by Sara Orwig
When she pushed away, she didn’t want him to stop, but she knew she should either stop or admit the truth to him. And she planned to tell him, but every time the opportunity came, she thought about Pa and all that was at stake and she couldn’t admit the truth. “Don’t kiss me,” she stated instead. “I’m married.”
Dan caught her hair in his hand, tilting up her head to look into his eyes. He looked angry along with another look that was heated, unmistakable—an expression of desire that made her feel weak and hot at the same time. He bent his head to kiss her breast, his breath hot through the material, and she felt faint from the pleasure. The longing centered within her increased, her body responding as she gasped and closed her eyes.
“Dan, I’m married—”
“He’s gone. You said you’ve never heard from him. No one here has heard of him,” he said gruffly as he kissed her throat and her ear, stroking her back and nape. “No one has seen him. He never has been in San Antonio. You’re not married now.”
She felt as if she could not refuse Dan anything. She trembled with need as he shifted and kissed her other breast. She gasped with pleasure, aching, knowing she should not be so wanton, yet unable to stop.
“Dan,” she whispered, feeling drawn to him, yet certain she had to stop him. She was supposed to be a married woman, searching for her husband.
Dan paused and tilted her face to his. She opened her eyes to meet a gaze that was solemn, impossible to fathom.
“I shouldn’t allow you to kiss me.”
“You kissed me back, Rachel. Your heart doesn’t belong to Elias Johnson.”
She felt consumed by Dan Overton’s brown eyes and what was left unsaid—did her heart already belong to this tough, dangerous man? She pushed away, biting her lip and staring beyond him.
“If I don’t find Elias—if he’s not alive, would you stay here and settle in San Antonio, or do you plan to move on?”
The question hung in the air between them and she looked up at him. Shock buffeted her at the stormy fires in his eyes, the hard set to his jaw. His hands were clenched and he stared at her as if he were angry.
“Yes, I’ll go soon,” he answered bluntly. He stepped back, his jaw set.
Hurting, she stared at him. Her heart drummed and she was torn between wanting to admit the truth and facing the fact that he would move on. He was a solitary man who would not lose his heart again.
“We should go back,” she said, hurting badly and praying he didn’t suspect her pain. “My family may be looking for me. We’ll leave town soon, too. Pa bought a place today.”
She heard Dan’s swift intake of breath, saw shock flicker in the depths of his eyes as she stared at him. Her skin prickled with a sudden rush of fear.
Chapter 13
“What did you say?”
Again she was surprised by the force of his question. Why did he seem so angry all of a sudden? “Pa bought a place from a man who’s leaving Texas. He was selling his herd, too.”
“How in blazes could your pa ride into town and within hours become owner of a house and cattle?”
Dan’s skeptical, angry voice surprised her. She reminded herself that he was leaving town and whatever was ahead in her life, Dan was no part of it, so she couldn’t concern herself with his reaction. She lifted her chin. “Pa met Horace White and Pa asked him about cattle and land. Mr. White made Pa an offer he had to take. I wanted him to take it,” she said in a low, forceful voice, and Dan’s eyes narrowed.
“Your pa hasn’t had time to go look over a herd and a house.”
“No. But he asked townspeople about Horace White and he went to the land office and looked at the deed and maps. Mr. White wants to leave for good tonight and he was going to have to sell out for a lot less than he did to Pa. Pa had to give him a decision this afternoon.”
“You made the decision,” Dan said quietly.
“I influenced Pa’s choice,” she said, feeling tension mount between them. Dan was unhappy over their purchase, and she couldn’t understand why. “I wanted him to take it. This is more than we ever dreamed possible. It’s two-thousand head of cattle, wells on the place, a fork of the river running across the land, and a house. And Pa will have money left to hire enough men to take care of everything.”
Feeling as if lightning had struck him, Dan stared at her while he silently told himself he had been a fool to wait to arrest Eb Kearney. He should have done it as they rode into town. Anger boiled in him over his own soft-heartedness.
