Tori’s vision blurred when she looked up at Sophie. “I did not push him. He was as alive as you and I when I ran from that barn.”
“But it was your word against Paul’s.” It wasn’t a question.
Sophie handed a handkerchief to her. Tori dabbed at her eyes. She sneered.
“A poor farm girl’s word carries no weight against the word of a rich and prominent citizen’s son. I was sentenced to hang. Paul came to my prison cell, and told me he could make it all go away if I agreed to marry him. I told him I’d rather die first. He laughed, and reminded me again that if he couldn’t have me, no one else would, either. My pa sprang me from jail on the eve of my hanging. He gave up his life, and his marriage, to save me. We came to the mountains. It was where he loved to be, and where he repeatedly told me no one would find me.”
Tori twisted the soft white cloth in her hands into a tight rope.
“What about your mother? Don’t you want to see her again?”
“If I go back to St. Louis, they’ll hang me. I’m wanted for murder.” She fingered the little pouch hanging off her belt that held her mother’s cross and chain.
“I’ll never see my mother again, and I can’t live among civilized folks, either. I’ve come to terms with being on my own.”
Sophie touched a hand to Tori’s arm. “What if someone can clear your name?”
Lucas had repeatedly said he would try and clear her name. Tori shook her head. She would not risk going back to St. Louis. There was nothing anyone could do for her. Paul’s threat echoed in her mind. If I can’t have you, no one else will, either.
Timothy had told her once that Paul had always been rather obsessive, and didn’t like to lose at anything. She’d certainly found out how true that was. Paul’s initial mild interest in her had turned to obsession, simply because she’d refused him, and it had led to Timothy’s death.
She couldn’t put another person’s - especially Lucas’ - life in danger.
Sophie wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Tori stood stiffly for a moment, then hugged the other woman back, and sobbed quietly.
“We’ll figure something out, Tori,” Sophie whispered against her ear. She gave her one final squeeze, then stepped away. A wide smile spread across her face. “In the meantime, Lucas won’t know what hit him when he sees you in the morning.”
Tori frowned at Sophie’s words. Reluctantly, she’d accepted Sophie’s offer to come to the kitchen and eat some supper. After that, her meaning had become clearer.
“In the morning, after you get a good night’s rest, you can take a bath, and we’ll wash your hair and put you in a nice dress,” Sophie announced, beaming brightly.
“Oh . . . no, not a dress.” Tori waved her off quickly and shook her head.
“Of course a dress,” Sophie laughed. She didn’t give her a chance to argue, and left the kitchen. Moments later, she returned with a pretty blue cotton dress, and held it up to her.
“It’s a bit long for you, but I can alter it to your height. I’ll probably have to take it in at the waist and bust, too. You go get some sleep, and I’ll work on this.”
“I ain’t wearing a dress,” Tori protested again. Sophie didn’t argue, only smiled sweetly, and ushered her back into the bedroom she’d escaped from earlier. It didn’t seem quite as confining at the moment. She laid her head on the soft pillow, and drifted into a restless sleep.
* * * * *
Tori sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. It had been years since she last tasted the bitter brew. Papa had traded with some other trappers a few times over the years, which was how they had come by most of their meager supplies of sugar, flour, cornmeal, gunpowder, and the occasional sack of coffee. Over time, she’d learned to brew nettles and dried flowers into various flavorful teas when the coffee ran out. Forcing another swallow down her throat, she set the cup on the table. How had she ever enjoyed this drink?
Sophie poured another bucket of water into the small tub that stood in the middle of the kitchen. It was no more than a wooden barrel, but the thought of submersing herself in warm water brought a flutter of excitement to Tori’s chest. The golden rays of dawn that streamed in long ribbons from behind the mighty Teewinots and in through the kitchen window caught in the steam rising from the tub.
“It’s ready.” Sophie turned to her with a smile. “Here’s some soap to wash your hair and body, and a soft sheet to dry off with. Call out when you’re done, and I’ll help you get dressed. I’ll be outside for a while, feeding the animals.”
