Straight From The Heart (15 page)

“I know. If only I’d showed it to you months ago, I would have realized that a lot sooner.” His brown gaze narrowed as anger flooded him anew. “Henderson lied. He tricked me.”

“But what about that posse and those bounty hunters who chased you?” Dorry asked.

“I’m betting they were men hired by him to get rid of me so he could take over my gold strike.”

“Since this story isn’t about you as Henderson claimed, maybe you’re not wanted by the Arizona law. Or maybe you can prove he framed you.”

“That’s what I’m hoping. Henderson and those fake lawmen are the ones who said there were two witnesses against me. Since I didn’t murder my partner, either there are no alleged witnesses, or they’re lying, maybe hired by Henderson. I’m going downriver to Bismarck and telegraph the Arizona authorities. That’s the only way we’ll ever know the truth. With Cleary gone, you’ll be safe here alone.”

“Do it, Luke. It means so much to us. If it was just a trick, you don’t have to leave, ever.”

“If it was just a trick, I can get back my claim. It’s a rich one, Dorry.”

“If you aren’t being hunted by the law, do you want to return to Arizona?”

“I don’t know; never thought I could. We can think on that later.”

Dorry stood on the riverbank
and watched the flatboat Luke had waved down until it was out of sight. For two days, they had talked and loved and done chores together. They had written a telegram her lover was going to send to check out his fate. They had written a second one to send if the reply revealed that Henderson had lied. She didn’t know how long it would require for a response to come, and Luke was going to wait for it. If by some horrible twist of fate he was convincingly framed, he’d have to leave for Canada immediately after seeing her, since the telegram would expose his general location and would coax lawmen or bounty hunters to head this way.

While he was gone, Dorry decided, she would keep herself busy and distracted with spring tasks. She didn’t know what she would do or say if an innocent Luke wanted to return to Arizona instead of remaining in North Dakota. Yes, she did know, because there was a child growing inside of her to consider. That was news she would reveal upon his return.

On April tenth at dusk,
the raven-haired man rode into sight as Dorry finished evening chores. She hurried to the barn and awaited him there, her gaze glued to him. Her joyful heart sang,
He’s home safe!
She laughed as he bent over and lifted her onto the saddle with him, as if he could get to her faster that way than if he dismounted first.

Luke hugged her and responded to the heady kiss she placed on his lips. All else was forgotten as he fed his starving senses. After many kisses and embraces, his adoring gaze examined her. “You look good enough to eat for supper. Lordy, I’ve missed you. Been any trouble while I was gone?”

She stared into his chocolate-colored eyes and read the truth of his words. “None, if loneliness and worry don’t count as problems.”

Luke shared laughter and exchanged smiles with her. “I love you, Dorry Sims. I don’t know what woulda become of me if I hadna met you.”

“The same is true for me, Luke James. I love you and missed you. Tell me the news before I burst with curiosity. What happened?”

“Henderson’s greed and evil have done him in. He did near the same thing to another man, after he thought he was rid of me; he used those men with stolen badges to try to scare him off. His bite was too big that time, ‘cause the man’s brother is a real lawman who didn’t take to having his brother accused of murder or being framed. Henderson was tricked, caught, and hanged. Law never even knew about my partner being murdered and them saying I done it. Fact is, Dorry Sims, there aren’t any charges against me, and that claim’s still mine. I can return and work her or I can sell her.”

“It’s over? You’re free? You don’t have to run or hide anymore?” She watched her lover nod his head after each question.

“From where I’m sitting, we’re both free,” Luke said with a wink.

“What does that mean?”

“Means you can marry me if you’re willing. I’m doing the asking.”

“Where would you want to live, here or in Arizona?”

Luke played with a red curl. “Does that change your answer?”

“No, my answer is yes. I love you and want to marry you, and I’ll live wherever you choose.”

“I think this is the best place of the two. We’ll be wanting young’uns, and a mining camp ain’t no place to raise them. You changed my whole life, Dorry. You’re like some magic wind that blew away my troubles. Now that you’ve taught me to read ’n write, nobody can trick me again. Looks like our future’s as bright and pretty as that smile of yours.”

She hugged him and warmed from head to foot. For now, she wanted the attention to remain on just the two of them. Later tonight or tomorrow, she would share news about their baby, news he was ready to hear. “Why don’t we go inside and have a better reunion before supper?”

“Suits me more than fine, woman.”

After his horse was tended and they were walking to the house, Luke murmured in awe, “Never thought I was running to a wife, kids, and home of my own instead of away from trouble and death. Fate gave me a nice but scary shove. I’m a mighty lucky man, Dorry, mighty lucky.”

“So am I, just as my ancestors were.”

“Maybe I should read that book of yours and learn all your secrets.”

“You will, my husband to be. But for now, reading can wait.”

Luke James agreed, and soon they were making passionate love
 . . .

Janelle Taylor

The author’s true story of her own romance.

Romance. Is it that mysterious and magical feeling that sends one’s imagination spinning and one’s heart to fluttering? Romance. Is it that special and stirring emotion that one seeks in life, books, movies, and fantasies? Romance. Is it an intoxicating emotion that can be stirred to life by a seductive glance, a gentle caress, a soft smile, a tender kiss, or a special action? Romance. Is it a collective word for the emotion that ranges from a simple “crush” to passionate “love”? Romance. Does it slowly bloom as a fragile and exquisite flower or strike as swiftly and potently as a bolt of lightning? Love, at first glance
 . . .

