his soul. “Your father is going to ban me from the fort for selling you that horse. I’ll train her for you, but that’s it. Ride her fast or not, I refuse to be responsible.”
“Being banned from the fort wouldn’t be that much of a hardship.”
“Joke all you want. I am not angering the colonel.” Night Hawk couldn’t believe it. The sedate, upstanding English teacher the colonel had been promising the area settlers was nothing short of a lie. Or maybe the colonel and his love of discipline and command was too blind to see the spirited filly he’d sired.
Spirited fillies were hard to handle, that was for sure.
“Teach me to ride like you do.” Her skirts whispered behind him. “Please. I won’t tell my father if you don’t.”
“He’ll know, believe me.” Night Hawk tossed the coiled rope over the fence post, fighting with himself. No one had made him laugh in a long time. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt….
No, he shouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t do it. “Let me grab my musket and I’ll see you home.”
“I can find my way back.” Marie’s chin lifted.
Her bonnet ties and long wavy curls framed her face, and he couldn’t look away.
It was as if he’d seen her face a thousand times in his thoughts since he’d saved her from the runaway horse. Turning his back and walking away from her hurt as if a knife were slicing him.
Maybe walking with her wasn’t such a good idea.
“I’ll wait on the path near the lake, then,” he said without looking at her again. “I can keep an eye on you for most of the way to the settlement. Meka will stay with you. He’ll scare off any wild animals.”
“Thank you.” She placed her woman-soft hand in his as she climbed over the fence.
Fire seared through his veins for the brief moment it took her to reach the ground.
“Can I come back and watch you train her?” An innocent longing gleamed in her eyes. Her face was flushed from the excitement and pleasure of working with Kammeo.
“Can I stop you?”
“No.” She was passion and beauty, and far out of his reach.
He couldn’t keep from noticing the sway of her body beneath that dress. He couldn’t halt the pounding desire for her in his blood.
She’ll never be yours. He knew it. But that truth didn’t stop him from wanting her long after she’d disappeared from his sight or deep into the night where he lay alone in his bed.
Always alone.
Chapter Five
A dog’s welcoming bark shattered the serene lakeside meadow. Loons and warblers rose from the tall grasses with squawks of protest. Butterflies feeding on the fragrant wildflowers scattered on the wind. On the sun-bright water, a pair of ducks and their half-grown chicks glided farther into the lake.
The huge black dog bounded down the grassy path, his tongue lolling. He leaped at her, his face friendly. Not knowing how to stop him, Marie accepted his big paws on her shoulders and rubbed his ears until Night Hawk’s voice thundered across the shoreline.
“Meka. Down.”
Marie laughed when the dog lunged at her basket. “You’ll have to wait like a gentleman,” she told him.
“If you’re looking for gentlemen, you’re in the wrong territory.” Night Hawk halted on the path in front of her, winded from running. His chest rose and fell, attracting her gaze. He wore dark trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. She noticed his shirt was unbuttoned again and showed a wedge of bronze chest.
He’d been working in his fields, shirtless, and she’d missed it. Longing swept through her. “You said I could come back. I brought baked goods so you’d let me stay longer this time.”
“Baked goods?” The stony look on his face softened. “Give me that basket.”
“You must have a sweet tooth.”
“A great big one.” When he took the basket from her, he was careful to keep his fingers well away from hers. As they walked, he kept a respectful distance between them.
“Were you cutting more hay?” she asked.
“Oats this time. The cut grass is still drying.” He didn’t look at her but strode with leashed power that made her think of a wolf stalking prey.
She’d thought of him many times in the passing days, but she realized her remembered images of him paled when compared to the reality. He seemed taller, imposing, and so essentially masculine that she felt small next to him.
“My niece Morning Star said she met you.” Night Hawk held aside a low fir branch that hung over the path so Marie could easily pass. “She said you came in your buggy with the sergeant.”
“Morning Star is your niece?” Marie hadn’t considered that the native family she’d visited yesterday morning could be related to Night Hawk. “I bet she’ll be one of my best students.”
“She was first in her class last year when the school was first opened.” Pride expanded his shoulders even wider. “She rode over this morning on her pony and told me all about you.”
“Is she excited for school to start?”
“She can’t wait. I’m told she likes reading best.”
“I’ll remember that.” Marie thought of all the children she’d met so far. “Some parents are hesitant to send their children to learn from the fort teacher. I’m hoping my visits will make a difference.”
As they crested the small rise and Night Hawk’s land spread out around them in gentle rolling hills of green and gold, of grazing horses and thriving crops, Marie couldn’t imagine being lucky enough to live in a cozy log cabin like he did. Or gaze through the window to see foals romping in the pastures while their mothers watched.
He held out his hand to help her over the fence.
Fire consumed her in hot, bright sparkles that made it impossible to ignore. She was thoroughly attracted to the man.
Kammeo broke over the crest of the hill, mane and tail flying, strong legs churning the ground as she galloped. The sight of her stole Marie’s breath.
She’s mine, all mine. Happiness wrapped her up like a thick down quilt, and with Night Hawk at her side, Marie imagined just for a moment what it would be like to stay like this forever.
Another foolish daydream, but even as she tried to force the wish from her mind, it remained.
Kammeo charged down the hill like a warhorse and skidded to a stop dangerously near. But Night Hawk didn’t move a muscle, so Marie wasn’t afraid. She reached into her skirt pocket.
Kammeo nickered in approval and, as if she’d read Marie’s mind, had her teeth
