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“Go on,” she encouraged him. “What’s to be my role in this scheme?”
“You travel with me across Indian Territory with the wagonload of weapons to stock the store. During our journey I’ll teach you the skills you’ll need to survive in the West.”
Hanna smiled agreeably. “I find no fault with that. I’m aware that I have a lot to learn if I’m to become as self-sufficient and capable as you.”
“In exchange for my expertise, I want your expertise,” he insisted.
She frowned, befuddled. “I have no expertise. Heavens, I’ve never been allowed to explore my potential talents.”
Cale smiled at her and she felt a peculiar flutter in her chest. The man was almost attractive when he smiled, even with all that facial hair concealing his features. “You have more skills than you can imagine,” he said. “You possess the social graces and refinement I lack when it comes to fitting into society. I need to learn to fit in.”
The way he said it touched her heart. She, because of her wealth and the prestige of her family name, had been automatically accepted. But Cale’s background and occupation made him a social pariah. It wasn’t fair, but Hanna had learned long ago that life wasn’t necessarily fair.
“I’ll teach you to be a capable survivor if you’ll teach me to be a gentleman,” he continued. “Plus I’ll be your personal bodyguard during the trek through the wildest country you’ve ever encountered.” He stared at her grimly. “I won’t lie to you, Miz Magnolia. The journey through Indian Territory won’t be a Sunday stroll through the park. We’ll be traveling through rugged terrain. We’ll encounter bears, mountain lions and poisonous snakes—the worst of them being the two-legged variety. We’ll be camping out in the open most nights, subjected to inclement weather and possible attack. But you have my vow that I’ll protect you with my life, if you agree to this charade.”
Hanna swallowed uneasily. He wasn’t painting a pretty picture here. Perhaps she’d been too hasty when she decided to head west to claim her independence. Maybe she should’ve lost herself in the bustling crowds of Philadelphia, Boston or New York.
Yet this man claimed he’d take a bullet for her, if need be. Hanna had never experienced that brand of protective loyalty and devotion. Where she came from, her physical appearance—which she had nothing whatsoever to do with—elegant wardrobe, social status and wealth, drew empty pledges that were quickly given and hastily forgotten when an easier target and better opportunity arose.
Hanna’s respect for Cale rose another notch. She had the instinctive feeling that she’d finally met a man she could trust not to betray her or forsake her. They would both benefit from this bargain. She’d have a private chaperon, a tutor and bodyguard to accompany her to Texas. He would benefit from her social skills and her charade as his wife while he investigated his brother’s death. Although Cale hadn’t offered the gory details surrounding his brother’s demise, this was vitally important to him—as important as her need for freedom.
Cale wanted to ensure justice was served. Hanna didn’t blame him. She knew how much it hurt to lose a loved one, having lost her mother and brother—the two people in this world who actually cared about her. Having endured the heart-wrenching emotion of personal loss, Hanna had vowed never to let anyone close enough to subject herself to that kind of anguish again.
In Cale’s case, it must be a hundred times worse, knowing his brother’s murderer was running loose, preying on other innocent victims.
Cale stared at her solemnly, intently. “Furthermore, I agree to release you from our bargain the minute I apprehend Otis Pryor. You’ll be free to go your own way. I don’t need your money because I’ve stockpiled my own savings in the local bank.”
“My offer still stands,” she insisted. “If you intend to buy inventory for your store and rent space, you might need the extra funds. We’ll both need a suitable wardrobe to play this charade. I brought along only a few changes of clothes in my satchels.”
He nodded pensively. “Good point, Miz Magnolia. I hadn’t considered those details. So…do we have a bargain or not?”
Hanna peered at the sinewy hulk of man sitting across from her. She’d have to wait another month or two to enjoy her freedom, but it lessened the load that weighed down her conscience. This symbiotic liaison would be equally beneficial, and she hadn’t had to resort to her father’s manipulative methods to get her way.
She still wasn’t quite clear on exactly what Cale meant by “portraying the loving wife,” but she’d heard it whispered by her friends that feigning headaches, various illnesses and monthly feminine conditions worked effectively in holding amorous husbands at bay. Surely Cale wouldn’t want to upset her by forcing unwanted intimacy on her, since he desperately needed her cooperation in this masquerade to avenge his brother’s death.
