Silken Savage (38 page)

For long minutes they sat surrounded in their love, letting their hearts drink deeply of this rare moment together. Their eyes locked above Mark’s head, and slowly Adam’s mouth descended toward hers. Their lips touched almost reverently at first, as if loathe to break the spell they were under. Then, as Tanya leaned toward him, parting her lips beneath his, the kiss deepened, becoming filled with passion as Adam exerted his magical mastery over her mouth and his tongue searched out its hidden secrets.

Finally he drew back and looked deeply into her passion-glazed eyes. “Never was there a woman such as you,” he whispered. “You are my sun, my moon, and all the stars; you are my entire world, my whole existence.”

Tanya’s heart leapt into her eyes. “Oh, Adam! If I am these things, it is because you make it so! I was created for you, and I exist only to love you and to be loved by you.”

As voices from another part of the house reached their ears. Adam shifted reluctantly to a more respectable distance from her, but remained on the divan. “You didn’t say how your meeting with Suellen went the other afternoon.”

Tanya gave an indignant sniff. “She was her usual, hateful self, and Rev. Wright’s wife is one of the nosiest busy-bodies I’ve met lately.”

“So I’ve heard. It is fortunate you spotted them in time for me to retreat gracefully, but I hated leaving you in the lurch.”

“It was a bit close for comfort,” Tanya replied with a shiver. “When I think what Suellen might have done if she’d recognized you!”

“Hopefully she’ll be gone before too long,” Adam offered in consolation. “Then we won’t have to worry about running into her unexpectedly.”

“She’ll be here for at least a couple of months yet,” Tanya informed him with a frown. “Luckily, the good Reverend and his wife don’t move in the same social circles as we do. They tend to mingle with the more religiously dedicated of their flock. Those who drink or smoke or go to grand parties in fine attire are not held in high regard, not to mention those who enjoy dancing and playing cards!”

Adam’s black eyes sparkled. “Fortunately for us,” he chuckled, “that means we are less likely to encounter Suellen at any of the gatherings we attend.”

“Yes, and I’m sure Suellen resents that fact. She was used to being in the thick of things back East, since her father is a prominent lawyer. I’ll bet she wishes she was staying with anyone other than the prudish preacher. I’ve heard he runs a strict household.”

Adam’s eyebrows raised in amusement. “Feeling sorry for Suellen, are you?” he teased.

“Not a bit!” Tanya assured him with a smile.

Just then Sarah came gliding into the parlor, glancing about distractedly. “Tanya, do you have any idea where I’ve left my sewing scissors? I can’t seem to find them any — Oh, my word!” Sarah’s eyes grew huge, and her mouth hung open momentarily as she realized that her daughter was entertaining Adam while she nursed Mark.

Elizabeth, passing by the door, stuck her head in curiously. “What’s all the fuss about, Sarah?”

Struck dumb, Sarah could do no more than point at Tanya in dismay.

Elizabeth’s gaze veered from Sarah to Tanya, who serenely continued to feed her son, and on to Adam, who seemed completely unruffled by the entire episode.

With obvious effort, Sarah found her tongue. “Tanya Martin! Have you no sense of decorum? How can you calmly sit there exposing yourself like that! If you have no concern for yourself, you can at least think of Adam! He’s probably too polite to tell you you’re embarrassing him!”

“Oh, posh!” Elizabeth spouted on a burst of laughter. At Sarah’s incredulous look, she said, “Adam has grown up on a ranch, Sarah. All his life he’s been around animals feeding and mating and birthing. It’s nothing new to him, I’m certain.”

“Yes, but …” Sarah began.

“But nothing,” Elizabeth interrupted, to both Tanya and Adam’s delight. “It’s quite natural, and nothing to be upset over. I doubt that Adam is shocked. Besides, at his age I’d be willing to bet he’s seen a good deal more of a woman’s body than that. If he hasn’t, there’s something wrong with him!”

Adam’s guffaw blended with Tanya’s choked laughter.

“I still say it’s indelicate.” Sarah’s censuring look included all three of them.

“
I
say it’s between the two of them and none of our business,” Elizabeth said pointedly. “They are both adults.”

Doubt flickered over Sarah’s face as she looked from Adam to Tanya.

“It’s quite all right, Mrs. Martin,” Adam assured her in his quiet, calming voice. “I’m not in the least embarrassed. As Elizabeth said, it is a natural and beautiful fact of life, a mother nurturing her young.”

“You’re quite sure?” Sarah questioned, her anxiety quieting somewhat.

