Twenty

It was near midnight when Lara glanced out the window. What kept Houston?

Was he alive or had someone killed him? That boy’s friends—or his father—might have shot Houston, making him pay for sending a bullet into Zeb. They had reason to want her husband dead.

Every noise sent Lara to the door. If he didn’t return, who would she go to for help? The town had no law. Would anyone help her find him?

One thing was for sure: she wouldn’t leave without her husband.

How could she begin to go on if he’d met his end here in this lawless town in the middle of Indian Territory? She remembered how he’d defended her. Despite all his previous reassurances, she’d always believed he’d only tried to make her feel better. Until now. Now she knew for sure her scar truly didn’t bother him.

Lara moved to look out the window again. If he wasn’t back by sunrise, she’d turn the town upside down looking for him. Someone had to know what had happened to him.

He was her life now, her hope and her future. Houston Legend held her dreams in his hand.

Dr. Mary stood in the doorway, clutching a shawl around her nightgown. “Can’t sleep?”

Lara turned. “Did I wake you?”

“No. I wanted to check on Gracie. Any sign of that husband of yours, dear?”

“Afraid not. I’m really worried. I can’t imagine what might be keeping him.” Lara swiveled to the window to hide her trembling lip.

“Is he a drinker? Drinking men often lose track of time.” Dr. Mary moved to one of the chairs at the small table still in the room and sat down.

A drinker? She’d only seen him take a glass of whiskey with his father twice since they’d married, and then only a little.

“No, Houston isn’t one to drink. Or gamble.” But she hadn’t known him that long. Was that another secret he had been hiding from her? Anything was possible. Still, she wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. When he got back, he’d have a logical explanation for his long absence. Instinct told her it had something to do with that boy he’d killed. She’d never seen him so hurt.

Should they by chance survive this visit to Chimney Rock, she vowed to double up on the salve for her scar. If she was pretty, Houston wouldn’t have to shoot anyone else because of her.

“How about I make us some hot tea while we wait?” Dr. Mary said. “Houston will probably be here any minute.”

Lara pressed her cheek to the cool windowpane. “Tea sounds good.”

But what if he wasn’t back? What if she never saw him again?

* * *

Beneath a thin slice of moon, Houston stopped his horse. They’d ridden at least a good ten miles from town, and his companion had sobered up during the ride.

“Get off your horse, Jubal.”

The man’s eyes grew wide. “What’re you gonna do?”

“This is the end of the line for you.” Houston dismounted. “You’re walking back to town. Get off the damn horse.”

Jubal clutched the reins tightly. “You cain’t leave me out here in the middle of nowhere. It’s inhumane. I’ll die.”

With a yank, Houston dragged him from the saddle. “You won’t die…unless you get snakebit. I want you to have a lot of time to think about every possible way you failed your son. And to dry out. You’re pickled. By the time you walk back, I hope you remember how you saw him tonight and never get Zeb’s face out of your head.” Houston handed him the water canteen. “With luck, it’s branded into your whiskey-soaked brain.”

The man began to whimper then cuss. Houston glanced at the man’s shoes, debating whether to add more to Jubal’s punishment. After a second, he decided against it. The soles of his shoes had big holes. That was misery enough.

“You’re a poor excuse for a human being, Flanagan, and it’s high time something jarred you to your senses. Change your ways. Give up whiskey. Learn how to be a man, for Christ’s sake.”

“What you ask is too damn hard.” Jubal sat down. “I might as well die here.”

“Your choice.” Houston swung into the saddle and gathered the reins of Jubal’s horse. “You haven’t even taken care of your horse in weeks. If you make it back to town, you’ll find him at the livery. I’m going to pay someone to feed him and help him recover from your mistreatment.”

“You’re a coldhearted son of a bitch, Legend,” Jubal hollered.

“You might have a point, but at least I don’t abandon my family.” Houston glanced down. “I’m going to pass through here on my way back to Texas. I’d better find you sober.”

“Most likely dead, or do you care about that?” Jubal asked sullenly.

That was the problem. Houston cared too much. Though he didn’t tell Jubal, he was going to tell Dr. Mary where the man was in case he didn’t show up in town in a day’s time. She could either come looking for him herself or send someone.

“Remember what I said. You’ll answer to me if you’re not sober when I come back.” He turned to his horse and rode to town.

It was a little after midnight when he made it to the doctor’s dark house, bone-tired. He’d returned the horses to the livery and walked the short distance. After removing his spurs and laying them on the porch, he tiptoed into the house and turned into the room where Gracie and Lara were sleeping.

Lara sat with her head on her arms. She jerked at the sound of his footsteps. With a cry, she ran to him, knocking off his hat when she threw her arms around his neck. “Thank God, you’re back. I was so worried.”

“Sorry I was gone so long.” He stared deep into her eyes, thinking he’d never seen anything so pretty. “Hadn’t meant to be.”

She fingered the strands of his hair. “I sense a story.”

“Let’s go out on the porch so we won’t disturb the sleepers.” He picked up his hat and took her hand. They sat on the stoop, with shoulders touching. In the thin moonlight, he told her about Jubal Flanagan. Even in the telling, his anger flooded back.

“What you did showed the depth of your caring.” Lara leaned into him.

“Yeah, well. Jubal had a different opinion, I’m afraid.”

“No one likes taking their medicine but sometimes they have to.”

“I just hate that it took me away from you. Come here.” Houston put his arms around her and pulled her against him, kissing her long and deep.

