by Dee Burks
Taos lay back across the bed. Why would his brothers care how he treated her? The past hour hadn't lessened his confusion one bit or offered any hint as to her identity.
He stared at his hands, still warm from the feel of her soft skin. They trembled as he balled them into fists. Another few minutes and he might never have stopped. Going without for so long must have affected his self-control.
That’s all it was. He nodded to himself. Just a normal man’s reaction to a half-naked female. A very dangerous female. She had been much more beautiful than he’d imagined during their ride and there was no way she could hang around here. He had to get rid of her, and soon.
The long day and frustration of dealing with the mysterious woman finally caught up with him. Sleep clouded his mind as he drifted off.
Honeysuckle. She tasted like honeysuckle.
Chapter 6
The sun had yet to make an appearance as Samantha pulled on her wrinkled yellow dress. It didn’t look like much, but at least it was clean. Thank goodness Darren had recognized her immediately, and he’d gladly given her his bed for the night while he slept on the bench in the parlor. She hadn’t had to wake anyone else. Not that she’d slept much.
She couldn’t believe Taos hadn’t recognized her, and she had no idea how to explain what happened between them. She’d had her share of suitors in Boston so it’s certainly not like she’d never been kissed, but she’d never felt anything like that before. Just thinking about his hands roaming over her naked skin vibrated warmth through her body. Her face flamed. It was as though she had no control over her own body and it molded to his as if she’d done it hundreds of times.
Why wouldn’t he think she was a whore? She’d certainly acted like one. She should be embarrassed, but the truth is she’d liked it. Not that she’d ever admit it to anyone, or even say it out loud, but as soon as Taos figured out who she was that would end it, and he’d go back to treating her like a little sister again. It gave her a twinge of wistful sadness.
Darren had been thrilled to see her, so at least one brother was glad she was back. The sun would be up soon. Samantha quickly ran a brush through her hair, then stuck her head out the door. In the predawn shadows, only the faint sound of snoring reached her ears. Hunger rattled restlessly in the pit of her stomach as she crept downstairs. The last thing she’d eaten was a piece of crusty roll and some cheese when the stage stopped for lunch on the trail yesterday.
Quiet stillness permeated the kitchen. It was exactly as she remembered it. In fact she’d bet not one thing had been changed in the last nine years. A long table with five chairs took up most of the room. It may have been a little more worn, but it was the same one she remembered.
She’d spent months in this house, in this kitchen, after her parents died. Somewhere in her fourteen-year-old mind she’d thought that Jake Williams would let her stay with them instead of being sent to Boston to live with an aunt she’d never met. Now she could see how silly that idea was. There was no way Jake could handle a girl on the edge of puberty when he had three boys himself, two still in their teens. It had been the right choice, though she sure hadn’t thought so at the time.
Samantha rummaged around in the cabinets and quickly found the coffee, flour, milk, and some bacon. Within fifteen minutes, bacon and flapjacks sizzled in the hot skillet, the enticing smell mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
In the kitchen she felt at peace. At Mattie’s the kitchen had always been a place where she could collect her thoughts and prepare for the day. Many of Mattie’s friends had frowned on Samantha’s love of cooking. The ladies of society considered it a serious contest to see who could employ the most desirable cook. Most viewed the art of cooking as a lower-class function, not fit for a young woman of means. Thankfully, Mattie ignored them and encouraged her niece to do what made her happy. Samantha spent years perfecting her skill, covered head to toe in flour most days and she longed to be able to feed more than just herself and Mattie.
She stared at the flapjacks, mesmerized by the tiny bubbles that rose and then burst in the batter as they cooked. Last night refused to leave her mind, even for a minute. Well, not the whole night, just that kiss. Pinpricks rolled up her arms and she shivered, remembering his touch, his lips, his heartbeat under her fingertips. Heat rose to her face yet again. She had to stop this or everyone would think she had a permanent sunburn from blushing so much.
