“I’m sorry, Buck. I did the best I could. I hope I didn’t do any damage.”
“Don’t worry…about that. If there’s any damage…it’s from the bullet…not you. You did what you could, Shortcake. I…probably owe you my life.”
“But I owe you mine, so we’re even.”
His eyes opened again, but they looked more cloudy, and his voice was drifting. “They…hurt you. I can’t stand…the thought of…anyone abusing you. I’m glad…they’re all dead.”
She kissed his hair. “You want anything, Buck?”
“Thirsty. Damned…thirsty.”
She carefully moved out from under the quilts, tucking them around his neck and then checking the bandages. There was a bloodstain on them, but an old one. The bleeding had stopped, to her great relief.
She got a tin cup and dipped it into a bucket of drinking water she’d brought in from the creek and had already boiled. She returned to the bed, bending over and gently lifting his head slightly.
“Here, Buck. Try to drink some of this. I’ll probably spill some.”
His face was hot, and that worried her. When she held the cup to his lips, he managed to gulp down some of the water in spite of his awkward position. She set the cup aside and bent over him again, gently smoothing back his hair. His eyes were closed again and he didn’t speak.
“Hang on, Buck,” she whispered near his ear. “Hang on for me.”
By noon of the following day, Buck was able to help Harmony bring him to the head of the bed, and turn him so he could lie back against a pile of pillows and quilts, in a half-sitting position, to eat and drink. Whatever embarrassment her modesty caused, she ignored, for Buck Hanner was a sick man and during those first few days he could not think about getting out of bed. She kept towels on him at first, until he was awake enough to relieve himself by using a pan. There was no longer any mystery about him for Harmony Jones, only womanly concern and, in her new maturity, a realization that some things had to be ignored when other things were more important, like the life of the man she loved. Perhaps it was best this way. Seeing him again and touching him without making love gave her a chance to understand and not be afraid of the mystery of man.
By the fourth day Buck was much more alert. He was able now to begin moving his right arm, whereas before pain had prohibited such movement. His biggest fear had been that he would lose the use of his arm, at least the ability to raise it, for that necessitated using his back muscles. However, he’d found that he could raise the arm slightly, and he was determined to raise it a little farther each day, in spite of Harmony’s admonishments.
“You’re trying too soon,” she scolded. “Let it heal, Buck. You aren’t out of the woods yet.”
“I’ll be all right, Shortcake. And I’ll be damned if I’ll be a cripple. I need this arm, for shooting—and punching.”
“Well you don’t need to do either one right now, so rest it.”
They heard a long “Hellooo!” from outside then, and Buck frowned. Harmony picked up her rifle and went to the door. She opened it a crack.
“Be careful,” Buck warned her.
“It’s a bearded man, walking with some pack mules,” she told him. She squinted. “Buck, some of the gear has Jack’s Place stamped on it. They’re your mules.”
Buck grinned. “Must be Hank Fisher. He’s okay. Call out to him.”
She opened the door a little wider, cocking her rifle. “You Hank Fisher?” she yelled.
“That I am!” he called back. “Lookin’ for Buck Hanner. I got worried. He left his mules with me to come up here.”
The man stopped to stare at the dead body near the edge of the trees. He frowned then, and looked back toward the doorway, noticing more bodies near the cabin.
“What happened?” he yelled.
She stepped out a ways. “They attacked me. I’m Harmony Jones, Mister Fisher. Buck shot them, but he got hurt. He’s inside.”
“Bad?”
“Yes. Pretty bad. But he’ll make it. You’re welcome to come inside. I have coffee and fresh bread.”
“Sounds good!” The man came closer then. As he tied the lead mule to the railing, he eyed Harmony. No wonder Buck Hanner was determined to save her. She was the prettiest thing Hank Fisher had seen in all his born days, and just looking at her, he realized he’d been away from town too long. When he came up the steps and nodded to her, Harmony lowered her rifle, then extended her hand.
“Buck says you’re okay, so I’m trusting he’s right.”
