The New Cowboy Page 15

  “Remember the words of Chief Plenty Coups? ‘The ground on which you stand is sacred. It is the blood of your ancestors and you will be protected.’ One day you will grow into a great warrior, Smiling Face, and will tell your children how you found the home of the Little People and how they protected you from the bear.”

  She leaned sideways to pat his leg. “Do you remember the story I told you about the child who fell from a travois and was cared for by the Little People? They made the stone arrow points in this canyon. Though small, they were strong and carried buffalo on their backs.”

  “I remember.”

  “Well, that boy stayed with them until he became a man of superhuman strength. Is that why you came up here? Did you want to pray for the same strength as the Little People’s? You’re a very noble boy and your parents are very proud of you. Today you will return with your father and tell them your story.”

  “The bear took my bundle.”

  “But he dropped it. I found it and gave it to your father. That bundle protected you.”

  Zane flashed her a tender look that melted her insides. They made fast time. Tom was there at the head of the others as they approached the cave entrance. The reunion between father and son was something she’d remember all her life. He lifted his son off the horse and clasped him to his heart.

  Tom’s eyes stared at Avery over his boy’s dark head. “Many thanks to you, Winter Fire Woman.”

  Winter Fire Woman?

  She eyed Zane, who looked equally mystified by the comment. Jarod would know what Tom meant. She’d have to ask him later.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll come to see Smiling Face when he’s able to tell you how the Little People gave him courage.”

  “Aho,” the boy thanked her.

  In a few minutes everyone had gone, even Connor and Liz. Zane helped her put Snowball back in the trailer. When they shut the door, he reached for her shoulders. “You have more courage than anyone I’ve ever known. Maybe Tom’s name for you is a metaphor for that.”

  His words touched her. She traced an index finger over his lips. “I don’t know about that. Without your help—”

  “You came for him by yourself,” he interrupted her. His mouth drew closer. After the happy resolution of the past twelve hours, Avery’s exhilaration made her hungry for his kiss.

  She held on to him, loving this man who’d become her life. How had she existed all these years without him?

  “Let’s get in the back of the truck for a while and enjoy this wonderful morning.”

  Feeling as though she’d been caught up in a dream, she climbed in with him. He laid the sleeping bags side by side and drew her down with him. The sun’s rays shot pale yellow and orange across the sky, not high enough to reach inside the truck yet, but they provided a heavenly panorama above their heads.

  Wherever his blue eyes touched, they lit fires. “I love you, Avery. With you as my wife, I feel I could do anything. When the day comes, you will be the best mother a child could ever have.”

  And he would be the best father. She kissed him with growing hunger. He was a beautiful man. She could study him for hours. With those hard-boned features and his rip-cord physique, he was male through and through. To the enemy he would look severe while he was in pursuit. But Avery knew his other side. When he smiled, those dimples reduced her to a liquefied state.

  “Zane—” she murmured with growing desire, needing to be closer still. But the second he reached across to roll her against him, she found herself in a black, horrifying place. Suppressing a cry, she scrambled out of his reach.

  “It’s okay, Avery. It’s Zane. You’re with me, darling. You’re safe.” He sat there looking up at her with wounded eyes.

  Her legs leaned against the bear locker. Between shaking and breathing so hard, she came close to hyperventilating. It took a minute before she was able to talk. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  He stayed where he was with his legs upraised. “Don’t say it. What happened just now was no one’s fault. You had a flashback. Why don’t you get us a soda out of the locker? Then I’d like you to sit down on top of it and we’ll talk about expectations. Yours and mine. How does that sound?”

  “I’ve hurt you again.”

  “Not this time because we knew you’d have a flashback at some point.”

  “This is what I’ve been afraid of.”

  “Your courage helped find a little boy this morning. That same courage is going to get you through this and I’m going to be here for you.”

  No one was more wonderful than Zane. She found them each a drink and then sat down as he’d suggested.

