by Linda Broday
Touching.
Tasting.
Teasing.
A lazy, lingering kiss here, a burning touch there—he hungered for every inch of her as fire rose from his belly. His breath became ragged as he captured the tip of her breast in his mouth and was rewarded with her low moan. She arched her back, rising to meet his caresses while pulling him closer with fevered hands. She seemed to need him every bit as much as he needed her.
Though he didn’t know how that was possible, seeing as how his hunger for her totally consumed him, mind, body, and soul.
Burying his hands in her hair, Brett moved on top of her, saying her name over and over. Knowing what awaited, his anticipation for the release that would come hurried him.
Brett eased into her in one gliding motion, feeling her warmth surround him, welcome him into her depths.
With the joining of their bodies, the world appeared to spin out of control around him into dizzying spirals of scorching heat and shuddering waves of passion.
As he settled into a smooth rhythm, he focused on her. He would not take his pleasure until she did.
To help her toward the moment of glorious release, he kissed her slightly parted mouth, the curve of her jaw, the pulsing hollow of her throat. His hand slid down the side of her breast to the swell of her hips, caressing, brushing, always stroking.
Rayna gave a cry and gripped him as she surrendered to the ecstasy. Vibrations of her body squeezed around him in the soaring climb toward rapture.
Panting, he took his pleasure and the much needed relief.
He didn’t think he could ever grow tired of making love to Rayna. He’d heard of men in the different tribes turning to peyote for enlightenment and direction. None of that for him. All he needed was Rayna by his side. She was his medicine, his strength, his power.
Excitement never failed to ripple through him with the first glimpse of her each morning. Seeing her smile and those russet curls always made his heart race. To have to hide his feelings from those who would ridicule and speak ill of her tore at him. Such an unjust, criticizing world.
He rolled off and settled his body around her soft curves, draping an arm across her stomach. “I love you so much,” he whispered into her hair.
“You don’t know how desperately I’ve wanted to hear you say that. For so long I felt unworthy of having love.” She snuggled against him, running her fingers lightly over his skin. “It seemed farfetched that anyone would ever soften their heart to me. And why should they? I’m no one’s prize.”
Brett lifted her palm and pressed a kiss to the sensitive flesh. “You’re my prize. Lady, you are worthy of love and adoration and everything else I intend to shower on you as long as I’m able. I cherish everything about you—your past because it made you the kind, compassionate woman you are, and the present because of all you’ve overcome to get here.”
Rayna swiveled in his arms and pressed a kiss into the hollow of his throat. He loved the feel of her warm lips on him.
Beautiful blue-green eyes stared into his. “Without you, I would be so lost and afraid right now. I don’t even know my parents’ names, and I have no way of finding out. What am I going to do?” A cry burst free, followed by a shuddering breath. “I wonder how my life would’ve turned out if Raymond Harper hadn’t entered it. Do you think my parents loved me? At least a little bit?”
The misery in her voice sent a piercing ache into his chest. He’d never known a more helpless feeling. He couldn’t do anything except hold her and brush away her tears. It was pitiful little against such agony.
“I’m positive of that,” he said hoarsely.
“I don’t want anything of Raymond Harper’s, not even his name.” She turned to face him. “But how do I go about changing it? And to what? It’s not like I can post a notice in the newspaper asking for volunteers to give me theirs.”
“I’ll speak to Cooper. He’ll know what to do.”
From the way Rayna lightly drew circles on his arm, he knew she was deep in thought. He smoothed back her hair and brushed a kiss to her temple. “I know it’s hard to believe, but there is a bright side. I would never have met you if you’d grown up someplace else and hadn’t had to resort to picking pockets.”
Rayna’s eyes widened. “That’s so true. I never thought of that. I feel better already.”
“Glad I could help.”
“You know, I truly loved Elna Harper, and I know she loved me. She taught me to read, and she took the blows that Raymond meant for me. Until that rotten piece of trash ended her life. She was a victim as much as I was. I don’t think she married him willingly. I always got the impression she came from a better class of people.”
“It sounds like she made a good substitute mother.”
“Brett, there’s something I have to tell you, and it may change everything between us.”
“Nothing can ever make me love you less.”
“This might.”
Rayna turned in his arms, her beautiful eyes staring into his. He wanted to silence her, to tell her to keep her secret, whatever it was. But he could see how much she needed to bare her soul, so he waited.
“I did a really bad, horrible thing.” She took a deep breath. “I killed a man five years ago. I beat him with a shovel until the life went out of him.” Rayna’s hard voice became void of emotion. “And I didn’t bat an eye.”
“Please, you don’t have to tell me any more.” Brett touched her hair and let his hand slide down her throat. “I’m sure he deserved it, because I know how much you value life.”
“He was a bone-picker too, and I never knew his name. He caught my…Raymond…liquored-up and attacked Elna. She’d spurned him, and that made him angry. I grabbed a shovel that Raymond kept beside the wagon and hit him as hard as I could. Blood went everywhere, but I kept on hitting him, because I knew if I let him up, we were dead. She helped me drag his body far away from the camp where the coyotes would find him, and I stole his shoes—the god-awful ones you hated.”
