Ellie stiffened right before her upper body turned slightly so she could look over her shoulder at him. Lance offered a quiet smile at the apprehension on her face. She didn’t seem to be too happy that they’d arrived back at the ranch and she’d have to return to her aunt.
“Bet you’re glad to be home,” he said casually while he offered a teasing smile. “It’s getting a bit cramped up here with both of us in the saddle.”
Not that he’d minded. Holding Ellie close all this time had been rather pleasant. Hell. It was more than pleasant, to the point where it was time he put some distance between himself and her. Kissing her earlier at his camp had been bad enough.
What were you thinking, Taggart?
He certainly hadn’t been thinking with his head from the moment Ellie had kissed him. All his willpower and self-talk over the past week had vanished in an instant the moment her lips had touched his, and his mind and heart had no longer been his own.
Not that he’d been in control of his head and heart at all recently. The idea that the woman in his arms loved him and saw beyond his dark skin was still too much to fully comprehend. The idea of love was still too new to fully wrap his head around, especially since it had happened so fast.
Ellie was right, though. They understood each other, and didn’t need words to communicate. She still struggled with sign talk and using the correct hand gestures to get her ideas across, but it was as easy for him to fill in the correct meaning as it was for him to read a horse’s body language.
Not once had she judged him in a negative light, not even the first time they’d met when he’d thrown that knife at her. She’d been scared and confused, but even then, her fear hadn’t been of him as much as her reaction to him.
His grandfather would tell him to follow what his heart told him. The old man would say that his intense attraction to Ellie was a sign that couldn’t be ignored. He’d fought against the connection he shared with her, because he’d wanted to protect her. Clearly, she felt as strongly about him as he did about her. She’d even said she loved him.
He’d initially been attracted to her vulnerability when he’d first seen her arrive at the ranch. She’d caught his eye like a scared young horse always drew his attention. Being misunderstood by the people around her had proven to be her only weakness, which had disabled her from fully standing up for herself.
Lance smiled. Ellie had a spark for adventure and an independent streak that was enticing. She went after the things she was passionate about, which clearly included him.
She certainly snared you.
Holding her in his arms and kissing her almost had him believing that things could change for him, and that it might even be possible for him to be fully accepted into the white man’s world.
Trace Hawley, the most affluent horse breeder in these parts, had wanted to hire him. He’d even be willing to accept the foreman’s position at the Double M if it was still open to him. It might be the only way to earn the kind of money he needed to offer Ellie a proper home . . . in time. Over the years, he’d saved some money simply because he had no need for it, but it wasn’t enough.
Mentally he shook his head. It was still too early to be thinking about a home and a life with the girl pressed up against him. He nearly laughed out loud. What would Fiona Patterson’s reaction be if he announced he wanted to court her niece? Would it matter what she said?
He’d thrown caution to the wind earlier when he’d let his heart take over and he’d kissed her, and when he’d stood under the blanket with her in the tradition of the Lakota. Ellie had accepted his offer of a courtship – if she’d been a Lakota.
If he were living among his mother’s people, he would have to prove to her family that he was a worthy man by bringing gifts. It wasn’t much different in white society, except money was exchanged rather than horses and other items. In either world, he was a man of few possessions, because these things hadn’t mattered before.
Lance brought his arm more securely around Ellie’s waist. He’d only have a few more precious seconds to hold her before he’d have to let her go. The muscles along his jaw tightened as Fiona Patterson rushed down the path to meet them. Women like her were the reason he was forced to work twice as hard as another man to prove himself worthy of trust in a society the government had forced on him. Being of mixed blood was almost worse than being a full-blooded Lakota.
“Thank heavens you’re safe.”
Ellie’s aunt met them halfway between the barns and the house. Lance stopped his horse when the woman ran in front of the gelding. She stared up at him with wide eyes, her gaze coming to rest on the arm he still had wrapped protectively around Ellie to keep her secure in the saddle.
