Fires of Paradise (5 page)

Chapter 6

"Where have you been!"

She didn't exactly mean to shout. But she had begun to think that Joanna was right, that he had deserted them, deserted her, as the sun rose and rose with no sign of his return. And with the soaring heat, her temper rose as well. No gentleman would leave them alone all day like this, virtually abandoning them, without even a note as to his intentions. Without even a personal note, for her. But then, he wasn't a gentleman, was he? He wasn't from her circle of friends, he wasn't anything at all like the men she knew back home. He was a tramp, and she shouldn't be forgetting it. The hotter it got and the longer she waited, the more Lucy remembered his rudeness and insolence. "Where have you been!"

"None of your business."

She recoiled.

Joanna sat complacently, watching them. Shoz nudged the ashes of last night's fire with his boot. "No food, no fire? What have you girls been doing all day?''

Lucy froze at the implied criticism. She was already regretting her outburst—this wasn't how you greeted someone you'd been intimate with even if that someone had abandoned you for an entire sweltering day. It wasn't the first time her temper had gotten the better of her, and she resolved, not for the first time, to make amends. Yet she couldn't help thinking that he didn't act as if he really liked her, which could not be possible, not after what they'd done.

"We thought you weren't coming back," Joanna said. "Isn't that right, Lucy?"

It was still unbelievably hot. The sun was just starting to set, but it would be a couple of hours before it cooled down. Lucy turned slowly to face her friend, knowing it was the heat and their desperate circumstances that made her want to murder her. "Not exactly," she said, giving Joanna a look. She gave Shoz a strained smile. "I had no doubts that you would return."

"Really?" He was smiling, as if he knew she was a liar. He was also carelessly eyeing her with lazy sexual interest. Lucy had long since thrown off her jacket, which was ruined. She had rolled up her sleeves and had removed her shoes and stockings. She knew she didn't look the least bit attractive, and that, combined with his disgraceful lewdness, made her turn away and struggle to maintain her composure and her resolve. He was supposed to like her, care about her. She was supposed to be pleasant and flirtatious. All reasonable behavior seemed to be a scant instant from slipping from her grasp. Irrevocably.

She didn't dare ask him where he had been all day, so she watched him reach for one of the saddlebags, her hopes suddenly soaring. Maybe he was going to cook for all of them tonight! She and Joanna hadn't eaten all day, because neither one of them had the slightest idea of how to prepare the rations he'd left. Lucy had tried her hand at coffee, and it had been a gritty disaster. Not to mention the fact that she'd burned her thumb lighting the fire and gotten three splinters gathering wood.

He removed some hobbles from the saddlebag and inspected the pan with the burned, muddy coffee. "You can stand a knife in this," he said with disgust.

Now was the time to be humble, and Lucy knew it. "I've never made coffee before," she admitted.

"Don't widen those eyes at me," he scowled. "You can damn well learn, princess. I am not
your
servant."

Why was he so testy? "I didn't imply any such thing."

He turned away and walked to the stream. Lucy watched him, confused and agitated. This was not going well, not at all. Why was he being so nasty to her? Was it possible that
he
regretted last night? The thought was horrifying!

One of the burros brayed. Her attention diverted, Lucy saw both mules, drinking from the stream.

"Donkeys," she breathed.

Shoz had reached the animals and was hobbling them. Lucy ran after him. "You left us to get donkeys?"

He leaned his shoulder against one furry flank. He looked at her.

Lucy hesitated. This explained why he had left them. He hadn't abandoned them, and he could have; he'd gone to find them transportation, so he wasn't as bad as he seemed. This was more like what she was used to. She smiled tentatively and laid a hand on his arm.

It was the way she remembered it, all silken steel, and she felt a thrill just touching him.

"Now what do you want?" he said bluntly.

She dropped her hand. "Nothing, I... I don't even know your name.'' She blushed, because under the circumstances, she should be embarrassed that they had not even introduced themselves.

"Shoz."

"Shoz? What kind of name is that?" "An Apache one."

Lucy blinked, and was about to tell him that there was a drop of Apache blood in her veins, too, but he continued in a hard voice, "I was named after my uncle. Shozkay. A real, live full-blooded Indian. At least, he was alive before U.S. soldiers hung him. Aren't you going to faint, princess?" He sneered. "Gasp or scream?"

Lucy stepped back at the cold anger in his tone. He abruptly turned away. "Wait!" she cried, reaching for his arm.

"Now what?"

She withdrew her hand hastily. "I came to say thank you."

"For what? Last night?"

Her eyes widened at the unspeakable reference. She glanced over her shoulder. "Don't you ever speak of that again!"

"She didn't hear. Besides, she saw us." Lucy wanted to hit him. He was so obviously enjoying her distress. "She won't say anything!" He shrugged. "I don't care one way or the other."