Most of the men who came to call on her in Boston lived a life of luxury, their days spent in mindless pursuits. To he, they seemed shallow and petty and none held her interest very long. Mattie had never pushed her into a relationship; she always said when the right one came along she’d know. Taos had a rugged strength about him, as wild and untamed as a river flowing wherever it willed—something that scared and excited her at the same time. He was definitely out of the ordinary.
Samantha sighed, it wouldn’t take him long to figure out her identity this morning. How would he react when he did find out? Would he be intrigued, or irritated? Would he still see her as the same annoying pest she had been as a kid? He might push her aside and ignore her. Could she handle seeing him every day after that? Never getting close enough to touch again?
It was just one kiss for heaven’s sake! It didn’t mean anything. She flipped the flapjacks over to brown the other side and glanced out the window next to the stove. The warm glow of dawn splashed across the ground. The grassland glinted like polished marble from the rain. The mountains glowed pink and orange, the tall pine and aspen cloaking their slopes. It made her breath catch. She’d seen this same scene everyday growing up, but it was easy to take it for granted when there was nothing else. Nine years in Boston had taught her that. Even though the ocean was beautiful in its own way, it still didn’t instill the majesty and inspiration in her heart that the mountains did.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a small head peek around the corner then disappear.
“Good morning, Tommy,” she said.
The head appeared again. Darren told her that Taos’s son was the spitting image of him, and she could certainly agree. Already tall for a seven-year-old, he had wavy brown hair that bordered on unruly and piercing blue eyes. The boy inched toward the stove.
“What are those?” He asked as she lifted the hot, steaming flapjacks onto a plate.
“Flapjacks. Would you like some?” She held out the plate and smiled as the boy licked his lips.
“Uh, thank you ma’am, but no. Pa says we all gotta fend for ourselves in the mornings. Can’t depend on nobody to do it for ya.”
She frowned as he pulled a heavy chair across the floor toward the cabinets. Stubborn must be inherited. Samantha watched him reach for the oatmeal and fill a small pot. One of Mattie’s old sayings came to mind.
There are four words a woman can say that a man can’t resist: Can you help me? If it works on a man who is thirty, why not one that’s seven?
“Tommy?” She watched him while she poured more batter into the skillet.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Does your father let you waste good food?”
The boy looked at her like she’d just bit him. “No ma’am!” He shook his small head. “He’d whoop my hide for sure!”
“Well, I cooked too many of these for myself, and they’ll just go to waste if someone doesn’t help me eat them.” The boy stole a glance at the flapjacks Samantha set on the table.
“Can you help me, Tommy?” she asked softly, “Please?”
The boy jumped down and ran to the table, the oatmeal already a memory. “As long as you’re sure they’ll just go to waste.” Nearly drooling, Tommy proceeded to stuff his mouth as full as possible. She watched in absolute amazement at how much food he could get into such a small space.
Noise and heavy footsteps announced Charlie and Darren’s arrival.
“Sammy!” Charlie gave her a big hug, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. “I told Darren I wouldn’t believe it ’til I sa
w you for myself.”
Breathless and laughing, Samantha kissed his cheek as Taos walked in.
“Well, you seem to be making the rounds this morning,” Taos’s eyes narrowed at her.
Samantha gave Charlie an exasperated look and shrugged her shoulders. He grinned at Darren, who winked back. She’d told Darren about Taos not recognizing her. It looked like they were willing to play along and have some fun at his expense. Taos certainly deserved it.
Charlie put her down and headed to the stove. “What smells so good?” He poked a finger at one of the bubbles.
Samantha nudged him out of the way with her elbow and turned the flapjacks. “Remember your manners, or I’ll starve you.”
He held his chest like he was dying. “You’d let me wither away to nothing?”
She smiled, “Maybe.”
He pecked her on the cheek and winked at Tommy. “At least it’s a maybe.”
