“I couldn’t stand by and watch you shoot my friend,” Tori shouted back. She refused to back away from Walker’s intimidating scowl. Did it require kissing him to wipe the habitual grin off his face?
Lucas ran a hand along his chin. One might think she’d sprouted horns, judging by the incredulous look in his eyes.
“Friend?” he echoed loudly. “He’s a Blackfoot.” Lucas leaned toward her as if he could comprehend her reasoning better by standing closer to her.
Tori stepped back. Her lips still tingled from the contact of her mouth on his. What she’d meant as nothing more than a diversion had been a rather pleasant encounter. She shook off her confusing thoughts. Walker was certainly right about one thing. Her brain was addled from her months of loneliness. He obviously didn’t think her kiss was anything more than what she had intended it to be. He was as angry as a bear with buckshot in its rump.
“He may be a Blackfoot, but he’s been nothing but kind to me. I saved his life from a war party of Bannock last summer.”
Lucas scoffed. “Well, whatever debt he feels he owes you, let me tell you right now that he thinks it’s paid, for letting you stay alive. He’s not going to be so nice a second time.”
“Just because you wouldn’t act so kind doesn’t mean other people won’t, Walker.” Tori glared at him. His deep scowl wasn’t going to intimidate her.
Lucas’ chest heaved. Abruptly, he turned away from her and ran a hand through his hair. Then he spun around and advanced on her again. He stopped inches away, towering over her, and grabbed her upper arms.
“Let me tell you something, Tori,” he said slowly, his voice deep and calculating. “A Blackfoot warrior doesn’t understand anything but raiding and killing. Next he’ll be back to carry you off to his village, since he hasn’t killed you yet.” He released her just as quickly, then added, “And when he shows up again, he won’t be alone. I ain’t in no mood to get into a skirmish with a war party.”
He didn’t give her a chance to reply. Wheeling around, he grabbed his rifle up off the ground, and yanked the cabin door open. He stopped, his back still turned to her. “Pack whatever supplies you need. We’re leaving within the hour.” He stepped outside, and shut the door loudly behind him. Tori stood, staring at the empty room. Her eyes darted to the bolt on the door, and she rushed to push it in place.
“Damn him.” She punched at the wooded door. When had he disabled the bolt?
Tori yanked the door open. “I’m not going with you,” she shouted into the clearing in front of the cabin. Lucas stood by the deer carcass with his back to her, cutting strips of meat off its haunches. Apparently he was going to ignore her. After filling a leather pouch with meat, he headed to where his horse was tethered, and returned moments later, the gelding fully saddled. He tied the horse to the tree closest to the cabin, then stomped in her direction.
“I’m not going with you,” Tori said again when he advanced on her with that same dark scowl on his face. Wordlessly, he moved past her into the cabin, and Tori turned to follow him.
Lucas rummaged through the pile of clothes at the foot of her bunk, and shoved several articles into a leather pouch draped around his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Tori demanded, and rushed to his side.
Lucas continued shoving shirts into the bag. “Packing,” he grumbled. “I’m taking you down off this mountain.”
Tori reached into the pouch and pulled several shirts from it, tossing them on the other side of the bed.
“Like hell you are Walker. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Is there anything else you want to bring?” Lucas glanced around the cabin as if she wasn’t even there.
“No, because I’m not leaving.” Tori moved in front of him, her hands on her hips. She glared up at him. “Get out of my cabin, Walker.”
Finally, he looked down at her.
“If there’s nothing else, I guess we’re ready to go.” He nodded in satisfaction. Before she had a chance to comprehend his intent, Lucas bent forward and grabbed her around the knees, then tossed her over his shoulder. The air left her lungs, and a sharp pain jabbed through her injury.
“Put me down, you lout,” she screeched, and pounded her fists against his back. “Walker, put me down this instant. You have no right to take me away from here.”
