by Sandra Brown
Jake's hand closed around the plump part of her biceps and hauled her to her feet. "I almost shot you!" he yelled directly into her face. "Don't you know better than to sneak up on somebody that way?"
"I didn't sneak!" She wrenched her arm free. "I've been following you all day. It's a good thing I'm not a robber or a renegade Comanche or something. You'd all be dead."
Micah and Lee couldn't hide their disappointment. They liked Banner's company, but they treasured Jake's. He was their idol. They had looked forward to his introducing mem to the raunchier night life in Fort Worth. Banner's unexpected appearance would no doubt stymie Jake's party mood. He hadn't wanted her along in the first place.
Still, Lee admired his sister's spunk. No other girl he knew would venture out on her own and ride horseback all day the way Banner had. "When did you make up your mind to follow us?" he asked.
Banner dropped her saddlebag on the ground and, after glaring at Jake, knelt to rummage a tin coffee cup out of it. "My mind was already made up. You scattered in three different directions before I had a chance to tell you that I had no intention of canceling my trip just because of a little inconvenience." She sipped at the coffee she had poured herself. It was scalding and thoroughly unpalatable. But she acted as though it were nectar.
"A little inconvenience?" Jake shouted. His temper wasn't extinguished by any means, only simmering. Like an active volcano that belches smoke frequently, he released it in spurts. "You don't know the half of it."
Banner patently ignored him. "I watched you ride out of town, then I bought some clothes more suitable for camping. I left the wagon at the livery and took my suitcases, along with a note to Mama and Papa, to the post office. They'll get them when they pick up the mail. I caught up with you within an hour."
She had addressed her story to Lee and Micah, but Jake responded. "You think you're pretty smart, don't you?"
"I made it here all right."
"Don't try to act like your butt's not as sore as hell, because I know better."
"You know nothing of the sort."
"Tomorrow it'll have blisters on it and—"
"And they will be no concern of yours," she shot back. "I'm fine. I've wanted to camp out all my life but wasn't allowed to simply because I was a girl."
"Which ought to tell you something," Jake said scathingly. "Why are you always trying to be like a man? It's no wonder your fiancé climbed into another woman's bed."
"Jake!" Micah had never thought his brother could say something so cruel.
"Well, why isn't she home cooking and sewing and knitting like other women? She's no good at being a woman, that's why. She...oh...hell!" he finished furiously, and stamped off toward where the horses were tied up.
Lee and Micah looked commiseratingly at each other, then turned their sympathy toward Banner. She had sunk to the ground when Jake left. Her weariness showed in every sagging muscle. Lee patted her back as Micah handed her a plate of scorched beans. "He'll sleep on it and feel better in the morning."
But in the morning Jake looked as mean and foreboding as a thundercloud. Like a surly general, he issued orders to break camp, barely giving mem time to bolt down the cold biscuits left over from the night before and to drink one cup of the horrible, reheated coffee.
He was right about one thing. Banner's butt was as sore as hell, but she didn't give its condition away as she swung up into her saddle.
"Where did you get the horse?" Jake asked, riding up beside her a few moments later.
"I borrowed him from Mr. Davies at the livery stable." She leaned forward and patted the gelding's neck.
"Borrowed him?" Jake growled. "I had to buy the extra one."
She cast him a radiant smile. Her malice only showed in her sugary tone. "Then I'm good at one womanly thing, aren't I?"
If she had looked at Davies the way she was looking at him now, Jake wouldn't have been surprised if the old coot had given her the horse.
It irritated him that she looked so fresh and well rested. He had hoped she would wake up with stiff joints and puffy eyes shadowed with dark circles. Instead, the eyes that glared at him steadily were as brilliant as usual and her cheeks were blooming with color. And she should know better than to sit on horseback quite so erect. It taxed the buttons of her shut to hold her breasts inside. Damn!
"If you don't keep up, you'll get left, he warned. With that he spurred Stormy forward, making her eat his dust.
