In a Cowboy's Arms (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) Read online

  Jarod squeezed her hand hard before she followed the women through the house to one of the bedrooms. Sadie saw an outfit laid out on the bed.

  “When my husband heard you were back from California, our clan made this deerskin dress and moccasins for you.”

  “But how did you know? I mean— Jarod and I hadn’t been together for eight years.”

  “My husband sees many things.”

  Sadie shivered. She would always hold him in awe.

  Pauline handed her the dress and Sadie looked at it with reverence. “The beading is exquisite. I’ll always treasure it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You can change in my bathroom,” Mary told her.

  Sadie quickly removed her jeans and sweater, and emerged from the bathroom wearing the soft garment and moccasins. While she’d been changing, the other women had also donned deerskin dresses.

  Pauline slipped the belt that matched the bracelet around Sadie’s waist. Bless you, Millie, Sadie thought.

  “You will please Jarod very much.”

  “I’ll do everything I can to keep him happy.”

  “You already have or he wouldn’t have asked you to marry him two times. Many of the women who are not married have given him a new name—He Who Has No Eyes. But they didn’t know what my husband and I knew.”

  Sadie felt heat rush to her cheeks. Pauline was wonderful. She used her skills as a nurse at the tribal clinic.

  Mary, who was attending college, handed Sadie the beaded earrings, which she put on. Though Sadie knew that with her blond hair she looked a fraud, it was exciting to play a role for a little while. The most important role of her life. Jarod’s bride.

  “Come with us.”

  She walked with them through the house and out the back door to the yard. A fire had been lit in the fire pit, casting shadows over the tall white tepee in the background. The magical setting sent goose bumps up and down Sadie’s arms.

  Several dozen extended family members stood in a semicircle. She marveled that Charlo could assemble so many of their loved ones this close to midnight. They nodded to Sadie, who stayed close to Pauline and Mary. Their presence showed how much they revered Jarod.

  Another minute and Charlo came out the back door in deerskin pants and shirt, followed by George in a similar outfit. Jarod walked out last. To her surprise he was wearing modern-day jeans and cowboy boots. But he’d dressed in a black ribbon shirt with a V neck and long sleeves ending in cuffs the men wore for special occasions.

  She knew black was the sacred color of the Apsáalooke. The ribbons reflected orange, green, blue and yellow, representing the elements. The intricate pattern would have been passed down through the generations and given to him by his uncle.

  Jarod had never worn his hair in a braid before, at least not in front of her. She could hardly breathe, he looked so fiercely handsome. Suddenly his gaze fell on her. Time stood still as they communed in silence as she took in the gravity of this moment. A light breeze ruffled the tips of her hair. If there was any sound, it was the thud of her heart in the soft night air.

  Charlo motioned for her and Jarod to come closer and face him. A hush fell as he began to speak.

  “If Chief Plenty Coups were here, he would say the ground on which we stand is sacred ground. It is the dust and blood of our ancestors. Sadie... Tonight when you enter the tepee on this sacred ground, our First Maker reminds you to remember that a woman’s highest calling is to lead a man’s soul so as to unite him with his Source.”

  She wasn’t sure how to respond but gave him a solemn nod.

  “Jarod? Tonight when you enter the tepee on this sacred ground, our First Maker would have you remember that a man’s highest calling is to protect a woman so she is free to walk the earth unharmed.”

  When he nodded, Sadie wanted to proclaim to everyone that he’d always protected her and had already saved her from Ned earlier in the day.

  “The crow reveals the true path to life’s mission. It merges both light and dark, inner and outer, and when in the darkness of emotional pain and turmoil, the crow will carry the lost soul into the light.

  “Both of you have endured much sorrow over the years. Don’t waste today letting too much of yesterday ruin your joy. Before you lie down together, give thanks for blessings already on their way and you will have peace.”

  What better advice could anyone give?

  He lifted his hands. “Go now. May you live in eternal happiness.”

  They were married?

  She asked the question with her eyes. Jarod’s mouth broke into such a beautiful smile that her entire being was filled with indescribable love for him. He grasped her hand. Leading her around the fire to the tepee, he moved the buffalo covering aside so she could enter.

  The tepee’s cone shape was formed with dozens of poles and could hold five to six people. Blankets on top of buffalo skins had been placed on the floor. Nothing else was inside....

  Jarod held both her hands. “My mother’s culture didn’t do marriage ceremonies, but I think my uncle did the perfect job of performing ours.”

  “So do I,” she said softly. There was enough light from the fire outside to see each other. “Do you mind if we kneel right now and do what he said?”

  He kissed both her hands before they got down on their knees, facing each other. “You say the prayer.”

  “Thank you. I want to.”

  Closing her eyes she said, “Dear God, my heart is full to overflowing for the many blessings Thou has given us. We will strive to live worthily of the blessings Thou has yet to bestow on us. I thank Thee for my husband, a great man and a great warrior. I thank Thee for Jarod’s loving family both on the ranch and on the reservation. I thank Thee for my family, for the Hensons. Amen.”

