Chapter 9

Davy slammed the thin door to the bedroom back against the wall as he entered, rousing Stella from her sleep. She squinted up at him from the rumpled bed. “Mornin’ sugah. Didn’t ‘spect to see you so early.”

“Got a hankerin’,” he replied and started stripping off his clothes. “Get up on your hands and knees, honey.”

“Can’t we do it regular this time, honey?” Stella whined.

Davy reached out and slapped her hard then grabbed her by the hair and dragged her completely off the bed, across the bedroom and into the small den. He shoved her over the arm of the couch, pressing her face hard against the cheap vinyl. “You stay there, bitch, or I’ll whip your ass so hard it bleeds. You got me?”

Stella whimpered and nodded, remaining as she was, bent over the arm of the couch, ass up.

Davy went into the kitchen and rumbled around for a few minutes. When he returned he held a squeeze bottle of cheap margarine in his fist and a leather strap.

“Now, time for Daddy to punish his bad girl,” he said as he upended the bottle and squeezed the rancid margarine all over her ass.

Stella had time enough to squeak before the strap landed on her rear. She yelped at the pain and reached back to cover her ass. Danny grabbed her by the wrist and bent her arm back so hard it felt like it was going to break. “You do that again and I’ll beat you so hard you won’t be able to walk for a week. Now stretch your arms out over your head and stick that ass up higher.”

She whimpered but complied. It was a game they both loved. He had a need to possess and she a need to be possessed. Davy’s dick grew increasingly erect with each blow of the strap. When Stella was screaming like a banshee and her ass was crisscrossed with rising red welts, he tossed the strap aside.

He squirted the margarine over his dick, and then stuck the tip of the bottle into her anus and using both hands pressed squeezed hard on the bottle. She cried out in protest but made no move in fear of retribution. Margarine seeped out of her ass when he removed the bottle.

He stroked his dick, his mind transforming the cowering woman in front of him into the likeness of Rusty. Now it was she who was bent over in surrender before him.

“Reach back and spread your cheeks, baby,” he crooned in the tone of a lover. “Beg me to fuck you up the ass.”

Stella visibly winced as her hands gripped the flesh of her abused cheeks and spread herself open as wide as possible. “Oh yeah, baby. Yeah.” Her breath was fast and hard, letting him know that she wanted what he had to offer.

Danny punched her in the back of the thigh, angered that she had improvised her dialogue. She knew what he wanted to hear but sometimes she forgot and acted on her own need instead of his. “I said beg me, baby. Tell me how much you want it.”

“Please,” she whispered, pressing her ass higher, spreading as wide as possible. “I want you, baby. Put your dick in me. Fuck me hard, baby. Please. I need you.”

The fantasy returned and Davy grinned as he rubbed the head of his dick against her anus. “Want it, don’t you, baby?”

“Yes, please,” she whispered.

He pressed his pelvis forward, sinking the head of his penis into her anus. “Nobody fucks you like Daddy, do they, baby?” he asked as he grabbed her hips and pulled her toward him.

“No one,” she screamed as he impaled her on the length of him. “You’re the best. The best.”

“Damn straight,” he groaned and pounded into her. “You’re mine. And you love it. Want it. Can’t live without it.”

“Yes!” she screamed. “Please, fuck me hard, Davy. Fuck me hard!”

Davy grinned and slammed against her in increasing speed and ferocity. Within moments he felt the buildup begin. “You’re mine!” he shouted as he released himself inside her, his body quaking under the force of the climax.

“Oh yes,” Stella moaned, still unaware that the man who’d just lost his load in her ass was talking about another woman entirely.

* * * * *

It had been six weeks since the murder of the horse. Since that morning, Rusty had become a different woman, a ghost of her former self. Clay had done everything he could to snap her out of it, but she’d cut herself off from him.

Not even Koda seemed to have an effect on her, even though Clay had seen them engaged in long discussions. Each one ended the same as the previous, with Rusty taking off for the woods, not returning until dawn when she would set to work with a vengeance.

Clay was worried. If the murdered horse wasn’t enough, the series of events that had followed was enough to drive even the strongest person to madness. They’d had cut fences that had them spending days rounding up stray stock, two horses that had vanished without a trace, supplies that were never delivered and suppliers that claimed to have received calls canceling orders, slashed truck tires twice when they went to town, and a poisoned stream in the east pasture.

