Chapter One Witches Peak, Nebraska 1867 Teaspoon stood straighter as the train rumbled into the station. His niece, Violet Talbot was on board. He wondered if he would even recognize the girl. He had not seen her since she was four years old. But he was fairly certain that she still possessed those unmistakable large blue eyes, his sister Minerva's eyes. Ever since the day she was born, Violet had those bright eyes, hence the name. Maybe he should be more worried about Violet recognizing him. After all, he was supposed to be nothing more than a simple caretaker. Violet was coming to town so that she could claim her inheritance. Her father's uncle, Amos Farthington, had died last month and there were no other living relatives on that side of the family. Minerva had written Teaspoon and asked him to see Violet to the house. It seemed like an ordinary request. Witches Peak was only one hundred and fifty seven miles away from Rock Creek. But it was the last line of the letter which made Teaspoon worry. Hence this elaborate charade. Teaspoon reached into the pocket of his trousers and removed the letter. Unfolding it carefully he reread it for the thousandth time. Dear Aloysius, I hope that you are well. I'm afraid things haven't much changed for me since you last saw me. I miss Theodore so much. I know I should go out and live my life. Other women have lost husbands and continued on. Look at you, you have lost 6 women and still live life to the fullest. Teaspoon's eyes misted over. He knew the last sentence was meant to be nothing more than a sisterly jibe. Minerva was one of the kindest souls he had ever known. Wearily he rubbed his eyes before continuing. But I am not you (much to our father's chagrin). I am writing however to ask a favor. Violet has received an inheritance. She will be coming to Witches Peak, a town not too terribly far from your own, on June 16th. Could you please see her safely to her great uncle Amos' home? He has passed and she is to be his beneficiary. I don't mean to trouble you Teaspoon chuckled. Minerva was his bossy older sister. She had troubled him since the day he was born. but I am so worried about her. She is all that I have. Don't laugh, Aloysius, but I have a bad feeling. Please look out for my girl. The last year has been very difficult for her. Love always, Minerva If Minerva was concerned then Teaspoon would pull out all the stops to make sure Violet would be okay. He sighed, hoping that his plan would work. He was going to be Teaspoon, Amos' assistant. And for backup he had gathered his "boys". Cody was unable to come, but the others were there. Kid and Lou were to be the live in help, a husband and wife housekeeping and cooking team. Buck was head groomsman. Jimmy was Amos' former bodyguard who was staying on until Violet was settled. He did not want anyone who might harm Violet to suspect that her uncle was a lawman. And there was no point in alarming Violet either. He would tell her who he was once she was safe. Teaspoon quickly refolded the letter and placed it back in his pocket as he was the train come to a halt. He waited at the platform, looking at all the passengers, but none of them seemed even remotely familiar. Could Violet have changed that much? How would he ever find her? It was then that he saw her, wearing a dark blue dress with lace edging around the collar. She had on a dark hat covering her blond hair. Teaspoon noted that the hat set off her beautiful eyes just so. Teaspoon smiled as she turned his way. "Miss Violet," he called out, hurrying to her side. "Miss Violet," he said once more, his eyes shining with gladness. She may have her mother's eyes but she had her father's regal nose. "I'm so glad you are here." "Uncle Aloysius?" Violet said, a frown marring her features. "Sorry Miss," Teaspoon said quickly. "He was unable to make it. I am your uncle's caretaker, Teaspoon." "Teaspoon," Violet repeated hesitantly. "Yes, Miss," Teaspoon said formally. He pointed to a carriage a few yards away. "If you can show me your bags, we can be off right quick." "I'm so terribly tired," Violet said, "and the train was so dusty." She batted her eyes at him. "Could you fetch them for me? I need to sit down for a bit." "Of course," Teaspoons said quickly, wondering how he would find her bags. Hopefully she had her name on them. "My girl, Mattie, she can help you," Violet told him. Mattie? Her girl? Teaspoon was rather taken aback. Minerva lived a simple life in Iowa. Having a girl to serve Violet did not seem like Minerva at all. "There she is," Violet continued. "Thank you," she said softly, putting a hand on Teaspoon's arm. "Of course, Miss," Teaspoon replied, instantly softening. She was exhausted; anyone with half an eye could see that. There were dark circles under her large eyes. "Please sit, I'll get the bags." "Thank you," Violet said before walking toward the carriage. Teaspoon waited until a young woman, who appeared to be the same age as Violet, twenty, reached his side. She was a bit smaller than Violet. "Mattie?" Mattie nodded. Teaspoon studied her. She had big green eyes and dark brown hair. She was wearing a simple gray dress and unlike Violet, whose hair was pinned under her hat, this girl wore hers in a long braid that hung down her back. She flashed Teaspoon a quick smile. "You're Violet's girl?" Teaspoon asked, feeling a bit awkward at the phrasing but that was the way Violet had referred to her so he had decided he should as well. "Apparently so," she replied dryly. "My mother works for her mother, so I am supposed to work for her." Teaspoon was a bit taken aback. Mattie appeared to be mocking the whole arrangement. "Just between the help," Mattie whispered to Teaspoon, "okay? Violet is a bit daft." "What?" Teaspoon exclaimed. Minerva was sharp as a tack. Violet was daft? Mattie gave him an odd look. "You know, pretty girl but dumber than a hitching post." "Violet?" Teaspoon exclaimed. This is not what he had been imagining at all. "Oh she isn't a bad sort," Mattie told him quickly. "Just a bit spoiled and this inheritance talk has gone to her head." Teaspoon relaxed a bit. That was understandable. Amos' house was one of the largest in two states. Violet's inheritance could turn anyone's head. "Teaspoon, Mattie, do hurry." Teaspoon heard Violet call out to them. "Her highness can't be kept waiting," Mattie announced with a grin as she grabbed one bag. She thrust the large valise in Teaspoon's arms and then piled two smaller ones on top and grabbed two mediums sized cases. "Those all hers?" Teaspoon exclaimed, staggering a bit under the weight of all those bags. "All but the small one on top, that's mine," Mattie informed him. Chapter Two "I'll show you to your rooms," Kid said grabbing three bags, obviously enjoying this bit of playacting. He gave Jimmy a look that said 'join in'. Jimmy rolled his eyes but helped Kid and picked up the remaining valises. "Please come this way," Kid continued formally. Jimmy did not say a word, but Teaspoon noticed his less than causal glance toward his niece. Jimmy Hickok seemed to be smitten, he realized with a start. Just one more matter for him to worry about. "Thank you," Violet told him. A few moments later, Jimmy and Kid had disappeared up the long staircase along with Mattie and Violet. Lou turned away from the stairs and asked, "Violet didn't recognize you?" Teaspoon shook his head. "I haven't seen her in years. She did call me uncle Aloysius at first but I think it was more a guess than a remembrance." Buck opened the front door and hurried inside. "No one was following you," he announced. "Good," Teaspoon said. He sat down heavily on a flowered chintz settee that was next to the staircase. Lou tugged on his arm. "Let's go in the kitchen. It's quieter there," she said softly. Wearily Teaspoon nodded. He was already tired and it was not even dinner time. But the preparations, going to town, fetching the girls and all their bags had taken its toll. Not to mention all the lies, he thought sadly. But it was better than telling the truth if it left Violet unprotected. He wanted whoever might be after Violet and her inheritance to be unaware of what was going on. And he didn't want Violet dropping any hints even though it might be unintentional. Teaspoon ambled into the kitchen. Lou and Kid had done a wonderful job, he thought, as he looked around. The kitchen had been a large mess when they first arrived, but it was now spic and span. The large stove in the corner was no longer spewing smoke. The kitchen sink had been scoured and clean and all the dishes were no longer scattered on the long counters. Lou placed a cup of hot coffee in front of him. "Thank you, darlin'," he told her, taking a deep drink. "The house looks good," he continued. Kid and Lou had been working inside for days. Amos' housekeeper, Jane, was also here. Jane had been here for years and a lawman friend had looked her up and as far as Teaspoon could tell she had been living a quiet law abiding life. She had left the house after Amos had died but returned upon hearing a relative would be taking over the place. Jane was a tall, stately woman with light brown eyes and even features. Teaspoon could tell she had been quite the beauty in her time. He had tried to flirt with her a bit but had been rather coldly, in his opinion, been rebuffed. Other than Jane, the rest of Amos' staff had vanished for good. "Kid, Jimmy, and Buck finished up in the stables and the surrounding areas. Jane, helped out here," Lou said. "Fine work, all of you." Teaspoon wondered what had happened to Amos. Why had the house fallen in to such a god awful state? He knew the man still had money. The staff could have been paid to stay on. But they had not. The lawyer had stopped by yesterday and they had discussed Violet's inheritance. She would not be filthy rich but more than well off. The lawyer had also given Teaspoon some money to fix up the house, buy food and buy whatever was necessary for the security arrangements. Lou sat across from him. "How are you?" she asked, her voice full of concern. "Holding up." He patted her hand. "Don't fret. I'm just worried about Violet." "But why?" Lou frowned. "Nothing has happened." "Yet," Teaspoon said cautiously. "Amos dies and no one finds him for over a week. I think it's kinda strange that he dies right after his help is sent to Bridgeport for a bunch of supplies." They had found the supplies in the barn and what was even stranger was that none of the supplies were even remotely useful. No food, nothing for the worn out buildings. Nothing but what looked like pieces of art. Damned ugly art, Teaspoon thought, but art. "You think he was murdered?" Lou asked. Teaspoon nodded. "I don't know if anyone realized he had an heir. Amos was a recluse after all." "And whoever killed Amos is after Violet because they want the inheritance?" Buck surmised. "That's what I'm afraid of," Teaspoon said quietly. Lou pressed her lips together. "Yes?" Teaspoon said giving her an expectant look. Lou had something on her mind. "I think you should tell Violet," she declared firmly. "Not every woman is you," Teaspoon told her with a small grin. "I don't want to scare the girl." "You'd rather lie to her," Lou muttered. "Not rather," Teaspoon said quietly. "If I'm wrong and nothing is amiss I'll tell her everything, gladly," he continued. "But if I'm right." He stopped, shaking his head slowly. Clearing his throat Teaspoon continued, "If I'm right then I want the element of surprise." He gave a tired look. "I'm worried, Lou, this is my