  “You were with me until I did what?”

  She threw her head back, closing her eyes. “Your arm started to roll me into you and suddenly I wasn’t with you anymore.”

  “That’s probably because we were lying down. Until that point you enjoyed kissing and holding me, right?”

  “You know I did.”

  “Then that’s huge progress you’ve made. This morning we’ve learned that we won’t be lying on a bed, a truck bed, a couch or grass unless you feel ready for that step. You’ll have to be the one to tell me.”

  She moaned. “It sounds so awful, like we’re working from a blueprint.”

  “That’s exactly what we’re doing. You were taken by surprise. I don’t want to spring another surprise on you that sets you off.”

  “But—”

  “No buts,” he silenced her. “I’ve been in heaven kissing you. I could go on doing it forever. In time you may find you want more and then we’ll talk about what you want. I’ll let you know what I’m planning to do before we do anything. You’ll be able to decide what will work for you and if you can handle it. The more knowledge you have ahead of time lowers the chance of another flashback coming on.”

  Avery opened her eyes to look at him. “How do you know so much?”

  “I don’t. My doctor gave me a pamphlet geared for partners of assault victims. Otherwise I’d be operating blind.”

  She pressed her hands together. “It shouldn’t have to be this way—”

  “Lots of things shouldn’t have to be the way they are, but that’s life. One night, or even one day when I’m asleep, I’ll be having a nightmare and you’ll be shocked by what you see and hear. I’m afraid the first time will frighten you.

  “Be assured I’ll get over it, but don’t try to wake me up. If you touch me while I’m in my dream, I’ll think you’re the enemy. Just give me my space until I come out of it and realize where I am.”

  Her eyes clouded over. “You poor thing.”

  “That’s how I felt about you a little while ago. We’re both wounded, but we’re warriors, right?” He flashed her one of those Lawson smiles that lit up her universe.

  “Yes, sweetheart.” She got up from the locker and knelt down to throw her arms around his neck. He’d suffered so much, she found herself pressing kisses all over his face and neck. “I’m so in love with you, Zane. Please don’t give up on me.”

  “It’ll never happen,” he whispered against her lips. Before she knew it, she’d climbed into his lap and was kissing him with a hunger she didn’t know herself capable of. He let her do all the work. What woman had ever been blessed with a better man? His self-control was as astounding as his selflessness. But the heat of his response was growing along with hers. She knew it was time for her to stop. Slowly she relinquished his mouth. “I’m not being fair to you.”

  “Don’t go away yet,” he begged.

  They kissed one more time long and hard before she stood up. “We need food. I’ll get it for us.”

  They ate sandwiches and fruit. He finished off some cookies and packed the locker while she jumped out to check on Snowball. Then she walked over to him. “Ready to go?”


  “When you are. I’ll follow you.”

  Avery wished they could be together for the drive home. Since their talk while they’d spent the day at the Medicine Wheel, she felt closer to him than ever. On impulse she cupped his face in her hands and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “I wish we could talk on the phone on the way, but mine is about ready to die.”

  “I’ll try to stand it until we reach White Lodge. I need to gas up.”

  “So do I. See you at Preston’s.”

  “Where more kisses will continue,” he teased and copped another one before climbing into his truck. She got in hers and they took off. How did she ever exist without him?

  Chapter Ten

  Zane stayed behind Avery and listened to the messages that had come in on his phone. Steve Newell’s whereabouts were still unaccounted for, but he’d be found sooner or later. The crime lab had come back with a match on the dynamite. All the evidence was forming part of the same piece. Hopefully he’d be found soon. Zane would move in and arrests would be made.

  His next message from Matt came as a blow. Someone had taken a shot at him when he was up in the pasture. It barely missed hitting him and killed the calf he’d been holding. Was it the stray bullet of a hunter too drunk to see what he was aiming at?

