Chapter Five

      Large drops of rain were already striking the ground when Cole raised his hand for the caravan to come to a halt. It had been a dreary day, but at least they had arrived at their destination before the storm broke. The dark clouds rolling overhead left no doubt that they were in for a downpour. He guided his horse beneath a tall tree, then swung from the saddle.

      “Is this it?” Beth asked as she came alongside him.

      “Yep. This is where the caravan will remain camped while you play train robber.” He reached down and loosened the saddle girth. “You might want to tell the men you picked to go with us that we’ll be taking off first thing in the morning.”

      “Where is the railroad?”

      “About a day and a half ride due north. We’ll be camping overnight on the way there and on the way back, so we’ll need provisions.”

      Beth reined the feisty mare around until she was again facing Cole. “Aren’t you going to help me down?”

      Cole pulled on his duster. “That’s not my job. However, I can be bribed.”

      Beth laughed. “With what?”

      Cole was sorely tempted to tell her that for a night in bed together she could have just about anything she wanted. “One of those pasta suppers tonight?”

      Beth’s face lit up with pleasure. “You have a deal. But maybe I should have Magda fix –”

      “Please, the pasta will be fine.” Cole stepped to her black mare’s side and reached up. His hands easily spanned Beth’s tiny waist as he lifted her from the sidesaddle. Common sense told him not to play with fire, but it amused him to see the smug look on her face disappear as he slowly lowered her down the length of him.

      Realizing the outlaw was showing interest in her, Beth’s heart leapt. There was something about this man that definitely attracted her. When their faces were only inches apart he held her still, her body molded against his. She was staring into a pair of fathomless dark eyes. Passionate eyes that...“Are you thinking about kissing me?” Allowing her curiosity full rein, Beth closed her eyes and waited.

      Cole smiled. Tempting. Very tempting, but it would only lead to trouble. “I was inhaling your perfume.”

      Beth’s eyes flew open.

      “I’ve never smelled anything like it.” Cole stood her on her feet. “It’s pleasing to the nostrils.”

      “I gave you an invitation!”

      “An invitation to what?”

      “To kiss me!”

      “Oh. I didn’t realize.” Cole leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

      “That’s it?”

      Cole shrugged.

      Beth glared at him while unconsciously slapping her quirt against her thick skirt.

      “You’d best get beneath some shelter.” Cole saw Doolan running toward them. “The rain is worsening and you’ll catch your death if you get soaked.”

      “I don’t melt like sugar,” she seethed.

      “But I do.”

      Doolan quickly gathered the horses’ reins. “The men will have your tent set up in no time, Mrs. Alexander.” He took off running, with the horses in tow.

      Cole pulled Beth beneath the limbs of the tree. “Looks like you’re going to have to wait here.”

      “Why didn’t you kiss me properly?” Both asked as she brushed away the droplets of water that clung to her green velvet riding gown.

      Cole grinned. “I think you overestimate men. Why don’t you put that in the journal you’re keeping?”

      “What do you mean, I overestimate men?” Again Beth became lost in the depths of those dark, penetrating eyes. She had to force herself to turn away and watch the others hurriedly setting up camp. The rain was heavier now.

      “I think the average man is shy, or maybe I should say cautious. He has only had a few female encounters before marrying and settling down. He spends a lot of time around other men and he’s not nearly as experienced with the opposite sex as he would like women and other men to believe.”

      “Are you describing yourself?” Had she misread the passion in his eyes only moments ago?

      “Probably, but I never married.”

      “Did some woman break your heart?”

      Cole broke out in a hearty laugh.

      “What is so funny?”

      Suddenly the wind kicked up, causing the rain to come in torrents. Cole could no longer see the wagons parked some thirty-odd yards away. Within seconds the water had worked its way through the thick leaves and branches of the tree and was dripping on both of them. Lightning cracked and danced about. It had all happened so quickly.

      Cole removed his duster and draped it over Beth. “We’re going to have to make a dash for that shallow ditch!”

      The thunder was deafening and Beth didn’t hear what he’d said. As Cole started to move her from the protection of the tree, she balked. “I’m not going anywhere!”

      Lacking time for explanations, Cole picked Beth up and ran. Raindrops hammered his face. Having to slosh across muddy ground made the distance seem twice as long. He didn’t see the ditch bank until he stumbled over it. He toppled forward, landing in a muddy pool with Beth beneath him.

      “What are you trying to do?” Beth tried scrambling out from under him. “Drown me?” Seeing that the outlaw was making no effort to move, she frantically twisted and shoved, desperately needing to draw fresh air into her lungs. “Dammit, get off me!” Furious at being held down, she gathered all her strength, braced her back against the muddy bank and shoved. Cole rolled off her, but her legs were still pinned beneath him.

      “Is this some way of getting even?” Beth yelled. “If you wanted me dead, why didn’t you just shoot me?”

      Finally able to sit up, Beth tried wiping the mud from her face. It took the rain pouring down to clear her vision. It would take forever to get her hair, body and clothes clean!

      Just then lightning struck the tree they had been standing beneath only minutes ago, followed by a crack of thunder that put Beth’s nerves on end.

      “Oh, Lord,” she whispered.

      The