Bride Of Shadow Canyon

by Stacey Kayne

"Do you not like the food?"

  "Oh, no, I mean, yes. The food is...bland, but fine. I think I've become spoiled by your seasonings." Her shaky smile lasted only a second before fizzling back into a frown.

  "You sure you're well?" Jed asked with growing concern.

  "I feel fine. I just...I want to apologize for hurting your feelings this morning," she said in a rush.

  "Hurting my feelings?"

  "By pushing you away so rudely, when I certainly hadn't been discouraging your...um, attention."

  Stunned, Jed could only stare at her. No woman had ever apologized to him for doing damage to his feelings. The idea of any woman doing so was laughable. Yet he could see the sincerity in Rachell's somber gaze.

  "I don't bruise so easily, Rachell."

  "You're not still mad at me?"

  He was mad as hell. His anger was directed mostly at himself, because he should have known better. But he wasn't about to tell her that. With both of them leaning toward one another to keep their conversation private, he was currently fighting the urge to pull her against his side and whisper directly into her delicate little ear, followed by a bit of nibbling.

  No.

  Her frown deepened as he searched for a way to answer her nicely.

  "What happened this morning shouldn't have happened. It won't happen again."

  "Why not?"

  Ah, hell. That wasn't the answer he needed to hear. "Rachell, we both agreed we want the same thing."

  "I believe we do," she said, the start of a smile tugging at her lips.

  "An annulment," Jed clarified, as much for himself as for the surprisingly coy woman sitting beside him.

  "Yes. An annulment," she agreed, still wearing that shy and incredibly enticing smile.

  "You're Buck's sister-in-law," Jed added.

  "Yes, and you're Buck's close friend."

  "Right," Jed said, thinking that should have settled his reasons for keeping his hands off her, but she continued to smile up at him, making it damn hard for him to think of anything other than kissing her.

  "Jed."

  "Yeah?"

  She leaned up, close to his ear. "I very much enjoyed your

  kisses."

  Her breath smoothed across the sensitive skin of his neck. Her words caressed every sensitive point on his body. Hell and damnation if she wasn't flirting with him!

  "Sugar," he said, turning away as a smile stretched his lips, "do us both a favor and eat your supper." He handed her the small platter.

  Pleased by the smile widening with each second, Rachell accepted the plate. "Thank you. I will."

  She'd done her part after all, making it known that she wasn't opposed to further intimacy between them. There had been nothing improper or brazen in her statement. She'd simply told him the truth. She had enjoyed his attention.

  She took a bite of venison, feeling a sense of strength at having spoken her mind, and wishing she had Jed's bag of dried peppers. In the past week his cooking had been a treat, the spicy seasonings he used reminding her so much of home.

  Jed eased closer to share her meal and a warmth blossomed from deep inside her. She ate contentedly as she gazed about at the others eating their meal around the fire.

  "Everyone's evening attire is so different from what I saw earlier. Much fancier. Do they always dress for supper or is this a special occassion?"

  "It's a special occasion."

  She waited, yet Jed said nothing more. He took his time in meeting her gaze. "Well, what is it?"

  "You."

  Rachell frowned at his answer, certain he was teasing her, but Jed's easy smile and steady gaze showed no sign of humor.

  "You're serious?"

  "Yes. You're their guest."

  "And you," she added, suddenly feeling quite self-conscious as she gazed out at the many eyes subtly watching her.

  Jed shrugged. "They're used to my ugly mug."

  "Your mug is not ugly," Rachell said as she turned toward the deep thumping sound of a drum, missing Jed's flashing smile.

  Another drum echoed the first from the far side of the circle, and then another joined in. A buzzing and tapping sound melded with the deep thump of the drums. A few men held two long sticks with deep grooves carved into them. They rubbed them across each other in a swift motion, intermittently hitting them together.

  Children who'd been playing in the shadows beyond the firelight returned to the circle, climbing into the laps of their parents.

  Jed's face nuzzled the side of her hair. Heat burst through her body.

