One of the men fashioned a small cross from sticks and leather. No identification would remain on the body. Everything of value would go to the Texas Rangers, to help cover the expenses of the hunt and to be shared with some of the families Harrison had destroyed.
With help, they finished their task in an hour. Jake declined the captain’s offer of food and water. He was anxious to get back to Rachel and tell her the news. She didn’t have to hide any longer.
Expressing his thanks, and those of the Texas Rangers, Jake mounted Griffin and headed north. Hank followed with Harrison’s horse on a short lead. As they reached the top of the first hill, Jake pulled up and turned in the saddle.
“What is it, my friend?” Hank came to a stop beside him.
“Something doesn’t feel right.” Jake stared at the freshly turned earth in the distance. “That was too easy. It feels like I’ve been chasing that rotten son of a bitch forever. He should have suffered longer, to ease all the souls he destroyed.”
“They are at rest now, thanks to you.” Hank resettled his hat. “Let’s go home. Miss Rachel will be worried for you.”
Rachel. Jake’s blood heated at the thought of seeing her again, of inhaling the scent of lavender that always clung to her. With Wolf at the cabin to watch the boys, maybe he could coax her into taking a long walk with him. The moon would be full tonight, and he wanted to see her skin bathed in the silvery light.
His body hardened in a rush, making the ride uncomfortable. He shifted a little, hoping Hank wouldn’t notice. When he looked up, he knew his efforts were wasted.
“She is beautiful, is she not? And she cares for you, I am sure.” Hank steered his horse close enough to slap Jake on the back. “Your feelings for her are obvious.”
The Frenchman roared with laughter as Jake felt the stain of red climb his neck and wash his jaw with heat. Damn, he hadn’t blushed like this since the first time he’d seen a naked woman at the ripe age of eight. At the time, it hadn’t mattered that she was a prostitute working the camp where he and his mother were living. He’d been fascinated with the differences in her body. As he’d grown into manhood, he’d quickly learned to appreciate just how different a woman was from a man.
“She will make a fine wife for you.”
Hank rode on, oblivious to the fact that Jake had pulled up short. Wife? Marry him? Was that what everyone would expect, now that Harrison was dead and the danger had passed?
He lifted the reins and urged Griffin to catch up with Hank. What did Rachel expect? To get married and have a family, no doubt. But not with him. He scowled at the back of Hank’s head. She deserved better than a half-breed Texas Ranger who’d never learned to stay put. He would take her somewhere safe, where she could start again. And, once she was settled, he had to convince himself to ride away and not look back.
•♥•
Eight days had passed since Jake had ridden after William Harrison. Eight long, lonely days. Rachel snapped the freshly washed bedsheet to remove some of the wrinkles and pinned it to the line that stretched from the porch to a small tree across the yard. Smoothing it a little more, she paused to rest. Her back ached from leaning over the washtub—and from the hours of shooting lessons.
Wolf said she was making good progress. She could load the rifle now without having to stop and think about what came next. She still couldn’t hit the targets he hung on the trees behind the house, but she was getting pretty good at skinning the bark from the trunks.
Nathan was a natural. By the end of the first day, he was shooting the center out of every target Wolf set up for him. And Calvin was learning almost as fast. Right now, the three of them were just over the hill, learning to set snares and recognize tracks. She had no doubt that, by week’s end, Nathan would be bringing home fresh meat for their dinner.
Wolf had wanted Rachel to accompany them, but she’d convinced him to leave her behind. The loaded rifle lay in the grass beside her wash basket, and she’d promised to fire it into the air at the first sign of company, whether friend or stranger. If she was truthful, she was nervous without him here. But she needed to be alone for a while. The piles of dirty clothes waiting to be washed had offered a plausible excuse.
She pressed her fists into the muscles of her lower back and leaned back, stretching. There was another basket of shirts to be washed, but they would have to wait until morning. Washing for three active men took more time than she’d planned, and she needed to put the venison on to cook soon.
