A Run for Love (8 page)

Full darkness had descended by the time they made camp, and a light drizzle covered the hard ground. A copse of trees provided some shelter from the rain, but Jesse’s jaw clenched at the sound of Tori shivering in her bedroll.

He propped up on his elbows and glared at her. “Tori, your shaking is keeping me awake. I keep thinking we’re having an earthquake.”

“I know. I’m a little c-c-cold,” she chattered.

He lifted the top of his bedroll. “Come over here.”

“No.”

“The two of us in one bedroll will create heat. You’ll be warm in no time.” Maybe he should just leave her where she was. He felt like a heel with her shivering over there, but the idea of her warm body next to his already played havoc with his blood flow.

“I don’t want to be th-th-that warm.”

“I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” That sounded stupid even to his own ears.

“That’s what I’m afr-fr-fraid of.” The sound of her teeth chattering almost blocked out her words.

Smart girl
. He sighed. “Come here. Please?” She looked pathetic huddled into a tight ball. Maybe spending the night together in the same bedroll wasn’t a great idea, but he couldn’t let her pay the price for her stubbornness.

“No.” Her teeth continued to snap together.

Jesse climbed out of his bedroll and went down on one knee next to her. “Move over.”

“There isn’t room.” Her lips were blue, and her whole body shook.

“Yes, there is. Move over.”

She edged back, and Jesse climbed in. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her body. Her head tucked securely under his chin, he rubbed her back and arms to create warmth. Within minutes, she stopped shaking and relaxed into sleep. He lay next to her tempting body, sleep far from his mind. She may be snug and warm, but he could fry eggs on any part of his body.

The sun rose, and soft pink rays filtered through the trees, casting the ground in a rainbow of colors. Tori’s thumping heart beat against Jesse’s chest. Snuggling closer, she wrapped her arm around his waist. Less than two minutes later, she turned and shoved her backside against him. Once more she turned and went back to the original position.

“If you keep wiggling around like that, darlin’, I won’t be responsible for what comes next.” He gritted his teeth against the assault her well-rounded body had on his senses. Pictures of bubbling streams, cold rain showers, anything at all to cool his core, would help.

“Oh. I’m sorry, am I keeping you awake?”

“Awake and ready.”

She yawned and stretched. “To leave?”

Is she truly that naïve?

His eyes riveted on her breasts as she stretched. Soft, they would be warm to the touch. Their eyes met, and something flashed in her eyes. She glanced away, her face flushed.

He cupped her chin with stiff fingers as he bent to kiss her, sliding his tongue between her cool lips. Tori shifted, and joined his exploration. Her heart hammered against his wrist as he unbuttoned the shirt, moving the fabric apart and exposing her breasts. He left her lips to gaze down. His mouth became desert dry.

God, she’s perfect.

His fingers trembled as he reached for one breast, drawing a breath in as his palm circled the erect nipple.

She arched her back, and he shifted his position, replacing his fingers with the warmth of his mouth. Her hands slid under his collar, her cool fingers tangling in his hair.

He paid each breast equal attention, lingering no longer on one than the other. Tori whimpered, and her fingers grasped his scalp. He unbuttoned her pants and tugged them down and off, dragging her drawers with them. His hand slid over the curls guarding her core, then lower, circling and massaging her warm, wet heat.

She squeezed her legs together, trapping his hand. Her moisture coated his fingers, the scent of her desire a perfume to his nostrils.

His brain told him this wasn’t a good idea, but his body had gone deaf. Everywhere he touched, his hand encountered softness. Jesse nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. She fumbled to unbuckle the belt on his pants.

“Let me, honey.” His hands took over and he rid himself of his clothes. Tentatively, she touched his manhood, almost sending him over the edge.

Before he could embarrass himself, he lifted her hand and kissed the palm, then scraped the tender skin with his teeth. Hot, smooth legs rubbed up and down his, and once again she reached for his swollen member.

