Oh, the things he wanted to teach her. Not just freedom from the restrictions that had held her prisoner for a lifetime. It was so much more. He wanted her to experience the wild, free flight of a bird, soaring high across the mountain peaks. To taste passion, in all its delights. To give in to the madness, the insanity, of following wherever he led, not out of fear, or a sense of duty, but out of love.
Love. That was what he wanted for her. For himself. A banquet of love.
With exquisite tenderness, he feasted on her lips, her throat, her breast, moving his tongue across the nipple until it hardened. With great care, he moved to the other, until she writhed and moaned with pleasure, her hands fisting in the mound of blankets beneath her. And still he held back as, with lips and teeth and fingertips, he moved over her, drawing out every moment of pleasure.
Heat rose between them, clogging their throats, making their bodies slick with sheen. And still he gave her no release from the needs that were building, building, until they threatened to drive them both mad.
Pearl had slipped into a world of touch and taste and exquisite pleasure, where thought no longer mattered. All that mattered was Cal. The feel of his rough, callused fingers against her flesh was more heavenly than the finest silk. The taste of him was as dark and mysterious as this cave. The touch of him was as wild as the land that had nurtured him.
She trembled and shuddered as he slid along her body, moist flesh to moist flesh, taking her on a wild and reckless ride.
He had thought he was teaching her. But he was the one being taught. From the first touch, the first kiss, he had been imprisoned by primitive needs begging for release.
He felt her stiffen as his lips moved over her. And then she cried out his name as she reached the first crest. He gave her no time to recover as he moved upward, tracing his lips along her body.
It didn’t seem possible that she could want more, but as he entered her, she wrapped herself around him, clinging to him as if to life itself.
He filled himself with her, breathing in the fragrance of icy streams and evergreen, and knew that in springtimes to come, he would always think of her. And be warmed by the memory.
Needs ripped through his last shred of control, and he found himself teetering on the brink of madness. He forgot how to be gentle. His kisses were rough, almost savage; his touch was bruising.
“Pearl. Look at me,” he commanded roughly.
Her lids snapped open. Her gaze focused on him.
“I want to see you,” he whispered savagely. “Only you. And I want to see myself in your eyes.”
Together, they began to climb. She moved with him, matching his strength, his rhythm, with an incredible strength of her own.
For Pearl, time seemed suspended. Cal’s heartbeat became her own. His sighs, his moans, became her own voice.
He murmured her name, or thought he did, as they reached the crest. Their bodies shuddered convulsively. Suddenly they seemed to break free of the bonds of earth and found themselves soaring. It was a journey like none they had ever taken before.
Pearl felt as though she had touched the sun and it had exploded inside her. She felt Cal follow her inside the sunlight, and together they burst into tiny fragments.
He was part of her now. And she was part of him. Together they had shared something special, something wondrous. Something they could never take back. And from this moment on, their lives would be forever altered.
Damp with sheen, still joined with Pearl, Cal continued holding her. He never wanted to let go. Slowly, languorously, he pulled the blankets over them, then rolled to his side and cradled her against his chest.
As he bent to kiss her, he tasted her tears.
“Dear God, I’ve hurt you.”
“No.” She touched a hand to his cheek to reassure him, then allowed it to linger there, loving the feel of his rough, scratchy growth of beard against her palm. “These are happy tears. You could never hurt me, Cal.”
But she knew, even as she spoke the words, that they weren’t true. Now that she had given him her heart and her body, Cal McCabe was the only man who could hurt her.
She nudged aside such thoughts. Right now, all that mattered was that she and Cal were together. And for a little while, there would be no ranch chores, no teaching chores, to come between them. She found herself wishing they could remain lost in this cave forever.
“I could fix some food now,” she murmured against his lips.
“Not yet.” He kissed her, slowly, lazily, while his fingers played with her hair. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to hold you like this?”
“How long?” She sat up, taking no notice of her nakedness.
“Since you stepped off that stagecoach in Hanging Tree, all buttoned up to here—” he ran a rough finger around her throat, and she shivered at the intimacy of the touch “—and holding that ridiculous parasol.”
“Ridiculous!” She pushed away in indignation, but he caught her and, with a laugh, dragged her close.
“And all I could think about was mussing that perfect hair, and unbuttoning that gown so I could see the cool, pale skin you kept covered up.” With his finger, he circled one breast, then the other, watching her eyes begin to darken with renewed passion.
“And all I could think about was the way you were always frowning when you came near me,” she said with a laugh. “You looked so fierce you frightened me.”
“That was no frown.” His hands had begun exploring the slope of her waist, the curve of her hips. “That was just a look I used to cover my lustful thoughts.”
“You’re frowning now.” She traced a finger over the furrow between his brows.
“Then I guess...” He pulled her down on top of him. “I’d better admit what I’m thinking.”
She leaned up on her elbows and surprised him by pressing her lips to his chest, then running moist kisses across his stomach. She heard his sudden intake of breath as she moved seductively lower.
“Why, Cal McCabe...” She gave a sly grin. “You don’t need to admit a thing. It’s obvious what you’re thinking.”