Tori stared after Sophie, then quickly removed her dirty britches and shirt. She stepped into the tub, and sighed. She knelt down into the water until it reached her neck. Her skin tingled to life at the sensation of the warm water enveloping her, and she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the soothing sensation. She couldn’t linger, however. It was well past sunup, and Lucas and Joseph would surely return soon. She dunked her head under water, then lathered the sweet-smelling lavender soap in her hair and over her skin, and rinsed.
After wrapping herself in the large cloth Sophie had left on a chair, Tori eyed the blue dress that lay draped over one of the kitchen chairs. Would it be so bad to feel like a real girl for a change?
“I’m done, Sophie,” she called loudly, and took a few hesitant steps toward the main room.
“I’ll be right there,” came a reply from the loft. Moments later, Sophie appeared, a huge bundle of white material in her arms.
“Undergarments and petticoats,” Sophie explained. “Put them on while I go fetch my comb and brush.” She rushed from the room after depositing the clothing onto the table.
Tori stared at the material. She’d never worn that many undergarments before. A simple chemise and bloomers under a plain homespun dress had been the extent of her feminine wardrobe. She fingered the soft material, and reached for the chemise. Quickly, she slipped it over her head, then into the bloomers, just before Sophie reappeared.
“One petticoat is all I ever wear. I didn’t know if you wanted two or more perhaps.”
“N . . . no,” Tori stammered. Who would have need to wear more than one?
“All right, slip this one on, then. I’m anxious to see you in that dress.” Sophie beamed as if it were her birthday. Tori reluctantly slipped the fine material up over the bloomers and tied it around her waist. With Sophie’s help, she wrestled her arms through the sleeves of the dress, which reached just past her elbows. White lace ruffles accented the wide cuffs. The bodice came together in a V-shape at the waist, and the neckline scooped low enough to reveal the swell of her breasts. She’d never in her life worn a gown such as this.
Tori eyed her wound, which was visible just above the low neckline of the dress. She still needed to remove the stitches.
“I can take those stitches out. That wound looks nearly healed,” Sophie offered, as if she’d read her thoughts. Tori merely nodded and mumbled a hasty “thank you.”
Sophie produced some scissors and quickly removed the stitches, then motioned for Tori to sit. She began to brush through her damp hair with long strokes, working through the snarls. Tori gritted her teeth at the torturous procedure. Her scalp tingled and she was sure most of her hair had been ripped from her head by the time it was nearly dry.
She fought the urge to jump from the chair, unable to endure any more, when Sophie finally set the brush on the table. She looked at her, and beamed. “You look absolutely stunning, Tori.”
She held a mirror up for Tori to see her reflection. The young woman staring back at her was a stranger. Her golden hair had never shone with such luster before. Sophie had swept most of her loose strands out of her face, combed them to the back, and tied a blue ribbon to match the dress around them, letting the rest of her hair cascade in waves down her back.
Outside, horses galloped toward the yard.
“We’re done just in time,” Sophie said. She rushed to the window and peered out. “Looks like the men returned from an
unsuccessful tracking mission.” She laughed.
“Saddle a fresh horse, Joseph. I’m gonna check with Sophie, then ride out again just as soon as I find her trail.” Lucas’ muffled voice boomed, just before the front door opened.
Tori’s heart leapt to her throat, and she sprang to her feet. She turned toward the main room just as Lucas strode in, his rifle slung over his shoulder.
“Sophie, you got any coffee?” he called loudly. Just before reaching the kitchen, he stopped in his tracks as if he’d had a run-in with a buffalo. Tori twisted her trembling hands in front of her, and their eyes met. She tried to swallow the hard lump in her throat. Lucas’ eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He visibly swallowed repeatedly, and his arm lowered, the rifle dangling as if it would drop from his hand at any moment.
“Hello, Lucas,” Tori managed to say, her voice shaky. She raised her chin, and met his incredulous stare without flinching.
Chapter 19
“Tori?”
Lucas leaned forward, his voice strained, and he squinted as if he needed spectacles for clearer vision. His forehead scrunched together like a man deep in thought about something that didn’t make sense to him.
