Every day since that invitation from CerriAn, Vin Tanner had eaten lunch at the young ladies' boarding house and today was no different. He usually brought something with him to add to the meal and this morning, before he had left the ranch to head into town Nettie had handed him a wrapped basket. It had smelled SO GOOD that Vin couldn't resist unwrapping it. Inside the basket he found three loaves of Nettie's special herb bread. Vin filled his lungs with the sweet, pungent aroma and smiled. The bread would make a VERY welcome addition to Mrs. Williams hearty beef stew and blackberry crisp. Now, ALL he had to do was keep everyone, including HIMSELF, out of it until then.
By the time he had arrived in town, Vin knew that he couldn't guard the delicious bread all morning without giving in. So he did the only thing that made sense. He took the basket over to the boarding house and left it with Mrs. Williams before he went to the mercantile to begin work.
Now he was looking forward to seeing if the ladies had been able to resist Nettie's freshly baked herb bread. Lord knows Vin and his brothers NEVER could!
As he approached the front porch, the handsome tracker saw CerriAn sitting on the porch swing with her orange tabby, Boudicca, on her lap. The emerald-eyed redhead was talking softly to the cat, while the cat was looking intently at the pretty girl. To Vin it seemed that the cat understood every word from Cerridwen's lips, because Boudicca would meow in response.
The blue-eyed man watched the pair for a few minutes, then joined them on the porch swing. CerriAn looked up as he mounted the steps. She smiled at him as he sat down beside her.
"Good day to ya, Mister Tanner. I mean, Vin. How are ya this fine day?" the redhead asked in her soft, lilting voice.
"Just fine, Miss CerriAn. And how are you? It's nice to see you without all those bruises." Vin answered as he gently took hold of her hand.
Since that day in the mercantile when she had told him about Roger and had cried in his arms, they had gotten close to each other. The handsome tracker had vowed to be her protector and the young redhead had told him much about her life in Wales with her family. He knew she was here hoping to find her 'soulmate', but he wasn't quite sure what that meant. Vin thought Ezra or maybe Josiah would know, but he had been reluctant to ask them. But more and more, he found himself wishing it were him.
Cerridwen was equally drawn to the gentle blue-eyed man. He not only made her feel safe, but he was beginning to make her feel loved. It was a heady sensation and the pretty girl liked it, a lot! She was falling in love with him and things would be perfect, but she smelled trouble. Her cat-like senses told her that danger approached. What made it worse was CerriAn hadn't been able to figure out how to tell Vin without revealing her powers to him, so she hadn't brought it up yet.
Here, with the two of them alone on the porch swing, she would try again. Cerridwen straightened up and looked into Vin's cerulean blue eyes. "Vin, have you ever heard of..... you know what keen senses animals have, don't you? How they can tell if a predator is nearby? Do you think people can do that to?"
Vin looked down into her face and read the fear and concern in it. "Ezra calls it instinct and Chris calls it intuition. You're sensing something, aren't you?"
A look of relief crossed CerriAn's face, but it was quickly replaced by fear. Softly she replied, "Yes Vin, I am. There is danger approaching swiftly. I fear that Roger may be trailing me. I DARED to run from him. I sense dark, burning anger. It feels like he is coming for revenge. He means to see me DEAD! Ohhh!" The frightened girl buried her head in Vin's shoulder as his arms tightened around her.
"You know I won't let him hurt you again. I'll pass the word around town, too. We'll ALL protect you. Now don't you fret. Let's go inside for lunch. Mrs. Williams just rang the bell."
The lanky tracker led the young redhead into the boarding house, unaware that a young man with dark brown hair and steel grey eyes watched from an alleyway a little ways down the street.
Connie walked into the general store. Buck had taken her to town while he went on duty. Since the time she had been there she had grown closer to Buck. He wasn't like any man he'd seen. She smiled as a lady with kind eyes walked up to her.
"My I help you dear?"
"Yes I was just going to look at your dresses. "She nodded to the wall lined with dresses.
"Please help yourself."
"Thank you."She walked over and looked through the rack.
Buck walked up to the jail where Ezra waited. "Hey pard whats happening?"
"You are late." He said gathering his cards from the small table.
"Sorry about that."
"Quite alright. As for whats happening, not much, it has been fairly quiet."
Buck nodded and took the seat Ezra left. "Good."He grinned up at Ezra."You going to go meet your lady friend?"
Ezra just tipped his hat and walked away.
Buck just shook his head and leaned back in the chair.
"You look lovely." Mrs Potter said as Connie came from behind the curtain.
"Thank you. I haven't worn a dress since I left home." She walked up to the mirror.
