Arizona Temptress

by Smith, Bobbi

  “Jennie, is something wrong?” Carrie asked, noticing her strained expression.

  “I was just worrying about Jake—and Rick.”

  “You love Rick Peralta, don’t you?” she asked astutely.

  Jennie regarded her sister for a long moment before answering her straightforwardly, “Very much, but how did you know?”

  “I suspected it from the first. You were so worried about him when he was shot. I’d never seen you that concerned about anybody before.”

  “I’ve never felt this way before.”

  “Then why did you accept Todd’s proposal?” Carrie couldn’t stop herself from asking.

  “How did you know about the engagement? We hadn’t told anyone yet.”

  “I know, because I overheard you that first night you were back in camp.” Her words came out almost bitterly.

  “Oh—Carrie?” Jennie sensed her upset.

  “What?”

  “Do you care for Todd?” She tried to search her eyes for an answer, but Carrie looked quickly away.

  “Why do you ask?” She avoided the question, keeping her gaze locked in Todd and Steve’s direction.

  “When we were breaking camp, I saw the two of you together, and it looked like you were having an argument,” Jennie said.

  “No. We weren’t arguing,” Carrie said quickly, wanting to deny it.

  “I asked Todd about it, but he denied it, too,” Jennie went on.

  “What would we have to argue about?”

  “That’s what I was wondering. Do you love him?”

  “Jennie, that’s not a fair question. He’s your fiance, for God’s sake!” Carrie blurted out, not wanting to dredge up the agony of her own feelings. No matter if Jennie was in love with Rick or not, she was still engaged to Todd.

  “Carrie, can I be honest with you?”

  They considered each other for a long moment before Carrie answered, “Yes.”

  “In the beginning, I tried to deny my love for Rick. I thought he was an outlaw and that I would never see him again. That’s when I accepted Todd. By the time I found out who Rick really was, it was too late.”

  “How does Rick feel about you?”

  “He loves me and he’s asked me to marry him after I break off with Todd. So, I’m going to end the engagement as soon as I can,” she explained.

  Carrie was secretly thrilled by the news.

  Jennie continued: “I care about Todd and don’t want to hurt him, but I think, in the long run, I would hurt him if I did marry him. I could never love him the way I love Rick.”

  “I understand,” Carrie told her, and, in truth, she did.

  “But will he?”

  “I don’t know, Jennie, but I think it’s time I was honest with you, too. I love Todd very much.”

  “You do?” She brightened considerably.

  “I have for a long time,” Carrie confided and then grimaced as she remembered the scene earlier with Mac. “And this morning—that little discussion you witnessed—well, I had finally made the mistake of telling him.”

  “So, that’s what Todd was so upset about,” Jennie said thoughtfully.

  “Yes. It was bad enough that I’d made a fool out of myself by telling him how I felt, but then he kissed me and—”

  “He kissed you?” Jennie was delighted.

  Carrie flushed guiltily. “Yes and Pa caught us.”

  “Oh, no!” She groaned, easily imagining what Mac had said to them.

  “And if that wasn’t enough, Todd cornered me a little while later and wanted to talk.”

  “But that’s a good sign.”

  “Not with Pa watching. He’d been furious at me and I didn’t want to make things worse. Besides, Jennie, I know how much Todd loves you. The last thing I wanted to do was discuss it!”

  “He might have had another reason for wanting to talk with you.”

  “No, I doubt it. It’s you he loves, Jennie, not me.” She forced down her jealousy and turned back to watch for the Indians.

  Jennie frowned, remembering Todd’s evasive response to her earlier question about Carrie. “But he kissed you! Certainly you didn’t force him to!”

  Carrie did manage a small smile as she remembered the heated embrace they’d shared before Mac’s untimely arrival. “I know, but he probably was just feeling sorry for me.”

  “Hardly.” Jennie dismissed the notion. “Todd’s too much of a gentleman. He wouldn’t kiss you unless he wanted to.”

