Heart of the Wild (6 page)

It was too dark to see much further than the windshield. The Jeep lights formed two long columns in front of them. The cabin seemed tucked deep within the dense forest of the Cascade Mountains northeast of Eugene, Oregon.

She heard Amory swear beneath his breath, and she leaned forward. "Something wrong?"

For a long moment he didn't answer. His silence made her uneasy.

She stared out the front windshield. The snow illuminated the entire area, and as he peered ahead of them, a frown knitted his forehead, like ripples in a river. "From the looks of the lean-to and the front door, I'd say we've had a visitor. One we weren't expecting."

Kasie craned her neck to see out. "Really, who?"

"Ole Blue—the orneriest mix of black and grizzly bear you'll ever want to encounter."

Kasie's mouth flew open. A bear! As if things weren't bad enough. Now a bear!

He shook his head. "I suppose he got wind of that white tailed deer I dressed out last week, and went snooping. Nearly tore the lean-to apart from the looks of it. Knocked in the door a little. Generally, made a mess of things, that's all."

"Aren't black bears harmless?" she quipped, thinking he was merely trying to scare her, and doing a darn good job of it.

"Well, yeah, but Ole Blue is not just any black. He's not even a full blood black. Which makes him very rare and almost priceless. That's why he's still around. His father was a Grizzly. An unusual happening, but it does happen. Especially when a Grizzly wanders this far south. He's considered the Rogue of the Cascades. Number two hundred and four, according to the rangers."

He seemed to be gauging her reactions as he spoke.

"Number two hundred and four. He has a number, tagged by the rangers. It's just another way of keeping track of them. And Ole Blue definitely has to be kept track of."

"Why? Is he dangerous?"

"Most of the bears in the area are marked, but no, not exactly. At least not yet. A few years back we had a large camping party up here. Hunters mostly. One of their wives decided to make the groceries available to him, and he's been frequenting campsites ever since."

"I'm surprised one of the hunters didn't kill him."

"Bad shots, I guess. Most of the hunters we get these days aren't professional. Anyway, they figure ole Blue's father must have wandered down from the north country, and finding new land, marked this territory as his. According to the rangers, one of the black females must have decided to stay, because the result is Ole Blue. That makes him a loner around here. Could be reason enough for his cantankerous attitude."

Amory leaned back in the seat and stretched his arm behind her, a gesture that seemed to come naturally to him.

Kasie stiffened and frowned till he removed his arm.

"Sorry. Reflex. I keep forgetting you're not one of those poor, helpless, little, city girls."

His eyes traveled over her again, this time with appreciation.

"I've never been poor or helpless."

"No, I guess you haven't." His eyes stared through the darkness at her. "Well, anyway, Ole Blue is really more of a nuisance than anything. The last few years, he's been the local attraction around here. Kids love him. But he's getting old."

Emotion seemed to choke his words, but his face hadn't changed.

"The park rangers, on the other hand, don't think too kindly of his antics. He's a big, lazy ole bear. He doesn't want to hunt for his food anymore. Not when campsites or open cabins will provide him with dinner. And he isn't afraid to explore them."

"Just what I need, a bear!"

She felt the power of his gaze on her again.

"Too bad he didn't know you were coming." He shot her a comical glance. "He'll have to be moved again. Although I seriously doubt it will do a bit of good."

When she grimaced he continued. "The bear is too old to change his ways now, and this is his home. He's marked it. He'll come back. And…he'll most likely have to be shot."

"Shot?"

"Unless Mother Nature takes a hand."

Kasie shook inwardly. She shouldn't care. But she did. Had he not told her about the bear, only mentioned him, Kasie wouldn't have attached so much importance to the animal. But she had a soft spot for animals, all animals. And to think the bear would be purposely killed made her instantly sad. She identified with the bear's problems. She didn't like being shoved around, either. They seemed to be victims of circumstance.

Amory got out of the Jeep and came round to her side. Before she knew what he was up to, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the cabin. What kind of game was he playing now, she wondered. Was he merely feeling sorry for her, or trying to put a new and different kind of scare into her. She'd been a pretty tough little cookie all day, but the day was wearing her down.

Strangely enough, all her nerve ends reacted at once. It could have been caused by the story of the bear, but she didn't think so.

"What are you doing? Won't you allow me any dignity?" she protested, not fully immune to his woodsy odor, nor the strength within him. She hated to admit it, but she felt rather secure in his big, strong arms. Her hand fell into the opening of his jacket, and she felt the heat of his bare skin through the cotton shirt. She willed herself not to move. A wanting older than time stirred within her. Control; that's what she needed.

"You want dignity when the snow is knee deep?" He shot her a glacier glance.

Amory was as primitive as the land around her; born at least a hundred years too late, she decided. A girl could fall for this kind of guy, if she let herself. But then, she knew better, didn't she? She'd been there, done that, and wouldn't be repeating history.

"Easy, honey," he cajoled, his face amazingly close now. "It's dark, and you don't know your way around yet. It's easier and safer to carry you. Besides, I've got enough to contend with for one night."

It wasn't what he said so much as the way he said it that stopped her protesting. He was right. They were both tired, and he did have enough to contend with. No use making matters worse. She'd correct him about the "honey" later.

