Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All persons and places appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real places or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
WARNING: Contains an attempted rape scene.
Grateful to be sheltered from the storm outside, the woman walked over to the fire and added another big chunk of wood. The aroma of the simmering venison stew that hung just inside the fireplace slowly filled the woman's nostrils; her belly growling and rumbling at the scent reminded her immediately that she was hungry. The tall brunette walked towards the pot, reached above on the mantel and grabbed the leather glove that sat there; she carefully took the lid off the pot and stirred the concoction of venison potatoes carrots and onions. Gingerly choosing a piece of meat she scooped it out and blew on it to cool it off, then popped it in her mouth. The heat from the meat burned her tongue, yet melted in her mouth. "Oh God that's good; hot too, damn!" she said as she fanned at her mouth trying to cool it off. Eagerly she reached for her bowl and scooped up a generous helping of the steaming meal. Placing the bowl on the table she went back to where she had gotten her bowl and pulled a cloth sack off the shelf, which held biscuits she had made the day before, grabbed her coffee cup, placed everything on the table then went for the coffee pot. Finally her table was set and she was ready to eat. Sitting down she smiled at the spread on her table; folded her hands in front of her and gave thanks before she dug in to a very satisfying meal.
As the woman ate her supper, she sat in her chair and looked out at the blizzard that raged outside. For an instant felt a pang of loneliness wash over her. She thought of her life so far and decided, 'No, there is no room for regret or wishful thinking. This cabin is mine the land is mine that in itself is something to be damned proud of.' With that decided she stood up, went to the back room with her bowl, spoon and coffee cup and placed them in the bucket on the counter. She reached for the other bucket that held cold water and dumped it over them, then went and took the other pot that sat near the fire and dumped the hot water from there to wash the dishes. Washing and drying the few dishes she had, she put the sack of biscuits up on the shelf again, and then grabbed the lantern and carefully moved it over to the tiny table next to the rocking chair that sat close to the fire. She picked up the book carelessly tossed on the rocker then sat and started to read, she had a little time before she had to check on the animals one last time for the night.
She wrapped the scarf around her neck, donned the heavy coat and buttoned it up then placed the hat snuggly on her head and opened the door to face the furious storm. The trek to the barn was accomplished by sheer determination, walking through the snow was almost like walking in two or three feet mud, but then again it was probably the only thing that kept her upright considering the strength of the wind that blew against her. Rayne opened the barn door and stepped in; well, nearly fell in. Hearing the door open the two bays nestled on one side of her barn standing happily in their stables, looked up and nodded their acknowledgement of her then continued about their business of chewing on hay. To the right of her, in a stall all his own, stood an enormous black bull who watched her with piercing, dark eyes and next to him, in a stall with fresh hay, stood Belle, who was busy chew on her own feed and nursing a tiny black calf. She lifted her head as Rayne approached and allowed the tall human to stroke her head.
"Hi there momma, how's that new baby of yours?" She asked, smiling. "He sure is a cute little thing. You did a real good job today! Okay guys sleep well and stay warm okay? There's a hell of storm out there. Samson, Delilah, you all keep the noise down hear? Little Bocephus here needs his rest!" The two bays neighed and again nodded their complete understanding and the big black bull pawed at the ground. "Yes, I know you had a helping hand in things today too, Goliath good job." She spoke soothingly to the massive bull; with that he snorted and settled down as she made her way back towards the door. "Night boys and girls, sleep well." She said opening the door and once again facing the raging storm. Groaning, she slowly made her way back to her little house and muttered to herself, "Damn it I'll bet I have to dig myself out tomorrow morning!" 'You knew the dangers or moving out here Rayne,' the little voice in her head said in reply. She countered with, "Well yes, and this beats the alternative." And that shut the little voice up as it always did.
Inside again, she went through the routine of removing her hat, coat and scarf and this time her boots. She went to the fire, added more wood and made sure she had it banked for the night then with a yawn and a stretch she made her way to the room off to the side of the main area, to her bedroom. Well okay, it wasn't so tiny; actually it was the one room that held the most furniture. The room contained a big bed made of rich cherry wood, the mattress was feather, and there were two bedside tables and a tiny dresser, all which matched the head- and foot-boards of the bed. Two lanterns sat on each table on top of a crotched fine lace doily that her great grandmother had made. The furniture was the only link left to her parents, and she treasured it dearly. She stripped her clothes down to the long johns she wore and climbed under the thick blanket and quilt that covered the mattress, and with a contented sigh she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her.
The next morning she was up with the sun, or rather with what her body told her would be rising with the sun, because of course the sun was buried behind dark heavy clouds. Peeking outside, she saw the good news was that the snow had let up. With a little luck the storm had passed and in a day or two she would be able to get into town for supplies that were sorely needed. Damn good thing she had enough hay and feed for the animals. She had planned to go in today, but with the birth of Bo she didn't want to chance anything happening to either the mother or the calf. All things considering it was probably a good thing she didn't, she would have been caught in the storm that blew in out of nowhere. Looking at the sky she thought out loud, "Well if nothing else, I can always just saddle up Samson and take Delilah to carry a few supplies to last me a couple of weeks till I can hook up the wagon and get it to town." As she thought of that option she made her way to the barn to make sure all was well with her animals. Pushing the door open, she walked in and all lifted their heads to her, each pawed at the ground in anticipation of a meal. With a smile, her first stop was Samson, who walked up to her and nuzzled her with his warm nose. "You think you can just love up on me and you'll get your oats there boy?" she asked as she rubbed the soft muzzle, then set about getting the bucket of oats for him. The same process went on with each of the animals. Her voice was soothing and low as she spoke to them while she worked. "Samson? Delilah? Tomorrow we're gonna head to town. Think you can manage that without to much difficultly? I know, I know it wasn't your fault that old snake spooked ya the last time we went Delilah," she spoke, as the smaller bay started to snort her obvious displeasure at the mere idea that she was the reason for the ruckus the last trip into town. With the morning chores of feeding done she headed back to the small house and shook off her boots, then went to the fire and reached for the coffee pot. She poured her coffee and smeared some peach preserves she managed to put up earlier in fall on a biscuit and sat down to her breakfast. It was days like this that the loneliness hit her; that the memories came flooding back. She wondered how different things would have been had Emma not died.
Her mind went back to the year she first arrived in Willow Creek. She had taken possession of her Uncle Luke's farm when he and her aunt passed away. Those first few months in town she met Emma Rodgers, one of the girls that worked in the saloon Rayne first walked into. Rayne remembered the first time she saw her walking down the flight of stairs from the rooms above the saloon. For some reason the knowledge of what Emma was caused rage to boil in her blood, and she had never met the woman. The smile on the face of the man that walked ahead of Emma made Rayne's eyes see red and her head explode in fury. She remembered the voice in her head that said, 'Just walk away Rayne, you don't need this trouble.' And she would have, had she not heard the smug bastard brag to his friends about what a good little piece Emma had been and laughed, while the blonde tried to hide her humiliation. The look on Emma's face and the laughter was more than Rayne could take and she put all her strength into her punch. That was all it took, one punch, and the man fell like a log, his friends, all shocked, just stood there. The one that did decide he was going to challenge the 'man' that knocked his friend out, quickly changed his mind when he heard Rayne's low growl, "Go ahead try." That, as well as the fire in 'his' eyes, was all the convincing he needed to pick his friend up and leave. Rayne calmly walked over to the blonde, grabbed her hand and took her out of the saloon. Had Rayne known that night that it had been Emma's first time she would have killed the man. Emma didn't say a word. She followed Rayne and never returned to the saloon after that night, and anyone with a brain in their head knew better than to even mention Emma's name in any demeaning manner, whether in Rayne's presence or not. From that night on Rayne was by Emma's side and Emma was devoted to Rayne. Neither of them questioned their mutual agreement, nor the love that grow between them; not the emotional or the physical expression of that love. Nor did the town's people; they accepted Rayne's and Emma's relationship, although it wasn't what they were use to. For a year, the two were happy; they were building a life together, a home. One day Rayne came in from the fields to find Emma lying on the floor, her breathing shallow, and her body burning with a high fever. Rayne picked her up in her aching arms and gently placed her in the wagon that she, for whatever reason, had yet to unhitch from the horses, and made the ride to town. She doesn't know just when Emma passed away but she was gone by the time she reached town and the doctor. She remembered the pain of that day like it was just yesterday, she remembered the doctor telling her it was to late, and she remembered the town folk all being so kind in the days and weeks and months that followed.
She also remembered the promise she made Emma the day she buried her. The sun was out that day, shining bright and warm. It was the kind of day that Emma adored, the kind that Emma always tried to get Rayne to just hitch up the wagon and head to the creek for a picnic. Today Rayne wished she had done that more often with Emma, today however she was saying goodbye to her love, the woman who held her heart. "Emma, I don't know why you had to leave me, but I swear to God I will never allow another to have my heart as you did. I will never let another close to me again. It hurts too much to have to let go. My promise to you is no one will ever take your place."
That promise had been made 20 years ago and Rayne had kept it. It was not always easy; like anyone, she had needs, and well the saloon girls that knew Emma would see at least to the physical ones. A few tried to see to the other needs, but Rayne always said no. Today she was wishing things had worked out differently, a part of her wished she had never made that promise, she wished someone would be beside her in the house she called home.
Slowly she became aware of the tears that rolled down her face and she realized her coffee had grown cold. With frustration she wiped at her eyes, and poured some hot coffee in her cup and tried to think of a way to get out of the mood she found herself slipping into. She walked to the storage room that sat off of the kitchen and found a small block of wood; she grabbed her knife and started to shave wood away. Her mind lost in its own world, her hands worked of their own accord and once again when Rayne came back from where ever her mind had gone, in her hand was a beautiful carving of a wolf standing guard. 'How the heck did that happen?' She wondered, as she looked at the carved animal in her hand. She stood, walked over to the mantel and placed the wolf next to four other ones. Each had appeared in her hands in the same manner. Thoughtfully, she stared at what, in her mind, was a family of wolves with the leader now standing guard. She walked away with the feeling that the guarding wolf was also watching over her now. She walked towards the door and got her coat and hat and went out with no idea of where she was heading.
Later the tall woman found herself at Emma's grave, well in the vicinity of it anyway, with all the snow it was hard to find the exact spot. But Rayne knew she was close, instinct told her she was. When she was at the grave site was the only time her heart felt at ease, it didn't hurt. Today was no exception; her heart was peaceful for the moment. With her gloved hand she brushed some snow away and she lay down on the cold ground. She didn't pay attention to the wet or the cold, she just wanted the ache in her heart to stop and for a few moments, right now, it did.
"Emma, why? Why did you have to leave me? It's been 20 years and I keep asking the same question and I never get an answer. Did you know you were that ill? Did you ever consider what would happen to me?" she questioned aloud. Today she finally heard an answer.
"You will love again my sweetheart, you will be just fine," the soft, faint voice said.
With a start, Rayne jumped up looking to see where the voice came from. "Emma?" 'No it can't be Emma you buried her!' her mind screamed.