  "You're going to enjoy this," he said in the velvety voice he'd used this morning.

  Dear God, she was already enjoying it. His soft lips grazed the shell of her ear as he spoke, sending shivers down her spine, clear to her toes.

  "You're the guest of honor, so pay attention, pretty lady." He leaned back against a log placed behind him.

  Rachell glanced over her shoulder. Jed's hungry smile filled her body with a new surge of heat and the urge to throw herself on top of him.

  His smile broadened and Rachell was sure that he'd read her thoughts. She silently cursed her inexperience at this type of intimate interaction, feeling her blush as she lowered her gaze to the shirt covering his long torso. It was hard to believe he'd been so close to death. He appeared relaxed in his reclined position, but Rachell knew his side must be hurting.

  "You keep staring at me and you're gonna miss the show."

  Rachell's gaze snapped up to Jed's face. His eyes shone with amusement.

  "My side is fine, sugar."

  Rachell realized they were being watched. Running Bear sat beside Jed, watching them with a wide grin.

  An abrupt silence of the rhythmic clatter and pounding brought Rachell's attention back to the center of the circle. Men wearing colorfully flamboyant costumes were gathering around the fire. Rachell had never seen anything so spectacular. Some wore great woven capes made of large colorful feathers and others wore animal pelts.

  One of the elders seated just past Running Bear's family stood. His sonorous voice boomed loud, his arms moving in wide motions as he spoke in the Ute tongue. When he sat, the costumed men began a low chant that was joined by those seated around them. Their highly-decorated moccasined feet began to stomp in rhythm with their chants, pounding the earth on the low notes.

  The shells and beads on their clothing made a music of its own as they began moving around the fire. Soon the deep boom of drums echoed their stomps and other instruments combined with the chanting and rhythmic motions of their dancing. The orange glow of the fire seemed to dance between them, gleaming off metal bracelets, necklaces, and the hoops that pierced their ears.

  Rachell gasped as a man wearing the skin of a coyote broke from the moving circle of dancers and knelt in front of her. With the man's head bowed, it looked as though the lifeless coyote was looking directly at her. "Jed?" she whispered, certain she was expected to do something, and frightened as to what it might be.

  "Coyote is waiting for your approval," he said. "A pat on the head should do it."

  Rachell glanced over her shoulder at Jed. He gave her an encouraging smile. She did as he said.

  The dancer's head snapped up. The young man beneath the pelt flashed a brilliant smile then gave a victorious cry as he whirled around and returned to the moving circle of men.

  "Eagle will be next," Jed warned.

  And he was. Rachell was honored to be included. She watched in fascination as the men skillfully performed different dances. The vibrations of the music seemed to move the ground beneath her and dictate the beat of her own pulse.

  She rubbed her hands over her bare arms, chilled by the cold night air despite the warmth of the fire.

  Jed's arm moved around her and he hauled her close to his side. Her bare arms were instantly warmed, encased by his arm and strong body. Rachell leaned into him, absorbing the warmth he offered. "You were right," she said a moment later.

  "About what?"

 
; "I am enjoying this."

  "I'm glad," he said, punctuating his words with a light kiss on the top of her head.

  Surrounded by tribal music and the arm of her brave, Rachell felt enraptured by the simplicity of a perfect moment.

  Chapter Twelve

  It wasn't long before Rachell's eyes became heavy with drowsiness. She hadn't realized she'd rested her head against Jed's chest and closed her eyes until she felt his gentle nudge.

  "Mali-"

  Rachell felt the sudden tension in Jed's body. His whispered blunder echoed in Rachell's ears, her mind finishing the half-spoken name. The name of his late wife.

  Malika.

  "Rachell," he said in an even tone. "Why don't you go on to bed."

  She surged to her feet with a speed that drew the attention of those seated around them.

  Running Bear leaned forward. "Imp?"

  "I've had a wonderful evening," she said with a forced smile. "Thank you."

  "Rest well, Imp."

  She turned away, wishing that when they'd first arrived Jed had said her true name before passing out. Now he had an entire Ute village calling her Imp. Walking through the moonlit camp, she supposed that was better than being called Malika. A tension seized her chest.

