T.J. told her to relax with that book he had seen her place in her saddlebag in Tucson, while he went to cover their trail from yesterday. He explained, “It was too late last night to conceal our tracks and set a false trail. I also want to do some hunting for fresh meat. You stay here and rest, but stay on alert, woman. Keep your pistol close and your ears open. I’ll be back in a few hours. No bathing or swimming alone,” he added as he mounted Nighthawk. He needed to do and learn a few vital things today, and she would be safe. A telegraph line was situated not too far away…
Carrie Sue waved and watched him leave. She glanced at the possessions T.J. had left behind. She wanted to go through them just as soon as she was certain he wasn’t hiding nearby and spying on her to see if she could be trusted not to pry into his belongings or to desert him during his absence. She fetched her book and sat down to read, placing her revolver beside her. Soon, she would discover why he didn’t want her looking inside his pouches…
Chapter Fifteen
Carrie Sue pretended to read for thirty minutes while she reflected on T.J. Rogue and her situation with him. Sometimes he gave off an arrogant air, but—she concluded—it was only enormous self-confidence and his custom of being self-reliant. Sometimes he found it hard to be open with her, but that was due to his being a loner for so many years. He was a man resolved to fight all obstacles in his path, a man who could endure anything he encountered and survive. His experiences had toughened him and honed him into an undefeatable force, except for that one incident with Quade. There was a powerful strength about him: physical, mental, and emotional. She felt that until meeting her, he had been satisfied with his carefree existence; now, he wanted and needed more, and often didn’t realize that fact or want to accept it.
Yet, T.J. Rogue could be vulnerable, susceptible to her pull, worried over the danger she presented to and for him, distracted and disarmed by her. Too, he was a man with a haunted past which still troubled and plagued him. He could be easygoing one minute and guarded the next. What, she wondered, drove him the hardest?
The redhead didn’t sense any eyes watching her and decided T.J. wasn’t spying on her from the rocks which surrounded this small valley. She lay the book aside and went to search his pouches. She didn’t find anything unusual inside them. Then, she remembered he had taken his saddlebags with him. She frowned, then decided that might be only from force of habit.
Why, she asked herself, couldn’t she trust him completely? Why did she sense there was something crucial going on inside his head, something which involved her? As far as she knew, they only had one connection, Quade Harding, and one bond—their mutual attraction. So, why did she feel as if there was more between them, something mysterious and dangerous? On the other hand, why should he trust her? That wasn’t a common trait of a gunslinger or an outlaw. Yet, both wanted to believe the other; she was positive of that.
Tensed by her thoughts and actions, Carrie Sue strapped on her holster and went to gather wood. She jumped when she spooked a slumbering Whitetail deer and the animal fled swiftly. She remembered T.J. cautioning her about snakes in this region, particularly in July and August. “Stay alert,” she warned herself.
The flaming haired woman used an extra knife to dig a fire pit and gathered rocks to encircle it. Afterwards, she took a walk to admire the scenery and to dispel her anxieties.
T.J. had described the northwestern section of these mountains and she longed to ride there to observe those magnificent scenes. He had drawn verbal pictures of the “Land of the Standing-Up Rocks” as the Apaches called that area. Maybe she could persuade him to take her there tomorrow.
She wondered what was taking her lover so long to conceal their trail and to shoot fresh meat. He had left early, and it was past midday. She was bored and restless. She didn’t want to read, although she loved reading. Today, her concentration was missing.
She recalled the fishing hooks and string in T.J.’s pouch. She fetched them and secured them to the sturdy limb she located. Taking his extra knife, she dug in the clumps of grass near the stream for several worms. While her pinto aimlessly grazed, she fished.
She laughed aloud when she snagged the first one, a little over a pound. Quickly she imprisoned the squirming creature on a thin rope by running it through his mouth and out his gill and looping the end. She tied the rope to a bush and dangled the fish in water so it would stay alive and fresh until she finished her task. She attached another worm to the hook and tossed it beneath the surface. It took her longer this time, but she caught another one about the same size. Excitement and satifaction filled her. If her luck held out, she could surprise her lover with a tasty meal tonight.
