Page 15 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Twelve

A fter a light breakfast the following morning, Cade saddled the horse.

He didn’t feel right sending Rain into town by herself, but they had little choice.

They needed food. Three-year-old Ten Bears needed easier, softer foods.

The absence of a garden and fresh vegetables made it difficult for the child.

Maybe there were things Rain needed as well.

It was probably safe enough since saloons weren’t allowed in Clarendon and he shouldn’t worry, but he knew men and how some took advantage of a woman alone. Especially one dressed in native Comanche clothing. She’d be vulnerable without him to protect her.

Cade kept an eye on Ten Bears where he sat playing in the dirt while they waited for Rain to come from the dugout. It was a beautiful morning and the birds were happily flitting around. Not a cloud to mar the wide blue sky. Yep, it was nice with a hint of fall on the horizon.

Rain emerged. “What do you think? Will this do?”

His mouth fell open. Gone were the fringed and beaded deerskin blouse and skirt. The woman before him dressed as any white woman in a blue dress with her hair pulled back into a knot low on the back of her neck. The change was shocking.

“I hardly recognize you. You look like any other woman in town. I was worried about sending you in alone, but I think you’ll manage quite well.”

She glanced down at the dress. “I don’t know why I kept this after leaving the school, but maybe for such a time as now.” She gave him a smile.

“Well, it sure works. I doubt anyone will even give you a second look.” He glanced around. “I wish I had something to make you a hat from.”

“Just a moment. I may have something in my bag.” In a flash, she went back inside.

Ten Bears took off after her as fast as his little legs would go, saying something in Comanche.

Rain met the boy on her return. She scooped him up and brought him out, sitting him in the dirt he was playing with.

“See if you can do something with this. I was going to make a basket but ran out of time.”

Cade took the piece of braided straw from her. “Yes, I think it’ll be a good solution. I’ll just add some of the quail feathers from our supper last night and a few other things.”

After he finished adorning the hat with feathers and braided buffalo grass it was quite attractive. He placed it on her head. “I hope it doesn’t blow off. I have no way of pinning or tying it on.”

Studying her now, he revised his former assessment that no one would give her a second look. They’d look. Oh yeah. They wouldn’t be able to help themselves. She was the most striking woman he’d ever seen with her dark beauty.

She tilted her head just so and turned her dark eyes up at him. “You missed your calling, Cade. You should’ve been a milliner.”

“No thanks. Not for me.” He handed her an eighteen-inch piece of rope with loops on each end. “In case you need to hobble Buck for some reason.”

“You seem to have thought of everything.” She stuck the hobbler in a saddlebag.

Taking some bills from his pouch, he handed them to her as well.

“This should cover what you buy. And if you find a goat that’s affordable, get it for the boy.

He needs milk and we can also make cheese.

Goats are quite independent and if we have to leave here, it’ll do fine by itself.

And here’s the note for Sheriff Maxwell. ”

“I will do my best about a goat.” Rain secured the money and note in a pouch then put it in her boot. Putting her foot in the stirrups, she swung into the saddle. “Be back soon.”

“Watch out for the other sheriff and don’t let him or anyone follow you back.”

“I won’t.” She urged Buck into a trot.

Ten Bears stood crying and jerkily tried to get to Rain. Cade picked him up and wiped his eyes. “She’ll be back before you know it, little one. You’re going to stay with me.”

He and the boy watched her ride off then he took Ten Bears, the name he shortened to just Bear, down to the stream and let him splash in the sparkling shallow water.

He loved the joy on the boy’s face and remembered how his baby sister and the twins used to have fun at a small watering hole.

They’d stay there all day if their parents let them.

Cade made himself comfortable, a silent prayer for Rain’s safety on his lips.

The town bustled as Rain rode in and she was shocked to see armed gunmen on the streets.

The nondescript roan would blend in fine but the saddle with the distinctive Spanish tooling was a whole different matter.

