Free Scars of the Heart by Joni Keever Page B

gotten the precise answers he sought, like the purpose for his being or the course of action for justice . . . and especially no explanation for why his path had been crossed with Carl’s. Of all things, this caused Kade the greatest unrest.
    He’d awakened the boy before first light, explaining that he had some scouting to do. In truth, Kade had already explored their perimeters and found no sign of any unwanted visitors. They appeared to be safe . . . for now.
    His harsh words of last evening had caused guilt to rule Kade’s tongue. Before he knew what he was doing, he’d offered to allow the child time to bathe this morning. The stream emptied nearby into a clear pool no larger than a wagon bed. Kade knew of the lad’s obsession for cleanliness. He sent him off with the small cake of soap.
    Something about that pup disturbed Kade. He didn’t understand his feelings for the waif. Why would he choose to burden himself when other duties beckoned? True, he felt compassion for such a frail thing beneath the whip, but how did he come to be traveling with the boy and promising to help him find his aunt?
    Kade shook his head. There was more, something he didn’t want to think about or admit to. He had actually gazed upon the ragamuffin as a man does a woman! Kade’s manhood had stirred to life when his companion stretched long and languid before him. And in his dreams last night, Kade held a beautiful woman—warm, willing, and with the biggest, greenest eyes he’d ever seen. Eyes like emeralds. Eyes that could hold and keep a man forever.
    Standing, Kade ran fingers through his straight black hair. He’d heard of men who preferred boys to women, but he’d never truly believed it was so. And he certainly knew better of himself. He’d enjoyed the soft skin and round curves of the fairer sex since he was still young enough to fetch a willow switch. Never had he entertained any thoughts to the contrary. Never . . . until now.
    With another deep breath, Kade tried to rid his spirit of the discourse within. Soon he would have to find time for proper meditation, when he could thoroughly cleanse his soul of all turmoil and distraction.
    He peered into the southern sky. The great eagle had flown away in that direction, the very direction Kade traveled. Perhaps he hadn’t gotten all the answers he sought, but he now knew his course was true. With renewed conviction, he started back to camp and the source of his discord.
    Leading the stallion, he picked his way along a rocky ridge. They moved at a leisurely pace, Kade still navigating the maze of his thoughts. Tall evergreens crowded the ravine to his left. A glimmer of light caught his eye. He sought the source, realizing that beyond the trees lay the pool he’d sent his companion to.
    Pausing, he knelt. He could just see through the branches. The morning sun reflected off the surface of the water.
    Carl, with his back to Kade, stood in the shallow pool. The water lapped about his thighs as he scrubbed his hair vigorously, working the soap into a rich lather. Kade started to smile at the waif’s diligence, then stopped, noticing the way his tiny waist flared into shapely hips and a well-rounded bottom. Kade could just make out thin red marks crisscrossing the ivory hide. Tiny’s signature, thankfully, wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been and would’ve been had he been more sober.
    With a nudge from the black’s long nose, Kade had to brace himself with one hand on the ground to keep from toppling. His gaze never wavered.
    No wonder I’ve caught myself looking. That boy’s put together better than most whores I’ve met. If I didn’t know different, I’d swear he was a —
    Kade’s thoughts trailed away as the lad turned around, revealing a triangle of golden curls and rose-tipped breasts.

Chapter Eight
    Plunging into the cool spring water, Carly shook her head beneath the surface, rinsing away the thick lather. Coming up for air, she folded her legs beneath