Only 03 - Only You

remained.
    The Spanish hadn’t found all the ways through the wild land. Nor had the U.S. Army. The Indians had; some of the men who rode with Slater might easily know things that no white men did.
    “Couldn’t prove it by the tracks,” Reno said.
    She let out a silent breath of relief.
    “Couldn’t disprove it, either,” he continued. “Not all of Slater’s men are riding shod horses.”
    “They were in Canyon City.” Then, before Reno could say it, she added dryly, “But we’re not in Canyon City anymore.”
    The corner of his mustache lifted in a smile.
    “Comancheros aren’t welcome in Canyon City,” Reno pointed out.
    “Couldn’t the tracks you saw have been made by mustangs?”
    “Some of them were. And some of them were cut deep into the ground.”
    “Like a horse carrying a man?” Eve asked.
    “Or a horse digging in to shy away from an irritable neighbor. A lot of nipping and squealing goes on at a water hole this small.”
    Eve made a sound of exasperation and licked her dry lips.
    “Don’t worry, gata ,” Reno said. “I’m not planning on making you go without your bath.”
    She smiled with delight. As she did, she realized that somewhere along the hot, hard trail to Spanish gold, she had lost her displeasure over Reno’s nickname for her.
    Or maybe it was simply that his voice had lost its cutting edge when he called her gata . Now his tone was darkly caressing, as though she were indeed a wary cat being coaxed closer and closer to his hand for a thorough petting.
    The thought brought a flush to Eve’s cheeks thathad nothing to do with the heat radiating from the canyon’s stone walls.
    “Cover me from here while I fill the canteens,” Reno said. “When I’m finished, I’ll water the horses one by one.”
    By the time the canteens, the humans, and the horses had drunk their fill and returned to the small side canyon, the sun no longer touched even the highest edges of the rock walls. The air was hushed, for no breeze disturbed the hidden canyon. Shadows flowed out from every crevice, pooled, and rose in a soundless tide. Overhead the sky flushed darkly with the passionate hues of sunset.
    While Reno took care of the horses, Eve built a small fire against a boulder. By the time the smoke rose to the boulder’s top, nothing remained to give away the camp’s presence but a faint fragrance of piñon fire and coffee. With the meager light of the flames to aid her, Eve ate quickly and gathered up what she would need for a “bath.”
    Silently Reno watched Eve walk out into the darkness with a canteen, a small metal pan, a soft rag, and a piece of soap. The faded dress made of old flour sacks was draped over her shoulder. He couldn’t decide if she was going to wear it back to camp or use it as a towel.
    “Don’t go far,” Reno said.
    Though he had spoken quite softly, Eve froze.
    “And take the shotgun with you.”
    Reno followed the small sounds Eve made as she picked up her shotgun and walked once more into the darkness. She didn’t go far. Just enough to be well beyond the reach of light from the fire.
    Reno heard the muted splash of water and told himself he could not possibly hear the subtle whisper of cloth against skin as Eve undressed. Norcould he hear her sigh of pleasure as the cool water caressed her. He most certainly couldn’t hear her breath shiver when her nipples peaked in response to the wet cloth. But he could imagine it.
    And he did.

10
    T HE air felt sleek and cool on Eve’s damp skin as she finished her bath. She shivered, but not from chill. Like the half-wild, wary mustangs, Eve sensed she was no longer alone. She shook out her flour-sack dress and hurriedly pulled it on over her head.
    “Finished?”
    Reno’s voice came from only a few feet away.
    Eve spun toward him, her eyes wide. He was standing within reach. Clean clothes were bunched in one hand.
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m finished.”
    “Then you won’t mind if I use the basin.”
    “Oh…”
    Eve took a shaky breath and told herself she wasn’t disappointed that Reno had followed her merely because he, too, wished to refresh himself after the long ride. Quickly she held out the basin.
    “Here,” she said.
    “May I use your cloth, too?”
    The husky darkness of Reno’s voice heightened Eve’s awareness of him until it was almost painful. Her skin tingled as though it had been stroked.
    “Yes, of course,” she said.
    “And your soap?”
    She nodded.
    The motion of