by Jodi Thomas
Finally, she settled down beside him. "I think we need to set a few rules.”
"Like no hitting.” He rubbed his ribs. "Your elbow is sharp."
She shrugged. "All right. I have to admit I didn't act properly back there, but all of you were trying to decide my fate, and I don't want anyone doing that. Most of my life I've been screaming and fighting to hold on to free will.”
Drum studied her. "All right. The first rule is: Sage decides what Sage wants." He grinned when she looked up at him. "I don't want to own you, Sage, I just want to be your man.”
"What does that mean?"
“It means I'll be the one you turn to when trouble comes. I’ll be there if you need to fall apart, or cry, or even beat on someone. I'll be the one who holds you all night."
She shook her head. "For the first eighteen years of my life, I had three brothers riding herd over me, plus Martha always telling me how I should act. I think that's why I took off to Boston. I wanted to follow my own dreams and make my own mistakes without brothers around to tell me how to live my life. I wanted to make something more of myself than to just be some man's housekeeper and cook. I wanted to set my own rules. You may want to be my man, but I'm not interested in being anyone's woman.”
He leaned back in the grass and said, "All right, Sage, you set the rules. You would anyway."
She thought about it a minute and decided to ignore the edge in his tone and take him at his word. "Rule number one: You don't try to tell me what to do. I know you've been assigned to watch over me, and Captain Harmon would probably be the one I'd answer to if I refused to let you do your job. So you can stay on guard from sunup to sundown, but I go and do as I please. And, I promise you. I'll be sleeping alone.”
"Okay.” he said without opening his eyes. "If that's your rule. I'll follow it”
"Rule two: You will not touch me at any time, and in turn, I'll try to keep my hands off of you."
"That might be harder for you than you think, honey.” he said.
She ignored the comment and moved on.
'Rule three: Stop calling me honey.” She hesitated and added, "And don't tell anyone about what my grandfather did. I don't want everyone thinking we're really married, because then in two months they'll think we're divorced. I just want to be the new doctor in town, not the subject of every sewing- circle discussion.”
"Fair enough.”
She waited a half second, then asked, "You have any rules you want to throw into the pot?"
"I've got one rule. Only one.”
"All right.”
"At dusk, the few minutes between light and dark, you have to kiss me every night we're married, and you have to do it like you mean it, no pecks on the cheek. I'll hold you, but I'll not force you. You can step away after one kiss if you want, but until you step away, you're mine.”
"Fair enough?" she echoed his comment to her rules. She could kiss him good night every night. She might even enjoy it, but that didn't mean that she'd go to his bed.
He stood, dusted off his trousers, and offered a hand to help her up. Just as she reached for it, he dropped the offer and walked away. He didn't have to say it; she knew he was following rule number two.
She climbed on her horse, and they rode out. It was almost sunset when she saw her place and the lights of town just beyond.
When they reached the porch, Drum swung down to the ground and moved to her side as she climbed down. "Good night” he said. "I'll take care of the horses”
He waited.
She stood on her toes and kissed his mouth. "Good night," she said.
He touched her hair, and returned her kiss with more politeness than passion.
She moved away. "I need to get some sleep. If Bonnie got everything put away, we may open tomorrow.”
"My room's the last door at the back of the hotel. When you're ready to come, I'll be waiting.” He touched the brim of his hat with two fingers and left her without another word.
CHAPTER 35
THE NEXT FEW DAYS PASSED IN A BLUR FOR SAGE. They opened the clinic, and everyone in town who had a boil, ingrown toenail, or infected sore dropped by. Four women showed up in the last stage of pregnancy. They didn't want to be examined, just wanted to leave directions to their houses and to ask if the doc took trade as payment for delivery.
A dozen children were brought in, one with a broken arm, one with an infected gash on his foot, and the rest with aches and pains. Sage kept the one with the infection, because she feared he wouldn't keep it clean if she sent him home.
Will and Andy went to school during the day and helped with chores at night. They'd serve meals to the folks staying in the clinic and help Bonnie clean up. When the weekend rolled around, the boys offered to stay, but Bonnie and Sage insisted they go to Whispering Mountain and enjoy a few days off. Andy was fitting in well to his new life, but Will's eyes were filled with sorrow, and even when he tried to smile, Sage saw worry on his face.
Bonnie had her quarters next to the clinic, and Sage stayed upstairs in a tiny room next to the boys' loft room. By the third day, the kitchen filled with payment in trade. They now had three chickens in a cage out on the back porch, two quarts of milk, a meat pie, more firewood then they'd use for the winter, and someone had oiled up Bonnie's buggy so that it no longer squeaked down the street. They were taking care of the community, and the community was returning the favor.
Drummond and Daniel Torry took turns standing guard on the porch. Sage often had to call them in to help move a patient. Drum liked to stand at the door and watch her work, but Daniel swore the smell of blood bothered him. Both men reported in to the area marshal staying in town. If Anderson's Glen was ever going to become a real town, a great deal of work had to be done. So the marshal ruled over the organization and did his best to clean up crime. Almost every day, he'd drop by and ask Daniel or Drummond to help him. The town needed a sheriff, the marshal complained, but he couldn't find anyone to take the job.
