“I guess you’re right, son,” Rankin concurred.
Salina had just made her way near the open doors, to boldly eavesdrop on the men’s conversation. She tensed and fumed at their last words. If she didn’t soften her covert attack, that little bitch would force a showdown! Too bad Lynx had bravely rescued her!
“You don’t think there’s any way she’s learned anything, do you?” Lynx worried aloud. “Salina doesn’t know anything to maliciously pass along, does she? For certain, something has my wife inflamed.”
“You’re forgetting, Marie was away for several days during the trouble with Brax. She couldn’t reveal anything to Salina.”
As the two discussed what had taken place years ago, the staggering truth was devoured by the greedy Salina. When Lynx said he was going to talk with Calinda, Salina waited until he left the room before slipping away from her hiding place. She danced around her room, hugging herself, congratulating herself for her good fortune. So, that explained why Lynx and Rankin were so desperate to keep Calinda here, to hold her captive with a wedding band, to prevent a search for Brax? If something happened to Calinda …Surely their shows of affection were phony, just devices to ensnare her, to disarm her? Surely they hated the daughter of the man who had done such evil to them? No doubt they were waiting for the proper time to get rid of her…
Lynx went to his room; Calinda wasn’t there. He went to the next room, both the hall and balcony doors were bolted. He tapped lightly and called out, “Cal, are you all right? I want to talk to you.”
Why had she returned to her old room? he fretted anxiously. When she didn’t respond, he warned, “If you don’t open the door, I’ll do it myself. You’ve got some explaining to do, wife.”
Calinda walked to the balcony door and unbolted it. “I’m tired, Lynx. What can’t wait until morning? Or will you even be around then?”
“I’d like to know why you’re being as chilly and aggressive as a blue norther?” he stated, moving her aside to enter the room.
The weary girl turned and gazed at him. Dare she demand the truth? She closed the door and came forward to stand before him. “You’re most selfish and inconsiderate, Lynx. You know what I’ve been through since this terrifying incident began. Why do you insist on talking tonight? I just want to relax and unwind.” Her cloudy gaze prevented his piercing eyes from ascertaining her crazy mood.
“We’re both drained. I’ve been crazy with worry, Cal. I’ve had little sleep or rest in days. If I was unresponsive back there, I’m sorry. I just wanted to get you away safely. I’ve missed you, woman.”
“You had enough time to give me plenty of insults, terse orders, and scoldings. That wasn’t what I needed or wanted. But I am grateful for your second timely assistance. It appears you know a great deal about outlaws, Mister Cardone.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded, piqued by her tone and manner. “I told you how I found you.”
“Ah, yes, the miraculous clue to my misfortune and location,” she murmured skeptically. “You do have an uncanny way of showing up in the nick of time, don’t you? First the saloon, then Lampasas, and incredibly at the scene of my captivity. You must possess immense insight, luck, and intelligence. I’m learning quite a number of lessons, my talented husband,” Please remove my doubts, she prayed.
“I don’t like the insinuations in your frosty tone, Cal.”
“And I don’t like being kept in the dark about my own husband,” she instantly retorted. “Mainly, I don’t like being deceived.”
“What are you talking about, Cal?” he asked seriously. His baffled gaze eased over her tumbling chestnut hair, her stormy green eyes, and her silky skin. Her complexion looked as if she hadn’t been out of the house since her arrival in sultry Texas.
“The next time you leave home, which is probably at dawn, you should get your excuses to match your father’s. Even Salina knows more about you and your movements than I do. I suppose you’ve never heard of letters or telegrams home?” Cal hinted in rising vexation.
“You knew I was heading for Junction to do a job delayed by a willful and crafty young lady. I don’t know what my father said, but he was probably trying to ease your concern and loneliness. But you’re right about my leaving at dawn; I’m going to set a trap for Stevens. Besides what he did to you, he’s wanted for numerous crimes. I’m heading over to the Ranger camp to see that he’s put out of action for good. I know I should have contacted you sooner, but I kept thinking I would be finished and heading home any day. It won’t happen again, Cal; I promise. Now, what’s this about Salina?” he asked, returning to a clue which had caused her eyes to glimmer with fury.
