Surrender to Love

by Julia Templeton

  "No, she's not here?" Tanner replied in a steady voice.

  "Which one?" the sheriff asked, exasperation obvious in his voice.

  "They're both gone. They don't live here anymore."

  The sheriff cursed.

  "What about the breed--Gray or whatever it is they call him?"

  "He's gone, too."

  Dropping down to the floor, she crawled on her hands and knees toward the back door, the blood pounding in her ears. She stopped where she was, just shy of escape. She couldn't leave Tanner here alone.

  "Do you know when they'll be back?"

  "Nope."

  "Can I help you gentlemen?"

  Kari almost collapsed with relief hearing Hank's firm voice from outside. Prying the back door open, she looked around and seeing it clear, she darted for the brush.

  She ran for what seemed forever, her heart hammering heavily in her ears, her stomach clenched in a tight knot, sure that any minute the sheriff would step out, or even worse, her father. Just the thought of him taking her away from Brogan and back to Virginia made her run faster. Knowing her father, he probably had a double wedding planned.

  After all this time she couldn't imagine facing him. She'd always considered him a decent person, but she knew now what a horrible man he was. He hadn't always been so mean. When her mother was alive, he had been easy-going and affectionate. But when her mother died, part of her father died too, and when Patricia came along, the Frederick McGuire she had known and loved no longer existed.

  Patricia took control of every facet of his life. The house and everything in it belonged to her now, and no matter what anyone said, they were wrong--Patricia was right. How Kari hated the woman, almost as much as she hated her stepsisters who acted like pampered princesses.

  After running for what seemed like hours, Kari collapsed in the meadow grass trying to regain her breath. Lying back on her elbows, she looked up at the sky. "Lord, I knew this day would come, but I beg you to help me...to help us." How desperately she wished Jordan was with her now--her cousin always knew what to do.

  She looked in all directions, and her heart plummeted to her toes. Everything was unfamiliar. She had never been any good at direction, and being in such a state of panic, she hadn't thought to pay any attention to which way she was headed. Now all she knew was that she was a long ways from the ranch, and the sun was close to setting. If she didn't find her way back soon, she'd be spending the night out here in the open. It wasn't something she hadn't done before, but this would be the first time she was alone and unprepared.

  Blinking back tears, telling herself not to panic, she started walking again, focusing her mind on all the things that had happened to her and Jordan in the last seven months. She laughed, smiled, and even cried thinking that for all the hell and torment, it was without a doubt the most exciting time of her life. She wouldn't trade a moment of it for anything. Not even the time in the village, for there she had learned a truly valuable lesson. Everyone was equal, no matter what race or creed. A fact she'd been oblivious of living in her father's household, where the rich white man ruled supreme.

  She stopped abruptly, listening carefully. Dropping down behind a large rock, she waited for the horse and rider that was coming her way. From the sounds of it, it was only one horse, making her think of the sheriff, a man she despised, and quite frankly, was terrified of. Daring a peek, her heart skipped a beat when she recognized the familiar figure. She stood and yelled, "Shane!"

  Relief etched his handsome face as he raced toward her. He jumped from the saddle even before the horse had stopped. Taking her up in his arms, he squeezed her tight, nearly taking all her breath. "You scared me to death," he said against her forehead. "I thought...never mind, I'm just glad to find you."

  Her heart hammered heavily against his chest as her arms encircled his neck. For so long she'd wanted this, to be in his arms, to kiss him. As she stared up at him, he bent his head, his lips just inches from her.

  Sighing, she leaned into him, accepting his kiss, opening her mouth to him when his tongue traced the seam of her lips.

  It was all Shane could do not to take her to the ground and make sweet, passionate love to her. But now was not the time. With Kari he needed to take it slow. He broke the kiss and put her at arms length. "We should get you back now."

  "That's a good idea," she said, shifting on her feet, reminding him that she was a lot younger than he was. He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb, and couldn't help but kiss her once more, but this time a chaste kiss that promised more was ahead.

