To Kiss a Texan

SIXTEEN

AN HOUR LATER, WES WROTE A TELEGRAM TO THEonly man he could ask for help-Wolf Hayward. They’d fought on different sides in the war, but they were both bound by Adam and Nichole. Wolf was Nichole’s big brother. Wes was Adam’s, and, somehow, that one thread had started their friendship.

‘‘Last I heard, Wolf lived near Austin. If he’s close, he’ll come.’’ Wes glanced at Allie, who didn’t look pleased.

‘‘A man named Wolf?’’

Wes laughed. ‘‘Wait till you see him, he looks more like a bear. He’s the hairiest man I’ve ever seen. And big, my height, but double the width. But he’s an honorary brother in the McLain clan.’’

Handing the telegram to the clerk, Wes motioned to Jason, who was doing his best to stand still and be invisible. ‘‘How about we go over to the cafe for breakfast while I wait for an answer?’’

Allie followed along, her thoughts simmering in worry. Wes wouldn’t have asked for help unless he thought this trouble she’d caused was great.

She didn’t say anything while they ate, only listened as Jason asked one question after another about horses. She could hear people all around her talking. But she couldn’t think of anything that would change one way or the other if she said a word.

Wes showed Jason a compass he’d carried all through the war. He tried to explain how it worked, but Jason was more interested in food than direction.

While Wes finished his coffee and Jason his fourth buttered biscuit, the room emptied. Most folks hurried out to start their days. Allie wondered what it would be like to live in a town and be around so many people all at once. They were like one huge tribe. But many didn’t seem to know one another, for they didn’t even nod as they passed.

When they finished all the food, Wes leaned back in his chair and Jason hurried out to check on the horses. Wes watched the other people for a while, then turned his attention back to her.

Allie shifted in her seat. She was getting used to being alone with him, but she still wasn’t sure what he expected of her. Though his wife, he asked no duties of her. It seemed, in his world, the marriage would last only until she found a family.

‘‘I’m not much of a talker, even in the best of times,’’ he began. ‘‘But I figure we’ve got a few things to say to one another, and they need to be said while Jason’s not around.’’

She glanced at her hands and waited. Maybe the time had come for him to tell her he could no longer be responsible for her. After all, she was of no use to him, and she cost him money when she knew his supply was low. Maybe he would say some word, and the marriage would be over, just as his brother had said words to make it begin.

‘‘Will you talk to me, Allie?’’

The question surprised her. Most of their conversation to date had been him talking and her listening.

He drank his coffee and waited.

‘‘I don’t know what to say,’’ she finally admitted, feeling his gaze warm her. The phrases of her first language were coming back to her, but how could she just talk?

Wes looked up at the ceiling and took a long breath. ‘‘After the night in the barn, and the way you kissed me, I’ve been thinking of lots to talk about, but the words don’t seem to come out in rational order. I know there needs to be something said between us if you felt anything like I did. I’ve tried to give you time, thinking you’d tell me something about how you feel.’’

He looked directly at her as though he’d judge her answer carefully. ‘‘Why’d you kiss me like that?’’

‘‘Like what?’’

‘‘Like you were planning to crawl in and homestead my heart,’’ Wes answered, ‘‘when we both know you’re just waiting for a chance to leave me and all of civilization.’’

‘‘Is kissing you wrong?’’ Allie had no idea what he was saying. She’d only kissed him the way he’d kissed her, and she’d never told him she wouldn’t leave him until this morning, when he’d asked her to promise to stay until the danger was past.

‘‘No, the kiss wasn’t wrong. It was about the most right thing that ever happened to me.’’ Wes leaned closer. ‘‘I just wondered why.’’

Allie knew talking came too hard for her to lie. ‘‘I…’’

All the languages began to blend together in her mind. It seemed all her life people had told her not to talk. Now this strange man wanted her to tell him how she felt, something she could never remember anyone asking her.

She forced herself. ‘‘The summer I turned ten, I was traded from one tribe to another. The chief of the tribe had a widowed mother, so I was given to her. The old woman’s husband had been a great warrior, and her son would follow his path. But the old woman was dried up and angry most of the time. She wanted me as property, not as company. She told me if I talked, she’d cut out my tongue.’’ Allie swallowed hard, remembering those early days. ‘‘I don’t believe she would have, but for years I didn’t say a word in any language. She made sure I worked hard and only ate after she judged there to be plenty. I lived with her five winters. The dawn when the raid came, I ran. I didn’t even look back when I heard her death cry.’’

