0bssesed by Him

The horse stood, blinking stupidly at him as Eben’s temper soared. He fingered the hilt of the knife at his belt, wishing for the luxury of gelding the jackass here and now—but Cadence waited. Anger tightening his movements, he grabbed the tether. “Lucky for you that I have higher priorities. Your balls are safe for now—just don’t get too attached to them. One more empty-headed move like that, and I’ll have you gelded before you can blink.”

Standing on the bank, favoring her injured leg, Cadence nickered uneasily. That she was standing was indication the leg was not broken, but upon closer examination, he saw it was bleeding and bruised and starting to swell.

Across the wide valley, blue-gray skies were lowering.

Lightning flickered, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. A storm was coming, and his gem, the promise of a brighter future, was lame.

IT WAS RAVEN’S NINETEENTH BIRTHDAY, but she

was in no mood to celebrate. In a very short time, her world had turned on its axis, throwing everything off kilter. The resulting chaos had at first seemed a passing thing. Everyone succumbed to illness now and again. Even Henri, her papa, who was normally hale and hearty. Always when he sickened, he quickly recovered. Surely, she’d thought, this time would be no different. But as the profuse sweats and racking cough alternating with raging fever continued for more than a week, Raven’s mild concern turned to worry, then to panicked denial. She could not allow herself to think the unthinkable, and so she concentrated on making Henri well again.

Now, with the sickness into its fourth week, the feeling of dread that normally filled her only in the heart of the night was choking even in the stark light of afternoon. Henri was dying, and there was nothing to be done but make him as comfortable as possible and wait it out.

She could not allow herself to think about what might come after. She would just have to deal as best she could with a solitary existence when it happened and hope that she was up to the challenge. Off to the west was a low growl of thunder.

She quickened her pace along the path leading to the creek. The storm was slowly advancing, and if she hurried, she might just have time enough to bathe before returning to the cabin with the water. A dip in the creek had become a daily ritual. To deny herself that simple pleasure would make the evening long and uncomfortable. Such a small luxury—one of the very few she could now afford to enjoy.

Even before she reached the deer trail leading down to the water, Raven was shedding her clothes. Her dress was a simple, round-necked affair with small capped sleeves and a high waist. A drawstring at the neckline held it in place, so it was only a moment later that she dropped it to the ground.

Then, naked, she waded into the water. How deliciously cool after the unbearable heat of the day! It lapped at her thighs and hips, as soft and luxurious as satin.

Raven had seen satin once, sewn into a sumptuous lady’s gown, but she had never worn anything so extravagant or frivolous, and she could only imagine how it would feel against her skin. As a young girl, she’d dreamt of someday owning such a gown, but maturity had brought home the stark reality that such luxuries were meant for other young women. But not for her.

RAVEN HAD STILL NOT RETURNED with the water, and Henri’s thirst was a terrible thing. All consuming, he imagined that should it remain unsatisfied, he might burst into flame and burn into ash right there on the cot. He needed water. Now. Feebly, he drew back the shabby blanket and struggled to drag himself upright. Dear God, what the effort cost him. He had to fight the urge to lie back down and die.

Determined to reach the water, he kept his gaze fixed upon the handle of the metal dipper, just protruding above the lip of the bucket. It gave him the strength of lurch to his feet and stagger a few steps closer before his feet got tangled up together and he fell heavily to the floor.