  FROM THE moment they entered the village, Jordan knew they would be safe. For the first time in a good many days she wasn't looking over her shoulder, as though expecting the sheriff or her uncle to be there.

  Yet misgivings began to plague her just within hours of their arrival, for soon Gray Hawk shed his ranch attire for his leather breeches and vest. He was once more transformed into the Indian, and gone was the cowboy she'd known at the Triple T.

  That evening he spent a long time in his father's teepee. Tawanka told Jordan that soon Three Moons would die and Gray Hawk would be Chief.

  "He will lead our people," she said, taking Jordan's hand into her own. "Gray Hawk is a strong man, who can lead us against our enemies, against our foes."

  She didn't mention whites, though Jordan knew it was the issue that concerned them most. As it should be. On her journey West she'd heard enough about the gold rush in California, and knew that the whites were coming in record numbers. It only made sense that the Indians should fear them.

  That evening while sitting across the fire from the others, she noticed a few of the cool glares she received. It wasn't until Running Deer approached her, an icy glare on her face, did Jordan realize that she wasn't welcome. "You should leave here. You do not belong, and you will only bring hardship on my people."

  "I came with Gray Hawk."

  "Gray Hawk belongs with us now. You have steered him away from his purpose. We need him. Go back to your own kind and leave him to us."

  Jordan swallowed the lump in her throat. "He is not yours to have. He is a grown man who will make his own decisions."

  "Do you not see that you have bewitched him?" Running Deer went down on her haunches in front of Jordan, to where her face was mere inches away. "Release him. If you care for him at all, leave here and never look back."

  There was something in the other woman's eyes that made Jordan stop and think about what she was saying, but for all that she understood it, she was too selfish to give him up. "I love him."

  Running Deer's jaw clenched tight. "I love him, too."

  "He loves me," Jordan replied just above a whisper.

  "He has told you this?"

  Jordan paused for a moment. Gray Hawk had never told her he loved her, and now that she faced her foe, saw the pleased expression on the other woman's face, she realized it didn't make sense to love a man who didn't love her back. It would only give her more heartache.

  "If you do in fact love him, then leave him." Without another word, she stood and left Jordan watching the fire silently. Tawanka said nothing, but her presence was soothing none-the-less, and Jordan felt like she was her only friend in the village.

  Jordan's gaze shifted to Three Moons' teepee. What should she do? It was obvious she wasn't wanted. Just like Gray Hawk hadn't been wanted in Brogan. Neither one of them would be accepted by the others world.

  Therefore there was nothing more to think about.

  Tawanka took her hand and squeezed it tight. "Follow your heart, child. Do what it tells you." Without another word, Jordan was left alone, a solitary figure by the fire.

  GRAY HAWK touched his father's forehead. How thin his skin was, and how very old he looked--how very tired.

  Three Moons opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, then a soft smile came to his face. "My son, you have returned to us."

  Seeing the hope in his father's eyes, Gray Hawk smiled warmly. "Yes father, I've return
ed."

  "I knew you'd come back to us. I knew it."

  The words were like a double-edged sword. For every mile of the journey that had led him back to his people, Gray Hawk had tried to convince himself that this is where he belonged; that his people needed him just as much as he needed them.

  "You will lead our people." Though he didn't state it as a question, Gray Hawk knew it was indeed one. A question he wasn't ready to answer, yet as he stared into his father's eyes, he knew he could not deny him.

  He nodded. "Yes father, I will lead our people."

  A shadow fell over him. Gray Hawk turned to find Iron Bear standing behind him.

  "So, you've come back."

  Gray Hawk nodded. "Yes."

  The displeasure on his brother's face hurt far more than Gray Hawk would ever admit.

  "He will be Chief," Three Moons said, closing his eyes.

  Iron Bear's jaw clenched tight, but he remained silent.

