Prince Charming

Chapter 15

"Mama's naked."

Taylor bolted up in the bed when she heard one of the twins make the announcement. She thought it might be Georgie. She was the more outspoken of the babies.

Then she heard Hunter's deep voice. "Is that so?"

She wanted to die. She let out a low groan and pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts. Lucas had been sleeping on his stomach. When he heard the conversation going on in the other room, he rolled onto his side and glanced toward the alcove entrance. Thankfully the drapes were still closed.

"The man's naked, too."

Allie made that important announcement. She obviously didn't want to be left out.

Hunter laughed. "About time," he called out in a voice deliberately loud enough to reach his friend.

Taylor's face was burning with embarrassment. Lucas didn't dare smile. She gave him a glare he translated to mean she blamed him for the awkward situation. He didn't think laughing would be an appropriate response. She'd only get more riled up. He yawned so she'd know he was taking it all in stride and then reached over to trail his fingers down her spine.

She tried to scramble off the bed. He caught her around her waist and dragged her down next to him.

"Put your pants on," she implored him. "Oh, God, how am I ever going to face Hunter again?"

"First things first," he insisted. He rolled on top of her, smiled because she felt so damned good against him, and then kissed her. She struggled against him, but only for a few seconds, and then she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She was reluctant to let go of him. He was so pleased with her reaction, he kissed her again. Then he got out of bed and put his pants on.

He walked into the other room to see what Hunter wanted. From the brightness of the sunshine streaming in through the windows, he guessed it was almost eight o'clock.

"The boy let me in," Hunter explained before Lucas could ask. His friend was sitting on the divan, patiently letting the little girls climb all over him. "He made certain he knew who it was knocking on his door first," Hunter added with a good deal of praise in his voice. "He's a smart one."

"Where is he?" Lucas asked.

"Getting dressed. These two need a little help," he said with a nod toward the twins. "Is Taylor up yet?"

Lucas nodded. Hunter grinned. "You look like a married man."

"Did you look in on Victoria?" Lucas asked, deliberately changing the subject.

Hunter's mood immediately soured at the mention of the woman. His expression showed his irritation. "I tried to check on her. Honest to God, I did. I'm telling you straight, Lucas. I won't be getting near her again. Enough's enough."

Lucas hid his smile. "What happened this time?"

"She opened the door, started in gagging, and then slammed the door in my face. What the hell's wrong with her?"

Allie had started bouncing up and down on the settee and was now leaping high enough for Lucas to be concerned she might throw herself into one of the windows and crack her head. He caught her in his arms, told her to behave herself, and then tried to put her down. She had other notions. She wiggled around in his arms and held onto him. He settled her against his chest and turned his attention to Hunter again. Georgie wasn't about to be ignored, however. She scooted off Hunter's lap and went running to Lucas. Then she put her arms up and gave a rather imperious command.

"Up."

Lucas bent down, lifted her into his other arm, and then straightened up again. Allie started pulling the hairs on his chest. He told her to stop it. Georgie had become fascinated by the stubble on his jaw. She rubbed her fingers down his cheek and squealed with delight.

"You've got that look," Lucas told his friend.

"What look's that?" Hunter asked.

"Like you've got something to say."

Hunter nodded. "I ran into a couple of bounty hunters this morning. They had some interesting news. Caulder was seen outside Kansas City. They got a posse together and chased after him but he got away."

"What are you talking about? A posse? When I left for England, Caulder had just gotten another promotion. Now you're telling me he's a wanted man? What the hell happened while I was away?"

Lucas had made it his business to know everything about the bastard he was going to kill. The only reason he'd let him live this long was because of the gold he'd stolen. Lucas hoped Caulder would lead him to the fortune. The gold was the evidence he needed to convince the authorities. He wanted the world to know what Caulder had done to eight honorable men.

He'd spent almost all the money he had accumulated paying men to watch Caulder when he couldn't. His patience had finally been used up, however, and he'd made the decision before leaving for England that when he returned he would hunt the man down like the animal he was and kill him. To hell with the evidence.

