by A. C. Wilson
Shrugging, Nora got up from her seat, braced a hand on the counter before finding her equilibrium. She moved out into the middle of the floor less crowded than it was further into the room. A slower song started to play and Nora swayed to it. She welcomed the haze that drinking brought her. It kept the less desirable thoughts at bay and just allowed her to feel. Nora closed her eyes and just listened to Colt’s voice filter into her ears.
Just a second after making a silent wish to be dancing with someone, strong hands came from behind her to cup her hips. There wasn’t anything assuming about the touch. Without knowing exactly who it was, Nora fancied that those hands had always been meant to hold her this way. She giggled at the thought. There was a good chance she was drunker than she thought. She continued to sway to the music and the body behind her moved closer without crowding. Nora closed her eyes and felt the stranger moving with her. Four or five drinks ago, she would have kicked someone’s ass for touching her like this, but now after all the crap, she wanted some comfort.
The hands that spanned her hips pressed into her as they slowly turned her around. Nora’s world spun slightly as she moved. The room had darkened from the effect of the colorful lights, but she marveled at the eyes that held storm clouds. Grey-blue eyes watched her carefully as if they were taking stock of each feature. His dusty blonde hair was hidden somewhat by the black Resistol hat, but Nora knew her husband. Randy pulled her into his body and slowly danced with her to the song Colt was singing. Only the music touched them and there seemed to be no one else in the room but them.
Nora felt her heart quicken and her head was spinning. Randy didn’t dance and he certainly hadn’t danced with her since their wedding reception. It wasn’t something she even asked for anymore, but tonight with him here, he seemed like a different guy. She noted how his black Levi’s hugged his long legs and how his black, long-sleeved western shirt was buttoned except for the V at his neck. The hint of tanned skin was heady and she moved her head fractionally closer to smell his cologne. The rich, warm scent enveloped her and Nora felt this wild need to pull him closer. It might have been the alcohol coursing through her veins, but she wanted every part of him to be touching every part of her. It was more than a sexual need, a need she was certainly aware of, but it was almost a vital demand.
Tipping her chin up to look into Randy’s face, she watched as a myriad of emotions swept across. The shadow of the hat kept her guessing at his reaction at finding her here in Deadwood. His hands were still firm, but gentle. She liked that. She was definitely in no mood to fight tonight. Randy lowered his eyes and pulled her into him as he slow danced with her. Her breath hitched when his belt buckle pressed into her stomach and his knee kept brushing the inside of her legs. His arm circled her waist, anchoring her to his side. The warmth of his breath near her ear caused those familiar nerves to twist and ache for a touch. Her chest ached for release as she held her breath.
Has someone read my mind? Perhaps someone thought it was funny to put Randy in that space in that moment of time. The same guy she was married to and had been pushing away for some time. Now he was here dancing with her and being physically possessive. She had noticed the way his presence dwarfed any other male interest and his hands claimed each inch they touched.
There was a spell weaving in and out of the brightly colored lights, smoke, and music. A man and woman pulled into the ebb and flow as timeless as the life itself. Everything that made her feminine reached out for everything that made him male. Suddenly Randy’s presence was the balm needed to sooth the cuts and bruises. Whether it was the Porch Crawlers or the midnight magic, Nora wanted Randy with a fierceness that scared even her baser instincts.
“How did you find me?” Nora was surprised by the first words to come out of her mouth. Randy kept dancing and shook his head.
“Your dad told me.” His voice was soft, nearly a whisper and it sent shivers along her spine. Of course her family would tell Randy where she was. She just hadn’t guessed that he would come all the way up here.
“I told him.” Her head was fuzzy and the vodka was not one of her better ideas. Randy nodded and pressed his lips together.
“I thought as much.” His confirmation told her that he understood why she had come up here. He might not like it, but he understood at least.
“He’s not happy about it.” Nora felt like her head was spinning and she rested it against Randy’s chest. She thought she had heard a sharp breath from him, but she didn’t check to be sure. Everything about this night was far from normal.
