Texas Heat

by Holly Castillo

  Cade shook his head. “It feels like it was just yesterday that we were engaged in war with Mexico and finally defeating Santa Anna. Now to go to war with the Comanche... sometimes I wonder if this territory will ever enjoy peace.”

  The sound of horse’s hooves pounding on the dirt road, moving at a rapid pace towards them, had Cade and Trevor out of their seats in a flash and standing on opposite sides of the window, hiding their bodies behind the wood, their guns drawn and ready to fire.

  The sound of spurs hitting the ground then stepping up to the door made them crouch low and move slowly towards the door. The way it swung open prevented the person entering from seeing their side, and they took full advantage of that.

  Trevor charged the man that had entered, shoving him up against the bars of the jail and holding his gun to the man’s head. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “I’m-I’m Private Leon, sir. I’m coming to you from Fort Bend with orders from President Lamar. I’m to de-deliver them to Captain Trevor Daniels and no one else. If you’ll please point me to the captain, I will leave your premises immediately.”

  Trevor let the man down slowly, glancing over at Cade who was beginning to lower his gun. “It would appear President Lamar is just as concerned as we are,” Trevor said, as he, too, lowered his gun.

  “Sorry about that, son, but we have to be really careful these days.” Trevor holstered his gun and took a step back from the young man who was probably no more than seventeen years old.

  “I understand, sir. Can you direct me to Captain Daniels?”

  “I’m Captain Daniels,” Trevor said, and the young man looked mortified, then promptly saluted him.

  “There’s no need for that,” Trevor said, shaking his head, “But I would very much like to see this document from President Lamar.”

  “Oh! Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” The young man reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled rolled parchment that held the presidential seal on it.

  Trevor took it and went to the desk, gesturing for Cade to join him in reading the missive. He cracked the seal and unrolled the document, holding it flat so they could read it. Trevor’s eyes scanned the sharply scrolled words and felt his chest tighten. He had known it was coming, but he still couldn’t believe it was happening.

  “He’s calling back the volunteer militia?” Cade said in awe. “Good God, we were right. We’re going to war!”

  News of the first attacks began to come in the very next day. Trevor had been doing everything in his power to keep the town calm as he informed them there would be a recall of the volunteer militia. Many had turned their backs on him, though several had stepped forward and gathered the items they were assigned. It wasn’t much... a canteen, a tin cup to either drink or eat out of, and a rifle. They would have to supply their own horse and bedroll and anything else they felt was necessary.

  But after the news came through that a small community to the north had been savagely attacked by the Comanche and that not a single man, woman, or child had escaped the carnage and the burning of their buildings, most who had turned their backs were stepping forward, their faces grim, gathering up the necessary items.

  Trevor and Cade assisted the two officers of the Republic Army. While the Republic Army would usually lead a charge such as this one, Trevor’s rank and the specific request from President Lamar put him in the leadership hot seat. He would be the one making all of the decisions for them, and those decisions could determine whether they lived or died.

  Finally, they had their army assembled, and Trevor stood on the steps of the cathedral with all of them below, to give them their instructions. “Tomorrow we leave at sunrise. We will travel directly east and try to catch up with the Comanche. Once we engage with them, don’t hold back your fire. The latest news came in this morning and they are continuing towards the east. They are not only murdering our neighbors, they have now decided to kidnap some of the children. Be aware of the children with them when you open fire on them. You will engage in combat. You will defeat this enemy. You will stop the killing.”

  His eyes scanned the faces of the rough group in front of him. “Try to remember everything from your prior experiences and battles. They can and will be critical to not only saving your life, but the life of your sons, daughters, wives. Get a good night of rest. Meet here at dawn with all your provisions, a horse, and, most importantly, your rifle. Dismissed.”

  Some of the younger soldiers looked terrified. Others looked as if they were ready to charge forward at that very moment. They mingled in the court for a while, greeting each other, slapping each other on the back, and talking bravado about what was to come. Trevor didn’t stay to watch them. He had learned a long time ago not to grow too attached to a soldier or a comrade in arms. Because he never knew when they might be taken from him forever. No, war was not the place to create new friendships.

  Cade, who had been standing in the shadows, stepped forward and walked with him down the old stone steps that had been erected by the Spanish long before the Texans had ever arrived. “Based on your mood, I’m just thrilled you didn’t tell them they were all going to die.”

  Trevor cut a sharp look over at the man that was quickly becoming a good friend. “I could have. But we can’t afford to scare any of them away. The Comanche are brutal. It’s worse to be one of their hostages than for them to kill you outright.”

  “I’ve heard the stories. They’re brutal.” Cade shook his head. “Olivia is beside herself that I’m going with you.”

  “You shouldn’t. You’re the law of this town and they need you here.” Trevor couldn’t imagine the turmoil his friend was going through, though he wished he could.

  He wished he would know what it felt like to come home to warm, embracing arms, sweet kisses on his lips, and his children trotting around his feet, seeking attention. It was a feeling that was new to him. He had always been happy with his freedom and not being attached to a woman. But, lately, the thought of having a sweet embrace at the end of a hard day was something he craved.

