Heart of the Wild (15 page)

Still nothing.

"You have to admit, you deserved every bit of it. You and my father. It wasn't easy for me, keeping quiet. Especially when I realized what you thought of me."

When he tried to push past her, she jumped ahead again.

"Look, my father had no right interfering in your life like that, practically forcing you to marry me. People should marry because they agree, because they l-love each other. That is, if they love each other."

"If?"

At least he was listening.

"I only brought it up because you seem to set such great store in there being love in a relationship. Why, in this day and age, I can't imagine. I mean, when I heard you talk about your parents, and how they loved each other so much to Tanka, I assumed—I mean ..."

There was a small twinkle in his eyes, but no smile, no other reaction.

"You assumed I believed in love. Real love. Well, you are right. I do. And there lies our problem, because you don't?"

"Not particularly, no. Some people find it, I guess. I think a relationship, a good relationship, can be based on mutual trust and caring for each other. I'm not so sure that true love isn't a fantasy. It's probably an invention of those writers of romance novels."

He cast her a frustrated glance. "Romance novels?"

When he grew silent again, she went on. "So, why don't you start concentrating on getting me out of here? I'm old enough now to make my own decisions. I'm not changing my mind. I'm too independent to listen to my father any longer, anyway; he should know that."

Now he stopped. Everything stopped, the wind, the snow, her breath.

Whirling about, he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Believe me, I'd like nothing better than getting rid of you. You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since you got here. But I promised your father a daughter, and he's going to get one! Maybe he can straighten you out."

"Straighten me—" she squawked. Hadn't he heard what she had said? Didn't he understand English?

He stood there, holding her like a limp doll, until she stiffened. "Look, I just told you. You've got the wrong girl! I'm not mixed up. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Grey eyes scanned hers like a lazar beam finding its one and only target. "Oh, yeah? Well, I'm not so sure."

Why did those flint-bearing eyes bother her? Why did his touch thrill her, make her blood boil? Why did his touch send warm currents of awareness through her, even through the thick layers of clothing between them? His big hands burned right through to her upper arms.

It was dangerous being this close, dangerous because her heart raced like a locomotive, and dangerous because she wanted to be much closer. God! What was happening to her?

"You deserved it to some degree at least."

"Did I?" He clenched teeth.

Hands of pure steel pinned her against the nearest hemlock, as smoke gray eyes searched hers with a purpose.

She shut her eyes tightly, like a child, but it was to no avail as his lips came down on hers in a kiss so tender and heart wrenchingly sweet that it took her breath away. It was a kiss that immediately changed things between them. And Kasie was shocked to realize how hungry she was for his kisses. If she gave in just an inch, she'd wrap her arms around him and never let go.

All too soon he wrenched his mouth from hers, breaking the spell he had put her under. "Now, you listen to me."

Things were quickly changing, and Kasie was no longer sure about herself. Something in his hooded expression told her not to push her luck.

He stared into her face.

"The other day you were ready to give yourself to me. Now Gina says Rick is great in bed, a quote from you, no doubt."

The blood drained from her face in shock. She opened her mouth to deny it, but she didn't have to. Her shocking indignation said it for her, and he seemed to nearly stumble in confusion.

"My God, you lied. You little brat!" His words ground at her like Old Blue. "You're such a bundle of twisted nerves, I don't know what you think or feel. Were you going to walk out on this Rick fella, too? Is that the reason for the fishing trips the day before your wedding?"

"No, of course not." But from his look, she knew he was wise to her. "I—I don't know. Maybe."

She let that sink in, with surprise.

"If you'd quit feeling sorry for yourself, you might find out you have a few emotions. Or don't you realize that emotions are what make us human in the first place? I don't want your apologies. That's not what I'm after."

"At least you're finally being honest," she said, choking on her words and darting ahead of him. "You may not appreciate it, but at least I feel better about it now."

He stopped and glared at her. "You're a mixed up little nut, Kasie. You've got stored up bitterness toward a father that feels nothing but love and pride for you. His little tomboy. Oh, yes, you're here for the duration."

"You have no right to talk to me like this," she cried. "You don't understand me, you never did."

Kasie felt an old anger stir within her. He was too close to the truth, and the fact that she was so transparent to Chayton Amory had her cringing. "Look, I don't need this. Go practice your child psychology on someone else. How can you stand there and judge me?"

"I suppose I have judged you. The same way you judged me when I told you I was taking you to your father. Marked me as a yes man for your father, didn't you? You always have. There's never been an ounce of trust between us Kasie, and that's what's wrong. You think your father is the only man alive with a brain, with ideas, with hopes and dreams?"

She didn't say a word, just stared.

"It doesn't matter how much I want your body, or you want my kisses. It'll never work until we can trust each other."

"I don't need your kisses," she huffed. "I don't need anything from you."

"I'll tell you one thing, you sure as hell need something, or someone in your life. You need love so badly you're willing to reach out and take it from a man like Springer. Or like me—isn't that right?" he charged, coming closer.

"You? You weren't offering love," she said with a half laugh, half cry.

"Wasn't I?" Amory's tone changed, softened, "that's rich, coming from you, of all people."

