Love by Dawn (6 page)

Mid-afternoon, they stopped by a small pond
to rest and fill their canteens. He allowed Casey to tend to her
brother but kept a watchful eye on them,

“Hold still,” Casey ordered lightly. She
un-knotted her bandanna and put it into the water. Dabbing at the
wound, she said reassuringly, “Sorry honey, it’s only a graze,
thank God.” Blake saw her shudder. “I can’t lose you too,” she
proclaimed tenderly. “Lets leave it uncovered, it will heal
faster.” After placing a chaste kiss on his prisoner’s cheek, she
walked towards Blake.

“Thank you.” Her lips thinned in what could
almost be deemed a smile and he nodded. She had the making of
beautiful dimples if only she could lose her animosity towards him
and manage a smile, just one for him. His knew his wish was in
vein.

Before sunset, Casey was glad that they made
camp. They ate in silence, but she let a weak smile tug at the
corner of her mouth when she saw her brother. The smile she had
given him of her own was to let him see she was all right, he had
enough to worry about and she didn’t want to put another burden on
his shoulders. She had been thankful that the cowboy had attended
to her brother and she should thank Blake for putting his bandanna
on Hunter’s wound at that time, but she let it go. Her heart ached
for him wishing she could have seen to his head injury sooner, but
cleaned it and changed the wrapping. Now, her emotions were in a
quandary thinking about the sleeping arrangement. Fear and
excitement filled her. How could she despise that cowboy one minute
and long for a kiss the next?

It’s just your
nerves
, she told herself.

Sure it is
egged her conscience.

She snorted at her own thought. Tears formed
behind her lids but she held them back.

Later, Casey lay beside Blake fighting the
urge to turn in his arms. What was it about this man that jumbled
her feminine sensibilities? Why did she feel complete isolation in
his embrace, more so then when she stayed in her cabin by herself?
She let silent tears fall as she was pulled onto her back with the
man’s swift motion when he turned from her. With the warmth of his
body gone, so was the security. She told herself that this was for
the best, now, if she could only convince her heart.

SIX

The next day, before dusk, they arrived in a
small town near Georgia’s border. Blake’s first stop was the
jailhouse. The saloon would be after he stabled the horses and
rented a room, but not soon enough.

“Stay put,” he ordered Casey, pulling Hunter
from the horse. Her mouth was tight with indignation and he didn’t
miss the scowl. The building was built of wood, small with one cell
and the sheriff snoozed at his desk. Blake cleared his throat as
the lawman opened his eyes and yawned.

“I’m Blake January.” Going straight to the
matter, he stated, “I have a prisoner,” he nodded toward Hunter,
“and I want him locked up for the night. I’ll be bringing him to
Fort Tate, tomorrow.” The lawman nodded.

“Jeremy Slogan, here.” The man wearing the
tin star extended his hand, “Friends call me Slogan.”

Blake shook his hand firmly. He was portly,
giving him the impression that this was a quiet town, leaving the
sheriff with plenty of time for relaxation and napping.

Slogan grabbed the key ring and opened the
cell door. “What’s he in for?”

He hated to add another falsehood to his
list, but if he wanted co-operation he’d better. “Robbed a bank out
west, got a bounty on his head.”

Slogan grunted. “Kinda young, isn’t he?” He
rubbed his stubbed chin in thought and murmured, “Can’t remember
seeing a wanted poster on him though.”

Blake chose not to answer and tossed a
double eagle gold piece onto the desk. “See to it that he gets a
good meal, clean clothes and take him to the barbers for a bath and
shave.” The lawman’s brows rose, but he didn’t question his strange
request. To Hunter, Blake said; more to the point growled, “Don’t
try anything. Remember, your sister’s with me.” He didn’t hide his
confidence even though Hunter’s eyes were shades of flint. “I’ll
see you in the morning, sheriff.”

Blake touched the brim of his hat as a
parting gesture. Slogan nodded, bit on the coin and smiled,
anticipating his profit.

