“I’d have never guessed Beau Noble would have such a comely sister,” the man said with more charm than such a man should possess. He looked toward the Tremaine boys. “How about you water your horses. I’d like to speak to Mrs. Crowe in private, then you can take her back. Our meeting will be short.” He turned back to Hannah, his smile still gracious and appealing.
“If you’ll sit, please,” he motioned to a nearby rock. “Sorry about the accommodations. I could have entertained you more grandly in my parlor at the ranch, but then you would have been absent from your life longer than would have suited either of our purposes. Hmmm? Since I was passing near town, I thought it might be time to have a word with you regarding your brother.”
Hannah was surprised by how well spoken he was; again nothing like her expectations of the man. But despite his congenial manners and fine speech, she elected to remain on her feet.
“My brother’s business is not mine—” she struggled for the right word to call him. She didn’t respect him enough to call him, Sir. “My husband will not be pleased when he hears of this … this kidnapping.”
“Oh, ma’am, it’s not kidnapping. I have no intention of hurting you. You’ll be back at your farm in no time, no harm done. And no need to mention this to your husband. I doubt he’d take kindly to you interceding on behalf of your brother.”
She protested, “But I’m not interceding.”
“Oh, but you are, in your own way. You’ll understand that soon enough.” His mood took on a sly aspect, his eyes narrowed and his voice changed enough in tone to give her chills. “Your brother owes me a good deal of money—I think we’re all well aware of that. I earned it fair and square and I will collect—one way or another.” He looked for her response and continued. “There are choices you should be aware of should your brother surface. You’ll want to relay them to him. As importantly, let him know that my patience is wearing thin.”
Though she was quaking inside, Hannah stood her ground. “Well, then, you need to speak with my brother yourself.”
“If that were possible, I would. However, I know that he shows up at your farm from time to time—in fact, I have word that he may be passing through the county soon. So, the next time you see him, you need to be prepared. Give him a word from Jarrett Cain for me. Hmmm?”
Her eyes flared but she didn’t reply.
“You tell him that I will get what’s due me—one way or another. All of it. Paid in full. He may be able to hide away for a few weeks, even a month or two, but I have a long memory, and a long reach, and the debt will not be forgiven until I have what’s rightfully mine.” The eyes that seemed to bore right through her now glimmered with an unsavory light. “You can tell him that while I’m waiting for him to pay up, I won’t be languishing without. I’ll be using the creative genius I have, the influence I have, extracting prices from alternate sources, if need be.” His smile looked dangerous to her now and a cold anxiety chilled her through as she wondered at the implication.
“What does that mean?”
For a moment, he looked as if he would say more but instead he said: “Beau knows what it means, Mrs. Crowe; he knows me well enough. He’s seen what I can do.” While he finished his speech, he tended his horse, tightening the saddle, perhaps to make the meeting appear more casual than it was. He stood sideways to her now, and turned his head as he finished talking, to stare at her, just stare, until she could no long endure the man’s incisive eyes.
He had a cagey way about him and spoke as if there were layers of meaning behind his message—some that she should understand without his saying. She was too scared to ask. Her blood had turned to ice, although it was the strangest chill, for deep in her gut, a fiery sensation burned hot. She could not, would not, allow herself to recognize what it meant.
It must have been the man’s infamous power, that’s all, she’d decide later. However, while she remained in his presence, she could barely breathe or think or understand her own confused emotions and why they tormented her so.
“I’ll tell my brother what you said,” she said, “if I see him. Now, please, I must return home.”
“By all means,” he smiled warmly, then turned and called out, “Eldon!”
The man appeared from behind a bush where he had no doubt been eavesdropping.
“Take Mrs. Crowe to the road adjacent to her farm. I’m sure it will be easier on the feet than a long walk home from town. G’day, Mrs. Crowe.” The man mounted his horse, and without turning back, galloped off in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER FOUR
Hannah tended her garden with the fury of an angry, desperate woman. The hard work did her good, she told herself, while hoping the labor might somehow disperse the intense emotion Jarrett Cain had roused in her. It had been two days and still the image of the man clouded her mind and his veiled but unseemly warnings did nasty things to her erotic body.
Responding to an unexpected sound nearby, she turned from her weeding to find herself doused by a shadow high above her kneeling body. Looking up, she saw that it was Beau, not because she could see his face; he was no more than a black silhouette against the brash late summer sky. But she knew the outline of his body well, a familiar shape that on many occasions warmed her spirit just to be within its presence. It had been a long time, however, since she’d entertained such tender notions toward her brother.
“Hey, sis, aren’t you going to greet me with a hug and a warm meal?”
He slid from his horse and extended his hand. Now she could see him better. His scraggly face needed a good shave and his tousled mass of brown hair a trim. His clothes were grimy from the road, likely from a dozen hideouts, where clean water and a bar of soap were scarce. He looked tired and drawn, as well he should be, but nonetheless, he was still as handsome as ever. The fanciful glint in his blue eyes had never faded—Hannah counted that a good thing. And he could still smile. He looked older, not in years, but from the worry that made his face seem sad—something she’d not seen in him before. She’d seen the same look settle in her father’s face as the years took their toll.
