Shadow Walker (8 page)

Cole reached across the bed for Morning Mist and wondered why she wasn’t lying beside him. He needed her. They were kindred spirits, meant to love one another into eternity. Why had she left their mat?

“Morning Mist! Where are you, my love?”

Dawn heard Cole cry out in his sleep and came instantly awake. Had his fever returned? Worry gnawed at her. She had no medicine, nothing with which to ease his pain. She recalled her mother gathering herbs from the forest for medicinal purposes but had no idea what they were.

“Morning Mist! Come back to me.”

Dawn rose and went to Cole. She placed her hand on his forehead and found him hot to the touch. His fever had returned, just as she’d feared.

“Morning Mist.”

When he started to thrash about, Dawn feared he would hurt himself and tried to calm him. “I’m here, Cole. Your Morning Mist is here.”

Cole appeared to hear her and quieted immediately. He sighed and spoke to her in the Sioux tongue. Dawn understood some of the words, for her mother had taught her the language years ago. “Lie beside me, my love. It’s where you belong.”

Dawn was startled when Cole reached out and pulled her down to lie against his uninjured side. He stroked her long black hair and crooned love words to her. Dawn made no attempt to free herself, since it seemed to calm him. Warily she relaxed against him, stunned by her thoughts. She wondered what it would be like to sleep in Cole’s arms every night.

And she was a fool who dreamed impossible dreams.

Scant moments before Dawn fell asleep, she imagined she heard Cole whisper her name.

Cole stirred, cautiously testing his limbs. He felt stiff and sore throughout his entire body, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. He wondered why his arms felt strangely empty. Then he remembered. He had awakened during the night and been pleasantly surprised to find Dawn nestled beside him. The warmth and scent of her still lingered.

Light flooded the cabin; he could feel it against his eyelids. He opened his eyes slowly. When the haze before them cleared, he saw her. She was standing by the stove, wearing a new yellow dress. She looked like a ray of sunshine, all bright and golden, her cheeks flushed from the heat. She’d been to the river to bathe, and her hair was still damp and curling around her face. She must have sensed his eyes upon her, for she turned to look at him. She smiled shyly.

“You’re awake! How do you feel?”

“Like hell, but tolerable. I can’t remember much after you bandaged my wound.”

“You slept. Fever set in, but I think the worst of it is over. I had no medicine to give you but I did what I could.”

“What was that?” Cole asked curiously.

“I sponged you with cool water until the fever subsided. Are you hungry?”

He grinned. “Matter of fact, I am.”

“Good. I found a rabbit in one of my traps. I skinned and cooked it while you were sleeping. The broth will give you strength. You lost a considerable amount of blood.”

She ladled out a portion of broth and set it on a small table next to the bed. When Cole reached for the spoon, his hand shook so badly he couldn’t bring the spoon to his mouth without spilling the liquid. Pushing his hand aside, Dawn sat on the edge of the bed and carefully spooned the broth into his mouth.

“That’s good,” Cole said, feeling stronger by the minute. “Once, a long time ago,” he reminisced,
“when I was sick, my twin sister fed me broth just like you’re doing right now.”

“You have a twin sister?” Dawn asked eagerly. She was anxious to learn more about this man who had made such an impact upon her life in so short a time. “Where is she now?”

“Ashley and her husband Tanner are living in Oregon with their two children. I visited them in ’72 but haven’t seen them since. We correspond regularly. I’ve been wanting to pay them another visit but haven’t found the time. I have a nephew I’ve never seen.”

“Does Ashley look like you?”

“She’s much prettier,” Cole joked. “We both have green eyes, but her hair is redder than mine. She came West with a wagon train in ’66 to join me at Fort Bridger. I was in the army at the time. She asked Tanner to marry her because the wagon master wouldn’t allow a single woman to join his train. Tanner is from the South. He had a grudge against all Yankees, but my sister managed to tame him. Running Elk saw Ashley and stole her from the wagon train. Remind me to tell you the story sometime.”

“Running Elk,” she repeated. “Who is he?”

“He’s chief of a band of Sioux. I lived with the People for a time.”

“Is that where you met Morning Mist?”

Cole’s green eyes turned dark with remembrance. “Morning Mist was Running Elk’s half-sister. I think we loved one another from the first moment our eyes met. Unfortunately, our time together was brief. Circumstances forced me to leave the village shortly after our marriage. In my
absence the village was attacked by Crow raiders. Morning Mist was among those slain.”

