Tallchief: The Homecoming (17 page)

She’d opened her door, the warmth of her woodstove greeting her, before she walked to the tarp and tugged it away. The wooden cabinet of the old, treadle sewing machine needed Michelle’s sanding and oil, but Liam had repaired the black metal head, scrolled with gold leaf. The bird’s-eye-wood sewing cabinet beside the old machine needed work, but it was good and solid, topped by a rubber dinosaur. The big wooden hoop was just what she needed to keep her stitching taut on the quilt designs she’d made. And a tiny wooden chest, marked by water,
sat on a crudely fashioned bench. A huge, disassembled, and obviously old, loom was propped against the house.

Michelle turned to Liam, her heart leaping. He knew perfectly well how to touch her heart, how to make her want to leap upon him and place hurried kisses all over his hard face, just to watch the tenderness soften him. “What’s this?” she asked, wanting the words from him, not just the gesture. He had to meet her halfway in what brewed between them.

He looked off to a field filled with Appaloosa, as though wary of her reaction. “Sara Fay Jenkins has decided she isn’t sewing anymore. She’s tuning carburetors and taking a course in new car mechanics. The other things are Mrs. Akins. She had them stored in the shed and wanted you to have them. J.T. wanted you to have a dinosaur for protection—living here all alone without us.”

“I love them. I’ll take very good care of them. J.T.’s dinosaur will sit right where he can watch any threat,” Michelle murmured when she could speak.

Liam reached into his pocket to extract a small, brown-paper-wrapped parcel. He opened the twine and slid the earrings into his big, scarred palm. The green stones gleamed against his dark skin. “J.T. picked these. When the jeweler asked me the color of my true love’s eyes, I said they were green as grass, dark as a high mountain meadow in summer rain, warm as the love I have for her.”

He watched her intently as if fearing the impact of his words would terrify her. She could only take the earrings, lock them in her fist and hold them over her wildly beating heart. Liam stood there in the chilling November wind, looking as safe and solid and unchanging as Tallchief Mountain. The wind brushed his hair, and when it lifted hers, he reached to smooth it. “My true love,” he repeated softly as if fitting the words to his lips for a
lifetime. “With eyes of dragon-green and lips as soft as a rose petal.”

Michelle tried to catch her breath. No one had ever spoken so to her. This man could reach inside her and make her melt with words, a look or a touch. “Do you really feel that way?”

He nodded curtly, apparently unnerved by his own words, his emotions running deep. “Wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. And maybe someday, when you’re over that motel incident, we can go back there—after we’re married…if you’ll have J.T. and me.”

“I’m still working things out about my career. I don’t know who I am just yet.”

“I do. You’re the woman I love. You can do whatever you want about your career, it won’t change how I feel about you. And I think you know just exactly who you are, but you haven’t fine-tuned the works just yet.”

“You’re not asking anything—” she whispered, loving him. “No terms?”

“I’ll be honest…I’d like you in my bed, if that’s what you want,” he said flatly. “That’s about it. Just so you know that hot storm you stir up inside me with those eyes and that mouth isn’t exactly sweet…then there’s this—”

Liam opened the wooden chest for her to see. “My namesake, Liam, gave these to Elizabeth and now I’m giving them to you. Duncan and the rest want to give me something of Tallchief and Una’s, and maybe when we’re settled, you would choose for us both. Those pieces of wood against the house are Elizabeth’s loom. Una taught her how to weave. Properly set up, the loom is a big thing, so you might have to add a room here. Or I’ll build one at my place. It’s your choice. Take your time thinking, honey. I’ll get better at this as we go along.”

T
he silver car glided up the road to her house, threatening Michelle’s joy. She’d just discovered how susceptible she was to Liam’s new facet, the tender words of a lover and the look of a man who would last through the years. Michelle took Liam’s hand and tucked the earrings in his pocket. “Keep these safe for me, and I want to hear those fine words then, too. Don’t forget the ‘dragon-green-eyes’ part. Shut my door, Liam. I don’t want them in my house just yet. They have a way of tearing things apart and I’m not ready for that.”

