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“Have you ever carved your initials in a tree?” she asked.
A thumping in his head told him to stop acting on his feelings for her. No good could come of it. “No, I can’t say I have.” And never will, he added silently. She was as pure and clean as new snow, and he was as tarnished as a rusted nail. “Doreena, I’m sorry, I shouldn‘t—”
“Shh.” Doreena pressed a hand against Clint’s lips, stopping his protest. She was lit up like a firefly in a jar from the kiss they shared, and she wasn’t about to let anything hamper the joy of it.
She’d never imagined the day would come when she’d want to share everything she had, but she did with Clint—had for weeks now. Not only that, she wanted to kiss him again and again, wanted to feel his arms around her every day, and every night. Sometimes, like right now, she wanted it more than she wanted the ranch. “Why shouldn’t we?”
Clint shook his head slightly. “I’m an outlaw.”
She let out a sigh. “I know. You told me. But I don’t…” Just telling him she didn’t believe it wouldn’t be enough. She glanced around, trying to come up with a way to explain how she felt. “Tristan has changed since you arrived, but he’s still a kid, and my responsibility. Jeb and Sarah, Joe and Dobbs, depend on me, and the wages I pay them. Do you honestly think I’d put any of them or myself in danger?”
“No,” he answered.
“I wouldn’t. And I don’t believe you would, either.”
His hands, warm and gentle, cupped her cheeks. “No, I wouldn’t.” Disquiet shimmered in his eyes. “But that doesn’t change my past. I’m an outlaw, Doreena. I spent the last two years in prison in Missouri.”
She’d never asked him why, but did now. “For what?”
“Train robbery.”
His answer didn’t cause a deep reaction. She could live with his past. “You served your time. You paid your dues.”
“It’s not as simple as that.” His hands fell to his lap. “There were other robberies.” He bowed his head. “Trains, banks, stagecoaches.”
She wrung her hands, wanting to touch him, but sensed he’d back away. “If you can start over in California, why can’t you start over here?”
“Doreena—”
She shook her head and laid a hand on his chest. “The first place to start is right here. Inside yourself. Once you start over there, the rest is easy.”
Thoughtful and clear, his gaze held hers. She leaned closer, so her lips almost touched his. They wanted to be reunited with his, and it was a fight of will to keep them from doing so. “There’s something you need to know about me, Clint,” she whispered. “I don’t give up.”
He smiled ruefully. “I noticed that.”
She brushed her lips against his, but he pulled back after a brief moment, and stood, dragging her upright with him.
The horses had moved to escape the heat, and one of them let out a snort. She glanced to where they stood in the shade, and when her gaze went back to Clint, his was aimed over her shoulder, and a dark frown marred his face.
“What?” She twisted to peer behind her.
“A rider,” Clint whispered. “Come on.” He tugged her behind the tree.
“Where?” she whispered. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Watch that hill. He should top it any moment. There might be two.”
A second later, two horses topped the hill. The black horse with two white socks was unmistakable. Focused on Clint the past weeks, she’d almost forgotten about the sheriff. She let out a snort of disgust. “Drake.”
“That’s Sheriff Drake?” Disbelief coated his whisper.
“Yes, that’s him, and Deputy Hines.” The riders disappeared on the other side of the knoll. “They’re going to see the men at the cave, aren’t they?” She turned to Clint, expecting his confirmation.
The glare of hatred in his eyes made her skin quiver.
Chapter Five
Doreena poked a pin over the rope, securing the sheet to the clothesline. The hot afternoon breeze assured everything would be dry in no time. Clipping the other corner of the cotton to the line, she let out a frustrated sigh.
It had been two days since they’d kissed under that cottonwood, and though Clint didn’t act any different in front of everyone else, she sensed the difference in him. She’d caught him staring her way more than once, and recognized turmoil in his eyes. Moreover, yesterday afternoon he’d come up with an excuse as to why they couldn’t take their normal ride, and last night he’d gone to town, breaking their evening routine, as well.