  Carrie’s spirits lifted at the thought, but before they could say any more, the Apache struck again, their bloodcurdling shrieks piercing the silence and sending spine-tingling chills of apprehension through them.

  Rick and Jake were riding as fast as possible in their effort to get back to the posse, but it was slow going over the rocky, steep trail. Rifles ready, they topped the final ridge just in time to see the Apaches advance.

  “Where’s Jennie?” Rick asked immediately as his gaze scoured the scene for some sign of her. “I don’t see her.”

  Jake glanced at him questioningly, wondering at his concern, and then pointed out Jennie and Carrie where they had taken cover. “She’s down there with Carrie.”

  “Oh, good.” Reassured, Rick breathed easier when he spotted her below.

  “What do you think?” Jake asked, as they quickly tried to calculate the best way to trap the Indians and guarantee victory.

  “We’ll have to take them from behind. It looks like Todd and Steve have worked their way around one side, so with our help we can almost box them in.”

  “Good. Ready?”

  “Let’s go!”

  “Keep firing!” Mac called out as the warriors relentlessly pounded their positions, swooping in again and again, coming closer to breaching their positions with each try.

  Todd and Steve were so busy firing on the main thrust of the assault that they failed to notice the Indian who was creeping up on the rocks behind them armed with a bow and arrow. He took them completely by surprise when he let out his war cry and took aim at Steve.

  “Todd!” Steve turned, gun in hand, but he was too slow for the agile, merciless warrior.

  The Apache’s aim was murderous and exact as he released his death-dealing arrow. It took Steve full in the stomach and he doubled over, frantically clutching at the brutal shaft. Filled with bloodlust, the warrior faced Todd just as he managed to get off a shot at him.

  “Jennie!” Carrie gasped as she realized that Todd and Steve had stopped shooting. “Something’s wrong! Something’s happened to Todd. I’m going up there!”

  Grabbing a cartridge belt, Carrie crouched low and began to run in Todd’s direction.

  “Not alone you’re not! I’ll come with you.” Jennie was determined not to let her sister face such danger by herself.

  Two of the warriors spotted them and were starting to close in just as more gunfire erupted behind them.

  Rick and Jake came riding down the canyon, making as much noise as they could and firing as rapidly as their pace would allow. They were overjoyed when the Apache, realizing that they were now really outnumbered, fled the scene. The two who were following the women broke off their pursuit, too, and raced away after the other fleeing members of their party.

  Some of the men from the ranch mounted up and gave chase for a time, but they knew better than to get caught in unfamiliar territory in small numbers. They turned back as soon as they were certain that the Indians were, in reality, leaving the area completely.

  From their location, Jennie and Carrie couldn’t see Rick and Jake, and they weren’t aware that the Apache had broken off the attack entirely. They were only grateful for the moment of calm as they rushed on to aid Todd and Steve.

  “Oh, God,” Jennie groaned as she reached their cover first. “How is he?”

  “How is who?” Carrie cried as she pushed past Jennie expecting to see Todd wounded or worse. But her fears were unfounded for Todd was bending over Steve’s motionless form, pierced so obscenely by t
he Apache’s arrow.

  “What happened?”

  “The Indian came in behind us,” he told them, pointing to the Apache who lay dead some distance away. “Steve didn’t have time to shoot before he got him in the stomach.”

  “Oh, no.” Carrie knelt beside Steve, feeling for a pulse at his throat and finding only a faint one. “Jennie, he’s still alive. Should we try to pull the arrow out?”

  Jennie joined her. “We have to do something. Todd, can you get it out? Maybe we can stop the bleeding then.”

  “I’ll try.” Todd’s reply was hoarse with emotion for he had seen men gut-shot before, and he already knew the outcome.

  They watched grimly as Todd carefully pulled the vicious, iron-headed arrow from Steve’s nearly lifeless body. He never regained consciousness as they struggled to save him, stripping his shirt away and trying to stem the almost violent flow of blood from the gaping wound. But their ministrations were not enough.

  “You can stop now, it’s too late,” Todd said softly. “He’s dead.”

