Change is Coming

[ms_tiff]

Closed for silvertongue217

Change is Coming​

Shane Clarke was supposed to be a boy. For as far back as the Clarkes could trace their family the only women in the family tree were those who had married into it. So, when Josie Clarke had given birth to her fifth child everyone had been shocked to see it was a squealing, somber-faced little girl.

Folks said it was the shock of seeing a little girl in her arms that had caused Josie's heart to give out right then and there. And, so it was that Ethan Clarke both lost a wife and gained a baby girl.

Completely ill equipped to raise a daughter, Ethan did the only thing he could do: he raised Shane as a son. The young girl learned to shoot, ride, lasso, and mend fences right alongside her four brothers. She could wield a cattle prod as well as any man on the ranch and birth a calf. In the spring she would saddle up with the men and drive the herd to auction, her bed roll amid the snoring ranch hands every night. In the summer she would strip off her britches, same as her brothers, and the five of them would skinny dip in the swimming hole.

Shane thought growing up that way was normal. She never questioned the fact that she wasn't like the sissy girls she saw when Pop took them into town once a m onth. In fact, she felt sorry for the girls in their scratchy dresses and silly hair ribbons. She doubted they could go swimming whenever they wanted or out spit Hurley, the ranch's foreman, by a good foot.

No, Shane liked the freedom being a boy gave her and, with a child's solemnity, she vowed to bite anyone who tried to make her a girl.



Texas - 1868

The sun beat down from a cloudless sky, the heat rippling off the tall grasses in a dizzying haze. Sweat beaded on Shane's skin, dripping from her forehead, pooling between her breasts and winding down her back in lazy rivers. The only thing keeping her going was the thought of the swimming hole and shedding her sweat drenched clothing to dive into its cool waters.

"Damn, Shane, what's taking so long? Pop and I got the whole south side down already." Isaac, the eldest of the Clarke brothers, pulled his chestnut stallion up beside her, a devilish grin on his breaded face. His teeth a stark white against the dark black beard.

"I'd have got this done by now if I weren't doin' it myself." She grunted, hoisting a new timber in place. Her braid clung to the sweat on her neck and Shane flicked her head like her mare did when attempting to keep the flies away.

"You hate someone else doin' the work and you know it." Isaac teased. "Hurry it up, though. Pop's expecting company for dinner and you know Mary's gonna try and gussy you up." With a laugh Isaac spurred the stallion in the direction of the ranch house.

With a groan, Shane hoisted another post, cursing the day that Isaac had to go and marry that uppity priss Mary Schafer. The woman was insufferable; trying to act a mother to Shane despite being only two years older.

An hour later she was finally at the swimming hole, her britches and shirt laying in a pile on the bank with her hat perched on top. With a blissful sigh she sank beneath the water. Holding her breath, Shane sank beneath the surface, wishing she could stay there forever and not deal with the hell Mary was no doubt going to put her through in an attempt to get Shane into a dress. After a few seconds, though, Shane had to surface, her hair streaming down her back in dark waves. Standing, the stop of her breasts just visible, Shane gathered her long tresses - her one vanity - wringing out the excess water. Her mind wandered to who could possibly be traveling all the way out to Crooked River Ranch for a simple dinner.

Over the years a number of men had made offers for Clarke land. The ranch spanned over seven hundred acres and had been passed down in the family for six generations, a point of pride with any Clarke. Pop had already declared that each of his boys, upon marrying, would receive their own parcel of land and Shane would inherit her own acreage on her twenty-fifth birthday - which was still seven years off. Thus far only Isaac had claimed his land, and the other brothers were showing no signs of settling down any time soon. Still, despite all the lucrative offers, Pop refused to sell off even an inch of Clarke land. Rumors had begun to swirl through town, though, that the railroad was heading their way and it was only a matter of time before those rail tycoons tried to sweet talk their way into a cut of Crooked River land.

Turning to head back to the bank, Shane paused, Another horse stood beside her palomino, both of them munching away on the tall grass. Unlike her horse, though, this one bore a rider on its back. A man Shane had never seen before and, judging from his fancy clothes, was not from anywhere nearby. He stared down at her, not trying to hide his interest. Shane's gaze shifted to where the edge of her gun belt peeked out from beneath her hat, contemplating if she could reach her gun before he realized what she was doing. Her gaze shifted back to the stranger, eyeing him up with a hard glare.

"Who the hell are you?" She spat. The man touched his fingers to the brim of his fancy hat with a wolfish grin and, with a wink, turned his horse and headed off in the direction of the ranch house.

 

[silvertongue217]

THREE DAYS EARLIER

UPR HeadQaurters

GAVELSTON TEXAS

Jonathan "John" Marston heard his name being called and rose putting the paper down for the next man and walking towards the secretary that had called his name. He watched the woman take him in her expression going from one of disinterested to the fain blush of a woman who was curious. John tended to be a much more impressive sight then most people were accustomed to. He was the son of a ranch hand and before he had went to get his education and left home had spent his life on a ranch tending to it. While most of the men in his potion were.... a little on the over weight side or were lanky John himself was a bear of a man! Tall and muscular he looked more at home as a cowboy then an up and coming any day.