“It really doesn’t matter how he feels, Nora. You were protecting our son.” Randy kept his voice a whisper but the words he spoke blasted through her. Our. It was a word she had always taken for granted. Randy had never referred to Drew as her son. It was always our son.
“I’m so tired.” She was tired of everything. She was tired of protecting everyone, except herself. There were so many things she was scared of and tonight some of them seemed completely unfounded. Her head was a mess of jumbled thoughts and the buzz she was currently experiencing did little to help.
“What do you say we call it a night?” Randy ran his hand down to rest on the small of her back. Nora nodded and turned towards the bar. She pulled out some cash from her pocket and left it next to her drink. Randy waited for her and she wrapped her hand around his arm. She might not have done that at any other time, but she was really feeling light-headed. This night had not gone the way she had expected it too.
Note to self: No more Porch Crawlers.
Chapter 14
Randy squinted his eyes at the glare of headlights from the passing cars and trucks. It was far too late to be driving, but it was now or never. He couldn’t quite believe that he was kidnapping his own wife. Nora was going to kill him when she woke up. It was only fifteen miles to Spearfish and then another ten miles to the cabin Garrett’s friend owned. The details had gotten a bit convoluted in between North Platte and Hot Springs. Leave it to say that Garrett had a master plan!
A plan that just might get you thrown in jail!
It had seemed so simple when it was being bandied about in the cab of the truck. He was supposed to convince Nora that they needed to give their marriage a fighting chance. Seeking shelter in an obscure cabin in the middle of the Black Hills also sounded refreshing with little pressure to be whom they weren’t. Garrett had also tried schooling him in the art of romance. Randy wasn’t sure who had been more frustrated. Shaking his head, Randy did have to admit that he had taken some advice to heart from Garrett. His brother-in-law had been quite the ladies’ man not too long ago. So when Garrett suggested they spiff him up a bit, Randy had accepted it.
He worked for a living on a ranch and being dusty was a given. Randy knew he didn’t always dress up, well, maybe never dressed up for an occasion. Garrett told him that Nora loved a groomed, good smelling, and sharply dressed cowboy. As much as he wanted to refute that, Randy didn’t think he could. The look on her face when she had turned around in his arms at the concert had told him Garrett was right. He had wanted to freeze that moment with the look of heat and need in his wife’s eyes. It had been for him and not for anyone else. Randy prayed that it wasn’t the drinks that were talking instead of her heart.
Randy looked across the cab of the truck to see Nora leaning her head to the side as she slept. A deeper sleep because of the cocktails she had been drinking. Something she called a Porch Crawler had kicked her butt and he made a mental note to stay away from them. The idea caused his lips to twist and soft chuckle to escape his lips. There wasn’t much light in the cab of the truck to see the beautiful, sleeping woman, but he knew every contour of her face. He knew the way her dark lashes fell as crescents on her cheeks and how those precious, soft lips parted with each breath. Randy knew because he had watched her sleep so many nights that he could close his own eyes and see Nora as vividly as he could with his eyes open. Night after sleepless night, he wondered just what he could do to claim his wife
as his lover. Nora had said her vows under the crossing pines, but her heart had not been his. Her heart was not his now. It nearly broke his own in two to admit it to himself.
What would you do to save your marriage?
What would you do to claim the love of your life?
What would you do if you didn’t fight?
A million thoughts like this ran through his head and there wasn’t an answer he could cling too. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he didn’t at least try. He needed Nora. He wanted Drew. It was his family and it was worth the chance of her hating him for the rest of his life.
Randy turned his thoughts to the cabin. It was outside of Spearfish with privacy, no major roads, few neighbors, and best yet, no phones. Cell phone service was sketchy anyway, but he was going to make sure they didn’t interfere with the self-imposed vacation. He had brought a lock for his tool box and would lock up the cell phones inside. Garrett and he had agreed that the family could handle anything that came up while they were gone. If something of dire straits did occur, Garrett would call up his buddy and send him with the message. It all sounded so easy.
Far too easy for comfort!
