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“Yes, you will. I can’t marry you and I won’t be your whore, so just…just give me tonight. Just stay the night this once.”
“I’m not leaving again, Jess. I’ll stay until you change your mind. Get my old job at the ranch. Help out around here.”
She slid a hand over his chest, up to his neck, then around to pull his head down to her. He was such a good man, and she loved him so much, too much to let him come back again tomorrow. “Just tonight,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his mouth. “Just one more time.”
And then she’d have to love him enough to let him go forever.
Chapter 14
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Caleb left her still sleeping, looking like an angel even if he loved her wicked and wild now. If he was gone when she woke, she couldn’t tell him not to come back. And hell, he still had to teach her how to set a snare.
He knew why she was afraid, why she didn’t want to marry. He’d said terrible things, called her ugly names. She’d need time to be sure of him, and he owed her that. He’d stay in Colorado until she saw that he’d changed.
When he’d left her farm, the heat had barely set in to the day, and he’d imagined he might sneak through town and head over to the ranch about a job without causing a stir. But as soon as he reached town, he realized it wasn’t possible. His mother would hear he’d come back, and she’d be hurt that he hadn’t stopped to see her first. So instead of riding to the ranch, he rode to his mother’s home.
“Caleb!” she cried out when she saw him in the open door. Joy lit up her face. “What are you doing back so soon? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“I’m fine, Mother. Just changed my mind. I thought maybe I’d work the rest of the summer at the ranch, take a little time here in Colorado. That’s all.”
She didn’t ask anything more, but when Theodore Durst stepped into the doorway, his frown was full of questions.
“Come in,” his mother said, pulling him into the house. We must have another breakfast! I’ll have Sally put together a plate. I can’t believe you’re back so soon!”
“I’m heading to the ranch,” he clarified, but she’d already disappeared.
His stepfather eyed him. “Run into trouble somewhere?”
Caleb brushed past. “Everything’s fine.”
An hour later, after he’d assured his mother a hundred times that he couldn’t stay longer, Caleb finished his last cup of coffee and stood. “I’ll come see you again after I’m settled.” He returned his mother’s tight hug, then took up his hat. “I’ll water the horse before I leave if you don’t mind.”
He thought he was clear of his family as he headed toward the back shed for a pail, but when he stepped into the shed, the door darkened behind him.
“Well?” his stepfather demanded.
“Well, what?”
“What are you really doing here? You need cash, I presume.”
“Not at all,” Caleb answered evenly.
“Don’t be coy. Whatever it is you don’t want to tell your mother, you’ll tell me.”
Caleb found the pail and stood straight to meet Theodore’s eyes. “I’ve come back for Jessica.”
The man’s cool face immediately twisted into ugliness. “What?” he spat.
“I plan to take her to California if she’ll have me.”
Red flooded Theodore’s cheeks, then worked its way up to his bald head. “What the hell are you saying?”
“I’ve asked her to marry me.”
“You can’t marry that whore!” he shouted.
“I certainly can,” Caleb managed past his clenched teeth. “And don’t use that word.”
