Part 8 (1/2)

She stopped for a moment. ”Only because she married someone else.”

Silently he watched her step onto the bank and head for the clump of cedars. She could feel his eyes on her but she didn't turn around and she didn't slow her steps. The sooner she dressed, the sooner she'd forget how Reed's hands had felt on her skin and how his body had felt pressed against hers.

The Texas night was unusually quiet as sweat dripped from Clint Lockhart's brow and down his back. A lone coyote barked in the distance, startling him. They couldn't have the dogs after him yet here. They didn't know where he was. Why hadn't the guard who'd shot him come after him?

He didn't know. He didn't care.

His bad luck had changed to good when the prison van tried to pa.s.s a slow-moving pickup in front of them. Doing at least sixty-five in the pa.s.sing lane, a sports car had come at them out of nowhere. The van had swerved to avoid a head-on collision, slid into a ditch, and rolled over. In spite of his chains and cuffs, Clint and two other convicts who weren't badly injured managed to get out. Both guards had been unconscious, and they'd gotten the keys and had their restraints off in a matter of minutes. One guard must have come around as Clint had gone through the woods instead of turning north like the other two prisoners. He'd only managed about twenty yards when he'd heard a shout, then a warning gunshot fired into the sky. But he'd kept on running.

Moments later he'd heard a second shot and felt the burning pain in his leg, knowing he'd been hit. Still he'd kept running.

When he'd reached the clearing and the railroad tracks, he'd heard the sound of a train. Then he'd watched and he'd waited. All that ranch work and weight lifting at the prison had paid off. His upper body had done what his lower couldn't. After he'd hopped the boxcar, he'd known he was safe...for the time being.

He'd reached San Antonio this morning, but he'd known he couldn't stay around. Not with his face probably on every TV and in all the newspapers. Though his leg throbbed and he felt as if he was burning up, he'd known he had to get out of that area. Managing to grab jeans and a s.h.i.+rt from a washline, he'd thrown his clothes into the river and headed for Leather Bucket. He could lay low there until he decided what he was going to do and how he was going to make the Fortunes pay.

If he could just get rid of this d.a.m.n dizziness.

He cursed the Fortunes as he had all his life. The last few miles had been tough as he'd dragged his leg, and he knew he needed help but didn't know where to get it. Now, as he hobbled through brush, he thought he saw a light up ahead. His ears were buzzing and he knew he had to be careful, but he headed toward the yellow beam. As he got closer, he realized he'd come upon a ramshackle trailer.

But before he could even think about what to do next, his dizziness became a swirl of blackness, blacker than a starless night. He fought it. He fought the noise in his ears.

But both overpowered him until he felt himself falling, falling....

Six.

Mallory lay curled on her side, facing away from the living room archway, when Reed got up the next morning, dressed, and left the cabin. She told herself she shouldn't worry that he was frustrated with her, maybe even angry. She couldn't have s.e.x with him, not when she barely knew him, not in the situation they were in, not with him still thinking about his fiancee. When Mallory made love to a man, she wanted to be the only woman on his mind and be committed to him forever. It wouldn't be a fling or something that just rose out of heat that had no real basis except hormones.

She needed something to keep her busy today, and it wasn't cleaning out stalls. Because she'd ridden most of her life, she knew her way around horses and she wanted to help with them. If Reed showed her what to do, he could leave her alone while she did it. She had to convince him she knew how to ride and could handle herself around the animals. But first she should get Ryan's permission to saddle up.

In the kitchen, she saw the dishes still sitting in the sink from the night before. After they'd come back from the lake in silence, she'd showered and stayed in the bedroom to keep out of Reed's way. She'd heard him in the living room reading a newspaper, heard the pages rustling, and wished she could keep her mind on a magazine article as easily. Finally she'd given up and called it a night, though still aware of every movement Reed had made in the living room, of him entering and leaving the bathroom, of him settling on the sofa bed. They hadn't even said good-night.

After she did the dishes, she dressed and drove to Ryan's house, hoping it wasn't too early. With a smile, Rosita invited her inside and led her to the inner courtyard where Lily and Ryan were having breakfast. It was a beautiful setting. A fountain caught Mallory's eye first, then a vine-covered arbor with an old-fas.h.i.+oned swing under it. The scents of roses and jasmine permeated the morning air. A few gla.s.s-topped tables were positioned near the steps leading up to the great room. The one where Lily and Ryan sat offered sweet rolls, corn m.u.f.fins and a coffee service.