Taos poured a cup of coffee and sat at the table. Samantha glanced at him under her lashes. His scowl indicated he hadn’t slept any better than she had apparently. His eyes strayed to Tommy as his son stuff half a flapjack into his mouth. The boy grinned at Taos as best he could. Pieces of flapjack stuck out between the gaps in his teeth. Samantha’s heart melted. Tommy was adorable.
“Where’d you get those, son?”
The boy pointed at Samantha with his fork, his eyes wide at the tone of his father’s voice.
“You know we all do for ourselves in the morning.”
The boy nodded and tried to swallow.
“He was helping me.” Samantha glared at Taos as she heaped bacon onto a plate. “I cooked too many for myself and didn’t want them to go to waste.”
Charlie shuffled up behind her and inhaled the rising scent from the stove. “You gonna eat all those, honey?” He nodded toward the second plate of flapjacks.
“Oh my, it looks like I cooked too many again.” She feigned surprise. “I don’t suppose you would be kind enough to help me eat them?”
“Oh yes ma’am, I would love to help.” She served Charlie very generous portions of both bacon and flapjacks, then poured more on the griddle. She arched an eyebrow at Taos, daring him to object. He ignored her.
Darren prepared two cups of coffee and sat next to Charlie at the table. He pushed one of the cups in Charlie’s direction.
“I hate that stuff,” Charlie whispered.
Darren insisted. “You’ll love this.”
Charlie took a small sip and groaned as the rich brown liquid rolled down his throat. “I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he said stuffing the better part of a flapjack into his mouth. He poked the back of Darren’s hand with his fork, defending his pile of bacon. “Get your own,” he mumbled.
Taos studied her as she prepared a plate for Darren. She was obviously at home in the kitchen. She caught him staring and he immediately shifted his gaze away . . . for a moment. A return look revealed a slow smile spreading across her lips. Taos stared at her. As tired as he’d been last night, he dreamed of those lips and that smile. He’d awakened, wondering where she had spent the night—besides in his dreams. Curiosity finally got the best of him.
“So where’d you sleep last night, honey?” he just realized he’d never even asked her name.
“In my bed,” Charlie said between bites.
Taos’s cheek flinched as he ground his teeth together.
He saw a strange look flow between the woman and Darren. Darren shrugged at her.
“You know, damsel in distress and all that,” Charlie continued. “I’m sure you would have done the same thing.” He beamed as Taos’s face heated. “Course I didn’t have to tie her up first.” Darren and the woman snickered. Taos thunked his coffee cup on the table and glared at Charlie.
She ignored the exchange and chatted as if she hadn’t a care in the world. “I need to go into town and get a few things this morning. Could one of you take me?”
“How long you s-stayin’?” Darren asked, intent on his breakfast. His childhood speech impediment was barely noticeable, but Taos realized he wasn’t the least bit embarrassed to talk in front of this stranger for once.
What the hell? Darren would hardly set foot in town at all anymore just to avoid people, and even when he did, he didn’t utter a word. But Darren had no problem chatting with this woman.
“She’s not.” Taos took the plate she offered him and almost dropped it as she flashed him one of those smiles. She held a powerful attraction for a man. His brothers were already her slaves, but not him.
“Sure she is,” Charlie piped up. “I’m not about to go back to your cookin’ after this.”
“She’s not staying. We don’t know anything about her, not even her name.”
“Her name’s Sammy,” the boy piped up. Every person in the room turned toward him, except for Taos.
He stared hard at the woman and slowly picked out the features that should have been obvious: the straight blonde hair the color of golden silk, and those eyes. Those deep, emerald green eyes.
It couldn’t be!
Taos scanned her appearance from head to toe. She was the spitting image of Claire. Why hadn’t he recognized her? He continued to stare, his mouth slightly open. The skinny little girl he had put on the train nine years ago had grown into an extremely beautiful woman. His mind stumbled through his memory and settled on last night. He looked away quickly.