  "You need your rest, Father," Gray Hawk said, resting his hand on his father's head. In all his years he'd never told his father how much he loved or respected him. Now with Iron Bear present, he could not form the words.

  Gray Hawk walked past his brother out into the night. He looked for Jordan, and saw her heading back toward the teepee. He needed her companionship desperately.

  "How dare you bring that woman back to our village."

  Gray Hawk turned at the sound of his brother's voice, who approached him in long strides.

  "How dare you bring that woman back into our camp."

  Every nerve in Gray Hawk's body tensed. "She has brought no harm to any of us."

  "Our father is ailing, he will die because of her."

  Gray Hawk shook his head. "Our father is dying because he is ill. Jordan's presence won't change the inevitable."

  "Will she stay with you? When you become Chief, will she remain?"

  "I hope so."

  Iron Bear took the step that separated them. "If she stays, I will leave here, and I will take our people with me."

  It was a threat, and one that Iron Bear obviously intended to uphold. Gray Hawk didn't doubt it for a minute. "Do what you feel you must do."

  WITH EVERY day that passed, there was a distance growing between Jordan and Gray Hawk, one that made her increasingly uneasy.

  The hostility toward her was increasing, to the point that now she was isolated, though a few took pity on her and would sit beside her at the fire, while Gray Hawk kept vigil over his father. Three Moons was getting worse. The women chanted constantly, and the mood around the camp was growing grimmer. She had noted a few of the women had made marks on their bodies, as though knowing their Chief would not live to see another day.

  Her stomach churned realizing what it meant.

  Three Moons would die, and Gray Hawk would become Chief. He would never leave his people. He would not be returning to the ranch with her, of that she was certain.

  Jordan's hand rested on her stomach. She knew for certain that she was pregnant. For days now she'd been ill, and at first she'd thought perhaps it had been the journey, but now she knew that wasn't the case.

  She would have Gray Hawk's baby.

  And Gray Hawk would stay with his people. It was his destiny, and though Jordan wanted desperately to tell him about the baby, she couldn't bring herself to ask him about the future, afraid of what his reaction would be. Would he insist she stay if he knew she was to have his child? Chances were, he would, and she couldn't stay where she wasn't wanted. Nor did she even want to.

  She would have to leave. Their baby would be born back at her ranch and he would never find out. Her child would grow up without the love of its father--and they both would survive. But even as she thought it, she had to fight back the tears that threatened.

  Conscious they wouldn't have a future together, Jordan wanted to leave right away. After the long ride here, combined with morning sickness, she had little choice but to stay a while longer. Plus, she needed to allow enough time for things to die down in Brogan. Then she would go back to the Triple T, begin her future by facing her past, and namely her uncle. She wouldn't keep running. What was the worse thing that could happen? Sure, her uncle could arrest her for kidnapping, but if Kari told him she had come with Jordan willingly, he really had no case against her.

  Knowing her uncle as she did, he probably came solely for the reason of bringing them back to Virginia--back to Marvin. In all these months she began to wonder what kind of a deal her uncle had made with the equally rich man. There had to be more going on than what met the eye. Her uncle was too shrewd a businessman to let any money slip through his greedy fingers.

  But he wouldn't get anything out of her, especially once she told him she was pregnant. She almost laughed out loud, imagining his face when she told him she was going to have a half-breed's child.

  Pulling a fur tighter around her shoulders, she shivered as a cold breeze entered the teepee followed by Gray Hawk, reminding her that fall was on the way and with every day the weather would get harsher, making travel difficult. He sat down near the fire and watched her. She met his stare but said nothing. He looked so tortured and sad. His father was dying, and soon all the responsibility would fall on his shoulders.

  He already had too much to handle. Knowing about the child she carried would only make things worse for him. Or would it? She opened her mouth to tell him, then quickly shut it. She didn't want to burden him further.

  "You rarely go outside anymore."

  She shrugged. "I don't feel that I'm very good company."

