Appaloosa Blues (Sisters of Spirit #8)

by Nancy Radke

  That was what she was afraid of. Catching the gleam in his eye, she realized he knew it.

  He took a step towards the hay. "It's time we followed Mike's advice."

  "I don't think that's a good idea," she hedged, her body stiffening. She dare not kiss him again. She was just barely managing to keep her feelings under control.

  He took another step. "Getting to know one another better? Don't you agree?"

  "No. Not that. I meant...practice." In her agitation, she followed as he took two more steps, then another.

  "You were doing fine, last night."

  "I was out of things, last night."

  He reached the hay and gathered several armfuls into a pile on the edge of the field, away from the stiff, short bristles of cut grass. When he had things like he wanted, he sat down on the soft, sweet-smelling cushion and relaxed.

  Jo watched him in exasperation, determined not to give in, yet feeling silly, standing stiffly above him.

  "Join me," Adam said, patting the hay next to him.

  "No, I'd rather—"

  "Afraid?"

  "No...."

  "Dare you." The mischievousness flicked from his eyes to the corner of his lips.

  "I don't do dares."

  That made him laughed openly, tilting his head back in full enjoyment. "Since when?"

  "They get me into trouble."

  "That's never stopped you before."

  He was right, but caution was ruling for once. "I haven't had anyone dare me to do something, for ages," she informed him haughtily. "What makes you think—"

  "Double dare you." The childhood challenge sounded natural, coming from Adam. Although logic warned her to beware, she wanted to join Adam and the dare merely provided an excuse. With a grumbling mutter of acceptance, she plopped down on the hay.

  He wasn't doing a very good job of keeping a straight face, so she glared threateningly at him. "Adam Trahern, don't you dare—"

  He was laughing hard now, his body rocking forward and back, almost rolling in the hay. "Oh," he almost crowed. "You should've seen your face."

  Wrinkling her nose, she tossed a small clod at him, hitting him on the arm. In response, he tickled her in the side and she retaliated.

  "Ooooh," she squealed, when she found herself on the losing end. "Stop."

  He did, and they both lay on their backs in the hay, catching their breaths which were coming in great ragged hiccups.

  "You okay?" he gasped.

  "Yes."

  "Whoosh! I haven't done that for a spell." They lay quietly, listening to the sounds of the night. The lone coyote had been joined by others sending their wild chorus singing across the land. "Your cuts all healed?" he asked.

  "Pretty much. Thanks again, for setting Paca free."

  "I'm still waiting to be paid in full," he commented, flipping over so that he was above her, hands on either side of her arms, his determined face a few inches from hers.

  She pushed him away. "No. Don't—-" Once Adam kissed her, he’d know her secret.

  Adam reacted violently, throwing himself back and to his feet. "Do you dislike me that much?" he demanded, his voice rough with emotion. He paced in a large circle as if trying to regain control. "Maybe you'd better go," he muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

  "Just stay back." Jo rose to stand a few feet from him, her emotions still unsettled. She'd been afraid of this. If you tell him, he’ll have power over you. But if you don’t tell him, he will never understand why you act the way you do.

  "I don't seem to be handling this very well. I thought if we got a chance to talk, and then I thought, well, maybe... a kiss or two...but I guess. I...I didn't realize—-" He stopped his rambling and stared at her with troubled eyes, a bitter defeat edging his mobile lips.

  "You didn't realize...what?"

  "That you couldn't stand me." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "During the years, you came to me when you needed help. I thought maybe, that that meant.... I guess I was wrong." His teeth clenched, square jaw tightening.

  "You don't finish your sentences," she protested. What was he wrong about? As he started to turn away, she caught his hand. "Adam, please, listen to me. Please!"

  "I'm listening." But he stayed, half-turned away, back stiff, head lowered, and she had to step around to confront him fully.

  With a sniff to hold back the swiftly forming tears, Jo began. "You were always the prince in the fairy tale, the knight in shining armor. When I was a little girl, I was leery of you, but out of admiration, not fear."

  "But when Dad—" he muttered fiercely.

