Mistletoe Mayhem: Clean Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 1) (13 page)

              Listening to Cordell take their orders made Sawyer feel like he’d been transported back in time to before when he and Devon had broken up.  Their food came shortly and Sawyer took a huge bite of the thick, juicy hamburger that Willy made.  He made a noise of appreciation and closed his eyes.

              Devon watched him, remembering doing that so many times in the past.  He was even more handsome now, if that was possible.  His shoulders were a little broader and his jaw more defined.  As they ate, she noticed that there were small scars on the backs of his hands and it made her wonder what had caused them.

              She could tell that his shoulder was bothering him and realized how painful getting around on crutches must be with the injury, but he never complained about it.  He’d always been that way, though.  It had always been hard to see when Sawyer was upset or in pain.  He was much like his grandfather that way.

              Sawyer finished his last fried potato and said, “That was fantastic.  I dreamt about those when I was stuck overnight on the battlefield.  I’d be in a trench with a couple of other guys and sometimes they’d wake me up because I was mumbling in my sleep about them.”

              She smiled, but it upset her to think about all he’d endured.  It also made her feel ashamed that she’d broken his heart before he’d left.  If she hadn’t, they would be planning their wedding right now instead of trying to repair a relationship that might be beyond fixing.  “I’m sure there was a lot you missed about home, and everyone certainly missed you.”  Her cheeks grew pink. 

“Everyone?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

              She met his gaze.  “Everyone.”

              Sawyer drew in a breath and he knew that if they hadn’t been in public, he would have kissed her.  He was trying to take things slowly, but he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to do that. 

              With a small smile, he said, “That’s good to know.”

              She nodded and then saw the wall clock.  “Oh!  We don’t want to be late for the show.  We should go.”

              Sawyer got up and went to pay their bill, but Cordell wouldn’t let him.  “Our fightin’ men eat free.”

              “I can’t let you do that,” Sawyer said.

              Cordell’s gaze turned steely.  “Son, don’t argue.  I’m not takin’ your money, so unless you’re gonna wrestle me to the ground to put it in my pocket, there’s not much you’re gonna do about it.”

              Sawyer grinned.  “Ok, ok.  You win.”

              “That’s right.  Now get out of here.  Take care of yourself and you take care of him, Dwyer,” he said.

              “Yes, sir,” Devon said.

              They went on their way, chuckling over Cordell’s rough manner.  At the Cinema House, Wolf Point’s small movie theater, they bought popcorn from one of the outside vendors.  Movie theaters at that time didn’t sell snacks inside, but smart, entrepreneurial people made popcorn and other treats for moviegoers to munch on during the films.

              “You just ate two huge hamburgers and now you want popcorn,” Devon said.

              Sawyer smiled as they bought their tickets and went inside.  “Well, give me about forty-five minutes or so and I’ll be ready to eat again.  Besides, who goes to a movie and doesn’t eat popcorn?  You know you’re gonna eat some, too.”

              “I don’t eat popcorn anymore,” she said, smiling.

              “Liar.”

              She giggled.  They found a spot to sit where Sawyer could stretch his leg out a little bit and sat down.  It wasn’t long until the theater darkened and the screen lit up.  Soon they were laughing at Charlie Chaplin and after that, following the exploits of the characters in
The Heart of Texas Ryan
.  At an exciting part where the heroine, Texas Ryan, was kidnapped, Devon grabbed Sawyer’s hand, holding it tightly as the drama continued to unfold on the screen.

              Sawyer automatically closed his around hers and then realized what they’d done.  He and Devon looked at each other at the same time.  Her wide eyes held surprise and a little embarrassment over her impulsive action.  She went to withdraw her hand from his, but he hung onto it and smiled before turning his attention back to the screen.

              Devon’s heart surged with happiness as Sawyer squeezed her hand a little harder, making it clear that he didn’t want to let go.  She had to work hard to concentrate on the movie after that as she tried to keep her hope in check.  Handholding didn’t mean that they were back together, not by a longshot, but it was a step in the right direction.

              When the movie ended, Sawyer rose stiffly, his shoulder and ankle both protesting.  He took a few moments to stretch and get his balance.  He might be in pain, but being able to hold Devon’s hand had been worth it. 

She helped him out onto the street and said, “I’ll go get the car so you don’t have to walk so far.”

“Ok.  I won’t fight you on it right now,” Sawyer said.

