in learning to make pies, so it was easy to spend the hours in the kitchen. Granny had a habit of telling Karlee everything to leave out of a recipe as well as what to put in. Finally, loaded down with pies, Karlee pulled away from the Buchanans' farm.
When she neared home, she was surprised to find the house dark. She'd never have guessed Daniel would be gone so long.
She put the twins to bed and waited, thinking up places he might have stopped. His leg was not that strong, he must be exhausted, wherever he was.
To pass the time, she sewed another doll for the growing collection on the kitchen windowsill. The German widow, who lived in the barn, stopped by to visit. Karlee gave her two of the pies Granny had made and assured her she could stay as long as she needed.
It was after midnight when Karlee finally crawled into bed. She'd spent the evening listening for every sound, waiting for Daniel. But in vain.
At breakfast the next morning, she felt as if she'd slept on a bed of nails. The twins were happy to be home. They excitedly helped her make cinnamon toast and then were delighted when she said they could eat it in their tent.
While Karlee washed the dishes, she glanced out the window and saw Wolf approaching with his head low. Something was wrong!
She was out the door and onto the porch before he reached the first step. “What is it?”
Wolf's frown made his lips disappear into his beard.
“Daniel didn't come home last night.” Karlee tried to keep her voice calm. “I know something's wrong. What's happened?”
The big man pressed his lips together as though he could keep from telling her.
Karlee waited.
“He's all right,” Wolf finally began. “At least as far as I know. When he went to the stockade yesterday morning, Logan detained him. At first, we thought it was just for a few hours. But when he didn't come out with the midnight shift change of guards, I knew it would be longer.”
“How long? Why?”
“I don't know how long. There are men who've been in there for months for no reason. As for why, my guess is Logan knows Daniel's been helping some of the Rebs around these parts but can't prove it. To make matters worse, the guard said Daniel refuses to talk to anyone.”
“But he's hurt. He hasn't done anything.”
Wolf raised an eyebrow. “He's done more than you think, but that's for him to tell you. I've seen him risk his life more than once to fight the injustice going on. It's almost as if he places no value on his life, only that of others. And if I know him, he won't leave that stockade until he can get Altus Blair out.”
Karlee paced across the porch. “What can we do to help?”
Wolf rubbed his beard. “I don't know; I've spent my life trying to stay out of jail, not get in. The only way we're going to get Danny boy out is by smuggling him a gun, and there's not much chance of that. I can't get near the place. As a Ranger, the Army hasn't made up its mind which side I'm on.”
“Would they let me see him?”
“Maybe,” Wolf shrugged. “I've seen wives pass pretty freely through the gate. They'll check you for weapons, make you empty your pockets, that kind of thing. I've even seen them check the hem of a woman's skirt. Course, they don't do anything improper, but a lady might find it embarrassing.”
“That doesn't matter.” Karlee whirled. “I have to bake some fresh pies, then I'll be ready.”
Two hours later, she was dressed in her most proper Sunday dress of black with a black cape hanging off her shoulders to her waist. Her bonnet bore no lace. Her only jewelry was a tiny cross. She looked very much a preacher's wife.
The twins were playing in the kitchen with Valerie on watch. Karlee wrapped two hot pies in clean linen towels and started out for the stockade.
Ten minutes later, she was arguing with the guard at the gate. Thirty minutes later, she'd been stuffed into a small room and the guard had taken her pies. Karlee straightened her clothes. They'd patted on her shoulder pads and pressed her hem to make sure she wasn't concealing something, just as Wolf had predicted.
She glanced up as Daniel stumbled through the door-way, almost falling. The guard slammed the door closed, leaving them alone in the tiny dust-filled room with not even a chair in sight.
Karlee straightened, bracing herself for his anger. He'd tell her she shouldn't have come. He'd think her plan was crazy. She wouldn't have been surprised if he'd refused to see her.
But Daniel didn't say a word. He raised his handcuffs and encircled her with his arms. For a long while, he just held her.
“I…”
“Shhh,” he whispered against her ear. “They're listening at the door.”
He rubbed his face against her hair. “You smell so good. It's been a long night without my bride. I'm so glad you're here, Darling.”
Karlee knew he was talking for the guard's benefit. She needed to ask him about Altus but she didn't dare. “I brought you pie.” She played along with his conversation. “You know I promised you I'd bake you a pie every day of our marriage.”
Daniel chuckled and slipped his arms over her head so they could stand apart a little. Without a word, they moved to the furthermost corner. “I know.” He watched the door as he spoke. “I saw the guards eating it when I came in. They were fine-looking pies. I didn't know you knew how to bake.”
“I don't, but I'll bring you another tomorrow.” Karlee put her arms around his neck. “I promise, my love.”
Daniel rubbed his scratchy chin along her cheek. “I'm sure I'll be allowed to keep the next offering.” He leaned close. “You really do smell good, Karlee. I can almost taste the spices you cooked with.”
Karlee turned her head and their lips met. “Then taste me,” she whispered against his mouth for no one to hear but him.
He hesitated a moment, surprised at her boldness. Then, he joined in the pretend game she played. Kissing her like any newly married man would kiss his wife.
“Can they see us?” she whispered.
“Only through the bars at the door.” He continued to brush her lips with his as he spoke. “But you can bet they're hearing every word.”
Karlee turned her back to the door. “I don't care,” she raised her voice slightly. “I had to see you and have you kiss me and touch me. I'd die without your touch.”
Daniel's surprise at her boldness turned to shock. He knew her words would be repeated among the guards. A proper lady, a proper wife, didn't behave so wantonly.
Before he could answer, she cupped his hands in hers and placed them on her breasts.
When he would have objected, she closed her mouth over his and kissed him as he never thought she'd kiss. Boldly, wildly, passionately.
Daniel's control shattered. His fingers closed around her breasts as the memory of her standing nude before him flashed through his mind. If she wanted so desperately to be touched, he'd touch her.
He moved his hands over her breasts, suddenly wanting more. She was like some kind of wild creature, behaving so.
“Is this what you wanted?” he whispered.
“More,” she answered.
His fingers spread wide to please her, knowing that the guard would see nothing in the shadowy room. As his hand crossed over the valley between her breasts, he felt metal block his path. He widened his hand and brushed the outline of a derringer.
She'd smuggled him a weapon!
“I missed you so much, Darling,” she said as her hand moved alongside his and began unbuttoning her blouse. “The days and nights are torture without you near.” She unbuttoned enough for his fingers to slip into the dress.
“I feel the same.” He kissed her lightly as his hand sliced beneath the cotton. “I promise I'll be home as soon as I can.” He moved across the thin camisole and found the pink ribbon he remembered. “We have our lives to
