by Francis Ray
His hands flexed. He’d bet their silence was Raven’s doing. He wouldn’t have put it past her to threaten them. “Rooster, Ramon, Billy, do you have anything to say?”
Their eyes darted to Raven again. His men were loyal. Yet Raven seemed to have eclipsed their loyalty. “I’m not going to ask again.”
Raven threw up her hands in obvious annoyance. “I can’t believe it. Men are bigger gossips than women around here.”
Duncan waited.
“It might help if you’d tell us what you’re referring to,” she said.
Duncan looked at Rooster.
“Crane was drunk and shot off his mouth,” Rooster said. “Raven put him in his place.”
Duncan moved fast. “Where were you? Why didn’t you protect her?”
“Because I can take care of myself,” she said, stepping in front of Duncan, ignoring his hard glare. “And I made them promise not to. Crane might be a jerk, but I didn’t want anything to mar Cynthia’s night.”
“He insulted you.”
“And I insulted him right back, which, to a coward like Crane, will hurt a lot worse,” she said.
“You should have let them take care of it,” he said, his anger escalating again.
“Duncan, listen to me for once. My brother is an Army Ranger. He taught my sister and me how to take care of ourselves.” She stepped closer, into his space. “Crane came out the loser. When he sobers up and remembers that he tucked his tail and ran from a woman, he won’t be able to hold his head up.”
“I plan to give him another reason for not being able to hold his head up.” To the men Duncan said, “I don’t want Crane near her again.”
“Dun—” Raven began.
“Yes, boss.”
“You got it.”
“I told her.”
Raven glared at Rooster for that last comment. Like Duncan, it bounced off the older man.
“Good night, men.”
“Good night, boss,” they said, and then quickly filed out of the house.
Raven knew she wouldn’t get off so easily. She didn’t even want to think of how Duncan would react when he learned Crane had grabbed her.
“When will you learn that you are not invincible?” Duncan lectured.
She was ready for him. “I never thought I was. But I have a black belt in karate, and can shoot a handgun or rifle with accuracy. Crane would have come out the loser.”
Duncan moved with startling speed, his hand reaching for her. Her hand came up, deflecting his, then coming up with her other hand toward his face. The maneuver was blocked.
Raven crouched, spun, her left leg sweeping outward, knocking Duncan’s feet from beneath him. She smiled in triumph, then had to scramble backward as he managed to balance himself. She bumped into a table, looked around, and he was on her. They tumbled onto the leather sofa, Raven on the bottom.
Air rushed in and out of her lungs. She didn’t know if it was because of the brief fight or because her dress had come up to the middle of her thighs and Duncan lay between them, his hands holding hers over the top of her head.
“If I hadn’t bumped into the table you would be on your back by now,” she predicted.
“If you didn’t have on a skirt and distracted me with your long, endless legs, you would have been exactly where you are now, but quicker,” he told her.
“Get off,” she said, bucking her body.
Air hissed though his teeth. “If you don’t want me buried deep inside you in the next five seconds, don’t do that again.”
Raven was caught between temptation and annoyance. Annoyance won. “Then get off me.” She tried to put some bite in her words but knew she failed miserably. With each breath that seemed to grow more labored, the arousing scent of him, the heavenly weight of his body pressed against her, lured her and teased her senses.
Muttering, he stood, turning his back to her. It took her a moment to regain her equilibrium. When she did she shoved her skirt down and stood.
“Go to bed, Raven.”
She started to tell him that nothing was settled, but then he turned. In his eyes she saw the barely leashed passion he’d spoken of earlier. He’d held himself back from making love to her with the sheer force of his will.
If it slipped . . .
Grabbing her purse, she hit the stairs running.
Chapter 12
Raven left her room shortly after ten the next morning. She’d overslept. After leaving Duncan, she hadn’t been able to fall asleep. After putting on her nightgown, she’d simply sat on the side of the bed.
