Catch Me If You Can (24 page)

She’d done all she could. She walked out of the room, quickly down the stairs and out of the saloon, silently blinking back the tears that threatened to undo her.

It was a quiet ride back to Clearwater Creek and Fern watched her friend with a curious expression.

“Thank you,” Eleanor said when they finally drew up at the back of Bell’s place. “I appreciate you coming, and what you did earlier.” Seeing the frown on Fern’s face, she decided to tell a little more. “He was looking for me, but didn’t expect to find me here.” She gestured at the house.

Fern broke into a grin, exposing her gleaming white teeth. “Ah, he must love you a great deal, to be so possessive.”

Eleanor supposed there was some truth in that and it lifted her spirits greatly, it would only be of value if he took to heart what she’d said. She went to her room and lay on her narrow bed, working through her thoughts.

So much had happened in the space of a few hours. She’d slowly mended during her time at Bella’s. Now the forces of destiny had led them to be reunited. However strange and upsetting the reunion with Rivers had been, it had drawn her back to her original path. She must move on, she must gather herself and go on to California.

When Bella called her name from downstairs, her heart filled with hope, but she glanced at the clock and realized that it was far too soon for Rivers to have pulled himself together. Bella probably wanted her help with some chores.

“Eleanor, can you come down, Sweetie?”

She stepped quickly to the top of the stairs and looked down into the hallway.
Leo.
Leo was standing there, looking up at her. He was painfully thin and his face bore unfamiliar shadows, but it was Leo.

She ran down the stairs and took him into her arms. It must have been over six weeks, for that was the time they’d sent Leo to work on the railroad. Six weeks. The shock resonated in her mind.

“It must be April, no…May,” she said, as she drew back to look at him.

He nodded and gave her a smile, a slight impostor of its predecessors. The scars in his heart were visible in his eyes.

“How did you find me?”

“They said, at the store.” He gestured to the front door.

Eleanor looked at Bella, who gave her a nod and glanced upstairs. She put her arm around his shoulders and led him to the parlor upstairs. She didn’t talk at all about what happened over the past weeks to either of them, nor did she mention Kevin. He held her hand and looked at her and they didn’t need to voice those things. They were there, a shared grief between the two of them.

“I’m glad you came,” she whispered, realizing somewhere deep inside that this was what she’d been waiting for, to be reunited with Leo again, for some sense of resolve in the unhappy lives that had been unfolded around her. “I’m going on to California soon.”

Questions about Rivers flitted across her mind, but whatever understanding they reached, she would move on again soon, she knew that. “Will you come with me, Leo, as we planned?” 

His expression brightened instantly. “Can I? Are you sure?” 

“Oh yes, and we might find you a home and work at my aunt’s house.” She felt sure Frieda would take to the lad as much as she had.

When Bella brought in some food and tea on a tray, Eleanor piled a plate and encouraged him to eat. Bella sat quietly with them while Eleanor chatted about Frieda’s estate in California. Eleanor focused entirely on Leo, telling him about the land in California, repeating the descriptions she’d heard and read many times. She only became aware of Bella’s focused attention after some time. She stood to one side, listening avidly, her eyes wide.

Eleanor realized Bella had finally learnt about her background, and how she’d come to be there, passing by Clearwater Creek. She smiled up at her. “My aunt in California is my only family since my father died, last year.”

As she said the words they finally registered in her mind and she breathed deeply. How good it would be to finally arrive, to have done the journey and to see Frieda again. All that remained to be resolved was whether Rivers would be by her side, or not.

Chapter Twenty

The Hunter Humbled

In less than twenty-four hours Rivers returned to Clearwater Creek. It seemed like forever to Eleanor. She stood against the screen the following day, pinned to her restless daydream. Over the course of a sleepless night her emotions, had grown weary with beleaguered hope for resolve between them.

The only thing that got her through the difficult time was the fact Leo had returned, giving her a positive focus. He’d gone to a neighbor’s home until they were ready to leave. It felt good to look after another soul, to try to care for someone and lead him to a better life. It felt like being at home, like caring for the servants and tenants back at Oaklands. She longed for a family, she realized, she longed for kin around her. Something hard and stubborn had lodged in her when her father died. Now, after all she’d come through – the affection she’d exchanged with Rivers, and the unreserved care from the people around her – it had begun to loosen. With it, her stubborn will to be alone and self-sufficient had begun to disintegrate. She wanted to share again, yes. She wanted to have those she loved around her.

A familiar voice drew her attention below.

Rivers was there in the hallway. He’d come back.

Hope quickly kindled inside her. She noticed again his suede jacket and riding breeches, clothing of the land. He looked as handsome and comfortable in them as he did in fine society attire or city garb. Pride blossomed in her heart. He was clean-shaven, his hair tidy and smoothed back. She smiled. He’d obviously slept off his dubious encounter with the whiskey bottle.

