Riley's Journey (37 page)

Riley pouted, refusing to be pacified. “I didn’t see any of them being knocked to the ground and eating dirt and…and...everything!” Stomping off, she brushed the soil and twigs from her leathers, needing time to allow the adrenalin to drop.

Across the open glen, Jonas, Geena and Micah came at a fast trot, their faces betraying their concern.

Nathan watched their progress until they stood in front of him. “Do you ever get anywhere on time?”

Jonas’ eyes glinted. “I kinda thought you’d want to show off and be the hero—save the fair damsel or something—and I didn’t want to mess up your timing.” Gesturing at Riley, he shrugged questioningly. “Is she okay?”

Nathan grimaced. “Sometimes I don’t say the right thing and her feelings are hurt.”

Geena said dryly, “From where we were, it looked like more than her feelings were being hurt. She was doing all the fighting while you sat on your fat butt and watched.”

Nathan turned to Jonas. “Is she always like that?”

Geena chuckled, flipping them off, and then strode over to join Riley.

Jonas drew a deep breath. “Maybe I should have been more careful about the women we picked to come on this little excursion.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Micah chimed in. “Geena’s all right with me.”

“That’s because you’re getting some.” Jonas smirked.

“Not my fault you don’t have what it takes.” Micah quipped. “Maybe I can give you some pointers.”

“We tagged three on our way back.” Jonas calmly stated. “Didn’t see any others, but it won’t be long before they’re missed.”

“I took out two and Riley would have taken that guy if the others hadn’t.” Nathan nodded at the pile of rocks. “I know Demon took down two as well back in the trees.”

“Geena, Micah—find the bodies and dispose of them. Might give us some extra time while they look.” Jonas jogged to the rock slide, making sure nothing was left to indicate a body rested underneath. After searching the area thoroughly and strategically arranging a few larger rocks, he came back, satisfied that the body would never be found.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

R
iley’s trembling and fit of nerves finally subsided. She strode determinedly to Nathan’s side and casually began administering to his leg wound.

His brows knitted in concern, Nathan sheepishly apologized. “I didn’t mean to offend you. We wouldn’t still be here if you hadn’t fought so well.”

“Don’t you forget it, Buckwheat!” Riley growled at him.

“I was really proud of you—I was scared sick though.”

“He’s sick anyway,” Jonas quipped. “That’s why he’s here—so he doesn’t hurt anyone.” Grinning, he sauntered away as Nathan’s eyes shot bolts of fire at his departing back.

Riley snorted.

“Think that’s funny, do you?” Nathan’s eyes narrowed in mock warning.

“Matter of fact, I do!” Finished, she stood up, laughter glinting in the depths of her clear green eyes. “I’ve thought that about you many times—you’re a sick man.” Her full lips curved teasingly.

“Keep that up and I’ll have to show you just how well a sick man performs.” His eyes roved hotly over her skin-clad form, noting the dips and swells where the leather molded itself to her lush curves.

“Sheesh! Is that all you ever think about?” She grumbled, secretly pleased.

“No—I think of other things, too—but that’s usually at the top of my list.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Geena and Micah rejoined the group, and after gathering up their equipment and anything they could salvage, they began the trek back. By the sun’s positioning, it was late in the afternoon and they would have to hurry to make the cave before nightfall. Riley and Jonas half-carried Nathan while he hobbled painfully along, sweat beading his forehead.

“Not only do you have to save him, now you have to carry him, too.” Geena threw the barb good-naturedly.

“I liked you a lot better five years ago,” Nathan grumbled, scowling at her in annoyance.

“I never liked you,” Geena shot back.

Riley burst out laughing. Nathan’s transferred his mock scowl to her, his lips compressed in amusement. Riley stood on tiptoe and planted a swift kiss on his chin. He was going to be the brunt of a lot of jokes for awhile, but she wasn’t worried about the thickness of his skin. One thing she had learned, he wasn’t a typical male chauvinist pig-type guy.