While he waited, he took out the two aspirins he’d wrapped in his handkerchief and dry-swallowed them.  Devon was soon back and she helped him in.  He rested his head back against the seat once they were underway again.

Devon was worried about him.  They had sat too long.  “I’m sorry, Sawyer.  We shouldn’t have gone to the movies.  I wasn’t thinking.”

He opened his eyes.  “I wanted to go.  I was doing fine until close to the end.  Honestly.  I had a great time.”

“You did?”

“Yeah.”

“Me, too,” she said.  “I love Charlie Chaplin.”

“Yeah, and I liked the other movie, too, but I think your pa would make a better cowboy than Tom Nix.  I know he’s real popular, but I can see Joe in that part,” Sawyer said.

Devon laughed.  “Don’t you tell him that.  He was talking about that last week.  ‘I could be in the movies.  I’m better lookin’ than most of those fellas and I have a better smile, too.’  He had everyone cracking up at supper.”

“I can just imagine some of the stuff Randall said to that,” Sawyer said.

“It was hysterical.  Then Daddy started saying that he was gonna buy a movie camera so he could make his own movie.  He said he was going to make your father run it,” Devon said.

Sawyer practically salivated.  “If he buys one, we’ll run it.  Having one would be great!  Switch could write scripts and …” he trailed off as Devon laughed.

“I’m so sorry, but you should have seen the way you lit up.  You’re as bad as Daddy,” she said.

“Well, we’d all make a good team.  And you guys have trained horses that we could put in it,” Sawyer insisted.

“We should film him being chased by a ferret!”

Sawyer laughed so hard that it made his shoulder throb even worse.  “Oh, stop!  Stop!”

They got their mirth under control and Sawyer caught his breath.  “Can you see the subtitle?  ‘Oh, no!  A ferret!  Run!’”

“And the best part would be that he wouldn’t even have to act.  It would be so natural.”

They thought up funny movie scenes the whole way home and the time passed quickly again.  Soon they pulled up to his house and Devon put on the brake.

Sawyer said, “Thanks for a really nice evening.”

“I’m glad you had a good time.  So did I,” she said. 

Their eyes met and held.  A force neither of them could resist pulled them towards each other at the same time.  When their lips met, desire immediately stirred within Sawyer.  He pulled Devon closer, holding her tighter as the kiss grew more urgent.  She tasted sweeter than he’d remembered and she smelled so good that his senses were filled with her.

Sawyer’s kisses enthralled Devon and she pressed closer, unable to get enough.  This was the man who still held her heart and time and space had only seemed to make her love for him stronger.  She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him for all she was worth, as though trying to make up for lost time.  Her feelings were so intense that tears welled in her eyes and leaked out from under her eyelids.  She tried to control it, but a small sob escaped her.

Sawyer felt and heard it and drew back, looking into her gorgeous eyes that were awash with tears.  “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.  Everything.  Oh, damn it,” she said, trying to get a grip on her emotions.  Thinking about him going out with Renee made her decide to take a huge risk.  She was afraid that he’d develop feelings for the other woman and she’d lose him all over again.  “Sawyer, I know I hurt you so badly and I’m so sorry for that.  I was an idiot and so selfish.  I was just as heartbroken as you were, though. 

“There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t berated myself over what I did—what I threw away.  I’ve missed you so much and I’ve never stopped loving you.  I want you back and, even though I know I don’t really deserve it, I’m asking you to give me a second chance.  If you do, you’ll never regret it.”

While Sawyer’s heart beat faster, he was still cautious.  “This isn’t easy for me to admit, but I’m scared that if I let you back in you’re going to break my heart again.  What if I get called back to active duty?  It’s not likely, but what if it happens?  Are you gonna break things off with me again?  You have to make a decision, Devon.  If my country calls, I’ll go.  Can you handle that?”  He knew that would never happen, but he had to test her.

Devon swallowed hard.  “I’ve learned my lesson about that, Sawyer.  I was a coward and I was unreasonable to ask you not to go.  I’ve matured since then and I see how wrong I was.  I love you so much and if you were to be called, I would stand by you.  I’d hate to be separated from you again, but I would understand and support you.”

His eyes never left hers as he said, “I’ve never stopped loving you, either.  Even though we were broken up, you were who I thought about the most every day.  I dreamt about you and I asked Skip about you off and on.  I thought about writing you so many times, but I was afraid that you’d reject me again.  If you can promise me that you won’t resent me if I have to leave again, then I’m willing to give it a try.”