"Well," she said gulping down a breath, struggling for the right words, "that's spilt milk. You obviously want to be rid of me as soon as you can, so why don't you take me to the airport as soon as the roads are clear."

"Like hell, sweetheart, you aren't going anywhere," he boomed as he whipped her around to face him squarely, pulling her against him. She trembled, and he looked her up and down. "Mark my words on the matter."

"But, it's senseless to keep me here," she cried trying to push away, "like—like a prisoner! It's—it's kidnapping. I'll have you arrested!"

Any emotion he might have been feeling was suddenly gone, drained by the cut of her words. He grabbed her wrist, and held her captive. "You could, that's a fact. You've been wanting to do that ever since I picked you up. But let's wait and see what daddy says about it. He's the reason you are here…"

"I hate you!" she stomped her foot ineffectively as he released her with a jolt, "I don't need you or him."

His stone cold eyes glared into hers, colder than the snow that enveloped them, "Go right ahead, hate me. I'm prepared for that. Prepared hell, I expected it. But the matter is settled. You're staying."

"I'll make your life hell!"

"Well, sweetheart," this time his words galvanized her to the spot, burning into her like an iron, "you're off to a great start."

________________________________________

Chapter Seven

The day the snow broke, Amory had high hopes of the roads clearing and John showing up. But all his thoughts and hopes were doused by a loud thud at the door.

Kasie had run to open it.

Leaning against the frame of the door slumped an injured young man, bleeding.

Kasie yelled for Amory.

He had been out back when he heard her cry out. He rushed around to see her trying to help the young man inside. He helped her carry him inside and laid him on the big bed.

"It's Kyle Gordon, looks as if he ran into some trouble." Amory immediately went to get the first aid kit from the closet, and glanced at Kasie's perplexed face.

Tanka and Gina had been outside, too, and came running in, laughing until they spotted Kyle. Laughter turned to concern as they rushed to the bedside.

"Is he hurt bad?" Kasie asked with concern.

"Bad enough."

Tanka stood beside Amory near the bed. "I'd better go find the doc. He'll need sewing."

"But you can't. I mean, the road's are blocked, how could you get through in this weather?" Kasie tried to reason with him.

Tanka smiled teasingly into her face, tipping her chin with one finger. "You forget. I'm Indian. I can run the distance in less time than it would take you to drive. I'm used to the snows."

Old wives tales, Kasie thought. "Well, at least bundle up properly."

Tanka winked, and smiled down into her face. "Yes, little mother, I'm flattered you care."

Amory shot them a strange look, as though he had just felled a tree, and was watching it fall in the wrong place.

When Tanka left, he pulled Kasie to one side and said very quietly, with a steel edged voice and very little patience left, "Don't play games with Tanka. Gina's my friend; I don't want her hurt. Do you understand?"

Kasie's mouth flew open to protest against his accusation, but he let her go as quickly as he had taken her. Kasie retreated into a near-by corner.

He was so wrong. Kasie confided in Tanka more than anyone in the cabin, but that didn't mean she wanted him. She confided mainly because Tanka was the only one interested enough to talk to her. He was friendly and warm, the kind of person to open up to. The thought that he had misjudged her behavior weighed heavy on his shoulders. Obviously she thought she had found a friend.

It was well into the next day before young Kyle came around.

"Where am I?" Kyle asked, his clear blue eyes rounding on her with no sign of recognition.

"You're at Chayton Amory's cabin. How do you feel this morning?" Kasie replied standing at the edge of the bed.

Kyle tried to get up, but the pain in his shoulder made him wince and lay back. Gina walked towards the bed. "Does that answer your question?"

"Why don't you tell us what happened, Kyle?" Amory pulled up a chair.

Kyle glanced about and flushed. "Well, I was hunting, rabbits mostly. The next thing I knew this big black comes barreling out of the woods at me. He was madder than a hornet, and wanted the small keg of honey I always carry when I'm down at the Swanson's place. I had tied it to my shoulder. Forgot all about having it, when I saw him."

Amory smiled knowingly. "That's understandable."

Kyle reddened again, as though he had done something stupid. "I was about to throw the keg at him when a shot rang out. I think it was some dumb hunter thinking he'd bagged a bear. I barely remember heading this way. Ole Blue hightailed it. I don't know who was more afraid, him or me."

"Did you see who did it?" Amory asked sharply.

"No, I didn't get a chance.".

"The rangers put up a wanted notice on Ole Blue so there might have been some target hunters out there. I better notify them, and make them aware of the situation. We don't want this becoming an all out war on Old Blue."

Tanka returned with the doctor. They warmed themselves by the fire first, then the doctor took care of Kyle.

Tanka looked at Chayton. "Okay, brother, what's up?"

"We gotta get hold of the rangers before this turns into an all out war on Ole Blue."

"I agree. I'll get our gear."

Chayton smiled down at Kyle, wanting to reassure him. "You'll be as good as new in a few weeks. Meanwhile you'll have two beautiful young women to care for you here. The doc can get hold of your folks, and they'll be expecting you as soon as you can move about comfortably. But for the time being, just sit tight."