He looked about as he spoke with Bella, as if scouting the place. He looked up toward the screen where she stood and narrowed his eyes. She stepped back for a second and wondered if her shadow could be seen, even though she knew it was impossible to see anyone from downstairs.

Bella went to the bells on the wall. She glanced back over her shoulder. “So, who can I call for you? May is it, or Pearl?”

“No.” He looked directly up at the screen. “I’ve come for Eleanor.” 

Eleanor stared down in disbelief, her heart racing.

Bella was flustered. “No, I’m sorry, Sir. Eleanor ain’t one of my girls.”

He didn’t respond, but continued to stare up, as if waiting specifically for Eleanor’s response.

She walked to the top of the stairs, her heart racing. His gaze covered her body, releasing scurries of sensation over her skin.

“I know she isn’t one of your girls.” He paused in order to impress his message upon Eleanor. “But I want her, if she will still have me.” His eyes were heavy with longing and something else – the demand for an answer.

Eleanor’s heart thundered with hope and excitement. A huge weight began to lift from her shoulders. He’d come back, he’d thought about what she’d said and he’d come back to her. Her heart swelled with pride and longing.

“No, you don’t have to.” Bella appeared confused by what was passing between the two of them. “Sweetie, you are our guest, unless you want to, don’t do it.” 

“Eleanor never does anything she doesn’t want to do,” Rivers said. His voice was distinct, his sharp gaze making a direct and intimate contact with her.

Prompted by his comment, she walked down the stairs.

Bella looked even more confused than before, then shrugged. “Well if you are sure.” She opened a room on one side of the hallway before leaving them alone.

Rivers stood with his arms folded and his feet widely placed, watching Eleanor closely as she came down the stairs. She noticed how the suede of his jacket looked rough and sun bleached against the light tan of his skin and his black hair. His eyes were jet black. He wanted her. She could see and feel the strength of his desire.

When she got to the bottom of the stairs, he turned and walked into the room Bella had indicated. Eleanor followed. Her nerve endings were in chaos, her breathing erratic. What would pass between them when they were alone? As she shut the door behind her, she glanced around the room. It was decorated in rich red-flocked walls with heavy wooden furniture and a massive carved headboard over the bed. Trailing wooden leaves and flowers drooped over the full plump pillows of the bed. She set her shawl down on the bed, her hand trembling.

They stared at each other openly and for several long moments.

“You look as nervous as a bird on its first flight.” He gave her a gentle, teasing smile. “After your brave and forthright speech of yesterday, it’s quite a turn around.”

“Yesterday I said my piece, and today you have responded by coming back to me. I’m nervous. So much lies between us, and yet these few feet are a huge chasm for us to cross to reach for it.”

He nodded. “That’s true enough.” His gaze scanned every inch of her. “We will close the gap between us. It is time, if ever it wasn’t before.” His voice was determined. “You know it as much as I do, and tasting you yesterday did nothing to slake my eternal hunger for you, my love.”

Her heart gave a great pang of longing. She grew weak in the face of the determination and strength that exuded from him.

“We are in a house of pleasure, are we not, what better way to close the gap?” His eyes were molten as he said the words, and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze. “Take off your dress, it’s been far too long since I’ve truly seen you.”

She responded to his request automatically, the situation unleashing her darker carnal urges. With her eyes cast aside, Eleanor unbuttoned her borrowed dress, the light wool cloying against her prickling skin.

Rivers observed while she moved, as if under a spell. He closed on her as the dove grey dress fell to the floor. She unlaced the pale pink silken ribbons of the ivory bodice beneath. Taking the ribbons into one hand, he drew her chin to face him with firm fingers. His other hand entwined in the ribbons, and he pulled her closer to him. Her lips fell open, a gentle cry escaping her. He was close, real and strong and determined.

“If you were a whore, my precious love, I believe I’d sell my every possession, including my soul, in order to buy your time all for myself.”

Eleanor whimpered. The pulse in her core pounded out a relentless rhythm, as solid as hands beating on a tight drum.

His lips closed over hers, his tongue probing deep into her mouth, it was a hungry possessive kiss. She responded with longing equal to his, her hands wrapping around his neck. He undid the ribbons while he kissed her hard and long, then stroked his hands over her shoulders and breasts. Wild threads of sensation flew out from where he touched her. He drew back, caressing her nipples, watching as her lips parted with pleasure.

“I realized that last night.” He paused. “I knew it wasn’t true, but if it were I would have to come here, every day, and buy every moment of your time, so no other man could have you.”

Her body trembled.

“Eleanor, I love you. Since I first met you I’ve wanted you. I want to look at every inch of your body before I make love to you. Let down your hair.” 

She unpinned it, shaking it down in a tumble of darkness over her shoulders.

He took handfuls of it between his fingers, then stroked it over her breasts.

The pulse between her thighs beat faster, and her head dropped back as she gave a low moan. He pressed his lips to her nipples, mouthing her hungrily. Waves of stimulation coursed through her, like snakes across the hot desert sand.

“Dear god, Rivers, what are you doing to me?”

