As it happened, the stallion held back and had to be dragged and coaxed along the path until they neared the other horses. Then Lucas had to hold him back.
By the time Sharisse reached the camp, Lucas had given the stallion over to Billy, who would have to manage him while herding the mares as well. She and Lucas would ride Lucas’s own horse.
It was Lucas who asked the question. “Where’s Slade?”
Billy didn’t even glance up. “He got mad when you didn’t come back to camp last night. I don’t think he took too well to your staying with her when you might have visited with your brother.” He looked up then, revealing that he found the whole thing highly amusing. “No, I don’t think he liked that at all.”
“Is that what he said?”
Billy grinned. “No. But that’s what I figured was bothering him. Actually, he didn’t say much of anything. You know how he is when he gets all quiet and closed off. It’s easier talking to a mule.”
“Watch it, Billy.”
The Indian laughed, delighted. He tossed Lucas a rawhide pouch. “Here, you can eat this on the trail. I had nothing better to do while I was waiting for you to get down here.”
He was rubbing it in, and Lucas wasn’t amused.
Billy went to his horse and mounted. In another few moments Lucas had the rope untied that had confined the herd, and Billy started leading the horses through the passage. Sharisse sat down on a flat rock out of the way and waited. No more words had passed between the two men. Was Lucas angry?
When the area was empty except for her and Lucas, he came to her, offering his hand to help her up. His expression reminded her of Slade, and she didn’t like that at all. She felt compelled to say something. “I’m sorry he didn’t wait, Lucas.”
His expression didn’t change. “Are you?”
Her back stiffened. “I’m not a hypocrite. I’m not at all sorry I don’t have to see him again. But if he left because of me, then I’m sorry that I kept you. I mean, I’m sorry you didn’t come down to see him.”
“Didhe leave because of you, Sharisse?”
“How should I know?” she asked, exasperated by this.
“Maybe you neglected to tell me everything that went on between you two?”
She became very uncomfortable. “I told you that he wanted me. And, well, he did give the impression that he…might fight you because of me. Perhaps he changed his mind and left so the two of you wouldn’t end up fighting.”
“My brother? Fight me over a woman? What the hell did you do to make him want you so badly?”
“How dare you accuse me? I’m not at fault here!”
Her dark amethyst eyes flashed in anger, and it was all she could do not to slap him. But Lucas was amused by her show of temper and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her resisting body close to him.
“All right,” he conceded. “I guess you didn’t have to do anything. I know how easy it is to get carried away by you, Sharisse.”
She was amazed how abruptly his manner could change, almost as if his antagonism had been feigned, a deliberate attempt to provoke her. She was thoroughly confused.
“Lucas…shouldn’t we leave?”
“I told you Billy could handle the horses once he got started. There’s no hurry.”
The husky timbre of his voice warned her. She knew what was on his mind. The thought of making love in the bright light of day was something she couldn’t even allow herself to imagine. Yet the way he was pressing her against his body stirred her. She finally managed to find her voice.
“Lucas? Shouldn’t we…go?”
He sighed and stepped back. “I suppose you’re worried about your cat?”
Sharisse was surprised by the question but latched onto the excuse gratefully. “Yes, I’ve never left him alone this long.”
“Well, come on then. It’s a long ride. And you never know. Slade might have gone back to the ranch to wait for me.”
He settled her in front of him on the horse so that he could steady her, not, as Slade had done, so that he could touch her and frighten her. Oh, it was such a relief to be riding home with Lucas. And, yes, despite everything, the small house was beginning to seem like home.
