by Norah Hess
"I'll get you out of the rain in just a minute," he said, grabbing hold of the boat and dragging it toward the forest about a yard away. "We'll use the boat for shelter," he said.
The only answer he heard from D'lise was the chattering of her teeth and her hefty pushes of the vessel to help him along.
What a mate she would make for a man, Kane thought as the clumsy craft was pushed and pulled into a large stand of oak. She was no whining miss who would drag a man down. She was courageous and would always stand beside him, ready to lend her strength in any manner.
Although the rain fell steadily through the leaves, at least Kane could see what he was doing as he turned the boat over and leaned it against a big tree trunk. When he motioned D'lise to crawl beneath it, he followed her and took her shivering body into his arms. As the lightning continued to flash and the thunder to roll, he massaged her back and arms, trying to warm her, to get her blood pumping.
He didn't know when his fingers stopped rubbing and began stroking. All he knew was that suddenly he was very much aware of her slender body held close to his. His pulse leapt and his body felt as if it were on fire. He withheld a groan when D'lise pressed closer to him, drawn by the heat of his body.
I'm a bastard for doing this, he thought, but nevertheless his hand moved to her bodice, where his fingers expertly undid the small buttons.
On its own, D'lise's bone-chilled body pressed closer and closer to Kane's heat. When hot lips covered her cold ones she clung to them, willing them to warm hers also. Even the tongue that slipped through her teeth was a source of wonderful warmth, and she automatically wrapped her own tongue around it. She welcomed the warm palms on her breasts, the hot fingers that gently caressed the nipples. A glowing warmth was beginning to grow inside her, building higher and higher in her lower regions.
She became conscious of a hard ridge of heat pressing against the apex of her thighs at the same time that a heated mouth took possession of a swollen nipple and drew on it hungrily. She gave a start and raised her head to gaze down on Kane's head lying between her breasts, his mouth working over one of them.
For a moment, exquisite pleasure rushed through her body as the gentle lips caused sensations she'd never known before. Then, although she'd had no idea men did this to women, she knew what would follow. Lust would come upon Kane and he would grow ugly and begin to beat her even as he drove himself inside her.
Tears were suddenly running down her cheeks. She didn't want him to become like Rufus. She wanted him to remain the same man who treated her kindly, who watched over her with such care.
"Kane," she sobbed, "please stop."
Lost in the bliss of doing what he had wanted to do so often, Kane did not hear D'lise's whispered plea. It wasn't until she was crying almost hysterically that he realized he had a very unwilling woman in his arms. He raised his head and shook it, willing the passion and desire to leave his body. Never in his life had he come so close to making love only to be sharply cut off. He found it to be a very painful experience.
At the same time he understood that it must be. He shouldn't have touched her in a carnal way. He knew her fear of men, her belief that when a man took a woman it was in a brutal way.
"Forgive me, D'lise." He gently wiped her face with the heel of his palm. "I got carried away, with the storm and all." He gently smoothed her wet hair behind her ears. "It will never happen again… if you don't want it to. Do you forgive me?" He trailed a finger down her cheek. "Will you be my friend again?"
How can I say no when he's sorry for losing his control? D'lise asked herself. She gave him a small smile and answered, "Of course I will. I know men are lustful."
Kane rolled over on his back and she regretted the loss of his warm body. "D'lise," he said quietly, "men aren't always lustful, or depraved. True, any woman will do for a man, if lust is all he feels. But sexual desire is something entirely different when a man cares for a woman. When he makes love to her out of desire, he never abuses her or strikes her. She is never forced, but comes to him willingly."
"Are you sure?" D'lise gazed up at him, doubt in her blue eyes as she remembered her aunt's cries of pain after Rufus jerked her into the bedroom. "Why would any woman want to be hurt that way?"
Kane laughed softly at her ignorance. "They're not always hurt, D'lise. Sometimes they get as much satisfaction as the man does." He raised himself up to look out into the forest and found that the rain had dwindled to a drizzle, and that the thunder and lightning had ceased.
