Sunflower (29 page)

“Will you stay to dinner, Tor, and help us eat your catch? My husband returned this afternoon. I’m sure he’d enjoy your company.”

The young private blushed and shook his head. “No, tanks, Mrs. de la Vega. I have to report back.” In his accented English, he explained, “Riders just came in with news the paymaster’s wagon been attacked by Sioux before the guard detail reached them. The driver been killed and the pay chest stolen.”

Analisa blanched as she fought to keep her tone light. “It looks as if your pay will be late again this month.”

“Someting always keeping me from getting paid, but nutting this bad happened before.” He laid the rabbit on the drainboard and turned to leave. “Well, I suppose we all be out on detail tomorrow, chasin’ after the Indians and findin’ nutting. Tanks for the offer of dinner, Mrs. de la Vega. Good night, ma’am.”

“Wel te ruste,
Private.”

Absently, she bade him good night in her own language and attempted to hush Kase. The boy wanted to relate every detail of his day while she tried to collect her scattered thoughts. Had Caleb been with the party that attacked and killed the paymaster or had he been on his way back to the fort by that time? Perhaps knowledge of the ambush was the reason behind his ill temper. She began to prepare the evening meal, quartering the rabbit and browning it with the onions in the skillet. Kase gave up trying to capture her attention and went to pester Caleb while his mother cooked. The pungent smell of onion browning in butter filled the air, but she was oblivious to the scent, her hands working at the task while her mind churned.

Analisa shook her head, wondering how a day that had begun as usual could suddenly be turned upside down by Caleb’s return. Their argument remained unsettled, and she now faced the additional worry about the attack and Caleb’s possible involvement in it. First things first, she decided. They would eat a quiet supper for Kase’s sake. Then after the boy was tucked in, things would be settled. She’d make certain of that.

The small house chilled with the increasing hours of darkness The scent of onion and boiled cabbage lingered in the rooms as Analisa made a last tour of the house in the darkness, checking on the fire in the stove, securing the latch on the front door. Kase was safely tucked in bed. He fell asleep nearly as soon as his head hit the pillow. She guessed he dreamed of riding and rabbits, and she felt content knowing that the boy had been happier since their move to the fort.

Supper had ended quickly. Caleb had eaten as if he had not seen food for the past two weeks. Perhaps he had not. Kase’s early enthusiasm had waned as exhaustion overtook him, and he’d asked to be excused as soon as he finished eating. The boy had sat on the settee, where Caleb read him a story while Analisa cleared the table and washed the dishes. When she returned to the parlor, both Kase and Caleb had been gone; she’d found Kase asleep in his bed. Now it was time to lock up and join Caleb.

The lamp was out in the bedroom. The moonless night swathed the room in inky blackness. Her arms extended before her, she felt her way to the far wall and began to unfasten her dress. Dropping it to the floor, she stepped out of the voluminous folds of material and then shook it out softly and hung it on a hook. Her long cotton petticoat went next, and she was left standing in her silk chemise and pantalets. She bent to remove her shoes, struggling with the hooks in the darkness, unwilling to light the lamp “and disturb Caleb. She could hear him breathing softly from across the room. She reached for her nightgown, letting her hands search for it in the darkness. When her fingers recognized the texture of the cotton and the shape of the gown, she took the nightie from the hook.

Never had she gone to Caleb nude. It seemed far too daring a step. A considerate lover, he knew how inexperienced she was, and Analisa sensed that much of Caleb’s light humor and gentleness when they were together was meant to put her at ease. She would have to let him know somehow that he’d banished her nightmares. She never feared the act of love, because of his tenderness, and never would she fear Caleb. Maybe he didn’t realize how much she cared for him. She had doubted if that was possible, but now she wondered if his harsh words earlier had stemmed from jealousy. Could he believe she would look twice at another man after having known his love?

She hung the nightgown back on its hook. The evening chill in the room began to seep into her skin. She shivered, briskly rubbing her arms to ward off the cold. Her skin was dimpled with goose bumps. Hastily she slid down her garters and stockings. The silk pantalets whispered as they slipped off of her body. She drew the camisole over her head and laid it aside. Hurrying now because of the cold, she pulled the pins from her hair and shook it free. She would not brush it out tonight, for if she had her way, it would be mussed very soon anyway. She felt above the hooks for the shelf and dropped the hairpins somewhere near the edge. She was ready.

The bed dipped as she entered it, and the sheets felt cold against her skin. Caleb’s warmth radiated near his body but did little to heat her side of the bed. He was so still she could not tell if he was asleep or merely lying in silence. When he made no move to touch her, she debated with herself over her next move. Should she reach out to him? Would he think her brazen? Before she could decide how to approach him, Caleb’s voice reached out across the darkness.

“I’m sorry about the way I acted today, Anja.”

He made no move to touch her. They lay as still as statues, close but without making contact. Analisa felt her skin tingle all down the side closest to him.

“I think I understand now,” she whispered. “I have been thinking about everything you said. Are you jealous of the major?” Her voice sounded incredulous as she spoke to the ceiling.

“I’ve never been jealous before, and when it hit me I couldn’t really believe it. I have such strong feelings where you are concerned.” He sighed into the darkness but did not move toward her. “I made a fool of myself, I guess.”

“No, Caleb. Never that. I must admit, your temper frightens me, but not so much as your silence. I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

“Yes, you do. You take on that stubborn Dutch pride and look me square in the eye. Don’t ever stop standing up to me when I need it, Anja.”

“You know I care nothing for Major Williamson, don’t you, Caleb? He’s a friend and is concerned about us.”

“You might think of him as a friend, but I’d wager to guess that he would not think twice about cutting me out. He knows me only as Don Ricardo, Analisa.” She felt him prop himself up on his elbow and look down at her, his outline barely discernible. “He probably can’t figure out what a woman like you sees in a greenhorn like the professor.”