  I should have realized.

  Tears fogged her eyes as she ducked into their teepee. No wonder he'd been pushing her away. Here they were, among the relatives of his late wife, and all she could think about was seducing him. She doubted her reaction this morning had been the trigger to his anger. He'd simply realized he was tumbling with a troublesome imp and not his pretty Ute wife, and he'd been furious.

  She wiped at her wet cheeks, then stripped off her festive dress. After carefully folding the fancy garment, she donned the simple dress she'd worn the day before.

  The ache in her chest doubled as she slid beneath the blankets they'd shared. She'd been foolish to believe he had actually been taken by her. He'd avoided her all day and had only sat beside her during supper because he'd had no choice.

  "Like everyone else in my life, he can't wait to be rid of me."

  And who could blame him? She'd not spared any thought for his feelings of having another woman among Malika's family. Most likely embarrassed, guilty.. .furious.

  Hearing movement near the entrance of the teepee, she flipped onto her side, just before Jed entered.

  "Rachell?" He crouched beside her.

  She remained silent, refusing to face him while her face was wet with useless tears. It wasn't his fault she'd become enamored with a man who'd already given his heart to another. And she'd been too caught up in the rush of new emotions to realize it.

  Jed straightened and moved away. He turned out the lantern, surrounding them with darkness, then sat on the edge of the blanket and unlaced his tall moccasins.

  Rachell's breath caught at the sound of his britches being pulled from his long legs. Her mind visualized what she couldn't see in the darkness. Jed lifted the blanket and slid beside her, before pulling her into the curve of his body.

  A violent shudder shook her body as the wafmth of his skin surrounded her.

  "Relax. You've been sleeping in my arms for a full week."

  She didn't attempt to respond, certain her voice would be none too steady. She may have been sleeping in his arms during the past week, but he'd either been fully clothed or unconscious, and she'd not experienced the taste of his wild kisses or the intense pleasure of his intimate touch.

  And what had he done when she'd succumbed to his advances, but accused her of teasing him. Now here he was, curved around her, naked as the sunrise. Who was teasing whom? If he was confident enough to hold her without barriers, she would at least be comfortable.

  She twisted, turning toward him. His breath unraveled in a long sigh as she snuggled against him, her arm sliding across his waist.

  "What are you doing?" he asked in a strained voice, his body stiff against hers.

  "Getting comfortable." She shifted closer and discovered Jed might resent his attraction to her, but he was attracted. Rachell didn't shy away, content to lie next to him with the proof of his desire pressed snugly against her.

  Jed cursed under his breath.

  "Good night, Jed," she chimed, feeling a heady sense of victory and satisfaction.

  "Not so fast."

  Rachell felt his fingers under her chin, and allowed him to tilt her face up, sensing his seeking mouth. His lips settled perfectly over hers. The undemanding caress of his tongue and gentle movements of his hand on her hip ignited an urgent hunger to have more of him. He kissed her until she throbbed inside. Much to her indignation, she released an involuntary cry of protest when he pulled away.

  "Sweet dreams, Rachell," he said in a broken whisper, and rolled onto his back, folding his hands behind his head.

  She was sure he'd meant to punish her for brazenly snuggling against him. "You expect me to sleep now?"

  Jed chuckled and wrapped an arm around her, pressing her against his side as though to keep her from climbing on top of him. Rachell shifted and settled against him.

  Jed still struggled for control as he slid a hand under her hair and gently massaged the back of her neck. She trembled with a passion he'd never ignited so easily in any woman. If he had half a brain he'd shove her away and go bed down in the meadow with Sage.

  Tomorrow they'd have separate bedrolls. That assurance didn't give him the peace of mind it should have. He liked the feel of her body next to his, her weight in his arms.

  That's the problem, he reminded himself, just as her soft voice said his name.

  "What's on your mind?" he asked with emphasized dread.

  "Can I ask you a personal question?"