Rachel turned in a slow circle, scanning the horizon, checking every shadow for unexpected visitors. A sense of satisfaction grew inside her, as she realized she was taking control of her own life, learning to take care of herself. It gave her such a feeling of accomplishment, of power. She could survive. She didn’t need Hiram Miller or the citizens of Lucinda to make it. She and Nathan would be fine, wherever they decided to live next.
A small movement to her left caught her attention. Her heart leaped into her throat and started beating a wild rhythm when she saw two men on horseback. Her fingers closed around the rifle and she swung it into position on her shoulder. Before she squeezed the trigger, she hesitated, wanting to be sure the strangers were heading her way before calling in the cavalry.
Seconds ticked by as she waited. They were definitely coming to the house. She exhaled as she squeezed the trigger, wincing at the explosion next to her ear. She lowered the rifle to pull the hammer back for a second shot, when she realized one of the men seemed familiar. They’d pulled up short at the sound of the shot, then the one in the lead kicked his horse into a gallop, straight for her. He was still too far away to see his face, but the big black stallion under him took her breath away.
Jake. Rachel didn’t realize she’d screamed his name until he raised his hat in a wave. She dropped the rifle into the grass, her fingers too numb to hold onto it. Her knees shook so much she was afraid they wouldn’t support her.
“Rachel!”
The voice she’d feared never to hear again spurred her forward. She lifted her skirts and started to run. Tears streaked down her face, but she didn’t care. He was home. Jake was alive, and he’d come back to her.
“Rachel, stop.” She heard Wolf shout from somewhere behind her, but it didn’t slow her down. Three more steps and she was swept from the ground into Jake’s arms. Without direction from his rider, Griffin slowed to a walk, then stopped all together. Rachel hardly noticed. She met Jake, kiss for kiss, until they were both gasping for air.
“You’re all right. Jake, I was so frightened for you. What happened? Why were you gone so long?”
Jake kissed her again, stopping her questions and making her fears vanish. She skimmed shaking hands over every inch of him she could reach until she was satisfied he wasn’t hurt. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, counting his heartbeats and feeling truly at home for the first time in her life.
Jake gathered the reins and steered Griffin to a halt beside the porch. He hugged her one more time before lifting her down to Wolf. Then he swung out of the saddle to join her.
“You taught her to shoot.” Though it was just a statement, the words held a wealth of meaning for Jake. He knew she hated guns, but she’d been frightened enough to learn to use one, anyway. And she hadn’t waited for him to come back and teach her. She’d gone to Wolf, instead.
The jealousy snaking through him was unreasonable, but Jake couldn’t stop it from coming. The image of Wolf standing close enough to show Rachel how to aim and fire the rifle made his blood boil. He fought to bring his temper under control. It wasn’t Wolf’s fault Jake didn’t want any man that close to her.
Wolf must have recognized the anger in Jake’s voice and held his tongue.
Rachel glanced between the two men. “I asked him to teach me, Jake.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I needed to learn.”
Jake smoothed her silky hair away from her face. “I know, pretty girl. I’m glad you can protect yourself.”
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“I can shoot, too.” Nathan squeezed in for a share of the attention. “Mr. Richards says I’m real good.”
Jake ruffled his golden curls, so similar to Rachel’s. “Good for you, son. I’m proud of you.”
“I can hit any target you put up,” Nathan bragged. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
“Not right now, Nathan.” Wolf intervened. “You have a couple of rabbits to skin, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Wolf taught me and Calvin to make a snare to trap rabbits and we caught two. Now, we won’t have to worry about going hungry ever again.”
He looked to Rachel and she smiled her approval. “Well done, little brother. I’m looking forward to tasting them.”
“You have to cook ’em first, though.” His face split into a wide grin and he raced off, with Calvin in tow.
Wolf turned to face Jake. “I did what needed doing. No more, no less.”