One shove, and the bedroll flew off. Cool air rushed over his burning skin. Never had a woman brought him this close to losing control. He cupped her face with both hands, and he kissed her with abandon, almost afraid he’d hurt her in his eagerness.

Tori parted her legs as he rolled on top and in one quick thrust entered her heated moistness. He groaned as her soft walls surrounded and enfolded him.

Cinnamon and her rose water scent mixed with the musk of desire filled the air.

She tightened her legs around his hips, drawing him in tighter, trapping his flesh against hers. Right where he wanted to be. Her body tensed under him, her muscles tightening. “Please, I’m close.”

“Hang on, darlin’.” He panted his words. “Just let go. Don’t strain.” He smoothed her hair. “Relax, baby.”

Jesse continued his thrusts, his mouth against her neck, kissing, licking, sucking, and nibbling. He whispered more encouragement, felt her breath catch as she went over the edge. She pulled him close for a kiss, bucking under him.

One strong thrust, and he stiffened, his back arching and his head thrusting skyward. Soft sunlight added more heat to his face as the warm liquid left his body, pouring into hers. He collapsed on top of her, and they lay in that position, panting as their heartbeats slowed.

Jesse rolled off and pulled her head to his chest, her soft breasts crushed against him. This had affected him far more than their first time together. Emotion clogged his throat, and he wished for some sign that she might feel the same. With shaky fingers, he combed her damp curls. “You okay, honey?”

Tori groaned and eased away.

“What?”

“Didn’t I tell you this would happen if we shared a bedroll?”

He ran his knuckles across her cheek. Even in her distress, her features softened. “You did. But we both wanted this. You can’t deny it, sweetheart.”

Tori sniffed. “You know when you start kissing me like that, I forget myself.” She looked at him with tear filled eyes. “This is all your fault.”

“All my fault?” His eyebrows shot together.

“Yes. All your fault. Everything.” She blinked back the tears.

“Everything is my fault?” How could this little spitfire of a woman attract him so one minute and anger him the next?

She nodded.

“Even the War Between the States?”

She sat up and buttoned her shirt. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, darlin’, you said
everything
is my fault, so I assume you also blame me for the war. And, of course, the battles the South lost. You could even pin the collapse of the Roman Empire on me as well.” Though he wanted to find a bit of humor in the situation to ease her tension, his heart ached at the thought of her regret.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why not? You’re being ridiculous.” He reached for his pants and jerked them on. “What are you looking for?”

“My hairpins. They seem to be lost.”

Leaving the pants unbuttoned, he scooped up the hairpins lying on his side of the bedroll. He grabbed her by the shoulders, and twisted her around. Mumbling to himself, he put her hair up. Crazy woman, why did she even tempt him?

“I can do that.” She turned and glared at him. “You seem to have a great deal of practice with putting up ladies’ hair. Not that I’m at all surprised.”

“I don’t believe it. You’re crazy as a loon.” He shot out of the bedroll. He thrust the buttons of his shirt into the loops, only to see he ended with an extra button. Growling, he redid them. He lowered his hands to his hips and regarded her for a minute.

“Fine. If you’re worried about ‘improper behavior,’ we can get married when we get back to Guthrie, so you’re ‘proper’ again.”

“Married!” she gasped, rising quickly and fastening her pants. “I told you I don’t want a husband.” She spat out the last word like she had just discovered something nasty on her tongue.

Jesse’s eyes grew wide. “What, may I ask, is so horrible about a husband?”

“Everything. They think they can tell you what to do, where to go, and what to think. They expect you to cook and clean, do their laundry, and tell them how wonderful they are.”

He grabbed the bedroll and bunched it up. “Oh, I would love to meet the man who thinks he can tell
you
what to do.”

“Exactly,” she said as she grabbed the bedroll from his hands and with quick movements rolled it up and marched to the horse.

A loud groaned left his chest when her hips shifted in those damn pants. Turning, he stalked into the woods without another word.

As if the conversation had never been interrupted, Tori faced him when he returned. “Aunt Martha told me all about marriage. How it’s a prison for women, and men can’t be trusted.” Tori split a chunk of bread in half and handed him a piece, along with an apple.

