An extra long and extra juicy chapter for you to enjoy ;)

9. Cottonwood Creek Ranch

It was only a short ride from Reverend Karp's homestead to Cottonwood Creek Ranch, but the uneasy silence made the journey seem like hours.

Rose glanced across at the deputy who sat tall and imposing in his saddle, looking ahead with an unreadable expression. She hated it when he withdrew into himself like that. All she wanted was to talk to him – find out what was going on in his head – but he shut her out, and she was beginning to wonder if there might have been an element of truth to Christian O'Hara's comments after all. Rose wanted to confront him about the issue but she knew it wasn't her place to ask. The fact was, Dimitri Belikov's lovers – past or present – were none of her business. He was a grown man. He was attractive. Of course he'd caught the eye of other women. Why should she even care?

But she did care. A lot.

Stealing another glance at the man beside her, it was as though a veil had been lifted from her eyes. Rose took a sharp breath, and a warm tingling sensation flooded through her body as she realised something she had failed to acknowledge until now. She liked him. She. Liked. Him. It was stupid, childish, completely ridiculous, utterly impractical, but it was the truth. Independent, head-strong Rose was falling for the Russian cowboy – a man she'd only known less than a fortnight.

Her mind was suddenly bombarded with memories of everything that had passed between them in the short time they'd known one another. Every smile won and every touch of those strong hands now had hidden meaning. Even the quiet smoulder to his eyes had her dizzy with infatuation. Oh Lord. She'd kissed his cheek by the fire last night and he didn't pull away. Her mind quickly conjured an image of those broad shoulders and that muscular chest, sweaty from a hard day's work. She'd like to run her hands over every plane and outline while losing herself in Dimitri's beautiful brown eyes. And his hair...

Rose dragged her mind back from the impure thoughts. She was definitely going to hell for this.

She blushed and gripped the reins a little tighter, willing herself not to look at him again. It was futile to let these feelings take root. Dimitri was the deputy sheriff and she was his charge. He only saw her as a child, and a naughty child at that. As soon as his work in Saints Town was finished he'd move on without a second thought. He'd probably go back to being a bounty hunter and loving beautiful women called Natasha, and she'd be left to keep house for Alberta or get married off to some crusty old rancher who chewed tobacco and smelt of cow dung and boiled cabbage.

Rose bit her lip and silently cursed the fact that she hadn't been born a man. At least that way she'd have the power to choose her own fate.

Or maybe Dimitri was telling the truth all along and Rose had nothing to worry about? Maybe Alberta would offer him a regular job and he'd stick around for long enough to see that Rosemarie Hathaway was a diamond in the rough. He'd come to her one day and fall to one knee, declaring that he wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. She'd smother him in kisses and tell him she would always be his Roza, and they'd ride off happily into the sunset on his stallion, leaving the troubles of the world behind them.

The fantasy was so sweet it set Rose's heart racing against her ribcage, and even if it was just a silly daydream she clung to it a moment longer, allowing herself to smile for the first time since they'd left Reverend Karp's property.

The pair were nearing Lisa's house when Dimitri finally turned to Rose and their eyes met – hesitant and guarded.

'I apol—' Dimitri began.

'I can't—' Rose spoke up at the same time.

They both paused to allow the other to speak.

'No. You first—' he insisted.

'You go—' she attempted.

The deputy and his charge eyed one another with growing amusement, and the heaviness that had settled over them suddenly lifted.

'Ladies first,' he said with a chuckle, holding a hand out for her to speak.

Rose's face relaxed into a lopsided grin. 'I was just going to say I can't believe we're really doing this. Madam Kiroy is going to shit her pants if she finds me here.'

Dimitri's eyes widened then he let out a delicious roll of laughter that made Rose believe she may have died and gone to heaven.

'What do you want?' the man who answered the door stared at Dimitri, unintimidated by his size or his badge.

'Down boy. Off you go,' another voice sounded from inside, and the surly man retreated without a word.

