Lincoln County Series 1-3 (7 page)

She noticed his almost full-grown beard and looked down quickly.

He turned serious. “You look, heck, I don’t know, you look different today.”

She reached for his other boot.

“Don’t,” he said. “I need to start taking care of myself. I won’t have anyone at home handing me my boots, or feeding me, or bathing me.” He smiled, big.

“You know I did
not
bathe you!”

“How do I know? I’ve been drugged for the past week.”

She set down the basket of food and waited patiently for him to be done with his stubbornness.

He winced as he pulled on his second boot. “It’s just my ribs,” he said. “They’re healing up fine. They just feel worse than they are, according to the doc anyway.”

“I brought you some lunch so that you could leave with a full belly. Then I was wondering if, well… Lacey thought it would be a good idea to have you recover fully at the hotel.”

He managed to get his boot on and balance himself to a standing position. He stood mere inches from her. “I’d love nothing more.”

She walked swiftly towards the front living area. She needed to get away from his bedside. Intimacy was radiating from wall to wall, and the feeling of surrender that was forging up inside flooded her with agitation. She gripped the wall feeling as though she couldn’t breathe.

*** *** ***

Chapter Eleven

At last, Fourth of July arrived, and to add to Cameron’s excitement, Lacey appeared before her with a dress she’d ordered special from a catalogue.

“Is this for me?” Cameron asked in disbelief.

“Indeed!”

Immediately, she put it on and relished in the yards of pink material gathered and tucked here and there, creating a scalloped look to the edge of the gown. It was the first short sleeved dress of this type she had ever worn and with Patsy’s offer to do up her hair again, she felt beautiful.

“Absolutely stunning!” Lacey remarked.

Lacey appeared simply angelic in her sleeveless, white lace dress with pearls sewn all throughout the bodice. They were dressed much too elegantly for a town fair, Cameron knew, but for the moment she decided not to have a care as to what anyone else thought of them.

They exited the hotel after placing a “closed” sign in the window. Lincoln County had transformed into a small city of colorful booths, which seemed to have popped up over night. A makeshift stage had been built to accommodate a band, and men were involved with putting together a fence for a rodeo. Excitement filled the air and she could not get enough of it. A brightly painted banner swayed across the entrance of town where all of the horses and buggies were parked. The horses were feeding on long stemmed green grass.

Newspaper journalists sported around interviewing people for highlights of the day, and comical clowns rode down the street on high-wheeled bicycles. She wondered how they managed not to take a “header” on the rough ground. People of all kinds filled in every nook and cranny of the streets awaiting the parade, after which they would all convene to the schoolyard for a short play on Independence from the school children.

Cameron was unsure what to do with news of Lacey hosting the kissing booth. She tucked the information away until she figured out why it bothered her so.

Just after the children’s theatrical portrayal of George Washington winning independence from Britain, Mary accosted Lacey. “I need you
now
at the kissing booth! The men are already lining up!”

Lacey smiled in playful smugness and allowed a high strung Mary to lead her away. Cameron moseyed around, wondering if she would run into Jake soon. The past few days of him sleeping under the same roof did nothing to appease her growing attraction. He was as old as her brother, which she didn’t think should matter, but there was a strong sense overwhelming her that Jake thought her too young to be of interest, a bit of a turnaround since she’d first met him. Seeing all the families around prompted a yearning to have one herself, or at least to have someone with her. Parents and children spread large quilts across the lawns for the picnic and those who didn’t bring blankets could use the tables, which were decorated with checkered tablecloths and tin cans filled with wild flowers. Although he was not overly popular with the town’s people, Cameron was hoping to catch a glimpse of Thomas. Even if her notions were foolish, she could not give up.

Something had stirred the people’s attention near the entrance of the town, under the great banner. The Engel gang was making an entrance—some sitting tall on their horses, others walking their mounts in the middle of the main road. People parted out of their way as the Red Sea would have. And as if she’d just wished him up and out of nowhere, there was Thomas. He took the lead and looked as menacing as ever—like a man filled with vengeance and rebellion. Although she strongly disliked him for allowing Jake to nearly die, she remembered her mama had loved him, and the road his life took when he was just a boy was not entirely his fault. The scene reminded her to look around for Jake, then she wished she hadn’t. He was standing in Lacey’s line. He too had dressed up for the special day, his brown hair tied back with a piece of leather, and he looked to have been shaved smooth and…he was waiting in line to kiss her best friend.

Cameron scanned down the long, absurd line of men—businessmen, farmers, young dandies, cowboys. One woman came and yanked her man right out of line, and some took to laughing and calling him a momma’s boy. All the rest looked anxious to get in a quick peck with Lacey, the regal queen. Amy Swanson was collecting money from the men, trying desperately to flirt with each one. She’d succeeded with a few while the rest had eyes only for the raven beauty in front of them.

Jake was conversing avidly with a tall, blonde man. Cameron was too busy fuming inside to notice that he was more interested in the man he was visiting with than paying any mind to Lacey. It bothered her that she should care
at all. She realized it was because he hadn’t sought her company. He hadn’t even as much as greeted her, and after everything she did for him while he was stuck at Dr. Colvin’s. Visiting him, bringing him Cook’s great food. She refused to waste another second of her life pining over him. Even if he was utterly the most handsome man around, he was most ungrateful.

