Just One Kiss (The Dream Catcher Series-Book Two) (2 page)

“I thought you was dead.” He hugged her closely.

“I almost was…but I escaped them on the trail. They got Mama,” she whispered as she put her arm protectively around her brother and studied Lee.

“How about Doris and Mabelle?” Sam cried, looking into her face.

“They are…they’re dead.” She glanced down at her brother, a hint of sadness crossing her young features. “After what them men did to them, I knew I had to get out of there, so while they were payin’ me no mind, I run off.”

Sam hung his head and squeezed her hand. “Is Mama…still alive?”

“So far.” She stood lifeless staring at the man as Lee continued to watch her every move. “I think they are takin’ her with them. I think they want her to cook for them.”

“Then maybe they won’t kill her.” Sam smiled. “Ma’s a good cook.”

“That’s a big maybe, Sam…” Hattie whispered.

“You think we could find her?” Sam asked, squeezing her hand.

“I doubt it. They are long gone now, left a trail of death and destruction. Headed for the north country.”

Lee stared at the girl. She was probably right, but it didn’t help her brother none to tell him so.

Lee firmed his lips and tried to ignore her. But there was something about her that made him keep looking. The arrogant way she tossed her head, the untrusting glances she sent his way.

Problem was, she was to the point of beautiful, he noted then scolded himself silently for thinking it. She had a round, sweet looking face. Her lips were full, her nose flaring, but it was obvious that she was just as aware of him as he was of her. She didn’t hide the fact that she looked him up and down.

She was older than Sam and close to leaving childhood behind her, but as far as he was concerned, she was a kid and a Negro and he had no right going there. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Negroes. The truth be known, he did, but it wasn’t healthy to let others know that, not where he came from at least. Still these two were just kids and he needed to find someone to care for them.

“Hattie, is that your name?” he asked gruffly.

“Yes sir,” she answered after giving Sam a hug and smile. The smile transformed her death-like features into radiance and again Lee had to caution himself from responding. Made him realize her youth. What was it about her that had him thinking of her as a woman? She was a kid, that’s all. Still the gentle sway of her hips as she moved about told him she was also aware of her age. No little girl walked with that kind of sway.

“Is there any more of you?” Lee asked in a low whisper.

“No sir, I reckon me and Sam is all.” She stood majestically proud and erect, unaware that her breasts puckered against her dress.

“I see, well then, you get behind Sam and hang on. I’ll take you into town tomorrow,” Lee ordered, trying to pry his glance from hers.

“What for?” she asked suspiciously, her voice full of mistrust as she frowned up into his face, coming closer.

“Well, see’n as how you have no folks, to find someone to take care of you.” Lee heard the exasperation in his own voice.

“We cain’t stay here, they burned the house down.” Sam looked at her.

“How do we know we can trust this man? He’s white too.” She shot Lee a quick glance.

Lee saw the girl eye him and thought it good that she was skeptical. However, there was something more in her eyes than mistrust. She challenged him with every glance.

“He buried Pa!” Sam pointed to the grave. “And said some words over him, and he’s God fearin’.”

“I seen that, anybody could do that,” she protested, as though she had some choice in the matter.

“Either get up or stay here, it’s your choice,” Lee admonished her. He had no time to play games. He told himself he didn’t care whether she came or not, but secretly he hoped she would if for no other reason than her brother.

“How old are you?” she asked as she followed Sam and jumped up behind him on the horse.

“Twenty. How old are you?”

“Sixteen,” she mumbled.

“You look like fourteen…” he mumbled to himself.

“I’m sixteen, I jest hadn’t come of age yet. Mama said I’d get breasts soon.” She put her hands on her hips and stared mutinously around Sam at him.

Lee stopped the horse, and turned sideways to look at her, a frown lining his face. “Look here, don’t talk like that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth,” she fussed.

“He’s tryin’ to tell ya it ain’t lady-like.” Sam snickered.

Her eyes rounded on them both now. “The men…they took my sisters.”

Lee’s expression changed to one of sorrow, wishing he could block it all out for her.

“That’s why I was determined to run off from them, I didn’t want them doing the same to me as they did my sisters.”

Lee’s eyes met hers in the darkness, another stab of awareness shot through him. “You were wise to run.”

“I know…” she whispered.

“We’ll make camp when we find some shelter for the night, then head for a town in the morning,” Lee said as though he needed them to understand his intentions.