"We can go home now," he said, giving the boat a hard push that turned it over on its bottom.
Neither had much to say once they were back on the river, but both had much on their minds. Kane knew he couldn't trust himself around D'lise and that someday his control would slip and he would seduce the girl. And it wouldn't be all that hard to do. Even though she was afraid of the act, he had felt the passion her slender body was capable of. He could light a flame in her that would burn him to a cinder.
But if that should ever come to pass, he would have to marry her. D'lise Alexander wasn't the sort that a man could have only once and be satisfied. Nor was she a woman a man could only use. Yes, he had to be doubly careful around her from now on. He would not make the same mistake his uncle had.
D'lise's feelings were so tangled she couldn't begin to sort them out. How much of what Kane had said could she believe? Was it true that all men weren't alike in their treatment of women? Did some women really enjoy going to bed with them? She suspected that last might be true. She'd had such a good feeling when Kane's lips had drawn at her breast.
The boat swept around a bend in the river, and the small cabin appeared on the hill above them. Home, D'lise thought, anxious to get inside its cozy warmth and put some dry clothes on.
Her elation waned as Kane helped her out of the boat. Raven, as usual, sat on her rock, waiting for them. The Indian woman was the fly in her ointment. She would really be content in these beautiful hills if the squaw would go away.
Frost was sparkling on the meadows and the October twilight was cool when Kane and D'lise lifted the reins and headed their mounts toward the Patton farm. D'lise appreciated the warmth of her jacket, the first article of clothing Kane had bought her.
She was gripped with excitement, although at the same time a little apprehensive. The corn husking party would be her first social event. She chewed at her lower lip. She hoped that Ellen Travis would be there. She had felt that the young widow had genuinely liked her when they met at Tilda Jessup's wake. She found herself worrying that Kane might go off and leave her on her own, then angrily chastised herself for thinking that she would need his constant presence. It would be impossible at any rate. The young females would swarm around him like bees on a honey pot.
And this thing of the men finding a red ear of corn. Would any of them want to kiss her? D'lise shivered. She hoped not. And which young woman would Kane kiss if he found a red corn? Probably Milly Patton.
The two mounts lunged to the crest of a long rise and the Patton farm stood before them, the buildings shrouded in mist. Light from several lanterns in the barn opened a long lane in the darkness. Carrying on the soft air was the sound of women's laughter, the loud guffaws of men, and the yelling of children as they darted about the barn in some game or other.
Kane didn't show it as they pulled in the mounts alongside others tied to a tree, but he was as nervous as D'lise. Every single man-jack in there would want to kiss D'lise when they found an Indian ear of corn. That thought didn't sit well with him at all but there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it without setting tongues to wagging.
As Kane helped D'lise to dismount, she heard feminine giggling coming from under a tree a short distance from the barn. When she peered in that direction, Kane explained in some amusement, "That's the Davis sisters. They're waiting for the party to be over and the men to come out. They'll have their own little party then."
"But why don't they go inside and wait? It's cold
out here."
"They'd get cold shrift from the womenfolk and they know it."
D'lise remembered then the gossip she'd heard at the wake about the Davis girls and said no more.
The husking was already in progress as Kane and D'lise stepped inside the hay-scented barn. They were welcomed warmly and places were made for them in the circle formed around a huge mound of corn still in its husks. D'lise found herself sitting between Kane and thirteen-year-old Josie Bellows.
D'lise watched with interest as shuck-free ears of corn went sailing into a large bin sitting nearby. She gave a start when everyone laughed and cried out. Samuel Majors had found a red ear. Nervous giggling sounded round the circle as the young women waited to see who the handsome storekeeper would choose to kiss.
D'lise felt Kane stiffen beside her. Samuel had risen and was coming straight toward them. Oh, dear, she thought in some panic, he's going to kiss me.
She wasn't sure whose sigh of relief was louder, hers or Kane's, when Samuel bent over and kissed young Josie on the cheek. Everyone laughed and teased the red-faced girl about her new beau.
