She had no trouble picturing Zeke as a warrior—in some ways he seemed like a throwback to those days. “Yes, but that was a long time ago, and it was probably mostly conditioning after they were born, not some innate part of their makeup.”
Zeke grinned. “You’re probably right. But it sounded good, didn’t it?”
“Sure did. It’s good copy, as we say in my job. Naomi’s already suggested that Amanda would make an exotic runway model with her coloring.”
Zeke frowned. “A model? Don’t they have to starve themselves to stay skinny enough for the camera?”
“If she inherits my metabolism she won’t have to starve herself. And I think she’ll be beautiful enough to make it.”
Zeke still looked doubtful. “Sure, she’ll be beautiful enough, but what kind of a life is that?”
She loved his parental assumption that his daughter would be gorgeous. Even more she loved his concern for Amanda’s future. “Well, there can be a lot of pressure, but a lot of money, too. And if she has any interest in acting, that’s a logical step from modeling.”
“You mean be a movie star?”
Katherine gazed down at Amanda. “You never know.”
“So many movie stars seem to have messed-up lives.”
“But not all of them.” Katherine glanced at him. “If Amanda grows up with lots of self-esteem, she could handle herself in that world. But then I want her to grow up with lots of self-esteem no matter what she decides to do with her life.”
“Which is where I come in.”
Katherine nodded. “I think so. When I brought her out here I was confused about that. Naomi had convinced me I could raise Amanda without you.”
“You could.”
“Maybe. But I don’t want to.” She met his gaze. “And I hope you don’t want me to, either.”
He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, as if making some sort of pledge. “No, I don’t. Not anymore.”
* * *
AFTER KATHERINE FINISHED feeding Amanda and was tucking her in for her nap, Zeke noticed how chilly the air in the cabin was. He’d been so engrossed in watching Katherine nurse the baby, he’d been oblivious to the temperature, but now that she’d buttoned her shirt, he could concentrate on something besides the temptation of her breasts.
He surveyed the small pieces of wood left on the hearth. Not enough for a decent fire. Throwing back the covers, he gritted his teeth and swung his legs to the floor.
Katherine glanced up from where she was crouched next to Amanda’s bassinet. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Zeke fought dizziness as he stood, balancing himself by holding on to the headboard of the bed. “We need wood.”
“Get back in bed.” She checked the sleeping baby once more and stood. “I’ll take care of the wood.”
“I feel dumb having you do all the work.” Using the mattress to steady himself, he started toward the dresser. “I’ll just put on some sweats and another shirt.”
“No, you won’t.” She stepped into his path, blocking his way.
“Katherine—”
“You should see yourself.” She crossed her arms and planted her feet more firmly. “It’s freezing in here and sweat’s popping out on your forehead. Now, I want you to give up this macho routine and go back to bed before you pass out again.”
He had to admit he didn’t feel so great whenever he put the slightest weight on his ankle.
“Get back to bed and stop being ridiculous.”
“Katherine, I—”
“If you don’t start moving, I’m going to kick you in your bum ankle, ranger man! My goodness, what an ego you have. Nobody can do anything but you. Now get going.”
He gazed down at her. She was so adorably belligerent it was hard for him not to smile. Figuring she wouldn’t appreciate that, he set his mouth into a tight line and nodded. Turning, he sat down on the mattress again.
“That’s better. Do you have a bucket around here?”
“Under the sink.”
She walked over to the sink, opened a bottom cupboard and took out the bucket. “As long as you’ve moved yourself, I want you to soak your foot and ankle in cold water while I’m busy getting the wood. And wrap a blanket around your shoulders so you don’t catch cold.” She tipped the bucket under the faucet and started filling it.
“Yes, ma’am.” While her back was to him, he allowed himself a grin. “At least you didn’t tell me to soak my head.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” It was a good-size bucket and she had to use both hands to lug it over to the bed. “But we’ll start with your foot.” She set the bucket down slowly, so the water wouldn’t slosh out. “Put it in there.”
“My foot isn’t going to fit all the way in. It’s too big.”
“Do the best you can to cover your ankle.”
He braced himself against the shock and dipped his toes in. Damn, the water was cold. But she’d come up with a good idea. The sooner the swelling went down on his ankle, the sooner he’d be able to take care of things around here. Muttering a few curses, he immersed his foot as far as possible.
“Well, now you’re shivering.”
He glanced up at her. “No j-joke.”
“That’s partly because you don’t have the blanket fixed right.” She reached around him with both arms, practically embracing him as she adjusted it. “You’d think somebody with Sioux blood would know how to wrap a blanket around himself.”
“Very funny.” Her close proximity and her tantalizing scent were really getting to him. He’d just about decided to grab her and kiss that smart mouth of hers when she stopped fiddling with the blanket and stepped back.
“Good. You’ve stopped shivering.”
He wanted to tell her that was because his foot and ankle were completely numb and he was getting an erection from all her fondling. He thought better of it. “You sure have been bossy recently,” he said.
