Surrender to Love

by Julia Templeton

  Jordan squeezed her hand. "Rebecca, why don't you go and see what Kari's doing."

  "All right," she replied, skipping away as though she hadn't a care in the world.

  "Miss Hoffman, I understand Rebecca's become very close to you."

  Miss Hoffman? Jordan almost looked behind her to see if there was someone else he was addressing, but she knew by his direct stare that he meant her. She carefully schooled her features. Miss Hoffman--wasn't that the name of one of she and Kari's nanny's in Virginia...one of the many.

  "I'm sorry, I thought you and your cousin shared the name--"

  "We do. It's just been awhile since I've heard it. Go on."

  "I was saying that you and Rebecca are quite close."

  "Yes, we are. We share a common bond. We both lost our parents when we were young and I was also raised by my uncle."

  Jordan relaxed knowing in her heart that Shane genuinely cared for his niece if he tracked her all this way to Indian Territory. It was a lot more than her uncle would have done for her. If Frederick did have people looking for them, they were probably Bounty Hunters who were promised a good sum to bring her back to Virginia so she could marry Mr. Johnson. A business transaction that would no doubt line his pockets with money.

  "You'll miss her..."

  Jordan nodded. "Yes, very much, but I also know she'll be happy with you."

  He smiled widely. "I believe I have a solution. I've talked with Gray Hawk about you and your cousin. I asked him why he was keeping you here when its obvious you wish to be released. I asked him for your freedom, and he agreed to let you go. So, with that said, if you'd like, you could leave with Rebecca and I. Brogan is a small cattle town and there are plenty of opportunities for two young women like yourselves."

  Shock caused any response to lodge in her throat. Gray Hawk had said he would think about letting them go, but she had never expected it to be this soon. A tumult of emotions swept through her, first and foremost, relief. She could leave--she would see her ranch again...and she would never see Gray Hawk again. The thought was sobering.

  "I don't know where you and your cousin were headed when you were captured, but Brogan would be a great place to start over," Shane added, as though she needed assurance. "I'm not sure what you've been through--"

  She heard every word he said, and knew he was giving her an opening to tell him where they were from and where they were going, but she didn't want to say anything just yet. Plus, she was having a difficult time registering the fact that she was free to leave and do as she pleased. They could go to Fife, but they didn't have enough money. In fact, they were damn near broke. They didn't have money for taxes, let alone food and other supplies they needed in order to survive the long winter ahead.

  "I have a son who's waiting for me back home. We can make it in about a week." He lifted a cigarette from his shirt pocket, striking a match on his boot, he lit it and inhaled, the smoke circling his head as he exhaled. "I would really like to leave tomorrow."

  Tomorrow? It was so soon! Before she could reply, Kari and Rebecca emerged from the trees and Shane waved them over.

  "Should I tell her, or do you want to?" Shane asked, as Kari and Rebecca approached.

  "Go ahead," Jordan said, her spirits lifting immediately realizing she was free at last. "And thank you." She knew this was for the best. They would all be leaving together and having a man along gave her more peace of mind. That way Jordan could see for herself how life would be for Rebecca, and she and Kari would just have to keep their plans about Fife a secret for now, until she felt it was safe to tell Shane the truth about them.

  KARI'S BREATH caught in her throat realizing the cowboy looked better every time she saw him. She was almost irritated he was so attractive.

  "Good afternoon, Kari," Shane said, her name rolling off his tongue like a caress, causing a shiver to work its way up her spine. It was a skill he no doubt used in luring women to his bed. And with his looks, it probably wasn't too difficult, she thought, her gaze moving down to the dark blue shirt he wore, the top buttons undone exposing a V of crisp black hair. His faded jeans rode low on his hips, an empty holster even lower. Kari heard herself swallow.

  "What do you want?" she asked, hating how defensive she always sounded when talking to him.

  An arched eyebrow indicated his humorous surprise at her question.

  The man probably was married anyway. Her gaze instinctively strayed to his left hand. There was no ring, but that didn't mean anything. Men were notorious when it came to hiding the fact they were married. Well, not her husband, he'd wear his wedding ring like a flag. If he refused to wear one, well, so would she.