Which was why the people he worked with tended to stare

"Shall we miss" He said offering a kind smile that seemed to startle her out of her staring. She nodded and escorted him down the hall and into the office of his boss Charles Gladstone. The man him self was busy working seemingly ignoring the stifling heat in the building that already had John cooking like a turkey.

"Mr. Gladstone Mr. Marston is here to see you" The secretary said glancing up at hom once more shyly.

"Oh stop staring dear" Mr. Gladstone said not bothering to glance up from his work "the man is a gentleman not a piece of meat to droll over!"

She blushed and turned all but running off as John shut the door behind him.

"You did not have to run her off" John said walking in and sitting down "She meant no harm"

"Bah" Mr. Gladstone said with a wave of his hand "these debutants you need to be careful John your name is already being floated around many social circles and I dont want them messing with your work!"

"Of which I assure you I am hard at work on" John said disregarding his mentor and boss's warning "which is why im wondering why you called me in and took me from it"

"Well a situation came up that I need your particular mind set to handle" Mr. Gladstone said getting up and walking over to the planning table which had the entire map of Texas stretched out.

"We havent had any trouble building and buying the land deep within Texas" Mr. Gladstone explained pointing at the long red line that represented the projected path of the railroad "however we have found a small hiccup a Ranch a few miles out of the current line has decided they arent selling we have made some very generous offers but so far no bite or nibble"

"What did yall expect" John said amused "some of the ranch land has been in the family for generations that would be like asking my pa to cut off his right arm!"

"Which is why I want you to go down and talk to them" Mr. Gladstone said glancing at him "your their breed and stock my boy you can negotiate with them far better than any of us can"

"I dont know" John said sighing and looking at the land "I mean I respect these folks for keeping to their heritage I can negotiate but im not going to take all their land from them"

"I already have the files detailing how much we need and the monetary compensation" Mr. Gladstone said going over to his desk and handing him the satchel "I booked your train as well and have a fresh horse waiting for you your to leave tonight!" His boss said his tone indicating that it was not a request as he went back to his work.

NOW

John crested the hill hat slung low over his bright green eyes as he took in his surroundings. After a day of hard riding he had finally reached the ranch which was stretched out before him. It was an impressive amount of land much more than his father even had.

"Damn shame I have to take some of it" John said taking one long last draw on his cigarette and flicking it down on the hard packed sand "come on girl" He said striving the horse forward with the heel of his boots. The horse took off moving down the trail and towards the main house in the distance. He was about halfway there when he came across a swimming hole hidden by some tall grass. John was so caught up in the day dream of stripping his clothes and enjoying the cool water that he didnt notice the woman in the water until she surfaced spraying water and wringing out her hair.

Johns eyes widened taking in the girl. She was beautiful in a captivating alluring way he had never seen before. Her body was half hidden in the murky water but what he saw already had him shifting in the brown leather saddle of his horse.

"Who the hell are you?" she spat the question out at him clearly not happy with being interrupted. John opened his mouth as if to say some thing but instead decided against it instead tipping his hat to her a cocky smirk on his face before he had his horse turn and continue down the trail. He reached the house seconds later and after tying his horse up to the spoke went up the stairs of the porch and rapped his fingers against the door frame.

 

[ms_tiff]

Ethan Clarke was no fool. He knew what the city slick young man was about from the moment he knocked on the Clarke's door. With so many of the ranches bordering his selling off to the railroad it had only been a matter of time til they came for Crooked river. What Ethan hadn't expected, though, was for the company man to look more like a cowboy than some gussied up city slicker.

The man who had introduced himself as Jonathan Marston looked bred for heavy lifting with his broad shoulders and not for some desk job. In fact, the brawny man fit in easily among Ethan's boys, who were spread about the sitting room eyeing dubiously eyeing Mr. Marston.

"I hope you understand, Mr. Marston, that the ranch isn't mine to sell off. It belongs as much to my boys as to me. This is a decision we need to make as a family." Ethan sat back in his armchair, the picture of ease with his legs crossed and his favorite hat perched on his leg.

"Shane'll want a say too, Pop." Mark, the second eldest spoke up, his glare never wavering from the interloper.

"Of course Shall will get a vote. All my children have an equal vote here." Ethan nodded solemnly.

"Where is the pest anyway?" The fourth son, Henry, shot a glance to his brothers.

"Last i saw mending the eastern fence." Isaac grinned as his wife bustled in with a tray laden with glasses and a pitcher of fresh lemonade.

Ethan had no doubt Shane was out swimming. He'd had no problem with her doing such a thing when she was younger, but, at eighteen Shane was a woman with a woman's body. Something his ranch hands had begun to pay more and more attention to much to Ethan's dismay. He'd allowed her to run wild for so long though that he felt he couldn't begin to correct her behavior now. When Mary had joined their family Ethan had hoped she'd bee a good influence on Shane. Instead, Shane had thwarted all of Mary's attempts to tame her and - following through on a childhood threat - had taken a bite at poor Mary on more than one occasion. The boys were no help; they merely encouraged Shane in her antics.

The front door slammed, startling them all. Mary nearly dropped a glass of lemonade in Mr. Marston's lap as she handed it to him.

