Reckless Destiny (21 page)

She loved him. Could she live with herself if she didn’t do everything in her power to make their marriage work? She had just told R. J. to never stop trying. Could she do any less?

Cady recalled telling Kane that Tanners never gave up. She was a Carrington now, but she couldn’t turn her back on who and what she was and what she wanted more than anything. She had told him she wanted to teach and that was true. But she had come to the Territory for the man who had haunted her dreams and her heart since the first time she had seen him. If Cady could prove to him that she could be a good soldier’s wife and follow orders, maybe he would learn to love her just a little.

Bart Grimes sighed loudly. “Miss Ta—I mean Mrs. Carrington, I just can’t do this stuff.” He put his slate down with a sharp sound on the wooden table.

She stood behind him. “This is just like addition, Bart. If you can’t remember, just add six. Look, six times six is thirty-six. Add six to that and you get forty-two. So, six times seven is what?”

“Forty-two?” he asked.

“Right. It’s slower, but until you have them memorized, it’s an easy way to remember. Don’t give up. There’s always something you can do to get where you want to go.”

She nodded emphatically. Bart would never know the words were more for herself than him. She made up her mind that she would immediately start her campaign to win Kane’s heart.

Kane stood up and walked from his desk to the window. He stared at the soldiers moving around inside the fort. At the perimeter, he saw the guard had been doubled as he’d ordered. So far everything had been quiet. He hoped it stayed that way.

Just beyond the buildings that comprised the fort, Cady and a soldier were riding side by side. She had come to Kane’s office after school and asked if he would accompany her on her afternoon ride. Although it was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, he’d begged off, claiming he had too much work to do. Her look of disappointment had both surprised and flattered him. He’d quickly suppressed the feeling. When the couple appeared a few minutes later, he saw it was Mac Thorne who rode beside her.

Now he took a deep breath, counted to ten, and by the time he was finished, they had ridden out of sight. Kane stayed where he was. The surge of emotions inside him told him if he moved, he would go out there and do something he’d regret. Minutes later they showed up again. Now they were riding so close to the perimeter they were in danger of trampling the guards.

Kane wondered how it was possible to be curious and angry at the same time. Mac would never endanger Cady, but he knew it wasn’t necessary to stay so near that the guards choked on the dust their horses kicked up. So it must be Cady’s idea.

He remembered telling her to stay within sight of the fort, but she was carrying it to an extreme. For a woman who had altered the obey part of their wedding vows to the point where she could practically do as she pleased, this was curiously out of character.

Why had Mac agreed to go with her? He hated
riding. Cavalry officers spent so much time in the saddle, you couldn’t pay them to ride when it wasn’t part of their job. Mac had assured him he had no interest in Cady. Then Kane remembered their conversation more clearly. Mac had said he wouldn’t horn in on another man’s territory. Kane had told him that Cady was free to see whoever she wished. But that was before yesterday, before they were married.

When they rode by again, he saw that Cady was laughing at something Mac said. The knot of anger in his gut tightened.

“That does it!” He yanked open the door and strode quickly to the perimeter, waiting as the pair came into view around the corner of the stable.

Cady waved when she saw him and said something to Mac before pressing her knees to the horse’s flanks to increase the animal’s pace. When she came close, she pulled back on the reins. Mac was right beside her.

Her cheeks were a becoming shade of pink. She smiled brightly and looked a little too happy. She never looked that way when she was with him. Maybe she found Thorne’s company preferable to his own. The irritation he’d recognized before sliced him more sharply this time. In one fluid motion, the other man swung his leg over the animal’s rump and stepped down, then moved beside Cady and raised his arms to assist her.

Kane stood alongside Mac, staring at his junior officer. “At ease, lieutenant. She’s my wife. I’ll help her down.”

Mac’s brows lifted slightly. Then he touched the brim of his hat and backed away. “Anything you say, captain.”

“No one needs to help me. I’m not finished with my ride yet,” Cady said. Then she frowned. “Forgive me, Mac. You probably have more important things to do than act as nursemaid. I’ll stop now.”

“Ma’am, there’s nothing going on that could keep me from riding with you.” Mac slanted Kane a questioning look. “Unless your husband has some objection?”

“I have no objection,” he said. “But since I’m free, I’ll accompany Cady.”

“I’d like that,” she said. “But I thought you were too busy.”