For a brief minute, she relaxed against him, her head falling against his shoulder. Exhaustion nearly overtook her. It seemed natural to be snuggled against him, as though she belonged here in his arms. Ironically, it was the first time she had relaxed in his presence, except when she had fallen asleep, and nothing bad was happening. The steady beat of his heart seemed to comfort her. A warm bath and decent night's sleep would soothe her over-wrought nerves after such a ridiculous day!

He set her down near the entrance, reaching for a switch.

Nothing happened. Again, she heard him swear. He moved away from her, leaving her standing in the dark. She was determined not to yell out to him. She hated helpless women. But seconds later, there was nothing to fear. He pulled two wagon wheels down from the high ceiling, and began lighting the four lanterns mounted on each spoke.

As the light illuminated the room, her eyes widened with surprise. For a nothingness little place in the wilderness, she had expected a shack, something raw and primitive. But this—this was a far cry from a shack.

"Amazing!" she said aloud, then reddened when he looked at her. She didn't want him knowing she was impressed. But she was, and she knew he knew. It looked more like a small resort lodge. His place was huge and roomy. Kasie had an instant feeling she could grow to love it here; the trick being not to let him know it under any circumstances. After all, it could have been hers once!

John hadn't arrived yet, that much was immediately obvious, and Amory drew in a breath with what sounded like frustration. He looked as ill at ease as she felt.

Kasie couldn't stop looking about, her curiosity growing. The cabin was an oddity, made up of the man's personality. Although it was laid out like a house, there were no walls to separate the rooms. A huge rock fireplace graced one wall. Big tufted recliners were spaced on each side, with a large genuine bear rug between them. To one side of the cabin was an office space, with a small library, desk and chair. On the other side was the bedroom with a huge four-poster bed. It looked homemade, rustic, and very old.

"It's a very nice…place."

The kitchen looked old-fashioned, too, and somewhat smaller. The sink had a pump to one side, and the wood-burning stove looked as old as the bed. The refrigerator, if you could call it one, was so small that she could barely see it from where she stood. A hot plate sat on the end of the counter.

No matter how interesting the place was, her eyes kept straying to the big bed. Oh, how she'd love to get into that after her bath! Exhaustion and, no doubt, the change in altitude were not helping matters.

"It belonged to my parents," he murmured near her. Too near. "It was the only thing I managed to save from their burned out home. Dad called it their marrying bed."

"I—I'm sorry," Kasie stuttered, taken by surprise.

The intimacy of the bed put a new tension into their path. A marrying bed? She wanted to ask, but bit her lip instead.

Despite her intentions not to get involved, a feeling of intimacy swamped her. After all, they were going to be her in-laws once; she had every right to be upset about them now. "It's a beautiful bed."

"My father made it for my mother, before they were married."

"You must treasure—"

"Yeah, well, I keep the majority of food in the cellar outside, if you're wondering about that refrigerator. I hope you've cooked on a wood-burning stove."

Obviously, he didn't want to become emotional, either, although she remembered how much he loved to talk about his parents before. He was a man unafraid to admit his feelings for his family. She liked that. Dammit, she didn't want to like anything about the man, anymore. However, it was those little endearments that had made her fall in love with him.

"But you have an electric—"

"Yeah, but we have no electricity. The storm must have knocked it out. I'll set what little is in the fridge out in the freezer later. The food will spoil otherwise. Sometimes the wind knocks the electricity out. That's the reason for special lights, and the wood-burning stove and fireplace."

God, he was beautiful. She watched him from the corner of her eyes. She had forgotten how beautiful. Never in her life had Kasie chased men, but when she met Chay Amory, she hadn't been able to keep her eyes off him. She had fallen in love with him at first sight, and as she grew to know him, she had loved him more.

But she had to put that aside now. He had brought her here against her will. Besides, she was an engaged woman, and she'd better remember it.

Then something else occurred to her. Did he actually expect her to do the cooking? Did he honestly think she was staying here, in a cabin with no electricity, in a storm that might strand her, with a man who might…

The possibilities of what could happen were unlimited, and her imagination had been stretched.

A smile lingered on his masculine lips.

"Sorry, honey, but it looks as though we are going to have to make the best of things. Your father hasn't shown up yet, as you can plainly see. It's understandable in this weather. His plane was probably delayed."

Whether it was from the same furtive feeling she had had all along, or just plain anger, Kasie pounced on him, for lack of anything else to pounce upon. Anger became her strength.

"Now, wait a minute! Wait just a cotton-picking minute! And don't call me 'honey'!" She backed up. He came closer. "You needn't think I'm going to camp out with you 'til my father gets here."

"You don't have much choice. Where do you think you are going to go in this weather?"

"Of course I have a choice. I've got to get back. I don't know what you expected, but I've got a job, a family and friends who expect me to show up. Not to mention a wedding I play an important role in. You said it would only be a day or two. I was nice enough to come here with you, without too much of a fight, but my father is not here, and I'm not about to stay here with the likes of you. If he was here, I could talk to him, and fly back by morning, and nothing would be disturbed. I've gone along with this, fully expecting to leave in time for my wedding."

Amory eyed her a moment. If his temper flared, he didn't let on. He examined his hand where she'd bit him, then glanced at her. "Without too much of a fight? That's rich, considering the scar I'm going to have. But you don't have any choice." His voice sounded final. "Take a good look around you, brat. That's a full-blown snowstorm out there, in case you aren't aware of it. The electric is already out. And I don't intend driving in this snow anymore tonight. Besides, I've got repairs to make. So face it—you're stuck. And so am I!"