Get over your fantasies, she scolded herself. Best concentrate on the task at hand—making it to the Mill alive. After all, neither one of them could have a baby if they were dead.
She floated in silence as Beth slept hard on the floor of the bateau. The only sound besides the bubbling of the river beneath them was the gentle whines from Nots. Beside her feet the little pup lay next to the crate, her eyes sad as though she pleaded for a reprieve from the confines of the bateau. “I know, I know. I could use a stretch too.”
Carrie studied the mountain where the fire blazed. Although smoke still floated around the mountainside, they were still safe to stop. Carrie spotted a sandy bank down the river and dug deep in the water to move the boat toward the shoreline. In a few hard-fought minutes, she landed the little vessel with a thump.
Beth woke with a start and searched the river frantically before easing her shoulders at the scene. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Maybe an hour.” Carrie motioned to her pup. “Nots needed a break, and so did I.”
Beth nodded—her face ashen and hair disheveled. Was that what Carrie looked like as well? She imagined it was, though maybe not as rough. What a sight they must be. Two proper women run ragged from almost two days in a little boat, fleeing for their lives.
Beth jumped from the boat and eased it farther onto the bank, securing the line to a nearby tree stump. As Beth took up the rifle and checked to ensure it was loaded, Carrie picked Nots up and clambered out of the bateau. She wobbled to get her balance as the solid land seemed to roll beneath her feet. The routine they had whenever they stopped for a break barely changed from one stop to another: Beth confident in the role as protector and Carrie the mothering hen who watched over the pup.
Carrie stretched her arms above her head. “Are you certain we’re going down the right rivers? Shouldn’t we see any signs of civilization by now?”
“We’re getting closer to The Thirsty Woodsman. Should be there by tonight,” Beth said, then perked up to stare hard in the brush.
The bone-chilling click of the gun sent her stomach rolling, and Carrie searched where Beth stared. Nots barked at her feet and took off into the vegetation. Carrie flinched to follow. “Nots!”
“Stop!” Beth commanded, and pointed the gun toward where Nots had disappeared. “Something is back there.”
With the vegetation so thick before them, all they could do was wait and listen. A high-pitched screech sounded through the branches, and tears filled Carrie’s eyes. Her love for her pup prompted her to go to her rescue, but common sense, and Beth, forced her to stay. She couldn’t lose the one thing on earth Simon had given her.
Her spine prickled as the screech switched to a low growl and back to the screech as the distinctive sounds of a mountain lion filled the trees around them and intensified. Nots’s barks grew frantic somewhere in the brush. Coward that she was, Carrie moved behind Beth and the gun and waited.
“We’re going to die,” she whispered.
“No.” Beth adjusted the gun on her shoulder. “The animals are running from the fire and just as scared as us. Let’s get in the boat. We might have to leave Nots behind.”
“No.”
“Carrie,” Beth said, sternly. Even though she’d only spoken her name, the one word pierced her heart and screamed of truth. If they wanted to live, she might have to sacrifice her pet.
“Simon gave her to me.” Carrie didn’t bother to hold back her tears. She let them fall like the water droplets off a boulder in the middle of the river.
“Get in the boat.” Beth’s tone didn’t leave room for argument.
With one last glance to where Nots had disappeared into the brush, Carrie scurried onto her seat in the bateau and waited. Worry dug a hole in her stomach when Beth didn’t move toward the boat. Instead she stood, gun trained on the brush, as another screech filled the air.
“If he attacks and I miss, row out to the river, Carrie. Don’t look back.”
“No!” Carrie shouted, and tripped as she lurched upright and fought her way back to the bank as a large cougar emerged from the brush ten yards in front of them.
The sleek cat cocked his head to the side and tipped his mouth back in a scream to frighten even the bravest of men as Nots danced around behind him and nipped at the back of his heels. Her brave little pup. The cat growled deep in its chest and turned slightly to swipe at Nots with his front claws, but missed. Carrie stopped short when the cat trained his gaze on her—his eyes like the black soulless stare of the devil.
