Dance on the Wind

by Brenda Jernigan

  “I’ll do it tonight,” Brandy promised.

  “The wagon is ready,” Thunder announced. “Get everything back inside. We have time to make up.”

  He and Billy lifted Brandy’s trunk. “I don’t know what this trunk is made of, but it is much too heavy. If we lose animals, this thing will have to go.”

  “No,” Brandy said quickly. “That is the only possession I own. It’s all I have from my family. If that trunk goes, so do I.”

  Thunder stepped very close to Brandy and said softly, his warm breath in her ear, so that only she could hear, “Do not tempt me.”

  She glared at him, then wheeled away before she said or did something she’d regret. Thunder must have remorse over the night they’d made love, and he was trying to show her just how much. How had she possibly thought she could have feelings for this pigheaded fool? The way he stared at her made her feel like she was some kind of inconvenience. As far as she was concerned, he could trot himself back to the front of the wagon train and stay there.

  Billy hitched the horses, and Brandy climbed up on the seat and took the reins. Thunder galloped ahead and Billy followed as they headed back to the trail.

  Not a breath of air stirred over the open prairie. The sun beat down upon them with sultry, penetrating heat. Brandy’s dress was wet and stuck to her, making her even more uncomfortable.

  Later in the afternoon, they finally glimpsed the dust of the rest of the wagon train. Black thunderclouds rose fast on the horizon, darkening the sky. At least the storm brought a strong breeze, a welcome relief from the heat.

  * * *

  By the time he could actually see the rest of the wagons, Thunder noticed that they were making a run for a group of distant trees. He didn’t have to guess why. The whole sky was densely shrouded with a purple hue.

  Thunder held up his right hand, halting the wagons. “Billy, Mary, take the team. Brandy, you and Ellen ride on one horse. Scott, come with me,” Thunder shouted over the wind, then wheeled his mount around to MacTavish’s wagon.

  “Go ahead and pass us while we change drivers,” he ordered, in a tone that brooked no argument. “Make a run for those cottonwood trees. There’s a storm ahead, and it appears to be a bad one. We don’t want to get caught out in the open.” He gestured for them to go. “We will be right behind you.”

  “Aye. Be careful,” MacTavish said with a nod as he flicked the reins. “We’ll see you there.”

  “What’s wrong?” Brandy asked Thunder as she mounted and reached down for Ellen.

  “When that storm breaks, we don’t want to be out here on the open prairie. The wind could topple the wagon, and by the looks of those angry black clouds this just might be a long storm. Help me herd the animals, and get them going in the right direction.”

  Thunder moved up beside the wagon. “Head for those trees.”

  Billy nodded, snapped the reins, and he and Mary rode off.

  The oxen could sense the upcoming storm because they took off, running after the wagon.

  It was a mad dash across the open plain. The gusting wind plastered the tall grass to the ground. Brandy eyed the moving clouds as she rode; there was a certain excitement in the storm that appealed to her. Thunder rode beside them, his long black hair blowing in the wind, and she was surprised to see he was smiling.

  Evidently, he enjoyed the oncoming storm as well. She admired how he sat on his horse with Scott in front of him. Scott laughed with happy abandon as he hung onto the pommel and faced the ferocious wind.

  They made it to the safety of the trees just as the first drops of rain began to splatter the hot ground.

  Brandy, Mary, and Scott pitched the tent in record time while Billy and Thunder unhitched the team.

  Loud thunder rumbled overhead. Brandy glanced toward the sky to see that it had darkened to a purplish-black as the rain pelted them and the wind blew harder, its force mixed with the rain and plastering everyone’s clothing to them.

  They all ran for cover.

  Ellen and Mary darted to MacTavish’s wagon since it was closer. Scott and Billy dove into the tent, and Brandy and Thunder finished tying the canvas down on the wagon where they had rolled it up earlier in the day.

  When they’d tied off the last ropes, Brandy entered the back of the wagon, followed by Thunder. They were completely soaked.

