The Enchanted Land Read online

  Seth figured Morgan would be kept upstairs. He cautiously crossed the hall to the stairs and began making his way to the second floor.

  “What was that?”

  Seth froze on the stairway.

  “I didn’t hear nothin’. Give me that bottle and quit worryin’. Ain’t nobody goin’ fool with Boss Martin’s property.”

  Joe laughed. “You’re right. Give me the bottle back.”

  Seth found only one door locked upstairs. He couldn’t risk the noise of trying to break it open, so he entered the bedroom next to it. As he had hoped, there was an adjoining door, also locked, but a quick search of a night table revealed a key.

  Quietly he entered Morgan’s bedroom and saw her snuggled under the sheet, her long, golden hair spread around her, making a halo. He smiled his relief.

  To keep her from crying out, he put his hand over her mouth. Instantly, her eyes flew open in terror. When he saw recognition reflected there, he removed his hand. Her arms flew around his neck, the sheet falling away from her nude body.

  He held her close, burying his face in her clean, soft hair.

  “I knew you’d come, Seth,” she whispered tearfully. “I knew it. They said no one could find us, but I knew they were wrong.” She pulled him closer. “I’m sorry for all the mean things I’ve ever said to you.” She kissed him on the neck.

  “Morgan, sweet, we’ve got to get out of here. Get dressed, and don’t make a sound.”

  Her face showed her fear. “Seth, they’re horrible. You don’t know. They’ve done horrible things. I don’t like to remember.” Her eyes were full of tears.

  “There’s no time for that now! Get dressed!”

  Quickly, she put on the tight pants and shirt.

  “Let’s go,” he hurried her. “Follow me, and no noise.”

  Quietly and easily they made their way past the two drunken men and out of the house. Soon, they reached Seth’s horse. He mounted and pulled her up to the saddle in front of him. He kissed the top of her head, murmuring a quick prayer of thanks for her safety. Then he nudged his horse up the hill.

  Chapter Eight

  THEY rode all night. Morgan snuggled against Seth and slept part of the way, safe with his enormous arms around her.

  At dawn, Morgan awoke to a very different countryside than that surrounding Boss Martin’s white house. The trees were tall here, straight, with white bark. They looked eerie, since they had markings that looked like eyes. The leaves were nearly round, and the gentle breeze made a rustling sound through the trees. It was quiet here, and cool, and somewhere in the distance she could hear the sound of running water.

  “Where are we, Seth?”

  “We’re in the mountains of New Mexico. I came through here years ago and found the place where I’m going to leave you. There aren’t many white men who have been there.”

  “Leave me?” She turned to look up at him. The sunlight shining through his hair made it seem very blond. His skin was tanned, and there were little lines at the corners of his eyes. “You’re not going to leave me alone somewhere, are you?”

  “I have to for a while. Cat Man and those two buffoons will be following us.” He grimaced. “I don’t believe he’ll let you escape without trying to find you. I have to go back and find them first.”

  “No. They might hurt you. Please don’t leave me. Let’s just go on and get away from them.”

  “Little Morgan, how long do you think two of us can ride on one horse? We can’t possibly lose them.” At her worried look, he kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon, and then I’ll take you to my ranch.”

  She smiled up at him. “I want to see your ranch. Is it as pretty as this place?”

  “No, it’s not this high. There are no aspen trees there.”

  At the foot of a wall of growth, they dismounted. Seth tied the horse, then led Morgan between some trees. Now she could see an ancient trail, nearly overgrown with brush, spiraling upward. They climbed, Seth holding her hand and guiding her.

  After several minutes, they came to a flat, worn place in a sheer rock face. There were several steps, and then they saw the village. There was an opening in the face of the rock about one hundred feet long and about forty feet high. Set back under the protection of the overhanging rock were ancient mud buildings. Some were crumbled, but others were still whole.

  “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.”