with me?"

"I told you, I have work to do."

Leah thought for a moment and then sat down on the ground, her arms folded.

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" He glared down at her.

"I'm not leaving here. You're up to something and I don't like it."

Anger surged through Wesley's entire body as he grabbed her shoulders and lifted her off the ground. "

You think I am up to something?" He seethed into her face. "I have lain here helpless for days while you got yourself into one mess after another and you tell me you don't trust me? Leah, for two cents I'd turn you over my knee. When are you going to realize that you can't run the world singlehandedly? I could have gotten us out of this days ago if you'd only asked for my help. But no, Mrs. Stanford has to do everything her own way. I've tried, Leah, I've tried really hard to be nice to you. You wanted to handle all this on your own so I let you. It was my own stupidity that kept me from realizing how much real danger you were in."

He dropped her to her own feet. "Damn you again and again! I don't know any man in the world who'd stand for what I've stood from you. You insult me, tell me I'm fickle then act as if I'm some helpless idiot you have to protect. You know what your problem is, Leah?"

She looked up at his furious, handsome face with wide eyes. "No. What's my problem?"

"You've always had control, that's what. From what I gather, you commanded that whole family of yours like you were some general, and on the trip here you took on everybody else's work and actually ran the whole trip."

Leah just stood there, blinking.

"My patience is all used up now and I've had enough of lying back and letting you have your way. Starting today you're going to be my wife and you're going to honor that part in the wedding vows that says obey. You understand me?"

"Maybe," she said, but at his look she changed her mind. "I understand you thoroughly."

"Good! Your first order is that you are leaving these woods right now. I'm staying here because I plan to find out more about who this Revis's boss is. And when I get ready I'll return to you and our farm but not before then. Is that clear?"

"Yes," she said thoughtfully. "Revis doesn't do all the robberies on his own?"

"Somebody else organizes them. Revis is nothing but a two-bit thief, not smart enough to run the business. But he knows the identity of his boss and I want that information. Are you ready to go?"

"I'd like to know who'd do this awful thing, too."

"Good," he said impatiently. "I'll tell you when I get home." He gave a whistle. "Bud and Cal will take you home."

"Won't Revis miss them?"

"I have some plans." He glared at her. "None of which I plan to tell you. All I want for the next few

months is to know you're safe. I don't need or want your interference in any of this. I'll clean out this band of thieves once and for all."

"All by yourself?" she asked aghast.

"You were planning to take care of Revis and me all by yourself. Did you think that Revis was going to

shake your hand good-bye when you decided to leave?" His voice softened. "Here're the boys. Now give me a kiss good-bye."

"I don't like this," she murmured as he pulled her into his arms. "Won't you need some help?"

"Shut up, Leah."

She didn't say another word as his mouth closed on hers.

"I wish we had more time," he said against her lips.

Leah gave herself over to his kiss, losing all thoughts of Revis and his boss.

When Wesley pulled away from her she stared up at him because she knew she loved him. Actually, she'd never really stopped. He'd done some awful things to her and maybe she should hate him, but she didn't.

"And what's that look for?" He smiled down at her. "If I weren't so concerned about getting you out of here I'd take you back into the cabin."

She leaned into him, causing him to frown in puzzlement.

He smoothed a strand of hair back from her eyes. "I don't think I've ever noticed how pretty you are.

Even after days of sleeplessness you're the prettiest girl I ever saw. Leah." He paused. "Thank you for what you did, for putting yourself in Revis's clutches in order to save me. It was* kind of you."

Pulling away from him, she thought she might just start crying again. "I'll see you in Sweetbriar?" she

whispered.

Grinning, he kissed her lustily again. "I'm not about to tarry when I have you waiting for me. Now scoot."

He turned her about and smacked her firmly on the seat.

An hour later, Leah was halfway down the mountainside with Bud in front of her, Cal behindand

already Leah was making plans.