"Oh good heavens." She shook her head, and brushed at an imaginary strand of hair on her forehead. No hair would dare to try and escape the perfect bun at the nape of her neck. "I swear if Shane tracks anymore dirt into this house -"

"You damn bastard!" The curse cut off any threat Mary was about to make. All heads turned to see a seething Shane, her haphazard braid dripping water all over the polished wood floor and her clothes askew as if she'd thrown them on in a rush.

"You're gonna have to be more specific there, Shane." Ian, the third eldest, teased.

"You." She pointed an accusatory finger at their guest, her right hand itching at hte handle of her pistol, which was safely - for the moment - tucked into the belt at her waist. "That bastard was spying on me down at the swimming hole."

All eyes shifted to Jonathan Marston, the brothers turning from teasing older brothers to fierce protectors in an instant as they shifted in their seats ready to defend their sister's honor.

"Now everyone calm down." Ethan stayed perfectly still, turning his attention to the man in question. "I'm sure Mr. Marston has a perfectly reasonable explanation."

Across the room Shane crossed her arms defiantly, one eyebrow quirked in question.

"Yes, Mr. Marston," sarcasm dripped from her pursed lips as she stared him down, "what is your explanation."

 

[silvertongue217]

Shane rose an eyebrow noting the way the room changed and the tension in the air. His Ma and Pa hadnt been blessed with any daughters and or Sons for him to call brother but he had been around enough siblings to catch the air in the small ranch home. They were protective of her a trait he admired even as he admired the girl standing in front of him and glaring him down. she was a strong one and even though she was wearing the clothes and garb of a rancher her womanly body was not completely hidden.

"Now thats a girl I could see my self with" He thought even as he stood taking his hat and placing it on his chest. He looked around at each of them offering them a apology before turning to her.

"It was my fault Ms. Clarke" John said with an apologetic nod of his head "It was a hard ride here from the train station the swimming hole you have is not unlike the one back on my father Ranch up north I was walking up to the house and saw it and decided to sit a spell and imagine getting to jump in" He explained with a sheepish grin.

"I didnt realize you were in until you surfaced I meant no disrespect to either of you and certainly not you Ma'am" He said turning back to Mr. Clarke.

"As for my offer or well my companies offer I can understand you wanting to speak it over with your family I know how important that is to a rancher as well as his property that has been in his family" John said looking at each of them in kind "I have looked over the parcel of land my company wants and it is less than most you will not only be fairly compensated but given how big this land is I am sure I can convince my superiors to build a station out here as well which could lead to more business and revenue for the family" He explained reaching up and putting his hat back on.

"I am renting out a room in the hotel up the road I can let you all discuss it and come back tomorrow if ya'd like?"

 

[ms_tiff]

"See, Shane, the man meant no harm." Ethan shook his head, turning his attention to the young woman. Though the tension in the room relaxed as her brothers took their cue from Pop, Shane stood there still fuming from the encounter.

"Now, Mr. Marston, you'll stay for dinner because I won't hear of you having to suffer through Mrs. Jenkins' idea of home cooking over at that hotel of hers." Ethan stood and clapped a strong, work-roughened hand on Jonathan Marston's shoulder. "Dinner ready yet, Mary?"

"You can't be serious, Pop." Shane stepped towards her father, "you're gonna let this puffed up railroad man with his slick talk sit at our table."

"Enough, young lady, this is still my house and you will watch your tone. You're not too old that I can't still whip you if I have a mind."

Cheeks flaming red as her brothers all chuckled, Shane bit her lip to keep from further protest. She could count on one hand the number of times Pop had raised his hand to her; though he wasn't a man to punish his children, he wasn't the kind of man to issue idle threats.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up." Mary placed a gentle hand on her arm. Shrugging it off, embarrassed to be told off in front of her brothers let alone a stranger, Shane clomped up the stairs to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Fifteen minutes later she made her way down the stairs, the family already seated at the large table that Ethan had built as a wedding present for Josie in anticipation of the large family they would have. Her braid had been tidied and was slung over her shoulder, the rich brown color offset by the stark white of her shirt.

"So glad you could join us, Shane, take a seat." Ethan barely glanced up from the platter of fried chicken that was set in front of him.

Her pride having been inherited from her father, Shane raised her chin defiantly. He could order her as he liked, but that didn't mean she couldn't take her sweet time doing things. Her eyes moved over the table. Her brothers barely glanced at her, but she could see their smirks as they filled their plates, happy to see her in trouble for once instead of one of them. Mary cast her a sympathetic smile, which Shane scowled at in return. Finally, her gaze settled on the only available seat - right next to that damn railroad man.

Shoulders back and head up, Shane moved slowly around the table, all too aware of Mr. Marston's eyes on her. She refused to look at him as she pulled out the chair and took her seat. His broad build filled up the space beside her and she could feel the fabric of his jacket brushing against her shirt.

"Here ya are, Mr. Marston," Henry passed the plate of fried chicken to their guest, "I'm guessing you're a breast man." The brothers exploded with raucous laughter. Cheeks flaming a brilliant red, Shane grabbed a biscuit from the basket in front of her and lobbed it at Henry.

"Jackass."

"Shane, language!" Mary chastised.

"Oh go suck an egg." Shane slumped in her seat, crossing her arms like a petulant child.

"C'mon, Shane." Isaac glared at his little sister.