"Where is home?"
"A long way from here." She said sadly.
Mrs Potter placed her hand on Connie's arm."I'm sorry if I upset you dear."
Connie smiled at the kind older lady."No, you didn't. I'll take this dress."
"Good choice. Shall I wrap it or will you wear it out."
"I'll wear it out."
A few minutes later she walked down the boardwalk and saw Buck leaning his chair agianst the wall of the jail. She smiled and walked over. "Hello Buck."
Buck looked up and almost fell over as he saw Connie standing before him a vision of beauty.
"You ok Buck?"
He righted the chair and smiled. "I'm just fine darlin. My you are a vision."
Connie blushed. "Thank you."
Buck watched her. "What do you say to a walk around town?"
"Don't you have work?"
"Ah well I have to take a walk around make sure everything is alright.I wouldn't mind some company." He says offering his arm.
She nodded and took his arm. He smiled and lead her down the boardwalk in a comfortable silence.
JD smiled as he watched Rosemary dip her toe tenatively into the hot springs and smile.
"Hey, Ros---"
"Ay mon dieu! You should not sneak up on a woman in her bloomers!" she chastened.
"Sorry, M'am... I just... thought I'd..." he stammered, flushing.
Rosemary gave him a warm, gentle smile.
"'Tis forgiven."
JD smiled, though a bit of the blush still remained as he took in her generous curves, barely concealed through the thin pink-trimmed fabric.
"You like what you see, non?" she teased.
"Well... er, who wouldn't? I mean... wow..."
Daisy cocked her head at him, woofing softly. Saying, in her own little doggie language, "He's a bit obvious*---"
"Oh, you hush..." Rosemary said quickly, picking up the little apricot-colored pup and laying her on top of her dress. "Sit."
JD raised a brow at her.
"Would you like to... join me for a swim?"
JD slowly nodded, getting an all-over flush as she gently removed his shirt...
~*~
JD walked home around sunset, hair still wet and slicked back.
"Been gone all day, boy." Chris observed.
"R-rosie and I... We just went swimmin', talked a bit..."
"Talked, sure." Buck teased him.
"Miz Nettie'll make you go straight to confessional she hears that..." Vin tossed in.
JD rolled his eyes and threw a clump of mud at his brother's boots.
"You boys quit that roughhousin' and get cleaned for supper!" Nettie admonished, coming out. "I called on your ladyfriends yesterday afternoon and invited them all to supper..."
Kala poked at the fire that was dimming. She looked out of the cave entrance at the rain that was pouring down in torrents. She smiled as something large and fuzzy fell into her lap. She looked down and smiled, "Yes Raj."
Raj purred up at her, though he licked her fingers and looked imploringly at her. "I know, I'm hungry too. We won't find anything in this rain though."
Raj pawed her gently and watched. Kala grinned, scratching behind his ears laughing as he rolled over on his back. "You're just a spoiled, over grown baby."
Josiah pulled his coat up around his ears as the rain poured down around him. He had ridden out to the reservation to help Nathan, who was going to stay the night since one of the children still had a high fever. Now he had to get back to town for his patrol in the morning. He decided that as soon as he found a good spot, he'd stop and wait to see if the rain slowed any. He looked over spotting a cave and rode towards it.
Raj got up suddenly as there was movement at the cave entrance and growled at the figure that walked in.
Josiah froze and looked at the large cat that he recognized from pictures as a tiger. He looked at the woman behind it and held his hands out, "Now ma'am, don't move. I'll have you out of here in a second."
Kala laughed and smiled, calling Raj back to her side. "Come Raj."
Josiah watched as the tiger turned and moved over to the woman and curled up around her feet, and then rolled over on its back, batting at her flowing skirt playfully.
"I am sorry if Raj frightened you. He is very protective. He will attack and kill if I am in danger." Kala stressed this last syllable in case the stranger before her had any ideas.
Josiah nodded and took off his hat, "Yes ma'am. I'm Josiah Sanchez, from Four Corners. I'm part of the law there. I was on my way back when this storm started and I thought I'd take shelter here."
"You are welcome to join in our fire while you await this storm to end."
"Where are you traveling too?"
"Wherever I may be left in peace. I am Kala Varuni. This is Raj, my pet and companion."
Josiah settled down, warming his hands in the light of the fire, "Pleasure ma'am."
"So tell me of this Four Corners."
"It's a small town, fairly quiet. No more troubles than any others."
"Are the patrons tolerable?"
"Fairly. Don't know how they'll feel about Raj, but maybe I can help?"
