Montana Sky: Isaac (Kindle Worlds) (Letters of Fate Book 2)

by Paty Jager

  She giggled when Isaac popped up and scanned the water for her. Not finding her, he started toward the bank. Alamayda pushed through the waterfall and called, “Isaac!” before ducking back behind the sheet of water.

  He spun around but not soon enough to see her. Alamayda laughed at his scrunched face and frustrated expression. Isaac spun and dived into the water.

  Alamayda stared hard through the falling water trying to see where he’d pop back up. Something grabbed her leg and she screamed. Her body was pulled down into the water. Before her mouth and lungs filled with water, someone held her up under her arms. Water sluiced off her hair and face. When it cleared, she peered into the worried eyes of Isaac.

  Catching her breath, she slapped his chest. “Did you do that? Nearly drowned me?”

  “You shouldn’t have hid from me or hollered my name.” Isaac lowered Allie to her feet. He hadn’t planned to scare her, but when he figured out where she was hiding, he wanted to shock her. Now that they had all that gold in their possession, they had to be careful and not call attention to them.

  “You hid from me. I thought you were playing hide and seek.”

  Only enough light filtered through the fall to make out her shape. He wished he could see her eyes. How upset was she with him? He’d shoved away from her and stood under the cold water earlier so she wouldn’t be shocked by the ardor in his body.

  “Come on. I think we’re clean enough.” He grasped her hand, leading Allie out from behind the waterfall and all the way to the bank. “Leave me a towel and clean drawers and take the knapsack behind a bush and get changed.” Isaac stepped out of the pool, releasing her hand and picking up his holster and pistol. She’d called his name pretty loud. If the three were still in the area, they could have heard it.

  Allie didn’t question him. She handed the towel and drawers to him, picked up her pile of clothes and headed into the bushes. He gathered his clothes and headed into the bushes away from Allie.

  Ever since they’d opened the strong box his mind had been working to figure out the best way to return the gold. They’d have to leave the supplies in the cave and load the cook box and food box with the gold and then put a few other things on so it looked like they were headed on their way still looking for a ranch.

  He stripped off the wet union suit, dried, and pulled on the clean one. Back in his clothes, he picked up the wet things and walked to the spot he’d seen Allie disappear.

  “You ready?” he asked quietly.

  A bush rustled. “Just about. Having trouble with my boots.”

  “Want me to help?” he asked, knowing getting close to the woman would start the fire in his body all over again.

  “No. I just…about…There!” More rustling of the bush and Allie stepped out carrying her wet garment and towel.

  Isaac held out his hand and she grasped it. “Quiet. Your shout could have alerted someone.”

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You haven’t had to hide from greedy people before. I learned all about it when I tried gold mining.” Isaac decided to take a longer route back to the cave but less likely to run into anyone coming this way. He led Allie to the far side of the waterfall.

  She stopped, pulling on his hand. “Aren’t you going the wrong way?” she questioned in a whisper.

  “We’re going back a different way, just in case someone did hear you.” To his relief, on this side of the waterfall the bluff had natural steps made from the rocks.

  At the top, they stopped a minute to catch their breath. He noticed movement down by the edge of the bushes and ushered Allie back away from the edge. “Stay here.”

  Isaac crouched down and moved toward the edge of the cliff. His gut tightened when he recognized Tulley walking out of the bushes followed by two other men. One was larger than the other two. These were the three White Hawk told him about. Who had Tulley hooked up with?

  He eased back from the edge, grabbed Allie’s hand, and followed the stream up the mountain. To his surprise, this stream was the one they used for water at the cave. Now he knew an easier, quicker way to get to the pool. Though if Allie agreed they’d be headed out of here tomorrow night.

  Bear Walker greeted them twenty feet from the ledge to the cave.

  “Go on in,” Isaac said to Allie, shooing her on ahead of him. Once she was in the cave and out of earshot, he said, “The three men came to the waterfall. I know one of them. He attacked Allie at the waterfall before.”