"The way I figure it, that fancy government man you talked to must have believed you."

"Travis?"

"You told him about the gold, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"You told me he wasn't a bad sort," Hunter reminded his friend.

Lucas nodded. Travis was a good man. He'd listened to Lucas, and although it had only been his word against the army officer, Travis still used his authority to change the records. The eight missing men had been listed as deserters. Travis cleared the charge. Lucas remembered where the bodies were buried. He thought they should be shipped home to their families. Travis wanted to leave them where they were resting. The issue had still not been resolved.

"Caulder finally went for his gold, didn't he?"

"And Travis followed him," Hunter said.

"Damn."

Lucas whispered the blasphemy. He was so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't hear the twins repeat the expletive.

"I take it he got away from Travis?" Lucas muttered.

"Yes," Hunter replied. "He had some help from his friends. Travis took a bullet, but it wasn't anything serious."

"What about the gold?" Lucas asked.

"Caulder has it."

Lucas let out a sigh. First Allie and then Georgie imitated the sound.

"The bounty hunters wanted me to help them track Caulder," Hunter remarked. "There's a sizable reward. They're sure he's headed west."

"You tell them any different?" Lucas asked.

"No."

Lucas nodded. "Caulder's headed north. His brother will hide him."

"Chicago," Hunter agreed. They both knew that was where the brother lived.

"Yes," Lucas said. "Caulder's definitely in Chicago."

Taylor walked into the room in time to hear Lucas's last remark. She was glad for the diversion. She kept her head bowed while she pretended to fuss over tightening the belt to her robe and walked over to her husband.

She kissed each baby good morning, smiled when they giggled, and then asked Lucas who Caulder was.

"No one important," he lied. "Victoria isn't feeling well this morning. You might want to look in on her."

"She's sick again," Hunter quickly added.

They were both trying to change the subject. Taylor went along with their scheme. She would wait until later to find out who Caulder was. She didn't believe for one minute he wasn't important to Lucas because of the hard look that came into his eyes at the mere mention of the man's name.

She left Lucas with the twins and went into the connecting room to see what David Daniel was doing.

The dear child was trying to make his bed. She gave him a good morning kiss and then helped him finish his chore.

He was shy with her this morning and very solemn looking. She sat down on the side of the bed and drew him close to her.

"Is something worrying you, David?"

"I'm Daniel today," he told her.

She smiled. "All right, Daniel. Now tell me what's worrying you."

The little boy had quite a few fears stored up inside, all of them concerning the babies, and the most important one was about food. Babies needed to eat often, he told Taylor, and since none of them had any shoes to wear, how could they go outside to get something to eat barefoot? He didn't want anyone laughing at his sisters.

She told him they would eat their breakfast in the hotel room. Then she needed to go to the bank. The errand would only take her a little while, and Victoria would stay with them until she got back. Then they were all going shopping. They would buy shoes first.

He still looked worried to her. "Was there something else you wanted to talk about?" she asked.

He grabbed hold of her hand and stared down at the floor. "What am I supposed to call you?"

"What would you like to call me?"

"Georgie calls you Mama. She calls every lady she sees Mama," he added. "She gets confused. Allie called you Mama this morning. I heard her. She must be confused, too."

"I want them to call me Mama," Taylor said.

"Then maybe I should, too," he blurted out. "That way they wouldn't get confused, would they? If I call you one thing and they call you another…"

The yearning in his voice made her heart ache. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind calling me Mama."

"Are you old enough? You don't look old enough."

His worries were endless. Taylor smiled. "I'm old enough," she assured him. "Have we settled this?"

He shook his head. "I still shouldn't call you Mama. I'm too big. I'm seven now. Babies say Mama. I should call you Mother."

She thought that was a fine idea. She put her arm around his shoulders and hugged him. "Mother it is," she whispered.

The quiet interlude was the last peaceful minute she had for the rest of the day. Lucas wouldn't let her go to the bank alone. He insisted upon accompanying her.

