Free The Payment by Mysty McPartland Page A

in
front of everyone she no longer cared. When he put her back on her
feet, a crowd suddenly gathered around them. She felt overwhelmed
by the concern from both the men and women.
    Tuff witnessed the scene along with everyone
else. He started shaking his head when he saw the crowd gather
around Dane and his wife. He knew if he didn’t break it up, they
would never get home. Moving forward, he pushed his way through the
crowd until he reached the pair. “Now if you two have finished
making a spectacle out of yah selves I would like to go home.”
    India pulled out of her husband’s hold and
grabbing Tuff’s arm, she let him lead her away. She was more than
ready to leave the crowd of strangers and her embarrassing behavior
behind.
    Quickly Dane bid everyone a hasty goodbye
and followed Tuff and his wife. He reached them at the wagon, and
as he went to lift his wife up, he cursed when he noticed the
bruise forming on her left cheek. He rushed over to the water
trough, untied his bandanna dunked it into the water then hurried
back to her and placed it gently on her cheek. “I’m sorry
sweetheart I never expected she would become violent.”
    India took the clothe from her husband's
hand. “Now I find that hard to believe. I thought all womanizers
like having their women fighting over them.” The teasing glint left
her eyes. “Is it true Dane? Were you engaged to her or not?”
    Dane felt his face grow warm at his wife’s
teasing but his eyes snapped with anger at her question. “Hell no,
don’t ask me where she got the damn idea from but believe me
sweetheart I would never ask that woman to marry me.”
    Satisfied that he told her the truth, India
laughed softly and cupped his cheek. “I believe you, now come on
let’s go home while I’m still in a fighting mood. I still have
another battle to win.”
    Embarrassed over the whole ugly scene, Dane
chuckled. Placing his hands around her waist, he lifted her up on
to the wagon seat. “Well then sweetheart, we'd better get you home
real quick.” He said jokingly but he felt far from laughing, he
wasn’t looking forward to the meeting with his brother’s at
all.
    “ By God, would yah look at the little
gal? She sure does pack a wallop, and I bet that Miss King has two
nice black eyes come morning. Yes sir Dane is one lucky man.” Pete
guffawed, slapped Tuff on the back.
    Tuff was about to answer him, when he heard
Dane shout out his name angrily. He snapped his mouth shut.
    “ Tuff, stop your gossiping old man and
let’s get home.” Dane mounted his horse and waited for Tuff to get
up on the wagon.
    After throwing Dane a malevolent glare, Tuff
stomped over to the wagon and climbed aboard. “Damn the boy, I’m
going to blister his ears when we get home. Don’t think I won’t.”
He picked up the reins and slapped them against the horse’s
rumps.
    India chuckled. However, it soon died when
they left the town behind. Her stomach grew full of knots knowing
that very shortly, there would be another angry scene to face, and
her future finally decided.
    When India remained silent Tuff noticed how
her anxiety seemed to be building, he reached out and patted her
knee. “Don’t you worry gal you can hold yah own. I’m mighty proud
of yah. Yah sure didn’t let the spoiled snooty woman get the better
of yah, and I know yah can hold yah own with the boys.”
    Weakly smiling up at Tuff India placed her
hand over his. “Please remember what I asked you earlier. I don’t
want Dane to have to choose between me and his brothers.”
    “ It won't come to that gal, mark my
words those boys will come to realize that Dane cares for you and
won’t make him choose.” Tuff tried to reassure her, but he knew
deep in his heart, it would not be as simple or pleasant as he told
her.
    India turned away so Tuff wouldn’t see
the tears in her eyes. I wish it was going
to be as easy, but I know it’s going too very
unpleasant.
    “ Would yah like to stop and change yah
clothes