  "Hush," she said, laying a finger to his lips. "I'm not finished. You said you'd listen."

  "I'm trying."

  "The night you saved my life, I wanted to thank you, so much more than I did. But Adam—"

  "Yes?"

  "I was still a little girl, and little girls get shy when they like someone, very much." She let the silence fall to give him time to assimilate what she'd said.

  His head lifted and his strong hands gripped her upper arms while he searched her eyes to see if this, at last, was the truth. She met his questioning gaze with her own clear one, nodding confirmation.

  The shining hope transforming his face rewarded her effort. "You're saying, that I guessed right? You liked me...in spite of what happened to your grandmother?"

  "Yes."

  "And in spite of my stupid blundering in high school?"

  "Yes."

  "All the time?" he spoke in wonder, shaking his head. "Why did you never say anything?"

  "I tried. I tried awfully hard. But you would come, and go, and the opportunity would go with you."

  He dropped his hands to hers. "And then there was Gramps."

  "Yes." She looked down at their hands which had somehow become entwined. "I love my Grandpa, Adam. He's been through too much to have me hurt him, also."

  "But what we're doing — trying to bring the families together — don't you think that will help him?"

  "I'd like to think so. I truly hope so." She lifted her eyes to his and saw blazing there a depth of emotion that he didn't bother to hide anymore. He looked totally sincere. Gramps had to have heard Adam wrong.

  "And you like me?"

  That was putting it mildly. "Well, yes."

  "I can't believe it. I've hoped, for so long—" He paused, shaking his head, his eyes never leaving hers. "I can't believe it." Adam spoke quietly, his voice touching the core of her spirit — so that she shared in his delight. She felt her eyes answer his with a deep glowing response, making him whisper, "You're beautiful."

  In responding to his despair, she may have revealed too much of her own feelings. There'd be no stopping him now. Did she want to? Yes. She had to be sure. Gramps had taken those leases. That would be hard to forgive. Jo looked around quickly as his grip tightened. "Where are those two?" she asked.

  "In the bushes, where else? Doing what we should be doing." His hand moved to the nape of her neck, thumb feathering behind her ear, sending a shiver cascading down her spine like fog rolling through a mountain pass.

  "Now look, Adam—" she gasped.

  "I am looking. I see a very enticing lady who is wasting time."

  "Who's time?"

  "Ours." His voice lowered in appeal. "Don't keep putting me off, Jo. Every time I touch you, you respond. And you know it. If you don't hate me, then something else is causing you to jerk away...and I've got a pretty good idea what that could be."

  "That's not true. I don't—"

  "You wanna bet? One kiss? Double dare you."

  She tossed her head in pretended disdain as she considered the challenge. She'd been looking forward to this moment. "One kiss, two kisses, no problem!" she challenged back.

  "No problem, eh?" His grin split clear across, confident now, having all the advantage in his court. "Then what are we waiting for?"

  "Well—" she hedged, now nervous.

  His finger touched her lips
, silencing any protest. "Shhh. Your skin is so soft, Jo, just like silk. So soft to touch." He drew the finger slowly over her lids, closing her eyes, then took her mouth with his, as gentle as a light summer breeze.

  Jo responded like a weather vane reacting to a slight change in wind. Adam's kiss was bold, yet asking; hungry, yet controlled. It was the fulfillment of all her dream kisses, making her spirit soar with the tempest building within her. It was wonderful.

  Trembling, she pressed herself toward him, demanding both his kiss and his touch, increasingly aware of herself as a woman and him as a man.

  He had shaved recently and the fresh coolness of his skin filled her senses, quickening her heartbeat. Adam's touch was magic, sending her spinning out of control. Her breathing deepened, her body responded eagerly to the dictates of his feather-light caress. Wave after wave of sensation created a whirlwind of emotion nearly blacking her out.

  Why was her reaction so intense? Breaking contact, she gulped in needed air, her lips tingling with sensation. "That was one kiss?" she asked, for it had seemed to go on forever...and yet, not long enough.

