Read Taken By Storm Online

Authors: Donna Fletcher

Taken By Storm (6 page)

BOOK: Taken By Storm
10.34Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

S
torm marched right up to him. “There’s room for only one leader in my group, Mr. Longton. If you cannot accept that, then you can leave.” She turned and hurried her pace since she felt an overwhelming need to punch the arrogant American.

One minute he was tender and caring and the next minute he was claiming himself a leader. Well, not here was he, nor would he be. She had warned him, and she had the feeling she would continue to warn him about following orders. It was already tiresome, but the money—

She halted so quickly that she kicked up a cloud of dirt around her.

She hadn’t had time to discuss an exact fee with him, and she suddenly wondered if it was worth keeping the American around.

Storm turned, intending to do just that, and almost collided with Burke.

“Were you following me?” she accused.

“We weren’t finished,” he said

“There is no room for discussion. You either—”

He cut her off. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t follow your orders. I also didn’t say I wouldn’t object now and again. From what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve been here, it’s obvious that you not only allow your men to voice their opinions but you also consider them. I’m expressing my opinions, maybe a little more forcefully, but it’s only natural since I’m accustomed to leading.”

“Since you are a leader, you know only one person can lead.”

“Believe me,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m trying to remember that.”

“I’ll keep reminding you,” Storm said with a chuckle.

“I have no doubt of that, but be aware you may tire of reminding me,” he cautioned, his smile spreading slowly.

“A leader must chastise when necessary.” Her smile grew as his faded. She knew her words stung his pride, but then they meant to remind.

“Were you returning to speak with me?” he asked.

She was relieved he’d changed the subject. There had been enough debate. Any further discussion would not change the outcome.

“We never discussed a fee.”

“I thought the same myself,” he said.

They entered into a brief discussion since the sum Burke offered was more than generous for what he asked of her in return. The money would sustain them for a year or more if they were careful.

He baffled her, this American who had entered her life so chaotically and continued to cause anarchy. Yet she could not help but respect him and admire his courage.

She watched him walk off to wait for her beneath the tree. After she told him she would speak with William and Philip privately before they left, he insisted he’d wait to help her get to her quarters.

She hadn’t argued with him, perhaps because she felt it more sensible not to irritate her injured arm, or had she liked the comfort of his arms?

Storm was shocked by her own thoughts and shook the nonsense from her head. Wherever had that idea come from? She had known the man barely two days and he had annoyed her more than not.

It had to have been the kiss, she reasoned, returning to the campfire. It reminded her of bittersweet memories, memories she thought she kept tucked away. It had been three long years since her husband had last kissed her, held her, made love to her.

She shivered and hugged herself tightly. She missed the warmth of Daniel’s arms, his body next to hers at night. They would cuddle in each other’s arms and fall asleep content. She hadn’t been able to sleep for weeks after his death. She had felt a constant chill without him beside her.

It had taken time to cope with his death, to make sense of it, accept it.

She shook her head. She really had done neither. His death made no sense and she had never truly accepted his demise, she had simply learned how to live with his absence.

Now this brash American appeared and stirred long-buried emotions that she preferred remain buried. She didn’t want to be reminded and feel the dreadful pain of losing Daniel yet again.

“You’re cold.”

Storm jumped and glared at Burke as he dropped to his knee and added more wood to the dwindling fire.

“You must stop sneaking up on people,” she admonished, holding her hands out to the rekindled flames to warm her hands.

“I wasn’t sneaking, and besides, you looked deep in thought and I didn’t wish to disturb you.” He sat on the log beside her. “Is something troubling you?”

You.

She shook her head. She had no time to let nonsense interfere with her mission. No time for a man and no desire to love again. She had sworn over her husband’s body never to let another suffer so senselessly, and she would spend the rest of her life fulfilling that oath.

“Are you sure?”

She appeased him with an answer. “I have much on my mind and it sometimes overwhelms.”

“The way of a leader. That is why a leader should have a diversion now and again.”