Why, she could drop the entire charade at any moment, she realized. Then where would he be? For once she had the power to control the situation. He needed her, she realized, with an unfamiliar sense of pride and gratification. She’d been used before, plenty of times. Men perceived her only as a means to obtain wealth, as a prestigious trophy to drape on their arms. She’d never really been needed for a higher purpose.
My, that was something, wasn’t it? This self-sufficient, highly skilled gunfighter needed her, as much as she needed him. Hanna was firmly convinced now that fate was smiling down on her. Furthermore, if she succeeded in transforming Cale into a gentleman, she wouldn’t have to fret about her illogical attraction to him evolving into deep attachment. She, after all, disliked polished gentlemen, and she’d become immune to their practiced charm. The way she saw it, her bargain with Cale placed her in a no-lose situation. The man and this arrangement were positively perfect.
“Very well,” she said decisively. “We have a bargain. The sooner we’re married the better. In addition, you’ve mastered your first social skill, sir.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” he asked curiously.
“You managed to conduct a civilized conversation that lasted more than a minute.”
She smiled and he smiled back. Another unfamiliar sensation flooded her chest when his onyx eyes sparkled with amusement. It was as if they’d just formed an unlikely bond and cleared another hurdle in their negotiations. The expression of relief that settled on his rugged features must surely have mirrored her own sentiments. The bargain was set. Excitement and anticipation sizzled through Hanna.
She was one step closer to casting off the yoke of her father’s domination and embracing her promising future.
All she had to do was fight her way through an infestation of outlaws and renegades in the wild, untamed territory that was known as the Armageddon of the West. She’d do her part to aid in the capture of a notorious murderer and his army of ruthless desperadoes.
And then she’d be home free….
Good gad! What was she getting herself into?
Chapter Four
Hanna awoke the next morning teeming with excitement and anticipation. She was anxious to gather supplies that would aid in her quest to discover her hidden talents. With a tidy roll of cash stashed in her reticule, she opened the hotel room door, then smiled in greeting when Cale’s door opened a moment later.
“Good morning,” she said cheerfully. To her dismay his penetrating gaze drifted over her pale blue gown and lingered on the gold locket around her neck. She thought she looked passable in her simple gown, but apparently he disagreed.
“Take Skeet with you,” he said without preamble as he clutched her arm to assist her down the steps.
“That isn’t necessary,” she insisted. “I’m only going to pick up a few gowns and supplies at the general store.”
“Skeet, guard,” Cale ordered the menacing-looking dog, which reminded Hanna more of a wolf than a domesticated canine. “I’ll purchase the buckboard and trail rations for the trip while you’re shopping. I’m due to testify in court this afternoon, so I’ll speak with Judge Parker about the ceremony.”
Another surge of excitement washed through her as she descended the steps. Considering Cale’s swift efficiency, she might be wed within a few days—making her untouchable to her father. The prospect filled her with elation and she smiled.
“You look mighty pleased with yourself, Miz Magnolia,” Cale noted, studying her intently. “Any particular reason why?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to reveal her true identity and the reason for her excitement, but caution bade her to bide her time. She’d tell Cale everything he wanted to know after she had the marriage license in hand.
“I’m eager for our wedding.” It was the truth—sort of.
“Eager to marry me?” He scoffed. “I doubt it.”
Hanna halted abruptly on the landing. “Now, see here, Mr. Elliot, I will not have you putting yourself down in my presence. I don’t care what anyone in this town—or this entire country, for that matter—thinks. You are the perfect husband and I want you to be mine!”
Cale blinked in surprise when she emphatically defended his worthiness for the second time. Damn, if this mere wisp of a female didn’t make him feel good about himself.
He stared at her uplifted chin, then his traitorous gaze drifted over the scooped-neck bodice of her gown and the trim indentation of her waist. She was such a tempting morsel—which was why he insisted on sending Skeet along as a bodyguard.
