“I don’t know. The same thing, I guess.”
“Be careful,” Ryder warned. “Ralph Johnson can be a vindictive sonofabitch when he’s crossed.”
“Her father wants her to marry someone else,” Chase said. “Some man from the East.”
“Lester Harbaugh,” Jenny said with a nod. “I overheard Theda talking about it in town today.”
“It will not happen,” Chase said.
“Just what is it you’re planning to do?” Ryder asked.
“I am going to take Beth away from here at the end of November. She tells me she will no longer need her father’s permission to marry after the fifteenth day of December. On that day, we will be married again, in the white man’s way.”
“Be careful, Son,” Ryder admonished. “I wouldn’t put anything past Johnson. Beth’s his only child, and he’s always been protective of her. I wasn’t kidding when I said I didn’t think he’d let her marry Dusty, either. Johnson’s got no use for half-breeds, or anybody else that he considers inferior.”
“I will be careful,” Chase said, “but I will have Beth, one way or another.”
* * * * *
“I’ve never known a day to pass so slowly,” Beth murmured. She snuggled against Chase, wanting to be closer, wanting to be inside him.
“I know.” He trailed feathery kisses down her cheek, nibbled at her earlobe.
They had met at the river over an hour ago, their hands eager as they undressed each other. The hours they had spent apart, the knowledge that they were meeting in secret, had only served to fuel their desire.
He had made love to her quickly, unable to restrain his passion, his need, and then he had made love to her again, slowly, sweetly, worshipping her with his hands and his lips, whispering that he loved her, arousing her until she quivered with need, until she had begged him to take her.
And now they lay nestled in each other’s arms, their legs entwined, her head resting on his shoulder.
“What did you do today?” Beth asked. She traced lazy circles on his chest, gradually working her way lower, lower.
“Worked some of the horses,” Chase said, then gasped as her fingertips brushed against his groin.
“Oh?”
He heard the smile in her voice as she ran her hand along the inside of his thigh.
“Yes,” he said, his voice growing ragged as her hand continued to move up and down the length of his thigh. “Ryder has some fine animals.”
“Really?” She ran her tongue over the hollow of his shoulder, up the length of his neck.
“Beth.” Her name was a groan on his lips.
She propped herself up on one elbow and gazed down at him, batting her eyelashes in mock innocence. “Is something wrong?”
Chase looked up at her, awed by her beauty. He was not accustomed to flirting. There had been little time for it in his life.
“Beth, do you know what it does to me when you look at me like that? When you…” He groaned low in his throat as her fingertips skimmed over his belly, teasing and tempting and tormenting him… “When you touch me like that?”
“What does it do?” she whispered. “Tell me.”
Taking her hand, he pressed it over his groin. “This.”
“Are you complaining?”
“No,” he said hoarsely, “so long as you do not complain when I do this.” And rolling on top of her, he sheathed himself within the warmth of her body.
Beth smiled up at him, sighing with contentment as he began to move slow and deep within her. Safe in his arms, caught up in the passion that engulfed them with the speed and intensity of a flash fire, she forgot everything but the man who kissed her with such ardor, such tenderness, who loved her so completely…
Hours later, they stood facing each other in the waning light of the moon.
She hated to leave him, hated to have to go home to her cold, lonely bed.
“Couldn’t we run away now?” she asked. “I miss you so much.”
“Soon,” he promised. “It takes money to live in the white man’s world. I will not have you live like a beggar.”
She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“I would.”
He kissed her one more time, then lifted her onto his horse and swung up behind her.
Beth leaned back against him, thinking how romantic it was, the two of them riding double through the darkness. The night wrapped around them, cocooning them in a world of their own, a world of moonlight and shadow. Crickets and tree frogs serenaded them as they passed by.
All too soon, they reached the edge of town. One more fervent kiss, one more fierce hug, and she was standing alone, watching him ride away.
Only a few more months, she told herself as she tiptoed into the house and up to her room. Only a few more months, and they’d be together forever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Dusty sat in his office, his feet propped on the desktop, his hands steepled in front of him. Five weeks had passed since he’d moved out of the house. In that time, he’d hardly seen his mother or his father. He knew he’d hurt his mother’s feelings when he moved out, but, dammit, she’d hurt his feelings, too.
For what must have been the hundredth time, he wished Chase had never come to Twin Rivers. If it wasn’t for Chase, he’d still be living at the ranch. Beth would still be his girl.
No doubt she’d be at the dance tomorrow night. He wondered if Chase would show up. There was a good chance he wouldn’t, a chance Dusty might get to see Beth, might get to speak to her for a few minutes alone.
He swore under his breath. This was his town. If he wanted to go to the dance, he’d go. And if he wanted to talk to Beth, he’d talk to her. And no half brother born on the wrong side of the blanket would stop him.
Glancing at the clock, he jumped to his feet. Damn! It was almost time to pick up Dorinda. She’d rake him up one side and down the other if he was late.
Grinning at the prospect of seeing her again, he left the office. She’d decided to come home early, and she wanted to surprise their mother, so she’d sent Dusty a wire asking him to pick her up. Of course, it meant driving her out to the ranch, but he’d do it, for her. He’d drop Dorinda off, and then leave.