  Brandy turned and gaped at him. “We can’t be in here together . . . alone.”

  Thunder looked at her as if she’d completely lost her mind. “There is a storm outside, Brandy. Or hadn’t you noticed?”

  “Of course I’ve noticed. But it isn’t proper,” Brandy told him. Of course, she hadn’t been worried about proper when they’d made love, but this time the children were much closer. And Thunder’s attitude had left much to be desired lately.

  Thunder moved over to stand right in front of her as the wind buffeted the wagon. Rain pounded against the canvas, looking for a way to gain entrance. “Sweetheart, there hasn’t been anything proper about our relationship since we first met.”

  The storm rumbled overhead, followed by a bolt of sharp lightning. It sounded like it hit a nearby tree. Brandy jumped and threw her arms around Thunder’s neck.

  “I take it we are not worried about being proper anymore?” Thunder chuckled as he unwrapped Brandy’s arms from around him.

  Brandy stiffened and backed away. “You’re impossible.”

  “I know,” he said with a smile as he began to remove his shirt. “This storm is a bad one, and I’ve no doubt it will continue until morning.”

  Brandy’s eyes grew wide as she stared at Thunder’s muscular chest, remembering how he had felt beneath her exploring fingers. “Now what are you doing?”

  “Taking off this wet shirt, and I suggest that you get into some dry clothes, too. Hand me something to dry off with.”

  She now understood what Thunder meant and she complied, tossing him a sheet. Then she got one for herself and dried her face and hair.

  “Let me get to the back for a dress,” Brandy said and then squeezed by Thunder, their bodies brushing as they traded places.

  She removed a light green dress from the trunk and didn’t bother to shut the lid. “You’ll have to turn your back,” she told Thunder.

  “Don’t you think it’s a bit late for modesty?”

  Her face burned, and she glowered darkly at him. At least he remembered, she thought. Still, she felt awkward. “Please.”

  “First trade places with me so I can get my clothes from the back,” he said with a grin and squeezed by her again.

  Earlier, he’d thrown his saddle in the very back of the wagon. “All right, my back is turned,” he said as he opened his saddlebag and got out a dry shirt and breeches. However, he couldn’t resist turning and looking at the magnificent ripe body only a couple of feet away. Of course, all he could see was her back. He shook his head to get rid of his dangerous thoughts, then changed his own clothes. He sat on the bunk

  He lit the lantern overhead, since it had grown so dark outside. He wrung the water out of his clothes and draped them in the back so they would have some chance of drying out. “Hand me your dress, and I’ll hang it up.”

  In the process, he bumped his shin on the trunk lid Brandy had left open. “Damn!” he swore and bent over to close the lid. That was when he noticed that the chest’s lining had been tom, and he wondered if Brandy would blame him for this, too. Bending over, he examined the lining and pulled at it. “You can probably fix this when we arrive. Wait a minute— there is something behind here.”

  He pulled out the knife he kept in his boot and worked on the edge until he could reach what was behind the material.

  “I don’t remember it being tom before,” Brandy said. “It must have ripped when we had to move the box,” she said, leaning over him so she could see better. “What is it?”

  Finally, Thunder was able to grasp the object. “It appears to be a piece of paper.” He handed the folded note to Brandy.

 
“This is strange. I wonder why it was behind the liner.” she said as she unfolded the letter. Brandy quickly scanned the note to the bottom. “Oh, my God! It was written by my mother.”

  Her face had lost its color, and her hands shook so badly that she dropped the note. Thunder bent down and picked it up.

  “Would you like me to read it to you?” he asked as he sat on the bunk across from her.

  Brandy nodded. “Please.”

  He unfolded the paper, then began to read:

  * * *

  Dear Brandy,

  When you find this letter, I hope you ’11 have grown into the lovely young woman that I fancy you becoming.

  I know you do not understand why I left you, but it was never because I didn’t love you. Never that!