Tori fidgeted with her hands, and curled her bare toes on the wooden floor. She swallowed nervously.
“You . . . ah . . .” He took a tentative step toward her, looking more incredulously at her by the second. “Tori?” He said her name as if he wasn’t sure if he was addressing the correct person.
“Doesn’t she look stunning?” Sophie moved up beside her, a wide smile on her face.
Lucas glanced at his sister-in-law for a split second before his eyes darted back to Tori.
“You look . . .” He ran his hand over his face. He blinked, then took another hesitant step into the kitchen, shaking his head slightly.
“I think I’ll go and let Joseph know that he doesn’t need to saddle any fresh horses.” Sophie darted past her, a dirty pair of britches and shirt bundled up in her arm. Tori almost reached out to snatch her familiar clothes back. Why had she agreed to put on this dress? Lucas’ befuddled reaction was not what she had anticipated.
Sophie stopped in front of Lucas, and shot him a look that Tori couldn’t interpret. “You’d better lay down your rifle. You don’t want it going off accidentally. And close your mouth,” she whispered, and patted him on the arm. She rushed from the kitchen. Seconds later, the door to the cabin creaked open and then shut.
The silence that followed was nerve-wracking. Tori’s mouth went dry. Why was he just staring at her like that? Sophie had almost convinced her the night before that Lucas would be pleased to see her in a dress. Why had she hoped it was true? Hadn’t she told herself repeatedly that she couldn’t form attachments, or worse, fall in love? In a moment of weakness and weariness, she’d admitted to Sophie that she’d lost her heart to this man.
Lucas continued to stare at her with a bewildered expression on his face. His furrowed brows might leave permanent creases.
Tori clenched her hands into tight fists, then relaxed them again. She rubbed her fingers against her damp palms instead, itching to wipe that silly expression off his face. Why couldn’t he say something instead of just standing there, looking like a mule with its tail caught in a fence?
His eyes remained glued to her. The seconds ticked on seemingly forever until he took another step into the room. He moved slowly around her and laid his rifle on the kitchen table, but his stare didn’t waver.
“You, ah, changed your mind about running off, I see.” He faced her fully, his voice hoarse and raspy.
Tori’s eyebrows rose. That was all he could say? She ground her teeth.
His look of confusion slowly transformed as his gaze raked over her. Appreciation and something far deeper, more intense, brewed in his blue eyes. Lucas stepped toward her, his look turning more heated by the second. Tori straightened her back and raised her chin. Involuntarily, she bit her lower lip. Her skin tingled as if his scorching stare touched her, and her pulse quickened. A shiver passed through her, even though the kitchen was warm from the fire crackling in the hearth.
“No, I didn’t change my mind. I never left,” she answered quietly. “You could have saved yourself the trouble of an all-night search.” She shook her head and lifted her chin, one hand on her hip. The corners of her lips twitched, and she tried to suppress a triumphant grin. “If you’d like some advice on tracking, I find it helps to stop and actually look for tracks first before galloping all hell-bent for the hills to follow someone’s trail.”
Lucas’ eyes narrowed, and he smirked. Like a predator stalking its prey with slow and deliberate movements, he moved closer, until he stood mere inches from her. He leaned forward slightly, towering over her. Tori’s eyes rested on the dark stubble that covered his jaw and above his top lip. His hair fell in thick strands forward and over his forehead. She raised her head higher to stare up at him. His roaming eyes appraised her boldly.
“My ability to track someone is usually much better. Guess my head wasn’t on straight, something that’s been happening a lot lately,” he said slowly. His voice was low, but filled with a hint of amusement. “You were here all night?”
Lucas’ intense perusal unnerved her. His eyes continued to travel up and down her body, then settled on her face, much like the day she’d stood by the lake completely unclothed. Tori swallowed back the lump in her throat.
Annoyance shot through her. “What sort of fool do you take me for, Lucas? I told you yesterday I plan on leaving today, so why would I run off in the middle of the night?”
