by Bobbi Smith
"Well, what do you think?" she asked anxiously. She had expected Gabe to be as excited as she was at the news, but instead of exciting, the look on his face was almost frightening. She was suddenly uneasy. "Gabe? What's wrong?"
"Where did Ben learn all this?" he demanded in a low, strained voice as he pinned her with an icy glare. He realized then that the door was still standing open, and he reached over to push it shut behind them.
Elise looked from Gabe to the closed door and back. She had a sudden sense of foreboding. "According to his telegram, he overheard two saloon girls talking about Jackson here in Canyon Creek in the Mother Lode. The one was named Sissy. That's why I followed you here. I thought I could go to the saloon and talk to her. Maybe she could help me find Sheriff Jackson, and I could get an interview with him. An interview with Sheriff Jackson would be big, Gabe, real big-"
"How many of these did you print?" he asked tersely, cutting her off.
"Andy and I got out over two hundred," she said tentatively.
Gabe swore violently under his breath, his expression turning even more thunderous. "Damn it, woman!"
She blinked, completely shocked by this reaction from him. "What is it? What's wrong? We thought you'd be pleased."
It was then that she glanced around the room for the first time and saw his gun and holster on the chair and a rifle leaning against the wall next to it. It struck her as unusual that Gabe would have come to Canyon Creek to do interviews so well armed.
"Pleased?" he ground out. "I should be pleased when you've just ruined everything?"
"How did I ruin anything? I just printed the truth," she said, confused.
It was then that she saw his saddlebags on the floor in the corner. Hand-tooled on the leather flap were the initials TJ.
Elise stared at them for a minute as everything finally came together for her. Gabe practicing his quick draw-the bullet wounds on his back-saving her from Farnsworth and from Boyd-and now his barely controlled fury.
She didn't say a word, but walked straight to the saddlebags and picked them up.
"T J?" she said softly, staring down at the saddlebags.
Elise couldn't stop herself. The reporter in her had to know the truth. Opening one flap, she reached in and took out an item wrapped in a handkerchief. She glanced back at Gabe to find him watching her, his gaze searingly intent upon her. She unfolded the handkerchief and stared down at the sheriff's star she held in her hand.
"Oh, God-it's you," she breathed in a strangled voice. She lifted her gaze to stare straight at Gabe. Her eyes were wide in astonishment. "You're Trace Jackson."
Trace grimaced, knowing there was no more denying it. "You're damned right I am, and you can't imagine what damage you just did by publishing this!"
"I didn't know-"
He threw the paper down in disgust and took off the glasses, tossing them carelessly onto the nearby table. "Harris thought I was dead! I was going to go after him as soon as I had my strength back."
Elise stared at him with new understanding. All the mysteries of "Gabe" now made sense to her, and he transformed himself right before her very eyes. No longer did he seem retiring or bookish. Trace Jackson was every inch the man she'd thought him to be. He stood before her, tall and darkly handsome, filling her whole world, radiating power and command.
Gabe was Trace!
Elise's heartbeat quickened as the truth sank fully into her consciousness. The honorable lawman whose death she'd mourned was really alive and standing right here before her. Why hadn't she realized it sooner? Why had she been so blind to the truth about Gabe? She laid the saddlebags and star aside and went to him.
"What happened to you and the posse?"
"Harris caught us on a mountain trail. We didn't stand a chance," he told her, his voice tight with emotion.
"How did you make it through the ambush? All the reports I got said that you'd been killed."
"I wanted it that way. A miner named Gibby saved me. I'd been shot three times. How I lived through that, I'll never know. Gibby nursed me back. He wanted to let the people in town know that I had survived, but I told him to tell everybody that we had all been killed. I wanted to have an edge on Harris. I wanted to surprise him." Trace smiled a cold, deadly smile. "I was going to enjoy seeing the look on his face when I finally caught up with him."
"I'm sorry."
"So am I."
