Texan's Touch

SEVENTEEN

NICK SLIPPED HER knife from her boot and crept into the hallway. A thin beam of light from the kitchen cast a glow along the narrow space turning the center of the house into a wood-lined cave.

The sound she’d heard came again. She felt her way along the wall until she reached the front door. The thin windows on either side of the door were black with the darkness of predawn.

“Let me!” Adam whispered from just behind her as he reached for the knob.

“Don’t open it,” she answered. “It could be the deputy, or even Mole.”

“Step back and cover me.” He placed his hand on her shoulder as he moved past her. “I can deal with the deputy… or Mole”

Before Adam could finish the order, she’d vanished with only the sound of her Colt clearing leather hanging in the still air. He blinked twice, fascinated by how she could evaporate.

He straightened and slowly turned the lock on the door. Hinges creaked as he pulled the door toward him. The thin light spread onto the porch.

“Mornin’, Adam,” a deep voice mumbled. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Wes?”

The tall man in leather and chaps pulled off his wide-brimmed hat. “I know I’m sunbaked and it’s still dark, but I thought you’d know me. It may be a little early, but I wanted to make sure I was in time for breakfast. I haven’t had nothing but campfire cooking for weeks.”

Adam pulled his brother in with a slap on the shoulder. “Of course you’re in time.” He looked back into the hallway. “Nick, it’s Wes.”

To both men’s surprise, Nick unfolded from the shadows and jumped into Wes’s waiting arms.

“Well,” Wes laughed with his arm still around her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you, kid.” They moved into the study as Adam found the lantern. “Is Wolf here, also?”

“He will be as soon as he takes care of a few claim jumpers on our land.” Nick slapped at the cowboy’s hat. “And I’m no kid. Name the time and I’ll outride, outshoot and outfight you. I’ve seen the way you Northern boys ride. They must not have anything but milk cows across the Mason-Dixon line.”

His smile reached the scar on his cheek. “I’ve no doubt you could outride me. For four years I felt like I lived in the saddle, but since I’ve been to Texas I’m sleeping in it as well.” He winked at her. “To top it all, kid, you’re getting prettier every time I see you. Isn’t she, Adam?”

Nichole felt her face warm.

“Beautiful’s the word, brother.” Adam didn’t look at her for fear he’d give too much away to Wes. The brother just a year older had always been able to read him.

Wes studied her seemingly unaware of how warm the room had become for everyone else. “That she is. Of course, I thought so the first time I saw her. I remember thinking that if she could look that good in baggy men’s clothes, there wasn’t any telling how many heads she’d turn in a dress.”

Nick paced to the window, not knowing how to handle the sudden praise. “Well, you’ll never know, because I cut up the only dress I owned for bandages when my stage was attacked on the way out.”

“You were on that stage, darlin’?” Wes looked concerned. “I heard the Comancheros killed everyone and burned the bodies.”

“It wasn’t Comancheros, just three outlaws, maybe more. I got a quick look at two of them and their horses. At the time I didn’t know they’d already killed the men on the stage so I stayed in hiding and let them pass. Lucky for them. It would take more than three men to kill a Shadow.”

Wes laughed. “I would have thought you’d given up that line of work since the war.”

The quick glance she gave him told Wes she hadn’t.

Adam changed the subject. “What brings you here?” He didn’t miss the way Wes nodded toward Nick. She nodded back, silently agreeing to continue the discussion later. The pair was leaving him out of any future discussion and Adam didn’t like it.

Wes didn’t take his gaze from Nichole as he answered Adam. “I’ve got a herd a day’s ride from here. I thought I’d ride ahead and pick up supplies while they move closer. I wouldn’t want to let my men stay too long in a town. They’re great on the trail, but as ornery as longhorns around civilization. Plus, I’ve heard talk that Fort Worth has more meanness then oughta be allowed in a town and only a deputy on guard.”

“You’re starting to sound like a Texan.” Adam motioned for him to take a chair.

“I’m becoming one. I went down below Austin looking around, and this state is something to see. You can ride for miles and never see any sign that man touched this land. The war seems a long way away from here, but the wildness of this state keeps your heart pounding and makes you know every minute you’re alive.”

Nichole folded into a chair and draped one long leg over the stuffed arm. “You both are becoming Texans.” She watched the brothers. They belonged in this land with its wide-open spaces and self-law.

