Dark Warrior: To Tame a Wild Hawk (Dark Cloth) (27 page)

Hawk and Mandy had a celebration of their own.

Chapter Twenty-eight

M
andy breathed deeply of the smells of autumn. It was just she and Hawk out here. It was so nice to have some time alone together. She just couldn’t figure out why Hawk was so quiet. He’d hardly said a word all day.

Hawk pulled up. “We’ll camp here tonight.”

“Why are we stopping so soon? We still have plenty of daylight left.”

“You have been looking pale all day, and I don’t want to push it too hard. We don’t want anything to happen to you, or the baby.”

“Is that why you’ve been so quiet all day?”

“I suppose it is.” He helped her down from the mount, and pulled her bag off the saddle. “I’ve been thinking about you—and the baby.”

“Here I thought I had done something.” She started to unsaddle her horse.

Hawk stopped her. “Let me do that.” He pulled her hands gently from the straps. “There’s a hot spring just through those bushes.” He nodded in the direction he wanted her to go. “You could go have a nice, long soak. I’m sure it has been a long day for you.”

Mandy squealed in delight. “Oh that sounds so wonderful, but are you sure?”

“Of course,” he grinned. “But only if I can join you in a few minutes.”

“Mmmm, that sounds marvelous.” Her voice was husky. She went to get her soap and a clean night-shirt out of her saddle bags.

“I’ll be along shortly then.”

Mandy walked away, smiling. Things were okay after all. She could barely keep herself from skipping along. Coming to the small pond, it looked like she had found heaven. Everything was green. It had grass banks on one side, and a cliff going straight up on the other, with a waterfall coming over it. Lush, green trees and bushes made it completely secluded.

She took off her clothes slowly, indulging in how it felt to stand gloriously naked there, in the warm fall breeze—it felt more than a little erotic. Letting her hair down, one pin at a time, until it fell loosely down her back, she shook it free and reveled in the feel of it against her skin.

Hawk stopped as he came around the corner; all the breath sucked out of his lungs. She was beautiful standing there. He felt as though someone had granted him a special spot in the circle of things, to be a part of her life. They would be together—for always.

Coming up behind her, Hawk reached up and ran his fingers through her hair, a hiss escaping through his teeth.

Kissing the side of her neck and nipping at her ear lobe, Hawk whispered, “I love you.” Mandy giggled at him and went to pull away, but instead found herself pinned—in his embrace.

He picked her up and set her gently on the grassy bank, loving her with slow, silky caresses.

Laying contented in Hawk’s arms later that evening, she watched him sleep. Mandy wondered if there was any way possible they could be together forever.

The next morning, Hawk woke Mandy by tickling her nose with a feather.

She kept rubbing her nose, trying to brush away the tickle, until she finally opened her eyes to find him grinning down at her. “Oh you—what a beast.”

“What am I supposed to do, let you sleep all day?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late.” She stretched and started to get up. “We’d better get going.”

“That’s not exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more along the lines of this.” Hawk leaned over and kissed her. Then, kissed her again, and again, until his kisses were no longer soft—but passionate, and her responses matched his own. They made love all morning, then went for a long walk.

Late that afternoon, Hawk went hunting. While he was gone, Mandy straightened up the camp. Then she sat down to finish beading a pair of knee-high moccasins she was making for him, barely getting them hidden before he came back to camp carrying a small deer over his shoulder.

“Is that dinner I see slumped over your shoulder, or do you always go around offering rides to the game?” It was lame, and she blushed, but she had accomplished what she set out to do—distracting him.

“Actually, it is dinner, and you could be a good wife and cook it for me. But if I were to be offering rides to anyone . . . .” He gave her a lecherous, suggestive gaze.

Mandy blushed, promptly changing the subject.

After skinning the deer, they relaxed while they were waiting for it to cook. Hawk went to move the lump under his back, pulling out the moccasins she was beading for him.

He looked at her, uncertainty showing in his eyes.

“What are these for? Why did you hide them?”

Mandy couldn’t look up, suddenly shy. “They were a present for you. I just finished them while you were gone.” She finally managed to look at him. “I’ve been working on them since we went to the buffalo hunt. I had a hard time keeping them a secret from you.”

Realizing she was rambling, she bit out, “Why don’t you try them on and see if they fit?”

Before she even finished, Hawk was taking off his old moccasins and putting on the new ones.

“Do they fit?” She bit her lip. “Do you like them?”

“I love them. They’re perfect. Especially since they came from you. I’m sorry I reacted that way. It’s just nice, you making me moccasins.”

Looking into Hawk’s eyes, Mandy saw that they seemed soft, like melted butter. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her so softly she wanted to weep with it. “I’ve never had someone do something so special for me before. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything at all.”

The forest smelled of the fresh scent of pine as the sun warmed the trees, causing the sap to run. A warm breeze lifted Mandy’s hair as they rode along the trail.

She breathed a contented sigh as her horse slowly picked its way through the rocks. The warm sun shone on her face, and she felt as though she could smile forever.

If only there wasn’t the ever-present shadow of Ashley McCandle looming over her shoulder.

She watched Hawk riding his horse ahead of her, the muscles in his back rippling. She could watch him forever.

“If you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to have to take another break.”

Mandy giggled. “And how exactly am I looking at you?”

Hawk growled, swinging down from his mount.

Mandy laughed, and swung her horse around to run, but Hawk drug her off into his arms. He made love to her, slowly, with hunger, right there in the grass.