Through her study window, Sage had heard him talking to Drum a few times. The marshal spoke to him with respect, as if Drum were older and wiser, not ten years his junior. Sage also noticed the marshal talked to Daniel Tony as if he were a deputy, telling, not asking.
Each evening Daniel left in time to have supper in town with men that he'd later spend hours gambling with. Every night Drum would let Bonnie talk him into joining them for a meal. He'd talk to the boys and help them with their homework, then as Bonnie lit the lamps, he'd stand and say good night.
Sage knew that was her cue to walk him to the door. In the shadows of the hallway, she'd follow his one rule and kiss him good night. The first few nights it was done awkwardly at best, but as the days passed, she began to look forward to the ritual he'd insisted on.
He'd wait until she touched his arm, then he'd turn and kiss her soundly with his hand on the wall above her head. When she pushed on his chest, he'd step back without complaint. But each night he repeated his invitation for her to visit his room.
Sage decided to ignore it rather than argue. She liked the odd peace they'd worked out and didn't want to upset it for once. He had a passion for her, but in all else, Drum was levelheaded, calming the folks in the waiting area as easily as Bonnie did.
On the fifth night, Sage had had a hard day and needed to feel alive. She wrapped her arms around his neck and wanted the kiss to last longer.
He was happy to oblige. When she spread her hand over the wall of his chest, she whispered, "More, please.”
He gave her what she wanted, long warm kisses that buckled her knees.
The next night when it was time for them to say good night, she drew him into her study and locked the door. The last light of the sun flooded into the silent room.
He didn't wait for her to touch him: he guided her to the nearest chair. When she sat, he knelt in front of her so that she was almost at eye level with hint. Without a word, he unbuttoned her blouse.
Sage laughed. “This is not part of the twilight k
iss” "Oh yes it is." He smiled. "You'll see."
He pulled her blouse open, then brushed his fingers gently over the soft material covering her breasts. The sensation was so sweet, she couldn't move. Her body seemed to come alive beneath his touch.
"Where'd you learn that?" she whispered against his ear. "Lessons," he answered as he covered her mouth once more with his.
His tender, loving touch continued as he kissed her. He wasn't holding or gripping but lightly brushing over the satin. The caress warmed her far more than if he'd pressed harder. She found herself moving into his hand when he passed over the tips of her breasts, gently demanding more of his attention.
He laughed against her lips and continued the sweet torture, while his kiss drank her in completely.
Finally, when the room had grown completely dark, she touched his shoulder and pushed him away.
He smiled at her as he buttoned her top. "When you're ready, I'll be waiting. Feel free to come any night”
“And if I'm never ready?" she asked as she stood and moved toward the door.
He leaned down and touched her lips. "Then I’ll wait a lifetime."
When he walked away, Sage felt an ache deep inside. What kind of man would let her set the rules? Would wait forever?
The answer rattled her heart. The kind of man who truly loved her.
She didn't sleep well, and the morning brought more patients than she could handle. Apparently there had been a saloon fight just before dawn, leaving several men with broken noses and cuts that needed stitching. By nine the second wave of trouble came. The fight moved into homes. Drunken warriors and sober wives were an even match. She treated as many men as women. A few couples came through her door still slinging fists and blood.
Daniel and Drum helped get the injured in for treatment and arrested all the men involved in the fight as they left. By noon the new jail was packed.
When Sage finally had a minute, she went to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and found Drummond alone. He insisted she sit down while he served her a cup.
"Where's Daniel Tony?" she asked in passing. "I'm surprised he wasn't part of the fight at the saloon. Isn't that where he plays cards every night?"
Drum took a seat across from her. "I asked him. He said he went to bed early. He seems to be cutting down on the drinking as well." Drum winked. "Maybe you're working him too hard around here."
"I couldn't have done it without the two of you this morning.” She realized the truth of her statement as she said it. "What's the marshal planning to do with all the drunks?"
"He says after the husbands sober up, he'll release them to their wives with a warning. The men will promise anything just to get released. The whole jail is packed with men throwing up, urinating, and swearing. Those with no wives to claim them will probably be the cleanup crew once they sober. It'll take a week to get the smell out of that cell.”
Sage laughed. "I'm just thankful no one was shot."
Drum pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "In case I forget to tell you, Doc, you were wonderful in the chaos this morning."
She looked down. "I've been doing it for a while” "You do it well. I'm proud of you”
He tilted her head with his fingers and leaned across the table.
"It's not dusk," she said without moving.
"Close your eyes and pretend” he whispered.
And she did.
CHAPTER 36
BONNIE FAYE WATCHED THEM ALL LEAVE FOR Whispering Mountain: Sage, Drummond Roak, the boys, and even Daniel Tony. She'd been invited, but she said no. She needed time alone. It had been two months since the night with her cowboy, and she no longer had any doubt that she was pregnant. She knew there would be problems around the corner, but she never thought she'd have a child, and she wanted to treasure every moment. A baby grew inside of her. Her baby. His baby.