He gave her a wink. “Little girl, I ain’t about to cross Buck Hanner over a woman. Them’s fightin’ words, and lookin’ at these here dead bodies tells me who’d win, wounded or not.” When he laughed and shook her hand, Harmony smiled. Then she ushered him inside.
“Hank!” Buck had a grin on his face. “You crazy old prospector. Thanks for coming to check on me.”
Hank shook his hand. “Well, I figured if somethin’ had happened to you, that meant maybe somethin’ bad had happened to the little girl too, and maybe she needed help to get back to town or somethin’.” He eyed the bandages. “How bad is it?”
Harmony poured some coffee for all of them, and she cut Hank a slice of bread. “Bad enough. I probably wouldn’t have made it if Harmony there hadn’t had the guts to cut into me and dig the bullet out. One of those bastards out there back-shot me. I’m damned lucky it was a good piece away from the spine, or I wouldn’t be sitting here.”
Hank shook his head, taking the bread and coffee from Harmony. He ran his eyes over her appreciatively as he thanked her. “You must be some gal, Miss Jones. Looks like you took good care of ole Buck here.”
Harmony sat down. “I don’t know if I could do it again. I was in a panic, Mr. Fisher. I didn’t have much choice. I didn’t even know what I was doing. I just dug for the bullet and got it out somehow, then prayed I hadn’t killed him.”
“Well, you did a right good job, it appears.” He bit into the bread while Buck carefully set his coffee on the bed and began to roll himself a cigarette, using the tobacco and papers Harmony kept beside him.
“She’s good at everything,” Buck told the man, grinning a little. Harmony blushed deeply, knowing what he meant. Her instincts and desires were beginning to make themselves painfully evident as Buck got better. “She can shoot, clean animals, pan for gold, cook, and take out bullets.”
“Sounds like everything a man could want in a woman,” Hank joked. He stuffed the rest of the bread into his mouth. “You’re right about the cookin’. Best bread I ever ate.”
“Listen, Hank, I’m glad you came.” Buck lit his cigarette and left it in the corner of his mouth as he talked. “What are the chances of you taking those mules into town for me? I’ll be held up here awhile. You could explain what happened to Jack Leads. He’d pay you for your trouble, and they’ve got to go back.”
Hank rubbed his chin. “Well, I reckon I could do that.” He glanced at Harmony again, then back at Buck. “Yeah, I could. It’s been too long since I hit town anyway and seen civilization. I could use a trip like that, and I reckon I could make the trip and get back in time to keep my claim in order.”
Buck took a drag on the cigarette and then took it from his mouth. “I’m also hoping you’ll consider helping Harmony bury those men out there. She can’t do it by herself, and it’s not much fun for her to look at dead bodies every time she goes out the door. I’d like to get rid of them. You could take any identification you can find off them and explain the situation to the sheriff in Cripple Creek. Take their horses too, but leave one here. When I finally come down, Harmony might come with me and she’ll need a mount.”
Hank nodded. “Sure, Buck. You’ve been a good friend. And no decent man would refuse to help a pretty little gal like Harmony here—I mean Miss Jones.”
“No, call me Harmony,” she answered.
Hank grinned. “Well, you call me Hank.”
Buck watched her. She was different—kinder, friendlier, less d
efensive. She was finally turning into a woman instead of a stubborn little kid. He had broken the barrier when he’d invaded her that one wonderful night, and having to help him the last few days had helped even more. She was finally beginning to trust him—and she loved him! She loved him! He was determined to get well as quickly as possible, for he intended to refresh his memory of the one passionate night he’d spent with her. And this time he’d be stone sober, so he could remember every moment, every word, every kiss, every lovely inch of her.
Hank rose. “I’d say the sooner we get the buryin’ over with, the better,” he was saying. “I’ll go get a shovel and we’ll get started.”
Harmony rose as he headed for the door. “Thank you, Hank. I’ll be right out to help.”
After Hank nodded and went out, Harmony turned to look at Buck, feeling a rush of warmth and passion at the look in his provocative blue eyes. She knew instinctively what he’d been thinking. Buck Hanner was getting better, and this was the first time since he’d been wounded that he’d looked at her with desire.
“Come over here, Harmony Jones,” he gently commanded her.
