Enchanted Ecstasy (22 page)

She would always think of him as her husband, and she would have his baby to remind her of that fact. Had he already forgotten about her?

It was late that night that Maleaha's pains started. She was awakened by a sharp pain that started in her back and moved to her abdomen. She moved from side to side trying to find some relief from the pain. She tried to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to awaken her aunt and uncle, but she had not reckoned with her aunt's watchfulness.

"Awake, Ninah," Kosha told her husband. "My niece is having her baby. You must seek shelter in another place. I will send word as soon as the child is born."

Ninah sat up quickly and stretched his arms over his head, then he stood up and pulled a blanket about his shoulders for warmth. "Have a healthy baby, Maleaha," he told her as he walked toward the door.

"Send Hanna to me, my husband," Kosha told him. He nodded his head and disappeared into the cold night.

Maleaha had heard many stories of how women suffered in childbirth. She thought if the pain did not increase she would not be too uncomfortable. That hope did not stay with her for long, however, for before Hanna made her appearance her pains had become fierce, leaving Maleaha gasping for breath.

The sun had risen and set again, and still Maleaha labored to bring forth Kane's child. The whole village waited for the birth of her child, for Maleaha was very dear to them.

Sometimes the pain was so severe that Maleaha had to bite her lips to keep from screaming, for she knew a Jojoba woman must bear her child in silence.

Maleaha's body was wet with perspiration, and her aunt bathed her face with cool water and spoke soothingly to her. "Your labor is hard, Maleaha, this happens sometimes, but you are not to worry, Hanna has brought many healthy babies into the world."

Maleaha grasped her aunt's hand as pain ripped through her body.

"The baby comes," Hanna said as she reached for the tiny infant who had just made its appearance into the world.

"You have a daughter, Maleaha," her aunt told her as she wrapped the tiny girl in a warm blanket and handed her to Maleaha.

Maleaha had not once cried out with the pain of delivering her daughter, but there were tears of happiness in her eyes now, as she looked down upon the tiny girl. She rested her cheek against the soft black downy hair and then kissed her daughter's smooth cheek.

Kane shook the rain from his mackintosh and hung it by the open fireplace to dry. Looking about the empty sitting room he felt pride in his new home which had only been completed a week before. He hoped Maleaha would be pleased with it.

He now had a goal in life, and he found it felt good just waking up in the mornings. He even found satisfaction in coming home exhausted in the evenings, after a hard day's work. For the first time in Kane's life he felt good about himself. If only he could convince Maleaha to marry him, his life would be complete. He knew if he weren't so busy, time would lie heavy on his hands while he waited for Maleaha to return.

Kane had not wanted to furnish the house, hoping that as his wife, Maleaha would take on that job. The only room that he had bothered with was his study, aside from a table and cooking stove in the kitchen, and a cot in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

Kane felt a hunger pang and frowned. He had hired a Mexican woman to do the cooking for him, but so far he had not acquired a taste for the hot spicy food she always prepared. Perhaps he wasn't so hungry after all, he thought wearily.

Kane lay down on his cot and closed his eyes. Deep inside of him was always this dull ache that he knew only Maleaha could soothe. When he remembered making love to her his body trembled. Never before had the memory of a woman stayed with him for so long. Everything he did now was to please her. He found himself wondering if she would like the place he had chosen for a garden. Would she think the stables were too near the house? Would she like the dark red tiled roof on the house? Everything had to be just right for her.

He wondered if she ever thought of him, or was she too busy meeting admiring gentlemen in Europe. Remembering their last meeting, he knew if she did think of him at all it would be with loathing. His father had hurt her badly that night at the dance. Knowing all about Maleaha's pride, he cursed his father for his cruel words. If his father had not interfered that night, Maleaha might at this moment be lying beside him as his wife.

As Kane fell asleep he had no way of knowing that Maleaha was not in Europe as he thought, but only two days' journey from where he slept.

Kane was awakened not by a sound but more from a feeling of another's presence in the room. Opening his eyes he was startled when he saw Lamas standing beside his cot.

"Mangas wants to see you."

"Right now?" Kane asked, trying to shake his need for sleep,

"He said to bring you now," the old man said, handing Kane his mackintosh. "I have saddled your horse," Lamas said as he turned his back and walked away.