“You are?” Devon asked.  “I promise that I won’t resent you or desert you again.  I promise.  You’re willing to give up Renee?”

“Boy, you’re really jealous of her,” Sawyer teased.

“Yes, I am,” Devon admitted, grabbing his coat lapels.

Sawyer laughed.  “Don’t worry about Renee.  I’ll talk to her.  We already knew that it wouldn’t work out between us.  We could never be anything but friends.”

“I’m glad to hear that—”

Sawyer kissed her, burying a hand in her hair and giving his passion free rein.  Kissing Renee had been somewhat exciting, but it had only moved him a small fraction of the way kissing Devon did.  Having her in his arms once more made him feel whole again.  She was the other half of his heart.

Devon didn’t want to ever stop kissing him, wishing it could go on forever, but the car was still running and she didn’t want to run out of gas.  With incredible regret, she patted his chest and slowly pulled away from him.

They smiled at each other for a few moments before Sawyer cleared his throat.  “You better get home out of the cold.  I’ll see you tomorrow night.  Come for supper.”

Devon nodded.  “All right.  I’d like that.”

“Good.  Ok.  Goodnight,” he said.

“I’ll get your crutches,” she said, getting out.

Sawyer opened his door and took them from her.  “Careful going home.”

“I will,” she said.  “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She pressed a quick kiss to his mouth and then got in and left.  He followed her progress until he couldn’t see the car anymore before going inside.  The house was dark and he was grateful because he wanted to savor the evening in private.  Morning would be soon enough to tell everyone that he and Devon were back together.  He decided that he needed to do something nice for Renee since she’d helped him so much.

Carefully he got around for bed, moving slowly due to the pain he was in.  He’d deal with it.  Any discomfort was worth it since he and Devon had reconciled.  He would rest tomorrow so that he was ready for her coming over.  Lying down on his bed, he fell asleep quickly, tired from the exciting night.

              The next morning, Joey and Snow Song sat down in the parlor at the Dwyer estate with their parents.  They’d set up the little meeting and the four adults were nervous about what the couple wanted to discuss.

              Joey said, “Snow Song and I don’t want to wait long to have the wedding.”

              Snow Song said, “And, no, I’m not pregnant.”

              The way that all of their parents visibly relaxed was comical.

              Joey grinned.  “You’re so funny.  Thanksgiving is coming up and we thought since everyone is gonna be here for our big shindig, we could just get married then.  Everyone would already be here so it just makes sense to combine the two things.”

              Snow Song said, “We wouldn’t even need to send out invitations.  Anyone could come who wanted to.  We have such a big family and so many friends that sending invitations would be expensive and time consuming.  We think that this would be so much fun and it’s really the way we’d like to celebrate getting married.  What do you think?”

              Smiles spread across their parents’ faces and Zoe said, “I think that would be perfect.  You’re right; it will be easy to spread the word without all of the fuss of invitations.  It’ll certainly be another wonderful way to celebrate the holiday.”

              “I couldn’t agree more,” Lacey said.  “Cora and Lucy make wonderful wedding cakes and we can make whatever else you’d like.”

              Joe rubbed his hands together at the prospect of an increased celebration.  While many people’s favorite holiday was Christmas, Joe’s was Thanksgiving.  Every year the Dwyers put on a huge party where everyone in town was invited.  Although there was a formal dinner around one in the afternoon, food and drink was available all day and evening long. 

              They always played parlor games, such as charades, and card games were usually struck up, too.  Often the revelry went until the wee hours of the next day.  There were empty bedrooms where people could stay if they were too drunk to get safely home and some people even slept in the barns or in a bunkhouse if there were any empty.

              “I better tell Randy to order more food,” he said, grinning.  “I’ll go do it right now.  Jr., don’t be long getting to work.  We got a lot to do today.  I’ll see everyone later.”

              They chuckled as he hurried from the room.

*****

              The Halloween party was cancelled that year, which was a huge disappointment to the community.  Joe hated to do it, but because of all of the bans on public gatherings by the Montana Council of Defense, no dances were allowed, and there was no way around it.  It was in the best interests of the town to comply and Joe would do anything to protect his people.

              Everyone had been looking forward to it very much, especially the children, but there wasn’t anything that could be done about it.  Dawson’s citizens went about their business that day with heavy hearts, and many prayed even harder that the war would soon end.

