Chapter 3
The next morning Phoebe woke up in her bed. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked at the bright glare from the snow on the ground, that shone through her window. Phoebe suddenly remembered last night and she grabbed her stomach only to find everything felt the same. Phoebe sighed in relief and raised up. She had on only her under slip and she couldn't remember going to bed.
"Morning" A man said in a low rough voice.
Phoebe gasped as she grabbed the covers pulling them up around her neck. Her stomach dropped and she could feel her heart beating so hard she was sure he could see it through the covers.
Cole was slouched back in the rocking chair watching her. He had his hat off and his coat. He had such beautiful blue eyes and black hair, and his dark beard formed around his face.
"What are you doing here? What do you want?" Phoebe blurted out in a panicked state.
Cole smirked at her and sat up. Phoebe swallowed hard and didn't take her eyes off of him as he stood up grabbing his coat and hat and walked to the door with out a word.
"Get dressed, I'll be by the fire." Cole said looking back at her, then walked out and closed the door.
Phoebe flopped her head back on her pillow and released a huge sigh. She was still confused and she couldn't believe he was in her room. How long had he been there? Then the memory of Lucky came rushing back to her. She remembered Lucky had been there last night, and Cole came looking for him. Cole would ask her about Lucky, and she would have to be very careful.
Cole was waiting by the fire when Phoebe walked out of her room.
"How do you feel?" He said as he stirred the fire.
"Better…thank you…I think?"
A smirk spread across his lips. He still hadn't looked at her. Phoebe looked down touching her stomach.
"When is it coming?" Cole asked stirring the fire again.
"Spring" Phoebe answered and then paused, "How did you….?"
"I carried you to bed last night" Cole said finally looking at Phoebe and smiling shyly at her, then looked back to the fire.
Phoebe felt her cheeks flush with fever and she couldn't help the embarrassed smile.
"Oh" was all Phoebe could find to say.
Her stomach was in knots and she walked over to the fire. She sat in the other chair across from Cole.
"Who are you?" She softly asked.
Cole looked up at her and stared into her eyes as if he was going to tell her something, but then he looked down at the fire again. Phoebe waited for an answer for a moment and then she looked at the fire.
"Can I get you some breakfast?" Phoebe asked
"That would be nice" He said in a appreciative tone.
Phoebe stood from her chair and so did Cole. They looked at each other and Phoebe smiled shying away.
"Excuse me" Phoebe said in a timid voice as she brushed by Cole.
Cole smiled at her and followed her.
Phoebe was so small and she was so beautiful. She seemed so helpless and Cole couldn't help his urge to take care of her and wanted her for himself. He thought if she turned around he would grab her in his arms and kiss her. Something about her was so appealing and he almost felt jealous of Lucky.
Phoebe tried not to fall as Cole walked behind her. Her legs felt like jelly and her heart was beating so hard. She wanted to turn around and be scooped up in his arms and carried upstairs to the loft. It had been so long since she had known a man and she longed for passion.
"Please sit here" Phoebe said pulling out a chair at the table.
Cole sat down and watched her as she walked to the stove and began cooking.
"This is the least I can do for you, after you helped me last night." Phoebe said.
"I couldn't leave you on the floor now could I?"
"Well no…I guess not…But what about my clothes?" Phoebe asked smiling and waiting for the answer.
"I just thought you would sleep better" Cole said smiling at her.
"Oh" Phoebe said smiling and biting her lower lip. Phoebe never turned to look at his face.
"You could use a hair cut and a shave" Phoebe said changing the subject.
"I could…and a bath"
Phoebe sat a bowl in front of him and sat across from him sipping her tea. She really studied Cole for the first time and noticed something. He had a gash on his head and a few strands of hay through his hair. Then something crossed Phoebe's mind. Why hadn't Cole asked her about Lucky, and where were the other riders? And why did Cole watch over her last night? A few moments passed and they sat in silence.
"That was the best cream of wheat I ever had.…thank you" Cole said sarcastically, and winked at her.