  Sickened by the loss, Jennie and Carrie stood up and moved away, and Todd slowly followed them.

  Carrie’s eyes were luminous and tear filled as she turned to Todd, standing so unapproachably beside them, and suddenly she knew she had to be near him. His life had been spared and that was the only thing that mattered. He was alive.

  Sobbing out her anguish, she threw herself against him. “Thank heaven, you’re all right. I was so worried about you.”

  Todd’s expression was stony as he looked up at Jennie. He wanted nothing more than to hold Carrie tenderly and reassure her, but he hesitated for a moment in returning her embrace for Jennie was standing there. She felt so sweet against him that his heart finally won out, and his arms closed around her in a cherishing hug.

  “Everything’s all right now. Carrie, darling, don’t cry. I love you, sweetheart. Please,” he murmured, his eyes closing at the joy of having her near. But it was then that he suddenly realized what he’d just said—and in front of Jennie.

  Todd’s expression was tortured as he looked to Jennie, but Rick’s call interrupted the moment, and Jennie raced to answer him.

  “Jennie!”

  “We’re up here!” she shouted back, running out into the open to signal to him, leaving Todd alone with Carrie.

  Thinking that Jennie was rushing away because she was upset, Todd released Carrie without a word and went after her to explain. Following her from behind the rocks, he came up behind her.

  “Jennie, I’m sorry—I—” he said apologetically, expecting her to be angry, and he was totally dumbfounded when she faced him and smiled brightly.

  “Todd. It’s all right.” She tried to assure him, but he was embarrassed and not listening.

  “I didn’t mean this to happen. I didn’t deliberately set out to fall in love with Carrie. I—” He went on until Rick appeared.

  “Jennie?” Rick asked warily as he eyed them both. He wanted to grab her and hug her tight, to confirm to himself that she was uninjured, but Todd’s presence held him immobile. “You’re all right?”

  “I’m wonderful,” she gurgled as she went to him and kissed him fully on the mouth.

  “You’ve told him?” Rick asked quietly, looking at Todd for affirmation.

  “I was trying to, but he wouldn’t stop telling me how much in love he is with Carrie.” She grinned. “Todd. What you said about falling in love is true. You can’t plan it. You have no control over it.”

  “You—and Rick?” Todd asked in sudden understanding, and his mood lightened as he looked from one to the other.

  She nodded, and then slipping from Rick’s arms, she hurried to Todd to kiss him on his cheek. “I’m sorry, too. But Carrie loves you very much.”

  Their eyes were warm as they smiled at each other.

  “I know. More than I deserve.”

  “Hardly.” Jennie laughed. “You’d better go get her. I imagine she’s feeling pretty anxious right now.”

  Todd leaned down to kiss her softly and then hurried away to tell Carrie the good news.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Carrie watched, disheartened, as Todd hurried after Jennie. She was confused by his unexpected declaration of love, and she wondered if he’d really meant it or if he had just been trying to comfort her. Surely, she reasoned, if he had meant it, he wouldn’t have rushed away to speak with Jennie without so much as a word of explanation. No, she concluded sadly, Todd had only been trying to reassure her and make her feel better. Of course he loved her, as a friend.

  Blinded by sudden tears, she stumbled away, seeking some peace and solitude. So much had happened in such a short period of time, and she just didn’t want to face any more. Carrie wandered aimlessly, paying little attention to her direction. She didn’t really care where she went, as long as it was away from everybody else.

  “Carrie?”

  She heard his distant call but didn’t respond. There was no further need for them to talk. He’d said it all when he’d chased after Jennie.

  “Carrie?” Todd’s call sounded more worried, and she knew she’d better answer or he’d alert the entire posse to her disappearance.

  “I’m over here,” she answered dully, not at all enthused about the upcoming conversation.

  Todd sighed in relief as he heard her reply, and he headed quickly in her direction. When he found her, she was gazing quietly out across the barren canyon.

  “Carrie, I—” He touched her shoulder to turn her around, but she shrugged off his hand.

