The Outlaws: Sam

by Ten Talents Press

  Lacey's greatest fear was that Taylor would return with the law. She couldn't forget that Sam was a wanted man, and that Taylor wasn't above using stealth or violence to get what he wanted, and he wanted her ranch. Why?

  When neither Taylor nor the law showed up, Lacey began to breathe easier. She knew Running Buffalo hadn't let his guard down for each night he sent men into the forest to watch for intruders. Lacey was growing accustomed to daily life in the Indian camp. She'd even taken over cooking the food Sam provided for them.

  But she hadn't let Sam into her bed since that first night. They slept in the same tipi whenever Sam chose to make an appearance, but that's as far as it went. She never questioned him when he failed to return and had no idea where or with whom he slept. Sam had offered no argument when Lacey insisted that Andy sleep beside her each night. He didn't need to say anything. His lowering looks said it all.

  Lacey stirred the beans and prepared the rabbits Sam had bagged that morning. The heat from the fire felt good for the evenings had turned downright cold. Lacey hoped that she and Andy would be safely home before the first snowfall.

  "Something smells good."

  Lacey pretended indifference but her heart thudded wildly as Sam walked up behind her. His hair was still wet from his wash in the river and the thought of a cold dip in the river on these chilly evenings made her shiver.

  Supper will be ready as soon as I make the bread." Yellow Bird had grudgingly shown her how to prepare Indian bread and she'd become quite good at it.

  Sam plopped down on the ground beside the fire. His manner was surly as he stared into the fire. "Running Buffalo will take his tribe south for the winter in a few days," he began. "It's time for me and Andy to leave."

  Lacey dropped the spoon she was holding and stared at him.

  "You knew all along I planned to leave," Sam said. "You have to make up your mind about what you're going to do. You can come along but it won't be an easy journey. I don't have enough money for three fares so we'll have to forego the stagecoach." He shot her a guarded look. "You can always return to the ranch and become Cramer's wife. Lord knows you haven't been much of a wife to me."

  Lacey sent him a barbed look. "Allowing you to make love to me was a mistake. There's no love between us. Without love, sleeping together is pointless."

  "Are you so sure there's no love between us? There's something between us, Lacey. Something neither of us is willing to acknowledge."

  His words stunned her. Her legs went rubbery beneath her as she plopped down beside him. "Are you saying you care for me, Sam?"

  "It wouldn't be difficult to care, Lacey. You're the mother of my child. We loved deeply once. I don't know if that depth of feeling will ever return, or if I want it to, but I'm not indifferent to you. I've demonstrated that to you on numerous occasions."

  "Does that mean you're willing to believe I didn't betray you to the Yankees, or send the posse after you?"

  Sam looked away. "Perhaps. My mind still isn't clear on some things."

  Lacey stiffened. "You're contradicting yourself, Sam. You can't care for me if you don't trust me. I'll go with you and Andy to California, but not as your wife. What you feel for me is lust; I'm not sure you ever loved me."

  Her words lingered in the air like Autumn smoke, thick and dark and choking.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sam did not return to the tipi to sleep after their charged conversation last night. Lacey had no idea where he spent his nights but she suspected it was with Yellow Bird. The Indian squaw appeared far too smug of late, as if she had much to be pleased about. Lacey had no intention of asking Sam about his sleeping arrangements for feared she already knew.

  The entire camp was preparing for their move south. Everyone had a job, including Lacey. Among her chores was helping to gather late berries, then laying them in the sun to dry. To her regret, Andy was never allowed to accompany her and the other women, so that avenue of escape was closed to her.

  One day Yellow Bird managed to lure her away for a private word.

  "We leave for our winter camp in three suns," Yellow Bird said. "I know you do not wish to go to Cali-fornia with Sam so I will help you leave."

  Immediately Lacey's suspicions were aroused. "Why would you help me? You don't even like me."

  "Sam Gentry and I are lovers," she lied. "We were lovers before you came to our camp. You know I do not lie for he has left your sleeping mat for mine. He does not want you."

  "I won't leave without Andy and Sam refuses to let me have him."

