Hero for Christmas by Pierson Cheryl

Author:Pierson, Cheryl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western romance, short story collection, cheryl pierson, western adventure, christmas collection
Publisher: Western Trail Blazer

Chapter Four

Sometime in the night, Robin slept. It hadn't taken long, once she'd turned toward the fire and begun to watch the flames flicker and dance.

She'd roused once when Jake had pulled the edge of the extra blanket up over her face.

"Jake?"

"Shh, Robbi," he'd murmured. "It's starting to snow. You don't want a face full of it."

"No…"

He enfolded her in his arms again, close to his body, and she lowered her head against his chest. Solid. Warm. Comforting.

When she awoke the next morning, the fire that had burned down in the night was being re-fueled by some of the men bringing sticks and branches in from the woods.

Jake had already risen and was nowhere to be seen. Robin lay still, looking for his tall form among the moving soldiers, oddly disappointed when he didn't appear. She closed her eyes, trying to transfer the disappointment to the fact that she'd not woken up in her own bed; that this hadn't all been a dream, after all.

No. She wasn't at all disappointed in that. She was uncharacteristically excited at this new turn her life had taken. And at the knowledge that she had a choice – go back to what she knew, or start over, here.

But how? It was really no choice at all. She was alone here just as she had been before. Her exhilaration evaporated as quickly as it had come.

Her thoughts settled on Jake Devlin.

He'd held her all night, giving her his body heat. As they'd talked, it had been an easy, familiar exchange. She thought of the way his dark brown eyes had reflected the firelight, shining with warmth as he talked and laughed with her. It had seemed that the free way they spoke had been unusual for him, too. She had to admit, she was attracted to him, greatly. She thought of the kisses they'd shared, the way he'd wrenched himself away from her as if torn between molten desire and iron-clad duty.

She'd felt the blood thrumming in his touch – all night – as he'd held her close. He wanted her. Her own words came back to her, making her blush. I guess there aren't any old-fashioned guys left where I am. At least, none that I appeal to. She shouldn't have said that. She'd been too honest with her words.

Things were moving too fast. She wasn't in control of anything it seemed – at least, not for two more days. Then, she'd have to make the biggest decision of her life – whether to stay here, or go.

She needed some answers, too. As soon as Jake returned, she was going to get them.

* * * * *

When Jake walked back into camp two hours later, Robin had already eaten a breakfast of fresh fry-bread and a half-cup of chicory coffee. It was bitter, just as she'd always read about. But, it was warm, so she drank her allotted portion.

She sat by the fire, speaking with another of General Watie's soldiers, Jeremy Long. Robin was aware of Jake's unhurried gait, his rifle slung over his shoulder as he approached where she sat.

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