Maleaha's daughter was four months old, and Maleaha had named her Cimeron after her mother. Cimeron was a beautiful child and was a favorite with everyone. Her hair was soft and dark and her face was angelic and lovely. Her disposition was sweet and loving. She now had a smile for everyone. Cimeron's eyes were the same silver-gray color as Kane's, and she had the same dimples in her cheeks that Kane had.

It was June, and it had been raining for the past two weeks, but as Maleaha watched the sun rise over the mountains she could see that it would be a bright, cloudless day. As she made her way through the village, she could see it coming to life. Reaching the stream, she bathed her face in the cool water and then smiled at Hanna who was filling a water jug.

As Maleaha walked back to her aunt's teepee she remembered the strange conversation she had had with Mangas the day before. He had asked her if she knew where Kane was, and she had told him he had probably gone back to Boston with his father. She remembered how oddly Mangas had looked at her. He had asked her once more if she would put her marriage to Kane aside, and once again she had told him she wouldn't. He had then asked her again if she loved Kane, and when she told him she would always love him, Mangas had left her abruptly.

She reached her aunt's teepee. Cimeron was awake, so she began to nurse her daughter, forgetting about the conversation of the day before as she became absorbed in the baby.

Kane rode beside Lamas wondering what Mangas wanted to see him about. The last time he had seen the chief was the day they had clashed with the Arapaho and he had been wounded.

"How far is it to the Jojoba village, Lamas?" he asked when they dismounted to rest the horses.

"No more than two days."

"Do you take me the long way around this time?"

"No, Mangas trusts you."

"Why does Mangas want to see me?"

"He will tell you when the time is right."

Kane soon became weary of trying to get any answers out of the old Indian, and he lapsed into silence.

That night when they made camp, Kane tried to question Lamas again, but the old man shrugged his shoulders, saying nothing.

After two days of hard riding they finally reached the Jojoba village. As Kane dismounted Mangas greeted him with a smile, and the two men clasped arms in Jojoba fashion.

"I am glad to see you, my friend. It has been too long for good friends to be parted," Mangas told him.

"That's true," Kane agreed.

"Come with me and we will talk, my friend," Man-gas said, leading the way to his teepee. When they both were seated Mangas handed Kane a bowl of meat. There had been a time when Kane would have refused the food, but he had come a long way from the man he had once been.

Mangas watched Kane silently as if trying to read his thoughts.

"I never did get the chance to thank you for saving my life, Mangas. I was told that had it not been for you I would have died."

Mangas waved his thanks aside. "First you saved my life, Kane, so I returned the favor. There need never be a reason for thanks between friends." Mangas picked up his bowl. "I am told that you have built a house, Kane. Does that mean you are planning to stay in this country?"

"Yes, I have grown to love this land. I do not ever want to leave here."

"That is good to hear, Kane. I wonder why you built such a large house. I am told it has many rooms. Surely it is too large for one man to live in." Kane had a feeling his answer was very important to Mangas.

"Yes, you are right, it is a big house, a house large enough for a wife and children," Kane told him.

"I myself have decided to take a wife, Kane. I want strong sons to fill my life."

"That is good, Mangas. Tell me all about the woman you have chosen to be your wife."

Mangas smiled. "I have not yet decided who the woman will be, but I keep my eyes open." Mangas's eyes scanned Kane's face. He would find out how Kane felt about Maleaha, and if he loved her, as Mangas suspected, all would be well, but if he did not, he would not let Kane find out that his wife and daughter were in the village.

"It has been hard for me to find someone to replace Maleaha in my heart, Kane."

"We both love Maleaha, Mangas. I hope when she returns from Europe with her father I can convince her to live with me in the house I had built for her."

Mangas frowned. "Did you say Maleaha is with Jonas?"

"Yes, didn't you know? I hope they will be back sometime this summer, but I cannot find anyone who will tell me when they are returning."

"Do you really love Maleaha, Kane?" Mangas saw the answer to his question in the depth of Kane's silver eyes. They were eyes that were tormented and full of uncertainty.

"I love her, Mangas, but I fear she does not love me.