"That's it, young lady. Out. Now." Ethan threw his napkin on the table and glared at his daughter.

"Gladly." Shane pushed her chair back hard enough for it to clatter to the floor and stalked out of the house.

"You'll have to forgive my daughter, Mr. Marston." Ethan resettled the napkin in his lap. "It seems she's forgotten how to act around visitors."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Its quite alright" John said watching as the daughter stormed off from the table. He felt a rise of sympathy for the young girl. The joke had been in poor taste (thought from his own experience with cowboys they could be a lot more crude) as well he was an intruder on land she clearly felt a very fierce need to protect.

Plus there was her fire

"I can understand why she is upset" John said ignoring the food for now and putting his hands on the table "I both spied her being vulnerable and I also am trying to buy some of the land she thinks is rightfully yours and your families"

"As much as I want to eat this delicious food yall have so graciously put in front of me" John said nodding at the door "perhaps I should go out and apologize once more for having crossed her in the watering hole"

He got up ignoring the mens advice and walking over to the door she had departed from. He stepped through taking in the clean air of the ranch and breathing it in. It was always night time that made him miss the ranch the most. His ma would no doubt have a pie cooling on the windowsill and his dad would be outside smoking his pipe and watching the grounds. It was a solitary life but for the two of them it was all they craved. Some times John wished he had wanted the same thing, could have been happy finding a bride and inheriting the old ranch.

But that was not his destiny

He walked over to her raising his "I come to Parlay miss Clarke" He said keeping his hand raised.

"I want to apologize again for my earlier stumble upon you I had no intention of getting off on the wrong foot with you and invading your privacy I do not mean to be the cause of such discord and it would be my utmost desire if you could come back in and join us for dinner please" He said giving her a soft smile.

 

[ms_tiff]

Shane sat on the porch railing, her back propped against the white washed post with one foot on the rail and the other dangling over the side. Heavy gray clouds rolled slowly over the horizon, blocking out the setting sun. A storm was coming. Shane could feel the electricity building in the air as the clouds moved closer. They were due for a storm. The summer thus far had been dry and, if it didn't rain soon, the grass would die and leave the cattle starving.

The front door closed softly and footsteps sounded over the porch. Shane didn't bother to look behind her, she knew exactly who it was. Mr. Marston stepped into her line of sight seconds later, hands raised in surrender.

"I come to Parlay Miss Clarke. I want to apologize again for my earlier stumble upon you I had no intention of getting off on the wrong foot with you and invading your privacy I do not mean to be the cause of such discord and it would be my utmost desire if you could come back in and join us for dinner please." He offered up a smile that other women, no doubt, found charming. The charm, however, was lost on Shane.

"You can take all your fancy talk and 'utmost desire' and shove it up your ass." Shane growled. "I don't give a shit if you caught me swimming. What I care about is why you're here." She turned a sharp glare on him. "You ain't getting Pop's land. So you and your railroad talk can get the hell off our property." Shane wished she hadn't left her pistol up in her room. Nothing frightened a man more than being stared down by a woman and the business end of her gun.

A twisting finger of lightening flashed across the now murky sky, followed by a loud crash of thunder.

"Damn." Shane sat upright, her legs straddling the porch railing. "Pop, boys, storms comin'." She called. Her words were wasted, though, as the men were already racing out through the door.

"Henry, Shane, you two get them horses in the stable. Ian, you and Mark make sure that hay is covered and locked down. Isaac and I will start boarding up." Ethan was a general commanding his troops as the sky turned an ominous black overhead. "Mr. Marston, I don't think you'll be getting to your hotel any time soon. Best you stay here overnight." He cast a quick glance at their visitor before turning to his children. "Alright everyone, move."

Shane slid off the railing and onto the hard packed earth below. The horses in the corral were already starting to skitter, frightened by the oncoming storm.

"Whoa, easy there boy." Speaking softly to Pop's stallion, her hands in the air as she approached him slowly. The horse stared at her, eyes wide, only the whites of them visible. Shane reached for his halter as another flash of lightening tore through the sky, followed by a cannon blast of thunder. The stallion reared up, his front hooves coming dangerously close to Shane.

 

[silvertongue217]

"You ain't getting Pop's land. So you and your railroad talk can get the hell off our property"

John sighed and it took all of him not to pinch his temples in frustration. The girl was the very definition of bull headed and while he admired her for it his job was becoming more and more of a headache because of it. The land his company wanted to take was almost insignificant with this big of a property and they would be MORE than compensated for it. Based on what he had seen so far it was her that was going to be the tough nut to crack and not the larger family.

Before he could rebuttal he turned his tongue flicking out to taste the air. She was wrong the storm wasn't coming.......

It was already here

Any minute it would hit but the family already knew it. The father was already out acting every bit the general as his kids scrambled to follow his orders. Mr. Clarke said some to him about not leaving tonight but John waved him off his hands going to his suit jacket and pulling it off. His white undershirt was stretched across his muscular frame and he ignored the mans surprise as he rolled up his sleeves.

"Lets get to work" John said nodding at him and hanging his suit jacket on the porch railing "If its all the same to you ill go help with the horses" He told the man rushing after Shane and Henry.

