Chase The Wind Page 23

  From Beth’s words and tone, it sounded as if she wouldn’t mind making love again. She implied it wouldn’t complicate their professional and personal relationships. But, he mused, was she correct? “Makes sense to me. Hadn’t thought of it in that light. Think we can handle it without creating complications?”

  His last question pinched her a little. “Now that we know each other so well, it should make things simpler for us. After all, partner, we’re only human, and desire is a part of human nature.”

  She certainly spoke her mind, Navarro surmised, and she knew what to say to settle him down. He smiled. “I agree. Now we should turn in; it’s late. Half the night is gone.”

  Beth stretched and yawned. “I thought we were turned in. Want me to stay over here unprotected? What if my naughty visitor returns?”

  “You think we should sleep together?”

  “We’re already in position for it. Why not?”

  “Because we wouldn’t get any sleep in a small and hot bag together.”

  “You’re right. We’re both accustomed to bedding down alone.”

  Navarro wriggled up his lowered underwear and stood. Before going to his bedroll, he gazed down at her and smiled. “’Night, Beth Breed. See you when the sun rises.”

  “Good night, Navarro, and thanks.” He sent her a quizzical look.

  “For what?”

  “Giving me what I needed and not judging me wicked for it.”

  He chuckled and jested, “I guess I can’t say the pleasure was all mine.” He warmed when she grinned. “Don’t worry, woman, wicked is the last word I’d think of to describe you. ‘Night.”

  “Good night, Navarro,” she repeated in contentment. You cunning fox, Daniel Withers. Do you know us and love us so well that you tried to make a love match? If that’s true, I hope your generous ploy succeeds.

  Beth was relieved her menses had taken place before Navarro courted her in Tucson. The next time it occurred, they would be at the ranch. Since it was short and light each month, the redhead wasn’t worried about problems or discomforts there or on the trail later, as she was experienced in handling her monthly flow on the road.

  Nor was she concerned about becoming pregnant. She had been unable to conceive a baby during a six-year marriage, so it must be impossible for her to do so. Steven had fathered a child long before meeting her; the reason he hadn’t married the girl was because she vanished before he could make appropriate arrangements. While Beth was traveling with her husband, being childless hadn’t mattered. Now, when she settled down, she wanted offspring; she wanted Navarro’s.

  Beth sighed unhappily. She couldn’t give Navarro any children, either. But maybe he didn’t want any after his troubled birth and youth and because they would make his current way of life impossible. Maybe it was for the best that she was incapable of conceiving; at least she didn’t have to worry about getting into that kind of trouble while sleeping with him, because she wanted to do so again, as often as he allowed during their partnership.

  The green-eyed redhead and half-blooded Apache reached the town of Fort Davis at midafternoon. As soon as they checked into a boarding house for the night, he left to see if the Cordells had sent a message for him.

  When he returned to their room, he seemed restrained. Beth assumed it was because Jessica was a vivid reality once more, an obstacle between them. During his absence, another fact had struck her: Jessica Cordell was also a redhead. She prayed Navarro hadn’t been thinking of Jessica last night. She also prayed Jessica didn’t have green eyes or resemble her in any way. She wanted to assauge her doubts but thought it unwise to probe him for the truth at this early date. No emotional pressure, Beth, or you’ll send him galloping in fear and self-defense. “Well?” she asked the silent male. “What did they say?”

  Chapter Eleven

  “The message is from Jessie, a letter delivered by one of her hands; a clerk at the telegraph office agreed to pass it along. I guess they didn’t know if we’d be staying in town, so she sent it where she knew I’d check.”

  Beth watched him stare at the distracting page in his grip until she had to coax, “Don’t keep me in suspense. What did they decide?”

  Maybe my fate. “They’re eager to meet the new Mrs. Navarro Breed. Says they’ll be looking for us to arrive between Wednesday and Friday. They believed me, so they still trust me.”

  At last, Beth mused in trepidation, the opportunity to assess her possible rival. “That’s a relief, isn’t it?”

  “Yep, it is.”

  Running scared of what you will and won’t find there? Well, so am I. “We have a foot in their door; if we’re clever and careful, we can wiggle our bodies inside and stay for a while. If not, we have a backup plan.” Change the topic: make him forget, her for now. “Any news from Dan or Zack?”

  “Nope, they couldn’t risk contacting me this close to our target. From here on, Beth, there’ll be no talking or acting as anything but who we claim we are; never know who’s watching and listening. Starting now, our roles are our skins. Everybody in this area knows the Cordells and L/C ranch hands.”

  “People also might remember their champion of years ago.”

  “I doubt it, except for the authorities who helped us trap Fletcher. If you recall, I was trying to avoid attention and a neck-stretching. If Jessie and Matt haven’t already explained to the boys about me, I’ll have to tell ‘em why I’m not Navarro Jones from Colorado like I said.”

  “I remember everything you’ve told me, and I’m sure the boys will understand why you deceived them. This is it, partner, the first step of our mission. On second thought, I suppose our marriage was the first step.”