He frowned. “I can spare a little time.”

“You’re sure?” Mac asked. “I don’t mind escorting this pretty lady.”

Kane glared at him. “Mac, do us both a favor. Stay away from my wife.”

“Just trying to be neighborly.”

Mac Thorne’s attitude was beginning to wear on his nerves like a persistent toothache. It was high time he was set straight.

“Don’t be neighborly. And don’t go near Cady. Is that clear?”

Cady looked down at him, shocked. “What’s wrong with you? I asked him to ride with me because you ordered me not to ride alone.”

Kane knew he was making a fool of himself and couldn’t seem to stop. He knew if Mac had ulterior motives where Cady was concerned, he sure as hell wouldn’t do anything about them in front of the whole fort. But Kane was acting on pure emotion now, beyond caring why he was behaving like a jackass.

Kane looked up at her. “Cady, listen—”

“No. I don’t think my temper can stand it right now.” She wheeled her horse away and cantered toward the open desert.

“Cady, come back!” he hollered.

Mac handed him the reins of his own horse. “Better go after her, captain.”

Kane took the leather strips the other man handed
him, swung quickly into the saddle, and kneed the horse, urging it into motion. He had no difficulty catching up, and his horse fell into an easy pace beside hers. They rode for a while without speaking. He could feel her annoyance. The funny thing was, he didn’t blame her but he didn’t know what to do about it.

Finally he broke the silence. “Cady—”

“Am I too far from the fort?” Her tone was clipped and taut with irritation.

“No.”

She glanced at him and her eyes flashed green fire. “You’re sure?”

“We’re not right on top of it, but yes, this is within sight of the sentries.”

“You’re positive? I wouldn’t want to disobey orders.”

“Since when?”

“Since—” She looked at him, then straight ahead, and he could see the tension in her profile. “Never mind.”

“Cady, listen to me. I didn’t mean to—”

“I’m not Annie,” she said, still not looking at him.

Kane’s whole body tensed. His mount grew restive and difficult to control. He pulled back on the reins. Cady halted beside him and patted her mount’s neck.

“What did you say?” he asked.

“I said I’m not Annie. I won’t betray you with another man.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You behaved like a complete ninny with Mac, and I can only conclude it’s because you’re jealous.”

“That’s ridiculous.” But he knew she was right. Since he’d already crossed the line, he decided he couldn’t do more damage. He had to know something. “Why did Mac Thorne ride with you?”

She shrugged. “I asked him.”

“But why Mac?”

“You seem to have a lot of faith in him. I thought he’d be good to have along if the Indians showed up.”

“Cady, you were practically on top of the perimeter guards. You didn’t need Mac Thorne or anyone else.”

“I was merely following your orders.”

“And I have to ask again, since when?”

“Since our wedding yesterday. I took a vow to obey you as long as the orders made sense. It makes perfect sense to stay as close to the fort as possible since there are hostile Indians on the loose. It makes even better sense to have an experienced Indian soldier with me. Mac was telling me about some of his experiences. He certainly has seen his share of adventure. I chose him because—”

“Be careful of Mac,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Why?”

“He’s a womanizer.”

“Mac?” She laughed. “The few times I’ve seen him, he’s been a perfect gentleman.”

“Don’t argue, just trust me on this. Stay away from Mac Thorne.”

He’d never experienced jealousy before. He had never felt this possessive of a woman, not even Annie. While he’d been married to her, he’d heard rumors about her and other men, but he had dismissed them as gossip. He hadn’t cared enough to check them out.

But Cady was wrong about one thing. He wasn’t comparing her to his first wife. He’d never met a woman more loyal than Cady, and it never crossed his mind that she would be unfaithful to him. He just didn’t trust other men around her.

“So you want me to keep my distance from Lieutenant Thorne. Is that an order?” There was just a hint of teasing in her words.

“Yes, if that’s what it takes.”

“Then I’ll do my best to avoid him.”

“As easy as that?” he asked, surprised that she had agreed.

“According to the letter of my vow, I’m entitled to a bit more discussion about
why
I should avoid him, but I’m willing to give you a break. Just this once.” Now he knew she was joking.

He let out a long breath, relieved that things between them were back to normal, whatever that was. He looked at her, then grinned when he caught the twinkle in her green eyes.

“I owe you one,” he said.

“Yes, you do. And I think I’ll collect tonight.”

