This Loving Land (11 page)

Slater’s sharp eyes had caught the blush on Summer’s cheeks, and he understood her friend’s unnecessary chatter. He smiled at the pert red-headed girl.

“You’re right about that, Sadie. They think it’s Christmas and the Fourth of July all rolled into one.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to stir up another batch. If’n there isn’t anything else I ort to be doin’.”

Summer looked up. Slater’s eyes on her face brought her color up again. She looked away from him and despised the blush that flooded her cheeks.

“I don’t know of anything we have to do that can’t wait, Sadie. It’s a hot day, though, for you to be standing over a stove.”

“Summer is right, Sadie. If you’re going to be the doughnut-maker for McLean’s Keep, the least we can do is build you a fireplace in the yard.”

Sadie looked disbelievingly from Summer to Slater, then her green eyes sparkled.

“An outside fireplace. Why, that’d just be heaven!” She grinned impishly at him, and Summer envied her her easy manner. “You make me a cook-place, Slater, and I’ll make doughnuts . . . till the cows come home!”

Slater laughed and Summer couldn’t help noticing that when he did, it spread a warm light into his eyes. She found herself beaming with pleasure.

“I’ll get Jack on it. He’s real handy with that sort of thing.” He looked directly at Summer and met her smiling eyes. “Where’s John?”

Summer’s eyes were fastened on his dark blue ones, and her pulses leaped in stupid excitement. Her slightly-flushed cheeks made her violet eyes seem all the brighter, clearer Her mind groped like some wild creature caught in a bed of quicksand.

The voice from the doorway saved her from answering.

“Here I am, Slater. I already got the saddle on Georgianna Pud didn’t help me, I did it all by myself, and I left her in the corral like you told me.”

“Georgianna?”

“She’s a girl, ain’t she? You told me I could put my own name on her, and I like Georgianna.”

Summer got to her feet, filled with remorse for being so wrapped up in her own affairs that she had failed to know what her brother was about. He could have been stepped on . . . trampled.

Slater intercepted the worried look and got his hat from the peg. “Well, we’d better go take a look and see what kind of a job you’ve done on . . . Georgianna.” ~e followed the boy out the door.

“He’s gonna do just fine, Summer.” Sadie came to stand beside her. “Don’t worry, Slater’ll make a man out of him “

Summer turned and caught the look of yearning on Sadie’s face, which quickly changed to a saucy grin.

“Why, if’n I ever do find me a man like that, and if’n he would take to my baby, I’d just about lick his boots every day of the week.” The green eyes sobered. “I’m a tryin’ not to envy . . . I swear to God, Summer, I’m tryin’.”

“He wants to marry me.” The words burst out.

“Course he does, any fool’d see that. Can’t hardly take his eyes off you.”

Summer threw her arms about her friend. “It was meant to be that I’d meet you, Sadie. I’m so glad I did.”

“Well, I been thinkin’ on that too, Summer. I must a done somethin’ right back there a ways for the good Lord to let you come to that hotel. Now, if’n the good Lord would just let some big, old, handsome cowhand come and sweep me right off my feet, like he done you, well, then I think I could give out ‘n die!”

Summer laughed. “Well, until he comes, Sadie, you’ll stay right here and become the doughnut queen of Texas. But I just know before the summer is over, you’re going to meet that big, handsome cowboy.”

“Well, let’s see. There’s Bulldog, old Raccoon, there’s Pud and Jack. Oh, lack’s nice. Real nice, Summer, but he don’t make my heart flutter. Just once, I want a man what would put a shine to my eyes like Slater puts to yours.”

“Does it show that much?” Summer put her hands to her cheeks.

“Don’t be shamed by it!” Sadie pulled her hands away. “It shows to me ‘cause I been lookin’ for it. And it shows to him. He was early this mornin”, just like he couldn’t hold hisself away.”

“Oh, I’m not shamed. It’s just so new, is all.” Summer’s violet eyes danced and she couldn’t keep the smile from tilting her lips.

“He’s a man what would make any woman proud,” Sadie said softly. “I ain’t seen but one other what would make a woman feel so safe, so taken care of.”

Summer gave her friend a sharp look, but Sadie had turned away and was plucking her newly awakened daughter from the tangled bedclothes.

Summer could hardly contain her bubbling spirit as the morning progressed. Sure that her hair was smooth and her dress was clean, she paused frequently to look out the door toward the corral. She was agonizingly aware when Slater and John Austin rode into the yard, and fervently wished she could conceal herself beside the door and watch, but she went to her room and busied herself with the quilts in the big, wooden box at the end of the bed.

She had spread the patchwork quilt out to refold it when she heard Slater’s voice in the other room. Her heart was pounding, her knees were weak, when he appeared in the doorway. His searching eyes found her, then swept the room before coming back to hers.

“I always liked this room.”

Summer clutched the quilt to her, her eyes devouring his face, her heart galloping wildly.

“My mother loved it,” she managed to say. “She said the most wonderful time of her life was spent here. When Papa came back from the fighting, he wanted to go back to the Piney Woods, but I think Mama wanted to stay here.”

“Yes, I think she did,” Slater said slowly. He walked over to the high chest and ran his hand over the small, carved box that had belonged to Nannie Kuykendall. It was in this box that Summer had found the letter from Sam McLean. “I remember this box. Your mother kept her treasures in it. There was a small gold ring she wore when she was a baby. You wore it, too.”

Summer moved over to stand beside him. She lifted the lid of the box and took out the circle of gold. It was small and thin and she slipped it over the tip of her little finger for him to see. He was standing close to her. She could feel his breath stir the loose tendrils of her hair. She stepped away so she could look up at him. Their eyes caught, held, and Summer thought she would suffocate.

Quickly, she returned the ring to the box and drew out a flat package and unwrapped it.

“For as long as I can remember, Mama had this hair necklace. I never saw her wear it, but sometimes she took it out and looked at it. I think it’s beautiful and must have taken hours and hours to make.” She held it up between them. The hair was glossy black, and fine as silk. It was crocheted into a beautiful rope design to form the necklace. “I don’t know whose hair it was.” She smiled at him. “But it could have been yours, Slater. It’s the same color.”

“Or yours.” His eyes teased her and he reached out to touch the coils atop her head.

“I think if it was mine, she would have told me. I know it isn’t Papa’s. His hair was reddish-brown.” She folded the necklace in the paper and returned it to the box. Slater didn’t move. She could feel his eyes and looked up. He smiled at her with amused tenderness in his eyes. His voice had reached into her heart with a thrill of joyful recognition so strong that it caused her to catch her breath. She knew him! She knew him with her heart, her soul, as if he was the other half of herself and they would never be content until united.

It was a highly emotional moment, everything else in suspension, till Slater reached out a hand and stroked her forearm.

“Get something for your head. I want you to come with me to the Keep.” It was a softly-spoken request.

While Summer tied on her sunbonnet, Slater spoke to Sadie.

“Decide where you want your outdoor cook-spot, Sadie. I’ll send Jack down with a load of rock and an iron grill. lack’s good at rock work. He’ll fix it up high, so you won’t have to be bending all the time.”

Sadie flushed with pleasure. “That’ll make things real handy.”

John Austin looked from his sister to Slater. He was clearly puzzled as to why Slater preferred her company to his. When Slater spoke again, it was to him.

“I’m taking your sister over to the Keep, John. You keep a sharp eye out here and look after Sadie and Mary. If you think there’s a need, you climb up on a chair and get this handgun off the shelf. It’s loaded, so be careful. Point it up and pull the trigger. It kicks like a mule and will probably knock you down, but by the time you get up someone would be on the way over. Remember that? Don’t get it down unless you mean to fire it.

“I won’t, Slater. And I’ll take care of things while you’re gone.”

To Summer’s startled eyes, her brother seemed to grow inches.

“I know you would, John, or I wouldn’t leave you in charge.”

Out in the yard, Summer started walking toward the creek and the footbridge. Slater took her elbow and turned her toward the corral.

“We’ll ride over.”

“Oh, but. . . .”

He laughed. “Oh, but . . . what?”

“I can’t ride in this dress.”

His mouth twitched and humor came into his eyes “We’ll have to get you one of those fancy riding skirts that’s split somehow. I never did like a side-saddle. They just don’t do for this country.”

Summer looked up at the tall black gelding, her voilet eyes full of apprehension. As if guessing the sensation, Slater stepped close to the horse’s head and the animal nuzzled his hand.

“Estrella’s gentle, but won’t tolerate a heavy hand or a sawing bit.”

“Estrella? What does it mean?”

“Means Star. When I got him, his name was Esteril, which means sterilized, but I thought it rather cruel to keep reminding him of what had been done to him.” He turned her face toward him with a gentle finger under her chin. His dark eyes, as they watched the crimson flood her face, glinted devilishly. Weakened by the pulsing flame traveling from his hands through her, Summer tried to turn her face away, but he held her with tender strength. “The only thing that’s keeping me from kissing you is John. He’s watching from the door.

“You wouldn’t?”

“No, but I want to.”

Before she could retreat, he swept her up and placed her in the saddle sideways, thrust a foot in the stirrup and swung himself up behind her, his arms encircling her as he held the reins. Summer gripped the saddlehorn. The horse’s movement brought her in rhythmic contact with him—there was no way she could escape his closeness, not that she wanted to. She longed to melt back against him, to feel his broad chest against her back, but she held herself erect.

“I wish 1 hadn’t told you to wear that damn bonnet.” His voice was close to her ear. The horse stopped in the middle of the creek. “Take it off.”

Her hands were gripping the saddlehorn so tightly, she doubted if she would be able to loosen them. He laughed softly and she thought it the nicest sound she had ever heard.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you fall.” He untied the strings beneath her chin and lifted the bonnet from her head. “I want to see you, touch you. I’ve thought of nothing else.” His arms drew her back and cradled her against him. Her head fit into the curve of his neck.

All thought left her. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the joy of being held by him. The smooth side of his face was pressed to hers, and she lifted her hand to caress the scarred cheek. It was warm and rough and his whiskers scraped gently against her palm. This was the part of him she loved the most, this part that had given him so much pain.

He moved his head and his lips searched for hers. There was no haste in his kiss. Slow~ sensuous, languid, he took his time quite deliberately, and every move of his lips increased the deep buried heat in her body. She kissed him back, hungrily, her hand moving back to pull at the crisp hair at the back of his neck. She relaxed in his arms and offered herself to his possessive lips.

His brown fingers moved to her chin and his thumb gently stroked her lower lip. Their breath mingled for an instant before he covered her mouth once again with his. She was filled with a driving physical need, which drummed through her veins like thunder, turning her body into helpless fluidity. She was conscious only of a need to please him, to satisfy him.

His hand curved around the back of her head in a sudden movement of possession, pushing her face to the curve of his neck. Against her hot face, the coolness of his skin was thrilling. Breathing fiercely, she kissed him, her mouth tasting the rough saltiness of his skin for the first time. She felt as well as heard the hoarse sound he made in his throat. Reluctantly, he held her away from him, looking at her with eyes that moved over her hungrily, lovingly.

“We’ll marry soon,” he said thickly. “I’ve been waiting for you . . . forever.”

The horse moved restlessly, but it was of no concern to either of them. Summer tilted her head and pulled away so she could see his face.

“I’m all growed up and . . . I’ve come home to you.”

“Sweetheart. . . .” His voice broke off, shaking. “Sweetheart. . . .” His hand caressed her arm, shoulder, and moved to her breast with trembling gentleness. He looked at her with a consuming tenderness in his dark eyes.

She gazed back at him, the ache of love in her tremulous mouth.

“Oh, God, I’ve wanted to hold you, kiss you, for days,” he said thickly. His mouth parted her lips, desperate in search of fulfillment, and she clung to him, bonelessly melting into his hard body. The kiss lasted endlessly, as if they each found it impossible to end it. “Summer,” he groaned against her neck. “Summer.”

“Slater. . . ” she said, half-laughing. “Someone might come by.”

He kissed her quick and hard. “Very well, what’s a few more hours? But when night comes . . . my girl. . . . ” he threatened teasingly.

She ran a finger over his hard mouth. “Are you threatening me, Mr. McLean?” Her eyes sparkled at him through the thick lashes.

“Warning you, Miss Kuykendall.” His hat was pushed to the back of his head, and his dark eyes were alive with the smile-lines that fanned out from the corners. This relaxed, smiling man in no way resembled the stern-faced man she had met in the kitchen a few short weeks ago.

Her own shyness gone; she giggled softly and tried to tuck the stray tendrils back into her braid.