Dawn’s heart constricted with sympathy. The raw pain reflected in the green depths of Cole’s eyes told her that he still loved his dead wife. It must be wonderful to be loved like that, Dawn thought dreamily. She had never known love. Her mother had been afraid to show too much affection for her daughter. Dawn’s father had been a jealous man who demanded all of Winter Sky’s attention. To know, just once in her life, the kind of love Cole had felt for Morning Mist would be pure bliss. But Dawn knew better than to wish for things that could never be.

“I’m sorry.”

Cole shrugged. “It happened a long time ago. I stayed with Running Elk four years before realizing I could no longer shut myself off from the world. I don’t regret my years with the People. I learned to act, think and live like the Sioux. That knowledge has aided me in my work, and in many instances saved my life.”

“Why have you never remarried?” Dawn regretted the question the moment it left her mouth. It was none of her business. Once Cole left, she would never see him again.

Cole looked away, visualizing Morning Mist on the day they had parted. Her eyes had been misty with tears, but her smile had said she knew he would return to her. Their love had been preordained and would endure until the end of time.

“No one could ever replace Morning Mist in my heart,” Cole explained. “Someday you’ll love someone like that and understand.”

Dawn gazed at Cole and feared she already did understand. She was afraid of the things Cole made her feel. But rather than delve too deeply into her heart for an explanation, she rose abruptly. “Would you like some more broth?”

“Not right now. But I am feeling better. By tomorrow I should be fit enough to resume my search. I need to recover the money before Sam and Spider turn up.” He searched her face, waiting for her to say something, and was disappointed when she remained stubbornly mute.

Dawn turned away. She knew what Cole wanted from her. But she just couldn’t give him the money. It could mean the difference between life and death for her.

Cole watched Dawn as she went about her chores. She had changed since he’d first set eyes on her several days ago. Her eyes no longer had that haunted look, and the sharp edges of her facial features had eased. She appeared more sylphlike than gaunt now, and more in control of her life. Sometimes she seemed almost innocent and childlike. And vulnerable. It was difficult for him to believe she had been intimate with Cobb and his cohorts.

Cole wondered what Dawn would do when he left. It wasn’t difficult to imagine why she continued to deny knowledge of the train robbery money. Unfortunately, there were few options open to a woman with no money and no prospects. The stolen money would go a long way in securing a normal life for Dawn. In a way, he couldn’t blame her for denying knowledge of it.
But he had a job to do; sentiments did not apply here.

By suppertime Cole felt strong enough to go outside to relieve himself and sit at the table to eat. He washed up in a bucket of water Dawn had placed outside the door for that purpose and took a seat at the rickety table. When Dawn set a bowl of savory rabbit stew and dumplings before him, he dug in with gusto. Tomorrow he hoped to continue his search for the money, and he needed to build his strength as quickly as possible.

“How is your shoulder?” Dawn asked conversationally.

“Hardly hurts at all,” Cole said, though in truth he felt more than a twinge of pain.

“You take the bed tonight. It’s more comfortable than the bedroll.”

“We could share the bed like we did last night.” His words told her he’d been more aware than she had given him credit for.

Dawn’s spoon clattered against her bowl. “I … that is, we … You couldn’t have remembered.”

“I remember,” Cole said huskily. “I remember how empty my arms felt when I awakened and you were gone.”

“You thought I was Morning Mist.”

“I knew exactly who you were, lady. Besides, what can it hurt if we share the bed? I’m too weak to do either of us any good.”

Dawn’s eyes slid over him assessingly. He didn’t look weak. He looked amazingly fit for a man who’d been shot and had survived a fever. He must have the constitution of an elephant.

“I’ll take my chances with the bedroll,” she replied shortly. Dawn trusted Cole more than she did any man but not enough to lie beside him all night. Or was it herself she didn’t trust?

“No!
I’ll
take the bedroll,” Cole said in a voice that brooked no argument. “Either we share the bed or I’ll sleep on the floor. It’s your choice.”

“Sleeping with a man is … It’s not—”

“I’m not Billy Cobb. I won’t hurt you. Unlike your husband and his men, I don’t take women unless they’re willing. All I’m suggesting is that we share the bed. Otherwise, I’ll make do on the floor.”