She hurriedly dressed in a white blouse with lace around the stand-up collar and a plain pleated black skirt. She brushed her hair and then tied it with a ribbon behind her neck.

The outfit was something a prim schoolmarm might wear, but on Taylor, the effect was devastating to Lucas. He fought the sudden urge to tear her clothes off her and make love to her. She looked proper, but he alone knew all about the passion hidden inside her, and oh, how he remembered her silky, golden skin beneath all the layers of clothing.

Victoria arrived at the door just as the waiter delivered their breakfast. Taylor's friend looked radiant. There was a pretty blush in her cheeks and a smile on her face. Her bout of morning sickness had obviously passed.

Georgie put her arms out to Victoria, called her Mama, and demanded to be held. She lifted the baby up, told her her name was Victoria, and then pointed to Taylor. In a whisper she said, "She's your mama now."

Victoria put the baby down on the settee. Hunter was standing by the window. She smiled at him. He frowned back. She thought his behavior was rather rude. She was going to offer to pour him a cup of tea, then decided against it.

Victoria was happy to watch the children while Taylor went on her errand. Hunter tried to leave then. Lucas asked him to stay. He ignored the hot glare his request evoked, opened the door for Taylor, and left his friend fuming behind him.

Lucas didn't go inside the bank with her. He waited outside the door. It was too fine a day not to stand outside in the sunshine. She was thankful for the privacy. She wanted to withdraw a large sum of money, and she didn't want Lucas asking her any questions. The cash was for the journey into the wilderness. The transaction took almost thirty minutes. The banker had to wait for confirmation by wire from the Boston bank. He wrote down her temporary address for his bank's records and finally handed her a thick envelope filled with crisp bills.

She tucked the envelope into the pocket of her coat, assured the worried-looking bank officer she didn't need an armed guard escorting her back to the hotel, and went outside where Lucas waited for her.

He was preoccupied on their walk back to the hotel and said hardly two words to her. They had just reached the lobby doors when he turned to her.

"You and I have to have a long talk."

"We do?"

"Damned right we do."

Her eyes widened over the vehemence in his tone. "All right," she agreed. "Will tonight be soon enough to suit you, Mr. Ross?"

"It will have to do, Mrs. Ross."

He added a brisk nod, then took hold of her hand and pulled her through the entrance.

"What are we going to talk about?" she asked him on their way up the stairs.

He couldn't believe she'd asked the question. "The children, Cincinnati, our marriage. Taylor, do you have the slightest idea what you've taken on?" He realized the question was a little late in coming. "We're going to have to figure out…"

She interrupted him. "You really shouldn't worry so, Mr. Ross. Worry ages a person."

There was such a crowd of people on the gallery level, they had to thread their way around clusters of people to get to the next staircase. She kept her hand in her pocket covering the envelope. She wasn't about to let a pickpocket near her. The guests all looked respectable enough, but one could still be a clever thief.

Lucas wasn't able to talk to her again until they were on the way up the second flight of steps. "I've been accommodating, haven't I?" he asked her.

"Yes, of course," she replied. She was out of breath from running to keep up with him. Mr. Ross was taking the steps two at a time. He acted as though he was running from an angry mob.

"Do slow down," she ordered. "You've been a perfect gentleman… most of the time. I cannot keep up with you, sir."

"I can't keep it up, Taylor."

"Then slow down, for heaven's sake."

It dawned on him they weren't talking about the same thing. "I meant I can't keep on being a gentleman. It isn't in my nature."

He didn't look like he was jesting. "Are you apologizing for being nice?"

"I'm not apologizing for anything," he muttered. "I'm simply telling you I can't keep it up."

"It's all been a…"

"Yes."

She bowed her head so he wouldn't see her smile. She didn't want him to think she wasn't taking his remarks seriously. She wasn't, of course, but she didn't want him to know it. He sounded so sincere and earnest.

"If you don't like being nice, why are you?"

He was ready for the question. "Your grandmother gave me money and in return I promised to look out for you. There were other conditions attached, and I kept every one of them."

