Love by Dawn (4 page)

After the meal, he tied his prisoner securely
to a tree. “Why are you taking him to Fort Tate?” asked the
kid.

He scowled into his tin cup and tossed the
coffee dregs onto the ground. How could he explain that he was
doing something that went again the grain?

Casey just had to ask, as
casually as she could manage, “Did he kill someone,” she added to
threw him off track. He simply said, “No he didn’t kill anyone,”
and left it at that. She figured he didn’t want to tell her the
truth, so to cover up her disappointment she grumbled,
“Don’t make me no never mind,”
as she walked to
Sadie to remove the saddle, giving the horse a good rundown and
taking her exasperation out on her coarse hide.

That night, she feigned sleep a long time
before she heard Blake’s heavy breathing. She gave herself another
five minutes before she decided it was time to put her plan to
work. The moonless night was cool, but Casey was perspiring and her
nerves were taut. She said a silent prayer as she quietly and
slowly slipped out from under her blanket. Crawling a few feet, a
twig snapped making her freeze; her nerves tensed. When her heart
drove in her stomach, she gulped air to steady her uneven
breathing.

Fearfully, her eyes glanced at the cowboy and
waited, but his breathing didn’t miss a beat. With another deep
gulp of air, she continued to crawl to her sleeping brother. She
reached Hunter’s side and whispered into his ear, he nodded and she
was glad he wasn’t sleeping. She managed to get his feet untied and
was working on his wrists when she was pushed forward and found
herself eating dirt. A booted foot was on her back and she heard a
rifle cocked.

“Don’t move,” his voice hardened, “or you’ll
never grow to fill out your breeches,” the cowboy warned.

She was taken so unaware that for a moment,
she merely stared at the ground with eyes wide and mouth agape.
Frightened, she moved her head slightly and her eyes stared at the
rifle pointed inches from her face. She swallowed, almost choking
on dirt. There was a ringing in her ears and she dared not
blink.

“Sit tight or I’ll tan your hide!”

Casey blanched. Would he dare? She wasn’t
about to find out. Albeit, the thought frightened her, she found
herself somewhat thrilled by it. That silly notion only lingered in
her mind for a split second before she rolled onto her backside as
if to protect it. She looked up at the cowboy, not missing his
cold, hard features. Acting much braver than she felt, she stuck
out a defiant chin, challenging him with her eyes.

Let him try and spank
me!
She sneered inwardly but, upon seeing
his expression was now one of annoyed tolerance, she lost some of
her gumption. She saw her brother open his mouth to say something,
but she caught his eye with a look that said, “Keep quiet.” He
nodded and she knew he would be silent for now.

Once Hunter’s feet were secure, Blake
approached her. She found some courage, stood on shaky legs and
began to slowly retreat, never taking her eyes off Blake’s angry
face. She swallowed audibly putting one foot behind the other.

“I…um, will leave you to your….”

The enraged cowboy lunged for her. She
screamed and kicked him in the shins, making him howl, but he
didn’t release his hold on her arms and she winced in pain.

“You little brat, I ought to....”

Casey didn’t let him finish; her rebellious
emotions turned to fury. A hard bite on his hand made him release
her immediately. Still frightened, but angered by the way he
treated her, she took this opportunity to turn and run. But Blake
was too fast for her and she found her waist grabbed by two strong
hands. His arms then became an iron vice around her middle and he
carried her back to camp kicking and screaming.

“You’re a hell of a wildcat, kid, but you
better calm down or I’ll give you the whipping you were
promised.”

He squinted critically where she was keenly
aware of his scrutiny and she shuddered. Surely, he had not meant
his threat about his hands on her bottom. Unable to fight his
strength, and with the feel of his hard chest on her back doing
funny things to her stomach, she relented. Although angry that her
attempt to free her brother failed, the security of Blake’s embrace
was somewhat comforting. She hadn’t been held in anyone’s arms
since her mother died. A feeling sad and lonely accosted her and
she wished, for a moment, that she could be held lovingly by this
stranger. He spun her around, rubbed his sore hand and raised an
eyebrow. She didn’t miss the determined glint in his light blue
eyes.