“And what do you do for a diversion?” she asked, curious.

“I ride across my ranch, sometimes for two or three days. Its vast, raw beauty puts everything into a clearer prospective. What once overwhelmed then seems inconsequential, and I return a much more satisfied man.”

“That sounds appealing. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of time. A moment by the creek, a brief glance from the tree house, or catching the flight of a soaring hawk are my diversions on occasion. Minute ones, though I do cherish them.”

“Do you ever rest?”

“You sound as if you accuse me of a crime,” she said and was suddenly caught in the depths of his rich brown eyes. They explored her face with an intensity that made her wonder what he searched for. That he had many questions was obvious. That he asked few disturbed her. He was patient in his exploration, which meant he was determined.

“A good leader knows rest is essential to performance and accuracy.”

“A good leader knows she will be called on to perform and make decisions, whether rested or not,” she recounted. “Why do you try so hard to get me into bed, Mr. Longton?”

A wicked grin spread across his face, and she laughed at her ill-chosen words.

He leaned in closer to her. “Given the opportunity, I don’t think it would be hard for us to fall into bed together.”

“Confident in your prowess, are you?”

“Astute when it comes to attraction.”

Storm didn’t have a chance to respond, for William
and Philip approached and Burke took his leave.

She saw the two men off once the plans were finalized. It was agreed that if they had not returned in a week’s time, Tanin and Angus would come after them. She said a silent prayer for their safe journey and returned to sit for a moment alone at the campfire.

What had Burke meant by “astute when it comes to attraction”? Was he attracted to her? Did he think she was attracted to him? They barely knew each other. How could he surmise anything?

It hadn’t taken Daniel a long time to make his attraction known to her. He had stopped one day at the farm where she lived, and she had given him and his horse water. He returned every day after that until finally, a month later, he proclaimed his love for her and asked her to marry him. He told her he was a tenant farmer two villages away, and while his plot of land was small, it could sustain them both.

She left with him, but her dream of finally finding someone who would love her and never leave her ended when Daniel died only two years after they wed, leaving her alone yet again.

The crunch of leaves alerted Storm to someone’s approach.

“Deep in thought again?”

“Taking a moment for myself,” she said as Burke stepped out of the dark. “Thank you for letting me know of your approach.”

“Didn’t want to startle you again and I don’t want to intrude on your privacy.” He turned to walk away.

“You’re not intruding. I had my moment.”

He turned around and sat beside her. “It was awfully brief.”

“I would ask how you knew that, but no doubt you have been watching me.”

“Keeping a safe eye on you. You were injured only a few hours ago,” he reminded with a glance to her shoulder.

“I appreciate your concern, but I really am fine and I can really look after myself.”

“You’ve proven that, but I”—he tapped his chest—“feel better keeping an eye on you. You never know. You may faint again.”

“And you’ll be there to give me a good solid slap.”

Burke laughed and shook his head. “Not likely. You’d be in my arms before you could hit the ground. Then I’d carry you to bed, where you should be now resting, and would see that you stayed there until properly healed.”

Storm cut loose with a hearty laugh, and when she was done and holding her side from the laughter, she said, “That will never happen, Mr. Longton.”

“You’re sure of that?”

“I’m sure,” she said with the last snicker of laughter escaping. “I’ve never fainted, and I seek my bed when I’m ready and rest when I want to. So what you suggest could happen is simply impossible.”

“Never faint?”

She shook her head. “Not once, and as you’ve seen today, I prevented it. And as far as carried to bed?” She stuck her booted feet out and wiggled them. “I have two good solid feet to get myself to bed.”

Burke stuck out his arms. “And I have two good solid arms to carry you.”

Before Storm could scoot out of his reach, he had her up in his arms and was walking off with her.

“Put me down,” she ordered calmly though firmly.

“I will,” he agreed.

“Now.”

“No.”

“I order you—”

“To put you down and I will,” he said.

“Now,” she reiterated.

He dropped her to her feet, grabbed her around the waist, and coiled the rope around his arm to have them springing up the tree.