Mangas smiled. "One can never be sure with a woman. Sometimes I think women are very hard to understand."

The two of them finished eating and then Mangas stood up. "You have had a long journey, my friend, and you should rest. We will talk more later."

Kane stood up, puzzled. He still had no idea why Mangas had sent for him. Mangas walked outside with him and motioned for Lamas to come to him.

"Take Kane to Kosha's teepee," he said in the language of the Jojoba.

Maleaha dropped vegetables in the stewing meat and placed a lid on it so it would simmer. Her aunt had taken Cimeron for a walk, and Maleaha expected them back at any moment. Hearing the heavy footsteps outside the teepee, Maleaha frowned. Whoever it was wore boots, not moccasins. She turned around just as the tent flap was thrown open, and she blinked her eyes, thinking they were deceiving her.

It took Kane's eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light inside the teepee, and when he could see well enough he stood as though turned to stone.

17

Kane and Maleaha stared at each other in disbelief. It was as if the whole world had paused to draw breath. Kane's eyes roved hungrily over the woman he loved. He noticed everything about her, from the wide leather band that circled her dark hair to the buckskin dress she wore.

Maleaha's heart was drumming loudly as she looked at Kane. He was wearing brown trousers, a brown shirt, and brown leather boots. She had not realized until that moment how much she had wanted to see him. She had the urge to fly into his arms.

They had both been silent, and now they both spoke at once. "I thought you had returned to Boston," she said. "I thought you were with Jonas," Kane told her.

Maleaha lapsed into silence once more. She was having a hard time believing he was there, and she saw confusion on his face.

"I was told you went to Europe to join Jonas."

"No, I have been here all the time. Why did you not return to Boston?"

Kane frowned. "It would seem we both have many unanswered questions, Maleaha."

Suddenly Maleaha remembered Cimeron. Kane must not find out about his daughter, she thought, beginning to panic. "Why are you here, Kane?" She needed to know.

"I'm not sure. Mangas sent for me, but he has not yet told me why."

Maleaha pondered his words. Why would Mangas send for Kane and not tell her? Her eyes widened in horror as she realized he had sent for Kane because of Cimeron. She had to make Kane leave before her aunt returned with her baby. One look at Cimeron and Kane would know she was his daughter.

"I do not know why you are here, Kane, but I wish you would just go away," she said, turning her back on him.

"Like hell I will. You and I are going to sit down and hash this whole thing out," he said, turning her around to face him.

She moved away from him and looked at him haughtily. "Remembering our last little tête-à-tête, I am not interested in anything you might have to say."

"I can see that time and distance have not sweetened your disposition any," he ground out between clenched teeth. "Lord, you are an obstinate woman."

Maleaha's keen hearing picked up the sound of her aunt's footsteps and she began to panic. It was too late to send Kane away. Maybe if she distracted him he would not pay too much attention to Cimeron.

"Go away, Kane. Can't you see that you and I have nothing to talk about? I hate you. Why can't you just leave it at that?" Her words seemed to hang in the air, and Kane stared at her, feeling as if she had just delivered him a mortal blow. He did not notice that Maleaha's eyes were sparkling with unshed tears at the lie she had just told him.

"I suppose you are right. There is nothing more for us to say to one another," he said harshly. Maleaha caught her breath as her aunt came into the teepee carrying Cimeron. When Kane turned to leave he almost bumped into them. Stepping aside, he waited for Maleaha's aunt to move out of the way so he could leave. Kosha looked at her niece in confusion, and Maleaha silently pleaded with her to hide Cimeron from Kane.

"Please leave, Kane," Maleaha cried in a panic.

Kane's frown deepened. He could hardly leave until the Indian woman moved aside. His eyes moved carelessly over the child while Maleaha held her breath.

Kane might have left without ever knowing he had a daughter had Cimeron not taken matters into her own hands. Seeing the tall stranger and being of such a loving nature, she reached out and grabbed Kane's shirtsleeve in her chubby little hand.

