A Run for Love (5 page)

Tori and Jesse started toward home. Although a warm evening, the constant Oklahoma Territory wind whipped Tori’s hair into her eyes. Jesse clenched his hands, crushing the urge to reach out and tuck loose strands escaping her bun. Side by side, they walked in silence past closed businesses, dark and silent.

There were so many new buildings going up. The First Methodist Church came into view, already finished, sparkling white, and ready to save souls. Elmer Mason’s sign store did a wonderful trade since everyone wanted their business to be known.

The smell of cinnamon that always surrounded Tori, combined with the scent of rose water, drifted toward him. By now they were familiar, and comforting in some way, the attraction between them always present. He felt it, even though the obstinate woman beside him either didn’t know, or refused to acknowledge it.

He’d never had a problem before working his charm on the ladies. Here he’d found a woman who interested him in more than a casual way, and she acted indifferent.

They turned the corner toward her house. It seemed all too soon, like they’d just started walking. The reflection of the moon shining on his office window caught his attention. The place still needed a lot of work, but he’d built a couple of rooms on the back, which he found good enough for the time being. At least he’d picked up enough business to put food on his table, and with the way the lawsuits were mounting over land disputes, he expected in time to make a comfortable living.

They stopped in front of Tori’s door, and she reached for the doorknob.

“Good night, Jesse.” She yawned.

“Tori, wait.” He put his hand on her arm. “Don’t go in yet.”

“Why not?” She stepped back.

One of those curls had fallen loose from her bun, and this time he didn’t make a fist, but reached out and tucked the silky strand behind her ear. Before he could stop himself, he removed her spectacles.

Tori’s eyes grew wide. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice breathless.

He’d come this far, he wouldn’t retreat. “This.” He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips were plump and tasted like sugar. When she didn’t pull away or smack him in the face, he slid his hands to the back of her head. With deliberate movements, he worked at the pins holding her bun and freed the long tresses of her soft hair. He slid his hand down her back and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her near, deepening their kiss when she whimpered.

Slowly, he lifted his head and studied her eyes. Without spectacles, they were more black than brown, or did passion deepen the color? The freckles scattered across her pert little nose presented an elfish look that would boil her blood if he told her. He wanted her blood to boil all right, but not with anger. Tori frowned, and with shaking hands retrieved her spectacles before moving back, trapped between his aroused body and the door. Good, she wasn’t unaffected.

“Why did you do that?” she whispered.

Jesse cleared his throat. “Damned if I know.”

Tori rushed through her door, then closed it with a snap.

Jesse stared numbly at the closed door. What the hell had he done? After the way she’d been acting, she’d probably get the new sheriff after him. Well, Miss Tori Henderson might pretend she had no interest. He smirked. But her heart had sped up, and she’d gulped for air when she grabbed her spectacles with shaking hands.

He couldn’t ignore her bottomless eyes. Thoughts of nibbling on her tempting lips, just made for kissing, and licking the lightly scented skin of her neck caused his blood to pool in the wrong place. And her hair, how the black waves felt like silk as he ran his hands through it.

On the other hand, Tori was a woman with men issues. Did he really want to get involved with a woman who pushed him away, despite her reaction tonight? In addition, she was stubborn, fiercely independent, and testy. He should probably let well enough alone and concentrate on his law practice.

Tori leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath after that kiss. Hot and cold shivers flashed through her. Why hadn’t she pushed him away, let him know she didn’t appreciate his kisses?

Because you liked it, and all outrage flew from your mind the minute you tasted him. Mint and a mild taste of brandy. And something else that was all Jesse.

She ran a shaking finger over her lips. Unlike anything she’d experienced in her life. Certainly her erstwhile fiancé, James, had never affected her in this manner. She unbuttoned her coat, expecting her heart to pop right out of her chest.

Time to get control of herself. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms to take away the chill, she circled the room a few times before going to the bedroom. She extinguished the lamp and glanced out the small window over the bed as she undressed. The moon lit up the street, leaving little in shadows. The unsettled feeling persisted, her skin sensitive where her nightgown fell. How easily would sleep come tonight?