Two more red ears were found, both times by married men who dutifully kissed their wives. Then a big, strapping trapper let out a shout and jumped to his feet, a red ear in his hand. He made straight for D'lise, and it was comical the way he suddenly came to an uncertain stop. Only he had seen the cold warning in Kane's steel-gray eyes. He wavered but a split second as his mind raced. He could ignore the silent threat and feel the weight of hard fists later on outside, or he could kiss another woman and save himself a black eye. Angry and disconcerted, and to everyone's mirth, he kissed the woman closest to him. Claudie Bellows. Surprised looks followed him when he stamped out of the barn.
The pile of corn was about depleted when Kane found a red ear. D'lise's heart gave a lurch when he leaned in her direction. But her fear that he was about to kiss her was groundless as instead he leaned past her and Josie received her second kiss from another very attractive man.
The last ear of corn was shucked shortly after that and food and coffee were laid out on three rough planks, a barrel supporting each end. There was hard cider for the men and sweet cider for the ladies.
As D'lise stood with Ellen Travis sipping her drink from a tin cup, her eyes glowed with happiness. To her the evening had been a huge success. She had never had a more enjoyable time. She was a little disappointed when families began to leave and Kane said that they should be getting home also.
Kane strode to the woodpile and picked up the ax stuck in a tree trunk. His arms rose and fell, the sharp blade biting into a heavy limb of a fallen tree. Sweat broke out on his body, drenching his already damp clothes as he sought to work out the desire that pained his loins, clouded his brain.
"Well, my friend, I see you're reduced to doing a woman's work," an amused voice said behind Kane.
"Big Beaver," he exclaimed, dropping the ax and extending his hand. "Where'd you come from?"
"I have been hunting and decided I'd stop by your cabin and see if you'd like to go with me… also to see how the skinny little white woman is doing."
"She's doin' right fine, and she's not so skinny anymore."
Big Beaver frowned when he saw Raven slouching along toward them. "I see you still have that one hanging around. I'd hoped you'd have gotten rid of her by now and had taken the little one to your bed. That Raven is an evil woman and will bring you grief someday."
"I've been thinkin' about sendin' her packin'. She and D'lise don't get along. But I have no intention of takin' D'lise to bed," he hurriedly added.
"Why not? That one has spirit and courage, or she'd never have endured the beatings she received."
Kane shook his head. "A man just doesn't take a woman like D'lise to bed. He'd have to marry her first."
"So? You should have taken a wife a long time ago."
Kane grinned wryly. "That may be, but I'm not ready to be tied down yet."
Big Beaver's wise eyes studied Kane from beneath his lowered lids a moment; then he said slyly, "I expect you have an eye out for a proper husband for the one you call D'lise?"
Kane turned his profile to the Indian and muttered, "I haven't gotten around to it yet. There's no great hurry. She's afraid of men in the carnal sense. It will take some time before she's ready to be a wife, to sleep with a man."
Hiding his amusement, Big Beaver brought the subject back to hunting. "Well, are you going to go hunting with me? Winter is approaching. All the men in my village are out hunting deer and buffalo. You should be doing the same thing. Once you start running your traps there won't be time for you to hunt."
Kane grinned at his friend. "You don't have to invent reasons for me to go with you, Big Beaver. As you well know I get most of my meat from the farmers around here. As for fresh meat, I can shoot a deer any day of the week as I run my traps." He paused, then asked, "How long would we be gone? I wouldn't want to leave D'lise alone too long. She's not used to the wilderness."
"Two days, no more. You can leave your dog with her."
Kane nodded. "Come on in the cabin and say hello to her. I know she would like to meet the man who saved her life."
Hatred shone in Raven's eyes as they bored into Big Beaver's back when he and Kane walked toward the cabin. He had scorned her once when she had tried to make up to him. He had spat at her feet and called her a whore, adding that he was ashamed she was of his tribe.
D'lise was taking a tin sheet of cookies from the brick oven when the door opened and Kane and Big Beaver walked in. She immediately recognized the face that had looked at her so gravely the night she had floated in and out of delirium. She placed the cookies on the table and turned expectantly to the two men, a smile curving her lips.