Kala smiled looking outside as the rain let up, "Perhaps you can. May I walk with you?"
Josiah looked and nodded, "Certainly. Shall we?" Josiah stood and put the fire out.
Kala stood gathering the few things she had and walked with Josiah towards what she hoped would be the end of her travels and the start of a new life filled with new friends and opportunities.
After seeing Chris get thrown from the horse he was breaking about the tenth time. Chi opened the coral gate and slowly stepped in shutting the gate behind her. she made a clicking noise to the horse.
Larabee crawled to his feet and watched the horse prance over to the young woman that had slowly stolen his heart over the last few weeks. "Chi Be careful...." His words were halted by her smile.
"It's okay." The young woman turned back to the horse that now stood in front of her. "Ohh your not that mean. Why you keep throwing him off your back?" She spoke softly and scratched the bay behind the ear.
The large animal nudged her side where her wound was still healing. Chi hissed a little but held up a hand to stop the blondes progress towards her. "No he's not the one. He saved my life." she whispered to the horse.
Chris stood there watching unable to understand what was happening. Here was a horse as mean as he had ever seen. But in Chris hands it was as gentle as a kitten.
****************
Vin had just stepped out of the barn When he spotted his older brother standing there in aww. "Chris." He called out as he made his way to the coral.
Larabee turned to his younger brother. "Look at that Vin. That darn horse is the meanest I have seen in a while. But in her hands he's as gentle as can be." He knew Vin had spent time with the Indians he hoped he could explain it to him.
The long haired young man watched the horse and young woman interact. "There's an old story about a young woman that could talk to horses. The old ones said that she could get the meanest of horse to do her biding."
The man in black turned to the younger man. "You don't think that Chi could be?" He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"It's hard to say. Like I said. It's a story the old ones tell. But I guess it's possible."
****************
Chi turned to the two men. "Chris he'll let you ride him without the saddle."
"I don't know Chi. I don't think my backside can take much more today." The gunfighter said as he rubbed his sore backside.
The petite woman hid her smile. "I would,but your brother said I haven't healed enough. I guess I could go against him." She commented as she starts to remove the saddle form the bay.
"OH no you don't. I don't want him mad at me. Because you reinjuried yourself. I'll do it." The lawman stated as he made his way over to where she stood.
He reached up and gently brushed some hair from her face. "I don't want you hurt. Please wait outside the coral with Vin."
With a nod. Chi slowly mad her way out of the coral. She smiled a thanks to the young man standing there as he shut the gate. The young woman grabbed the rail for support as she leaned against to watch Chris.
Chris removed the saddle and took a deep breath as he patted the bay. He climbed onto the horses back. the bay pranced a little then let him lead him around the coral.
The blonde dismounted and rubbed the bays nose. "Good boy." Then walked to the gate and stepped out of the coral. "Chi how did you do that? He's like a completly different animal."
Chi just smiled. "I'm not sure how I do it. Been doing it since I was a little girl.People in my village thought I was cursed"
"You're not cursed. To me your special It's time you rest. Nathan said you still need to take it easy." Larabee could see she was tiring fast.
Chi nodded and let him lead her back to the house.
****************************
Nettie watched the seen play out from the clothes line. She walked to where Vin stood watching his brother come alive again.
"He's starting to live again"
Tanner to the only mother figure he knew. "Yes it is. Do you think she returns his feeling?"
"I do my boy." Nettie looked up a at him She remembered the day she came to work for his father. Him and JD were just young children "When are you going to bring home your young lady to meet everyone?"
Vin looked the older woman shocked "How did you know?"
"My boy. I know everything you boys try to hide form me. Now go and bring some wood up to the house." She gave him a light swat to get him moving.
The long haired young man jumped. "Yes ma'am." Then went to do her bidding.
*******************************
Upstairs Chris helped his charge into his bed. He still insisted that she stay in his room for the quietness while she was getting better. The blonde jsut like knowing no-one would disturbe her and that she got all his attention.
Chris smiled as he watched her fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. He placed a light kiss on her cheek then quietly left the room to take care of the horse. He knew he was right to give her this horse once she's better and the horse was broke.
Lilith too was amazed at Chi's prowess with horses. Ezra had brought her out to the ranch so that she might see for herself how lovely it was, instead of merely relying on his word. They had been walking about the place and had stopped to watch the young lady. "It's amazing!" Lilith breathed in awe as the contrary equine immediately calmed down. "I've never seen anything like it before!"
"She does indeed seem to have a rather special talent for gentling horses." Ezra added, viewing the scene before him. "I must admit she has succeeded where Chris has failed, and that is a rare thing to behold." He glanced sideways at Lilith. "I am beholding something rare as well." he murmured softly. "Something rare and precious as a blue diamond."
