* * *
When they returned to the parsonage, Brandy was dog-tired. Billy had said he’d unhitch the team, and she didn’t bother to argue. She really didn’t care if she saw this vehicle anytime soon. She climbed out the back of the wagon and made her way to her room. She didn’t know where Thunder was at the moment, and she wasn’t sure she cared. He’d find something else for her to do.
The minute she closed the door, she started stripping her clothes to bathe. This morning she’d been smart enough to move the tub over by the window and fill it with water.
The warm sunshine had done a perfect job of heating the water. She sighed as she eased her aching bones down into the warm liquid. But the minute her hands hit the water, she cried out, and tears sprang to her eyes.
Looking down at her bloody, beaten hands, she could see the blisters that had formed and burst, leaving raw skin. She wouldn’t be so foolish as to disregard Thunder’s warning to wear gloves again. Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so stubborn and listened to him.
Leaning her head back, she thought of the dark, handsome man. She began to lose her anger as an unfamiliar emotion began to unfold within her body. He hadn’t asked for any of this, so she really shouldn’t blame him for his bad mood. And he was nice to look at. She smiled at that wicked thought.
Thunder really didn’t seem to show much interest in her, though, and she supposed she should be thankful for that.
But she wasn’t.
Was she vain because she wanted him to think she was pretty?
Confused was the only way to describe her jumbled thoughts. They had been that way since the man had entered her life. She could barely remember her dull life before him. Perhaps, once they were under way, she wouldn’t see Thunder that much, and she could concentrate on her future husband instead of the raw masculinity of her guide.
Carefully, she dried her body, making her hands perform even though they hurt. Picking out a soft blue muslin dress, she slipped it on, then placed a cloth around her brush handle so she could pull the bristles though her hair.
Tomorrow she knew she’d hurt more, and getting dressed would prove difficult. Maybe one of the girls could help her. Strange ... she never could remember asking the girls to help her before. Was she really changing? Or was it just this difficult situation?
10
Brandy was the last one to arrive at the table. Everyone else was seated and already eating. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, and Brandy admitted that supper smelled exceptionally good tonight.
Billy glanced up as she entered the room. “Figured you’d decided not to join us after your rough ride today.”
“What happened?” Scott asked, his mouth full of food.
“She was damn near trampled by the horses when she fell off the wagon,” Billy explained between bites of cornbread. “Good thing Thunder managed to pull her back.”
“Wow! You should be careful,” Scott said, his look very serious.
“I realize that. And I will be careful from now on,” Brandy said as she seated herself at the place they had prepared for her. “Sorry I’m late, but I took a much-deserved bath and then fell asleep for a little while.”
“Boy, is your face red!” Scott said. “You should’ve wore a hat.”
Billy grinned.
Thunder chuckled, but didn’t comment, much to Brandy’s surprise.
“It seems I should have done many things today that I didn’t do. You all should take a lesson from me, and do wear a hat until you’re used to being out in the sun so much.”
Ellen placed her fork beside her plate. “Mary and I have hats already. What about Amy?”
“Amy will be in the wagon most of the time,” Thunder said. “However, you should make her a small hat to wear when she’s outside playing.”
“Maybe we can use material from an old dress,” Ellen said.
While everyone continued their chatter, Brandy served her plate, wincing every time the spoon hit a tender spot on her hands. She remained quiet during the rest of dinner, as she had to concentrate on getting the food to her mouth without hitting any raw spots. She’d just admitted that she should have worn a hat, but she wasn’t ready to hear an I told you so about wearing gloves. At least, not tonight.
Thunder glanced at Brandy more than once. Something wasn’t right with her, but he couldn’t figure out what was wrong. She was much too silent. He knew she must be tired, but it was something else. Today, she’d probably done more work than she’d done in her entire life. Unfortunately, the days ahead wouldn’t be any easier, something he’d been trying to tell her all along. He watched her face as she took each mouthful of food. Was that pain he glimpsed?
“Everyone should turn in early tonight,” Thunder said when Brandy was finished eating.
Scott set down his glass of milk An eager look on his face, he asked, “When do we leave?”
“When the sun first touches the morning sky,”
Thunder said, smiling down at the child’s milk mustache.
“What does that mean?” Mary asked in her usual querulous tone.
“Try five o’clock,” Billy answered.
“Why such an ungodly hour?” Mary said, not bothering to mask her displeasure. “Can’t we leave later?” “In a week, Mary, you’ll not have to ask that question,” Thunder answered with more patience than he felt
“But I am asking now!”
“Oh, do be quiet” Brandy snapped. She knew she was tired, and her patience wasn’t as good as it should be, but tonight she couldn’t handle Mary’s whining.
Billy glanced at Brandy with surprise and then jumped back into the conversation. “It will be much cooler to travel in the morning.”
Mary’s lips twisted into a cynical smile. “Brandy will never get up on time.”
“If you go to bed now, perhaps you won’t miss your precious sleep. And don’t worry about me. I’ll be up.” Brandy’s lackluster voice sounded much like she felt and she really didn’t have the energy to argue. “We all need to get used to this routine.”