sister's little girl. You might not agree with me, but I feel like I have to use every trick I ever learned, just in case. If I'm wrong I hope she will forgive me," he said softly. When he began once more he tried to finish what he had started earlier. "But if I'm right." He stopped once more. Being right and being unprepared would destroy his sister. "No," Buck cut in quickly, shooting Lou a silencing look, "I agree. Let's get to know the town and the girls. No sense in showing our hand before someone calls us." Teaspoon was able to grin then. That was something he might say and in fact he may use Buck's words later on as they rang true. But even though he appreciated the analogy he also knew what Buck was doing and he appreciated it. He had a feeling. He could usually articulate why he was doing something as crazy as this, but this time he could not. This was too close to his heart. One thing he had learned from his many experiences was that the gut was usually right. Reluctantly Lou agreed, obviously heeding Buck's silent warning. "I guess." "Thank you," Teaspoon told her gratefully. He needed her support, all his 'boys' support. Chapter Three Mattie dropped her bag on the floor while Violet hurried to the door and pushed it shut. She then turned the bolt and locked it. She looked at Mattie, raising a brow. Mattie suppressed a giggle. She looked just like that Teaspoon person when she did that. "Can you believe them?" Violet burst out. "Shh," Mattie admonished her, raising a finger to her lips. Violet hurried to the bed and sat down, Mattie quickly joined her. "Can you believe them?" Violet repeated. "Do I really look that stupid? Does my uncle Aloysius," she paused, "Teaspoon, think my mother has never shown me a picture of him?" she continued angrily. Mattie shrugged. "And the rest of them," Violet scowled. "Teaspoon wrote my mother all about them. I know exactly who Buck, Jimmy, Lou and Kid are." Mattie shrugged once more. She knew too. Her parents had died when she was five years old and her aunt Sarah and uncle Hank had taken her in. They were good people but they also had seven children of their own. They did not have time to worry about a little girl who did not say or do much. Her parents had died when an errant spark set their small house ablaze. Her father had gotten her out, deposited her in front of their burning home and then had run back in to get her mother. But he never came back out. Thus she had moved in with her aunt and uncle in Iowa. She was the third youngest in that crowded household and was often overlooked. Her aunt did say things like 'I'm worried about Mattie, she is so quiet.' But her aunt never had time to actually do anything about it. Her uncle was too busy trying to either get a crop in the ground or harvest it to worry about any of the children. And once the boys got older they were in the fields with him. All the girls were in school or helping their mother. It was not that they wanted to ignore her; they just did not have time to worry about her. Mattie understood that. It was only after she met Violet in school that Mattie began to heal. Violet had invited her to her house and it seemed like Mattie never left. Minerva Talbot always invited her for dinner or to stay the night. Theodore Talbot sat down with her and Violet after dinner and helped both of them with their homework. Minerva, Aunt Minnie as Mattie referred to her as, was the first person Mattie had opened up to about losing her parents. She may have lost her parents at a very young age but she was never mistreated by her aunt and uncle and she was loved by Violet's family. That is the reason she was here now. Violet had received an inheritance from some long lost uncle and Minerva was worried about her. Violet did not want to leave Mattie behind nor did Mattie want to be left so they traveled here to Witches Peak (what an awful sounding place, Mattie thought, even though in actuality it was very pretty). It was on the journey here that they concocted this plan, that Violet instead of being the smart, attractive woman that she was, was a vain silly creature and she was her hand maiden. Violet was a beautiful woman, drop dead gorgeous truth be told, with her long blond hair and her bright blue eyes. She also knew how to use her considerable charms to get a man to do what she wanted. Until the last man. That man, Joe, was an ex-Union solider. Joe had broken Violet's heart to pieces. Ever since that day, her warm-hearted, fun-loving friend had become listless and so very sad. Oh Mattie knew Violet could put on a good front, but anyone who took the time to notice would see how false her smile was. Mattie would love to see Joe again, just so she could wring his neck. She on the other hand, had no such man troubles. Mattie knew she was not as beautiful as Violet. No one was. But she was all right. She had had a few beaus but those relationships had not progressed very much. It was hard for Mattie to open up to people and even the men she had become involved with saw that. Maybe it was some kind of test, she thought; she wanted to wait and see who stuck around. But she also knew she was keeping men at arm's length because she was so afraid of losing them. "Why are they lying to us?" Violet hissed. "Why are we lying to them?" Mattie countered. "Because we don't know them!" Violet half shouted. "Shh," Mattie admonished her friend once more. "Do you want them to hear us? They don't know us either and you know that we thought up this plan because this whole inheritance thing sounds fishy. Maybe they are suspicious too." Violet sighed. "Who gives money away to a complete stranger?" she said, her voice calm now. "An aging old fool or a criminal with something to hide. Something he wants to pin on someone else." Mattie nodded. "And if it's an aging old fool we can admit our charade. I'm sure your uncle will forgive us." "And if it's the latter," Violet paused. "Then we have the upper hand," Mattie concluded for her. Chapter Four "Good morning," Lou called out brightly, setting a plate full of eggs on the large dining room table. "Good morning," Mattie and Violet chorused. "I hope you slept well," Lou told them, hoping she sounded the way a servant should sound. "Very," Violet said, taking a spoonful of eggs. "My house is quite lovely," she drawled. "You've kept it up quite nicely," Mattie put in. "They should," Violet said sharply, "that is their job." She smiled at Kid when he entered the room carrying a tray of fresh bread and jam. "Mmm," Violet said and Lou narrowed her eyes at Violet. She wasn't sure if Violet was appraising the food or her husband. She balled her fists up tightly. "Mmm, jelly," Violet continued and Lou was amazed how suggestive those words sounded. Good Lord what kind of girl was this Violet. "You don't happen to have any sweet potato pie do you?" she continued. "Sweet potato?" Kid looked at Lou in confusion. "I suppose I could ask Jane," he stammered. "It's not the season, dear," Mattie said, patting Violet's hand. But she rolled her eyes at Lou in a conspiratorial manner. Lou gave her a look of surprise. Teaspoon had told them that Mattie said Violet was daft but she did not really believe it until now. Teaspoon's niece should be sharp as a tack. Be charitable, Lou, she told herself. It could just be an honest mistake. But she did not like this girl so it was hard. "Morning," Jimmy said, coming into the room. He flashed Kid and Lou a broad grin before nodding at Mattie and Violet. Lou noticed how he did a double take upon spying the lovely Violet. "And good morning to you," Jimmy continued with a wry grin as he took a seat across from Violet. Violet giggled at him. "And you are?" Mattie asked. But Lou noticed that she was looking at her plate when she said the words. "Jimmy," he replied easily. He leaned in. "I'm here to watch over you," he told Violet. "Me?" Violet gasped. "Your great uncle didn't want there to be any trouble before you got your inheritance," Jimmy explained. "Oh, so you will be watching over me all the time." Violet tilted her head and cooed the words and Lou found herself balling up her fists once more. The nerve of this woman, she fumed silently. Jimmy just smiled at her. He appeared to be completely taken with this girl. "Maybe you could show me the property after we eat," Violet said. She batted her eyes at him. "My property." "I reckon I could," Jimmy replied. "Well, I'm done -" Violet began. "And so am I," Mattie put in. "I think you should stay and help," Violet giggled, "the help." Lou's temper began to boil even hotter. How dare this girl dismiss her? "Fine," Mattie snapped, "I'll do just that. But first I'll go to the stables and tell the groomsman to get two horses ready. I wouldn't want you to wait for anything," she added caustically. Mattie quickly rose from the table and hurried off. "I wonder what's gotten into her," Violet mused quietly. Jimmy shrugged. "Why don't you tell me about yourself," he said. "Why?" Violet said with a smile. "It will help me do my job." "Just your job?" Violet purred. Jimmy shook his head and smiled. "Does it really matter?" Lou rolled her eyes and stomped off to the kitchen. Jimmy was making her stomach turn. Chapter Five Mattie stormed off. She hated this feeling inside her. There was no reason to be so upset but she was anyway. She shook off her feelings of irritation. Violet was just playacting she reminded herself. Now where were the stupid stables anyway? She hurried along a worn path and soon came upon the stables. She stopped short when she saw an Indian outside currying a horse. Automatically her stomach tightened into knots. What was an Indian doing here? "Can I help you?" the Indian asked, his English perfect. "Buck," Mattie said, quickly letting out a sigh of relief. She suddenly remembered Buck from the letters Teaspoon had sent. Mattie quickly clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she had done and clearly her gaffe was noted by Buck as he stared at her then grabbed her by the arm, dragging her into the barn. Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought to herself. Just because she had never seen a real life Indian up close was no reason to run her mouth, but she had. She had just been so frightened then so relieved that she spoke without thinking. "How do you know who I am?" Buck demanded. "I, um, I," Mattie stammered. Then suddenly she had an idea. "They sent me down here to ask Buck to get two horses saddled." Buck dropped her arm, his eyes still fixed on her. "You're Buck, right?" Mattie asked sweetly. "Yes," Buck admitted. "Well, Violet and," Mattie furrowed her brow, pretending to be deep in thought, "the guy who is supposed to watch over Violet." She paused once more for good measure. "Jimmy," she said suddenly, "yeah, that's it. They are going to take a ride and survey her property." Buck watched her for a moment then turned away. He saddled one horse up and then turned to Mattie. "Is Violet a good rider?" "Yes," Mattie replied absently. She wondered if Buck believed her. He acted like he did, but she could not be certain. Buck nodded and then went into another stall. Once the other horse was ready to go, he took both reins into his hands and led the animals outside. He tied them to a post. Then he turned to her. "I'm sorry I was so rude earlier." "How come you are so suspicious of me?" Mattie asked. Might as well make him feel guilty, she decided. Maybe then he would not bring up her gaffe to the others. "I'm not." "Just'cause I knew your name, doesn't mean I'm out here to get Violet," Mattie continued airily. "Is someone out to get Violet?" Buck asked quickly. "Why else would that Jimmy person be here to protect her?" Mattie smiled inwardly. He could ask her all the questions he wanted. She was prepared now. Buck shrugged. "So how long have you been working here?" Mattie asked. "Don't most Indians stay away from towns?" "Most," Buck replied laconically. "But not you." Buck did not answer. "Did you know Amos Farthington well?" Mattie persisted. "I didn't know him at all," Buck replied. "Then who hired you?" Mattie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Teaspoon." "How well does Teaspoon know you?" "Well enough." "Mattie!" Violet interrupted sharply. She came into the barn, Jimmy right behind her. "I'm so sorry. She is a bit overprotective." She batted her eyes at Buck who regarded her carefully. "I'm Violet Talbot, and you have already met my maid, Mattie," she continued. When Buck continued to just stare at her, she added, "And you are?" "Buck," he said. Mattie was thankful he did not look at her because she had turned beet red at Violet's words. "Buck Cross, Miss." "Well should we be off?" Violet said, catching sight of Mattie's expression. "Why don't we wait a few minutes," Buck said. "But -" Violet began. "Why don't you tell us how much you know about us?" Buck cut in smoothly. Chapter Six Violet laughed merrily. "Well you work in the stables; your name is Buck Cross -" "The truth," Buck said harshly. "Buck," Jimmy frowned at him. Violet blanched. She looked at her friend. What had gone wrong? "I blew it," Mattie said quietly. "What?" Jimmy exploded. "I came down here and I was so surprised to see an Indian then I realized who it was and blurted out his name," Mattie explained succinctly. "Sorry, Vi." "Nothing to be sorry for," Violet told her softly. Mattie did not have to come here with her, but she did and she went along with her crazy plan. This was not Mattie's fault. "So you know who all of us are?" Buck said. Violet nodded. "Why the charade?" Violet laughed. "I could ask you the same thing. My own uncle is lying to me and you stand here and demand to know why I am lying?" she asked shrilly. "Teaspoon is trying to keep you safe," Jimmy explained calmly. "I am trying to keep myself safe," Violet retorted. "Because?" Buck asked. "Let's all stop pretending," Mattie sighed. "We all have come to the same conclusion, right? That only a doddering old fool or someone with bad intentions would leave their money to a stranger." "Right," Jimmy agreed. "We lied so everyone would think Violet was some stupid twit and we could snoop around without anyone being suspicious," Mattie told them, a wry grin on her face. Violet laughed. It sounded so naïve when the words were spoken aloud, but what else were two young women on their own supposed to do? "Are you always so blunt?" Buck asked, giving Mattie a curious look. Violet linked her arm through Mattie's. "Always," she replied, giving her friend an affectionate look. "I suppose you thought I was a silly little rich girl." "It would be disappointing to think Teaspoon's niece was really so vapid," Buck told her with a smile. "I overheard the conversation at the house. I was in the kitchen eating," he explained. "So you knew I was lying all along and you just let me go on and on?" Mattie exclaimed. She narrowed her eyes. "You know why we were lying, what's your excuse?" "We didn't know much about you, but we figured the same as you. Someone was after Farthington's money and Violet might be in trouble. We couldn't rightly watch over you if everyone knew about us," Jimmy said. "You could have told us," Violet said. "My uncle could have told me," she finished, her voice breaking. "Teaspoon didn't want to frighten you," Buck told her gently. He waited until Violet met his eyes before continuing. "The last thing he would ever want to do is hurt you." Violet nodded. "Why don't we head back," Buck continued, "and we can all lay our cards on the table." "Good idea," Mattie agreed. "Maybe together we have more knowledge than separately." Chapter Seven "That's everything," Teaspoon said heavily. Violet nodded. "I see," she said curtly. Teaspoon had told them that her mother had written him and expressed some concern for her safety. He had surmised that Violet might be in some kind of jeopardy. Because of his concerns, he had concocted this plan of pretending he was just a caretaker and his "boys" were simple servants. "You and I had the same idea." Teaspoon nodded. "You should have told me the truth. I gave you an opening to tell me who you were," she continued her voice becoming angrier. "But you lied to my face." "I am sorry," Teaspoon said quietly. "I never meant to hurt you. You are my niece and you mean the world to me. But frankly I didn't know how you might react to this whole situation." Violet gave him a hard look. "We wanted to get a feel for Amos Farthington's life," Teaspoon continued. He stopped and shook his head. "I was worried for you, plain and simple. I lied and I am sorrier than you'll ever know." He gave her a sad smile. "I've always been one for crazy schemes, just ask your ma. She'll tell you if there's a simple way and a complicated one, I'll always choose the complicated way." "She says that about me too," Violet replied softly. Teaspoon smiled. "I hope you'll forgive an old man for his foolishness." Violet looked at her hands which were folded in her lap. Sometime after the conversation began everyone save Teaspoon had quickly vanished. It was her and her uncle sitting in the book filled library of this huge house right now. Violet began rubbing the arms of the brown leather chair she was seated in. When she finally looked up she saw Teaspoon doing the exact same thing. He was seated in a similar chair directly across from her. She wished she could forgive him. She had done exactly what he had done, but she was too hurt to tell him it was all okay and mean it. His lie had been far more elaborate than hers. And it hurt. Fighting the tears, she rose to her feet. "Violet," Teaspoon began, also jumping up. "If you don't mind," Violet said, her voice beginning to quaver. She hurried from the room and straight into Buck. "Sorry," she said. She turned toward the stairs. She wanted to go to her room and have a good cry. She knew it was silly. Nothing had been done to her. Her uncle set up this charade to catch someone he thought might be trying to hurt her. He wanted to protect her. But he had left her out of all this, like she was some child or worse, a fool. And try as she might, Violet could not help but be hurt by that. "He did this because he cares," Buck told her quietly. "Yeah, I know, he told me," Violet snapped. "He thinks Amos was murdered." Violet turned around and looked at him. "What?" She must have misheard him. "He thinks Amos was murdered," Buck repeated. "He didn't want to lie, but he would have done anything to keep you safe." "Does he think someone is out to kill me too?" "I think that is what he is most afraid of." Violet sat down with a thunk on the stairs. Buck sat down beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked. "I didn't think it was that serious," she said. "Teaspoon wouldn't lie to you if it wasn't." "How do you know?" "I have worked with him for quite a few years. I can see when he is really worried." Buck patted her hand. "He is really worried about you. It might be because you are his niece or because he is worried for your life or some combination of the two, but he is definitely worried." Violet clutched at his hand. Someone killed Amos? She was ready to pack up and go home. She didn't need this Amos Farthington's money. "Do you think someone is going to try and kill me?" She needed an objective opinion. "I don't know," Buck told her seriously. "But I trust Teaspoon's instincts." Chapter Eight "So it's settled," Teaspoon said, addressing the large group of young people gathered around the dining room table. Everyone had finished their breakfast thus he had taken this opportunity to talk to them all about the current situation. It had been decided that they would go about their business as usual. Violet would act as if she was inspecting the property; everyone else would play the roles they had already given themselves. "We do everything we have been doing," Teaspoon continued, "until the lawyer comes here with the papers for Violet to sign." "Sounds just dreadful," Violet said. "Safety is more important than adventure," Teaspoon admonished her, raising a brow. Violet frowned. "We could go for a ride around the place," Jimmy suggested nonchalantly. "You could get to know the place better." "Now?" Teaspoon exclaimed. He had just got done laying down the law and theses children wanted to take off? "Now that sounds lovely," Violet said quickly. She looked at Jimmy. "Thank you, that is very kind of you to offer," she added sweetly. She then glanced at Mattie and Teaspoon noted it was a rather furtive glance. "Mattie has been feeling cooped up." "I what?" Mattie exclaimed. "She loves being outside," Violet added. Mattie shrugged. Teaspoon frowned. He did not like the undercurrents going round the room. But he didn't have time to worry about these young'uns love lives. Whoever fancied who was not his concern. They were all adults. He just wanted his niece to be safe. "You watch over them," he told Jimmy. "Buck, you go along too, just in case." "Teaspoon," Jimmy began to protest. "This is why I brought all of you," Teaspoon said sternly. "The more eyes, the better." "Fine. Let's go," Jimmy said. *~*~* Jimmy rode beside Violet. She really did not seem to be enjoying herself. Buck and Mattie were ahead of them. Mattie was chattering to him about something. Violet on the other hand was very silent. "You don't like riding, do you?" Jimmy asked quietly. "I do," Violet told him. "I'm just feeling out of sorts." She gave him a wry smile. "It's not everyday you hear someone wants to kill you." She sighed. "I guess you are used to it." She clapped a hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Jimmy looked away as he spoke. During breakfast Teaspoon had explained who all the former Express riders were. Violet knew all about his reputation. "No one gets used to it," he said quietly. "I'm sorry," Violet said once more. "It was thoughtless and stupid to say that. But you live such a different life." She smiled and when Jimmy could finally meet her eyes he was struck once again at how beautiful she was. "Different than yours, I reckon. I bet you never even had an enemy," he added lightly. "Well, there was Ginny Roberts. She didn't invite me to her birthday party." Jimmy was able to smile at her then. "Her loss." Violet laughed. "I thought so too. And as it turned out, it was a dull party so I didn't miss a thing." "Probably boring because you weren't there," Jimmy told her, his eyes locked with hers. "Would you mind if we cut this ride short?" Violet asked, looking at her saddle horn. "Why?" Had he been too forward? Why the sudden change, Jimmy wondered? "I saw a plot for a garden back at the house," Violet explained. "I'd love to get it started. I kept the garden at home and it will keep me occupied," she continued. "Oh." Jimmy felt his spirits began to wane. He could not imagine anything duller than spending his days watching Violet tend a garden. "I reckon. I mean yeah, sure. Let's go." He supposed he could help her carry things that were too heavy for her. And they could spend some time alone. Who else would want to garden? "Buck," Jimmy called out. "We're