And then he'd spend the rest of his life wishing he could soar like that again.
No, once would never be enough with Jessie.
Nor a hundred times.
Jessie Conway was the kind of woman who made a man start thinking about home and family and forever.
Forever.
That was about as reliable as Texas weather.
Lost in thought, he never saw the figure leap from the shadows until it was upon him.
Cole heard the growl of anger low and deep in the throat, a split second before he was hit.
With a wild thrashing of fists and feet, he went sprawling in the dust with a half-crazed ยท creature on top of him.
Reflexively his hand went to the gun at his waist.
Jamming it into the midsection of his attacker, he hissed, "Move a muscle and you're dead."
His attacker paused.
A nearly unrecognizable voice choked with fury said, "Go ahead. You may as well kill me. Because if you don't, I aim to kill you."
"Danny?"
Cole dropped his hand and strained through the darkness to make out the figure of the boy who had attacked him.
"Son, that's the second time you nearly got yourself killed by my hand."
"Don't call me that. I'm not your son. And I'm not afraid of you."
"What's this all about...Danny?"
"It's about you and my sister. You had no right taking liberties with her like that."
Liberties?
Cole didn't know whether to laugl or let loose with a stream of oaths.
Just how much had the boy seen?
And heard?
Cole peered at the creature, half boy half man, who stood with fists clenched, his breath coming in short angry spurts.
Tossing the gun to the ground, Cole shrugged.
"All right, Danny. I can see that you're feeling pretty upset about what you think I did to your sister. Go ahead. Take the first punch."
As soon as the words were out of Cole's mouth, a fist landed squarely on his jaw.
He felt himself reeling backward until he came to rest against a boulder.
Shaking his head, he felt it slowly clear.
Where had that strength come from?
The gangly youth with long thin arms and hands as soft as a woman's must have been storing up a lot of hatred to pack such a wallop.
Rubbing his jaw, Cole stepped forward.
"I allowed the first one. But that's all you get. From now on, it's a fair fight."
Danny landed a second blow to Cole's face and the muscled gunman felt the sting as his eye began to swell.
But when Danny swung again, Cole ducked and landed a punch to the boy's shoulder.
He heard the grant of pain before Danny began swinging wildly.
The next three punches barely grazed Cole's body, while two of his landed cleanly on Danny's jaw and temple.
The youth was panting now, his breath coming faster as he tried to dodge Cole's fists.
As he moved back for another punch, his feet slipped in the grass and he went down on one knee.
Cole waited while the boy lumbered to his feet.
"What are you waiting for," the boy called, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Go ahead and hit me, Mr. Gunman. It ought to make you feel real big."
"This is your fight, Danny. Now finish it."
Danny charged him, and both of them fell to the ground.
As they rolled around, fists flying, the air was punctuated with grunts and curses.
Cole got to his feet and waited until Danny did the same.
Blood spilled from the boy's nose, and there was a cut above Cole's eye that had trickled blood down his face and onto his shirt.
He was stiff and sore, especially around the shoulder that had still not completely healed from the horse thief's bullet.
But he intended to see this thing through to the end.
"I didn't trust you the first time I laid eyes on you," Danny spat.
"I thought this was about your sister."
"That, too," the boy cried.
"I don't like the way you look at my sister."
"And how is that?"
"The same way Two Moons looks at her."
COle felt a sudden twinge.
Jealousy?
Impossible.
Why would he be jealous of the way a Comanche chief looked at Jessie?
"I want you to show some respect to my sister," the boy said, raising his fist.
Cole braced himself for another blow.
When it came, it glanced off his temple.
He landed a punch on Danny's already bloody nose.
resh blood spurted.
With a cry of pain, Danny dropped his fists.
"Keep 'em up, boy. You're leaving yourself wide open to attack."
Cole waited until Danny raised his fists, then landed another blow to the boy's midsection, doubling him over with pain.
"Always remember, in a clean fight, keep your fists in front of that part of the body you want to protect. If it's a dirty fight--" he paused a moment, wondering if the boy could even hear him through the blur of pain "--go for your opponent's most vulnerable spot. Hit him hard, hit him quick, and makeit count."
He stood over the crumpled form of the boy, feeling disgust at what he'd been forced to do.
"Had enough?"
In reply, Danny caught him by the ankles and brought him down.
Instantly the boy pounced on him and started punching him about the head and face.
Caught by surprise, Cole swore viciously and brought his hands up to ward off the blows.
Within minutes he could feel the boy's strength ebbing.
Finally spent, Danny rolled aside and lay gasping for air.
Cole sat up and watched the boy struggle to control the tears that were very close to the surface.
Then he lumbered to his feet.
Standing, he offered his hand to Danny.
For long silent moments the boy staed at him with contempt.
"For a first fight, you did good."
In tense silence Danny glared at him.
"I'd like you to accept my apology," Cole said solemnly.