Her laughter floated on the air. “Yes, but I know you are nothing like the man you pretend to be, and that is more than enough for me. Please don’t be jealous anymore, Caleb. You have no need.”

“No? Somehow I’ve been lucky enough to marry one of the most beautiful women in the world.”

“One
of the most beautiful?”

He leaned over her and unerringly found her lips in the darkness. “Definitely
the
most beautiful.”

His arms encircled her and he pulled her close. His hands explored her nude form, tracing the outline of her shoulders, her waist, and the swell of her hip.

“What’s this?”

Shy in the face of his question, suddenly embarrassed by her own boldness, Analisa shrugged in his arms, thankful for the darkness.

“You’ve been lying here like this all the time and you let me rattle on, apologizing?” His lips teased hers.

“Yes. I ... I really missed you, Caleb. I was so worried that something would happen to you. All I wanted earlier was for you to hold me, to ... well, you know. And all you did was rant and rave and act like a beast.”

“Ha. I guess I did that.”

“Yes, you did. I decided I should take things into my own hands, but once I got into bed, my courage died.”

“Perhaps you should take things into your own hands now?”

Slowly, silently, she slipped her hands between them until she found that part of him which always drove her to such heights. She cupped him with her hands, gently massaging him until he groaned low in his throat.

“Anja, sweet Anja.”

He pressed her onto the pillow, his mouth assaulting hers, his tongue dipping and tasting her sweet nectar. He moved his lips to her breast and heard her gasping for release. He drew gently on one ripe peak and then the other, teasing her with his teeth. She whispered his name over and over in a joyous litany of welcome.

She beckoned him to enter as she opened her legs and moved sensuously against him, rousing him to a throbbing urgency. No longer able to withstand her whispered encouragement, Caleb thrust between her thighs and found the moist warmth that would guide him to her very core. He drove his length into her, sheathed at last in the honeyed depths, and followed her lead as she began to move against him, faster, faster, until he could no longer hold back the force driving to burst free.

As he reached the summit of ecstasy, Analisa called his name and clasped him to her, tipping her hips higher in order to fully receive his precious gift of love.

Analisa savored the pulsing sensations deep inside until they slowly began to fade. She peppered his neck and shoulder with kisses before he lifted his head and kissed her thoroughly. Feather-light strokes of his hair teased her face as the raven tresses hung free. He whispered against her lips.

“Now I’m really too tired to move.”

“Perhaps the Dutch are stronger than the Sioux.”

“No doubt about it. Besides, I’m only half Indian. My blood is thin.”

“But your body is not. You’re too heavy.” She pushed against him, shifting his weight off of her ribs.

“You weren’t complaining a minute ago.”

“A minute ago you were not lying here like a deadweight.”

He rolled off her to his own side of the bed and pulled her close to rest her head in the crook of his shoulder. She pressed her hand above his heart and measured its steady beat until she drifted off to sleep.

“Fine. If you won’t take me, I’ll find someone who will,”

“Can you ride?” Zach peered up at Analisa, a skeptical look in his one eye. He didn’t bother to stand when she approached, just sat where he was, perched on the edge of the stoop that led to the back door of the trader’s store. The twisted cutting of wood in his hand was as thin as the gnarled fingers that clutched it. He continued to scrutinize her as he reached into the deerskin sheath hanging from his belt to pull out a razor-sharp ivory-handled knife.

Refusing to let his unwavering stare unnerve her, Analisa waited, hands on hips, harnessing her temper before she answered him. She pulled aside a lock of hair driven across her lips by the incessant wind. “Of course I can ride.”

It was nearly the truth, she assured herself. It had been true five years ago, for Analisa had learned to ride on the journey west. Why should she tell him she hadn’t ridden since?

“I ain’t takin’ no buckboard, and there ain’t no fancy sidesaddles.” He spat as if to emphasize his distaste.

She wondered what a sidesaddle was. “I don’t mind.”

Analisa pulled her sweater tight against the wind and watched him squint at the sky from beneath the brim of the battered hat that looked as if it single-handedly won the war.

“Don’t look like the weather’s done actin’ up yet.”

Exasperated, but aware that Zach was her only hope of visiting the reservation, Analisa held her tongue. He seemed content to let her stand awkwardly awaiting his answer. She decided to quit begging and try a new tack.

“The wind has blown the storm out. Even now it seems calmer than when I walked over here. I’ll be ready about noon, Mr. Elliot. I’ll fix you dinner before we go.”

Zach settled back against the wall of the building, tossed aside the wood he had been holding, and used the knife point to flick a chunk of dried mud off the side of his boot. Unexpected fear gripped Analisa the moment she noticed a long rawhide thong ornamented with colored trade beads dangling from the carved handle. Her eyes traveled from Zach’s knife to his face. Analisa thought she saw him staring at her curiously.

“You wouldn’t be tryin’ to bribe me, would you now, Miz de la Vega?”

“If I have to, I will.” She raised her chin a notch and saw his stern lower lip twitch with a smile. His mustache hid his expressions well, but she sensed a crack in his reserve.

“Then I guess I’ll have to get to your house a little before noon so’s I can collect my bribe.”

“Fine.” Thinking the exchange over, she started to turn away. His next words stopped her.

“What does Señor de la Vega think about your wantin’ to trek out and stare at the curiosities?”

“He does not dictate to me, Mr. Elliot.”

“Nope. I imagine not.”

“What do you mean ... curiosities?”

“Oh, jest wonderin’ why a nice, clean city lady such as yourself wants to ride into a Sioux agency. I didn’t take you as the type who’d get a thrill out of lookin’ at the poor caged-up critters that live out there. Just sight-seein’, ma’am? It ain’t a pretty picture.”