Her lips trembled against his. “My Panther, my love,” she sighed.
At the supper table that evening Tanya still had that look of a well and truly loved woman about her; her lips were still slightly swollen from his demanding kisses and there was a glow to her face, a glitter to her golden eyes.
Melissa and Rachel paid little attention, knowing full well what brought the added glow, and Julie, never having experienced such things, gave it no thought. Roberto, however, took note right away, and his curious glances passed back and forth between Adam and Tanya throughout the meal. At one point, he leaned over and whispered a quiet question to Justin. Justin shrugged nonchalantly, saying nothing, but every so often afterward, his contemplative gaze rested on his friend’s face or Tanya’s.
Later, Justin got Melissa aside. “Tanya hasn’t said anything to you about what is going on between herself and Adam, has she?”
“No, why?” Melissa asked.
“Roberto has some crazy notion they’ve been — well — making love,” he said hesitantly, “and I think he may be right.”
“It is none of our business what they do together,” Melissa countered smoothly.
Justin looked at her in surprise. “No, but I thought Adam was more of a gentleman than to take advantage of a lady, and regardless of what she’s been through, I consider Tanya a lady.”
“It doesn’t concern us,” Melissa repeated, Justin looked puzzled. “That is a strange attitude for you to take, Melissa, considering the way you hold me at arm’s length. You surprise me.”
Melissa shrugged. “I’m not so small-minded that I would stoop to condemning my friends for what they feel is right. My ideas may differ from theirs, but that does not necessarily make either of us right or wrong. Nothing is ever altogether black or white in this world, Justin. If nothing else, I’ve learned to be more tolerant of others these past years.”
Justin looked down on the petite blonde he’d come to love so much and shook his head. “Will I ever come to understand you?”
Melissa gave him an enigmatic smile. “You never can tell.”
The day of the fiesta was hectic with last-minute preparations. The beef had been cooking slowly on outside spits for hours, and the house was filled with the spicy aroma of other foods being prepared. Dozens of pies, cakes, and confectionery delights lined the sideboards in the kitchen and dining room.
Tables were being erected outside, and lanterns strung for the evening’s festivities. Extra rooms had been prepared for guests who would be staying over, asthe festivities would no doubt last into the early hours of the morning.
Late afternoon brought the arrival of the Martin family. Eager to relate all his new accomplishments, Jeremy was the first to greet them, almost before the wheels of the buggy had stopped turning.
Tanya gave the flowers she was arranging one last adjustment, and nodded in satisfaction. “They’ll do,” she said to herself as she went to welcome her parents. On her way to the door, she scooped Mark up from his spot on the floor. “Come on, little spider,” she told him. “Let’s go see Grandma and Grandpa.”
Julie and Melissa were already outside, and Rachel was welcoming her guests. Just as Tanya was about to step forward, Adam came striding around the corner of the house, Hunter riding proudly atop his shoulders.
As Adam’s long-legged stride carried him swiftly to Tanya’s side, Mark spied him. With a delighted coo and a wide, four-tooth grin, he threw his arms open. It was pure coincidence that he chose the one moment of pure silence to call out, “Da-da! Da-da!”
Shocked to her toes by her son’s first words, Tanya felt the blood rush to her face. To his credit, Adam did not break stride; neither did his face show undue surprise. Upon reaching Tanya, he ruffled Mark’s hair, put his arm about Tanya’s waist, and said calmly, “Smart boy! He’s talking earlier than most, isn’t he?”
Tanya gulped and nodded, noting the shocked looks on both her mother’s and father’s faces. Then she suddenly burst out laughing. “I never expected his first words to be in English!” she exclaimed. “What a surprise!”
Rachel laughed. “He’s a picaro,a little rascal! Last week he cut a tooth on the rung of my best rocker, which I shall cherish all the more, and crawled into the pantry to hide. What next, I ask you?”
At last Tanya’s father ventured a comment. “Well, at least you have to admire his taste, if not his discretion,” he said on a chuckle. “He knows a good man when he sees one.”