Demon paced ahead, sniffing the air with interest, while Geena and Micah took flanking positions, covering their tracks and backtracking periodically, keeping an eye out for more of the newcomers. Nathan limped along, aided by Riley on one side and Jonas on the other.

“Hey! Isn’t this the part of the story where the hero and his lady have wild, mindless sex after he saves her?” Nathan’s eyes glistened innocently.

Jonas snorted in disgust.

Riley’s eyes widened. “You weirdo! And to set to the story straight, I saved your butt!”

“I don’t have any problem with role reversals. Okay, you get to be the hero and I still get to have wild, mindless sex.”

“You have a one-track mind!” Riley groaned.

They kept up a steady pace and by the time the sun had almost disappeared, they entered the clearing leading to the cave. Demon raced ahead, eager to dive into his food bowl, yipping excitedly at the entrance.

Seth, the guard on duty, stepped out from concealment, barely acknowledging their return with a slight nod of his head, while rolling back the rock covering the entrance. Sighing with relief, Riley thanked the good Lord for their safe return. Her back was sore and aching. She and Jonas had to practically carry Nathan for the last few miles and, though Jonas bore most of Nathan’s weight, the strain was beginning to tell on her. Nathan had spoken very little, the constant jolting and resultant pain of his injured leg left his face pale and ashen.

Several individuals ran out, relieving Riley and Jonas of their burden and hustling Nathan into the cave to be attended to by Abe. Riley helped Seth close off the entrance and then entered the living quarters.

The interior of the cave had shrunk in size with the advent of the full team taking up residence. Every nook and cranny held equipment and supplies and several members reclined on makeshift beds which covered almost every spare inch of the floor. Notwithstanding the clutter and confusion, it was good to be back. Riley picked her way through to the back chamber where Nathan rested, fussed over by Abe. Some of the pallor had already left his face and his eyes were clearer, though he appeared exhausted.

Without looking up, Abe spoke softly. “He’s reopened the original wound and with the new one, he’s lost a fair amount of blood. I’m going to sew both of them up since just wrapping the first one hasn’t allowed the wound to heal sufficiently.” He glanced up. “Get my pack and tell Allie to get some water boiling.”

Riley hurried off to do his bidding, thankful that Abe was there to do the deed instead of her. Playing doctor had never been a big thing with her. In fact, though she didn’t want to admit it, the sight of blood made her dizzy. She forced herself to sit through the entire ordeal, refusing to actually look as Abe sewed the wounds shut, while holding Nathan’s hand in support. When the last stitch had been sewn and bandages applied, Nathan drifted off to sleep, relaxing his grip on her now numb hand. Easing free, she tenderly brushed his hair back off his forehead and planted a gentle kiss on his whiskered cheek. He looked so young lying there—almost like a really big kid. Her heart swelled with love.

Jonas entered the chamber, catching her unawares.

“He looks better—don’t you think?” Her eyes implored him to agree.

“Don’t worry so much,” Jonas replied. “It’ll take more than that to kill him. He’s too ornery to go down easy.”

“I know, but he’s been through a lot the past few days.”

“You both have! Hell—we all have. But most of us are still here.” Jonas’ eyes dropped, remembered pain flashing across his features. They had lost too many in the short time since their arrival.

Allie came in, carrying two steaming wooden cups. “Thought you could use some herbal tea.” Riley accepted the cup thankfully. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. We all waited until you got back.”

Jonas scowled at the young woman, sipping his tea as though it galled him to do so. Allie returned his look calculatingly, her eyes sparkling. “Did you know in animal husbandry, they mate the older stallions with the younger mares, and vice versa, it produces stronger colts.”

Jonas choked, spewing tea. Allie grinned, sauntering saucily out of the sleeping chamber.

“What kind of a comment was that?” He grumbled, wiping tea off his chin.

Snickering, Riley couldn’t help adding fuel to the flames. “I think she’s telling you she’s available—and willing.”