Shame washed in to replace anger. “I know. I appreciate you staying behind. I know it wasn’t easy.”
Hank Gerard joined the small group, sighing in appreciation as he stepped into the shade cast by the house.
Wolf greeted him with a terse nod. “Where’s Harrison?”
Jake felt Rachel tense and pulled her under the shelter of his arm before answering Wolf. “Dead.”
The single word hung in the air between them.
Wolf broke the tension. “I hope he enjoys hell.” He tugged his hat lower over his eyes, but not before Jake spotted the glitter of tears. “I’ll go keep an eye on the boys.”
Hank led the horses to the trough and carried buckets from the well to let them drink their fill. Jake watched him remove their gear and the tack before turning them loose to eat the spring grass covering the yard. He knew he should help, but he didn’t want to release Rachel just yet.
She snuggled a little closer. “Is it really over?”
“It’s over, pretty girl. He’ll never bother you again.”
She slipped out of his arms and wandered over to the wash. It hung limp in the still air. Jake could hear the drops of water plopping into the dirt, but he doubted Rachel noticed. She seemed to be a thousand miles away. He walked up behind her and laid a hand on each shoulder, rubbing at the tension there.
“Rachel, honey, I thought you’d be glad.”
“I am.” She didn’t turn around. “I was just thinking about Mama. She gave her life to save mine. I’m glad she didn’t die in vain.” She rubbed her cheek against his hand. “I’m grateful, Jake, truly. Now she can rest in peace.”
He placed a kiss on her hair, burying his lips in the silky mass. Lavender scented the air around him. Turning her in his arms, he captured her lips, pouring all his worry and relief into the kiss. She rose onto her toes and parted her lips to allow him access. Time stood still. They could have been in a crowded room or in the middle of nowhere, for all Jake knew of what was happening around him.
“Ahem.”
Jake ended the kiss, but didn’t bother turning around. “You still here, Gerard?”
“I want to say good-bye before returning to my own cabin.” He lifted Rachel’s hand from Jake’s neck and squeezed her fingers lightly. “Good-bye, Miss Rachel.” Hank mounted and rode toward town, waving a hand in farewell to them both.
Rachel gave Jake a little shove. “That was rude.”
“He shouldn’t have interrupted me.” He kissed her again, holding her closer, now that they had no audience. She resisted for a heartbeat, then melted into him. Her curves fit him perfectly, as if they’d been made for each other. The tension that had carried him through the long months flowed out of him, leaving him more tired than he could ever remember being. He ended the kiss and tucked her head under his chin, just enjoying that he could hold her without watching his back.
She stirred first. “You must be exhausted. Come inside. I’ll heat water for you to clean up.”
He took her hand again, enjoying the feel of her small fingers entwined with his larger ones as he led the way into the house.
CHAPTER TWENTY
When Jake crossed the threshold, a sense of belonging filled him, like he’d come home. The feeling knocked him off balance. He let go of Rachel and stood near the door, exploring the unfamiliar emotions. Rachel bustled around the room, mixing hot water with cold in a bucket for him to use. She turned to smile at him, holding out several cloths, and he knew he’d do almost anything to come home to that sight every night.
As he reached to take the cloths, he brushed his fingers the length of her hand, wrist to fingertips. The tiny shiver he felt run through her warmed his blood. He wanted to kiss her again, carry her to bed and not let her up for a week. He wanted things with her he’d never thought possible to have.
The sound of boots on the porch broke into his daydream. What the hell was the matter with him? Just yesterday, he’d decided she’d be better off without him, and, with one smile, she had him thinking of tomorrows again.
Nathan and Calvin barreled into the room, shouldering through the door at the same time. Each carried a carcass.
“Sis, look. We did it.”
“Get those out of my house!”
