Texas Hero Page 7

Quickly shedding her clothes, she scrubbed them and hung them on low branches to dry. Then, picking up the gob of sticky, homemade soap, she waded into the water.

  Thad brought his horse to a halt at the top of the ridge and stared down at the little cabin. Smoke wafted from the chimney, and the light of the fire could be seen through the curtained windows.

  Though he knew it was a flimsy excuse, he'd brought along the last of Rosita's spicy tortillas for Caroline's supper.

  As he spurred his horse forward, he heard a sound and turned toward the river. At the sight of a shadowy figure, his hand went to his gun and he slipped silently from the saddle. With his horse trailing, he made his way on foot through the underbrush.

  When he drew close enough to make out the figure he realized his mistake.

  It was Caroline. As he'd never imagined he'd see her.

  He knew he ought to leave. But just as quickly as the thought came, he discarded it. There was no way he could walk away from this scene.

  Leaning a hip against the trunk of a tree, he watched through narrowed gaze.

  After the heat of the day and the exertion of cleaning the cabin, the cool water felt heavenly against Caroline's naked flesh. Sitting in the shallows, she began to rub the soap across the bottoms of her feet, smiling at the simple pleasure. Lifting first one leg, then the other, she soaped them, then kicked them in the water, watching the suds float away.

  She ran the soap across the flat planes of her stomach, then across her breasts and upward over her throat. Rubbing her hands together until they were soapy, she washed her face, then splashed water upward until the soap was rinsed away.

  With a little laugh she got to her feet and began wading into the water.

  Her rounded bottom swayed slowly as she took careful, tentative steps.

  The gentle waves surged against her with every move she made. Gradually the water reached her waist, then her shoulders. Lathering her hair, she ducked under the waves and rubbed her scalp until all the soap had disappeared. She came up sputtering, then began to swim in slow, lazy circles. Every so often she would dip below the water, then come up for air. Each time a deep, throaty chuckle would break from her lips.

  Even in her childhood she'd never felt so carefree. It was the most glorious feeling in the world.

  When Thad had first come upon Caroline in the water, he'd thought only to enjoy the view. But the longer he stayed, the more aroused he became.

  This wasn't the prim, proper schoolteacher she wanted everyone to believe she was. Nor was she the tough, shrewd woman who had caught her attackers unaware and had fought them with astonishing skill.

  At this moment, believing she was alone, she was as graceful as a colt, as frisky as a kitten. And she was more beautiful than any woman he had ever known.

  He had an unreasonable desire to stride through the water and carry her to shore, where he would make her his own. Instead, he clenched his hands into fists at his sides and continued to stand as motionless as a statue.

  As she started walking from the water he allowed himself one final glimpse.

  He had already concluded that there was no graceful way to let her know of his presence. The wise choice would be to remain hidden from view until she was safely back in her cabin. Then he would return home without bothering to let her know he'd come calling.

  The scheme might have worked. But, just as she reached the shallows, his horse whinneyed.

  Caroline froze in her tracks. As the reality of her situation dawned, her clothes were forgotten, as was her modesty. All she could think of was making it to the safety of her cabin.

  As she raced past the thicket, a man's figure separated itself from the shadows. A scream of pure terror escaped her lips. And Caroline found herself face-to-face with The Texan.

  Chapter Six

  For Caroline, time was suspended. She rocked back on her heels. Then fear gave way to rage. A rage that exploded through her with all the fury of a thunderstorm.

  "You evil, wicked man! Knowing that I am alone and unprotected, you dared to invade my privacy?" With a cry she advanced on him, her fists raised as if to strike. Then she suddenly realized that she was completely naked.

  With a shriek she turned back and snatched up her nightshirt, holding it in front of her like a shield.

  Cursing his bad luck, Thad crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the tree. The best way to handle this, he figured, was with humor.

  "I think you'd better put that on, ma'am, before you catch your death in this night air."