Before she could voice her objection, he once again had her up in his arms and carried her into her quarters to plop her down on the narrow bed.

“Is this supposed to prove me wrong and you right?” she accused, hurrying off the bed, only to be stopped short by a searing pain to her shoulder. She stumbled and would have toppled over if Burke hadn’t grabbed hold and eased her down on the bed.

“You are stubborn,” he said, keeping hold of her.

“I’m vigilant,” she corrected and took a deep breath against the throbbing pain that remained. “I must be, and dare I say, you’re just as obstinate?”

“You can, but that doesn’t mean I agree.”

“You are forthright.”

“And that you can always count on,” he said and released her to stand. “You and I clash for a reason.”

“And what is that?”

“We are alike.” He walked to the door and turned. “Which means we understand each other more than we realize. Sleep well.”

He disappeared out the door, and Storm sat there staring after him.

B
urke searched the gray sky. Heavy rain clouds drifted in from the distance, promising a downpour. He checked the perimeter of the camp once again and saw nothing. He took his frustration out on a rock, kicking it with his boot and sending it tumbling.

It had been six days since Storm and Tanin had left. He hadn’t been informed of their absence. It was the day after he had dumped Storm on her bed. He had intended on rising early to see that she took it easy for the day, giving her shoulder time to heal.

She wasn’t in her quarters and no one would tell him a thing until Malcolm finally returned to camp and told him she’d be away a few days. He would say no more, and Burke had no choice but to accept the snippet of information.

He had advised Malcolm that he could have helped. Malcolm had told him not this time, which made him worry even more.

He hoped it didn’t have anything to do with Cullen. It would annoy him if Storm had gone off on a matter concerning his brother without him, but then they had never agreed that he would be privy to all information regarding his brother, only that she would help locate him.

Being it was the sixth day, he was growing concerned, though no one else seemed to. Activity went on as usual, and he had become familiar with the camp in Storm’s absence.

It ran smoothly, with everyone tending to specific chores and none complaining or shirking their duties. They were a fine group working together to survive. That his money was needed was evident in the tattered and patched clothes, the sparse food, and the lack of adequate weapons.

Laughter, however, was prevalent, as were smiles and camaraderie. They were a contented lot for outlaws.

Burke kept busy hunting with Malcolm, making repairs to weapons, and getting to know those in the camp. But there wasn’t a day that he didn’t think of Storm and worry over her.

What was so urgent that it took her away when she needed to recover from her wound? Why didn’t she send someone else or ask for his help? Why was he so annoyed that she left without him?

He finally joined Malcolm and Angus to feast on the rabbit cooking on a spit over the campfire.

“Eat. Rain comes soon,” Angus said, already biting into a fat piece of meat.

Conversation was sparse and the rabbit near cleaned to the bone when the first drop of rain hit. It sent everyone scurrying for shelter.

Burke scanned the edge of the woods. Disappointed that nothing came into sight, he hurried to his quarters in the trees. He stripped off his damp shirt and threw it over the chest to dry, then stretched out on the bed, cushioned his arms beneath his head, and listened to the rain.

He wondered if Storm had safe, dry shelter, or if she huddled cold and wet somewhere. Knowing her, she’d survive either way.

She intrigued him. She had since they first met, dressed as a man, though more resembling a lad. Her face betrayed her gender. She was much too beautiful to be anything but a woman. Add stubborn to that and it rounded out her gender, but then obstinate women were a challenge, and what man could turn down a challenge?

He grinned as night crawled into the room and laid claim to it, except for the small glow of the hearth fire. It amazed him the way a hearth was constructed in the tree houses. It was small but functional, and Burke wondered about the designer’s identity.

Storm had seen to making this a safe haven for them all, but nothing lasted forever. What would happen when a rescue failed, men were lost, and funds ran out?

The future didn’t look bright for the outlaws, but then did a fugitive really have a future?

