Loving Katherine

by Carolyn Davidson

  Then he turned to the woman who watched his every move. His hands tucked into the front pockets of his pants, he approached her. “Couldn’t stay away from me?” His brow was still furrowed, his chest was a bed of curling dark hair, and his pants rode low on his hips, leaving him exposed to below his belly button.

  It was there her eyes focused. A drop of sweat perched on the edge of that small indentation, and, defying the force of gravity, it hung, swaying as he walked. She felt her tongue thicken in her mouth and her eyes grow heavy-lidded, as if they were too weary to open fully. But there was no need. He stood before her, within reach, and she lifted a trembling finger to trace the line of sweat that flowed from his throat to the middle of his chest, where it was lost in the dark curls. From there it once more slid in small, round drops to pool in the sensitive spot she’d come to appreciate with intimate knowledge.

  Her voice was thick with an emotion he tried to recognize. She was enthralled with his belly for some reason, but there was something else about her, some sense of apprehension perhaps, that coated her throat and made her words slow and her tones deepen.

  “Kate? What is it? What’s got you upset?” His hands reached for her, cupping her shoulders, drawing her against him, his head dipping to nuzzle the lilac scent of her damp hair. He looked over her head, eyes seeking movement behind her, aware of the tensed muscles beneath his fingers.

  “What happened? Did you get scared? Was somebody after you?” His questions shot at her rapidly as he held her closer, and he felt the quick shake of her head against his flesh.

  “No…nothing, Roan. I just needed to come find you. I don’t know why. I was sitting there in that tub, enjoying the warm water, and I decided I should have gone with you.” She lifted her head to look into his eyes and the sense of apprehension eased at the tenderness of his gaze. Shaking her head again, she attempted a grin.

  “Maybe you’re right. I just couldn’t stay away from you.”

  “Somethin’ scared you, Kate. You were almost quiverin’ under my hands for a minute there.”

  “There was a man in a wagon watching you,” she said unsteadily. “He left when he saw me riding from town, pulled off the road up ahead.”

  “Where?” Roan set her aside and stalked through the stand of trees to look into the distance. She followed quickly, trotting at his side.

  “I don’t see him now. Oh—” She pointed at the scattered buildings of the town to the north. “Maybe that’s him, there near the livery stable. I can’t make out from here if it’s the same horse or not.”

  Roan shrugged. “Don’t matter much now, anyway. He’s too far away to tell. Probably just caught sight of the horses and stopped to watch.” His mouth was tight, his eyes dark as he turned abruptly from her and strode back to where the string of horses cropped grass, tails swishing and ears twitching.

  “Damn,” he muttered beneath his breath.

  She hurried to join him. “Roan? What do you think? Why would somebody sit the other side of those trees and watch you? Maybe it isn’t the same man,” she said soothingly. She waved her hand in the distance. “He’s probably long gone, on his way home.”

  “Yeah.” He unsnapped the lead for the black filly and led her into the clearing, loosening the rope from his hand as he turned, allowing the animal to trot and then lope in a circle around him. The mare shivered in the sunlight, the ripples in her gleaming coat catching his eye. He smiled in pleasure at the grace of her posturing as she lifted her head and nickered softly.

  “You don’t name your horses, do you, Kate?”

  She looked at him in surprise. “No, I don’t suppose I do. Not the ones I know I can’t keep forever.”

  “You’re gonna keep this one, honey. You’d better come up with a name for her.” His hands were deft on the lead rope, wrapping it around his palm and turning with the horse in a slow circle as she slowed her pace and approached him warily, tossing her head as he tugged gently on the rope.

  “I’ll keep her if I can afford to,” Katherine said quietly. “I may have to sell her one of these days, if my money doesn’t hold out.” She watched as he stroked the mare’s gleaming coat, his hands firm but gentle against the slope of her head.

  “You’ll never have to sell her, Katherine. I’ll see to that,” he told her gruffly, leading the horse to the line and clipping her lead once more in place. The animal lifted her head and snorted once, tossing her mane, testing the rope that held her. “She’s a beauty, all right,” he said softly, watching as the mare ducked her nose into the verdant grasses beneath her feet.