Not even the resources of the Circle R would be enough to pull Blackhawk out of the red if this continued. Already the family was starting to suggest that perhaps Clay should discuss with Rusty the possibility of selling the land and transferring the stock to the Circle R in Arizona.

He was loath to make such a suggestion to her. She’d barely said a dozen words to him as it was, speaking only when there was something that had to be said concerning work. Other than that, she avoided him.

Clay couldn’t figure it out. “What the hell have I done?” he asked aloud as he sat on the porch of the bunkhouse and watched her go into the barn.

You are not held accountable for what eats her soul, human, a deep voice seemed to come from inside his head.

Clay literally bounded to his feet in surprise. Was he losing his mind?

Not that I can tell, the voice replied to his mental question.

Clay whirled around and saw Koda standing at the end of the porch, regarding him.

“That can’t be you,” Clay said.

Because? Koda’s face actually split into the canine equivalent of a grin.

Clay’s butt hit the chair bottom with a thump. “You’re talking to me? Actually talking? Why?”

Because I cannot help her alone. Should she sink any deeper into her despair and guilt, she could be lost forever. That I cannot allow. I need your help.

Clay stared in amazement as Koda walked over and sat down in front of him. “She won’t even talk to me,” Clay said. “So what can I do?”

Remind her that she loves you.

Clay’s heart did a funny little lurch in his chest. “Loves me?” he asked, despite the spark of hope that ignited inside him. “Hell, she won’t let me near her.”

Because she blames herself for what happened. She was with you when the horse was killed and she feels responsible. She let her feelings for you take precedence and so she was not here to prevent what happened. She thinks she is as responsible as the one who committed the murder. She neglected her duty and the cost was a life.

“That’s ridiculous!” Clay exclaimed.

Not to her.

“Well why haven’t you tried to set her straight on that?” Clay asked.

Because she blames me as well. Why did I not sense trouble and warn her?

Clay nodded thoughtfully. “Were you aware of what was happening?”

No, my mind was elsewhere. I did not sense it until it was too late.

Clay fell into silence, thinking. He’d never imagined that she felt responsible. That she carried around such guilt. Or that she blamed Koda.

Her accusations at me are nothing more than frustration, human. It is her guilt that needs eliminating. It eats at her soul and carries her steadily toward a madness that will prove disastrous unless averted.

“What do you mean?”

She will use her power for ill rather than good.

“And?” Clay asked. “What will happen if she does?”

Her power will turn against her and destroy her.

Clay felt a sick sweat break out on his body. “So how does reminding her that she loves me cure anything? If she even does. Doesn’t look much like love from my view.”

Pain and guilt cloud the heart and mind, human. You should know that. She loves you. Despite not wanting to. She runs from that love because it is what will free her and she is afraid to let go of the guilt.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Clay replied.

Humans rarely do.

With that, Koda turned and leapt off the porch, trotted to the barn and disappeared through the open door. Clay blew out his breath and leaned back, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above his head.

If what Koda said was true, then what did he do? That thought alone had him rolling his eyes and questioning his sanity. He’d just had a conversation with a wolf? Shit on a stick, wouldn’t Chase like to hear that? Thoughts of Chase had him suddenly sitting up straight.

Ana! If anyone would be able to advise him it was Ana. He snatched his cell phone from the holder at his belt and punched in her number.

* * * * *

Rusty tossed the last shovel of dirty bedding into the wheelbarrow and swiped the back of one dirty glove across her forehead at the sweat that tracked down toward her eyes.

You can’t get rid of it as long as you cling so tightly to it.

She turned and glared at Koda. “I don’t need your shit right now, thanks.”

Now is exactly when you need it. You can work yourself until you drop, hide in the forest every night of your life, and run from the truth until the day you die, but the truth will still stand when you are gone.

“And just what the hell is this mighty fucking truth?” she snapped.

That you cannot control the actions or intent of others. You could not have stopped what happened. Not any of it. If not that day, then it would have happened another. When a man is intent upon evil, he will find a way to commit that evil despite all efforts of another.

“But I wasn’t here!” Rusty screamed and sat down hard on the ground, covering her face with her filthy gloves. “Brummel died a horrible death and there was no one here to protect him.