She tried to step back but he grabbed her
again. The warmth of his hand on hers shocked her and she didn’t
like it. Or did she? She moistened her dry lips with her parched
tongue.

“Okay, young fellow, you want to explain to
me what this was all about?” A muscle quivered at his jaw betraying
his deep frustrations.

Silence. A deadly silence.

“Are you going to answer me?” he
insisted.

She stuck out her proud chin and remained
adamant. Her stubbornness was Blake’s undoing and he began to shake
her until her teeth rattled.

“Damn! Are you trying to snap my head off?”
she railed.

“Take your filthy hands off my sister!” It
took a minute for her brother’s angry words to sink in before the
cowboy released Casey, as if he had been branded by a hot poker. He
looked too stunned to speak, but he raised his hand as if he was
going to strike but he just tore off the hat that was wedged down
on her head. Her hair unwound and cascaded down her back. He stood
dumbfounded, clutching the hat. She bit her lower lip, trying not
to laugh at the silly expression on his face, as his jaw flapped
unhinged. But she didn’t miss the swift look of desire that skated
through those eyes that moments ago were hot blue ice from anger.
No man had ever looked at her like this and it was unnerving to say
the least.

“Casey, are you all right?” yelled Hunter
from the shadow of the tree.

“Yep,” she replied not taking her eyes off
Blake. She was still quite shaken by her mixed emotions, but she
steadied her voice to reassure her brother that she was fine. Her
heart knew better. Frustrated and defeated, she snatched her hat
from Blake’s hand and went to her brother. He didn’t stop her, but
watched her throw her shoulders back then kneel beside him.

“I’m sorry that I failed you, Hunter. How
could I have messed things up so badly? I’ll never forgive myself
if something more happens to you,” she rasped.

“Please Sis, don’t blame yourself for what I
got into. I’m a grown man now and I have to take responsibility for
my own actions. I’m the one who should be sorry for messing up our
lives.”

She saw Hunter trying to blink back tears,
not wanting to shame himself more. He turned, looking into the
silent distance and avoiding her eyes. “I only wanted to get enough
money for us to start over someplace where you could be with ladies
your own age. Maybe meet a decent fella who could take better care
of you than me or pa.”

Casey wearily looked up remembering he didn’t
know about their father. The memory brought back the horror of that
night. Quickly, before her throat choked up, she told Hunter what
had happened and her brother could no longer hold back his tears.
She leaned over and held him as best she could, since he was tied
securely to the tree.

They cried for their father.

Blake’s stomach knotted at the sight. He
didn’t like this one bit and he was sorry he had promised to
deliver the boy to the fort. Although it tore him apart, he knew a
man was as good as his word and he had to keep his, no matter what.
“Damn!” he cursed to himself and turned, giving them some privacy.
This was getting too damn complicated!

He sat by the fire still berating himself
for getting mixed up in this mess. But now, more than before, he’d
get Hunter to the fort if only to provoke that little wildcat. No
words could describe what he had felt in his loins the moment her
beautiful thick, flaxen-colored hair fell from its confinement.
Pure carnal desire hit him full force and he tried his darnedest
not to let her see the effect it had on his body. He had been too
busy struggling to notice the smallness of her waist and the
firmness of two small breasts. Damn, he needed a woman, but the one
he wanted was off limits. But, he so wanted to be with her and if
he let her brother go, he’d never see her again. No, his mission
just became necessary for a different reason. No longer was this
ordeal a burden on his soul, for now he saw this whole misfortune
in a different light. And he held Casey responsible for his mood
swing. Oh, this was going to be a very interesting trip.