  "I told your cousin that Rebecca and I will be leaving soon. You both are welcome to come with us. From there you can return to wherever it is you came from, or you can stay in Brogan."

  "We're leaving?" she asked, not sure if that was good or bad news. No wonder Jordan had looked so stunned.

  They were free! For a moment she couldn't quite grasp what she was feeling.

  "Brogan is a good size town. I own a lot of businesses, and we have a real shortage of women."

  She wondered exactly what it was he had in mind.

  As though reading her thoughts, he smiled. "To work in the restaurant or mercantile. There are people who need help with their children, too, or housekeepers."

  A relieved smile came to her lips. "I thought for a minute--"

  "I know what you were thinking. It was written all over your face." Stomping the cigarette beneath his boot, he grinned boyishly. To her chagrin it made him even more attractive. "You don't have to go to Brogan, but at least you'll have someone to travel with. Why don't you give me an answer by tomorrow."

  What was there to think about? This is what she and Jordan had been hoping for from the very moment Gray Hawk had taken them. Not only would they be leaving with a man, a protector of sorts, but they would be going to a place where they could find work. A place they could put down some roots for a while. "All right," she said, hating the way her cheeks burned whenever he was around. "I'll talk it over with Jordan."

  "Good, I'll be waiting for an answer."

  Walking away she felt his gaze on her back the entire way to the teepee.

  Chapter 11

  GRAY HAWK met Jordan's gaze over the head of the young warrior he was teaching to use a bow and arrow. It was obvious that she had something on her mind by her serious expression, an expression he was getting used to since the day they'd argued and he'd gone to Running Deer.

  What Jordan didn't know was that he'd regretted going to the other woman the moment he entered Running Deer's teepee, because all he could think about was Jordan. Before things progressed too far, he'd left, and spent the evening beneath the stars, thinking about what all the strange emotions he'd been feeling of late meant.

  Telling the boy to practice on his own for a while, he walked toward her. She stared at him unblinking, not moving a muscle. "You wish to speak with me?" he asked, stopping a few feet away.

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  He feigned surprise. "Tell you what?"

  "That you're letting us go."

  "Are you telling me the news doesn't make you happy?"

  Instantly her gaze slipped from his to the ground. "Yes, I'm happy." Even though she said the words, he could hear the lack of conviction. His pulse skittered like a young boy's. Could it be she wasn't as happy to leave as she would have thought? Her reaction told him more than words ever could.

  But he wouldn't get his hopes up. She would leave. Within days they would be gone, and he would never see her again. His eyes moved over her, memorizing every feature, every detail.

  Though he had told Shane Jordan could go, the last thing Gray Hawk wanted to do was release her, especially since his every waking thought was consumed by her. Even in his dreams she was by his side, loving him, swearing she'd never leave him.

  He didn't want her to go. How he wished he could take the words back.
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br />   Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the others had stopped practicing and were watching the two of them. Gray Hawk motioned for Jordan to follow him. When they were completely alone, he reached out and caressed the soft smooth skin of her cheek, before moving over her full lips. Her eyes turned dark, then drifted shut as his lips claimed hers.

  Jordan was drawn up against his hard chest, her arms encircling his neck. His tongue played along the seam of her lips, nudging them apart. Her mind screamed what they were doing was wrong, but her body willed all negative thoughts away. She wanted this man, more than she ever wanted anything in her life, and she wasn't about to deny herself any longer, especially when she would be leaving soon.

  A moan escaped her lips as she opened up to him, relaxing, knowing that what was about to happen had been a long time coming. Hypnotized by his touch, her body tingled where his fingertips stroked her skin. Inching her dress up, his hand splayed against her thigh. The breath caught in her throat as he came dangerously close to the core of all her passionate need.

  Gray Hawk's entire body was hard as her fingers played along his back. Her breathing was coming in short gasps, and he knew at that moment the attraction had never been one sided. His heart rejoiced with the knowledge that she wanted him, too.