He got there just in time

His large hands snapped out grabbing her gently on her hips and giving her a firm tug. She went sailing into his solid back barely rocking him as he planted his feet firmly in the ground. He moved her to the side grabbing the Horses reigns and giving it gentle words as he brought it back down.

"Good girl" He said scratching her behind her muscular neck muscles "Here you go" He said handing it to her "I shall go work on the other ones Ms. Clarke" He said nodding his head and her before moving away. He and Henry calmed two more bringing them in just as the sky tore open and let loose torrents of rain that drenched them all.

 

[ms_tiff]

Shane jumped back just as a pair of hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back from the flailing hooves and against a solid chest. Electricity coursed through her veins, electricity that was completely set apart from the storm. Shoving the sensation aside, Shane glanced up at John Marston as he stepped around her to soothe the horse. She was set to tell him she could handle the stallion just fine on her won when he handed over the horse before going to assist Henry with the others. Leaving Shane to stand there, completely flummoxed.

The sky opened up, hammering them with a torrential downpour. Within seconds Shane's white shirt was plastered to her, hugging the swell of her breasts like a second skin.

"Damn. C'mon boy." She said, guiding her father's horse into the stable.

As Henry and Mr. Marston handled the last of the horses, Shane set herself to the task of putting fresh straw in each pen. With the drum of rain on the tin roof and only the soft glow of the lanterns to work by, Shane moved purposefully around the stable.

Pitching fresh straw into her horse's stall, Shane laughed as the Palomino nudged her with her velvet soft nose.

"Hey, girl." Shane scratched the horse's nose lovingly, "hopefully this will pass soon and you can settle in for some peace and quiet. Would you like that?"

Honeycomb nickered and nudged Shane's hand, her nostrils flaring.

"Oh, I know what you want." Shane chuckled, reaching into her pocket for the carrot pieces she always had on hand. A laugh which bordered on a giggle bubbled up from her throat as the horse's lips tickled her palm. Shane placed a loving kiss on Honeycomb's forehead.

"Okay, I need to feed the others and get back inside." Shane stepped back after the carrots had been devoured. "Though I'd much rather be in here with you then trapped in the house with Mary and that pain in the ass Mr. Marston."

Honeycomb tossed her head as if to agree. Shane smiled and turned back towards the pile of dry straw, trying to ignore the way she could still feel John Marston's hands on her waist.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Though I'd much rather be in here with you then trapped in the house with Mary and that pain in the ass Mr. Marston."

"I suppose I shouldnt take offense to that?"

John walked in shaking the water off of his hat and revealing his short crapped black hair. He was soaked through his shirt sheer and exposing his muscular chest as he grimaced.

"Honeycomb darling girl dont believe every thing you hear" John told her a lopsided grin on his face as he set to work feeding the rest of the horses and getting them turned in "I happen to be a fine man once you get to know me" John said leaving it open ended to who he was talking to her or the horse.

"Rains falling down to hard to go in just yet" He said turning to her "Last I saw of your family every one was heading to shelter" He remarked finishing up and turning to her crossing his big arms over his chest.

"You can take your chances if you want but Id stay in here if I were you until it lets up a little bit"

 

[ms_tiff]

Shane started, not realizing anyone else was in the stable with her. In the soft light of the lanterns, with the storm raging outside, the stable took on an intimate feeling as Marston moved closer. His shirt stuck to him, transparent and leaving a well muscled torso in view. Shane flushed, suddenly aware that her own shirt was probably as see through. A quick glance down confirmed her suspicion.

The white shirt stuck to her, outlining the soft swell of cream colored breasts capped with dark nipples that had hardened in the cool air of the stable. She turned her back to Marston, who was standing too close for her taste. She could still feel his hands on her waist - strong and capable - and couldn't help wondering what they would feel like on other parts of her.

Shane quickly shook the thought away. What was wrong with her? Never before had her mind gone to such places. Though she had grown up with the ranch hands around her constantly, Shane had never thought of men in that way. They were merely there to help with the work. Romantic notions were for silly, empty-headed, husband-hunting girls. Shane had more important things to think about. And yet, as she moved towards the stable's open doors, she couldn't help her mind from moving to uncharted territory.


"Rains falling down to hard to go in just yet" He said turning to her "Last I saw of your family every one was heading to shelter. You can take your chances if you want but Id stay in here if I were you until it lets up a little bit"

Shane sighed as she stood at the doorway with the rain gusting into her face. Damn if he wasn't right. The rain was falling in a heavy sheet, thick enough that she couldn't even make out the two-story ranch house. She would have to wait until it let up before finding sanctuary from Marston.

She returned to Honeycomb's stall, making sure to keep her arms crossed over her chest. John Marston had seen more than enough of her body for one day.

"Guess we're stuck here then." She grabbed an extra horse blanket from the stall and wrapped it around her shoulders, fighting off the chill that made her nipples ache and sent shivers down her spine. Or was it the way that Marston was watching her that made her body react so.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Guess we're stuck here then."

"Guess so" John said watching as she grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her body. John weighed his own options as his shirt was soaked through and there was a chill from the rain that racked through his body. His shirt hung on him damp wet and cold and he decided to remove it.

"Hope you dont mind" John said turning from her and pulling the wet heap of shirt off "I doubt its the first mans chest you have seen bare with so many brothers"

He peeled it off and hung it over the wood sighing and moving his shoulders "thats better" He murmured turning back to her and folding his arms.

