Chapter Thirteen

“Goddamn you.”

Kate flinched at Cole’s curse. But felt certain he was right … God had indeed damned her. She also believed that the man standing before her would, at any moment, send her to meet her Maker.

But Cole apparently wasn’t finished with her just yet. He stabbed the air between them with his pointing finger. “You’re lying. You read that name in the telegraph. You don’t know anything about—”

“Why would I lie, Cole?” Kate’s hands fisted at her sides. “Why would I say I’m Anne Candless if I wasn’t? Why?”

Cole looked everywhere but at her as he cast about for answers, as if the night wind or the stolid oaks surrounding them would give him the reason—one good enough to keep him from pulling his Colt and shooting her dead. His gaze locked with hers. “Because you saw it and got scared that I—your husband now—would be the kind of man who could shoot a woman. You wanted to confront me and challenge me.”

She nodded. “You’re right about one thing. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering just what type of man Mr. Talmidge would send. I wondered how low-down a critter the hired gun would be. And then, it did scare me that it was you, Cole.”

He stared at her, his jaw worked, his frown deepened. “You’re not Anne Candless. Your name is Kate Chandler.”

Kate started to speak, but a sudden calm, like the eye of a storm, befell her. A new awareness settled over her. She frowned, seeing Cole as if this were the first time she’d ever seen him. No man could be stronger, more solid, more sure of himself. Yet somehow he appeared young and scared, possibly like the little boy he’d been many years ago. To Kate, he looked as if a stiff breeze could knock him over, or as if his whole world was falling apart.

Suddenly she knew, without really knowing, that the truth of who she was would save not only her … but him, as well. She had to convince him of her identity. It was her only hope … and his. Yet she didn’t even know what she meant by that. She just knew it was true and, therefore, good. Still, when she spoke, it was with a quiet authority in her voice that surprised her, a quality she’d never heard before. “Your not wanting me to be Anne Candless doesn’t make it the truth, Cole. And that’s one thing that’s been missing between us before now. The truth.”

Cole pulled himself up stiffly, as if she’d slapped him. “I’ve always told you the truth, Kate. Always.” He quieted. Kate employed his own tactic against him … she waited. Then, the words burst out of him. “Except about finding that cousin of mine. I intended to, at first. But then I realized … the kids are better off with you, like you said.”

Kate struggled not to look down in shame. Those sweet, precious children. How could she face them? How could they be better off with her? Only through a sheer effort of will did she maintain a level gaze as she met his dark eyes, so glittery in the silvered night. “Only I won’t be around for them to live with, will I? It’s your mission to see to that.”

“Dammit, Kate, stop this. It’s not my mission. Besides, I know you. You’re a good woman. You wouldn’t even steal the time of day, much less money and jewelry.”

A tsking sound escaped her. “Money and jewelry. I read that in the telegraph. And, you know, you’re right. I wouldn’t steal from him. Or from anyone else. I guess that’s the only thing he could think of to get someone like you to take the contract on my life.”

“I didn’t want to, Kate. I had to. There wasn’t anything—”

“Do you hear yourself? You’re apologizing to me—me—for taking the contract. Does that mean you believe me when I say I’m Anne Candless?”

His frown deepened. “Don’t twist my words, Kate. And I don’t believe you’re her. All I’m saying is I took the contract against my better judgment. I have my sister’s kids to feed and clothe. That takes money. So I had no choice in the matter—”

“I know something about that. I know about how your back gets to a wall before you know it. I might be young and all, but I’m not innocent of the ways of the world. Not anymore. You see, I didn’t find my back to a wall. Rather, it was to a mattress. For days on end—weeks, Cole. Oh, it was the finest mattress available. Feather-stuffed. In a beautiful room. Inside a wonderful mansion—”

“What are you saying, Kate?” Cole stilled.

Kate swallowed, suddenly overcome with the memory and the emotion of what she’d lived through. “I’m saying…” The words wouldn’t come. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes against the tears that threatened, against the awful pictures in her head. Then she opened her eyes and saw Cole hadn’t moved. “I’m saying I’m Anne Candless. Only the message you got was wrong. My real name is Anna Chandler. Anna Katherine Chandler. Kate, to you.”

Kate watched as several emotions played over Cole’s face. Disbelief. Shock. Then, and slowly, dawning realization. Followed by denial. “You’re lying. And I won’t listen to another word.” He turned on his heel, turned away from her.