"Name one of the conditions, please."

They reached the door to their room. Neither one of them reached for the doorknob.

"I shared the same cabin with you on the ship," he said. "That was one of your grandmother's stipulations."

She shook her head. "You told me she only wanted you to secure one room. I'm certain Madam didn't want you in my bed."

He snorted. She folded her arms in front of her in response to the rude noise. Lucas seemed to be spoiling for a fight, and she was suddenly quite happy to accommodate him.

"Are you telling me being a gentleman was one of Madam's conditions?"

"Yes."

"Was it also a condition for you to share the hotel room in Boston with me?" she asked. "And this hotel room as well?"

"No."

"Then why did you?"

He couldn't come up with a single answer that sounded remotely logical.

"Where I slept isn't important," he argued. "I'm concerned about the future, not the past."

He wanted her to understand there would have to be changes. They were man and wife now, and she was going to have to make a few allowances. When she realized he was willing and determined to live in the city so the children could have every advantage, she would surely be willing to put up with his surly moods.

She should also try to love him a little.

He'd explain everything tonight. He'd start by telling her he wasn't going to leave her to raise the children on her own. "You and I are going to have to work out the details. We'll sit down after the children are in bed."

She wasn't listening to a word he'd just said. She was still thinking about an earlier remark. "Why did you stay on in Boston?" she asked. "Now that I think about it, you really could have left as soon as the boat docked."

"Ship," he corrected.

"Excuse me?"

"It was a ship, not a boat. And I stayed on in Boston because you wanted me to, remember? There were papers to sign. After that, there were a couple of babies to find. Remember them?"

"There isn't any reason to become sarcastic, Mr. Ross. Your anxiety over the situation is clearly apparent to me. I believe I understand the reason behind it."

"You do, do you?"

His left eyelid flickered once. Then again. She knew he was getting upset. She didn't care. "Yes, I do know what's bothering you. You slept with me and we… were intimate."

"And that has made me anxious?"

She nodded. He shook his head. Anxious? Hell, no, he thought. Relief was a far better description for what he was feeling. She belonged to him now, and it didn't matter if she wanted to be his wife or not. What was done was done. There wasn't going to be any damned annulment, and if she so much as mentioned the word divorce, he'd probably break a tooth clenching his teeth together to keep from shouting at her.

The flicker had moved into the side of his cheek. She knew she was getting him riled up. She couldn't understand why. She was only telling him what he already knew. "I told you it would complicate matters if we became intimate, but you wouldn't listen, would you? Now you're sorry. You're feeling hemmed in, trapped. You want to go back to your mountains."

Lucas didn't know how the conversation had gotten so far out of hand. Her conclusions were all wrong, and it suddenly dawned on him that she might be telling him her own fears. Was she afraid he wanted to abandon her? He decided to find out. He would use reason to get her to realize how incorrect her conclusions were and then coax her into admitting she was afraid.

"If you're so certain I want to go back to the mountains, why haven't I?"

"Because of the children," she immediately answered. "You only just found them, remember? You also feel responsible and even a little guilty because you think I might think you're running out on me."

Hunter opened the door. Taylor was thankful for the interruption. She hurried inside.

"We'll continue this discussion tonight," Lucas promised.

"If you insist."

Lucas caught up with her and leaned down close to her ear. "By the way, Mrs. Ross, I have never felt guilty about anything in my entire life."

The look she gave him told him she didn't believe him.

She turned her attention to getting the children ready to go shopping. She accidentally called Georgie Allie and five minutes later repeated the error. She was having a terrible time telling them apart, and it was a strain keeping her confusion a secret. David Daniel didn't have any difficulty, nor did Lucas, she remembered, and she found her problem not only embarrassing, but also humiliating. A mother should be able to tell her babies apart. She even sat them down side by side on the settee, knelt down in front of them, and stared at the two of them long and hard, searching for subtle differences. She couldn't find any. Their every feature seemed identical. Their violet-colored eyes appeared to be the same shade, their blond curls parted at the same spot, and even their chubby cheeks looked identical to her.