"Rain dont sound like its letting up any time soon" John said cocking his ear and patting one of the horses "seems like were stuck with each other for company for the time being" He remarked grabbing one of the stools and proping him self up against one of the wooden stalls. He stretched his muscles rolling as he regarded her.

"Dont suppose theres a spare blanket is there?" He asked raising an eyebrow "or shall we huddle for warmth?"

 

[ms_tiff]

The shirt came off and Shane was left staring at a broad expanse of well-muscled chest, the rain drops clinging to his skin glistening softly in the lantern light. Sure she had seen her fair share of half-naked men, but they had been family - or close to it - and she had never thought twice about the sight.

But John Marston was different.

His skin was tanned and stretched taut over muscles that one can only get from hard labor. The sight of him, sitting propped so casually on a stool, did something to Shane. Her insides squirmed and knotted in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant. Her nipples ached as they strained against the fabric of her shirt, an ache that she felt all the way down between her legs.

What was happening to her? Whatever it was, Shane did not care for it in the least.

"Dont suppose theres a spare blanket is there?" He asked raising an eyebrow "or shall we huddle for warmth?"

Shane turned away from him quickly, grateful to have something else to focus on as she reached for another spare blanket and flung it in Marston's general direction.

"There." She said, focusing her attention on Honeycomb. "And it ain't that impressive a sight." She gave a pointed look at his bare chest, trying to prove she wasn't as affected by him as he, no doubt, hoped.

 

[silvertongue217]

"And it ain't that impressive a sight."

John caught the blanket mulling over her words before he finally spoke again.

"Funny because I simply said I hope you dont mind" John said wrapping it around his body and pulling it around him tight "I didnt say any thing about it being impressive however it seems to be on your mind" He said snorting as he closed his eyes and leaned against the wooden post.

"You know I get it I do" John said not bothering to open his eyes "I come in from the city wanting your land looking every bit the breed you hate its not my favorite thing to do either not when your Pops seems like a good guy but the land we are taking its a small patch the money were offering? Its a lot, and if your dads agreeable we can build a train station here and bring a lot of revenue to the land as well"

"What im trying to say Ms. Clarke is that dont count us or me as a bad guy when we stand to offer you and your family much more than you think" He retorted finally opening his eyes and looking over at her.

 

[ms_tiff]

"Funny because I simply said I hope you dont mind. I didnt say any thing about it being impressive however it seems to be on your mind."

Shane bit back a growl of frustration. The man was insufferable, but she would not allow him to see how much he irked her. She stalked across the stable, wanting to put as much distance between the two of them as possible lest she fling herself at him and strangle that fancy-pants neck of his.

The storm continued to rage outside and she could only hope that it would pass as quickly as it had come on. She did not want to be trapped her longer than necessary.

Flinging herself down onto the warm pile of straw, Shane pulled the blanket tight around her and glared at Mr. Marston as he tried to convince her he wasn't a bad guy.

"You might think you know what you're talkin' 'bout, Mr. Marston, but you know jack shit about this ranch. We need all the land we got. If we sell of land then we lose grazing ground for the cattle and have to sell off some of the herd. We lose some of the herd and we don't have enough stock to keep this ranch goin'. As for building a station on our land," a forceful shake of her head loosened the hair from her braid and sent it falling over her forehead. Shane swiped it away, tucking the loose strands behind her ear with an air of irritation. "We build a station here and that's even more land we lose. That's more traffic c'mon back and forth, which then scares what little cattle we got left after sellin' to ya."

She stared him down, anger flashing in her amber eyes. "Crooked River ain't for sale and the faster you learn that, Mr. Marston, the faster you can get back to your pretty little city life and leave us the hell alone."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Crooked River ain't for sale and the faster you learn that, Mr. Marston, the faster you can get back to your pretty little city life and leave us the hell alone."

John rose an eyebrow shaking his head the girl did raise some fine points. There would be some changes and some loss of revenue.

Yet the gains were high as well

"With respect im not going any where Ms. Clarke" John said rising and giving her a hard look "I worked on land just like that I toiled on it the evidence is right here" He said pushing his blanket off exposing his worn hands muscular torso and the deep tan that came from a rancher.

"I came here to do a job and I will do it I will lay my proposal out to your father in the morning and he can make the choice" John said turning and grabbing his blanket "You want to see me as the bad guy fine but change is coming Ms. Clarke and you can either profit off of it and work on a compromise that benefits both parties or you can spit in its face and deal with the Karma that comes from it" He retorted to her disappearing into one of the stalls.

 

[ms_tiff]

Insufferable ass. Shane glared at his back, fighting the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She needed to get out of this stable before she punched him in that smug face.

Marston's words rolled around in her mind; flashes of him working a ranch not unlike Crooked River, sweat dripping off that finely toned body. Shane shook her head. What the hell was wrong with her?

"If you worked the land like you say you did, why are you working for Union Pacific? Those greedy bastards don't care about preserving the land. They only want to conquer the land and will destroy anything that gets in their way. How can you work for people like that?" Shane stood, straw sticking to her wet clothes, and marched towards the stall into which John Marston had disappeared. She rounded the stall, nearly walking smack dab into the man in question. She glared up at him, their bodies close enough that Shane could feel the heat rolling off him.

