Journey of the Heart (43 page)

Gabe gave her fingers a last kiss and then linking his fingers with hers, pressed her arm down on the bed and took possession of her mouth with his as he rubbed against her. “I’ll make sure you are ready,” he whispered as he stroked her gently. And by the time he entered her, Caitlin was near death or ecstasy, she wasn’t sure which, the pleasure was so intense.

It did hurt, the first time, but afterward, as Cait lost her shyness, she felt a hunger for more. The second time, which went on a gloriously long time, left both of them limp with spent passion.

After lying there, her head on his chest, listening to his heart resume its normal rhythm, Cait heard a strange gurgling sound. “My stomach’s telling me I missed dinner,” said Gabe with a laugh.

“You know, I am starving, too,” she admitted.

They unwrapped the chicken and bread and cheese that her mother had packed, and ate right from the butcher’s paper, licking each other’s fingers clean at the end.

Gabe pushed his chair back and took Cait’s hand. “It is a lovely night, Cait, come and sit with me for a while.” He sat down on their top step and Cait cuddled next to him.

“Look at the sky, Gabe,” she whispered. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

It was a deep black, so deep that you could get lost in it, thought Gabe. The stars shone cold and clear and as they watched, one streaked across the western horizon.

“A shooting star, Gabe,” said Cait, wonder in her voice.

“You should be wishing on it, darlin’.”

“I have nothing to wish for, Gabe, for all I could ever want is right here,” she said and he tightened his arms around her and held her close as they watched the night sky fill with stars.

For the purposes of my story, I simplified a very complex historical situation, the Lincoln County war. For those who are interested in further background, I recommend Joel Jacobsen’s book,
Such Men as Billy the Kid.

For help with my rusty Spanish, I thank Miguel Martinez and Luisandra Reynoso. All mistakes are mine.

For being my “first readers” and for always giving me encouraging and best of all, honest feedback, thanks, Barbara and Joan.

For “Calico Cait.”

And for the rest of the Farrell family: Jack, Dee, and John. Without the “White Rabbit,” I never would have gotten to New Mexico for the first time those many years ago.

Copyright © 1997 by Marjorie Farrell

Originally published by Topaz (ISBN 0451407768)

Electronically published in 2014 by Belgrave House

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.