Hernando Heat

Chapter Four

Mason awoke to someone loudly banging on the front door and screaming his name. By the time he reached the front door to find out what was going on, he had his trousers and suspenders on and his revolver ready. He found Jim Smith, one of the men who worked for Joe but lived in town, standing on his front porch.

Joe, also armed, rushed up behind Mason as Jim spilled the story. “Come quick, Mason! Someone tried to break into Miz Dorchester’s place!”

Mason’s heart nearly seized in his chest. “Is she all right?”

“Yeah, but considering she put two loads of rock salt into his front side at a close distance, and fired off two loads of buckshot behind him, I don’t imagine he’ll be too hard to track down.”

“Wait here. I’ll get dressed.”

He nearly tripped over Joe as he turned. “I’ll saddle a horse for you,” Joe offered. “You go get ready.”

Mason slapped him on the shoulder in thanks as he ran for his bedroom, heart racing. Damn it, I should have anticipated this!

Ten minutes later, he was on his horse and galloping alongside Jim, heading toward town. At that speed the ride took less than fifteen minutes, which still felt too long. One of the other deputies, Carl Daily, was already there and organizing a posse.

He raced inside her shop to find Katie sitting up in bed and talking to Shelby Ainsley, Ben’s wife. She looked pale and frightened.

He also didn’t miss she had the shotgun in bed with her.

Pulling his hat off, he stepped close. “Are you all right, Katie?”

She nodded, but looked close to tears. Shelby Ainsley stood and moved out of his way so he could sit down. “Can you tell me what happened?”

She softly recounted her ordeal in a trembling voice that didn’t sound like the determined woman he’d met the morning before. If Shelby Ainsley wasn’t hovering by the door, he’d have pulled Katie into his arms and hugged her until he could make her feel safe again.

“Do you think the posse will find him?” she asked.

“Maybe, maybe not.” He smiled. “But anyone who sees him will probably turn him in. Especially if he goes to see Doc Tyler. Can’t explain away a face full of rock salt very easily.”

She managed a weak smile in return and nodded.

“Look,” he said, “this is going to sound awfully forward, but please hear me out. My cousin and I need someone to help keep us two bachelors in line. Someone to cook and clean for us, that’s all. No farm chores or anything. We don’t live far from here. We’d be happy for you to come live with us, and I can bring you to and from town every day so you can still work in your shop. I’d sure feel better knowing you weren’t alone.”

The part of her still terrified over the ordeal wanted to sob yes! and throw herself into his arms. She’d never met his cousin but had seen him from a distance. Both men were handsome and single. It wouldn’t hurt her pride in the least to be a spinster housekeeper to them.

Then she caught sight of Paul’s picture sitting on the shelf by the mantle clock. She wanted to be independent, make him proud of her. How proud of her would he be if she caved in and let his father scare her like this?

Yet she couldn’t bring herself to say no.

“That’s a very fair offer, but may I have some time to consider it?”

He nodded. “Of course.” He hesitated. “My cousin, Joe, wants to come with me to the dinner tonight. Would you mind if he accompanies us? Then you could meet him and talk to him about it.”

She felt a little relief at that. While she’d love to be alone with Mason, on top of this fright, spending time alone with the handsome deputy was too much excitement for her nerves. Not to mention that two large men were better than one to help protect her after dark. “That would be fine. I would enjoy that very much.”

Katie insisted on making Mason breakfast while they waited for news from the posse, and he found her to be an excellent cook, raving about it.

“My cousin gets a taste of your cooking, I might find myself fighting him for your attention.” He winked.

She blushed. It’d been so long since she’d had anyone to cook for. Paul had loved her cooking. “It’s just scrambled eggs and ham, Mason. Nothing special.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong. You are very special. Not many women would do what you did, stand up for themselves. That takes a lot of strength.”

She was saved a response by the return of Carl Daily and the posse. They hadn’t tracked the guy down. Carl pulled his pocket watch out and wound it. “I’ll stay here for a while this morning, just to make sure he doesn’t come back,” he assured Mason. Carl and his wife lived in town, only a few blocks away.

Despite Katie getting the distinct impression that Mason didn’t want to leave, he finally stood and nodded to her. “I’ll be checking on you throughout the day. You keep that gun loaded with buckshot, you hear?”

She finally laughed. “Don’t worry. It won’t leave my side, even when I go to the privy.” She blushed as she realized what she said, but the men laughed.

“Good girl,” Mason said. “That’s exactly what you should do.” He tipped his hat to her as he left.

Carl smiled. “I think he’s sweet on you, Katie.” His wife was one of the few people in town that she had more than a passing relationship with.

She blushed. “Oh, I doubt that.” But she certainly hoped it.

“I hear right that he’s taking you to the church dinner tonight?”

Her blush deepened, but she nodded.

