by Bobbi Smith
"Rori?"
At the sound of Chance's deep, velvety voice, so laced with worry and so close by, her eyes flew open. She was startled to find him looming over her, his expression dark with concern. Rori stared up at him for a moment, mesmerized, her eyes wide and filled with wonder as she marveled how it was he came to be so handsome.
"Rori . . . are you all right?" Chance saw Rori's dazed expression and feared that he'd suffered a head injury. When the boy didn't immediately respond, he sharpened his tone. "Rori?"
His impatient calling of her name finally broke through the strange haze that had enveloped her, and it was then that she realized he had his hands on her. Panic struck quickly.
"What the hell do you think you're doin'?" she demanded vehemently. "Didn't I tell you never to put your hands on me?!" She jerked almost violently away from his touch, scrambled free, and stood up.
"I was worried that you might have broken something."
"The only thing around here that's gonna be broken is your nose if you don't keep it out of my business!" she fumed irrationally, frightened as she realized just how close he'd come to finding out the truth.
Chance smiled as he sat back on his haunches to stare up at the irate boy. Obviously, Rori was fine. "Next time I think you're dead, I'll just leave you for the buzzards."
"You do that! They're better company! Where the hell is Patch?!"
Chance merely pointed behind her.
"Come on, Jakie!" she fumed. She turned her back on him and limped off to see to her horse, massaging her aching rear end as she went.
Chance laughed as he watched the boy stalk off with the dog trailing behind. "You know, it's no wonder that part of your anatomy is aching!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, stopping rigidly in her tracks, momentarily fearful that he did know about her.
"Only that I thought you were tougher than that, but you're not. You're soft."
To Rori's horror, tears stung her eyes. Damn right, she was soft! She was a girl, damn it! Her fury immediately overcame the pain she felt at his jibe, and she knew a desperate need to kill. At that moment, if she'd had the strength to strangle him with her bare hands, she would have done it.
"I ain't soft, white man," she said through gritted teeth, despite the anger that left her shaking. "Don't ever believe it, 'cause there ain't nothin' soft about me."
Rori trudged on across the uneven ground toward her frightened mount. Drawing a ragged breath, she cursed herself for having failed after coming so close. The humiliation stung her deeply, adding fuel to the raging fire of her fury.
Rori reached Patch to find that he was shaken and scratched up a little bit, but otherwise uninjured. Her rebellious nature urged her to jump on the horse and make the attempt again, but her common sense and love for the animal held her back.
Taking up his reins, she started to lead him down the incline. To Rori's dismay, she discovered that Chance had already made his way down to the valley floor and was sitting there nonchalantly watching her descent. It irked her to see him looking so smug, and she longed for the opportunity to really show him up.
"Rori! Chance!"
At the sound of Burr's distant call, they both looked up to see him waving to them from the far side of the valley.
Burr had been about to tell them that he'd found a way through when he saw Rori walking her horse down the opposite slope. Even from this distance he could see that she was limping, and he realized that she'd been foolish enough to try to make it through on the other side.
"Rori! What happened? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Grampa, and so is Patch."
He accepted her answer for the moment, but was determined to find out all that had happened later. "There's a way through over here! It ain't easy, but it'll do," he shouted. "Come on up, but be careful!"
"We're on our way," Chance called back, and then turned to Rori who'd just reached the bottom of the hill. "You want to ride double with me? Your horse looks a little gimp."
Rori saw the way Patch was favoring his front leg, and she squatted down to check it. There appeared to be no real serious damage, but she could not deny that he was hurting. Rori knew she'd only be aggravating his injury if she tried to ride him right now, and since the pack horses were loaded too heavily to take on her additional weight, she had no choice in the matter. She was not stuck riding with Broderick.
"He's sore," Rori finally admitted in disgust.
"Let's go then. Your grampa's waiting." Chance held out his hand to the boy, intending to help him up in front of him, but Rori stood immobile, staring at his proffered hand.
"If I'm ridin' with you, I ain't sittin' in front of you, Broderick. I'll sit behind you where I can keep an eye on you."
Chance just gave a rueful shake of his head as he extended his hand to her again. She grabbed it this time and swung lightly up on the back of his horse, grabbing the rim of the saddle to keep her seat.
"Put your arms around me," he ordered. "There's no way you're going to be able to stay on going up that hill if you don't."
Rori balked at the idea of touching Chance, but she knew he was right. Grudgingly, she linked her arms about his waist and held on as they started up the incline leading Patch and the other horses. Rori knew she could not afford to lean against him, so she held herself stiffly away from him.
Still, the feel of Chance's waist beneath her hands stirred strange feelings in Rori. The heat of him, coupled with the clean, manly scent that belonged only to him, sent her beleaguered senses soaring. Her breath caught in her throat as her heartbeat quickened, and she wondered for the first time in her life what it would be like to be held in a man's arms.
The thought was so shocking to her that she immediately dismissed it. I hate this man! she reminded herself forcefully. Yet even as she denied any attraction, she was haunted by images of his face, so filled with worry when he'd bent over her earlier after the accident. Her thoughts were spinning crazily as she tried to come to grips with what was happening. It seemed unfair that Chance could wreak such emotional havoc within her when he hadn't even guessed she was a girl!