“Dammit,” he said, and she tilted her head to look at him.
“Why are you so fired up all of a sudden? You’re like a snake poked with a stick.”
Clenching his fists, Dan stared at her. He had been taken in by Rachel, dazzled by her spirit and beauty, his heart stolen by the boy and little girl. He turned and walked away from Rachel. If he arrested Eb Kearney now that he owned land, Rachel would try to run the place herself. And every unscrupulous man in the next ten counties would be after her. Rachel and Abigail wouldn’t last a month. None of them would. Ruthless men would take the women and sell the little girl. Dan knew Josh would fight to his last breath to defend Rachel. “Damnation,” he muttered under his breath.
He spun around to catch her staring at him with curiosity. “Why did White sell so all-fired fast?”
She raised her chin, and Dan felt a chill run down his spine because he knew that look now. It meant Rachel was ready for a fight. Suddenly he didn’t want to know the answer to his question. Just go now and arrest Eb Kearney and take him back to Mississippi. Go now before she gets you embroiled more than ever in the Kearney family. He knew he should stride right past her, not listen to the answer she was about to give to his question. He should take Eb now.
He couldn’t move. Another shock buffeted him at his own feelings. He couldn’t turn around and walk away from her. She was gazing up at him wide-eyed, her full lips slightly parted, and he couldn’t leave her. He couldn’t arrest Eb.
Anger at himself surged in Dan. He wanted to smash something. Why hadn’t he arrested Eb long ago? Why didn’t he go arrest him now?
“Why did White sell so fast? Why is he pulling out?” Her chin tilted a fraction higher, and his temper rose with it.
“You said you’re leaving San Antonio soon, so you needn’t concern yourself with what we plan to do, Dan Overton!”
She turned to go back to the fiesta, her hips switching, her head high and back straight. Furious with her, he wanted to grab her and shake her. At the same time, he had to admire her for her independence. He watched her walking away, her auburn hair swinging. Let her go! Arrest Eb Kearney now!
Swearing under his breath Dan strode forward and caught her arm, spinning her around. Her hands flew up against his chest; her eyes were wide, dancing with fire.
“Why did White sell so damned fast? Tell me, Rachel.”
She raised her chin again, and he thought she was going to defy him. His hands tightened on her upper arms while he struggled to control his temper.
“Because his neighbor wants his place and his cattle and has driven him out and hoped to get all his belongings for next to nothing,” she answered in a rush. “We’re getting more than we dreamed possible; Mr. White is getting paid more for his property and herd than he hoped.”
“Can’t he fight the neighbor?”
“He said he’s tired of fighting.”
“There’s the law in San Antonio. The law is the way to fight renegades.”
“This is one of San Antonio’s leading citizens.”
Dan had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that in the next few minutes he would become ensnared deeper than ever with the Kearneys. “How do you know that?”
“Because the neighbor is Lyman McKissick!”
“Dammit to hell!” Dan swore, fury making him shake. “You know what trouble he’ll give you!” He felt as if tight bands were winding around him. He had waited to arrest Eb while the Kearneys bought the place next to McKissick!
If Dan took Eb in now, McKissick would have the two women within days.
“We run the same risk anywhere we settle.”
“McKissick’s not above the law.”
“According to Mr. White, Lyman McKissick can do what he wants. He’s wealthy, powerful, and he’s friends with the alcalde.”
“Who told you that?”
“Mr. White. Pa’s going to hire men who are willing to fight. And he’s going to give each man he hires part of the herd, so they have a bigger interest in protecting our place.” She gave a saucy toss of her head. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. Mr. McKissick has asked me if he can come courting.”
“You’re a married woman!”
“Mr. McKissick said I can’t find Elias because he isn’t alive. He said he and his men have been searching for Elias since they arrived in San Antonio. He’s sent men to San Angelo and Austin to ask about Elias, and he’s convinced he’s not alive. Mr. McKissick told me how wealthy he is and how he can take care of me and my family.”