  We come from a wealthy family in Boston. Un-fortunately, that was never enough for your father. He had to go west for adventure, and we went with him.

  Well, he found his adventure when he dealt with the wrong business partners. I pray that you will forget his violent death and only remember that he did love you. Now, my life is also in danger. The men think I have what they are looking for and that is the reason, my darling that I have left you with the priest. These men would kill you, too, to get what they want.

  Those parish walls will protect you from the evil that lies outside.

  Have a good life, my daughter, and be careful to love the right man. Choosing the wrong man can lead to a life of misery. That I have found out the hard way. Always remember that I love you.

  Love,

  Mother

  PS. Keep the chest with you. One day it will bring you wealth.

  * * *

  Thunder folded the letter and glanced at Brandy. Tears were trickling down her face, and she reached up and brushed them away. His heart ached for her. “Come here, Brandy,” he said gently.

  She didn’t hesitate, going straight into his arms. “All this time, I thought she didn’t love me,” Brandy whispered, choking back a sob.

  Thunder rubbed his hand across her back. “It sounds like she loved you a great deal. Now I understand what the chest means to you—I’ll try not to throw it off the wagon. Provided I could lift it,” he joked, trying to cheer her.

  She pulled back and gave him a soft smile. “It is all I have of my mother.” Brandy glanced back at the square box. “I don’t see how it will bring me wealth, though.”

  “If you sell it by the pound, you could be very wealthy.” Thunder laughed and was glad when Brandy responded with a smile. He pulled her back to him.

  “My grandparents live in Boston. That is where I went to study.”

  “Wouldn’t it be strange if your grandparents knew my relatives?” Brandy asked. “Basically, you and I came from the same place.”

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  Suddenly, lightning burst with a terrific crash directly above their heads. The rain poured from the sky, hitting the canvas and sliding to the ground. Brandy jumped at the noise.

  Thunder tightened his arm around her. “The storm will not harm you,” he said very calmly.

  “I know.”

  “I believe that this storm will rage all night, so we had better get some sleep,” he said quietly to calm her.

  Brandy looked up at him, and in that fraction of a second, Thunder forgot all his vows not to kiss her again. His lips moved toward the nape of her neck as his fingers brushed her hair from the spot he sought. Placing soft kisses on her neck, he felt her shiver in his arms.

  Again the rumble of thunder seemed to be all around them, but this time Brandy didn’t jump. She clung to him and whispered, “Kiss me until I can’t hear the noise.”

  Tenderness surged through Thunder for the temptress with the violet eyes. Hungrily, he took her mouth with a raging passion he hadn’t known he possessed. He opened her mouth with his own while he gently lowered her to the cot that they sat upon.

  Brandy parted her lips, sliding her arms up and around his shoulders. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she remembered she’d vowed she wasn’t going to fall for Thunder’s charms anymore. She reminded herself that she would be losing him in a few days, and there would be such an emptiness that no one could ever fill.

  In spite of her determination to resist him, Brandy couldn’t. Thunder’s mouth had such a fierce tenderness that she melted against him. His hand roamed over her body, pausing when he reached the mound of her breast. “Get out of these clothes,” he murmured.

  At that moment, Brandy felt a special bond between them as she stripped her clothes and tossed them on the other bunks. Thunder did the same. She wondered why she trusted this man so much. Why did she feel so special when she was with him?

  He drew her back into his arms and she gasped from the contact of her bare breast against his chest. She felt his heat.

  She placed soft kisses at the base of his throat before her conscience nagged at her, and she shook her head in protest. “We can’t.” However, her actions didn’t match her words.

  Thunder’s mouth came down on hers, silencing her protest and leaving her trembling with desire. He parted those tempting lips, teasing her tongue with his as he tasted all of her sweetness.

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, Brandy seemed to want to get closer to him. Carefully, Thunder pushed her back so they could lie on the small bed, then he covered her body with his.