Carrie Sue caught one fish bigger and one smaller than the other two. She put away the fishing supplies and found a distant spot to clean her nice catch. Expertly she scaled and gutted the fish, then washed them in the lake.
From the sun’s position, it was around three o’clock. She built a fire and let it burn down to smouldering coals. While doing so, she scouted for more rocks and placed a stack on either side to form two support ledges. She located four sturdy sticks and sharpened one end on each. Carefully she shoved a stick through each fish. Afterwards, she suspended the largest one horizontally between the rock ledges.
Considering the hour and the length of cooking time at that height over the coals, T.J. should return by the time the last one—the smallest—was ready to be placed over the pit. When the largest was done enough to meet her schedule, she positioned the two medium fish on either side of it.
She mixed flour and water and salt for fresh Jonnycakes. Added to the remaining agava roots, which she would warm soon on the hot rocks, T.J. was in for a special treat tonight. At last, she placed the last fish over the fire and turned the others once more.
She was getting annoyed with her tardy lover when he rode up and dismounted. “No luck?” she hinted, noticing his empty hands and saddle.
He grinned as he eyed the beautiful vixen and feast before him. He replied, “Looks like I have plenty right here. How did you manage this?” he asked, surprised and pleased. He hunkered down opposite her.
“My father and brother taught me to fish and camp cook. It passed the time today,” she remarked, sounding and looking as vexed as she felt. “I borrowed your supplies. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, woman. Feel free to use any of those supplies. You did better than me. Thank goodness or it’d be beans again tonight.” He frowned playfully. “I’m afraid I didn’t see anything small enough to shoot, and I don’t like killing more meat than I can use.”
“I’m glad. Senseless killing distresses me,” she remarked as she began cooking the circles of bread in the edge of the fire. She placed the agavas on the other side to absorb heat. “You want to get the dishes and pour us some whiskey?” Carrie Sue stood and unbuckled her holster. She laid it aside.
T.J. eyed her intently and pondered her request for liquor instead of water or coffee. He asked, “You mad at me again?”
Her periwinkle eyes were cool when they met his smokey gray ones. “You’ve been gone since early morning. I was worried.”
He knew she meant suspicious, not worried. He knew he had to dispel her mood quickly. “I backtracked a good ways and covered our trail. Then, I made several new ones in various directions to confuse anyone who comes along. Afterwards, I did some hunting, but we wouldn’t want to eat the only small game I spotted: Apaches fox squirrels, lizards, coatimundis. That takes time, woman, lots of it.”
The redhead realized she was acting oddly. She sighed and smiled. “I know, but it’s sundown. What if something had happened to you? I wouldn’t know how or where to find you so I could help.”
He relaxed. “You’re right. Just in case we get separated, we need a plan for joining up again. What do you suggest?”
“Since we’re heading for Commanche, why don’t I give you a map of where we’re going and mark a few spots between New Mexico and there?”
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“Commanche? Is that where you’re to meet Darby?” he asked.
She shrugged as she continued her chore. “I’m not certain. After we parted near Sherman, he was heading for Oklahoma to lay low a while. If he knows about my trouble, he’ll either head for a spot on the Pecos River or the cabin and hope to join up with me there. Since the river comes first on the trail, we’ll check there before heading for Commanche. I’ll draw you a map later.”
T.J. wondered if she was telling the truth, or if she was testing him. If she suspected that he was after Darby and his gang, maybe she figured he would take the map and be done with her, one way or another. “I’ll take the map, Carrie Sue, but we’ll make sure we don’t get separated. It’s too dangerous out there for you alone, and you aren’t familiar with this territory. If you want to call off your search for your brother, I’ll guide you anywhere you want to go. What about it? You want to give a new life another chance? In your place, I would.”