“You’re doing just what you should be, honey,” Liam said quietly. “You’re mending your life. I’ll understand if you need to leave, to do what you must do. But I’m hoping that you’ll always remember me.”

“You can take it then, the battles we’ll have? Because you’re not an easy man, Liam, and you set me off. I used to be quite the cool businesswoman, you know.”

“We’ve both changed, and as for me, I like to see you get all wound up and steamy. I used to dream of owning a ranch, you know—when I was a little boy.”

“You did?” She looked up at him and wondered when he would ever fail to surprise her.

Her parents slammed the car doors and stared at her, obviously hoping she’d be the first to reach out. When she held Liam’s hand tightly, her father scowled and took her mother’s arm, coming to Michelle’s steps. They looked up at her.

“Take it easy, honey,” Liam murmured. “They are the only grandparents our babies will have. If there’s a chance they can change, I think you can train them. It’s your decision, not theirs.”

Her father wasted no time. “I see you haven’t begun to pack. We can send movers. Most of your things are still at your place in the city.”

“I’m staying.” Michelle didn’t know how life would turn and twist for her, but she knew she’d do it at Liam’s side. Her parents would have to accept her terms this time, no strings attached. She wasn’t certain they could do that.

“It’s just a phase, Michelle,” her father said. “Like when you were ten and wanted to go camping by yourself. You’ll get over it, and what’s that pile of junk doing on your front porch?”

“He’s been in a fight. And you look very—” For once Eloise studied Michelle carefully as she stood beside Liam. Eloise was very quiet, and then she took her husband’s arm. “We’re leaving now.”

“But…but…” he protested.

“Look at her, dear. She’s blooming. That’s how I used to look at you. Time will tell. Come along now. She’s a fighter, just like you, and she’ll make up her own mind how she lives her life—just like you. They look like a
team, standing there like that. Just like us. And I’ve waited long enough for a grandchild. He’ll do nicely, if he’s what she wants. I’m certain she’s got everything in control, scheduling his life and theirs. Don’t push her too far, Bruce. Think of it as the point of no return in a business deal.”

Michelle met her mother’s tentative smile with her own, her heart warming because she knew that her mother was beginning to understand. Healing would take time, but that soft, shared smile between them was a good start.

After they were gone, Michelle turned to Liam who was studying the old furniture, scowling fiercely. She held the small chest tightly. “It’s not junk. I love it. And I won’t get bored. You’re far too exciting. How long do you have until you pick up J.T.?”

“Just long enough, and you’re coming with me to get him,” he said, picking her up to carry her into her house.

He kicked the door shut and eased into the rocking chair. He’d dreamed it was big enough for him to hold her and J.T. and maybe the babies that would come along. He’d awakened hard and aching after dreams of Michelle moving over him on that fine old chair. While daydreaming of how she’d look and feel, snuggled on his lap, rounded with his child, Liam had overfilled a truck tank. For a man raised to hardships, daydreams were new, enticing experiences.

Michelle opened the small chest and prowled through the contents. “Obviously old and treasured. A tinderbox, a battered straw, a man’s ring—oh, look, it has the Tallchief symbols!”

She carefully unwrapped the two flints. “Rocks. Chipped. Wrapped in fine old velvet. Liam, this obviously means something.”

“The chest was found with me. You’ll have to find out
what the rest means. You like putting pieces together.” He loved how she looked, fiercely determined, turning the flints in her hands, trying to see into the secret they held. Elizabeth’s legend had been right—Michelle and he had struck sparks from each other, and they’d ignited a love that would last forever.

Michelle closed the chest carefully and placed it aside. “You’ll tell me now, or else.”

In one of those quickly changing moods that always would fascinate Liam, she smoothed his cheek. “You’ve really left the past behind, haven’t you? I mean the way Reuben took away what you could have had all those years? And Adam?”

Liam held her closer, settling back to rock his love in his arms. “I’d like to meet my brother. I think with you helping, it’s a scheduled event. No, I’m not thinking about how it was growing up, the stripped life and foraging for myself. I’m not wasting more time thinking about a hard, bitter, selfish man. I have a new life with you and my son…. And you’re the cause of that, dragging me out of that rut, making me see that life held more. I think I’m a better father to J.T. because of you, and if you hadn’t come into my life, I might not have known about Adam.”

