Teton Sunrise (Teton Romance Trilogy) (20 page)

“Is that why I saw you sitting by the creek in that same spot later that day in only your shift?”

Evelyn’s head snapped to the side. Her mouth fell open. “Alex Walker,” she feigned outrage. “Now who’s the one who was spying? Besides, I know you were watching me.”

Alex grinned broadly, and Evelyn thought her heart would melt. She hadn’t seen such a devilish smile on his face, ever. Abruptly, he leaned over toward her, and his hand reached for the back of her head. He pulled her toward him, and kissed her softly on the mouth. Evelyn stopped breathing. When had the tables been turned on her? She didn’t even have the chance to try her hand at a game of seduction, and Alex had managed to seduce her. Not that he needed to.

“Relax,
Evie
,” he whispered. “You were, what, twelve years old at the time? Not much to look at . . . I mean, unlike now.” He pulled away from her, averting his eyes. “Ah, hell,” he growled, and kicked his horse into a faster pace.

Evelyn stared after him, her mouth open. Had he just told her she was attractive? His annoying habit of walking away from her was getting . . . well, annoying. “You’re not running away this time,” she said under her breath, and urged her horse forward. Finally, he’d shown her a side of him that wasn’t dark and moody, and she would not allow him to clam up again.

Alex looked surprised when she pulled her horse up alongside him a second time. His forehead wrinkled, and a frown marred his handsome face.

“How much longer until we make camp?” she asked, glancing at the sky. It had to be getting close to early evening. The sun reached far into the western horizon, already casting shadows along the snow-tipped peaks of the mountains.

“See those woods up ahead?” Alex nodded toward the forest. “Nestled amongst the trees, just at the base of the mountains, is a series of small lakes.” He turned to look at her. “It’s where I plan to build my . . . our cabin. We’ll be there within the hour.”

Evelyn stared at him.
Our cabin
.
Her lips parted in a wide smile. “Why didn’t you like--”

A loud thump and a groan interrupted what she was about to say. Alex reined in his horse and twisted his body to look behind him. Evelyn did the same.

“Oh dear God!
Yancey,” she called.

Laurent jumped from his horse and ran to where Yancey had fallen from his mount. He groaned again, in obvious pain. Laurent looked up, his eyes darting from Evelyn to Alex.

“He cannot go on today,” Laurent said
,
concern etched on his face. “He and I will rest here. You and
Madame
Evelyn go ahead. I know you are eager to reach your destination. I will tend to this greenhorn and catch up with you in the morning.”

Alex dismounted his horse, and knelt beside Yancey. He glanced at Laurent. “Are you sure?”

“We will be fine,” the Frenchman answered. Alex nodded, and squeezed Yancey’s arm. “I was counting on your help to build my cabin before winter,” he said. Evelyn was glad to see Alex smile at the injured man.

“I’ll be good as new in the morning,” Yancey answered weakly, his face glistening with perspiration.

Alex stood, and exchanged a look with Laurent that she couldn’t interpret,
then
remounted his horse.

“Will they be all right here?” Evelyn glanced around. While there were tall shrubs that could serve as shelter, there was no water that she could see.

“They’ll be fine. Laurent will see Yancey through the night, and they’ll be along in the morning. If we hurry, we’ll get to the lake before dusk.” Without waiting for a reply, he kicked his horse into a fast trot.

****

Evelyn gaped at the crystal clear waters of the narrow lake nestled between tall
lodgepole
pines. She had to tilt her head back to see the tips of the
Teewinots
through the dense conifers.  They had reached the forest about an hour ago, and Alex led the way along the shores of an azure alpine lake. The rocky banks of the lake were too steep in most areas to get near the water, but Evelyn enjoyed the serene view. Several eagles soared above the water, looking for their next meal.

After riding around nearly half of the lake’s perimeter, Alex guided his horse away from the shore and followed what looked to be a fast-flowing inlet. Heading upstream, the waters became much calmer, and the stream widened into a narrow lake that appeared to be rather shallow. Every rock and every fish was visible beneath the crystal clear water. The snowy mountain peaks and the surrounding trees reflected artistically off the water like a mirror image.