“I cannot help but agree with you, sir,” Rachel concurred as everyone laughed.
“Now all we have to do is see if the mother is as smart as her son,” Roberto suggested with a sly wink in Tanya’s direction that set her blushing anew.
“She is.” Adam smiled cryptically and led the group indoors, his arm snugly about Tanya’s waist.
Friends and neighbors from miles around came to celebrate Adam’s birthday. The house and yards were overflowing with laughter and gaiety. Everyone from Judge Kerr to the lowliest ranch hand was having a grand time. Mountains of food disappeared like magic, to be replaced by more from the kitchen, and the supply of liquor seemed endless. A few of the more talented in attendance took turns providing the music, and the soft sound of guitars wafted on the night air, often accompanied by the haunting tones of a harmonica. As everyone became caught up in the gala atmosphere of the evening, more of them joined in the singing and dancing.
Adam was very relaxed and congenial in his role as host, and somehow, as the evening progressed, Rachel managed inconspicuously to shift the role of hostess from her own shoulders to Tanya’s. With Tanya constantly at his side, often with his hand resting possessively on her shoulder or the curve of her waist, Adam wordlessly conveyed the distinct message that Tanya was his.
Tanya met many new people as well as renewing acquaintances with several she’d met previously. She knew Judge Kerr and his wife Emily, of course. Prudence Barnes was there with her family and Stuart Hammond. The young couple looked very happy, and Tanya was fairly certain that Prudence had broken the good news to him already.
Dr. Emmet Jones, a distinguished gentleman in his mid-fifties, was there, as well as the town sheriff, Tom Middleton. From what little Tanya overheard, Sheriff Middleton was none too pleased with the interference of the military in his town. It seemed the cavalry was stepping on the good sheriffs toes, as well as his jurisdiction, in their zeal to help protect the citizens of Pueblo. Particularly offensive was one Lt. Young, who seemed to think his authority came from God himself, and far outweighed the sheriff's.
From her parents, Tanya discovered that Jeffrey had been as riled as a bear with a sore paw since the day she’d left Pueblo with Adam. The only reason he hadn’t found time to come out to the ranch himself was that he’d been kept constantly busy with the influx of wagon trains now passing through Pueblo heading west.
“They are just starting to reach here from the east, and the town is booming,” Edward stated. “That is why Elizabeth and George could not come. Someone had to keep the mercantile open for business.”
As the evening progressed, Tanya noted that while Justin devoted himself to Melissa, Roberto was employing a reverse tactic. He flirted and danced with nearly every pretty girl present, and his strategy appeared to be working. Julie could not seem to keep her eyes from him for long, and with each new woman she saw on his arm, her frown grew. Tanya knew her sister well enough to recognize that the bright gleam in Julie’s blue-green eyes was less excitement than out-and-out jealousy.
Other than a few obligatory turns with other partners, Adam and Tanya reserved their dances for one another. She politely but firmly refused offers by a number of other men, and they soon got the message. Even the women took note of how often Tanya and Adam circled the floor together, and how intimately he held her.
Her cheek resting on his shoulder as they drifted dreamily to the music, she whispered, “Adam, you are holding me much closer than is proper, my darling. People have started to talk.”
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“They are just jealous,” he assured her, his breath fanning her hair.
“Of you or me?”
“Both, I imagine!”
Later, seated beside him at one of the tables with Rachel and her parents, the topic arose again.
“Tanya, dear,” Sarah began. “At the risk of sounding critical, I must point out that your conduct this evening is causing comment. The gossips are having a heyday!”
Tanya smiled wryly. “Mother, that is hardly something new where I am concerned. I am sure half of the people I met tonight expected me to appear in buckskin, a tomahawk in my hand!”
“Don’t be facetious, daughter,” Edward said curtly. “Your mother is right. It is our responsibility to see that your reputation suffers no more abuse than it already has.”
“Not for long,” Adam drawled nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink.
Edward’s head snapped about. “What was that?”