Her hair fell forward like a curtain, and he plunged his hands into it as she moved over him. He groaned, but soon there were only sighs of pleasure as, once more, they slipped into a world that only lovers know.
“Would you like that food now?”
The two lovers had drifted back to sleep and awoken to find the fire burned to embers and a bitter wind beginning to blow outside the cave.
Cal answered with a deep, possessive kiss. As he struggled to sit up, Pearl heard his hiss of pain.
“I think you’d better take it easy,” she said with a tender smile. “All that...activity may have opened up your wounds.”
“It’s the first exercise I’ve had in days. And, woman,” he said with a growl of pleasure against her lips, “I have no intention of giving it up for the sake of a few bullet holes.”
“Men,” she said with mock exasperation. “That’s what I’d expect from a naked cowboy who has just come back from the dead and found himself sleeping with a very prim and proper schoolteacher.”
“Prim and proper?” He gave a roar of laughter. “You certainly had me fooled.”
“Show a little respect,” she said as she scurried from the blankets and rolled a fresh log onto the embers. With the help of some kindling, she soon had a roaring fire.
A short time later, the cave was redolent with the wonderful fragrances of biscuits, fish in a skillet, and coffee bubbling over the fire.
Cal leaned his back against his saddle and sipped coffee while Pearl filled a plate with food. Then she sat cross-legged in the blankets and fed him.
“You’d better be careful,” he warned. “I might learn to like this.”
“Enjoy it while you can,” she said with a laugh. “As soon as your strength returns, I’ll expect you to do the same for me.”
His hand snaked out, closing around her wrist. With ease, he dragged her into his arms. “Now, wha
t was that about my strength?”
“Cal, you’re going to spill this plate of food.”
He took the plate from her hand and set it aside, then pulled her down on top of him and ran his hands lightly along her body. Her laughter died as he claimed her lips. With a moan of pleasure, she clutched his waist and moved over him until, lost in pleasure, they had completely forgotten their meal.
“Just how strong are you feeling?” she whispered against his lips.
“I was just about to show you.”
The second storm struck during the late afternoon. The few brief hours of sunshine disappeared as storm clouds darkened the sky, turning daylight into night. The wind picked up until it became a roar. By morning, the mountains were covered with a fresh snowfall.
It continued for three days.
They were the happiest days of Pearl’s life. With each passing hour, she found herself wishing the storm would continue. She knew it was an irrational wish. There were people worried about them. And for that she was truly sorry. But she had never known such peace, such contentment, in her whole life.
Waking up in Cal’s arms was the greatest of pleasures. The warmth of his love had brought her to full bloom. She felt completely unselfconscious with him. And their lovemaking had taught them much about each other. She now saw a gentle side to Cal that he never showed to the world. And he’d discovered a playfulness about Pearl that she had kept carefully hidden.
He loved the way she awoke, all soft and sleepy-eyed in his arms. And she blossomed under his teasing laughter.
His strength was improving with each day. Although he hadn’t ventured outside as yet, he could walk around the cave, and had taken over simple chores, such as tending the fire and cooking the fish Pearl managed to catch.
He taught her how to line the floor of the cave with evergreen boughs for warmth. More of the boughs were placed beneath their bedroll, to soften and cushion. The fragrance of evergreen filled the cave, lifting their spirits.
One evening, after another meal of fish and biscuits, Cal rolled a cigarette and held a flaming stick to the tip Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he grumbled, “I’m so tired of fish, even Rollie’s horse is beginning to look like a candidate for supper.”
“Don’t you dare,” Pearl called from across the cave. “We’ll need him to pull that cart when we leave here.”
She had managed to repair her torn gown, and pulled it on, smoothing down the wrinkled skirt. Without a petticoat, the gown hugged her curves in a most seductive manner. Her hair hung long and loose, and she tied it back with a faded ribbon. All in all, Cal realized, she made a striking picture.
“What makes you think that storm is ever going to let up?” he asked teasingly.
“Would you mind if it didn’t?” She walked toward him, and he felt his throat go dry. Would it always be like this? he wondered. Would his heart stop every time he looked at her?
“Woman, as long as you’re here with me, I wouldn’t care if the storm lasted all spring and summer.”
He had pulled on his pants and boots, but had shed his shirt so that Pearl could wash and mend it. He pulled her into his arms and cradled her against his naked chest. “You feel so good here. So right.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” She smiled up at him, and his arms tightened around her.
“Maybe we’ll turn in early tonight,” he whispered against her temple.
“I thought you were going to mend that harness.” She touched a hand to his rough, scratchy beard.
He grinned. “There’s always tomorrow.”
As they started toward the bedroll, Cal suddenly froze.
Pearl looked up in alarm. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
In one swift motion, he thrust her behind him and reached for his rifle. Striding toward the mouth of the cave, he waited, all his senses alert.
Had that been only the wind? Or had he heard someone approaching? It could have been an animal. But he trusted his instincts. The prickling at the back of his neck had him tensing.
He waited. And heard it again.
With his rifle cocked and ready, he took aim at the hide covering the entrance to the cave.