He stabled the horses and
informed Casey that he was renting a room. “If you know what’s good
for you, you’ll keep that nasty mouth shut! And stop looking at me
like that!” She was breathing hard making her bosom rise and fall,
straining against her shirt.
Shit, how in
hell was he going to pass her of as a boy?
“Tuck your hair up into that hat and slouch. You do recall
how to act like a boy?” he intoned with sarcasm.

Casey snarled, but kept her choice words in
her head. And it didn’t go unnoticed that Blake’s arrogance was
more than sufficient to choke a horse, but she knew enough to
remain quiet. Seething, she did as she was told and walked docilely
beside the intimidating cowboy, wishing she could clobber him one
minute and wanting to kiss him the next.

Oh, this was so exasperating!

At the hotel, a small man with a pleasant
smile handed Blake the register. The clerk pushed up his glasses to
sit properly on his thin nose and glanced at the signature, “Blake
and Casey January?” It was a statement that sounded more like a
suspicion to Casey, but the cowboy nodded.

“Yes, my brother and I are staying for the
night. I’d like a bath and meal send up for my bro....Oaf!” he
rubbed his smarting ribs and she didn’t miss the perplexed look on
the clerk’s face. That damn cowboy chuckled. “My brother has itchy
britches; promised him a prostitute for his sixteenth birthday,” he
side-glanced her with a warning and slapped her on the back and
again he chuckled, “Seems the boy can’t wait until tomorrow.”

His laugh was buoyant but she detected a
sharp edge. Screwing up her nose and biting her tongue she
smoldered inwardly when he caught her eye and winked. Casey
resented his humor but she didn’t remark on it. If she had learned
anything about Blake, he’d see to it that she would regret her
outbursts, but this incident would not go forgotten, not by a long
shot!

The clerk coughed. “Well, err, yes,” he
reddened, causing her more humiliation.

Drat that arrogant man! As it was, she almost
bit her tongue when Blake slapped her, but right now, she was too
mortified to utter a word. She left murmuring and followed that
arrogant cowboy up the stairs. That was a mistake. Her eyes would
not leave his firm backside and long legs. Her groan shocker her,
it sounded almost like pleasure.

Stay focused. Stay angry.
You must stay angry! He’s the enemy. He’s taking you brother away
from you
, she chided herself.

Her ire was like cold water on her face and
once in the room she turned on him, like a she-wolf. “You
insufferable brute! Sonofabitch! You low life! Polecat! You…
you...” She swallowed her remaining thoughts when Blake took a few
swift steps, quickly closing the gap between them. Amusement
touched his mouth but it did not reach his eyes, they turned a
shade darker, flashing a warning. She remembered that look and
backed up losing her bravery. Her heart gave a little leap
recalling his promise. When her knees hit the bed, she froze.

“Take off your clothes!” he snapped.

Casey gasped; clutching her throat, she
croaked, “What?!”

“Remove your clothes,” he repeated, a bit
more calmly. “You’re taking a bath. You need one! And stop your
catawallowing and flowery analysis of my character!”

She didn’t like the implication of that
remark, but let it slide and said instead, “But… but I have
n-nothing to w-wear,” she stammered.

Blake went to his saddlebag and pulled out a
shirt. “This will serve as a night gown. Now make it snappy.” The
garment was tossed at her and she flashed him a haughty look, as
she grabbed the shirt.

“Turn around,” she hissed and stuck out her
tongue at him. It was an infantile gesture but, oh, it felt so
good! When she had donned the shirt, she snarled, “You can turn,”
and sat on the bed, her legs folded beneath her. For a wicked
moment, she toyed with the notion off flirting with him, but it
lasted but a moment seeing his scowl deepen and a hard edge return
to his face as he turned. He grabbed her filthy clothes, “You’ll
get clean garments in the morning. Without any decent clothing,
I’ll know you’ll stay put and not try any funny business! I’ll be
back later, enjoy your bath and meal.”

Casey didn’t think it was possible to feel
any more anger towards that insufferable male!

And to think she almost lost all her senses
and trifled with the idea of seducing him! Ohh! She fumed more at
her foolish intentions toward that arrogant, beastly cowboy! Thank
goodness the bath was wonderful, but it didn’t soothe her one bit.
Still in her blue funk, she had to force down the delicious meal,
only because she was starving and another day on the trail would
leave her belly craving for something besides beans and jerky.

