to her every morning and night of his life, he'd never get enough of the feel of her, the taste of her, the need for her.
He moved the table back in place and, after he dressed in his study, collected a pile of clothes for her.
When he returned to the kitchen, she hadn't moved. The light still danced on her body, making her look like some heavenly creature who'd tumbled to earth.
He warmed a pan of water and sat down beside her. Slowly, he began washing her. She'd mumble in her sleep from time to time, but she accepted his touch as so much a part of her life she didn't awaken.
Gently, he dressed her, knowing that tonight he'd repeat the action in reverse. When he finished the last button on her blouse, he glanced up and saw her watching him.
“How long have you been awake?” There was no apology in his tone.
“About the bloomers, but you were having such a good time, I didn't want to interrupt.”
“I think I like undressing you more,” he whispered as he pulled her into his arms. “I was trying to let you sleep a while longer.”
“I need to fix breakfast.” She kissed him lightly.
“I've had breakfast,” he answered, leaving no doubt as to what he was talking about. “And I must say, Mrs. McLain, you do some things in the kitchen quite well.”
“Thank you, Reverend. It was my pleasure.”
“And mine.”
He pulled her to her feet and kissed her soundly, loving the way she never pulled away from him.
When he raised his head, she saw a fire smoldering in his eyes. “Would you like another serving?” she asked boldly.
“Yes,” he laughed, “But I'll starve myself until tonight. Right now, I'd like to make sure the men who tried to take you away from me are rotting in jail.”
“I'll comb my hair and go with you.” She moved away from him and was halfway across the room before she turned. “And Daniel,” she giggled. “It was wonderful.”
He tried to look stern but knew he failed. “You're not supposed to talk of such things.”
She disappeared without promising, but he didn't care. He planned to love her, not judge her.
A few minutes later, she came back with her hair in a proper little bun. He pulled on a fresh jacket as a tap sounded on the kitchen door.
Karlee threw the lock before he could stop her.
Gerilyn walked in, her face so pale her powder looked pink. She was closely followed by a tall, rather thin gentleman who held her elbow in a tight grip.
“I know I promised you time, Daniel. But I simply must pick up my luggage. It seems to be scattered all over the porches. This gentleman insisted on helping me.”
She turned to the man behind her. “I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law, Daniel McLain, and his wife…”
Daniel took one step toward the door as the stranger sauntered inside without waiting to be invited.
“Reverend McLain.” He nodded as he stood beside Karlee.
Daniel hesitated. “Have we met, sir?”
“No, but that was my error. We should have met last night. I'm Cullen Baker.” As he spoke, he pulled a small derringer from his vest pocket and pointed it toward Karlee. “And I assure you though this gun is small, it will make you a widower. I've come for my rifles. Your sister-in-law was kind enough to show me the way.”
Gerilyn let out a very lady-like scream and fainted. No one moved to her aid.
Daniel appeared almost calm. “You'd better have two bullets in that weapon, because if you kill her, you'll have to kill me as well.”
Baker looked sarcastic. “How touching. A man who loves his wife. Well, maybe I'll grant your request. One could go first.” He moved the gun until it pointed at Daniel.
“I'll show you the rifles!” Karlee interrupted.
Baker smiled. “That's better.” He pointed the gun back at Karlee, guessing Daniel was less likely to charge if there was a chance the bullet would hit her. “Where are they, Mrs. McLain?”
“On the porch. In a trunk that's shoved into a corner.” Karlee took a step closer to Daniel. “Take them and go.”
Baker motioned for both of them to move ahead of him as he casually stepped over Gerilyn's body. “I would have come by last night, Mrs. McLain, but I didn't think it necessary. Now you see, I not only must get my own guns, I resent you putting half my men, dumb as they are, in jail.”
When Daniel walked through the door, he saw his gun belt hanging over the railing. But Karlee stood between him and the weapon. If he moved for the gun, Baker would have time to get off a shot.
“They're in the trunk.” Karlee pointed to the finely tooled leather trunk. Someone must have removed the tablecloth.
Baker watched them both as he worked the latch. When he lifted the lid, Daniel moved closer to Karlee.
“Take the guns and go, Baker. We have no quarrel with you.”
The outlaw reached into the trunk and pulled out a handful of lacy petticoats. He dug deeper, spilling lingerie across the porch.
“What is this?” He was not a man who tolerated being double-crossed.
Daniel knew time had run out. He shoved Karlee aside and stood facing Cullen guessing the man would demand an answer before killing him.
“The guns!” Baker snapped. “I'll burn this house to the ground before anyone takes anything from me!” He threw a handful of underthings on the ground.
Gerilyn flew from the doorway, rage awakening a warrior as her underthings drifted like colorful snowflakes across the porch.
Daniel rushed forward into Baker's direct line of fire. Karlee screamed. For only a fraction of a second, Baker hesitated.
Daniel had his opening. He slammed into Baker, sending the derringer flying. With two mighty blows, Baker swung backward and tumbled into the trunk.
Karlee slammed the lid and strapped the latch. Gerilyn pounded on the trunk as if beating Cullen senseless.
When she stopped, all was quiet, all was still.
For a moment Daniel, Karlee, and Gerilyn stared at one another, afraid to believe it was over.
“How dare that man handle my private things!” Gerilyn attacked the trunk once more pounding as she lectured him on what was proper.
“He could have killed you,” Karlee cried. Suddenly fear overwhelmed her.
Daniel pulled her close. “No, darling. He could have killed you. That alone would have killed me. I'm a man who has always believed in peace, but you're worth fighting for.”
She forced her tears away. “What do we do with him?”
“We'll let Gerilyn handle him for a while.” Daniel smiled. “I'll hitch the buggy and get the rest of her luggage. After she's on board, we'll take him down to the jail and let them figure it out.”
They walked toward the steps. Karlee stopped suddenly. “But wait! If the guns are not in the trunk, they must be…”
Daniel followed her thoughts. “In one of the other trunks?”
Karlee nodded.
“Why don't we just leave them there? Gerilyn can turn them over to the Army in New Orleans.”
“Shall we tell her?”
Daniel glanced over at the wild woman still pounding on the trunk and yelling. “No, let her be surprised. I've learned a few unexpected turns in life can be very interesting.”
An hour later, Gerilyn was aboard telling everyone all the details of a story “too terrible to talk about.”
Karlee took the twins and walked back home, thankful to no longer have company. Daniel delivered the trunk to Wolf at the jail but didn't stay around to watch the unpacking.
It was almost dark by the time he finished his errands and made it back to Karlee. When he opened the door, he smiled. She was sitting on the floor with the twins, teaching them to make clothes for their dolls. Supper was burning on the stove. He was home.
