by BJ James
“Callie has a new home.” Seemingly apropos of nothing, he followed the thread of a single word, not ready to deal with the answer he’d demanded. “A place in North Carolina called Stone Meadow. A halfway house established not so long ago for young people who’ve suffered through what she has.” A flicker of sorrow crossed his face. “Some have been helped at the house, others not. I stayed there with her for a time, and I think she’ll be one of the lucky ones.
“She has a new kitten. She can have dozens, if she likes. The barns at Stone Meadow are populated with mousers who reproduce with astonishing regularity. They’re undoubtedly the most pampered mousers in the world, for the kids lavish the love they’ve never had on them.”
“Does Callie hate me?” Patience asked. “For leaving her?”
“Callie doesn’t hate anyone, it isn’t her nature. Even so, she would never hate you.” A smile ghosted over his face. “Would you like to guess the kitten’s name?”
“Calico?”
Only the slightest move of his head told her she was wrong. “What do you think of Patience? Doctor Patience, in fact.”
Patience laughed softly, even as she blinked back tears. “A cumbersome name for a small kitten.”
“She’ll grow to it, Callie will see that she does. They’re safe, O’Hara. Callie’s safe, and so is her kitten.”
“Thank you for that, Matthew.”
He didn’t acknowledge her gratitude, he hardly heard it, his mind and heart were too full of Patience, and his need too great to wait a moment longer. He took a step toward her, closing even the little distance between them. “Simon told me you would be here.”
He was so close she could feel the heat of his body, yet he didn’t touch her. His gaze beneath the brim of the Stetson was unfathomable. Patience waited.
“He told me why, O’Hara.”
She didn’t respond, she couldn’t.
Levelly, as if he were discussing the weather, Matthew continued, “I could have picked up the telephone and called, but I didn’t think I had the right. Simon named me six kinds of fool, and I guess I have been.” With the tip of his thumb, he tilted the brim of his hat, and out of its shadow his face was grave. “I’ve never loved anyone before, and no one’s loved me. Until I found you in the desert, I didn’t know how forgiving love could be, or how much I needed both.”
A tingle of shock rushed through her, were it not for the support of the door, her knees would have buckled. Matthew had said what she’d wanted desperately, yet what did it mean? What did he want from her? Hope and fear roughened her voice. “Why are you here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I came for the woman I claimed long ago. The woman Simon said would be waiting because she loves me.” He brushed a fingertip over her cheek, catching a tear that trembled on a lash. “Was he wrong?”
Patience leaned her head back against the door, closing her eyes for only a moment. But when she opened them again, the last of her doubts were resolved, her gaze was serene and direct. “He wasn’t wrong. I love you, Matthew.”
He held himself motionless. “And Indian?”
She nodded, never taking her gaze from his beloved face. “And Indian.”
He drew a labored breath, letting her see the hunger in him, not so contained, no longer controlled. “What I’m wearing now, it’s who I am when I’m not on assignment. I’m a rancher. My spread is a couple of hours from here. Can you live with that?”
“Apache, white man, warrior, warlock, spy, rancher. Indian, Matthew.” Breathing a sigh she shook her head in mock exasperation with herself. “Just like an O’Hara, so many to love, so little time.”
“That’s a yes?”
“Most definitely a yes.” She reached out to him, touching him, and was pleased with the low sound of delight her touch drew from him.
A sudden frown creased his forehead. “Do you like my hat?”
She was startled by the abrupt question. “Of course I do.”
“Good.” Before the word was finished the hat was spinning into the yard.
“Matthew! Why on earth did you do that?”
“Because I’m going to kiss you, and I don’t want anything in the way.” His hands were at her waist, bringing her body to his. “After I kiss you, I’m going to make love to you. After I make love to you, I’m going to ask you to marry me. Then I’m going to take you home. My home. Our home. Where there are lots of critters that need a vet, and a man who needs you more.”
Patience was laughing as she went into his arms. “In case you’re too busy later to hear my answer, it’s yes. Again.”
His laughter was a growl in his throat. As his mouth took hers, she knew she’d found the true wolf in the desert. And with the wolf she would abide in love, and make her home forever.
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ISBN: 978-1-4592-8686-3
A Wolf in the Desert
Copyright © 1995 by BJ James
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