"D'lise, this is someone you should know," Kane said, placing his hand on his friend's broad shoulder.
"I know who he is." D'lise offered her hand to the handsome brave. "Big Beaver who tended my back, then made me drink some foul-tasting liquid."
Both men laughed; then Kane said, "He saved your life that night. The infection from your wounds was near to gettin' in your blood when he come along."
D'lise knew intuitively not to voice her thanks, but nonetheless her gratitude shone in her eyes as her hand was gripped by the strong red one. "Won't you sit down and have some cookies and coffee?" she urged.
Big Beaver looked longingly at the spicy-smelling treats, but Kane knew that he was anxious to get on with his hunting. There were only a few hours of daylight left.
"Maybe you can put some in a cloth and we'll eat them as we walk along," he said. At the query in D'lise's eyes, he explained, "I'm goin' huntin' with Big Beaver."
D'lise took a clean towel from a shelf and placed half the cookies on top of it. "About what time should I have supper ready?" she asked, gathering up the ends of the cloth and tying them together before handing it to Kane.
"You and Raven eat whenever you want to. We'll be gone a couple of days," Kane answered, taking his rifle from over the mantel. At her startled look, he said gently, "You'll be all right. I'm leaving Hound with you. Just don't go into the woods."
D'lise wasn't all that confident of her safety, but she didn't let her face show her uneasiness as she followed the men outside. As Big Beaver walked on ahead, Kane looked down at the lovely face whose lips trembled slightly. "Don't let Raven bother you while I'm gone." He smoothed a wisp of hair behind her ear and grinned as he said, "Just sic Scrag on her if she gets out of hand." D'lise smiled weakly, choking back the desire to plead with him not to leave her.
That thought, and everything else, left her mind when suddenly Kane snatched her to him and kissed her fiercely on the lips. Her mind was reeling and her lips were tingling as she watched him hurry to catch up with Big Beaver. It took her a moment to realize that Raven had walked up beside her.
"My bed will be cold tonight," she said, looking slyly at D'lise, who was holding tightly on to Hound.
"Just pile more hay on you
rself," D'lise snapped and dragged the dog into the cabin, wishing fervently that the woman would go away. She hurried to the window to watch Kane's broad shoulders disappear into the forest, her fingers still on her tingling lips. Although his kiss had been hard and demanding, it hadn't frightened her this time. Actually, she had liked it.
"Don't be daft, woman," she muttered to herself. "You know where his kisses would lead." She walked briskly to her basket of yarn and carried it to one of the rockers in front of the fire. For the next three hours, until close to sunset, the knitting needles clicked away on the afghan. Then, folding the garment back into the basket until later, she stood up. It was time to feed her hens and milk the cow.
The heavy shade of near twilight was deepening when D'lise left the barn, two eggs in one hand, a pail of milk in the other. She was partway to the cabin when she saw the grizzly lumbering toward the forest. Her heart slamming against her ribs she sprinted the last few yards to the cabin. She jerked open the door, then slammed it behind her and dropped the bar in place. She stood with held breath, listening for the approach of the huge bear. There was only silence.
D'lise jumped and gave a squeak when, from the fireplace, Raven sneered, "Are you running from your shadow?"
"There's a bear out there." She swung around to look at the Indian woman. "A big one. Kane and I have seen him before."
"Let's hope he doesn't come through the window while you sleep," Raven said, watching D'lise's face closely as she added, "They often break into cabins that way."
D'lise hoped that Raven was trying to scare her, but at the same time she thought it quite possible for such a large animal to break through a window if he so wished.
She made herself answer nonchalantly, "Well then, I must try to deter him." She walked to the window and fastened the shutters.
"When we eat supper?" Raven demanded when D'lise sat down and picked up her knitting. "I'm hungry."
"There's cold roast beef and biscuits on the table. Help yourself," D'lise said shortly, the needles flying in her fingers as she wondered how much trouble she was going to have with the surly woman. Kane wasn't here to control her and she could say or do anything she wanted to.
