by Smith, Bobbi
“I will when I’m damned good and ready.” And he stalked off, dragging her behind him.
Rick picked his way through the boulders until he was certain that they were out of sight before slinging her around to face him.
“I think it’s time we had a little talk,” he told her as he made the mistake of releasing her.
It was all Jennie needed, because she drew back and with full force, she slapped him. Gasping in surprise at what she’d done, she stared up at him, awaiting his answering fury, but Rick only looked down at her, his expression wooden, the narrowing of his eyes the only clue to his inner thoughts. The imprint of her hand was reddening on his tanned cheek, and she felt a mixture of remorse and righteous anger.
“There is no reason for you to be jealous, love,” he said quietly, and she found his words so close to the truth that she immediately denied them to herself and to him. “Lucia means nothing to me.”
“You think I’m jealous of you and her—?” She laughed coldly. “Hardly.”
“Then what the hell is the matter with you?” Rick demanded.
“I’ll tell you what’s the matter with me! I hate you! You’ve done nothing but use me and humiliate me. And now you have the gall to bed another woman and then come back and sleep with me!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied levelly.
She looked at him disbelieving. “I’ll just bet! I’m tired of all this intrigue! You told me to trust you. Well I don’t, not anymore. How can you expect me to trust you when you don’t trust me enough to tell me what’s going on. You keep me in the dark about everything you’re doing and then expect me to blindly accept whatever it is you’re up to. Well, I won’t—not anymore. I want to know what’s going on. Why are you here?”
“Shut up.” His words cut violently across her wild tirade.
“I won’t! It’s time I told you—”
“You won’t tell me anything, Jennie McCaine. We are not on the M Circle C, little girl. We’re playing things by my rules now, not yours or your precious daddy’s.”
She looked up at him again, horrified as the helplessness of her situation returned to her full force.
“I hate you!” she seethed, infuriated by her own vulnerability.
“I’m sure you do, after all, I only saved you from Luis and Ray and kept you alive until now.”
Suddenly, she looked so frightened and alone that she touched something deep within him.
“Damn you!” he swore under his breath as he pulled her into his arms and sought her mouth with unerring accuracy.
Jennie had been limp in his embrace until he kissed her, and then her fight returned and she tried to jerk away. “Don’t you dare! You go with Lucia and then try to make love to me! I hate you, Cazador! I can’t stand the sight of you! I don’t enjoy your touch! Why don’t you go back to Lucia and just let me go!”
But Rick was not to be denied. “But I don’t want Lucia. Right now, I want you.”
Jennie looked up at him defiantly as she still fought against his dominance. “You can make me do whatever you want, but I won’t enjoy it,” she said firmly, holding herself rigid as his hands relaxed their firm grip.
“Jennie.” Her name was a low groan as he bent to her once again, capturing her lips in a sweet, soft exchange that, had she not been so intent on resisting him, would have left her breathless and panting for more.
Rick felt the resistance in her as he drew her inexorably closer, his hands splayed across the tempting swell of her hips. Pinioning her to him, he moved rhythmically against her reluctant body as he kissed her deeply.
Jennie shivered at his sensual assault. She didn’t want to feel anything! She didn’t want him to touch her this way. But she was powerless to prevent the surges of heated desire that jolted through her every time his hips pressed intimately to hers.
Trying to think of other things, hoping to keep her mind off the exciting things he was doing to her, Jennie dwelled on his time with Lucia, forcing herself to imagine the other woman in his arms, sharing this love. And she succeeded, too, until Rick slid the blouse she wore over her shoulders and bared her pale-hued breasts to his kisses.
“You’re mine,” he said hoarsely as he tasted her warm, hard-tipped flesh.
“No, let me go. I hate you!” Her words were a moan and totally unconvincing as her body began to move with his, craving his arousing thrust and the feeling of his hardness as he sensuously ground his hips against hers.
