Diane R. Jewkes (22 page)

“I tried.” Kara couldn’t seem to stop the shivering racking her body, or the tears rushing down her cheeks. The words poured forth between rending sobs. “I tried to get the hay hook, but I couldn’t reach it.” Hiccupping sobs punctuated her speech, “I almost had it.” Her eyes grew larger remembering the exploding pain that came next. “He hit me.”

Looking at Hawke, but seeing Black in her mind, she continued. “There was such a look of evil in his eyes, and then I couldn’t breathe.” Her hand touched her sore throat almost in wonder, “He was choking me and it hurt so much … .”

“He’ll never hurt you again, my love,” Hawke placed light kisses on the top of her head. He continued kissing her lightly, first on her hair, her forehead and gently on her eyelids, while whispering to her softly.

Trustingly, Kara turned her face up to meet the warmth of his mouth with her own. A soft moan rose from Hawke’s chest as he slid his lips gently over hers, not with passion, but comfort. Kara slid her hands up and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss to take the solace offered. Here in his arms was where she wanted to be. Here she knew she was safe.

Pulling away from the kiss, Hawke looked into the blue of her eyes, the heat of desire replacing fear and pain. Bending his head he again captured her lips, offering not just comfort, but to show her the depth of his feelings. The touch of her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss, was an invitation he was happy to accept. He lightly nibbled her lips until she parted them, letting him slip into the sweet warmth of her mouth. He let her guide their movements. For every caress of his tongue she answered, telling him without words she wanted him. Slowly he began sliding his hand up her leg to her waist, letting his hand rest underneath her breast. He felt her wince away from his hand as a small cry of pain escaped their joined lips.

Pulling back he saw tears well up in her eyes again as her hand came up protectively over her breast.

Understanding and fury swept over him again.

“That bastard.” His voice was a low menacing growl, “I’ll kill him with my bare hands for what he’s done to you.” Looking at Kara’s pain filled face he slowly reached his hand to her blouse and began loosening the buttons.

“What … what do you think you are doing?” Kara squeaked, frantically trying to stop him from opening her shirt.

• • •

She hadn’t realized how viciously Black had grabbed her, and was as surprised as Hawke at the pain streaking through her body at his caress. But she couldn’t let him just take off her shirt right here. Kissing him had been unwise, despite how safe and warm it had made her feel. Someone could come in at any minute. Desperately she tried to push his hands away and scramble off his lap, but he would have none of it.

“Hawke! Stop it. My God, what if my father were to come through the door. How would you explain what you’re doing?”

“I wouldn’t have to.” The black anger in his voice caused Kara to stop wiggling and look down where his hand had parted her shirt.

A gasp escaped her lips seeing her exposed skin. He hadn’t exposed her breast completely, but what was showing was enough for her to see he was right. The skin, normally smooth was mottled with black and purple bruising. She could even see the shapes of fingers impressed into her delicate skin.

“Ah, lass. If it’s in my power,” his eyes, steely with anger, captured hers, “I will hunt the bastard down. He’ll not ever treat another woman like this.”

Unable to reply, Kara just stared at him. What could she say? She knew deep in her heart, this man made no idle threat. He would kill Black if he could find him. She also knew her father would do the same. She wanted to see the man pay. She knew men like Black were dangerous, and while her father and Hawke were capable of taking care of themselves, the thought of one of them being hurt or killed caused her heart to ache.

“Leave it, Hawke.” She reached up her hand to stroke his cheek, making him look at her. “He’s not worth it. These are bruises. They will heal. My fear is gone, and I won’t let scum like him control my life.”

Placing her hand over his lips to still the protest forming there, she continued. “He won’t come back here. He’s probably high-tailing it for Mexico before my father can have the sheriff put out a warrant for him. He’s not worth my time … or yours.”

Before he could reply, Consuelo came bustling into the room with a tray loaded with fragrant herbal teas and food.

“I see you are feeling better, Mija.” Consuelo set the tray down, not seeing Hawke quickly draw Kara’s shirt closed again. “Senor Hawke, if you will put her on the bed, I will see to getting her settled with a soothing tea to help her sleep.”

