Tanya cocked an eyebrow in Adam’s direction, her lips curved in an amused smile. At his wordless plea for help, she gave him a look that clearly said he was on his own.
Prudence caught his glance, and followed it, finally noticing Tanya and Hunter for the first time. “Oh, hello!” she said, not in the least embarrassed to find that someone had witnessed her bold behavior. “Who are you? Is that your little boy? He’s a cute tyke.”
Tanya smiled, debating which question to answer first. “Thank you. Yes, he’s my son. I’m Tanya Martin.”
Prudence’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard of you, I think. Aren’t you one of the women who lived with the Indians for a while?” she asked bluntly.
“Word travels fast,” Tanya commented.
Prudence shrugged. “It’s a small town. I’ve watched for you at church since we’ve finally dug out from all the snow and can get to town.”
“I haven’t gone.”
“I wondered what you’d look like. Everyone is curious about you,” Prudence admitted guilelessly. “Were you really married to an Indian?”
“Yes.”
“You look different than I thought you would.” Prudence surveyed Tanya with an assessing gaze.
Tanya didn’t know whether to be offended or amused. “What did you think I’d look like?” she asked curiously.
“Kind of haggard, I guess; skinny, bedraggled, beaten.”
“Humbled? Pitiful?” Tanya suggested further, her golden eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth.
Prudence nodded. “Was it really awful? Did he beat you?”
“Once,” Tanya admitted, her gaze sliding to meet Adam’s.
Prudence considered this a moment. “Only once? What did you do?”
“I tried to escape.”
“Did you ever try again?”
“No.”
“I suppose you soon learned to do things his way,” Prudence decided.
Adam’s guffaw echoed in the large barn.
“Mostly,” Tanya answered, sending Adam a quick glare.
“What are you doing here?” Prudence wanted to know.
“Visiting Adam.”
“I wanted her to meet Mother,” Adam inserted.
“Why?” Prudence’s brows wrinkled in a considering frown.
Adam sighed. “Well, Cricket, you see, I hadn’t realized you were serious about waiting for me. I thought you’d have led some young swain to the altar long ago. When I met Tanya, I decided she’s the woman I wanted.”
A heavy silence followed his words. Finally, with the resilience of youth, Prudence sighed. “Drat! Well, I guess that will make Stu happy. He’s been after me to marry him for the last eight months, and Mom is definitely pushing me in his direction. She’s even quit spying on us when we’re on the porch swing after dark, and she’s constantly making all his favorite foods and inviting him to dinner.”
“That explains how he feels, and how your mother feels, but how do youfeel about him?” Tanya queried gently. For some reason, she could not resent the vicacious brunette.
“Oh, Stu is great! He’s good-looking, hard-working, and he adores me. There is nothing at all wrong with him, you see, it’s just that I had my sights set on Adam since I was in diapers.” Prudence dimpled impishly. “Stu won’t know what hit him when I finally accept his proposal!”
“He’s a very lucky young man,” Adam conceded.
“Sure he is,” Prudence agreed with a grin, “and I’ll make certain he doesn’t forget it, either!”
“No use crying over spilled milk, as Mom would say,” Prudence said cheerfully. “I’ve got my life to get on with, and you’ll have Tanya to console you. I hope you’ll be happy.”
“Thank you. Just one favor, Cricket,” Adam suggested. “We haven’t had the chance to tell Tanya’s family of our decision yet, so keep this to yourself until we announce it, will you?”
“Sure!” Prudence grinned delightedly. “What are friends for? Besides, this way I can let Stu think he’s won me over fair and square, and he won’t feel he’s getting me on the rebound. He’ll be strutting like a barnyard rooster!”
“Since Adam is home for once in time for his birthday, I’ve been considering having a fiesta in his honor,” Rachel mused one afternoon. “Do you think your parents would like to come, Tanya?” They were alone in the kitchen.
Tanya looked up in surprise. “Goodness! I’ve just realized I don’t even know when his birthday is!”
