Desire Oklahoma The Founding Fathers Trilogy

by Leah Brooke

  Curious, she turned, leaning against the table. “How have they changed?”

  Meeting her gaze, he smiled, a small rare smile that she’d begun to cherish. “They’re not as hard now, especially Hawke.” Shaking his head, he set the big spoon aside. “Don’t get me wrong. No one could ever accuse any of your men of being soft, but Hawke has always been hard as stone. He’s a good man to have at your side in a fight. He has a sixth sense about him that I’ve never known to be wrong.”

  Sarah blinked. “A sixth sense?”

  Shrugging, Duke took the tray of biscuits from the table in front of her and slid an empty one in its place. “He seems to know things. He’s always been able to size up people right away.” He laughed softly. “Same thing he does with horses.”

  Shrugging again, he slid the tray of biscuits into the stone oven. “He seems to have a sense for danger, and he’s been a bear lately, worried about you.”

  Shocked at that, Sarah set the rolling pin aside. “What? That’s not true!”

  “He won’t let you see how worried he is, but all three of them are sick with it. We’ll all be glad when Willy finally makes his appearance and we can deal with him once and for all.”

  He went back to his chili, tasting it and adding salt. “Just make sure you do what they say. If anything happens to you, Hawke will be ready to kill someone.”

  * * * *

  Watching Hawke dig into his chili, Sarah thought about what Duke had said. “You’re really worried about Willy, aren’t you?”

  All three of her husbands stilled, some unspoken communication passing between them. It lasted only a second, but she’d seen it—and it worried her.

  Blade sighed and turned his attention back to his chili. “We told you that we can handle Willy. When he shows up, we’ll take care of him. You just do what we say in the meantime. I want someone’s eyes on you at all times until we’ve dealt with him.”

  Hawke’s brow went up. “Don’t you trust us to keep you safe?”

  Nodding, Sarah picked at her biscuit. “Of course. I just don’t like putting you in danger.” Her stomach knotted at the thought of anyone on the ranch getting hurt because of Willy, but she didn’t know what she could do to prevent it.

  Phoenix looked up from where he’d been staring down into his coffee. “Anything that’s a threat to you worries us. As much as I hate to admit it, we’re impatient. I know I am, which is why I yelled this morning. We’re used to meeting trouble head-on, not sitting around waiting for it.”

  Grimacing when she realized she’d crumbled her entire biscuit into her chili, Sarah picked up her spoon and began to stir it in. “I think I should go to Tulsa.”

  Whipping his head toward her, Phoenix blinked. “What?”

  Hawke and Blade both stilled, lifting their heads to narrow their eyes at her in disapproval.

  Waving away the lecture she sensed coming, she glanced at Blade and Hawke, hoping they would side with her. “Wait. Listen to me. He’s probably in Tulsa, trying to figure out how to find us. He’s mean, but he’s not that smart. No.”

  With a sigh, she got to her feet, aware that she’d drawn the attention of several of the ranch hands. “He wouldn’t have stayed in Tulsa waiting for us to go back to town. He’s too impatient. If anything, he’s lost somewhere between here and Tulsa. Maybe if we—”

  “No.” Hawke gathered his dishes and hers and got to his feet. “You’re not going to do anything except what we tell you to do.”

  Phoenix rose, reaching for her hand, which she placed in his without hesitation. “I’ll walk her back to the cabin. Give us a few minutes alone.”

  Hawke inclined his head. “We’ll have another cup of coffee. Get things between you worked out.” His eyes narrowed. “I mean it, Phoenix. Get whatever’s wrong between you worked out.”

  Sarah’s hand trembled in Phoenix’s much larger one as they made their way outside. Once away from the others, she looked up at him, struggling to see his features in the faint light. “Are you mad at me?”

  He squeezed her hand and kept walking, but not in the direction of their home. “No, honey. I’m mad at myself.”

