Winter Magic

by Cheryl Pierson

  “Is that all it is, then? A ‘part’?”

  She looked away quickly, and Jake could see the answer she wanted to speak was held back. After all, he had been the one who had called it “make-believe”.

  “Be honest, Lainie…”

  “Here we are,” she said brightly as they reached the hotel steps. “Perhaps we better speak about that later…in private.”

  Jake gave her a long look. “Okay. For now. But we’re not done with this.”

  As they entered the lobby, Jake strode to the desk and signed the register—Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Diamond.

  He turned to Lainie, and was nearly brought to his knees by the wistful longing that passed over her features.

  He damned well better make up his mind if he could be the man Lainie wanted. If not, it wasn’t fair to string her along; if he did want to sign Mr. And Mrs. Jacob Diamond the next time, he’d better be certain it was legal.

  Knowing how she truly felt, suddenly, he wasn’t at all sure he could stand to lose her.

  ****

  Over dinner that evening, Lainie guarded herself carefully. She was falling back into the easy friendship and camaraderie they’d enjoyed from their first meeting—even as stressful as those circumstances had been.

  Moreover, Lainie had to face reality; when Jake looked at her—her heart was not her own anymore. He occupied her thoughts constantly. Each smile was engraved upon her heart. Indelibly. If Jake left her now…she shook her head, suddenly losing interest in her steak dinner.

  She reached for her wine, covering her thoughts and her lapse…she had not heard what he’d said.

  Jake looked at her closely. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “Yes,” she said, smiling. She sipped her wine a little too quickly, and by the way his lips curved slightly, he’d noticed it.

  But he was gentlemanly enough not to remark on it.

  Warmth flooded through her—a combination of the company and the wine.

  “Looking forward to our wedding night?”

  “Of course,” she answered. “Aren’t you?”

  He laughed softly. “Ah, Lainie—you better believe it. Tonight, I won’t be tied up, as you say. But I’ll still be a gentleman,” he promised quickly.

  “Thank you.” Lainie reached over and took his hand. “Thank you for coming with me, Jake.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad to do it.” His expression became serious. “Don’t worry about tomorrow. I’ll be right there with you—whatever you decide—stay, or go.”

  Stay, or go…but if she decided not to stay, where would she go? With no money, no skill, and not even the witching talents of her family, she wasn’t sure exactly what she could do to survive.

  Well, there was one thing—but she blushed to even consider that.She managed to nod. “Thank you, Jake.”

  “Finish your wine,” he said with a wink. “I’ll be able to seduce you easier with a little champagne inside you.”

  She giggled. Then, she drank the rest of the wine, steadily, until it was gone.

  Jake rose and offered her his arm as they walked to the stairs.

  ****

  Well, he hadn’t touched her. Not so much as one finger had he laid on her, despite all his teasing about seduction and wedding nights. Lainie had to admit…she wouldn’t have protested.

  From the sound of his breathing, Jake was already asleep. They’d gone to bed fairly early.

  The days of travel had been long and tedious. Now that they were here, relaxation came easier, but for some reason, sleep still eluded her.

  She wondered if he’d notice if she snuggled close to him…She hadn’t been warm since December had blown in, a month ago.

  She slept fully clothed. Jake…didn’t. He lay on his back. She watched his bare chest rise and fall as he breathed steadily.

  Carefully, she put her head on his shoulder, thinking of the way he’d held her close to him earlier in the stagecoach.

  She was unsure of him.

  His thoughts and feelings were his own—and she understood. It was part of what made him successful at gambling. Would he ever break the barrier between them completely, or was he content with the way things were?

  Just then, his arm came around her.

  She gasped.

  “Don’t tell me you’re still cold.”

  She could hear the laughter in his voice.

  “As a matter of fact, I am. I can’t remember the last time I was warm.”

  “This afternoon in the coach. You were pretty—warm—then.”

  “Jake Diamond—” Her words were cut off by his hard mouth on her lips.