She heard his steps on the stairs a little after two that morning. She’d finally crawled under the covers, aware that she had been waiting for the sound. Part of her wanted to go to him, to ease the almost constant ache deep inside her, but common sense prevailed.
Until Duncan believed in what they had more than his past failures or any curse, they were doomed.
She wasn’t sure what time she finally fell asleep, but it hadn’t been a peaceful sleep. She’d awakened after nine feeling restless and on edge.
In jeans and a top, she went downstairs to cook breakfast. She had no idea if work on the ranch allowed Duncan to attend church weekly, but if he did go today she planned to be with him. She didn’t think she could keep Isaac from telling Duncan what Crane had done, but she hoped she could deflect Duncan’s anger.
He was leaving Crane alone.
Crane was a fake. She didn’t recall seeing him last week at church, and the chance that he’d wake up with a hangover and decide to attend this morning wasn’t likely. But he might put in an appearance later that day in town. Last Sunday they hadn’t left the restaurant until after three. If he did show, Raven wanted to be with Duncan.
She had just taken the biscuits out of the oven when Duncan, followed by Rooster, came into the kitchen. Seemed she wasn’t the only one who planned to stick close to Duncan today.
She placed the biscuits on the bread tray she had ready and picked up the platter of meat and fried potatoes. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Duncan greeted her, his eyes watchful as if he’d figured out what she had planned and he didn’t like it.
Tough.
Rooster rubbed his hands and then went to get mugs for him and Duncan. “Smells good, Raven.”
She placed the food on the table. “I’ll get the coffee, Rooster.”
“I’ll get it,” Duncan said, going to the cabinets. “Where is your chocolate?”
“I ran out,” she said, taking her seat.
“She used it to cook that chocolate pie the other night,” Rooster said.
Duncan paused. “You always take care of us.”
She shrugged. “Cooking relaxes me.”
His hooded gaze studied her a long time. “You want coffee?” He frowned. “Is there juice?”
Rooster’s face was just as puzzled. “Don’t know.”
Raven smiled. They’d be lost when she left. Her smile vanished. She tucked her head so Duncan wouldn’t see her face. “There is apple juice. I’d like a glass please.”
Duncan placed the tall glass of apple juice by her plate, then got his and Rooster’s coffee. She didn’t relax until he said grace.
Picking up her fork, she looked across the table and straight into Duncan’s eyes. Her breath caught. For a split second, his eyes were unguarded. She glimpsed the same hot passion in his eyes she’d seen last night, as though he’d like to taste her skin all over and start again—like—
“Raven, you all right?”
Startled, she glanced at Rooster. “I— I— Yes.” Putting her fork down, she picked up her juice. “I was just thinking.”
Rooster looked doubtful, but he gave his attention to the platter of food Duncan stuck under his nose. “These sure are good biscuits.”
Raven mumbled thanks and kept her head down. Duncan was too compelling, the strength and the power of him too great, the fierce need he incited in her to give in to him growing stronger each time s
he saw him.
She wondered how much longer she could withstand the growing need to yield to those desires.
Raven thought it couldn’t happen, but even more people came up to her at church to introduce themselves. With each handshake or hug, congratulating her on how she’d put Crane in his place, Duncan grew stiller. All Raven could think of was that she was glad they didn’t seem to know about her second encounter with Crane.
Thankfully, Raven and Duncan didn’t see Isaac and his family until they were seated. Reverend Radford might have spoken on turning the other cheek, but from Duncan’s clenched jaw he wasn’t listening.
Afterward, she had tried her best to get him to return to the ranch, but Duncan insisted on buying her and Rooster lunch. Since the last time he hadn’t wanted to stay in town to eat, she knew he was waiting on Crane.
From the watchful looks of the other diners, they were waiting and hoping for the same thing. Even Ramon, Billy, and Pete from the Double D were in the restaurant, which was considerably busier than last Sunday.