“We’re quite sure, Mother,” Tanya added softly. “Adam and I are very comfortable with one another.”

Anything else she might have said was cut off as Jeffrey’s angry words resounded just beyond the door. “I’ll find her myself then, Miss Anderson!” Mere seconds later, he stomped into the room, followed by a flustered Melissa.

“I’m sorry, Tanya,” Melissa said breathlessly, her cheeks blazing as she viewed the others gathered in the room.

Jeffrey gaped in irate astonishment at the cozy domestic picture Tanya, Adam, and Mark presented. “Good God, Tanya!” he exclaimed. “What is going on here?”

Tanya took the small blanket Adam extended to her and tossed it over her shoulder, shielding her breast from Jeffrey’s view. With an exasperated sigh, Tanya glared at Jeffrey. “It’s an exhibition, Jeffrey! Didn’t you buy your ticket at the door?”

“That’s not funny, Tanya!” he retorted.

“Indeed it’s not,” she agreed heatedly. “Neither is having someone force themselves into your home unannounced and uninvited!”

“I wanted to see you,” he said curtly.

“I believe you’ve seen more than was intended already,” Adam remarked coolly.

Jeffrey glared at Adam, his blue eyes alight with naked hatred. His gaze switched to Tanya, then on to Sarah. “Mrs. Martin, surely you do not condone this disgusting display before a stranger!”

Sarah’s chin went up at least three notches. “Adam is
not
a stranger, Lieutenant,” she answered stiffly.

“Furthermore, there is nothing disgusting about a mother nursing her child.”

“Bravo!” Elizabeth whispered softly.

Jeffrey glared at her. “Still, it is better done in private,” he insisted.

“It
was
private before you barged in,” Tanya pointed out.

His jaw clenched tightly, he ground out, “Tanya, I need to speak with you.”

“Speak, then,” she commanded.

“Alone.”

“I think not.”

Jeffrey took one threatening step in her direction, and Adam rose to stand in front of Tanya. “Young, you’ve overstayed your welcome. The lady does not wish to talk to you.”

Jeffrey’s fair complexion turned bright red in his anger. Fists doubled, he shook them at Adam. “One of these days, Savage, you’ll cross me once too often, and I'll forget I’m an officer and a gentleman.”

“Well, remember it for now and show yourself out,” Elizabeth advised firmly. “And the next time, wait to be invited in before pushing your way into my home. This is my home, not an Army barracks, Jeffrey Young!” Elizabeth stood up to him like a ruffled banty hen, staring him down.

With a muffled oath, Jeffrey strode from the room. The violent slamming of the front door told of his angry exit.

“That man means trouble,” Sarah predicted dourly, and no one ventured to disagree with her.

Adam spoke to Tanya’s parents, getting their permission for Tanya to visit his ranch and meet his mother. Of course, Julie was to go along, and not entirely for appearances. Everyone was concerned with Julie’s continued infatuation with Jeffrey, and it was decided a few days away from him would do her good. Melissa volunteered to go along and watch Hunter and Mark, so naturally, Justin invited himself for a visit at the same time.

“Are you sure your mother won’t mind?” Tanya asked as the last of the bags were loaded into the buggy. “We look like an invading army!”

“Mother is so anxious to meet you and the boys that you could bring the devil himself along, and she wouldn’t object,” Adam assured her.

Justin and Jeremy accompanied Melissa and Julie in the buggy, but Tanya elected to ride Wheat. In her split riding skirt, with Mark strapped into his cradleboard and hanging from the pommel, she rode beside Adam. It was almost like old times; she with Mark, and Adam holding Hunter before him. Tanya’s eyes sparkled with delight as Wheat sidled up to Shadow with a playful whinny. Adam’s laughter blended with Tanya’s in a moment of pure contentment.

The sun was setting behind the purpling mountains as they drew up before the Spanish-style ranch house. Through the lengthening shadows, Tanya caught a glimpse of barns, stables, and outbuildings beyond the main house. Then Adam was guiding his guests through a wide, gated archway, into an outer courtyard, and up to the front entrance of the house.

No sooner had the wheels of the buggy ground to a halt, than the heavy oak door opened, and a tall, slim, raven-haired woman appeared. For just a moment she stood framed in the shadowed doorway. Then her feet carried her swiftly toward Adam, a wistful smile on her otherwise serene face. On tiptoe, she kissed her son lightly on the cheek, but her arms reached out for Hunter.