Her answer arrived a few hours later as she tossed and turned, trying not to wake the girls, asleep in the bed they shared, across the room from her.

Jesse Cochran. She didn’t know what to make of him. For sure, what she didn’t want was for her stomach to knot, then coil like a spring when he flashed his lopsided grin. Except her brain and body didn’t agree, fighting a rough battle. And her body seemed to be winning.

Tori didn’t see Jesse the next day. He’d never stopped by to cajole a cookie or ask for a cup of coffee. Probably took her advice and ate at The Café. Good. The less she saw of him, the better.

She’d felt restless all day, a feeling of something missing. Occasionally her fingertips strayed to her lips that still tingled from the unexpected kiss. She sighed. Yes, it’s better she didn’t see so much of him. The thought went round and round in her head as she glanced up time and again when the back door opened and Jesse never appeared.

A couple weeks went by, and a mild sense of unease surrounded her. Rachel wasn’t happy, and Jesse only waved as he passed her window. He apparently regretted the kiss. Fine, she regretted it as well. Since it would never happen again, she kept herself busy, and pushed any unpleasant thoughts to the back of her mind.

When school had been officially organized, she’d been hired as one of the teachers. Right now, there were two different school buildings, one on the east side of town and one on the west. Her children were in the school closest to home, but Tori’s assignment was in the other building. At the rate the town was growing, a third school would be needed very soon.

She rose before dawn to bake cookies, pies, and cakes for the restaurant, then washed and dressed for school. By the time she came home in the afternoon, she was exhausted. Then after supper, she spent at least two hours grading papers, going over the next day’s assignments, and checking homework.

“Tori, is Rachel here?” Bright sunlight poured through the door as a somber Michael walked in from his part time job and dropped his books on the table.

Tori stopped stirring the soup. “No. She’s not home from school yet. What’s the matter?”

“She wasn’t in school today.”

Tori leaned against the stove and frowned. A sense of unease spread over her, drying up her mouth, and causing a slight flutter to tease her stomach. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know. I left after you did this morning, while she still fussed with her hair, or something. But she never came to school.”

Tori pulled out a chair and sat at the table as a wave of fear swept over her.
This doesn’t sound good.

Ellie skipped into the kitchen with Hunter right behind her. “Rachel gave me a note.” She held up a piece of paper and, with a flourish, handed it to Tori.

“When did she give you this?” Her stomach rolled.

“This morning. She made me promise I wouldn’t give it to you until supper time.” Ellie drew herself up with importance.

With shaking hands, Tori unfolded the note.

Her eyes moved back and forth as she scanned the message. “Oh my God!”

“What is it?” Michael pulled the paper from her stiff fingers.

“Rachel’s gone back to Kansas.”

Jesse locked his office with the intention of taking another solitary meal at The Café. He’d spent the morning after the town council meeting chastising himself for neglecting his clients. Way too much of his time had been spent hanging around Tori like some randy youth. He needed to focus on the lawsuits piled on his desk. And a good substantial breakfast at The Café each morning was much better for his health than cookies. Since school had started, she was pretty busy herself, so hanging around eating cookies in her kitchen would probably have ended anyway.

He sure missed her.

I wonder if she misses me, too
.

He laughed. Tori always had a scowl on her face when they were together. Of course she didn’t miss him.

Jesse pushed his daydreams aside to focus on work. As he reached for a file, he glanced out the window to see Michael appear from his house and race toward the train station. Hunter and Ellie followed on his heels; Ellie with tears on her face, and Hunter gripping her hand. They went in the opposite direction, in a great hurry.

Tori.

He locked up the office and rushed next door. Relief washed over him when he saw her all in one piece. Except she paced back and forth, wringing her hands. Something was up.

“What’s wrong?” He scanned her face. Tears wet her cheeks, and his gut clenched at the thought of Tori being upset.