It moved inward. And into the circle of firelight stepped a giant, clad in fur, frosted with snow.
Pearl let out a cry of terror, before covering her mouth with her hand.
But as Cal’s finger reflexively closed over the trigger, she launched herself against him, shouting, “No, Cal. Don’t shoot. It isn’t what you think.”
Chapter Twenty
For the space of a heartbeat, no one moved. No one spoke.
Then, before Cal’s disbelieving eyes, the giant began to topple. The snow-laden fur dropped to the floor of the cave to reveal Gilbert Ingram, holding his little brother, Daniel, on his shoulders.
“What in the hell—?”
Pearl placed a hand over Cal’s mouth, to halt the savage oath, then hurried forward to draw the two shivering boys toward the fire.
“Quick. They need blankets, Cal,” she cried.
Cal peered out into the darkness for any sign of their father. Convinced that they were alone, he crossed to the bedroll and removed two blankets. He watched in silence as Pearl draped one around each boy. Then she set about filling two cups with strong, hot coffee, which she handed to them. From the blackened skillet, she removed the last of the fish and biscuits, then watched as the boys quickly devoured every bite.
It was evident from the condition of their boots, wrapped with snow-matted fur, that they had been walking for many hours. Still, they seemed surprisingly calm. They were shivering, and their teeth were chattering. But after only a few bites of food and sips of the hot liquid, they were able to answer Pearl’s questions.
“What in the world are you doing here?” she demanded. “How did you find us, when no one else could?”
“Right from the start, Gilbert thought about this cave. He figured Pa might bring you here,” Daniel said matter-of-factly. “That first night, when we reached your ranch, he tried to tell your cook he could help. But I guess he was just too upset to listen.” The boy turned to Cal. “Besides, the old man didn’t think you and your wranglers would like having an Ingram along.”
Cal nodded, too surprised to find his voice.
“But the storm...” Pearl began.
“It did set us back a little,” the boy admitted. “As soon as it let up, Gilbert and I started out, figuring we could get here in about a day. But we weren’t counting on another storm. That set us back a bit more.”
Pearl tried not to smile at his low-key description.
“We had to take shelter a couple of times,” Daniel admitted.
“Shelter?” Pearl repeated.
“Yes, ma’am. There are a couple of deserted shacks Gilbert knew about, and a cave or two.”
Pearl couldn’t hide her amazement. “How could you get through snowdrifts that are taller than you?”
“Gilbert’s been tracking since he was my age,” Daniel said proudly. “He knows his way through anything.”
Gilbert, who had not spoken a word, drew an arm around his little brother and stared at the floor of the cave.
“If Gilbert doesn’t track, we don’t eat.” Daniel glanced up and, seeing the way Pearl and Cal were watching him, explained, “Sometimes Pa’s gone for a month or more. Gilbert takes care of himself and me.”
“I can see that,” Pearl said dryly.
“Speaking of your father,” Cal put in quickly, “has he returned home?”
Gilbert’s eyes widened. “No, sir. Is he alive, then?”
Cal watched the boy carefully. He was convinced Gilbert wasn’t playacting. He really didn’t know what had happened.
“The last we saw of your father, he was shot, and tumbling over a ravine.”
The boy digested the news thoughtfully, without emotion. Then he nodded. “Pa’s survived worse. He’s probably waiting out the storm in a cave nearby.”
Pearl shot a nervou
s glance toward Cal, and saw the way his eyes narrowed in thought.
“Why did you come here, boy?” he demanded.
Gilbert avoided his eyes. “It was our pa who took Miss Jewel. Daniel and I decided it was our responsibility to find her, and bring her back safely if we could.”
“Even if it meant standing up to your father?” Cal asked.
Gilbert hung his head. “Yes, sir.”
“Why?” Cal demanded.
The boy lifted his head and met his steely gaze. “Miss Jewel lectured me on the meaning of honor. I...wanted her to know I was paying attention.”
Pearl felt tears sting her eyes at his quiet admission. “Well.” She turned away to hide her emotions. “We’ll have to make up a bed for you boys. I expect you’re feeling exhausted.”
She made a nest of evergreen boughs, then covered them with a blanket. Leading the boys to it, she waited until they lay down. Then she covered them with the furs they bad worn when they arrived.
She noticed that, as they fell into sleep, they curled up together, with Gilbert’s arms protectively around his little brother.
“I must say.” She cleared her throat, struggling to swallow the lump that was threatening to choke her. “They’re very brave little boys.”
“Or very foolish,” Cal muttered. He had opened a pouch, and was counting his bullets.
“What does that mean?”
“It means they could have perished in this storm. And no one would have found them until the snows melted.”
“Maybe they didn’t think they had much to lose,” she said in their defense. “From what I’ve seen, their lives have never been easy. I can’t even imagine surviving with a father like Rollie Ingram.”
Cal said nothing. But there was a frightening look in his eye as he systematically cleaned his rifle, checking every part, before loading it.
Pearl glanced at the bedroll. “Will you be coming to bed soon?” She wanted—needed—to feel his arms around her, holding her, keeping her safe.