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Let that be a lesson, Whip told himself sardonically. Whether it’s logs or women, finesse beats raw strength any day of the week.
Whip split the log again for good measure before he set aside the maul, removed his leather work gloves, and stuffed the gloves into the back pocket of his pants. From long habit he picked up and settled the bullwhip on his shoulder.
As he went to the cabin, sleet fell against his face and lodged in his clothes. When he removed his hat to wash up, sleet mixed into his hair. He bent down over the washbasin, then stopped, sniffing the steam that rose from the water. Through it was mint rather than Willow’s favorite lavender scent rising from the basin, the smell of the water kindled a memory in him.
Willow’s bathhouse. All full of warmth from the hot spring water Wolfe and Reno piped in for them. No real sulfur to it, just a richness of minerals.
Whip scooped up steaming water and lowered his face into his palms. He made a sound of pleasure as the water spilled over him, washing away sweat and sleet alike.
Wish I’d had this when I shaved this morning. Cold water is pure hell, no matter how sharp the razor is.
Whip paused as a though struck him. He looked at the surrounding forest and the clearing itself. No telltale plumes of white rose into the cold, clear air.
I haven’t seen sign of a hot spring around here for miles in any direction, either. It must be in a cave somewhere.
«Come and get it before I feet it to Prettyface,» Sha
«Don’t you dare, woman!»
Quickly Whip splashed hot water over his face and hands. He followed it up with the morsel of soap that was balanced on the basin’s wide rim. Then he rinsed again, making certain he was clean. When he lifted his head, dripping, the cabin door was closed and Sha
«Here,» she said softly.
Whip looked at the piece of cloth Sha
Looking at the rag, Whip guessed that it was the remainder of a favorite dress. Or perhaps Sha
«Thank you,» he said huskily.
When Whip took the towel, he thought he felt the silky brush of Sha
Yet Sha
«I’ll — I’ll wait by the door,» she said breathlessly.
«You don’t have to,» Whip said. He lowered his face into the fabric Sha
«Prettyface might. That’s why I’m keeping him inside for now. He’s not used to being around men.»
«How old is he?»
The question was muffled, but Sha
«Oh, a little more than two years, I guess,» she said.
Whip’s head came up quickly.
«What about Silent John?» Whip asked. «He’s a man, isn’t he?»
Sha
«Silent John is the exception, of course,» she said, looking at her hands.
Whip had a strong suspicion that Sha
Maybe she doesn’t want anyone to know how often Silent John is gone. And for how long.
Then Whip understood more than he wanted to: Sha
Judas Priest!
Sha
Before I go yondering, I’ll have to have another talk with those boys. Make them understand all the way to their black souls just how lacking in Christian charity their ma
Absently Whip wiped off his hands and started toward the cabin door.
«Wait,» Sha
Whip looked down at her through half-lowered lids.
«Change your mind?» he asked.
«About what?»
As Sha
«There,» she said, examining the cleanly drawn curves of Whip’s mouth. «Now the biscuits won’t taste like soap to you.»
Then Sha
Whip was looking at Sha
«You missed a bit of lather,» she explained, her voice shaky.
«Just one?»
She nodded.
«Sure there aren’t any more?» he coaxed.
His dark, husky voice made shimmering sensations chase down from Sha
«More?» she whispered.
«Bits of lather. To wipe off.»
With shuttered eagerness, Sha
«No,» she said, unable to conceal her disappointment. «Not a speck.»
«Maybe next time.»
The smile Whip gave Sha
«I’d better go inside first,» Sha
Her voice was faintly husky, reflecting the quickening of her pulse.
Well, Whip thought in relief, whatever Silent John did to Sha
And real hunger.
Whip watched with a barely veiled hunger of his own while Sha
Instantly, gleaming fangs appeared in the narrow opening. Sha
«No,» Sha
Slowly the dog’s lips came down over his fangs, but the rumbling sounds of menace didn’t stop.
«It’s all right, Prettyface,» Sha
Whip looked into the dog’s feral eyes, saw the wolf blood staring back at him, and knew that Prettyface wasn’t convinced he was any man’s friend.
«No wonder you didn’t bring Prettyface into town,» Whip said. «That’s one hardheaded son of a bitch. What is he?»
«Mastiff, mostly. And some wolf, I think. I’m sorry he’s so edgy.»
«Don’t apologize. I know the hardheaded breed well,» Whip said dryly. «Got a brother just like him. And a brother-in-law.»
Sha
«Come to think of it,» he added with a slight smile, «I’ve been accused of being too slow to back down, myself.»
Sha
Prettyface looked at his mistress as though she had lost her mind.
Whip smiled. He was discovering what a keen pleasure it was to bring the light of laughter to Sha
«Go lie down, Prettyface,» Sha
Prettyface went. Slowly. With ever step he looked over his shoulder at Whip. A low, almost inaudible growl seethed inside the dog’s big body.
Despite Whip’s easy smile, he never looked away from the beast who combined the savage traits of mastiff and wolf alike. Prettyface was both powerful and fierce.