What was last night? Some kind of game to tease him and make him feel like an idiot? It had worked, and his brothers were in on it too. They obviously knew exactly who she was. He’d never hear the end of this. She had played him for a fool all right, and he fell for it. He should have known better. He had learned how dangerous a woman could be, even if it was Sammy. Nine years was a long time, and he really didn’t have any idea who or what she was now. She hadn’t even been here one day, and he’d already proved he was the same sucker he had been with Sharisse. His eyes stared at her lips. Her tongue darted across them and his gaze met hers. Heat built in his chest, part irritation, part . . . something else.
“Well, the cat’s out of the bag now, isn’t it?” Charlie polished off the last of his bacon as he watched Taos. Charlie nudged Darren with an elbow and nodded a head toward their brother. Taos realized that Samantha’s face glowed red—probably a mirror image of his right now. Charlie wasn’t stupid, unfortunately.
“Now this is interesting,” Charlie waved his fork as he talked. “I mean, I think there’s more went on last night than you let on, Sammy.”
“Like what?” Darren stuffed more bacon in his mouth.
“This might be just what we need to liven things up around here.” A half smile played around Charlie’s mouth as he forked down another bite, ignoring Taos’s hot glare.
“So what’s the story with that guy that’s after you?” Darren asked.
Samantha sat at the table and started in on a flapjack of her own.
“What guy?” Charlie’s attention focused on her, as did Taos’s.
“A couple of weeks ago, Aunt Mattie’s investment advisor Ty Lawson died. His son, John Lawson, took over his father’s business. But Ty’s death was very suspicious, and I honestly think John had something to do with it. Anyway, he showed up at Mattie’s saying that he was executing a power of attorney over her assets and he slipped something into her drink.”
Taos watched her closely as she spoke. She seemed to fidget under his gaze. Was it because she was lying, or were her thoughts on last night too?
“Mattie doesn’t trust John and has no intention of turning over her finances to him. I went through and balanced the financial ledgers for her and realized that there was quite a bit of money that had already gone missing. So I confronted John about it.”
“By yourself?” Taos’s sharp tone drew everyone’s attention.
“Well, yes. I didn’t realize how dangerous he could be.”
“You thought he killed his father, but you didn’t think he’d be dangerous?” Taos snorted in
disbelief. “Are you stupid?” Samantha did her best to bore a hole through him with her glare, but he was unimpressed.
“Did he h-hurt you?” Darren’s concern was genuine, of course, and she gifted him with a smile. Darren would believe anything she said. Taos knew all Darren remembered was the friend he grew up with. He’d had zero experience in how manipulative women could be.
“No, not exactly.” Samantha said, “He just threatened me and basically told me that I was going to marry him. But he just wants to get his hands on Mattie’s money and the second he has me I know he’ll do away with her and probably me too . . . eventually.” Her words hung in the air a moment.
Taos knew exactly what an unscrupulous man would do with Samantha—pretty much what he wanted to do with her last night. He clamped his teeth together, pushing that image out of his mind, and observed her closely. She didn’t seem all that upset, so was this story the truth? A half-truth? A complete lie? Why had she shown up unannounced, and with this wild story? Why had she kissed him instead of telling him exactly who she was? It seemed like a little game last night, and now this morning she was in some kind of mortal danger? Bullshit.
Charlie pushed his plate back, angry. “Why would he think you would agree to that?”
“Maybe she encouraged his attention.” Taos stared evenly at her.
“He threatened me! I have never encouraged anyone!”
“Now I know that’s not true.” He pinned her with his stare.
“Where did that come from?” Charlie snapped.
“Most men don’t like a woman who’s a tease.” Taos continued to stare boldly at Samantha.
“I am not a tease!”
“Are too.”
Samantha rolled her fork back and forth between two fingers and fumed. She’d never considered silverware a deadly weapon until this moment.
“You could have told me who you were.” Taos sipped his coffee.