Ignoring her tirade, Lucas moved out of the cabin, pulling the door shut behind him. He strode to his horse, and unceremoniously dumped her into the saddle. Before she had a chance to squirm off the prancing animal’s back, Lucas swung up behind her, and wrapped a steely arm around her waist.
“You can’t do this, Walker,” she growled between clenched teeth, grabbing at his arm to try and dislodge his hold on her. He wouldn’t budge, much like the shackles she’d worn in her prison cell back in St. Louis.
“I think I just did,” he whispered in her ear, and nudged his horse forward.
Tori gritted her teeth. Anger flooded her like nothing ever had. How could she have, even for a second, thought that Lucas Walker was a trustworthy man?
“You’d better sleep with one eye open from hereon, Walker,” she grumbled.
“Oh, I plan to.” His lips lingered against her ear, and despite all the anger that welled up in her, a shiver ran down her spine, and it wasn’t due to fear of this man.
“I haven’t had both eyes closed since I came to this cabin, Tori.”
Chapter 7
Lucas steeled his arm around Tori’s waist, drawing her up closer against his chest. If he’d thought this through better, he would have tied her hands together before hauling her up into the saddle. Hell, if he had any sense at all, he would have simply left her where she was, since she was the most bullheaded female he’d ever encountered. If she wanted to die of starvation, or at the hands of a Blackfoot warrior, why should it matter to him?
Dammit! He’d mulled it over in his mind for the last week as to what to do about her. He couldn’t simply ride away from here and leave Tori all by herself. She’d nearly died the day he found her. How she’d survived the winter all by herself was beyond his comprehension. Hell, probably her foolish stubborn pride had kept her alive since her pa died. She wasn’t going to last much longer on her own, though. Whether she wanted to believe it or not, no one lived in these remote mountains alone, especially not a woman. It was simply impossible.
Admit it, Lucas. You’re damn impressed she’s survived as long as she has.
For all her orneriness and female stubbornness, she was as hardy as any man he’d ever met. The muscles along his arm tightened when she squirmed again in front of him. Bad-tempered or not, she sure was a soft female despite all that display of grit. Lucas clenched his jaw. Having her so close to him, her back pressed against his chest, the backs of her slender legs molded to the front of his thighs, brought perspiration to his forehead.
Earlier, Tori had accomplished something that no one had ever been able to do. While he was trying to chase off that crazy Blackfoot, the feel of her small hands against his cheeks, and the soft touch of her full lips pressed to his had shocked the fight right out of him for a moment. For a split second he’d forgotten all about Black Sparrow, and everything around him except the sweet woman kissing him.
The urge to pull Tori fully into his arms nearly overruled his instinctive need to fight and protect himself, and her, from that Blackfoot warrior. These thoughts had crawled into his mind on more than one occasion since coming here. She had no idea how enticing she was. Under that tough façade was a desirable woman, and he’d better watch his step before he ended up getting himself killed for being careless.
Lucas fumbled with the leather reins in his free hand, trying to control his skittish gelding while keeping the squirming woman seated in front of him. All he needed now was for the horse to rear or decide to buck again. Hopefully with the added weight of a second rider, the animal wouldn’t be so ornery. That fool female continued to struggle against his hold, calling him every colorful name tha
t apparently entered her mind. She clawed at his arm around her waist, and Lucas was thankful for the thick buffalo robe he wore, or she might do more damage to his arm than that wolverine had done.
“Stop your foolishness, and settle down, before we both get thrown from the horse,” he growled.
“Maybe that’s my intent, Walker,” she spat. “Why can’t you just leave me be? I was getting along just fine without any help.”
Lucas chuckled. “Didn’t look like you were getting on without help. Hell, you were half-dead already when I came along. You might want to show a little more gratitude.”
“Gratitude?” Her body stiffened. “For what? Kidnapping me? You can’t keep me prisoner forever.” Ravens took flight from a nearby tree, cawing loudly in response to her raised voice.