Rori held on to that last thought, allowing it to nurture her anger with Chance. She didn't know why she should feel anything for a man who was so stupid he couldn't tell a girl from a boy even up close! Satisfied that he was a complete idiot, she smiled to herself, pleased with her conclusion.
Chance was very much aware of how Rori was holding himself so far away from him, and it amused him. It would have been much more comfortable for the boy had he realized, but then there was nothing comfortable about Rori. It was clear that the boy didn't like physical contact, and Chance had really been surprised when he'd agreed to ride with him. Originally, he'd thought Rori would turn him down and walk up the far side instead. Chance wasn't quite sure why, but he was glad that Rori had accepted his offer.
Burr was not at all pleased to see the two of them riding together, but until he got to the bottom to what was going on, he knew he had to hold his tongue. He watched their approach, noting the way Rori held herself away from Chance. He kept his expression guarded, revealing nothing of his concern. He was greatly relieved when Rori quickly dismounted the minute they reached him on the narrow plateau.
"What happened to Patch?" Burr asked her casually as she came to him.
"I tried to go up the other side while you were gone, and we didn't make it to the top. His leg's not sprained, just sore, but I didn't think I should ride him through this."
Burr nodded. "He might have gone completely lame if you'd tried it."
"That's what we thought," Chance added.
"I'll ride the rest of the way with you, Grampa."
"All right, c'mon."
She climbed up behind Burr and held on to him tightly. There was no fear in hanging on to her grampa, for he was solid and safe. The fear came from touching Chance, from the bewildering sensations that charged through her whenever he was near. It was a great relief t
o be away from him.
They headed on through the difficult passage, moving slowly because of the danger involved. They knew from Rori's fall just how deadly their trek could be. Burr took extra precaution as he led the way through the rock-jumbled labyrinth. The going was tricky and dangerous, but they finally made it through to the other side. Burr was concerned about Patch, and as soon as they were clear of the slide area, he stopped.
"Why're we stopping?" Chance asked.
"I want to rest Patch. Ain't no sense in running him ragged tonight, only to have him pull up completely lame tomorrow," Burr told her as they dismounted. "If we go easy on the water, we'll have enough to last until we reach the watering hole."
Rori knew Burr was right, but the fact that it was her fault the horse was hurt in the first place only served to heighten her humiliation. She realized now that it had been a reckless attempt on her part, and it didn't sit well with her. She'd always prided herself on being as good as any man, on being logical and careful in her decisions, yet today she'd fallen far short of that mark. She hadn't thought of the possible consequences if she'd failed . . . that she or Patch might have been killed in the fall. She'd only thought of the glory of showing up Chance.
The realization of her true motivation troubled Rori deeply, and she was abnormally quiet as she took care of her chores in setting up the camp. When everything was done, she wandered off a slight distance to be by herself for a while and think things through.
Burr saw her go and decided that this would be the perfect time to talk with her alone. Telling Chance he'd be right back, he went off after her.
"Rori . . . " he called her name as he came up behind her.
Rori was startled to find that her grampa had followed her. "What is it, Grampa?"
"That's what I was about to ask you."
"What do you mean?" She tried to act innocent, but she knew Burr was far too perceptive for her own good.
"I mean, what really happened this afternoon?"
"I told you . . . "
"I know what you told me. Now I want the whole story. I want the truth. What's between you and Broderick?"
"Nothin'!" Rori answered quickly. "I hate the man, and it's perfectly obvious how he feels about me."
"Is it?"
She gave him a puzzled look as she answered, "You know it is! He thinks I'm a boy and an obnoxious one at that! You heard what he said in town. He was glad you'd changed your mind and were comin' along 'cause he didn't trust me! Do you believe it? After I saved his life, he still didn't think I was capable of takin' him through the mountains to his brother!"
Burr was watching her intently as she told him what she was feeling. Her color had heightened and her eyes were sparkling, and he felt his concern for her grow. She might not understand what it was she was feeling, but he did.
"So you've been trying to prove to him ever since that he was wrong," he concluded for her.
"You always taught me that I was as good as any man!" Rori retorted stubbornly.
"You are," Burr chided gently.
"I know that, Grampa, but he doesn't!" She glanced resentfully back toward the campsite.
"Does it really matter what he thinks, Rori?" Burr's perceptive gaze was steady upon her as he asked the question.
"It aggravates me, that's all," Rori defended stubbornly, but, in truth, she wanted to blurt out that, for some strange reason, it really did matter to her what Chance thought.
"Well, it'll all be over soon. In another few weeks, we'll be at the mine and after that you'll never have to see Broderick again."
"You're right," she agreed, wondering at the sudden shaft of pain that twisted her heart as she imagined never seeing him again. Why was it that her emotions had been in a constant state of flux ever since she'd met him? One minute she hated him beyond reason, and the next she found herself aching at the prospect of being parted from him. It defied explanation and left her perplexed and more than a little bewildered.