They rode slowly for another five miles ‘til they came to a hull of a shed. There was no homestead left, but the shed would shelter them for the night. Lee pointed for them to go inside while he bedded his horse and looked about.

Satisfied they could at least last out the night here, he went inside. Sam lay close to Hattie asleep, huddled in a corner. Hattie was shivering but not asleep.

Lee took his blanket and wrapped it around her. As she looked at it, her mouth hung open.

“How come you bein’ so nice to us?” she asked, her face full of questions.

Lee dropped down beside her and pulled her gently against him. She was stiff and he knew she was scared; he hadn’t meant to frighten her, but suddenly realized. “I’m not gonna hurt you Hattie. I think you seen enough hurt for one day. There ain’t nothin’ to be scared of. I’ll take care of you as long as I can.”

“Why?” She turned her sad cow eyes up at him. “Why would you do that? You’re a white man.”

“‘Cause you need takin’ care of, that’s why.” He let go of her and almost turned away.

“But we’re black, you’re white, that don’t make no sense. You don’t care about us.” She huffed and blew a tendril of hair from her face.

“Who says?” Lee asked with a smile.

“My Pa, that’s who. Don’t go pretended you do neither. Why, if a white woman walked in here you’d be runnin’ away instead cuddlin’ us. You’d be ashamed for lookin’ at me like you just did.”

“And how did I look at you?” he almost laughed.

“Like a man looks at a woman, that’s how.”

Lee frowned now. Putting to words what he was feelin’ sure didn’t help matters. “I’m not cuddlin’ you. And I wasn’t lookin’ at ya. Just didn’t expect anyone else to come out of those bushes, that’s all. I wouldn’t run away from you. You’re no different than a white woman, ‘cept you aren’t a woman fully grown yet.”

“Don’t you lie.” She shook the blanket from her shoulders and turned, so she was very close to him. “If I was a white woman you would kiss me…or somethin’.”

“So…maybe I would and maybe I wouldn’t.” Lee felt himself heat up and didn’t quite understand why.

He’d never met such a provocative kid in his life and he wasn’t at all sure how he should handle it. On one hand, he wanted to turn her over his knee and spank her, and on the other…he was intrigued.

“You wouldn’t kiss a Negro girl…” she challenged, leaning closer.

“Is that a challenge?” He frowned and came very close to her pretty face.

“No,” she turned away. “It’s the truth…”

He reached and pulled her chin around, studying her face. Damn, she was pretty and feisty as all get out. But he tempered himself and smiled into her face.

“You ever been kissed before?” he asked stirred by the implication.

“Once…by a cousin.”

“Ever been kissed by a white boy before?” he asked, his voice growing husky.

“‘Course not…” she swallowed.

“Then close your eyes, ‘cause I’m gonna kiss you.” Lee pulled her closer, wanting and needing to put his lips to hers.

Her eyes widened. “Is that all you’re gonna do?”

He frowned. “That’s all I’m gonna do.”

Her glance fell to his lips and instead of running away like he thought she might, she waited, staring at him so.

“Don’t be scared…” He smiled as his voice softened. “I won’t hurt you. But you been askin’ for this…”

His finger gently reached to close her eyes. “Don’t look, it’s easier that way.”

She gulped. “What do you want me to do?” she asked innocently.

“Open your mouth a little,” he answered as he came closer.

He leaned closer. “You may not be a woman yet, but you are as pretty a girl as I’ve ever seen.”

Her eyes came open again, and her mouth whispered a gasp as her gaze followed his lips.

“Maybe I’ll scream…”

He smiled. “No you won’t. You’re just as curious as I am.”

Just then he bent his head and touched his lips to hers. He hadn’t expected the warmth and softness of her young but eager lips. He hadn’t expected her lips to move against his either, but they did. This girl could kiss, he mentally noted as his arms went around her.

Her lips were soft and sweet and he brought her closer so he could hold her against him. She moved to her knees and let her body rest against his, naturally. Then his lips began to move over hers tenderly. He felt her chest moving more rapidly, her arms clinging, and he heard a low moan, but he wasn’t sure who it was from. Her arms flew suddenly around his neck and her lips began to follow his motions. He hadn’t expected it and pulled her closer. It was just supposed to be a quick little kiss, but he felt her melting into him and he wanted to kiss her forever.

