Chapter Thirty-Three: Smooth Cheeks and A Fever

Charlotte moaned as Silas's big hand moved slowly up her bare leg. His fingertips danced across her skin and Charlotte's body trembled under his touch.

His lips traced her jawline, moving to her neck and then her hear. "I love you, Miss Charlotte."

"And I love you." she whispered as Silas shifted beneath the blanket on the tiny bed and covered her body with his own. "Silas... It's morning." Charlotte whispered with a blush as she glanced back at the sunrise shining through the window.

Silas smiled warmly. "And you look beautiful in the sunlight." His lips once again found her neck and then moved lower still to gently caress one of her bare breasts, teasing and licking as her back arched against the mattress.

"Everyone will be wanting breakfast." She gasped, though her hands locked on her head, holding his mouth in place. She felt his warm breath wash over her in a rush as he chuckled.

"They all ate just fine before you began cooking for them, Miss Charlotte. They'll make do this morning."

Charlotte's further argument died on her lips as Silas slid himself inside of her. "There are plenty of muffins." She agreed breathlessly as her arms looped around his neck.

Silas's warm brown eyes sparked with amusement. "Let them eat muffins." He agreed.

Charlotte pulled his face down and kissed him hungrily as he loved her. Filling her body and taking her deeper into the raging whirlpool the way only he could. His touch reached her soul in a way that no other touch ever had and none ever would again.

She loved this man completely. Her husband. Her soul mate.

Charlotte felt herself nearing her peak and just as she tumbled over that edge, Silas stiffened as well and their moans of pleasure mingled and mixed as their lips and mouths remained in a hungry embrace.

"I've never done that before." Charlotte blushed as Silas lay on his back beside her and she curled up on her side against him, resting her head on his chest and enjoying the sound of his pounding heartbeat.

"I seem to remember doing just that a time or two." Silas argued with a smile and Charlotte laughed lightly, spreading her fingers wide on his dark stomach and loving the contrast of their skin.

"I mean that I have never done it in the morning."

"What about the afternoon?" Silas asked with a grin and Charlotte shook her head. "Well that will be my next plan of attack."

Charlotte laughed again and snuggled up closer to him. She was surprised when she found herself drifting off to sleep in his arms until Grace let out a whimpering cry.

Charlotte smiled as Silas instantly rose from the bed and slid into his pair of pants on the floor before walking to the crate that they had lined with blankets to serve as Grace's bed. He picked her up and gave her cheek a loud popping kiss, causing the infant to nuzzle his face, searching for something to eat.

"Mama, I believe your services are needed." He laughed. "Now I would gladly do anything in the world for both my girls but old papa Silas just don't have the right equipment to satisfy Little Grace this morning."

Grace let out a squeal and kicked her arms and legs for all she was worth causing Silas to laugh. "Alright. Alright, Little Grace! Right here's your mama." Silas turned back to the bed and laid Grace into Charlotte's waiting arms.

Once Grace was latched on and feeding happily, Charlotte smiled up at Silas. "I'm hungry."

"I hear this train has delicious muffins."

Charlotte smiled brightly and Silas chuckled as he slid into his shirt and boots. Then he kissed Charlotte's cheek and headed toward the door.

"Tea goes nicely with a delicious muffin." Charlotte called out, stopping him with his hand hovering over the door handle.

Silas bowed his head as he turned to face her. "Whatever you want, Miss Charlotte, it's yours. All you have to do is ask."

"I want you, me and Grace to always be this happy." Charlotte replied, her heart swelling at the look of love in Silas's soft brown eyes as he gazed at her.

"I think that's pretty much a guarantee, Miss Charlotte." He assured. "Now I'm off to the kitchen for some tea and a delicious muffin."

Charlotte smiled down at Grace once Silas was gone and kissed her suckling angel on the brow. "Your pa loves us very, very much."

Charlotte laughed lightly as Grace's chest worked hard, her breathing labored. "Slow down there, Little Grace. I know you're hungry but you have to breathe."

Charlotte rested her back against the wall and smiled as she thought about the perfect little family this terrible new world had given her.

***

Colt stood in the tiny water closet in his room and stared intently at his reflection in the mirror. His hand rubbed against the smooth skin of his chin, passing over the small pail scars he'd earned in fistfights over the years.