"Now let's just forget all this foolishness with Broderick. The only important thing is that we get him to Doug as fast as possible. I haven't seen any sign that we're being followed, but there's still the possibility that the men who ambushed Chance in town might come after us."
Rori frowned, thinking of the danger of a surprise attack in this rugged section of the country. "I'll keep watch, too, Grampa."
"Good." Burr studied her for a moment, taking in the clear, soft duskiness of her complexion, her wide, expressive green eyes with their gently arched brows and the sweet curve of her mouth. Rori was beautiful, and he wondered how it was that Chance had never seen through her disguise. Still, he was glad the younger man was blind to what was right before him. The last thing he needed was for the truth to come out too soon. Once they reached Doug and Nilakla, it wouldn't matter anymore.
Guilt assailed Burr just then—guilt over having hidden her femininity from the "civilized world." Yet, he dismissed it just as quickly as it came. What he had done, he had done because he loved her and for no other reason. Rori was happy, and he wanted her to stay that way. Her happiness was the only thing that was important to him.
"Coming back to camp now?" Burr asked her.
"In a little while. I think I'll just take a walk. Jakie?" she called out, looking around for her dog. To her aggravation, she finally spotted him settled in comfortably with Chance by the campfire.
"I'll be damned." Burr shook his head in amazement.
"Big Jake!" Rori commanded in irritation, and she watched in disgust as the big dog got to his feet and loped away from Chance.
"I've never seen that dog take to anybody the way he's taken to Chance," her grandfather remarked.
"Me, either, the stupid mutt," Rori muttered scathingly as he stopped at her side and looked up at her expectantly. She'd always thought Jake a good judge of character, but she was beginning to have her doubts. Giving the hound a dirty look, Rori moved stiffly off into the enveloping darkness. Jake looked to Burr for a moment in bewilderment as if trying to figure out what he'd done wrong, then gave a playful bark and chased after her.
Chapter Eight
Chance had been enjoying the serenity of sitting quietly before the brightly burning fire with Big Jake when Rori had summoned him away. He watched the dog trot obediently off into the night to join his master, feeling slightly disappointed at the loss of his companionship. Chance didn't know why Jake had taken such an interest in him, but he was pleased. Since he'd taken to a life at sea, he'd had no time for pets, but he'd always loved animals, and dogs in particular.
When Jake had disappeared from sight and he was alone once again, Chance let his thoughts drift to Doug and his real reason for being there in the middle of the desert in the first place. In Boston, he'd been concerned about his brother, but not completely convinced that his situation was as desperate as he'd claimed. Now that he'd seen the land and had had a run-in with the kind of men Doug had been worried about, he believed the danger was very real.
The delay caused by the rockslide wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it had slowed them down. Chance only hoped that he wasn't too late to help Doug. His brother had gotten himself embroiled in difficult situations before, but nothing that even came close to this. As the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted his thoughts, he glanced up to see Burr returning.
"You look worried. Something troubling you?" the old tracker asked, seeing Chance's intense expression.
"Just Doug. I was worrying about not getting to him in time . . ."
"Doug'll be all right," Burr reassured him, "and we'll make it up to the mine in good time just as long as we don't get any nasty surprises."
"You mean this slide wasn't bad enough?"
"The land doesn't worry me. I know the land. It's people I don't trust." He looked out across the desert as he sat down opposite Chance.
"Like the two who attacked me in town?"
Burr nodded. "If they weren't hurt too bad, they might be after us now."
&nb
sp; "Have you seen anything?"
"Not yet, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. As bold as they were in ambushing you in your hotel room like they did, they won't quit too easily."
"I was afraid of that."
"Can you handle that sidearm you're packing?" He gave Chance a measuring look.
"I can shoot," he answered flatly, with no enthusiasm.
"I'm not asking you if you can shoot, boy," Burr snapped. "Any damned idiot can draw a gun and shoot. I'm asking you if you can kill a man."
Chance regarded him levelly, his expression a bit haunted as he remembered years past. "I fought in the war. I kill when I have to."
Burr grunted his approval as he gazed out across the dark surrounding countryside. "Let's just hope you don't have to this trip."
"Do you think it's likely?"
"Greed can turn men into animals—dangerous animals."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience."
Burr's eyes narrowed as he answered, "I've dealt with my share of vipers. Some crawl on their bellies and some don't."
His elusive remark left Chance even more intrigued. "How is it that you came to the territory, Burr? Sometimes, listening to you talk, I get the feeling you haven't always lived here."
His expression immediately became guarded. "I've been here for as long as I care to remember" was his quixotic answer. "This is Rori's and my home. We're happy here, and I don't intend that we'll ever leave."
Chance felt as if he'd come up against a stone wall, so he let it drop for the moment. "How is Rori? He took a pretty rough tumble in the pass this afternoon."
"Rori's tough." Burr tried to dismiss his concern as nonchalantly as possible.
"That I know," Chance said ruefully as he remembered their earlier exchange. "I still don't see how he walked away from it."
"When you live out here in the wilds, you can't afford to stay down. If you ain't dying, you get up and move. Your survival depends on it."