  Yellow Bird leaned closer. "You do wish to leave, do you not?"

  "I told you, not without..."

  "You can take An-dy with you. I will give Sam sons, many sons. He does not need yours."

  Lacey searched Yellow Bird's face. She seemed sincere, but could she trust the healer? "How can you help me? Andy and I are rarely left alone. We need horses and..."

  "I will see to everything, trust me. Tomorrow the men leave on a hunting expedition. Sam is to accompany them. He asked me to watch over you and Andy while he is gone."

  Excitement gripped Lacey. This was the chance she'd been waiting for. "How long will Sam be gone?"

  "The men will range far afield in search of game. They will be gone two suns. You could be home long before they return."

  Lacey still wasn't convinced. "Helping me and Andy will surely invite Sam's anger. I'm surprised you're willing to risk his animosity."

  "I am not stupid. I will arrange things so that he will not hold me responsible. Once you are gone, he will turn to me for all his needs."

  "You're wrong. Sam is going to California."

  Yellow Bird smiled. "He will stay. Running Buffalo is fond of Sam. Together we will convince him to stay with our people. White man's law cannot reach him while he is with us."

  Despite her inclination to suspect Yellow Bird, Lacey felt she had no other choice. "Tell me what I must do."

  Lacey listened carefully, then nodded acquiescence. If all went as planned, she and Andy would soon be home. And she'd never see Sam again. That thought sent her reeling. She'd been slowly falling in love again with Sam. It had started soon after he'd turned up on her doorstep, alive and well. She wanted to hate him, had reminded herself time and again of all his faults, but it hadn't done a bit of good. He was still the same Sam she had fallen in love with six years ago and nothing could change that.

  Oh, he had changed, in countless ways, but the Sam she had once loved was still there. He had become more distrustful, harder, more eager to condemn without justification, but her heart refused to listen to her arguments. Making love with Sam was like grasping a little bit of heaven for herself. But she couldn't let her love for Sam interfere. She had to do what was best for Andy. Traipsing over the countryside one step ahead of the law definitely wasn't in Andy's best interest. Suppose Sam was caught and sent to jail? What would become of Andy?

  What would become of her?

  It suddenly occurred to Lacey that she had one more night with Sam. One more night...

  Sam was anxious to be on his way to California. He'd reluctantly delayed his leaving because Running Buffalo had asked him to join a hunting party the next day. He knew Lacey would consider his absence an opportunity to flee with Andy so he'd asked Yellow Bird to keep Lacey and Andy apart and under observation at all times. Yellow Bird had readily agreed but an unexplained anxiety tugged at him. Sam knew Lacey was looking for an opportunity to flee with Andy, but he trusted Yellow Bird, and he didn't want to insult Running Buffalo by refusing to join the hunt after the Indian chief had befriended him.

  That evening Sam returned to the tipi to take supper with Lacey. They had spoken but briefly these past few days and he felt a compelling need to soothe things between them. He was conflicted where Lacey was concerned. Trusting her again would be difficult given their troubled past, but loving her would be so easy.

  He found Lacey alone. "May I share your meal tonight?"

  "If you like. I alway
s cook," Lacey said, "even though you prefer to take your meals elsewhere."

  "Where's Andy?"

  "Sitting Bear asked Andy to spend the night with him and I didn't have the heart to deny him." She dished up a bowl of savory stew and handed it to him along with a piece of Indian bread.

  Sam accepted the food and sat across from her. "This is very good," he said around a mouthful of venison stew.

  Lacey gazed at him across the fire. "Is there something in particular you wished to discuss with me?"

  "I'm joining the hunting party tomorrow. Will you promise to be here when I return?"

  "I said I'd go to California with you," Lacey hedged.

  "I know what you said," Sam said pointedly. "I want to know if I can trust you not to flee with Andy while I'm gone."

  "That doesn't deserve an answer," Lacey returned shortly.

  "I'm taking that to mean I can trust you this time," Sam said, aware that he was placing more trust in Lacey than she deserved. If they were to travel to California together, the distrust between them had to end, and if she was willing to give her word, he would rely on her to keep it.

