“It’s okay,” Dorie said. “We understand.”
“I only wish we had more time with you, but Oliver has this appointment in San Francisco and we must leave first thing in the morning.”
“I can always wire ahead and change the date of our arrival,” Oliver said to Helene.
Dorie glanced up at Shane with pleading eyes.
“I’m afraid we’re heading out tomorrow,” Shane said quickly. “We have…an appointment of our own to keep. We must leave in the morning, as well.”
Jeremiah studied the ground once again and Dorie wondered if she’d made a big mistake by including him in this deception. She hadn’t seen any other way at the time, but poor Jeremiah. He was caught between his loyalty to her and the newfound affection he had for his grandparents. Dorie hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t expected the Parkers to be so kind and loving. She’d thought the worst of them and they’d proven her wrong.
“Jeremiah, dear boy, promise me you’ll write us every month.”
“I will, Grandmother,” he said, forcing a smile before he entered her embrace. Dorie had to look away. She couldn’t bear to watch the sad scene. She tamped down the jealousy she felt seeing Jeremiah’s obvious love for Helene. She could afford them this moment, since her plan had worked. She wouldn’t have to worry about losing Jeremiah ever again.
Helene pulled away from Jeremiah long enough to look into his eyes one last time. “We’ll be leaving on the first stage to San Francisco. We’ll spend a few days there, then we’ll take the railroad home.” She handed him a piece of paper. “If you need anything, anything at all, here’s where we’ll be staying. Wire us.” Then she turned her attention to Shane and Dorie. “If any of you ever need anything, please let us know. We’re family now.”
Oliver nodded in agreement. “We know Jeremiah is in good hands now. That was our main concern, but we’re always here to help.”
Shane shook Oliver’s hand. “We appreciate that.”
Helene came forward to hug Dorie. “You’re a dear girl. We hope to see you one day again.”
“Yes, I would like that,” she said, remarkably meaning every word. Helene’s unabashed kindness and genuine nature reminded Dorie of her own mother.
“We’ll say so long for now. Not goodbye.” Oliver placed his hand on Helene’s back, urging her up the stairs to their room.
The three stood at the foot of the staircase waving. When the Parkers were no longer in sight, Dorie rushed to Jeremiah’s side and wrapped him into her arms. “I’m sorry.”
Jeremiah put his head down to hide his tears. “It’s okay…they…are nice.”
“They are,” Shane said, placing his hand on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “Very nice. And you will see them again.”
Dorie agreed. “When you’re older, Jeremiah. You’ll visit them, I promise.”
He nodded. “I…will.”
“Do you want to stay with us tonight?” Shane asked.
Jeremiah shook his head, wiping the tears from his cheeks. “No thanks. I want to see Henry one last time before we go home.”
“Okay, I’ll get the wagon and drive you out there. Dorie, want to come?”
Shaken by the events of the day, Dorie declined. “No thanks. I’ll go up, if you don’t mind.”
Shane nodded. “Okay, let’s go, Jeremiah.”
“Good night, Jeremiah,” Dorie said, relieved that the ordeal was over. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Parkers, though she rejoiced that her worst fears wouldn’t be realized. They’d be on the stage tomorrow and she and Jeremiah would return to their homestead.
Dorie’s thoughts turned to Shane.
They had one night left together.
As she climbed the stairs to their hotel room, she knew in her heart what she had to do.
She only prayed Shane wouldn’t deny her.
Chapter Fourteen
“You know Dorie only did what she thought best for you,” Shane explained to Jeremiah, as they traveled the road to Henry’s house.
Jeremiah shrugged. He’d been quiet since saying goodbye to his grandparents earlier. “I suppose.”
“If you wanted to leave Silver Hills to live with them, I think she’d understand.”
“I don’t. I mean, maybe one day I’d like to visit them. It’s just…all the lying.”
Shane smiled. “None of us liked deceiving such good people.”
“Dorie didn’t seem to mind.”
“She did. Your sister puts on a good front, but I know she felt as guilty as the both of us. She’s been both mother and sister to you since your mama died. She feels it her duty to protect you.”