"Please call me Phoebe" she said shying away, "I'll take that for" she said, and took the bowl to the pan of water on the wash stand.
"Ok Phoebe…where can I wash?" Cole said standing from the table.
Phoebe smiled at him and nodded down the hallway.
"Behind the curtains…I'll heat some water…and I'll lay you out some clean clothes." Phoebe said shyly.
"Thank you…Phoebe" Cole said smiling at her.
Phoebe felt her heart jump and her stomach drop when he would look at her. But this time he looked at her different.
She heated the water and filled the tub. Cole came walking up behind her and Phoebe could feel him close. She froze as he ran his fingers along her back.
"I might need some help" He whispered in her ear as she leaned against him and rested her head on his broad chest.
Phoebe closed her eyes as she felt his fingers run along the side of her neck. Cole could feel her body begging him and the longing she had for a man. He wanted to give it to her and make her want him as bad as he wanted her. Phoebe's chest started to catch and he felt him harden against.
"I can't do this!" Phoebe said suddenly and started to walk away.
"Please…don't go" Cole said grabbing her hand.
"I have to! Please let me go!" Phoebe said and walked out of the cabin.
Cole ached for her and he cursed himself for scaring her away. She was so fragile and he suddenly cared what she thought of him.
He soaked in the tub and tried to get her out of his mind. He needed to stay focused on getting Lucky.
*************
Phoebe stood on the porch and tried to catch her breath. What had just happened in there? She ran to the barn and when she went inside she stopped at the stall rails to catch her breath again. She could see her breath as she panted, she thought her chest would explode from the excitement and the sting of the bitter cold air.
She was a married woman, what was she doing? Not only that, she was doing it with the enemy! How could she betray Lucky this way? Phoebe threw herself on the hay with a heavy sigh. Light from the snow shined through the cracks of the barn walls. She lied there and butterflies over took her stomach and she smiled and it took her breath.
His eyes, his body, his mouth, his hands… It was almost more that she could do to tell him no. He seemed to sense her desire for him, and he knew how to touch her, driving her wild and making her crazy. She wanted to run back to the house and into his arms, and yet she wanted to run away and never look back. Her will and conscience fought back and forth in her mind.
When Phoebe came in from outside She took off her shawl and shook the snow off, then hung it on the rack by the fire.
Cole walked in from the other room dressed in the clothes Phoebe had laid out for him. He had a clean face and wet hair. He looked even more amazing to her than before. Suddenly she broke, and she couldn't hold it in any more.
"I am not sure why you are here…I thought you wanted ask me about Lucky…but yet you haven't said one word about him…you stayed here last night and watched over me like….don't you understand I am a married woman, and I will not let you seduce me! I am alone yes, but please I beg you don't take advantage of that!" Phoebe spilled.
Cole looked straight into her eyes and admired her strength. She was a strong woman, and took care of her ranch and home and everything alone. He didn't want to take advantage of her, he wanted her to want him. He wanted to take over Lucky's life for just one moment and love someone as wonderful as Phoebe.
"I won't take advantage of you…I will wait for you to ask me." Cole finally said.
"I won't ask you…Please, you can't stay here!" Phoebe said feeling the fever in her cheeks again.
"You said something about a hair cut and a shave…and then I will leave…I promise"
Cole said smiling at her.
As hard as Phoebe tried she couldn't stop the smile that snuck up on her lips.
Phoebe took a deep breath and calmed her self a little. She had been so worked up from Cole, she tried to still keep her pride, and not fall all to pieces. Besides she was a grown woman and she could handle a ranch, why not this?
"Very well…sit here" She said nodding to the chair at the table.
Cole smiled at her and sat down as she said. Phoebe started to comb his wet hair. Cole closed his eyes and Phoebe began to cut. She stood in front of him with her knees touching his. Cole looked up at Phoebe but she wouldn't look at him. He opened his legs and Phoebe stepped closer to him.