Walking down the boardwalk toward the livery barn, he nodded to those he passed. The friendly nods and smiles he received in return lifted his spirits.
He was almost at the livery when he saw Rebecca coming out of Clausen’s Meat Market carrying a large package. He hadn’t seen her since that day at the ranch and it hit him with the suddenness of a Texas twister that he’d missed her, that his life seemed as bleak as the Arizona desert without her.
“Afternoon, Rebecca, “ he said, tipping his hat. “Can I help you with that?”
“Thank you, Mr. Fallon, but I can manage.”
In that instant, something deep inside him shifted and he knew he was in love with Rebecca, knew that he’d have realized it far sooner if he hadn’t been so blinded by his pride.
Determined to make up for lost time, he turned on his brightest smile. “Come on, Becky, that package looks heavy.”
“I said I can manage.”
“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I give up.”
She started down the boardwalk, and he fell into step beside her. When she reached her buggy, he took the package from her arms and placed it on the seat, then took one of her hands in his. “Listen, Becky, I’m sorry I acted the way I did. I never meant to hurt you.”
She looked up at him, but said nothing as she very carefully, and very deliberately, removed her hand from his.
So, she was going to be stubborn. “Hey,” he coaxed, “won’t you give me just one smile?”
“I have to go.”
He caught her hand in his again, determined to have his own way. “Dammit, Becky, I said I was sorry. What else do you want from me?”
“Nothing, Dusty. Nothing at all.” She looked down at their
hands. “Would you let me go, please?”
He shook his head, his hand tightening on hers. “Go to the dance with me tomorrow night?”
“I don’t think so. It’s obvious that you care for someone else. Please don’t bother me again.”
Her words were formal, her tone cool and aloof.
“There’s no one else, Becky. Not anymore. I’ve been a fool, and I’m sorry. Won’t you give me one more chance? Please, Rebecca? I’ve missed you.”
“Have you?”
He nodded, pleased to see the indifference fading from her eyes. “Pick you up at seven?”
“Well…”
“Do you want me to beg?” he asked with a cocky grin. And before she could answer, he dropped to one knee and kissed her hand. “Please go to the dance with me, Rebecca Lynn Winterburn.”
“Dusty, please do get up! People are staring!”
“Say you’ll go to the dance with me, Rebecca Lynn, or I’ll follow you home on my hands and knees.”
The idea pleased her even as it embarrassed her. “All right, all right, I’ll go, only do get up!”
Rising, he took both her hands in his, lifting first one and then the other to his lips. “Wear something pretty,” he said, winking at her. “Something red.”
“Red!”
Dusty nodded. “Red.” Lifting her into the buggy, he kissed her quickly on the cheek, handed her the reins, then walked away, feeling better than he had in weeks.
* * * * *
“Well, big brother,” Dorinda said, grinning as she hugged him tight, “you look like you just dug a hole and found gold.”
“I did, little sister, I did.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
“Sure.” Dusty tossed her bags into the back of the buggy. He turned to help her up, but she’d never been one to wait for a man to help her and she was already seated, smoothing her skirts around her.
“Well? Out with it, Dusty. You look like you’re about to burst.”
“I’m in love.”
“Well, I knew that. How is Beth?”
“It’s not Beth. It’s Rebecca.”
“Rebecca.” Dorinda clapped her hands. “But that’s wonderful!” She settled back in the seat. “Tell me everything.”
Dorinda was shaking her head by the time Dusty finished his story. “We have a half brother who’s Apache! I can’t believe they never told us.”
“You’ll meet him when you get home. He’s staying at the ranch.”
Dorinda laughed. “To think, I went to New York looking for excitement. I guess I should have stayed home.”
“I’m glad you’re back, Dorrie.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked. “No ill effects from the shooting or anything?”
“I’m fine.”
“I think you should come back home, Dusty. You can’t blame mother for wanting to get to know her other son better. And you can’t blame him for wanting to stay.”
“I know. I behaved badly, but I couldn’t help it. It would have been easier if you’d been here.”
“Well, I’m here now, and I don’t intend to ever leave again. They can keep New York City. It’s noisy and dirty…but parts of it are wonderful. Oh, Dusty, you should see the Statue of Liberty. And the museums. And the art galleries. I wish I could paint. Maybe I’ll give it a try.”
Dusty drew the team to a halt. “Here we are, home sweet home.” After wrapping the reins around the brake, he lifted her bags from the back of the buggy and carried them to the porch stairs. “I’ll see you at the dance tomorrow night.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. You’re coming in, aren’t you?”
“No, I’ve got to get back.”
“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Save a dance for me.”
“I will.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”
Dorinda waved to her brother as he drove out of the yard; then, taking a deep breath, she picked up her bags and went into the house, eager to meet her new brother.
Chase looked up as the door slammed and a voice called, “Hello, I’m home.”
“Dorinda!” Jenny practically flew from her chair as she went to meet her daughter. “We didn’t expect you until next week!”
“Hi, Mom. I couldn’t wait any longer, and I wanted to surprise you, so I had Dusty pick me up.”