“You gave me such a fright, Eleanor.”
Fiona Patterson glared at him. Lance heaved a sigh before he brought his right leg over his horse’s back to dismount. He should have said something to Ellie before they’d arrived. Now his chance was gone.
Lance didn’t look at Fiona, but reached his hands up to lift Ellie from the saddle. She cast a challenging glance at her aunt before falling into his arms. Leaning into him after her feet touched the ground, she gazed into his eyes with a tender smile on her lips.
Lance took a step back. Ellie’s rebellious side brought a grin to his face, but it might be wiser not to anger her aunt any further with a public display of affection. After being misunderstood for so long, her determination at independence and wanting to lead a normal life was admirable and made her all the more attractive.
“Looks like you found my niece unharmed, Taggart.” John Patterson had joined his wife. He held out his hand. Lance shook it. “Thank you. I had no doubt you’d bring her back safe and sound.” He shot a meaningful look at his wife. “Isn’t that right, Fiona?”
Fiona Patterson blinked rapidly. One might have thought she’d eaten something unpleasant by the look on her face. Reluctantly, she nodded.
“Thank you for finding and returning my niece, Mr. Taggart.” Her words were clipped, as if she’d rather say anything other than thanking him.
Abruptly, her eyes fell on Ellie, and she reached for her, pulling her into an embrace.
“Don’t scare me like that again, Eleanor.”
Fiona’s tenderly whispered words reached Lance’s ears. Ellie’s aunt might not like him for his skin color, but she was genuinely fond of her niece, even if she had a difficult time relating to her.
“Let’s get you back to the house. You must be frozen to the bone and hungry.”
When her aunt finally released Ellie from her embrace and ushered her toward the house, Ellie’s eyes immediately went to Lance. There was an almost pleading look in her gaze, similar to the one she’d had the day in the barn when she’d come to his aid but he hadn’t done the same for her. He wasn’t going to let her down like that again.
Lance faced his employer. He yanked his hat from his head and looked him in the eye. “Mr. Patterson, I’d like your permission to call on your niece tomorrow.”
Ellie’s eyes widened at his request, and her face nearly brightened the darkness around them with happiness. Her reaction took away any doubt he might have had about asking. From now on she’d always have a smile like that on her face, if he could help it.
Fiona Patterson’s reaction, of course, was something else entirely.
“I beg your pardon?” She spun on her heels before Lance had even finished asking her husband the question. She shot an incredulous look at John Patterson, then swooped toward Lance, looking at him as if he’d broken the law.
“Mr. Taggart, we thank you for finding Eleanor and bringing her back safe and sound, but that doesn’t give you the right to ask such a forward question.”
Ellie rushed up, tapping her aunt’s shoulder and shaking her head. She motioned with her hands, effectively saying she would like to spend time with Lance. Her gaze shifted from him to her aunt and her uncle. John Patterson seemed to be the only one who smiled at that moment.
&
nbsp; “Looks like Ellie’s trying to tell us something.” Patterson nudged with his chin at Ellie’s hands and then cast a meaningful look at his wife.
Fiona Patterson stared at her husband, but for once seemed to be short of a response.
“She said she wants to spend time with me.” Lance continued to address John Patterson, who clearly had a more open mind than his wife. Ellie nodded in affirmation, eagerly looking at her uncle.
“Eleanor, what’s your father going to say about this?” Mrs. Patterson sputtered before her husband could reply. “You know how he feels about –”
“I don’t see the problem, Fiona. Ellie’s of age. She’s got the right to make her own decisions about these sorts of things,” John Patterson interjected with a firm voice, taking a step forward. “I’m sure Edward wants to see his daughter happy and I don’t see that there’s any harm in Lance teaching her some more talking with her hands.” He waved his own hands in front of him for greater effect. “If you have any reservations, you can always wire your brother,” he added, his tone softening as if trying to appease his wife.