“Who the devil is Aunt Martha?”

“The woman who raised me after my mother died, and Papa decided raising a little girl took too much effort.”

Jesse swallowed. Realization dawned on him. No wonder she had such an aversion to marriage. “Did Aunt Martha have a bad marriage?”

“No. Aunt Martha never married.”

“Ah. Another expert.” He shook his head and shoved the hunk of bread into his pocket. Fuming, he threw the blanket, then the saddle over his horse. The horse’s ears went back and his nostrils flared, as if sensing his owner’s fury.

Sweat dotted Tori’s forehead as she lifted her saddle. “Well she certainly had it right when it came to James.”

He tugged on the cinch. “Tori, this is beginning to sound like a bad play with an ever increasing cast. Who’s James?”

She avoided his eyes, heat diffusing her face. “My fiancé.”

Jesse whipped his head around. “You’re engaged?”

She raised her chin in the air and looked him in the eye. “How dare you! Do you think I would do this with you if I had a fiancé? No. Not engaged. Anymore.”

Ah, damn. That really made him feel like a heel. He walked to her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. All these revelations gave him some clues into who was Tori Henderson. “What happened?”

She glanced away, her lips thinning. “Nothing.”

“Come on, Tori. If you’re no longer engaged, something must have happened.”

She sighed. “He left town.”

His heart gave a thump at her expression. “When?”

“The day before our wedding.” Eyes downcast, she fumbled with a button. “He left me a note.”

Jesse pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “A real man doesn’t sneak off and leave the woman he claims to love with only a note. You’re better off.”

She pulled back and looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “That’s what Aunt Martha said.”

He bit back a retort about what he really thought of Aunt Martha and her words of wisdom. Tori needed his support right now. He planted a kiss on her forehead and, without further conversation, they set out for the McRae house.

Jesse’s mind churned. So Tori had been raised by a woman who didn’t care for men. Then engaged and deserted. No wonder she bristled when he suggested marriage. Of course his inner voice reminded him he could have worded his proposal better.

His jaw tightened. In his youth, he’d had his fill of women who gave themselves for sport. And he’d also spent enough time around the respectable types to know which category Tori belonged in. He glanced at her. No, this woman would never give her body freely. Hell, she’d been engaged and had remained a virgin. Despite her protests, she had to have feelings for him. Her type of woman didn’t have sex without some connection.
Do you think you can stop ruminating about sex for a while so you can have a comfortable ride?

They approached the house at the end of a long, winding street. Nearby, a man yawned and scratched as he stumbled from his house to the barn. Jesse grinned at the sight of small children skipping along as they clutched baskets used to collect eggs for the family’s breakfast from the hen house.

The door of the house they headed toward opened and a young woman carrying a basket stepped out. Jesse didn’t need to hear Tori’s gasp to know she’d spotted Rachel.

“Rachel!” Tori jumped from the still moving horse and, grabbing the saddle to balance herself, ran toward her niece.

The girl spun around and paled at the sight of her aunt. Rachel dropped the basket and hurried toward Tori, throwing her arms around her. Tears ran down her young cheeks, and she mumbled incoherently between sobs.

“Rachel, you had us so worried.” Tori wiped a few tears of her own. “Why did you do this?”

“I’m so sorry, Tori, I thought coming back here would make me happy, but it’s horrible. I want to go home.” She collapsed in a bundle of trembling tears. Tori hugged her tighter and kept crying.

Jesse approached them. He’d had enough female hysterics so early in the day. He put his arms around the two women. “All right, ladies, I suggest we take this show inside, we’re attracting a crowd.”

Tori blushed as she glanced around. She took Rachel’s hand in hers, and they all walked to Mary Jane’s house.