  Jarod’s eyes were fastened on her as she lifted her head. “Amen,” he whispered in a husky voice. “You have no idea how beautiful you are to me, kneeling there in that dress to please me. Though I see a woman, I also see the sweet, vulnerable, lonely girl inside you who stole my heart years ago. I want to fill your loneliness, Sadie.”

  She cradled his face with her hands. “You already have. Uncle Charlo said not to dwell on the past. Tonight is the beginning of our future. There’s something I want to do before we do anything else.”

  His breathing grew shallow. “What is it?”

  “Take off your shirt first.”

  He looked surprised, but he did as she asked. Her breath caught to see his well-defined chest and shoulders emerge. “Now close your eyes.”

  As soon as they were closed, she moved around behind him and began unbraiding his fabulous hair. “I’ve been dying to do this since you came up to me at the funeral.” She threaded her fingers through the glossy strands that fell loose and swung around his shoulders and face.

  When she was finished she knelt in front of him. “You can open them now.” Sadie almost fell back in amazement. “You’re the most gorgeous man. I want an oil painting done of you exactly like this, sitting inside this tepee. After it’s framed, I’ll hang it in the most prominent place in our home with a small brass plate at the bottom that reads ‘He Who Sits At My Side.’”

  Jarod’s eyes glowed like black fire. He rose to his full height. She noticed the special belt he wore before he pulled her up and turned her around. Her body trembled as he undid the back of her dress, lowering it off her shoulders till it fell to her feet. His mouth found the side of her neck. “Come lie with me, my love.”

  A cry of longing escaped her lips as he laid her gently on top of the blankets. Looking down at her he said, “No painting of you could do you justice. I love you, Sadie. You’re my heart’s blood.”

  After plunging his fingers through her silky hair, he lowered his mouth to hers, giving her the
husband’s kiss she’d been waiting for since she’d fallen in love with him at fifteen.

  Jarod— As their bodies melded, her heart and soul leaped to meet his.

  * * *

  MORNING HAD COME to the reservation. Jarod could see light through the tiny opening at the top of the tepee. He eased himself away from his precious wife, who still slept.

  Jarod’s hunger for her hadn’t been appeased, no matter how many times they’d made love during the night. Now that he’d finally allowed her to sleep, he left her tangled in the blanket while he peered outside the entrance. The direction of the sun shining overhead told him it was at least two o’clock in the afternoon. That’s why the interior was heating up.

  He caught sight of their regular clothes along with a picnic basket of food Pauline had placed against the outside of the tepee. She’d taken care of everything to make their wedding night perfect.

  After struggling eight years along a treacherous path, he’d obtained his heart’s desire. Sadie was the most unselfish, giving woman he’d ever known.

  Jarod breathed in the fresh air, aware that he felt whole at last. The night had been so perfect, he never wanted it to end, but she would awaken soon and want to get back to Ryan. Recognizing his insatiable appetite for her, he decided he’d better get dressed or they’d be here for another twelve hours.

  Once he’d pulled on his cowboy boots, he brought everything inside. He found his cell phone and watch among his clothes and checked for messages. Only one from Connor.

  Grandfather is ecstatic and can’t wait to welcome both of you home. Tyson and Ned’s parents are inconsolable. The police need to know if you want to press charges. You have every right, bro.

  “Darling?” He glanced over at his wife. The word still thrilled him. What a beautiful sight she made. Unable to resist, he leaned down to kiss her, which was a mistake. He wanted to climb under the covers with her and never come out.

  “Why did you let me sleep?”

  “Because you needed to after I wore you out.” He put the basket in front of them. “Pauline fixed us a picnic.”

  “She’s incredible.”

  “I agree.”

  “I saw you checking your messages just now. Anything from Zane about Ryan?”

  “No. It was from Connor. Everything’s fine. Let’s enjoy our first meal together as man and wife.”

  They ate sandwiches and drank soda. “I’m so excited to be married to you, I can hardly take it in. Last night—”

  “Was miraculous,” he broke in. “No man ever had a lover like you.”

  Her blush delighted him. When he’d finished eating, he reached for his thong.

  “Don’t confine your hair. I love the way it flows.”

  “I’ll wear it loose at night, but during the day it gets in the way.”

  She eyed him curiously. “Yesterday you were going to tell me why you changed your hair.”

  He swallowed the rest of his cola. “I paid a trip to the beauty salon in White Lodge to talk to a woman named Rosie.”

  In another minute she knew the whole story about Ned’s fabrication.

  “She washed and cut your hair!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I want you to know that no other woman will ever be allowed to do that again.”

  Laughter poured out of Jarod. He pressed her back against the blankets, kissing her long and hard.

  “I want your promise, Jarod.”

  “I swear I’ll never go in there again.”

  “Rosie probably had a cow when she found out she was going to get her hands on the gorgeous Jarod Bannock.”

  “A cow?” he teased.

  “You know what I mean. I bet she can’t wait until you go back.”

