MM02 - Until Morning Comes by Peggy Webb Page A

was much like the man, she thought, for she had never seen him look anything except immaculate and dignified, almost as if he had been sculpted instead of born. Whether he was bound in an outdoor privy or sitting astride a stallion with the wind blowing his hair or standing in the stream with water soaking his clothes, Colter always reminded her of a perfect museum bronze. His tight control might have been scary if she hadn't known that he was a man of fire and passion and poetry.
    She didn't hear him enter the tepee. Only when she saw a patch of sunlight on the ground was she aware of his presence. She turned slowly to face him, and he lowered the deerskin flap.
    “I was admiring your camp. It's like you—neat and unmussed.” She crossed the small space that separated them. “Are you always like that, Colter, in complete control?”
    “Until now, Jo Beth. Until I met you.” He pulled her into his arms and gazed down at her. “You are rocking the foundations of my life. The things I'd hoped to find in this lonesome place don't seem to matter anymore. All that matters is you.”
    His hands were gentle as they bracketed her face. His lips were tender as they brushed across hers.
    “Go now, quickly, before I lose all my nobility.”
    “You could never do that.”
    With his arms wrapped around her, he swayed, holding her body pressed tightly against his. “Ahhh, Yellow Bird. I'm on the edge of a cliff, about to plunge over.”
    She rested her head in the curve between his cheek and his shoulder. With her open mouth, she pressed kisses against his throat.
    “You tempt me to stay, Colter... forever.”
    They swayed together, their heartbeats joined in perfect rhythm. Finally, Jo Beth pulled out of his embrace.
    “Good-bye, Colter.”
    He smiled. “Only for a little while.”
    He held the flap open, and she left his tepee. Standing in the opening, he watched her climb into her Jeep and drive away. Then he went inside and began his preparations for the coming night.
    o0o
    The sun was lowering in the west by the time Jo Beth arrived at her cabin. Silas and Sara were waiting for her on the front porch swing.
    “Your Dr. Gray is a nice man, Jo Beth,” Sara said.
    “Humph.” Silas set the swing into motion with his foot. “He's a wolf parading in sheep's clothing. He didn't fool me for a minute.”
    Jo Beth sat on the steps sideways so she could face her parents. “How's that, Dad?”
    “Shoot, I knew it was Toronto all along. If I'd a had my gun, I'd a filled his britches with bird shot and sent him on his way. How can I take care of my family without my gun? That's what I'd like to know.”
    “Now, Silas.” Sara patted his arm.
    Months of dealing with Silas had taught Jo Beth it was best not to argue with him. She'd learned the hard way that to placate was better than to disagree.
    “Dad, I appreciate what you've done for me, but I have Zar for protection.” Hearing his name, the big golden retriever rose from his napping place on the front porch and came to sit beside Jo Beth.
    “A fat lot of good he'd do against that sneaky Indian. Where's my gun?”
    Desperation is often the father of inspiration. Relief flooded Jo Beth as her inspired idea took hold.
    “I don't need you to protect me, but I really need your help. Dad.”
    “How's that?”
    “If you could help me with my photography, I could finish this job quickly. Do you think you could learn to use one of my cameras?”
    “I could learn to use a derned pipe organ if somebody would teach me.”
    With Sara looking on and providing encouragement, Jo Beth taught Silas about focusing and shutter speeds and exposure. After the lesson, Silas walked around taking shots of the dog's tail, the porch rafters, and his wife's feet. Jo Beth and Sara left him standing on the porch, happily clicking away at the outdoor privy.
    o0o
    Evening came quickly to the desert. The sun dropped over the western rim of the earth, and the sky changed from pink to red to deep