Jake's black mood didn't lighten with the passing hours. They rode the horses hard, stopping briefly at noon to water them in a creek and to take greedy drinks from then- own canteens. It was a hot and dusty ride, but Banner didn't complain. She would have cut her tongue out first. Her muscles ached. Her hair was matted with sweat beneath the hat she wore to protect her face from the sun. She knew freckles must be sprouting like popcorn kernels in a hot skillet.
Later in the afternoon, as they rode west, the sun unmercifully beat against their faces. Banner prayed for one cloud, a small one, just large enough to blot out that fiery disk, but mere was no relief from it.
Even the boys, who would have ridden straight into hell if Jake asked them to, became wilted and restless in men saddles.
"Hey, Jake," Micah called out.
"Yeah?"
"There's a house over there on that rise."
"What about it?"
"Well, I was thinking how good a nice cold drink of well water would taste."
Banner could have kissed him. She wouldn't have confessed mat her canteen was empty if she had been tortured. For hours her mouth and throat had felt gritty.
Jake pulled up on Stormy's reins. Through squinting eyes he scanned the farmhouse on the crest of the hill.' 'All right. We'll stop and see how neighborly they are."
The boys spurred their horses into a gallop. When Jake glanced at Banner, she shrugged as if it were a matter of supreme indifference to her and slowly walked her gelding up the hill.
The farmer was splitting firewood. It was a modest place, but well maintained. There was a barn, only large enough to accommodate a few milk cows, a plow mule, and one horse. Chickens were kept behind a wire fence. A sow grunted from her pen. The well-plotted garden boasted rows of tall corn, beanstalks, onions, turnips, squash, and potatoes. Near the house, heavy green tomatoes bent the stems of their dusty plants.
The farmer laid his ax aside when he saw them, took a handkerchief from the back pocket of his overalls and ran it around his face. He took off his hat, mopped his balding forehead, then replaced it.
These were all slowly executed moves and on the surface seemed casual. But Jake was quick to note the shotgun propped against the wall of the barn not three feet from the farmer's hand. Jake didn't blame him. It was a man's duty to protect his home and family. These days, with out-of-work cowboys prowling the countryside, bands of train robbers, and endless labor disputes, one couldn't take any chances. He tried to ease the farmer's mind.
"Hello."
"Howdy," the fanner said. He didn't come forward, but let them ride closer to him until they reined up only a few feet away.
"Could you spare us a drink of water?" Jake asked with friendly politeness.
The farmer gauged them carefully. Jake kept his hands on the pommel of his saddle as the man's eyes noted his gunbelt and rifle scabbard. Micah and Lee imitated Jake. They didn't move. When the farmer peered closely at Banner, his eyes widened slightly, then they came back to Jake.
"Where're you folks from?"
"Larsen County." Jake had learned a long time ago not to divulge more information than was necessary. Most men on the trail were reticent for one reason or another. That was the best policy. The less one man knew about another, the better. "We're headed to Fort Worth to buy cattle. The railroaders are on strike. The trains aren't running."
The fanner nodded, satisfied. He had heard about the strike that morning when one of his neighbors rode by. "Help yourself." He indicated the water trough for the horses and the well nearer the hou
se.
They dismounted. Banner was careful not to grimace when her sore muscles were required to get her off the horse. While Jake was leading Stormy to the trough, she surreptitiously rubbed her aching behind.
"How're you doing, Banner?" Lee asked. "He's pushing us—"
He broke off suddenly, his eyes bugging. Banner glanced over her shoulder to see a young woman about her age coming from the house. Lee whipped his head around, cleared his throat loudly to attract Micah's attention, then, with unnatural movements of his eyes, indicated the girl.
"Hello," she said shyly as she ventured toward them. "My name's Norma. Ya'll want a drink of well water?"
Lee and Micah stumbled forward. "That would taste mighty good, Norma," Micah said with an engaging grin.
"You must've read my mind, Norma."
Banner gazed at the young men in unconcealed exasperation and wondered if Lee had any idea how goosey that expression on his face looked to the rest of the world. So, Norma had big brown eyes, a voice as smooth as honey, and a well-formed chest beneath her calico dress. So what? Was that any reason to gawk?