Cole gently touched the hem of her skirt and she suddenly moved away. She started to feel herself resisting his touches less and less as she walked around him. They made eye contact for a moment and Cole winked at her forcing her to smile at him. She moved to the other side of his head and noticed the small gash on his head.
"Oh, did you slip and hit your head?" Phoebe asked as she reached for a rag.
"No, I was struck"
"You were struck? When?" She said combing out the dry blood.
"Last night" Cole said studying Phoebe.
"Last night…." Phoebe stopped and dropped the comb.
Suddenly everything became clear and it hit her like a ton of rocks. The sound in the barn, and why Lucky ran off, and why Cole came to her rescue.
"It was you…in the barn…last night…and that is why you found me….and why you haven't asked me where Lucky is…because you know…he hit you in the barn didn't he?"
Phoebe asked putting everything together as she talked.
"Yes, I came for him and…well he found me first. When I woke up he was gone and I found you on the floor. When I saw the hand print on your face I knew the bastard hit you. So I thought though the least I could do was help you to bed."
Phoebe paused, then took a deep breath and started to lather his face for a shave. Cole didn't take his eyes off of her as she gently slid the razor across his face and down his neck.
Phoebe held the blade at his neck for a moment and looked into his eyes. He smirked at her, and Phoebe continued shaving.
"I could cut you and be done with you right now" she said leaning closer to his face as she shaved.
"Yes, but you don't want to be done with me do you?" Cole softly whispered as he turned his head toward her face.
Phoebe whirled his head back around so he couldn't see her smiling. What was she doing with him? Why was she helping him? Phoebe finished shaving and handed him a rag to wipe his face.
"You are finished" she said backing away from him and turning to the water pan.
Cole came up behind her and she whirled around. He smiled at her and slowly reached for her hand lifting it to his face.
Phoebe touched his soft cheek and he held her hand there and closed his eyes.
"How does that feel" He asked as he started to move her hand to caress his cheek.
Phoebe felt her stomach drop again and she wanted to be close to him. She let him move closer and press against her. She blinked slowly and it felt as if she were melting. He took her other hand and placed it on the other cheek. Now Phoebe was holding his face in her hands.
Cole wanted to kiss her lips as badly as she wanted him to, but he promised her he would wait until she asked him.
"Why help me? You don't even know me." Phoebe asked suddenly.
"I don't know Phoebe, I just feel I need to" He said resting her hands on his chest and looking into her eyes.
"I can take care of myself you know and I don't need your help" Phoebe said softly taking her hands back.
"Oh no? What about last night?" Cole asked hoarsely.
"Last night I…I could have taken care of myself!" Phoebe snapped walking back to the table.
"Ok, well next time I will leave you on the floor" Cole snapped back.
Phoebe whirled to face him and she could feel her blood boil as she stood staring at Cole. His eyes were looking into hers and she didn't look away this time. She was annoyed with him and she didn't know if it was her sexual frustration or if she was beginning to feel for him and resented it.
"I have taken care of myself all of my life, and I don't need your help now!" Phoebe began to raise her voice.
He walked over to her again and looked down at Phoebe and stared into her eyes. He studied her trying to read her. Phoebe had mixed emotions. She wanted him to leave but she wanted him to stay. Who was he to come into her house and give her the what for?
"Why do you let that son of a bitch knock you around? Huh? He is a coward!"
"How do you know? Huh? Tell me!" Phoebe yelled and stood toe to toe.
Cole grabbed Phoebe by the shoulders forcefully pulling her closer to him.
"Don't do this Phoebe!"
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Phoebe yelled in his face.
"I am warning you…"
"Or what? You will hit me? Go ahead! I am not afraid of you!" She yelled again.
The tension was intense and they were face to face. Cole still had a firm grip on her shoulders. He wanted to shake her and at the same time he wanted to kiss her.
"I am not like him Phoebe!" Cole yelled back.
"You don't know him!"
"Yes I do!"
"How…? How do you know him?"
"He's my brother!" Cole yelled intensely.