“Liar,” he murmured as he met her lips and pulled her roughly to him, the buttons of his shirt cutting into the softness of her bosom.
Finally, when he could stand the torture of needing her no longer, Rick picked her up in his arms and lay her upon the sandy ground. Mindless in his desire, he lifted her skirt and with an eager touch, caressed the inner womanly sweetness of her.
“Please. Don’t do this to me. No, I don’t want you to,” Jennie cried softly as his touch quickly, expertly, brought her to the peak of pleasure.
As the pulsing joy of physical release throbbed through her, tears of humiliation coursed down her cheeks, but Rick didn’t notice as he freed himself from his pants and sought the hot, wet velvet center of her warmth. With long, powerful strokes, he moved within her, straining to hold back long enough to please her again.
Unable to resist him anymore, Jennie submitted to his possession, and she was totally unprepared for the tantalizing arousal of his every impaling thrust. She responded in spite of herself, and the fire of her passion for him flared to life and burned heatedly as they soared to the heights of excitement. Beyond thinking, beyond caring, Jennie became a creature of sensuality; seeking him, wanting him, needing his body joined to hers. When their rapturous moment came, they clung together, lost in frenzied abandon, surrendering to love’s conquering ecstasy.
Rick lay still for a long moment, thrilling at the feeling of her body’s enveloping him so tightly, and it was with deep regret that he withdrew and moved away to straighten his clothing. It was only when he was about to speak that he looked down at Jennie and saw the pain reflected in her eyes. Rick reached out to touch her cheek, but she turned away from his caress and quickly got to her feet, tugging her blouse back in place and smoothing her skirt.
“If there is nothing else, I should go help Chica with the dishes,” Jennie said stiffly as she started to walk away from him.
“Jennie—” He tried to take her arm, but she pulled free.
“As your woman I have certain duties that I must perform.” Her words were cold and filled with contempt, and this time when she made to leave, he did not try to stop her.
Rick was filled with a terrible sense of dread as he watched Jennie go. Though he had forced her to respond to him, as he knew she would, he was afraid that he had destroyed something very precious and very fragile that had existed between them.
Sternly pushing all thoughts of their torrid mating and its results from his mind, he headed toward the cave to find out what Malo’s plans were for the final trek to the gold mine.
Chapter Fourteen
The first light of day found the posse on the move. According to Steve’s instructions, they had divided into groups and were already methodically combing the entrance to Willow Canyon for some sign that other riders had trespassed there. But the storm had been thorough in its fury, and the harsh terrain yielded no telltale traces of previous encroachment.
Afraid of getting in their way, Carrie stayed back from the search area and watched their efforts from a safe vantage point. Following Todd’s progress as he scouted with Jake and another ranch hand, she wondered at his strange mood this morning for he had been withdrawn and almost unapproachable. After a few initial attempts at conversation, she had left him alone, fearing that he might still be angry with her for her escapade the night before.
Carrie’s hopes had been high when Todd had invited her to sleep so near to him, but they had been cruelly dashed by his indifference, for he had shown no
inclination to pursue the heated embraces they had shared earlier in the day. Temporarily at a loss as to what to do next, she wondered just how much longer she could stand being with him and yet never knowing his love.
“Carrie!” Jake’s echoing shout drew her sudden attention, and she quickly raced to her horse.
“Did you find something?” she asked breathlessly as she reined in beside him.
“Steve just did,” he told her, pointing in their direction, and Carrie looked farther ahead to where Steve and her father stood.
“What is it? A cave?”
“I’m not sure, let’s go find out.” Putting his heels to horse, Jake followed the rest of the men up the canyon’s rocky incline.
Todd was waiting outside, still mounted, when they finally made their way to the abandoned diggings.
“Were they here?” Jake asked quickly as he swung down out of the saddle.
“Looks that way,” he responded brusquely.
Jake glanced up at him, wondering at his surliness, but before he could make mention of it, Mac’s call drew him inside. Carrie looked over at Todd, worrying at his paleness.
