Shadow Walker (38 page)

“Like I’ve been struck by lightning.” He had no idea how close to the truth he had come.

“You were struck, but not by lightning. A bolt of lightning severed a tree limb and sent it crashing to the ground … right on your head.”

He touched the lump on his head, and it all came back to him in a flash. “How did I get inside the hut? I’m not a lightweight.”

“I dragged you.”

He shook his head. “Foolish girl. You could have hurt yourself.” He gave her a crooked smile. “It appears I’m nude beneath the blanket.”

Dawn flushed. “I stripped you. You were soaked to the skin. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I have one hell of a headache, but I’ll survive. More importantly, how are you? Or should I say, how is our babe?”

Dawn released her breath in a surprised hiss. “You know? How?”

“A mutual friend told me.”

“Sandy! He promised.”

“Why didn’t you want me to know? I told you I wanted children with you. Is it so difficult to trust me?”

“You’ve given me no reason to believe you’d stick around long enough to welcome our child into the world.”

He placed his hand on her stomach, finding scant sign of a child growing inside her. She was too slim, and far too fragile, to be carrying a child. “I’ll never abandon you again, love. I know I’ve hurt you in the past, but you’ve got to believe me when I say I’m ready now to devote the rest of my life to you and the family we’ll have together.”

His words sounded pretty, but … “Why should I believe you?”

He touched her face with a tenderness that made the breath catch in her throat. “Because I love you. Without you I have no heart or soul. If you hadn’t come into my life I would have fed upon my grief forever, living with cold memories. I realize now how close I came to destroying myself out of grief for a past love I could never bring back from the grave. Grieving had become a way of life for me. Morning Mist would want me to move on with my life. Finding love again has given my life purpose.”

He was so intent, so utterly sincere, Dawn felt all her doubts melting away. “You’re happy about the baby?”

“Incredibly happy.” He spread his fingers across
her belly, massaging gently. “You’re so slim. Are you certain all is well with you and the babe? Have you consulted a doctor?”

She nodded. “I should deliver a healthy baby in six months, if all goes well.”

Her last words sent fear racing through his blood. “I could wring your beautiful neck for running away. How could you endanger yourself and our child like that? You’ve already suffered one miscarriage, you can’t afford another. Oh, God, Dawn, if anything happens this time I’ll hold myself responsible.” He kissed her brow, even though lifting his head caused him excruciating pain.

He lay back with a groan.

“Don’t move. You may have a concussion.”

“We have to get back to town. Is it still raining?”

She glanced out the window. “No, the storm has moved on. But we’re not going anywhere until you’re well enough to move.” She started to rise, but he held her tightly against him.

“If I’m not moving, neither are you. You’ve been through a harrowing experience. I should be very angry with you but I’m just damn glad to see you safe and sound. I was supposed to rescue you, not the other way around.”

“I’m fine, Cole, really. I’m stronger than I look.”

“Maybe so, but I’m not taking any chances with you this time. This babe is going to grow inside you to term. We’ll be married as soon as possible. I sent Sandy to tell Ashley that she’s to plan a wedding for next week. I’ve accepted a piece of land from Tanner and hope to build you a grand house before our child is born.”

A real home. Someone to love who would love
her in return. A child of her own. Dawn was too overcome with happiness to reply. Leaning on her elbow, she kissed his mouth, loving the unique taste and scent of him. How could she have been so foolish as to run away from the only happiness she’d ever known?

“I love you, Cole,” she said. Her voice shook with emotion.

“Thank God,” Cole said, sighing raggedly. “Those are the sweetest words I’ve ever heard. You already know I love you.”

Dawn grinned happily as she cuddled close to Cole. Fading light cast eerie shadows into the cabin as the day drew to an end. When her stomach emitted a loud growl, Dawn was reminded that she hadn’t eaten since the previous night.

“You’re hungry,” Cole said. A hint of laughter crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Is there anything to eat in the hut?”

“No, I’ve already looked. It’s been abandoned a very long time.”

“There is some jerky and hardtack in my saddlebags. Lie still, I’ll get them.”

“No! You can’t get up. You’re not well enough. I’ll get them.”

“Not unless you knock me out first,” Cole insisted. “I’m not going to let a little headache stop me. Maybe I can find something more palatable than hardtack and jerky in my cache of food.”

He tottered to his feet, fighting off a wave of dizziness as he pulled on his dry pants and shirt. When he opened the door a blast of cold air caused Dawn to shiver and snuggle deeper into the blanket. Cole wasn’t gone long. He returned
with a cloth sack. It held several pieces of jerky, some hardtack and a hunk of cheese. Cole sliced the cheese with his knife and divided the contents of the bag between them.

Dawn ate with gusto. When she finished, she sighed and regarded Cole for a long, measuring moment. “Are you really sure you want to marry me? It’s not because of the babe, is it? Because if it is, I couldn’t—”

Cole stopped her with a kiss. “Hush, love. I’m here because you are in my thoughts night and day. Because my whole life revolves around you. I know I’ve hurt you but I intend to make it up to you. God, Dawn, I must have been mad to question my feelings for you. I’d want you even if you weren’t carrying my child.” He kissed her again, hard.

Dawn’s bones turned liquid. When he stopped kissing her, she tugged his head back down and leaned up, inviting him to continue. They were sitting on the floor atop the rumpled blanket that had covered them while they slept, and as Cole’s mouth devoured hers, she slowly pulled him down with her, until she lay flat, with Cole bending over her, their mouths meshed, her arms clinging to his neck. She wanted to draw his taste inside her, to be savored forever.

Cole felt his control slipping. He wanted to make love to Dawn, to lose himself in her sweet body, but he didn’t want to hurt her or their babe. Her face was pinched and wan. Battling the storm had drained her. The life growing inside her was too fragile and precious to endanger. Dawn made a little moaning sound inside her throat when he
drew away, and she tried to pull him back.

“No, sweet, I can wait. I won’t let my lust harm our babe.”

“Cole …”

“Yes.”

“I love you so very much. Are you sure you won’t mind being married to a half-breed?”

“How can you ask such a thing? You’ve had a rough life, love, and have risen above it. Your beauty is not just skin deep, it goes clear through to your heart. When I look at you I don’t see a half-breed. I see a warm, passionate woman with so much love to give it makes me feel unworthy.”

“Are you sure Morning Mist’s ghost won’t haunt our marriage?” She had to know the answer before she gave herself into Cole’s keeping.

“Morning Mist is dead, love. She’s been dead a very long time. I’ve agonized over this a great deal. I loved her dearly but I no longer need to exist on memories. I have you. Morning Mist and I were both so very young when we met and fell in love. I clung to her memory simply because I hadn’t met another woman who could replace her in my heart. I’ve finally found that woman, love. I love you, Dawn, only you.” He sealed his vow with a kiss.

“First thing in the morning we’ll ride back to Oregon City. Ashley and Tanner are probably worried sick about us. They weren’t even aware that I had returned. I stopped first at the Watering Hole when I arrived in town. I guess Fate had a hand in bringing me to you when you needed me.”

Dawn gave him a mischievous grin. “Before we marry, you have to promise me one thing.”

“Anything, love. Anything within my power.”

“Promise you will let Shadow Walker come to me sometimes. He’s such a magnificent savage.”

Startled, Cole regarded her for one long moment. Then he threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter.