Authors: Sandra Leesmith
“What about my grant?” she asked to change the subject. “Do you think they’ll cancel it?”
He didn’t answer for a moment, but finally shook his head. “No. There’ll still be work to do. We’ll have to document what’s left.”
In spite of the professor’s disappointment, Autumn sighed with relief at that news.
* * *
It was past midnight by the time Jess rode into the barn of his ranch. When he saw the pile of gear stashed near the door, he knew that Sam had been able to evacuate the professor and his party of scientists. It was a relief to know the men and women were safe, but he wondered how much privacy he’d have at the house.
Most of the men could be put up in the bunkhouse, but the women were probably divided between Meg’s place and his. Where was Autumn? Had she been flown to the hospital, or was she here also?
He peered out the open door of the barn to the ranch house. Most of the windows were dark, but the soft patio lights sent a welcoming glow.
Jess stretched, feeling every muscle ache and groan with the movement. He couldn’t remember being this tired. He’d check his mother’s room. He couldn’t begin to explain why he wanted Autumn there. It had seemed the right decision at the time he’d given directions to Sam. Maybe it had something to do with wanting her to belong. It had, after all, been designed for the woman of the house. If Autumn was in fact there, he’d bathe and then stretch out beside her. The promise spurred him into action.
The saddle felt heavy as he hefted it off Real Tall Man’s horse. His strength had been drained. He unsaddled the pinto that Real Tall Man had left for Autumn to use and wondered where help was when he needed it.
A movement from one of the stalls startled him. The horses whinnied. “About time someone showed up,” Jess muttered grumpily. “Give these animals a rubdown. I’ll be…”
“I am your friend, but I don’t follow your orders.”
Jess spun around when he recognized the voice that had interrupted him. “Enrique.”
“You look like hell.”
“I’ve been there and back.” Jess accepted the handshake. “So take pity on me and help me with these horses.”
“Have you been to the house?” Enrique grabbed a brush and started on the pinto. “What’s going on there? You having a party or something?”
While Jess fed and watered the horses, he explained what had happened, including Autumn’s innocence.
“
Aaii
. This must be bigger than we thought if they’re going to all this trouble.”
“You’re right. At least we know Autumn’s not in on it.
“I’m glad for you.” He paused from brushing the horse. “You tried to deny it, but you care for her.”
“You’re right,” Jess conceded, but he still didn’t know what that meant for the future.
“That’s too bad about Ross. He was a strange
hombre
, but I liked him.”
Jess let a few minutes of silence pass out of respect for the dead. It was always a sobering blow in this business when one of their team died.
“Does anyone know you’re here?” Jess asked as he guided the horses into two empty stalls.
“Just the boss,” Enrique said, referring to their task force leader in Phoenix.
“Good. Let me get a bite to eat and a change of clothes. We can head out to Coyote Springs before anyone knows you’re in the area.”
“What’s the hurry? You should get some rest.”
The thought of crawling in bed was tempting, but business came first. He had to leave instructions for his foreman and check on a few items of ranch business. Then he and Enrique needed to get back to Coyote Springs. Gut instinct told him they were too close to breaking this case to let a matter of sleep slow him down.
“I can get that when we’ve cleared out of here,” Jess answered him. “Autumn’s innocent, but someone in that party is in on this. I think it’s Wayne Carson.” Jess pulled Enrique back into the stall where the man had been waiting earlier. “If they don’t know you’re here, you can be an extra set of eyes and ears.”
“
Comprendo.
” Enrique nodded. “You go eat. I’ll get the horses ready.”
“We’ll take my stallion. You ride that mare.” Jess pointed to one of his most reliable quarter horses.
Enrique nodded, but grabbed Jess’s arm before he left the stall. “Give her my love, too.”
Jess swore as he shook off Enrique’s hand. He ignored the muffled laughter. They’d been friends for so long they could read each other like a book. Jess left the barn and grinned. He’d be damned before he’d give Valdez’s love to his woman.
His
woman. The idea pleased him. Right now he wanted to see her. His steps quickened as he neared the house.
Jess bypassed the kitchen. Though he was hungry, food was the last thing on his mind. He skirted around the house and headed for the courtyard so as not to disturb the other occupants. His bedroom door was unlocked. He peered in. Good, it was empty.
As he was about to step inside, he paused. He should go shower before checking on Autumn, but her presence lured him to the sliding glass door next to his. He’d just look in and make sure she was here.
Quietly, he slipped into the room. It took seconds for his eyes to adjust to the dark. When they did, he couldn’t stop staring.
Her long hair was splayed across the pillow, its shiny darkness framing her face. The sheet had slipped, leaving her exposed to his view. The sight took his breath away. The lemon-yellow gown slid across her curves like a second skin. His fingers itched to touch her.
The shower was forgotten. So was common sense. Operating on pure reaction, he closed the distance between them and sat on the edge of the bed.
She stirred. He watched, fascinated by the movement of silk over the satin skin. A strand of hair fell against his hand. He picked it up and sifted it between his fingers. Her perfumed scent drifted up to him. Wanting more, he lifted her hair and feathered it against his lips, the fine wisps catching on the whiskers of his chin. He breathed in the fragrance.
He wanted to trace the curves that were silhouetted in the moonlight, but his hands were too dirty to touch her. He contented himself with a visual caress, but he ached with longing. A moan escaped his lips.
She rolled onto her back and her hand slid across her abdomen. Jess watched the movement with envy until the backs of her fingers pressed against his leg. He held his breath. This wasn’t fair.