Tears stung her eyes, her emotions were so overwhelming. He pushed her hair back from her eyes and kissed her face. “I love you,” she told him and buried her face in his shoulder

“I love you.” He kissed her gently. “And we are never going to make it home.”

“Maybe. But we’re having so much fun trying.”

They camped early, near a creek. Hawk left to scout the area, his gut telling him someone was nearby. He circled around, determined to get the drop on whoever it was.

Unaware of what Hawk was doing, Mandy dug out a change of clothing, humming as she headed for the creek.

The warm autumn evening was just pleasant enough for her to strip naked. The creek wasn’t warm, and she nearly yelped out loud. She washed quickly, goosebumps covering her skin. When she washed her hair, the cold water on her scalp was downright painful.

Clenching her jaw and dipping her head, she came up sputtering. When she wiped the water from her eyes, there were three dangerous-looking men sitting on their horses, watching her.

Mandy’s first instinct was to dip low into the freezing water and try to cover her breast with one arm. She moved towards her clothes, and one of the men laughed.

“Where do ya think you’re going, girlie?”

“To get my clothes,” Mandy gritted out.

He drew his pistol and waved her away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Mandy’s legs were going numb. She knew if she was going to move, she had to move now, before her frozen body prevented her.

She dipped down near some boulders. The desperadoes didn’t think anything of it—until it was too late. She raised and cocked the pistol with a speed that would have made Hawk proud if he’d hadn’t been about to tear someone apart with his bare hands.

Her first shot hit one desperado full in the chest before she rolled out of reach behind the boulders, her knees and elbows taking a bad beating in the process.

She came up shooting, hitting a second desperado before Hawk had moved into position to kill the third.

The forest was dead silent. Not even the buzz of an insect could be heard. Mandy stood dripping wet and gloriously naked, goosebumps covering her golden skin.

Hawk didn’t know whether to beat her—or kiss her.

“You knew they were there,” she hissed.

He strode right into the creek and took the pistol from her hand. “I knew.” He picked her up and hauled her to the embankment.

“Where did you have that gun hidden?” he growled.

“Between two rocks.” She raised her chin. “Nobody would ever let a woman near her clothes; it’s the first place she’d hide a gun.”

Hawk grinned, setting her on her feet, then sobered. “I should have given you more credit.”

Mandy sniffed. “You shouldn’t have treated me as if I were a simple-minded female.”

“Believe me, honey, I won’t make that mistake again.”

“You should have trusted me.” Mandy lowered her eyes to hide her hurt.

He lifted her chin with his fingers. “I didn’t want to worry you. I was wrong.”

“Oh my . . . .” she breathed.

“Don’t push it,” he growled.

Mandy fought hard not to grin, and lost.

With a growl, Hawk kissed her senseless. And it was much later before she could savor her triumph.

Mandy’s horse picked its way down a particularly steep path early the next morning. The sun was warm, just as it had been the day before. She was deep in thought, worrying about what they would find when they reached the ranch. Perhaps that was why she was caught so unaware when a cougar screamed. Her mount stepped sideways, then bolted.

Only Mandy’s excellent horsemanship kept her in her seat.

Her mare went wild, striding out at a deadly speed—each step taking her faster. Mandy fought for control. She took the lead rope and yanked on it with all her strength, trying to pull her mare’s head around. Under different circumstances, it would have worked, but the mare was crazed with terror.

She was hurling herself forward with the strength of two horses. At that moment, Mandy knew, she probably wasn’t going to survive.

In the next instant, two strong hands gripped her and she was yanked from her horse onto Hawk’s steed, surrounded by the steel bands of his muscular arms. He drew his stallion to a halt and crushed her to him, pressing kisses into her hair, whispering in her ear. He carried her on his mount until he found a good place to camp. Mandy was white as a sheet, and Hawk was determined she was going to rest for the remainder of the day.

When she realized what he was doing, she fought him. “I’m fine, Hawk. I don’t need to be pampered.”

“You’re resting, Mandy, and that’s the end of it.”

Much later, after they had caught up with Mandy’s mare, they sat in front of the fire, eating a delicious stew Mandy had prepared. Mandy licked her finger tips and saw the answering fire leap in Hawk’s eyes.

“Do you ever think of settling down?” she whispered, her eyes shining.

Hawk’s golden gaze probed hers. “Are you asking me to stay?”

Swallowing, Mandy nodded.

He set his plate down and crawled to her. Kissing her softly, he whispered, “I thought you’d never ask.”

Her eyes widened and filled with tears. “I was afraid to. Afraid you’d say no.”

He kissed her again. “Well, the answer is yes, lady.”

She touched his face. “You mean it?”

“I’ll love you forever, Mandy.” He cupped her face in his palm. “I’ll never let you go.”

They reached the ranch early the next morning. Mandy stared in horror at the spot where one of their barns had once stood. Nothing but burned rubble lay there now.

She scrambled from her horse and raced into the house. “Aunt Lydia!” she screamed.

Aunt Lydia came around the corner and took a long look at Mandy. Tears welling in her eyes, she came forward and folded her into her arms. “You’re all right. Oh child, you had me so worried.”

“The barn . . . .” Mandy choked out. “Is everyone all right?”

Lydia took her face in both hands. “They got a hold of Ned and drug him, like they did Pete.”

Mandy’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! I shouldn’t have left. I took Hawk away, and now look what’s happened.”

Aunt Lydia gave her a gentle shake. “Now, you listen to me, child. We have good hands out there. Ned was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s nobody’s fault but that monster, McCandle.”

Mandy wiped the tears from her eyes. Pulling herself together, she straightened her shoulders. “How is Pete?”