heading back." When he got no response, he and Violet hurried their horses until they were beside Buck. But Buck was sliding off his animal. "Mattie found something," Buck told them. When they reached Mattie's side, they found she was sitting down, leaning against a tree. "What happened?" Jimmy asked quickly. He saw a small, squirmy grey bundle in her arms. Buck quickly took off his shirt and wrapped a small dog's paw. "Looks like this little fella got caught in a trap and somehow worked his way loose." Jimmy looked at the animal cradled in Mattie's arms. The little dog had its head nestled under her arm and he could see Buck wrapping a small bloodied front paw. When the animal poked his nose out from under Mattie, Jimmy got a good look at him. "That's a wolf," Violet half shouted. "Half wolf," Jimmy said. He looked at the animal. "Its snout is too short to be all wolf." "Poor thing," Mattie crooned. She lifted him up so that they were nose to nose. She laughed as the pup licked her face. "You should probably let it loose," Violet said. "You don't want his or her ma to come'round." "I think he has been out here for a while. His ma has probably left him for dead," Jimmy said crouching beside Mattie and scratching the animal behind the ears. Then suddenly he remembered why he had called out to Buck in the first place. He straightened up. "You okay here?" he asked Buck. "Violet said she wanted to head back." "Its fine," Violet said quickly. "I can make it home alone." She gave Jimmy a smile. "I can see how much you like that little dog." He did like the little pup, Jimmy thought, but he did not want to waste a chance to be alone with Violet either. "I'll go," Buck offered. "I've always liked horses more than dogs." "A horse is nothing more than a big dog," Jimmy said. He laughed when the little beast tried to lick his nose. "I'll tell Teaspoon you're out here," Buck said as he swung a leg up and settled into his saddle. "Yeah, sure," Jimmy said absently as he rubbed the dog's belly. He'd help Violet in the garden another time. Chapter Nine "Are you tired?" Buck asked. Violet shook her head. She could not rightly tell him why she had wanted to leave, that she wanted Mattie to have some time alone with Jimmy. She had seen how flushed her friend's cheeks had gotten when she had first laid eyes on him. She had had a very visceral reaction without so much as knowing Jimmy's name. Not that she admitted anything. Violet had asked her over and over again if she fancied Jimmy and Mattie had staunchly denied it. He had just surprised her, she claimed. Violet knew Jimmy was trying to win her over. But frankly, she did not think his heart was really in it. Otherwise he would not have abandoned her at the first opportunity to do so. Or maybe he just really really hated gardening, she mused with a smile. "What's so funny?" Buck asked. "Just thinking of something," Violet replied. She turned to Buck, focusing on him, not her thoughts and said, "I asked Jimmy to take me back because I had this urge to garden." It sounded ridiculous but she did not know Buck well enough to tell him the truth. And she really did enjoy gardening. "Oh." "Do you garden?" "Never have." "I hope I won't bore you." "You won't." They rode for a while in silence until Buck said, "You remind me of Teaspoon when you do that." Violet frowned. "Do what?" She had been thinking about what would go in a garden. "Move your eyebrows up and down like that," Buck smiled. Violet put a hand to her forehead. "I do that?" "It's kind of cute," Buck said softly. "Looking like a sixty year old man is cute?" Violet said in a teasing voice. Buck smiled. "My mother always said I was just like him," Violet said. "How?" Buck asked. "Headstrong, always coming up with crazy schemes and the more stories she told me about him, the more I wanted to be just like him," Violet explained. "He's one of a kind," Buck told her. "That's what I want to be too," she laughed. "But seriously, he has seen so much and done so many things. And he is open to everything. Most people are so judgmental, but he seems to accept people for who they are." She glanced sideways at Buck. "Did you know him when he lived with the Indians?" Buck shook his head. "No. We met when I joined the Express." He briefly told her about leaving the Kiowa and meeting the rest of the riders. "You have a bit of Teaspoon in you yourself," Violet smiled. "I could only hope to be as good a man as he is," Buck said solemnly. He pulled his horse to a stop. "We're here," Violet said, surprised to find she was disappointed. She had been enjoying her little talk with Buck, something she did not expect. Hadn't she sworn off men a few months ago? Yes, she had, she reminded herself. Buck dismounted and walked to her horse. He held both animals while Violet got off her mount. "I'll join you in the garden," he told her, his eyes firmly on hers. "Thank you," Violet said a bit cautiously. She certainly hoped that Buck was not getting the wrong idea about her. She wanted to garden. She did not want anything more. Chapter Ten Mattie pulled her fingers back as the pup nipped her. "Ouch," she laughed. "Bad dog," she said sternly but the puppy simply wagged its tail at her. She picked him up. "I think he is hungry." She rose to her feet. "What are you doing?" Jimmy asked loudly. "Taking him back to get some food in him," Mattie told him, frowning. "You are going to bring him back to the house?" Jimmy exclaimed. "Would you rather I leave him out here to die?" Mattie asked calmly. "Of course not," Jimmy said irritably. "Then we take him back," she declared, walking to her horse. We, Jimmy thought to himself, how did this become a we? He had not agreed to anything. He watched as Mattie struggled to keep the squirming pup under her arm and get on her horse. "Here," he said, boosting her up. Mattie flashed him a quick grin. "Thanks." Jimmy sighed loudly as he mounted his own horse. "Don't mention it," he said dryly. As they began to ride slowly toward the house Mattie asked, "What should we name him?" There was that word we again, Jimmy thought, somewhat dismayed. But he couldn't help but reach out and catch the little dog as he began to wriggle his way out of Mattie's arms. He grabbed the dog firmly by the scruff of his neck and held him in front of him. "Scruffy," Mattie suggested. "Stripe, since he has that white mark on his chest." Jimmy's mind began to drift to another time and another dog. "Smokey, Licorice," Jimmy barely even heard her. "Doc," she continued rattling the names off. "I got it, Sneezy?" "Sneezy?" Jimmy exclaimed, finally hearing her. Mattie shrugged. "It got your attention at least." "I was just thinking of something," Jimmy said quietly. "What?" "I had a dog once." "What was his name?" Jimmy looked at the squirming ball in front him. This pup reminded him of the dog he had had so long ago. "Jimmy," Mattie persisted. "Max," Jimmy said softly. "Max would be a good name for any dog," Mattie told him, her voice full of kindness for something that obviously still caused him pain. "He ran off after my pa switched him one too many times," Jimmy said bitterly. Mattie remained silent for a while. "I'm sorry," she said finally. "Ain't got nothing to do with you," Jimmy said, his voice ice cold. "I can still be sorry it happened," Mattie told him, her voice the exact opposite of his, warm and full of compassion. "I myself never had a dog," she continued. "Why not?" Jimmy asked in spite of himself. He would have liked nothing better than to brush her off. He should be in the garden with Violet, not telling this girl his sad little tales. "Too many kids underfoot," Mattie said without a trace of self pity. Unlike him, Jimmy thought ruefully. "You had a big family?" he asked. "I lived with my aunt and uncle. I had a lot of cousins." "How come," Jimmy asked, "you lived with your aunt and uncle?" "My folks died in a house fire and they took me in." "I'm sorry," Jimmy told her. "It's all right. It happened a long time ago," she said in an overly bright voice. Clearly she had her own share of pain, Jimmy realized. Mattie reached out and rubbed the now sleeping pup's head. "I have a dog now." Chapter Eleven Buck wiped his brow. It was so hot outside, he thought to himself. But he didn't mind being out here. Violet was here, tilling her garden, her blouse clinging to her body as she too was wet with sweat. But on her, Buck sighed softly, it was alluring. He knew he should not be here, watching her, wanting her. But he was. He could not help himself. She was beautiful, confident and he found her extremely interesting. She held many of the same beliefs as Teaspoon. She looked at people as just people. And the refreshing part, Buck decided was she saw him as Indian and was interested in that part of him. She did not politely ignore his color, but asked questions and cared about his answers. This had been going on for two days. He wanted to stay away but clearly he wanted to be here more. "Can you bring some of the seed here?" Violet called out. "Yeah, sure," Buck replied quickly, tearing his eyes from her body. He hurried to the burlap bags gathered just outside the gate. "Which one?" "The corn." Buck hoisted the bag labeled corn over his shoulder and came to stand by Violet. "Goodness you did that so easily," Violet said with a laugh. Involuntarily Buck's chest puffed out with pride. He stood there, basking in Violet's apparent awe of his strength until she said, "You can set the bag down." Her eyes were dancing with amusement. "Oh, right." Buck quickly put the bag down. He had to get a grip. His infatuation for Violet was making him act like a fool. Jimmy was clearly interested in Violet. And when it came right down to it, they were much more suited for each other than he and Violet were. He just had to make himself accept that fact. "I should be heading to the stables," he announced, taking a step toward the garden gate. "Wait." Violet stood up quickly and approached him. "I just wanted to thank you for helping me out." "I didn't do much," Buck told her, sheepishly. He had just carried heavy bags and tilled some earth. "When we are eating fresh vegetables you'll appreciate what you have done," she said with a smile. Despite his earlier self admonishments Buck found himself moving his hands to the small of her back. As he met her eyes, he drew her closer. "Don't," Violet said softly. Buck dropped his hands quickly, as if he had been burned. "I'm sorry," he said brusquely. Violet shook her head. "It's not what you think," she said quickly. Buck firmly pushed her away from him. "No," he said bitterly, "don't be sorry. White women flirt with Indians for one reason only." Violet's eyes grew wide with surprise. "What?" she exclaimed loudly. "I'm using you?" "The big hero hasn't been paying you much attention lately. Why not use me to get him back to your side?" Buck declared angrily. In actuality he did not believe a word he was saying. He was attracted to Violet but it hurt being told that the feeling was not mutual. Thus Buck found himself lashing out at someone he genuinely liked. "You mean your friend? Jimmy?" Violet asked calmly. "He really isn't interested in me." Buck scowled at her. Jimmy sang Violet's praises daily. "He just thinks he should be," she continued. "What do you mean?" Buck asked feeling even more confused. "The famous gunfighters always have the pretty girl on their arm," Violet said almost sadly. "But if he really wanted this girl." She pointed to herself. "He'd be here, slogging it out in the hot sun. Not