Jenny glanced out the front door. “He didn’t stay?”
“No, but he said he’d see you tomorrow night at the dance.”
Chase watched as Jenny and the younger woman embraced. So, this was his sister. She had hair as long and black as his own. Her eyes were a dark blue, laughing now as she hugged her mother, then her father.
“Welcome home, squirt,” Ryder said. He took a step back, then shook his head. “New York seems to have agreed with you.”
Dorinda twirled around. “I had a fabulous time, but I missed being home.” Her gaze came to rest on the man standing beside the fireplace. “You must be Chase.”
He nodded, uncertain of his welcome. And then Dorinda crossed the room and kissed his cheek. “Hello, Brother.”
“My sister, I am glad to meet you at last.”
With a smile, Dorinda took Chase by the hand and drew him toward the sofa. “Start at the beginning,” she said, “and tell me everything.”
* * * * *
“I think it went well,” Jenny remarked later, when she and Ryder were getting ready for bed.
“I was proud of our girl,” Ryder said. “She made him feel at home, welcome. I’m glad.”
Jenny nodded. “I wish Dusty had stayed.”
“He’ll come around. What were you and Dorinda whispering about in the kitchen after supper?”
“It seems Dusty told Dorinda that he’s in love with Rebecca.”
“I wish that boy would make up his mind. One minute he’s in love with Beth and can’t live without her, and the next he’s wild-eyed for Rebecca. I don’t think he knows what he wants.”
“It’ll all work out for the best,” Jenny said, feeling suddenly optimistic. “I just know it.”
“Yeah, well, I hope you’re right. I’m too old for all this matchmaking.”
“Hush that right now, Ryder Fallon!” Jenny admonished. “If you’re getting old, that means I’m getting old, and that’s something I refuse to do!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ryder said, and sweeping her into his arms, he carried her to bed and proved just how young he really was.
* * * * *
“You might as well come to the dance,” Jenny said. “Everyone in town will be there.”
“Big doings,” Ryder agreed, grimacing as Jenny straightened his tie. “Dinner and dancing.”
“What is the occasion?” Chase asked.
“No occasion,” Ryder said. “The women just decided we should have a big dance the last Sunday in September every year, and us foolish men agreed.”
Jenny made a face at her husband. “I didn’t realize dancing with me was such a dastardly chore.”
“Now, Jenny girl, you know I love to dance with you,” Ryder said, catching her around the waist and holding her tight. “It’s getting dressed up that I hate.”
“But you look so handsome,” Jenny purred. “Besides, it’s nice to see you in something besides scuffed moccasins and dusty Levi’s.”
He looked stunning, she thought. His black jacket and white shirt complimented his dark hair and skin. In deference to her wishes, he was even wearing boots instead of moccasins.
Ryder glanced at himself in the mirror, then grinned. “Not too bad for an old man,” he muttered.
“Didn’t I tell you last night that you’ll never be old?”
“Right, I forgot.”
“It’s true. You look the same to me now as you did twenty-five years ago.”
“You keep looking at me with that gleam in your eye,” Ryder warned, nibbling on her earlobe, “and we might never make it to that dance.”
Chase turned away.
It was obvious they had forgotten he was in the room.
Leaving the house, he walked down to the corral. Propping one foot on the bottom rail, he crossed his arms on the top rail and stared into the distance. He couldn’t help it, he envied Ryder and Jenny the love they shared. They had overcome whatever obstacles they had once faced and had built a good life together. “Chase?”
He turned and waved to his mother. “You two go on.”
“I wish you’d reconsider,” Jenny called. “I don’t like to think of you staying home alone.”
“I will be all right.” He didn’t need her to worry about him, yet he was glad she did. “Perhaps I will come by later.”
Jenny smiled, then turned away as Ryder helped her into the buggy.
Ryder climbed up beside Jenny and took up the reins. “We’ll look for you in town, Son.”
Chase nodded and waved, no longer bothered by the fact that Ryder called him “son”. He wished that Beth’s parents were not opposed to their being together, wished he could stay here, in this place, with his mother and Ryder, but it wasn’t possible.
Leaving the corral, he walked toward the river. The night was cool and quiet, with only the lullaby of a gentle breeze and the low murmur of the river to break the stillness.
He walked for a long time, until there was nothing in sight but the river shining like a black ribbon beneath the full moon, and the prairie that stretched beyond, flat and endless.
At times like these, it was easy to pretend that nothing had changed, that he was still a warrior living in the old way, as the Apache had always lived. In Rainbow Canyon, before the soldiers came the last time, he had known who he was, had known where he belonged. Now he felt like dandelion fluff blown by the wind. He had no roots anywhere, no place of his own to call home. A stranger in a strange land. He had heard those words somewhere, knew exactly what they meant.
He picked up a rock and skimmed it across the river. Soon, he would take Beth away from here. It amazed him that she loved him enough to leave this place, that she was willing to leave her parents and all that was familiar to go with him, to be with him. He had nothing to offer her—no home, no land, no way to earn a living, and yet she didn’t seem to care.
Chase the Wind (Apache Runaway Book 2) Page 20
