Chapter V
By Sherry Whitten
In the darkness she lay, her body tense, her eyes wide to the ordinary noises of the night. It seemed an eternity had passed since Emma had joined her and now lay beside her, her breath even in sleep. Although her own body cried out for rest, Caitlin was terrified to close her eyes, expecting any second to find that horrid trio raging down upon her.
And now the stakes were even higher. It wasn't just herself in danger, but in staying with this special family, she had put their lives in danger also.
Guilt plagued her soul.
Swallowing the fear - and laying aside guilt for a time - Caitlin slid gingerly from beneath the covers, tiptoeing from the room, afraid any creak of the floor would awaken Emma.
At the front door she hesitated. Emma had graciously given her a nightgown to wear, but she knew in her cotton white she would be a beaming light if the despicable murderers were indeed slithering about.
Her only thought was to get to Willie. She knew she would be safe with him.
Her proud words of just hours before vividly came back to taunt her. Hadn't she stormed at Willie that she would sooner sleep with the devil?
Caitlin sighed in self-reproach, hastily directing up a prayer of regretful penitence for her wayward tongue.
In bare feet, she moved soundlessly through the door. Caitlin peered through the darkness with sharp eyes, hugging the front of the house. She stood breathlessly still for long seconds, waiting for movement.
With none forthcoming, she hitched up her gown so as not to trip and flew across the yard, her fiery hair catching the radiant moonbeams as it streamed like liquid silk behind her.
At the door of the bunkhouse she stopped, catching her rapid breath with effort. Clutching at her pounding heart, Caitlin fought the urge to tear into the room helter-skelter and beg Willie on hands and knees to let her stay with him.
Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she eased the latch up, and as soundlessly as she'd left the main house, she entered the bunkhouse where the six riders lay sleeping. She stood by the door, the moonlight glistening through the open window into the room. It was too dark to make out faces from this distance, but light enough that she recognized Billy's hat hanging over the headboard.
Easing across to him, she knelt beside the bed, her eyes resting soulfully on his face. His own were softly closed in sleep.
Leaning over, Caitlin whispered shakily, "Willie?"
Nothing.
Swallowing fear, Caitlin swore she felt a hot breath on her neck. Clamping down a cry of distress, she urgently clutched his shoulder. "Willie, wake up!"
He flew upright instantly, his heart pounding and ready for action. They both jerked alert in alarm and stunned surprise at the abrupt movement. When his glazed eyes focused on her, he swore richly. "Caitlin, what the blazes are you doing out here?!"
"Aye, and why don't ye be yellin' me presence from the rooftop next time?!" she growled, then shushed him with her next breath, eyes darting across the room to see if he'd disturbed the others. One or two flipped over at the commotion, but then settled again.
He raked a hand savagely through his hair, battling sleep. He'd sat at the window at watch, just in case someone had tried to overtake them in the night, before bleary-eyed and in a foul mood he'd finally passed out across his bunk.
Caitlin hadn't been back in his life twenty-four hours, and already she was distracting his piece of mind - and his sleep.
He scrubbed at his face with a weary sigh. "What do you want?"
"I'm wantin' to sleep with you."
He stilled at her words, his eyes sharply jerking to her face. "What did you say?"
"If there be a merciful bone in your body, Willie, please...let me stay with you!"
His eyes took inventory of her scrubbed clean face, her hair tousled and curling all over her head and shoulders, and a dull ache started in his gut. He glanced to the other occupants. "Sweetheart, much as the thought appeals, I hardly think this is the place."
"I'm not meanin' sleep with ye that way!" she denounced hotly, forgetting the need for silence. "I've not been restin' for days, but I'd be frightened, Willie."
As his brow narrowed with a suspicious frown Caitlin realized her mistake, hastily explaining away her terrified flight from the house. "Perhaps 'tis bein' in a strange place. I swear I heard the Fir Darrig takin' lodge in the rafters, Willie, sure as faith!"
