“There is a simple answer for that, Storm.”
“And what is that?”
“I don’t follow; I lead.”
Chapter 9
Storm marched right up to him. “There’s room for only one leader in my group, Mr. Longton. If you cannot accept that, then you can leave.” She turned and hurried her pace since she felt an overwhelming need to punch the arrogant American.
One minute he was tender and caring and the next minute he was claiming himself a leader. Well, not here was he, nor would he be. She had warned him, and she had the feeling she would continue to warn him about following orders. It was already tiresome, but the money—
She halted so quickly that she kicked up a cloud of dirt around her.
She hadn’t had time to discuss an exact fee with him, and she suddenly wondered if it was worth keeping the American around.
Storm turned, intending to do just that, and almost collided with Burke.
“Were you following me?” she accused.
“We weren’t finished,” he said
“There is no room for discussion. You either—”
He cut her off. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t follow your orders. I also didn’t say I wouldn’t object now and again. From what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve been here, it’s obvious that you not only allow your men to voice their opinions but you also consider them. I’m expressing my opinions, maybe a little more forcefully, but it’s only natural since I’m accustomed to leading.”
“Since you are a leader, you know only one person can lead.”
“Believe me,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m trying to remember that.”
“I’ll keep reminding you,” Storm said with a chuckle.
“I have no doubt of that, but be aware you may tire of reminding me,” he cautioned, his smile spreading slowly.
“A leader must chastise when necessary.” Her smile grew as his faded. She knew her words stung his pride, but then they meant to remind.
“Were you returning to speak with me?” he asked.
She was relieved he’d changed the subject. There had been enough debate. Any further discussion would not change the outcome.
“We never discussed a fee.”
“I thought the same myself,” he said.
They entered into a brief discussion since the sum Burke offered was more than generous for what he asked of her in return. The money would sustain them for a year or more if they were careful.
He baffled her, this American who had entered her life so chaotically and continued to cause anarchy. Yet she could not help but respect him and admire his courage.
She watched him walk off to wait for her beneath the tree. After she told him she would speak with William and Philip privately before they left, he insisted he’d wait to help her get to her quarters.
She hadn’t argued with him, perhaps because she felt it more sensible not to irritate her injured arm, or had she liked the comfort of his arms?
Storm was shocked by her own thoughts and shook the nonsense from her head. Wherever had that idea come from? She had known the man barely two days and he had annoyed her more than not.
It had to have been the kiss, she reasoned, returning to the campfire. It reminded her of bittersweet memories, memories she thought she kept tucked away. It had been three long years since her husband had last kissed her, held her, made love to her.
She shivered and hugged herself tightly. She missed the warmth of Daniel’s arms, his body next to hers at night. They would cuddle in each other’s arms and fall asleep content. She hadn’t been able to sleep for weeks after his death. She had felt a constant chill without him beside her.
It had taken time to cope with his death, to make sense of it, accept it.
She shook her head. She really had done neither. His death made no sense and she had never truly accepted his demise, she had simply learned how to live with his absence.
Now this brash American appeared and stirred long-buried emotions that she preferred remain buried. She didn’t want to be reminded and feel the dreadful pain of losing Daniel yet again.
“You’re cold.”
Storm jumped and glared at Burke as he dropped to his knee and added more wood to the dwindling fire.
“You must stop sneaking up on people,” she admonished, holding her hands out to the rekindled flames to warm her hands.
“I wasn’t sneaking, and besides, you looked deep in thought and I didn’t wish to disturb you.” He sat on the log beside her. “Is something troubling you?”
You.
She shook her head. She had no time to let nonsense interfere with her mission. No time for a man and no desire to love again. She had sworn over her husband’s body never to let another suffer so senselessly, and she would spend the rest of her life fulfilling that oath.