by Cait London
“Take it easy, honey,” Liam murmured. “They are the only grandparents our babies will have. If there’s a chance they can change, I think you can train them. It’s your decision, not theirs.”
Her father wasted no time. “I see you haven’t begun to pack. We can send movers. Most of your things are still at your place in the city.”
“I’m staying.” Michelle didn’t know how life would turn and twist for her, but she knew she’d do it at Liam’s side. Her parents would have to accept her terms this time, no strings attached. She wasn’t certain they could do that.
“It’s just a phase, Michelle,” her father said. “Like when you were ten and wanted to go camping by yourself. You’ll get over it, and what’s that pile of junk doing on your front porch?”
“He’s been in a fight. And you look very—” For once Eloise studied Michelle carefully as she stood beside Liam. Eloise was very quiet, and then she took her husband’s arm. “We’re leaving now.”
“But…but…” he protested.
“Look at her, dear. She’s blooming. That’s how I used to look at you. Time will tell. Come along now. She’s a fighter, just like you, and she’ll make up her own mind how she lives her life—just like you. They look like a team, standing there like that. Just like us. And I’ve waited long enough for a grandchild. He’ll do nicely, if he’s what she wants. I’m certain she’s got everything in control, scheduling his life and theirs. Don’t push her too far, Bruce. Think of it as the point of no return in a business deal.”
Michelle met her mother’s tentative smile with her own, her heart warming because she knew that her mother was beginning to understand. Healing would take time, but that soft, shared smile between them was a good start.
After they were gone, Michelle turned to Liam who was studying the old furniture, scowling fiercely. She held the small chest tightly. “It’s not junk. I love it. And I won’t get bored. You’re far too exciting. How long do you have until you pick up J.T.?”
“Just long enough, and you’re coming with me to get him,” he said, picking her up to carry her into her house.
He kicked the door shut and eased into the rocking chair. He’d dreamed it was big enough for him to hold her and J.T. and maybe the babies that would come along. He’d awakened hard and aching after dreams of Michelle moving over him on that fine old chair. While daydreaming of how she’d look and feel, snuggled on his lap, rounded with his child, Liam had overfilled a truck tank. For a man raised to hardships, daydreams were new, enticing experiences.
Michelle opened the small chest and prowled through the contents. “Obviously old and treasured. A tinderbox, a battered straw, a man’s ring—oh, look, it has the Tallchief symbols!”
She carefully unwrapped the two flints. “Rocks. Chipped. Wrapped in fine old velvet. Liam, this obviously means something.”
“The chest was found with me. You’ll have to find out what the rest means. You like putting pieces together.” He loved how she looked, fiercely determined, turning the flints in her hands, trying to see into the secret they held. Elizabeth’s legend had been right—Michelle and he had struck sparks from each other, and they’d ignited a love that would last forever.
Michelle closed the chest carefully and placed it aside. “You’ll tell me now, or else.”
In one of those quickly changing moods that always would fascinate Liam, she smoothed his cheek. “You’ve really left the past behind, haven’t you? I mean the way Reuben took away what you could have had all those years? And Adam?”
Liam held her closer, settling back to rock his love in his arms. “I’d like to meet my brother. I think with you helping, it’s a scheduled event. No, I’m not thinking about how it was growing up, the stripped life and foraging for myself. I’m not wasting more time thinking about a hard, bitter, selfish man. I have a new life with you and my son…. And you’re the cause of that, dragging me out of that rut, making me see that life held more. I think I’m a better father to J.T. because of you, and if you hadn’t come into my life, I might not have known about Adam.”
He kissed her forehead and rested his cheek against hers. “Think of what you’ve done, honey. Breaking away from the past. That’s no small thing. Or working to untangle years of interference from your family. Think of the difference you’ve made in my life, how I can feel as if I belong with my family now. That’s what I wanted to give J.T. most of all, a family. I feared that he’d be left alone and raised by someone as uncaring as Reuben. But he’s safe now. And what you’ve done for yourself, making a home away from anything you’ve known—few people can do that. I’ve no doubt that when you decide you want to do a task, you can do it. I’m hoping you’ll let me share your life, though.”