She was glad to see Rooster finally scrape the last crumbs of apple pie from his plate so they could leave. She didn’t release the death grip on her purse until they were in the truck heading back to the ranch.
Duncan abruptly pulled into a parking space in front of Harold’s. She sat up arrow straight. “Why are we stopping at the grocery store?”
“Cocoa,” he said, opening his door.
“I can do without,” she said. His door closed and he started inside.
Rooster opened his door. “Might as well get a few things.” He sauntered into the store behind Duncan.
Raven got out of the truck to hurry Rooster along. A promise of anything sweet should do it.
She closed her door, stepped on the sidewalk, and couldn’t believe her eyes. Crane, strutting as if he owned the world, was coming down the street toward her. She jerked her head in the direction of the store in front of her. Duncan was at the cash register.
Indecision held her still. Would it be better to warn Crane or to keep Duncan busy?
Apparently Crane recognized her, because his strides increased. The door of the store behind her opened and Duncan came out.
“Raven!” Crane cried, increasing his strides.
Raven couldn’t believe any man could be that stupid. “Duncan, let’s go.”
“Hold this.” Duncan shoved the cocoa into her hands. She held the sack with one hand, Duncan with the other.
Perhaps Crane wasn’t as stupid as she thought. He stopped several feet away and visibly swallowed. “I said some things last night that I regret. I ask your forgiveness. It was the alcohol.”
Duncan started for Crane, stopped, and stared down at Raven holding his arm. “Let go of my arm.”
“No,” she said.
“Let him take care of the polecat,” Rooster advised, a paper sack clutched in his arms.
“We’re going back to the ranch.” Raven tugged at Duncan’s arm. It would have been easier moving a mountain.
“McBride, I hope we can still do business,” Crane said, trying to smile.
“You’re either a fool or stupid,” Duncan rasped. “Maybe both. I’m giving you warning, set foot on the Double D at your own risk. Bother Raven and there won’t be a place on this earth you can hide from me.”
Crane swallowed hard. “You can’t mean that. No woman is worth—”
Duncan started for Crane. Raven dropped her purse and the sack Duncan had given her and held on to his arm with both hands. “Turn me loose.”
He tried to pry her hands away, but the moment she said, “Ouch!” he jerked his hand away. Raven didn’t mind playing dirty. He was not getting into a fight.
“Once you wipe up the sidewalk with him, then what?” she questioned.
“I’ll let you know when I’m finished.”
“What he said doesn’t matter,” she said. “If you hit him, it will.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” he said.
“It’s the way I feel.” She took a chance and let him go and said for his ears only, “Does what he says or what I think matter most?”
Duncan’s chest heaved in and out, his black eyes narrowed. He spun toward Crane. Raven clenched her hands to keep from grabbing him again. She’d gambled and lost.
“You get a pass today because the woman you thought to belittle has more compassion in her than scum like you can imagine,” Duncan bit out. “But don’t press your luck. Stay off my land and out of both of our way.”
“That goes for me, too.” Isaac Marshall stepped beside Duncan. “You insulted a guest in my home. Worse, it was a woman. We honor and take care of our womenfolk here. You crossed a line.”
Crane’s eyes widened. “Isaac, let’s talk about this. Elks Ridge and you stand to make a great deal of money.”
“Money don’t mean squat without a man’s self-respect,” Isaac told him. “I can’t do business with a man I don’t respect, and that goes for his company as well.”
Raven watched as several men and women gathered around them. The community of Elks Ridge had closed around Duncan. She slipped her hand into his, felt his tighten.
Crane visibly gulped. “You-you can’t mean that. We were about to sign contracts. I’ve already advised my company. They are expecting—”
Isaac turned his back on Crane while he was speaking. “I’m sorry, Miss La Blanc, for everything.”
“Please call me Raven, and there is nothing to apologize for,” Raven quickly said, hoping this was the end of it and he wouldn’t tell Duncan about Crane’s second attempt to bother her.
