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“Mama, someone’s hurting a baby,” Carolyn said.
“No, honey, that’s a screech owl.”
“Is it crying?”
“No, that’s just the sound it makes.”
“I don’t like it, Mama.” Carolyn snuggled closer to her.
Sally was relieved they’d soon be in the settlement, but she was also worried. First they had to cross another river. The Red. Even the name sounded dangerous.
“Now listen to me, Sally,” Rob said. “Hold his mane tight, and let your horse swim. He’ll carry you both across just fine, long as you hang on. You go first. I’ll follow behind you.”
“I don’t know about this.”
“Let your horse feel his way. If he hesitates don’t force him. This river has soft spots that can sink a horse quick. Carolyn, hold tight to your mama.”
Sally hesitated. Her thoughts spun as fear filled her mind. This river looked a whole lot meaner than the one that had tried to carry her away.
“You can do this, Sally. You’ve come through every obstacle we’ve met. Now grit your teeth and go.”
Rob would bring up the rear in case she or Carolyn fell off. But he also had to guide Moss’s horse. She glanced at Moss.
“Sally Mae, a man don’t never step in the same river twice, they’s always changin’ on ye.” He clutched his wound. “A body ken always stand more’n ye think it ken.”
“You hold on, Moss.” Sally gripped the reins tightly. “We’re crossing this river.”
If Moss could keep going in his condition, so could she.
Sally concentrated on the opposite bank and gave her horse a kick. As they started across, the horses hesitated but with Rob’s encouragement they entered.
The current pulled strong against them, but the horses fought their way through.
Sally blew a sigh of relief as they reached the other side.
“Ye done it. ’Member this, Sally Mae. Life is kinder like bustin’ broncos.” Moss caught his breath with a painful gasp. “Yer gonna get throwed. The secret is to keep gettin’ back on. Don’t never let ’em keep ye down.”
Tears filled her eyes. Here Moss was wounded and thinking about her. “Don’t you worry, Moss, we’ll get you to a doctor.”
“Let’s go,” Rob said. “His color doesn’t look good.”
When they finally rode into Red River Station, an army officer greeted them and glanced off into the distance. “Looks like you’ve had Indian trouble.”
Rob nodded. “But they didn’t follow us.”
“How far away were they?”
“On the other side of the Red River,” Sally said. “But right now we have a wounded man who needs help.”
The officer ignored her. “Any idea which tribe?”
“Nope.” Rob’s lips sealed tightly. “The lady was speaking.”
“Our friend needs a doctor,” Sally said.
“Doc will see to him. Second building on the left. After you take him in, report to the commander’s office.” He pointed to a small building. “He’ll want to know all the details of any Indian attack.” He gave a curt nod then walked away.
They reached the doctor’s quarters then Sally helped Carolyn down and tied the horses. Rob lifted Moss from the saddle and carried him up the steps as Sally knocked on the door.
The army surgeon who opened it looked as if he hadn’t bathed in months, and he reeked of whiskey.
She wrinkled her nose and looked past him. Surely he wasn’t the doctor. But the dismal room was empty. She frowned. “Is the doctor in?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the man hiccupped. “Enter.”
He gestured in a drunken manner that didn’t improve Sally’s opinion of him and pointed to a small cot. “Put him there.”
Rob laid Moss down and stepped back. “He took an arrow. It broke off when I tried to remove it.”
“Indians have gotten smarter,” the doctor slurred, “make arrows thin. Rougher arrow heads so they’ll catch.” He wiped his mouth on his shirtsleeve then ripped Moss’s shirt open to see the wound. Moss moaned but didn’t open his eyes.
Sally’s breath caught.
The doctor was drunk, his movements rough.
He turned to Sally. “Bring me that whiskey bottle on the table.”
“I think you’ve had enough,” she said.
“It’s for Moss,” Rob said. “Doc here wouldn’t waste liquor when there’s an ailing man who needs it.” His steely gray-blue eyes looked into the doctor’s bloodshot ones.
Doc got the message.
Sally brought the bottle and handed it to him. He looked at it with longing, gave a sigh then poured some over the wound.
Moss groaned and turned his head.
