Deborah Camp (33 page)

The bed squeaked as they fell upon it in a jumble of tangled limbs. Feverish with need, Elise peppered Blade’s shoulders and chest with kisses and ran her heels up and down his muscled calves. He buried his hands in the flow of her hair and held her head still so that he could properly ravage her mouth. Slipping his hands from her hair, he skimmed his palms down her sides and whispered to her of his needs, his burning flesh. She understood and urged him on with her hands and lips.

He tucked her smaller body more completely beneath his larger one. She parted her thighs, receiving him, growing moist to ease his gentle invasion.

“My body craves yours,” Elise confessed. “I never thought it would be so … so …”

“So what?” His lips traveled between her breasts and flirted with her navel.

“So consuming. When I look at you, I can’t help but think of this … of how you fit inside me and how perfect the world is when we’re together like this.”

His gaze licked up her body to her face, and his smile was carnal. “You like what I do to you?”

“Oh, yes,” she said on a long sigh. “I can’t imagine any woman
not
liking it.”

He kissed his way below her navel and nuzzled her. Gasping at his audacity, she held her breath, not daring to move lest he think she was displeased. He probed with his tongue and breathed hotly against her.

“Blade … Blade …” She kept repeating his name as desire took her mind and surrendered her body to him.

His manipulations had her writhing and moaning, thrashing and gasping. When at last he positioned his body upon hers and entered her with a swift, hard thrust, she had to bite her lips to keep from screaming in ecstasy. Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she matched his rhythm, moving like a tide, in and out. Her release came shortly after his, and once again she marveled at their harmony and the sweet afterglow that flowed through her like honey.

She kissed him lightly on the cheek where he was bruised and battered, getting a smile from him before he rolled onto his back. Sprawled in all his male glory, he took up most of the bed, so she draped herself over him in utter contentment. Tracing one of the pale blue lines in the patterns on his
chest, she glanced shyly at him through her lashes.

“Is that how the Apache do it?”

He caught her wandering hand. “I told you already. The tattoos didn’t hurt. Took them most of a night and part of the next day, but I was besotted with—”

“That’s not what I’m talking about,” she interrupted.

He linked his fingers with hers. “What, then?”

“Is that how the Apache make love?”

A crooked grin quirked his lips. “That’s how everybody makes love, as far as I know.”

“With …” She swallowed and forced the words out. “With their mouths … down there?”

He laughed, the sound booming loudly in the stillness. Elise pressed a hand over his mouth. “Shhh! You’ll wake up Penny and Adam! And what’s so funny anyway?”

“You, my innocent. You are funny. You think the Apache are the first to make love with their mouths? I’m sure we would be glad to take the credit, but it would be a lie.”

“I don’t think my mother and father ever did it that way.”

“Oh?” He touched the tip of his finger to her nose. “Then they are to be pitied, eh?”

His teasing made her laugh. She clamped a hand over her own mouth to keep from awakening the rest of the house. Chuckling, Blade wrapped his arms more tightly around her. She closed her eyes, loving the man and his moods. After a while, the troubles snaked into her mind again. She raised her head a little to find that Blade was frowning. She knew where his mind had wandered.

“You thinking about tomorrow?”

One corner of his mouth inched up. “Yes, but
don’t worry. I was thinking that there are more important things than land. I was willing to sacrifice it for Julia so we could bring Penny here, and I am more than willing to sacrifice it to keep you and Penny and Adam together and happy—if it comes to that.”

She closed her eyes, overcome by his generosity. “I don’t think we’re worth that sacrifice, Blade. This is your family legacy.”

“But what is it without a family?”

Her tears tickled her cheeks and splashed onto his chest. Crooking a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up to his.

“Why are you crying?”

“Because I love you … I think.” She held her breath in wary anticipation of his response. He smoothed the pad of his thumb down her cheek, following the track of a tear, and his expression was gentle but troubled.

“Do you think so?” he whispered.

“Yes.”

His fingers threaded through the side of her hair and he coaxed her head back onto his shoulder.

Elise waited, and she knew it was in vain. It was a long time before his breathing deepened and lengthened into sleep. Staring into the darkness, she wondered if he had ever told Julia he loved her in this room and why he couldn’t say it just once to her.