  The wind howled and whistled through the trees and around the wagon. The storm seemed to have isolated them from everything else.

  He ignored the outside elements. The storm raging in him was many times stronger than what went on around them. Brandy’s lips were so soft that he couldn’t get enough of them. But he wanted to explore all of her body, so he left her lips and trailed kisses down the column of her throat. He heard her moans of pleasure and her gasps when his mouth found her breast. He liked pleasing this woman very much.

  An aching desire racked his body as he tried to make himself go slowly. While his lips tightened on her nipple, his hand moved lower to settle between her thighs. He rubbed her sensitive skin and felt her wetness as she twisted and turned from the torment he was causing.

  “Please,” she begged him, and he knew he couldn’t hold on much longer. He was losing control. He settled himself gently on her, his full manhood coming to rest between her thighs, replacing his hand.

  He caught her mouth in another searing kiss as he entered her. “You feel wonderful,” he murmured.

  “As do you,” she gasped, arching her hips up to pull him deep inside her.

  A surge of red-hot desire consumed him. He began to move faster and push harder, urging her to feel and want him as much as he did her.

  She responded in kind, not holding anything back.

  Lightning cracked above them. The storm surrounded them, invading their souls, pushing them to the edge of no return. Together they found their release as wild abandonment overtook them and swept them away to the magical place that lovers share.

  Brandy hoped this moment would never end. Her heart was bursting with many emotions that she wished to share with Thunder, but she was afraid to tell him how she felt.

  Would be break her heart and walk away?

  She would never know. As sleep claimed her, she knew she’d settle for what they had now and not worry about what was to come.

  * * *

  The next morning when Brandy awoke in Thunder’s arms, she smiled. He was awake and watching her. She gave him a chaste kiss and wondered what thoughts raced through his head. Instinct told her that he would never divulge such information.

  Thunder started to say something, but Brandy quickly put her fingers over his mouth and whispered, “Don’t spoil what we have. Let’s savor the memories.”

  He nodded.

  Brandy heard Billy’s voice just outside the wagon. She scrambled from Thunder’s arms, thankful that they had put their clothes back on sometime during the wild night.

  Billy stuck his head in through the back of the canvas. �
��Are you two behaving?” he asked with a chuckle.

  Brandy felt the heat in her face, but she’d never let on that she was embarrassed. “Don’t be silly. How did you do last night?” she asked as she made her way to the back of the cramped wagon.

  “That tent leaks! Started to make a dash for the wagon, but figured what the hell, we’d just get wetter.”

  When everyone was on the ground, Thunder said in a low voice as he passed Brandy, “Billy would have been in for a big surprise last night.”

  Brandy’s eyes widened. She didn’t even want to think about what could have happened. She would have died from embarrassment.

  Thunder smiled, then said to Billy, “Better take the tent down. After breakfast we’ll be heading out. After that downpour, it will be slow going at first.”

  * * *

  An hour later, everyone sat around the campfire eating the biscuits that Nettie had prepared. All except Thunder, who had gone back to Ward’s wagon.

  “ ’Twas some terrible storm we had last night,” MacTavish said. “Glad I was that we made it to the trees when we did.” He paused and looked at Brandy. “And did you get any sleep last night.”

  “A little,” Brandy said. “There were a few times I thought lightning was going to strike the wagon.”

  “At least you weren’t wet,” Billy mumbled. Brandy waited for everyone to finish eating before she said, “We need to talk about something as a family.”

  Nettie nudged her husband, then she rose with Amy in her arms. “We’ll be back at our wagon.”

  Brandy waited until she had everyone’s attention. “MacTavish and Nettie want to adopt Amy and take her with them.” The children just stared at her. Brandy realized that she usually didn’t ask their opinion on anything. “I think it would be best for Amy. What do the rest of you think?”

  “I think, at least, she’d have a family,” Mary said. Ellen agreed with a shake of her head and added, “And someone to love her.”

  Billy put down his plate. “Amy seems happy enough.”