“She won’t be your responsibility for long, Edward,” Adam elaborated. “With your permission, I’d like your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Even though she herself was unprepared for Adam’s bold pronouncement, Tanya was amused by the stunned looks on her parents’ faces. She’d never seen her mother’s mouth hanging open like that, or her father at a loss for words.
“Tanya has already agreed to be my bride, and I intend to adopt the boys, of course,” Adam went on calmly, as if discussing nothing more important than the weather.
Tanya wondered if her father had been rendered permanently speechless. Finally he cleared his throat several times and stammered, “I — yes — of course.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “You certainly caught me unaware!”
Sarah’s hand fluttered uncertainly to her throat. “This is rather soon, isn’t it?” Her voice wavered suspiciously.
A devilish twinkle lit Tanya’s eyes. “Do you disapprove then, Mama?”
“Gracious, no!” Sarah responded with improper haste, then blushed to the roots of her hair. “I just want you to be certain,” she amended.
“I’ve never been one to take long to decide what I want,” Adam explained, “and I want Tanya. I take it we have your blessing then?”
Sarah and Edward exchanged a quick glance. “Yes,” they chorused.
Rachel beamed. “You are perfect for one another. I am so happy for you, and so excited! Please let me help you plan for your wedding, Tanya.” Her dark eyes sought those of her son’s and lingered lovingly. “Adam is my only child, and so I have no daughter to fuss over at her wedding.”
“Of course you must help,” Sarah insisted kindly, obviously moved by Rachel’s plea. “Elizabeth and I will have our hands full, no doubt.” Already her mind was busily spinning plans. “We will have to organize a formal engagement party …”
Adam leaned forward. “Excuse me, Mrs. Martin, but you’d better plan fast, for now that Tanya is to be my wife, I find myself anxious. In just a few moments I am going to quell all the whispers and rumors by announcing our engagement here and now.”
Rachel, used to her son’s split-second decisions, smiled indulgently as Sarah sputtered, “But — but…”
She patted the other woman’s hand in a gesture of comfort. “Now, Sarah, it will work out fine. We can have the engagement party in a few weeks.”
“They’d better be short weeks then, Mother,” Adam instructed. “Tanya and I want to be married by the first of July at the latest.”
Sarah gasped. “My dear boy! We can’t possibly have everything ready by then! That is only four — five weeks away!”
“Why drag it out?” Tanya asked, her eyes dancing merrily. “Let’s get him to the altar quickly, before he changes his mind!”
“Tanya!”Sarah was scandalized.
Tanya, Adam, and Rachel burst out laughing, and Edward joined them. “Tanya has a point, Sarah,” he chuckled. “Lord knows when we’ll have another opportunity like this!”
Chapter 23
IT WAS the wee hours of the morning before the party broke up and everyone straggled off to bed. Due to the number of guests staying over, Melissa had volunteered to bunk in with Tanya to make more room.
No sooner had they locked the door and put out the light than Tanya tiptoed toward Adam’s room. “Mark should sleep through the night, but if he wakes and needs to be fed, call me,” she whispered to Melissa.
“All right,” Melissa mumbled in response, already burrowing her head into her pillow. “G’night.”
Thinking Melissa was nearly asleep, Tanya left the connecting door open a crack, the better to hear the boys if Melissa slept too deeply.
Adam was waiting for her. As she stepped into a path of moonlight next to the bed, he spoke softly. “The price of admittance into my bed is the forfeiture of that concealing nightgown you are wearing.”
Tanya laughed. “Getting rather bossy now that our engagement has been publicly announced, aren’t you?” Her voice was muffled as she pulled the offending garment over her head and slid into bed beside him.
“I think I deserve extra consideration since this may be one of the last opportunities we have to be alone for weeks,” he countered. “Your mother will be keeping you busy in town with fittings and plans and invitations, and there is no guarantee we can schedule another visit to the ranch between now and the wedding.”
“True,” she murmured, her lips finding the hollow in his throat.