"Oh God it's happening, I'm finally losing my mind," she said aloud; only to hear the faint voice whisper, "No my love, you aren't, just trust me." Then she felt a slight breeze and all was calm. Rayne stood, looked around and didn't see anyone or anything. One set of foot prints and they belonged to her.
"Oh come on Rayne you can't honestly think someone is up here with you do you? That was Emma's voice!" she told herself and looked down at the ground, willing answers to appear. With her heart and her mind fighting she walked back home. Not knowing what else to do, she fed the animals and saddled Samson. "You all behave. I'll be back tomorrow morning more than likely," she said over her shoulder, leading the big bay out the barn door and heading towards town.
The saloon was quiet when Rayne walked in, the usual faces sat at their regular table playing cards, trying to either cheat or bluff their way to a big pot at the end of the game. Those who were caught cheating were tossed out if they were lucky; the unlucky ones best pray they were faster at the draw than those they were cheating. Rayne searched the room for any likely trouble makers as she strolled to the bar. Several men shouted their hellos as she entered, a couple that were either new in town or just passing through that were unaccustomed to seeing a woman in a saloon who didn't work upstairs, were quick to be silenced by the other men who were now friends of the tall dark-haired woman.
"Howdy Rayne, didn't expect to see you in today, things okay at the spread?" Tom Kennedy, the sheriff asked.
"Yup, every thing is quiet. I just couldn't stand the quite anymore ya know? So I thought I'd take Samson for a ride and we ended up here. How's Sally doin'?" Rayne answered.
"She is doin' fine. The baby should be here any day now," Tom said, as a smile appeared on his face. Sally and he were expecting their first child any time now and his pride showed.
With a big smile, Rayne slapped him on the back and said, "Well damn that calls for a drink! Hank, give me two shots of the good stuff."
"Comin' right up Rayne," the bartender answered with a smile. He was a good friend of Rayne's. He became her strongest supporter the night she punch that jackass Sprigs in the face. Soon the two shot glasses appeared in front of Rayne and Tom, and Rayne felt a soft hand on her back. As she turned, she saw the hand belonged to Grace Walters, one of the women that took care of Rayne from time to time. With a smile Grace reached around Rayne and took the drink from her hand and drank it in one gulp.
"Thank you for the drink Rayne, come find me when you and our handsome sheriff here are done talking." Grace said in a voice that was both velvety and husky at the same time. A voice that made the men, as well as Rayne, forget what they were doing. The smile on Grace's lips as she turned said she knew the effect she had on them and enjoyed it. With a nice little shake of her back side she walked away leave the three staring at her trying to remember how to breathe.
Tom was the first to regain his thinking, and with a kind of groan and of course an inkling of what Grace wanted with Rayne. A huge smile on his face, Tom said, as he cleared his throat, "Well okay Hank, we need another shot of whiskey, Rayne here is needed else where it seems." Rayne turned red and the two men laughed.
Hank being Hank couldn't just leave it alone either. He had to tease his friend even more, so he said, "So Rayne, just what is it that you do to all these gals that just make 'em go nuts?"
Rayne turned and with a smile looked at both Tom and Hank said, "Well Hank, I take 'em upstairs and I tell 'em how beautiful they are and then I just kinda use my tongue and fingers like," and when she saw she had their full attention she continued, "Ya'll really want to see how I use them?" They both nodded, their throats dry, as their imaginations ran wild. "Well okay," she said, putting her thumbs to the sides of her ears she wiggled her fingers and with her tongue sticking out made a face. "That, boys, is how I get 'em." Then she broke out with a deep laugh at the two as they sat with stupid looks on their faces. "Teach ya'll to have dirty minds. Don't ya know a gentleman never kisses and tells?" She then stood up tossed enough coins on the bar and walked away laughing. A few minutes later they saw Grace leading the way upstairs and Rayne following.
Upstairs in Grace's room, Grace closed the door and was going to say something but Rayne's mouth descended on hers hard and cut off any opportunity to speak. Rayne's body pushed Grace against the door as her hands gripped her waist, and Grace's hands wrapped in the long black hair as she accepted the devouring kiss. Soon her hands worked on the buttons of Rayne's shirt and pants, all the while Rayne worked on getting the dress off of Grace's body. With fingers that weren't cooperating she grunted and just yanked the skirt up and let her hand feel the hot flesh beneath. As Rayne's fingers made contact with Grace's thigh she let out a gasp and bit Rayne's neck. A move that made Rayne growl and pick Grace up in one swift motion. With the woman in her arms and Grace's legs wrapped around Rayne's strong legs and hips, Rayne made her way to the bed and together the two tumbled down, Grace on her back with Rayne between her thighs, her pants undone but not off and neither was caring much. Grace arched up as Rayne thrust her hips against Grace. The buttons of her pants hitting against Grace's wet and rapidly hardening clit. With Grace arching higher and her fingernails digging into Rayne's back, Rayne couldn't hold on to her control any longer. Their breathing was getting harsher, their groans louder and soon with a final push against Grace the rapidly approaching, earth-shaking orgasm overtook them and with a loud cry they both crashed over the edge. The orgasm left them shaking and trembling for minutes after. With Rayne collapsed on top of Grace, both hot and dripping sweat and both still in their clothes, Grace gently kissed the side of Rayne's face, and whispered, "I've missed you, what took you so long?"
With a groan, Rayne rolled off of Grace and said, "Just been busy ya know. I'm sorry I know it's been a while."
"Rayne, I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to come around more. Don't you understand?"
"Yeah Grace, I understand but I've told you it ain't gonna happen. There will never be a place for another in my heart or my home."
"You know, I don't even care if it's me or not Rayne but you need someone. Emma wouldn't want you to live like you are."
"Don't!" Rayne said, her voice shaking. "How do you know what Emma would want?"
"I know because she was my friend and she loved you," Grace shot back.
"Damn it! Why do we have to do this every time I come in?"
"I don't want to do this every time you come you in, I also don't want you to feel guilty every single time we do this, yet you do. I don't want you to insult me by leaving money every time you leave, and yet you do. You live your life out in that damn house torturing yourself and blaming yourself for Emma's death and it's not your fault," Grace continued.
Rayne had heard enough and was quickly trying to button her pants and shirt before the tears fell. That was a battle she was quickly losing, with her pants buttoned she headed for the door. She wasn't fast enough this time however and Grace beat her to it.
"No, not this time. This time you're going to listen to every word I have to say," Grace said quietly, but with determination.
"No I'm not," Rayne said through clenched teeth.
"Yes, you are! God damn it Rayne! Why the hell do you do this? Why do you pretend to not care or feel? You're human I know it, Hank, Tom, Teresa knows it. We know you loved Emma and we know Emma adored you. But Emma is gone. You aren't, like it or not you are still in the world of the living, though God knows you try hard enough to deny it." She stopped long enough to take a breath, and then continued, "Do you think we don't see the spark in you that refuses to just give up and die? Do you think if you didn't want to live you'd figure out a way to stop living? Rayne; food, human companionship, sex are all basic needs and you, whether you want to see it or not, do continue to seek them out. Like it or not, I love you. Teresa loves you, we are just two of the few you have allowed to stay in your life, and you come to us when you need love, emotional or physical. Why do you continue to insult us by leaving money? Do you think what we do for you we want payment for? No, we don't! In fact here! Here is all the money you leave on the table as you leave each and every time you've been with me," Grace spat as she threw a handful of money at Rayne. "Teresa has just as much for you as well, and so does Eileen. We each loved Emma and we each love you and we are tired of you treating us like whores. We may sell it to everyone else, but what we do with you is because we want to. You can leave now Rayne, I suppose I, or one of the other girls, will see you when the need arises again," Grace said as she walked away from the door, tears brimming in her eyes as she walked to the window and looked out.
"I don't want to leave," Rayne said in a small voice. "Gracie I don't know what to do anymore."
"I can't help you figure that out anymore Rayne. It's hurting to much," Grace said quietly.
"Gracie, please?" Rayne barely whispered as she walked up behind Grace and wrapped her arms around the woman.
Grace closed her eyes and willed herself to be strong. Right now all she wanted to do was turn and wrap Rayne in her arms and tell her everything would be fine. Finally Grace turned and wrapped her arms around Rayne and held her close as the dark-haired woman let the tears finally fall.
"My poor Rayne have you ever just let it all out baby? Have you truly grieved in the last twenty years?" she whispered as Rayne shook with deep, sobbing cries. She moved them to the bed, and just held tight as Rayne finally let years of pain out and eventually collapsed from exhaustion. For the first time in two decades Rayne slept the night through. Grace stood watch with love in her heart and eyes, along with sadness at the knowledge that this was a close as Rayne would ever get to letting her in.
As the sun rose the next morning, Rayne snuggled closer to the body that lay next to her, she felt safe and warm. With a start her eyes flew open, only relaxing when she remembered it was Grace's arms. Then all memories came crashing back, embarrassed at the tears that fell the night before, she carefully moved out of the arms. Making sure not to wake Grace she made her way out of the room, the fleeting thought of leaving money flew in her mind and then she remembered the woman's words and she walked on down the hall and down the stairs straight out of the bar. Grace kept her eyes closed until she heard the door close then got up and watched as Rayne walked out the front door and made her way down the street, and then she let her tears fall.
The morning air was cold and crisp against Rayne as she made her way to the small dining room in the local hotel. As she walked in, Bessie looked up and smiled, giving Rayne a warm, welcoming hug as she led Rayne to the table and went to get coffee, steak and eggs for the woman. With her breakfast in front of her a few minutes later, Rayne dug in and thoughts of what happened the night before went through her mind. Grace was right; she had stopped living the day she lost Emma. But Emma had been her world, she didn't know when or how it happened, she just knew that it did, and when Em died, her world came to an end and she didn't know how to do anything other than just go through the motions of living a life. "Okay so the question is: How do I start living again?" She asked herself quietly.
With her breakfast eaten and a lull for the moment, Bessie came and sat down. "How've you been Rayne sweetie, haven't seen you in a spell!"
With a smile Rayne answered the older woman, Bessie had a way about her that made everyone feel warm and loved, hell she was like the town's mother to anyone that needed one at the moment, and Bessie seemed to always know when she was needed. The two talked and Rayne caught Bessie up on the birth of Bo and how things were going out on the small ranch. Soon other people started coming in and Bessie had to return to her duties and Rayne needed to stop at the mercantile and pick up a few items until she could come with the wagon, so she hugged the elderly woman, paid her bill and left. At the mercantile she left her small order, said she would return to pick it up, then headed to the stable to pay for Samson's stay then reappeared at the small shop with her saddle bags in hand to pack the few items, such as coffee, flour, sugar, salt, salt pork, and beans. She also left a bigger order and said she would be back in a couple of days to pick that up. Then she walked out, strapped the bags to her saddle and led Samson to the hitching post outside the bar. She decided that she couldn't just leave town without saying goodbye to Grace, which was something she never considered before today. She hobbled Samson to the post and walked back into the bar. Hank was wiping down the counter and the few cowboys with nothing to do hung around a few tables looking for anyone to play a few hands of poker.
One hollered to Rayne, "Hey Rayne. Come play a few hands, I need a challenge."
Rayne just waved and hollered back, "Not today Frank I need to get back to the place, take care of the animals."