Cole heard the words come from his mouth as Phoebe's eyes widened. She backed away from him, and he let go of her, never taking his eyes from hers. Phoebe's eyes filled with tears as she leaned against the wall.
"You are lying…He doesn't have a brother!" Phoebe whispered
"No, I am telling you the truth! My name is Cole Turner, and Lucky is my step brother.
"You lie…I don't believe you"
"He has his father's name and I have my mother's."
"Get out!" She painfully whispered swallowing around the lump in her throat.
"Phoebe…please…don't…let me explain" Cole pleaded walking towards her.
"Stay away from me! You make me sick! If he is your brother, why do you hunt him like a dog?" Phoebe snapped.
"He has two things I want"
"What is that?"
"My money….and you" Cole confessed reaching for Phoebe and pulling her to him.
Phoebe struggled for a moment and then weakened and started to cry. Cole held her and she laid her head on his chest.
"Is your money that important to you?" Phoebe painfully asked.
"I wanted you from the moment I saw you Phoebe, and I came to take you with me."
Cole said kissing the top of her head and resting his cheek on it.
"I am married Cole! I am a married woman!" Phoebe pulled away from him again.
"Please come with me Phoebe, I am…."
"Stop! Stop it! Please go!" Phoebe sobbed.
"I will go if that is what you want, but I want you to ask me"
"Ask you what?"
"Ask me to kiss you Phoebe"
"Never!" She said in a stern voice.
Cole looked at her and then sighed. He slowly walked to the fire and picked up his coat and hat. He put them on with Phoebe watching him from the corner with teary eyes. He walked up to her and touched her cheek that Lucky had struck. Phoebe flinched at his touch and closed her eyes.
"Please go…now!" She whispered turning away from his touch.
Cole felt frustrated. He was vulnerable now and he wanted to make her see how much he cared, but he couldn't force her to love him back.
He walked out and saddled his horse. Phoebe watched from the window and tears streamed down her face. She wanted to beg him to stay. She was falling in love with him and there was no way to stop it. He had shown her more affection than Lucky ever had and she was haunted by his presence and touch. She watched as he looked back once more and then disappeared into the falling snow and darkness.
************
Patric and Jason sat in the jail house. Jason was cleaning his rifle and Patric was finishing his dinner. Patric pulled open the desk drawer and pulled out a leather pouch. He untied it and unfolded the edges. Jason looked over at him and stopped cleaning his gun.
"I just got these back….take a look" Patric said tossing the wanted posters on the desk in front of Jason.
"What is this…?" Jason asked swallowing hard, as he slowly picked up the sketch of one of the identified bank robbers.
"It's him, Cole Turner, the rider from the saloon...I knew it!" Patric said smiling proudly.
Jason watched him curiously as Patric walked to the window to look out of the jail.
"So what do you intend to do about this Pat?" Jason asked
"Post them in the morning…I'll ride out to Lucky's ranch tomorrow…Phoebe needs to be warned of him." Patric said walking to the door.
"I don't know, this is crazy, this is to easy, you have been after this guy for years!" Jason said.
"That is what I am banking on. I just hope I am so lucky!" Patric said with a proud smirk.
This could be anyone!" Jason argued disgustedly.
"It is a perfect portrait of him, and he just arrived in town…you put it together!" Patric said slamming the door behind him.
Patric walked out on the porch of the jail. He had waited to catch the famous bank robber for years, and now, he finally had proof. It was perfect!
***********
Phoebe laid in her bed thinking about Cole. She thought about how he left and how badly she wanted him to stay. She wanted to beg him to take her in his arms and never let go. She wanted him to take her away from all this pain that she was left with. Phoebe was also starting to feel her baby inside of her. She was so overwhelmed with emotion and feelings she started to sob and she cried herself to sleep.
***********
Later that night, Jason walked by Patric sleeping, and snuck out to saddled his horse. He lead the horse out away, then mounted and gave his horse a kick. The horse bolted and galloped into the dark, leaving the jail and heading for the mountains.