In a Cowboy's Arms (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) (15 page)

Sadie half expected him to point a finger at her. “I don’t want to see you walk in that door again without him. Remember, it’s my house now. Your place is with your fiancé.”

Zane was right. He was right about everything.

She dashed to the bedroom for her purse. He met her at the door with the keys. “Go get him, Sadie. All the man wants is to be loved.”

“Thank you,” she whispered against his cheek.

Sadie flew to the car with her purse and drove off.

Jarod usually went to the reservation when he was in pain. She knew that about him, but he’d only had a five-minute start. Just to make sure, she drove to the Bannock Ranch to check if he’d stopped there first.

Thank heaven she’d followed her instincts. There was his truck parked in front. She got out of the car and ran to the front door. Afraid to waken Ralph if he was already sleep, she knocked several times instead of using the bell. In a minute Avery opened the door.

“Sadie—”

“Hi,” she said, out of breath. “Is Jarod here?”

“Yes. He passed me on the stairs a few minutes ago looking like death. You look the same way.”

“I have to talk to him.”

“Come on in and go up the stairs. His bedroom is at the end of the hall on the left. I’m glad you’ve come because you’re the only one who can fix what’s wrong with him.”

Sadie rushed past her and raced up the steps straight into Connor, who steadied her with his hands. Her head flew back as she looked up at him. “I’m sorry, Connor. I didn’t see you.”

“Jarod had the same problem when he came up a few minutes ago.” He grinned. “That’s twice I’ve been run into tonight. Jarod’s at the end of the hall on the left.”

She nodded. “Avery told me.”

“Then don’t let me keep you. One piece of advice. Don’t knock. Just walk in.”

That wisdom from Jarod’s brother told her everything. If she knocked and Jarod knew who it was, he’d tell her to go away and never come back.

Taking his advice, she hurried down the hall and started to reach for the handle when the door opened. Jarod appeared, carrying a saddlebag and bedroll. If she hadn’t caught up to him in time, he’d be off to the mountains and she would never have found him.

Without hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck and clung to him, forcing him to drop his things. “I’m sorry, darling.” She covered his face with kisses. “Forgive me. The second the words came out of my mouth earlier, I wished I hadn’t said them.”

His body remained rigid. She knew she was in for the fight of her life.

“I want to live with you. You’re all I want! We’ll worry about children later. I wanted everything to be perfect for us, but as Zane let me know in no uncertain terms, nothing is perfect or set in this life. We need to seize our happiness while we can. There’s no life without you. Please say you forgive me.”

His grave countenance made him look older. “Only on one condition. That we leave for the reservation and ask Uncle Charlo to marry us tonight.”

“Tonight? Isn’t it too late?”

“No. I refuse to spend another night alone without you. It’s your decision.”

Sadie didn’t have to think. “My place is with you.”

Jarod’s black gaze pierced through to her soul before he shut the door behind them. “Did you drive the truck over?”

“No. Zane’s car.”

“Give me his keys.” She followed him to Connor’s room. When he appeared with Avery, Jarod said, “We’re getting married tonight.” He handed him the keys. “Will you two see that Zane’s car is returned to him? Tell him we’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Sure. Can you get a marriage license this late?”

“We’ll take care of that later. We don’t need one on the reservation.”

“In that case, I claim my right to kiss the bride ahead of time.” Connor pressed a warm kiss to her lips. “Take care of my big brother,” he whispered. “He badly needs to be loved by a woman like you.”

Sadie nodded and threw her arms around him. “I love you, Connor.”

“Welcome to the family.”

“Amen,” Avery chimed in from behind them and reached for Sadie. “Grandfather and I have said every known prayer in the universe for this night to happen.”

She laughed through the tears. “I love both of you, too, Avery.”

They walked her and Jarod out to his truck.

As they drove away, Sadie waved until she couldn’t see them any longer. After closing the window, she realized Jarod was on the phone talking to his uncle. Their conversation lasted a while before he rang off.

“I want you near me.” He pulled her against him so possessively, it sent a tremor through her body that didn’t stop, even after they reached the reservation.