The true picture of the horrors she’d endured became clear. It was a wonder she’d survived. His life, as bad as it sometimes was, paled in comparison. Love for her filled his heart.
“You didn’t have a choice,” Brett said softly. “You were protecting Elna. And yourself. The man deserved what he got.”
“I’m no better than Raymond, though, don’t you see? I’m dirty. I have blood on my hands that I can’t get rid of. At odd moments of each day I see him lying there in my mind, so still with blood spilling onto the ground.”
Her anguished cry pierced Brett. He gathered her into his arms and stood. Holding her close, he walked into the pool of crystal blue water.
“We’re going to wash all that away, and when we leave this place today, what you told me will stay here. You need never speak of it again.”
Brett sat her on a big rock at the base of the waterfall and kissed her. Then he cupped his hands, filling them with water again and again and pouring it over her beautiful body that glistened in the golden sun.
“Nothing will ever make me stop loving you, Rayna. I’ve been alone so long and was afraid I’d never find you. Now that I have, I’m not letting you go. Our lives are tied together for all eternity.”
Rayna touched his face. “We have no more secrets between us. Thank you for understanding and loving me anyway.”
“Lady, I don’t have a choice, because we are one. You are the keeper of the flame that burns in my heart.”
Pulling her off the rock into the deep water, Brett stood with the woman he loved. Their bodies touched as their lips met, and before long, Brett was making love to her again in the silent pool where there was no pain—only goodness and light.
He made a vow that their forbidden love would not always be so.
Rayna was his, and he’d grown tired of hiding it. Now more so than ever, for she had given him a great treasure.
She’d given him her trust.
Thirty-two
Though dark
clouds had formed overhead and the afternoon air was heavy with the scent of rain, Rayna dressed with a lighter heart. Taking Brett’s hand, she walked back to camp. Raymond Harper and the lies and pain he’d brought stayed behind in the deep, cleansing water of their secret oasis.
She was free of the nightmares.
A last name wasn’t important. She was Rayna, and that was enough for now, because Brett loved her.
Rayna could relate to his last name: Liberty. That said everything for them both. Maybe someday the world would be bright enough that she could share it.
“Will you be all right while I go keep watch for intruders?” he asked.
“I’m happy and at peace for the first time that I can ever remember.” She squeezed his hand. “Go do what you need to. I’ll guard the children from here. It appears we may all get wet before morning.”
“Within a few hours, unless I miss my guess.”
“Be safe, my love.”
“I will carry your love with me and think of you during the long hours.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her, then strode toward his horse that was quietly grazing.
She joined Sarah and Sister Bronwen, who was stirring some kind of stew over the campfire. Rayna noticed tears on the old woman’s face. She touched her shoulder. “What’s wrong, Sister?”
The nun turned, wiping away the evidence. “I’ve disobeyed God and must pay for my sin. I’m a mean, spiteful old woman, and because of it, I ran Bob off.”
“We all do and say things we shouldn’t sometimes,” Sarah said quietly. “The Great Spirit knows what’s in your heart. You can ask for peace, and it will be granted.”
“The children loved that old Comanche, and now he’s gone. Went off to die by himself. I…I can’t bear it.”
Rayna put her arms around Bronwen’s shoulders. At first the nun held herself as rigidly as she’d probably lived most of her life, but finally she relaxed.
“We all miss Bob, but this is what he chose. He got back his dignity and is now able to meet his end in peace. We should be glad for him and celebrate his life, not mourn his passing.” Rayna stopped. That’s exactly what they needed to do. “Tonight we’ll gather the children, and each person can say a little about what Bob meant to them. It’ll be a nice way to honor him.”
“I’d like that.” Bronwen stepped back and gave her a smile.
Rayna turned at the sound of a horse. She recognized Cooper. He rode up and dismounted. The big man’s gaunt face and dark circles under his eyes told of sleepless nights filled with worry.
He nodded. “Miss Rayna. Miss Sarah. Sister.”
“How did you get past the blocked road? Rand tried to go after a wagon earlier but had to turn around.”
“I cut through the woods and went around them. Where is everyone?”
“The men have taken up guard positions, and the children are hiding in the trees.” Rayna filled him in on the latest. “We have to stay on alert every second.”
Cooper nodded. “Sounds like Dowlen’s upped the ante. Sorry I wasn’t here.”
“You couldn’t help it. How’s Delta?”
“Much better. Doc Yates operated on her and removed her appendix in time. She’s going to be all right. I have someone staying with her night and day.”
Rayna laid a hand on his arm. “I’m glad she’ll recover. We were all worried. Would you like some coffee?”
“I need to join the men. Maybe another time.”
“It’s always here. I know Brett, Rand, and the others will be happy to see you.”
“Most likely.” After touching the brim of his hat in polite good-bye, he climbed into the saddle and, with a wave, rode in the direction Brett had gone.
She watched for a minute then went back to helping the sister cook food for the children. But her thoughts were on a certain man with dark eyes and kissable lips.
A few minutes later, a sense of disquiet and foreboding descended over her. She grabbed her chest and fumbled for the log she’d sat on with Bob. The horses were screaming and running to and fro, as if looking for shelter of some sort. Whatever they saw was invisible to her.
