Chapter 10
Burke searched the gray sky. Heavy rain clouds drifted in from the distance, promising a downpour. He checked the perimeter of the camp once again and saw nothing. He took his frustration out on a rock, kicking it with his boot and sending it tumbling.
It had been six days since Storm and Tanin had left. He hadn’t been informed of their absence. It was the day after he had dumped Storm on her bed. He had intended on rising early to see that she took it easy for the day, giving her shoulder time to heal.
She wasn’t in her quarters and no one would tell him a thing until Malcolm finally returned to camp and told him she’d be away a few days. He would say no more, and Burke had no choice but to accept the snippet of information.
He had advised Malcolm that he could have helped. Malcolm had told him not this time, which made him worry even more.
He hoped it didn’t have anything to do with Cullen. It would annoy him if Storm had gone off on a matter concerning his brother without him, but then they had never agreed that he would be privy to all information regarding his brother, only that she would help locate him.
Being it was the sixth day, he was growing concerned, though no one else seemed to. Activity went on as usual, and he had become familiar with the camp in Storm’s absence.
It ran smoothly, with everyone tending to specific chores and none complaining or shirking their duties. They were a fine group working together to survive. That his money was needed was evident in the tattered and patched clothes, the sparse food, and the lack of adequate weapons.
Laughter, however, was prevalent, as were smiles and camaraderie. They were a contented lot for outlaws.
Burke kept busy hunting with Malcolm, making repairs to weapons, and getting to know those in the camp. But there wasn’t a day that he didn’t think of Storm and worry over her.
What was so urgent that it took her away when she needed to recover from her wound? Why didn’t she send someone else or ask for his help? Why was he so annoyed that she left without him?
He finally joined Malcolm and Angus to feast on the rabbit cooking on a spit over the campfire.
“Eat. Rain comes soon,” Angus said, already biting into a fat piece of meat.
Conversation was sparse and the rabbit near cleaned to the bone when the first drop of rain hit. It sent everyone scurrying for shelter.
Burke scanned the edge of the woods. Disappointed that nothing came into sight, he hurried to his quarters in the trees. He stripped off his damp shirt and threw it over the chest to dry, then stretched out on the bed, cushioned his arms beneath his head, and listened to the rain.
He wondered if Storm had safe, dry shelter, or if she huddled cold and wet somewhere. Knowing her, she’d survive either way.
She intrigued him. She had since they first met, dressed as a man, though more resembling a lad.
Her face betrayed her gender. She was much too beautiful to be anything but a woman.
Add stubborn to that and it rounded out her gender, but then obstinate women were a challenge, and what man could turn down a challenge?
He grinned as night crawled into the room and laid claim to it, except for the small glow of the hearth fire. It amazed him the way a hearth was constructed in the tree houses. It was small but functional, and Burke wondered about the designer’s identity.
Storm had seen to making this a safe haven for them all, but nothing lasted forever. What would happen when a rescue failed, men were lost, and funds ran out?
The future didn’t look bright for the outlaws, but then did a fugitive really have a future?
He recalled Storm when she dressed as a woman and how lovely she looked. He could only imagine how her beauty would shine if she was dressed in new garments. But what good would new garments do her here in the forest, fighting the soldiers?
She could return to America with him.
The unexpected thought rattled him. This was her home, her land, and her people. She was born and raised here and had even warned him that Cullen might very well refuse to leave. He imagined she would as well.
He could do only so much for her, and the thought saddened him.
His eyes drifted shut as he thought how much she might like the Dakota Territory and what a shame that she’d never get a chance to see it.
A crack of thunder woke him with a start and he jolted up in bed. He could hear the rain still, and something else. He swung his legs off the bed, and cocked his head at the sound, his ears trying to determine its origin.
Footsteps. Had Storm returned?
He hurried out of his room, forgetting his shirt. Her door stood ajar, and he thought he heard voices, so he entered without knocking.
She stood naked before the burning hearth, her back to him and her slim body glistening from the rain that dotted her pale skin. She was exquisite; a narrow waist that curved to round hips and taut buttocks, and skin that appeared as soft as a fresh rose petal.
She shivered, her skin running wild with gooseflesh, and he quickly grabbed the blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her, drawing her back into his arms to rest against his chest.
She didn’t object, didn’t push him away or insist that she needed no help. She simply lingered in the silence of his protective embrace.
He hugged her tightly, wanting to keep her warm and wanting to chase away whatever worries haunted her.
After several silent minutes he whispered, “Are you all right?”
She didn’t answer immediately and he simply waited.
“I wasn’t in time.”
The despair in her voice jabbed at his heart. “You can’t save everyone.”
She turned around in his arms. “I would have gone immediately if I had known. I didn’t know.”
“You can’t blame yourself.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek. “He was my brother.”
Burke almost reeled from her remark, and he had the good sense to walk both of them to the bed to sit.
A tap at the door preceded Janelle’s entrance, and she smiled when she saw him there beside Storm.
“I brought a hot brew to warm her and cloths to change her wet bandage.” Janelle placed the items on the table. “Could you see to it for me, Burke? I have more pressing matters.”
Burke nodded. “I’ll take care of her.”
Janelle closed the door quietly behind her.
He left her side to get the hot brew, placing the cup in her hands, and ordered her to drink.
She took a sip.
“I didn’t know you had a brother,” he said.