“Shoot him!” Carrie tried to shout the words, but her voice barely made a whisper of sound. Regardless, the sound drew attention to her. The mountain lion moved his head and took a step forward as Beth fired a shot.
Carrie jumped at the sound, but the bullet missed and the cougar flinched then charged. She didn’t think the animal aimed at any one of them; it simply attacked. Carrie screamed and turned to run toward the boat as a second shot rang out around them, followed immediately by a third.
She turned back to the scene in time to see the cat drop to the ground and blood spread beneath the tan hide. Dead.
No longer able to hold her own weight, Carrie’s knees collapsed beneath her, and she fell. Shaking as tears puddled the ground. She let herself go just for a moment. Needing the few seconds of utter silence to bring the world into focus.
Before she could gain her composure, strong arms encircled her shoulders and tugged her up. Her stomach flipped as she stood and peered up into Simon’s worried eyes. He pulled her into his shoulder, and she sank into his embrace, letting the emotions flow like the river behind her. Thank God he’d been there. How he was there didn’t matter. She was safe and in his arms again.
She dug her face into his chest, and he held her. Quiet as he caressed her hair. Each stroke eased the fear coursing through her veins and helped to calm her.
Below, Nots bumped at her ankles and barked, but she didn’t want to break away from Simon to pick up the pup.
“You came,” she said into his shirt.
“I’ll always come for you, my love.” He squeezed her tighter and dipped his chin down to bury his face in her hair. His breath tickled the base of her neck, but the sensation made her want to lean toward his mouth. He was here for her. At her darkest moment, he’d found her in the middle of the forest, during a fire. What man would do that for a woman they only dallied with?
Did he now mean it when he called her his love?
God, she hoped so. She’d only just realized how deeply she loved the man before her. Discovered how much she needed him. In more ways than one. No. In every way possible. He was the man who made her strong enough to face the world. She couldn’t do it without him.
* * * *
Simon held Carrie so tight he thought she’d lose the ability to breathe, but for the life of him, he couldn’t let her go. Sheer dread had filled his veins with ice when he’d heard the sounds of the cougar attacking. The only two sparks of warmth in his dank world.
They’d made it to The Thirsty Woodsman as the sun came up, and after a quick reprieve, followed the river upstream. Since they’d turned, they’d ridden in relative silence. Searching the banks and river for signs of the women. They’d ridden so far his heart ached as thoughts of her dead body made his fingers grow numb.
And then they’d heard the mountain lion and dog, and he knew they were close. Without a word to each other, he and Garrett had kicked their tired horses faster and come upon the scene as Beth fired the first shot. He had just enough time to yank his weapon free of the holster when his sister fired a second, but he took a third. He didn’t know which bullet had killed the beast, but it didn’t matter. Only their lives mattered.
“Ready?” Garrett’s voice penetrated his thoughts, and Simon glanced up as his friend lifted his sister onto their horse before turning to take care of the boat.
Simon urged Carrie to lift her face from his chest, cupping her cheek in one hand. “Pick up Nots. I’m going to put you on my horse and take you to safety.”
She nodded numbly and did as directed. The dog squirmed and licked his hand when he reached out to pet the little scamp. Little challenger, more like. The pup wasn’t afraid to protect her mistress.
If only people showed the love and loyalty the way dogs did. Perhaps nothing bad would ever happen in this world.
The cat’s tan fur moved in the breeze. Whether it was Beth’s bullet or his that had stopped the cougar, he’d taken part in stopping the animal. Yanking out the bone he’d kept like a knife tucked into the back of his belt, he tossed it onto the newly deceased cougar. The bone from the one who wounded him would rot with the body of the animal slain to protect the woman he loved. On a deep, freeing inhale, he faced his mount, and Carrie.