It had taken nearly an hour to remove every bit of that thick beard from his face but it was gone now and Colt had to admit that his face was noticeably less itchy without its presence. Why had he shaved it? Because Evangeline hadn't seemed to like it when she had kissed his cheek the previous night. Would he tell anyone that that was the reason he had gotten rid of the beard? Hell no he would not.

Damn but that woman was like a poison that had invaded his blood. She filled his mind and he couldn't seem to go more than a few minutes at a time without some thought of her entering his head. Before he made any decision, (even shaving his face), he gave thought to Evangeline and what she would think. But it wasn't her mind that had had him up all night, tossing and turning and unable to sleep... No it was the way her tiny hands had felt as they'd rubbed his sore muscles and the way those dainty fingertips had left behind flames and burning embers in their wake as they had caressed the bare skin of his chest.

Hell, Colt had never felt anything like this in his life. That damn woman was under his skin, in his blood, filling his head. Growling he shoved himself away from the mirror and left the water closet. Donning his vest and gun belt, Colt strode from his room and down the hall, making his way through both passanger cars before he came to the dining car and found it full of passengers.

Including her. Evangeline.

"Damn Colt!" Frankie exclaimed with a snort from where she sat perched on a table, her feet resting in Comanche's lap. "You sure do clean up nice.'

Colt rubbed at his jaw and shrugged. "It was too hot." He scratched at his hair free chin and glanced over at Evangeline. "And itcy."

"Did you here that, Comanche? It was itcy. I wonder who he was itching with it."

Colt would be damned if he didn't feel a blush rise to his cheeks as he rubbed at the back of his neck. "Who the hells driving the train?"

"Paleface, I do not believe Colt appreciates your insights as to what he and Evangeline spoke about in the engine room last night."

"Oh I didn't accuse them of talking." Frankie assured with a wink and Colt spared another glance in Evangeline's direction to see that she had suddenly become very interested in the muffin sitting on the table she was sitting beside, her face and neck flushed with color.

"That's enough." Colt snapped. He saw that Katherine was sitting at a window staring out at the rainy day but no one else was in the room. "Where is everyone else?"

"Ox hasn't come out of his room yet." Evangeline finally spoke up. "Silas and Rachel are in the kitchen and Charlotte is in her room. Jedidiah is up front."

"Charlotte needs to get out here and cook some damn breakfast." Frankie mumbled.

"Why don't you cook breakfast?" Evangeline demanded, sitting up a little straighter. Colt knew he needed to be gone soon. He had no desire to be in the middle of a cat fight.

"Trust me, Evangeline." Comanche shivered. "You do not wish that."

"Go to hell, injun." Frankie declared with a shove to Comanche's shoulder, which simply served to make the man laugh. "I don't cook because I don't have to; I'm good with a gun and that's my gift to this group. Why don't you get on in there, little woman, and whip us up a meal?"

Evangeline stood and Colt couldn't help but be amused at her petite stature as she squared her shoulders and glared at Frankie. "I will cook but only because I believe the men deserve to have a good hot meal. If women need to do the cooking then why don't you join me? I trust you do have all the working parts that make you just as much a woman as I am, correct?"

"You would be correct." Comanche spoke up with a wink and for the first time in Colt's memory of the woman, Frankie seemed flustered and speechless. She shoved herself from the table, careful to keep from putting too much weight on her healing ankle.

"I'll butter some damned bread but that's it."

Evangeline put her arm around Frankie's shoulders and smiled comfortingly when the woman stiffened. "Buttering bread is a good start, Frankie. We all must start somewhere."

Colt shook his head as Evangeline led Frankie to the kitchen, turning at the last minute and throwing him a smile that damn near put him on the floor.

"You've got a nice face, Colt. You shouldn't cover it with that beard again."

"Uh...sure." Colt mumbled and then Evangeline and Frankie were out of sight.

"Frankie may have met her match in Evangeline." Comanche mused and Colt nodded.

"Oh I will guarantee that she has. I need to go relieve Jedidiah though it is Ox's turn to drive. "

"You would trust him?" Comanche asked with interest and Colt shrugged.

"Why the hell wouldn't I?"

Comanche said nothing and Colt shook his head. "Katherine?" he called but the woman didn't turn away from the window. "Katherine!" he snapped loudly and her head whipped around.

"What?" she demanded, clearly angry.

"Go wake Ox up and tell him it's his turn to drive."

"Why?"