"Oh? And what would that be?" she asked absently, her sight focused upon Chi in the corral.
"Come this way and I shall reveal the answer." he replied, tucking her hand more securely into the crook of his arm. He walked towards a small grove of cottonwood trees a short distance away. The last time he had been alone with the pretty widow was the night in town when she was so frightened by her nightmare. Ever since then, she had been on his mind almost constantly. There was no doubt about it-he was attracted to her, and would do anything, within reason, to see if the attraction was mutual.
When they reached the grove, Ezra turned and took both of Lilith's hands in his. "Now that we are alone," he said, his jade green eyes beginning to twinkle just a bit, "I will tell you just what it is that I meant just now."
"You mean about beholding something rare and precious?" she replied, her cheeks pinkening a bit as she recalled his words at the corral.
"Ah, ha, then you were listening!" Ezra teased, the twinkle becoming a warm glow. "I had feared your attentions were elsewhere." He twined his fingers through hers and drew her a bit closer. "Anyhow," he murmured, his voice dropping lower, "this is what I have to tell you; the rare and precious thing I was beholding is you, my dear." Boldly he leaned forward and gently placed his lips upon her cheek.
Lilith was a bit startled, but, to be honest, she had been hoping he would do something like this. She was attracted to the handsome gambler as well, but was uncertain as to whether she should mention it or not. After all, she was a widow, and there were certain things that she could and could not do. But, somehow, the reasons faded into insignificant mist as Ezra's lips came into contact with her skin. Her cheek tingled as if with little charges of lightning, but delightfully so. Not even Elias's kisses had done that to her, on the rare times that he showed her any affection.
She closed her eyes. "Thank you." she answered quietly, savoring the touch of his mouth. "I must be honest with you-that feels very good. It's been quite a while since I have received such a caress." She opened her eyes and looked up at the Southerner.
"Perhaps it is time you receive them more often." Ezra answered softly, drawing back and lifting her left hand upwards. He tenderly kissed the palm. Mmmmm...lovely." he murmured through the gesture. "So lovely." Without thinking, he let his mouth travel to her wrist where he deposited another silken kiss. "Sweet Lilith."
A stronger electric charge flashed through Lilith's body at the gesture. It felt heavenly, but at the same time, frightening. No man before, including Elias, her late husband, had ever stirred such a reaction in her. A low growl, almost like that of a small animal, emanated from her throat. The sound acted almost as if a bucket of water were being dumped on her. It brought her back to the present. She abruptly drew her wrist and hand out of Ezra's gentle grasp. "I-I'm sorry!" she gasped. "I-I just..."
Her gesture brought Ezra out of the fog of growing desire he'd been wrapped in. "I am the sorry one, my dear." he said, the glow in his eyes fading somewhat. "I should not have been so forward. I ask your forgiveness."
His apology touched Lilith. "There's nothing to forgive, Ezra." she answered. "You were-carried away by the moment. I understand." As was I, she thought to herself, remembering the animal-like growl. She then linked her free hand with his once more. "Perhaps we should retrace our steps back to the corral, for now."
Ezra slowly nodded his agreement. "Yes. For now." he echoed quietly. They made their way back the way they came, not speaking, but each one of them in their own fashion absorbing what had just taken place. It was their first step towards something just a bit deeper than mere friendship. Where it would go from here, neither one of them was sure just yet. Only time would tell.
Chat wasted no time running down to the jail to find JD, only to find the building empty. Growling in annoyance, she looked around on the street, seeing only a few townsfolk walking the street, but none of the regulators.
She grabbed hold of a young boy running past, the oldest Potter boy, and sent him off to fetch Chris and the others from the ranch. They would need to know about this, and someone would need to tell Vin.
Chat spat in the sand as she turned in the direction of the clinic; the taste of blood was still in her mouth, reminding her of the wound she'd inflicted. The coppery taste hit in her full, and she started to get angry. Some animal, no she wouldn't insult the natural world around her by calling that thing an animal. Some demon came into her town, and hurt her friend.
She climbed up the stairs, and opened the door to the clinic. Nathan had finished clean CerriAn's wounds, her entire torso wrapped from her hips to her shoulders. She was laying back on the bed her breathing shallow but steady, and by the slightly mystified look an Nathan's face, that in itself was a miracle.
"I couldn't find JD, but I sent Joshua Potter to the ranch." Chat went over and sat by her friend, laying a careful hand on the pale forehead. "I think she will be fine, though I don't know why. I will ask the spirits to watch over her."