She reddened, but she went over and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out with his left arm, his good arm, wrapping a big hand behind her neck and pulling her toward him. Her long, blonde hair fell over his bare chest as she came closer, showing no resistance. She parted her lips, wanting the kiss as much as he did, and she was sure flames were shooting through her veins instead of blood when his mouth met hers hungrily. His tongue, lightly teasing, reminded her of the things he could do to send her into a world of ecstasy.
She returned the kiss, terribly curious and deeply in love, great joy and relief flooding her at the realization that she was a woman, that she loved a man and could trust him, that he loved her back! Yes, Buck Hanner loved her! Finally someone who would not leave her loved her. Finally she had learned about man, had learned it really was possible to enjoy being with a man. A spark of fear nudged her at the thought of the pain she would probably feel when he made love to her again; but he’d promised it wouldn’t hurt as much next time, and she believed him. She believed everything Buck Hanner told her, for he’d been true to everything he’d promised so far—and he’d risked his life for her.
When his lips left her mouth, she cradled his head against her breast and through her clothing he kissed at the fullness there.
“Oh, Buck, I’m so happy,” she whispered.
He breathed deeply of her sweet scent, moving his hand around from her back and gently cupping one breast in it as his lips moved to her throat. “You’re so different, Harmony, so sweet and giving.” He kissed her throat. “I loved you before, but I love you even more now.” His hand moved to her neck again. “When I saw those men…abusing you…” His voice drifted off and his lips met hers again, in groaning hunger. She whimpered, returning the kiss almost savagely. Then she gently pulled away, her face crimson, her body warm.
“We shouldn’t be doing this. You aren’t well enough, Buck.”
He grinned and put a big hand to her soft cheek. “I will be soon, but I agree. I don’t want to risk doing damage and having to wait even longer to make love to you. I’ll hold out a couple of more days. But I don’t think I can go much longer than that.”
She smiled and took his hand, closing her eyes and kissing his palm. “I’m so glad you’re here, Buck. I was afraid you were mad and wouldn’t come back.”
He squeezed her hand. “I knew you were just scared and confused. I stayed away to give you time to think, and I prayed every day that when I did come back you’d know you love me. I sensed that the whiskey made you tell the truth that night, Harmony. I wouldn’t have done what I did if I’d thought you didn’t love me. I didn’t do that just to take advantage of you and then leave you. I did it because I love you, and I felt that if I laid my claim on you and broke down that last barrier, you’d realize you love and need me.” He let go of her hand and gently pressed his own against her belly. “I worried about you, about hurting you like I did. I take it no real damage was done.”
She shrugged. “I guess not.” Her face was still red, and she averted her eyes. “I was okay after a while.”
He sighed and took a drag from the cigarette he held in his other hand. “I told you it would get better, and that’s true, Harmony. You believe that, don’t you? You aren’t afraid?”
She shook her head. “I’m not afraid. Not if it’s you.”
He grinned, putting his hand to her cheek again and forcing her to look at him. “Hey.” He pulled her close again and kissed her lightly. “It will be all right. I’ll make it all right, okay? Trust me?”
She studied the intense blue eyes. “I…” It was so hard for her to say. “I trust you, Buck.”
He kissed her again. “Go on and help Hank. In a few days I’ll be better, and we’ll pick up where we left off. Then we’ll go back to town and get married.”
She frowned and straightened. Marriage. That did scare her a little. That meant giving up independence.
“What…what about my claim?”
He shrugged. “We’ll work it together, if you want. Or better yet, we’ll sell it. What the hell? You don’t need this, Harmony. I have plenty of money. We’ll settle down in the valley, have a ranch, kids.”
Her stomach tightened. Again she remembered the docks, parents who hated and abandoned her. She wasn’t ready for children. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to give up her claim. She’d had it such a short time. It was hers. It was all she’d ever had that was just hers.
Buck saw confusion come into her eyes; he felt her apprehension. Harmony Jones was still wrestling with something, something his love had not yet conquered.
“Harmony, you do whatever you want with this claim. I’m not marrying you for this claim. I don’t know what’s going through that pretty head of yours, but don’t let it keep you from loving me.”