“Someday, Tori, you’re gonna thank me for saving your hide.” Lucas leaned forward, and whispered close to her ear. He inhaled deeply, and could have sworn a slight shudder passed through her, just before her back stiffened. She faced straight ahead.
His lips twitched. The little hellion wasn’t as unaffected by him as she wanted him to believe. He sucked in a slow breath. While the coat she wore and the rest of her clothes certainly didn’t smell all that pleasant, there was a subtle hint of soap on her skin, something that made him wish he could take off his heavy robe at that moment.
“Would you rather have gone with that Blackfoot?” Lucas taunted. “If he didn’t plan to kill you, he would have dragged you off to his lodge.”
Tori’s head snapped around, and her eyes shot daggers at him. Lucas’ gaze lingered on her mouth. Their faces were only inches from each other. If he kissed her now, could he coax some softness back into the firm set of her lips?
“And what do you call what you’re doing to me, Walker? You’re dragging me off against my will, too.”
Lucas grinned. “Trust me, you’d rather be with me than with Black Sparrow.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t be so sure about that,” she hissed, and faced away from him again. “How do you know his name?” she asked heatedly while staring straight ahead.
“Oh, him and me go back a few years,” Lucas drawled slowly. He cursed under his breath. That damn Blackfoot and he had chased each other through these mountains for years, ever since that time when they’d nearly killed each other during their first encounter. How old had they been? Barely old enough to shoot a rifle or a bow and arrow. Lucas chuckled at the memory.
“What’s so funny?” Tori clamped her hands around his forearm, and tried again to loosen his grip on her. Lucas studied the back of her head, the way strands of her golden hair changed hues in the sun’s reflection. He adjusted his arm around her. She’d learn real fast that her efforts were futile. She’d tire herself out soon enough. That wound on her chest had to be mighty sore at this point. He only hoped she hadn’t pulled any stitches loose in her struggles.
“Just remembering some good times with Black Sparrow.” Lucas adjusted his own seat in the saddle. “I didn’t expect to be fighting him a second time over something sweet.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Walker?” Tori shot a cold glare over her shoulder, and quickly snapped her head back around when their eyes met.
“Trust me when I tell you that he’s bad news, Tori.” Lucas leaned forward. His lips grazed her neck as he whispered in her ear. “You’d have been better off to let those Bannock have him rather than save his hide.”
There was one thing Lucas was absolutely sure of. If he didn’t take Tori off this mountain, Black Sparrow certainly would carry her off at the next opportunity, and she wouldn’t like what the warrior had in store for her.
The long strands of her hair tickled his face, and he cursed under his breath. He fought the urge to swipe the dampness from his forehead.
“Ease your hold. I can’t breathe,” she demanded after she’d mercifully stopped arguing with him.
“’Fraid I can’t,” Lucas answered casually. “I trust you about as much as I do that Blackfoot.”
Tori cursed, and groaned in frustration. To his surprise, she stopped her struggles, and her body relaxed. For as stiff as she’d been a moment ago, her body had gone soft and pliable against him. Lucas ground his teeth. Bringing her along had definitely been a mistake, not for her sake, but for his sanity.
“I demand to know where you’re taking me,” she insisted after a few minutes of silence.
Lucas guided his gelding along a narrow trail, following the creek back the way he’d come up the mountain the day of the blizzard. He’d weighed his options each time he thought about leaving Tori’s cabin, and bringing her with him. He had plenty of time to meet that army expedition at Fort Pierre. He could just take her there, or as far as Fort Laramie, and see if some settlers would be willing to take her back to the Missouri.
He’d already dismissed that crazy idea. Tori would run away the moment he turned his back to her. His only other option was to backtrack and take her to Jackson’s Hole, and have her stay with his family until she told him where she had kin that she could go live with. He could easily make up the lost time once he delivered her there. His folks would look out for her until he returned. Her pa and his father had been old trapping friends.
“Less than a week’s ride down the mountains, to Jackson’s Hole along the Snake,” he answered. “Until I figure out what to do with you.”