Rachel smiled sadly and shook her head in instant understanding. “Yes, there are more important things to worry over with the Cheyenne, such as surviving for yet another year.”
“When is Adam’s birthday?”
“Actually, it is next Monday, but I thought Saturday evening would be a good time to celebrate. What do you think? I know it would be short notice for some people, but it would be so nice if we could manage it.”
“It is a lovely idea. I’m sure Mother and Dad will come if they can.”
“I’ll send a rider into town tomorrow morning with invitations,” Rachel decided.
“Is it to be a surprise?” Tanya asked.
Rachel laughed. “Oh, no! I won’t chance that again! When Adam was nine, I gave him a surprise party, and everyone showed up except him. He was off fishing, and didn’t turn up until the guests were ready to leave.”
“Explain something to me, Tanya,” Rachel said, changing the subject entirely. “What is the problem with this Lt. Young Adam has told me about? Why don’t your parents tell him point-blank not to come around any longer? Do they fear him?”
“It is very complicated, Rachel. You see, I was engaged to Jeffrey when Adam captured me. I was on my way to Pueblo to marry him. He waited for me for two and a half years. He consoled my family and grieved with them over my disappearance. He organized search parties to look for me, and he was with General Custer when I was finally found. My parents are indebted to him, not only for bringing me home, but for his support during my absence. When it became obvious I did not want to resume our former relationship, they felt sorry for him. At first they felt I should be grateful he still wanted me.”
“And now?” Rachel prompted.
“Now they realize what a mistake it would have been for me to marry Jeffrey. He has shown his true colors since I’ve been back. He has become obsessed with the idea of having me, to the point where I truly feel the man is demented. His persistence is amazing, but aggravating. I’ve treated him abominably. I’ve been rude and hateful and outright cruel, but he’s bound and determined I shall be his. He even went so far as to try to rape me when he caught up with me in February, when I tried to escape.”
Rachel gasped. “Does Adam know this?”
“Yes, and he also knows my father arrived in time to prevent it, thank heavens. Since then, my family has protected me from him, and they were thrilled when I showed such an interest in Adam.”
“The trouble is, I think my parents still feel an obligation toward Jeffrey. Not only that, but he does head the cavalry unit in charge of protecting Pueblo. He has a lot of authority for such a young man, and he’s ambitious enough to use it to its fullest extent. He has a vicious temper when crossed, and he could and would make a lot of trouble if pushed too far.”
“I see,” Rachel said thoughtfully. “They feel they have to cater to him to some extent, whether they wish to or not.”
“If that were not enough,” Tanya elaborated, “Julie became enamored of him while I was gone, hoping he would turn his attentions toward her. She was quite distressed when I returned, and it wasn’t until I convinced her that I wanted nothing to do with Jeffrey that she and I could be friends once more. She’s thrilled that Adam is on the scene now. My parents are having fits over her infatuation with him. That is part of the reason she came with me to the ranch. They thought it would be helpful for her to have a change of scene and be away from him for a while.”
Rachel looked confused. “But the lieutenant does not return her feelings, so what
is the problem?”
“I think they fear that if Jeffrey ever does give up on me, he will then decide on Julie. Besides which, Julie is nearly as stubborn as I am when she wants something.”
“So is Roberto,” Rachel chuckled. “It will be interesting to see who is the more stubborn of the two. Who will win, do you suppose?”
Tanya laughed. “My money is on Roberto!”
* * *
Roberto was, indeed, relentless in his pursuit of Julie. “Come riding with me, my dove,” he wheedled.
“You know I prefer to ride in the carriage,” Julie responded tartly.
“If you are afraid of the horse, I’ll carry you before me on mine,” he offered with a cheeky grin. “There is a lovely bend of the river not far from here that is very pretty and private.”
“It is not the horse I fear, and what you are suggesting is extremely improper,” she huffed.
“One would think you do not trust me. I have the greatest respect for you, querida.”
Julie glared at him. “I trust you about as far as I could pick you up and throw you.”
Roberto clutched his chest in feigned agony. “You wound me with such words!” he declared. “Don’t you know how much I adore you?”