He recalled Storm when she dressed as a woman and how lovely she looked. He could only imagine how her beauty would shine if she was dressed in new garments. But what good would new garments do her here in the forest, fighting the soldiers?

She could return to America with him.

The unexpected thought rattled him. This was her home, her land, and her people. She was born and raised here and had even warned him that Cullen might very well refuse to leave. He imagined she would as well.

He could do only so much for her, and the thought saddened him.

His eyes drifted shut as he thought how much she might like the Dakota Territory and what a shame that she’d never get a chance to see it.

A crack of thunder woke him with a start and he jolted up in bed. He could hear the rain still, and something else. He swung his legs off the bed, and cocked his head at the sound, his ears trying to determine its origin.

Footsteps. Had Storm returned?

He hurried out of his room, forgetting his shirt. Her door stood ajar, and he thought he heard voices, so he entered without knocking.

She stood naked before the burning hearth, her back to him and her slim body glistening from the rain that dotted her pale skin. She was exquisite; a narrow waist that curved to round hips and taut buttocks, and skin that appeared as soft as a fresh rose petal.

She shivered, her skin running wild with gooseflesh, and he quickly grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her, drawing her back into his arms to rest against his chest.

She didn’t object, didn’t push him away or insist that she needed no help. She simply lingered in the silence of his protective embrace.

He hugged her tightly, wanting to keep her warm and wanting to chase away whatever worries haunted her.

After several silent minutes he whispered, “Are you all right?”

She didn’t answer immediately and he simply waited.

“I wasn’t in time.”

The despair in her voice jabbed at his heart. “You can’t save everyone.”

She turned around in his arms. “I would have gone immediately if I had known. I didn’t know.”

“You can’t blame yourself.”

A single tear rolled down her cheek. “He was my brother.”

Burke almost reeled from her remark, and he had the good sense to walk both of them to the bed to sit.

A tap at the door preceded Janelle’s entrance, and she smiled when she saw him there beside Storm.

“I brought a hot brew to warm her and cloths to change her wet bandage.” Janelle placed the items on the table. “Could you see to it for me, Burke? I have more pressing matters.”

Burke nodded. “I’ll take care of her.”

Janelle closed the door quietly behind her.

He left her side to get the hot brew, placing the cup in her hands, and ordered her to drink.

She took a sip.

“I didn’t know you had a brother,” he said.

“He wasn’t my blood brother, but we spent a good portion of our lives together working for the same family.”

Burke understood the camaraderie of such a relationship. Sometimes it could be stronger than blood relations.

“How did you learn of his plight?”

Storm hugged the warm cup. “I received a message in the middle of the night.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? I would have gone with you.”

“Tanin was the logical choice and he was familiar with the area. You would have only slowed me down and time was of the essence, though time had run out.”

Burke listened while he redressed her wound.

“He was imprisoned for stealing food and then left to starve. It makes no sense.”

“Life never does,” he said, relieved to feel that her chilled skin had warmed considerably. He’d like to think his arms had warmed her, but probably the hot brew had chased the chill from her bones.

“I want it to,” she said adamantly. “I want something to make sense. Tell me something that makes sense.”

“Love?” Burke questioned his own suggestion.

“You don’t sound as if you believe that yourself.”

“It was my first thought so I went with it.” He finished tying off the dry bandage. “When you think about it, though, love might just make the most sense. It’s what brought me here and what makes you rescue the helpless. It’s a driving force that has people accomplishing extraordinary things. And once love takes hold there’s no stopping it.”

Storm looked as if she contemplated that as she sipped her brew, then she asked, “Have you ever loved?”

“There’s many people I’ve loved, but if you ask if there’s a special woman, then the answer is no.”

“You’ve never been married?”

“Not even close,” he confirmed with a laugh.

“You don’t wish to wed?”

“I will only wed when I fall in love, completely, foolishly, deeply, and without doubt. I intend to share the pitfalls and the joys of life with her until our dying day.”

“What a lovely thought. I wish you success in your quest to find such a love, but then you’re stubborn enough to be successful.”