“If you’d stop trying to be Superman I wouldn’t have to boss you around.” She surveyed him. “You need a sock on that other foot.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.” She walked over to the dresser and took out a pair of wool socks. She laid one on top of the dresser and came over to kneel in front of him.
“I can put on my own sock, Katherine.”
“Oh, be quiet. This is faster.” She rolled the sock over his foot and up his calf.
He loved every second of the experience. He’d never realized before how sensitive that area of his body could be.
“There.” She stood and put her hands on her hips. “Now I’ll get the wood. After that I’ll build us a fire and make you some hot coffee and me some cocoa. Then I’ll fix us something for lunch. How about that?”
“Sounds good, Superwoman.”
She lifted both eyebrows. “Hey, I’m not the one who passed out in the yard and then thinks he can do all his normal chores. I’m just taking care of business.”
“And your wrist needs to be rebandaged.”
She hesitated, looking at it. “Nope. First I’m getting the wood.”
“Then take my gloves. They’re in the pocket of my heavy jacket. In fact, you might want to put the jacket on, too.”
She walked over to where the jackets hung and took down his heaviest one. It dwarfed her. Then she pulled the leather gloves out of the side pocket as she headed for the door. “See you in a few minutes. With firewood.”
“Okay.” Zeke’s heart swelled as he watched her go out the door dressed awkwardly in his clothes. What a loving, bossy, vulnerable, sexy woman. He didn’t regret a single moment he’d spent with her, and he wouldn’t want anyone else to be the mother of his child. Thank God he’d pulled her out of the river that afternoon. He couldn’t imagine a world without Katherine
in it. And as that last thought sank in, he caught his breath.
No doubt about it, he was in love with her.
* * *
LEAVING HER FIRST THREE loads of wood by the door, Katherine carried the fourth stack into the cabin and set it on the hearth. She was enjoying herself, she realized with some regret. She liked building fires and walking in the woods and sitting on the porch gazing up at the night sky.
She took off Zeke’s gloves and stuffed them in the pocket of his coat before hanging it up. Then she glanced over at Zeke. “Firewood’s in.”
He watched her, a soft expression on his face. “Thanks.”
The warmth in his eyes beckoned her, and she had the biggest urge to walk over there and into his arms. Instead she turned, knelt by the hearth and began stacking kindling and pinecones to start a fire. As the kindling began to crackle she reached for a piece of the wood she’d brought in. With great satisfaction she put the wood on the fire. They would be warm tonight because of her.
She placed the fire screen in front of the blaze and stood. “Now for some lunch. How’s your ankle?”
“I think the swelling’s gone down some. It’s probably time to wrap it with an elastic bandage. Then we’ll redo yours.”
Katherine glanced down at her wrist. “Do you have more of these?”
“Several. Sprains are common in the woods.”
“No kidding.” Walking over to the bed, she crouched down to peer into the bucket. “I think I could wrap your ankle for you. Let me get the first-aid kit and a towel to dry you off.” She started toward the bathroom.
“And after you wrap my ankle, I’ll change the bandage on your wrist.”
She laughed. “This is beginning to sound like an episode from General Hospital.” When she returned, she handed him the kit while she knelt down to take his foot from the bucket and dry it. His toes were starting to wrinkle, but the swelling didn’t look nearly as bad around his ankle.
“We really are quite a pair of cripples, Zeke.”
“Yeah, but put us together and we’re awesome.”
She thought about that as she dried his foot, being careful to get between his toes. They were awesome together. Where one of them had a weakness, mental or physical, the other one seemed to fill the gap. With parents like that, a kid could have it made. But she wasn’t sure Zeke would be able to do his share of filling in gaps when he lived clear out in Wyoming. She wondered if telephone calls would help. Probably not much.
“I think my foot’s dry,” Zeke said gently.
She realized she’d been continuing to rub his foot as she considered the problem. “Oh.” She glanced up at him. “Sorry.”
“It felt sort of good.”
“Oh,” she said again, aware of a light in his dark eyes. She glanced away, afraid to hold his gaze for long. “We’d better get your ankle horizontal again and wrap it.”
“Right.” Laying the first-aid kit behind him, he took the blanket from around his shoulders and tossed it across the end of the bed.
His chest muscles flexed as he did so, and Katherine suddenly became aware that he wore nothing but his briefs and the sock she’d recently put on him. The sight of his bronzed body was potent medicine. She needed to get this first-aid business taken care of, and fast.
Before she could reach down to lift his feet, he swung them up to the bed and laid his ankle on the pillow. Then he reached into the first-aid kit, took out the rolled bandage and tossed it to her. “Wrap away.”
She caught the bandage and frowned at him. “You need to take it easy lifting that ankle.”
“I don’t like feeling like a damned invalid.”
“As if I didn’t know.” She unfastened the clip from the bandage and sat down on the bed near his feet. “If I remember right, I wrap your instep and then wind this up around your ankle.”
“That’ll work. Make sure it’s tight enough.” He leaned back against the headboard and crossed his arms over his chest.