She needed time to remember that one night. He'd said so few words. She knew so little about him, but she had a feeling the night had been as rare an encounter for him as for her. Neither of them had spoken of the future. Both knew they'd share only a night.
Smiling to herself, she realized that he'd left her a gift. From now on she'd have to be strong. She'd have to be brave. Not for herself but for her child.
Putting out the Closed sign. Bonnie locked the front door. Unless there was an emergency, everyone in town would be having Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.
Except her, of course. She planned to spend her day dreaming and planning.
Bonnie picked up the clinic waiting room and walked to the kitchen. She had plenty of food; at least she wouldn't be hungry.
She ate her meal in silence, then went to the back of the house where her rooms were. Sage had insisted she have both a bedroom and a small sitting area. Bonnie had protested that she didn't need the extra space, but she loved the little room.
Just before she turned in for the night, she walked the darkened rooms, checking the back and front doors to make sure everything was locked up tight. At the back door, she stared out the long panes and saw the black hills beyond. Will and Andy were just beyond that first hill, sleeping at Whispering Mountain Ranch tonight. They'd talked about it all afternoon.
Bonnie laughed, remembering how the boys said they loved the horses at the ranch but hated Teagen's girls. When she'd asked why, Will claimed it was because the girls thought they could ride better then he could. Andy admitted pretty much everyone on the ranch could ride better then he could.
As she turned to go back to her room, Bonnie caught a movement out of the corner of her eye: a shadow crossing between the moon and the house, nothing more.
Fear gripped her body in panic. She stood frozen, watching. There was no reason for anyone to be between her and the hills. All of town lay behind her. The small barn and corral stood to the left. Whatever the shadow was, it hadn't been a horse.
"I should have gone with Sage and the boys," she whispered as the cat rubbed against her nightgown.
But it was too late now.
Bonnie backed away from the door. Nothing else moved. The night lay cold and silent around her.
Step by step, she made it to her room and locked both her doors.
CHAPTER 37
DRUM WAITED UNTIL THE KIDS WERE SETTLED INTO the rooms in the new wing of the house. Jessie, Teagen's wife, and Rainey, Travis's wife, returned to what everyone called the new kitchen to talk. Travis and his family had made it home for the holiday.
The two brothers moved to the old study, where they could enjoy their cigars without the wives noticing. Drum had always admired how close the brothers were. When they'd been eleven and twelve, they'd had to defend the ranch, Teagen had taken the lead, but some in town claimed that it had been Travis's skill in the fighting that had truly saved Whispering Mountain. Drum knew, to the brothers, it didn't really matter.
Drum stood in the dining room, listening to all the family around him and feeling a part of none of it.
"You going to stand there all day, Drum?" Martha asked as she pulled off her apron, "Or are you going to walk me to my place by the pond?"
He smiled at the old housekeeper. The rest of the McMurrays might ignore him from time to time, but Martha always saw him. "I'd be honored” He offered his arm.
They walked in silence across the yard. Martha didn't care for most men, so he felt lucky she talked to him now and then. He didn't want to push his luck.
When they reached her place, he said. "I sure do like your ginger cookies, Martha.”
She grinned. "I know. That's why I make them.”
He pushed his luck. "I guess you know I'm crazy about Sage."
She laughed. "Everyone in Texas probably knows that." "You wouldn't happen to know where she is?"
"Nope," Martha answered, "but if I was looking, I'd start in the last room on the second floor, where the boys used to sleep years ago.” Martha turned and headed to her door, but he heard her add, "Not that I'd tell you, Drummond, even if you was to ask me.”
He stepped away, fighting the need to run. If he planned to see Sage at dusk, he'd better hurry.
Teagen noticed him when Drum crossed back into the house. "Join us in the study, Ronk,” he said friendly enough.
"No, thanks.” Drum picked up his hat as if that were the reason he'd come. "I think I'll check on my horse before turning in.”
Teagen laughed. "Enjoy the loft.”
"Thanks.” Drum almost added that the barn seemed to be his room on this place. He'd spent more than one night there. When Teagen turned to walk back into the study, Drum added, "She's my woman. You and your brothers better get used to that idea."
Teagen didn't turn around, but his back straightened. "Only if she comes willingly to you, Roak."
"I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Teagen didn't turn around, but Drum knew his face would be set. The McMurrays were just going to get used to the idea, Drum decided. If he had to, he'd fight all three of them, but they wouldn't stand between him and Sage.
He circled the house, flipped up on the mud room roof, and slipped into a second-floor window.
Moving swiftly through the hallway of the old part of the house, Drum found the last room on the second floor. He guessed Teagen would have insisted Sage stay there. It was small, made for one person, leaving the larger rooms for the couples.
They should have been a couple, he thought as he walked the darkened house he knew so well. They were a couple. Each day he spent with her was torture in heaven. He loved seeing her, watching her, touching her, but she hadn't come to him. If it killed him, he'd keep his word and wait until she came to his bed.
Every evening, after kissing her, he left and spent the rest of the night longing for her. When she'd moved to Boston, if what he'd felt for her hadn't been real, he would have moved on to someone else, but for him there was no one else. She was his. Or more accurately, he was hers.