My first romance was memorable and enlightening. Of all the males who shared my romances, I have never forgotten the first time I discovered the opposite sex. Until that point, I was a combination of shy loner and avid tomboy. I much preferred boyish adventures to girlish gab and trappings. I was in the seventh grade, a soon-to-be high school student. Each year, Athens High School selected seniors to visit seventh graders to “educate” them on their imminent first year of high school. My class was the luckiest of all; we had none other than the leading quarterback Francis Tarkington, who later became famous at Georgia and with the Minnesota Vikings. Who better than a handsome, dashing “hero” to spark my girlish imagination and to birth my romantic feelings! Even at that tender age, Fran embodied and presented masculine appeal. I can vividly recall his enticing looks, confident stance, and mesmerizing voice; but to this day, I can’t recall a single word he said, if I actually heard any. Although the “Scrambler” never noticed me that day, I have always remembered him and that first introduction to “romance.” That crush and that year did reveal something to me. I did recognize the importance of having a boyfriend; but at that age it was something we changed as often as fads.

The country girl found herself in the busy and intimidating aura of high school, where being quiet and shy was frequently mistaken for haughtiness and conceit. In those days of strict and old-fashioned fathers, I was given a long look at the “battle of the sexes” while awaiting that magical age of permission to explore it firsthand. I had observed “the dating game,” where each girl wanted to be on the arm and in the car of the boy with the best looks, most money, and greatest popularity. I slowly learned that many of these “dream dates” were not worth the time and effort! Even after discovering romance and boys, I still enjoyed male friends and activities. There was nothing like being “one of the boys” to prevent a romance! Yet, I wasn’t ready or willing to select or to lose either facet of my life and personality. I quickly learned that dating was a fiercely competitive sport that often ruined many female friendships, inspiring me to have more male than female friends. But those were such busy days of learning and exploring, days so full and demanding they passed quickly and hazily. Today, it strikes me as amusing that in many of those “unforgettable” romances I cannot even recall a face or name
 . . .

After graduating from high school, I went into training as an orthodontic nurse, and my dating opportunities suffered. Working for an orthodontist, I found nearly all of our patients were under fifteen! Living in a college town, working and dating were alien to each other. All teenage girls were warned of the pitfalls of dating “college men”; what college man wasn’t “out for just a good time”! Suddenly it seemed that old beaux were married or engaged; many had left Athens for school, new jobs, or the Army. I was existing in a world with few “decent” ways to meet males. It was the early sixties, a time of conflict: the Vietnam War, Kennedy’s assassination, and the sexual revolution. But Women’s Lib had not as yet opened doors for females to “take the first step” or to go “where the boys are.” For me it was a period of blind dates arranged by well-meaning friends, or risking an evening with a new acquaintance, or sitting home. Before long, I began to feel that sitting home was often preferable to the other options.

By the time I was nineteen I was living in my own apartment and working as a full-fledged orthodontic nurse. We now had some adult patients, but most of them were married. Then came Michael, to teach me the meaning of real love and heady romance. Our office staff was composed of seven females, five of whom were lovely and charming girls near my own age. If some unattached male unsuspectingly entered our office, he wouldn’t know what hit him. Some felt they’d stepped in a harem with five treasures clad in virginal white!

One cold November day a junior from the University of Georgia was referred to our office for braces; but what female would have noticed this tiny flaw with a smile like he possessed! Fate saw to it that the other nurses were occupied, and I entered the reception room to claim this new patient, to seat and prepare him for an examination. But I was totally unprepared for the sight that greeted my eyes: the epitome of Adonis and Sir Lancelot rolled into one man. As Shakespeare so aptly put it, “. . . such stuff as dreams are made on
 . . .
”

I’m sure I gaped at this striking male with my eyes wide and mouth open; I can’t recall because I was utterly bewitched at first glance. I had never seen or met any male with such a combination of arresting qualities. He was handsome, sexy, charming, and confident; he was well-mannered and polished. An impeccable and stylish dresser, he was attired in earthtones: freshly shined brown wing-tip shoes, a tailored oxford shirt with brown pin-strips, dark brown pants, and a chocolate Alpaca sweater with “MHT” monogrammed over his heart. Michael—even the name had a sensual and romantic ring. Anyone who doesn’t believe that there’s such a thing as love at first sight is badly mistaken.

When I regained my wits and speech, I led him into an examination room. With shaky hands and quivering voice, I asked him to sit down; then I placed a “bib” over his clothes, set out the necessary instruments, and filled out his chart. The room was small; his presence seemed to fill it, and my spinning mind. Crazy as it seemed, the soft music from the ceiling speaker offered an aura of romantic seclusion. Never had I been so intensely aware of a male! I seemed to notice everything about him at once, until he flooded my mind with sights and sounds.

I was at a complete loss. I couldn’t seem to think clearly or to make my hands work. He affected me in powerful ways. I found myself nearly stammering when I spoke. I blushed each time our eyes met. His enchanting voice washed over me like a gentle wave. I found it difficult to look at him, but impossible not to! I began to feel foolish and forward, a most unnerving and intriguing combination. Who was this magical creature, and how could a total stranger have such an effect on me? One read about such things in romance novels or saw them on the movie screen, but they were purely fantasy. Weren’t they?

Somehow I made it through his initial visit without acting the utter fool or brazen flirt. It was decided; he would become a patient of ours. It would require a span of treatment to cover 18 to 24 months, nearly two years of monthly visits . . . When another nurse entered the room to assist me with the diagnostic tests, I saw the way she “noticed” this virile and handsome male who was causing my heart to flutter. I bristled with possessive jealousy and determination. After his departure, I immediately announced to the entire female staff, “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” I practically demanded “all hands and eyes off!” What did it matter that the male in question hadn’t seemed to notice I was in the room! He had been so polite, but remote. No doubt he was weary of being pursued by countless females.