The ten miles of gravel road was a bit bumpy and once Nora had thumped her head against the door’s window. Randy winced at the sound and waited for her to wake up. The vodka must have done its work well, because she did nothing but curse in her sleep. Randy nearly busted a gut trying to keep from laughing too loudly. At three in the morning, he hadn’t expected to be smiling or laughing. Tonight he was happy to be doing both, because come morning, he would have one heck of a wild cat on his hands.
Pulling into the driveway, Randy saw the log cabin sprawled out before them. It was surrounded by some very large trees and judging from the headlights shining off white trunks, they were aspens. He put the truck in park and turned off the engine. Nora murmured and wriggled into a better position in the seat. Quietly opening his door, Randy stepped out and eased his door closed. His headlights were still on the front stairs to the door. There was silly looking gnome beside the stairs and Randy shook his head. Gnomes creeped him out. Lifting the gnome’s pointed hat, he found the hide-a-key inside just where Garrett said it would be.
Taking the few stairs, Randy unlocked the front door and swung it open. He found the porch light switch right next to the trim around the door. Gingerly he navigated his way through the cabin to miss the various small tables and chairs, Randy discovered two bedrooms. He went into one and pulled the comforter and sheet down. The plan was to get Nora out of the truck and tuck her safely into bed. The in between business was a bit hazy. If she woke up, she’d let him have it. If she slept until morning, she’d let him have it.
Yep, that pretty much covers it. Whichever way I’m going to get an ear full and that’s if she doesn’t try to kill me.
Randy had no idea why, but the picture of Nora wielding a knife on him was funny. He didn’t think she would ever go through with a threat, but he had never kidnapped her before either. Maybe he should hide the knives, just in case? Walking back out to his truck, Randy went to the passenger side and gently eased the door open. She wasn’t laying against it anymore and that made his life a whole lot easier. Unclicking her seat belt, Randy reached up to pull Nora into his arms. She stiffened and Randy froze. His heart was clanging in his chest and took deep breaths to gain some control. She would definitely wake up if she heard this erratic heartbeat near her ear.
Randy wasn’t sure how he got Nora from the truck into the house and into the bedroom, but he was glad it went without incident. He would rather not face the wrath of Nora just yet. A few hours of sleep would greatly bolster his courage and powers of persuasion. Making certain that nothing was directly between Nora’s bed and the hallway, Randy went back out to the living room and locked the front door. Heaving a great big sigh, he reminded himself that he was doing this to save a marriage he had entered into with the intent to stay forever. One cursory look through the windows of the cabin reconfirmed that it was pitch black and it was time for bed.
“What. The. Fuck.” Nora’s screaming had him sitting bolt upright in his bed as he struggled to wake up. Sitting up so quickly caused him to close his eyes and fight off the wave of dizziness. Squinting against the sunlight streaming into his bedroom, Randy knew there was no saving his sorry butt now. Nora was on the war path and he was on the menu. She stood in his doorway with her hands on her hips in nothing but her blouse. He blinked with surprise at how lovely his view was this morning. Her trim legs, softly sun-kissed skin that was only hidden by the frothy blouse that ended mid-thigh.
Too bad she’s on the menu. Of course his sexually starving side would fill his head with appreciation and longing. He swallowed hard and focused on the angrily flashing blue eyes.
“Where in the hell are we, Randy?” Nora was nearly breathing fire and she was trying hard not to stomp her foot. He had only seen her that mad a couple of times and he hoped she wasn’t that mad now. As long as murder wasn’t on her mind, he might have some hope to change her view.
“A cabin in Spearfish.” Randy offered trying very hard not to sound challenging, although his head was still groggy from only a couple hours of sleep. He thought he would be used to that by now, but it didn’t seem to get any easier.
At least you’re sleeping in a bed. He gave in to that victory. Nora shook her head and shot her hands in the air.