somewhere else, playing with a pup and having a good time with Mattie." "Does that bother you?" Buck asked, the rancor leaving his voice, "that Jimmy is spending time with Mattie?" "No," Violet laughed. She returned her attention to the earth. Buck could only manage to nod. He felt so ashamed. He knew she was not interested in Jimmy and on some level he also realized Jimmy was not really after Violet. Buck moved slowly. He knelt down beside Violet who was covering the seed she had just spread with dirt. "If I led you on," Violet told him quietly, "I apologize. That was not my intention. I do enjoy your company," she added firmly, "but I am not looking for anything else." Buck nodded. "You did not lead me on. I read more into the situation than I should have." "I don't want anything but friendship," Violet said, meeting his eyes. Buck nodded. "I'd be honored to be your friend." "Thank you," Violet replied. "I appreciate that." She paused. "Please don't take what I'm saying personally." What other way was there to take rejection, Buck wondered. "I really don't want to be involved with anyone." "Ever?" Buck exclaimed. Was Violet really swearing off of relationships for the rest of her life?! "If you knew the truth, you wouldn't want to be involved with me," Violet added. "You could try me," Buck persisted. "Maybe later," Violet told him. But it was clear to Buck that in this case later meant never. He furrowed his brow, deep in thought as he wondered what had happened to Violet to make her so distrustful of relationships. Chapter Twelve "What am I supposed to do?" Mattie looked at him, perplexed. Jimmy held the bat in his hands and then swung it. "When I throw the ball in your direction you are supposed to hit it with this bat." They were outside a little ways from the house. Jimmy knew he should be keeping an eye on Violet, that was his job, but when he saw Buck helping her carry bags of seed he knew she was okay so he came out here, under the large elm, where he knew Mattie would be, supposedly training her dog. She was here every day around this time. But instead of trying to teach that disobedient mutt what to do, Jimmy had brought out the equipment for the game Teaspoon called baseball. When he saw it in the hallway, he had asked Teaspoon if he could use it and he had agreed. Teaspoon had wanted to show Violet, but once again his niece had told him no and went to the garden. Poor Teaspoon, he just wanted to get to know Violet better but she appeared to still be angry at his earlier deception. Mattie gave him a look like he was crazy. "Teaspoon showed us this game when we were Express riders," Jimmy told her. "It is fun." He explained the basic rules and then laid out the field and bases. "Some of the boys would play a game a little like this when I was in school," Mattie said, looking at the bat, "except they used a stick." Jimmy grinned. "So you know what to do." "I played once or twice," Mattie said. "But I'm not very good." "What games are you good at?" Jimmy was slightly annoyed that she would not even try without putting herself down but he recognized this as an opportunity to get Mattie to talk about herself. She never did. "Nothing you'd find interesting," Mattie said lightly once again brushing off his attempt to learn anything about her. "I'd still like to hear about it," Jimmy said quietly. She gave him a wan smile. "Your stories are so much better than anything I might say." Jimmy was in two minds about all this. He was flattered by her interest in his stories. She was as good as audience as he had ever had. But on the other hand, he wanted to learn more about her too. She had the sweetest smile but sometimes when he looked at her and she did not see him watching her, her eyes were filled with such sadness. She clearly had some stories in her. "Maybe I'll tell you another one," Jimmy grinned, "after you tell me one of your stories." Mattie looked down but Jimmy saw that she was smiling. "So you ready to hit?" he called out, circling his arm as he got ready to throw the ball. Mattie lifted the bat over her shoulder. "Ready." Jimmy tossed the ball toward her and when her bat hit the ball, it made a resounding crack and flew past him. Jimmy stared at Mattie. "I run the bases, right?" she asked sweetly and then she took off. Jimmy grinned. He had been snookered. He raced off into the tall grass just behind them and searched for the ball. Mattie had just rounded the second base when he found it. He picked it up and ran to the tree which was serving as home plate. Mattie was almost there but before she could touch the tree Jimmy stepped forward and grabbed her round the waist. "You little sneak," he laughed, holding her. "I don't think grabbing people is part of the game," she told him seriously, turning her head back to look at him. "It is when people cheat." Jimmy grinned into her face. Damn, he thought, she was really quite pretty with the light dusting of freckles that went across her nose and her big green eyes with flecks of blue in them. "Jimmy," she said, her voice full of uncertainty. He smoothed a lock of hair from her face but before he could do anything a ball of fur rushed at him, jumping at his legs. "Stupid dog," Jimmy muttered, releasing Mattie. Oh well, he thought irritably, the dog's interruption was probably very timely. He didn't need word getting back to Violet that he had kissed Mattie. Mattie sat down beside the dog and rubbed his ears. "Bad Max," she cooed at him. "No jumping on people." "Yeah," he said dryly, feeling very out of sorts right about now. He told himself once more that the dog's sudden appearance was a good thing. But then why was he so disappointed? "Now he'll mind." He watched her sit down and pull the dog in her lap. Jimmy felt his disappointment grow into irritation. Didn't she even care that he had wanted to kiss her? Had she even noticed? Did any of the women in this house notice him? No, he decided, feeling even more annoyed, they all noticed Buck. Violet batted her eyes at Buck all the time and Mattie was never closed mouthed around the Kiowa. "He needs to start behaving," Jimmy told Mattie. But as usual she paid him no mind. The pup, Max, was in her lap, happily trying to lick her face while Mattie laughed. "Max, come," Jimmy commanded the dog but once again, both dog and girl, ignored him. He scowled at both of them. "He's just a baby," Mattie protested. "So when are you gonna start making him mind?" Jimmy demanded. "When he is bigger than you are?" Mattie barely reached his shoulder and judging from the size of the dog's paws, he would be bigger than her when he stood on his hind legs all too soon. "Why are you so angry?" Mattie asked, shaking her head. "We were having fun and he wanted to join in. It's a beautiful summer day, we don't have to be doing anything right now but enjoy ourselves and you are all upset that a little puppy won't mind you. Can we at least wait until he doesn't make puddles all over the house before insisting he come when he's called?" "I don't know," Jimmy muttered leaning back against the tree. He was feeling very muddled inside. Nothing was going as planned. He was supposed to be wooing Violet, but he was out here, almost kissing Mattie. What had happened to get him to this point? Every morning he asked Violet if she would like to take a ride or a walk and every day she rebuffed him. She did it very nicely, with a big smile and a sweet invitation to join her in the garden, but she knew he hated gardening. He sighed. Clearly she was not interested enough in him to join him in an activity he enjoyed. So instead of doing nothing, he went to play with Max . . . and Mattie, he thought with a small frown. "Ouch," Mattie exclaimed, holding her left hand tightly. Jimmy grabbed her hand and pried it open. It was bleeding. "What happened?" he asked loudly. "Nothing." Mattie tried to snatch her hand away. Jimmy took his kerchief from his pocket and wrapped her hand. "That dog bit you, didn't he?" Mattie did not reply. "Max!" Jimmy shouted. The pup that had been running in the opposite direction stopped in his tracks and stared at him. "Come." Slowly the dog moved toward him. "He's just a baby," Mattie protested when Jimmy grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. "He didn't bite me. Those baby teeth are just really sharp." "You let him run wild now and he ain't never gonna stop," Jimmy told her. He held the dog firmly in place. "If you'd just be a little nicer to him, maybe I wouldn't go so overboard," Mattie cried. "What?" Jimmy exclaimed. "This is my fault?" Mattie closed her fist around the kerchief. "I know you'd rather be elsewhere. So go there. You don't have to watch over me." "Why would I watch over you?" Jimmy asked, feeling perplexed. "No one is after you." "I know," Mattie said softly. She rose to her feet. Jimmy saw that her cheeks were bright red. "Does your hand hurt bad?" he asked quickly. "It's fine," Mattie told him, her voice tight. "I know you'd rather be with Violet, so now that we have established the fact no one is after me, maybe you could spend the time with her." "Mattie," Jimmy began. A sliver of pain opened up inside him and he did not know why. "I won't spoil Max anymore so you don't need to supervise us, okay?" Mattie continued, walking backward as she spoke. "Now if you could please bring him back to the house, I'd appreciate it. I want to get back and wash this hand," she told him in an overly formal voice. Then suddenly she turned and ran. "Mattie!" Jimmy jumped up, still holding the dog. "Mattie, wait." But she continued to speed away. Jimmy exhaled loudly. He began walking back to the house as well. "Maybe I will join Violet in the garden," he told Max. The little dog just tried to lick his face. "But I hate gardening," he continued. "Why can't she see that?" He sighed once more. "Why can't she do something I want to do?" When Max yipped at him, he said, "Why can't I do something she wants to do?" He could not even voice the rest of his thoughts to a dog. Why did he choose to come out here and spend the time with Mattie? Why did he want to kiss her? Chapter Thirteen "And I got my teaching certificate last year," Violet told Buck as they rode toward the stream. He had persuaded Violet to take a break from her gardening. Gardening was hard work, he had learned. Not that he minded. It was an oddly satisfying job; working with the earth and seeing the sprouts come up after a little time and care. But it was hot and he needed a change of pace. Buck had been trying to learn a bit more about her. She claimed to be like Teaspoon and in some ways she was, she was open to new ideas, but she did not share Teaspoon's sense of adventure, his open spirit and Buck once again found himself wondering why. "What about you?" "What?" Buck asked, his reverie interrupted by Violet's question. "You," Violet persisted. "What have you been doing since the Express ended? I know from Teaspoon's letters what you did during those days, but how about since then?" "After the Express ended I went back to the Kiowa." Violet nodded. "And I left them last month." "And nothing happened in between?" Violet asked dryly. Buck drew a heavy breath. "It's not easy to talk about." Violet shook her head. "I understand. You don't have to." "I want to," Buck said. And it was the truth. He wanted her to know about him, his life. He was still drawn to Violet, even though he knew the feeling was not mutual. Violet nodded, looking at her saddle horn. "When I went back to the Kiowa, I got married," Buck continued. "Oh." Violet's