  Serena’s face popped into his mind and he was startled by how right it felt to think about her. But it wasn’t meant for a ranger to have a wife, who would watch him leave at all hours of the day and not tell her anything. And, one day, come home in a box. No, it was best for a ranger not to have a wife.

  “I’m going. I fought at San Jacinto, I’ll fight now. The wrongs must be righted.”

  “And who will fix what has been done to the Comanche?” Trevor wished he could take back his words the moment he said them.

  “You’re starting to sound like Serena. What gives them the right to say that all of this land is theirs and we can’t make our homes here? We’re willing to coinhabit the land with them, as long as they are willing to share.”

  It was as if a valve had been opened and he couldn’t turn it off. “Lately it seems we’ve been doing far more taking than sharing. We keep taking more of their land, we keep killing more of their buffalo for the sport of it... we’re taking away more than just their land. We’re taking away their way of life.”

  Cade sighed heavily. “But does it make what they are doing right now okay? They are killing women and children. They are taking hostages. They are pillaging villages, taking all the loot and goods they can carry. And they are torturing the hostages horribly... raping the women... honestly, Trevor, can you try to defend them now?”

  Trevor shook his head. “No. They’ve taken things to a terrible degree of war.”

  Cade nodded in agreement. “What are you going to do about Serena?”

  Trevor looked over at Cade sharply. “What do you mean? Has something happened to her?”

  Cade chuckled softly. “That’s exactly what I mean. It seems you may be interested in my sister-in-law.”

  Trevor returned his eyes to the road. “Serena was in need of my care and I gave her that.”

  “And then checked on her every day until she was strong again?”

&nbs
p; “It’s part of my job to make sure everyone I treat is safe. Now leave it be.”

  Cade shook his head and barely held back a chuckle. “Well, I’ll leave it be, and I’ll leave you now, as I really want to be with my wife before we leave tomorrow.”

  The longing struck Trevor again, the longing for someone to hold him this night before he went off into battle. But with that came the risk of never coming home to that person, and he couldn’t do that to someone. He couldn’t put them through that kind of pain and loss, and leave them unprotected and helpless in this environment.

  With a nod the two men parted paths, and Trevor watched Cade head down the street towards the Torres family home, or as he simply thought of it, cocina. Serena would be there with the family. All of them would want to be together as both Cade and Lorenzo would be joining him the next morning.

  Trevor shook off his feelings. He needed a drink. Or three or four. He turned his pace towards the saloon and was fairly certain he would find most of his men there already. Most of his volunteer soldiers would show up still partially drunk in the morning. He would have to count on his men to keep them all stepping off on the right foot.

  He couldn’t stop himself from looking up at the roof across the street, half-expecting to see the glow of a cigarette. But there wasn’t one. With an odd, hollow feeling inside, he stepped into the saloon.

  Chapter Nine

  Serena stood on the porch with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her gaze staring down the road that led out of town. Even in the dark she could see the curve in the road and imagined where it could take her. The thought of saddling up and riding out with no true plan other than to experience what the rest of the world had to offer made her heart beat with excitement.

  But the cocina needed her. She had obligations to fulfill. Or you’re just too scared to leave. Serena ignored the nagging voice in her head, even though there was some truth behind it. All she had ever known was San Antonio and the cocina. What if she got lost? What if she was put in a dangerous situation? What if she made the wrong choices?

  She shook her head to clear it and heard laughter from inside the house. All of the family was together, celebrating the time they had left with Lorenzo and Cade before they took off the next morning to go to war. She had tried to stay with them and laugh and enjoy the time, but all she could think of was how dangerous war could be, and the odds that they might never come back home. It had become too much for her, and so she had slipped outside for some fresh air.

  “Why aren’t you enjoying the last few hours with the entire family? It’s only a matter of hours now until we saddle up to move out, and Cade and Lorenzo won’t be here.”

  His voice, coming from out of the dark, startled her and she jumped, turning to face Trevor who had silently climbed the steps to the cocina and now stood a few feet away from her on the porch. She needed to start being more aware of her surroundings at all times, otherwise, she was going to get herself killed one day.

  “You-you startled me. I wasn’t expecting anyone else to be out so late.” Her eyes drank in the sight of him.

  She didn’t like admitting she had missed him, but she also couldn’t deny the way her heart leapt into her throat at the sight of him. He wore his hat low on his forehead, making it difficult to see his eyes, a worn plaid shirt, leather chaps, and a long duster. His gun was strapped to his lower hip, in the perfect position for him to reach it quickly. He was the picture of a lawman—or a gunfighter. But the star clipped to his duster made it clear which side he was on.

  “So, why aren’t you inside?”

  Serena leaned back against the wall of the house, watching him closely. “I’m not very good at saying goodbyes,” she admitted reluctantly. “And everyone is in there, all the children, Cade, Lorenzo, Abuela and Abuelo, Olivia and Angie. I was beginning to feel a little suffocated.”