  His expressive mouth tilted into a tipsy grin of happiness. "Sure. Want to go for two?"

  Before she could answer, his lips were pressed against hers again as if this was the only place they belonged, their warmth kindling a loving response buried deep within her. Its swiftness was frightening...sending her senses racing out of control, like a leaf in the wind, spun around and blown here and there, while a weakness invaded her body and made it almost boneless.

  As she collapsed against Adam, he caught her up, bouncing her high in his arms. "I was right, wasn't I? Now say you don't respond to me."

  Jo snuggled closer, not trying to answer, her arms linked around his neck, desiring more. Why had he stopped?

  He carried her a few feet and lowered her onto the cushioning bundle of freshly cured hay. The heavy fragrance filled her nostrils, mingling with the sweet scent of his breath as again he kissed her — gently — teasing her with the barest of kisses until she pulled him closer, demanding fuller contact...her hands begging him to continue. Her senses were assaulted by the rich musky perfume of sun-kissed hay and fresh clean earth, while she delighted in the warmth of his lips.

  He rolled onto his back, pulling her to sit on top of him, the hay rustling gently beneath. Her hands free, she unbuttoned his shirt, then hers, seeking to draw nearer. The moonlight filtered through the tree branches and flickered over the golden sheaves which cradled them. It touched them with strands of shimmering silver, seeming to add a glow of approval. The sound of their breathing came rapid, irregular, catching now and then.

  Suddenly Adam pushed her away and sat up, breathing hard.

  Jo lay back on the hay, noting that the ground whirled slowly beneath her. It became solid again as she opened her eyes, bemused, to see him sitting next to her.

  "You're all woman, Jo," he murmured, "but I think we'd better put on the brakes. I can't keep this up and keep my promise."

  Breathing deeply, Jo slowly returned to reality. Instinctively she pulled the edges of her blouse together, covering herself, blushing furiously as she sat up and looked around, fumbling with the buttons. The silky beige bra had stayed in place affording questionable coverage while offering some protection to her pride. Her sandals were lost and her skirt was hiked half-way up.

  Adam spoke quietly, his deep voice amused. "I don't know what you'd call it, but I'd say your body almost sings."

  She gazed back at him, at a loss for words. How could she tell him otherwise? He was right when he claimed her body sang for him. No one else had even started the first notes of a tune, much less an entire symphony. Yet he had played an unfinished symphony. She opened her slumberous eyes more fully to look into his dark glowing ones.

  "Thank you," she whispered gratefully, knowing she probably wouldn't have stopped him if he'd gone on. Hadn't even thought about the need to stop. Which for Jo, used to being the one in control, was a startling revelation.

  He smiled in a lazy, satisfied manner and held her hand. "You're welcome, ma'am. What are you thanking me for?"

  "For...for not...for stopping before—" She paused. Had he deliberately misunderstood her?

  "Want an encore?" he asked, eyes suddenly alight with mischief.

  "No.... I don't think so—"

  "Are you sure?" He grinned, lips pursed in amusement. "I don't think you're telling me the truth." Bending his head, he kissed the back of her hand, the faint tickling sensation traveling swiftly along her nerves.

  "I can't help it. Please, Adam, stop!"

  The frown on his face showed how disturbed he was with her statement. "Are you this way with everyone?"

  "Oh, no." She hastened to make things clear. "Never. I mean...." She faded off. By making it clear that she wasn't this way with everyone, she was admitting he was special. Just how much should she tell him?

  The glow in his eyes told her he was satisfied with her answer, and he left off pressing her anymore. "Good. We could proceed, you know...if you want to. We could always play it over again, slower, for Gramps."

  "No." There was no hesitation now. She was back in control. And she still hadn't asked about Gramps' accusation.

  "No?" He picked up a piece of hay and lightly tickled her toes.

  "Adam!" She yanked her foot away.

  "Yes?" His eyebrow arched as he ran the hay higher up her leg sending a jolt of sensual electricity ahead of it, igniting her emotions afresh.

  "Stop it!"