  He stole her breath completely. He rolled, coming across her, her heart pounding at his low groan of desire. “Say it again, Lainie,” he muttered. “I love the way you say my name—”

  “Jake—”

  His lips came across hers, ravishing, bruising, then turning gentle. His restraint had his body drawn taut and hard, and Lainie relished the feel of him against her, on top of her, his tongue delving into her, mating with her own.

  There was no reason to try to fight it. She wanted him. His breathing was ragged and heavy as his hands moved over her, caressing her…everywhere.

  He’d started removing her clothing, and she was making no move to stop him.

  Dear Sweet Lord, had a man’s hands ever felt so wonderful?

  She gave herself up to him, trust enveloping her as the last of her clothing was whisked away and deposited on the floor beside the bed in a tumbled pile.

  Her fingers moved over his skin, and she loved the feel of his muscles rippling beneath her hands.

  His mouth plundered hers, teeth gently nibbling at her lower lip as his palm encircled her breast. She arched up into his touch, and he groaned in pure want of her.

  He slowly lifted his head and stared down into her eyes. “Lainie—I said I wouldn’t touch you, and now—well, my ‘honor’ doesn’t seem to be worth—”

  “I didn’t stop you, Jake.” She moved under him, reaching for his jutting shaft, her fingers encircling him. “I’m still not…”

  She guided him to her, his uncertainty twisting her heart. “I want you.”

  “I don’t have a damn thing to offer you.” His voice sounded bitter, but Lainie refused to allow such an emotion between them now.

  She smiled up into his perplexed gaze. “Oh, I think you do, Mr. Diamond.” Her fingers tightened around him. “And there’s no way you’re running that bluff on me now.”

  Chapter 4

  Jake lay drowsily in the afterglow of their lovemaking. He’d never had a woman like Lainie. Sure, he’d had plenty of ladies who’d been more skilled at the art of lovemaking. But he’d never had one who had loved him. And that made all the difference.

  She’d never had to say the words. He could see it written in her beautiful features; hear it in her sighs; feel it in her fingertips as they’d touched every part of him.

  Though Lainie hadn’t been experienced, she’d been eager to learn—and she’d pleased him beyond all measure. He had to admit, he’d never enjoyed a night with any other woman like he had enjoyed this one with Lainie Barrett.

  He was half a mind to pack their things up and head back to Indian Territory in the morning…Not give her a chance to tell him that she wanted to stay with her mother, and the only life she’d ever known.

  It was familiar, and no matter how she might think the circus life wasn’t for her—how could she give up something she was born into? How could he expect her to go with him, someone she’d met two weeks ago—and make a life?

  A mirthless chuckle escaped, and she shifted against him. Her hair tickled his chest, and he absently laid a hand across the satin spill of gold, fingering it. He had nothing to give her. The years of gambling had left him with a jaded soul and empty pockets to show for all his efforts.

  Gambling was a tricky business. It was damn expensive to keep up pretenses of being wealthy—even when you were running low on cash—and not h
aving an established home meant there was always a bill to be paid for a roof over his head and food in his belly.

  He was a good cheat, but he didn’t do it often…only when absolutely necessary. He certainly didn’t want that kind of reputation. And at least, he’d managed to avoid it, for the most part.

  Of course, there were always those who felt they’d been cheated somehow, even when they’d lost fair and square. Those hundred or so men Lainie had mentioned earlier. He grimaced at the thought.

  The horse ranch was something he’d dreamed of for years. And Lainie was a dream he hadn’t even realized he had until two weeks past. Now…how could he let her go? But he would, if she decided to stay. Family ties were strong and enduring.

  Family ties…

  Jake snapped to full attention, barely stopping himself from sitting bolt upright and disturbing Lainie.

  Had they just made a family of their own?

  His heart jumped, then set off at a full gallop. Careless…he hadn’t taken the slightest precaution; not even at that last moment when he could have—

  His fingers twined in Lainie’s hair and she nestled even nearer to him.