The girl gave Banner one cursory look and dismissed her. She led Lee and Micah toward the well. Jake was talking horseflesh with the farmer, who had admired Stormy. With one booted foot propped on the side of the trough and his hat pushed to the back of his head, Jake leaned forward slightly to rest his forearms on his raised thigh.
When Banner turned toward the well and caught Norma's speculative eyes on him, she shot her a quelling look.
"Whose wife is she?" Norma asked the boys, who were emptying the ladles of water as thirstily as they were gazing at Norma.
"Nobody's," Micah guffawed.
"She's my sister." Lee's eyes weren't on Banner, but on Norma's impressive bosom as she leaned forward to lower the bucket into the well again. His gaze met Micah's across the well and they nodded at each other, two assessing males coining to the same conclusion.
"Mind if I have a drink too?" Banner asked crossly. She had been standing at the well for a full minute and no one had taken notice. Norma, with a marked lack of graciousness, handed Banner a cup of water.
"Who does he belong to?" Norma's eyes slid to Jake, who was making sure the horses didn't drink too much.
"Me."
At Banner's terse answer, Lee and Micah looked at her sharply. Her eyes were narrowed on Norma.
"He's my brother," Micah said uneasily.
"Oh." Norma looked at Banner in a smug way that infuriated her. She was suddenly aware of how untidy she was while every hair on Norma's soft brown head was tucked neatly into a crown of braids. Norma smelled like homemade bread. Banner knew she smelled like salty sweat and horses.
"Isn't your husband awfully old?" Banner asked.
Norma's cheeks flared. "He's my pa."
"Oh." She repeated Norma's noncommittal response out of sheer perversity. "May I have another drink, please?"
"Why, of course."
After Norma had refilled the cup, Banner stalked off with it. She carried it to Jake. As she approached him, she smiled beguilingly. "Here, Jake. I thought you might like some cold water too." Banner hoped Norma was watching.
Jake, eyeing her suspiciously, took the cup from her hand. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." She flashed him a brilliant smile. After all, Norma didn't know what they had said to each other.
But apparently Banner was competing for Norma's attention. Just then a giggle came from the direction of the well. The farmer's eyes took on a hard glint as he saw his daughter being entertained by the two young men. "What's going on over yonder, Norma?" he called out.
"Nothing, Pa."
"Time to go," Jake said quickly.
Nothing on earth could compare to the wrath of a farmer who felt his daughter's virtue was in jeopardy. From south Texas to Colorado, cowboys, especially Texas cowboys, were the scourge of every parent with a marriageable daughter. They were to be protected against cowboys at all costs. There was even a song about it. Jake remembered the lyrics. "Don't you wed with them Texas boys."
He tossed down the rest of the water and handed Banner the cup. "Take it back to the young lady and then mount up. Lee, Micah, let's go. Now.'"
His tone left no room for discussion and elicited immediate action. The boys doffed their hats to Norma just as Banner thrust the cup into her hand. Banner smiled at her cattily, a look that said, "I get to ride off with them, but you have to stay in this dreary life with a mean ol' pa."
Jake thanked the farmer once more before swinging into his saddle. He let the others ride out in front of him. Only when they were well on their way again did Jake breathe easier. He didn't want any trouble on this trip, especially with Banner along. Last night he had been ready to kill her. It wasn't that he hadn't been glad to see her. Before his fury took over, his heart had betrayed him and tripped with joy when he saw her standing in the circle of firelight.
But when he thought of her impulsiveness, his blood ran cold. There were a thousand hazards on the trail, and she, a young woman, was vulnerable to them all. He intended to avoid towns. She would attract the attention of all the young bucks like a lightning rod.
Banner was headstrong. She acted on the spur of the moment and thought about the consequences later. It was a wonder trouble hadn't caught up with her before now. But he damned sure didn't want it to find her on this trip.
He looked at her as she rode ahead of him. His eyes went unerringly to her bottom. He knew it must be killing her, but she hadn't made a murmur of complaint. Stubborn little cuss. In spite of himself he smiled as he watched her hips bounce on the saddle. She had the cutest—...