“Or to hold him and let him know he was loved at the end.” She looked up at Koda as she sobbed.

He knew. Rusty, we all know. Your love is like the sky above us, as vast and pure and constant. And that love is returned tenfold from every being here. Even the human, Clay.

Rusty wiped at the tears that ran down her face. “He doesn’t love me, Koda. How could he? I don’t even love myself.”

And therein lies the problem, my friend. Hatred stains your soul and robs you of that which is most precious. Unless you release the hatred and embrace the love, then you are as doomed as those guilty for all the evil that is perpetrated against you. You give them all the power. You let them win.

“No!” Rusty jumped up and ran to the tack room. Within minutes she had Beau saddled and was mounted.

Clay saw Rusty tear out of the barn on Beau and race toward the western pasture. He ran to the barn and quickly saddled Fleetfoot, the largest and fastest of the stock.

Koda stood waiting at the entrance of the barn. The moment Clay emerged, Koda took off at a run. Knowing without being told that Koda would lead him to Rusty, Clay followed.

Rusty raced across the pasture, urging Beau to go faster. They flew like they were racing a storm, Beau’s powerful legs pounded like pistons, his hooves kicking up clods of dirt and grass in his wake, with Rusty crouched low over his neck, her small frame moving as one with his as if they were one being.

She didn’t know what she was running from exactly. Only that she had to run. That unless she escaped the pain and anger she would explode into a thousand pieces. She kicked Beau into a jump as they neared the fence bordering the pasture. Once clear, she steered him sharply to the left, headed for the trail that led into the hills. Toward salvation.

* * * * *

Davy reached his secret observation spot just as Rusty rode out of the barn at breakneck speed. It was only a couple of minutes before the Russell fellow was in hot pursuit.

Davy grinned and grabbed his cell phone. If they were lucky, they had time to pull off another attack before Rusty and Russell returned.

He quickly called his brothers and set them into motion, then settled back to wait. His plan was working like a charm. Even though he and his brothers had started the gossip about Rusty, rumors were flying, people speculating that she’d gone off the deep end and was unstable.

Not that the law wasn’t looking in his family’s direction. They’d all been called in for questioning after every event. Fortunately for Davy, his alibis had been secured and were holding up just fine. Stella could be quite convincing, even if she was a whore. When she claimed that she and Davy were engaged, and even produced a diamond to back it up, everyone believed her.

The only problem was that now she was starting to believe the lie herself, and Davy found himself spending far more time with her than he wanted. Fucking her kept her happy even if it was distasteful. But with enough liquor and drugs, he could pretend it was Rusty he was fucking. That fantasy was enough to have him giving Stella some rough nights of hard sex and kinky thrills. But she didn’t mind. Hell, she welcomed it. And fool that she was, she took it as proof of his love for her.

He’d let her believe it until Rusty was his, then he’d get rid of her. No one would question her taking an overdose and killing herself over their breakup. Everyone in the county knew that she’d been trolling for husband for years and was getting desperate. To be so close and then get dumped would be enough to have her ending her sorry life.

* * * * *

Clay was grateful for Fleetfoot’s strength and stamina, and marveled that Koda was able to stay ahead of them, his feet flying effortlessly over the ground in pursuit of Rusty.

Ten minutes passed before he heard Koda’s voice in his mind. There they are.

Clay searched the land before him. Sure enough, disappearing into a stand of trees at the top of the ridge was Rusty, laid out along Beau’s body as if she were part of the animal.

Her skills in handling a horse were evident as she urged the horse in a winding course through the trees. Clay was pushed to keep on her tail and entered the heavily wooded area behind her.

When he emerged two horse lengths behind her, they were on top of the ridge, with a long slope headed down on one side to a barren landscape. He recognized the place but was certain that the first time he’d been there he’d come from another direction.

Rusty raced Beau down the hill and leapt out of the saddle almost before she reined the animal to a halt. She ran to the middle of the barren clearing, her arms thrown out wide, turning in a circle and shouting to the heavens.

“Gods and angels, spirits on high, I seek your guidance, please here my cry. My soul walks in darkness, thick and black. Please help me find the strength I lack. Show me the way, guide me this night. Erase the darkness. Show me the light.”

Tears streamed down her face as she turned ‘round and ‘round, repeating the words time and again.