“A trait we have in common,” he reminded, and thought to ask about her husband, but realized it wasn’t a good time. She had suffered enough with losing a brother. She didn’t need memories of her husband adding to her pain.

“Leaders are never stubborn, Mr. Longton.” She smiled. “We are wise.”

He smiled along with her, pleased that she had acknowledged him as a leader sharing the same quality.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“For what?”

She tucked the blanket around her. “For covering me up and warming me.”

“I never meant to intrude on your privacy,” he explained. “The door was ajar and I hoped you had returned safely from your journey.”

“Weary, but safe,” she confirmed.

He wanted to reach out, wrap her in his arms, and take her to bed—to sleep. She needed rest, and he’d make sure she got it. He wouldn’t let her out of his arms until she slept a good many hours.

“Now if you will excuse me, sleep will be a welcome reprieve for me.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, relieved she’d finally get the rest she needed, and walked to the door. He turned, holding the door ajar. “You won’t be going off somewhere in the middle of the night, will you?”

“To tell the truth, once I fall asleep I don’t think anyone will be able to wake me.”

He grinned. “Sounds good to me.” He stopped again before going out the door. “But if by chance another emergency arises, please wake me. I’d be only too glad to help out.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He wanted to insist, but thought better of it. Storm would do what she wanted regardless, so he’d have to sleep lightly and keep aware of sounds and make certain she didn’t slip past him once again.

The rain continued for a few hours throughout the night, then stopped. Burke slept on and off, his sleep
disturbed by dreams and sounds. Finally, as the first hint of dawn rose on the horizon, he tossed the covers aside and got dressed in his trousers, shirt, and the brown leather vest Angus had given him.

He hadn’t heard a sound from Storm’s room all night. He assumed she slept soundly but he wanted to make sure for his own peace of mind. He kept his footsteps light and with a gentle push of her door, he peeked inside.

Several oaths spilled from his lips.

Storm wasn’t there.

He descended the rope in an instant and made his way through the camp searching for her. She had an uncanny way of disappearing. It seemed that no one had seen her. He knew better. No one would tell him where she went. He wasn’t really one of them, and therefore he wasn’t fully trusted.

Why hadn’t he heard her leave? His sleep had been restless enough and he’d been alert.

Janelle bid him good morning but knew nothing of Storm’s whereabouts or those of her son, Tanin. Malcolm had also disappeared, as had Angus.

Had they all left on another mission?

Damn, he hated being left out.

He was going to have to make it very clear to Storm that he wanted to be advised of her whereabouts at all times.

He laughed, as he knew she would. What right did he have to demand anything from her? He was a stranger and therefore a safety risk. Why should she tell him anything? She really had been generous so far with him. She had searched for his brother
immediately and provided a safe haven for him while he awaited his funds. He had no right demanding anything.

Angus stepped out of the woods, a big man, the size and width of a bear, though gentler. He carried fresh fish on a pole and smiled as he approached.

“Where is everyone?” Burke asked anxiously.

“A good morning to you,” Angus said, walking past him to the campfire and kneeling to prepare the fish.

Burke followed him. “Tanin, Malcolm, and Storm are gone—”

“Sit,” Angus instructed with a nod. “They’ll be here shortly.”

“You know where they went?”

“Aye.”

Burke wanted to rip the answer from the man. He was tired of his questions being evaded, tired of secrets, tired of being treated like the enemy.

“Tell me,” he demanded.

Angus glanced up at him. “All you had to do was ask.”

“I’m asking.”

“We got word hours ago that William and Philip were near and needed assistance. They have your brother with them. He’s injured.”

BOOK: Taken By Storm
10.34Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Cauchemar by Alexandra Grigorescu
Family Man by Cullinan, Heidi, Sexton, Marie
Underwater by Maayan Nahmani
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
The Voice inside My Head by S.J. Laidlaw
Wren and the Werebear by Aubrey Rose
Beyond the Green Hills by Anne Doughty
It Looks Like This by Rafi Mittlefehldt