She had to hide Buck. She turned and went behind the church to a nice patch of grass that was shaded by a towering elm tree.

Rain dismounted and hobbled the roan. Straightening her dress and adjusting the homemade hat, she stood for a moment wondering what to do about the saddle with the McIntyre name tooled into the leather.

However, she had nothing to toss over it.

Hoping no one would come back there to see, she set out.

She hated the times when she had to go into town.

The women usually stared, their lips curled with disdain.

A sudden memory of one of those times jarred her.

After she’d been at the English school for a while, they let them go into town.

The owner of the mercantile had accused her of stealing a ribbon and she’d had to open her bag, remove her shoes, and go behind a screen so a woman could inspect her clothes.

Rain had never been so humiliated. Everyone stared and whispered behind their hands.

Even now, the dress would never disguise her. She could never fool the women. Men often left her unnoticed, except the few who paused to stare with the kind of interest no woman wanted. She would get what they needed and be quick about it.

She stood for a moment, wishing she was back with Cade and Ten Bears. But they needed food so it was crucial she got some. Inhaling a deep breath, she set off. Though she looked neither left nor right, she walked with a heightened awareness. She would try not to draw any unwanted attention.

Halfway down the boardwalk, a poster tacked to the window of the county land office caught her eye.

She went closer and saw a drawing of Cade McIntyre as well as a reward offered for his capture.

Bank robbery was the reported crime. The person who’d drawn his likeness had done a terrible job.

The eyes weren’t right. Cade had the most arresting gray eyes and a mouth that turned up slightly at the corners. He was a very handsome man and kind.

From the first, that mouth of his had brought to mind kissing…and other things too. It was dangerous to be near him like she had the previous night when he’d draped his jacket around her and the scent of sage and juniper had surrounded her.

Cade McIntyre smelled like this wild Texas land he loved.

Tears hovered behind her eyes, and she had to blink hard.

He was right to hide. His face had been a mask of sorrow and fear when he’d shared being wanted.

Rain had known a lot of white men to lie but she’d believed Cade last night when he’d come clean.

Her father would likely scorn her for trusting him to watch Ten Bears, yet she’d done it in a heartbeat and would continue.

The mercantile loomed ahead. She quickened her steps, in a hurry to be back at the dugout.

A bell over the door sounded as she entered the mercantile.

This store was larger than others she’d seen with rows of hats, shoes, and dry goods.

Some lined the walls as well. She kept her head down, looking for what she needed, ignoring about a half dozen other shoppers.

So far, no one gave her a second glance. Slowly, the tension began to melt away.

She passed a mirror and glanced at her reflection, glad her hat had stayed on.

A smile formed. Cade thought fast on his feet.

Although he wouldn’t listen, he had a talent for making hats.

Another aisle contained colorful ribbons and women’s necessities.

A woman glanced up and smiled. Rain returned the quick smile and put her head down.

She didn’t want any trouble and would be most glad to leave town and return to their hideout.

A child about the same age as Ten Bears found freedom when his mother released his hand. He reached for a ball on a low shelf and threw it. The ball rolled to Rain. She rolled it back to the boy. The mother noticed and jerked the child to her, scolding him.

Rain wandered to the back of the store where a farmer had brought in some surplus vegetables. She pounced, filling a burlap bag from a neat pile next to them. The carrots, corn, and squash would be great. Another bushel basket held onions so she selected four of those.

The realization hit her that she’d forgotten to ask if Cade had any cooking utensils beyond a skillet.

No matter, they’d find a way. He had a coffeepot for sure so she grabbed a bag of coffee and took it to the grinder.

The store had a sign on the eggs that read ten cents a dozen.

Unsure of what to do, she gathered up two dozen and put them in a tray just for that.

The barrel of sawdust at the side must be to pack the delicate purchase against breakage so she scooped up a good portion to cushion them.

Rain added them to her pile on the counter while she finished up.

A smiling woman with a basket on her arm entered the store. “I have fresh baked bread if anyone wants some,” she announced.