Kate pushed forward, grabbing his sleeve and turning him to face her. “No. For the first time since you’ve known me, Cole, I’m not lying. I’m who I say I am—Anna Katherine Chandler.”

“Youngblood,” he said through gritted teeth. “You’re a Youngblood now.”

For long wordless moments, Kate could only stare at him. Then she exhaled … her breath felt hot and moist against her lips. “Yes, I’m a Youngblood now. And I couldn’t be more sorry for you because of that.”

“Sorry for me? Why?”

“Because now you have to face me with that knowledge. Or Mr. Talmidge. You have to do the right thing, Cole. But only by one of us.”

“Son of a bitch,” Cole muttered under his breath as he tugged himself out of her grip and again turned his back to her.

Kate died a thousand deaths inside as he struggled with his dilemma. She wanted to reach out, to touch him, to beg him to understand. But she could do none of that. His dilemma was as much of her making as it was Mr. Talmidge’s. So all Kate could do was stare at Cole’s back, at his broad shoulders, and wonder what he would do. Should she already be running away? Had she been a fool to stand here and spell it all out for him? Not that he appeared to believe her completely yet.

Just then, Cole pivoted around to face her. His features, in the moonlight, reflected a gunfighter’s steeliness. “What did he do to you, Kate?”

Breathless, scared, Kate could only get out, “Then you believe me?”

“I don’t know what to believe. All I know is I’ve had my doubts since the day I took this job. It seemed to me that money and jewelry, to someone like the Talmidges, shouldn’t amount to a death sentence for some poor maid. I figured there was more to it, but I also figured it wasn’t my job to question the why of it. Because the final decision was mine. If I didn’t like the work, I didn’t have to take the money. But I did take it, and like I said, I had to—for the kids.”

Kate nodded. “I understand that … about the kids.” She could see the reason in everything he said—even the part about doing what he did for his sister’s children. After all, hadn’t everything she’d done—every lie she’d told, every decision, good or bad, she’d made—been for her baby’s sake? Almost unconsciously she put a hand to her belly in a gesture of protection.

Cole pointed at her gesture. “That’s what I want to know, Kate. Who’s your baby’s father?”

Kate’s hand fisted around her skirt’s fabric, her chest hurt as she tried to take in a deep breath but couldn’t. She raised her chin a notch. “The father doesn’t matter. The baby’s mine … and I love her.”

“I’m not saying you don’t. I’m just asking you if Edgar Talmidge is the father. He is, isn’t he? And he’s the one who wants your baby.”

A yelp of hateful truth escaped Kate. She retreated a few steps, turned her face away from Cole’s steady scrutiny. Instantly he stepped up to her, gripping her by her arms. “Look at me, Kate. What did he do to you? Tell me.”

“No,” she cried out, on the verge of sobbing.

Cole’s grip on her tightened. “Dammit, Kate—tell me.”

She twisted, fighting his hold on her. “No. I won’t. You know what he did. What else could it be?”

Suddenly, Cole stilled. Something was different, something in the air, maybe. Or was it something between them? Whatever it was, Kate could sense it. She abandoned her futile struggling in favor of staring at him through the haze of her hair that had fallen across her face. Never before had she seen an expression like the one now on Cole’s face. Murderous. Hating. Vengeful.

As swiftly as he’d grabbed her a moment ago, he now released her and stepped back. Kate thought sure she’d lost, that he would pull out his gun and shoot her. But his next words proved her wrong … and scared her even more. “I’ll kill him,” Cole said quietly. “I promise you that, Kate. With my bare hands, I’ll kill him. That bastard son of a bitch won’t live long enough to see the sun rise tomorrow.”

And then, he turned away and stalked off, the underbrush rustling and snapping under his every step. Kate froze in position, her eyes wide, her knees locked against the heavy weakness invading her bones. She watched his retreating figure and knew she couldn’t let him do that. Anything could happen. He could get himself killed instead. And if he succeeded in killing Mr. Talmidge—and she thought he would—he’d have to make his getaway and live the life of an outlaw or he’d be caught and hanged for murder. All on her account. But the worst aspect, to her, of each of those possibilities, was that she’d never see him again.

