by Sable Hunter
“Yea, I thought so. It appears to be very old.”
He pocketed the coin, then led them out of the cave. “We’ll show this to Philip if he happens to still be at the house when we get there.”
“Good idea,” she agreed as they climbed on Zeus’s back for the ride home.
Once Benjen was settled behind her, he pulled Apple close against him. “Hey, you’re trembling.” He kissed her on the neck. “Everything’s okay.”
“Yea, I know.” She covered his hand with hers as it rested beneath her breasts. “This has just been weird and a little scary.”
“I agree.” He chuckled. “Between the light, the lost dog, and the human bone, I’d say weird is putting it mildly. We’re on our way home now, and all is well.” He headed Zeus on the trail back to the Rock House.
As they rode through the velvety night, the dogs running happily alongside, Apple relaxed against him, deep in thought. “Do you want to know what I think?”
“Always.”
“I don’t think the light is random. I think it’s personal to you.”
“So, you think it’s intelligent. Do you think I conjured it up?”
Apple laughed nervously, shifting in his embrace. “I don’t know, sounds silly doesn’t it?”
“No.” He kissed her hair. “Not really. The light appeared to my father and it started appearing again after I began practicing the Apache rituals. Maybe, it is one of my ancestors communicating with me.”
“Maybe.”
When they neared the barn, Misty was waiting for them. Working together, they took care of both horses before heading back to the Rock House with the two dogs in tow.
“There’s an extra vehicle here,” Apple noted.
“Probably Philip. Come on, let’s go see.”
Once inside, they could hear voices coming from the kitchen. They found the rest of the family sitting around the kitchen table with a big man wearing a burnt orange T-shirt and a UT baseball cap.
“You’re back!” Daniel motioned them in. “You were gone longer than we expected.”
“Well, we ran into a speck of trouble,” Benjen explained, moving around the table to shake Philip McCoy’s hand. “Philip, meet my girlfriend, Apple Wright. Apple, this is Professor Philip McCoy.”
“You can drop the title, just call me Philip, Apple. Nice to meet you.” He rose and took Apple’s hand for a moment.
“What kind of trouble?” Sam asked from his spot nearest the back door. He looked like he was thinking about escaping the confines of the indoors.
Benjen shook his head. “We lost a dog for a spell. Found her in a cave on the south side at the base of Packsaddle. Looks like they chased a ground squirrel in and Apple’s Shepherd bailed off a ledge.”
“Is she okay?” Sara asked with concern.
“Yes,” Apple answered. “Benjen saved her.”
“Wow.” Easy raised a glass in a toast. “Looks like he’s the hero once again.”
Benjen narrowed his eyes, picking up on a hint of sarcasm in his brother’s voice. He was confused. He thought they’d worked out their differences. “Apple found something as we were leaving the cave. This.” He handed the coin to Philip. “And a human femur.”
Those words got everyone’s attention.
“You found a skeleton?” Daniel asked. “On our property?”
“Just a leg bone, so far,” Benjen said.
“Where is it?” Sam asked, rising, as if he expected Benjen to pull it out of his pocket.
“We left it in the cave,” Apple supplied the answer. “It looked old. Weathered.”
Philip studied the coin. “Would you trust me with this?” He turned it over and over in his hand.
“Sure,” Benjen agreed readily. “There may be more where that came from. Who knows?”
“I’d like to do some research on this and take a look at the cave, if that’s all right. You know, there’s an old legend about outlaw Sam Bass hiding canvas sacks filled with gold in a cave on Packsaddle Mountain.”
Easy shook his head. “There’s more legends about that mountain than you can shake a stick at.”
“What about the bone?” Sam was still worrying about the femur. “Do you think it belongs to one of the Indians who died in that last stand battle with the ranchers Dad told us so much about? The one where his great-grandfather was killed?”
“I know what you’re talking about, but I doubt it,” Philip mused. “I don’t think human remains were left from that incident. This could be random or it could date all the way back to the time when the Spanish were here and used the native Indians to work the mines. There are accounts of fierce fights between the two factions. Old timers say the mountain used to be littered with bones.”
