Page 46 of The Enchanted Land

“What is it, Seth?” Morgan whispered, awed by the ghostlike city.

“It’s an old Indian ruin. Frank, Jake, and I came down here years ago, and an old cowboy showed us this place. You’ll be safe here.”

Morgan left him to peer inside the nearest house. It was tiny. There was barely enough room for her to stand up. The ledge in front of the houses was bright and sunny, but the houses were cool and dark. She didn’t feel as though she and Seth were alone. It seemed the spirits of people long dead were still there, watching. She smiled. She felt the spirits were protective.

“I like it here. The people are good.”

Seth looked at her strangely, and then returned her smile. “You’re right. They’ll take care of you while I’m gone.”

She ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist, burying her head against his chest. “Seth, let’s stay here. They can’t find us here. We’ll wait a while—a week—and then when they’re gone we’ll leave.”

He lifted her chin. “I want no more tears. I am going back. That’s it.”

She smiled and wiped her tears away.

“Do you have any kisses left?” he asked.

She stood on her toes and her arms slipped around his neck. His kiss was gentle at first, and then they both gave in to their need for one another. He kissed her cheek and then her neck. “Sweet little Morgan. I hate to leave you.”

Abruptly, he held her at arm’s length. “I have to fill the canteens. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

For a second, Morgan was startled by his brusque way of leaving her, but then she smiled and hugged herself. She wanted to dance and laugh and cry all at the same time. She began humming and whirled around the shaded courtyard doing a waltz step. She would buy beautiful clothes, and she’d wear her hair loose. Or any way Seth wanted. Anything her beautiful, darling Seth wanted was his.

“May I join in?” Seth took her in his arms, and they glided gracefully to the music in their heads. Laughing, they collapsed on the floor, and in an unconscious gesture, Seth put his arm around her shoulders and drew her head to his chest.

As they looked into one another’s eyes, their smiles faded and their lips met in a quiet, searching kiss. Gently, Seth lowered Morgan to the floor and began caressing her body. Expertly he unfastened the buttons of her shirt and exposed her warm, full breasts to his touch.

She returned his kisses with ardor, her tongue and teeth gently massaging the muscles of his neck and the open part of his shirt. She began to writhe and arch against him in the ancient manner of women. She rubbed his lean, hard thighs, searching. Gently, she kneaded the bulge she found between his legs.

An animal sound broke from Seth’s throat. He rolled off her, his heart pounding and his breath coming in gasps. He sat up quickly and held both her hands in front of her. His eyes were glazed and his hair was rumpled. Silently, he buttoned her shirt. “Not now, little one.” His voice was low and husky. “When I make love to my bride, it won’t be hurried, it’ll be when there is plenty of time.”

He took a deep breath. “Stand up and listen to me. I have quite a few things to tell you before I go.”

She listened. She was not to leave the ruins for any reason, not even to sit in the sunlight in front of the houses. He left her food, water, and blankets.

“Now, if I don’t return within three days, try to make it east. About four days from here is the cabin where Meg and John live.” At the question in her eyes, he said, “Yes, I met them. They will help you.”

She put her arms around his neck and held him, desperately. “Please stay, Seth. I don’t want to lose you again.”

“You’ll have time to think. I want you to be sure about us.”

She looked at him. “What about you, Seth? Do you want me?” Her eyes hardened as an ugly thought crossed her mind. “Maybe you don’t want me. Maybe you just want to enjoy your year as a husband before collecting your reward money.”

The words were out before she realized, and she was frightened. Seth’s reaction astonished her. He threw back his head and laughed and then picked her up in his arms and twirled her around. “Sweet little Morgan. Do you know so little about me that you think I’d marry for money? I think I must have fallen in love with you when you flashed Cynthia Ferguson that first look of hate. You were so sad in that ugly brown dress. The way you hung your head wrung my heart. But then, just for a second, your eyes lit up. And I was trapped.” Laughing, he kissed her.

“Do you really mean that, Seth? You do love me?”

“Always.”

She frowned slightly. “Then why didn’t you tell me before?”

He laughed again. “And have you tell me off? You wouldn’t have believed me if I had told you.” He kissed her thoroughly. “I must go now, love. You’ll do as I say and stay here?” At her nod, he continued. “I’ll be back soon. Will you still love me … or will you have changed your mind again?”

“Oh, no! Seth, I won’t. I do love you.” She stopped, eyes narrowed. “You’re laughing at me!”

He smiled and hugged her close, then set her on the ground. “I’ll think of you every moment, my love.” He turned, grinned, and was gone.

Morgan listened intently to the quiet sounds of Seth’s horse trotting away. When it was silent once again, she turned to face the wall. It wasn’t as warm now as it had been when Seth was there. She felt small and very alone.

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