Wanting to clear the air and make her position a known fact to all of them, Calinda revealed what Salina had said to her. Lynx tensed, realizing Salina must have discovered information to use to her advantage. He must caution his father to avoid any future conversation which might be enlightening and hazardous. He would deal with Salina’s brazen conduct!
“Listen to me carefully, Cal, I swear to you I went to Junction to help a friend. Afterwards, I rode to Dallas to meet another friend, to complete one last promise so I could come home. As soon as I warn the Rangers about Stevens, I’ll head for Waco and be done with this separation. I know you said you would handle matters with Salina, but clearly you haven’t. If you let that tempestuous girl order you around or insult you again, I’ll turn you over my knees and spank you. If she’s going to treat my wife like that, then she’d best get the hell out of my home. The first time she ordered you out of your own kitchen, you should have flung a skillet at her, preferably a hot one. And don’t ask her which chores you can have; do whatever you please. Rankin’s just become dependent on her, but I don’t think he realizes how bad it is between you two. I’m deadly serious, woman. You’d best recall, you’re the wife and she’s the servant. As for moving into my room, you didn’t need to ask. In fact, I’d have been awfully hurt and curious if you hadn’t. Trust me a while longer, Cal. I just need a few more weeks, then I’ll be home for good.”
“You have so many secrets, Lynx; you’re like a total stranger to me. How can I trust you when you don’t trust me?” she asked sadly.
“I’ll explain everything when the time is right, Cal. I’ll be frank with you; there are certain things I can’t tell you at present, some things I don’t want to tell you, and some things I’ll never tell you. But I will say enough to explain matters, to justify what I’m doing right now. I just need a little time and privacy for a while longer.”
“You’ve been shutting me out of your life ever since we met. You expect blind faith and unquestionable loyalty. Don’t you understand how difficult and demanding that is over such a long period of time and distance? I’m weary of all the excuses, deceits, and mistrust. I’m so confused and exhausted, I don’t even know if it’s worth it anymore.” She sighed heavily in frustration.
“There’s more to it, Cal,” he speculated astutely, reaching to pull her into his yearning embrace.
She moved aside, denying him his quest. “Don’t, Lynx. I’m not in the mood to be touched. Tonight, I need some time and privacy,” she informed softly. She turned away from him, locking her arms over her abdomen, closing her eyes, and inhaling raggedly.
His hands gently grasped her shoulders. “I’ll be leaving soon, Cal. We’ve been through hell. I need you,” he stated huskily. Even if she didn’t want to make love tonight, he wanted to hold her tightly and kiss her time after time. He wanted to vanquish her coldness and painful rejection. He wanted her to feel the love within him.
“What about my needs?” she challenged in a hoarse voice.
“If I’ve hurt you and disappointed you, Cal, I’m truly sorry. If you don’t feel like making love, at least come to bed with me. I need you near me tonight. Do you realize how close I came to losing you?” he asked, his voice and gaze tender and compelling.
“Would it really matter if you did?” she asked shockingly, alarming h
im with the gravity of her dejected tone.
“How can you even ask such a question?”
“If you care so much, why have I seen my husband for less than a day since our blissful marriage? If you care so much, why haven’t I received even the tiniest note? If you care so much, why do you keep your life a secret from me? If you care so much, why are you leaving within hours after I escape from the jaws of death?”
“If I don’t head for the Rangers tomorrow, this might be our last chance to snag Cole Stevens and his gang. Don’t you see, Cal, the timing is perfect to capture him? Do you want me to allow him to go on killing, robbing, and terrorizing the countryside? Perhaps kidnap another woman?” he questioned in exasperation.