Blinking back tears, she whispered, ‘‘Until you, the old woman was the kindest person I’d ever known.’’

Wes leaned across the table and touched her hand. ‘‘I’m not kind, Allie. Most men I know would say I’m hard and cold. Before I thought of myself as grown, I fought in a war and proved myself a good soldier. Over the years, I didn’t think about much besides staying alive.

‘‘Once in a while, I’d need to be near a woman, and there were always those willing. But with you it’s different. When I’m around you, I’m not just near a woman, I’m near you.’’

Allie tried to listen closely, but his meaning was unclear. Was he talking of the war, of women, or of her?

‘‘I’m not making any sense,’’ Wes tossed his napkin on the table. ‘‘We’d better get over to the telegraph office. There should be a reply by now.’’

Allie reached out her hand and touched his, stopping him from rising. ‘‘I have a question,’’ she whispered. ‘‘Why did you take me from the cage?’’

Wes raised an eyebrow as if he thought the answer obvious. ‘‘I couldn’t stand the thought of them treating you like an animal. You were like some kind of wild creature with your hair flying all around you and dirt caking your face.’’ He smiled. ‘‘But when I looked in your eyes, I knew you were enchanted.’’

He seemed uncomfortable, but continued, ‘‘There you were, trapped in a hell, and you stared at me like you were worried about my pain. No one’s ever done that before.’’

‘‘And why did you take me from Victoria’s house?’’

‘‘That Katherine lady would have picked you apart. You deserve to be with people who take the time to see inside you… who want you.’’

Allie watched him closely. ‘‘And do you want me?’’

The question was too honest not to be answered.

‘‘Yes,’’ he finally said.

One word didn’t answer her question. She had to have more. ‘‘How do you want me?’’ she pushed. ‘‘As property? As company?’’

‘‘I want you safe,’’ he answered. After a moment, he added, ‘‘I want you with me because, for some crazy reason, it feels right to have you close. You make me believe in a better world than either of us has ever seen.’’

‘‘I can take care of myself in my world. I lived for many winters alone. I won’t be anyone’s property again. You’ll have to cage me to hold me that way. And I’d fight. Eventually, I’d escape, so don’t think you can hold me just because you want to. It’s not your choice.’’

Wes looked frustrated. He’d finally gotten her to talk to him, and she suggested something he’d never do. Maybe they should go back to silence. ‘‘I wouldn’t lock you up, Allie. My life is a mess right now. Someone should probably lock me up. I sometimes question why you’d stay of your own free will. I’m chasing a dream that may never come true. I should be traveling fast and light, but all I can think about is you. I thought when I found your family everything would work out fine. Now I’ll have to think of something else. Until then, don’t threaten to run. When you go, it will be to someplace you feel is right.’’

Allie thought of telling him that she had a place to go, and if he’d just help her find the way, she’d be fine on her own. But she didn’t speak. Since the night in the barn, she was in no hurry to leave. She couldn’t seem to put it into words any better than he could, but she’d felt something when he’d kissed her. It was as if an invisible part of her reached out and laced into an invisible part of him, binding them, making them both stronger.

‘‘Will you ever kiss me again?’’ she asked, wishing she could feel that way again.

‘‘Would you like me to?’’

‘‘I think so,’’ she answered.

He leaned near and lightly touched her cheek with a kiss.

‘‘No,’’ she pouted, ‘‘like you did in the barn.’’

Wes laughed. ‘‘I’m afraid I can’t do that in public. Folks are watching us enough just because we’re strangers in town.’’

‘‘I can.’’ She stood suddenly and closed the distance between them. Before he could move, she tilted his head back and kissed him full on the mouth as he’d taught her to do in the barn.

Wes gently broke the kiss, his laughter tickling her lips. ‘‘We can’t…’’

‘‘Why not? Are we doing something wrong?’’

‘‘No.’’ He held her several inches away. ‘‘We most certainly are not doing something wrong. I’d say you’re doing it just right.’’

‘‘Then, again, please.’’ She strained against his hold.

‘‘It’s just that people usually don’t show affection so openly… not that it’s wrong. We’ll be the talk… not that I care about what anyone thinks in this town. But proper folks… even husbands and wives’’-he pulled her gently to him- ‘‘Oh, hell, Allie. Who cares if we’re in public?’’

