Wayward Rescues
Chapter One

By Shannon Stevens
Copyright ©2011

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“Thirty minutes!” The stagecoach rocked into Flat Springs as the driver shouted out his warning.

Mel pushed the door open with a sigh of relief and stepped down and off. She dragged her hat off her head and wiped her forehead with the crook of her arm. Banging the hat across her leg created a minor dust storm. A slight breeze ruffled her shaggy haircut as she looked around for a saloon. Spotting one a little way down the street, she started off in that direction.

She needed some supper. It had been sparse pickings since she’d met up with the stage two evenings before.

“Mel Davis?” A deep voice spoke from behind her. She swung around. There wasn’t anyone that should know her name there. An older man was approaching her with his hand hanging near his gun.

She lifted an eyebrow and deepened her voice. “Sort of depends on who’s asking.”

Then she saw the star pinned on his vest.

“I’m going to have to ask you to come with me.” His lined face looked at her sternly.

“You can ask,” she drawled insolently. She let her hand fall to her side suggestively. “But ya see, we only have a half-hour here, Sheriff and I’m gonna be gettin’ me some grub afore I get back on that stage.”

The sheriff stared at her impassively for a moment. “It wasn’t a request, Lad. You won’t be on that stage when it pulls out. I’m sure we can get you a couple biscuits and some jerky once you’re settled at the jail.”

Apparently her disguise told the lie convincingly. He thought she was a boy and that was good. Still, she didn’t like the situation.

Melanie tried to keep panic from swamping her as she brazened out the confrontation. “And just what’re ya arrestin’ me for, Sheriff?”

“Got a telegram from a Texas Ranger named Sloan, who told me it would be doing him a kindness if I got you off the stage and held you for him ’till he could get here. Said something about you taking off with a keepsake belonged to a family he knew.”

Sloan! Anger stiffened her wobbly knees and she lifted her head haughtily. “I ain’t done no such thing. And I surely ain’t going with you. I’m headed to Flagstaff, and beyond that, to the gold fields. How do ya know this Sloan is even who he says he is? I won’t be stoppin’ here because some lyin’ man is playin’ you for a fool.”

She cast her eyes around for a way out of the mess even as she defied him. There was a horse ten paces to her left. She could probably get to it.

“Don’t even try,” a man spoke evenly from behind her. She felt something in her back and slowly raised her hands. “I don’t much care if he’s a ranger or not, young ‘un. The sheriff here was asking you nice. Show a little respect.”

She felt the gun in her holster slip from its place as her unseen nemesis relieved her of it. He pushed her toward the lawman with what felt like the barrel of his revolver.

She fumed. It was bad enough that Sloan had found a way to ruin her adventure. It was worse that she had allowed herself to be outflanked like some greenhorn; in fact, it was downright humiliating. It was just this kind of situation she had assured her overly-protective family that she could handle. Her father and Sloan had guffawed right before they’d told her ‘no.’ No woman kin of theirs was going to be traveling on a stage unescorted. She’d been doing the wash when it had come to her like a streak of lightning: just go in disguise. So she had stolen some of her youngest brother’s clothes and had escaped out the window that very night.

Another push just made her mad. She swung around with fists flying, only to find she was punching the air. The tall man behind her had stepped back a few paces. His eyes were twinkling. “Got some kid brothers of my own,” he chuckled. “Knew what your next hot-headed move would be.”

Melanie felt herself flush and hoped he would see it as anger. But his eyes became alert and he took closer notice of her. She turned her back quickly and stiffly walked up to the sheriff, who was watching the encounter with just a glimmer of a smile.

“I guess I’m goin’ with you... for the time bein’.” She stalked alongside the man as he headed for the jail.

Life resumed on the street behind her. The stage driver shouted, “Twenty minutes!” which put a kick into the spectators. The excitement was over. She risked one look over her shoulder and saw the man who still held her gun watching... Interfering jackanapes!

She stomped across to the jail cell. The feather tick looked clean enough, and there was a sheet and a blanket folded at one end. She tossed her hat and her empty gun belt on the makeshift bed and plopped down.

The sheriff was watching her with full-blown amusement now.

“That family of yours says you are the valuable keepsake; however, your brother added that you were a firebrand. And he asked me to hold his baby sister until he could come fetch her and take her home, so Miss Melanie, make yourself comfortable. You’ve got a couple days. I’ve left word for your luggage to be brought here.”

She gritted her teeth as the door opened again and her second problem sauntered in. “You can’t keep Mel in that cell,” the man protested. “It’s not fitting. I mean... well, you just can’t.”

“You wanna keep an eye on her at the hotel, then, do you, Flynn?” The older man looked at the younger one and laughed. “Yeah, I know behind that dirt and those britches and that bad haircut there is a young woman, but I couldn’t risk letting the others find out. She’s traveled with them for thirty-six hours and if anyone were to find out, she’d be ruined.”

