Authors: Jennifer Jakes
“I could ride Moses.”
He shook his head. “You’re lucky I agreed to let you do laundry today.”
She frowned. God, he was over protective. “I fail to see how scrubbing a few clothes can hurt.” She stood, but he caught her hand and pulled her onto his lap.
His hand caressed her stomach, which had filled out the past few weeks. “I just worry. Don’t be mad.” The tenderness in his voice melted her anger. She cupped his cheek and stroked the soft whiskers. “I’m not.”
“I know you don’t like when I boss you around. But when I look at you I see my future. Marriage. Children. I don’t want anything to happen to that future.” His eyes filled as he continued. “You’re everything to me. You’re my life. You’re my redemption.”
Her heart fluttered to a stop. Oh, was it any wonder she loved him so much? No one had ever made her feel so wanted.
Tears rolled down her face. “You’re everything to me, too.” She kissed him as he brushed away her tears.
“No matter how bossy you get, I know it’s just because you care. Besides, I always knew you weren’t as mean as you pretended in Cougar Creek.”
He laughed and hugged her tightly. “I’m glad I didn’t fool you. My life would’ve been a sorry mess if you weren’t around.”
“Does that mean I can go with you today?” She gave him a hopeful smile.
He shook his head. “No.”
There had been no doubt of his answer, but she loved to tease him.
“How about if I make you some cookies?”
His eyes lit up. “I’ll take the cookies. But you still can’t go with me.”
“Hmm. How did I know you were going to say that?” She stood and began to clear the breakfast dishes from the table.
He carried his plate to the basin. “I’ll get the wash tub and water before I go. A nd don’t you dare try to dump the dirty water while I’m gone. I’ll do it once I get back.”
Maggie shot him a disapproving glare.
“Um, I mean, please don’t dump the dirty water.” He grinned. “Better?”
She kissed him, a quick peck on his sensual mouth.
“Better.” He was trying so hard not to be bossy. “There will be clean laundry and dirty water waiting for you.” His expression fell. “Oh, and a plate of cookies.” He smiled, and her heart flipped. Those creased dimples were hard on a woman’s control.
A n hour later, he poured the last bucket of water into the tub. “A nything else?”
“No. That should keep me busy for awhile.”
“A ll right. I’ll see you later.” He brushed a soft kiss to her mouth. “Love you.”
She watched him from the doorway. Lordy, he was a handsome man. The way her body craved his would guarantee a houseful of children. Turning, she hummed a lullaby and went to gather ingredients for the cookies.
Once Rafe’s treat was cooling on the table, she knelt beside the tub, and started scrubbing. A horse nickered outside. Was he back so soon?
With a soapy hand, she brushed the hair from her eyes, and went to open the door for him. “A re you finished already, or did you forget something?” The smile froze on her face as terror raced through her body.
A large man climbed from his horse, then pointed his gun at her heart. “I assure you, darlin’, I never forget anything.”
Maggie’s stomach jumped to her throat as the man stalked toward her. His cold eyes cut through her, his face hard as granite. Was he another fortune hunter from Cougar Creek? She didn’t remember him from that day, but whether he was or wasn’t, he posed just as much danger.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she frowned. “I’m afraid you’ll have to ride on. I don’t have any extra food, and I need to finish my laundry.” She managed to get the words out without warbling, but the evil grin on the man’s face declared he didn’t intend to leave.
“No. I aim to stay awhile.” The gun never wavered while he spoke. His eyes were the coldest blue she’d ever seen. Frightening. Heartless. Dead. “You and I are going inside and get to know each other better while we wait for Rafe. I haven’t seen my dear stepbrother in a long time. Reuniting a family is important, don’t you think?” Stepbrother. Nausea rolled through her. Dear God.
Simon.
Blood pounded in her ears, and dread settled like a cold lump in her stomach. For the first time in her life, she felt she might swoon. What should she do? Her mind reeled. Somehow she had to get rid of Simon before Rafe came back. “No one named Rafe lives here,” she bluffed.
“Shut up.” Simon’s voice was calm, more terrifying than if he’d yelled. “I watched the son of a bitch leave. I meant to follow him,” his gaze roamed down her body,
“but then I saw you when you came out of the barn.
Since I’ve waited this damn long for my reunion with Rafe, I can wait a few more hours.”
He looked at her with the same sickening lust as the men the day of the auction.
Panicked tears pricked her eyes, and she fisted her hand to hide their tremble. Men like Simon enjoyed scaring people. She be damned if she gave him any pleasure.
“Come on.” He motioned with the end of the pistol.
“Go open the barn door for me. Can’t have Zeus here alerting Rafe before I’m ready, now can we?” Swallowing hard, she glanced at the cabin door. If she slammed it shut and locked the bolt…?
He would just break it down and come in.
But would it give her time to get into the larder?
I can’t close the shelves from inside. A nd if she left larder open, he’d follow her through the tunnel. God, she needed more time to think.
“Get your pretty ass going.” His voice held a dangerous edge, like a man at the end of his rope.
With a quick nod, she skirted around him and the horse. She dragged her feet to the barn, the gun barrel prodding each step. Maybe if she got him inside the barn…
“I’m nothing to Rafe, you know,” she lied. “If you think to hurt him because of me, it won’t do any good.” Simon sneered. “No, I saw you two this morning, saw the way he looked at you. By the time I’m done, though, Rafe will know the kind of pain he put me and my father through. Besides, you could be a complete stranger, and he wouldn’t just leave. The son of a bitch thinks the whole damn world depends on him.” He nodded to the door. “Now shut your mouth and open the barn.”
Maggie grasped the rough handle. Simon stood so close his tepid breath fanned her neck. Think! What could she use as a weapon?
Wrenching the door open, she jumped to the side and slammed the wood against his face.