She felt his warm, wonderful lips touch hers. His hand released her arm and spread lightly across her back just above the waist. It had been far too long since he’d last tasted her and she felt his hunger for the kiss equal her own.

A few minutes later, when she raised her head, everyone in the restaurant was looking at her. She leaned close to Wes and whispered, ‘‘Oh, I understand. The people no longer talk. They all watch us.’’

‘‘I’m guessing by the time we leave, they’ll have plenty to say.’’ He laughed as his nose brushed against her hair. ‘‘You know, if we don’t want folks to notice us, maybe we should act more like everyone else in the place.’’

‘‘Agreed.’’ Allie glanced around and saw no one else kissing, so she moved back to her chair. ‘‘I will not kiss you again.’’

‘‘Until we’re alone?’’

Allie nodded. ‘‘Until we’re alone. This I promise you.’’

A loud cough sounded from behind them. ‘‘I see you can act like newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. McLain.’’

Sheriff Hardy limped into view. He looked tired and road-weary, but he was smiling as though his journey was now at an end.

‘‘Morning, Hardy.’’ Wes’s voice was calm, but Allie didn’t miss the way he’d shifted his hand to within an inch of his gun.

Hardy lowered himself into the chair Jason had abandoned without waiting to be asked. ‘‘I’ve had quite a hunt trailing you two. By the time we figured out you were gone from the ranch, you had an hour start on me. In the old days, before I took the lead in my leg, I could have caught you by nightfall. Nowadays, I move a little slower.’’

‘‘Get to the point, Sheriff Hardy,’’ Wes interrupted. ‘‘If you’ve come to ask us to go back, forget it. Allie doesn’t need relatives who don’t welcome her. She can stay with me.’’

Hardy pulled out two cigars and offered Wes one.

Wes refused even though Allie saw the way his eyes followed the cigar back to Hardy’s pocket.

‘‘I know she can,’’ the sheriff admitted. ‘‘After you left, I went to town and telegraphed your sister-in-law, telling her you’d kidnapped Allie from her own grandmother’s house. She answered that as far as she knew in Texas a man can’t kidnap his own wife. Not if she goes willingly.’’

Hardy leaned back in his chair and lit his cigar. ‘‘I didn’t believe it until I walked in this place and saw the way this little lady kissed you.’’ His smile was somehow sad. ‘‘You’re a lucky man, Wes McLain.’’

‘‘So, why are you still here?’’ Wes grumbled. ‘‘You must have figured out by now that she’s not being held against her will.’’

The sheriff laughed again. ‘‘I know you’re not going to believe this, but I’m here to protect this little lady from the storm a-coming. You see, Victoria still doesn’t believe Allie’s her granddaughter, but Victoria’s son, Michael, isn’t taking any chances on having to split the family wealth. He’ll come looking for her. And when he does, I’ll have my gun loaded and ready.’’

To the sheriff’s surprise, Wes nodded. ‘‘He already has. We saw him and three other men at dawn. Luckily, they didn’t see us. They rode past, heading south, but Jason told us who he was. Tell him he has no worry from Allie. She doesn’t want anything from the Catlins.’’

Maxwell Hardy shook his head. ‘‘You’ll never convince Michael of that. I’m the only one he might listen to, and he hates me.’’

‘‘Mind my asking why?’’

‘‘He owes me his life,’’ Hardy admitted. ‘‘So until he shows up and I talk to him, I’m traveling with you.’’

‘‘I already have a crowd traveling with me.’’

Hardy took a long draw on his cigar. ‘‘Well, then, you won’t notice one more.’’

Wes stormed out of the cafe and headed to the barn with Allie and the sheriff in his wake. ‘‘I’m leading a damn parade!’’ he mumbled. He fought the urge to yell to the town, ‘‘Does anyone else want to come along on this secret treasure hunt?’’ Maybe he could get a band, or a medicine show. Maybe they could form a wagon train to Goliad. Hell, they were starting to follow him like he’d been appointed head cow on a long drive.

Wes stopped in the middle of the street. ‘‘I’m not going back to Victoria’s place, Sheriff. I can take care of Allie without any help.’’ Max might tag along, but

Wes wanted it plain the old fellow would be giving no directions.

