Storm paused and held her head. “Can you give me a minute, please, I need to think. I’m a little confused. I’m getting flashes but nothing is sticking.”
“I wish I could, but we need to get going. I think the confusion is from the blow to the head, it should clear up soon. Let me help you up.”
She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. The touch of his hand took her breath away. Her legs gave out from under her. Before she hit the ground, he had her pressed against him, wrapped snugly in the cracks of his arms.
“I’m going to have to carry you.”
Without waiting for a reply, Colt hoisted her into the air. Storm giggled and squeezed the muscle in Colt’s arm as soon as he’d swept her off her feet.
“Oh you’re so strong.” She sighed and rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She felt safe.
When she next opened them, the fog in her mind had cleared. She only wished the sky was as clear too. “Colt, put me down, we need to get out of this. I think I can walk.”
“Are you sure? Because I don’t think we’re going to make it back to the cabin in time if you can’t.”
“I’ll be fine. I can think clearly now.” Her cheeks reddened when she remembered the things she’d said and done to him. “Looking at the sky I think we’d better find shelter, and wait out the worst of it. We still have the blankets and food in the saddlebags. Let’s get the horses off this cliff and onto flatter ground. We’re going to have to zigzag a while until we find somewhere suitable.”
“Jeez, am I glad you’re back!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you were a little out there, when you first came around. I got worried.”
“Oh yeah, sorry about that. If I said anything to offend you, I apologize.”
“You didn’t offend me.”
The temperature plummeted, and the first of the snow began to fall. Storm led the horses with her good hand and told Colt to collect firewood as they made their way through the trees. “We can wrap as much as we can in the blankets and keep them dry enough to use, then strap them to the horses. I saw a cave when I came on my walk earlier. Oh, by the way, you’re going to have to do something for me.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Emma will come looking for us. I have to let her know where to find me. I’d do it myself, but as you can see my hand is out of action.”
“How does it feel by the way?”
“Excruciating, but I can bear it for now. I have some herbs I can take for it, but I’ll use them later. It’s not good to eat them on an empty stomach. It will also make me a little groggy, and I might even start hallucinating. So it’s best if I leave it until we’re out of hot water.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
As they made their way to the cave she’d found, Storm told Colt what to do and where to do it, so Emma could find them. When they got to the cave, Storm told Colt to strip down the horses. “Take everything off, and let them go. They’ll make their way back to the mouth of the cave if they need to. But we need to go deeper.”
Storm looked at the things Colt stacked into a pile on the floor, and said. “Gather as much as you can, bring the wood and blankets first.”
“I’ve only got one pair of hands, so quit giving out your orders.” Colt lifted his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow as he stood upright.
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to not being able to do for myself. We have to move fast. For one, it will keep us warm, and two, we need to get as far inside as possible to shelter us from the soaring winds. It will be much colder than the snow.”
“All right then, you go on ahead, I’ll follow. We’ll leave some of the stuff here, and I’ll come back for it.”
They ventured farther into the cave. The farther they went the darker it became. Storm’s eyes adjusted much faster than the squawking, cursing Colt behind her. A cuss word would leave his lips every time he stubbed his toe. It made her giggle inside.
She could smell the moss and the dampness in the air, but that wasn’t her biggest concern. What she really wanted to try and sniff out were any signs of a previous, or current occupant. This was bear country and with only one usable arm, she didn’t want to be running for her life, in the dark—with a blind Dalton to worry about too.
Colt assisted Storm in lighting a fire, a task that took much longer than usual, which Storm made a point of mentioning. Colt hmphed, and claimed the delay was due to him having to work with damp wood. With the fire now raging, Colt left Storm to retrieve the last saddle and saddlebag.
Left alone, Storm became aware of the discomfort of her breastplate. Reaching to undo her belt, she noticed it was only tied twice. She normally knotted her belt three times. Her heart stopped and felt colder than the wind whistling through the cave at the realization.
Colt must have undressed her. If he had, her secret wasn’t a secret any more. Why hadn’t he said anything? Storm gently eased her arm out of the sling, removed her jacket and unbuttoned her shirt. The messy mishmash way in which the bandages were returned, confirmed what she already knew.
She was never more grateful for being alone, and in the dark, as the feeling of shame consumed her.
By the time Colt had returned, she’d regained her composure. He was covered in snow. He knocked off his hat and boots before sitting cross-legged in front of the fire. Storm stared across at him as he warmed his shriveled blue fingers over the hot vapors.
"Colt, can I ask you something?"
He raised his head smiling. “Sure, what is it?”
“Did you undress me?” Storm didn’t need bright lights to know Colt had turned as white as a sheet.
Chapter 22
A pile of snowflakes flurried in through the open doorway coating the ground as the door burst open. Emma flew to her feet awash with relief, as soon as she saw the door opening. She’d been so worried for Storm and Colt’s safety from the moment she’d seen the speed of the snowfall. Emma had been haunted with images of Storm, Colt, and the horses on the slippery cliff face, plummeting toward sure death.