“From my grandparents?” Jeremiah seemed truly puzzled. He stared straight ahead, watching Smart and Sassy amble down the dirt path.
“She didn’t know what kind of people they were. She thought they’d take advantage of her situation to persuade you to leave with them. She loves you, Jeremiah. And having Dorie’s love, well, it’s like thunder and lightning rolled up into one. She’s a force all her own. When you get older, you’ll understand better.”
“I suppose,” he said with a twist of his mouth, then he turned to face Shane. “So how do you reckon with her force?”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
Shane stopped the wagon a few yards from the turnoff to Henry’s house. “What do you mean?”
Jeremiah didn’t hesitate. “I mean…my sister’s got a hankering for you, Shane. All that stuff you said about thunder and lightning, I was thinking, most of that’s for you.”
“Are you saying…” Shane stopped that train of thought. He had no business thinking about Dorie, not when he’d be heading home tomorrow and probably facing Tobias Barkley and impending nuptials. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter. We’ll get our lives back tomorrow. And we won’t ever have to think this hard again.”
Jeremiah smiled. “Yeah, it was hard thinking and saying the right things all the time.”
“Well, now you don’t have to worry over that anymore.”
Shane urged the horses forward and reached Henry’s house in a matter of minutes. Jeremiah jumped down, clutching his new hat to his head. “I’m not gonna forget my grandparents. I promised to write and I will.”
Shane nodded. “They’ll appreciate that.”
“One day, I’ll visit them.”
“When you do, you can tell them the truth. That should ease your mind some.”
Jeremiah thought on that a second, then grinned. “Yep. I’ll tell them everything.”
“See you in the morning, son.” Shane winked and turned the horses around heading back to Virginia City. Shane left Jeremiah feeling a great sense of pride in the boy.
Half an hour later, Shane arrived back at the hotel, ready for sleep. He hoped Dorie would be fast asleep herself. He’d fulfilled his part of the bargain to her and starting tomorrow he’d have another bargain to carry out, to Tobias Barkley. It’d just make things a whole lot easier if he didn’t have to deal with Dorie tonight.
He opened the door slowly, hoping his boots wouldn’t creak on the floorboards under the plush carpeting. Dim lantern light cast shadows on the walls, then as he stepped inside he found Dorie set in silhouette, standing by the window, staring out.
“I thought you’d be asleep by now,” he said quietly.
“I waited for you,” she said, turning to face him, her eyes glittering fine specks of blue fire. “I thought we could celebrate.”
Shane glanced down at the small table by the chair. Light reflected off two crystal glasses and a bottle of whiskey. “You want to celebrate?” Shane swallowed. He didn’t like the look in Dorie’s eyes. Thunder and lightning came to mind.
“I do.”
She poured the amber liquid into both glasses, three fingers high. Shane raised his brows, recalling how the wine last night had affected her. “You don’t drink.”
“I’ll just have one,” she said softly. Pink taffeta ruffled as she approached with the drinks. She’d worn the same dam
n pretty dress as yesterday, the hue creating rosy tones on her face and making her skin look creamy soft. The pearl necklace she wore dipped down in the generous hollow of her bosom. Seeing her dressed this way in the light of day was one thing, but seeing her now as a gentle glow of light surrounded her was another thing entirely.
Shane took a step back. His heart pounding, his brain muddled, and he knew if he took a drink with Dorie there’d be hell to pay. “No, thanks.”
Dorie smiled and continued her approach, until she faced him squarely, looking up at him. “Are you afraid to have a drink with me?”
Hell, yes. “No, damn it.” He grabbed the glass from her hand and gulped the whiskey. “There. I had a drink with you.”
Dorie took a delicate sip of her drink, her expression thoughtful for a moment as she contemplated. “I think I prefer wine.” Then she gulped down the whiskey, a triple shot of liquor vanishing in a matter of seconds.
“Hey, be careful with that!”
“I’m tired of being careful, Shane.” Her eyes studied his and she smiled so prettily, his groin tightened instantly.
“I think it’s time for bed.”