Sighing, she settled herself on a blanket until Lacey could join her after her kissing duties. By then the sun had risen to the middle of the clear blue sky where not a cloud was around as far as the eye could see. She admired a young couple twirling around the dance floor, which was festooned with bunting. She focused on Patsy, who was laughing and enjoying herself in the arms of a young man—while she sat there, alone.

Lance and Jesse arrived to the dance with Thomas arriving minutes later. Cameron wondered why he even bothered to come to such a happy place. He didn’t seem the celebratory type. She remembered Jesse from the night of the storm when they were stuck overnight in the hotel. Watching him now, stamping his foot to the music, hands hooked in the hips of his denim pants, singing to the band’s melodies, made her wish she were enjoying herself. Why couldn’t she be bold like Lacey and do whatever she wanted to, whenever she wanted to? Nothing was holding her back but herself. She recognized Jesse’s charm the instant he looked across the lawn and caught her staring at him. Quickly she removed her gaze to the blanket, picking at a loose thread. She was mortified, and he being in her brother’s dangerous gang, of all things!

“Howdy.”

Without looking, she knew it was Jesse. His voice all sweet and silky. She peered up into his adorable boyish face. He squatted down to her level and smiled a big, white smile.

Removing his hat with the utmost politeness he said, “There must be an awful good reason for you to be sittin’ here all by yourself. You sick or somethin’?”

Her face grew hot to the core. “No, I am not ill.”

“Then why aren’t ya dancin’?”

“I...I haven’t had anyone ask me to do otherwise.”

“Well, mind if I change that? Pretty gal like you I should think would be dancing with every man here, Thomas’s sister or not.”

She’d never willed away her blushing as much as she did at that moment.

“I would be happy to dance with you.”

He helped her to a standing position. What a gentleman he was.

Cameron had to steady herself. She hadn’t realized how long she’d been sitting there, watching everyone else have all the fun. With grace, Jesse led her to the dance floor by the small of her back. She had never been touched so by a man. It stirred something inside of her, similar to that time at Doc Colvin’s with...Jake.

Dancing didn’t look so hard when she was watching others do it, yet shamefully she admitted she’d never before danced. Truth was, she’d only ever twirled around as a little girl with a pillow as a partner. This was hardly the same. She was actually touching a firm body, warm flesh. With patience, her experienced partner taught her how to move. Her attempts were comical but, by the end of an hour, she was keeping up with the best of them. Jesse spun her under his arm, twirling her back and forth until they were breathless. She could now relate to that dance, at that wedding so long ago when her mama had felt the same way.

Cameron realized the hour was getting late when the surrounding lanterns posted in the ground were being lit. She had no idea what time it was when the band announced they were playing the last song. Suddenly Jesse’s fun-loving eyes became serious, and he pulled her closer. “You are the most beautiful woman here, you’ve got to know that.”

She could
almost
believe him, the intensity with which he spoke the words, his eyes blazing into hers...
almost...
but she wasn’t that naïve anymore. She looked away.

Gently, he cupped her chin, pulling her gaze back to him. “I mean what I say.”

“I’m no beauty, Jesse. You must not know Lacey Jennings!” she said lightly, adding a modest laugh.

“I know Lacey, and she is pretty on the outside, yes, but she’s full of ice on her insides. You, you’re warm inside and out, I can tell. Come and have a drink at the saloon with me,” he ordered softly, pulling her off the dance floor before the music stopped playing, before she said no.

She didn’t want the old Cameron to come back. She wanted to be confident and this man could help her accomplish that, at least a little. He made her feel pretty and desired.

She looked up at him. “You taught me to dance, Jesse—now you’ll have to teach me to drink.”

“You’re on, angel girl.”

Chapter Twelve

The moon was bright, the sky had a silver glow to it and finally the air was nice and cool. Crickets sang out as Jesse and Cameron made their way through the crowded street.

Jesse carried the blanket and Cameron the picnic basket—which had been meant to share with Jake. When she arrived at the saloon on the arm of Jesse, she couldn’t help but gloat. She was with a handsome gunslinger who chose to be with her. Lacey was in the saloon playing cards with Ed Randall and others. Not understanding her irritation at their entrance, Cameron ignored the cocked eyebrow and look of exasperation she received from Lacey. She could be in the company of men, too. Lacey didn’t have a monopoly on
all
of them.

The saloon was crowded, every chair filled, some even having a “lady of the night” occupying the men’s laps. Those who didn’t have a seat stood around to peer over the card players’ hands. Lacey’s table seemed to have a high stakes poker game going on, with several onlookers watching, intrigued.

Being one of Thomas’s gang must have given Jesse some clout as he ordered two cowhands out of their seats and they promptly obeyed. He and Cameron took their places. She was embarrassed at his behavior towards the men minding their own business, but couldn’t resist the pleasure of his attention either. Jesse ordered two shots of rum and two shots of whiskey. This life of freedom to do anything she wanted was beginning to grow on her. She allowed Jesse to cajole her into trying the first drink. She sipped at it, tasted it, and wrinkled her nose before setting it tentatively back down.

“Ugh! Who likes this stuff?”

“Angel girl, you need to let it slide down, like this. See, all at once. You’ll like it then. Go on, try again.”