Jake bit his lip at the disbelief on Nathan’s face, but he’d seen it coming. Wide-eyed, both boys backed through the door. Rachel and Jake followed them out. Wolf stood watching from the yard. Jake glanced at him and caught the laughter lurking in his eyes.
The moment they were outside, a smile bloomed on her lips. “Now, then, do you have something to show me, Nathan?”
“I, uh, I just wanted you to see what we caught.”
“Rabbits! Nice, fat ones. That’s wonderful. We’ll have stew tonight.”
She kissed his cheek, then Calvin’s, and went back inside, humming. Jake stayed on the porch.
The boys looked at each other, then at Jake. Nathan broke the silence. “What was that all about?”
“She’s proud of what you did. She just doesn’t want them in the house.” Jake herded them around the side of the house to a shady spot. Wolf joined them with three sharp knives and they settled into the new grass to skin and clean their dinner.
“Pa, I don’t understand.”
Wolf glanced at Jake, fighting a smile. “Well, son, most women don’t like to have their kitchens messed with. I expect Miss Rachel didn’t want to have to clean up after you two, so she sent you back outside.”
“But we weren’t going to skin them inside.” Nathan tested his knife blade the way Jake had taught him. “We just wanted to show her.”
“Sometimes,” Jake chimed in. “It doesn’t have to make sense. Men just learn the rules and abide by them.”
Nathan and Calvin looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Then they turned their attention to Wolf as he showed them what to do.
Jake watched for a while, chewing on a blade of grass. The man was good with a knife and a patient teacher. The boys were in good hands. Leaving them to it, he went back for the bucket of water and a bath.
•♥•
Dinner was a joyous affair. Rachel had done wonderful things with the two rabbits and some winter vegetables. Jake had accompanied her into the hills while she searched for a particular root plant to add to the stew. When the opportunity presented itself, he’d stolen a few kisses. They’d laughed like children at the antics of a baby deer they came across in a nearby valley.
“I’m going hunting.” Wolf broke into the conversation.
“When?” Rachel lowered her fork to her plate.
“Tomorrow. The deer are plentiful in the hills north of here. I’ll be gone a few days, at most.”
Jake watched Rachel’s face, dismayed to see concern there. Was she attracted to Wolf? Jealousy reared its ugly head but he pushed it away. She can’t be, he told himself. Not the way she greeted me this afternoon. Memories of her eager response drove the green beast away for good. She was his. But what could he do about it?
“Can I come, Pa?”
“Me, too, please!”
Calvin and Nathan stared at Wolf, hope obvious in their young faces. He shook his head. “You aren’t coming along this time, because...” He hesitated at their groans of disappointment. “Because I need you to help Ranger McCain build a drying rack for the deer I’ll bring back.”
He glanced up at Jake, who nodded his agreement.
“It’s something you both need to learn to do, so you can make the most use of what you hunt.” Wolf helped himself to another slice of bread to sop up the last of his stew.
The boys looked at each other, then Calvin spoke. “I guess that’ll be okay.”
With the matter decided, conversation moved on to the weather and other easy topics. The evening drifted by. When Calvin leaned his head on his father’s shoulder, Rachel stood. Wolf and Jake followed suit.
“Nathan, it’s time you and Calvin headed on to bed.”
“Okay, Sis.” Nathan led the way to the attic.
Wolf went along to see them settled, while Jake helped her with the dishes. They were drying the last of them when Wolf returned and began gathering his gear.
Rachel watched him for a moment. “What are you doing?”
He glanced at her. “I want to get a real early start in the morning. I’ll sleep outside tonight so I don’t disturb anyone.”
“That isn’t necessary.” She crossed the room to stand before him. “You won’t bother anyone.”
“I appreciate that, ma’am, but it’s better this way.”
She recognized his need to be alone and didn’t argue when he carried his saddle and saddlebags outside. When Wolf returned for another load, Rachel held out a cloth-wrapped bundle.
“What’s this?”
She put it into his hand. “You’ll need food, won’t you?”
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