  Surprised at that, she stopped, smiling when he also stopped and pulled her into his arms. “Why? It’s something to do with me, but I don’t know what.” Her face burned, and grateful for the semi-darkness, she stared at the front of his shirt. “You’ve been quiet ever since we went to that cave. Even when you make love to me, you don’t play anymore.”

  Phoenix sighed and threaded his hands through her hair, pulling her head back to look into her beautiful eyes. Running his thumbs over her cheeks, he smiled, a sad smile that tugged at her heart. “It’s not that, although taking you opened my eyes. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week.”

  Sarah’s heart dropped. Lifting her chin, she nodded. “I understand. You’ve decided that marrying me was a mistake after all.”

  “What?” Phoenix scrubbed a hand over his face. “Marrying you is the smartest thing I’ve ever done, honey. I’ve messed this up. I know it, but I don’t know what the hell to do about it.”

  Shocked when he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face against her neck, she held on to him. “What is it? Please talk to me. Tell me what to do.”

  “Hell, woman, you drive me crazy.” His lips moved against her neck, sending little shivers of delight through her. “I want you so much I ache, but I don’t know how to get close to you the way Hawke and Blade have. I know how to give you pleasure, but I don’t know how to talk to you.”

  Lifting his head, he brushed stray strands of her hair from her face. “I love to tease you, but I’m not good at saying all that other stuff.”

  Sarah cuddled against him, loving the feel of his hard arms wrapped around her. Leaning back, she looked up at him and grinned. “Now that I know you’re just as nervous around me, I feel better.”

  Phoenix’s eyes narrowed, a small smile playing at his lips. “You do, do you? You like having me all tangled up inside?” Leaning her back over his arm, he ran a hand over her breast. “How much better do you feel?”

  Able to see through his teasing now, she ran a hand over his chest. “A lot better.”

  Straightening, he took her hand in his. “Let’s go to the cabin and you can show me how much better.”

  As they made their way back, he lifted her hand to his lips. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  Sarah blinked, stopping abruptly. “You do?”

  Reaching down, he patted her bottom. “Yes, brat. I do, and I can’t say it’s a comfortable fit.” Taking her hand, he started toward the cabin again. “I’ve never felt like this before. Just be patient with me, all right? Hell, you have me jealous of my own brothers.” Pausing again, he pulled her close, bending to brush his lips over hers. “I just look at you, and I can’t think of anything else. I want you all the damned time, but I don’t want you thinkin’ that’s all I want from you.”

  Lifting his head, he frowned. “I’m just worried that I’ll say the wrong thing—something I never had to worry about before. Blade always knows the right thing to say, and Hawke hardly ever talked at all.”

  Running a hand over his chest, and warmed by his vulnerability, she smiled at his groan. “I like your teasing.”

  He smiled and led her toward the cabin, the lantern they’d left on the porch guiding their way. “Good, because I love to play with you, but I want you to know that I take this marriage seriously.”

  Sarah glanced over at the chow shack, smiling at the low drone of conversation coming from inside. She knew that Hawke and Blade would be coming out soon, and felt guilty for wanting a little time alone with Phoenix.

  Still holding her hand, he made his way up the steps, smiling as he pushed the door open. “I’ll show you just how much—hell! Get down!”

  * * * *

  Lifting his coffee cup to his mouth, Hawke stilled. “Something’s wrong.”

  Aware of the sudden silence of the men all a
round him, he got to his feet, his heart pounding furiously at the sense of urgency. “I’m gonna go check outside.”

  Blade followed him, reaching out to grip his arm. “You’re just nervous about Phoenix and Sarah being alone together.”

  Shaking off his brother’s hand, he went outside, his gaze zeroing in on Sarah. “I won’t interfere. Phoenix has to work out his own problems with her. Damn it.”

  He rubbed his neck where it itched, and carefully began to make his way around the chow shack. “It’s not Phoenix and Sarah. Something’s wrong. Something else. It’s not right. Shut up.”

  His senses sharpened, his hearing becoming even more acute. Slicing a hand through the air when Blade started to speak again, he spun as Eb rounded the corner of the chow shack and approached.

  Eb’s gaze narrowed, his body tense. “What is it?”

