Setting: Old West
Rating: PF — Profanity and AC — Adult Content
This is the second story set in the Hope Ranch AU (the first is A Shining Place Called Hope) Winnie, dear, I hope you salivate...
IMPORTANT AUTHOR"S NOTE: This was written in a bit of a hurry for a specific reason, no time for beta work or many edits, so read with kind eyes!.
The cafe was not crowded, most of the diners had gotten breakfast earlier. It was now after ten and it had taken an exceptionally long time for Chris to get moving. Although he'd taken a good dose of laudenum the night before and gotten over ten hours of sleep, the hot bath he just left felt like a miracle. He wasn't as stiff or sore and felt better for the first time in days.
He eyed Vin slouched on a bench outside the cafe. He'd left as Tanner woke up, agreeing to meet for breakfast. Vin had been gone for awhile the night before, arriving back in the room very late, after Chris had gone to bed. The moody Texan didn't offer where he'd gone and Chris didn't ask.
A waitress appeared with coffee and a basket of cinnamon rolls. Larabee's eyebrow went up in surprise when the notorius sweet-toothed Texan's hand didn't grab for one. He directed his eyes to the blackboard where the breakfast specials were written.
"Hotcakes, Eggs with peppers, onions and cheese with potatoes, Hot cereal, and eggs over easy with bacon." He paused and eyed the vacant chair. "I guess we shouldn't wait on Buck."
"Most likely he's still pirootin' with them painted cats," Vin rasped, dumping an abnormal amount of sugar in his coffee. He didn't have to look up to know the face next to him was distasteful. "Shut up, Larabee."
"I didn't say a word," Chris defended and pulled his mug closer for protection.
"...heard ya clear as dirt," Vin decided, as the waitress appeared. "Mornin' Ma'am, I'll have the hotcakes. Can I have some taters with that?"
"I can check," she said, writing down the order. Then she looked down and saw the large blue eyes.
"Oh, no, Ma'am, don't go t'any trouble."
"It's no trouble, sugar." She winked and smiled at the handsome young man. "How about some onions and peppers fried with them taters?"
"Reckon that'd go down real easy." Vin flashed her a winning smile.
"I'll have the peppers and eggs," Chris ordered and waited until she left and put on his best Tannerfied accent "Aw, hell, Ma'am, iffen ain't t'much trouble, kin I have some pie, cookies or yer daughter iffen she's available?"
"Shut up!" Vin laughed, "I ain't hardly that bad."
"I don't know how you do that," Larabee thought aloud, sipping his hot beverage. "WIthout even tryin', they end up wantin' to marry you or adopt you."
"Can't help it if women like t'fuss over me."
Vin reached for a cinnamon roll and was applying butter on it. He began to discuss the ride home. He didn't notice that Chris had riveted his eyes to the window. If he'd looked up, he'd seen a smile of pure bliss painted with nostalgia on the blond's lips. The kind of smile that goes right down to your soul and stirs up memories that you'll never forget.
"Damn..." Chris whispered, watching through the glass until the object of his attention was out of sight.
Buck ate in the saloon, it wasn't very good but it would do until he got back to the ranch. He saw Chris and Vin go into the cafe and he felt bad about parting on a sour note with Vin. He would apologize but decided it was too awkward in a public restaurant with three of them at a table. He had the horses ready and waited on the boardwalk until he saw them exit the eatery.
"Was wonderin' if you'd show up," Chris greeted, eyeing Buck's shirt buttoned too high with a kerchief tied over the collar. "Looks like them cats got you good."
"You'll never know," Buck teased, then lost his smile when Vin's head rose up. "Listen, Vin, I'm sorry about last night. I was out of line."
"I was a bit t'quick on the draw, Bucklin," Vin offered with his hand. "O'course a chocolate cake would help ease the pain."
"We ain't got any chocolate at the ranch." Buck was relieved at the firm shake. He clapped the younger man's back and swung into the saddle.
"Sure we do, " Vin replied, getting on his horse. "I keep it stocked with m'bullets."
"That's my sharpshooter," Chris bragged and grinned at the odd look on Buck's face.
"Ya need a hand?" Buck asked, wondering why Larabee wasn't moving towards his horse.
"No, I'm fine. I'm not leaving."