  Zane didn’t think so. Neither did Matt who felt it had been deliberate. They talked it over and decided the bullet had been meant for Zane. The two of them both wore the same color cowboy hat. Someone knew he was getting close to making an arrest and thought they’d take out the BLM agent who was making trouble. To Zane’s horror, they’d almost killed Matt.

  Since there’d been no arrests yet, Zane could see it being the Newell boys. However there was another person who knew from Avery that Zane had been assigned to the Billings office.

  Mike Durant.

  Was he the dirty BIA agent working with other agents across state lines? Were they the enablers who were part of a ring that stretched throughout the High Plains? The rise of artifact thefts was staggering. Was that what this was about? Payback time for Zane because Durant wasn’t only jealous, but thwarted?

  Though still young, Avery was becoming a noted archaeologist among the Crow. If Durant had tried to cozy up to her to get valuable information about other sites loaded with artifacts, he had to hate Zane for wrecking his con.

  Durant knew Zane lived next door to the Bannock ranch. If he was involved in the run of heists to steal artifacts, then some of his helpers might well be the Newell brothers. Zane could be wrong about that and their actions could be unrelated, but he sure as hell intended to find out and would follow every lead no matter how sketchy. He texted Matt and told him to keep this under his hat until they talked in the morning.

  Though tomorrow was Sunday, this was important enough to run by Sanders, the lead ranger. He called him and told him about the shooting. Zane wanted to make sure he had all the backup he needed when it came time to go in.

  After a decent sleep there was going to be a party at the Bannock ranch to celebrate little Cole’s birth. Zane wondered how Avery planned to inform her grandfather about their news. With his blessing they could go ahead with plans.

  By the time he drove in and got to bed, he was physically exhausted, but his mind wouldn’t turn off. He was glad the incident with Avery had happened. It had given him a chance to talk to her about the intimate side of their marriage. Until now they’d only tiptoed around it.

  The information the doctor had given him was pure gold. Without it he would have floundered in agony after having frightened her. Thankfully she’d recovered enough to go back to his arms.

  During those hours in the trailer when he’d felt her pistol and knew she’d been assaulted, he didn’t see how they were ever going to pull themselves out of the blackness she had to live with.

  Zane wasn’t naive enough to believe that they could weather each storm as easily as the one earlier that morning. But it gave him hope.

  * * *

  ON SUNDAY EVENING a collective “aw” rang from the crowd on the terrace of the Bannock ranch when Sadie held up the baby. He was his own adorable person. Though born early he weighed seven pounds, two ounces and was twenty-two inches long. He had a little bit of his mom and his dad in him.

  Avery had helped the cook and housekeeper set up a buffet table. Small tables were arranged around it. She felt feverish with longing while she waited for Zane to arrive as she watched her friends and family.

  Jarod’s uncle Charlo had come with his whole family. A happy-looking Jarod held Ryan. He walked around with him, chatting with Grant and his wife.Their son Ned was noticeably absent.

  Their daughter Cassie and Logan came with the vet Sam Rafferty and stood talking with Connor and Liz. Ralph’s brother Tyson sat next to him on the swing while his wife, Winnifred, chatted with Sadie and held Cole. Sadie, dressed in soft lemon yellow, looked fabulous for someone who’d just had a baby. Though she complained she had pounds to lose, Avery couldn’t see where she’d put them. Mother and son were both golden blond. Sadie’s eyes shone like sapphires.

  Cole’s eyes were muddy. Avery had a feeling he’d probably inherited Jarod’s eyes. No one had eyes quite like his, so black and penetrating. What a contrast that would be with his fair hair when Cole grew to adulthood.

  This was a thrilling night. If it weren’t for Zane, Avery would be like a lost child looking through a store window, wanting all the things inside, but never being able to have them. When she thought about it too much, she felt a little bit of sickness creep in to imagine her life without him.