“Hell, no wonder there are ghost lights on the mountain.” Sara shivered at the idea.
Apple looked at Benjen, but neither made a comment about what they’d seen. Instead, Benjen glanced between Philip and Easy. “So, you’re planning on jump-starting your operation in Louisiana?”
“Yes. Carefully. I need men who I can trust to do this right, that’s why I lured your brother into giving me a hand with the project.”
No one responded. It was obvious the family had reservations about Easy’s decision – but it was his decision. Benjen tipped his hat at Sara and their guest. “Well, if you all will excuse us, I’m going to get Apple home. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
Sara met Apple’s eyes and they smiled at one another, remembering what they’d talked about. “I’ll see you on Monday for coffee,” Sara told her.
“I look forward to it.” Apple waved goodbye at everyone. “Thanks for having me. Happy Birthday, Easy.”
“Hold up.” Easy rose and came around to give Apple a hug. “No hard feelings, right?”
“Not a one,” she promised him.
Once they loaded the dogs in the truck for the short drive to Apple’s, Benjen wondered aloud, “Something is still up with Easy. Like I said earlier, I always knew he mistakenly blamed himself for our father’s death, but I never realized how deeply. I’m beginning to think guilt has shaped his life. Maybe this is why he doesn’t allow himself to get close to anyone.” He frowned, reaching over to take Apple’s hand, as if seeking reassurance. “Heck, sometimes he seems to put distance between himself and the family.”
“Are you going to try and talk him out of the job?”
Benjen shook his head. “I don’t know. My good intentions might backfire and push him farther away.”
“Sleep on it. Maybe, things will be clearer in the morning. That’s what I do.”
Benjen cut her a sidewise glance and grinned. “Here lately, when I go to bed, I’m usually just thinking about one thing.”
Apple felt her body flame with desire at his words. “Oh, really? What are you thinking about?”
As he drove up to her house, the dogs began to bounce around in the back seat, anxious to get out and run around for a few minutes. Benjen waited until he stopped his truck before answering, “You. I can’t think of anything else but you.”
“Oh.” She understood, Apple was in the same boat. “Do you want to come in?”
God, yes, he wanted to come in. Hell, he wanted to come. Period. Remember the plan, Blackhawk, he chided himself. “I’d better get home.” When she pulled on the door handle and tried to tug her hand away from his grasp, he held it just that much tighter. “I can hear the wheels in your brain turning. Just sit tight and let me come around to help you out. There’s something important I want to say to you.”
Apple did as he asked, but her flush of desire had turned to heated embarrassment – she’d done it again.
Offered herself and been turned down.
When he did open the passenger door, she used the dogs’ excitement to put some space between them. Once he’d assisted her to the ground, she wasted no time darting toward the house. Without looking back, she thanked him. “I enjoyed dinner. I appreciate you having me. I hope you sleep well. You don’t have to walk me
to my door, I left the porch light on.”
“Hey. Hey.” Benjen caught up with Apple once she mounted her front steps. He moved between her and the door to block her path. “Look at me.” He put his finger beneath her chin. “I know that expression.” Dipping his head, he captured her lips and kissed her tenderly. “Don’t you dare think I don’t want you. I want you all the time.”
“Okay.” She didn’t want to have this conversation. “It’s okay.” Again, she tried to step around him.
“Listen to me, Apple of my eye,” he punctuated his salutation with a kiss, “I told you to keep this weekend free for me. Tomorrow, I will pick you up for our date – wine you and dine you – then, I plan on bringing you home and spending the night if you’ll let me.” He kissed her again. “I want to be with you.”
“You do?” she breathed as an onslaught of emotions cascaded over her. This was what she wanted. What she longed for. So…why did it scare her to death?
“More than anything.” He framed her face. “I think you know by now how much I value you. How much I respect you. I think we’ve spent enough time together to lay a foundation of friendship we can build upon. This won’t be just sex with us, we’ll be making love.”