The desperate fugitive considered his answer, and what action he would take if she accepted his offer of escort. If he was after her and/or Darby, once she gave him a map and if he believed it was real, he wouldn’t have any further use for her. If that was his motive, he certainly wasn’t going about obtaining victory in a logical manner!
Carrie Sue didn’t know what to think. If he loved her enough to go to such perilous lengths to help her, why didn’t he want to remain with her, to run away with her? Perhaps he knew she wouldn’t take his advice about escaping, so he was unafraid to use his offer as a clever ruse. And, perhaps he thought he had her in his control and could entrap all of them. “I have to see Darby first. If I can’t persuade him to go straight some place far away, then I’m going to give it one last try. If your offer’s still open after you get rid of Quade Harding, you can guide me some place wonderful and safe.”
T.J. sent her a broad smile, one which brightened his eyes and softened his features, one which looked totally honest and sincere. “That’s a wise choice, woman. I’m proud of you. I give you my word of honor to become your future escort. Just as soon as we finish with Darby and Harding, it’s Montana or wherever you want to go. Who knows, maybe I’ll stick around a while and get you started on this new life, make sure no Ferrises are around. Would that be all right?”
“More than all right, partner. Thanks. Our wonderful meal isn’t going to be so wonderful if we don’t pay attention to it,” she jested.
“I’ll fetch the dishes and drinks, Ma’am,” he said, then bowed comically before doing so.
As she served their plates, he said, “I need to draw you a map of this area and all the way through New Mexico, just in case of trouble. I’ll mark some places and give you some names of friends who might help if anything happens to me. I said, might help, Carrie Sue. I can’t promise anything because of who you are. You understand?”
She looked at him, her gaze wide and her lips parted in surprise. “I understand, and thanks.”
T.J. cunningly added, “Just so you’ll know you can trust me, don’t give me a map so I won’t know where we’re heading. When we get near Darby’s hideout, you can take my weapons and bind my hands.”
This time, total astonishment was exposed in her expression and voice. “That would look as if I don’t trust you at all.”
He shook his head. “Nope, it’ll be the smart and careful thing to do. In your place, I’d do the same. I don’t mind. Just promise me I’ll be safe when we reach him. I wouldn’t want your brother acting like an irate father when he learns about us.”
Carrie Sue laughed. “He won’t. Darby trusts me to make my own decisions. He knows I wouldn’t do anything foolish, and he knows I would die before endangering him. If I take you into his camp, he’ll know you can be trusted.”
T.J. smiled. “Let’s eat before all your work is wasted.”
After they devoured the fish, agava, and Jonnycakes and washed them down with sips of whiskey, they shared the cleanup chores.
T.J. suggested they take a swim before turning in for the night. When she agreed, he walked to the bank, stripped, and dove in. Carrie Sue did the same. They laughed and relaxed as they played chase-and-tag in the cooling water, and shared provocative kisses each time they touched. Their game lasted for over an hour until they were winded, and highly aroused.
T.J. left the water, dried off, and wrapped a blanket around his hips. He sat on a bedroll and leaned his back against a large rock. He watched Carrie Sue leave the water and dry off, delighting in the way the moonlight shimmered over her wet body. After she secured a blanket around her, he enticed, “Come over here and sit with me.”
The redhead eagerly did as he said and sat on the bedroll between his legs. She snuggled against him and sighed peacefully. Her body was turned slightly to the left, one hip resting on the bedroll. Her legs were curved backward to the right and her ankles were crossed. T.J.’s left arm crossed her breasts and lightly captured her right arm near the elbow. Her left shoulder was under his with her fingers curled over his arm. Her weight was partially on his extended left leg, but his right one was raised and lying against her buttocks. His right fingers began to draw little designs on her right shoulder, and he bent his head forward to nuzzle her ear on that side. The position was so comfortable, so intoxicating, so perfectly meshed.
She dreamily entreated, “Tell me more about you, T.J.”
He ceased nibbling on her ear and replied, “Like what? You know about all there is to learn about me.”