Julie snorted at this. “In a pig’s eye! You only want me because you can’t have me. You are a born flirt, Roberto!”
Rather than being offended, he answered jauntily, “I have told you before, I can and will have you. You simply must resign yourself to this fact, chica.How can you go on resisting me when I have so much to offer?”
Julie rolled her eyes heavenward in exasperation. “Oh, yes, I can see it all now! Where will we live, Mr. Cowhand? In the bunkhouse? In a lineshack? Mother will be so pleased when she comes to dinner!” she scoffed.
Roberto gave her a startled look and burst out laughing. “So! You think because I am working with Tia Raquelathat I am a poor relation! No, my pet, you are mistaken. I am merely helping her as a favor.”
He let Julie digest this for a moment, then added, “At the risk of having you decide to marry me for my money, I must tell you I am a rich man. My father owns a fine home and much land in Santa Fe, which I, as the eldest son, will inherit one day.” He gave her an elegant bow. “Now, I will leave you to think on this more by yourself. Consider carefully, Julie, all that you will forfeit by rejecting me. I am young, rich, healthy and charming — and I will give you such beautiful children!”
“You will notgive me children!” she shouted at his retreating back when she finally found her tongue.
“Dozens!” he retorted, laughing as he walked away.
A door slammed in the next room, rousing Tanya from a deep sleep. She shifted positions, seeking the warmth of Adam’s body. A hand clamped gently over her mouth just as she heard Julie call her name.
Tanya’s eyes flew open to meet Adam’s. He motioned for her to stay quiet, and when he was sure she was awake enough to understand, he slipped noiselessly from the bed. He’d just slipped the bolt on the connecting door when the knob jiggled.
Tanya grimaced as she realized how close they had come to being discovered by her sister. Usually she locked her bedroom door when she retired, but last night she had forgotten.
A moment later, the door shut again, and Julie’s voice was heard in the hallway. It faded as she retreated toward the kitchen.
“What on earth is she doing up so early?” Adam whispered.
Tanya shook her head as she stumbled out of bed. “I don’t know, but I’d better get dressed.”
“First, lock your door,” he advised. “That was too close for comfort.”
Tanya did just that. Then, once dressed, she unlocked the door and crept quietly out her window, telling Hunter she would be right back. As she rounded the outside corner of the kitchen, she encountered her sister.
“Good morning, Julie,” she said calmly. “You certainly are up earlier than usual. What’s the occasion?”
“Where have you been? I was looking for you,” Julie asked petulantly.
“Fine, thank you, so nice of you to inquire,” Tanya joked at her sister’s lack of greeting. “I’ve been for a short walk.”
“Sorry,” Julie grumbled. “It is just that I couldn’t sleep, and I thought I could talk with you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Tanya! I’m so confused! Roberto is driving me crazy!”
Tanya had to smile. “He israther persistent, isn’t he?”
“That hardly begins to describe it! He insists that he will win me over, and now that I know he is not without means, it scares me.”
“Why should it? You wouldn’t marry a man for his riches, would you?”
“No, but it certainly helps. What I mean to say is, it makes him an acceptable suitor. He’s not a penniless beggar.”
“I fail to see how his wealth or lack of it would cause you concern, unless, of course, you are attracted to him.”
“That’s just it,” Julie complained. “I’ve been in love with Jeffrey for years, and now I feel this unreasonable attraction for Roberto. He’s very handsome, and he simply oozes charm! I don’t wantto want him; I want Jeffrey! But Roberto iswearing down my resistance, and I don’t like it one bit! It is all so confusing! I thought I knew what I wanted, and now I’m not sure. What do I do, Tanya?”
“Have you told Roberto how you feel?”
“Good heavens, no!” Julie exclaimed. “He’s altogether too sure of himself as it is!”
“Julie, I’m afraid I can’t be much help to you. This is one problem you have to solve on your own. Just one word of advice, dear; follow your heart. No matter what your logic tells you, listen to what your heart is saying. Only then can you be sure you are doing the right thing.”
