Josie stumbled to remain standing. She clasped her hands together as the rope tying them nearly dropped to the ground. It was best to pretend she was still tied and wait for a chance to make her move.
“Travis, it’s a trap.”
No sooner had she yelled the words, when Travis walked through the trees into camp.
“I already shot two of your men. Let her go. Whatever your business is with me, it has nothing to do with her.”
Travis looked at her. The fear in his eyes was startling. It wasn’t fear for himself, but for her. Josie forced a smile to let him know she was all right.
“Drop your rifle, Wilder, and step away from it.”
The man holding her gave her a quick shove. She tripped and fell to the ground, catching herself with her unbound hands. This was her chance. The outlaw stepped closer to Travis, who dropped his rifle and held his hands out at his sides. Josie’s eyes darted to the other man, who was still by the fire, but his attention and his gun were pointed at Travis.
“I don’t know you. What do you want from me?”
Travis shot a quick look at Josie, who inched toward the dead man close to her. She didn’t even have to reach the horses. She could grab the rifle on the ground. A quick look of understanding passed between her and Travis.
“You hunted down my brother, and turned him over to the army. They hanged him for stealing horses.”
Travis smirked. “The next time I see my brother, Trevor, I’ll tell him what a fine job he’s done working for the army to bring in criminals like your brother.”
The man looked confused for a second, then he leered. “Even if we have the wrong man, your brother killed my brother, so now I’ll take revenge on Trevor Wilder by killing his brother.” He raised his weapon.
Josie sprang to her feet. She grabbed the rifle from the dead man on the ground and aimed.
“Drop your gun. I’ll shoot.”
The last time she’d pointed a weapon at a man, she’d shot him in the leg and he’d died from falling and discharging his own gun. Going hunting for meat was one thing, but pointing a rifle at another person was different. Still, she wouldn’t hesitate to shoot him if necessary.
“She’ll do it, too.” There was a smile on Travis’ face that belied the seriousness of the situation. “She’s the best shot in the mountains, but you don’t have to take my word for it.”
The man holding his gun at Travis glanced at his companion, who seemed undecided about what to do. Unexpectedly, another shot rang through the air, and the man by the fire cried out in pain and dropped his weapon. He glanced at his leader, then ran for his horse.
The man pointing his gun at Travis darted his head around in surprise. Travis lunged for his rifle. Josie fired. Her shot hit where she aimed – at the man’s arm. He cried out and dropped his weapon, then ran after his companion. They both leaped onto their horses and galloped into the trees.
Travis aimed, but didn’t shoot. He wouldn’t shoot someone in the back. A second later, a man broke through the brush and reined his horse to a stop. Travis grinned and held up his hand.
“Guess you still have the eyes of a hawk after all, Keaton.”
After shaking the woodsman’s hand, Travis glanced to where Josie stood. She lowered her rifle, staring at Travis. Her mind was numb while her heart pounded in her chest. Their eyes met, and she moved her legs and ran toward Travis.
In the next instant, she was wrapped in a fierce embrace. She sobbed, clinging to him. He was her strength and the one who never failed to keep her safe.
“I’m going after those two.” Keaton Barlow’s voice was faint, and so was the sound of his horse’s hooves as he galloped after the two outlaws.
Josie glanced up to stare into the warm and loving eyes of Travis Wilder. Despite her tears, she smiled.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Chapter 19
Travis stared into Josie’s tear-filled eyes. His arms had wrapped around her the instant she’d run up to him after those cowards had high-tailed it out of their camp. He maintained a fierce hold around her as his heart drummed against his ribs.
She clung to him as if she would never let him go. How many nights had he lain awake next to her, hoping for just such a moment? Now, however, the circumstances were all wrong.
“I love you, Travis.”
His hand came up to lightly caress the side of her face. His thumb wiped away the moisture on her cheek. Had she really said she loved him, or were the words she’d whispered only wishful thinking?
“Josie, I promised I’d keep you safe, and I–”
She shook her head, smiling up at him. Travis burned the image of her trusting eyes into his mind.
“You’ve kept every promise you made to me, Travis. I was so scared when I thought you were going to walk into a trap.” She sniffed. “I know how impulsive you can be, and on occasion you don’t think before you act.”
Travis grinned, despite the anxious sensations racing through. The thought continued to linger that Josie’s life had been in danger just moments ago . . . or that worse things could have been done to her.
“I think you’re mistaking me for the old Travis, Mrs. Wilder, but perhaps you’re right. Being impulsive might be the one thing you’ll never change about me when it comes to keeping you safe.”
His fingers continued to lightly caress her soft skin along her cheek. She didn’t pull away, nor did her body tense. His arm tightened around her waist to hold her as close to him as possible. The only other time he’d held her in this way had been during the dust storm, but it hadn’t felt quite like this.
He brushed a few strands of hair out of her face and locked his eyes with hers. After what had happened here today, there wasn’t another second to lose. It was time to tell her.
“Josie, I meant every word I said to you the night I was drunk. Don’t ask me how it happened, but I am in love with you, and that feeling is only growing stronger every day. I should have told you sooner, but I was trying to show you the respect you deserve.”