Which told her another truth about herself, one she was now ready to admit. She had to see him. Every day of her life. And so she chased after him, finally catching up to him and falling in beside him. She all but skipped along in her effort to keep pace with him. She thought about tugging on him, trying to get him to stop. But instantly discarded that idea. Because as purposeful as his every step was—and fueled as each one was by an awful anger—he’d only shrug her off. So Kate employed her only weapons—her thoughts and her words—instead, carefully chosen words that hopefully would influence him. “You can’t do this, Cole. Think of the children. What would they do without you?”

“They’ll have you.” His tone of voice matched the terseness of his words.

“Me? I’m not so sure. I think Mr. Talmidge’s family—and especially his wife—would make sure I was dead too. And in trying to get me, they just might get the kids too. That’s why I said that Joey, Willy, and Lydia can’t be with me.” He didn’t say a word. Kate exhaled sharply. “Cole, are you listening to me?”

“I am. And I think that’s pretty far-fetched, what you’re saying.”

“No it isn’t. It’s about as far-fetched as your sitting around the campfire only a bit ago with me and reasoning out loud about the Talmidges and me—and being right about it all.”

“That may be, but I’ve got to do what I think is right.”

“Well, what is right, Cole? Tell me that.”

But he didn’t. In the face of his silence, Kate focused her attention on the tangled fallen branches that littered the ground and threatened to trip her … and the approaching silvered edge of the stand of trees that sheltered them now. She realized they were heading toward the hills where the fancy people slept. Where the elegant gentlemen and ladies—especially one who looked just like her—resided for the night.

“You’re asking me what’s right, Kate? You have to ask that?”

His explosive words, coupled with his abrupt tone of voice, split the still night air like a knife’s slashing arc, and made Kate jump in surprise. But she was ready with her answer. “I do. I have to ask. Because I’m the one who was wronged, Cole. Not you.”

Finally, he stopped. Kate did the same, her heart pounding. “That may be. But you’re my wife now—”

“No, Cole, you’re not going to use that. Not for murder. Sharing the same last name is only part of our business arrangement. And nothing more.”

He shook his head. “Maybe it was at first, Kate. But not now.”

Kate’s throat all but closed. What was he saying? “No. You don’t—”

“But I do. And so do you. Are you going to stand there and tell me any different? I see how you look at me, Kate. I watch you.”

Kate wasn’t even sure the covering darkness could hide the heated blush warming her cheeks. “I watch you because … I don’t have anybody else to look at.”

Cole made a derisive sound, one that put the lie to her words. “Don’t play games with me. We’re both adults, Kate. I watch you. And you watch me. There’s a reason for that. And I think you know what it is.”

Kate’s chin rose a prideful notch. “That may be true, Cole Youngblood … about me watching you. But I figure I’ve got good reason, you being who you are. But still, there’s nothing between us—not what’s between a husband and wife who, well, who … love each other. We don’t have that.”

“You mean I haven’t touched you yet, like a man does a woman?”

Acute embarrassment—and a dose of lingering fear—had Kate looking everywhere but at him. “No. I mean, yes. You haven’t. Not that I want you to, mind you.”

Cole chuckled. “It’s okay. I’m not going to try. I just didn’t know you wanted me to.”

Kate gasped, her gaze locked with his. “I never said I did.”

He held up a hand, cautioning her, calming her. “It’s okay. We’re talking about me. Trust me”—his gaze slipped appreciatively over her, warming her—“it hasn’t been because I haven’t wanted to.” Then he looked into her eyes. “But just when in hell have I had a chance, Kate? We’ve been on the move for days with three kids. And then there’s been your sickness and your bleeding. How many reasons do I need? There’s no privacy. We’ve only known each other about a week. All of that. But beyond that, I wasn’t even sure you wanted me to touch you. I don’t figure that some piece of paper gives me the right. I’m not that kind of man. Because, like I said earlier, I’d never hurt you.”

Kate could only stare at this man standing in front of her. He’d probably said close to everything she’d ever want to hear him say. And at the worst possible moment, too. But she’d be darned if she was going to miss this opportunity not to use his words against him—in an effort to keep him alive now, so they could someday explore these feelings between them. “I appreciate everything you just said,” she began. “I truly do. Your words mean a lot to me. Especially the ones about how you’d never hurt me. Because I figure that, right now, the only thing you could do to hurt me is to kill Edgar Talmidge.”

Cole stiffened, his chin came up, his expression became granite. He looked at her as if she were horse droppings on his boot heel. “Are you telling me—after what that man did to you—you have warm feelings for him?”