"Ya hurtin'?" Vin fretted. He thought Larabee was doing better.
"I'm fine, Vin, I spotted an old friend." Chris's gaze lingered on the hotel across the street.
"And it wouldn't be polite not to say hello, would it?" Buck guessed, reading the intense gaze too well.
"No, it wouldn't." Chris grinned, "You know how important manners are to me." He frowned when Vin began to cough. "Something stuck in your throat, Tanner?"
"Naw," Vin managed, swiveling in the saddle to eye the hotel. "She a looker?"
"You even gotta ask?"" Buck answered, "Maybe we ought to hang around and meet her. She might like to meet your friends."
"Maybe not," Chris decided, nodding to the road. "Bye."
"Could be ya might need some help," Vin decided and his mouth quirked. "I could step in when yer old ass passes out."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll manage." Larabee found a sly grin.and winked at them ."I do some pretty good work on my back. Buck isn't the only stud in the barn."
"I'll chalk that up to your concussion," Buck laughed, "You may be good, but you're no Wilmington." He moved up and clapped Vin's back. "Let's go, slick, the old man needs a lot of room to manuever his boys into action."
"That's one bet you'd lose," Chris argued with a coy grin.
"How long ya gonna be?" Vin asked.
"Hard to tell, but I'm not gonna rush. Don't look for me for a few days, I'll send word." He reached up and grasped the tracker's forearm. Then with a nod, they rode off.
Chris made his way slowly across the street, stopping at the desk first to inquire on the room. Then he went to his room to freshen up. He put on a clean shirt and combed his hair. He winced at the marred face and cursed his timing. He found the room easy enough. He tapped on the door and the voice that answered took him back in time, across a lot of miles and almost twenty years.
"Yes?"
"The fella in town at the paper said you're looking to hire on a hand for the summer."
She caught her breath and her hand went to her throat. It couldn't be, not after all these years. She moved to the mirror to eye the face, hoping that time would be kind. Would he still see the farmer's wife who'd hired on a lean blond twenty-year old one warm May afternoon? Had it been that long since that hot summer that turned into a bittersweet autumn? Taking a long breath, she ran a hand over her pinned up curls and then moved it to calm the butterflies dancing in her stomach. With great trepidation, she moved to the door. Her heart was pounding and her throat was dry. She took a breath and opened the door.
"Chris..."
Her voice died in her throat. The boy who left her farm that fateful day had grown into a tall, virle and handsome man. She never forgot him or that summer. She often wondered what happened to him. She couldn't believe he was standing here in front of her.
"Hello, Grace."
He smiled then and took his hat off. The years had been kind to her. He did the quick math and realized she was about fifty now, but she looked forty or younger. Still slim with a great shape, her auburn curls were still lush and dying to be tangled in his fingers. Those brown eyes were still warm enough to light a fire inside. He'd never forgotten the beautiful young widow who'd hired on a inexperienced boy and turned him into a man. The mint green robe accented her coloring. She had been changing for some reason. He saw two large bags to the side, traveling bags.
"Can I come in?"
"Oh... sure... where are my manners..." She moved aside. "I was changing..."
The door shut behind her and she leaned back against it, grateful it was there to hold her up. Chris had moved inside, past her and was eyeing the room. He was lean and the black jeans didn't hide much. She'd never had a lover like him, not in all the years that followed. She closed her eyes and recalled how sweet the hay in the barn smelled when they shared that first encounter. She still remembered the sensation of his sweat clinging to her and his kisses.
Chris tossed his hat onto the chair and turned around. It was a large room, a suite as a matter of fact. The room they were in was a sitting room with a sofa, table and chairs. In the next room he could see a large bed. The wallcovering was expensive, silk with pale peach roses. A room like this cost a lot of money. His eyes went from the crystal lamp to her face.
"God, you're beautiful," he said huskily, walking closer. The clerk had said she checked in alone. He cupped her chin and tipped her face up, then bent down and kissed her.
She moaned and moved instictively, melting in his arms. Her lips parted and her knees when weak when his tongue ravished her mouth. She felt his hands move up her back and tug at the hairpins. She shook her head and sent the curls down her back.
"Still like a waterfall, I could drown here," Chris murmured, pressing his face into the side of her head. He moved his lips past her ear and began to nibble at the silken skin on her neck.