“I’m most certainly going to do that.” Facing Ellie, Fiona added, “This is highly inappropriate, Eleanor. We’ve talked about this before. I can’t keep you from seeing Lance Taggart, but your father will have to be told.”
Ellie looked past her aunt. She clearly didn’t care what it was that they’d talked about, and sought out Lance’s eyes. She took a step toward him, then seemed to think better of it when her gaze darted to her aunt.
John Patterson turned his attention on Lance. “I don’t see a reason why you can’t see my niece and teach her more sign talking, if that’s what she wants, Taggart.” He looked at Ellie for a second. His lips twitched. “And something tells me she’s quite in favor of the idea.”
Ellie smiled at her uncle and nodded.
“Fiona’s right, however. You will need to convince Ellie’s father,” Patterson continued. “He hasn’t gotten over the pain of losing his wife when she and Ellie were attacked by Indians.”
Lance hesitated, but perhaps it was time the misunderstanding got cleared up. “Ellie told me a different story.” His eyes were on Fiona Patterson. “Indians apparently took her and her mother’s horses, but nothing else. Ellie says there were white men with the Indians when the incident occurred, and it was a white man who cut her throat while her mother begged for mercy for her daughter.”
He held the older woman’s stern gaze, the pain and loss evident in her eyes. She shook her head slightly, apparently undecided about what to believe. More than likely she wasn’t ready to accept the truth, but at least he’d brought it out in the open.
“A tragedy no matter how you look at it,” John said, shaking his head. “Ellie couldn’t make it clear to her father what really happened. If she’d told him it wasn’t Indians, I don’t know that Edward would have wanted to listen. He’s been consumed with hatred since his wife’s death.”
“Enough about this,” Fiona cut in. “It’s time Eleanor comes inside.”
John Patterson frowned, but nodded. He held out his hand to Lance, who shook it.
“You can come visit on the porch after your work’s done tomorrow, Taggart.” John Patterson cleared his throat. “You can teach Ellie some more of that sign talk that she does. Right now, I think it’s best if Ellie gets warmed up inside, and you’ve got a long ride to your camp. Thank you again for bringing her home.” He shot his wife a stern glare before taking her by the arm and leading her toward the house.
Ellie stood without making a move to follow her relatives. When her aunt and uncle were nearly up the porch, she took a step toward Lance, made the sign for “I love you,” and leaned forward to press a quick kiss on his lips.
Lance clenched his hands into fists to keep from pulling her into his arms.
“I don’t know what you’ve done to me, Ellie, but clearly I’d risk my neck to be with you.”
He grinned at the wide smile on her face in response to his teasing comment.
“Come inside, Eleanor.” Her aunt’s stern call from the house didn’t seem to bother her.
“Better do what she says, or we might both dangle from a tree. I’ll see you tomorrow after work.” His hand reached out, giving hers a quick squeeze. It would have to be enough for now.
Lance forced his eyes away from her. He reached for his horse’s reins that dangled on the ground. Mahto whined. The dog brushed his head against Ellie’s leg, looking up at her with devotion in his eyes. She’d won the canine over as easily as she’d won his own heart.
Ellie stroked Mahto’s head, then ran up the porch and followed her aunt and uncle into the house. The dog yipped a final time before he came to sit beside Lance.
“What a pair we make.” he patted his faithful friend, shaking his head. “You’re as love-struck as I am.”
Crossing his wrists over his heart, he whispered,“Thečhíȟila yeló,” while staring at the house long after Ellie had disappeared inside.
With a deep sigh, Lance mounted his horse and rode off into the darkness in the direction of his camp, his mind filled with hope and visions of a future he’d never dreamed of before.
Chapter Fifteen
Lance pulled his oilskin duster closed and mounted his horse. He adjusted his hat further over his head, water dripping from the rim. With a final glance at his camp, he nudged his horse into a trot and pointed the gelding in the direction of the ranch.
