This Calder Range (Calder Saga 1)

The gun was lowered to rest in her lap. That was what the prostitute had said when they’d spoken so briefly in the millinery shop. The redhead named Pearl had advised her that if Lorna wanted to keep Benteen from seeing that kind of woman, she had to be wilder in bed than he was.

During those first weeks of marriage, Lorna had learned that Benteen responded to the passion she once tried to conceal. And she had responded to his. Even though she’d had cau

se to keep him from her bed, the question was: for how long? If she wanted her marriage to work—which she did—then certain changes had to occur. She had forgiven him for what had happened; now she must forget it.

The gun returned to the valise, along with the brass token of the Dodge City charmer. She gathered up the clothes to wash and left the wagon.

All day long, she had time to think about her decision. When Benteen returned from town in the late afternoon, Lorna felt quite calm about it. She barely noticed the package he was carrying—if anything, presuming it was supplies—until he offered it to her instead of Rusty.

“I bought something for you,” Benteen stated with a bland look. “I had to guess at the size.”

Her calmness fled. Lorna hadn’t expected a gift, and she was knocked completely off balance by it. She stared at the package, then at Benteen. His jaw hardened at her hesitation, taking it as a rejection of anything that came from him.

Murmuring “I don’t know what to say,” she reached out to take it from him. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out,” he urged.

It was a flat-crowned cowboy hat. At first Lorna could only stare at it. Finally she lifted her sparkling gaze to Benteen.

“You looked silly in that bonnet.” Warmth gentled his look. “Every cowboy has to have a hat. You’d better see if it fits.”

When she tried it on, the hat was a little snug, but she’d probably be glad of that on a windy day. Lorna wished she had a mirror handy. For the moment, she had to rely on Benteen’s opinion.

“How does it look?” she asked.

“It doesn’t go with the dress.” His mouth crooked.

“But I promised not to wear pants around camp.” She laughed, but he pulled his gaze away from her and she knew she’d said the wrong thing.

“The hat looks fine.”

“Thank you for buying it for me,” Lorna offered. “I really like it.”

“You’re welcome.” With the present given, he moved away.

It was going to be difficult to make the overture when he was so determined to keep his distance from her. She understood why, but that didn’t make her decision any easier to carry out. She hoped she had the boldness to see it through.

Her earlier calmness never returned. It was the approach of her wedding night all over again. All through supper, the little flutterings in her stomach wouldn’t go away. While she was washing dishes, Lorna saw Benteen go to the wagon for his bedroll, which she had hidden away.

The last dish was handed to Mary to dry, and Lorna was wiping her hands on her skirt when Benteen walked over. She felt the mad race of her pulse, caused by either anticipation or apprehension. Part of her wasn’t sure. She had difficulty meeting the frowning study of his gaze.

“What did you do with my bedroll?” He kept his voice down for only Lorna to hear. “I can’t find it.”

“I put it away.” The casualness was forced. “You won’t be needing it.”

She hoped he would take the subtle hint and not expect her to be more explicit. When she started to turn away, his hand was on her arm to stop her.

“Why won’t I need it, Lorna?” His dark gaze searched her face for the answer.

“Why would you, if you’re going to be sleeping in the wagon?” Her attempt at a smile trembled with nervousness.

“Is that where I’m sleeping?” Benteen asked huskily.

“Yes,” she said, and took a deep breath. “I want you to be my husband, Benteen.”

She felt herself being drawn into him. Lorna thought he was going to gather her into his arms and take her on the spot, the desire for possession was so overpowering in his look. Then his glance swung impatiently at the sun still hovering on the horizon. She couldn’t hold back her nervous laugh. It stopped abruptly when he looked at her again. There was a moment’s unease as Lorna wondered if he would be rough and demanding. His sharp gaze seemed to read her doubt.

“I’ll make it beautiful for you,” he murmured.