  The hour he had dreaded and craved was imminent. After five long and lonely years, he would see his lost love and son again. He wondered how they had changed, what they had done during that separation, and how they would feel about him. How would Jessie and Matt react to his alleged marriage? “Last chance to back out, Beth.”

  “Absolutely not. Until this assignment’s over, you’re stuck with me.”

  He chuckled and said, “I can think of worse predicaments.”

  “So can I. Don’t worry, we’ll be splendid together.”

  “You need anything while we’re in town? I’ll resupply in the morning. Once we leave the ranch, we can carry only so much on horse, but they’ll have wagons and plenty of goods. The going will get tough and supplies may run low. If they don’t move too fast, I can sneak off during the night to restock ours when we’re close to a ciudad or hacienda.”

  “It’s good you know Spanish for our trek into Mexico. English, Apache, Spanish—do you speak other languages?”

  “A little of several Indian tongues. Their sign language, too. For some reason, picking up other tongues hasn’t been hard for me.”

  She noticed he made that statement without bragging. “How did you get so educated? Those few years you spent in school as a child couldn’t be sufficient to make you so intelligent, and it’s more than common sense. Like Papa, you’re smart in lots of ways.”

  “That’s a fine compliment, partner, and I’m much obliged for it.” He sat in the only chair in the room and hung his hat on its arm. He saw her take a place on the bed’s edge. Her gaze never left his face, as if she were probing for answers to more than the question she had asked. He suspected she was trying to distract him from the letter and its writer. After making love with him and knowing he had a romantic past with the woman they would visit, he wondered what Beth thought and felt about meeting his lost sweetheart. He’d told her it was over with Jessie, but did Beth believe him? Since she wasn’t over her lost love, probably not.

  During the pause, he thought how strange it was that the soul-deep loneliness he’d endured for years had subsided since he’d met Beth. Her company was enjoyable and her vitality was contagious. He hadn’t felt this alive and happy since his life and body were gutted by grim fate. He owed all that to Beth. If not for her friendship and help, the perso
nal task ahead would be difficult, if not impossible. He was glad—relieved—he had met her and was going to the ranch with a better attitude and in stronger condition.

  “Why are you staring at me like that?”

  “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you as my partner and friend. It was loco to doubt Dan. I’m grateful to you for proving him right. Any other female would have resigned or been sent riding by now, because I’m hard to please and even harder to endure. I’m glad you didn’t quit while I was giving you a tough time. I’ll try not to do that again.” He chuckled and grinned.

  “Dan was right about you, too, and about us working together. I’m afraid that means our boss knows us better than we know ourselves, well enough to be certain neither of us could pull off a romantic pretense with just anyone.”

  They shared laughter and exchanged smiles of agreement.

  “What about the answer to my previous question?”

  He stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles, relaxed now. “While I was on the trail years ago, before I was sent to prison, I read and studied every book at every chance I had. After I got out, I looked up my old schoolmarm, begged her to tutor me, and spent a spell with her. I was surprised when she remembered me and was happy to see me. She worked with me after class and on Saturdays at her house, and that sweet woman refused to take any money for her lessons. She taught me plenty in a short time and told me how to learn by myself, gave me books and supplies to use after I left. I wanted to make sure I could fit in any place I went and on any job I wanted to take. Being a half-breed bastard and drifter were bad enough without also being stupid and ill mannered. After I signed on with Dan, I kept studying—everything, anything—because I didn’t want to be given all the bottom-of-the-barrel missions, just chasing outlaws and such; I wanted to be qualified for any case that came up.”

  “From what I’ve seen and heard, you’re more than talented enough to take on anybody or anything. You constantly amaze me, Navarro Breed. Someday, I hope to be as good as you are now. Heck, I’ll settle for being half the agent you are.”

  “You value yourself too low, woman; you’re already a top agent.”

  “That’s kind and generous of you to say, but I know my limits and weaknesses. Those are what I need you to work on with me.”

  He leaned forward and rested his arms across his knees. “If a case comes along about something I don’t know, I ready myself by reading up and talking to folks. Never take on a tricky situation unprepared.”

  Beth went to sit on the rug before him. She locked her arms around raised knees covered by a green dress. “What do you mean?”

  Navarro felt heat rush over his body at her nearness and beauty. “If I’m heading for a case involving mines, I study mining en route. If I’m gonna play a gambler, I practice in every saloon along the way. I request reports on the locals and the area where I’m going. If it’s possible, I get, recent newspapers of the area so I can see what’s been happening there and who’s in charge. Sort of like doing advanced scouting, or painting on a buffalo hide. You put a lot of images inside your head, like little drawings, until they make a big picture, give you clues to follow like a map. Never ride blind and ignorant into a location and case; that’s why I told you all about me, because my past is part of this one. Always double check your information; some agents aren’t trustworthy or they’re too lazy to gather the real facts. No matter who’s guiding you or supposed to back you up, in the end, you’re responsible for your survival and success.” He grinned. “That’s lesson number one of our bargain.”