“I…I just don’t think…I don’t know about marriage, Buck,” she said quietly, staring at the floor. “Kids and all. And this…this claim…it’s all mine…all I’ve ever had that’s mine.”
He frowned. “I’m yours too, Harmony. And everything I have is yours.”
She shook her head. “That’s not the same. You don’t understand. Marriage and kids…my parents…they didn’t want me, and—”
“Harmony!” he spoke up more sternly, grasping her hand tightly. “Settle down and listen to me.”
She blinked back tears of confusion. How she loved him! Yes, she wanted to marry him, and yet…
“Harmony, we’ll take a step at a time, all right? I don’t want to lose you before we even get started. I’ve apparently said something that upset you, and we’ve got a lot of talking to do. You have some pretty deep wounds inside that pretty soul of yours, some bad memories under that blonde hair. I don’t give a damn if you keep this claim or sell it. I don’t even give a damn if you don’t marry me right away. Just relax and trust me, Harmony, do you hear?. Trust me and let me love you…let me make love to you…be a man to you and show you how to be a woman. I’ll make no other demands on you, Harmony. I’ll even stay up here with you and dig out some ground for you if you want. We might even blow a hole in the rock behind this cabin. It belongs to you. Maybe we’ll hit a mother lode. Who knows? Apparently that’s more important to you than anything right now, so we’ll go from there. Just don’t turn away from me, Harmony. Don’t stop loving me.”
She met his eyes again, tears on her cheeks. “I get so mixed up sometimes, Buck,” she said softly. “I love you. I do! But marriage…children…that scares me right now!”
He petted her hair. “Then don’t worry about it. Just don’t worry about it. We’ve got plenty of time. I’ll stay up here with you for the rest of the winter. To hell with what anybody thinks. We’ll talk…do some exploring around the property”—he ran a thumb over her lips—“and we’ll make love whenever we want.”
She sniffed. “You’ll think I’m bad!”
> He grinned. “No. I’d never, ever, think that of Harmony Jones. But come spring I’m going back to Cripple Creek, and by then it will be time for a decision, Harmony. We can’t hole up here forever. Come spring I’ll want you to marry me. That gives you some time to think about it…to learn to trust me. Come spring we’ll make some decisions—about this place and about marriage. Agreed?”
She nodded and stood up. “I’d better go help Hank.” She rose and walked to the door, then looked back at him. “I do love you, Buck. I never loved anybody the way I love you. I just want to know this place is all mine…just a little while longer.”
She saw the manly pride and determination in his eyes. Buck Hanner would not be toyed with. “If that’s what you want. But I won’t let this place take you from me. I can see by those green eyes that you still think independence and wealth are your only security, Harmony. It isn’t so. I’m your security. Buck Hanner will be your security, your protection, your happiness. That’s so and you know it. Don’t forget that. Don’t let your priorities get mixed up. Don’t let bad memories keep you from understanding what real happiness is. I came back. I’ll always come back. Buck Hanner will be a part of your life forever, and don’t think you can ever turn away from that, for any reason.”
Her eyes teared again. “Don’t be angry, Buck. I just…this is the first time I’ve let myself trust somebody. Don’t be lying. Please don’t be lying!”
He smiled softly, his blue eyes full of love. “Buck Hanner never lies,” he assured her.
Oh, God, how she wanted to believe that! How she needed to believe it. This was such a new feeling, love and trust. It was all she could handle for now. They’d take a day at a time, just like he’d said. She turned and went out to help Hank bury the bodies—bury the men Buck Hanner had killed to save her. Yes, she could believe him. She could trust him! And she did love him!
Hank buried the bodies and left the same day, wanting to get to town and back as quickly as possible. He took along a supply of Harmony’s fresh-baked bread. That same evening Buck came down with a fever, and it was soon evident that his wound was infected, much to Harmony’s distress. The area around the wound reddened and swelled, and his fever worsened to the point of near delirium. She had no choice but to cut open the wound again, but this time she made just a surface cut to drain the infection, so the muscle that was healing deeper down was not interfered with.
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