Rachel opened the door, and peeked around the edge, her body radiating tension. Mr. McRae rose from the breakfast table, wiping his mouth on the sleeve of a well-worn shirt. A large man with a scowl and a belligerent stance, his diminutive wife stood next to him, wringing her hands around a small kitchen towel. She radiated the beaten down expression of a woman used to being either ignored or abused. The pale yellow remnants of a black eye shadowed her cheekbone.

His lips curled as he took in Tori’s clothing. “I’m glad you finally came for your niece, Miz Henderson. I sent a wire to your town days ago, that you can repay me for.”

Tori squared her shoulders. “I never received your wire, sir. We left as soon as we found Rachel missing. We’re here to bring her home.”

“The girl’s been here four days. It doesn’t take that long to ride from Indian Territory to Maple Grove.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Mr. McRae, but I had an injury on the way. We had to stop for a couple days.”

Rachel stood inside the door, chewing on her lower lip as her head moved back and forth between Tori and Mr. McRae. Jesse remained in the background, frowning at the nervous movements of the man’s wife and her panicked, wide eyed expression. Her throat moved in a rapid attempt to swallow, and Jesse felt remorse for the trouble they caused her.

“And who’s he?” Mr. McRae jerked his chin in Jesse’s direction.

“This is my neighbor, Jesse Cochran. He accompanied me on the trip.” Tori turned to Jesse, her trembling bottom lip revealing her nerves. To deal with this brute of a man seemed to put all women in his vicinity instantly on edge. “This is Mr. McRae, Mary Jane’s father.

Jesse stuck out his hand. The large man ignored it.

“Miz Henderson.” Mr. McRae stepped closer, his deep voice filling the room. “We’re raising Mary Jane to be a good, God-fearing woman. If you think it’s proper to travel for days—and nights—with a man you ain’t married to, then you best get your girl out of here, and make it fast. And see that she doesn’t have any more to do with my Mary Jane.”

Jesse tensed, his hands fisting at his sides, anger churning his stomach. Tori grabbed his hand, and whispered at him, “No. Don’t do it.”

“Mr. McRae.” Jesse walked closer, blithely ignoring Tori’s request. “Miss Henderson is a respectable woman, and I advise you to keep any foul thoughts emanating from your questionable brain to yourself. Otherwise, I will find it necessary to apologize to your charming wife for knocking you to the ground in your own home.”

He jerked his head in Rachel’s direction. “Get your things.” Without moving his eyes from Mr. McRae, he added, “Tori go help her.”

Wide-eyed, Tori glanced briefly at Mr. McRae, then pushed Rachel ahead of her, hurrying them down the short hallway.

Jesse and Mr. McRae stood silently watching each other like two stags locked in battle, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The bully’s wife glanced at the two of them, twisting her hands.

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Mr. Cochran?” The pale woman cleared her throat.

“No, Madeline,” her husband growled, “he don’t want no coffee, and you git yourself to the girl’s room and hurry that other one along.”

Within minutes, Tori touched Jesse’s arm. “We’re ready.”

He nodded, then tipped his hat to Mrs. McRae. “Ma’am.” He placed his hands firmly on the women’s lower backs, escorting them from the house.

With three riders and two horses, Jesse decided they’d take the train back to Guthrie. After loading both horses, he ushered the ladies to seats in the fourth car. Rachel still sniveled, and an occasional sob escaped her as they made their way through the train. Once settled, he removed his hat and placed it on the seat next to him facing Tori and Rachel.

Jesse wrinkled his nose. With the train standing still, smoke from the engine drifted in through the small window. A quick glance at his watch told him they would be leaving soon. Not soon enough for him.

“It was so terrible, Tori,” Rachel whispered, nibbling on her thumb nail. “I never knew Mr. McRae was so nasty. Mary Jane said her papa was mean, but I thought she meant like my papa, when, you know, I did something wrong.”

Tori tucked a strand of the girl’s hair behind her ear and smiled. “How did you even get there from the train?”

Rachel raised her blotchy face. “Remember David Brenner from church?”

“I think so. I didn’t live in Maple Grove for long. What about him?”