Airy Peppers threw a leg over her brown donkey and dropped to the ground. She reached for Penny, who had ridden behind her, and swung her off the animal. Airy’s reddish-blond hair whirled around her face like a halo. After doffing her hat, she replaced it, wedging it down low on top of her ears.

“How-do to you, Mrs. Lonewolf. I’m delivering your kin from school just like I said I would.”

Laughing, Elise dried her wet hands on her apron and moved away from the washtub, in which laundry was soaking. She hadn’t seen much of Airy or Dixie since the church bake sale two weeks ago. Their whiskey business had kept them close to their new still.

“My, my, how formal! Thank you, Miss Peppers. You saved me a trip today.”

“Weren’t nothin’. Like I told you, I was going into town this afternoon anyways.”

“Where’s Adam?”

“He wanted to be let off back there. He spotted Blade out in the field and he was itching to tell him all about school and to see how many rows Blade weeded today. Seems like they’re racing each other.”

Elise gave Penny a kiss and pointed her toward the cabin. “Go change out of your school clothes, then start on your chores. Do you have homework?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You can do that after supper. Go on now. Did you thank Miss Peppers for the ride home?”

“She sure did. That little gal’s got manners.” Airy winked at Penny. “Skedaddle, child.”

Penny skipped up the steps and into the cabin. Elise grabbed the old mop handle she used to stir the laundry and poked at the clothes in the tub.

“These have some stubborn stains and need time to soak. Won’t you join me in a glass of sarsaparilla, Airy?”

“Why, sure. That’d be nice.” Airy sat on the top porch step. “I’ll rest my bones here, if you don’t
mind. There’s a nice breeze coming in from the south today.”

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”

Elise fetched two cups of sarsaparilla and joined Airy on the top step.

“Blade’s doing well with his planting. He’ll be done by the end of the week.” Airy tasted the beverage. “Did you make this?”

“Yes, I dug up the roots and brewed it myself. What do you think?”

“I think it’s almost as good as my home brew.” Airy took another swallow before shifting sideways to get a better look at Elise. “You wouldn’t be pregnant now, would you?”

The question startled her so, she choked on the drink. Airy pounded her on the back until she was almost breathless. Waving off Airy’s assistance, Elise gained her breath again and wiped tears from her watering eyes.

“Whyever would you ask that?” she croaked, her voice hoarse from coughing.

“Because you’re looking so danged happy. Your eyes are brighter than new silver dollars.”

“Well, I am happy, but I’m not pregnant. I don’t think so.” Everything went still inside Elise for a few moments as the possibility of motherhood bloomed in her mind. Could she be? Well, yes, she could … but was she? She counted backward rapidly. Too early for her cycle. But if she didn’t begin in the next ten days … Well, of course anything was possible. Heavens, what would Blade say if she told him they were to be parents?

“Your thoughts are running away with you,” Airy observed with a wry grin. “Guess I started you thinking about rocking babies and knitting booties.”

Elise swept aside her woolgathering and laughed self-consciously. “I never thought about … that. Anyway!” She fluffed her apron and skirts. “The past two weeks have been the happiest I’ve had since my parents died. I think I can say the same for Penny and Adam.”

“Heard anything from the judge?”

“No.” Elise automatically looked toward the Mott landholdings. “Nothing. Thank God.”

“I ain’t seen him around much either. He’s plotting something. I figure he might be firing off letters to those orphan train folks and maybe to some of his well-placed friends. Don’t turn your back and don’t get comfortable. He won’t give up without a fight.”

“I know.” Elise sighed. “Actually, time is on his side. He doesn’t have to do anything but wait. In another ten days, this place will be his.”

Airy finished the brew and twirled the handle of the empty tin cup around her finger. “Ain’t life a kick in the bee-hind sometimes?”

Penny bounded out of the cabin and scampered down the steps. “I’m going to see Gwenie and check on the kittens and baby chicks!” She ran toward the barn, pigtails flying.

“Them children think the sun rises and sets on Blade Lonewolf.”

Elise wrapped her arms around her legs, drawing them up to her chest. “I know.” She smiled, propping her chin on her knees. “We’re all pretty impressed with him around here.”

“Oh, you, too?”

“Me, too.”

Airy leaned forward to see Elise’s face better. “You in love with that half-breed stallion?”