  Caroline wanted to strangle him. Using her most commanding voice she hissed, "You will turn away and give me some privacy."

  Thad choked back a laugh as he complied.

  "I think it's a bit late for that, ma'am."

  She glowered at his back, daring him to turn around.

  As she struggled to fit her wet arms through the sleeves of the gown, she nearly turned the air blue with rich, ripe curses. The kind of curses Thad only heard in saloons.

  Stunned, he swiveled to face her. She was just smoothing the fabric over her damp hips. As the hem of her gown drifted to her ankles, he caught his breath. With her dark hair cascading over one shoulder and a sheer white gown plastered to her skin, revealing every line and curve of her lush body, she looked like an angel who had just fallen to earth. But when she opened her mouth and swore again, he quickly changed his mind. The vision before him was no angel.

  ' "I wonder if the good people of Hope would like to hear such words coming out of the mouth of their new schoolmarm."

  For a moment she was speechless. Then she attacked again.

  "And I suppose you'd be just the one to tell them, wouldn't you?" In a huff she scooped up her damp clothes and held them in front of her.

  "Will you also tell them how you hid yourself in the bushes and watched me while I bathed?

  Will you admit to everyone that you are no better than a low-life, slimy slug, crawling through the brush on your belly like a snake to take advantage of a helpless woman? " Wherever had she learned such words?

  "The whole town already knows I'm all those things you just called me.

  But you? Helpless? " He laughed and took a step closer.

  In the moonlight she could see the glint in his eyes. Was he still laughing at her? she wondered. Or had she now goaded him to anger? He stood, feet apart, gun belt low on his hips, reminding her once more of his fierce reputation.

  "Woman, you're about as helpless as an enraged she- bear. On second thought," he added, his voice dripping sarcasm, "a bear would have been more exciting to watch." He saw her eyes narrow and realized that he'd touched a nerve.

  "At least bears catch fish while they splash around in the river. All you're going to catch is a chill."

  "And whose fault is that?" She refused to back down or to back up a single step. She would not allow him to get the better of her.

  "If it weren't for you, I would already be back inside my warm cabin, preparing for bed."

  Her words caused strange things to happen to his insides. The thought of her preparing for bed created an image in his mind that had him growing warmer by the minute. He kept his words deliberately curt.

  "Don't let me stop you."

  In the heat of anger she jabbed a finger into his chest. "A gentleman would step aside for a lady."

  "I never pretended to be a gentleman." His fingers closed around her wrist.

  "And from that display of temper, Miss Caroline Adams, you have no right to call yourself a lady."

  Those words were the ultimate insult. But when his hand closed over hers, her heart skipped a beat. Panic clogged her throat. She'd forgotten how strong he was.

  She began to berate herself. Once again she'd allowed her temper to get the better of her. The litany of Harvey Hattinger's rules swam through her mind, taunting her; "I" -- she swallowed "--was taken by surprise." She licked her dry lips and saw the way he watched her. Her uneasiness grew.

  "I don't know
what came over me. I don't usually react in such a manner."

  Thad was clearly puzzled. Was this docile creature the same one who, only moments ago, had used language that would make a horse soldier blush? Now what game was she playing?

  His voice lowered dangerously.

  "What's going on here? Who are you, Caroline Adams? You sure as hell don't belong in a town like Hope."

  She stared pointedly at his fingers, which were locked around her wrist.

  "Let me go."

  "When I get some answers."

  "I've already told you all I intend to. Now let me..."

  Lifting a hand to her shoulder, he drew her fractionally closer. Drops of water still clung to her dark lashes and he had an almost overpowering urge to touch his lips to them. Instead he muttered,

  "Woman, there's something about you that just seems to bring out an ornery streak in me."

  She held herself stiffly, fighting the feelings that rippled through her at his touch. They were standing so close she could feel the heat of his body through her thin gown. It warmed her even while it frightened her.

