Page 18 of My Darling Clementine

Did Tom Dennison, newspaper mogul, wish to be Dennis Tines, wanting my life and talent? Am I living the life he wanted but didn’t get? And was the reason he didn’t because he had a motherless baby girl to raise on his own? Did he resent me for that, too?

No, it was the other way around. She dreamed of being like him. It’s why I started writing in the first place.

It just didn’t make any sense.

She tried to refocus on the latest by Poe, enjoying a piece of apple pie and cup of coffee to finish her meal, but kept getting distracted by her thoughts. Clem gave up trying to read, tucked the book in her coat pocket, and signed her dinner check.

Deciding to take a walk before turning in, she crossed to the door and noticed the striking woman from Rocheport eating a late meal alone. She couldn’t help staring at the exceptional beauty.

For the briefest of moments their eyes met, and the admiration in her return glance made Clem smile before exiting out into the street. Maybe I am attractive to women. Could I even be… handsome?

The idea made her laugh as she loped along the dark road toward the blacksmith shop, enjoying the light exercise.

While swallowing the last bite of her pie, the man she had seen earlier from her room window rose from his table and pocketed a book. As he reached the restaurant door, he turned to look at her, gave her a knowing smile, winked, and disappeared.

In a flash, Kizzy knew she was right. That is a woman.

Without thinking about what she was doing, she rushed out into the night after the stranger. Not seeing her, Kizzy started down toward the railway station. From the dark, she heard men’s raucous laughter. Fear turned her back around.

Earlier, the woman who posed as a man stood outside the dry goods store, so Kizzy headed that way. Her petticoats brushed the tall grass growing at the side of the dirt road, rustling as she passed. As she walked past the blacksmith shop, a single gas lamp hanging in front of Hanson’s stable lit her from head to toe.

“Hey, there she is, over here. The new whore is this way.”

New whore? She turned to see a man some ways down the street, waving for someone to join him. A trickle of fear ran down her back as she realized she stood illuminated in the darkness.

Chapter five

Impulsive

As the man started toward her, she gulped, but as she stood dithering over what to do, a hand grabbed her elbow and yanked her into deep shadows. A second hand slipped over her mouth.

With a momentous tug, someone pulled her further into darkness until she stood lodged between two buildings, her back against whoever held her firmly around the waist, her nose pressed against the dry goods store.

Eyes wide, unable to turn her head, Kizzy didn’t struggle or make a sound as three men pounded past them. She shivered hearing them continue up the street searching for her.

“Where is she?”

“I thought you saw her.”

“I did. She’s around here somewhere.”

Kizzy's heart pounded, her breathing coming in brief spurts as she froze in fear.

“Are you a fool?” asked a gruff voice in her ear.

“Not usually, no,” Kizzy answered, trying to be calm, cool, and collected as the hand uncovered her mouth. The voice was so low. Was this a woman?

Oh god, I hope this is a woman.

The hand traced along her jaw, down her neck, landed on her shoulder, and squeezed. “Those men would hurt you.” The arm around her waist tightened, drawing her close against a hard belly.

In an instant response, Kizzy caught her breath, making her breasts swell and ache. Between her legs, a sudden surge of moisture made her more sure than she’d been before. This is a woman.

Secure in her belief, she twisted in strong arms to turn and face her mysterious rescuer. “What about the woman who caught me, will she hurt me?”

A heavy eyebrow quirked, piercing eyes surprised. “Not unless you want me to,” a low voice whispered, pressing her back against the dry goods store. “Maybe you are a fool. What makes you think I’m a woman?” Powerful hands took hold of her hips, yanking her close against something long and hard that ground against her. “You don’t know what this is? Are you a virgin?” The deep, husky voice taunted her. Fierce eyes pierced her with a dark, decided heat, but not a masculine one.

“I’m not wrong,” Kizzy announced with absolute assurance. “You’re all woman; my kind of woman.” With a surge of strength, she pushed the stranger back against the stable wall, wrapped both arms around her neck, and kissed her.