The differences were in their personalities. Georgie was the more outgoing of the two. She didn't seem to be afraid of anything. She had all the qualities of a leader, a bossy one at that, Taylor thought with a smile, while her sister, Allie, was already showing signs of being a peacemaker and a lady. She held her own with her sister, however, and when she wanted attention, she could scream just as ferociously.

Neither twin seemed to be suffering any ill effects from their ordeal with the Border brothers. Taylor was both surprised and relieved.

While she helped Daniel tuck in his shirt, she told him how thankful she was that none of them had been hurt.

"I wouldn't let anyone hurt my sisters," he told her with a good deal of arrogance in his voice.

"They were fortunate to have you to look after them," she praised.

"I made sure they fed them good, too," he told her. "They were scared a lot. Mostly at night. They still get scared," he added in a whisper so Allie wouldn't hear him. She was trying to climb up on his bed. "After everybody goes to sleep, they get in bed with me. Georgie has to hold my hand."

"You've been their guardian angel," she told him.

Daniel shook his head. "Maybe a helper," he whispered. "Like Hunter and Lucas."

Daniel was only seven years old and yet he had been forced to behave like an adult. She made a promise that when they reached Redemption and had a home of their own, she would help Daniel learn how to be a little boy again. He'd shouldered responsibilities most grown men would have trouble carrying. On the surface, Daniel was everything a mother could want in a son. He was polite, thoughtful, courteous, appreciative of every little thing she did for him, and oh, how he wanted to please her. Those were all wonderful qualities, but in her estimation, not at all normal in a seven-year-old. She would love to hear him shout or show anger or even become a little stubborn upon occasion.

Time was on her side. Daniel wasn't going to relax his guard until he learned to trust her. Once he understood her love wasn't conditional, she felt certain he would start smiling.

She put the worry aside for the moment and went back to getting the twins ready. It took her a full hour to get everyone organized. Lucas hired a cabbie for their use for the day. She thought he was being extravagant and thoughtful.

Just as she'd promised Daniel, they purchased shoes first. Each child got three pairs. Two were larger sizes for the children to grow into. Daniel was easy to purchase clothing for as the general men's store carried ready-made clothing for both boys and men. When they left the store, the child had a complete wardrobe.

The twins were another matter. There weren't any ready-made dresses available. The clerk had recommended Madame Mason's fine establishment. The shop not only carried a full selection of fabrics, but also had a full staff of dressmakers available for fittings.

Madame Mason personally measured the twins, and Taylor ordered a large assortment of clothing to be shipped to General Delivery, Redemption, Montana Territory. She then took the owner aside and explained that the children were in dire need of clothing now. Was it possible to finish a few of the outfits right away?

Madame Mason was led to believe everything had been lost in a fire. She was extremely sympathetic and came up with an alternative suggestion she was sure Taylor would appreciate. She took her into the back room to show her the second-hand garments available to families whose finances were strapped. Madame Mason hoped Taylor wouldn't be offended. The opposite was the case. Taylor didn't have any qualms about buying hand-me-downs. Clothes were clothes, and the owner assured her she had only purchased barely worn, high-quality items.

They spent two hours in the back of the shop, and when they were ready to leave, they had complete wardrobes for the little girls. Victoria had already purchased fabric to make clothing for her baby, but there were such adorable little sleeping gowns available and soft receiving blankets, she couldn't resist buying a full selection. Daniel certainly didn't need anything more, but Taylor couldn't resist three shirts, two pairs of pants, and two belts she declared were too handsome to pass up.

They had lunch in a restaurant that catered to families, then went to purchase books and maps. Because the children had been so agreeable, Taylor let each of them pick out a toy. Daniel chose a small wooden horse, and Georgie and Allie both wanted rag dolls.

