Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (23 page)

“So what are you saying?”

“That there's no case against you. I went down to Cheyenne and filed my reports with both the Feds and the Board of Outfitters. We can't undo the damage, of course, but there won't be any charges.”

His expression remained wary, but his chest fell on a deep exhale.

“The wolves are innocent too, Reid,” she said softly. “You have every right to be angry about what happened, but they don't deserve extermination for it.”

His gaze and tone softened. “I know that… Now.”

She took a step closer. He did the same.

“So you came here to tell me I can go back?”

Haley bit into her lip. “That was part of it.”

He cocked his head. “Only
part
?”

Her mouth was suddenly so dry she wasn't sure any more words would come out. She swallowed twice. But it didn't help. “Yes, Reid. There's something a whole lot more important I have to tell you.”

He waited, his expression impassive.

Her pulse raced. It was the moment of truth, but she didn't know if she could finally voice what was in her heart. Her gaze suddenly darted to the object in his hands. “What are you doing with a snare pole?”

“A responsible trapper always packs one. It comes in handy in the event of catching something you didn't intend to.”

“And you did?” Even as she asked the question, she spotted the wolf about thirty feet away. So did Jethro. Thankfully, Reid was quick to grab his collar.

“I don't think it's hurt. I was getting ready to release it. Wanna help?”

Haley gaped. “Did you say
release
?”

“Yes. But it'd be a lot easier, not to mention safer, with another set of hands.”

She instantly dropped her pack. “Of course I'll help.”

“Chances are this guy's gonna bolt straight into the brush when I let go, but I can't take a chance on him attacking one of us.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Grab my rifle just in case,” Reid commanded.

She reluctantly retrieved the rifle while Reid secured the dog at a safe distance from the wolf. He then took up the snare pole. It took several minutes for Reid to get the snare over the snapping wolf's head. They moved quickly after that. Reid used both his hands and his body to subdue the animal. Haley laid down the rifle to release the wolf from the trap. She was relieved to see he'd used the padded version. The animal's leg appeared swollen from limited circulation, but there was no outward sign of injury.

“Pick up the gun.” Reid jerked his head toward the discarded rifle. “It's already loaded and chambered. You only need to take the safety off. It's that little lever on the side.”

“I can't do it, Reid. I can't shoot it.”

“I'm not asking you to shoot. It's just a precaution.”

Reluctantly, Haley complied.

“Ready?” Reid stood and slowly backed off to the pole's maximum reach, which was only about four feet.

Haley nodded. “I'm ready.”

“Just don't shoot
me
, okay?” Reid returned an uncertain smile.

Reid released the snare and leaped back. The animal shook its head but didn't move. Instead, it held its ground, baring its huge teeth in a snarl. Haley's throat constricted as its golden eyes tracked from her to Reid and back again.

“He's not showing much appreciation, is he?” Reid took a step to shield her, his eyes never leaving the wolf. “Now give me the gun.” He reached for the rifle. “I'm giving him about thirty seconds to either disappear or be dispatched. Get behind me, Haley. Move slowly.” Reid continued his own deliberate retreat.

“But he's just frightened, Reid,” she protested. “Look at his tail—”

“I don't want to hear any more. I gave him a fair chance.” He raised the rifle. “Last time, buddy. Get the hell out of here if you know what's good for you.”

“Go! Scram!” Haley hissed.

For a terrifying second the wolf looked as if it would lunge, but then spun around and bolted into the brush. Haley collapsed against him as Reid lowered the rifle.

“You really would have done it?” she asked.

“If he hadn't backed down? Damn straight.”

“I don't understand you at all, Reid. If you came here to hunt wolves, why did you release him?” she asked.

“Because it was wrong to come out here.”

“You were doing it only to hurt me?”

“Mostly,” he confessed. “But it was a petty way for me to lash out at you.”

“I'm sorry, Reid. I swear to you I had nothing to do with that grizzly business.” She gazed into his face, praying he'd accept her words as truth.

“I believe you,” he replied.

She exhaled a lungful of relief.

“Why else would you come all the way out here?” he said.

“I had another reason, Reid…a much more personal reason.”

“And what's that?” he prompted.

Her heart galloped violently in her chest. Now that the moment had come for her finally to confess her feelings, she felt herself faltering. Again. “Maybe this isn't the best time.”

“Maybe not,” he pressed. “But I'm thinking I might want to hear it anyway.”

She drew a fortifying breath and then exhaled a long gush of words. “I've been unfair to you, Reid. I see that now. Horribly unfair. You said to make things work we'd have to meet in the middle. Well, here I am.” She gestured to the endless expanse of forest with a nervous laugh. “Meeting you right smack in the middle of nowhere.”

She searched his face for any encouraging sign, but his expression remained unreadable. Her eyes burned and her tongue felt too thick, but she forced herself to continue, “I came to tell you… What I need to say is…”

“What, sweetheart?” he finally prompted in a husky voice.

Sweetheart?
The endearment was all the encouragement she needed. “I'm ready now, Reid,” she blurted. “That is, if you still—”

Without warning his big arms came crushing around her, squeezing her tight. His mouth claimed hers, branding her with his hot, hungry kiss that stole all her remaining breath.

She shut her eyes on a moan. Their tongues tangled. Her knees went weak.

In seconds he had her reeling like a drunk.

Dear
God, how had she lived so long without this? Without him?

She shoved his hat off to curl her fingers in his hair. His hands slid down her back to cup her ass, lifting her clean off the ground. She clamped her legs around his waist, embracing him with her whole body, but it still wasn't enough. They'd kissed many times before, but this was different. It was fevered and feral and almost frantic, as if they'd broken through some kind of barrier.