By the time Garrett mounted behind Beth, Simon had Carrie secure in front of him, and he scooped up the reins. Kicking the horse into motion to walk behind Garrett and Beth. They had a few hours’ ride ahead of them, but once they made it to The Thirsty Woodsman, they could rest until refreshed enough to ride the rest of the way to the Mill.
“What’s going to happen now?” Carrie asked, breaking the silence.
“With what?” He bent down to kiss the top of her ear. She leaned back as if wanting more, so he dipped lower and kissed her neck, grateful she didn’t fight. He needed the intimacy as much as he suspected she did.
“With the Mill. The camp.” She waved toward the distant forest fire. “What if it’s all destroyed?”
“Well, when we get back we will have to send someone after the boat you stole,” he teased. She playfully shoved her back against him, so he squeezed her tighter. “And then once the fire is out we’ll go back up and assess the damage. If the camp is safe, we’ll start work back up, but if it’s all gone then Victoria will have to decide what to do next. They can either close their doors or move their operation somewhere else.”
“I’ve never been overly fond of Victoria, but I hope the camp is safe. For her sake.”
“Me too, my love, me too.” He adjusted the reins in his hands and kicked the horse up a small incline. Letting the silence take over.
A few hours ticked by with occasional conversation, but for the most part they remained ensconced in their thoughts. If the other three were anything like him, they relived the last few hours over to see if they’d do anything different.
As dusk started to settle over the mountainside, the ribbon of smoke floated into the air from The Thirsty Woodsman. Simon adjusted his horse’s direction to head toward the barn. The small saloon catered mostly to mountain men and loggers. Because of the vast distance the clientele traveled, the short, stout owner had a handful of cabins built for weary travelers in need of rest and a long line of stalls where you could rent a space for a dollar a night. A steep price for a mountain man. Many simply hobbled their rides and let them loose in the nearby meadow.
Simon rode to the front of the barn and dismounted, reaching up to help Carrie slide off the saddle. Like Beth, she looked white and numb. They’d been through a lot the last few days and needed a rest.
“I’ll go in and pay for the cabins and stables,” Garrett offered.
Simon nodded and grabbed the reins from his sister. “I’ll take care of the horses.”
In no time at all, he’d brushed the mounts, locked them in two stables against the far wall, checked the water, and tossed in a few flakes of hay. Once satisfied the animals were well cared for, Simon stepped outside to find Garrett with the women.
“There’s only two cabins left. Seems the fire is bringing a lot of men down from their trap lines. We’re lucky two of his customers moved on down the mountain this morning. Otherwise we’d be paying for a spot in the barn.”
“I suppose Carrie and I will take one cabin, and you and Simon the other,” Beth said, but Simon didn’t miss the disappointment in her voice. She was a married woman and had every right to sleep in the same bed as her husband. Whereas he was a single man, for now, who’d been through way less than the strong women before him.
“Why don’t you two take a cabin, and Carrie can have the second one? I’ll sleep out here with the horses.”
Beth shook her head. “I couldn’t do that to you.”
Simon tossed his hands in the air with as much nonchalance as he could feign. “I’m a woodsman. This won’t be my first time sleeping outside, or even in a barn for that matter.”
Beth visibly relaxed into her husband’s embrace and smiled her thanks.
Simon scooped Nots up in one hand and extended the other for Carrie. She leaned on his arm as if he were a lifeline, and he started toward the small abodes. Ever since they’d discovered the women, they’d all been quiet. Much more than he’d ever seen them before. He rubbed his sweaty palm on his pant leg at the thought of Carrie and Beth alone, taking the winding rivers as far as they had. “Which cabins? I’ll get Carrie set up with a fire, and then we can head in to get something to eat before the men get too much whiskey in their bellies.”
“The two on the far left, over in the trees.” Garrett motioned with his head.
Simon made short work of getting Carrie settled, complete with blazing fire, while Garrett and Beth did the same in their cabin. He’d left the door open for her reputation, but in reality he wanted to shut it and leave them alone. Together. He knew the look in her eyes. Had felt it on many occasions, even on a good day, but never had he wanted to see it on her beautiful face. The cougar attack had gotten to her. And rightly so.
