Dream Warrior: His Savage Kiss

by Bobbi Smith

  "She can't!" Elizabeth panicked.

  "And why not?" he railed. Then after getting control of himself, he continued in a gentler, more conciliatory tone. "Elizabeth, listen to me. Cari's happy here on the ranch. She doesn't want to leave."

  "You don't understand. She should have the best life has to offer!"

  James's pain grew, and he said quietly, "I thought I was giving you both the best life has to offer."

  "You gave us what you thought was the best." She was unable to stop the words of bitterness as they spilled forth. "You never asked us what we wanted. You just did whatever suited your fancy. You always thought about pleasing yourself. You never gave one thought to me or my needs. If you wanted to go west, you went. If you wanted to buy a ranch, you bought it. You've never cared about me and Cari. All you've ever really cared about is this damned ranch!"

  Tears streaming down her face, Elizabeth was mortified that she'd blurted out all the pain and anger she'd kept hidden within her for so long. She loved James, but his devotion to the Circle M had hurt her. Many times his quest to build the ranch had taken precedence over his family. Even as recently as Cari's graduation, the ranch had come first! Tears burned her eyes as she remembered how she'd longed to have him with her on that graduation night, and how they'd ended up celebrating the evening with Elliot and George.

  James's face was set like granite as he finally accepted that nothing had ever really changed between them. She didn't share his dream of a dynasty in the territory, and he knew now that she never would. In fact, other than their marriage bed, it occurred to him that they shared precious little. Her weeping stabbed at his heart, and it seemed obvious to him that she thought him a failure as both a husband and a father. He stood up slowly and picked up his hat.

  "I'm leaving." His words were gruff and final.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Who knows? Anywhere but here would be inviting."

  "I don't want my daughter married to that Indian," she repeated.

  "You've made yourself quite clear on the subject."

  "And?"

  "And what?"

  "What do you plan to do about it?"

  His expression saddened. "You have a very different dream for our daughter's future than she has for herself, and you've made it very clear to me that I must give up my dream for making the Circle M a success if I want you to be happy. Are you only happy when things go the way you want them to? Must you take everyone's dreams from them?"

  "James!" She gasped at the harshness of his observations. "That's not fair! You know how the Indians live . . . how uncivilized they are. I just want Cari to be happy, and she won't be happy with him."

  James shot her a black look as he jammed his hat on his head. "That's your opinion, not hers. Now, I've got a ranch to run and stock to tend."

  He stalked out of the house, heading toward the stables where his saddled mount was waiting for him. His heart was heavy as he mounted up, his mood solemn and pensive. He glanced back at the house he'd so lovingly built for his wife, but there was no sign of her. It looked deserted and lifeless. He rode away and didn't look back again.

  James rode at a steady, ground-eating pace and didn't stop until he was far from the house. He needed some time alone, and he sought out the rocky outcropping with the expansive view that had become one of his favorite places on the ranch. After turning his horse loose to graze, he sat down to gaze out across the land he loved, the land that was his world.

  The hours passed, and still James found no peace. It was a dilemma that tore at the very fabric of his soul. He admired Silver Wolf, and loved him almost as a son. If Cari wanted to be with him, he had no objection. Silver Wolf was a fine, intelligent man. As much as he wanted to completely ignore Elizabeth's arguments against them being together, however, she did have one important point. As prejudiced as some of their neighbors were, it wouldn't be an easy life for Cari married to Silver Wolf. Still, James believed if they loved each other enough, none of the other things would bother them.

  James thought about giving up his dream to please his wife, but something deep within him balked at the idea. He wondered if what Elizabeth had said was true. Was he being selfish? He loved the ranch, that much was true, but he'd been doing all the work for his family.

  Only when the sun began to sink low in the western sky did James even think about heading back. He believed Cari was old enough to make her own decisions, and he believed she should be allowed to do that. For himself, it looked like it all came down to a single choice. He could have the Circle M or he could have Elizabeth. From the way she'd been acting when he'd left, he doubted seriously that he could have both. Reluctantly, he started toward the house. He rode slowly.