“His sister, Adele, and her baby needed a ride to the train. She’d been visiting his ma. Adele lives in Chicago now with her new husband. He gave me a ride in his wagon on his way home.” For the first time since they’d picked Rachel up, she looked like her normal self. Her shoulders appeared relaxed, and a slight smile graced her mouth.

“Thank goodness you didn’t try to walk. So what happened with Mr. McRae?”

“Mr. McRae yelled at Mary Jane and her mama all the time. He wasn’t too happy to see me, told me right off he would send you a wire to come get me. Then he said I had to do chores.” Rachel put her face in her hands and sobbed.

“Then,” she sniffed, “he made me clean out the barn, collect the eggs, take care of the horse, and muck out his stall. Good thing I hadn’t ever milked a cow before, or he would have had me doing that each morning, too. He said if you didn’t come get me in a week, he would send me to an orphan’s home.”

Jesse felt his jaw clench, and his fists opened and closed. “Now I wish I had knocked that jackass on his backside when I’d had the chance.”

“Do you know Mr. McRae hits Mary Jane’s mama?” Rachel asked wide-eyed.

“What?” Tori’s jaw dropped.

“Yes. She made something for supper he didn’t like, so he hit her. I was so scared. Mary Jane cried and ran to her room, and I didn’t know what to do. Then Mr. McRae told me to clean up the dishes.”

Tori glanced away from the young girl and raised her eyebrows at Jesse.

The motion brought to mind the earlier conversation they’d had about men controlling their wives. “Don’t give me that look. Not every man treats his family that way. The man’s a bully, and a bully always picks on those weaker than him.”

“I just want to go home.” Rachel wiped her eyes with the soggy handkerchief. She laid her head on Tori’s lap like a little girl and was asleep within minutes.

With jerky movements, the train rolled out of the station, gaining speed until its pace became level. Smoke blew away, rising into the bright blue and white sky.

Tori smoothed Rachel’s hair and stared out the window. Jesse stood, took off his jacket, and laid it over the sleeping girl. He sat back down, stretched out his long legs and settled his hat over his eyes. Might as well get some shut eye.

Jesse leaned back in his chair and tapped his lips with a pencil. Law bored him. In fact, nothing had held his interest since he returned from Kansas. No question his discontent stemmed from thoughts of the cantankerous woman next door. When they’d first returned, she’d blush every time he looked at her. Now, two weeks later, she ignored him.

Isn’t that what you wanted? Didn’t you decide to stay away from her?
S
he’s too much trouble, carrying around too many strange ideas. Yeah, but this is the one woman you can’t get out of your mind.

He sat staring out the window, then pushed back from the desk, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the door. The time had arrived to have a conversation with Miss Henderson. Only she could supply the answers he needed.

“Tori, come have a cup of tea with me.” Jesse poked his head in the back door, then sauntered into the kitchen. Sunshine streamed through the side window and reflected off the spectacles on Tori’s nose. She sat at the table with a stack of papers in front of her, red pencil scratching away.

Without looking up, she said, “I don’t have time for a break, I have papers to grade.”

He grabbed a cookie from the blue and yellow jar in the center of the table. “Give me fifteen minutes. You can spare that much.”

They both turned at the sound of footsteps. “I heard that. You do have time for a break.” Rachel entered the kitchen, then dropped a pile of books on the table. “Leave me your answer sheet, and I’ll grade some of those papers for you. You’ve been working since before dawn.”

Jesse swallowed the last of his cookie and brushed the crumbs from his hands. “Well now, you see there? Even your niece thinks you need a break, and is willing to help out. So come on, let’s go.” He held out his hand.

Tori sighed and regarded the two of them. “If you’re both going to gang up on me, I guess I have no choice.” She handed her pencil to Rachel and stood. “Don’t be too easy on them either.” She nodded to the stack of ungraded papers.

Jesse winked at Rachel and took Tori’s hand. They walked in silence next door to the restaurant.

“You know, I didn’t even have lunch today,” Tori said as they took their seats.