“Todd, are you feeling all right? You don’t look well—” she began, but he cut her off.
“I’m fine,” he growled, his features set in an expressionless mask as he tried to control the pain that was wracking his body.
“But—”Carrie continued, concerned.
“I’m all right, I tell you!” Todd barked.
Stunned by his harsh tone, tears stung her eyes, and Carrie blinked quickly to hide her distress as she dismounted to follow the others into the mine, wanting to tell Mac or Jake of Todd’s worsening condition.
“Pa—” She tried to get her father’s attention as he spoke in earnest with Steve and Jake.
“Not now,” he answered sharply, not even looking up.
“But it’s important, I think—” Carrie tried again.
Mac glared over at her in the darkness of the shaft. “Didn’t I tell you when I allowed you to come along that I didn’t want to be bothered by you?”
“Yes, but it’s Todd. I think his shoulder is bothering him.” She spoke quickly now that she had Mac’s attention.
Mac snorted in disbelief and spoke sarcastically. “My dear, Todd is a full-grown man. If something’s wrong, he’ll take care of it. He doesn’t need you, little missy, to mind his business for him. Now, Steve ...” He turned back to his foreman.
Carrie flushed at his cruel, dismissing words and fell silent, hoping for Todd’s sake that he was right.
Todd was relieved when Carrie went inside for he didn’t want anyone to know how badly he was hurting. He was determined to see this through to the end and would not give up until Jennie had been found; his own health be damned!
Afraid that his legs would not support him, Todd remained mounted. With a shaking hand, he pulled a near empty bottle of whiskey from the saddlebag and drank deeply of its potent contents. Since last night, he had been fighting the wracking torment that was pounding through him and, though he was unwilling to openly admit it, he feared he was losing the battle. Even the liquor he’d been consuming in copious amounts was now failing to grant him any relief whatsoever. His mind in a haze, his body on fire, Todd struggled to maintain his equilibrium as he heard Mac and the others coming out of the mine.
“Which way from here, Steve?” Mac’s voice jolted through Todd as he emerged with his foreman by his side.
Steve scrutinized the trail carefully and pointed up the canyon. “The horse was heading up there and they’re riding double.”
“There’s only one horse?” Mac’s mood brightened considerably for riding double in this kind of country would certainly be slow going.
Steve nodded. “Yep.”
“How long ago do you estimate they left here?” Jake asked as he picked up his horse’s reins and vaulted into the saddle.
“Late yesterday,” he replied, studying the tracks one again before mounting.
Encouraged at the prospect that they might be gaining on them, Mac ordered, “Then let’s ride fast!” And spurring his mount to action, he hurried to ride abreast with Steve.
Gritting his teeth against the excruciating pain that seemed to afflict his entire being, Todd stayed straight in the saddle and followed their jarring lead up the steepening trail. It was only after they had been on the rugged trek for over an hour that he could no longer keep up the pretense, and he gave in to the dizziness that had become overpowering in its intensity. Slumping in the saddle, he felt himself falling, and he called out weakly as he rolled slowly from the horse’s back and landed heavily on the hard ground.
“Carrie—”
Sensing that Todd’s condition was worsening, Carrie had deliberately been riding near him, and she was the first one to come to his aid when he fell.
“Jake! Hurry! Todd’s sick.” Jumping down lightly from her mount, she ran to his side. Looking up worriedly as her brother and father rode back to her, she told them, “He’s burning up with fever and his shoulder’s bleeding again. The fall must have opened it!”
“Damn!” Mac cursed, irritated that something else had gone wrong, but he suddenly felt a new dawning of respect for his youngest daughter as he realized that she had tried earlier to warn him that this might happen. “Why didn’t he tell us he was ailing?”
“You know how worried Todd was about Jennie, Pa,” Jake said as he went to help Carrie. “He wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of our rescuing her, not even his own pain.”
