Lakota Renegade by Madeline Baker Read Free Book Online Page A

in the taste of his kisses, to let anything dull her happiness.
    Hand in hand, they walked across the valley floor, their footsteps muffled by a carpet of thick grass. She listened to the birds singing in the trees, remembering how she had thought the valley looked like a fairy place the last time they had been here.
    Now, with her lips still tingling from Creed’s kisses, she knew that it was, indeed, a fairy place, a magical place where old dreams came true, and new ones were born. She slid a glance at Creed. She had read a story once of a frog who had been turned into a prince.
    Perhaps, if she believed strongly enough, the same magic could be worked on her gunfighter.
    It was near dusk by the time they returned to town.
    It had been one of the best days of Jassy’s life. They had taken a long walk, not saying much, but Jassy’s insides had been aflutter with happiness. She had loved the feel of Creed’s hand holding hers. His fingers were long and strong, his palm calloused and warm. Time and again her gaze had strayed to his face, admiring his profile, feeling her heart swell with happiness when his gaze met hers.
    They had stopped to rest beneath a tree. Jassy had made a daisy chain, but lacked the nerve to put it around his neck, afraid he would think it foolish. And then, unexpectedly, he had picked a wild rose and handed it her.
    Now, she held the fragrant flower in her hand as he tethered the horses to the porch rail.
    Creed removed his hat, ran a hand through his hair before settling his Stetson on his head again.
    “I had a nice time, Creed,” Jassy said shyly. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “Would you like to stay for supper?”
    He meant to say no, but it came out yes, and when he saw the smile that lit up her face, he knew he’d made the right decision.
    “You go on inside,” he said, “I’d best get this horse back to the livery before old man Crowley accuses me of stealing one of his broomtails.”
    “I’ll start dinner,” Jassy said, and whirling around, she hurried inside. He was staying!
    She had a couple of steaks frying when he got back. The rose he had given her was in a chipped glass in the middle of the kitchen table.
    For a moment, Creed stood in the doorway, a frown on his face as he watched Jassy. She had tied an apron over her dress, and he could hear her humming softly as she turned the steaks.
    What would it be like, he wondered, to have a woman to look after him, to fret over him and fuss at him?
    He swore softly. Now, where had that thought come from?
    Jassy turned away from the stove, and her face lit up like it always did when she saw him. He tried not to admit how much he liked that smile that seemed to be for him alone.
    “Sit down,” she said. “Supper’s almost ready.”
    He tossed his hat on the counter, dragged a chair out from the table and sat down.
    “You must be getting tired of cooking for me,” he muttered.
    “No, I like it,” Jassy said quickly and then flushed. “I mean, well, I like to cook, but Rosie eats out most of the time, and it’s no fun to cook for myself…”
    She bit down on her lower lip, one hand fisted around a large wooden spoon. “I do like cooking for you, Creed. I like having you here, with me.”
    He swore under his breath and then admitted, reluctantly, “And I like being here.”
    “You do?”
    “Honey, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
    Honey. He’d called her honey! The word flowed through her, warm and sweet, and then curled around her heart.
    When supper was ready, she sat across from him, almost too happy to eat. They didn’t say much, but the silence between them wasn’t the least bit awkward.
    When the meal was over, Creed went outside to smoke a cigarette while Jassy washed and dried the dishes, and then they sat on the porch together, his arm around her shoulder, while they watched the stars come alive in the sky.
    “I’d better be going,” Creed said after a long while, and when she didn’t