*****

              Devon and Sawyer tried not to laugh as Skip chopped wood at the Samuels ranch that Saturday, but it was hard when he was ranting.

              “I should have gone to Canada, that’s what I should have done.  Then I could enlist and fight with them.  They wouldn’t know I’m crazy.  Canadians are eccentric anyway, so they wouldn’t have thought anything about my behavior.  I mean, look at your Uncle Rick.  He’s Canadian and he’s eccentric with all those animals, which I love, by the way. 

              “I love the animals, not that he’s eccentric, although that’s pretty entertaining whenever he’s annoying Mr. Dwyer.  Maybe he knows someone in Canada who will let me join up.  Nah, he shouldn’t alert them to my insanity.  I’m trying to get over there, not be sent home.”

              Sawyer couldn’t hold back his laughter as he sat on the porch swing.  “Skip, Uncle Rick got kicked out of the Mounties, so I doubt his word would carry much weight.”

              Skip neatly split another log before saying, “Oh.  I didn’t know that.  Then, no, it would definitely not be good for him to contact anyone.  The recommendation of a disgraced Mountie wouldn’t get me anywhere.”  He loaded split logs into a wheelbarrow, which he wheeled out of sight around the other side of the house.

              Sawyer sighed.  “He’s funny about it, but I know it really hurts him that he can’t enlist.”

              “I know.  I feel bad for him,” Devon said.  “Well, I have to go, but I’ll see you tonight.  Good luck with Skip.”

              “Thanks,” he said wryly before kissing her.

              “Mmm,” she murmured against his lips before slowly ending the kiss.

              Sawyer smiled.  “I know how you feel.”

              Devon got up from the swing and helped Sawyer stand up.  They looked up the lane when they heard a vehicle coming towards the house.  Sawyer’s heart thudded in his chest as he saw a Dodge Tourer with an army insignia on the door approaching them.  Those cars were usually only used by officers, so whoever was in it must be someone important.

              The car stopped close to the porch and an officer alighted from the passenger side.  Sawyer’s right crutch dropped to the ground as he automatically snapped to attention and saluted the man whom he saw bore a lieutenant colonel ranking insignia.

              Devon had never seen Sawyer do that before.  She could see that even though he wasn’t on active duty and might not ever be again, that his training hadn’t left him.  He stared unwaveringly ahead, his body rigid and his spine straight.  She thought that even in his jeans and old coat he was impressive and could only imagine how handsome he must look in his uniform.

              “PFC Samuels?” the officer asked.

              “Yes, sir.”

              “Lt. Colonel Ferris.  As you were, Private,” Ferris said, being considerate of the fact that Sawyer was still recovering from his wounds.

              Sawyer relaxed and Devon retrieved his crutch for him.  “Thanks.  How can I help you, sir?” he asked.

              Ferris took off his hat and smiled at Devon.  “This your girl, Private?”

              “Yes, sir.  This is Devon Dwyer.”

              “Nice to meet you, Miss Dwyer.  You’re a lucky fella to have such a pretty gal.”

              “Yes, sir.”

              Devon smiled back at the officer, but remained silent, not sure if she should speak or not.  Frankie had been doing a few kitchen chores and had seen the car arrive.  Looking out the window, she was shocked to see an army officer speaking with Sawyer.  Her mother’s protective instincts kicked in and she went out onto the porch.

              “Well, another pretty lady,” Ferris said.

              “Sir, this is my mother, Frankie Samuels.  Mama, this is Lt. Colonel Ferris,” Sawyer said formally.

              Ferris extended a hand to Frankie, who shook it perfunctorily. 

              She said, “He’s not well enough to go back.”

              Ferris nodded.  “I know and I’m sure you know that he probably won’t.”

              Sawyer didn’t want to talk about his discharge in front of Devon.  He hadn’t yet told her about the whole awful affair.  “Devon, I don’t want to hold you up.  I’ll see you tonight.”

              Devon got the hint and she didn’t want to be in the way, so she smiled and said, “Of course.  Have a good day, everyone.” 

As she retrieved her horse from the paddock, she wondered what the army wanted with Sawyer.  She guided her horse over the stream and then followed the trail that led down to camp.  She could cross the clearing to the trail that led up to her ranch, saving her the time it would take to go into town and around.  As she rode, she prayed that all was well and for the day to go fast until she could find out what had taken place.