Clay reined Fleetfoot to a stop and dismounted. He didn’t know what to do, so he did nothing but stand and watch, tears gathering in his own eyes as he watched and felt her despair.

She requires our strength, Koda spoke in his mind.

Clay looked down at the wolf by his side. “What do we do?”

This.

Koda started toward Rusty. A breath later Clay followed. He watched Koda stop beside her as she turned, ‘round and ‘round, calling out to the heavens. Koda’s voice joined Rusty’s in the chant. Clay took a position beside Koda and raised his own voice in time with theirs.

Rusty heard their voices and her constant twirl slowed then stopped, her chant stuttering to a halt.

Clay and Koda finished the chant then fell silent.

“It’s not working,” she said in a voice so void of hope that Clay’s heart nearly broke.

“But it will,” he assured her, not realizing until he uttered the words, that he believed.

He reached out for her hand and placed his free hand on the back of Koda’s neck. “We’ll make it work. Let us help, Rusty. We love you.”

Rusty studied his face for a long time before she took his outstretched hand. She let him pull her closer and placed her free hand close to his on Koda’s neck. With a weak voice she began the chant again, closing her eyes and tilting her head back so that her face pointed skyward.

Clay and Koda joined in the chant. He closed his eyes and concentrated all his energy on the words. So focused was he on the wishes the words sent out into the universe that he lost track of time, standing there under the sky, the three of them joined in a triangle of hope.

He became aware that a wind had risen. Not strong or possessed of anger, but a cool soothing breeze that carried the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass, trees and fertile earth.

He opened his eyes and with surprise beyond all measure saw around them a fertile green land, lush with grass that rippled in the breeze and flowers that grew in random profusion.

A beam of light streamed down from the soft billowing clouds that floated lazily in the sky, illuminating them in golden warmth. Clay felt the light penetrate him down to the marrow of his bones, healing warmth that was so pure it nearly made him cry for joy.

He turned his mind from his own joy to look at Rusty. Her face was still turned up, but now her eyes were open, tears streaming as she smiled up at the heavens, her violet eyes swimming with dancing lights.

The light slowly faded and after a moment Rusty turned and dropped down on one knee in front of Koda, gently loosening her hand from Clay’s, to loop both arms around the wolf’s neck and hug him.

She stayed like that for a long time before she pulled back. “Thank you, my friend. For always being there for me, for telling me the truth even when I don’t want to hear it. For loving me. You hold my heart, Koda. We are of the same blood, you and I, and nothing will ever change that.”

Words of truth, my friend. I rejoice in your return to the light.

Rusty smiled and rose to face Clay. “You saved me. You and Koda. Your love saved me. I never thought to know such love, and I’m so sorry for all I’ve put you through. All I can say is that I’ll strive to never cause you pain or suffering again. I love you, and as long as my energy exists on this plane or another, I will love no other.”

Clay never imagined that a heart could sing, but in that moment his did. “I love you, Rusty. Now and always. I’m yours if you want me.”

Rusty smiled and all of the pain and grief that had been etched so deeply on her face was gone. “Well now, there’s an offer I just can’t refuse, Mr. Russell.”

Clay blew out his breath. Even in the most intimate of moments, as they were declaring undying love, she managed to be a tease and a smartass. “Woman, you’re enough to vex the hell out of a man.”

Rusty laughed and threw herself into his waiting arms. “Vex? Why, honey, I haven’t even begun to vex yet.”

Clay laughed and spun her around, burying his face in the crook of her neck. “Ah, darlin’, I do love you so.”

He slowed the spin so that her feet could touch the ground. She brushed long silken strands of hair from her face and smiled up at him. “I love you…”

“Come on now, darlin’, it’s not that hard. Say my name.”

Rusty’s eyes sparkled with light, causing a flutter in his belly that was part anticipation and part sexual. “Once I say it, there’s no going back so you better be sure.”

“Never been surer in my life,” he replied without hesitation.

“Well just remember, in the years to come when you bitch and moan about all the vexation I cause you…you asked for this. I love you, Clay.”

Clay literally jumped at what sounded like the clear pure tone of a bell, echoing throughout the universe, throughout his heart, mind and body.

“What the heck was that?”

“A sealed deal,” she said with a mischievous grin. “You’re stuck with me now, Mr. Russell.”