He kissed her forehead and rested his cheek against hers. “Think of what you’ve done, honey. Breaking away from the past. That’s no small thing. Or working to untangle years of interference from your family. Think of the difference you’ve made in my life, how I can feel as if I belong with my family now. That’s what I wanted to give J.T. most of all, a family. I feared that he’d be left alone and raised by someone as uncaring as Reuben. But he’s safe now. And what you’ve done for yourself, making a home away from anything you’ve known—few people can do that. I’ve no doubt that when you decide you want to
do a task, you can do it. I’m hoping you’ll let me share your life, though.”

“You’re not getting away from me, and you know it, Liam Tallchief,” Michelle said quietly, sitting upright. “I’ve found what I want, right here with you. All the excitement and challenge and what I’ve wanted all my life. Whatever else comes, it will just be that much better. You make me
feel,
Liam. I like feeling like a woman, feeling needed and cherished, and I accept your offer of marriage. There will be terms, of course. In short, Mr. Tallchief, you’ve been bagged.”

“Well, not quite,” Liam murmured, and caressed her lightly just to watch her get all steamy.

“Mmm,” she said thoughtfully, tilting her head to study him. “I think I do that well, too.” Then she stood and began removing her clothing on the way to her bedroom.

“No ruffles in our bedroom and no pink towels,” Liam stated as he stood next to her, the shadowy room enclosing their bodies, clothing tossed aside.

“Mmm,” she murmured thoughtfully again as if she had plans of her own, and moved into his arms. She held him close, before the loving, resting against him as she was meant to be. Each touch treasured and heated, until Michelle jerked her head away, looking up at him with those green, green eyes. Liam smiled briefly, his body ready for hers; they’d clashed, and sparks had flown, and now came the fire. He reached down to that soft bottom, cupped it and lifted Michelle carefully, until her legs wrapped around him. He took her lips, tasted the wild hunger of her tongue, the heat within her, and then found her breasts, soft against him.

She cried out, her body aching for his, the tug of his mouth sharpening her desire. Her fingers dug into Liam’s marvelous wide shoulders, anchoring him to her for a life
time. She had no time to tell him of her love, not just now, when their bodies’ needs must be met. “Hurry.”

He lowered her onto the bed, her legs still wrapped around his hips. Then they were one, his heavy body resting over hers. His fierce expression told her that this was no light moment, that it was a bond of bodies and souls that would last forever. His hands caressed her hips, trembling, to tell her that he kept her safe, not allowing his passion to run wild.

She smiled against his lips and bit him gently. She couldn’t have Liam banking all that fire, not now. There would be other times when love would run gently between them. His big hands caressed her thighs, the fever burning within him. Oh, how she loved to see Liam ignite, all that cool drop away. She loved the way his dark-gray eyes studied her flushed face, her lips that he had kissed. She had to taste his body, to lick his nipple and suckle to set him off.

Then Liam came down upon her as she wanted—hard, demanding, hungry. She met the thrust of his hips with her own, met his mouth and tasted him as hungrily, aware that her need came purring from her as she stroked his back and soothed and took. There it was, she thought distantly, reveling, touching the man inside, the man she loved. The flames came tearing into them, bodies locked and moving slowly, surely toward the summit. He gathered her closer in that tender struggle, his mouth burning her flesh, skimming a path to her throat, nibbling and foraging until he treasured her breasts again. The edge of his teeth, not hurting her, set her off, riveted her as he gently suckled and nibbled and kissed. The clenching of her body rushed on, beyond her control. Texture on texture, male and female, sliding erotically into passion, his breath warm
against her skin, caressing and heating and cooling and sensitizing— “Liam!”

Liam went taut over her, his huge body throbbing, just at the same time she cried out, reaching for him as the stars burst. Held tight on that pinnacle of pleasure, she let him bring her safely, gently back to earth. She could always trust Liam, she thought, patting his wonderful backside, to provide surprises that delighted her.