Suddenly, he knew she was awake. Even in the shadows he could feel her stare.
“Jess, is that you?”
Her voice caressed him like velvet. He had to swallow hard before he could speak. “Yes. I just rode in.”
She twisted her head to look at the clock. He wanted to smooth his fingers along the lines of her neck.
“It’s after midnight. You must be exhausted.” She yawned sleepily. “Are you coming to bed?”
The invitation was sweet torture. He longed to stretch his body next to hers, but he still had business to take care of.
“I’m riding out in a few minutes.” He couldn’t hide the regret.
The announcement brought her upright. “You just got here.”
“Careful.” He leaned away from her. “I’m covered with trail dust. I came in to see if you were all right.”
“I’m fine. Just a little bruised. I’ll ride out with you.”
He held up his hand when she started to swing her legs around to rise. “No. Stay here and get some rest. The sheriff’s posse is out there now. I don’t want you in any danger.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be careful.”
She smoothed her hand across his cheek. “Make sure that you are. We have a lot to talk about.”
The promise in her voice tempted more than her touch. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders and fell like a curtain to the bed. He wanted to wrap himself up in it. Instead he closed his eyes to the sight and pressed a kiss into the palm of her hand. Her skin smelled of scented soap and he ached to hold her.
“Jess.” He heard the longing and tried to steel himself against it. “Hold me.”
Painfully aware of his dusty clothes, he started to back away. “I…”
She stilled his protest by pressing her fingertips to his mouth. “I don’t care about a little dirt. It’ll wash off.” Her smile reflected in the moonlight as she tossed her hair to reveal her body.
He could see the taut nipples pressed against the silk and hear the pounding of her heart—or was that his own?
All concern for his condition vanished when her arms slid around his shoulders. His own arms came around her body and he wondered if he’d ever be able to let go. Would he even want to?
“Please, just hold me for a little while before you go,” she murmured against his cheek. “I’ve missed you today. I want to touch you.”
Her mouth met his and he reveled in the taste of her. She was hot and spicy, like cinnamon candy. He couldn’t get enough of her.
In seconds, his breathing was heavy. He felt constricted by the weight of his clothes. If only he had time to strip off his boots and toss aside his clothes, he’d stretch out beside her and show her the depths of his caring.
“Can’t you stay?” she begged between her own panting breaths.
Pulling away from her embrace was one of the most painful things he’d ever done. It took all of his willpower. When he did finally manage to stand, he wondered if holding her might be less tempting than seeing the rise of her chest as she took deep breaths, or noticing the glossy shine of moisture on her lips, or catching the reflection of passion in the darkness of her eyes.
“Autumn.” He couldn’t find the words to apologize or explain. They must have sounded in his voice because she didn’t pressure him.
“I understand about your work. You have to go. But remember this, Jess Barron. We have unfinished business.”
“This shouldn’t take long. We’re very close to finding them.”
* * *
It was all the promise she was going to get, she realized. That was enough. Now was not the time to press. She could see the exhaustion in his features; hear the fatigue in his voice. In fact, she doubted it would take much real effort to lure him into bed with her.
Taking advantage of his condition would not be fair. She had every intention of renewing this relationship with a sound footing. There would be no excuses for him to latch onto in order to back off. She’d give him the space he needed to work out his personal doubts.
“Have you talked to Sam?”
“You’re the only one I’ve seen. What’s up?”
She told him about the microwave dish and the evacuation. With each word she felt the distance between them broaden, as his mind traveled back to the canyon and the problems out there.
“The sheriff wants us to stay here until they find the killers,” she told him. At least she had an excuse to be here when he returned. “He knows you suspect someone in our party.”
“Keep an eye out, would you? And be careful.” He caressed her cheek, and she had to concentrate to keep his words focused. “I have to go now.”
That captured her attention. She clasped his hand in hers. “You’re tired. Are you sure you can’t stay and get some sleep?”
He chuckled. “Believe me, if I stayed, sleep is not what I’d get.”
His statement pleased her, but she also heard the underlying determination.
“If you insist on leaving, I have something I want to give to you.” She swung her legs underneath her and stepped off the bed. On the dressing table, her turquoise nugget glowed in the moonlight. She picked up the special treasure.
Jess came up behind her. She saw his outline reflected in the mirror before he wrapped his arms around the front of her.
Rough fingers caught on the silk as he smoothed them across her abdomen. She trembled as heat flowed from him to her.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured against her neck.
Unable to stand the torment, she turned into his embrace, still clutching the turquoise nugget. She buried her face against his chest, inhaling the scent of dust and horse that clung to his clothes and mingled with the male essence of him.
“Come back to me,” she murmured, but wasn’t sure he’d heard.
Stretching her arms upward, she slipped the silver chain around his neck and positioned the nugget under the folds of his shirt. His heart thudded against her lips when she kissed the skin at the V-neck of his shirt.
“Real Tall Man gave me this. It’s been blessed, Jess. It carries power.” She remembered how that power had guided her out of the cave. “When you hold it, know that I’m thinking of you and praying for your safety.”
For several moments he remained motionless, not speaking, barely breathing. Autumn held her breath, too, wondering if she’d somehow offended him with her gift. Her answer came when he swept her in his arms and held her tight.
He still didn’t speak, but his body language told her he’d treasure the gift. His arms quivered slightly as they tightened their hold. She heard the catch in his breath and felt the rapid beat of his heart. It matched her own.
For a crazy moment, she wanted to say she loved him, but it was too soon for that. She let her body say it instead.