  After he straightened in the chair, Beth wriggled closer and propped against his muscled thigh. “Heavens, I envy your skills and instincts. Too bad I couldn’t inherit my father’s, or just absorb yours through my skin. I suppose nothing worthwhile is easy and quick to obtain; Mother Nature makes us toil and sweat to earn the best in life and…” Don’tyou dare say love to him after what he’s been through! “Did that schoolmarm teach you how to dance so well?”

  Navarro guessed the word she’d dropped like a hot skillet. You’re always considerate of others’ feelings, Beth Breed. Except in one area; you shouldn’t be tempting me with your touch and gaze, then letting me suffer in hunger. He retrieved his hat and passed it round and round between his fingers. “Nope, Jessie did; leastwise, she got me started.” That episode filled his mind but oddly didn’t pain him today. “An agent’s wife kindly finished my training and instructed me on table manners. She guided me on other social stuff, like holding chairs and opening doors for ladies. I surely didn’t learn anything good or helpful from Carl. The only direction he sent me in was to prison. It was the same with my mother’s band. If I’d become like them, I would’ve been slain or captured with the rest. I’d be one of those renegades we’re after because I could never exist on a reservation.”

  Navarro caught her reaction, so he added, “Don’t get me wrong; all bands and tribes aren’t like that. Some of the best men I’ve met are Apache or from other Indian tribes; some are friends, and I still hold to part of their beliefs.

  “My mother taught me a lot. There’s little I can’t do for myself; I have to, being alone most of the time. I watch folks and listen to them so I can keep learning. If I’m lucky, I’ll learn some things from you; leastwise, I’ll get to practice manners and social stuff with a real lady. I give you permission to correct any mistakes and clear out any ignorant spots. A man can’t get too clever in my kind of work. Never can tell when I’ll need a special skill to fool people and slide in without suspicion wherever I go.”

  “It must make you proud and pleased not to have to depend on others for anything. Totally independent, selfsufficient: that’s what you are.”

  “We aren’t so different in that area. You work alone most of the time, you keep learning, and you can take care of yourself.”

  “Only for the past year. Before then…”

  He saw her break their eye contact, lower her gaze, and fiddle with her wedding ring—something she’d done only a few times lately. Needing to investigate her feelings about that loss, he finished for her, “You had Steven. Who was the boss and brains of your team?”

  Beth smoothed away wrinkles in her skirt as she replied, “He was.”

  “Because you’re a woman and you were his wife?”

  “Partly.”

  “What’s the other part?” When her gaze met his, he read uneasiness.

  “He outranked me. He was more experienced and skilled, so it was natural for him to make the plans and decisions, give the orders.”

  As he looked her up and down with a playful grin on his face, he said, “I can’t imagine you always riding and standing behind him or anyone.”

  Navarro’s mood and expression warmed and calmed her. “Because I’m direct, outspoken, and stubborn?” She laughed and made a comical face as his grin broadened and he nodded after each descriptive word.

  “Yep, but you’re also smart and brave. I remember that day we defeated those stage bandits together. And how you handled yourself in Tucson and at other places we’ve stopped. Every time we talk, you have good ideas. Did you keep ‘em to yourself with Steven to prevent sticking his pride and causing trouble between you two?”

  “No, I told him my thoughts and feelings.”

  “Did he accept ‘em and act on ‘em?”

  “Sometimes.” She wondered if he was probing for personal information about her deceased husband and herself, or if he only wanted facts to aid their teamwork.

  “Do you like working alone or with a partner better?”

  “It’s according to who the partner is and what’s involved with the current assignment. I’m enjoying being teamed up with you, and I believe this mission calls for a couple for it to work best.”

  “Because of my past with Jessie and Matt?”

  Be honest or he’ll guess you’re lying. “Partly.”

  “What’s the other part?”

  “What I told you before about bein
g the perfect cover ruse.”

  “Are you worried I’ll make a slip about what I revealed to you?”

  “No.”

  “If you trust me to do right, then what’s the other part?”

  “What you said about never riding into a case and area blind, ignorant, and unprepared. Jessica and Matt’s true feelings are unknown variables, so is their—or his—possible involvement in our assignment. Jessica loved you and only gave you up because she was forced to, so we don’t know how she’s going to respond to seeing you again. Her reaction will affect Matt’s. I’m sure you don’t want a misunderstanding to provoke a showdown with Matt, so you’ll have to be extra careful in how you behave with his wife, or allow her to behave with you. Any surprises could tie our assignment in knots.”

  “Do you doubt we can pull off our pretense?”

  “No.”

  “Do you have any doubts about me or my motives?”

  “No.”

  “Do you have reason to doubt Jessie and Matt’s friendship or innocence?”

  “No.”

  He grinned and chuckled. “You’ve gotten stingy again with your words, Beth Breed. I’m doing more talking than you. Seems like we’ve changed places. Is anything wrong?”

  “No. Sometimes I chatter too much. I was trying to control myself so I don’t get on your nerves and provoke you to rush our work so you can be rid of me and my irritating habits and traits.”