Mountain Rose by Norah Hess

range the hills, don't ever go into the forest alone, Raegan. There are stories of men who have gone into those thick woods and never returned. It's still debated whether they were killed by Indians or animals, or become lost and starved to death.
    "I thinks it's best if you . . ." Chase broke off, and grasping Beauty by the bridle bit, he pulled the two mounts behind a tall thicket of bushes.
    "What is it?" Raegan asked in a low voice, alerted to the frown on Chase's face that it was imperative not to make a noise.
    Chase swung out of the saddle and motioned Raegan to do the same. "I just heard the slap of a paddle on the river below us. I want to see if it's friend or foe." He carefully parted the bushes so that they had a view of the Platte flowing along.
    They hadn't long to wait. Within minutes, at the bend in the river, a canoe came into sight, sliding smoothly and silently through the water. While they watched with held breaths, another followed, and then another, until six in a row slid past them.
    "Tillamooks?" Raegan asked in a whisper, her hand unconsciously gripping Chase's arm.
    "Yes. It appears they have begun looking for the woman." Chase grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Raegan, promise me that you will never go far from the cabin alone."
    She nodded, unable to speak. She had never before stood so close to Chase, never felt his hands on her bare flesh. She had the urge to move closer, to melt against him, to feel his arms go round her, his lips cover hers. When she saw an answering flare in his eyes, she leaned closer to him.
    She blinked when Chase snatched his hand away and said brusquely, "We'd better get goin'."
    Raegan cringed inside as she climbed back on Beauty. Had Chase read what must have shown in her eyes? Was he disgusted with her? Did he think she was a loose woman?
    She'd never be able to look him in the face again, she wailed silently, lifting the reins and setting Beauty to walk behind Sampson.
    Chase's mind was filled with uneasy thoughts also. Raegan's desire had wafted from her body in waves, meeting and mingling with his own. He had found himself weakening in his determination that there would never be carnal knowledge between them. When she leaned toward him, her soft lips parted, it had been the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life not to grab her in his arms and hungrily devour her red lips.
    But he had listened to the inner voice that warned him, "You must not lose control. You must be the strong one. It's up to you to walk away."
    But now, as they rode along, Raegan trailing behind him, Chase knew that she was embarrassed, probably had hurt feelings. He pulled Sampson in, and when Raegan came abreast of him, he said with his usual friendly smile, "Over that next hill is your new home."
    Relief washed over Raegan. Chase hadn't noticed her wanton behavior back there after all. A wide smile stretched her lips. "I can't wait to see it," she cried, and gave Beauty a jab of her heel that sent the little mare racing away.
    Chase laughed and sent the stallion galloping after her, praying that he would never be tempted by her again. His will power was only so strong. Another time might be his undoing.
    The mounts lunged up a small hill, then at a slower pace descended the backside of it. And there, at the bottom of the hill, drowsing in the warm afternoon sun was a long, L-shaped cabin. Chase reined in his mount, bringing both horses to a halt so that Raegan could get a slower, more rounded view of everything.
    Raegan's gaze moved over the building of peeled logs, frowning at its neglected state. Where were the flower beds Mama had described so glowingly, the rose bush that climbed up the chimney walls? There was nothing in the yard except tall weeds that grew right up to the wide porch stretching the width of the cabin.
    She ran her glance over several outbuildings set some distance from the log house, the largest being a barn. There was no deterioration in any of the