And did he ever look yummy posed like that, she thought. Time to get busy and then get the heck off the bed. “I’m going to prop your foot on my knee. Let me know if anything I do hurts too much.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll bet you won’t. You’re such a macho type.” She worked gingerly to wrap the end of the bandage around his instep.
“I wasn’t exactly the macho type last night with that nightmare.”
She stopped wrapping and glanced up at him. It was the first reference he’d made to it today. “That dream took you right back to being three years old. Not many little boys of three are macho.”
He gazed at her, his dark eyes gentle. “I appreciate the fact that you didn’t bring up the subject again. Some people might have pestered me for more details.”
“I figure it’s up to you when you want to talk about it.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She dared not look into his eyes any longer. She leaned over her work again. His skin was still cool from soaking in the water, although she could feel warmth when she lightly touched the swollen part of his ankle.
As she unrolled the bandage around the puffy part she had to cradle the weight of his calf in her other hand. Man, did he have muscles. And a sexy kneecap. He didn’t have a lot of body hair, which was probably due to his Sioux heritage. Touching the back of his leg reminded her of the delicious texture of his bronzed skin...everywhere. She’d explored it thoroughly in the lantern light the night before. She didn’t have a lot of experience with men, but she knew instinctively that making love to Zeke was an exotic experience by anybody’s standards.
“That might be just a little too tight.”
A quick look told her he was clenching his jaw against the pain, and when she inspected her wrapping job, she quickly started undoing it again. “I am so sorry.” In her agitated state while daydreaming about Zeke’s body, she must have pulled the bandage tighter and tighter. She winced when she thought of how that must have hurt him. “That was stupid of me.”
“It’s okay, Katherine.”
“It’s not okay.” She started rewrapping, not looking at him. “You wouldn’t be in this fix if I hadn’t come into your life in the first place. Now you have all these problems like what to do about Amanda, and on top of that you sprain your ankle, and I can’t even take care of it properly for you.”
“I’m not sorry you came into my life.”
“Yeah, well, being not sorry is a long way from being glad, and I don’t blame you. Your life was going fine until—”
“I’m glad you did, then.”
That brought her head up. “You are?”
“Yes.”
“That’s...nice.” Oh, God. Whenever he looked at her like that she began to tremble. She swallowed and went back to her work. Her fingers shook as she attached the metal clip to the end of the bandage.
“There. You’re done.” She eased his foot off her knee and onto the pillow. Then she stood up and tossed the covers over him, more to get his body out of sight than to keep him warm. The fire was heating the room up nicely. At least she told herself it was the fire that was causing her skin to feel so toasty. “Ready for some coffee?”
“After we do something about that bandage of yours.”
“Oh.” She glanced down at the damp, grungy-looking elastic and had to admit it felt icky. But she wasn’t sure it was wise for her to be close to him at the moment. “Later.”
“If you wait, then Amanda will wake up, and I’ll bet you’d like a clean bandage before you deal with her again.”
He was right about that. And there was no way she could wrap it properly by herself.
Zeke patted the mattress next to him. “Come on. Let’s take care of this so you can forget about it for a while.”
“Let me put a
nother log on the fire first.” She walked over to the fireplace and spent a fair amount of time tending to the blaze, hoping in the process her reaction to Zeke would lessen. It didn’t.
“Hey,” Zeke called. “The fire’s perfect. Come on over here and get your wrist taken care of.”
“Now who’s the bossy one?” But she went over and sat on the bed.
He cradled her hand gently and started unwinding the bandage. “If you wouldn’t try to act like Superwoman, I wouldn’t have to boss you around.”
“Ha, ha.” She tried to be nonchalant as she sat with her hand in his, but she was having a lot of trouble. His body heat seemed to reach out to her, drawing her closer. She deliberately held herself away from him.
“How does your wrist feel?” His breathing was slow and steady as he unwrapped the elastic. Apparently he wasn’t bothered by being so close to her.
“It’s a little sore. Not bad.” She didn’t know how anyone could keep from reacting to his gentle touch. All he was doing was taking a bandage from her wrist, yet it felt like a caress.
“There. It’s off. Looks pretty good. Not much swelling.”
“No.” She gazed at her wrist. “Sort of wrinkly and white.”
“That’s because you left the wet bandage on so long.” He held her wrist loosely and examined it. “Looks better.”
“I’m sure I’ll live.” But his touch was driving her insane, reminding her of how it felt to have his hands all over her body. If he placed his fingers over the pulse in her wrist, he’d know what he was doing to her.
He took a new bandage from the first-aid kit and with calm precision started wrapping it around her wrist. “Amanda’s sure sleeping soundly.”
“Yes, she is.” She wondered if he heard the quiver in her voice. She felt almost feverish. The minute he finished wrapping her wrist, she would get up and start lunch. There were lots of reasons why making love was a bad idea, starting with his injured ankle and ending with the possibility of two broken hearts.
But he seemed to be taking forever. She remembered what he’d said about scent being a part of the mating process. He must be right, because as she sat breathing in the sheer maleness of him, she grew damp and aroused.
Bachelor Father Page 17
