To Wed a Wanton Woman (19 page)

“What happened, Marion? The place is
deserted, not to mention a wreck.”

“It’s over, Train. All of its gone,
including most of the girls. Cassie is still around. Mary plans to take the
stage to Salt Lake City the day after tomorrow. She wants to settle far from
here and see if she can make a new life for herself.”

She told him about Sandy’s brother and the
loss of the building. “I thought about getting another building, and then I
decided this was for the best. I don’t need ties to town.” She plopped down on
the bed and crossed her legs one over the other. “Tell me about the mares,” she
said, genuinely interested. Whatever Train involved himself with, she wanted to
share. She’d seen his eyes light when he spoke of horses. That same light was
there tonight.

“The horses are beautiful. Twelve mares and
the most magnificent stallion I’ve ever seen.” He ran his fingers through his
hair. “I went out on a limb with TJ, but when he sees the stock, he’s going to
understand why I moved ahead without consulting him.” He leaned forward and
quickly kissed her lips. “I’m hungry.”

“Good idea. You could make something for me,
too.”

“Could?”

She scurried off the bed when he reached for
her. “Well yes, if we had anything here at the brothel, you could fix it for
us. I don’t cook. Best we acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses right from
the beginning, wouldn’t you say?”

They went to the kitchen. The cupboards were
bare. “Where is everything?”

TJ had taken the dishes and pots with him
when he returned to the ranch. He’d also taken the fine bone China and silver
flatware Marion found in Sandy’s bedroom trunk. Marion distributed most of Sandy’s possessions amongst the girls. What was left had no monetary value and held little
sentimental appeal. “Sandy’s brother can have the rest when he takes the
building at the end of the month. I hope I never see him again.”

Train found a can of beans. “Looks like
we’ll need to find something to keep our minds off food until breakfast. Any
suggestions?”

Marion
took him by the hand and guided him back to the bedroom.

* * *

Cassie sat in the parlor, staring into space
when Train came down the stairs at first light. More than alone, she looked
lonely. Clearly, the transition was hard on her. “Good morning,” he said,
startling her.

Her mouth only hinted at a smile. “I see you
made it home.”

“Not home,” he said, putting Marion’s carpetbag near the door. “We’ll be leaving for home after breakfast.” He slid his
hands into his front pockets. “Come to breakfast with us. It’ll give you and
Marion a chance to say goodbye.” She nodded. “Cassie, if you ever need
anything, you know where we’ll be.”

“I’m happy for Marion,” she said, standing.
“How long before you’re leaving?”

“Thirty minutes.” He was being optimistic. Marion poked around upstairs deciding at the last minute that she didn’t want to leave Sandy’s home in chaos. “If Marion can manage it.” He laughed.

Cassie nodded and started up the stairs.
“I’ll see if she needs any help.”

Chapter Eleven

Train decided to ride the dark, reddish-brown
chestnut that had easily become his favorite. He saddled Clive for Marion because he responded to Train’s voice commands. As long as Marion didn’t give
conflicting orders with her body, she’d be fine.

The road to the ranch was well-worn and
Train had no doubt in his ability to control the horses. “It’ll be chilly
through the pass.” He stood beside Clive while Marion adjusted in the saddle.
He tucked a flannel coat behind her. “If you need a rest say the word.” He
draped a canteen over the saddle horn.

“Where’s my gun?” she asked in seriousness.
“I want Sandy’s rifle hanging here.” She held the saddle horn.

“I’ve got it,” he said while checking the
cinch around Clive’s belly. He gave the horse a pat on the shoulder while
keeping one hand on Marion’s thigh. “You’re my priority. I can’t drive the
horses if I have to worry about you. Be observant. If you feel scared, tell me.
You try to be brave all the time. Don’t.”

“Are you always going to be overprotective?”

“It’s one of my strengths,” he teased. “You’re
my weakness.” He squeezed her leg.