"Oh God..." Grace managed, pulling back. She winced at the bruised face. She reached up to touch his cheek.
"I'm normally much prettier," Chris quipped, tugging the sash on her gown and moving his hands up her waist. He kissed her again, cupping her breast and thumbing the rosy nub until her knees buckled.
"We shouldn't do this," she suggested, tugging at the buttons on his jeans, while he continued to caress her. The robe fell off and she stepped free of it. "The stage leaves in a half hour."
"Damn shame." His teeth met her neck, while his hand ran down her thigh and inside her legs.
"The next one... " she gasped at the hot touch. "...for... Denver... isn't until... Thursday..."
She tugged his shirt out of his pants and leaned in, accepting a kiss and running her hands over his warm flesh.
"I can think of something to keep you busy," Chris growled and continued to torment her flesh. Then her hands hit a tender area on his back and it felt like a knife. He hissed and pulled back.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"
"No, some animal did, he's dead now." Chris took her hand and led her towards the bedroom. He paused in the doorway and drank in her beauty. "I can do most anything Mrs. Callison, if I can't you can show me."
"I think you'll do just fine, Chris Larabee," she recalled the first conversation they'd shared. She pushed the shirt off and frowned at the bandages. "Are you sure you can..."
Chris ended that thought with a searing kiss. He pulled her so close that she felt the heat from his loins. His hands moved down her back, then cupped her backside. He held fast and ground into her. He tossed her back on the bed and looked down at her. Her hair was fanned out and her lips bruised from the ambush. Her perfect skin was rosy with passion and her loins glistened in anticipation.
"That answer your question?"
She rolled over when he sat down. She saw him wince and grab his ribs. She scooted off the bed and knelt before him. She took each boot off and he stood up, stepping out of the tight pants.
"Looks like you're in a bit of discomfort there, son. Maybe I can help?"
Chris laughed at the coy smile peering up at him from under his passion. He laid back on the bed and she moved on top of him. She kissed him then, long and wet and let her talented teeth and lips wreak havoc on his chest and limbs. The heat was about to explode when she moved on him, riding him hard.
"You haven't lost your touch, Mis...sus... Call...i...s...on..." he panted and exploded inside her.
Later, resting against him with a quilt pulled over them, she sighed at the tender hand caressing her back. His fingers were drawing lazy circles and she was purring with content. She heard the stage pull out and chuckled.
"I'm sorry about that Mrs. Callison," Chris whispered, kissing the auburn crown. Her head popped up then with a devilish grin. "Looks like you missed your stage."
"You're a naughty boy, Chris Larabee." She slapped the side of his backside and crept up. Then she knelt over him, running a finger over his lips. He caught one and sucked on it hard, causing her to grin. "You'll have to be punished."
She used the silk stockings that had been peeled off and were hanging on the bedpost to tie his wrists to the side of the bed. She was wary of the shoulder and was careful. She straddled him and wiggled just right, causing him to grunt and toss his head.
Chris groaned and pressed his head back into the pillow when she kissed, nibbled and bit her way down his chest and toward his groin. It didn't take long for his passion to rouse again.
Being a prisoner was hell.
It was a quiet ride back home. Buck was slightly ahead of Vin and paused at the crest of the hill overlooking the ranch. He never got tired of looking at the sign with the words 'Hope Ranch' forged in bold letters. Seeing the beautiful ranch house and corral sprawled before him still made him sit up a bit straighter in the saddle.
"Sure is pretty," Vin commented.
"Never gets old, does it?"
"Nope." Vin lifted his head a bit and rode closer to the hillside. He recognized the horses in the corral. "Hey, looks like we got company."
"It's Sunday, Vin," Buck whooped, "That means Josiah's been cookin' up a storm."
Vin sniffed the air, closed his eyes and held his right hand out. "Chicken, taters, biscuits and some kinda pie, mebbe peach." He paused and nodded thoughtfully, "Yup with a lil' cinnamon."
Buck's eyes narrowed as the tracker rode ahead, slowing his gait as they went down the hill. "You're full of shit Vin!"
"Bust the moths outta yer pocket," Vin called back. "Five says I'm right."