“Wait till you meet my partner, Vincent,” Wes answered. “He was born here. You wouldn’t believe the stories he can tell, but he swears they’re all true. I’ll be camped just north of town until he catches up with me. I made good time, but heard he hit bad weather and may be as much as a week behind with the rest of the herd.”

Footsteps sounded in the hall, and Nichole moved off the chair and vanished into the drapes without stirring the air. Wes glanced at Adam, then nodded his understanding to remain silent. There was no need to explain.

“Mornin’.” Rose popped her head in the office door. When she saw Wes, she squealed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Doc. I didn’t know you had a patient.” She looked Wes over as only a woman of the night can examine with a glance. “You don’t look all that sick, mister. Couldn’t you wait till full dawn before you came waking the doc?”

Adam tried to hide his smile. “Rose, this is my brother. He never could tell time. He’s not ill, only hungry.”

Rose moved her head slightly from side to side, making her newly made bun wobble. She gave Wes another onceover. Her lips might no longer be bright red, but they were still full and expressive when she smiled. “Well, hungry’s something I can cure. I got coffee boiling and apple turnovers about ready to come out of the oven. I didn’t know what time folks got up around this place, so I started early.”

“Apple turnovers?” Wes stood slowly. “Take me to the cure.”

As Wes followed Rose out of the room, Adam pulled Nick from the folds of the curtain. “I wish you could join us,” he whispered as he pressed his cheek against her hair. He was hungry too, but only for another taste of her.

“Me too,” she said honestly. “But I can’t take the chance. None of those upstairs will be down for another hour, but Charles or Lily might wander through the kitchen. Tell Wes I’ll talk to him later.”

Adam wrapped his arm about her waist. “We’ve a lot to talk about, you and I.” He pulled at her gun belt.

“I answer to no man,” she whispered in almost a challenge.

“Then maybe you’ll listen to one.” He kissed her lightly. “Get some sleep. We’ll have time to talk later.”

He couldn’t resist tasting her lips once more. He felt he could stand there all day and kiss her. She had a way of giving so much with a kiss. The world seemed a long way away when she was in his arms.

“Go,” she whispered, and shoved him gently.

She watched him move away knowing she couldn’t tell him where she had been during the night. He wouldn’t understand what she had to do. He’d shown that when he allowed Mole to live after Dancing died. How could she tell Adam that she found one of the raiders from the stagecoach killings just before she crawled into the office window? She’d followed the bandit for an hour, then lost him to a whorehouse that never quieted enough for her to enter.

Adam would never understand that this time justice wouldn’t depend on the sheriff’s office. She’d lived too long as a Shadow not to know what had to be done.

As Nichole moved to Adam’s room, she could hear Wes teasing Rose. Nichole wondered if she’d ever be able to step into the light and live like a normal person. She could hardly remember life when she hadn’t had to watch her back and judge every sound for danger. As she crossed into her tiny bedroom, she heard Rose whack someone with what sounded like a wooden spoon. Wes yelled, giving himself away as the victim.

“Now, I draw the line at your eating four dumplings!” Rose shouted. “You may be the doc’s brother, but you can starve a few minutes while I scramble up a dozen eggs for breakfast. We’ll have to roll you out of here if that dough rises again after all you’ve eaten.”

Wes rubbed his hand as though she’d hurt him greatly. “Oh, Rose, darling, those are the best things I ever put in my mouth.”

“Don’t you Rose-darling me. I know you’re just after my dumplings. Besides, maybe they ain’t all I can cook. Wait till you taste my biscuits layered in butter and honey.”

Wes winked at Adam. “Rose, darling, I think I’m in love. Will you marry me?”

“No, sir.” Rose huffed and moved over to the stove. “I got me a respectable job now, I do, and I aim to keep it.” She smiled over her shoulder. “But you’re welcome to come by anytime for a taste of whatever’s cooking.” Her dancing eyebrows indicated there might be quite a selection on the menu.

Both men laughed. Adam wasn’t sure just what the cook meant, but Wes was smiling like it didn’t matter one way or the other.

As Wes lifted his second forkful of eggs, Charles walked through the kitchen acting as if he didn’t see anyone in the room. He took a handful of fresh towels from the counter and vanished into the hallway.

Lowering the fork, Wes stared at his brother. “Bergette’s here?”

Adam nodded without stopping eating.

“Hell,” Wes shrugged. “I thought this place was too good to be true. What’s she doing here?”