  It was dark by the time James reached the pasture where Lord Anthony was being kept. Charlie Houser, one of his men, was camped in the area to keep an eye on the expensive animal, and James was watching for some sign of his campfire. He spotted the soft glow of a fire in the distance and was riding toward it, when he heard what sounded like a bellow of distress from the bull. Reining in abruptly, he waited in silence, listening closely as he tried to figure out from which direction the sound had come. It came again, distant and troubled from near the fire, and he quickly went to investigate.

  James didn't want to think that the Larsons were right, that there might be rustlers. He hoped this wasn't trouble, but he was glad he had his rifle with him, anyway. He topped a low rise, and from that vantage point could see more clearly the small campfire in the distance. He could make out Lord Anthony tied up there and three men moving around the fire.

  James knew something was wrong when he didn't recognize any of the trespassers. There was no sign of Charlie. The only good sign was that the men were definitely white and not Cheyenne. So, while the Larsons might be right about rustlers working the area, at least they weren't Indians.

  Determined to put a stop to their activities, James pulled his rifle from its sheath. He knew he was outnumbered, so he thought it important that he have the element of surprise on his side. He rode quietly toward the campfire, his rifle at ready.

  "Well, boys, is there a good reason why you're on Circle M land tonight?" His voice was deep and powerful as he reined to a stop just outside the campfire's circle of light. He kept the barrel of his rifle pointed at them so they would have no doubts about the seriousness of his intent.

  The three cowboys in the camp looked up in surprise to see James McCord sitting on his stallion, his rifle aimed straight at their chests. He looked as mean and fearsome as they'd heard tell he was, and the rustlers grew nervous.

  "It's McCord . . ." one of them gulped in surprise.

  "You're damned right, it's McCord!" James thundered. "Who the hell else did you think it would be? This is my land, and that's my prize bull you've got tied up over there. There a reason why you're here on my property?"

  "We're just passing through and made camp here for the night." One rustler tried to smooth-talk his way out of trouble.

  "And I suppose my bull was going to just pass on through with you, right? Where's Charlie?"

  "We don't know . . ."

  James didn't believe a word of what they were saying. "Well, if you all are just passing through, then you won't mind stepping over by the fire in the light so I can see your faces real clear. I want to see who I'm dealing with here."

  They did as they were told, and James studied their faces closely. "You certainly aren't Cheyenne, are you? In fact, at first I didn't think I knew any of you, but now that I can see you in the light . . ."

  James didn't get to finish the sentence as a blinding pain slammed into his chest. The impact of the bullet threw him from his horse, and his rifle went flying from his grip as he hit the ground.

  Distantly, he heard someone say "Nice shot!" as he lay unmoving, his life's blood draining into the dirt. He stared up at the sky, seeing the pinpoints of light that were stars and the sliver of a moon that did not give off enough light to brighten
his way. He wanted to get up and continue the fight, he wanted to save the Hereford bull, but he couldn't move. Weakness overcame him, and his limbs felt leaden.

  James was vaguely aware of someone giving a menacing laugh as he moved closer in the darkness, but his ability to think clearly was deserting him. He struggled to get a look at the man who'd shot him, but his assailant stayed out of sight and he never learned his identity.

  Elizabeth slipped into his thoughts, and the realization that he was dying and would never see her again was more painful to him than his mortal wound. He fought with all his might to live. He loved Elizabeth! He would give up the ranch and everything he owned if only he had the chance to tell her once more that he loved her! They had parted in anger, and now . . .

  "Elizabeth . . ." Her name was a choked whisper that died on his lips and was lost on the night wind.

  Death. . . . There would be no tomorrow for James so he could ease the pain of their parting. There would be no second chance for him to set things right with the woman he adored. There was only silence and coldness and a terrible emptiness in the night.