His smile turned into a full grin. “Good! I was going to ask if you wanted me to come walk you over so you didn’t have to be alone, but if Mason’s taking care of it, I’m sure you’ll be safe.” He tipped his hat. “From intruders. Not so sure how safe you’ll be from Mason if he’s determined to make you his, though.” He laughed. “He strikes me as a right determined man. And only a fool would miss how sweet he is on you.”

On that amused note, he stepped out the back door to help supervise getting her screen replaced.

Huffing in frustration, she busied herself with opening her shop. As she expected, she practically overflowed with customers that morning, some with mending and some without, all wanting to hear her story and see her shotgun. Mason Carlisle stopped by several times, never setting foot inside but smiling every time he spotted her nearly full shop and caught her eye through the door. She supposed he figured if people kept her that busy, she must not be in any peril.

By the time she closed her shop at four o’clock, she felt bone weary and considered not going to the dinner after all. Ben Ainsley had fixed her screen door as well as nailed an additional piece of wood on the outside, over the center portion, to make it harder for someone to break in and unhook the latch. Despite the warm night, she’d also closed and secured her shutters for extra peace of mind.

Another thing that didn’t escape her notice—now that word had spread Mason Carlisle was taking her to the dinner, none of the eligible men who’d been by to help with repairs or check on her had made the slightest attempt to ask her out.

Highly unusual. Normally she would have to turn away at the very least two or three invites to a church dinner.

She pumped herself a large pot of water and heated it on the stove while she filled her small washtub with water. A warm bath would help soothe her nerves and make her feel better. She even unpinned her hair and washed it as well. She carefully dried her hair and pinned it up, even though it was still a little damp in back, and donned one of her best dresses. She couldn’t help but jump at the knock on her front door at six.

Both men stood there, freshly shaven and their own hair damp from washing. Mason made the introduction. “Miz Dorchester, this is my cousin, Joseph Lansing.”

He held out a hand. “Call me Joe.” If his playful blue eyes were any indication of his temperament, she suspected she might have a problem on her hands. His blond hair, lightened even further by working in the sun, stood in stark contrast to Mason’s dark hair. Approximately the same height, neither man was one she’d turn her nose up at.

She swallowed hard. “You can call me Katie. Just let me check the back locks and I’m ready to go.”

She fanned herself as she hurried to her room and checked the screen door, then the back door. Goodness, two handsome men! She chided herself for the next wicked thought that crossed her mind and sent pulses of need to her core. I am a widow. Who says I can’t let them both court me?

The men smiled at her return. They waited for her to lock her front door and place the key in her reticule, which she hung from her wrist. “All right, I’m ready.”

The men flanked her, both extending their arms. Laughing and feeling better than she had all day, she hooked her arms through theirs and allowed both of them to escort her across the street.

When they reached the Fellowship Hall, Joe released her arm and held the door for her and Mason to go first. She didn’t miss how her popularity had suddenly risen as people she barely knew seemed to line up to talk to her. Not to mention several of the single girls shot her dark looks for being on the eligible bachelor’s arm.

She also didn’t miss how Joe, despite drawing attention from several eager single women, made his way to a far corner and tried to keep to himself.

Once she and Mason had freed themselves from the crowd, they made their way over to where Joe sat. “Have you given thought to our offer?” Mason asked.

She licked her lips to wet them and buy her a moment. “I would hate to be a burden on you like that. Taking me into town every day.”

Joe’s eyes never left her face, but he didn’t speak. Mason said, “Ma’am, you might find us to be a burden on you.” He smiled. “We are in dire need of a woman to keep us on the straight and narrow.”

She wondered if Joe normally remained so silent. She addressed her next comment to him. “You’re rather quiet.”

When Joe smiled, she felt his deep sadness. She sensed he’d lost someone as surely as she had. “I don’t have much to say, ma’am. I’m in agreement with Mase, that we’d welcome your help.”

Mason looked hopeful. If she ever lost her heart to anyone, she suspected it would be him. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to do very much,” she admitted. “Not with the shop and all. That wouldn’t be fair to you, and to be frank, I don’t want to give up my shop.”

“Joe’s men take care of most everything on the ranch. We’d just need someone to cook for us. Laundry. Cleaning around the house. No milking or anything like that. And we know you’d need to take care of your business first. I come to town every day anyway. I can make sure you get back and forth safely.”

They fell silent when Reverend Anderson called for quiet. He gave a brief talk about events going on in town that weekend before saying the blessing and opening the line for food. When he finished, she looked at the men. “Why don’t we enjoy our dinner, and then I’ll give you my answer when you take me home? By then we should all know if we’d at least like each other or not. You might decide you don’t want me working for you after talking to me for a while.”

Mason grinned, an easy, open look. Joe’s sad smile nearly broke her heart. Mason said, “Katie, believe me, we’ll still like you after dinner.”

By the time they finished dinner, she did feel comfortable saying she enjoyed the company of both men. Despite her earlier wanton thought of letting both men court her, the reality of the situation sank home. She didn’t want herself, nor either man, to be spoken ill of. Not that she cared so much what people said about her, but as a respected businessman, Joe had a reputation to preserve. Not to mention that Mason was a deputy in line to be sheriff, if town rumors were accurate.