To which got the response, "Well hell aren't ya heading the wrong way then? Purty sure them animals ain't in Graces room," followed by a round of hearty of laughter.
Rayne just smiled and said, "Hey, ya never know," she said flippantly, then headed up the stairs.
Softly knocking at the door, Rayne waited until Grace opened it. With her hat in her hand she started, "I, uh," she stammered. "I just wanted to thank you for last night."
"Why don't you come in?" Grace said with a surprised look.
"Yeah, sure."
"So uh, I've been thinking about what you said. I'm sorry I've been such a jackass towards you girls. I never meant to insult you."
"We know that. It's just we care about you and at first we knew you weren't thinking about it, then it just got to be like you thought we felt you were just another costumer and you aren't. We don't want paid, never have, then it got to be insulting."
"I know. Again, I'm sorry. I suppose I just figured I was taking you away from a payin' costumer I might as well pay so that you weren't out that money."
"Now damn it Rayne there ya go again! Do you think anyone of us woulda brought you up here if we didn't want to? Truth is, well you treat us better than most men, and well some of us girls actually prefer you to any man."
Not knowing what to say, Rayne just kicked her foot at some imaginary mud clod and looked at the floor. "You're taking off I know, but don't be a stranger okay? Stop by just to say hi sometime," Grace said as she wrapped her arms around the tall woman. "I surely will Gracie," Rayne said as she enveloped the smaller woman in her strong arms, holding her tight.
Rayne released Grace and turned, leaving the room once more and headed back out to her horse, hearing joking jabs from the men in the bar along the lines of, "Well damn Rayne, least ya could do is take your time and enjoy." She just waved her hand in the air as acknowledgement and a bye to the men. As she stepped out of the doors she saw what she thought was a boy getting into her saddle bags. With a few long strides she was behind the boy and in a low angry voice said, "Just what the hell do you think you're doin'? Do you know I can have you arrested?" Her hand grabbed at the collar of the youngster's tattered coat, preventing him from running. "In fact let's take a walk over to the sheriff's office so you can explain to him what you were doin' in my saddlebags."
"No, please don't," Rayne heard a soft, shaking voice say, a voice that couldn't possibly belong to any boy. She quickly spun the wisp of a person around and looked at the very feminine, yet smudged face. The anger she felt coursing through her flashed in her eyes, and the fear emanating from the small person in her hands slowly made its way to her brain. She loosened her grip slightly and in a calmer voice said, "You're a girl. What? Why, where's your family? Why were you trying to steal from me?"
The frighten woman in her hands replied, "I don't have any family. I'm sorry, I was just looking for a little food, I haven't eaten in a couple of days and I'm," she stuttered. "I'm just hungry. Please mister I don't wanna go to jail I was just," her voice trailed off nervously.
"Why don't you have family?" Rayne asked as she looked at the girl she held on to.
"They, well they are dead," the girl answered softly. At hearing that Rayne's instantly felt her anger leave. As she looked at the girl she saw she wasn't a girl at all. "How old are you?" She asked.
"I'm nineteen, almost twenty. Almost an old maid," the woman answered.
"Not likely," Rayne snorted. "What's your name?"
"Lisbet Adams. What are you gonna do with me mister?" she asked, trying not to let her voice waiver too much.
"Well for starters, I'm not a mister, my name is Rayne. And I can't take you to jail just for being hungry now can I? Nor can I let you run around stealing food from everyone, someone is likely to shoot ya. Where you stayin'?" Rayne asked.
"Anywhere I can find and no one will mind, mostly in barns where I can hide."
"Well hell, you're gonna freeze. Come on your goin' home with me," Rayne said as she put her foot into the stirrup, her hand reaching down to pull Lisbet up behind her.
Lisbet was both relieved and frightened, but going home with the stranger was, at the moment, a better choice than freezing and starving, maybe the older woman would take pity on her and let her stay in her barn in exchange for her working. With that decided, Lisbet reached up and wrapped her arms around Rayne and soon they were galloping off towards Rayne's home. About an hour later the three arrived at Rayne's. Dismounting from Samson, she led the horse into the barn, and told Lisbet to go on into the house, and start a fire, and that she would be in as soon as she brushed down the horse and fed the other animals. Nervous and not wanting to displease Rayne, Lisbet went to the house got the fire going and returned to help with the animals, a surprised Rayne just looked at her. Lisbet looked back and said, "I need to do something to help pay for your kindness." Shaking her head, Rayne just nodded towards the tack and the two worked together feeding the animals and getting fresh hay for their stalls.
Chores done Rayne turned and headed to the house. When she didn't feel Lisbet following her, she stopped and went back to the barn. Upon seeing Lisbet arranging a little corner with some straw she asked, "What are you doing?"
Looking at Rayne as if she had just asked the dumbest question known to mankind, Lisbet looked around, motioned to the straw in the corner, took a deep breath and said in a tone that suggested she was speaking to a five year old, "Well I'm arranging a little bed for myself!"
With a frown Rayne looked at her and said calmly, "No you aren't. Come into the house." Then she turned around yet again and walked to the house leaving a confused Lisbet standing staring at the retreating figure.
Inside the house, Rayne removed her hat and coat hung them up then took her boots off and placed them under her coat. She walked to the fire and removed the coffee pot that sat off to the side heating up now that the fire was going again. With two cups set on the small table she poured the coffee then went to and got a bowl and dished out some of the venison stew that was left from her dinner the night before. She placed it on the table just as Lisbet entered the house. Rayne looked up and said, "Take your coat and boots off and come sit down and eat okay? Then we'll talk about where you're staying and all that."
Lisbet wanted to get things agreed on first, but in all honesty the stew smelled too good for her to press the issue of talking first and she sat down to eat. Her eyes closed with the first taste of the perfect combination of ingredients and she nearly sighed. Remembering her manners, she forced herself to eat slowly, even though her belly was growling so loudly she was sure the other woman could hear it. Before she knew it her bowl was empty and she looked up to see Rayne watching her with amusement in her eyes. "What?" she asked as she look a tad embarrassed. Rayne smiled and quietly said, "Nothing I just enjoyed watching you eat. Would you like some more?"
"Oh yes please!" Lisbet answer and then quickly added softly, "If that's alright." Rayne laughed and stood to get the young woman more stew. She sat the bowl in front of the blonde then sat down. "Lisbet, fact of the matter is you need a place to live, especially now and I can't see letting you wander around trying to stay warm and fed and alive. So for the time being I think its best if you stay here. I don't expect you pay me anything, but I would like some help around the place and well, to be honest this time of year the company would be nice."
"What about your family won't they mind?"
"I don't have a family," Rayne answered quietly.
"Oh, well in that case thank you for you kind hospitality. I'll do what ever I can to help out and make sure I stay out of your way," Lisbet said as she watched the display of emotion flash across Rayne's face and eyes, and it made her wonder what had happened to cause the pain she saw. She wanted to ask but, considering she had just met the woman that morning, she decided it probably wasn't the time, so she ate the bowl of stew, drank her coffee and when she was done she asked where she could wash the dishes and wash up. Figuring she would have to eventually know all these things, Rayne showed her where the buckets for washing the dishes were along with the tub that she had bought Emma long ago.
"Do you have any clothes?" Rayne asked as it just occurred to her that she didn't recall Lisbet with any sort of bag. Lisbet looked down, slightly embarrassed, and answered with a sad shake of her head. Rayne told her to go ahead and wash up the dishes as she grabbed a couple of buckets and went out to fill them with snow. When she was done she placed the buckets by the fire to melt the snow and warm the water. Without a word, Rayne went to her room and pulled a trunk away from the wall; she hadn't been in that trunk in twenty years, not since the day she had packed Emma's things. She opened the trunk with care and lovingly stroked the first dress she saw packed away. Removing a few items she knew Lisbet would need, she closed the lid and walked out of the room before the memories and the ache consumed her again.
In the main room, Lisbet was looking at the family of wolves that sat on the mantel. When Rayne came back in she turned toward the door and said in a rush of nervousness, "Um, dishes are done and I was just looking around. Did you carve the family of wolves? They are beautiful!"
Rayne smiled and answered, "Thank you for doing the dishes, and thank you for the compliment. I'm never entirely sure how I carve them. I just start thinking and to get my mind off of the things running through my head I start carving and, well, next thing I know I have them.
"Look, I have some clothes that should fit you, and some water heating up we can pour in the tub and you can have a bath," Rayne said after a short pause; then she grabbed the two buckets, went to the back room and poured the water in the tub. Silently, she went outside and grabbed another couple of buckets of snow and dumped them in the hot water, then got another two buckets of snow and placed them near the fire. The process was repeated a few more times and soon there was enough water in the tub for a bath. Motioning awkwardly to the tub, Rayne mumbled, "Tub's ready for you."
Nodding, Lisbet murmured her thanks and went into the room, glancing over her shoulder in time to see Rayne's hand pulling the front door shut as she went outside; taking a deep breath of longing and hot bath, she stripped and stepped into the nice, warm water with a sigh.
Rayne left the house to give Lisbet privacy and because it was bothering her that another woman was in her house naked. It brought back memories of the times she would come in from work and find Emma bathing; of the times she would join her. They had had a lot of good times, her and Emma. For some reason the idea of another woman in her house naked made her feel like she was betraying Emma, she didn't like that feeling at all.
"What was I suppose to do Em? I couldn't very well leave her out in the cold," she spoke to the wind.
The soft voice whispered back, "You did exactly what I knew you would do my love; you opened your home to some one in need."
"But, I feel like I'm betraying you," Rayne answered.
"You aren't, you are finally finding the strength to live again. It's what I've been hoping for," the soft voice said.
"Em I know it's your voice I'm hearing, I don't know how and I sure as hell don't know why I'm hearing you now, but I don't think I can handle living again. It's too hard. But then not living is harder, I don't know what do."
"You do what you started doing this morning my love; you keep opening your heart."
"But it hurts. Losing you once was bad enough, I'm scared if I let someone else in I'll lose what I have left of you."
"My love, I'll always be with you. I've always been with you; you just haven't wanted to realize that. Just because you find another doesn't mean you lose the memories or give the part of your heart that you gave to me to someone else. The heart is an amazing thing, there is always room for and the ability to give love. Once a heart loves, it never forgets sweetheart."
"I don't know if I can, it's been too long," Rayne said as she turned to look at the house.
"Just try Rayne, just try," were the last sounds the soft wind brought to Rayne's ears.
Rayne walked to the barn and as she entered Samson lifted his head and walked to the door of his stable. He waited patiently for his master to walk over to him and then he nuzzled his nose against her. He sensed her turmoil and offered the only kind of support he was able to; Delilah was new to the fold and didn't remember the other woman that shared his and his master's life. Since his other master went away, the tall woman who cared for him had not been the same. In his opinion it was as if she had lost her reason to live, and that disturbed him, and he hated that he had no way to communicate with her other than to nuzzle her and be there for her.
"Hey there boy, how are ya?" she asked as she stroked the soft nose. She stood there with Samson for a while, soaking in some comfort from the animal that she thought sometimes understood her better than any of the humans around her. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she walked over to the rest of the animals and gave them the same attention.
