Carol Finch (19 page)

“And we’ll discuss that daring tactic later, and at great length,” Fletch promised as he cast Savanna an annoyed glance.

“I’m not going to apologize,” she insisted as she tilted her skinned chin at Fletch.

She felt ever so much better when he took a step forward to kiss her, even if it was one of those hit-and-run kisses that only whet her appetite. But it did revive her a bit after her near brush with fatal disaster.

“I’ll catch up with you later,” he murmured before he dragged Grady around to the other side of the tree.

“You okay?” Hawk questioned as he grabbed the reins to her horse then escorted her toward his mount.

Savanna nodded her tousled head and took a restorative breath. “A few scrapes and bruises but nothing too severe. I’m really thirsty after being choked down.”

Hawk lightly traced the raw skin on her neck, making her flinch involuntarily. “You’ve had one helluva twenty-four hours. Fletch and I are really sorry about that. Especially him. He blames himself for sending you right into Grady’s hands.”

She glanced over her shoulder to see that Fletch had propped Grady on a horse and had strung the rope around his neck. “Do you think Grady will survive to stand trial?”

Hawk stared pensively at the two silhouettes on the cliff. “Maybe. But I guarantee Fletch will have a confession for every crime Grady has committed in his career as an outlaw. My brother is very thorough.”

“As you would be,” Savanna murmured as Hawk scooped her up to set her on her steed then handed her a canteen.

He smiled wryly. “Yes, Savanna. When it comes to avenging the pain suffered by someone you love, you tend to extract an ounce of flesh for every injustice.”

Savanna supposed Hawk was right. She certainly would have liked a turn with Grady for Willow’s sake. But Fletch
would more than punish Grady for Elaina’s sake because he’d loved her and had vowed revenge for her senseless death. He had five long years of emotion bottled up and it was pouring out.

Although Savanna didn’t blame Fletch for taking out his anger and grief on Grady, it hurt to know that he was never going to love her the way he loved Elaina. Oh, certainly, she challenged and amused him occasionally. She had also appeased his needs—temporarily. But she would never have his heart.

The rueful thought evaporated when she heard Grady’s pained yelp wafting in the breeze.

“Eating just deserts leave a bitter taste in a man’s mouth,” Hawk commented as he led Savanna downhill. “My guess is Fletch is going to feed Grady a steady diet of just deserts.”

Savanna figured he was right.

Fletch tugged on the horse that carried Grady Mills jackknifed over its back. As he’d promised himself, he’d found Grady’s stash of chloroform and had given him a long whiff of it after he’d persuaded the bastard to sing like a canary. There was nothing like a few Apache techniques to encourage a closemouthed criminal to talk. Now, it was a matter of gathering up the outlaws who worked for Draper and pack the whole lot of them off to jail.

Fletch halted atop the hill to gaze down at the campsite his brother had set up for the night. Even while Fletch was interrogating Grady, the image of Savanna hanging off the side of the horse with a noose clamped around her windpipe and a pistol aimed at her head kept flashing across his mind. Fletch gnashed his teeth then urged his mount downhill.

Savanna Cantrell was a daredevil deluxe. She had scared about two dozen years off his life that morning and she was going to hear about it—first chance Fletch had to bring it up.

The click of a trigger prompted Fletch to reach for his pistol. He relaxed in the saddle when his brother appeared from the shadows of the trees.

“Did you get all the confessions you wanted?” Hawk asked.

Fletch nodded. “Even a few I didn’t know to ask for. Grady is easily persuaded to talk when he’s enduring pain rather than dishing it out.”

“I’m sure you used just the right incentive. The tried-and-true ones from the old days with our Apache clan?”

“And a few I created specifically for him,” Fletch replied. He waited a beat then asked, “How is she?”

“Fine. I treated her cuts and bruises after she took a long soak in the river. She fell asleep almost immediately.”

“I’d like a favor,” Fletch requested as he stared at the campfire—and more specifically, the sleeping form beside it.

“Name it, little brother.”

“I’d like to be alone with Savanna.”