Jesse smiled at the man seated at the counter devouring a piece of Tori’s apple pie. He inhaled the aroma remaining from Mrs. Bonner’s ham and cabbage, today's lunch special.

“Skipping meals is not healthy. I never do.” Jesse glanced at the menu stuck to the wall. You’d think by now he’d have the thing memorized.

Mrs. Bonner hustled out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Well, I haven’t seen you two in a long time.”

Jesse raised his eyebrows. “I’ve been here every day for lunch, but you’re always busy in the kitchen.”

As usual, she wore a long, food-stained apron, and a smile of welcome. “So next time, stop in and say hello.” She turned to Tori, narrowing her eyes. “And why I haven’t seen you?”

“That’s why we’re here.” Jesse nodded in Tori’s direction. “It seems our Miss Henderson has been skipping meals.”

Tori smiled in response to Mrs. Bonner’s huff. “Oh, stop it the two of you.” She looked back and forth between them. “I’d hardly think missing a few meals will kill me.”

Mrs. Bonner chatted for a minute, and then took their orders and ambled toward the kitchen, stopping once to pick up a customer’s empty plate.

Jesse moved the salt and pepper shakers in a line. He cleared his throat. “Why have you been ignoring me?”

Tori peeked at him, and glanced away. “I’m not ignoring you, I’m busy.”

His fingers stilled, but he kept his tone even. “Yes, you have. Ever since we returned with Rachel, you’ve avoided me. And when we do run into each other, you remind me of a trapped animal hoping for an escape.” He added the sugar bowl to the table parade.

“You’re imagining things.” She moved the pepper shaker to the end of the line.

He leaned his chair back on two legs and crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t pretend nothing happened.” The trapped animal look returned to her eyes, wide and frightened.

“Yes, I can.” She shifted in her seat, and kept glancing toward the door where Mrs. Bonner would appear.

He chuckled as she squirmed. “We have to talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Jesse leaned forward, and the chair legs landed on the floor with a thud. He covered her hand with his, which she attempted to ease back. “I think there is. You can’t deny the attraction between us. I’m not sorry it happened.” He hesitated for a moment. “And the offer of marriage still stands.”

Good lord,
w
hy did he say that? She’d probably slap him. And
w
hen did his brain lose control of his mouth?

Tori gasped and jumped up. Jesse’s hand shot out to stop her. “No, don’t leave.”

Her face beet red, she sat when Mrs. Bonner came out of the kitchen, holding two full plates.

“Are you all right, Tori?” She placed the sandwich in front of her. “Your face is all red.” Her work-worn hands ran lightly over Tori’s face. “No fever.”

Tori mumbled to her lap. “I’m fine. It’s a bit warm in here.” She glared at Jesse when he snorted.

Jesse dropped a satchel at his feet and knocked on Tori’s front door. Dressed in his lawyer suit, as Ellie referred to it, he tugged at his shirt collar, then wiped his forehead. Heat from the July day stifled the air.

“Why are you knocking?” Tori struggled up the street, her arms loaded with schoolwork. He took it all from her before she opened the door.

“Your back door was locked.”

Tori smiled. “It’s how I keep out the vermin.”

After dumping his burden on the table, he helped himself to a cookie. Tori bent over her shoe, tying the laces. Her well-rounded bottom rose in the air. Jesse stopped chewing, his mouth dry. Heat from the day didn’t have anything to do with the fire flowing through his veins. He tugged again at his collar. She stood abruptly when he released a contained breath.

He leaned against the wall, cookie in hand, a mocking lift of one eyebrow. A slow blush pushed past the neckline of her dress and continued to the roots of her hair.

So she knew what I thought.

She narrowed her eyes. “What are you staring at?”

He pushed away from the wall. “The scenery, darlin’, just admirin’ the view.”

She attempted to go around him. “Why don’t you go away and let me get my work done?”

He rested his hands on her shoulders, rubbing his thumbs in small circles at the base of her neck. “You know how you’re always telling me to get lost?”