Chapter Eleven

The Apsáalooke settlement of two thousand looked like a surreal painting in the moonlight. Most every home had a white tepee in its yard.

Though all the signs of modern civilization were there, in her mind’s eye Sadie could see the proud, courageous warriors of years ago mounted on horseback in their search for buffalo. In a fanciful moment, she could imagine Jarod riding with them, his long black hair flying in the wind.

His mother came from this wonderful heritage. Tonight Sadie was going to experience a part of it. When they pulled up in front of his uncle’s house, she was excited for what was about to happen.

Pauline Black Eagle was a lovely woman who came outside with her pretty eighteen-year-old daughter Mary Black Eagle and younger son George, otherwise known as Runs Over Mountains.
They were all smiling as they greeted Sadie and Jarod.

His uncle stood on the porch steps in his plaid shirt, jeans and cowboy boots.
“Kahe,”
he called to them. Jarod responded and they spoke in Siouan, the language Sadie was determined to learn.

“My uncle just welcomed us. Let’s go in.”

They entered the house. Once inside the living room Charlo asked them to sit. Only in his fifties, the tribal elder had obtained a
Juris
doctorate from the University of Montana School of Law. He stood in front of them, an attractive male figure with black hair to his shoulders. His dark eyes fastened on Sadie.

“My nephew says he wishes to get married. Is that your wish?”

“Yes.”

“I see you wear the bracelet of our clan.”

She nodded. “Jarod gave it to me eight years ago.”

His eyes glimmered with satisfaction. “I once told Sits in the Center that the wolf must decide it is better to risk death for some chance of finding a mate and a territory than to live safely alone. I am happy to see he took my advice...for a second time,” he added, causing her to glance at Jarod, who stared at her with smoldering eyes.

“I’m sorry about the first time and all the preparations you made that had to be canceled,” Sadie said.

“It was no trouble. We were sad that Jarod had to suffer from an accident. But tonight there is only happiness because the circle of your lives has brought you together again.”

“I’m so happy I could burst.”

The women smiled broadly.

“My nephew has told me of your great interest in our culture, so he wishes to recreate his father and mother’s wedding night. Pauline has some things for you to wear. If you’ll go with her and Mary, George and I will see to Jarod and meet you outside in back. We’ve invited a few aunts and uncles to celebrate with you.”

Jarod squeezed her hand hard before she followed the women through the house to one of the bedrooms. Sadie saw an outfit laid out on the bed.

“When my husband heard you were back from California, our clan made this deerskin dress and moccasins for you.”

“But how did you know? I mean— Jarod and I hadn’t been together for eight years.”

“My husband sees many things.”

Sadie shivered. She would always hold him in awe.

Pauline handed her the dress and Sadie looked at it with reverence. “The beading is exquisite. I’ll always treasure it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You can change in my bathroom,” Mary told her.

Sadie quickly removed her jeans and sweater, and emerged from the bathroom wearing the soft garment and moccasins. While she’d been changing, the other women had also donned deerskin dresses.

Pauline slipped the belt that matched the bracelet around Sadie’s waist.
Bless you, Millie,
Sadie thought.

“You will please Jarod very much.”

“I’ll do everything I can to keep him happy.”

“You already have or he wouldn’t have asked you to marry him two times. Many of the women who are not married have given him a new name—
He Who Has No Eyes.
But they didn’t know what my husband and I knew.”

Sadie felt heat rush to her cheeks. Pauline was wonderful. She used her skills as a nurse at the tribal clinic.

Mary, who was attending college, handed Sadie the beaded earrings, which she put on. Though Sadie knew that with her blond hair she looked a fraud, it was exciting to play a role for a little while. The most important role of her life.
Jarod’s bride.

“Come with us.”

She walked with them through the house and out the back door to the yard. A fire had been lit in the fire pit, casting shadows over the tall white tepee in the background. The magical setting sent goose bumps up and down Sadie’s arms.