White teeth flashed in the moonlight. “You aren’t going to torture her for her daring stunt, I hope.”

“Maybe just deliver a well-deserved tongue-lashing.”

Hawk chuckled as he reached out to retrieve the reins to the trailing horse that carried Grady’s chloroform-sedated body. “If you think that will change the natural instincts of a headstrong, independent-minded woman, I can tell you from personal experience that it’s a waste of time and breath.”

“But it makes you feel better temporarily, right?”

“That it does,” Hawk confirmed. “That it surely does.”

While Hawk led Grady away, Fletch dismounted. He peeled off his clothes and walked into the shallows of the river for a refreshing bath. It was time to return Savanna to her father—as he had promised to do. It was also time to head back to Texas and to the familiarity of his job with the Rangers. He had rescued Savanna and fulfilled a promise to Elaina. Now his life was his own for the first time in five years.

Funny, though, his life felt empty. Maybe it was because he’d been driven by one purpose for so long. It was natural to feel at loose ends, he supposed. But he’d be back on track when he took a new assignment with the Rangers.

Fletch came ashore to pull on his breeches and boots. His footsteps took him directly into camp. He stared down at Savanna, admiring her elegant features. He smiled, thinking she had inherited the refined, blue-blooded characteristics of
The
Bennetts of Georgia—as she was fond of mimicking in a haughty tone of voice.

A knot of longing uncoiled inside Fletch as he knelt beside Savanna. Need multiplied and intensified with the knowledge that he’d come perilously close to losing her today. And that made him angry because Savanna had thrust herself into danger after he’d shot the rope in two so she could ride off. Instead, she’d headed directly into trouble.

He reached over to jostle Savanna awake—and almost backed down when she moaned groggily and stretched leisurely on the pallet. Then he reminded himself that if he didn’t talk to her now he might not have the chance later.

“I have something to say to you,” Fletch whispered, then dropped an impulsive kiss to her velvety lips because, damn it, he just couldn’t help himself. He needed a taste of her as much as he needed to scold her for scaring him half to death today.

However, it was difficult to hold on to his anger when she responded eagerly to his kiss then curled her arm around his neck to keep him exactly where he was.

“I have something to say to you, too,” she murmured against his mouth. “I almost didn’t get the chance and I won’t make that mistake again. I thought I could hold it inside, but I have to say it.”

She kissed him passionately until he couldn’t breathe and couldn’t remember why he thought he needed to scold her. Damn it, she’d always had this staggering effect on him and it never let up. He doubted it ever would.

“I love you, Fletch,” she whispered as she arched against him. “You might not want to hear that, but I do.”

She loved him? Even though her words pleased him, he knew it was the newness of passion speaking, as well as the upheaval of emotion caused by a harrowing month of life on the run. He should tell her that she was mistaken, but the roar of blood-pumping, mind-boggling need overrode the voice of reason.

Nothing seemed as important at the moment as experiencing the ineffable ecstasy they had discovered at Mineral Springs. He’d never felt more vital and alive. He’d never known such pleasure and he had the unshakable feeling that he never would again—if he didn’t hold Savanna in his arms this one last time.

Overwhelmed by the thought, Fletch stretched out beside her. He peeled away her chemise and drank in the addictive taste and scent of her. He committed the feel of her luscious body to memory with each worshipping caress, each whispered kiss.

“All I’m asking is for tonight,” she murmured. “I don’t expect to be your future. I only want you for now…”

“As you wish,” he whispered as his lips skimmed her silky skin and molten desire rolled over him like hot lava. “We will belong to each other for the eternity that is tonight.”

S
avanna sighed raggedly as his hands and lips worked their delicious magic on her body. His quiet words whispered through her mind, reminding her that living for the moment was the most anyone could ask for. And didn’t she know it? If Grady Mills had had his way, she’d be flying off to the pearly gates right now.

At least she’d told Fletch how she felt about him. At least she could share his passion one last time before he rode out of her life, carrying the memory of another woman in his heart.