When Dawn remained silent, Cole rose somewhat stiffly. He’d been up too long, he thought as he staggered toward the corner to retrieve his bedroll. The dull ache in his shoulder was now a painful throbbing, and if he didn’t lie down soon he’d probably fall down.

Dawn watched Cole stagger across the room with a twinge of guilt. Sharing the bed was a logical solution, so why was she acting like a foolish child? Had he allowed her to use the bedroll, there would be no argument, but Cole was too much of a gentleman to take the bed while she slept on the floor.

“Wait! We’ll share the bed. But only until you’re well enough to sleep on the floor yourself.”

“Deal,” Cole said as he changed directions and stumbled to the bed. To his credit, he fell asleep shortly after his head hit the pillow.

Since Cole had fallen asleep so soon, Dawn decided not to awaken him to change his bandage. Briefly she considered sleeping in her dress, but
couldn’t bear the thought of her beautiful new gown being reduced to a mass of wrinkles. Fearing that Cole would awaken while she was undressing, she pulled her voluminous nightgown over her head and undressed beneath it. Then she crawled into bed, pushing herself as close to the edge as possible.

Sleeping in Cole’s arms last night had proved something to Dawn. Sleeping with a man could be wonderfully pleasant and comforting, if he was the right man. Sleeping next to Billy had revolted her. Whenever Billy returned to the cabin, he usually tried and failed to perform as a man. Then he would curse and beat her and kick her out of bed, forcing her to sleep on the bare floor. She was eternally grateful for Billy’s frequent visits to the cabin.

Even in slumber, Cole sensed Dawn beside him. He felt her warmth, inhaled her sweet, natural scent, and turned toward her in his sleep. He reached out, gathering her in his arms and pulling her against him. Half asleep, Dawn resisted briefly, then cuddled into the curve of Cole’s body as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Cole awoke slowly to darkness and a feeling of contentment. He couldn’t recall when he’d felt so at peace. The woman in his arms was warm and sweet-smelling. A firm breast filled his hand, and he fondled the nipple that pressed impudently against his palm.

Morning Mist.

He almost said her name aloud until he remembered. Morning Mist was dead. The woman beside him was named Dawn. Dawn, with long black hair
and innocent blue eyes that held the ageless knowledge of Eve. Vulnerable Dawn. She had known many men, yet gave the impression of being untouched.

His hand moved against her breast, stroking her gently, restless, wanting. A groan slipped from his throat when he felt her nipple harden against his palm. Unable to stop himself, he eased her on her back. Dawn made a sleepy sound and tried to return to her side. Cole held her fast, wanting her, needing her so much that sweat gathered in the small of his back and an aching began low in his stomach.

Dawn stirred. She felt hot; her body was heat-flushed and restless. She wasn’t quite awake but neither was she asleep. She felt strange, so very strange. Unfamiliar sensations made her limbs feel heavy and lethargic. She shifted restively, seeking something so close yet beyond her reach.

Cole held Dawn until she lay still in his arms once more. Then he eased slowly down her body, his mouth finding her breast through her threadbare nightgown. His lips closed over her nipple and he suckled her. He smiled when he heard her breathy moan. Then he felt her shudder violently and knew she was fully awake.

She shoved at his chest. “What are you doing? Dear God, what are you doing to me?”

Cole lifted his head and looked at her. Her features were clearly defined in the moonlit room, and he was startled to see her eyes open wide with terror.

“Awakening you to ecstasy. Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.”

A tiny, trembling sound escaped Dawn’s lips. It was Cole’s name. It was enough to burn through the restraint of Cole’s best intentions.

Cole turned her face toward him with the gentlest of touches. Her lips were lush and wet. He swept her back into his arms, his open mouth slanting over hers. Her lips tasted of sultry sweetness and mystery. Of innocence and splendor. He deepened the kiss, driving his tongue past the barrier of her teeth into the satiny warmth of her mouth.

Dawn tried to think beyond the scorching, searing heat of Cole’s kiss, but all coherent thought had been thoroughly blotted out. She had to stop this insanity. It wasn’t right. This feeling was so wonderful it had to be wicked. Then, like a dash of cold water upon her senses, Dawn suddenly realized that Cole was seducing her, employing his considerable charm to make her reveal where Billy had hidden the money.