“Tonight?” he asked. He hoped she wasn’t asking what he thought. They had both vowed not to make that mistake again.

“I’m having the first official meeting of the Fort McDowell Literary Society and I’d like you to be there.” She held up a gloved hand. “Before you say anything, the last time was not a real meeting. If you recall, I wound up in the guardhouse.”

“I remember.” How could he forget? If he had been more vigilant in keeping her there, they wouldn’t be married now. “Will Mac Thorne be there?”

“I can hardly keep him away.” Kane watched her eyes grow pleading as she looked at him. “It would make me very happy if you’d come, Kane. Will you? Please?”

He wanted to say no. But he couldn’t resist the appealing look on her face and the fact that it seemed important to her that he attend. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

She smiled brightly and said, “Thank you.”

Kane cursed himself for a damn fool. He knew if he didn’t do something soon, it would be impossible to let her go.

Cady had eaten a quick dinner
alone in their quarters while Kane finished up the work he’d set aside to ride with her. She arrived at the mess hall early, just as the kitchen detail was clearing the evening meal, so that she could set up for the literary society meeting. The lingering odors of beans, onions, and salt pork drifted to her as she worked.

Kane had ordered two of the enlisted men to carry her trunk for her, and now she pulled each book out and set it, spine out, on a table that had been moved against the wall. Just like everything else in the desert, her volumes had gotten dusty even packed away in her trunk. She brushed her hands together to dislodge the dirt, then looked down and noticed that her green wool skirt was streaked. Absorbed with shaking it out, she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.

“Evening, ma’am.”

She whirled around. “Mac! You scared the life out of me.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” His easy grin coaxed a similar response from her.

“You might give a body some warning,” she said, taking a deep calming breath.

“I’ll do that next time.”

Cady studied the man with an objective eye. She had to admit that Mac Thorne was a very attractive man and would make many a female heart flutter outrageously. But she was not moved by his charm. Kane had stolen her heart, and she knew he would have it forever.

In spite of his denial, she knew Kane was afraid she would be like Annie and turn to another man if life on an army post proved to be more than she could cope with. Cady would rather be alone than be with any other man. But if it would prove to her husband that she could follow orders and be a good army wife, she’d do her best to avoid the dashing lieutenant.

“Mac, I was just on my way back to my quarters to pick up more books. Would you mind watching these in case anyone comes early?”

“Sorry, Mrs. Carrington. You did that to me the last time, and you never came back.”

“That wasn’t my fault.”

“Doesn’t matter whether it was or not. I can’t stay. I’m on my way to relieve the guard and I can’t be here this evening. I just wanted to know if you’d hold on to that copy of
A Tale of Two Cities
for me.”

“I’d be happy to. Or better yet.” She glanced toward the door to make sure Kane wasn’t standing there. Satisfied, she looked back at Mac. “Why don’t you take it with you now?”

“Got my hands full of Winchester,” he said, hefting his rifle. “Besides, even if I had time to read it, the light isn’t real good out there. That moon is only good for kissing under.”

Cady’s cheeks flooded with color. She’d never have thought anything of the remark if Kane hadn’t warned her about Mac. She believed he was nothing more than a harmless flirt, but now she was highly sensitive to anything he said.

“Lieutenant, it’s not proper for you to talk that way in front of me. I’m a married woman.”

“Yes, ma’am, I know. And no disrespect intended, but if I were you I’d get that husband of yours out under that big old moon and do some sparking.” His eyebrows rose suggestively.

“Why do you say that?”

Did he know that Kane didn’t want her as a wife? Did everyone know their marriage was a sham?

“There’s a problem when a man stands guard duty on his wedding night who’s got a woman like you waiting for him.”

So he did know, or he’d guessed.

“Oh, Mac. I don’t know what to do. He was married before.”

“I know all about Annie. That’s over and done with. He’s got you now.”

“That’s the problem. He doesn’t want me. I’m doing my best to make this marriage work, but—” She covered her mouth with her hand and glanced at the door. “That reminds me, you’ll have to go. I’ll hold the book for you, but Kane can’t see us talking together.”

He frowned. “Why not?”

“He warned me to stay away from you.”

A wide grin turned up the corners of his mouth. “That’s a real good sign.”

“It is?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s jealous.”

“I told him that earlier, after he was so rude to you, but he denied it. All I know for sure is that I have my
orders and I’m trying to show him I can be a good wife.”

“Take my advice, a good wife would get him out there under that moon. He won’t give a tinker’s damn about orders or anything else if you’re there.”

“That’s kind of you to say so, Mac.” She flashed a quick look at the door again. “Now don’t take this the wrong way, but please go.”

“Good thing I’m not the sensitive type.” He smiled again, then politely touched the brim of his hat before he left her.

“Good evening, Major Wexler. I’m very glad you could join us,” Cady said, smiling at the fort commander.

“It’s my pleasure, Cady. Or should I say Mrs. Carrington?”

“You can call me whatever you’d like, sir. I’m still not used to being Mrs. Carrington. Marriage certainly is an adjustment.”

“That it is.” He rubbed his jaw as a puzzled look crossed his face. “I have to admit I was a little surprised when Kane stood guard duty on his wedding night.”

Oh, Lord, even the major knew something was wrong.

She smiled thinly. “That’s Kane. I knew when I agreed to marry him that he was dedicated to his career.”

“He’s a fine officer. The army is lucky to have him. And he’s lucky to have you.”

“That’s very kind of you, sir.” Now she wanted to change the subject. She indicated the table beside her. “Is there anything here you’d care to read, major?”

“Let me take a look.”

“Be my guest.”

Kane walked in the door and scanned the room. Cady’s gaze was drawn to him like a bee to honey. He was so tall, so handsome. When he looked in her direction, her heart pounded until she was sure it could be heard over the sound of voices.

He walked across the room, greeting people as he moved through the crowd. Some of them had already picked out books to read; most used the evening as an opportunity merely to visit. Either way, Cady was pleased with the way it had gone so far. Her aim was to break the monotony of army life. She felt she had done that.

“Good evening, Major Wexler.” Kane nodded to his commanding officer.

“Captain. I was just chatting with your lovely bride. Now I’m going to have a look at these books.”

“Yes, sir.” Kane looked at her, and his mouth lifted in the little smile that always made her knees weak.

Cady glanced at Major Wexler, but he had moved to the far end of the table.

Kane stood beside her, close enough that their arms brushed.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people here,” he said.

She smiled warmly. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the turnout has been encouraging. I told you people were looking for something to do.”

“You did, didn’t you?” he said, a teasing note in his voice.

The major came up on her other side, and she stood between the two men. He held a book up for her to see. “I believe I’d like to try this one.”

Cady saw the title and frowned. “I am sorry, Major Wexler, but I already promised to hold that one for Lieutenant Thorne. He’s on guard duty and couldn’t be here tonight. Is there something else you’d be interested in?”

Cady felt Kane go rigid beside her. She knew he was displeased, but she
had
promised the book.

The major browsed a little more through the volumes on the table. “I’ll take this, then.”

Cady glanced at the title and smiled. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy that one, sir.”

“I’ll try and bring it back for the next meeting.”

“Keep it as long as you like, major.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Carrington. I believe I’ll go find Betsy and see what she’s up to.”

Cady gestured across the room. “She’s over there with Mrs. Grimes. Please give her my regards, will you?”

“My pleasure.” He looked at her, then nodded at Kane. “Captain, Mrs. Carrington, good evening,” he said and walked across the room to his wife.

Cady didn’t like the frown on Kane’s face. “What’s wrong?” she asked him.

His eyes grew dark. “Let’s go outside.”

She thought about her earlier conversation with Mac and his advice to get Kane out in the moonlight. Somehow she thought this was not precisely what he had meant.

“Is that an order?”

“Yes,” he said tightly.

She nodded. “As you wish, captain.”

He took her elbow and guided her through the gathering in the mess hall, outside, and down the steps. The street was awash in moonlight. There was a chill in the breeze that pushed the wisps of hair from her face. After the crush of bodies inside the mess hall, the isolation was a relief and the air on her hot cheeks was heaven. He stopped by a grouping of rocks and glared down at her, but he still held her arm. His features looked harsh in the moon’s eerie light.

“What did you think you were doing in there?” he asked.

“I was loaning books.”

“Then why did you turn down the major?”

“Because I had already promised to hold that book for Mac.”

“After I asked you to stay away from him?”

“You knew he planned to stop in. I couldn’t very well ignore him. That would be rude.”

“But it wasn’t rude for you to refuse a request made by the commanding officer of this fort?” He frowned.

