Part 36 (1/2)
”For whom?” he asked.
”I don't know. I only know that something doesn't seem right and I believe you should be extremely
careful when meeting with Lady Alaina.”
”Care about me, do you?” he asked with a grin, attempting to tease, yet hoping her answer did anything but.
She squeezed his hand. ”You know I care for you.”
Her response disappointed him. What was he expecting? Did he think she would proclaim her love for
him? Did he a.s.sume because love had struck him, it had also struck her?
”I want you safe,” she insisted. ”I don't want to have to rescue you, though I would if necessary. You can count on it.”
He stared at her for a moment. Was she trying to tell him the way she truly felt the only way she knew
how? That she would risk her life for him as she had for her husband? Did he dare ask? Did he want to
know?”You'll need to do this alone,” Storm informed him. ”We risk detection if too many men are present. We'll wait on the outskirts of Balford land. If you don't return within an agreed-upon time, then I will sendone man in after you.”
”Sounds reasonable,” he said.
”Reasonable or not, anything can happen, and we need to be prepared for any and all upsets.”
”Are you planning on going?” he asked, and wasn't surprised when she shot him a startled look.”Why wouldn't I?”He shrugged, as if it didn't seem important, when it was of the utmost importance to him. ”Could be dangerous.”
”Every mission is dangerous.”
”True enough, but this one even more so since the Earl of Balford would certainly claim a feather in his
cap if he caught the infamous outlaw Storm.”
”Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
He brought their clenched hands to his mouth and kissed her hand. ”I want to take care of you.”
Her eyes widened, their blue color softening momentarily before sparkling to a brilliant blue. He loved the
s.h.i.+fting color. It made him feel as if he were either in the middle of a raging tempest or staring at a tranquil blue sky.
She stumbled over her words. ”There is-is no need-no need at all for that.”He kissed her hand again. ”Do you really think I could repeatedly make love with you these last few daysand not-”
She yanked her hand free and moved away from him. ”We've enjoyed some time together, that's all. Itdoesn't make you responsible for me.”He arched a brow. ”Afraid I might have fallen in love with you?”
”That's nonsense.””Why? You're a beautiful, interesting, courageous woman and I love spending time with you. I lovemaking love with you, love going on missions with you, love holding, kissing-d.a.m.n if that doesn't soundlike I'm falling in love with you.”
”Don't,” she scolded, shaking a finger at him.He grabbed hold of her finger. ”You can't tell me that I can't love you.”She pulled her finger free. ”You can't love me. It would never work.””Because you're stubborn?”Storm shook her head. ”We're two different people from two different worlds.”Burke wanted to move closer, wrap his arms around her and ease her doubt, but he knew it was better to give her distance and let her savor his words until finally she took a taste and found them to her liking.
”We are more alike than you want to admit,” he said.
”We are nothing alike and our worlds are far different. You have wealth, land, security, and a future. I
have nothing, least of all a future.”
He tapped his chest. ”I am your future.”
Her startled expression told him he had struck a chord. She felt something for him and probably was afraid to acknowledge it, for then she would need to confront it and make a decision that would either change many lives or hurt one man.
Storm shook her head. ”No, there can never be a future for us.””I don't see it that way. Love is a commitment to me.””There is no love,” she snapped.”You can't command love and you can't fight it. Love is always the victor, just like fate.””I don't love you,” she said emphatically.Burke laughed. ”I think otherwise.”She threw her hands up and shook her head.His manner turned serious, his voice low. ”I don't believe you would make love with me the way you do if you didn't love me. I can feel the ache in your body for me, the need to be close, to join together, to commit. It's in every kiss, every touch, every embrace. It's a pleading tremble in your body, heart, and soul that only I can satisfy. You know it as well as I do.” Burke caught the way she attempted to still the quiver that rushed over her body. ”See, it speaks to you now, agreeing with me.”
She shook her head. ”No.””You can't deny the truth. It will surface eventually.”She stood. ”This discussion is over.””Not really, Storm,” Burke warned. ”It's only just begun.”
Malcolm and Angus returned by late afternoon, with Malcolm singing the praises of Burke's s.h.i.+p and sharing stories the sailors had told him of America. Young Henry sat enthralled while others joined the small group gathered around the campfire. Burke knew without a doubt that he would be asked many questions about his home and that a few brave souls would soon be asking if they could sail with him.
It was human nature to want to make a better life for oneself, and all it took was some hope and promise. America provided both.
”I'll be working on Burke's ranch,” Henry boasted proudly. ”Then someday I'll have my own land.”The older men snickered and Burke jumped to Henry's defense. ”That you will, Henry. I know of a nicepiece of land that one day just may suit you.”
”What kind of land?” Tanin asked, standing behind Henry, his arm around his wife, Ellie.
”Grazing land for cows and cattle and land for planting. I harvest enough food and then some to supply my ranch.”