  He frowned. "I want you to be happy here, Jordan."

  She stared at him, waiting for him to continue, but he didn't. Maybe it was better they didn't discuss the future.

  I'm pregnant with your child she wanted to shout into the silence, but the words wouldn't form on her tongue.

  "I must stay and take care of my people. Tell me that you'll stay with me," he said, taking her hand in his.

  She looked down at her lap where their fingers lay entwined. "How can I stay where I'm not wanted? They have isolated me. I don't belong, and I know they blame me for your father's failing health."

  "That's ridiculous."

  "But it's the truth."

  He didn't deny it, confirming what she already knew. "Jordan, I need you with me."

  His words were like a sharp stab to the heart. As he reached to touch her, his fingers lingering on her jaw, she felt her resolve weakening, but knew she must remain strong.

  "I want you, Jordan. I need you desperately," he said, leaning toward her.

  Needing him as much as he needed her, she gave herself over to him. He crushed her in his strong, powerful embrace, bringing her to the furs, his hands roaming every inch of her. He sat up abruptly, stripped off his shirt, and then his breeches. She stared unabashedly, taking in every inch of his strong, hard body, knowing it would be for the last time.

  "Do you know that the first time I saw you, I was absolutely terrified of you." As he lay next to her, she snuggled against him, loving his strength and the comfort he gave. Always she felt safe in his arms, as though the rest of the world didn't matter.

  He kissed her forehead. "You know what I thought when I first saw you? I remember thinking what a pretty face you had for a boy."

  She hit him in the arm.

  "Well, I wasn't sure you were a woman until you opened your mouth. I knew at that moment no man would have such a voice. Not to mention your lovely breasts." His fingers moved over her sensitive flesh. "You have no idea how much I wanted you."

  "Not in the beginning," she said with a frown, knowing he had felt anything but desire.

  "You were stubborn," he admitted, "But that didn't stop me from craving you."

  His words excited her, and now her body trembled with the need that raced through her. Her hands greedily splayed over the hard muscles of his chest and abdomen, going lower to that part of him that could bring her such pleasure. Her fingers gripped his rock-hard
manhood, loving the feel of satin over steel. Her breathing became labored as his fingers worked their magic, trailing over her nipples, down her stomach, slipping between her legs.

  He shifted, grabbing her by the waist, guiding her until she straddled him. His smile was sinful as he sat her down on his thick erection. She gasped as he filled her completely.

  His hands were braced on either side of her hips. He kept his gaze locked with hers, straining to keep control when she moved the slightest bit. Her movements were tentative at first, then she gained confidence as her own needs began to build. Soon she rode him with wild abandon. He smiled up at her, filling his palms with her firm breasts. Sitting up, he took a nipple inside his mouth as she continued rocking against him, her moans and cries warning him of her coming release.

  Her tight sheath pulsated around his shaft, pulling every ounce of his seed from him. She collapsed on him, her breathing coming in deep gasps. He could feel her heart pounding beneath his fingers as he ran them along her spine. How she wished they could stay like this forever.

  Jordan's breathing was barely back to normal when Gray Hawk hands began to wander again, bringing back to life the familiar stirring. He began to grow inside of her, filling her completely, and when she glanced at him, his smile was nothing short of predatory.

  It was the early morning hours before she finally closed her eyes. For hours they had made love, taking time to learn what each other liked and wanted. She smiled down at her exhausted lover. His features were softened in sleep, making him look so young, almost boyish.

  In her heart she didn't want to leave him, but she had to. There was no other choice. He belonged to his people, and she belonged with hers.

  Chapter 24

  FREDERICK was getting tired of the obnoxious sheriff. Since arriving in Brogan the man had become his bonafide shadow. With every day that passed, Frederick seriously considered eliminating the man from his plans. He was prepared to pay the reward money just to get rid of him...that was when the women were here in Brogan. But now that they had left, he had to come up with a new game plan.