“Time to go,” he mutters pulling out cash to pay for his meal. A shadow passes and the sound of a heavenly voice stops his hand.
“Please excuse the interruption, but I…” Dalton looks up, and Cassandra stops talking. Her mouth goes dry as she stares at him. His eyes are exquisite like the gray of the sea before a storm. He's dressed like an upper-class businessman, but the day old beard doesn't seem to go with his attire. His large frame and tan skin make it look like he's seen days in the sun, not an office.
Concern etches his brow when she stops talking. From a distance, he thought she was pretty, but up close he is in awe. Hair the color of autumn leaves, streaked with sunlight and luminous amber colored eyes, so large a man could get lost in them. Her tongue darts out moistening her lush lips and instantly his mind fills with images of what he would like to do with her mouth. He stands slowly pushing his chair back and steps towards her.
“Are you okay?” Dalton asks stuffing his hands into his pockets to keep from touching her.
“I, I am not the one in danger, you are,” she stutters. Great Cassie, excellent way to start a conversation, she thinks. Surprise shows on his face at her words. The noise escalates inside the restaurant when the brothers make their way inside.
Cassie jumps at the noise and swiftly makes her way to his side. “I hope you have an open mind because things are about to get odd, Mr. Rivers,” she softly says as she tucks her arm through his and smiles up at him.
The moment she smiles, a single dimple winks at him, and he is lost. He smiles automatically in return, and his hand covers hers. “Well, now darling, I believe in trying anything once and twice if I like it.” A blush blossoms and her soft laughter ripples across his body, sending his thoughts tumbling. They are lost in each other for a moment when a voice calls out.
“It looks like Mr. Rivers has been holding out on us, brother. It seems he got himself something more precious than gold while he was here.” Once again, the vile stench fills the air from the two men, and Cassie clutches tightly to his arm. Daltons hand tightens on her as though to comfort and she responds by squeezing back.
“Sure looks that way, Jeb. Why don’t you introduce us to your wife?” Boomer asks sarcastically, smirking at her once more.
Cassandra waits for the shock and denial from the man at her side, but it doesn’t come. “Well boys, it would seem as though you’ve already met. Though, I don't take kindly to the way you're looking at her.” He tucks Cassie behind him and turns to meet their shocked faces.
“Perhaps you would care to take this outside, and I will teach you the proper way to speak to a lady?” Cassie’s swift intake of breath is covered by the noise of chairs sliding and feet running from the restaurant.
“Dalton, I am sure they didn't mean anything by it. Besides, I don't want to spend our honeymoon dealing with a mess.” She says and quickly moves to his side. Once more she slides an arm through his.
Boomer is quick to stammer out an apology, “We were just surprised is all. Not too many married couples in these parts.” Glancing at the fury on his brother’s face, Boomer backs away.
Jeb glances from her to Dalton and then at the crowd gathered outside. “You won’t always be so lucky, Mr. Rivers and when your good fortune runs out, I will be there to cash in.” Jeb turns and kicks some chairs out of the way, quickly followed by Boomer.
The crowd buzzes outside, disappointed that they will not have a show and they flow back to their lives. Dalton looks down and feels the quaking in her small form. “Well now, it looks like my day just got more interesting.”
Chapter 4
Cassandra smiles up weakly at him, “I can explain, Mr. Rivers.”
The smile fades from his eyes as he watches the two men shove and fight their way to the saloon across the street. With a deep sigh, Dalton rubs his neck and picks up his hat from the table.
“Yes, you will, but not now. Are you staying here?” He demands. Cassandra looks shocked at his implication.
“Yes, but you can’t come up to my room!” She stammers.
“Of course I can. I am your husband after all.” He quickly guides her around the fallen chair and pulls her to the door past the murmuring customers.
“Mr. Rivers!” Cassandra starts to shout, but he silences her with a firm kiss to her mouth. “People are watching, darling. If you want to keep up appearances, we need to move now. It’s not safe here!”
“Fine!” She snaps quietly at him and lifts her skirt stepping over a piece of a broken chair. “Fourth floor, room 4B.”
They hurry from the restaurant up the stairs and stop outside her door. She turns to argue with him, but two men enter the hallway. She smiles and hands him the key. He quickly throws the door open and waits for her to enter before turning to meet their eyes. “Gentlemen?”
“Everything okay, Dalton? We heard you had trouble?” The older gentleman asks with questions in his eyes.
“Nothing I can't handle. Thank you for your concern. If you'll excuse me, my bride is waiting.” He turns quickly and enters the small room, locking the door behind him.
Drawing his pistol, he waits for the sound of their footsteps to pass the door before turning to greet her.
Cassandra did not waste