  “Ah,” Trevor said as he stepped closer to her and she could see the shimmering grey of his eyes.

  He was disturbed by something. She could tell by how tense his jaw and shoulders were. Something had him upset, and she doubted it was that they were going to war. That was what they trained for all the time. No, this was something different.

  “Why are you out and about such a late hour? Aren’t you supposed to be bright-eyed and ready to lead our men off to war tomorrow?”

  He had continued advancing on her until he stood toe-to-toe with her and braced his arms on either side of her head. She caught the faint smell of whiskey and wondered if he was drunk.

  “Yes, tomorrow we march off to war. But tonight... tonight we can do whatever we want.”

  “Which, in your case, should be a perfect time for you to make sure you have all of your equipment ready, and... and...” She was having a hard time thinking while he was so close.

  He smelled like leather and wild sage, a tantalizing aroma that made her a little light-headed.

  “I’ve had a dream, for a very long time, that I would have someone want to say goodbye to me before I left on a mission.”

  His tone was soft and low, but what he had just confessed made Serena’s heart race. “Oh, Trevor...”

  “No, no. Please. Don’t pity me. Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve made my life this way because I wanted to be alone. I didn’t want to be responsible for a family that could be hurt or used against me. That’s what my life is like, pixie. I have to give up the things I desire for fear they could be taken away from me forever. That’s why I can’t ever have a family, or a sweetheart, waiting for me to come home.”

  He sighed heavily and shook his head, his grey eyes searching hers. “That’s why I told you I can’t be the man to teach you how to kiss. That has to come from a man who can offer you something, from a man who has the potential to give you the life you deserve, to—mpf!”

  His words were cut off as she pulled his head down to hers and pressed her lips firmly against his. She was so nervous her hands were slightly shaking and she placed them lightly on either side of his head. She didn’t know what else she was supposed to do, so she kept her lips in a tight pucker against his, then slowly pulled back, looking up at him anxiously. Had she pleased him? Or had she only irritated him since he had been trying to explain why he couldn’t kiss her only seconds earlier?

  But a very slow, very male smile touched his lips as he looked down at her. “I don’t expect anything from you,” he murmured. “But I will confess that kissing you is the reason I am here tonight. For this one time, I wanted a beautiful woman to send me off with her lips touching mine.”

  “Then why don’t you stop talking and start teaching me how to do that the right way.” Her voice was husky.

  “It’s something that is better taught while doing it,” he said, his smile slightly broader.

  Then he leaned down and captured her lips with his and gently worked his against hers until they finally relaxed and were loose and pliant beneath his. When his tongue lightly traced her lips she gasped and her hands slid from his face down to his chest and he intensified the kiss, moving his lips over hers urgently until they parted and his tongue swept inside slightly, tasting, teasing.

  Serena moaned into the kiss, leaning toward him. She was rewarded with him wrapping his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. Suddenly, he lifted her up, pressing her back against the wall so she was at his height and he could deepen the kiss even further.

  She lost all awareness of time, where they were, or what was happening near them. She forgot they were about to march off to war. All she wanted was more of him, and that was all she could think of. She slid her hands into his hair, disrupting his hat, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was him.

  He slowed the urgency of the kiss and soon it was just his lips molded to hers and then there was nothing. She opened her eyes and smiled at him as she stared directly into his eyes.

  A slow smile crept up his face, too, and he gently lowered her to the ground. “That’s how you kiss, pixie.”

  “What made you c
hange your mind?”

  “I didn’t want to leave town without tasting your sweet lips just one more time.”

  Serena shook her head. “I don’t want you to go. I don’t want any of you to go. This mission is just too dangerous.”

  “Every mission is dangerous, Serena. It’s part of my job.”

  Serena reached up and pulled his hat off his head and placed it on top of hers. With her arms looped around his neck, her fingers lazily played with his hair. “I don’t want to think any more about tomorrow. I don’t want to think about the danger you’ll be marching into. Make me forget, ranger. Make me—”

  He grabbed one of her hands and stepped down off the porch, keeping her tight along his side as he turned at the corner of the house and led her towards the backyard. They were nearly in the backyard when he stopped abruptly and gathered her into his arms, leaning down to press his lips to hers. He held her tightly, his hands moving restlessly over her back.

  Serena felt the same sense of urgency, the need to be with him, the need to be as close to him as possible. She stood on her tiptoes, arching her back so she could receive his full kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth and she moaned in pleasure, which seemed to make him even bolder.

  His hands slid to her lower waist, just hovering over her hips, and she squirmed in his hold, craving something more, but not quite sure what it was. His kiss had grown more intense, to the point she was certain her lips would be slightly bruised, but, oh, it was so worth it. She returned the kiss with the same energy and tentatively rubbed her tongue against his.

  His groan of approval was met by him suddenly gripping her butt cheeks and lifting her up and pressing her against the wall of her home. His chest pressed against her breasts, and she suddenly realized her nipples had puckered into hard, aching peeks. And then he lightly rocked his body against hers and she became intimately aware of how his body was responding to the kiss.