  “Please don’t touch me, Todd. Not now. Not until we’ve talked.” Carrie turned to face him of her own accord. She had taken the time to school her features into an emotionless mask, and she was now as ready as she would ever be to hear him out.

  Todd was struck by the coldness in her expression, and he wondered at it. Hadn’t she heard him say that he loved her? Wanting to crack her icy veneer, he grinned at her.

  “At last, you’ve agreed to talk to me.” He sounded victorious. “I’ve been trying to talk to you all morning, if you remember.”

  “I remember.”

  When she didn’t respond to his gentle baiting, Todd continued quickly: “Carrie, darling, I love you. I was about to tell you that this morning, but then Mac showed up. I’ll never forgive that man for his bad timing,” he muttered under his breath, and he was pleased when he noted a flicker of warmth in her eyes. “Anyway, when I tried to tell you again later, you practically ran me down with your horse. And now, when I’ve finally got everything just about straightened out, you look like you’re not believing a word that I’m saying!”

  Carrie’s lips began to curve in a semblance of a smile, and her eyes misted with gentle emotion.

  “Talk to me, Carrie.” He lifted a warm hand to caress her cheek. “Tell me what you’re thinking. Tell me that you love me.”

  Carrie leaned against the heat of his hand, loving his touch, craving more from him. “I love you, Todd Clarke,” she admitted, gazing up at him in open adoration. “I love you with all my heart.”

  Gently, wanting to savor the preciousness of the moment, he leaned to her, and their lips met in a delicate exploration of their desires. It was heavenly to Carrie, and she sighed as tingles of delight coursed through her. Shivering under the impact of his soft, sensuousness, she took a step closer.

  “I think we’ve finished talking,” she murmured as their lips parted and then met again. “You can touch me now.”

  “I love you,” Todd growled happily and pulled her tightly to him, marveling anew at how perfectly she fit to him—as if they belonged together.

  He kissed her then with all the passion she’d known him capable of, taking her mouth in a searing possession that blended them together in a swirl of undying love. Unwilling to break apart after having been denied this closeness for so long, they shared kiss after kiss, each more exciting than the last, until the demands of their bodies that they do more forced them to break apart for a
moment.

  “Did you speak with Jennie? Is everything all right?”

  He nodded as he pulled Carrie back into his arms, lacing his hands behind the small of her back and holding her intimately against the rigid strength of his thighs.

  “I still can’t believe everything worked out this well. She understood everything. In fact, she’s fallen in love with Rick Peralta.”

  “I hope they’re going to be as happy together as we will be.” She smiled up at him lovingly.

  “Will you marry me, Carrie?” he asked solemnly.

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!” she told him happily, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. “Did you ever have any doubts?”

  They drew back to regard each other seriously for a minute before Todd dipped his head and kissed her sweetly. Carrie was enraptured by his tenderness, and she found it amazing that for such a big man, Todd could be so gentle with her.

  “God, you feel good in my arms,” Todd told her thickly as he ended the kiss.

  “It’s heaven for me, too.” Carrie pressed eagerly to him, loving the fact that she was free to touch and hold him. “I’ve wanted this for so long, loved you for so long,” she murmured to him between passionate kisses.

  It was long minutes later when they regretfully drew apart.

  “We’d better get back and see how the others are.” He returned unwillingly to the harshness of reality.

  “I know,” Carrie said hesitantly, thinking of her father and how he would react.

  Todd read her thoughts exactly and squeezed her hand reassuringly, bringing it to his lips. “Don’t worry about Mac. I’ll handle him.”

  Her love for him was obvious as she gazed up at him, and he couldn’t resist kissing her one more time before they started back, ready to begin their life together.

  When Todd had left to search for Carrie, Jennie hurried back to Rick and went straight into his arms.

  “I was so worried about you.” She gazed up at him, her eyes filled with the remembered pain of not knowing how he was or where he was. “We’d heard the shots and then when you didn’t come back right away—” Jennie shivered as she thought of how terribly empty her life would have been without him. “What happened?”