Stung to the core, Kate’s words burst out of her. “Dear God! No. The only thing I feel for him is hatred. And there’s nothing I’d like better than to kill him myself.”

“Then why—”

“Because it’s wrong, Cole. Just like what you do for a living. It’s wrong. If you kill him, or if I kill him, it’ll just set off a chain of other killings. A man with that much money and all that family? Why, there’s no telling where it would all wind up and who would be dead. Too many innocent people, I’m afraid. You have to understand that when I escaped that house in New York, I made an important decision, Cole. And that was to go on living. For my baby. I chose to put it all behind me and to face each new day as it came. Because I couldn’t do it for myself. And I still can’t.”

He put a hand out to her. It was meant no doubt as a sympathetic gesture, but Kate flinched. She felt too fragile right now to be touched. He lowered his hand. “Kate, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

She nodded, sniffed back her gathering emotion. “I know you didn’t. But it’s okay now. I’m all right. And that’s thanks to you, Cole.”

“Like hell it is.” He turned away, facing the beckoning hills shining just beyond the trees. His forbidding stance—hands to his waist, a knee bent, his shoulders squared—spoke volumes. Kate saw right through his pose, right through to the good man underneath, the one struggling to do the right thing by everyone, including her.

“You have trouble accepting yourself as a good man, don’t you?” The words were out before she could stop them, before she even knew she was thinking them.

“No. I don’t have any trouble with that, Kate. Because I know I’m not a good man. You just said so yourself not five minutes ago.” He threw the words back over his shoulder.

Kate thought back and realized he meant her comment about how he made his living. “I didn’t say you weren’t a good man, Cole. I said what you do for a living is wrong.”

“It’s the same thing for a man, Kate. What he does to earn his keep is who he is.”

“Maybe so. But you’re still a good man, Cole. In fact, you’re much better than most. Look at everything you’ve done for your sister and her kids. And look at what you’ve done for me—”

He jerked back around to face her. “What I’ve done for you? How can you stand there and say that? I’ve put you through hell, Kate, because of who I am. How long have you known that I had the contract on your life?”

Kate’s mouth dried. She was about to test these warm feelings he said he had for her. “Only since the night before we came here, when I read the telegraph. But before that, on the day I met you and you told me your name, I’ve suspected you might be the man he hired. I knew you did some … work for Mr. Talmidge. So I suspected you were the one.”

“Good God, Kate, why didn’t you get away from me then? Why’d you stay?”

She made a gesture of helplessness. “I had no choices left, Cole. Remember? No money, no protection. No food. No place to sleep. Only that stupid little box I was sitting on. And with a baby to think about—and those drunks coming out of the saloon—I had to go with you. And then, I—well, I hoped … as time went on … that you might come to care about me some. And then if you did find out who I was, you might not be able to pull the trigger.”

He didn’t say anything. But he looked at her sidelong. “Well, I’d say your plan worked.”

Kate exhaled cautiously. “You’re thinking I used you, aren’t you?”

He nodded, his tall Stetson only adding emphasis to his gesture. “Yep. You did. But that’s okay. I used you, too. Neither one of us is blameless.”

Kate felt a wretchedness seize her, one that wouldn’t allow her to meet his gaze. Again she looked down. “I know. Only the children are innocent. Your sister’s. And my baby. They didn’t do anything wrong.”

Cole’s expression changed, softened somehow. “Is that how you can love it, Kate … because of its innocence?”

Through the shiny haze of sudden tears, Kate stared at him as his sincerely worded question filled her mind. “Yes,” she finally got out. “This child I carry did no wrong. She’s mine. Just like your sister’s kids are yours now and it doesn’t matter how you got them.” Then a sudden smile of realization found its way to her face and eased the emotion of the moment for her. “And now, I suppose, since I’m their aunt, they’re mine, too.”

Cole returned her smile with one of his own. “I expect that’s true. And I guess each of those kids, including your baby, need us to be the best people we know how to be.”

The man was a continual surprise to her. He was so genuinely good. All Kate could do was stare into his dark eyes—so hard to see in this dim light—and wish he’d hold her. For just a moment. “Yes, they do,” she said, a remaining vestige of caution and uncertainty keeping her response short. She couldn’t afford to misinterpret his intentions at this point, when so many lives, including his own, literally hung in the balance.