She paced.
If only she were a man.

But if you were, you would
never have tasted his sweet lips
, reminded
her conscience.

Recalling his mouth, her
insides inflamed but it wasn’t from rage. She sat on the bed and
gazed somberly down at her feet.
Why had
he left her alone? Where was he?
And why
are you caring?
she asked herself. She had
a sensation as if something creepy crawled into her
stomach.

I bet he’s with a whore and
you sent him there
, her inner voice
chided.

Don’t make me no
nevermind
, she sniffled.

Filled with self-pity, she curled up into a
ball. “I don’t care,” she told her pillow, then punched her
frustrations into it.”

Why did she even bother to
fight with her conscience? He’s only an arrogant cowboy,
she reasoned.

A handsome, arrogant cowboy to boot!

She refused to argue with herself further and
fell asleep crying.

SEVEN

After Blake had shut the door, he heard her
swearing and something thump against the barrier. He sorely wanted
to kiss her, but with the bed behind her he wouldn’t stop with just
a kiss. He hoped she hadn’t seen the effect she was having on him.
That imp was a handful and right now he wanted his hands full of
that body that was driving him crazy. In her undressed state, he
didn’t want to stay there any longer than necessary.

He recalled last night when he lay next to
Casey. Her sigh punctured the stillness and he felt her slight
tremble. Believing it was due to the proximity of their bodies, he
loosed an oath regretting his promise. But comforting her was not
in the agreement and he pulled her closer, hearing her gasp. His
arrogance mistook her gasp for pleasure and her womanly scent
filled his nostrils making the heat of passion collect in his
loins. He ached to confess the truth to her that her brother was in
no real danger. Not only had he turned into a liar but again
developed a yellow streak when it came to a woman.

Remember this isn’t the
time to fall in love. Keep your thoughts out of your
pants,
he had warned
himself. Disgusted for losing control like an inexperienced
teenager, Blake had quickly un-spooned himself and turn onto his
back.

Tonight he’ll get a descent’s night
sleep.

Whistling, he visited the barber shop for a
bath and shave. He got himself a decent meal, and then strolled to
the general store where he purchased breeches and a shirt for the
little snit. Leaving the package at the hotel desk, he moseyed over
to the saloon to join in a card game. He needed a drink. Maybe two.
Whiskey’s cheap and warm. Later, he’d visit a prostitute, also
cheap and warm. Yes, tonight he would sleep very well.

Blake’s gaze roamed the room the moment he
entered The Golden Horseshoe. It was mid-afternoon and all the
tables were full so he seated himself with two wranglers. A pretty
redhead gave him a sensuous smile and a come-hither look. She
shifted her ample breasts and then tugged on her bodice to show
more cleavage. There was no doubt in his mind that she wanted to
service him tonight. The prostitute watched him sit and light a
cheroot he purchased from the bartender. With a big drag, he
brought it to life and the swirling smoke circled his head, then
blended in with other cigar and cigarette smoke that thickened the
air. The saloon was filled with the offensive smoke, but he was
accustomed to unwashed bodies and stale ale whenever he visited
these establishments. Sashaying over, the whore bent low in order
to give him an eye full. He knew he smelled clean, compared to her
usual Johns.

“Can I get you a drink, cowboy? Or anything
else you desire,” she purred, licking her painted lips
provocatively. “I’m Lulu.”

Blake looked into hazel
eyes and at large breasts. The redhead was pretty, if you overlook
the heavy make-up.
Large
breasts
. Her lips were red as cherries and
they smiled.
Large breasts.
But it was her full figure that reminded him
of... Bullshit! No way in hell would he let this whore remind him
of that sassy-mouth kid!
Well, yes, she
did but.... He frowned and squashed the butt into the table. He was
here to forget that chit and forget her he would!

“A beer!” he snapped, “with a whiskey
chaser.” If she heard the irritation in his voice, she didn’t show
it. Her cherry lips widened into a sensuous smile.