She had never dreamed there could be so many ways for a man and woman to express their love. She felt as if a secret door had been opened. A door leading to a beautiful garden of delights. And like a greedy child, she wanted to taste, to see, to experience everything. And she did. With Yale leading the way, she’d opened herself up to trust him to show her all he could.
Just before dawn he had carried her back to the fire, where they’d wrapped themselves in the deer hide for warmth.
She touched a hand to his cheek. “Did you sleep at all?”
He shook his head. “I was too busy watching you.”
“I’d better get up.” She started to shift.
He caught her hand, pulling her down beside him. “Where are you going?”
“I want to get dressed before the boys wake.”
“They’ll sleep for another hour or more.” He nodded toward the pale pink ribbons threading the clouds overhead. “It’s barely dawn.”
“But I wouldn’t want them to see me…” She felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “I need to be dressed before they’re awake, Yale.”
“I understand.” There was humor in his eyes as he brushed his lips over hers. “We wouldn’t want them to catch you in my bedroll, would we? But just one more kiss, Cara, before you leave me.”
She pulled back. “You know where that always leads.”
His grin was quick, and went straight to her heart. “That’s what I’m hoping.”
“You devil.” But there was no heat in her words as she offered her lips.
His arms came around her, molding her to him. She realized, too late, that he was fully aroused. And then, as he took the kiss deeper, she felt the familiar curl of desire snaking through her veins. Felt the quick liquid rush deep inside.
“I suppose they’ll sleep another hour,” she murmured as she gave herself up to the pure pleasure of his lovemaking.
“Ma. Something smells good.” Cody rolled out of the bearskin and crossed to where his mother sat beside Yale sipping strong, hot coffee.
She reached out a hand to her son, drawing him close for a kiss. “Good morning, Cody. I thought you were never going to wake up. Look, sleepyhead.” She pointed. “The sun’s been up for an hour or more.”
“I didn’t wake up once last night feeling hungry or cold,” the boy admitted. “I’m glad we came out of the mine. Aren’t you?”
Cara nodded. “Very glad. I hope we never have to go back inside a cold dark mine shaft again.”
The boy turned to Yale. “Can we stay out here? Or do we have to go back?”
Yale set aside his coffee. “For now I think we’re safe out here.” He nodded toward the fire. “Your ma’s got biscuits warming, and the last of the deer meat ready for breakfast.”
The little boy wrinkled his nose. “Do you think we could eat something for supper tonight besides deer meat?”
Yale chuckled. “We could if you and your brother can catch enough fish.”
“Fish?” Cody looked hopefully toward the stream. “Can we fish, Ma?”
She smiled. “I don’t see why not. And while you’re at it, you can take a bath and swim while I wash your clothes.”
The boy was ecstatic as he raced down to the banks of the stream and started peeling off his clothes.
Cara turned to Yale. “You’ll stay close to him, won’t you?”
He nodded. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him out of my sight.” He brushed a kiss over her lips before sauntering away.
Minutes later Seth awoke. The minute he saw his brother in the stream, he raced off to join him. Even the offer of sugared biscuits wouldn’t lure the children from the water.
Cara stood on the banks, watching as Yale rolled his pants to his knees and joined them. Soon he was tossing them into the deep while they squealed with enthusiasm.
“Again,” Cody begged, tugging on Yale’s already soaked pantleg.
“Oh. You like flying through the air and doing belly flops, do you?” With a laugh he picked up the little boy and tossed him.
And though Cara brought a hand to her mouth in alarm, she saw the look of adoration on her son’s face when he surfaced.
“Again,” he cried.
But before Yale could toss him, little Seth was tugging on his arm, indicating that he’d like the same treatment as his older brother.
“Oh, you want to live dangerously, do you?” Yale picked him up over his head, but instead of tossing him roughly, as he’d done with Cody, he dropped the boy ever-so-gently in the water.
Seth was laughing when he surfaced. A sound that had Cara’s heart nearly bursting with joy.
As she began washing her children’s clothes, she watched and listened as the two boys continued approaching Yale, begging for more. Each time he obliged. And each time they laughed harder, until the air was filled with it.
To Cara it was the sweetest sound she’d ever heard.
Feeling a shadow fall over her she looked up to see Yale heading toward her, wearing that teasing smile. On either side of him were Seth and Cody, wearing matching smiles.
“What are you…?” She started to step back, but Yale caught her and lifted her easily in his arms.
“We didn’t want to have all the fun, while you had to do all the work. So we’ve decided you should play in the water, too.” He started wading toward the deep, with the two boys laughing and pointing.
“Yale Conover.” Cara tried her most commanding tone, the one she always used with her sons when she wanted their complete attention. “Don’t you dare.”
“And why not? Afraid of a little water, Cara?”
“I’m fully dressed. I’ll get all wet.” She looked over at her sons. “Stop that laughing right now. I won’t be a party to this…” Her words ended in a scream as Yale tossed her into the deep.