Marion
rode along the left side of the horses and Train flanked the right. Speaking in
gentle tones, Train controlled the caravan at a practical pace. If he had a
seasoned rider with him, he could’ve pushed harder.

By mid-afternoon, Marion clearly became
tired of the ride. Her eyes squinted against the early autumn sun. Swift
breezes cut through the canyon feeling like pricks against their sunburned
skin. “Train!” she screamed over the horses.

He immediately rounded his horse behind the
herd and rode beside her. “Ready for lunch? I thought I heard your stomach
growl.”

“If you’re in the mood to fill requests, I’d
like a bit of shade.”

Train removed his hat and placed it on Marion’s head.

They left the horses next to the bank of the
river. He retrieved their lunch from his saddlebag. Grease covered the outside
of the paper bag full of chicken he’d picked up at the diner where they’d had
breakfast.

“What am I supposed to do at the ranch?” she
asked with her mouth full of chicken. “I mean, as long as I can remember, I’ve
worked. Now that I’m officially retired, what am I supposed to do with my day?”
She licked her fingers one by one drawing Train’s eyes to her lips.

“Help me build our ranch, visit with Allison
and the children.” Marion rolled her eyes and groaned. “What do you want to
do?”

“I won’t bother Allison. The girl lives like
a slave. Cleaning, cooking, taking care of the children, it was all horrible.”

Train leaned back supporting his weight with
his elbows. “She doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she acts as if she enjoys
taking care of TJ, the children, and the house.”

She leaned against his chest and kissed his
lips. “I have every intention of taking care of you.” She leaned up and raised
her eyebrows. “It’s the cooking and cleaning I hate.”

“Then I guess we’ll live like pigs.” He
toppled her to the ground.

“And behave like heathens.” She wrapped her
arms around his neck. “It’s a good thing Cake likes to feed me.”

Train eased up. “I don’t want you hanging
around Cake. Stay close to our place or visit with Allison. I don’t want you
wandering around the property alone. Ready?” He stood and brushed off the seat
of his jeans. “We should get going. I want to be home before dark.”

As the day progressed, Marion watched
Train’s body work in harmony with his horse. His jaw would clench when he
looked in her direction and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.
After giving up every aspect of her life, he couldn’t possibly doubt her
fidelity. Banning her from everywhere except her own home was very
authoritarian. Marriage hadn’t caused her to lose her autonomy. She dug her
heels into Clive sending him into a run until she was riding along side Train.

“Putting a ring on my finger doesn’t change
who I am,” she said defiantly. “I do as I please, Train. Don’t think because
you’re a great lover I’ll give up being an independent woman.” She took his hat
off and tossed it to him. “I can still take care of myself.” She hoped her
words stung the way she intended. Suddenly, she envisioned life sitting by
herself in the one room cabin built for her, without the company of other girls
or the attention of men. She had no desire to bed another, but that didn’t
entail having no social life.

They rode in silence until they crested the
last rise overlooking the Bester ranch. TJ stood outside on the front porch
waving as they rode toward the homestead. He came down the steps and walked
briskly to the stables getting there at the same time Train was helping Marion down from Clive.

“Welcome home.” He pulled Marion into a
heartfelt embrace. They shared a special connection in losing Sandy. “Allison
is waiting for you at the house. Michael’s cutting molars making all of our
lives miserable.”

Marion
headed up the path. TJ turned toward Train. “Honeymoon over already?”

Train pulled the saddle off Clive. “I hope
you don’t mind me spending your money,” he said. “The mares are beautiful, but
look at this.” He walked to the stallion. “I could have brought home a dozen
more just like him.”

“It looks like you did,” he said, indicating
the grouping next to the stables. He ran his hand down a muscular leg. “He’s a
fine looking horse.” Giving Train a friendly slap on the shoulder, he said, “Happy
or not, Allison is going to want to celebrate with the newlyweds.”