"Well," she arched a brow, "answer the question?"

 

[silvertongue217]

John watched her one eyebrow raised. They were inches apart and the feelings he had been feeling all night rushed through him warming him from head to toe. How easy it would be to reach out and grab her to bring her in close and-

He shook his head and with great restraint stepped back and cleared his throat "You have no idea how wrong you are" He stated to her "and that sort of ignorance is exactly why I do work for union pacific!"

He narrowed his eyes "What you see as evil greedy bastards many people see as a force for change and hope these railroad tracks you are against are connecting this great country linking us together and allowed faster means of communication and supplies the war left scars and deep rooted contempt and hate thats why this work is so important its why I do it because like it or not we have become stagnant as a nation one more content to fight and kill each other than lead any type of change this railroad is a step to a new america one that even ranchers can prosper off of" He said shouldering past her and pushing open the doors.

"Storms done" He said turning to her and raising an eyebrow "now that you said your peace to me you going to continue to refuse to dine with me or you not going to sleep in the house now for fear of my leering eyes?" He said smirking arms crossed muscular shoulders rolling.

 

[ms_tiff]

Dinner was cold when the family gathered at the table once more.

"We'll ride out first thing and assess the damage." Ethan said as he cradled a steaming cup of coffee in his hands.

"Sitting back in her seat Shane toyed with her food. She had no appetite, her mind reeling from those moments in the stable. For a second she could have sworn John Marston was going to kiss her. Not that she knew much about such things seeing as she'd only been kissed once in her life. The mayor's son had cornered her in the schoolyard when they were twelve and kissed her on a dare. He'd gotten a bloody nose and a missing tooth for his efforts. Shane had gotten a sore backside from her father and her first sip of whiskey from her brothers as reward.

Shane hated herself for wishing Marston hadn't walked away. As much as the man annoyed her, Shane had to admit it was fun to have someone who was unafraid to go toe to toe with her.

Seated beside Marston once more Shane was all too aware of his leg brushing against hers every time either of them moved. She tried to focus on the food in front of her, but her mind kept replaying the events in the stable. The look in his eyes as he'd closed the space between them, the brush of his skin against her as he pushed past. Something sparked inside her at that moment and Shane hated it. She hated the way John Marston made her feel like a girl - one who wanted a man's attention. She hated how her body reacted to him. Most of all, she hated how Marston seemed completely unaffected.

Bastard.

Shane watched him from the corner of her eye, taking in the way he fit so seamlessly into the family - easily conversing with everyone. Hell he even looked like he fit there, his broad build matching her brothers.

Glancing up Shane caught Mary looking between her and their guest with a strange gleam in her eyes. Her lips quirked as Shane glared back at her.

Tossing the bit of chicken she'd been playing with onto her plate, Shane pushed back her chair. The table fell silent as all eyes moved to her.

"I'm going to bed." She said, excusing herself from the table.

"Excellent idea." Ethan nodded his head. "I think it best everyone get a good night's rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Shane, show our guest to the spare room." He held up a hand to quell any protest - whether from John Marston or Shane herself one couldn't tell.

"Yes, Pop." Shane led Marston up the stairs to the second-story. She could feel his eyes on her as she ascended the stairs, was conscious of each sway of her hips. Since when did her hips sway?

"That's yours." She pointed absentmindedly at a closed door and opened the one opposite his. "Night." She muttered before closing her own bedroom door behind her, not daring to look at him as he realized her room was directly across from his.

 

[silvertongue217]

Dinner passed with no more incident

John however found himself restless the entire time. Now that his anger had lessened he found himself filled with the same excited lust like electricity he had before with Shane. She was certainly beautiful... the kind of woman he would pursue instead of those country belles that were so common in the city. She was one of the most capable girls he had ever met, some one who could direct the ranch and farm with practiced ease. She was a proud girl to some one who spoke her mind and was by all accounts entitled and willing to voice her opinions.

They broke away for bed and he rose once again thanking her father for taking him in. His gaze swept away from the food and looked at the family taking them in. They were good people so good that he felt guilty for being here and trying to make a deal. It was by all accounts a good deal and one that would be mutually beneficial.

But he still felt like an arse about it

Shane and he took the stairs and he watched biting his lip as her hips swayed. He felt the stiring and ache in his loins and bit his lip trying to control himself as she showed him his room. Before he could thank her she was gone closing the door behind him and leaving him alone in the hall.

"Fuck" John murmured shaking his head and going to her door he paused at it weighing his options before knocking "May I come in for a second please?" He asked her clearing his throat.

 

[ms_tiff]

The moment the door closed behind her, Shane pulled the tie from her hair, unwinding the still damp braid. Dark hair cascaded down her back, tickling her shoulders as she yanked her shirt up over her head. Firm, round breasts bobbed as she stepped towards her dresser. In seconds she was out of her boot and pants and stood naked in front of the mirror hanging from the dresser door.

Work roughened hands slid over her full breasts as she studied her figure. Cocking her head to the side she wondered what men must see when they looked at her. Her hands slid down her sides, feeling the solid curve of her hips as she assessed her appearance. She was not a wisp of a girl like so many of the girls she saw floating about town. She was solidly built, but there was a light curve to her, just enough to make her feel feminine.