She had the terrible feeling that he meant it. "You don't mean that," she whispered.

His gaze narrowed and he cursed. "Don't look at me like that. Like I hurt your feelings. This isn't New York, and I'm not one of your love-struck swains."

A long moment passed. He had just made himself very clear. "Believe me, you did not hurt my feelings. You could not."

"Bravo," he murmured.

Her eyes flashed. "I only wanted to thank you for taking the trouble of finding us the mules."

He laughed. "Honey, I don't do anything for nothing, much less if it's trouble."

"What are you saying?"

He stared at her. "I guess you're used to being waited on hand and foot. But I've never waited on anybody in my life. I hate to disillusion you, but I did not spend the whole goddamn day looking for mules for your little backside."

"Why are you so insufferable? Why are you trying to push me away? Why didn't you just accept my thanks!" She was hurt, very hurt, and furious with him, and with herself for even bothering to be pleasant.

"I'm not trying to push you away," he said, and he grabbed her hips before she could blink and pulled her up against him. "Meet me tonight."

Lucy struggled, hurt and enraged, and when he released her, she stepped back, panting. Her chest rose and fell, hard, and to her immense frustration, he openly ogled her. "You are the worst scum imaginable! I've tried to be nice, tried to be charitable, but it's impossible! I thought we felt something for each other, but I was wrong—so very wrong!"

His face, usually expressionless, was dark with strained anger. "Oh, we felt something for each other, all right, and it's called lust with a capital L. You can try and put another fancy name on it, but it won't change the fact—or the act."

"Damn you!"

"No—damn you—and your goddamn charity. I don't want it!"

Lucy was shaking. He stalked away. She swallowed hard and turned away, only to come face-to-face with Joanna.

Lucy could not sleep. She lay beside Joanna, determined not to cry. Never had she been so abused, and she was thoroughly shaken from all that had passed. She wanted nothing more than to weep in her mother's embrace.

She knew he was stretched out with his head on his saddle, just across the dying fire.

She despised him. Last night had been a mistake, and it would never happen again. Ever. No man could treat her the way he had and get away with it.

Still, she thought she could hear his every breath, his every movement. It was annoying. Her body was coiled tight.

Later, when Joanna was breathing deeply, she heard him get up and stroll away. Lucy wished she could sleep instead of thinking about him, and the humiliation. Instead of listening to him. She didn't care what he did, what he was doing. She swallowed. Her mouth was dry. Arrogant bastard. At least he couldn't sleep, either.

Five minutes might have passed, or fifty. Lucy had no idea. But she heard him returning, and every inch of her went stiff. He came to her as she had known he would.

Which was why she had her reticule within easy reach.

"I know you're not sleeping," Shoz said softly, dropping down to his knees by her shoulder. His fingers brushed her throat.

"Go away," she hissed. His fingers raised a tingle along her spine. The coil inside her tightened. So did her fingers, around her purse.

His hand slid down to her chest and over one of her breasts. "Waiting up for me?"

"No!" She knocked his hand away.

"I'm going to prove you a liar," he said silkily, slipping one arm under her.

Lucy pressed away from him. "Joanna will wake up!"

"She'll enjoy the show," he said, nuzzling her ear.

"You are wicked! Depraved!"

Shoz laughed. "Sainthood is boring. Besides, there's room in hell for both of us." He licked her ear.

Despite her anger, delicious spirals of sensation filled Lucy. "Stop! You'll have to rape me, and I mean it!" "Okay."

Lucy froze when he gathered her closer in his arms as if to lift her. He nibbled her throat. Unable to look at what she did, she flicked open her purse and groped for the derringer. His arms tightened around her and he stood up, lifting her to her feet. She pressed the little pistol into his diaphragm.

His arms went still around her, he became motionless.

Lucy felt a surge of triumph—mitigated with fear at her daring. "Let me go."

Shoz laughed. The sound was soft, menacing. He dropped his hands and took a step back. "Nice toy."

Her temper soared. "It's not a toy—and I happen to be an expert marksman. But at this distance, no one could miss."

"Markswoman," he said softly. "What?"

He grabbed her wrist so quickly she hadn't even seen him reaching for her, forcing her hand down and the gun away from his person. Lucy cried out, dropping the pistol. "Did you really intend to shoot me?" He was amused.

She was furious with his apparent amusement, and with her failure to shoot him. Riled and dismayed, she watched as he retrieved the gun and emptied it of bullets. Shoz picked up her purse and inspected it for more ammunition. Satisfied, he tossed it aside. She didn't have any more bullets or any more places to hide them, and he knew it. He was smiling when he handed the pistol back to her.

She felt like smacking that smile right from his face. She contemplated the idea with relish, but got no further than that when he abruptly lifted her into his arms—and began to carry her away.

"Put me down!" she gasped.

"Not until we finish what we started," he said flatly.