He grabbed her shoulders. “Tori, what’s wrong?” She continued to cry, her shoulders shaking. He softly shook her, his chest tightening with fear. “Talk to me, Tori. What’s happened?”

“Rachel.” The only word he understood.

“What’s happened to Rachel?”

“Gone.”

Jesse put his arm around the weeping woman and led her to the table. He pulled out a chair and urged her to sit. Tori took a deep breath, swiped her apron across her cheeks, and accepted the water he offered. After she drank, he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. “All right, take another deep breath and tell me what’s happened to Rachel.”

She held out a shaking hand. Jesse pushed away from the wall and took the wet and crumbled note from her hand. As he studied the words, his eyebrows moved together. He read it a second time, and his heart fell to his feet.

“Is she out of her mind?” he fumed.

Tori began crying again in earnest. He pulled her up and gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to yell.”

“Don’t call me honey,” she sobbed, as she clung to his shirt. He smirked and patted her back, mumbling comforting words. The soggy note still in his hand, he read it again.

What the hell is wrong with the girl?

Tori wiped her eyes again, and pulled back from him. “I have to go after her.”

He leaned his head to one side. “No.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, no? She’s a young girl traveling by herself.” She took a gulping breath. “All sorts of horrible things could happen.”

“Right. And if you go after her, you’ll be a woman out there traveling by yourself with all sorts of horrible things that could happen to
you
. I’ll go.”

“You would have no idea where to go.” She pointed to the paper. “Her note says she’s going to live with Mary Jane McRae. She’s her friend from Maple Grove, the town we came from.”

“I’m not incompetent. I can find my way to Maple Grove and locate this Mary Jane McRae.”

“Yes?” Tori lifted her chin. “And then what? Grab Rachel by the hair and drag her home?”

“I’ll talk some sense into her.”

She scowled. “And how do you propose to do that?”

“I’m a lawyer.”

Tori rolled her eyes. “So what will you do? Wave your law book at her?” She paced. “She needs
me
. I did this to her. She didn’t want to move here. She didn’t want to stay. It’s all my fault.”

“Whoa.” He put his hands on her shoulders to stop her pacing. “You’re not to blame for what Rachel did, and I won’t listen to it. You did what was best for your family. She’s old enough to understand the situation when her father died.” He pulled her to his chest as she began to cry again.

Of their own volition, his arms wrapped around her. Even with the growing wet spot on his shirt, holding her felt right. He had no idea what that meant, but now he faced convincing this stubborn woman he needed to go with her to find Rachel. There would be the inevitable fight, but she would not go alone.

She pulled back, and his heart thrummed inside his chest when she gazed up at him, her nose red, chin trembling. “Then Michael can go with me.”

Jesse sighed and released her. “No, that won’t work either. Michael needs to be here for Hunter and Ellie.” He hung his head and placed his hands on his hips.

“I’ll go with you. You can’t travel to Kansas by yourself.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“Watch me.” He shot back.

The president of the school board balked at hearing one of his new teachers needed time away from the classroom. Eventually, he relented and found Mrs. Bailey, a retired teacher, to take over until Tori returned. Michael would handle Hunter and Ellie.

The last rays of sunlight had long since departed by the time Tori and Jesse finished their preparations. They’d spoken to the train master who had sold Rachel a ticket to Arkansas City. Jesse won another argument when he’d convinced her to set out first thing in the morning.

“I’m not about to go stumbling around in the dark. It’s too dangerous.”

Tori wrung her hands. “But we’re losing time. She’s probably already in Arkansas City. She could be hurt, or bothered by strange men.” Thoughts of her pretty niece wandering around Arkansas City by herself caused her to break into a cold sweat.

Jesse ran his hand over her upper arm. “Honey, leaving in the dark, with a chance of one of the horses stepping into a rabbit hole isn’t worth the risk. She’s a resourceful girl. You said she took money from your cookie jar. Most likely she’s right now resting on a comfortable bed in a hotel with a full belly.”

“Don’t call me honey.”