“Not before I thank you for all you’ve done. The Parkers would have never believed me if you hadn’t been here. Without your help, I would’ve lost my brother.”
“It’s over now, Dorie. No more thanks necessary.”
“Shane, the money I was paid from Mrs. Miniver—”
“Oh, right,” he said, grateful for the change of subject. He dug into his trousers. “Here it is. I forgot to give it to you.”
Dorie glanced at the wad of money in his hand. “I want you to keep it. To pay off your debt to Mr. Barkley. You’ve earned it.”
Shane glanced at the cash Dorie shoved back at him. “I can’t take your money, Dorie. You earned it. It’ll see you through the winter, but I appreciate the thought.”
“But if you pay off Mr. Barkley, you won’t owe him anything, anymore.”
Shane marveled at her innocence, and he admired her genuine generosity. But if the Almighty came down to earth, urging him to accept Dorie’s money, Shane would still refuse. “It’s more than money, sweetheart. I’ve given my word. Besides, I owe him three times that amount.”
“Oh,” Dorie said, reaching again for the bottle of whiskey. She poured another three fingers worth into her glass.
Shane set her money down on the armoire, hoping she’d soon tire and go to bed. Instead, she walked over to him and refilled his glass.
“Go easy on that stuff,” he said. “Or you’ll wake up with a humdinger of a headache.”
Dorie sipped the liquor again. “I’m getting used to the taste.”
Shane watched the delicate workings of her throat and took another big swallow of whiskey. “Let’s get some sleep now.”
“Okay,” Dorie said with a little coy smile. “You get the bed tonight.”
“No. I won’t have you sleeping in that cramped wing chair.”
“I wasn’t planning on sleeping in the wing chair, Shane.”
“But then—”
Dorie halted his words when she reached up to brush her mouth over his in a kiss that stole all of his breath. He kept his hands at his sides, fighting for willpower, but his manhood rose and pressed against the juncture of her legs; even through layers of material there wasn’t any way Shane could deny his need for her. His body had grown instantly hard, straining for her, his heart wanting her, his mind…his mind fighting a losing battle.
Shane tasted the heady aroma of whiskey on Dorie’s breath, and when she opened for him, he kissed her fully, their tongues colliding in a ritual that had both their bodies swaying in lusty unison. Shane grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her, bringing her body even closer. Shane was beside himself to stop the onslaught of the desire burning in his belly. Dorie gave him everything he wanted, her body pressed to his, their lips mating, their tongues dancing.
Moments later, when the kiss ended, Dorie pulled back just enough to look him square in the eyes. “I want to know what it’d be like to be your wife for real, Shane.”
“No, Dorie. We can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you,” Shane said, holding on to the shred of hope that Dorie would come to her senses.
“It wouldn’t be fair to me not to, Shane,” she said with quiet determination. “You’re the only man for me. Ever.” She spoke in a whisper now and Shane heard the heartbreak in her voice. “All we have left is tonight.”
He felt the exact same way. He’d wanted Dorie for so long he couldn’t reason it away anymore.
“You want me,” she breathed out. “I know you do.”
“Can’t deny it, sweetheart.”
Dorie pulled the pins from her hair, letting the silky coppery tresses fall loosely over her shoulders. She turned to expose her back to him. “Undress me, Shane.”
Shane wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in, crushing his body to hers, his fingers finding the soft supple spot just under her breasts. He kissed her throat and whispered from behind, “I can’t offer you anything but one night, sweetheart. Is that enough?”
Dorie put her head down and beseeched him. “You could take the money I offered, pay Mr. Barkley back some. We’ll figure a way to pay off the rest. You won’t have to marry his daughter.”
Shane had to make things clear to her. She had to know that tonight would truly be all that they could hope to have. She had to know that there wasn’t a way out of this for either of them. He spoke with regret. “You know I can’t do that.”
Dorie turned in his arms, the rosy glow on her face marred by sadness and regret, yet she smiled bravely. “Then tonight will have to be enough.”