Once out of Wesley's arms, she'd been able to think more clearly. If she went ahead to Sweetbriar as he'd told her to do, she just might face legal charges. Her only hope was to get someone to hide her and who was she going to ask? Kimberly? Justin?

And thinking of Kimberly, would Wesley return to pining for her if Leah wasn't around to remind him that she was alive? At night when he was alone, would he remember Kim's pretty blonde face rather than Leah's tearstained one? He just now had noticed that Leah was pretty, but would he remember it?

Tramping down the mountain, Leah kept thinking. Maybe if she had more time with Wes he might grow to love her. Didn't he already say he liked her? And wouldn't he need help with Revis? How was he going to find out all the information he wanted? And too, Wesley said he had a debt to pay, but didn't Leah owe Revis something for making her a part of his murders?

The more she thought about it the more she was sure she should return to help Wesley.

But first she'd have to escape Bud and Cal. As they walked, she began to look for a hiding place, a place to spend the night all alone in the big, lonely forest. She shivered.

"You would like to rest?" Bud asked from behind her.

"Oh no," she said sweetly, smiling up at the big man. "I'm just fine." Wesley, she thought, was worth the trial of being alone in the forest.

Chapter 21.

Escaping the boys was harder than Leah had imagined, and hiding from them was even more difficult.

She practically buried herself under leaves and shrubs, then held her breath as Bud and Cal walked all around her. After a nearly silent conversation, they separated and went north and south. Leah didn't move but stayed in her crouched position until her legs ached.

At sundown the young men returned and inspected the ground carefully. They seemed to know she was near them and wanted to give her time to emerge from hiding. But Leah waited until nightfall before she crept out of her hole. Bud and Cal were nowhere to be seen as she started up the mountain.

Every sound made her jump and after only a few yards, her spine was rigid with fear. It wasn't until after hours of struggling that she felt someone was near her. "Revis!" she exclaimed, then stood still.

"Bud and Cal," she said with a sigh. "I know you're there so come out."

As if they were part of the forest themselves, the young men emerged to stand beside her.

Perhaps she should have felt that she'd been caught, but she suddenly felt safer and was actually glad to see them. With a grin she looked up at them. "Now what happens? Do you take me screaming down the mountain? I warn you, I will scream. And kick, too," she added as an afterthought.

The men seemed puzzled by her. "Why do you want to return to Revis? Your husband wants you safe."

"And who will keep Wesley safe with both of you gone? And Revis will hurt Verity because there's no one to protect her and he'll probably beat Abe because I've escaped."

"You care for your brother?" Cal asked.

"Perhaps. I'm not sure. I do know I can't run away and let Wesley take on Revis by himself. Will you help me?"

Bud looked at Cal.

As Leah watched, the two young giants seemed to engage in silent communication. Abe had said they were brothers to Revis, but right now she wondered how close they really were.

"Do either of you ever ride with Revis on his robberies?"

"No," Bud said.

"Then why* ? Why do you stay with him?"

"He pays us for firewood and game and for watching his cabin to see that no one comes near."

Leah's curiosity was piqued. "Does he pay you well?"

"We have bought land in the town at the foot of the mountain. We are going to be farmers."

"The town* ? You mean Wesley's Sweetbriar? How much land do you have?"

They looked at each other. "It is now eight thousand five hundred sixty-two acres."

"Thousand?" Leah whispered. "The two of you own thousands of acres of land?"

"Wesley knows our land and says it is good. He said he will help us build a house and help us buy seed and tools."

Leah couldn't help laughing. According to Abe the boys were stupid, but in truth they were smart enough

to make themselves rich. "When are you planning to leave Revis?"

"We owe him something. He helped us when we were children," Cal said. "But our debt is close to being paid. We will leave soon."

"And now you have a new protector. Wesley will help you as much as you need. And if you'll help me now I'll*" She couldn't think of what she had to bargain with. "I'll cook for you. While you're building your house and barn I'll give you meals."