'Don't mind him, deputy,' Victor Dashley appeared in the doorway, smiling broadly. 'He's just one of my hounds. My manservants aren't very good with strangers, but I've trained them to be loyal watchdogs and they have proven very effective at defending my assets. Are you here to speak with Madam Kiroy?'

'Actually, I think it is best she doesn't know I'm here,' Dimitri replied sternly, removing his hat and following the old man inside.

'So what brings you to Cottonwood Creek Ranch?' Victor asked, when they were safely behind closed doors in what appeared to be a gentleman's smoking room.

The deputy refused the offer of a cigar and leaned his weight on the back of a chair as he spoke. 'Have you noticed anything unusual at the ranch since Miss Draymore has returned?' he enquired vaguely.

'I can't say I've seen anything myself,' Victor fixed him with a thoughtful look. 'Why do you ask?'

Rose made Dimitri promise he wouldn't reveal Lisa's secret to anybody, but he needed a plausible reason to be on the property overnight.

'Several local farmers have reported an increase in the number of animal attacks on their poultry and smaller livestock. I suspect we may have a problem with coyotes or wolves.'

Victor seemed to buy the story so Dimitri pushed on to his point.

'I'd like to look over the Draymore property for evidence of the predators and set some traps. I don't want to alarm the ladies of the house so I'd rather they didn't know the reason for my visit.'

The older man nodded then paused, a note of caution in his voice. 'Is your charge with you? I haven't had a chance to speak with Madam Kiroy yet regarding your proposal to chaperone the girls for a visit. I'm not sure she'd approve of Miss Hathaway's presence here.'

'Yes. She's waiting outside,' Dimitri answered assertively. 'The girl will accompany me while I set the traps but the job will likely take us until dark. I suggest we stay overnight and leave first thing in the morning. Miss Hathaway can retire to Miss Draymore's room after the coast is clear and I will camp outside.'

Victor considered the plan for a moment then smiled. 'I see no problem with that. I'll inform my men of your movements so they don't cause an issue for you. Dinner is at six, then the girls are normally in their rooms by half-past seven. If you can keep yourselves scarce until then, you should be able to avoid any unwanted run-ins with the governess.'

'Very well,' the deputy concluded, donning his hat and making for the door. 'We'll be gone before the household awakes in the morning. Thank you for your discretion.'

Rose was disappointed she wasn't allowed to see Lisa until later in the evening, but spending more time with Dimitri was never a bad second prize. After hitching their horses out of sight, they were now moving slowly along the tree-line that furnished the banks of Cottonwood Creek. Dimitri walked with eyes downcast, stopping every so often to dig a hole then covering it in loose debris.

'What are you doing?' Rose asked curiously.

'I told Mr Dashley we were here to set some animal traps,' the man explained as he worked. 'It's probably best that I keep my word or he might become suspicious about the real nature of our visit.'

'You think of everything, don't you?!' the young woman looked at the deputy with genuine admiration, then immediately regretted her eagerness. She couldn't afford to be so open with him – if he caught scent of her hidden feelings for him she didn't know how he'd react.

Rose had just resolved to put all romantic thoughts of Dimitri behind her, when the man gave her one of his private little smiles and she instantly melted, her joints feeling loose and rubbery. Oh hell. It was going to be a long night.

'You said you spent a lot of time here as a child?' Dimitri was in a mood to talk.

'Yes,' Rose answered politely, forcing herself to keep a reserved manner. 'Alberta got it into her mind that I should be around children of my own age so I spent most days here with Lisa. When we weren't studying deportment with Madam Kiroy or art and music with Miss Karp—'

'You studied deportment?!' Dimitri interjected, his eyebrow so high it nearly shot right off his head.

Cheeky devil. All of Rose's plans to be well behaved went out the window and she poked her tongue out at deputy, earning herself a rare, earth-shattering smile from the handsome Russian. What was the point of trying to be prim and proper around him? He seemed to like the real Rose better anyway.