In the house, Lisbet enjoyed the hot water. It felt like years since she washed her hair and had enjoyed a nice hot bath like this, and she only decided to get out when it started to get to cold. She dried off and put the clothes on Rayne had given her to wear. The dress she picked was beautiful as far as Lisbet was concerned, and it fit her like it had been made for her. There was a lingering scent of rose on the dress and she couldn't help but wonder about the woman the dress had belonged to.
She was braiding her hair when Rayne walked back into the house, and Rayne stopped dead in her tracks. The image of the woman standing before her took her back to a time when Emma would be doing the exact same thing, and for a moment it was hard to breathe. If she hadn't known better she would have said it was Emma back in her house, waiting for her to come in from work.
"Hi," Lisbet said uncertainly, her fingers fumbling with the braid. "Um, thank you for the clothes and the bath. I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to be clean, and the dress; well, it's beautiful."
Clearing her throat, and shaking the memory from her head Rayne nodded her head as she took her coat off and said, "You're welcome. The dress fits you well."
"Yes, it does, it feels like it was made for me," Lisbet said, then fearing her blunder, immediately rushed to add, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect or anything. Look I'm sorry, I realize that whoever the dress belonged to meant a lot to you. I thank you for you generosity."
"It's okay. I'm the one that should apologize, I just didn't expect to see," Rayne's voice drifted off in thought for a moment. Then with a shake of her head she said, "When I walked in you just looked so much like Em it took my breath away."
"Em? That was her name? She must have meant a lot to you. I can see the hurt in your eyes when you say her name. Sometimes it helps to talk about it you know?"
Anger immediately coursed through Rayne's body. 'Just who did this woman think she was? I open my home to her, give her clothes and she thinks that gives her the right to push for answers to all her damned questions? I don't think so,' the tall woman said to herself as she bit back her words. Her body language however told Lisbet that she maybe should have just said 'thank you' for the clothes.
Rayne's words were clear and cool, "Accept the clothes and don't worry about whom they belonged to or how I felt about her okay?" Pausing, Rayne continued, "Tomorrow I think it will be safe enough to hitch up the wagon to the horses and head to town. I need to pick up a few supplies. Would you like to come with me? Maybe we can talk to Ellie and have her make a couple of dresses of your own."
"No! Wait! I don't have any money to pay for them," Lisbet said in panic.
"I don't recall asking you if you did or not. Fact is you need clothes, I'd like you to have your own clothes," Rayne answered as she walked to the fire to get some coffee. "Our immediate problem is where you can sleep."
"I told you, I don't have a problem sleeping in the barn," Lisbet said in a low voice.
"No, but I do. I'm thinking we can set a pallet on the floor near the fire; a few blankets and you should be fine I think."
"Thank you again," was all Lisbet could say. With the two women feeling uncomfortable over the exchange, they were at a loss as to what to do. Rayne leaned against the hearth and drank her coffee while Lisbet walked around the room every now and then glancing nervously at the woman who stood by the fire.
"For God's sake stop pacing and sit down!" Rayne finally snapped, when the tension in the room got to her.
Lisbet's eyes widened in shock at the outburst and she immediately dropped in the rocker, tears brimming in her eyes and threatening to fall; her stomach clenching as she bit her lip and repeated to herself in her head, 'Do not cry. Do not cry.'
One glance over at Lisbet rapidly blinking her eyes, her fingers nervously plucking at the dress, and Rayne felt lower than a snake's belly. 'Well nice goin' there Rayne, just make the girl feel oh so welcome!' she said to herself sarcastically.
"I'm sorry," Rayne said, softening her tone. "I don't know what's gotten into me. It seems I've forgotten any manners my mama taught me. How about we figure out the sleeping arrangement, how close do you need to the fire?"
"Where ever you think is alright, I don't want to be in the way," Lisbet nearly whispered looking at the floor.
"I've made you uncomfortable, I'm sorry. Look you aren't in the way; I wouldn't have brought you home with me if I thought you would be. I guess I'm just not use to having someone in my house anymore. I haven't lived with anyone in twenty years; a body gets use to at you know?"
"I'm sorry. If I'm in the way I can," Lisbet started to reply.
"No," Rayne interrupted. "You're not, really. Besides, I really don't want you to leave, Em would be furious with me if she thought I put someone out of our home. And well, I like having someone to talk to," Rayne said with a smile forming.
"I do too actually, well maybe it's just having someone around period," Lisbet said, some of the tension leaving her body.
"So how did you find yourself here in Willow Creek without family?" Rayne asked to alleviate the rest of the strain. She studied Lisbet through hooded eyes, taking in for perhaps the first time just how young and pretty the woman was. She wasn't sure what it was about Lisbet, but there was something that reminded her of Emma. Yes, there was a slight physical resemblance to her but there was something else. Was it in her mannerisms, something about the way she moved? Rayne couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it made her want to pay closer attention to Lisbet and get to know the woman better.
"Well, um," Lisbet started to answer. "My family and I were traveling to Montana, and well, um the wagon train we were on was attacked by Indians. Mom and Dad were killed, and well I was lucky I barely got away," Lisbet said, not looking at the dark-haired woman.
"Uh huh. I see," Rayne murmured. "How long ago was this?"
"Oh, um, it was a long time I guess; I'm not really sure. Seems like I've been on my own forever," Lisbet said unevenly, willing her hands to be still and wishing she had the courage to look Rayne in the eye.
"I see," Rayne said as she watched Lisbet fidget. "Why don't you think about your answer a little bit? I'll be back in a little while," Rayne finished as she went to get her coat and hat, then walked out the door, leaving a worried and confused Lisbet staring at the closed door.
"Oh that's not good. You couldn't have come up with something better to say?" she asked herself, her question bouncing off the walls back at her.
In the barn Rayne couldn't help but wonder what Lisbet was so afraid of that she couldn't be honest with her. While she was busy thinking about that, she went about the chore of feeding her animals, and before she knew it everything was done. They had food, water, fresh straw, and they were happy. Belle was busy chomping away at her food and little Bo was getting curious about the tall woman that came every now and then to pay them all a visit, and he moseyed up to the stall door and watched her carefully. "Well hi there little guy! Look at you getting around like ya know where you're goin'." She laughed, and Goliath walked over to the wall of his stable as he watched his baby. Rayne could have sworn she saw a look of enormous pride in the big bull's eyes. With that she smiled said good night the animals and left the barn, heading to the house, her mind once again wondering about Lisbet's obvious lie.
Inside the house, Lisbet walked back and forth trying to decide what to do. She already figured she owed Rayne the truth; after all she opened her door to her, offered her a roof over her head, a warm place to sleep and demanded nothing in return. That was a hell of a lot more than Angus had ever done. As she was thinking, the door opened and Rayne walked in with a smile. 'Well okay that sure isn't what I expected!' she thought when she saw the smile.
"I was just out at the barn; you should see Bo up walkin' around, so damn cute," Rayne said.
"Oh really? He sure is a cute little thing. How old is he?" Lisbet asked.
"He is only a couple of days old; he was born day before yesterday in fact."
"Aw, how sweet!" Lisbet smiled.
"Oh hey, I was thinking you know, I have a big bed. I don't take up much room in it, makes more sense if we just share don't you think?" Rayne asked. 'Okay where did that come from,' she asked herself when she realized what she had just said.
Blinking in surprise, Lisbet felt her back stiffen slightly. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather just stay by the fire. Thank you," Lisbet answered her voice tight. 'Well okay that was a tad bit of over reacting don't you think?' she hard the voice in her head say; countered with, 'No not really, I don't see why all of a sudden she wants me to share her bed rather than the floor.'
Taken aback by Lisbet's sudden change in attitude, Rayne cautiously said, "Okay if that's what you want. I was just, well, never mind. I'll go bring in a pallet so that we can lay blankets on the bottom, make sort of a mattress." With that said Rayne again put her coat on and went out in search of a pallet out in the barn.
Confused by Rayne's sudden offer, Lisbet started pacing yet again, and when that didn't help she found herself in the kitchen area poking around looking for something to do. She eventually found some potatoes and onions, if nothing else she could start dinner, she thought to herself.
By the time Rayne came back in lugging a pallet behind her, Lisbet had the potatoes peeled and sliced, some of the onion diced, and was looking for some grease in which to fry them. "Rayne, I'm sorry for my abrupt refusal of your offer. I just wasn't expecting that. I, um, I have some potatoes and onions ready for our dinner, do you have grease I can use to fry them up in, and maybe some kind of meat?"
"I have some venison hanging up; I'll go get a couple of slices of that. The grease is on the cupboard by the biscuits," she dropped the pallet by the fire and walked into the kitchen and showed Lisbet the cupboard, showed her where the rest of the supplies were stored and then went out to the storage room that served as her meat locker. With the big butcher knife, she cut off two nice sized slices of meat and handed them to Lisbet then she walked back into the main living area, went into her room, and came back with an arm full of blankets. Rayne quickly went about setting up the makeshift bed while Lisbet went about making them dinner. Had anyone looked in on them they would have seen what looked like a couple working together.
"That smells great!" Rayne said when the aroma hit her. "Why doesn't my cooking ever smell that great?" she asked as she walked towards the fire.
Lisbet grinned and said, "Thank you." With a contended smile, she finished dinner and soon she was serving up two plates heaping full of fried potatoes with onions, a bit of salt and pepper, and venison cooked perfectly. The way she cooked it, it was so tender it melted in your mouth. Rayne waited for Lisbet to sit down and then she sat, she folded her hands in front of her and said a little prayer of thanks. As soon as she was done they both started eating.
"Rayne, I'm sorry I lied to you about my parents. Truth is I don't tell a lot of people about my life or my past. My mom, she up and left me when I was seven, took off with some cowboy who came along and promised her a better life," Lisbet said between bites.
"What do you mean a better life?"
"My mother was a whore, Rayne," she said bluntly. "I don't know who my father was. She didn't know. After she took off the girls that worked with her took care of me. Angus, the owner of the bar, decided when I reached a certain age that I'd take my mother's place."
"What age did he decide?" Rayne asked, her voice tightening.
"One day when I had just turned fifteen, he came up to me and told me to go up stairs and wait in this one room. I was heading up and one of the girls caught me; she told me what Angus had planned for me. I ran that day, and I've been running ever since," Lisbet said quietly.
"Where were you when this all happened?" Rayne asked, her temper barely in check.
"It doesn't matter."
"It does. You were fifteen, a child, not some means to make money off of. You were supposed to be taken care of not sold to every man that decided he wanted you."
"Rayne, this morning when we met, you were coming out of the bar. Why were you in there that early?" Lisbet asked. She wasn't going to come right out and say that was what she thought Rayne was doing because she didn't know for sure; but she did know though that it wasn't only men that occasionally sought out the company of women.
"I was," Rayne paused, completely thrown by the thoughts that assaulted her mind. 'My God did Grace and the other girls? Oh come on don't be stupid Grace told you exactly how they feel about you leaving them money when you leave. That's buying them, that's treating them like they are goods to be bought and sold on a whim.' "I think I'm going to be sick," was the only thing Rayne could say before she jumped up and ran for the door.