As Reverend Anderson made his rounds of the attendees and approached where they sat, an idea formed in her mind.

The older man smiled at her and shook her hand as he pulled up a chair. “I hear you had quite the scare this morning, Katie.”

She nodded. “Yes, unfortunately.”

“I’m glad you weren’t harmed.” He glanced at the two men. “I don’t see you boys in my church pews very often.”

Mason reddened slightly in the face. “Joe has to work the ranch because his men get the day off. I’m usually helping out on the ranch on my day off, Reverend.”

The minister smiled. “Then that’s an admirable excuse, and perfectly acceptable. I grew up on a ranch myself. I understand the duties.”

He stood to go, but she reached out and stayed him. “Reverend, I have a question for you.”

He relaxed in his seat. “Of course, Katie.”

She glanced at the two men. “Mr. Lansing and Deputy Carlisle have made me an interesting and generous offer, but I’d like your opinion before I give them my answer.”

The reverend looked curious but nodded. “All right.”

“Would there be anything improper about me moving in with them to be their housekeeper, and still run my shop?”

“You mean, live with them?”

“In a private room of her own, of course,” Mason quickly added.

Reverend Anderson smiled. “Are you asking me if I think lips will flap and mouths will run?”

Her turn to redden in the face. She nodded.

He laughed and patted her arm. “How about I spread the word that it was my suggestion? I personally think it’s a good idea. You’re a widow, and they’re men with honorable reputations.” His expression darkened as his voice dropped. “I’ve heard stories about your former father-in-law, Katie. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to hurt you sooner. If you don’t move in with these boys, you’ll end up with an armed posse taking turns sitting on your back porch every night. There are plenty of men here in town who’d like a chance at the son of a gun who tried to hurt you.”

She glanced at the cousins, who nodded in agreement.

The reverend’s smile returned. “So does that answer your question for you?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, it does.” She looked at the cousins. “So when would you like me to move in?”

She didn’t have a lot in the way of personal belongings to move. Joe and Mason had ridden their horses to town, so Joe rode back home to fetch their wagon while Mason stayed behind with her and helped her pack.

And protect her.

She picked up her picture of Paul and stared at it.

“Was that your husband?” Mason asked.

She sadly nodded as she let her fingers caress the frame. “Yes. He was a good man. I truly loved him.” She carefully laid it in her trunk, padded by a dress so it wouldn’t get damaged.

“How’d he die, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Pneumonia.” She felt her melancholy return for the first time that evening. Talking and laughing with the two men had made her feel alive, for once. “He got sick and wouldn’t rest. Then he got sicker and…” She couldn’t finish. She couldn’t talk about him like that yet. It still felt too raw in many ways, hurt too much. She needed to get her mind off of him. “Do you mind me asking a question, Mason?”

“Of course not.”

She turned. “Why is Joe so sad? And why haven’t either of you eligible men found wives yet? If I may be so forward, you’re both handsome men. I would imagine from what I’ve heard around town that you could have your pick of ladies.”

She didn’t miss the subtle shift in Mason’s expression. “Joe’s fiancée, Laura, died eight years ago. He buried her three days before they were supposed to be married.”

A rush of sympathy filed her. “I can certainly understand that then. But what about you? Why is there no Mrs. Carlisle yet?”

His face reddened. “Just never found the right woman before now.” His gaze snuck her way.

Heat filled her as she deliberately ignored his implication. “That’s a shame.”

One of his eyebrows rakishly rose skyward. “Perhaps not, ma’am. Not if it means I missed finding the wrong woman. I don’t like silly women.”

“No?”

He fully turned to her. “No.” He stepped forward, until only inches separated them. Her breath came in a gasping rush as his brown eyes filled her existence. When he next spoke, the deep, passionate sound of it resonated throughout her body. “It’s hard to find a serious woman who’s also a beautiful and kind woman, and who hasn’t been married off already.”

“Really?” She felt like a silly woman right now, wondering what his strong arms would feel like crushing her against his broad chest.

“Really.” His voice softened. “May I be forward, Katie?”

“Please do.”

He gently stroked her cheek with a strong, calloused hand. “You’re beautiful. I had more than one reason for wanting you to move in with us.”

“You did?” It surprised her to realize she didn’t mind.

“I’m hoping perhaps in a few months you might decide you don’t want to leave.”

“But what if you or Joe find a wife, Mason? She wouldn’t want me there.”

A smile that sinful should be illegal.

“I think I already have found her. Maybe one day she’ll decide she wouldn’t mind having me as her husband. After she gets to know me better, of course. I wouldn’t want to offend her by being too forward too soon.” He stroked her cheek again before stepping away. “But don’t expect me to take too kindly to men asking to call on you for anything other than mending.”

When she swallowed, she felt a dry click in her throat.

And a warm, pleasant dampness between her legs.