But good sense did prevail, after he enjoyed it thoroughly.

Slowly he unwrapped her arms, stood and moved away, staring into her surprised face.

“Now you’ve been kissed,” he uttered lowly, his eyes never leaving her.

“I didn’t mean to…” she began.

“Yes you did, you pert near asked for it, so did I…but like you said, you ain’t fully grown yet…and I certainly won’t take the advantage. But now you see how it is…makes no difference if you are black or white. You’re comin’ into a woman, and I’m a man…that’s the only real difference between us.”

“Don’t matter,” she insisted as her chest heaved in and out heavily. “Ain’t no white man could love a black girl…”

“Maybe…but that kiss had no color to it. And you’re a beautiful young lady too.”

“Don’t mean you’d have me…” she insisted, her breathing still heavy from the kiss.

“Don’t mean I wouldn’t either…” He grinned.

“Do you flirt with every black girl you meet?” she asked, wiping the kiss against her arm slowly.

“No…that’s the funny part…I don’t.”

“Then…could we do it again?”

“Again?” He laughed. “No…I don’t think so.”

“Why not…you liked it, didn’t you?” she boldly challenged.

“Too much, that’s why we ain’t doin’ it again. Now go to sleep,” he barked.

Lee meant to teach her there was no difference in color, but somewhere the lesson got lost in enjoyment. For both their sakes he wouldn’t carry it further. However, he couldn’t quite get over the fact that he liked it a bit too much for his own good. And he knew deep down, he would have liked to kiss her again. But that was foolishness. He was a man, and about to go to war. Hattie was a kid and although she’d someday be a beauty, she wasn’t for him.

At least that’s what he kept telling himself, but the feel of her soft lips on his lingered in his dreams. She was right, he hadn’t kissed a black girl before. But like he told her, the kiss had no color, and he savored it like a prize possession in some deep dark part of his heart.

The next morning, he made no mention of it, and woke them both.

“It’s time to ride.”

They both moved quickly and she folded the blanket and gave it to him. She didn’t look him in the eyes now. And she didn’t flirt with him again.

He was secretly glad.

Nothing else was said all the way to town and Lee was silently thankful for it. He wasn’t sure what he was doing with these two, but he had little choice. They were both children.

It was still raining, and miserably cold.

By the time he got into town, the only thing open was a saloon and he stopped there. He jumped down and found both of them nearly asleep. He took Sam first and put him on his shoulder. He helped Hattie down and when she almost fell against him he struggled to balance Sam without knocking her into the muddy street. The contact had him aware again though and he scolded himself silently for even noticing she was a female. They were both tired out of their minds, and he reckoned scared more than anything.

As he trudged into the saloon with Sam on his shoulder and Hattie by his side, the dance hall girls looked at him strangely, all gathering about him. There was an assortment of young and old in loudly colored dresses and more makeup than a woman would ever need.

“What in the world have you got here?” the oldest one of the bunch asked, eyeing the children with disbelief.

Lee shrugged. “Not sure myself. Look, their folks was killed and I need to find them a place to stay.”

The bartender came around and looked at them. Tall, thin, and well-seasoned, he nodded. “Well, I could use some help about here, sweepin’ the floors and cleaning the bar and spitoons.”

Lee sized the man before him up quickly. He was a big man, probably forty-ish, and had a huge mustache that covered his face.

“I didn’t bring them here to work. They’re kids. I wanted to find them a home,” Lee said, aggravated that he cared so much about what happened to these two.

How he had let them get into his craw he wasn’t sure, but they had both worked their way into his heart.

“We’ll work,” Hattie offered, looking at the kind older woman who came up to them.

“I’m not leavin’ you in some saloon to work…” Lee grumbled.

The older woman pulled Lee to the side; she watched the girl fidget then looked him in the eye. “I expect you got plans of your own. You go on. I’ll take care of them. See after them,” she began but seeing the stubborn look on Lee’s face, she frowned at him. “Look mister, there ain’t but two or three black families in this town, and all of them have ten or twelve kids a piece. You think they would have room for two more? Ain’t likely. The girl can do laundry for her keep and the boy can sweep the floors at night when everyone leaves. They won’t be exposed to the drinkin’ and gamblin’ that way. It ain’t a perfect life, but it’s the best chance they got here. Unless you want to take them with you. I’ll see to them just like I said.”