“I can sleep on the ground in front of the cabin if you want?” He took a few steps to stand before her. Hoping his presence would reassure her enough to put a smile on her face. Even a faint one would do.
Carrie met his eyes with hers and shook her head. “I’d rather you stay with me in here. I don’t think any of these mountain men are going to be a problem in town. Do you?”
“What about my sister and Garrett?”
“I don’t care if Beth knows about us. Not after what we’ve been through. I just want you.”
Simon gave a deep exhale. “I was hoping you’d say that. I didn’t much feel like using horse manure to cushion my head.”
Carrie gave a small, breathy chuckle. “I would hope no one would want to use such a pillow.”
“I thought I’d lost you before I even had you.” He closed the door, and wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her toward him. “When we heard the cougar, and then Nots, I knew you were in trouble. I can’t lose you. Not to a mountain lion, the forest, not even to another man.”
“Right now, being by your side is all I want to do.” Her weary face gazed up at him, pleading for him to take away her strife. To make love to her. To make her his. That’s what he took from her expression. She needed him. He’d always been one to understand a woman’s flirtatious looks, but that was about it when it came to reading a woman’s thoughts.
“Only your strength could have brought me out of the hell I was living in. I need you more than any man ought to need a woman.”
“You don’t have to say pretty things to me anymore, Simon. You’ve already stolen my will to resist your embrace. Take what you can.”
“I say these things because they are true. I’m lucky they happen to be words that please you.” He bent down and kissed her. She melded into his arms, and his spirits soared. No matter what happened tomorrow, or once they got back to town, they had the night on the mountain. This moment—this one kiss—to take them through until death.
Chapter 21
Carrie finished what she could of the meal, but all she wanted to do was go back to the cabin. She’d invited Simon to stay not because she was afraid to be alone but because she wanted to be in his warm, protective arms once more. Maybe even feel the masterful way he tuned her body
with his loving. She’d always been one to play the martyr for others, but today she wanted to be selfish and have Simon for herself. No matter the consequences.
Carrie yawned, but she didn’t need to fake it like she’d intended. “I think I could sleep for a week.”
Beth gave a faint smile in response. “Me too. Perhaps we should all call it an early night?”
Garrett frowned and helped Beth to her feet. Her friend had grown even paler since sitting down to eat and had only picked at the food on her plate. By the look on Garrett’s face, he too had noticed. He cleared his throat. “There’s no rush in the morning. We’ll get up easy and get on our way.”
“I’ll see to the horses before I hit the hay.” Simon stood and pulled Carrie’s chair out for her as if they were dining at the Grande Hotel Restaurant and not The Thirsty Woodsman.
Carrie smiled.
Although he was gruff, and often difficult, one could always claim Simon to be a gentleman. Well, most of the time.
The cool air outside hit her face with welcome force, and she headed toward her cabin. With a quick goodnight to her friend, she closed herself into her cabin. Relieved to finally be alone in a warm space.
The small, one-room abode was similar to Aunt June’s in style but held a number of bunks built onto the walls.
“I suppose I get to choose where to sleep,” she said to Nots, who popped her head up from her paws upon hearing her voice. Although the fierce little creature had attacked the cougar with all the viciousness of a wolf, she certainly didn’t move much whenever Carrie came and went from whatever cabin they were staying in. The dog yawned and laid her head back down, the necklace she’d used as a collar noticeably absent. Carrie thought back to the last time she’d seen the necklace and remembered the glimmer of the jewel before steering the boat to the bank. Somewhere between the mountain lion and here, the thing had gone missing.
For a moment, worry descended upon her. How would she explain the loss of the treasure to Thomas? She wouldn’t. Plain and simple. If she had her way, she’d never have to see the man again. Not that he was a bad person, but she was done playing those games.
Wild Passion Page 22