  “Do we need to get back to the boat?”

  “Soon as I let Mama here kick her heels a bit,” he said over his shoulder, leading the chestnut mare into the clearing. Once more he went through the same routine, giving the mare her head, turning in a slow circle while she set her own pace. Stretching her long legs into a trot, then a lope, she tucked her head down as her muscles bunched with the quicker gait.

  Katherine’s lips curved. “Mama.” Her eyes were misty as she considered the man who exercised her mare with gentle care. His voice lifted and fell as he spoke to the chestnut mare, nonsense words, cajoling her, urging her.

  “All right, that’s enough for now, girl,” he said finally, pulling her gradually to his side, walking with her, one hand under her jaw as he spoke his praise. Gathering up the long line, he untied it from the trees and led the string of horses to where Katherine waited.

  “Here you go, Mrs. Devereaux. Time to get back to the boat before the captain decides to leave without us.” Katherine reached for the line and held it, the horses herding together in front of her, her eyes filled with the gleaming beauty of her babies.

  “I don’ t want to ever sell any of them, Roan,” she said softly, aware he could not hear her halfway across the clearing, intent on fetching his own mare.

  “Let me take them, Kate.” Reaching down from his seat, Roan eased the rope from her fingers and nudged his mare into a trot The yearlings and mares strung out behind him, and he watched with careful eyes as Katherine once more hoisted herself atop her own mount. She bent forward and scooped up the reins, and the mare plodded into motion, bringing up the rear of the train of horses.

  “I owe the boy at the livery stable a quarter,” she called out as Roan left the trees and turned toward the small settlement.

  “What’d he do? Keep your boots as ransom?” His eyes flicked to her bare feet, hanging down the round sides of the nondescript mare she rode.

  “Yes! Matter of fact, he did.” Her grin was wide, the sight of Roan with her babies in tow bringing a quick sense of contentment to her troubled mind. His answering smile reassured her.

  “I’ll settle your debt, Kate. Never fear.” But the wary look in his eyes belied the teasing note in his voice, and his gaze was vigilant as they approached the town.

  “Slide down off that horse,” he told her, halting in front of the livery stable. The young boy came into the sunlight, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the noonday sun.

  “Brought him back, did you?” he asked with a shy grin, once more taken with the slender woman who rode with a skill he couldn’t help but admire.

  Katherine nodded. “Where’d you put my boots?’

  His hand waved at the doorway. “Right inside. I’ll get them for you, ma’am.”

  Roan flipped a quarter at the youth. “Here’s for the use of the mare.” The lad caught it midair and nodded his head, then turned to deliver Katherine’s boots to her. His appreciative look at her posture as she slid her feet into them did not go unnoticed, and Roan’s voice was gruff as he called her name.

  “Katherine. Give me your hand.” Reaching to her, he lifted her easily to sit across his lap, and his heels pressed against his mare as they headed for the boat.

  “Did you see anyone?” Her words were quiet, her eyes scanning the area they passed.

  “No.” One word, spoken abruptly. But his tension was apparent as his arm tight
ened around her.

  “You’re squeezing me.” She wiggled beneath his touch.

  “Hold still, Mrs. Devereaux. I’ve got the right to hang on to you. I’ve got a notion we came up lucky this morning. I won’t be so careless next time. You can mark my words.”

  “You really think-”

  He shook his head, and she felt the movement above her own. “I don’t know. Just a feeling, I guess. At any rate, I’ll keep a sharp eye out.”

  The water was cool, and a faint scum rode the surface, but Roan stepped into the tub with a sigh of contentment. “Get me a bucket of hot water sent up, will you, Kate?” he asked, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the curved edge of the tub.

  She eyed him doubtfully. His knees were drawn up and his greater size had raised the water level past his waist. “I don’t know if you have room in there for a bucketful, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  There was plenty of room, she found out as she poured the hot water down at the foot end of the short tub a few minutes later. Returning the bucket to the deckhand waiting outside the cabin, she smiled her thanks and closed the door. Roan groaned his pleasure as the water rose to cover most of his chest, bending to allow his arms and hands to loll in the depths.