  Bear Walker grunted.

  “We’re leaving here tomorrow, but we need you and White Hawk to distract the men.” He hoped the man was willing to let them travel alone given their attachment to Allie.

  Bear Walker nodded. “We keep bad men away.”

  Isaac put a hand on the warrior’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

  He entered the cave. Allie had the wet union suits and towels draped over the supplies.

  “Do you need to…you know, before settling in?” he asked. He was ready to slide into his bedroll and tell Allie his plan.

  Her cheeks darkened in the lantern light. “I did that when I was dressing.”

  “Then let’s go to bed.” He grabbed the lantern, put it at the usual nighttime spot and placed his hat and holster at the head of his bedroll.

  Allie sat on her bed and pulled her boots off.

  “No wonder you were having trouble getting your boots on, you didn’t put stockings on.” He grasped her foot, gliding a finger over the red spots made by her boots. “Always wear stockings with boots. Especially, when you are hiking on a mountain.”

  He heard her breath exhale. He peered into her face. Her gaze watched his fingers moving across her long thin foot. She licked her lips and it was his undoing.

  Isaac leaned forward, cupping the back of her head in one hand, and drew her face close to his. His body had yearned for this moment ever since he’d suggested they bathe together in the hot spring. Touching his lips to hers, a spark snapped between them. He pulled back and saw wonder in her eyes. This time he brushed his lips back and forth softly, before seating their lips and kissing her with the desire surging through his body.

  Using the foot he still held, Isaac pulled her up into his lap, keeping their lips melded together. She squirmed, fitting her body tighter to his. The sensation quivering up his body and snapping his need to attention, shook him of all common sense. His hands moved over her body, feeling the slight curve at her hip, and moving up to cup her small breast through the shirt and undergarments. He wanted to touch her skin. Needed to touch her skin.

  Using one hand, he turned the lantern down and started unbuttoning her shirt.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Alamayda’s senses were on fire. She wanted Isaac to touch her all over, kiss her all over. She wanted to feel cherished and loved. The first kiss with her head cradled by his hand, he’d held her as if she were precious. Never in her life had anyone thought of her as precious. She was a work horse. A woman who worked and did business like a man. Isaac’s tender kisses then passionate kisses had dissolved her guard and made her want to feel.

  His fingers unbuttoning her shirt registered, but she didn’t care. They were on a mountain with no one to know what they did. She would have one night to look back on and know she was thought of as a desirable woman. She loved this man and wanted to give him anything he wanted. Even if he walked away from her tomorrow, she’d have experienced the ability to love.

  Isaac’s lips moved from her lips to her neck.

  She sucked in air as his hand breeched her union suit and touched her skin. The fire his touch started ceased her thoughts to think beyond his touch.

  ***

  Allie lay cradled in Isaac’s arms in his bedroll. Their naked bodies pressed together.

  “Allie, marry me. When we get to Helena we can have a preacher do the ceremony.” Isaac hadn’t wanted Allie to agree to marry him because he’d compromised her, but he’d have had t
o been a saint to keep from making love to her after seeing the desire sparking in her eyes.

  “I don’t want to be the wife left behind when you decide to move on.” Her soft, sleepy voice made him smile, her words froze his heart.

  “I won’t leave you. Allie, I love you and want to have you by my side when I start up a cattle ranch.” He had to make her see he wasn’t the roaming kind.

  “I want to believe you. Especially that you love me.”

  He rolled her to him and captured her lips. He’d show her how much he loved her, if it took all night.

  ***

  Alamayda rolled to ease the pain in her hip that was pressing into the cave floor. Arms circled her. Her back brushed against a warm, smooth object. Her mind whipped awake. She’d made love to Isaac last night. Twice. She glanced down at the arm sprinkled with hair that held her close.

  He said he loved me!