She’d begun to feel guilty. If anything had happened to either of them, it would be on her. If she hadn’t gone with Ken, none of them would have been in this situation. But then she never would have learned anything about her mother.
Tears filled her eyes. She had to make things right with Storm, tell her she was sorry for the trouble she’d caused. She’d been selfish, only thinking of herself and her own needs, never once giving free rein to the predicament she’d put Storm in.
All she’d really wanted was for her father to come and get her, in the way he hadn’t tried to save her mother. Oh, how she wished she’d never learned the outcome of that story. Knowing, only hurt and made her more determined her father would take responsibility for the women in his life. Her stupid pride blinded her to what really mattered—her love for Storm and seeing her sister happy.
Emma rushed to the door, ready to throw herself at Storm’s feet and beg for forgiveness. She was stopped in her tracks by the walking bundle of fur skins coming in through the open door. Her gaze flowed to Red, who rose from his seat.
“Esme my dear, we have guests.” Red removed the pile of fur and rested it on the tattered old armchair. He turned and took Emma’s elbow and pulled her toward the new arrival. “Emma, meet my wife, Esme.”
Esme was an attractive Hopi woman of medium build, covered from head to toe in animal fur. Not something Emma would have associated with the Hopi people. Then again, neither was the name Esme for that matter. However, there was no mistaking it from the way she styled her hair, she was Hopi.
Red-Ken seemed to read Emma’s mind. “I bet you’re wondering why my wife, a Hopi, should be covered in fur and called Esme?” Red-Ken asked, no doubt in response to the look on Emma’s face.
Emma simply raised her brow and watched as the other woman kicked the door shut behind her. There was something vaguely familiar about Esme, but Emma could
n’t quite put her finger on it.
“Ah, so you do recognize her. I wondered if you would.”
“But how would I know your wife?”
“You probably won’t remember. You were so young when I left you, and Storm. How is he?” Esme asked.
“I don’t know how Storm is. I was hoping you’d be him. Did you see anything or anyone as you were coming up the mountain?”
“No, I saw no one. However, I did hear horses halfway down. The snow had gotten so heavy and so did my bundle—besides I was too far along to go back. I couldn’t stop to investigate. If your brother is down there, he’ll need to find shelter or perish.”
“That’s it. I’m going to look for them. The clothes they’re wearing won’t protect them from this weather. I need to get warmer clothes to them, and food supplies.”
Cole, whom everyone seemed to have forgotten, rose to his feet and approached the others. He tilted his head in Esme’s direction.
“Howdy, ma’am, I’m Cole Dalton. I figured I better introduce myself before really butting in. All of y’all seem to be forgetting my brother’s out there too. Miss Emma, I’m just as concerned as you. However, we have to think practical. Neither you nor I know these mountains well enough to both go out there traipsing around for our lost kin. So you can’t just go charging out there. We need a strategy and trust Storm knows what to do to keep them both safe.”
“Storm isn’t the one I have no faith in. Regardless, what are you proposing we do, Mr Dalton, because if I know my brother, he’s left clues for me telling me exactly where to find him, dead or alive. Therefore, I won’t be leaving here half-cocked.”
“I can’t let you go, and I can’t leave Red-Ken here alone. He’s under arrest.”
“Then you stay and guard your prisoner. I’m going to find my brother.”
“If I may be so bold, no one is going anywhere now. I only just made it up the mountain myself. To try and go back down at this time would be suicide. You’re going to have to wait for the storm to let up. You can’t travel down in the dark, so I suggest you rest up. If you feel the same way by morning, you can go then. At first light.” Esme’s words were the voice of reason. Both Cole and Emma returned to their seats. All they could do now was wait.
Storm’s gaze never left Colt’s face as he ummed and ahhed. The blood which had left his face moments ago, rushed back and darkened his cheeks. “Do you intend to answer my question, or not?” Storm tilted her head toward him as she waited patiently for him to respond.
“Uh, what question was that?”
As flat as she could make her tone, Storm asked again. “Did you undress me?”
“I… I... I was meaning to tell you. I was just waiting for the right moment. When we were back there on the cliff edge didn’t seem like the right time.”
Storm lowered her eyes, concentrating on her hands as she knitted and unknitted her fingers. “Then you know what I am?”
“Yes ma’am.”
Storm’s gaze shot up to meet his. Unable to maintain eye contact, Colt looked away. “I’m sorry, I should never have looked, and I truly wish to God I’d simply fixed your arm and covered you over. Because to tell you the truth, I’m lost as to what to do with this knowledge.”
“Why do you have to do anything with what you know?”
“I’m begging your pardon for what I’m about to say, and if circumstances had been different, I’d surely be holding my tongue. But things ain’t different...”
Storm stared at him in confusion. What was he talking about? Colt spoke as if their time on earth ended here, in this damp, musty cave. Storm sighed inwardly. She didn’t know about him, but with or without the use of her right arm, she’d no intentions of perishing in an old, smelly cave halfway up a mountain. Not today, not any day.
He cleared his throat and began stuttering again. “I like you, Storm.”
“I like you too.”