Mary got up abruptly, and threw her napkin on the table. “Thanks a lot for getting us into this situation!”
“Wait a minute, Mary. I’ll walk with you,” Billy offered, and pushed back his chair.
Once Mary and Billy had gone, Ellen said, “You look real tired, Brandy.”
Brandy glanced at Ellen and managed a weak smile. Before she could respond, Thunder answered for her. “She’s had a very busy day. I think Brandy has also learned a few valuable lessons ... such as the reason for wearing a hat.”
Brandy frowned at him. She knew he was bound to say something sooner or later and, worse, she knew she deserved it. Her stubbornness had caused her pain.
“I’ll put Amy and Scott to bed,” Ellen volunteered. “You go on to your room.”
“I can put myself to bed,” Scott said as he jumped up and dashed from the room.
“In that case, I’ll just put Amy to bed.” Ellen laughed as she picked up the baby. “Brandy, you look like you can barely hold your head up. You’d better get some sleep, too.”
“Thank you.” Brandy smiled. The children could be sweet and cooperative when they wanted to. At least, some of them could be. “I intend to do just that as soon as I clear the table.”
Ellen swung around. “Do you need me to help?”
“I will help her,” Thunder said as he rose to his feet. “Run along and get some rest.”
Scott ran back into the room. “Almost forgot. Good night,” he told Brandy and kissed her on the cheek. Then he went over and motioned for Thunder to lean over so he could kiss him on the cheek, too. “See you in the morning.”
“Good night, Scott.” Thunder rubbed the top of the child’s head and then patted Scott’s backside as the boy ran off. Thunder was surprised and touched by the young one’s open affection.
As Thunder cleared the table, he noticed that Brandy was still much too quiet. She sat at the table, staring off into the distance. W
as she still angry with him? He’d really been hard on her today, but he had done it for her own good. “Come, Brandy. It will only take a moment to clean up, and then you can go to bed.”
Slowly, she got up and reached for the plates. “Ouch!” she cried out, and the plates crashed to the floor before she could catch them.
After hearing the crash, Thunder quickly set his dishes down and turned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Brandy’s gaze flew up to his. Guilt dulled her eyes. “Apparently, I can’t do anything right,” she grumbled before bending down to pick up the scattered dishes. Carrying the ones that survived to the sink, she went back to get the pieces, but Thunder blocked her way.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, then tilted her chin up. “You can do many things well when you put your mind to it. Are you going to continue being silent all night, or are you going to tell me what is bothering you?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, but avoided his eyes.
“Do you not?”
“I don’t have anything to say,” she sputtered, bristling with indignation. “Now, let’s finish the table. I’m tired.” She raised her hands to push him out of her way, but the minute she shoved him, she winced. Tears sprang to her eyes as she jerked back her hands.
Thunder grabbed her wrists and turned her palms so he could see them He frowned at what he saw. He didn’t like the looks of her hands. They were bloody and raw. He searched her face and saw the tears welling in her eyes.
Evidently, her skin had been so soft the straps had blistered her hands immediately. He gazed into her accusing eyes, feeling completely guilty. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and realized he felt a spark of admiration for her. She had handled her team although she had to have been in terrible pain.
Thunder admitted he had wanted to teach her a lesson, but not like this. Perhaps he had been too hard on her. However, if she’d worn her gloves, she wouldn’t be in pain now, he quickly reminded himself. Maybe she had to learn everything the hard way.
“I will mend your hands,” Thunder said as he let them slip from his grasp. “Where are your bandages?”
Brandy was shocked at the impact of his gentle grip. She watched the many emotions crossing Thunder’s face, but she couldn’t be sure what he was thinking. For a moment, she thought his eyes glowed with tenderness. And something more. She hoped he felt guilty because he’d fussed at her all day. Seeing the soft light reflected in his dark eyes made her wonder. Did he actually have a heart?
“The bandages are in a box behind the driver’s seat of the wagon,” she said softly, her heart beating in her throat.
“Do you have any other supplies?”
“Yes, I have quinine, opium, whiskey, and Hartshorne for snake bites, God forbid, and laudanum.”
“Go. Light the lantern. I will be with you in a moment,” Thunder said, then turned for the door. “I must get something from my saddlebags.”
Back in his room, he found the small pouch he needed. He returned to the kitchen to get a bowl. Measuring a spoonful of flour, he sprinkled herbs from his leather bag into the container. Next he added water, then stirred the mixture to the consistency of paste. All the while he cursed himself. He should be whipped for pushing Brandy so hard today. He knew she wasn’t used to what he’d put her through. Yet, he’d been angry and had taken his anger out on her. It had been a long time since he’d actually felt any emotions at all, and he didn’t like this guilty feeling. It was much better to be numb.
At this very moment, Thunder wished he'd never stopped in Independence, Missouri.
His life was starting to get complicated. He should have kept going until he’d reached his homeland.
All was silent as he made his way to the wagon. A full moon spilled a bountiful light over the beautiful courtyard.
Thunder found Brandy sitting on one of the bunks that folded down in the wagon. The lantern hung just above her head, casting a soft, warm glow to the interior.