“You have no right to do anything with me,” she retorted. “I’m not a little child.”
Lucas cursed under his breath. She certainly didn’t need to point out to him that she wasn’t a child. He was more than aware of that fact.
“If I don’t, that Blackfoot will,” he growled. “You can either cooperate, and we’ll get along just fine, or we can play the hard way, Tori. Your choice.”
“I will kill you the first chance I get, Walker.” The desperation in her voice nagged at him. Why would a woman be so adamant to live hidden away from other people? He shrugged it off for now.
“That’s my girl.” Lucas laughed. He swore silently. His girl. What the hell? What was it about Tori that made him want to protect her and keep her safe, and . . .
“I’m not your girl,” she hissed, and her back stiffened. Lucas’ lips curved upward, and he drew her more firmly up against his chest.
* * * * *
The sun set in a fiery ball in the far off western horizon, painting the sky in hues of reds, yellows, and purple. Lucas knelt by the crackling fire, adding large pieces of tinder to fuel the flames. They’d made good time coming down the steep pass that led from Tori’s secluded mountain cabin to the small valley where he’d chosen to set up camp for the night. Only isolated patches of snow remained here.
A shallow creek trickled nearby, and steam rose in lazy vapors through some trees and brush at the far end of the valley. If he wasn’t mistaken, the creek led out of a mountain lake that was fed by snowmelt on one side, and a hot underground spring at the other.
“Would you mind finding some sticks suitable to skewer some meat?” Lucas called in an attempt to break the stifling silence. Tori stood with her back to him, staring toward the mountains. She hadn’t spoken in several hours, nor had she put up anymore of a fight.
Lucas waited for a response, but other than hugging her arms more firmly around her waist, she didn’t acknowledge that she’d even heard him. He frowned. Damn females and their unpredictable behavior. He’d rather have her argue with him and shout insults than act in the stoic way she had been. Hell. He’d saved her life. More than once now, whether she wanted to admit it or not. She should be glad he was taking her out of the mountains.
Lucas shook his head and stood. If he was going to eat, it appeared that he’d have to look for his own sticks to skewer some of the deer meat he’d brought along. Leaving the carcass of the deer he’d shot this morning hanging at the cabin and not utilizing the entire kill hadn’t been his preferred choice, but after Black Sparrow’s unexpected appearance, it was best to get off the mou
ntain sooner rather than later. That Blackfoot hadn’t expected anyone other than Tori to be at the cabin, and he would surely return with more warriors. They’d make good use of the deer.
“Come sit by the fire.” He nudged Tori’s elbow after collecting enough suitable sticks for the meat. She jerked away from him.
“Leave me be,” Tori hissed between clenched teeth. She continued to stare off at the steep mountain looming on the horizon. His eyes followed the direction of her gaze.
“Don’t get any wild ideas about running off, Tori,” Lucas warned. “I’ll hobble you like my horse if I have to.”
Her head turned slowly, and she shot him a murderous glare. “Why the hell are you doing this to me? What gives you the right to take me away from my home?”
Lucas stared at her shimmering eyes. The vulnerability, the fear displayed there shocked him momentarily. Over the week he’d known her, it became more and more difficult not to think of Tori as the beautiful and desirable female she was, even if her behavior was anything but feminine. His own eyes narrowed.
“What are you running from? Why did Jasper hide you away in the high country?”
The widening of her eyes told him he’d hit the mark.
“It’s none of your damn business, Walker. My pa always wanted to live in these mountains. Farming was not a life for him, so when he left St. Louis, he brought me with him.”
Lucas’ gaze didn’t waver. He chuckled, and shook his head slightly. “You’re not a very good liar, Tori.”
“Go to hell,” she spat, and wheeled around. Lucas reached for her arm again, and spun her back to face him. He took a step closer, and glared down at her. Damn. She was so small. He strained against the urge to pull her into his arms.
“Whatever you’re running from, it might be easier for me to help you if you told me.”
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