A knock on her door startled her just as her fingers slipped to the small patch of dark curls between her thighs.

"May I come in for a second please?"

Grabbing silk robe which had once belonged to her mother that hung off the bedpost, Shane wrapped it around herself and opened the door.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Marston?" She leaned a hip against the door frame, blocking him from entering her room. With her arms crossed, Shane didn't realize how she pushed her breasts up and how the robe gaped in a way that put those breasts on display.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I just" He said starting to open his mouth to speak. He didnt really know what he wanted to say. Apologize? Argue some more? He wasnt entirely sure he just knew he hadnt liked how they left things.

However before he could finish his thought and sentence his eyes moved down taking in her chest. Her breast were pushed up by her arms jutting them out in such a way that sent a bolt through his very core.

"Oh blast it" He said before he found himself pushing the door open more. He lips were suddenly on her giving her a deep passion fueled kiss. His hands slid through the crack grabbed her hip pulling her closer and smashing her breast between his chest as her mound rubbed against the wooden door frame. He kissed her passionately moaning her name into her mouth as he got lost in the intense chemistry between the two of them.

 

[ms_tiff]

A uniquely feminine whimper emanated from her lips as her mouth was captured in a heated kiss. The lips pressed against hers were strong, unrelenting as she felt herself pushed against the doorway - trapped there between the wooden frame and a hard, unyielding chest. Her nipples hardened as the robe fell open and calloused fingers dug into the tender flesh of her hips, pulling her close and smashing those rigid nipples against a muscular chest. The feel of soft cotton against her nipples sent a shiver down Shane's spine, making her tremble. Her knees weakening as Marston tipped her head back, deepening the kiss.

Lips parting to allow his tongue entrance, Shane felt the tension that had been building between them. It knotted her stomach, sending fire between her legs - a new sensation that wasn't unwelcome. Her back arched, breasts heavy and full of desire. With her heart hammering inside her chest and fire burning between in that mysterious place between her legs, Shane thought how easy it would be to fall back into her room, onto that bed and allow Marston to do what he would with her.

"Wait." She forced herself to pull back, a hand on Marston's chest to keep him at bay. Glancing down the corridor she lowered her voice. "My father and brothers," her chest rose and fell heavily as she fought for breath, "they're all along this hallway. We...we shouldn't." She shook her head and stepped back, as much for her own sanity as to keep distance between them.

Looking up at Marston it was all Shane could do not to pull him back against her, to feel that body melded to her own, his lips claiming hers. She could still feel the kiss branding her lips. The look in his eyes made her melt and she nearly gave into him, but she forced herself to step back into the room and clutched the door, as if shielding herself.

"Good night, Mr. Marston." She whispered, her voice low, husky even. "I will see you in the morning." Her eyes sought his, letting him know this was not the end. That whatever they had just started would not end so swiftly.

 

[silvertongue217]

He shook his head watching as she moved away. She spoke about her family and even though every thing in John screamed to take the young girl and ravish her he decided instead to do the honorable thing. The family had been nice and he liked them liked them enough that taking their precious girl and ruining her would NOT be a line he crossed.

Even if all he wanted was to take her

"good night Ms. Clarke" He said his voice husky and tinged with lust. He shook his head taking a hard swallow before he turned on his heel. He moved to his own room opening the door and moving inside before closing it.

He spent the night in fritless sleep dreaming of her and dealing with a certain hardness between his legs. When he did finally sleep he dreamt of her dreamt of having her in bed and.....

The rooster crows caused him to jump up his chest heaving. The dream and the night before were fresh in his mind and he had to take several deep breaths in order to calm himself down.

Once he was sure he was presettable he got dressed wearing some old clothing he found in the dresser instead of his suit. He felt good in the rancher gear and finding no one awake just yet went outside to watch the sunrise.

 

[ms_tiff]

Mornings were Shane's favorite part of the day. She'd always been an early riser and was usually up long before the rest of her family. That morning was no different as she had crawled out of bed before even the roosters were awake. Her night had been fitful, her body aching in places she didn't know could ache and she had spent most of her night with a hand between her legs.

Yet the aching still persisted even as she moved about, getting dressed and heading down to the stable to let the horses out. Having finished she made her way back to the ranch house, pausing only a moment when she saw a shadowed figure on the porch. That ache returned full force, settling at the apex of her thighs as she moved towards John Marston.

"Morning." She greeted him with a polite nod. "I hope you slept well." What was with her and the small talk? Shane didn't do small talk. There was something about Marston, though, that set her off kilter. Or was it just what he had done to her the night before that had her not quite herself?

Maybe it was the fact that even though she hated what had brought him to the ranch she still wanted him to touch her, to make her weak-kneed and trembling.

"Come with me. I want to show you something." She led him back to the stable and up the ladder into the loft. Pulling open the loft door, she sighed as she took in the view. The sun barely touched the horizon, tinting the ink black sky with just a hint of pink and orange. Miles of flat Texas prairie stretched as far as the eye could see.

"This is my favorite place." Her voice was soft, afraid to break the spell of the morning. "You can see for miles. Just pure, virgin land. This is why I'm so against the railroad. Why would you want to ruin something so beautiful?"