"You'll still catch him. I know you will," she said with confidence.
"I'm planning on it," he said fiercely.
"Gabe-er, Trace-if the miner was the only person who knew you were alive, how did the saloon girl here in Canyon Creek find out? Would he have told her?"
"I don't think it was Gibby, but I'm going to find out before I leave. There was one other person who knew I was alive, and that was Will Campbell, the man who took my place as sheriff in Eagle Pass. He was one of my best deputies. He was the only one I've talked to besides Gibby since the ambush."
"But why would he have talked about you to a saloon girl?"
"I don't know. That's what's troubling me. Will gave me his word that he'd keep quiet about it. He wants Harris brought in as badly as I do."
"We've got to find out who revealed your secret."
"You go on back to Durango in the morning. I'll talk to the saloon girl and see what I can find out."
"No, I want to stay here with you and find out who betrayed you."
"It doesn't really matter who did it, although I do want to know. What's really important is that the truth is out, and once Harris hears that I'm alive, he'll be looking for me."
"Is there any way for you to track them down now?"
"I talked to the sheriff earlier, before you got here. He said they'd followed their trail for almost two days, but lost it after it was washed out in a bad storm."
"So there's no way for you to go after them now?"
"No. Not until I hear that they've struck again."
Elise was actually relieved at this news. She didn't want Trace to ride out after the gang. She feared that if he did, she would never see him again. He had become a big part of her life. Even as Gabe, she'd been fighting her attraction to him. He had drawn her to him with his kisses and his fierce protection, and now to discover that he was Trace Jackson...
"We could find some way to work together to find them," she offered, wanting to do anything she could to help.
"Why? Because it's such a good story, and you'll sell a lot of papers reporting on it?"
"No. Because you matter-to me." She went to him and, unable to stop herself, reached out to touch his arm. The warm, solid strength of him sent a shiver of awareness through her.
"You don't even know me," Trace said seriously, trying to ignore the feelings that her simple touch generated within him. "You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, yes, I do," Elise said softly, looking up at him, her eyes filled with all the wonder of the emotions she was experiencing. "I know that you saved me from Farnsworth and from Boyd-and you saved me from myself."
Elise couldn't resist. She rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. She wanted Trace to know everything she was feeling in her heart. She knew this was dangerous. She knew she shouldn't be kissing him, but she didn't care.
For an instant, Trace met her in that kiss. He wanted to kiss her. Lord knew he did. He hadn't stopped wanting her since that night at her house, but he wasn't going to let it happennot here, not now. With sill the inner strength he could muster, he took her by the wrist and put her from him.
"No, Elise." He was firm as he fought down his own desire for her.
"But Trace-" She said his name in a soft voice, loving the sound of it.
He stifled a groan at her unknowingly seductive ploy. "You need to go back to Durango."
"And you need to go with me. Durango is your home now, too. It's where you belong."
Brazenly ignoring the way he was holding himself away from her, she went to him.
"Kiss me, Trace."
Trace stared down at her, seeing how beautiful and trusting she was. She stirred emotions in him he'd never known before. She always had, even from their very first encounter. He remembered how worried he'd been the first day he met her that Farnsworth might harm her, and then at the High Time, he'd been furious at the sight of Boyd's hands on her.
He loved her.
The realization came to Trace, amazing him in its simplicity-and its complexity. Ever since she'd thrown herself into his arms at the stage depot wearing her wedding gown, he had known she was special. Elise was innocence and beauty. She was everything that was missing in his life.
Trace knew, though, that he had no life, no future. Harris wanted him dead. Even as he told himself to stay away from Elise, he was unable to deny himself that which he wanted most. He bent to her and claimed her lips in a searing kiss.