'When we had spare time,' she rephrased, 'Lisa and I used to play down here together. It was mud pies first, then dolls, and later we'd mostly sit in the fort and talk about boys.' Rose wished she hadn't mentioned the bit about boys.

Dimitri didn't seem to notice her discomfort, lost in his own childhood memories. 'I had a fort when I was younger too!'

'You want to see ours? It's still here,' Rose offered excitedly, picking up the pace until she was standing beneath a broad-branched cottonwood.

'No ladder?' the man enquired when he'd caught her up.

Rose gave him a mysterious look then bent to knot the hem of her heavy skirt on either side.

Dimitri nearly had a heart attack, unable to tear his eyes away from her stockinged legs, but she saved him his blushes, quickly scrambling up the tree one branch at a time then lowering a rope ladder down to him when she reached the top.

'Lisa never got the taste for climbing trees so her brother Andrew made this,' she called down to him.

'I'm not sure it will hold my weight,' the big man looked dubiously at the narrow wooden planks secured by two lengths of rope, slightly frayed in places.

'Then use the servants' entrance like I did,' Rose challenged him, 'or are you too chicken?'

Dimitri threw her a withering look, removing his hat and stretching to pull himself up onto the first branch. 'This is really not a very dignified thing for a deputy sheriff to be doing,' he grunted, nearly losing his footing and pitching back down to the muddy ground below. He should have removed his boots and duster before attempting this, but Rose had managed it in a skirt and he sure as hell wasn't going to admit defeat to a girl.

'Then pretend you're not a deputy for a little while,' came the exasperated reply.

A minute later Dimitri was hovered below the entrance to the treehouse, arms poised to hoist himself up through the hole in the floor, but Rose blocked his way.

'What's the secret password?' she taunted from her position of power above him.

'Let me in or I'll lock you in jail again?'

'Close enough!' she grinned, stepping aside to allow him in through the narrow trapdoor.

He stood for a moment – grateful the fort had no roof – then went to sit by Rose who was leaning back against the weathered wood on the far side of the room.

'Nice place,' he said, looking around at the tiny three-walled structure. If he'd sat opposite her their legs would have tangled, and even as it was, Rose's shoulder was brushing against his arm. Not that he really minded. 'Is this where Madam Kiroy made you go when you were naughty?'

She loved it when he was sarcastic. 'I wish,' she replied with a smirk. 'You should have seen my backside after Kiroy and her cane were done with me!'

Rose turned to catch a queer expression on her companion's face then realised what she'd just said. What was wrong with her? Every time she opened her mouth she made a new and hideous slipup. She tried to cover her embarrassment by prattling on at high speed.

'Andrew and his friend Jesse built the fort one summer when I was about nine. I think the boys just figured out that Sonya Karp was pretty and they wanted to spy on her, so that's why the open side has such a good view of her house. It was lucky for her there used to be an apple tree right outside her window to ward off the prying eyes.'

Dimitri chuckled and shook his head. 'Boys will be boys.'

The pair had been chatting for a short while when they noticed a figure exiting the reverend's house, growing gradually larger as it approached from the other side of the creek.

'Mr Ozera. Quick! Hide!' Rose hissed.

If Christian looked up from where he was standing on the opposite bank he would be able to see them. Rose hardly knew the man, but she wouldn't put it past him to spread the word that the new deputy and his charge were enjoying a cosy tête-à-tête in a secluded spot by the water. Reputations would be damaged – possibly ruined.

She sunk lower down the wall and Dimitri followed suit until they were nearly lying on the floor, the big man having to keep his knees slightly bent so his feet didn't stick out over the edge of the fort. Rose rolled her head to look at him and something about their position struck her funny bone. Her whole body started to shake with suppressed laughter and she wrapped her arms around her middle, feeling the mirth rock through her like waves. The look of boyish excitement on Dimitri's face nearly undid her and his hand shot out to cover her mouth as a burst of laughter threatened to escape.