eyes grew with surprise. "It was a good life, but it was a short one," Buck told her sadly. "My wife died about a year and a half ago." He had married Day Woman a few months after returning to the Kiowa. Teaspoon was still marshal in Rock Creek and had offered Buck a job as deputy, but it smacked of charity thus Buck had refused him. It had been a difficult time. Noah had died; Cody had left to join the army. Kid and Lou were starting their new life together. Jimmy and Rosemary were planning on leaving for Kansas, but instead Jimmy had joined the army and, Rosemary had left by herself. Rachel had married Roger shortly after that, and then it was just him. He realized now it was not just the idea of accepting charity from Teaspoon that made him leave but the loneliness. Teaspoon and Polly were talking about marriage, and Buck had never felt so alone in his life. Thus he had left and in the it had been the right decision. Teaspoon and Polly had remarried, but Polly had died a few months later. Buck considered the idea of returning when he heard, but war had broken out. The white man was too busy killing each other to worry about the Kiowa. Thus Buck had found a bit of happiness. He met a young woman named Day Woman, and they had been happy. Buck felt like he had a place amongst the Kiowa. His ability to speak English had come in handy on several occasions. Violet lifted her head so she could look at him. "I'm sorry." Buck could not answer as his throat filled with unshed tears. The pain of losing Day Woman filled him once more. "Were you married long?" "A little over a year." "Do you still miss her?" "Every day." Buck lowered his head. "I'm so sorry." "Thank you," Buck told her, raising his head to meet her gaze. "But I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry that I met her, had a chance to love her. We were happy." Violet gave him a small smile. "If I had not married my wife, I would have missed out on something wonderful." Being married to Day Woman had changed him. After losing Ike he had stayed away from relationships, but then he met Day Woman, and he had learned the hard way - finding people to love was rare, and it could be fleeting but that no longer meant he would avoid love. He would hold onto it with both hands if love ever came back into his life. Buck paused, knowing it was not his place to ask this, but he did it anyway. "Is that why you are avoiding relationships? Have you lost someone?" Violet's eyes grew hard. "That is not your business." "I don't mean to pry," Buck said quickly. "Then don't." "I thought we were friends." "I thought we were too," Violet snapped. "But friends don't meddle where they are not wanted." That was exactly what friends did. "Friends do not let you wallow in your grief alone," Buck said softly. "Stop!" Violet turned the horse around quickly. "I don't need this." She quickly composed herself, but Buck noticed that her blue eyes were still flashing angrily at him. Her tone may be calm but she was not. "I'm going back now," she declared, riding away. Chapter Fourteen Teaspoon smiled at Violet as she hurried to her seat in the dining room next to Buck. Jimmy sat across from her and Mattie was on the other side. Kid and Lou were seated next to Jimmy. Teaspoon sat at the head of the long table. "Sorry," she told the group. "I overslept." She picked up her napkin, studiously avoiding both Jimmy and Buck's looks. Teaspoon wondered what the heck was going on. He knew Jimmy was infatuated with Violet. But he had not known Buck was. Were the three of them upset with one another? "Here, Miss," Jane, the cook, said, setting a plate of hotcakes in front of Violet. "Jane," Teaspoon said, "why don't you join us?" He smiled at the tall woman with iron gray hair and green eyes, pushing thoughts of Jimmy, Buck and Violet from his mind. Jane frowned at him. "We ain't that formal a bunch." He pulled out a chair. "Please, sit." "I don't think so," Jane told him formally. "It is not your place to issue invitations, and I am the cook, not a guest." Teaspoon looked pointedly at Violet who was still avoiding everyone, oblivious to the exchange that had just occurred. "Jane," he began again. But Jane cut him off. "I will bring you some more coffee out," she announced, quickly hurrying from the room. Teaspoon sighed once more. This just was not his day. "Any word from the lawyer?" he asked Kid. Kid nodded. After swallowing his eggs, he said, "The lawyer should be here in a few days with the papers for Violet to sign." "And then this is all mine?" Violet asked her voice filled with forced happiness. "Sure is, darlin'," Teaspoon told her, wishing the girl would open up to him. "I can help you with the running of the place until you are comfortable," he added hopefully. He wanted some time to get to know his niece. He hated being rejected by his own kin. "You don't have to," Violet said. "From what I gather I can afford a lawyer to help me sort through the papers." Teaspoon nodded. "That's true," he said sadly. He looked at his now cold eggs. "Excuse me," Lou said suddenly, rising from the table and running out as the group stared at her. "Is she sick?" Jimmy asked. "She has been looking a little green every morning," Buck added. "No," Kid said quickly, "she's fine." "Retching every morning is fine?" Jimmy exclaimed. Teaspoon saw Mattie and Violet exchange glances and he knew. "She's expecting!" he announced happily. Kid stared at him, slack jawed. Jimmy clapped Kid on the back. "Congratulations!" Buck smiled. "I am very happy for you. Both of you." "Thanks," Kid replied, looking both proud and embarrassed. "But don't tell Lou." "Why?" Jimmy asked. "Its not breakfast conversation," Mattie said. "It's private." "A woman just gets big as a house and no one says nothing?" Jimmy sputtered. "It's a family matter," Mattie said. "We are family," Jimmy said. "We are family," Kid grinned. "And maybe most folks would keep quiet but we ain't most folks," he explained to Mattie and Violet. "Its just," he swallowed hard, "we lost one baby a few months back and we just wanted to be sure before announcing it." "And you're sure?" Teaspoon asked cautiously. Kid nodded. "We're sure," he beamed. "Wonderful news," Teaspoon drawled. "I'm sure it will be fine," Mattie said with a smile. "I'm sure it will be too," Jimmy agreed. Then suddenly he asked Mattie, "Are you going out to the meadow?" "No," was Mattie's terse reply. "Violet are you gardening?" "I guess," Violet answered, looking slightly bewildered. "Congratulations," she told Kid. "I can't wait," Kid said, beaming. "Show my son all the things I know." "You could have a girl," Mattie told him wryly. "With big brown eyes," Kid smiled. "I'm sure you'll be a great father," Violet told him. "I'm sure you'll both be great parents. Now if you'll excuse me; I need to take Max out." Mattie smiled as she stood up. "I don't want to clean up a mess in my room." Jimmy jumped up from the table as well. "I can help you with Max." "Thanks, but I can handle one small stray," Mattie told him. She turned and walked toward the hallway that led upstairs. "Um, Mattie," Jimmy called out, still standing. Mattie turned back. "What?" "You look pretty," Jimmy said while Kid stared at him. Mattie made a face that indicated her disgust and left. Teaspoon stared at the remaining young people at the table. Kid was going to be a father. Jimmy was complimenting Mattie and not giving Violet the usual dose of sweet talk and Mattie was finally speaking to Jimmy and in a not so nice manner. What was going on here? Chapter Fifteen Buck looked across the yard and saw Violet in the garden, considering approaching once more. But since the last time he had tended the garden with her had gone so awfully, he had been avoiding her. "Hey," Mattie said, chasing after Max. Max stood by Buck's feet and wagged his tail. "Hey there, fella." Buck crouched down and scratched the dog behind the ears. He raised his head and asked, "So did he make a mess in your room?" "Nope," Mattie replied happily. She tossed a small ball and watched as Max ran to fetch it. When the dog brought it back, she threw it again. "I want to tucker him out," she explained. "He has been keeping me awake at night." Buck sat down beside her. "Are you avoiding Violet?" she asked in her usual blunt manner. "Yes," Buck answered quietly. "Why?" "I asked what or who had hurt her in the past and she shut me down." Mattie looked away. "You know, don't you?" Mattie shrugged. "We've been friends for ages. Violet took me in and shared her mother and father with me. We are more like sisters than just friends." "Was it a man?" Buck persisted. "Yes," Mattie replied, "and that is all I will say." Buck gave her a rueful smile. "That's not saying much." He paused for a moment. "I told her I was married." "You were?" Buck quickly recounted his tale. "I hoped she would open up to me." "Maybe Violet's tale is still going," Mattie told him cryptically. Buck frowned. "Now that is really all I'm going to say," Mattie said with a wry smile. "But I will give you a bit of advice. Don't underestimate yourself." She moved to leave. "Or Violet." She cupped her hands, "Max, come here boy. Max!" When the puppy came bounding over, she picked him up. "Good boy," she said happily. "Are you heading back?" Buck asked. "Yeah. I told Jane I'd help her with lunch. I don't think she is used to cooking for such a big crowd." Chapter Sixteen Jimmy trudged up the stairs and walked slowly down the hallway to his bedroom. It had been one hell of a day. One hell of a week, he thought. He had once again gone to the meadow where Mattie was usually at, and she had not been there. He knew he had hurt her with his statement that no one was after her. He realized now that his statement about no one being after her meant more to her than what he meant. It was true; he meant it both ways when he had initially said it. No one was after her to harm her, and no one was interested in her romantically. But then Jimmy found himself missing Mattie. As usual, after breakfast he did his chores, rode around the property to make sure nothing was amiss, and then he went to the meadow. But this time instead of spending the morning with Mattie and Max, Jimmy had stood out there alone. The first day was not so bad. He had gone back to the house, and then he and Kid had ridden into town and had gotten some supplies. But then it happened the next day and much to Jimmy's chagrin, he realized he wanted to spend time with Mattie, not just enjoy the beautiful weather or play with a dog. It wasn't just the realization that she was flat out pretty. It was something else. Violet may be beautiful, but he did not share any of her interests. Mattie, once she actually said a word to him, made him smile. It was the morning after he nearly kissed her that it all crystallized in his mind. He was attracted to Mattie. At first he had dismissed that feeling as loneliness. He had not had a real lady friend since Rosemary. During his stint in the army he had visited some saloons on leaves, but that was about it. Then when he realized he preferred spending time with Mattie as opposed to Violet, well then it all came together. But was it too late? Mattie seemed to despise him. He could not even seem to catch her alone to try to woo her with a bit of sweet talk. Jimmy cringed. Thus his stupid outburst; who announces that someone was pretty at a breakfast table full of people? She must have thought that he was a complete idiot. As he stood by the doorway of his room, he saw Mattie coming