  Hawke gritted his teeth and reached for his gun, having left everything else at the cabin when they left. “I don’t know. Something. Quiet. Birds are quiet. Nothing’s moving. Neck itches.” When his neck itched, danger was close. It had always been that way for him.

  Eb eased his own gun from its holster. “I’ve never known you to be wrong, Hawke. If you say something’s wrong, that’s gospel as far as I’m concerned.”

  Hawke swallowed heavily, fear for Sarah tightening his gut. “I hope I’m wrong.”

  Making his way around the chow shack, he glanced in the direction of the cabin he shared with the others and nudged Blade, keeping his voice low. “Go check the other side of the chow shack, and then go get Sarah and take her inside. I’m going to check around the cabin.”

  The feeling that something was terribly wrong grew stronger, and hurrying his steps, he rushed around the side, sparing a glance for Phoenix and Sarah, still in the distance.

  Nothing mattered more than Sarah’s safety.

  Slowing his steps, he approached one of the windows they’d left open in deference to the warm, humid night air. Crouching next to it, he held up a hand to signal for Eb to stop, but his boss hadn’t gotten where he was standing back while others, especially his own men, were in danger.

  Trusting Eb’s abilities, he eased into position to look into the window while Eb did the same on the other side.

  The scent of sweat and whiskey came to him on a breeze, sweeping away the womanly scents that Sarah had brought into their home.

  His gut tightened in fury.

  Not seeing anyone inside, he eased back and glanced at Eb. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, allowing him to see his boss shake his head even in the moonlight.

  Nodding, he crouched low and continued on, moving around the next corner and to the open window there. Slowly straightening, he held his breath, listening for any sound coming from inside.

  Any movement.

  Breathing. Anything.

  He could be patient, and had the ability to sit for hours, but not when Sarah was in danger.

  He reminded himself that she would be safe with Phoenix.

  Her safety depended on his patience.

  Taking a deep breath, he clenched his jaw.

  His prey would soon become restless, and give himself away.

  Hawke could wait, and when his prey moved, he would have him.

  * * * *

  Blade crept around the side of the chow shack, stilling when he heard the sound of ragged breathing coming from around the corner.

  Crouching low, he slid his knife from the sheath attached to his thigh, his pulse racing with anticipation. He needed to get rid of the threat and get to Sarah.

  He didn’t dare yell out and give away his position, not knowing the danger.

  But, he trusted Hawke’s instincts with his life.

  Peering around the corner, he saw that only one man stood in the moonlight, but Blade waited, taking the time to scan the area for others.

  The man stood about twenty feet away, a gun in each hand. He crept toward the far end of the chow shack away from Blade, peeking around the corner.

  Seeing no one else, Blade straightened, pressing his side against the chow shack in an effort to remain in the dark shadows. Easing away from the wall, he saw Phoenix and Sarah heading right, toward their cabin.

  The man watched them, lifting his guns.

  Blade rushed forward, his moccasins enabling him to cross the distance between him and the stranger without a sound. “Drop those pistols.”

  As the other man started to turn, Blade pressed his gun against the stranger’s back, his knife against his neck. “I wouldn’t. Drop them.” He felt a presence behind him, but didn’t bother turning.

  Duke stepped forward as the other man tossed his guns to the ground, and flipped his knife around, hitting the other man in the head with the heavy handle, knocking him out.

  Sparing a glance toward the open yard where he’d last seen his brother, Blade swallowed a curse when he saw that Phoenix and Sarah had reached the front porch of the cabin.

  “You got him?”

  “Of course. Go warn—”

  “Hell! Get down!”

  Blade’s stomach lurched at the sound of his brother’s voice, followed by a gunshot.

  And then more.

  Blade was already at a dead run by the time Phoenix started to fall.

  * * * *

  Sarah froze at Phoenix’s shouted warning, staring in horror when an explosion sounded from inside and knocked Phoenix back.

  Not until Phoenix shot back did she realize it had been a gunshot.