Her forehead scrunched slightly. “Respect?”
He chuckled. “All right. Maybe I’ve been a coward, and I was afraid you’d tell me you don’t feel the same.”
“I’ve been afraid, too. I wanted to believe that you meant the words you said when you were drunk, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. You’ve always been so strongly opposed to the notion of marriage.”
Travis tilted his head. “So have you.” He hesitated. “Are you saying you’ve changed your mind? You don’t mind being married to me?”
He held his breath, waiting for her answer. Slowly, she nodded, and a mischievous smile chased away the uncertainty in her eyes.
“Being married to you hasn’t been so bad.” She dropped her gaze momentarily, then raised her chin to look him squarely in the eyes. Her chest heaved slightly as she drew in a breath.
“I like it when you hold my hand. I liked it when you kissed me on our wedding day, and . . . again when you kissed me this morning.”
His heart threatened to explode in his chest. Travis leaned forward. His hand cupped the back of her head, letting his fingers weave through her hair.
“I’d like us to share a real kiss, Josie,” he murmured, bringing his face closer to her cheek. “I would like us to kiss like a married couple who love each other would kiss.”
For a split second, she tensed, but then her body relaxed against his.
“I’d like that, too.”
Her lips parted, and he needed no further invitation. Travis lowered his head. He hesitated as he’d done on their wedding day, then brushed his lips against hers. This would not be the quick kiss he’d stolen during an impulsive moment this morning, or with uncertainty while dozens of people looked on. This time, he was kissing his wife for the first time to show her that he loved her.
His other hand released her waist and cupped her other cheek, cradling her face between his palms. Josie raised her chin to meet his kiss. His lips
pressed more firmly to hers, deepening the contact. Josie’s arms tightened around his neck, and she rose onto her toes.
Encouraged that she didn’t pull away – quite the opposite – Travis held her to him while his lips touched and tasted hers. The dream he’d had this morning nagged somewhere in the back of his mind, but there was no indication from Josie that she was about to tell him to stop and run away.
When he ran out of air, he eased away from her and drew in a deep breath. Josie’s chest rose and fell against his. She opened her eyes and returned the smile on his face.
Travis lowered his head again and kissed her for a second time. He could stand here among this grove of trees all day, holding his wife and exploring this new closeness with her, but this wasn’t the best place to remain. Certainly not with what had happened here moments ago. There was also a dead man lying a short distance away that altered the mood.
As if she’d read his mind, Josie glanced in the direction of the man he’d shot. Travis squeezed her arm.
“Keaton will send someone from the fort to pick up the body. I’m sure by now he’s caught the other two. They’ll face what’s coming to them from the army.”
“They shot Anthony.”
Travis pulled her back into his arms. “I’ll have to thank him when we get back for trying to protect you.”
Her eyes widened. “He’s alive?”
“I don’t know, Josie. I’m almost certain he was alive when I left to come find you. I didn’t stay to find out how badly he was injured. I was more concerned about finding you. I know someone sent for a doctor, probably the fort surgeon. He’s in the best hands.”
She seemed to accept his answer with a nod. For weeks, he’d been jealous of Anthony Hammond, thinking he had romantic intentions with Josie. Now, he owed the man his deepest gratitude for his heroic attempt to save her.
“Should we head back to Fort Laramie?” Josie’s question was hesitant, but Travis read in her eyes what she didn’t ask out loud.
“I left my horse tied a short distance from here. How about we find a secluded place for us and set up camp for the night? I think it’s about time you and I had an adventure in the woods together, just the two of us.”
He grinned, waiting for her reaction. To keep the mood light, he added, “I’m sorry I don’t have Ada and Loretta’s tent with me, but the bedroll on my saddle should keep us plenty warm.”
Josie unwound her arms from around his neck.
“I’d like that.”
There was a slight uncertainty to her response. She stepped away from him, but Travis reached for her hand and pulled her to him.
“Nothing’s gonna happen between us that you don’t want to have happen.”
Her eyes were on him. She lifted her chin, as well as her shoulders. “I think an adventure in the woods sounds like a fine idea.”
“I think this is even better than a tent.”
Travis had his arms crossed over his chest and assessed his handy-work with a pleased look. Josie stepped up to him and placed her hand on his arm. She nodded in agreement.
“I think so, too.”
After leaving the scene where they’d left the dead outlaw, Travis had brought her to a secluded clearing, which was heavily wooded on all sides. A small creek gurgled through the grass. They had struck up a friendly competition to hunt for food. Josie had shot a couple of birds while Travis had brought down one. The old Travis would have thrown a tantrum or pouted if she’d out-shot him. This time, it seemed likely he may have let her win.
He’d collected deadfall and erected a lean-to, covering it with branches and grass while Josie had started a fire then cleaned and skewered the birds to cook.
“The meat’s nearly done,” she whispered.
When he turned his gaze on her, she smiled. Travis concealed his nervousness well, but he couldn’t hide it completely. He’d been walking on eggshells around her since their wedding, because he thought he’d scare her if he told her how he truly felt.