  "Wasn't there some way to avoid this?" Sam demanded of his son as he came to kneel beside McCord's body.

  "Do you think I wanted to kill him? He rode in with his rifle ready and caught the men with the bull," Mark defended his act. "We'd already had to kill his hired hand to get the damned Hereford, and then he came riding in out of nowhere . . ."

  "Did you have to shoot him?"

  "What else was I going to do?" Mark exploded. "Challenge him to a duel? There was no time, Pa. I had to get rid of him. He'd already seen the men, and he'd have gotten a look at me next. It came down to him or me."

  Sam finally nodded, his expression sober as he planned their next move. "You still got the half-breed's medicine bag?"

  "In my saddlebag."

  "Get it."

  Mark brought it to his father, and Sam took it and pressed it into James's lifeless hand.

  "I knew it would come in handy. Somebody will come looking for James in a day or two, and when they do, they'll find him, and the medicine bag, too." Sam Larson stared around the campsite. "When it's found, it'll be the hangman's noose for Marshall. . . . If he lives long enough to make it to a hanging, that is."

  The thought of a lynching brought a sharkish smile to Sam's face. With James murdered and Marshall blamed for it, it would be a simple thing to stir up the ranchers and the Army against the Indians. He might just get his wish after all.

  "What about the bull?" he asked.

  "The boys will take him to the box canyon and keep him there until things settle down."

  "I have a feeling that may be a while."

  "That's all right. The Hereford's worth waiting for. Make sure our tracks are covered as we leave. There's too much at risk here for us to be careless. One stupid mistake could ruin it all."

  Mark erased all evidence that they'd ever been there. The men took one last look at James McCord, then rode away.

  After James left, Elizabeth agonized over their argument. The more she thought about what he'd said, the more she realized he'd been right about a lot of the things. She'd accused him of selfishness, but her own self-centeredness was inexcusable. She loved James, and she wanted to make him happy.

  Suddenly, Elizabeth knew it was important that she prove to him just how much he meant to her. She'd seen a beautiful piece of material at a dry-goods store in Cheyenne, and she decided to buy it so she could make a new dress and look pretty for James when he returned. Shopping had always made her feel better when she'd lived in Philadelphia, and she hoped it would help now, too.

  When Elliot joined her for breakfast and she suggested they make the trip to town, he readily agreed. Cari came down a few minutes later, her expression and manner guarded, and Elizabeth was glad Elliot was with her, for his presence kept them from dredging up what had happened the night before.

  "I need to pick up a few things in town, and Elliot's agreed to accompany me. Would you like to come with us?" Elizabeth hoped that if she pretended nothing had happened, then they might actually have a pleasant outing together.

  "Where's Papa?" Cari ventured cautiously.

  "He's gone out to see to the herd, and he didn't say when he'd be back, so I thought it would be a good time to make the trip into town."

  "All right, I'll go," Cari agreed, surprised that her mother was acting as if absolutely nothing unusual had occurred.

  "Good, we'll have a nice time."

  Cari wasn't so sure, but she smiled in agreement anyway, glad for the momentary reprieve from another confrontation with her about Silver Wolf. She'd passed a miserable night, lying awake for hours, trying to figure out a way to convince her that her love for Silver Wolf was real, but she could think of no new argument to sway her. Her mother seemed determined to hate him, and she was at a loss how to change her. She hoped this short trip together would help ease things between them. Elliot's presence would prevent them from discussing the previous night in any great detail, and Cari thought that was just as well. Until she spoke with her father and found out what had been said that morning, she was better off keeping busy.

  "We're getting such a late start that we'll probably have to spend the night, so pack a few things," Elizabeth told her. "I'll leave a note for your father so he doesn't worry, and we'll be back first thing tomorrow."

  In a very short time, they were on their way. Cari managed to keep up the small talk on the trek into town, but even as she spoke of inconsequential things, her heart and thoughts were centered on Silver Wolf. She wondered where he was, what he was doing, and how soon he'd return to the ranch to see her. He'd said he'd be back, and she hoped it wouldn't be very long before he returned, for she longed to be in his arms again.