He pushed the thought aside instantly. What the hell was he doing? He spurred Stormy forward and called out, "As soon as we locate a creek with enough fresh water, we'll camp.'' From now on, he would make it a point to ride in front of Banner, not behind.
Before long they sighted a copse of willows in the distance. Riding toward it, they were delighted to find a gurgling creek. The season had been so dry that water was scarce. Banner offered to make the coffee, recalling the viscous brew the men had made the night before. She also volunteered to cook the meal if they would gather the wood, build the fire, and clean up afterward. No one argued.
After they had eaten, they gathered around the fire, but not too close. It was a warm evening. Jake settled back against his saddle to smoke a cheroot. Lee went into the brush to answer a call of nature.
Jake probably wouldn't have even noticed Micah if the younger man hadn't been sitting so still. As it was, that stillness and the blank expression on his face caught Jake's attention. He followed the direction of Micah's rapt gaze to find Banner at the end of it.
She was sitting with her back to the fire. She had taken off her shirt. Her camisole showed up whitely against the darkness. She was pulling a hairbrush through her thick, dark hair.
As Jake watched, she lifted the heavy strands off her neck, bent her head slightly and let the faint breeze blow against her neck. Her skin looked golden and pale in the firelight. The reflection of the flames caught on the raven strands of hair that were gradually sifting back onto her shoulders.
She sighed tiredly, stretching her spine in the process and casting the profile of her breast into sharp relief against the velvety blackness of the night.
Jake's manhood reacted throbbingly. Irritated with his response, he turned away only to notice Micah's entrancement again. He nudged him with his boot. "You can catch flies with your mouth gaping open like that," he whispered.
Micah jumped guiltily. He cast one more furtive glance at Banner. "She's sure pretty though, ain't she?"
Jake, too, took another forbidden peep. "Yeah, she's pretty. Now mind your own business."
Micah sensed his brother's displeasure. "I didn't mean nothing by looking at her, Jake."
"Well, look someplace else." He came to his feet just as Lee returned. "I'm going down by the creek to cool off. I suggest you all get some sl
eep. We've got another hard day's ride ahead of us tomorrow."
Banner watched his retreating figure until the darkness obliterated it. He was still in a bad mood and couldn't say anything without sounding grumpy. All day she had been an exemplary traveler, making trouble for no one. Had he shown her an iota of approval? No. He was so stubborn!
Sighing, she replaced her hairbrush in the saddlebag. She felt a little better, having bathed her face and neck in a pail of water Lee had fetched from the creek. She would have given her last nickel for a bath. Tomorrow night, she thought wistfully, in the hotel. I'll treat myself to a bath. She lay down on her blanket.
The boys were talking together softly. ' 'What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing," Lee said quickly, too quickly not to arouse her suspicions.
"We, uh, thought we'd go for a ride," Micah said.
"A ride?" Such an idea was beyond her comprehension. "You've been riding all day."
"Yeah, well, we, uh—"
"To cool off," Micah said.
"Yeah! To cool off," Lee agreed, and stood up. "You tell Jake that's what we're doing, riding to cool off."
Before she could offer any more arguments, they saddled their mounts and quietly led them from camp. Banner flopped down on her blanket. If they wanted to go galivanting off in the middle of the night like fools, it was none of her concern.
Jake didn't take their desertion quite so calmly. "And you just let them ride off without stopping them!" he exclaimed when he returned to the fire and she told him what had happened in his absence.
She sprang upright. "What was I supposed to do? They're grown men."
"You could have called me."
"It was none of my business."
"How long have they been gone?"
"About a half-hour," she replied.
Cursing, Jake sat down on his own bedroll. "I can't track them in the dark. I guess the only thing to do is wait for them to come back."
Banner rolled to her side and propped herself up by one elbow to see him better. "You know what I think?"
"What?" Why hadn't she put on another shirt? If she thought the night was providing her any modest covering, she was wrong. That flimsy camisole was hardly adequate to contain her breasts, especially in the position she had assumed. The uppermost breast was swelling over the lacy border of the garment, dangerously close to spilling out.