Colt rubbed his face and suddenly wished he had a bottle of that damn liquid ambrosia again. The women on this train were driving him to be a drinking man in a real quick hurry.

"Because everyone else is busy."

"Comanche isn't busy."

"Goddammit!" Colt growled. "Stop being so damned difficult and go get Ox.

"Is that an order, captain?" Katherine sneered as she stood up and smoothed out her black skirt. Colt nodded as he stepped closer and looked down his nose at her. She sure was an annoying brat when the mood struck her.

"Yes it is. Now. Go."

Katherine strode past him and back toward the passenger cars. Colt was still shaking his head and heading toward the kitchen, which would lead him to the engine car when Rachel came out with a plate of muffins in her hands.

Her eyes met his and Colt saw it then.... Recognition. Real fear shook deep in his bones.

"You!" she shrieked loudly. "Colt, you're a thief, a liar and an attempted murderer!"

"Hold on now...." Colt urged calmly as he held his hands up and took several steps back, scanning the room for that damn buffalo rifle the redhead was so fond of. Rachel tossed her muffins down with a crash on a table and Silas, Evangeline and Frankie all joined them in the dining room.

"Don't tell me to hold on. It was you!" Rachel hissed. Colt was just damn glad the woman didn't have her rifle just now.

"Aunt Rachel?" Evangeline asked. Her green eyes turned to Colt. "What is she talking about?"

"It was a long time ago...." Colt replied and Rachel snorted.

"Five years. It has been right around five years since you and your gang robbed my home, taking jewelry, silver, money and food."

"You robbed my aunt?" Evangeline demanded sharply and Colt shrugged.

"Hell I didn't know she was your aunt...." Colt reminded her. "I didn't even know you existed back then."

"I'm surprised this man hasn't already killed us all." Rachel ground out.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Colt demanded, growing irritated. Everybody was pissed off at him for robbing someone five years ago? They sure hadn't seemed upset that he'd robbed trains since that one worked in their favor.

"You shot at me!" Rachel accused and Colt shook his head with so much force his neck popped as Evangeline strode forward and stuck her tiny finger in his chest.

"You shot at my aunt?" her eyes were narrow slits as she glared up at him. Colt sighed.

"I shot in her general direction."

"Colt!" Evangeline exclaimed and Colt threw his arms up.

"What?! She shot at me first!"

Evangeline whirled around on her aunt. "You shot at Colt!?"

"He robbed me blind."

Evangeline let out an angry grumble, which Colt couldn't help but find to be the cutest damn thing he'd ever heard, and plopped herself down at a table. "I don't even know which one of you to be angry at."

"No one needs to be angry at anybody." Colt stated pointedly. "It happened five years ago and I was a different man back then. I think we can all agree that a lot has happened in the last five years."

"It took me years to recover from everything you took from me." Rachel informed him and Colt sighed.

"If it'll even us out, I'll stop in the next town and empty the bank vault in your lap."

Evangeline let out a burst of laughter which had Colt smiling at her while Rachel frowned. "You find him entertaining? Do you have any idea what he took?"

"It wasn't just me." Colt replied with a shrug. Evangeline stood up and walked to Colt, looping her arm through his and he was too surprised to pull away.

"Aunt Rachel, it was a long time ago and no lasting harm was done. I think we have bigger things to worry about these days than a few stolen belongings...." Colt thought back to the bags full of silver that he had taken from the dining room and smiled. "Now surely you have to agree, Aunt Rachel, that it's time to let the past stay in the past."

Rachel sighed. "Fine, I suppose." She mumbled though Colt could tell she wasn't happy about it. Slowly the dining car cleared out and Colt found himself alone with Evangeline, even Comanche had wandered into the kitchen, probably to talk about him, Colt thought.

"You should have told me what you had done to my aunt." Evangeline scolded and Colt shrugged.

"It was a long time ago." He insisted. "And, you know, it's not the easiest thing to just bring up in conversation."

Evangeline smiled and laid her hand on his cheek, causing his jaw to tight and his muscles to jump and bunch beneath her touch.

"Son of a bitch that's hot!" Frankie exclaimed from inside the kitchen just before a pan clattered.

"I had better get back to her." Evangeline sighed, letting her hand fall. Colt nodded.

'I have to relieve Jedidiah." He agreed and then he walked away from her, striding through the kitchen without looking at anyone else or hearing the whispers as he passed. He was happy for the rain falling outside as it cooled his blood and gave him a moment to wonder just how Evangeline was able to make him feel so damn overheated with simply a touch to the cheek.