  In the moonlight her dark, waist-length hair was a counterpoint to skin as pale as the sun-bleached rocks of the desert. The opaque gown did nothing to hide the lush body beneath. The little pulse that throbbed at her temple enticed him. Without thinking he pressed his lips to the spot.

  A kick by a mule would have been less shocking. The moment his lips touched her skin, his hands closed over her shoulders, dragging her roughly against him.

  He moved his lips from her temple to her cheek, and then to her ear.

  Soft.

  He would never forget how soft her skin was. Once before he'd dared to touch it; she was even softer than he'd remembered.

  Caroline stood perfectly still, struggling to hide the conflicting feelings that raged through her. She hadn't wanted this. But now that he was holding her, kissing her, she couldn't deny the pure pleasure of it.

  His lips traced her jaw, then moved slowly upward until they found her mouth.

  But even then he held back, outlining her lips with his tongue.

  She forgot to breathe. Her heart forgot to beat as his tongue made a slow journey around her full lower lip.

  For the space of a heartbeat he paused, and she thought she would die waiting, waiting for his mouth to cover hers. The kiss, when it came, was the merest brushing of lips against lips.

  Without realizing it, Caroline curled her hands into his rough shirt, drawing him closer. He heard her little sigh of pleasure. And then, unable to deny himself any longer, he took the kiss deeper. His mouth covered hers in a savage kiss and his hands left her shoulders to roam her back, pulling her firmly against the length of him.

  A hint of evergreen fragrance clung to her shift. Her hair was scented with bayberry soap. As his mouth moved over hers he savored the fresh, clean taste of her.

  The moon hid behind a bank of clouds, leaving them in shadow. As he changed the angle of the kiss, Caroline's lids flickered open and she caught sight of him. Dark as night. Mysterious. He was not a man to be trusted. And then, as his mouth worked its magic on her, she forgot everything except the pleasure.

  The kiss was rough. As rough as the man. And almost bruising in its intensity. His work-roughened fingers were strong and sure as they moved along her back, igniting fires wherever they touched. His mouth was tempting, his kiss practiced. He tasted as dark and mysterious as he looked.

  She was a fool to allow this to happen. But the truth was, she was helpless to stop it. All she could do was endure. But a nagging little thought came unbidden to her mind. She was not enduring; she was enjoying.

  His touch, his kiss, brought pleasure beyond belief. Pleasure she had studiously avoided until this man had stormed into her life.

  This wasn't what Thad had planned. In fact, he'd intended to keep his distance, to make absolutely certain that he didn't touch her. But now that he had, there was no turning back.

  He didn't know how to be gentle. He was all rough edges and tough talking.

  Now that she was in his arms, he found himself wanting to be soft and easy with her. But his needs had taken over. Needs that had him holding her even tighter, and kissing her harder, until he ached to take her here, now.

  She shivered and he was instantly aware of the fact that she was wet and cold. And he was going to be responsible for her death if he didn't get her back to her warm cabin immediately.

  What the hell had he been thinking of? The fact was, he hadn't thought at all. He'd merely reacted to this damnably enticing female.

  He lifted his head and took a step back, breaking contact.

  Caroline trembled and opened her eyes.

  "You'd better get back."

  At his abrupt words she nodded, but her mind was still befuddled. She stood very still, staring at him. The touch of him lingered on her flesh; the taste of him on her lips.

  He saw her shiver again and mistook it for cold.

  "Go on home now." His words were gruff.

  He stepped aside and she began to walk toward the cabin, praying her legs wouldn't fail her. When she reached the door she turned. He was leading his horse and following at a much slower pace.

  When he reached the cabin he removed the linen- wrapped food from his saddlebag.

  "I thought you might need something for supper."

  He thrust the dish into her hands and turned away. Before she could say a word he pulled himself into the saddle.

  As his horse started away he called over his shoulder, "Be sure you lock your door, schoolteacher. And from now on, take your bath in the privacy of your cabin."