“He wasn’t my blood brother, but we spent a good portion of our lives together working for the same family.”
Burke understood the camaraderie of such a relationship. Sometimes it could be stronger than blood relations.
“How did you learn of his plight?”
Storm hugged the warm cup. “I received a message in the middle of the night.”
“Why didn’t you wake me? I would have gone with you.”
“Tanin was the logical choice and he was familiar with the area. You would have only slowed me down and time was of the essence, though time had run out.”
Burke listened while he redressed her wound.
“He was imprisoned for stealing food and then left to starve. It makes no sense.”
“Life never does,” he said, relieved to feel that her chilled skin had warmed considerably. He’d like to think his arms had warmed her, but probably the hot brew had chased the chill from her bones.
“I want it to,” she said adamantly. “I want something to make sense. Tell me something that makes sense.”
“Love?” Burke questioned his own suggestion.
“You don’t sound as if you believe that yourself.”
“It was my first thought so I went with it.” He finished tying off the dry bandage.
“When you think about it, though, love might just make the most sense. It’s what brought me here and what makes you rescue the helpless.
It’s a driving force that has people accomplishing extraordinary things.
And once love takes hold there’s no stopping it. ”
Storm looked as if she contemplated that as she sipped her brew, then she asked, “Have you ever loved?”
“There’s many people I’ve loved, but if you ask if there’s a special woman, then the answer is no.”
“You’ve never been married?”
“Not even close,” he confirmed with a laugh.
“You don’t wish to wed?”
“I will only wed when I fall in love, completely, foolishly, deeply, and without doubt. I intend to share the pitfalls and the joys of life with her until our dying day.”
“What a lovely thought. I wish you success in your quest to find such a love, but then you’re stubborn enough to be successful.”
“A trait we have in common,” he reminded, and thought to ask about her husband, but realized it wasn’t a good time. She had suffered enough with losing a brother. She didn’t need memories of her husband adding to her pain.
“Leaders are never stubborn, Mr. Longton.” She smiled. “We are wise.”
He smiled along with her, pleased that she had acknowledged him as a leader sharing the same quality.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?”
She tucked the blanket around her. “For covering me up and warming me.”
“I never meant to intrude on your privacy,” he explained. “The door was ajar and I hoped you had returned safely from your journey.”
“Weary, but safe,” she confirmed.
He wanted to reach out, wrap her in his arms, and take her to bed—to sleep. She needed rest, and he’d make sure she got it. He wouldn’t let her out of his arms until she slept a good many hours.
“Now if you will excuse me, sleep will be a welcome reprieve for me.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, relieved she’d finally get the rest she needed, and walked to the door. He turned, holding the door ajar. “You won’t be going off somewhere in the middle of the night, will you?”
“To tell the truth, once I fall asleep I don’t think anyone will be able to wake me.”
He grinned. “Sounds good to me.” He stopped again before going out the door. “But if by chance another emergency arises, please wake me. I’d be only too glad to help out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He wanted to insist, but thought better of it. Storm would do what she wanted regardless, so he’d have to sleep lightly and keep aware of sounds and make certain she didn’t slip past him once again.
The rain continued for a few hours throughout the night, then stopped.
Burke slept on and off, his sleep disturbed by dreams and sounds.
Finally, as the first hint of dawn rose on the horizon, he tossed the covers aside and got dressed in his trousers, shirt, and the brown leather vest Angus had given him.
He hadn’t heard a sound from Storm’s room all night. He assumed she slept soundly but he wanted to make sure for his own peace of mind. He kept his footsteps light and with a gentle push of her door, he peeked inside.
Several oaths spilled from his lips.
Storm wasn’t there.
He descended the rope in an instant and made his way through the camp searching for her. She had an uncanny way of disappearing. It seemed that no one had seen her. He knew better. No one would tell him where she went. He wasn’t really one of them, and therefore he wasn’t fully trusted.
Why hadn’t he heard her leave? His sleep had been restless enough and he’d been alert.
Janelle bid him good morning but knew nothing of Storm’s whereabouts or those of her son, Tanin. Malcolm had also disappeared, as had Angus.
Had they all left on another mission?
Damn, he hated being left out.
He was going to have to make it very clear to Storm that he wanted to be advised of her whereabouts at all times.
He laughed, as he knew she would. What right did he have to demand anything from her?
He was a stranger and therefore a safety risk.
Why should she tell him anything? She really had been generous so far with him.
She had searched for his brother immediately and provided a safe haven for him while he awaited his funds. He had no right demanding anything.
Angus stepped out of the woods, a big man, the size and width of a bear, though gentler. He carried fresh fish on a pole and smiled as he approached.
“Where is everyone?” Burke asked anxiously.
“A good morning to you,” Angus said, walking past him to the campfire and kneeling to prepare the fish.
Burke followed him. “Tanin, Malcolm, and Storm are gone—”
“Sit,” Angus instructed with a nod. “They’ll be here shortly.”
“You know where they went?”
“Aye.”
Burke wanted to rip the answer from the man. He was tired of his questions being evaded, tired of secrets, tired of being treated like the enemy.
“Tell me,” he demanded.
Angus glanced up at him. “All you had to do was ask.”
“I’m asking.”
“We got word hours ago that William and Philip were near and needed assistance. They have your brother with them. He’s injured.”