  “Phoenix!” She ran toward him, horrified when he shot again and slid to the ground.

  “Stay back!” Another shot rang out, and then another, which he answered with two more of his own.

  The sudden silence terrified her, and with a sob, she grabbed the lantern and ran toward him, her heart in her throat when she saw the blood coating the front of his shirt. “Phoenix!”

  Smoke and the scent of gunpowder filled the air, but she blocked them out to focus on Phoenix. “Phoenix! Oh, God. You’re bleeding. You’ve been shot!”

  “Damn it, Sarah!” He shoved her, knocking her away from the doorway. “I told you to stay back!”

  What felt like bands of iron wrapped around her from behind, and she found herself yanked against an equally hard chest. Before she knew it, her feet left the ground and she found herself upside down over a wide shoulder, bouncing as Blade ran across the yard back to the chow shack.

  “Put me down! Phoenix is hurt.”

  Blade’s strides never slowed. “Phoenix is being tended to. Be still, damn it!”

  Stilling at the panic in Blade’s ragged voice, she gripped his shirt. “Blade? Oh, God! What happened?”

  Suddenly, Duke was at her side, running alongside Blade. “Is she hurt?”

  “I don’t think so.” Blade ran into the chow shack and set her on her feet so fast that her head spun.

  Clutching him to steady herself, she looked up, struck by the change in both men.

  Blade’s features appeared to have been carved from stone, the rage and fear in his eyes giving him a savage appearance that left her shaking. He searched her features before lowering his gaze to rake over her, his hands moving over her arms and legs with a gentle thoroughness that was a sharp contrast to the wild look in his eyes. “Do you hurt anywhere, honey?”

  He knelt in front of her, reaching under her skirt to run his hands up and down her legs. “I can’t find anything. Sarah, look at me. Do you hurt anywhere?”

  “No.” Shaking her head, she looked from Blade to Duke and back again. “No. It happened so fast.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Please. Phoenix is hurt. I want to go to him.”

  Duke looked furious enough to spit nails, his scar even more pronounced as anger hardened his features. “They’ll be bringing him in here. Damn it, we need a full-time doctor.”

  Blade ran a hand over Sarah’s back. “He’ll be fine. Gideon went to find Will Prentice. He knows how to remove a bullet.”

  Just then, Hawke burst t
hrough the door, followed by Jeremiah and several others. Rushing to her side, Hawke gripped her by the shoulders, the storm in his eyes terrible to see. “Are you hurt?”

  * * * *

  Hawke had never been so scared in his life.

  His heart still pounded nearly out of his chest and his hands shook, the realization of how important she’d become to him hitting him hard.

  Running his hands over Sarah again, he glanced back to see Phoenix trying to shake off Eb’s hold.

  “Let go of me, damn it! I was shot in the shoulder. I sure as hell can walk on my own. I want to see Sarah.”

  Hawke stepped aside, knowing that he and the others would have a hell of a fight on their hands until Phoenix saw that Sarah was all right. “She’s not hurt. You shoved her away from the door just before he fired again.”

  He didn’t want to think about how close Sarah had come to being shot, or how many shots he and Eb had fired into the room to keep that from happening.

  The intruder lay dead on his mattress—in the very spot Sarah had slept so trustingly the night before.

  Clenching his jaw, he wrapped an arm around Sarah, wondering if he’d ever be able to let her out of his sight again.

  “I need you to come with me, little one. You can see for yourself that Phoenix is all right.” He’d already asked Jeremiah to bring the dead man out of the cabin, not wanting Sarah to have the memory of seeing him in the bed he shared with her.

  “But I want to stay with Phoenix.” The tears in her eyes broke his heart.

  Wrapping his arms around her, he shot a meaningful look in Phoenix’s direction. “We’ll be right back. I need you to take a look at these men. I need to know who they are.”

  Phoenix made his way to one of the benches and sat, grimacing when Will walked through the door. “I’d be willing to bet that neither one of them was Willy. Sarah, honey, you know what Willy looks like. Are you strong enough to go check for me?”