“You know you’re not welcome here,” Hannah said as she moved to her feet. “Daniel will have your hide if he finds you in his home. Trust me, he wields a nasty strap and he’d certainly be aiming for your sorry ass.”
Beau shrugged. “You talk so harsh, Hannah. Not like you.”
“I’m talking the truth,” she said as she brushed passed him and moved toward the porch.
“Hey, there, I’m not the enemy.”
“But you’re running from one, one with every intention of getting what he wants from you. Why don’t you just pay up?”
“’Cause it’s so much more than I have, sweet sister.” He swaggered jauntily as he moved her way and followed her into the house.
“Then work it off.” She turned to confront him.
“Like some indentured slave? Never! Can you imagine what father would think of that?”
“He’d think that you’re acting responsibly under the circumstances and accepting the consequences of your actions, as well you should!”
Hannah moved to the stove and dished up a serving of beans that had been boiling there all morning. She practically shoved the plate in Beau’s face.
“It is not a good time for you to be coming here, Beau Noble. I do not want you to stay.” She softened slightly, taking an exasperated breath. “But eat. You’re looking thin.”
“Aw, I can always count on you,” Beau offered her his typically charming smile.
“For this much, but then you take your leave. And if you have any respect for yourself and me, and all father stood for, you’ll take care of your business matters with that man.” Her voice seemed to rise the more she spoke.
“My, you are in rage.” Beau backed off with the plate in hand and sat down at the kitchen table.
“My husband has ordered me to cease any activity in finding you—which he has every right to ask of me. And that terrible man you
owe the money to has taken to hassling me about it.” She jabbed a finger to her chest.
Beau seemed hardly moved by this pronouncement.
“Do you understand! He had his men virtually kidnap me so he could deliver his particular warnings. He was serious, Beau. He’ll get what’s his one way or another. I don’t want to think about what he’ll do if you keep running from him.”
“Hannah,” he pointed his fork at her, scowling as he chewed, “I’m not going to give myself up to that bastard—excuse me, sorry,” he added when she cast a disapproving glance his way. “I don’t owe him half of what he says I do. He calls it interest. But interest or no, I’m not going to just surrender to the man. I got plans, plans to pay him. Don’t you worry. But I’m not going to be able to pay him anything if he’s twisting my arm every minute.”
Hannah leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed in front of her. “You know, I just don’t understand why he is so intent on this. I mean, he’s said to be worth a fortune. What you owe him is surely a pittance in comparison.”
“‘Cause he’s Jarrett Cain, Hannah. And everything that doesn’t go his way is a personal affront. Besides, he feeds on revenge. I didn’t want to bow to him the way everyone does, so he has it in for me.” Beau shrugged and took another scoopful of beans, saying just before he shoved it in his mouth. “Probably didn’t like the way I socked him in the face.” He grinned. “I heard he had a bloody nose and two black eyes from that punch.” He laughed between forkfuls of food.
Hannah shook her head in shock. “Beau, why do you get yourself into these fixes?”
“Oh, this is by far the worst, sister,” he said it as if it were a joke. “It’ll either blow over, or I’ll pay him, or—well, who wants to think about that?” He chewed the beans and swallowed them down with a glass of milk. “You know, I was actually thinking of waiting him out.”
Hannah’s eyes flashed fire. “That is the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. But just give me a little time.”
“Yes, a little time; I think that’s all you have.”
“And don’t you go getting in his way, Hannah.” Finished with the meal, he pushed away from the table and rose to this feet. “He likes women.”
“I’m a married woman.”
“So, you are. But that never mattered to him before.” He cocked his head and his manner softened. “You know, sis, maybe I should be here to protect you—and Jolie,” he looked around, “She still here?”
“She’s been visiting a friend for a few days, but should be back here later today.”
“So, what do you think? Can I stay? I mean, you have Daniel, but when he’s out checking the traps. Hum? I’d stay in the barn, no trouble at all. Added protection, huh?” he added hopefully. “That man, Travis, Daniel’s friend hasn’t been around here much lately.”
“He’s had a sister to take care of. But we are just fine here. Besides, if you mean stay in the barn and hide away like some criminal, you’re absolutely not welcome. Though, I suppose if you stick around so you can face your foe and get the matter settled, then I can’t turn you away.”
Beau shook his head. “Settle with Cain? Oh, I can’t do that, not yet. But I got places I can go.”
He moved to the door.
“Fine. You can leave. Just remember what I said.”
“I will, Hannah. I will.” He turned all sincere as he took her hand and caressed it lovingly. “You’ll see. I promise. And you take care of yourself.” He stared her in the eyes seeing all her mixed emotions like a desperate plea. “And, I know you and Jolie are safe with Daniel.”
“Yes, we are.”
He let go her hand, grabbed his hat from a peg by the door and set it on his head. Hannah thought he looked no better than the Tremaine boys, as rough, as desperate and as rash. It was taking a long time for him to grow up. Sometimes, she was afraid he never would.