“You’re not getting away from me, and you know it, Liam Tallchief,” Michelle said quietly, sitting upright. “I’ve found what I want, right here with you. All the excitement and challenge and what I’ve wanted all my life. Whatever else comes, it will just be that much better. You make me feel, Liam. I like feeling like a woman, feeling needed and cherished, and I accept your offer of marriage. There will be terms, of course. In short, Mr. Tallchief, you’ve been bagged.”
“Well, not quite,” Liam murmured, and caressed her lightly just to watch her get all steamy.
“Mmm,” she said thoughtfully, tilting her head to study him. “I think I do that well, too.” Then she stood and began removing her clothing on the way to her bedroom.
“No ruffles in our bedroom and no pink towels,” Liam stated as he stood next to her, the shadowy room enclosing their bodies, clothing tossed aside.
“Mmm,” she murmured thoughtfully again as if she had plans of her own, and moved into his arms. She held him close, before the loving, resting against him as she was meant to be. Each touch treasured and heated, until Michelle jerked her head away, looking up at him with those green, green eyes. Liam smiled briefly, his body ready for hers; they’d clashed, and sparks had flown, and now came the fire. He reached down to that soft bottom, cupped it and lifted Michelle carefully, until her legs wrapped around him. He took her lips, tasted the wild hunger of her tongue, the heat within her, and then found her breasts, soft against him.
She cried out, her body aching for his, the tug of his mouth sharpening her desire. Her fingers dug into Liam’s marvelous wide shoulders, anchoring him to her for a lifetime. She had no time to tell him of her love, not just now, when their bodies’ needs must be met. “Hurry.”
He lowered her onto the bed, her legs still wrapped around his hips. Then they were one, his heavy body resting over hers. His fierce expression told her that this was no light moment, that it was a bond of bodies and souls that would last forever. His hands caressed her hips, trembling, to tell her that he kept her safe, not allowing his passion to run wild.
She smiled against his lips and bit him gently. She couldn’t have Liam banking all that fire, not now. There would be other times when love would run gently between them. His big hands caressed her thighs, the fever burning within him. Oh, how she loved to see Liam ignite, all that cool drop away. She loved the way his dark-gray eyes studied her flushed face, her lips that he had kissed. She had to taste his body, to lick his nipple and suckle to set him off.
Then Liam came down upon her as she wanted—hard, demanding, hungry. She met the thrust of his hips with her own, met his mouth and tasted him as hungrily, aware that her need came purring from her as she stroked his back and soothed and took. There it was, she thought distantly, reveling, touching the man inside, the man she loved. The flames came tearing into them, bodies locked and moving slowly, surely toward the summit. He gathered her closer in that tender struggle, his mouth burning her flesh, skimming a path to her throat, nibbling and foraging until he treasured her breasts again. The edge of his teeth, not hurting her, set her off, riveted her as he gently suckled and nibbled and kissed. The clenching of her body rushed on, beyond her control. Texture on texture, male and female, sliding erotically into passion
, his breath warm against her skin, caressing and heating and cooling and sensitizing— “Liam!”
Liam went taut over her, his huge body throbbing, just at the same time she cried out, reaching for him as the stars burst. Held tight on that pinnacle of pleasure, she let him bring her safely, gently back to earth. She could always trust Liam, she thought, patting his wonderful backside, to provide surprises that delighted her.
“Not quite yet,” Liam murmured as she dozed, and he began to give her another world-shaking, best-ever surprise.
Later they picked up J.T. and went home for supper and television. Sensing excitement between the adults, J.T. wouldn’t settle for anything less than Michelle reading him a story. Michelle fell asleep on J.T.’s bed, and Liam thought he’d never seen a sweeter sight. In the morning they were off to Duncan and Sybil’s for Sunday-morning breakfast, and the day passed all too soon. Then J.T. badly needed his bedtime and Michelle once more fell asleep while reading a story. They were still asleep when Liam left to open the station.