“Shit on a stick, are we back to that already?” he complained. “Damn, woman, what’s it take to get you to say my name?”

Rusty laughed, turned and ran. “Catch me and you’ll find out.”

Little as she was, she could move fast. She led Clay along the base of the ridge, through a thicket of cedar so dense that he lost sight of her, and into what had to be the prettiest grove of walnuts and oaks he’d ever seen. Towering three stories high at least, their massive branches and thick boughs formed an umbrella against the sky. Light filtered in shafts to the forest floor, carpeted in leaves and spongy soil.

Rusty ducked behind the trunk of a massive oak. Clay circled around the other way and she ran smack into him.

“Gotcha,” he declared the obvious and took her into his arms.

“Indeed you do,” she breathed, catching her breath. “Question is, what’re you gonna do with me now that you’ve got me?”

Clay looked around then back at her. “Well, my first inclination isn’t working out too good, seeing as how we’re in the middle of a forest. Not exactly the ideal spot to make mad love to your woman.”

“Traditionalist,” she teased and started backing away.

“Come back here,” he made a grab for her.

“Come and get me.”

Clay watched her backstep to an old oak with twin trunks. Off the side of one, a large branch, nearly as thick as the trunk it emerged from, stretched almost horizontal to the ground.

Rusty stopped with her back against the branch. With a coy expression, she slowly started unbuttoning her shirt.

Clay’s erection swelled at the sight. Inch by inch, she revealed herself to him. Her nipples tightened as the cool air brushed over them. Rusty turned, draping the shirt on the branch. With a look over her shoulder at Clay, she unfastened her jeans and began to work them ever so slowly down her hips.

Beneath the denim was only woman. A sound between a growl and groan came from Clay as she bent over to pull off her boots, giving him a bird’s eye view of her tight ass and pink sex, plump and glistening.

She smiled and straightened, then turned to face him, hands cupping her breasts, thumbs stroking over the hardened buds of her nipples.

Clay was nearly bursting with need at just the sight of her. She was intoxicating, completely uninhibited and natural in her nudity as if she were part of the forest, a mythical wood sprite come to tempt him.

Rusty watched Clay’s hazel eyes grow dark with hunger, and his hand move unconsciously to the length of his erection, straining at his jeans along the inside of his right thigh.

When he started toward her, she thought of a large sleek puma, his movements purposeful yet fluid, his eyes smoldering and heat flowing from him that she could feel despite the distance that separated them.

He divested himself of his boots and socks before he reached her, leaving them where they fell on the forest floor. Stopping in front of her he stripped off his shirt, tossing it across a low hanging branch. Rusty reached up to trace her fingers from the firm swell of his chest to the waist of his jeans, all the while, her eyes locked with his.

Her body yearned for his touch, for the feel of him filling her. He quickly divested himself of his clothing and reached for her. One touch and nothing else existed. Time paused and the universe stood still.

When at last reality returned, Rusty slumped limply across his body. Clay eased from her and rolled her over to pull her into his arms. Their lips met, parted and joined in a kiss that spoke of love and belonging, their slick skin pressed tightly to one another.

As their lips finally parted, Rusty reached up to place her hand on the side of his face. “I love you.”

“Ah, Rusty, darlin’,” he whispered. “You’ve stolen my heart. For me there will never be another. I love you.

“One thing,” he added and she raised her eyebrows curiously. “Do you think that maybe one day, we could do this in an actual bed?”

Rusty laughed and traced the pad of her thumb across his full lower lip. “Why, Mr. Russell, how conventional.”

“Mr.?” he sputtered as she clamored free of him with a wicked giggle. “Woman, I can see right now I’m gonna have to spank your ass good.”

Rusty hooted a laugh, grabbed her clothes and took off running. “Promises, promises,” she yelled over her shoulder.

Clay snatched up his clothes and hurriedly dressed then took off in hot pursuit. By the time he caught up to her, she was half dressed, running in the direction of the horses, laughing like mad.

“I need food in the worst kinda way,” Rusty said as they reached the horses.

Clay chuckled. “Then let’s get you home, Sassy.”

“Race you!”

They both hurried to dress and mount their horses. Rusty laughed as she leaned close to Beau’s neck, urging him faster, even as Fleetfoot’s long legs brought Clay closing in on her. For this one moment, all was right with the world.