Lucy had no intention of finishing anything with him. She struggled wildly and futilely as he walked away from the camp. And when she spoke, she meant every word. "When I get back to the DM, I'm going to tell my grandfather you raped me, you son-of-a-bitch!" she cried. "He's one of the most powerful men in Texas and he knows everybody—the governor, senators, even the president of the United States! They'll hunt you down and lock you up and throw away the key!"

    He froze. Let me guess. Your granddaddy is Bragg himself.

    “That’s right!” she shouted. “You will be finished, finished!”

     Shoz cursed and abruptly put her down. Lucy almost collapsed, then backed away, panting. "You little bitch," he said. "You'd do it, too, and not because I slept with you, but because I won't fawn all over you."

She didn't answer.

He smiled harshly. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm not going to touch you. You aren't worth it."

Chapter 7

Never had Lucy seen such a welcome sight. "Paradise!"

"And not a minute too soon," Shoz muttered.

They were all astride the mules, Shoz in the lead, Lucy and Joanna riding double. The terrain had changed, the parched plains giving way to rocky hills, more green than brown, the trees larger and lusher now. They were passing the first of Paradise's outlying whitewashed homes, most of which were surrounded by white picket fences with roses creeping up to gaily painted mailboxes. Ahead, the road turned in to the town's wide, dusty main street, appropriately called Bragg Avenue.

Lucy, who had learned to ride in Central Park at the age of four, sat in front of Joanna, who clung to her from behind. She sought out a soiled handkerchief with one hand, made a sound of dismay at the sight of its wretched state, then used one tip to blot her face. What she wouldn't give for just a few of her creams and powders! She tried to arrange her hair single-handedly, realizing this was a far cry from her fantasy of a grand entrance in a shiny new roadster, dressed impeccably in silk and velvet. It was one of the few times in her life that Lucy prayed no one would notice her.

They were on Bragg Avenue now, passing low-fronted stores with cheerfully painted hanging signs: Joe's Eatery, Full Breakfasts One Dollar; Hirsch Laundry While-You-Wait; the Barber Shop, Free Shave with Bath and Cut: Rooms for Rent, $2.50 Per Night, Breakfast Included. The Livery, owned by the giant blond Swede Olaf, was just up ahead. "We will get off at the livery," Lucy said evenly. Her gaze wasn't particularly friendly.

He smiled. "You can keep the mule. And we'll let bygones be bygones."

Lucy looked at him contemptuously. "I don't want your mule. We'll rent a carriage." She pulled on the reins, dismissing him from her mind and her life. Joanna slid down, then Lucy dismounted.

He sat watching for a moment. Lucy shook out her skirts briskly, touched her hair, smoothed her jacket, and flashed Joanna a smile. "Almost home," she said.

At that point, voices could be heard from inside the barn. Two men came strolling out, a big blonde and a lean, wiry cowboy. Lucy's face brightened. "Olaf! Billy!"

Both men stopped to stare, quizzically. Lucy sailed forward, radiant. "Hullo! How are you? It's so good to see you!" She had known Olaf since she was a child, and Billy had always been infatuated with her.

Olaf's mouth dropped. "Miss Lucy? Is that you?"

Lucy halted.

Billy gaped. "Lucy?!"

"Of course it's me," she cried, brushing at her skirts. "You don't recognize me?"

"Of course I do," Billy said very quickly, rushing to take her arm. "What
happened
to you?"

"Are you all right, Miss Lucy?"

"Yes, yes," she cried dramatically, leaning against Billy.

"Oh, it was so awful! Our automobile broke and we had to walk, leaving our bags, and we were stranded in the wilderness with no food!" Shoz snorted. "I don't know how we made it here, truly I don't!"

Both men turned to look at Shoz and the mules.

He saluted her. "It was nice knowing you, too." He turned away, spurring his burro into a trot.

"Who is that?" Billy asked.

"We met him this afternoon," Lucy lied. She had spent a good hour developing her tale when she knew they were close to town. "Fortunately, he had an extra mule, so we asked him for a ride, and of course, he chivalrously agreed.'' She gave Joanna a warning look.

"You must be exhausted," Billy said, his arm protectively around her. "But how is it that you two are alone?" For the first time he noticed Joanna.

"Mrs. Seymour became ill the day we left," Lucy said.

"Come on, I got a wagon out back, I'll take you straight to the DM."

"Leave the wagon," Lucy said. "We'll take Olaf's nicest buggy, and you can pick up the wagon another time."