up the stairs, a glass of water in her hand. "'Night," he called out softly. Mattie jumped. "Oh, I didn't see you." Jimmy moved toward her. Maybe they could straighten things out. At least now they were face to face and she was not running away from him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." "You didn't, I mean, you did, a little, I wasn't scared, I just didn't see you," Mattie stammered. Jimmy smiled. He was pleased to see he still made her a little nervous. How could he have been so blind? It was very obvious now. Mattie could not say a word to him initially and then when she did speak to him, it came out in broken phrases. Eventually they had reached a point where she did talk to him, at least a little. But he knew now she only spoke more freely to him because she thought he was interested in Violet. "I was thirsty," Mattie was speaking very quickly now. "When I came up, I didn't see anyone." She stopped. "But I didn't think anyone was after me," she added in a brittle voice. Jimmy moved closer to her. "I'm sorry," he told her quietly. "I never meant anything by that." "Oh never mind." Mattie tried to move past him but found Jimmy was blocking her path. So she leaned against the wall, trying to look casual. "It doesn't matter." "It does matter," Jimmy said. "I hurt you and I never wanted to do that." Mattie looked at the floor. "You didn't -" "Don't lie, okay?" Jimmy interrupted her. "I know I hurt you, and I'm so sorry, Mattie. I really am." Mattie raised her eyes when Jimmy's voice broke with the last words. "You are so sweet and damn, when you look at me with those big green eyes my stomach does little flip flops," he continued, moving closer to her. "I missed you," Jimmy told her huskily. He kissed her lips. When she did not respond, but stood frozen, he asked, "Didn't you miss me at all this past week?" "I - I," Mattie stammered. "Not even a little?" Jimmy asked, inhaling her sweet scent. He took the glass of water she still held in her hand and set it on a table in the hall. "Jimmy," Mattie whispered. "I missed you, Mattie," Jimmy said. "I missed you so much." When he kissed her again, Mattie kissed him back. She wrapped her arms around him, and Jimmy deepened their kiss. He was not sure how long they stood out in that hallway, kissing each other. He caressed her arms and when he reached her shoulders, his hands slipped lower and he began undoing the buttons of her dress. He half expected Mattie to protest, but when she did not, he picked her up and carried her into his bedroom. Depositing her gently on the bed, he kissed her again as he lay beside her. He finished unbuttoning her dress and began working on the hooks of her corset cover. He ran his hands over her body, the warm sensations he had felt inside him when he had first began kissing Mattie were now burning him, making his hands move with more urgency. He yanked his shirt from his trousers and unbuttoned his own shirt as quickly as possible. He wanted Mattie's hands on him. He rolled over and pulled Mattie on top of him, running his hands down her back to her bottom. Mattie made a soft noise in her throat and Jimmy was pleased to hear it. He knew then that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. As he grasped one of her underskirts and slid it off her, tossing it to the ground, he noticed that his door was wide open. Gently he rolled Mattie off him and sat up. When he saw Mattie shiver, he ran his hands down her arms and kissed her. "I'll be right back. I'm just gonna lock the door." He smiled at her. "I don't want us to be embarrassed." Chapter Seventeen Mattie stared at Jimmy, as he moved toward her on the bed. Her eyes grew wide. What was she doing? She jumped off the bed and began buttoning the buttons of her dress. She did not even care that her corset cover was completely unhooked. She yanked the edges of her dress together and forced each button through a buttonhole, any buttonhole would do. As she stood beside the bed, unable to stop from looking at Jimmy, she saw that his shirt was undone and just hanging off of one shoulder. Had she done that? She did not even remember what she had been doing. She had just been enjoying the feelings inside her. No wonder he got the wrong impression. She behaved so wantonly. "Mattie?" Jimmy said, his eyes full of questions. "What's wrong?" Mattie shook her head. "I can't, I mean I don't." She stopped. As always she was making a fool of herself and much to her dismay her eyes began to well up. "Darlin', no," Jimmy murmured, pulling her into his arms. "It's okay; we don't have to tell anyone about this." Mattie jerked herself out his arms. "That's what you'd like, isn't it?" she snapped. Jimmy gave a hurt look. "I don't mind if people know we are together." He shrugged. "Most women do mind." "You don't even know my name," Mattie cried. "I'm just another notch in your belt." "What?" Jimmy looked utterly baffled. "I'm not Violet!" Mattie told him shrilly. She knew she was not making much sense, but if he kissed her she would be lost, and she had to make her point clear, right this very instant because he was about to touch her again. She slapped his hands. "Don't." "Mattie," Jimmy said brokenly, "I like you. I want to get to know you. And you got to admit, I have tried. You just haven't made that very easy. But at least now we both know we have feelings for one another-" "You have feelings for Violet," Mattie bit out the words. "That ain't the whole story," Jimmy said. "Violet is nice and all, but kissing you." He shook his head. "That was amazing." "I can't do this," Mattie cried. "Okay," Jimmy told her calmly. "It's okay. We can get to know each other better. I understand." "You don't understand," Mattie bit back the tears. "The only man I want to be with is my husband." "You're married?" Jimmy froze. "No," Mattie said desperately. She had to make him understand. "I've never been with anyone. I can't be with you. " She ran for the door. "Darlin'," Jimmy murmured, standing up and catching her around the waist. He turned her around to face him. "Okay," he gave her a small smile. "We aren't ready for this. I see that now. But the rest of what you are saying is crazy talk." "Let go, please." "Why?" "Because I can't think clearly when you touch me." "Oh." Jimmy smiled as he released her. "I want a husband who loves only me; I want a house, a passel of kids -" "And how do you know what I want? Maybe I want the exact same things!" Jimmy retorted. "I want someone who won't be tempted when other pretty girls throw themselves at him. I know what I am and I'm not -" Mattie cried. She would not be enough for him. She knew it. "And I'm just a rat bastard who will sleep with any girl who wants to sleep with him. I don't have any real feelings toward any woman, and I want nothing more than to kill men who call me out," Jimmy finished bitterly. "Yeah, I've heard that before. I just never figured on hearing it from you. Get out," he said, yanking the door wide open. "I didn't mean it like that," Mattie said plaintively. She really did not know what she meant. All she knew was that she wanted Jimmy. She wanted to be in his bed. But when he left her, she would be destroyed. "Get out!" Mattie stepped into the hallway. "Jimmy," she said brokenly, but he slammed the door in her face. "I'm just scared," she said to the wooden barrier between them. She hurried to her room, wanting to be in there before the tears began. Chapter Eighteen Teaspoon sighed. Another lovely breakfast, he thought miserably. There was so much going on, and he was privy to none of it. Violet was uncharacteristically silent, Buck was avoiding looking at her, Mattie looked like she had not slept a wink last night, and Jimmy was snarling at everyone. The only two who appeared to be in decent spirits were Kid and Lou. "Buck, Jimmy," Teaspoon said, "Kid and Lou," he continued, "would you please meet me in the study after breakfast?" "Sure," the group chorused. "What for?" Jimmy grumbled. "The lawyer is coming next week. I'd like a wire sent to my friend, Webster Haynes, he used to be a Pinkerton and have this fella checked," Teaspoon told him. "And I'd like to set up some kind of schedule so the lawyer is not left alone." "Maybe we could think of some questions to ask him that might trip him up," Kid added. Teaspoon nodded. "That might work." "If he is not on the up and up," Lou said cautiously. "And what are Mattie and I supposed to do?" Violet cut in angrily. "Iron our dresses?" "Just be yourselves," Teaspoon told her. "If you start playacting this fella may get suspicious." "This is just your way of cutting me out again," Violet told him bitterly. "Darlin -" Teaspoon began. "Save it." Violet threw her napkin down. "I'm going for a walk." She looked at Mattie, "Want to join me? Since they don't care much about you either," she added pointedly. Mutely, Mattie nodded. Together both girls disappeared from the dining room. "You could have handled that better," Lou said dryly. Teaspoon furrowed his brow. "I just want her to be safe." "You are treating Violet the way that Kid used to treat me," Lou said. Kid laughed softly. "It's a whole lot easier letting women in on the plan. Then they don't try so hard to find out what it is." He squeezed Lou's hand. "It shows respect, Teaspoon," Lou declared. *~*~* "God," Violet half shouted, "I can't believe the nerve of him. He still cuts us out of everything." Mattie shrugged. They were walking, no where in particular just walking. Mattie took the stick from Max's mouth and tossed it once more. "Doesn't it bother you?" Violet asked her sharply. "That he treats us like we are too stupid to be included in all their schemes?" "I don't really think about it," Mattie replied morosely. "What's gotten into you today? You look like you haven't slept and no matter what anyone says to you, you barely say anything back?" Violet demanded. "Nothing." Mattie took the opportunity to bend down and tie her shoe. She did not want Violet to see that her eyes were filling with tears. Violet crouched down next to her. "Are you sick?" she asked quickly. "No." "Mattie, what's wrong? I'm sorry I've been ranting like a lunatic. Please tell me what's wrong?" "Nothing," Mattie managed. Violet simply stared at her, waiting. "He kissed me, okay?" "Jimmy right? Isn't that a good thing?" Violet asked. "He wanted to sleep with me," Mattie whispered. "So? He's a man, isn't he? It's not like he attacked you." Violet stopped. "Oh God, Mattie, did he hurt you? That stupid -" "No," Mattie interrupted loudly. "He was kissing me on the bed, and when he got up to shut the door, I panicked. I didn't even know how we got from the hallway to the bedroom, and he had his shirt off, and I was unbuttoned." She averted her eyes. "Mattie," Violet said gently, "you didn't do anything wrong." "I can't believe you're saying this," Mattie muttered. She looked at Violet and said firmly, "I don't want to sleep with him." "You do." Violet smiled. "I think that's what has got you so rattled. For the first time in your life you want someone, and he wants you." She gave Mattie a pointed look. "Did you settle on him because you thought there would be no possibility he'd be interested in you?" Mattie did not answer. Violet knew her far too well. "Well?" Violet said expectantly. "Well what?" "Are you going to talk to him about what happened?" "He isn't interested in me." Violet raised her brows at Mattie. "He is pining after you," Mattie continued. Suddenly she stopped walking. "What?" Violet frowned. "Make a play for