Carrie was growing angry. She had tried to tell them that Todd was ill, but they hadn’t listened to her. And Todd! How could he be such a fool? Why hadn’t he just admitted that he was sick? Was it worth risking his own life, just so the search for Jennie could continue? He wouldn’t be much good to Jennie dead, she thought bitterly.
“What do you want me to do?” She looked up at her father questioningly. “I have to check his shoulder, and he needs to rest until the fever comes down.”
Mac and Jake exchanged worried looks.
“What about the mine? Why don’t we take him back there?” Jake offered.
“That’s about the only thing we can do at this point,” Mac said frowning.
“I’ll stay there with him until he’s well enough to ride again. Then we can try to catch up with you.” Carrie offered bravely.
“All right,” Mac said curtly, surprised by Carrie’s selfless offer. “Jake, ride along with them and take whatever supplies you think they’ll need. Leave an extra rifle and ammunition, too.”
Jake hurried to get their provisions, while two of the ranch hands tied Todd on his horse, taking care not to disturb his injured shoulder. Carrie was alternately excited and frightened at the prospect of staying in the abandoned mine, alone, with Todd. While it did offer her the perfect opportunity to prove her love to him, it also left them vulnerable to attack by Indians or anyone else who happened upon their shelter. Steeling herself against such scary thoughts, Carrie bravely wheeled her horse around and, with Jake leading Todd’s mount, she began the trek back down the canyon to the abandoned mine.
The dark and uncomfortable dampness of the deserted diggings was hardly inviting, but Carrie knew they had no alternative for Todd was too ill to make it all the way back to the ranch. Working quickly, she arranged a bedroll for him and then, together with Jake, they carried him in and laid him down.
“Jake, while I start a fire, see if you can get his shirt off.”
“All right. I’ve brought in all the medical supplies.” Jake indicated the leather pouches he placed near the mine’s entrance.
“Good, I’m going to need them.” She stared down at Todd briefly, worrying at the grayness of his coloring.
Jake could tell that she was uneasy, so he went to her and put his arm about her in an affectionate embrace. “He’ll be fine, probably by morning if he gets a good night’s rest.”
Carrie sighed and leaned into her brother’s strength. “I h
ope so. It’s just that—” She stopped just as she was about to blurt out the truth of her feelings for him.
“What?” Jake asked, wondering what she was about to say.
“Nothing. I’m just glad that I’m here to help,” Carrie lied as she started the small campfire.
“We all are. I know Pa is,” he confided, carefully stripping the shirt from Todd’s inert body.
She looked up, amazed. “He is?”
Jake nodded. “You know he doesn’t show much emotion, but I think during this time on the trail, he’s come to regard you a bit differently.”
Shrugging, she moved away from the small blaze to kneel beside Todd. “You may think he’s changing his attitude toward me, but I don’t believe it. He’s never cared about me, one way or the other, so why should he start now?”
Jake put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know, but he was impressed with the way you’ve ridden this entire time without complaint and now, volunteering to take care of Todd—You’re being very brave, Carrie.
Carrie felt a deep surge of affection for Jake. He was a dear man and, although the difference in their ages was such that they had never been particularly close, she knew him to be fair and honest and caring. “Thanks, but I don’t feel very brave. Just worried.”
“You’ll do fine. I’ve made sure that there’s ample water and food.”
“All right.”
“But, Carrie—”
“Yes?”
“If for some reason, he doesn’t improve right away, don’t try to leave. Wait here for us. You’re relatively safe and protected here.”
She nodded, heartened by his concern for her. “I will.”
“Well, I’d better get going before they ride on too far ahead of me,” he told her as he started to leave.
“Jake—” There was a catch in her voice.
“What Carrie?” Jake paused and looked back as Carrie got to her feet and hurried to him.
“Thank you.” She hugged him quickly. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“I never had any doubts.” And with that he was gone, leaving Carrie alone with Todd.