“Thank you, Raven.” Isaac faced Duncan. “You were right about Crane. He fooled me.”
“Because you wanted what’s best for the town,” Duncan said. “You’ll find another way to help the economy.”
Isaac nodded, tipped his hat. “I better get home.”
People around them moved away. She and Duncan started back to the truck. Rooster handed her her handbag and held on to the package Duncan had thrust at her. As Duncan pulled away from the curb, she glimpsed Crane standing in the street alone.
Pure hatred stared back at her.
Monday afternoon Raven answered the front door and saw the last person in the world she expected. “Hello, Cynthia. Duncan isn’t here.”
“I came to see you.”
Puzzled, Raven stepped back and closed the door behind the young woman. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No. I’d just rather say what I have to say and leave,” she said, her hand clamped on the small black Dolce & Gabbana handbag.
“All right.” Raven waved the young woman to a seat in the great room.
She shook her head. “This won’t take long. I’m sorry for the things I said Saturday night. I ask your forgiveness.”
Raven studied the younger woman. It wasn’t difficult to see she was there under duress. “Did your father or sister make you come?”
Her chin lifted. “Both.”
“The consequences must have been dire,” Raven said.
“You might think me spoiled, but I love my family.” She momentarily looked away. “Neither my father nor my sister was happy that I had been rude to a guest. Father was annoyed with me and furious with Crane. He was ready to track him down and tell him off. Duncan gave him the opportunity to do just that.”
Raven wrinkled her nose. She’d like to forget the incident. Duncan still wasn’t pleased with her because he hadn’t been able to hit Crane. He hadn’t spoken two words to her after they’d returned Sunday afternoon.
She hadn’t seen him at all today, although she had caught a flash of light in the trees and had known he was checking on her. He might be annoyed with her, but he’d never shirk his duty.
“Crane’s bad behavior made me see how badly I had behaved. I don’t want my family turning against me.”
Raven looked at the other woman with growing respect. “They aren’t likely to call to ask me if you apologized. You didn’t
have to do it.”
“They’d know.”
Raven had to smile. “Parents have a way of knowing. I accept your apology. You’re sure you wouldn’t like something to drink before you leave?”
“No, thank you. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.” Raven followed Cynthia to the door. She started down the steps, then stopped. Raven’s gaze followed the direction of Cynthia’s gaze and saw Billy, his shirt off, rolling a wheelbarrow from the stable. Raven made a quick decision.
“Would you like to see the new foal? He’s beautiful.”
“The one everyone is talking about that you helped deliver?” she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
“Rooster’s doing,” Raven confessed. “The truth is Duncan did all the work. It won’t take but a minute.”
“I suppose.”
Cynthia might not sound interested, but her gaze remained on Billy as he worked. Together, the two women walked to the stable. The moment they entered, they heard Billy whistling as he worked. “Hello, Billy. Look who stopped by.”
The young man’s head came up. He started toward them, then stopped as if he remembered he had a pitchfork in his hand and the job he had been doing. “Hello, Cynthia.”
“Hello, Billy.” She moistened her lips. “Where’s the foal?”
“The fifth stall,” Raven said. While Cynthia walked ahead, Raven motioned for Billy to wash up and then join them. Finally, he seemed to understand.
“Excuse me.” Leaning the pitchfork against the wheelbarrow, he headed for the back of the barn to the sink. Raven noticed Cynthia paid more attention to him than Midnight.
“I suppose you’ve been around horses all of your life and have your own?”
“What? Oh yes, a thoroughbred named Sheba.” She glanced toward the direction Billy had taken. “Daddy bought her for me for my eighteenth birthday.”
“You’re fortunate to have a father who cares about you and wants the best for you,” Raven said. Her father loved his children, but each one of them had to find their own way and that was exactly what she was doing.
“My sister reminded me of that yesterday.”
Raven saw Billy come running back to them, buttoning his shirt. “Good timing, Billy. I need to finish doing some research. Billy can walk you to your car.”