Hawke stood, still holding Kara in his arms despite her protest that she was perfectly capable of walking the few steps to her bed. Leaning over, he gently laid her on the bed, placed a soft kiss on her forehead and admonished her to do as Consuelo said before leaving the room to find Case and Alec.

• • •

He met Case at the top of the staircase. He described some of Kara’s injuries to him and asked to speak with them after Case had checked in on Kara.

Continuing out the front door, he headed toward the barn where Joe and Austin were talking with some riders who had just come in. Alec walked away from the group as he saw Hawke approaching.

“The bastard grabbed a horse and took off before anyone knew to stop him. How is Kara? Has she been able to tell you what happened?”

“She didn’t have to tell me,” Hawke spoke low, trying to control the seething anger. “She is black and blue from his handling of her. Her father, you, and I will be meeting shortly to discuss what to do.”

Hawke walked over to Joe and Austin to see what news they might have. After explaining what Kara had said to him, and what Black had done to her, he found himself holding Austin back from riding out in the night to hunt the man down himself. He decided these men should be included in the meeting with Case.

After setting men to watch around the perimeter of the house and barns for the night, Joe accompanied the men back into the house to the study.

Case met them at the bottom of the stairs, telling them Kara had fallen asleep, and Consuelo was staying in the room with her for the night.

“The chances of catching Black now are next to impossible.” Case poured himself a whiskey and sat behind his desk. “I’ll notify the sheriff to wire all the other towns.” He watched Hawke pace angrily around the room like a caged cougar. “But you have to understand, this is an untamed land and if a man doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be.”

“Case is right,” Joe said. “Much as I’d like to put a bullet in the bastard, he’s probably halfway to Mexico by now. He’s got no reason to hang around here. He knows he’s a dead man if he does.”

Hawke paced over to the sideboard, poured a whiskey and tossed it back in one gulp. The thought of Kara’s bruised flesh whipped his anger. He heard what her father and Joe were saying, and the logical part of his brain agreed, but the primitive part of him, the part that already saw Kara as his, would not be calmed, wishing he had crushed the worm’s throat.

Alec, who had been strangely silent, stood and placed his hand on Hawke’s shoulder. “I know you,” he said softly, “and I know how deeply you’ve become entangled with Kara. You have to let your desire for vengeance go. It won’t change what happened to Kara. Or,” he looked his friend straight in the eye. “Bethany. I think you realized after we confronted Tompkins. You can’t change what has already happened. You can only go forward.”

Alec’s calm insight caught Hawke by surprise. Lowering his glass to the table, he felt totally drained, like he had been running mile after mile, chasing an adversary who could never be caught. Sitting, he thought about everything that had happened since this trip had begun. He had been wrong about so many things: Tompkins and Bethany, Kara, and himself. He had thought himself able to control any situation. Instead, a slip of a girl with an inner strength that continually amazed him had turned his world upside down. And now he was being told he could not do anything about the animal who attacked her. It galled him to let it go, but he knew Alec was right. It was time to go forward. He knew now where he wanted to go.

Looking at Alec, Joe, and Austin, he nodded. “Could you give me a moment with Case? I have something I need to speak with him about.” He smiled at Alec and shook his head. “Sometimes, Peyton, your insight amazes me.” Clapping him in a gruff hug, he said, “Thank you, my friend.”

Hawke turned back to see Case watching him with an unreadable expression.

“Sir.” he began. “I would like to talk to you about Kara.”

Case watched him quietly.

“I have come to realize I have developed feelings for Kara.” He searched for the right words. “After the events of this evening, I have also realized I want to protect her from anything harming her ever again. Not,” he added quickly, “that you have not always protected her before.”

He felt a calmness steal over him, knowing the words he was about to speak were right and what he needed to say. “I would like your permission to marry your daughter.”

Case sat back.

“What makes you think she’ll marry you? She was not happy with your buying interest in the ranch. What have you done to change her mind?”

“I believe she has gotten past her initial resistance to my being part-owner, and if we marry, then she will still have ownership. To tell you the truth,” Hawke sat back in his chair realizing he didn’t know the answer either. “I’m not sure she will marry me, but I would still like your permission to ask.”