  “I’ll wash my feet in there when you get finished.” Katherine watched from the edge of the bunk, then with a quick movement snatched up the cloth she’d used and approached with soap in hand. “I’ll scrub your back for you,” she offered, kneeling by the tub and sudsing the cloth.

  “You’ll make me smell like a damn flower garden.” He grumbled the words in a token act of resistance, but his head bent and his shoulders hunched as she scrubbed at the long line of his spine. “I’ll give you about fifteen minutes to quit that,” he muttered darkly, enjoying the rough cloth and the strong strokes she employed as she rubbed at his muscled back.

  “Sit up and I’ll do your front, too.” Her voice was coaxing and he glanced at her.

  “If you think for one minute I’m gonna turn down that offer, you’ve sure got another think comin’,” he told her bluntly. Straightening his spine, he shifted in the short tub, leaning back once more to rest his head on the edge, his chest half-exposed, the rest of him hidden in the clouded water.

  “Have at it, lady.” It was a growling invitation and she dropped a quick kiss on his parted lips as her hands dipped into the water and began their chore.

  “It’s almost time for dinner, you know,” she teased, her fingers pressing his flesh through the cloth.

  “Yeah? Well, they’ll save us some. You’ve got fifteen minutes to get me clean, sweetheart. Think you can manage?”

  Her cheeks were rosy as she bent to her task. “I’m new at this.” Her tongue was tucked to one side, just the tip showing between her lips as she concentrated on the territory her hands explored.

  His sigh was pure contentment as he tilted his head back farther and his eyes closed, concentrating on the pleasure of her touch. “Ah, but you’re a fast learner, Katie girl. I’ve got faith in you, sweetheart.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Katherine’s blue dress gleamed like a jewel amid the dark animals. She was quiet, her murmurs barely audible to the man who watched. As she moved slowly from one to another, her hands and voice paid homage to the mares and yearlings at the stern of the paddle wheeler. The tall black mare drew her attention finally, and she nuzzled her face against the long jaw of the animal.

  “You’re probably going to drop a foal next year, baby,” she whispered. Her hands were firm against the dark coat of the mare, fingers pressing, scratching a bit, delivering their message of affection. Ears twitching almost in time with Katherine’s soft crooning, the horse pressed against the woman as if she sought the connection, and relished it.

  “Roan’s right, you know. You’re plenty old enough to be bred. You’ve got lots of space to carry a foal. And that big old stud was a dandy, you’ll have to admit.” Katherine chuckled to herself, remembering the virile beauty of the stallion. “Sort of overwhelmed you, didn’t he?”

  “Nice bunch of horses you got, Mrs. Devereaux.”

  From behind her, the voice was low and rusty, its owner a lengthening shadow against the straw that littered the deck where she stood. Katherine’s breath caught in her throat as a chill made its way down her spine. Her eyes widening, she watched as the sunlight turned to shade at her feet and the shadow crept closer.

  She turned, her hand still curved under the jaw of the horse, intent on facing the intruder. He was close, a couple of yards away, near enough for her to smell the unwashed garments he wore, close enough for her to see the grizzly whiskers covering his dark skin.

  “What do you want?” She held her ground, unwilling to give way to the sudden shaft of fear piercing her chest. Where was Roan? He’d stopped to talk to the captain after breakfast. Surely he’d be along any minute.

  “Just takin’ a look at those horses of yours, ma’am.” His words were slow, exaggerated, almost as if he would pacify her, calm her apprehension.

  It didn’t work. “I don’t want anyone near my animals. Kindly get out of my way.” Katherine was proud of the firm, unwavering tone she’d managed. Chin jutting forward, she waved her hand imperiously, as if she would usher the intruder from her presence.

  “My, ain’t you the fancy piece in your new getup.” With a sneer, he stepped a bit closer. “You didn’t look near so ladylike first time I saw you, ma’am. Layin’ there with that man of yours all tucked around you. Still don’t think it was fair that the rest of us didn’t get some of that cuddlin’ you looked to be so good at.”