“Why, Randy? What are we doing here? The last thing I remember is dancing with you.” She paced the smaller room like a lioness behind bars. “Did you drug me? Did the bartender drug me? Oh my God! I can’t remember what happened!” She was starting to freak out now and that was Randy’s cue to step in. She was about to derail on the crazy train.
“Wait a minute.” Randy blocked her pacing and she widened her eyes in wary question when she looked up. “You weren’t drugged. You did however have too much to drink.” He waited as the details of the night sifted back into her memory. Her chest lessened its heaving and she closed her eyes.
“I remember those damn Porch Crawlers. I don’t remember exactly how many I had.” Nora gazed off into space and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. “I remember the concert lights and wanting to dance.”
Randy watched her until her eyes connected with his. He fought the urge to touch her, although his fingertips itched to caress that soft skin.
“You came to the concert and we were dancing.” Nora didn’t phrase it as a question. She did seem a bit surprised by it.
“Yes, I did.” Randy sat on the edge of the bed. She took a hesitant step back and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You don’t dance.” Her voice was soft and there was a bit of wonder to it. She didn’t look nearly as angry now. Randy could only shake his head and shrug his shoulders in response.
“Why are we here?” The sharp edge of her voice caused his defenses to rise. Randy ran his fingers quickly through his sandy hair and took a deep breath.
“I brought you here to see if you can give me a second chance. I love you, Nora, and I can’t let us go yet.” Randy felt the pain like a bandage being ripped from his flesh. The fact that she looked at him as vacantly as possible really added salt to the wound. Still he refused to admit this might have been a mistake.
“We agreed to give me a week to figure things out. Being kidnapped to a secluded cabin is not exactly honoring that agreement.” Nora’s anger came back in full swing and Randy knew there was no dodging it. All he could do was be honest.
“I know what we said and I also know that you have no idea what being in love really is. I know that Colt Cavanaugh will never be that person for you.” He started to feel rather warm and he stood up from the bed. Nora took another step away from him. How the heck it still bothered him, he had no idea.
“That’s really not fair. It’s not up to you to save me, Randy. I can save myself.” Nora tilted her chin up in defiance and mentally he cursed that stubborn streak in her.
Will she ever admit to needing help? It was a pointless question to ask, but still it rang in his head.
“Save you?” Randy shook his head in disbelief. “I’m trying to save us.”
***
The world might as well have stopped spinning. Time had no relativity in the room filled with so many emotions. Neither one of them could continue with the conversation. It seemed impossible to accept or discount what Randy had said. All Nora knew was that she had to leave that room and retreat into her borrowed one. Slamming the door, she threw herself down on the bed and sobbed into the soft, well-worn coverlet.
She wept in anger at being tricked and betrayed by her husband. His idea of reconciling their differences was kidnapping her. She had only wanted to take the edge off with a couple of drinks, but by the time Randy had come into the picture, she was nearly drowning. Then her husband had waltzed into the room and with a confidence she hadn’t seen in a really long time, he had sheltered her. He had held her in his arms and slow danced in that room with all of those people. It was a huge thing. Randy didn’t dance.
A lull came in those hot tears and she took a shaky breath. Nora had expected Randy to take a step to the sidelines and let her have a week of freedom to find out what she needed to know. There was no reason why he shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t in his nature to stand his ground when he knew it was something she wanted. He gave in like a tumbleweed in the wind. This time Randy had come to Deadwood and spirited her away to this cabin. She was feminine enough to admit that it was a romantic gesture even if it had gone awry and was awful timing.
Speaking of awful timing, Nora wondered just what Colt was thinking of her now. They had had a great night out when she had arrived and then last night, she had dropped the paternity bomb on him. She could still see those silvery eyes when she had spoken the words. He was a father and not only was he a father now, he had been for seven years. He had looked haunted when she told him about Drew and why she hadn’t reached out to him in all these years. She truly hadn’t thought he would want to see her again. She hadn’t wanted to jeopardize his dream and that dream was unfolding right now. Curling up in a ball and tucking her knees into her chest, Nora gave a breathy sigh. Colt probably hated her now and she couldn’t blame him. She sort of hated herself now too.