“Do your duty, Lynx; I won’t try to stop you. I won’t cry or plead or scream. Just don’t expect me to calmly accept your running in and out of my life whenever it suits your fancy. I hate this place; I wish I had never come here,” she falsely vowed.
“You don’t mean that, Cal. You’re just upset and tired.”
“Yes, I do mean it. It’s been awful since the first day of my arrival. How do you think I should feel about Texas? I was robbed before I even got to the ranch,” she placed the bait on her hook.
“I know you’re angry about the hold-up. I wish I could find your possessions. I can’t. The sheriff never caught who was responsible.”
“I don’t care about the money or clothes or other things, just my locket. I told the sheriff he could keep everything as a reward if he could only locate and return my locket. It means so much to me,” she said, dangling the baited hook before him.
“I’m sorry about the locket, Cal.”
“No, you aren’t. And stop saying you’re sorry. If you were, you would help me find it,” she continued to fish for the response she wanted so desperately.
“How am I supposed to do that?” he asked strangely.
“You’re very successful at solving mysteries about me. You seem to be acquainted with plenty of outlaws and gunslingers. Find out who has my locket and get it back for me. Maybe my locket will turn up in as timely and unexpected a manner as you do,” she tried another area.
“I wish I could hand you the locket right now, Cal.”
Calinda turned and faced him. Her heart began to thud heavily, “Why can’t you, Lynx?”
“Because I don’t…” He halted and stared at her. He had a gut feeling she was trying to imply something. But what?
“Perhaps I should teach you how to complete sentences, my devoted and heroic husband. Shall I assist you? Because I don’t have it?”
Lynx’s heart skipped a beat. He stiffened slightly. He grabbed her chin and forced their gazes to fuse. “You know, don’t you?” he asked simply, fearing the worst.
“Yes, my loving husband, I know you have it,” she replied, her gaze never leaving his as it narrowed and hardened. “But what I would like to hear is why you kept it from me, knowing how I felt?”
“Why did you open that locked drawer, Cal? Why?” he demanded.
“I wanted to know who and what my husband was, since he refuses to tell me.”
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing,” he stated softly.
Calinda observed the unexpected reaction on his bronzed face; he actually looked betrayed and disillusioned. She had thought he would be furious, but he was hurt. “I wanted and needed to understand you. Why do you keep me at arm’s length? Why do you and Rankin feed me false tales and words which even a starving fool would choke on? I’m not stupid. Is it me, Lynx; is there something terrible about me?” she inquired in a near whisper.
“All right, Cal, I’ll tell you about your locket. I took it off a man I fought in Dallas. He was a member of Sam Bass’ gang, the ones who held up the stage. When I went to see the Rangers to give them the information, Major Jones asked me not to give away their identity yet; they’re tracking him down to capture him. That’s how I knew Jones didn’t have anything to do with that letter. I had the locket with me when I found you in Lampasas risking your lovely neck to find Brax. I didn’t give it to you for several reasons. First, I didn’t want you to have a picture of Brax; I was afraid you would use it to hire a detective to search for him. A search would cost you lots of money, futile time, and more anguish. I wanted you cut off from the past so you would stay here with us. Second, I didn’t want you wearing it here. I saw Brax’s picture inside. I didn’t want my father and me having that constant reminder flaunted in our faces. Last, I didn’t want to explain how I came to be in possession of it. Your image of me was already dark; I didn’t want anything to make it worse. Believe it or not, I was planning to return it some day. I knew how much its loss pained you; I couldn’t throw it away.”
Oddly, Calinda felt he was telling the truth. “What about the watch? I’m so confused about the past, Lynx.”
“Some day, I promise to tell you everything I know, Cal. Please, not tonight. We’ve been through hell for three days. If it bothers you that much, I’ll give you the locket right now. Just don’t wear it for a while longer,” he urged.
“Keep it for me. As long as I know it’s here, that’s all that matters. You’re a very complex and puzzling man, Lynx Cardone.”