"Fir Darrig?" he mumbled, his brain buzzing to recall the long dormant knowledge of the Irish legends about the little men.
"Aye," she nodded soberly. "They'd not be as bothersome as the leprechaun, mind ye, but a nuisance, none the less."
"Caitlin," he moaned on a weary sigh, "we don't have any little people here."
"Not that ye'd be aware of."
"Trust me...no Fir Darrigs, no leprechauns."
She shook her head sadly, troubled at his willful disbelief. "I worry for ye, Willie, and on me honor I'll be keepin' me eyes pealed for the both of us. Aye, ye know how sly they'd be. But I'm just needin' some rest, and I was havin' trouble at the lonely house. I knew I could sleep if I was with someone."
"You were with Emma," he countered smoothly, his eyes still watchful in the darkness.
"Someone I knew," she returned, aware she was falling deeper into the trap.
Desperately she looked to the others as a little smile tugged at her mouth. She swiftly wiped it away, knowing, however, she couldn't disguise the twinkle in her eyes and prayed it was too dark for him to see. "For a fact, I've never known a true Indian, but Buck has a kind heart. Perhaps he'd let me sleep with him...or Kid or Jimmy, or maybe Ike. Aye, Ike has a tender heart too."
He looked hard into her eyes and read the determination even in the obscure light. Caitlin didn't believe in threats. Anything said was a promise soon put into action.
It took Billy only an instant to decide. There were times when it was better to surrender a battle than lose the war. Besides, with her here beside him he didn't have to worry about trouble elsewhere.
He lifted the covers in resignation. "Get in."
She didn't wait for any second bidding, scrambling in beside him. "Ye're a kind soul, Willie."
"Remember that the next time you put a curse on my head," he advised dryly, inwardly groaning as she settled beside him.
She giggled, curling against him like a lover.
Billy shifted uncomfortably at the predicament he suddenly found himself in. "A word of warning for future reference, Cait...I wouldn't suggest crawling into bed with any of the boys." And as it looked, Billy feared inviting her into his own bed wasn't such a smart move either - the way his body was suddenly reacting to her warm, soft flesh. He tried to remember she was like his kid sister.
"Ye think I'd shock them?" Caitlin peered across the bunkhouse toward bodies hidden by darkness.
"You might be the one shocked, sweetheart. They may be kind-hearted but they still have a man's desires," then because Billy wanted to needle her just a bit to get back at her for the irritation he was feeling, he quipped, "Or is that exactly what you were hoping for?"
Caitlin caught her breath in offense. "'Tis a dirty little mind ye, have, Willie, to be sure."
"Yeah? Well, how was I to know?" pointing out in accusation, "You were begging to crawl in bed with me...and I can tell you, the prospect ain't all that unappealing."
This was a new Willie and the uncertainty echoed in her voice. "Ye know we were never that way, Willie!"
"That was three years ago, honey...three long years, and I assure you, you've got a triple portion of what you didn't have back then."
Caitlin knew she had grown more shapely, but she didn't think she'd changed that much. He was just being a tease. "Like I said...'tis a dirty mind ye have."
"For what, stating the obvious?" he breathed, rising on an elbow to look down on her. "Grow up, Caitlin, you're a woman," his face lowered, his hand moving to her face to grasp her jaw firmly. His breath was whisper warm against her skin, his lips just a short distance from her trembling mouth. "And I am definitely a man."
Her hand clamped on his wrist, her breath hot with displeasure and offense. "Aye, a man on the prowl, I'd wager!" She jerked his hand away in irritation - and she had to admit, a touch of fear.
Seeing her outrage, Billy backed off before she scrambled out of bed and stripped him with both sides of her tongue. He was also pleased to see the fear. "That was a lesson, Caitlin. Next time you better think twice before begging to crawl into a man's bed. You might get more than you asked for."