Suddenly seized by modesty, Elise hid her face
against her arms and laughed. “Don’t, Airy. You’re embarrassing me.”

Airy cackled like a setting hen and whacked her knee with the flat of her hand. “I knew it! I told Dixie Lynn it was only a matter of time afore you two were cooing like doves. Sometimes Dixie does darn fool things, but she was wise as Solomon when she stuck up for you at the train station that day.”

Elise lifted her head, still laughing. “I’ll always be in her debt for that. I’m not at all sure I could have forced Blade to go along with me if it hadn’t been for your cousin. You know how bullheaded Blade can be.”

Airy nodded, glancing around at the blooming flowers, tree swing, washtub and laundry dancing on the clotheslines. “I see he still has his skin lodge. Hope he’s not sleeping in it.”

“No,” Elise said with a laugh. “But he and Adam go in there every so often. Adam is suddenly fascinated with Indians and Blade is teaching him about the Apache. They sit in there for hours and talk and talk. It’s good for both of them, I think. And Penny and I sit and read books to each other. I’m teaching her how to sew and knit, too.”

“Just like a normal family. Mama, Papa and their two sprouts.”

Melancholy stole through Elise, tinging her smile with sorrow. “But we’re not normal, are we?”

“Normal as you can get, I reckon. Don’t be looking sorry-eyed, Elise. Someday you and Blade will have children of your own. Until then, you’ve got your brother and sister, and they need a heap of loving and caring.”

“Yes, I know. I wasn’t talking about that.” Elise hugged her knees tightly. “He hasn’t ever said he
loves me, Airy. Do you think I’m being silly to worry about that?”

“I can see it worries you, so it don’t make no difference what I think.” Airy spun the cup handle around on her finger again.

“Let me get you more,” Elise said, starting to spring up, but Airy placed a detaining hand on her shoulder and she settled back on the step.

“You told him?”

Elise nodded. “Once.”

“And he didn’t say nothing?”

“No.”

“Did he act mad?”

“Mad? No.”

“Did he laugh in your face and call you a fool?”

“No!”

“Well, then I reckon he’s just reticent.”

“Reticent?”

“Yeah, reticent. It means that he don’t want to or don’t know how to talk—”

“I know what it means; I just don’t understand why he’d be that way. After all, what does he have to lose? I’ve already told him. If he loves me, why can’t he just say so? But then, if he doesn’t … if he’s still carrying a torch for somebody else and can’t blow that flame out—”

“A torch? For who?” Airy craned forward, squinting at Elise. “You’re not talking about Julia, surely!”

“Why not? He married her. He went through a lot with her. He lost her. It’s only natural—”

“Did he ever talk to you about her?”

“Yes.”

“Then he told you about Julia’s peculiar ways?”

Elise eyed Airy cautiously, unsure how to respond.

“Did he tell you that she didn’t like being with a man?” Airy expounded.

Uncomfortable to be sharing such intimate tidbits with Airy, Elise shrugged. “Yes, but he loved her.”

“I know, but it wasn’t a complete marriage. Couldn’t be, as long as Julia cringed every time Blade tried to do more than kiss her. Oh, I saw that look come over her face. Look of sheer panic, it was. And then Blade—poor son of a gun—would look like he’d lost his last and best friend. I tried to talk to her about it, but she got all uppity and flighty. Nervous, Julia was, so I hushed. That’s why she and the judge got on so fine. They both loved to read about love, talk about it, spin poems about it, but neither one of them wanted to do it.”

“The judge has the same—he doesn’t like it either?” Elise asked, finding this difficult to believe. She remembered Mott’s lewd comments and suggestive looks.

Airy leaned closer, raising a hand to her mouth in conspiracy. “Harriet told me once that the judge ain’t never touched her in that way,” she whispered. “And I believed her. She didn’t have no reason to lie to me.”

Elise considered this for a minute. “You know, Airy, sometimes I can’t help but blame Julia for the mess we’re in today. If she hadn’t talked Blade into going to the judge for that loan …” She shook her head. “But that’s all history. It’s done and we have to live with it.” Looking at the flowers nodding in the breeze, the old pump that she had learned to work with efficiency, the swing that Penny adored and the tepee that she herself had learned to accept, Elise ached deep in her soul to think that it might all belong to that terrible man in a few scant days.
The pain was so intense, it left her dry-eyed.