  Lacey gnawed the underside of her lip as she pondered the answer to Sam's question. Should she refuse to give her promise, Sam might decide not to join the hunting party, ruining a perfectly good chance to escape. On the other hand, if she did give her word and broke it, the lie would destroy all hope for a future relationship. Damned if she did and damned if she didn't. Whatever she did, Sam would have one more reason to hate her. In the end, Lacey did what she had to do. She lied.

  "I'll be here when you return, Sam."

  Sam seemed to relax visibly, but guilt made Lacey lower her gaze to her bowl. She couldn't look him in the eye for fear he'd know that she was lying. To her relief, Sam merely nodded and continued eating.

  Lacey's gaze returned to Sam, aware that this was probably the last time she'd ever see him, the last time they would be together. Her eyes lingered on his face, memorizing every unforgettable feature and storing it where she could bring it back during those long, lonely days and nights to come.

  Sam's face had character. Strong and ruggedly handsome, it held the strength of conviction and the stubbornness of a man who rarely backed down once he made a decision.

  Six years ago Sam's body merely gave hint of the strength he would one day command, and the promise had become reality. Sam's toned body and rippling muscles provided ample proof of his vigor and virility. The thought of Sam's virility made Lacey's mouth go dry. Sam was the only man who had made love to her, but she knew intuitively that no other man would please her like Sam.

  She wanted him. Denying that truth would be lying. If only... An outrageous thought suddenly occurred. Why not? She and Sam were alone and the night stretched before them. If she could experience his loving one more time she could hold the memory in her heart forever. It would be a wonderfully erotic reminiscence to draw upon in the years to come.

  Sam set down his bowl. His eyes were shuttered as he searched her face. Could he sense her need?" Lacey wondered.

  "I don't like this coldness between us, Lacey," Sam whispered. "We have a son in common. We're still be married until the annulment is granted. I wish..."

  A treacherous warmth began to spread through her. "Tell me, Sam. Perhaps we wish for the same thing."

  A tentative smile stretched his lips. "Perhaps we do."

  He stared at her lips. Lacey licked moisture onto their suddenly dry surface, unaware of the provocative nature of her innocent act. No words came to mind as her lips parted in blatant invitation. Sam seemed to harbor the same need as he stood and pulled her up into his arms.

  "Whatever else stands between us, love, we'll always have this," he whispered raggedly. "Our bodies know what they want, whether or not our minds agree. Will you let me love you tonight? I've missed you."

  Let him? She'd die if he didn't. "Love me, Sam, oh, please, love me."

  His hands tightened on her shoulders, his body already hardening as his mouth tilted over hers, hard, demanding, his tongue nudging her lips apart for the heated thrust of his tongue. Lacey heard him groan, felt her knees quacking, her heart pounding. Sam had but to touch her and she went up in flame.

  She breathed in his scent. His hand closed around her breast and he whispered another groan of pleasure into her mouth, a sound that pulsed feeling clear down to the center of her womanhood. The breath caught in her throat when her bodice parted beneath his fingertips and his warm, rough palm cupped her breast. Driven by need for this man, she threaded her fingers through his hair, caressed his cheek. She could feel the abrasive stubble of his day old growth of beard, feel the warmth of his skin, the strength of his hard jaw.

  Her hands slid downward, thrilling to the strong beat of his heart. Then she was lost in the fierce rhythm of his deep kiss, scarcely aware when he drew her down with him to her sleeping mat. His hands were shaking slightly when removed her skirt and drew her drawers down her legs. She gasped his name when his fingers found the heart of her, touching, stroking, playing amid the slick folds until her body wept dewu tears.

  His hand left her briefly to tear open his trousers. "You're ready for me, love. I'm coming inside you now."

  In one fluid motion, Sam pulled her onto his lap so that she straddled him. A strangled cry left her throat when he thrust hard and deep inside her.

  Grasping her buttocks with both hands, he rocked back and forth, the thick fullness of him sliding in and out of her tight sheath. She closed around him, as if they had been made solely for one another. Her eyes drifted shut, and she gave herself up to the seductive rhythm of their joining, knowing this was the ultimate memory she would carry with her forever and beyond.