  He dropped the hay and stood up, pulling her to her feet. "You're too ticklish." Let him think so, but that wasn't why she asked him to stop. She moved closer into Adam's arms as if to reassure herself that it was real.

  Happy, he squeezed her gently. "Kiss me again?"

  She looked down, not wanting him to see the desire in her eyes. "Not now."

  "Tomorrow then?"

  "No."

  "Why not?" Demanding man. Wouldn't he ever let her take the easy way out? She needed time to regroup her defenses. If he'd keep his hands still, she'd be able to concentrate. She still had her question to ask.

  The moon was at a higher angle now and she could see his face better. It was very expressive, when he chose to let it show.

  She'd seen it turn unbearably harsh once, when she had paused to speak to him in church and her grandfather curtly ordered her away. The hard lines that etched Adam's face at that time frightened her, and the look of contempt that flashed from his narrowed eyes froze the words in her throat, so that she'd silently rejoined her grandfather, her tentative attempt to reach out, crushed by both men.

  Not wanting to wait any longer, she said, "I need to talk to you about Gramps. About something he claims you said."

  "What was it this time?"

  "You told him you were going to take me away from him, permanently. Why did you say that?"

  Adam scowled in thought, seeming to take his time dredging up the incident. "Gramps has a sharp memory. I did say that...just after you left for college. He implied that I was the reason you went so far away. He made me mad. I retaliated. That was five years ago."

  Jo relaxed with a grin. "It sounded like you said it yesterday."

  "No. It might seem that way to him. When did he mention it?"

  "Today. I took Gramps to town for a check-up—"

  "How's he doing?"

  "I don't think the doctor gave him a good report. He doesn't stick to his diet very well."

  "I mean, about us."

  Without conscious decision, she decided to let him know the rest. "I got Gramps in the car where he couldn't get away and told him I planned to date you this summer — if you asked."

  The expression on Adam's face changed to disbelief. One dark eyebrow rose even higher as he spoke. "Already? I didn't think you'd tell him that so soon."

  "I didn't plan to. But this morning — well, things got speeded up."

  He didn't ask, just looked the question, dark eyes sp
arked with interest.

  "I was talking to Dad, telling him I wanted to date you, and what did he think...and Gramps walked in and heard me."

  "Uh huh!" He nodded, a wide grin instantaneously appearing. "That'd do it."

  "Then I tackled Gramps in the car."

  "Better 'n better." The smile had invaded his eyes, the laugh wrinkles fanning out above his cheeks.

  "You weren't there," she scolded in mock reproof. "At first he really exploded...but by the time we got home he was talking about you without shouting."

  "I just bet he was. How?"

  "How do you think?"

  "Not very complimentary."

  "But before, he'd refused to even talk reasonably."

  "From small beginnings...?"

  She shrugged slightly. "I guess we sort of rushed the first hurdle, but now we're over it—"

  "Right. We can really proceed."

  "Oh. Well, I was just going to say that things should go smoother. Although...maybe it won't take so long after all. I know Karen can hardly wait. We might not even have to come up with an engagement," she added pertly, wondering what he'd say to that.

  "We'll play it safe," he assured her, eyes sparkling like mirrored waters in the moonlight. "Besides, I was looking forward to a long engagement." Like a fisherman, he stretched his hands apart to measure. Far apart.

  It was the words she wanted to hear, but she didn't want him to know it. Not until she knew his feelings for sure. He'd tricked her once.

  "And since we've gotten such a good start...." Adam finished the sentence by pulling her close. She met him halfway, eager, offering her lips to his.

  Why should she refuse him? Kissing Adam was the only enjoyable thing about this charade.

  CHAPTER NINE

  A low whistle came from across the creek.

  Adam shifted his aim and kissed her on the nose. "That's the bell. I told Johnny to give me some warning—they'll be coming soon." Walking around her overly sensitive body—every nerve had been exquisitely shattered—he brushed the hay off her, then off himself. She was searching for her sandals as Karen and Johnny came into view.

  Karen was starry-eyed, looking thoroughly kissed and very happy. Johnny looked triumphant. "All going well, big brother?"