His words took Apple’s breath away. “I won’t be able to sleep. I’m already so excited I’m trembling.”
Her confession made his heart pound and his cock throb. “Me too, baby. Me too. I just hope I can make you happy.”
He was worrying about satisfying her? “I’m happy now. Just knowing you want me is everything.”
Benjen clasped her to him, cradling her small body to his, loving the feel of her breasts cushioned against his chest. “Once I start, I may never be able to stop,” he whispered in her hair.
After holding her for a long moment, Benjen drank from her lips, then whistled for the dogs so he could see Rose and Apple safely inside. “Lock up and sleep tight.”
“Okay.” She gave him a sweet smile. “Tomorrow night I won’t have to sleep alone.”
“No, baby.” He stroked her cheek gently. “Tomorrow night, neither of us will be alone.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Fresh from the hay field, Benjen pulled his shirt off and flung it in the hamper. He stretched, smiling at what the night held in store for him. Damn, he couldn’t wait. His mind and heart were full of Apple and each time he thought of her, he smiled. Good thing there was no one around to see, they’d be giving him a hard time for sure.
Just as he stepped up to the shower to flip on the tap, his cell phone buzzed. Pulling it from the back pocket of his jeans, he saw the caller was Zane Saucier.
“Do you have good news for me, Counselor?”
Zane cleared his throat. “Up until twenty minutes ago, I would’ve had to say no, I did not have good news for you. We hit a stone wall with the VA. However, it pays to have friends in high places.”
“I’m not sure who you’re referring to, but I’m glad. Who is this well-placed friend?” Benjen tucked the phone to his shoulder to talk as he unbuckled his jeans.
“Kyle Chancellor and Destry Cartwright.”
“Who?” For a moment, Benjen drew a blank. “Do you mean the Governor?”
“Yes, even though this is a federal matter, our Texas Governor and his Secretary of State are former military and have strings they can pull. They’re still in negotiations with the powers that be, but Kyle seemed positive they could work this out in Apple’s favor.”
“Well, that’s great news, Zane.” Benjen removed his boots and socks, before tugging down his jeans and briefs. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet, it’s still not a done deal – but…if I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Kyle. Thunderbird has a reputation of successfully completing his missions.”
“Thunderbird? Is that a nickname?”
“Kyle was a Marine pilot in Afghanistan, Thunderbird was his call sign. Like you, he’s also part Native American. I think his mother is a member of the Ojibwe tribe.”
“Wow. I had no idea. Interesting.” Benjen chuckled. “I sorta wish I’d voted for him.”
Now, it was Zane’s turn to laugh. “You’ll get another chance. The inside scoop is that Thunderbird is going to make a run for the White House.”
“Really? Well, if he helps my Apple, I guarantee he has my vote.”
“Right. Anyway, I wanted to let you know the lay of the land. As soon as I hear anything concrete, I’ll let you know.”
“Great. Thanks, Zane. I appreciate you more than you know.”
“Glad to do it.”
After ending the call, Benjen stepped beneath the warm spray, his mind and body high on anticipation. “Tonight’s the night, gonna be alright…” He began to hum the old Rod Stewart song about a couple’s first time. As he soothed soap over his chest, his cock rose to full mast in response to the erotic images floating through his head. No more waiting. No more longing. Tonight, he’d sate himself in the arms of his beloved.
“Oh, Apple, I’m going to love you like you’ve never been loved before.”
Benjen smiled to himself. Yea, he was a virgin. Technically. Didn’t mean he was unschooled. What he lacked in experience, he could more than make up for in enthusiasm. Years of pent-up passion were about to explode. Somewhere, the poor scientist who sat in front of a computer screen to monitor seismic systems for earthquake activity was going to wonder what all the shaking was about – because he intended to rock Apple Wright’s world.