Shocked, Dan stared at her. “What about the attack out of Fort Worth?”
“Mr. McKissick gave all kinds of reasons for acting improperly and he apologized. Now let’s go.” She started to twist out of his grasp. Her words went over Dan like burning coals dropping on him, anger roaring in him. His grip on her tightened, his fingers holding her.
“What did you tell McKissick?” He ground out the words.
She gave him a defiant glare. “I told him no,” she replied coolly. “I don’t want him to come courting. He said he would be back. If he wants to court me, he won’t give us trouble.”
“What happens if you find Elias and he has a big place?” he asked, feeling a rush of cynicism.
She blushed as she always did when she was questioned hard about Elias Johnson. “I’m afraid something happened to Elias and if and when he shows up, I’ll go with him and leave Pa and my family on this place.”
“Lord, you’re all babes out here!”
“We’ll get along. Pa’s going to hire good men. Enough of that when there’s a party! Let’s join the others.” She twisted out of his grasp and walked away, the blue skirt swirling around her legs.
Catching up with her, Dan walked beside her, his thoughts seething with anger at himself. Never before had he been so soft-hearted. For the first time he had broken his own rule and become involved in the life of his quarry. He felt as if he were sinking in quicksand. Auburn-haired, green-eyed quicksand that held him fast. These were good people. Eb Kearney a battle-scarred man, but a fine man, yet he was on the wrong side of the law and he had to face charges.
“Why are you so angry?” she asked, slanting him a look. “You’re leaving town anyway and you’ll never see us again.”
He took her arm and turned her to face him. “I might not leave San Antonio as soon as I said. And I intend to come back,” he said, surprising himself. He had no such thought. “And I expected to leave you and your family either safe in town or safe on a new place.”
She placed her hand on his arm and gave him a dazzling smile. “You’ve been a wonderful help and protection for us since Fort Worth. We’ll get along just fine.”
He was torn between wanting to shake her and wanting to sweep her into his arms and protect her and shoulder her burdens. Lord, he was ensnared by this family, by Rachel!
She slanted him a flirtatious look, her full rosy lips curved. “You’ll forget us within hours after you ride out of town.”
“I won’t ever forget you,” he stated in a low, forceful voice and she blinked, suddenly looking less certain. “McKissick is a bastard,” Dan added.
Her green eyes were wide as if he had startled her. “He’s no longer your concern.”
McKissick was a bully. He wanted Rachel and they would clash head-on and when they did, McKissick wouldn’t care how badly he hurt her. Dan could remember clearly when he had seen McKissick grab her up to try to ride out of camp with her.
With a stab of basic male desire, Dan had to admit it went deeper than hating McKissick and worrying about McKissick and Rachel. Dan wanted Rachel in his bed. He wanted her vitality and eagerness and with the specter of Eb’s arrest between them, she was as accessible to him as a star in the night sky.
“Has the deal already been made?”
“Yes, it has. We’re leaving for the new place tomorrow.”
“If I get your Pa now and we ride out there, maybe we can talk Horace White into giving your Pa back his money. You can’t fight McKissick. You’re not tough enough, Rachel!”
Her eyes narrowed, the fire returning and she leaned forward to poke his chest with her forefinger. “Dan Overton, you stay out of something that is none of your affair! Besides, it wouldn’t do you any good to ride out there after Horace White because he said his family was all packed up and they would start on the trek to leave Texas as soon as he arrived home.”
Dan stared at her, the dilemma tearing at him while he knew that once again, he was going to put off arresting Eb Kearney until he saw where they were going and how much danger the family would be in. The deal had been made, so there was nothing Dan could do to stop it.
“Damnation. You can’t fight him and win.”
“You can fight him with us if you want to work for Pa. He’ll have good terms,” she said blandly, her spirits seeming to rise as his sank. “Now we’re at the first party I’ve been to in years, Dan Overton. You let me enjoy it!”
Rachel turned toward the dancers, and he watched her walk away from him.