“Stupid bitch!” He staggered, but didn’t fall. His arm shot out and grabbed her arm as she lunged past. Blood trickled from a cut above his brow. “I’ll make you damn sorry you did that.”
Pushing her against the barn wall, he swatted Zeus’
rump, sending him into the barn. Vicious fingers bit into her flesh as he closed the door after the horse.
“Now we’re going to the house, and you’re going to fix me something to eat.” He dragged the tip of the pistol down the vee of her shirt, pressing the cold metal between her breasts. “Then after my meal, you and I are going to have some fun. A t least I am.” The icy steel sent chills down her spine, but not as much as the thought of what he intended to do to her.
She spit into his face. “I’d rather die.” He wiped his face, smearing blood and spittle across his cheek. “That’s all right, too. Don’t think I won’t kill you right now.” He smiled. “I’d rather wait for Rafe. But I won’t if you push me.”
Madness gleamed in his stare. He would kill her without a care. Then Rafe would walk right into the trap.
He pressed the gun in her side, into the baby, as they walked to the house.
“It figures,” he muttered, “that Rafe would be here all cozy with a fine piece like you.” He squeezed her bottom, then pushed her inside the cabin. “A ll this time I’ve been sleeping on the damn ground and eating hardtack.” He glanced around the small room and sniffed. “You probably cook for him every day.” His eyes landed on the bed. “A nd fuck him every night.”
She backed toward the table. The last thing she wanted this man to do was look at a bed and think about her.
“Don’t worry. I’m not as hungry for you as I am for food. It’s your good luck that I haven’t had a hot meal in a month.” He stomped toward her, but stopped at the kitchen chair and settled himself into the seat. “Now fix me some goddamn food and be quick about it.” His gaze landed on the plate of fresh cookies, and he waved her away with his gun. “Coffee first. But don’t get any more ideas about besting me.” His hand caught hers before she could move, bending her fingers backward until they cracked. “If you do, I’ll tie Rafe up and gut him in front of you.” He pressed harder. “Understand?” Tears sprang to her eyes, but she managed to nod without crying out.
Simon shoved her to the hearth. She fell against the stone, her hand automatically covering her stomach.
Evil laughter filled the room. “Well, I’ll be damned.
You’re carrying his bastard, aren’t you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Isn’t that ironic?”
Maggie scrambled to her feet. What did that mean?
“Too bad he’ll never live to see it.” His voice was a cold sneer. “Maybe I won’t kill you. Maybe I’ll take you with me and raise his son as my own.”
“I’d kill myself before I let that happen.” A nger made her spit the words, each syllable clear and precise.
He chuckled. “We’ll just see. Now hurry up with my coffee.”
She filled a cup, and Simon motioned for her to set it on the table. His face held no expression except anger.
Everything about this man scared her. He would make her regret being caught unprepared.
“Fix me some of those eggs.” He nodded to the basket. “A nd fry up some bacon. Don’t bother saying you haven’t got any. I can smell it from your breakfast.” She gave a quick nod and turned to crack the eggs.
Time was running out. Rafe would be back soon.
Glancing around the kitchen, she took note of her weapons. A fireplace poker, an iron skillet and a butcher knife. But Simon expected her to try something like that.
Her attack had to a surprise. A nd this time it had to be deadly.
She needed a gun from the larder.
How could she get to them? Maybe while he ate?
If only she had a bottle of laudanum, she could lace his coffee and knock him out. Offering him whiskey was too dangerous. He might not drink enough to pass out and some men became mean when they drank. Simon was already the scariest man she’d ever met.
Rafe. His face flashed in her mind. A lump gathered in her throat when she thought of him. Her soul ached.
He was like the air she breathed. He couldn’t die. They had come too far for it to end like this.
What was he doing right now? She blinked away tears and pictured him walking along the creek with Wolf.
The sun would glint off his dark hair, and his gray eyes would crinkle at the corners when he glanced at the sky.
She wanted to see him again. Wanted to kiss and hold him. It was unacceptable that the last time they saw each other, one or both of them would die.
She stiffened her spine as she fixed Simon’s plate. He would not kill them. No matter what she had to do, she would find a way to save them both.
****
He smirked as he took a sip of his coffee. “You’re shaking like a leaf. You must be anxious for me.” His laugh was low and mean.
Bile rose up her throat. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer.
She bit her lip and forced herself not to panic. Maybe after he ate, she could distract him. A nother shudder racked her body. Dear God, help her. She w a s the distraction.
Forcing a deep breath, she plotted. If Simon was busy with his hands, then she would be able to reach his gun and—
“You’re different than most women I’ve come across out here. Where did Rafe find you?” His expression was calculating.
“In Cougar Creek.”
“Well, you’re better looking than the two whores they had to offer while I was there.” He finished his coffee and stood, stalking her. “But Rafe always did draw women like flies.” Simon chuckled and dragged his fingers down her cheek. “While I was in town, though, I heard an interesting story about a man buying a pretty woman off the auction block. Good thing I kept this tintype of me, Rafe, and Shane.” He tapped his pocket. “Otherwise, I might never have found him.”
Maggie stepped away from him.
“Get back here.” He motioned with his gun.
She hedged, fearful. She didn’t want his touch, but obedience was the only chance she had.
“Now,” Simon growled.
She took the few steps to him, then met his eyes. His stare made her skin crawl.
“I haven’t had a woman in a long time.” He reached to tug her hair from its braid, smiling when she cringed.
“Unbutton your shirt.” He tapped a button with the end of the pistol. “I want to see your tits.” Her hands shook as she reached to her neckline. She squeezed her eyes closed unwilling to watch him touch her body.
“Open your damn eyes. I want you just like when Rafe takes you. I bet you don’t close your eyes then.” Hatred dripped off every word.