Was she apprehensive about being alone with him? There was no denying it. A man had stolen her innocence in a violent act, and the memories of that horrific act had ruled her life for years. It was time to trust again, especially the man who’d done nothing but make her feel safe and protected.
Leaving Harley’s Hole had been a huge leap for her. Since then, she’d survived snakes, dust storms, and outlaws. Along the way, she’d fallen in love. Spending the night completely alone with Travis was her final hurdle to rid herself of the past, and to show him that she was ready to be his wife in all ways.
“Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Josie smiled up into the loving eyes of the man she now called her husband. How had it even happened that she’d fallen in love with him?
“You’re always starving, Travis Wilder.”
His eyes darkened, and he pulled her into his arms. Lowering his head, he whispered against her ear, “But my tastes have changed.”
A shudder passed through her at his words and their implication, and it made her heart skip, but it was a feeling of excitement rather than fear. Travis pressed a quick kiss to her lips, then took her hand and led her to the campfire.
“We’d better eat before these birds turn to charcoal.”
Sitting on the ground, he tugged on her hand and she eased down beside him. He divided the meat, and they ate in silence. Travis leaned toward her and swiped his thumb along the side of her mouth. Their eyes met, then he moved closer and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He smiled as he eased away.
"You had a little drip of grease on your chin.”
Josie wiped at her chin, even though Travis had already done so. She stared into the flames as darkness descended on the forest. Crickets chirped louder, and an owl hooted somewhere nearby. With the setting of the sun, the air around her cooled, and she shivered. Travis must have seen or felt it. He inched closer and wrapped his arm around her after tossing more wood on the fire.
Josie leaned her head on his shoulder. There wasn’t any other time in her life that she could recall feeling so safe and cared for, except perhaps the time Travis had protected her from the dust storm. This time, it was different. They were now married and their feelings for each other were out in the open. She glanced up at him when his hold around her tightened.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life as I was today when those bastards took you. I thought I was going to lose you.”
“I was scared of losing you, too, when you walked into that camp. I was sure that man was going to shoot you on the spot.”
Travis kissed the top of her head. “You’re the bravest woman I know, Josie. If you hadn’t freed yourself and grabbed that shotgun, we both might be dead. I owe you my life.”
She smiled while glancing up into the shadows of his face. “I think we’ve saved each other.”
He lowered his head. Their eyes met through the darkness, and undeniable love burned in his gaze, smoldering in the reflection of the flames from the campfire.
“You and I have had our differences, but we’ve been through a lot together. I’m glad we both came on this journey.” He chuckled. “I’d still be the same bullheaded man I was at Harley’s Hole. My eyes have been opened to what I would have missed.”
“This journey’s given me a lot of confidence. I was missing out on things, too. I realized that I allowed past fears to keep me from living a full life. You taught me how to love and trust a man, Travis.”
Josie hesitated. She raised her hand to place on his chest. “I may not be completely over my fears of years past, but at least now I can move forward.”
Travis caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Help me understand, Josie. I know some lowlife put you through hell, and I feel helpless about that.”
Josie smiled. “That’s exactly how I’ve felt all these year – helpless, because he made me feel helpless with what he did to me. I’ve become fearful around strangers and even friends because of it, but my eyes have been opened.
” She paused, reaching her hand up to touch his face. “I know that being with you will be nothing like what that bastard did to me.”
Travis turned slightly and pulled her fully into his arms. He lowered his head and kissed her. His hand at the back of her head held her to him, and Josie wrapped her arms around his neck. Her heart sped up with anticipation.
She was with Travis, and he wouldn’t hurt her. He held her as if she was a rare prize that might break, and his touch sent warm ripples of longing and desire for something more through her.
His body shifted, and he leaned over her, easing her onto the ground. He hesitated in a clear attempt to make sure nothing caused her discomfort.
Josie’s hold around Travis’ neck tightened. He moved over her, touching, feeling, and caressing as he kissed her lips, her cheek, and her neck.
His hands were like a gentle stream of warm water, surrounding her with surprising pleasant sensations that blocked out the horrors of her past. She must have tensed at some point, for Travis eased away from her. He rolled onto his back and tugged her along with him so that she was on top of him.
Josie panted, staring down into his eyes for reassurance. He smiled. His hand came up to caress her cheek. He raised his head to kiss her, then eased back to the ground.
“You’re in control, Josie. You take the lead.”
Unsure of what to do, Josie lowered her head. She pressed her lips to his while trying to brace her weight with her hands on either side of him.
Travis slid his hands up and down her back, and they eventually found their way under her shirt. His calloused palms against her bare skin sent renewed shivers of delight through her. He sat up, bringing her up with him, and Josie wrapped her arms around his back, working her hands under his shirt to mimick his actions.
“How does that feel?” she teased.
“You can touch me like this forever,” he murmured against her cheek.
His response gave her the courage she needed to continue. Slowly and with tender caresses, Travis helped her out of her shirt and britches, and she did the same for him. Lying skin to skin, she was in control as he’d promised. Entwined with the man she loved, Josie closed the door on her past.
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