  Her heart raced remembering his claim and his vow to never leave her. Also he’d asked her to marry him. Happiness and fear collided. Was this the kind of love Ma felt for Father? If so, he still left her. Her heart squeezed with fear. Isaac had said they would marry in Helena. How far was that from here? How many days did she have to form a refusal that wouldn’t hurt Isaac?

  Pans clanked.

  Fear raced up her spine. She and Isaac were both naked in the bedroll. Who was messing around in the cave?

  Isaac’s arm released her.

  Before she could move, Isaac sat up, holding his pistol on White Hawk.

  The large smile on White Hawk’s face made her angry.

  “Why are you sneaking in here?” she asked, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

  “White Hawk, I could have blown your head off. What are you doin’ sneakin’ in here?” Isaac said, making sure the blanket covered her.

  “Hungry. Look for biscuit.” He moved a finger back and forth between them. “Husband and wife. Good. Good.”

  “We are not married,” Alamayda protested.

  White Hawk nodded his head. “Come together.” He motioned, bringing his hands together at the palms. “Now husband and wife. It is the way.”

  “It’s not our way. We have to see a preacher, and then we’re married,” Isaac said. He leaned over Alamayda, putting the pistol back in the holster and kissed her on the lips. He peered into her eyes. “But I like your way, White Hawk.” He kissed her again. “Yeah. As of today we are married,” Isaac said, taking her hand and linking their fingers.

  His eyes turned solemn and he said, “Allie, everythin’ I said to you last night was the truth. I do love you and I won’t leave you.”

  Alamayda stared into his eyes. His honesty and words started her heart melting. She wanted to believe him. Wanted him to be a better man than her father and the other men she’d witnessed in her life. But she refused to be vulnerable. Loving Isaac and believing him would devastate her when he did leave.

  She didn’t know what to say as he waited patiently for her to reply. Tears burned the back of her eyes. How hard would it be to tell him she loved him? Once the word was out she couldn’t take it back. Would have to admit she’d fallen in love, and then would have to marry him and be a pawn in his life.

  He raised their linked hands and kissed the back of her hand. “I know you love me. Why you won’t say it, I don’t know. But I’ll be with you until I don’t see that glimmer of love in your eyes.”

  She swiped at the tears trickling out the corner of her eyes and nodded, holding her lips firmly together.

  The clank of the coffee pot drew their attention.

  “No coffee.” White Hawk picked up the coffee pot and carried it out of the cave.

  Alamayda glanced at Isaac and they both laughed.

  “We best get dressed while he’s fetchin’ water,” Isaac said, standing and baring his nakedness to her.

  Her mouth went dry remembering what delight he’d brought to her body last night. The appendage that had thrilled her the most, now hung in a way she couldn’t fathom how it had become a part of her.

  Embarrassed at her infatuation with Isaac’s naked body, Alamayda reached out for her union suit and scrambled into it while under the blanket. Once the top was buttoned, she pulled on her outer clothing. She tugged on the last boot when White Hawk entered with the coffee pot.

  Alamayda took the pot from the warrior and placed it on the rock in the fire. Isaac had stoked the embers, creating the perfect fire to cook biscuits and deer steaks for their morning meal.

  Isaac stepped outside with White Hawk when she started slicing steaks from the meat in the food box. The steaks sizzled. The biscuits baking emitted a nice homey aroma in the cave. Alamayda sat on the rock by the fire keeping an eye on the food, but her mind replayed her actions last night.

  She knew little of a man and woman coming together. Most of what she’d heard hadn’t prepared her for the sensations and pleasure. If the man experienced as much pleasure as she had why did they leave a wife? Had her father left because he didn’t have that any more with Ma because she was so sick? But if he’d loved her, it wouldn’t have mattered that they didn’t have the physical side of love. She’d fallen in love with Isaac before they shared last night.

  Her heart raced and her body tingled as memories of his touch, kisses, and possession of her body swirled in her mind.