Savanna gasped for breath when Fletch’s hot kisses coasted over her shoulder then scaled the slopes of her breasts. Her body tightened when he suckled her gently and his hand splayed over her belly. She gave herself up, body and soul, to the white-hot sensations that this brawny warrior called from her.

When his sensuous lips grazed her inner thigh and he guided her legs apart with the gentle nudge of his elbow, she offered herself up to his intimate kisses and caresses. Her heart belonged to him. She desired him and him alone.
For this space in time, she savored his passion. If she couldn’t have his love then at least she’d have the pleasure of his magnificent body.

Her bittersweet thoughts swirled away when sensations—so intense and profound that they stole her breath—crested over her. With each erotic flick of his tongue and arousing stroke of his fingertips pleasure expanded and need clamored through her quivering body.

She teetered on the crumbling edge but she refused to take the fall unless he went with her. She longed to touch him, needed to return the fiery pleasure that sizzled through every fiber of her being. She wanted Fletch to be as hungry and desperate as she felt.

Panting for breath, Savanna cupped his face in her hands and pulled him upward until her lips slanted over his. She could taste the need he’d summoned from her and she vowed that he, too, would feel that same helpless craving. When she urged him onto his hands and knees then shifted to run her fingertips down the hard length of his arousal she heard his quick intake of breath and a guttural groan.

“Vanna—”

His voice shattered when her hand folded around him and she kissed him intimately. Fletch felt bone and muscle turn to steam when she caressed him so tenderly. Each feather-light stroke made his blood bubble like a geyser and his body burn with pleasure. He sucked in his breath and his brain broke down when she nipped playfully at him with her teeth and glided her hand down the back of his thigh.

“Stop!” he pleaded as his body shuddered with barely restrained need.

“No.” Her moist lips whispered over his ultrasensitive
flesh, driving him crazy with need. “I want you quaking with the want of me. Desperate.”

“I’m already there,” he rasped as he hooked his arm around her waist to bring her face to his. “You’re killing me, Vanna. I need you more than I need breath…and I want you
now.
”

He braced himself above her and stared down at her enchanting face. He lost himself in dark, hypnotic eyes illuminated by the campfire light. When she hooked her legs around his hips and guided him to her, he
did
go over the edge. Riveting, nerve-shattering pleasure was there to greet him. They spiraled into a universe where profound sensations and emotion engulfed them and time ceased to exist.

Fletch rocked urgently against her, feeling the scorching heat of desire burn him alive. He groaned in satisfaction when her aroused body convulsed and caressed him intimately. He felt her arms contract and pull him as close as two people could get. She called out his name as she strained urgently against him. Her passion was his passion. Her pleasure echoed into his body and he couldn’t tell where she ended and he began, for they were one living, breathing essence.

Shudder after helpless shudder pelted him and he swore the top of his head was about to blow off. His body was so sensitive that it felt as if a raging wildfire was sweeping through every nerve and muscle, consuming all in its fiery path.

“I love you,” she whispered as he clutched her to him in the aftermath of passion too incredible for words.

He let her believe that she loved him. Let
himself
believe it for the night. Later, he drifted back to reality…and then the tide of slumber towed him away. He was adrift on a rolling sea, lost in a fantasy filled with remembered passion.

The sound of birds chirping and fluttering in the overhanging trees brought Fletch slowly awake. Two days of roiling emotion and a night of breathless passion had knocked him out cold. He awoke to stiff, aching muscles and he couldn’t remember where the hell he was.

Sighing heavily, he scrubbed his hands over his face. He rolled to his side and eventually mustered the energy to open his eyes. When he realized he was alone, he lifted his head to scan the campsite for Savanna. A foul oath burst from his lips when he saw the folded note lying beside him.

He snatched it up and read, “I will always remember you and you will always have my heart. Love, Savanna.”

Fletch swore inventively at the vision dancing in his head then snatched up his breeches. “Damn it to hell! She’s done it again!”