“I was polite. The major didn’t seem upset at all. I don’t understand why you’re making an issue of this.”

“Because in the army, when the commanding officer asks for something, it’s considered an order. On a military post, his word is law for everyone—including you. You need to understand the rules, for as long as you’re married to a soldier.”

“What does that mean?”

“You know—rules, a code of laws that guides the way you live.”

“I know what rules are. I meant the part about for as long as we’re married. That doesn’t sound like it’s going to be very long.”

“You’re impulsive, Cady, and you’ve pretty much done what you wanted when you wanted. You can’t do that in the army.”

“We’re not talking about law and order, we’re talking about borrowing a book that someone else asked for first. Whatever happened to the rules of polite society?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you since the first day you got here. That way of life doesn’t work here. The fort commander is in charge and he gets what he wants.”

“What about you? You’re the second-in-command. What do you want?”

The moon glowed over his thick brown hair and the curl that drifted onto his forehead. His strong jaw was tightly clenched, drawing her attention to his mouth. The way it turned up at the corners made him look like he was smiling. She knew he wasn’t. His moods were as clear to her now as a cloudless sky.

But something was going on inside him. Cady would give up her last book if it wasn’t the same thing she wanted—the touch of his lips against her own. The yearning stretched and grew in her chest until she almost couldn’t breathe.

This was what Mac had meant about getting him outside. The moonlight, the mysterious desert surrounding them, cast a spell. The danger lurking behind every hill and cactus heightened the sense of urgency between them. She had experienced candlelight suppers and Sunday picnics, but she had never felt the magic of a place as much as she did in this Arizona desert.

Cady searched his face and saw the effort he exerted to keep his distance from her. If she was going to get through to him, she had to do something and she had to do it now.

He was still holding her arm. She placed her free hand on his chest and saw the small intake of breath he couldn’t quite hide.

“Kane, I don’t think you’re as angry that I refused the major as you are that I did a favor for Mac.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m a soldier, a by-the-book officer. You don’t spend as much time in the army as I have without learning the man in charge calls the shots—”

She lifted her hand and covered his mouth with her fingers. “I don’t give a fig for this mysterious book all
you soldiers talk about. I said it before and I’ll say it again: You’re jealous of Mac Thorne.”

“Bull—!”

“Deny it all you want. If it will help, I don’t mind if you say some of those words men are so fond of. I won’t faint. I’ve got two brothers; I’ve heard some of them before. But it won’t change the fact that you’re jealous and you have no reason to be.”

“Have you been out in the sun without your hat?”

“No. But I’ve been thinking a lot about this.”

Cady slid her arm from his cheek and rested it around his neck, then stood on tiptoe and softly touched her lips to his. His body went rigid and he started to pull away.

“Don’t, Kane. Please.”

She kissed him again, and there was only a slight hesitation before his arms went around her and crushed her to his chest. He pressed his mouth against hers hungrily, and his breathing grew shallow and rapid.

Cady’s heart pounded against her ribs as she was swept away by the sweetness of being in his arms once again. She slipped her hand from his neck and threaded her fingers through the thickness of his hair and heard him moan low in his throat.

He pressed his fingers to the back of her head and squeezed a fistful of her hair, not hurtful but with an eagerness that thrilled her. He made the contact of their mouths more firm. His tongue teased her closed lips and instantly she opened to him. He stroked the inside of her mouth and shivers rippled through her body, starting in her breasts and ending at her toes.

Cady pulled her mouth from his and stared into the smoky depths of his eyes. “You are a devil,” she whispered. “You’ve stolen every last ounce of my strength. If you weren’t holding me like this, I’d be in a heap at your feet.”

He sat down on the rock beside them and pulled her onto his lap. His arms came around her waist and she crossed her wrists loosely behind his neck. Their faces were so close she could feel his breath stir the wisps of hair framing her face, smell the fragrance of his shaving soap, breathe in his masculine scent.

He smiled, a slow, self-satisfied, all-male smile that made her heart race. When he looked at her that way, she knew she would follow him to the ends of the earth.

“If I’m a devil, you’re a witch, Cady Carrington. You make me forget everything but you—your silken hair, your tempting body.” His hand slipped up and, with his thumb, he stroked a feather-light touch across the side of her breast. “You’re so beautiful. Do you have any idea how lovely you are?”