  Oddly, the idea of becoming a father and husband didn’t scare him at all. He wished he had his ranch established, but he knew they’d be welcome at Brett and Angie’s or Nick and Libby’s. And for once, he had the smallest jump on what could be a fresh start—a few horses and a bit of money from the rewards for the outlaws they’d handed over.

  His mind was settled, oddly enough, with that one thought of the possibility of fatherhood and family. He was willing to do whatever it took to convince Lainie to marry him.

  And now, he felt like he had an ace up his sleeve with three more in his hand.

  No way he could lose.

  ****

  They’d asked at the front desk for news of where the circus had camped, and were rewarded by a full length description by the desk clerk, Mr. Pettigrew, about the location, a half-mile outside of town on the main road.

  “You can’t miss it,” he blustered. “And the livery’s only two blocks over, on the right.”

  “You wait here for me, Lainie, while I go rent us a buggy,” Jake told her.

  She started to protest, but fell silent. She didn’t mind walking with him to the livery, but he wanted to take care of her—and oh, how she appreciated his thoughtfulness!

  Instead, she nodded, and gave him a smile as he turned to leave. “I’ll watch for you out the window, here,” she said.

  Fort Worth was one of the bigger cities on the circus tour, and one they often wintered in. Lainie always enjoyed the bustling energy of the place. She enjoyed just watching the people as they made their way about the streets, conducting their everyday business.

  It wasn’t long before Jake returned and swept her down the hotel steps on his arm, handing her up into the rented carriage.

  She couldn’t help but be excited to see everyone again, and that overshadowed her shyness with Jake this morning after the night they’d spent in each other’s arms.

  The cold air enveloped them and he reached to lay an arm around her shoulders.

  She leaned against his strong, solid warmth, enjoying the comfort of just being near him. Once more, her thoughts turned to a future with Jake Diamond, and a longing ache set up behind her breastbone that she couldn’t ignore.

  The rings! The rings—they’d forgotten to get them!

  She sat up, separating herself from him quickly. “Jake—”

  “The rings—” he began, but she slumped dejectedly, bringing him up short. “Well, we’ll tell them we haven’t had a chance yet to get them.”

  She shook her head. “They won’t believe it.”

  He slanted her a sidelong look. “Does it matter so much?”

  Pride clutched at her, and she raised her chin, ignoring the tears she couldn’t stop. “You’ve never spoken of love, Jake. Not even last night, when I—when we—”

  “When I came into you and took your virginity?” His voice was hard. Lainie started to pull her hands away, but his grip tightened.

  “Do you know what it took for me to keep from shouting down the walls of The Silver Palace, Lainie? My God, how could you think anything else? How could you not know you held my heart right in your hands?”

  She knew her expression was one of incredulity. He’d never given her a sign—

  “Jake, how could I know? I don’t have second sight, Like Earlie…You’ve never said—”

  “Dammit, Lainie, there are some things a man shouldn’t have to say for his woman to just—just know!”

  His eyes were dark and turbulent, his face twisted with a mixture of longing, anger, and confusion.

  “How would I ‘just know’!” Lainie countered.

  “Maybe I just assumed that you’d read into my actions what I felt and intended—but I don’t know how else to be!” He raked a hand through his dark hair.

  “You could start by saying how you feel,” Lainie said in a quiet voice. “You could tell me you—you love me. If you mean it. Only if you mean it, Jake.”

  He glared at her. “I don’t say things I don’t mean, Lainie.” He slapped the reins on the horses’ rumps lightly and they moved forward again.

  “Of course you do! You’re a gambler!”

  He gave a short, deprecating laugh. “Yes. I certainly am that. Which is why I have no damn business asking you to marry me—or share my life. A future is—”

  “You’re going to have a future, Jake, unless you plan on dying tomorrow.”

  “It could happen—if one of those hundred men you mentioned shows up on my tail.” He gave her a quick glance.