  A shadow fell across her face. She glanced up as Isaac entered the cave. He walked to the rock across the fire from her and sat.

  “Allie, I’ve been thinkin’. After seein’ those men at the hot spring last night, we need to get this gold out of here.”

  His tone and expression caught her attention. “You think they’re after the gold? They don’t know about it.”

  “I doubt they know about the gold, but Tulley’s with them. I don’t think he’ll wait much longer to settle his score with me or you. We’d best get movin’ along.” He picked up a tin cup and poured coffee.

  “I agree. The sooner we get this gold to the rightful owner, the sooner I can figure out what to do.” She scanned the walls of the cave. “You don’t suppose there’s a chance I can still find gold here?” She had little funds left to find a place to live. If she couldn’t find gold here, she wasn’t sure how she’d survive.

  Isaac pulled his hat off and peered across the fire at her. “I meant it when I said I was going to marry you in Helena. You don’t need to hunt for gold. I’ll provide for you.”

  She wanted to believe him. The sincerity shining in his eyes gave her the briefest hope, but she knew better than to depend on a man. Rather than argue, she said, “We’ll see.”

  He shook his head and watched her over the brim of his cup as he sipped his coffee.

  “What’s the plan for the gold?” she asked, pulling the bake oven out of the coals.

  “We’ll leave all but clothes and enough food to get us to Helena here in the cave. The gold will be loaded in the two wood boxes with the food on top, in case someone does stop us and takes a look in the boxes. We’ll fluff up the bedrolls and clothes under the tent tarp so it looks like we’re loaded more than we are. The mule will have to rest more often with the heavier load.” Isaac put the cup down. “It’s goin’ to take us over a week to get there.”

  “We have enough staples to go with any game we kill.” Alamayda handed him a plate with deer steak and biscuits.

  The warriors entered the cave sniffing.

  “What are you both doing in here?” Isaac asked, pushing to his feet while holding his plate.

  “Get food, go out,” Bear Walker said, plucking two biscuits from the bake oven.

  Alamayda thought Isaac was being rude. “Here take my plate so you can have some steak too.” She handed Bear Walker her plate.

  The warrior grinned and nodded. He spun about, exiting the cave.

  White Hawk sat cross-legged by the fire, reached in for a biscuit, pulled it apart and placed a steak in the two halves like a sandwich.

  Alamayda followed his actions and chewed on her deer stea
k sandwich. She knew the warriors were their sentinels, but she wasn’t sure what else Isaac had told them.

  Isaac finished his meal. He set the cup and plate down and peered at White Hawk. “We’ll leave this afternoon. If you and Bear Walker can keep the three men busy so they don’t notice, we’d be grateful.”

  Glancing from one man to the other, Alamayda could see they’d discussed this before. “Do you think that’s fair to put them in danger?” she asked.

  “No danger,” White Hawk said. “The horses will get loose. Fine animals. Look good in White Hawk’s herd.”

  She shouldn’t condone horse stealing, but Alamayda couldn’t help but feel a kinship with this warrior who had helped them so much. She leaned toward the man and hugged him. “Thank you.”

  He patted her arm and pulled out of the hug. “Drawing Woman good. No harm come.”

  White Hawk stood. He held his hand out to Isaac. “May your feet carry you swiftly.”

  Isaac shook hands. “Thank you. You and Bear Walker be careful. Those men are dangerous.”

  White Hawk grunted and left the cave.

  “I’ll start putting together the food and cooking utensils we’ll need,” Alamayda said, standing.

  “I’ll empty the two boxes and divide the gold into them.” Isaac stood. He grasped her hand, halting her actions. “I will persuade you to marry me by the time we get to Helena.”

  She peered into his eyes, saying nothing out loud. I hope so, whispered in her mind.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Four days after leaving the cave, Isaac was happy with the pace they were making. The mule proved stronger than he’d thought. Tonight, they had an abandoned shanty to stay in. From the look of the dark clouds it was a good thing.