Several dozen extended family members stood in a semicircle. She marveled that Charlo could assemble so many of their loved ones this close to midnight. They nodded to Sadie, who stayed close to Pauline and Mary. Their presence showed how much they revered Jarod.

Another minute and Charlo came out the back door in deerskin pants and shirt, followed by George in a similar outfit. Jarod walked out last. To her surprise he was wearing modern-day jeans and cowboy boots. But he’d dressed in a black ribbon shirt with a V neck and long sleeves ending in cuffs the men wore for special occasions.

She knew black was the sacred color of the Apsáalooke. The ribbons reflected orange, green, blue and yellow, representing the elements. The intricate pattern would have been passed down through the generations and given to him by his uncle.

Jarod had never worn his hair in a braid before, at least not in front of her. She could hardly breathe, he looked so fiercely handsome. Suddenly his gaze fell on her. Time stood still as they communed in silence as she took in the gravity of this moment. A light breeze ruffled the tips of her hair. If there was any sound, it was the thud of her heart in the soft night air.

Charlo motioned for her and Jarod to come closer and face him. A hush fell as he began to speak.

“If Chief Plenty Coups were here, he would say the ground on which we stand is sacred ground. It is the dust and blood of our ancestors. Sadie... Tonight when you enter the tepee on this sacred ground, our First Maker reminds you to remember that a woman’s highest calling is to lead a man’s soul so as to unite him with his Source.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond but gave him a solemn nod.

“Jarod? Tonight when you enter the tepee on this sacred ground, our First Maker would have you remember that a man’s highest calling is to protect a woman so she is free to walk the earth unharmed.”

When he nodded, Sadie wanted to proclaim to everyone that he’d always protected her and had already saved her from Ned earlier in the day.

“The crow reveals the true path to life’s mission. It merges both light and dark, inner and outer, and when in the darkness of emotional pain and turmoil, the crow will carry the lost soul into the light.

“Both of you have endured much sorrow over the years. Don’t waste today letting too much of yesterday ruin your joy. Before you lie down together, give thanks for blessings already on their way and you will have peace.”

What better advice could anyone give?

He lifted his hands. “Go now. May you live in eternal happiness.”

They were married?

She asked the question with her eyes. Jarod’s mouth broke into such a beautiful smile that her entire being was filled with indescribable love for him. He grasped her hand. Leading her around the fire to the tepee, he moved the buffalo covering aside so she could enter.

The tepee’s cone shape was formed with dozens of poles and could hold five to six people. Blankets on top of buffalo skins had been placed on the floor. Nothing else was inside....

Jarod held both her hands. “My mother’s culture didn’t do marriage ceremonies, but I think my uncle did the perfect job of performing ours.”

“So do I,” she said softly. There was enough light from the fire outside to see each other. “Do you mind if we kneel right now and do what he said?”

He kissed both her hands before they got down on their knees, facing each other. “You say the prayer.”

“Thank you. I want to.”

Closing her eyes she said, “Dear God, my heart is full to overflowing for the many blessings Thou has given us. We will strive to live worthily of the blessings Thou has yet to bestow on us. I thank Thee for my husband, a great man and a great warrior. I thank Thee for Jarod’s loving family both on the ranch and on the reservation. I thank Thee for my family, for the Hensons. Amen.”

Jarod’s eyes were fastened on her as she lifted her head. “Amen,” he whispered in a husky voice. “You have no idea how beautiful you are to me, kneeling there in that dress to please me. Though I see a woman, I also see the sweet, vulnerable, lonely girl inside you who stole my heart years ago. I want to fill your loneliness, Sadie.”

She cradled his face with her hands. “You already have. Uncle Charlo said not to dwell on the past. Tonight is the beginning of our future. There’s something I want to do before we do anything else.”

His breathing grew shallow. “What is it?”

“Take off your shirt first.”

He looked surprised, but he did as she asked. Her breath caught to see his well-defined chest and shoulders emerge. “Now close your eyes.”

As soon as they were closed, she moved around behind him and began unbraiding his fabulous hair. “I’ve been dying to do this since you came up to me at the funeral.” She threaded her fingers through the glossy strands that fell loose and swung around his shoulders and face.