him." "What? Make a play for Jimmy?" Violet parroted, the shock of Mattie's words written all over her face. "Yes. That way you will know the truth and quit pestering me about him," Mattie declared. "You think he will fall for my charms?" Violet joked. "He already has," Mattie told her darkly. "And this will prove it once and for all. He isn't interested in me. I was, I was," she waved her hands, "there," she said finally, the word sticking in her throat. She hated saying the word, but it was better than letting Violet fill her head with silly pipe dreams. "You know what," Violet said thoughtfully, "I will do it. But only to prove you wrong." Mattie snorted derisively. "Just wait and see," Violet continued. "Just wait and see." Chapter Nineteen While Kid, Lou and Teaspoon discussed Violet's exclusion, Buck leaned over to Jimmy. "What's gotten into you?" Jimmy looked like hell and anyone who spoke to him this morning had their head handed to them. Jimmy glared at him. "Did Violet reject you again?" Buck asked, wincing inside. "No." "Did you go to town?" Maybe Jimmy was hung over. "No." Jimmy narrowed his eyes. "Maybe I should ask you why you aren't hanging all over that blasted garden." Buck blanched. "I ain't jealous of you. Violet ain't interested in me, and I'm not interested in her," Jimmy declared. Buck's eyes widened. "Since when?" Jimmy sighed. "Since last night." He shrugged. "Maybe even longer," he admitted reluctantly. "What happened?" When Jimmy remained silent, Buck said, "Are you going to tell me anything about last night?" Jimmy looked away then back. "I kissed Mattie." Buck smiled. "Oh." "It doesn't matter. She made it plain; she ain't interested in someone like me." Buck was surprised to hear the sorrow in Jimmy's voice. "For what its worth," Buck told him. "I think you are dead wrong." Mattie's infatuation was pretty obvious, Buck thought. But as he studied Jimmy, maybe not to the party she was infatuated with. "I know she ain't interested. Especially after what happened last night." "Okay," Buck said, looking at Jimmy expectantly. "We were in the bedroom," Jimmy told Buck in a quiet voice. "Things were going good, or at least I thought, then suddenly she is telling me that I would sleep with any girl that wanted me." "Does she think you are using her because Violet wasn't interested?" Jimmy frowned. "Does it matter?" he said angrily. He stopped when Teaspoon looked at him. Once Teaspoon began speaking again, he said in a quiet voice, "She is judging me, and it ain't just because what has gone on here." Buck was certain Jimmy was wrong. Mattie was not judgmental. She was however quick to push people away. He did not know her well, but he saw how she behaved when she was around Jimmy. She wanted him to be near her, but she also took every opportunity to keep him at arm's length. He however, kept those thoughts to himself. Jimmy was clearly in no mood to hear them. "Are you two finished?" Teaspoon asked pointedly. "Yeah," Jimmy grumbled. Buck sighed. Jimmy was not the only one so mixed up inside. He found himself thinking about Violet far more than he knew he should. Somehow she was always pushing her way to the forefront of his mind. But Violet had made her point. She was not looking for romance. But he was looking at her, Buck sighed. Violet somehow made the loss of Day Woman a little less painful. He wondered once more what had happened to her. He had lost his wife and still not given up on love. In fact, he was even more certain that love was what made life worthwhile. But was it his place to communicate this to Violet? Buck wanted to talk this out with someone but this was neither the time nor the place. Suddenly an idea occurred to him. Maybe if he helped Violet patch things up with Teaspoon she would see him as someone who could be trusted. Chapter Twenty "Morning," Violet drawled as she approached Jimmy near the stables. Jimmy looked at her in surprise. "How was the meeting?" she asked. "I really wish you'd ask Teaspoon directly," Jimmy told her. "If you asked, he might tell you what was going on. Knowing Teaspoon this is just a way to get you to talk to him." Violet frowned. She had not thought of that possibility. However, she dismissed it from her mind; she would worry about it later. She had a job to do right now. Erasing the frown from her face, she said, "If you are free, maybe we could finally take that ride." "Now?" Jimmy looked shocked. "Why not now?" "Because you have been ignoring my offer for days." Violet did not expect such a blunt reaction. "Well maybe I finally figured out what I was missing." "Or maybe you are trying to make Buck jealous." "Buck," Violet dropped her eyes, "isn't really my type." Liar, she thought. Buck was exactly her type but she was not about to make another stupid mistake. "So now I'll do?" Jimmy asked pointedly. Violet put her hand on his arm. "Or maybe I'm just slow to notice a good thing right in front of me." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. Jimmy stood there, unmoving. Violet smiled inwardly, pleased to see that he did not react. But she knew she had to put on a better show otherwise Mattie would never believe her. So she put both hands on his cheeks and kissed him once more, and this time Jimmy did kiss her back. He kissed her so hard it took her breath away. But as he continued to kiss her she felt no attraction, not on her part nor his. The whole kiss was very clinical, more like something she had experienced when her first relationship was winding down, and neither party knew how to end it. It was a nice kiss, yet empty and a little sad. When Jimmy released her, she smiled, but inside she felt nothing but sorrow. "That wasn't what I thought it would be like," Jimmy said thoughtfully. "You thought about it?" Violet asked in her most flirtatious voice. "Sure," Jimmy shrugged. "You could kiss me again," Violet told him. She was utterly disappointed. She had been so sure he would reject her advances. Yes, it was not a passionate kiss, but he had still kissed her. Mattie had been right about him. "Nah," Jimmy told her. "It really wasn't as good as I was expecting." "What?" Violet sputtered in both surprise and indignation. What was he getting at? "Go tell your friend I'm the low life she thinks I am," Jimmy told her in a hard voice. Violet stared at him, her eyes wide. "Do you think I'm stupid?" he raged. "No - o," Violet stammered. She felt herself shrink a little bit at his anger. He had seemed so mild all the other times she had encountered him. If she did not believe it before, she believed it now. This man was a gunfighter. "You got what you came for so you can go now," Jimmy said coldly. Mutely Violet nodded, her eyes filling with tears. She had been hoping Jimmy would reject her, and she could go back to Mattie and tell her how wrong she was but instead she felt nothing but shame. She had no right manipulating Jimmy like this. But before she left, she said, "I'm sorry." As she turned, she felt Jimmy grasp her arm and turn her around. "No," he said heavily, "I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." Violet nodded. "Your friend just frustrates the hell out of me," Jimmy said in an exasperated voice. Violet was able to laugh then. "She has that effect on most people." Jimmy smiled. "Can I tell you something about her?" Violet asked carefully. She did not know if he even cared anymore, but she hoped that he did. Jimmy shrugged. "For what's its worth Mattie does care for you," Violet told him. "But she is doing what she always does, making sure she doesn't get hurt." "And I'm a gunfighter with a roving eye who will use her and then move on to the next pretty girl, right?" Jimmy said bitterly. "It would be easy to believe that, wouldn't it?" Violet asked quietly. "Who did you set your cap for?" She did not wait for an answer before continuing. "Me! Without knowing a single thing about me. Why was that?" She felt her ire begin to grow. Who was he to judge Mattie? "Oh yeah," Jimmy said in a challenging voice. "I hate liars!" "Yet you are one," Jimmy said cooly. "What does that mean?" Violet burst out angrily. "I was just trying to protect myself in the beginning. I didn't know what kind of situation I was walking into." "I didn't mean that." "Then what did you mean?" Violet snapped. "I may not be the smartest fella, but I can read people," Jimmy told her. "I have to read people otherwise I'd be dead." He paused. "What you did here,"he shook his head, "ain't anything about it that was real." "I told you why I was here!" "That was just an example," Jimmy said. "You pretend all the time." Violet stared at the ground, shocked by what she was hearing. "Tell me I'm wrong," Jimmy said in a more gentle voice. Violet raised her eyes. "So what?" she said tiredly. "You pretend your life is all sunshine and rainbows, but it isn't." Violet rolled her eyes heavenward. "Buck cares about you. You pretend as if he doesn't," he continued. "He wants to know about the sunshine and the rain." Violet stared at him, willing him silently to shut up. She did not want to hear about Buck's virtues. "I know you don't know any of us very well, and we did start out by lying to you, but all of us came here to help you." "You came for Teaspoon," Violet reminded him. "True, but we are still here, and we'd do anything to keep you safe." "For him." Jimmy shrugged. "If that's what you want to believe." He paused. "I'm sorry for how I acted earlier." "It's okay, I deserved it," Violet said, grudgingly accepting his apology. Just because his words had hit too close to home didn't mean she had to remain angry with him. She could forgive him for his behavior earlier. She had started the whole mess. Jimmy gave her a rueful smile. "I got to get to town. You need anything?" Violet shook her head. "You can tell Mattie she was right about me," Jimmy continued, his voice turning bitter. "Wait," Violet said hurrying to Jimmy's side. "You say you are good at reading people, what do you read about Mattie?" Maybe she could do more here than prove Mattie wrong. "She says what's on her mind, she keeps herself apart from people, I'm figuring, mostly men." "Do you know why?" "Why's don't usually figure into what I do," Jimmy said quietly. "Her parents died when her house caught on fire." When Jimmy nodded, she continued. "Her father got her out and then went back in to get her mother." "And?" "Okay, this might sound crazy, but I like to read." Violet awaited his reaction but there was none. "One of the things I read is that people have these ideas in their head that they really aren't aware of. They call it the unconscious." Jimmy looked at her skeptically. "I know it sounds strange, but it really is a growing field, the study of the unconscious mind, and a very interesting one." "Do you have a point to make, because I really need to get going," Jimmy told her irritably. "Yes, yes." Violet waved a hand at him. "My point is Mattie thinks men are going to leave her so she pushes them away first." "Okay." Jimmy looked like he was going to burst out laughing. "Because her father left her," Violet finished triumphantly. Jimmy did laugh then. "Oh shut up," Violet said. "It makes perfect sense." "Thanks for the insight," Jimmy said dryly turning to leave. "If you have any real feelings for her, you won't let her do it," Violet called out to him. But he did not answer. She could only hope that she had gotten through to him. As she walked slowly toward the house, she also thought about what he had said about her. Drop me a note and let me know what you thought!