Ezra was enjoying a peach brandy by the window and saw the riders approaching. JD and Nathan were playing checkers and Josiah was putting a pie in the oven. He'd never admit it, but he truly enjoyed their Sundays together here. They usually enjoyed a lazy afternoon, sometimes with a bit of encouragement, JD and Vin would race their horses around the ranch. Josiah usually made a fine supper and after, they broke out the liquor , cards and cigars. He was puzzled by the count of two rather than three.
"It would appear out numbers have diminished," he stated, recognizing the horses first. "Our illustrious leader is missing."
"I told him not t'go!" Nathan commented, moving his red piece over two of JD's black ones. "He wasn't ready for a trip like that."
"And I made Spanish Green beans, his favorite," Sanchez noted.
"More for me," Dunne exclaimed.
A few moments later, they all turned towards the door when Buck and Vin entered. Vin felt Nathan's eyes before he could get his hat off.
"M'fine, Ma!" He proclaimed, hanging his coat on the peg by the door and putting his hat on the shelf over it. The gunbelt came off next, on a hook beside the coat rack.
"Where's Chris?" Josiah asked.
"I'll bet he's flat on his back," Nathan guessed and then was confused when both Buck and Vin grinned.
"Well, you'd be right," Buck chuckled, "and I'm guessin' he's gonna be flat on his back for a few more days."
"Or bareback ridin'," Vin touted, heading for the kitchen.
"Is he okay?" Nate asked, eyeing the twin grins suspiciously.
"Well." Buck cast his eye on the clock on the mantle. "By now, I'd say that stud is having a nice siesta."
"Bareback riding?" Dunne quizzed, "Chris was barely able to handle the horse with a saddle."
"A siesta?" Josiah's head came up and a grin began to form. Without his eyes leaving Buck and the others, he snapped his right hand out to slap Vin's hand.
"Ow!" Vin yelped, jerking his hand back
"That's what you get for being sneaky," Josiah answered. "You don't get dessert until you eat."
"Aw, hell," Vin complained, eyeing the small tarts cooling on the windowsill. Josiah didn't waste any pie crust. He made the little bits leftover from the larger crusts into small ones and filled them with chopped nuts, molasses and sugar. "They was callin' me..."
"I suggest you tell them you'll see them later," Sanchez replied, "So Chris is havin' a siesta, good for him. Nothin' more pleasurable than a Sunday afternoon siesta."
"Quite!" Ezra agreed, raising his glass. "Bareback riding indeed!"
"I don't get it?" JD's head swiveled from one to the other. "What's the big deal about wastin' an afternoon alone with a horse and taking a nap ?"
"He isn't alone son, he's in the company of a woman." Standish raised his glass ." And if I know Mister Larabee, most likely a very comely one."
"He's with a woman?" Dunne's voice went up a notch.
"Jesus, I hope so," Buck laughed, "JD sometimes you're greener than the grass in the pasture."
"Shut up, Buck!" Dunne felt his face flaming.
"So, I'm guessin' yuh ain't had many siestas," Nathan teased, double-jumping JD again.
"Sure I have... sort of..."
"Sorta?" Vin laughed, snatching a mini-tart, "Ya either had or ya ain't, kid, there ain't no halfway."
"Guess you ain't the expert rider you said you were, " Buck ribbed.
"JD, yuh best quit while b'fore yuh hit purple," Jackson laughed at the deepening color.
"So who is the lady in question?" Josiah asked, putting plates around the large table.
"We didn't see her," Buck said, "But Chris sure got worked up. Said he won't be back for a few days or more."
"That's a helluva siesta," Sanchez grinned, turning to lift a large lid on the stove. He dished out the Spanish green beans into a large bowl. Then he opened the oven and took out a large dish full of chicken. Underneath the succulent meat was a bed of seasoned carrots and potatoes. Biscuits were already done and on the table.
"Give it over," Vin demanded, flashing a palm at Wilmington.
"Carrots and beans!" Buck defended , eyeing the bounty. "You didn't say anything about carrots and beans."
"It was 'plied!" Vin shot back and saw Buck's face screw up. "Plied?" He turned to Ezra, "Translation?"
"Implied," Standish offered, being the expert on Vinspeak.