  “Who are you?” Katherine’s words were a frozen whisper as she peered with narrowed eyes at the dirty-faced intruder.

  “You owe me, lady,” he snarled. “Reckon I’ll get the pleasure of your company long enough to get me a taste of your—”

  “You filthy scum!” Katherine’s mouth curled in disgust and her fingers drew into fists.

  “Shut up! Yer too mouthy by a long shot.” He stepped closer, and his big fist moved swiftly to fasten in the front of her dress, causing the seams to give way with the force of his grip.

  “Roan!”

  “Won’t do no good to holler for yer man, honey. He’s up top, talkin’ to the captain. Can’t hear you over the engines no way.” His free hand settled with force over her mouth, and he dug his fingers into her cheek.

  Katherine’s stomach churned at the smell of his unwashed flesh beneath her nose, and she shuddered as she recognized the press of his knuckles against her breast. Where are you, Roan?

  They’re puttin’ that gangplank down any minute now, lady. And then you and me are takin’ this string of horses to shore, and we’re gonna ride off.” He shook her, his fingers tearing the fine material of her dress. “Got that?”

  She shook her head, no easy task with his hand gripping her so tightly, twisting her face with his grimy fingers.

  “If he comes a-lookin’ for you, I’ll put a bullet in him.”

  The words were enough to still her struggle. Roan wouldn’t be expecting an ambush. Her mind searched frantically. Had he worn his gun this morning? She couldn’t remember…she couldn’t remember! Inhaling through flared nostrils, she swallowed hard against the sour bile roiling up from her stomach.

  “That’s better, lady.” His fingers relaxed against her breast, and he shoved her backward till she thumped against the far wall of the stall. He slipped his hand to his side, and a gun gleamed dully in his fist. “Put a bridle on this horse.”

  It was an order. She recognized the futility of arguing and reached for the leather straps and bit she’d only recently begun to use with the black mare. Unused to a rider, barely acquainted with a saddle, the horse would never accept his weight—and Katherine knew it. Her hands shook as she lowered the bridle over the gleaming head, the horse shifting nervously as she scented the unease of her owner.

  “It’s all right, girl.” Her whisper was meant to reassure,
and it did the job. The black mare nickered softly and swished her tail, stretching her neck as she felt the bit against her mouth.

  The man nudged Katherine with the barrel of his gun. “Get over there.” He pointed to the next mare, Katherine’s own chestnut beauty. “Bridle that one, too.” His words were harsh, his eyes furtive as he scanned the area.

  Yesterday, there had been several passengers around every time Katherine or Roan had come down to check on the animals. This morning, the stern was deserted. Probably everyone was getting ready to go ashore. It would be only a short stay, not long enough to take the animals off the boat to exercise them, Roan had said at breakfast.

  Katherine’s hands moved slowly, fitting the bridle over her mare’s ears, snapping it into place with as little speed as she could manage. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the revolver once more, its barrel pointed in her direction. At all costs, she must keep it from aiming at Roan. To that end, she’d cooperate with this outlaw for now.

  “Now what?” she asked quietly, holding the reins in one hand, turning back to face the stranger.

  “I’ve been followin’ you, Mrs. Devereaux. Picked up your trail just before you got to St. Maria. Been watchin’ you and yer man.”

  His whining words of accomplishment rang a bell in her memory. Katherine shook her head, angry at her own blindness. “You were on the wagon yesterday. You’re the one who got away.”

  His grin was evil, his teeth discolored and crooked. “Old Cass turned traitor ‘cause of you, lady. Don’t know how you managed it, but you sure got him wrapped around your finger in a hurry, didn’t you.” His mouth drew back in a feral grin. “Too bad I don’t have time to sample some of what you handed out to him. Musta been good to set him against the gang fer you.”

  “He was my brother.” She whispered the words. Her face pale in the dim light, she gritted her teeth against the pain of her loss. “He was my brother.” Quick tears washed her eyes. Unwanted, they blurred her vision, and she shook her head to dispel the effect.