All in all, the day was both delightful and productive. There was only one minor inconvenience. When Taylor told Georgie she couldn't climb up on the counter in Hansen's Linen Shop, the little girl threw herself down on the floor and went into a full-blown temper tantrum. Taylor had never seen anything like it. The little imp was kicking and screaming loud enough to draw a good-sized crowd. She sounded as though she was being tortured. Allie was the only one not horrified by her sister's conduct. She fell asleep on Victoria's lap while she watched Georgie's theatrics. Taylor was at a loss as to what to do to calm her angel-turned-hellion. She knew exhaustion was the culprit. Georgie was in dire need of a nap.

One well-meaning woman suggested Taylor give the little girl a good smack on her backside, but Taylor couldn't imagine what hitting would accomplish, and she didn't believe in corporal punishment anyway. She simply stepped over her writhing daughter, paid for her purchases with all possible haste, and then scooped up the screaming child in her arms and carried her outside to the waiting vehicle. Georgie wore herself out in no time at all. She fell asleep the minute the carriage was in motion.

Taylor learned a valuable lesson about two-year-olds. One couldn't always reason with them.

Early that evening, she and Victoria took the children downstairs for supper. Daniel kept nodding off during the meal. Taylor all but hand-fed him. The twins were blessedly subdued. They were hungry, yet still managed to get more food on their dresses than in their mouths. Their table manners were deplorable. Taylor made a note to herself to start training them tomorrow in the proper use of utensils. They were too sleepy to listen to her instructions tonight.

The twins demanded to be carried back to their room. Victoria carried Georgie and Taylor carried Allie. Daniel held onto her hand. They were all so weary, their feet dragged.

Victoria offered to help get the children ready for bed. Because she looked dead on her feet, Taylor told her to go on to her own room.

"Sleep well, Victoria. Tomorrow's going to be another long day."

"Then we're leaving tomorrow?"

"If we can get everything ready in time."

"Should I pack tonight?"

"We're all too sleepy. We'll pack tomorrow."

Taylor happened to look down and catch Daniel's expression. The child looked terrified. She guessed the reason immediately. "Daniel, wherever I go, you go. I would never leave you or your sisters behind. We're always going to be together."

"Do you promise?"

Lord, he looked solemn. "Yes, I promise."

His nod told her he was convinced. "Where are we going?" he asked her in a whisper.

Taylor gave him only a partial answer. She told him they were going on a train.

Daniel was thrilled. She handed him the key to their room and let him undo the lock. Victoria handed Georgie to her but didn't immediately leave.

"Where did Hunter and Mr. Ross go today?" she asked.

"They didn't tell me," Taylor replied. "I imagine they had errands of their own."

"Will we ever see Hunter again?"

"I imagine we will," Taylor answered. "He and Lucas have been friends for a long time. I believe Hunter lives near Redemption. Why? Do you want to see him again?"

Victoria shrugged. "He hasn't said more than ten words to me. Have you noticed how he frowns whenever he looks at me?"

Taylor smiled. "You threw up all over the man," she reminded her friend. "I think he's just being cautious around you. Besides, men of few words are the best men."

Victoria laughed. "I don't believe Shakespeare was right about that."

She started to go to her room, then stopped. "I told him I was married and that my husband only just passed away. I didn't mention the baby."

Daniel had the key turned upside down. Taylor helped him get the key into the lock, then turned back to her friend. Georgie had put her head down on Taylor's shoulder, and Allie was playing with her hair.

"Why didn't you mention the baby?"

"He didn't seem at all interested in anything I had to say. He's quite rude."

Taylor wasn't given time to argue in Hunter's defense. Victoria went hurrying down the hallway. Daniel finally got the door unlocked and ran inside. Taylor followed.

The twins were more than ready to sleep. They were both sucking on their thumbs and rubbing their eyes. She got them ready for bed, gave them their new baby dolls to sleep with, and then tucked them under the covers.

Daniel had placed his wooden horse on the window seat near the head of his bed. He was already under the covers, waiting for a story. She told him two. Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett were going to get equal attention.

She realized he was still wearing his boots when she went to tuck the covers around him. She made him take them off and put them on the floor next to his bed. When she returned to the room an hour later to check on the children, she found Daniel sound asleep with his boots wrapped in his arms. He appeared to be hugging them.