  "Sugar, I don't think we can get much more personal." Not in good conscience anyway, his mind shot back, while thinking of just how personal he'd truly like to get.

  "I mean about Malika?"

  Jed swallowed a groan. He'd already talked more about Malika today than he had in the past eighteen years. He couldn't think of any other reason for Malika's name to have escaped his lips when he'd meant to say Rachell's. Running Bear's words still churned in the back of his mind. He needed to find a way to distance himself from Rachell, but not by hurting her.

  "I'd prefer it if you didn't. I'm sorry for my blunder earlier, but I can't help but think about her when I'm here among her family." And lying with another woman who's been bound to me against her will.

  He'd been a damn fool ever to touch her. Once she reached California and saw all the young men rushing down the mountainside ready to give their right arms to have a woman like her for a wife, she'd realize a thirty-nine-year-old drifter was a poor candidate for a husband.

  "You must miss her."

  "Don't you miss your late husband?" he asked.

  "As a husband, no. But I do miss James. He married me to protect me from the army who'd hanged my father for treason. He went back to his command post the day after we were wed. We couldn't have spent a full week together in the year I lived with his family."

  Well, that explains her limited experience. But, hell, he wouldn't have needed a week to bring her to passion. One full night of lovemaking would have been plenty. They wouldn't have slept until he'd fully explored and tasted every square inch of her smooth skin. He'd find every sensitive spot of her body that caused her to cry out in abandon and test the fiery limits of her hidden desire.

  Jed's body stirred violently beneath the blankets, rising high like a white flag, ready to surrender to the promise of his thoughts.

  Damn. The direction of his thoughts wasn't doing his body any favors. Neither was Rachell. Her fingers fiddled with the top edge of his bandage, continually grazing his skin, raking the fire already blazing in his body.

  "Stop doing that," he said with a harshness he hadn't intended.

  She instantly removed her hand from his side and lifted her head from his shoulder. "Sorry. Your side must be sensitive."

  "Criminy sake!
My whole body is sensitive when I'm lying with you like this."

  A moment later Jed swore he could feel the warmth of her smile radiating against his skin like sunshine.

  Running Bear's words echoed through his mind. I see light to brighten your spirit and bring you peace.

  Running Bear didn't know what he was talking about.

  Although Rachell had awakened alone, the warmth of Jed's body still surrounded her. It couldn't have been long since he'd risen.

  Voices filtered in from outside the teepee, just before the door flap opened and sunlight poured inside. Rachell tugged a blanket over her eyes, shielding them from the intrusion of light.

  "Rise and shine, sugar," Jed said as he stepped inside.

  Rachell sat up, rubbing at her eyes.

  "You sure as hell don't need any more beauty sleep."

  Jed turned away and collected his saddlebags then walked back toward the opening. He paused before stepping outside, giving her a questioning gaze.

  He looked incredibly handsome, wearing his dark duster, his black Stetson pulled low on his brow.

  "Didn't I speak English?" he asked. "Slip your sweet hide back into those buckskin britches." He nodded toward the pile of folded clothes she'd worn the previous day, then winked at her before disappearing into the blinding sunlight.

  Two compliments in one morning. He'd certainly awakened in a cheerful mood. Or.. .perhaps he was only happy to be on the move again. The closer they came to Shadow Canyon, the closer he was to being rid of her.

  She released a deep sigh as her spirits plummeted. She shoved her disheveled hair away from her face. Lord, but the man was confusing.

  And punctual.

  She sprang to her feet. She quickly dressed and braided her hair. The soft buckskin clothes and warm moccasins were pure heaven against her skin. No wonder Jed hardly wore the stiff leather boots she'd seen in his pack. She stepped outside into the warm sunlight of a beautiful spring morning.

  "Imp."

  Rachell turned at the sound of Running Bear's voice. He and Snow Flower walked across the camp to greet her.

  "For you," he said, holding out a tan floppy hat and a beautiful pair of leather gloves with beaded cuffs. She recognized the red-and-yellow flower on each cuff. The same flower as the one on the wide sash she'd worn the previous night.