But she knew there would be no stopping this. Trouble marched toward them with guns that spat orange flame and death.
*
In the midst of thunder and fierce lightning but little rain, Brett gave a sigh of relief when he saw Cooper riding toward him. Even one extra gun sometimes made a huge difference.
And when you put three committed brothers who didn’t know the meaning of the word quit fighting side by side, nothing or no one could beat them.
Reining to a stop, Cooper dismounted and strode to him with his Winchester propped on his shoulder.
Brett allowed a smile. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Coop. How did you get through?”
After explaining how he took a grueling path through the woods, Cooper added, “This group is becoming organized. Those blocking the road were well armed and dangerous. One man alone trying to force them to reopen it would pretty much mean a death sentence. They’d shoot me on the spot.”
“I’m glad you didn’t try.” To have to tell Delta she was a widow would rip his heart out. “I hate this waiting, never having any advance warning. When I post a man in one place, they pour in at another hole.”
“And we don’t have enough men to plug all of them.” Cooper shifted his rifle to his chest.
“The only way we’ve survived so far is because of Dowlen’s class of recruits.”
“Drunks and unskilled fighters are no match. But with Oldham joining up, that’s going to be a different story.”
Unease crawled up Brett’s neck. “We could sure use some more help. What are the people of Battle Creek saying?”
“They’re trying to stay out of the ruckus. Many are caught in the middle and don’t want to have to choose sides. Dowlen and his new friend have been trying like hell to stir them up though.”
“I won’t ask anyone to go against their principles.”
“With us cut off from town, they couldn’t get through anyway. They’re not against you, Brett,” Cooper said quietly. “You have a lot of friends in town. But showing loyalty is dangerous, and people are afraid.”
With a heavy sigh, Brett changed the subject. “I take it your being here means Delta is all right?”
“Much better. Has a ways to go before she’ll be up and around a lot, but she’s out of the woods.” Cooper pushed back his hat. “Miss Rayna filled me in on the latest and how the old Comanche saved the day.”
“If Bob hadn’t done what he had, Dowlen and his men would’ve unleashed fury on the orphans.” The thought of how close they came still twisted Brett’s stomach, especially since he hadn’t been there to help. “After Bob bought us some time, he left.”
Cooper stared into the distance. “I’ve heard of that custom among the tribes. But it’s what he wanted.”
“I would want that for me if I were in his shoes.” Brett knew nothing worse than being a burden and living a useless life.
“Let’s hope that’s far off, after I’m dead and gone. I don’t want to think about such. Damn, you’re depressing me, little brother.”
“Sorry, but it’s the truth.” Brett’s thoughts returned to the current situation. “I sure wish I had more of the gunpowder Bob used. We could rig some traps.”
“It would be nice,” Cooper agreed.
“What about the Texas Rangers? Will they come?”
Cooper shook his head. “Already contacted them. They’ve sent most of their men down to the border to handle a huge outlaw problem. Outlaw gangs are murdering and rustling and raising hell. The captain I telegraphed said they’ll come this way whenever they can.”
Brett’s heart sank. “It’s just us then. When Rand and I went over to scout, we saw probably fifty men.”
“We can handle them, little brother.”
“You sound pretty confident.”
“I am. We didn’t start this fight, but we sure know how to en
d it. The same way we took care of all the others.”
But at what cost? Brett was smart enough to know that there were always casualties. Cold fear settled in his chest like a nagging cough he couldn’t get rid of.
*
The afternoon wore on with little to break the monotony. Brett rode down the line to where Adam was. He needed to make sure his nephew was up to the task. None of them had gotten much sleep in the last four days. Each grabbed what he could in spurts. A few hours here and there. All to a man were dead on their feet.
Adam glanced up as Brett dismounted. “Come to check on me, Uncle?”
“Promised your mama I would.” Brett hunkered down next to his nephew. “You were laid up not that many days ago.”
“I’m fine.” Adam flicked a large black beetle off his pants leg. “I already proved I can handle myself.”
“Yes, you have. I’m proud to have you beside me. Whatever happens, I want you to keep low. Don’t take any big chances. I want you safe.”
Adam swallowed hard, and Brett could see his struggle to keep his fear hidden. “You think this will be it?”
“I wish I could say no, but my gut tells me different.”
“You be safe too, Uncle Brett. I need you.”
Giving his nephew a brief clap on the back, Brett returned and settled down to wait. Twilight would come in a few hours. Brett’s stomach rumbled, and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast. He’d been too intent on comforting Rayna and putting her in a better place.
He didn’t know how much he’d helped, but at least she’d been able to smile again, even though it had wobbled and faded.
Minutes later, a bullet slammed into the tree he was leaning against. Ducking down, he quickly brought his rifle to his shoulder, looking for movement.
Another shot echoed in the stillness, but he had no idea where it landed. Some of the men returned fire, but though Brett tensed, he watched…waiting.
Finally, he decided to try a bluff. “Our reinforcements scaring you, Dowlen? You’re about to wind up in a place you don’t want to be. Got my crosshairs on you.”