“I suppose you’re right, Cal. I’ve never had to answer to anyone before now. Maybe I am too damn proud and stubborn. Sharing and loving come hard for me, I’ve had no experience,” he teased.
“I think certain kinds come too easily, Lynx. You share yourself and your skills with your friends. And you positively know a great deal about loving,” she murmured, her implication clear.
“If I promise to try harder at everything, am I forgiven?” he coaxed, trailing his fingers over her silky cheek. “You’re a challenge to me, Cal; and I’m having a devil of a time accepting it. Taking you into my life and heart requires heavy changes; it’s difficult, love.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Lynx. Stop grinning at me like that, or I might forget my anger. You’re a heartless devil and you know it. When it comes to you, I must be a naive and gullible fool. You’re dangerously irresistible.” She returned his smile, mellowing as time passed. She should have waited for his explanations before jumping the gun. He had a beguiling way of justifying anything. When he was near and enticing, all other thoughts fled her mind.
She yawned and stretched, her lids droopy and her body going lax. “Let’s go to bed, husband; I can hardly hold my eyes open.”
“No wonder, it’s nearly morning,” he said, tugging on a stray curl, leading her into his room. “To bed with you, wife.”
She looked up into his arresting face. “But you’ll be leaving soon.”
He chuckled. “Not before you wake up, love; I promise.”
She smiled as he pulled the covers over her, then kissed her lightly on her injured forehead. He undressed and joined her, pulling her into his possessive embrace. He kissed her tenderly, then murmured, “Go to sleep, Llama de mi corazon; you’re safe now.”
“I love you, Lynx,” she murmured drowsily at his endearment, leisurely sailing off on a peaceful journey to dreamland.
“Yo te quiero, Callie, mi vida, mi aliento, mi corazon,” he responded, but she didn’t hear him. He was relieved she had accepted his truthful explanation about the locket. With loving determination, he was gradually constructing a bridge across the river of mistrust and bitterness which kept them apart. In the near future, he would complete his compelling task when he removed the final obstacles between them. But he must be very careful to allow nothing to destroy his steady progress; for she was indeed his love, his life, his breath, and his heart. Soon, Lynx was fast asleep.
Chapter Fourteen
It was approaching noon when Calinda awoke. Subdued rays of sunlight gently pierced the translucent curtains on the balcony doors. She sat up, staring down at the empty place where Lynx had slept. Had he broken his promise and left without telling her? Had the abduction and rescue been stygian dreams? No. Cal flung the covers aside and jumped up to search fo
r an inexcusable note.
The door opened quietly as Lynx tried to steal inside without disturbing Cal. When he saw her standing by the dresser, he smiled and closed the door. “Buenos dias,” Mrs. Cardone,” he said warmly.
A bright smile flickered over her face. “I was looking for a note, Mister Cardone; I feared you had left already,” she confessed.
“I promised I wouldn’t leave before you could give me a good scolding for my terrible behavior lately,” he teased, strolling toward her. “But I was beginning to think you were going to sleep away all our time together. I was trying to be patient,” Lynx ventured merrily.
“It must be awfully late. Why didn’t you awaken me?”
“You needed your sleep, mi amor. I gave my word to remain. You’ve got to learn to trust me, Cal,” he advised, stopping within inches of her, assailing her senses with his arresting aura.
“I know,” Cal contritely replied. “I suppose all newly weds go through this demanding period of adjustment and confusion.”
“Hungry?” Lynx hinted, his amber eyes sparkling as sunbeams dancing upon a glass of golden sherry.
Hungry? Cal mentally challenged. Certainly not for food! How could she think of anything when he was standing before her wearing nothing but a wrapper around his hips! It was obvious that he often went shirtless, as his appealing body was darkly tanned from the waist up. His taut flesh was as smooth and firm as hardened taffy. His muscles were flexible and strong. Not an ounce of excess fat marred a frame Apollo would envy. Despite having been in so many fights, his splendid body was scarless.
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