Then Cole exhaled his breath in a huff and scrubbed his hand tiredly over his face. “All right, Kate. You win. For now. I can’t promise what tomorrow will bring. Or what I may be called upon to do if it turns out that the woman the boys and I saw is Mrs. Talmidge. I will tell you this—if it is her, and Mr. Talmidge is here, too, and they make a move—I’ll put an end to the whole sorry affair. And I’ll do it in one heartbeat. With no regrets. I want you to know that.”

Kate nodded, wringing her fingers together nervously. “I understand.”

“Good.” His black eyes bored into hers, telling her he meant every word. “But for tonight, you win.” He stepped over to her and took her elbow … turning her in the direction of the wagons and the kids. “There’s just one more thing, Kate.”

They broke out of the creek-hugging stand of oaks just then. Kate looked up at Cole, so strong and tall and handsome in the stark moonlight, as he stood there silhouetted against the backdrop of the plains behind him. The very sight of him made her heart all but skip a beat. “And what’s that?”

“Do you think…” he began, frowning scarily but still managing to look endearingly unsure of himself. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to—or even if you can’t—but do you think that just for tonight, just once, I might hold my wife in my arms while I sleep?”

*   *   *

Kate had never thought, after Mr. Talmidge’s mistreatment of her, that she’d ever again be able to lie down with a man. And yet, she had. For here she was … in Cole Youngblood’s arms.

And here the day was. One dawning full of pinks and yellows and promises. A wondrously bright and warm morning, the day before the land run. Curled up on her side, atop Cole’s bedroll on the ground, with a warm quilt that covered them both, Kate lay there with her eyes open, still blinking sleepily, thinking this a miracle. Because Cole Youngblood snored softly at her back. His arm was draped over her from behind and held her to him, against the warm, muscled wall of his chest. She could feel his body’s heat, even through his shirt. Yes, he’d remained fully dressed, down to his boots. All he’d removed was his gun and his Stetson, both of which rested at his head.

And true to his word, he’d only held her all through the night. He’d not touched her in any untoward or even husbandly way. Kate recalled now how tender and understanding he’d been of her, despite the desire that flared in his eyes, as she’d shyly removed her shoes and had crawled, fully dressed herself, onto his bedroll with him. After some initial awkwardness—mostly on her part—they’d settled into this position while the moon still rode the night’s sky. And apparently they’d been so tired that neither one of them had moved.

If only every day would dawn so full of contentment and excitement. For the first time in many years, perhaps since her mother and father had been killed, leaving her a frightened orphan who’d eventually found herself scratching at the Talmidge mansion’s back door begging for work, Kate felt safe and happy. She felt she could truly relax, could even look forward to the future.

Because all things now seemed possible … with Cole at her back, with his support. She was beginning to see that life she’d always wanted. Only now instead of just her and her baby, she pictured it with Joey, Willy, and Lydia. And yes, Kitty, too. And Cole. A family.

Kate frowned, hoping she wasn’t jumping the gun. Because Cole had as much as said, last night, that.… That he what? Kate’s frown deepened. What had he said? Only that he cared about her. He’d never said he’d give up his way of life and settle down with her and the kids. In fact, he’d said they were better off with her. Not with his cousin. Or with him. Kate’s rosy picture of the future slipped away like a scudding cloud. In its place loomed a grim and gray reality. What would a man like Cole do without his gun and his wandering ways? Could he be happy in one place with a wife and kids? How would he make his living? He certainly wasn’t a farmer.

Well, no matter what it might be, could she ask him to try? Did she have that right? Breathing in the strong, clean scent of the morning air, Kate’s attention shifted. All around her, she heard the stirrings of awakening campers. All too soon she and her “family” would be up and doing the same things. But for now, Kate relished the quiet and took herself to task for the wayward nature of her thoughts. Was she thinking of asking Cole Youngblood to settle down? Why, she didn’t even want him to, did she? She slumped back into his arms, felt his solidness at her back. Yes, she wanted him to. She wanted him to stay with her. Forever.

This past night had only proven it to her. She’d slept quietly and soundly in a man’s arms. But did that mean she was ready to have a loving relationship with a man? In the marriage bed? Kate gave those questions due consideration. She imagined Cole’s hands on her … his mouth, his tenderness, the words he might say. And instead of fear and revulsion, she found herself warming up, her breathing quickening. That was all she needed to know. If she was even thinking such a thing, it must mean she was healing—in her heart and in her mind, where it counted. And she knew something else … she had one man to thank for that. Cole Youngblood.