“Let me see your hands,” he said as he sat on the bunk across from her. He took her hands and turned them, palm side up, then placed them on his knees. He stirred the mixture in the bowl until it was a creamy white paste. “Why didn’t you tell me your hands were in this condition?” he asked gently while he applied the white mixture, making sure he coated her fingers completely.
“Would you have listened?” Brandy challenged him.
Looking up, he stared into her violet eyes for a long moment. There, beneath those black fringed lashes, defiance sparked within, telling Thunder she still had fight in her. He liked that. “Probably not, but the next time, try.”
“And have you yell at me like you did all day?” She laughed half-heartedly. “No, thank you.”
He carefully rubbed the cream into her skin. Her closeness was like a drug, lulling him into euphoria.
“Was I really that bad?” he asked with a soft growl. She nodded. Her burnished hair lay softly around her shoulders, coming to rest on the tops of her breasts. The hollow at the base of her throat caught his eye. Thunder couldn’t suppress the smile that curved his mouth.
Brandy liked Thunder’s smiles even though they were few and far between. The smile softened his features and made him look less intimidating.
“How does that feel?”
She noticed a change in his voice. It was huskier than before. “It still hints, but is much better. What is that stuff? ”
“It’s made from special herbs,” he answered as he tenderly held her hands, his tan fingers closing carefully around hers.
Brandy never dreamed Thunder’s hands would feel so warm, so gentle.
“I put in mint leaves to help with the burning. Did it work?”
“Yes,” she whispered. Hypnotized by his touch, she stared at his hands. “My fingers don’t bum half as bad now, thank you,” she whispered. Glancing up at Thunder’s bronzed features, she could sense the barely controlled emotions he seemed to be fighting to rein in. Somewhere deep inside her, she wondered at her fascination with this man. Did he feel the same things she did?
“Leave the cream on overnight and it should help with the soreness,” he told her as he wrapped her hands in strips of linen. “Your fingers will have to heal completely before you can drive the wagon again.
Brandy—” he paused as if he didn’t know what to say “—I am sorry.”
Thunder was so close Brandy could feel the warmth from his body. A delightful shiver of wanting something more ran through her. Something undeniable was building between them. Reaching over, Thunder pulled the ribbon from her hair and ran his fingers through it, letting the silky, reddish-brown strands fall freely. A brief shiver rippled through her.
“You should always wear your hair unbound,” Thunder murmured in a husky, sensual voice.
A strange inner excitement filled her and she felt her eyes grow misty. Her heart beat faster as Thunder slipped his hand under her hair. Slowly, he rubbed the back of her neck, and warmth flowed through her body that had nothing to do with the outside temperature. His touch relaxed and soothed her, and she was surprised to realize that she wasn’t as afraid of him as she’d been before. She sensed he wanted to communicate with her, but he didn’t know how.
Brandy took a deep breath. He was strong and rugged, yet his touch was soft and gentle. And just now, he’d been patient and tender as he’d bandaged her hands. She couldn’t say the same thing about earlier today. This man was very confusing. She couldn’t figure him out Her eyes misted with confusion over all these newfound feelings that this man seemed to produce in her.
All reasoning left Thunder while he stared into Brandy’s dark violet eyes. Her emotions registered like a mirror, and he found she wasn’t good at hiding what she felt. Of course, living in a parish, she would never have had to hide anything. In many ways, she seemed little more than a child, but her body was definitely that of a woman, and he couldn’t seem to help himself as he gathered her into his arms.
Brandy’s eyes
grew large with passion. Thunder knew he should stay clear of her, but somehow he couldn’t find the strength to resist her soft pink lips as they parted slightly and waited for his next move.
A move he shouldn’t make.
He brushed her lips lightly with his. She trembled as he breathed in the lavender scent of her soft skin. Struggling to hold himself back, he savored the tantalizing taste of her mouth, then placed soft kisses across her face.
Finally, losing the struggle, he crushed her to him, his mouth pressing against hers. He deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside for a tantalizing exploration.
Brandy returned his kiss with reckless abandon. She became lost in a swirl of emotions she’d never experienced before. Her arms moved around his neck and, at the same time, she felt herself being lowered to the cot she was sitting on. Hot sensations spread through her body like wildfire. She was shocked at her own eager response to the touch of his lips.
She twisted her fingers into his long hair and deepened the kiss as his hands explored her back.
Thunder’s breathing grew heavy. Feelings he thought long dead raced through his body like a raging prairie fire. His senses reeled. The pleasure building in him had long since gotten out of hand. When his hand brushed her breast, he heard her passionate moan, and he wanted to give her more but . . . with a great deal of strength, he pulled back.
Puzzlement showed in Brandy’s soft, moist eyes. She looked at him with an unspoken question.
“You are so innocent, and I am taking advantage of that innocence,” Thunder said as he stared down at her. He traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, and she parted her mouth, letting him give her one final kiss. God, she felt good in his arms. He hated letting her go. But that was what he must do. “I will resist touching you in the future.”
“Why?” Brandy whispered, wondering what she’d done wrong. She definitely liked how Thunder made her feel, and it frightened her, too. There had to be more. She felt so empty. There just had to be more.
Dance on the Wind Page 12