The woman didn’t seem to have a clue how much trouble she could get into just tramping down the streets of this rowdy town. If any man tried to lay a hand on her, Skeet would make him back off—or risk losing a few fingers.
“I’ll meet you back here for lunch,” Cale instructed as he escorted her down the last flight of steps. “In the meantime, pay attention to your surroundings. Got it?”
When she laid her hand on his arm and smiled up at him, Cale steadied himself against the baffling sensations her touch evoked. Her skin was as smooth as alabaster and his was as rough as alligator hide. That was just another reminder of the polar differences between them. And if she didn’t stop reaching out and touching him unexpectedly he wouldn’t be able to keep his mind on business.
Bottom line—this woman’s touch affected him. She affected him. Keeping his vow to bypass a wedding night was going to be torture, pure and simple.
Of course, Miz Rawlins from N’Awlins had a noticeable effect on all men, Cale decided as he stared at the male crowd that hovered by the door—with their tongues hanging out and their leers directed at his future bride.
“It’s so sweet of you to fret about me,” she said, totally oblivious to the gaggle of men gawking at her.
“I’m a long way from sweet,” he snorted. “No one has ever used that word to describe me before.”
“Then they obviously don’t know what a fine man you are,” she insisted. “But I can take care of myself. Truly.”
That, he thought, remained to be seen. Cale placed his hand possessively on the small of her back to guide her through the raft of men staring at her as if they’d never seen a woman before. Certainly not one as refined and bewitching as this one.
He inwardly groaned when they stepped outside to find another congregation of men waiting to feast their eyes on the newest arrival. Apparently the news of Sarah Rawlins’s heart-stopping good looks had spread through Fort Smith like wildfire. Hell, it’d be a full-time job watching over her. Cale was definitely going to dress her in oversize buckskins and a hat to disguise her gender during their trek through Indian Territory.
When they parted company, Skeet trailed at her heels. Cale watched a dozen male gazes follow the hypnotic sway of her hips. Possessiveness slammed him broadside again, but he told himself to get past it. This wouldn’t be a true marriage, after all. It wasn’t a marriage of convenience, either, because there would be nothing remotely convenient about having Sarah underfoot. She’d be an invitation for trouble and the worst personal temptation imaginable if Cale didn’t make her look like a boy—from a distance. Up close, there was no question that she was all woman.
Adding suitable clothing for Sarah to his own list of purchases, Cale strode off to the blacksmith’s shop to modify a wagon with a false bottom to conceal his shipment of weapons. No way was he going to advertise the fact that he was hauling enough guns and ammunition to equip a small army. He wanted to project the appearance of two travelers laden down with household supplies. That in itself was temptation enough for the swarm of thieves that lurked in Indian Territory.
Cale sighed in frustration as he strode into the livery stable. He had the unmistakable feeling that, despite all the experience he had under his belt, wedding Sarah and toting her across rough country was going to be the most difficult task he’d ever undertaken. And even though she kept insisting that he was perfect for her, Cale didn’t believe it. He’d never believe it, because he knew who and what he was—and so did everyone else around these parts.
He suspected she’d lose most of her cheery idealism after their rugged trek to Texas. Miz Magnolia didn’t know it yet, but she was on a collision course with reality. A damn shame, that, he mused. He wished the world was as rosy, noble and embracing as she wanted to think it was.
Hanna scurried around the general store like an enthusiastic child on a limitless shopping spree. Already she’d grabbed two sensible gowns off the rack, gathered art supplies, knitting needles, yarn, two bolts of fabric, parchment and charcoal pencils—in order to pursue her quest for her hidden talents. When she discovered her potential—whatever it might be—she was going to be prepared.
“Anything else, miss?” the shopkeeper questioned as he eyed her copious purchases curiously.
Hanna was certain the proprietor considered her frivolous and eccentric, but for the first time in living memory she didn’t have to explain herself to her father or anyone else. “No, this will be all,” she said most politely.
Hanna handed over the cash after the frizzy-haired man totaled her expenses. She scooped up the armload of packages and spun toward the door. Skeet waited just outside, and she swore the wolflike creature scowled in displeasure at her for separating him from his beloved master.