***

Katherine stopped outside the door that she knew was Ox's room and took time smoothing out her skirt and gathering her courage. She did not want to face him after last night. Damn that stupid Colt and his bossiness straight to hell!

Taking a deep breath, she rapped her knuckles against the door and waited impatiently for him to answer. When the door flung open she was taken aback.

Ox looked like hell. His green eyes were tired and sad with dark rings around them. His strong jaw was covered in a dark shadow of stubble and his cheeks looked a big gaunt. His massive shoulders were slumped and his rather nice lips were turned down in a frown.

"Miss Kate?" he asked, surprise filling his features. "What are you doing here?"

"Um... Colt sent me." Katherine said quickly, rubbing at her arm. "He said it's your turn to drive."

"He trusts me to drive?"

"Of course he does." Katherine played with the end of her hair for a moment and then met his gaze again. "Why did you storm out on me last night? Was it because I used to be a whore? Because let me tell you something, Joshua Gilcrest, I didn't know any better than to be what I was and I'm a different woman now. I'm not proud of the fact that I have laid with so many men I didn't care about but......."

Katherine's voice trailed off when Ox clamped his hands over his ears and shook his head. "What are you doing?" she asked, her hand firmly on her hips as she cocked them to the side.

"Not listening to you say stuff like that."

"But then what...."

"Miss Kate..." Ox lowered his hands and pulled off his hat, wringing it tightly in a gesture that Katherine was beginning to realize meant the man was nervous. "Miss Kate I don't care that you was a... a.. soiled dove." Ox whispered the last words, causing Katherine to smile. "Truth be told I've been with lots of women that I didn't really care about and they didn't care about me neither."

"Then why were you with them?" Katherine questioned, knowing the jolt of jealousy that shot through her was both completely unfair and pointless.

Ox looked ashamed as he stared down at the floor and shifted his bare feet. "Cuz they told me to. They'd come lovin' up on me and pretend to care and then once we, you know, got done, they would order me to never speak of it to anyone."

"Why?"

"Because they didn't want anybody to know they'd been with the big dumb Ox."

Ox's words from last night came back to Katherine. 'Don't worry, Katherine, ma'am, I won't nobody you played cards with the dumb Ox.'

"Ox, last night..."

"Miss Kate, I'm real sorry I acted that way after you told me what you did about your past. I reckon that wasn't real fair."

"Tell me the truth, Ox."

"About what, Miss Kate?" Ox asked in earnest as he plopped his hat back on his messy dark hair. "I wouldn't never lie to you about anything. I swear that to you."

"You thought I was going to be just like those other women didn't you? You thought I would what? Make you lay with me and then send you away? Be ashamed of you?"

"Shit, Miss Kate, every other woman I've ever known has been. Now I'm nice to look at and I guess I'm.. well good at things—" A blush colored his cheeks. "But no woman ever wanted anything more than that... I guess when you said you were a—you know--I thought that's all you would want from me too. And then you told me to be quiet....."

"Ox, I told you to be quiet because you were yelling out that I was a whore for the entire train to hear." Katherine reminded him and he winced.

"Sorry."

"Ox, I won't lie to you. I have no idea how to be in a relationship. I've never had the chance to be in one before and honestly I never thought I would be, but I can tell you this right now; I will never be ashamed of you. I think you are a kind, strong, caring, sweet man and I will stand beside you no matter who's around...." It was Katherine's turn to blush. "...that is if you would want to be seen beside a woman like me."

Ox smiled down at her. "I would be the most proud man in the world to have you standing beside me, Miss Kate."

"Oh, Ox..." Katherine rose on her toes and she saw Ox's eyes slide closed as his arm slipped around her waist. Their breath mingled in the air between them and then suddenly a door down the hall slammed open and Charlotte burst into the hall wearing only a thin cotton robe, with baby Grace clutched against her chest.

"Silas! I need Silas!" Charlotte exclaimed, her gold-rimmed, green eyes wide and shining with panic. Katherine and Ox shared a look of confusion and Katherine took several steps toward her.

"Charlotte, what's wrong?"

"It's Grace!" Charlotte sobbed, clutching the whimpering baby against her.

"What's wrong with her?" Ox asked cautiously and Charlotte looked at both of them with desperation.

"She.... She has a fever."