Sweet Savage Heart (53 page)

Mace interrupted, “Don’t even think it, friend. I’ll be here, so don’t worry about anything, or anyone. Take care of yourself, Trav. I don’t want to lose the best friend I’ve ever had.”

The twenty-seven-year-old foreman said, “Give me about fifteen minutes, then come to the house. I want to introduce you to Rana myself. Will you saddle Apache for me and load my gear? And I need another strong mount. I plan to switch horses while riding to prevent too many rest stops along the way. I need to get going and get back as quickly as I can.”

Travis strode quickly into the house and proceeded to explain his discussion with Mace to an uncharacteristically quiet Rana and Nathan. When he had finished, Rana nodded her head and told him, “It is a clever plan. I am grateful that your friend wishes to protect me.”

The three went over their plans and stories one last time, then Nathan left the room to await Travis’s departure on the front porch, knowing his adopted son and his granddaughter would appreciate some time alone.

Rana slipped into Travis’s arms and snuggled against his hard body. “Be careful and return to me,” she
entreated in a strained voice. She had this terrible feeling that awful things were about to happen, but she did not want to worry or distract him with her fears and doubts.

Travis tightened his embrace and kissed her forehead, for he had those same feelings. Yet he knew his trip was vital. “I will, my love, and you be careful here. I promise, we’ll be married real soon.”

They kissed and hugged, then gazed longingly into each other’s eyes, exchanging messages that held too much emotion for words to express. Finally, Travis murmured, “I have to go, love. We’re running out of time. If I’m not back in twenty-nine days…” He sighed heavily and hugged her tightly. “Stay here and I’ll bring Mace to meet you,” he said.

Rana eyed the tall, handsome man who entered the room with Travis. He stood just an inch shorter than Travis and was two years older. His hair was the color of sunshine dancing on sand and his eyes were the shade of a blue pasqueflower. The creases around his mouth and eyes expressed his easygoing, happy nature and Rana found herself liking his compelling smile and genial manner. She sensed that before her stood a man of honor and prowess, much like Travis. The close friendship the two men shared was obvious in their demeanors, and she warmed to Mace Hunter immediately. He seemed a good man, and a dependable friend. They exchanged smiles and greetings.

After going over Travis’s suggestion that they play sweethearts during his absence, all three left the room to join Nathan. Travis and the older man embraced affectionately, then Travis clutched forearms with Mace. Lastly and most tormentingly, Travis looked deep into Rana’s eyes, then whispered, “I love you,
micante
,”as he hugged her quickly.

Rana stood on the porch and watched Travis ride away, bravely holding back the tears that threatened to spill
forth. She smiled and waved to Nathan and Mace as they headed off toward the stable. She knew Mace Hunter would return after her lessons to take her riding and begin their sham. She also knew that Rachel Raines would be returning to work the next day, and she looked forward to meeting Rachel and her husband. Study and keep busy, that was what she needed to do!

Harrison and Clarissa Caldwell were enjoying themselves immensely at the lengthy July Fourth celebration in town, but each kept a sharp eye for a certain, though different, person. The games, races, betting, eating, dancing, and drinking continued during the hot day without either person making an appearance.

Around two o’clock, Cody approached Clarissa with the letter from Travis, and she eagerly stole away to the livery stable to read it. She was astonished by the message and peeved over his sudden departure. She stuffed the letter into her draw-string purse to read again later, but before she could leave the secluded stable, Wes Monroe swaggered inside and attempted to have some fun then and there.

“Don’t be a fool, Wes,” she angrily scolded him. “We can’t be seen together. This could look suspicious after you handle that job for me. Get rid of Jackson tonight, and I’ll come to the cabin around ten,” she offered, trying to prevent his anger or his refusal to help her.

“You’re smart, woman. It would look strange for a gunslinger and a lady to be playing in the straw together. Don’t be late tonight, and be ready to give me this man’s name and why you want him killed.”