Kane gazed down at the child thinking she belonged to the Indian woman. She was a pretty child he thought, with her dark straight hair that just covered her ears. Something clicked in his brain as he noticed how white her skin was. This was no Indian baby. Holding his breath, he waited for her to lift her eyelashes so he could see her eyes, and when she did, silver eyes stared into silver eyes. His hands were trembling as he reached for the child and lifted her into his arms. His heart contracted when she smiled and he saw the dimples in her cheeks. My God! This was his daughter. He swiveled around to face Maleaha in confusion. When he read the guilt in her eyes his confusion turned to anger. The little girl in his arms patted his cheek and jabbered in baby talk. Kane tried to speak, but his throat seemed to be closed off. This lovely child, this little girl, was his daughter. Her skin was light in color, and there was little trace of Indian blood in her.

Maleaha looked from Kane to her aunt in bewilderment. Kosha edged her way toward the exit, thinking it was time to leave Maleaha and her husband alone. She knew what her niece was feeling, but she could be no help to her. After all, she now had her husband to take care of her. She felt sad at the thought of Maleaha's going away and taking little Cimeron with her, but it was right that a wife should go with her husband. The sadness showed in Kosha's face as she darted out the opening of the teepee.

Kane paid little heed to the departing Indian woman. His attention was now divided between the child he held and Maleaha who was looking increasingly uncomfortable under his accusing glare.

Maleaha wanted to run to Cimeron and grab her out of Kane's arms, but the look in his silver eyes seemed to pin her to the spot.

"How could you keep this from me?" Kane said in a voice strangled with anger. When he saw the fear in Maleaha's eyes his anger abated somewhat. "I never thought the night we spent together would result in the birth of a child. Lord, you must hate me to keep this from me."

Suddenly Maleaha was spun into action. She flew across the room and tried to pull Cimeron from Kane's arms. "You can't have her, she is my baby! Give her to me. Go away, we don't want you here."

Kane shoved her roughly away. "Like hell I will. I will go away all right, but when I do my daughter goes with me." He looked down at the child who was now sleeping peacefully in his arms, and with a trembling hand he brushed a dark strand of hair from her lovely face. Her mouth was like a tiny rosebud, and her dark, silky lashes rested against her pale skin. She was so lovely that Kane felt his throat contract. He had never paid the slightest attention to babies, in fact he could never remember having held one in his arms. This child was of his flesh and blood and she belonged to him, and he pitied anyone who would try to keep her from him. Until a few moments ago he had not known of her existence, and Kane could not define the feelings that were washing over him like a tidal wave.

Maleaha caught her breath as Kane lowered his dark head and kissed the tiny rosebud mouth. She had thought that if he found out about Cimeron he would deny she was his daughter. She had not expected him to want her, and that frightened Maleaha even more than if he had denied her.

"What is her name?" Kane asked, looking at his daughter and not at Maleaha.

"Cimeron," Maleaha told him in a voice that was choked with emotion.

"You named her for your mother?"

"Yes."

"Cimeron," he said, testing the name out loud. "Cimeron what? Damn you, Maleaha, she has no last name. The world will class my daughter as a bastard, and it's all your fault," he said, suddenly feeling protective toward the tiny girl who was his daughter. He knew what he must do.

"Gather your belongings together. You and Cimeron are coming with me."

Maleaha raised her chin and stared back at him bravely. "You must be mad if you think we are going away with you. Get out of here, Kane. Mangas would kill you before he let you take me away against my will." Her chest was rising and falling with the tremendous effort she was making to breathe.

Kane's eyes narrowed to translucent depths and his face became hard. Maleaha backed up as she watched him place Cimeron down on the buffalo robe and advance toward her. Suddenly her back was to the wall of the teepee, and Kane stood between her and the exit. She was frightened by the unbound anger she saw in Kane's face, but she would not allow him to see it. Raising her head defiantly, she faced him.

"You would not dare touch me," she challenged.

His eyes dropped to her fully rounded breasts and then slid up to her face. "Oh, I would dare, Maleaha, I would dare," he said in a husky voice.

She stumbled backwards and tears blurred her vision. She feared if he were to touch her, she would fall apart. She struggled within herself for something to say that would save her. This was a Kane she had never seen. He was hard, and she knew what he wanted he would take.

"Don't do this, Kane. Think of the woman you are going to marry," she whispered, trying to bring him to his senses.

His eyes drew her glance. "All I ever think about is the woman I want to marry," he said, reaching out and pulling her into his arms.