“He’s alive. Doesn’t mean he’ll stay that way,” the doctor said.
“What are his chances?” Rob asked.
The doctor shrugged. “Depends. I make no promises.”
A man with a long, black beard stepped inside. “Who’re you butcherin’ this time, sawbones?”
Sally gasped. The man had a peg leg and a fierce expression.
“Like what you see?” He leered at her.
When she offered no reply, he turned to the doctor. “Don’t all the ladies love a man with a wooden leg?” His gaze returned to Sally. “Pretty ain’t it?”
She stepped backwards and gripped the edge of the table.
The man stepped closer to her. “Bring your friend in here for doctoring, no telling what he’ll lop off.”
Rob moved between them. “Step out of here, mister. This isn’t any of your concern.”
“Ask him,” the man said. “Ask him how many Reb arms and legs he lopped off. Ask him when he closes his eyes don’t them arms and legs hunt for him in the night. Ask him why he stays drunk. Ask him why he don’t hear the cries of the men he killed with his sawing blade.”
Rob put a hand on his gun. “I told you to leave.”
The man’s lips curled into a thin smirk as he headed for the door. “Ask him.”
Sally turned to look at the doctor who’d taken a swig out of the bottle when she wasn’t looking. He hastily set it down and stared at her with tortured eyes.
Rob glared at him. “I’ve got just one question. Can you doctor this man, or do I need to take him out of here?”
“I can do the job.”
“Then do it.”
The doctor’s hands worked, cleaning and digging out parts of tattered pieces of arrow, the hand that held the knife shaking.
Sally’s gaze drifted over to the table where the doctor kept his tools. There was a saw that looked like a miniature of the one her Papa had used to saw logs.
So that was a bone cutter. She imagined it cutting through living flesh. All the arms and legs the man with the peg leg had spoken of made a grisly picture in her mind. No wonder he’d been so unhappy.
She watched Moss and prayed the doctor knew what to do, but she had her doubts.
The doctor’s hands dripped with blood as he dug around the wound. He removed several splinters of wood from the broken shaft before he finally withdrew the bloody arrowhead. He tossed it to the floor by Sally’s feet.
She jumped.
He wiped his hands on his pants and eyed the whiskey bottle. Rob silently handed him clean bandages. The doctor bound up the wound again after he’d cleaned it once more by pouring whiskey over it.
Finally, he stood. “I’ve done all I can.”
“Will he be all right?” Sally asked.
“Too soon to tell.”
Rob planned to have a talk with the doctor once Sally was out of earshot. He needed to know the old man’s chances and he wanted to hear it straight.
“Sally, see to Carolyn. I’ll be along in a minute.”
“If you think Moss will be all right. I know Carolyn is tired. We’re all tired.” She walked over to Moss, lifted his hand then bent down and kissed his cheek. “Don’t you go on any other trail rides, Ozzie Moss, you stick to this one. You promised, remember?” Tears welled in her eyes and she stood. “I’ll pray for him.”
“You do that,” the doctor’s voice rang bitterly, his eyes those of a lost soul. “For all the good it will do.”
Rob walked Sally out to where Carolyn had curled into a ball on the porch to sleep. She woke when Sally lifted her.
“Mama, will the doctor fix Moss like you fix my dollies?”
“I hope so.”
“Tell the commander I’ll speak to him once you’ve found a place to sleep. I’ll see to the horses and catch up with you later,” Rob said. He watched Sally and Carolyn walk away. He could use a drink and some grub. But he’d take care of the horses first.
He stepped back into the doctor’s quarters. “How’s he really doing?”
“I told you.”
“Is there anything else that can be done?”
“He’d have a better chance if I had more whiskey.” He lifted the bottle and shook it.
Rob’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll bring back whatever he needs. But you’d better care for him like he was your own.”
There was a knock on the door. The commanding officer of the fort had sent for Rob.
The commander, a tall thin man with a weathered face, stood and pointed to a rough map covering a table. “Here on the Red River we’re on the border of Indian Territory. We see plenty of action. Do you have any idea which tribe attacked you?”
“No, sir, I don’t.”