*****

              Sawyer sat down at the kitchen table with Ferris and his driver, Corporal Jennings.  Ferris watched Frankie move around the kitchen for a moment as she put on a pot of coffee.  Then he turned back to Sawyer.

              “Son, I’ve come to talk to you about your discharge,” he said.

              Sawyer asked, “The fake one or the real one?”

              Ferris smiled.  “Both.  How’s the ankle coming along?”

              “Ok, I guess.  I won’t really know until I get this cast off and start physical therapy.  My surgeon here at home had to re-break it so that he could put it back together properly.”

              “How about the shoulder?”

              “Well, using crutches isn’t helping it much, but it seems somewhat better.  I doubt I’ll ever see combat again,” Sawyer said.  “Is that what you want to know?  Something tells me that you didn’t come all the way here to inquire after my health.”

              “You’re very astute.  I saw that in your file,” Ferris said.  “You’re right.  Let’s get down to it, ok?”

              “Fine by me,” Sawyer said. 

              “I assume it’s all right to speak freely?” Ferris asked.

              “Yeah.”

              “Good.  I’ve come for the rest of the pictures you sent home.  This isn’t a request,” Ferris said. 

              Sawyer said, “You already confiscated them.”

              “No, we didn’t.  According to the mail service, you sent home quite a few packages before you came home,” Ferris said.  “I’m willing to bet that there were a lot of pictures in them.”

              “That’s right,” Sawyer said.  “They were the ones of the barracks and my buddies.  Would you like to see them?  I mean, if there’s anything inappropriate in them, I’ll burn them.”

              “I think that would be a good idea,” Ferris said.

              “Mama, would you get that box that’s in the office for me, please?” he asked.

              “Certainly,” she said.  She took a moment in the office to gather her wits.  What was Sawyer going to tell them?  She knew he didn’t want to give up the pictures that were in the bank deposit box, but she didn’t think it was a good idea for him to lie to the army, either.  Taking a couple of deep breaths, she decided to just stay out of it for the moment.

              Coming back to the kitchen, she handed the box to Sawyer, who sat it on the table and opened it before pushing it over to Ferris.  The officer went through them thoroughly, looking at each of the photographs, examining them for anything taboo.  However, he found nothing; it was just as Sawyer had said.  They were harmless pictures of things around their barracks and of his pals and him goofing off when they were off duty.

              He put them back in the box and slid it back to Sawyer.  “Ok.  So there’s nothing in there, but what about the rest of the house?”

              “I don’t have any others,” Sawyer said.  “This is it.”

              Ferris’ brown eyes narrowed.  “Quit lying, Private.”

              “Stop calling me that.  I only saluted because it’s a reflex action.  I’m no longer in the army,” Sawyer said.  “I have the discharge papers to prove it.”

              Ferris held his hands up.  “You’re right.  You’re not, but I still have the power to have you arrested if you don’t give up those pictures.”

              “You confiscated them!” Sawyer said, digging in.

              Ferris noticed Frankie’s anxious expression.  “Ma’am, to your knowledge, are there more battlefield pictures somewhere?”

              “Don’t involve her in this.  She doesn’t know anything,” Sawyer said.  “You confiscated pictures from me.”

              “Yes, we did, but I know for a fact that there are more,” Ferris said.  “I’d hoped that you’d be truthful with me, but you’re forcing my hand.”

              He reached into an inner pocket in his uniform and pulled out a letter in a green envelope, which he handed to Sawyer.  “Go ahead.  Read it.”

              Sawyer knew without opening it what it would contain, but he kept his face impassive as he opened it up.  It was a letter to Skip, asking him not to say anything to anyone about the pictures.  The military routinely went through letters to make sure there was no inappropriate material in them. 

One way that some men were able to get around that was to put their letters in the green envelopes and certify that there was nothing in them of a sensitive nature as far as the army was concerned.  The envelopes were usually used for private subjects between a soldier’s family and themselves.  The nature of the letter to Skip was such that there was no way to refute that there were more pictures.

Ferris watched Sawyer closely as he read the letter.  “Now, where are the pictures?”

“Somewhere safe,” Sawyer said. 

“Well, you’re going to have to hand them over.  I’m asking nicely, but I don’t have to.  I can have more soldiers here shortly and I’ll search this place from top to bottom,” Ferris said.  “Don’t you understand how important this is to national security?”