'Ssh, Roza,' he chided, valiantly trying to control his own amusement. 'Have some decorum.'

This only made her explode into a new fit of giggles. The man was crushed up in a tiny treehouse hiding from a sullen neighbour who was currently throwing rocks into the creek and he thought he should be the one giving her advice on proper behaviour? He was adorable. Ridiculous but adorable.

She closed her eyes in an effort to calm herself and gradually the tremors settled. It was only then that she noticed Dimitri's hand was still over her mouth. She lay there quietly, soaking in the warmth of his body so close to hers and the leather-and-sweat smell of his duster, not wanting the moment to end.

But if his touch had her all a-flutter, the next words that came out of his mouth set every nerve ending in her body alight.

'Don't ever change, Roza,' she heard him whisper, and she froze, breathless, as his thumb ran lightly over her cheek.

Dimitri had been observing the girl the whole time her eyes were closed, noticing new things about her. He'd never been close enough to see that her long, dark eyelashes had a reddish tint to them. The hair that was escaping from its pins (of course some escaped) had a natural curl to it and he had an urge to twine a lock in his fingers, only he didn't want to disturb her. Her breath was warm on his palm and her cheeks – flushed from laughter – were so soft beneath his fingers. She was exquisite.

How could one little body contain so much passion and fire? Dimitri pondered, as his gaze swept over her. He admired how strong she was. He'd never seen a girl pack a punch like Rose did in their training session at the flour bag – and that was even considering the damage his little sister Vika had often tried to inflict on him in her wildest rages. She was emotionally strong too. Rose had grown up without the support of her parents, yet she didn't let herself be ruled by resentment as many others might have if they were in the same position. She'd risked everything to run away and protect her friend from danger, and accepted her punishment even though she believed she had been doing the right thing.

As a youth, Dimitri Belikov had broken a few hearts, but not one of those rosy-cheeked girls had inspired in him the sheer depth of emotion he felt when he saw his Roza. It was empowering to be this close to her, but soul-crushing to know it was impossible for him to act upon his feelings. He was her guardian and she his charge. Once this job was finished he would be just another homeless traveller, with nothing to offer her that would afford her the security and happiness she deserved. It was senseless to think she would even want him, such as he was, but it didn't stop him dreaming.

If things were different he would have lowered his lips to the fine crease between her brows, and worked his way down her nose and cheeks until her mouth belonged to him. He would have settled his hands on her hips and drawn her flush against his body, rolling them both over until she was atop him so he could look up and worship her like the divine being she was. His mind began to wander. Being such a big man, Dimitri had often wondered how he would make love to a woman without breaking her, but he had a feeling this fiery little creature would be his match in every way. His face contorted with guilt, realising what he'd just allowed himself to think, and he was grateful that the girl hadn't been looking at him to see the flash of lust in his eyes.

Still, he couldn't drag his eyes away. Rose was so peaceful lying there he almost imagined she'd fallen asleep, and the turmoil of emotions that churned through him eventually refused to be contained, stealing out from his clutching attempts at control in one small, tentative movement of his thumb against her skin – and the words tumbled out unbidden.

'Don't ever change, Roza.'

Then her eyelids fluttered open and he was captured by her steady gaze. In that moment, they both realised something was happening between them, but it was too difficult to acknowledge the fact aloud knowing it was never meant to be. They just looked at one another for as long as they dared and hoped the other understood the hidden messages behind their eyes.

'Can I talk to you? About what happened earlier?' Dimitri was the first to speak, carefully removing his hand from Rose's skin.

She nodded. The sound of rocks splashing on water had stopped some time ago so Dimitri rose to a seated position and drew her up beside him.

'I want you to understand there is nothing going on between me and Miss O'Hara,' he said softly, reaching into his coat pocket and handing Rose a photo he'd kept these last three years.