Lisbet was about to go after Rayne but thought about it and decided the woman needed to be alone right now, she would be back in when she was better. Lisbet did feel bad about bringing her point up; she didn't mean to upset Rayne, she just wanted to make a point about how people tend to make judgments and not consider their own actions. When Rayne came back in a little bit later, Lisbet filled a glass with water and took it to her.
"Rayne, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to tell you the truth about my mother. She wasn't a bad person. She did what she had to do to survive," Lisbet said, gently laying her hand on Rayne's shoulder.
"I know, I understand that, I just," Rayne paused, and then forged on. "You've asked about Emma. Emma was one of the very first people I met when I arrived here in town. The night I met her she was working at the saloon. She came down the stairs behind some man who just had to brag about his 'conquest' and her face," Rayne winced remembering the look. "God her face was just so red with humiliation I couldn't stand it."
"What did you do?"
"I punched him, took her hand and brought her home; she was with me for a year," Rayne answered.
"What happened to her Rayne?" Lisbet asked softly.
"I came home one day from being out in the field and found her on the floor, barely breathing, burning up with a fever. She was gone by the time we reached town; the doctor said it was some flu or something. I didn't even know she was sick. How could I live with her day after day, and not know she was ill?" Rayne said as she looked at Lisbet, the tears slowly breaking loose from her eyes, the pain from her heart, spilling out in her voice.
Lisbet felt the tears in her eyes as well; she could feel Rayne's heart breaking all over again. Lisbet wrapped her arms around her. Rayne, for the second time in twenty-four hours, let her tears fall. Eventually Rayne's tears stopped, and seeing how emotionally drained the woman was, Lisbet helped her to bed. Rayne tried to argue but realized quick enough that Lisbet was right; she was wore out and as she felt the edge of the bed against her legs she collapsed. Lisbet pulled a blanket that sat folded at the foot of the bed up and covered Rayne, and then she quietly walked out of the room.
Back in the main living area Lisbet added more wood to the fire and glanced over at the rocking chair and the book that lay on the seat. She picked it up and carefully read the first few pages. She was grateful to the women that raised her, they wanted better for her and saw to it that she learned how to read, along with sewing, knitting, and a few other things they thought were important for a young lady to know. Lisbet spent the next thirty minutes reading and thinking about Rayne. What was it about the woman that she found so interesting? She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something that just drew Lisbet to her, there was something about her manner, her strong confidence, maybe it was her vulnerability, whatever it was it confused Lisbet. She had spent less than twenty-four hours with the woman and she knew she was attracted to her, which in and of itself was a tad shocking since she had never really been attracted to women before. All the thinking was causing her head to hurt, so she decided it was time to lie down and try to sleep.
Rayne tossed and turned for a little bit and then finally drifted off to sleep.
"She is cute Rayne," Emma said.
"Who is?"
"Lisbet, she is cute. I like her!"
"Well, um alright," was all Rayne could think to say.
"You need to relax more around her though. You're to stiff and guarded when you're talking to her."
"Why do I need to do that?" Rayne growled
"Rayne you can be so dense sometimes!" Emma said with a smile as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "You have so much love to give sweetheart, and Lisbet needs that love, that's why. I think you've moped long enough. It's time for you to find someone else to let love you and that you can love."
"No. I loved you. That's all I need."
"Rayne, do you have to be so difficult all the time? Yes, I know you loved me, and I loved you. But I'm not there with you now am I? I can't take care of you, and I can't give you what you need anymore, and you sure as heck can't keep living on memories."
"I've done okay so far," Rayne countered.
"Really you have? Is that why you go through day after day reliving our time together instead of having someone flesh and blood by your side? Yes Rayne that sounds like you've been doing just fine without me!"
"Did you come just to give me a hard time?" Rayne asked Emma.
"No sweetheart I've always been with you. It's just been recently that I've grown weary of watching you struggle day after day and decided that I needed to give you a push. I'd tired of watching you go it alone."
"So what? You came back to play matchmaker?" Rayne laughed.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I did," Emma answered looking Rayne square in the eye. "Rayne, its time to let me go; for your sake."
"I don't think I can Em," Rayne said as she looked away from Emma.
"You won't know until you try sweetheart. That's all I want, I want you to just try. You might surprise yourself," Emma said as she stood, her hand brushing against Rayne's cheek. Then she turned started walking and just vanished. Rayne watched her leave then she felt herself relax.
The next morning brought sunshine, although it was still very cold. Rayne stretched, enjoying the softness of the bed and the warmth of the blankets. Her thoughts went back to the dream she had, her hand went to the cheek Emma touched in that dream. She thought to herself 'That was the most vivid dreams I can remember ever having. I could almost reach out and touch her, and I swear when Emma touched me I could feel her hand.'
Slowly the smell of fresh coffee drifted to her nose, and Rayne, who had been laying there lost in thought, remembered Lisbet. She jumped out of bed and put her clothes on the headed to the kitchen where Lisbet had coffee already made and was working on frying bacon to go with the eggs sitting in the basket on the table.
"Good morning, how did you sleep Rayne?" she asked with a smile.
"I slept very well thank you. How did you sleep?" Rayne said in reply.
"I slept. Thank you," Lisbet answered. Rayne didn't miss the fact that Lisbet neglected to really answer the question. "I asked how you slept, not if you slept," Rayne said quietly.
"I," Lisbet paused, considering telling a fib, and then continued, "not very well. But I'll adjust; it's just a matter of getting used to the pallet and how hard it is, and um making sure the fire has plenty of wood before I go to bed."
Rayne nodded her head, then went to the door, grabbed her boots, put them on, then reached for her coat and hat. As soon as she had them on she walked over to the pallet and tossed the blankets off. "Hey what are you doing?" Lisbet asked a little taken aback.
"I wasn't complaining, really," Lisbet hurried to assure Rayne.
"I'm taking it back out to the barn where it belongs," Rayne said as she dragged it out the door.
'Well okay that answers that,' Lisbet thought. Well maybe it was best she slept out in the barn she thought to herself, as a stray tear drop fell.
Rayne scolded herself all the while she was doing her morning chores. She should have known it would be too cold on the floor. She knew the pallet would be too hard for anyone to sleep on, she should have insisted that Lisbet sleep in her room.
"Samson, Delilah, eat up, 'cuz after breakfast we're hitching up the wagon and heading to town for supplies." The two neighed and nodded their heads then continued eating as Rayne headed back towards the house. She walked in just as Lisbet finished placing the meal on the table, complete with steaming coffee cups, fresh biscuits and jam. Rayne smiled broadly when she saw the table and smelled the delicious aroma.
"That looks and smells wonderful Lisbet!"
"Thank you, but it's just bacon and eggs."
"Let's eat so we can hitch up the wagon and go to town," Rayne answered, as she pulled a chair out for Lisbet to sit, and then sat down herself. Just as the night before she said a prayer of thanks and then she dug into her breakfast. Lisbet watched and smiled at Rayne behaving as if it was the best tasting food she had ever eaten.
Within the hour they had the wagon hitched and were on the way to town. The two asked questions of the other and each answered. Lisbet found out that Rayne was an only child of a preacher back east, and that he disowned her when she refused to marry a local wealth man. Rayne had told her father she would rather suffer the fires of hell than marry any man, and that night Rayne left home and never looked back. She had kept in touch with her Uncle Luke Matthews through letters and then one day a letter arrived for her from a solicitor here in Willow Springs informing her that her aunt and uncle had passed away in a tragic accident, and in following their wishes, he was informing her of her inheritance. As soon as she was able, Rayne left and came to Willow Springs and took possession of the small farm. In the twenty years she slowly built up the farm into a small ranch. She had a small herd that she planned on riding out to check on the next day, and her plans were to increase her herd this spring. As far as Lisbet was concerned Rayne was like a child talking about her favorite toy, and she loved seeing the excitement in her eyes. Along with that came the thought, 'Did Emma get to see this side of Rayne all the time?' 'Well of course she did. She lived with her for a year as a couple you idiot.'
Rayne found out that Lisbet loved kids, loved to read, and knit, and she learned that Lisbet had always wished she had sisters. A wish that Rayne understood, of course she had sisters and she missed them every day she had been out of their lives. 'Stop wishing for things that are never gonna be,' she told herself as they approached the edge of town.
Lisbet sat up straighter and looked at the people that walked along the street or entered the various stores. Not that there were many stores mind you; there was one bank, two different saloons, the livery stable, a hotel, and two mercantile shops. There was of course the jail, an assayer's office, and a blacksmith, all the things that a thriving town needed. Rayne pulled to a stop in front of Gillum's Mercantile and hitched the horses to the hitching post. She then helped Lisbet down.
From down the street Tom watched, "Well what do you know, looks like maybe Rayne Matthews has decided to join the land of the living again," he said to his deputy.
"Why do you say that boss?" James Dobson asked as he walked to the door and looked out just in time to see Rayne's hands drop from around the shorter woman's waist. "Don't see why she is still around these parts. She is a miserable excuse for a human. Sick, just not right, the way she carries on with other women," he muttered under his breath.
"What did you say James?" Tom asked.
"Nothing boss, I didn't say a thing," the deputy said as he shot a look of pure distaste towards his boss. He was well aware that many of the town's people liked Rayne and for the life of him he couldn't figure out why, his boss being one of them. Had it not been for that fact he figured he and Tom could be good friends.
"Say James, you wouldn't by any chance know who was behind the killing of a couple of Rayne's cows earlier this fall do you?" Tom asked, as he watched his deputy bristle. Interesting reaction for someone who was just being asked a question, he thought.
"No, why the hell would I know that? I told you, me and a couple of the boys rode up there when she came in and told you about it, we didn't find anything. A few tracks leading in and out of the canyon but who they belonged to was anyone's guess."
"I know what you told me," Tom replied his tone cool. "It just seems to me though that you didn't do a whole lot of looking around for answers."
"You tryin' to insinuate something here Tom?" James asked, his eyes showing the fires of his anger.
"James, not sure why you're getting so upset; I was just askin' a question. Oh, and as long as I'm the sheriff and Rayne is a member of this community and people like her. she is welcome to go anywhere she wants. Oh, and one more thing, never speak about her like you just did. I'll be more than happy to take the badge off and kick the shit out of you," Tom finished as he walked away from the seething deputy.
"We'll see who shows who something," James muttered under his breath, his hand on the butt of his Colt.
Inside the mercantile Rayne was talking to old Mr. Gillum and waiting for the rest of her supplies when Tom came ambling up to her. "Rayne, how's it going?" he said with a smile.
"Not too bad, how about you Tom? How's Sally?"
"She is doing well. No baby yet though. Hey listen I need to talk to you privately do you think you can," Tom motioned towards the door.
"Sure Tom, hang on a second," she said, then turned to the shopkeeper; "Mr. Gillum could you also throw in a couple of yards of this here material, some thread and needles, and maybe some yarn and some of those knitting needles?" That question alone made both Tom and the old man look at each other, then at Rayne, who said she would be right back; she had to let Lisbet know that she would be right back.
"Who is Lisbet?" they both asked each other.