“You’re getting soft, Overton,” he said quietly under his breath. It was time he quit Pinkerton’s. His gaze ran down Rachel’s backside and up again, watching her hips sway slightly with each step.
He wanted her beneath him, her softness around him. Imagining loving her made him hot, thickening his blood. He didn’t want her hurt. She was all woman, all a man dreamed about, yet he was going to hurt her more than the war or anyone else ever had. When he arrested Eb, she would be devastated. And she would hate him forever. Feeling his muscles knot, he strode after her, catching up with her as they approached the dancers.
They stood on the fringes; the music was fast and loud, the lights bright here. Dan watched her while she gazed at the couples passing them. He was caught in their problems as surely as a steer sunk in a bog. The Kearneys had him hog-tied, bound to them. He studied her. Rachel’s eyes sparkled, and she looked as if she wanted to dance.
And he was going to ride out with her tomorrow to try to protect them some more from McKissick. He knotted his fists, his gaze going over the crowd and he glimpsed Josh. Dan felt as if he had been chained to the Kearneys by bonds of the heart that were impossible to break.
Turning to watch the dancers, he spotted Abby who was radiant. Her cheeks were pink, her blue eyes sparkling.
Tapping her toe, Rachel watched couples flash past, yet she was aware of Dan at her side. He was angry over McKissick, worrying her about her decision. And now Dan sounded as if he wouldn’t leave San Antonio right away. She glanced up at Dan and back to the dancers, and she felt a swift-running current of excitement. And she longed to be in his arms, whirling around the floor with him. If he stayed, would it be wise for Pa to try to hire him? Every time she thought about the telegram to Vicksburg, it put a damper on her joy. Yet if he were here to arrest Pa, why hadn’t he already done so?
She felt his touch and looked up at him. He jerked his head in the direction of the dancers.
“There’s your pa.”
She followed Dan’s gaze and felt startled to see Pa dancing with a dark-eyed, black-haired woman who looked younger than Pa.
“I can’t believe Pa’s dancing.”
“Your Pa is entitled to enjoy himself, too. He was dancing long before you were born.”
She blinked, staring at Pa as he danced past. He was laughing, talking to the woman and Rachel suddenly wished he could find happiness here in Texas. Their mother was gone and Pa had been alone a long time, off fighting in a war and
then coming home from prison and becoming a widower.
“I never thought about Pa dancing again.”
“He is and he looks as if he’s enjoying himself.”
She stood watching the dancers, seeing Abby talking to William Murdock. He was young and handsome, and Abby looked happy. Rachel felt a pang at all they had missed, wishing they had a home and Abby could have a beau and go to dances, wishing she could go to dances, that Dan Overton would come calling.
Knowing that was a dangerous path to allow her fancy to go, she tried to shift her thinking as Josh walked up. One hand held Lissa’s, and in his other hand was a sugary confection.
“This is fun, Rachel. I’ve met some boys who live here. Pa’s dancing with Mrs. Galvez.” He looked up at Dan. “Are you going to dance with Rachel?”
Dan turned to Rachel. “I will if she’ll let me.”
“Josh,” she said, bending down. “I’m married and I can’t dance with other men.” She touched his shoulder and could see he realized he had made a mistake. He clamped his jaw closed and glanced at Dan.
“We’ll be right over there, Rachel. Pa told me to stay close and watch Lissa.”
“I want more,” Lissa said, holding out the last of a bite of candy.
“Come on,” he said, leading her away.
Rachel watched the couples go past, tapping her toe to the music, wishing she could join the dancers, aware of Dan Overton. The musicians began a waltz, the lyrics sung in Spanish, its lilting strains carrying in the night.
Dan slipped off his coat, hanging it over a low branch of a live oak. His white shirt was a stark contrast to his dark skin and black hair and it was tucked into tight black pants that hugged his slender hips. As she glanced at his hips, she realized what she was doing and jerked her gaze up to meet another mocking look that made her blush. He reached out to take her hand.
