Love On The Frontier (A Bounty Hunter's Tale) Book I

Chapter Twenty | Scoundrel

'Because You A Dog'

New Mexico 1873

"Well I haven't slept with her," Clayton said. "Nothing has gone on between us." That was somewhat of a lie.

They changed the subject as soon as Lena became close enough to overhear. Clayton could care less whether she heard or not, but Silas is more sensitive to the feelings of others.

Silas looked Lena up and down, "Well Clayton. . .are you going to introduce me to the young lady?" Silas playfully shoved him.

"Silas, Lena. Lena, Silas."

Silas frowned at Clayton before he smiled at Lena. "Pleasure to meet you, young lady. I am a real old friend of this jackass. He and I use to work together a long time ago back when he wasn't such a pain in my ass." 

Lena smiled. The door opened and a dark-skinned woman stepped out. "Y'all come in and eat already before the food gets cold. I didn't slave over the stove for nothin'."

They walked inside the small house and sat at long table. Silas sat at the head of the table and his wife, Celia, sat to his right. Clayton slid in the other chair nearest Silas. Silas and Celia had a teenage son. He sat across front of Lena and would not stop staring at her. There were three younger boys and also a daughter still in diapers. Lena sat and ate her food quietly while Clayton laughed and conversed with Silas and Celia. The boys all kept watching Lena, which made her incredibly uncomfortable.

"You like peach cobbler, Lena?" Celia asked when they all finished their supper.

For some reason Lena looked at Clayton for approval. "Girl, why you lookin' at that man?" Celia snorted. "That man ain't yo daddy and he ain't yo husband either. Now I asked if you'd like cobbler? Which is it?" Lena nodded. "Speak up, girl." 

"Yes, ma'am," Lena quickly obeyed.

Celia smiled. "Alright, then. Come help me clean up and then we can serve some cobbler." Lena immediately stood and quickly helped Celia clear the table. In the kitchen they prepared the men each a plate of cobbler. 

"Oh, Clayton doesn't like sweets." 

Celia raised an eyebrow at her and said, "I know that. But he likes my cobbler. Everybody does." Lena doubted it, but did not dare argue.

They handed the men each a plate of cobbler before making their own plate. Lena sat and watched Clayton eat his. She thought he didn't like sweets, yet here his was indulging in Celia's cobbler. Guess she was right since he had two heaping platefuls. 

Lena's eyes locked onto Clayton's mouth as his tongued flicked out and licked the spoon clean. She began to reflect on how good it felt when his tongue had slipped into her mouth. Lena swallowed hard as she forced herself to look away before she started getting tingly feelings again.

"Well, Clayton. You and Lena are more than welcome to stay in our room tonight. Celia and I can sleep in the kids room," Silas offered.

Clayton and Silas stood in the living room smoking some tobacco while Lena cleaned up the kitchen with Celia. "That won't be necessary. The girl and I can sleep in the old barn. We'll be fine." 

Silas knew better than to push Clayton to something he did not want to do. Once Clayton's mind was set there was no changing it unless by his own accord. Silas briefly glanced back at Lena before speaking to Clayton in a low voice. "That's a pretty girl you got there, Clay."

"That ain't my girl, Silas. She's just a girl."

Silas chuckled. "You can't lie to me, Clay. I know you want her."