A few minutes later Rayne was back with Tom and Mr. Gillum, who were trying to figure out what was going on with Rayne and who both looked at Rayne with very confused looks on their faces. "What?" Rayne asked as she walked up to them.
"Um, nothing, just talking is all Rayne. Let's take a walk," Tom said as he nodded his goodbye to the elderly gentleman.
Outside on the boardwalk Rayne looked at her friend as said, "What's up Tom?"
"Nothing concrete, okay? But I need you to keep your head up whenever James is around okay? I don't have any proof, but I just got this feeling that he may be behind all the trouble you've been having around the ranch this fall."
"Wouldn't surprise me, the little sum bitch has it in for me for some reason. Yeah Tom, I've heard some of the things he's spoutin' from that mouth a his," Rayne said when Tom looked at her with surprise. Well hell, he should have known she would know. She has lots of friends in this town, she's proven herself to people around here and hell that pip squeak James just came into town one day and wouldn't leave. Didn't realize he still had things to prove and that he ain't doin' a good job of that by talking the shit he was about Rayne.
"Yeah he has been caught talking out of his ass, I'm sorry to say. Look I can't up and fire him for no good reason, other wise he'd be gone already, but I do need you to be on the look out for him. Um, another thing," Tom said, hiding a smile. "The young lady you rode in with this morning; she stayin' out at your place?"
"Yup she is Tom, least for the time being. Why?" Rayne asked as she started to feel a tad defensive.
"Because James saw you ride in with her and he didn't take to kindly to your hands being on her. She needs to be aware of him too alright?"
"Yup, I get ya Tom, you think I need to pull out my 45's, start wearin' 'em again?"
"I think it would be a damned good idea Rayne."
"Well shit. Thanks for the heads up Tom. I need to get the rest of my supplies loaded. Hey, soon as that baby of yours decides to make its appearance and Sally is up to it, come on out to the place and have dinner with us."
"We'd be honored to Rayne. Oh hey, your new house guest; she seems to be a good influence on you." Tom said as he tipped his hat and walked away chuckling at the look on Rayne's face.
A minute later Rayne was back in the mercantile paying for her supplies and as an afterthought, she said, "Mr. Gillum you got any of them dime novels? I'd like a couple added to this. I'll pay for 'em when I get all this loaded," she said. About ten minutes later she had the wagon loaded and a tarp covering it, she walked back into the store and was digging for some coins to cover the cost of the books.
"Put your money away. These are on the house Rayne," Mr. Gillum smiled.
"I can't do that Mr. Gillum."
"Rayne, after what you just spent here today, I think I can live with losing a couple of dime novels."
"Well thank you sir. I appreciate it," Rayne said.
"You're welcome, nice to have ya back with us Rayne," he said as he went off to help another customer, leaving Rayne to stare at his back. Lost in thought she felt a gentle touch on her arm and looked over to see Lisbet smiling at her.
"Hey I was just about to go looking for you. Are you ready? I was thinking we could stop at the hotel and grab some lunch before we head back."
"That sounds great!" Lisbet said with excitement in her voice.
"Oh and we need to talk to Ellie and see about a couple of dresses for you!" Rayne said the excitement in her voice too. 'Okay, wait where did that come from?' she asked herself.
"Rayne, can we wait and talk about that first please?" Lisbet asked.
Feeling a little of the excitement drain from her, Rayne said, "Well, I suppose. I was just thinking maybe you'd like your own dresses is all."
"Oh I know and I truly appreciate the offer, I just," Lisbet stammered. "I just want you to know you don't have to do that, especially when I don't have the money to pay for them or pay you back."
"We'll talk about it," Rayne said with a smile. 'That is why you bought the material, Rayne!' she said to herself with a smug smile.
Lunch was fun for both of the women. They talked and laughed and Bessie made Lisbet feel enormously welcomed and comfortable. The entire time Rayne and Lisbet were seated eating and talking, Bessie watched them; she saw the old Rayne again, she saw the young happy woman she had been when Emma was alive, and her heart jumped for joy.
A few minutes before Rayne and Lisbet were done eating, the door opened and through the lobby of the hotel, the tall red-headed deputy walked.
"Well what do we have here? I thought you had higher standards Bessie, I didn't think you'd let a heathen dine among good God-fearing folks," his voice boomed.
Rayne, who had her back to the entrance stiffened when she heard the deputy's voice. One look at Lisbet was all that was needed for her to stand and reach for her coat.
The deputy walked up to their table and looked Lisbet up and down, a leer in his eye, and continued, "No, no you don't have to leave, why don't you sit back down and finish your meal with me? You, however," he said glaring at Rayne; "do need to leave, in fact why don't you do all of us God-loving folks a favor and leave town period?"
The dining room grew silent as everyone held their breath. Most of the folks knew Rayne and they loved her, they also knew her limits, and this deputy was sorely testing them. They were, in all honest truth, waiting for Rayne to pummel him, and they prayed she knew that he did not speak for them.
Rayne looked down at her hand, as it formed a fist; she shook her head and pushed her chair back. As she stood, she held out her hand to Lisbet, who grabbed it without hesitation, and she helped Lisbet to her feet. When she spoke it was deep and low yet held respect, "Mr. Samuels, I hate to impose, but could I ask that you please escort this young lady outside?"
"Sure Rayne I'd be honored." The elderly man stood, nodded to the group of men who were seated with him and said, "Gentlemen I'll be back shortly."
Lisbet shook her head and said, "No Rayne, I don't want to leave you in here alone."
"I'm not alone, and I won't be long."
As soon as she was done speaking Mr. Samuels ushered Lisbet out of the dining room. Rayne turned to look at James Dobson, the look in her eye was cold and there was rage emanating from her body. The second she turned to face the deputy, a table of men stood as well. The tone in her voice was as cold as the look in her eyes as she spoke, "Dobson, I don't know what wrong you seem to think I've done you in this life, but I've heard the things you're sayin' about me, and I've let 'em slide. I'm gonna tell you once and only once, you will not speak about me like that again nor will you speak to me like you just did again. Do you understand me?"
The red head looked at Rayne, spat on her boots and said, "You speakin' to me, you unnatural bitch?" The disrespect dripping from his voice caused the men that stood behind Rayne to start to move towards the man.
Her hand immediately shot up, stopping the men and her knee shot up just as fast. As the deputy fell she said, "What's the matter Dobson, you upset that I get more women than you do, or that of the both of us, I'm the one that's respected most in this room?"
The man just groaned as he turned green and curled up in a ball on the floor. Rayne stepped over him just as Tom appeared at the entrance. "Tom ya might wanna get your deputy some ice. Seems he tripped and stepped on his dick."
The group of men nearly fell on the floor laughing. Tom, although he felt for his deputy, was having a hard time choking back his laughter, and hell even the women in the room, although they were red, were laughing behind their hands.
Rayne walked out to a room full of applause, and with a smile on her face. Both Lisbet and Mr. Samuels were instantly at her side when she walked out; both wanting to know why there was laughter and applause. Of course the only thing Rayne said was she put Dobson in his place for the moment. A comment which caused Mr. Samuels to rush back in, feeling left out of the excitement when he heard what had happened. Bessie even teased him about actually behaving like a little boy who was pouting over not being invited to a birthday party.
Tom was helping James back to the jailhouse when Rayne and Lisbet drove by in the wagon. When James saw them he yelled, "You fucking bitch! You'll be sorry for what you did."
At hearing that Tom let the man go and he promptly fell into the muddy street. A shocked James shouted, and with a smile on his face Tom reached down and helped him back up saying, "Sorry I lost my grip on you."
As they reached the jailhouse and Tom laid James in a cell on the bunk, James groaned in pain saying over and over again, "That bitch is gonna be sorry she messed with me,"
Tom, who had heard enough, said, "James, leave it alone. And yes, that's an order."
James stared daggers into Toms back, muttering, "Yeah, sure thing boss." Then laid back, lost in thought and trying not to cup his injured parts.
In the wagon, Rayne apologized for the deputy's behavior, she was mad as hell that he had embarrassed her in front of the whole dining room; but worse was that Lisbet had heard everything and she was mad as hell that he treated Lisbet the way he had and that he had the nerve to look at her as he did.
"Lisbet, I need to know if you know how to use a gun?"
"Now why on God's green earth would I know that?" Lisbet answered with a puzzled look on her face.
"Well, I was hoping. Earlier this fall I had a couple of cows go missin', and then I found a couple more slaughtered. Tom warned me earlier today to watch my back whenever Dobson was around. Tom isn't usually one to worry, but he's got something on his mind."
"What else did he tell you?"
"He told me he thought it would be a good idea if I started wearin' my gun again and that if you're stayin' with me that I need to keep an eye on you as well. Now, I need to ride out to the north canyon tomorrow and check on the herd, I'd feel a hell of a lot better if I knew you could shoot."
"Do you think he will come out and try something now? I mean you did kind of humiliate him. Well okay, that would probably be why he would." Lisbet said as she thought that through.
"Not this soon, it would be too obvious if anything happened who was behind it. But do I expect him to do something, yeah."
"I can take care of myself Rayne. You don't need to worry about me. How long will it take you to check on the herd?" Lisbet asked.
"If I leave early in the morning I should be back by early evening. Are you sure you'll be alright? I can saddle up Delilah," Rayne offered.
"I'll be fine; I can't have you adding to your work just because I decided I was going to try to steal from you."
"Okay, I'll make it a fast trip," Rayne said as the pulled up to the small house.
Rayne pulled the wagon around to the back and climbed down, again she help Lisbet down, and with a smile she went about unloading the wagon and carrying the supplies that went inside the house into the back store room with Lisbet helping. Once everything was in the house, Rayne took the wagon to the barn and unloaded what few items belonged there and unhitched the horses, brushed them down, and then she gave them their supper along with the other animals. She smiled and said goodnight to the eating group and headed to the house.
As she walked in she saw Lisbet going through the wrapped packages and putting what belonged in the kitchen area there and the dry goods where they belonged. She had just come up to the package that held the knitting items when Rayne came in and Lisbet looked straight at Rayne, Rayne's smile grew bigger when she saw the excitement and happiness in Lisbet's eyes.
"Rayne! What's all this? Did you get these for me?" she asked, excited and a little scared that they weren't for her at all. After all what made her think that Rayne didn't know how to knit or even enjoyed knitting?
Rayne laughed loudly when Lisbet questioned if they were for her and said in-between breaths, "Do I look like the type to knit?" The question made Lisbet laugh as well.
Lisbet ran and met Rayne half way jumping and wrapping her arms around her neck. Rayne's arms went around Lisbet as she caught her and held her in a close hug, as Lisbet thanked her over and over again. A few seconds later Rayne put Lisbet down and said, "Come on lets finish putting all this stuff away." Her eyes twinkling in anticipation of Lisbet's reaction to the material and sewing items she had gotten. She didn't have to wait long; the next package Lisbet reached for and opened contained the fabric, thread and needles.
Lisbet again looked at Rayne, who simply said, "I figured you'd say no to having Ellie make a couple of dresses for you so I thought since you said you like sewing that I'd buy the items you needed and well you could make a dress."
Tears appeared in Lisbet's eyes at the thoughtfulness that Rayne had shown. Never in a million years had she expected anything like this from the woman she just met.