***
Daniel turned in bed and felt Hannah’s sweet body beside him, still sleeping. He moved in close and pulled himself above her, then leaned down and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her eyes, her mouth, and her mouth again as she began to awaken and responded to the tender kisses. Her skin was warm, so was her breath. Her body rose into his embrace and their aroused loins began to rub against each other. The hardness between Daniel’s thighs caused her belly to quake with satisfaction and promise. He was dazzled by her yielding body, gathering her in and holding her in a coveting grasp.
“Oh, husband,” she murmured. Her eyes were not yet open.
Daniel tugged at her nightgown, lifting it to her waist, then moved down her body with mouth and tongue working feverishly along her moist skin. He stopped to kiss her navel before traveling toward the delicate hairs of her fragrant womanhood. Her pubis lured him in, rising like a wave to meet his mouth and probing tongue. Her hands found his hair and grabbed on as she breathed in sharply. His lips burrowed into the valley between her sex lips, tasting the sweat and female dew that gathered at the opening of that luscious furrow. As he inhaled the sweet and tangy perfume of her morning body, he felt the deep ache of his erection, urgently clamoring for this mysterious sheath.
Hannah’s body quickened beneath his hands as her flesh became more alive. Sucking the hardened bud of her clitoris, Daniel listened to the lilting moans of pleasure escape into the tepid air. He bit the thing and heard her groan with sound that gained in passion, then felt her lifting him upward, tugging his hair, wanting him inside her.
Reaching under her nightgown, Daniel grabbed for her breasts with two anxious hands. The urgency of mind and body leapt forward and he pulled himself up to straddle her hips.
“This is what you were made for, madam,” he swore, with a lurid scowl on his face.
“Then you can have me, kind sir,” she said, answering back with a bawdy smile. “Oh, please have me.”
He obliged her and his own lascivious needs. Raising his hips and leaning forward, he teased her with the tip of his cock poised for a moment at the door to her wet portal. His lips pressed to her mouth and his manhood throbbed against her sweltering cunny.
“Oh, sir, you torment me so!”
“Good for you, wife! Torment becomes you.”
Unhappy with the bunched up nightgown, he backed off from his task and tore the garment off and over her head, tossing it to the side of the room. With her naked body writhing beneath him, he moved against her with his erection poised and then thrusting full and proud into the soaked vessel.
Hannah’s head fell back as she silently screamed. He was on her now hard and fast, pumping furiously into her, as though he’d split her in two with the forceful thrusts. No morning could be more perfect than this loving one where the fire of their passions exploded and they fused so tightly to each other that they would swear that nothing could pry their coupled flesh asunder.
“OH! YES! SIR!” she gasped again and again as her body crested in climax. “YES! YES!” she cried on, while Daniel’s deep growls signaled his completion.
Afterwards, they lay together in the steamy heat for just a few minutes. Daniel had a long day ahead and there was work for Hannah to do.
“You’ll be out how many days?” she asked him.
“Likely just three. But with any luck I’ll be here for dinner three nights from now.”
“I’ll be expecting you, sir.” She rolled over and stroked his chest. “And if you’re not home in time for dinner, I’ll be waiting for you in bed.”
“Oh, you little scamp.” He flicked her nose, then kissed it lightly before taking her mouth with his for a final kiss. “You’d best be behaving,” he thought to warn her. “And keep Jolie on the straight and narrow.”
“That’s a tall order, my love, but I’m sure we’ll have no trouble on that score. I have no reason to go to town while you’re gone. We’ll sit tight and be good.”
“Smart girl. I worry about you when Travis is gone,” he said of his good friend who was
often living there and helping with the farm.
“Travis needs to be with his sister now; we both know that. And Jolie and I will be just fine here. I promise.” She wouldn’t tell him that she feared another run-in with the Tremaines or Jarrett Cain. There was no sense in worrying him needlessly.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jolie was hanging laundry on the line outside. She was just about finished, Hannah thought as she peered out the window. After the two ate lunch and rested, there’d be plenty more chores for her sister to do. The older Hannah figured that keeping her sister busy kept her out of trouble. Since the fiasco in town, she’d kept a close eye on Jolie’s whereabouts. Although Jolie wasn’t happy about the situation, she said little to rouse Hannah, and that was a good thing. She might have boxed her ears herself or taken a switch to her behind had she misbehaved again.
Hannah had returned to chopping vegetables when she heard the sound of footsteps on the porch behind her, “What took you so long, girl?” she called out to Jolie.
“Hannah, shush!” Jolie’s small voice was barely above a whisper.
Hannah turned around and suddenly froze. She could hardly see her sister’s slight body among the three men whose ample forms filled the porch with their menace. The Tremaine boy, Eldon, Lyle Merchant and Jarrett Cain stood there with her sister squashed between Eldon and Lyle, with two big hands firmly holding her at the shoulders. The girl gazed out, her eyes round as moons and fixed as if she were in a panicked trance.
Before Hannah had a chance to react, Jarrett Cain opened the door and strode inside. The two other men followed with their prisoner in tow.
The Humiliation of Hannah Page 4