It was a miracle, one she wanted to share with him … when the time was right. Maybe after the land run. Maybe while he was building their cabin. And they were all helping. And Kitty was running around and getting in the way. Kate grinned, even chuckled … There she went again, picturing that happy little family—

“What’s so funny?”

Kate froze. The husky voice at her back, the warm breath in her ear, the arm tightening around her middle … that was Cole Youngblood, her husband. He was awakening … and kissing at her ear as his hand splayed over her belly and rubbed slowly in circles. Kate’s insides tingled. But despite her only moments-old vision of a loving physical relationship with this man, she panicked, jerking away and struggling to sit up. “Um, nothing,” she said too brightly, as she peered at him over her shoulder. “I guess I was just … dreaming, is all. Did I wake you?”

Cole withdrew his hands from her and shifted on the bedroll, bending an elbow and supporting his head with his hand. From there, he looked her up and down … and smiled and said nothing.

Practically beside herself, Kate put her hands to her hair, then to her bodice, her skirt, and back to her hair. “I must look a fright, with my hair all mussed and my clothes—”

Cole captured her wrist and her gaze. “You’re beautiful, Kate. Just beautiful. And I’ve never said that to another woman.”

That did nothing to calm her down. Her eyes widened, she blinked, swallowed. As soon as Cole released her, Kate threw back the quilt and jumped up, all nervous energy and stuttering insecurity. For his part, Cole stayed where he was and watched her—in Kate’s estimation, much like a cat watching a mouse it intends to pounce upon. “Um, before the kids awaken and want their breakfast,” she finally came up with, “I’ll go to the creek and wash up. I believe we need more water for coffee and oatmeal—”

“There’s plenty of water. I got it last night.” Then he became all business. “Besides, I’m not so sure you should go traipsing off by yourself, since we don’t know who might be around.” His pointed expression told her he meant the Talmidges.

“I see,” Kate said, forcing herself to quit wadding her skirt in her hands. She just wanted to be away from him for a few moments, just long enough to collect herself. “Well then, I, um, at least have to go…” Her face heated up alarmingly, telling her it was probably beet-red at this moment. “Um, I have to tend to my personal business. In the women’s area. I don’t suppose you feel a need to accompany me for that … do you?”

Cole chuckled and blessedly shook his head. “No. Go on. I’ll stay here with the kids, in case they wake up. I’m sure you’ll be in good company at the creek bottom.” Then he sobered and added, “You understand why I don’t want you going off alone otherwise?”

Kate nodded. “I do. And I thank you for that. For caring.”

His expression warmed. “I do care. Probably a whole hell of a lot more than I should. Certainly more than is good for either of us, Kate.”

Kate didn’t know what to say to that … despite her heart’s soaring response. Staring at him, and fearing she had a silly grin on her face, Kate put a hand to her bosom, as if to settle her heart down. But to no avail. It insisted on thumping wildly … and was sure to betray her, given half a chance. “Then I’ll”—she forgot what she’d been about to say, finally remembered it—“I’ll just be a minute.” With that, she turned, intending to make a hasty departure.

“Hold on.”

Kate did, turning back to see Cole rolling easily to his feet. Her breath caught as he raised his hands to run them through his black hair. “Maybe you ought to take Kitty with you.”

Kate frowned. “You really think that they’re here, don’t you?”

Cole shrugged. “I don’t know. They could be. There’s just no sense in our taking a chance we don’t have to. If they are, they’ll be looking for you as carefully as you are for them. And if they’re not, then it doesn’t hurt to be careful, anyway.”

Fear shivered over Kate’s body, raising the hair on her arms. She rubbed at it as she said, “I suppose you’re right.” Then she decided to tell him what else was worrying her. “You know, Cole, this—and I mean the Talmidges, my baby, and how they want it—won’t be over today or tomorrow. Or even next year. They told me if I ran, then they’d kill me … and my baby. They won’t stop until they do.”

Cole stiffened, his expression hardened. “You think they’d kill you now, Kate? Or do they just intend to get you back to New York and keep you hidden away until the baby’s born?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. They did set you after me. And you know what your orders are.”

He had the decency to look down a moment, as if a twinge of guilt assailed him. “Yeah, I know. But I’ve been trying to figure out why they’d show up now themselves, if they think I’m on the job. I’ve never—well, not been successful. They’d have no reason to think I wouldn’t be this time, either.”