When the celebration ended with enough time for the ranchers to get home before dark, Harrison was still tense and decided to stay in town and spend a few hours at the Silver Shadow Saloon. He had anticipated meeting
Marissa’s double all day and had worked himself into a mental state of constant arousal, one that needed appeasing before he went home tonight. He shouldn’t have been surprised by Crandall’s failure to show up today, he told himself; after all, the man would soon lose everything. No doubt Nathan was plenty worried about now. Even if Nathan and Travis suspected he was responsible for the robbery, they couldn’t prove a thing, and the ranch would be his within a month. Perhaps they could work out something reasonable, if Rana were another Marissa…

The day had passed busily for Rana. Despite its being a holiday, Mrs. Clara Dobbs had arrived that morning to deliver several items and to fit others. After the midday meal, Aaron Moore had arrived for her lessons, for the shy teacher cared little for rowdy celebrations and was eager to work with his delightful pupil.

At five, when she was waving farewell to Moore, Cody and some of the hands returned from their chores. At twenty-six, Cody was fortunate to hold such a position of authority. The smiling man cordially and politely introduced Rana to Darby and Bart Davis. Both men had dark brown hair and brown eyes, Rana observed, and neither had looks that would tend to catch the average woman’s eye. Cody explained that Darby was forty-six, with a wife named Lettie and many children, and they lived in one of the rented houses a few miles away. Bart was forty, single, and lived in the bunkhouse. Clearly the two brothers were very close, Rana mused, in looks, feelings, and personalities. Though neither had had much to say, both had been friendly and polite.

Cody asked Rana if she wanted to go riding or spend time practicing her shooting. Just as she told him she was waiting for Mace, the affable blond arrived with Todd
Raines, who gaped at her as if seeing a ghost. For a time he stared at her transfixed, but Cody and Mace were too busy bantering to notice Todd’s reaction.

Rana smiled at him and watched how his eyes glowed as they roamed her form from head to toe. She broke her spell over him by saying, “I am Rana Michaels, Marissa’s daughter, Nathan’s granddaughter. It is good to meet you, Mister Raines. Travis and Grandfather speak good words about you.”

Todd murmured, “I can’t believe it; you look just like your mother did years ago. They told me about you, but I wasn’t prepared for this shock. I hope you’ll forgive me for staring at you, Miss Rana.”

Rana was delighted to meet this particular man and hoped they could become friends quickly so she could ask him about her mother. Todd was thirty-eight, the same age Marissa would have been had she lived. He had light brown hair, which some might have considered dark blond, and it shone in the approaching sunset with reddish gold highlights. His striking eyes were an unusual shade, appearing to be a mixture of silver and dark blue. His features were pleasing, and Rana speculated that his good looks had increased with age. How different Marissa’s life and her own would have been if this man had won her mother’s heart. She had been told his wife, Rachel, was barren and that the couple wanted a child badly. As it had been with Mace and Cody, there was something about Todd Raines that caused her to like him instantly.

Mace and Cody noticed the quick rapport and the ease with which Rana and Todd conversed. Todd explained that he had to pick up some barbed wire and head back to the men waiting for him, so he did not have long to talk. He smiled then and told Rana he would look forward to seeing her again, and she did the same. As he moved off, Todd glanced back at her several times and she watched
him until he was out of sight. Their strange behavior caused Cody and Mace to exchange quizzical looks, for they had been too young to know about the fiery romance between Marissa Crandall and Todd Raines twenty years before. They only knew that after her hasty marriage and departure, Marissa had come to visit her father every two years, beginning in 1850, when Rana had been one. When she made her last, tragic visit in 1856, Cody had been fifteen, Mace, at eighteen, had only been with the ranch one year, and Todd had been married to Rachel for four years.

Still puzzled, Mace invited Rana to ride with him and, a short time later, when they had halted near a large pond to rest for a moment, Rana began asking countless questions about Todd Raines. Such excessive interest alarmed Mace. He casually stated, “I did tell you that Todd’s happily married to a very sweet woman.”

Rana glanced at him curiously, thinking to herself, Why would he…? Suddenly Rana grinned, then laughed aloud. “I do not ask about him for myself, Mace Hunter. I asked because he was very close to my mother. I wish to become friends with him so he will tell me much about her. I was a small child when she was slain and I know little about her. Grandfather told me they almost married long ago. I think how different all would be if they had been joined. To learn about one she loved tells me much about her, and I wish to know all things. I must not ask such questions before his wife, for it would make her sad to hear him speak of another love. Do you understand?”