“We’ll set up camp here tonight,” Alex said, halting his horse and pack animals near the sandy shore of the lake. Birds chirped loudly in the tree branches above, and a soft rustling of the breeze completed the peaceful atmosphere.

“This is a beautiful area,” Evelyn said, and waited for Alex to help her off her horse. It suddenly occurred to her that they were completely alone, and her pulse quickened. Alex held her at the waist while she dismounted, the warmth of his hands seeping through her clothing. She turned to face him, and grabbed hold of his upper arms, afraid he would walk away after setting her on the ground.

Alex flinched. Startled, she realized she had touched the area on his arm where the bear had clawed him.

“I should look at those wounds,” she said quickly. “You need a fresh bandage.”

To her surprise, he didn’t argue. “I’ll get camp set up first and the horses taken care of.”

Evelyn nodded. Butterflies churned in her stomach. Would he be distant with her this night like all the others? With no one else to disturb them, this might be her best opportunity to attract his attention.

She rummaged in her leather pouch for a swath of muslin while Alex hobbled the horses and started a fire. She spread out their bedding, and filled the iron kettle with water from the lake. After a simple meal of leftover corn cakes and venison, eaten in awkward silence, Alex headed for the lakeshore. Evelyn remained by the fire, wringing her sweaty palms in her lap. She studied the flickering orange flames that danced upward, envisioning her insides burning up like the fire before her.

“You can see to my wounds now,” Alex called, his voice echoing in the serene stillness. Her head shot up, and she inhaled sharply. He stood at the water’s edge, his back turned to her. When had he removed his shirt? Her mouth suddenly went dry, and she scrambled to her feet. Warmth spread from her insides to her extremities and back, making her limbs tingly and weak. Carefully, she walked toward her husband, her eyes on his broad shoulders, watching the slight play of muscles along either side of his spine.

“I brought a fresh bandage,” she managed to whisper when she reached his side. He turned slightly toward her. Evelyn forced her eyes upward, past his lean and sculpted torso and chest. A smoldering look greeted her, more heated than the fire blazing at their camp. Her heart leapt up into her throat and pounded in her ears. Alex had once again managed to turn the tables on her. How could she possibly attempt to seduce her husband when he stared at her with such intensity? Was it even necessary to try?

 With trembling hands, she reached for the bandage on Alex’s arm and fumbled with the knot. His jaw clenched tight, and the rock hard muscles on his arm tensed. Evelyn’s fingers wouldn’t cooperate. She would need a knife to slice through the bandage in order to remove it.

To avoid his burning stare, she concentrated on his arm. With a will of their own, her fingers slid up past the bandage, up along his shoulder, and across his chest. A slight shudder passed through Alex, and his chest heaved. Emboldened by his reaction, Evelyn stepped closer, and placed her other palm in the middle of his upper body. His masculine scent penetrated her senses, and a renewed longing lodged itself firmly in her lower abdomen. His chest moved in faster succession beneath her palms, and she ran the tips of her fingers along the smooth contours of his skin.

“
Evie
,” Alex rasped, and his hands clamped around her waist. He clutched her hips and drew her up against him. The breath left her lungs, and she dared to look up and seek out his eyes. The hunger expressed there was unmistakable, and Evelyn’s knees went weak.

“Please kiss me, Alex,” she whispered, and leaned up toward him. Her hands gripped at his shoulders. His response to her request was immediate. Like a starved man, his mouth descended on hers. One hand reached up and cupped the back of her head, drawing her closer. Evelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, and moaned as pleasure so intense she thought she might faint rushed through her. Alex wrapped his other arm around her waist, pressing her tightly to him. His lips slanted across hers, then left her mouth to trail hot kisses along her jaw and neck. He nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear, and Evelyn gasped as a new wave of intense heat flushed through her. She raked her fingers through his hair and clung to him as if her life depended on it. His mouth returned to cover hers again, and she parted her lips in response.