She went under with a splash, then came up sputtering. “I can’t believe you…” She brushed strings of wet hair from her cheeks and tried to look dignified as she started toward the shallows. But with the water lapping at her hips, and her gown plastered against her like a second skin, it was impossible.
She started past Yale, who was laughing so hard he was shaking. She moved so quickly he didn’t even know what hit him when she suddenly ducked beneath the waves and tackled him around the ankles. His legs went out from under him and he sank like a stone beneath the water.
Moments later he broke the surface. Seeing the way Cara and her children were laughing he gave her a dangerous smile. “Oh, lady. Now you’ve done it. You just declared war.”
He made a flying leap, taking her down into the water with him. When they surfaced, she was still being held in his arms. Without giving her a chance to catch her breath he lifted her in the air, poised to toss her again.
“No, Yale.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, determined to hold on. “No more.”
Grinning, he glanced at the children. “I’ll leave it up to you. Should I toss your mother in the deep?”
Cody looked at his little brother before shouting, “We vote yes.”
“Traitors,” Cara called.
Yale’s smile grew. “You heard what the vote was. However, I’ll give you one chance to wiggle out of this.”
“How?” Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“I’ll give you a choice. The water, or a kiss. If you kiss me, I’ll carry you to shore.”
This had the boys laughing even harder.
Cody suddenly surprised her by shouting, “Take the kiss, Ma.”
She looked over at her son. “You want me to kiss Yale?”
The boy shrugged. “It sure sounds easier than being dunked.”
Cara turned to her younger son. “What do you think, Seth? Should I kiss Yale?”
The little boy covered his mouth with his hand before nodding.
Yale grinned. “You raised very smart children, ma’am. Now what do you say? A kiss? Or do I toss you in the deep?”
She struggled not to smile. “I ought to tell you to toss
me, since I’m already soaked clear to my skin. But…All right.” She closed her eyes and puckered her lips. “One kiss.”
With her sons clapping, Yale brushed his mouth over hers. And though he kept it light and teasing, they both felt the jolt.
To the delight of her children Yale carried her out of the stream and set her on her feet along the banks. “You see? I’m a man of my word.”
“So I see.” She inclined her head. “I suppose I should be grateful for small favors.”
He leaned close to whisper, “It’s a good thing you don’t have a looking glass handy. If you could see yourself the way I’m seeing you right now, your face would be the color of ripe apples.”
She glanced down and could see the way the wet fabric clung to every line and curve of her body. “Yale Conover, you’re shameless.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He brushed a light kiss over her nose. “And tonight, when we lose our audience, I’ll show you just how shameless.”
He turned away and splashed through the shallows, tucking Cody and Seth under each arm, much to their delight.
As Cara hurried away to wrap herself in the bearskin and hang her clothes to dry, she could hear the laughter of her sons ringing in the still air.
“Look, Ma.” Cody walked from the stream holding a wriggling fish. His dark hair was plastered to his cheeks, his skin no longer pale but kissed by the sun after a day of play. “Seth caught one, too. Yale’s taking it off the hook for him.”
Cara turned from the fire, where she had just removed a batch of perfectly browned biscuits. “I can’t wait to cook them for supper tonight.”
“Yale’s going to show us how to clean them.”
Just then Yale walked up carrying Seth on his shoulders. The younger boy’s face was wreathed with smiles. In his hands was a string of fish.
“Look what we caught,” Yale called.
“I see.” Cara watched as he lifted the little boy down and began to show the two children how to clean and prepare the fish for cooking.
While Yale and the boys finished their chore, Cara removed their dry clothes from nearby branches and laid them out near the fire. Then she stood watching the easy banter between the man and boys. As she did, she felt like weeping for happiness. This entire day had been like a special gift. One she would hold in her heart forever.
As daylight faded to evening, and the sun hovered just above the mountain peaks, the two children pulled on their dry clothes and sat together on the bearskin, watching as the fish sizzled over the fire.
When it was cooked, Cara filled their plates while Yale retrieved the canteen of cold water from the stream. Then they sat together around the fire, eating and drinking their fill.
By the time Cody and Seth had polished off the last of the sugared biscuits, they could hardly keep their eyes open.
“I think all this play has left the two of you ready to turn in early.” Cara lifted her younger son onto her lap and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Would you like me to tuck you in?”
Cody turned down the edge of the bearskin and crawled in, with Seth following.
As Cara bent to kiss them Cody said, “This has been the best day ever.” He glanced from his mother to the man who knelt beside her, tucking the edge of the bearskin around them. “Thanks, Yale.”
“I was just about to thank the two of you.” Yale brushed the hair from Seth’s forehead and clapped a hand on Cody’s shoulder. “I can’t remember when I’ve had more fun, without even shuffling a deck of cards.”
“Think we can do it again tomorrow?”
Yale shrugged. “I can’t say for sure, Cody. I’ve learned it’s best to take things one day at a time. But you sleep now. Your ma and I will be right here if you need us.”
“’Night, Ma. ’Night, Yale.”
Cara knelt a moment longer, stroking their faces, holding tightly to their hands. It felt so good, so right, to finally see them smiling as they drifted into sleep.