She still stared at him with huge, luminous eyes. He sighed with a touch of self irritation. "I didn't mean to frighten you, honey, but you have to be careful and not so trusting of everybody - not even me." He tugged playfully at a silky curl. "I won't hurt you. We're family, Caitlin, remember?"
They both recalled the day they had sat beneath a huge oak tree and pricked the tip of their finger with the end of Billy's knife. As they joined them, they had become family.
"I trust you, Willie. I know you wouldn't hurt me." Caitlin had to admit he had her going there for a minute, but she knew Willie. They were soulmates. Her eyes sought his in the dusty moonlight, whispering in heartfelt warmth, "I've no other family but you."
She snuggled beside him, cuddling, seeing warmth and comfort, and Billy moaned deep in his throat, deciding that tempting fate, and his male hormones, hadn't been such a bright idea. "Cool it, Caitlin. In the dark you sure don't feel much like a sister."
"I missed ye, Willie."
"Come daylight you'll regret admitting it."
"Aye, but tonight I'm wantin' ye to know. And I'm sorry for when we fight."
"Careful, sweetheart, you may have to eat your words - and they won't be sweet." He forcefully pushed her an inch away. "And give me some room or I'll be tempted to change your mind about sleeping with me 'that way'."
"Have you ever done it, Willie?" she whispered in the darkness, her face flaming, but curiosity won out over embarrassment.
"Done what?"
She huffed in frustration. "What in Hannah are we talkin' about!?"
He hedged in the silence, uncomfortable talking about being intimate with a female - especially with Caitlin. It wasn't something a man discussed with his sister.
Sister - yeah, right! A sister didn't feel the way Caitlin did in the darkness. He was a fool if he believed that lie. A single drop of blood didn't make them kin. His voice was raspy. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just wonderin'." she returned. "A woman gets curious about things."
"A woman!" he snorted. "You ain't near woman enough, Caitlin, so don't be getting ideas."
"I am woman enough, Willie! Just because I've not done it doesn't mean I've never been curious about it."
"There's plenty of time for that, honey. Take my word for it, you've got your whole life to get twisted up over some man."
She sighed in frustration. "When will ye get in your thick head that I'm not a little girl anymore, Willie?"
The fact was brought home just how much she wasn't a little girl anymore as he shifted again uncomfortably. "Yeah, I'm trying to remember that."
Totally oblivious to Billy's dilemma, Caitlin frowned in confusion. "So, how do you know when it's the right someone? I've never been that close to a man before."
"That's because you were probably too busy punching him in the nose," he offered, tongue-in-cheek.
"Just the one time!" she snapped in defense. "Besides I was only doin' what Poppa said!"
He smiled at the memory of the man. Always so full of life, it was hard to think of the man buried and gone. He guess he shouldn't blame Caitlin for the way she was, having received the volatile emotions of not only a father but a mother as well. "Well, just keep doing it until the right man comes along."
"Jakers, Willie! I'd hate to punch the right one in the face!"
He laughed lightly. "Even if you do...if he's the right man, he'll pick himself up and try again."
She sighed wearily. "Am I really such a trial?"
His hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb caressing the smooth skin beneath. "Sweetheart, to a man, you're terminal."
She frowned again in bafflement, this time not feeling threatened by his touch. It felt - comforting. "Terminal?"
"Definitely."
"I'm not knowin' what that means."
"Exactly."
"Ye're talkin' in riddles, Willie," she grumbled in complaint.
He laughed, tweaking her nose. "It means you're a silly little goose. Now go to sleep so I can keep telling myself you're my sister and that you really don't feel as good as you do laying here beside me - that it's just a figment of my over -active imagination."
Caitlin had never thought much about her body and its development. She just considered mother nature taking her course. "Ye really think I'd be desirable, Willie?"
"I'm thinking we'd better change the subject, and fast, or I'm definitely gonna have to rethink this whole brother-sister relationship."
Caitlin curled up beside him in contentment, happy they were friends again. "Ye'd be the silly goose, Willie."
