, his expression grave. “Go back inside!” he commanded.

“No.” She ran up to him. “Are you all right?”

His expression tightened. “We have no idea who else is out here.”

“Then let me search with you,” Cordelia said. “After all, as your wife, this is my land, too.”

Eli smiled at her, but it quickly turned into a frown. “You are stubborn, Cordelia. Stay by my side. We’ll discuss your inability to follow directions later.”

* * *

Smith and the man on the ground by the barn were the only fatalities of the morning. The man Eli had been standing over was another one of the dead men’s cohorts who had come rushing from the side of the house when the shooting started.

When Jacob came back to report that all was well at the area the men were planning to mine, he’d also let them know that Reese had not been there. Hours later Jacob returned to tell them Reese had flown the coop, leaving Constance behind. A quick wire to Denver alerted a lawman there, and Reese had been taken into custody at the train station.

“The only thing we can charge him with is conspiracy to commit murder and theft,” Jacob had said. “I’m not sure what will happen.”

Cordelia had shivered at the word murder.

“Did he say how he found the mine?” Eli had asked.

Jacob had laughed. “He’s not talking, but Constance is spilling the beans. Never leave your woman behind. She said she met Reese on his trip to London. They fell in love and he told her that while he was hiking one day he’d found the cave, with flecks of gold on the ground. He’d taken a little, but hadn’t gotten the idea to take the land until your parents and brothers died, Eli.”

Jacob’s voice had softened, and Cordelia watched Eli’s expression turn to sadness. He quickly got hold of himself, though, and frowned.

“They came up with the idea together that they would forge papers, get you to marry Constance, and then Reese would kill you. She’d have control of the Four Fours, or so she thought. She didn’t take into account a will that gave the land to Stuart. That’s what they were searching for when they broke into the house.”

“In other words, they did not think it through,” Cordelia said. “They let their greed take control.”

“I would say so,” Jacob said.

After he’d left, Stuart had picked up his hat and headed toward the door. “I’m going into town to check on Melody.”

He had left without waiting for a response. Cordelia wondered what would happen between Stuart and Melody now that her husband was gone. She said another prayer for her young friend, alone in the world. That might be better, though, than being married to a man who was a criminal. Melody deserved someone like Stuart, who would care for her and love her.

Would he spank her? Cordelia thought he probably would, that maybe that activity was something that ran in the family. It made her wonder if Eli’s father had spanked his mother. Something told Cordelia that he had.

The hopeful happiness she felt for Melody made Cordelia rethink her own decision. Why was she in such a rush to go back to New York? She thought about the pure pleasure she’d found in Eli’s bed. For years, she had fought off giving William her virginity, insisting that it was for the marriage bed only. Yet the moment she had a chance to spread her legs for Eli she had done exactly that, savoring the pleasure the act had brought, despite the pain that had come with it.

What did that mean, she wondered? Did her heart know something her mind did not? Or was it pure lust that had sent her into his arms? The real question, Cordelia thought, was did she want to leave those arms? His proposal was still open. She could stay here, marry Eli and live happily on the Four Fours.

If she did that, how many children should they have? Would it be best to keep with tradition and have four?

“What are you thinking about?” Eli asked from where he sat on the other side of the table. “You look as if you’re trying to solve all the world’s problems.”

“Just my own,” she said.

One of his eyebrows hitched up, and it made him look so handsome that she wanted to throw herself into his arms and kiss him. “Which problem would that be?”

Honesty is best, she reminded herself. “Of whether or not I should stay here.”

The smile that crossed his face made her tingle. “Can I help you with that decision?”

“Maybe.” They were in the living room. At some point after Stuart had left, Mrs. Dunlap had also slipped out of the room. She and Eli were alone now. “Tell me why you want to marry me?”

“Because I fell in love with you,” he said. “I tried not to let myself feel it, but as I spent more time with you, I wondered what it would feel like when you were gone. I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay. I want you to be the mother of my children, even if you pass along traits that make them dump punch on another woman’s head.”

Cordelia blushed. But then she thought about the spankings. “I don’t like to be spanked,” she said.

“Liar,” he responded. “You have hard orgasms when I spank you.”

“Not all the time,” she said.

“You have to take the good with the bad,” Eli said. He leaned over and took her by the hand. “If you marry me, Cordelia, you have to realize I am the head of the family, and as such, I will discipline you if necessary. But I will also make love to you in our bed, play with your beautiful breasts, tickle that little bundle of nerves that makes your soar, and yes, slap your ass while I take you from behind.”

“Eli,” Cordelia whispered, her desire evident. “I do not want to stay just for the sex. I thought I was in love once, but what I feel for you is so different. The thought of giving up my safe life back in New York frightens me.”

Eli squeezed her hand. “I will give you a safe life here.”

Cordelia squeezed his hand back. “Just safe?”

“With a lot of love and fun built into it.” He gazed into her eyes, and Cordelia felt as if she would swoon. “Stay with me, Cordelia. Don’t be afraid to open up your heart and let us build on what has started between us.”

She wanted to say yes, but before she could, she took a calming breath. “Let me think it through, please.”

Eli looked disappointed, but then he nodded. “Take all the time you need, but know that if you say no, I’m going to try and change your mind.”

* * *

Two days later, Cordelia had made her decision. The only problem she had was how to tell Eli, because he had not brought up the subject again. He had been kind and attentive to her, but he had stayed away from her bed, which had been disappointing.

Her body craved his touch. But they had spent days talking. She had learned more about his childhood, and that had been entertaining. Thinking about those talks gave her an idea of how to approach the subject of their future together.