When she finally got to her feet and shook down her skirts, she saw Yale standing some distance away, watching the sun drop behind the peaks of the Black Hills.
When she approached, he held out his hand.
She arched a brow. “Where are we going?”
“Just to the banks of the stream. I like the peacefulness of it.”
She laughed. “Not to mention the privacy.”
His smile was quick, and filled with the sort of mischief she’d always seen in him in his youth. “There’s that, too. And I am in dire need of some privacy. The sooner the better.” He paused and without warning turned her into his arms for a long, lingering kiss. Against her lips he muttered, “Oh, Cara. I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
“And here I thought you were having such fun playing with the children.”
“It was fun. And I enjoyed their company. But now it’s you I crave, Cara.” He kissed her again, long and slow and deep, until both their hearts were thundering, and their breathing grew ragged.
As his fingers found the buttons of her gown, he whispered, “Now it’s our turn to play.”
Chapter Sixteen
Cara shivered in the pre-dawn darkness and instinctively reached for Yale. All night they’d loved and laughed and whispered, baring the secrets of their souls. Though they’d given little thought to sleep, she felt more rested, more at peace, than at any time in recent years.
The place beside her was empty.
She sat up, shoving tangles from her eyes, and glanced toward the fire, expecting to see Yale adding another log. He wasn’t there.
She turned toward the stream. Perhaps he’d decided to wash and dress early. But though she stood and peered through the darkness, she could make out no trace of him.
Minutes later she heard a footfall and was relieved to see him striding toward her.
She hurried forward to meet him. “You’re up early.”
He nodded. “With this chill in the air, I wanted to climb high enough to have a look around. Figured if there was anyone in the area, I’d spot a fire.”
“What did you see?”
He saw the flash of fear in her eyes and took her hands in his. “Nothing. Not a trace of Fenner and his men.”
“You think they’re gone?”
“I’m thinking that, once they went past us, they were afraid to backtrack in case the Federal troops were hot on their trail.”
Her smile was back. “We’re rid of them for good?”
“I wouldn’t go that far. But I think this is the time to consider leaving now and heading toward civilization.”
“Oh, Yale.” Her eyes danced with unconcealed pleasure. “I’ll wake the children. We can get started within the hour.”
Before she could turn away, he drew her close and brushed a kiss over her lips. “Are you in such a hurry to leave our own private paradise?”
“It has been a wonderful, magical place, hasn’t it? I feel…” She searched for a word. “…as though my soul has been restored here.”
“I know the feeling. Being here with you has restored mine, too. I’ve spent far too much time in the company of thieves and gamblers. This was what I needed. Just this.” He heard her sigh and kissed her again. “Now just let me hold you a minute more. Then we’ll wake the children and make plans to leave here.”
She clung to him, absorbing his strength. When they stepped apart, she took a deep breath before beginning her morning tasks.
“You mean it?” Cody was dancing around, too eager to stand still. “We’re going to look for a town? Where are we headed?”
Yale laughed at the boy’s enthusiasm. “I’ll leave the choice up to you and Seth and your mother. We can head back north and find Crescent Butte about a hundred miles in that direction.” He pointed. “Or we can continue to head south and make it to Misery, which is probably a good hundred miles distant.”
Cara seemed intrigued. “We could go to Misery?”
Yale shrugged. “It’s your call, Cara. Would you like to go back there?”<
br />
It took her less than a heartbeat to nod. “Even though my folks are gone now, it’s still home. It’s where my friends are. And though I’ve denied it for a long time now, I think it’s where my heart has always been.”
He smiled. “Then Misery it’ll be.”
As they broke camp and loaded their meager belongings in the back of the cart, Cara gave a long look around at the stream, at the distant mountain peaks. She would always hold this place close to her heart. For it was here that she and Yale had finally been able to express what they felt for one another.
What they felt.
She knew in her heart that what she felt for Yale was love. She knew, too, that he cared deeply for her. But she refused to allow herself to dwell on the future. He was, after all, a man who had spent a lifetime pursuing his own pleasures. When he tired of her, as he surely would, she had to be strong enough to watch him walk away. Again.
Is that why she’d eagerly embraced a return to her childhood home? If she had to face a future raising her children alone, at least in Misery she would have the support and comfort of those who’d known her and her family for a lifetime. What’s more, she would always have the memory of Yale there. The boy he’d been, and the man he’d become.
When the children were comfortably settled in the back of the cart, Yale helped her up to the rough seat before pulling himself up beside her. He flicked the reins and the old horse started slowly forward.
Cara turned for one last glimpse of their campsite. Then she turned her face forward.
She didn’t intend to look back, ever again. From now on, she would face the future, whatever it might hold, with the same courage she’d glimpsed in Yale.
He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips.
She smiled. “What was that for?”
“Just for being yourself.”
“How could I be otherwise?”
He laughed. “You don’t know, do you? So many things in life change. So many people change, as well. But not you. You’re still sweet Cara McKinnon.”