  They reached town later that afternoon and took two rooms at the hotel for the night. After settling in, they went off to the store to see about the material Elizabeth wanted to buy.

  Cari felt a little awkward with Elliot. She knew it was time she told him the truth, but she wanted to do it privately when it was just the two of them. The opportunity came sooner than she expected, for her mother, hoping Cari and Elliot's being together in town would rekindle their feelings for each other, decided to retire to her room for a rest after their shopping trip. Alone together, they went into the hotel dining room for a drink. When the waitress brought them their glasses of lemonade, Cari bravely broached the subject so close to her heart.

  "We need to talk, Elliot," she said as she took a sip of her cooling beverage.

  The expression in his eyes saddened as he looked at her across the small table. "About Silver Wolf?"

  "You know?"

  "It wasn't difficult to figure out, Cari," he told her. "I was awake last night and heard part of the discussion between your parents."

  Color stained her cheeks.

  Elliot didn't want her to be embarrassed; he just wanted to know the truth. "I think I've known how you felt about him since I saw the way you looked at him at the dance . . . but tell me the truth, Cari. Do you love him?"

  "Oh, yes," she answered, her eyes glowing with happiness as she met his probing gaze. "I've loved him ever since I was a little girl."

  Cari's smile faltered as she realized how badly she'd just hurt him. She reached across the table to touch his hand. "I like you, Elliot. I really do. I'm sorry I couldn't love you."

  He took her hand in his. "So am I." He paused briefly before continuing sadly. "I could tell your mother's not happy about it. Do you think she'll come around?"

  "I don't know. She's never liked Silver Wolf. I think he's the reason she took me back East in the first place, and then when she destroyed all our letters . . ." Cari explained the lengths her mother had gone to to keep them apart.

  "I hope things work out for you." Elliot let his gaze go over her lovely features, committing them to memory. He'd loved her for a long time now, and it wasn't going to be easy to let her go.

  "Thank you."


  "Since I'm in town, I think I'll walk on down to the train station and check the schedule."

  "I'll go with you," she offered.

  A flash of pain shone in his eyes. "No. I'd rather do this by myself," he answered abruptly.

  "You don't have to leave yet, you know. You can stay as long as you like."

  Elliot could only manage a lopsided grin. "I appreciate your hospitality, but I think it's time I go."

  "I'll miss you." Cari felt him drawing away from her.

  "Oh, no you won't." He laughed dryly as he rose from the table. "Silver Wolf will see to that."

  They shared a bittersweet smile, knowing they would never be lovers but that they would always be friends.

  After he left her, Cari felt lonely and at loose ends. Talking about Silver Wolf had left her missing him even more. She thought about going up to the room, but knew her mother would ask her where Elliot had gone, and she didn't want to brave that conversation right then. Deciding to go for a walk around town, she made her way from the hotel alone.

  When Cari returned a little later, she found that Elliot was back and visiting with her mother. He'd made arrangements to leave on the train the following week, and Cari could tell that her mother was distressed by the news. There was little conversation during dinner, and they retired early, for they wanted to get an early start on the ride back to the ranch in the morning.

  Elizabeth was anxious to see James, and she was watching the house as they rode up, eagerly anticipating that he would come out to greet them. When he didn't, she thought he might still be angry with her and she hurried inside to find him and apologize. She was startled to find her note right where she'd left it and no sign that he'd been home at all.

  "Papa isn't back yet?" Cari asked as she followed her inside.

  "I don't know. It looks like he didn't come home last night," she answered worriedly. They'd had fights before, but they'd never spent a night apart in anger.

  "I'll go out and check with the hands. Maybe he's with them or maybe they've heard from him," Elliot offered.

  Elliot had no news when he returned, but the hands had told him not to worry, that sometimes James ran into a problem out on the range and stayed out an extra day or two to take care of it.