  “I’m a good shot.” She cocked her head. “I daresay I can protect you…if you’re afraid of them.”

  “Afraid!” He glared at her. “I’m damn well not afraid of them, or anything else—”

  “I think you are.” She settled back against the seat. “I think you’re afraid of me. Of us…of what could be.”

  “Dammit, you’re killin’ me, Lainie,” he said in a low voice.

  She whipped around anxiously to look at him. She’d expected his anger, maybe even thought he’d yell at her—he’d certainly been boiling a few moments earlier. But he sat beside her, not looking at her.

  “I’m trying to protect you. I don’t know—” he began, then broke off, sitting up stiffly as if listening for a sound. “Did you hear that?”

  Lainie shook her head. Truthfully, she was in such a nervous dither right now she wasn’t sure about anything.

  “I heard—I thought I heard a baby crying…” He slowed the horses to a walk, then halted them completely.

  The wind whistled around the carriage, and Lainie pulled the small lap robe the livery owner had supplied closer around her legs.

  Then, she heard it, too. The soft, faint cry of a baby from somewhere in the woods nearby.

  She looked up into Jake’s dark eyes, and they both jumped as if the seat was on fire. Jake vaulted over the side, and started around to help Lainie, but she called, “I’ll be right behind you! Go on!”

  True to her word, she was hot on his heels as he trotted toward the stand of cedar trees beside the road, then disappeared into the densely wooded forest beyond.

  ****

  Jake couldn’t contain his impetuous urgency. But when he felt Lainie’s hand grasp his arm, he was flooded with relief—because, what would he do if he found the baby? He had no experience with children—and from the sound of it, this was a tiny infant.

  He drew up short, stopping Lainie’s headlong rush beside him.

  They didn’t know what they were running toward. Why would a baby be crying in the forest—unless its parents had met a terrible end? Indians; wild mountain lions; outlaws…

  Lainie looked up at him. “Why are we—”

  “Shh. We don’t know why the baby’s alone,” he whispered. “It could be outlaws—some kind of trap—”

  The wail came to them on th
e air again, thin and desperate.

  “Oh, Jake, I can’t bear it!”

  “I know, honey. We’ve just got to go slower. Make sure we aren’t running into some kind of danger.”

  She nodded. He could see that she didn’t like it any more than he did, but after their recent abduction by the San Bois Mountain Gang, she was willing to be more cautious than she might have been otherwise.

  He took her hand in his and they started forward again. The baby’s cry echoed around them, seeming to come from everywhere—and nowhere.

  Frustration set in. They could walk in circles all day, Jake thought. Suddenly, Lainie stopped. She stood completely still, the wind blowing the tendrils of her golden hair.

  She closed her eyes, wrapping the new cloak around her.

  “This way,” she murmured, as she opened her eyes. She pointed to the way they’d come earlier.

  “We would have seen—”

  “Trust me, Jake. The baby is this way.” She started back down through the scrub brush and taller trees, and Jake had no choice but to follow her.

  When they’d retraced their steps a few feet, Lainie suddenly broke off and turned to the left.

  “Lainie, wait—”

  “He’s close, Jake!”

  Jake didn’t miss the frenzy in her tone. She rushed forward, as if she knew exactly where she as headed. But how could she? He didn’t waste time on words, just tried to keep up with her.

  She stopped at the edge of a clearing. “He’s here,” she whispered. Then closed her eyes again. “Here, nearby…”

  Her eyes flew open and she began her headlong flight across the open meadow—where she was certain to be a clear target if someone was lying in wait for them.

  “Lain—”

  No need to speak. She was gone. Jake ran after her, catching up with her halfway across the open meadow.

  “Where are we going?” he asked, breathing hard.

  “Over there,” she responded, pointing to a nearby outcropping of trees as she forged ahead determinedly.

  The ground rose slightly, forming an embankment, and just beyond, a small creek gurgled. They broke through the last of the stand of trees and stood looking at the shallow water running in front of them.