A slow smile formed on his lips. “You plan on leaving in that?” He motioned with his hand at the dress.
“Of course not.” Tori couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice any longer. What had she expected by wearing this dress? Sophie had told her he’d be rendered speechless when he saw her in it. Well, she’d been correct, but his perplexing behavior was something even Sophie couldn’t have anticipated.
He hadn’t said a word about the dress or the way she looked, other than to imply that she couldn’t leave while wearing it. She certainly wasn’t going to ask him what he thought of her appearance.
“I told Sophie I didn’t want to wear a silly dress, but she got me all gussied up anyway. As soon as I get my shirt and britches back, I’m heading out.”
Lucas grinned broadly. Tori’s heart sprang to life in her chest. Dammit! Why did he affect her like that with just a simple smile?
“You look . . . different. Like a girl.” His hand reached up, and he fingered the lace on her cuff.
Tori yanked her arm away, and gritted her teeth. “That’s because I am a girl, Walker.”
His smile widened even more, and his eyes twinkled. “Oh, I’ve known that you’re a girl.” He chuckled. “I just meant that . . . I ain’t used to seeing you dress like one.”
She darted around him, and out the kitchen into the larger main room. She gulped in a deep breath to try and maintain her composure. She had to find Sophie and get her clothes back.
She almost reached the door to the cabin when Lucas called out, “Don’t run off again, Tori.”
Wooden floorboards creaked behind her, and Tori stopped. Lucas was right there. She didn’t have to turn to feel how close he was. His hands cupped her shoulders, sending a jolt of awareness through her. Her spine stiffened.
“Stop running.” His voice had dropped low enough to be nearly inaudible, but his warm breath against her neck sent ripples of heat through her. His words sounded more like a plea than a demand.
Tori spun around, forcing him to release her. Wide-eyed, she stared up at him.
“We’ve been over this before, Lucas. You have no say in what I do, and where I go.”
The muscles along his jaw tightened. “Blazes, woman, what’s got your dander up? You’re not only dressed like a female, you’re acting like one, too,” he growled. Much calmer, he added, “How am I gonna convince you to let me take care of you?”
Tori’s eyes widened, and her hands shot to her hips. “Take care of me? I don’t need some overbearing man to tell me what to do all the time, Lucas. If that’s your idea of caretaking, then I want no part of it.” He’d proven more than once already that his idea of caretaking meant bending her to his will.
She laughed bitterly. Dammit if he wasn’t right. Dressing like a female certainly made her feel like one, all vulnerable and knotted up inside. Tears threatened behind her eyes. Why had she allowed Sophie to fill her head with silly notions of dresses and feeling like a woman? All it did was take away her confidence and make her feel weak.
Lucas reached for her arm. He pried her hand away from her hip, and pulled her up toward him, close enough for his hard thighs to brush up against her. Tori inhaled the rugged scent of leather and wood smoke.
His eyes darkened. “If you’ll calm your temper for a minute, I have something to say to you,” he said evenly. “I wanted to say it last night, but you were gone. When I found that room empty, I thought you’d run off again.” He bent forward and whispered against her cheek. Tori shuddered at his warm breath against her skin. “It’s what you’ve been doing since I met you.”
He gently gripped her other arm while he held her slightly away from him and stared down at her. Rather than anger on his face, a soft smile radiated all the way to his eyes, which seemed to penetrate her very soul.
Tori couldn’t pull her gaze away if her life depended on it at the moment. The warmth in his eyes, the raw look of some emotion that both exhilarated her and frightened her more than anything, lay open and exposed for her to see. Her heart pounded in her chest
“Tori,” Lucas said slowly. He cleared his throat, and chuckled nervously. He let go of one of her arms, and ran his hand across his face, then gripped her again as if he thought she’d meant to pull away. His eyes locked on hers.
“Tori, I wish right now that you could see what I’m looking at. I don’t think you understand how I . . . what this . . . what it is you do to me.”
Teton Romance Trilogy Bundle: Includes Yellowstone Proposal (Short Story) Page 65