"I don't know how to thank you," she said.
"Just seeing your smile is thanks enough," Rayne replied, as she continued to unwrap the packages and place the items in their proper place. As she was finishing up she asked, "Think we should start supper? Wanna peel some potatoes, while I cut up the rabbit. I think rabbit stew sounds great."
"That sounds wonderful! I haven't rabbit stew in ages," Lisbet said as she took the sewing and knitting materials into the living area. Remembering that Rayne took her 'bed' out to the barn she placed the items on the chair. 'Well that will bring you back down to earth, Lisbet. It looks like it's the barn for you tonight,' she thought to herself, as she walked into the kitchen to help with dinner, slightly saddened.
She grabbed a few potatoes, carrots, onion, and began peeling and slicing them as Rayne walked in with the rabbit which she started cutting up into chunks. The two worked on dinner and continued talking and getting to know each other and finding out that they liked what they were finding. As the evening grew later and supper was over with, the dishes done, Rayne walked into her bedroom and came out with a small table that matched the one already in the room and another lantern. She placed them on the other side of the second rocking chair which she now had sitting where the pallet had been the night before. Seeing the chair there, Lisbet decided it was time to bring up sleeping arrangement. "You won't mind if I take the lantern out to the barn tonight will you? I didn't notice one out there last night when we fed the animals."
"There's one out there, but why would you need to be out in the barn? I fed the animals already. They are set for the night," Rayne said as she looked at Lisbet in confusion.
"Well because that's where my bed is," Lisbet answered.
"You're not sleeping in the barn," Rayne said as she sat down with her book. "Oh hey before I forget, I have a couple of new dime novels if you're interested."
"Wait. What do you mean I'm not sleeping in the barn? Just where the hell am I sleeping? If you had changed your mind about me staying with you, you should have told me and I would have stayed in town," Lisbet said, her voice rising with her anger.
Rayne stood up and walked over to where Lisbet was standing, a frown on her face as she spoke calmly, "You can stop shouting now, I can hear you perfectly well. I haven't changed my mind about anything other than the fact that it's too cold for you to sleep on the floor and a pallet is not a bed."
"Okay so the floor is too cold, fine I assumed that's why you took the pallet back to the barn, I'm to make a bed from the straw and hay in there," Lisbet said.
"What is it with you and sleeping in the barn? No, you're sleeping in my room, end of story. Now do you want to look at the books I got or would you rather start knitting?" Rayne asked.
Lisbet just stood there staring at the tall woman. "I can't," she started to say, only to be cut off by Rayne's next words.
"You can, and I'm not discussing this anymore."
Rayne turned and walked back to her chair, sat down and started reading her book, leaving Lisbet to wonder what had just happened. She watched Rayne for a minute then took the knitting needles and yarn and sat down and started working the needles and yarn. Within a few minutes the tension eased and the two fell into a comfortable silence with Rayne reading and Lisbet knitting what she had already decided would be a blanket for Rayne. Rayne watched Lisbet from over the top of her book, and decided as she turned the page she had read three times already, that she should apologize.
Thinking about how to go about it she heard Emma softly in her ear, "Just open your mouth and say it," which caused Rayne to turn swiftly because she could swear she felt a warm breath in her ear. Of course there was no one there, 'God I'm losing my mind.' She thought to herself once again only to hear the voice say "No you aren't."
"Lisbet, I'm sorry for the way I spoke you a bit ago. I can sometimes act like it's my way or no way, and well I'm sorry. It's just that it makes more sense to share the bed than it does to have you sleeping on the floor or out in the barn. Especially now not knowing what Dobson is capable of," she said quietly.
"I understand. I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time about it. I guess I've been burned by people being 'nice' and having ulterior motives," Lisbet said.
Rayne thought about that and decided that Lisbet had a point and she told her so, then said, "I have a really early morning tomorrow if I wanna get back here by early evening. So I think I'm gonna turn in."
Lisbet realized then that she too was tired. She should be, in all honesty she had finally fallen asleep just before the sun came up, and she then she didn't sleep well because she was worried she would over sleep and she felt the least she could do was have breakfast ready for Rayne when she got up.
"I think I'll turn in too, it was a long day. Rayne thank you for such a nice day," she said with a smile as she stood. Rayne was turning down the lantern by her chair and paused at the warm feeling that went through her at the thought that Lisbet had enjoyed the day with her. It put a smile on her face and she followed Lisbet into the bedroom trying to suppress the growing smile.
In the bedroom, Lisbet went to the far side of the bed which sat in the middle of the east wall, which left Rayne the side next to the door, which was fine since that was the side she preferred. Rayne stripped her shirt first and tossed it on the chair that sat in the corner, then she started on her pants, kicking them off her feet she placed them on the chair as well. Lisbet had turn just in time to see the long-john-covered body, tall and lean, and muscled. The sight left her with a dry mouth and throat, and a small groan on her throat.
"Are you alright?" Rayne asked as she turned upon hearing the small groan.
"Um, fine, I'm fine," Lisbet answered as she crawled under the blankets; leaving Rayne to wonder what that was all about.
'Wait what was she wearing?' Rayne's mind screamed. 'Oh my God,' Rayne groaned as she to climbed under the blankets, trying very hard to ignore the fact that she thought Lisbet was naked. 'She was not naked, she had something on. NO she was naked.' Her brain screamed back and forth. 'Don't roll over, don't ask, don't think, don't speak,' Rayne told herself.
"Rayne what's the matter sweetheart? Is your mind wandering to places you aren't comfortable with?" she heard the whisper in her ear again. One she ignored. "Come on sweetheart I know this isn't the first woman you've been to bed with. Yes I know you've been with Grace, and Teresa, and oh what's that cute one's name? She wasn't working when I was alive, she is new. You know who I'm talking about," Emma continued, as she sat in the chair in the corner, her hand lovingly stroking Rayne's shirt as she spoke.
'Oh God, Eve! You know about Eve, and Grace and oh God,' Rayne's brain screamed. "Of course I do love. Oh yes I'm sorry I should have told you I can hear your thoughts. So we can speak. You don't have to ignore me."
'How do you know about Eve?'
"I told you, I've been with you Rayne; don't you ever listen to me? Of course not. You didn't when I was alive why would you listen to me now," Emma said in annoyance.
'I'm sorry,' was all that Rayne was able to say.
"Rayne I didn't expect your life to end when I died you know. I'm well aware that you have needs and I fully expected you to find someone to see to them. Oh relax its not like I watched. I said I realized you have needs not that I enjoy torturing myself with that knowledge," Emma said as she stood and folded the shirt she had been holding, then walked around the room. "You know I really do have to say I think Grace and the others are very lucky, you are very talented in that area. I'm sorry I wasn't around to enjoy that more."
'Emma!!' Rayne shouted at Emma in her head.
"Oh stop it."
'No you stop! I don't want to hear how Grace and the others are lucky, I didn't want them I wanted you, and you weren't here. You left me!' Rayne said in anger. 'Did you know you were that ill?' she asked.
"I suspected that morning when you went to the field. I tried to hold on long enough to say goodbye, but sometimes we don't have a choice in that," Emma answered.
'Why? You were the only thing good I had left in my life, I had just found you,' Rayne said as tears brimmed in her eyes.
"I can't tell you why baby, I don't even know. But there is always a reason sweetheart, never doubt that. Now let's talk about this woman in your bed!"
'No, I don't want to.'
"You're acting like a child, stop pouting."
'I ...'
"I think she is a good match for you! She has spunk and you need that."
'I don't want that, I want you.'
"I know. Do you find her attractive Rayne? I think she is very pretty. I tried to find someone pretty for you."
'What do you mean you tried to find someone pretty for me?'
"What does it sound like I mean sweetheart?"
'You? How? How did you set me up to meet her?' Rayne asked trying to understand what was happening. 'Well okay never discount ghosts. I mean there are Angels so why not ghosts? But to believe that they go around making things happen? Oh come on that's hard to swallow,' she told herself.
"Well now no, we don't always go around making things happen. We can suggest things, and nine times out of ten it works but we can't make them happen," Emma said trying to correct Rayne's thoughts
'Wait, how?'
"I told you, I can hear your thoughts," Emma answered as she looked at Lisbet who lay sleeping peacefully.
Rayne's eyes followed Emma's and they too fell on Lisbet. 'She is pretty, and yeah she is naked!' she thought.
Emma's laugh was soft and low just as Rayne remembered it being and she softly said, "I knew you would think she is pretty! And rest your mind, she isn't naked, she has her slip on. She isn't a tart you know." Emma's eyes locked with Rayne's and she spoke, "You should sleep, tomorrow is going to be a very long day. You're going to need your strength."
'Will I see you tomorrow?' Rayne asked as she eyes closed.
"Of course you will my love," and with that she disappeared and Rayne drifted off to sleep.
As Rayne moved with the first thoughts of consciousness, Lisbet felt the movement against her, and that brought her eyes open. She felt a heavy arm around her waist; she felt safe and secure and warm, so warm she snuggled back into Rayne, which caused Rayne to pull Lisbet closer. Slowly the awareness of a firm hard body against her worked its way into Rayne's brain. The shock caused her eyes to fly open. Trying to not wake Lisbet, Rayne slowly moved her arm and Lisbet knew Rayne was uncomfortable with her position so she pretended to be a sleep and moved only when she felt Rayne swing her feet over the edge of the bed.
She stretched and pretended to be just waking up; she looked over at Rayne and said, "Good morning, let me get u some breakfast and coffee before you leave okay?" And with that she got up and slipped her dress on and went out to the kitchen to start coffee and bacon. A few minutes later Rayne walked out of the bedroom and smiled as she saw Lisbet in her kitchen cooking for her.
"I'll be back in a few minutes, I'm going to go saddle Samson up; can you put the bacon on some biscuits so I can eat while I'm riding? The sooner, I leave the sooner I get back."
"I can do that, yes!"
"Thank you," Rayne said as she walked out the door to feed her animals and saddle her horse.
When she was done she walked Samson to the front of the house and tethered him to the railing of the porch. She walked in to smell the coffee and the bacon and immediately her stomach growled. Lisbet smiled when she heard, and she handed Rayne a biscuit to eat with her coffee.
"Take this with you, you have another two for breakfast and I put four more for your lunch. Your canteen has coffee in it so be careful that you don't burn yourself when you drink out of it. Make sure you wear you scarf too, it looks really cold out there. Are you going to be warm enough?" Lisbet went on and on with all the questions and the orders, never once noticing the growing smile on Rayne's face.
"Thank you, I will, I will, it is, and probably not but nothing I can do about it, two pairs of long johns and my clothes, plus my heavy duster will have to keep me warm. But I'm glad you're here to make sure the home fire keeps burning so I'll be warm when I do get home. The animals have been fed; I'll get them again when I get home. Stay in the house. Here, it's loaded so don't point it unless you intend to use it, all you have to do is point, pull the hammer back and pull the trigger okay?" Rayne finished as she handed Lisbet her one of her Colt .45 Peacekeepers.
"Rayne I don't know how to use that. And even if I did I don't like them."
"I just told you how to use it, just humor me please."