The next morning, Tori dressed hurriedly and gulped a cup of coffee, her stomach rebelling at the idea of food.

“Michael, be sure Ellie and Hunter get their homework done. Oh, and Ellie has my permission to go to a birthday party Saturday.” She shook her head. “Never mind, we’ll be home by then. Or maybe not. I’m not sure.” She stood, wringing her hands, as she tried to give last minute instructions to her nephew.

Michael put his hands on her shoulders. “We’ll be fine. You concentrate on getting my brat of a sister back. If you don’t tan her hide, I will.” His smile belied the concern in his eyes.

She finished with Michael and paced in a circle while Jesse checked the horses they were taking to Kansas. Then she helped him load bedrolls and the food she’d prepared. A shiver ran down her spine when he checked and loaded his rifle.

“Come on, we have to go!” Tori raced up to Jesse, tying the strings of her bonnet. Jesse must have noted her flushed face and rapid breathing, because he smiled and said, “Okay, take a deep breath. Everything’s gonna be all right.”

She turned to the children and gave each one a final hug. “I’ll be back in no time, you’ll see. And we’ll have Rachel with us.”

She caressed Ellie’s pale and drawn face. “I’m scared, Tori. I shouldn’t have waited until supper to give you the note.”

The poor girl had had so much disruption and fear in her short life. Tori gave her an extra hug and bent to her level. “You did nothing wrong. And I know you’re scared, but you must be brave. Michael will take good care of you, like he did in Kansas before you came here. And in a couple days, we’ll all be together again.”

Michael put his arm around Ellie, and hugged her close. These children meant so much to her. With Rachel missing from the group, her stomach knotted again.

Please God, let us find her safe and sound.

She mounted the horse, not waiting for Jesse to get on his horse, and headed toward the main street out of town. Over her shoulder, she saw Jesse wave at the children and take off after her.

Jesse rode his horse up to join Tori. This stunt of Rachel’s proved to him without a doubt the girl’s relation to Tori. Neither one of them knew anything about the hazards facing a woman traveling alone. Unsuccessful attempts to suppress images of what sort of trouble Rachel may be in clenched his gut.

He found humor at Tori’s suggestion she dress as a man again. Her idea of a compromise. Hah! He nixed that idea. The image of her lying in her bedroll, massaging her breasts at night, while he groaned five feet away, scared the hell out of him.

They were well outside of Guthrie and deep into land that had been sporadically settled. Small houses with new farms dotted the landscape. Neat rows of buds peeked out of the red earth. They raced along, immersed in the scent of air freshened by recent rains. The deep blue of the cloudless broad sky met the recently awakened trees and grass as their horses pounded along the flat land.

Although breathtakingly beautiful, the churning in her stomach kept Tori from enjoying the early summer blossoms and the soothing warmth of the sun. Late morning, they stopped near a creek to give the horses a rest while they ate a small meal.

“You go ahead and eat, Jesse,” she said, “I’m not hungry.”

“You may not be hungry, but you have to keep up your strength. Here, try this cookie. It’s from The Café. I hear they buy their cookies from the best baker in town.” He winked.

She attempted a smile at his teasing, but fell short. Reaching for the cookie anyway, she nibbled at the edge. Had Rachel had anything to eat since she left? Tori did her best to swallow the crumbs, but her dry mouth needed large gulps of water to get it down.

Tears slid down her face. Jesse eased her into his arms. “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll find her. I promise.”

She responded automatically, her voice shaky. “Don’t call me honey.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m such a failure. I was so intent on getting us here, I paid no attention to Rachel’s concerns. Then when school started it kept me so busy, and with the baking for the restaurant...”

He leaned back to cup her face in his hands. “We’ve been over this. You did what you had to do to put food on the table. Give yourself some credit.” He used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away her tears.

She laid her head against his chest, comforted by his scent. A mixture of soap and male sweat drifted toward her. His chest was so warm and strong, she wanted to stay there forever. She closed her eyes. Everything would be all right with Jesse here. He rubbed circles on her back as she leaned into him. Oftentimes she’d rub Ellie’s back to relax her when she couldn’t sleep.