  Sensations built one atop the other until the tension could no longer be contained. A ragged cry was torn from her as his forceful thrusts released her. Stars burst, thunder roared, pleasure exploded. Sam cried out her name and climaxed moments later.

  The fire turned to ash in the fire-pit. A howling wind arose outside the tipi, rain lashed down from the heavens, but the lovers felt no cold, heard nothing but the beat of their hearts. After their first bout of lovemaking, Sam had stripped off his clothing and lay down beside her. He awakened her during the night and they made love again, and once again near dawn, shortly before Sam left her to join the hunting party.

  Savoring the memories of Sam's loving, Lacey turned over and went back to sleep.

  A cold, damp dawn greeted Sam as he saddled Gallahad. He had left the tipi early in order to have a private moment with Yellow Bird before riding off. He saw her speaking with her brother. When she saw Sam, she made her way over to him.

  "I have prepared food for you," Yellow Bird said shyly.

  Sam accepted the hide bag of trail food and stuffed it into his saddlebags. "Thank you, Yellow Bird. I'm glad you're awake. I wanted a word with you before I left."

  "Do not worry, Sam, I will look after An-dy and La-cey."

  "Lacey has promised to be here when I return. It won't be necessary for you to guard her during my absence."

  Yellow Bird's eyes narrowed. "La-cey told you this? Do you trust her?"

  After a brief hesitation, Sam said, "I might live to regret it, but this time I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt."

  "I hope you are not making a mistake, Sam," Yellow Bird said, allowing none of her elation to show.

  Sam searched her face, then nodded curtly and rode off to join Running Buffalo.

  A short time later Yellow Bird strode purposefully toward Lacey's tipi, not bothering to announce herself as she threw back the flap and ducked inside. "Why are you still sleeping? Do you not wish to leave? Why did you promise Sam you would be here when he returned?"

  Lacey stretched languidly beneath the blanket. She hadn't expected Yellow Bird before she had time to wash and dress. "Is it time?" She rose up on her elbows. "I told Sam what he wanted to hear. I regret lying, but I had no choice."

  Yellow Bird sniffed
the air, her nose wrinkling in distaste. Her voice was rife with recrimination. "You and Sam shared a mat last night. The proof of your joining lingers in the air. Perhaps you did not lie to Sam. Perhaps you no longer wish to leave."

  Lacey glared at Yellow Bird. "Sam is my husband. What we do is none of your concern," she said defensively. "I lied to Sam for Andy's sake. Andy would be miserable if Sam took him away from Texas. He's too young for the life Sam has planned for him. Sam will always on the run, looking over his shoulder for the law. Andy needs stability."

  "You have made a wise choice," Yellow Bird said complacently. "I will fetch your horse and bring Andy to you."

  "How will you handle Sam's anger?"

  "Do not worry about Sam. I will ease his sorrow. I will see that he does not miss or his son."

  Turning abruptly, Yellow Bird left the tipi, her words lingering behind to taunt Lacey. Was Yellow Bird right? she wondered. Probably. Why would Sam miss her when Yellow Bird was more than eager to offer comfort?

  Dismissing her dismal thoughts, Lacey dressed hurriedly and left the tipi. There was nothing to take, everything she owned was on her back.

  Andy stood beside Yellow Bird, a puzzled expression on his little face.

  "Mama, Yellow Bird said we're leaving. Where are we going? Why can't we wait for Papa?"

  Lacey opened her arms and Andy ran into them. "We can't wait for your papa, honey, we have to leave now."

  "Where are we going?"

  "Home."

  "To the ranch? Without Papa?"

  "I'll explain later," Lacey said as she lifted him into the saddle.

  "But...but, Mama, what about Papa?"

  Lacey mounted behind Andy. "It's too complicated to explain right now."

  Ever astute, Andy said, "Papa doesn't know we're leaving, does he? Do I have to leave Sitting Bear? I don't have any friends to play with at the ranch."