He dropped her to her own feet. “Damn you again and again! I don’t know any man in the world who’d stand for what I’ve stood from you. You insult me, tell me I’m fickle then act as if I’m some helpless idiot you have to protect. You know what your problem is, Leah?”
She looked up at his furious, handsome face with wide eyes. “No. What’s my problem?”
“You’ve always had control, that’s what. From what I gather, you commanded that whole family of yours like you were some general, and on the trip here you took on everybody else’s work and actually ran the whole trip.”
Leah just stood there, blinking.
“My patience is all used up now and I’ve had enough of lying back and letting you have your way. Starting today you’re going to be my wife and you’re going to honor that part in the wedding vows that says obey. You understand me?”
“Maybe,” she said, but at his look she changed her mind. “I understand you thoroughly.”
“Good! Your first order is that you are leaving these woods right now. I’m staying here because I plan to find out more about who this Revis’s boss is. And when I get ready I’ll return to you and our farm but not before then. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” she said thoughtfully. “Revis doesn’t do all the robberies on his own?”
“Somebody else organizes them. Revis is nothing but a two-bit thief, not smart enough to run the business. But he knows the identity of his boss and I want that information. Are you ready to go?”
“I’d like to know who’d do this awful thing, too.”
“Good,” he said impatiently. “I’ll tell you when I get home.” He gave a whistle. “Bud and Cal will take you home.”
“Won’t Revis miss them?”
“I have some plans.” He glared at her. “None of which I plan to tell you. All I want for the next few months is to know you’re safe. I don’t need or want your interference in any of this. I’ll clean out this band of thieves once and for all.”
“All by yourself?” she asked aghast.
“You were planning to take care of Revis and me all by yourself. Did you think that Revis was going to shake your hand good-bye when you decided to leave?” His voice softened. “Here’re the boys. Now give me a kiss good-bye.”
“I don’t like this,” she murmured as he pulled her into his arms. “Won’t you need some help?”
“Shut up, Leah.”
She didn’t say another
word as his mouth closed on hers.
“I wish we had more time,” he said against her lips.
Leah gave herself over to his kiss, losing all thoughts of Revis and his boss.
When Wesley pulled away from her she stared up at him because she knew she loved him. Actually, she’d never really stopped. He’d done some awful things to her and maybe she should hate him, but she didn’t.
“And what’s that look for?” He smiled down at her. “If I weren’t so concerned about getting you out of here I’d take you back into the cabin.”
She leaned into him, causing him to frown in puzzlement.
He smoothed a strand of hair back from her eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever noticed how pretty you are. Even after days of sleeplessness you’re the prettiest girl I ever saw. Leah.” He paused. “Thank you for what you did, for putting yourself in Revis’s clutches in order to save me. It was…kind of you.”
Pulling away from him, she thought she might just start crying again. “I’ll see you in Sweetbriar?” she whispered.
Grinning, he kissed her lustily again. “I’m not about to tarry when I have you waiting for me. Now scoot.” He turned her about and smacked her firmly on the seat.
An hour later, Leah was halfway down the mountainside with Bud in front of her, Cal behind—and already Leah was making plans.
Once out of Wesley’s arms, she’d been able to think more clearly. If she went ahead to Sweetbriar as he’d told her to do, she just might face legal charges. Her only hope was to get someone to hide her and who was she going to ask? Kimberly? Justin?
And thinking of Kimberly, would Wesley return to pining for her if Leah wasn’t around to remind him that she was alive? At night when he was alone, would he remember Kim’s pretty blonde face rather than Leah’s tearstained one? He just now had noticed that Leah was pretty, but would he remember it?