Her eyes popped open. Her brain must have taken flight. She’d fallen once again for the charm of a handsome man, when the children’s welfare belonged to her alone. The last time she depended on what a man said, she ended up with a broken heart. Well, not a broken heart. More like broken pride.

She pulled away, swiped her eyes, and adjusted her spectacles. “It’s time to go.” She stiffened her back and brushed the crumbs from her skirt. “Our break has been long enough.”

They continued on their way, again passing more farmhouses every few miles. The sun beat down relentlessly, toasting them through their clothes. She wiped her forehead repeatedly with the sleeve of her blouse. Jesse had worn a kerchief that he used to wipe his face.

He cast a glance around as he drank from his canteen. “We’re getting close. I think we should stop to rest the horses again. We can get something to eat in town later. I’m guessing we should be there in about an hour.”

Tori pulled on the horse’s reins and slid down, leaning against the animal’s side. At least the little bit of shade provided by a few Maple trees in a cluster would be cooling. She pulled her blouse away from her sweaty skin, then groaned as she rubbed her lower back, then down to her bottom, sore from too many hours in the saddle.

“If you need any help with that, you can put me at the top of the volunteer list.” Jesse grinned with raised eyebrows.

She threw him a scowl, and almost hit the ground face first when she attempted to move forward.

Jesse put his arm around her waist. “Whoa. Your legs are a little unsteady there, lady. Here, let me help you over to that log.”

“I’m fine. I can walk.” She pulled away, took one step, and went down in a heap. Jesse muttered, “stubborn female,” and scooped her into his arms.

“Put me down, I’m too heavy.”

“Now there’s a sorry opinion on my manhood. Like I couldn’t carry a little thing like you.” He smiled down at her.

“Little thing? With all these extra pounds?”

“Whatever extra pounds you think you’re carrying, ma’am, they’re in all the right places.” He set her down.

Heat rose in her face, and she smoothed her skirt to cover her embarrassment as she settled on the log, easing her legs out. Jesse reached for the canteen dangling from his saddle.

The muscles in his throat worked as he drank. The fluttering in her stomach returned. Damn the man and his appeal. Broad shoulders, trim waist, powerful legs. Why in heaven’s name did a lawyer look like that, anyway? She glanced off into the distance when he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. It wouldn’t pay to have him think she ogled him. Not that she did, of course.

“I’m going for a short walk, stretch my legs. Will you be okay?” He wiped the mouthpiece of the canteen and held it out to her.

“I’m fine.” Tori grabbed the canteen and re-wiped it. “Go for your walk, and I’ll sit here in the shade until my legs can work again.”

She removed her spectacles, took a huge swig, and then wiped the sweat from her eyes. The heat didn’t disappear, even as she sat in the shade, so she untied her bonnet and fanned herself. Her thoughts returned to Rachel, and her heart sank. Her naïve niece had been gone more than a full day, and she prayed they would find the girl unharmed.

A sound like a child’s toy caught her attention. She couldn’t see a thing without her spectacles. What was it? Her heart leapt into her throat. A rattle? She grabbed her spectacles from her lap, and stood.

Instantly, a sharp sting in her ankle caused her to pull her foot back. Spectacles on, she observed a gray and white snake slither under the log.

Tori’s scream filled the air. Angry for leaving his rifle behind, Jesse raced back to find her on the ground, holding her shoe and moaning. He dropped to one knee beside her.

“What happened?”

She moved her hand. Two puncture marks. Evidence of a snake bite.

Sweat beaded her forehead, her breathing shallow and rapid. Jesse ripped the bandana from around his neck, and made a tourniquet right below her knee. He whipped her shoe off, reached for his pocket knife, then held her foot steady.

“Hold on, honey, I’m going to have to cut you to get the venom out.”

Panic filled her eyes. “I can’t breathe.” She gasped, clawing at her throat.