Without breaking the kiss, Alex scooped his arm behind her knees and lifted her to his chest. He left the shore of the lake and carried her up the embankment toward their camp. Evelyn’s head spun dizzily. She was no longer aware of what direction they were headed. The only thing that mattered, the only thing her body and senses were in tune with was the man holding her, kissing her. Anticipation raced through her, and she wrapped her arms more firmly around his neck.

Abruptly, Alex broke his heated kiss. His body tensed against hers, and he stopped walking. Evelyn tried to shake her euphoric feeling, sensing that something wasn’t right.

“Hello, Shadow Walker. I see you have returned,” a soft and feminine voice spoke in broken English.

Chapter 15

Evelyn’s head snapped around at the sound of a woman’s voice. An audible groan escaped Alex’s throat, and he slowly set her on her feet. “What the hell,” he mumbled under his breath.

She turned to come face to face with the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Long ebony hair framed her delicate bronze face, and fell loosely to nearly her waist. She wore a simple buckskin dress adorned at the shoulders with shells and intricate bead patterns.

Evelyn’s mind raced. This woman obviously knew Alex. Her almond eyes glowed with quiet appreciation as her gaze traveled over his nude torso. Evelyn glanced nervously from Alex to the young woman. His eyes were locked on the Indian, looking at her appreciatively. The way she smiled warmly up at him spoke of more than a casual acquaintance. 

Hurt, jealousy, and disappointment flooded her. Why had he never mentioned that he had an Indian woman waiting for him? What other secrets was he hiding from her? She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat, and tried to blink away the burning sensation in her eyes. Her body still sizzled from Alex’s kisses and the way he touched her. There was no doubt in her mind that he would have made love to her if not for this woman’s arrival. She glanced at the Indian woman. Had he . . . had the two of
them .
. ?

Alex cleared his throat behind her. “
Evie
, this is Whispering Waters. She’s a friend.”

The woman studied her with keen interest. Evelyn had the distinct impression that she was being assessed from head to toe.

“What sort of
friend
, Alex?” Evelyn couldn’t disguise the hurt in her question. She turned to face him. The intense look of desire from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a hard set to his jaw. His eyes no longer smoldered with want, but held an impassive appearance. A deep sense of insecurity and inadequacy in the presence of this pretty Indian woman washed over her.

Alex stared down at her after her question was out, and his eyebrows drew together.

“We’ve known each other for some years,” he said slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. 

The Indian girl spoke again, this time in a language that Evelyn didn’t understand. Alex answered her, his own words foreign to her. He said her name, but the rest of the words were in the Indian’s gibberish. She felt like an intruder standing there while the two conversed. The girl nodded slowly, the smile vanishing from her pretty face. She stared at Evelyn, but her expression was as unreadable as Alex’s.

The girl strode up to Alex, and for a split-second, Evelyn thought she was going to push her out of the way. The Indian reached for Alex’s arm, touching the bandage there. She spoke again, and he answered. Evelyn caught the quick look the girl threw in her direction,
then
she untied the knot and removed the wrapping, exposing three slash marks that had torn the muscle in Alex’s arm.

After another quick exchange of words, the girl nodded to Evelyn, and a hint of a smile formed on her lips. Evelyn wasn’t sure if it was a friendly gesture or if the Indian was mocking her. Abruptly, she moved past her and Alex, and disappeared into the trees away from their camp.

Evelyn swallowed and stared up at him. “Who is she, Alex?”

Alex drew his eyebrows together, and met her gaze. “I already told you. I’ve traded with her people for years. She came to tell me that her father and uncle found Laurent and Yancey, and their healer is taking care of Yancey’s wounds.”

Evelyn blinked several times, and she swallowed back her apprehension. Alex hadn’t answered her question at all. If he had nothing to hide, why would he be so evasive about the girl?