The flames that were always just beneath the surface flared as soon as their lips met. He would always hunger for this slip of a woman who had already consumed his life, his thoughts, and his heart.

He thought of what Zeb Flanagan had yelled—that she was as ugly as lye soap. The boy had been too crazed to see what was in front of him. Houston knew without a doubt that Lara was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. And she belonged to him.

As he deepened the kiss in an effort to draw her inside him, she gave a little cry and gripped his shirt, pressing closer.

“Lady,” he said against her mouth, “you make me crazy with need. One day, God willing, I’ll make you hunger for me too.”

She pulled back just far enough to meet his gaze while she toyed with the hair at his temple. “I like you touching and kissing me. Maybe if you take it slow and let me get used to you in small bits, I can get over this unease. I know you must tire of being saddled with a wife who won’t sleep with you. I’m trying. I want to lie beside you and be what you need.”

“Darlin’, I’m not saddled with you, as you put it. I’d want you regardless of everything that’s happened. I found a diamond when you raised that thick wedding veil. I will never pressure you. We’ll go at your speed for as long as it takes.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed each fingertip. “You’ll find me a very patient man.”

Lara’s eyes were dark and full of hunger. “That’s one of the things I appreciate about you. You never make me do anything.”

He nibbled her mouth. “I don’t believe in forcing anyone, least of all you. This marriage is give and take. We have to strike a balance to make it work.”

“I haven’t done much giving.” She slid a hand around his neck and curled against his chest until their hearts touched. Houston swallowed hard and folded his arms around her. “All I seem to do is take,” she whispered as though afraid someone would hear her confession.

“You give more than you think, and I have no complaints.”

“That’s kind of you to say, but I’m stronger now, and here with you tonight, I feel as though the past never happened. I only see the future and it’s golden.”

Houston nuzzled her ear. “You’re a different person from when we met…what is it now…three weeks ago?” He loved seeing this change. Each day she gained strength.

“Almost a month.” Lara pushed back from him to meet his eyes. “Houston, I think it’s time to take our relationship a step further.”

His heart nearly leaped from his chest. “I’m always willing to try anything you want.”

“For a place to start…I sort of have a plan. Unfasten a button of my dress now and add to that each time we kiss good night in private. Maybe by the time you get them all undone, I’ll be over this crazy fear. That is, if you’re willing.”

It took great effort to steady his racing pulse. “I’ll be grateful for the chance to show that you can trust me,” he assured her. “But are you sure you’re ready?”

“I am positive.” Her green eyes glittered, along with her blinding smile.

“Anytime you get uncomfortable, I want you to tell me and I’ll stop.”

“Oh, Houston, I don’t deserve you.” She blinked hard then lowered her voice to a whisper. “Will you start now?”

“Anything for my lady.”

Houston pulled her onto his lap and nibbled her neck and behind her ear. He felt her hands on his chest, felt when she slipped her fingers inside to touch his skin. And felt her lean into him.

Placing his lips on hers, he kissed her, a searing kiss that made his body heavy and warm. Molten desire pooled low in his belly and spread through him like a raging wildfire. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. He was in danger of losing control, and that would send Lara running scared, back to her father.

He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Inhale in. Exhale out. He forced his thoughts to the cattle drive, to the obstacles that lay ahead, and to the men stalking them.

When he’d slowed his heart rate, he released the top button of her dress. Leaving a trail of kisses down her neck, he pushed the fabric aside and pressed his lips to the hollow at the base of her throat, where her pulse beat wildly.

Lara trembled beneath his lips and he knew the tremendous courage it took to let him do this. He was so proud of her for taking this tiny step toward getting her life back. Slowly but surely they’d get there.

Houston did her dress back up. “Thank you, Lara. You don’t know what your trust means to me. And how nice to have someone to share my problems with.”

“Just don’t keep secrets. I can take anything except that. We’re partners.”

With a light kiss, Houston smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” He tweaked her nose. “Miss Partner, I think we’d better get a little shut-eye. It’ll be daylight soon and we’ll have to ride.”

“What about my mare? Will she be able?”

“No galloping and she’ll be fine.” He stood, sweeping her up into his arms. They’d crossed a wide chasm tonight. He maneuvered through the door with her and strode to where Angel slept. Lara curled up beside the child and Houston pulled a blanket over his girls.

“I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my whole life, Houston,” Lara murmured. “I’ll always cherish this private time. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Yuma and his riders, but you give me strength to fight. We’re going to win, aren’t we?”

Shadows darkened her green eyes to near black as she gazed up. He brushed her hair with his fingers, undone by the fierce need to keep her and Gracie safe. A lump grew in his throat and he had hell swallowing.

“Yes, darlin’, we’ll win,” Houston finally managed. “Get some sleep.” Before he gave in to the hunger to lie down beside her, he reached for a folded blanket at the end of the bed and moved into the parlor, where he dropped into an overstuffed chair.

But sleep didn’t claim him. His thoughts went to Lara in the next room. She was a constant surprise. She tried so hard to overcome her fear of a man’s touch, and had made giant strides tonight. He could see how desperately she yearned to be a wife and to free herself from the memories. Somehow, he’d force himself to be patient. The prize was worth the wait. Her quiet strength amazed him and he wanted no other by his side.

Hell yes, they’d win this fight! Houston clenched a fist so tightly the muscles in his arm knotted.

Yuma Blackstone would get what was coming to him—and more.

Like Virgil Boone had said, there were some things a man was willing to die for.