Mace smiled and nodded. “I understand, Rana. I never knew about Todd and Marissa, so I guess you were a shock to him since you look like your mother. I came to work for Nate when I was seventeen, so I only saw your mother once. But I can tell you, she wasn’t one to forget,” he murmured almost dreamily. Catching himself,
he flushed lightly and said, “It’s getting late. We should ride back.” The sun was falling across her head, enhancing the color of her face, hair, and eyes. He smiled and remarked, “You know something? Travis is a lucky man. He said you were perfect and beautiful, and he was right.”

“It is good he has a friend who knows and shares all with him, as Myeerah did with me in the Oglala camp. I miss her. Cody Slade says he will bring his love to see me and become my new friend. It is good.”

Yes, Mace decided, Travis Kincade was a damn lucky man to have discovered this treasure first. He would take real good care of it for his best friend, and if Travis didn’t return alive… No, Mace raged inwardly, nothing could and would happen to his best friend. “After you finish your lessons tomorrow, we’ll do some target practice,” he said aloud. “Just make sure you don’t go riding without me or Cody, or Todd.”

She smiled at Mace and mounted the pretty sorrel. “Did Travis forget to tell you I am very obedient and understanding?”

Mace’s gaze met Rana’s and they both laughed merrily.

Clarissa paced her room and read the letter again and again. The news was what she had desired, but could she believe it? Travis had been holding her off for years, so why this sudden change? Was the tough rancher going soft for her? Or was he getting worried about losing his ranch and all he owned? Did it matter to her that it was the only way she could have him? She read the letter one final time, then burned it.

It was probably a good thing he was gone right now, she told herself, for he might have been injured during her father’s take-over, or he might have discovered the truth about her and her plans. And because he was gone,
Travis couldn’t fall for that little chit of Marissa’s! Once Travis lost everything, she would look like the best catch to him, especially if her father were dead and Travis could marry her and become the owner of a vast empire. No matter his motives, she would win him and tame him. But right now, she had another man to handle. Picking up a drying cloth, she made her way to the bathing closet.

When she returned to her room after her bath, she found Wes Monroe propped lazily on her bed. She hurriedly locked her bedroom door and went to him. Keeping her voice as low as possible though she was in a burning rage, she demanded, “What the hell are you doing in here? My father could return at any time. He would fire you and disown me!”

As he placed several pillows behind him and leaned against them, Wes playfully argued, “Nobody saw me sneak in and your door’s locked. We’re on the second floor, so nobody can peek in your windows. If you keep your voice down, nobody will know I’m here. Sit down and talk.” He grasped her hand and pulled her down beside him.

“Nobody
doesn’t matter, only my father,” she sneered. “If he finds out about us, he’ll get suspicious and all my plans will be ruined.”

“That’s who you want me to kill for you, isn’t it?” he asked calmly as he untied the sash to her robe, exposing her naked body, which was still damp from her bath. He noticed her uncontrollable reaction to his words, a response that left no doubt about her prey’s identity or her character. He had watched and listened, and had added up the facts and clues. This woman wanted it all, and she would kill her own father or do anything to get it. That meant she was as cold-blooded and greedy as he was, and she couldn’t be trusted.

“I told you I would come to the cabin later. I was getting ready to leave. This is too risky, Wes. We can’t talk or meet here.”

As he fondled her breasts, he suggested erotically, “Taking you here makes it more exciting, Clarissa. Riding you like crazy within a few feet of the man you want me to kill for you and knowing he doesn’t suspect a thing… Knowing we can’t make a sound even if our bodies heat up and burn to a crisp… Nope, woman, this ain’t risky; this is feasting on danger and making all of your senses come alive. Don’t you know how much pleasure and power you can get from other people’s pain? Why don’t you tell me what you’ve got in mind for your unlucky Papa while I take another payment?” His hands went behind her back and he pulled her forward so his mouth could devour her breasts.

Clarissa thought about his stimulating words as she watched him with fascination. Her father had taken Marissa many times in the room next to hers; now she would dare to have a lover in this very house! And the man who was going to murder him! Wes was right; danger was a heady aphrodisiac and so was victory. It was all falling into place for her, and that was intoxicating. As his hand slipped between her legs, she closed her eyes and was consumed by the blissful sensations that Wes was creating up and down her quivering frame.