Mel bristled. ‘Ruined’ was such an old fashioned concept. That word had no place in this new country. This was the 1860s – lots of women were coming west. Some started out with their husbands; some didn’t.

“Ah.” The man called Flynn swung his leg over the corner of the desk to perch there. “No, I surely don’t. I haven’t the need for that much trouble, though if she were my sister, I’d tan her hide.”

Mel gasped indignantly and dropped the ‘country boy’ accent. “I can hear you! Isn’t it lucky for me we aren’t related, then?” She took her boot off and hurled it against the bars... the second one bounced off the wall.

In the time it took for her to look up, the tall man was inside her cell, pulling her to her feet. “Well, many more temper tantrums like that and I might be obliged to adopt you.”

The effrontery of this man! But her heart was pounding in her chest and her breath was coming out in little hiccups.

“Now, Flynn,” the sheriff spoke soothingly. “She’s just letting off some steam... she thought she was safely beyond her family’s reach. It’s kinda upsettin’ to have your best plans foiled. Give her a break. As a matter of fact, why don’t you mosey on over to Sally’s place and get her some food. While you’re at it, send off a telegram to her brother.” He handed over the message from his desk and maneuvered his helper out the door.

Once the man called Flynn was gone, Mel sat back down on the bed with more resignation than anything else. She pulled her knees up to hug them and rested her chin. Stupid Sloan! He’d ruined everything!

The sheriff commiserated with her. “Sorry I had to spoil your fun, darlin’ but there are just some things us men folk aren’t willing to risk. Any of those guys you traveled with ever suspected anything, you’d be lucky to be sold to the Indians when they was done with you.”

She grimaced. “No one would’ve found out... and I was only going be on the stage for one more day! I’ve been studying my brothers, their mannerisms and their style of speaking my whole life. I knew what I was doing and I kept to myself. Men aren’t hard to fool; they just see what they want to see.”

“Yes, well, it took Flynn about forty-five seconds to figure it out – don’t be forgettin’ that.”

“But first he compared me to his younger brothers,” she argued back. “And there weren’t too many of my fellow passengers watching me from behind.”

“Only takes one,” he said firmly. “Now quit your sassin’ me or I’ll turn you over to him when he comes back.”

She slumped back to lie on the bed, punching the thin pillow for good measure. She turned her back to him and heard him sigh. A few minutes later, his chair squeaked as he settled into it.

It wasn’t long before the door opened again and the smell of food wafted in. Resolutely, Mel kept her back to the maddening men in the office behind her. She’d starve before she’d eat what that man had conjured up.

“Melanie, your supper is here.” She recognized Flynn’s voice.

“That’s Miss Davis, to you, Sir. And no, thank you, I’m not hungry.”

“Whadda ya gonna do?” She could almost see the sheriff shrugging. “She’s having a fit of the sulks.”

She didn’t like his characterization. It was more a dignified sparseness of conversation but he had already warned her to quit arguing with him.

“Okay, Miss Davis.” Flynn’s voice was closer to the cell now. “Your dinner is here.”

She wanted to say, ‘go take a flying leap...’ but she held her temper. “Thank you, Flynn, your offer is generous but I’m not hungry.”

“Miss Davis, you will sit up and eat or I will sit you up and feed you – your choice.”

So much for holding her temper. She erupted off the, cot sputtering angrily. “You conceited jackass – ”

That was as far as she got before he was in the cell and she was bent over his unyielding knee. His hand smacked across the seat of her britches, bringing a howl from her lips. This was the one disadvantage to britches! There wasn’t as much padding as petticoats and ankle bloomers offered.

She was enraged. No man had ever dared to lay so much as a finger on her in all her life.

“How dare you!” she hissed but another crack brought another yell. In fact, the hard-handed lesson she received continued for another ten spanks. Tears were spurting from her eyes when he let her go but she wasn’t sure if they were angry ones or pain-induced ones... maybe a bit of both. She scrambled to her feet, cupping her sore posterior.

As angry as she was, she would have expected some answering ire but he was looking at her calmly with a slight smile crinkling the corner of his lips. “Are you ready to eat?”

“I told you I wasn’t hungry!” she shouted but when he reached for her again, she back-pedaled to the wall, out of his reach. “Oh, all right!”

He stood up and she modulated her tone. “I mean, yes, thank you.”

She heard the sheriff chuckle just as he walked out of his office front door. “I leave you in good hands.”

She looked up uncertainly at the man that was making her cell a whole lot smaller than when she’d occupied it alone.

“We’ll use his desk, shall we?” He took her upper arm and led her to the designated spot.