She studied the picture and looked up at him in shock. Natasha O'Hara was slim, well-dressed and strikingly beautiful, but scars covered nearly half her face; barely concealed by the lace veil that dipped over her eyes.

'What happened to her?' Rose whispered.

Dimitri took a slow breath. 'It happened before I knew her. Natasha's brother Lucas worked for the government, negotiating land treaties with the Indians as the colonists' settlements expanded further west. After several months he started to question the morality of his vocation, and began siding with the Indians – making sure they were receiving fair compensation for their lands.'

Rose frowned. She couldn't imagine the government would take well to paying more than the bottom dollar for possession of lands they already perceived to be their own.

'When people found out what Lucas had been doing they sent a lynch mob after him. A group of men came in the night and set fire to his house with the whole family inside.'

Rose gasped.

'Natasha managed to break her way out, sacrificing her own safety to rescue her nephew, Christian, who was then only twelve years old. She tried to go back inside to get Lucas and his wife Moira, but the flames had already taken hold. She and Christian had to stand outside and watch their family home burn down with the boy's parents inside.'

Rose clamped a hand over her mouth. There were no words to express her sorrow for the family – for those who had died and those who survived.

'After she recovered from the ordeal, Natasha refused to be intimidated,' Dimitri continued. 'She now lives in San Francisco campaigning for the rights of Indians and new immigrants. That's how we met – I couldn't find work when I first arrived off the boat and Miss O'Hara took me under her wing. She helped me with my English and provided the reference that got me my first job. She's an admirable woman,' he finished, watching carefully to gauge Rose's reaction.

'So you do like her then?' Rose asked, with a catch in her voice.

'Of course,' Dimitri gave her a strange look, then realised her meaning. 'I like her as a friend, Roza. Natasha might be a beautiful lady, and I respect what she's trying to do with her charitable work, but we would never make a good match.'

Rose felt a little better, but couldn't leave the issue alone. 'Why not? She sounds like a saint.'

Dimitri frowned slightly. 'Let's just say, she wanted something from me I was not willing to give,' he replied, then his mood brightened again as his eyes returned to the young woman beside him. 'And besides, she's not really my type,' he added.

'And what is your type, Deputy Belikov?' she asked tentatively, her heart thudding so loudly she was sure he would hear it.

The man stood and held out his hand to help her to her feet. 'If you don't know that already, Miss Roza, then I've still got a lot to teach you,' he replied, disappearing through the trapdoor and clambering down the tree the same way he had come.

'We'd best be getting you back to the house, Miss Hathaway,' Dimitri informed her sometime later when they'd completed their rounds of the property.

Being in the privacy of the treehouse was like existing in a beautiful fantasy land – secret and safe – but now they were back in the real world the deputy's professional attitude had returned.

It wasn't long before they reached the house.

'Thanks for letting me stay overnight with Lisa,' Rose looked up at him when he delivered her to the back door. 'Are you sure you won't get lonely out there by yourself? I can come and keep you company for a while, if you like?'

He shook his head with a wary smile. 'I'm sure I'll be fine. You just enjoy your night with your friend. If you need anything you know where I'll be.'

'Stay safe, cowboy,' she whispered, poised in the doorway, not really wanting to leave him out in the darkness alone.

'Sleep well, Roza.'

'You're really here!' Lisa squeaked, when Rose poked her head around the bedroom door, rushing to fold her friend a tight embrace. 'Victor said you'd be coming but I didn't quite believe it.'

'It's so great to see you, Lis. How have you been?' Rose returned the hug then followed her across the room to sit on the four-poster bed.

'Okay, I guess,' the slender girl shrugged. 'Madam Kiroy is twice as strict as usual—'

'Naturally,' Rose interjected.

'—and Natalie is being very sweet, but I have to admit,' Lisa leant forward to whisper, 'she's starting to get a bit annoying.'

Rose smiled broadly. That was about as mean as Lisa ever got.