Elise gave a throaty purr as his mouth moved over hers and his arms came around her, crushing her against him. She responded to him as a blossom to the sun, fully and openly. Looping her arms around his neck, she reveled in his nearness. She had been drawn to Gabe, but now she understood the truth. Her instincts had known that beneath his glasses and without the bow ties, Gabe had been as strong as any man. And he was. He was Trace-the man she'd always admired even without knowing him. He was honorable, and dedicated, and courageous.
And she loved him.
The truth did not surprise her. Her emotions where he was concerned had always been volatile and now she understood why.
"I love you, Trace," she whispered when they finally broke apart.
He gazed down at her, seeing the truth of her devotion in her eyes, and he kissed her gently. "I love you, too."
They stared at each other in silent awe.
"You'd better go back to your room now," he said, trying to be strong. Until he was through with the Harris gang, he could make no lasting promises or commitments. He wanted her, but he loved her enough to deny himself.
"Trace?" Elise looked up at him, hurt by his apparent rejection.
"It's best that you leave now, Elise."
"You don't want me?" She wanted to be with him. She wanted to love him. She knew she shouldn't, but it felt so right being in his arms, kissing him.
He gave a low laugh that was half a groan. "I want you very much, but I love you. I don't want to hurt you, and I'm afraid that's what might happen if I don't send you away."
"I want to stay with you, Trace." Her voice was a gentle whisper.
He closed his eyes, trying to find the strength to turn her away. "But I can't promise you a future, Elise."
"I only want what you can give me now- here-tonight," she said softly, lifting one hand to caress his cheek. "I want to love you, Trace."
He turned his head to press a kiss to her palm. Her touch was a balm to his tortured soul. He had been alone for so long, but in her arms he knew he could find peace for at least a little while.
Logic told Trace to send her away, to save her from the torment the future might hold for both of them, but his heart refused to listen.
"Ah, Elise," he groaned. Then he cast all can tion to the wind as he gathered her near.
Trace held her to his heart, cherishing her nearness. He had come to Canyon Creek to escape his feelings for her. He had thought that if he put distance between them, he would be able to forget her and concentrate on the Harris gang. But she'd followed him and captured him with her innocence and excitement. She was everything he'd ever wanted in a womanshe was intelligent and beautiful, and he never wanted to let her go.
Without another word, Trace lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He lowered her upon its welcoming softness, then left her for a moment to lock the door. They would be safe now. This would be their haven from reality. This would be their time to love and be loved, until the dangers that they faced beyond the door forced them apart.
Elise watched Trace and smiled as he returned to her side. She lifted her arms in welcome to him, and he went to her without reservation. He covered her body with his, searing her with the heat of his need. She gasped at the contact, thrilling at having him so close.
His mouth covered hers, tasting of her sweetness, parting her lips to delve within. Hungry for him, she met him in that exchange. When his lips left hers to seek out the sweetness of her throat, she arched toward him as delight coursed through her.
Trace began to caress her, his hands skimming over her slender curves until she was moving restlessly beneath him, urging him on in her innocence. He drew back to shed his shirt, then reached out to unfasten the buttons at her bodice.
Elise helped him, eager to be rid of any barriers between them. She remembered all too well the glory of his caress, and she longed to feel him touching her again. His touch was heavenly, and she knew she would never have enough of him. When Trace helped her slip out of her dress, she finally lay before him clad only in her chemise. She felt a bit shy, until he came to her and kissed her.
As their lips met, all thoughts of shyness were banished. This was Trace. He loved her.
Elise offered herself up to his loving expertise. She reveled in his kisses and caresses, learning from his touch, becoming brave enough to caress him in return. At first, her touch was tentative. She stroked his back, her hands gliding over him, sculpting his muscles, thrilling at the hard heat of him. He stiffened as her hands moved over him, and she immediately stopped, fearful that she might somehow have injured him.
"Did I hurt you?" she asked worriedly.
He gave a low laugh as he pressed a kiss to her throat. "No, darling, you didn't hurt mefar from it. Don't stop."