He shifted in order to
watch the two until he assumed they were both asleep. Spitting his
frustrations into the dirt, he envied the love the two shared.
Blake never missed his family more than he did at that moment. He
wanted to hold the girl and tell her everything was going to be all
right, not understanding why he felt so protective of her. But he
understood now why she made him feel uneasy and for that he was
relieved. He never wanted anything but a female in his bed.
Hellfire! He must be slipping, not to have noticed her soft body
when in his arms, arms that long to hold her again. Blake felt like
a first class heel. But if he wanted to get any sleep he would have
to keep the girl where she would be less of a danger, next to
him.
Sleep? No way in hell would he
sleep!
He picked up the sleeping form and
carried her over to his bedroll. She did not protest when she was
lifted and carried away from her brother.

Hunter snarled, “Touch one hair on her head
and I’ll find a way to free myself and kill you,” he threatened
through clenched teeth.

“Don’t worry, little brother,” Blake spat
over his shoulder,” she’ll be just as safe with me.”

Hunter’s laugh was mirthless. “Sure she is!
She’s as secure as a lamb in the jaws of a hungry lion!”

He chuckled sincerely amused. “Whatever you
may think of me, I don’t take advantage of innocent children.” He
wondered if the bundle in his arms was as innocent as her brother
said she was. When he placed her on his bedroll, the little hellcat
came instantly awake but he didn’t give her time to protest the
situation. Before a word was uttered, he grabbed her close and
whispered in her ear that she’d remain at his side that night and
if she caused any commotion she would indeed get the spanking she
so richly deserved.

FIVE

Casey would not be surprised if her whole
body blushed from head to toe. The urge to cuff him made her clench
her fist, but she didn’t want to upset her brother. She lay
submissively by his side and fuming through clenched teeth, she
gave him a few choice words. Blake had the nerve to chuckled, “Such
a big mouth for a sweet little thing.”

She turned slightly, ready to tell him what
she thought of his comment, but seeing his grin and beautiful white
teeth, she knew he was baiting her. It rattled her nerves and she
never remembered having been so sensitive before. Her brother and
father’s jokes always made her laugh with them; this man’s teasing
was like added embers on her nervous system.

She glared at him infuriated. The looks she
gave him should’ve made him at least a bit uneasy, but Blake seemed
to have nerves of steel and he simply stated, “Be good Casey and be
quiet. We both need some sleep,” he informed her losing the
smile.

“Cassandra, to you,” she snorted unladylike
and rolled on her left side giving him the cold shoulder. Extremely
smug with herself, she soon discovered that this was just where he
wanted her. His rifle was shoved between their bodies and she tried
to pull away. Too late, her right wrist was quickly tied; he was
binding her wrists with his bandanna. She was pressed to his hard
chest, feeling the rifle against her back. Her spine became like
starch on a collar as she tried to move away from him. He chuckled
again and she fumed, promising herself the first chance she got,
she’d slap that smug face, making sure she used a fist. She lay for
a long time with her back aching from holding herself so
ridged.

“Sorry, Casey, but this is the only way I’m
sure to get some sleep.”

She prayed he didn’t.

The following morning dawned gloomy, bringing
the smell of rain on its breath. Casey awoke slowly, sighing and
liking the warm cocoon feeling she was experiencing. Semi-awake,
she snuggled against the new sensation that was invading her.
Touching her bed partner’s hard form, she sprang into reality; her
eyes flew open. She was met with Blake’s twinkling blue orbs.

She gasped realizing that
she had turned in her sleep and was snuggled chest to chest with
her tied hand over his head.
Dear Lord!
This was not right!
But for some
inconceivable reason, it really didn’t feel all that wrong. That
notion made her groan inwardly. What was wrong with her? This man
made her think like a senseless, immature child. And she was
certainly not a child; the sensations in her breasts reminded her
of that fact. He held her arm in an upright position, pinning her
to him for what seemed to be long minutes. And this position she
quickly realized made her more vulnerable. His face was close to
hers, his hot breath tickled her cheek and she thought for a minute
he was going to kiss her. Did she want him too? For a second she
hoped he would, but never having been kissed by a man, except for a
loving peck from her father, she wondered how she’d react. When he
didn’t, she wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or
disappointed.

You cannot be distracted by
romantic notions,
warned her
conscience.