Julie was chewing on her bottom lip. “I suppose so. Now all I need is to figure out what my heart is trying to tell me. It seems to be talking in a foreign language these days.”
Taking advantage of the few odd moments not spent with Adam each day, Tanya set to work making his birthday gift. From Rachel she obtained a length of cured, tanned cowhide, which she worked into a belt. In addition, she made a new sheath for his knife, decorating both with colorful Cheyenne designs.
The days sped by, filled with love and peace and a warm feeling of family togetherness. Most days the warm spring sunshine kissed the land awake after its long winter sleep. Once in a while, a gentle spring rain would keep them indoors, or occasionally a thunderstorm.
One Thursday morning they awoke to dull grey skies and rain-laden clouds that raced before a brisk wind. Lightning speared the sky, illuminating the heavens with its brilliant light at increasing intervals, while thunder rattled the windowpanes.
Tanya wandered from window to window rest- lessly, unable to settle down to any task for longer than a few minutes.
Adam came to stand beside her, watching the rain lash against the windows. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Meet me in the barn in fifteen minutes. There is a waterproof poncho on the hook by the kitchen door.”
Tanya nodded.
A quarter of an hour later, she dashed into the dark barn, throwing off the wet raingear. Immediately she was enveloped by warm arms, pulled tightly against a broad, muscular chest.
“Your face is all shiny with rain,” Adam murmured as he kissed the drops away, licking at them with his tongue.
On tiptoe, she feathered her fingers through his midnight-dark hair. “Your hair is soaked.”
His lips left her cheek to find her mouth in a long, drugging kiss that seemed to draw her soul out of her body into his. Her lips trembled when the warmth of his finally released them.
“Come,” he said, leading her toward the ladder to the loft high above. They climbed to the upper level, warm and sweet with the smell of clean hay.
The rain drummed down on the roof with a steady beat, joined by the thunder, but in the dry loft they stood in a private, cozy world of their own.
Adam broke the twine of a couple of nearb
y bales, and spread the loose hay into a pile, creating a sweet, if prickly, mattress.
Tanya giggled as he pulled her down onto it with him. “We’ve never made love in a hayloft before.”
Adam smiled broadly, his white teeth flashing. “What? Do you mean to tell me a lusty wench like you has never been for a roll in the hay?”
Tanya threw him a coy look and smiled “Why, sir, surely you jest!” Then she snuggled her lithe body closeagainst his. “You know you are my only lover. Now you may instruct me in the fine art of lovemaking in a loft.”
“It will be my pleasure.” His nimble fingers were already making short work of the buttons on her dress. He slid the bodice down to her waist, his lips following along the curve of her neck and shoulder, and coming to rest along the slope of her breast, guarded by the lace of her chemise.
“Too many clothes,” he muttered thickly, his voice gravelly with desire. Under his impatient fingers, the chemise also found its way down her body.
Once her arms were unrestricted, Tanya helped Adam to divest himself of his own clothing, her hands caressing his skin with smooth strokes.
The hay poked and scratched at her tender flesh, but Tanya was beyond noticing, her mind and body consumed by the raging fires Adam was stoking in her. His lips traversed the length of her, his hands soothing and creating havoc simultaneously. The husky tones of his voice murmuring words of love in the dim loft caressed her thirsting soul.
She reached out to him, touching him in all the well-known places guaranteed to arouse him; stroking, nipping, kissing. She surrounded him with her love and her body. When he came into her, she locked him tightly in her embrace, searing him with her heat, her body melting into his.
His expert lovemaking sent her careening into another sphere, on a collision course with the stars, and she carried him with her to the heights of glory. He held her trembling on the brink of ecstasy until their passions at last exploded in a brilliant starburst.
Over and over again she sighed out his name, their mutual cries of fulfillment masked by the rumbling thunder overhead.
Weak with love, she slowly opened her eyes to see his face above hers, illuminated in the white light of the storm. His ebony eyes were soft with sated passion. “My Wildcat,” he whispered, his lips tenderly claiming the love-swollen contours of hers.
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