Kathryn Albright – The Rebel and the Lady (страница 8)
“This is our fight, not his,” Juan said. “We need people who believe in what they’re fighting for.”
Irritation colored her face. “What do you believe in, then, Mr. Dumont? Or are you just as you seem—a shiftless drifter?”
He didn’t care for her appraisal of him but he did appreciate her passion. With her face flushed and her eyes flashing midnight fire, he appreciated it a whole lot. But the subject was getting more serious than he cared for, reminding him he had a mission to accomplish. Beautiful
“I resent being called a drifter on such short acquaintance,” he said. “You know nothing about my plans.”
“Plans?” She shrugged. “I too have those. But what is it you believe in?”
Jake stood, and moved his gaze to Juan, Diego and then back to rest on hers. “
She rose to her feet, her eyes shooting daggers. “Then you have no soul, Señor Dumont.”
His brother had said as much the day he took off. Jake met her angry gaze with a sardonic smile. “I know.”
Chapter Four
The next morning Victoria headed to the hospital, determined to put Jake Dumont out of her mind—not an easy task. Whenever she thought of him, she remembered the way her heart had raced while dancing and how safe she had felt in his strong arms. Never had she met a man so sure of himself, so sure of his ability to get what he wanted. And for a moment last night, it seemed he wanted her.
With a quick sign of the cross over her breast she thanked God she had found out his true character—selfish and arrogant. That she had even contemplated what his kiss would be like upset her now. She’d looked at his lips and heat raced up her cheeks. And he had known what she was thinking. That irked her all the more.
Today it was good there were more important needs to occupy her thoughts.
When she entered the hospital, Dr. Pollard was engrossed in a conversation with another man. He noticed her entrance and introduced her.
“This is Doctor Southerland, Miss Torrez. John, Miss Torrez is new in town. Her cousin, Juan, is in charge of the Tejano regiment.”
She murmured a greeting. “I am here to collect the soup kettle.”
“Of course. It’s there on the table. Thank you.” He turned back to his conversation as she walked across the room. “I’d like you to look at Bowie, John. I’m not sure if it’s pneumonia or maybe something else.”
“Be happy to. Where is he?”
“He has moved into the fort. I’ll take you to him.”
Victoria picked up the empty kettle and followed them down the stairs. Jim Bowie was sick? Too sick to lead? She wondered if Juan knew.
Once outside, she watched the doctors stride to the long row of barracks used by the men. The day was overcast, the cloud cover offering a scant measure of warmth as she started once more across the yard. Men were digging a well in the open plaza. Others worked on the north wall, adding materials to reinforce it. She was glad to see some preparation finally taking place.
She paused for a moment to watch, noting the few men who stood around the workers, offering their advice but not helping with the manual labor. How could they be so lazy when Santa Anna was on his way?
Not at all like the broad-shouldered man in the midst of them who worked twice as hard as the others. He had removed his shirt, and the sweat gleamed across his back despite the chill in the air. The muscles in his arms and shoulders bulged as he raised a heavy log and positioned it, holding it while others lashed it together with the other beams for support. He called orders to the men, coordinating the entire process until he could step away from the log.
Realizing suddenly that she stared, she gripped the kettle and prepared to leave. With one more glance, she saw the man lean over, hands on his knees, and drag in several deep breaths. Straightening, he swiped the dark lock of hair from his eyes and she recognized Jake Dumont.
At that exact moment he noticed her. Slowly, without taking his gaze from her, he reached for a shovel that leaned against a mound of dirt. His face—so closely shaved the night before, now had the dark stubble of a new beard on his square jaw. She took a deep, rather unsteady breath at the vision he created—the dark hair sprinkled across his chest tapered to a line that disappeared into his buckskin pants.
Her eyes snapped back to his cool blue ones. He regarded her silently as heat suffused her face. She readjusted the kettle on her hip. She’d seen men work before and knew they were more comfortable at times without their shirts. So why did seeing his bare chest do crazy things to her insides—things that had never happened before? She clenched her hands around the iron rim.
The corded muscles of his arms flexed as he dropped his shovel and started toward her. “Señorita Torrez. We need to talk.”
He stopped long enough to shrug into his shirt and slip on his hat before grasping her arm and leading her away from the others.
“Look at me that way again and everyone will know what you want.” His voice was low in her ear, nearly a growl.
She jerked from his strong grip. “You flatter yourself,
“Right,” he said dryly.
“Well, you are so careful to protect yourself from the discomfort of a bullet. I imagined you would feel the same way about the sun.”
“Very funny—especially with it being winter. However, it’s not the sun that is scorching me right now.”
“Oh?” she said sweetly sarcastic.
“No. More the heat from your gaze.”
Flustered at his words, she snapped her jaw shut. He truly was a beast of a man—uncouth and improper.
“I’m surprised you’d be thinking about me at all after I disappointed you last night,” he continued in that smooth voice. “But it’s nice to know you care.”
“Do not twist my words.”
“You’re the one twisting mine—and a few other things, as well, I might add.”
Oh, he really was a wicked man!
He glanced over her and she felt her cheeks flush. She hated that he could create such havoc inside her. It made her feel weak, and she knew she wasn’t a weak person.
“What are you doing here…besides enjoying the view?”
“I came to collect my kettle, not that it is any of your concern.” Her nose went up a notch.
He glanced inside the pot. “Any soup left?”
“Are you hungry or worried I might toss it at you?” she asked with sugary sweetness.
“Take your pick. Either way it would be worth it to have you look at me as you did a moment ago—preferably somewhere less crowded.”
“Oh!” She sidestepped around him, having had enough. “
His low chuckle made her pause midstride even though she suspected he was baiting her with it. She turned back. What was he doing here? He didn’t believe in the cause so why hadn’t he left?
He waited, by his expression amused that she’d returned, but he did not tease her again.
“I am surprised to find you here…helping.”
The planes of his face shifted and took on a certain hardness. “Don’t think it’s anything noble or that I’ve had a change of heart.”
She shook her head quickly—too quickly, belying her words. “Of course not. How naive would that be?”
“My horse isn’t ready for another long trip yet. I’m just passing time—a day or two, until he heals up. Nothing more.”
She indicated the men working at the wall. “You are not one to be idle, then.”
“No. Never have been much of man of leisure. Doesn’t suit me.”
“I’m glad of it. There are too many lazy men about this fort. I’m glad to see you making things ready—preparing.”
“Oh, I aim to please you,
He was teasing her again, but it was different now—gentler, more amiable. This she could deal with easier than the tension-charged sparring she’d just endured. She let out a relieved sigh. “Just until your horse heals. I understand. Does the wound fester?”
He studied her, his deep blue eyes intent. “If you have a minute, I’ll show you.”
She hesitated. Such casual conversation with a man like him was new to her. Enticing, because he was so different than any man she’d ever met before—more rough, more reckless. Thrilling, too. Her parents, had they been present, would never allow such a conversation to take place. It would not have been proper.
His brow quirked up. “Looks like a war is going on between your ears, darlin’.”
She frowned.
“What worries you?”
“It’s not proper. Juan would not be pleased.”
“Seguín?” He thought for a moment and she was gratified he didn’t tease her again. “Understood. How about if we make sure to stay where we can be seen by others?”
She hesitated, but then nodded. “