Runaway

“I’ll put some more wood on,” Cassie said, rising. “Here’s your shirt, Will.” She dropped it into his lap, then found several chunks of wood to stack over the coals.

He watched as she worked, then, shedding the blanket, he hastily pulled his shirt in place. The fire would dry his trousers, he figured. Taking them off would likely scare the bejabbers out of Cassie.

“Are you pretty well dried out?” he asked, pulling his pack closer, shoving the contents about as he sought a soft spot for his head.

She watched him, her eyes wary. “I’m all right. I’m warm, anyway.” She tugged at her boots, placing them to one side of the wide fireplace. “These should dry out pretty well by tomorrow.” As if she had done all she could to put off the inevitable, she turned to him.

“I’ll roll up in the other blanket. You can sleep closer to the fire.”

He shook his head. “No, we’ll sleep together, right here.” His hand motioned to the space they occupied and he stretched out, the blanket over his shoulders once more. “Bring the other blanket here,” he told her, patting the floor in front of him.

She obeyed, moving silently on stocking feet as she gathered up the dark woolen square from his pack. Lowering herself to the floor, she spread the covering over them both, then settled down in the space he had indicated, just next to the hearth.

He moved to curl his body around her back, arranging the blankets to form a double layer over them as he slid his arm under her head, easing it from the floor. His other hand scooped her closely to his chest and she stiffened for a moment.

“Ease up, Cassie,” he ordered in a rusty growl. “I need to get warm.”

Getting warm wasn’t the issue, Will thought, even as he muttered the words against the crown of her head. He was managing to generate enough inner heat to keep them both going all evening and half the night. He’d be better off if he kept his hands to himself and stayed six feet away from the bundle of temptation he held tucked so neatly against his needy body.

His sigh was deep. He was a glutton for punishment, sure enough. Here he was with a softly curving female in his grasp, his arm fitted around her waist and his thighs cradling her tight little rump. It was a damn good thing he was as tired as he was, or this would be a miserable night.

His arm tightened, eliciting a grumble of protest from the woman he held. “Don’t wiggle, Cassie,” he said, his voice muffled in her hair.

And then his eyes closed, the flames before him rising anew, bathing him with the comfort of their warmth.

Chapter Five (#ulink_14b769b2-4b51-5da4-af8c-0c6fd2ff3514)

“What’s wrong, Will?” Not for the first time, she asked the question, and once more he shrugged it off.

“Nothin’ much, Cass. Just makin’ sure we’re on the right track. I’ve come through Oklahoma Territory before, but it’s been a while.” His grin was sudden and all the more welcome for its recent absence. “I wouldn’t want to get us lost before we get to Missouri.”

Cassie felt a great relief at his attempt to soothe her worries. That such a small thing as a smile from Will Tolliver would absorb her unease so readily was a wonder. That his touch, one finger against her cheek, would send a shiver of anticipation down her back was another marvel to behold.

His nearness at night was a comfort, and his tender regard for her well-being was a panacea for all the wounds of her soul. And yet, there was within her an aching, a dreadful need for more than Will had given thus far. And that makes me foolish and greedy, she thought with a twinge of conscience.

Will had already done so much in her behalf. The guilt that hung over her head like a lowering thundercloud plagued her as she considered his kindness. And how had she repaid him? Her deceit, the blatant lie she had told him, the blood she had shed…she bowed her head. And now she wanted what he had not offered, whatever that might be. How could she yearn for more, especially when she herself was not even sure what that more consisted of?

Now, on the third day out since they had stopped at that cabin, since Will had kissed her and held her with such a needy embrace, she found herself watching him closely. He’d been quiet, almost angry, as he’d ridden out last evening after setting up their camp.

He’d been narrow eyed and somber when he returned, evading her questions and soothing her concerns as they bedded down for the night. His hand had held his gun throughout the night. She’d peeked more than once, restlessly turning over on the hard ground, aware of his quiet watchfulness as she sought sleep.

Now she watched as he approached, her awareness of him heightened as he shot her a measuring look. His hand pulled at the brim of his hat, tugging it over his forehead as if he would anchor it there.

“Keep ridin’, Cassie.” He circled her, his stallion taking mincing steps as Will reined him tightly. “See that smoke on the horizon?” Will’s hand swept up, his index finger pointing to the north and east. “I want you to head in that direction, hear me?”

Cassie nodded, perplexed once more by his somber look. He’d been quiet again this morning, and then, with no warning, issued his orders. “What’s wrong, Will?” she asked, only to find herself talking to his back as his horse pivoted in place.

He handed her the lead rope for the mule and watched as she wound it around the saddle horn, nodding his approval. “Just do as I say, Cassie.” His words gave her no choice, drifting back over his shoulder as he left her. Doubling back on their trail, he headed off to the south, even as she watched.

“Behave yourself, girl,” she muttered beneath her breath, eyeing the twitching ears of the mount she rode. The mare was about as reluctant to keep moving as she was, Cassie decided. “He’ll be back,” she murmured. “Before you know it,” she assured the animal, reaching one hand to pat at the horse’s dark mane.