When she was finished she knelt in front of him. “You can open them now.” Sadie almost fell back in amazement. “You’re the most gorgeous man. I want an oil painting done of you exactly like this, sitting inside this tepee. After it’s framed, I’ll hang it in the most prominent place in our home with a small brass plate at the bottom that reads ‘
He Who Sits At My Side.’
”

Jarod’s eyes glowed like black fire. He rose to his full height. She noticed the special belt he wore before he pulled her up and turned her around. Her body trembled as he undid the back of her dress, lowering it off her shoulders till it fell to her feet. His mouth found the side of her neck. “Come lie with me, my love.”

A cry of longing escaped her lips as he laid her gently on top of the blankets. Looking down at her he said, “No painting of you could do you justice. I love you, Sadie. You’re my heart’s blood.”

After plunging his fingers through her silky hair, he lowered his mouth to hers, giving her the husband’s kiss she’d been waiting for since she’d fallen in love with him at fifteen.

Jarod—
As their bodies melded, her heart and soul leaped to meet his.

* * *

M
ORNING
HAD
COME
to the reservation. Jarod could see light through the tiny opening at the top of the tepee. He eased himself away from his precious wife, who still slept.

Jarod’s hunger for her hadn’t been appeased, no matter how many times they’d made love during the night. Now that he’d finally allowed her to sleep, he left her tangled in the blanket while he peered outside the entrance. The direction of the sun shining overhead told him it was at least two o’clock in the afternoon. That’s why the interior was heating up.

He caught sight of their regular clothes along with a picnic basket of food Pauline had placed against the outside of the tepee. She’d taken care of everything to make their wedding night perfect.

After struggling eight years along a treacherous path, he’d obtained his heart’s desire. Sadie was the most unselfish, giving woman he’d ever known.

Jarod breathed in the fresh air, aware that he felt whole at last. The night had been so perfect, he never wanted it to end, but she would awaken soon and want to get back to Ryan. Recognizing his insatiable appetite for her, he decided he’d better get dressed or they’d be here for another twelve hours.

Once he’d pulled on his cowboy boots, he brought everything inside. He found his cell phone and watch among his clothes and checked for messages. Only one from Connor.

Grandfather is ecstatic and can’t wait to welcome both of you home. Tyson and Ned’s parents are inconsolable. The police need to know if you want to press charges. You have every right, bro.

“Darling?” He glanced over at his wife. The word still thrilled him. What a beautiful sight she made. Unable to resist, he leaned down to kiss her, which was a mistake. He wanted to climb under the covers with her and never come out.

“Why did you let me sleep?”

“Because you needed to after I wore you out.” He put the basket in front of them. “Pauline fixed us a picnic.”

“She’s incredible.”

“I agree.”

“I saw you checking your messages just now. Anything from Zane about Ryan?”

“No. It was from Connor. Everything’s fine. Let’s enjoy our first meal together as man and wife.”

They ate sandwiches and drank soda. “I’m so excited to be married to you, I can hardly take it in. Last night—”

“Was miraculous,” he broke in. “No man ever had a lover like you.”

Her blush delighted him. When he’d finished eating, he reached for his thong.

“Don’t confine your hair. I love the way it flows.”

“I’ll wear it loose at night, but during the day it gets in the way.”

She eyed him curiously. “Yesterday you were going to tell me why you changed your hair.”

He swallowed the rest of his cola. “I paid a trip to the beauty salon in White Lodge to talk to a woman named Rosie.”

In another minute she knew the whole story about Ned’s fabrication.

“She washed and cut your hair!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I want you to know that no other woman will ever be allowed to do that again.”

Laughter poured out of Jarod. He pressed her back against the blankets, kissing her long and hard.

“I want your promise, Jarod.”

“I swear I’ll never go in there again.”

“Rosie probably had a cow when she found out she was going to get her hands on the gorgeous Jarod Bannock.”

“A cow?” he teased.

“You know what I mean. I bet she can’t wait until you go back.”