Taken By Storm Part 11

the log beside her. "Is something troubling you?"

You.

She shook her head. She had no time to let nonsense interfere with her mission. No time for a man and

no desire to love again. She had sworn over her husband's body never to let another suffer so senselessly, and she would spend the rest of her life fulfilling that oath.

"Are you sure?"

She appeased him with an answer. "I have much on my mind and it sometimes overwhelms."

"The way of a leader. That is why a leader should have a diversion now and again."

"And what do you do for a diversion?" she asked, curious.

"I ride across my ranch, sometimes for two or three days. Its vast, raw beauty puts everything into a clearer prospective. What once overwhelmed then seems inconsequential, and I return a much more satisfied man."

"That sounds appealing. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of time. A moment by the creek, a brief glance from the tree house, or catching the flight of a soaring hawk are my diversions on occasion.

Minute ones, though I do cherish them."

"Do you ever rest?"

"You sound as if you accuse me of a crime," she said and was suddenly caught in the depths of his rich

brown eyes. They explored her face with an intensity that made her wonder what he searched for. That he had many questions was obvious. That he asked few disturbed her. He was patient in his exploration, which meant he was determined.

"A good leader knows rest is essential to performance and accuracy."

"A good leader knows she will be called on to perform and make decisions, whether rested or not," she recounted. "Why do you try so hard to get me into bed, Mr. Longton?"

A wicked grin spread across his face, and she laughed at her ill-chosen words.

He leaned in closer to her. "Given the opportunity, I don't think it would be hard for us to fall into bed

together."

"Confident in your prowess, are you?"

"Astute when it comes to attraction."

Storm didn't have a chance to respond, for William and Philip approached and Burke took his leave.

She saw the two men off once the plans were finalized. It was agreed that if they had not returned in a

week's time, Tanin and Angus would come after them. She said a silent prayer for their safe journey and

returned to sit for a moment alone at the campfire.

What had Burke meant by "astute when it comes to attraction"? Was he attracted to her? Did he think she was attracted to him? They barely knew each other. How could he surmise anything?

It hadn't taken Daniel a long time to make his attraction known to her. He had stopped one day at the farm where she lived, and she had given him and his horse water. He returned every day after that until finally, a month later, he proclaimed his love for her and asked her to marry him. He told her he was a tenant farmer two villages away, and while his plot of land was small, it could sustain them both.

She left with him, but her dream of finally finding someone who would love her and never leave her ended when Daniel died only two years after they wed, leaving her alone yet again.

The crunch of leaves alerted Storm to someone's approach.

"Deep in thought again?"

"Taking a moment for myself," she said as Burke stepped out of the dark. "Thank you for letting me know of your approach."

"Didn't want to startle you again and I don't want to intrude on your privacy." He turned to walk away."You're not intruding. I had my moment."He turned around and sat beside her. "It was awfully brief.""I would ask how you knew that, but no doubt you have been watching me.""Keeping a safe eye on you. You were injured only a few hours ago," he reminded with a glance to her shoulder.

"I appreciate your concern, but I really am fine and I can really look after myself."

"You've proven that, but I"-he tapped his chest-"feel better keeping an eye on you. You never know.

You may faint again."

"And you'll be there to give me a good solid slap."Burke laughed and shook his head. "Not likely. You'd be in my arms before you could hit the ground.Then I'd carry you to bed, where you should be now resting, and would see that you stayed there untilproperly healed."

Storm cut loose with a hearty laugh, and when she was done and holding her side from the laughter, she said, "That will never happen, Mr. Longton."

"You're sure of that?""I'm sure," she said with the last snicker of laughter escaping. "I've never fainted, and I seek my bedwhen I'm ready and rest when I want to. So what you suggest could happen is simply impossible."

"Never faint?"

She shook her head. "Not once, and as you've seen today, I prevented it. And as far as carried to bed?"She stuck her booted feet out and wiggled them. "I have two good solid feet to get myself to bed."Burke stuck out his arms. "And I have two good solid arms to carry you."Before Storm could scoot out of his reach, he had her up in his arms and was walking off with her."Put me down," she ordered calmly though firmly."I will," he agreed."Now.""No.""I order you-""To put you down and I will," he said."Now," she reiterated.He dropped her to her feet, grabbed her around the waist, and coiled the rope around his arm to have them springing up the tree.

Before she could voice her objection, he once again had her up in his arms and carried her into her quarters to plop her down on the narrow bed.