“Had to have been Comanche,” he said. “About one hundred of them attacked Rangers right here on the Red a week ago. They may have scattered to hunt with winter coming on, or they may be regrouping. How many of them do you think there were?”
“They were a small hunting party, four at the most and none of them had guns. They took off quick once I started firing. Hit two of them. ”
“You must be a good shot.”
“Fair.” Rob shrugged. “Sir, about the doc. Is he any good?”
“He was once. He’s all we have now. The Indian Territory has become a hideout for renegades and deserters from the army. At least he hasn’t deserted, which is more than I can say for the last doctor we had. Fort Worth is the closest doctor if you want another one. And if you want laudanum or other medicine, you’ll have to ride there, since we have none.”
“He won’t make it that far,” Rob said somberly. “If he needs medicine, I’ll bring it back.”
“It’s a dangerous ride, unescorted. And I can’t spare any of my men right now.”
“I understand.”
A soldier stepped in and waited until the commander dismissed Rob.
After he cared for the horses, he went to find Sally and Carolyn in the tent they’d been assigned. She’d already put Carolyn down for the night.
“Listen, Sally, there’s a large band of Comanche who killed Rangers right here along the Red just last week.” Lightly taking her hand he added, “I don’t think it’s safe for you and Carolyn to stay here. I want you to ride with me to Fort Worth, out of Indian Territory.”
The mere touch of his hand sent a warming shiver through her and she felt her pulse leap with excitement.
Did this mean what she thought it meant? Did he want her to ride away with him?
Her heart leapt at the thought, even though she knew he only meant to see her to the fort for safety. Even though she knew he was only traveling with her to find Luke and settle his vendetta. Part of her was tempted by the thought of riding away with him and leaving all her troubles behind.
But she couldn’t. “No.” She pulled her hand away. “I’m not leaving Moss.”
“Sally, I’m telling you, it’s not safe. If the Rangers couldn’t protect themselves, how will they protect you? And if Indians attack this fort, you won’t be safe inside these walls.”
“We can’t leave until Moss is able.”
“I’ll check on him again.” He cupped her chin tenderly in his warm hand, brushing his thumb along her cheek.
She leaned her cheek into his palm, savoring the gentle touch. A touch that was gentle and strong. A touch that reached into the secret heart of her.
She closed her eyes, savoring that brief moment and knowing it couldn’t last.
“We won’t make the decision tonight. Get some rest. And think about what I said. We’ll talk about it in the morning. But, Sally,” his hand caressed her cheek again, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She opened her eyes as he leaned in to kiss her and she drank in the sweetness of his kiss, the warmth and tenderness of lips sending uncurling desire radiating through her body.
His tongue teased her lips open until his tongue met hers lightly teasing, tasting.
Her hands eased around his neck, touching the back of his thick hair as he held her by the waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Making her aware she no longer wore a corset or a petticoat beneath her dress. Feeling the warmth of his body, his strength, the
easy way he savored her, holding back so as not to rush her.
In sensing all these things, a sob rose in her throat.
This was the one man she wanted, and if not for her children she would give him her all, her everything. Give it all for just one night with him.
She pulled away, breaking the kiss with a gasp. “I can’t go with you.”
He knew she was speaking about more than just leaving Moss.
“I can’t leave until Moss is better.”
Rob studied her set chin. He could see there’d be no reasoning with her about this. He hadn’t counted on her stubbornness. This was the first time he’d encountered it.
She was willful. Had more spirit hidden inside than even she knew. He’d get nowhere with her if he pressed the issue.
And he was painfully aware that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. It did neither of them any good to keep pursuing her, teasing them both in this way.
He had no control when it came to her and he prided himself on control. So he wrestled with himself as he stood watching the way her breath came quicker. The way her breasts rose and fell and the way she bit her lip.
“Then goodnight, Sally. Sleep well.”
He went back to check on Moss, leaving Sally to settle in and trying not to think about the fact they would share a tent. He forced himself to think of Luke, the one thing guaranteed to tamp down his desire.
The doc agreed it wouldn’t be wise to try to move Moss to Fort Worth. So Rob made plans to ride there and bring back medicine to fight the infection and ease the pain. He’d catch up on lost sleep tonight then ride out tomorrow. But he’d leave at night to avoid notice from roving Indian bands.