  When she thought she couldn’t stand it another second if he didn’t show up soon, Millie and Matt came around the side with him. He was wearing jeans and a black Western shirt along with his cowboy hat. A year ago he would have come in a suit and tie. She loved him no matter what he wore, but tonight he looked Montana born and bred.

  She watched his hot blue eyes search the room for her. When he saw her she almost melted from the look in his eyes. He moved toward her, ignoring everyone else. She started for him. But Ryan had seen him.

  “I want Zen. Over there.” His nephew pointed, drawing everyone’s attention. Avery was afraid he’d jump right out of Jarod’s arms. It was a good thing he had a strong hold on him. The two men grinned as he handed him over to Zane. “Easy on your uncle, Ryan.”

  “Hey, sport.”

  Ryan patted Zane’s cheeks and kissed him. It was so sweet, Avery’s throat thickened with emotion. “Mama has a baby.”

  “What’s his name?” Zane asked, kissing him back.

  “Cole. He wets.”

  The whole group roared with laughter. Avery followed Zane and Ryan over to Sadie who sat next to Ralph on a chair. He was holding his fussy great-grandson and loving every second of it.

  “Do you like your brother?” asked Zane.

  “Yes. He cries. He’s funny, Zen.”

  Ralph looked up to see Avery standing by Zane. “There you are, darlin’. Don’t you want to hold him?”

  “Indeed I do.” She leaned over to take the baby. That’s when he saw the ring and gazed up at her. “What’s this?”

  Her pulse sped up. “Zane asked me to marry him. We’re hoping for a wedding in three weeks with your approval.”

  Her grandfather looked overcome, but he got to his feet. At this point Jarod and Sadie relieved them of both children so he could hug the two of them. He wept unashamedly. Avery knew he’d worried about her for years, but no more.

  He made a sound in his throat and wiped his eyes. “You and Zane. I’ve wanted this since you brought our Sadie back home from California.”

  Zane shook his hand. “I’ve been in love with Avery for a long time.”

  “I’ve wanted it, too, Grandpa. Do you want to announce our news?”

  “It would be my greatest pleasure.�
� He moved to the center of the terrace. “Everyone?” he called out, visibly overjoyed. “Tonight is a double celebration. Our family has two new additions. Our little Cole, and Zane Lawson who’s going to marry my Avery in three weeks! If only my Myra were here, but I know she’s looking on.”

  The crowd broke into cheers. Everyone mobbed Avery and Zane. But it was Sadie who threw her arms around Avery and cried for happiness. “I love him and I love you. I don’t see how life can get any better than this.”

  “I know what you mean. I love him so much, Sadie.”

  Cassie was next in line to hug her. “I couldn’t be happier for you,” she said, her eyes misted with tears. Avery’s cousin knew a lot. They promised to get together soon. Cassie wanted to help her with the wedding plans.

  It wasn’t long before dinner was served. When everyone started eating, Charlo stood up. “Avery is a friend to the Apsaalooké. Tom Medicinehorse is grateful because she found his lost son. Her courage will be remembered. Our people call her Winter Fire Woman.”

  There was that name again. Avery shivered, wondering what was coming. Zane reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it gently.

  “In former times our women related stories around the fire in winter to the families. Then the white man came and asked questions about the stories, but he came in the summer.

  “Many of our people believed they shouldn’t tell our stories in summer. They didn’t want the white man here. Some haven’t wanted our stories told at all. They get changed. Avery comes in all seasons to record them and doesn’t change them. Winter Fire Woman is always welcome.”

  His black gaze settled on Avery and Zane. “Yours will be a good union.”

  Avery got goose bumps. “Thank you, Uncle Charlo,” she whispered.

  Jarod shot her a glance of pure love and stood up, holding his new son against his shoulder. “A toast to Zane and Avery.”

  More toasts were offered, and then Zane got to his feet and raised his glass. He had to clear his throat before he said, “A toast to the littlest Bannock who has the sweetest mother on earth. May he grow in goodness and stature like his father, Sits in the Center.”