He muttered sourly when he realized he’d put his breeches on backward in his haste to dress. He jerked them off and began again. “Does she delight in leaving me behind like this? She’s been doing it since day one. What is this? Some kind of validation to compensate for her mother bailing out on her?”

“Who the devil are you yelling at?”

Fletch half twisted to see Hawk emerge from the underbrush to stare curiously at him. “Where’s Grady?” he asked crankily.

“Still tied up and demanding breakfast. I stuffed the gag back in his mouth to chew on until lunch.” He glanced this way and that. “Where’s Savanna? Bathing at the river?”

The question had Fletch cursing again. Angrily, he stuffed his feet into his socks and boots.

Hawk stared apprehensively at Fletch. “Did she run
off?” His eyes narrowed accusingly. “What’d you do? Scold her to such extremes for her reckless daring that she got mad and left?”

“No, she just left and she’s gotten good at it. It’s become her trademark.” Fletch scooped up his gear then stalked over to saddle the paint pony. “I hate when she does that.” He faced his brother who was grinning from ear to ear.
“What?”

Hawk held up both hands in supplication. “Hey, don’t jump down my throat. I’m still here, even if she isn’t. You know how the old saying goes: some horses aren’t meant to be broken and some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Savanna might be one of them. Lucky for you…unless you’re ready to settle down… Are you?”

“Why don’t you clam up and go home to your wife?” Fletch said irritably. “She has you wrapped around her finger so tightly that I’m surprised you got this far away from her.” He stared mockingly at Hawk. “There’s a term for men like you.”

“Leave me alone. I’m happy,” Hawk retorted. “Don’t take it out on me because you’re in love and you don’t know what to do about it.”

“I am not—” he tried to protest.

Hawk thrust out his hand to forestall him. “Lie to yourself if you want, but not to me. And, at the very least, tell Savanna the truth about Elaina. She deserves that much.”

The comment caused Fletch to blow out his breath. “Okay. Maybe. I don’t know…”

Hawk shook his raven head in rueful amusement. “I’ll see you in town after you finish battling the rest of your demons.”

When Hawk walked off, Fletch draped his arms over the pinto’s back and stared unseeingly into the distance. How could he tell Savanna the whole truth? What would she
think of him? The same thing he’d been thinking about himself? Then she’d always wonder if he—

Fletch chopped off the unsettling thought and mounted up. He had a pretty good idea where Savanna had gone. If he set a fast pace he might have time to run an errand and still intercept her.

But for sure and certain, Savanna hadn’t seen the last of him. Plus, he didn’t like being left behind to sort through all the emotions she unleashed. The fact was that when he was with her, he reacted rather than acted and she always left him spinning out of control long after she left.

“That’s a fine thing for a man to have to admit,” Fletch mumbled to himself. But it was the truth. Who would have thought he was cursed with the inability to handle women?

It must run in the family, he mused as he cantered off. Hawk hadn’t been able to handle Shiloh Drummond, either. How was it possible for two Apache-warriors-turned-Texas-Rangers to be so competent on assignment and as soft as hasty pudding when it came to certain women?

Fletch contemplated that conundrum for two hours but he never did figure it out.

Savanna sank down on the edge of the bed where Parmicho was sleeping. She had spent the past hour making herself useful by tidying up his cottage that sat on the north end of town. She reached out to peel away the bandage that protected the wound on his shoulder. She grimaced, remembering that he’d put his life on the line to protect her and this is what he’d received for his efforts.

Feeling humble and unworthy of such sacrifice, Savanna blotted the wound with a poultice. She was in the process of replacing the bandage when Parmicho’s lashes fluttered up.

A smile spread across his lips. His hand folded over hers and he held it against his bare chest. “You’re okay,” he rasped. “I was worried about you, Savvy.”

“I was worried about you, too, Mick,” she murmured as she combed his dark hair away from his forehead with her free hand.

“Your father told me that the Hawk brothers broke you out of jail, but you still ended up being kidnapped.” He stared pointedly at the bruises and scrapes on her neck. “Looks like your past few days haven’t been much better than mine.”