"Alright, but nothing is going to happen that I'll need it," Lisbet said as she took the heavy gun, holding it like it was a distasteful animal she had to hold by the tail.
Rayne smiled, praying that she was right, said she would be back as soon as she could, and left.
The late afternoon sun was hanging low when the figure on horseback road up to the house. Thinking it was Rayne; Lisbet gave no thought to what she had said about staying in the house and rushed to the door, flung it open and was down the steps in a flash. She stopped short when she saw the red-headed deputy.
"Well hey there look at what we have here," Dobson said as he spit tobacco juice out onto the white snow that covered the ground. "You alone here missy? Yeah you must be, the way you came running out of the house. Waiting for that bitch were ya?"
"No, Rayne is out back she'll be here in a minute," Lisbet said trying to sound convincing.
"No she ain't. If she were you wouldn't have come flyin' outta there like the building was on fire. In fact I seriously doubt she woulda let you come out at all. You was waitin' for the cunt," he said as he slid off his horse.
Lisbet ran to the step and was just about in the door when he caught her.
"Where ya goin'? You ain't being very hospitable now are ya? I think maybe someone needs to teach you some manners; teach you how to respect a man. Now see I think that's your entire problem. Ya ain't got no one to teach what a man expects. What do you get from that bitch anyways? Seems to me she is missin' the proper equipment," he said, and then laughed at his own crude joke. "Oh hell it don't matter. I'm about to teach you all you need to know," he said with a sneer as he pushed her into the house, pushing her to the bedroom, his hand tight on her arm.
He stood at the bedroom door staring at her as his hands worked the buckle of his gun belt. He let it drop to the floor, and the thud it made echoed in the house. Lisbet was frozen, her mind screaming for her to run; it was just her body that couldn't obey. He approached her, his hands on the buttons of his pants undoing them one by one. When he got within a foot of her, she screamed and swung her hand at him. The blow barely grazed is face, his however connected. She felt the back of his hand strike her right cheek and she fell back on to the bed. He descended on her in a flash, his hand pushing the hem of the dress up and pulling at her under garments. That's as far as he got before he felt himself being pulled off and thrown across the room. For a minute his fear was that that son of a bitch Kennedy had followed him. As soon as he was on his feet again and had turned around, his face turned red with hatred when he saw the hands that threw him off the blonde belonged to another woman.
"Oh good I can teach ya both a lesson," he said as he swung at Rayne. Had she not been so worried about Lisbet she would have seen it coming, but she didn't and the fist connected sending her flying. Dobson flew to his gun belt swearing he was gonna shoot Rayne, then show Lisbet what a man could do before killing her too. His mistake was talking when he should have been paying attention to Rayne, who pulled her gun as soon as she was able and fired. The bullet hit Dobson on the right side of his chest, with enough force to shatter a couple of ribs and pierce his heart. He fell where he stood. Rayne was on her feet and at Lisbet's side in a heartbeat. Her arms were around her holding her close, her words soft and soothing in Lisbet's ear. "Shhh, it's over, it's okay. I gottcha baby. You're safe now, I promise you."
Rayne helped Lisbet to her feet, and with her arms tightly around her picked her up and walked out of the bedroom. Lisbet buried her face in Rayne's neck as she stepped over the dead man and closed her eyes, not wanting to see or think about what had just happened. Rayne felt her stiffen and whispered she had her that she was safe, and Rayne felt Lisbet's arms tighten around her neck. Rayne walked Lisbet out to Samson, who stood at the foot of the porch, his reigns hanging loose to the ground waiting for his master. Gently Rayne placed Lisbet on the massive animal and rushed back into the house for a coat and blanket with which to cover Lisbet, she knew enough to realize that Lisbet was going into shock. As soon as she had the blanket around the woman's shoulders she jumped on Samson and spurred him to a run as she took off towards town.
"You seen Dobson?" the sheriff asked his other deputy Sam Marshall, who sat at the desk with his boots propped up going over some wanted posters that arrived earlier in the day.
"Nope, not for least an hour and a half. Last I seen, he was headed south east, towards the Matthews place."
"And you didn't stop him?" Tom asked in surprise.
"No why should I?"
"Maybe because there's some issue with Dobson and Rayne, maybe because Rayne dropped him to his knees in front of a full dining room yesterday?"
"Aw hell I didn't know! Remember I just got back about two hours ago from transporting McAllister to the marshal's office, remember?" the deputy answered as he swung his feet off the desk, grabbed his coat and was out the door following Tom.
Tom was just stepping his foot into the stirrup when he heard the horse feet pound the ground behind him. Turning, he saw Rayne and Lisbet. The look in Rayne's eyes were cold as ice and Lisbet didn't look good at all.
"Oh shit! Sam, get out to Rayne's place now! I'll be out soon as I can," Tom yelled as he ran to Rayne's horse and reached up to take Lisbet in his arms, and then he swiftly carried her over to Doc Brown's place. His boot connecting with closed door and pushing it open ahead of him. The banging of the door against the wall brought the elderly man out from the back room and as soon as he saw Tom and the woman in his arms, he shouted for his wife and led them to the back. Rayne followed close behind them.
"What happened Rayne?" the doctor asked as he looked Lisbet over.
"Dobson happened. I walked in to find him," Rayne pauses, her fingers curling into a fist as she barely controlled her fury. "He was forcing himself on her," Rayne spat as she looked at Tom, her eyes as cold as he'd ever seen them.
"Alright, I'm gonna have to ask you both to leave the room. The misses will watch over her, I promise you Rayne," Doc said.
Rayne was about to argue when Tom's hand touched her and he shock his head and spoke, "I need to ask you a few questions Rayne."
Once out in Doc Brown's waiting room Tom started, "Did Dobson take off out of town or his he layin' somewhere?"
"Yup. Sam'll find him smack dab in between the bedroom and the living room, blocking the doorway, with a bullet hole in his right side chest."
"Please tell me it will look like self defense."
"Oh lets see there's the black eye I'm damned sure Lisbet will have in the morning, if ya look real close you'll see the left side of my face is swollen, and if ya need more, his gun is in his hand, and his pants are undone, the table on the right side of the bed is knocked over as well. And it's knocked over because he threw me into it. Yeah I'd say that's proof enough of self defense."
Just then Doc Brown entered the room, "Rayne, can we talk?"
"Sure. Be right back Tom."
"That's okay Rayne I need to head out to your place. It might be a good idea to stay here in town tonight. I'll have Bessie hold a room for you," he said as he walked out the door.
"Tom, could I impose on ya to feed Delilah and the other animals in the barn?"
"Sure, I'll make sure they are taken care of."
"Thanks Tom. I didn't murder that son of a bitch, he had it comin'," she finished saying as she turned back to the doctor.
Doc Brown gave her a report, which was simple, Lisbet was going to be alright, a black eye and a bit traumatized, but there wasn't any penetration. That information was a huge relief to Rayne. "Thank Doc, can I see her?"
"Of course she was asking for you," he said motioning to the room where he had examined Lisbet.
As soon as she walked into the little room, and Lisbet saw her she started to cry. Rayne went straight to her and took her into her strong arms, and just held her tight.
"I'm so sorry. I thought it was you. I know you said not to go out, but I was just so glad you were home, and then I saw it was him. I couldn't get away. I couldn't get away Rayne."
"I know it's alright. I'm just glad I got home in time. Come on let's get out of here okay?"
"Rayne I can't go back to the house tonight. I just can't. I'm sorry," Lisbet said as the tears fell again.
"Shh you don't have to; we're staying here in town tonight. I'll deal with things at the house tomorrow morning."
Lisbet looked at Rayne, with thanks in her eyes, and with the strong arms around her walked out of the small room. Together they walked down across the street and down to the hotel, and true to his word Tom had indeed arranged for a room for them. Bessie made sure there was a warm bath waiting for Lisbet and a hot meal and according to Bessie it had all been taken care of; Rayne was not to pay a cent for it.
Lisbet bathed and relaxed a little, while Rayne kept watch, and then they ate dinner, all the while Rayne kept a close eye on Lisbet.
"Rayne?" Lisbet said getting the other woman's attention.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"I didn't do anything Lisbet."
"Yes you did, you stopped him from doing something terrible to me. I'm alright now because of you."
"You're welcome, but I think had it not been for me you wouldn't have been in danger to start with."
"Had it not been for you I'd have been out in the cold wondering where my next meal was coming from, and who I needed to be scared of rather than feeling safe and secure with a roof over my head and a warm meal in my stomach."
"Well okay I suppose in some way you have a point there," Rayne said as she watched Lisbet. 'Thank God she is alright,' she thought as her eyes misted over. She cleared her throat and said, "Um its getting late don't you think? We should try to get some sleep."
"Sounds like a good idea," Lisbet replied as she stood up and walked to the side closest to the window. Together they got ready for bed, and slipped under the blankets. Rayne with her back to the door placed her arm protectively around Lisbet's waist and Lisbet snuggled in closer into Rayne, and slowly sleep claimed them.
She felt the strong hand holding her, and herself being pushed down on the bed. She could feel the heavy weight baring down and no matter how hard she wanted to struggle or get away she couldn't she couldn't move. Her limbs refused to obey her brain, and she was trapped, she felt the skirt of her dress being forced up and she screamed.
"Rayne, why did you kill him? I mean was it because of what he was going to do to me, or because you realized he would always make trouble for you?"
"I killed him because he dared to lay a hand on you. Because he hurt you and intended to do worse."
Lisbet's hand reached out and gently touched Rayne's check, her fingers tenderly brushing the hair out of her eyes, and she slowly leaned in and gently touched her lips to Rayne's. The warm, soft lips brushed against Rayne's, once, then twice, and finally a third, and she pulled back, and she whispered, "Thank you." She leaned in once more for what she had decided was going to be one last kiss. Their lips touched gently at first, and just as Lisbet decided she needed to pull back, Rayne's hand was in her hair holding her in place as she deepened the kiss, her tongue teasing Lisbet's warm lips open and then almost cautiously darting in to taste and explore more. The sweetness she tasted made her groan, and sent a warmth coursing through her to settle at the juncture between her legs. With a moan or longing, want and regret, Lisbet broke the kiss and sadly smiled as she said, "No Rayne, not like this. When we do this I want to know you're doing it for the right reasons, because you want to, not because you feel you have to, or because you feel sorry for me. I don't think I could bear it if we did this and you regretted it in the light of day. And more importantly I need to know I'm doing it for the right reasons."
Rayne took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she nodded her head. She knew Lisbet was right, but God help her she wanted the smaller woman right now. "Slow it down there Speedy," she heard Emma's voice in her ear say.
'You really are always with me aren't you?' Rayne thought.
"Yes I am. I've always been. Thank you for opening your heart again Rayne."
'I'm still scared. I can't bear to love her and lose her like I did you.'
"You won't. You'll have a long, full life with her that I promise you," Emma said as she smiled at Rayne.
'What happens now you going to leave me?'
"All you ever have to do is ask and I'll be here. I promise I won't be to far from you."
'Good,' was all Rayne said as she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her; her arm tightening around Lisbet.
Lisbet snuggled into Rayne, sleep claiming her but not before she heard the softly whispered words, "I love you."
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