  He couldn’t stop laughing. “She’s married.”

  “That doesn’t matter. For years I’ve had to put up with the way women look at you. It’s been enough to give me a heart attack.”

  “Don’t say that,” he begged her, “not even in jest.”

  “Sorry. Happily, Pauline told me something about you that makes me feel a lot better.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The women on the reservation have been calling you He Who Has No Eyes.”

  More laughter caused him to bury his face in her throat. “That’s because only one woman has ever held my heart.”

  “Have I told you I’m madly in love with you?”

  “All night long,” he murmured against her lips.

  “Darling? What was Connor’s message? I know it had to be something important or he wouldn’t have sent it.”

  “Tell you what.” He reached for her regular clothes and handed them to her. “After you get dressed, we’ll freshen up in the house and then I’ll tell you during the drive home. On the way we’ll stop in White Lodge for our marriage license.”

  She smiled. “It’s a little late for that, wouldn’t you say?”

  He didn’t say anything, but fell back against the blankets to watch her.

  “Close your eyes.”

  “That’s one thing I can’t do.”

  “The trouble with this tepee is that there’s nothing to hide behind.”

  “My Apsáalooke ancestors knew what they were doing,” he teased.

  “Your male ancestors.”

  He loved it that she tried her hardest to pretend he wasn’t there while she put on her clothes. Sadie never did seem to know how beautiful she was. Everything about her made her so desirable to him, and he was terrified of ever losing her. Their argument over her wanting that heart procedure still had a stranglehold on him.

  Her blue eyes flashed. “I’m ready now, as if you didn’t know.”

  “You did that far too fast for my liking. Next time things will be different.”

  “How different?”

  “For one thing, we won’t be in a hurry to go anywhere.” His comment put color in her cheeks.

  He gathered up their things and they left the tepee. No one was home when they went inside to use the bathroom. Jarod wrote a note and left it on the counter, thanking his aunt and uncle for everything.

  We’re now one soul in two bodies and have come into the light.

  As they drove away from the reservation toward home, Sadie nestled up against him and pressed kisses to his jaw. “Tell me about Connor’s message.”

  “Ned is in huge trouble. But I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

  Sadie looped her arms around his neck. “You’re such a noble man, Jarod Bannock.” She started kissing him until he could hardly see to drive. “Sorry,” she whispered when he had to slow down. “I’ll behave myself until we get home.”

  “That’s the next thing I want to talk to you about, Mrs. Bannock. I’m planning to build us our own home on the ranch, but until we’ve decided what kind we want and how big to make it, where is our home going to be for the next few months?”

  “Would you mind terribly moving in with me? The nursery’s already set up for Ryan, and it’s only a few minutes away from your ranch and Ralph.”

  “Sadie, I’d live anywhere with you and can bring over some of my clothes. In fact, it’s the Apsáalooke way for the husband to move in with the wife’s family. But you’ll need to feel Zane out.”

  “Honestly, I know he won’t care. He’s been looking for work.”

  “What about his plan to become a rancher?”

  “With Mac’s help, I think he wants to try to do both.” For the rest of the drive home, she told him about Zane’s interest in working for the BLM as a ranger.

  When they arrived at the ranch, Jarod pulled up next to the Volvo. Sadie jumped out and they both hurried in the house.

  “Zane?”

  “In the kitchen, Sadie.”r />
  They found him alone. “Where’s Ryan?”

  He got up from the table where he’d been working on the laptop. “Millie and Liz wanted to watch him at their house. They’re keeping him overnight so you can have some alone time.”

  “You’re kidding—”

  His eyes zeroed in on Jarod. “That’s an amazing shirt you’re wearing.”

  “It’s a ribbon shirt with a design from his clan woven into the strips appliquéd to the fabric. Isn’t it beautiful? Jarod wore it for the wedding ceremony.”

  “Nice.” Zane’s brows lifted. “What did you wear?”

  “A beautiful, beaded deerskin dress. It’s out in the truck. I’ll show it to you.”

  “What are you doing home already? You’re supposed to be on your honeymoon. I hoped you’d enjoy another night on the reservation at least!”

  “We couldn’t have done that to you. When I left here last night, I didn’t even know if Jarod would forgive me. I caught him leaving the bedroom with his bedroll.”

  He grinned. “Yeah?” His gaze flicked to Jarod. “How long did it take you to decide to get married instead of high-tailing it to the mountains?”

  “Not long,” Jarod admitted.

  “Well, now that you’re here, I might as well tell you about the conversation I had with Connor and Avery last night when they brought back my car.”

  Jarod was all ears.

  “They said they didn’t know your plans yet, but figured if you two wanted to live here with Ryan for the next few weeks while you figure everything out, it could be like a honeymoon for you. Because of your grandfather, they know you wouldn’t want to go away yet.

  “In the meantime I’ll temporarily move into your room, Jarod. It’s only an idea, but let’s be honest... You two need some space, and you won’t get it at your ranch. We’ll all split up the babysitting.”