The six gathered at the table and shared the delicious meal along with some lively banter. JD, of course, was the prime target but the youth withheld the barbs well. Twilight came and Vin went outside, taking his coffee to wait for the sunset. A few moments later he heard boots on the porch and knew the tread. Buck still felt bad about teasing Vin on their way out of town. He took the seat next to the Texan and sprawled his legs out. It was a cool evening and the colors in the sky were beautiful. As if sensing his thoughts, the younger man turned to him.
"No call fer that," Vin spoke quietly.
"I am sorry, Vin," Buck's voice was contrite. He sipped his coffee and kept an eye on the quiet tracker.
"It ain't yer fault," Vin admitted, sighing and shaking his head. "I ain't fittin' in m'skin these days. Can't sleep, can't think right when I'm awake." He paused and chuffed a bit. "T'many colored dreams."
"Ouch!" Buck chuckled, toasting that with his mug. "You got it, son."
"Got what?"
For a moment, Vin looked at young as JD and that gave the older and wiser Wilmington a grin. He slapped Vin's thigh lightly and his brows wagged. "A wound from Cupid's arrow."
"Don't start," Tanner denied, "Yer as bad as Lar'bee."
"Ain't no shame in falling in love with a beautiful woman, Vin. Hell, you'd have to be blind not to see she's got an eye for you."
"I can't... I gotta git rid o'this feelin'."
"It ain't done like, Vin," Buck advised, "It's not like a thorn you can pull out and patch the cut. Matters of the heart are a whole lot more complicated."
"I got a price on m'head, Bucklin," Vin rasped, sagging down as the full weight of his bounty hit his frame. "If someone came gunnin' and she got hurt..."
"Well, Vin, maybe it's time you got that fixed. Why don't you talk to the Judge? He's a fair man, Vin, he knows folks in Texas."
"I don't know," he hedged, then felt a hand on his back. He sighed then, relishing the warmth it brought.
"You ain't alone, Vin, you got us. Just think about it. I'll go with you if you want. I know Chris will. Hell, I bet there's a few women in Texas who I haven't been acquainted with yet. Could be time to start a line of the family down south."
Vin laughed then, shook his head and sat back, feeling the load lessen up. It was good to have brothers like Buck, who would carry that weight with you. Maybe talking to the Judge wasn't a bad idea. If it meant he and Inez could have a future together, it was worth a try.
The scent of something wonderful tickled his nose and drew his heavy eyes open. Like a sated cat, he stretched and yawned, allowing the warm sun to bask his skin. He eyed the pretty roses on the wallpaper and the pretty chair by the window. A single silk stocking was thrown on the seat. His wolfish grin appeared as he recalled the wild lovemaking. She was still a very generous lover who'd schooled him well in the ways of pleasuring a woman. Tools he honed over the years and still used.
The soft clatter of something hitting china drew his eye from the pretty bedroom. He sat up and groaned, putting a hand on his shoulder. Although the wound was healing, the stitches pulled. His back wasn't too sore but sore enough. His full bladder drew him to his feet.
"Don't," she called through the room. "I'm going to feed you in bed."
"Somethings can't wait," Chris deferred, frowing a bit as he looked for the chamberpot
Grace put down the tray of cheese and grinned, watching his confusion. She moved to the doorway and began to chuckle.
"It won't be so funny when I fill that expensive vase and you have to pay for it," Larabee answered.
"It's that door over there with the rose on it."
Chris cast a skeptial eye on the dark wooden door in the corner with a single rose painted on it. Curious, he moved over and turned the handle. Inside was a wooden bench and a porcelin seat. The fragrance of roses hit him immediately. On the side wall was a rack with a newspaper. On the other side was a roll of thin white paper.
"Shit!" He marveled.
"That's the idea," she laughed. "Use the roll, not the newspaper."
Outside the watercloset was a sink with a pitcher of water and a basin. There was a bowl with pleasant scented soaps and he washed his healing face and upper chest gingerly. He turned to see where his clothes were thrown as she was entering the room carrying a tray.
"I'm not dressed yet," he argued, eyeing the chicken pot pie, small fruit and cream tarts, cheese, grapes and wine."
"Now that would be a waste," she purred, nodding to the bed. "Climb back in, you'll need a full meal."
"Oh, really?" He growled lightly, padding back to bed. He sat back on the bed, resting against the pillows. The tray was deposited over his lap and he reached for the spoon, only to have his hand slapped.