“Hopefully things are looking up for both of us.” Savanna’s smile wobbled. She was overcome with sentimental feelings for this man who had been her friend and companion since childhood.

“I love you, Savvy,” he whispered. “I can’t remember when I didn’t love you—”

“Shh.” Tears filled her eyes as she pressed her forefinger to his lips.

She had confessed her love to Fletch the previous night and now she was on the receiving end of a confession. She wished desperately that Mick was the man who held her heart. He should be, damn it. He was kind, caring and honest. She knew he would make a loyal, dependable husband.

“Marry me,” he whispered as he reached up to reroute the tears that trickled down her cheeks.

She muffled a sniff and managed a watery smile. “You don’t want a troublesome woman like me to complicate your life. You can do much better. You deserve so much more.”

He stared at her for a long moment, his heart in his dark eyes. “Even if you don’t love me the way I love you, I will take care of you. There will always be friendship. You do
like me, don’t you? Isn’t that enough for now? It might grow into something deeper if you give it time, if you give me a chance.”

She tried to speak but emotion clogged her throat. Regret and frustration settled over her. She really should marry Mick. Then she could put aside all these unrequited feelings for Fletch and get on with her life. She could repay Mick for his unfaltering friendship and his selfless attempt to protect her. If for no other reason, she
should
love him for that.

“Say yes, Savvy.” He sketched her jaw and cheekbone with his index finger. “You will never have to doubt my devotion and affection for you. I will always be here with you.”

“Am I interrupting something?”

Savanna flinched when Fletch’s rich, baritone voice rolled toward her. Mick’s hand drifted down her arm in a lingering caress, then he linked his fingers with hers in an outward display of possession.

“Just a marriage proposal. My third in six years, actually,” Mick replied. “I’m hoping this time will be the charm.”

Savanna glanced over her shoulder as Fletch strode into the bedroom. She dodged his gaze and blinked back the tears still swimming in her eyes. For heaven’s sake, she had endured reasonably well during her month-long ordeal. Now she’d turned weepy. She had been chased all over creation and nearly killed. She had lost Willow, and Mick had been injured. In addition, she couldn’t return the love of a man who was everything a woman should want. Instead, she’d fallen in love with a man who loved someone else. Sort of like Mick’s ill-fated feelings for her.

God! If she wasn’t careful, she was going to be blubbering all over herself, overwhelmed by too many emotions, each one fighting for supremacy and turning her wrong side out.

“I have a few things I need to wrap up with Savanna,” Fletch announced. “I won’t keep her too long. Do you mind?”

Fletch watched Mick reluctantly release Savanna’s hand. She stood then turned to face him. He saw the tears floating in her midnight-colored eyes. A riptide of emotion buffeted him as his attention shifted between her and Mick. Damn, he wished he hadn’t arrived to eavesdrop on their conversation. He didn’t know how close Savanna was to accepting the proposal, but it was killing him to wonder if she would have agreed if he hadn’t chosen that precise moment to make his presence known.

He led the way outside, wondering if he should remain silent or say what he’d come to say to Savanna.

“You retrieved my horse and yours, too,” she said as she walked over to pat Rambler affectionately. “Buck Patterson gave him up to you readily?”

“Buck Patterson is in jail,” Fletch reported as he stroked Appy’s muscular shoulder. “Along with another half dozen outlaws wanted in Texas. Hawk, Solomon and your father have had a busy morning.” He took in a deep breath and exhaled swiftly. “Savanna, there’s something I need to explain—”

She flicked her wrist dismissively. “If it’s about what I said last night and you couldn’t reply in kind, it’s okay. I told you I had no expectations. I know you’ll be forever tied to Elaina and I understand completely.”

“No, you don’t, I’m afraid. That’s what I want to discuss,” he said, then dodged her curious stare. “You have the wrong impression. I left you with it because I…” He paused, feeling frustratingly inadequate in his attempt to find the right words to explain. “You presumed that I loved Elaina so deeply and devotedly that I have no place in my heart for anyone else.”