The Outlaw (14 page)

He said nothing, made no move to touch her
other than to wipe the tears from her face and the intensity of his
gaze skated along her limbs until goose bumps pimpled her skin. Her
chest tightened, her pulse leaping to life and the question he’d
asked her earlier in the day, did she want to be his wife,
whispered itself to her like a dream she’d forgotten she’d had. The
answer hovered on the tip of her tongue but she didn’t dare speak
it aloud.

She realized with a start that her feelings
for him had deepened, grew into something much sweeter than merely
enjoying being in his company. The implications were staggering and
she refused to believe it. She couldn’t love him. It would hurt too
much when he let her go if she did. He didn’t mean what he’d
implied and she couldn’t get her heart broken by him. She'd never
survive it.

Breaking eye contact, she shifted on the
horse. Riding bareback was even more uncomfortable than being in
the saddle. Every move the horse made was felt under her and
sitting sideways didn’t help those uncomfortable feelings.

She pushed away her earlier thoughts and
looked at the road. “Why did you give them all our things?”

“It was either all that stuff or you.”

Her brows lowered. “They wanted all those
things or me?” He said nothing, just nodded his head in
confirmation. “Oh.” She looked toward the road, the mountains in
the distance and felt lethargic. The gentle swaying of the horse,
her draining ordeal with the Indians and their mad get away finally
zapping the last of her energy. She thought about it all again and
something snagged her thoughts and wouldn’t let go. She looked to
Colt again. “Wait. Did you trade me for a horse?”

He laughed and lifted his hand to run his
fingers through her hair. “That was a damn good horse, woman.”

She scowled. “Then why’d you give them all
our stuff? We’ll starve without food.”

His mouth curved into a salacious smile.
“Cause you were too fine a prize for a mere horse. I’m lucky they
let me leave with my clothes. I had to give them every thing else I
owned.”

Sarah let his words rattle around in her
head. He’d given them Virgil’s horse, his own saddle, his
saddlebags and everything in them, his pistols, the riffle he’d had
attached to the saddle and his trail coat. The only thing they left
him with was the shirt on his back, his trousers and boots and his
hat.

She frowned and focused her eyes on him.

“I would have given them everything I own to
keep you, sweetheart. Don’t make me regret it.”

He looked so smug and Sarah bit her tongue to
keep from laughing. Make him regret it. Ha! “The Indians were the
ones who lost out. I’m worth exceedingly more than a horse and some
guns.”

“You think?” He grinned at her, his hand at
her waist skimming her ribs before he cupped the underside of her
breast. “I’m not convinced yet. Care to prove it?”

She gasped at his boldness and wasn’t
surprised when he lowered his head and kissed her. The man seemed
to have a one-track mind. When he slid his tongue into her mouth,
his lips caressing hers, her shoulders sagged, that lethargic
feeling infusing her limbs until she felt pliant. She leaned
against him, wrapped one arm around his neck and savored the taste
of him. Long minutes of his mouth playing against hers and those
tingles she’d felt back at the creek returned. Visions of what he’d
done to her played behind her closed eyelids until she was
squirming to get closer.

He deepened the kiss, his mouth hard and
hungry against her own until she thought he’d devour her. She was
disappointed when he didn’t, and broke the kiss instead. “If I knew
for a fact those Indians were long gone, I’d find us a grassy spot
and finish what we started earlier.”

She smiled at his confidence. “Oh really? And
what makes you so sure I’d let you get me naked again?”

“Intuition.”

Sarah laughed. “Your confidence is going to
get you into serious trouble one of these day, Colton Avery.”

“Probably, but not today. You want me, and
the sooner you admit it, the sooner I can show you exactly how much
I want you.”

The heat in his eyes flared brighter and
Sarah nearly lost her breath. He did want her. She knew that just
by looking at him but what did he want exactly? Was it just to bed
her or was it more? Until she found out, she’d have to keep him at
arms length. The risk to her heart was too great to give him
everything he wanted just to be tossed away for her trouble.

Chapter Ten

They reached the outskirts of Willow Creek in
late afternoon. Sarah nearly bounced with excitement at the thought
of food, clean water and a warm bed to lay her head on. She didn’t
dare, though. Colt was in a foul mood. Had been since the previous
day when they had nothing to eat, not even a drop of water to
quench their thirst. Sleeping on the ground with nothing to protect
them from the dirt or early morning dew hadn’t helped either and
when you factored in her refusal to let him continue his
exploration of her body, he was downright peevish.

He’d yet to say a word to her today and she’d
be lying if she said it didn’t bother her. It did. It proved her
theory. That he wanted nothing from her but what she could provide
him in the dark of night. A warm, naked body to lie beside.

She sighed and stared out across the valley
at the mountains in the distance. She’d never been to Montana
before and the scenery was breathtaking. Snowcapped mountains and
grasses as green as any she’d seen. Wild flowers dotted the horizon
and for early fall, the air still held enough heat that she was
comfortable.

Colt shifted behind her and moments later he
sat his hat on her head. She turned to look at him and she saw an
apology on his face. He knew he’d acted like a horses ass and she
could see it written across his features.

“Your nose is burnt,” he said, running a hand
through his hair. “You should have bought a bonnet to go with that
ugly dress.”

Sarah looked down at the simple calico dress
she’d bought. It wasn’t very attractive. “Well, I would have picked
better if I’d had enough money. I barely afforded this.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have bought
you one that at least fit.”

She opened her mouth to reply but thought
better of it. When they’d reached the last town, she’d tried her
best to get away from him. It wasn’t his fault she’d been cross
with him. She turned back around, watching the passing scenery.

A split-rail fence came into view long
minutes later, horses beyond that fence line numbering in the
hundreds. She’d never seen so many horses in one place. Colt nudged
his own horse, the even gallop bringing them closer to the
homestead she could barely make out in the distance.