Honestly, there was no need for Cale’s precaution, she mused as she strode down the uneven boardwalk, leaving Skeet to sniff at whatever had caught his attention. No one was going to molest her right here in broad day—
Her thoughts scattered like buckshot when an unseen fist clamped around her elbow and forcefully jerked her into the alley. Before Hanna could let out a shriek, a grimy hand curled around her nose and mouth, cutting off her air supply. Terror pulsed through her veins when she glanced sideways and recognized the scruffy ruffian who had approached her on the docks. Hanna kicked and squirmed when the man wrapped an arm across her chest and dragged her deeper into the shadows.
Where was that blasted dog when she needed him? Moments earlier he’d only been a few steps behind her. Well, Hanna decided, it was time to prove she could fend for herself. She dropped her packages and bit a chunk out of the man’s finger. Simultaneously, she kicked her heel against his shin. Her abductor howled and cursed foully, but he refused to remove his hand from her mouth, so she bit down even harder on his finger.
“Argh!” Her captor yelped as he shoved her roughly against the side of the building. Trash barrels tumbled, and Hanna hit the dirt with a dull thump as he heaved her away from him.
Her breath gushed out in a whoosh as her head and spine slammed against the clapboard walls. She tried to scream before he pounced at her, but he’d knocked the breath clean out of her. No sound escaped her lips except a feeble whimper. And then he was upon her, backhanding her before he jerked her to her unsteady feet.
Finally Hanna managed to gather her wits and expel a bloodcurdling scream with Skeet’s name attached to it. The inhuman snarl from behind her gave her hope, but the burly brute had ripped the bodice of her gown and left it gaping before the wolf dog lit into him with teeth bared.
Suddenly it was her captor who was squealing like a stuck pig, fending off a vicious attack. Hanna, clutching her torn gown, braced herself against the wall and screamed for all she was worth. In fiendish horror she watched the dog—which she suddenly loved dearly—make short shrift of her abusive attacker.
As Hanna pressed a shaky hand to her stinging cheeks, she swore she’d never again be so naive and trusting when Cale warned her of potential danger. She’d probably gotten exactly what she deserved for not paying attention, but she was ever so glad Cale had insisted on sending along Skeet.
Cale jerked to attention when he heard a piercing shriek in the distance. He dropped the piece of lumber and dashed from the livery. Sarah was in serious trouble. The second shriek put him in a dead run, and he accidentally knocked bodies out of his way as he tore off down the street.
It had been years since Cale had dealt with the sensations of panic and fear. He’d mastered those emotions, but fear for someone other than himself was totally unfamiliar. He didn’t like the feeling that had his pulse hammering like hailstones, his gut twisting into a tight knot.
When he heard a vicious growl and a wail of pain, he elbowed through the crowd of onlookers and dashed through the trash-strewn alley. His legs suddenly refused to move when his gaze landed on Sarah, whose flawless face now boasted a red welt and whose delicate gown had been ripped from neck to waist.
Cale was still standing there, immobilized, when Sarah spotted him. She dashed toward him like a homing pigeon going to roost. She cuddled against his chest, and his arms reflexively closed around her. He felt her quaking fear vibrating through every fiber of his being.
“Call off Skeet,” she croaked.
“Not in this life,” Cale growled as he watched Skeet pin his victim to the dirt, his powerful jaws resting threateningly against the man’s jugular. Any heathen who laid his filthy hands on Sarah deserved to be chewed to bitesize pieces.
“Skeet, stop!” Hanna demanded as she huddled against Cale.
Amazingly, the dog unclamped his jaws and stood over the man, with his sharp teeth mere inches from his throat. Bemused, Cale arched a brow. It was the first time Skeet had obeyed a command from anyone but him. Must’ve had something to do with the fact that Sarah had tucked the uneaten portion of her supper steak in her purse and left it for Skeet the previous night, Cale decided.
“Somebody get the town marshal,” he ordered. “Now!”
Bodies scattered while Skeet stood guard, refusing to let the miscreant gain his feet and run for his life.
“Damn it, woman, didn’t I tell you to pay attention?” Cale snapped angrily.