Emboldened by his response, she began to caress him again, exploring his chest and back even more brazenly. She loved the feel of his hard-muscled body beneath her hands. She trailed her fingers along the waistband of his pants and smiled to herself at the way he tensed at her exploration.
Hungry for more of her, Trace brushed the straps of her chemise from her shoulders and bared her breasts to his kisses. She was as beautiful as he remembered, and he pressed heated caresses to that tender flesh.
At the feel of his lips upon her, Elise was lost. Caught up in his lovemaking, she became only a creature of the flesh, ruled by the fire he'd created within her. She clung to him, wanting to know more, needing to know more. A great emptiness filled her and drove her to move her hips against his. Elise knew only Trace could ease the ache that throbbed deep within the womanly heart of her. When he stripped away the chemise and she lay unclothed before him, she delighted in the burning look in his darkeyed gaze as he stared down at her.
"Do I please you?" she asked.
"You more than please me," he answered in a passion-strained voice. He moved away from her then, leaving her only long enough to rid himself of the rest of his clothing.
Elise watched him as he returned to her, her gaze widening a bit at her first sight of a nude man. She thought Trace beautiful. He seemed perfectly proportioned, from his wide shoulders to his narrow waist and long, powerful legs.
Trace joined her on the bed again, enfolding her in his embrace, fitting himself to her. She gasped and lay still at that intimate contact.
"Easy, love," Trace told her, gentling her.
With the utmost care, he began to kiss and caress her. He could sense her nervousness, and he wanted to calm her fears.
And he did.
As he stoked the fire of her need, rousing her to a fever pitch, Elise began to move instinctively beneath him again. He reached down and lifted her hips to his, and she shuddered at the primal feeling of passion that surged within her. Trace sought the center of her desire and began to enter her, slowly, sweetly.
Elise went still as he pushed forward, intent on claiming her for his own. When he came to the barrier that was proof of her innocence, he paused, fearful of hurting her.
"Trace?" she whispered his name, wondering why he was holding himself back.
"This may hurt you, but it will only hurt o
nce," he told her, kissing her softly. With utmost care, he pressed on, piercing her maidenhead and making her his.
Elise tensed at his invasion, so foreign to her. He began to move against her then, setting his rhythm as he caressed her, rousing her passions. With each touch and kiss, she relaxed a little more until she had accepted him fully and was glorying in his possession. She strained against him, seeking a thrilling release that she knew would only come from him. The fire of their passion flamed ever higher until they reached the peak of ecstasy together, and she was swept away, caught up in the pure rapture of Trace's love.
They drifted back to reality together, wrapped in each other's arms. They lay, their bodies still joined, not speaking, only feeling, savoring the beauty of their union.
"I hope I didn't hurt you," Trace said in a low growl.
Elise gave a throaty laugh. "Loving you was worth it."
At her words, he rose over her to press a cherishing kiss to her lips.
"And you did say it would only hurt once," she whispered, linking her arms around his neck to draw him to her as she wriggled her hips against his.
Trace was surprised that she would want him again so soon, but he was also delighted. He hardened immediately at her sinuous ploy, and he was more than willing to oblige. "Are you sure?"
"Ummm, I'm very sure." Elise drew him down to her for a hungry kiss.
Trace needed no more encouragement.
It was a long while later that they lay together, exhausted and finally sated.
Trace had thought the night hot and sultry before Elise had come to him, but now he knew the true meaning of heat. He smiled into the darkness at the memory of her fiery passion. She had branded him with her love.
Trace looked over at Elise as she slumbered beside him. She was curled against him, her hand splayed possessively across his chest. He knew then that he never wanted to let her go. He hadn't meant to fall in love with her, but he had. He wanted to stand with her before a preacher-and not Preacher Farnsworth. He wanted to claim her as his bride.
But as long as the Harris gang was free, he couldn't do it. By marrying Elise, he would make her a target for Harris's hate. He would be putting her in danger. If anything happened to her because of him, he would never be able to forgive himself.