“Well, she can forget it! I’m not in the least interested!” His denial lost weight as his eyes followed the direction of Allie’s departure.

“Choices aren’t always ours to make. Sometimes they just happen.” Riley smoothed Nathan’s brow with gentle fingers. “Look at me! I wasn’t given a choice but things worked out for the best anyway.”

“Yeah! But you got Nathan—I get the demented munchkin!”

Allie poked her head in, grinning hugely. “I heard that!”

“Oh, boy!” Riley commented dryly.

Nathan roused up. “She’s got good hearing, too—you seem to have forgotten that.” Riley’s hands firmly pushed him back down.

“Can you ever be still?”

“Not with all this sex talk going on—it’s making me hot!” He captured her hand, rubbing it against his crotch. Riley jerked her hand back, slapping playfully at his head.

“The only sex talk is coming from you.” Eyes narrowed, she threatened. “Try that again in front of an audience and I might just have to squeeze really hard.”

Jonas groaned disgustedly. “I’m outta here. I think I’ll bunk with the sheep, less bull.” Stomping out, he exited the chamber.

“I wondered what I would have to do to get you alone.” Nathan’s voice deepened suggestively.

Allie stepped in, carrying two steaming bowls of stew. Riley’s stomach rumbled hungrily as the mouth-watering aroma wafted through the dim chamber. Spoon-feeding a protesting Nathan took only a few minutes and she was able to enjoy her own meal, licking the spoon and savoring every last drop. Sated, she yawned hugely, bone tired and ready to sleep.

Nathan pulled Riley down to rest against his uninjured side, breathing a deep sigh as she cuddled close. Voices and laughter floated comfortingly from the outer chamber, bathing the sleeping chamber with warmth and a sense of solidarity and belonging. Riley felt a part of one big family. It was a good feeling, one she had missed growing up. Her hand played with the soft hair on Nathan’s upper chest, taking pleasure in that small act of love. Peace and contentment suffused her soul. The future suddenly looked bright and they could share it together and, very soon, a new little person would bless their union.

She felt safe and the fear of being left alone would no longer haunt her. No matter what, she wouldn’t be alone.

Demon padded in, nosing her hand and resting his huge head on her shoulder. Riley lazily scratched his ear for a few minutes until he lay down to sleep, guarding their little corner from the rest of the world. Her lips curved in amusement as soft snores filled the chamber, both from Nathan and the dog—normal, every day sounds that filled her with such joy. Relaxed and replete, sleep claimed her.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

T
he team had been up for hours when Riley finally roused. Nathan’s eyes crinkled with amusement.

“I wondered if you were ever going to wake up. Did you know you snore?”

Riley flounced up. “I never snore! I just breathe really loud.”

“Nope,” Nathan corrected her. “You were snoring—little ladylike snores, but snores all the same!”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” she grumbled, reaching for her leathers. “It’s not polite to tell a lady she snores—or passes gas, or anything disgusting like that.”

“I didn’t say you passed gas, I said you snore.”

Riley turned on him, ready to do battle, her eyes narrowed in mock anger. “One more word and I’ll do something you’ll really regret.”

Abe coughed politely. “Is it safe to come in? I need to check on my patient.”

“Sure, and while you’re here, you can strangle him for me,” Riley commented evilly.

Abe hesitated. “Is this a bad time?”

“Not for you—for him maybe.” Riley finished dressing quickly, planted a quick kiss on Nathan’s cheek and stepped out.

Abe poked and prodded for awhile, nodding to himself while he rechecked and re-bandaged the wounds. “You’ll do.” A man of few words, he finished up and returned to the main chamber.

Jonas poked his head in. “Get dressed; we’re having a council meeting in five minutes. Time to plan for the future.”

Stiff and sore in more spots than he cared to count, Nathan struggled up, dragged his leg off the bed and then reached for his pants. “Got any good ideas?”

“I’ve been bouncing a few off some of the others and they’ve added a few of their own. Nothing substantial, but we’ve got some interesting ones.”