He saw the boy's eyes widen.
As the words sank in, Danny asked, "You mean it?"
"Of course I do."
He extended his hand again and this time Danny took it, coming slowly to his feet.
The two stood facing each other, each seeming to take measure of the other.
Danny stared into the gunman's eyes, determined to make his point.
"I think my sister, Jessie, is special."
"So do I."
"You do?"
For a split second, Danny's voice was tinged with surprise.
Then his tone hardened.
"I want you to promise that you won't touch her like that again."
"What?"
Cole withdrew his hand, staring at the boy as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
"I said--" "I heard you."
Cole studied the boy for a few seconds longer, weighing the issue.
Maybe by tomorrow he'd find the trail of the one he was seeking.
If so, the promise would be a simple one to keep.
He'd never see Jessie Conway and her brothers again.
On the other hand, he could find himself in the company of Jessie for several days or weeks.
In that case, this promise could prove to be sheer torture.
"Promise."?"
Danny asked.
He stuck out his hand.
"Promise."
Cole took the boy's hand, then added with a sly grin, "Unless, of course, Jessie makes the first move. If she wants me badly enough, then I figure I'm obliged to do the lady's bidding."
At his words, Danny's face darkened with fury.
He raised a fist and Cole saw his eyes narrow.
Then he brightened.
"It's a deal. Hellfire, I'll put my mon
ey on Jessie to want something better than a tumble in the dirt with a stranger who's quick with a gun."
A half grin touched Cole's tips.
Damned if the kid wasn't sharper than he'd thought.
He'd just been roundly insulted by a kid who was still wet behind the ears.
And the kid had just exacted a stupid promise out of him.
A promise he didn't want to make.
But now that he had, there was no backing out.
He'd just have to live with it.
"You drive a hard bargain."
Cole picked up the fallen bucket and dropped an arm around the boy's shoulders.
"Come on. I was on my way to the creek for water. Let's wash off this blood before your sister sees us and throws a fit about two bulls fighting."
"You mean that's the end of it? You don't hold a grudge?"
Clutching the boy's shoulder, Cole drew him close against his side.
"When two men shake hands, that's the end of the matter."
Danny beamed with pride.
Men.
Cole had said two men.
It was the first time anyone had ever called him a man.
He was feeling so good right now, he could probably take on two more gunmen and whip them with one hand behind his back.
The sky was awash with soft feathery clouds.
Pale pink rays of light touched the horizon.
As Jessie made her way back from the creek, she was surprised to see the others awake and moving about.
Bedrolls had already been tied behind the horses.
Coffee bubbled and steamed over the fire.
Cole looked up at her approach and quickly looked away.
But in that brief glimpse, he saw the way her damp haft streamed down her back in soft waves.
And he was achingly aware of the soft womanly curves beneath the faded shirt and britches.
Kneeling, she poured herself a cup of coffee, then stared at his face.
"What happened to your eye?"
"Bumped into something last night."
He ladled food onto his plate and turned away.
"Danny, Thad, come and get something to eat before we start out." ' As her brother accepted a steaming plate, she caught sight of the purple bruise on his cheek." You look awful.
How did that happen?
"Hit something in the dark," he mumbled, stuffing his mouth with stale biscuit.
"You hit something. Cole bumped into something."
She looked from one to the other.
"What have the two of you been up to?"
"Getting acquainted."
Cole finished his meal in two bites and strode toward the horses.
Without a word, Danny gave her a sheepish grin and followed.
Jessie stared at them for long silent minutes.
Something had happened last night.
They had obviously been fighting.
Yet neither of them seemed the least bit angry at the other.
In fact Danny seemed in better temper than he'd been since he first joined her on this journey.
Men.
She stood and began the task of clearing the camp.
She'd never be able to figure them out.
"We'll bypass San Antonio," Cole announced.
"We can pick up the Chisholm Trail across the Colorado River near Waco, then head on up to Fort Worth. Brace yourselves. It's going to be a rough trip."
Rough.
The word was too simple.
They had been over a week without a single sign of civilization.
They rode beneath a blistering sun and shivered under blankets on cold dark nights.
This day as they rode up over a rise, they reined in their horses and stared at the sight of a buffalo herd that stretched as far as the eye could see.
For long minutes they watched the spectacle.
"Jessie," Cole called, "You and Thad wait here. Danny and I are going hunting."
"Me?"
Jessie saw the startled look on her brother's face.
Always before, Jessie and Cole had taken turns hunting game for their meals.
"You and that Sharps breechloading rifle are going to take care of supper," Cole said.
"Come on."
With a grin splitting his face from ear to ear, Danny urged his horse to follow Cole's lead.
They approached the herd, then when they were near enough to be seen, left their horses and continued on foot.
While Jessie and Thad watched from the safety of a grassy knoll, Cole and Danny dropped down on their hands and knees and crawled to within twenty yards of the herd.