On Monday evening Liam sighed ruefully in the manner of a man who hadn’t had time to cherish his ladylove. He took his after-work shower and tried to do the station’s books. Young Morales and Sara Fay were quite a team, taking the chore of ordering tires and other inventory needs.
Michelle had J.T. for the day, the boy reveling in the woman he’d captured to read him nighttime and sometimes daytime stories. Though Liam had been quite careful to keep his son’s life based in their home, J.T. had adapted to visiting his cousins. Not long ago he could not be taken from Liam’s side. But J.T. made it clear that he wanted “My own Mama, not someone else’s, and I want her,” he’d said pointing to Michelle.
“The old woman-capturing game,” Liam murmured, aware that his son and his namesake shared a tradition.
Then Michelle’s red pickup pulled into the driveway, and she walked up to the house, wearing a large overcoat and the boots he’d given her. Inside, she watched Liam intently. “Where’s J.T.?” he asked.
“We’re picking him up later at Nick and Silver’s. I forgot something when you were at my house the other day and in my bed.”
“Oh, what was that?” he asked, bending to take her lips, a taste he’d needed all day.
“To say I love you.” She opened the coat to reveal nothing beneath but fully curved, soft woman. And from the look in her eyes, Liam knew life would never plod along again.
“So does this mean I’m finally going to get a date?” he asked, settling in to enjoy her reaction. He enjoyed teasing Michelle, if he could keep his eyes off that luscious pale geography beneath her coat. The crest of her nipple caused his body to jerk and tighten; the curve of her hip and those intriguing shadows above her thighs caused his mouth to dry.
She tilted her head back and studied him with those fascinating dark-meadow-green eyes. “I still don’t know the meaning of those two rocks in your wooden chest. They’re obviously precious. I asked Elspeth, who seems to know more than anyone, and she just smiled and referred me to you.”
“You’ll have to work on that one, won’t you?” he asked, not letting her have her way so easily. Elizabeth Tallchief’s words coursed through his mind—’Tis the game, finding the strength of a man and challenging that truth. He had his own game, and Elizabeth had provided a badly needed insight on women—his ladylove in particular.
“Oh, I will. You know I will, and I’ve got a lifetime to work on you, Liam Tallchief,” Michelle murmured as he bent to untie her boots.
Finished with the task, he ran his hands up her smooth thighs and eased off her coat. “It’s enough, then, for you? Life with me and J.T.?”
“More than enough. I think I loved you from the first moment I saw you framed in your doorway, trying to do the best for your son. Now are you going to pick me up and do that marvelous carrying-off thing, or not?”
“Aye, I will and I’ll never stop, rose of my heart.” With delight he watched Michelle’s dark-green eyes widen, and he began to laugh. There was nothing more exciting than stunning her with the words that came straight and true from his heart.
On a mid-December afternoon, Michelle ran her fingertips over the old journal on her lap. In Liam’s home, as his wife of two weeks, she settled back for a few moments of peace, rocking in the big chair by the fireplace. Liam and J.T. had mysterious father-and-son missions now and were away for the afternoon. The spacious new room added onto Liam’s house was perfect for a small family and scented of new lumber. Shadows drifted over Elizabeth’s loom, assembled in a corner by the window, J.T.’s toy train-set on the floor. Michelle loved to hear Liam laugh now, that chuckle that said his life was rich with love, and that she had given him ease. Then the wonderful nights, long after J.T. slept, when they would toss upon the bed, challenging each other, the fever too hot to wait. At other times the loving was gentle and sweet, telling each other of their love.
Outside snowflakes swept across the small farm Liam had always wanted, and the big basket on the floor beside her was filled with her own dreams—a garden and ideas for more remodeling. For inside Michelle nestled a new life, so new that it was only hers alone—she wanted to be certain before telling Liam. She wanted to reassure him with a doctor’s verification that she was in good health and ready for children. Liam’s dream of growing things would come true, and not only vegetables and animals, either.