He was already late this morning. He’d spent half the night reinforcing his lean-to against the wind and rain. While the last couple of days had been dry and pleasant, another summer storm had blown in during the night, bringing torrential rains.
He’d managed to keep his few possessions dry, but had gotten drenched in the process. The downpour had eased to a steady shower this morning, but strong gusts of wind made the day as unpleasant as the wet night had been. Things would dry quickly once the rain stopped, but right now, the trails were slippery and water ran from the mountains in steady streams. No doubt crossing the creek wouldn’t be as easy today as most other days.
Mahto trotted in front, leading the way down the mountain along the muddy trail. The dog’s fur was as soaked as Lance’s clothes, and getting dirtier by the second. Mahto stopped and shook out his thick coat, flinging mud and water in all directions. His efforts to dry off were futile.
“You can wash your pelt in the creek when we get down the hill,” Lance called into the wind. “Either way, you’re not gonna be welcome on the Pattersons’ porch today, and you can forget about getting your ears scratched. You’ll have to settle for a smelly horse blanket in the barn.”
Mahto shook himself one more time, then let out a bark, as if in protest to Lance’s comment before he continued on his way. He carried his tail higher as he trotted into the wind as if defying Lance’s remark that he wouldn’t be getting attention from Ellie today.
Unless the weather changed quickly, this wasn’t a good day for anything but staying indoors anyway. Working horses was out of the question. Most likely he’d be spending his time in the barn, cleaning and oiling saddles and harness leather. At least it would give him a chance to dry out.
If this weather continued, he’d have to skip visiting Ellie after his work was done. Despite the strong gusts of bone-chilling wind that sprayed rain in his eyes and face, Lance cracked a smile.
For the past two evenings after finishing his work, he’d spent a couple of hours on the porch with Ellie, working with her on signs and how to communicate more complex thoughts and ideas. He’d already known from the few times he’d taught her sign talk before that she was smart and learned fast, but sitting with her on the swing had brought out her witty side, as well.
Talking to her had to be enough for now. Even though her aunt didn’t come out of the house, there was no doubt she hovered inside near the window to keep a watchful eye on him. After the kisses they’d shared at his camp, it hadn’t been easy to keep a respectable distance from E
llie and resist the urge to touch her.
John Patterson had even joined them a few times, further preventing him from even holding her hand. At least Ellie’s uncle showed a genuine interest in learning how to communicate with his niece.
“I may not ever learn how to make the gestures, but at least I’d like to understand what you’re saying.” Patterson had winked at her, and offered a smile. “Even if your aunt seems disagreeable, I know she cares about you, and if you give her time, she’ll come around.”
“I’ll talk to your father when he returns,” Lance had told Ellie before leaving the evening before last. When he’d headed down the porch, Ellie had managed to take him by complete surprise with a kiss.
“I’m trying to behave so your uncle doesn’t change his mind about letting me come visit,” he’d murmured when her lips had lingered on his. He’d tugged her into the shadows and fully wrapped her in his arms. “I was planning to do this the right way and court you proper, or would you rather I carry you off into the night?”
I’d rather stand under a blanket with you again
Her hand gestures had become a lot more confident in the last few days.
Lance nudged his horse and gritted his teeth as another strong gust of wind whipped around his head. He squinted into the distance. The thought of Ellie and the way she’d looked at him with love and a twinkle of passion in her eyes warmed his body better than his slicker could.
Why was he acting so damned honorably? For once, the urge to simply go after what he wanted ruled over common sense. He wanted Ellie more than anything, and to make her his wife, but he had to bide his time. And, he still needed to meet and talk to her father.
Only after that meeting was out of the way could he share his plans with Ellie. He was going to ask Tyler Monroe for the foreman’s job he’d been offered before, even though it meant leaving the Circle P. That way, he could save enough money and perhaps in a year, buy a small piece of land and a house. Then he could ask her to marry him.
In His Kiss: Blemished Brides, Book 4 Page 12