He held the chair for her and she sat. The hard wood was unforgiving on her sensitive backside but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

He set a bowl of soup in front of her with a roll to the side of it. She savored the aroma of the thick beef broth stuffed with vegetables and meat. Her stomach growled and she blushed. Without looking up at her antagonist, she picked up the spoon and ladled the first of it to her lips. Mmmmm, pure manna to her taste buds. She dipped a corner of the bread into the delicious concoction and relished the soggy bite.

Nothing was said as she consumed the soup. Flynn dusted off a mug that he’d recovered from a drawer and poured out milk from a little jug.

She wrinkled her nose. “No milk... thanks, but ugh.”

Flynn was still flexing his muscles. “Drink the milk, Mel, it’s cold and fresh and good for you. The diner brings ice in special to keep it cold.”

She pursed her lips. “No, thank you. A nice mug of ale would be welcome.”

“I think not. Young ladies do not drink ale.”

“Then I’ll go thirsty. And you are the only one other than the sheriff that knows I’m a young lady – I’d much prefer you keep it to yourself.”

He smiled dangerously. “At the moment, we may be the only two, but you are underdressed for your sex. I took care of your suitcases and I see there are some frocks in the larger one.”

“You went through my suitcases?” she gasped. “Of all the audacious, self important – ”

He laid a finger on her lips. “Unless you want another lesson in manners, you will keep your thoughts to yourself. I have bespoken a room at the hotel for my niece, who was having a little fun at the expense of her family. When you are done eating, we will proceed there and you will resume your rightful role.”

“In a pig’s eye.”

Well, what had she expected? He had warned her. She got her second trouncing and that one made her feet dance as she wiggled and squalled and finally capitulated. This time, the tears were defined by the state of her bottom!

She cried I’m sorry from the humiliating position she found herself in and was bawling by the time he finished. He stood her up, put the towel over her empty bowl and took her arm as he hustled her out of the jail. The fact that she was sniffling and wiping her face with her sleeve didn’t make any noticeable impression on her escort.

Being the pampered youngest member of a household of males had not prepared her for this man. Her slightest tears at home had brought cuddling and comforting. Each big brother tried to outdo the others in making their cherished little sister re-find her smile.

Flynn’s unpopular reaction was totally alien to her. Even Sloan, who was probably cursing her as he rode to fetch her, would do no more than scold, and he was the strictest of her siblings.

By now they were at the door to the hotel. Since no one was paying them much attention, Flynn stopped. He lifted her chin and then reached in his back pocket for a handkerchief. He mopped off her face with a gentleness she hadn’t expected and then kissed the top of her head. Was it her imagination or did that spot tingle?

He held the door for her after he returned his handkerchief to his pocket, and ushered her in with a light touch to her shoulders. She held her head high and walked past him.

He halted her at the desk and introduced her to Jake, the owner of the hotel. “This is my niece, Jake. Thank you for finding a room for her and getting her bags up there. She’ll be here a couple of days. Melanie, this is Jake.”

Jake nodded at her and she liked him instantly. He had a warm twinkle in his eye and was about her brother, Jim’s age.

“Always nice to meet one of Flynn’s nieces.” He winked.

Instead of being insulted, she giggled. “Does this a lot, does he?”

Flynn cleared his throat and held his hand out. “Key, please, Jake. And no, I don’t do this often.”

She saw him glare at Jake and giggled again.

He made sure she was safely in her room with the key in her hand before he said anything else. “He’ll bring up a bath for you. Tomorrow I’ll come fetch you for breakfast and I’ll introduce my pretty young niece to some of the people here in town.”

Pretty, he said... pretty! But the rest of his speech was overbearing. “It would be better if you introduced your nephew!”

“If you look like my nephew tomorrow morning, I will remind you that your mischief will not be tolerated. I think you’re in need of some firm reminders.”

“Oh, you!” She flounced over to the bed and crossed her arms over her chest. “I am very well-mannered most of the time. You bring out the worst in me.”

“We’ll work on changing that, if for no other reason than you might want to sit down for the next couple days. Your family has spoiled you excessively.”

A war might have broken out if there hadn’t been a knock on the door just then. Flynn went to answer it and stood aside while a couple of men wrestled in a large tub. They were closely followed by three women and Jake with buckets of steaming water.

“I thought soonest would be best after seeing you two together,” Jake grinned. “Come on, Flynn; give the woman a little privacy.”

Flynn said something to one of the women on his way out but Mel was too thankful to have escaped the knock-down, drag-out altercation that had been brewing, to care what he said.

She dug a bottle of her coveted scent out of her suitcases and added it to the water. She thanked the women and slipped a coin into each of their hands when they showed no sign of leaving.