"Is this supposed to prove me wrong and you right?" she accused, hurrying off the bed, only to be

stopped short by a searing pain to her shoulder. She stumbled and would have toppled over if Burke hadn't grabbed hold and eased her down on the bed.

"You are stubborn," he said, keeping hold of her."I'm vigilant," she corrected and took a deep breath against the throbbing pain that remained. "I must be,and dare I say, you're just as obstinate?"

"You can, but that doesn't mean I agree."

"You are forthright."

"And that you can always count on," he said and released her to stand. "You and I clash for a reason."

"And what is that?"

"We are alike." He walked to the door and turned. "Which means we understand each other more than we realize. Sleep well."

He disappeared out the door, and Storm sat there staring after him.

Chapter 10.

B urke searched the gray sky. Heavy rain clouds drifted in from the distance, promising a downpour. He checked the perimeter of the camp once again and saw nothing. He took his frustration out on a rock, kicking it with his boot and sending it tumbling.

It had been six days since Storm and Tanin had left. He hadn't been informed of their absence. It was the day after he had dumped Storm on her bed. He had intended on rising early to see that she took it easy for the day, giving her shoulder time to heal.

She wasn't in her quarters and no one would tell him a thing until Malcolm finally returned to camp and told him she'd be away a few days. He would say no more, and Burke had no choice but to accept the snippet of information.

He had advised Malcolm that he could have helped. Malcolm had told him not this time, which made him worry even more.

He hoped it didn't have anything to do with Cullen. It would annoy him if Storm had gone off on a matter concerning his brother without him, but then they had never agreed that he would be privy to all information regarding his brother, only that she would help locate him.

Being it was the sixth day, he was growing concerned, though no one else seemed to. Activity went on as usual, and he had become familiar with the camp in Storm's absence.

It ran smoothly, with everyone tending to specific ch.o.r.es and none complaining or s.h.i.+rking their duties. They were a fine group working together to survive. That his money was needed was evident in the tattered and patched clothes, the spa.r.s.e food, and the lack of adequate weapons.

Laughter, however, was prevalent, as were smiles and camaraderie. They were a contented lot for outlaws.

Burke kept busy hunting with Malcolm, making repairs to weapons, and getting to know those in the camp. But there wasn't a day that he didn't think of Storm and worry over her.

What was so urgent that it took her away when she needed to recover from her wound? Why didn't she send someone else or ask for his help? Why was he so annoyed that she left without him?

He finally joined Malcolm and Angus to feast on the rabbit cooking on a spit over the campfire.

"Eat. Rain comes soon," Angus said, already biting into a fat piece of meat.

Conversation was spa.r.s.e and the rabbit near cleaned to the bone when the first drop of rain hit. It sent everyone scurrying for shelter.

Burke scanned the edge of the woods. Disappointed that nothing came into sight, he hurried to his quarters in the trees. He stripped off his damp s.h.i.+rt and threw it over the chest to dry, then stretched out on the bed, cus.h.i.+oned his arms beneath his head, and listened to the rain.

He wondered if Storm had safe, dry shelter, or if she huddled cold and wet somewhere. Knowing her, she'd survive either way.

She intrigued him. She had since they first met, dressed as a man, though more resembling a lad. Her face betrayed her gender. She was much too beautiful to be anything but a woman. Add stubborn to that and it rounded out her gender, but then obstinate women were a challenge, and what man could turn down a challenge?

He grinned as night crawled into the room and laid claim to it, except for the small glow of the hearth fire. It amazed him the way a hearth was constructed in the tree houses. It was small but functional, and Burke wondered about the designer's ident.i.ty.

Storm had seen to making this a safe haven for them all, but nothing lasted forever. What would happen when a rescue failed, men were lost, and funds ran out?

The future didn't look bright for the outlaws, but then did a fugitive really have a future?

He recalled Storm when she dressed as a woman and how lovely she looked. He could only imagine how her beauty would s.h.i.+ne if she was dressed in new garments. But what good would new garments do her here in the forest, fighting the soldiers?

She could return to America with him.

The unexpected thought rattled him. This was her home, her land, and her people. She was born and raised here and had even warned him that Cullen might very well refuse to leave. He imagined she would as well.

He could do only so much for her, and the thought saddened him.

His eyes drifted shut as he thought how much she might like the Dakota Territory and what a shame that she'd never get a chance to see it.

A crack of thunder woke him with a start and he jolted up in bed. He could hear the rain still, and something else. He swung his legs off the bed, and c.o.c.ked his head at the sound, his ears trying to determine its origin.