Sarah nodded her tousled head, but refused to look up at him. He didn’t blame her. He was feeling positively murderous and probably looked it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think—”
“Obviously not,” he interrupted sharply. This was a good time to teach her a valuable lesson that she damn well better not forget. “You don’t trust anyone if you want to survive. You presume nothing. You remain on constant alert. Have I made myself clear?”
She jerked back slightly and glared up at him. When he saw the red welt on her cheek at close range and noticed the extent of the damage to the gown she clutched modestly to her chest, the damnedest thing happened. The vicious fury drained right out of him. Just like that. Poof! Suddenly it didn’t matter that this naive innocent hadn’t applied every precautionary measure that had become second nature to him. All that mattered was that she was alive and in one piece—more or less.
“Well, hell,” Cale muttered as he noticed the unshed tears glistening in those mystifying violet eyes. He slid his arm beneath her knees and scooped her into his arms.
“Put me down! I—”
“Clam up, Magnolia,” he interrupted as he carried her through the crowd of onlookers. “Skeet, stay.”
Without another word Cale strode toward the hotel, and he didn’t break stride until he reached his room. Propriety be damned, he decided. He was going to deposit Sarah in his bedroom, and nobody better mess with her again or he’d go on a shooting spree the likes of which this town had never seen!
It dawned on Cale that he’d gone a little crazy, was feeling off balance and out of control. But he didn’t care. Any man who would abuse a woman deserved to be poisoned, shot, stabbed and hanged in short order. It had been a sensitive issue with him since his—Well, for a long time. ’nuff said.
Cale laid Sarah gently on his bed, then forced himself to look away when his gaze dropped to the exposed swell of her breasts. She clutched at the tattered bodice and her face turned the same color as the welt on her cheek. Cale wheeled around to grab a towel, then dipped it in water.
“Here, Magnolia,” he said as he sank down on the edge of the bed. “Hold this to your cheek. I’ll fetch you another dress.”
“Th—thank you,” she stammered shakily. “I—I’m really sorry I’ve inconvenienced you.”
Well, there was another first, he realized as he stalked across the hall to retrieve the lavender gown that was draped over the end of her bed. No one had ever apologized for inconveniencing him and scaring him half to death before. He snatched up the garment and quickly reversed direction.
“Put this on while I retrieve Skeet.” He jerked his pistol from its holster and his knife from its sheath on his thigh. He laid both weapons beside her. “Anybody comes through that door besides me, you shoot ’em, and stab ’em a couple of times for good measure. I’ll be right back.”
She stared at the weapons with rounded eyes, then peered up at him.
“And don’t tell me you can’t or won’t shoot,” he demanded gruffly. “You’ll do what you have to do to protect yourself and that’s that.”
Cale wheeled around and marched out the door. Once he was in the hall, he sucked in a deep, steadying breath, and told himself to calm down. It was easier said than done. In the last quarter of an hour something had shifted and resettled inside him. He couldn’t put a name to it. Wasn’t sure he wanted to.
Hell and damnation, his brief association with the mysterious Miz Magnolia was altering his life in ways he hadn’t anticipated. He couldn’t deal with her without being affected by her. Furthermore, he’d only had to worry about protecting his own hide for years. Now he was saddled with an incompetent female who naturally attracted trouble and didn’t know how to handle it effectively.
He had to be capable enough to protect her, as well as himself. Yep, he decided on his way down the steps. He definitely had to teach that helpless female several self-defense maneuvers or he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night, wondering who’d be waiting to molest her when she struck off on her own in the West.
His life had suddenly become complicated, he realized, as he hiked off down the street to collect his dog and ensure that Sarah’s attacker was carted off to jail.
Hanna levered herself onto a wobbly elbow, then pushed upright to shed her torn gown. The delighted anticipation of gathering supplies had been ruined by the unexpected attack. But what disturbed her most was the way she’d flung herself into Cale’s arms the instant he arrived on the scene of disaster. For some reason she was embarrassed to have a man as capable and self-reliant as Cale Elliot witness her incompetence. Why that should matter so much Hanna didn’t know. But it did matter—a lot.