A slow smile spread across Case’s face. “Son, it’s not my permission you need. It’s hers.”

Kara awoke with a groan. She stifled a yawn as pain flashed across her jaw. Rising slowly, she walked over to her mirror to assess the damage. Looking in the mirror she bit back a curse. The swelling on her cheek and the purplish-black bruise coloring her skin stood in stark contrast to her normal skin tone. Touching her jaw lightly, she winced at the tenderness. Her hand slid down to examine the ring of bruises around her throat. Those already had a yellowish tint to them. Clearing her throat, she was glad there was no soreness inside. Slowly she pulled down the neckline of her nightgown to examine her breasts. She thought Hawke’s reaction would prepare her for what she would see. Still a gasp of dismay escaped her lips as she saw how extensive the bruising was.

“Damn.” Her breast was almost completely black and as she looked further, she could see the bruising continued onto her rib cage. Her anger grew the longer she looked at the damage. She turned to get dressed. She felt off balance, fearful. A part of her wanted to weep and cower in terror, but she quickly tamped those down.

This only proves it
, she thought, her fury mounting as she began pulling on her pants.
Men think they can do whatever they want to a woman just because she’s a woman. Well, not me
. She winced as she raised her arm to put on her shirt.
I’ll be damned if I’m going to fall apart because of this. I’m stronger than that.
She braided her hair careful of her tender scalp.

With a last adjustment to her shirt Kara left her room.

• • •

Striding purposefully into the dining room, she stopped at the sight of the men sitting at the table. Heat flooded her face as Hawke looked up at her. The intensity of his gaze reminded her of how he had held her and kissed her and how upset he had been seeing her bruises. She recalled the way she had sought sanctuary in his kiss.

The men rose as she approached the table, concern on their faces.

“Kara, sweetheart.” Her father hurried to her side, preventing her from heading to the kitchen. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.” His arms, warm and strong, encircled her. The comfort they offered almost made her cry. She threw her arms around him and rested her head on his chest, relishing the love she felt.

Lifting her head she looked into the dearly loved face. “I’m all right, Papa, really. I’m a little sore but I don’t want to stay in my room. I need to be working.”

Case’s eyes searched hers. Stepping back he looked her over from head to toe. Though she had tried, she knew he could see the bruising around her throat. She knew Consuelo told him about the rest of her injuries. She saw the fury in his eyes.

“Kara I am so,
so
sorry,” he whispered. “I should have never let this happen to you. I promise I’ll see you are never hurt again.”

Kara searched her father’s eyes. “This wasn’t your fault.” She was surprised at the guilt she saw on her father’s drawn face. “How could you think you had anything to do with this? It was unprovoked. Papa, the only person at fault in this is Black and he’s gone.”

“No.” Case cut her off. “No, I’m at fault. It’s the way I raised you. I should have never let you run wild or work the ranch.” He caressed her unbruised cheek. “You are a young woman, and should have been here in the house, or married with a husband to protect you. I should have put my foot down. I should have known something like this could happen … . ”

“I can’t believe you are saying this.” Kara stepped back out of his embrace, appalled at what she was hearing. “You can’t mean that! Just because I’m a woman you think I need to be protected and watched over … . ” Disappointment was bitter on her tongue. Her father had always been supportive of her independence. He admitted he didn’t always understand her desire to learn the business of running a ranch, but he had never, never said anything so demeaning before. She had grown up with the example of strong independent women around her. The world was tilting beneath her.

Now, one incident, and he wants to wrap me in cotton wool and lock me up.

“The ladies in the women’s movement were right.” Her voice was strained. “You men. You’ll try to find any excuse. No, you don’t want us to be independent; it would be too frightening for you. All you want is to keep us beneath you.” Leveling a glare at the men sitting mute at the table, she returned her attention to her father. “What happened last night was frightening, I’ll admit it. But it is no reason to try and take my freedom from me. Saving me from one man just to say I should be owned by another makes no sense.” She took another step back. “I will never be a man’s possession, and I will live my life on my terms. No man will dictate to me how to live. Not even you!” Furiously, she turned and stormed out of the dining room.