…Across the way, Apple sat on the floor attempting to paint her toes a barely-there pink color. Rose was giving her a little too much help for the task to go smoothly. “If you’d quit poking your nose in the way, it wouldn’t be streaked pink, girl!” She laughed at the dog’s expression. Her eyes were bright, her tongue lolled out in ecstasy, and her tail thumped the floor with joy. Apple was constantly amazed at the change in the dog. No longer was she scared and cowed down. “That’s what love will do for you. Right?” She ought to know. Apple didn’t even feel like the same person she’d been after Alan’s betrayal. Meeting Benjen Blackhawk had changed everything. “Oh, pooh!” Just the thought of the handsome cowboy made her miss her entire toenail. As she wiped the polish off the top of her foot, Apple acknowledged that she was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. If things went as he expected, they would make love tonight. She closed her eyes as a shiver of dread and anticipation swept over her. Could she do this? Could she please him? Apple was torn between wanting to jump his bones and fighting the urge to head for the hills. How could you want something more than anything and still be afraid to do it?
“Get a grip, Apple. This is what you want. You’ll never regain your confidence if you don’t get back on the horse.” A giggle bubbled from her lips. “Not a good analogy. Oh, God.” She hugged her legs and buried her face on her knees. “Please don’t let me mess this up.” She breathed slowly and deeply, trying to calm herself down. The dog whined in sympathy. “Look, Apple, don’t get your hopes up. Benjen has said some beautiful things, some looking toward forever things – but this may just end up being a casual thing. Temporary.” Did she still want to do it? Closing her eyes, she tried to quiet her brain and listen to her heart.
Placing a hand to her chest, she felt the steady, hopeful beating. The dreams she’d cherished about belonging to someone, finding that perfect person to love – those dreams were still alive and well. Could she be hurt? Disappointed? Devastated? “Oh, yeah. I’m more than vulnerable.” But was it worth the risk? “I think so. Yes.” Apple smiled through a mist of tears. “I think Benjen Blackhawk is definitely worth the risk.”
Raising up, she wiped her eyes, and pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Rose, one more toe and I’m through. Do you want me to paint yours next?” She finished up and grabbed the Shepherd’s foot, only to find the dog just wasn’t that interested in having pink nails. “Okay. Okay.”
As she rose from the floor, her cell phone buzzed. Thinking it was
probably Benjen, she rushed to the phone and grabbed it without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello. Benjen?”
“Senora Cates…”
“Yes.”
After that, Apple didn’t understand a word the woman was trying to say to her.
“I’m sorry, I don’t speak Spanish. Are you sure you have the right number?”
Unlike Alan, her aptitude for languages was low. In their high school, only German had been offered and all she could do was count to nine and sing a lullaby – Guten aben gut nacht, mit rosen be dacht.
Despite her protests, the woman kept speaking. Quickly. Frantically.
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
In addition to the language barrier, the connection was poor. “Forgive me, but I don’t know what you’re saying.”
When the line went dead, Apple was somewhat relieved. She shut off her phone and laid it down, wondering what the poor woman had been trying to tell her.
“Oh, well.” She brightened. “I have other things to think about.” Glancing at the clock, she saw that time was ticking by at a fast pace. “Oh, wow. He’ll be here before I know it!” Racing to the bathroom, she set out to make herself beautiful for a man who held her heart in the palm of his hand.
* * *
Knock! Knock!
Woof!
“Shhh, Rose, I’ve got it.”
Taking a deep breath, Apple started for the door. Just before taking the knob in her hand, she glanced down at what she wore. “I should’ve bought something new. I look like one of those Hostess pink snowballs.” Her dress was A-line with a fitted lace bodice and a full filmy skirt. The same pink as her nails. Distraught, she flung open the door and exclaimed, “I should change, shouldn’t I?”
Benjen stood there, a bouquet of red roses in his hand, with his mouth agape and his eyes wide. “Don’t you dare change a thing. You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe you’re mine.”
His beautiful words almost made Apple melt into a puddle of happiness at his feet. “I am?” The answer she needed shone in her eyes.