"Probably."
"Shut up over there so somebody can sleep!" A disgruntled voice demanded curtly from across the room.
Already drowsy, Caitlin giggled. She rested her head against his shoulder, tossing one leg over his lower body to get more comfortable on the narrow bunk. "Mmm...'night, Willie."
"Goodnight, Caitlin."
Instantly her breath evened in sleep. Billy lay still, aware of every contour of the body draped against him.
Yeah, it was a crying shame that fate had decreed they be family instead of lovers...a crying shame indeed.
The first light of dawn broke the midnight sky. Kid woke by his irritating inborn clock. It would be so easy to turn over and sleep for another hour, but Blue Eagle would be arriving soon with the new herd.
Scrubbing his face to ward off sleep, he tossed back the covers. As he slid around to the side of the bunk he looked automatically to Billy's bunk. He saw the coppery, red head resting atop Billy's chest. He grinned, acknowledging a spurt of envy.
Not that he wanted the woman curled up beside him to be Caitlin. In truth, Caitlin scared him to death! He liked a little fire in a woman, but getting consumed by a volcano was not his idea of a particularly fulfilling experience. He didn't have enough knowledge dealing with women - especially one of that caliber. Kid had his hands full just trying to figure out Lou. His eyes were instantly drawn to the woman still snuggled under the covers.
Slipping into his pants, Kid moved to Buck's bunk. Yanking the pillow from beneath his head, Kid tossed out a chipper, "Rise and shine."
"Go away." Buck glared daggers, snatching the pillow to stuff it back under his head. "Last man to wake me like that ate steel for breakfast."
"Oh...I'm scared," he taunted with a grin. "Those horses coming in ain't gonna wait on your beauty sleep." Moving to Jimmy and Lou, Kid took pleasure in waking them too.
Lou murmured in protest, rolling away in a whimper.
Kid grinned. "Come on, sleepyhead. The new horses will be here any time."
Lou groaned, turning her back to Kid. "Five minutes - just five minutes."
"Okay, five minutes."
Buck pulled on his pants, his earlier bad temper forgotten as he too rested eyes on the pair, his grin crooked. "Where'd she come from?"
"The tooth fairy?" Kid quipped, but his smile died at the black storm brewing on Jimmy's face.
Knowledge came like a hot iron. He hadn't recognized Jimmy's infatuation with the woman, but he guessed he should have. Looking back, he could remember that ever since Caitlin's arrival Jimmy had been...tense.
He watched the rage grow degree by degree in Jimmy's eyes and knew he wanted to drag Billy up by the throat and pound his face.
"Hey, Jimmy, lighten up. Nothing happened. I was awake when she came in. She was just scared." He watched the snappy way Jimmy dressed, and his heart constricted with compassion. The man who was involved with Caitlin wouldn't have an easy time of it. "You got a bad case of it, I see."
"A bad case of what, Kid?" he snapped.
"Caitlinitis."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."
"Yeah…ridiculous," Kid nodded with a sudden grin.
Jimmy's head snapped up, glaring his exasperation at the whole situation. He was man enough to know better than let his head be turned by a woman who was already claimed.
It appeared logic of the head and emotions of the heart seemed to be two different things.
He wanted to strike out at something...someone. Kid was the handiest thing around. "Why don't you just shut up, Kid...and mind your own business."
In a sour attitude, Jimmy slammed his hat on his head and strode from the bunkhouse toward the barn.
"What's with him?" Buck questioned, a frown drawing dark brows together.
Kid looked after the striding form with a shrug. "I think Jimmy slept with a burr under his blanket." Then his eyes slid to the occupants still dead to the world. His concern for Jimmy was set aside for the time being. Besides...he was a big boy. He could take care of himself.
Kid grinned, nodding toward the couple. "Come on, let's have some fun."
To be continued...Chapter VI
Copyright 1998-This work is not to be reproduced without the permission of the author
The Way Station
Campfire Tales