  His hands, holding the reins, were shaking. He swore savagely, then urged his horse into a run, The day was glorious. The sun was a bright yellow globe in a cloudless sky. Mile after mile of tall grass, dotted here and there with acres of bluebells, waved in the balmy breeze.

  As the horse-drawn rig rolled along toward town, Caroline caught glimpses of houses and outbuildings on distant bluffs. Where she came from, the houses had been built so close together they were practically touching.

  Only the very wealthy had lived in big houses with yards and fences and outbuildings to store their carriages.

  Flicking the reins, she turned the horse and rig down the single dusty road through town. She passed swarms of families, all dressed in their finest and all heading toward the church at the end of town.

  As she approached the church, she recognized Jessie Matthews and her three children in their wagon.

  Jessie waved, and Caroline pulled up alongside them.

  "Good morning, Caroline. I'd like you to meet my husband, Cole. Cole, this is the new schoolteacher, Caroline Adams."

  Caroline nodded to the darkly handsome man seated beside Jessie.

  He touched a hand to his hat and called a greeting before stepping down from the wagon and helping Jessie and little Lisbeth to the ground.

  Then he came around and offered a hand to Caroline.

  "Thank you." She stepped down and waited as he hitched her horse beside his.

  She heard the children call out loudly and turned in time to see Clan Con way assisting Morning Light from their carriage Behind her followed the children, Runs With The Wind, Danny and Kate.

  "Well, Miss Adams, I'm glad to see you stayed around to give our town another chance," Clan said, tipping his hat respectfully.

  "After the sort of welcome you received when you first arrived, I was afraid you might take the first stage out of here."

  "It will take more than a few gunmen and a runaway stage to send me packing.

  Dr. Con way. "

  "That's very good news for Hope, ma'am."

  As they started up the steps of the church, Jessie said, "I'm afraid there are so many of us, we fill an entire pew. But if you'd like to join us, Caroline, I'm sure there's room for one more."

  "Why, thank you. That's very kind." Trailing behind them, Caroline noticed the heads turning to catch a g
limpse of the new teacher. When Clan and Morning Light and their children filed into the pew, she joined them, and was followed by Jessie and Cole and their children.

  During the services, Caroline realized just how kind these people were to include her. It would have been awkward to sit alone, knowing that everyone was watching her. Enveloped in the bosom of this big, comfortable family, she felt completely at ease.

  The preacher had a rich, resonant voice, which he used to his advantage as he spoke about the healing power of love. In a softer voice he denounced those things that led good people astray. He spoke about the saloon, where many a drunken cowboy found himself at the wrong end of a gun after too much to drink. And he spoke of the evils of games of chance, where even respectable ranchers lost more than they could afford to repay. And in a tone that sounded more like a loving father than a preacher burning with righteous indignation, he urged everyone to look into their hearts and admit their own weaknesses so that they could return once more to the healing power of love.

  The children sighed and shifted on the hard benches. Men coughed.

  Women fanned themselves with their handkerchiefs, many of them nodding vigorously with each pronouncement from the pulpit.

  Caroline slid her spectacles back up to the bridge of her nose and stared straight ahead. Her hands were folded primly in her lap. She decided she liked this preacher and his message of love. He reminded her of another kind man, who had taken a lonely, frightened little girl and turned her life around.

  She glanced down, smoothing her skirts. She was glad she'd chosen the dove gray gown that buttoned clear to her throat, with a crisp white collar and white cuffs on the long, slim sleeves. She had coiled her hair into a severe knot until not even a single strand could slip free.

  Over that she had pinned an ugly gray bonnet with no ornamentation except a crisp white ribbon.

  Her feet, encased in sturdy, serviceable boots, were hot and sticky.

  She thought about how wonderful the cool water of the river had felt the night before, and suddenly her cheeks turned bright pink as she was reminded again of the scene with Thad Con way. Knowing she was blushing only made it worse. She could feel the heat burn her face as she struggled to put his image out of her mind.