Braxton's Run: Cattle, Whiskey and Women

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Sometimes I think about you. I wonder if you're out there somewhere thinkin 'bout me. And would you even recognize, the woman that your little girl has grown up to be. Cause I look in the mirror and all I see are your brown eyes staring back at me, they're the only thing you ever gave to me at all..... Did you think I didn't need you here. To hold my hand, to dry my tears, did you even miss me through the years at all? OH I hear the weathers nice in california, there's sunny skies as far  as the eye can see. But if you ever come back home to carolina, I wonder what you'd say to me." Kelly Pickler 'I wonder'

"Heaven… This is heaven." Laura said to the empty room. She let out a contented sigh as she sunk into the large copper tub full of hot water. Her sore and aching body relaxed almost instantly as the tightness in her muscles eased. The horror and fear from the day was left behind. Braxton was okay. He had dealt with the Indians without bloodshed and he had brought the men and herd safely to town.

Most of them men had come into town but a few had stayed at a camp outside of town with the herd. Laura was so proud of her man. They were halfway to Dodge and he had lost less than twenty head of cattle out of a thousand. That was an impressive feat in itself. The way he had dealt with those Indians had been amazing.

He had not run scared. He had not gotten angry and tried to turn the confrontation into a deadly gunfight. Instead he had been strong and stern but respectful and he had done what he could to please the Indians. He had been willing to die for her… That is the thought that kept echoing in her head. Braxton had been willing to fight that Indian to the death to protect her.

She bit her lip as she sunk her head below the water. Twice now she had nearly gotten Braxton killed. She was beginning to regret coming along on this drive. The thought of having something happen to Braxton caused her blood to freeze in her veins.

Her lungs began to burn so she rose up out of the water and tossed her head back, sending water droplets flying through the air.

"Damn woman, you're gonna change my mind about women belonging on cattle drives." Laura squeaked with surprise and looked over her shoulder to see Braxton standing in the doorway with a tray of food. She saw how dark his gray eyes had gotten as he stared at her.

"Is that so?" she asked. Braxton nodded as he took in the sight of her long graceful back and slender shoulders.

"I brought dinner." he said and then he cleared his throat to try to dislodge the tightness he felt there.

"You're not going to take me out for my birthday?" she asked as she reached for the soap.

"I think I'd rather just stay in." Braxton replied as he sat the tray down on the bed and crossed the room to her. Laura felt a delicious shiver of anticipation run down her spine as he pulled off his boots, hat, knives and gun belt. He slipped out of his shirt and pants and Laura scooted forward in the tub to allow him to slide in behind her. He took the soap from her hand and pulled her back against his chest as his large hands cleaned the dirt and sweat from her skin.

"You are beautiful, Laura. I am a lucky man." he said, his voice deep and husky with passion as his lips passed over her neck. He felt her tremble and smiled against her skin.

"You are a lucky man. You should remember that." she replied as she pressed herself tighter against him.

"Yes'm." he replied as his kisses moved to her shoulder.

"I'm proud of you Braxton. No one could have handled today any better than you did." she said and Braxton sighed and laid his chin on her shoulder, leaning his head against hers as he took her hands in his and twined their fingers together.