“I don’t think Marion is ready to be nice
yet.” Train slipped his hands into his pockets. “I overstepped my rights as a
husband. And for the record, Marion doesn’t like being told what to do.”

TJ laughed. “You’ll learn the art of gentle
persuasion about the time you realize women have all the power. Come on.” They
walked to the stables. “We’ve got a few more stalls to clean out.”

Train followed him. He stopped when he
recognized the familiar furnishings. “What the hell is this?” He ran his hand
over the black lacquer desk that used to sit in the middle of Sandy’s office.
“Did you inherit this shit from Sandy?”

TJ smiled as he looked over his shoulder at
Train. “No, you did.” He pulled the door open to the first stall. “Marion asked me to bring it home.”

“And you did? Did you even try to discourage
her?” Train shook his head in disbelief. “I’m going to live in a brothel.” He
turned to TJ. “Where’s the red stuff? Tell me she didn’t convince you to bring
home heart shaped sofa?”

“This is it. Charlie helped me move a bed
out to your place. You’ll sleep in your own home tonight.”

“I’d rather hoped I wouldn’t be doing much
sleeping. Looks like I ran out of luck.” TJ’s laughter followed him into the
nearby pasture where the horses waited.

* * *

Marion
knocked twice, waited, and knocked again. She could hear Allison running toward
the door. They laughed and embraced. Allison nearly dropped Michael who was
riding on her hip.

“I have been dying of curiosity. Tell me,”
she demanded with a smile.

“I told you I was determined to ride a
Train.” She held out her hand for Allison’s approval. “If he would’ve welcomed
me aboard the first time I met him…” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I
would never have gotten off.”

“You can’t believe how happy I am you’re
here. I get lonely for the fun we had before I came to the ranch. I love being
married, but TJ works until dark most nights. Sometimes it feels like the only
time I do get him to myself is when we’re in bed. Believe me, you’ll understand
once the newness wears off with Train.”

A warmth flowed through her. “I can
guarantee I’ll never let that happen.”

Allison put steaks in a pan and diced
potatoes to fry. “Growing up in Boston, I never questioned where the food I ate
came from. Cake is amazing. I enjoyed his mentoring until he demonstrated how
to cut off a chicken’s head. We quickly came to an agreement that he does all
the butchering.”

Marion
laid her head on the table. “Don’t make me sick.” She raised her eyes and
looked at Allison. “I know how to boil water. If it isn’t a fruit or vegetable,
I’m not sure how to cook it. I hope Cake doesn’t mind if I take home dinner to
Train every night. Otherwise we’ll starve.”

“Or eat with us.”

Allison took plates from the cupboard, which
reminded Marion of the beautiful dishes she took from the brothel. “Did TJ talk
about Sandy?” Marion asked.

Allison shook her head. “He’s afraid I won’t
understand. He didn’t say it outright, but because he had a relationship with her,
I know he’s hurting. I loved Sandy, too.”

“I’m glad I left. I wouldn’t want to be
there without her.”

“Hi.” TJ came into the kitchen with Train
two steps behind. “The horses are happily housed.” He came up behind Allison.
“Smells good, I’m hungry.”

Train met Marion’s gaze from across the
room. With the slightest tilt to his head, he motioned her into the hallway.
Allison and TJ were too busy looking into the pans on the stove to notice her
leave.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Are
you still mad?”

“No.” Her voice held a hint of amusement.
“But I expect us to kiss and make up anyway.” She put her hands on his chest.
“Let’s eat because if you expect me to cook, you’re not going to get a good
meal for a while.”

Train and Marion laughed with Allison and TJ
until late into the night. “You should stay here tonight,” Allison said when
Train yawned and stretched his arms over his head.

“We can’t,” he said quickly, which caused Marion to giggle. She was feeling the effects of a few too many glasses of wine.

“I might wake the kids.” She put her finger
over her lips. Train wrapped an arm around her waist to support her while they
walked to the door.