Shane closed his eyes briefly, wondering when Dorie had grown up. She’d become a woman right before his eyes and he’d fought the realization. Fought it hard. But he’d lost the battle. She was the woman he wanted. He couldn’t deny her any longer. He wouldn’t think of how it had come to this, or all the reasons he should walk straight out of this room. Instead, he’d make love to her tonight and they would have to part tomorrow as soon as the new dawn rose on the horizon.
“I’ll make it right for you, Dorie.” Shane placed both hands on her shoulders and spun her around. She lifted her hair up so that he could unfasten the buttons on her gown. He kissed the back of her neck as he slid the gown down her arms. She wiggled out of her garment, petticoats and all, then undid the corset that confined her breasts. Shane watched as she dropped the tight-fitting undergarment onto the floor. And when she turned to him, fully unclothed, Shane was completely intoxicated—not by whiskey, but by the exquisite vision she presented. “You are an amazing…woman, Dorie McCabe.”
“Oh, Shane,” she whispered in the dimly light room.
Shane picked her up and carried her to the bed. Setting her down gently he gazed at her, feeling a deep measure of pride, seeing her exposed to him with such trust and acceptance. Her skin glowed smooth and creamy under the lantern light, her long wild curls spread out across the pillow and her blue eyes beckoned with a sweet loving smile.
Shane sat on the bed, tossing off his boots, and when Dorie reached up for him, he took her into his arms and came down onto the bed, kissing her with overpowering need. His nerves raw, he told himself to go slowly, to make this night memorable for her. He’d tried to be her protector, tried to help her in ways he might never have imagined, and now, he would claim her innocence. Shane struggled with the notion, while his heart and body rejoiced. Between deep lingering kisses, he spoke tenderly, “I never meant for this to happen.”
“I prayed that it would,” she whispered back.
Shane’s heart soared. “I don’t want to hurt you in any way,” he said plainly.
“You won’t, Shane. I want this. There won’t be any regrets, I promise.”
Shane smiled down at her, knowing that her naive perception wouldn’t hold up. Oh, there’d be regrets, but he was defenseless to refuse her any longer. Only she could stop what they’d
begun here tonight.
“Is this how it is?” she asked. “All this…talking?”
Shane chuckled. Dorie, innocent as she was, had registered a complaint. He wouldn’t allow another one. Lying beside her, he cupped her breast in his hand and bent his head to kiss her lips. “No more talking,” he said, gently moving his hand on her, his thumb sliding over the crest, flicking the nub until it rose to a peak.
“Oh!” Dorie gasped through his kisses. Her pleasured moans as he continued stroking her ripe full breasts created havoc below his waist. Shane struggled to control the fire in his groin, to take this night slow and take her even slower. But Dorie’s unabashed reaction to his touch stirred something deep in his heart as well as his body.
He vowed not to hurt her in any way, so he fought for control. It wasn’t an easy task. Dorie lying on the bed, bared to him in all ways, crying out in pleasure, created the prettiest of pictures. One he never dreamed he would see.
“I never thought anything could feel so good,” she breathed out.
Shane bent his head and drew her into his mouth, his tongue flicking over her tight hard nipple. She whimpered and arched up, her body reacting with heightened pleasure. He moistened each globe again and again then lifted up to crush a kiss to Dorie’s sweet mouth.
“I’m tingling clear down to my belly,” she said with wonderment. “Are you, Shane? Is that how it is for you, too?”
Shane nodded. “Clear down to my belly, honey.”
Dorie smiled, her eyes gleaming in the low lantern light. “Oh, Shane.”
Shane stroked her shoulders, absorbed the feel of her creamy porcelain skin, while he continued to kiss her. Her arms wound around his neck and he deepened the kiss, his tongue probing hers. They kissed for long moments this way, until Dorie pushed him off slightly.
He looked down at her with question, but when she unbuttoned his shirt and tugged at the material, Shane helped her remove it entirely. Her hands went flat on his chest and the heat of her palms coursed a hot path straight down to his groin. When she moved her hands, caressing his skin, then rising to plant tiny kisses on his chest, Shane lay back, resting his head on the pillow, relishing the moment and allowing Dorie to explore his body.
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