Michelle sighed, drifting in the peaceful moment. Helping the high school counselor test graduating students for their aptitudes was exciting, placing young lives on a path best suited for them. The women’s shelter offered another challenge, helping unfortunate women straighten their lives and provide for themselves, helping them retrain for suitable jobs. Every day was filled with excitement, the hunt for Adam intense. From the facts they had gathered, Adam had apparently walked out of his hometown as soon as he could. He left no forwarding address, and his share of the inheritance had been left in an attorney’s safe keeping. To all appearances, Adam Tallchief did not want to be found. Liam’s parents’ and his grandmother’s estates, had gathered a vast, unused, bank interest. Proof of his legal identity would place half in Liam’s hands, yet he’d wanted to wait for Adam.
She frowned slightly, thinking of Liam’s mysterious and somewhat boyish mood, the secrets he kept from her. Michelle studied the small chest on the fireplace mantel. She still hadn’t discovered the meaning of the two rocks, but she would. Then, as if the woman from another century called to her, Michelle opened the journal and began to read.
An hour later Michelle hurried up Duncan’s steps, the two flints captured tightly in one hand and the tinder box in the other. She dismissed the other Tallchiefs’ pickups and rapped at the door. J.T. swung it open. “Mama!”
“Hello, my little man. Where’s your daddy?” She would leap upon Liam the first moment she had, tear him to pieces. He’d made her wonder and pry and question and held her away from the truth.
J.T. pointed to Duncan’s living room where all the family had gathered, dressed in kilts and tartans. Elspeth fussed at their hems and broaches while children squirmed in their arms and toddled around their legs.
Liam scowled at her, and her mouth went dry as she stared at him. Dressed in a ruffled white shirt, a tartan sash and kilts, Liam was gorgeous. All rugged, untamed male, his features fierce in a scowl. He looked just like what he was, the descendant of a Native American chieftain, clad in a tartan as a reminder of Una, the bondwoman. “Now, you’ve done it,” Liam said flatly.
“Me? I did what? You’re the one who kept the secret of the legend. But I know now, Liam Tallchief. I know what the flints and the tinderbox represent. Watch—” She bent to the fireplace, arranged straw upon a stone and struck the flints together. A spark leaped onto the straw, igniting it. “That’s us, isn’t it? Flint and fire. That’s how Elizabeth and your namesake were.”
“Now you’ve got it, and you’d better not laugh at this skirt,” he brooded, standing with his fine-looking strong legs apart, his ha
nds on his hips. “It’s for the wedding. And family tradition says that we’ll have a proper wedding and you’ll get that honeymoon in a bridal tepee. I want more for you than standing up in front of a judge with the Tallchiefs around us. That ceremony served the legal need to make you my wife as fast as I could, but I want you to have everything other Tallchief brides have had. All this was supposed to have been a surprise. Elspeth has been sticking pins and needles in me for a week.”
“Ingrate,” Elspeth muttered, just as she would to one of her brothers. “It’s a good thing Liam has you to keep him civilized, because I’ve done my duty with my brothers and husband.”
“Have I told you today that I adore you, lady with dragon-green eyes? Rose of my heart?” Liam asked in a wary tone.
“Don’t try to distract me,” Michelle said when her mind started rolling again. The sight of Liam with all the Tallchiefs was enough to momentarily take away her breath. He’d come such a long way from the harsh man he’d been, stripped of dreams. Now he spoke of raising calves and plowing and planting and fixing tractors with excitement. He wanted to learn how to ranch on a larger scale, and that would take time. She’d be at his side, every step. Building a home and a ranch and loving Liam were enough excitement to keep her busy for a lifetime. Things had gotten very exciting indeed when she’d put that dent in his pickup fender and ground the straight-stick gears. Liam hadn’t ranted, but he’d walked rigidly away from the sight of his beloved truck. Later, working beside him underneath it, he’d been much more pleasant.
An interesting man with neat little edges to explore as the years went by, Liam had kept a secret from her. “You could have told me about these flints earlier, and you actually used Elizabeth’s journal as a guide to understand women.”
Liam shot a glare back at the Tallchief males, who were making smothered chuckling noises. “I had no other reference for handling a woman like you. I was desperate.”