It was also another way of putting distance between him and Sally. He resolved to find a willing woman to release his frustrations before he returned.
The next evening, as he prepared to leave, Sally came up to him and grasped his hand.
Her touch surprised him. He’d never known her to be forward. But tonight there was a desperate longing in her eyes. He eased her into the back of the stable.
“I’ll be back, Sally, don’t worry.”
She pressed something into his hand as her eyes filled with tears. “For Moss,” she whispered. She swallowed and blinked, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Come back safe.”
He looked down at his hand. She’d given him her locket. There was a picture of her mother inside.
“No, Sally. I can’t take this.”
He circled his arms around her neck to fasten the locket. She smelled of lavender soap now that she’d had a chance to wash, and he inhaled deeply before whispering through her hair into her ear. “I’ll take care of the medicine. You keep this.”
Her hair was soft against his cheek. Tickling, teasing him. The feel of her breasts brushing his chest as he fastened the locket destroyed all sense of the restraint he’d kept in place.
His slid his hands down her back to her waist and pulled her close, pinning her arms lightly.
He’d kiss her, once more before he left. Just this once.
Dipping his head, he covered her soft lips with his. Touching, teasing, tasting. She tasted like mint. His tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips, coaxing until her mouth opened wider.
His tongue explored her mouth with feather touches, encouraging her to give him more.
She returned his kiss and he held her closer, feeling her warm, womanly curves.
Yes, he wanted her. Wanted all of her.
She leaned back, her spine stiffening.
Still holding her, he gazed into her eyes and saw tears. She stood silently crying, and her shoulders shook.
“Sally, I’m sorry,” he said.
Had he hurt her in some way? He’d been as gentle as he knew how. Yet the tears rolled down her face.
Rob frowned. He’d never been any good with crying women. What was he supposed to do? Damn tears. Why was she crying? He hadn’t hurt her. He’d been gentle and persuasive, and she’d responded to him.
She looked into his eyes, pleading for something.
Lord, he could drown in those eyes.
“Rob, I —”
He waited for her to explain but something stopped her from speaking and the expression in her eyes was more than he could take. He let her go and stepped back. “I’ve got to go.”
He spun and mounted his horse then rode away without a backward glance. But his thoughts remained on Sally. Thoughts of her eyes, her lips and the way her body felt next to his.
Sally watched him go.
Soon the darkness swallowed him, and she could only picture him in her mind. She crossed her arms and fought to bring her emotions under control.
She trusted him. He could so easily have taken the locket but instead he’d pay for the medicine himself. The generosity of that compared with the way Luke had taken and taken from her made her love Rob even more.
It was in that moment she knew he was a man worth loving. A man who would give his all for his woman.
A man who could never be hers.
Then he’d kissed her again. And she’d shattered with the hunger of his kiss.
He was strong like Luke. Strong enough to do things Luke had done. Hurtful things.
Rob’s kiss had sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl, and she’d responded without thinking until he pulled her to him, crushing her, his belt buckle rubbing against her. It reminded her of Luke and his belt, his demands.
When Luke had wanted to make love, it was now, not later. He’d given her no teasing kisses, only quick demanding ones.
Her mind relived the velvet warmth of Rob’s kiss.
But he could be just like Luke. Charming until he got her where he wanted her, and rough and fast later on. She couldn’t go through that again. She wouldn’t.
Rob had been good to them. He’d been there for her and Carolyn and now Moss. He didn’t have to ride out for that medicine. And with so many Indians around, it was likely he’d never make it back.
What if he decided not to come back and rode off like Luke? It wasn’t Rob’s responsibility to take care of them. He could go off on his own, hunting for Luke.
But the look in his eyes had told her he’d return, more so than his words ever could. She’d trusted words before. She’d trusted in vows and look where that had gotten her.
Her mind spun in turmoil and she tried not to think of the ache his leaving created. The deep aching need within that had grown daily.
What would she do if he kissed her again? For she knew without a doubt that if he returned he would indeed kiss her again. How would she stop him?
She feared the next time she would be unable to stop herself from giving in to her desire.