“It seems Papa Dupont wanted her to marry a McLain. Thought it might help him win a state office,” Adam mumbled. “I’ve made it plain that I’m not interested, but I could put in a word for you if you’re interested in the job. To the old man one McLain is as good as another and Bergette’s always been so fond of you.”

Wes shoved a forkful of eggs in his mouth. “You do that, little brother,” he challenged. “I’d love to talk it over with the sweet little thing.”

Adam leaned back and enjoyed his coffee. “She’s come to tell me she forgives me and I can go back to Indiana with her. She doesn’t seem to care that I’m no longer interested in marrying her.” He grinned. “But you’ll hear all about it from Bergette. She should be down soon and my shortcomings are her favorite topics.”

“Rose!” Wes finished his eggs and grabbed his hat. “You think you could wrap up a few of those biscuits for me? Miss Bergette may love my brother here, but she hates the sight of me. If I’m lucky, I can get out before Charles wakes up the witch and she flies down the stairs to stomp on me.”

“You ain’t afraid of her, are you?” Rose laughed.

Wes looked surprised she’d ask such a question. “Any man would be a fool not to be.”

Rose handed him a tea towel wrapped around hot biscuits. “You come back anytime. I’ll protect you, honey.”

Wes laughed. “I just might do that, darling.”

Adam followed his brother to the front door. “Send word when you camp tonight and I’ll join you for supper.”

“I’ll do that if you bring Nick. I’d like to hear what old Wolf’s been up to these past months.”

“Nick doesn’t follow orders, but I’ll tell her about the invitation.”

They moved onto the porch as dawn lightened the sky above the run-down houses across the street. “You’re crazy about the girl, Adam,” Wes said.

“She’s not right for me. We’re too different, but she’s in my blood. Half the time I’m so mad at her I can’t get words out, and the other half I have to fight from crushing her against me.”

The balcony creaked above them and both men silently saluted a good-bye. Wes walked to the side of the porch where he’d left his horse tied. Adam leaned against the wall and listened. Someone was above him, he could feel a presence even though he guessed whoever it was wouldn’t move until he went back inside.

After waiting a few minutes, he decided he didn’t care who heard him talking with Wes. Unless it was Nichole, no one else would understand what they were talking about.

Walking slowly back in the house, Adam turned down the hallway to his bedroom. If he was lucky, he could get a few hours sleep before the day started.

Sister Cel stepped from his room as he reached for the door.

“Morning, Sister,” he whispered. “You’re up early.” In truth he’d decided the nun never slept. He’d seen her moving about the house after midnight and always before dawn.

“Morning, Doctor,” she answered formally. “I brought Nichole a tray, but she’s sound asleep. I guess she hasn’t recovered from the loss of sleep while taking care of Dancing.”

Adam yawned. “I think I’ll try to catch a few hours of shut-eye myself. I spent the night in my office chair after I fell asleep reading.” He stepped past the nun. “Will you wake me if any patients come in this morning? I don’t have any scheduled, but that doesn’t mean much in this town.”

“If I have time, Doctor. If I have time. I have much of the Lord’s work to do this morning. I’ll pass the message along to Rose if I leave the house.”

He didn’t pry. The nun usually left with a basket of food each morning. No one questioned her or objected. Several of the farm families paid in trade and she saw that none of the food went to waste.

“Thanks,” he mumbled.

“If the Lord meant us to sleep the day away, He wouldn’t have the sun come up every morning.” She crossed her arms, as if judging him. She reminded him of a bully who only picked on one person, and somehow he was the unfortunate one.

But Adam knew her better than to fall for her badgering by now. “Is that in the Bible, Sister?”

“Well, if it’s not, it should be,” she said as she moved away, already in a hurry to be about her work. “And if you read the Good Book more often, you wouldn’t have to ask.”

Adam stepped inside his room and chuckled as he locked the door. He stretched out on his bed and closed his eyes, thinking today had to be calmer than yesterday.

Just before he fell asleep, he felt Nichole slide in beside him and put a blanket over them both. She must have been tired, for she’d only removed her Colt and boots.

She didn’t say a word, or make a move to wake him. She only curled next to him as she had twice before and placed her hand on his chest.

“Good night,” he whispered without opening his eyes.

“Good morning,” she answered sleepily.

She felt so right against his side, he couldn’t help the long sigh that escaped his lips. Adam curled his arm about her and spread his fingers out across her back. Then, he felt it. The bindings. She wasn’t just walking the night. Whatever she was up to, she’d been a Shadow.

The thought brought a chill no blanket could warm.