She stood there a long while staring down at the child. She tried to imagine what his life had been like before he'd been taken from the streets by the Border monsters.

Lucas whispered her name. She turned around and found him leaning against the door, watching her. She didn't know how long he'd been standing there. She walked over to him. The rustle of silk was the only sound in the room.

"Is something wrong with the boy?" Lucas asked.

"No, he's fine. Could there be someone looking for him?"

"It's doubtful," he answered. "He doesn't remember any family, and he lived on the streets a long time. If a relative had been searching, probably he or she would have found the boy by now. It might be a good idea to let the authorities know he's with you, though," he added.

"I won't let any official take Daniel away from me."

"You're afraid that might happen if you make out a report?"

She nodded. He let out a sigh. He didn't know what advice to offer her. "Let's think about this," he suggested. "With the number of children left on their own out in the cold…"

"Are there many?"

"Too many." He sounded disheartened.

They had been talking in whispers. One of the twins muttered in her sleep and rolled over. Lucas didn't want to wake her. He took hold of Taylor's hand and turned around. He pulled her along behind him across the main room and into the alcove housing their bed.

She was ready for sleep. She'd washed and put on a pale blue nightgown and robe. The back of Lucas's hair was wet, she noticed. He'd obviously bathed as well. He was dressed in day clothes, though, a pair of black pants and a white shirt. The collar was crooked in the back. It was half turned up. She resisted the urge to straighten it.

When they reached the side of the bed, he turned to face her. His eyes, their color so wonderfully intense, mesmerized her. The way he was looking at her made her breath catch in the back of her throat.

He stared down at her a long minute, then shook his head. "This was a bad idea. We should go back in the other room to have our talk. I didn't want to wake up the children, but I can't discuss anything important here."

"Why not?"

"The bed's too close."

"Oh."

Neither one moved. Lucas still held onto her hand. He couldn't seem to make himself let go.

"I have to leave tomorrow," he said.

The jolt of pain she felt took her by surprise. She had expected him to leave. Her own plans depended upon his going away. Why then did she feel as though her heart were breaking?

He waited for her questions. After a minute standing there staring down at her, he realized she wasn't going to ask him any. He'd already decided he wouldn't tell her much. He'd give her only a few details. She'd worry about him otherwise. She had enough to think about. He didn't want to add another problem.

In his entire life no one had ever worried about him. Until Taylor. Every time he'd left the hotel to search for the twins, she'd whispered her order for him to be careful. She didn't want anything to happen to him because she was relying on him to find her nieces. But there was another motive for her concern. She was softening toward him, and in time she might begin to love him. Family. Worrying was all part of this family business, he decided. He was now accountable to her for his actions, just as she was accountable to him.

She cared about him all right. She was appreciative and thankful and even beholden to him. He wanted more.

"Hunter's going to stay here with you and Victoria and the children."

"He doesn't need to stay. We'll all be fine."

"He's staying."

He waited for her agreement. She reluctantly nodded. "I don't know how long I'll be gone. It could be three weeks. Hunter will help you find more suitable lodgings. You can't continue to stay in the hotel, not with the children. They need space to run and play."

"What time are you going to leave?"

"Early."

She pulled her hand away from his and untied the belt to her robe. The action broke his concentration. He watched as she slowly removed the garment and let it drop to the bed behind her.

He forced himself to gather his thoughts. "If you need anything… What are you doing?"

"Unbuttoning your shirt." She could hear the blush in her voice. She hoped he wouldn't notice. She didn't want to be timid or embarrassed tonight.

"I can do that."

"I know. I want to."

They were whispering now. Lucas's voice had taken on a gruff edge. She found the sound arousing. She tucked her head down so he wouldn't see her blush. Her fingertips trailed down his chest.

It felt like a butterfly's caress, and it was driving him to distraction. He grabbed hold of her hands to stop the gentle torment.

"Don't you want to know where I'm going?"