“Flynn thought maybe we could help you with your bath and getting your clothes aired.”

“Well, he thought wrong.” She smiled sweetly at them then held her door open. They had no choice but to exit. When they were gone, she turned the key in the lock and breathed a sigh of relief.

After shucking her clothing, she had to admit that the next few minutes would be heaven. One thing men didn’t seem to miss was bathing. She did. She climbed into the sweet-smelling water and actually groaned. It felt so good. Her washcloth closed around a rough bar of soap. Despite her best efforts to work up lather, she was unsuccessful. Tallow soap was definitely made for business not pleasure. She lingered in the bath until the water cooled, then dried off with a towel someone had thoughtfully supplied. Thank you, Jake.

She unpacked her nightgown and brush. She was tired but she knew that she had to untangle her hair now, or tomorrow it would be impossible. Reality sunk in when the brush met no challenge. Cutting her hair hadn’t hurt as much then as it did now. She silently mourned the loss of the long, silky strands between her fingers.

Snuggling into the soft bed, Mel was thankful that she wasn’t creaking her way west, trying to snatch some sleep while being vigilant. But Sloan was still an interfering low-life!

When morning came, she found out that her room hadn’t been as safe as she’d assumed. Her pile of boy’s clothing was gone and two of her dresses had been aired and ironed. Flynn was an interfering pain in the neck! But she had to admit that having fresh clothing was wonderful.

She dressed in one of the gowns. If he were to be believed, Flynn would be showing up soon. She pulled her hair back but it was too short to do much with, so she curled the ends with some fire-heated tongs and threaded a ribbon through her shorn locks. It would have to do.

She was sprinkling some scented talc down her bodice when a knock announced his arrival. She took time to pinch her cheeks.

Flynn was standing with his hat in his hands when she opened the door. His eyes widened in surprise and then he smiled. “You are beautiful.”

She bit her lower lip as she dimpled. Beautiful was better than pretty, and pretty had sounded wonderful off his lips last night.

He held out his arm and she tucked her fingers around it. As they walked past the desk, Jake hailed them. He was smugly holding a letter.

“You’re looking lovely, Miss Davis. I’m so glad that Flynn was free to step in for his friend when he was delayed getting here. Oh, and this message came for you.” He beamed at them as he handed it to Melanie.

When Mel stepped over to get it, Flynn naturally followed. “What are you doing?” he asked in an undertone.

“I am announcing a cover story to all the gossips that have found a reason to loiter in my hotel this morning. The niece story wouldn’t have worked out in the long run. I believe you two are destined for other things.”

Mel was scanning the contents of the note and barely took notice of the men’s conversation. Since she was in safe hands (it read), Sloan was being diverted to Crossing Bow to resolve a situation there. He anticipated getting back to gather her up in a month. Under no circumstances was she to try to get home on her own. She was to be good and listen to Flynn in the meantime because, after reading his cable, Sloan had committed her to his care. He also congratulated her on running into a decent man, which was better than she deserved. She balled the note up in her fist and hurled it at the wall.

Both men were watching her when her attention shifted back to them.

“You really need to learn to curb that temper of yours,” Flynn reproved.

“Drop dead, Flynn.” She was not in the mood to listen to his strictures. She needed to think. She had a whole month now, instead of a couple of days. Maybe her adventure didn’t have to end.

She realized what she’d said when he took her upper arm again and dragged her back toward her room. She heard Jake laughing behind them. Flynn’s set jaw boded ill for her. She burst into a hasty apology, but he yanked her inexorably to an appointment she knew she wasn’t going to like. He closed the door to her room behind them and picked up her hairbrush from the dresser.

He pulled her across his lap as he sat on the bed and actually moved aside her petticoats. The brush came down briskly on her bloomers, bringing a wail from her. He picked up a rhythm as he set her butt on fire and she realized that britches cushioned more than this. It didn’t take long for her to start bawling and begging him to stop. He was certainly thorough in his chastisement.

“When you apologize to me for your outburst and promise that you will also apologize to Jake, I will consider this a lesson learned. Your behavior is atrocious.”

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I shouldn’t have told you to drop dead. I was angry at Sloan and took it out on you.”

“Angry at Sloan? Why?”

“Because he had me taken off the stage and now he’s not coming to get me for a month, and he has forbidden me to go home by myself, and I’m stuck in this town until someone fetches me, and he arbitrarily appointed you to care for me. And you are beating me!” She burst into tears again.

“I am not beating you,” he corrected almost automatically. “I am giving you a spanking; one that you richly deserve. A month, you say?”

He sounded as if he was smiling, so she peeked up at him through her tears. He was. Her tummy did a little flip-flop. He was so handsome when he smiled. Somewhere deep inside, the insidious warmth started to spread.

To Be Continued...

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