Max shrugged. ‘‘I didn’t figure you were a man to backtrack.’’ He glanced down the length of Wes. ‘‘And I didn’t live this long without being able to size a man up. If it were just you and Michael, my money would be on you. But it’s not just you and him. Michael always takes along a few friends to increase the odds. He’ll follow you wherever you go.’’

‘‘Well, aren’t you even going to ask where I’m headed?’’

The old man shook his head. ‘‘It don’t matter. I’ll find out when I get there. All I know is, wherever you’re going, I’m tagging along.’’

Wes turned around and stomped onto the porch of the telegraph office. He felt like a fool. For some reason, Hardy was trying to protect Allie. The same thing Wes was trying to do. But instead of thanking the man, Wes was angry. After all, protecting Allie was his job.

As Wes entered the telegraph office, he thought about where to turn next. He could outrun Hardy with horses, but the sheriff would probably have every lawman in the state looking for him. And he had to admit, even in the dawn light, Michael did look like he could be meaner than a rattler, and four against one wasn’t very balanced. Plus, he had Jason to think about. He could shield Allie, but the boy might be caught in the crossfire if there was shooting. Hardy was older than used dirt, but he knew his way around trouble.

Wes accepted the return telegram. As he read a message from Wolf’s landlady, his hope faded. Wolf had already left for Fort Worth. She didn’t say more, but Wes sensed something was wrong. Nichole wasn’t due for another month. Whatever it was would have to wait a few days. Wes had a bucketful of problems to handle here. Nichole had Adam to doctor her and Wolf to look after her. She didn’t need him. He was worthless where babies were concerned anyway.

‘‘You can ride along as shotgun.’’ Wes folded the telegram, wishing he could fold away the problem as easily. ‘‘For Allie and Jason’s sake. But stay out of my business.’’

‘‘Of course.’’ Hardy nodded respectfully. ‘‘And what business might that be, Mr. McLain?’’

‘‘None of your business!’’

Hardy laughed and winked at Allie. ‘‘Interesting job your husband has, Mrs. McLain.’’

‘‘And stop calling her that.’’ Wes’s mood clouded over. ‘‘Her name’s Allie.’’

Maxwell’s head made tiny little shakes. ‘‘Of course. Yourwifeis named Allie.’’

‘‘That’s right.’’ Wes’s temper promised thunderstorms. Hardy wasn’t a man who knew how to keep his nose out of other people’s lives. Wes couldn’t help but wonder how he’d lived to be so old.

The weather echoed his disposition, for as they walked back outside, it began to rain. Wes pulled the hood of Allie’s blue cape over her hair and tucked her under his arm and they ran for the barn where they’d left the horses.

When they reached the shelter, Maxwell’s buggy stood beside the mounts.

‘‘Allie will be drier riding in the buggy,’’ the old man offered.

Wes agreed but hated not having her with him.

Hardy reached in the boot of his buggy and handed Jason a leather jacket that almost reached to the boy’s knees. ‘‘Better wear this, boy,’’ the old man coaxed. ‘‘And if I may offer, Gideon packed us blankets and rations in the boot to last a week.’’

Wes thought of turning him down. But in truth, the rations might come in handy. ‘‘Thank Gideon for me when you see him.’’

‘‘I will,’’ Hardy answered. ‘‘I’ll see him when I take back Michael’s body. I’ve kept him alive and out of jail for Victoria’s sake. But I’ll not let him kill Allie, and he’s never been a man to listen to reason.’’

Wes lifted Allie into the buggy. ‘‘Do you know how to use a gun?’’

She nodded. She’d seen them used, that should count. It didn’t look all that difficult.

Wes slipped a Colt from his saddlebag and laid it in her lap. ‘‘Keep this handy. I’m not sure what kind of storm we’re riding into.’’

She watched him closely as he covered the gun and her hands with a thick lap quilt.

‘‘I may ride up ahead in this storm. It’ll be hard for you to keep sight of me. But don’t worry. I won’t be far away. If you think there might be trouble fire a shot. I’ll be by your side as fast as I can.’’

Without a word or caring who was watching, she leaned over and brushed his lips with hers.

Wes pulled back, looking surprised. Then, suddenly, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her soundly.

When he finally pulled away, her eyes were shining with pleasure.

‘‘We’ll talk more later,’’ he whispered and vanished from her side.