Kate realized he was right, and tried to forget they were so casually talking about her life being ended—and that Cole was the man to do that. “Then I don’t know. Maybe they changed their minds about wanting me dead. Maybe, like you said, they want me alive until after the baby’s bom. After all, Mrs. Talmidge told everybody she was expecting, once they knew I was.”

Cole’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “Son of a bitch. That’s sick. We’re dealing with some dangerous people here, Kate. But that could work to our advantage, her having told everyone she’s with child. To me, that means they need you alive. But still, I’d think they’d be looking for me, as well as you, to head me off before I carry out my orders.”

“Well, we don’t know they aren’t looking for you, do we?”

Cole considered her a moment, as if he were weighing her words. “No, I don’t guess we do. But still, I’d think I would have heard if they were looking for me. Actually, though, you’d be easier to spot since they know what you look like.”

His words stung her. Kate looked down. “Yes … they do. They know all too well what I look like.”

“Oh, hell. Why did I say that? Kate, I’m sorry.” It took Cole only three steps to reach her and enfold her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head, then bent down to kiss her forehead and her eyelids. “I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it like that.”

Kate felt silly for the tears that threatened to spill over. She turned her face up to his, intending to tell him that, but he surprised her by gently cupping her jaw with a hand and lowering his mouth to hers, smothering her words. His kiss thrilled her. It danced along her nerve endings and had her clinging to him, wanting more. A whimper escaped her, found its way into his mouth … He pulled back, stared into her eyes, apparently saw what he needed to see and again lowered his lips to hers. But just before he took her mouth, he whispered, “I love you, Kate Youngblood.”

Kate gasped, stiffened, and then weakened, leaning into his chest as his arms stole around her back. Pressed against him as she was, all Kate could do was cling to his shirt sleeves and offer herself up, let him know she wanted him, too, that she returned his feelings for her. She stiffened. She returned his affection? She loved him?

The moment Kate stiffened, Cole’s embrace softened, his kiss ended. He pulled back, his arms still around her, his mouth still wet with her kiss. His black eyes bored down into hers, looking right through her, to her soul. “Did I do something wrong, Kate?”

She shook her head, felt distracted, too hot, unnerved. “No. No, you didn’t.” She stepped out of the circle of his arms and brushed at the hair by her temple … and looked everywhere but at him. “I liked it. I did. I wanted you to kiss me. It’s just that…”

“I understand, Kate. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have rushed you like that.” Then, as if her silence unsettled him, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, ran a hand through his hair, looking everywhere but directly at her.

“Cole?” she suddenly said, feeling she owed him an explanation. When he finally settled his gaze on her, Kate said, “I feel I ought to tell you that … I liked your kiss”—her face heated up, but she rushed on—“and I have feelings for you, too. I do.”

His chin came up a prideful notch. “But…?”

Kate frowned her bewilderment. “There’s no ‘but.’ I just wanted to say that I don’t worry so much … with you on my side.”

His eyebrows rose a notch but his expression smoothed out and a calm seemed to come over him. “I’m glad to hear you say that. And just remember—the Talmidges don’t know that I’m on your side now. Even better, they don’t know what I look like, either.”

“That’s right. I didn’t think of that last night. You’ve never met them. And yet you were getting ready to charge up that hill after them. How would you have found them?”

Cole shrugged. “A few well-placed inquiries would’ve located them.”

“I suppose.” And then she just stood there, feeling her hope for this new place, this new beginning, fade some. The Talmidges … here. It just wasn’t fair. This was her corner of the world. Not theirs. How dare they violate it?

“Kate?”

She snapped to, realized she’d been lost in thought. “Yes?”

Cole’s expression, along with his smile, warmed. “It will be okay. I promise you. Just let me get Kitty out of the wagon and you can be on your way, all right?”

Kate nodded, too overcome with emotion in the face of Cole’s tender handling of her to say anything. In only a moment, Kate had torn a strip of calico from an old dress of Lydia’s, one that had no more wear in it, and tied her long and heavy hair up off her neck, the better to bend over the water and wash herself without ending up with wet hair all day. In the next moment, Cole had fished the dog out of the covered wagon and the hound had stretched and yawned and gathered himself enough to pad over to Kate’s side when she called him. Together they traipsed off toward the women’s area.