  As Gray Hawk's fingers moved closer, Jordan's breath caught in her throat. No one ever touched her in such a way...and shouldn't be now. She gasped when a finger slipped inside her.

  She couldn't deny it didn't feel good, and as his finger moved in and out of her, a warmth began to build, growing stronger with every second, penetrating her very soul, making her ache for something she didn't understand. As he continued the onslaught, she pressed her hips against his hand, wanting more of what he was doing, and then it happened. Her world shattered into a million tiny pieces...and nothing had ever felt so good.

  His lips crashed down on hers, and as he pulled her up against him, his swollen manhood jutting against her belly, she somehow pulled out a thread of sanity. Dear lord what had she done? Did she have no shame?

  Gray Hawk pulled her close, but when she stiffened and her arms dropped to her sides, he put her away from him with a heavy sigh. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, her eyes still bright with desire. She stepped away, her mouth open as though to say something, but she didn't, she just stared in disbelief.

  He hated the condemnation in her eyes. Eyes that a moment ago had watched him in wonder as he'd brought her to climax. He remembered Samantha looking at him the same way before he'd left her. What exactly was she thinking? Maybe it was for the best that he didn't know.

  "I...I can't do this," she said, and without another word, she ran.

  As Jordan ran for the teepee it took every ounce of willpower Gray Hawk possessed not to follow her, tie the flap down, and make long, leisurely love to her. She wanted him, even if she pretended she didn't. But he wasn't a fool. Her actions spoke louder than any words of protest. Even though he could tell her body yearned for his touch, her heart forbade it. Was it because he was an Indian--like the ones who killed her parents, or was it because she felt he'd betrayed her with Running Deer?

  Maybe he should tell her the truth--that he hadn't been with Running Deer or anyone else since she'd come into his life. But would it matter? She was leaving and he would never see her again. They'd both be better off if they kept a distance.

  "She's gotten under your skin."

  Gray Hawk turned at the sound of his brother's voice, surprised he hadn't heard his approach.

  "She has dulled your senses," Iron Bear said with a sly smile. "When you look at her, it is with lust in your eyes. Everyone can see it." He spit on the ground by Gray Hawk's feet. "You are making a fool of yourself, brother."

  "Do you say this only because you're jealous, or because you feel it in your heart?" Gray Hawk asked, his eyes narrowing. Iron Bear said nothing. He didn't have to. The jealousy he felt was clearly written there for Gray Hawk to see. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore. She's leaving."

  "What?"

  "She's leaving with Rebecca and her uncle tomorrow."

  Iron Bear's sardonic laughter pierced the air. "So she prefers the white eyes over you--just like your mother."

  It was a taunt: one to anger him. Iron Bear never let him forget that his mother had willingly left the tribe. Although he didn't react to his brother's knowing smile, or the words that were barbed and direct, they hurt all the same. "Yes, all three will go with him."

  "Two beautiful women--what a nice diversion for him."

  "Shane Catalono is a trustworthy man. He will see no harm is done to them."

  Iron Bear's smile widened.

  "You are a fool. He will probably have both women in his bed the first night."

  Before he could stop himself, Gray Hawk lashed out at Iron Bear with a solid right, and Iron Bear landed in the dust with a thud. Dropping one knee on his chest, Gray Hawk pressed his knife to his brother's throat. The entire village went quiet, but neither man took notice. Iron Bear grabbed his wrist in a quick viselike grip. Gray Hawk increased the pressure of his knee between Iron Bear's ribcage.

  Gray Hawk ignored their father's stern voice as he yelled their names from a distance.

  Iron Bear's grip on his wrist relaxed. A small rivulet of blood ran down the side of his neck to the dirt from where the knife punctured the tender skin of his throat. Gray Hawk lifted the knife high above his head, ready to thrust the blade home when their father's voice rang out again. Iron Bear's fathomless eyes stared into his, daring him to strike the fatal blow. Even now, those eyes were so full of hate and loathing. How easy it would be to end the continual smirks and taunts that reminded him constantly that he teetered between two worlds, belonging to neither one. A fact that had bothered him since he was old enough to understand that he was different.