Ryan stood when he saw her and offered her a chair. ”Good morning, Mallory. What brings you here so early?”

Before she could answer, Lily asked, ”Will you join us for breakfast?”

”I don't want to intrude,” Mallory answered them both.

Lily shook her head. ”You won't be intruding. We like company.” She gave her husband a loving smile.

Ryan pulled out a chair while Lily poured another cup of coffee and motioned to the platter of sweet rolls in the center of the table.

These were such nice people that Mallory wished she could really tell them why she was staying here with Reed. But they had their own concerns with Clint Lockhart on the loose. ”I came to ask your permission to take one of the horses riding.”

Picking up his coffee cup, Ryan said, ”Reed knows he can use any of the horses anytime he wants.”

Mallory wanted to explain tactfully. ”Actually, the truth is, I want to show Reed that I know how to handle a horse and can maybe help him while I'm...while we're here.”

Lily tilted her head and asked knowingly, ”Doesn't he think you're up to the task?”

”I think he thinks I'm more ornamental than functional.”

Ryan laughed and Lily gave him a scolding look, but he just patted his wife's hand. ”Fortune men tend to be protective of their women. Can you ride?”

”I've been riding since I was five. I also competed in horse shows and spent lots of time around the stable.”

”And Reed doesn't know this yet?” Lily asked.

”We're still learning things about each other,” Mallory said honestly.

”That can take a lifetime,” Ryan suggested, exchanging a look with Lily. ”So you want to show Reed what you can do rather just tell him about it.”

”Exactly.”

Pus.h.i.+ng his chair back, Ryan stood. ”I'm going to make a call. I'll be right back.”

Left alone with Lily, Mallory pulled her coffee cup toward her.

”Reed told Ryan you have a degree in interior design.”

”Yes, I do. I just earned my certification in the spring.”

”Would you consider helping me redo one of the guest suites?”

”I would love to, but... I'm sure you could hire anyone you want. Are you sure you want me to help?”

Lily shook her head. ”I don't want to hire an interior decorator who will do the rooms to his or her own taste. I know local craftsmen and potters and weavers and even woodcrafters. But I would like some fresh ideas. If you have time, I could show you the rooms and maybe we could get together again next week for you to share your ideas. If I like them, I'll give you a commission.”

This is exactly what Mallory wanted and if Lily liked what she suggested, she could put the commission away toward starting her own shop. She wanted to take as little from Dawson as necessary. ”I'll be glad to give you some ideas.”

Ryan came through the gla.s.s doors from the great room with a smile on his face. ”I called Hank down at the barn. He'll introduce you to our best riding horses. You pick out any one you want. He'll also help you saddle up or let you do it yourself, and then he'll tell you exactly where Reed's working,” Ryan finished with a wink.

”You don't know how much I appreciate this,” Mallory said with a thankful smile.

Reed's uncle grinned at her. ”Let's just say I understand the battle of the s.e.xes.” He paused, then added, ”Most of the time.” After he stooped to give his wife a light kiss, he went to the door to the great room. ”I'll be in my office if anyone wants me.”

Mallory decided she really liked the Fortune family and wished they were truly her own.

After a leisurely cup of coffee and discussion of the barbecue Ryan and Lily had planned for Sunday, Mallory examined the rooms Lily wanted to redecorate. Her mind buzzed with ideas immediately. She questioned Lily about what she liked and didn't like in styles of decorating, how casual she wanted the rooms to be, and whether or not she wanted to embrace light or shut it out. But what Mallory really wanted to do was to go shopping in San Antonio and take a look at native crafts and what the furniture stores offered. But she knew Reed wouldn't let her go alone. Perhaps after today, he'd see her in a different light and realize she had the wits to take care of herself.

An hour later, armed with confidence as well as the jeans and boots Lily had insisted she borrow for riding, Mallory drove to the barn. The jeans were a little big and the boots a little long, but Mallory didn't care. She was going to prove to Reed that she could help him. As she shut the door of her car, Reed wasn't anywhere in sight and she was glad. When she went into the main barn, she saw Hank coming out of the tack room.

He gave her a broad smile. ”Ryan tells me you're ready to get saddled up. C'mon over here and I'll show you what you've got to choose from.”

Following the old cowhand to a row of stalls, she easily chose a bay gelding with dark brown eyes.