Billy did not argue. An hour later they were driving up the curving road to her grandparents' house. It sat on a hill slightly above all the whitewashed barns and paddocks and bunkhouses, with commanding views. Thoroughbred weanlings raced them as they trotted up the drive. Wild-flowers grew along the road, big shady oaks guarded the house, and potted purple and yellow petunias were on the front porch. The house was a two-story, sprawling affair, freshly whitewashed like every other structure on the ranch, the shutters green, with numerous brick chimneys and a veranda that ran around three sides. Under the biggest oak in the yard was a white swing for lovers. Her grandfather had built it for Miranda, when she was pregnant with their second child, Lucy's aunt, Storm.

Lucy let Billy help her out of the carriage, barely able to restrain herself from leaping out. But then she could hold back no longer. She raced up the porch steps and threw open the solid front door. "Grandma! Grandpa! I'm here!" Her grandmother appeared, her eyes wide. Her dark hair,

frosted with silver, was coiled in a braid around her head. Once again Lucy marveled at Miranda's elegant appearance, despite the apron she wore and the flour covering her hands. Her delicate features still seemed handsome to Lucy, hinting at the beauty she must have been. "Lucy! Oh, Lord, Lucy!"

They embraced. Lucy was much taller than her diminutive grandmother, and even though she needed to be held by her after the trauma of the past two days, it was as if she did the holding. Miranda drew back. "Child, where have you been? Derek and I have been frantic!"

"It's a long story, Grandma," Lucy said, somewhat tearfully.

"Did I hear Lucy?" her grandfather shouted, striding into the foyer. As always, he made a grand entrance, filling up the room with his presence more than his size. "Lucy!" he shouted, wrapping her in a bear hug.

Lucy couldn't help it; in her grandfather's protective embrace, she started to cry.

"What happened?" he demanded, holding her at arm's length so he could stare into her eyes. His eyesight was as keen as a hawk's.

"Don't be mad," she moaned. "It was just an idea, that's all, to buy a car and drive to Paradise! But the roadster broke down and we were stranded and had to walk until this man came and had an extra mule. Oh, Grandpa, it was awful!"

"I want to know why Mrs. Seymour is still in New York and why the hell you weren't on the spur yesterday morning!" Derek yelled. He was mad from the terrible fear her disappearance had caused.

Lucy wept now, her nerves finally shattered. Her grandfather was not as easy to get around as her father. This last realization made her cry harder, in actual self-pity. She would have to face him and his shrewd questions, sooner or later, and if he ever learned the truth. . .

Miranda glared at Derek and pulled Lucy into her arms. "There, there, dear, you need a hot bath and hot food. Joanna, come in, come in. Forgive us our manners."

Joanna, who had been hovering in the open doorway, moved inside. "Hello, Mrs. Bragg. Hello, Mr. Bragg."

"Call me Derek," Derek shouted. "Billy!" He bellowed. "You come with me, I want a word with you."

"Yes, sir." Billy nearly saluted, following the leonine man into his study, where Derek shut the massive double doors with a bang.

Miranda took the girls upstairs, settling them in adjoining rooms. "I'll have Billy bring up your things," she said, briskly turning down the white lace sheets of the four-poster bed. The room boasted pink and white pinstriped wallpaper, thickly upholstered furniture in embossed wine damask, delicately wrought tables and chairs from England, a brick fireplace, pine floors, and a thick multicolored Oriental rug that was predominately red. The bed was all white lace and ruffles. Miranda plumped the pillows, walked into the spacious pine-floored bathroom, and began to run the tub.

Lucy thought about her bags and all of her best clothes, most of them purchased exclusively for this vacation, undoubtedly stolen by now. "We don't have any bags," she said, wiping her eyes. "We had to leave them in the auto." She didn't want to think about their adventure, or about
him,
but unfortunately, she did.

"Then you'll just have to buy a new wardrobe," Miranda said cheerfully.

Lucy almost brightened. She usually adored shopping. Her smile was wan, however. "I'm sorry about all the tears, and about the awful mess we got into."

"I know," Miranda said, patting her shoulder. "First a bath, then some food and rest, and then we can talk about it."

Lucy quickly calculated that she had a few hours to get her story straight and tight. She smiled at her grandmother, then turned—and glimpsed herself in the mirror. "Oh my God!"

"Lucy!" Miranda reproved. She was a fairly observant Catholic. "Into that bath!" She hustled out.

Lucy stared at her reflection—and wanted to die.

Never had she looked like this in her entire life. And her only thought was—why had he even wanted to touch her?

She looked like a dirt-poor washerwoman, her clothes gray with dust and spotted with stains. Her hair was even dirtier, a tangled rat's nest despite the sagging and ludicrous coil atop her head. Worst of all—her beautiful face was shiny with sweat and smudged with dirt. She was no beauty. She was ugly!

"Oh God," she said again, sinking into a plush club chair.

It didn't seem fair. It didn't seem fair that after all she had been through, she had to bear this final humiliation. That tramp had seen her looking like this, and she supposed she should be grateful that he hadn't been his normal nasty self and commented upon it. Thank God she would never have to see him again.