“Not quite yet,” Liam murmured as she dozed, and he began to give her another world-shaking, best-ever surprise.

Later they picked up J.T. and went home for supper and television. Sensing excitement between the adults, J.T. wouldn’t settle for anything less than Michelle reading him a story. Michelle fell asleep on J.T.’s bed, and Liam thought he’d never seen a sweeter sight. In the morning they were off to Duncan and Sybil’s for Sunday-morning breakfast, and the day passed all too soon. Then J.T. badly needed his bedtime and Michelle once more fell asleep while reading a story. They were still asleep when Liam left to open the station.

On Monday evening Liam sighed ruefully in the manner of a man who hadn’t had time to cherish his ladylove. He took his after-work shower and tried to do the station’s books. Young Morales and Sara Fay were quite a team, taking the chore of ordering tires and other inventory needs.

Michelle had J.T. for the day, the boy reveling in the woman he’d captured to read him nighttime and sometimes daytime stories. Though Liam had been quite careful to keep his son’s life based in their home, J.T. had adapted to visiting his cousins. Not long ago he could not be taken from Liam’s side. But J.T. made it clear that he wanted
“My own Mama, not someone else’s, and I want her,” he’d said pointing to Michelle.

“The old woman-capturing game,” Liam murmured, aware that his son and his namesake shared a tradition.

Then Michelle’s red pickup pulled into the driveway, and she walked up to the house, wearing a large overcoat and the boots he’d given her. Inside, she watched Liam intently. “Where’s J.T.?” he asked.

“We’re picking him up later at Nick and Silver’s. I forgot something when you were at my house the other day and in my bed.”

“Oh, what was that?” he asked, bending to take her lips, a taste he’d needed all day.

“To say I love you.” She opened the coat to reveal nothing beneath but fully curved, soft woman. And from the look in her eyes, Liam knew life would never plod along again.

“So does this mean I’m finally going to get a date?” he asked, settling in to enjoy her reaction. He enjoyed teasing Michelle, if he could keep his eyes off that luscious pale geography beneath her coat. The crest of her nipple caused his body to jerk and tighten; the curve of her hip and those intriguing shadows above her thighs caused his mouth to dry.

She tilted her head back and studied him with those fascinating dark-meadow-green eyes. “I still don’t know the meaning of those two rocks in your wooden chest. They’re obviously precious. I asked Elspeth, who seems to know more than anyone, and she just smiled and referred me to you.”

“You’ll have to work on that one, won’t you?” he asked, not letting her have her way so easily. Elizabeth Tallchief’s words coursed through his mind—
’Tis the game, finding the strength of a man and challenging that
truth.
He had his own game, and Elizabeth had provided a badly needed insight on women—his ladylove in particular.

“Oh, I will. You know I will, and I’ve got a lifetime to work on you, Liam Tallchief,” Michelle murmured as he bent to untie her boots.

Finished with the task, he ran his hands up her smooth thighs and eased off her coat. “It’s enough, then, for you? Life with me and J.T.?”

“More than enough. I think I loved you from the first moment I saw you framed in your doorway, trying to do the best for your son. Now are you going to pick me up and do that marvelous carrying-off thing, or not?”

“Aye, I will and I’ll never stop, rose of my heart.” With delight he watched Michelle’s dark-green eyes widen, and he began to laugh. There was nothing more exciting than stunning her with the words that came straight and true from his heart.

On a mid-December afternoon, Michelle ran her fingertips over the old journal on her lap. In Liam’s home, as his wife of two weeks, she settled back for a few moments of peace, rocking in the big chair by the fireplace. Liam and J.T. had mysterious father-and-son missions now and were away for the afternoon. The spacious new room added onto Liam’s house was perfect for a small family and scented of new lumber. Shadows drifted over Elizabeth’s loom, assembled in a corner by the window, J.T.’s toy train-set on the floor. Michelle loved to hear Liam laugh now, that chuckle that said his life was rich with love, and that she had given him ease. Then the wonderful nights, long after J.T. slept, when they would toss upon the bed, challenging each other, the fever too hot to wait.
At other times the loving was gentle and sweet, telling each other of their love.