Cole touched Danny's shoulder and whispered, "When you aim, go for the lungs. If you hit him in the heart, he'll run three or four hundred yards before he goes down and take the whole herd with him."
Danny's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"Wouldn't you rather borrow my rifle? That way you can be sure of hitting at least one. I might drive the whole herd away."
Cole shook his head.
"It's your shot, Danny. Pick out the buffalo you want and give it your best."
Sweat trickled along Danny's forehead and spilled down the corner of his eye, blurring his vision.
He took a moment to wipe his wet palms on his pants before looking through the sight of his rifle.
A huge shaggy beast lifted his head at that moment and seemed to stare directly at the lad.
He felt his heart skip a beat, but before he could contemplate what he was about to do, he saw the animal take a tentative step closer.
"Better get him quick, before he decides to walk clear over us," Cole whispered.
Meeting the animal's curious stare, Danny took a moment longer to aim.
Sweat beaded his forehead and upper lip.
His hands were trembling, and he knew that the man beside him could feel his fear.
It was a palpable thing.
He could smell the fear, taste it.
How could Cole trust him with such an important task?
What if he embarrassed himself by missing?
Putting aside such thoughts, he gave one final look through the sight and pulled the trigger.
A sound like thunder echoed and reechoed through the skies, and the herd shifted uneasily.
Danny fell backward from the force of the report, and when he sat up, he was astounded to see the huge brown beast lying perfectly still.
The rest of the herd grazed around him, completely unaware of any danger.
"Good shooting," Cole called, slipping his hunting knife from his belt.
Danny beamed with pride.
It was the first time he felt almost equal to the stern gunman who so intimidated him.
"Yeah."
On trembling legs Danny edged closer until he stood over his trophy.
"It wasn't bad, was it?"
"I couldn't have done better myself."
Danny could have died from sheer happiness.
His pa always treated him like a foolish dreamer, because he preferred his books to ranch chores.
Pa had disdain for anyone who couldn't carry his own weight.
His own weight.
Danny felt a swelling of pride at his accomplishment.
If Pa had been here, he'd have seen for himself that his son could do plenty of things, given half a chance.
"We'll have enough food for a week," Cole said.
"Not to mention the warm buffalo hide. That will belong to you."
Danny felt his head swim with the knowledge.
He'd killed a buffalo.
He had just carried his share of the load.
Maybe he and Cole weren't so different, he thought.
He could hunt.
And like Cole, Danny rarely initiated a conversation.
He and Cole were both more content with their own thoughts than with words.
The thoughts that were tumbling through Danny's mind startled him.
It wasn't that he wan
ted to imitate a gunman, he realized.
But there was something about Cole that Danny admired.
He just couldn't put it into words yet.
Jessie and Thad scrambled down the embankment and stared in awe at the size of the' dead beast.
Jessie threw her arms around her brother's neck and embarrassed him by kissing him on the cheek.
"That was wonderful."
Danny shrugged.
"I just did what Cole told me."
"Were you scared?"
Thad asked.
"Naw."
Danny glanced at Cole's arched eyebrow and added, "Well, some.
But I knew I couldn't waste time being scared or I'd lose my shot at him.
"That's an important lesson everyone needs to learn in life," Cole said quietly.
"It doesn't matter whether or not you're scared. Everyone is afraid at some time in his life. But you can't let fear keep you from doing what's needed."
Cole reached into his belt and withdrew a second knife.
"Since this is your kill, you ought to help me carve it up, Danny."
The boy felt a tightening in his throat as he accepted the knife.
Cole needed his help.
Cole trusted him.
As he knelt, Jessie noticed the dark sticky stain trailing the back of Danny's shirt.
"What's this? You've been hurt."
"It's nothing," he said, shoving away her hand.
"You're bleeding. Let me look at that."
Ignoring his protest, Jessie lifted his shirt from his waistband.
She gasped at the purple welt surrounding a deep cut.
"I--fell backward when I fired the rifle. Guess I cut my back on a rock."
Danny wished the earth would open up and swallow him.
Now Cole would realize that he was just a dumb kid trying to play at being grown-up.
He couldn't even properly use his father's gun.
"Leave it alone, Jess."
He twisted away from her touch.
"It's nothing."
"I think you should let me treat that wound."
Danny pushed her hand away.
"I don't need my sister treating me like a helpless little kid."
Jessie watched in startled silence as the boy bent to his task of gutting the buffalo and stripping away its hide.
"I don't understand what's made you so moody."
When Danny didn't respond, Cole said softly, "Sometimes a man just wants to be left alone."
A man?
Danny?
Danny was her brother.
Her younger brother.
"Fine. I'll leave him alone. I'll leave everyone alone." ' Annoyed by Cole's unexpected coldness and puzzled by Danny's recent unexplained behavior, she pulled the precious soap from her saddlebag and went off in the direction of the creek.