"You worked hard all morning," she pressed, sitting next to him. "Besides, I don't want you wearing yourself out. You should save your energy for better things."
"I'll drink to that!" He touted, taking a glass of wine. "How are you Mrs. Callison?"
"Actually." She paused to deposit a spoon of chicken, peas, carrots and succulent gravy into his mouth. "It's Mrs. George Brown."
"How long?"
"Oh, about fifteen years now. It was too hard to hold onto the farm, I sold it and moved to Denver to be closer to my sister. She took ill one winter and died. She had three young children and George was a nice enough man. I was a bit lonely."
"All the men in Denver are blind?" Chris countered and got a soft hand through his hair and a caress.
"Thanks for that," she replied, handed the spoon over to him and poured herself some wine. She nibbled on some cheese and thought on the marriage. "My first husband, Ben, was my love match. When he died, a part of me died too. I just never found anyone..."
"I know about that," he agreed quietly. "I lost my wife and son a few years ago. Sara was..." He paused and looked to the window again unable to finish. A small hand on his cheek drew hiim back.
"I'm sorry, Chris. I can't imagine losing a child."
"I'm glad for that," he agreed. "So you married George because the kids needed a mother?" He swallowed a long draw of wine.
"Partially." She took a grape and slipped it between his lips. "I was getting older and the winters in Denver are very cold. About a year after she died, he asked me to marry him. I was a bit surprised but it hasn't been bad. He's done quite well, he's an investment banker. The children are all married and living close by. I have four grandchildren."
"That's great..."
"Yes, they are a great comfort. We don't... I mean... he has a mistress."
"He's a fuckin' idiot," Chris groused.
"He's a powerful man and like most men with money, he's a bit arrogant that way. She's very young, she works at the bank. He has a house for her on the other side of town. I travel and enjoy buying my antiques. That's what brought me down here, a couple we know in Denver were coming to Mexico to buy some antiques. They left two days ago for home, I'm glad I stayed on."
"Antiques won't keep you warm at night," Chris decided, finishing the pie and reaching for a cream tart.
"I'm not cold at night," she purred contentedly.
"Really?" He grinned, toasting her with his wine. "Good for you."
"He's a very handsome restaurantuer who wants no part of marriage. He's devoted to me, he travels with me sometimes. He went to Italy last summer to bury his mother and I left a week later for London, or so George thought." She moved off the bed and took the tray away. I spent the summer with him in Tuscany. It was lovely."
"You're lovely," He added, rolling her over when she sat down.
He made love to her slowly this time, using everything she'd taught him. He drank in the cries of ecstacy and worshipped her body until they were both sated, sleeping contentedly in each other's arms.
JD finished the breakfast dishes, dried his hands and took two mugs of coffee to the other room. Buck, Josiah and Vin were sitting around the wide, low pine table in front of the hearth. He handed one mug to Josiah and kept the other one.
"They're all over the place and that canyon." Buck tapped the map west of town with his finger. "is a long ride."
"How we gonna handle this?" Vin asked, eyeing the map that Buck and Josiah were studying. "Two'r east, three r'west and two'r north."
"Me and Josiah can take the two at Red Deer and swing south and get the pair at Lynford." Wilmington turned to Tanner. "You and the kid head west and pick up the rest."
"Well," Josiah sighed, scratching his chin. "That's gonna leave us short in town. Ezra can't handle this alone."
"He won't have to," JD answered, "Craig McTavish said he'd pitch in. He'll stay in town until Friday, then he's got to get back to his ranch. And Sam Dickerson said he'd be around."
"I don't know 'im much, but he seems alright," Vin noted of the new man hired to work at the Grainery.
"I talked with him for quite awhile one night," Buck replied, "He's a good man. Okay, we'll I guess we got some packin' t'do."
"We'll meet back here Friday," Josiah said, "Me and Buck might get back first, you two have further to go."
"But we're younger," JD bragged, "We won't wear out as quick."
"You wanna live to brag about that another year, youngster, you''ll show some respect," Sanchez scolded, thwacking JD on the back of the head.
"Come on, kid, let's get the gear ready," Vin tossed to Dunne.
Page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Return to Deirdre's Fic Archive | Return to Lady Angel's Library