'I think I'd have some other words to describe Natalie if I lived in the same house as her for a solid fortnight,' the dark-haired girl replied archly, loving the reaction she got from her friend.

'You're incorrigible, Rose,' Lisa smacked her leg. 'She might be a little… perky, but she does try to make me feel better.'

The mood dimmed in an instant.

'How are you feeling at the moment, Lis?' Rose prompted. 'You said in your letter that things had gotten worse?'

She took a moment to answer. 'Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I've seen the lights nearly every night since we got back. And the wolves howling after dark just give me the creeps.'

Rose rested a comforting hand on her friend's arm. 'Have there been more animal remains by the river again?' she asked, hoping to goodness the answer was no.

'I've honestly been too scared to check,' the blonde girl replied. 'But there's this other thing.'

'Yes?'

'I almost can't describe it. I suppose it's a moaning, wailing sort of sound. It's like nothing I've ever heard before.'

The hairs stood up on the back of Rose's neck. 'Could it be the wolves?' she double-checked.

Lisa frowned, annoyed. 'Of course not. I just said it's a different sound to that. It's quieter, sadder. I think it might be… I think it might be my mother.'

The poor girl broke down in tears then, and Rose could do nothing to console her for a long time. When the sobbing finally eased off, Lisa attempted a watery smile.

'I'm sorry. I shouldn't be such a cry-baby. I'm lucky really. I've got you for my best friend. I've got a beautiful house to live in. Victor has been an absolute angel trying to make sure I feel comfortable since I got back, and Natalie is a darling.' She sniffled a few times. 'I even caught a glimpse of that cute guy who's staying with Mr Karp today. Maybe he's the Mr Right you told me about?' she attempted a joke.

'Maybe,' Rose tried to hide a frown. If Lisa was going to be swept off her feet she needed somebody strong and sensible, not a man who was already struggling with his own demons.

Sensing her friend's strange mood, Lisa changed the topic. 'So how did you go after the incident with Mason at church yesterday? Deputy Belikov looked like he was going to kill someone. What's his story anyway? He always seems so dark and aloof.'

'He's not really like that once you get to know him,' Rose defended the man's honour. 'He's actually kind of nice.'

Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. 'You like him!'

'No I don't!' Rose instantly denied it. 'Well, maybe a little bit,' she admitted sheepishly.

'Oh my Lord. Rose likes the deputy!' Lisa couldn't contain her excitement, and would have crowed around the room and woken the entire household if her friend hadn't done the sensible thing and smashed her in the face with a pillow.

The blonde girl looked up from her splayed out position on the bed, managing to get out one giggled 'Deputy Lover Boy,' before the pillow came soaring down again, flattening her to the mattress.

After all the tension of their escape and the stress of their return, it was nice to just be silly and carefree for a change, and the two friends chatted together for hours until Lisa eventually dozed off.

There were no bad dreams tonight, and Rose looked at her sleeping friend fondly, tucking the blankets higher over her chest. If only she could be this peaceful all the time. Rose considered settling in under the covers herself, but an image of somebody else she cared for came to mind and she padded across to the window. Looking out towards the creek, she could see thin wisps of campfire smoke rising from among the trees.

He was out there.

Rose took one more look back at the softly snoring form on the bed then slung a foot over the windowsill.

.

Author's Note:

Well that was the sexiest brush on the cheek I've ever written. Aah… inner monologue.

Did you like Lisa's scene? Sorry it wasn't longer but I wanted to focus on Romitri.

Poor Christian & Tasha - there's a bit more of Christian's backstory that will come out soon too. Watch this space.

What is the strange noise Lisa has been hearing? And what will Rose get up to when she visits Dimitri in the middle of the night?! Mwa-ha-ha. You will have to wait and see!

Thank you so much to the extra lovely readers who have been leaving reviews - they absolutely make my day! Sharing the chapter previews with you has also given me a boost when I'm half-way through a chapter & hit a wall. Thanks! :D