He gathered her close, enjoying the feel of her silken skin against the rougher texture of his, burying his hands and his face in her fragrant hair. Inhaling deeply, he sighed, “I’ve been wanting to do this all evening. You smell of lilacs and you feel like warm satin. It has driven me to distraction to hold you so close and not be able to kiss you or touch you as I wanted to.”
His lips feathered across her forehead, her temple, her cheekbone. “You are so beautiful, Tanya. You are a magnificent witch! You’ve had me under your spell since the first moment I saw you.”
His lips remained elusive as she sought them with her own. “The moonlight has gone to your head,” she responded softly.
Again she tried to capture his mouth, but he was intent on a path from her neck to her shoulder, nipping lightly at the sensitive flesh. She moaned in delight, tipping her head back to allow him better access. Shivers of sensual pleasure danced through her. Her slender fingers wound their way into his ebony locks.
Adam chuckled. “Like that, do you?”
“Mmm-hmm,” she sighed languidly, then caught her breath as his fingertips brushed lightly up and down her sides.
With her hands to his head, she guided his mouth toward hers, eager for the kisses she craved. But instead of the fulfilling kiss she so desired, he held her off, nibbling his way all along the outer edges of her mouth; teasing the contours with his tongue, his teeth, his warm breath, until her lips were trembling for the full weight of his.
“Kiss me, Adam. Kiss me,” she pleaded.
When he complied, it was all she could ask and more. His mouth took command of hers, molding, searing, a promise of delights to come. His tongue sought entry, and her lips parted gladly to allow it to slide smoothly between her teeth. Their breath mingled as their tongues began a mating dance of their own, twisting, tangling, tasting.
Tanya felt the familiar fires of passion licking along her veins, heating her blood. Her body strained to make closer contact with his, her hands stroking the contours of his shoulders, urging him nearer.
Adam’s skillful fingers teased along her ribcage, edging ever nearer to her aching breasts. As they neared their goal, he lightly traced the outer curves, and for the briefest of moments, she felt his work-roughened palms brush their pouting tips.
A frustrated moan of pure agony escaped her lips as his hands failed to claim their prize. His deep chuckle told her he was deliberately taunting her. “Damn it, darling!” she breathed, wrenching her mouth from his. “Stop teasing me!”
“Tell me what you want, my pet,” he directed huskily.
“Touch me.” Her hands guided his to her throbbing breasts. “Fondle me. Let me feel your hands and mouth on my breasts.”
“Tell me how it makes you feel, my love, when I caress your breasts and tease the nipples with my tongue. What goes on inside of you?”
Just inside the next room, Melissa was in the process of closing the door to shut out the sounds of their lovemaking. She paused with her hand on the doorknob as she heard Adam’s words. Even as she felt her stomach lurch in revulsion, curiosity stayed her hand. Heat flushed her cheeks as she eavesdropped on this most intimate of scenes. She knew she should leave, but her feet seemed rooted to the floor.
For months now she had been experiencing unfamiliar twinges of response toward Justin. The few times she had allowed him to kiss her, a previously unknown flutter erupted in her stomach, and her breath had shortened magically. The one time he had gently cupped her breast, her nipple had risen immediately, and when his thumb had brushed tentatively across it, a shaft of emotion had speared through her, frightening her with its intensity. She had backed away in confusion and shame, unable to understand her traitorous body.
From Ugly Otter she had learned the pain and degradation of physical union with a man. While living with Tanya and Adam in their tipi, she came to realize that some people found pleasure in it, though she could not understand why. With Justin, she was now experiencing for the first time the emotional side of love between a man and a woman. Her heart was opening in response to his, but her mind was sending mixed signals. She had not expected her body to respond to his touch; she had anticipated disgust. Her mind and better judgment told her she should be repelled and ashamed, even as her lips thrilled to his.
Never had she linked the ideas of emotional and physical love together in her mind. To her thinking, the two were separate and distinct, one hateful, the other ethereal. Now, as she stood in the dark listening to the murmurings in the next room, she readjusted her thinking. The two types of love did, indeed, belong together.
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