She nestled closer to him and stroked the outside of his left thigh with her fingertips. “Like what you’ve been doing since the orphanage and war. Why haven’t you found a place to settle down by now?”
His fingers began to trail up and down her bare arm. “A man like me hasn’t needed a home and, when you travel around all the time, you make few friends. I’ve been a cowhand, a guide, a shotgun messenger, a guard for gold or silver wagons, a trail boss, and lots of other things. I guess I’ve had about every kind of job there is to make a few dollars. Between jobs, I rest and look around, and try to stay out of trouble, which isn’t easy sometimes.”
She laughed. She wondered if there was a special meaning to his words that he hadn’t needed a home, as he hadn’t said doesn’t need. “I’m surprised that a man with your skills and prowess hasn’t become a lawman of some kind. Have they ever approached you about one of their jobs?” She felt him tense, then relax.
He chuckled heartily, his chest movements shaking her lightly. “T.J. Rogue, a lawman? Lordy, woman, what office would trust me that much? Besides, I hear the pay is small and the perils large.”
Although it wasn’t a firm denial, she let it pass. “What about a bounty hunter? You could easily track down the worse criminals and earn big money.”
Scorn filled his tone when he responded, “I feel the same way about bounty hunters as you do. My reputation isn’t the best, woman, but I don’t want it becoming any worse. Bounty hunters can’t be trusted; they’re cold-blooded and greedy. They shoot too many innocent men, or shoot men they could bring in alive. I’ve seen boys who couldn’t be more than fifteen or sixteen strapped over their saddles, or men old enough to be grandfathers many times over with bullets through their heads. Nobody can tell me that’s necessary, just easier for those snakes.”
“What hunger drives you onward the most, T.J.?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, baffled by the deep question.
“Why do you stay in this unrooted and dangerous existence?”
“I don’t know, Carrie Sue, but I will when I find it. I guess I just have a restless nature and I don’t mix too well with regular people.” As she fell silent, T.J. thought about the wires he had sent today. He hoped the President would heed his warnings and requests on the Apaches. He knew he couldn’t risk using his operator key to tap into the telegraph lines again until they reached Deming, and that was a long time to wait to learn if her posters had been recalled by the Texas Rangers. At the same time, he would
discover if the Stover Gang was on the trail again and where they were attacking. At least his office knew he was on the case and all was going as planned with Collins. Joe was to tell the Pima County sheriff of his lethal run-in with Martin Ferris. All of those messages had been sent in code.
T.J. stiffened. His hand covered her mouth and he strained to pick out a certain noise in the rocks to their left. “Stay here behind cover while I check on something,” he whispered. After handing her a revolver, he vanished into the darkness.
He was back soon, grinning and chuckling. “Just a gray fox on the prowl. I scared him off. You ready to turn in?”
Without hesitation, she answered. “Yes.”
“Would you like to sleep with me tonight?” he invited huskily.
“I’d like to sleep with you every night,” came her bold response.
Looking into her moon-lightened face, he said, “Suits me, woman.” T.J. put the two bedrolls together and Carrie Sue lay down. He joined her, and placed a revolver nearby.
Their mouths met in a tender kiss which soon became a series of passionate ones. T.J. deftly loosened the blankets around their bodies, bringing their heated flesh into contact. She closed her eyes as his lips started a fiery trail down her throat, one which eventually covered her entire body. Soon, she irresistibly joined his bold adventures along new paths of lovemaking and she followed his hoarsely spoken instructions with eagerness and ecstatic delight. For hours they made love leisurely, uninhibitedly, blissfully, until they fell asleep cuddled together.
Carrie Sue jerked upwards when a rifle shot abruptly awakened her. She had slept late, as the sun was peeking over the tall peaks to the east. She looked around, but didn’t see her lover. Quickly she wrapped the discarded blanket around her and grabbed her weapons. Then, she saw T.J. weaving through rocks and heading her way, carrying something. “What is it?” she shouted to him.
Kiss Of The Night Wind Page 29