“No, not like you think. I like you, as a man likes a woman. Even if we get out of this, I can’t see how I can pursue a relationship with you, if you continue to pretend to be a man. There, I said it.”
He sounded so pleased with himself. The tone vexed her. Who was he to assume she returned his feelings? “And what if I don’t want you to pursue me?”
“Surely you can’t want your life to continue like this? Pretending to be something you’re not. It’s hurting you. I can see it your eyes.” He put more wood on the fire and moved to sit closer to her.
Storm shifted a little away from him. His nearness was like a pan-heated blanket on a cold chilly night.
“I might not want to end my pretense with you.”
“That’s fine, but end it you must. I can’t believe no one suspected.”
“People believe and see what they want to believe. If I don’t give them reason to think otherwise, why would they doubt me?” She trembled. This was the first time she’d spoken with anyone besides Emma about her deception.
Mistaking her tremor for cold, Colt leaned forward, and threw some sticks on the fire. Grabbing two blankets, he scooted closer to her and brought the heavy covers over her shoulders. His arm lingered there. Storm couldn’t help it, the scent of him reeled her in. She rested her head on his shoulder and settled into the groove of his arm.
She must have dozed, and she was awakened by the crackling of the fire, and the aroma of coffee.
“You’re awake. I ain’t much for cooking, but we got baked potatoes, cold meat, and hot beans. Later, I’ll go out and collect some of the snow in a pan and use it to do the dishes. Then we’re going to have to talk and figure out the sleeping arrangements. I’m figuring the only way to stop from freezing to death is if we use the heat from our bodies, huddle up, and sleep together. I know it ain’t proper but that’s all we have.”
Storm remained quiet as she watched his cheeks redden. She took the plate he handed to her and set it on the ground, so she could take the mug of coffee he offered. Storm didn’t know how to respond to him, suddenly feeling shy around him. Things seemed so much easier when he thought she was a man. Now they were just awkward. She remembered the last time they slept close. Somehow she knew this time would be different.
Because she was different.
Chapter 23
“I swear if you ask me one more time what I’m looking for, I will end you, here and now.” When they set off at the crack of dawn, the sun was not yet in the sky and all around them was still cloaked under the cover of darkness. Emma had no idea when allowing Cole to come with her, he’d be such a pain. The snow had let up, but the winds were still treacherous.
“I’m just curious as to what to look for, so I can help you look.”
“You can’t help me. It will take too long to explain what my brother and me spent a lifetime mastering. The most I can do is repeat myself. When we were young, Storm and I used to make tracking signs, so we’d always know how to find one another. However, I’m seeing signs, but they are different and I don’t know for sure how accurate they are. They weren’t made by my brother’s hand.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if they were made by Storm, they wouldn’t be so confusing to decipher.”
“Do you think something happened to Storm?”
“I’m trying not to think it. But thank you for ruining that. Now, please be quiet. I need to concentrate.” Emma shook her head and sighed as she saw the fallen expression on Cole’s face. He was like a petulant child, and she didn’t have the time to babysit him or massage his fragile manhood.
Reading the signs, they were probably made by Colt. So something had happened to the use of her hands but she was alive. Colt wouldn’t have known what to do even if he did do it badly. Between Colt’s amateurish attempts and the horse tracks, she was close. She could feel it.
“I hope we find them soon. The wood on my back is getting heavier.”
“We’d find them a lot quicker if you’d cease your moaning. I offered to carry some too, you refused. Now please j
ust shut up.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to carry the wood and the furs on your own. Not to mention this shovel.” He waved the shovel in his hand at her. “So you’re welcome by the way.”
Emma stopped and rounded on Cole. “Correct me if I’m mistaken, but don’t you have a brother stranded out here too?” Emma’s dig at Cole had the desired effect. He didn’t reply, but walked silently by her side. Only the crunching of the crisp new snow could be heard as their snowshoes sank into it.
Under different circumstances, the view from all around would have been breathtaking. The virgin snow-covered mountains contrasted with the different shades of green, orange, yellow, and rustic red of the foliage of the valleys below. The air was so clean it hurt the lungs with its richness.
The biting wind nipped at areas on Emma’s exposed face. It was probably leaving little pink kiss marks on each cheek and at the end of her nose. She couldn’t pull the cloth over her face any higher even if she wanted to. In the absence of proper gloves, the fur covered mittens Esme had made them didn’t allow for much finger movement.
Something must have caught Cole’s eyes, because he tapped Emma on the shoulder. “Look, over there. Are they fresh horse tracks?”
Her gaze followed his fingers. “Yes, they are. Let’s follow them and see where they lead. Storm and Colt can’t be much farther.”
The tracks led to the mouth of a cave where they found the horses stripped and hovering at its opening. “Storm and Colt must be inside. Storm would have taken them deeper inside, away from direct contact with the wind.” Emma, pressed forward, then stopped. She looked behind her. Cole hadn’t moved. “What are you waiting for? They’re down there. I know it.”
“What if the only thing we find down there—is a bear?”
“You think horses would be happy to stand at the opening of a bear cave?”
Wild Storm (The Unbridled Series Book 2) Page 10