"Do you want to tell me?" She pulled her hands away from his grasp and reached down to undo the buttons of his pants.

He took a deep indrawn breath. "Taylor," he said. "We have to talk. We'll go in the other room and…"

He forgot what he was suggesting to her. Her fingers slid into his waistband. He looked down and watched her slowly undo one button and then the next.

She couldn't believe her own boldness. She had to remind herself she was his wife now and that it was perfectly all right for her to touch him. And he was leaving tomorrow, she silently added. She wouldn't be able to touch him again for a long, long while.

She loved the feel of him. His stomach was hard, his skin hot to her touch. She undid another button. Her fingers splayed downward into his crisp, curly hair. Her fingers wrapped around his hard arousal.

"Stop," he demanded. "You're too tender. I'll hurt you."

It almost killed him to reason with her. His hands were in fists at his sides, and it took a supreme act of will and determination not to reach for her. He wasn't an ogre; he could control his lustful thoughts.

Taylor pulled away from him. "It doesn't matter if you hurt me," she whispered. "You're leaving tomorrow. We only have tonight, Lucas."

He wasn't abandoning her. He was coming back. Hadn't she been listening to him? "Just three weeks, maybe even two." He thought he got the reminder out, but his throat was so tight now, he couldn't be certain. His heart was thundering in his ears.

He forgot all about his plan to have a talk with her. It was her doing, of course. She took her nightgown off. Dear God, she was lovely. Each time he looked at her, he was stunned by her beauty. She was golden everywhere. Her breasts were full, her nipples rosy pearls. Her waist was narrow, and Lord but she had all the soft curves in all the right places. Her hips gently flared, and her legs were long, shapely, beautiful.

He pictured her wrapping herself around him. And then he tore his clothes off. He pulled her into his arms and held her and kissed her ravenously, and nothing else mattered but the feel of her against him. The world and all of his problems ceased to exist. There was only Taylor.

Their lovemaking was wild, intense, their hunger insatiable. He stroked her until she was ready for him, then moved between her thighs. He sank deep inside her. His mind reeled with each thrust. Her passion overwhelmed him, and her whimpers of pleasure drove him beyond his own control. His movements became rougher, more demanding. She tightened around him, squeezed him inside her, and whispered his name. His climax followed hers. His mouth covered hers for a long, searing kiss as he poured his seed into her.

The aftermath was just as fulfilling to him. He loved holding her in his arms and nuzzling the side of her neck while he listened to her heartbeat.

"Lucas, you're crushing me."

He immediately rolled to his side and pulled her up against him. She tucked her head under his chin. Tears were streaming down her face. She didn't want him to know she was crying.

"No man should have to give up his dreams."

He didn't know if she was asking him for his opinion or telling him a fact she believed. "What made you think about a man's dreams?"

"I was just wondering out loud. Even a man with responsibilities should be able to follow his dreams, shouldn't he?"

"What are you trying to tell me?"

"I'm tired tonight," she whispered. "I'm not making much sense."

"I guess we'll have to have our talk after I get back."

"You're going to Chicago, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"I heard Hunter tell you the man you were looking for was in Chicago."

"Yes."

"What was his name?"

"It isn't important."

"He's the man you want to hunt down, isn't he?"

"How would you know that?"

"On the ship, you told me you were going to go back to your mountains after you went hunting a man who'd done something to you. I asked you if he was evil."

Her memory impressed him. He let out a sigh. "And I told you he was evil."

"You want to kill him, don't you?"

He didn't know if he should tell her the truth or lie to her. She turned his attention with another statement. "You have responsibilities."

"Yes, I do," he agreed. He thought about the eight men Caulder had murdered. Lucas was the only voice left. The only gun. The others had been silenced forever. Only he heard their cry for justice. And revenge. He was going to kill John Caulder all right. He was going to feel good watching him die. The law wouldn't serve him or those eight men now.

Lucas closed his eyes. He had to deal with the past before he could turn to the future. He'd made a vow. He couldn't and wouldn't break it now. He knew all about responsibilities.