He gave her a dark smile. “I’m taking pleasure in the sight of you.”  He dipped his fingers inside her, into her well of desire.

She was weak with sensation. He continued his mastery of her senses, stroking her bud until she was shivering with torment, her mouth open, and her hands clutching at his shoulders.

“Oh yes, my sweet Eleanor, you are ready for this and you will be mine.”

Her knees buckled and she moaned loudly when her climax shuddered through her. Her inner flesh contracted fiercely.

His arms slipped up around her, carrying her across to the bed. She laid back across it, barely aware, her chest heaving with the flood of release. As her breath slowed and her consciousness took hold again she saw Rivers had stripped off his clothes. His fist was on his manhood, slowly pumping as he eyed her. It stood out from his hips, huge and powerful. Her core contracted with need. She whimpered and moved up the bed, making space for him. He came at her and quickly entered her, like a wild hungry creature starved of its vital sustenance.

Her flesh was so swollen with desire and fulfillment that she was exceedingly sensitive. She gasped as the rod of flesh probed into her, her breath panting harshly against his face. He held her, his familiar dark eyes reassuring her she was safe in her abandon. Her body moved against him, beckoning him closer.

“You are on fire,” he breathed, his face contorting in ecstasy.

“Yes, my love, oh to have you there.”

His extreme arousal was only being heightened by her words, for he thrust harder still. He took slow, deep strides, masterful, even then. She could see he was on the edge, reckoning with control. With each movement he made she uttered a breathless cry – for it was almost too much to stand. The feeling of him thrusting against her, deep inside, caused a torrent of pleasure with each move, each greater than the last. Eleanor’s senses were dizzy with rapture. A dynamite sequence was triggered inside her, wave after wave of acute pleasure flooding her senses.

“Rivers,” she cried out. “Oh, Rivers.”

* * *

He cocooned her against him, holding her safe and locking her into place with his arms. He kissed her over and over, hungry to feel every ounce of her softness to reassure himself she was real in his arms and it wasn’t another dream.

“I wonder if Venus herself was as passionate in love making as you are, my precious,” he whispered.

“It’s been a long time, waiting, thinking of you.”

“You were thinking of me, even though you had escaped me in New York?”

She pushed her head back into the pillows, chuckling heartily. “I didn’t escape you. I merely gave you the slip.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

“I should put you over my knee and spank you for your insolence, Miss Craven.” He kissed her and she purred, wriggling up against him, obviously not adverse to his remark about spanking. He would have to store the little fact away for future reference. His hand went possessively around the curve of her bottom as he thought about it some more.

“Is the chasm between us safely dissolved?”

She nodded, beaming at him, happily lying there in the glow of their fulfillment.

“Oh, you are such a wanton, such a sensual, pleasure-loving woman, Bella missed a great business opportunity…she could have made herself a fortune selling you alone.”

“Rivers.” Her head went back against the pillows. She caught his teasing expression and pushed him away before quickly pulling him back against her again. “You are terrible, don’t say such a thing, and you must know it’s only you. It’s you who makes me this way.” She blushed and looked up at him with adoring eyes.

Her words brought every confirmation he needed. His heart swelled with pride and joy. “I barely dare ask…” He smiled at her. “May I assume we will travel together from this point?”

She nodded. “Yes, we will travel on together and please forgive me…”

He put a finger to her lips “That’s all I wanted to know.”

“There’s something else…” She grew serious.

What could this be about?

“Yes?”

“There’s a young man here who has no family, and he helped me with a difficult situation. I’ll explain it all when we are under way, but I wish to take him with us to California. There’s nothing for him here now and I owe him a great debt.” Her eyes were clouded with some unhappy memory.
Would he ever know about everything that had happened to her in those missing weeks?
he wondered.

“His name is Leo.”

“If you are happy with that I am, especially if he helped you in some way. However, I want us to be on our way tomorrow…and I want you to come with me now and stay in Fort Bridger tonight.”

“No, Rivers, no I can’t.”

He hated to see that frown on her beautiful face, but he knew his was deeper. He sighed. “Why ever not?”

“These women have been good to me. Let me stay with them tonight to say my goodbyes at supper time.”

Rivers didn’t want to risk spoiling this blissful moment with protestations. He nodded his agreement, albeit reluctantly. “I don’t suppose there’s any point in trying to persuade you to join the railroad from here on?”

She arched her eyebrow at him, her mouth pursed.

“No, I thought not.” He couldn’t help smiling.

“For Father,” she whispered.

“I know. I’ll come for you tomorrow and I’ll bring fresh mounts, you must be ready to leave by noon.”

“And Leo,” she insisted.

“And Leo.” He smiled. She was as feisty as ever, even while languishing against the over-stuffed pillows and the gaudy headboard of a small town bordello, looking like a sated harlot. He was happy her spirit was strong, but tomorrow couldn’t come quickly enough for Rivers. He didn’t feel at all happy about leaving her there another single night. Despite her reassurances, he had a bad feeling about the place.