They were both panting when he finally broke the kiss. Reid raked a hand though his hair, looking as wild and desperate as she felt. “You're right about one thing, sweetheart. You couldn't have picked a more inconvenient time and place if you'd tried.”

* * *

Reid devoured her mouth once more before reluctantly setting her on the ground. He had some things to tell her too. Lots of things. But they'd have to wait just a little bit longer. Although the surrounding wilderness cried out to his primitive side to claim her in the most primal way, he held himself in check. Once he started, he intended to finish.

His mind raced until locking onto the perfect setting for what he had in mind. “C'mon. There's something I want to show you.”

Moving with fast efficiency, he stripped the gear from the back of his saddle, moving it to the pack mules to make room for her. He then untied the dog, hoping the dumb mutt would have the sense to stay close. He mounted the horse first and then helped Haley up behind him.

She gazed at him in bewilderment. “Where are we going?”

“You'll see soon enough.”

It took a while to locate the overgrown trail that led back toward the river. They traveled several miles parallel to the waterway with her breasts at his back and her hands clasped on his hips. It was agony to want her so badly and to be so close. Soon, he told himself.

They waded on horseback up an icy stream running through a narrow canyon with two-hundred-foot cliffs on either side. Her grip tightened on him the deeper the water got. It had risen to the horse's belly. Jethro swam happily beside them, seemingly oblivious to the frigid water.

“You'd better bring your legs up,” he warned, “or you're going to get a soaking.”

She wrapped them around him about the same time a blast of arctic water filled his boots. Thankfully, it didn't get any deeper. After a distance, the gorge widened to a large mouth. He'd found it—one of the best-kept secrets in this entire two-and-a-half-million-acre wilderness.

Reid guided the horses and mules up the embankment where moss-covered cliffs soared above a small clearing. Gushing from these cliff faces were numerous natural water jets blanketing the entire area in a fine mist. Interacting with the sunlight, the mist created rainbows all around.

Catching her first glimpse of it, Haley inhaled on a gasp. “This place is amazing. It's like some kind of geothermal fairyland.”

“It gets better still,” Reid said.

He'd stumbled onto the hot springs a week earlier and had spent the better part of a day exploring it. “There's a great place to make camp right there.” He pointed to an open space, just large enough for a couple of tents.

After helping her down from the horse, he set straight to work unpacking the gear while she tended to the animals. An hour later, they'd established a temporary claim on this secluded piece of paradise.

“C'mon.” Reid took her by the hand. “It's time to show you the best part.” He led her down an overgrown trail to a sandy-bottomed pool of the clearest crystal blue.

“It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. “Now I've got something to say to you.” He clasped her chin, tipping her head up. “Since you've come all the way out here, I have to assume you're finally ready to hear it. If I'm wrong about that, and you're not, I'm asking you to speak up now, before I make a giant ass of myself.”

“You're not wrong,” she whispered.

“Good.” He gave a short, dry laugh. “I'd hate to think I wasted all this scenery.”

He slid his hands down to her shoulders. “I've been waiting a long time for the right woman, Haley, one I can both love and respect. I've been waiting because I don't compromise, because I've never settled for second best. I've been waiting for
you.
”

He paused, giving her time to absorb his words.

“We were meant to be together. I've been patient, hoping you'd eventually see that too, but every time I thought we might be getting close…”

“I panicked,” she said. “I panicked because this didn't feel like I expected it to. Like I thought it was supposed to. I thought when it happened it would be warm and wonderful, but it wasn't like that with us…well, not completely. I felt vulnerable, scared, insecure—”

“Welcome to my world.” He gave another dry laugh. “I spent eight years in a war zone and never felt any of those things until Haley Cooper came along—all five-foot-nothing of you. Even now, you have the power to devastate me. Do you know that?”

“Then maybe it's time I laid those fears to rest.” She brought her hands up to his face. “I love you, Reid. I know that now.” Her green gaze never wavered. “I think I've been in love with you for quite a while, but I wouldn't acknowledge it because it didn't fit. I thought love had a certain formula. I thought it had to be built on friendship and shared ideals. I thought all
we
had together was shared lust… I was wrong.”

He shut his eyes on a groan of relief. She'd finally given him what he desired most.

Haley had surprised the hell out of him by showing up like she had. But then again, she'd never done anything in half-measures. Her passion was one of the things he loved most about her, but he needed not just her body, but her heart. He might be able to take the first, but she had to give him the rest. He never would have opened his mouth if he hadn't thought she reciprocated at least
some
of his feelings, but he'd still harbored some doubts. Until now.

“If that's really how you feel,” he said, “I think it's time to lay it
all
on the line.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “I thought we just did that.”

The uncertainty clouding her eyes made his pulse drum in his ears, but he'd already crossed the point of no return. There was no holding back now. He took a fortifying breath. “That was only half of it. There's more. I want you, Haley… I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

* * *

She couldn't believe the words that just spilled from his mouth. But it still seemed impossible. “This is all happening so fast.”

“Hardly.” His mouth curved sardonically. “It's been almost seven years since you slapped that twenty on the pool table.
Seven
years
, sweetheart. It's a snail's pace. I'm offering you everything I have. Everything I am.” He caressed her face. “Marry me, Haley. Let's prove to the whole world that two strong people with widely differing views can make it work.”

“Do you honestly think we can?” she asked.

“Depends on how much we want it,” he repeated his earlier reassurance.

“I do, Reid. More than anything, but—”

He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “We're smart people. We can figure it all out.” The same finger gently traced her mouth. “Marry me, Haley. I swear I'll love, honor, and cherish you, if you'll let me.”

She could hardly breathe for the pounding in her chest. He'd just offered her everything she'd ever wanted, voiced everything she'd never thought to hear in her wildest dreams.