"Well, I think she already has someone watching over her. By all rights she should have died before I even got there, but she seems to be getting better now. Must have something to do with that green stone. All I can say is I'm glad she's got it."
"I am glad too. I'm going to see if I can find anyone in town."
"Ezra might be in the saloon and Vin should be coming in from patrol soon."
Silence settle over the little clinic with the quiet closing of the door, as the afternoon sun settled into the long shadows of evening.
The sudden sound of half a dozen horses barreling down the street caught Chat's attention. She had quickly filled Ezra in on the news and they had scoured the streets, enlisting help as they could. Vin had come riding in and upon hearing how badly CerriAn was hurt, his face lost all color and he was up the clinic steps before she'd even finished. As soon as he knew she was going to be fine, Chat knew he would be out for blood.
There were already about a dozen members of the town walking the streets, and though the hotel and saloons had all been searched, there had been no sign of the man who attacked CerriAn. Chat was getting frustrated at the lack of progress. There was a slight blood trail from the abandoned building, but it soon disappeared into a narrow alley, where the stench of rotting garbage (and other things best left unmentioned) made it impossible for anything to follow a scent.
Now that the other peacekeepers had arrived, it was time to send the search outward. The brothers had ridden in with a number of the women who had recently come into town. Once all the information was gathered together, and everyone knew what had happened and a description of the man in question, it was quickly decided to split up into groups. Each group would head out in a different direction, since no one knew where the man had gone.
As the large group dissipated and headed out in their various directions Chat again felt her anger grow, but this time at herself. The more people who joined in the search, the harder it was for her. She just hated crowds of people, and the large group gathered together to organize and plan had her going up the stairs to relieve Nathan. She wanted to be out there on the hunt, but she hunted alone, and the thought of being among that many people made her skin crawl.
Nathan had come back, deciding his time was better spent if he stayed with his patient. Vin still hadn't moved from her side, though his eyes burned with an unforgiving fire as Nathan filled him on the search. As the various groups left town, it again grew silent, the lack of noise from all those people easing Chat's unease.
Now that it was quiet, she again scoured the town. There were so many tracks and trails that it would be impossible to trace just one. She went back to the abandoned store, and again followed the faint blood trail to the narrow alley. At the other end she started to search. it took her a while but she finally got what she was hoping for; the faint smell of blood.
After that it didn't take her long to find the trail. There was a drop of blood here, another there, all too faint to see in the darkness, and in some cases trampled in to the dirt, but she could follow it. She'd allowed some of the panther in her, and she could scent the trail.
It lead to the edge of town, to a small clump of brush where a horse had been tied. The hunt was on.
Roger Talbot was exhausted. Exhausted but oh so satisfied. Killing the little b**** was almost as good as doing her. Too bad she was stubborn. He would have enjoyed taming her. Oh well, that was life. He'd ridden hard out of town, but slowed down an hour out. He didn't think anyone would look for him, she was just a worthless slut. Lively though.
When he was far enough out, he figured it would be safe enough to make camp. It was dark, and he didn't want to stumble around. His horse was soon tied up, and a cheery fire going. he pulled some food out of his saddle bags and ate, enjoying the quiet. There was nothing outside the circle of the fire's light making any noise. Absolute quiet.
When he looked up, he was surprised to see a lithe figure standing just barely in sight. The rounded figure and long hair put a sickening leer on his face. As she took a step closer, he realized she was naked, her hair, modestly draped forward. With every small step, her hair swayed seductively, teasing him, arousing him.
She spoke some gibberish at him, he didn't know what she was saying but she sounded scared. He gave her another leer, and gestured her closer. When she was only a few feet away she stopped and looked at him, a quiet little grin on her face. as he reached out a hand the grin grew. And grew.
with a growl, there was no longer a woman before him, but a demon, the same demon who stopped him earlier. All he could see was yellow eyes and gleaming white teeth coming towards him.
The next morning, CerriAn's eyes finally fluttered open. Nathan was asleep on a narrow cot across the room, and Vin was sitting on the floor, his head on his knees also asleep. Chat took a wet clothe from the bowl and rung it out, wiping the sweet and gum out of her eyes. Green stared up at her, not scared not angry, just full of pain.
Chat wet the cloth again, this time wiping her mouth, allowing some of the moisture to seep into her mouth.
"It's okay, he can't bother you again. It's safe now." Spooning some of the herb laden broth Nathan had left for her, Chat could see that CerriAn was loosing the battle with consciousness. Once she had sipped at some of the broth, her eyes closed. "Sleep now, the spirits will watch over you."