“We’ve been watching for you.” Her slightly accented voice was directed to all of them, but her eager dark eyes were devouring the boy in her arms. Tears glistened momentarily as she clutched Hunter tightly to her, resting her cheek tenderly atop his dark head.

The next minute, she seemed to recover herself, and turned to her guests. “Welcome,” she said with a bright smile.
“Mi
casa es su casa,
as my people say. My house is your house. Come inside where we can be comfortable. You must be tired, and supper will be ready soon.”

She led the way into the house. “Jose will see to your luggage and the horses.”

They entered into a wide, dark hallway, and almost immediately into a large, comfortable room to the left. “This is the
sala,
the main living room,” she explained. “Please, be seated, and I will have Juanita bring refreshments. Adam, see to a drink for yourself and Justin.”

Adam grinned at his usually refined mother, who was now so obviously ruffled.
“Si
,
mamacita,
but first let me make the introductions. That young man, whom you so promptly pirated from me, is Hunter, and this young lad in the cradleboard is Mark.” He indicated the baby in Tanya’s arms. “This beautiful young woman is the lady I’ve told you so much about, Miss Tanya Martin. Tanya, may I present my mother, Raquela Adama Maria de Valera Savage, or Rachel, as she is commonly called in these parts.”

Tanya nodded politely to her mother-in-law.
“Senora,
it is an honor to meet you.”

Large black eyes smiled back at her. “It is an honor to have you in my home,” Rachel replied, though her eyes said much more than her words as she studied Tanya and Mark warmly.

“This lovely lady is Tanya’s sister, Julie,” Adam continued, “and the other is Miss Melissa Anderson, Tanya’s best friend.”

Rachel acknowledged each with a welcoming nod. “Justin you know, but Jeremy is relatively new to Pueblo. He is Elizabeth Martin’s nephew, her sister’s son. He lives with the Martin’s now, and I’ve promised to teach him how to ride while he is here.”

“Hello, Jeremy,” Rachel greeted him. “So you want to learn to ride. You could choose no better instructor than my son, you know.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Jeremy replied politely.

Rachel laughed at his solemn face. “I am Rachel to all of you, for we shall be great friends, I am sure. I am only ‘ma’am’ to strangers, and
La Senora
to the ranch hands and servants.”

She clapped her hands decisively. “Now, you shall all make yourselves comfortable, and I will consult with Juanita about refreshments. If you wish to wash or change, Adam will show you to your rooms.”

Aside to Adam, she said, “I have put Tanya and the babies in the room next to yours, since it has the most space. Melissa and Julie will share the one next to mine, if that is acceptable. Justin is next to them in the smaller room, and Jeremy may choose whether he wishes to sleep in the house or in the bunkhouse with the hands.”

Jeremy’s face lit up in delighted amazement. “Oh! Can I really sleep in the bunkhouse?” he squealed.

Adam grinned at him. “Of course, if you want to.”

“Oh, I do! I do!” Jeremy nearly jumped for joy. Tanya was in for an agreeable surprise of her own when she viewed her room. Not only was it spacious and beautifully decorated, with a cot for Hunter and a railed bed for Mark, but it adjoined Adam’s room through a connecting door.

“You see, my love,” Adam pointed out with a glint in his dark eyes, “my mother is discreetly letting us know of her approval by giving you this room.”

Tanya looked back at him in amazement. “She certainly seems very understanding, under the circumstances.”

Adam nodded, suddenly sober. “My mother considers us married, Tanya, as she always considered her marriage to my father valid and binding. That is why she’s never remarried, not for lack of opportunity. Now that she is free to do so, she may accept one of her suitors one day.”

“She is still a very beautiful woman,” Tanya commented. “No wonder your father coveted her.”

Adam grinned down at her. “We Cheyenne have an eye for beautiful captives. We thrive on subduing them and making them bow to all our lustful wishes.”

Tanya’s golden eyes twinkled mischieviously. “You
do
have a way about you,” she agreed with a smile that promised further delights later. “You can refresh my memory later, but perhaps we should join the others before we are missed.”

At supper that evening, there was another stranger at the table; a tall, good-looking young man who greeted Adam with a brotherly hug, a brilliant white smile, and a rapid stream of Spanish.

“
Como está,
Roberto?” Adam said with a laugh. Introductions were made, and it was discovered that Roberto was one of Adam’s cousins. He had come up from Santa Fe for a visit several months before, and stayed to help Rachel with the ranch. He’d been out on spring roundup when Adam had returned, and this was the first time the cousins had seen one another in years.