Oh, God, don't let him speak of the woman he loves, she pleaded silently.

' 'I think about her day and night. I crave her in my bed. I need her in my life," he whispered in her ear.

Maleaha wondered if a broken heart ever bled, as she felt heart break at his loving words about another woman. She pushed herself out of his arms, willing herself to hide the hurt she felt. "I hate you, Kanen Benedict!" she cried.

His face became a mask of fury. "So you have said on a number of occasions. I grow weary of hearing it." Turning away from her he scooped up his sleeping daughter. "You can come or stay if you like, but my daughter goes with me."

Maleaha took a step forward. "No, Kane, do not take her away from me."

He looked about the teepee grim-faced. "Is this the kind of life you want for our daughter? Why did you run off to have my child here? God only knows under what kind of conditions she was brought into the world. Didn't you know that had you told me about her I would have married you to give her a name?"

Maleaha wanted to shout at him that he had already married her, and that Cimeron was legally his daughter, but she knew he didn't feel bound by the Jojoba wedding as she did.

"I want no sacrifice on my account, Kane. Go home to Boston and marry your Lucinda. Cimeron and I will do very nicely without your name, thank you."

"Don't go too far, Maleaha. I have taken just about all I intend to from you." His voice was hard and rough, and even though she saw the danger signal she did not heed it.

"If your father is to be believed, you must go about populating the whole country. You may have many children, for all I know. Surely you cannot offer to marry every woman you take to your bed."

His eyes focused on hers and Maleaha saw the smoldering anger in the silver depths. "I know of no other child I have fathered. Although I cannot be positive, I would hope that Cimeron is the only child entitled to my name."

"What makes you so sure that Cimeron is yours?"

The smile he gave her was devoid of humor. "Do you deny she is mine?"

Maleaha shook her head, unable to lie about anything so important.

"Whatever your faults are, Maleaha, I know I am the only man who has ever touched you. Do you deny that?"

Again she shook her head.

"You are coming with me whether you want to or not. You will stand before a man of the cloth and profess to love and honor me. Afterwards you will live with me if you want to be near your daughter, for I can assure you, I am taking her with me."

She walked slowly toward him and he reached out and placed his arm lightly about her shoulder.

"How can you be so heartless?" she asked, feeling defeated.

He released her and looked down at his sleeping daughter. "You may think me heartless, Maleaha, but believe me I have a heart, although it has come as a surprise to me."

"I will not go with you, Kane."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Please yourself. It's a pity Cimeron is not awake so she could see her mother for the last time," he said, sweeping out the teepee opening.

Maleaha stood speechless for a moment, and then fear gave wings to her feet as she flew outside. She had not thought he would do it, but she saw Lamas had saddled Kane's horse as well as her own, and Kane strolled toward his horse purposefully. Seeing her aunt Maleaha grabbed her hand.

"Aunt Kosha, Kane is taking my daughter!"

Her aunt's eyes were sad. "I will gather your things together, Maleaha. It is only right that you should go with your husband." Maleaha opened her mouth to protest, but her aunt disappeared into the teepee. Maleaha looked about her frantically. Seeing Mangas standing in front of his teepee she ran to him, knowing he would help her.

"Mangas, stop Kane. He is taking my baby!"

Mangas looked deeply into her eyes, and she saw sadness written there. "It is right that a man should have his child, Maleaha. Go with him, you are his woman."

Maleaha felt as if she were being betrayed by everyone she loved. She watched helplessly as Kane mounted his horse with Cimeron in his arms. Her aunt came out of the teepee and handed Lamas Maleaha's belongings, which had been hurriedly crammed into a leather satchel.

Maleaha had never felt so alone. Would no one help her? Slowly she walked to her horse. Lamas offered to give her a boost into the saddle, but she brushed him aside and leaped onto her horse. "You too, Lamas?" she asked in a dull voice.

"You are not alone. I will go with you," he told her, turning away to mount his own horse. Maleaha whirled her horse about and rode out of the village without a backward glance. Kane had won, but only because she had been betrayed. She heard Lamas pull even with her but she refused to look in his direction. For the first time in her life, Maleaha was angry with Lamas.