  With a curse, Gray Hawk threw the knife aside as though it burned his fingers and came to his feet, leaving Iron Bear to lie in the dirt. Ignoring everyone he marched toward his teepee and the woman he wanted more than anything...the woman he had just let go.

  JORDAN HAD watched it all. She had seen the hatred between the brothers, and though she didn't understand completely what the fight was about, she had a feeling it had been about her.

  From the moment she'd arrived in the camp, she knew many didn't want her or Kari there. One of those people had been Iron Bear. Despite his leering smiles and lewd glances, he despised her. Despised her because she was white.

  A shiver ran down her spine.

  Did he hate his brother because he was half-white? The thought was incomprehensible, yet it couldn't be ignored. Gray Hawk had gone to live with the white man. Did he have yearnings to be like them, or did he want only to serve his people? Her first instinct told her to comfort him, yet how could she?

  Her gaze followed him to where he sat off by himself, sitting on the hard ground, staring at the fire. What had passed between them had shaken her to the core. Did he feel the same? Was he at this moment thinking about her?

  How she yearned to go to him, wrap her arms around his waist and hold him tight.

  "Did you see that?" Kari asked, coming up from behind her, nearly scaring her out of her skin.

  Jordan nodded. "I did."

  "What do you think it was about?"

  Jordan turned to her cousin. "It was about us. We're leaving."

  The sides of Kari's mouth turned up in a smile. "I know, Shane told me. Oh Jordan, we're leaving. We'll be gone and soon all of this will be behind us."

  Her excitement was obvious, and Jordan knew thinking about Gray Hawk wouldn't help her now. He was part of her past, and that's where he would stay.

  "Shane said he wanted an answer from us whether to go to Brogan or not. What do you think?"

  "Well, since we have little money, it only makes sense to go with him. He said we could get work."

  Kari's smile widened. "Just think, in a few months we'll be able to pay the taxes on the ranch."

  Her ranch. Tha
t was the one thing that had to keep her going. And now Shane Catalono was escorting them out of Indian territory to a town where they could get jobs and work toward her goal of getting the ranch back.

  With a final glance at Gray Hawk, she turned toward the teepee. "Come on, let's tell Shane we're ready to leave."

  Chapter 12

  JORDAN WOKE with a start. Today she was leaving. Last night she and Kari had gone to Shane and told him they were anxious to get started. His answer had come by way of a wide smile, and a promise that they leave at sun-up.

  She glimpsed the first gray light of day through the smoke hole. Rebecca was curled up into a ball beside Kari. She turned to Gray Hawk, only to find his furs empty.

  She wondered if he'd slept here at all last night, or if he'd spent the night with Running Deer. An image of the two lying together was like a poison inside her. "Stop it," she muttered under her breath, coming quickly to her feet. She had to stop these destructive thoughts. Gray Hawk could do whatever he wanted. After today he would be nothing but a memory anyway. Yet even as she tried to convince herself she didn't care, she knew it would be a long time before she could forget about him.

  Heading toward the river, she was glad to see that only a few people were up. She needed the peace and solitude to mentally prepare herself for their departure.

  Pulling the soft doeskin from her body, Jordan dove into the water. Making quick work of soaping her body and hair in case someone else had the same idea of an early morning bath, she tried not to think of Gray Hawk or the hours ahead of her, but it was useless. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the cool water lapping against flesh that felt strangely alive, as though she were now aware of new sensations.

  She swam for the riverbank when she heard a snap of a branch overhead. Twisting around, she looked up and her heart lurched madly seeing Gray Hawk stood on the ledge above her. The sight of him was everything she was trying so hard to forget. How tall, dark and handsome he was, standing there as though he owned the world. His lean body tense, every muscle flexed. For a moment she took pleasure in just staring at him, letting her gaze shift to where it shouldn't be, knowing she would never see another like him for as long as she lived. Her gaze slowly worked back up his length to find silvery eyes watching her with such intensity, she could feel his desire all the way to her soul.