When she caught sight of a house, Sarah sat
up straight. Smoke drifted into the air from a chimney, she could
see people in the yard, a barn that looked the size of three, and
more corral fences. They were headed straight for it. Was this
where Colt lived?

They rode into the dooryard a few minutes
later and it wasn’t until Colt jumped down and reached up for her
that she saw the joy on his face. He was home. When her feet hit
the ground, all she could do was stare.

The house was large, three stories and
whitewashed with blue shudders at every window. Flowers dotted the
pathway leading up to the wrap-around porch and chairs were
situated in small groupings in and around the veranda. It looked so
homey and comfortable, she wasn’t sure she’d ever want to
leave.

A man who was smiling broadly at them ran
from the barn. He embraced Colt in a hug that looked more like back
patting than anything, before welcoming him home. He took the
horse, guiding it away.

The corral by the barn held a small pony and
a young boy was there. He turned and stared at them for long
moments before jerking his hat off. Sarah realized then, that she’d
been mistaken.

It was a girl, her blonde pig-tail braids
falling out from under her hat to lay across her shoulders. She
cocked her head to one side, gave them a strange look before
crawling between the fence rails. “Who’s that woman, pa?”

Colt grinned back at her. “I aint your
pa.”

She stared at him, her brows lowering, before
her eyes suddenly widened and a smile covered her face. “Uncle
Colt!” She ran to him as fast as her legs would carry her and
launched herself into his arms.

Sarah thought she’d seen every expression to
cross Colt’s face. The one she saw now she hoped to one-day see
directed at her. Whoever this little girl was, the love Colt held
for her showed on every inch of his face. His eyes held a light
that made him look younger and his smile… it was breathtaking.

The screen door slammed and Sarah turned to
look behind her. The man standing on the porch caused her pulse to
leap. Her mouth opened in surprise as she stared at him. She looked
to Colt, saw him staring back at the man and Sarah did a double
take. They looked exactly the same.

Colt walked to her side, the little girl in
his arms. “That’s my brother Holden and this,” he said, tickling
the girls belly, “Is Alexandra, but don’t call her that. She’s yet
to realize she’s a girl. Prefers Alex as her moniker.”

The man Colt introduced as his brother walked
down the steps, his gaze never leaving her. He was smiling and
Sarah blinked before shaking her head. “You’re twins.”

Holden grinned and nodded his head. “Yes, but
I’m the better looking one.”

Sarah wasn’t sure about that. As far as she
could tell, there wasn’t much difference. Holden’s hair was a bit
shorter than Colt’s, he was clean shaven as Colt had yet to scrape
the whiskers off his face and they both had those same, crystal
blue eyes. Beautiful. Both of them. She laughed and shook her head.
How did the women in this town manage to go about their daily
routines knowing these two gorgeous men walked their streets?

She turned to Colt and saw him staring at
her. Something flared in his eyes. The hunger she’d seen the day by
the creek and something she couldn’t quite put a name on. If she
had to guess, she’d say it looked like jealousy but what did he
have to be jealous about?

When she looked back at Holden and saw him
staring at her, she grinned to herself. He was worried about his
brother and if the look on Holden’s face was any indication, Colt
may have reason to.

Colt placed Alex on her feet, stood to his
full height, and grinned. “So, how’s things?”

Holden stared at him. “How the hell do you
think they are? You up and left me, you no good piece of shi..” He
stopped, looked at Alex and smiled. “Go get washed up, Alex. Supper
will be ready in a few.”

Alex nodded and grinned at Colt before
running up the steps.

When the door slammed behind her, Holden
crossed the distance between himself and Colt and Sarah feared the
outcome. Anger was etched into the lines of Holden’s face, his
mouth a hard, thin line. “He thought I was you for over a month.
Why the hell couldn’t you just stay? What’s it going to take, Colt?
Them bringing you home in the back of a wagon, toes up?”

Colt glanced at her before facing his
brother. “It’s good to see you too, Holden. Glad to see you haven’t
changed since I’ve been gone. What’s for supper?”

Holden drew back his fist and struck out,
catching Colt square in the jaw. Sarah gasped, shocked beyond
words. Colt staggered from the blow but kept his feet under him.
When he looked back at his brother, he was smiling. “Oh, you did
miss me.”

“You’re an ass,” Holden said. “And don’t you
dare go in there and get him worked up. He’s in one of his moods
today.” He turned to face her and smiled again. “You look like you
could use a bit of refreshing. How’s about I show you to a room
where you can rest a bit before supper?”

“Sounds wonderful.” Sarah glanced at Colt. He
was rubbing his jaw and that look was back in his eyes. His mouth
was pinched into a frown and the murderous glare he threw at
Holden’s’ back wasn’t missed by either of them. She took his hat
off her head and handed it back to him without a word and followed
Holden into the house.

* * * *

Nothing had changed since the last time he’d
been home. Colt watched Sarah disappear at the top of the stairs
and silently seethed at the fact Holden had his hand on her lower
back, like she couldn’t even turn a corner without his
guidance.

He shook his head in disgust. He didn’t want
to think about why Holden touching her was eating at him so much.
Best to just ignore it all or he’d be in for a hell of a night.

The usual sounds he expected rang throughout
the house. Alex’s small feet bounding off the upstairs floor, Isaac
in the kitchen cooking, and his father yelling at people who
weren’t even there.

He sighed and went in search of him. He found
him in his usual chair by the fireplace, staring off into space,
his lips moving as if he was having a conversation. The man had
been in his own little world since their mother died. They’d taken
him to every doctor from Missoula to Colorado but no one knew what
was wrong with him. It was as if his mind just shut down, blocked
out everything in the world around him, and he lived in his own
headspace.